Alyssa kicks some big brain ass...

My flu is transforming from a headache and muscle soreness, to a cold and cough. I keep pumping my body with vitamins and cold medicines and decided to work from home today. I didn't want to spread it around the office.

All morning I was doing brain work and eventually needed a break. I was asking myself "to train, or not to train, that is the question"? In the flash of less than two minutes, and on complete impulse, I was out the door on my bike. I figured a runny nose and cold is a sign that the worst is over and the body is starting to flush itself. That was my theory anyway.

I was scheduled to do a biking speed work session, but compromised with my flu and did an easy ride instead. It felt nice to get out in the clean crisp air. It definitely got my nose running more and opened up my lungs. During the ride I felt okay, but after I got off the bike I felt a little weak. I was going to run right after but realized my legs had gotten a good pump and decided it probably wasn't necessary.

It then dawned on me that today was the day I was supposed to take my bike in for a tune-up. I wanted to get it done and have a few test rides with my racing wheels before I fly to Florida. I took it to Wheels on Bloor and also asked them check that my wheels are true. Best part is that they'll have it ready for me by tomorrow noon.

During the entire ride to and from the bike shop, my nose was running and I was sneezing. When I got home my body strength felt better and I decided to go for an easy run. I intuitively felt it would be okay and was necessary. The only mishap I had was that I almost twisted my ankle. I stepped on a leaf that had a rock under it. Luckily I was relaxed and was easily able to roll off it.

At this point in the season, my entire goal is to show up to the start line healthy. I went through the same feelings a week before the Louisville Ironman. You don't want to do something in the last week that screws up your entire season of training. Especially since you can't get any more or less fit in the last 10 days. A flu will definitely not set me back, I've trained with hangovers that felt worse.

Just as I got in the door from my run, Alyssa got home. She was at a DECA competition today. DECA is an International High School Marketing Competition, whereby students compete with each other to determine the best marketing approach to take when given specific challenges. It is based on a two hour written test and a 10 minute oral presentation. It was a regional competition with over 1000 students and Alyssa did well. Even though at first, Alice tried to make it seem like she bombed when I asked.

She was in the Apparel & Accessories category and was awarded two ribbons. One for being a top 10 finisher in the written test and the second for being a top 10 finisher in the oral presentation. She then was awarded 2nd place overall in her category and earned a spot to the Ontario Provincial Championships in Toronto.

There will be over 6000 students competing in Toronto and if she does well there, she goes on to the North American Championships in Kentucky. If she gets that far, she isn't looking forward to going to Kentucky because she was there last year watching me do the Ironman and wished it was some place she had never been. It's even going to be in the same hotel we stayed at for the Ironman.

The remarkable part is that Alyssa didn't even study for the competition. She had only been to two classes and spent most of the time filling out paperwork. Most of the kids have been in it for a long time and many came from exclusive private schools that take this competition very seriously. Alyssa told Alice she thinks part of her success is because she's been hearing me, my brother and my dad talk (and I use the word "talk" loosely - it's more like passionate debate - or in our younger years, all out yelling) about business since she was two years old. I'd love to take credit, but she's got a good head on her shoulders. She obviously learnt the difference between a good idea and a bad idea.

Lastly, this afternoon, I sent in the completed participants application for John Barclay and I to be on the TV show Mantracker. I hadn't looked at the site closely and went to it to get the address information. When I finally read the entire application information, they said the deadline is November 13th, 2009 (my favourite number) and that if we are selected we need to be available to film sometime between December 1st and December 15th, 2009. But here's the best part, it's filming in Hawaii!!! How cool would that be, I remember going there to do the Ironman, nothing but good memories. Deep down I got a good feeling about our chances. I told John to book off his holidays for those dates and get training. He only has a month to get in Ironman shape.

Help Required: If you don't mind, please email Mantracker and let them know you want Bryan Payne & John Barclay on the show. No explanation required, unless you feel compelled to let them know why we should be on the show. lol. Their email address is contact@bonterraproductions.com and/or apply@mantracker.ca

Please feel free to pass the info along to your friends and have them send as well. If you send to 13 friends, it will bring you good luck. LOL. Or a minimum a good laugh if John and I get on the show. Thanks in advance.

Easy Bike - 52:50 / 24.72 km / 29.2 kph / 115 avg hr

Easy Run - 31:28 / 3.68 miles / 8:33 pace / avg hr unknown - Garmin screwed up, again:(

10 days straight of Perfect Eating