Since my last entry was on Wednesday, I'll fillin what I remember for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and today.
Thursday was a slow easy day spent goofing on this computer, grocery shopping at the West Point comissary and maybe a run to the Rite Aid Pharmacy.
Actually i used my bicycle to go to the Commissary , for all that i purchased the basket on the handlebars was sufficent to carry. Yet, I've a couple of bags i can attach to carry a larder load. They shall be useful yet.
Friday, the 5th; Ran 20 miles in the morning anddid much better than the first time I ran that same distance. I didn't expend all my energy on the distance and completed the run in 4 hours, 2 minutes and 13 seconds. Whereas the last time which was the first time I ran 20 miles I collapsed from exhaustion this time I did not. Still I did a few things differently too. I ate a light breakfast before going out and started at 03:40 in the Morning. My first 20 mile effort, I started near 06:00 and finished 3 hoursand 51 minutes later when the Sun was high and the heat was climbing.
So all in all Friday the 5th was a good day. Also in the evening I headed to the Southgate to have a few pints of beer. A couple of reasons for that but the fact I wanted to social ize and have a few beers will suffice. Although there was another compelling reason to leave the apartment as well. I'm not fond of Opera.
Saturday, ran a slow 3 miles around the track, the heat and humidity prior to tropical Storm Hanna was rough. Still I looked as though I had gone swimming when done. 70 degrees, 76% relative humidity and doing so at 07:00 in the morning doesn't make a pleasurable run. I actually ran the air conditioner to dehumidify the apartment on saturday morning and again on Saturday night so I could sleep.
Still Saturday wasn't all running and relaxation. I had also gone to my younger brother's place and mucked about a bit on his jeeep. He's also got a nice garden going and its starting to produce a nice assortment of vegetables too.
Sunday the 7th. Ran 3 miles in the Am and then went to the Charles Ives Center in Danbury CT. for a days' recreation. The danbury AOH had put on their annual Irish fest this weekend from the 5th through the 7th. and I had a nice time there. sat in at the session tent played one tune badly on the pipes and then did an ok job with another tune. After that I just used the practice chanter to didle out a couple of tunes between sets. I don't really like to play in front of people as it is. I'm just a Hack Piper and would rather play for my own enjoyment.
Still I took the long way home tonight. and got in about 1/4 till 11 at night. Its now 11:44/23;44 PM as I type this out ant if it seems some what disjointed i can only blame it on being Tipsy. A nice glow but not quite a full bore drunk either. Still this week I need to practice sobriety for a few days and rest my liver. Not that I drink till I'm drunk. I've just been drinking beer too much lately and need to refrain for a bit.
Ah by the way did I mention that in addition to the B17 I saw earlier this week I also saw what I think was a B25 mitchell bomber as well on Wednesday? Someday when I see such a sight again I'll have my camera with me so that I may document it. Well regardless it was different seeing those old War Birds earlier this week.
Monday I may do a 10 mile run and make Tuesday my rest & recovery day. The reasoning behind that is due to Bagpipe practice on tuesday mornings. I seemto do much better if I haven't gone on a run before going to practice. Well that covers some of the stuff for now. There is more but its late and I need to sleep soon as well.
So good night everyone and have a safe upcoming week.
Q
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday's Travels and Wednesday's Walkabout.
Well that seems to be as good a title for this installment as any other I could conjure up. And as I go on some what accurate too.
Tuesday is a travel day for me, if only to the next city south and across the river and back. That is due to it being my normal day to practice Bagpiping with my instructor, Joe Brady Sr. He's good people with patience and tolerance for mangling of music. Well back to traveling, normally it takes about 30 minutes to get to Joes home from mine. Not that day, due to Monday having been a holiday there was more traffic than usual for a tuesday morning. Still I left home earlier than what I would normally and it still took me 50+ minutes to about 12 miles. Not a way to enjoyably start the day.
Well pipe practice is uneventful, I also am now the owner of a frame drum commonly called a Bodhran (pronounced; Bor'on rhymes with moron) so drumming practice has been added to my arsenal of annoying things to do.
After piping and drumming practice I'm off (yeah yeah I know the old line, "in more ways than one") to Danbury Connecticut; to my old Army Reserve Unit. Monthly lunch with the foggies. Well that and to deliver some items. Back in the 1990's While living in Pennsylvania I had decorated my living room with both a U.S. and Army Flag complet on flag staffs, golden fringe trim and spear point finals. Well since I'm dwelling in a small apartment and have a smaller duplicate set sized to my current space I didn't need such a large set and so donated them to the Reserve Unit for their use.
After that it was back over towards Brewster, NY just about a mile in from the CT. border to J&B's Bar-B-Que. Located on U.S.6 its pretty decent. Hey from me decent is high praise when describing food. Especially after years of Combatant Cuisine and Bachelor Chow.
Next stop on the day's agenda, back home to Highland Falls. Take the bike to the welder, and back home other jobs had come up of higher importance, meaning more income for the welder. Not a problem and back home I go.
Since I hadn't run in the morning, now it was time to run. Still 80 degrees farenheit at 17:00 (5PM) and do 5.51 miles from home up around the back corral at Morgan Farm down to Main st. to Thayer gate and back home. time for that run 58min, 54 sec. and after showering and putting away my goodies the day was fairly done.
Still, I did see one thing on Wednesday very few people will ever see in their lives. A true relic of America, something which defines how we came to be and very few are left in the world in working order. I saw a World War Two War Bird; A B17 Flying Fortess in flight south bound over the Hudson valley. I saw it fleetingly a few moments really but long enough to know the shape and outline of a regal piece of human operated history.
Wednesday's Walkabout; Some days I need to do something different to change how the week progresses and my view of the local world. Today was one of those days. I slept later than normal only because I can, that and I was also considering making a rest day before my next attempt at another 20 mile run. Gack.
Needless to say I didn't rest. Oh I goofed off and burned the morning but I also went for a walk-about. Over the course of 4 hours I felt as if I had covered 10 to 12miles. Wrong, only 8 and a half miles. starting at 11:00 I started walking. Up Morgan farm road to Fire break 8. Walked to the top of 8 and down the otherside to Fire Break 1. Turned left on 1 and walked to Mine Torn Road. Turned left on Mine Torn rd and down to Ft Montgomery. Got to U.S. 9W crossed the road turned, thats right left, back towards Old State Rd. Turned right, I can't always go left, on Old State rd and followed to Rt 218/Main st where I turned left the final time before my last right and home.
Aside from the wretched heat of an early September day the views of the Hudson valley were rather nice. Also the hollow where Stilwell Lake and Mine Torn road runs down through. and looking up at the Torn & Bear Mountain. photos of which should be found in my first installments of the Blog.
Now you'd think in the middle of the day you wouldn't see large animals in trafficed areas. Well you do, and deer are every where. But today I saw Bambi's dumber cousin, you know the type, the one all the other deer probably refer to as Road Kill Bill.
I honestly can say I've never seen a deer trip over a guard rail and fall down a hill before today. Today I saw that and heard the guard rail ring like a badly crafted bell. That made me laugh out loud and spook the other dear which faired much better.
Now my final bit for the day and I'll close the Blog and go to bed. Ran the same course today as I did yesterday; and even with all the walking I did earlier today, my time was consistent with yesteday's run. just one second faster.Still 14.11 miles of movement today was enough and now dinner is done, i'm done and its off to bed I totter.
Good night all.
Q
Tuesday is a travel day for me, if only to the next city south and across the river and back. That is due to it being my normal day to practice Bagpiping with my instructor, Joe Brady Sr. He's good people with patience and tolerance for mangling of music. Well back to traveling, normally it takes about 30 minutes to get to Joes home from mine. Not that day, due to Monday having been a holiday there was more traffic than usual for a tuesday morning. Still I left home earlier than what I would normally and it still took me 50+ minutes to about 12 miles. Not a way to enjoyably start the day.
Well pipe practice is uneventful, I also am now the owner of a frame drum commonly called a Bodhran (pronounced; Bor'on rhymes with moron) so drumming practice has been added to my arsenal of annoying things to do.
After piping and drumming practice I'm off (yeah yeah I know the old line, "in more ways than one") to Danbury Connecticut; to my old Army Reserve Unit. Monthly lunch with the foggies. Well that and to deliver some items. Back in the 1990's While living in Pennsylvania I had decorated my living room with both a U.S. and Army Flag complet on flag staffs, golden fringe trim and spear point finals. Well since I'm dwelling in a small apartment and have a smaller duplicate set sized to my current space I didn't need such a large set and so donated them to the Reserve Unit for their use.
After that it was back over towards Brewster, NY just about a mile in from the CT. border to J&B's Bar-B-Que. Located on U.S.6 its pretty decent. Hey from me decent is high praise when describing food. Especially after years of Combatant Cuisine and Bachelor Chow.
Next stop on the day's agenda, back home to Highland Falls. Take the bike to the welder, and back home other jobs had come up of higher importance, meaning more income for the welder. Not a problem and back home I go.
Since I hadn't run in the morning, now it was time to run. Still 80 degrees farenheit at 17:00 (5PM) and do 5.51 miles from home up around the back corral at Morgan Farm down to Main st. to Thayer gate and back home. time for that run 58min, 54 sec. and after showering and putting away my goodies the day was fairly done.
Still, I did see one thing on Wednesday very few people will ever see in their lives. A true relic of America, something which defines how we came to be and very few are left in the world in working order. I saw a World War Two War Bird; A B17 Flying Fortess in flight south bound over the Hudson valley. I saw it fleetingly a few moments really but long enough to know the shape and outline of a regal piece of human operated history.
Wednesday's Walkabout; Some days I need to do something different to change how the week progresses and my view of the local world. Today was one of those days. I slept later than normal only because I can, that and I was also considering making a rest day before my next attempt at another 20 mile run. Gack.
Needless to say I didn't rest. Oh I goofed off and burned the morning but I also went for a walk-about. Over the course of 4 hours I felt as if I had covered 10 to 12miles. Wrong, only 8 and a half miles. starting at 11:00 I started walking. Up Morgan farm road to Fire break 8. Walked to the top of 8 and down the otherside to Fire Break 1. Turned left on 1 and walked to Mine Torn Road. Turned left on Mine Torn rd and down to Ft Montgomery. Got to U.S. 9W crossed the road turned, thats right left, back towards Old State Rd. Turned right, I can't always go left, on Old State rd and followed to Rt 218/Main st where I turned left the final time before my last right and home.
Aside from the wretched heat of an early September day the views of the Hudson valley were rather nice. Also the hollow where Stilwell Lake and Mine Torn road runs down through. and looking up at the Torn & Bear Mountain. photos of which should be found in my first installments of the Blog.
Now you'd think in the middle of the day you wouldn't see large animals in trafficed areas. Well you do, and deer are every where. But today I saw Bambi's dumber cousin, you know the type, the one all the other deer probably refer to as Road Kill Bill.
I honestly can say I've never seen a deer trip over a guard rail and fall down a hill before today. Today I saw that and heard the guard rail ring like a badly crafted bell. That made me laugh out loud and spook the other dear which faired much better.
Now my final bit for the day and I'll close the Blog and go to bed. Ran the same course today as I did yesterday; and even with all the walking I did earlier today, my time was consistent with yesteday's run. just one second faster.Still 14.11 miles of movement today was enough and now dinner is done, i'm done and its off to bed I totter.
Good night all.
Q
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor Day, Sept First.
Well, I haven't been here since Friday, Augut 29th, so I guess some fill in is in order.
Still running and preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon. Some days I feel like the prep work is all consuming although I know it isn't. Still that more that not seems to be a focal point of what I've been doing, and I know I'm more than that.
Friday night was the West Point Home opener for Foot Ball Season. I stopped at a local watering hole and saw a person I've know for years but again doesn't live locally and stopped & chatted him and his significant other up. I had been out just screwing around and walked in wearing one of my Kilts. Funny the reaction I get sometimes when people realize I'm wearing basicly a man's skirt. Still I had my bagpipes out in the van and those where what I was screwing around with.
Saturday, became a rest day and I did not run a lick. Went up to Popolopen Lake though and practiced my bagpiping for a while befor heading to a local watering hole for a few more beers and then heading home for the night.
Sunday, was a good morning to run and I did 7 miles. Later on Sunday I took the motorcycle out for a joyride and ended up in Cold Spring, NY followed by a run down to Garrison. Garrison was nice in that I reconnected with a few guys from Guinnan's Pub/Store even though now its only a foot note in the history of the area. Quiet Bill turned 49 and there was a small B day party for hime. I already had my beer limit for the day but did allow myself a single glass of champagnie. Bill, Tony Y and Niel were there , one of the things we also did that evening was manhand Neil's boat into a slip, as he came in at low tide and didn't have clearance to enter his usual slip. So all said and done a good evening.
Today, Labor Day, 1 Sept, 2008. I started with a 12 mile run from home along main st to Thayer Gate, through West Point out Washington Gate up to the Golf Course entrance and returned along the same route. Later in the morning I again donned my Kilt and headed down to Tuxedo NY for the Ren fair again. Although it was a rather warm day it wasn't overly offensive. But still the heat did get to me and I and my older brother departed the grounds about 5:30 PM (17:30 hrs).
While at the Ren Faire We took in a few different shows, The Dexter Tripp Thrill show, The gentleman who performs juggles a chain saw, that does have a functional cutting chain and it runs while he's juggling it. Plays with Fire and performs on the Slack Rope, similar in concept to a tight rope but different. Also watch a trio perform blowing Fire balls, a couple of musical acts and a small troupe of actors making a mockery of the Ren Faire and them selves. All & all a pleasant experience.
Well that should pretty much cover the fun stuff. The less than fun well, what can I say. My Mother and father live on the Gulf Coast and watching the forecasted track of Hurricane Gustav a prudent person would consider adjusting appointments and evacuation. Well My Father is stubborn enough to make me seem like the most pliable person on the planet. He wasn't leaving this time as he's got a Doctor's appointment on tuesday the 2nd of Sept. Not that he would make a phone call to the office to see if the Doctor and Staff are making emergency preparations and plans. Well I'll give em a call in a little bit and check up upon them but hopefully they'll just get the rains and no severe winds. A telephone call to them will be in order shortly and I find out how they are making out.
Thats pretty much it for now, I hope everone has had a safe and easy labor Day weekend. No traumas and dramas; Still have a easy night and safe week.
Q
Still running and preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon. Some days I feel like the prep work is all consuming although I know it isn't. Still that more that not seems to be a focal point of what I've been doing, and I know I'm more than that.
Friday night was the West Point Home opener for Foot Ball Season. I stopped at a local watering hole and saw a person I've know for years but again doesn't live locally and stopped & chatted him and his significant other up. I had been out just screwing around and walked in wearing one of my Kilts. Funny the reaction I get sometimes when people realize I'm wearing basicly a man's skirt. Still I had my bagpipes out in the van and those where what I was screwing around with.
Saturday, became a rest day and I did not run a lick. Went up to Popolopen Lake though and practiced my bagpiping for a while befor heading to a local watering hole for a few more beers and then heading home for the night.
Sunday, was a good morning to run and I did 7 miles. Later on Sunday I took the motorcycle out for a joyride and ended up in Cold Spring, NY followed by a run down to Garrison. Garrison was nice in that I reconnected with a few guys from Guinnan's Pub/Store even though now its only a foot note in the history of the area. Quiet Bill turned 49 and there was a small B day party for hime. I already had my beer limit for the day but did allow myself a single glass of champagnie. Bill, Tony Y and Niel were there , one of the things we also did that evening was manhand Neil's boat into a slip, as he came in at low tide and didn't have clearance to enter his usual slip. So all said and done a good evening.
Today, Labor Day, 1 Sept, 2008. I started with a 12 mile run from home along main st to Thayer Gate, through West Point out Washington Gate up to the Golf Course entrance and returned along the same route. Later in the morning I again donned my Kilt and headed down to Tuxedo NY for the Ren fair again. Although it was a rather warm day it wasn't overly offensive. But still the heat did get to me and I and my older brother departed the grounds about 5:30 PM (17:30 hrs).
