Sunday, December 31, 2006

12/31/06: 13 Mile Run: Brownell-Montclair

No Judy today due to rain. As it turned out, the first 9 miles were dry and comfortable, but I did get soaked in the last 4 miles. I listened to TPN Rock which is a new podcast to my subscription. I like it quite well. I got introduced to the idea by Accident Hash (actually Accident Mash which features hosts from both shows). Anyway, it made for good music for the run.

Data

Distance:13 Miles
Time:2:17:24
Heart Rate:156
Pace:10:34
Weather:Cloudy/Raining
Temperature-66°
Humidity-90%
Route:13 Mile Montclair Run

Saturday, December 30, 2006

We Should Not Celebrate Killing

Amongst the dancing in the street and George Bush's statements, I just want to say that killing a man (yes, even an evil man) is not something to celebrate. It may be necessary. It may be the right (no, make that the "best") thing to do. But, it is not something to celebrate. Let's hope that others can learn from justice and choose paths that don't result in killing. Saddam got his justice, but we should have mercy on his soul and have wished for him a better path from his birth to his death. A better path that would not have led to groups of people choosing to kill him.

In fact, as I think of mass graves created at the order to kill as offered by Saddam, I am also faced with the presentation of the killing chambers in operation in Iraq now. Is there a chance that all that has happened is that the decision makers have changed and the killing continues? Humans are so vicious!

I bumped into the gem looking for the aforementioned reference. Economics, religion, class, justice, oh the convoluted relationships.

12/30/06: 4 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I neglected to mention that while I was running yesterday, I watched a great blue heron land in the top of a tree around our lake. It was a majestic site. Today, I swear I saw a Muscovy Duck in our lake despite Alabama not being a native habitat for Muscovies from what I can find. Very cool, if you ask me.

As to the run, I was slow, but steady. I listened to the last Daily Source Code for the year. Adam claims he is going to blog more this coming year. I hope so. I was disappointed when he decided to reduce the content of his show notes because some listeners were using them to determine whether to listen or not. For me, the show notes were a great source for reminding me what I had listened to. I used them to remind myself what I might want to comment about here. I frequently create these blog entries hours after I run. So, reminders are handy. Adam's decision to reduce show notes was nothing but a downer for me.

Data

Distance:4 Miles
Time:41:47
Heart Rate:153
Pace:10:26
Weather:Cloudy
Temperature-54°
Humidity-86%
I thought it was windy despite the National Weather Service's assertion that wind speeds were only 7 mph

12/29/06: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

No glitches; no GPS; no Creative Zen. Humm..., well there weren't any glitches, but it probably isn't that simple. I ran with the heart rate monitor and the iPod Nano. I listened to the latest Phedippidations which was pretty much a best-of with a lot of focus on Steve's skits over the last year. Not totally my cup of tea, but that's ok. Steve's show consistently delivers quality so I don't mind a little divergence every now and then. I didn't skip ahead or interrupt so I must have gotten something out of it. Good year Steve!
As to the run, I was slow, but steady. After being sick and then just jumping back in, I am keeping my expectations a little lower than they would be if my training had not been interrupted. I got my cholesterol levels checked today, but I won't know the numbers until next week. I haven't had them checked since the 80's so I am a bit nervous.

Data

Distance:5 Miles
Time:52:57
Heart Rate:152
Pace:10:35
Weather:Clear
Temperature-57°
Humidity-64%

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

12/27/06: 10 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another technical glitch. This time it was my fault, no doubt. I only had 2 podcasts loaded up on the iPod and the total time was less than 1 hour. So, I took the Creative and assumed I would listen to music. But, the Creative's battery indicator indicated that it was low. But, I thought I might get lucky. I didn't. It died within the first mile.

The saddest part was that this was a mental run. In other words, I was running despite that fact that I really didn't feel like it. But, as it turns out I ran fine. I did get passed by another run, but hey, I am not the fastest runner on the road and I know it. The Timex/Garwin unit worked again and now I know the 10 mile turn around point (remember that last time I overshot the turn around point and almost ran 11 miles).

The quads did not feel bad at all.

