Okay, they're not really "New Year's" resolutions, since the turn of the calendar is only coincidental in this post. They're really more like post-holiday resolutions because until I'm back in my regular routine (and all the candy is gone from this house...one way or another) I won't be able to sustain any of this.
I've already mentioned some of my plans for 2009 (many of which are already changing), now here are some of my non-race-specific goals for 2009:
1. Eat More Vegetables
It's so simple isn't it? Just eat some carrots or broccoli instead of getting that Snickers bar out of the candy machine. (Of course with the recent actions Covenco has taken, the candy machine is more easily avoided.) And I like most vegetables, really. It's just that they're not all that easy to store when you bring them to work, and let's face it, they're just not quite as satisfying as a Twix.
2. Run More Miles
Again, very simple. As long as I don't get hurt. I mentioned in my week log that I'd like to get my base up from 20 miles to at least 30. This goal combined with goal number one, should have me running a lot better this year. If not faster, than at least stronger. For now I'll state that my whole year's goal will be 1000 miles, but that's not much of a stretch since I ran almost 900 this (injury-laden) year.
3. Be Helpful to My Wife
I've gotten some grief over my lack of action around the house recently - and frankly Ruth's blog post about her husband cleaning the whole house while she was at work didn't help. This one is actually a little easier during the holidays since I'm not pooped after working 8-9 hours and running another hour. But if I can change my attitude about housework, I can do it!
4. Do Strength Work
Believe it or not, this will probably be the hardest one for me to keep (good thing it's number four!). I hate working out indoors. And I'm not doing this so I can get six-pack abs and a great body - that will hopefully just be a side-benefit. Core strength can help you become less prone to injury. Supposedly. And after a year of dealing with retrocalcaneal bursitis, IT band syndrome and my usual nagging right knee pain, I need to do something. And quite honestly, my flabby top half doesn't look like it belongs with my toned bottom half.
That should about do it. Actually four feels kind of like a lot, but that's okay, if I blow one, I'm only a 25% failure.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
2008 Blog-in-Review: Top Posts
With a new year upon us, I think now would be a good time to review the last 12...er...10 months of Another Mile.
Since this blog has grown considerably since those early days in February, I thought I'd compile a list of the top posts of 2008:
10. The Crow Trap (May) It's not so much that this is such a great post, it's just a really good story.
9. Jeff Versus the Burrito (December) I like this post because it's an example of what happens when the active, sensible (somewhat) eating Jeff of the present revisits his overeating, inactive past.
8. I am NOT a Mountain Biker (June) My how I've grown since then. Although I haven't been back to Kain County Park since.
7. A Different Kind of Race (December) Strange how these December posts revolve around eating...
6. Face-Plant! (October) I think the title pretty much says it all.
5. JFK 50 Race Report (November) I wasn't originally going to include this one, but when I went back and read it, I really liked it!
4. Another 20 Miles (July) A long run on a hot day, always a nauseous combination.
3. The Grand Triumvirate of Supermarket Insanity (November) There are just certain times that it is imperitive to avoid the grocery store.
2. My Best Golf Story (September) I don't even know what I shot that day.
1. An Open Letter to the Green Bay Packers (August) This post is what spawned my second, oft-neglected blog, We Are the Peanut Vendors. Some day I'm going to have to post there again. It loses something what with the end of the Packers-Favre saga, but maybe the Jets will be hearing from me next summer.
So those, in my opinion are my top posts of 2008. Let me know if there's one that belongs here that I missed - as unlikely as that may be.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Good-bye Comcast, Hello FiOS!
Today I made the switch.
There has been a big movement lately for people to abandon Comcast Cable in favor of Verizon FiOS or basically anything else they can get a television signal through. And today I officially joined their ranks, switching to FiOS.
Comcast has gotten quite the reputation for being pretty smug. I've heard stories of people who have called to cancel their service and were told that "they'd be back." So far no one has switched back.
Similarly, when I called Comcast to cancel service I was told that "Verizon has had some issues with their contracts" and they had a $69.99 TV/Internet special if I change my mind. After a phone call to Verizon, I was assured that I needn't worry about the "contract issues" and went ahead with my switch.
The technician showed up at 9:30 this morning, worked until about 1:30 and we suddenly had well over twice as many TV channels at pretty much half the price of what we paid Comcast. Sweet.
That being said, I'm certainly not one to laud the virtues of Verizon. My former roommate, Scott can tell you that Verizon was at one point one of my two sworn enemies (the other being PennDOT.) I have spent more time on hold with Verizon than pretty much every other company I've dealt with in my entire life put together.
But I'm also cheap. And for $99.99 a month I can get television, internet and unlimited long-distance, saving me roughly $40-50 a month. If I take the time I've spent on hold for Verizon and charged them $25 and hour, I think FiOS will pay for that time in 3-4 months.
Unfortunately, it's going to take more than $40-50 a month to put PennDOT in my good graces again, so they remain my sole arch-nemesis.
There has been a big movement lately for people to abandon Comcast Cable in favor of Verizon FiOS or basically anything else they can get a television signal through. And today I officially joined their ranks, switching to FiOS.
Comcast has gotten quite the reputation for being pretty smug. I've heard stories of people who have called to cancel their service and were told that "they'd be back." So far no one has switched back.
Similarly, when I called Comcast to cancel service I was told that "Verizon has had some issues with their contracts" and they had a $69.99 TV/Internet special if I change my mind. After a phone call to Verizon, I was assured that I needn't worry about the "contract issues" and went ahead with my switch.
The technician showed up at 9:30 this morning, worked until about 1:30 and we suddenly had well over twice as many TV channels at pretty much half the price of what we paid Comcast. Sweet.
That being said, I'm certainly not one to laud the virtues of Verizon. My former roommate, Scott can tell you that Verizon was at one point one of my two sworn enemies (the other being PennDOT.) I have spent more time on hold with Verizon than pretty much every other company I've dealt with in my entire life put together.
