Cross-Train The Runner

Is It Time to Try?

2009-08-06T22:27:00.002-05:00

OK we are now soon entering the fall season. Some running is in the mix but also a lot of cycling. Is it time to take the plunge and focus on triathlon or should one embarce the opportunity to participate in running events again in the fall, albeit relays and short distances?????

Mulling it over. It is tempting to put all this cycling fitness to use.

Will make a decision soon, there is a tri in Freeport on Labor Day weekend. Need to start swimming.

Ye Olde Log Book

2009-08-05T21:05:00.003-05:00

Yea verily, Master Crosstrain may get a running log book again. He has not had one for quite some time as a log book is pretty meaningless if one is not running consistently or with purpose. He has instead kept all his biking logs on bikejournal.com and just added the sporadic swim and run distance to his blog numbers on the right. He has also downloaded his Garmin to Garmin connect.

I like a simple log book. Will have to find one.

Ran the On the Run 7 mile route tonight, first time in a long time. Took it easy but finished strong. Biking tomorrow and Saturday, will run again on Sunday morning. Twice a week is working for me, no reason to mess with what's working.

Wine tasting tomorrow night. Yes I am a sophisticated man, not just a beer guzzling cretin.

Summer Vacation is Over

2009-08-02T19:27:00.003-05:00

It's August, time for the annual Pub Crawl! You are invited.

I will actually write a blog entry after none in June and July. So what is happening?

- Facebook has stole my blogging time. Shame. Have resisted Twitter however. I am a baby boomer after all and we just migrated to Facebook recently.

- I spent the first half of July overseas.

- I have joined the HARRA Board as an At Large member.

- I have continued having ART done on my Achilles/peroneus tendon area near the soleus. I have continued doing my stretching and stability exercises. And I am running. I run no often than two days after my previous run.

- I started running in April. You can see the mileage on the right side of my blog. Four consecutive months of itty bitty increases in mileage. A magnificent 8 mile run in Amsterdam on July 11, my longest run since who knows when. The Lunar Rendezvous Run 5k on July 18, my second fastest 5k ever in 22:16. The Outriggers on the Bay 5k on August 1, my third fastest 5k ever in 22:19.

So I run 10 to 15 miles per week. When folks were training for Houston last year, I said to myself if I could ever run 10 miles a week, I would be a happy man. With the cross training I do, it is enough for 5k and 10k distance reasonable racing.

So yes I am a very happy man.

No I am not going to push the mileage nor the frequency. My leg is tight and sometimes sore. But so be it, I can run. I hope to run on relay teams during the fall series and have signed up for the Houston half.

Hope your summer is going equally as well.

Fire

2009-05-31T11:01:00.001-05:00

Burn my sweet effigy
I'm a road runner
Spill my guts on a wheel
I wanna taste uh-huh
And I'm on fire
And I'm on fire

Sun, Sweet Potato Fries, and IPA

2009-05-28T19:27:00.004-05:00

It does not get any better than that does it? Now being the generous soul that I am, it is time to share best practices to my male buddies that may read this blog. You see, in order to do what a man wants to do, for example spend all weekend cycling and exhausted from cycling, a man needs a little bit of cooperation on the home front, eg the wife in my case.

A foolproof method was skillfully executed by yours truly today. First take the lovely for a one hour hike in the mountains. Then relax in a meadow, preferably near a mountain stream. Take out of your backpack the book of poetry that you brought along. Read a poem that is sure to touch your mate's soul.

I'm good to go for the next few weeks.

Boulder Time

2009-05-26T20:35:00.003-05:00

Back in Colorado. Ran the Bolder Boulder for the fourth time. My slowest result yet but that is becaused I paced my wife to a PR! The nice thing was I could enjoy the sights along the way, got up close to the belly dancers, drank some beer, had a piece of vegan bacon (YUK!), checked out all the bands, and very nearly did the water slide....it was just a bit too chilly for me.

Next up is a bike ride on Wednesday, and crossing fingers, a Gogol Bordello concert on Thursday night (sold out but got some via Stubhub....I hope).

Happenings

2009-05-24T18:57:00.002-05:00

The problem with not blogging that often is that one's thoughts are all a jumble from the variety of the past several weeks. So let's start with a list.

Family - Dear spouse has become a non-competitive fitness junkie. Our new rowing machine is a big success. She either does 90 minutes of yoga, 30 to 60 minutes of treadmill running or 30 minutes on the rowing machine every day. She is looking pretty buff. Son is handling landlordhood just fine in Colorado. Daughter is with the National Park Service as an intern archivist in the Upper Penisula of Michigan. Crosstrain is content with all the above.

Work - Going well, got new responsibilities and apparently I am pretty competent. Going to travel some more again.

Running Injury - Nearly 2.5 years and counting. I do therapy every day and see the chiro a lot. Not getting worse. I'll take it.

Running - Am actually doing some at the behest of my chiro. I am running 3 to 4 miles every third day (eg two days off between runs). I raced the LP run and the Bayou Bash relay. Tomorrow I will run the Bolder Boulder 10k, but I will not be racing....pacing duties with my wife.

Cycling - Going great. Nearly back to top form, can sustain long distances at 20 mph average pace with the club peloton. Really thinking hard about doing a triathlon this summer.

Clubs - BARC has put together a great leadership team for the coming year. I only need to continue to do the eBARCer. The team is so strong that I actually expect to give HARRA a bit more of my time. I volunteered for the Space Race with the Space City Cycling Club, but am not involved in any leadership or ongoing volunteer activities currently.

Social - Spend too much time on Facebook. They say having friends is one of the healthiest things for you. I don't know, sometimes I long for the days when I was in my own little bubble and did not have to deal with you lot. Maybe my next reinvention will be Crosstrain the hermit. :P

Unsettled Weather

2009-04-26T18:29:00.003-05:00

The last few weeks in Houston has seen some of the most beautiful weather of the year as well as some of the most fearsome outside of a hurricane. Several inches of rain in an hour or two on two separate occassions hit Clear Lake. Cars stranded on medians. Hail, wind and lightening. Brilliant sunny days with low humidity.

And so it is in life. The good, the bad and the ugly.

The good for me has been continued good fortune at work, a brand new car, a great time at iFest Ireland, a daughter who got the internship she wanted for the summer, a real nice Thursday evening at two separate parties, a sweet 85 mile ride to Austin Texas for the MS150, an awesome group of friends, and more than 4 miles done at the LP run.

The bad for me has been the fact that my leg is still not ready for consistent running, my bike seat collar breaking while riding in Terry Hershey Park(although had it not broken I would not have done the LP run), and the complete loss of my running pace putting me back to square one if I ever do try to compete again.

The ugly was an LP run well below PR pace and as well as a slow 3.6 mile run this morning.

But the LP run was a run with a bib, first individual one since Memorial Day 2008. I will run the relay next weekend and then likely put the running shoes in the closet until further notice. To run again, I'll have to be able to train consistently since it will take several months to regain my running fitness. I do believe my lower leg is slowly getting stronger and more capable, but it may be quite a while yet.

Reading the above the good is much more than the bad and the ugly. One needs to remind oneself that as we can all too often focus just on the bad and the ugly.

iFest To Feature Ireland

2009-04-12T15:39:00.003-05:00

Last time Ireland was the feature at Houston's International Festival, we had a marvellous time. Some outstanding traditional Irish music talent performed including, if I recall corrrectly, Sharon Shannon, Danu, Kila and Solas. This year it does not seem that so many big names in Irish music are on tap. However, Beoga looks to be the headliner this year and I can't wait to see them. I've linked a video of their BBC performance.

As for my run today, I ran 3.65 miles with Lee Anne at a 9 min pace, followed by a real easy 10 mile bike ride. I am not happy about the run pace since my heart rate was pretty high. However, my legs felt like bricks, primarily from yesterday's killer workout on the bike. Now I will have to noodle on whether to do the LP run. I won't go unless I think I can run more than 4 miles in 33:20 and I won't aggravate my leg. Both are uncertain in my mind today. It will be a last minute decision since I have a little 180 mile bike ride to complete next weekend.

Jager Bolsters the Spirit

2009-04-11T20:28:00.003-05:00

This evening I had the good fortune to spend some time with good friends. A few beers and greek food in Kemah. Followed by a Jager to steady the nerves. Today I had a challenging 76 mile, 19mph, 144 avg HR bike ride. Several of the club members were going 100 miles, but I had to cut it short as I was toast.

But I have indeed achieved a reasonable level of cycling prowess....they did not drop me on the Fred Hartman Bridge nor the Kemah Bridge. And last week I came in second in the final sprint. Today I did not have it.

It is with trepidation I will retire tonight as tomorrow morning, Easter, I shall attempt my first run of 2009. Alas my leg is still tight and sore, so I expect little other than the recognition that I am alive, my heart is strong, my will is undiminished and I shall never surrender. At least as long as there is St Arnolds and Jager nearby.

Big Mouth Strikes Again

2009-04-09T18:14:00.002-05:00

Yes I am back. Morrissey from the Smiths fame in town. Maybe I can twist Gerlinde's arm to go see him at Jones Hall tomorrow night:}

Hmm, I wonder if they will play my Smiths LP at the LP run if I bring it along.

I Remembered My Password!!!

2009-04-08T19:47:00.002-05:00

Bless me bloggers, for I have sinned. It has been almost two months since my last posting.

Some of you realize that I joined Facebook a few months ago. Since there are only 24 hours in a day, my blogging time was pretty well shifted to Facebook. But I will endeavour to balance my FB and Blogger time.

So where are we.

My collar bone is fine and my cycling fitness is back totally. I'm ready to go for the MS150. However, I have no intention of soliciting funds from friends this year. I've got my pledge covered. Feel free to help someone else out or put the money you would have pledged for me in your kid's college fund.

I've done no running this year and only one swim. We are continuing physical therapy on my lower leg and there has been a little progress, but not enough.

I've gained no weight during the layoff and reentry.

Hope you are all well fellow bloggers.

Happy National Engineers Week

2009-02-17T20:18:00.004-06:00

Being engineer week, it is time for some numbers. I span my wheels for 45 minutes on the bike trainer, 90 rpm, 133 average heart rate.

Chemical engineers do it in fluidized beds.

Our Yearly Video

2009-02-14T18:55:00.001-06:00

Great job by Veronica putting together the BARC 2008 in Review video

6 Weeks Off And Now It Is Time

2009-02-14T12:20:00.002-06:00

The bike has been checked by the bike mechanic.

The bike has been cleaned and lubricated.

The bike has been installed on a bike trainer indoors.

Tomorrow, six weeks after my crash, I shall ride it indoors.

Can't say six weeks of no running, swimming or cycling has helped my leg, but it hasn't hurt it.

Time to get that cardio engine revved up again. I am ready to train.

I hve gained NO weight during my lay off.