While at the Ren Faire We took in a few different shows, The Dexter Tripp Thrill show, The gentleman who performs juggles a chain saw, that does have a functional cutting chain and it runs while he's juggling it. Plays with Fire and performs on the Slack Rope, similar in concept to a tight rope but different. Also watch a trio perform blowing Fire balls, a couple of musical acts and a small troupe of actors making a mockery of the Ren Faire and them selves. All & all a pleasant experience.
Well that should pretty much cover the fun stuff. The less than fun well, what can I say. My Mother and father live on the Gulf Coast and watching the forecasted track of Hurricane Gustav a prudent person would consider adjusting appointments and evacuation. Well My Father is stubborn enough to make me seem like the most pliable person on the planet. He wasn't leaving this time as he's got a Doctor's appointment on tuesday the 2nd of Sept. Not that he would make a phone call to the office to see if the Doctor and Staff are making emergency preparations and plans. Well I'll give em a call in a little bit and check up upon them but hopefully they'll just get the rains and no severe winds. A telephone call to them will be in order shortly and I find out how they are making out.
Thats pretty much it for now, I hope everone has had a safe and easy labor Day weekend. No traumas and dramas; Still have a easy night and safe week.
Q
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday
Already its Friday, I find it surpising sometimes how fast the weeks can progress. The next 8 weeks before heading to Washington DC will probably blur by at this rate.
Well, I've done some new things this week. Yeah I can still do some things I've never done before. I broke down and purchased a MP3 Player yesterday and have already loaded close to 80 songs onto it from my CD collection. Use it today while I ran and while the ear buds are ok they aren't my choice for listening and I'll probably get something different.
Hmmmm, last update was Wednesday; OK Thursday, I did a 10.23 mile run that took me over the top of the hill behind Picturesque West Point down to the Hudson River and back home. Total elevation change was 781 feet and completed that run in 1 hour, 51 minutes and 36 seconds. Considering the elevation changes I'd say its an pretty good time frame for a 50 yearold person with wobbly knees.
Then yesterday afternoon I took the motorcycle out for a easy ride. Why, because I wanted to, not because I had to. Still it was nice to watch the scenery go by. I also stopped at the Cadet Book Store on Campus and purchased the inexpensive MP3 player, 2 Gig of storage space will hold more music than I'll listen to for any single spand of time. The hard part was deciding what to load onto it first. Well theres a couple of hours worth of Celtic Music.
Also This weekend I'm overseeing 3 small dogs. They aren't a nuisance and are really low maintenance. Give em some water, give em food, let the out and hopefully they take care of business out in the yard. The sad thing about the three is that they would rather be indoors. Well so much for the smaller and toy breeds. Yip yip yip.
Today; Friday, woke up later than usual. Not a problem as there was a light rain over night and the roads were still wet, not my favorite condition to run in or surface to run upon. So I let the dogs out for a bit and had breakfast without running first, a true rarity. Well the dogs displayed their boredom with the greatoutdoors and waited patiently at the door so they could get back inside. Ok they done for the morning and in they go.
11:30 rolls up the temperature is agreeable, its time to run today. So where do I go, what do I do? I've got it a different run from my normal routes. So up towards Morgan Farm I go, only this time I don't turn at the back corral. I head up along the old fire break which runs north & south and comes out on 9W near the Pointer Echo Motel. Now where I live the road out front is at 177 feet above sea level the course out is sort of steep and I climb to 587 feet in the first 1&3/4 miles. A gain of 410 feet but half of that is on loose stone & gravel, drop down to 452 feet before climbing to 527 feet then its down hill to 9w at 375 feet. From the 375 foot elevation on 9W I head north to the junction of 9W/Stoney Lonesome Rd/Mountain Ave which provides me a elevation 488 feet before I head down hill into the village and home. My lowest elevation is at 163 feet above sea level.
Ok so I'm doing hills today, big deal; well for me it is, as I went 5.1 miles in 52 minutes and change on those hills. Some thing different indeed.
Well, after I got home, washed and dressed, I let the 3 dogs out again. I've never seen 3 animals so intent on staying indoors. Well I'll feed them a little later chase em out for a while and then secure em for the night.
That about covers it for today. a little practice with the bagpipes in a while maybe some drumming on the Bodhran and who knows what the night will bring.
If I don't return before Tuesday and update this, let me wish everyone a safe and easy Labor Day Weekend. Throw out a GO ARMY, for the Cadet's first football game of the season at Home tonight. And a heart felt thank you to all those who've made donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the Team In Training Program.
Have a safe weekend everyone.
Q
Well, I've done some new things this week. Yeah I can still do some things I've never done before. I broke down and purchased a MP3 Player yesterday and have already loaded close to 80 songs onto it from my CD collection. Use it today while I ran and while the ear buds are ok they aren't my choice for listening and I'll probably get something different.
Hmmmm, last update was Wednesday; OK Thursday, I did a 10.23 mile run that took me over the top of the hill behind Picturesque West Point down to the Hudson River and back home. Total elevation change was 781 feet and completed that run in 1 hour, 51 minutes and 36 seconds. Considering the elevation changes I'd say its an pretty good time frame for a 50 yearold person with wobbly knees.
Then yesterday afternoon I took the motorcycle out for a easy ride. Why, because I wanted to, not because I had to. Still it was nice to watch the scenery go by. I also stopped at the Cadet Book Store on Campus and purchased the inexpensive MP3 player, 2 Gig of storage space will hold more music than I'll listen to for any single spand of time. The hard part was deciding what to load onto it first. Well theres a couple of hours worth of Celtic Music.
Also This weekend I'm overseeing 3 small dogs. They aren't a nuisance and are really low maintenance. Give em some water, give em food, let the out and hopefully they take care of business out in the yard. The sad thing about the three is that they would rather be indoors. Well so much for the smaller and toy breeds. Yip yip yip.
Today; Friday, woke up later than usual. Not a problem as there was a light rain over night and the roads were still wet, not my favorite condition to run in or surface to run upon. So I let the dogs out for a bit and had breakfast without running first, a true rarity. Well the dogs displayed their boredom with the greatoutdoors and waited patiently at the door so they could get back inside. Ok they done for the morning and in they go.
11:30 rolls up the temperature is agreeable, its time to run today. So where do I go, what do I do? I've got it a different run from my normal routes. So up towards Morgan Farm I go, only this time I don't turn at the back corral. I head up along the old fire break which runs north & south and comes out on 9W near the Pointer Echo Motel. Now where I live the road out front is at 177 feet above sea level the course out is sort of steep and I climb to 587 feet in the first 1&3/4 miles. A gain of 410 feet but half of that is on loose stone & gravel, drop down to 452 feet before climbing to 527 feet then its down hill to 9w at 375 feet. From the 375 foot elevation on 9W I head north to the junction of 9W/Stoney Lonesome Rd/Mountain Ave which provides me a elevation 488 feet before I head down hill into the village and home. My lowest elevation is at 163 feet above sea level.
Ok so I'm doing hills today, big deal; well for me it is, as I went 5.1 miles in 52 minutes and change on those hills. Some thing different indeed.
Well, after I got home, washed and dressed, I let the 3 dogs out again. I've never seen 3 animals so intent on staying indoors. Well I'll feed them a little later chase em out for a while and then secure em for the night.
That about covers it for today. a little practice with the bagpipes in a while maybe some drumming on the Bodhran and who knows what the night will bring.
If I don't return before Tuesday and update this, let me wish everyone a safe and easy Labor Day Weekend. Throw out a GO ARMY, for the Cadet's first football game of the season at Home tonight. And a heart felt thank you to all those who've made donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the Team In Training Program.
Have a safe weekend everyone.
Q
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday's wanderings
An early installment today as I've been up for a few hours.
Yesterday, Tuesday Auguast 26th, I took a day off from running in order to let the body recover some what from monday's exertions. Still I went to my normal bagpipe practice at 9AM in Peekskill, then over to Brewster NY and said hello to a few folks over there before returning home. Well I needed exercise but didn't want to run so I went for a walk, about 6 & 1/2 miles but walked non the less. I actually felt good after the walk but by 9PM it had been a eventful day and I headed to bed.
Today; woke at 3AM!? What, why? Oh its just my body saying I've had enough sleep and it was time to move again. Well I held off going out to run till 5AM and held myself to 3.3 miles. Finished that in just under 30 minutes, I felt like it was a fast pace but didn't consider it as being that quick for what would normally be an easy run. Still the 55 degree temperature this morning probably was helpful for that as well.
OK that pretty much covers up to the moment and today I've no clue about what I'll do next. Maybe take the yappy toy breed dog down to the chinese restaurant as an hors d'oeuvre for some one, or give it a dose of Alum.
Have a good day every one.
Q
Yesterday, Tuesday Auguast 26th, I took a day off from running in order to let the body recover some what from monday's exertions. Still I went to my normal bagpipe practice at 9AM in Peekskill, then over to Brewster NY and said hello to a few folks over there before returning home. Well I needed exercise but didn't want to run so I went for a walk, about 6 & 1/2 miles but walked non the less. I actually felt good after the walk but by 9PM it had been a eventful day and I headed to bed.
Today; woke at 3AM!? What, why? Oh its just my body saying I've had enough sleep and it was time to move again. Well I held off going out to run till 5AM and held myself to 3.3 miles. Finished that in just under 30 minutes, I felt like it was a fast pace but didn't consider it as being that quick for what would normally be an easy run. Still the 55 degree temperature this morning probably was helpful for that as well.
OK that pretty much covers up to the moment and today I've no clue about what I'll do next. Maybe take the yappy toy breed dog down to the chinese restaurant as an hors d'oeuvre for some one, or give it a dose of Alum.
Have a good day every one.
Q
Monday, August 25, 2008
Monday Madness, or my 20 mile run.
Well I ran 20 miles this morning in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon on the 26th of October, That race is only 8 weeks and 6 days away now. Its really difficult to fathom how much prep work I've been putting into the running and the drastic changes in my body over these few months since I seriously started training in May.
My old suits hang loosely from my shoulders, I mean you could almost put an extra person in my old clothes with me. Even my old Class A Army uniform is too big to wear now. I'm getting Large T-Shirts to wear as the extra large ones are now too loose for comfort. I'm wear pants with a 36 inch waist and have room in the waist. The physical differences are overwhelming. I still have a slight stomach, but nothing that overlaps the belt line like before. Still I'm looking forward to the Marathon itself and the finish. So I can relax some of what I've been doing.
Today after completing the 20 mile run I was so physically depleted of energy I had to sit down in the shower. After that I laid down upon my bed and even though I didn't feel like I was asleep an hour went by before I could comfortly move myself. What started as a lark, has become serious and I've a better understanding of what the world class atheletes go through for training. Even on the run today it was more tenacity than anything else which helped me to finish. I don't really understand where that mental toughness came from. Still it was a dogged determination to see todays run through to the end. Regardless of the discomfort I felt.
As for the run itself; I'll try to describe the course. From the driveway of where I live, I turn righ and head towards Main St/Rt218 go down a gradual incline and turn left onto Main St. I follow Main St almost 1/2 half mile with its slight down and up grade nothing of note. Turn Left onto a residential road which starts my uphill climb this route takes me through the southern part of the village of Highland Falls and around the pond at Roe Park. When I get to the far corner of Roe Park the climb becomes distinctly more challenging as its a rather steep pitch uphill to Mearns Ave. Think of a roof with a steep but still walkable pitch. Then on to Mearns, it is a fairly continuous uphill grade but not too onerous and almost flattens out just before I turn left onto Mountain Ave and go uphill some more. At the top of Mountain Ave where it intersects with Stoney Lonesome Road (that goes into West Point) I've covered roughly 2 miles.
From that intersection I have a modest downgrade a slight rise and again a down grade running along us highway 9W to the West Point Golf Course. There I follow the service road around to where I run on NY rt 218 for about 1/10th mile before turning around and heading out NY Rt 293. from the WP Golf course NY Rt 293 is a wide road with very wide shoulders. You could drive 4 tractor trailers side by side on it. Still I've a 1&1/2 mile climb uphill till I reach Fire Station 3 which then allows me to go down hill about 1/2 mile as I run along Long Pond. This too is a slight upgrade but very gradual and not troublesome. then about 1&1/4 miles past the fire station I've a strong down grade whic then delivers me onto a gentle climb again for around 1&1/2 miles to where icrest over a rise the grade has been leading up to and down and up a swall for about 1/2 mile more to where I turn around and start back for home.
So on the return route, I rerun a swall till Istart back down a long gentle grade. At 1&3/4 miles i strat a uphill grind for about 1/3 to almost 1/2 mile then its a gentle down slope to about 1/2 mile before the firestation. Then again a hard climb. When I reach the fire station this second time, I've covered 13&1/2 miles. Generally by this point I need to replenish the water and Gatorade mix I carry in a pack on my back.
So the Fire Station is convient to that end. The water pack hold 2 litres/70 ounces of fluid or just over 1/2 gallon. So for the first 13 miles I usually am OK with water and the drink mix. But I need to replensih it and fill the bladder if I'll be going further. From Fire Station 3 i've a 1&1/2 mile down hill run till I am again on Rt218. From there to Washington Gate on West Point it is mostly flat and a gentle down hill to the Guard Post. From the Guard Post to the fire Station it is gain a strong down hill grade and then the route pretty much flattens out through the central area of West Point. Then it is slow gradual climbs and descents back to home.
From Start to finish I took 4 hours and 14 seconds overall to finish 20 miles. I can subtract 7 minutes and 28 seconds from that for a more accurate time as it took me that long at the fire station to replenish my water carrier. So in honesty I can say I did 20 miles in 3 hour 52 minutes and 22 seconds. Under 4 hours.
So there is a description of my run today. And hopefully you can understand why I had to lay down before noon time today. So with even consuming just over a full gallon of water (at nearly 8 pounds a gallon) I lost 6 pounds of weight. Also saying that I sweat profusely, would be an understatement; for when I am done every item od clothing to even include my running shoes can be wrung out before being put into the wash or laidout to dry.
So there you have it, not a untypical run. The description pretty much cover a few various routes I run and have tied together into a longer course. So if some days my writing doesn't seem too coherrent, maybe its because I'm still recovering from a epic run.
Still this is a longer post for myself and hopefully provides some understanding of the running still without pictures, all you've got is your imagination unless you know the area. So go ahead and use Google Earth and look at West Point and the region. You may be surpised.
Have a good day everone.
Q
My old suits hang loosely from my shoulders, I mean you could almost put an extra person in my old clothes with me. Even my old Class A Army uniform is too big to wear now. I'm getting Large T-Shirts to wear as the extra large ones are now too loose for comfort. I'm wear pants with a 36 inch waist and have room in the waist. The physical differences are overwhelming. I still have a slight stomach, but nothing that overlaps the belt line like before. Still I'm looking forward to the Marathon itself and the finish. So I can relax some of what I've been doing.
Today after completing the 20 mile run I was so physically depleted of energy I had to sit down in the shower. After that I laid down upon my bed and even though I didn't feel like I was asleep an hour went by before I could comfortly move myself. What started as a lark, has become serious and I've a better understanding of what the world class atheletes go through for training. Even on the run today it was more tenacity than anything else which helped me to finish. I don't really understand where that mental toughness came from. Still it was a dogged determination to see todays run through to the end. Regardless of the discomfort I felt.
As for the run itself; I'll try to describe the course. From the driveway of where I live, I turn righ and head towards Main St/Rt218 go down a gradual incline and turn left onto Main St. I follow Main St almost 1/2 half mile with its slight down and up grade nothing of note. Turn Left onto a residential road which starts my uphill climb this route takes me through the southern part of the village of Highland Falls and around the pond at Roe Park. When I get to the far corner of Roe Park the climb becomes distinctly more challenging as its a rather steep pitch uphill to Mearns Ave. Think of a roof with a steep but still walkable pitch. Then on to Mearns, it is a fairly continuous uphill grade but not too onerous and almost flattens out just before I turn left onto Mountain Ave and go uphill some more. At the top of Mountain Ave where it intersects with Stoney Lonesome Road (that goes into West Point) I've covered roughly 2 miles.
