I'm still toying around with the bike commuting idea. We'll have to see how that pans out.

A day off might be the best thing for me today. I was planning a long run and a long bike sometime over the weekend so I think I need to keep something in reserve. Maybe I'll just mess around with the weights in the garage this evening.

Okay, definitely not running or biking today. As the day moved along I found out how sore my legs were from yesterday's ride. I'm eager to repeat my long run (11.5 miles) as well as that long bike ride around the southern half of the island this weekend but I dont' think I can manage both so close together. Of the two I think the bike is more necessary.

Regarding the bike commuting idea: I've given it some thought and decided I need to think about it a little more. Well, actually I've decided to ride the route this weekend to get an accurate guage on the time needed for the ride into work as well as the difficulty of the route. There are several factors at work against me here. One being the lack of sunlight during my morning ride. It will be getting lighter earlier as the winter months come to an end but for now its dark when I drive to work and this must be considered. Second, the mountain I have to peddle over and the fact that the road that leads over that mountain is a highway which contains a long tunnel through said moutain. I have never seen another bicyclist on this roadway while driving to work which leads me to believe I might be crazy for even considering the idea. Thirdly, there is my lack of confidence in the drivers of Hawaii.

There is another option. Next week I'll have to start work on Tue and Thu at 11:00am. Most often I will finish work at 2:30pm on Mon and Wed. That means I could bring my bike to work on Mon or Wed and then take the long route home without going over the mountain, through the tunnel during the hours of darkness. Since I would start at 11:00 the following day I could ride the same long route back to work without the time crunch of a 7:45am start. This idea seems safer to me and I may start off with this instead of the early AM endeavor.

Whatever the case, I do see myself riding to and/or from work sometime in the near future. I think that is the best way for me to get some saddle time logged.

Back to work today after the 3 day holiday. I'm kind of disappointed in myself for not getting in a ride over the weekend but I just couldn't gather the determination yesterday. Instead I went shopping with my oldest and the grandson where I returned a stopwatch and picked up a good bicycle pump with guage and a new pair of running shorts. :) The bike pump is something I've wanted for quite some time and I think it will have a very positive affect since it seems my tires were greatly under inflated. Once home I checked my tires and they were both a little over 40 lbs! I guess that's what you get when you rely soley on a small bike mounted hand pump for your tire inflation needs.

Other stuff I got from Santa: the requisite "daddy shirts", leather jacket from the in-laws, gym bag for all of my gear. I don't need "things" as long as I have a healthy family. I always feel weird about getting stuff from people anyway.

I have considered riding my bike to work but I'm afraid of the motorists that early in the morning. Plus, I'd have to ride over the Likelike Hwy both ways (for those not in Hawaii, that is one very large and long hill up and down both am and pm including a highway tunnel of longish proportions). The route would only be 14 miles each way. Hmmm.. maybe only a few days each week? Every other day? Logistically I'd have to have clothes and such waiting for me at work where I'd have to shower and such prior to the starting bell. I think this is one way to finally boost my bike milage. Man, I'd have to get up awefully early to start at 6:30am! I have the choice of starting at 7:45am I'd have to stay until 4:30pm instead of 2:30pm.

Well, on second thought, I wouldn't absolutely have to ride over the Likelike Hwy. I could ride the long route around the southern end of the island (Hawaii Kai, Waimanalo, ect)  but that would take a long time, possibly several hours. Not sure of the distance, maybe 35 miles each way?

I just found out I have to work the 7:45-4:30 schedule on Thursday. Could that be a chance to try my bike commute?

Anyway, I'm planning on a 2km swim after work and maybe a short run.

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

Thank you for stopping by!

May all of your tri-dreams come true in '06!

Aloha! :)