http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Mardi-Gras.html?hp&ex=1141189200&en=07aa1608507f0982&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Via: http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_02_26_firedoglake_archive.html#114115991102094667
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Fat Tuesday
Cute smile :) The last day of Mardi Gras today after the destruction of New Orleans last year. I have yet to make it to New Orleans.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Mardi-Gras.html?hp&ex=1141189200&en=07aa1608507f0982&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Via: http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_02_26_firedoglake_archive.html#114115991102094667
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Mardi-Gras.html?hp&ex=1141189200&en=07aa1608507f0982&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Via: http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_02_26_firedoglake_archive.html#114115991102094667
Running journal, Tuesday, 2006-02-28
Running journal, Tuesday, 2006-02-28
Resting heart rate: 57 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Tuesday
Date: 2006-02-28
Weather: Mostly cloudy, windy
Temp: 17.78 C (64 F)
Time: 13:10-13:50
Terrain: flat
Comments: First time today my heart-rate has decreased after a running day. I dreamed like mad last night, but I do not remember what they were about. While on the trail I playfully said, "Telephone" after a woman walking two dogs tried unsuccesfully to turn off her cell phone. She laughed, and said, "Isn't that annoying?" :) The cloud cover was magnificent today. Steel gray and dark rain-saturated clouds mixed with bright white against a saturated blue sky, with the sun providing illumination from above. They covered most of the sky, leaving bits of blue between them, creating the electrifying sense of confusion over whether a storm has just ended or merely regrouping. :) The thought occurred to me that I will not likely see rain clouds like this again after spring passes, so I had best appreciate the opportunity while it presents itself. :) I noticed the 30+mph winds from Monday evening uprooted a large tree on the bank of North Bridge Street. The waters were much higher today, covering much of the sandbar on the south-west side of the pedestrian bridge. The thought occurred to me that I would enjoy having binoculars and a camera on my walks. :) I will do that on Thursday. I also noticed irregularities in the river water today, where parts of the waves on the top look different than the rest of the river. The wind ruffled the water on some parts, but not certain channels of the water. I do not understand the phenomenon causing this yet. Stopped at the Mayflower food stand in Fair Oaks on the way home as a special treat. Yum.
Time: 40 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 3.52 km (2.18 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=42771
Total Distance For Year: 163.6 km (101.4 mi)
Weight (after run): 79.4 kg (175.1 lbs), 20% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None.
Foods eaten today: apple-cinnamon cereal, soy milk, Super Nut-Burger, chips, choose pizza, peanut-butter cookies, banana bread, lemonade
Resting heart rate: 57 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Tuesday
Date: 2006-02-28
Weather: Mostly cloudy, windy
Temp: 17.78 C (64 F)
Time: 13:10-13:50
Terrain: flat
Comments: First time today my heart-rate has decreased after a running day. I dreamed like mad last night, but I do not remember what they were about. While on the trail I playfully said, "Telephone" after a woman walking two dogs tried unsuccesfully to turn off her cell phone. She laughed, and said, "Isn't that annoying?" :) The cloud cover was magnificent today. Steel gray and dark rain-saturated clouds mixed with bright white against a saturated blue sky, with the sun providing illumination from above. They covered most of the sky, leaving bits of blue between them, creating the electrifying sense of confusion over whether a storm has just ended or merely regrouping. :) The thought occurred to me that I will not likely see rain clouds like this again after spring passes, so I had best appreciate the opportunity while it presents itself. :) I noticed the 30+mph winds from Monday evening uprooted a large tree on the bank of North Bridge Street. The waters were much higher today, covering much of the sandbar on the south-west side of the pedestrian bridge. The thought occurred to me that I would enjoy having binoculars and a camera on my walks. :) I will do that on Thursday. I also noticed irregularities in the river water today, where parts of the waves on the top look different than the rest of the river. The wind ruffled the water on some parts, but not certain channels of the water. I do not understand the phenomenon causing this yet. Stopped at the Mayflower food stand in Fair Oaks on the way home as a special treat. Yum.
Time: 40 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 3.52 km (2.18 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=42771
Total Distance For Year: 163.6 km (101.4 mi)
Weight (after run): 79.4 kg (175.1 lbs), 20% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None.
Foods eaten today: apple-cinnamon cereal, soy milk, Super Nut-Burger, chips, choose pizza, peanut-butter cookies, banana bread, lemonade
Monday, February 27, 2006
Running journal, Monday, 2006-02-27
Running journal, Monday, 2006-02-27
Resting heart rate: 59 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Monday
Date: 2006-02-27
Weather: Overcast, raining, windy, but warm.
Temp: 18.89 C (66 F)
Time: 13:45-14:48
Terrain: mostly flat, a few hills
Comments: First time along the north side of Lake Natoma. Beautiful, jaw-dropping, lush, towering bluffs. Weather was windy and raining when I parked, but the rain stopped after about four minutes out. Just enough to wet my socks. x_x Lake Natoma reminded me of lakes from Wisconsin. Saw only two bikers on the trail, and no joggers. Noticed the Nimbus Fish Hatchery "fish ladder" for the first time today. The trail on the north side of Lake Natoma seems to be called the Pioneer Express Trail, and runs about nine miles to the Folsom Dam. Sort of lonely today. A few hawks, scrub jays, a turtle dove, and trees creaking in the wind. Took a boyish departure from the trail and climbed a hill of rocks to see the view. Saw more stones as far as I could see to the west, and meadows to the north and east. I noticed several trees blackened by fire, and a bunch of wood chips lying next to several of the trees. I did not understand why the wood chips were there. Someone mulched them, but why? On the return, I saw a massive rain burst to the west, but surprisingly, I did not get any rain on the drive home.
Time: 63 minutes (1:03)
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 7.47 km (4.63 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=41356
Total Distance For Year: 160.1 km (99.2 mi)
Weight (after run): 78.6 kg (173.3 lbs), 20% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None.
Foods eaten today: gnocchi (510 cal), soy milk, butternut-squash soup, green olives, chips
Resting heart rate: 59 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Monday
Date: 2006-02-27
Weather: Overcast, raining, windy, but warm.
Temp: 18.89 C (66 F)
Time: 13:45-14:48
Terrain: mostly flat, a few hills
Comments: First time along the north side of Lake Natoma. Beautiful, jaw-dropping, lush, towering bluffs. Weather was windy and raining when I parked, but the rain stopped after about four minutes out. Just enough to wet my socks. x_x Lake Natoma reminded me of lakes from Wisconsin. Saw only two bikers on the trail, and no joggers. Noticed the Nimbus Fish Hatchery "fish ladder" for the first time today. The trail on the north side of Lake Natoma seems to be called the Pioneer Express Trail, and runs about nine miles to the Folsom Dam. Sort of lonely today. A few hawks, scrub jays, a turtle dove, and trees creaking in the wind. Took a boyish departure from the trail and climbed a hill of rocks to see the view. Saw more stones as far as I could see to the west, and meadows to the north and east. I noticed several trees blackened by fire, and a bunch of wood chips lying next to several of the trees. I did not understand why the wood chips were there. Someone mulched them, but why? On the return, I saw a massive rain burst to the west, but surprisingly, I did not get any rain on the drive home.
Time: 63 minutes (1:03)
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 7.47 km (4.63 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=41356
Total Distance For Year: 160.1 km (99.2 mi)
Weight (after run): 78.6 kg (173.3 lbs), 20% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None.
Foods eaten today: gnocchi (510 cal), soy milk, butternut-squash soup, green olives, chips
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Running journal, Sunday, 2006-02-26
Running journal, Sunday, 2006-02-26
Resting heart rate: 66 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Sunday
Date: 2006-02-26
Weather: Overcast, raining.
Temp: 14.44 C (58 F)
Time: 16:30-17:17
Terrain: flat
Comments: Walked around Lake Natoma parking lot area again. A few light rain bursts, but nothing uncomfortable. Avoided the wrong turn from last time, and explored a new trail that led back to the beach. It turns out that the migratory patterns of the Alaskan geese have been disrupted by humans feeding them, and they no longer return to Alaska. :( I saw many geese feeding on the grass and beach area, including a flock of American Coots and White Mallards. Walked with a short stride today to not stretch my muscles so much, to experiment with seeing if that helps with recovery. It seemed to help a bit, and it did not scare the geese so much when I did not move so quickly. :) The California Parks agency seems to operate the Lake Natoma area up to Folsom Dam, which might explain why the 23 miles of trail from Nimbus Fish Hatchery to Old Sacramento is different. (?) Saw a Western Scrub Jay, and what seemed to look like this picture of a plain titmouse.
Time: 47 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 4.15 km (2.57 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=39925
Total Distance For Year: 152.6 km (94.6 mi)
Weight (after run): 80.0 kg (176.4 lbs), 20% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Muscles behind the knees still feel a bit stiff, but nothing abnormal.
Foods eaten today: apple & cinnamon cereal, soy milk, chocolate-chip cookies, veggies and dip, lemonade, Triscuits, Clif bar (250 cal), Mushroom Risotto (450 cal).
Resting heart rate: 66 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Sunday
Date: 2006-02-26
Weather: Overcast, raining.
Temp: 14.44 C (58 F)
Time: 16:30-17:17
Terrain: flat
Comments: Walked around Lake Natoma parking lot area again. A few light rain bursts, but nothing uncomfortable. Avoided the wrong turn from last time, and explored a new trail that led back to the beach. It turns out that the migratory patterns of the Alaskan geese have been disrupted by humans feeding them, and they no longer return to Alaska. :( I saw many geese feeding on the grass and beach area, including a flock of American Coots and White Mallards. Walked with a short stride today to not stretch my muscles so much, to experiment with seeing if that helps with recovery. It seemed to help a bit, and it did not scare the geese so much when I did not move so quickly. :) The California Parks agency seems to operate the Lake Natoma area up to Folsom Dam, which might explain why the 23 miles of trail from Nimbus Fish Hatchery to Old Sacramento is different. (?) Saw a Western Scrub Jay, and what seemed to look like this picture of a plain titmouse.
Time: 47 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 4.15 km (2.57 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=39925
Total Distance For Year: 152.6 km (94.6 mi)
Weight (after run): 80.0 kg (176.4 lbs), 20% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Muscles behind the knees still feel a bit stiff, but nothing abnormal.
Foods eaten today: apple & cinnamon cereal, soy milk, chocolate-chip cookies, veggies and dip, lemonade, Triscuits, Clif bar (250 cal), Mushroom Risotto (450 cal).
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Running journal, Saturday, 2006-02-25
Running journal, Saturday, 2006-02-25
Resting heart rate: 55 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Saturday
Date: 2006-02-25
Weather: Sunny, cloudless sky.
Temp: 21.67 C (71 F)
Time: 12:15-13:46
Terrain: mostly flat with mild inclines
Comments: Beautiful day for a long run. Saw a couple holding each other close as I crossed the bridge. Very sweet. :) Wore my RaceReady white and red-paneled singlet today for the first time, which meant more application of more sunblock to my shoulders, back, and neck. I felt much cooler wearing less clothing. :) My fear about the red color has disappeared after wearing it a few times. At the El Manto Drive crossing, I saw a deer cross the trail, and two more black-tailed deer eating grass right on the other side of the wooden trail post markers. :) I ran right by them, and one trotted with me, less than ten feet away, for a number of meters. :) Fantastic. Passed one girl jogger at Ambassodor Drive who had a pastel top on and was super-fit. I met her again on the return and said hello, and she returned the greeting. Otherwise, she just stared at the ground as she ran. :) Passed hundreds of bikers today, but not so many joggers. Two riders had stopped to rest their horses at the picnic table near El Manto Drive. I saw some sort of gopher-like animal today running along a burrow-like structure on the riverbank side of the trail. Saw a hawk with white stripes near the tips of it's wings making lazy circles in the air. I figured out how to adjust my sunglasses a bit so they do not hug my face so much, but it is still an ongoing issue as I sweat. I bet a bit of plastic gripper tubing over the frame near the ear would keep it stable and where I want it. I also felt frustrated with my pedometer again today, because I would like to spend less time worrying about the time and resetting my pedometer after 60 minutes elapses. I got a haircut on Thursday evening, and having less hair felt nicer. :) I experimented with short strides and high turnover today. I could feel my muscles behind my knees were tight, so instead of stretching them by lengthening my stride, I increased my turnover rate, keeping my stride short and my muscles within a comfortable stretching range. The only discomfort I felt started around miles five-six, where my hip joints felt a bit irritated. I did this for pretty much the entire distance today without huffing and puffing, and felt a bit tired by strong at the end. Comparing to last Saturday's run, I ran about 0.5 minutes/mile slower than I did today -- but I feel great. :) So endurance-wise, today I think I ran a better long run. Next Saturday, I run 16 miles. :) I have wondered from time-to-time whether my shoes are holding up or not. I purchased the last pair from Fleet Feet in Davis, CA last fall. Next time I go to Davis I will stop in and see how much life is left in them.
Time: 86 minutes (1:26, 7.62 min/km, or 12.29 min/mi)
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 11.29 km (7 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=38269
Total Distance For Year: 148.4 km (92.0 mi)
Weight (after run): 79.6 kg (175.52 lbs), 21% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Noticed minor irritation in right knee as I walked up Bridge Street to my car. Much better than most recent runs. Probably due to finishing with strong long stride.
Foods eaten today: Powerbar, banana, chips and salsa, two veggie burritos, olives.
Resting heart rate: 55 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Saturday
Date: 2006-02-25
Weather: Sunny, cloudless sky.
