Below the rant on Vick's million dollar dogs is a post I had started earlier and just finished, thought you might want to read.
Blogger posted it based on when I started writing it, not finished date, so it actually posted older than the Vick rant.
Thanks,
James
30 November 2007
29 November 2007
40,000 Christmas Dinners
At our local Kroger grocery stores you can, for $25 dollars, provide one of the Salvation Army Angel Tree families with Christmas dinner.
For the $1 million Michael Vick put up to take care of or destroy 54 pit bulls, involved in his case, you could make Christmas special for 40,000 human families. If you call a family 3 people, that's a positive impact on 120,000 people.
Sorry, I love animals, but since I've had to put down animals of my own, when it was the correct thing to do, I just can not put 54 dogs ahead of humans. Heck, around here Habitat for humanity could have built at least 10 homes.
Just doesn't add up to me, but I guess it made sense to somebody.
For the $1 million Michael Vick put up to take care of or destroy 54 pit bulls, involved in his case, you could make Christmas special for 40,000 human families. If you call a family 3 people, that's a positive impact on 120,000 people.
Sorry, I love animals, but since I've had to put down animals of my own, when it was the correct thing to do, I just can not put 54 dogs ahead of humans. Heck, around here Habitat for humanity could have built at least 10 homes.
Just doesn't add up to me, but I guess it made sense to somebody.
27 November 2007
Honey, You're Fat!
No doubt, you've been placed in that awkward situation when you've been asked to comment on some one's appearance. Most of us have learned to answer diplomatically, and if you're a husband, wisely, lest we experience unwelcome wrath, scorn, or pouting.
No one is safe from the topic. We've developed or altered the meaning of terms like "big boned", "healthy", "stocky", and "full figured" to provide us more gentle, but plausibly truthful responses.
Perhaps it is time we stopped worrying about feelings and started to worry about the health of our friends and loved ones. We'd warn them about numerous other health hazards, even physically become involved to prevent harm, yet, in staggering numbers we are watching our loved ones move towards an early death due to eating habits or lethargy.
Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30 (http://www.consumer.gov/weightloss/bmi.htm), and according to the U.S. Surgeon General, 300,000 deaths per year may be attributed to obesity. Obese individuals are 50 to 100% more likely to suffer a premature death than those whose weight is in the healthy range, however, you don't have to be obese to face problems, even being 10 to 20 pounds overweight increases the risk of death in adults aged 30 to 64.
In 2005 cancer replaced cardiac arrest as the number one killer of individuals under 85. Surely this is a sign that we have turned the corner and are eating healthier and exercising more. Then again, maybe not. One third of the deaths are attributable to nutrition, obesity, and inactivity. Take a look at the top killers in America; cardiac related, cancer, infection, and adult-onset diabetes are the top four. As you can see, three of the four can be heavily influenced by weight, nutrition, and inactivity.
While we are looking at the health issues surrounding obesity, let's look at the list, of related illnesses, our Center for Disease Control (CDC) has compiled.
In the period of 1960-1962, 10.7 percent of men and 15.7 percent of women, aged 20-74 were obese. 1971-1974 the percentages were 12.2 for men and 16.8 for women. 1976-1980, 12.8 and 17.1. From 1988-94, 20.6 for men and 26 percent for women. In 2001 through 2004, 30.2 percent of American men and 34 percent of American women were obese. Not just overweight, but obese.
Now if you think the problems only affect the households of the obese person, and of course the poor guy (James) stuck beside them on a small regional jet, here are some figures for you. According to the CDC, obesity accounts for an estimated $7.1 to $12.8 billion dollars of out of pocket, health care related, expenses every year. Through in what insurance and providers cover and the total is estimated at $51.5 to $78.5 billion dollars per year. Hey, when was the last time your health insurance premiums went down? I thought so.
When lung cancer was linked to smoking, there was a national outcry for changes. We encouraged our friends and family to give up the habit. When MADD convinced America of the impact drunk driving was having on our roadways, we clamored for tougher sentencing and encouraged or demanded our friends and family not to drink and drive. Now that our family meals are more likely to come from a fast food restaurant than from our own ovens. Now that women's clothing manufacturers have altered how they size their clothes. (Men's sizes are standardized by the industry, women's sizes are not. Therefore, a size 10 now is larger than it was in 1960, because marketers discovered women were more apt to buy when they were able to buy a smaller size. Check out http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/mmdress.asp. Did you know Marilyn Monroe wore a size 16? Actually she is listed as anywhere from a 12 to a 16, but almost always the sizing difference is referenced. Google it.)
What are we going to do? I'm not suggesting we ostracize overweight people, but just maybe we should be a little more honest with ourselves, our family, and our friends. The problem has spread to our children, and those figures are even scarier than the adult numbers. For those with children, were you aware that for the first time in American history a generation, theirs, has a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
Just maybe it is time for a little bit of honesty. Maybe our loved ones don't want to hear that they are putting on some pounds, maybe we don't want to hear it, but just maybe it is what we need to hear.