All This Time

2009-02-13T20:03:00.001-06:00

Now if I was a night owl, I would go to the Last Concert Cafe tomorrow night to hear the Heartless Bastards. I like them.

Got Age?

2009-02-12T18:36:00.002-06:00

I read something today that was like fog lifting, an "aha" moment. Young is out and old is in. So says New York Times columnist Gail Collins in this article.

The case is made as follows:

- The pilot and 3 flight attendents of the US Airways flight that landed like a feather in the Hudson are 58, 51, 57, and 58.
- Bruce rocked the house at 59.
- Stump became the oldest dog to win the Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club this week. He was 10, which makes him 70 in human age.
- Robert Plant (60) scooped up 5 Grammy's

Not to mention that locally, 59 year old Sabra Harvey won the Master's division at Buffalo Wallow.

Yep, we're good.

Don't trust anyone under 50.

Movie Trivia Results

2009-02-04T19:35:00.004-06:00

Central Texas is in the midst of a bad drought and so has my blogging. First of all, congratulations to those clever folks who did so well at the movie quote trivia. You got them all but (6) and I'll bet Steeeve knew that one. The answers are:

1) Knute Rockne All American
2) Lord of the Rings
3) The Godfather
4) Braveheart
5) Goldfinger
6) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
7) Forrest Gump
8) Pulp Fiction
9) The Graduate
10) Animal House
11) Love Story
12) Rocky Horror Picture Show
13) Fargo
14) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
15) Casablanca

My collar bone is healing fine. I've gained no weight but my fitness must be slipping daily. But this is easily rebuilt, health permitting :)

Tagged for Movie Trivia

2009-01-25T16:11:00.004-06:00

OK, Gaslight asked for it. I'll try to make it reasonable.

Movie meme, taken from the Briantolgist

Pick 15 of your favorite movies.
Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
Post them here for everyone to guess.
NO GOOGLING/using IMDb search or other search functions.

Feel free to answer in the comments, all both of you.

1. "Rock," he said, "sometime when the team is up against it and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper.

2. In the place of a Dark Lord you would have a Queen! Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the Morn! Treacherous as the Seas! Stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me and despair!

3. Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

4. Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!

5. You're a woman of many parts, Pussy!

6. You see in this world there's two kinds of people my friend - those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig.

7. I had run for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours. I'm pretty tired... I think I'll go home now.

8. Well, if you like burgers give 'em a try sometime. I can't usually get 'em myself because my girlfriend's a vegitarian which pretty much makes me a vegitarian. But I do love the taste of a good burger. Mm-mm-mm.

9. For god's sake, Mrs. Robinson. Here we are. You got me into your house. You give me a drink. You... put on music. Now you start opening up your personal life to me and tell me your husband won't be home for hours.

10. How interesting. I have a husband named Dean Wormer at Faber. Still want to show me your cucumber?

11. Love means never having to say you're sorry

12. It's just a jump to the left. And then a step to the right! With your hands on your hips. You bring your knees in tight! But it's the pelvic thrust / That really drives you insane / Let's do the time warp again!

13. So that was Mrs. Lundegaard on the floor in there. And I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper. And those three people in Brainerd. And for what? For a little bit of money. There's more to life than a little money, you know. Don'tcha know that? And here ya are, and it's a beautiful day. Well. I just don't understand it.

14. Kid, there's something I ought to tell you. I never shot anybody before.

15. Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.

I am not so cruel as to tag anyone.

Sunday Reflection

2009-01-25T08:42:00.002-06:00

It seems to me someone is trying to tell me something. Suggesting to me maybe I should use my energies a bit more for others and a bit less for myself.

Signs pop up here and there. This week all I have doing is stumbling across death by cycling articles. These include two from a few years back in Houston, an ND grad in his 50's in NW Houston and an exceptional female runner in North Houston. Disturbing. While I do like cycling a lot, running would be better and safer. But it appears well out of reach for the moment. It has been three weeks since my bike crash. My collar bone is progressing well. I have had no cardio workouts. I have gained no weight and indeed have lost a couple of pounds in my self-discipline. I had hoped that complete rest for the first time ever would help with my Achilles issue. No progress. We are going to get an MRI with contrast now. Usually one would want a negative result. Not me, I am hoping we find something that requires surgery. Either way, running looks several months away.

But so what. This is a little problem in the big scheme of things. I almost hate to pick up the paper these days as it is filled with doom and gloom. Job losses. Never ending conflicts. Even 20 year old Brazilian models dying from drug resistant bacteria. One thing that must be selling very well at the moment is medicine for depression. Spec's must be having record sales. I think one reason the US Airways pilot has been acclaimed so loudly is because people are looking for heroism and success in the face of seemingly intractable situations.

So while I convalesce and strengthen for the challenges ahead, I will give great reflection to two passages from the President's inaugaration address.

What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.

and

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those that prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

Yes We Can - Good Luck Mr President

2009-01-21T20:53:00.001-06:00

Curious Anole

2009-01-20T20:06:00.005-06:00

Photo courtesy of cwulmer

Well Gaslight, I think I'd rather be a fleeting nymph than a green cold blooded lizard. But thank you for suggesting I should be your neighbor, since it is well known that a stable population of anoles has established itself in a Heights nursery (Source: Polychoridae - Wikipedia) On the positive side, breeding season for anoles lasts for several months.

But you are correct, nymph is a poor simile since nymphs are minor female deities. Perhaps I should have used the roaming satyr, who love their wine and pursue the nymphs with frivolous abandon.

Gold and blue, not green, are indeed the official colors of the University of Notre Dame. The colors predate the moniker "Fighting Irish" and the gold is now well linked to the Golden Dome, while the blue is linked to the sky above or to the Madonna whom the University is named after. Nevertheless, green has been used often as a color since the days of Knute Rockne. And if any of this is incorrect, H-Town Runner can correct my error for you.

Battling Blogger Marathoners Looking Good

2009-01-18T15:52:00.004-06:00

Perplexing Things

2009-01-17T10:42:00.002-06:00

Some things seem so odd and variable that they defy my understanding even when I do my detached rationality thing (one of the various personalities/states of being of Crosstrain the Chameleon).

Things like why the marathon is the most exasperating thing. I have read how several friends have been struck with illness or injury over the past few weeks. I have my selection of a dozen bibs to run in as an alter ego. Others float through marathon after marathon, always healthy, never bonking. Perplexing. Is it worse to have been injured and not register or train at all, injured in the last few weeks leading up to the marathon, or injured in the marathon itself. The answer is all of the above, they all suck big time.

Things like Facebook. Which I have started using lately. I don't know about Facebook. I guess since I started using it, I must have ADHD. Yes fellow Facebookers, you must have ADHD. I plan to go for a little pharmaceulogical treatment of Avery IPA this afternoon after the EXPO. Blogging is a calmer, more thoughtful activity than Facebook. I am immersed in my own world on my blog, safe from the chaotic live stream of friends. I can dig deeper in my blog, standing on the mount and proclaiming with some lucidity the solutions to all the worlds problems. On Facebook I am a flash, a sound bite, a fleeting nymph, a hummingbird sucking nectar from one flower and heading to another over and over again never stopping to linger.

Things like medical science and our bodies. Medicine seems so primative in its ability to solve problems to this chemical engineer. Why can it not evaluate a simple thing like a tendon and determine how to make it work properly. That is just ridiculous. And don't get me started on our understanding of how the brain works and neurological problems. For some afflications, the doctors might as well be using leeches and bleeding the the bad ether out of us. The science is weak. We have such a long way to go.

I could not handle all the uncertainty of medicine and chose better as an engineer. I don't mind problems, I do mind problems that are apparently hopeless.

Enough for a Saturday morning that I should be biking. But that day will come soon. Tendons may not heal right but bones do. I like bones. They usually are problem solvers. I hate tendons. They are unpredictable. Like a marathon for most of us.

I had a piece of steak last night. Second piece of meat since TIR 2008.

Elites

2009-01-13T19:43:00.002-06:00

Fooled ya this is not about fast runners. It is about those certain foreign follks that our outgoing President feels don't quite get it and don't appreciate his foreign policy.

He is thinking about a guy like Ivan Illich, the deceased Austrian philospher who once said,

"The compulsion to do good is an innate American trait. Only North Americans seem to believe that they always should, may, and actually can choose somebody with whom to share their blessings. Ultimately this attitude leads to bombing people into the acceptance of gifts."

I Like Morphine

2009-01-13T19:19:00.003-06:00

The band, not the drug. They did give me hydrocodone pain pills for my shoulder, but I only took one at bedtime for a couple of days.

Doc says my fracture is progressing as expected. I will see him again in 3 weeks.

Most collar bone breaks are in the middle part of the bone. Those heal almost always on their own with no problems. Mine is less common as it is way out at the end by the shoulder joint. This can be problematic. There are a few fragments. This can be problematic. Fortunately, they all seem to be relatively good sized fragments all in the right place. They look to fuse all back together again and I shall have no residual effects other than an asymetrical set of shoulders.

Oh horror of horrors, I may look funny in a running singlet. My life is ruined!

Wait. I already look funny in a singlet. Phew.

No Retreat Baby, No Surrender

2009-01-12T01:00:00.001-06:00

Super Bowl. The Boss. Oh Yeah.

Confession

2009-01-11T17:08:00.004-06:00

Crosstrain 1984

We spent the weekend watching football and spring cleaning. I threw out a lot of high school stuff but kept all my love letters to my wife. It would be dumber than a bike crash to toss them.

My confession is that I did run before a little. Not with a watch, and not in any race. Here is a picture of a large picture of me running in 1984 in the New Forest in Hampshire England. We used to run 3 to 7 miles every day at lunch. The folks I ran with were marathoners. When I came to Houston later that year, I tried it out, but it was summer and I quit for 21 years. My loss.

Don't Exercise, Lose Weight

2009-01-11T10:12:00.007-06:00

I weighed a record low 191 this morning. Go figure. I have done zero exercise for a week. I slept a lot, had no alcohol, no meat of course, and was very frugal with my food intake. I lose 4 pounds in a week. My wife says healing takes energy. Maybe. My muscle mass is deteriorating.....probably not so much yet. It is just the result of starvation.......not really, I'm just disciplined about food.

I haven't seen my running buddies in ages and it seriously bums me out. If I could drive, I would have went to the club run this morning at Cathy's house just to socialize. I'll get glimpses of them at the marathon, but it is such a zoo. Everyone goes their own way. I learned that two years ago when I got out of the medical area, looked for friends, but they had moved on. A metaphor for life, we are alone.

OK, I am going to say it. I do not like the Houston Marathon. I do not like the course. I do not like the weather. I do not like the size of the event. I do not like the George R Brown Convention Center. I do not like running (or perhaps I should just say in my case cramping) into downtown after 24 miles. In the unlikely event that I ever run (that is race as oppose to jog, walk or walk/run which I may do sometime for social reasons) another marathon again it won't be in Houston, it will be somewhere cold and especially dry (humidity free).

