Current "Time Wasters" aka "FUN"

"What I'm working on now".... which really should be "How I'm having fun now", but somehow, when you grow up, you don't think of it as "having fun" - you think of it as 'projects' or 'work'.

1. RUNNING. I have to think of it as 'learning' to run.... My goal for the 2010 - 2011 running season (Sept to May) is to run the February race in Ambler and the Broad Street Run in May...... Outside of real work (i.e., employment), i'm trying to make running my #1 activity. Now that it's below 70 degrees (F), with almost no humidity, i don't have any excuses.


How I run in the dark - PETZL lamp.


2. Playing Bejeled Blitz. I admit it - i have a serious addiction. I am convinced that if I just play long enough, I'll have an epiphany and I'll understand the intricacies of the game, and I'll be able to rack up 300,000 points every time I play.

3. READING.... always a serious addiction. But now I have the Kindle and the iPOD (Audible.com)...... what is better than laying around reading a book or having one read to you ?

BIKING on hold...... Despite the recumbents, i seem to have them badly adjusted. All is well while I'm riding (63 miles last trip), but my hips hurt when i get off.... and hurt for weeks afterwards. Running seems to cure it, I think.

People Over 40 Can't Type with their Thumbs

I am sooooo tired of the perception that people over 40 are technologically incompetent.

Somehow, a myth was started that "people over 40" don't use technology. News flash: I have used computer technology since 1981. I had an Atari hooked up to my black-and-white TV that used to learn Basic. I know why we say "boot up" a computer - because I did an IPL on an IBM 360 every morning for 2 years...

Yes, it's probably true that people in different age brackets don't USE a technology the same way, or to the same extent that others do..... But age isn't an excuse to drag out every time someone has a problem or doesn't know something.....

My latest gizmo (on which I can type with my thumbs).

Running vs. Biking

No - running does absolutely NOTHING for biking capabilities. Time spent running is just time away from the bike. Lesson learned: fall, winter, and spring are for running; spring and summer are for biking.
80 degrees (F) and above are just too hot and humid for running, but they're perfect for biking......

Heat Wave

It's just too hot to run in the sun, bike in the sun, do anything except lie in a hammock and listen to the birds..... Day 3 of the heat wave - 97 degrees yesterday. It's supposed to stay like this for the rest of the week....... perfect weather for my new career as a beach bum. If only I had a beach....

Digitizing Vinyl

Spending vast amounts of time using the ION turntable and Audacity software to digitize my 30-year old vinyl collection. Starting to wonder how many songs I really like, and if it wouldn't be cheaper to just buy those songs from iTunes.... the really annoying part is listening to them all, so I know when a side is done.
Weather Report, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison (everything), Stones, Taj Majal.....a trip back in time. Then, it's on to the casette tapes ......

How far is 10 miles ????

THIS far -

Running by the Numbers...

It is now weeks until the Broad Street Run
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Actually, it's

days... I've run


miles since September. My longest runs (two of them) have been


Miles.... Am I ready ????

Car on Fire (sort of)

Got off the highway today and smelled something burning. Made it home and noticed smoke coming from the right front wheel well, and up through engine. How exciting ! Have to wait until Monday to get it towed.

The Running Slug

This is the famous RUNNING SLUG......mascot of runners in my class. Look fast - before he gets away !

Slowing Down ?

Is it possible to get any slower ? This was a 3.4 mile "run" ("slog" ?) from yesterday.

How many days ????

Actually, it's 46 days until the Philadelphia Broad Street Run.
Managed 8.6 miles today in 1:45..... at this rate, I'll be doing the Broad Street SHUFFLE... not even a walk......

Today's mileage is 8.1 or 7.1....

Nike+ sensor needs recalibrating again. Nike+ Maps says I ran 7.1 miles in 1:36:18... which seems about right.....
Today's run used Running Playlist C - which contains a very strange assortment.....
David Frizell, Donna Summer, Elevators, Soul Asylum, Procol Harem, Elvis Costello, Irene Cara, Joan Armitrading, Nirvana, Peaches & Herb, Rolling Stones, Sly & the FS, Village People (yes), Parliament Funk...

