tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45793675530594905452024-03-19T00:37:34.037-07:00Running Through PhoenixA not-so-athletic 40 something trudges his way across the canals paths, 5ks, 1/2's, and local streets of this hella hot town.Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-82738493369952247372013-11-30T09:14:00.000-07:002013-11-30T09:14:32.111-07:00The Sleeves are Changing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xa9gPqIsiIo/UpoNIDNFOmI/AAAAAAAABQk/OsZ80aHPQKs/s1600/cothing+pile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xa9gPqIsiIo/UpoNIDNFOmI/AAAAAAAABQk/OsZ80aHPQKs/s1600/cothing+pile.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shout it Out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's that time of year in Phoenix when the short sleeves start blending into long sleeves. I dump my summer drawer and rotate up my winter drawer (grimly assessing the limited combinations and fashion levels). I usually start a run with the sleeves down, then push them up my arms as the run goes on, and by the time I'm done, I'm down to my 5" shorty-shorts and no shirt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSRleJ7yw4U/UpoN995hTUI/AAAAAAAABRM/9oKXf-gBd9M/s1600/shorty1.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSRleJ7yw4U/UpoN995hTUI/AAAAAAAABRM/9oKXf-gBd9M/s320/shorty1.tiff" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hate me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No matter how old it gets here (sometimes it dips down into the 20's in the heart of winter), I can never complete a run with a hat on, and usually stuff the gloves into my pockets after the first few miles.<br />
<br />
I do own one pair of long running pants, but I'm lazy about laundry, so they only get to come out every other week or so. Lest you feel the need to warn me, I do NOT wear shorts over top of the long pants. Every contour is artfully compressed and lovingly nestled, and I'm so damn fast, it's just a blur anyway. TWSS.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tniOI60ipFI/UpoOI2EPiiI/AAAAAAAABRU/lyl8qQuGazo/s1600/blur.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tniOI60ipFI/UpoOI2EPiiI/AAAAAAAABRU/lyl8qQuGazo/s1600/blur.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Beast!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As I ramp up to the Fiesta Bowl 1/2 marathon next month (it may possibly be my worst preparation yet), I will continue to try out different Phoenix winter clothing combinations. I know that each time I run this race, there is an hour or so of penguin-like propane heater <strike>cuddling</strike> huddling, and I want to be warm but not have to shed/discard too much inventory after the race starts. I know that it goes to charity, and I like that concept a lot, but these duds are only used for two months or so each year, so I need to make them last. Besides, they look good on me!<br />
<h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDf7OVW-0fA/UpoOYWf38jI/AAAAAAAABRc/NCsj8lcg-XQ/s1600/penguin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDf7OVW-0fA/UpoOYWf38jI/AAAAAAAABRc/NCsj8lcg-XQ/s1600/penguin.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It wasn't me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h2>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-16028911657920800462013-11-29T12:19:00.002-07:002013-11-29T12:19:34.286-07:00Well-erSoon my pretties, soon!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--1Sb4vscxLo/T7sI0CWcDFI/AAAAAAAABDk/0WMBX-yvMQ4/s1600/101_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--1Sb4vscxLo/T7sI0CWcDFI/AAAAAAAABDk/0WMBX-yvMQ4/s320/101_2114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-4323244869573040682012-07-07T09:32:00.000-07:002012-07-07T09:32:44.392-07:00Runner's Garmin 305 Falls Apart<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpPBBRR-I-M/T_hjMEE4YbI/AAAAAAAABM8/iaOUDAVad5I/s1600/garmon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpPBBRR-I-M/T_hjMEE4YbI/AAAAAAAABM8/iaOUDAVad5I/s1600/garmon.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've had my trusty Garmin 305 for about three and a half years now. It's been on my wrist for about 98% of my runs, and lately on my wife's wrist for her runs as well. Now the dang thing is broken and I haven't been able to run. The little band that holds the strap in tight finally broke and the rubber strap dangles out like..... like the way I would imagine one of <a href="http://feetmeetstreet.blogspot.com/2012/06/800-meter-elephant-in-room.html">Nitmos' rubber devices</a> dangles out if I were to spend time imagining that sort of thing. (scratching out my mind's eye!!)<br />
<br />
How annoying is this? Imagine trying to concentrate on maintaining pace, foot turnover, form, and a damn good look, while the rubber strap provocatively rubs against your nipple and flops around in the wind untethered and provocative. I feel like this has been an unavoidable reality. The sound output was never really strong, and about 6 months ago, I dropped the unit, and haven't heard a provocative "you just ran a mile in 8 minutes" beep since.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqpHsd7xpRU/T_hj72fB4dI/AAAAAAAABNI/ie0tf056nWk/s1600/nip.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqpHsd7xpRU/T_hj72fB4dI/AAAAAAAABNI/ie0tf056nWk/s320/nip.tiff" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes Miley, you're a "grownup" (<a href="http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2012/05/21/miley-cyrus-nipple-slip-boobs-breast-nip-downshirt-pics-side-boob/">source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I really like Garmin, and depend on the data it collects to motivate me and set goals. I really wish there were an improved data collection program for Apple operating systems such as Sporttracks, but that is still a PC exclusive. Now I will be spending my running time online looking for a replacement strap. There is a nifty one that comes with the Garmin 910XT, but my wife does not support purchasing the $395 gps unit that comes with it. <i>Buuuuuut</i> my beautiful and provocative wife has been wearing the 305 a LOT lately.... which has surely contributed to the demise of the strap......<br />
<br />
Garmin has tried several Sport gps units on the market in the past few years, but none have been as popular and utilitarian as the Forerunner 305. You can still find them online at a wide variety of prices, and there is a Garmin trade-in program for a refurbished unit. I'm cheap and will order a 9 dollar velcro strap and wear this 305 until it melts in some mysterious fire.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-91420446728824635932012-06-23T09:11:00.000-07:002012-06-23T09:11:07.009-07:00Bob Jones Trail SLO, California<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
We have been vacationing at the seaside in San Luis Obispo Californina for the past week and will be here for another week. This place is a running and road biking paradise: 60 degree temps, foggy in the morning, plenty of scenic routes and challenges.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsrwo4ICV7fcSobaeBjvlYvA_BOdisV7uQPuPpVKERKNznutrt_KoIq4Tu5IuyYc_zSNj-ddpdOxSXNd1PU0FyqodsMcCgsCgpaqwvZisg9tR5sQ838GXRjC6kf0T85NgDZwt6cbVpSA/s1600/101_2451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsrwo4ICV7fcSobaeBjvlYvA_BOdisV7uQPuPpVKERKNznutrt_KoIq4Tu5IuyYc_zSNj-ddpdOxSXNd1PU0FyqodsMcCgsCgpaqwvZisg9tR5sQ838GXRjC6kf0T85NgDZwt6cbVpSA/s320/101_2451.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great guy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajummboss2TmbBkHr95lwtq-UMq1nOTUHnnsEGuuOJ5VxyUAN1xT7Gu0Cw7l61kWx8APJtF9cb2yB9KpBi0sRWJ_XmcrQoUG9zhHSNVjSmfxJxKNeTmksq2PpErqNMnEnu45tr7I_2NA/s1600/101_2447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajummboss2TmbBkHr95lwtq-UMq1nOTUHnnsEGuuOJ5VxyUAN1xT7Gu0Cw7l61kWx8APJtF9cb2yB9KpBi0sRWJ_XmcrQoUG9zhHSNVjSmfxJxKNeTmksq2PpErqNMnEnu45tr7I_2NA/s320/101_2447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail Head</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.bobjonesbiketrail.com/">The Bob Jones Trail</a> is a 5 mile paved trail in San Luis Obispo that runs from the beach at Avila to the freeway entrance on the 101. Eventually it will run all the way to the town of San Luis Obispo. My wife ran it yesterday and I ran it today. We will both run it a few more times in the next week.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRa2jDjxncnj6n_2Y9oALEKCo3KqGIQySrsTx9r_FOm1M2__6jvKXZn84hCoqBnnNTi4py5iq32PW8r8PtEXy-s_FxIOS_PjP5q1U3b5Q4oPjC9qKZUzsXJ-cV7OqwCtawM6myK2-bkVQ/s1600/101_2448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRa2jDjxncnj6n_2Y9oALEKCo3KqGIQySrsTx9r_FOm1M2__6jvKXZn84hCoqBnnNTi4py5iq32PW8r8PtEXy-s_FxIOS_PjP5q1U3b5Q4oPjC9qKZUzsXJ-cV7OqwCtawM6myK2-bkVQ/s320/101_2448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If this isn't a mafia front, then I just don't know. Just next to the trail head.... Right??!??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The BJT is a benign path, really a two-lane golf cart style pathway shared by runners, bicyclists, walkers (called arm-swingers by my 4 year old), and shitters. Seriously, the path smells bad from all the dog droppings (I hope they are from dogs), and despite the warning signs and baggie stations, the first mile or so of the path is bordered by dog poop. Get past that and the path winds through shaded woods along a creek, opens up to scenic mountains and a more conventional road that crosses through a golf course, and after a bridge or two, ends at the Avila beach.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjhpXW2Re5HZjA5Efn2dJW1rar9jvMFfzm7rxzZnV8WSeC8zKOqa52uzVsLIKWDn3OBvd4Ck0l84xYUMm_aAOA6qHzJbLg4eqZLQJ7e3p4yTbbk9Y5Ct42YvOU0sqRLayypNFbKxzKd4/s1600/101_2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjhpXW2Re5HZjA5Efn2dJW1rar9jvMFfzm7rxzZnV8WSeC8zKOqa52uzVsLIKWDn3OBvd4Ck0l84xYUMm_aAOA6qHzJbLg4eqZLQJ7e3p4yTbbk9Y5Ct42YvOU0sqRLayypNFbKxzKd4/s320/101_2453.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can juuuust see the troll down there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My Garmin shows and elevation differential of about 100 feet or so. The trail dips up and down pretty much throughout the course, so you get a chance to say you ran hills, but overall it's a wash. The distance was exactly 5 miles from car door to car door. I chatted with the local rangers who said that the path plan to extend to the town of San Luis Obispo (another 9 miles one way with MAJOR hillage) is on hold while they decide how to handle the dangerous freeway overpass. Officials want something like 2 million dollars to build an overpass, but that kind of cash is not ready. In the meantime, there is an unpaved path that follows the same basic route. This was a unique run also because I didn't need to use my inhaler, and I left my calf compression sleeves at home. No issues. They are easy enough to put on, and I'm so pattern oriented that I will continue to use them even though I'm not convinced I need them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v8jJyjkHTLFjjK96j2jMAVNbke3LhTf6FIRH0xGMnYlVuIAjsxlJH_gAe05rjHbncDx-QfWW96wRvKd9xQIldFwL_UDHGbWBNNNirvoizENFZlLSgbk1shbZEebPgnbmYaNxGtamL_Y/s1600/101_2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v8jJyjkHTLFjjK96j2jMAVNbke3LhTf6FIRH0xGMnYlVuIAjsxlJH_gAe05rjHbncDx-QfWW96wRvKd9xQIldFwL_UDHGbWBNNNirvoizENFZlLSgbk1shbZEebPgnbmYaNxGtamL_Y/s320/101_2450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cougar Taking a Crap Warning. When will I get to "encounter" a cougar?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DCPlV67wog0Tb1U5YjJBxOolb6F-CXybDOZEqsVMVcbhLNIyuJt98f1jlMXEKq2xvkDao292aRCw30FL-MLY28OEd2tOloq2ns_O1SHvNc1fXzUSH0SGRjFkBo9o2S2vRWdhuJ8xEVw/s1600/101_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DCPlV67wog0Tb1U5YjJBxOolb6F-CXybDOZEqsVMVcbhLNIyuJt98f1jlMXEKq2xvkDao292aRCw30FL-MLY28OEd2tOloq2ns_O1SHvNc1fXzUSH0SGRjFkBo9o2S2vRWdhuJ8xEVw/s320/101_2454.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The SLO creek<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
The bridge that passes over a salt water creek</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2g9wNmZJ3luDkOMPnZ9h9m8sX3OG2rimOlUzz1LKd_4doAx70w4FT_8ovZ-yim5LUWsUSCNNdgMZpe6s7M8gfc9yYMeiSZnzD4frxKp_oYRcNdtP477-LhsiWaBOPQS2e2ZMcIhEdgo/s1600/101_2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2g9wNmZJ3luDkOMPnZ9h9m8sX3OG2rimOlUzz1LKd_4doAx70w4FT_8ovZ-yim5LUWsUSCNNdgMZpe6s7M8gfc9yYMeiSZnzD4frxKp_oYRcNdtP477-LhsiWaBOPQS2e2ZMcIhEdgo/s320/101_2461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The creeks connects over there to the ocean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LOEjxsrgk5b7f2OayNjNHbjruzGgMFmBrymFkE7q78ISpCVb36vyZL7p5Kl6lKQ46XC7GYlifr53pmjkAjpWSXN_iNu4APDXt__x1BJMJ8ynqpFoEMdFe7hm_7-UibZTr5VfACbc_nU/s1600/101_2463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LOEjxsrgk5b7f2OayNjNHbjruzGgMFmBrymFkE7q78ISpCVb36vyZL7p5Kl6lKQ46XC7GYlifr53pmjkAjpWSXN_iNu4APDXt__x1BJMJ8ynqpFoEMdFe7hm_7-UibZTr5VfACbc_nU/s320/101_2463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The scenery includes mountains, I just can't stand it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWPCnHq6Vv0lr5L-s7ZRE9OC84Hl5VXQoxmkDpdjkhEZn4uPkIGcIjArFijx-uG4Y0sxTSxLTCUbPvY_iYLS1j7dp9fBxvTl0vpd9MwrmAbf6PRkY42Lw8MhnSUXg_iQ0fwakshi10Hw/s1600/101_2459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWPCnHq6Vv0lr5L-s7ZRE9OC84Hl5VXQoxmkDpdjkhEZn4uPkIGcIjArFijx-uG4Y0sxTSxLTCUbPvY_iYLS1j7dp9fBxvTl0vpd9MwrmAbf6PRkY42Lw8MhnSUXg_iQ0fwakshi10Hw/s320/101_2459.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My running partner Norman</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7K01jcsplviD4paLHP5x29RjakpCfJHk3w_UpV-nZEBl8I4i6Mfq963tCgzx3Thfu_Cmta3dBT6Vakakr6b2_k9cxCpil4-mEpYzMynkrB6OveRflKXZC2CJf-2G6QS-JPvWvJE_MyY/s1600/101_2466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7K01jcsplviD4paLHP5x29RjakpCfJHk3w_UpV-nZEBl8I4i6Mfq963tCgzx3Thfu_Cmta3dBT6Vakakr6b2_k9cxCpil4-mEpYzMynkrB6OveRflKXZC2CJf-2G6QS-JPvWvJE_MyY/s320/101_2466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Let's goooooo!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCYYCI476OZxWusPquxxUQVyB_S1mNetx5la-RaggifWD_9lHasnDZE9cclWqgjVzkdVoCVic8Vnqpg9OK6AdDrdSiEys478fOdtTI9onVSvQEBT7jiHsE351kWiTZicVXoJYsDswwfQ/s1600/101_2446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCYYCI476OZxWusPquxxUQVyB_S1mNetx5la-RaggifWD_9lHasnDZE9cclWqgjVzkdVoCVic8Vnqpg9OK6AdDrdSiEys478fOdtTI9onVSvQEBT7jiHsE351kWiTZicVXoJYsDswwfQ/s320/101_2446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This trail goes down as one of my favorite spots to run of all time. If you are ever in Central Coast Cali, make sure you stop by. If you have an extra 2 million bucks, please get involved right away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-36908096309381308232012-06-08T06:32:00.000-07:002012-06-08T06:32:11.638-07:00Mizuno Wave Rider 15 Product Review<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a20CSV9-eRQ/T9FsmMcAuRI/AAAAAAAABJE/2DcvMVRpQiA/s1600/mizunos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a20CSV9-eRQ/T9FsmMcAuRI/AAAAAAAABJE/2DcvMVRpQiA/s320/mizunos.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So comfy!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have the best relatives! People who barely know me, yet send me money from New York to help buy running shoes. Thanks mom and dad, and Bruno, Camille, and Aunt Lorraine!!!! There has been a lot of internet searching lately to try to decide on my newest pair of running shoes. My best estimate is that I have about 150 more miles left on the other shoes I use, so it's time to work a new pair into the rotation.<br />