If you like the Houston Marathon, I am happy for you. Hope you have a great one on Sunday. I will be there cheering for you. I will even be working at the EXPO at the HARRA booth on Saturday from 2 pm until 3:30 pm (edit: change that to 3 pm to 4:30 pm and then out for some fine ale and dinner).

Next Beer Stop

2009-01-10T12:17:00.005-06:00

The Flying Saucer on Main Street downtown. Great beer list includinr my favorites fro Boulder's Avery Brewing.....mmmmm cask conditioned IPA

DRAFT:

AVERY CZAR
REAL ALE SHADE GROWN COFFEE PORTER
SOUTHERN STAR BOMBSHELL BLONDE
AVERY CASK CONDITIONED IPA
OSKAR BLUES TEN FIDY
NORTH COAST OLD RASPUTIN
NORTH COAST LE MERLE (saison style ale)
SAINT ARNOLD WINTER STOUT
SAM ADAMS WINTER
SIERRA NEVADA CELEBRATION
ST. BERNARDUS CHRISTMAS
NEW BELGIUM GIDDY UP
GREEN FLASH WEST COAST IPA
LAGUNITAS BROWN SHUGGA
ROGUE DOUBLE DEAD GUY
SOUTHERN STAR BURIED HATCHET IMPERIAL STOUT
BARBAR WINTER BOK
LIVE OAK PRIMUS WEIZENBOCK

BOTTLE:

WYCHWOOD SCARECROW
WYCHWOOD BAH HUMBUG
AVERY MEPHISTOPHELES
PYRAMID SNOWCAP
AVERY ALE TO THE CHIEF (double pale ale)
DOGFISH RAISON D'EXTRA
AVERY OLD JUBILATION
SAM SMITH WINTER WELCOME
SAM ADAMS CHOCOLATE BOCK
OMMEGANG CHOCOLATE INDULGANCE
WOODCHUCK OAK AGED CIDER
SCALDIS NOEL
SCALDIS PRESTIGE
VICTORY HOP WALLOP
DEUS (BIERE DE CHAMPAGNE)

AND COMING SOON...

NORTH COAST OLD STOCK - draft
DEVILS BACKBONE - draft

Just Push Me Til I Have To Fly

2009-01-10T09:17:00.003-06:00

I'm wide awake and so alive
Ringing like a bell
Tell me this is paradise
And not someplace I fell'
Cause I keep on fallin' down
I wanna feel the car crash
I wanna feel the capsize
I wanna feel the bomb drop,
the earth stop
'Til I'm satisfied
I wanna feel the car crash
'Cause I'm dyin' on the inside
I wanna let go and know
That I'll be alright, alright
Just push me 'til I have to fly
I've shed my skin, my scars
Take me deep out past the lights
Where nothing dims these stars
Nothing dims these stars
I wanna feel the car crash
I wanna feel the capsize
I wanna feel the bomb drop,
the earth stop
'Til I'm satisfied
I wanna feel the car crash
'Cause I'm dyin' on the inside
I wanna let go and know
That I'll be alright, alright
So right
It's all wrong
I'm wide awake and so alive
I wanna feel the car crash
I wanna feel the capsize
I wanna feel the bomb drop,
the earth stop
'Til I'm satisfied
I wanna feel the car crash
'Cause I'm dyin' on the inside
I wanna let go and know
That I'll be alright, alright

Holiday Clearance on Bruises

2009-01-10T08:46:00.003-06:00

Get them real cheap while they last.

The worst thing of all is having to explain my sling to everyone I run into at the office. I shall soon start making up causes like my wife found out about my other wife and beat me up or I made a New Years resolution only to use one arm or I tripped over a javelina in Big Bend or I got repetitive motion trauma from drinking too much tequila over the holidays or I tried to be Santa for the neighborhood but fell off the roof.

At one meeting in the office we were discussing that at some point one has to give "it" up (hint to Joe, how about golf). It being youthful athleticism (golf does not count as it is as athletic as playing the banjo). Well I did give "it" up in my 20's only to get it back at 50. I think I'll keep it for a while. Damn tempted to go for a one armed bike ride this morning. But I'll be patient.

Are You the Bat or Are You the Ball?

2009-01-09T17:09:00.003-06:00

I am the ball. But I shall be patient as my wise running mentor Jeff recommends. Then I shall be the bat.

As a bat, I will not suffer for fuel. My wife was a bat today and went to REI's clearance sale. She brought home 96 holiday edition Clif Bars for 3 cents each. Yes, 3 cents a bar for spiced pumpkin, holiday gingerbread and pear strudel Clif bars. She could only grab 6 mint chocolate Gu's, but they were 30 cents each.

So I look forward to chowing down as soon as I am burning calories again. In the meantime, I am cutting the caloric intake, so far so good as no weight gain this week.

What do people who don't exercise do with all this free time? I can not imagine. I think we will do spring cleaning this weekend and go car shopping. Movie maybe?

Life in the Medical Tent

2009-01-08T19:03:00.002-06:00

Are we there yet?

I am going to get bored.

I am going to get fat.

I hate couches.

I hate slings unless they are the Singapore ones.

I am not a patient patient.

The clock is ticking.

One Armed Blog

2009-01-05T19:05:00.002-06:00

Not so easy to hunt and peck, so I will be concise and less prolific. Thanks for all your well wishes, I will be fine. Doc says my collar bone will heal naturally and fully without surgical intervention as long as it stabilizes and heals as expected. Old guys heal slowly however, maybe 12 weeks fully. S0 I finally have a good excuse to sit on the couch for several weeks.

Tiggs, riding home several miles may be hardcore but it is also very dumb. I was always good at book learning, but short on common sense.

Sidelined

2009-01-04T15:09:00.003-06:00

Well I was contemplating some time off. I fell on my bike in the turn onto Todville Rd from Kemah Bridge. Rode home, went to ER, and learned I have a broken collarbone and shoulder separation.

Totally my fault. Bad judgement and bad cycling by me as I was trying to catch up to the fast people who dropped me on the Kemah Bridge. I did catch them at the turn but the price was high.

Mint Chocolate Gu Is Yummy

2009-01-03T11:15:00.003-06:00

One of my Christmas presents was a box of the special holiday edition mint chocolate Gu. It has the Crosstrain seal of approval. Just remember to hydrate while consuming since one does not live on Gu alone.

Off The Grid

2009-01-02T09:19:00.009-06:00

At the insistance of our family Energizer Bunny, we took a camping trip to Big Bend. Energizer Bunny, aka daughter, happens to work part time in an REI while going to graduate school. So she knows her outfitter stuff. The rest of us are just clueless hotel dwellers.

She didn't tell us it would be 24 degrees at the no generators allowed, no showers, no heated anything Cottonwood campsite. At least they had the cleanest bathrooms you can ever imagine in a campgrounds. They are brand new since the campgrounds flooded badly when the Rio Grande flooded earlier this year from a tropical storm. So we learned some survival skills as the gear she brought makes one great cup of coffee. We will be better off in the next hurricane power outage.

Last time the four of us were in Big Bend was 23 years ago. The two "little" ones in the picture were 2 and 4 at the time. Just like last time, we hiked up the Lost Mine Trail. Only this time I did not have to carry a 2 year old boy up the whole way. Energizer bunny was 4 and she hiked it without the assistance of an REI trekking pole that she now carries. I did wear my Garmin so I have the following statistics from this hike:

Elevation min 5733' max 6915'
Distance 4.8 miles
Heart rate 94 avg 130 max
Time 123 minutes up 58 minutes down

Son and daughter in Big Bend

Why did the javelina cross the road

Doing what one does on the Terlingua Porch

Along the Lost Mine Trail

That's A Cool Feeling

2008-12-26T12:14:00.002-06:00

Riding in a 50 mile group ride the day after Christmas down to San Leon. The man next to you in the peloton is half your age. He's a nice guy. But, he has racing pants, a custom bike with his name painted on it, and is wearing a cycling cap under his helmet that says "Ohio State".

At the 30 mile point you drop him.

Would be sweeter if he cared, but since he is a nice guy, he doesn't mind. Still good for the old guy ego.

Happy Christmas

2008-12-25T17:57:00.003-06:00

Today is my third anniversary as a blogger. I wondered whether it was time to hang up my keyboard as I am not sure I blog anything new. Repeating oneself gets boring. But since Christmas has been good to me this year, I guess I'll hang in there for a little while more.

Christmas Eve was a treat, a 50 mile club ride in the morning and a thrashing of our opponent in the evening. ND's performance in the bowl game against an overmatched Hawaii team is the way things are supposed to be.

I have been a bit of a malcontent lately for a variety of silly reasons but, like the Irish, may have turned the corner. Expectations run high and laddies get a bit uptight. Play loose and good things happen.

Tomorrow morning I will do my last ride of 2008. In the afternoon my wife, daughter, son and I will head west in the direction of Big Bend. When we get there we will camp and we will hike. Daughter and son will do some back country backpacking while mom and dad will stick with base camp and day hikes. We'll come back next year some time, assuming the wild animals don't take us for breakfast.

Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues for Living

2008-12-21T09:42:00.002-06:00

TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

5000 Calories

2008-12-20T16:31:00.002-06:00

That's how much my Garmin said I burned on my 70 mile bike ride today. Still recovering from Thursday so I went out with the 18mph group today rather than the 21mph group. The ride was 2 mph slower than last Saturday's PR on approximately the same route. I did win the group sprint up Egret Bay bridge. I also had two flat tires and fell due to the first one. It was a fall while stopping as the road was wet. No damage done, I seem to know how to fall. It was my first and only fall in 2008. I've now fallen twice biking and twice running in my soon to be four year athletic career. One fall a year is too many. One fall a decade is better but no falls ever is the expected target.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2008-12-19T17:34:00.003-06:00

After making it to work two hours later than usual, I faded quickly and took a half day vacation. Too much rock band, hockey and brew last night resulted in a rather quesy Crosstrain today.

Cross Train the Cyclist

2008-12-14T12:44:00.003-06:00

Since I am now really a cyclist and not a runner, today qualifies as a cross training day for me. I decided not to double up with a ride after my speed PR on a long distance ride yesterday. I ran 4 miles at the Seabrook trails. It certainly feels like my running fitness is not there. But of course, one needs to run more than once a week for that. Dr Alice hammered my leg twice this week and it has been sore, but I did run anyways today. It's still sore of course.

The good news is that my Garmin connect works now, so I can look at all the stats. The first two miles was run with BARC member Shawn Bell at 8:58 pace with a 138 avg HR. I turned back and ran the next two miles on my own at 9:48 pace with a 139 avg HR. So it was a nice little workout. I am disappointed in my stamina, but I am sure I am still feeling some effects from yesterday's 3 hour plus effort at high heart rate for a lot of it.

