01/30/07: Been Running & Running Mercedes

I have been running. I have just not been able to get out here to log it. And, even better, I have registered for the Mercedes Marathon. Still no pain too! So naturally, I am excited. I was in a bit of a funk thinking I wouldn't be running it. I am still a bit intimidated by the distance, but I have done it before and should be able to do it now.

Andrew, thank you for the kind words, by the way. You mentioned car pooling to Little Rock. Are you in Birmingham?

Data

01/27/07

Distance:	3
Time:	28:37
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:32
Weather:	Clear Temperature- 39° Humidity - 79%

01/28/07

Distance:	13
Time:	2:06:03
Heart Rate:	160
Pace:	9:32
Weather:	Clear Temperature- 36° Humidity - 62%

01/30/07

Distance:	4
Time:	37:00
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:15 (on a Treadmill in Newark, NJ)
Weather:	Clear Temperature- 19° (outside)

01/26/07: 5 Mile Run: Columbia, SC

I ran and there was NO pain! It was cold though. I was excited to see a comment on my post about losing my opportunity to run the Mercedes Marathon. And, wow I got a comment. Thanks for the thoughts Andrew. I am considering your advice. The idea of NOT extending my training a couple of more months is quite attractive. I do know folks going to Nashville, but not well. So, Little Rock is an option. I haven't formed a plan yet, but I am thinking about it. I am also wondering if I might still pull off running Mercedes.

The dang garwin died (batteries, I'm sure) so I ran based on time.

Data

Distance:	Not measured, at least 5
Time:	57
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	Not known
Weather:	Clear Temperature-31°

Vista will go on Toshiba Portege M200 !

Oh so it seems. I haven't tried it yet. But, this blog entry sure seems reasonable and means I won't have to rely on Toshiba's recovery CD everytime I need to put an operating system on the laptop I love. Yeppee! I will report back once I try it. I already have a PXE server, so this should be quite achievable.

Laptop Load Woes

I recently committed to using my personal laptop which is a Toshiba Portege convertible as the tool for white boarding during some recent meetings at work. On the friday before I was due to travel on Monday, the harddrive crashes on the Toshiba and it will not boot. This is the third time this has happened on this laptop. Add that to my concern that having my full music library on the laptop for iTunes use and I decided it was time to put in a new harddrive.

So, off to Best Buy. My Portege does not have a CD, DVD, or Floppy drive. So, I don't really have a good way to boot it except via a PXE server and the recovery CD that came with the machine. I have previously posted about doing this, but you can get good details online. This time the laptop would boot, but the recovery utility kept telling me that the destination drive was not reachable. So, I put the drive in a box that allows me to connect to a computer via a USB port. I made sure it was partitioned and formatted and tried again. Same problem.

So, I put the known bad harddrive in the Portege and tried again. That worked, but I am extremely confident that this harddrive will not last. But, CMS Data Transfer came to the rescue. I used it to transfer the content from the original harddrive to my newone. That worked!

Of course, this post took but minutes to write. The actual experience took me days to complete. After I got the laptop booting, I had to apply all patches and load software. That task is not complete yet, but is on its way.

My next goal is to figure out how to get Vista on this box!

01/25/07: Good New & Bad News

Good news: The shin is not hurting AT ALL.
Bad news: Work has taken over my every waking moment, so I am not getting any runs. I have lost the momentum I had for getting to the marathon. So, despite having got my 20 miler in, I don't think it would be wise for me to think I could bounce back from an injury that had me limping last week, skip 1.5 weeks of runs, and go out and do my marathon. I am also battling the emotional turmoil of knowing I got that damn close and had to bag it. It SUCKS!

So, now I am setting my sights on the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, TN, April 28th. I will update add a new training plan soon.

So, it sucks for now, but I am not put down yet!

01/20/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

The shin did hurt significantly earlier in the week, so I skipped the last 3 runs. This run did not feel too bad, but I could tell the shin was still in recovery mode at best. It didn't hurt much if at all the rest of the day. So, I am planning to run tomorrow, but I am not sure how far yet. I am scheduled to do 15.

The Toshiba has died again. Gees! So, I guess next step is to try a new harddrive. I do so wish my techie stuff would just work. And, after I just finished going through hell getting iTunes stuff set up on it. Arghhhh.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:38
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	9:52
Weather:	Clear Temperature-36° Humidity-57%

01/14/07: 20 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek+Montclair

Judy made it today. We ran the first 9 miles together. Then, Judy continued for about 2 more miles while I add 11 more. After Judy turned off I put in the ear buds and turned on the iPod Nano. I listened to the latest Phedippidations. Steve mentioned my thanks to him for motivating my cholesterol checkup. In fact, a local running coach mentioned that he had heard Steve mention it when I first showed up to run this morning. I finished off the run with a couple of sessions of Accident Hash.

