NEWS FROM WORLD: Ladies night...

I woke up feeling 1000% better this morning. Taking Monday off from training was just what the doctor ordered. Now it's training catch up time.

Playing catch up keeps things interesting. It tough and I think doing it every once and a while is mentally and physically beneficial. It makes the catch up day much more physically challenging.

For me, that one day of unscheduled rest gives me more resolve to tackle the catch up day(s).

Last night, I didn't have a perfect sleep, my stomach was rumbling from yesterday's ice cream. My body hadn't eaten a lot of sweets lately and is not used to it. The sugar tends to act like a laxative. Nothing like a little "wee hours of the morning" tummy troubles.

I got up early and did my ride before work. It was cooler than normal. What a difference riding without "toxins" in you're body feels like, it's much easier. I had my power back again and even though it was windy, I was happy with my average speed.

One thing I've got to do is get a new set of earphones for my iPhone. I've now gone through three pairs in less than 6 months. I can't use the standard ear buds because they fall out, so I buy the kind that wrap around the ears. With all the sweating I do, I've water damaged 3 of them now. There is nothing more frustrating that not being about to listen to my podcasts or music clearly.

Around dinnertime, Alice, Reid, Alyssa and I went to the movie "The Expendables". I LOVED IT!!! It was probably the best action movie I've ever watched. The story line was not important, it's all about killing and blowing things up. It was the first time I saw a gun that blew up the bad guy from the waist up. It was like shooting a watermelon. The only thing left was his legs still standing. VERY COOL.

When we got home, I put on my new blue Desoto Tri-Shorts that arrived today. Desoto's are awesome. The best is their compression and the worst is I've worn out 3 pairs in the groin because the stitching is on the outside and the bike seat rubs it apart.

I ran Number 1 side road and had company. Running in the opposite direction was one women after another. It looked like a ladies tri-club. It was a great sight. I find nothing more inspiring that seeing triathletes training hard like champs. Some looked very new to the sport.

Seeing them motivates and pumps me up. Each one was running at different speeds and they were separated like you'd see in a race. As I passed each of them, I gave them the thumbs up. Some were really focused and hurting. I threw in a "go girls" and "that's it ladies" along the way to some that looked like they needed it.

As I was running by one, she yelled back. It was Adena (@talluleh). Once I realized it, I turned around and crossed the road and gave her a big sweaty hug. We finally met face to face, albeit brief. She looked like she was doing well, she was up near the front of the group. Unfortunately there was not time to talk, I had to keep going and so did she, but I'm sure we'll catch up at Payne-a-poolza.

Twitter and the blog has sure been a gateway to meet new friends. It's cool and weird. You first meet people and get to know them online. Then when you meet them face to face it's strange, you know them, yet you're meeting them for the first time in real life as well.

To date I've met 22 people through the blog and training, they include; Simon, Rodney, John Proc, Doru, Chad, Nina, Dana, and Adena (briefly) and Brent (briefly at Lake Placid). I've also met John Barclay, John Fortin, Hugh, Jamie, Shaw, Kevin, Mark Rutledge, Carlos, Hans, Mark Parsons, Alan, Martin and Steve at the Pool and during bike rides. I hope I didn't miss anyone.

Soon, I'm going to meet more blog buddies; Corey Philp, Leo Blanc, Matty and Heather O at the House of Payne Beer Run. Matty and Heather are even going to be staying at our house. I'm also going to meet Sonja, Ian and maybe other twitter/blog buddies in Kona.

Leo emailed me recently and asked it he can come to the House of Payne Beer Run, he's follows my blog and came out of the "wood work". I laughed when he sent me race photo's of himself to verify he's not a crazy. I told him he didn't need to verify he's a normal guy, John Barclay has his police gun in his car just in case there's trouble.

It's just a matter of time until I meet Johan, Jevon, Mike, Mandy, Tammy, Rob, Ian, Steve, Bill, David and many, many others. It just shows the power of the Internet.

What I like about meeting people through triathlon training, twitter and the blog is I find the new friendship to be similar to the ones I made as a kid. They are open and lasting. There's no hidden agenda other than triathlon, running or cycling as a common bond.

I consider some of my closest and timeless friendships came when I met people twenty three years ago through triathlon. I can pick up with any of those people, even after all these years, like time hadn't passed. Gord and Rich are close friends that for over 23 years I've talked to regularly.

Lasting, true friendships, that's another reason I love triathlons.

Mod Bike - 3:45:27 / 116.23 km / 30.9 kph / 130 avg hr

Mod Run - 1:30:29 / 18.06 km / 5:00 per km avg / 145 avg hr