<br />
I wear a 9.5 or 10, but also need the EE wide size to accommodate my huge left foot(that's right ladies!). The helpful people at a local gigantic national chain running store have told me my left foot is larger than my right foot and that a wider shoe will be more comfortable on longer runs. Sure. They also convinced me to eat a cricket for three dollars, and that's the LAST time I ever will.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ncfuj2dT5vw/T9H5NpHw0xI/AAAAAAAABJQ/uWYC8n6aJTk/s1600/carrots_2072993b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ncfuj2dT5vw/T9H5NpHw0xI/AAAAAAAABJQ/uWYC8n6aJTk/s320/carrots_2072993b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this really need a caption?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been very happy with Asics and mostly happy with my Brooks, but I couldn't find the size with preferred color combination or limited edition, so down to the store I went. And this time, there would be know way I was going to eat another cricket. I met the helpful sales girl and <strike>gobbled three crickets before she could say hello</strike> we proceeded to talk about the shoes I have been using. She explained the minor differences between the neutral and neutral plus shoes, and I tried on about 5 or 6 different pair. Eventually I decided that the <a href="http://www.mizunousa.com/running/wave-rider-15">Mizuno Wave Rider 15's</a> felt the best and bought a pair of size 10 EE.<br />
<br />
After stopping off to buy some Ramen noodles for my family with the remaining grocery money, I unpacked, sniffed, <strike>defiled,</strike> and drooled on these babies until it was time to go night night.<br />
<br />
This morning's run was a scheduled 5 mile progression. Planned 9:30, 9:15, 9:00, 8:45, 8:30. My Garmin battery died so I don't have exact data beyond the first mile, but I ran faster than planned and felt great the whole run. My feet had plenty of room in the toe box, which is great because I suffer from left-foot giant black toes. The soles felt grippy on the pavement and there was nothing else remarkable about them. They're new and over $100, of course they feel fantastic. I'll run on these exclusively for the next couple of weeks and write a review update. The sales <strike>girl</strike> person told me that Mizuno has a larger toebox than Asics and a better heel cup, and we sat and chatted about canal running, <a href="http://www.theboringrunner.com/">Adam's</a> transgender modification surgery, and the Celtics, and would you know it? We both went through a whole bag of crickets.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-42172584587243624122012-05-26T08:50:00.000-07:002012-07-07T09:33:30.559-07:002012 RTP Summer GoalsI've worked pretty hard the first half of this year to get into better shape. I put a big brake on sugary treats and started following a running plan. As a result, I've lost a little over 20 pounds (would like to drop 5-10 more), and have PR'ed every distance I have run by a relatively large margin. One of my 2012 year-long goals was to 'say good-bye' to the 10's. That is, pace times greater than 10 minutes per mile. I'm starting to push the 9 minute per mile mark, but what Phoenix so graciously gives in the mild winter, it sneeringly takes back in the summer.<br />
<br />
Phoenix runners can almost always count on slower paces from mid-June through September. Many times, the heat is so debilitating that runners take a hiatus, switch to less rigorous aerobic activity like llama farming, or worst of all, run indoors on a treadmill--sometimes barefoot!! Sickening I know but that is the price we pay for a democracy with people named Larry.<br />
<br />
Well not me! With only a few days of adieu, I present the first draft of my summer running goals*<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Track work once per week focusing on improving ladder times as well as.......</li>
<li>One mile at sub 7:00</li>
<li>Maintain a base of 25-30 miles per week with 4-5 runs</li>
<li>PR the 5K distance at SYTO in July and again in September......</li>
<li>at the Grasshopper Bridge 5K finishing sub 25:00</li>
<li>3X per week Kettlebell cross train -barefoot, YES BAREFOOT!**</li>
<li>Swim laps twice per week</li>
<li>ease up on hyphenation and made up words</li>
<li>Continue to document and report blog-world plagiarism</li>
</ul>
<div>
The summer schedule looks pretty consistent-- a trip to the coast, some work in the office, lots of family time. These goals should fit in nicely and set up this soon to be 46 year old for The RTP 2012 Fall running goals.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
* I will certainly adieu and re-draft these goals as many times as I damn well please this summer<br />
** Show me proof that pre-historical humans wore shoes while doing a kettlebell workout. I'll wait....<br />
I thought so.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-46609320480448730922012-05-22T19:49:00.000-07:002012-05-22T19:49:34.149-07:002012 Pasadena 1/2 Marathon Race Report13.27 miles<br />
2:03:42 Garmin Time<br />
2:03:51 Chip Time<br />
<br />
Have you ever heard that line about the the journey being worth more than the destination? That was the May 2012 Roadtrip to Pasadena for the 1/2 Marathon. Chris, Suzanne, and I headed out on Saturday at about 8am driving West on some flat-ass desert to go and embarrass some California poser-racers and bring their 1st place money back to Arizona (to spend on.... you guessed it, things that come from California). They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I say<strike> just do captions, I'm tired and lazy</strike> these should be worth about $2.98.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAmi1AJRyv2r2vEiNjdfZE_oqBpxuDLcspYHhH6yxqFgON2VuwewAGp0Bfb2mITn4jw74jrVmTH8l_ogEqv2Gbs2a8C5gDACMqvujHEhM_RwXmUtgWev7UorR91YP7FxKjc15VjWLdg4/s1600/101_2088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAmi1AJRyv2r2vEiNjdfZE_oqBpxuDLcspYHhH6yxqFgON2VuwewAGp0Bfb2mITn4jw74jrVmTH8l_ogEqv2Gbs2a8C5gDACMqvujHEhM_RwXmUtgWev7UorR91YP7FxKjc15VjWLdg4/s320/101_2088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely scenery as we approach the AZ/Cali border</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxfYbQ_rQ8NcUvdwvwpxHb4R9MNej05Q75J3Y_96F4H0hx1G2q_Ww_l90Lu7r7S2WmpfCBjPAwjdX6Ruag0V-ImAyKgVBA8A9H3B1O_oaKKX0aGQhBS2WlCV467Fe1JxnllN6i3Lq8rw/s1600/101_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxfYbQ_rQ8NcUvdwvwpxHb4R9MNej05Q75J3Y_96F4H0hx1G2q_Ww_l90Lu7r7S2WmpfCBjPAwjdX6Ruag0V-ImAyKgVBA8A9H3B1O_oaKKX0aGQhBS2WlCV467Fe1JxnllN6i3Lq8rw/s320/101_2089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hgthdesswqttkyt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8E7k2yCSaF-VjmAW1VM6964HVmZb5hV0ASuGwx9BkJQyEng2Sd6MMSVN1KcfyU2BfCjrPmUuGtg3ki3nMamssn554rpQKxgRjF78C1xpKQJPj01nCwRlJa8pIS1ivC2mVwSw2Ud4zmk/s1600/101_2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8E7k2yCSaF-VjmAW1VM6964HVmZb5hV0ASuGwx9BkJQyEng2Sd6MMSVN1KcfyU2BfCjrPmUuGtg3ki3nMamssn554rpQKxgRjF78C1xpKQJPj01nCwRlJa8pIS1ivC2mVwSw2Ud4zmk/s320/101_2091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could I look any happier?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Bs8ImzenyY/T7sIKLVfeKI/AAAAAAAABBM/hnnEksP5ZrU/s1600/101_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Bs8ImzenyY/T7sIKLVfeKI/AAAAAAAABBM/hnnEksP5ZrU/s320/101_2093.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DO NOT SEEK THE TREASURE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6gyu-5JiVo/T7sIMVI0MoI/AAAAAAAABBU/S6JKGk2-SRE/s1600/101_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6gyu-5JiVo/T7sIMVI0MoI/AAAAAAAABBU/S6JKGk2-SRE/s320/101_2094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and do not try to bring agriculture across this border</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9CjfSyIXngM5KP2b4zHvRAnu75dLuUfq2U8mJT30yonCXHvhYZuQVxSwvw-ra2hs4eogAaepTnZfXvUl9JU0FTUS6wMgkB4sN0QwGwmW2CCL277CgheZwVN0bBUJZoo0jZ73xmWsrmQ/s1600/101_2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9CjfSyIXngM5KP2b4zHvRAnu75dLuUfq2U8mJT30yonCXHvhYZuQVxSwvw-ra2hs4eogAaepTnZfXvUl9JU0FTUS6wMgkB4sN0QwGwmW2CCL277CgheZwVN0bBUJZoo0jZ73xmWsrmQ/s320/101_2095.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Executive Vagabonds, that's us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjp9L9-1px90gQHE8wMLwKY7hOlTUFV9GO49Go3S-qJLa-jxLIj8lphCIPKYGGczJR-GhN92WSCJx0SCw831-oxgwImfvX_HKEkVCScjNrvCXz3lrPrhL-dKXJMjFRaVwJRDoAxNj-Js/s1600/101_2098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjp9L9-1px90gQHE8wMLwKY7hOlTUFV9GO49Go3S-qJLa-jxLIj8lphCIPKYGGczJR-GhN92WSCJx0SCw831-oxgwImfvX_HKEkVCScjNrvCXz3lrPrhL-dKXJMjFRaVwJRDoAxNj-Js/s320/101_2098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expo at the Santa Ana Racetrack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUqoLcXkyRo7NGXgrIc6FDrMB_u6YaDHPYo1ES-1lC7d_8J81ePZ740dVBBcr3H5IXBYCZ7KtT6O8PptNlcn-ZU12ihHv_gj9fkqIUHUIjRVw9Ol1EmVzE-V4VbQmERvftOdCHkW8jeQ/s1600/101_2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUqoLcXkyRo7NGXgrIc6FDrMB_u6YaDHPYo1ES-1lC7d_8J81ePZ740dVBBcr3H5IXBYCZ7KtT6O8PptNlcn-ZU12ihHv_gj9fkqIUHUIjRVw9Ol1EmVzE-V4VbQmERvftOdCHkW8jeQ/s320/101_2099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This place is huge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIODzE0QbF4yLYSOS5FHBXDi7QZZhatRE9b2KAFCFx-clDsdifzXUl8Rl-69q4oXodOaQs8pjNJlOwBuDdZfaGmA_998BphqrvYLDh6FGIyz3H7VKsKeElWY1UH4gnmTNsz0876KvQ0Y/s1600/101_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIODzE0QbF4yLYSOS5FHBXDi7QZZhatRE9b2KAFCFx-clDsdifzXUl8Rl-69q4oXodOaQs8pjNJlOwBuDdZfaGmA_998BphqrvYLDh6FGIyz3H7VKsKeElWY1UH4gnmTNsz0876KvQ0Y/s320/101_2101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor hot Expo, typical</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzUkhi6RQVaErP-iuDgDLpvSfXieWgjVJ4hnpRQgs4OVOgHygF5HLKFXFpis6LeVs0L71DemXVss-9xwbO66o3ptUpobkSX1fE6l9XWPFzvy3Kn4Z5duS837WVAy5tyAigwIIKJIul9s/s1600/101_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzUkhi6RQVaErP-iuDgDLpvSfXieWgjVJ4hnpRQgs4OVOgHygF5HLKFXFpis6LeVs0L71DemXVss-9xwbO66o3ptUpobkSX1fE6l9XWPFzvy3Kn4Z5duS837WVAy5tyAigwIIKJIul9s/s320/101_2103.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris eating and drinking everything not nailed down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDR4SNqgQUcC4J9sMShRKTe92TQK3GxSyoTULB0s_LrYhPNx0veEws9HfzUvNZ5D5jHXzKuap7MbRvSUJ7kbtaB2Bs72DA7cEQFvaVDkI_gzIk24Te_LGKNCvfOw1m2KlOrw4sB1qJVo/s1600/101_2104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDR4SNqgQUcC4J9sMShRKTe92TQK3GxSyoTULB0s_LrYhPNx0veEws9HfzUvNZ5D5jHXzKuap7MbRvSUJ7kbtaB2Bs72DA7cEQFvaVDkI_gzIk24Te_LGKNCvfOw1m2KlOrw4sB1qJVo/s320/101_2104.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and I ate and drank the things that WERE nailed down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf6OH-PIAoE/T7sIjifU1cI/AAAAAAAABCk/sVgjhsS7OeA/s1600/101_2105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf6OH-PIAoE/T7sIjifU1cI/AAAAAAAABCk/sVgjhsS7OeA/s320/101_2105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art School</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPNr51y39A8/T7sIlrKQgvI/AAAAAAAABCs/M0ehph3P4ik/s1600/101_2106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPNr51y39A8/T7sIlrKQgvI/AAAAAAAABCs/M0ehph3P4ik/s320/101_2106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w6CJUo_ouSM/T7sIndlYqaI/AAAAAAAABC0/79Sm-88GRTM/s1600/101_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w6CJUo_ouSM/T7sIndlYqaI/AAAAAAAABC0/79Sm-88GRTM/s320/101_2107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0Eg7koAvBo/T7sIp8kJnyI/AAAAAAAABC8/0TiKxRjpDLM/s1600/101_2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0Eg7koAvBo/T7sIp8kJnyI/AAAAAAAABC8/0TiKxRjpDLM/s320/101_2108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">part of the Marathon relay route</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Okw7r5hWMz8/T7sIrn6pzDI/AAAAAAAABDE/5NMgn6MQqK0/s1600/101_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Okw7r5hWMz8/T7sIrn6pzDI/AAAAAAAABDE/5NMgn6MQqK0/s320/101_2109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Do not touch" art. Touched it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-apA31h34KZA/T7sIt0fPvhI/AAAAAAAABDM/Saefyu1Rhy4/s1600/101_2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-apA31h34KZA/T7sIt0fPvhI/AAAAAAAABDM/Saefyu1Rhy4/s320/101_2110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staring at the magazine rack at the airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mn81TyAKQQo/T7sIvK_MsMI/AAAAAAAABDU/9gm8RBJ8agE/s1600/101_2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mn81TyAKQQo/T7sIvK_MsMI/AAAAAAAABDU/9gm8RBJ8agE/s320/101_2112.