Of Moose And Men
The Best Laid Plans Of Both Often Go Astray

We got some internet access, so I’m posting what I’ve written thus far from the past two days.

5/30/06, Tuesday
It’s begun to rain. We’ve had a relatively quiet trip up thus far, but now, about a hour or so from the campground at which my parents and I will be staying the night it’s begun to drip a little. They’ve been predicting thunderstorms, and the camp did report some thunder when we called them a little bit ago, but this is part and parcel of what they’ve been getting up here all Spring, part of what almost lead the race director to cancel the race when he discovered the transition area under a couple feet of water just a few weeks ago.

It’s interesting traveling in an RV, you can get up and wander around, unlike a bus or car, so legs can be stretched and hungers sated. Both parents have driven at different times (I’m not about to attempt it, even if asked), and for the most part we go along at a pace that rarely brings us up against someone else’s rear end – most of the time we’re the ones being passed, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s not like we’re in any hurry to get up there now, with plenty of time to arrive before Friday.

There are also small quirks of their RV, like the one drawer whose latch doesn’t quite work, so you have to kick it back in every now and again, and the water pumps I wasn’t warned to turn back on when I needed to wash my hands (“Mom, are we out of water?”). The couch which will become my bed is pretty comfortable to sprawl out upon (there’s a full or queen sized bed at the back for them), and I’ve been fairly comfortable on it. When not staring out at the mountains, streams and livestock, I’ve read, chatted with my parents, and spent some time paying down my third mortgage on Animal Crossing (yay for new fruits from the other animals – they help pay those bills much faster).

Had one little diversion when a bad sign lead us down a wrong driveway. I got to drive the Psion around as they backed the RV out and went down the right driveway. While Dad fueled up and Mom worked to reconnect the Psion to the back I took the time to inform her that if the curious 33 year old had looked in the cabinet right across from the toilet while sitting, the curious 9 year old (my niece) was sure to do so this summer and that it would behoove her to move the box for her vibrator to a more secure area. The look on her face would only have been more amusing if she’d been drinking something when I said it. At least I know I get my sexual nature honestly.

…

5/31/06, Wednesday

One of the more difficult aspects of this trip has been realizing how my parents have aged. You see some of it at home, but it’s brought to the front much more starkly when discussing plans for the day that include a lot of driving and/or walking around. Parking in handicapped spots (for Mom’s foot problems – they have the plates), trying to get as close to places as possible, taking a nice break mid-afternoon, in bed by 8:30 or 9, these little things add up to a picture of my parents that I hadn’t quite arrived at yet. I’m glad I’ve gotten the chance to spend this time with them, and I look forward to more time with them, but I’m not sure when we’d ever get the chance to travel together like this again.

Lots of thunderstorms this afternoon here in Cooperstown. After visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame (and Museum), which was quite cool, even for someone who doesn’t follow the game regularly, we wandered a little bit along the two blocks that comprise downtown Cooperstown, then drove up around Lake Osteaga for a bit, then back to the camp to rest. I think we were expecting Cooperstown to be a tad bigger than it was, but all in all I think it was perfect. The downtown strip was fun, you didn’t feel rushed getting through things, and you could get to everything you wanted to see in a day (or more, if you wished). But man, the thunderstorms were something else.

Thankfully they waited until after we were ensconced in the motor home, but at least three waves came through, one of which temporarily knocked out the electricity from the campground (right in the middle of fixing dinner, of course). Lightning galore, lots of thunder, and rain pounding down on the roof. When it let up the first time, Mom zipped out for a few supplies from the under-carriage storage, and back in just in time for the second wave. It did cool things down considerably, so we were able to cut off the a/c, but with the threat of more storms we’ve got the place sealed up tight, so I’m not sure how useful that cooling will be as we attempt to sleep.

Nice weekend, spent it with the parents, in anticipation of the week we’re spending together starting tomorrow. We played tourist, visiting various Smithsonian museums and watched ‘Rolling Thunder,’ the motorcycle parade in memory of the fallen, zip down Consitution Avenue when travelling between museums. Was quite fun, but quite draining. One forgets how much energy it can take to deal with holiday crowds and large museums, as well as lots of walking/standing that doesn’t occur in everyday life.

The race is in five days. Five days in which I’ll have little to no access to the ‘net in order to post. Will update as soon as I’m able, and I’m sure I’ll be writing while out.