But I'm also cheap. And for $99.99 a month I can get television, internet and unlimited long-distance, saving me roughly $40-50 a month. If I take the time I've spent on hold for Verizon and charged them $25 and hour, I think FiOS will pay for that time in 3-4 months.
Unfortunately, it's going to take more than $40-50 a month to put PennDOT in my good graces again, so they remain my sole arch-nemesis.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Week Log: December 22-28
Monday: Run 10.0 miles, 2:01 Appalachian Trail North from Trindle Road. Cold, cold, day.
Thursday: Run 3.7 miles, 37 min. Around the block in Rock Hill. Another slow start - probably thanks to the copius amounts of sugar and fat I've consumed lately.
Thursday: Bike 14.1 miles, 1:03 Rode with Dad around the back roads on the mountain bike.
Sunday: Run 6.4 miles, 1:15 Appalachian Trail South from Trindle Road. Considerably warmer (and muddier) than Monday's run. With temperatures in the mid-to-high 50's I was able to run in shorts and a t-shirt.
Totals: Run 20 miles, Bike 14 miles.
This week was a nice warm-up headed into my 20-miler on either Tuesday or Wednesday this week. Legs are feeling heavy, though. For now, I'll blame it on my lousy diet and work on straightening that out, but I may need a massage and/or spend some more time stretching to get all the kinks worked out.
For now, it's all about accumulating miles, anyway. I've noticed that in my longer races (greater than 15 miles) last year I tended to run out of gas near the end. I think upping my weekly mileage base should give me some much need stamina. My plan for the HAT run is to do my last long run three to four weeks beforehand, but then follow that long run with a 40-50 mile week before I taper to boost my endurance.
In the meantime, I plan on working my "normal" weeks up to 30-40 miles.
Thursday: Run 3.7 miles, 37 min. Around the block in Rock Hill. Another slow start - probably thanks to the copius amounts of sugar and fat I've consumed lately.
Thursday: Bike 14.1 miles, 1:03 Rode with Dad around the back roads on the mountain bike.
Sunday: Run 6.4 miles, 1:15 Appalachian Trail South from Trindle Road. Considerably warmer (and muddier) than Monday's run. With temperatures in the mid-to-high 50's I was able to run in shorts and a t-shirt.
Totals: Run 20 miles, Bike 14 miles.
This week was a nice warm-up headed into my 20-miler on either Tuesday or Wednesday this week. Legs are feeling heavy, though. For now, I'll blame it on my lousy diet and work on straightening that out, but I may need a massage and/or spend some more time stretching to get all the kinks worked out.
For now, it's all about accumulating miles, anyway. I've noticed that in my longer races (greater than 15 miles) last year I tended to run out of gas near the end. I think upping my weekly mileage base should give me some much need stamina. My plan for the HAT run is to do my last long run three to four weeks beforehand, but then follow that long run with a 40-50 mile week before I taper to boost my endurance.
In the meantime, I plan on working my "normal" weeks up to 30-40 miles.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas in the South
While most of my fellow Pennsylvanians are experiencing a white, wet or icy Christmas, I'm enjoying Christmas in Dixie, even managing to spend some time outdoors in just jeans and a t-shirt.
Hot summers and the local penchant - penchance? How about we just say fondness - for chitterlings (pronounced "chit-lin's") were reasons I left the south, but being down here for Christmas, there are definitely benefits to spending the Holidays in Dixieland.
1. Family: What could be more exciting that watching my 16-month old nephew Daniel open Christmas presents? I'm looking forward to that tomorrow. It's also nice being around my parents, brother, sister and brother-in-law too.
2. Weather: As I previously mentioned, much of pennsylvania is experiencing "winter weather." I'll be out running in shorts and a t-shirt tomorrow.
3. McAdenville, North Carolina: Christmastown USA is less than 30 miles from my parents house. A town filled with houses decorated to the extent I'd like to decorate mine. It's just tough to do in a condo community.
4. Edibles: My mom loves Christmas. My wife loves Christmas. My sister loves Christmas. And they all love having holiday food available in vast quantities. Shrimp spread, cheese and crackers, snickers cookies, peanutbutter fudge, and pigs in a blanket. It's important that I start increasing my running mileage soon.
So all you Yankees enjoy your "White Christmas" and I'll enjoy riding my mountain bike ride in 60+ degree weather this weekend...and Merry Christmas everyone!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Ten Icy Miles
I didn't have to work today and it was the coldest day of the season (so far). Low 20's with wind chills in the single digits. What better thing to do than go out to the Appalachian Trail for a run?
I bundled up in pretty much the same get-up as I had for the JFK 50, with a different middle and top layer (with the same functionality) and a slight hat upgrade (to my North Face blue beanie).
Immediately I took note of the snow still left from yesterday's "storm." Personally, I believe the weathermen around here tend to over-hype any snowfall to boost bread sales (Stroehman's is local).
I bundled up in pretty much the same get-up as I had for the JFK 50, with a different middle and top layer (with the same functionality) and a slight hat upgrade (to my North Face blue beanie).
Immediately I took note of the snow still left from yesterday's "storm." Personally, I believe the weathermen around here tend to over-hype any snowfall to boost bread sales (Stroehman's is local).
I guess trail maintenance slows during the winter. I shouldn't complain because a.) it's winter and b.) I don't volunteer to help the trail maintenance. (Maybe I should do something about "b.") But it's still annoying to have to climb over fallen branches that are laying length-wise along the trail.
Just like at the JFK 50, the cold didn't bother me much except when exposed to the wind (which was gusting over 30 mph). Here's the coldest point, which came just before the turnaround - normally when you think of the Appalachian trail you envision dense forests and rocky mountaintops but in the Cumberland Valley it also features some wide open farmers' fields:
How cold was it? Here's a picture of the top of my water bottle, that's ice you see on top of it:
The best part of the run was the last two miles headed back to the car. FINALLY, it felt like I got my legs back. After weeks of plodding along on my aching knees, stiff hamstrings and inflexible calves my legs finally shook loose and I put in a couple of very good miles after 100 minutes of grinding out what I could from my stiff knees.