Temp: 21.67 C (71 F)
Time: 12:15-13:46
Terrain: mostly flat with mild inclines
Comments: Beautiful day for a long run. Saw a couple holding each other close as I crossed the bridge. Very sweet. :) Wore my RaceReady white and red-paneled singlet today for the first time, which meant more application of more sunblock to my shoulders, back, and neck. I felt much cooler wearing less clothing. :) My fear about the red color has disappeared after wearing it a few times. At the El Manto Drive crossing, I saw a deer cross the trail, and two more black-tailed deer eating grass right on the other side of the wooden trail post markers. :) I ran right by them, and one trotted with me, less than ten feet away, for a number of meters. :) Fantastic. Passed one girl jogger at Ambassodor Drive who had a pastel top on and was super-fit. I met her again on the return and said hello, and she returned the greeting. Otherwise, she just stared at the ground as she ran. :) Passed hundreds of bikers today, but not so many joggers. Two riders had stopped to rest their horses at the picnic table near El Manto Drive. I saw some sort of gopher-like animal today running along a burrow-like structure on the riverbank side of the trail. Saw a hawk with white stripes near the tips of it's wings making lazy circles in the air. I figured out how to adjust my sunglasses a bit so they do not hug my face so much, but it is still an ongoing issue as I sweat. I bet a bit of plastic gripper tubing over the frame near the ear would keep it stable and where I want it. I also felt frustrated with my pedometer again today, because I would like to spend less time worrying about the time and resetting my pedometer after 60 minutes elapses. I got a haircut on Thursday evening, and having less hair felt nicer. :) I experimented with short strides and high turnover today. I could feel my muscles behind my knees were tight, so instead of stretching them by lengthening my stride, I increased my turnover rate, keeping my stride short and my muscles within a comfortable stretching range. The only discomfort I felt started around miles five-six, where my hip joints felt a bit irritated. I did this for pretty much the entire distance today without huffing and puffing, and felt a bit tired by strong at the end. Comparing to last Saturday's run, I ran about 0.5 minutes/mile slower than I did today -- but I feel great. :) So endurance-wise, today I think I ran a better long run. Next Saturday, I run 16 miles. :) I have wondered from time-to-time whether my shoes are holding up or not. I purchased the last pair from Fleet Feet in Davis, CA last fall. Next time I go to Davis I will stop in and see how much life is left in them.
Time: 86 minutes (1:26, 7.62 min/km, or 12.29 min/mi)
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 11.29 km (7 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=38269
Total Distance For Year: 148.4 km (92.0 mi)
Weight (after run): 79.6 kg (175.52 lbs), 21% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Noticed minor irritation in right knee as I walked up Bridge Street to my car. Much better than most recent runs. Probably due to finishing with strong long stride.
Foods eaten today: Powerbar, banana, chips and salsa, two veggie burritos, olives.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Running journal, Friday, 2006-02-24
Running journal, Friday, 2006-02-24
Resting heart rate: 66 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Friday
Date: 2006-02-24
Weather: Sunny
Temp: n/a
Time: n/a
Terrain: n/a
Comments: Long run (11 km/7 mi) tomorrow, so taking "off day" today. :)
Run Time: n/a
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: n/a
Total Distance For Year: n/a
Weight (after run): n/a
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: beignets, spinach and zucchini and eggs, cinnamon-raisin toast, home fries, buckwheat pancake, soy milk, apple-cinnamon cereal, lemonade, Vicini's Pizza, garlic knot
Resting heart rate: 66 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Friday
Date: 2006-02-24
Weather: Sunny
Temp: n/a
Time: n/a
Terrain: n/a
Comments: Long run (11 km/7 mi) tomorrow, so taking "off day" today. :)
Run Time: n/a
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: n/a
Total Distance For Year: n/a
Weight (after run): n/a
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: beignets, spinach and zucchini and eggs, cinnamon-raisin toast, home fries, buckwheat pancake, soy milk, apple-cinnamon cereal, lemonade, Vicini's Pizza, garlic knot
Thursday, February 23, 2006
New Blog -- "Kevin's Links"
I have started a new blog, and have come up with an original title: "Kevin's Links."
Running journal, Thursday, 2006-02-23
Running journal, Thursday, 2006-02-23
Resting heart rate: 71 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Thursday
Date: 2006-02-23
Weather: Sunny, cloudless sky. Haze on the horizon, which probably means I am in it. :P
Temp: 20.56 C (69 F)
Time: 12:30-13:16
Terrain: mostly flat with mild inclines
Comments: Walking day today. I decided last night to go somewhere new today, and after learning from an ex-co-worker that the trails continue past the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, I decided to park there and explore. It turns out the fish hatchery parking lot offers free parking, but other lots do not (for example, one parking lot about two blocks away on Nimbus Road costs $4.00). I might be missing something. I decided to wear my red RaceReady shorts and my blue New Balance t-shirt. I looked like Superman (thus the graphic above). Having a sky-blue Superman shirt would be fun to wear. :) I found new pockets for my carry-alongs today that fit better: driver's license and pen in the left-rear pocket; gloves and PowerBar in the center-rear pocket. I discovered while driving to the fish hatchery that sitting on gloves and a Powerbar feels weird though. And who wants to eat a sat-on Powerbar? ;) Next time I'll load up the center-rear pocket after I park. Right after I began, I stopped and stared at bird houses made of mud that clung to the bottom of the Hazel Avenue overpass. Somehow the birds can build them in the 45-degree angles in the cement, very high up. The view of the river must be great. ;) As I walked up the embankment on the eastern side of Hazel Ave., I noticed two people descending a non-trail part of the slope of the steep hill on the north side of the river. They made it to the bike trail, with a few pauses to assess their situation. :) I stayed on the south side of the American River, but there is a trail on the north side too. The southern trail east of Hazel Avenue seems a bit less maintained than what I am used to. For example, no mile markers on the pavement that I could see, and it merges into a paved two-lane road for a while. It could be that the trail really continues on the north side of the river. I accidentally turned off the two-lane road (I missed the spray-painted white turn arrows) onto what I thought was a continuation of the bike trail, only to find myself on an embankment for a pedestrian bridge crossing Hwy 50. I decided to cross it anyway and see where it took me. I ended up walking up to Folsom Boulevard, passing by new Dodge trucks and vans. Walking back up the embankment, I saw a large McDonalds cup and lid in the ditch, which I picked up. The copyright read, "2003" -- three year-old trash. :P I filled up the cup as I walked with an assortment of candy and energy food wrappers. One appreciative biker thanked me for this, and I felt warm inside at his thoughtfulness. :) As I approached Hazel Avenue, I heard what I thought was a slow-moving, poorly-oiled bicycle behind me. I was wrong, it was a grandfather and his young granddaughter with older bicycles. The girl's wire basket over her right-rear tire was empty, but her grandfather's contained a small Igloo cooler. As she passed the girl looked at me with an energetic, cheerful expression on her face, cute as a button. :) Her grandfather was the exact opposite: quiet, slow, focused. The girl seemed to find be in the process of finding ways to amuse herself, because she took both feet off her pedals, coasted, then stuck her legs straight out. :) I think she might have wished she could accelerate the pace. Nothing eventful happened the rest of the way back to the parking lot. I got a drink of water, then noticed the fish hatchery folks invite the public to view the fish tank area. They had six enormous tanks in the area I was in, but only tank F had fish. I could not tell which fish they were, but I think they were salmon. Tanks A, B, C, and D were empty, and E was only full of water. One worker was in the process of power-spraying tank D. As I turned to go, I noticed a water bottle rolling around in tank E, at the end where the water bubbles up through the aspirator. I initially thought it was trash, so I took it out of the water and set it on the edge of the tank so someone could throw it away if they wanted. As I sat in my car writing down notes from the day, I overheard one worker ask the other who took his water bottle out of the water. XD The other worker of course did not know. :) The first worker got a sort of confused look on his face, and after taking a drink placed the bottle back in the cold water. Funny. :) I took a different way home, down Gold Country Road, and passed a bunch of communities with chi-chi names like, "Gold Country Village," "Sutter Village," and "Maidu Village." All the houses looked the same. Boring. Gold Country Road ended at Sunrise just south of Bridge Street. This Saturday I run seven miles, so I think I will try the south side again. I noticed my sunglasses hugging my too closely again today. Bearable, but a bit annoying. And I had another dream about a marathon last night. This time, the race started, but for some reason, before I could begin the running part, I had to complete three tasks. Weird. First everyone had to climb an indoor, steep, artificial embankment, which exhausted me, I could barely pull myself over the edge. I ended up in last place with my elementary-school classmate Carolyn Redinger. Don't ask me why. Second, we had to solve a series of thinking puzzles to get points. Unfortunately, since we got to the puzzle in last place, no points remained to be awarded. :P I still enjoyed solving the puzzle though. :) Third, I had to go back down the embankment while at the same time controlling a soccer ball using only my feet. Somehow, I deflated my soccer ball on the way down, and slid on it to the bottom (this was actually quite clever of me, in retrospect). ;) That's where the dream ends. This represents the second marathon dream in one week. Note: My heart-rate seemed abnormally high today, even though I slept well last night. I woke up right after my marathon dream, so perhaps that elevated it. I think my heart is working overtime to clean up my system and irrigate blood into my body since I pushed it hard yesterday with only four hours sleep. Hopefully it will be back down to normal tomorrow.
Time: 46 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 4.5 km (2.8 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=35479
Total Distance For Year: 137.1 km (85.0 mi)
Weight (after run): 78.4 kg (172.87 lbs), 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Again, a touch of worry in my right knee near the end of the walk.
Foods eaten today: three toaster waffles and real maple syrup, soy milk, bottle of Honest Tea First Nation Peppermint (17 cal), soy tempeh spread and wheat bread, salsa and chips.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Running journal, Wednesday, 2006-02-22
Running journal, Wednesday, 2006-02-22
Resting heart rate: n/a (not much sleep in the past 24 hours, so forgot)
Day: Wednesday
Date: 2006-02-22
Weather: Sunny.
Temp: 18.33 C (65.0 F)
Time: 15:45-16:45
Terrain: flat
Comments: Perfect running day. Wore the RaceReady shorts for the first time today. Pulled an all-night Veronica Mars Season One marathon (no pun intended), so I felt exhausted. One notable event -- I thought I heard a female biker calling my name from behind me, when in fact she was just singing a Native American chant. Sleep-deprived delusion or honest mistake? Saw the non-mainstream folks again. They look like coneheads, with bright yellow and purple outfits. I wonder if they are Sufi, or Sikh. I noticed my enthusiasm for running has declined. Perhaps because I am not getting enough sleep. :P I seemed to enjoy it more when I slept a bit more.
Time: 53 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 mi)
Total Distance For Year: 132.6 km (82.2 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=34091
Weight (after run): 77.6 kg (171.11 lbs) 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Still felt a bit of pain in my right knee as I walked back to the car.
Foods eaten today: bowl of raisin bran cereal, banana, soy milk.
Resting heart rate: n/a (not much sleep in the past 24 hours, so forgot)
Day: Wednesday
Date: 2006-02-22
Weather: Sunny.
Temp: 18.33 C (65.0 F)
Time: 15:45-16:45
Terrain: flat
Comments: Perfect running day. Wore the RaceReady shorts for the first time today. Pulled an all-night Veronica Mars Season One marathon (no pun intended), so I felt exhausted. One notable event -- I thought I heard a female biker calling my name from behind me, when in fact she was just singing a Native American chant. Sleep-deprived delusion or honest mistake? Saw the non-mainstream folks again. They look like coneheads, with bright yellow and purple outfits. I wonder if they are Sufi, or Sikh. I noticed my enthusiasm for running has declined. Perhaps because I am not getting enough sleep. :P I seemed to enjoy it more when I slept a bit more.
Time: 53 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 mi)
Total Distance For Year: 132.6 km (82.2 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=34091
Weight (after run): 77.6 kg (171.11 lbs) 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Still felt a bit of pain in my right knee as I walked back to the car.
Foods eaten today: bowl of raisin bran cereal, banana, soy milk.
Veronica Mars
I finished watching the Veronica Mars Season One DVDs #2-#6 and highly recommend this show. Funny, current, emotional at times. I loved the PI bit -- I used to devour "Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective" books as a kid. The show feels a lot like those memories I have of reading those books, except the content is geared toward high-school/adult situations. (Thanks marsinvestigations.net for the photos.)
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
RaceReady Gear Replacement Arrived
That was fast. I received the correct singlet from Mary at RaceReady today. I guess I felt a bit self-conscious about running entirely in red, because sometimes I want to run without looking like a fire truck is on the trail, or Satan has taken up jogging. ;) So now I have red shorts and a white singlet with vertical red panels. Will test out the shorts tomorrow, and the singlet too depending on the temperature. This will be the first time I have tested CoolMax clothing.
Running journal, Tuesday, 2006-02-21
Running journal, Tuesday, 2006-02-21
Resting heart rate: 66 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Tuesday
Date: 2006-02-21
Weather: Starry. No moon.
Temp: 8.89 C (48.0 F)
Time: 20:20 - 21:00
Terrain: flat
Comments: Brrr. Walking day. Spent 40 minutes at American River College (ARC) this evening, walking in circles on the track. Watched a father and his four children exercise. I walked circles around them (ha ha). ARC has made enormous additions to the campus. Walkways have been opened around several new buildings, the stadium track has a wheelchair accessible ramp, improved sand pits for long jump, new track surface, and a re-sodded field. They have also put up a number of enormous billboards for campus organization posters. In the past, people taped them to the brick walls. My fingers felt the chill this evening, even though I wore a tee shirt and a sweatshirt. I decided to leave without my gloves so I could get to the Sylvan Oaks library on time to pick up the Veronica Mars season one DVDs I reserved. I only got discs 2-6 though. :( I am 13 out of 21 on the waiting list for the first disc. :P Hopefully the show is good enough that I want to come back to it.
Time: 40 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 4.03 km (2.5 mi)
Total Distance For Year: 125.2 km (77.6 mi)
Weight (after run): 80 kg (176.4 lbs) 19% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: On a few long strides I still feel a bit of a stretch behind my right knee. Not hurting, I just notice it is not 100%. :P
Foods eaten today: bowl of raisin bran cereal, Rice-A-Roni Spanish Rice, pickles, soy milk, banana
Resting heart rate: 66 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Tuesday
Date: 2006-02-21
Weather: Starry. No moon.
