Day 5
Saturday. I slept in… well at least for me. I was up and at it by 7:00 AM. I woke up the first time at 3:00 and was wide awake. I woke up again at 5 and 6. Each time, I knew enough to roll over and go back to bed. Eventually I could take it no longer and headed down stairs to make everyone breakfast. Pancakes, hashbrowns, juice and assorted breakfast items.
After breakfast we all headed out for errands. It was my goal to start working on the Mustang today, however, I needed to run lines for the air compressor. Somehow I was fortunate enough to forget a couple of key components and will have to go back to Home Depot tomorrow to find what I need.
The afternoon was spent working on the photo album, chores, watching football and hanging with the boys. I make everyone dinner and I settle on the coach to just relax. Unusual but true. I was busy all day and an evening of relaxation was in order.
Last year at this time my brother and I had completed the first part of the Goofey Challenge, the half-marathon the next morning we woke and ran the full marathon, now that is goofey! The reality is I should not have been running at all, I was in bad shape, but committed to running with my brother for his first marathon. So there we were a year ago today. It was great to do that race with him. He did really well running his first marathon the day after a half marathon.
I hope all the runners have a great day tomorrow.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Day 5.
It snowed last night and everything outside looks like a glazed donut. The schools are closed. The temperature is 12 degrees, the wind chill is single digit, it feels like 2 degrees. The run today is 6 miles at a 7:29 pace. I know this run and the speed should not be difficult. However, I have not been running this speed for the last several months. For the last 4 months I have been controlling my speed. Today will be different.
I know it is cold, but I am dressed for the cold. Jeff and Corey will be meeting up with Jay an I. This is our Cracker Barrel Run.
Meeting at LTF, no Jeff. Still nursing a cold. Corey, is upstairs, he will be doing his 15 mile run on the treadmill. Jay arrives and ask, outside or treadmill? Outside. No question. This one will count. Sure it is cold, bitter cold. Bitter freezing cold, but that is not the biggest issue. The snow from last night has glazed the roads in areas with ice, we will need to be careful where we step.
Some (Corey and Jeff) would say we were crazy for running outside, too slippery, actually it was not as bad as it looked. The slick areas were visible and we would adjust our stride and pace to accommodate the surface conditions. When we start the cold is felt deep in the core of the body. Breathing is abbreviated as my lungs involuntary prohibit me from pulling in enough air.
Typically after the first miles I am good, but not this morning. It is bone chilling cold. The pace is okay, but I know I am running. Just as I think, okay, I am starting to find the groove, Jay and I turn onto Windward and are faced with a strong freezing wind that rips through the body and makes you feel as if you are running naked. Worse the wind is strong and the effort to maintain pace is increased significantly.
Legs are pushing hard as we climb up the gradual hill on Windward. I am still breathing too fast trying without success to fill my lungs. Jay and I dance across the intersections and “fly” as we hit the snow covered sidewalks. This is a bigger effort than I thought it would be… damn.
I am hoping that when we turn onto Hwy 9 that the wind will stop… minutes later I would find that to NOT be the case. It is discouraging, I think to myself. That word causes me to pause. Courage is a big part of discourage. Toughen up. This is when you build character, this is when you build grit, a toughness. I become single minded. I do not care how cold it is, I do not care how windy it is, I do not care if the road is slippery, I adjust my mind and attitude. This helps. It does not make it easier, but my thoughts are about finishing and doing well.
Soon the wind is at our back, there is a slight down hill and Jay an I open up our stride. We are gaining time. Good.
Turning on Academy, we have made up time. I do not take my foot of the gas, holding pace. My breathing is better, though that maybe due to the fact we are running downhill.
Jay and I finish with a 44:55 for 6 miles. The reality is that is slow. I have run a 40:21, 10K (6.2 miles) and Jay faster than that, but considering the elements, and the fact this is the first time that I have purposely tried to add some speed to a run, I am okay with the effort.
Back at LTF, i head up stairs to check on Corey. He is on mile 11 of 15 on the treadmill. He looks good, his pace is 7:47. Despite being drenched in sweat he looks effortless in his run. Asking how he feels he replies with one word, "chaffed". Ouch... how bad I ask. "Nipples to crotch" Need anything... I he pauses and says no. I know the feeling. It is too late. I encourage him and hang there until he has less than 3 miles. No Cracker Barrel for Corey.
Weight. Too much. I let the “F” word slip out when I stepped on the scale.
Work was intense all day and did not end until nearly 7:00 PM. The kids though had a great day, they spent the entire day sledding and playing games with their buddies, a great no-school day. Too bad I could not have joined them.
The night comes swiftly and Wil crawls into bed with Kim and I, I do not blame him, it is warm and cozy. Unfortunately between Wil and I, the wigglers, Kim will not sleep. I challenge Wil to “Rock, Paper, Scissors” for the right to sleep in the bed. I win, but give up my spot anyway. I head to Jack’s room and take up residence on the bottom bunk.
Sleep.
