10.31.06

BOO!

Another day off... going to the dr (I hope).

10.30.06

Feeling LOUSY! Another day off.

Another Update on the Bathroom Scale

Shipped the faulty bathroom scale off to Conaire (that's who it's made by) for a replacement today. $11.41! Guess I'm out that much. It's doubtful they are going to reimburse me.

10.28.06

3 miles. FAST run.

10.27.06

Fast 3-mile run.

10.26.06

8 miles. Easy pace. Tough afternoon run. Tough running after a Boca burger. Ugh... thought I would barf!

Camping out again...

Last night we endured our 3^rd CFA Grand Opening “First 100” campout. I say “endured” because well, here’s why…

On the way to the campout I wanted to stop at a running store in Peachtree City to get a new pair of running shoes. You may have read about this in my race post last Saturday. (I was going to get them after the race but they weren’t open and well I knew I was going to be back out that way on Wednesday so I’d pick them up on the way to the campout, blah, blah, blah…) So we stop and get the shoes (and some socks). We get to the campout and we are numbers 101 and 102 :~( Oh Boy…

Remember, it’s the “First 100”. We had said we wouldn’t stay if we were not numbers 100 or below.

Now they do have a raffle in the morning for those with numbers over 100. Some of those will also win the year’s worth of free CFA. And, there is always a chance someone will leave and not stay the night and we would get their numbers, or drop down to 99 and 100, or something like that.

So, we decide to stay…

It’s cold and rain is on the way. You can’t park your car near by, so you have to drive it down to New Hope South (about a mile I guess) and are shuttled back by CFA van. The Praise Band from New Hope South is there. THEY’RE LOUD! 2 bus loads of teens from NHS show up. It’s ALL about New Hope South I’m beginning to think...

It was a pretty LOUD night (the music was loud, the people were loud, the movie was loud) and the rains did fall. Fortunately, they weren’t falling when we were packing up in the a.m. There were some obnoxious, unsupervised kids running amuck that kept kicking their ball into our tent – and others’ tents as well. Someone told them to go play somewhere else :~O

Morning comes and there is the cow in his PJs. What a funny sight!

No one left. How could they? Their cars were a mile away. What was I thinking?

Then there was the raffle. You get a ticket for every hour you are there so I felt our chances are pretty good. They will draw 8 numbers to receive the free CFA for a year. My buddy is like the 5^th or 6^th to win. YEAH! I win too, number 7 I think. WoW! I’m off the hook! Thought I was going to be in the dog house for sure because we stopped to get those new shoes!

Another campout ends successfully! The tent is in the sunroom drying I write. What’s for dinner tonight? I think it might be CFA…

The Cow in his PJs. 

Having the FIRST Peppermint Hot Chocolate of the season (non-fat of course)

Update on the Bathroom Scale

So, last Wednesday I go to Target to purchase a new bathroom scale. I look over in housewares where I have seen the Weight Watcher’s scale on sale before – no scales. I think to myself, “Well, maybe they’ve moved the scales over into Bed & Bath.” That makes more sense to me anyway. So I look in Bed & Bath, still no scales. I ask, and sure enough they are in Bed & Bath. I just missed them. I go back and look again and low and behold, they don’t sell the WW scale any more.

I decide to go down to Bed, Bath & Beyond to look. Sure enough they sell the WW scale. They have ONE left and there is a lady (that needs it more than I) with the LAST ONE in her hands…

On Thursday I decide rather than run all over town looking for it I’ll just order it off the Internet. I did that and it arrived yesterday (Tuesday). This morning, one week after my search began for my WW scale I step on the new scale to program in my height, age, weight, etc. and find out my BMI. IT DOESN’T WORK!!!

Now I’m in touch with customer service via email as to what to do.

BUMMER!!!

10.25.06

5 miles. Good run. Enough for a CFA milkshake.

Internet Explorer 7.0 vs. Firefox

Microsoft is in the process of releasing the newest version of Internet Explorer. There is a lot of buzz in the Internet community about how version 7.0 (or IE7) will affect the web. I'’ll cut through the chatter and give you the facts about this new browser.

Internet Explorer 7.0 may cause many otherwise well-built sites to display improperly. According to IT Week, IE7 was not built to be fully compliant with the universally accepted web standards that have been in place for many years. Because of this, no one is immune to potential problems.

