I've added a link in the right hand column under the heading "Water Station". The link is for the "Our Daily Bread Devotionals" website. My mom always got these booklets from church and since I was a kid I've found that they provoked my thoughts and gave me inspiration.
Why the header "Water Station"? Just like a water station in a long race, I always find that even a brief moment with God's word refreshes me and gives me the drive to push on. Unfortunately in life, as I did in last spring's 10 miler and 1/2 Marathon, I tend to push too long without proper hydration and then suffer the resulting pains and diminished performance. If you don't have a steady habit of daily Bible study, take a look, the devotions are short, take 2 minutes to read them and another minute to talk with God, see if you don't feel refreshed and ready to take on life's hills. It's a great antidote to my mindless ramblings.
I've also posted a poll. I'm not going to venture into politics on here, because I'd just tick off the Republicans and Democrats among you. Rather I'm just curious how others might answer the question, "If only one topic/issue differentiated one candidate from another, which one would you consider most important?"
24 January 2008
22 January 2008
Random Thoughts
RoadID makes a great gift (www.roadid.com) for a runner/cyclist/traveler. Jina got me the "dog tag" style on a chain for Christmas (they also have a bracelet and one that attaches to your laces). It's nice now when I travel to know my emergency contact information is on me, even when I don't take my Driver's License to the gym or hotel weight room, no to mention if I go for a run.
I went to the gym the other day and wore a matching outfit...yikes...I didn't even know it. The shorts were Champion C9 shorts from Target, (12.99) and the shirt came off the clearance rack (vented/technical) $3.84. After I ran, I walked in front of the mirror in the free weight area and realized I had on a matching set. I'll make sure that doesn't happen again.
Thank goodness for Target and Walmart and occasionally Dick's Sporting Goods (fitness gear brand). I can't bring myself to lay our $35 for a technical shirt just to get the Nike swoosh on it. I must admit to liking the bright yellow "Live Strong" shirts, but when you run some races just to get the free technical shirt, it's not likely you're parting with $35 for a work out shirt.
Does God get that same sense of pride when I do something right, that I get when my children do?
Eating 3 meals a day by yourself stinks!
OLS update: I was helping set up some tables for a client today, didn't have to, but thought I'd be nice since I was work out of their office. As I picked up a folding table by myself and carried over my head to avoid others, an attractive female member of their staff commented on myself and one of the other guys carrying the tables ourselves. I had to suppress my laughter when I realized that OLS symptoms almost flared up. Luckily the humor of the whole situation and setting acted as a natural suppressant.
Time for some sleep, or an attempt. 2 years into this job and I still don't sleep well on the road.
I went to the gym the other day and wore a matching outfit...yikes...I didn't even know it. The shorts were Champion C9 shorts from Target, (12.99) and the shirt came off the clearance rack (vented/technical) $3.84. After I ran, I walked in front of the mirror in the free weight area and realized I had on a matching set. I'll make sure that doesn't happen again.
Thank goodness for Target and Walmart and occasionally Dick's Sporting Goods (fitness gear brand). I can't bring myself to lay our $35 for a technical shirt just to get the Nike swoosh on it. I must admit to liking the bright yellow "Live Strong" shirts, but when you run some races just to get the free technical shirt, it's not likely you're parting with $35 for a work out shirt.
Does God get that same sense of pride when I do something right, that I get when my children do?
Eating 3 meals a day by yourself stinks!
OLS update: I was helping set up some tables for a client today, didn't have to, but thought I'd be nice since I was work out of their office. As I picked up a folding table by myself and carried over my head to avoid others, an attractive female member of their staff commented on myself and one of the other guys carrying the tables ourselves. I had to suppress my laughter when I realized that OLS symptoms almost flared up. Luckily the humor of the whole situation and setting acted as a natural suppressant.
Time for some sleep, or an attempt. 2 years into this job and I still don't sleep well on the road.
19 January 2008
Snowman Shuffle
First let me tell you, I ran my best race yet. They haven't posted results yet, so I don't know how I finished, but planned how I wanted to run it, stuck to my plan, and finished in the time I wanted and in the fashion I wanted. Here's a quick run down.
Weather: 25 degrees, windchill 15, clear and sunny.
I arrived 45 minutes before race time and checked in. Wouldn't you know it, I signed up for the three race Grand Prix at the first race and they failed to get me entered. As instructed I quickly filled out an entry blank and was handed my bib number and free pair of cotton running gloves. By now I'm cold. I'm wearing my running tights under my running pants, because Scotty and I decided a long time ago that a dude in tights only is not a pretty sight for anyone to see, a long sleeve compression T under a short sleeve technical shirt, my Mizuno windbreaker (a door prize from a local race, some day I'll spend the money for a vented running jacket), a knit cap, and the Mizuno running gloves I got this last Christmas. It takes all of 5 minutes outside to feel every layer permeated by the cold.