It snowed last night and everything outside looks like a glazed donut. The schools are closed. The temperature is 12 degrees, the wind chill is single digit, it feels like 2 degrees. The run today is 6 miles at a 7:29 pace. I know this run and the speed should not be difficult. However, I have not been running this speed for the last several months. For the last 4 months I have been controlling my speed. Today will be different.
I know it is cold, but I am dressed for the cold. Jeff and Corey will be meeting up with Jay an I. This is our Cracker Barrel Run.
Meeting at LTF, no Jeff. Still nursing a cold. Corey, is upstairs, he will be doing his 15 mile run on the treadmill. Jay arrives and ask, outside or treadmill? Outside. No question. This one will count. Sure it is cold, bitter cold. Bitter freezing cold, but that is not the biggest issue. The snow from last night has glazed the roads in areas with ice, we will need to be careful where we step.
Some (Corey and Jeff) would say we were crazy for running outside, too slippery, actually it was not as bad as it looked. The slick areas were visible and we would adjust our stride and pace to accommodate the surface conditions. When we start the cold is felt deep in the core of the body. Breathing is abbreviated as my lungs involuntary prohibit me from pulling in enough air.
Typically after the first miles I am good, but not this morning. It is bone chilling cold. The pace is okay, but I know I am running. Just as I think, okay, I am starting to find the groove, Jay and I turn onto Windward and are faced with a strong freezing wind that rips through the body and makes you feel as if you are running naked. Worse the wind is strong and the effort to maintain pace is increased significantly.
Legs are pushing hard as we climb up the gradual hill on Windward. I am still breathing too fast trying without success to fill my lungs. Jay and I dance across the intersections and “fly” as we hit the snow covered sidewalks. This is a bigger effort than I thought it would be… damn.
I am hoping that when we turn onto Hwy 9 that the wind will stop… minutes later I would find that to NOT be the case. It is discouraging, I think to myself. That word causes me to pause. Courage is a big part of discourage. Toughen up. This is when you build character, this is when you build grit, a toughness. I become single minded. I do not care how cold it is, I do not care how windy it is, I do not care if the road is slippery, I adjust my mind and attitude. This helps. It does not make it easier, but my thoughts are about finishing and doing well.
Soon the wind is at our back, there is a slight down hill and Jay an I open up our stride. We are gaining time. Good.
Turning on Academy, we have made up time. I do not take my foot of the gas, holding pace. My breathing is better, though that maybe due to the fact we are running downhill.
Jay and I finish with a 44:55 for 6 miles. The reality is that is slow. I have run a 40:21, 10K (6.2 miles) and Jay faster than that, but considering the elements, and the fact this is the first time that I have purposely tried to add some speed to a run, I am okay with the effort.
Back at LTF, i head up stairs to check on Corey. He is on mile 11 of 15 on the treadmill. He looks good, his pace is 7:47. Despite being drenched in sweat he looks effortless in his run. Asking how he feels he replies with one word, "chaffed". Ouch... how bad I ask. "Nipples to crotch" Need anything... I he pauses and says no. I know the feeling. It is too late. I encourage him and hang there until he has less than 3 miles. No Cracker Barrel for Corey.
Weight. Too much. I let the “F” word slip out when I stepped on the scale.
Work was intense all day and did not end until nearly 7:00 PM. The kids though had a great day, they spent the entire day sledding and playing games with their buddies, a great no-school day. Too bad I could not have joined them.
The night comes swiftly and Wil crawls into bed with Kim and I, I do not blame him, it is warm and cozy. Unfortunately between Wil and I, the wigglers, Kim will not sleep. I challenge Wil to “Rock, Paper, Scissors” for the right to sleep in the bed. I win, but give up my spot anyway. I head to Jack’s room and take up residence on the bottom bunk.
Sleep.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Day 4.
It was the last thing I thought of before I fall a sleep and the first thing I thought of when I woke up. Swim practice. I have tried everything to change my negative position on my swim days. That fact is, it is the Rock I must strap on my back and carry up the hill. That thought alone, forces me out of bed. At least on Tuesday the water was warm.
Arriving on the LTF pool deck I see the gang. No Corey and no Jeff though. Jay is ready, as is Ann Marie, Stacie, Rebbecca, Susan and the rest. Mulling around waiting for the days workout.
A quick announcement on the rules of LTF Masters Swim Payment Process and it is time. I hit the water and it is notably colder than Tuesday. It is a full 150 meters before I stop feeling the water temp.
Warm ups are good, I work with my strap binding my legs together in an effort to fix my lower body in the water. It will help, I am just not there yet. We have a series of 100’s and 300’s. The 100’s go fast, the 300's are tough. I am building character this morning. An hour and thirty minutes after we start, we are done. As always, I feel better for doing the work than if I had missed the workout. Swim is great for building core, strength, flexibility and conditioning. One drill we did today was “knock-out”, you swim 50 meters and each 50 you reduce the number of breaths you take. I started at 17, my next was 10 and my last was 5. It was an effort. One person did it in 1 breath, and Susan, the Olympian, did it without breathing. Impressive.
I remember seeing a special on marine training, they would be forced to swim, in gear, with boots, 50 meters underwater without breathing, to make it worse, they made you jump in, do a somersault underwater and than start. Two divers would follow you to keep you underwater if you tried to pop up for air. Maybe in my youth, but today, uh… no thanks.
