Mercedes Half Marathon

It must have been an omen. I chose another back roads route to our destination and we spotted a Bald Eagle circling overhead about 5 miles into Alabama.

We spent the Febraury 9th & 10th weekend in Birmingham, Alabama for the Mercedes Marathon. What a fun race this was! We had great weather, 35 degrees and a clear sky to enjoy a tour of downtown Birmingham and the surrounding neighborhoods. It was really exciting to take off running without any idea what lay ahead - really a fun adventure. I only ran the half marathon, and I didn't get a PR, (2:18) but this course was not flat. Check the website for course maps and elevations if you're interested. I hope we can do it again next year.

We stayed at the Redmont Hotel, a restored, very old building with some interesting history, and at least one toilet that didn't work very well. The race host hotel was full, but the Redmont was only three blocks away from the start. Packet pickup, race support, roadside cheering and water stops were great.

Mardi Gras 2008

Our annual trip to the Gulf Coast for the Pascagoula Mardi Gras parade was one of the best. The weather was ideal, and ML brought some top-notch muffulettas for lunch! Here's a few pictures of the characters we shared the day with.

Another Half Marathon Ahead

Looks like another weekend road trip is on - I'm now registered for the Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham on February 10th. I feel more ready and relaxed for this one than I felt for the Mississippi Blues event a few weeks ago. I've continued my training plan and made a few more long runs. Which leads me to this rant about dogs....

All you runners and cyclists will relate to this problem. I planned my recent 8-mile run as an out and back with a water stop and turnaround point at a nearby public park and boat launch here the Ross Barnett Reservoir. While running in the park a car passed me and stopped up ahead in a parking lot. I noticed it was a man and a huge black and white Harlequin Great Dane. I ran past them before they got out and proceeded to my water stop at the bottom of the hill by the boat launch. On my way back by, I see the man is bent over the back seat as if he's cleaning the carpet, and the huge dog is trotting around the park loose. I'm now thinking surely this dog is nice and friendly or he wouldn't be running free. Do I keep running past him and bet the skin of my arm or leg that he'll leave me alone? Just then a guy on a bicycle comes by and the dog pays little attention. Good. The dog must be well-trained. So here I go, walking, not running, past the dog and his master still buried in the back seat of his car. Now the dog thinks he's spotted something interesting - me - and I can barely hear a low growl. The guy gets out of his car and shouts at the dog "Rommel!". Rommel takes a few steps closer to me and growls again, so master yells at him and grabs him by the collar. I move on down the road, wishing the park patrol would come by so I could report this guy.

There is no reason anyone should have to feel intimidated by a dog of any size while using a public park or street. I am a dog owner and animal lover by nature but I am not so fond of people who allow their pets to run free. Everyone thinks their own dog won't bite anyone, but that view frequently changes to "he never attacked anyone before". A roommate and I once had a well behaved German Shepherd who welcomed everyone with a wagging tail and lick on the hand. Then one day he decided he didn't like a certain visitor and the lick became a bite. Not a serious bite, but enough to make us keep him restrained from then on.

I dislike people who let dogs run loose almost as much as those post-teen pre-adults with loud exhaust pipes. End of rant.

Mounds of the Southern Delta

Wifeunit and I are game for almost any weekend excursion, and recently took the opportunity to join about 20 others for a guided tour of several Indian Mounds in the southern Mississippi Delta. We were led by a local expert from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, following in a convoy of cars winding around country roads, stopping on the shoulder to peer at what locals might regard as a "big ole dirt pile". I think the most fascinating thing I learned was how common the mounds are, and at least in Mississippi how many are not protected and exist on private property. At one site the mounds were near the road in a recently plowed field, allowing us to find pieces of pottery just off the shoulder.

The field trip was a nice way to spend a Saturday mostly outdoors, and to me, way better than watching TV or shopping.