I did miss the 30k today, no volunteering, running or cheering :(

But the ladies of BARC don't need my encouragement as the BARC open women rocked....initial reporst are that Andreia Spencer, Lisa Fletcher and Veronica Hoge all placed and I believe all had PRs. Given the less than ideal weather, they did fantastic and are well placed for the possibility of marathon PRs all around.

Stick With Running Folks

2008-12-13T11:41:00.002-06:00

You did not set any PR's at trivia.

The men's marathon has been broken most often at the now departed Polytechnic Marathon, where it was broken 9 times between 1909 and 1965. The Polytechnic Marathon was held in London, with the start line at the Windsor Castle. It was the first marathon to regularly run 26 miles and 385 yards.

I can understand picking Berlin, which has seen the record broken four times. The last three times the record was broken happened in Berlin in 2003, 2007, and 2008.

Only one time has Boston been the scene of the men's world record, in 1947 when the Korean Sun Yuh-Bok ran a 2:25:39. The course must be as tough as its reputation.

Fukuoka was the setting for two record breaking runs by Australians in 1967 and 1981. The 1967 record was the first run below 2:10.

My disclaimer is that the source for the above is Wikidpedia's entry on marathon worlds best progression, which I presume is an unofficial although likely reliable source in this instance.

As for Crosstrain, maybe he should stick with cycling. All of a sudden I have gotten stronger. Set a PR pace for a long ride this morning, completing 66 miles with the club at 20.6 mph and a 140HR. I hit 35.7mph on a flat part (wind assisted), which is also a PR not on a bridge. Glanced at my HR at the time and it hit 182, so I maxed out.

Waded in the freezing outdoor pool afterwards and think I'll just do a little recovery ride tomorrow.

Hell Freezes Over

2008-12-11T05:49:00.006-06:00

Our backyard 12-10-09

Not that the Clear Lake area is hell, although I recall Gaslight expressing some purgatorial thought about our haven of master planned suburbia with meaningless hobbittown road names like Hazy Pines and Raven River. She has a point, it is only a matter of time before we are released from suburbia for either the cramped anarchy of an inner town or the open anarchy of mountain space.

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,

And since we've no place to go,

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping,
And I've bought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight,
All the way home I'll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we're still good-bying,
But as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Trivia Genius of the Moment

2008-12-10T05:37:00.003-06:00

Wooo Hooo, I outsmarted 77 other players in the "Back Room Daily Trivia Challenge" on FunTrivia.com yesterday to win daily honors. The subject was geography and I was the only player out of 78 to successfully answer all 10. This moves me up to 4th place for the month of December out of 102 players.

Today's quiz is Science & Technology. I only got 8 correct, so my genius was fleeting. I was unable to answer

1)"Who suggested the theory of "The multi-store model of memory"? (Atkinson and Shiffrin)
2) "RNA is made from DNA through transcription so the genetic code can be taken out of the nucleus to make proteins. Codons are the result of translation of RNA at the ribosomes. Of the four bases of DNA, which is not represented in RNA?" (Thymine)

But I did get some other tough ones (multiple guess quizzes are sooo cool)

1) On May 22, 1960 the most powerful quake of the 20th century was felt in the South American country of Chile. What was the magnitude of the quake? (9.5)
2) Name a type of cell found in the stomach. (Parietal)

OK, here is one for you to answer

At what marathon has the men's world record been set more often than at any other marathon?

a) Berlin
b) Polytechnic
c) Fukuoka
d) Boston

No googling, the answer on Saturday. The first person to get it correct is the winner. No age group awards.

Somebody Spoke and I Went Into a Dream

2008-12-08T20:08:00.002-06:00

4045 miles

2008-12-07T14:49:00.003-06:00

Went over the 4000 mile mark today in cycling road miles this year. The best thing is that I did not fall once in that period.

Today I did another 3 mile run - bike double. Not sure of the wisdom of this, but I like it. There were several BARC runners at the club run this morning. Andreia Spencer (Reindeer Run 1st overall female), Dennis Malloy and Shawn Bell were the faster group. Before they sped off, I talked with Shawn some, he was kind enough to compliment me on my eBARCer editor duties. Nancy Woods, who is preparing for the Goofy challenge, was running at the back alone, so I dropped back and ran with her for 1.3 miles. I sped up to catch up with Joseph Essoh and Lee Anne Vorhees prior to turning back for Meador Park. Unfortunately Chris Robbins was there so I ran his lightening pace for a little while prior to letting him speed off. Probably should just stick with the easy pace runners at this.

In the end I got my 3 miles in 29 minutes, let's call it a fartlek. I'd have better statistics but I just can not get Garmin Connect to read the data from the Garmin USB stick with the upload. I am quite disappointed with this.

Off to the club ride. A good group was riding and I stuck with the lead group, including Stephen Milford and Roger Wacker, all the way till they dropped me and Pierre on Todville Road. Pierre and I did the rest of the ride together, over the Kemah Bridge, down to San Leon (hadn't been there since the hurricane), over to the Dog Track and back up the I-45 feeder. 56 miles in all in 18.8mph and a 130 avg heart rate.

So that's a big day, 3 mile run and 56 mile ride. Forgot to add a swim.

Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut Part 2

2008-12-06T15:08:00.005-06:00

Today I had "it" on my ride. Maybe it was the nice weather. Maybe it was the pent up energy from watching my friends run the Reindeer Run this morning. Maybe it was the curmudgeon in me after noticing that the fast people in my age group, who always show up at the races I run, did not show up this morning. My slowest 5k of the year would have been in the hardware.

So I rode 39 miles all by my lonesome at 19.5mph with a 144HR. Well almost by my lonesome, I rode a few miles side by side with Roger Wacker, an outstanding triathlete from our area. That's a PR for a training ride on my own without any drafting. And I wasn't really pushing it, it qualifies as a tempo ride, but normally my hard tempo rides or runs will have a 150 to 155 average HR.

It will be interesting to see how it goes tomorrow when I try to do the back to back 3 mile run followed by the club ride of 40 to 60 miles. And tomorrow I will set a milestone by passing 4000 road miles cycling this year.

I am itching for some fun, maybe try to talk my wife into heading into town for a little Rice Village Thai restaurant and pub night.

Sarah doing her Donner and Blitzen routine

Fish Lessons

2008-12-05T18:17:00.006-06:00

Thursday's Masters swimming had me doing a 200 yard breastroke all out. I learned I am doing it all wrong for a swim meet. I did not come up for a breath every stroke, I did not touch with both hands at the end, and I started my kick early underwater after the turn slowing me down.

We also did butterly drills, dolphin kick drills, and backstroke drills. I swam (if you can call it that) a butterfly for 50 yds for the first time in my life. I actually had a semblence of a dolphin kick in the drill, never did dolphin kicks before.

This is going to take a while before I am ready for the individual medley in a swim meet. Hopefully I will get the hang of it all before I become sushi.

Dr Alice worked on me today and will do so twice more tomorrow. She has an aggressive plan laid out. I like aggressive plans.

Big decisions this weekend. Bike with cycling club tomorrow at 7:30 am or volunteer at the Reindeer Run and bike later? Weather is favoring the latter. Run 3 miles on Sunday morning with the running club at 6:30 am prior to biking with with the cycling club or not? Dr Alice's hammering of leg is favoring skipping the run. Decisions at dawn. Then finally need to decide whether or not to go to the cycling club holiday gathering on Sunday at 4 pm. Unlike the running club people, I don't know the cycling club people very well at all. Probably a good reason to go. One can't have too many clubs and club friends. I am a member of four running clubs, two cycling clubs, one athletic club and no swimming clubs.

Had "Glogg" for the first time yesterday. I've had "Gluhwein" in Germany and here many times. That is like drinking spiced wine with twigs. "Glogg" is like drinking spiced wine with dead white bugs in it. Yum.

OK, I am not being fair, they are both marvellous for a winter's night, bugs or twigs or whatever.

Maybe I Did Choose the Right Orthopedic Surgeon

2008-12-02T22:56:00.002-06:00

The ortho who looked at the MRI of my achilles in January is Dr Tom Clanton. He is a foot and ankle specialist, which is why I went to him. Since that time, he operated on Yao Ming's foot. Now ESPN reports at this link that he will operate on the achilles of Liu Xiang, the former world record holder and Olympic champion in the 110 meter hurdles. Liu seems to have a bone spur problem between his ankle and his achilles. You may recall that Liu could not compete in this year's Olympics due to his injury. This was a great disappointment to the Chinese since he is one of their biggest stars.

I was thinking of going back to him in the New Year if my current treatment doesn't work out.

Who Needs College Football Part 3

2008-12-02T22:48:00.002-06:00

Hockey anyone?

USA TODAY/American Hockey Magazine (Dec. 1)

School Record Pts Last Week
1. Notre Dame (33) 10-3-2 508 2
2. Minnesota (1) 7-2-5 447 1
3. Boston College 9-4-1 420 6
4. Miami 8-3-3 380 4
5. Boston University 9-4-0 342 8
6. Colorado College 9-4-3 318 3
7. Denver 9-5-1 306 10
8. Northeastern 10-3-2 298 4
9. Princeton 9-2-0 253 7
10. Air Force 13-1-0 209 11
11. Minnesota State 8-3-3 188 9
12. Vermont 9-3-2 181 13
13. Cornell 5-1-2 105 12
14. Michigan 9-7-0 72 15
15. New Hampshire 5-6-3 16 NR

Receiving votes: Massachusetts-Lowell, 10, Alaska-Anchorage, 9;Dartmouth, 6; Nebraska-Omaha, 6; St. Cloud State, 4; Alaska, 1;Wisconsin, 1.

One Mile Swim

2008-12-02T22:21:00.003-06:00

Tonight I swam a mile continuously for the very first time in my life. I was the slowest to do so at Masters swimming in 41 minutes. But I was not really fatigued at the end and could probably have continued at that pace easily for another mile. So I guess I need to swim faster next time.

It was a swim meet mile, which is 66 lengths of a 25 yard pool or 1650 yards. Don't ask me why that is a mile in swimming. It's not a nautical mile. Swimming is just strange.

Coach says I have to work on breathing every third stroke so I breath on both sides and I have to work on less strokes per length of the pool (less than 20). Sounds like a plan.

Grrrr

2008-12-01T18:50:00.004-06:00

As I mature and age like a fine wine, with a little sediment here or there, but still to reach perfection, I find myself becoming less patient, less willing to be inconvenienced unless it is my own choice or fault. Let's take shopping. I do as little as possible. I shop for clothes at one place, Macy's in Boulder, CO. It is five minutes away from where I stay. It is never crowded. The same people work there all the time. It is convenient.

Other than that I don't shop unless forced to. Sometimes I am forced to go to a grocery store. Like when my wife, who does not have this aversion of grocery stores, is out of town. Now going to a fancy store like Whole Foods Market or Central Market I can stomach. But your basic grocery store is someplace I will spend as little time in as possible.