A little food for thought!
No one is safe from the topic. We've developed or altered the meaning of terms like "big boned", "healthy", "stocky", and "full figured" to provide us more gentle, but plausibly truthful responses.
Perhaps it is time we stopped worrying about feelings and started to worry about the health of our friends and loved ones. We'd warn them about numerous other health hazards, even physically become involved to prevent harm, yet, in staggering numbers we are watching our loved ones move towards an early death due to eating habits or lethargy.
Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30 (http://www.consumer.gov/weightloss/bmi.htm), and according to the U.S. Surgeon General, 300,000 deaths per year may be attributed to obesity. Obese individuals are 50 to 100% more likely to suffer a premature death than those whose weight is in the healthy range, however, you don't have to be obese to face problems, even being 10 to 20 pounds overweight increases the risk of death in adults aged 30 to 64.
In 2005 cancer replaced cardiac arrest as the number one killer of individuals under 85. Surely this is a sign that we have turned the corner and are eating healthier and exercising more. Then again, maybe not. One third of the deaths are attributable to nutrition, obesity, and inactivity. Take a look at the top killers in America; cardiac related, cancer, infection, and adult-onset diabetes are the top four. As you can see, three of the four can be heavily influenced by weight, nutrition, and inactivity.
While we are looking at the health issues surrounding obesity, let's look at the list, of related illnesses, our Center for Disease Control (CDC) has compiled.
- Hypertension
- High Cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Gall Bladder Disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep Apnea/Respiratory Conditions
- Some Cancers.
In the period of 1960-1962, 10.7 percent of men and 15.7 percent of women, aged 20-74 were obese. 1971-1974 the percentages were 12.2 for men and 16.8 for women. 1976-1980, 12.8 and 17.1. From 1988-94, 20.6 for men and 26 percent for women. In 2001 through 2004, 30.2 percent of American men and 34 percent of American women were obese. Not just overweight, but obese.
Now if you think the problems only affect the households of the obese person, and of course the poor guy (James) stuck beside them on a small regional jet, here are some figures for you. According to the CDC, obesity accounts for an estimated $7.1 to $12.8 billion dollars of out of pocket, health care related, expenses every year. Through in what insurance and providers cover and the total is estimated at $51.5 to $78.5 billion dollars per year. Hey, when was the last time your health insurance premiums went down? I thought so.
When lung cancer was linked to smoking, there was a national outcry for changes. We encouraged our friends and family to give up the habit. When MADD convinced America of the impact drunk driving was having on our roadways, we clamored for tougher sentencing and encouraged or demanded our friends and family not to drink and drive. Now that our family meals are more likely to come from a fast food restaurant than from our own ovens. Now that women's clothing manufacturers have altered how they size their clothes. (Men's sizes are standardized by the industry, women's sizes are not. Therefore, a size 10 now is larger than it was in 1960, because marketers discovered women were more apt to buy when they were able to buy a smaller size. Check out http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/mmdress.asp. Did you know Marilyn Monroe wore a size 16? Actually she is listed as anywhere from a 12 to a 16, but almost always the sizing difference is referenced. Google it.)
What are we going to do? I'm not suggesting we ostracize overweight people, but just maybe we should be a little more honest with ourselves, our family, and our friends. The problem has spread to our children, and those figures are even scarier than the adult numbers. For those with children, were you aware that for the first time in American history a generation, theirs, has a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
Just maybe it is time for a little bit of honesty. Maybe our loved ones don't want to hear that they are putting on some pounds, maybe we don't want to hear it, but just maybe it is what we need to hear.
A little food for thought!
25 November 2007
Normal
Sad to say, I'm headed out on a week long business trip. Despite the destination, I don't want to go. Still, life has been so hectic lately, traveling may seem somewhat normal.
I think the end of the fall weather means that I'm done with most of my yard work. I've got most of what I'm hoping to get accomplished for my dad done at the farm. Just maybe things will settle back in to the usual routine.
A run Saturday with my friends sure helped. A couple nights of sleep have helped alot. Now if I can just get back into my normal routine.
The Polar Bear Grand Prix series starts soon, so hopefully the competitive fire gets stoked and going again. SICR FOLKS, see link at bottom of page.
Time to watch a little football, then grab another good nights rest.
I think the end of the fall weather means that I'm done with most of my yard work. I've got most of what I'm hoping to get accomplished for my dad done at the farm. Just maybe things will settle back in to the usual routine.
A run Saturday with my friends sure helped. A couple nights of sleep have helped alot. Now if I can just get back into my normal routine.
The Polar Bear Grand Prix series starts soon, so hopefully the competitive fire gets stoked and going again. SICR FOLKS, see link at bottom of page.
Time to watch a little football, then grab another good nights rest.