Jack was a car rider today, he has started drama and is enjoying his new semester. Wil and he both have small colds, all a part of Georgia winter and rapidly changing temperatures.
Work keeps me very busy today. The evening comes quick, and Jack needs help with homework. We spend about 2.5 hours on history and math. I am reacquainted with 9th grade algebra, (except Jack is in 6th grade). I have to admit, I am stuck on one problem and call my brother-in-law Harry for help. It is nice to have an ex-math teacher in the family.
Off to bed as the snow is falling, the kids are hoping for a snow day. A long run tomorrow and it is supposed to be fast. Bring it!
It was the last thing I thought of before I fall a sleep and the first thing I thought of when I woke up. Swim practice. I have tried everything to change my negative position on my swim days. That fact is, it is the Rock I must strap on my back and carry up the hill. That thought alone, forces me out of bed. At least on Tuesday the water was warm.
Arriving on the LTF pool deck I see the gang. No Corey and no Jeff though. Jay is ready, as is Ann Marie, Stacie, Rebbecca, Susan and the rest. Mulling around waiting for the days workout.
A quick announcement on the rules of LTF Masters Swim Payment Process and it is time. I hit the water and it is notably colder than Tuesday. It is a full 150 meters before I stop feeling the water temp.
Warm ups are good, I work with my strap binding my legs together in an effort to fix my lower body in the water. It will help, I am just not there yet. We have a series of 100’s and 300’s. The 100’s go fast, the 300's are tough. I am building character this morning. An hour and thirty minutes after we start, we are done. As always, I feel better for doing the work than if I had missed the workout. Swim is great for building core, strength, flexibility and conditioning. One drill we did today was “knock-out”, you swim 50 meters and each 50 you reduce the number of breaths you take. I started at 17, my next was 10 and my last was 5. It was an effort. One person did it in 1 breath, and Susan, the Olympian, did it without breathing. Impressive.
I remember seeing a special on marine training, they would be forced to swim, in gear, with boots, 50 meters underwater without breathing, to make it worse, they made you jump in, do a somersault underwater and than start. Two divers would follow you to keep you underwater if you tried to pop up for air. Maybe in my youth, but today, uh… no thanks.
Jack was a car rider today, he has started drama and is enjoying his new semester. Wil and he both have small colds, all a part of Georgia winter and rapidly changing temperatures.
Work keeps me very busy today. The evening comes quick, and Jack needs help with homework. We spend about 2.5 hours on history and math. I am reacquainted with 9th grade algebra, (except Jack is in 6th grade). I have to admit, I am stuck on one problem and call my brother-in-law Harry for help. It is nice to have an ex-math teacher in the family.
Off to bed as the snow is falling, the kids are hoping for a snow day. A long run tomorrow and it is supposed to be fast. Bring it!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Day 3.
Cold. That is the best way to describe how I felt when I woke up. It was track day, though I had a little concern. Not about the cold, but the prescribed speed for today.
Over the past few months I have been training to hold my speed in check. Today I would have an opportunity to crack open the valve a little. Not an all out, and certainly not the 1:07 -1:10 I once ripped off in a quarter mile, but a 1:31 or roughly 10 seconds faster than I had trained for the marathon. It was my hope that it would not feel too hard.
Arriving at LTF, it was Jay, Corey (training for Boston), but no Jeff who is fighting a nagging cold. Corey had already put in two miles on the Treadmill, and darted off to the track, of all things I had to tell him, hey, I’m not warmed up yet slow down. I’m either learning of getting soft. I’ll go with wisdom for now.
At the track it seemed a little colder as there was nothing to block a wind that swept the back half of the track. Cold weather is tolerable if you are appropriately dressed. The sky was wide open, no clouds to capture the earths radiant heat, a nice winter morning, the stars made it seem peaceful, much like the quiet before the storm. After a quick two laps, we stripped to our track gear, mine, an Under Amour shirt, a long sleeve tech shirt, wind breaker and tights. Gloves and a hat an absolute necessity. We were ready to go. While Jay and I were setting our watches, Corey was off… He was on his plan, Jay and I are on ours. Watches ready, off we went. Rounding the second curve you ran into the wind, strong, but not unbearable.
As this was a new pace, it was difficult to find the cadence necessary for the targeted 1:31 time. At the two hundred I was fast, 0:40 and backed it off hitting the first lap at 1:24, Jay did better, 1:26. We never hit our goal time of 1:31, I hit a 1:30 on my last try. The other times were 1:28, 1:29. Not bad, the workout was 8 x 400 with a 400 RI. Work was done, but it was not too difficult. It felt good to add a little extra speed, but I was pleased that there was more in the tank. How much more, I do not know yet.
Running back to the gym, I started to feel the workout a little more, also the cold was setting in as my body temperature dropped from the reduced effort on the cool down run. A quick stretch and I was off to put Wil on the bus.
The day was filled with work and family. All good things. My weight. I refuse to mark it down. I am gaining weight. I feel like I am a bear getting ready for hibernation, everything I put in my body is turning directly into fat.