So today was one of those days I had to stop as I wanted to make myself some spaghetti and needed some pasta. I get my stuff and go to the express line for 15 items or less. The guy in front of me promptly tries my patience in not one, not two, but three ways.

1) He has at least 30 items. Hey, I've been known to go over the limit, but not double the guide. OK, like Hyman Roth in Godfather II, I let it go.
2) He pays by check and hence it took extra time for the clerk to figure that out. He had to check id, call his manager over and so on. Who pays by check anyways when you can get cash or stuff back with a free credit card? Just pay it on time. OK, second strike, I let it go.
3) He picks up his stuff and goes. He leaves his empty large shopping cart in the middle of the checkout aisle right in front of me. So I play Randall's employee and push it the six feet it took to get it out of everyone's way. In spite of my check-out rage, I let it go. Maybe his wife left him today, or he is terminally ill.......but somehow I just think he is one of those mindless, inconsiderate types.

Things would be more convenient for me if there was no one else around, that way no one would bug me.

Hmm, somehow that won't work, I hate to be alone.

OK, we will keep people in the universe who are pre-approved by me. Don't worry, if you are reading this, you are automatically pre-approved and do not have to relocate to an alternative universe.

Double Up

2008-11-30T11:15:00.002-06:00

Went to both the BARC group run (6:30 am) and SCCC group ride (7:30 am) this morning. The cool weather was better for running, but both activities turned out OK. The damage:

Run: 3 miles @8:50 average pace, 148 avg HR, felt fine
Ride: 38 miles @18.8mph, felt good except for into the wind on I-45 feeder

Disappointed that my heart rate in the run was over 145, but I guess with the paucity of running I do, it should not be surprising, still the effort did not feel a problem, probably fit enough to do a 23minute 5k right now. But still not ready for prime time as the leg is a bit irritated, so I will not run the Reindeer Run, nor likely attend it as I would ride next Saturday. I will see Dr Alice for some torture on Tuesday and maybe will do the double run/bike again next Sunday.

What Sport is Your Kid Suited For?

2008-11-29T12:32:00.004-06:00

An excerpt from a New York Times article today (found at this link)

"In health-conscious, sports-oriented Boulder, Atlas Sports Genetics is playing into the obsessions of parents by offering a $149 test that aims to predict a child’s natural athletic strengths. The process is simple. Swab inside the child’s cheek and along the gums to collect the DNA and return it to a lab for analysis of ACTN3, one gene among more than 20,000 in the human genome.

The test’s goal is to determine whether a person would be best at speed and power sports like sprinting or football, or endurance sports like distance running, or a combination of the two. A 2003 study discovered the link between ACTN3 and those athletic abilities."

Hmm, maybe I can charge $100 to watch your kid do a variety of things like, run, kick, throw, hit a ball, jump, and so on. Cmon people, it doesn't take much to figure out a kid's natural athletic ability. I know, I had none.....the result would have been 'nerd'.......it would be $149 down the drain.

Heck, when I struck out in tee ball, I knew I was not going to be Derek Jeter (actually, those days I aspired to be Rocky Colavito, but it was not to be and the embarrassment of striking out at T-ball clearly has damaged me for life such that I deserve some sort of recompense from the government, the Fairview Park Little League, Major League Baseball, the manufacturers of the bat, the ball and the tee, and the umpire who should have given me another swing....sue them all). And when I couldn't do chin ups I knew I was not going to be a weight lifter.

The nice thing about endurance sports is one can make up somewhat in talent through obstinacy, persnickitiness, longevity, and good eating habit. If that superb genetic athlete of my youth has failed to eat well or maintain fitness, I'll crush him in a 5k any day.

Why Does It Feel Like Sunday?

2008-11-29T11:56:00.003-06:00

Closing in on 4000 road miles this year as I am within 90 miles of that milestone. Did a 50 mile club ride this morning, kind of a fartlek. First with the 21mph group to the Lynchburg Ferry. Then with the warp speed group until I got dropped in Baytown, on my own across the bridge. Maxed out at 41.3mph on the bridge, a record for me in Texas. Waited for the 18 mph group and finished the ride with them. 19.6mph average.

Nice ride.

Maybe a run and a ride tomorrow...the weather looks better for running tomorrow than riding. I'll decide in the morning.

Back in Town

2008-11-28T16:20:00.005-06:00

And promptly went out for a 23 mile ride this afternoon over one of my favorite routes on my own (Bay Area Blvd - Port Rd - Todville Rd - Kemah Bridge - Todville Rd - Nasa Rd 1 - Space Center Blvd - Middlebrook). Going to ride both Saturday and Sunday morning, although I am toying with sneaking in a 3 mile run Sunday morning beforehand (BARC group run at Seabrook trails).

Came back on Friday since I was too cheap to spend $200 more to come back Saturday, Sunday or Monday. My wife is staying in CO until Tuesday, so I am holding up the home front by my lonesome. I do wish Boondoggles had a veggie burger....my favorite so far is at Beck's Prime.....as I wouldn't mind a trip over there this evening. It must the holiday spirit for spirits.

Speaking of food I did have a bunch of Tofurky yesterday and one bite of turkey as we had Thanksgiving meal with friends. The tofurky was not bad at all, though I am not sure I could eat it often. It is rather rubbery in constituency. All the rest of the traditional meal was consumed, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, a pear pie and pumpkin mousse. Lot's of wine as well. Yum.

Afterwards we watched the movie Wall-E, which was really cute. Our friends have a young child, so a Disney movie fit the bill. Never heard of the movie, but we don't pay much attention to Disney these days.

James Bond movie's on the other hand, we do pay attention to and my son and I saw it this week. I liked it. Then again I like all 007 movies.

Enjoy Your Tofurky Tomorrow

2008-11-26T17:14:00.002-06:00

For the first time ever, I will have Thanksgiving in America without turkey. I thought I was getting a tofu turkey (tofurky) but I don't think we'll have that. We'll certainly have all the usual fruits and veggies.

Sis, indeed I do take ibuprofen sometimes, but do not plan to do so regularly.

Who Needs College Football Part 2

2008-11-25T22:17:00.002-06:00

ND 81 Texas 80

The 8th ranked Fighting Irish (4-0) will likely play top ranked North Carolina tomorrow for the championship of the Maui Invitational Tournament.

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut, Sometimes You Don't

2008-11-25T17:55:00.004-06:00

Today was my planned long ride in Colorado, a 100 kilometer gem to Carter Lake inclusive of 2300 feet of climbing, some at 7% grade (not some puny little 5% Kemah bridge with its whopping 83 feet of elevation gain, Toughest 10k in Houston it may be but the folks here would chuckle).

I chose today since the weatherman said it would be a sunny day in the 50's and 60's. Of course they can not predict the weather at all by the mountains. Today was overcast and in the low 40's all day.

I love running when it is cold. Cycling, however, is another matter. I don't think I ever warmed up the whole ride. I had nothing, my legs were like lead. Weird how that happens sometimes, although it does suck when it happens during the marathon you have trained for for months.....that's a cool feeling. So it was coasting downhill, hurting uphill, 100 kilometers of fun. It was the toughest ride I've had in quite a while. My toes were reddish blue after the ride. But I did not bail and I did the complete ride as planned.

Dr Alice hammered my leg with her instruments of torture on Wednesday and gave me a list of exercises to perform. Well my leg was terribly sore on Thursday and Friday. The exercises seem to also irritate it, not to mention Sunday's three mile hike in the mountains (which ended with a broken key for the car, a hitchhike down to town and a ride back with a spare key to fetch the car), so I have been afflicted with irritated leg syndrome (eg Joe whines a lot and ices more). So I sent a note to Dr Alice's office inquiring if I should really do the exercises every day and if I should really continue to do all this other stuff that I do (you know, get on my tricycle, wade in the pool, and occasionally waddle back and forth to the car).

So what do I get back.....soreness and irritation is normal (translation: suck it up you dork, wait until I make you writhe in pain next time), you may continue with your normal activities as long as the irritation does not progress, listen to your body (translation: be a man not a mouse, you should not stop working out unless you are in the emergency room).

What is this listen to your body stuff anyways? My body tells me sit down on the couch and have a bag of Fritos. I don't listen to it at all.

Holden and JD are wise men. Holden sussed out that my wife reads my blog due to my shameless (but wise) blogging about who's at fault whenever there is fault (eg me). And JD figured out I have given up on ND football for 2008.....well not really, giving up is not my style, but I have been known to whinge. Go Irish, Beat Trojans. We got them exactly where we want them.....29 point favorites.

Who Needs College Football

2008-11-23T12:10:00.003-06:00

ND Women's Soccer, 24-0-0

Sunday Morning Coffee

2008-11-23T11:51:00.004-06:00

The other night at the Scottish pub, my wife and I started to talk with a woman who was by herself at the bar. I've noticed lately that people are occasionally amazed and congratulatory when we tell them that we have been married for 28 years. This woman fell into that category. The reaction surprises me. I guess I am used to the concept that one marries once for life. It runs in both our families. It is the norm. My sister, my parents, my numerous aunts and uncles. I can not think of one divorce. Death yes, marital problems yes, divorce no (or at least few and far between).

But I guess in the 21st century it is less the norm. This woman it seems was married for 11 years and has been single for 25 years.

Perhaps we should feel that approaching 30 years of marriage is an accomplishment worthy of congratulations, more challenging than a marathon. Then again it does not feel challenging at all really as my wife has made it easy for me. Any challenging periods have been 100% my fault.

I am curious to see how the Toughest 10k turned out this morning. My guess is that there were 119 runners.

Go Browns, Beat Houston.

Crazy To Be Quesy

2008-11-22T19:23:00.003-06:00

A night on the town until way past my bedtime had me discombobulated all day. Crazy quesy. And it was not only me that was in a state of confusion. My Fighting Irish lost to an 8 loss team for the first time ever. Our offense has been discombobulated for weeks and it cost us the game today. Sigh. The Irish faithful are asking for Charlie Weis's head but I want him to have two more years. Changing coaches is so disruptive and he does have a lot of promising young players in the program.

Although not feeling my best, I did manage to cycle 34 miles prior to the game.

Profiling

2008-11-21T18:22:00.004-06:00

I am up in Colorado for a week and went out for an hour bike ride in the cool sunny thin air. Boulder is one of the most bike friendly towns in the country with many miles of bike lanes and paths. Motor vehicles are a much more aware of cyclists (they have to be because cyclists are everywhere), but even here there is danger.

I was going downhill in a bike lane on a relatively busy road in town today. I was travelling quite fast at 29-30 mph. In my short cycling life, the most worrisome situation on a busy road with a bike lane is when cars pass you and turn right. It would seem that cars always underestimate the pace of a cyclist.