Data

Distance:10 Miles
Time:1:40:45
Heart Rate:Not measured
Pace:10:04
Weather:Clear
Temperature-52°
Humidity-31%

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

12/26/06: 5 Mile Run: Demopolis, AL

I listened to Accident Hash during this run. My quads are still complaining but not strong enough to prevent running. I am hoping it is not anything to worry about. Tomorrow I run 10 miles. So, that should be telling. The Timex/Garwin "Time and Distance" system did agree with gmap-pedometer today.

Data

Distance:5.169
Time:50:59
Heart Rate:Not measured
Pace:9:51
Weather:Mostly cloudy
Temperature-40°
Humidity-86%
Route:Demopolis

Monday, December 25, 2006

12/24/06: 15 Mile Run + 2 Mile Walk:Demopolis, AL

This was supposed to be a 17 mile run. I used the Timex/Garwin Time and Distance system again. This time it screwed up again due to user error. You can't just turn on the GPS unit, put the watch on, set it to Chronograph, and press start. OK, I know you would think so, but no. You have to set to see one of the various readings that would require the GPS for the watch to know that you wish to use the GPS too. But, given yesterday's performance, I had measured the route with a car as a backup. So, no big deal. It did irritate me

As for the run, I listened to the random selections from the Creative Zen. I ran well for the first 8-9 miles. At which point, I started feeling some soreness in my quads. I made it to 15 miles and just couldn't push my legs to run anymore. So, I walked the last 2 miles. I am disappointed but in the grand scheme with the pneumonia and all, I am fairly pleased. I think I will try 17 again next weekend and if I get it in consider it good.

Data

Distance:15 Miles + 2 miles walking
Time:2:30:00
Heart Rate:Not measured
Pace:10:00
Weather:Mostly cloudy
Temperature-50°
Humidity-57%
Route:Demopolis

Saturday, December 23, 2006

12/23/06: 3.4 Mile Run: Demopolis, AL

This was supposed to be a 4 mile run. I used the Timex/Garwin Time and Distance system, but things were screwy once I got to the 2 mile mark according to the watch. It indicated that I had been running 7:15 miles. No way! I was feeling good, but not that good. But, sometimes your body can fool you. So, I turned around and ran back. At the finish, the watch said 3.5 miles. I thought, yeah I thought so! So, I added another 1/2 mile according to the same equipment. Well, when it was all said and done, I was .6 miles short according to gmap-pedometer. So, I assumed the chronongraph portion of the watch worked and used the mileage report by gmap for the "official" log entry. Stupid technology strikes again.

Speaking of stupid technology, Apple should take a lesson from Google. I had to reinstall my Toshiba laptop as I mentioned earlier. As a result, I installed iTunes on one of my other computers and set up my podcast subscriptions. I downloaded the episodes I had not listened to yet and plugged up the iPod. Did Apple go "hey, do you want to keep what's on your iPod?" or "would you like to update your library and your iPod such that any unique show on either is replicated to the other?". NO! It says you can only sync with 1 computer so if you continue, your iPod contents will be erased. Thanks Apple, you dumbass. That is not what I want. Somebody give me a podcatcher to update my iPod that gives me what I want and takes Apple's crap off my computer. iTunes sucks if you ask me. I love the iPod though.

Back to the run. I listened to the latest Daily Source Codes and my legs felt better than yestereday. I find it amazing that the body some how accomodates the loads we throw at it. Today's run felt good despite the slow pace.

Data

Distance:3.4 Miles
Time:33:47
Heart Rate:Not measured
Pace:9:56
Weather:Clear
Temperature-46°
Humidity-83%
Route:Demopolis

Friday, December 22, 2006

12/22/06: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I ran while listening to a random selection of tunes on the Creative Zen Sleek. I was not able to update the iPod with Podcasts because the harddrive on my Toshiba Protege went tits up again. OK, I know you are thinking what is "tits up". I got that in the military and it means the Toshiba's harddrive died. You know, fell on its back with ... Anyway, I tried repeatedly to recover with no luck until I took the harddrive out and cleaned the contacts. So, now I am rebuilding it again. Oh, the Toshiba went down while loading the Creative. The Creative started reporting a firmware problem and I didn't seem to be able to reload it. Thus, I was think I would be able to add a new big iPod to my list for Christmas. But, damn if I didn't fix it.

