It’s a beautiful day for a drive. Clear skies as far as the eye can see. I’ve got Classic Rewind going on XM (this morning’s excellent flashback – Sister Christian by Night Ranger).

For regular updates from the road over the next 1266 miles, you can check out my twitter page (tweets also in the box to the right). I’ll also post a few pics that you can see on my photo page and on flickr .

Journey on.

This weekend, I’ve been in Boulder. The more I’m here, the more I like it. It is such a healthy city. Going to grab breakfast on Saturday morning, I must have seen 100 or more bikers heading out for a ride in th foothills. The people in the town really respect the riders and drivers give them their space. Triathlon Life magazine noted that there are 18 bike shops in this town of 100,000. That’s a pretty good indicator of just how dedicated Boulderites are to staying healthy. Plus, the vast number of running trails, bike paths and workout facilities makes it very easy to get out to exercise.

Other random thoughts about the week -

Great song that I haven’t heard in awhile (and no, I don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy – understand this song is used in the show) – Matt Nathanson’s “Come On Get Higher”

Excellent commercials – Anyone seen the ESPN360.com commercials featuring pitchman Billy Mays? I think they are smart and funny. My favorite is the one about the workplace. “Now my job is way less soul crushing!”

Movie that I’m still indifferent about – Watchmen. Saw it this week. It is long (2 hrs and 43 minutes). The comic book crowd seems to think it was well done. I found it to be interesting at times, but overall flat and emotionless (much like main character Dr. Manhattan). Plus, I spent much of the movie distracted about where I had previously seen the actress who played Silk Spectre II. I didn’t figure out until after the movie that she was in a couple episodes of Entourage a few years back.

Great/entertaining book that I finished this week – Memorial Day by Vince Flynn. His books feature Mitch Rapp, a terrorist hunting CIA super agent and they are always good reads. This one deals with a plot to set off a nuclear bomb in DC. If you haven’t read his books, start with Transfer of Power, which focuses on a terrorist takeover of the West Wing.

It’s been interesting to follow the SXSW Interactive conference in Austin via Twitter. There is a ton of Twittering about it, so I’d say the best updates thus far have come from former BC04 teammate Mindy Finn (@mindyfinn).

Journey on.

I’ve also spent quite a bit of time this week at the Breckenridge Recreation Center. It is a really impressive facility. It has a great pool for lap swimming, lots of cardio equipment (including Expresso Interactive Bikes), an expansive climbing wall (this is Colorado, after all), free wi-fi and many other amenities. And, it costs about a third as much per month as my gym back in DC.

Training at the Breck Rec Center hasn’t been easy, however. Even though it sits down in the valley in town, the altitude at the gym is 9,600 feet. Elite athletes like to train in Boulder because the high altitude helps condition their lungs. Boulder sits at 5,344 feet. Breckenridge is more than 4,000 feet higher. That explains why there are signs hanging throughout the gym warning you about the altitude, urging you to not exert yourself too much and to stop if you don’t feel well. I noticed the altitude immediately on my first swim workout. I found it hard to go more than two strokes without taking a breath, whereas I normally take a breath every three to five strokes. When running on the treadmill, I had to slow down by about a half mile per hour in order to not get too winded. When I get back to sea level in Seattle, I hope these high altitude workouts will provide some real endurance benefits as I head into the final 13 weeks of training for Ironman Switzerland.

Journey on.

There are some impressive athletes here, as well. Yesterday, the woman swimming in the lane next to me was wearing an Ironman Louisville swim cap. Today, the guy on the bike next to me has a “M dot” tattoo (Ironman logo). Looks like he’s done a few races.

I can understand why they train in Breck. Beautiful landscapes and healthy lifestyles dominate this ski town. More important to effective training, however, might be the high altitudes and thin air. Training here will undoubtedly condition the lungs and make athletes very efficient with their use of oxygen. I’m convinced the week I spent training at the mile-high plus altitudes of Boulder last August really made a difference in my September Ironman race in Madison (video here and photos here). Where I’m biking now is at least a few thousand feet higher and I can feel the difference.

I’m excited to spend the month here skiing, training and relaxing. I hope to be able to do some long runs and rides outside, and I may throw in some snowshoeing for a little varety.

I’ve been listening to XM. Ethel (channel 54) played Artist Confidential with Coldplay. Awesome to hear the talented band discuss their music and play some acoustic numbers. After, I tuned in to listen to a game of name that tune on a replay of the Lex & Terry morning show on XM 152.

Here are a few random pictures from today’s journey. A shot from inside the truck, windmills near Adair, IA, and the water tower in York, NE (shout out to 1483).

Late on Sunday night, I arrived back in Ames. I spent most of my week back in the classroom. I serve on the Advisory Council for the Greenlee School of Journalism at Iowa State, so I maintain contact with the leaders and professors there. Because I was going to be in Ames for most of the week, I volunteered to stop by to chat with students about media/politics/pr issues in Washington. I was struck by the interest, as I ended up speaking to nine different classes over the course of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Those classes included:

- Opinion writing with Richard Doak
- Ethical and Social Issues and the use of New Technology (graduate level) with Chad Harms (former collegiate boxing champ)
- Media Law 460 with Barbara Mack (a former prof of mine when I took 460 in 1993)
- Intro to Public Relation with Erin Wilgenbush
- Media Ethics, Freedom and Responsibility with Jeff Blevins
- Journalism 201 with Richard Doak
- Journalism 201 with Angie Hunt
- And, finally, two sessions of Public Relations for Non-Majors with Diane Bugeja

It was a really rewarding experience for me to be able to talk with the students about the interaction between reporters and sources in Washington. Topics ran the range in the classes, but we covered important issues like how to prepare for interviews, challenges of staying on top of breaking news, drawing attention to the stories/policies you want reporters to notice, groundrules of interaction with reporters (on the record, background, off the record and leaks) and the importance of utilizing new technology – including social networking – to spread your message. The questions from the students were insightful and very thoughtful (aside from that one about 9/11 being an inside job – eesh) and gave me confidence that the students were being well-prepared to take on the challenges of working on media matters in today’s world.

The last couple days have been spent at the ISU Alumni Association headquarters participating in Board of Directors meetings. We meet on a quarterly basis to discuss the direction of the Alumni Association and hopefully provide guidance on the vision for the future. Now that the Association has the new headquarters (stop by if you haven’t seen it), we are very excited about the opportunties to connect Cyclone alumni to the University in new ways. The board is comprised of very talented people from many different regions and backgrounds and the meetings always reinvigorate my Cyclone spirit.

Tomorrow, I plan to drive off to Colorado for some skiing in Breckenridge. I’m looking forward to hitting the slopes!

Journey on.

I thought I’d share a few thoughts from week one of the cross country drive. I’ve traveled over 1750 miles since leaving DC last Friday, visiting eight states along the way. I’ve had some great food and met some nice folks. Russell, the investment guru I met at the gas station north of Chattanooga after he noticed my bumper sticker, was a pleasant reminder that there are many Americans who are very thankful for the strong leadership President Bush provided. Ah, the red states.

I was sorry to leave Hilton Head on Thursday. It’s a beautiful place and the sunny weather had finally returned. Despite the chillier temps and a flu virus that zoomed through the house, it was great to catch up with the family and see how all the cousins, nieces and nephews have grown. A definitely drawback of the campaign trail and White House service was having less time to spend with family.

The most amusing restaurant visited in the last week was certainly Arnold’s Country Kitchen in Nashville on South 8th. I found it yesterday by doing a search on Yelp on the iPhone. Reviewers couldn’t say enough positive things about this award-winning “meat and three” eatery (you choose one meat and three veggies/sides and the staff at the school cafeteria looking counter dish it up). When I arrived at about ten before noon, the parking lot was packed and there was already a line out the door of the humble establishment. The wait, which lasted about 25 minutes, was well worth it. I had the roast beef with green beans, mac ‘n cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy. Needless to say, it was not a light lunch as they certainly aren’t shy about employing real butter in their dishes.

Later, I made a stop through Clermont, Kentucky, to visit the Jim Beam distillery. A just in time suggestion (via a comment on this blog) to check out the Bourbon Trail from good friend and Grassley guru Kurt Kovarik spurred the visit. Unfortunately, Maker’s Mark (my bourbon of choice) was a bit far away and was closing tours for the day when I called to check in. So, I ducked in to Jim Beam’s operation, visited the gift shop and learned a few things from the experts (like the fact that all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon – which must have at least 51% corn mash, age in a one-time use barrel and may not include artificial ingredients). I purchased a few bottles – Jim Beam white, Jim Beam black and Knob Creek. They also make the higher end Baker’s and Booker’s, which are both aged longer.

Last night, I rolled into Chicago for the weekend. I went down to Gino’s East on Superior for some excellent deep dish pizza. The meaty (sans bacon) is my personal favorite at the historic spot.

Tonight, I’m looking forward to catching up with good friends and pledge brothers Derek Frame and Kjell Frederickson. Tomorrow, I’ll head back to Iowa for about six days in Ames. Along the way, I plan to catch up with a bunch of old friends.

Journey on.

Friday, February 13 – Drove from DC through VA and NC to Hilton Head, SC.

Thursday, February 19 – Drove from Hilton Head through GA (NW through Atlanta) to Nashville, TN (including a refueling stop north of Chattanooga).

Friday, February 20 (today) – Plan to head north to Chicago, IL. Will pass through KY and IN on the way.

Sunday, February 22 – Travel west across IL, stopping in Ames, IA, for the week (for ISU Alumni Association meetings and family/friends time).

Saturday, February 28 – Drive to Boulder, CO, to visit brother Steve and family.

Sunday, March 1 to Saturday, March 27 – Base out of Breckenridge, CO, for skiing, training, blogging, vlogging and some job/career reflecting and planning.

Sunday, March 28 – Depart CO for Seattle, WA. Likely path will hit UT, ID, OR. Possible detour through Vegas.

Monday, April 1 – back in the beautiful Pacific Northwest at my condo in the Emerald City!

Suggestions for detours and/or sites to see are welcome.

The coldest swim I’ve taken may have been in Lake Washington in the spring of ’06, where I think the water temperatures were in the high 50s at that time.  At the Pacific Crest Half Ironman that summer (near Mt. Bachelor in Sunriver, OR) water temps were about 62 degrees because of mountain snow runoff. That made for a rough beginning of the race.  Photos here -
 
I ventured out into the water here in Hilton Head fully prepared for the pain.  After rushing into the water as if it was a running race start, my breath was taken away.  The water felt like shards of ice on my exposed hands, feet and face.  I wasn’t sure I’d be able to continue.  It takes a few minutes for the water inside the wetsuit to warm up. As I caught my breath and my hands and feet started to feel numb, I reminded myself that the conditions in a race can sometimes be unpredictable and even painful. A great deal of dealing with an endurance race like the Ironman is adjusting to the mental hardships and compartmentalizing the pain and problems you encounter. So, I decided to treat the workout as I would the actual race by working to gut it out as best I could. I set my sights on a landmark that I’d swim to and then turn around. After 58 minutes of swimming, I felt great (though cold) and had renewed confidence to overcome future training challenges.