Bench part II + ramblin'

 Today I had hoped to take the boys fishing but I have three scheduled phone calls so I'm on house arrest. So instead I started the second bench...

 I have two design ideas in my head for this one and both are completely unique. Scouring Google images I haven't seen another like them. Thinking it up is the easy part... actually carving the wood is the hard fun part. And I have a source for more big logs which I'm psyched about. Enough to make 10 more benches and maybe actually get good at doing it. Forming a log with a hand tool is a pretty amazing thing... very cathartic. It requires patience and bit of thought, some sweat... and your hands. Plus being able to do this in the environment that is my backyard lines up to be a pretty awesome thing. And in the end you have something...

Ben's bench

  something tangible that you made with your own hands. It may not be worth anything or beautiful... but I worked hard for it. How often do we see that now-a-days? I think you and I as athletes understand this connection and they aren't far removed from one another. I honestly believe that if I could make 30k a year as a ditch digger it would be my dream job. A chair in an office... a coffin. Same thing.

 On Monday I am shooting a promotional video for my sponsors Ultimate Direction. They said they want to highlight my personality... anyone who really knows me is probably cringing right now. A few years ago I think this would be a waste of 'film' waiting to happen, but I'm a much more calm and thoughtful Lucho than years past. It should be a pretty good video, maybe something you don't see from other runner interviews which to me are pretty damn boring. Not that I even remotely consider myself to be a runner. In fact I adamantly deny being a runner... I'm a jogger and it's defined by attitude, not pace per mile. I just hope I don't come off as mountain hick... maybe I shouldn't be myself.

 Leadman for 2012 is definitely latching on to my brain like a parasite and I've already considered the periodization and training scheme for it. Not that much different than what I've done for the past ~15 years. I can line that out in my sleep. I already listed a bike crankset on e-bay to start my saving for the race entry. If anyone is interested in a Computrainer or other bike parts (or even bikes- I have 6 of them) let me know, I would rather give a deal to one of you all. I have too many parts to list but if you need it I probably have it. I had originally intended on going back to the marathon this year but I can't leave the bike, it's in my blood and after the Leadville party last night and pacing my friend Tim tomorrow I am pretty amped up about doing more ultras. Considering where I live it suits me.

 And I am on Twitter now which suits me very well. I appreciate the 140 character idea... keep it short and to the point. Depending on how you use Twitter I think it's awesome. I won't post 'Hey, just had lunch!' but rather than post bland details about XX mile jog on this blob I think more mundane things are better left to Twitter. More thoughtful posts are still going to be best left here though.
 Here's my twitter account: http://twitter.com/#!/Luchojoghard