Cold. That is the best way to describe how I felt when I woke up. It was track day, though I had a little concern. Not about the cold, but the prescribed speed for today.
Over the past few months I have been training to hold my speed in check. Today I would have an opportunity to crack open the valve a little. Not an all out, and certainly not the 1:07 -1:10 I once ripped off in a quarter mile, but a 1:31 or roughly 10 seconds faster than I had trained for the marathon. It was my hope that it would not feel too hard.
Arriving at LTF, it was Jay, Corey (training for Boston), but no Jeff who is fighting a nagging cold. Corey had already put in two miles on the Treadmill, and darted off to the track, of all things I had to tell him, hey, I’m not warmed up yet slow down. I’m either learning of getting soft. I’ll go with wisdom for now.
At the track it seemed a little colder as there was nothing to block a wind that swept the back half of the track. Cold weather is tolerable if you are appropriately dressed. The sky was wide open, no clouds to capture the earths radiant heat, a nice winter morning, the stars made it seem peaceful, much like the quiet before the storm. After a quick two laps, we stripped to our track gear, mine, an Under Amour shirt, a long sleeve tech shirt, wind breaker and tights. Gloves and a hat an absolute necessity. We were ready to go. While Jay and I were setting our watches, Corey was off… He was on his plan, Jay and I are on ours. Watches ready, off we went. Rounding the second curve you ran into the wind, strong, but not unbearable.
As this was a new pace, it was difficult to find the cadence necessary for the targeted 1:31 time. At the two hundred I was fast, 0:40 and backed it off hitting the first lap at 1:24, Jay did better, 1:26. We never hit our goal time of 1:31, I hit a 1:30 on my last try. The other times were 1:28, 1:29. Not bad, the workout was 8 x 400 with a 400 RI. Work was done, but it was not too difficult. It felt good to add a little extra speed, but I was pleased that there was more in the tank. How much more, I do not know yet.
Running back to the gym, I started to feel the workout a little more, also the cold was setting in as my body temperature dropped from the reduced effort on the cool down run. A quick stretch and I was off to put Wil on the bus.
The day was filled with work and family. All good things. My weight. I refuse to mark it down. I am gaining weight. I feel like I am a bear getting ready for hibernation, everything I put in my body is turning directly into fat.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Fifth Chinese Brother
Day 2
Did not make it to bed before 10:20 last night… I felt it when I woke up, tired. Briefly considered that it was too cold to swim, with all the cold weather I would not have been surprised if the pool was covered with ice. Considering I paid for the month in advance, I was committed in reality that is the reason I paid in advance.
Arriving there was a good crowd and a lot of positive energy. I felt fairly good considering my lack of pool time these past several weeks. Mike was very gracious or sadistic, he purchased a restraining strap for my legs in an effort to reduce my scissor kick. It worked really well especially for the first 50 meters. Clearly this will help. It was obvious with that I was straining against the straps as I swam, to one point Mike quipped, “ …try not to get so angry Dr. Banner.” A good laugh. Very thoughtful and clearly he is doing his best to make us all better swimmers. Ann Marie has taken charge as the gate keeper, a good thing this allows Mike to coach without have to be the “bad cop".
The swim was good, though today I swallowed more of the pool than I have in my collective swimming lifetime. I felt like the First Chinese Brother swallowing the sea, I need to be the Fifth Chinese Brother. I tried not to think of the nastiness of that water. The bulk of the workout was a 1000 meter time trial. my time a dismal 19:50. The good part, lots of room for improvement.
The work morning flew by, and I had a great lunch with my favorite South Africa, Walter! It was good to catch up and talk about the future together.
The afternoon dragged, but that was good as I was able to accomplish a great deal. Evening passed by too fast and now it is time for showers, homework and bed.
Tomorrow is track, 8 x 400 @ a 1:31 pace. It will be faster than I have run in the last several months, but I am looking forward to the challenge. The temp is forecast at 19 degrees, but with the wind and moisture in the air it will feel like 10 degrees. Layers! Lots of layers!
Weight today 180.9 DAMN!!!! I am trending in the wrong direction. Time to toughen up.
Did not make it to bed before 10:20 last night… I felt it when I woke up, tired. Briefly considered that it was too cold to swim, with all the cold weather I would not have been surprised if the pool was covered with ice. Considering I paid for the month in advance, I was committed in reality that is the reason I paid in advance.
Arriving there was a good crowd and a lot of positive energy. I felt fairly good considering my lack of pool time these past several weeks. Mike was very gracious or sadistic, he purchased a restraining strap for my legs in an effort to reduce my scissor kick. It worked really well especially for the first 50 meters. Clearly this will help. It was obvious with that I was straining against the straps as I swam, to one point Mike quipped, “ …try not to get so angry Dr. Banner.” A good laugh. Very thoughtful and clearly he is doing his best to make us all better swimmers. Ann Marie has taken charge as the gate keeper, a good thing this allows Mike to coach without have to be the “bad cop".
