First Mountain Bike Ride of Fall 2009

Greetings Readers

Yours truly knew that the snow was coming, but what I did not know was how cold the evening was going to be. If the temperatures were going to drop below freezing then I seriously did not want to ride any road bike. I was in no fucking mood to go horizontal and embrace Mother Earth. Most of the time I have no problem riding my road bikes in snow - after all I thrive and boast and get a certain "smugness" when I am that hard core / Crazy bike rider going down the road on a sheet of ice or 12 inches of snow with my biking shorts (as opposed to my long bike pants.)

I was not cranky, I just did not want to slide on ice and go down. Readers, I am not saying that I would not go down on Mountain bike. All I am hinting to is that my road bike tires are about 1 inch wide. (I think, if not less - I really do not know off the top of my head. Even though I should know) Anyway, I do refer to them as my skinny road bike tires. This skinny road tires have less surface area and less contact than a mountain bike tire to the road. I think my Mountain bike tire has to be at 3 inches (or more) wide.

Ever since getting that Mountain Bike... I know Readers her name is Lily, but for the new Readers in between last winter and this fall I better refer to the Mountain bike as a Mountain bike as opposed to Lily on this post only. Otherwise, I might confuse the new Readers I may have picked up since the beginning of the year.

The tires held up pretty good since winter / Spring, but the tires had basically about 20 psi after the long storage (no riding Lily)

Boy, I was out of breath pumping both tires up to about 65 psi, according to the writing on the side of the mountain bike tire.

The morning before heading out to work - it was snowing and the wind was slightly blowing, and I decided to catch the RTD bus stop near my humble abode to get to the Light Rail station.

I forgot Readers how much of a bitch it is to put in and take out a Mountain bike tire on the RTD bus bike rack. The Mountain bike tires, well mine, had to be actually forced into the rack and with some extra muscle pulled out from the rack when you are taking your bike off the RTD bus bike rack. I also forgot how heavy a Mountain bike is to all my road bikes. Urgh! Thank goodness for Jenny, now not my so new neighbor, otherwise I would not have been working out since June of this year. Oh, that is another story for another time Readers. I may have written about Jenny, but I can not remember how many posts I have posted about her. And no Sam - there is no stalking (or any derivative of) going on by me.

Let me get back to blog post at hand...

I was actually cold yesterday. And fucking wet when I got to work. Soaking wet to the thong I was wearing. Kidding Readers no thong, but I was soaked down to the underwear. My long biking pants, my thick white tube socks, my bike shorts I also had on, my gloves, and my three bandannas I had on were just wet. The Natalie Merchant stocking cap was alright. The Oakleys were okay, but were sort of useless since the water beading and running on the lens was making my vision not so clear. Yet Readers, as much as I wanted not to wear the Oakleys on my face I kept them right there. Why? Well, I paid xxxx amount of dollars and by gosh I am going to get my money's work when I can. Oh, I was wearing the clear orange lens since it was dark when I left the house and knew the day was going to be overcast so I changed out the lens that morning. I know stubborn, but I want to sort of keep that image of "yeah I am all that and a bag of chips," hah hah.

Fast forward.

Time to go home and the only two things I had dry were my white tube socks and my long biking pants. Everything else was damp. Damn. With a struggle I put on my Nautica long sleeve running jersey and then over that I put on my biking jersey. I lost my breath when that dampness touched my skin - but only for a few minutes.

Soon, I was dressed to the 7's and was leaving the parking garage. I immediately felt energized. I decided to take the scenic way home (via bike trail) as opposed to riding streets and sidewalks, or the Light Rail.

It was almost dark, but there I was still wearing those Oakleys for the sakes of wearing them. However, it was snowing a bit more than a bit and the wind was blowing from the North. Which in effect, blew the falling snow into my eyes when I tried not wearing the Oakleys for a bit. This time I really had to wear the Oakley lens and of course they helped more than expected.

By the time I got to my humble abode I was more wet from the snow, water puddles throughout the landscape and side streets. Yet, I was smiling and really did not care since I was just happy to be riding (and perhaps saving $ 2.00 for RTD bus fare.)

I stripped down to my birthday suit and had everything hanging from where I could to dry out my attire and backpack I was wearing that evening. Of course, I have some beach towels I specifically bought for this scenario years ago and laid the beach towels down near the front entrance of my humble abode to protect my tiles entrance from water dripping, mud, snow or autumn leaves; as well as the carpet near the entrance of my humble abode.

