The Phone Call and eventual voicemail message

Greetings Readers

I made one of the toughest things that I have not done in a long time.

I called a friend (well, Readers that may not be entirely true since I was not friend material for most of the year) yesterday after finding out she was terminated.

She gave me her phone number about a year or two years ago and I have never called her since that time.

With me just finding out what happen, my current status with me as not being a friend and something else - I had to call.

Though before making that call it was actually making the call. It was like calling a woman for the first time to go out on a date. Was the phone number still good? Was she going to answer? What am I going to say? Does she even want to hear from me? What would she say to me?

When was a good time to call? Do I call from home? From work? Perhaps I should have a drink before calling after I get home. Should I call after 5 PM? And so goes the questions

Needless to say, I picked up the phone and started dialing a few times all day then stopped. Eventually, it was time to man up and get it over. Boy, I was nervous and was sweating under my armpits. Oh yes, that's how nervous I was.

I dialed and soon heard the automated voice indicating please hold while that party is located.

That was the longest 15 seconds, I think, that I waited.

It was even longer wait than my mom's voice last week saying "That another Charley died." I was so nervous after hearing that - fearing the worst.

Anyway, soon I hear her voicemail message and was kind of relieved that I got her voicemail. Though, the thought of what would be appropriate/right to leave was next. I did think for a microsecond of hanging up, but x'ed that thought.

Readers, I did not want to ramble with my voicemail message, but I think I did. I did say I was sorry, I also said I would be probably the last person who thought she would hear from. And a couple of others things. I said bye and that was that.

I was relieved after the phone call, but was shaking a bit. Did I do the right thing?

I know Readers I am being vague and not telling you what happened for me to be the way to her this year. If you faithful Readers know me then you know I do not like being treated a certain way. It happened with me from her and I did not like that. And Readers I could not not pretend that it did not ever happen. I was looking for a sorry or something, but that did not happen. Eventually, I gave her the silent treatment.

Yet, finding out I put all that aside and made the call. Perhaps she may call me back. Perhaps she will talk to me again. Perhaps she will tell me - Fuck you. Perhaps. If not, I do not blame her and I will understand.

I am sorry for the way I left her the last time she ever saw/talked to me.

And Readers this is another reason to add to why I do not care for the Holidays this time of the year.

Note to Nick - I guess your statement long ago to me - that I am the rudest person ever - is correct. She would agree with you.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A call one may not want to make

Greetings Readers

Just a simple post, but the hardest to write...

Well, basically I know I need to make a phone call.

Ant that one phone call ranks up there with the one phone call from jail, I bet.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Inception - DVD and Blue Ray release

Greetings Readers

I picked up a few copies of the movie Inception on Tuesday. One for me and the others as gifts.

I know this movie is not worthy of Picture of the Year, by a long shot. Yet, this was far the best movie I have seen this year.

I did see the movie on it's Thursday's midnight showing down at the old/new Southglenn mall area this past summer.

I found the movie interesting. And I have to admit that when the local movie theater up the street went to $ 5.00 dollar a movie every Tuesday I made several trips to see that movie for $ 5.00 dollars.

So, when the release date for the DVD / Blue Ray copy was announced this was a no brainer to buy for my collection.

Me and a friend went to Best Buy and we both got the exclusive limited edition to Best Buy Blue Ray combo pack. With the movie came the movie script as well as some notes and conceptual artwork.

The Blue Ray is packed with stuff, but I only listened to the movie soundtrack and the watched the three trailers that were made for the movie so far. There is still a whole alot of stuff I have yet to watch.

I am interested, but I want to enjoy the movie on how I have interpeted the movie, as well as the ending of the movie, to date.

I do not think there is any Oscar award nomination acting in the movie so if you are looking for that - it is not present.

I think I have said this before, but the reason why I like the movie is the concept of dreaming and the relationship to the real world. Like the tub of water and the water filling Cobb's dream.

I know from personal instances that first ray of sunlight lighting up my room has had an effect in my dream and eventually wake up remembering why I woke up coming from a dream that I just dreamt.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

I paid my entry fee; therefore I participated

Greetings Readers

Here is a quote from another blog about their participation in the 24 Hours of Boulder this year that has caused me to comment on his view and participation of the same event.

