Life

I come to realize that Jeff and I lead a very boring and predictable life. The alarm goes off at 5 am - we both try to ignore it and hope we can gain another hour of sleep. We get up (Jeff earlier) - he SSS, has breakfast and goes to work. I am off to watch AJ and pray I have enough energy to keep him amused.

Lately workouts have been rather boring - Jeff in the water to work out the soreness in his knee and me 60 laps on the track. Or if it is a Wednesday it is basketball with AJ at the YMCA.

We come home - eat supper (if it is before 8 pm it is a banner day!) - have a few beers AND then the excitement starts! He sprays his knees and then ice with veggies and I take over the spray for my knees and ankles. Who would ever thought that the smell of Gay Ben would overtake our home!

Watch a little TV and then off to bed by 9-9:15.

Sorry we don't have the excitement that everyone else has in training and life in general - OH, wait - you guys are still kids compared to our age!!!

But when the days ends - Jeff and I are still in love with each other and that is what makes our little world go around - such small things as a spray to relieve the pain in our body parts!

Sunday

Not an earth moving day at the Ungerecht's today. Jeff ran in the water to work out the soreness of his workout with Mark Crow (once again - can't let the young guy show you up!) while I walked another 60 laps with the every so lovely 1982 tunes playing in my ears.

Not sure what Monday will bring.

The Week In Review

Well Jeff finished out the week pretty much as it started - running in the water, bag of frozen vegetables on his knee and a "couple" of silver bullets to finish out dinner. He said his knee is felling better. He is lifting weights with Mark Crow today (saturday) - Mark is trying to decide if he wants to do Milton Triathlon this spring. It is hard to get back into shape when you stop training - so that is why I know even if Jeff stops competing in tri/duathlons he will always train. Can't imagine Jeff ever getting a beer belly! :P

It Is Almost Time

Well the time is quickly approaching that I will lose the Goose to the open roads. With approximately 70 days until we leave for the 3 State/3 Mountain journey, it is time for devoted training. I have been through this for almost 25 years, and the first couple of weeks are never easy. I get use to Jeff being home and helping with "stuff" and it does take a couple of weeks to get in the swing of things.

This year he has very high goals for himself and it will take hard training both on the bike and running. I know I can count on Craig and Shawn getting him where he needs to be on the bike. They have already been working on that, both mentally and physically.

As far as running, I know Shawn will help him by ragging and teasing him. The others that have run with him in the past are either hurt or quit training all together.

Ultimately Jeff has to get the job done both physically and mentally himself. I know he can do it. Whether he qualifies for the USA Team really doesn't matter to me. Whether he places 1st or 50th, I know he gives everything he has that day of the race. Most men in his age group don't work or they take 6 months off to do nothing but train. So for him to race at the level he does and work 55 hour weeks is an accomplishment!

Now the big question is, since I know I am losing him to training-will I not bitch this year? Oh come on, everybody knows me ---- of course I will bitch!!! If I don't then Jeff thinks something is wrong (lol).

The Bitter Sweetness of Change

So many people say change is good for the soul. I have told Jeff that the last few weeks since he left Fitworks and joined the Y with me. It gives me the chance to exercise (60 laps for 4 miles can suck!) and still time for us together.

As the time change is coming up - that is also bitter sweet ---- It gives more daylight at the end of the day - good for the herd to ride. But for us (yes Jeff I am including you) we give up an hour of sleep that first night and it takes forever to catch up. For all of you young ones - just wait until you are over 50 --- it does make a difference!

I think everyone goes through changes is their lives - whether it is financial, business or personal, there is always that bitter sweet side to it. You have to give up something old and accept something new. But just as we count on the sun coming up everyday and settting every night, we can count on time taking care of the sad side of change.

I think everybody is ready for the snow to go away and warmer weather to be here. I know everyone loves Coach Troy, but I think it is time to put him away until a rainy day!

My Thoughts on Winter

This is my thoughts on winter - it is time to be sunny and warm!

Ohio

It's winter here in Ohio
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At only twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love my dear Ohio
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a deep breath of winter
And your nose soon freezes shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave good ole' Ohio
Cause I'm frozen to the ground!

The Problem is?

Is it age - training - or both? Left knee is a little swollen and sore - guess it is back to the water for a couple of days. I think Jeff really pushed it on Saturday on his trainer (he thinks it is the one time - almost 2 weeks ago, so I don't think so - of him running at the Y's track. If it happened right after, I would agree, but it didn't)

Oh well - back to running laps in the pool.

Love Fest with Coach Troy

After much debate, change of plans, Shawn not going to Georgia - they rode for 2 hours on Saturday. I have to chuckle - Shawn knows what buttons to push to get Jeff to work harder. I think his legs were a tad bit sore (a good kinda sore) after riding.

Once again, after much changing plans (YMCA doesn't open until 1 - not noon like we thought) - colder than was expected and short on time, he didn't run at the falls - Jeff finally decided to run a couple of easy miles outside on Sunday. He didn't complain about any pain - which is great. Of course the beers at the UD Basketball game probably didn't hurt either!

Monday night will be running in the pool and then to watch AJ in swim lessons.

The Zone

Well it is official now - Jeff has started to reach the "zone" - he has started to smile and nod his head at everything you say to him and not really hearing a thing you say. This year I got one more month from him before he reached this point. After the 3 mountain/3 state - he will start the duathlon/triathlon season with hopefully qualifying for the USA Duathlon Team.

Guess this means he is officially training!