This has happened to me quite a number of times on Nasa Rd 1 in Houston. Cars will go past and turn right just in front of me, forcing me to brake. This occured the most at Repsdorph, Kirby and in to the Arlan's parking lot. On occasion they have pissed me off so much that I saluted them. It never seems to happen on smaller or less busy roads. I guess when it is just me and a car or two on the road, the car is a bit more aware of cycling me.

The good news is I am very aware of this danger and am always suspicious of cars passing me on a busy road just before an intersection or a busy strip mall. I must admit to profiling drivers. Sure enough a car passed me as I was going 30 mph, I took a quick glance at the driver and made the immediate decision that the driver was an idiot based on my glance and I slowed down. Sure enough she turned right just in front of me without looking and had I not braked, I may not be writing this blog at the moment.

I profiled her. This is morally wrong. I will not profile any driver any more while I am cycling. Instead all drivers are idiots. They are the enemy whose only purpose for being on the roads is to take my life. When I am on a bike and you are in a car, you are evil, it does not matter who you are.

That is the attitude one must have when riding your bike on the roads with those smelly, nasty hunks of metal and their insane operators.

Other evil things on my ride today were a prarie dog and a squirrel on my path, probably plotting how to get under my wheel and bring me down.

Be Not Afraid

2008-11-21T10:13:00.001-06:00

You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.

Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with you through it all.

Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest.

Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you!

Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest.

Terry Mosley (1953 - 2008)

2008-11-18T21:18:00.003-06:00

The Bay Area Running Club is in mourning. One of our own, Terry Mosley, died suddenly last night. He was on track for a certain BQ in Dallas in December. We are stunned.

Terry on his way to a PR at this years HMSA 25k

Terry, Lee Anne, Jitka and I with our Bayou Bash Relay awards

Terry running Seabrook Lucky Trails

I'm Going Down

2008-11-17T06:55:00.006-06:00

192.5. That is my record low weight recorded at my daily weigh in on both Sunday and Monday. And we are not done yet. This calls for The Boss singing "I'm Going Down". My idea of a Rock'N'Roll marathon is listening to Bruce non-stop for as long as it takes Gaslight to run a Rock'N'Roll marathon.....oh but 3:11 is way too short....so make it Crosstrain myself so I can listen close to the cutoff time.....

Going to the HARRA meeting tonight. I want a raise as BARC HARRA rep since I am missing the first part of my man Brady Quinn dissecting the hapless Buffalo Bills tonight. GO BROWNS! GO BRADY!

Sharon Stone is not so nifty 50, breaking up with 24 year old toy boy because she is bummed about her ex husband stopping her from Botoxing her sons stinky feet. Maybe I'll give up on the rich and famous and plead with my wife to let me back in the house.

More Miles

2008-11-16T15:43:00.003-06:00

Today's ride was the exact same route as yesterday. Just two miles an hour faster thanks to the lack of wind.

Pretty chilly though, wore my Cannondale headband to keep my ears warm for the first time this season.

I thought I was out of town Thanksgiving weekend, but will actually return on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It is next weekend I'll be gone.

50 Is Nifty

2008-11-16T12:37:00.006-06:00

Tiggs can have Janet Jackson, I am a Madonna man. Although since she did not return my calls last time I was in London, I am refusing to go to her concert tonight in Houston. We have a lot in common her and I:

- Born in the 50's

- Fitness addicts

- Successful in our professions

- Vegetarians, although she is macrobiotic

- Married (though she will soon be single)

- Blonde friends in their 30's (hers is Gwyneth, mine is Flicka)

- Always reinventing, never quitting

Yup, we are made for each other. Don't know what she sees in A-Rod.

Now when I asked my wife today to dress up like Madonna, I got a strange look. And now for some reason she is airing out all my clothing in the back yard. Usually they get hung up though. And cleaning some of them in the pool seems odd. I asked her about it but for some reason she's not talking to me today.

I wonder if Hillary aired Bill's clothes on the White House lawn?

Blown Away

2008-11-15T14:34:00.002-06:00

High winds today so by bike ride was tough. The club headed out Bay Area Blvd at 7:30 am straight into 10 to 15 mph headwinds gusting to 20mph. The winds sheared the peloton, with riders not able to stay together well and indeed I ended up riding most of the ride either on my own or with one or two others. I stayed with the strong 21mph group riders however, so I did pretty well considering.

But no 21mph in this weather. The route takes us to the Lynchburg ferry, through Baytown to the Fred Hartman Bridge, through Morgan's Point, Shoreacres and eventually back down Bay Area Blvd. All in all I did 50 miles on the club ride at 17.5mph plus a 6 mile warmup before the ride for a 56mph day at a 141 avg HR. Serendipitously, on the way home I saw Terry and Veronica at their cars at the Valero at Bay Area Blvd and Red Bluff. Stopped and said hello, it sounds like their 21 mile training run went great. They are both running stronger than I have ever seen them run, although Veronica has run this well prior to having her babies. I do fess up to being insanely jealous of their running prowess. They are in a league I can only dream of.

But then again, they are simply one dimensional, not a multi talent like me.

Watched the ND game after. We won but almost gave the game away. It is a frustrating season as they make way too many mistakes.

Good news on the home front, our insurance company finally agreed to give us the money to cover our whole roof, which was damaged by Ike.

On A Clear Day

2008-11-14T18:17:00.003-06:00

My wife has a sick sense of humor I guess. We are about to watch a movie she rented at Netflix titled "On A Clear Day".

She said, "I got it because it sounds like you might like it".

I said, "I never heard of it" as I pick up the liner to read

"When Frank loses his job, he quickly realizes that, at age 55, he's too old to start a new career but too young to simply start working. Despondent about his life and past mistakes, he decides to take on the ultimate challenge---to swim the English Channel. With support of friends and family, he thinks he can rise to th occasion and bear the physical pain, but is he ready to come to terms with his emotional pain?"

I get it, that must be me honey (although I have not lost my job). Lol. Or maybe now that I have run the marathon, biked the Rocky Mountains, and have started swimming, I need to swim the English Channel. I think she has her eye on my valuable life insurance policy.

I probably never heard of it since I can not imagine one demographic that is interested in watching a movie about a 55 year old guy like this.

I will never understand the mind of a woman.

Insomnia

2008-11-14T00:30:00.007-06:00

I don't know if it is those nice homemade bean burgers in my tummy or a confused mind that has me up in the middle of the night tonight. Maybe it is simply because I went to bed at 8 pm as I was exhausted.

Think I'll start stepping it up on the bike again. I've laid off since July in terms of intensity and distance. While I have done an occasional hard ride, like last Saturday's 20 mph 64mile ride, I have purposely avoided consistent hard training. I would like to get faster and lose a little more weight, although I was at a record low of 193 on Wednesday. Getting under 190 consistently would help me both in running (if I ever run) and cycling. I think the running PRs I got this year was as much due to my weight reduction as my cardio fitness from the bike. So I'll double up this weekend, looking to stay with the 20mph+ folks both Saturday and Sunday. That means Friday is an off day, will do some maintenance on my bike. It also means less alcoholic beverages so no Boondoggles tomorrow.

I have put one run on my calendar. BARC will be restarting its Sunday morning group runs and one officer will be assigned to be there on a Sunday. I took December 21. I'll attempt to run the 6 mile loop to Pine Gully Park at a tempo pace that day. I don't think I have done that loop in over one year. That will be my target run and test for my running future in the near to medium term. If it fails, I'll drop running and concentrate fully on cycling for at least the first half of 2009 (while continuing to toy with swimming once or twice a week). Besides, the podiatrist wants me to run, so I need to try a few more times before I see him on December 10. Then I can bitch to him with enough data that the orthotics are not helping and we'll see what he recommends. Nevertheless first we'll see what Dr Alice says about me penciling in a run Thanksgiving week, about the Dec 21 target and about (lack of) progress with the calf stretches and everything else known to mankind.

Guess I am just searching for some direction between now and the end of the year. Maybe just setting some short term goals is the way to go. Like doubling up on cycling this weekend, running a 3 mile training run in Colorado on Thanksgiving week and running a 6 mile tempo run in Seabrook on December 21. Big goals are just the culmination of a lot of little goals. I am a little goal guy at the moment.

The idea of little or short term goals sounds nice. Why does one have to set all these big goals and only get pleasure from them? Seeing 190 on the scale is a nice little goal. But my first little goal is to go back to sleep and not wake up until 5 am.

For those of you who are training for the big goal, eg a fantastic marathon in January, you will be reaching your peak fitness phase. I wish you all well. One note of caution, beware the hubris of deviating from your plan and running like the wind too much in your training, just because you can and it feels so good, as you may find yourself walking to the doctor. I will make that a subject in an upcoming eBARCer. I'm a hubris expert.

Skills Training

2008-11-13T18:56:00.002-06:00

Thursday's at Masters Swimming is much better for me since there are only a handful of people and it only lasts one hour. Today we worked at skills and I got some real coaching. For the first time ever I took breaths on both sides while freestyle swimming. Also worked on getting long with stroke and in not crossing over to the other side of my body with my underwater arm. Seems I was not swimming straight but snaking some due to my arm motion in the water.

Will keep working on technique. I may never be a dolphin but maybe a penguin. This will be a step up from the minnow I am.

Will see Dr Alice next Wednesday. Now on Day 8 of eccentric calf stretching twice a day, no noticeable progress or improvement.

Looking forward to cycling both Saturday and Sunday with the club this weekend. Not sure how hard to push it.

Why I Love the USA - Reason Number 44

2008-11-12T19:37:00.007-06:00

Because we evolve and don't get stuck in a rut. We take what is dished out and we make adjustments. There are ups and downs but the trend line over time has delivered outstanding results. When we despair of what is happening, or at the perceived stupidity of our politicians and fellow citizens, and whether you are on the right side or the left side, one should step back and remember the great capacity of our country to make adjustments over time. That's what democracy and freedom promises.

Thanks to Howard for putting this on his blog and credits to Patrick Moberg the artist.

Zenn

2008-11-12T05:30:00.006-06:00

The board game discussed in my previous post and invented by my now retired (and not deceased) former Calculus teacher in 1973. Fun with angles. He is still selling it at his website where I see he is also into local sports statistics (hmm, we have one of those around here I think).

I Don't Do Technique

2008-11-11T21:32:00.007-06:00

Masters swimming today was quite difficult. They say swimming is about technique. Then I am in trouble. Prior to reinvention as a runner, I attempted to be reinvented as a bluegrass musician (eg the banjo). Bad idea. Runner was better idea. Now I am reinvented as a cyclist, which is quite successful. However, the next step to swimmer looks like it will work out as well as the musician. I did one recital in front of an audience with my banjo and it was gruesome. Thank God it is not on You Tube.

I wonder what I will tackle after swimming. I think philanderer is out of the question, so maybe philanthropist. Peace Corps volunteer has been thought about, but daughter beat me to that. I know someone who is licensed to remove those little signs that get put up all over, like the political ones, the roofing ones, the BARC ones, etc. I could try that....naah....he can have it. An intellectual sounds somewhat appealing or perhaps a hermit. A mountain man in Colorado could be a possibility.

