EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE

Hi

An update on our 15 year old friend, known as THE BAG, in a second, but first some training news and plaudits.


Coming off a fabulous week of training. My most recent post talked of hitting the trails and the wonderful spring weather has aided that a bit. Love it that we are getting what many other cities have..a real spring... Not any teases. Just nice warm- above average temps and sunny skies. Last week, I ran a total of 6 hours..mostly trails...very little tempo work. Got in two spinning classes. Not really swimming. Schedule conspiring against me hitting some sessions, such as HB.


Still have not raced my April 5 k. That could be this weekend. House of Blues has a 10 miler and a 5 k. NFL Draft and Cavs Playoffs might jeopardize.


Got even more inspiration recently by pulling out the DVD of the Ironman 04. Norman Stadler killed on the bike. Peter Reid couldn't make up the ground. Nina Kraft won, while Natasha Badman smiled her way to second....only to have Kraft disqualified for blood doping. Nothing like the sound of Al Trautwigs voice chronicling the personal stories of those elite racers and the every-day folks who give their hearts and souls to the 140 mile distance


Props to Carrie of Austin, Texas for a incredible rookie performance in Ironman Arizona. 12 hours and some change. Amazing. Her blog is Tri to be Funny and is listed in my margin. Visit it if you can. Great recap of the race. IMAZ had an incredible percentage of people that did not finish. Was brutal. Carrie kicked butt.


Also, fellow blogger and ultra-runner Bubba completed his first 100 miler. He smoked to a 4th place overall. Great recaps at his blog... Bubba is dah man!!!


I know Daisy and E-Speed ran Boston Monday. E-speed PR'd by over 4 minutes. Daisy treated it as a fun experience because she is pointing toward Cleveland in 4 weeks. She still posted a 4:17. Props to her and look out Cleveland!!!!.


EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE

Walked to the pier and was astonished to see THE BAG at the end and looking like he was gonna end it all. He was questioning the meaning of life when he learned I was thinking of dumping him for a new bag.


I told him I was sorry he was feeling this way and that...gosh darn it...life is wonderful, and all that....even for a bag. I detected a sneer. He shot back at me that bags and jeans and caps and tee shirts are made nowadays to look like they are broken in and that he, THE BAG has 15 years of service.
The bag claims he got the distressed look because he worked his leather off. He said he would put his track record up against any bag anywhere. He didn't try to be cool...he was cool and he would out work any bag from Coach, Armani....etc. He began to win me over.

I remember all the great comments from my blogging buddies, about how THE BAG is a treasure and how he has served me well. I thought of my career. I am a mature guy (54yrs old) in a young business..(t.v.) and how would I like it if some kid with perfect hair and perfect teeth took my job?? I mean, its tough enough nowadays being on the tube with High Def. Thats not made for mid-fifites guys whose hair follicles have gone on vacation.

So, I decided its just not right to dump the TUMI. He and I will continue our working relationship. Its Batman and Robin all over again. J.T. and THE BAG will ride off into the sunset. Maybe a Cleveland team will even win a championship!!!!! Last night, we celebrated our renewed understanding before the Cavs-Wizards playoff game. Shucks, guys, I'm getting all emotional!!!!! Talk amoungst yourselves!!!