Nickel and Dime and Lost Time

Hey, what happened.  I used to have ESPN-Classic.  But now when I try to watch the World Cup games in the evening, I can't.  It is listed on Dishnetwork's website as part of my package.  Have a couple other issues as well, so after three phone calls and over an hour of my life that I will never get back, ESPN-Classic is an add on.  Oh and my receiver is old and is having trouble, so that will require replacing.  But thanks for being one of our long time valued customers.  Not valued enough that I am treated better than a new customer.  $95 for my receiver replacement, new 24 month contract (have not been under contract for years) and no Classic.

Rural living has its price, satellite is the only TV option other than O.T.A. (which I suggested we use, it is free, did not go too well with the fam).  Satellite is the only option for Internet service (expensive, serious lag, and another dish in the yard).  Phone?  No cell service (funny story about Sprint offering data service for home even after I told them we did not have coverage there, she said I did not need cell coverage, this is data).  Land line is expensive because everywhere I call is long distance unless we get a regional package.

But at least we get to hear obnoxious ATV's at all hours.  Ah, the country life.

Different Kind of Work Out

Worked outside on Saturday rather than work out. Spent 3+ hours on the tractor getting to know my new loader. Great tool and it is a whole new tractor now.

Training Decline

Here it is. My training plot from January to now. I think I can see a recent trend. My sleep quality plot has an decreasing slope to match the decresing training slope since March. Oh well, they are worth it.

Did run 2.2 miles tonight, first in a while.

Unrealated, got my new Kubota LA463 loader on my tractor today. A bit different than operating a loader on a skid steer, but this thing is going to get used all the time. Good news, if I take the bucket off, I have 6" to spare putting the tractor in the barn.

Roller advice

Don't ride rollers when you are tired.  You may not concentrate and fall off.  It will wake you up though.

Going Pro

Just collected my prize money from the Tuesday TT series.  All in, $20 for the season (that is a net loss of $5 after entry fees).  I am now thinking of quiting my day job and do this racing thing full time.

Final TT

Rode the final TT in the Team Athens Spring series last night.  Since Brock was born I have ridden a total of 20 miles (excluding TT #5), all of which have been on rollers in the basement and 6 miles of running. It showed.  The effort level was way up along with my heart rate.  Managed 34:31.  I was really hoping for 34:00.  Lack of training and lack of quality sleep can really mess with your fitness level.  We'll see if I can get into race fitness for the Farmhand Classic XC at Bob Evans Farms this fall.