I thought about a hot shower, but instead I turned on the TV, grabbed my comforter and wrapped myself up and sat down on the couch. Just sitting there wrapped in my comforter was a very nice feeling. I could literally feel how cold my skin was when I moved positions and felt the outside of my thigh against the other leg - I was cold.

And that Readers was the account of the first true snow fall (for me) this Fall. I was out of town, vacation, during the first snowfall this Fall. We have had some light, light snow fall a couple of days this fall, but nothing I would not call that "first snow" of Fall for me.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Damn, I was cold!

Greetings Readers

In the morning I saw that the weather was about 30 degrees and snow was expected to fall this evening. When the snow does fall the temperature was going to fall too.

Now, I did not listen or perhaps I did not pay attention, but I figured I had a “good” window and “luck” on my side on making it home before the snow and temperature fell.

After all we Coloradoans know that our so-called weather people know as much about the weather that we (the general public) can predict. Which is a crapshoot. I have as much experience to read, look and interpret at the weather map that they show and see the jet stream, high pressure, low pressure, etc, to make an assumption on the weather for Colorado before it hits Denver and the surrounding areas.

Anyway, I got to work and was able to take a look out the windows throughout the day.

Well, I would have to estimate about 2 P.M. the snow started to fall. Or perhaps that was when I looked out the window and saw that the snow was falling.

Fuck me.

I decided that I was taking Light rail and the bus home.

When I left the parking garage… well when I pushed the button to open the parking garage door I immediately felt the cold. And I was bundled up, yet I had to bike home since I did not want to leave my bike at work with it bring Friday tomorrow and most likely I was going to be walking as opposed to biking on Friday. There was ice and snow and I knew that the sidewalks were going to be very difficult to ride on.

Anyway, it was cold and windy. I had my insulated windbreaker, thinsulate gloves, two bandannas around my neck, my Nautica Hood over my head with the Natalie Merchant cap on top of the hood. I had my long skintight bike pants, with additional biking shorts on top of the bike pants. But Damn. I was cold. Very cold.

The parking lot was covered in snow and ice that was gleaming in the lights. Fuck me. Black Ice and I am not sure if it was Black Ice or still wet pavement I was seeing in the night.

Believe me Readers, I have fallen my fair share on ice and I just loathe riding on ice. Any weight shift, any subtle turn on the ice and any “extra” pedal stroke will bring any biker to Mother Earth to be embraced. It sucks, but gravity will prevail.

I managed to get to the light rail station without failing down. I had three moments the biking gods could have sent me into the arms of Mother Earth. It was not meant to be – this time.

I left the Light Rail Station after my ride in the warmth of the Light rail car and soon enough I saw flashing light of the blue and red kind in the streets of Greenwood Village. There was the Police and a flat bed tow truck up in the distance. I was “on edge” and ready for something. Anything.

Actually, I was hoping for the police to pull out in front of me (or hit me) while I was biking down the road when I had the right of way (in a sense since his lights were not on). I was actually looking forward to getting hit by the police. I wanted to start something. Risky, but technically valid since according to me, I was riding within the law as I saw it at that moment.

Needless to say the tow truck driver says “your crazy! But you got balls man!”

Nothing to say or comment on. Seconds later the police pass me by.

I was yearning, but alas it was not meant to be.

Before getting home I needed to take a picture of me in the cold and trying to bike home. I could not ask anyone so I had to pick a place that I could set my camera on timer.

The pictures do show the way I was dressed, but not the biting cold I was feeling at the time. I was fucking cold. And it was getting cold by the second since I could not bike any faster than 5 miles per hour. And yes Readers I made it home safely.

But it took me about an hour to warm up my legs. I decided to forgo the hot shower and see how long my body could warm up. After about an hour I finally my body to regular temperature. It was kind of scary to not feel my skin warm up after about a half hour. My thighs were still cold to the touch. Wow. I warmed up a can of Campbell’s Chicken with White & Wild Rice Soup and that was, to me, going to aid me in warming up my body core’s temperature.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The First Cold Bike Ride of Autumn

Greetings Readers

I was cold bike riding to and from work. Granted, I was only wearing my Nautica long sleeve jersey and on top of that I was only wearing one of my bike jerseys. Then, I was only wearing my bike shorts, not my long leg bike pants.

I never really got warmed up. I was cold all the way to work. I was never shaking, but I could feel my fingers getting numb from the early morning cold air whisking against them in the wind. I had a bandanna on my head, as usual, and I also had a bandanna wrapped around my neck to prevent cold air going down into my bike jersey.