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have you seen my dog? Anyone seen my dog? Anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJypdKQIYKE/T7sIxuOhpDI/AAAAAAAABDc/xohlikLXE-A/s1600/101_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJypdKQIYKE/T7sIxuOhpDI/AAAAAAAABDc/xohlikLXE-A/s320/101_2113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--1Sb4vscxLo/T7sI0CWcDFI/AAAAAAAABDk/0WMBX-yvMQ4/s1600/101_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--1Sb4vscxLo/T7sI0CWcDFI/AAAAAAAABDk/0WMBX-yvMQ4/s320/101_2114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race day porta potties</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqiRO1RyLnZajDMLJBXJnr5Y0QyX1QSYP2gz7MD3OozlRZ7XuXg9gBt2WbRuAOk61w-vxVayZ4igKnQIvnGkUb0VFXiYgbjfrQ58A8nwr64ZD6of_H_32p-0uHBMK0p9pwdZejQxneDc/s1600/101_2115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqiRO1RyLnZajDMLJBXJnr5Y0QyX1QSYP2gz7MD3OozlRZ7XuXg9gBt2WbRuAOk61w-vxVayZ4igKnQIvnGkUb0VFXiYgbjfrQ58A8nwr64ZD6of_H_32p-0uHBMK0p9pwdZejQxneDc/s320/101_2115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really kinda cool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cgd8RpKz5e8/T7sI5HjZEaI/AAAAAAAABD0/FmqM-t9TeTs/s1600/101_2116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cgd8RpKz5e8/T7sI5HjZEaI/AAAAAAAABD0/FmqM-t9TeTs/s320/101_2116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designing Cars for 2022</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw8wDGifjTT0PzbIoaNqXTH5rqKFKnUcOyAKwGS95rzi_E-RGWHt-2bb-JtWVshncL3Kz59YTD8RTfl-Iok5ovOB9q8_l_NavecCfp7RCm4UFp63imRGDkdd30a9f2nPSrc6hnnNduDM/s1600/101_2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw8wDGifjTT0PzbIoaNqXTH5rqKFKnUcOyAKwGS95rzi_E-RGWHt-2bb-JtWVshncL3Kz59YTD8RTfl-Iok5ovOB9q8_l_NavecCfp7RCm4UFp63imRGDkdd30a9f2nPSrc6hnnNduDM/s320/101_2118.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking East down into the Rosebowl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq49hNEo0P5I22bpsrfLNB0qMrATtPJvSoUQ5XRfqX8f41qoJkqV5VMSM7pkvv1_Txco7Lw6bfiOkXY_2fm5kP0cs6r7AuGVJ43sxOXLD5Px1vtPjy3Xd6AggJ7JljZkNZmR9F_0qp9e8/s1600/101_2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq49hNEo0P5I22bpsrfLNB0qMrATtPJvSoUQ5XRfqX8f41qoJkqV5VMSM7pkvv1_Txco7Lw6bfiOkXY_2fm5kP0cs6r7AuGVJ43sxOXLD5Px1vtPjy3Xd6AggJ7JljZkNZmR9F_0qp9e8/s320/101_2120.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYueKcp0JQwRLgz0GlMWnQwoi9mcORWMXNZrHh4AjB4R8PEKzIFmgcwx0TJgzQ9jeVk3zKci7SDgge1onDHAxJi387O4jTMK7tKpnVCv78BDEqvJ7DdAzkkfS6YwlY3aoMIo5HRF5pyo/s1600/101_2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYueKcp0JQwRLgz0GlMWnQwoi9mcORWMXNZrHh4AjB4R8PEKzIFmgcwx0TJgzQ9jeVk3zKci7SDgge1onDHAxJi387O4jTMK7tKpnVCv78BDEqvJ7DdAzkkfS6YwlY3aoMIo5HRF5pyo/s320/101_2122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post Race Festivities</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV56JxENiOwWQED0nPJplB9nhy1gGIhUVO9OBUn76viTaT9ma0yIVa5QINqzFT55cGAE2d_SbZkImzdCQjUMSBkmkEyazh3_fG70RHg8KFxxwraIjXhj6VUD4Qzxqt6ABAuN7LkgiYYXo/s1600/101_2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV56JxENiOwWQED0nPJplB9nhy1gGIhUVO9OBUn76viTaT9ma0yIVa5QINqzFT55cGAE2d_SbZkImzdCQjUMSBkmkEyazh3_fG70RHg8KFxxwraIjXhj6VUD4Qzxqt6ABAuN7LkgiYYXo/s320/101_2124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupgi3QQms_oORKnkvQNKM7aKXWDlLTCV2PgsVz0Y670ICtg6xftAbwSh1B3veZFm9vx09ScVd-N9v-Z9r5QK0ZoqLp_orPUcpA4E4mEtupY6xZfQmKcyB_zBzqk8PwCHpIIXPKM2ceL4/s1600/101_2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupgi3QQms_oORKnkvQNKM7aKXWDlLTCV2PgsVz0Y670ICtg6xftAbwSh1B3veZFm9vx09ScVd-N9v-Z9r5QK0ZoqLp_orPUcpA4E4mEtupY6xZfQmKcyB_zBzqk8PwCHpIIXPKM2ceL4/s320/101_2126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Frankin's Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYx0T2i4gCw7MkNFaPYzhpPdgiWkomfXBYthurM3BajQvimKKIq9AfEzi1Fr01pg5_kgM_UnWtuc6_ROXfyZpg2KNC3VkhHVvrnSgwqcOtgb3CYo7JxuW3Fghv24W-qclqk68z3AjSkw/s1600/101_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYx0T2i4gCw7MkNFaPYzhpPdgiWkomfXBYthurM3BajQvimKKIq9AfEzi1Fr01pg5_kgM_UnWtuc6_ROXfyZpg2KNC3VkhHVvrnSgwqcOtgb3CYo7JxuW3Fghv24W-qclqk68z3AjSkw/s320/101_2129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaN7ED8ueHbNUFHj7-6q_JYY3dR16NhdJkuymvRhNPsUyKYb7h7hC375RfooPkVzjR9_b3u3246I5A4Dwah3k47E-l4hQKbbNEe_jJx30YKyrdMCAuT2WrnQFzEUrdDx3fDg56BISy1c/s1600/101_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaN7ED8ueHbNUFHj7-6q_JYY3dR16NhdJkuymvRhNPsUyKYb7h7hC375RfooPkVzjR9_b3u3246I5A4Dwah3k47E-l4hQKbbNEe_jJx30YKyrdMCAuT2WrnQFzEUrdDx3fDg56BISy1c/s320/101_2131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers not doing a very good job of.... Putting water into cups??!!????</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRcCAfoUMLjEw48yPW-nkBRAk2wLKOM0IiR3hZVVbbffhEB7iSsEsnFdNhIoaGnE_bNyeinxc8_Hbm8ElkXZ9fxg41tFJkIXk3k3tBVMxL7Zzp0lYOxEC_X1eTfnojrG1nA3bMoscUnA/s1600/101_2136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRcCAfoUMLjEw48yPW-nkBRAk2wLKOM0IiR3hZVVbbffhEB7iSsEsnFdNhIoaGnE_bNyeinxc8_Hbm8ElkXZ9fxg41tFJkIXk3k3tBVMxL7Zzp0lYOxEC_X1eTfnojrG1nA3bMoscUnA/s320/101_2136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffalo finisher!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9FnB4Af6LkhIOoPR9Li_qNnyH2NXOp9G6fCvm5ZlLYitwhdcVIAnKlClSU8CGd5JCCNsQmvUYFE61Te3vVd-aD4jnD_kddEfJSd5HvgkWFp9_4C06eKH8bm8kRBpsIXgIryEQKYthQU/s1600/101_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9FnB4Af6LkhIOoPR9Li_qNnyH2NXOp9G6fCvm5ZlLYitwhdcVIAnKlClSU8CGd5JCCNsQmvUYFE61Te3vVd-aD4jnD_kddEfJSd5HvgkWFp9_4C06eKH8bm8kRBpsIXgIryEQKYthQU/s320/101_2139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Suzanne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykWYqDgQV6ikIqqJD6dkliM2SBrWolW9DWkY39k61OWddF3W3iQQoe09UNTl7X1ZA7BFCYG12zSUcAsOPaovxSnnceCGTvPErqORp6QKT4XVnNMBC2reaWdHjI0tCOZ0jO9pqyMG3r7E/s1600/101_2143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykWYqDgQV6ikIqqJD6dkliM2SBrWolW9DWkY39k61OWddF3W3iQQoe09UNTl7X1ZA7BFCYG12zSUcAsOPaovxSnnceCGTvPErqORp6QKT4XVnNMBC2reaWdHjI0tCOZ0jO9pqyMG3r7E/s320/101_2143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Tres Amigos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLvK94cRRkc/T7sJ2pg-F8I/AAAAAAAABHA/xblksRgvlQ0/s1600/101_2145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLvK94cRRkc/T7sJ2pg-F8I/AAAAAAAABHA/xblksRgvlQ0/s320/101_2145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why I Run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tC8Gv6TkClE/T7sJ94tNgjI/AAAAAAAABHY/GiKDuM5OCrM/s1600/101_2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tC8Gv6TkClE/T7sJ94tNgjI/AAAAAAAABHY/GiKDuM5OCrM/s320/101_2148.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the Fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwJ5B7ZbhgI/T7sKLo4D_iI/AAAAAAAABIA/FrA6tC0wV6Q/s1600/101_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwJ5B7ZbhgI/T7sKLo4D_iI/AAAAAAAABIA/FrA6tC0wV6Q/s320/101_2153.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FfM3xDqj4t9QydEuzwGPnSTmECPaCk10sZkD8aJmm7x5ul7dxON0qC2ISHUftiXUEpFu012i-TBkZy1M5PHdQPd5fQQa-Q7ludbgVjLUid22SbUboYi2Cut1Pvra47tgOmXZq13kBME/s1600/101_2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FfM3xDqj4t9QydEuzwGPnSTmECPaCk10sZkD8aJmm7x5ul7dxON0qC2ISHUftiXUEpFu012i-TBkZy1M5PHdQPd5fQQa-Q7ludbgVjLUid22SbUboYi2Cut1Pvra47tgOmXZq13kBME/s320/101_2157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windmills, 105 degrees, and snow up on those mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was fun. I'd do it again. Now on to getting faster.......<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-91934557264162398672012-05-12T14:39:00.000-07:002012-05-12T14:39:56.746-07:00Two Runners and an Anti-Baby HouseholdMrs. RTP and I have been running a lot more since January. We both have taken the no-sweets diet plunge, and except for a handful of 'cheats', we have done well and lost a bunch of weight. The increase in running combined with the weight loss has resulted in much faster times and a big running performance boost for both of us.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5LfiBQTEV8/T67VE-6ZAaI/AAAAAAAAA_8/try_T9wkOus/s1600/sugar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5LfiBQTEV8/T67VE-6ZAaI/AAAAAAAAA_8/try_T9wkOus/s400/sugar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It puts the Sugar in its mouth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She mainly runs in the morning on Tuesday and Thursday with our neighbor, and I run on M/W/Fr, and we both run Sat morning. I go first because I get up to run at 4am. It has worked out great for both of us, but the summer heat will soon challenge. And a bigger challenge is our daughter Amelia who is now crawling like Lindsey Lohan whenever a Greenie rolls under her couch.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozVmnHtA9NM/T67VfO88SAI/AAAAAAAABAE/pL2nvzhm7IU/s1600/lohan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozVmnHtA9NM/T67VfO88SAI/AAAAAAAABAE/pL2nvzhm7IU/s1600/lohan.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy's little princess</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Amelia is coming up on nine months and wants to do everything her 4 year old brother is doing. Now that she can crawl, she follows us all over the house eating whatever she finds. She favors the bleach bottle and I usually let her have it because the safety cap seems sufficiently impermeable. Dust kitty? Into the 98 degree filter and out in the diaper trash. Thirsty? Dog's water dish. I need to take a trip to the local Home Despot and buy a bunch of anti baby-happiness devices and install them around here and there. And on we trudge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lZd3Tn0hBU/T67V7kq9LII/AAAAAAAABAM/5eCIk0ttqg8/s1600/bong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lZd3Tn0hBU/T67V7kq9LII/AAAAAAAABAM/5eCIk0ttqg8/s1600/bong.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't Bogart that Double Chambered Plexiglass Bong My Friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This morning was the last longish run prior to Pasadena. I've pretty much been training for this half-marathon since January first. My main 2012 running goal is to break 2:00 in a half-marathon. I had originally set my sights on a race in December, but I got faster a lot faster than I thought I would. I've been very close to the goal in training, knocking down a 2:03 a couple of weeks back with energy left in the legs at the end. Very likely could have gotten it that day. This goal is there and within reach. Just gotta stick to the plan and run the paces I need to run. But what if......... And try to ignore the What ifs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePbDGU2mQkc/T67WgIX_ANI/AAAAAAAABAU/WhMZuMZaAaY/s1600/what+if.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePbDGU2mQkc/T67WgIX_ANI/AAAAAAAABAU/WhMZuMZaAaY/s1600/what+if.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A baby and a bong? In a Running blog??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I ran 8 miles this morning and had planned to run them at about 9:30 to keep it easy. I had an attack of ego somewhere in the middle and grabbed a few sub 9's, but finished with an overall pace of 9:15 and plenty of energy. This week has 3 easy miles on Monday and Thursday, and 4 miles at 9:00 on Wednesday for race simulation. The main goal of this 'taper' (I hate to call it a taper because I sort of believe that term should be reserved for full marathons or for faster runners. But it is a good idea to let the body fully heal and go into the race hungry to run) ..the main goal of this taper is to keep the legs fresh but let them heal. And don't do anything stupid. Not sure how I can avoid that part. The family is staying home for this race, and I am traveling with my buddy Chris who is trying to finish without crapping out his pancreas.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Internet images related to final sentence too disturbing to publish. I need to go to therapy)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-14700700054916179662012-05-05T13:56:00.001-07:002012-05-05T13:56:56.978-07:00Today's Long Run into a Wall<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKWEMiQHAhI/T6WScV_O_gI/AAAAAAAAA_w/e7lHn7XXOYk/s1600/clock.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKWEMiQHAhI/T6WScV_O_gI/AAAAAAAAA_w/e7lHn7XXOYk/s1600/clock.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cock a Doodle Doo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got up pretty early today to run 14 miles. For the past few weeks, I've been getting up when Norman gets up to pee. Norman is our almost two year old Choc lab and my running partner. He gets up right around 4am, and I started running at that time to be able to finish in time for work, and also because it's peaceful and the air is cool.<br />
<br />
The plan for today was to get the miles in and to also do some REAL hillwork. I've been practicing hills to try to get ready for Pasadena. There's a pretty decent mountain in central Phoenix called Camelback, and the streets near this mountain are the best bet around for building hill strength and experience. So the route I built has some mild rollers for the first three miles, then a flat stretch where I extended to about 7 miles. Then the ascent.<br />
<br />
I've been eyeballing Tatum Blvd. going North for the past year as a hill challenge. I've only ever flirted with the very bottom 1/4 mile, but today, I was determined to crest the beast. Tatum goes up about one mile at a pretty decent grade before it flattens, then MacDonald goes East into a 1/2 mile mega-incline. This was tough, but I slowed my pace and got into my hill-chug "I Think I Can, I Think I Can" mode and turned around at the 9.1 mile mark. I had been thinking about the reward of the downhill after slugging through this uphill, and my pace was almost instantly fast.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75TGX9Yw-vs/T6WPXOQMylI/AAAAAAAAA_k/NZ8YLszANN8/s1600/little_engine_that_could_unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75TGX9Yw-vs/T6WPXOQMylI/AAAAAAAAA_k/NZ8YLszANN8/s1600/little_engine_that_could_unknown.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crap. Now I'm going to have scary clown dreams tonight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But what I didn't count on was that I would get tired of going downhill!???!!! WTF! I had planned to glide down to the 11 mile mark and push back home for the last three miles (mostly slightly downhill) while keeping a 9:00/mile pace. I ate a GU somewhere between 7 and 8, and had had most of my water, but I knew a couple of abandoned houses along the route where I could refill. But all of that was not on my mind, as my quads and hammys started complaining, and I began hearing the internal "WALK" chant. I had hit the wall and still had 2.5 miles to go.<br />
