Recovery week 9/21-9/27

Well vacation is over and reality is starting to kick in, today Monday we slept in and our main objective was to get unpacked and get ready to go back to work for Amanda she was starting her new shift on Tuesday 2300-0730 ouch that is going to take some time to get used to.We did manage to get out on the road bikes in the afternoon for a easy one hour spin up the bike path

Tuesday back to work and getting up at 0430 which sucks overall, not to bad of a day at work good to be back and see everybody from work, everybody interested about our trip good times telling the stories. After work I jumped onto the mountain bike for a ride around Temecula road on the power line access roads for about a hr before it got dark.

Wednesday I planned to ride again but we got a late call and ended up getting off work late so I did a 30 min strength workout at home before heading to bed.

Thursday after work I headed to the jewelry store while we were in Florida Amanda and I started looking for her engagement ring, she found one she liked so we went to checked it out again at our local store here in Temecula. We wanted to up grade the center diamond to make it perfect, they made it seem like it was no problem to do that but once it game down to it they weren't willing to work with us and it was going to be to expensive to make the change so the quest continues to find the perfect ring.

Friday the plan was to go pre ride the fat tire epic 50 course at Vail lake since it changed while I was gone on vacation I talked my friend Shrek from work to come join me , he hasn't been riding much so this was going to be a long day for him.We got riding about 0900 and it was already hot not a good sign, our main objective was to check out the new sections on the back side of the lake let me tell you that first climb after the damn makes the damn climb seem like a breeze I think I under stand the word epic a little better now, good lord Jason your a brutal man, this is a tough course one lap was hard two laps will be difficult to complete least for me.One nice thing we ran into two other guys doing the same so it was good company and we saw Jason on course doing some trail marking, once we made it back to the campground we all jumped into the pool , that was nice, by now it was about 104 degrees and almost four hours since we started but we had a lot of stops checking out the course, fixing a flat and talking to Jason overall one good day of riding though.

Saturday at it again today was the last race of the racers/chasers summer series out at Cahuilla creek mx park,up early and and headed out.During warm it was already getting warm pretty decent turnout of riders. The race went well I got a good start and was in third overall out of all sport riders, three laps this time which is one more than the last race so allot tougher. The first three guys were pretty fast I hung in there pretty well with the fourth place guy I ended up fifth on the day and third overall in the series real happy with that. There was a little problem with our category scoring but Rob and his crew were open to hear the concerns and the facts and it was corrected in a timely manner. Props to them I know it can be difficult keeping track of everybody and the amounts of laps between categories.After the race it was off to pick up Taylor for the rest of the weekend. Amanda's friend Beth was coming over tonight and we all were going to the concert in the park here at the Harveston comm center the theme was songs from the 80's.It was good times good company, free drinks,popcorn,face painting for the kids.


Sunday a happy birthday goes out to Andrew today he turns sixteen. Easy day planned hanging out and letting Amanda get some sleep since after last nights concert she had to go work.Yesterday after the race I was going to head down to Palm Desert to take Andrew out for his birthday but he already had plans with his grandmother and two uncles so we talked and were going to get together next weekend and celebrate the big 16th.

Vacation week 2 9/14-9/20

This week the plan was to take it easy and hang out around the pool and do some training. Monday we were up early getting the boys ready for school, once they were off we decided what the heck its vacation we went back to bed and sleep into about ten.After breakfast we took off on the bikes and did a little riding for about 1 hr the ended up being a quest to see if we could spot a alligator, we were successful but the pictures did not come out .Later that afternoon we did a 30 min strength work out at the gym. The rest of the day was spent lounging in the pool.


Tuesday was busy after we got the boys off to school we headed over to message envy for our messages on this day the company was donating a portion of the cost to breast cancer so Amanda made us a appointment in the couples room at noon, after some lunch we headed home for some pool time.Later that evening we hit the gym for about a hour did some arms, core workouts and spun on the stationary bike, for dinner I grilled up some chicken breasts and we made burritos.