23 November 2007
Livin' on Love...
The title of this post is also the title of one of my favorite Alan Jackson songs. In the song he gives two examples, a young couple starting out with nothing and an elderly couple living out, presumably, their final years together. In the chorus he suggests that we are meant to spend our life in companionship with someone, or to wax poetically, "without somebody, nothin' aint worth a dime!"
The second verse of that song came to mind the other night as I left the rehab facility where my mom is currently staying. As my dad and I prepared to leave, he bent over and kissed my mom goodbye. Now while this might seem uneventful, let me explain my family a bit. We were not, and are not expressive of our love for one another in the sense of a lot of hugging and kissing or "I love you's". My parents didn't tend to display affection openly, and we all pretty much demonstrate our love for each other by "doing". In other words, we always knew dad loved us because he worked to provide for us, mom kept us fed and clean, and so forth.
Perhaps it would have remained an inconsequential thought that I kept to myself, except for the conversation with seventy-nine year old lady as I left the building. She was visiting her eighty-nine year old husband. Sprinkle in the number of aged spouses you witness sitting vigilant watch next to the beds at this facility, and one thing has become evident to me. I've got a lot to learn.
When we first meet someone, they can't do anything wrong, we are so maddenly in love, we either don't see or won't see the faults. In these older couples, I see an acceptance of each other's faults. Now that I'm in between these two points on the time line, my love for my wife is deeper than it was 9 years ago. I, presumably, have many years to enjoy her company. Yet I let the little things get in the way. You know, "Why isn't this shirt clean?", "Why can't we eat yet?", "Hurry up, let's go!"
A story, that someone who reads this sight related once, sums it up pretty well. Two elderly ladies were visiting together. One had recently lost her spouse. As they talked, the other began to relate how annoying it was that her husband left his dirty boots sitting in the door way. Her friend replied that she wish she still had to pick up after her husband.
I hope my exercising helps me to live a longer life with Jina, but if I don't learn to enjoy every part of that life now, I fear the burden of regret I will bear in the future.
The second verse of that song came to mind the other night as I left the rehab facility where my mom is currently staying. As my dad and I prepared to leave, he bent over and kissed my mom goodbye. Now while this might seem uneventful, let me explain my family a bit. We were not, and are not expressive of our love for one another in the sense of a lot of hugging and kissing or "I love you's". My parents didn't tend to display affection openly, and we all pretty much demonstrate our love for each other by "doing". In other words, we always knew dad loved us because he worked to provide for us, mom kept us fed and clean, and so forth.
Perhaps it would have remained an inconsequential thought that I kept to myself, except for the conversation with seventy-nine year old lady as I left the building. She was visiting her eighty-nine year old husband. Sprinkle in the number of aged spouses you witness sitting vigilant watch next to the beds at this facility, and one thing has become evident to me. I've got a lot to learn.
When we first meet someone, they can't do anything wrong, we are so maddenly in love, we either don't see or won't see the faults. In these older couples, I see an acceptance of each other's faults. Now that I'm in between these two points on the time line, my love for my wife is deeper than it was 9 years ago. I, presumably, have many years to enjoy her company. Yet I let the little things get in the way. You know, "Why isn't this shirt clean?", "Why can't we eat yet?", "Hurry up, let's go!"
A story, that someone who reads this sight related once, sums it up pretty well. Two elderly ladies were visiting together. One had recently lost her spouse. As they talked, the other began to relate how annoying it was that her husband left his dirty boots sitting in the door way. Her friend replied that she wish she still had to pick up after her husband.
I hope my exercising helps me to live a longer life with Jina, but if I don't learn to enjoy every part of that life now, I fear the burden of regret I will bear in the future.
19 November 2007
Whiny Gym Rat
I think it has been a month or more since I logged miles on the road. The cost of our Y membership along with the chance to get in my cardio and lift weights has kept me motivated to hit the treadmills and weight benches every morning. Well there was the one morning on our all but forgotten home treadmill/expensive wall art.
I'm still logging a minimum of 3 miles per week, but weight training has become a bigger component of my training. All of which might do me some good if I could begin to exercise some discipline in my eating.
Tomorrow should find me on the road. The Fairfield Inn's fitness equipment doesn't look to promising, so I'll probably pound some pavement.
It has been interesting and comforting to see a lot of God's blessings during the past couple of weeks. While my mood, and that of my family, has been melancholy following my mom's stroke, the prognosis today added hope that she may be out in time to spend Christmas with us. This capped a week which saw my son go hunting with me for the first time, ok we sat in the woods for 35 minutes after doing some bush hogging for my dad, but he did a great job being quiet and showing patience. Perhaps I should have known all along, but my wife's graciousness, and love for my parents really became apparent this past week. (Thanks Jina).
