Well... today marks the end of one of the longest weeks of my life.
A month ago I found out that a couple of the director level personnel from my corporate office were coming to visit my store. In addition, my Regional Vice President and my District Manager would be visiting at the same time.
This is the single most intensive visit a store can receive...the store can't just be really clean, bright, and well organized. It has to be merchandised perfectly. And, I mean perfectly. Because, these guys will know the difference. They're the ones who buy the product, negotiate product placement within the store, and determine where things are supposed to be in the store. So, if something is in the wrong spot...they'll know!
Anyway...we made some moderate progress over the last 3 weeks. But, with about a week to go I realized that we just weren't as close to perfect as I'd hoped. So, it was time to go in to full court press. Bring in all the help...management staff lived at the store for the past 4 days. Whatever it took...we needed to get it done.
So, how did it go? Well. We got it done. And, I think it was just about as positive as it could be for us. Our market has some unique competitive challenges. And, for that reason, I need some additional help from the people at my corporate office...but, they don't always understand that. But, this visit helped them understand. Which means I'll get more help. Which means my business will be more successful in the future.
I tallied up the hours for the last week...between Thursday of last week and today, I worked 106 hours. Yikes...that's a lot of time in my building for one week!
Needless to say, I haven't had much happen in the way of riding, running, etc. I'm excited to get going again...I don't think I'm going to ride to work tomorrow. But, I will on Friday and Saturday. JDRF training ride on Sunday. Ride to work on Monday. And...drum roll please...my first Tuesday Night Ride of the season on Tuesday. I'm totally pumped for that ride!
Time to return to some normalcy!
16 April 2008
09 April 2008
No Ride Today...
Well, its a little cool outside. Not that I'm getting picky about the weather. This is still better than the snow we had going until last week...but, its a little dreary, a little windy, and a little cool. So, for the moment, I'm going to skip my ride.
Besides, my legs are still a little stiff from lots of miles last week. So, I don't think I'm doing any harm by skipping a day. Maybe I'll go for a little run this evening. I haven't run in about a week...so, it wouldn't hurt to do a run. Even if it is just a short one. We'll see how I feel a little later.
Stopped by VCC to get Karin a saddle-bag today. Forgot to pick one up for her when we got the bike the other day. So, with the help of Ted and Jeff, she picked out a nice flowery looking one that matches her bike nicely. Installed that when we got home...so, she looks semi-ready for a ride now!
Besides, my legs are still a little stiff from lots of miles last week. So, I don't think I'm doing any harm by skipping a day. Maybe I'll go for a little run this evening. I haven't run in about a week...so, it wouldn't hurt to do a run. Even if it is just a short one. We'll see how I feel a little later.
Stopped by VCC to get Karin a saddle-bag today. Forgot to pick one up for her when we got the bike the other day. So, with the help of Ted and Jeff, she picked out a nice flowery looking one that matches her bike nicely. Installed that when we got home...so, she looks semi-ready for a ride now!
08 April 2008
Why I hate the great weather! (huh?)
Ok...so, I've spent the better part of the last 6 weeks bitching about the weather. Apparently my opinion of when spring should arrive differed greatly with that of the calendar, the cosmic cycle, la nina, and the global climate. Thus, we got more snow...I got more angry.
However, a sudden turn over the past week has me loving the great out of doors. Hell...I have tan lines!
You'd think that this would be the cause for great and glorious celebration. And, it was. For a couple days I stood outside...reigning over my lawn like the king of my own tiny land. In the spirit of Sports Center..."Bring me the finest meats and cheeses in all the land!".
Now, though, the weather is irking me slightly. Why? Well, because I'm exhausted. I've been waiting for weather like this for so long that if a single minute of daylight goes by when I am not doing something to enjoy it...I feel like its wasted. Thus, I've been riding as much as possible...taking the long way home from work...doing JDRF rides, doing rides with my wife...generally spending lots of time outside. However, I've also been spending even more time than usual at work. So, that means lots of very short nights lately...
in short. I'm exhausted. I'm taking the day off of the bike today. No run. No bike. No swim. No yard work. Nada. Nothing. Zippo. Zilch. And, I'm committing to a good nights sleep tonight. Minimum of 8 hours. No excuses.
