Yup, verified.

Went back to the gym on Thursday, and felt like absolute crap. I figured what better time to try the route that I got last week again to make sure it was a fluke. 2 warm up climbs and went at it. Got it on the second go, So not bad I think. After that went home.
The weekend is looking to be a splendid one. Saturday night Kristen and I are off to the city for a night of French Cuisine and the late show at Second City. Between Barack and a hard place.
This will be good. Sunday will be spent at VE because that's all time will allot this weekend. Here's hoping for good weather next weekend so we can get up to the lake for some rock.....I miss the Red River Gorge.....

Breakfast: Eggs, Smokie links, Life w/milk Coffee
Snack: Coffee
Lunch: Burger, Grilled corn
Snack: Mojo bar
Dinner: Firkin Caribbean Salmon with Grilled Veggies
Dessert: 100 cal pack Life w/milk
Exercise: running

Great day...

Went running in the morning. Very humid. I did an almost 5k. I haven't been keeping track of time or distances so I just kinda go by guessing these day. Spent the evening in the gym with Kristen and my cousin from Slovakia. I finally did a route I have been trying to do for months. (back wall right side for those of you that climb with me) (yes yes gym climbing blah.....) but damn....that felt great. :)

Breakfast: Eggs, Smokie links, Cheerios w/milk Coffee
Snack: Coffee
Lunch: Lean Cuisine
Snack: 100 cal pack
Dinner: Pasta w/chicken
Dessert: Cake and trail mix.
Exercise: 1.5 hours of climbing

Weekend....lazy....blah....

I spent the weekend doing a number of things I have been neglecting around the house. Mowing the yard after 2 weeks and all the rain we got, took some time. Monday it's back to running in the morning and gym in the evening.

Short blog :) more when I do something.

Getting back in to the swing of things...

Well it's hump day and I'm getting back in to the swing of things. Mostly work. I did manage to get to the climbing gym last night. Did the usual run of the mill climbs. (it's a small gym :) I gave my project route another go and go a weeeeee bit higher. but still short of the top. I'll get it one of these days. :)
Next weekend I'm planning on heading up to Devil's Lake to get in some TRing and maybe some trad, depending on who's there. For now...I'll just stare at my monitors and enjoy my StarBucks, venti (I still order "Large Coffee" and every day the lady corrects me with Venti Coffee and smiles) black coffee.

Breakfast: Eggs, Smokie links, Cheerios w/milk Coffee
Snack: Coffee
Lunch: Salad
Snack: 100 cal pack
Dinner: Trader Joe's Orange Chicken w/Green Beans
Dessert: Cluver's Flavor of the day (single scoop)
Exercise: 1.5 hours of climbing

Back from the Red River Gorge

Reese, Me and Natasha goofing off in front of Miguels Pizza

I'm back from my three day Climbing trip to the Red River Gorge, however i'm still recovering. :) Reese and Natasha did a good job in kicking my ass. I think I ticked off something like 15-18 climbs ( I lost count). I lead a good number of 5.8 and 5.9s, the best lead was a long 85 Foot 10 bolt climb called Dyn-o-mite (5.9)! Fantastic! I was also able to tick off a few 5.10s (follow or Toprope) including a crimpy slab of a 5.10d called Porcupine lips located at the Military wall.
I met some really fun folks from Canada and a family from Michigan which I hope to climb with again sometime. I wish I had a few more days down there to climb with them some more!

Yesterday I did a calories recovery and nap day from my trip (3 full meals). I didn't eat much (at least it didn't seam like it) on my trip. During the day was mostly granola and some form of Clif bar. Dinner was either pasta (cooked by Reese and Natasha) or something from Miguels. Miguels is a neat little pizza/pasta/salad/sandwhich/breakfast place and climbing meca for the Red River Gorge area. An institution as it were.

I hope to get back down there at least one more time before the end of the year! Though climbing in Canada sounds like fun to.....

Past few days and the next few days.