On this particular cold morning I did not dare ride fast since that would make the air that much colder against my exposed skin.

I know readers. I should have had put on a jacket and my Natalie Merchant cap, but I want to ride free of any extra clothing or heavy clothing. So, yes I was wrong and stupid for leaving my humble abode in my state of dress, but I know that I have a short 6-mile ride to work. And going home after work was going to be warmer, but that too far in the future to think or even worry about. After all, the night had robbed the earth’s warmth from the day before.

As soon as I got to work, I took a nice hot, and I mean hot shower in the work shower gym. Oh so nice.

Yet, that was not the end of it. Throughout the day I was never really warm and then I saw that the temperature did not really rise from early this morning. Which means that my ride home was going to be just as cold.

And I was not wrong when I left the parking garage after 5:30 P.M. or so. Needless to say, I took my time going home. I went to Best Buy and then I went to Park Meadows and then I stopped off at a fast food joint to warm myself up on my way to my humble abode.

Oh, today’s picture was the morning sun just rising onto a park that I ride by almost every day. I am not sure if it is clear in the picture, but the frost has turned the entire green grass white at the grass tip’s With the Sun at her particular point in the morning sky it turned the field into a white prism of light.

Which I thought looked pretty neat and one sight that I have not seen since earlier this year.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

May Day - Smoking Hot

Greetings Readers

Sorry readers, I know that I have pictured and mentioned her in the past, but I did see her this morning on FitTV and boy oh boy I forgot how much I desire someone like her. I guess she is sort of my ideal mate (based on looks though). Anyway, a shameless plug for the show Namaste and Lily Goncalves. Granted, in this picture Lily is covered up, but she has the blond hair going on, the big old smile and just her looks. Again, this is only my opinion. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Though, I have to admit that is the only reason why and will do some Namaste.

Someone like her would not even have to ask me twice to do something for her. Oh yes, readers I am laughing at myself. I know that I have probably mentioned that I do not compromise doing this for that, but in someone like her I would probably not even question "why should I?!" Alright, I better let this topic go, before I get myself deep in a hole that I can not get out of.

It is so nice that I do not have to wear my Nautica top under my biking jersey these mornings. Granted, the air is about 45 degrees in the morning and the first cranks of the bike I am cool/cold. Yet, I know that in about a mile I will be warm from the blood flow coursing through my body. Not to mention the Sun shining her ever so warming morning rays upon my taunt, muscled thighs. Hah hah.

Anyway, the only drawback is playing Russian Roulette with the weather. Sunny in the morning, definitely does not mean Sunny in the afternoon. With no wind breaker it is just a thin layer of Lycra and cotton to my body. Yet, most of the time when it is time to go home from work I could care less about getting soaked. Matter of fact, I do not blame nor have the right to get angry since I chose in the morning not to wear/bring a windbreaker for the evening rain showers.

I am cold, teeth chattering, sand/dirt plastered against my legs and face, fingers stiff turning red from the chilly rain and wind during the Spring March/April showers. But as soon as I get home I peel everything off at the front door and make a bee line to the bathroom for a shower - a hot shower. Oh yes, that is such a reward for my suffering I did upon myself for not bringing a wind breaker.

I know I could "wad" or "pack tightly" a wind breaker, but alas I do not want to. Also, this is not an every time sort of thing. There are some days that I am no mood to be miserable so I dress to the "T" - Windbreaker, multiple bandannas, covered fingered biking gloves, multiple layers of clothing and my mood (my "Don't Fuck with me" mood) to keep me dry.

As you may have surmised - the snow has hopefully stopped for the winter, but no guarantee, but that means rain showers. I love the rain, but the early spring rain showers are cold to bear. I literally put myself through hell biking this time of the year since I do not want to carry a lot of clothing.

Which I find strange. During the winter, I do not have to worry about bringing an extra pair of clothing to wear on my ride home from work. Every day I wear my cycling clothing and then I bring my work clothes in my bag. Snow usually gets patted off and the clothes are minimally wet (except socks - those socks get soaked year round)

Yet, during the rainy season. I have to bring three sets of clothing with me. Soaked clothes do not dry out in time for me when I am at the end of the work day ready to go home. I loathe pulling on wet clothes. It is just so cold, wet, and miserable for me to do. I know that it may be raining still when I leave work and the clothes that have not dried out will get wet once more, but I want to be less miserable than I have to be. And wet clothes do not go on without stretching and pulling your clothes here and there over your body.

