Saturday, January 17, 2009

Jan 2-16, 2009: Running, Listening, & Working

The new year is off an running and so am I. Tomorrow is the 20 miler, the longest training run for the Mercedes Marathon I running on February 15th. I think I'm ready, but I have never run a 20 miler without some difficulty at the end. It is a very long way. But, I am running with a group and that always helps. It is going to be cold, that doesn't help.

What an eventful week with the fighting in Gaza, the commercial jet ditching in the Hudson, and Bush delivering his last press conference. Dare I say, good riddance. Cheney offered his opinion that Obama was making a mistake closing Gitmo. Dick, we don't care what you think anymore and some of us never did. Just leave. OK, sorry for going political for a sec. I do hope Obama does better. I think he can.

I am holding back on cycling a little right now for 2 reasons. First, I have like to get in 2 strength training workouts each week. I have been distracted by work and other engagements that have made it hard to get 2 strength workouts unless one is on Saturday. I don't like to do 2 workouts on Saturday before the long run on Sunday. Second, I am focused on making sure I can get my long runs done well on Sunday given the nearness to the Mercedes Marathon.

I went searching for some insurance related videos based on some facebook postings and bumped into a couple of funny ones that were not what I was looking for. This one made me laugh really hard:

And, this one made me laugh even more

Podcast Listening

Data

January 16, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 6.17Miles
Time: 57:58
Heart Rate: 144
Pace: 9:23
Weather: Clear
Temperature-13°
Humidity-49%

January 15, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 3 Miles
Time: 26:46
Heart Rate: 146
Pace: 8:55
Weather: Clear
Temperature-28°
Humidity-58%

January 14, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 10 Miles
Time: 1:31:01
Heart Rate: 139
Pace: 9:06
Weather: Clear
Temperature-24°
Humidity-77%

January 13, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Blythewood, SC
Running
Distance: 6.09 Miles
Time: 53:54
Heart Rate: 143
Pace: 8:51
Weather: Overcast
Temperature-42°
Humidity-67%
Route

January 11, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Brownell-Crestline
Running
Distance: 13 Miles
Time: 2:03:24
Heart Rate: 135
Pace: 9:29
Weather: Haze
Temperature-38°
Humidity-83%
Route

January 9, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 5 Miles
Time: 47:57
Heart Rate: 139
Pace: 9:35
Weather: Clear
Temperature-38°
Humidity-41%

January 8, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 3 Miles
Time: 27:25
Heart Rate: 136
Pace: 9:08
Weather: Clear
Temperature-52°
Humidity-31%

January 7, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 10.02 Miles
Time: 1:31:36
Heart Rate: 143
Pace: 9:08
Weather: Clear
Temperature-49°
Humidity-46%

January 6, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 7.02 Miles
Time: 1:05:39
Heart Rate: 149
Pace: 9:21
Weather: Overcast
Temperature-64°
Humidity-93%

January 4, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Brownell-Crestline
Running
Distance: 15.17 Miles
Time: 2:26:44
Heart Rate: 137
Pace: 9:40
Weather: Clear
Temperature-52°
Humidity-93%
Route

January 2, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 8.13 Miles
Planned for 3 yesterday and 5 today, but had too much champagne on News Years Eve lol
Time: 1:14:19
Heart Rate: 142
Pace: 9:08
Weather: Overcast
Temperature-54°
Humidity-83%

Friday, January 02, 2009

Dec 23-31: Another Trip Completed

Yep, we have gone around the sun one more time. A year that included mixed blessings and curses. A good year for running, learning, and doing personally, but a bad year for the world economy and for many places on the planet. People are still way too cruel to each other and it is hard to see an end to hatred and violence coming anytime soon. But, for many on the planet, we have managed to insulate ourselves and share kindness. Let's hope this grows and spreads. I have been off of work officially for 2 weeks and had hoped to accomplish more with my time than I did. I have gotten some sorely needed relaxation. Let's see how long its benefits last.

We had a good Christmas at our house. It was the first time we hosted it (we usually go to Demopolis, AL and celebrate with my in-laws). My daughter was able to come as well which made it particularly special. Here are some pictures:




Podcast Listening

2008 Final Running and Cycling Stats

MonthRunningCycling
December18149
November16872
October13795
September11071
August12897
July92113
June1170
May1080
April1110
March1160
February920
January1620
Totals1522497
New Personal Records (PRs)
10K46:39
Marathon
4:11:07

Data

December 31, 2008: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 10 Miles
Time: 1:32:55
Heart Rate: 140
Pace: 9:17
Weather: Clear
Temperature-44°
Humidity-35%

December 30, 2008: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 7 Miles
Time: 1:03:10
Heart Rate: 148
Pace: 9:01
Weather: Clear
Temperature-59°
Humidity-31%

December 28, 2008: Birmingham, AL
Brownell-Shades Creek
Running
Distance: 13.56 Miles
Time: 2:06:13
Heart Rate: 142
Pace: 9:27
Weather: Overcast
Temperature-47°
Humidity-83%
Route

December 26, 2008: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 7.01 Miles
Time: 1:01:53
Heart Rate: 143
Pace: 8:49
Weather: Fog
Temperature-57°
Humidity-59%

December 25, 2008: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 4.07 Miles
Time: 36:23
Heart Rate: 139
Pace: 8:56
Weather: Overcast
Temperature-61°
Humidity-45%

December 24, 2008: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 9.07 Miles
Time: 1:22:27
Heart Rate: 140
Pace: 9:05
Weather: Overcast
Temperature-63°
Humidity-75%

December 23, 2008: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running
Distance: 5 Miles
Time: 46:59
Heart Rate: 142
Pace: 9:23
Weather: Scattered clouds
Temperature-39°
Humidity-36%