The swim was good, though today I swallowed more of the pool than I have in my collective swimming lifetime. I felt like the First Chinese Brother swallowing the sea, I need to be the Fifth Chinese Brother. I tried not to think of the nastiness of that water. The bulk of the workout was a 1000 meter time trial. my time a dismal 19:50. The good part, lots of room for improvement.
The work morning flew by, and I had a great lunch with my favorite South Africa, Walter! It was good to catch up and talk about the future together.
The afternoon dragged, but that was good as I was able to accomplish a great deal. Evening passed by too fast and now it is time for showers, homework and bed.
Tomorrow is track, 8 x 400 @ a 1:31 pace. It will be faster than I have run in the last several months, but I am looking forward to the challenge. The temp is forecast at 19 degrees, but with the wind and moisture in the air it will feel like 10 degrees. Layers! Lots of layers!
Weight today 180.9 DAMN!!!! I am trending in the wrong direction. Time to toughen up.
Monday, January 4, 2010
1, 2... no 3..., 1
Day 1
Though I went to bed much later than I had planned the time was well spent playing cards with Kim and boys. My head eventually found the pillows at 10:00 PM, so waking up was not too tough. Though I will have to do better tonight, if I am going to have a good swim tomorrow.
Rolling out of bed I was eager to get started. Today marks the first day back to training. Nothing better than a goal to provide a purpose to a workout. Making my way to the gym, it was a cold morning, I was actually glad that we would be hitting the Treadmill for this first run.
The plan today, 1 ez, 3 @ 7:00 minute miles, and 1 ez. Interestingly, I thought it was to be 1, 2, 1… so after the second mile, I felt good and it was over, however as I was pressing the down button on the pace, Jay let me know, “hey, one more mile.” Huh… rats. I cranked it back up and to catch back up I had to take it up an extra notch or two… it took me ¾ a mile to catch back up to Jay. By the time I finished my 3 miles at pace, I was beat. The mile cool down was good and I worked on my stride. I felt my stride was a bit erratic during this workout. I will need to work on this during the next few weeks.
A good stretch and some core workout, I was heading back to the showers and the dreaded scale. I was not looking forward to the scale. I have spent the last two weeks eating without thought. I expect to weigh between 184 – 186. With the moment of truth upon me, I step cautiously onto the scale… 180.5! I am pleasantly surprised. With my weight now in, I am focused on pushing for 175 for the 5K and 172 for the marathon in October.
The day is busy as I take two weeks and squeeze it into one day, but it is good to be back to work. At lunch I head to the furniture bank to deliver my painting for the upcoming charity event, http://www.chairishthefuture.com/ on February 27th. The painting exceeded their expectations. I am pleased that they like the painting and more that it will help them raise money for a worthy goal.
The remaining day is spent working and hanging with the family. My goal is to be sleeping by 9:45 for my swim tomorrow at 5:30.
Though I went to bed much later than I had planned the time was well spent playing cards with Kim and boys. My head eventually found the pillows at 10:00 PM, so waking up was not too tough. Though I will have to do better tonight, if I am going to have a good swim tomorrow.
Rolling out of bed I was eager to get started. Today marks the first day back to training. Nothing better than a goal to provide a purpose to a workout. Making my way to the gym, it was a cold morning, I was actually glad that we would be hitting the Treadmill for this first run.
The plan today, 1 ez, 3 @ 7:00 minute miles, and 1 ez. Interestingly, I thought it was to be 1, 2, 1… so after the second mile, I felt good and it was over, however as I was pressing the down button on the pace, Jay let me know, “hey, one more mile.” Huh… rats. I cranked it back up and to catch back up I had to take it up an extra notch or two… it took me ¾ a mile to catch back up to Jay. By the time I finished my 3 miles at pace, I was beat. The mile cool down was good and I worked on my stride. I felt my stride was a bit erratic during this workout. I will need to work on this during the next few weeks.
A good stretch and some core workout, I was heading back to the showers and the dreaded scale. I was not looking forward to the scale. I have spent the last two weeks eating without thought. I expect to weigh between 184 – 186. With the moment of truth upon me, I step cautiously onto the scale… 180.5! I am pleasantly surprised. With my weight now in, I am focused on pushing for 175 for the 5K and 172 for the marathon in October.
The day is busy as I take two weeks and squeeze it into one day, but it is good to be back to work. At lunch I head to the furniture bank to deliver my painting for the upcoming charity event, http://www.chairishthefuture.com/ on February 27th. The painting exceeded their expectations. I am pleased that they like the painting and more that it will help them raise money for a worthy goal.
The remaining day is spent working and hanging with the family. My goal is to be sleeping by 9:45 for my swim tomorrow at 5:30.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The day before the first day
Sunday.
Well So often we take a vacation and it seems to go by quickly, this one actually seemed to neither go by quickly or slowly, but seemed just right. I am ready to get back to work tomorrow.