Oh, a bit of free knowledge - do not wear any white underwear if you are going to be riding through the rain. The combination of rain, the dirt/sand mixing into the soaking of your clothes will forever stain them. And I hate to say this, but it looks like a "Skid mark." Oh yes, I tried, bleach, detergent with bleach, stain removers, marker removers, Shout, etc yet there is just a very light mark on where the water stain is. Oh this happened years and years ago, but as you can read I can still remember as if this was yesterday.

I also have to keep my dry clothes in those supermarket plastic bags. If there is a heavy down pour or steady falling rain then my biking bag will get soaked and then eventually my all my clothes will be wet.

By the way, you daily commuters, put your papers and all other stuff in Zip Lock bags to keep them dry. Learn from this guy who has learned from not doing this way back in the day and cursed the biking gods in anger.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athletes

The Dam Run! - 5 Mile & 5 K

Greetings Readers

"What!? You didn't get enough?"

That was asked of me after doing the "That Dam Run! 5k/5Mile" at Cherry Creek Reservoir when I was getting ready to ride home on my bike. I think I responded to her "never" with a smile.

Returning to the scene of the crime I was in a much better state - physically. Since last week I decided to go drinking the night before the 20 mile run in Cherry Creek Reservoir. Though, I now enjoying telling that adventure.

Now - "That Dam Run". I knew that the temperature was going to drop down to 40 degrees on Sunday, but that was as of Friday morning's FoxNews report. Saturday was going to be a beautiful day - and it was. Denver broke a record 74 degrees. Very nice.

But

Sunday, I woke up and looked out the window and I see snow. Not just snow, but blowing snow. Blowing snow on the ground and in the sky. And not only was the snow blowing it was falling heavy. Visibility was not very far. I quickly turned the TV channel to get a weather report and it was not what I wanted to hear.

Gusting winds in the Denver area from about 30 to 40 miles per hour with the temperature dropping throughout the day. I was indifferent, but not very happy. I decided that I was going to bundle up for the run due to the winds I could hear outside my window and the angle of the snow falling to Earth.

I grabbed my long, tight biking shorts, then added my short biking shorts and ending up with my warm up pants (jogging suit pants). I elected to go with long pair of white tube socks. No little sock booties. Then, I put on my Nautica jersey, then a bicycling jersey with my green Adidas jacket on top. Around my neck I put two bandannas. Finishing up my running wardrobe, I elected to stay with my Thinsulate gloves and Natalie Merchant Stocking Cap.

I grabbed the winter bike and headed out the door. Urgh. Flat back tire. And this was the only winter bike I had since I had to throw away the Mountain bike last month. Urgh. Time was getting away from me. I couldn't fuck with repairing a flat tire (patching, gluing, pressing, etc) nor grabbing another bike was an option. Instead I grabbed a new tube and installed that tube in 4 minutes, I think. The tire held and I was once more out the door.

The weather was actually nice, but I was also in an area that was protected from the wind that was/is blowing. I turned the corner and my front tire slid in the snow. The wet, slushy snow. Oh gosh. I was fucked. 9 am - the starting time - was getting closer and closer and I was still 5 miles away from Cherry Creek Reservoir, which I still had to ride to.

I got on the bike and started to pedal. All was going great, except for riding North, straight into the blowing snow. 50 yards later I did "Kiss the Earth" that morning. Fuck me. I was laying on the ground amid the snow and snow bank. The side walk that I was taking has a lot of curves and corners and I somehow forgot that there was slushy snow, which means that my brakes will ice up. With that, I forgot and well that is the reason why I fell. Oh I braked for the oncoming corner, but the brakes had iced up and that was that. Fucking A - I tried staying up for a second, but then I when down like a clown, Charlie Brown. I laughed at myself because I simply forgot, but I was also riding faster than I should be for the conditions. But I had to move since 9 AM was quickly approaching.

At one point, through the DTC area, I was riding about 4 feet into the road from the curb. No sidewalks and slush/snow was in the gutter. There was no way to ride in the gutter. Thankfully, the morning was early enough for me to avoid any traffic. There were a few hills so I had to do the "Fred Flintstone" braking since my brakes were iced up solid. A - I could have pissed on the brakes or not to piss. Well, I elected not to. Mainly, since I still had to ride to the starting line, then run, then ride back home on the bike. For the sakes of argument, my pissing on the gears could even freeze my gears, cogs, whatnot even more than it is. I did not want that to happen since I did not want to walk my bike home nor try waiting for a bus (I estimate that I had a quarter inch ice around each of my spokes. My spoke are silver, but as you can see from the photo they are black with muck).