<br />
The Wall is a phenomenon in running when a person 'runs out of gas'. Technically, when we exercise, our bodies use oxygen to burn (oxidize) fats and other ready sources to meet our energy demands. But if we create too much of a demand by going too fast or too far (or both), our bodies build up lactic acid in the muscles (which feels sore) and we can't get enough energy to keep going because we can't get enough oxygen into our cells to burn stuff to create energy, so our brain tells us to stop or at least walk. If you've run in longer distance races, you have seen people walking with droopy shoulders, heads down, and legs dragging zombie-like. They have 'hit the wall'. The strange thing is that after a short walk, we usually feel like we can run again. But once we start to run, out bodies immediately revolt, and we have to walk. In races, it is a sad helpless thing to see (and experience). On Saturday mornings, it just looks like some guy out there running for the first time in his life. Graphically, it looks a lot like this:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABeE4l5n2Zc/T6WNk4RPeMI/AAAAAAAAA_c/Trc_oOKiSCE/s1600/the+wall+graph.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABeE4l5n2Zc/T6WNk4RPeMI/AAAAAAAAA_c/Trc_oOKiSCE/s1600/the+wall+graph.tiff" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those spikes are me walking<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I pushed myself, chastised myself, and eventually resigned, happy that I had at least finished my goal distance and the gone up the Tatum beast. As for the Wall, I've been told that its good to hit it once in a while. Maybe its one of those 'know your enemy' things. As Norman and I pulled up to the driveway a little more than 2 hours after starting, I had the feeling that I knew this 'Wall' character a lot better, and I hope he leaves me alone and goes off to bother someone else for a while.<br /><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-60969046432455932182012-04-29T12:30:00.000-07:002012-04-29T12:30:24.448-07:00Set Back Week<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jen_Wjrst50/T52TGoV_dRI/AAAAAAAAA_I/WLD2Vry4azo/s1600/barf.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jen_Wjrst50/T52TGoV_dRI/AAAAAAAAA_I/WLD2Vry4azo/s320/barf.jpeg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If Rocky can do it.... I can't</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was a tough week. Just two weeks ago, I had to take time off due to a hip flexor strain. I got back into my routine with a solid 30 mile week, and then was hit by an unforgiving stomach virus Monday evening. I took Tuesday morning off from work, but then went back at it and never took time off to rest, so the dang virus came back Wednesday evening and finally moved on to its next victim sometime around Saturday morning. No running this past week after PR'ing the 13.1 mile distance last Saturday morning on a training run. When I went out this morning, I didn't really know what to expect, but I pulled in a good seven miler and am in good shape to train at my max this week.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_5zwgH3ZJU/T52TWL_u0nI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/hVzO8FcQ5FI/s1600/pasadena+elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_5zwgH3ZJU/T52TWL_u0nI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/hVzO8FcQ5FI/s400/pasadena+elevation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it mile 10.1 yet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I really hoped to be at my max for all three of these weeks to get ready for the Pasadena 1/2 Marathon on May 20. I really want to finish this race in under Two hours. There is a monster 3 mile hill on the course from mile 7 to mile 10, and I have not really trained for hills, but I still think I have a pretty decent chance of reaching this goal. I'll be traveling and running with two friends, Chris and Suzanne. Suzanne recently had abdominal surgery so I should be able to beat her, but I've been practicing elbow shots just in case. Chris is new to running so is just going out to <strike>pig out on free stuff in the finishers chute</strike> have a good time and run the parts he can.<br />
<br />
This was also the week for the drawing for the NYC Marathon, and no dice. I really wanted a chance at this, but it was not meant to be. So now, I have to make plan for the summer and fall, and I'm thinking Core work and base mileage. My December goal is to break 1:45 in the Fiesta Bowl 1/2 Marathon and that is going to require a solid base and mega speedwork. As for the core, I'm going to work in a three day per week routine using kettlebells, planks, crunches, and some other shit I found on the net that helps with hip strength. I plan to establish a 30 minute set that works the more common running muscle groups. My wife and I trade running days, so while she is out breezing through the miles, I will be on the back patio making Google Satellite history.<br />
<br />
A couple of exciting bits of running news to share: There are some TMZ-style rumors that <a href="http://lastmilelounge.com/">Jamoosh</a> may be visiting Phoenix this summer for the SYTO 5K. Has anyone given alert to the local microbreweries?? And <a href="http://www.theboringrunner.com/">Adam, The Boring Runner</a>, just finished the Eugene Marathon in 3:04, a huge PR, and a boston Qualifying time. Great running Adam!<br />
<br />
If you have recommendations for core routine, I'd love to hear from you.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-53846791285455805662012-04-15T09:06:00.000-07:002012-04-15T09:06:12.684-07:00Down But Not OutThe following blog post is mostly a self-indulgent rant about my latest hip flexor injury --for that matter, this blog is mostly self-indulgent in general. Read on if you must....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXB_3P-hE6keeV3Hmg7qMB3ajQTLfBNdnkMwcApAgrcLGL7HoSTmRq858RExwXzqBTqxno9c0njfn0EBKgBO7b5l_ODNLZMBOzT2tgpvRSONRPPqt9yoWhUWMzigwTGGAboVe8U7yVXU/s1600/101_1778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXB_3P-hE6keeV3Hmg7qMB3ajQTLfBNdnkMwcApAgrcLGL7HoSTmRq858RExwXzqBTqxno9c0njfn0EBKgBO7b5l_ODNLZMBOzT2tgpvRSONRPPqt9yoWhUWMzigwTGGAboVe8U7yVXU/s320/101_1778.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We had the most amazing vacation about 6 weeks ago in Sedona. Stayed for free in a friends house, ate in restaurants, hiked around, and I ran a few too many miles on the local trail system (that is NOT a euphemism for "I went whoring"). I never felt an injury, and my road miles had been at an all time high. When I got back to Phoenix, my left hip bothered me a bit during runs. Not exactly painful but something was going on. annnnnnd......<br />
<br />
So, I decided to do the right thing. I increased my running mileage, speed, overall intensity, shoved thoughts of medical professionals out of my T-Rex porno-ridden mind, and carefully crafted a web of lies about the steadily increasing pain. What was likely a mild strain escalated into a medium strain, and finally became a 'hurtin' strain. I have been limping while walking. I've looked on the internet, and its some kind of Hip flexor strain, a bursitis, or possibly a stress fracture. Last Sunday when I ran 12 miles, it seemed to loosen up on the run and got numb. And that had happened on all the runs prior to that, so I thought it might work to run through the pain. And it even stayed mild through the rest of the days when I ran, but the pain really set in the next day and the day after. I finally decided to take a week off from running <strike>and stretch and cross train</strike>. This has been difficult because I felt like I was making such good progress, but the healing wasn't happening, and I've heard stories about people who ignore medical problems..... AND THEIR PROBLEMS GET WORSE!! It's true.. that I have heard that. I can't verify that problems can get worse. Check with your doctor and then blog it for the rest of us.<br />
<br />
Now, for those of us who put in for the NY Marathon lottery system, we have one more week to wait to see if we got lucky. There is something like an 8% chance of being drawn if you live outside of the tri-state area. The qualifying time was ridiculous (3:10 and it gets even tougher next year), and the charity option is for "good" people. Based on that, I will either go for a sub 2:00 PR 1/2 marathon in Pasadena next month, or have a fun run and set my sites on the Central Park finishing line.<br />
<br />
One thing is for sure; injuries should not be ignored by most people.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-46743100287736935222012-03-24T16:35:00.001-07:002012-03-24T19:17:03.152-07:00ARR South Mountain 20K Classic Race Report<a href="http://jeffg-runningthroughphoenix.blogspot.com/2011/03/arr-south-mountain-20k-race-report.html">I ran this race last year</a> knowing that there would be hills, but when I actually encountered them out on the course, it deflated me a bit. I had no strategy for hills and no expectation for having a fun successful race. I finished in 2:12 and change, not too bad at the time. This year, I had expectations to beat that time, and possibly come in sub-2:00.<br />
<br />
I got a 2:00:05 on the chip time, and sub 2:00 on my Garmin --Personal Record!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theboringrunner.com/">The Boring Runner</a> had advised me to survive the hills as best as I could and attack the downhills to get time back in the bank. The course goes by mentally quick, and the out and back route makes it seem like it's going by even quicker. I was at mile 8 before I really started yearning for finish line, and after mile 9, it eases up a lot. If you aren't familiar with the San Juan South Mountain route, it looks like this<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXykGd0rlks/T24VAtXc3TI/AAAAAAAAA94/ltWtnwoPimE/s1600/smntn+elev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXykGd0rlks/T24VAtXc3TI/AAAAAAAAA94/ltWtnwoPimE/s1600/smntn+elev.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boobies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So, up a bit, down down down, then up a bit, then all of it in reverse. The nice part is that you finish on a downhill for about 2 miles, so you get to come through the chute looking good. Last year, the downhills were in the 9:30 range. This year, there were some miles in the 8's, and not so many super slow miles.<br />
Splits were (numbers in parenthesis are the splits from last year):<br />
9:23 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9:40)</span><br />
10:10 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">11:00)</span><br />
9:38 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10:26)</span><br />
8:39 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9:20)</span><br />
8:28 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9:28)</span><br />
9:32 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10:09)</span><br />
10:19 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10:59)</span><br />
10:47 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">11:43)</span><br />
11:43 ouch (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">12:09)</span><br />
10:44 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">12:15)</span><br />
8:58 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9:40)</span><br />
9:10 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9:59)</span><br />
9:08 final segment (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9:16)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A big improvement over last year. I've lost about 18 pounds since Jan. 1 on a sweets-free diet, and have also logged many more miles per week on average. Last March, I ran 4 times total (including the race) for a total of 30 miles. This March, I have logged almost 90 miles in 15 runs so far, and this will be my first ever +100 mile month.</span></div><br />
This event was designed to be a litmus test for the Pasadena 1/2 Marathon in May. My main 2012 running goal is to break 2:00 in the half marathon distance. The Pasadena course hills look like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bOjm0-wRE4/T24XI7_4LFI/AAAAAAAAA-A/prQiQOvVHuY/s1600/pasadena+elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bOjm0-wRE4/T24XI7_4LFI/AAAAAAAAA-A/prQiQOvVHuY/s1600/pasadena+elevation.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A relatively benign set of hills in the first half of the race, then a monster uphill moving away from the Rose Bowl, and a nice downhill finish. If you have been reading this blog lately, you know that my mind is centering around hills and how to improve on them. Almost all of my runs are on flat roads around here, so when I have to run on real elevated routes, I get a big dose of "I told you so's" from one of my alter egos.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nA2dHtSdR_c/T24boBeODFI/AAAAAAAAA-I/76w8abaejfQ/s1600/alter+ego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nA2dHtSdR_c/T24boBeODFI/AAAAAAAAA-I/76w8abaejfQ/s1600/alter+ego.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come on in loonies! Plenty of room in here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A big thanks to Arizona Road Racers for another well-organized event. As much as I didn't want to face the hills again, this was fun, and I will be back next year to record a time that has "1" as the first number.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-33038104442110888102012-03-04T08:47:00.000-07:002012-03-04T08:47:53.235-07:00Slope = Rise Over RunThis morning's long run made me think about hills that are soul-crushing steep vs. those long slight rises that people in Phoenix refer to as hills. My typical long route starts out very flat, rises slightly over 5 miles, peaks at about the 5 mile mark, descends ever so slightly over the next few miles, and I'm not sure after that because I've only run further a few times and had to retreat to my inner <a href="http://ellandriel.hubpages.com/hub/Safe-Spanking--important-information--can-SAVE-your-LIFE">Jeffy safe zone</a> when I did.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sANo1Knhphk/T1OL0sdY7aI/AAAAAAAAA9w/RE2qzrah1Mc/s1600/spanking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sANo1Knhphk/T1OL0sdY7aI/AAAAAAAAA9w/RE2qzrah1Mc/s320/spanking.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy ants can carry a lot of... OUCH OWIE OWIE OUCH OUCH OUCH!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>To put this in perspective, I ran it through the trusty Mapmyrun application and found that the route rises 100 feet between mile 1 and 2 and another 35 feet until it peaks. Not exactly Heartbreak Hill. So why does it seem so ominous when looking up and seeing a steady rising for as far as the eye can see, and, conversely, feeling huge relief when returning and the basking in the feeling that I am in some running dream where all is effortless and fast, the temperature is always around 45 degrees, and the <a href="http://www.shutupandrun.net/">SUAR's</a> of our world only shit in established bathrooms?<br />