The day starts well, Wil sleeps in late, though we still make it to Mel’s for breakfast. I was hoping that we might play a game of football, parents and kids, but it is too cold, freezing actually. The temperature was 19 degrees and never seemed to get much above the mid 20’s.
at the house the day is filled with miscellaneous chores. I finally set up the guest bedroom to tackle my last project. I fully understand that this project will 1) not be finished in one day and 2) be a bit tedious. My last project is to catalogue an old photo album with hundreds of original photographs ranging form 1917 – 1959. The photos range in categories of historical figures, military, architecture, and historical days. Of those that are captured in these photos includes multiple presidents, Wilson Truman, Franklin, and more. Other historical figures include; Eddie Rickenbacker, Richard Bong, “Wrong Way” Corrigan, William Bendix, Marlene Dietrich, Lou Costello, Fred MacMurry, Will Rogers, Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bobby Feller, Mel Ott, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Red Grange, Hitler, Mussolini, Bobby Jones, Joe Louis, and many more. It is my hope to have this catalogued in the next several weeks. As I complete the project I will likely post a few of my more favorite photos.
Jack and I head out to watch the Giants play their last game of the season. It is terrible. They Giants started with so much hope roared with a 5 – 0 record only to fizzle and whimper to a 8 – 8 season. Poor showing, a poor showing.
It is my goal to hit the bed early tonight. I have a lot to do tomorrow for work and personally. Also, after almost two weeks of resting and recovery from the marathon, I am itching to get started with training. So it starts. Tomorrow I will be at the gym, ready for the first day of training. This goal is about speed. I want to build additional speed, power and strength. I have targeted a 10K in March I use that race as a bench for a goal time at the Chicago 2010 Marathon. I will likely look at a few other races and perhaps a few sprints that I can participate in this spring.
I am not looking forward to stepping on the scale, I really did not practice any restraint with my eating during the holidays and it is going to be ugly. Oh well, I have to start someplace, so tomorrow I will step on the scale and mark my weight and day one of training will begin.
Well So often we take a vacation and it seems to go by quickly, this one actually seemed to neither go by quickly or slowly, but seemed just right. I am ready to get back to work tomorrow.
The day starts well, Wil sleeps in late, though we still make it to Mel’s for breakfast. I was hoping that we might play a game of football, parents and kids, but it is too cold, freezing actually. The temperature was 19 degrees and never seemed to get much above the mid 20’s.
at the house the day is filled with miscellaneous chores. I finally set up the guest bedroom to tackle my last project. I fully understand that this project will 1) not be finished in one day and 2) be a bit tedious. My last project is to catalogue an old photo album with hundreds of original photographs ranging form 1917 – 1959. The photos range in categories of historical figures, military, architecture, and historical days. Of those that are captured in these photos includes multiple presidents, Wilson Truman, Franklin, and more. Other historical figures include; Eddie Rickenbacker, Richard Bong, “Wrong Way” Corrigan, William Bendix, Marlene Dietrich, Lou Costello, Fred MacMurry, Will Rogers, Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bobby Feller, Mel Ott, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Red Grange, Hitler, Mussolini, Bobby Jones, Joe Louis, and many more. It is my hope to have this catalogued in the next several weeks. As I complete the project I will likely post a few of my more favorite photos.
Jack and I head out to watch the Giants play their last game of the season. It is terrible. They Giants started with so much hope roared with a 5 – 0 record only to fizzle and whimper to a 8 – 8 season. Poor showing, a poor showing.
It is my goal to hit the bed early tonight. I have a lot to do tomorrow for work and personally. Also, after almost two weeks of resting and recovery from the marathon, I am itching to get started with training. So it starts. Tomorrow I will be at the gym, ready for the first day of training. This goal is about speed. I want to build additional speed, power and strength. I have targeted a 10K in March I use that race as a bench for a goal time at the Chicago 2010 Marathon. I will likely look at a few other races and perhaps a few sprints that I can participate in this spring.
I am not looking forward to stepping on the scale, I really did not practice any restraint with my eating during the holidays and it is going to be ugly. Oh well, I have to start someplace, so tomorrow I will step on the scale and mark my weight and day one of training will begin.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Okay, how about now...
Saturday.
Well my intentions were good, with one last task on my holiday “to-do” list, I was ready to get busy. However, promises were made that were going to prevent me from tackling and completing my last project. It will have to wait.
The boys were hungry for breakfast. Pancakes and bacon to be specific. I had not pancake mix, so decided to make them from scratch like my Mom used to make. I pulled out a recipe, (I do not have hers), and put all the ingredients in a bowl, mixed well and poured out the first four. The consistency was correct, the taste, not so much. I have decided that my pancakes tasted a lot like paste. Considering the ingredients for paste are flour and water, I was pretty darn close. Time to take liberties with the recipe, first I added more sugar, some melted butter, and chocolate chips. Better but not great. The boys ate them, we all did, but they were only tolerable. I have resolved to finding a good pancake recipe and perfecting it for the next time.
Around mid morning we run to Home Depot so the boys can make their kid craft they have the first week of every Saturday. Their skills with a hammer are improving and I no longer need to build or even help them build the project, they do a good job by themselves. So this gave me time to observe the other parents. Comical, one parent was building the entire thing not letting their child touch the project. One Mom was telling her daughter she was doing it all wrong, another parent was helping their child, but both were helplessly fumbling around and managed to put many pieces on backwards or upside down. One parent work diligently on the project paying no attention to their daughter of no more than 4 who had a put the blunt part of the hammer in her mouth and was sucking away. That one I had to let know her daughter my not like gumming her food until her permanent teeth arrive. The last set of parents to arrive must have been new to the game, they had dad, the grand parents and mom all there to help. Mom was taking photos by the second, not willing to give up on one potential "Kodak moment". By the time I finished evaluating and humoring myself the boys were done and we were heading back home.
