The end of march and a closure to winter I hope.

The seasonal changes have seemingly begun, crocuses pushing forth from the earth and blooming, trees begining to bud out and the sap flowing copiously. Temperatures inching higher on the thermometer and the days starting to feel warmer overall.

Yes, things are looking nicer, weatherwise at least; as for economic reports, I'll leave those for the TV talking heads.

March 30th, and what has transpired over the past few days? Well I'm still getting out to run, It helps start my day and makes things seem more relaxed overall. Tree cutting, now that the sap is flowing its a challenge to keep the saws clean but the warmer temperatures make the work easier too as I'm not dress in bulky garments trying to stay warm on cold windy days.

Also as from the pictures posted you can see the condition of a few of the trees I'll be taking down. Not pretty, nor easy but it shall make the wood lot safer to manage.

Yesterday, I took part in a small 5K race in Plattekill, NY. The Lt. Mark Dooley Race of Honor. It was a small field of runners but a nice enough turnout over all.

What follows is a short description of the race:

It had been a wet and rainy night and the dawn broke sullen and sodden. If the temperature had been much higher the 100% humidity would of been oppressive, still the rains accompaning the poor weather mad for a nicer day than it could of been for the purpose at hand.

Today I decided to run in the First Lieutenant Mark Dooley Race of Honor. Lt. Dooley had died in Ramadi, Iraq in 2005 and thodays race was to honor him and those who serve and have served in the military.

The run took place in and around Plattekill, NY. a modest hamlet bordering the NY State Thruway and sliced through by NY State Rt 32. In Ulster County, NY.

There were two events today a 5K walk and a 5K run. It is the run I shall expound upon.

I arrived in Plattekill about 08:30 and the walk was in progress. The town police force is small and there was at least one office who could of been a posterchild for the Doughnut Munching Cop image, yapping on his cell phone while trying to wave traffic through. But so much for that moment. I found a place to park between a mud waller and a mudhole and made my way to the Plattekill Fire house to sign up for the 5K race which was to kick off at 09:30.

After signing in and recieving my race packet I found a quiet dry corner within the Fire Department's building where I could stash both my sweat shirt and race shirt for post race wear; Do some minor pre-race stretching; and enjoy the atmosphere without being trampled by the other runners who also wished to avoid the alternating mists and rains till start time.

09:27 and the mob takes their customary positions for the race start. Elite runners and wanna be elites pushing for the front line, the pack of various skill levels mixed and mingles and the slower runners and jokers to the rear just relaxing and have fun.

09:30 And they are off with Seabiscut taking an immediate lead, Actually the first line sprinted off the mob broke forward and I'm standing in the back waving bye bye and wishing them a bon voyage before starting off on my feeble attempt at running.

Along the way as we pass the onlookers i keep asking where the beer stops are and getting a few chuckles from the road guards for the effort. and begin the easy climb up hill to the first mile mark.

Mile One, a nice sedate and slow 9 min, 20 seconds, and the first water point. Unfortunately there is no beer. and heading on to mile two with a quick drop and another climb to the two mile mark. You know you aren't having a good run when a lady pushing a baby jogger passes you. i encourage her to hope on the back and ride the thing down hill after asking if there was room enough for me to ride infront with the baby.

Mile Two. 19 min, 20 seconds. OMG I'm going slower, I wonder if it was the driving rain which slowed me down. Even worse on the approach run to the two mile mark the faster runners are in the opposite lane heading for the finish and some munchkin about 3 foot tall is running his stubby little legs off well ahead of me; I'm emotionally crushed.

Finally I'm pass the two mile mark and gravity, the friend of the fat down hill runner gives me a break for almost 1/2 mile.

Near about 1/4 mile to the finish line I spy two other geezers of about my age group running side byside and i pick up my run to catch them and then do the worst thing imaginable. I spur/egg them on for a sprint to the finish. It looked like a horse race run by draft horses; Nostrils flaring foam streaming from the corners of the mouths and amazingly no insults. The intense effort may of been too much for words.

The three of us cross the finish line within a few seconds of each other. Unofficially my finish time was 28:16. Not my best effort but after a cold winter without any real structured training pretty good.

Then it should of been time to lay on the ground gasping for air or flopping about like a landed fish but we stayed on our feet and turned back to the finish shoot to welcome in and congradulate a few other incoming runners before breaking for a quick snack followed by a fine non kosher breakfast provided by the fire department.

After breakfast it was time for the awards ceremonies. Talk about fast times whoa the West Point Triathlon and Marathon teams had a very nice showing. As for myself, it wasn't a bad run either even with my slow time. I pulled 3rd place for my age group. I guess the damp soggy and sullen conditions work best for me.

Well aside from preparing to run in a half marathon on Sunday the 5th of April, I'm just keeping on keeping on.

Have a safe & easy Spring everyone.

Post St. Patrick's Day Commentary and some other stuff.

Nope it ain't about the St. patrick's day 10K and me running it in a Kilt. This is just the other stuff. I ran a 6.2 mile race on Sunday and finished in 56:04. Not too shabby for a some one who ran in a men's skirt called a kilt.

Well now the actual day, March 17th, has passed and most of the Corned Beef and Cabbage has been put away till a few summer Celtic festivals come about. Trust me that isn't a bad thing.