Temp: 8.89 C (48.0 F)
Time: 20:20 - 21:00
Terrain: flat
Comments: Brrr. Walking day. Spent 40 minutes at American River College (ARC) this evening, walking in circles on the track. Watched a father and his four children exercise. I walked circles around them (ha ha). ARC has made enormous additions to the campus. Walkways have been opened around several new buildings, the stadium track has a wheelchair accessible ramp, improved sand pits for long jump, new track surface, and a re-sodded field. They have also put up a number of enormous billboards for campus organization posters. In the past, people taped them to the brick walls. My fingers felt the chill this evening, even though I wore a tee shirt and a sweatshirt. I decided to leave without my gloves so I could get to the Sylvan Oaks library on time to pick up the Veronica Mars season one DVDs I reserved. I only got discs 2-6 though. :( I am 13 out of 21 on the waiting list for the first disc. :P Hopefully the show is good enough that I want to come back to it.
Time: 40 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 4.03 km (2.5 mi)
Total Distance For Year: 125.2 km (77.6 mi)
Weight (after run): 80 kg (176.4 lbs) 19% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: On a few long strides I still feel a bit of a stretch behind my right knee. Not hurting, I just notice it is not 100%. :P
Foods eaten today: bowl of raisin bran cereal, Rice-A-Roni Spanish Rice, pickles, soy milk, banana
Monday, February 20, 2006
Running journal, Monday, 2006-02-20
Running journal, Monday, 2006-02-20
Resting heart rate: 65 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Monday
Date: 2006-02-20
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 17.78 C (64 F)
Time: 14:45-15:45
Terrain: mostly flat, a few mild hills
Comments: Easy day today. Wore sunglasses, but forgot my sunblock. Beautiful, warm afternoon. I felt tired today. I was struck again today by how some people do not seem to enjoy the exercise and community, and some people do. A girl on a bicycle that I found attractive smiled and said hi to me today, and I wished I had a bicycle. ;) A mother and her young son were biking, and the son kept finding side trails along the path to explore. I passed the mother and said, "He disappeared." :) She laughed and replied, "Yes, I don't know where he's going to come out." :) Many people seem to choose the American River Parkway for holiday recreation. I picked up a can of Coors beer on my return across the bridge, and laughed at how silly I must look, a jogger with a can of beer. :) Saw a guy with a beard like Jerry Garcia's in the parking lot, and thought to myself how neat it looked. I frequently see a man as I park with a purple covering over his large amount of hair. He sometimes is there with his female companion, and they have a yellow symbol on the back of their pick-up which I do not recognize. They seem very non-mainstream.
Run Time: 45 minutes (10.64 minutes/mile)
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 6.80 km (4.23 miles), http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=30621
Total Distance For Year: 133.6 km (82.8 mi)
Weight (after run): 78.4 kg (174.2 lbs), 20% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Bit of soreness in the muscles behind my right knee, like I overstretched it.
Foods eaten today: raisin bran cereal, soy milk, half of Greek Wrap (290 cal), banana, green beans, Spanish rice
Resting heart rate: 65 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Monday
Date: 2006-02-20
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 17.78 C (64 F)
Time: 14:45-15:45
Terrain: mostly flat, a few mild hills
Comments: Easy day today. Wore sunglasses, but forgot my sunblock. Beautiful, warm afternoon. I felt tired today. I was struck again today by how some people do not seem to enjoy the exercise and community, and some people do. A girl on a bicycle that I found attractive smiled and said hi to me today, and I wished I had a bicycle. ;) A mother and her young son were biking, and the son kept finding side trails along the path to explore. I passed the mother and said, "He disappeared." :) She laughed and replied, "Yes, I don't know where he's going to come out." :) Many people seem to choose the American River Parkway for holiday recreation. I picked up a can of Coors beer on my return across the bridge, and laughed at how silly I must look, a jogger with a can of beer. :) Saw a guy with a beard like Jerry Garcia's in the parking lot, and thought to myself how neat it looked. I frequently see a man as I park with a purple covering over his large amount of hair. He sometimes is there with his female companion, and they have a yellow symbol on the back of their pick-up which I do not recognize. They seem very non-mainstream.
Run Time: 45 minutes (10.64 minutes/mile)
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 6.80 km (4.23 miles), http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=30621
Total Distance For Year: 133.6 km (82.8 mi)
Weight (after run): 78.4 kg (174.2 lbs), 20% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Bit of soreness in the muscles behind my right knee, like I overstretched it.
Foods eaten today: raisin bran cereal, soy milk, half of Greek Wrap (290 cal), banana, green beans, Spanish rice
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Running journal, Sunday, 2006-02-19
Running journal, Sunday, 2006-02-19
Resting heart rate:
Day: Sunday
Date: 2006-02-19
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Temp:
Time: 13:30-16:30
Terrain: Flat, with river-bank hills
Comments: Walking day. Met with Lanna and walked all over for three hours. A bit chilly. Saw a pair of Acorn Woodpeckers up-close pecking at the steel crossbeams of the pedestrian bridge. :) Watched a male-female pair of mallards feeding. The plastic feeding bowls for cats I discovered last Tuesday have been torn to shreds. :P Noticed a wire and rope on the tree under the pedestrian bridge. Looks like someone rigged up a system to swing out over the water, but the rope broke, and they abandoned it. Lanna braved wading in the icy river water up to her ankles for over ten seconds, then decided she had had enough and quickly came ashore. :) I had bet her no longer than five seconds, but I think her feet were warmed by the double-pair of socks she wore. ;) Lanna recognized the sound of a hummingbird, a fickle, and others. A few bees were going in and out of their tree, but otherwise the patch of woods was quiet. We found someone had created a heart from stones in the clearing, and so Lanna constructed a heart of her own.
Time: ~3 hours
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 5.6 km (3.49 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=30673
Total Distance For Year: 126.8 km (78.6 mi)
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Mildly stiff legs
Foods eaten today: veggie and soy tempeh w/rye bread, soy milk, triscuits, Clif bar
Resting heart rate:
Day: Sunday
Date: 2006-02-19
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Temp:
Time: 13:30-16:30
Terrain: Flat, with river-bank hills
Comments: Walking day. Met with Lanna and walked all over for three hours. A bit chilly. Saw a pair of Acorn Woodpeckers up-close pecking at the steel crossbeams of the pedestrian bridge. :) Watched a male-female pair of mallards feeding. The plastic feeding bowls for cats I discovered last Tuesday have been torn to shreds. :P Noticed a wire and rope on the tree under the pedestrian bridge. Looks like someone rigged up a system to swing out over the water, but the rope broke, and they abandoned it. Lanna braved wading in the icy river water up to her ankles for over ten seconds, then decided she had had enough and quickly came ashore. :) I had bet her no longer than five seconds, but I think her feet were warmed by the double-pair of socks she wore. ;) Lanna recognized the sound of a hummingbird, a fickle, and others. A few bees were going in and out of their tree, but otherwise the patch of woods was quiet. We found someone had created a heart from stones in the clearing, and so Lanna constructed a heart of her own.
Time: ~3 hours
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 5.6 km (3.49 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=30673
Total Distance For Year: 126.8 km (78.6 mi)
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Mildly stiff legs
Foods eaten today: veggie and soy tempeh w/rye bread, soy milk, triscuits, Clif bar
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Running journal, Saturday, 2006-02-18
Running journal, Saturday, 2006-02-18
Resting heart rate: 57 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Saturday
Date: 2006-02-18
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Temp: 13.3 C (56 F)
Time: 07:30-10:30
Terrain: mostly flat, a few mild hills
Comments: Awoke at 05:15 with five hours sleep. Ate one Apple Cinnamon Powerbar, drank four-to-six ounces of water every 30 minutes until 07:15. A chilly 6.7 C (44 F) this morning at 07:30. When I ended at 10:30, it was about 10 C (50 F). Galloway recommends wearing long-sleeve T, shorts or tights or wind pants, socks or mittens or gloves for 4.4-9.4 C (40-49 F) weather. Unfortunately I read this after I ran, because my hands did feel cold today without gloves. Forgot to wear my sunglasses, I think because I was not thinking clearly due to lack of sleep. Started running slow due to the chill. After five miles, I began feeling euphoric and full of energy, running at a faster clip. This feeling lasted until miles 9-10, when my legs began stiffening, and my posture began leaning forward a bit from upright. I felt progressively more fatigued over the next three miles, and decided (was forced? ;) ) to "dial down" my pace during the last 1.5 miles, which helped reduce fatigue. I now realize it was a mistake to push myself faster when I felt excited, happy, and strong. Lesson learned. At the first way station, I relieved myself, and passed an older jogger. He did not acknowledge my greeting of, "Good morning." When he passed me later, I did not say anything, and he was silent. Only after he passed me on his return near Goethe Park did he smile as I said, "Hello again." :) I ate one-half of a Powerbar at my first walk break on the return, then continued eating one bite on each subsequent walk break. Felt irritated that my pedometer switches to hour-minute time after 60 minutes, losing the seconds display. So I reset the timer twice so I could better time my walk breaks. Unfortunately, I lose my step count when I do this. :P A watch designed for runners would help a lot, because my current method is to twist my body in mid-stride and lift my shirt to check my pedometer timer, which is awkward. Animal sightings: four female black-tailed deer, two jackrabbits, white-tailed kite, western scrub-jay, and a tree full of plain titmouses. On the return, after three deer crossed very close to a female jogger running toward me, her jaw dropped and she beamed, remarking, "How beautiful." :) I smiled, sharing the moment, and said playfully, "Don't get run over." ;) Decided it would be fun to have a tee-shirt that says, "Good Morning" on it and watch others' reactions. ;) I beat the Greater Sacramento/Northern Nevada Leukemia & Lymphoma Society "Team In Training" (TNT, or GSNNLLSTNT ;)) bicycle group to the trail this morning, and passed them as they assembled in Goethe Park. They passed me around the 14.5 mile mark on the return. One of them had attached a black mohawk to the top of their helmet. Funny. :) Passed a crowd of unmarked joggers as I crossed the Goethe Park bridge. I assume they were also participating in the TNT marathon program. I said hello to many people today, and generally the response was good. Some people seemed tired the first time I passed them, but when I passed them on the return, they laughed and smiled at my greeting, "Hello again." :) I wanted to say, "Hey y'all," to the crowd I passed on Goethe Bridge, but most of them were chatting with one another, and I respected that. I passed a heavy-set woman on the return who was walking slowly. She smiled, and greeted me matter-of-factly by saying, "Well you sure look happy today." I loved her dry humor, and laughed, saying, "I try as best I can, given the circumstances." ;) Near the 19 mile marker, as I dialed down my pace, two young women passed me, and I said, "Good morning, how are you?" to which they replied in a playful, sparkly, confident tone, "Great!" :) Just before that, a middle-aged man passed me at a fast clip, with well-defined muscles in his legs. He seemed to glide, and I felt happy watching his pace. Perhaps someday I will get to that point. :) Felt no leg chafing today. I worry about that before each long run because the stinging irritation can easily ruin an otherwise enjoyable run. After the run, I attended a party at 12:00, and by 15:30, I was exhausted. I came home and crashed from 16:00-20:00, another indication I ran too fast. Overall I enjoyed the early-morning run, and look forward to an even better next one. Interestingly, it took me about 90 minutes (1:30, 12.41 minutes/mile) to run the first seven miles, but 80 (1:20, 11.03 minutes/mile) to return. So this data does seem to validate the walk-break theory -- I ran a stronger second-half than the first by 10 minutes. :) Even more so when I consider that the return ascended by about 75 feet. It did feel like I was running some of those miles in just over two walk breaks during my euphoric period. ;) This does help indicate a realistic pace for future long runs -- two minutes/mile slower than I could run today is about 12.5 minutes/mile.
Run Time: 2:50 minutes (170 minutes, 11.72 minutes/mile)
Goal Time: 2:30 (150 minutes, 11 minutes/mile pace)
Distance: 23.38 km (14.5 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=27902
Total Distance For Year: 114.4 km (70.9 mi)
Weight (after run): 78.4 kg (172.87 lbs)
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Stiff calf muscles on return, left muscles behind knee a bit sore. Left pinkie-toe showing signs of friction (some skin loss, callous).
Foods eaten today: Powerbar (two, 460 cal), veggie tempeh with dark bread, salmon spread, chicken pasta salad, potato salad, soy milk, ham soup, chocolate hazel-nut cake, tea, tomatoes.