At home I was ready to dig into the project when it occurred to me, the tree needs to come down and be stripped of its lights. I went right to the task. It was freezing outside and I laughed as my nose ran uncontrollably from the cold. But finally the tree was denuded of its lights and I was heading inside to get warm, clean the needles and finally get to my project.
Once inside, Kim reminded me to the fact I promised Wil we would hit a movie this weekend, specifically today. Off we went to go see the Fantastic Mr. Fox. A stop motion animation by director Wes Anderson. It was good. I really enjoyed the story, clearly it was aimed more towards the adults than kids, but the boys still enjoyed the movie.
Back home I once again prepared to ready my project, but Kim had been busy and stacked up the Christmas stuff. Through we had agreed to wait and put is all in the attic at one time, the stack called to me and I decided to just get stared.
The remained of the day was odds and ends of putting things away, making dinner and hanging with the boys. The project will have to wait.
Kim and I will watch a movie later tonight downstairs after the boys go to bed, an at home date night.
Well my intentions were good, with one last task on my holiday “to-do” list, I was ready to get busy. However, promises were made that were going to prevent me from tackling and completing my last project. It will have to wait.
The boys were hungry for breakfast. Pancakes and bacon to be specific. I had not pancake mix, so decided to make them from scratch like my Mom used to make. I pulled out a recipe, (I do not have hers), and put all the ingredients in a bowl, mixed well and poured out the first four. The consistency was correct, the taste, not so much. I have decided that my pancakes tasted a lot like paste. Considering the ingredients for paste are flour and water, I was pretty darn close. Time to take liberties with the recipe, first I added more sugar, some melted butter, and chocolate chips. Better but not great. The boys ate them, we all did, but they were only tolerable. I have resolved to finding a good pancake recipe and perfecting it for the next time.
Around mid morning we run to Home Depot so the boys can make their kid craft they have the first week of every Saturday. Their skills with a hammer are improving and I no longer need to build or even help them build the project, they do a good job by themselves. So this gave me time to observe the other parents. Comical, one parent was building the entire thing not letting their child touch the project. One Mom was telling her daughter she was doing it all wrong, another parent was helping their child, but both were helplessly fumbling around and managed to put many pieces on backwards or upside down. One parent work diligently on the project paying no attention to their daughter of no more than 4 who had a put the blunt part of the hammer in her mouth and was sucking away. That one I had to let know her daughter my not like gumming her food until her permanent teeth arrive. The last set of parents to arrive must have been new to the game, they had dad, the grand parents and mom all there to help. Mom was taking photos by the second, not willing to give up on one potential "Kodak moment". By the time I finished evaluating and humoring myself the boys were done and we were heading back home.
At home I was ready to dig into the project when it occurred to me, the tree needs to come down and be stripped of its lights. I went right to the task. It was freezing outside and I laughed as my nose ran uncontrollably from the cold. But finally the tree was denuded of its lights and I was heading inside to get warm, clean the needles and finally get to my project.
Once inside, Kim reminded me to the fact I promised Wil we would hit a movie this weekend, specifically today. Off we went to go see the Fantastic Mr. Fox. A stop motion animation by director Wes Anderson. It was good. I really enjoyed the story, clearly it was aimed more towards the adults than kids, but the boys still enjoyed the movie.
Back home I once again prepared to ready my project, but Kim had been busy and stacked up the Christmas stuff. Through we had agreed to wait and put is all in the attic at one time, the stack called to me and I decided to just get stared.
The remained of the day was odds and ends of putting things away, making dinner and hanging with the boys. The project will have to wait.
Kim and I will watch a movie later tonight downstairs after the boys go to bed, an at home date night.
Friday, January 1, 2010
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!!!!!!
Friday. Well my first attempt and writing the year 2010 and I double tapped the “0”, old habits take a while to be undone. At least I need not worry about hitting “00” again while typing a date, unless I defy the aging process and live and additional 90 years.
At one point during the night I woke and just laid there thinking how fortunate I am. I rolled back over and felt the weight of the extra comforter on the bed, it just felt good. Enjoy it while it last I tell myself, the workouts start again on Monday.
I wake easily a couple hours later. I can hear Jack in the bonus room playing Madden 10, a ritual, Kim sleeps and I do my best not to wake her, though that is a near impossibility, she is a light sleeper. I walk carefully into Wil’s room, he is still asleep. He needs the sleep too much activity for him the past couple of weeks. I watch to see his chest move as he breaths. I expect every parent does this.
A quick shower and I am down the stairs, my goal today, seal the granite in the kitchen. Twice a year I spend a part of the day giving it a thorough cleaning, sealing and polish. I plan it well so the wait time is filled with Jack football practice. He and the boys look good. I so enjoy coaching. We hold a self scrimmage and as bad as Jack was on Wednesday, he is right on target today. I see several opportunities to introduce plays into a game. I also see a some great catches. I only wish I could be playing too, oh well.