I've ran and exercised the past couple of weeks, but to be honest my heart hasn't been into it. Who knows, maybe tomorrow. I've got to get back on track. It's time to try to recruit some more suckers...er...I mean folks to train for the KDF Mini Marathon, or another race, but right now I'm having trouble motivating myself.
Alright, enough whining and crying, the more I type, the more I don't like the way I'm sounding. Stop the introspection, head down, push ahead...
I'm still logging a minimum of 3 miles per week, but weight training has become a bigger component of my training. All of which might do me some good if I could begin to exercise some discipline in my eating.
Tomorrow should find me on the road. The Fairfield Inn's fitness equipment doesn't look to promising, so I'll probably pound some pavement.
It has been interesting and comforting to see a lot of God's blessings during the past couple of weeks. While my mood, and that of my family, has been melancholy following my mom's stroke, the prognosis today added hope that she may be out in time to spend Christmas with us. This capped a week which saw my son go hunting with me for the first time, ok we sat in the woods for 35 minutes after doing some bush hogging for my dad, but he did a great job being quiet and showing patience. Perhaps I should have known all along, but my wife's graciousness, and love for my parents really became apparent this past week. (Thanks Jina).
I've ran and exercised the past couple of weeks, but to be honest my heart hasn't been into it. Who knows, maybe tomorrow. I've got to get back on track. It's time to try to recruit some more suckers...er...I mean folks to train for the KDF Mini Marathon, or another race, but right now I'm having trouble motivating myself.
Alright, enough whining and crying, the more I type, the more I don't like the way I'm sounding. Stop the introspection, head down, push ahead...
16 November 2007
Hey it ain't funny anymore...
On my recent business trip a new employee told me that he couldn't get an explanation from the other workers on what I looked like.
He then said, "They should have just said he looks like Scot's (my local manager) older brother."
Yes Scot and I are of the same build, both have similar hair cuts, both have gray hair...but Scot is 13 years my elder. Grrrrrr!
So, armed with this comment, I go to the gym on Wednesday night and the YMCA in Des Moines has treadmills which have a "Performance Program" function. I scrolled through them and discovered that it had the running components of the fitness tests for the different branches of the armed forces and federal law enforcement. Yep you guessed it, OLS, Old Lion Syndrome kicked in.
Figuring the Marine test would be the hardest, I selected it. I later found out that it was only half the distance, 1.5 miles, of the real test, but it gave you the score based on holding that pace for the full 3 miles. Not wanting to limit myself to only one military career choice, I did the cool down and then proceeded with the Army test, then the Air Force.
Well I didn't run my 5k times, but I did run well enough to score an 82 out of 100 points on the Marine and Air Force tests, and 85 points on the Army test for my age group.
I then went back to the hotel, looked up the requirements for the Army test (The Marines require pull-ups instead of push-ups, hard to do in the hotel room) and decided to see where I would score.
40 push ups in 2 minutes (66pts) , 56 sit-ups in 2 minutes (79pts), and my 85 point run, Netted me a score of 230 out of 300. Good for infantry, even good to get into Airborne training, but not at good enough to be a Ranger, and not the preferred level to survive Airborne training.
Anyway, I'm going to try this out again, it was fun to assess my fitness level. Next time I won't try all three branches at once,just the Army. I will do the push-ups and sit-ups first and then run the 2 miles like a race as prescribed in the manual.
Here's some links for you so you can try it if you want to and measure your score. (copy and paste into browser)
http://www.hooah4health.com/4you/apft.htm
http://www.army.com/enlist/APFT.html
Oh yeah, and thanks to OLS, I was hurting bad the next day.
He then said, "They should have just said he looks like Scot's (my local manager) older brother."
Yes Scot and I are of the same build, both have similar hair cuts, both have gray hair...but Scot is 13 years my elder. Grrrrrr!
So, armed with this comment, I go to the gym on Wednesday night and the YMCA in Des Moines has treadmills which have a "Performance Program" function. I scrolled through them and discovered that it had the running components of the fitness tests for the different branches of the armed forces and federal law enforcement. Yep you guessed it, OLS, Old Lion Syndrome kicked in.
Figuring the Marine test would be the hardest, I selected it. I later found out that it was only half the distance, 1.5 miles, of the real test, but it gave you the score based on holding that pace for the full 3 miles. Not wanting to limit myself to only one military career choice, I did the cool down and then proceeded with the Army test, then the Air Force.
Well I didn't run my 5k times, but I did run well enough to score an 82 out of 100 points on the Marine and Air Force tests, and 85 points on the Army test for my age group.
I then went back to the hotel, looked up the requirements for the Army test (The Marines require pull-ups instead of push-ups, hard to do in the hotel room) and decided to see where I would score.
40 push ups in 2 minutes (66pts) , 56 sit-ups in 2 minutes (79pts), and my 85 point run, Netted me a score of 230 out of 300. Good for infantry, even good to get into Airborne training, but not at good enough to be a Ranger, and not the preferred level to survive Airborne training.
