Motivated to Succeed

1:00 PM - We had a fun time going to Mass MoCa last night with Mary and Brian. It was "quite the show". Put on by Netherlands choreographer Anukevandyck or something of that nature. Was bizarre, but quite the experience. I'm glad I went. I feel "cultured" now. Haha! Started the month off right 21:00 on the elliptical, including 4 mins at 10 resistance. I wanted to cry, but I toughed it out like a "real man" :)

Total Time: 21:00 Total Disance: 2.1 mi

After work yesterday I drove the planned 100 miler route to Emma's house. I was taken aback by just how gorgeous some of the views are. There are a lot of small rolling hills in the first forty miles, but then it is more gradual and flat for the next forty or fifty, before the last mountain of doom which reminds me of when we biked up the Kankamagaus Pass. I am excited to complete my first 100 miler! Now I just have to get my gear and bike fitted out so I can be ready to ride outside!

8:00 AM - Early ride before homework and school all evening. Hopped on the bike wearing a new bike jersey that my friend from school Julian brought in for me. It fits perfectly! Read some school stuff then read about sixty more pages of Sir Ranulph Fiennes'  Race to the Pole. A really great book about Scott's Antarctic Expedition in the early 1900s. I found one line in particular most compelling. Written by the expedition's chief scientist and zoologist Edward A. Wilson, he stated:

"Men don't improve when they live together alone." (p. 70)

How such a short line can embody the essence of human emotion and desire to be part of a larger group. I think Wilson captures the bare essentials of human existence. It's not merely being part of a group - a family, community, congregation, etc. - it is getting to know each and every person of that group and learning how to share experiences to make it better for the whole. I think marriage is a lot like that. It doesn't just magically happen with "I do's". You have to constantly work at it, change, and advocate for your partner. As in any relationship, it's not about you. If you fail to care about the people around you, you will live alone.

Felt really strong and confident on the bike today. Drank 2 x 24 oz waterbottles, 48 oz total for you math people. Maybe I should consider substituting 1 gatorade bottle now for the longer rides like this. Also, I realized how useful those pockets on the bike jersey will be. I will be able to stow granola bars, GUs, what have you right there :) So can eat as I tear up the roads! All I have to say is watch out NY bikers! Benn is on the prowl!

Total Time: 2:07:00 Total Distance: 42 miles

8:00 AM - Hopped on the bike and read another 60 pages in Race to the Pole. Got to thinking: it's amazing to think how fast and how far we've come since Scott and Shackleton's duking it out to be the first to the South Pole. If you think about it, it hasn't even been a hundred years since we "discovered" that pole. And to read about Scott's first and now second expedition to the pole, you realize how much their experiences were a conglomerate of daring, exploring, and sheer guessing.

What I took away from today's reading is that you can either accept what you are given as it is at face value and accomplish what is expected, or you can take what is given  you and use it as a starting point for your own ambitions. History is written by the face value types; however it is usually made with those willing to go the extra mile, into uncharted territory, willing to put life, limb, and one's livelihood on the line. You don't have to do something amazing (or crazy) like racing to the South Pole. But it can start with something as simple as holding the door for someone. Holding someone's groceries for them while they open their car door. It seems in the hustle and bustle of today's world manners have gone down the drain, replaced with tunnel-vision egocentrism.  Reminds me of that commercial I think Coca Cola put on about a smile can go a long way. I think the same is true with simple random acts of kindness. They have exponential benefits.

Keep on truckin' FRBloggers

Total Time: 1:00:34  Total Distance: 20 miles

4:40 PM - I wish I had better news. Yesterday stunk. I spent the whole day in the ER. My mom fell on the ice when she was trying to load up our garbage can to put in the car to drive to the end of the driveway. If you recall my dad fell a couple weeks ago doing the same thing and he ended up suffering nerve damage in one of his fingers. Well my mom comes in and is yelling "Benn I'm hurt!" so I ran upstairs and she is holding her eye and blood pouring from her hands. I was freaked out. Luckily it was a gash above and to the side of her eye. We put ice on it and I drove her to the hospital and we had to wait more than four hours for her to get seen and discharged despite no one else being in the ER. Figures . Good old doctors for you. And you wonder why men hate going to see those in the medical profession! LOL. She got six stitches and is feeling better today.

Then I go to work today to find out two of many managers got the ax. Borders cut 3% of managerial positions nationwide and it just happened 2 of our managers were on the list :(. Really sucks. Work just isnt the same. And there are too many new rules. It used to be fun working at Borders. Now it's just a chore. Actually am hoping I get let go. Then I could get unemployment!

A little pain on the left knee still. I wish it'd go away.

Total Time: 30:10  Total Distance: 10 miles