Resting heart rate: 57 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Saturday
Date: 2006-02-18
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Temp: 13.3 C (56 F)
Time: 07:30-10:30
Terrain: mostly flat, a few mild hills
Comments: Awoke at 05:15 with five hours sleep. Ate one Apple Cinnamon Powerbar, drank four-to-six ounces of water every 30 minutes until 07:15. A chilly 6.7 C (44 F) this morning at 07:30. When I ended at 10:30, it was about 10 C (50 F). Galloway recommends wearing long-sleeve T, shorts or tights or wind pants, socks or mittens or gloves for 4.4-9.4 C (40-49 F) weather. Unfortunately I read this after I ran, because my hands did feel cold today without gloves. Forgot to wear my sunglasses, I think because I was not thinking clearly due to lack of sleep. Started running slow due to the chill. After five miles, I began feeling euphoric and full of energy, running at a faster clip. This feeling lasted until miles 9-10, when my legs began stiffening, and my posture began leaning forward a bit from upright. I felt progressively more fatigued over the next three miles, and decided (was forced? ;) ) to "dial down" my pace during the last 1.5 miles, which helped reduce fatigue. I now realize it was a mistake to push myself faster when I felt excited, happy, and strong. Lesson learned. At the first way station, I relieved myself, and passed an older jogger. He did not acknowledge my greeting of, "Good morning." When he passed me later, I did not say anything, and he was silent. Only after he passed me on his return near Goethe Park did he smile as I said, "Hello again." :) I ate one-half of a Powerbar at my first walk break on the return, then continued eating one bite on each subsequent walk break. Felt irritated that my pedometer switches to hour-minute time after 60 minutes, losing the seconds display. So I reset the timer twice so I could better time my walk breaks. Unfortunately, I lose my step count when I do this. :P A watch designed for runners would help a lot, because my current method is to twist my body in mid-stride and lift my shirt to check my pedometer timer, which is awkward. Animal sightings: four female black-tailed deer, two jackrabbits, white-tailed kite, western scrub-jay, and a tree full of plain titmouses. On the return, after three deer crossed very close to a female jogger running toward me, her jaw dropped and she beamed, remarking, "How beautiful." :) I smiled, sharing the moment, and said playfully, "Don't get run over." ;) Decided it would be fun to have a tee-shirt that says, "Good Morning" on it and watch others' reactions. ;) I beat the Greater Sacramento/Northern Nevada Leukemia & Lymphoma Society "Team In Training" (TNT, or GSNNLLSTNT ;)) bicycle group to the trail this morning, and passed them as they assembled in Goethe Park. They passed me around the 14.5 mile mark on the return. One of them had attached a black mohawk to the top of their helmet. Funny. :) Passed a crowd of unmarked joggers as I crossed the Goethe Park bridge. I assume they were also participating in the TNT marathon program. I said hello to many people today, and generally the response was good. Some people seemed tired the first time I passed them, but when I passed them on the return, they laughed and smiled at my greeting, "Hello again." :) I wanted to say, "Hey y'all," to the crowd I passed on Goethe Bridge, but most of them were chatting with one another, and I respected that. I passed a heavy-set woman on the return who was walking slowly. She smiled, and greeted me matter-of-factly by saying, "Well you sure look happy today." I loved her dry humor, and laughed, saying, "I try as best I can, given the circumstances." ;) Near the 19 mile marker, as I dialed down my pace, two young women passed me, and I said, "Good morning, how are you?" to which they replied in a playful, sparkly, confident tone, "Great!" :) Just before that, a middle-aged man passed me at a fast clip, with well-defined muscles in his legs. He seemed to glide, and I felt happy watching his pace. Perhaps someday I will get to that point. :) Felt no leg chafing today. I worry about that before each long run because the stinging irritation can easily ruin an otherwise enjoyable run. After the run, I attended a party at 12:00, and by 15:30, I was exhausted. I came home and crashed from 16:00-20:00, another indication I ran too fast. Overall I enjoyed the early-morning run, and look forward to an even better next one. Interestingly, it took me about 90 minutes (1:30, 12.41 minutes/mile) to run the first seven miles, but 80 (1:20, 11.03 minutes/mile) to return. So this data does seem to validate the walk-break theory -- I ran a stronger second-half than the first by 10 minutes. :) Even more so when I consider that the return ascended by about 75 feet. It did feel like I was running some of those miles in just over two walk breaks during my euphoric period. ;) This does help indicate a realistic pace for future long runs -- two minutes/mile slower than I could run today is about 12.5 minutes/mile.
Run Time: 2:50 minutes (170 minutes, 11.72 minutes/mile)
Goal Time: 2:30 (150 minutes, 11 minutes/mile pace)
Distance: 23.38 km (14.5 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=27902
Total Distance For Year: 114.4 km (70.9 mi)
Weight (after run): 78.4 kg (172.87 lbs)
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Stiff calf muscles on return, left muscles behind knee a bit sore. Left pinkie-toe showing signs of friction (some skin loss, callous).
Foods eaten today: Powerbar (two, 460 cal), veggie tempeh with dark bread, salmon spread, chicken pasta salad, potato salad, soy milk, ham soup, chocolate hazel-nut cake, tea, tomatoes.
Friday, February 17, 2006
American River Parkway Photos
A chatter on the Yahoo! "Sacramento Birds" mailing list shared this archive of pictures:
http://www.pbase.com/stevephoto
A parrot escaped and now lives along the river. :) Have not seen it yet in person.
http://www.pbase.com/stevephoto
A parrot escaped and now lives along the river. :) Have not seen it yet in person.
Running journal, Friday, 2006-02-17
Running journal, Friday, 2006-02-17
Resting heart rate: 61 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Friday
Date: 2006-02-17
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: n/a
Time: n/a
Terrain: n/a
Comments: Long run (22 km/14 mi) tomorrow, so taking "off day" today. :)
Run Time: n/a
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: n/a
Total Distance For Year: 91.2 km (56.4 mi)
Weight (after run): n/a
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: 1/2 Greek wrap (290 cal), soy milk, Raisin-Bran cereal, rosemary bread, bottle of Honest Tea First Nation Peppermint (17 cal)
Resting heart rate: 61 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Friday
Date: 2006-02-17
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: n/a
Time: n/a
Terrain: n/a
Comments: Long run (22 km/14 mi) tomorrow, so taking "off day" today. :)
Run Time: n/a
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: n/a
Total Distance For Year: 91.2 km (56.4 mi)
Weight (after run): n/a
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: 1/2 Greek wrap (290 cal), soy milk, Raisin-Bran cereal, rosemary bread, bottle of Honest Tea First Nation Peppermint (17 cal)
Thursday, February 16, 2006
RaceReady Gear Arrived
Ordered last weekend, arrived Wednesday. :) The red shorts look ok. Will have to get a second opinion. They sent the wrong training singlet -- its all red instead of white with vertical red side-panels. I think it is a packing mistake. The white gloves fit snug, hard to take off. I like the snaps on the racing singlet, pretty smart. Would look better if the body underneath looked better. ;) Am working on that. :)
Abs
Realized tonight that even though I can run 12.5 miles, all my 22% body fat is in my midsection. :) Found this link: "6 Pack of Myths on Ab Training," http://www.exercisexpress.com/abtraining.htm
Running journal, Thursday, 2006-02-16
Running journal, Thursday, 2006-02-16
Resting heart rate: 68bpm (60 second test)
Day: Thursday
Date: 2006-02-16
Weather: Sunny, partly cloudy
Temp: 13.3 C (56 F)
Time: 16:30 - 17:30
Terrain: flat
Comments: Walking day today. :) I noticed my heart rate was 10% over Wednesday's, a sign Galloway says to take it easy. I dreamed I was getting out of my car and walking to the starting line of a marathon last night. :) Funny. Late afternoon walk today due to a lunch event from 11:30 - 14:30. I felt a bit chilly, brrr. Saw two dogs cross my path, a black cat watching me from the woods, and three deer today. The tree where I have watched the bees was silent. I felt a bit nervous walking through the empty, quiet woods as the shadows grew longer, hearing rustling noises from small unseen animals. :) On the return near the 21-mile marker river access parking lot, I found a group of ducks preening themselves in the shallow current near the beach -- two male mallards, one female mallard, and one female common merganser. I carefully walked to the waters edge to better view them. Noting my presence, the mallards began making nervous clucking noises, watching me carefully. The common merganser ignored me and continued to preen. :) As I watched the ducks, another trio of mallards passed me in flight. I noted a rapid, muted chirping sound, perhaps from their wings or breathing. The mallards eventually decided they had had enough, bursting into the air, wings flapping, hovering at first, then accelerating to their desired cruising speed. The remaining common merganser continued to preen, unaffected by the mallards' flight. When finished, she sat down in the water, calmly swam into the river, then also burst into flight upstream. I watched until her shape became indistinguishable from the riverbank. Continuing home in the chilly air, I counted four fly fishermen patiently casting as the sun set.
Run Time: (walk) 50 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 4.03 km (2.5 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=25011
Total Distance For Year: 91.2 km (56.4 mi)
Weight (after run): 80.6 kg (177.7 lbs), 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: banana (90 cal), BJ's Garden Vegetable Potato (A giant potato filled with assorted garden fresh vegetables, topped with jack and cheddar cheeses and creamy Alfredo sauce) (? cal), pickle (0 cal), soy milk, toaster waffles and real maple syrup
Resting heart rate: 68bpm (60 second test)
Day: Thursday
Date: 2006-02-16
Weather: Sunny, partly cloudy
Temp: 13.3 C (56 F)
Time: 16:30 - 17:30
Terrain: flat
Comments: Walking day today. :) I noticed my heart rate was 10% over Wednesday's, a sign Galloway says to take it easy. I dreamed I was getting out of my car and walking to the starting line of a marathon last night. :) Funny. Late afternoon walk today due to a lunch event from 11:30 - 14:30. I felt a bit chilly, brrr. Saw two dogs cross my path, a black cat watching me from the woods, and three deer today. The tree where I have watched the bees was silent. I felt a bit nervous walking through the empty, quiet woods as the shadows grew longer, hearing rustling noises from small unseen animals. :) On the return near the 21-mile marker river access parking lot, I found a group of ducks preening themselves in the shallow current near the beach -- two male mallards, one female mallard, and one female common merganser. I carefully walked to the waters edge to better view them. Noting my presence, the mallards began making nervous clucking noises, watching me carefully. The common merganser ignored me and continued to preen. :) As I watched the ducks, another trio of mallards passed me in flight. I noted a rapid, muted chirping sound, perhaps from their wings or breathing. The mallards eventually decided they had had enough, bursting into the air, wings flapping, hovering at first, then accelerating to their desired cruising speed. The remaining common merganser continued to preen, unaffected by the mallards' flight. When finished, she sat down in the water, calmly swam into the river, then also burst into flight upstream. I watched until her shape became indistinguishable from the riverbank. Continuing home in the chilly air, I counted four fly fishermen patiently casting as the sun set.
Run Time: (walk) 50 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 4.03 km (2.5 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=25011
Total Distance For Year: 91.2 km (56.4 mi)
Weight (after run): 80.6 kg (177.7 lbs), 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: banana (90 cal), BJ's Garden Vegetable Potato (A giant potato filled with assorted garden fresh vegetables, topped with jack and cheddar cheeses and creamy Alfredo sauce) (? cal), pickle (0 cal), soy milk, toaster waffles and real maple syrup
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Shaving
I owned a Norelco 805 three rotary-head electric razor for about twelve years, until the battery no longer was able to hold a charge. Note: Not realizing I could purchase replacement cutters and batteries for my old Norelco 805 online, I threw it away. :P Doh.
For the first time in my life, I started reading about traditional shaving techniques. I decided I wanted a closer shave than I was getting with the electric, and purchased the Gillette Mach3Turbo and a can of Barbasol Soothing Aloe Shave Cream. I feel disgusted at the cost of replacement cartridges though. I value bang-for-my-buck -- $20 for eight cartridges means that if each cartridge lasts five shaves, an eight-pack lasts 40 days, at a cost of $0.50 per shave. Using a trick involving mineral oil and rubbing alcohol, I might double the life of the blades by reducing oxidation, so 80 days for an eight-pack, or a cost of $0.25 per shave.
The only alternatives I see are:
It says here that "good safety razor blades are under $0.50 a piece." So that means #1 costs about $0.13 a shave, a 74% savings over the safety razors from Gilette.
I might extend the life of my razors using these alternative methods:
Things I am considering purchasing, per this article:
Links:
"How to get that perfect shave" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/
"Shaving Brushes - What you Need vs. What you Want" http://www.classicshaving.com/articles/article/590351/5618.htm
"Vulfix Shaving Brushes" http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/800550.htm
"ShavingStuff.com" http://www.shavingstuff.com
"Cryogenically Frozen Razor Blades" http://www.greatrazors.com
"RazorMax Wet-Storage System" http://www.razormax.com
"e-Barbershop, specializing in men's shaving and grooming toiletries" http://www.qedusa.com/
"MSN TheWetShaversGroup" http://groups.msn.com/thewetshaversgroup
"Clubman Online, another store" http://store.clubmanonline.com/
"Safety Razors and Blades" http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/522941.htm
For the first time in my life, I started reading about traditional shaving techniques. I decided I wanted a closer shave than I was getting with the electric, and purchased the Gillette Mach3Turbo and a can of Barbasol Soothing Aloe Shave Cream. I feel disgusted at the cost of replacement cartridges though. I value bang-for-my-buck -- $20 for eight cartridges means that if each cartridge lasts five shaves, an eight-pack lasts 40 days, at a cost of $0.50 per shave. Using a trick involving mineral oil and rubbing alcohol, I might double the life of the blades by reducing oxidation, so 80 days for an eight-pack, or a cost of $0.25 per shave.
The only alternatives I see are:
- Adjustable double edge safety razor
- Straight razor
- Beard (unlikely considering my growth pattern, unfortunately)
It says here that "good safety razor blades are under $0.50 a piece." So that means #1 costs about $0.13 a shave, a 74% savings over the safety razors from Gilette.
I might extend the life of my razors using these alternative methods:
- http://www.razormax.com (hydrophobic oil system)
- Claims to extend razor from 5 shaves to 40-50 shaves
- http://www.greatrazors.com (cryogenically freezing to -184 C (-300 F)) changes austenite to martensite)
- Claims to extend razor from 5 shaves to 30 shaves, and costs the same as store-purchased razors
Things I am considering purchasing, per this article:
- $60 Shaving brush. For example, Vulfix #2234 Super Badger Shaving Brush.
- $30 Razor. For example, Merkur "Hefty Classic" Safety Razor.
- $6 Blades. For example, Cryogenically frozen Merkur blades from GreatRazors.com.
- $9 Stand. For example, Cream Vulfix Shaving Brush Stand
- $29 Shaving cream. For example, Trumper's Violet or Avocado.
- $23 After-shave or moisturizer. For example, Trumper's Skin Food.