Here's a parting shot of a puddle frozen solid. Those white cracks are from cars rolling over it, not my stepping out on it. I know, you people up in New England and the Northern Midwest aren't all that impressed, but here in South-Central PA, it's darn cold!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Week Log: December 15-21
Thursday: run 4.0 miles, 42 min. A few aches and pains but felt considerably better than I did on Friday.
Saturday: run 7.2 miles, 1:16 COLD. Feeling really slow. I'm not sure if that's from the cold or if I'm not yet recovered from the JFK 50.
Total: Run 11 miles.
This was sort of a hectic week, and I allowed my focus on training to wane since I'm still achy from last week, or possibly I'm still achy from the JFK 50. So with everything else going on, I decided it better just to give my legs a little extra rest and shoot for a 20 mile week next week and build from there.
We're headed down south to see my parents later this week and they're calling for some wonderfully mild weather. I'm looking forward to running in shorts and a t-shirt again.
Saturday: run 7.2 miles, 1:16 COLD. Feeling really slow. I'm not sure if that's from the cold or if I'm not yet recovered from the JFK 50.
Total: Run 11 miles.
This was sort of a hectic week, and I allowed my focus on training to wane since I'm still achy from last week, or possibly I'm still achy from the JFK 50. So with everything else going on, I decided it better just to give my legs a little extra rest and shoot for a 20 mile week next week and build from there.
We're headed down south to see my parents later this week and they're calling for some wonderfully mild weather. I'm looking forward to running in shorts and a t-shirt again.
Hopefully I'll be getting in a 20-miler by the end of the year. I really need to start getting the miles in if I want the HAT run to go better than JFK.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Child Abuse
Have you ever heard a kid's name a thought "what were their parents thinking?"
I read an article on Foxnews.com and thought that exact thing - but I can guess what they were thinking.
If you want to really scar a kid, give him a terrible name. Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue" comes to mind.
But there's one little boy out there who will some day wish his parents had been kind enough to name him Sue. Adolph Hitler Campbell. Are you freaking kidding me? They made news because a New Jersey bakery refused to put the kid's whole name on a cake that they ordered (surprise, surprise).
AP photo taken from FoxNews.com
The parents said that they chose the name because they liked the name and "no one else in the world would have that name." Ya think?
So maybe you could say they might have just made a misstep in trying to choose an original name, but then I read their other children's names: JoyceLynn Aryan Nation and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie.
If you want an original name, you could name your kid Styracasaurus Boogerlips. But no, Mr. Campbell chose to name his kid after a genocidal dictator. The choice of the name is obviously not because they wanted something original, especially when their other children have names related to the white supramacist movement.
I ask again: Are you freaking kidding me?
The good news is that maybe now that this family has come to light, child protective services might be making a visit and FBI surveillance will begin.
See more on this strange family here.
You can also google any of the children's names and get plenty of other juicy blog posts out there.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Covenco Survey Preview
Monday mornings are tough. I'm always struggling to get myself out of bed (on time) and have trouble making a cohesive thought without at least two cups of coffee. But this Monday I got some great news, Covenco (the company that stocks and maintains my company's vending machines) will be surveying employees at our office Friday morning.
I can't wait to participate in this survey! Normally I hate surveys, but really want them to hear my opinions! (You can tell I'm excited from all the exclamation points!)
Since my responses will probably be pretty amusing, I wanted give you a preview. Obviously I don't know what the questions will be, but I can still use my best guess (and I'll skip past the boring ones):
1. Which of the following best describes your opinion on the selection of snacks provided by Covenco?
__A. There is a wide variety of chips, candies, and even healthy snacks in my company's machines.
__B. There are too few healthy snacks but a good variety of chips and candies.
__C. There's not a lot of variety, but I always find something I like.
X_D. I'm really, really sick of stuff with peanut butter in it.
2. Which of the following statements best describes the prices for snacks in your machines?
__A. Less than most vending machines and even comparable to some retailers.
__B. More than most retailers, but comparable to other vending companies.
__C. More than other vending machines, but not totally ridiculous.
X_D. Totally ridiculous.
3. Which of the following statements best describe your interactions with Covenco drivers?
__A. They have always been kind and curteous.
__B. They don't go the extra mile, but are always helpful if I have a question.
__C. I generally don't like to bother them while they're working, so I never had any real interactions with the drivers.
X_D. It seems all the nice drivers quit about four years ago. Now they scare me.
4. How would you describe the freshness of the products in the machine.
__A. Always fresh and never any expired product.
__B. Occasionally expired products turn up in the machine(s) I use.
__C. Occasionally non-expired products turn up in the machine(s) I use.
X_D. I don't eat anything from the vending machines for fear that it may cause my expiration.
5. When you choose not to purchase something from a Covenco machine, what is most often the reason? (Please choose only one.)
__A. Prices are too high.
__B. There is nothing I like in the machine.
__C. There was nothing healthy in the machine.
X_D. I suspect that profits from the machines are used to fund Cruella DeVil's dalmation jacket.
6. What products do we not currently carry that you would like to see in the machines?
Red Bull, Clif Mojo bars, Chuckles, Kashi snacks, fresh fruit, Red Bull, Andy Capp's Chili Cheese Fries (hey, I can't always eat healthy!), Red Bull Cola, Naked Juice, Sugar Free Red Bull.
Hopefully my responses will have an impact!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Scrambling
It's been a busy weekend and will continue to be a busy week for Beth and I (hence, the erratic blogging lately).
So here's a quick run down of the happenings of the Lorow household:
- Beth had a fun weekend at her friend Jamie's house and brought back some delicious cookies.
- I ate some delicious cookies.
- My fantasy football team is in the championship game this coming weekend. This is my first year making the playoffs, after coming so close every year.
