This is a personal blog. The contents are a reflection of my life and thoughts. It is not reflection of anything else. Lots of swimming, cycling, running, and some archaic posts including comments on reading, some ranting and raving, and plain old dribble...
Data
11/27/2007| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 46:31 |
| Heart Rate: | 146 |
| Pace: | 9:18 |
| Weather: | Overcast Temperature-46° Humidity-79% |
| Distance: | 8 Miles |
| Time: | 1:14:03 |
| Heart Rate: | 147 |
| Pace: | 9:15 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-52° Humidity-59% |
| Distance: | 6 Miles |
| Time: | 54:30 |
| Heart Rate: | 150 |
| Pace: | 9:05 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-61° Humidity-19% |
I just got new cholesterol results (see old results). Here's the results:
| Metric | Original Result | Healthy Goal | New Results |
| LDL | 110 | Less than 130 | 158 - Borderline High |
| HDL | 47 | More than 40 | 65 |
| Total Cholesterol | 171 | Less than 200 | 241 - High |
| Triglycerides | 70 | Less than 150 | 89 |
Damn! I thought I was doing better and watching my diet. Either that is not true or I will need meds. Back to the ultra strict for now.
Judy texted me last night that she would not be running. I started the run listening to The Daily Source Code and put the running mix on shuffle for the rest of the run. I bumped into Prince, Al, and a few other runners near the Shell station in Crestline at my 5 mile point. I had no trouble with the run, but I was drained afterward. My son was hellbent on getting a Christmas tree today. So, we did get that accomplished. He is so into celebrating the holidays and participating in all of the festivities. Very cool.
| Distance: | 15.21 Miles (as measured with GPS earlier this year) |
| Time: | 2:20:39 |
| Heart Rate: | 149 |
| Pace: | 9:14 |
| Weather: | Light rain (at the beginning) Temperature-48° Humidity-77% |
| Route: | Al's 15 Miler |
I put on the Motorola Bluetooth headset and put the iPod on shuffle through my running favorites for the cold morning run. The run went well.
As I came here to make the entry, I noticed that his makes my 500th post to this blog. Wow. I wasn't sure what I would blog when I started. I put up a header on the blog that makes it sound as if I was going pontificate about the meaning of life and spend a great deal of time in introspection and reflection (all that "a life unquestioned..." stuff). I don't think that is what has actually happened. In fact, this is almost nothing more than a running log. It is a good goal and I am going to leave it, but I would say I have fallen short so far. But, I use this instead of paper and it does help me look back at things that matter to me. Like where did I run that 15 miler last year? I doubt that I have many readers. Given that I don't pontificate much, that is probably just as well. But, I definitely find value for me here. If I have any readers and they find value, that's very cool too.
Data
| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 28:13 |
| Heart Rate: | 141 |
| Pace: | 9:24 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-38° Humidity-62% |
I listened to the latest Daily Source Code, Accident Hash, and Phedippidations during this morning run. Steve, Phedippidations host, is apparently leaving PodShow. Sounds like some sort of philosophical differences. I am still having trouble with my Podcast updates via my Podshow channel. So, it appears that whatever was changed didn't really fix my problem.
Data
| Distance: | 8 Miles |
| Time: | 1:14:10 |
| Heart Rate: | 148 |
| Pace: | 9:16 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-36° Humidity-70% |
I ran the 31st Annual Montclair Run here in Birmingham. Prince, Larry, and Judy came out too. It was cold and misty. Prince asked me if I was going to PR (personal record). I thought I might run well, but hadn't set my mind on a personal record. But, Prince's question was all the motivation I needed. I set the goal in my mind. Despite having run for 25 years now and being 50 years old, I did PR. Yeppee! I can't believe it and I am thrilled. I also decided to start a new convention on the blog here. Namely, to include a picture of the race bib for all races as part of the data table. This is partially to help me remember the bib number, but I thought it was kind of a neat add to the page too.