On the plus side...I have felt great on the bike. And, I definitely reached a personal zenith during the JDRF ride on Sunday. The weather was great, my legs felt great, and I had Carmen at my side (I missed you Carmen!), I managed to hook up with Ted (which doesn't happen nearly often enough), and since I found Ted's wheel I managed to find Danielle's wheel by proxy. In short, everything just made me want to fly. I was able to take some long pulls at the front of the group (something I never did last year without feeling like I would die), I was able to maintain a good speed...and, I was able to really open it up on the second half of the ride.
On a personal level, this was probably the single most enjoyable ride I've been on. However, from a group or team perspective... I blew it. Big time. I didn't do what I should have done...which is make sure that everyone was having fun, that everyone was riding with someone. I failed at the one thing I vowed that I would do this year. I failed to help someone new...I want to do for someone else what Carmen, Jasker, and the VCC gang did for me last year. And, I didn't do that at all. MC would claim that is his job, not mine. But, I'm of the opinion that it is a group responsibility to ensure that the group has fun. We can't leave that all on MC.
I'll do better next time! I need to remember that it's not a race. Last year (and with the fast people over the winter) I didn't need to worry about that. Even if I pretended it was a race, there wasn't any point in it...I was getting my ass kicked anyway. I needed to go at my max just to keep up. And, that may still be the case this year... I don't know. But, this year I want to make sure I do things to help out the slower riders...assuming there are any slower than me. ;-)
While I'm on the topic of VCC, JDRF, and all things cycling...we added a new bike to the family yesterday. It was Karin's birthday yesterday and I wanted to get her a new bike. So, I semi-surprised her by taking her to VCC to get fit up for a new bike. Needless to say, she was infinitely excited. MC, Ted, Aaron, and NGG (New Guy Greg) all helped to get the bike set up for her while we were there. So, there is a lovely new Cannondale in the stable. Now, Karin has a really nice rig to do errands, the occasional group ride, and even a triathlon over the summer. To me, that is really exciting. I really want to her to find a healthy hobby that makes her happy (alliteration much?).
Oh...and, just to stay on the topic of griping about the weather. Potential for snow in the weekend forecast. I heart global warming.
However, a sudden turn over the past week has me loving the great out of doors. Hell...I have tan lines!
You'd think that this would be the cause for great and glorious celebration. And, it was. For a couple days I stood outside...reigning over my lawn like the king of my own tiny land. In the spirit of Sports Center..."Bring me the finest meats and cheeses in all the land!".
Now, though, the weather is irking me slightly. Why? Well, because I'm exhausted. I've been waiting for weather like this for so long that if a single minute of daylight goes by when I am not doing something to enjoy it...I feel like its wasted. Thus, I've been riding as much as possible...taking the long way home from work...doing JDRF rides, doing rides with my wife...generally spending lots of time outside. However, I've also been spending even more time than usual at work. So, that means lots of very short nights lately...
in short. I'm exhausted. I'm taking the day off of the bike today. No run. No bike. No swim. No yard work. Nada. Nothing. Zippo. Zilch. And, I'm committing to a good nights sleep tonight. Minimum of 8 hours. No excuses.
On the plus side...I have felt great on the bike. And, I definitely reached a personal zenith during the JDRF ride on Sunday. The weather was great, my legs felt great, and I had Carmen at my side (I missed you Carmen!), I managed to hook up with Ted (which doesn't happen nearly often enough), and since I found Ted's wheel I managed to find Danielle's wheel by proxy. In short, everything just made me want to fly. I was able to take some long pulls at the front of the group (something I never did last year without feeling like I would die), I was able to maintain a good speed...and, I was able to really open it up on the second half of the ride.