St. Patrick's day has become bigger and more commercial each year, Oh yes, the Irish themed bars do a booming business and Everyone has some fun on the day. But like many holidays we should remember the underlying purpose. To celebrate the diversity which has come together and made this country a place where almost anyone can strive to lofty goals and ideals.

Oh don't get me wrong I enjoy my pint of Guinness and other beverages as well as ethnic foods. But too many fools make the day a day of drunken stupidity and that isn't what the day should be about. Just as Christmas should not be about the toys and the Fourth of July should not be about fireworks, or Thanksgiving has become the feast before Christmas shopping.

Well, I can not deny I do enjoy some of the Kitschness of St. Patrick's Day. and part take in various activities leading to the day. But we should remember that while its is a day of revelry now; There was also a time of discrimination and hostility to the Irish every bit as bad as was and is expressed towards other minority populations.

So now while many people are sorting out their day after the night before nursing a hangover or feeling bloated from too much gassy food. Maybe now it a time to be thankful for the previous waves of immigrants who worked against discrimination and for full acceptance in America.

Still, remember we do need to enjoy ourselves and be able to make fun of ourselves as well. So maybe the mockery the formerly religious holiday has become isn't too much of a bad thing either and falling during the seriousness of the Lenten Season for Catholics, the holiday allows time to relax and revel a bit before going back to work in all seriousness during these troubling times or economic down turns, wars and uncertainties.

St. Paddy's Daze

Life is to serious not to be taken seriously; Get out and enjoy it for all its worth.

Ah spring a time to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of what is around us. Watching people break out of the winter doldrums and getting out to play; seeing the crocuses break ground; Water fowl go back to the lakes and waterways and geese fertilizing towne greens; and wondering why when we build our roads we don't do a better job of setting bases and improving drainage.

Yep some of the local roads now look worse than some of the trails I drove in Croatia and Bosnia/Herzigovinia after their war in the 1990's. Well maybe the government's stimulus package will fix the roads and maybe I'll win the Marine Corps Marathon next October too.

So its spring time when a person's fancy turns to sports! Alright, The World baseball classic is on, Major League Base Ball is gearing up and Hockey is winding down. The duffers are out and about chasing little balls through the rough and woods and I'm running the roads.

I did my first 10K/6.2mile race on Sunday the 15th in Yorktown NY. The St. Patrick's Day 10K and conditions were pretty nice overall. The sun broke through the high clouds temps climbed to the 50's by the end of the race and the course while challenging wasn't overly abusive.

There were two races run on sunday, a 2 mile and 6.2 mile event. While I participated in the 6.2 mile run I was able to enjoy both and amuse some people as well.

I arrived early to the race site and prepared for the event. Pulled on the kilt dragged out the bag pipes and got the fingers working. When the 2 mile event kicked off it started uphill and about 1/4 mile away from the starting line. As I saw the runners start down hill I started in with the tune 'The Wearing of The Green'. aside from the sprinters looking for the win racing away at the front of the group, many of the runners appeared to enjoy my effort.

As for the 10K event, I ran that in the kilt. Not a big deal and just a little looser than running shorts. I also finished under an hour with a time of 56:03. While I'll never place or show at Belmont I at least will have some fun along the way.

Random pictures.

When you're in the Hudson River Valley, you may come upon some things you don't expect to see. Oh yes, there are the usual Castles and Bridges, But even the stones may be watching you.

Part of the Red Dress Run in Albany, Spring of 2008.

From the St. Patrick's Day 10K March 16th, 2008.
11 Nov, 2009.

Well, yesterday I met with a few of my former co-workers in Highland Falls, but not under the most favorable of circumstances. The wife of another had passed unexpectedly from complications of a disease. I have no words to express my condolences for him and his family but pray that this event does not cause him too much grief.

In other bits, one of the reasons I've stayed in NY State a bit longer than I had expected is that I've assumed the position much like an Au Pair, Mr. Nanny so to speak. No I wouldn't of though of this occuring several months ago, but it isn't difficult, just different. So what might I expect in the coming weeks? Ah I'll be taking the kids to Vermont to a Raggea Festial, Um OK I didn't see that one coming, nor would I of expected it in Vermont, but it is happening in a Ski Resort Area so anything is possible.

Not too much really going on I'm still attempting to run several days a week, I'm considering, seriously or deliriously, running another Marathon this year. My right knee and leg will be the deciding factor as training progresses. But regardless, I'll be out and about a bit later this morning helping fracture the pavement the spring freeze and thaw cycles is loosening up. One of the things I'll do in prep for a fall marathon is join in on several local foot races. Sunday the 15th, there is a St. Patrick's Day 10K in FDR State Park. I ran that last year wearing a Kilt. I think I shall have a go at it again this year again in a kilt.

OK its a bit different, but when you get a few people with a sense of humor out running for fun, it can get interesting. Maybe this year I'll catch the lady dressed as a Leprechaun. Also don't forget that some of these races are family evens and out of the mouths of children can come pearls of truth. One memorable comment was "Mommy that man is wearing a skirt!" Technically the little one is correct.

Well since I've run in a red dress last year through the city of Albany during the Tulip Festival, and St. Paddy's day in a kilt, maybe I'm ready to get into Drag Racing, or not. Though if I had stayed in Key West, I could observe or take part in that city's annual drag race, with real Drag Queens; Uh too over the top. But it is fun to take aprt in some of the more unusual events to raise funds for various charities.