Yesterday someone who is not quite 30 called me middle aged. We were talking about beating people on the track and how, compared to the culprit, I'm effing slow. He said "yeah, but you're middle aged."

1. Ouch
2. Even at 29 I couldn't run 70 second quarters.
3. Ouch

Then today I was at the bowling alley minding my own business sitting on a railing in the arcade and a guy walked from behind me to tell me to get off the rail. As he approached he said "hey, hey, oh, um, hey.... You're an old man.  You need to get off that rail - it might break. I thought you were a kid. But you're old." 

So, I punched him in the face and ran off shouting anarchy.

Something a little light after the last week...

Rule Six: The winning team shall be the first team that wins. 

Name the book without using Google and I'll give you something free out of my massive stores of schwag. 

Ok, I usually don't read the Statesman, but the article on Michael Argall was forwarded to me and I had to read it. I should have stopped at the bottom of the article... Many, if not most, of the comments made me want to cry.

Here is one example that is fairly representative:

If he was in the actual right LANE, then I can see how it happened. Bicyclists: if you cannot pedal 65 mph, DON'T GET ON THE HIGHWAY! It's dangerous - no driver wants to hit, or worse, kill you. When you are in the lane of traffic, you're a hazard out there! You're not only endangering yourselves, you're endangering drivers and our passengers, as we must go into the oncoming lanes to pass you if you're in our lane. It's selfish behavior to think that everyone on the road should pay special attention to you and look out for you when we're busy driving defensively, watching for all the drunks, too old drivers, and distracted cellphone talkers out there.

How can people be so effing self centered and ignorant? How can they believe that cyclists have no right to be on the road? How can they imply that by merely existing on the road we become complicit in our own demise?

Here is my attempt at a civil response, as posted in the comment thread. I am doubtful that anyone will read this and change their view, but you gotta have some hope...

I am very saddened as I read these comments about cyclists not belonging on the road, and the implication that a dead cyclist got what he deserved/asked for by riding in traffic.

As a coach, I worked with Michael, and I know that he was all about safety. I never saw him blow through a stop sign, and I never saw him engage in reckless activity. Do some cyclists do these things? Absolutely. Just like some motorists roll through stop signs, and fail to signal when changing lanes, etc. If a cyclist breaks the rules of the road I say give him or her a ticket just like you would a motorist or other legitimate user of the roadway.

One point I have seen mentioned several times in this thread is that Michael was in a lane on a highly trafficed roadway when the accident occurred. This somehow indicates to some that he was being reckless. On the contrary, riding on 290 (or other state highways) is often safer than riding on farm roads with less traffic because state highways generally have wider shoulders than farm roads. Sometimes, over the course of a ride, the shoulder disappears for a bit and we have to ride in a lane. Cyclists have a legal right to ride in a lane when there is no shoulder. Motorists have a legal responsibility to slow down when their vision is impared by rain or sun or any other hazard. By over-driving her ability to stop safely the driver who killed Michael was, most likely, breaking the rules of the road. She could have just as easily hit a disabled vehicle and I imagine your opinion would be completly different.

Please remember, cyclists are people with a right to share the road. Knee jerk reactions about playing in the street or getting what they deserve is not only insensitive, it is counter-productive. 

The Olympic Trials are here, and I am stoked. This is the start of the season where I probably watch more sports than any other. This is also the season when most Americans are exposed to a wider palette than their usual diet of football, basketball, golf, and baseball. Sure, those sports can be compelling, but for truly amazing athletic accomplishments I look to the Olympics. 

I wsa going to post about my final days in San Luis Potos, but something else came up. We went to Pedernales Falls State Park this weekend to camp with my parents which was fun. My phone had no service at all, unless I made the trek up to the ranger station so I just turned it off and enjoyed some family time. 

I knew when I turned my phone back on I would have a bunch of messages. The usual junk mail, Austin Triathletes business, and some of my website customers with updates and whatnot. What I didn't expect was this message from Ruth:

I wanted you to tell you all about some sad news for the Rogue Family.  Saturday coach Michael Argall was killed while cycling in Fredricksburg.  Apparently he was hit by a driver blinded by sunlight.  It is very shocking & sad news and it is hard to even express my feelings and thoughts, other than to say we love Michael so much.  Our thoughts and prays need to be there for Cecilia, his co-coach & girlfriend, and Rogue Team member.  I not sure what is needed right now, but I will let you know.  I will also let you know about the funeral arrangements.  I am in the process of creating a tribute page to Michael.  I could use the help in getting some photos and comments that you would like to share about Michael.  Please email me if you have anything that you would like posted. 

 

Unfortunately more sad news.  Late Saturday night Carolyn Mangold's father passed away.  Carolyn has gone to San Antonio for the week to be with her mom, brother and family.  Our thoughts & prayers are with Carolyn and her family.  As soon as I know information about funeral I will pass that along.  I will let you know what we can do to help out Carolyn.

After breakfast at the hotel our driver, Paco, picked us (John, Stacey, Michelle, Janice, Rachel and I) up to go to the expo which was being held at a country club in town. 

The expo was basic with Bayer previewing some new sports gel pain reliever thingy (full report if/when I try it out), Pirma (a shoe company I never heard of), and a few like the Pacifico Maraton in Manzanillo. 

As I mentioned in my previous post, we headed down to San Luis for the Tangamanga Maratón Internacional last week. Janice picked Rachel, Jordan and I up around 2:30 and we were off to Laredo. Fortunately, we were able to miss most of the traffic, both in Austin and San Antonio, and had smooth sailing down to mile 0 of I-35. 

Our plan was to grab some dinner in Laredo, park in the city's secured lot, and then walk across the border to catch a bus to San Luis. This we accomplished with zero hassle, and after a quick cab ride to the bus station we settled in for an overnight bus ride.

So, its 100 degrees outside and I'm packing for a trip, and I have to remind myself to pack a fuzzy hat and a couple of long sleeve shirts. After the hot and humid sufferfest of last weekend I can't wait to be in a different climate. Heck, after running on the track tonight I think the sun would be a nice vacation from Texas right now. 

Tomorrow, Rachel, Jordan, Janice and I are heading down to Mexico. San Luis Potosi to be exact. We are heading down for the Tangamanga Marathon there. Janice is going to run the whole thing, and I am going to go out and enjoy myself and perhaps do half. My base mileage isn't ready for 26.2 no matter how slow I run it, or how much Janice cajoles me. Especially given that the altitude varies between 100 and 2000 meters, and that the streets are all cobblestones. 

The big reason we are going is because Los Conleys are friends with the race director and we got the VIP hookup. So, we are staying at the very nice race hotel which is right on the starting line, and enjoying some friendly hospitality. This trip is about getting away from it all for a long weekend. It certainly isn't about racing...

And now I have to pack. Got to look for my fleece hoodie.

Everyone (and by everyone I mean Rachel, Janice, Maggie, and Cynthia) went to Houston this weekend for the first TriAmerica in Clear Lake. We had a fantastic time, and I only have enough time to post the highlights.

Every week I send out an email to over 2,000 triathletes who are foolish enough to sign up for the Austin Triathletes newsletter. And by every week, I mean whenever I think about it and find time... 

Anyway, I sent one out last night that had a little more than the usual "here are some races you can do, and some training opportunities for you, etc". Instead, I addressed a couple of political issues that are on the horizon for Austin that impact the tri community. My letter to AT was soft because I don't think it is my place to tell people how to think or vote or whatever. I just put the info out there, and let them make a choice. But here on my blog I can say whatever the heck I want... So here goes...