Anyway, I'm going to try this out again, it was fun to assess my fitness level. Next time I won't try all three branches at once,just the Army. I will do the push-ups and sit-ups first and then run the 2 miles like a race as prescribed in the manual.
Here's some links for you so you can try it if you want to and measure your score. (copy and paste into browser)
http://www.hooah4health.com/4you/apft.htm
http://www.army.com/enlist/APFT.html
Oh yeah, and thanks to OLS, I was hurting bad the next day.
14 November 2007
Fair warning! Me on a Soap Box in the Pulpit.
1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
As you can see by the comments in my last post, some who visit here have also offered up their prayers, as have some of my coworkers. Guess what, they all aren't Southern Baptist. Guess what, they may or may not agree with me on doctrinal issues. But guess what, they all know Jesus Christ, and they know how to love.
In Corinthians chapter 13 Paul instructs that love is the core of everything that Christ taught and preached, that even faith is useless without love. There are many things I can not do, there are many areas in which I may falter, but the one thing that I can do, as a Christian the one thing I must do, is love.
Why am I writing this? Because in my opinion, we, as Christians, need to set aside our differences and learn to pray and fellowship together. I left a church, where we were loved, over doctrinal concerns. I don't regret it, God led us to a wonderful new church home, but I can no longer say without a doubt that it was necessary. There is a world full of lost and dying people and we are too busy concerning ourselves over which one of our denominations has it "right" to be effective in reaching them. Are the Methodist fully grounded in the Bible? Are the Episcopalians going to "hell in a hand basket"? Who knows?
As a child we sung a song in youth group that had the verse, "Well it want be Baptist that's sitting on the throne. A Presbyterian or a Methodist that's calling us home. No it won't be a Charasmatic that plays that trumpet tune. Were going to see the Son..." I'm not sure everyone agrees with this, a lot of throne polishing, voice lessons, and trumpet practice seems to take place on this side of the pearly gates.
I think the question to ask is, "Where does a persons heart lie?" Do they trust that Christ can save them? Do they love their fellow man? Maybe the theologians can decipher whether anything beyond this matters? As for me, I'm not sure that I need to know anything more.
When my family is in need, my Christian friends of all denominations offer up their prayers on our behalf, they love us, and they care that we are hurting. With that, I am satisfied that they worship the same Lord that I do. When it comes to scripture, I'm a light weight. I only knew to seek out the quoted passage because of an Alan Jackson song (sorry Scotty), but I think he got it right..."Faith, Hope, and Love are some good things he gave us, and the greatest is Love."
Thanks everyone for your prayers! You remain in mine.
P.S. Remember, I warned you in my post title!
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but haveAs my fellow church members found out about my mom's stroke, they went out of their way to seek Jina or I out on Sunday morning and express their concern and offer their prayers. We were both shocked by the number of people who knew of her illness and who had been enlisted by others to pray for her and our family.
not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift
of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a
faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I
possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I
gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not
boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres.
8Love never fails... 13And now these three remain:
faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
As you can see by the comments in my last post, some who visit here have also offered up their prayers, as have some of my coworkers. Guess what, they all aren't Southern Baptist. Guess what, they may or may not agree with me on doctrinal issues. But guess what, they all know Jesus Christ, and they know how to love.
In Corinthians chapter 13 Paul instructs that love is the core of everything that Christ taught and preached, that even faith is useless without love. There are many things I can not do, there are many areas in which I may falter, but the one thing that I can do, as a Christian the one thing I must do, is love.
Why am I writing this? Because in my opinion, we, as Christians, need to set aside our differences and learn to pray and fellowship together. I left a church, where we were loved, over doctrinal concerns. I don't regret it, God led us to a wonderful new church home, but I can no longer say without a doubt that it was necessary. There is a world full of lost and dying people and we are too busy concerning ourselves over which one of our denominations has it "right" to be effective in reaching them. Are the Methodist fully grounded in the Bible? Are the Episcopalians going to "hell in a hand basket"? Who knows?
As a child we sung a song in youth group that had the verse, "Well it want be Baptist that's sitting on the throne. A Presbyterian or a Methodist that's calling us home. No it won't be a Charasmatic that plays that trumpet tune. Were going to see the Son..." I'm not sure everyone agrees with this, a lot of throne polishing, voice lessons, and trumpet practice seems to take place on this side of the pearly gates.
I think the question to ask is, "Where does a persons heart lie?" Do they trust that Christ can save them? Do they love their fellow man? Maybe the theologians can decipher whether anything beyond this matters? As for me, I'm not sure that I need to know anything more.
When my family is in need, my Christian friends of all denominations offer up their prayers on our behalf, they love us, and they care that we are hurting. With that, I am satisfied that they worship the same Lord that I do. When it comes to scripture, I'm a light weight. I only knew to seek out the quoted passage because of an Alan Jackson song (sorry Scotty), but I think he got it right..."Faith, Hope, and Love are some good things he gave us, and the greatest is Love."