Links:
"How to get that perfect shave" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/
"Shaving Brushes - What you Need vs. What you Want" http://www.classicshaving.com/articles/article/590351/5618.htm
"Vulfix Shaving Brushes" http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/800550.htm
"ShavingStuff.com" http://www.shavingstuff.com
"Cryogenically Frozen Razor Blades" http://www.greatrazors.com
"RazorMax Wet-Storage System" http://www.razormax.com
"e-Barbershop, specializing in men's shaving and grooming toiletries" http://www.qedusa.com/
"MSN TheWetShaversGroup" http://groups.msn.com/thewetshaversgroup
"Clubman Online, another store" http://store.clubmanonline.com/
"Safety Razors and Blades" http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/522941.htm
Running journal, Wednesday, 2006-02-15
Running journal, Wednesday, 2006-02-15
Resting heart rate: 60bpm (60 second test)
Day: Wednesday
Date: 2006-02-15
Weather: Sunny, big cloud banks on the eastern and western horizon
Temp: 16.1 C (61 F)
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
Terrain: flat
Comments: Much cooler than yesterday. The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for this evening. Enjoyed the sounds of a tree full of chirping birds. One woman passed me running very quickly as I began. She passed me again as she returned from the first wayside park, and I said hello. She could barely muster a response, she was breathing so hard. I ran smoothly and consistently today, and I had a great day. :) A bit tired, but happy at the completion. What kept me running at an easy pace was Galloway's remark that the mid-week runs are recovery runs that maintain the endurance of the previous long run, and are not meant to improve endurance or speed. So I ran an easy pace for 45 minutes without stopping. :) My next run is Saturday, 14 miles. :) I wore my sunglasses for the first time today, and they worked well, keeping the bright sun out of my eyes on the way out. I would like sunglasses that do not hug my face quite as much, but I think for practice these will work ok. The test of whether I will stick with them for longer than 45 minutes is the long run on Saturday. The Safeway Sport Sunblock (SPF 30) is working perfectly, no complaints. I am happy that I am taking precautions, because I really value my health and want to continue to run for a long time. Saw the well-built fence again that I saw on Monday, and noticed that they also had constructed a horseshoe pit, which had fallen into disrepair. The difference between their fence and the other fences struck me again today. I ran with my hips forward, which lifts my chest, and it feels comfortable. Hardly anyone on the trail this afternoon. Noticed a plaque at the first wayside park, dedicating the park to Fred Caine. It said he was a "child of the universe," which reminded me of the Stoics, who also used that phrase to communicate their worldview that everyone is connected to God through Divine Fire. On the last leg I confused a man as I prepared to pass him by waiting until a cyclist passed by. He had seen my shadow and did not know which side I was going to pass. ;) He thanked me for saying "passing on the right." :) I said hi to a mother walking with her young child on the return crossing of the bridge. The child was taking tiny steps. When I reached my car, I saw that she had stopped and sat down next to several teenagers who had a small white dog with them, and her child was playing with the dog. Someone vandalized the anti-vehicle post on the north side of the bridge again. In its place was a small blaze-orange traffic cone. My current favorite pre- and post-race song is Beausoleil's (Cajun) "Oberlin Two-Step," from their 1987 album, "Hot Chili Mama," on the Arhoolie label. :) Fast-paced fun with catchy guitar and accordion riffs. :) I drank too much water with the PowerBar before running, and ended up stopping twice at waysides. :P
Run Time: 46 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 6.21 km (3.85 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=23173
Total Distance For Year: 86.9 km (53.9 mi)
Weight (after run): 80.8 kg (178.2 lbs), 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: banana (90 cal), chocolate and peanut butter PowerBar (240 cal), Greek wrap (580 cal), bowl of veggies and brown rice, rosemary bread, bottle of Honest Tea First Nation Peppermint (17 cal)
Resting heart rate: 60bpm (60 second test)
Day: Wednesday
Date: 2006-02-15
Weather: Sunny, big cloud banks on the eastern and western horizon
Temp: 16.1 C (61 F)
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
Terrain: flat
Comments: Much cooler than yesterday. The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for this evening. Enjoyed the sounds of a tree full of chirping birds. One woman passed me running very quickly as I began. She passed me again as she returned from the first wayside park, and I said hello. She could barely muster a response, she was breathing so hard. I ran smoothly and consistently today, and I had a great day. :) A bit tired, but happy at the completion. What kept me running at an easy pace was Galloway's remark that the mid-week runs are recovery runs that maintain the endurance of the previous long run, and are not meant to improve endurance or speed. So I ran an easy pace for 45 minutes without stopping. :) My next run is Saturday, 14 miles. :) I wore my sunglasses for the first time today, and they worked well, keeping the bright sun out of my eyes on the way out. I would like sunglasses that do not hug my face quite as much, but I think for practice these will work ok. The test of whether I will stick with them for longer than 45 minutes is the long run on Saturday. The Safeway Sport Sunblock (SPF 30) is working perfectly, no complaints. I am happy that I am taking precautions, because I really value my health and want to continue to run for a long time. Saw the well-built fence again that I saw on Monday, and noticed that they also had constructed a horseshoe pit, which had fallen into disrepair. The difference between their fence and the other fences struck me again today. I ran with my hips forward, which lifts my chest, and it feels comfortable. Hardly anyone on the trail this afternoon. Noticed a plaque at the first wayside park, dedicating the park to Fred Caine. It said he was a "child of the universe," which reminded me of the Stoics, who also used that phrase to communicate their worldview that everyone is connected to God through Divine Fire. On the last leg I confused a man as I prepared to pass him by waiting until a cyclist passed by. He had seen my shadow and did not know which side I was going to pass. ;) He thanked me for saying "passing on the right." :) I said hi to a mother walking with her young child on the return crossing of the bridge. The child was taking tiny steps. When I reached my car, I saw that she had stopped and sat down next to several teenagers who had a small white dog with them, and her child was playing with the dog. Someone vandalized the anti-vehicle post on the north side of the bridge again. In its place was a small blaze-orange traffic cone. My current favorite pre- and post-race song is Beausoleil's (Cajun) "Oberlin Two-Step," from their 1987 album, "Hot Chili Mama," on the Arhoolie label. :) Fast-paced fun with catchy guitar and accordion riffs. :) I drank too much water with the PowerBar before running, and ended up stopping twice at waysides. :P
Run Time: 46 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 6.21 km (3.85 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=23173
Total Distance For Year: 86.9 km (53.9 mi)
Weight (after run): 80.8 kg (178.2 lbs), 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: banana (90 cal), chocolate and peanut butter PowerBar (240 cal), Greek wrap (580 cal), bowl of veggies and brown rice, rosemary bread, bottle of Honest Tea First Nation Peppermint (17 cal)
Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres
From Markos today:
"There is a saying in Spanish,"dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres," which basically means that you can tell a lot about a person by the company that they keep."Setting aside Markos' use of this statement to make a political point, I like this Spanish saying. I want to fill my life up with people I care about and who care for me.
Link: http://feeds.dailykos.com/dailykos/index?m=2747
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Bertrand Russell on Stoicism
Marking so I remember:
Later Stoic advocates: Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius (a.k.a. Antoninus)
Notes (not much use without the book):
Questions for later:
"When we compare the tone of Marcus Aurelius with that of Bacon, or Locke, or Condorcet, we see the difference between a tired and a hopeful age. In a hopeful age, great present evils can be endured, because it is thought that they will pass; but in a tired age even real goods lose their savour. The Stoic ethic suited the times of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, because its gospel was one of endurance rather than hope."Early Stoic advocates: Zeno, Cleanthes of Assos, Chrysippus, Panatius, Posidonius
Source: Bertrand Russell, A History Of Western Philosophy, p.262, ISBN: 0-671-20158-1
Marcus Aurelius: "Since it is possible that thou mayst depart from life this very moment, regulate every act and thought accordingly."
Source: p.265, ibid.
Later Stoic advocates: Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius (a.k.a. Antoninus)
Notes (not much use without the book):
- Syrian (early) and Roman (later) influences.
- Zeno -- Admirer of Socrates' physical constitution; rejected contemporary emphasis on denial of the senses and created his own metaphysic, with emphasis on Virtue and common sense (extreme materialism); cycles of fire; lawgiver intelligently designed universe for certain ends by natural means; universal system, Divine Fire in everything (borrowing Heraclitus' idea); virtue versus worldly desires; logical problems with Zeno; futility; coldness; principles versus practice; description of Zeno's god: "God runs through the material world as honey runs through the honeycomb."
- Cleanthes -- noted for 1) supporting heliocentric theory by prosecuting Aristarchus of Samos, 2) his "Hymn to Zeus."
- Chrysippus -- made Stoicism systematic and pedantic; Chrysippus' soul, logic, and theory of knowledge.
- Panaetius
- Posidonius -- scientist, astronomer, historian, integrated Stoicism and Plato; Posidonius' soul; paved way for Gnosticism through revival of Orphic notions and incorporation of Neo-Pythagorean beliefs into Stoicism.
- Seneca -- teacher to the Emperor's family; personal wealth vs. his principles; death by forced suicide.
- Epictetus -- teacher, writer; citizens of the universe; submit to God; defines Stoic; love your enemies, reject passion; sincerity and simplicity in his writings, superior to Plato as Plato was superior to previous times.
- Marcus Aurelius -- wrote "Meditations"; upbringing; life in harmony with the universe; personal daemon == guardian angel; universe as close-knit whole; universal brotherhood; two contradictions: 1) free will versus determinism, 2) benevolence in theory but not in practice; Kant's impractical escape from contradiction #2; Conclusion -- sour grapes; contributions in other fields: theory of knowledge, natural law and natural rights; theory of knowledge; innate ideas and principles; natural law and natural rights not implemented until 17th century Christianity.
Questions for later:
- What did Zeno react against when he decided to formulate Stoicism?
- How did Posidonius' integration of neo-Pythagorean bits and revival of Orphicism provide a stepping stone for Gnosticism?
- Why was Marcus Aurelius' son Commodus the worst of the worst Roman emperors
- Why did Bacon, Locke, and Condorcet believe their generation's evils would pass, while Marcus Aurelius did not?
- Who were the Cynics? How might their worldview have influenced Zeno in a way that produced Stoicism?
- Why was Cleanthes' prosecuting of Aristarchus of Samos memorable?
- 1
- 2
- Some answers here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodus
- 4
- 5
- 6
Running journal, Tuesday, 2006-02-14
Running journal, Tuesday, 2006-02-14
Resting heart rate: 65 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Tuesday
Date: 2006-02-14
Weather: Sunny, a few cotton ball clouds on the eastern horizon
Temp: 21.7 C (71 F)
Time: 10:30-11:30
Terrain: flat
Comments: Temperature and sunlight were very suitable for today's walking day. :) Saw a large jackrabbit, a deer with antlers, and the bees are still flying in and out of the hollow tree. I enjoyed the sound of piles of river stones clacking under my shoes. Near the 21 mile post, a man on a bicycle passed me while pedaling uphill. He said hello, I asked him how he was doing, he said, "Tired," in a friendly voice. :) I laughed. The rapid quacking of one duck on the north side of a river sounded as though it was venting. Near the riverbank I found a small plastic tub containing cat food and two empty tubs which I presume had water. It appears someone feeds the cats there. I heard a very loud woodpecker noise in a giant, tangled tree, but I could not see the bird. It stopped, then continued in another tree on the opposite side of the bike trail. I caught a glimpse of it in that tree -- it was on the top of a thick branch, perhaps six inches in diameter, poking with its beak. It had red crest and black feathers, preening for a short time, then disappearing back to the other tree. :) A hawk also flew overhead today, making tight circles, screeching a dozen times in rapid succession. After 60 seconds of this, it flew south out of sight, the screeching fading into the ambient noise. Watched a fly fisherman wade through the narrows today. I wondered how they made it to the island in the river -- the deepest point only rose to his hips. Near the bridge, two women fed the ducks with bread. Ducks from upstream noticed this and rapidly flew in, splashing into the water just south of the boat dock. I do not like the idea of humans feeding animals, because I would like to see the animals as wild as possible. A snowy egret on the north bank chose not to join them. I noticed for the first time its tail feathers, which looked like fine strands of silver hair.
Run Time: 50 minutes walking
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 3.7 km (2.3 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=21747
Total Distance For Year: 80.65 km (50.0 mi)
Weight (after run): 80.8 kg (178.2 lbs), 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: soy milk, toaster waffles + real maple syrup, veggies and brown rice, banana, rosemary bread + olive oil/balsamic vinegar, cheese pizza.
Resting heart rate: 65 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Tuesday
Date: 2006-02-14
Weather: Sunny, a few cotton ball clouds on the eastern horizon
Temp: 21.7 C (71 F)
Time: 10:30-11:30
Terrain: flat
Comments: Temperature and sunlight were very suitable for today's walking day. :) Saw a large jackrabbit, a deer with antlers, and the bees are still flying in and out of the hollow tree. I enjoyed the sound of piles of river stones clacking under my shoes. Near the 21 mile post, a man on a bicycle passed me while pedaling uphill. He said hello, I asked him how he was doing, he said, "Tired," in a friendly voice. :) I laughed. The rapid quacking of one duck on the north side of a river sounded as though it was venting. Near the riverbank I found a small plastic tub containing cat food and two empty tubs which I presume had water. It appears someone feeds the cats there. I heard a very loud woodpecker noise in a giant, tangled tree, but I could not see the bird. It stopped, then continued in another tree on the opposite side of the bike trail. I caught a glimpse of it in that tree -- it was on the top of a thick branch, perhaps six inches in diameter, poking with its beak. It had red crest and black feathers, preening for a short time, then disappearing back to the other tree. :) A hawk also flew overhead today, making tight circles, screeching a dozen times in rapid succession. After 60 seconds of this, it flew south out of sight, the screeching fading into the ambient noise. Watched a fly fisherman wade through the narrows today. I wondered how they made it to the island in the river -- the deepest point only rose to his hips. Near the bridge, two women fed the ducks with bread. Ducks from upstream noticed this and rapidly flew in, splashing into the water just south of the boat dock. I do not like the idea of humans feeding animals, because I would like to see the animals as wild as possible. A snowy egret on the north bank chose not to join them. I noticed for the first time its tail feathers, which looked like fine strands of silver hair.