"If a runner is walking and limping that much how much damage is being done trying to compensate for what ever injury or lack of conditioning caused them to start walking that way? Perhaps that is a good indicator that they should quit?" - Chris Pruchnic (runner # 133)

I do not disagree. However, I paid my entry fee and I have every right to be there competing in the 24 hours of Boulder. It is not called You must Run the 24 Hours of Boulder. But the 24 Hours of Boulder. Complete as many laps (7.14 in length) as you can run in a 24 hours period, if I remember that was stated on the web site (website link is below).

http://geminiadventures.com/new/?page_id=105

I understand that this runner had a headlight lamp. Good for him. As well as I did and then some. A green glow stick and a green light/flashlight Combo. Yet, Readers, the course was pretty open except for a single trail path near the halfway point of the course. I estimate about a mile in length that you could possibly run into someone by accident. But as far as I know every runner that past me or ran past me in the opposite direction were mindful and careful. I do not remember ever seeing a frown face or some comment like "move over" or "watch out."

But wait. I know I was on the same course as this runner and I know for a fact that is was not as dark as he stated. Also, the course was most of the time wider than a school bus. And in some places the course was two car widths wide. The only time the course got dark was if you were looking at the stadium glow and then back to the course, thereby causing your pupils to readjust (dilate). Same thing goes for the highway that runs on the East side of the reservoir. If you look over and then back to the course you pupils have to re-adjust once more.

And running at night is not just about lights. You have to listen to what is around. You can hear the other runners - running/walking. Or if they had a pacer more often than not I can hear them talking. This year, I did use my Ipod. Except I only put one earphone in one ear and left the other ear open so I could listen to my surroundings

This runner is a good runner and I did read at some of the things he has done, but the lack of respect by complaining about us same fellow runners walking on the same course under a 2/3 of a moon's light. I think, I remember the moon being more than half moon showing.

I just checked the moon almanac and the moon was 67 percent full that night on October 16, 2010. The Almanac also indicates the moon sets at 1:08 AM. I think I remember seeing the moon set and disappear about 1:20 or 1:40 AM so I that is about right.

I will admit the course got dark (like it did for me 2 years ago), but almost all runners had some sort of light(s). Though, I will agree there was about 5 % that did not have a light. I saw one runner running with a green glow stick only.

Yet, the statement the blogger wrote rubbed me the wrong way. I will admit and was one of those who did not have a light on the back of their back. Thinking more about it I bet about 90 percent of the runners/walkers had no lights on their back. Just the headlamp and perhaps their pacer having a flashlight. So, this particular runner needs to take some responsibility on their part and make sure that they do not run into a runner ahead of them. It seems to me that particular runner had tunnel vision and thought he owned the course since he is a better runner than most. Yet, that may not be true since this was the 100 mile / 24 Hours Championship that is held in October in Boulder, CO. There are two other 24 hour races and those are held in Moab, UT and Laramie, WY and I do not know for a fact, but I am betting some of those runners who did those events would may want to come to Boulder for the Championship event. Note Readers - he did mention he finished in the top ten.

The blogger stating "...that they should quit?" Perhaps. But my goal was not to run the 100 mile championship race. I was a solo male entered in the 24 hours solo race. And the only fucking goal was to beat my lap record/personal best of 7 Laps from two years ago. I had to do 8 laps at whatever cost. Quitting was not an option. Who are you to tell me otherwise?! I did not train. I did have a lack of conditioning - big time. But, that did not stop me from paying my entry fee the day of the event and competing. I had every right to compete on the same course as you, as anyone. I did walk / shuffle like a Hollywood Zombie and that was my undoing. I am still recovering for putting myself through that last lap to get a new personal record and the official mileage count over 50 miles.

I have had no bad experiences on both times I have competed in the 24hoursofBoulder. Sure, running the course over and over again is something I do not look forward to, but I am thankful that this race is even happening. Be thankful for that, though reading this runner's post - I think he has not run the 24 hours of Boulder before. I would rather run in a loop as opposed to the 24 hours of Boulder not being able to hold the event at all due to no course being available for whatever reason.

My big complaint is the serving of "Shasta" or "Big K" 2 litter soft drink being offered at the two aid stations. I did pay 110.00 dollars so I would have liked to see Coca Cola, Dr Pepper, or Pepsi to drink the first time I ran this in 2008. This year I made sure to bring a 6 pack of Coca Cola to the event in case they did it again. Which they did, but I soon saw some Coca-Cola late at night/early morning for us runners. I needed the taste I know to help me.

All in all, there is nothing to post anything bad or be disrespectful of the event. I love seeing the teams, the pacers, the elite, as well as myself, a runner pushing their limits for a specific reason. I had no problems running, except for my body breaking down throughout the event.