Mississippi Blues Marathon (and Half)

Here's a few photos of my first half marathon, the inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon. I was really impressed with the way the race was organized. I've read some really good reviews from around the country and I appreciate every kind word for this home town event. The volunteers were fantastic as were the people who came out to cheer us on. Read better reviews than mine at The Athena Diaries and Bill Anders' Photos & Tri-rambles. Thanks to everyone, especially Wifeunit for her constant support and the way she seems to enjoy my hobbies.

Pictured below are some Jackson, Ms area triathlon friends hanging out before the race - another reason I like this stuff so much - the people.

Here I go at about mile 11, not feeling too sporty, but there was an incredible amount of support along the course. I didn't even know these guys.

Here's the guy many of you have heard about, looking good in pink at mile 24.

I owe a special thanks to the runner below, MC, 10th female finisher overall, who got me started in a fitness lifestyle and continues to make me challenge myself.

After the race, another supporter and friend, and better runner than me, KayVee.

New Year's Eve 2007

Here's part of the group I mentioned last year, with more party hats and toys. We made our last trip of 2007 down to the Gulf Coast again for this annual celebration. It was great as usual! Next time we go down will be for Pascagoula Mardi Gras.

Christmas Adventure

My family finally broke with tradition after decades of spending Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day at Mom's house. ML and Harry from the Gulf Coast had problems boarding Lilly, the (big boxer) dog, so we agreed to move our Christmas celebration up to Saturday, December 15. This news promptly put Wifeunit in action: Time to plan another road trip! So after tending to some gift-giving, we would be free for several days of time to ourselves.

Gift giving includes my favorite little treat, Oma's Own Peanut Brittle. I happen to know Chef Rene, the creator of this culinary masterpiece, and gladly vouch for the outstanding quality of his product. Though his website does not mention this, I am told that the peanut brittle is sometimes prepared while recordings of Beethoven symphonies are played, possibly another secret flavor enhancement.

Our Christmas adventure destination was Hot Springs, Arkansas, a mere 5 hour drive away. I really don't mind driving on these trips, particularly when it's on a route I've never taken before. You never know what interesting things you may find on the road.

This sign is actually in Flowood, Ms. not far from my home. I think I know what is meant by "clean dirt", but it still seems a little strange.

Farther along on Louisiana Highway 65 north of Tallulah is the little town of Transylvania. Maybe it's a great place for a Halloween visit. It's really just a small farm community near the Mississippi River with a distinctive name. I like the bat touch.

Driving on a beautiful December afternoon through the flat expanse of northeast Louisiana and southeast Arkansas is a great chance to break the boredom by counting hawks. We counted 64 Red Tailed Hawks, along with several Kestrels and a few Northern Harriers.

We checked in at our hotel, the Embassy Suites in Hot Springs before dark. Not being certain what restaurants would be open during our stay, we were determined to experience some "fine dining" before Christmas Eve left us with just a room service menu. We even dressed for the occasion - including coat and tie for me - just to celebrate. We chose the Belle Arti Italian Ristorante on Central Avenue, the main drag through Hot Springs' Bathhouse Row and the National Park. The food was great, the service good and there was even a pianist sharing his versions of Christmas music. We could have skipped the fancy clothes, though. Soon after we ordered, a young couple was seated near us, he wearing a camo T-shirt and hunting cap and she with a gym jacket. She eventually made him take off his cap. Oh well, we still felt special and really enjoyed our meal.



For Monday, Wifeunit scheduled a spa visit for both of us. I would get the "Gentleman's Package", a hot tub bath, massage and pedicure, while she had the full menu including something involving seaweed. That was nice and a first for me. I might try it again sometime.

Hot Springs at Christmas was very nice. The weather was cold and clear, and we walked around the shops and down the park terrace trails. Of course we had to see the cheesy tourist attraction, the Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum. It was bad enough to almost creep me out, but kind of fun. I still had to keep my half-marathon training going, so early Monday I ran from the hotel to about halfway up Hot Springs Mountain. On Wednesday I set my sights on reaching the tower on top of the mountain. It was difficult and I had to walk a few times, but coming down was exhilirating. It was about a six mile out and back, and I coasted down the mountain all the way to the hotel.