Run Time: 50 minutes walking
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 3.7 km (2.3 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=21747
Total Distance For Year: 80.65 km (50.0 mi)
Weight (after run): 80.8 kg (178.2 lbs), 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Foods eaten today: soy milk, toaster waffles + real maple syrup, veggies and brown rice, banana, rosemary bread + olive oil/balsamic vinegar, cheese pizza.
Monday, February 13, 2006
That Guy
One of my favorite Darwin Day moments from Sunday:
Her: "Bring the chairs over to that guy in the plaid shirt."
Me (following and bringing chairs over to her and "that guy"): "Isn't the guy with the plaid shirt your dad?" :)
Her (laughing): "Yeah, but I didn't think you knew that." :) Funny.
Her: "Bring the chairs over to that guy in the plaid shirt."
Me (following and bringing chairs over to her and "that guy"): "Isn't the guy with the plaid shirt your dad?" :)
Her (laughing): "Yeah, but I didn't think you knew that." :) Funny.
Running journal, Monday, 2006-02-13
Running journal, Monday, 2006-02-13
Resting heart rate: 59 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Monday
Date: 2006-02-13
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 21.1 C (70 F)
Time: 10:30-11:25
Terrain: flat, riverbank horse trail mildly hilly (10')
Comments: Ran 11.8 minutes/mile (5.17 hours marathon pace) today, but I slowed on the return. I pushed myself as Galloway recommended until I huffed and puffed, backed off, moved forward, backed off, finding the conversational pace. On the way out, I felt comfortable picking up the pace, extending my stride, paying attention to the feedback from my body as I pushed myself a bit. As I walked across the bridge this morning, I saw two snowy egrets perched on tree-branches on the north bank, a place I have not seen them before. Noticed some vultures drifting to the east in lazy circles over my head on the way out. Almost ran into a large bee. All I heard was the Doppler shift of the buzzing as it went past. ;) I labeled the horse-trail the "riverbank" trail today for the first time to distinguish it from the bike trail, in terms of hills and composition (stones, puddles, and so forth). Much easier to stay focused on rhythm and speed on the bike trail. Running next to the river is always a treat though, and I love it. :) Lifting my chest and moving my hips forward is becoming a habit I remember earlier in my run. I ran someplace new this morning, along the access road between the parkway and the property-lines of the homes, and then up El Manto Drive to a horse-trail in a field that runs parallel to the bike trail. I enjoy finding new places to run, because exploring helps distract me from focusing on mechanics. From my elevated perch on the access road (five-six feet), I could see into backyards. More interesting were the fences property owners erect and how they maintain them. Some owners' fences did not have bracing planks of wood on the north side, some did; some fences were in excellent condition, some were in various states of disrepair. One home's north-facing fence had completely fallen over, prompting the owners to erect blaze-orange webbing in its place. :) By far the most reinforced fence I saw had a foundation of stone blocks, steel poles, and neatly trimmed and painted (burgundy or dark brown color) boards. If I build a fence, that is what I would want. :) I met dogs protecting their owners' homes for the first time today, and felt fearful for my safety, even though they were behind chain fence. Two big dogs were whining to come inside, and had not noticed as I passed, when I called out to them, "Hey buddy." :) They perked up immediately and swiftly moved to the fence, barking loudly. On the return, running along the horse-trail, I slowed considerably, enjoying the run as best I could. I think I might have pushed myself too hard on the way out. Re-crossing the bridge, I watched as one fisherman on the south bank near the boat-ramp talked with his friend, then noticed a nibble on his pole, and hastily made his way to his rod to check the line. Alas, nothing. :) I noticed on the drive home that there is a restaurant I have not noticed before called La Boheme, serving "Continental French" fare. I am curious to see what their menu looks like. Open Mon-Fri 11:30-14:00. The Safeway Sport Sunblock (SPF 30) continues to hold up well. I went to bed on Sunday night around 00:00, and woke up around 08:30. This is much better, as I try to get in the habit of awaking early for my long runs. Tonight going to bed at 22:00.
Note: Whoops -- realized today I have forgotten to subtract the two five minute warm-up/cool-down distances (about 2/3 mile) from the previous posts. :P Oh well, I am not in the mood to recalculate, but I am happy I corrected myself, because I want to have as accurate a picture of my marathon pace as I can before running.
Run Time: 45 minutes (with two five-minute warm-up/cool-down walks)
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 3.8 mi http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=20072
Total Miles For Year: 47.7
Weight (after run): 80.2 kg (176.8 lbs)
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Very slight pulling sensation in my right knee on the way out when I was accelerating.
Resting heart rate: 59 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Monday
Date: 2006-02-13
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 21.1 C (70 F)
Time: 10:30-11:25
Terrain: flat, riverbank horse trail mildly hilly (10')
Comments: Ran 11.8 minutes/mile (5.17 hours marathon pace) today, but I slowed on the return. I pushed myself as Galloway recommended until I huffed and puffed, backed off, moved forward, backed off, finding the conversational pace. On the way out, I felt comfortable picking up the pace, extending my stride, paying attention to the feedback from my body as I pushed myself a bit. As I walked across the bridge this morning, I saw two snowy egrets perched on tree-branches on the north bank, a place I have not seen them before. Noticed some vultures drifting to the east in lazy circles over my head on the way out. Almost ran into a large bee. All I heard was the Doppler shift of the buzzing as it went past. ;) I labeled the horse-trail the "riverbank" trail today for the first time to distinguish it from the bike trail, in terms of hills and composition (stones, puddles, and so forth). Much easier to stay focused on rhythm and speed on the bike trail. Running next to the river is always a treat though, and I love it. :) Lifting my chest and moving my hips forward is becoming a habit I remember earlier in my run. I ran someplace new this morning, along the access road between the parkway and the property-lines of the homes, and then up El Manto Drive to a horse-trail in a field that runs parallel to the bike trail. I enjoy finding new places to run, because exploring helps distract me from focusing on mechanics. From my elevated perch on the access road (five-six feet), I could see into backyards. More interesting were the fences property owners erect and how they maintain them. Some owners' fences did not have bracing planks of wood on the north side, some did; some fences were in excellent condition, some were in various states of disrepair. One home's north-facing fence had completely fallen over, prompting the owners to erect blaze-orange webbing in its place. :) By far the most reinforced fence I saw had a foundation of stone blocks, steel poles, and neatly trimmed and painted (burgundy or dark brown color) boards. If I build a fence, that is what I would want. :) I met dogs protecting their owners' homes for the first time today, and felt fearful for my safety, even though they were behind chain fence. Two big dogs were whining to come inside, and had not noticed as I passed, when I called out to them, "Hey buddy." :) They perked up immediately and swiftly moved to the fence, barking loudly. On the return, running along the horse-trail, I slowed considerably, enjoying the run as best I could. I think I might have pushed myself too hard on the way out. Re-crossing the bridge, I watched as one fisherman on the south bank near the boat-ramp talked with his friend, then noticed a nibble on his pole, and hastily made his way to his rod to check the line. Alas, nothing. :) I noticed on the drive home that there is a restaurant I have not noticed before called La Boheme, serving "Continental French" fare. I am curious to see what their menu looks like. Open Mon-Fri 11:30-14:00. The Safeway Sport Sunblock (SPF 30) continues to hold up well. I went to bed on Sunday night around 00:00, and woke up around 08:30. This is much better, as I try to get in the habit of awaking early for my long runs. Tonight going to bed at 22:00.
Note: Whoops -- realized today I have forgotten to subtract the two five minute warm-up/cool-down distances (about 2/3 mile) from the previous posts. :P Oh well, I am not in the mood to recalculate, but I am happy I corrected myself, because I want to have as accurate a picture of my marathon pace as I can before running.
Run Time: 45 minutes (with two five-minute warm-up/cool-down walks)
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 3.8 mi http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=20072
Total Miles For Year: 47.7
Weight (after run): 80.2 kg (176.8 lbs)
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Very slight pulling sensation in my right knee on the way out when I was accelerating.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Shared Humor and Ice Cream
I was at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op this evening to satisfy a craving for my favorite Honest Tea flavor, "First Nation Peppermint." Yum. :)
As I entered the frozen-foods aisle, I noticed a man and two women (in their 60's) peering into the display cases. As I glanced over the bags of chips on my side of the aisle, I overheard them discussing Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream. Apparently, while the man was familiar with it's history, his companions were not. Perhaps feeling impatient at their indecisiveness, he livened up the conversation by playfully telling them, "If you buy that you'll be making a political statement."
I reflexively laughed out loud at his mixture of politics and ice cream. :) It was obvious he was setting them up to show them how ice-cream educated he was. ;)
Immediately after laughing I gave up on the chips and turned to walk past them down the aisle. As I did, both women turned around with confused looks on their faces to see who had laughed at their companion. :) "I laughed at what he said," I mentioned to them as I passed, still smiling and enjoying the humorous situation of a man trapped with indecisive ice-cream buyers. My words seemed to resonate with the man, because he began laughing too, and I continued to hear him laugh as I walked down the aisle. :) I laughed at that until I left the aisle, enjoying the gift of shared humor between complete strangers.
Note: As you can see in the above graphic, my favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor is Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch. It's not really bad for you if it's your favorite, right? ;)
Also, how cool would it be to work for Ben & Jerry's, creating clever Flash animations of cows that "moo" and squirrels arranging ice-cream cones into pyramid structures? ;) Their cow covered with a sheet in the Flavor Graveyard cracked me up. :) What a fun company.
Running journal, Sunday, 2006-02-12
65 bpm (60 second test)
I did not do 40 minutes of walking/XT today as the schedule says due to Darwin Day volunteering. Exercised my muscles that way, I guess I can rationalize that, hauling stacks of chairs, setting up tables, lugging a heavy box, and so forth.
I did not do 40 minutes of walking/XT today as the schedule says due to Darwin Day volunteering. Exercised my muscles that way, I guess I can rationalize that, hauling stacks of chairs, setting up tables, lugging a heavy box, and so forth.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Jing Jing's Spicy Noodles and Cafe du Monde's Beignets
Dave Winer recommends the spicy noodles of Jing Jing's Chinese Gourmet in Palo Alto. Only 119 miles and 2h 19m away. :P (photo credit: Dave Winer)
He also recommends Beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans (wow, open 24x7x365 :), something I would love to eat. I cannot seem to find any place in Sacramento that makes them though. :P (photo credit: Jason Perlow)
Update:
- Mabel's Just For You Cafe, 22nd Street, San Francisco, sells them for 3/$4.00. :)
- Sacramento's Hot & Spicy Cafe New Orleans does not have beignets, and based on the six reviews (all very negative) serve poor Cajun food. :P
- Alaina's Berries & Creole Cafe Catering: nope. :P
- lol, you can buy Cafe du Monde beignet mix from the Cajun Grocer :) :) :)
- Louisiana Sue is the resource for Northern California Cajun/Zydeco music and Cajun/Creole culture, and they know caterers who serve beignets and coffee. :)
I have eaten a slice of cherry cheesecake from Junior's in Brooklyn in August of 2004 though (Dave's #4 pick). It was yummy. :) (photo credit: Junior's)
Alarm Timing
I thought I slept through turning off my alarm at 05:00 this morning. Turns out I set it for 17:00 instead. Doh. Just came on and startled me. ;) Song was "Where Do You Go," by No Mercy, from their 1996 album of the same name on the Arista label. Would love to have a "rest-of-the-world-time" alarm clock instead of English-time, then I would not have made that simple AM/PM error.
RaceReady Running Gear
Today I ordered one pair of red RaceReady Long-Distance (LD) V-Notch shorts, one white & red-paneled RaceReady singlet (with snap fasteners for the race number, so no more pins needed), one white & red-paneled RaceReady CoolMax Work-Out singlet (clearance-sale, no snap fasteners), and one pair of white RaceReady ThermoStat gloves for my November NYC marathon:
Not sure about the red color. My friend who knows about these things says it will look good. Very stressful. ;)
Note: picture shows the non-LD V-Notch shorts (I chose the non-LD picture because it was red). The LD shorts have extra pockets:
Not sure about the red color. My friend who knows about these things says it will look good. Very stressful. ;)
Note: picture shows the non-LD V-Notch shorts (I chose the non-LD picture because it was red). The LD shorts have extra pockets:
"LD shorts have a Velcro-closure pocket on each side, large enough to hold keys, credit cards, ID or small MP3 Players. These have the 5 mesh back pockets across the back of the short. Four smaller compartments ideal for gels, inhalers & other items. One center wide compartment perfect for running gloves, sweat rag, sunglasses, gel wrappers. Click here for a detailed image of LD short construction."Mary and Gerry own and operate RaceReady and close their e-mails with "Gotta Run." :) Cute.