I just couldn't bitch more about iTunes silly idea that I would move files to an external drive and want to have it connected every time I sync my iPod. As Adam Curry said on a recent podcast, I can't wait for a user friendly desktop application for managing my content and podcasts on the iPod. The iPod is great, but iTunes is TOO controlling and inflexible. I won't even mention how many hours I have spent trying to get it to do what I want done! So, now I putting the 15+ Gbytes back on my laptop. What a f**king waste of space! I will never, let me repeat NEVER actually use those files on that disk again. They are just there because iTunes is f**king stupid. The song is on the iPod. It is on an external drive. Don't make me carry the drive everywhere I want to sync up a podcast feed to the iPod! Let me add that f**king iTunes takes way to f**king much CPU time rending the laptop useless while it copying files between my drives. Thank you Apple for wasting my f**king time!!!!

Data

Distance:	20 Miles
Time:	3:27:19
Heart Rate:	156
Pace:	10:21
Weather:	Clear Temperature-58° Humidity-81%
Route:	Al's 7 Miler + 13 Mile Montclair Run

---

Addendum: Well, during the run yesterday I noticed a little soreness in my right, lower shin. It is uncomfortable today. I have been applying RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), but it is worrisome. I am hoping that it turns out to be nothing.

01/13/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Well, I lost the data for this one since I clicked on the record button on the Polar system on the next run before I realized it. I do remember looking at the watch, so I know the time is about right.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:43
Heart Rate:	Lost the data
Pace:	10:14
Weather:	Clear Temperature-59° Humidity-70%

01/12/07: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another run with the 30 Gb. I neglected to pay close attention to the second song since I was in shuffle mode again. But, I think it moved to the third song prematurely again. Comfortable run again. This Sunday is the longest training run I will have for the Mercedes Marathon, so I am hoping for the best. If I make this one, I feel extremely confident that I am ready. I do have to admit that I am a bit nervous about it. In fact, I have been thinking about it all week. I have been really good with my eating my habits this week. So, the first week of improved eating has gone well. The only thing I need to improve is reducing the percentage of fat in the cheese I eat. I didn't each much, but I didn't buy reduced fat.

It is amazing to see the spin George Bush puts on his desire to increase the number of troops in Iraq. I heard him say something like "this is different. Now, the leaders on the ground can predict success...". What were they predicting last year? Are you kidding me? I can't say if adding more troops is the best solution or not with any real certainly. But, George has not convinced me either. I have visions of "This time they WILL dance in the streets and put roses at our feet....". It is a huge mess. No easy answers exist.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	50:57
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	10:11
Weather:	Most cloudy Temperature-56° Humidity-75%

01/10/07: 10 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I took the new iPod 30Gb. I think there may be a flaky thing with the shuffle mode. Both times I have used the second song did not completely play. All other songs played fine. Very interesting. Other than that, it performed well. It was another cold morning, but I was dressed for it. The sun rose to my back as I ran the last half back. For a few minutes, I had the sensation of a car's lights coming up behind me. It was weird.

Data

Distance:	10 Miles
Time:	1:40:44
Heart Rate:	150
Pace:	10:04
Weather:	Clear Temperature-29° Humidity-82%

01/09/07: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

A brisk, cold, early morning run during which I listened to the latest "Best of Charlies". I used the iPod Nano. There were more people around the lake than usual. Must be due to New Year resolutions. Good! Never condemn or ridicule someone trying to improve themselves by focusing on their newness and lack of fit to the goal line. They may get there if you help instead of hinder.

iTunes is NOT as pleasant as I had hoped. After loading the new 30GB, I decided that I really didn't need 16 GB of iTunes library on my laptop harddrive. So, I moved it as instructed on iTunes to my external 200GB drive. But, even if I indicated in settings that I will manually update the music files on the iPod, iTunes won't boot if the external drive is disconnected. So, I will have to move the files to a desktop here and reserve the laptop for the Nano only. What a pain in the ass. Apple, give me control!

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	51:44
Heart Rate:	154
Pace:	10:20
Weather:	Clear Temperature-39° Humidity-65%

01/07/07: 15 Mile Run: Brownell-Montclair-Shades Creek

It rained, so no Judy. I used the new iPod. It worked great during the run, but I think it got wet. Apparently, it doesn't like to get wet. The wheel control is bit flaky at the moment. I suspect it will dry and be fine. I had it covered in a second skin. But, it wasn't completely protected from moisture. I had the belt of my water bottle carrier through the second skin. So, I think that the amount of water that fell on me simply provided too much water for the iPod. Lesson learned, if I am right. Next time I will put it in a carrier that will help shield it from most of the water. Freaky gadgets!