Finally, I made it to the starting line at Cherry Creek Reservoir. Whew. I saw that there was a police car and the Dam was closed to traffic. I also had about 5 minutes or so to spare. Yet, what I also, or not saw, was that there were hardly any runners. Boo Yah! My kind of race. The less runners there are the better that I will place overall. I took a picture of the starting area, got registered and locked up my bike near the Dayton/Dam intersection at Cherry Creek High School.

Boy oh boy, my socks were soaked to the skin. My feet were soaking wet and cold. My jogging pants were also soaked due to the slushy snow splashing from the tires of my bike. I was soaking wet, but not miserable. Unbelievable. And I think I owe that to the fact that there were hardly any runners present when I got to Cherry Creek Reservoir.

My number was # 355. Visibility was about 400 meters (1/4 mile) and even less when looking to the North. Which by the way was the way that we runners were going to run. With that in mind I had to keep my Oakleys on so my eyes (eyeballs) would not get pelted by the snow that was blowing in from the North.

Go. We 5 mile runners took off first. Those first running steps were ugly. The plows did not go on the Dam since the Dam road was closed to traffic. Therefore, slushy snow was all over the road about 1 to 2 inches thick all over the road. Some of the road had more some had less, but overall the road was slippery to run in. I could not do any long running strides since I feared that I could easily slip and perhaps "tear"/injury my body.

I did bring the Ipod, but elected not to wear/listen to since I wanted to hear the runners and other people around me.

Mile 1 - oh how I hated running into the 30 mile gusty winds, with that hard snow (well it seemed hard) into my face. My Oakleys were starting to fog up and ice was forming on the inside of the lens, but I could not do a thing about it. I would rather protect my eyes until I get to the turnaround point.

A few runners did pass me, but overall I was able to hold my position that I was comfortable running in the slushy snow. I was in a hurry, but not that in a hurry. Again, it came down to that I wanted to add the event to my athletic resume. "That Dam Run!"

A few more runners past me, but they were doing the 5k run so that did not bother me.

After a little over 2 miles I saw the lead bike and runner. He said "good job" and running like Forrest Gump. I also started to keep a count of runner so I know how many people are in front of me.

Visibility got worse over the Damn so you could never really see very far in front of you.

I then saw the turnaround point materialize out of the blowing snow. Very cool. I was about to have the wind at my back and more importantly take off my Oakleys.

As I turned the corner I saw that there was a crowd of 7 to 10 runners all bunched up and I estimate about 30 yards behind me. Not good. Before I turned the turnaround point I counted 8 runners in front of me. I was ninth and I did not want to lose that position. I really wanted to say Monday morning that I got in the top 10 overall. I did not look back. I increased the length of my stride and found the strength to kick it up a notch.

With the wind at my back, the Oakleys off my face and two runners that I kept in view I knew I had a chance to keep a pace that would keep me in the top 10. Mile 3 the snow was accumulating on the Dam road, which made the road a bit less slushy. I could literally feel the difference in my contact with the road. With that, I kicked it up another notch and ran in the heavier snow I saw on the road. Meanwhile, the two other runners in front of me elected to run in the vehicle's tracks that were made earlier.

I saw the 5k turnaround point and knew the end was getting near, but not in sight since visibility was still down to 400 meters, though it seemed better since we runners were running with the wind and blowing snow.

4 mile mark - I kicked it up another notch. One runner was crumbling (losing his stride) in front of me and I knew it. The other runner,a woman, I was catching up, but did not quite have the pace to close the distance faster that I would like to.

The Finish line materialize out of the blowing snow and I saw that one runner who I was catching up to and I had him - I got 9th place - Woo Hoo! The woman runner I was not going to be able to catch, but I will still give it all I can before I finish.

I crossed the finish line at 44:08 (at a pace 8:50 per mile). Really not bad for the conditions of the road and what we runners had weather wise. I am fucking proud that I showed up and did my part to benefit "Kipture Primary Kenya School Foundation"

I got a few more pictures at the finish line and I of course took a few photos at the same places that I have been for the past month.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Melissa Mollet - Light Rail Station

Greetings Readers

I know, I know - The "Nautica Incident", my post of that blogger being "Sideswiped", my first biking accessories and the Ironman Hawaii 2008 all have yet to be addressed by me. I am going to try and make a real effort tonight.