If there was a complaint, issue or whatever from me then I would not compete in the event. You faithful Readers know me - if I find something "that I do not like" I voice my opinion and to go as far as not to do/go there again.

If you have followed me (read) this far Readers - here is the link to that specific post and you can read and interpret what was blogged by Chris.

http://halikuadventures.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/boulder-100-report/

I have nothing personal against Chris, my faithful Readers. He just needs to remember how he got to where he is at now. And yes, in case of me being one of the limping (Hollywood zombie) walkers in the middle of the night I did stay to the right of the road whenever possible and Chris can go fuck himself for hinting in my condition that I probably should not be competing in the event any further. I had a goal and that is none of your fucking concern / business. You were running 100 miles. My goal was completing more than 7 laps on October 16 - 17, 2010. I was on a mission and the only option that was going to stop me was - quitting.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

50 days later

Greetings Readers

Yes, 50 days later.

I am about 90 % to 95% from full recovery after doing the 24 Hours of Boulder back on October 16 & 17, 2010.

I do not know what the fuck I did to both of my feet to be in the condition I was in.

What I mean is that I could not walk normal for the past two months. I have been unable to wear my dress shoes. Though I did wear for one day about 5 weeks ago and that was a MISTAKE. If there is some pressure against a certain point on my feet it would cause pain and inflammation. And if the pressure was constant I would be limping the following day(s). Even if I was wearing some of my certain socks that were a bit tight I would be limping the following day(s) thereafter.

I did try limiting my walking, stair walking and bike riding for the past couple of month, but there is only so much I could limit. I have not done my lunch run since after the event. I was not going to run and I could not run in the first place.

And I have not even tried to wear my clipless biking shoes,which means that I am only able to ride three of bikes in my collection. That's alright though -that means I am keeping my good bikes in great condition by not riding them. Though I miss showing off my HED3 Rims. So, I was only riding the bikes with regular pedals.

I think, I finally healed my feet over Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday. Due to some recent family tragedies and work - the timing of taking off to the ranch was not possible this year. In a sense that was okay.

I was able to keep off my feet, catch up my sleep, play the recently new video game I bought (Fall Out New Vegas) the entire holiday time off. Also, I was able to avoid the third degree from my mother about doing that running event. I am sure if she saw the condition I was in she would have dragged my off to the doctor's office.

Now, I only mentioned the pain and limping. I have yet to tell you the bruises, the blood blisters under a few of my toe nails, the regular blisters and the peeling of my skin.

What I can not figure out why I am in this sort.... well I am basically not in this sort of condition anymore, but what the fuck caused this? I know doing that last lap was tough at the 24 Hours of Boulder and I was walking, trying to run that last lap. I knew my feet were hurting from the 49.94 miles prior to starting the 8th lap, yet it was not like the last time were I had that blister on the bottom of my foot and that caused me great nuisance two years ago.

The shoes, the same shoes I bought a few days earlier two years ago before the 24 Hours of Boulder, were the same ones I wore this time around. The running shoes have been used a lot, but I do not think that much. With that thinking that is the reason why I did not buy a new pair of running shoes before this event.

When I run at lunch, I have another special set of running shoes I strictly use for running at lunch (before becoming lunch running shoes these shoes were only used only for my Marathon running). Which means these shoes were not used every day. I think the only time I used this shoes were on the weekend when I was doing my 13 mile run on Sunday during the summer. And if were riding my bikes with the regular pedals I use two other older sets of running shoes for biking shoes. Now, those older running shoes are used used and definitely can not be used for running.

I guess reflecting back it may have been the shoes, but I do not know. I did do some training so it was like the last time were I did no training, but it was only some training. Mind you, I did not train for this event this year. I planned to earlier this year - and matter of fact I think I planned doing the 24 hours of Boulder back when I started the P90X program. Which by the way Readers - incorporating running with the P90x program - was fucking insane, but dang the running helped me get in shape faster with the P90x.

Oh, the funny side of my feet condition for the past 50 days were just that my friends and co-workers just loved joking with me. Oh, look at Mr. Charley. Hey Charley why you walking funny? They exaggerate themselves running to me. Ask me how my time was in county. Hurry up Mr. Charley our lunch break is going to be over before we get to the car. And so on.


One friend mentioned the saying "For every mile ran you need a day of recovery." And that saying could be true since I have seven more days and I am almost healed. Though two years I know that I did not need 49 days to fully recover. Go figure.