Back in my car I pin my bib number to my right thigh, place my gloves over the defroster vents and decide how long I'll wait before I get out again. Remembering that I had considered logging miles prior to the race to make up for no long run and being smart enough to recognize that the tightness in my hamstrings could be an issue on such a cold morning, I decide to exit the warm metal cocoon thirty minutes prior to race time and log two easy miles out and back along the first mile of the race course.
The race starts at the top of a large hill, descends sharply in the first quarter mile, then flattens out through the middle 21/2 miles before assaulting you with a steep hill climb between the 2.5 mile mark and the 3 mile mark, a plunge down the back side of this hill and then a steady quarter mile climb to the finish.
As I head out for my warm up miles I let gravity pull me down the first descent and recognize that with little effort I'm able to set a rather quick pace. As I run I notice that the out and back offshoot, added in order to turn the 4K loop into a 4 miler, is not flat, but rather a shallow descent to the turn around and it's rolling grade adds short descents to the return route, negating the felt impact of the return ascent. Memory reminds me that after this out and back comes a long flat portion between two of the parks hills before beginning the climb for which this popular running route is known for.
On my return mile I formulate the following plan. I'll use the initial plunge and following descent to keep my pace in the 7 minute mile pace range, hold that as long as I can, backing off just a bit through the flat portion of the course, conserving energy for the hill and hopefully positioning myself to be able to only fade a few spots as I hit what is for me the biggest obstacle.
At the start I recognized a former collegue and we chatted away the final three minutes before race time, not even hearing the start, alerted by the pack in front of us surging forward. I find myself positioned in with a slower group of runners than I anticipated (some day I'll learn to go to the front) and have to weave my way through traffic before finding a clear opening as I hit the initial descent. I come in under 7 minutes for my first and predominately downhill mile, fading a bit through the out and back, recording a 14:20 when my GPS indicates 2 miles. I'm feeling pretty strong and decide that instead of backing off a bit through the flat to conserve energy, I'll push it to the base of the hill and if the hill kills me, so be it.
The hill proves as daunting and torturous as I expected, but I manage to pass a couple of folks at the beginning of the incline and lose only a couple of spots to others half way up. Near the top my Garmin records 22 minutes at the 3 mile mark and though they protest my legs carry me across the flat top of the hill and I'm able to gain momentum, clinging to my hope of finishing in 30 minutes. Two runners, a female master (over 40) and a younger male pass me on the down hill, I don't care, "Run your race!", I tell myself. As I approach the last climb I glance at my wrist, just over two tenths to go, "Forget pace, maintain same effort, forget pace, maintain the same exertion level" becomes my mantra. Then it happens, I reel in and pass the two runners who passed me on the descent and then pick off one more.
As I rounded the last turn and strode the last few yards of the final incline I realized that as I reached the flat home stretch there would be no 40 yard kick to the finish. If a runner was closing, so be it, I had run my race, I would concede the spot. No challenge was mounted and I crossed the finish in 29:30, not puking, but close, ecstatic that I had not saved anything in the gas tank. Finally, I ran a race exactly as planned, and came away with a time I was happy with.
Weather: 25 degrees, windchill 15, clear and sunny.
I arrived 45 minutes before race time and checked in. Wouldn't you know it, I signed up for the three race Grand Prix at the first race and they failed to get me entered. As instructed I quickly filled out an entry blank and was handed my bib number and free pair of cotton running gloves. By now I'm cold. I'm wearing my running tights under my running pants, because Scotty and I decided a long time ago that a dude in tights only is not a pretty sight for anyone to see, a long sleeve compression T under a short sleeve technical shirt, my Mizuno windbreaker (a door prize from a local race, some day I'll spend the money for a vented running jacket), a knit cap, and the Mizuno running gloves I got this last Christmas. It takes all of 5 minutes outside to feel every layer permeated by the cold.
Back in my car I pin my bib number to my right thigh, place my gloves over the defroster vents and decide how long I'll wait before I get out again. Remembering that I had considered logging miles prior to the race to make up for no long run and being smart enough to recognize that the tightness in my hamstrings could be an issue on such a cold morning, I decide to exit the warm metal cocoon thirty minutes prior to race time and log two easy miles out and back along the first mile of the race course.
The race starts at the top of a large hill, descends sharply in the first quarter mile, then flattens out through the middle 21/2 miles before assaulting you with a steep hill climb between the 2.5 mile mark and the 3 mile mark, a plunge down the back side of this hill and then a steady quarter mile climb to the finish.
As I head out for my warm up miles I let gravity pull me down the first descent and recognize that with little effort I'm able to set a rather quick pace. As I run I notice that the out and back offshoot, added in order to turn the 4K loop into a 4 miler, is not flat, but rather a shallow descent to the turn around and it's rolling grade adds short descents to the return route, negating the felt impact of the return ascent. Memory reminds me that after this out and back comes a long flat portion between two of the parks hills before beginning the climb for which this popular running route is known for.