From that intersection I have a modest downgrade a slight rise and again a down grade running along us highway 9W to the West Point Golf Course. There I follow the service road around to where I run on NY rt 218 for about 1/10th mile before turning around and heading out NY Rt 293. from the WP Golf course NY Rt 293 is a wide road with very wide shoulders. You could drive 4 tractor trailers side by side on it. Still I've a 1&1/2 mile climb uphill till I reach Fire Station 3 which then allows me to go down hill about 1/2 mile as I run along Long Pond. This too is a slight upgrade but very gradual and not troublesome. then about 1&1/4 miles past the fire station I've a strong down grade whic then delivers me onto a gentle climb again for around 1&1/2 miles to where icrest over a rise the grade has been leading up to and down and up a swall for about 1/2 mile more to where I turn around and start back for home.
So on the return route, I rerun a swall till Istart back down a long gentle grade. At 1&3/4 miles i strat a uphill grind for about 1/3 to almost 1/2 mile then its a gentle down slope to about 1/2 mile before the firestation. Then again a hard climb. When I reach the fire station this second time, I've covered 13&1/2 miles. Generally by this point I need to replenish the water and Gatorade mix I carry in a pack on my back.
So the Fire Station is convient to that end. The water pack hold 2 litres/70 ounces of fluid or just over 1/2 gallon. So for the first 13 miles I usually am OK with water and the drink mix. But I need to replensih it and fill the bladder if I'll be going further. From Fire Station 3 i've a 1&1/2 mile down hill run till I am again on Rt218. From there to Washington Gate on West Point it is mostly flat and a gentle down hill to the Guard Post. From the Guard Post to the fire Station it is gain a strong down hill grade and then the route pretty much flattens out through the central area of West Point. Then it is slow gradual climbs and descents back to home.
From Start to finish I took 4 hours and 14 seconds overall to finish 20 miles. I can subtract 7 minutes and 28 seconds from that for a more accurate time as it took me that long at the fire station to replenish my water carrier. So in honesty I can say I did 20 miles in 3 hour 52 minutes and 22 seconds. Under 4 hours.
So there is a description of my run today. And hopefully you can understand why I had to lay down before noon time today. So with even consuming just over a full gallon of water (at nearly 8 pounds a gallon) I lost 6 pounds of weight. Also saying that I sweat profusely, would be an understatement; for when I am done every item od clothing to even include my running shoes can be wrung out before being put into the wash or laidout to dry.
So there you have it, not a untypical run. The description pretty much cover a few various routes I run and have tied together into a longer course. So if some days my writing doesn't seem too coherrent, maybe its because I'm still recovering from a epic run.
Still this is a longer post for myself and hopefully provides some understanding of the running still without pictures, all you've got is your imagination unless you know the area. So go ahead and use Google Earth and look at West Point and the region. You may be surpised.
Have a good day everone.
Q
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday's post race report.
Image from after the Saturday, 23 Aug, 2008 5K race in New Windsor, NYYes, did another race this morning. This was a cross country race on and around the grounds of the Monroe-Woodbury High School. I arrived early and signed in getting race number 374 assigned to me. The race began at 09:00 and we did a series of loops which took us by the upper school building out to the back building down a modest hill and into a residential are were we began an uphill grind before going back down hill towards Rt 32 and back into the school grounds.
This time I finished 7th in my Age group and came out 85th in a field of 156 runners with a recorded time of 25 minutes and 47 seconds or nearly 8 minutes and 18 seconds a mile. Still I used this run more as a training and recreational run than anything else. If the competition was to be truely meaningful, I would of been placed in a weight and age comparitive class. You don't find too many fast runners over 200 pounds or if you prefer an archaic weight measurement 15 stone or close to 98 kilograms for you metric fanatics.
Well thats all for now, I've got places to go and people to annoy yet today.
Cheers all!
Q
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saturday, post race report.
Well all in all I did pretty good this morning with a small local 5 K race. Finished in just over 25 minutes and placed 1st in my age group (50-59). Not a bad course the hill was deceptive but not bad over all and had a strong finish. Yes, I'd do it again. Even the weather and conditions were nice, about 70 degrees at the start, warm but not overly so for 8:30 in the morning and a fair amount of shade for much of the course. Only one section had us running towards the rising sun but that was quickly gotten through and even though we ran on local roads traffic was sparse and gave us plenty of room.
The winning time was just about 20 minutes and while there weren't any elite runners we had some strong local runners who did very well. The field in the race could be a little larger, but the character of the race being small and inviting makes it very appealing for the novice and beginner.
So I might as well give it a plug now as its all I've written about in this chapter of the blog.
Name: Masonic 5K.
Where: New Windsor, NY. Starting and finishing at Angelina's Restuarant & Bar.
Sponsors: Angelina's; Runner's World; The deli Bagel; Mesh Reality Group;
Sunglow Painting & Home Renovation, Inc; Cracolici's Pizzeria & Restaurant;
The Country's Best Resumes; Meadowbrook lodge, Inc; Awning FX, Inc; Levine's Garage;
and Immaculate_Designs.
Thanks to Dan E, and all those involved. It takes time work and effort to make any event work and I think you folks are off to a good start.
Q
The winning time was just about 20 minutes and while there weren't any elite runners we had some strong local runners who did very well. The field in the race could be a little larger, but the character of the race being small and inviting makes it very appealing for the novice and beginner.
So I might as well give it a plug now as its all I've written about in this chapter of the blog.
Name: Masonic 5K.
Where: New Windsor, NY. Starting and finishing at Angelina's Restuarant & Bar.
Sponsors: Angelina's; Runner's World; The deli Bagel; Mesh Reality Group;
Sunglow Painting & Home Renovation, Inc; Cracolici's Pizzeria & Restaurant;
The Country's Best Resumes; Meadowbrook lodge, Inc; Awning FX, Inc; Levine's Garage;
and Immaculate_Designs.
Thanks to Dan E, and all those involved. It takes time work and effort to make any event work and I think you folks are off to a good start.
Q
Saturday morning, going to a small race.
Yes, its Saturday morning and I'm headed to a small local race for training purposes. Somethings are fun to take part in and a small local race that will raise funds for a charity usually rate up there. Not going out to win the race just to run well and finish.
Every day, I beat the worms to the feast, its a great day; and any day I can experience the fun aspects of life is a pleasant day.
Also, Good Morning and Hello to Orange Cat. Um both of us have done some thing a moderators at another site didn't agree with, But hang in there. theres more to life.
Gotta run, I'll be back to post comments covering the days since Wednesday.
Every day, I beat the worms to the feast, its a great day; and any day I can experience the fun aspects of life is a pleasant day.
Also, Good Morning and Hello to Orange Cat. Um both of us have done some thing a moderators at another site didn't agree with, But hang in there. theres more to life.
Gotta run, I'll be back to post comments covering the days since Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wednesday rundown
Ok today started quite early by waking at 3:30 AM, had no reason to just did. Still its was one of the more comfortable mornings in a long tim with temps in the mid 50 degree range when I went out for a run. Some days I plan my days and runs some days I don't; today I didn't and I did 13 miles fairly comfortably in 2 hours and 21 minutes. Not bad after taking two days off from running. Although I did walk my brother's dogs for 2 miles before I left his place on Monday Morning.
Now how best to describe the area I run in for the most part?
The Lower Hudson Valley between Storm King Mountain and Bear Mountain is the narrowest part of the region with steep hills and great vistas. Emphasis on hills. You may be able to go 2 miles along the roads here with out a significant elevation change. But to depart from the area you will absolutely have to ascend or descent some strong grades at some point. You just cannot escape the hills. So while you may not get the oxygen deficit training runners at altitude in the Rockies get; You most assuredly get a work out on the hills.
Well this morning I started my run from home at 5:00 AM. The first half mile or so reasonably flat when I made my turn onto Satterlee Rd and began my climb. Now I don't do a continuous uphill grind but more like a series of stair steps for the first 1 and 1/4 miles and then a grind uphill for 3/4 miles followed by a gentle down slope to where I made my turn for a continuous 1&1/2 mile uphill grind with no great change in pitch of the road. Reached the top of the hill on Rt 293 by Fire Station 3 and then began my return home via Washington Gate, Central Area, Thayer Gate, and The village Proper of Highland Falls.
Still it was a nice run at the early hour. The Moon was still high in the sky to light my way, the stars could be seen quite plainly even the girdle of the Constellation Orion, aka Orion's Belt. And while its dark at 5:00 AM, its not an oppressive darkness. For as you travel and the scenery changes yo can see the sky towards the east begin to become lighter and then you can distinctly make out the hill tops forming the horizon although the colors still are mottled and dark around you.
Still aside from a few people driving to work at that hour, I've yet to see another runner, even the bicyclists start the day much latter than I do. It wasn't untill I got close to Washington Gate that I saw my first Bicyclist and angain not till I neared the Old PX/Fitness center my first walkers and joggers. By that point I had already covered 8&1/2 miles. At about the 9 mile mark, one of my former co-workers either on his hay to fire Station 2 or to home drove by me and gave me a bit of motivation. Funny but from Dave, being called a old S.O.B. even in jest encouraged me to keep on keeping on.
So that pretty much covers todays' run. Yesterday I had a dental appointment in the AM followed by helping my younger brother clean up around his yard and barn a bit so it was a second day break from running and after seeing my basic time for the 13 miles today, probably a good break from running as well.
Aside from som other issues, not much going on and I'm gonna think about dragging the sailboat over to a local lake today for other relaxation. So everyone take it easy and have a good day. Don't overwork your selves and remember the immortal words of Bobby McFarrin;'Don't Worry, Be Happy.'
Now how best to describe the area I run in for the most part?
The Lower Hudson Valley between Storm King Mountain and Bear Mountain is the narrowest part of the region with steep hills and great vistas. Emphasis on hills. You may be able to go 2 miles along the roads here with out a significant elevation change. But to depart from the area you will absolutely have to ascend or descent some strong grades at some point. You just cannot escape the hills. So while you may not get the oxygen deficit training runners at altitude in the Rockies get; You most assuredly get a work out on the hills.
Well this morning I started my run from home at 5:00 AM. The first half mile or so reasonably flat when I made my turn onto Satterlee Rd and began my climb. Now I don't do a continuous uphill grind but more like a series of stair steps for the first 1 and 1/4 miles and then a grind uphill for 3/4 miles followed by a gentle down slope to where I made my turn for a continuous 1&1/2 mile uphill grind with no great change in pitch of the road. Reached the top of the hill on Rt 293 by Fire Station 3 and then began my return home via Washington Gate, Central Area, Thayer Gate, and The village Proper of Highland Falls.
Still it was a nice run at the early hour. The Moon was still high in the sky to light my way, the stars could be seen quite plainly even the girdle of the Constellation Orion, aka Orion's Belt. And while its dark at 5:00 AM, its not an oppressive darkness. For as you travel and the scenery changes yo can see the sky towards the east begin to become lighter and then you can distinctly make out the hill tops forming the horizon although the colors still are mottled and dark around you.
Still aside from a few people driving to work at that hour, I've yet to see another runner, even the bicyclists start the day much latter than I do. It wasn't untill I got close to Washington Gate that I saw my first Bicyclist and angain not till I neared the Old PX/Fitness center my first walkers and joggers. By that point I had already covered 8&1/2 miles. At about the 9 mile mark, one of my former co-workers either on his hay to fire Station 2 or to home drove by me and gave me a bit of motivation. Funny but from Dave, being called a old S.O.B. even in jest encouraged me to keep on keeping on.
So that pretty much covers todays' run. Yesterday I had a dental appointment in the AM followed by helping my younger brother clean up around his yard and barn a bit so it was a second day break from running and after seeing my basic time for the 13 miles today, probably a good break from running as well.
Aside from som other issues, not much going on and I'm gonna think about dragging the sailboat over to a local lake today for other relaxation. So everyone take it easy and have a good day. Don't overwork your selves and remember the immortal words of Bobby McFarrin;'Don't Worry, Be Happy.'
Monday, August 18, 2008
Ah Home again.
Well it was a long weekend in PA, eventful and uneventful both. The dogs, Moose and Rocky are easier to deal with than some people and better companions too.
Well lets see. Sunday was the Poker Run and it was a good ride. Started in Milford PA, over to NJ up through NY back over to PA and fininshing in Dingmans Ferry/Delaware Township, where I had a home for a few years. For me the ride was uneventful, Ride my own pace and style. For others well there was at least one motorcycle accident that occured with a small goup behind me. I understand the rider was airlifted to the hospital but should recover. Still anything we do in life is not without risk. Its how we manage the risks that make the differences.
Still, It was a scenic and easy ride. One I wouldn't mind repeating in some subtler ways.
Some things I am certain about though after some end of ride festivities. Some bands need professional sound technicians, Volume does not replace quality of music. Karioke DJs should be made to sit infront of their loudest speakers while the volume is cranked up. There are a few places I rarely enter or go without hearing protection. Behind motorcycles with straight pipes and Bars offering karioke night. I'd rather listyen to the stacato effect of an M60 machine gun or whining reving of a chain saw compared to those sounds. Still even then. just give me a beverage and let me go outside. Painfully loud is too loud, and there are other sounds I still enjoy and prefer hearing. Zippy the Pinhead warbling a tune in a volume that can be hear by Ocean Liners in a fog isn't one of em, nor are straight pipes on a V twin engine.
Did some running in PA, and I hate the roads out there as most don't have anything resembling a shoulder. Still I did two 6.6 and one 4.2 mile days. Surpisingly I find the hills there suck worse; Either seemingly endless in grade or steeper than I would like to deal with.
Also spent time walking the mutant puppies. 6 months old and 60+ pounds a piece. Still I think they are happy dogs when I'm there as I'll take for a couple of mile walks and let em play in the water some what. I'll attempt to post pictures of the wee beasties too.
Well lets see. Sunday was the Poker Run and it was a good ride. Started in Milford PA, over to NJ up through NY back over to PA and fininshing in Dingmans Ferry/Delaware Township, where I had a home for a few years. For me the ride was uneventful, Ride my own pace and style. For others well there was at least one motorcycle accident that occured with a small goup behind me. I understand the rider was airlifted to the hospital but should recover. Still anything we do in life is not without risk. Its how we manage the risks that make the differences.
Still, It was a scenic and easy ride. One I wouldn't mind repeating in some subtler ways.
Some things I am certain about though after some end of ride festivities. Some bands need professional sound technicians, Volume does not replace quality of music. Karioke DJs should be made to sit infront of their loudest speakers while the volume is cranked up. There are a few places I rarely enter or go without hearing protection. Behind motorcycles with straight pipes and Bars offering karioke night. I'd rather listyen to the stacato effect of an M60 machine gun or whining reving of a chain saw compared to those sounds. Still even then. just give me a beverage and let me go outside. Painfully loud is too loud, and there are other sounds I still enjoy and prefer hearing. Zippy the Pinhead warbling a tune in a volume that can be hear by Ocean Liners in a fog isn't one of em, nor are straight pipes on a V twin engine.
Did some running in PA, and I hate the roads out there as most don't have anything resembling a shoulder. Still I did two 6.6 and one 4.2 mile days. Surpisingly I find the hills there suck worse; Either seemingly endless in grade or steeper than I would like to deal with.
Also spent time walking the mutant puppies. 6 months old and 60+ pounds a piece. Still I think they are happy dogs when I'm there as I'll take for a couple of mile walks and let em play in the water some what. I'll attempt to post pictures of the wee beasties too.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Good Morning from Pike County.
Started the day early, well earlier than many people by waking up at 3:30 AM. So far today I've run 6.6 miles, fed watered and walked two dogs, took a relaxing hot soak for the legs and annoyed a bunch of folks with computerized mayhem.
Started on my run this morning by walking out to the paved roadway. The one infront of where I'm staying this weekend could be improved by either carpet bombing or a directed fire mission. I won't say the dirt road is cratered, but you migh be able to hid Judge Crater's body in one of the holes, if anyone can ever find his body.