Thanks everyone for your prayers! You remain in mine.
P.S. Remember, I warned you in my post title!
12 November 2007
Not a whole lot to say.
Seems like it is easier to maintain my running schedule when I was on the road, than the past 2 weeks at home. At home seems like something is always going on or needs done. On the road I take time to run, because it's about the only thing to do except hang out in my room or hit the bars, niether of which rank very high on my "must do list".
Been a busy couple of days, had to get the RV packed away. No, I don't make that much money, it's a 1975 model. Clean, runs well, ugly on the outside and interior screams 1970's, but the kids love it. How can you argue with that. Also, winterized the boat. Throw in my trip north of Chicago, a very late Friday night at the office, my Mom in the hospital, and it's been a bit chaotic.
Ok, enough about my life, we all live hectic ones. I resumed running tonight. 3 miles on a treadmill at the YMCA in downtown Des Moines. Usual rust to shake off, but other than being on the treadmill, it felt good. Tomorrow morning I'll get in a few more miles and some weights. It feels good to get back into the swing of things.
I can't wait to get an opportunity to run with my SICR friends again. It's been too long since we hooked up for a run.
Been a busy couple of days, had to get the RV packed away. No, I don't make that much money, it's a 1975 model. Clean, runs well, ugly on the outside and interior screams 1970's, but the kids love it. How can you argue with that. Also, winterized the boat. Throw in my trip north of Chicago, a very late Friday night at the office, my Mom in the hospital, and it's been a bit chaotic.
Ok, enough about my life, we all live hectic ones. I resumed running tonight. 3 miles on a treadmill at the YMCA in downtown Des Moines. Usual rust to shake off, but other than being on the treadmill, it felt good. Tomorrow morning I'll get in a few more miles and some weights. It feels good to get back into the swing of things.
I can't wait to get an opportunity to run with my SICR friends again. It's been too long since we hooked up for a run.
08 November 2007
The leg bone is connected to the...
Anyone remember that song?
I just came in off the road from doing a marathon drive to Rockford, IL and back, left out at 6 am and pulled in the drive about 10 pm. Luckily I only had to drive half way, with one of my managers meeting me half way between Louisville, KY and Duluth, MN, so I'm going to keep this kind of brief.
A couple of months ago I thought I had a groin pull. Turned out it was inflamation of the soft tissue which, if torn, produces a sports hernia. I kept training, the pain remained, but varied in intensity day to day. Last week the pain seemed to move back to the point of origin and felt like a simple (did I just say "simple") groin pull. Last Saturday's long run produced a lot of pain in my hips, specifically the outer muscles. I chalked it up to worn out shoes, knowing I was about 3 weeks over due for a new pair.
Monday morning I ran on the treadmill at the Y and then started circuit training. My last exercise was to be squats, I decided to keep the weight light, 4th rep of my 1st set....POP! Pain streaked across my lower back. Funny thing, as soon as my back muscles "popped", the pain and tension in my hips was gone and later that day I discovered that the same leg movements that typically caused me to grimace from the groin injury, no longer produced pain. It will be interesting to see what pains return as my back heals up. It's feeling much better tonight.
What to take from this? The body is not made up of compartmentalized components, all parts are intertwined and compensating for one part, effects another, etc., etc. Be sure to warm up, stretch at the end of your runs, and rest injuries.
I just came in off the road from doing a marathon drive to Rockford, IL and back, left out at 6 am and pulled in the drive about 10 pm. Luckily I only had to drive half way, with one of my managers meeting me half way between Louisville, KY and Duluth, MN, so I'm going to keep this kind of brief.
A couple of months ago I thought I had a groin pull. Turned out it was inflamation of the soft tissue which, if torn, produces a sports hernia. I kept training, the pain remained, but varied in intensity day to day. Last week the pain seemed to move back to the point of origin and felt like a simple (did I just say "simple") groin pull. Last Saturday's long run produced a lot of pain in my hips, specifically the outer muscles. I chalked it up to worn out shoes, knowing I was about 3 weeks over due for a new pair.
Monday morning I ran on the treadmill at the Y and then started circuit training. My last exercise was to be squats, I decided to keep the weight light, 4th rep of my 1st set....POP! Pain streaked across my lower back. Funny thing, as soon as my back muscles "popped", the pain and tension in my hips was gone and later that day I discovered that the same leg movements that typically caused me to grimace from the groin injury, no longer produced pain. It will be interesting to see what pains return as my back heals up. It's feeling much better tonight.
What to take from this? The body is not made up of compartmentalized components, all parts are intertwined and compensating for one part, effects another, etc., etc. Be sure to warm up, stretch at the end of your runs, and rest injuries.
05 November 2007
Did You....?
Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when you set your clocks back.
