Wow... has it been that long?

Ok...  So I know it's been like 4 months!  But can you really blame me?  Remodel, Kid coming, Trying to get everything organized, Work is fast and furious... yada yada yada.

Well... it just doesn't leave time for many long posts.  I have been updating my status on facebook / twitter (mainly facebook via twitter).  I like getting both in one.

I do make the time to read the blogs of my fellow Triathletes... and I'm rooting for all of them this season!

As for this blog... I'm going to officially say that I'm going to stop using this site at least for a while.

For now you can follow me on twitter (cwestall) or you can look for me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1044705454)

I think micro blogging is more up my alley these days w/ all the stuff I have going on... Kid, Wife, Work, House, Train...

Hope to see all of you soon at some races!

An Update on things & a random thought or two...

Well here I am 18 days after my first post of the year... and trying to get something else down on the "page".

I ran this morning for the first time in a month.  I've been taking time to rest my knee because I've had some pain on the side (most likely IT Band).  I was able to run 3.25 miles before the pain set in at which point I stopped.  I don't want to press it to hard... but I have to keep on it because I have a race in 8 weeks for which I have to be able to run!  Without the run... there's no triathlon or triathlete.

I'm pretty set on finding a physical therapist that is open on Saturdays and can give the knee a thorough look to tell exactly what's up.  We'll see how it goes.

Other things... my remodel is still going on but we are hopefully nearing the end!  I've said that before but this time I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It's going to be really great when it's done!  It's been pretty tough to live through because my wife has pretty much been pregnant the entire time which makes eating healthy pretty hard to do.  But we've managed to figure it out to some extent.

Work has been really busy... I had another late night last night.  I was there until 9pm but you have to do that sometimes to get everything done.  It's few and far between and I don't mind it that much, I really like my job and the people I work with.  So working a bit longer and putting out quality work gives me a sense of satisfaction.

I got back on the bike a couple of weeks ago and have been riding about 75 miles a week.  That pales in comparison to some of my Tri friends... but I think they have a little more time on their hands.

Swimming has been steady... twice a week at Masters Swimming (@ USF).  I really like swimming and I've come to know the people in my lane pretty well.  I'm always in a good mood after swimming.

Ok... I have to jet for now.  They day is calling.

'09 and stuff.

Wow... '09 is here already!  Training in the winter sucks... but that's what makes us a bit crazy to begin with... our love of the sport and knowing that if we don't train, on race day someone who shouldn't be kicking your butt is making you feel like a total idiot.

I'm going to get back on the blogging again after taking some time off... I think it gives me a good outlet to just get my training life out of my head and to let Loren know that I'm still hammering.

Over the holiday I did manage to get quite a few workouts in but it was probably a net zero gain with all of the food I ate... but the holiday are about family and food.

I've also begun doing Bikram Yoga which I really like.  90 min of stretching in 105 degree heat really loosens up the joints.  I wish it would loosen up my right knee!  I've been having some real trouble with the IT band.  I can get to about mile 5 or 6 before it starts to tighten up on me.  I'm hoping that my new Ascis will help that.  I did a stride analysis over the holiday and the Brooks Trance 7, while a good shoe was proabably forcing me to much to the outside which could be the cause of the IT band problem.  But it's only on my right side so who knows!

Other than that... things are good.  I'm seeing the end of the remodel coming.  They say End of January, but I've heard dates before that just seem to come and go.  I think this one could be real though... thankfully!

I've picked a couple more races to add to the calendar but this year is going to be a bit sparse for me... May and June are Shot because my wife and I are expecting our first child.  So I'll have to get my racing in March (Golden Bear),  July (vineman), Sept (swim race) and I'm hoping for one more tri in Nov (Marin).  Shitty part is that I'll have to keep up the training but won't have the fun of racing very much.  I'm sure I'll be glad for that when I'm only getting 5 hours of sleep and can barely think let alone race.

Well... off for now... but I'll be back much sooner... even if it's just short little posts to keep you in the loop.

Blogging... there's never enough time. Aaarrrrrg!

Things are Super busy... but I'm sure you're all tired of me saying that. I've been swimming and running a lot... not biking (still under a pile of furniture in the extra bedroom).

Julie and I went to Loren and Greta's anniversary party and had a good time last Saturday... met a bunch of new folks. I actually got to talk to some of the blogging world in person... Finally!

Not a whole lot to say I guess... I just figured I'd post something.

If you need a laugh go to failblog.org I laugh my ass off everytime I go there.

Is She the Dumbest Person on the Planet?

Some videos you just have to see to believe. On Thursday, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin appeared in Wasilla in order to pardon a local turkey in anticipation of Thanksgiving. This proved to be a slightly absurd but ultimately unremarkable event. But what came next was positively surreal. After the pardon Palin proceeded to do an interview with a local TV station while the turkeys were being SLAUGHTERED in the background!! Seemingly oblivious to the gruesomeness going on over her shoulder, she carries on talking for over three minutes. Watch the video below to see for yourself. Be warned, it's kind of gruesome.

A Video that Always makes me Laugh!!!

Triumph the insult comic dog - bon jovi
Uploaded by AC310DC

Random things...

I managed to get a swim in today yeah... that's actually been the only consistant part of my workouts lately.  No time in the saddle and running has hurt around mile 4 because of a Really Tight IT band.

I really enjoyed the Masters swim progam at USF... It's nice to get to know the people in your lane a bit more each week.  Today we had a new guy George.  Probably mid 20's and FAST... I'm guessing that he won't be in my lane for long.  I like that you have to really push yourself in the workouts.

hmmm What else...

Oh the remodel is still going on and totally screwing up my workouts and my sleep!  I find myself coming home, scrutinizing every little detail and then firing off an email to the general contractor to rip him a new one on the shit they fuck up.  Then by the time we talk the following day, I'm a bit calmer and we work through it.  But I HATE having to feel like I watch over each step to make sure they're not pulling the "You Can't See It From My House" shit.   They usually fix everything the way I want, but at this point I'm annoyed that the project is running long and I can't get my routine back until it's done.

I suppose that's it for now... thanks for reading!