As for iTunes, I am impressed! I was able to update the music collection on the iPod several times while iTunes was still converting *.wmv songs. The conversion took almost 24 hours! But, it seemed to work.

The run was slow, but steady. I am glad I did the distance and will settle for that for now. I listened to my latest 3 CD purchases on the new iPod:

Data

Distance:	15.21 Miles
Time:	2:42:33
Heart Rate:	Not measured - Used GPS
Pace:	10:41
Weather:	Cloudy-Raining Temperature-60° Humidity-93%
Route:	Al's 15 Miler

01/06/07: 8 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Well, the Creative Zen started missing out in the first 2 miles. It has been retired. I purchased a 30GB iPod. It has been converting my media player formatted files (*.wmv, I think) all day. The Creative purchase was a mistake. Too few accessories and too difficult to keep up with the right software. Since I have been using iTunes a lot anyway and I have have gotten quite acquainted with my iPad Nano, I don't think I will regret my purchase.

I missed my planned 5 Mile run on Thursday and didn't make it up on Friday, so I combined that 5 miles with the 3 miles planned for today for an eight miler. I felt fine and I had taken my iPod Nano with me so, I listened to the latest "Best of Charlies" as in Daily Source Code, Accident Hash and more TPN Rock during the run. I did just recently purchase The Moody Blues' Anthology and was looking forward to listening to that, but that will have to wait for the iPod 30GB load.

I got my cholesterol results. And, when the nurse asks for the phone number for your pharmacy, you know it ain't good. My numbers are not horrible, but my LDL is too high. Here's the results:

Metric	Result	Healthy Goal
LDL	169 - High	Less than 130
HDL	70 - Normal	More than 40
Total Cholesterol	239 - Borderline high	Less than 200
Triglycerides	145 - Normal	Less than 150

So, I am changing my diet and getting another reading in 1 month. I gotta say this feels like a wake up call to me. I didn't have a New Year's resolution, but I do now. Cut the fat out and eat more healthily! I owe Steve Runner, from Phedippidations, a huge thank you. He recently did a show on Jim Fixx who died while running after have a heart attack. Jim's cholesterol was high! Steve talked about his own numbers. And, I realized that I didn't even know what mine were and really never have! That motivated me to go get the measured. I don't like the results. But, I would damn sure rather know!

Data

Distance:	8 Miles
Time:	1:22:24
Heart Rate:	153
Pace:	10:18
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-57° Humidity-83%

01/03/07: 10 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Good run, but frustrating technology and irritating drivers. I have finished ripping my entire CD collection and putting it on the Creative Zen. Last time I used it, it starting cutting out (intermittent spans of time with no music) in the first mile. I assumed it was the battery which indicated low and went on. I charged it fully this time and had it loaded with my entire collection. But, the damn thing still cut out. And just after 5 miles, it died altogether. None of the buttons worked despite the screen indicated it was still powered up. So, head phones off and finished the run. I pushed in the reset button and I guess I will have to see if more problems repeat. Arghhhhhhhhhh

Now for the irritating drivers. I have been running these longer runs from my neighborhood by exiting our gated community and running along a county highway, highway 41. And, typically these runs are in the dark. I wear a reflective vest and use a flashing light to give the drivers plenty of opportunity to see me. Some of these assholes drive as if the yellow line is a brick wall despite the fact that there is no traffic in the opposing lane. Some honk. It just about drives me bananas. I start having thoughts of just kicking the asses of the drivers. It is so hard to fight the aggressive feelings this creates. But, I really just wish they could be kinder and more considerate. Pulling over a little bit to let us runners know that you see us and letting us stay on the road instead of jumping to the grass would be so cool.

Next bitch: blogspot keeps changing the bgcolor tag to some style crap that makes the text in the cells in the table below the color I want for the background. So, I am having to edit these entries in raw HTML. arghhhhhhhhhhhhh

Data

Distance:	10 Miles
Time:	1:42:18
Heart Rate:	149
Pace:	10:13
Weather:	Clear Temperature-36° Humidity-85%

01/02/07: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

This may have been the coldest run in a year, brrrrr. Uneventful otherwise and I am blogging late so here's the data....

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	51:44
Heart Rate:	153
Pace:	10:20
Weather:	Clear Temperature-32° Humidity-82%