On my return mile I formulate the following plan. I'll use the initial plunge and following descent to keep my pace in the 7 minute mile pace range, hold that as long as I can, backing off just a bit through the flat portion of the course, conserving energy for the hill and hopefully positioning myself to be able to only fade a few spots as I hit what is for me the biggest obstacle.
At the start I recognized a former collegue and we chatted away the final three minutes before race time, not even hearing the start, alerted by the pack in front of us surging forward. I find myself positioned in with a slower group of runners than I anticipated (some day I'll learn to go to the front) and have to weave my way through traffic before finding a clear opening as I hit the initial descent. I come in under 7 minutes for my first and predominately downhill mile, fading a bit through the out and back, recording a 14:20 when my GPS indicates 2 miles. I'm feeling pretty strong and decide that instead of backing off a bit through the flat to conserve energy, I'll push it to the base of the hill and if the hill kills me, so be it.
The hill proves as daunting and torturous as I expected, but I manage to pass a couple of folks at the beginning of the incline and lose only a couple of spots to others half way up. Near the top my Garmin records 22 minutes at the 3 mile mark and though they protest my legs carry me across the flat top of the hill and I'm able to gain momentum, clinging to my hope of finishing in 30 minutes. Two runners, a female master (over 40) and a younger male pass me on the down hill, I don't care, "Run your race!", I tell myself. As I approach the last climb I glance at my wrist, just over two tenths to go, "Forget pace, maintain same effort, forget pace, maintain the same exertion level" becomes my mantra. Then it happens, I reel in and pass the two runners who passed me on the descent and then pick off one more.
As I rounded the last turn and strode the last few yards of the final incline I realized that as I reached the flat home stretch there would be no 40 yard kick to the finish. If a runner was closing, so be it, I had run my race, I would concede the spot. No challenge was mounted and I crossed the finish in 29:30, not puking, but close, ecstatic that I had not saved anything in the gas tank. Finally, I ran a race exactly as planned, and came away with a time I was happy with.
16 January 2008
One laid to rest, One in critical
No, not anyone I know, just wanted to grab your attention.
Actually I'm referring to my socks...
Approximately 18 months ago the decision was made, based on my increased mileage, to add wicking socks to my running wardrobe, and so I purchased a 3 pack of black New Balance brand socks. Those 3 pair, later supplemented by 2 pair of white (I can't remember the brand name), have lasted me 18 months. They've endured a marathon, a half-marathon, numerous shorter races and countless miles on the road or treadmill.
Earlier this week I returned home from the gym and discovered a large hole in the side of the pair I had on. They were laid to rest with full honors in the trash can. Tonight, the pair that saw casual duty tonight, and running duty tomorrow morning, are showing a pencil eraser size hole in the right big toe region. How much longer can they hold on?
A trip to Target, to replace aging running shorts, prompted me to buy a 3 pack of black Champion brand socks to begin phasing out the pairs that have served me well. Hopefully I have as much luck with the Champion socks as I have with their C9 running apparrel, because I can't support my running apparrel needs and my wife's workout apparrel wants.
When they were no longer considered useful, mighty warriors like the P-51 Mustang fighter plane, the M-1 Garand rifle, and more recently the F-14 Tomcat (yes, the planes from Top Gun) have been withdrawn from service, with only those they served and protected valiantly clinging to the memories of their once proud service. Similarly, so ends the proud career of my running socks. Rest in peace my dear friends, rest in peace. Sob! Sniffle. Weep. Sob!
Actually I'm referring to my socks...
Approximately 18 months ago the decision was made, based on my increased mileage, to add wicking socks to my running wardrobe, and so I purchased a 3 pack of black New Balance brand socks. Those 3 pair, later supplemented by 2 pair of white (I can't remember the brand name), have lasted me 18 months. They've endured a marathon, a half-marathon, numerous shorter races and countless miles on the road or treadmill.
Earlier this week I returned home from the gym and discovered a large hole in the side of the pair I had on. They were laid to rest with full honors in the trash can. Tonight, the pair that saw casual duty tonight, and running duty tomorrow morning, are showing a pencil eraser size hole in the right big toe region. How much longer can they hold on?
A trip to Target, to replace aging running shorts, prompted me to buy a 3 pack of black Champion brand socks to begin phasing out the pairs that have served me well. Hopefully I have as much luck with the Champion socks as I have with their C9 running apparrel, because I can't support my running apparrel needs and my wife's workout apparrel wants.
When they were no longer considered useful, mighty warriors like the P-51 Mustang fighter plane, the M-1 Garand rifle, and more recently the F-14 Tomcat (yes, the planes from Top Gun) have been withdrawn from service, with only those they served and protected valiantly clinging to the memories of their once proud service. Similarly, so ends the proud career of my running socks. Rest in peace my dear friends, rest in peace. Sob! Sniffle. Weep. Sob!
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