Watts up? Not anytime soon...

This weekend I had a chance to train with my team indoors on 8 computrainers. The numbers don't look good, as over the course of a 90 minute tempo ride (3 hills and 2 sets of bursts) I only managed to average 90-100 watts. My max watts/Kg was 4.56. My average watts/Kg was 1.61. I really need to work on my power over the next few months. Must get a computrainer. Maybe my friend Rusty will lend me his.

Merry Christmas

Today I got a chance to round up all my clothing to make a donation to Goodwill. Let's just say with all the weight I have lost, this years donation is huge...over $2500 worth of used or new clothing. God, I have to stop shopping! I'm going to return 2 pairs of shoes I bought last weekend...buyers remorse I suppose.

Actually, I just heard a rumour that MS will be laying off 10% of their workforce. I read it on a blog http://minimsft.blogspot.com/. While I do believe that Microsoft needs to trim down a bit, a massive layoff would be a huge wake up call for those that work there. I had always believed that we were immune to all of this stuff that is going on in the economy since we have 40B in the bank and bring in a lot of money. I guess we shall find out on January 15th.

Dear Santa, for xmas Seattle needs more snow ploughs

This is probably the most amount of snow I have ever seen here in Seattle. I guess my attempts to avoid the white stuff this year didn't quite happen. Seattle is ill equipt at handling a lot of snow. 5-6 inches is peanuts back in Ottawa, but it's quite a big deal here since they do not have enough snow ploughs to clear the freeways. So there's a lot more snow on the roads here than what we're use to.

With all the snow, I've been working out on my bike trainer with my new Cervelo. I've blown through 10 episodes of CSI so far. Coach Michael wanted me to get use to riding in aero position indoors. When the weather gets better I am to practice on a flat surface. It that still doesn't work, then he needs to do a private lesson with me.

Lastly, I've spending a lot of time on my feet Christmas shopping too. Lori and I did 7 hours of shopping yesturday and both of us blew a combo of over $1000. I purchase 3 pairs of shoes and 1 Burberry wool coat. I'm doing my part to improve the economy. So Merry Christmas everyone?

I suck at swimming

Lord knows I have been working really hard to learn how to swim more effectively and efficiently. After 11 months of swimming, I have concluded that I still suck. I do triathlon swim class 2 times a week and have Master swim class 2 times a week. I do get a lot of coaching, maybe a little too much. I'm a little overwhelmed...thinking too much instead of "feeling" it. Anyways, to add to my already overwhelmed swim training, I have agreed to take a group less on Wednesday evenings with some fellow triathletes with a swim specialist. Maybe, she will induce some sort of breakthrough in me.

Cycling indoors

I have survived all my holiday parties so far. With all this holiday eating, forunately, I have been working out on a regular basis. It has been super cold around here lately so biking outdoors was out of the question. And with my plantar fascitis, running was also out of the question. So instead, I've been swimming at least 4 times a week and cycling indoors on my trainer. I really hope my feet get better soon so that I can start training for Ironman 70.3 after the holidays.

My office Christmas party was at the Seattle Space Needle this year. My organization rented out the entire thing on Saturday night. The food was amazing, especially the desserts!

Whistler

For thanks giving I did not have any turkey, instead I went up to Whistler with my friends for a weekend of early season skiing. The snow on Friday was great, however there were so many people crowded onto the few runs that were open. On Saturday, it was raining so we decided to now ski. Instead we eat at Crepe Montagne, did a snowboard factory tour with Prior and ate at the Cinnamon Bear restaurant in the Hilton. I ate really well...too well...and too much.