Thursday, April 8, 2010

Off to Baltimore

After work today I'm driving down to Baltimore to attend the USAT Level 1 coaching clinic. Mapquest says it will take me a little less than 4 hours but I expect to stop for dinner somewhere along the way. Even though I'll probably be the fattest person there, I'm looking forward to this class and have high hopes of actually learning something.

Lunches are included during the 3 day class (I'm imagining something healthy with a class of triathlon coach wannabees and the class itself including sessions on nutrition) but I have to fend for myself for dinner. Fortunately on Saturday night there is a baseball game nearby at Camden Yards so I might have to stop by to find some stadium grub while I check out some baseball. My wife mentioned that she used to think amazing that whenever I travel a baseball game just happens to get in the mix. "Used to" are the operative words.

I'm bringing a bike and my Computrainer. I hope to do a small ride in the hotel on the trainer one night and if everything works out I may swing by Cambridge, MD on the way home to ride the 56 mile Eagleman70.3 bike course on Sunday afternoon. That will tell me where I am at physically more than anything else.

After this weekend I'll have to take and pass a test to become a USAT certified coach. There is a time limit on completing the test (it is a take home test - yes!) but I normally take tests well (as long as there isn't a threshold running test involved). I'm not really doing this for the certification but I figured I should get it if I can since one never knows, do one?

P.S.: I wonder if there will be any questions on the test about the dinner options at the baseball game?

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Ahhh Bmore ... I lived there for a few years. Don't wonder out side of the the inner harbor. Gets a little rough! They have some excellent dining options at the ballpark but anytime in Bmore you have to get some crab cakes! Have fun!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Have fun!! What are you going to do after the certification?

Al's CL Reviews said...

At Camden Yards, get a hot dog.
Across the street from Camden Yards (more across the street from convention center) is Pratt St. Ale House. They have good crab soup.

Not really a fan of the Inner Harbor. I make better crab cakes than Phillips.

In Fell's Point, DuClaws is good. Also good pizza at BOP, lots of beer (not good food) at Max's and good Guinness at Slainte.

Diane said...

I agree. Crab cakes and beer in Baltimore. My brother owned a resturant in the Inner Harbor area for many years. I've spent lots of time there and enjoyed that area. But yes, my favorite thing to do in Baltimore is always to get some crab cakes.

Enjoy your trip!

Tri Mommy said...

Sounds like a fun trip to me! Certification is always a good thing. As my Dad (the educator) likes to say, education is the one thing that no one can take away from you!

Jess said...

Get your game day food outside the stadium. There are tons of hotdog stands with some delicious options (not healthy, but baseball food rarely is) Enjoy Baltimore its a fun city, but watch out for that rush hour traffic!

Kathleen said...

Have a safe and great trip. I hope you are able to get a ride in.

Julie said...

Have a fun trip dude:) At least someone is going somewhere!! Ha ha, you are even finding time for a baseball game...I love it!

misszippy said...

I live just south of Balt, and do tris and running races. I've also done Eagleman a couple of times...I wouldn't bother driving down to Cambridge if I were you. The course is pancake flat so there's really not much benefit in riding the course if your goal is to get a feel for it. If you look on the web site, you can find the Columbia tri course as well. It's closer than Cambridge and can give you a great, hilly challenge. Just my unsolicited two cents!

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

Baseball! Woo-Hoo! Go Phillies!

Sorry. I'm new to this blog. That's all I got.

Good luck on the take home test. My advice?

Cheat. It always worked for me.

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

Why does it look as though my comment just got eated by your blog?

Blogger is having issues again.