On a personal level, this was probably the single most enjoyable ride I've been on. However, from a group or team perspective... I blew it. Big time. I didn't do what I should have done...which is make sure that everyone was having fun, that everyone was riding with someone. I failed at the one thing I vowed that I would do this year. I failed to help someone new...I want to do for someone else what Carmen, Jasker, and the VCC gang did for me last year. And, I didn't do that at all. MC would claim that is his job, not mine. But, I'm of the opinion that it is a group responsibility to ensure that the group has fun. We can't leave that all on MC.
I'll do better next time! I need to remember that it's not a race. Last year (and with the fast people over the winter) I didn't need to worry about that. Even if I pretended it was a race, there wasn't any point in it...I was getting my ass kicked anyway. I needed to go at my max just to keep up. And, that may still be the case this year... I don't know. But, this year I want to make sure I do things to help out the slower riders...assuming there are any slower than me. ;-)
While I'm on the topic of VCC, JDRF, and all things cycling...we added a new bike to the family yesterday. It was Karin's birthday yesterday and I wanted to get her a new bike. So, I semi-surprised her by taking her to VCC to get fit up for a new bike. Needless to say, she was infinitely excited. MC, Ted, Aaron, and NGG (New Guy Greg) all helped to get the bike set up for her while we were there. So, there is a lovely new Cannondale in the stable. Now, Karin has a really nice rig to do errands, the occasional group ride, and even a triathlon over the summer. To me, that is really exciting. I really want to her to find a healthy hobby that makes her happy (alliteration much?).
Oh...and, just to stay on the topic of griping about the weather. Potential for snow in the weekend forecast. I heart global warming.
02 April 2008
Spring!
Well, I'm stepping out on a limb and saying that we have turned a corner with the weather. Today was gorgeous!
My ride in this morning was uneventful and, frankly, wonderful. It was cold (22 degrees at time of departure), but the sun was out and it was beautiful. I was plenty warm with my sweater on...even though it was cold. In fact, I was warm enough that when I stopped at a red light there was steam rolling off my arms and shoulders. Cool!
The ride home (about 5:30) was perfect. I ditched the sweater in favor of a a compression shirt and my jersey. Man, I always feel so much faster when I get rid of th sweater.
Anyway, the weather was beautiful. No wind to speak of, the sun was out...in short, it was bordering on perfect. If every single day of the year was like today, I'd be pretty happy. I'd take another 5 degrees warmer so I could get rid of my tights as well and just ride in my bibs. But, I'm not complaining. It was great to ride.
Went for a run last night...not a long one...not a fast one. Just a nice, easy, relaxing, 4 mile run. And, you know, it was exactly that. Easy, relaxing, and nice. I finished feeling good, not the least bit tired, and like I could have easily done several more miles. This is important to me because I'm still making up my mind which distance I am going to do for the Riverbank Run. I really wanted to do the 25K distance...but, I'm very concerned that I will not be able to do the distance, and that I won't have time to get ready between now and then. Perhaps I'll do this as my first 10K distance? We'll see.
I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about the first training ride of the year for the JDRF team. We get started on Sunday and I am totally stoked. The prospect of getting started on group riding again is very exciting. Between the Tuesday night ride out of VCC and the Sunday rides with JDRF...it's going to be a great summer.
My ride in this morning was uneventful and, frankly, wonderful. It was cold (22 degrees at time of departure), but the sun was out and it was beautiful. I was plenty warm with my sweater on...even though it was cold. In fact, I was warm enough that when I stopped at a red light there was steam rolling off my arms and shoulders. Cool!
The ride home (about 5:30) was perfect. I ditched the sweater in favor of a a compression shirt and my jersey. Man, I always feel so much faster when I get rid of th sweater.
