Today is the last day of Nanowrimo. I signed up in October, planning to "win" like I did in 2003 and 2004. (The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.) I typed about 3,500 words in three days before I simply gave up. At first I tried to rationalize that my responsibilities to Zack were what kept me from writing, but the truth is I just lack the motivation. I think five years of Nanowrimo has finally taught me a lesson: I don't have what it takes to write professionally. If it were something I really wanted to do, it wouldn't be so hard to do it.

In other news of failure, my training has been nearly non-existent over the past two weeks. The only thing I've done that resembles exercise was an orienteering meeting on the 18th. I didn't do nearly as well as I did at Lincoln Park. I was wandering around looking for control #4 muttering, "What's this road doing here?" when I realized I'd run off the map. I was lost in uncharted territory. I found my way back onto the course, but the damage was done. I navigated smoothly from #8 through #13, but botched #14 terribly when, only ten feet from the control, I turned the wrong way and ran 100 yards before realizing my mistake. Jake set the course, and he sadistically ensured that everyone on course 7 ran over the top of the only hill in the park. Twice.

And now for items that no one cares about: Cycling news. Isaac Galvez was killed in a crash while track racing. It was a bit of freak accident, and I was saddened to hear it. Spanish sprinters are a rare breed, and Galvez's presence at the front of bunch sprints during the Tour de France earned my respect. Also, Astana failed to earn a ProTour License. That means that Vinokourev might miss out on the 2007 Tour de France, too. The UCI seems to have it in for Manolo Saiz and anyone even tangentially associated with him. There's no way that Barloworld or Unibet are stronger teams than Astana. I can't help but feel like Vino is a victim of the political maneuverings of the UCI, WADA, and Active Bay/Manolo Saiz. Finally, Tyler Hamilton signed a contract with Tinkoff. His ProTour ban has two years remaining, but he's racing professionally again. I haven't decided how I feel about that.  ¶ 9:44 PM