We had our Christmas Dinner at the hotel, a "reservations only" special menu. My selection was prime rib and it was yummy. At night we watched movies in the room, "Ratatouille" and the latest Harry Potter. The trip was almost perfectly relaxing, except that it rained the entire way home. I recommend a trip like this just for a chance to relax and be pampered. It's not an exciting place or particularly special, but it has some nice features and the mountains are pretty. I think we'll go back someday.

Business in New York

The image was taken from Rob Gardiner's site, NYCLondon

I have a wonderful job. It's the only job in Mississippi or even close by that is suited to my unique mix of education and experience. It is very stressful at times, rarely boring, and rewarding in many ways. One of those ways is the requirement for me to travel to places I probably would not go at my own expense. So I really felt rewarded to be included in a group from our company making a trip to New York City.

I barely recall visiting the New York City area as a child, so that doesn't count. This was my first real trip to the Big Apple. We stayed on 42nd Street at the Tudor Hotel and it was fabulous. Getting settled in my room I went to the windows, (I was in a corner room) and opened the blinds to the lights of the city forming a dazzling canyon in two directions. I wasn't very high by New York standards, but the 17th floor is pretty rare at most Holiday Inns.

Before our first meeting on Tuesday morning I found myself scurrying around the sidewalks of Manhattan in the cold wind, Madison Avenue, 42nd Street, etc. looking for a Kinkos or Staples to buy a computer gadget. Dressed in a suit and tie with a warm overcoat, I felt like I fit right in with all the people rushing around. I remember waiting to cross 3rd Avenue and being totally amazed at the traffic speeding by - 6 lanes of 40 mph taxis going the same direction - then they stop, we walk across - quickly.

We ate at wonderful restaurants, most notably The Palm Club, a loud, crazy place with cartoons and caricatures on every wall. With a few hours to spare one afternoon, a few of us wandered about and saw Rockefeller Plaza with the big Christmas Tree lit and skaters circulating on the ice rink. We visited the storefront windows with holiday themes and characters. It was a fine experience!

Swimming in New Orleans

Less than two weeks after returning from our Tennessee trip, we were back on the road, heading south to New Orleans. The occasion was the Southern Masters Short Course Meters Championships at Tulane University. This is the same event that has been held at Delta State in past years, but the new SMS board polled the membership and found most were in favor of changing to a rotation between Delta State and New Orleans.

We had originally planned to arrive in New Orleans early Friday afternoon since I entered the 1500 meter freestyle event scheduled for 7 pm. High priority issues at work kept me until 4 pm, so we didn't arrive at our hotel until after 8. We stayed at Le Richelieu, our honeymoon hotel. It's a small, very old building with few modern features on the edge of the French Quarter near the French Market and Esplanade. It's also very quiet and has a cozy atmosphere.

We met the rest of our group, my Flowood Fighting Flounders teammates, and enjoyed a late-night meal at Tony Moran's Restaurant. Kate and Paul, two of our four FFF team members had been at the swim meet for the 1500 meter event. Our fourth member, KB, was visiting family and would meet us at the pool on Saturday.

A good crowd of over 120 swimmers represented about 20 masters swim teams from as far as Dallas and Fort Myers. We were getting set to swim the mixed 200 relay when KB began to feel bad, complaining of numbness in his arm and weakness. KB had only been swimming with us a few times at practice. He is in his late 60's and seems quite fit, but back problems limited his participation. We quickly scratched from the relay event and Kate had KB take some aspirin she had in her gear. We returned to the hotel and later learned from KB's family that he had suffered a heart attack and underwent surgery at Tulane University Hospital that afternoon. The doctor credited Kate's aspirin with possibly saving his life and certainly lessening the damage.

Paul and Kate left New Orleans that afternoon but Wifeunit and I stayed another night since I was swimming two more events on Sunday. We ate again at Tony Moran's that evening since Irene's had what is their usual 90 minute wait for a table. We ate a nice breakfast Sunday morning at the hotel's tiny restaurant, I swam some more at the meet, and we headed home at 1 pm. A whirlwind weekend and great time with the FFF team.

Tennessee Trip - Knoxville and Home

On our last day in Tennessee we drove to Knoxville, home of Big Jean, my life-long friend and mentor. My parents were, of course, most responsible for my childhood development and raising me with honorable values and work ethic. But Big Jean has had a different type of influence on my life in the 38 years I've known her. I was her daughter's boyfriend in my teenage years, a time when nothing my parents had to say meant a thing to me. She was a worldly and wise figure to me, and though I was not to pursue a college education until much later, she recognized my curiosity and potential and steered and encouraged me to better things. The opportunities I have had in my life are largely due to "going through open doors" she pointed me toward.

We drove the interstate from Chattanooga north and I was amazed at the never ending suburbs approaching Knoxville. I'm really sick of the urban sprawl around my home in Mississippi, and I have to remind myself that my neighborhood was built in the 70's in a pristine forest by the water, I'm sure to someone's angry dismay.

We arrived at Big Jean's shortly after noon. Big Jean seems to always be in great spirits, in spite of current health challenges. We enjoyed a burger at the famous Litton's Market & Restaraunt, shared a short but wonderful visit and headed back south towards Chattanooga. We decided to try to make it all the way home, and arrived at around 9 that evening.

It was a great trip, and I'm glad I do this blog so we'll have a means of enjoying the memories.

Tennessee Trip - Chickamauga Run

Even on a holiday weekend vacation there is no escape from the half-marathon training plan. I needed to do an eleven mile run while we were in Chattanooga. So, before our trip I Googled the Chattanooga Running Club and found that a marathon had just been held at the Chickamauga Battlefield nearby. Then I found the blog, Georgia Runs, and was assured by Brian's description that it would be a great place to run.


After our Rock City/Ruby Falls adventure we drove to the park and asked at the visitor center for maps and distances and found there are numerous possibilities for running and hiking. The park is full of trails and narrow roads, including a well-marked tour of the battlefield monuments and features. The tour is about 7 miles, so we used the truckster's odometer to measure along the route and continued another 4 on our own. It worked splendidly. Wifeunit had her map with my water stops marked and approximate times and distances.






Early the next morning the weather was great - 35 degrees and clear - and I started my run. Wifeunit listened to a book on the car CD player and drove off through the park, lying in ambush to snap pictures of me and the other creatures. The deer in the park are remarkably tame, surely aware of their relative safety from hunters. We sometimes saw herds of 20 or more in the open areas of the park, grazing calmly like cattle on a farm.

I found this to be my most satisfying run so far. There was almost no traffic to deal with, while the curves of the roads, the deer and historic monuments took my mind off the work of running. I don't use an Ipod, so any distraction from the grind is great. The park has only one bothersome short steep climb, a beautiful spot known as Snodgrass Hill, but the rest of the road is mostly flat and easy.

After the run we retreated to the hotel, ate a quick lunch and took nice nap. The remainder of the day we spent at the Chattanooga Aquariums. That night we ate at a fabulous restaurant near the hotel called Niko's Southside Grill. If you're staying in downtown Chattanooga, give it a try.

Tennessee Trip - Tourists in Chattanooga

Our drive continued from Iuka, Mississippi to Chattanooga, Tennessee via the Natchez Trace and Highway 64. I avoid the interstate highways whenever possible. I hate the big trucks and traffic, and it just seems less stressful to take a back road. Hwy. 64 isn't exactly a back road, but it's the way I chose to go. As we left Mississippi we encountered patches of heavy and moderate rain all the way to Chattanooga. I had planned to take a back road into the city, but because of the weather and darkness, I thought it safer to take I-24 for the last 20 or so miles into the city. Ten miles from town the traffic on the interstate came to a complete stop. We spent the last hour of our day-long drive in gridlock, within sight distance of our destination.




The Chattanoogan Hotel is a nice place in the middle of downtown. Since it was a holiday, there was hardly any traffic, and nobody at the bar. What a great end to a long day - chatting with the bartender while sampling microbrewery draft beer and appetizers.

The next day was spent doing what tourists do, seeing the cheesy attractions. Unless you're like us, children of the 50's and 60's with more curiosity and spending money than good sense, you will avoid Ruby Falls and Rock City. In the South during the 1960's, a traveler on the old highways could count on finding "See Rock City" painted on the side or roof of a barn along the way. (Follow this link if you'd like to know more http://www.two-lane.com/seerock.html ).

Neither of us had ever seen these legendary wonders, but we both had vivid memories of the roadside advertising. Now that mission is behind us, and we have a "See Rock City" birdhouse on the basketball goal post in the front of our home.


We had a great time, though. I was surprised at the number of Asian tourists, particularly Japanese. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. Pictured below is Wifeunit capturing a rare moment - a Rock City Gnome, carelessly vulnerable to keen-eyed tourist photographers.

Here's a look at one of the breath-taking dioramas depicting one of the industrious "3 Little Pigs". There were lots of these Mother Goose/Fairy Tale characters around. It took us minutes to appreciate the beauty of it all.

Tennessee Trip - Toenail Cemetery

Another branch of Wifeunit's family has inhabited the northeast corner of Mississippi around Pontotoc, Biggersville, and our next stop, Iuka. We were in search of the elusive Toenail Cemetery, where we hoped to find the gravesite of great-grandmother Akers. There was some doubt whether "Toenail Cemetery" actually existed. Well, it does. It has since been renamed Mt. Evergreen, and it's full of old markers from the 1800's, many too weathered to read. We learned there are Confederate soldiers buried there who were killed at the Battle of Corinth nearby. We didn't find the Akers gravesite but it may be there, just not identifiable.

The word "Toenail" is barely legible in the photo above, just below the cross in the wrought iron arch. We hope someday to find out the significance of the name.

Tennessee Trip - Birmingham Ridge

We loaded up the family truckster and hit the road again for the Thanksgiving weekend. Chattanooga was our destination, but on our way up the beautiful Natchez Trace we stopped at Birmingham Ridge north of Tupelo. Wifeunit has stayed in touch with family living there but has never visited. Those family members have been part of the land for several generations. We had intended to call and announce our visit, but couldn't catch up with anyone. So driving in a light rain we decided to just go down what we thought was the correct road, just to get a look at the area. I said to Wifeunit, "That might be their house up ahead. We won't stop unless we see someone outside." There on the front porch, staring at the falling rain were the relatives we had sort of hoped to see, but now we were caught staring at them. I could do nothing but turn around and go back. We had a nice visit for an hour or so, while other relatives from around the ridge must have noticed our presence and dropped by to look at us. If you're guessing this was a rural area, you are correct.

Chattanooga Thanksgiving Trip

Coming soon will be photos and commentary from our Thanksgiving road trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee and points beyond, but for now I will just say we had a great time. I want to break up my report into topics with pics, and that will take some time.

To my Tri friends: I was able to work in my 11 mile training run for the January half-marathon while we were away, running at Chickamauga Battlefield National Military Park. Thanks to Wifeunit and some great weather, it was the best run ever!

More on everything to follow.

November Already

I can't help it. I hate cliches, but time really flies when you're having fun. Fun has been had, like on the first November weekend when we drove again to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the Peter Anderson Festival. It was the best we've been to. It was a super nice day, the crowds were big but not so big that you couldn't navigate freely. Best of all there were more food and beer vendors than ever before. Food and beverages are essential in my role as pack mule during these events. We met up with ML, Harry and Mike using cell phone technology, browsed the hundreds of booths, ate tasty food and didn't spend much money!

Yesterday and last weekend, my friend Paul and I were back riding the Natchez Trace south of Clinton. We rode 52 miles last week and 60 something yesterday, beginning just south of I-20 to Rocky Springs and back. The weather was a little cool at first but warmed up to perfect later. At the Rocky Springs stop I noticed a small, thin man with binoculars hanging from his neck, gazing around and up in the trees. I knew he had to be a birder, so I leaned my bike against a tree, walked over and introduced myself. He was camping in the park in a converted van and had been travelling the Trace for a couple of days. He was from Joshua Tree, California and had hoped to see some eastern birds on his trip through the South. We discussed Red Headed Woodpeckers and Black Vultures, and he was surprised to learn that we nearly always see wild turkeys on our rides. He was really impressed when I told him we had seen a Red Fox only an hour earlier.

My half-marathon training is still on schedule. November 9th I ran 9.6 miles without too much difficulty. I did get pretty hot - the old "Pink Barney" look - and was chafed at all the usual spots. I had to go to work for a while after my run, and I felt pretty worn out for the day. I'm scheduled for 11 miles next Friday, but we'll be on Thanksgiving vacation in Chattanooga and Knoxville. I guess I'll take my running stuff just in case there's an opportunity, but I may have to take the next Monday morning off work to get the run accomplished.

A swim meet in New Orleans and a business trip to New York are on the December calendar, along with visits from family for the holidays. Time marches on...quickly.

The Bear Affair

After a quick discussion on what we should do for our Saturday entertainment, Wifeunit and I decided to get up early and drive the 90 miles to Rolling Fork for the Great Delta Bear Affair. There would be arts and crafts for her to browse and a choice of a 5k run, 30 mile bike or 60 mile bike for me.

I opted for the shorter bike ride in case my legs were still tired from Friday's run, and 4 hours of arts and crafts would test even the Wifeunit's legendary browsing endurance.

There were about 30 riders, some from Jackson Metro Cyclists and from Greenville and other Delta towns. I fell in behind the main group to see if I was able to hang with them. We were out in the flat countyrside, no hills and light traffic, turned south at Grace, cruising at a 20-22 mph pace. I was keeping up well until we made a turn onto Hwy 1 and the pack strung out into 3 or 4 smaller groups, including my group of 1 in the rear. I guess the strongest riders in front decided to test the rest of us on that stretch of highway through Mayersville. I caught up at the rest stop, which was also the turn-off for those doing the 30-mile leg. The 60 mile riders continued ahead to Fitler and Onward, then back north through Cary and back to Rolling Fork. I was the lone rider to choose the 30-mile, or at least any others were still far behind.

It was a new experience riding completely alone on a narrow road in Issaquena County. I had directions and a map, so there was no danger of getting lost, but I had no idea what the road ahead of me would be like. Well, if you're from that area you would guess what was ahead - cotton fields and an occasional farm house. Fortunately, I was able to sneak past a few large sleeping dogs, my only real concern. When I got to Hwy 14 to turn east back to Rolling Fork, a Sharkey County Sheriff's deputy was waiting at the intersection and asked if I was the last rider. I told him I was actually the first of the 30 mile group, but maybe last, too. I guess he couldn't decide what that meant, but he escorted me in his patrol car the remaining 4-5 miles into town. That was great not having to worry about the traffic blasting by from behind.

By the time I arrived back at the car, Wifeunit had already become bored with the festivities and had been reading at the nearby library. So we loaded up and were back home before 1 pm, napping the afternoon away.

A Crucial Test

I used my Friday off (it seems I only use about half of them) to move into uncharted territory of my half-marathon training plan. In case you weren't aware, I've committed to the Mississippi Blues Marathon, January 5th, 2008. I'll only do the half. I've never run more than the 10K, or 6.2 mile distance required for the Heatwave Triathlon, and only that distance a dozen or so times. Now I'm up to 8 miles.

Last weekend at the PPP, I struggled in the 80+ degree heat to do 5 miles. Yesterday morning at 8:30 the weather was 49 degrees and clear, no wind. I mapped an out and back course of 8 miles that started at my driveway and conveniently made the turn at the tip of the boat ramp parking lot 4 miles later. I thought I could do it, but decided if I struggled badly I would give up on the long distance running.

I made it easily. My legs began to falter a little with less than a mile left to go. Now I'm even looking forward to next Friday's 9.5 miles!

October Report

The Mitchell-Pittman team was once again on the awards podium (the clearing by the dirt road at Wolf River Canoes) to receive their first place trophy for Men's Team - Open Division at the Paddle - Pant - Pedal Triathlon in Long Beach, MS. The Gulf Coast Running Club has put on the race now for 28 years. It's fun and tough, and attended by seemingly the same small crowd every year. I know I'm going back as long as I'm able. There should be some photos from this year's race posted on the GCRC site pretty soon. Who doesn't love a post-race snack of cold beer and boiled jumbo shrimp !?

As I wrote a year ago, this is a busy season for us. Every weekend is booked with some sort of activity.

(Vickie D. King/The Clarion-Ledger)

WellsFest was nice and brought family up from the Coast.

A fish fry the next weekend with some neighborhood friends included fried bream and catfish and grilled trout. I hope we get invited back again.

Our Fall canoe trip was wonderful again, and I added some spice by assuming the trip was for one overnight camp while everyone else was prepared for two nights. A huge stroke of luck and great family enabled me to get back in time for an important Monday meeting at work.

I wish I had photos of all the images in my mind of these wonderful things -scenes of my friends and family fly fishing on Black Creek, a glistening armada of kayaks slinging arcs of water in the early sunlight on the river at the PPP Triathlon, the fall wildflowers along the roads we travel on our weekend adventures.

Life is good.

Summer Winding Down

Fall has arrived on the calendar, but in Mississippi it's still summer for a while. We had a nice cool spell last weekend, which was great timing for the my second Delta State Triathlon. Cool weather allows me to run a little faster and not overheat.

I actually won 3rd place in my age group, and there were 6 of us. Jeff Skinner of Memphis won the overall male masters and he's in my age group, so there were really 5 competing for the 3 places. I think maybe someone was racing with his 13-year-old daughter, so maybe I only beat one guy. Whatever.

Something I discovered while looking at the pictures Wifeunit took of me at the race has got me puzzled. This triathlon included a 500 yard pool swim with a person counting the laps signalling with a red card when the swimmer made the final turn, or 19 laps. I am a faster swimmer than the person who shared a lane with me, and he was behind me each lap. But when I saw my red card and finished the swim, he was already out of the pool, and his bike was gone from the rack in transition. I wouldn't have noticed but for the pictures. Who knows what might have happened, but I'm thinking the girl counting our laps gave me my red card on lap 21. I was looking for it when I thought I was on 19, but it's easy to get confused in a race.

It's easy to get confused in a race and do stupid things, like the time I put my bike helmet on backwards. Fortunately, a transition worker saw me and I got it turned around before I mounted. At this last race I did one even better. I took off on the bike and started getting comfortable when I felt that my helmet was too tight. I checked for the pointy end being in the back, and it was. There was no way to take the helmet off without stopping, so I just tried to forget about it. When I finished the bike leg and pulled my helmet off I discovered I still had my swim goggles on. Fortunately, the red rings on my forehead went away after 10 or 15 minutes.

Wifeunit and I had a great time getting out of town for a change. We stayed in Cleveland Friday night, did the triathlon Saturday morning and drove to Rosedale, Greenville, Leland, Indianola and Greenwood. We stopped at the Greenwood airport to visit an old friend I worked with for 20 years in Jackson. We took the back roads, as usual, and wondered what it would be like to live way out in the country. Where do you go for groceries? Twenty miles away?