Many of you have heard my story of the blood-donor greyhound and our trip years back to the Winter Park Spring Splash. Let's suffice it to say here that a nervous greyhound (and they're all nervous for some reason) combined with a white-knuckle traverse of Berthoud Pass can have unpleasant consequences if, say, no one bothers to let the dog out upon arrival.
In the past week I've been reminded twice of this event and have used it to convince myself that, in comparison, it's really not that bad. But here's what's bugging me: I got the car washed on Saturday. Man, It was a mess! The car has some other maintenance issues that are to be addressed this week, but washing it was the start.
Not two days later, the semi-trusty Subaru was the victim of what appears to be a fairly discontent - at least in a gastric sense - group of pigeons.
Yesterday, we got the carpets cleaned. No small feat, mind you, as it had been about a year since we'd had it done. When the guys finished it looked GREAT.
This time I didn't even get the two-day period to enjoy it.
Anybody want to buy a Malamute? She only craps on the carpet once every 4 years or so.
I apologize for the time that has passed since my last post. I am looking at the calendar to determine a date to give a few laps another shot. I've got a new job that will keep me busy, but still intend to make this happen come May. Stay tuned!
David
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Welcome to 2010 all y'all!
Balance is an interesting concept. I get it, but regularly ignore it just the same. I’m thinking of things I’ve done on impulse that got me in trouble, got me past seemingly impossible hurdles, or got me completely baffled.
Today I joined Sonja (www.gosonja.com) for a portion of her run. I got the text a bit after 7:00 asking if I’d like to meet her. She’d already started and was planning on running until 11. So I dropped Makenzie off at daycare and was running by 8:50. Ended up running about 17 miles (2:45). Impulsive, but good.
When I got back to the car I had a message to be on a conference call in 20 minutes. I needed to eat – I knew that but wasn’t hungry –and wolfed down a yogurt and bottle of Perpetuam when I got home. Impulsive and bad! I’m still struggling to keep it down.
Over the holidays the impulsive was generally directed toward food and drink. This clearly did not work to my advantage and I’ve set a rather ambitious goal to get back to my normal weight by my birthday next Monday. Seems that if I set my mark on losing 5 or 6 pounds it doesn’t work. But dropping almost 15 lbs. in 10 days makes me change my behavior.
Like running for 2:45 today.
Strength training is back in. Spending a lot of time on the trainer. Writing it all down. I guess I’m sort of balanced. But shakin’ it up every once in a while sure is fun.
I’ll see if I can coordinate some time on the track after this upcoming cold spell sets us free.
Today I joined Sonja (www.gosonja.com) for a portion of her run. I got the text a bit after 7:00 asking if I’d like to meet her. She’d already started and was planning on running until 11. So I dropped Makenzie off at daycare and was running by 8:50. Ended up running about 17 miles (2:45). Impulsive, but good.
When I got back to the car I had a message to be on a conference call in 20 minutes. I needed to eat – I knew that but wasn’t hungry –and wolfed down a yogurt and bottle of Perpetuam when I got home. Impulsive and bad! I’m still struggling to keep it down.
Over the holidays the impulsive was generally directed toward food and drink. This clearly did not work to my advantage and I’ve set a rather ambitious goal to get back to my normal weight by my birthday next Monday. Seems that if I set my mark on losing 5 or 6 pounds it doesn’t work. But dropping almost 15 lbs. in 10 days makes me change my behavior.
Like running for 2:45 today.
Strength training is back in. Spending a lot of time on the trainer. Writing it all down. I guess I’m sort of balanced. But shakin’ it up every once in a while sure is fun.
I’ll see if I can coordinate some time on the track after this upcoming cold spell sets us free.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
If not a baseline, at least it's a start
So a few things to update. First, I ran up Mt. Evans on Saturday with Sonja of www.gosonja.com. Awesome - and I could move the day after (and even the day after that!). I took Sunday and Monday as recovery and met Renee, Angie and Harv at the track today to put in a mile. A stake in the ground.
After a couple of warm up laps (5 or 6?), Harv and I decided to give it a go. My plan was to start with an 85 second lap and try to reduce it by 5 seconds on each follow. We started fast. I let Harv take a few yards on me which grew to 10 - 15 by the end of the first lap. 82 seconds (for me). A little faster than I planned, and now I was feeling the effects of Saturday's 27 mile adventure!
Starting the 2nd lap, we get about halfway up the straight and Harv stops. Done. I press on.
My watch buttons are a bit screwy, so I don't have lap times for the remaining three laps. It was a bit breezy and cool today, and I was definitely not 100%, but I'm pretty happy with my time.
After I cooled down, Angie and Renee got ready for their lap. Harv warmed up again with them and decided to give it another shot (thata boy!).
Renee and Ang both started conservatively (interesting how different boys and girls can be) and ran strong the whole way. Harv's redoux was much more controlled.