- Yesterday Beth's grandmother passed away. We're driving up to Greensburg in the snow this afternoon to see her family (her brother, Dwayne is flying in from California). The service will be tomorrow morning. We knew she didn't have a lot of time left, but we were surprised when we got the news Thursday night that things weren't looking good. Her husband rallied many times when the professionals at the home had counted him out, and a piece of us (or at least me) thought that she might do the same.
In the coming days I hope to be more regular about my blogging, because I've got some great thoughts hanging in the back of my mind that I'm looking forward to posting.
So here's a quick run down of the happenings of the Lorow household:
- Beth had a fun weekend at her friend Jamie's house and brought back some delicious cookies.
- I ate some delicious cookies.
- My fantasy football team is in the championship game this coming weekend. This is my first year making the playoffs, after coming so close every year.
- Yesterday Beth's grandmother passed away. We're driving up to Greensburg in the snow this afternoon to see her family (her brother, Dwayne is flying in from California). The service will be tomorrow morning. We knew she didn't have a lot of time left, but we were surprised when we got the news Thursday night that things weren't looking good. Her husband rallied many times when the professionals at the home had counted him out, and a piece of us (or at least me) thought that she might do the same.
In the coming days I hope to be more regular about my blogging, because I've got some great thoughts hanging in the back of my mind that I'm looking forward to posting.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Week Log December 8-14
Tuesday: Run 3.7 miles, 35 min. I managed to squeeze some running time in a few days earlier than I had planned. Not bad for the first time out in a couple weeks, but my legs felt slow and stiff.
Friday: Run 7.5 miles, 1:20. Colder than I expected, my skin was feeling pretty irritated by the time I got home. Also, I had some issues climbing the stairs when I got back. My right leg just wasn't feeling strong.
Total: run 11 miles.
BLEH! It's Sunday now and my knee is hurting. The right knee this time. I had hoped the extra rest would prevent this sort of thing, but now instead of running up South Mountain like I had planned, I'm spending this afternoon at home.
I did a little self-diagnosis using the internet and I think it might be some sort of tendon issue. I'm going to try some NSAIDs and ice and see where I'm at in a couple days. Sigh.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Attitude is Everything
FYI: This week I have finally joined Facebook. So if you know me, "let's be friends!" If you don't know me, thanks for reading my blog and I hope you come back - but we can't be facebook friends.
You may (or may not) have noticed that I've posted a little less frequently this week. And, I feel that the posts I did make were of lower quality than usual.
This is because I try to keep my blog positive and I had a pretty lousy week. At least at work. Obviously, in these times I should be grateful that I even have a job, but when decisions are made that you disagree with and your voice your disagreement and you are effectively ignored...well, I don't want to make this about work. Because I'd like to keep working.
Anyhow I remember as a kid when I didn't want to go somewhere or do something my mom would tell me, "of course you're not going to like it, not with that attitude."
Somehow that never really sunk in.
Then last night I was reading my Bible and came across Colossians 3:22-25:
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, ork at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism."
The Message translation uses the word "servants" instead of "slaves." I felt so convicted by this, realizing that I was being pretty lousy at my job this week. I want to say that I went back today determined to do well, but it was actually simpler than that. There was no steely resolve, just a quiet peace about doing better. And honestly, by the end of the day I was slowing down quite a bit and feeling burnt out and bleary-eyed.
But for the first time this week I got to go home on time. And I felt a lot less grumpy when I got here.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Looking Past 2009
In the last few weeks I've come across a lot of races that look really interesting to me. Just not interesting enough to forgo my plan to keep all my races to under 35 miles this year. But for 2010 and beyond these are definitely on my radar screen (Beth, you may consider yourself warned).
Uwharrie Mountain Run
This run is held in February in the Uwharrie National Forest in Central North Carolina (about an hour from Charlotte). This run isn't in option in 2009 because (a) it's already full (the website indicates that it filled "within minutes" of registration opening) and (b) it's a really hilly, challenging course. There are three distances: 8, 20 and 40 miles. I could do eight, maybe twenty, but definitely not forty. Not in the mountains.
Back on my Feet 20 in 24 Challenge
I'm a real long way away from competing in this one, but it intrigues me. It's a 24 hour race run on a 8.25 mile loop in Philadelphia. It begins at 10 AM and ends at 10 AM the following morning. You have 24 hours to run as many miles as you can. I've been curious about 24-hour races since I read "It's Seven O'Clock in the Morning" in the Sports Illustrated Archives. Definitely not something I'm physically ready for in 2009, but it's proximity to home makes it a potential future option as my fitness improves.
Trails For Tails
Another close-to-home race that I could potential do in 2009, but will probably wait until the 2010 edition to participate. In 2008 this race was a 50-miler, but is shortened to 40 miles in 2009. It consists of 5 8-mile loops in Codorus State Park in York County, Pennsylvania. My preference is to do the ASC Greenway Trail Marathon next September which I expect to be the weekend after the Trails for Tails 40 miler, and for some reason I don't think it will serve me well to run a marathon the week after doing an ultra.
The Western New York Ultra Series and the BEAST Series
I'm not sure why, but I like the idea of following an annual race series from beginning to end. The Western New York Ultra Series is a series of six events (BPAC Six-Hour Distance Classic, Highland Forest 1, 2, 3 (30 miles), Finger Lakes Fifties (50K and 50 miles), Green Lakes Endurance Runs (50K and 100K), Can Lake Fifties (50K and 50 miles) and the Mendon Trail Runs (50K)) held in Upstate New York. The past two years I have participated in the 25K race in the Finger Lakes Fifites and had a blast, so I'm interested in seeing the other races. The travel and monetary commitments prevent me from fully participating in this race series.
The BEAST series consists of six events in Virginia. All of the events have a reputation of being, well, beasts. Once again, the travel and monetary commitments involved prevent me from doing these races, but also the fact that this series includes the (notorious) Grindstone 100 miler and the Hellgate 100K means that I am nowhere near the fitness level needed to complete this series.