And the new topic for today - Melissa Mollet - from FOX news local here in Denver. I got up pretty early since I went to bed semi-early. I saw that there was an issue with the Light Rail on the route that I take when I do take Light Rail. But - that's not the point - I saw Melissa Mollet. I have a "TV crush" on her since she is one of the better looking (not to mention - more intelligence) than the women news reporters on local TV.

I recognzied (know) the particular Light Rail station she was at and right there in my living room I decided to go see her in real person. Not meaning to actually to meet her, but just to see her with my own eyes. I got dressed as soon as possible and got biking. And did I ever dress fast =).

While biking on the way to the Light Rail station I saw a traffic accident and I did take some pictures. Just in case one of the drivers decides to make it a "Hit and Run" and I needed to be a witness. Though - for a price! I'm nice, but not that nice! I can be bought for the right price and the right offer. Wink wink. Hey, you never know readers, my photograph(s) could be easily deleted from my digital camera and my memory could go blank unless I get paid. "Nothing going on but the rent" a phrase I heard on a movie, I think.

I did not dally too long at the scene of the accident, since I was on a mission to go see Melissa Mollet. As I was nearing the RTD Light Rail Station I could see that the TV antenna (from the mobile van) was still extended into the sky so I knew that she was there. I biked even faster knowing that time was against me in this case. As I exited the parking garage onto the loading area I saw Melissa in the distance and the TV camera at the other end of the loading area. I biked along the track sort of out of the way, but still making myself being seen on camera. After I biked past the range of the camera I turned around and then took out the camera and snapped a couple of pictures of Melissa Mollet. Granted, she is bundled up, but I could still see what I see what I like about her.

No, I am not a "stalker" but today I made it a mission to go see her in real life. She is apparently married. And I am not "taken" with her, but she is better looking than the rest of the local news caster. And a whole lot smarter/better than that Angie Austin (Channel 2 news). If you want to laugh just see Angie in action. This blonde does fit the stereotype blonde - fucking dumb - matter of fact dumber than dumb.

Side Note: Years ago - Angie was interviewing Reggie and it was a question and answer interview. Then, Reggie has said something to the effect "I like Opie Gone Bad." Angie did not miss a beat (That sentence did a fly by). Angie leans forward and in a sort of whispering voice and something to the effect "I too like when Opie goes bad" or something very similar to that. Point being - Angie did not have a fucking clue that "Opie Gone Bad" was a music group. I think, Angie thought perhaps Opie Gone Bad was a reference to the Andy Griffith Show and Ron Howard as Opie, being bad. Anyway, after Angie said that the look from Reggie was priceless. Since this was on the morning news Reggie did not correct her, but just let it go, but his look was just so priceless. I shook my head and further cemented the fact that Angie is dumb.

Another Side Note: In my opinion - Angie's whole fucking body blocks the blue screen that shows all the temperatures and days showing the temps. She goes from one side of the screen to the other side and by then the screen has changed to another graphic. But during the whole time she is being shown in front of the blue screen she takes up 1/3 of the screen. Meanwhile, we never get to the see the entire screen graphics since she/someone changes to the next screen - sunset, sunrise, highs, lows, city temps, state temps, etc. This could be a whole subject in itself. Though, I do not watch Channel 2 news anymore since Dan Daru left (with his wife Wendy) to Channel 31 FOX news and Angie taking up the 1/3 of the weather screen and her mundane comments and fake laugh.

Pictured on today's post - is Melissa Mollet with me taking the picture. Isn't she just adorable? Hah hah. I guess I can cross that off my list "of things to do before I die"

By the readers - this is my opinion and by no means I am saying that this is what is being shown to the word. I know what I see and this is how I am interrepting what I see and hear. You can watch for yourself, if you are in Colorado, and make your own judgement.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Valentine's Day 5k

Greetings Readers

As you can see from the blog picture the temperature this Sunday is 8 degrees higher at the same time last Sunday (plus or minus 10 minutes). I could already tell the difference from being outside in the twenties as opposed to the teens last week. If you are seasoned athlete or perhaps just outside during these times of cold weather then you to know that there is big difference between the twenties and teens. Also, I had no thoughts of turning around and going back home.

Today was the Valentine's Day 5k in Washington Park (aka Wash Park for short) here in Denver, Colorado. This 5k event benefits the Kipture Primary School Building & library Foundation. My racing number was 2514.

"This non-profit foundation was created in 2003. This rural school, located near Kapsabet, Kneya was built in the 1940's, teaches without the benefit of a library, school kitchen or electricity. Over 400 students attend the school and prepare for high school in site of these adverse conditions. The foundation is currently focused on raising $ 10,000 in install window glass in the classrooms and to refinish several roofs on the classrooms. The kitchen is now completed as well as the library. A generator now provides power."

