Mid-Arkansas

Just a short note...we're up here in Hot Springs, Arkansas enjoying the Memorial Day weekend. Jonnene's friend, Elena...who's in from Oz...is here and getting a look around the countryside. We got in Saturday evening, staying at the local TravelLodge because we're cheap and it's very close to the duathlon race site where I'll be knocking myself out Monday morning. I picked up my packet this afternoon at the Arlington Hotel at the head of Central Avenue in historic downtown Hot Springs, then we headed out to scout the bike course. Essentially it's a 12-mile out-and-back ride with a few rollers, good surfaces (generally speaking)...nothing I shouldn't be able to handle. With luck I should do this duathlon in under 1:10 and maybe place in my age group. I'm not counting any chickens yet. The main thing is to get my third race out of the way so my ranking in the region (2nd in my age group last time I checked) will be official for 2008. I wouldn't mind having a good race either!

Earlier today, we went up to the Observation Tower for the view, toured the Fordyce Bathhouse on "Bathhouse Row" along Central, and did a bit of souvenir shopping. Elena said it was the most walking she's done in quite some time! Tonight we ate at the Embassy Suites...we ended up sitting at the same table where Jonnene and I sat back in October and we had the same waitress...although she looked like she was a few months pregnant this time. But same great service and food.

Well, I'll let you know how the race worked out. Hopefully, I'll do a halfway decent job out there.