There are other 100 mile races that I'm interested in, but as I've stated before, I'm not doing anything over 35 miles in 2009. In fact, I've decided that my next 50 mile race won't be until I can break four hours in the marathon. And I've tentatively decided that I won't run a 100 mile or 24-hour race until I break 10 hours in a 50-miler. But I may decide to hold off on those, well, forever (but sometimes things change...)
Monday, December 8, 2008
5-7-10
I had a rather unique series bowling tonight.
I was in a pretty bad mood when I got to the center thanks to a rough day at work, and it didn't translate well when I tried to focus that anger at the pins. I had a pathetic 130 the first game.
I got things under control for a clean second game and a 182. 182 is a pretty low score for a clean game, but I had only one strike and nine spares. The third game was when things got wild. I opened with two spares then two strikes, and in the fifth game I left a 5-7-10 split. I thought I hit the pocket well, but I left the 5-pin (dead center) the 7-pin (far left corner) and the 10-pin (far right corner).
Of course, I didn't make the spare since it is pretty much impossible, but I did finish the rest of the game cleanly for a 188.
So if it hadn't been for my sour mood heading into the evening I might have had a halfway decent series, so I'm starting to think I might be about to hit my groove. I really would like to bowl a 600 series again, since it's been a while.
And if you're wondering how you can finish a 5-7-10 split, apparently this is how. At least in video-game world:
Sunday, December 7, 2008
I'm Ready to Run
It's been two weeks since I ran the JFK 50 and today, I'm feeling very ready to start running again. The side-effects I get from not exercising are starting to set in. Irratibility, fatigue and occasional headaches. It's not pretty, and I'm getting the feeling that Beth is ready for me to start running again, too.
The problem is this week is a mess. I/we have commitments every night Monday through Thursday and as I mentioned before, I'm going to be working 7-5 every day this week. (Which doesn't help at all with the irratibility and fatigue.) So unless I finagle some way to get out on Wednesday, my next run will be Friday night. Here's hoping I survive until then...
In other news, Beth and I got our 2008 Christmas tree yesterday. We always try to find a big tree because the ceiling in our living room slants up to our loft, giving us a lot of vertical space to fill it up. And fill it we did.
The past couple years, we have not been able to find a tree much more than eight feet tall, but this year we saw several specimens labeled "9-10 feet." We still bought a "8-9 feet" tall tree, but it's bigger than the 8-9 feet tall trees we've bought in years past. So big, in fact, it pretty much attacked me after I cut down:
Once we got it baled, it was a little easier to handle, but it was still a monster. I slept pretty well last night.
In order to fit it into the Element, we leaned the front seat all the way back and folded up the rear passenger-side seat and Beth rode home in the rear driver's side seat. It was not fun vacuuming all those needles out (but, I was tired and irritable anyways).
The problem is this week is a mess. I/we have commitments every night Monday through Thursday and as I mentioned before, I'm going to be working 7-5 every day this week. (Which doesn't help at all with the irratibility and fatigue.) So unless I finagle some way to get out on Wednesday, my next run will be Friday night. Here's hoping I survive until then...
In other news, Beth and I got our 2008 Christmas tree yesterday. We always try to find a big tree because the ceiling in our living room slants up to our loft, giving us a lot of vertical space to fill it up. And fill it we did.
The past couple years, we have not been able to find a tree much more than eight feet tall, but this year we saw several specimens labeled "9-10 feet." We still bought a "8-9 feet" tall tree, but it's bigger than the 8-9 feet tall trees we've bought in years past. So big, in fact, it pretty much attacked me after I cut down:
Once we got it baled, it was a little easier to handle, but it was still a monster. I slept pretty well last night.
In order to fit it into the Element, we leaned the front seat all the way back and folded up the rear passenger-side seat and Beth rode home in the rear driver's side seat. It was not fun vacuuming all those needles out (but, I was tired and irritable anyways).
Friday, December 5, 2008
Jeff Versus the Burrito
If you've read my wife's blog in the last couple days, you know that I've been required to work extra long hours the past few days (and probably all of next week). Since driving to work in the dark and driving home from work in the dark in the same day is a depressing task in and of itself (not to mention the 9-10 hours at my desk cutting and pasting spreadsheets) I decided to treat myself today.
So for lunch I went to Neato Burrito. Because I love Neato Burrito.
The problem with a Neato Burrito is that it is HUGE. It's as big as my head and weighs more than my nephew. Okay, maybe not that big, but it's big. And delicious.
This is why Neato Burrito is often my treat after a long day on the trail or on my bike. You're supposed to replace those calories you've burned at what better way than a cowboy crunch (cajun chicken, refried beans, cheese, barbecue sauce, lettuce, crushed tortilla chips and ranch dressing) burrito?
This is also why it is a poor choice when you've been sitting in the same chair for five hours and will spend your entire afternoon in the same chair. A very poor choice.
I actually ate the burrito at my desk, and sadly the burrito was falling apart even within it's shiny foil wrapper. This burrito was fairly poorly constructed (I've noticed that's been a trend lately). So I dumped it onto the paper plate (distributed with every burrito) and went at it with a (plastic)fork and (plastic)knife.
Things were going swimmingly until I got about halfway through the burrito when I started slowing down. I took a sip of water and a deep breathe (not at the same time). I managed to get through another quarter of the burrito before being stymied by its girth and my lack of caloric need.
So three-quarters of a cowboy crunch burrito sat in my stomach. All afternoon. And there's a lot of work to get done. This was not a good combination. My eyes drooped and I slouched in my chair. Having to work late on a Friday was bad enough, but doing so with roughly twelve pounds of burrito in my stomach was torture. But I made it, and I'm home now. And it's 7:30 and I think I'll be having water for dinner. And maybe a clementine.
So for lunch I went to Neato Burrito. Because I love Neato Burrito.