Well the walk brings me past a beaver pond with the early morning chorus of croaking frogs. The skys occasionally lit by a flash of lightening off on the horizon and the stars overhead.
Well once at the main road I set my stop watch and off I go. keeping well to the shoulder of the road as speed limits and safe driving seem to be optional at the begining of the 5th hour of the day. Still I did OK and completer 6.6 miles in 1hour and 10 minutes. Not blazing speed but when visibility is limited and you can't see where your feet are landing its a strong pace.
After the run I changed from my running shoes to an old pair of sneakers and took my brother's two mutant puppies for a walk also lasting nearly an hour. I'd take them on a longer walk but since I'm still covered in sweat after my run and the moring is relatively cool; Its long enough for me, if not the dogs. So they are fed, watered and allowed freedom of the penned yard while I attend to my abulations and breakfast.
So from 3:30 Am till 8:00Am I've probably done and seen things more people may only experience in a theatre, still they are my experiences, the smells, the coolness of the air, the startling of the Police Officer setting out speed monitors in the 2&1/2 weeks before school starts so that the LEOS can justify selective enforceemnt times.
Yepper I know where the speed traps are going to be. But I ain't telling.
Ok thats all for this morning, I've a old style motorcycle minus the sidecar to deliver to the shop about noon time so they can start rectifing the Exxon Valdez syndrome (oil leak) afflicting it.
have a good day all.
Q
Started on my run this morning by walking out to the paved roadway. The one infront of where I'm staying this weekend could be improved by either carpet bombing or a directed fire mission. I won't say the dirt road is cratered, but you migh be able to hid Judge Crater's body in one of the holes, if anyone can ever find his body.
Well the walk brings me past a beaver pond with the early morning chorus of croaking frogs. The skys occasionally lit by a flash of lightening off on the horizon and the stars overhead.
Well once at the main road I set my stop watch and off I go. keeping well to the shoulder of the road as speed limits and safe driving seem to be optional at the begining of the 5th hour of the day. Still I did OK and completer 6.6 miles in 1hour and 10 minutes. Not blazing speed but when visibility is limited and you can't see where your feet are landing its a strong pace.
After the run I changed from my running shoes to an old pair of sneakers and took my brother's two mutant puppies for a walk also lasting nearly an hour. I'd take them on a longer walk but since I'm still covered in sweat after my run and the moring is relatively cool; Its long enough for me, if not the dogs. So they are fed, watered and allowed freedom of the penned yard while I attend to my abulations and breakfast.
So from 3:30 Am till 8:00Am I've probably done and seen things more people may only experience in a theatre, still they are my experiences, the smells, the coolness of the air, the startling of the Police Officer setting out speed monitors in the 2&1/2 weeks before school starts so that the LEOS can justify selective enforceemnt times.
Yepper I know where the speed traps are going to be. But I ain't telling.
Ok thats all for this morning, I've a old style motorcycle minus the sidecar to deliver to the shop about noon time so they can start rectifing the Exxon Valdez syndrome (oil leak) afflicting it.
have a good day all.
Q
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Greetings from Pennsyltucky
Stinky lousy no good computer gnomes done threw my entry into the internet black hole and now I've to start a frigging new. I can only hope Bill Gates and Steve Jobs get frustrated like this much more often than I am.
OK then, Hello from Pike county PA, just up hill and the road from Milford and Shohola and a few miles from another retiree from the Fire Department at West Point. I may need to do a drop in on him while I'm out here for the weekend.
Whats with the term Pennsyltucky? well thats sort of an inside joke a few of us had in the FD, but it sort of refers to a formerly rural part of PA now being sucked into the oblivion of the NYC metropolitian region. 2 hours from Manhattan and its still considered a reasonable commute. I wonder what some definitions of reasonable are? Still the Water Gap National Recreation area can be bucolic and relaxing; unless your training to run in a marathon then the hills around it are taxing.
Still I'm out here with several things on my schedule. a couple of training runs for the Marine Corps Marathon, dropping one motorcycle off at a shop I've been using for some time to get a oil leak rectified if possible, ride the other motorcycle in a Poker Run sponsored by the Pike County A.B.A.T.E. on Sunday and sit for my brothers two wee puppies, 6 months old and 60+ pounds apiece. Its good to have a cargo trailer sometimes even though motorcycles should be ridden and not trailered when practical.
Well last week I hit a high mileage mark in training of 50 miles and some tenths Oy Vey ist meir. Well now I'm reducing the overall weekly mileage and adding an additional rest interval especially now that I've a few really long runs on line over the next 10&1/2 weeks before the Marine Corps Marathon. I'll have a few really long runs yet, 20 mile range before the marathon. But now I can relax a little too as I adjust my training regimen.
Still I need to remind myself that I'm not running for me. but for those afflicted with a cancer, I'm running to raise funds to help find a cure, to help the families afflicted and to bring hope to others. Yes, I'm running a marathon, but the goal is to finish both a fund raising effort to help others and a race.
I could list statistics of mileages and times I've done in training but that is boring as hell. But let me try to describe my last 10 mile run here in Pike County.
I awoke at 1:30 AM and couldn't fall back to sleep. finally I decided that since I was awake I might as well make use of the energy i had. So I got dressed in my running atire and prepared to run. I walked along the dirt road from my brother's home to the main paved road; There I set my stopwatch and proceeded to run at 2:40 in the morning. Dark may begin to describe the early hours. Abient ligh being reflected off the sky from Haley and Port Jervis and the stars in the sky but not much light as there was no moon in evidence, a dark night it was. Thankfully at that hour traffic is minimal at best and I could run along the shoulder of the roadway. Actually since there was no real traffic to speak of I could run on the crest of the road on the double yellow lines, with my flash light turned off and see well enough to stay in the center of the road.
For almost 3&1/2 miles I followed the road towards the old grand Army of the Republic Highway. What light illuminating my course being filtered by the crowns of the trees crowding the road unless i turned on my flashligh to make my presence more pronounced for the few vehicles travelling at the birthing hours of the day, when the sun hasn't even brought forth the grey predawn light. Still I pressed onward to the west on the older highway towards my next landmark where again I would turn righ and head into darker woods and a narrower road which wouldturn from macadam and pavement to dirt.
The narrowe section of the road was crowded by trees so dense that even the braches intertwined above the road. No light made its way to the road bed at the third hour of the day. In the still darkness of my run the shades of black were subtle and difficult to distingush, a few times I turned my light on to help illuminate my run but still reverted back to the darkness of the natural nigh when I could. I've been told that there are 1000 shades of grey, that could well be true but in the darkness of night the unaided eye can become accustomed to a few degrees of darkness which allows you to move upon a wide trail unaided by artificial lights. This is some thing rarely realized by many of us anymore, still I am glad to have experienced it.
Finally I make my turn back onto the road I had originally started upon. still the only sounds were thoseof my own foot falls, the squishing of my sweat soaked running shoes and the occasioal dog barking his or her disagreement with my all too early morning run. At last I reach the point where I started. It was now the final quarter of the fouth hour of the morning, I had covered but 10 miles and it felt inexplicably longer. The night expanded the distance and time while still etching away at its ever steady pace seemed but to hold still for the run.
After returning to my brother's abode and letting the dogs out into the yard with the slowly lightening skies. I was done. The shower felt more refreshing than many in a longwhile and Morpheus the diety of sleepvisted upon me to help renew myself for the day that would unfold just a few hours on.
Ok so much for attempting to express what a midnight/run is like maybe not my best effort but I'm not a professional writer and I'm trying to relay emotions into a physical reality difficult to express. still being back at the "Scene of the Crime" sort of makes it easier to replay in my mind what occured and transcribe it.
So for now, Have a good night, I wish you a safe weekend and an easy one as well.
Q
OK then, Hello from Pike county PA, just up hill and the road from Milford and Shohola and a few miles from another retiree from the Fire Department at West Point. I may need to do a drop in on him while I'm out here for the weekend.
Whats with the term Pennsyltucky? well thats sort of an inside joke a few of us had in the FD, but it sort of refers to a formerly rural part of PA now being sucked into the oblivion of the NYC metropolitian region. 2 hours from Manhattan and its still considered a reasonable commute. I wonder what some definitions of reasonable are? Still the Water Gap National Recreation area can be bucolic and relaxing; unless your training to run in a marathon then the hills around it are taxing.
Still I'm out here with several things on my schedule. a couple of training runs for the Marine Corps Marathon, dropping one motorcycle off at a shop I've been using for some time to get a oil leak rectified if possible, ride the other motorcycle in a Poker Run sponsored by the Pike County A.B.A.T.E. on Sunday and sit for my brothers two wee puppies, 6 months old and 60+ pounds apiece. Its good to have a cargo trailer sometimes even though motorcycles should be ridden and not trailered when practical.
Well last week I hit a high mileage mark in training of 50 miles and some tenths Oy Vey ist meir. Well now I'm reducing the overall weekly mileage and adding an additional rest interval especially now that I've a few really long runs on line over the next 10&1/2 weeks before the Marine Corps Marathon. I'll have a few really long runs yet, 20 mile range before the marathon. But now I can relax a little too as I adjust my training regimen.
Still I need to remind myself that I'm not running for me. but for those afflicted with a cancer, I'm running to raise funds to help find a cure, to help the families afflicted and to bring hope to others. Yes, I'm running a marathon, but the goal is to finish both a fund raising effort to help others and a race.
I could list statistics of mileages and times I've done in training but that is boring as hell. But let me try to describe my last 10 mile run here in Pike County.
I awoke at 1:30 AM and couldn't fall back to sleep. finally I decided that since I was awake I might as well make use of the energy i had. So I got dressed in my running atire and prepared to run. I walked along the dirt road from my brother's home to the main paved road; There I set my stopwatch and proceeded to run at 2:40 in the morning. Dark may begin to describe the early hours. Abient ligh being reflected off the sky from Haley and Port Jervis and the stars in the sky but not much light as there was no moon in evidence, a dark night it was. Thankfully at that hour traffic is minimal at best and I could run along the shoulder of the roadway. Actually since there was no real traffic to speak of I could run on the crest of the road on the double yellow lines, with my flash light turned off and see well enough to stay in the center of the road.
For almost 3&1/2 miles I followed the road towards the old grand Army of the Republic Highway. What light illuminating my course being filtered by the crowns of the trees crowding the road unless i turned on my flashligh to make my presence more pronounced for the few vehicles travelling at the birthing hours of the day, when the sun hasn't even brought forth the grey predawn light. Still I pressed onward to the west on the older highway towards my next landmark where again I would turn righ and head into darker woods and a narrower road which wouldturn from macadam and pavement to dirt.
The narrowe section of the road was crowded by trees so dense that even the braches intertwined above the road. No light made its way to the road bed at the third hour of the day. In the still darkness of my run the shades of black were subtle and difficult to distingush, a few times I turned my light on to help illuminate my run but still reverted back to the darkness of the natural nigh when I could. I've been told that there are 1000 shades of grey, that could well be true but in the darkness of night the unaided eye can become accustomed to a few degrees of darkness which allows you to move upon a wide trail unaided by artificial lights. This is some thing rarely realized by many of us anymore, still I am glad to have experienced it.
Finally I make my turn back onto the road I had originally started upon. still the only sounds were thoseof my own foot falls, the squishing of my sweat soaked running shoes and the occasioal dog barking his or her disagreement with my all too early morning run. At last I reach the point where I started. It was now the final quarter of the fouth hour of the morning, I had covered but 10 miles and it felt inexplicably longer. The night expanded the distance and time while still etching away at its ever steady pace seemed but to hold still for the run.
After returning to my brother's abode and letting the dogs out into the yard with the slowly lightening skies. I was done. The shower felt more refreshing than many in a longwhile and Morpheus the diety of sleepvisted upon me to help renew myself for the day that would unfold just a few hours on.
Ok so much for attempting to express what a midnight/run is like maybe not my best effort but I'm not a professional writer and I'm trying to relay emotions into a physical reality difficult to express. still being back at the "Scene of the Crime" sort of makes it easier to replay in my mind what occured and transcribe it.
So for now, Have a good night, I wish you a safe weekend and an easy one as well.
Q
Monday, August 11, 2008
Surprising little twists to life.
Yesterday after my 18 mile jaunt, I took it easy through the remainder of the morning and a nap from 12:00 to 13:00 (24 hour clock, 1 PM). Afterwards I went down to the local Irish bar which leads to the following nonsequitor.
There was a standing joke that if you stood at the intersection of Times square and 42nd Street in NYC you would meet practically every one you ever knew. As for myself I seem to come across people, or them me at random intervals and places. This held true yesterday; Well some people you never really expact to see again in your life, What with decades of seperation due to personal events and career choices. Well as noted I was in the bar and a small party walks in; Now one lady looks familiar, very familiar (get that dirty though out of your heads right now). Well unfortunately I'm staring and she's looking back, when she lets loose with my name. Small world and a big surpise she was one of my senior officers from the Army Reserves whom I served in Cuba and the Balkans with.
Some places, are like that, you can sit there and wonder whats going to happen next and wham you are part of whats happening. Well we had a enjoyable short conversation and things are going well for her and her family some of who where part of her party.
Again even I am surprised by the ramdom effects that permeate through life and this was one of them.
After the encounter, I had a few small things to attend to and eventually made my way over to Polish Officer's Memorial on the eastern most part of the plain, on West Point and parked below it on a spot overlooking the bend of the Hudson River. (shaddup, so its a long run on sentence, I'm not an english major). There I practiced my piping for a little bit before heading to Trophy Point for the Evening Jazz Knights Concert. Well I sat through the concert and it was OK, some music we enjoy some we don't. Well to me much of jazz sounds like a discordant cacophony of sounds, still there were a few pieces I found easier to listen to than others. Again tastes in music being relative.
Well that pretty much rounds up my day on Sunday. its amazing how serendipitous and random life can be.
Well, I'm off to consider other things today, possibly a easy walk through the Torne,
But its not to be a day of hard running as I am letting the major muscle groups relax and recover from yesterday.
Cheers & Prosit.
Q
There was a standing joke that if you stood at the intersection of Times square and 42nd Street in NYC you would meet practically every one you ever knew. As for myself I seem to come across people, or them me at random intervals and places. This held true yesterday; Well some people you never really expact to see again in your life, What with decades of seperation due to personal events and career choices. Well as noted I was in the bar and a small party walks in; Now one lady looks familiar, very familiar (get that dirty though out of your heads right now). Well unfortunately I'm staring and she's looking back, when she lets loose with my name. Small world and a big surpise she was one of my senior officers from the Army Reserves whom I served in Cuba and the Balkans with.
Some places, are like that, you can sit there and wonder whats going to happen next and wham you are part of whats happening. Well we had a enjoyable short conversation and things are going well for her and her family some of who where part of her party.
Again even I am surprised by the ramdom effects that permeate through life and this was one of them.
After the encounter, I had a few small things to attend to and eventually made my way over to Polish Officer's Memorial on the eastern most part of the plain, on West Point and parked below it on a spot overlooking the bend of the Hudson River. (shaddup, so its a long run on sentence, I'm not an english major). There I practiced my piping for a little bit before heading to Trophy Point for the Evening Jazz Knights Concert. Well I sat through the concert and it was OK, some music we enjoy some we don't. Well to me much of jazz sounds like a discordant cacophony of sounds, still there were a few pieces I found easier to listen to than others. Again tastes in music being relative.
Well that pretty much rounds up my day on Sunday. its amazing how serendipitous and random life can be.
Well, I'm off to consider other things today, possibly a easy walk through the Torne,
But its not to be a day of hard running as I am letting the major muscle groups relax and recover from yesterday.
Cheers & Prosit.
Q
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday's shenanigans report.
Fun with languages and interpetations, running, running amok, running loose and other bits of entertainment.
Have you ever paid attention to Andy Rooney on 60 minutes? Well I'm no Andy Rooney, but; Have you ever noticed....