My psychological profile when I was in my late teens was a "math/science teacher". My high school calculus teacher, who was an energetic nerd (eg my role model), retired this year, so I could step in his shoes as "Captain Calculus". He invented a board game called Zenn and his room was full of funky mathematical props and mobiles. Hence, when I started University, I was a math major, destined to be another energetic nerd like my hero, Mr Benander. But math major math seemed more like philosophy than problem solving, so I soon switched to chemical engineering. In this case I was emulating another hero, my brother in law (but don't tell him that, as an Ohio State alum and fan, he already has an overblown, misplaced ego).

I could get into cars, fixing Volvos like Colin Powell does in his spare time. But I am pathetic with a wrench. I might actually like writing, so perhaps I will move from athlete to writer. Again I can emulate my hero Jon, who got me into blogging in the first place. I will need a good spell checker however.

Dumped my Houston half bib tonight. How sucky is that. At least it went to a good BARC home.

BARC Meeting

2008-11-10T22:39:00.004-06:00

Well at today's club meeting we had an interesting presentation from Dr Alice May-Sexton, DC. Alice is a club member and I did not realize she was a health practitioner. She and Dr Chris Sanders provide services at the Multi Sport Health Center in Bellaire. They provide complimentary gait scan and analysis to HARRA members. She focuses on active release therapy including use of Graston technique, which I have had in the past.

I have run with Alice on occasion this year and did not know she was involved in sports medicine at all. She is such a nice person, but more than that, she came across as very knowledgeable and intelligent. I have had a fair amount of work done on my current injury and when I asked her specific questions, she had good answers. I am a sceptic with regards to my injury and its potential to be healed, but I liked her responses and advice a lot based on my own research. She also answered questions very straightforward and clearly.

So I will give them (her) a try next on my road to consistent running.

25k

2008-11-09T11:35:00.005-06:00

Hardware - BARC Ladies Rock

You Know Who

Yes Edwin Is Running

I had relay set up, runner spotting and break down duties at the HMSA 25k today. It was good to see so many friends running today and I got to see them all 3 times. When Ben Harvie was heading toward the finish about with maybe 4 tens of a mile to go, I was struck by how there is no other feeling in athletics than that last half mile in a long distance running event. Cycling sprints do not give the same feeling and nor does swimming as hard as one can. I miss that feeling of course, which makes going to these events as a non-runner bittersweet.

Edwin must have gotten skinnier since I had a hard time spotting him all day, but got one picture of him.

Althea

2008-11-09T01:00:00.002-06:00

I told Althea I was feeling lost, lacking in some direction.
Althea told me upon scrutiny that my back might need protection.
I told Althea that treachery was tearing me limb from limb.
Althea told me better cool down boy, settle back, easy jim.

You may be Saturdays child, all alone, moving with a tinge of grace.
You may be a clown in the burying ground, or just another pretty face.
You may meet the fate of Ophelia, sleeping and penchence to dream.
Honest to the point of recklessness, self-centered in the extreme.

Aint nobody messing with you, but you, your friends are getting most concerned.
Loose with the truth, baby, its your fire, but baby dont get burned.
When the smoke has cleared, she said, thats what she said to me.
Gonna want a bed to lay your head and a little sympathy.

There are things you can replace, and others you cannot.
The time has come to weigh those things.
This space is getting hot, you know this space is getting hot.

I told Althea Im a roving son, and I was born to be a bachelor.
Althea told me, okay, thats fine, so now Im trying to catch her.
Cant talk to you without talking to me, were guilty of the same old thing.
Been talking alot about less and less and forgetting the love we bring.

Press Release

2008-11-08T13:59:00.001-06:00

“Toughest 10k In Houston” Announced To Benefit Ike Charities

Kemah, TX November 8.……Clear Lake Fitness Club (CLFC) and the Bay Area Running Club (BARC) announced a benefit race organized for November 23, 2008 at 8 am. The race will start on the Kemah Boardwalk and include two loops of the Kemah Bridge, making it the “Toughest 10k in Houston”. All proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross and the Houston Food Bank.

Robby Sabban, President of CLFC, commented that “we want to give back to agencies who supported us in our time of need.” Several members from both running clubs sustained major damage to their homes. Jay Lee, co-owner of On The Run, will handle race management duties and stated “while short notice, the race will have all the usual trimmings including t-shirts, awards and computerized timing. We hope to make this race a fixture on our local calendar.”

A unique aspect of the race will be the use of the Kemah Bridge, a popular hill training destination in the area. Veronica Hoge, Vice-President of BARC, commented “Our club is about supporting races. We are excited to share our secret weapon, the Kemah Bridge, with all of Houston.”

Registration for the “Toughest 10k in Houston” race is available at active.com at this link.

Glorious

2008-11-08T13:08:00.002-06:00

The weather that is. I reveled in my bike ride this morning and am flush with good vibrations. My training has been rather sporadic of late, swimming some, cycling less than earlier in the year, hoping to run. So with apprehension I jumped up to the 21mph group today. No problem. 64 miles at an average pace of 20.1mph and an average heart rate 0f 135. Legs were pretty dead at the end, otherwise there is more in the tank.

And I did my eccentric calf stretches afterwards. I will develop calves of steel and run some races in the spring. This will happen.

In other news, there is a run on guns. Seems talk radio is warning us that our new President is going to ban guns. Yeah, I am sure that is top of the list and he has nothing better to do right now. Of course why anyone needs an assault weapon is beyond me. But this all gives me a great idea. The President Elect should threaten to introduce legislation that will make gas guzzlers unavailable in the future. Talk radio hosts can then tell their little lambs to go out and stock up on gas guzzlers.

All those SUVs and big cars will fly out of the American car company showrooms, saving the American car companies who are tottering on the brink of doom. What an economic stimulus idea. I think I should get a cabinet post or at least some advisory role like Warren Buffet.

New Race

2008-11-07T19:25:00.004-06:00

OK, BARC and CLFC just decided to invent a race for hurricane relief funds on November 23. It goes over the Kemah Bridge (twice I believe). It will be organized by Jay, Robby, et al so you know it will be quality. And we will probably do it every year. Just a couple of weeks for us to pull this off and I volunteered to help get the word out. I may have to take advice from Jon on best way to do so. Help, Jon, help. If we get flyers together we will bring them on Sunday to the 25k.

Sign up link for the Toughest 10k in Houston at this link.

Plan B

2008-11-07T18:55:00.003-06:00

Plan A did not make it very long. Since my leg was in pain for three days after a measily 2 mile run last Friday, I am not able to run consisently at the moment. So Plan B is no running and 12 weeks of (weighted) eccentric calf stretches. Today was day 2. Since conservative treatment has not worked, it is time to get more aggressive. It is not a surprise that I pick the aggressive method. I'm not really into waiting around and watching the grass grow.

Since I don't have much on my list for the rest of the year, it is time to start thinking about goals for 2009. In 2008 I wanted to bike the MS150 and Triple Bypass events and I wanted to run again and to be in condition for a Houston half marathon in 2009. Goals not fully met, although I must admit it was nice to set a 5 mile PR, a 10k PR, get some relay and centipede hardware and, of course, complete TIR. So the year was by no means a running wash out.

For 2009 I am thinking of the following goals so far (1) Bike a 100 miler in each month with one completed in 5 hours or less, (2) Do a triathlon event, and (3) Compete in a masters swim meet. I'd rather not set any pure running goals for 2009, while I will persevere I am actually pretty pessimistic about the likelihood of running consisently in 2009.

On the personal front, we may set a goal to move in 2009, at least put the house on the market in the Spring and see what happens. I am tired of my hour commute each way. The things keeping us in Clear Lake are mainly my running, cycling, and related clubs/friendships. However, since I am not running, I only see my friends at races anyways, which are easier to commute to than daily work. The cycling is a bit more problematic since I am pretty comfortable with the Bike Barn group and am not too keen on cycling in the center of Houston.

Boondoggles, Beer, Browns, Brady

2008-11-06T22:21:00.003-06:00

Brady Quinn played well for the Cleveland Browns, but the defense and Kellen Winslow's fumble and dropped pass let them down.

Very disappointing.

But at least I enjoyed an Elissa IPA, an Arrogant Bastard Beer, a Stone IPA, a Dogfish 60 IPA, and a Jagermeister.

Oh yes I did Masters swimming today and some biking yesterday.

Back Home

2008-11-03T19:57:00.002-06:00

"I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."

Margaret Thatcher

Since it is election eve, I'm in a Maggie Thatcher mood. Jon and I would probably agree that she is a great lady. I'd vote for her any day. She is 83 and is suffering from dementia, but she will always be a heroine to me.

Well no run today, went to the chiro since my bad leg has bothered me since Friday's run. My injury is now 22 months old. But I will, like Baronness Thatcher, be patient and expect, no demand, to do what I want to do when all is said and done.

I was at a marvellous steak house today for a special event. I ordered the mixed veggies instead of the juicy filet. Sometimes I am just an idiot.

One more Maggie quote

"Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides."

A Brat Is Better Than A Donut

2008-11-03T01:00:00.002-06:00

First of all, congratulations to the mighty June who rocked the New York City Marathon and finished under 5 hours (PR I believe). She did an awesome job preparing for and conquering this huge event.

Evidence of the offense

Wife, daughther and friend on campus before the game

It Must Have Been The Brat

2008-11-02T09:51:00.014-06:00

Armando Allen takes an overtime handoff from Jimmy Claussen as the Irish fall to 5-3 in a tough loss.

I sinned, ate the forbidden brat, and the Irish paid for it by losing a four overtime thriller. I shall go meatless for the foreseeable future and maybe we'll go on a winning streak. There is a brat consumption picture, but it is on my camera which can not be uploaded in Michigan. It is so annoying that each and every camera has to have their own little unique USB cable. But here are a few pictures from daughter's nice camera.

It wasn't the Cleveland microbrew that jinxed us.

It's ND JD.

Killer halftime show as Jon Bon Jovi was on the field and the whole student section sang Living on a Prayer. They even played ABBA's song Mamma Mia, might make Nica an ND fan yet.

Hope my dear running clubs "Take A Hike Ike" run to reclaim Seabrook and Kemah went smoothly this morning. Pretty mean of me to come up with the idea, set it up and leave town. Sorry to have missed the festivities and the after run breakfast party at Vera's. Might of enjoyed another breakfast beer just like on Game Day.

To Brat Or Not To Brat

2008-11-01T01:00:00.003-05:00

Will be leaving at 6 am for Notre Dame Stadium for tailgating and football. Crisp, sunny fall weather and excitement in the air as one walks across campus to the smell of brats grilling. Student organizations raise money by selling burgers and brats on campus and indeed they are the finest brats my teeth have ever crunched. The great decision of the weekend will be not who to vote for, since I already voted, but whether to break my streak of no meat since TIR in March due to the temptation of the Fighting Irish brat. So once again with apologies to Bill Shakespeare, the author, not the former ND football giant....

