We now have seven weeks to go until Ironman Arizona. This past week’s training was nothing special.. We eased back into things after last week’s ChesapeakeMan Aquabike. On Monday, we got massages, which you would think might feel good, but were actually quite painful. At least mine was. I’ve heard other triathletes say the massages are workouts in and of themselves. Those tight muscles are stubborn things! Other than that, we swam, biked, ran our way through the week and did not do any seriously long efforts. That starts again this next week. I actually don’t know if I’m ready for it. We have another 100-mile ride next Saturday, and I signed up for a metric marathon (16 miles) on Sunday. We’re supposed to swim that day also. I should be ready for this, but I don’t know if I am. We shall see… For now, here are some random things I like that you can check out in lieu of something more interesting from me… I highly recommend these random things:

Lucy Piper’s blog “Pipe Down Piper” – here is one of my favorite posts:
http://pipedownpiper.com/2013/03/11/my-favourite-thing-about-human-beings/

This poem:

Storm Ending
by Jean Toomer

Thunder blossoms gorgeously above our heads,
Great, hollow, bell-like flowers,
Rumbling in the wind,
Stretching clappers to strike our ears . . .
Full-lipped flowers
Bitten by the sun
Bleeding rain
Dripping rain like golden honey–
And the sweet earth flying from the thunder.

This song by the Barenaked Ladies:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDgy9EdIl8&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DnTDgy9EdIl8

This article about indie rock that you can work out to:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/09/19/224155933/the-good-listener-where-do-mopey-music-fans-turn-when-they-need-energy

This interview with Stephen King
http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=223105565