The music industry and broadcast radio. The big chain stations all seem to have the same limited repetitions of dull songs? NPR isn't too much better but between those two extremes fall the Independent and College radio stations. Perhaps my current favorite may not entice you but Fordham University's WFUV out of NYC has some of the most eclectic programing you'll find and is entertaining to say the least. By listening to the independent stations I fing a better genre of music and new stuff actually worth lending an ear too. Its 90.7FM if you are with in range of NYC and on the net too. I think that can be found under www.wfuv.org but I may be wrong.
Irish music on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons. occasionally you may get a polka but Jimmy Sturr probably never.
Running Amok, well I'm actually tamer than I like to think I am, still I do get out from time to time and have some fun in different ways. This past week I scored two complimentary tickets to the NY Ren Faire in Tuxedo, NY. How'd I do that? Well Leaky Lena helped. Its a convesation piece though and some fun to run down the road from time to time. It just requires a significantly different set of skills to operate safely as its built along some old design criteria and is a kick start only vehicle, Motorcycle and Sidecar. But it won a plaque again at a cruise night.
Running; Oh no not again! Oh yes still.
Well depending upon how you recon the weeks or track events; to day is either the last day of the week of the first or the second. Regardless of how you recon a week the log book I am using to record my training for the upcomming Marine Corps Marathon show today as the last day of the week.
Today was also my longest run to date, not significantly more than my previous ;long run but still longer at 18 miles in 3 hours, 24 minutes and 44.64 seconds (it may of been faster but I stopped for a couple of potty breaks I could use other phrasing but I don't know if young children are reading this).
Still I started before dawn, attempted to run in a safe fashion and did my best Forest Gump impersonation. Along the way I spooked a deer, listened to the frog and other animals warming up for the morning's choral rehearsal, watched the stars fade the sky lighten and brighten and even caught glimmers of the sun rise over the mists and fog of the valley. Even saw a small bird with a yellow back and brown wings flitter about before heading nito the woods.
As for the statistics keepers, here comes the break down;
04 Aug, 6.6 miles @ 1:10:54.00
05 Aug, 3.5 miles / 2 @ 00:17:40.00 and a 1.5 mile slow jog.
06 Aug, 10.0 miles @ 1:52:36.09
07 Aug, 3.3 miles @ 00:34:02.64
08 Aug, 6.76 miles @ 01:13:37.40
09 Aug, 2.0 @ 00:20:38.21
10 Aug, 18.0 @ 03:24:44.64
Total miles 50.16. total time recorded 8:54:12.98
So if you need an idea of the time I've been investing, Well almost 9 hours just running this past week not counting other related bits of exercise. Hmmmm some steroids and lots of Gym time and Charles Atlas eat your heart out. Nope that ain't gonna happen. I don't need the drugs to enhance performance. Just give me beer.
I'm gonna be wearing my kilt more often; Ahhh freedom! hehehehe
Yeah I'm retired, and I'm not gonna wear Bermuda shorts, I'm just gonna have fun.
Maybe photos later, but now its nap time as I'm still recovering from my 18 mile run and its now noon time. But later, well we'll see what later brings.
have a safe day everyone.
Q
Have you ever paid attention to Andy Rooney on 60 minutes? Well I'm no Andy Rooney, but; Have you ever noticed....
The music industry and broadcast radio. The big chain stations all seem to have the same limited repetitions of dull songs? NPR isn't too much better but between those two extremes fall the Independent and College radio stations. Perhaps my current favorite may not entice you but Fordham University's WFUV out of NYC has some of the most eclectic programing you'll find and is entertaining to say the least. By listening to the independent stations I fing a better genre of music and new stuff actually worth lending an ear too. Its 90.7FM if you are with in range of NYC and on the net too. I think that can be found under www.wfuv.org but I may be wrong.
Irish music on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons. occasionally you may get a polka but Jimmy Sturr probably never.
Running Amok, well I'm actually tamer than I like to think I am, still I do get out from time to time and have some fun in different ways. This past week I scored two complimentary tickets to the NY Ren Faire in Tuxedo, NY. How'd I do that? Well Leaky Lena helped. Its a convesation piece though and some fun to run down the road from time to time. It just requires a significantly different set of skills to operate safely as its built along some old design criteria and is a kick start only vehicle, Motorcycle and Sidecar. But it won a plaque again at a cruise night.
Running; Oh no not again! Oh yes still.
Well depending upon how you recon the weeks or track events; to day is either the last day of the week of the first or the second. Regardless of how you recon a week the log book I am using to record my training for the upcomming Marine Corps Marathon show today as the last day of the week.
Today was also my longest run to date, not significantly more than my previous ;long run but still longer at 18 miles in 3 hours, 24 minutes and 44.64 seconds (it may of been faster but I stopped for a couple of potty breaks I could use other phrasing but I don't know if young children are reading this).
Still I started before dawn, attempted to run in a safe fashion and did my best Forest Gump impersonation. Along the way I spooked a deer, listened to the frog and other animals warming up for the morning's choral rehearsal, watched the stars fade the sky lighten and brighten and even caught glimmers of the sun rise over the mists and fog of the valley. Even saw a small bird with a yellow back and brown wings flitter about before heading nito the woods.
As for the statistics keepers, here comes the break down;
04 Aug, 6.6 miles @ 1:10:54.00
05 Aug, 3.5 miles / 2 @ 00:17:40.00 and a 1.5 mile slow jog.
06 Aug, 10.0 miles @ 1:52:36.09
07 Aug, 3.3 miles @ 00:34:02.64
08 Aug, 6.76 miles @ 01:13:37.40
09 Aug, 2.0 @ 00:20:38.21
10 Aug, 18.0 @ 03:24:44.64
Total miles 50.16. total time recorded 8:54:12.98
So if you need an idea of the time I've been investing, Well almost 9 hours just running this past week not counting other related bits of exercise. Hmmmm some steroids and lots of Gym time and Charles Atlas eat your heart out. Nope that ain't gonna happen. I don't need the drugs to enhance performance. Just give me beer.
I'm gonna be wearing my kilt more often; Ahhh freedom! hehehehe
Yeah I'm retired, and I'm not gonna wear Bermuda shorts, I'm just gonna have fun.
Maybe photos later, but now its nap time as I'm still recovering from my 18 mile run and its now noon time. But later, well we'll see what later brings.
have a safe day everyone.
Q
Monday, August 4, 2008
Monday Monday, so good to me....
Wow, can hardly believe I haven't posted anything since the 26th of July. I guess I've been occupied with life and not reporting my escapades. Well a cursory filler and back to life. Or at least what I percieve as life; for our perceptions color and build our realities.
Hmm, OK the usual inquire 7 response modes can't work but a simple reminder of the basic questions; Who, What, When, Where, Why and How? Sounds like the law firm of Dewey, Cheatham and Howe.
OK Sunday the 27th; Started the day with a three mile run then just took it easy as the previous day I had done a 17.8 mile run and needed to recover somewhat. Still posting these entries over a week later I've only my memories and training log for the upcoming marathon to refer to.
Monday, July 28th; 7.58 mile run in 1:30 followed by an attempt to respond to an e-mail where the attachments were more garbage than anything useful. Ended up riding my motorcycle to the White Plain's Harrison Border to hand deliver a hard copy and give a complain about the computer interface they are using, now files will be sent using a PDF format hopefully that will be better. Stopped at my Cousins' (yes, pural possessive) Fire department and spoke to John, he's going to organize his brothers and sisters to see if they'll make a donation effort to support my fundraising for the leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Tuesday, July 29th; Bagpipe Practice in the morning at 09:00 at Mr Joe Brady's and a 7.0 mile training run in 1:21 that evening.
Wednesday, July 30th; 9.8 mile run in 1:45 did a reversal of my previous routes and entered West Point via Thayer Gate, exit via Washington Gate, run along 218 & 9W, down Mountain Ave to Mearns, down to Roe Park around the west and south sides and then through Satterlee to home. I can also say it was a hot day as at 5:30 in the morning it was already 69 degrees farenheit.
Thursday, July 31st; 2.0 miles in 19:45. Ran up to the highschool track where I did one mile around the track alternating sprints on the straights with jogging on the turns.
Friday, August 1st; 3.3 mile jog in the morning followed by a drive to my brother's home in Pennsylvania where I would be dog sitting for the weekend. That afternoon I went to take the dogs for a walk, rather they took me for a drag and a fall. For two 5 month old 60 pound puppies I gotta keep them on a short leash. They literally pulled me off my feet and down a hill. lets just say I'm lucky no broken bones but my right hip will be sore for a while to come.
Saturday, August 2nd. 01:38 AM I'm awake and can't go back to sleep. OK only two things to do; Let the dogs out for a little bit while I get dressed in my running attire and then go for my run. Well. The dogs were back in the house, and I walk down to the main road near my brother's home. Its 02:40 AM and only the odd car or pickup truck is out as well as myself. Once I hit Twin Lakes Road, I turn right and start jogging towards US 6. Make a right turn onto US 6 and head towards Mel's Tavern. Once at Mel's i double back maybe 100 feet and turn left on to Little Walker Road, follow that down to Lake rd, turn right onto Lake and go right onto Twin Lakes Road back to where I started. Finish my 10 mile run in 1:51:01.36 and about 04:48 in the morning. Walk back to the house let myself in and the dogs out while I shower and try to nap for a while with the rising sun illuminating the sky in hues of pastel pinks, blues and white clouds. A harbringer of the coming day.
I rest fitfully at best but am refreshed by the shower I took earlier, make a simple breakfast of pancakes and set my running shoes out in the sun to dry (lots of sweat).
09:30 take the pups out for a walk and back. About 11 AM it is getting noticably darker outside so out I go bring in my shoes and here comes the rain. By 13:00 the rains have finished around 14:00 it off to Milford PA and the Post Office to get my brother's mail then back home via the market 15:00 I've an early dinner/late lunch followed by taking the pups for another walk. 21:00 I'm done for the day and in bed.
Sunday, 3 August; A day of more rest than activities. Although I did take the pups for a couple of walks and a swin with a few interludes of fast jogs but not of any real distance at least for myself.
Monday, 4 August; 06:00 and I'm off jogging again 6.6 miles in 1:10:54.0 Not overly long but long enough. Breakfast with my brother. I had french toast and porkroll followed by a bit of relaxation back at the house before calling a weekend and heading home.
So while all I've written about is food, pups, jogging and other assorted odds & ends. I also did some laundry during the week, bagged up some clothes for the Salvation Army and accomplished other minor tasks like grocery shopping. Just the mundane normal events of life. Still I did give up to the Salvation Army the Red Dress I wore a few months ago for another fund raising effort. I lost enough weight that I'm going down a dress size for the next Red Dress Run with the Hash House Harriers.
Well thats all for now.
Have a good and safe week everyone.
Q
Hmm, OK the usual inquire 7 response modes can't work but a simple reminder of the basic questions; Who, What, When, Where, Why and How? Sounds like the law firm of Dewey, Cheatham and Howe.
OK Sunday the 27th; Started the day with a three mile run then just took it easy as the previous day I had done a 17.8 mile run and needed to recover somewhat. Still posting these entries over a week later I've only my memories and training log for the upcoming marathon to refer to.
Monday, July 28th; 7.58 mile run in 1:30 followed by an attempt to respond to an e-mail where the attachments were more garbage than anything useful. Ended up riding my motorcycle to the White Plain's Harrison Border to hand deliver a hard copy and give a complain about the computer interface they are using, now files will be sent using a PDF format hopefully that will be better. Stopped at my Cousins' (yes, pural possessive) Fire department and spoke to John, he's going to organize his brothers and sisters to see if they'll make a donation effort to support my fundraising for the leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Tuesday, July 29th; Bagpipe Practice in the morning at 09:00 at Mr Joe Brady's and a 7.0 mile training run in 1:21 that evening.
Wednesday, July 30th; 9.8 mile run in 1:45 did a reversal of my previous routes and entered West Point via Thayer Gate, exit via Washington Gate, run along 218 & 9W, down Mountain Ave to Mearns, down to Roe Park around the west and south sides and then through Satterlee to home. I can also say it was a hot day as at 5:30 in the morning it was already 69 degrees farenheit.
Thursday, July 31st; 2.0 miles in 19:45. Ran up to the highschool track where I did one mile around the track alternating sprints on the straights with jogging on the turns.
Friday, August 1st; 3.3 mile jog in the morning followed by a drive to my brother's home in Pennsylvania where I would be dog sitting for the weekend. That afternoon I went to take the dogs for a walk, rather they took me for a drag and a fall. For two 5 month old 60 pound puppies I gotta keep them on a short leash. They literally pulled me off my feet and down a hill. lets just say I'm lucky no broken bones but my right hip will be sore for a while to come.
Saturday, August 2nd. 01:38 AM I'm awake and can't go back to sleep. OK only two things to do; Let the dogs out for a little bit while I get dressed in my running attire and then go for my run. Well. The dogs were back in the house, and I walk down to the main road near my brother's home. Its 02:40 AM and only the odd car or pickup truck is out as well as myself. Once I hit Twin Lakes Road, I turn right and start jogging towards US 6. Make a right turn onto US 6 and head towards Mel's Tavern. Once at Mel's i double back maybe 100 feet and turn left on to Little Walker Road, follow that down to Lake rd, turn right onto Lake and go right onto Twin Lakes Road back to where I started. Finish my 10 mile run in 1:51:01.36 and about 04:48 in the morning. Walk back to the house let myself in and the dogs out while I shower and try to nap for a while with the rising sun illuminating the sky in hues of pastel pinks, blues and white clouds. A harbringer of the coming day.
I rest fitfully at best but am refreshed by the shower I took earlier, make a simple breakfast of pancakes and set my running shoes out in the sun to dry (lots of sweat).
09:30 take the pups out for a walk and back. About 11 AM it is getting noticably darker outside so out I go bring in my shoes and here comes the rain. By 13:00 the rains have finished around 14:00 it off to Milford PA and the Post Office to get my brother's mail then back home via the market 15:00 I've an early dinner/late lunch followed by taking the pups for another walk. 21:00 I'm done for the day and in bed.
Sunday, 3 August; A day of more rest than activities. Although I did take the pups for a couple of walks and a swin with a few interludes of fast jogs but not of any real distance at least for myself.
Monday, 4 August; 06:00 and I'm off jogging again 6.6 miles in 1:10:54.0 Not overly long but long enough. Breakfast with my brother. I had french toast and porkroll followed by a bit of relaxation back at the house before calling a weekend and heading home.
So while all I've written about is food, pups, jogging and other assorted odds & ends. I also did some laundry during the week, bagged up some clothes for the Salvation Army and accomplished other minor tasks like grocery shopping. Just the mundane normal events of life. Still I did give up to the Salvation Army the Red Dress I wore a few months ago for another fund raising effort. I lost enough weight that I'm going down a dress size for the next Red Dress Run with the Hash House Harriers.
Well thats all for now.
Have a good and safe week everyone.
Q
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday's fun & Saturday's runaround.
Some days' even I can't remember too clearly but I'll make a stab at recalling as accurately some events in order to recount them here.
Friday's fun; Since I had the unexpected experience of the left knee cap imitating the counter part on the right. I felt a bit of preventive action was required if I where to run in the morning. So Ace bandage on the left knee as was normal practice followed by the original knee brace I was given for my left knee (It fits left or right) pulled on the Right knee brace dress and off I go.
Well I did fairly well, a few twinges on steeper inclines. But I got a 5.36 mile run in at 58 minutes and 43.67 seconds. I don't know why i bother recording the tenths, I just do.
That run was followed by a break in my usual routines. Normally, I'll relax and unwind with stretching, a shower and a bowl of cold cereal along with a cup of coffee. Since I was out of milk (gasp!) I decided to hit the local diner instead. Just a simple breakfast of french toast, sausage and coffee. Then over to the Credit Union to take care of a simple bill and withdraw a few dollars for the weekend. That accomplished, on to the near by military to use the shopette/class six store/ service station. Being a military retiree has benefits. Well at the gate, I get flagged into the inspection lane. No big deal, it hasn't happened in some time and I'm not in a rush any where. Just routine checks of ID, registration, insureance papers and contents of the vehicle. Cargo Van contents can be almost anything, mine typically are tools & tool boxes, cargo ramps and depending upon season sailboat and boating related items. So I'm good to go. and up the hill I go.