Wednesday I got out on the bike and road over to the preserve that is located about four miles away, its a real nice place to ride bikes,run or Rollerblade,no charge for entering the preserve that is about 15 miles of paved roads and a few dirt single tracks and lots of wildlife. I did not make it back home before the thunder storms hit I got a little wet but is was a blast,Amanda saw how much fun it looked so she jumped onto a bike and we road around the neighborhood for a while longer. Once the boys were home from school we had to take Cody to FSU for his music lessons, back home and after dinner we watched a couple of movies before heading to bed.

Nice water stops at the preserve

Thursday we took it easy mostly hanging around the pool, we did managed to hit the gym for one hr. I did a run on the treadmill with Amanda for thirty mins and another thirty min spin on the stationary bike.That night Cody had a football game that the band was playing the half time show so we headed for to watch and support him, no rain tonight that was nice.
Friday morning I got up and went for a two hour ride out at the preserve and ended up with about 30 miles. Another tough day lounging in the pool,that night we watched a baseball game and a movie.

Saturday the plan was to rest up and get the house cleaned, Amanda' parents are returning this afternoon. After picking them up it was pool time once again. We spent the rest of the day telling stories of our week with the boys and hearing about there trip as well.


Sunday was travel today for us we got up lounged one more time pool side drinking some wine eating juicy steaks and snaking on crackers and cheese. In the after noon we said our good byes and thank yous and her dad took us to the airport and guess what it started to rain once we were there of course it was pouring , our flight was only delayed for 30 mins though.After take off things were peaceful we were both really tired, short lay over in Dallas and two hrs later we were back in San Diego Karla picked us up and we cruised home and right into bed. Vacation is officially over, Bummer, Bummer.Off to work we go.

Vacation Baby 9/5- 9/13/2009

Vacation started today the plan is to fly to Amanda's dads house in Tampa Florida stay there until Monday we are taking there car to port Canaveral and board our cruise ship for a four day cruise to the Bahamas, once we are back at there house on Friday they are leaving for a business trip to Scotland for one week. Amanda and I are going to stay at there house and watch the boys while they are gone.



Sat morning we got up early and headed to San Diego airport Karla went with us to drop Amanda and I off and drive my car home so we did not have to pay for parking for two weeks. The drive down went well no traffic and even the airport was not busy we pulled up and parked right in front of the terminal, during check in the sparks started to fly I personally rarely fly so I'm not to aware of standing procedures but Amanda was a little upset when she saw the charges united airlines were charging for checked baggage, I guess this is a sorta a new thing that most airlines are now doing, to say the least the baggage attendant got a ear full from Amanda, it was interesting to see her get all fired up, its the red hair thing I guess. After she cooled down things went pretty smooth, we got on the plane and I cried like a baby so I could have the window seat it worked . We took off on time, cool views during take off of the ocean and the coast line. Within two hours we were getting ready to land in Dallas TX, That was quick, we had a two hour lay over there so we found a TGI Fridays to hangout and get some lunch and oh yea get a drink too. We loaded back on the plane and headed to Tampa lots of cool views from the plane lots of clouds and I witnessed my first sunset from 33000 feet, landing in Tampa went well we found Amanda's dad and her stepmother Shirley right away, we picked up our baggage without too much problem it is amazing how all luggage looks the same when its going past you while in the baggage claim area. After finding our baggage we headed to Amanda's dads house for some dinner. We got there and the boys Amanda's brothers Cody and Ryan were happy to see her. Dinner went well we did some catching up on things, the weather was warn and I could definitely feel the humidity,after we settled in we headed to bed.

Sunday morning we slept in, ate a big breakfast and lounged around at the pool.Before diner we set up there volleyball net and played a few games of three on three pool volleyball.This of course was with a couple of drinks on board.Amanda's dad grilled up some very juices stakes for diner along with salad and a baked potato,very nice way to start a vacation after diner Amanda's dad and her sat down and he laid out all the plans that the boys need to follow while they are going to be gone, lots of thing going on school,band practice ,music lessons, State band tryouts and two football games.
Monday morning we got up after sleeping in until about eleven and got all of are thing ready for the cruise. We down loaded the directions from mapquest and headed out in the BMW nice ride thanks to Shirely. The drive was nice cruising to the east coast of Florida all while flying with the top down, it was was about a two hour drive to port Canaveral. Once there we unloaded our luggage and parked the car and started the boarding process everything went well and real smooth, we were now on the the Monarch Of The Seas.First thing we did was buy a drink with cups that had flashing lights, little umbrellas and fruit slices,after that we found are room and then we planned our Island excursions the the next two days. It was time for departure so we checked out the scenery from the top deck on the way out to the open seas. That night the theme was 70s music, the ships entertainment crew was awesome, great music and really good dancing After the 70s music performance we headed to the night club for some more drinking and dancing.By this time I had enough to drink to get myself out on the dance floor,Amanda and I had a good time burning off some calories, we finished up just in time for a little snack from the midnight buffet after that it was back to the room for some sleep.















Tuesday morning we were up early so we could get on the first tender boat that shuttles you to the Island of Coco Cay. And yes it was my birthday.We were scheduled to go para sailing at 0900 hrs. The weather was nice it was warm but not to humid.Para sailing was a blast nice and peaceful with beautiful views of the ship,Island,clear waters and white puffy clouds.The rest of the day we were set to hang out and lounge around on the beautiful beaches and enjoy the clear warm waters.Unfortunately the waters were saturated with a influx of jellyfish, they were everywhere , we were able to get into the water a little bit at times. We met a lady from Brazil she was not fazed at all by the jellyfish she taught us a few thing about them that was helpful and reassuring Amanda got a picture of me picking one up pretty cool feeling.The crew provided a barbecue lunch on the Island really good eating.After lunch it was time for a nap in a hammock and a little time to do some shopping before we went back on board the ship.Once back on the ship we shower and dressed up for our formal dinner, the other couple that was seated with us were really nice they were from Clearwater Florida, he was a state trooper and had also competed in some triathlons a few years ago and he still rides road bikes a few days a week.After dinner we hung out for a while listened to some music and headed to bed.











































Wednesday again we were up early for our day at Nassau Island, today's agenda was to go out on a sailboat a head to a reef and do some snorkeling and the crew was to make drinks for all of us as we sailed back to the port.The crew announced that if it was your birthday, anniversary or you were newlyweds that they were going to makes us special drinks, since yesterday was my 43rd I was in fore a extra treat.Snorkeling was a blast the water was really clear and warm, as we set sail on the way back to port it was getting real cloudy and dark, soon enough we were in a tropical down poor it was a blast the crew was making our drinks we were drinking music was playing and everybody was dancing.









































































The rest of our day we spent doing some shopping and we stopped had a few drinks and listened to some karaoke at Senior Frogs Bar, we headed back to the ship for dinner and some much needed r/r. After dinner we hung out for short period of time up on deck watching the crew teach people how to dance. Then we were feeling a little guilty so we decided to hit the gym for about 1 hour Amanda ran on the treadmill and I spun along side on the stationary bike. That night it was the pool side party and midnight barbecue, great food, good music and beautiful
weather.We were so stuffed after that we headed to bed.
















Thursday we slept in until almost noon, after getting up and going we headed to the buffet for some lunch, no island stops were planned today we were to be at sea all day and night until Friday morning.We hit the gym again in the afternoon, cleaned up for dinner and after that we watched the sunset from from the pool deck great views.









































































After the sunset we attended the fair well show followed by the comedian and back to our room to get ready for departure at eight a m on Friday morning. Up early again,I thought we were suppose to sleep in on vacation. departure went fairly uneventful and we headed back to Amanda's dad house, once back to her dads house her dad and step mom were getting ready to leave, we only saw each other for about three hours before there ride to the airport arrived.I got in a one hr spin on the stationary bike at there gym before the boys got home from school.

Over the weekend I did a couple of rides on a old cross type bike that was in there garage, other then that we mostly hung out lounged around the pool and watched some movies. The weather was hot and humid every day it would cloud up in the afternoon and rain hard for about a hour or so then clear back up by morning.we did have some fun riding in the rain though.

One week of vacation down and one more to go.

Short training week 8/31- 9/4 2009

The view from the Felts F2 cockpit

Cruising along the Temecula bike path on the road bike

This week has been really busy at work and home Amanda and I are getting ready for our trip to her dads in Florida and while we are their we are going on a four day cruise to the Bahamas.
Monday we just did a 30 min arms/core strength workout at home after work.
Tuesday I got out on the road bike for 1:35 hrs did my normal tues loop its been hot, smoggy and smokey lately in the afternoons around Temecula.
Wednesday got in a 1 hr upper body workout in after work, I can tell these workouts are helping with my arm and core strength slowly but surely.
Thursday did a easy road bike spin up the bike path really smokey today Looks like there is a fire over near camp Pendleton.
Friday the plan was to head out to Vail lake and find the rest of the fat tire epic course and hopefully get one good last training ride in before we left for vacation,well some of that was completed I did find the rest of the course and it was steep and sandy but once you get to the top of the ridge line the single track is pretty fun.I felt tired and the legs were a little flat but I did get in 2:15 hrs and around 20 miles so overall I shouldn't complain after that amount of riding it was already getting warm.Headed back home for a well deserved rest before Amanda gets home from work and then we need to finish packing for vacation, not going to get any riding in this weekend due to travel plans but its well timed the body is ready for r/r.Hopefully we will be able to get in some light training while we are gone, both of us have been working pretty hard on training lately once we get back we only have a couple of weeks before we do our events hopefully the rest will do us some good.

Busy week of 8/24-8/30 2009

The view of the lake at Yucaipa regional park from the single track coming off the east side of Crafton hills college

Hot and smoggy afternoon on Crafton hills college ride

Shrek was all smiles in the beginning of the ride heading up Crafton hills college

Another good all around week of training Monday did a 45 min strength workout with Amanda at home after work I'm defiantly weak in the core and upper body. After the time change in Oct this will become and goal of mind to improve on.
Tuesday after work I did a road ride from home out Ynez to butterfield stage rd and around to east side of bike path up thru the neighborhoods around the airport and back, this is a good loop because it has some good climbs and the flat area can have a pretty good head wind. about 30 miles in 1:45.
Wednesday did another upper body and core workout with Amnada I usually feel these the next morning after I get up from bed.
Thursday after work Shrek met me in Yucaipa and we did the Crafton hills college ride it was hot and smoggy, Shrek has not been doing to much riding lately and maybe to much beer drinking, he was hurting pretty good on the climb up the fire road heart rates in the upper 170 the hole way.Got in about 12 miles in 1:30. They have finished the last section of trail along the houses on the way back since the last time I road there, that helps because there is less time on the busy roadway.After the ride we went over to Farmer boys for a bbq chicken rap.
Friday got up was actually a little tired from Thurs mtb ride ended up doing a easy 1:15 spin on the road bike didn't get up early enough got out on the road before 10 a m but it was already hot outside.
Saturday made it out for the ca pools drag race ride out to Hemet and back, felt pretty good stayed with lead pack until just past warren rd this time a little better than the last couples of weeks, did a few pulls as well, I turned around at the lake again and worked well with a small group on the way back to bike shop. My goal for the day was to get in approx 3 hours so I kept riding ended up going up bike path and headed home finished with 3:15 min of saddle time and 62 miles.
Sunday morning slept in and took it easy all day Amanda and I did some shopping at the mall and we picked up some needed thing for upcoming trip to Florida and the Bahamas. Later that evening we did 1 hour strength building workout.
One more hard week ahead before vacation overall I'm feeling pretty good and Amanda has been doing really well sticking to the training plan she has been doing her 1/2 marathon is Oct 11 in Long Beach.