I sported a different jacket this time since I knew the weather was going to be in the twenties. The other jacket that I use has a bit of insulation so I use that when the weather is cold or if I have to ride in the dark. Pretty reflective that green and black adidas with white stripes on the jacket. I also wore a different pair of sneakers.

I do not think that there were as many people as last week, but I can not be sure. I saw a lot more running shorts and non-jackets, which indicates that the weather is warmer. I just know that I was warmer.

Once more let me fast forward to the end of the race. I think that my un-official time is 7:58 per mile - if I can remember from memory I think 24:40 was my time. I can not remember my time from last Sunday, but I think I am eight seconds slower. I think I know the reason why. As I mentioned there were not a lot of people and I think I did not have a lot of people in my time bracket, which meant I had no one to set a pace with. I had a couple of people in front of me, but I could quite close the distance until the very end of the race when I was just one second behind the runner I was trying to catch. Fucking A! I almost caught him at the end. If only I had started out just a bit earlier. I was running like I wanted to win, but as with other runners he too was running what he had left at the end of the race.

I always account for that, but perhaps I just misjudged him. I saw him lose his "pacer" towards the three mile mark and that was when I knew he was running out of gas. When I see that from any runner that is when I set a maniacial pace in order to get some places from others. I do want to place higher than other people and towards the end of any race I will kick on the jets and run. Run baby run. I was just so close.

A second. Just one second is what seperated me from 19th place to 18th place on the men's bracket. Age bracket I do not have a clue until they (bkbltd.com) post the official results later on Sunday.

I did start out slow since I was trying to pace myself with a couple of runners I thought were keeping the same pace, but it was not to be. I lost them at the half mile mark and not to mention I lost some time keeping pace with them.

Also the other factor that I was losing my bike/racing belt. Apparently, I must be losing weight/fat around the waist. As I was completing the last mile my racing/biking belt was starting to slip/fall below my waist. Several times I slowed down to pull up my racing belt. Finally, I took off my thinsulate gloves and slipped them in between my belt and body and sure enough that did the trick, but I only had a half mile or so left and I lost many precious seconds fiddling with my bike/racing belt falling below my waist.

As I turned the final corner I looked behind me and saw that no one was even near me so I had a straight shot to the finish line and the only person I had to worry about was right in front of me. I tried, but there is no try. I did make move, but did not quite catch him at the end. Yoda would be bowing his head in sadness for me.

Or. perhaps it was the eight degrees difference from last week that made me eight seconds slower.

Once more I had a breakfast made for a King. Basically, I cooked the rest of the Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage (cooked perfectly), made more hash browns (browned perfectly with onions), made scrambled eggs (with onions also), I made the rest of the biscuits (but threw them away) and to top that off I had two pieces of pork chops (only ate one). I had one of the drinks that was given away at the Valentine's Day 5k race. Yummy. I can not remember the name but it is half and half - half lemonade and half tea (some organic brand). After I finished that little sample bottle I had myself a can of Vanilla Coca-Cola. As you can see - a meal for a King and a Queen. Too bad I do not have a Queen, which I am searching for. Please sumbit application if you are interested.

The other picture on this post is of me in probably almost the same spot I took last week of myself. I needed to get a picture of me and my racing number with the Mount Evans in the background. And yes readers that is my winter bike. By the way, I think I really like my recent pair of Oakleys. Don't you.

My Ipod - My running Ipod - I think, I need to generate a play list for a 5k. I did play a playlist, but that is used for biking. I think I need to have more beats per minute in my playlist.

Again, I apologize for not continuing the "Nautica Incident."

Once more readers, please forgive me if you did not see me doing my Sunday ritual. I had to run once more this Sunday morning I want to see my name for everyone to see.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Happy Chinese New Year 2008

Greetings Readers

(continued)... Rat.

Happy New Year. That's Happy Chinese New Year. The year of the rat and also the start of the 12 year cycle of the chinese calender.

The Chinese New Year is just any other day, but yet I feel a sort of connection to the day. Probably because I have almost the complete sets of USPS stamps that were issued for the 12 year Chinese Calendar. I think, I missing the year of the dog and rabbit. And that is the real reason why I celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year. Not to mention there is this restaurant that is located down the road that has the Annual Chinese New Year tradition and I love going and celebrating when I can at that restaurant.