Because of all the problems IE7 is causing, there is no better time to switch to the Firefox browser. Firefox has been capturing Internet Explorer's market share for a few years now. In fact, Wired Magazine points out that IE7 is merely an attempt to catch-up to Firefox in terms of functionality and security. Go to http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/ to download and try the Firefox browser. I'’m sure you'll love Firefox as much as I do.

10.24.06

3 miles. Easy run.

Let me tell you what our HIGHLY intelligent cat did last night. You won't believe this one! She's been jumping on the kitchen counter lately and we are trying to eliminate this problem -- working on it. But last night we were sitting, watching TV, when out of the corner of my eye I see her on the edge of the counter just in time to see her reach up with her paw and flip on the light switch. No REALLY! She flipped on the light switch with her paw and then she jumped down off the counter. Unbelievable! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes! HIGHLY intelligent I'm telling you... HIGHLY!

10.23.06

A day off. Will run tomorrow.

2006 Peachtree City Classic 1:25

GREAT RACE! 15K (9.3 miles) 1:25. I was shooting for 1:30 so 1:25 is EXCELLENTO! I was really chilly to start off with. I seem to forget how much colder it is at the Peachtree City race than others. I guess being by the water (the lake) and in the (shady) woods on the golf cart trails most of the time makes it colder than if you were just running down Ronald Reagan Parkway or something of the sort. I would venture to guess 5° or so colder. However, by mile 2 I was glad I was only wearing a singlet and running shorts. There were people all around me pealing off jackets, shirts, hats, gloves and so on…

I made one mistake I need to avoid in the future, OK, maybe 2. First, running through the wet grass as I warmed up before the race. Got my shoes wet and I could feel it through my socks although, after the race got started it didn’t bother me at all. Second, that chocolate chocolate chip waffle I had last night. Probably not a good idea :~(

The race itself was absolutely spectacular as usual. Peaceful, quiet, a mist rising over the lake, golden leaves falling gently to the ground from the trees above, the sun making its way in tiny beams of light through the trees. You couldn’t ask for a better spot to run 9 miles!

Met some employees from a running store in Peachtree City (Run Fit Sports) at the Expo before the race. I didn’t even know there was a running store in Peachtree City until I was looking online last week for a place to purchase Clif Shot. I’m happy to report though that there IS! And now I have a new place to purchase Fuel Belt supplies, shoes, and the like. One of the employees commented on my (new) shoes saying that they were the best running shoes ever developed – BOY! That was stepping out there! Anyway, he was asking how I like them and all. I told him how happy I was with them. He said they still have some at their store. They are last year’s model. This year’s is constructed a little different and I tried them on but didn’t like them. He said they still had some left in my size and he could sell them to me for $89. I told him I got these at Phidippides for $64. He said, “We can match that.” WoW! I told him I’d be by after the race to pick up another pair. I’d been thinking about buying another pair anyway. I’ll need them before the marathon. Well, after the race I went to the store but it wasn’t open. He didn’t tell me it wouldn’t be open. I guess they didn’t have enough employees to run the set up at the Expo and the shop too. They did have quite an impressive set up at the Expo. So, I waited but no one ever showed. I walked down to the bike shop (2 doors down) and bought some Clif Shot. Still, they weren’t open. I waited until noon. Not open. I’ll be back down that way on Wednesday on the way to the First 100 camp out at Starr’s Mill. I’ll stop then and get the new shoes + I wanted another pair of injinji running socks. They carry those as well.

All in all, good race. I’m very please with my time and feel great about the whole experience.

BTY, thanks Publix for the WONDERFUL fruit! They ALWAYS do a good job but at the Peachtree Classic they outdo even themselves!

First 100 camp out at Truett's Grill in Griffin. I haven't seen it yet but I hear we made the front page of the Griffin Daily News which is really ironic since when we did the First 100 camp out at the CFA in McDonough in February we made the front page of the Henry Herald. Next week, we're doing the First 100 at Starr's Mill. If we make the front page of the Peachtree City News, that will just be too weird!

New Scales

Ok. So I’ve known for some time now that I needed a new bathroom scale but this morning confirmed it!