Anyway, the weather was beautiful. No wind to speak of, the sun was out...in short, it was bordering on perfect. If every single day of the year was like today, I'd be pretty happy. I'd take another 5 degrees warmer so I could get rid of my tights as well and just ride in my bibs. But, I'm not complaining. It was great to ride.
Went for a run last night...not a long one...not a fast one. Just a nice, easy, relaxing, 4 mile run. And, you know, it was exactly that. Easy, relaxing, and nice. I finished feeling good, not the least bit tired, and like I could have easily done several more miles. This is important to me because I'm still making up my mind which distance I am going to do for the Riverbank Run. I really wanted to do the 25K distance...but, I'm very concerned that I will not be able to do the distance, and that I won't have time to get ready between now and then. Perhaps I'll do this as my first 10K distance? We'll see.
I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about the first training ride of the year for the JDRF team. We get started on Sunday and I am totally stoked. The prospect of getting started on group riding again is very exciting. Between the Tuesday night ride out of VCC and the Sunday rides with JDRF...it's going to be a great summer.
01 April 2008
April Fools Day
It's April 1st. So, I should probably be posting something on my blog that is some sort of a witty scam. Something evocative and thought provoking. Sadly, I'm just not feeling it.
It's probably a bit tiresome for readers to keep visiting this blog and read my gripes about the weather...but, what can I do? Look outside! Mother nature is sucking the joy out of my life one cold day at a time. I honestly thought we might be turning a corner yesterday...but now there is the "potential for scattered snow showers" this afternoon/evening.
It does no good to blame the weather dudes and dudettes. But, it makes me feel better. So, I'm blaming them. OK...not really.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel...but, it seems a long way off. The 15 day forecast on accuweather.com is showing two days reaching 60ish degrees around mid-April. One might suppose that is reason for excitement, though I think it's a bit sad that we've been forced to look forward to the mere possibility of a 60 degree day 2 weeks from now. It's a sad state of affairs.
Perhaps the frustration comes from the fact that the light at the end of the tunnel has been there for about 5 weeks now...but, we never seem to get any closer to it. Each day is cold and dreary and has the potential for snow...and the 15 day forecast always seems to contain that one mythic warm day at some point in the distant future.
I plan to wallow in the exceptional joy of that first day that I can ride to work on the Volpe with summer tires on it. That first day that I get dressed for my ride that does not include 20 minutes of getting dressed and undressed before and after the ride. I can't wait to ditch my AmFib shoe covers and gloves. It would be fantastic if I could pack my balaclava away for the year.
April...spring...leaves...warm weather...sunshine...I'm crying on the inside.
It's probably a bit tiresome for readers to keep visiting this blog and read my gripes about the weather...but, what can I do? Look outside! Mother nature is sucking the joy out of my life one cold day at a time. I honestly thought we might be turning a corner yesterday...but now there is the "potential for scattered snow showers" this afternoon/evening.
It does no good to blame the weather dudes and dudettes. But, it makes me feel better. So, I'm blaming them. OK...not really.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel...but, it seems a long way off. The 15 day forecast on accuweather.com is showing two days reaching 60ish degrees around mid-April. One might suppose that is reason for excitement, though I think it's a bit sad that we've been forced to look forward to the mere possibility of a 60 degree day 2 weeks from now. It's a sad state of affairs.
Perhaps the frustration comes from the fact that the light at the end of the tunnel has been there for about 5 weeks now...but, we never seem to get any closer to it. Each day is cold and dreary and has the potential for snow...and the 15 day forecast always seems to contain that one mythic warm day at some point in the distant future.
I plan to wallow in the exceptional joy of that first day that I can ride to work on the Volpe with summer tires on it. That first day that I get dressed for my ride that does not include 20 minutes of getting dressed and undressed before and after the ride. I can't wait to ditch my AmFib shoe covers and gloves. It would be fantastic if I could pack my balaclava away for the year.
April...spring...leaves...warm weather...sunshine...I'm crying on the inside.
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