Wait...you think "Euro-style" is a good thing?

Well, I am half way through my two week stay in Haiti. When I originally made plans for the visit, I had some things I wanted to accomplish: a) become a better climber, b) spend some time in the altitude and c) slim down just a little. You want an update? So far, so good. I rode for two and a half hours today, with no more than 30 minutes spent going down hill. The entire ride, I never dropped below 4,000 feet and was up as high 6,000 feet. How was my breathing? Well, not bad for a Florida boy. As for my weight, I have been doing things "Euro-style". Rumor has it, the European racers keep their weight low by riding in the mornings before eating breakfast and not eating much until lunch. True? I have no idea, but I did hear from someone. That's what makes it a rumor, right? Either way, that is basically what I have been doing. Not exactly, but close enough. When I left Ocala, I was no less than 148 pounds. I weighed in this morning after my ride, with a full belly of Gatorade and tipped the scales at 139 pounds. I may have been home schooled, but I am pretty sure that is 9 pounds. To sum things up, I think I am as ready as ever for Nationals. If this next week goes as good as the first, it might get scary. Truth be known, I am probably slower than ever. Oh well. I feel good and that is what counts, right?

On a totally different note, my dad taught me how to weld yesterday. Yeah buddy. Now that's scary!