Link: http://raceready.com/men/shortsfit.html
Running journal, Saturday, 2006-02-11
Running journal, Saturday, 2006-02-11
Resting heart rate: 52 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Saturday
Date: 2006-02-11
Weather: Sunny, not a cloud in the sky
Temp: 22.2 C (72 F)
Time: 11:50 - 13:20 (90 minutes total, including two five-minute warm-up/cool-down sessions)
Terrain: Flat
Comments: At 12.3 minutes/mile average pace (including walk-breaks) I will finish a marathon in 5.37 hours. :) Under six hours is my goal for the first one. I hope I will gain strength as I continue, and reduce that number. The Greater Sacramento/Northern Nevada Leukemia & Lymphoma Society "Team In Training" (TNT, or GSNNLLSTNT ;)) bicycle group's Skills Test was today from 10:00-14:00, and swarmed around me on the out and return parts. According to their recorded phone message, they started at William Pond Park at 10:00 or so and I assume they went out to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and turned around (Link: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=17821), about a 18-mile ride. I forgot to bring a hand-towel today, but my new waterproof Safeway Sport Sunblock Lotion (SPF 30) did not seem to blind me like the waterproof REI Bonding Base Sunblock (SPF 45) I used on Wednesday, so perhaps I do not need it. So many people listen to music while they exercise. I would like to say hello, but they just run by in a musical bubble. At the 17-mile marker, I took a walk-break and a woman passed me, and I paced myself about thirty meters behind her for two miles. I used the rubber-band mental trick again, and it seemed to help keep me upright. I noticed I was tending to lean forward on the return trip as I tired. When I moved my hips forward a bit (like the rubber-band was attached to them and pulling me forward) it moved my chest higher and I ran easier. I noticed a hub-cap on the left-side of the trail near the Sunrise overpass on the way out. On the return trip I planned to place it in the trash, but someone had already done it. :) I was happy to see that I am not the only person who values a clean trail. :) What I do not understand is the trash I see on Bridge St. right before the north side of the bridge. Aluminum cans, glass bottles, Jamba Juice cups, fast food trays. I do not understand why someone would come to such a beautiful spot and dump garbage on the ground. I guess they value their own time, energy, and clean cars more than they do the cleanliness of the area they just enjoyed. My current favorite pre- and post-race song is Beausoleil's (Cajun) "La Chanson De Cinquante Sous" (The 50 Cent Song), from their 1987 album, "Hot Chili Mama," on the Arhoolie label. :) It is a fun, dancey, tropical tune, something you could drink a margarita or a Corona to. Thought about wearing sunglasses today, wondering about how the UV rays affect my eyes. Will research. Every day seems to be getting warmer, bit-by-bit. I noticed tree flowers in bloom on the bluffs. I ate a chocolate PowerBar this morning, my first PowerBar ever, and I felt super-charged when I began running. :) That was the only thing I ate this morning. I ate a banana when I returned. I plan to start forming the habit of treating my long runs like I would a race situation, so I may acclimate myself to the hydration, low-fat diet, and fueling regimen necessary. I will begin that habit next Saturday, when I run 14 miles. I went to sleep last night at 22:00, planning to awake at 05:00 and begin running my long ones at 07:30 so I am used to it when I run my first marathon. Unfortunately, I did not fall asleep until around 01:00. :P So I awoke at 09:45. Note: I forgot this was my off week so while I wanted to run 14 miles today, my schedule says 6. ;)
Run Time: 1:20, 80 minutes, 12.3 minutes/mile (one-minute walk-breaks approximately every four minutes).
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 6.5, http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=17758
Total Miles For Year: 43.3
Weight (after run): 80.8 kg (178.164 lbs), 23% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Clipped my left ankle (mildly) again today, on the return. It did not hurt though. I think the probability of this happening increases when I shorten my stride and quicken my turnover rate, as I do when I slow my pace.
Resting heart rate: 52 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Saturday
Date: 2006-02-11
Weather: Sunny, not a cloud in the sky
Temp: 22.2 C (72 F)
Time: 11:50 - 13:20 (90 minutes total, including two five-minute warm-up/cool-down sessions)
Terrain: Flat
Comments: At 12.3 minutes/mile average pace (including walk-breaks) I will finish a marathon in 5.37 hours. :) Under six hours is my goal for the first one. I hope I will gain strength as I continue, and reduce that number. The Greater Sacramento/Northern Nevada Leukemia & Lymphoma Society "Team In Training" (TNT, or GSNNLLSTNT ;)) bicycle group's Skills Test was today from 10:00-14:00, and swarmed around me on the out and return parts. According to their recorded phone message, they started at William Pond Park at 10:00 or so and I assume they went out to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and turned around (Link: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=17821), about a 18-mile ride. I forgot to bring a hand-towel today, but my new waterproof Safeway Sport Sunblock Lotion (SPF 30) did not seem to blind me like the waterproof REI Bonding Base Sunblock (SPF 45) I used on Wednesday, so perhaps I do not need it. So many people listen to music while they exercise. I would like to say hello, but they just run by in a musical bubble. At the 17-mile marker, I took a walk-break and a woman passed me, and I paced myself about thirty meters behind her for two miles. I used the rubber-band mental trick again, and it seemed to help keep me upright. I noticed I was tending to lean forward on the return trip as I tired. When I moved my hips forward a bit (like the rubber-band was attached to them and pulling me forward) it moved my chest higher and I ran easier. I noticed a hub-cap on the left-side of the trail near the Sunrise overpass on the way out. On the return trip I planned to place it in the trash, but someone had already done it. :) I was happy to see that I am not the only person who values a clean trail. :) What I do not understand is the trash I see on Bridge St. right before the north side of the bridge. Aluminum cans, glass bottles, Jamba Juice cups, fast food trays. I do not understand why someone would come to such a beautiful spot and dump garbage on the ground. I guess they value their own time, energy, and clean cars more than they do the cleanliness of the area they just enjoyed. My current favorite pre- and post-race song is Beausoleil's (Cajun) "La Chanson De Cinquante Sous" (The 50 Cent Song), from their 1987 album, "Hot Chili Mama," on the Arhoolie label. :) It is a fun, dancey, tropical tune, something you could drink a margarita or a Corona to. Thought about wearing sunglasses today, wondering about how the UV rays affect my eyes. Will research. Every day seems to be getting warmer, bit-by-bit. I noticed tree flowers in bloom on the bluffs. I ate a chocolate PowerBar this morning, my first PowerBar ever, and I felt super-charged when I began running. :) That was the only thing I ate this morning. I ate a banana when I returned. I plan to start forming the habit of treating my long runs like I would a race situation, so I may acclimate myself to the hydration, low-fat diet, and fueling regimen necessary. I will begin that habit next Saturday, when I run 14 miles. I went to sleep last night at 22:00, planning to awake at 05:00 and begin running my long ones at 07:30 so I am used to it when I run my first marathon. Unfortunately, I did not fall asleep until around 01:00. :P So I awoke at 09:45. Note: I forgot this was my off week so while I wanted to run 14 miles today, my schedule says 6. ;)
Run Time: 1:20, 80 minutes, 12.3 minutes/mile (one-minute walk-breaks approximately every four minutes).
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 6.5, http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=17758
Total Miles For Year: 43.3
Weight (after run): 80.8 kg (178.164 lbs), 23% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Clipped my left ankle (mildly) again today, on the return. It did not hurt though. I think the probability of this happening increases when I shorten my stride and quicken my turnover rate, as I do when I slow my pace.
Sahara and Antarctica Marathons
Extreme marathons:
Antarctic Marathon Tours (credit: unknown). Link: http://www.marathontour.com/antarctica/
Sahara Marathon (credit: Benito Pajares). Links:
http://www.worldpressphoto.nl/index.php?option=com_photogallery&task=view&id=599&Itemid=137&bandwidth=high
http://www.saharamarathon.org
Antarctic Marathon Tours (credit: unknown). Link: http://www.marathontour.com/antarctica/
Sahara Marathon (credit: Benito Pajares). Links:
http://www.worldpressphoto.nl/index.php?option=com_photogallery&task=view&id=599&Itemid=137&bandwidth=high
http://www.saharamarathon.org
Friday, February 10, 2006
Running journal, Friday, 2006-02-10
58 bpm (60 seconds test)
No running or walking today. Big run tomorrow (Saturday) of 14 miles. I can hardly wait. I miss running when I want to, because I enjoy getting outdoors. I want to build up endurance safely though, so I am accepting my schedule.
No running or walking today. Big run tomorrow (Saturday) of 14 miles. I can hardly wait. I miss running when I want to, because I enjoy getting outdoors. I want to build up endurance safely though, so I am accepting my schedule.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
NYC Marathon Registration Opens Mar 1
NYC Marathon is the marathon I want to run more than any other. :) I look forward to running through each of the five boroughs, the electricity of the start, the finish in Central Park. This year, the date is Sunday, Nov 5.
(photo credit: unknown)
Note: I can only hope to be as strong (and as cheerful) as this woman. :) I noted the race-day gloves. Will plan to bring some.
Update, 2006-02-09: How funny, I was focused on the woman and did not notice the giant heart above her head until just now. :)
Update #2, 2006-02-10: The woman in the picture is Kim Fitchen-Young, from 2002, 34 years old at the time, running for team Nike. She lives in California. :) She placed #84 overall, #13 based on gender, and #10 based on age that year. Official time: 2:38:05, with a mile pace of 6:02. Her brief bio and personal story for how she began running at age 34 is the second link.
Links:
http://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/archive/archive_search.html
http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/2004/Fitchen-Young_Kim.asp
Update #3, 2006-02-11: You may purchase this banner on-line while supplies last: http://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/nyrrc/merchandise/bin/cover.lib?product_sku=180|143
(photo credit: unknown)
Note: I can only hope to be as strong (and as cheerful) as this woman. :) I noted the race-day gloves. Will plan to bring some.
Update, 2006-02-09: How funny, I was focused on the woman and did not notice the giant heart above her head until just now. :)
Update #2, 2006-02-10: The woman in the picture is Kim Fitchen-Young, from 2002, 34 years old at the time, running for team Nike. She lives in California. :) She placed #84 overall, #13 based on gender, and #10 based on age that year. Official time: 2:38:05, with a mile pace of 6:02. Her brief bio and personal story for how she began running at age 34 is the second link.
Links:
http://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/archive/archive_search.html
http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/2004/Fitchen-Young_Kim.asp
Update #3, 2006-02-11: You may purchase this banner on-line while supplies last: http://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/nyrrc/merchandise/bin/cover.lib?product_sku=180|143
Running journal, Thursday, 2006-02-09
Running journal, Thursday, 2006-02-09
Resting heart rate: 58 bpm (60 second measurement for the first time today, was doing 15 seconds * 4)
Day: Thursday
Date: 2006-02-09
Weather: Sunny, a few small cotton-puffs of clouds dotted the eastern sky
Temp: 21.7 C (71 F)
Time: 12:25-13:15
Terrain: mostly flat with mild hills
Comments: Walking day. Explored a new access road running parallel to the river. :) Reminded me of the high country in Yosemite -- rocky, hardy vegetation, dry, bright, and no one in sight. Explored more of the trails running through the woods between the bridge and mile #21 marker. Found a bees nest in the hollow knot of a tree. The bees (not honeybees, not sure exactly what they were) were going in and out rapidly. Saw salamanders today. Mostly heard them. They scurried away quickly at the sound of my footsteps. Met one man on the trail on the way out who I said hello to, and he said, "Cheers, don't get sunburned." :) I thought he was Australian, but after the second bit he sounded more New Jerseyish. Discovered circles of stones in one bit of the trail. I imagine kids build them, or perhaps pagans come out and perform ceremonies there. No sunblock today, and forgot the towel, but not necessary.
Run Time: 50 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 2.8 Link: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=15112
Total Miles For Year: 36.8
Weight (after run): 80.6 kg (177 lbs), 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Resting heart rate: 58 bpm (60 second measurement for the first time today, was doing 15 seconds * 4)
Day: Thursday
Date: 2006-02-09
Weather: Sunny, a few small cotton-puffs of clouds dotted the eastern sky
Temp: 21.7 C (71 F)
Time: 12:25-13:15
Terrain: mostly flat with mild hills
Comments: Walking day. Explored a new access road running parallel to the river. :) Reminded me of the high country in Yosemite -- rocky, hardy vegetation, dry, bright, and no one in sight. Explored more of the trails running through the woods between the bridge and mile #21 marker. Found a bees nest in the hollow knot of a tree. The bees (not honeybees, not sure exactly what they were) were going in and out rapidly. Saw salamanders today. Mostly heard them. They scurried away quickly at the sound of my footsteps. Met one man on the trail on the way out who I said hello to, and he said, "Cheers, don't get sunburned." :) I thought he was Australian, but after the second bit he sounded more New Jerseyish. Discovered circles of stones in one bit of the trail. I imagine kids build them, or perhaps pagans come out and perform ceremonies there. No sunblock today, and forgot the towel, but not necessary.
Run Time: 50 minutes
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 2.8 Link: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=15112
Total Miles For Year: 36.8
Weight (after run): 80.6 kg (177 lbs), 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Running journal, Wednesday, 2006-02-08
Resting heart rate: 68 bpm
Day: Wednesday
Date: 2006-02-08
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 21.7 C (70 F)
Time: 13:30-14:30
Terrain: flat, 10' hills along the horse trail on the return
Comments: Perfect afternoon. Ran stronger than on Monday, trying to find the "conversational" pace Galloway mentions. Tried his rubber-band mental trick (with someone ahead of you) and it works -- it helps keep my waist forward, which straightens my posture, which raises my chest, which allows me to inhale a greater volume of air. I tired of the pace after about 15 minutes though, and on the return trip slowed to a more leisurely trot. It seems that some people enjoy community interaction on the trail and others do not. I am finding it easier to tell. One person today for example was 20ish, with wrap-around sunglasses and earbuds for a music device. I said hello as he walked by adjusting his earbud -- no response. Another white-mustached walker approached 50 yards after him. He stared straight-ahead, but I said hello, and he said as I passed him, "Hi, how are you?" to which I say, "Good thanks." :) On the return trip on the horse trail, I was approaching a man who looked over his shoulder to see who this clomper was. I said hello well before I met him, and we exchanged a few sentences, "Beautiful day," he said, "Not a cloud in the sky," I managed as I climbed over the top the hill. Two middle-aged women with small dogs approached, and greeted me with smiles after I said "Hello." Even four smoking, black-clothed teenagers I passed said "How's it going?" as I passed. Other notes: I saw two people sunbathing today, and one person performing Tai-Chi on the opposite side of the river. I sent a note about the missing anti-vehicle posts and my odd story from yesterday to the Sacramento County Municipal Services Agency, and today the missing anti-vehicle post was replaced on the north side of the bridge. I think an additional two anti-vehicle posts were added to the south side of the bridge as well, at the base of the embankment. Wore sunscreen again today. On the drive home, stopped at a stoplight, sweat pored down my face and mixed with the sunscreen. I squinted my eyes to tear the mixture away, but it was potent. Next time I will bring a hand-towel so I might wipe my face down and prevent that from happening again.