A pleasant surprise at the service station, gasoline was now at $4.16 a gallon. Well filled up got a quart of milk and a six pack of beer and headed on home. Most of the remainder of the day was uneventful, made up 10 copies of my generic Team in Training Donation request letters prepared envelopes and pledge forms, and just mucking about, before heading over to the South Gate (a local bar) for some human interaction. Well the person I would of passed a few donation letters off to wasn't there but I had two slices of pizza and 3 beers before heading on home, Round trip to and from the bar is 3 miles so rather than drive I ride my bicycle. Oh the horrors a healthy activity coupled with the unhealthy act of consuming alcohol. Additionally I got a call from my younger brother, he needs help to recover his car from the repair shop on saturday, so no problem and that sets part of the stage for the next half of this posting.
Saturday's Run-a-round;
I don't have much need of an alarm clock any more but occasionally it comes in handy
Today, Saturday is one such day. Its been 8 days since my previous long run in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon and today is another long run. Alarm clock goes off about 3 AM, for anyone else it would be an unreasonable hour, but as its the middle of summer and the heat & humidity has been gruesome all week, better early than later in the morning.
Well as I said today is a long run day, the previous week saw a 15.6 mile effort in 2:47:42.49. Today saw a 17.8 mile effort in 3:23:12.48 the morning was reasonably comfortable and I was really able to conserve the water and gatoraid mix in my camelback. It lasted the entire course of the run. I was planning to stop at Fire Station One on West Point if I needed additional water, but it held trhough, Cooler temperatures are a blessing. But I did drain the bladder when I passed by the front of where I live on my cool down walk.
Well, stretch, shower, eat and its off to the younger brother's house to help him get his car from the shop.
On my way there, I saw a few signs which stirred my interests, 411th Family day. Well there are two units in the region IDed as the 411th, One and Engineer Battalion and the other a Civil Affairs Unit which I had belonged to. On my way to my brother's home, I pass a car and driver I recognized, a quick call on the cell phone and I knew I was headed to the 411th Family day at the military recreation area this afternoon.
Brother delivered to his car and I arrived at the family day picnic. Saw a few folks i recognized and passed a few pleasantries with them, a few were surprised at my appearance, Since starting training for the marathon I've dropped substantial weight. But still it was good to see the few I recognized. had a couple of burger's some beans a few cookies two sodas and a piece of cake while there. and even was able to ask one of the Gentlemen I know if he might be able to take care of 10 donation requests for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for me. He was able to oblige me and I can't thank him enough.
Got home about 2:30 in the afternoon read a couple of email's made a few posts in a forums on the computer systems and took a nap from about 4 to 6 PM. Um I guess I was tired. Well that brings me up to date and the minute to posting on the blog today.
Next enteries won't be as long winded and I'll honestly try to add some pictures.
Have a safe weekend.
Cheers and Prosit Alles!
Q
Friday's fun; Since I had the unexpected experience of the left knee cap imitating the counter part on the right. I felt a bit of preventive action was required if I where to run in the morning. So Ace bandage on the left knee as was normal practice followed by the original knee brace I was given for my left knee (It fits left or right) pulled on the Right knee brace dress and off I go.
Well I did fairly well, a few twinges on steeper inclines. But I got a 5.36 mile run in at 58 minutes and 43.67 seconds. I don't know why i bother recording the tenths, I just do.
That run was followed by a break in my usual routines. Normally, I'll relax and unwind with stretching, a shower and a bowl of cold cereal along with a cup of coffee. Since I was out of milk (gasp!) I decided to hit the local diner instead. Just a simple breakfast of french toast, sausage and coffee. Then over to the Credit Union to take care of a simple bill and withdraw a few dollars for the weekend. That accomplished, on to the near by military to use the shopette/class six store/ service station. Being a military retiree has benefits. Well at the gate, I get flagged into the inspection lane. No big deal, it hasn't happened in some time and I'm not in a rush any where. Just routine checks of ID, registration, insureance papers and contents of the vehicle. Cargo Van contents can be almost anything, mine typically are tools & tool boxes, cargo ramps and depending upon season sailboat and boating related items. So I'm good to go. and up the hill I go.
A pleasant surprise at the service station, gasoline was now at $4.16 a gallon. Well filled up got a quart of milk and a six pack of beer and headed on home. Most of the remainder of the day was uneventful, made up 10 copies of my generic Team in Training Donation request letters prepared envelopes and pledge forms, and just mucking about, before heading over to the South Gate (a local bar) for some human interaction. Well the person I would of passed a few donation letters off to wasn't there but I had two slices of pizza and 3 beers before heading on home, Round trip to and from the bar is 3 miles so rather than drive I ride my bicycle. Oh the horrors a healthy activity coupled with the unhealthy act of consuming alcohol. Additionally I got a call from my younger brother, he needs help to recover his car from the repair shop on saturday, so no problem and that sets part of the stage for the next half of this posting.
Saturday's Run-a-round;
I don't have much need of an alarm clock any more but occasionally it comes in handy
Today, Saturday is one such day. Its been 8 days since my previous long run in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon and today is another long run. Alarm clock goes off about 3 AM, for anyone else it would be an unreasonable hour, but as its the middle of summer and the heat & humidity has been gruesome all week, better early than later in the morning.
Well as I said today is a long run day, the previous week saw a 15.6 mile effort in 2:47:42.49. Today saw a 17.8 mile effort in 3:23:12.48 the morning was reasonably comfortable and I was really able to conserve the water and gatoraid mix in my camelback. It lasted the entire course of the run. I was planning to stop at Fire Station One on West Point if I needed additional water, but it held trhough, Cooler temperatures are a blessing. But I did drain the bladder when I passed by the front of where I live on my cool down walk.
Well, stretch, shower, eat and its off to the younger brother's house to help him get his car from the shop.
On my way there, I saw a few signs which stirred my interests, 411th Family day. Well there are two units in the region IDed as the 411th, One and Engineer Battalion and the other a Civil Affairs Unit which I had belonged to. On my way to my brother's home, I pass a car and driver I recognized, a quick call on the cell phone and I knew I was headed to the 411th Family day at the military recreation area this afternoon.
Brother delivered to his car and I arrived at the family day picnic. Saw a few folks i recognized and passed a few pleasantries with them, a few were surprised at my appearance, Since starting training for the marathon I've dropped substantial weight. But still it was good to see the few I recognized. had a couple of burger's some beans a few cookies two sodas and a piece of cake while there. and even was able to ask one of the Gentlemen I know if he might be able to take care of 10 donation requests for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for me. He was able to oblige me and I can't thank him enough.
Got home about 2:30 in the afternoon read a couple of email's made a few posts in a forums on the computer systems and took a nap from about 4 to 6 PM. Um I guess I was tired. Well that brings me up to date and the minute to posting on the blog today.
Next enteries won't be as long winded and I'll honestly try to add some pictures.
Have a safe weekend.
Cheers and Prosit Alles!
Q
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Thursday and somethings gone awry.
Monday was uneventful, ran 6.5 miles in 1:13:35 and eased through the day.
Tuesday, 6.0 miles, 1:02:30 followed by Bagpipe practice and latter a conversation with a lady who found me interesting.
Wednesday, Rain, used it as a cross training day in the gym. 3.37 miles on the treadmill 30:00, 4500 meters on the rowing machine 25:00 and other strenght exercises. self practice on the bagpipe and then wander over to brewster NY to watch the Volunteer Fireman's parade there and see some old friends.
Today, Thursday. Woke up late, rain again, so off to the gym. 10 minutes on the rower as a warm up an 65 minutes on the treadmill. 6.5 miles in 60:00 with a 5:00 cool down. when the threadmill changed fro 6.3 miles perhour to 4.5 I felt a pop in my left knee, just above and outside to the left of the knee cap, OH OH, I know that sensation. Either a tendon or ligament let go as now after the customary R.I.C.E. treatment, weight bearing is reduced and uncomfortable, and the knee cap is able to slide side to side. Neither are good indications. Well I see Dr. Dy at the VA on the 31st. I guess I'll request my second Orthopeadic consultation in 6 months. and see how things progress from there. I've a sneaking suspision my left kneecap is dislocated from over use and not tracking correctly just as my right knee had done.
Well let me try to post some pictures from last Sunday depending upon the connection.
OK still can't load pictures, no problem.
And wish everyone a safe easy summer, I'm not out of the running yet!
Q
Tuesday, 6.0 miles, 1:02:30 followed by Bagpipe practice and latter a conversation with a lady who found me interesting.
Wednesday, Rain, used it as a cross training day in the gym. 3.37 miles on the treadmill 30:00, 4500 meters on the rowing machine 25:00 and other strenght exercises. self practice on the bagpipe and then wander over to brewster NY to watch the Volunteer Fireman's parade there and see some old friends.
Today, Thursday. Woke up late, rain again, so off to the gym. 10 minutes on the rower as a warm up an 65 minutes on the treadmill. 6.5 miles in 60:00 with a 5:00 cool down. when the threadmill changed fro 6.3 miles perhour to 4.5 I felt a pop in my left knee, just above and outside to the left of the knee cap, OH OH, I know that sensation. Either a tendon or ligament let go as now after the customary R.I.C.E. treatment, weight bearing is reduced and uncomfortable, and the knee cap is able to slide side to side. Neither are good indications. Well I see Dr. Dy at the VA on the 31st. I guess I'll request my second Orthopeadic consultation in 6 months. and see how things progress from there. I've a sneaking suspision my left kneecap is dislocated from over use and not tracking correctly just as my right knee had done.
Well let me try to post some pictures from last Sunday depending upon the connection.
OK still can't load pictures, no problem.
And wish everyone a safe easy summer, I'm not out of the running yet!
Q
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday Surprise.
OK, I was going to try to post some photos but I ran into technical glitches. Ah technology its a constant wonder; A wonder it doesn't drive more people off the deep end.
well let me try yet again, I may end up having to post one at a time Like that will be a surprise. OK that didn't work so no photos today folks, sorry.
Well Saturday, wasn't much of a day, I basicly veggetated and hid from the weather much of the day till mid afternoon. It was a recovery day from the 15.6 mile run on friday morning. Still thats not to say I wasn't productive the entire day. I did replenish my small stock of beer. 12 bottles that should last me about 2 weeks at best. As it was today I had two beers and that was more than ample with the heat of the day. But back to friday.
Before I replenished my beer stock I purchased two cans of spray paint in order to mark public surfaces. Whats that? Oh never mind, its the usual hecklers wanting to know if I'm branching out as a grafitti artist. No, not becoming a grafitti artist, although.... Where was I , oh yes the spray paint. Actually the public surfaces I was marking were the state highways adjacent to and running through the Military reservation at West Point. I had marked distances on the pavement previously in orange spray paint, every 1/2 mile from the firestation on 293 out towards Long Mountain Parkway and back towards Washington Gate. The problem I ran into was on my early morning runs I would miss marks for my turn around points. So I made the points easier to find. I painted flouresent orange and gloss white rounderals at the 1/2 mile increments. The gloss white donut around the flouresent center should be easier to find by flashlight at the obscene hours I go out for my long runs.
After painting 15 spots on the highway I went up to Round Pond recreation area to practice my bagpiping for awhile, followed by a trip back onto West Point to replenish my beer stocks before heading home and calling it a night. A 12 pack of beer should last me at least a week and a half. A bottle of wine won't last out an evening. While I like my beer & wine I prefer to go to sleep sober, its easier on me.
I never have to deal with the Katzenjammer Kid that way (Katzenjammer is an old german reference to a hangover).
Sunday, Hot steamy humid Sunday. Woke up got out of bed and didn't bother with a comb across my head. Nope took a little while to get my act together and went up to Fire Station 3 to Park and run 6 miles as part of my marathon training. Accomplished that in 1hr/3min/28sec. then went home washed my running atire and hung it out to dry & had breakfast.
About noon time I fired up Leaky lena and went to Antony Wayne Recreation are for the Rockland County Irish Feis. It was OK the heat & Humidity made it worse. But wathced a few pipebands, took some photos and then went to watch the attemp at a Guinness record, 300 celtic dancers in a line.
Well those where the photos I tried to post but it isn't happening tonight so maybe tomorrow.
As for my final escapade of the day; Well what I didn't tell you was that while at the feis, I changed from wearing my trousers to a kilt. I fired up leaky lena and rode home with the kilt flapping in the breeze. I must of been a humorous sight, antique motorcycle, kilt clad operator wearing combat boots just motoring down the Parkway.
Well hey it was hot and the wind blowing up my skirt felt good.
Ok thats all for tonight. Please, if you can make a donation to either the Fisher House fundraiser or the leukemia Team In training fundraier links on this page.
Thank you and have a safe night.
Q
well let me try yet again, I may end up having to post one at a time Like that will be a surprise. OK that didn't work so no photos today folks, sorry.
Well Saturday, wasn't much of a day, I basicly veggetated and hid from the weather much of the day till mid afternoon. It was a recovery day from the 15.6 mile run on friday morning. Still thats not to say I wasn't productive the entire day. I did replenish my small stock of beer. 12 bottles that should last me about 2 weeks at best. As it was today I had two beers and that was more than ample with the heat of the day. But back to friday.
Before I replenished my beer stock I purchased two cans of spray paint in order to mark public surfaces. Whats that? Oh never mind, its the usual hecklers wanting to know if I'm branching out as a grafitti artist. No, not becoming a grafitti artist, although.... Where was I , oh yes the spray paint. Actually the public surfaces I was marking were the state highways adjacent to and running through the Military reservation at West Point. I had marked distances on the pavement previously in orange spray paint, every 1/2 mile from the firestation on 293 out towards Long Mountain Parkway and back towards Washington Gate. The problem I ran into was on my early morning runs I would miss marks for my turn around points. So I made the points easier to find. I painted flouresent orange and gloss white rounderals at the 1/2 mile increments. The gloss white donut around the flouresent center should be easier to find by flashlight at the obscene hours I go out for my long runs.
After painting 15 spots on the highway I went up to Round Pond recreation area to practice my bagpiping for awhile, followed by a trip back onto West Point to replenish my beer stocks before heading home and calling it a night. A 12 pack of beer should last me at least a week and a half. A bottle of wine won't last out an evening. While I like my beer & wine I prefer to go to sleep sober, its easier on me.
I never have to deal with the Katzenjammer Kid that way (Katzenjammer is an old german reference to a hangover).
Sunday, Hot steamy humid Sunday. Woke up got out of bed and didn't bother with a comb across my head. Nope took a little while to get my act together and went up to Fire Station 3 to Park and run 6 miles as part of my marathon training. Accomplished that in 1hr/3min/28sec. then went home washed my running atire and hung it out to dry & had breakfast.
About noon time I fired up Leaky lena and went to Antony Wayne Recreation are for the Rockland County Irish Feis. It was OK the heat & Humidity made it worse. But wathced a few pipebands, took some photos and then went to watch the attemp at a Guinness record, 300 celtic dancers in a line.
Well those where the photos I tried to post but it isn't happening tonight so maybe tomorrow.
As for my final escapade of the day; Well what I didn't tell you was that while at the feis, I changed from wearing my trousers to a kilt. I fired up leaky lena and rode home with the kilt flapping in the breeze. I must of been a humorous sight, antique motorcycle, kilt clad operator wearing combat boots just motoring down the Parkway.
Well hey it was hot and the wind blowing up my skirt felt good.
Ok thats all for tonight. Please, if you can make a donation to either the Fisher House fundraiser or the leukemia Team In training fundraier links on this page.
Thank you and have a safe night.
Q
Friday, July 18, 2008
Friday's Foolishness & Follies
Good day everyone, Fridays are fun days for most because they start the weekend for many people for Observant Jews and Muslims the Sabath starts at sunset and that should be a time of joy. And for us Ne'erdo Wells, Lie-abouts and Jokers its a time to party. If we so choose.
