Lady Lada ; test drive one today.

It happens. Don't kid yourself. You wake up, brew some Folgers and decide to test drive a Lada. On your way to your local Lada dealership, you might be whistling "Making Plans for Nigel". It was during my adolescent days of owning my fathers 1977 Blue Chev Malibu that I first came across a modified pimped up Lada. It was beyond smart looking. Spoilers, fat wheels, shiny rims. The Russian Lada. Cool.
Often at Airports I'll request a Lada from the Budget Rental Lady. As I patiently wait for her response like a giddy school kid, i anticipate she will say, Sir, you're in luck we have two left. Would you like a blue or orange Lada today ?".

Test drive a LADA

ATB 2014

gun about to go off

2 hrs 32 min coming in under race clock

Am I worried? Hell No! Having run five times since the Hamilton Marathon in November 13 ; i'm over the moon, with my result today. In fact, pretty pumped. The 500 plus km Nordic Skiing this past season was a bonus. Now its time to get serious about Marathon running. Ottawa, Detroit & Hamilton here I come.
Just outside the lift bridge I ran into my good friend Keith Lascelle. Keith and I ran a couple of Ultras together. 63Km at Ghost Town , New Mexico was a treat. Yesterday, Keith and I ran probably 5 km together and it always astounds me how fast time goes when you're just chatting. Keith thank you. I saw quite a few Barrie runners today including Terry McFarlene, Frank Astri, Oliver Owens, and Allan Johnson. I also met some interesting Hamilton people after the race including a lady who ask my wife "is that your husband?"
Hobbling around James Street, post race with my Princess and Starbucks, a 12 year old kid on a BMX comes to a squeeling halt, blurts out, "hey mister what place did you come in?" without hestiating i said "second".
Kid "WOW!" and he peals off on his BMX. 1164th just didn't have the same pizazz.

I Love Peterborough Racing

 My Wife and Daughter are planning their time in Peterborough while I'm running the race. Tasha, "Dad will you be done in an hour & a half?" Me, "HELL NO!"
Last time I ran was the Hamilton Marathon first week in November. 
I started running the Peterborough Half in 2004, when the race home base was the old YMCA building. Today, the new YMCA facility makes this winter run a treat & pleasant experience. Not suggesting for a minute that I compete in races whereby we physically change our undergarments in frozen snow banks.
 This year I ran slower than in the past, mainly because I ran slower that I have in the past. It wasn't my age. It wasn't the wind in my face. It wasn't my socks. It wasn't that I overdressed. It wasn't because 9 out the 10 aid stations refused to give me a drink. I was slower than prior races. I've done this particular course in 1 hr 32 mins which for me is good. Today's time was 1 hr 41 mins.
What can be learned from this? In order to get better you need to practice.
Overheard in the locker room prior to the race. First Man not from Peterborough area doing the race for the first time, "Is this course hilly?" Second Man from Peterborough, "Well, ,.. yes,  i would say its hilly, (pauses) and reflects and then decides to be a little more forthright. Yes it is hilly especially kilometer #5.
I'm thinking to myself, buddy are you in for a surprise.

Gillette made the Mach 3 ; Under Armour has the Mach 39

I'm a strong proponent for science, engineering & making the world a safer place to eat peanut butter. I love my Lazer Aerodynamic Time Trial Race Helmet. In the words of Frank Zappa "in order to make progress, you sometimes have to deviate from the norm".
On January 1st,  in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, Under Armour released the "Mach 39" to the U.S. Speed Skating Team. Already heavily favoured to gather a bouquet of medals this lightening fast, aerodynamic "Mach 39" racing suit would ensure pure success. On Feb 16th the U.S. has achieved "nyet".
The venting in the upper back portion of the Mach 39 suits was to release body heat. The venting was taking in air,  thus acting like the Goodyear Blimp. Imagine the Athletes. Imagine the Stakeholders back in the boardroom.
A multitude of strings are at play here. You're Shani Davis, you have been training your callouses off for the last four years and you want one of those honking magnificent Sochi Gold medals. You'll skate naked if it means getting gold with 5 days to go. Meanwhile back in the U.A. Boardroom its damage control. Friday at close,  Under Armour stock fell - 2.38% to $ 106.10 /share. Today it will be interesting to watch what happens to the price.
I truly feel for Under Armour and Shani Davis and the U.S. Speed skating team. Trying to get an skate edge but somehow not quite pulling off the American Dream.Not unlike our beloved Canadian Cross Country Skiers with their "wax experiments?".  You gotta love Science.

Man's Best Friend ?

Most likely over 20 years old, manufactured in Winnipeg, Manitoba this Sterling Snow Blower gets the job done. Did i mentioned it weighs 300 lbs.

the Nielsens

It was fourth down and a half a frozen lake to go. T$ decided to throw the bomb. Play is under review for defensive interference, offside and too many men on the lake.

Remembering Rusty (this blogs for you Tasha)

I'm allergic to Cats. But not to Rusty. Everyday I knew Rusty, we were pals. I remember the times that Rusty would jump on the couch with me. I'd let Rusty drink the milk out of my cereal even before I started. My Mom special ordered this patterned couch upholstery from Argentina to help camouflage Rusty from neighbourhood bullies. Sometimes when Rusty was feeling playful, he would paw at the soles of my white shoes. On clear nights I sometimes stare into the constellation, lose myself, and wonder if Rusty were alive today, would he be a Bengal Tiger. My daughter asks me, "Dad, do you miss Rusty?" I pause, turning my head to hide the tears and sadly reply "yes". We had other cats my family borrowed but not like Rusty. Rusty slept with his eyes closed. In fact Rusty was the smartest Cat I ever had. Rusty wasn't a noisy annoying Cat either. He'd purr versus scowl.  Rusty didn't like having his picture taken. This is the only picture of Rusty in the world today. Not long ago, I was talking to my Mother long distance on a crackling connection, reminiscing about Rusty. I think my Mother might have early signs of dementia as she conveyed that my loving Cat's name wasn't Rusty. I love you Rusty.

Rusty & me. Circa 1965

Rusty & me. Dec.28.2013