Data
 | Distance: | 6 Miles |
| Time: | 48:06 | |
| Heart Rate: | 168 | |
| Pace: | 7:45 | |
| Weather: | Overcast Temperature-48° Humidity-87% | |
| Route | Montclair Turkey Trot (approximation) |
I listened to the latest Daily Source Code and started the latest Phedippidations during this morning run. I did have to go around my elbow to get to my @ss to get them into iTunes however. I subscribe via my Podshow channel. For some reason, my channel started messing up last week. I have to log in to Podshow and select to play my channel before the RSS file iTunes reads updates. And, further Pheppidations doesn't show up at all. So, I figured out work arounds to the problem for now. I left a comment on Adam Curry's log and he has responded indicating that while his channel is working, that the techs did find something and implementing the fix. I will test and let them know. I can't really complain. I love this channel thing at Podshow and it has worked flawlessly for a long time.
I altered this week's running schedule slightly to accommodate a 10K race on Thanksgiving, Thursday. This is the 31st Annual Montclair Run here in Birmingham. It should be fun.
Data
| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 46:30 |
| Heart Rate: | 146 |
| Pace: | 9:18 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-55° Humidity-80% |
I met Judy at 7:30 and off we went. She turned around at Foxhall and ran back hoping to complete a 8 mile run. I say hoping as we were not definitively sure what the distance would turn out to be. At that point, I put on the headphones and the iPod and finished up all of my usual podcasts (Daily Source Code, Phedippidations, and Accident Hash) and finished listening to music. It was a pleasant morning and I enjoyed knocking off the miles. A lot of runners were out and I ran behind a small group doing a 20 miler in prep for their December marathon (I forget which one specifically).
| Distance: | 13 Miles |
| Time: | 2:01:13 |
| Heart Rate: | 148 |
| Pace: | 9:19 |
| Weather: | Overcast |
| Route | Brownell-Montclair Loop |
I have been on vacation with the family at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. I almost totally disconnected including not blogging. The vacation was awesome. My five year old son totally loved and we enjoyed some wonderful experiences with him. For example, my wife and I were going to do parent swap (we each take turns riding a ride while the non-riding parent watches the child) for the Tower of Terror. I rode first. While my wife was riding, my son explained to me that he was tall enough to ride the Tower of Terror according to the height restrictions and that we should let him decide if he should ride it or not. We told him exactly what the ride was like (setting in an elevator that basically falls very fast). He said he wanted to ride. So, he did.
He rode Thunder and Splash Mountain rides too. These are thrilling for adults, so you can imagine what it must be like for a 5 year old's first experience. It was wonderful. It was awesome to get some much continuous time with my family and to totally ignore work. I was way overdue for a vacation. Back to work now and the stress level is beginning to rise as it should, but I do feel quite refreshed.
I did run my planned miles which is always interesting on Disney property. The continuous walking paths are not long enough to fit within a long run (more than a couple of miles). And, most roads are busy. The grass type is broad blades and very mushy. But, I was pleased with the general running conditions and I did get my miles, so I can not complain.
I was able to get to the Internet, so I kept up with the Daily Source Code and Phedippidations podcasts.
Data
11/10/2007: Neighborhood (Day of departure)| Distance: | 3 Miles |
| Time: | 27:26 |
| Heart Rate: | 146 |
| Pace: | 9:08 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-46° Humidity-93% |
| Distance: | 11.09 Miles |
| Time: | 1:42:23 |
| Pace: | 9:13 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-62° Humidity-72% |
| Distance: | 5.171 Miles |
| Time: | 49:39 |
| Pace: | 9:36 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-62° Humidity-86% |
| Distance: | 8.09 Miles |
| Time: | 1:13:57 |
| Pace: | 9:08 |
| Weather: | Hazy Temperature-62° Humidity-84% |
| Distance: | 6 Miles |
| Time: | 55:13 |
| Pace: | 9:12 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-46° Humidity-54% |
| Distance: | 4 Miles |
| Time: | 37:23 |
| Pace: | 9:20 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-50° Humidity-54% |
I put the iPod on shuffle (yes, it still works) and off I went on this cool, brisk morning. Near my turn around point, I saw a pin light in the woods. I thought nothing of it until I was about 2 feet from a person on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere! Yes, it spooked me. I was near a house. So, it was likely someone checking their mail or walking the dog, but it was disconcerting. It was a good run.