Well a couple of none foolish moments before resumption of merriment and mayhem.
Fisher House is a Charity which supports wounded military personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces. I support its efforts and a young lady is going a few steps more to support it as well. She'll be running in the Marine Corps Marathon as a fund raiser for the Fish Houses and I would like to ask you to support her as well. Could you please check out the following web site and make a small donation there too.
http://www.active.com/donate/FisherHouse2008MCM/danawhite
A few dollars will help a lot of people. Just a few less cigarettes if you smoke, a couple of fewer beers if you drink, a few miles less driven even. All those minor sacrifices can mean so much more for those who've been wounded and injured serving in the Armed forces.
And there is the charity I'm supporting as well which can be linked from the column to the left. Thank you.
OK, merriment and mayhem! Let the frivolity start!
Marathon training; Oh yeah, oh boy, its fun, its what?!, Its 3AM?! What the hell am I doing getting up at 3 AM inorder to train for a marathon I must be nuts! Well i guess I am as the flickr photos of the Red Dress run a few months back should of proven.
Still I was awake at 03:00 and at 03:45 running down the road again and I'm flirting with Disaster, Oh wait wrong song. Still after 2 hours, 47 minutes, 42.49 seconds I found my self back where I started my short morning run of 15.6 miles. Back on the road again, turn the page. But all is not serious training and self abuse during the dark early hours. There are few travelers upon the roads and I'm probably the only runner. Yet I'll see things the drivers will miss. The moon setting over the hills where you can catch a few fleeting glimpses of it through the trees on the ridgeline before it falls below the hill. The Sun rising Gold and Glorious or Red and Foreboding of coming showers or storms. You get to hear things too if you listen. The choruses of Frogs in the ponds, Slap of your own foot fall marking time and distance, breeze rustling leaves, the bark of a dog disturb from its slumber by your run.
So while most people who consider themselves sane might never get up before the farmer and the milk man, they miss some things of life too.
So wheres the foolishness and follies? Its in not taking the opprotunity to do or try something different. Enjoy life, feel you blood flow & maybe your feet ache,
but theres more than watching TV or reading my missives in this blog.
Oh yeah yesterday was supposed to be a relaxed day, so I only ran 2 miles before going to the VA Hospital for Fasting Blood Work, I wonder how those results will screw with the Doctor's head and how she reads my files. Bwahahahaha.
Cheers & Prosit Alles, Have a great weekend, I'm probably off to the rockland Irish Feis on Sunday!
Q
Well a couple of none foolish moments before resumption of merriment and mayhem.
Fisher House is a Charity which supports wounded military personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces. I support its efforts and a young lady is going a few steps more to support it as well. She'll be running in the Marine Corps Marathon as a fund raiser for the Fish Houses and I would like to ask you to support her as well. Could you please check out the following web site and make a small donation there too.
http://www.active.com/donate/FisherHouse2008MCM/danawhite
A few dollars will help a lot of people. Just a few less cigarettes if you smoke, a couple of fewer beers if you drink, a few miles less driven even. All those minor sacrifices can mean so much more for those who've been wounded and injured serving in the Armed forces.
And there is the charity I'm supporting as well which can be linked from the column to the left. Thank you.
OK, merriment and mayhem! Let the frivolity start!
Marathon training; Oh yeah, oh boy, its fun, its what?!, Its 3AM?! What the hell am I doing getting up at 3 AM inorder to train for a marathon I must be nuts! Well i guess I am as the flickr photos of the Red Dress run a few months back should of proven.
Still I was awake at 03:00 and at 03:45 running down the road again and I'm flirting with Disaster, Oh wait wrong song. Still after 2 hours, 47 minutes, 42.49 seconds I found my self back where I started my short morning run of 15.6 miles. Back on the road again, turn the page. But all is not serious training and self abuse during the dark early hours. There are few travelers upon the roads and I'm probably the only runner. Yet I'll see things the drivers will miss. The moon setting over the hills where you can catch a few fleeting glimpses of it through the trees on the ridgeline before it falls below the hill. The Sun rising Gold and Glorious or Red and Foreboding of coming showers or storms. You get to hear things too if you listen. The choruses of Frogs in the ponds, Slap of your own foot fall marking time and distance, breeze rustling leaves, the bark of a dog disturb from its slumber by your run.
So while most people who consider themselves sane might never get up before the farmer and the milk man, they miss some things of life too.
So wheres the foolishness and follies? Its in not taking the opprotunity to do or try something different. Enjoy life, feel you blood flow & maybe your feet ache,
but theres more than watching TV or reading my missives in this blog.
Oh yeah yesterday was supposed to be a relaxed day, so I only ran 2 miles before going to the VA Hospital for Fasting Blood Work, I wonder how those results will screw with the Doctor's head and how she reads my files. Bwahahahaha.
Cheers & Prosit Alles, Have a great weekend, I'm probably off to the rockland Irish Feis on Sunday!
Q
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wednesday's whimsy
Just a few updates from this past Saturday, nothing critical or important and absolutely nothing critically important.
July 13th, ran 7 miles
July 14th, 3.45 miles
July 15th another 7 but at 5:30pm and in 80 degree F heat.
July 16th another 7 at from about 6:30am to 7:45am in 62 degree & sunny weather.
Total distance since starting training for the marathon; todate 292.9 miles. For the month of July to date; 89.68 miles. In comparisson by June 16th I had completed 81.4 miles.
Yesterday, I had Bagpipe practice in the morning followed by a trip to White Plains and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's HQ. I dropped off 46 letters requesting Donations for posting after filling out and stuffing them with pledge forms and picked up more pledge forms for my next set of mailings. The next set will be to various American Legion Posts in the region as the ones I just sent out have been to VFW posts.
I also stopped at one of the fire stations where my cousins work. One was working yesterday but the station he was at was in the opposite direction from where I was headed so no short socializations.
Yesterday evening I had hoped to run about 10 miles but with the heat of the day still strong at 6:00pm I headed back to my start finish point at the 3&1/2 Mile mark making for a total of 7 miles. Its a good thing too as i would have severly depleted my carried water by the 7 mile mark and been empty by the 8. Running on empty is no fun, nor is it safe to do. I don't need to go to the ER ever again for dehydration; done that once in my life and it was enough. But it did get me out of work for the remainder of that shift, I slept the whole time I had an IV in.
This evening I might make a run over to Bear Mountain for the weekly cruise night. I'll decide later. I may try to make it a fundraiser night for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well if I do go.
Well that pretty much covers the current events. Gonna grab my coffee and go slug out in the back yard for a bit.
Everyone have a safe and uneventful summer day.
Q
July 13th, ran 7 miles
July 14th, 3.45 miles
July 15th another 7 but at 5:30pm and in 80 degree F heat.
July 16th another 7 at from about 6:30am to 7:45am in 62 degree & sunny weather.
Total distance since starting training for the marathon; todate 292.9 miles. For the month of July to date; 89.68 miles. In comparisson by June 16th I had completed 81.4 miles.
Yesterday, I had Bagpipe practice in the morning followed by a trip to White Plains and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's HQ. I dropped off 46 letters requesting Donations for posting after filling out and stuffing them with pledge forms and picked up more pledge forms for my next set of mailings. The next set will be to various American Legion Posts in the region as the ones I just sent out have been to VFW posts.
I also stopped at one of the fire stations where my cousins work. One was working yesterday but the station he was at was in the opposite direction from where I was headed so no short socializations.
Yesterday evening I had hoped to run about 10 miles but with the heat of the day still strong at 6:00pm I headed back to my start finish point at the 3&1/2 Mile mark making for a total of 7 miles. Its a good thing too as i would have severly depleted my carried water by the 7 mile mark and been empty by the 8. Running on empty is no fun, nor is it safe to do. I don't need to go to the ER ever again for dehydration; done that once in my life and it was enough. But it did get me out of work for the remainder of that shift, I slept the whole time I had an IV in.
This evening I might make a run over to Bear Mountain for the weekly cruise night. I'll decide later. I may try to make it a fundraiser night for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well if I do go.
Well that pretty much covers the current events. Gonna grab my coffee and go slug out in the back yard for a bit.
Everyone have a safe and uneventful summer day.
Q
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Saturday Evening and I'm fried.
No not deep fried like icky mickey fries; just worn, beat and finished for the day.
Spent the better part of the daylight period today at my younger brother's place helping cut back some of the encroaching under growth then about 2:30 in the afternoon we went over to his neighbors yard. he's got a 23' deep pond/emergency resivour that is spring fed and a comfortable place to spend a hot afternoon.
Well I was in the water with my nephew and I guess between the coolness of the waters, the physical activites of the day and previous week. I had a killer cramp in my leg. The pain was intense I told my nephew I'm out of the water now and he is too unless his dad jumped in. Well the nephew was able to stay in the pond and I took a respite on a bench. I guess I was tired as I immediately Z'ed out. Right now the calves are tire and sore, I'll decide in the morning how I'll do my training run for the Marine Corps Marathon, I may just do a slow 3 miles and let the week progress with a build up to longer distances for the following weekend.
Good night everyone.
Q
Spent the better part of the daylight period today at my younger brother's place helping cut back some of the encroaching under growth then about 2:30 in the afternoon we went over to his neighbors yard. he's got a 23' deep pond/emergency resivour that is spring fed and a comfortable place to spend a hot afternoon.
Well I was in the water with my nephew and I guess between the coolness of the waters, the physical activites of the day and previous week. I had a killer cramp in my leg. The pain was intense I told my nephew I'm out of the water now and he is too unless his dad jumped in. Well the nephew was able to stay in the pond and I took a respite on a bench. I guess I was tired as I immediately Z'ed out. Right now the calves are tire and sore, I'll decide in the morning how I'll do my training run for the Marine Corps Marathon, I may just do a slow 3 miles and let the week progress with a build up to longer distances for the following weekend.
Good night everyone.
Q
Simply Saturday
Simply Saturday, seems like a OK title but its still early and the day has to progress through midmorning, midday, afternoon, late afternoon, early evening, evening and night so we'll see what develops later on.
But I've already knocked out a 3.3 mile run in 33:22.89 ( minutes, seconds and tenth's) Showered and will be headed up to the Barn this a little while from now. Either gonna kill some more evil, mean, nasty and vicious trees; work on the jeep or burn a brush pile. Nothing is written in dried out hardened PlayDough so that it's become set in stone.
Yesterday, I ran 9.92 miles. I could explian how I get these precise measurements but its highly technical, your eyes would glaze over and you'd start drooling. Lets just say that a planetary display & mapping program allows me to zoom in to a section of the Planet I'm on and measure the routes I've gone over. But its only as precise and accurate as points I plot the more plotted points the higher the accuracy. By the way I covered the 9.92 miles in 1:44:05.12 (hours minutes seconds & tenths) No I'm not going to explain the functions of a stopwatch either.
Other activities of a man of leisure. That means I've time to loaf, not act like Leisure Suit Larry. Will some one tell Statler and Waldorf I'm not Fonzie Bear! Geez Heckle & Jeckle their not.
Well I've mailed off a load of fund raising requests to Various VFW Posts and a Few American Legion Posts. Now I've got to make a trip over to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's HQ and get a load more pledge forms. I think I shall make that a monday trip. Also I'm got to wirte a bunch more letters and get them off too. I may need to replace the ink carteidge soon in my printer/scanner too. Well I can't complain, I the durn fool who what volunteered to do this gig.
Recreational pursuits; hey its not all goofing off on the computer cyber dating and never scoring. I've had Leaky Lena and the Harley Davidson both out this week. For a 48 year old motorcycle design Leaky lena does OK not if the other drivers would be civil on the road life would be better. Yeah right. Leaky lena is the Motorcycle and sidecar rig. Seen in some earlier pictures. The H-D is a 23 year old single seat motorcycle. As long as I don't drive them hard they behave nicely. Unlike statler and Waldorf, Hey will you Muppets quiet down up there.
Where was I oh yeah recreational pursuits. I might try to contact a few local Hashes and see if they'd be willing to support a run near where I reside. It might be a good way to raise funds for the Luekemia and Lymphoma Society. Entertaining if nothing else. Its too warm to consider Hosting a Red Dress Run. But a run through the confines of West Point may interest the folks. Must remember to mark an evil trail if I do. Bwahahahaha Well that should cover things for now.
OH yeah let me give a shout out to the Guys;
Benny, Thanks for the Brews last night The reactions down at the VFW when I showed up with Leaky Lena was different. Thanks for helping do some leg work for the fund raising. Have a safe week both you & Evelyn ( I'm sorry if I spelled it wrong)
Apeman, Have you finished your Keg yet? Its been 7 days since July 4th.
Also I understand your liver wants to sue for divorce.
Jo keep Ape in line will ya.
Well let me run amuck and see what mayhem I can cause in the world.
have a safe day everyone.
But I've already knocked out a 3.3 mile run in 33:22.89 ( minutes, seconds and tenth's) Showered and will be headed up to the Barn this a little while from now. Either gonna kill some more evil, mean, nasty and vicious trees; work on the jeep or burn a brush pile. Nothing is written in dried out hardened PlayDough so that it's become set in stone.
Yesterday, I ran 9.92 miles. I could explian how I get these precise measurements but its highly technical, your eyes would glaze over and you'd start drooling. Lets just say that a planetary display & mapping program allows me to zoom in to a section of the Planet I'm on and measure the routes I've gone over. But its only as precise and accurate as points I plot the more plotted points the higher the accuracy. By the way I covered the 9.92 miles in 1:44:05.12 (hours minutes seconds & tenths) No I'm not going to explain the functions of a stopwatch either.
Other activities of a man of leisure. That means I've time to loaf, not act like Leisure Suit Larry. Will some one tell Statler and Waldorf I'm not Fonzie Bear! Geez Heckle & Jeckle their not.
Well I've mailed off a load of fund raising requests to Various VFW Posts and a Few American Legion Posts. Now I've got to make a trip over to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's HQ and get a load more pledge forms. I think I shall make that a monday trip. Also I'm got to wirte a bunch more letters and get them off too. I may need to replace the ink carteidge soon in my printer/scanner too. Well I can't complain, I the durn fool who what volunteered to do this gig.
Recreational pursuits; hey its not all goofing off on the computer cyber dating and never scoring. I've had Leaky Lena and the Harley Davidson both out this week. For a 48 year old motorcycle design Leaky lena does OK not if the other drivers would be civil on the road life would be better. Yeah right. Leaky lena is the Motorcycle and sidecar rig. Seen in some earlier pictures. The H-D is a 23 year old single seat motorcycle. As long as I don't drive them hard they behave nicely. Unlike statler and Waldorf, Hey will you Muppets quiet down up there.
Where was I oh yeah recreational pursuits. I might try to contact a few local Hashes and see if they'd be willing to support a run near where I reside. It might be a good way to raise funds for the Luekemia and Lymphoma Society. Entertaining if nothing else. Its too warm to consider Hosting a Red Dress Run. But a run through the confines of West Point may interest the folks. Must remember to mark an evil trail if I do. Bwahahahaha Well that should cover things for now.
OH yeah let me give a shout out to the Guys;
Benny, Thanks for the Brews last night The reactions down at the VFW when I showed up with Leaky Lena was different. Thanks for helping do some leg work for the fund raising. Have a safe week both you & Evelyn ( I'm sorry if I spelled it wrong)
Apeman, Have you finished your Keg yet? Its been 7 days since July 4th.
Also I understand your liver wants to sue for divorce.
Jo keep Ape in line will ya.
Well let me run amuck and see what mayhem I can cause in the world.
have a safe day everyone.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Thursday: Ten miles & high, elevation wise that is.
Good day anyone following my missives and mutterings. Lets see where did I leave off?
Monday, OK so I need to cover some ground and bring some things up to date.
Which is faster a 50 year old jogger or the 48 year old motorcycle design shown above? OK which has more endurance? Some days even I have a hard time deciding.
