4.05.2009

Trying to be positive.


They like barns in CT, that much I know. The picture is Cannondale's office. I guess construction begins this summer, so I don't know what it will look like when that's done.

I've done a lot of research this weekend, and I think I actually found a place or two that I like that I can afford. The tough part is that I'm picky. I don't like old buildings, especially old apartment buildings. I like newer apartment buildings that look like townhomes. Or, if I have to live in an old building, I want something with character...like a warehouse turned into studios or something like this...



This one is affordable, but it's in West Haven which would give me a pretty long commute...but I'd be close to Yale. But for right now I'd rather not commute too far because I'm afraid $4 gas is going to return in the near future.

And I want a washer/dryer in my apartment. No laundrymats for me...told you I'm picky.

So there's this place...



It's in Danbury and it's a lot like my place now. I would lose about 250 sq. ft and my underground parking, but I think I can afford it and it looks nice (although I'm concerned all the pictures online are of the pool, clubhouse and gym - I'd rather see the apartments). It's close to work - 5.5 miles - and close to Candlewood Lake and I think it's close to the train station but I'm not sure on that. Danbury is a town of 78,000. It's like Janesville. Everything is close because you can drive across town in 15 minutes.

That's the big negative for me. I want to move to a city bigger than Madison, and moving to Danbury would be a little like moving back to Janesville. But there are worse things out there. Danbury's crime rate is really low so that's something.

There are only about 2 or 3 more places I found that I like and I think I can afford. The tough part is that they each have one floor plan that I can afford so if it doesn't open up I don't know what I'll do. But I have time. Plenty of time.

And there's the Bethel Cycle/Tri club with 190+ members so I would have some people to train with. And I think their team kits look pretty nice so that's an incentive (a small incentive).

One of my worries was that CT wouldn't have much of a triathlon scene, but it looks there are quite a few events around there. The new Rev3 half ironman is in Middlebury, CT (sponsored by Cannondale) about 30 minutes from the Danbury/Bethel area. There are lots of sprint tris and olympic tris.

As I was doing some research on this a few weeks ago I came across a small series of running races in the area that are free and then I picked up Runner's World and there was an article on those races. Weird. Do you think it's a sign? Much like my new license plates that have NYC on them (instead of my ex-girlfriend's initials - that was weird too).

And I wouldn't be too far from the NYC marathon and the Boston Marathon and the Lake Placid Ironman....

...and the ocean. Gotta love the ocean.

*******

As for training, here's the link to my run today if you're interested. It was so so. My speed was good, but I felt like crap so I don't know what to make of it.

http://www.trainingpeaks.com/sw/DJJHS7WLLQTTZWL4SAX4OFCERI



2 comments:

Icarus Steve said...

Mike,

I stumbled across this as I was searching for info on the Peanut Butter Duathlon. You're #1 on Google for that search. It sounds like you have an interesting/difficult choice to make. At least it's a choice.

Good luck with your decision.

Steve

Mike said...

Thanks.

Peanut Butter Duathlon is coming up. I'm hoping for better weather this year.