Random Roundup

I cannot seem to muster the energy to think of and compose a post of any significance or interest.  I'm all over the place these days and seem unable to focus when I need it most; this post might as well reflect that.  Random is the name of the game today (and may be for some time...)

*Saturday I did a 2.5 hour ride in Central Park.  Ideally, it would have been nice to head over the GW and into Jersey, but the wind was not to be trifled with, gusts of 15-24 mph.  Add to that it felt like 29˚ instead of the reported 38˚ and so took my chances in the park.

*Why, you may ask, did I need to 'take my chances' in the park?  Central Park, if you don't know, is only open to vehicular traffic during AM and PM rush hours during the weekday, all other times it is off limits, especially on a weekend.  As of January 1st there has been a crackdown on cyclists in the park. This has taken the form of the $270 ticket for not stopping at red lights in the park, even when there is NO vehicular traffic.  There are about a dozen lights, some of which are only about 100 feet apart at the southern end of the park.  Needless to say this can really fuck with your interval training or prevent you from keeping up your HR.  The worst part, is that the rules don't seem to apply to all.  They do not ticket the handsome cabs, pedi-cabs or tourists when they don't stop for red lights.  It is apparently ok if pedestrians cross against the light or hang out in the crosswalk when the light is green for me, they can walk right down the middle of the road with their baby carriages when there is a clear pedestrian path marked just off to the side.  There has been a real call to arms in the city against cyclists, which I find very strange in light of the fact that the city has built a plethora of bike paths and bike lanes (much to the dismay and outcry of non cyclists) in order to promote a 'greener' city.  On the one hand I understand the need for some of these measures (those few sofflaw cyclists), but the CP thing takes it a bit too far, in my (not so humble) opinion.   I am not sure what I am going to do when it starts getting light out and I want to get in my early morning ride; this really sucks ass (I'm sorry, but I am not even going to try to be eloquent about my anger over this).

*First HR run test: FAIL.  My coach warned me this might happen.  It did to her and to another of her fast athletes.  Anxiousness of doing it better, emotional state, caffeine, etc.  I'm trying to keep a level head about it, but I can't help but feel that I really am NEVER going to get any faster no matter what I do.  And that is ok, I'd just like to stop getting my hopes up if that is the case.  Maybe you really can't teach an old dog new tricks.  

*Which brings me to.....my last year in the 40-44 AG.  I'm moving up next season.  I may be using the walker we have in our storage unit downstairs soon.

*I had dinner on Friday with Krista @ Commitment is Liberating.  It was really nice.  We took advantage of Restaurant Week here in NYC and had, what I thought, was a very good meal.  The company was just as stellar; what an extremely nice and funny person she is. Thanks for the good time (wait, that sounds wrong, somehow. You know what I mean.)

* A waitress the other night came to our table to tell us our son had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen.  I know he has ridiculous eyelashes (so jealous).  Of course when she asked my son, "Do you know you have such beautiful eyes?" He said, "Yes".  I guess what do you expect from a 5 y/o.  Proud mama, of course.

*Do you ever just want to throw in the towel?  Wave the white flag?  Crawl under a rock?  

*I woke up Valentines Day to a huge bouquet of flowers from my hubby.  I love him to death and I appreciate the gesture, but who is going to clean them up when they die?  I've kind of made it known that I do not like getting floral bouquets for that very reason: I end up having to clean up the mess.  My son ratted him out, told me they had gone to the jewelry store, but found nothing he thought I would like, hence the flowers....and a nice card and small box of chocolates he helped me eat).  All in all it was good; I have very low expectations since I really don't like VDay.

*The SIG (Special Interest Group) cycling thing I did last year put me on a wait list since I have already done it and they want to give newcomers a chance.  I am not sure I like this policy.  I feel like if I put it on my calender, made sure to schedule an email to myself and activated the alarm function on said calendar so that I signed up for it in time, I should be allowed to participate FOR SURE.

*How much crap can one person endure?  That is a rhetorical question.  Answer:  As much as one can take; however much that is.

*I really, really am having a hard time focusing these days.  This inability to concentrate is maddening; I am constantly distracted by my own thoughts.  I'm usually quite good at zoning in on something I need to pay attention to, hence my frustration.  I look forward to bedtime when I can just close my eyes and not think or do.

*Time to make my kid dinner.