As for the run, it was fine but my quads are still saying "man, you be working us hard". So, I am still a little slow, but that's ok. It was wet, but not cold. In fact, I had to drop some clothes along the way (I picked 'em up later) as it was so warm. All in all, a good run. This is the most mileage during the week for my Mercedes training schedule, so I am not going to worry about speed or a little soreness. There was a wreck on the road near where I come of the neighborhood. I went the other way so I didn't get to see any details.

Data

Distance:6 Miles
Time:1:02:25
Heart Rate:160
Pace:10:24
Weather:Light rain
Temperature-56°
Humidity-100%


Wednesday, December 20, 2006

12/20/06: 11 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I ran while listening to show 515 of the Daily Source Code and Accident Hash. I only intended to run 10 miles, but near the middle I must have gotten absorbed and I ran right through to nearly 5.5 miles. That's ok, I just shorten tomorrow's run. I did have a very scary experience. A car passed a school bus just as they both went by me on the 2 lane road upon which I was running. I didn't like it.

My legs are a bit tired and sore and I walked a bit of the last hill, but that's ok.

Data

Distance: 10.78 Miles
Time: 1:54:59 (too slow for Gabriel)
Heart Rate: Not measured (used GPS today)
Pace: 10:39
Weather: Clear
Temperature-53°
Humidity-74%


Tuesday, December 19, 2006

12/19/06: 7 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I ran while listening to Accident Mash # 3 as pulled with my Accident Hash subscription. If I find more time in my listening schedule, I have to add the TPN Rock podcast (this is the other half of the Acccident Mash). Judging by his commentary and musical selections, the host TPN Rock, Ewan Spence, and I have a lot in common. I also finished the rest of the Uncle Seth Live at the U-Turn Cafe, also downloaded as part of my Accident Hash subscription. As C.C. says, "all good."

I am back on the marathon schedule, proper. So, I ran 7 miles this morning and 10 miles tomorrow. I did skip the gym yesterday as I have some DOMS, delayed onset of muscle soreness, in my quads. It will pass, but I don't want to overdo it. Running in shorts and a singlet in December; you have to love living in the south.

Data

Distance: 7 Miles
Time: 1:12:17 (too slow for Gabriel)
Heart Rate: Not measured (used GPS today)
Pace: 10:17
Weather: Clear
Temperature-53°
Humidity-83%


Sunday, December 17, 2006

12/17/06: 8.5 Mile Run: Brownell - Shades Creek

I met Judy at 6:30 am as usual. I am a bit sore, leg muscle soreness. Judy took off in the last 2 miles. My goal was simply to run and see if my body is ready for more. I am planning to pick right back up on the schedule this week. That would be the schedule for the Mercedes Marathon. I think I am ready. I sure hope so.

Data

Distance: 8.5 Miles
Time: 1:24:03
Heart Rate: 152
Pace: 9:53
Weather: Clear
Temperature-47°
Humidity-83%
Route: The usual 8.5 Miler

12/16/06: Running Again: Meadow Brook 5K

I listened to the Daily Source Code and ran this 5K at a leisurely pace as planned. I think I am back! Yeppee. I have never been as sick as I was last week. It felt good to run again. I have run this race quite a few times and it is one that I try to make each year. It is sponsored by a Meadow Brook Baptist Church. They release doves at the beginning and adverstise their Jesus tapes. I haven't seen it, but it is some sort of video that they apparently use as some sort of evangelical tool. I am just there to run and they are nice folks.

Data

Distance: 3.1 Miles
Time: 29:43
Heart Rate: I forgot to record it before I started the next run
Pace: 9:35
Weather: Clear
Temperature-55°
Humidity-77%

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

12/04/06: Pneumonia Put Me Down

You are likely asking "what happened to Bob's runs?" Well, I got pneumonia and I have never felt so ill. I am starting to feel normal now, 12/13/06. But, I suspect I will not be running the full marathon at Mercedes. My training has been severely impacted. Which just sucks since I was doing so well. But, I should be able to do the 1/2 marathon. I will start planning for a full somewhere else.