The problem with a Neato Burrito is that it is HUGE. It's as big as my head and weighs more than my nephew. Okay, maybe not that big, but it's big. And delicious.
This is why Neato Burrito is often my treat after a long day on the trail or on my bike. You're supposed to replace those calories you've burned at what better way than a cowboy crunch (cajun chicken, refried beans, cheese, barbecue sauce, lettuce, crushed tortilla chips and ranch dressing) burrito?
This is also why it is a poor choice when you've been sitting in the same chair for five hours and will spend your entire afternoon in the same chair. A very poor choice.
I actually ate the burrito at my desk, and sadly the burrito was falling apart even within it's shiny foil wrapper. This burrito was fairly poorly constructed (I've noticed that's been a trend lately). So I dumped it onto the paper plate (distributed with every burrito) and went at it with a (plastic)fork and (plastic)knife.
Things were going swimmingly until I got about halfway through the burrito when I started slowing down. I took a sip of water and a deep breathe (not at the same time). I managed to get through another quarter of the burrito before being stymied by its girth and my lack of caloric need.
So three-quarters of a cowboy crunch burrito sat in my stomach. All afternoon. And there's a lot of work to get done. This was not a good combination. My eyes drooped and I slouched in my chair. Having to work late on a Friday was bad enough, but doing so with roughly twelve pounds of burrito in my stomach was torture. But I made it, and I'm home now. And it's 7:30 and I think I'll be having water for dinner. And maybe a clementine.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
My First Group Ride
Today Fat Cyclist posted about how he's become the slow guy in his group. I commented on his blog about my first group ride, and I think it's a story worth telling in full.
This happened about two years ago. Beth and I were training for the Three Creek Century and it was late in the summer and I was considering taking up racing the next spring. While at World Cup getting something done on my bike I talked to the guy who worked there about my aspirations and he encouraged me to join the shop's club and ride with them on Saturday.
I said it looked from the website that those guys might be a little fast for me. "Oh, don't worry about that, we usually split up into two groups once the ride gets going."
So that Saturday I showed up at the shop at 7:00 AM for the group ride. There was one other guy there when I arrived. I said "hi", he said "hi" then somebody else showed up wearing a World Cup kit and then they just talked with each other. Then some other people showed up. And nobody really said anything to me. Finally, I saw some people on the other side of the parking lot not wearing World Cup kits and looking a little less intent on doing hill repeats while wolfing down Power Bars.
So I went over and introduced myself to them, told them I was new to the club and was thinking about racing, blah, blah, blah.
"If you're looking for some really fast people to ride with, you should come out to the high school on Thursday night, we've got a group that really hammers."
"I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet..."
Around 7:15 the ride leader finally got things going and we were off. To my dismay we were heading across route 15. To where the hills are.
I did my best to hang out in the middle-back of the group and just suck wheel (that's bike-speak for allowing others to block the wind). I knew the fastest guys in the group were way faster than me, and I thought the slowest guys in the group were probably at least as fast as me.
I hung on for a while. It helped when we all stopped so one guy could fix a flat and I drank some fluids and ate a Clif Bar while the guys in World Cup kits did hill repeats. We headed through the back roads and came out in Lewisberry about ten miles away.
"Be sure to get some of that Gatorade in you now," one of the other guys at the back advised, "we're heading towards the hills now."
I thought we were in the hills. I of course, didn't say that, I just said "thanks for the tip," and fought the panic of knowing I almost certainly was going to come out of this looking like a fred.
I didn't even make it to the real hills before I lost contact with the back wheel of the last rider. The pack moved on about a quarter mile ahead of me, but eventually somebody was sent back to drag me back to the group.
Once that happened, people started watching out for me and making sure I always had a wheel to ride behind. They offered tips like "keep pedalling, even on the down hills" and "stay as close to that wheel as possible - you might have to move a little left or right, but when you find the sweet spot you'll know it."
Then came the hill. A really big hill that I'm not even sure I could even find if I tried. Had I been riding at my own pace all this time I certainly would have ascended it - probably not with ease, but I would have made it. But I was already burnt out from trying to hang with this group that was obviously much fitter than myself.
I blew up part way up and ended up walking my bike up the hill. Embarrassment. At the top I re-mounted my Schwinn (this was before I bought my Scott Speedster S20) and coasted down the other side. Most of the group was waiting for me at a stop sign at the bottom of the hill.
We rode through some more back roads and finally came out in New Cumberland. The owner's brother, Dave, told me we had one more big hill to go. We were in New Cumberland, so I knew what it was. There is only one big hill between New Cumberland and Mechanicsburg. Slate Hill. The hill that I ascended every time I rode my bike home from work this summer. It's a nasty hill when you're burnt out from trying to ride with a really fit group of people.
I wasn't feeling great, so on the way to the hill I ran through a fallen branch that was pointed out by a rider ahead, but I failed to grasp the meaning of his gesture until it was too late. I really didn't want to go up this hill.
"Okay," Dave said, "I'm not letting you walk up this hill."
I crossed the creek and approached the base of the hill slowly, I downshifted quickly to get myself in granny gear to keep my legs feeling as fresh as possible on the way up. I had climbed this hill before, but it was tough even when I felt fresh.
I stood up in my pedals and my quads cramped up.
"AAH! cramp!"
"Don't surge," Dave advised. Just slow and steady. 90% of climbing is mental.
Yes, but that other 10% is pretty important, too.
I got about three-quarters way up the hill and I felt myself starting to stall and I tried to give myself a quick surge to boost myself a few feet and at least delay tipping over at a dead stop, but my quads cramped again. Dave saw that I might not make it and came up behind me, but his hand on my back and pushed me. I spun my pedals to gain some momentum, but couldn't keep it up. Dave pushed again.
Finally after four or five pushes I made it up the hill. And lucky me, the light was green at Lisburn Road, so I keep pedalling (per my earlier instructions) and headed down the hill, across 15 and back at the bike shop.
Oh man, I thought, I still have to ride home.