Last thing. One friend mention "stress fracture." Wow. Once that got mentioned and I started to Google and Wikipedia that word and soon thought I could have had that. I do not know, but all those symptoms fit my condition and I got real worried about a month ago when I was not healing faster than I should have been. I looked at my blog history after the first time I did the 24 Hours of Boulder, but I do not have any blog entries after the event indicating I was in serious pain for weeks. I know I was for a few weeks though two years ago. But I do not think I was injured for seven weeks after the event. I just do not know.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Thanksgiving Day

Greetings Readers

This year I am staying in Denver and having no Thanksgiving. Oh no, do not worry. I am okay with that.

I hope you Readers have a nice Thanksgiving Day and Holiday.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Places in the Heart

Greetings Readers

Places in the Heart

It took me 26 years, I think, to finally see this movie.

I guess one could say this was on my bucket list of movies that needed to be seen by me.

From my point of view the only thing I knew about the movie was the movie poster – as shown on my blog.

I did not have a clue what the movie was about. Nor did I know who even played the movie. And yes Readers, I did not even care to know.

Yet, after seeing this movie I was impressed. John Malkovich, Danny Glover, Ed Harris, Lindsay Crouse, and a couple of actors/ actresses that I can not remember their names as I write this post.

Long story short – the movie is about Sally Field’s life after she becomes a widow in the 1930’s. or was it 1920’s. There are also Borders, cotton and a tornado in the movie.

I admit that the reason why I have not seen this movie is that from the movie poster the movie does not look like my type of movie. Anyway, here it is - the year 2010 and the movie is available on TV and there was really nothing else to watch the time I saw the movie.

I was finishing up dinner when I started watching the movie, but soon found myself on the couch, eating my dinner and watching the movie with great interest.

Well, there is a certain part in the movie that I saw what I felt back at the 24 hours of Boulder in October.

When I saw Sally Fields on her hand and knees after working through the night and the dawn of the day arriving doing what needed to be done and saw her will… or perhaps her agony in the last moments she had left… I could not help to get a bit teary eyed. I know it was a movie, but wow I did my same thing where I was doing what needed to be done in October as I saw the sun rise over the horizon on October 17. I was not on my hands and knees crawling, but I was limping, trying to walk to complete that 8th lap. That was what I needed to be done, whereas Sally Fields had to get every bit of cotton. I was teary eyed for what I did, and not for Sally Field’s character, on October 16 & 17 for 24 hours before the last moments I had left.

It is amazing what we humans will do when something needs to be done. Not something under life threatening conditions, but something that needs to be done.

And what something was - "Desire"

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My First Time... well... maybe not... technically

Greetings Readers

Do you remember your first time?

Not that FIRST time! hah hah.

I remembered my first time when having a bottle of Corona with Limes - yes plural.

I think, I only knew of Corona as a beer from Mexico and that was that. Nothing more.

Well Readers, I took a trip to San Diego back in the early 90's. It was the first time I went to San Diego. Matter of fact, it was the first time that I went to California. And the first time that I went to the West Coast.

On the night of the last day I was going to be San Diego I went out with a couple of friends. Well, two women - Andrea and Mary. Fucking wow. Mary was the designated driver and me and Andrea were going to have fun in La Jolla and San Diego drinking.

We started off the night at the Hard Rock Cafe and that was the only place I remember being at.

Anyway, Andrea ordered the first round and she chose Corona. When the Corona arrived she immediately took the lime and squeezed the lime juice from the slice into the bottle.

Nothing new to me. But. What she did next was. She grabbed the bottle with her right hand and put her thumb on the top of the bottle. Then, she carefully flipped the bottle, but quickly. I saw that the Corona was upside down and then she was gently moving the bottle back and forth to shake the lime from the neck of the Corona bottle. I quickly saw that the lime dislodged from the neck of the bottle and then the lime floated up to the bottom of the Corona bottle. She waited about 5 to 10 seconds before flipping the bottle back to the upright position.

Readers, that was not the end. Andrea carefully removed her thumb from the top of the bottle as to not to have the beer squirt all over the place from being shaken all over the place. She then took another slice of lime and then squeezed that lime into the bottle.

I soon saw what she was doing. She successfully integrated the lime juice into the Corona beer.

I did the same thing, though for the life of me I can not remember how I did it.

And that Readers was... well the only way, I will drink a bottle of Corona to this day. Matter of fact, I have since perfected the art of mixing the lime into the bottle of Corona. I have even mastered wrapping a napkin around the bottle of Corona.