We had a close call with a vent pipe that came loose from our furnace when they were roofing our house. When we fired up the furnace for the first time, it was pumping exhaust (CO) into our house. Thankfully the CO detector went off, otherwise there likely wouldn't have been James, Jina, Jared, Jaden, & Jordan the next morning. Perhaps the best $35 I ever spent.
Another piece of equipment runners need to pay attention to are there shoes. According to most estimates, a quality pair of running shoes should last between 300-500 miles, however, water and sweat can help to break them down even faster. Does your 3 mile run leave you with soaking wet socks and shoes? If so, you may find your shoe life on the short end of the range.
I don't keep a detailed log anymore, but have learned to judge the condition of my shoes by my knees. When they started feeling sore after a road run, it was typically time for a new pair. What happens when you're running on treadmills? Well, you will likely extend the life of your shoe, because of the cushioned running surface. But in my case, I sweat more, and this contributed to increased deterioration, but the cushioned treadmill helped hide that fact. My long run on Saturday became a torture session, but not on my knees, the pounding was transferred up into my hips, and I'm still sore.
Here are a few helpful hints, mainly gleaned from other sources, so I won't take credit for them.
1) Visit a reputable running store to be outfitted for your first pair of running shoes. They can select the correct type of shoe (neutral, stability, motion control, etc.) for you, based on your running form and feet.
2) Correct fitting running shoes from a running store are, in my experience, not significantly higher priced than your local mall shoe store. But typically the sales people are runners, not folks just working a job.
3) If cost is a major concern then, after finding a pair of shoes you like, shop online. For some shoes you can save money, for my personal shoe choice, our local shop is competitive with the online sources. But remember, these same local owners typically support the local races with volunteers, timing clocks, prizes, etc.
4) Realize that in some cases increased mileage may require a different shoe. When training for the 1/2 Marathon, my wife's shoes, which were good for 3 mile runs, proved to have too small a toe box to accommodate her foot "spread/swell" when she got into 7 mile or longer training runs.
5) Don't cut corners. You can survive without matching running outfits, technical shirts, and race shorts. Put your money on a quality pair of shoes designed for running. Your specific form and needs.
.................................................
Have you thanked God for something today? Just checking. And while I'm preaching, "GET THOSE BATTERIES IN THE DETECTORS!"
We had a close call with a vent pipe that came loose from our furnace when they were roofing our house. When we fired up the furnace for the first time, it was pumping exhaust (CO) into our house. Thankfully the CO detector went off, otherwise there likely wouldn't have been James, Jina, Jared, Jaden, & Jordan the next morning. Perhaps the best $35 I ever spent.
Another piece of equipment runners need to pay attention to are there shoes. According to most estimates, a quality pair of running shoes should last between 300-500 miles, however, water and sweat can help to break them down even faster. Does your 3 mile run leave you with soaking wet socks and shoes? If so, you may find your shoe life on the short end of the range.
I don't keep a detailed log anymore, but have learned to judge the condition of my shoes by my knees. When they started feeling sore after a road run, it was typically time for a new pair. What happens when you're running on treadmills? Well, you will likely extend the life of your shoe, because of the cushioned running surface. But in my case, I sweat more, and this contributed to increased deterioration, but the cushioned treadmill helped hide that fact. My long run on Saturday became a torture session, but not on my knees, the pounding was transferred up into my hips, and I'm still sore.
Here are a few helpful hints, mainly gleaned from other sources, so I won't take credit for them.
1) Visit a reputable running store to be outfitted for your first pair of running shoes. They can select the correct type of shoe (neutral, stability, motion control, etc.) for you, based on your running form and feet.
2) Correct fitting running shoes from a running store are, in my experience, not significantly higher priced than your local mall shoe store. But typically the sales people are runners, not folks just working a job.
3) If cost is a major concern then, after finding a pair of shoes you like, shop online. For some shoes you can save money, for my personal shoe choice, our local shop is competitive with the online sources. But remember, these same local owners typically support the local races with volunteers, timing clocks, prizes, etc.
4) Realize that in some cases increased mileage may require a different shoe. When training for the 1/2 Marathon, my wife's shoes, which were good for 3 mile runs, proved to have too small a toe box to accommodate her foot "spread/swell" when she got into 7 mile or longer training runs.
5) Don't cut corners. You can survive without matching running outfits, technical shirts, and race shorts. Put your money on a quality pair of shoes designed for running. Your specific form and needs.
.................................................
Have you thanked God for something today? Just checking. And while I'm preaching, "GET THOSE BATTERIES IN THE DETECTORS!"
01 November 2007
November
Note: At the very bottom of the page is a new section to communicate training and events for SICR. More to come...
Not that every day shouldn't be one of thanksgiving, but seems even more appropriate this month.
What are you thankful for? Do me a favor, take a moment to think about that today, and not just the easy answers, you know, family, job, salvation, etc. Stop and think about it a bit. I'll challenge you to say a prayer of thanksgiving every day this month.
Tonight finds me in Branson, MO. As has become my norm for saving the company a few dollars, I fly into Fayetteville, AR and drive 2.5 hours to Branson. The alternative being to fly into Springfield, MO and driving 45 minutes at approximately triple the airfare. So I take the cheaper flight and longer drive. The drive I enjoy, through the Ozarks, with no cell phone service to interrupt the beauty around me.
Today my pleasant drive was interrupted when I fell victim to a larger (read more powerful) than usual rental car, a small town (maybe 1500 people) police officer, and a speed limit that dropped from 55 to 30 for all of 1/4 of a mile. Yes I've sped before, yes on the interstate I run somewhere between 72 and 77 depending on the 65-70 mph limits in my surrounding states, but this time I wasn't even aware of the speed limit. I saw the sign and the cop all at the same time, and with him clocking me while approaching me head on, well, I was toast.
I broke the law, unknowingly and unintentionally, but I did. It's a hard pill to swallow a $100 ticket, but I can't argue that I was in the wrong. I want to yell that I'm a good guy, I try to drive safely, I respect Officers and work hand in hand with them in several locales, but all my good intentions don't erase the fact that I broke the law.
It's a tougher pill to swallow that without Jesus Christ as a personal Savior, the punishment is eternal seperation from God. Hell, if you want it put bluntly in "hell fire and brimstone" context.
We want to think that good people have a shot at heaven, we want to rationalize our own actions and think that picking up an Angel Tree Ornament (which I encourage you to do) makes up for the sin(s) we commit, but the Bible teaches us different.
Romans 3:23 (New International Version)
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 9:30-32 (New International Version)
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works...
This might be a hard fact to swallow, because we all know some "good" people who haven't accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, maybe you're reading this and you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus.
I'm not sure the words I should type to wrap up this post, as it is a bit askew of what I started out to post, but to those of you who read this and can attest to the fact that Jesus is your personal Savior, share that with those around you. If you've read this post and you don't have a relationship with him, but want to know how or have questions, please feel free to contact me, or either of the guys at the blogs over in the column-EHBC, Scotty, Todd.
For today (Friday) I'm thankful for each of you who have taken the time to read my rants and ramblings and who have encouraged me to keep writing something. Thanks
Not that every day shouldn't be one of thanksgiving, but seems even more appropriate this month.
What are you thankful for? Do me a favor, take a moment to think about that today, and not just the easy answers, you know, family, job, salvation, etc. Stop and think about it a bit. I'll challenge you to say a prayer of thanksgiving every day this month.
Tonight finds me in Branson, MO. As has become my norm for saving the company a few dollars, I fly into Fayetteville, AR and drive 2.5 hours to Branson. The alternative being to fly into Springfield, MO and driving 45 minutes at approximately triple the airfare. So I take the cheaper flight and longer drive. The drive I enjoy, through the Ozarks, with no cell phone service to interrupt the beauty around me.
Today my pleasant drive was interrupted when I fell victim to a larger (read more powerful) than usual rental car, a small town (maybe 1500 people) police officer, and a speed limit that dropped from 55 to 30 for all of 1/4 of a mile. Yes I've sped before, yes on the interstate I run somewhere between 72 and 77 depending on the 65-70 mph limits in my surrounding states, but this time I wasn't even aware of the speed limit. I saw the sign and the cop all at the same time, and with him clocking me while approaching me head on, well, I was toast.
I broke the law, unknowingly and unintentionally, but I did. It's a hard pill to swallow a $100 ticket, but I can't argue that I was in the wrong. I want to yell that I'm a good guy, I try to drive safely, I respect Officers and work hand in hand with them in several locales, but all my good intentions don't erase the fact that I broke the law.
It's a tougher pill to swallow that without Jesus Christ as a personal Savior, the punishment is eternal seperation from God. Hell, if you want it put bluntly in "hell fire and brimstone" context.
We want to think that good people have a shot at heaven, we want to rationalize our own actions and think that picking up an Angel Tree Ornament (which I encourage you to do) makes up for the sin(s) we commit, but the Bible teaches us different.
Romans 3:23 (New International Version)
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 9:30-32 (New International Version)
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works...
This might be a hard fact to swallow, because we all know some "good" people who haven't accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, maybe you're reading this and you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus.
I'm not sure the words I should type to wrap up this post, as it is a bit askew of what I started out to post, but to those of you who read this and can attest to the fact that Jesus is your personal Savior, share that with those around you. If you've read this post and you don't have a relationship with him, but want to know how or have questions, please feel free to contact me, or either of the guys at the blogs over in the column-EHBC, Scotty, Todd.
For today (Friday) I'm thankful for each of you who have taken the time to read my rants and ramblings and who have encouraged me to keep writing something. Thanks
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