Thank goodness I was unable to ride yesterday since the winds that were blowing in the Denver area were "ugly" to say the least. Straight hard, blow wind. Crosswinds, when the structures made that possible. Blowing snow and boy it hurt my face and eyes when I saw the wind blow snow everywhere. The, the snow that melted during the day well all that water had turned to a sheet of ice by the time I made my way home. I had to walk about 2 miles last night and that was long, cold walk. I had my Natalie Merchant stocking cap, my long thick overcoat and two scarfs. Still, with my hands in my pocket the cold wind was freezing my hands and coins in my overcoat pocket. My hands were tingling when they moved on their own or if brushed up against my body/coat. I could not run nor could I wait for a bus since the bus route only has the bus running once an hour and I missed that time frame by five minutes, I bet.

And that was the evening trip home from work.

Oh yes. the underwear. I have a few Nautica Competition underwear brand that I wear every now and then. I love them or I desire them when one catches my eye. Anyway, I love the brand, since you know that I am a name brand wh-re. Secondly, they look good, I think, on me. And third, the women that have bestowed their eyes upon them like them too. Oh yes.

Anyway, I met this woman, girl, a while back and well the last time I remember I had them on when I saw her last. Since then I was doing laundry about two weeks ago when I discovered that I am missing/could not find that one unique, particular pair of Nautica underwear I love.

Yes. Sure did. I tore my humble abode apart. I checked the laundry bin, the laundry machine, the dryer, behind & under the machines. I checked the couch and even pulled off all the pillows and pads and did not see any Nautica underwear stuffed between the cushions. I checked my bad and pulled off all the blankets to make sure that the Underwear was not caught up somewhere in the blankets.

Nothing. Next, I checked my all my clothes and yes there are a lot of clothes. I pulled off every button down dress shirt and checked each sleeve to make sure that the underwear did not get stuck in the sleeve. I did the same with the pants. Nothing. Then, I did not want to but, but had to. I had to check all my tshirt and misc shirts to make sure that I did not fold any of those shirts with the underwear in them. And there are about seven times the amount of "just" shirts as opposed to dress button down shirts. Oh it sucked, but I had to be sure. In my case, I had to find this pair of underwear.

And before all this I did check my underwear. And yes I have a lot of underwear all types and shapes and colors. You name it I probably got. So, I had to dump all the underwear in the middle of the floor and start from there. Making about 15 plus piles of underwear on the floor. I checked the socks drawer, just to be safe.

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Next, was the towel closet. I had inherited a lot of towels from my parents and I do have a lot. So, I took each and every towel and re-washed each towel. One - that makes sure that I checked each towel before washing and two I re-checked the towels that came out of the dryer to make sure I missed nothing since I had to fold the towels before putting away. Next, was the bed and pillow case covers.

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. For about a week and a half I was searching and searching and leaving no place untouched in my humble abode. By the end of the week and a half - I knew they were gone. Just not here. And I kept thinking when was the last time I wore and tookoff. Now, the looking was an obsession. I needed to know where they are.

This Nautica underwear is not just an ordinary pair of underwear. This baby cost me a pretty penny, if I remember correctly, about 38.00 dollars. It was not like the Walmart 3 pack bikini briefs for 8.oo dollars I buy every now and then. Sort of close to Jockey's price, but not really - quality wise - yes.

Oh, I got to go, but at least that gives you part of the back story. To be continued.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Day After Super Tuesday

Greetings Readers

I have decided to "dump" the mountain bike, minus the wheels and bike seat. Nothing is really salvagable, in my view. Granted, I know nothing about Mountains Bikes, but I figure I might just keep only those items and let go of the rest I have enough shit of the road bike accessories strewn all over my humble abode.

I don't have anything to post. I just went straight home and sort of chilled out in front of the tv and computer. I did not want to cook so I reheated and ate the last of the steak I grilled this weekend with whatever rice was left. I opened a bottle of Rodney Strong Merlot and watched TCM - 31 days of Oscar.

Readers - Did I tell you I think someone "swiped" one of my favorite, favorite underwear? Yes? No? I better check my previous postings. Anyway, there is a story that is on-going and what should I do. Oh, this was an expensive piece of underwear by Nautica. Not only was it expensive it looked pretty fucking good on me. Perhaps that's a topic for tomorrow. And I will give you the 4-1-1 on the dilemma I have This will be known as the "Nautica Incident".

Don't forget tomorrow - The Beginning of the Chinese New Year. The year of the... (to be continued).

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete