Update..

I've been asked about what I'm doing this year by a few friends in blogland. Overly nice people wonder if I'm turning pro - when really, I forgot to even sign up for any races. I was too sick late in the year to even know if racing would be an option. I missed Oceanside, though I'll likely be there for Timex camp anyway, so Beth and I will make it a fun long run day of cheering/heckling the racers. In matching turquiose lululemon tights, because I was goober-enough to buy ones just like hers. I would like to go to Alcatraz. I might sign up for Honu, but I might not. I would like to race Chicago again. But the only thing I'm actually signed up for is the Great Aloha Run on President's Day. 8.15 miles with 20,000 of my closest friends.

I'm not training with Lifesport and Coach Paul this year. I learned a ton from and had a blast with Paul, and will take much of what I learned with me. I also learned that I am not actually interested in training like a pro. I'll do the work and enjoy the work, but my life will never allow for the recovery, the commitment or especially the huge expense required to train like a pro. I plan to do things the way I did in 2006 & 2007, with the local Boca Hawaii clinics whenever possible, and with a consistent weekly schedule of what I do and when I do it. There will be many fewer races, as travel funds are non-existant. But that's OK. 2008 was hard on me, and all I want from triathlon in 2009 is a little fun.

The training plan accounts for a minimum of three days per week of bike commuting. It's just a little cooler out, which makes the ride in nicer. Cheryl sent me this link to bail-out induced incentives for bike commuters that my fellow commuters should check out. I see something about bike purchase reimbursement on there.. and I've got a new frame coming that's going to need some parts. All the parts, actually, but then I will have my first ever road bike. With the bike commuting, I'll hit 200+ miles this week. My biggest week training for Kona last year? 144. I think I had a bike allergy last year.

At work I'm writing, researching, and editing things I find interesting. My boss does not have british corn-teeth or call himself Daddy in staff meetings, like some people I know. I am the first one in each morning and leave at 2:30 or 3 pm, which leaves me plenty of time to pull something in my lower back at the skate park (Monday) or go through all my old jewelry with my daughter (Tuesday) or run 1000 meter repeats with Katherine and Ingrid in Waikiki (today). I share an office with a 23 year-old named Bill who is much smarter than me, and who I flick things at when I get bored.

Winter break ends for all on Monday. My people have been doing stuff like this while I work all day:

I swear I'm not bitter/jealous. Pat & Natalie headed home on Monday after three weeks of free babysitting. They would be around a while, then disappear for a few days.. perfect houseguests.

So that's the news. And lastly, for all of Sky's friends, a little bit of Sky. Last night at bedtime I heard her calling me from the bathroom. I braced myself and went in, because you never know what you're going to see when a five year old summons you to the can. She was standing at the sink, playing Hello Kitty on her pink Nintendo DS. Will you brush my teeth for me while I play my DS? she asked, dead serious. I had a hard time not getting toothpaste on the screen.. just kidding. Still, I guess it couldn't hurt to ask.