Saturday was spent climbing at VE with my brother and his friend from Colorado. I told then it was the best climbing that north eastern Illinois had to offer. :) I did all right. I made progress on a few 10s I have been working on. After climbing was my cousins graduation party. Half of my family didn't recognize me. Sunday was Shopping and BBQ! I got a new pair of water proof trail running shoes. Which were fun to run in this morning. I'll be taking them on my trip and using them as approach shoes / hiking for the RRG this week.
Tonight I start packing for my trip to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky for 3 -4 days. I'll be meeting up with Reese and a few others Wednesday and staying till either Friday or Saturday. I'm looking forward to climbing and Pizza and Miguel's pizza so I can finially say...which is better, Quatro's or Miguel's. My report soon to follow.

Tuesday: Out with the old and baggy.

Again with the rain in the morning and the lack of sleep, guess who didn't go run :)
The day was a typical day, train, work, train, dinner, climb. After a short trip to Target, Kristen and I came home and got all my old cloths ready to donate.
I didn't think to take a picture until after we had put them in the plastic bags. But I think this image will do. Good riddance to them. I'll miss a few things though....There were a few Gap shirts that I have had since 2000 when Matt, Reid and Brad took me out to buy "real cloths" so chicks would actually talk to me, and a pair of my old skater pants. <sigh>


Breakfast: Cheerios w/milk Coffee
Snack: Coffee
Lunch: Lean Cuisine, 100 cal pack
Snack: 100 cal pack
Dinner: Pierogies w/ mashed taters and red cabbage
Dessert: Trade Joe's Trail mix
Exercise: 1.5 hours of climbing

Monday: Starting the week

Rain rain rain....all damn day. I didn't even get to see it except my trip from the train station to the office which I promptly got a bit soaked. Though the 7 block walk I have everyday confirms my hatred of umbrellas. They really don't do anything and you bumping in to people all the time. Whatever happened to a good old rain jacket? Yesterday was a zero day for me. After my run and climbing on Saturday and my day (lead) climbing Sunday. I was ready for one. Kristen and I spent the evening with my folks, we took a quick trip to REI. I got to show my dad the cams I have been wanting. He was a climber back in the day. But I think "Safety Gear" (past just a rope) was new to him :)

Breakfast: Eggs, smokey links, Cheerios w/milk
Snack: Coffee
Lunch: Left over pasta, 100 cal pack
Snack: 100 cal pack
Dinner: Trader Joe's Orange Chicken
Dessert: Pie......mmmm...pie...
Exercise: Zero, zilch, nada,

The Weekend:

Yay! to a good weekend. Saturday's trip to Devil's lake got canceled because of the weather. No worries. I got up at about 6:30 with the pups and got ready for my run, while I was stretching I thought to myself, "oh....why not". I decided to go for the 6ish mile run around the forest preserve located near by. It sunny and around 70 degrees when I started off. During the span of the about 55 minute run I walked for about 3-4 minutes. Not bag for my first go at that distance. The furthest I had run before was 3.11 miles. After running and nice big birthday boy breakfast I watch a bit of TV and then hit the climbing gym for an hour or so. Not a bad time climbing, I climbed the crack and tried the alternate route, with no luck. The afternoon was spent shopping with Kristen, I stopged by REI to pick up some gear with birthday money. I'm heading to the Red River Gorge in a week or so, so sport draws where on my shopping list. :) Trader Joe's was also a destination. After getting home we decided to have a quick impromptu small gathering. Thank you to Dave and Robin who got me a membership in the American Alpine Club. Mmmmm...rescue insurance...

Sunday we also got rained out of our planned trip to Devil's Lake, however we made a trip to VE with Franck and Robin. And....almost a year to the day of my first climb... I got my Lead Certification! The instructor over looking the test nicked named me "The Tank". I found it amusing :) The rest of the day I spent leading 6 more routes, ranging from 5.6 to 5.9. All in all.....a darn good weekend.

Thank you all who made this weekend fun and to those that called me to wish me a happy birthday!