<br />
I have a 20K race planned for March that includes some of the most challenging hills available in Phoenix at South Mountain park. This 12.4 mile race starts out with 2.5 miles uphill, then goes downhill for a looooong time, and you guessed it, turns around and comes right back up that hill. I ran it last year, and remember walking quite a bit on the uphill while 8 year old kids flew by me pushing double jogging strollers. What ARE they putting in milk these days? My plan this year is to include the race as part of my hill training plan, and to mentally capture a positive hillattitude. My term. Do not try to claim it <a href="http://feetmeetstreet.blogspot.com/">Nitmos</a>, you already have "Nitmos".<br />
<br />
I'm running in the Pasadena 1/2 marathon in May, and there are a couple of doozie hills on the route. You run downhill to to the Rose bowl and then miles 6.5 to 9.5 are right back up that MF'er of a hill. Then the survivors cruise down a slight hill to the finish. So, to do well, I have to practice/train on some hills, and the ones around here are polarized into: long and gradual and short and steep. But they will pretty much prepare me at least mentaly for the challenge. I'm trying to break the 2:00 barrier this year in the Half marathon. My current 1/2 marathon best is 2:10, so if I can cut it down to 2:05 in this race, I'll be well on my way to a sub 2:00 by December. But I have to be ready for the hills.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWmLR8vX95U/T1OK_xjOg6I/AAAAAAAAA9o/UHM9RYgOoUw/s1600/pasadena+elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWmLR8vX95U/T1OK_xjOg6I/AAAAAAAAA9o/UHM9RYgOoUw/s400/pasadena+elevation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasadena Half Marathon Elevation</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWR_0Yd_xKtrcHzf31qnm5foHlASS1L8fpdPcno4tr59c3ElggwW6_Woo_Q1NDDmiq2z1lrWXMJVPaGRe6wTVXhgg7jI9HHnHj8la1F9tAK5w200lF5PvWzEjl5OTDiVK7j9de85HRBW4/s1600/101_1688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWR_0Yd_xKtrcHzf31qnm5foHlASS1L8fpdPcno4tr59c3ElggwW6_Woo_Q1NDDmiq2z1lrWXMJVPaGRe6wTVXhgg7jI9HHnHj8la1F9tAK5w200lF5PvWzEjl5OTDiVK7j9de85HRBW4/s320/101_1688.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oooohhhh sexy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My running has been improving since Jan. 1. And except for one "cheat desert", I've been sweets free since the beginning of the year and have lost a whopping 14 pounds. Running seems easier at this weight, and the times are greatly improved. I've also been running more miles than ever and feel pretty good about the progress. My legs are feeling pretty good. Normal wear and tear of 20+ mile weeks, but my toes on the left side are getting trashed again. It's just 2 and 3, and though they look bad, only the second toe hurts <strike>when I pee</strike>. So, while I have seen major improvements in pace and weekly distances, I need to ensure that I am challenging myself with some hills. What do you do you use to prepare for hills? Is one hill workout per week enough to really get ready? Is it a mental thing? Are safe spankings a part of your "routine"?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-78733610879555235162012-01-22T09:50:00.000-07:002012-01-22T09:50:48.720-07:00Saturday Morning Long RunsI love running my long slow runs (LSR) on Saturday morning, preferably at an early early early hour. Yesterday, I took off at 5:30 for a seven mile run. Not the longest distance, but I am slowly ramping up, sticking to the ten percent rule. The ten percent rule is a common running rule of thumb which states that we should not increase our weekly total distance run by more than 10% of the prior week, or we risk injury. My plan asked me to run 4 of these seven miles at my long slow pace of 10:00min/mile or more, and the last three at a tempo pace of 9:15. I pretty much nailed it and felt good the whole way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_e9dkjLzQU/Txwt6pCKrsI/AAAAAAAAA8w/jL8LwlrNi84/s1600/seven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_e9dkjLzQU/Txwt6pCKrsI/AAAAAAAAA8w/jL8LwlrNi84/s400/seven.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This typical Saturday route starts out with a half mile uphill, then levels out on the canal for more distance than most people need. The Phoenix canal system goes for miles and miles East and West, mostly in one mile segments divided by major cross streets that are designed to scare the living shit out of scampering runners. Since I almost always do an out and back route, the run ends on that same half mile going downhill, which really helps with pacing and the psychological delayed-gratification feeling of finishing fast.</div><br />
I am also monitoring my Heart Rate (HR) again because I'm trying to identify zones of running effort. If your telescope is strong enough to see the graph above, you can see a HR of low to mid 140's for the first 4 miles then up to around 160 for the last three miles. These zones are different for different people depending on a lot of factors. My 160 will almost never be the same as your 160. Without going into too much detail, these numbers can be used to identify zones of perceived effort. They can be used for a lot more than that, but I'm sticking to perceived effort for now. For me right now in my life, a HR below 150 is an easy rate where I can continue for a long time and hold a conversation with another person (real or imagined) or a 1 year old labrador retriever. On a percentage scale, 100% is my all out run-for-your-life can't do anything but get away from the Boogieman, and 60% is my conversational long run pace. So I would say that the 160 was probably near the 80-85% zone. I could maybe continue at that pace for about 5 miles or so. The more I track HR, the more accurate and precise these measures will become, until I cross-over into data overload and then I put it away for a while.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwbxpPtieL8/Txw3ykv6YYI/AAAAAAAAA9A/jGwuewwnEPc/s1600/boogieman1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwbxpPtieL8/Txw3ykv6YYI/AAAAAAAAA9A/jGwuewwnEPc/s1600/boogieman1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RUN!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>These Heart rate zones can change over time based on fitness, so it's a good idea for me to wear the HR monitor, at least periodically, for overall accountability and to track changes in my overall running fitness. I'm a huge fan of the Garmin running GPS systems, and I use the <a href="http://jeffg-runningthroughphoenix.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-of-garmin-forerunner-305.html">Garmin Forerunner 305</a> with the Garmin HR monitor bra-strap.<br />
<br />
"I would be very interested in testing and positively reviewing a brand new <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142">Garmin Forerunner 910XT</a> multi-sport trainer", he gratuitously asserted to the Google digital marketing Venus FlyTrap.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTOuF0LUd1M/Txw4OovgFgI/AAAAAAAAA9I/OoyVudHuqzQ/s1600/garmin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTOuF0LUd1M/Txw4OovgFgI/AAAAAAAAA9I/OoyVudHuqzQ/s1600/garmin.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful! Just beautiful!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I've scheduled a race every month this year, mostly races I've run in the past. but there are a few new venues on the list, and I'm looking forward to competing against Jeph, my younger virtual training partner. I am also continuing to hold to the <a href="http://jeffg-runningthroughphoenix.blogspot.com/2012/01/no-sweets-january.html">sweets-free January challenge</a>. I've lost nearly ten pounds of blubber, and I do believe it's making a real difference. My wife is joining me, but she is considering a one day a month cheat-day. I thought about it, but know that one day of cheating will end up with me seeing June on the calendar from a back booth at Arby's.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAsXqNs56k0/Txw9k5tOyOI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/URYGthdiw1o/s1600/arbys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAsXqNs56k0/Txw9k5tOyOI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/URYGthdiw1o/s320/arbys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bring It!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.theboringrunner.com/2011/11/2nd-annual-freeze-your-thorns-off-5k.html">FYTO 5K</a> is next weekend. Are you registered? RTP has somehow gained another follower, welcome to sporadic randomness!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-74019090519921666612012-01-16T10:18:00.000-07:002012-01-16T10:18:31.288-07:00No Sweets January<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eja5zzIzXaY/TxRQDltXqvI/AAAAAAAAA7g/LJSXV8aVbxg/s1600/nancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eja5zzIzXaY/TxRQDltXqvI/AAAAAAAAA7g/LJSXV8aVbxg/s1600/nancy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No caption as per orders of US Secret Service</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I snuck in a new year resolution to abstain completely from sweets for the month of January, and so far, have been successful. We had relatives in town last week and there were many prime opportunities to have dessert, but I used the Nancy Reagan slogan and kept to my fast. As a result of the plan, I have not been eating anything past 6:30pm, have been eating more healthful foods, and by adding on an increased running plan, I have dropped 8 pounds of my planned eventual 25.<br />
<br />
I got a really nice email of support from a friend and fellow <a href="http://www.jmu.edu/">JMU</a> alumni (Go Dukes!) in Colorado who has been sweets-free for a long time. He claims that it has resulted in much faster running times, more energy, and an overall healthier life. We share the same experience that moderation just doesn't work for us. It's all or nothing. People told me that there would likely be withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fatigue, irritability, etc., but I haven't really felt any of that. Kinda nice. To reiterate, I am sweets-free, not sugar free. It is pretty difficult to go sugar-free, though I am avoiding all the obvious sugary foods. I am also avoiding foods heavy in white flour and other sugar producing carbs. The idea is to eliminate sweets, be reasonable with other foods including eating healthy whenever possible, and to follow a running plan with set running goals. In 2012, I want to break 25:00 in the 5K distance, and 2:00 in the 1/2 marathon distance, and I'd like to drop about 20-25 pounds along the way. He doesn't know it, but <a href="http://georgiasnail.blogspot.com/">Georgia Snail</a> has been a pretty big influence. He dropped a bunch of weight, is running a rigorous running plan, and is a MUCH better runner than he was a year ago.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-FB6psjG6tQzd3TNHKi69kCOyQ2MHbq3Nou55j2hk4drEFmwa4A8qyWPGR_Sp05QWo9wLr8NILiFPG8U4Uj8yjdVJ9BSPT5xzUUGAKkez7Ruo4e2uzgmogctbvsPss7xee9zOodPB_s/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-FB6psjG6tQzd3TNHKi69kCOyQ2MHbq3Nou55j2hk4drEFmwa4A8qyWPGR_Sp05QWo9wLr8NILiFPG8U4Uj8yjdVJ9BSPT5xzUUGAKkez7Ruo4e2uzgmogctbvsPss7xee9zOodPB_s/s320/kids.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These kids told the bicycle pacers, "you're almost there!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>What an inspiring blast it was yesterday to see the AZ RnR marathoners go by right in our neighborhood. We live right near mile 10 on the marathon course, and met up with friends and neighbors to watch the racers. It was amazing to see the variety of athletes and to yell words of encouragement. We saw the wheelchair racers, the elite men and women, <a href="http://www.theboringrunner.com/">Adam</a>, <a href="http://royalpitatoias.blogspot.com/">EMZ</a>, <a href="http://www.hernameisrioandsheruns.com/">Demi</a>, and a few other friends. Great job to all who raced yesterday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpwGD3Oq8L41MassKcXfNcCsyBgAP4ZAV6Y6FbE0tqtzef9Q5z0weFfFeVEY1EPuWKjVdfQZWi2wI8n6RfJW1CzqFVjYbtpwl-f0NfLvrLLV-AIgXf-JQIREdqZxF7CWqrnRof_9UcCg/s1600/elite+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpwGD3Oq8L41MassKcXfNcCsyBgAP4ZAV6Y6FbE0tqtzef9Q5z0weFfFeVEY1EPuWKjVdfQZWi2wI8n6RfJW1CzqFVjYbtpwl-f0NfLvrLLV-AIgXf-JQIREdqZxF7CWqrnRof_9UcCg/s320/elite+woman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trisha Miller, eventual winner in women's division</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPsXNhOq9FOoMGHnxrluApm9ZVdtMCGYuar9eOeLbxUHC2Mih7TEQq9z7uzTYgwOz1devZF-S_J3_kmRtZUDf3s-WoInCS2FQmRRxPUqyFxEQnnu9HH8MEREfVHzwzzqEXX_fOtpZURg/s1600/adam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPsXNhOq9FOoMGHnxrluApm9ZVdtMCGYuar9eOeLbxUHC2Mih7TEQq9z7uzTYgwOz1devZF-S_J3_kmRtZUDf3s-WoInCS2FQmRRxPUqyFxEQnnu9HH8MEREfVHzwzzqEXX_fOtpZURg/s320/adam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It's aboooouuut this big"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYVBvB3PKvVh5VqrXINKwz_AIW_DhkDPwq-5-u8r-AlyM1lYsG2m4onJwT6g_3eIGfpQWe7efIJM8Ri6UdTt9PIWF1O7pE5ZPXS-I3fMvnjpW3rv0Ti1ggFZCTnE2PM1TeIqMpJHVdY/s1600/elite+men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYVBvB3PKvVh5VqrXINKwz_AIW_DhkDPwq-5-u8r-AlyM1lYsG2m4onJwT6g_3eIGfpQWe7efIJM8Ri6UdTt9PIWF1O7pE5ZPXS-I3fMvnjpW3rv0Ti1ggFZCTnE2PM1TeIqMpJHVdY/s320/elite+men.