Weather

I might could get used to the weather around here. It is great for riding bikes.



All the other places I look at are worse for riding this time of year. The next step is to find more time to actually ride outside.

Making Approaches

There are good ways, and less-good ways to approach strangers. This is especially true if you want something from them. Last night while walking down the street I was approached by a stranger who, I assumed was homeless. He assumed I was willing to buy him food.

The thing is, he had a pretty good approach. Step one, "I don't want any money from you"

He just disqualified himself from being a beggar, nice.

"Ok..."

"Instead can you buy me a burrito from that fancy pants burrito place right there, it's only a dollar thirty five"

"I see"

Man, I could use a burrito too. I've never been to this place, it looks pretty good. Only $1.35? That's pretty reasonable sounding. Unless they have changed things from what I've learned about the drug culture from tv and movies, and burritos are now accepted in lieu of cash, he will not be buying crack with this burrito.

"Yea I can do that"

So we ate burritos. Not together, but at the same time just in different places. Next time we're eating this meal together. What has gotten into me? Am I nicer person than I thought I was? Is it the Holiday spirit sneaking in? Maybe he just had a good approach.

Finland

According to wikipedia, Finland's "Contemporary music includes e.g. a renowned metal music scene, in common with the other Nordic countries, as well as a number of prominent rock and pop bands, jazz musicians, hip hop performers and makers of dance music." I can confirm that the metal is indeed renound. Lately I haven't been able to stop listening to a few bands, all from Finland.



It all started with Korpiklaani, after peeping the youtube for some of their music and stumbling upon this: there was no turning back. I mean seriously, the man pops out of an outhouse playing a fiddle. I thought I had found the greatest music of all time. I had, but there was more.



Luckily Banshee media player, along with the internet, is pretty smart and was able to recommend some other bands I might be interested in. Ensiferum anyone? Rumor has it they call themselves "viking metal", I call them "awesome".





Finntroll rounds out the picks for this month. In a semi related genre, but not country of origin I need to mention apocalyptica, you know, the cellists.

As a response to my letter to nationals, a friend suggested to get in shape for nationals all I would need would be a 10 minute training montage. He was right, and I think with this music as the soundtrack that montage might just work.

Dear 'Cross Nats

Dear 'Cross Nats,

I'm sorry to have to tell you this way, but I'm not going to be able to make it to see you next month like we had planned. It's not you, it's me.

My recent reductions in training volume have really taken their toll me on, you wouldn't want to see me in my current condition. Honest. My legs are flabby and shapeless, my ass is huge, and my tan lines have somehow disappeared with the sprouting of fresh hair on my legs.

School has turned my brain to mush and I would be too preoccupied to give you the attention you deserve. I'm driving home for Turkey day and well, I'm really only good for one drivathon per year. 2008's quota is filled, and with the gas prices what they are there's just no way I can afford to come visit. My new roommate hasn't panned out yet so I'm really strapped for cash, my car is in dire need of an oil change and I don't even have enough quarters to do laundry. If only I were stronger, you wouldn't want to see me like this anyway. I don't want to see me like this.

I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun with all of those 'other' boys anyway. They're in much better shape than I am. This is a good thing, for both of us. I think Matt Rotroff will be coming to visit in my place. Tell him I said 'what's up'.

Regretfully,
Aaron

detraining

It turns out that drastic reductions in training lead to drastic reductions in fitness. I realized this yesterday at NC state 'cross series race number 6. After going really hard on the start, as hard as I should be able to go, I promptly blew up and drifted to the back.

The start, all seven of us:



In my pre-college days I was expending approximately 10,000-13,000 calories worth of energy on training each week. In the past 2 months my average weekly expenditure is around 3,500. Oops. School keeps getting in the way of training.

Pictures of me going slow look like this:




Plab B: train as much as is reasonable to get fast enough not to embarrass myself at cx nats. On Dec. 13-14th I'm headed to Kansas, mostly for the after party, but I'll do the college kid championship race too.

Caitlin had a good race and is pictured here running, ahead of one of our more famous UMass teammates.



Here's a clip of me in third leading the chase towards the end of the first lap. I promptly fell back to 6th for the rest of the day.