That was my first and last World Cup shop ride. They still hold the weekly ride, but the club and race team is now defunct. When I got home, I said to Beth, "I don't think I'm going to race next spring." And I didn't.
This happened about two years ago. Beth and I were training for the Three Creek Century and it was late in the summer and I was considering taking up racing the next spring. While at World Cup getting something done on my bike I talked to the guy who worked there about my aspirations and he encouraged me to join the shop's club and ride with them on Saturday.
I said it looked from the website that those guys might be a little fast for me. "Oh, don't worry about that, we usually split up into two groups once the ride gets going."
So that Saturday I showed up at the shop at 7:00 AM for the group ride. There was one other guy there when I arrived. I said "hi", he said "hi" then somebody else showed up wearing a World Cup kit and then they just talked with each other. Then some other people showed up. And nobody really said anything to me. Finally, I saw some people on the other side of the parking lot not wearing World Cup kits and looking a little less intent on doing hill repeats while wolfing down Power Bars.
So I went over and introduced myself to them, told them I was new to the club and was thinking about racing, blah, blah, blah.
"If you're looking for some really fast people to ride with, you should come out to the high school on Thursday night, we've got a group that really hammers."
"I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet..."
Around 7:15 the ride leader finally got things going and we were off. To my dismay we were heading across route 15. To where the hills are.
I did my best to hang out in the middle-back of the group and just suck wheel (that's bike-speak for allowing others to block the wind). I knew the fastest guys in the group were way faster than me, and I thought the slowest guys in the group were probably at least as fast as me.
I hung on for a while. It helped when we all stopped so one guy could fix a flat and I drank some fluids and ate a Clif Bar while the guys in World Cup kits did hill repeats. We headed through the back roads and came out in Lewisberry about ten miles away.
"Be sure to get some of that Gatorade in you now," one of the other guys at the back advised, "we're heading towards the hills now."
I thought we were in the hills. I of course, didn't say that, I just said "thanks for the tip," and fought the panic of knowing I almost certainly was going to come out of this looking like a fred.
I didn't even make it to the real hills before I lost contact with the back wheel of the last rider. The pack moved on about a quarter mile ahead of me, but eventually somebody was sent back to drag me back to the group.
Once that happened, people started watching out for me and making sure I always had a wheel to ride behind. They offered tips like "keep pedalling, even on the down hills" and "stay as close to that wheel as possible - you might have to move a little left or right, but when you find the sweet spot you'll know it."
Then came the hill. A really big hill that I'm not even sure I could even find if I tried. Had I been riding at my own pace all this time I certainly would have ascended it - probably not with ease, but I would have made it. But I was already burnt out from trying to hang with this group that was obviously much fitter than myself.
I blew up part way up and ended up walking my bike up the hill. Embarrassment. At the top I re-mounted my Schwinn (this was before I bought my Scott Speedster S20) and coasted down the other side. Most of the group was waiting for me at a stop sign at the bottom of the hill.
We rode through some more back roads and finally came out in New Cumberland. The owner's brother, Dave, told me we had one more big hill to go. We were in New Cumberland, so I knew what it was. There is only one big hill between New Cumberland and Mechanicsburg. Slate Hill. The hill that I ascended every time I rode my bike home from work this summer. It's a nasty hill when you're burnt out from trying to ride with a really fit group of people.
I wasn't feeling great, so on the way to the hill I ran through a fallen branch that was pointed out by a rider ahead, but I failed to grasp the meaning of his gesture until it was too late. I really didn't want to go up this hill.
"Okay," Dave said, "I'm not letting you walk up this hill."
I crossed the creek and approached the base of the hill slowly, I downshifted quickly to get myself in granny gear to keep my legs feeling as fresh as possible on the way up. I had climbed this hill before, but it was tough even when I felt fresh.
I stood up in my pedals and my quads cramped up.
"AAH! cramp!"
"Don't surge," Dave advised. Just slow and steady. 90% of climbing is mental.
Yes, but that other 10% is pretty important, too.
I got about three-quarters way up the hill and I felt myself starting to stall and I tried to give myself a quick surge to boost myself a few feet and at least delay tipping over at a dead stop, but my quads cramped again. Dave saw that I might not make it and came up behind me, but his hand on my back and pushed me. I spun my pedals to gain some momentum, but couldn't keep it up. Dave pushed again.
Finally after four or five pushes I made it up the hill. And lucky me, the light was green at Lisburn Road, so I keep pedalling (per my earlier instructions) and headed down the hill, across 15 and back at the bike shop.
Oh man, I thought, I still have to ride home.
That was my first and last World Cup shop ride. They still hold the weekly ride, but the club and race team is now defunct. When I got home, I said to Beth, "I don't think I'm going to race next spring." And I didn't.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tagged!
Yesterday I was tagged by my fellow blogger, JB.
For those of you unfamiliar with the practice of tagging, this is sort of like a chain e-mail for the blog worlds, except I won't be hit by a train, be investigated by the IRS or lose a limb in an industrial accident if I fail to "forward" the tag. If any of those things were to happen to someone who ignores a tag, it is merely coincidence. (Unlike when you delete that e-mail promising happiness for the rest of your life - those a real!)
The instructions on this tag is simple. Reveal eight things about yourself to your readers. This is of course, very open ended and a piece of me would prefer a more specific task, such as name the make and model of three vehicles you will never buy (Dodge Caravan, Nissan Quest and Ford Windstar) because now I have to think about my answers...
While I'm thinking I'll tag some of you out there:
1. Beth
2. Ruth
3. Katie
4. Mom
5. Matt
6. Scott
7. Mike
8. Dwight (Okay, so he probably won't respond, but I have to try!)
And now for my eight things revealed:
1. I was on my high school math team...and I was good.
2. I was on my high school golf team...and I was bad.
3. I love my church. I've never been a part of something that God was so clearly doing great works in - it's amazing. (That's why I do crazy things like drive five junior high boys to a retreat that's four hours away.)