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Running Men</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-67140001686263323542012-01-01T10:57:00.000-07:002012-01-01T10:57:08.771-07:002012 RTP Goals2011 was a great year, due largely to the birth of our daughter Amelia. She is now almost 5 months old and <strike>defining childhood obesity</strike> thriving in a spiritually positive household. I have also been a nomad at work, Principalling at four different sites while our new school has been constructed. Now it's done and we move in this week and hopefully return to some sense of normalcy. Blogging has slowed down considerably for want of subject matter, but its definitely time to update the old resolution list and goal set for the year ahead.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li>January Challenge: My buddy Chris and I decided to set a 30 day challenge to jump start 2012. So, we are going to go these next 30 days sugar-free. No processed/refined sugars such as candy, cake, ice cream, soda, cookies, etc. Easy on the sugary fruits and veggies but okay in moderation. Also watch the high sugar producing carbs such as bagels and other foods heavy in white flour. Also, no sugar substitutes such as diet foods or even stevia. No sugar means no sugar. In addition, we are going to run everyday for these 30 days, but the usual 'non-running' days are limited to two miles slow. All will be logged in Myfitnesspal and Daily mile for accountability purposes. Penalties for cheating have not been formally established, but will likely include public humiliation involving a canal run with running bra and VERY short shorty shorts with a brown stain in the back. We will announce this if needed so you can be there to witness/photograph.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Follow a running plan for fitness and to set new PR's in the 5K and half marathon distances. My ultimate goal is to run a sub-25 minute 5K and to run a sub 2:00 half marathon. Not sure if I can make both of those this year. The plan will include running my long runs much longer and much slower, and running my short runs a bit longer and much faster. There will also be some speed/track work as the base gets built.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Run some trails</li>
</ul><ul><li>Race schedule: FYTO and SYTO 5K's, Runner's Den 10K, Pats' Run, ARR Summer Series 5K's, Some kind of race in Central Coast California while we are on vacation there, Grasshopper Bridge 5K, Cactus Cha Cha 7 mile trail run, ARR T'Giving Day Classic, Fiesta Bowl 1/2 marathon. I also need to work in a 1/2 marathon earlier in the year, but I haven't picked one out yet.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Ride the bike to school. Easier now that I will be at one site.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Enjoy family and friends</li>
</ul><div>That's pretty much it. Not thrilling, but on the other hand, I'm just amazed to be setting goals like this and the see the progress I have made in the past three years. Thanks to all the Loyal RTP followers, and even to the lurkers though you are just plain creepy.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Got any experience with sugar-free? What can I expect? Late night DT's and hallucinogenic dreams about Willy Wonka? Or a much more mild withdrawal and the typical dreams about Oompa Loompas?</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsPUXAACmOc/TwCeK7ryY7I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/Jba7meoYvvs/s1600/ooma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsPUXAACmOc/TwCeK7ryY7I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/Jba7meoYvvs/s1600/ooma.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyman's Dream</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-79217817868025746462011-12-05T10:28:00.000-07:002011-12-05T10:28:22.681-07:00Runner's Den Fiesta Bowl 1/2 Marathon Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OM43VupwXTA/TtvwElYXrJI/AAAAAAAAA7M/Bmy9_ZbyyBw/s1600/1%253A2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OM43VupwXTA/TtvwElYXrJI/AAAAAAAAA7M/Bmy9_ZbyyBw/s320/1%253A2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Chip Time: 2:10:57<br />
Garmin: 2:11:01<br />
New Personal Record!<br />
<br />
For one of the first times in a race, I put a little extra focus on tangents (and choosing a mute taxi driver that would scurry me to the ten mile mark), and finished the race at exactly 13.1 miles on the Garmin. Actually it was 13.11, but I didn't stop it until after all the paparazzi had taken their gratuitous photos of me for the tabloids. Seriously, nice job on keeping mile splits even with the course. And I set a Personal Record for the Half marathon distance by 9 minutes and 19 seconds!<br />
<br />
This is the third time I have run this race, and I am a big fan. All the events that are put on by Runners Den are well organized, popular, and full of good spirit. There were 1,082 half marathoners and a huge number of 5K'ers. They started the 1/2 M people at 7:30 and the 5K about 15 minutes later so there was no overlap. I was in line to hit the porta-potty as the gun went off but no worries, I just walked up to the start line and started. My goal was to run this at 10 min/mile pace and I hit it at 9:59, though I watched a 9:45 overall average slip away in miles 10-13.<br />
<br />
9:58 9:53 9:43<br />
31 minute 5K<br />
<br />
9:41 9:53 10:18<br />
61 minute 10K<br />
<br />
9:44 9:47 9:44<br />
some time in the bank<br />
<br />
10:21 10:11 10:21 10:21<br />
withdrawals from the bank<br />
9:30 for the kick<br />
<br />
I was pretty sure I could do this based on my runs lately, and I was glad that I didn't completely flop in the last few miles. My water and Gu plan seemed to work pretty good. I never had to stop at an aide station. You can see the walk in mile 6 for a Gu, and again in mile 9, then something curious happened which I had never noticed before in a race. As I ran up on small groups, I found myself almost automatically falling into pace with them, and I found that they were running slower than my plan, though I doubt I would have noticed if it weren't for the Garmin. I think my mind was trying to distract me and convince me that the slower pace was what I had been running. So lesson learned --<strike>new underwear every day no matter what</strike> follow the pacer whether it is strapped to my wrist or holding a sign. I plan to keep putting in long runs on the weekend to build endurance. I think I could easily run a sub 2:10 with some steady work. And sub 2:00 is the goal for this coming year.<br />
<div><br />
</div>Speaking of pacers, I was chatting with the 2:07 pacer prior to start and thought I would go out with them and fall back later in the race, but she said she was going to try to run 9:35's and then make water station stops and slow as the race progressed. That style does not jive with RTP, so I left them alone and ran alone.<br />
<br />
I had to get back to the homestead after finishing, so I left pretty quick. But not before grabbing a free Chocolate Muscle Milk Lite. Yuck fuckity yuck!!! SUAR, what are you endorsing?? A lot like chocolate Peptol Bismo might taste. Anyway, I did have my traditional post race chicken parmesan sub sandwich and Metro Mint Peppermint water. Love that stuff. And besides two serious toe tip blisters, I'm in good shape. Thanks Runner's Den for a well-organized event!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-70900369563294738232011-11-30T13:36:00.000-07:002011-11-30T13:36:48.634-07:00Goober? Non!Peanut* Crops Fail, peanut* butter** prices rise by at least 40%. American beastiality practice took a sharp hit this quarter in response to failed peanut* crops this past Fall. Citing an almost 40% price rise for this aphrodiasiac-turned-sandwich spread, sexual deviant Thladius Rickover claims, "Things just aren't the same out in our barnyard these days. The stock is barely interested in me as it is. Now take away the only reward they get for their unsavory tasks, and you really have to make it an 'FTD moment' on your own. I just don't know", he says looking off into the distance where the cluck-clucks gobble gobbles from a neighbors turkey farm can just be heard.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxtl1cjrtNQ/TtZlv_JKLMI/AAAAAAAAA7E/QcjP5Iv6n54/s1600/101_1413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxtl1cjrtNQ/TtZlv_JKLMI/AAAAAAAAA7E/QcjP5Iv6n54/s320/101_1413.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken just before I crammed my face into this jar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a run, I crave protein. I almost always rely on a PBJ*. But* now that my favorite foodstuff is pushing $7 per jar, I may have to switch up and try some of the other nut** butters* that we can get at the specialty counter, or look for alternative sources such as tofu and eggs. Eggs make me nervous for all the cholesterol, not to mention the cooking and guilt for not cleaning up after myself. And I eat tofu almost 5 times per week in my lunch salad. Chocolate milk? I hear and read lots about that and will work it in to the rotation. I'm wary of protein powders. Each have their positives and negatives, but all have their expense and ersatz nature.<div><br />
</div><div>What do you eat/drink after a workout? Any response to the rise in price?</div><div><br />
</div><div>*nut... he he he</div><div>** butt..... he he</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-58415882147979105982011-11-24T12:16:00.000-07:002011-11-24T12:16:24.637-07:00Product Review: Hot Wheels Mega Garage<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgE2IcEt2Ag/Ts6V2Rgze1I/AAAAAAAAA6s/kWyl3Gf_8NI/s1600/mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgE2IcEt2Ag/Ts6V2Rgze1I/AAAAAAAAA6s/kWyl3Gf_8NI/s320/mega.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elevator really works!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The folks at Mattel have done it again. Depleting the cardboard honeycomb mines of Southeast Tunesia to package this toy which will be used for about three days. Then Norman, The Destroyer lab, will chew and crap it to pieces, and it will finally sit in a landfill for the next 500 years as historians scratch their heads with holographic head scratchers and marvel at the acres of plastic. And yes, in this scenario, a Native American stands at the edge of the dump, and a single tear runs down his cheek. But for now.... Awesome! Happy birthday Harrison.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kTDWBf5FxYw/Ts6V4wRuaoI/AAAAAAAAA60/tXYHei6PM2Y/s1600/tear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kTDWBf5FxYw/Ts6V4wRuaoI/AAAAAAAAA60/tXYHei6PM2Y/s1600/tear.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About as Native American as I am Eskimo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Just some catch up. Last weekend I headed out to the desert to meet up with a complete stranger named Janette and hike with her through the night for about 15 miles. Oh, and this was one of six days in the year when it was supposed to rain. I got out there Saturday later in the afternoon and hung out with Stephanie, who claims to be friends with <a href="http://runninglaur.blogspot.com/">Lauren</a>. But I can recognize a squatter simply by meeting one and squatting with them for a few hours. We squatted around in <a href="http://runninglaur.blogspot.com/">Lauren</a> and Janette's camp and talked about lots of things, then Janette showed up for a transition. We did some math and determined that I would begin my pace loop sometime between 2 and 3am. So off to sleep I went and woke up to get back to the start at 1:30am. It was raining. At 1:30am. Night. This is the Javelina Jundred.<br />
<br />
While waiting, I met up with some friends I had not seen in a long time and even saw some names on the race roster that I knew and will be catching up with them soon. Lauren had a tough time of it and had to stop, but my runner was still out there somewhere. Finally at around 4am, a race official told me she had dropped at Jackass Junction (sic) along with ten or so other racers and were waiting for a shuttle to get back to base. That was my cue to skeedaddle, narrowly avoiding a Navy Seal-like training experience. Watching those people cross the line after 101 miles made me <strike>want to do this Javelina Jundred thing next year</strike> get home to a warm dry bed. And I got home just in time for the family to wake up. Cock a doodle doo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmtNtStouV0/Ts6V6o5TbxI/AAAAAAAAA68/3R4PlJerhVs/s1600/clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmtNtStouV0/Ts6V6o5TbxI/AAAAAAAAA68/3R4PlJerhVs/s320/clock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I am starting to work on my New Year resolution list, which will likely include guidance towards running goals. 2011 has been a banner year for lots of reasons, but my running has definitely taken a back seat in these last few months. I want to increase my dedication to this past time in 2012 and reach some milestones that have been unattainable so far. I may even go to a coach, at least to give <a href="http://feetmeetstreet.blogspot.com/">Nitmos</a> something to rant about. Sure, I realize that coaches are for pros, but how can I ever hope to compete at the professional or olympic level if I don't have a coach? The only runner I know of at that level who is coachless is Ryan Hall, but he has that whole "Jesus Christ" thing going for him. Did you know that if your purchase a 2012 Ram Truck it will manufacture and assemble a log cabin for you in only one day? True. I've been running on Saturday mornings with a running group comprised of people who work in my school district, though everyone is welcome. We go for about 45 minutes starting near the Biltmore area in Phoenix and drink coffee afterwards. (Blog author wipes mouth and rises a bit shakey from vomiting these random thoughts out to you reader monkeys) ( I was told by a highly reliable source that calling you names would increase my roster of reader monkeys and I've always wanted 60-70 monkeys).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I went out today this morning for the Thanksgiving 5K/10 miler put on by the <a href="http://www.arizonaroadracers.com/">Arizona Road Racers</a>. They always put on terrific events. There were lots of people there. I had originally planned to run ten miles, but my wife and kids wanted to come along so I deferred to the 5K, and ran it at an average 28 minutes. There were lots of walkers and I haven't been running much lately, so I took it easy. I have to stop this post now because I think I just burned off another calorie and I feel lightheaded. And now, a three day crescendo of gluttony!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-16097079657691335232011-11-12T10:31:00.000-07:002011-11-12T10:31:55.069-07:00RTP Training ReportBeen pretty much caught up with this little one<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_jO_KPsP31_4jtd1Xi_WyqYl9c04uU6A2ZUTkywj9m8wa1hoN-KC6PUJ_MkergL1TNbW1RTs63Wk-FbWPtzWlMIBEH5P5IRusUiKnaiGEucw0MwLeWzfh9LEiGcJ3h8eto2rr2Mk8io/s1600/101_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_jO_KPsP31_4jtd1Xi_WyqYl9c04uU6A2ZUTkywj9m8wa1hoN-KC6PUJ_MkergL1TNbW1RTs63Wk-FbWPtzWlMIBEH5P5IRusUiKnaiGEucw0MwLeWzfh9LEiGcJ3h8eto2rr2Mk8io/s320/101_1205.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really miss running regularly and blogging, but I haven't been doing much else except building on my <a href="http://feetmeetstreet.blogspot.com/">Tootsie Roll fetish</a>, and that topic has already been corraled, cornered, and covered. I was able to meet up with <a href="http://www.theboringrunner.com/">Adam</a> and <a href="http://runninglaur.blogspot.com/">Lauren</a> yesterday for lunch, and it was nice to catch up with both and hear the real story behind <a href="http://www.theboringrunner.com/">Adam's</a> dismal failure in Savannah -- (Penn State letdown).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will be pacing a 5 hour loop tonight for the <a href="http://www.aravaiparunning.com/avr/javelina-jundred/">Javelina Jundred</a> endurance race, and I'll post about that tomorrow. Aren't you thrilled? You aren't even reading this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-31284190511639646702011-10-08T16:11:00.000-07:002011-10-08T16:11:44.791-07:002011 Cactus Cha Cha Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVr3VNqDSho/TpCYiFn-_NI/AAAAAAAAA5w/6O9RFiF2kdY/s1600/cha+cha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVr3VNqDSho/TpCYiFn-_NI/AAAAAAAAA5w/6O9RFiF2kdY/s320/cha+cha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Chip Time: 1:19 (pace 11:27)<br />
Distance: 7 miles<br />
Location: White Tank Regional Mountain Preserve Competitive Track, West Phoenix<br />
<br />
What a beautiful venue. someone should take photographs of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1cg9ZkZGqixrfwapu9MS9IUGhU4Ce3MOiQM1gf7KwOWvhmcCFeRzkmdpBL7jpVDCBadtcero38wY9yY3a3q-6RpM9oQCuCHKjo8dHBNm_4wCFWJVXHxdMh8AeHjjUJoz6iQYI_CYkkM/s1600/IMG-20111008-00017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1cg9ZkZGqixrfwapu9MS9IUGhU4Ce3MOiQM1gf7KwOWvhmcCFeRzkmdpBL7jpVDCBadtcero38wY9yY3a3q-6RpM9oQCuCHKjo8dHBNm_4wCFWJVXHxdMh8AeHjjUJoz6iQYI_CYkkM/s320/IMG-20111008-00017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Thanks so much to the organizers and volunteers who all helped to make this a smooth fun event. There were something like 600 or 700 people out there and about 1/2 of them ran the 3 mile children's bunny course while the other half ran the 7 mile adult black diamond Wildcat course. I chose the later because that is just who I am. I had listed "trail run/race" as one of my new year resolutions, so this fit the bill perfectly for that. Having never run in a trail race before, I selected my skimpiest sluttiest RTP outfit to hopefully disguise my novice status.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvelF1EIjbYg8RflRRdGdUG4ySfY81HknKPqpbjN8JPYWxmz0QdNw8OCl-UGhaLm51eQPFnNj5O2k-q578eFTyDBRBZ2ztsd-kFklr55-50U07eeZSqUOC3d9Ita94lBi4uclbap78CI/s1600/IMG-20111008-00023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvelF1EIjbYg8RflRRdGdUG4ySfY81HknKPqpbjN8JPYWxmz0QdNw8OCl-UGhaLm51eQPFnNj5O2k-q578eFTyDBRBZ2ztsd-kFklr55-50U07eeZSqUOC3d9Ita94lBi4uclbap78CI/s320/IMG-20111008-00023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirty Girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This race was started "because we just like to run". There is no special charity or person that the funds are dedicated to, so the price stays cheap. I headed out the door this morning at about 5:45 to make the drive to the West side of Phoenix and made it to the starting area in about 30 minutes. The race didn't start until 7:30, so there was plenty of time to hit the PJ. Since I had chicken wings and 2 slices of pizza last night, this was a priority. Sorry for the defilement beautiful Arizona desert. The 3 milers started at 7:15, and we started at 7:30 without much fanfare. I did the first couple of miles conservatively at about 11:00, then we went uphill on a singletrack, so even if I could have gone faster, we were in a soul train of 11:15'ers. The ups and downs reminded me of several other Maricopa county trails. Mostly sandy and flat with some rocks thrown in just enough to prevent you from looking up. There were some mandatory walks due to traffic on the singletrack, and some mandatory walks due to low endurance on my part, especially for varying paces. That almost never happens on my street running, but in this trail race we were bouncing up and down the pace zone throughout.<br />
<br />
After the race was over, I chatted for a while with Nathan, owner of the soon to open Tortoise and the Hare running store in Glendale. Nathan was there as a volunteer and let me just say the volunteers were great at each aide station. This seems like it would be a fun race to join the volunteers, and that might be on next year's resolution list.<br />
<br />
Today actually had a 7 mile run on my 'break 4:30' training schedule and my pace is supposed to be 11:23 LSR. Trail running is supposed to be slower than street running, so success. Also, I feel injury free and was able to hack out several good sized lungers that have been loitering in my bronchial passages for the past week.<br />
<br />
Check out this race next year if you are looking for a trail run or something different to do around the beginning of Oct.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-71691286040833021852011-09-18T14:36:00.002-07:002011-09-18T17:36:43.127-07:00Review of the Garmin Forerunner 305<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHZhZK_AQok/TnZiA_ovZdI/AAAAAAAAA5s/nsKD14ik2G8/s1600/garmin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHZhZK_AQok/TnZiA_ovZdI/AAAAAAAAA5s/nsKD14ik2G8/s1600/garmin.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE Garmin 305 Forerunner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There are quite a few opportunities for TWSS in this post, so I'm just putting this one here at the start and you can cut and paste it anywhere you like (twss). I've been running with a <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=349">Garmin Forerunner 305</a> gps device since January of 2009, and I love it. This ubiquitous gizmo is seen on the wrists of runners all over the map (Redundant? Only if you know what ubiquitous means, and even then, it's still an ok sentence. Certainly good enough for this blog).<br />
<br />
The 305 ('ole Red) is worn on the wrist like a watch. Like a toaster-watch. Seriously, it's bigger than most watches but fits well for most people. It catches gps satellite signals so that it can track your exact location, your speed, your distance, the exact route you are taking, and combines that data into a few other useful displays like pace and time spent running. The 305 usually comes with a heart rate monitor strap which is worn around the chest, and you can also get a cadence sensor for your bike data and a foot pod to measure running data indoors (treadmill). The auxiliaries connect wirelessly to the main 305 and add to your information overload.<br />
<br />
The 305 itself holds about 50 workouts and then it starts writing over the oldest workouts, so most people download their information into one or more of several online and/or pc-based applications. I use <a href="http://www.garmin.com/us/products/intosports/training_center">Garmin Training Center </a>which is loaded on my laptop and also <a href="http://www.dailymile.com/">Daily Mile</a> which is an online social running/workout network. After I download my workout, I simply delete the data from the 305 to keep it clear and to stay in routine. I used to load workouts into the Runners World online log but stopped because I wasn't using that information in any useful way.<br />
<br />
The 305 has a multitude of functions and display options, and it really comes down to what I want to see while I'm out running, because I can get all the other information when I return home. The 305 collects everything, but only displays up to 12 fields (between three separate screens) on the unit itself. Those 12 fields are found on three screens that I can toggle between, and the fewer displays per screen the larger the data displays --one data display per screen is large, but with four, it has to divide the screen into four so the data displays are smaller. This only matters when you are gasping and wheezing and trying to see how fast you are accelerating after running off of a cliff. *<br />
<br />
Most of the time, I like to see current pace and average pace. Almost all of my routes are pre-planned, so distance is known, and time is not ever important for me. I'm a pace junkie and that is that. So screen one is pace and average pace.<br />
<br />
Screen two has three fields for lap pace, distance, and average pace. I use this screen when doing speed work and only really look at lap pace.<br />
<br />
Screen three is a repeat of screen two, but distance is the top display. I look at this when I'm running without a pre-planned route or when I go off route.<br />
<br />
The 305 also has a feature called virtual runner which allows me to set a pace in the computer and run against that pace. The 305 displays a skinny 20 year old Kenyan on roller skates racing against a pudgy stooped 45 year old running through mud. Guess who is who?<br />
<br />
I love the free software <a href="http://www.garmin.com/us/products/intosports/training_center">"Garmin Training Center"</a> that comes with it. It tracks all my runs and allows me to compare runs to each other. Garmin also has an online semi-social site called <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/">Garmin Connect</a> which maps and keeps data and shares it with others. Meh. Not so much. For PC users, there is <a href="http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/sporttracks/">Sporttracks</a>, which is the penultimate online tracking software. You can re-live your runs in 3D and see all sorts of other kinky cool data collusions. I'm an Apple user, so I don't get to play with that, but someday....... I can picture one lonely nerd in the back cubicle at Sportracks working to try to build a digital bridge for the Apple users. Give it up buddy, you'll never make it.<br />
<br />
Some of the drawbacks:<br />
<ul><li>It is not waterproof, but does claim water resistance. Though after some heavy duty sweating, the sound of the beeps has diminished considerably and sometimes I need to clean the contacts on the back so it will connect to the cable. There is a waterproof version which can be used for swimming, and perhaps is more resistant to sweat. Salt from sweat is corrosive on most materials over time, so it may be a once every five years investment to get the latest version. Garmin is now moving a 610 version for $350 that has a touch screen but otherwise all the same features of the 305. $350?? Seriously??!? You can find a 305 with HRM for well under $150, and around the holidays for $99. That can't be beat.</li>
<li>PIRNIG --problem in runner, not in Garmin. If you accidently press start and stop buttons on the 305, it will start and stop. It doesn't recognize accidental button pushes, or whether a runner forgets to restart the unit after <strike>shitting in the bushes stopping at Dunkin</strike> waiting, pissed off, at a traffic light.</li>
<li>It's ok to let data drive most decisions, but a natural or 'naked' run is nice once in a while. That is a run without electronics or route or speed or anything else besides you and your 3" shorty-shorts. And running shoes. Barefoot running causes cancer and melodramatic heel spurs in everyone who even tries it just once.</li>
</ul><div>I really love my Garmin, and recommend it for everyone who likes to keep track of their running and set goals for improvement.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Do you use a Garmin? What data fields do you use? What online or PC-based application(s) do you use?</div><div><br />
</div><div></div><div><a href="http://jeffg-runningthroughphoenix.blogspot.com/search/label/Rating%20System">RTP Rating:</a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Cake</b> = it's great and I highly recommend this product. Keep your fingers away from my mouth.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nmCEPq4nRGQ/TEY4LwHtO-I/AAAAAAAAAgU/Iv6hZN94js4/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #5dc2c0; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nmCEPq4nRGQ/TEY4LwHtO-I/AAAAAAAAAgU/Iv6hZN94js4/s320/cake.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" /></a></div></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">* <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">A despondent physics student jumps off a bridge, and falls for three seconds before hitting the water. How fast is he going when he hits the water?</span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: #f3f3f3; line-height: 1.2; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Approximating <i>g</i> as 10 m/s<sup>2</sup>, he will gain 10 m/s of speed each second. After one second, his velocity is 10 m/s, after two seconds it is 20 m/s, and on impact, after falling for three seconds, he is moving at 30 m/s.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-53462704456178966272011-09-17T11:44:00.000-07:002011-09-17T11:44:39.678-07:00Product Review: Tempeh<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wf2wEUMUa-Y/TnToMN_PEgI/AAAAAAAAA5c/ed6ebwU45_E/s1600/barf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wf2wEUMUa-Y/TnToMN_PEgI/AAAAAAAAA5c/ed6ebwU45_E/s320/barf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tempeh: The healthful option</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempeh">Tempeh</a> (pronounced Tempeh) is a mixture of fermented whole soybeans, barley, oats, and other healthful ingredients formed into a cake and used in a variety of culinary creations. This is a staple food in Indonesia which is not located in the United States. Internet sources describe Indonesia as a series of islands near Asia riddled with sex slave industry and Tempeh factories. I imagine most people read about the variety of Tempeh uses, then actually cook and eat one and never look back. Tempeh is pretty nasty stuff.<br />
<br />
The texture: mostly firm. You definitely need to slice it with a knife. Sort of like cheese, sort of like head cheese.<br />
<br />
The aroma: Sort of like....mmmm... kinda........put some <strike>chicken</strike> pigeon in a crock pot and add some of that foo foo near-beer <a href="http://feetmeetstreet.blogspot.com/">Nitmos</a> likes and a pretty good dollop of dog shit. Simmer on low for a few hours and <strike>your kitchen</strike> your neighbor's kitchen will smell like Tempeh I think.<br />
<br />
What it looks like: A bit like a veggie burger with some blue cheese dark spots.<br />
<br />
Care: Keep it refrigerated or, better yet, in your neighbor's trash, or ultimately, leave it at that hippy over-priced grocery store you found it in. It's in the cooler near where Nitmos can be found smuggling <a href="http://feetmeetstreet.blogspot.com/2011/07/summer-shandy-fuels-my-long-run.html">Summer Shandy</a> under his girly blue parka.<br />
<br />
Taste: See 'Aroma' and go no further.<br />
<br />
The Brand: <a href="http://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/trader-joes/organic-3-grain-tempeh">Trader Joes 3 grain Tempeh</a> (BTW, it is inexpensive, likely because of capital economics)<br />
<br />
Today's Plate: Sliced into cubes and scrambled with three chicken eggs. Finished with two shakes of the ginger/wasabi sauce bottle. Ice water, a nose clip, and a 75 pound labrador retriever volunteer at the ready.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ikYiEsn-rsc/TnTo6h80UPI/AAAAAAAAA5g/XZP3w9bxtfc/s1600/101_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ikYiEsn-rsc/TnTo6h80UPI/AAAAAAAAA5g/XZP3w9bxtfc/s320/101_0614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knives ready in case any of this actually goes into my mouth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nutritional benefits: Well yes, there is this. Tempeh is high in fiber, high in protein and "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, geneva, helvetica, helv; font-size: 14px;">Tempeh</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is a great choice for people who have difficulty digesting plant-based high-protein foods like beans and legumes or soy foods such as tofu. The process of fermentation makes the soybeans softer, since enzymes produced by the mould predigests a large portion of the basic nutrients. The Rhizopus moulds produce an enzyme phytase which breaks down phytates, thereby increasing the absorption of minerals such as zinc, iron and calcium. The fermentation process greatly reduces the oligosaccharides that make beans hard to digest for some people. Studies have shown tempeh to be essentially non-flatulent and producing no more gas than non-legume food."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.tempeh.info/health/tempehhealth.php</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://jeffg-runningthroughphoenix.blogspot.com/2010/07/rtp-product-and-media-rating-system.html">RTP Rating</a>:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nmCEPq4nRGQ/TEY41rK978I/AAAAAAAAAgs/LZSnwn4Gw4Q/s1600/cow+flop" imageanchor="1" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #5dc2c0; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nmCEPq4nRGQ/TEY41rK978I/AAAAAAAAAgs/LZSnwn4Gw4Q/s320/cow+flop" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Cow pie</b> = not on your life, but it's sometimes fun to watch others interact with this.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-17730520036540345512011-08-25T13:41:00.002-07:002011-08-25T16:00:49.163-07:00Home Surgery<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Loe1FQ4Ktc/Tlauyd9VO8I/AAAAAAAAA5M/_t_0N-ebJcE/s1600/cyst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Loe1FQ4Ktc/Tlauyd9VO8I/AAAAAAAAA5M/_t_0N-ebJcE/s320/cyst.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut carefully! And fucking sterilize everything!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Fifteen years ago this summer, I made a final decision to fully explore a lump that had been on my scalp since childhood. The lump came and went over the years, sometimes feeling like a little pimple, and sometimes like a lima bean. I didn't know it at the time, but I had a <a href="http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Epidermoid-and-Pilar-Cysts.htm">sebaceous cyst</a> growing there. On that fateful evening, I put a bic lighter to a box cutter razor, opened the bottle of rubbing alcohol, turned all the lights on in my bathroom, and made Junior the cat stay outside. A few careful incisions later and out popped a white bean-looking thing that really felt like a piece of plastic. I first thought that it was a plastic bb that my brother had shot at me during our summer war games. Not able to stop myself, I opened the little thing up, and a bunch of waxy white stuff came out. Then I noticed the blood streaming down my face, so I put the cyst aside and went about the business of cleaning and sanitizing my scalp. I thought I could see my skull, but have since learned that there are several layers of membrane before the actual skull comes into view. I believe I was below the skin but above the periosteum --- I'd say medial to those two layers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSbaPQxKjRM/TlavZxlja-I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/5e5ZHE_B48I/s1600/skull.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSbaPQxKjRM/TlavZxlja-I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/5e5ZHE_B48I/s1600/skull.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Wikipedia: another excellent source of medical information!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A small dent still can be felt on my head, but I think I mostly got away with it, and it surely emboldened me to try other surgical procedures, mostly on myself. And that brings me to my main point for this posting: Don't play with your belly button too much!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fcznhf8OEn4/Tlawxop1sWI/AAAAAAAAA5U/_pvgB7k1bhU/s1600/germs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fcznhf8OEn4/Tlawxop1sWI/AAAAAAAAA5U/_pvgB7k1bhU/s320/germs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A veritable flight of naval germs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
About 5 years ago, I noticed a large ball of lint in my belly button and started to remove it when I noticed a pretty big deposit of waxy linty disgustingly hairy crud and began to use several tools to extract it including tweezers, the cap of a ball point pen, and whatever else was around. Something ..... happened. Not sure how to explain it, but there was a feeling of release and mild discomfort (still makes me queasy. I'm not worried about you because the only people still reading are morbid or <a href="http://www.shutupandrun.net/">SUAR</a>). Within a few days, my belly button went from inny to outy. I went to the doctor for something unrelated and casually mentioned that I thought I had a hernia. The doctor checked (thoroughly!!) and said that I didn't have <i>A</i> hernia, I had three. Two inguinal and one unbilical. No, I didn't operate on myself for this, but there are many Youtube videos that take you through it step by step. That surgery was done, and I removed the stitches myself, then found out that they were supposed to dissolve on their own. So I made another visit to have my handiwork reviewed. The doctor told me to leave it alone, and I did. Mostly.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RLwM8Z-M0QQ/TlaxghiKyNI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/9nDynxSii3c/s1600/sutures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RLwM8Z-M0QQ/TlaxghiKyNI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/9nDynxSii3c/s1600/sutures.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a lot easier to ruin than you might think</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Nowadays, I dabble in hanging toenails, toe blister easement, and an occasional ear canal reaming, but the thrill of actual surgery is a thing of the past. A phase. Have you ever taken a surgical situation into your own hands? What is your sterilization procedure? Do you think that Youtube videos give us all the necessary information to conduct our own surgeries? Write back soon!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579367553059490545.post-80589419760168092042011-08-23T21:40:00.000-07:002011-08-23T21:40:53.965-07:00Fall/Winter Race Schedule<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWKio93j05w/TlR_lXnML6I/AAAAAAAAA5I/U3e55_yRNqA/s1600/melt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWKio93j05w/TlR_lXnML6I/AAAAAAAAA5I/U3e55_yRNqA/s320/melt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hard to believe I'm thinking about this since it was 116 degrees outside today. My truck battery died, and I only ventured outside once or twice to let the dog pee. But I'm encouraged by reports from other runners in cooler parts of the US. <a href="http://www.shutupandrun.net/">SUAR</a> is biking with arm warmers, something I never would use here in Phoenix.<br />
<br />
Having a few races scheduled gives me motivation to run above my comfort zone and try for improved performance. I have one race scheduled each month through January which matches our budget just right and keeps me accountable.<br />
<br />
September is always set to the <a href="http://members.cox.net/pruckel/">Moon Valley Grasshopper Bridge 5K</a>. This will be the 4th time I have run this race. It's my first ever venue and I love the course. It's pretty flat, and has some grassy sections near the end. I pushed Harrison in his stroller for the first three, and then he/I got too heavy/unwilling. Amelia, of course, is still too small to push, but hopefully the family will be out there to cheer me on at the finish. I've had a mental block for 5K's this whole year. My training runs are sometimes much faster than my 5K PR, but I have not been able to put together a PR effort in an actual race. This is my last attempt this year, so I plan to achieve the goal of a sub 28:00 and a PR.<br />
<br />
One of my running new year resolutions was to run in at least one trail race, so I signed up for the <a href="http://www.cactuschacha.com/">Cactus Cha Cha</a> in October. This seven mile race is out in the White Tank mountains and is well-rated by many of my running friends. We shall see. Seven to eight miles is my favorite distance because I get really warmed up, but it isn't so long that I might die out on the course.<br />
<br />
November will be the first time I run on Thanksgiving day. Arizona Road Racers is putting on their <a href="http://www.arizonaroadracers.com/thanksgiving.html">Thanksgiving Day classic</a>, a ten mile run out at Peoria sports complex. ARR always puts on a great event, and I'll be able to eat an entire Costco pumpkin pie that afternoon.<br />
<br />
December is another favorite race -- the<a href="http://raceplaceevents.com/event.php?event=401003"> Fiesta Bowl Half-Marathon</a> in Scottsdale. The last two times I've run this, I had to wear gloves and a "Fuck-you I'm a gangsta!" scalp hat. This is a fun event with about 500-600 runners, and there is a possibility that<a href="http://www.theboringrunner.com/"> Adam The Boring Runner </a>will be pacing me to a PR. I have a C goal of finishing in 130 minutes, a B goal of finishing faster than that, and an A goal of finishing sub 2 hours.<br />
<br />
The plan for January is to get a free entry into the RnR PF Chang's Marathon. I have some connections through work that will hopefully bear out. If not, trusty ARR sponsors a January up/down <a href="http://www.arizonaroadracers.com/dcmarathon.html">marathon</a> for less than 50 bucks, and I'm pretty sure that it's pants-optional.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD292ujCTh3cEZof_ZL7v5U25F1H2necToL-1XqgjHukvwBFbDje8pxlFvlTzGyhbs1yT3E7AvXMqdx6wFehpuH3Kf56xiVram8dXbq1gIdG9XrvHsPx6JVHzI3UcFqVUByB0QWx5zFg/s1600/101_0400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD292ujCTh3cEZof_ZL7v5U25F1H2necToL-1XqgjHukvwBFbDje8pxlFvlTzGyhbs1yT3E7AvXMqdx6wFehpuH3Kf56xiVram8dXbq1gIdG9XrvHsPx6JVHzI3UcFqVUByB0QWx5zFg/s320/101_0400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The RTP has been a bit dry lately in content and frequency. Baby Amelia is taking a lot of our time and even though she is sleeping really well so far, the rest of the family is not, so my motivation level is just not there. God is that kid cute!! I just can't wait to be in running events with them.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div align="center"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">
<img src="http://www.countvisitors.com/mastercounter.cfm?id=15105" alt="Mesothelioma Symptoms"
/></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:10px;"><a href="http://injury.lawyercentral.com/Symptoms-and-Early-Stages-Symptoms-and-Treatment--10-4775-9.html">Mesothelioma Symptoms</a></span></div></div>Running Through Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893984862543264776noreply@blogger.com4