To brat or not to brat, that is the question;
Whether 'tis nobler in the stomach to suffer
The slings and arrows of vegetarian fortune,
Or to take food against ones diet,
And by eating brat, break it. To bite, to swallow;
And more; and by a swallow to say we end
With heart-burn and the thousand bits of fat
That flesh is heir to — 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd.

Happy Halloween From The Midwest

2008-10-31T09:37:00.009-05:00

Upper 30's and sunny, perfect running weather from my perspective. I was able to do two miles from my daughters condo along a real nice trail on Ford Lake in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This was needed to clear my head of the Crooked Tree IPA (great beer JD), Jagermeister and blackberry wine of last night. My daughter rode her bike and took some real good pictures. That's me running in the picture below in a 2006 HMSA 25k windshirt, tights, gloves and beanie. Everyone is looking forward to the 2008 25k windshirts. The HMSA 25k happens to be my all time favorite long distance race above 10k. Give me three 5 and change mile loops all run at faster pace any day.

Well back to today's 2 miler. Now I won't gross out my daughter again by comparing this run to an alternative human activity of some intimacy. But I can say 2 miles can be glorious. No need to go 20 to get an endorphin rush. A fartlek of various speeds resulting in an 8:25 average pace followed by an 8:20 pace is good enough. All we were missing was an AED. Lol. She is also an ace pumpkin carver as you see in the picture.

Next run is scheduled for Monday. I think I'll skip that 3 miler since my good leg's soleus is a little strained of all things. Perhaps I should keep my pace 9 minutes plus for awhile or do some low heart rate running. Caution is recommended I think.

I am sure you are all familiar of this view of me as I accelerate away from you as we approach the finish line....

Texas Oh Texas

2008-10-30T06:42:00.004-05:00

A poll to be released by the University of Texas today states that 23% of Texans think that Barack Obama is Muslim. Hey it doesn't matter if we are dumb, we got the number one football team in the USA.

Perhaps we should go back to the thoughts of Alexander Hamilton in 1775, modnerized as persons of indigent fortune can be often more independent in thought than someone with a full bank account. I understand the following came from the Blackstone Commentaries in England, credits to the blog truthbeyondreason.blogspot.com.

"If it were probable that every man would give his vote freely, and without influence of any kind, then, upon the true theory and genuine principles of liberty, every member of the community, however poor, should have a vote… But since that can hardly be expected, in persons of indigent fortunes, or such as are under the immediate dominion of others, all popular states have been obliged to establish certain qualifications, whereby, some who are suspected to have no will of their own, are excluded from voting; in order to set other individuals, whose wills may be supposed independent, more thoroughly upon a level with each other."

Tempo Ride

2008-10-29T19:46:00.002-05:00

What a glorious afternoon to be outside. I did a 25 mile ride in Terry Hershey/George Bush Park at 19 mph and it was kinda up there with sex. Wow. And not because I saw Coach Steeeve running at me at 27 mph. Yes you got that right, Coach Steeeve was running so fast it was a world record pace.

Of course you are smart enough to know that I was cycling toward him at 19mph and he was running at me at 8mph, therefore he was travelling toward me at 27mph.

Thanks for the comments, they were all appreciated and wise. I did need to get that off my chest and see what folks might have to say. Someone told me separately to put my big girl panties on. Well they are the only ones that fit, while skinnier than ever, I can't quite shop in the petite department, so I don't have much choice. Sometimes one talks oneself into a corner and it is good to get other perspectives.

I have decided on the following path forward and we shall see what happens. I am not ready to forego running, either temporarily or permanently, but will be content with the short side of long distance running, eg I will not do a run longer than 10k. In order to attempt to have a consistent running experience, I will train by taking one day off for every mile run. So if I do a 3 mile run, I will take the next three days off (from running, other sports are OK) and then run again. I know this dooms me to a mere 5-6 miles of running per week. Not enough I know, but I'll be happy to have it every week. And absolutely no hills outside of a race with small ones. The cardio will be no problem as I will by cycling 60 to 100 miles every week and doing some swimming as well.

If November goes smoothly, I may run the Reindeer 5k, otherwise I will keep my eye on the HARRA spring series.

As for the Tour d'Etape, I need to muddle on it. I think the 10000 feet of climbing I did in the Tour de Bypass aggravated my calf/achilles area. Flat cycling in the saddle does not use those muscles/tendons much, but climbing certainly does. Climbing may be best avoided. Next time in Colorado, instead of riding up them on my bike, I may just have to ski down them. How horrible, woe is me, OK just kidding about the horrible woe.....skiing is luxury punishment....

Uncertain Times

2008-10-28T20:33:00.005-05:00

While there is a lot of uncertainty in politics, the world, the economy and life in general, the uncertain times I ponder the most is athletics. I have started to consider retiring from running.

When I first started running, I did not understand why some very good runners stopped running. It seems that the competitive juices flow in some people in such a way that they can not accept their inevitable inability to reproduce the results of the past. This is not true for many runners. Bill Rodgers, for example, continues to run apparently quite happily at mere mortal paces. I know because I ran with him in Michigan two years ago.

But at this point in my athletic career, I am not comfortable being an occasional runner or running much slower than I should be able to, just to stay in the race at any price, and even though by all accounts I am a newbie runner with really only 1 year of real training in ever. Currently I am trying to stay in the game through cross training. But I am not sure how the multisport people do it. I find trying to train to swim, bike and run all during the same week extremely difficult. Instead of being hurt in one place from one sport, one is hurt in three places from three sports!

I've been invited to participate in the Tour de Etape in France next year with a group being organized by the owner of Bike Barn. This will be the route of a Tour de France stage in the Alps, 172km ending on the top of Mount Ventoux. The final climb is one of the toughest in professional cycling, with the last 22 kilometers pure climbing, including 4 kilometers of an average grade over 10%. A difficult course. If I am to do it, it will require me to focus on cycling fitness quite seriously, with no time for running. I'll want to lose another 5 to 10 pounds. There is a cutoff time and I will want to meet it. It is by no means certain that I will attempt this monster.

And I still enjoy running the best, when I can do it well and consistently. And the camaraderie of my running friends is also the best by far. I am going to have to think about all this stuff. I have made a commitment to my BARC friends to continue to pull my weight as eBARCer editor and volunteer until summer of 2009. I am looking forward to doing a few short HARRA races in the New Year. I have also committed to my TIR team. But I think I need to tell myself right now that I have no future plans to do any road race longer than 10k ever (so keep my legs 6 miles max Jon). And that includes dropping forever any aspiration to run another marathon or qualify for Boston. What is not a goal and what I do not intend to do will not be something I fret over.

Missed my swim training today due to a work commitment. Tomorrow is a bike day.

So My VP Doesn't Feel Left Out

2008-10-27T20:30:00.008-05:00

Here is some music dedicated for her....from the band "The Veronicas"....the song "Hook Me Up"....since she does such a good job putting together relay partners.

This Australian band was discovered at JD's blog, props to him.

I could have chosen their song "Revenge is Sweeter", but I'll save that until I torch her at the Park to Park 5 miler in 2009.

Lo mejor que hizo Dios fue un día detrás del otro

2008-10-27T19:59:00.003-05:00

"The best thing that God has created was one day after the other."

3 mile run in the sweet coolness of late October at a 9:36, 8:33 and 7:40 pace.

If all is well my next run will be Friday in Ypsilanti Michigan. On Saturday we'll drive to the House that Rockne built.

While Jon is enjoying a dream season for his Penn State squad, the Irish rebuilding is on track. Given the youth of the team, the Irish faithful have hopes to emulate PSU in 2009 or 2010.

Broken Streak

2008-10-26T18:22:00.005-05:00

I had my first flat tire since March 2007 while I was cycling on Nasa Rd 1 this evening. Rode 67 miles yesterday with the club at a 18.2 mph pace and did a recovery ride this evening of 12 miles at 17.6 mph pace.

This morning I had mile 9 timing duties at the Half Marathon. Almost all the usual suspects were at the race. Even Edwin, who used to be a runner, was out there in his purple shirt jogging along. Weather was brilliant, times I think were good. Both the social times and the running times.

Caught Jon taking pictures.

Double Time

2008-10-24T18:54:00.009-05:00

Thursday was a great day. At lunch time I had Masters swimming. Fortunately they stuck with freestyle drills and swimming. Still the slowest in the pool, but set a personal best 100m freestyle of 1:56. They don't call it the crawl for nothing. It is an apt name in my case.

Then in the evening I ran a relaxed 3 miles at the Memorial Loop in 9:46, 9:17 and 7:50. It felt great. Probably should not have run, but a man's got to do what a man's got to do. Saw many folks on the trail and at the Marathon Kick-off party, including Madame President Gaslight gliding effortlessly along the trails. She likes the USA ten miler route since it is a box.....well its six sided so it must be a hat box. Congrats to her on her killer PR and thanks for the kind words about my own improved fitness.

Anyone who drinks Stone IPA is OK in my book. Her Eminence deserves a little Cat Power, "The Greatest".

Butterfly? Individual Medley?

2008-10-22T05:28:00.002-05:00

Masters swimming was a hoot. I can't swim the butterfly. I have never swam the butterfly....until last night. Flopping down the lane like a legless cockroach trying to escape a shoe. Backstroke would be alright if I could steer instead of veering into the wall, the lane divider, a swimmer coming the other way.

These masters swimmers are indeed swimmers. They can do all the strokes proficiently and are pretty fast. Fortunately there is a slow lane and I have staked my claim to it.

Observations from London

2008-10-21T05:13:00.003-05:00

I am back in Houston and will be back to the office this morning. Tiggs was wondering if I got into the MS150. Yes I did. Being the fusspot that I can be, I was sure that I got registered in the first two hours, even from England. Since I was having trouble logging in, I even called my wife and she registered me from the home computer while I gave her instructions over the phone. And it paid off, since I would have been shut out.

In the "there is always someone worse off division", a 23 year old Englishman went to a clinic in Switzerland for an assisted suicide. This man was a promising rugby player who became paralyzed from the shoulders down in 2007 from a scrum collapse. It appears he was in pain and agony since. His parents accompanied him to Switzerland. I have no comment on the morality of such. It is just a reminder for me to count your blessings. The story is here.

English schoolboy education must be deteriorating. I overheard a young man of about 13 leaving Kensington Gardens ask the following question of his mother. "What does ER stand for?" And before you respond "Emergency Room", think that he was leaving a royal garden in London. I know that the ER found in London in many public places stands for Elizabetha Regina, which is Latin for Queen Elizabeth. What is the country coming to when young men do not know the initials of their queen?