Run Time: 47 minutes, with two five minute warm-up/cool-down walks
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 4.1 miles (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=14119)
Total Miles For Year: 34.0
Weight (after run): 80.8 kg, (178 lbs) 21% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Day: Wednesday
Date: 2006-02-08
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 21.7 C (70 F)
Time: 13:30-14:30
Terrain: flat, 10' hills along the horse trail on the return
Comments: Perfect afternoon. Ran stronger than on Monday, trying to find the "conversational" pace Galloway mentions. Tried his rubber-band mental trick (with someone ahead of you) and it works -- it helps keep my waist forward, which straightens my posture, which raises my chest, which allows me to inhale a greater volume of air. I tired of the pace after about 15 minutes though, and on the return trip slowed to a more leisurely trot. It seems that some people enjoy community interaction on the trail and others do not. I am finding it easier to tell. One person today for example was 20ish, with wrap-around sunglasses and earbuds for a music device. I said hello as he walked by adjusting his earbud -- no response. Another white-mustached walker approached 50 yards after him. He stared straight-ahead, but I said hello, and he said as I passed him, "Hi, how are you?" to which I say, "Good thanks." :) On the return trip on the horse trail, I was approaching a man who looked over his shoulder to see who this clomper was. I said hello well before I met him, and we exchanged a few sentences, "Beautiful day," he said, "Not a cloud in the sky," I managed as I climbed over the top the hill. Two middle-aged women with small dogs approached, and greeted me with smiles after I said "Hello." Even four smoking, black-clothed teenagers I passed said "How's it going?" as I passed. Other notes: I saw two people sunbathing today, and one person performing Tai-Chi on the opposite side of the river. I sent a note about the missing anti-vehicle posts and my odd story from yesterday to the Sacramento County Municipal Services Agency, and today the missing anti-vehicle post was replaced on the north side of the bridge. I think an additional two anti-vehicle posts were added to the south side of the bridge as well, at the base of the embankment. Wore sunscreen again today. On the drive home, stopped at a stoplight, sweat pored down my face and mixed with the sunscreen. I squinted my eyes to tear the mixture away, but it was potent. Next time I will bring a hand-towel so I might wipe my face down and prevent that from happening again.
Run Time: 47 minutes, with two five minute warm-up/cool-down walks
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 4.1 miles (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=14119)
Total Miles For Year: 34.0
Weight (after run): 80.8 kg, (178 lbs) 21% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Running journal, Tuesday, 2006-02-07
Resting heart rate: 64 bpm
Day: Tuesday
Date: 2006-02-07
Weather: sunny
Temp: 20.6 C (69 F)
Time: 13:45-14:35
Terrain: flat
Comments: Walking day. On the return trip today I was walking up the embankment to the south side of the Bridge St. foot-bridge when I noticed a car on the path. :) They had driven across the foot bridge and had paused to assess their situation. I continued walking up the embankment, enjoying the silliness of the situation, when the woman in the passenger side rapped on her window to ask directions. They said they were lost. I pointed out the short path down the embankment to south Bridge St., and said that that would take them to Sunrise Boulevard. They thanked me, obviously relieved, and slowly made their way down the embankment. At the bottom, they saw an anti-vehicle post (which I had forgotten about), and they stopped. I began walking toward them, when another walker (Frank, I later learned) exclaimed in astonishment, "Did they drive across the bridge?" :) We watched the car just fit between the anti-vehicle post and the wooden path marker post, but instead of going straight, they turned left, toward the Upper Sunrise Drive access road, which runs between Sunrise Blvd. and Hazel Ave. . I said to Frank that maybe they decided they just needed a breather after all the stress, but to my dismay they continued driving down Upper Sunrise Drive. By that time Frank and I were walking and enjoying the oddity of the encounter, and he said that he could not believe that the foot-bridge supported the weight of the car. Apparently he worked in construction for some time, and felt surprised that the car did not burst through. Being ignorant of such things, I am taking his opinion for what it is worth. We chatted the rest of the way across the bridge and parted ways on the other side. He wished me luck in my marathon. Other notes, beautiful afternoon day, not a cloud in the sky. The river is much higher these past two days, and walking across the foot-bridge to the west of Sunrise Blvd. felt a bit disorienting if one focused on the immense volume of water rushing rapidly underneath as one walked. A small girl was picking up a bunch of rocks and throwing them all at once into the air to see the splashes. I smiled, remembering my own experiences doing that in my childhood. I wore sunblock today, 45spf. Also, apparently the Jedediah Smith trail ends at the Nimbus fish hatchery. I looked on the map and the trail seems to continue a bit after Hazel Ave., but on the north side of the river. Link to map of foot-bridge area: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=fair+oaks,+ca&ll=38.635528,-121.264461&spn=0.005942,0.012649&t=h
Run Time: 45 minutes (walk)
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 1.98 (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=12838)
Total Miles For Year: 30.0
Weight (after run): 82.2 kg (181.2 lbs), 19% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
Day: Tuesday
Date: 2006-02-07
Weather: sunny
Temp: 20.6 C (69 F)
Time: 13:45-14:35
Terrain: flat
Comments: Walking day. On the return trip today I was walking up the embankment to the south side of the Bridge St. foot-bridge when I noticed a car on the path. :) They had driven across the foot bridge and had paused to assess their situation. I continued walking up the embankment, enjoying the silliness of the situation, when the woman in the passenger side rapped on her window to ask directions. They said they were lost. I pointed out the short path down the embankment to south Bridge St., and said that that would take them to Sunrise Boulevard. They thanked me, obviously relieved, and slowly made their way down the embankment. At the bottom, they saw an anti-vehicle post (which I had forgotten about), and they stopped. I began walking toward them, when another walker (Frank, I later learned) exclaimed in astonishment, "Did they drive across the bridge?" :) We watched the car just fit between the anti-vehicle post and the wooden path marker post, but instead of going straight, they turned left, toward the Upper Sunrise Drive access road, which runs between Sunrise Blvd. and Hazel Ave. . I said to Frank that maybe they decided they just needed a breather after all the stress, but to my dismay they continued driving down Upper Sunrise Drive. By that time Frank and I were walking and enjoying the oddity of the encounter, and he said that he could not believe that the foot-bridge supported the weight of the car. Apparently he worked in construction for some time, and felt surprised that the car did not burst through. Being ignorant of such things, I am taking his opinion for what it is worth. We chatted the rest of the way across the bridge and parted ways on the other side. He wished me luck in my marathon. Other notes, beautiful afternoon day, not a cloud in the sky. The river is much higher these past two days, and walking across the foot-bridge to the west of Sunrise Blvd. felt a bit disorienting if one focused on the immense volume of water rushing rapidly underneath as one walked. A small girl was picking up a bunch of rocks and throwing them all at once into the air to see the splashes. I smiled, remembering my own experiences doing that in my childhood. I wore sunblock today, 45spf. Also, apparently the Jedediah Smith trail ends at the Nimbus fish hatchery. I looked on the map and the trail seems to continue a bit after Hazel Ave., but on the north side of the river. Link to map of foot-bridge area: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=fair+oaks,+ca&ll=38.635528,-121.264461&spn=0.005942,0.012649&t=h
Run Time: 45 minutes (walk)
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 1.98 (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=12838)
Total Miles For Year: 30.0
Weight (after run): 82.2 kg (181.2 lbs), 19% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: None
June 5K Entry
Will sign up for the River City Run 5K on Sunday, June 4, as soon as they begin accepting registrations. As with the other 5K runs, I will run this 5K as a way to get a feeling for how I will do in my first marathon. Link: http://www.earthdaysac.org/rivercityrun.htm
May 5K Entry
Will sign up for the 10th Annual Race For The Cure 5K on Saturday, May 13, as soon as they begin accepting registrations. As with the other 5K runs, I will run this 5K as a way to get a feeling for how I will do in my first marathon. Link: http://www.sackomen.org/rftc/rftc.cfm
http://krftc.sackomen.org/
Update, 2006-02-09: Signed up.
http://krftc.sackomen.org/
Update, 2006-02-09: Signed up.
April 5K Entry
Signed up for Sacramento's 6th Annual Run Against Pain (Sacramento 10k Championship) on Saturday, April 22nd. I will run the 5K as a way to get a feeling for how I will do in my first marathon. Info: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1285768
Race web site link: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/pain/rap/index.html
Race web site link: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/pain/rap/index.html
June and July Marathon Entries
I have signed up for two marathons -- Grandma's Marathon, in Duluth, MN, on Saturday, June 17, and the San Francisco Marathon, on Sunday, July 30.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Running journal, Monday, 2006-02-06
Resting heart rate: 64 bpm
Day: Monday
Date: 2006-02-06
Weather: sunny, few clouds
Temp: 20 C (68 F)
Time: 11:15-12:20
Terrain: flat, a few hills
Comments: Saw four horse-people of the apocalypse. ;) They parked their horse trailers near the Nimbus Fish Hatchery parking lot. They pooped on the trail and did not pick it up. How come they can do that but dog owners have to pick up their pet's dropping? A woman passed me on the way out and said "hi, good morning," and I felt happy that she said that because it met my need for community interaction, so I said hi to most people I met on the trail. I did not say hi to one person who I passed again on the return trip because he seemed to be self-absorbed when I said hi the first time. I ran slow and easy today because of the muscle behind my knee felt loose a bit. A biker passed me on the initial bit of the return trip and began whooping and shouting, I am not sure why. One other biker who subsequently passed him and me remarked to me that, "Maybe he got a fly in his mouth." XD Read the "You are here" sign more carefully, and discovered mile 14 is about four miles from Watt Avenue. Mile 14 seems to be near a river crossing point, so my next long run of 14 miles will allow me to cross the river and run on the north side. :) Something to look forward to. I think I will choose to wear sun block on future runs to protect from infrared.
Run Time: 1:05 (65 minutes)
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 5.5 (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=11103) Bridge St. Bridge -> Nimbus Fish Hatchery and return
Total Miles For Year: 28.0
Weight (after run): 82.6 kg (180 lbs), 19% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: My muscle behind my right knee felt not fully healed from Saturday. I clipped my left ankle three times this morning. Ouch! I came to the conclusion I tend to do this when I am turning, especially to the right, when my right foot pushes off to the left.
Day: Monday
Date: 2006-02-06
Weather: sunny, few clouds
Temp: 20 C (68 F)
Time: 11:15-12:20
Terrain: flat, a few hills
Comments: Saw four horse-people of the apocalypse. ;) They parked their horse trailers near the Nimbus Fish Hatchery parking lot. They pooped on the trail and did not pick it up. How come they can do that but dog owners have to pick up their pet's dropping? A woman passed me on the way out and said "hi, good morning," and I felt happy that she said that because it met my need for community interaction, so I said hi to most people I met on the trail. I did not say hi to one person who I passed again on the return trip because he seemed to be self-absorbed when I said hi the first time. I ran slow and easy today because of the muscle behind my knee felt loose a bit. A biker passed me on the initial bit of the return trip and began whooping and shouting, I am not sure why. One other biker who subsequently passed him and me remarked to me that, "Maybe he got a fly in his mouth." XD Read the "You are here" sign more carefully, and discovered mile 14 is about four miles from Watt Avenue. Mile 14 seems to be near a river crossing point, so my next long run of 14 miles will allow me to cross the river and run on the north side. :) Something to look forward to. I think I will choose to wear sun block on future runs to protect from infrared.
Run Time: 1:05 (65 minutes)
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 5.5 (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=11103) Bridge St. Bridge -> Nimbus Fish Hatchery and return
Total Miles For Year: 28.0
Weight (after run): 82.6 kg (180 lbs), 19% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: My muscle behind my right knee felt not fully healed from Saturday. I clipped my left ankle three times this morning. Ouch! I came to the conclusion I tend to do this when I am turning, especially to the right, when my right foot pushes off to the left.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Running journal, Sunday, 2006-02-05
Resting heart rate: 52 bpm
did not walk for 40 minutes -- spray painted racks and attended HAGSA board meeting. :(
did not walk for 40 minutes -- spray painted racks and attended HAGSA board meeting. :(
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Running journal, Saturday, 2006-02-04
Resting heart rate: 60 bpm
Day: Saturday
Date: 2006-02-04
Weather: sunny, few clouds
Temp: 18.8 C (66 F)
Time: 11:30-13:45
Terrain: flat
Comments: Only one or two tandem bikes today. Saw three deer munching grass on the return. I pass other runners but never see them again. Where do they go? The extra walk breaks, one minute for each four minutes run, helped a lot. My knees feel much less stress than they did last Sunday when I ran 10.5 miles, with one minute walk per mile (increased to two minutes on the return). Ran to the 14 mile marker and turned back. Not as many bikers as on Sunday. Felt chafing from my shorts/underwear combination.
Run Time: 2:45 (135 minutes)
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 12.5 (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=11709)
Total Miles For Year: 22.5
Weight (after run): 178.5, 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: My right calf was very tight today on the return. I think I strained it a bit too much by picking up the pace for the initial three miles of the return trip. :P Also, my right shoe clipped my left ankle a few times, causing some minor bleeding. :P It did not hurt while running though. Left pinkie-toe had skin layer removed.
Day: Saturday
Date: 2006-02-04
Weather: sunny, few clouds
Temp: 18.8 C (66 F)
Time: 11:30-13:45
Terrain: flat
Comments: Only one or two tandem bikes today. Saw three deer munching grass on the return. I pass other runners but never see them again. Where do they go? The extra walk breaks, one minute for each four minutes run, helped a lot. My knees feel much less stress than they did last Sunday when I ran 10.5 miles, with one minute walk per mile (increased to two minutes on the return). Ran to the 14 mile marker and turned back. Not as many bikers as on Sunday. Felt chafing from my shorts/underwear combination.
Run Time: 2:45 (135 minutes)
Goal Time: n/a
Miles: 12.5 (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=11709)
Total Miles For Year: 22.5
Weight (after run): 178.5, 22% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: My right calf was very tight today on the return. I think I strained it a bit too much by picking up the pace for the initial three miles of the return trip. :P Also, my right shoe clipped my left ankle a few times, causing some minor bleeding. :P It did not hurt while running though. Left pinkie-toe had skin layer removed.