Tuesday; was a cross trainingday, excuse me I said cross training not cross dressing. Geez I think I got the old guys from the Muppet Show's Box seats haranguing me. OK where was I oh yeah cross training day. Well bicycle to the gym, run on the treadmill for some speed work, shift to the rowing machine for total body conditioning then to the leg adduction machine to strenghten the inner thighs and a bicycle ride back home, Knocked off about an hour & fifteen minutes in the gym and maybe another half hour for the bicycle rides total.
Wednesday; Rest Day, not running or jumping well pretty much no running or jumping. Bagpipe practice in the morning followed by a trip to the DMV office. I tried to apply the registration decals on my sail boat the other day and they wouldn't peel from the backing paper. Not a critical issue but it could be a legal problem if I had tried to use the boat in public water ways and was checked out by law enforcement. Printed and mailed off a bunch of letters asking for donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the Team In Training program. I'm attempting to raise monies for the charity and they'll in return provide me a spot on the Marine Corps Marathon, That will also explain the insane, by some standards, distances I've been running over the past weeks.
Which pretty much brings us up to today. Thursday, ten miles of distance and high in elevation. Actually I ran 10.23 miles climbed to 785 feet in elevation above sea level then down to 4 feet above sea level before returning to my starting elevation. All this in the matter of 1 hour, 52 minutes and 04.76 seconds. Pretty good for a joker with weak knees. As for today I do need to get out a get some postal envelopes, legal sized work best for the charity mailings. I'm gonna have to send out a few hundred more I suspect. Still I'm going to use the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion as a contact base for my fund raising efforts.
Well that should cover much of what I've done and been doing. Been e-mailing a couple of ladies but I doubt we'll meet and develop a serious relationship. I might be too much of a Peter pan type individual for them.
Well regardless, to all who may read this have a safe day a easy week and a fun evening.
Cheers & prosit.
Q
Monday, July 7, 2008
Monday madness
It is Monday July 7th, the 7th day of the 7th month so what did I do to entitle this Monday Madness? Add the two numbers together and you'll have the answer concerning the number of miles I ran today in preparation for the upcoming Marine Corps Marathon. Actually I did 14.1 miles this morning in 2:36:55.55 not blazing fast like the elite runners, but I've never been an elite sports enthusiast. I'd rather just do some jogging and down a beer or three.
Well this week I can take it a little easier now as I've gotten the long run out of the way. Probably I'll hit the gym in the AM and then drag my little sail boat over to Candlewood Lake in CT for an easy afternoon sail.
In regards to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Team In Training Program, I'm not anywhere near where I should be in fund raising. 865 of 2800. Yikes! Well hopefully I can collect something for my day of Bagpiping for the local 4th of July Parade. I can only hope for a fair amount. Well I'm done for today, time to dress and play.
Have a safe day all.
Q
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Sunday Supplement / Independence Day Weekend
OK I've been busy with numerous things this holiday weekend. I guess a progressive break down is in order.
Friday July 4th. In the morning i did a 5.63 mile run in 59 minutes:41.52 seconds. Then relaxed and practice some bagpiping in the morning before heading to the Parade in the afternoon. I had a standing invitation to visit my older brother in Pennsylvania; Hitched a ride with the local Volunteer Ambulance Coprs to the gate at West Point for the parade line up; Marched in the local Independence Day Parade Ahead of the Local Volunteer Fire Department as a Solo Bagpiper (only bagpiper in the parade); Met members of the 82nd Airborne Association Division, Had a quick bit to eat at a AUSA function with them, May consider joining; Then drove over to PA to my brothers place arriving there in the late evening. There may be pictures available through the News of the Highlands and in the Record On line (Times Herals Record) Middletown NY. Did a impromtu bagpipe performance that same night at my brother's home.
Saturday, July 5th. Ran about 5 miles in the morning 50 min: 32.23 sec. Went off to breakfast ordered a short stack of pancakes that was huge. Both pancakes were overhanging the plate. I couldn't finish it all. Wow, the we went down to the bank and grocerystore for provisions and Ice and back home for an afternoon and evening of drinking and socializing. I wore a kilt all afternoon as it was the more comfortable clothes I had with me.
Sunday July 6th, ran about 2 miles roughly in 23 min: 27.36 sec. then took my brothers puppies for a walk/jog & run. The dogs are really nice pups need some training but not badly behaved otherwise. they are Bernise Mountain/Golden Retriever Mixes. I don't think they'll get much too much bigger than a Golden Retriever
but they ar 5 months old and 53 pounds already.
Left the house at 13:00 and I-84 traffic was moving slowly in PA. I guess the folks were a bit worried about doing 55 MPH through the construction zones. Still once I got to Chester, NY. I got off the Quickway, NY Rt 17/future I-86 and took Rt 17M. Lets just say its was less frustration than dealing with the NYC bound traffic and kept me in a calmer frame of mind.
Well I also stopped and fueled my truck tonight and picked up some t-shirts. I'm now wearing Large T-shirts down from extra and double extra large. Tomorrow morning I run again!
Good night and a safe week everybody.
Q
Friday July 4th. In the morning i did a 5.63 mile run in 59 minutes:41.52 seconds. Then relaxed and practice some bagpiping in the morning before heading to the Parade in the afternoon. I had a standing invitation to visit my older brother in Pennsylvania; Hitched a ride with the local Volunteer Ambulance Coprs to the gate at West Point for the parade line up; Marched in the local Independence Day Parade Ahead of the Local Volunteer Fire Department as a Solo Bagpiper (only bagpiper in the parade); Met members of the 82nd Airborne Association Division, Had a quick bit to eat at a AUSA function with them, May consider joining; Then drove over to PA to my brothers place arriving there in the late evening. There may be pictures available through the News of the Highlands and in the Record On line (Times Herals Record) Middletown NY. Did a impromtu bagpipe performance that same night at my brother's home.
Saturday, July 5th. Ran about 5 miles in the morning 50 min: 32.23 sec. Went off to breakfast ordered a short stack of pancakes that was huge. Both pancakes were overhanging the plate. I couldn't finish it all. Wow, the we went down to the bank and grocerystore for provisions and Ice and back home for an afternoon and evening of drinking and socializing. I wore a kilt all afternoon as it was the more comfortable clothes I had with me.
Sunday July 6th, ran about 2 miles roughly in 23 min: 27.36 sec. then took my brothers puppies for a walk/jog & run. The dogs are really nice pups need some training but not badly behaved otherwise. they are Bernise Mountain/Golden Retriever Mixes. I don't think they'll get much too much bigger than a Golden Retriever
but they ar 5 months old and 53 pounds already.
Left the house at 13:00 and I-84 traffic was moving slowly in PA. I guess the folks were a bit worried about doing 55 MPH through the construction zones. Still once I got to Chester, NY. I got off the Quickway, NY Rt 17/future I-86 and took Rt 17M. Lets just say its was less frustration than dealing with the NYC bound traffic and kept me in a calmer frame of mind.
Well I also stopped and fueled my truck tonight and picked up some t-shirts. I'm now wearing Large T-shirts down from extra and double extra large. Tomorrow morning I run again!
Good night and a safe week everybody.
Q
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Thursday morning rambling mind.
Well, I do spend too much time in front of a computer but part is relaxation and part charity work related. Still I have a life besides running and acting crazy. Although my relatives aren't too certain about the acting part, they'll swear that I am insane.
Today I slept compartively later, only because I kept a late night last night. I had Leaky Lena, my 1955 model Royal Enfield Bullet 500 w/ sidecar at the cruise night at bear mountain state park. It won a second place awards for motorcycles. I voted for another person's 1969 triump hardtail bobber. Still I guess some pictures would apply today.
Wow what do you know the pictures went right to the top of the page.
OK 3 more they are of myself, the door of a rolling SUNOCO station and the 69 Triupmh Bobber. Yes I've found a faster way to get around the bars! I'll be a winner at the next bar crawl fer sure.
If I don't post again soon, don't aweat it. I'm playing bagpipes in a parade tomorrow and then off to PA for a 4th of July Party at my Brother's home.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend every one and please link on the Team in Training website to make a donation to help a good cause.
Regards,
Q
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Wobbly Wednesday.
Wobbly is a apt description right now. Still relaxing from a 2 hour work out session.
Ran 4.28 miles from home to the Gym 45 minutes, used the rowingmachinr for 21 minutes it said I covered 4,000 meters thenover to the leg adduction machine for maybe 10 more and a run back home in 47 minutes.
Yesterday I took a down day, no exercise. Bagpipe practice in the morning followed by a trip to Vails Gate for two new trailer tires for my boat trailer, the old ones were 10 years old and worse for wear. Stopped and talked with a former work supervisor; All I can say is he's a surprising person and I can't thank him enough for his generousity. Then spent too much time on the computer formulating and sending off e-mails.
Statistics and boring bits since I started keeping a record of my Training and Fund raising efforts:
Total miles since I started training for a marathon 211.78; miles for the month of June 158.27; Hours and minutes spent running for June 30 hours 43 minutes. When you consider a full time job is considered 40 hours a week, factor in any time I spend asking for funds for the LEUKEMIA and LYMPHOMA SOCIETY through the Team In Training Program and I've probably work a full week towards the combined goals during the month.
As for now I am quite comfortable, perhaps I'll make wearing a light weight kilt my normal summer wear. Next step will probably be wearing Birkenstocks with the kilt. Oh yeah I'll be a fashion Icon of the summer.
Well, let me post this and go onto some chores I've been putting off. Have a safe week and be careful this up coming holiday weekend.
Ran 4.28 miles from home to the Gym 45 minutes, used the rowingmachinr for 21 minutes it said I covered 4,000 meters thenover to the leg adduction machine for maybe 10 more and a run back home in 47 minutes.
Yesterday I took a down day, no exercise. Bagpipe practice in the morning followed by a trip to Vails Gate for two new trailer tires for my boat trailer, the old ones were 10 years old and worse for wear. Stopped and talked with a former work supervisor; All I can say is he's a surprising person and I can't thank him enough for his generousity. Then spent too much time on the computer formulating and sending off e-mails.
Statistics and boring bits since I started keeping a record of my Training and Fund raising efforts:
Total miles since I started training for a marathon 211.78; miles for the month of June 158.27; Hours and minutes spent running for June 30 hours 43 minutes. When you consider a full time job is considered 40 hours a week, factor in any time I spend asking for funds for the LEUKEMIA and LYMPHOMA SOCIETY through the Team In Training Program and I've probably work a full week towards the combined goals during the month.
As for now I am quite comfortable, perhaps I'll make wearing a light weight kilt my normal summer wear. Next step will probably be wearing Birkenstocks with the kilt. Oh yeah I'll be a fashion Icon of the summer.
Well, let me post this and go onto some chores I've been putting off. Have a safe week and be careful this up coming holiday weekend.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday and the weekend preceeding
OK, its been a few days since I've added any content, so here I go.
As you can see by the pictures I'm no Russel Crow or similarly built famous actor.
I'm just the average guy you see schlepping along in life. About the only things seperating me from everyone else are my insanity with bagpipes and preparing to run a marathon as a fundraising activity for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through their Team In Training Program; look at the links in the sidebar please.
Saturday: lots of things happening that day. Woke up at 02:00 hours and couldn't fall back asleep. So by 03:30 i was parked at my old fire station preparing for my 12mile long run as part of the marathon training. Well the route I have laid out is marked off in 1/2 mile increments that are easy to see in daylight. Not so good in the early morning twilight & darkness. Well to hell with turning at my 5 mile mark as was the original plan. I continued on to a very identifiable location just a ways passed where 5 should be and turned there. Four Tenths of a mile is a little ways right? Well all said and done the run went a bit more than my planned 12. Just 2/10s shy of 13 miles at 12.8 Thats also about the limits of the contents of my camel back too. I'm going to need to stash water along the training routes to supplement what I carry.
Later Saturday morning, I went up to my younger brother's barn. Several projects I wanted to accomplish. Needless to say when I'm going to be at X location at a specific time I'm there. Little brother isn't as he's still recycling bottles at a redeemption machine. Well I'm want to get my motorcycle and sidecar out of the barn. This may be a good time to sell it. but he's got it blocked in witha couple of 55 gallon drums of diesel fuel. No problem I've moved drums before. Unholy Mother %@ker!
The idiots who delivered the fuel filled the drums to the top with no expansion room of course I'm wearing brand new dungarees and a bung blows off and I take a F'n diesel bath. Grrrrr!
well I finally calm down but some stupid people should be primary targets for retroactive abortions. No F'n expansion space in a drum. F'n brain dead morons.
Well I did get the motorcycle& sidecar out of the bar loaded on the trailer and hooked up to bring back home.
Also found out one of the reasons where & why his old plow vehicle (86 CJ) is dropping oil like an Arab buying American votes and interests. The plastic valve cover was over torqued and the rear snapped open. RTV black covers a world of ills but not that. Well we'll try to epoxy it together but I'm not hopeful. Otherwise its roam the can yards first for a used one or order a replacement.
Saturday night I get back and get to listen to the orchestra and chorus. Ask Barry what I mean. Bwahahaha
Sunday: In the morning a slow easy 3.3 mile run and pull the Harley out of wraps. then off to the Nam Knights Poker Run. A pleasant ride too saw a few interesting things along the way. Santa Claus impersonator with out need of padding driving a golf cart along the roadway. Big? he's sitting on the passenger side as he can't fit behind the wheel. Passed a farm and out by the road side theres a barn with some small out buildings next to it. I wonder what it is with goats and clambering up on to shed roofs? Survived a few showers, Me not stupid, me bring rain suit. :D and had an OK poker hand but 2 jacks don't win nada. the back home for a quick bite again with the orchestra and chorus so I'm off to a bar for a while.
Monday: woke up at 02:00 again; what the F is up with that? Anyways was able to relax and zone for awhile thenits was out pounding pavement again. Today just 11.2 miles and 590 feet elevation change. I gotta go buy some new running shoes. the ones I've got now are finished.
Well if anyone is curious what a cromagnon man looks like I've got the pictures up both dressed and with the sweater. With all that fur you might understand why i don't like the heat.
Well in a few days I should post a couple of motorcycle pictures too. If I'm not back soon don't bother sending out a posse, they'd get lost too. just kick back and have a safe week.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday's follies
OK its now Friday evening and I'll be calling it a night soon. Still I want to post a few items be for I head to bed and a 03:00 wake up call. I really want to start my 12 mile run tomorrow by 04:00 as it should not drop below 70* F/21* C over night tonight.
Went for a 4&1/2 to 5 mile walk this morning as its my day off from running. Walked up to about a 900 foot above sea level elevation and I've a few pics to post from that.
While a poem would be apprapo to the pics of the road less traveled I walked i'll let you think of a poem for it.
Also is a view of the Bear Mountain Bridge from about 900 feet elevation on a hill side behinf Ft. Montgomery, NY. and another current picture of my self, maybe just a little sweaty but in good form regardless.
Cheers & Prosit alles and please make a donation to the leukemia and Lymphoma Society through my linked page.
Thankyou.
Q
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday's tangent
You just know its gonna be a great day when its warm and humid when you leave on a run of between 6 and 7 miles and the skies are shifting between mostly cloudy and somewhat clear. Well It didn't rain while on the run, that would of been refreshing. It did however start to rain after I finished the run and was stretching out and cooling off. Still not a bad day on the road. Ran up hill going out and down hill returning. Not like I've much of a choice as its pretty much up hill going anywhere away from where I sleep unless I go down to the river.As for a running record of running, what you don't like puns? :)
Yesterday was a mixed day rode the bicycle ran and rowed along with a few other exercises. as for the run I banged out 3.38 miles in 30 minutes. Not a world record pace but still good by my weak standards.
Today, did 6.82 miles in 1 hour and 14 minutes. I wonder if the 580 foot climb in elevation + relatively high humidity had anything to do with the overall time? Ya think? :)
Tomorrow I'll be sleeping in as its a day I've scheduled off from running. Saturday it a early wake up and out the door. I've 12 miles scheduled to do as training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October. Still tomorrow won't be all rest and relaxation. Need to canvas a few businesses about fund raising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and its Team In Training program.
New running shoes monday; the old ones are getting pretty beat and worn.
Cheers and Prosit Alles!
Q
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