Hadn’t swam in a while, but did so at the pool here at the cult co-op this afternoon/evening. At first I was feeling a tad out of breath, which led to some bit of panic over my chances in the race. Thankfully after a bit I calmed down, and I came to that zen-like calm that can come over one while swimming. The swim’s not going to be the easiest, but I suspect I’ll get through it okay. The wetsuit will help, the extra buouancy means less effort spent staying up and more spent going forward. Of course, the water temperature will be a factor as well, but I suspect I’ll be relativelty well insulated with the suit, cap and socks. Only time will tell.

I’m doing a quick spot of laundry this evening, and have my stuff laid out for the race all over my bed. I’ll pack most of it tonight, and get up early tomorrow to finish it up and await my parents’ arrival for our impending trip. Looking forward to the time off, it’s most needed.

Yup, still crazy.

Still can’t quite believe I signed up for the marathon. Should be a nice experience, and I’m looking forward to doing it, but wasn’t quite sure I was up to it. I think I am, now.

Work has been absolute hell this week. Can’t and won’t go into details, but it’s been stressful enough to trigger a cold sore and set off my eczema. Grrr. I’m so glad I’m going to be out of there for the next week and a half.

Working through final prep for the race. Picked up a bunch of Shot Bloks, and a new pair of club-branded bike socks from the local bike shop. List is made, trying to make sure I have everything planned out and ready.

In the meantime, one more day at work, then off for the duration. Debating whether I should leave my phone off just so I’m truly unreachable while on the road. The joy of being the specialist is that you’ve a lot of job security. The pain is that they have to call you, no matter what.

Confirmation
Dear [Moose],
YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REGISTERED FOR THE 31st MARINE CORPS MARATHON. For your convenience we have included the waiver to which you consented.

(THIS NUMBER IS NECESSARY TO PRINT THE CONFIRMATION E-CARD AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2006 AT WWW.MARINEMARATHON.COM. THIS E-CONFIRMATION CARD IS REQUIRED FOR PACKET PICK UP HELD AT THE DC ARMORY, WASHINGTON DC)
If you have to update your record, please contact the Marine Corps Marathon office.

Yesterday evening just the thighs were sore, today it’s pretty much the entire lower body. Long run Saturday (7.2 miles), followed by a 2 hour bike ride Sunday (32.5 miles). Yeah, so nice and sore here today. Will stretch out shortly, but am enjoying sitting around in a bathrobe with my cereal and the web first.

Relatively quiet weekend. I did check out the local S&M club on Saturday where I learned that: a) I don’t like to receive heavy nipple play; and b) I despise being smacked on the ass.

After the usual lesson on a fetish (in this case, water sports), I had two play sessions, one as a bottom, one as top. In the first I was tied to another bottom, supporting each other as the top circled us, playing with nips (hands, clothespins, clamps and something else that felt pretty sharp, but which I did not see due to the blindfold), some light flogging (which was not unpleasant), smacking (which was unpleasant for me). The entire time he was hitting my ass all I could think was that I had a two hour bike ride to do the next day and that if he went too much further the ride was not going to be pleasant. Ah well, live and learn. In the second I worked a bottom’s nips and punched him some at his request.

In neither scene did any of us come. That was similar to my experience at the local fisting club, though there it was easier to make the bottom come, since I literally had a hand on the trigger.

I also learned that unless I’m restrained, I don’t like to just lie there (or stand there, as the case ay be). I need to be a bit more active than that. In the first scene I was at least able to run my hands over the other bottom, but I think if I’d just had to stand there with nothing to do I’d have been more bored than anything else. At least if one is bound one can strain against the ropes and do something. I suspect I’m more on the S side of the S&M equation, though I enjoy both sides of the B&D equation. Dunno. The only other time I’ve done much in the way of S&M was when a dom top was lightly punching my chest, which I did enjoy, but in the context of the larger scene. I actually stopped the top in the first scene from Saturday at one point when he was hitting my ass because it was just not comfortable, and not something I was into at all.

Oh, and in an odd moment, someone came by when we were blindfolded and put a cold water bottle on my butt. Felt like ice, and I was thinking that (ice) actually might have been fun, but it disappeared far too quickly. Not sure if they had the top’s permission to do it or not.

Watched one guy work over a bottom with a long dowel rod (I can’t think of any other way to describe it). I could see learning that particular skill.

I’ll attend again, I think the class structure at the beginning of the evening is good and I do need additional instruction in how to do certain things, but as I learn more about my own likes and dislikes I’ll become more selective about what I do.

I made my last big purchase, post-move, today. Finally went and bought a wetsuit.

Was intending to buy a different one, a two piece system, but when the company’s out of them, and there’s no time to order and wait, you get what you can. As it is, I’m happy with the purchase I made, it fit well, was comfortable, and should last quite a while. I look forward to using it.

Nice weekend thus far. Club event this morning, bbq afterwards. Came home, changed up, ran this afternoon. Wasn’t my best run, but no calf pain, thankfully. Afterwards I ran out to get the wetsuit. Tried on several, this was the most comfortable by a hair, but the easiest to get out of overall, which ultimately was the deciding factor.

It’s a gorgeous day in DC, was perfect for running, and for the first brick workout for our new triathletes. Was good to have such nice weather for this important workout for them, but then again, this spring has been absolutely lovely for pretty much everything exercise wise. They’re been very lucky this year.

But with this purchse, my major purchases are now done. Table, chairs, the apartment itself, and now the wetsuit. There are some things I’d still like to get, but no necessities, those are done. Which is just fine with me.

Finally got a chance to taste/use the little Cliff Shot Bloks I’d picked up at the Cherry Blossom expo, and I’m hooked. It was so much easier on the bike to fish one of those puppies out and have something to actually chew on, rather than having to tear open a container of goo one handed and then worry about where to put the little container when you’re done. Definitely going to be the calories of choice for the bike portion of my upcoming race (since I don’t seem to do well with sports drinks when exercising). Used them on a nice 2o-ish mile ride this morning.

Then this afternoon I swam, did 3 500 yard repeats after a long warm up. It went well, so I’m feeling okay about the swim portion of the race. The bike will be tough, but definitely doable, and the run, if this calf doesn’t get better this week, will be torture itself, but overall I think I’ll survive it.

Managed to get up to Dupont for lunch with a friend, and back down to the Y for the swim and then home again before the rain really hit. It’s going nicely now, a good, steady, relatively light rain. Enough to keep the kids indoors, not so nasty that I have to close the balcony doors. Is a nice, quiet counterpoint to my tapping on the keyboard. Should take the nice, quiet time to do some more cleaning, but I’m feeling cleaned out after yesterday’s straightening and getting the chairs unpacked and set up.

Obviously working out was not meant to happen this morning. Didn’t feel like biking in the cooler temps & wetish weather, still resting my yet-again pulled calf muscle, so no run, & swam last night, so that’s a no-go, too. Couldn’t find the short bike workout DVD, so was going to go with the 50 minute one, but that one seems to have crapped out on me – won’t play on the PeeCee, won’t play on the iBook (caused me to have to reboot the iBook when it wouldn’t eject, in fact). Ugh. So, Tuesday is this week’s rest day, or at least the morning is, we’ll see about getting something to work tonight, though I think I was supposed to do dinner with a friend tonight. Ugh.

The calf pain returned briefly this morning. It happened after I had to run in place at an intersection, waiting for the light to change so I could cross. After walking a little bit I was able to pick it up again, but that running in place (as opposed to running to move forward) would be the cause of the pain jives with my prior experience of pain after running on a treadmill. Made sure to stop at intersections and not bounce up and down (aka running in place) and it seemed to do fine. Mental note: no more bouncing, at least until after the June race.

Didn’t run this morning, but did run this evening, same long loop I did on Sunday (since I’l really supposed to be doing Very Long Loops at this point in training). Will attempt an hour on the bike in the morning if it’s not too cold/nasty tomorrow morning. Otherwise, long swim instead.

Work was in one of those “everything is flowing as it should” rare moods this morning, knocked out two long time problems, then lunch arrived and all my mojo went out the window. Oh well, at least I killed two projects before it fizzled.

Trying to start finalizing plans for race nutrition and the like, pick up those last things I need to get (um, wetsuit?) and make sure I can stomach the food I want to have on the bike and run. Gotta plan this stuff out in order not to kill yourself in the race, so I’m trying to ensure I have a plan and that it’ll work.

Skipped out of the board meeting early tonight (yes, the cult co-op had a board meeting the day after a membership meeting) because I was too hungry, post-run. Dinner was good, some fake sausage, light salad, hummus. This was about an hour after the run, and I had already had a recovery drink and a protein shake before that. Food is good, and good fuel is better.