4. I'm addicted to my blog stats. It's a total sickness.
5. When I was growing up my family owned horses. I had no interest in them whatsoever. I kind of regret that now.
6. A (very small) part of me would like a tattoo. But frankly, I can't commit to a piece of body art for the rest of my life.
7. I am the worst basketball player you've ever seen. And that's not hyperbole. That Jimmy Fallon song was about me. (I'm not Corey Feldman, I'm not Corey Haim / I've got a license to drive but I ain't got game.)
8. I don't like Coldplay. I don't hate Coldplay, but I sure don't like them as much as the program directors of pretty much every radio station in the country.
Okay, I've fulfilled my commitment. I look forward to seeing what those of you who have been tagged post. And if you don't respond, I'm sure that if your cell phone and car die simultaneously on a dark country road, it will be a total coincidence.
Oh, and no fair tagging back (or tagging those who were also tagged in this list). I'm pretty sure that's against the rules.
For those of you unfamiliar with the practice of tagging, this is sort of like a chain e-mail for the blog worlds, except I won't be hit by a train, be investigated by the IRS or lose a limb in an industrial accident if I fail to "forward" the tag. If any of those things were to happen to someone who ignores a tag, it is merely coincidence. (Unlike when you delete that e-mail promising happiness for the rest of your life - those a real!)
The instructions on this tag is simple. Reveal eight things about yourself to your readers. This is of course, very open ended and a piece of me would prefer a more specific task, such as name the make and model of three vehicles you will never buy (Dodge Caravan, Nissan Quest and Ford Windstar) because now I have to think about my answers...
While I'm thinking I'll tag some of you out there:
1. Beth
2. Ruth
3. Katie
4. Mom
5. Matt
6. Scott
7. Mike
8. Dwight (Okay, so he probably won't respond, but I have to try!)
And now for my eight things revealed:
1. I was on my high school math team...and I was good.
2. I was on my high school golf team...and I was bad.
3. I love my church. I've never been a part of something that God was so clearly doing great works in - it's amazing. (That's why I do crazy things like drive five junior high boys to a retreat that's four hours away.)
4. I'm addicted to my blog stats. It's a total sickness.
5. When I was growing up my family owned horses. I had no interest in them whatsoever. I kind of regret that now.
6. A (very small) part of me would like a tattoo. But frankly, I can't commit to a piece of body art for the rest of my life.
7. I am the worst basketball player you've ever seen. And that's not hyperbole. That Jimmy Fallon song was about me. (I'm not Corey Feldman, I'm not Corey Haim / I've got a license to drive but I ain't got game.)
8. I don't like Coldplay. I don't hate Coldplay, but I sure don't like them as much as the program directors of pretty much every radio station in the country.
Okay, I've fulfilled my commitment. I look forward to seeing what those of you who have been tagged post. And if you don't respond, I'm sure that if your cell phone and car die simultaneously on a dark country road, it will be a total coincidence.
Oh, and no fair tagging back (or tagging those who were also tagged in this list). I'm pretty sure that's against the rules.
Monday, December 1, 2008
A Different Kind of Race
Although it has been over a week since I finished the JFK 50 and I haven't run a step since then (well, maybe a couple to get out of the rain), I know find myself in another race.
I'm in a race against time to consume Thanksgiving leftovers.
Beth and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner for her parents this year and now we're left with the aftermath: literally pounds of leftovers. And in generally, we're pretty lousy about eating leftovers. So I have devised a three pronged attack for these goods:
Prong 1: Breakfast. Yes, breakfast. Apple Pie, pumpkin roll, pumpkin cobbler, and even sweet potatoes make for good breakfast foods. They're really no different than having a donut or danish - except better. I have had pumpkin involved in every breakfast since Friday morning (and had apple pie Thursday morning - thanks Mom!). And if you don't like sweets for breakfast...well, I guess we'll just never understand each other.
Prong 2: Lunch. Two words: Turkey Sandwiches. This is actually what I usually eat for lunch, except now I'll have it with real carved turkey instead of lunch meat and butter instead of cheese.
Prong 3: Dinner. This is essentially the same as lunch, except with side dishes. And gravy.
Now you may be thinking, "don't you get sick of eating nothing but Thanksgiving for days on end?" Of course I do, this is why it's important to break it up with non-turkey related meals. Friday we had lunch/dinner at Chili's and I had a big burger. And I can't eat Thanksgiving food before bowling tonight, so I'll probably hit Chick-Fil-A.
But contents of my refridgerator be warned: I'll be back for more turkey tomorrow, and I might even need a snack when I get home tonight!
I'm in a race against time to consume Thanksgiving leftovers.
Beth and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner for her parents this year and now we're left with the aftermath: literally pounds of leftovers. And in generally, we're pretty lousy about eating leftovers. So I have devised a three pronged attack for these goods:
Prong 1: Breakfast. Yes, breakfast. Apple Pie, pumpkin roll, pumpkin cobbler, and even sweet potatoes make for good breakfast foods. They're really no different than having a donut or danish - except better. I have had pumpkin involved in every breakfast since Friday morning (and had apple pie Thursday morning - thanks Mom!). And if you don't like sweets for breakfast...well, I guess we'll just never understand each other.
Prong 2: Lunch. Two words: Turkey Sandwiches. This is actually what I usually eat for lunch, except now I'll have it with real carved turkey instead of lunch meat and butter instead of cheese.
Prong 3: Dinner. This is essentially the same as lunch, except with side dishes. And gravy.
Now you may be thinking, "don't you get sick of eating nothing but Thanksgiving for days on end?" Of course I do, this is why it's important to break it up with non-turkey related meals. Friday we had lunch/dinner at Chili's and I had a big burger. And I can't eat Thanksgiving food before bowling tonight, so I'll probably hit Chick-Fil-A.
But contents of my refridgerator be warned: I'll be back for more turkey tomorrow, and I might even need a snack when I get home tonight!
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