Running for ...

Weeks......

Back to running outside today - 43 degrees.... in shorts............

Getting Worried..........

Only managed a 5 mile run tonight (8:30pm)...... The Broad Street run is in

days.

Oh No.......

Was only able to run 5.25 miles yesterday before shutting down......
Only 60 days left, now !

Sixty-One Days Left

61 Days from today until the Broad Street Run on May 2.
That's a minimum of 30 days to run... and increase distance from 7 miles to 10.

Missing..... 700 hours

The (non-replaceable) battery in the Nike+ is supposed to be good for 1,000 hours. Mine died today after 300 hours.

7 Miles !

Nike+ map showing the 7 miles I ran on the treadmill today - mapped on Broad Street. Summerville and Broad in N. Phila. to Federal Street in S. Phila..... time unknown because the sensor for my Nike+ died !!!

Training....

Time is running out for the Broad Street Run training. Tuesday is March 2, which is two months from RUN DAY !!!





(Crystal Ball photo frame from ImageChef).

Race Picture - Feb. 2010

I would have smiled if I'd realized they were taking my picture.
(the finish was downhill).

It's Snowing... Again.... Again

This is the 4th significant snowfall this winter.... #4 not counting flurries, rain, and falling slush.


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What is cuter than 2 corgis in the snow ?

Close-up of Mr. Handsome in the snow....

# 1112 our of 1146......

It looks like my time for the Frostbite 5 Miler has been found.
Time: 1:07:00
Chip time: 1:05:04
Pace: 0:13:28 per minute
Place in age group: last (14 out of 14).

Have U Seen This Runner ?

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Actually, the runner isn't lost, but apparently her time is......
They can't find my chip time for Saturday's 2010 Frostbite 5 Miler run in Ambler.... So, based on the facts that I didn't have my Nike+, I'm still not 100% sure of the calibrations of the treadmill, my watch was slow, and I'm not sure when I crossed the START line, I think my time was between 61 minutes and 71 minutes. I'm waiting to see if they can find my time, but I doubt it..... it's all digiital, and I can't see how 1 runner's time could get 'lost'.....

216 Miles run.........

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216 Miles..... 48 hours: 47 minutes ......
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Actually, it's more, but I've run 216 measured miles since November when I got the Nike+.

Guess What ?.... Is Snowing (again) !

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Yes... more snow. No idea why everyone is suprised... it IS February.....

More Snow.......

Back Yard - fence is more than 3' high.

More back yard - snow on bird-feeder is only from the second snowfall yesterday afternoon.

Front yard and street.

Perfect Day for Ice Opera

Giant icicles hanging from the roof after 2'+ snow on Saturday, and at least 8 inches (and still falling) today.



Same icicles - different view.


Up close with the icicles.

February is for Running (?)

The search for activities for the non-bike season (i.e., winter) is still working on running. Most of my 'running' time is spent on the treadmill.
Signed up for two runs in February. Sunday Feb 7 - 5k fun run @ 1pm. Saturday Feb 20 5 mile race at 8:30am. Seemed like good ideas at the time....... not sure 8am in February is my idea of good running weather.....

Elfstedentocht in 2010 ?

No Elfstedentocht in 2010. Even though it's been a cold winter, it looks like recent snows will prevent the ice from freezing to the required thickness....... from the Dutch news this am. Another year with no race ....

It takes too long to explain that this is a skating race (125 miles) on frozen canals in the northern Netherlands (Freisland) through 11 cities. It starts and finishes in Leeuwarden, then on to Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker, and Dokkum. In 1999 I toured some of these places and skated through the bike paths....

YouTube has some great films of the race from what look like the 40's or 50's.
This is my favorite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyoQ4wz6d64