So, to fill in the last few weeks, I am now in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I spell that out because I'm proud to live here. I love this town. It's really nice to be somewhere I've always wanted to be. Soon, the apartment will all be organized, and then it's just down to livin'.
(The next bit is influenced by the television. No, not some dumb ass sitcom or documentary, but the damned Olympics. I've been sucked in by the coverage, mostly the swimming, and it's gotten me thinking. Oh, and by the by, if Mr. MVanK is reading, I'm wondering if you have any photos from your birthday party back in 1988. I remember wearing my Seoul 1988 Olympics shirt at that party. I'd love to see a pic.)
We all need a plan. Something to help us keep going, something to give us a map to follow as we barrel towards whatever goal it is that we've prescribed to ourselves. Okay, I'm sure that there are those who would disagree with me, but isn't NOT having a plan still a plan? Hmm.
Now that I have a void in my daily routine -- that is, bitching and complaining about my geographic 'situation' -- I -- along with influence from the Olympics (which used to be a big deal to me as I was a swimmer and wanted nothing more -- before discovering punk rock, cigarettes, beer, and being a slacker -- than to swim in the 'games.') have decided that I want to compete again. So I have a loose (term used strongly) goal, and now I need a plan. Firstly, what to compete in? Yes, something athletic and/or 'sporty.' You choose which word you want. Most men my age (Men. That sounds adult.) take up running. Now, I've been doing that for a couple of years now, and love it. In fact, I've gotten pretty good at it. Enough so that I consider doing a 13.1 as being no biggie. But, I am prone to some running injuries, and since I haven't brought myself to get into a group or club, I can't really get a good training program going. So, there's that. It would be fun to work towards a marathon, complete it, and see what comes next. There's that. Hmmm.
I've also considered Soccer. Which would put me into the team sport world. I'm not so comfortable there. I love the game, and I love playing it, but I would rather join a team with friends than just join a team and hope I like the other guys. And gals. Hmmmm. Same goes for cycling. I would have to join a team, and for the most part, I love cycling, but I've never like cyclists. I liked cycling with my friends in Ann Arbor because they were friends first. And we all had the right attitude (as far as I was concerned.)
So, lastly, there's the old bitch. Swimming. The one thing that kept me from watching the Olympics in years past was the fact that I swam and the Olympics has swimming in it. I never wanted to be in the same room as the games. I swam for a long time as a kid, and when I finally was set free, I wanted to be nowhere near it. Now, I miss it. I understand the strokes, I like the feeling of solitude it provides -- even in a crowded lane. Now, to do this, I would have to get into 'swimming shape.' This is not just plain 'in shape.' Swimming fitness is a bitch to get to. Running a mile and swimming one are two VERY different things. So, there's that. Now, I love racing in swimming. I can't hear you, can't see you, and I don't care. I am racing alone. Nice. BUT... I would have to join a team to get the workouts and feedback I need, so it's the combination of the two.
The goal has been decided, loosely. The first part of the plan is to determine what. Then comes where. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.