Data
| Distance: | 6 Miles |
| Time: | 53:42 |
| Heart Rate: | 150 |
| Pace: | 8:57 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-36° Humidity-86% |
I took off on this early morning run listening to The Daily Source Code and finished listening to Accident Hash. It was cold! I overestimated the temperature, but only suffered lightly. I should have had slightly heavier gloves.
Data
| Distance: | 8 Miles |
| Time: | 1:14:14 |
| Heart Rate: | 144 |
| Pace: | 9:16 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-30° Humidity-85% |
I prepared to take off on this early morning run with the intent of using the iPod only to discover its battery was totally dead. I apparently played the last episode of The Daily Source Code 15 times. So, I loaded up some music on the iPhone and took it. All went well. I saw Larry and Prince, both are training for the Mercedes Marathon too, from a distance, but didn't get an opportunity to say "Hey!".
Data
| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 45:16 |
| Heart Rate: | 168 |
| Pace: | 9:03 |
| Weather: | Mostly cloudy Temperature-52° Humidity-40% |
Judy made it out again. She ran about 7 miles since she turned around at Euclid and Hagood. I didn't take the iPod as its battery was dead. I didn't use the iPhone because I forgot to put the headphone adapter in the pouch. Damn technology bit me at every turn. Despite all that, I enjoyed the run and the weather was perfect. Judy landed a new job. So, new boyfriend, new job; she is doing well and I am so pleased for her.
| Distance: | 13 Miles |
| Time: | 2:01:57 |
| Heart Rate: | 146 |
| Pace: | 9:22 |
| Weather: | Clear |
| Route | Brownell-Montclair Loop I didn't circle the parking lot |
I arrived early at 6:45 am to get my packet for the 2007 Vulcan Run. Judy showed up at about 15 till 8:00; the race started at 8:00. Despite plans to run a 13 miler tomorrow, I nearly PR'd , personal record. I felt good the entire run and seemed to just steadily pick up the pace during the second half. I saw a fellow I sometimes see in our neighborhood during the 4th mile. He was running strong. I have blogged about him before. He always looks happy and is smiling every time I see him. He was looking very strong in the run. I lost Judy in the first few miles. But, she was only a couple of minutes behind me (something like 51:00).
Data
| Distance: | 6.2 Miles |
| Time: | 49:08 |
| Heart Rate: | 168 |
| Pace: | 7:55 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-46° Humidity-89% |
I'm still in in New York. I ran part of the route I ran for 8 Miles 2 days ago. I went out a little later. So, I got the benefit of the sunlight for the second half of the run. I listened to Phedippidations and enjoyed the early morning solitude in the dark woods.
Data
| Distance: | 5.135 Miles |
| Time: | 49:45 |
| Heart Rate: | Not measured |
| Pace: | 9:41 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-36° Humidity-76% |
| Route: | Route |
I'm on a business trip in New York. I have been here before and love running this predominantly cross-country like run through a state park and a nature trail from the facility wherein I am staying. I listened to The Daily Source Code and music during this early morning run through the woods. It was VERY dark. I ran off the trail once. I also made it through the woods into Piermont, a quaint little New England town. A few people were up and about, but most of the town was dark and silent.
Data
| Distance: | 8 Miles |
| Time: | 1:16:27 |
| Pace: | 9:33 |
| Weather: | Cloudy Temperature-52° Humidity-85% |
| Route: | Route |
Data
| Distance: | 5 Miles |
| Time: | 44:18 |
| Pace: | 8:51 |
| Weather: | Clear Temperature-48° Humidity-58% |
 | For those that want to get me stuff ;) |