Monday, December 04, 2006

12/03/06: 16 Mile Run: Demopolis

Well, the wife's advice worked out. I ran my 16 miler without any trouble. OK, I am tired, but that's expected. So, I am quite pleased with the results.

Data

Distance: 16 Miles
Time: 2:30:20
Heart Rate: Not Measured
Pace: 9:23
Weather: Clear
Temperature-42°
Humidity-65%
Route: 16 Mile Run

11/28-12/02/06: Running In Lots of Places

I have been so busy with vacationing, returning home, working, and celebrating Christmas on the River in Demopolis, Alabama that getting to this blog has been impossible. So, let me just catch up in 1 big post. I completed a few more runs in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I changed my planned routes to include 5th Avenue which is the shopping, restaurant ladden route in Playa Del Carmen. I posted some pictures on Flickr. We did have a good time. And, there were some especially interesting bits. For example, I was laying in a hammock on our rooms deck reading when all of a sudden I heard a women moaning the clear throngs of passion. I gotta tell you that this got my attention.

We saw Tulum a beach side Mayan ruin that was just awesome. We snorkled along a reef, a lagoon, and in a cenote. All of this was arranged and managed by EdVenture Tours which I just couldn't recommend more strongly. The cenote was basically the entrance to a flooded cave that was once dry. Thus, there were under water formations. It was very cool. The lagoon was next to a beautiful garden that was very well maintained and well populated with sculptures. The snorkeling here including seeing large parrot fish and a barracuda. The trip was wonderful.

Data

11/28/06: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Distance: 5 Miles
Time: 49:07
Heart Rate: Not Measured
Pace: 9:49
Weather: Few Clouds
Temperature-77°
Humidity-78%
Route: 5 Mile Run

Data

11/29/06: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
The Garwin GPS unit died at about 1.5 miles. I am hoping it was just batteries. So, I just ran based on time. I assumed a very slow pace of 10 minutes per mile and turned around at 40 minutes.

Distance: 8 Miles (estimated)
Time: 1:20:00
Heart Rate: Not Measured
Pace: 10:00
Weather: Mostly Cloudy
Temperature-73°
Humidity-94%
Route: 8 Mile Run

Being the only runner on a vacation with 8 other people really makes it difficult to fit in runs. The group has no problem scheduling activities such that it is difficult to fit runs in. But, I think I did pretty good by only missing 1 run. Allbeit, I missed the longest run of the week. I was all perplexed about how I was going to make up for it. I was supposed to run 15 last Sunday and 17 this Sunday (12/03/06). After complaining and mentioning it to the wife, she said why don't you just run 16 this week. Now, that was such a simple and beautiful compromise. I wished I could've/would've thougth of it. Well, that is what I am planning to do.

So, we go back home alright. I ran my 6 mile out and back route in the neighborhood on Friday.

Data

12/01/06: Neighborhood
It was cold which is such a shock to the system after Mexico. But, I have to admit the body found the cooler temperature a welcome change back.

Distance: 6 Miles
Time: 58:23
Heart Rate: Not Measured
Pace: 9:43
Weather: Mostly Cloudy
Temperature-40°
Humidity-68%

After working the rest of the day, we headed off to Demopolis, Alabma for several things. Not least of which, we were heading to grandmamma's and granddaddy's where my son has been. Yes, we haven't seen him in a week. And, we missed him terribly. This weekend is also the annual Christmas on the River celebration in Demopolis. This celebration started back in 1972 when a good friend of our family and another fellow decided to add this celebration after seeing celebrations in other parts of the country.

Friday night is a dedicated to a big barbeque (which we arrived too late to enjoy). Saturday brings the annual Jingle Bell Run, the traditional, land-based parade, and the evening float parade on the river with accompanying fireworks. I ran the Jinble Bell Run.

Data

12/02/06: Jingle Bell Run in Demopolis, Alabama

Distance: 3.1 Miles
Time: 26:46
Heart Rate: Not Measured
Pace: 8:38
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Temperature-34°
Humidity-62%