In the end:
Renee 7:54
Angie 7:32
Harv 6:24
David 5:58
So, it's a starting point. I'm going to wait to get a better weather day and appropriate rest before I call anything a baseline, but I've got some work to do!
Merry Christmas Everyone! Keep on Runnin'!
David
After a couple of warm up laps (5 or 6?), Harv and I decided to give it a go. My plan was to start with an 85 second lap and try to reduce it by 5 seconds on each follow. We started fast. I let Harv take a few yards on me which grew to 10 - 15 by the end of the first lap. 82 seconds (for me). A little faster than I planned, and now I was feeling the effects of Saturday's 27 mile adventure!
Starting the 2nd lap, we get about halfway up the straight and Harv stops. Done. I press on.
My watch buttons are a bit screwy, so I don't have lap times for the remaining three laps. It was a bit breezy and cool today, and I was definitely not 100%, but I'm pretty happy with my time.
After I cooled down, Angie and Renee got ready for their lap. Harv warmed up again with them and decided to give it another shot (thata boy!).
Renee and Ang both started conservatively (interesting how different boys and girls can be) and ran strong the whole way. Harv's redoux was much more controlled.
In the end:
Renee 7:54
Angie 7:32
Harv 6:24
David 5:58
So, it's a starting point. I'm going to wait to get a better weather day and appropriate rest before I call anything a baseline, but I've got some work to do!
Merry Christmas Everyone! Keep on Runnin'!
David
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Still Simple
But...
We're getting interest in this series! Hello Boulder! Initially I was thinking we'd keep track of our own times, track our own results and keep this low-key.
I still want the atmosphere to be fun, but I've come to realize that we're going to have to include timing and results. I don't think we're going to run into any permit issues, and I'm trying to keep expenses as low as possible, but I think we're going to have to increase the race fees just a bit in order to stage this correctly. I still like the idea of earning back some of your fee for attending the races within the series.
I'm going to investigate the expenses related to timing and results, but just don't want to surprise anyone with the change. I'll work to have a final price in place (and a reasonable one at that) long before we get started.
Okay. It's warming up out there. Get your shoes tied and head out!
Yours,
Nuke
We're getting interest in this series! Hello Boulder! Initially I was thinking we'd keep track of our own times, track our own results and keep this low-key.
I still want the atmosphere to be fun, but I've come to realize that we're going to have to include timing and results. I don't think we're going to run into any permit issues, and I'm trying to keep expenses as low as possible, but I think we're going to have to increase the race fees just a bit in order to stage this correctly. I still like the idea of earning back some of your fee for attending the races within the series.
I'm going to investigate the expenses related to timing and results, but just don't want to surprise anyone with the change. I'll work to have a final price in place (and a reasonable one at that) long before we get started.
Okay. It's warming up out there. Get your shoes tied and head out!
Yours,
Nuke
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Whatever it takes!
Thanks, Paul, for pointing this out. I applaud Mr. Johncock for his longevity, but really question his judgement of borrowing medical devices from the crowd.
Once again, marathon winner Jerry Johncock is relieved
PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune
Borrowing and using a catheter during a race should not cause even a wee bit of trouble, meaning that the 81-year-old age-division winner in Sunday's Twin Cities Marathon avoids disqualification, officials said Thursday.
After a one-day review, race organizers said that Jerry Johncock did not break the rules against in-race assistance when he left the course and borrowed a spectator's catheter. He had it inserted into his bladder by official medical personnel near Mile 21 on East River Road in St. Paul, allowing him to urinate and be on his way.
Johncock, of Gun Lake in southwestern Minnesota, said he had a blood clot that prevented him from urinating and caused him discomfort.
"Jerry Johncock's unofficial results stand after it was brought to the attention of race officials that he stepped off the course to insert a catheter," marathon officials said in a news release.
Johncock was the first of two finishers in the men's 80-84 age group. His time was 5 hours, 22 minutes and 11 seconds. Once the results are declared official, Johncock will receive $225.
Last year at the Twin Cities Marathon, he became the first American marathoner over 80 to finish in under 4 hours.
The race director called Johncock on Thursday and explained that he wouldn't be disqualified "as long as I didn't leave the course and get back in a different location," said the finisher of more than 100 marathons.
Johncock added, "I am real happy. They made the right decision."
No hard feelings?
"If the Lord's willing and my old bones hold up, I plan to come back next year," he said.
But next time, Johncock said, "I'll strap a catheter around my waist."
Once again, marathon winner Jerry Johncock is relieved
PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune
Borrowing and using a catheter during a race should not cause even a wee bit of trouble, meaning that the 81-year-old age-division winner in Sunday's Twin Cities Marathon avoids disqualification, officials said Thursday.
After a one-day review, race organizers said that Jerry Johncock did not break the rules against in-race assistance when he left the course and borrowed a spectator's catheter. He had it inserted into his bladder by official medical personnel near Mile 21 on East River Road in St. Paul, allowing him to urinate and be on his way.
Johncock, of Gun Lake in southwestern Minnesota, said he had a blood clot that prevented him from urinating and caused him discomfort.
"Jerry Johncock's unofficial results stand after it was brought to the attention of race officials that he stepped off the course to insert a catheter," marathon officials said in a news release.
Johncock was the first of two finishers in the men's 80-84 age group. His time was 5 hours, 22 minutes and 11 seconds. Once the results are declared official, Johncock will receive $225.
Last year at the Twin Cities Marathon, he became the first American marathoner over 80 to finish in under 4 hours.
The race director called Johncock on Thursday and explained that he wouldn't be disqualified "as long as I didn't leave the course and get back in a different location," said the finisher of more than 100 marathons.
Johncock added, "I am real happy. They made the right decision."
No hard feelings?
"If the Lord's willing and my old bones hold up, I plan to come back next year," he said.
But next time, Johncock said, "I'll strap a catheter around my waist."
Friday, December 4, 2009
Motivation
Tried and True?
I read a lot of cycling and running publications. They're full of articles on how to get started and keep yourself motivated. My first inclination was to assume that their frequency of mention was testament to their effectiveness. But then it struck me - if they work, why do we have to keep telling people?
I decided it was time to come up with my own. My goal is to establish a set of motivating exercises that are so profound you'll never have to hear them again. Why? Because you'll have done one or more of the following:
1. Lost the weight you intended to lose - and kept if off!
2. Are running faster and more consistently than you imagined possible
3. Stopped following this blog and have done something more sensible with your time.
So without further ado (or much thought for that matter) here are my Motivation Tips of the Day!
1. Jiggle your fat. You know where it is. Poke it a bit. Squishy, eh? Know what helps? Running more. Eating less.
2. Tivo the Biggest Loser and watch it in the morning. By the time this show comes on, I'm on the couch, elbow deep in ice cream and beyond help. I think watching it before I've sabotaged my day makes a bit more sense.
3. Keep a food photo-journal. Writing is hard. But everyone has a camera on their phone. Before and after pictures of your plate can be shockingly effective. Review the previous day's before you dig in to your next meal.
Ok. That's good for today. If you have any tips of unique angle and interest, share them in the comments.
Next up - getting the miles in. We're going to have to build some base fitness before we get to speed.
Cheers! Time to run - we're at today's high of 34 degrees!
I read a lot of cycling and running publications. They're full of articles on how to get started and keep yourself motivated. My first inclination was to assume that their frequency of mention was testament to their effectiveness. But then it struck me - if they work, why do we have to keep telling people?
I decided it was time to come up with my own. My goal is to establish a set of motivating exercises that are so profound you'll never have to hear them again. Why? Because you'll have done one or more of the following:
1. Lost the weight you intended to lose - and kept if off!
2. Are running faster and more consistently than you imagined possible
3. Stopped following this blog and have done something more sensible with your time.
So without further ado (or much thought for that matter) here are my Motivation Tips of the Day!
1. Jiggle your fat. You know where it is. Poke it a bit. Squishy, eh? Know what helps? Running more. Eating less.
2. Tivo the Biggest Loser and watch it in the morning. By the time this show comes on, I'm on the couch, elbow deep in ice cream and beyond help. I think watching it before I've sabotaged my day makes a bit more sense.
3. Keep a food photo-journal. Writing is hard. But everyone has a camera on their phone. Before and after pictures of your plate can be shockingly effective. Review the previous day's before you dig in to your next meal.
Ok. That's good for today. If you have any tips of unique angle and interest, share them in the comments.
Next up - getting the miles in. We're going to have to build some base fitness before we get to speed.
Cheers! Time to run - we're at today's high of 34 degrees!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Mile Markers
I've talked to many of you about running a fast mile. The conversation came up again in the last couple weeks and it got me thinking. Time to put my money where my mouth is.
Here's the idea. Starting in May, 2010 - on the 3rd Thursday of each month through September (that's 5 weeks), we get together to run the fastest mile we can. Entry is $20 bones, BUT every time you race, you get $4 back. Show up for every event and you're running this series for free. Miss a few, and we'll buy some beers for the final race in September.
Simple.
And a great way to see how you're progressing through the summer. Plus, I think it's just going to be fun. I'll be posting updates, training tips, etc. and I'll invite anyone interested in contributing to post here as well.
Honestly, when's the last time you ran all out for a mile?
I'm out to break 5.
Here's the idea. Starting in May, 2010 - on the 3rd Thursday of each month through September (that's 5 weeks), we get together to run the fastest mile we can. Entry is $20 bones, BUT every time you race, you get $4 back. Show up for every event and you're running this series for free. Miss a few, and we'll buy some beers for the final race in September.
Simple.
And a great way to see how you're progressing through the summer. Plus, I think it's just going to be fun. I'll be posting updates, training tips, etc. and I'll invite anyone interested in contributing to post here as well.
Honestly, when's the last time you ran all out for a mile?
I'm out to break 5.
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