For the past 2 weeks it’s been saying 128 every morning. Now, I know I don’t weigh that much. So, this morning it says 119. I’m pretty sure I don’t weigh that little. So I get off and get back on again and it says 98. Ha ha ha ha… I get off and get back on again and it says 56, I get off and get back on again and it says 38…

I think I need a new scale!

10.18.06

3 mile FAST run. Woke up early with LOTS of energy. That's good because there is LOTS to do today!

10.17.06

4 miles. Easy run.

10.16.06

GREAT 5-mile run. Felt really, really good. Looking forward to Saturday's 15K. BIG week. Lots going on. Play-off game on Tuesday, camping out on Wednesday, tournament on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, WW on Thursday, haircut on Friday, race on Saturday, 25th class reunion on Saturday... Did I say, "Lots going on"?

VOTES

OK, I have 1 vote for the MINI, 1 for the BMW, and 1 for the "Stang". What'll it be? Who is going to be the tie breaker?

By the Numbers

OK, so I did the math and here's how it all shakes out:

The BMW 3 series gets 21/30 mpg (premium fuel)
the Mustang, 19/28 and the MINI, 28/36 (premium fuel)
YES, the MINI uses premium.

The MINI wins!

WoW! I'd love to get 28/36.
Right now, I think I get like 14/17 :~(

10.14.06

GREAT 6-mile run. Felt great. Ran strong.

10.13.06

4 miles. GREAT run. Felt strong!

10.12.06

8-mile mid-morning run. Planned to make it 9 but was fighting cramps at mile 7 (there's a reason for that-- not to worry) so I cut it short. Ate a Clif energy bar and drank 10 oz. water prior. Stretched good afterwards -- with the help of the cat. Will run 3 tomorrow and possibly 6 on Saturday then taper toward next Saturday -- the Peachtree Classic 15K. I am SO looking forward to that race! Hope to complete the course in under 1:30 -- shouldn't be a problem -- that's a real relaxed pace. I love that race because it is so serene. I call it the "silent" race. It's run mostly on the golf cart trails through Peachtree City which wind through residential areas, around the lake and golf course. There is no blaring music or bands at each mile marker like in some races. Don't get me wrong, there's a place for that -- that music gets you going or keeps you moving, it's just nice once in a while to have a race without it. And this race is for sure without it -- wouldn't want to disturb the peace there in Peachtree City! It's silent as you run. About the only thing you hear is your own panting breath and the ipods of the runners you pass (notice, I didn't say the ipods of the runners that pass you). I'm thinking positively here! Me personally, I'm not an ipod runner. Oh, at one time I thought I'd want one but changed my mind. I want to hear what's going on around me more than I want to hear some 70's tune that gets me moving. I'll just hum... in my head if I want that. Plus, I don't like things stuck in my ears, or cords, or something hanging off my arm... It's not for me, at least, not today.

Monk-E-Mail The newest thing in email. Try it! www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail 

I am convinced that technology breeds stress.

Funny thing is, the more stressed we get the more technology we develop to help deal with our stressed out lives... faster, faster, faster -- and more complicated. Being stranded on a deserted island is looking pretty inviting right now!

10.11.06

GOOD 3-mile run. Feel MUCH better today! Woke up energetic before the alarm went off. Slept good last night. WoW! Wish I felt this good every morning. I'd get a whole lot more accomplished -- that's for sure. Tomorrow will be a long run. Hopefully, I'll have the same energy level.

OK, how about this one? Please vote! The BMW 3 Serise, '06 Mustang, or '07 Mini Cooper. 

Is this not the coolest thing?

10.10.06

Another day off. Just really, really tired. :~[

Handstand 

OK, can you see me in this? 

10.9.06

Day off.

LOOK! It IS a family car. 

Caribou Coffee

It's coming folks! Caribou Coffee. Grand Opening, Tuesday, October 10, 4-7 p.m., 2011 Mount Zion Road. Free coffee & door prizes to all. First one (that I know of) on the southside.

10.7.06

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC RUN!!! The greatest run ever! 2 laps around the Rock (10 miles) in 1:38. Took 6 minutes off my time of two weeks ago. Ran the whole 10 miles with no stops -- even the hills -- and talked most of the way. Of course it helps when you LOVE your running partner and haven't seen them in a while and have a lot of "catching up" to do :)

Made some changes that really made a BIG impact, several changes actually. The most important starting with nutrition, but I still have a ways to go.

For the past 6 months or so I’ve been eating a high protein bar before races and long runs with as much as 20 grams of protein per serving. I noticed starting in July that my stomach got upset during races but I remember how upset my running partner’s stomach got during the Kiawah Island Marathon and thought that might be normal. Then a week or two ago I was doing some reading about different kinds of bars and read that protein bars should be relegated to post-race nutrition for recovery purposes and pre-race nutrition should include bars high in carbs – energy bars. The article went on to say that protein bars could upset your stomach – aha…ding dong… So, this morning about an hour out I ate a banana and a PowerBar high in carbs, low in fat, fiber, and protein. BINGO! No upset stomach.

Another change, not really nutrition, caffeine. I’ve read a lot about caffeine pills in many running books. Runners swear by them! I’m not a pill popper and really don’t like taking pills, so I’ve shied away from this but decided I’d give it a try. I think it really boosted my energy level! I took 1 pill (400 mg) about 20 minutes out and I think I am still feeling the effects some 7 hours later which is a good thing in a way -- 1 pill will last through a marathon, and longer... You can take as much as 2 pills at a time or within a 24 hour period but I just started off with 1 and I think that’s plenty enough for me since I don’t do caffeine except in my chocolate :) at any other time.

Another change, new shoes and compression shorts.

Also, 1 hour in I ate my first gel pack (PowerBar pack). They go by different names, Gue is one. It’s basically nutrition in the consistency of cake icing in a little pack that runners, cyclists, tri-athletes, etc. can consume without having to stop and it’s full of all the stuff they need to keep going. That was ok, just practice for the marathon, not that I needed it for today – just practice. Normally, I’d probably consume 1 per hour during an endurance run.

I did have the same cramping issue after the run in my lower calves. I’m going to work on that. Possible may drink a Gatorade Endurance the night prior to race day or a long run.

All in all I am very please with the progress so far and feel completely ready for my first 15K in two weeks.

Oh, BTW, wore my new "toe" socks too. Really comfortable! Greatest sock experience ever. Will never run a long run in another sock.

HELP! I've fallen and I can't get up! 

LOOK! It's ME, don't you think?!? 

Weather

It's starting to look a bit cloudy outside so I'm watching the weather radar. My newest obsession.

The Workroom

OK, so today I am like foraging in the workroom and there is a loaf of homemade bread that someone has brought. Looks like banana. Mmmmmm…. I rarely ever eat anything out of the workroom but today I will. I want to see if it is as good as my banana bread. I cut a piece and take a BIG bite. RYE – it’s rye, I HATE rye. Grosse!

Today Buddy is just lying around begin LAZY. Oh, by the way, I found out he is Chinese. On the bottom of his tin it says, "Made in China". You can hardly tell, since he hasn't really got any eyes. 

10.4.06

3 miles. Good run. Will take tomorrow and Friday off and do 2 laps around the Rock on Saturday.

Bought some new socks and tried them out this a.m. They are really comfortable. I'll wear them on a long run on Saturday. I think they will keep me from getting blisters and losing toenails on long runs. They are made by injinji (whatever that is) as part of their performance series for running, walking, cycling, track & field, etc., etc., etc. I got the mini-crew. They are made with CoolMax material to keep your feet dry and comfortable. Got them on Ebay for $12.95 including s/h. 

After the race on Saturday, at the post-race party, The BIG Peach Running Company had a booth set up and they were giving away (among other things) this little round tin and on the top it says "Buddy Bender" with the Brooks (a tennis shoe company) logo. I thought I was picking up a tin of body rub much like Body Glide that athletes use to lubricate so that their shorts or shirt doesn't rub and cause chaffing. When I got it home I was surprised to see what a Buddy Bender really was. It's this CUTE little man all crammed inside this tin and he's made out of wire that you can bend to do most anything. I've had so much fun with him. He sits on my desk at work and every day he makes me smile. I wish I had picked up several to share with friends. If I ever see them again, I will!

HI! I'm Buddy 

Running to the finish line -- that's me 

See he can break dance :) 

10.3.06

Good 3-mile run.

10.2.06

3-mile easy run in my NEW shoes :~) Will probably run again tomorrow and take Wednesday - Friday off. 2 laps around the Rock on Saturday.

Going to try something new on Saturday and dump the post-run protein bar for a bagel, banana, or Cliff bar.