That was my first Corona, in San Diego, with a lime properly mixed into a bottle of Corona and Andrea was my first California Blonde.

You faithful Readers may have picked up on was that Andrea is the name of one of my bikes, is named after the same Andrea that showed me how to properly mix a Lime into a bottle of Corona. I will never forget Andrea - a fucking gorgeous California blonde.

Too bad I fucked up that relationship also.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Happy Pre-Halloween 2010

Greetings Readers

Every year I try and get the Reece Peece's King Size candy bars for my Trick o' Treaters, but this year I was kind of late and I did not want to pay full price for a King size Candy Bar. Especially so when I have to buy so many of them.

Instead, this year I bought M&M's since they were on sale. I am a fan, but only to the Peanut Butter M&M's. Heaven. Matter of fact Readers, I am putty in a woman's hands if she gives this to me. Hard for me to say no or put up a fight, argument or discussion when presented with Peanut Butter M&M's.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

IRT Deadliest Road - Lisa Kelly

Greetings Readers

I have to admit there is something about Lisa Kelly.

When I first saw her on Ice Road Truckers there was something I was drawn to.

Not her attitude, but how she looks and carries herself. And honestly Readers, Lisa is wearing sunglasses all the time, which is probably due to avoid going snow blind from the sun reflecting off the snow. Which means I can not say it is sultry look of those penetrating eyes.

Oh yes, I know about that and that does happen time to time here in Colorado when we become heavily saturated with snow. The landscape turns 90 percent white and the only way to really see is to have sunglasses on.

Anyway, Lisa Kelly is very cute to me. I think it is her body type, but with that it is some of features that I am drawn to. Her smile, her cheekbones, her hair are just a few things that I am drawn to about Lisa.

She is just not a woman driver thrown onto IRT for the sakes of ratings. We faithful Readers know that Lisa is a skilled driver. She does belong and does deserve the respect of being an Ice Road Trucker.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Blue Mountains - Part 2

Greetings Readers

It was just a year ago when I blogged about the Blue Mountains.

Whether the sales have been very good or very bad, but now there is a new addition to the Cold Mountains Indicator.

There is now a window on the 12 pack bottles carton that was clearly designed for locating the Blue Mountains on the bottle and to truly see if your beer is cold and ready to drink.

What the fuck.

Is society actually buying, bought, into in the Blue Mountains indicator?

No needs for me to blog what I expressed a year ago on what I did/do think.

Yet, this new addition to the Blue Mountain Beer is still fucked up.

I only drink from bottles and anytime I come home from the liquor store I remove all the bottles from the package - whether it be the 6 pack or 12 pack container - before putting into the refridgerator.

So, if I did drink this beer this new addition would be useless for me to take advantage of.

Before ending this blog Readers. I do not care if you drink this beer. If you do (and I have done so in the past.) so be it. I do not think any less of you. I have my taste(s) and drinking that beer is now in the past for me. I would never say never again, since there may come a time I might have to partake in indulging that beer again.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Ahlete

The "Good" Ice

Greetings Readers

“Good” ice.

Is there such a thing you wonder? Of course there is.

Whenever I do need ice for mixed drinks / drinks most of the time I will use ice I bought from the local supermarket that sell those bags of ice that those cashiers ask about 50 percent of the time when checking out “Do you need stamps or a bag of ice?”

There is a big difference from the ice you may make from your unfiltered faucets at home and the ice that is shipped and sold at the supermarkets / gas stations. Granted, I can not say that for every maker of bags of ice.

Years ago I saw a documentary by luck about bags of ice. Really – how interesting can a documentary be about bags of ice? Well, think Readers how and why would a major network invest and make a documentary on the bags of ice when it probably costs a lot of money to make, produce and show the documentary.

With that said I decided to give it a look.

Wow. So many things and processes are used to making those bags of ice – as well as shipping and marketing. Again Readers, I can not say this is true of all makers of ice, but the water that was use to make the ice was filtered, “cleaned” and specifically processed a certain way to give that bag of ice that pure almost clear ice from the bag.

Whereas, when I make ice from the faucet at home I fill the ice tray up and then put in the freezer. Hours later I have my ice cubes. But – the ice cubes are not clear and are pretty Air bubbles are in the cube as well as the impurities that are the water supply. Readers, it is amazing what we are using and drinking from our faucets that come from the local town/city water supply and treatment plants.

Anyway, what it comes down to Readers if your ice cubes are clear you pretty much know that water was filtered to filter out all those impurities from the water.

Most of my friends think ice is ice. Yes, but to me I want the best ice to use if I am having a drink on the rocks or a frozen Margarita.

I know, I know. Mr. Charley - you and your Single Barrel Jack Daniels, Scorpion Mezcal, Chinaco Blanco Tequila, to name a few expensive liquor - why are you even using ice at all? Those liquors should be indulged neat. I agree, yet every once in a while I do like ice in my drinks. Even with a mixer! Whoa. I know, I know the ultimate sin. And one of the two ultimate sins I like to enjoy is – single Barrel Jack Daniels, with Coca-Cola and some of that “Good” ice.

Granted, to the unrefined taste buds it may taste no different from just a regular bottle of Jack Daniels, ice cubes made from your faucet and Coca-Cola, but to me I can taste the minute differences as well as the expensive Jack Daniels mixed perfectly with the Coca-Cola.

One would say I am defeating the purpose of buying expensive liquor.

I will let you Readers decide for yourself. I have my ways and they have been set in stone. Like a mule sometimes I can not be budged from my ways.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

24 Hours of Boulder - 2010

Greetings Readers

I fucking am sore and hurting. Will give a post race update later.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

T-Minus 4 days and counting

Greetings Readers

Here I am Readers, basically two years later to the day and the time to think about doing the event I tried for the first time two years ago.

There are thoughts. Am I ready? Should I do the run? Is the future weather cast going to be favorable?

It is the 24 Hours of Boulder - held of course in Boulder, Colorado.

I did check / watch the morning news the morning for the weather forecast and I see that the prediction is going be sunny. I did not see any rainclouds, snow on the weather forecast, which means that gives me the possibility to think about doing the run again.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Very Nice Ass, I have to admit

Greetings Readers

So, I have to admit that this is a very nice picture of an Ass. Normally, I am not looking at Asses when checking out women, but when this showed up on my profile - I was like "Damn!"

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A New Bike - A Fuji

Greetings Readers

Tracey is so close to 10,000 miles and is basically showing her wear. And unfortunately, the wear and tear is on the crank – specifically the teeth. The teeth are worn down to nubs as opposed to the sharp teeth and every now and then the chain slips and that is not good.

She was beginning to show trouble late last year and since then I have been putting off buying a new bike. A new “beater” bike that is.

Readers, in case you need to know a “beater” bike to me is a bike that I can use everyday that I do not want to use my good bikes. As well as use in any type of bad weather – rain, snow, sleet, hail and high winds. This is bike I do care about since I will be using this when I do not want to use my good bikes.

However, this year I rode all of my good bikes throughout the year. Amazing, but I could not really rely on Tracey and was getting tired of the chain skipping on me more and more. I have to admit that it was kind of not my MO to ride good bikes almost everyday.

Yes, the simplest solution would be to purchase a new crank, but usually the beater bike was a bike I bought out at close out prices – meaning “cheap! Cheap! Cheap!” And to buy a new crank the price would almost be ¾ of what I bought the bike for. In the long run it is easier to buy a brand new beater bike, in my opinion.

I think I was the bike store and I happened to look at the bikes on a chance. One this I was not going to do was buy another Scattante bike. Nothing against Scattante, but I feel that brand of bike is not my type of bike after getting Rebecca a few years. Granted, she runs (as my former ex coworker would say) “awesome”, but I quite do not feel that harmony I should when riding her. Except for the speed she has and she was specifically built for speed. Fast, beautiful and Phat (Pretty Hot and Tight), just like the Rebecca I knew.

The bike as you can see from the picture is a Fuji. I never had a Fuji and if I remember correctly one of my “fellow” ex-bloggers had a Fuji and he did like the bike. Oh, that fellow blogger was from the ayearofbikecommuting blog. Anyway, the bike was price right and decided that I might as well. The bike will be brand new and I have a new beater bike.

Oh, the flak I got on the new bike. First and foremost was the color scheme. What the fuck was Mr. Charley thinking? That color is so not you Mr. C. I could not disagree. Yet, check this out. About a day after getting this bike one of my superior’s gave me a bike jersey. Lo and behold the bike jersey color matched the bike color scheme. No, he/she did know about the new bike and the color of the jersey was coincidence to match the bike color.

I do not have a clue what to name her. There is not a name off the top of my head that I could name this new bike.

Until the next year

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

"Don't Call It A Comeback"

Greetings Readers

The seasons are a changing as well as the times.

Spring and Summer have come and gone as well as my daily blogging.

I have to admit that blogging after a while does become a bit much for me.

I liked blogging, but I found that it was becoming one extra thing in my life that I was trying to keep up with. Let's be honest, it was becoming my life.

Anyway, I have been away and I think I am going to come back into blogging.

I may have a direction on how I want to re begin my blogging. Then again, perhaps I will just pick up right up where I left off. You know readers - my run-ins with local denverites who's seemingly dumbass questions are exactly that. My adventures at/on RTD and Lightrail. My vacations. The loves of my life. My friends. My opinions. My headaches. And of course - My fuck ups.

Presently, nothing has really changed - still biking, still running, still have the neighbor Jenny, had a fall out with friend I lust after because she treated me as AA/EA and then had the odasity to use a mutual friend to talk to me, growing my hair out, still watching Breaking Bad, and so goes the list.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Post !

Greetings Readers

So you miss me AND my blog posts?!?!

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P90X - Day 1

Greetings Readers

Day 1 - is now in the book

I have to say that I woke up and started to shake. Whether it was from the caffeine, or Coca-Cola I do not know, but what I will admit is that if there was any fresh Coca-Cola in my humble abode I would have immediately "went for it."

I would estimate it was about 10 minutes later when I was finally really awake and was able to get up. I was still shaking slightly. Now Readers, I have gone cold turkey as of Saturday afternoon. No more Coca-Cola, no sugar, no alcohol, and no fast food. Basically, stopped all the "bad" stuff I consume on a daily/weekly basis. I figure I give myself a few days before actually starting the P90X program to detox, in a manner of speaking. It may be a crazy, but I figure I might as well do this. All or nothing.

I got up and knew that I had to have my first breakfast, my first P90X breakfast. Egg white Mushroom Omelet. Let me tell you Readers, An Egg white, a 6 egg white, omelet, was not very pleasant to look at. Meaning, comparing that to my pre-P90X program, my omelet looks no where near close to the Egg white Omelet. I had the entire thing though - Perhaps my mind made it tasted funny, but that may be because of what I normally have in my omelet as opposed to the P90X omelet.

That done - I got my lunch, which I premade, as well as all the supplements and Whey I bought earlier in the week. Again, Supplements are extra, but I thought to myself - what the fuck. I might as well go "Full Throttle" with the program and hope this will be the way to the results I am hoping for. I am expecting something, but with the supplements I am betting that will only help even more. Right?

Oh on the way to work I bought a huge bottle of water at the gas station (Circle K). $ 1.99. Note: This is even cheaper at the Store (King Soopers) for 1.29. I knew that I drink water all day. Well.. let me rephrase that - I have to drink water - period. I am actually watching what and how much sugar anything I may want to drink. I know that perhaps I may want to buy a powerade/gatorade, but their sugar in it - alot in manner of speaking.

Taste good and probably okay. But again. what the fuck. If I am going "full throttle" then I need to still to stick to water. Even though there is no Coca-Cola for me I might as well not substitute for a less sugary/fructose drink.

Lunch - Chef Salad - The P90X chef salad. Good, but again not what I am normally use to eating when I make my salad. Doable and eatable, but just not what I am used to. Oh, I forgot the dressing, but I do not eat Ranch dressing, so I was going to bring vinegar and Oil, but I forgot that so I was dressing-less. There is a cafe in our building and in the past I can get a saucer of Italian dressing when needed. But again - what the fuck. No substitution and I need to stick to the meal plan as close as possible. And we all know that those Ranch dressing are loaded with "stuff" whereas vinegar and oil (olive oil) is much, much better.

After work I went to the store to buy my dinner and my meals for the next day. Salmon for tonight and stir fry. Readers, I did go grocery shopping days before - I bought the stuff that will not go bad - rice vinegar, bottle of white wine, sesame seeds, etc. Whereas, I can not buy the stuff that is going to go bad in a few days or needs to be cooked a couple of days.

It is so weird to see my fridge filled with so much fresh and good stuff. All there is now are vegetables, Ham, Onions, Almond Milk and all my hard liquor and wine I keep in the fridge. Don't worry Readers, I am not going to be tempted by the hard liquor. I do drink the hard liquor, but I can months without drinking that. Also, that bottle of wine is the same one that I bought a year and a half ago. Now, if there was bottle of beer then I would be tempted.

Anyway, it does look odd to see a "Clean" fridge, as well as a "pantry." No junk food in the humble abode. That part was not hard, since I normally do not have any junk food in the abode. I only buy when I get the craving - Lays Potato Chips, Frozen Ice Juice bars (sorry I can not remember the actual name since it has been a while since my last one), etc. I threw out condiments that I was not going to use - barbeque sauce...

Fast forward - the Day 1 photo. I decided on the boxer briefs and I am actually embarrassed by the photos. What I see in the mirror every morning is not what I am seeing on what the camera took. I do look big in the stomach area. Can I blame the lighting? the angle? Does not matter. I took and posted and will have to get over what I saw/see. Though, I better see improvement in 2 to 4 weeks in the 30 day picture. I just better.

I put in the first workout. It was tough. I did my research before buying the P90X and yes they said the DVD instructor does says some "corny" things from time to time and yes that is correct. But all in all, he made me smile, when I was grimacing trying to do some routines. There are options before starting the DVD so technically I think that you could mute the dialogue. Sorry Readers, I did not thoroughly look into since I am going to listen to what he says in order to do my first workout. I would estimate that I was able to do about 80 percent of the DVD workout - Day 1. Some routines were hard. Though if I could only do one, then I did a modified version. Yes, I could wait and catch my breath until the next routine, but what it boils down to is that I am in full throttle, I better give it everything I can.

Needless to say, I was sweating when the end of the program was reached. Wait. Apparently, I was not done. I had to do another routine and this was pure ab work - 22 minutes or so, I think. I have to admit I was already "burning" and the muscle were fatigue by the first 55 minute workout. This was torture for me. I did what I could do and if I couldn't I tried as hell to do what I could. I did not wait until the next routine started.

And that Readers was my first day of the P90X program.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P90X

Greeting Readers

I see that the blog site I am on is still up - which I like.

Well, I have to say that I bought the infomercial - P90X.

I know, I know, but I needed a change in my life. not necessarily a goal, but just a change.

I have to admit that I am getting a little bigger in the stomach area, due to no training, no biking, no running, drinking, and a bit of junk food, per se.

Anyway, I am excited. I know I can, but the thing is that I am going to go cold turkey with the eating program, no drinking beer/alcohol and no Coca-Cola. I hope I can do all that.

There is going to be none of that reward things we tend to do for ourselves when doing something great. For example, I am not going to drink a bottle of Coca-Cola after a week into the program. To me that defeats the purpose of the program.

Sure, I would like to get ripped, but that is not why I am doing/bought the P90X. I have no goal(s) to do, I have no plan(s), I just want to try and see what happens.

I did the research for the past 2 weeks before buying the P90X. I think I have an advantage to the start of the system since I do bike/run normally. Then again, this P90X program might kick my ass off the bat. Who knows.

Now, some of my faithful Readers know (and have commented) on some of my pictures of myself. I am not shy, though now I am a bit shy right now. I was not worried about the before picture, but in the past two days I now have to pose for some pre-shots and then post.

Question is Readers - Do I take a shot in normal underwear, A thong, Boxers, String bikini, Briefs, boxer briefs, or shorts (running, normal, everyday shorts)? I do not know. I have to admit I have been thinking about the thong. Why not. I might as well show as much as I can so we can see the difference all over my body. What? Why not the birthday suit you ask? I think that would be too much (err too less).

The changes will happen in the beginning of the program, but I am not sure if the results are going to be "big" since I am in the shape I am in. As opposed to being really overweight. The body fat for me is above normal so I know that will go down and perhaps that may show in the first two weeks.

I am going to do this program full throttle. I did have all the accessories that are needed for this program so I do not have to buy any extra equipment. Wait - It is recommended that I get Yoga blocks for the Yoga program so I may have to buy that. Since I have not done Yoga ever I better try without the blocks and see if I need after my first workout (whenever that happens in the program).

The food buying is going to be expensive that my current spending, but not a big change for me since I do eating healthy. The biggest thing will to be stop eating white rice and potatoes that I do now. I go to the grocery store every other day so going to get fish that is on the program is not going to be a problem for me.

Lastly, the supplements. We know that can get really expensive. Question to myself - Do I really need? Whey, fat burner (i think), some sort of bars, a few other things. Obviously, I would need if I want t probably do the program to a T as well as see the best results. I do not know.

I have a couple of more days to decide on the supplements. I do have the creatine recovery stuff, since I use that for biking so I do not have to worry about that expense. Just all the other expenses is what I am worried about.

I think that is about all I have to say.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete