"MIXED EMOTIONS BUDDY, LIKE LARRY WILDMAN GOING OFF A CLIFFIN MY BRAND NEW MAZARATTI"--Gordon Gecko (Wall Street)

A meeting of the minds (loose interpretation) took place at Reme's Wine Bar and Cafe today. The impetus for the lunch was the 2005 Half Ironman Training Program that was released earlier this week. Needless to say, the schedule created much consternation and caused many to question the overall "saneness" of attempting a Half Ironman. We were hoping that a quick lunch at one of Clayton's best tapas restaurants would provide many answers that we are desperately searching for.

The fare was delicious but decisions were tough to come by. Still to be decided is whether to participate in the Innsbrook Half Ironman in June. There are many pros and cons. Specifically, it would be quite an accomplishment to complete TWO Half Ironman races this year. On the other side of the fence...The Innsbrook Half is an incredibly difficult race - one of the toughest that the area has to offer. A poor showing here would shake the overall confidence level going in to Vineman. While this is clearly not the attitude that is necessary prior to the season, it is important to consider all of the implications.

MIXED EMOTIONS!!!

Another consideration is the fact that Tommy will be riding on superior wheels compared to me and Mike. Don't even get me started about Diane's new bike!!! If you want to check out her new ride then simply watch this year's Tour De France - all of the professional bikers will be sporting her equipment. My point is that Pepper and I will be at severe disadvantage this summer and these extra races could really take a toll since we are using inferior equipment.

Before we adjourned we agreed to postpone making a decision regarding Innsbrook. This will provide us with another opportunity to get together for lunch down the road. Needless to say the season is off to a smashing start!

TRAINING SCHEDULE RELEASED

I emailed out the 27 week training schedule today.
To say that it was met with a variety of reactions would be an understatement.

I think Diane said it best...

E-mail received 1/27/2005 2:17am
"Wondering if this type of training is considered a full-time job and if so what the pay is - since I will be in need of hiring a full-time nanny to participate. I can't wait to share your schedule with Jim - he will be so excited! Has this schedule been approved by Susie? I am thinking that it
might conflict with her spinning schedule - much less her life in general. Thanks for stressing me out at 2:20 in the a.m. - yes it's 2:20. Even though I swam a mile last night - I now feel the definite need to run in the a.m. - despite my lack of sleep. I am already way behind schedule - considering I don't even own a bike. Next on my busy schedule is a trip to mesa to purchase a better bike than Tommy. Hope you all are sleeping well. d

p.s. John - in your spare time - would you also put together a "pre-vineman diet" for us - and make sure it includes a daily dose of starbucks. A recommended marriage counselor might also help."

THE LYING IS OUT OF CONTROL

Vic might be the only person that has not lied to me about his training, although, he was mysteriously absent last Saturday morning even though his car was parked at the corner of Skinker and Lindell. Pepper basically lied to me when he covered up Tommy's bike trainer SCANDAL, and Tommy, well, read the article below.

But just when you thought that you had identified all of the liars, a new one pops up..DIANE PRATL!!!!!!!!

Our lovely Diane traveled all of the way to Florida this past weekend to participate in the Walt Disney World 1/2 marathon. Diane has layed out a very aggressive race schedule for 2005 and we all agreed that it would be in her best interest to do the 1/2 marathon instead of the full. This is what we all decided.

Diane returned to St. Louis and spoke with Tommy (another liar, see below) on Wednesday. While Tommy does lie, he is very supportive. Diane told him that she finished the 1/2 marathon in a little over 2 hours - very respectable.

I was so excited about her 1/2 marathon accomplishment that I went to the Disney site in hopes of buying her a commerative plaque - I thought that this would be a nice thing to do since I am such a good friend.

IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAME UP FOR DIANE PRATL:

PRATL, DIANE
32
F
MO
Place: 2653
Pace: 10:49.5
Official MARATHON TIME: 4:43:37

Now, one of two things happened here. Either Mickey Mouse has lost his mind because our Diane said that she did the 1/2 marathon or DIANE LIED TO ALL OF US ABOUT DOING THE FULL.

You may think that DIANE is this sweat girl that runs and drinks 10 cups of coffee a day but I am here to tell you that there is ANOTHER SIDE!!!

The morale of the story? Don't trust ANYONE - ONLY VIC!