Back home I finish the granite, and play a quick game of basketball with Jack, Wil and the neighbor kids, it is fun, for now, or at least until they grow taller than I am in trouble.
The evening comes quick, Jack and I join a few friends to see Sherlock Holmes. It is well done and light hearted.
Tomorrow I will start my last task, I doubt I will have in completed by this coming Monday, but it will be a good start.
Off to bed, not a bad start to 2010.
At one point during the night I woke and just laid there thinking how fortunate I am. I rolled back over and felt the weight of the extra comforter on the bed, it just felt good. Enjoy it while it last I tell myself, the workouts start again on Monday.
I wake easily a couple hours later. I can hear Jack in the bonus room playing Madden 10, a ritual, Kim sleeps and I do my best not to wake her, though that is a near impossibility, she is a light sleeper. I walk carefully into Wil’s room, he is still asleep. He needs the sleep too much activity for him the past couple of weeks. I watch to see his chest move as he breaths. I expect every parent does this.
A quick shower and I am down the stairs, my goal today, seal the granite in the kitchen. Twice a year I spend a part of the day giving it a thorough cleaning, sealing and polish. I plan it well so the wait time is filled with Jack football practice. He and the boys look good. I so enjoy coaching. We hold a self scrimmage and as bad as Jack was on Wednesday, he is right on target today. I see several opportunities to introduce plays into a game. I also see a some great catches. I only wish I could be playing too, oh well.
Back home I finish the granite, and play a quick game of basketball with Jack, Wil and the neighbor kids, it is fun, for now, or at least until they grow taller than I am in trouble.
The evening comes quick, Jack and I join a few friends to see Sherlock Holmes. It is well done and light hearted.
Tomorrow I will start my last task, I doubt I will have in completed by this coming Monday, but it will be a good start.
Off to bed, not a bad start to 2010.
Great, Cut Print
December 31, 2009
Thursday. The last day of 2009. It went way too fast. Certainly I will not be the only person to pen those words. Last year I had a few goals, one goal and most important, be a better father/husband. Being a better father husband is a continual goal not something that can be measured by a distance or a time. That makes it harder, there were plenty of opportunities and I like to think that most of the time I rose to the occasion. There are a few times I would like to have had a “do over”, perhaps push an invisible reset button that I could try again. The failings of man, however, overall I did a better job this year than last.
I had other goals as well, to qualify for the Boston Marathon, check (finally) and put more money in savings, not enough (rats).
Last goal, to finish writing my script before my birthday in April. I had the idea over a year ago last October while running at track St. Marks in Dallas. I had pieced the whole thing together in a couple of weeks. The outline was written well before December, but I needed to tie up the remain parts and finish. By April 12th, it was done. Next I had a few people review the script, good, check. But there it stopped. Life got busy and I paused. But what really stopped me, perhaps I feared failure or rejection and just sat on it. I kept pushing it back… too busy to give it a final review. Finally with the holiday break I pushed my resolve to finish and provide the final read/edit. It may not be Chinatown, but it is good in my estimation.
I needed to register the script with the Screenwriters guild, done today and the US Copyright office, also completed today. I was on my way to holding that Oscar. Next step to find an agent and roll the dice.
these past couple of weeks I have been busy knocking things off my to do list. With the script ownership now secure and the wheels in motion to find an agent, I have only a few more boxes to check before the holiday break is over.
The remaining to-do's will have to wait, tonight we celebrate the passing of another year and the birth of new decade. I could list many things that have happened during the course of the year and the previous decade, but most have been captured in this journal and my blog and i far more enjoy looking forward.
Dinner with family and friends, fireworks to bring in the new year with a literal “bang” and libations to liven the spirit. Best the last few moments of 2009 spent with Kim and the boys close and well wishes in the coming year and decade. Onward!
Thursday. The last day of 2009. It went way too fast. Certainly I will not be the only person to pen those words. Last year I had a few goals, one goal and most important, be a better father/husband. Being a better father husband is a continual goal not something that can be measured by a distance or a time. That makes it harder, there were plenty of opportunities and I like to think that most of the time I rose to the occasion. There are a few times I would like to have had a “do over”, perhaps push an invisible reset button that I could try again. The failings of man, however, overall I did a better job this year than last.
I had other goals as well, to qualify for the Boston Marathon, check (finally) and put more money in savings, not enough (rats).
Last goal, to finish writing my script before my birthday in April. I had the idea over a year ago last October while running at track St. Marks in Dallas. I had pieced the whole thing together in a couple of weeks. The outline was written well before December, but I needed to tie up the remain parts and finish. By April 12th, it was done. Next I had a few people review the script, good, check. But there it stopped. Life got busy and I paused. But what really stopped me, perhaps I feared failure or rejection and just sat on it. I kept pushing it back… too busy to give it a final review. Finally with the holiday break I pushed my resolve to finish and provide the final read/edit. It may not be Chinatown, but it is good in my estimation.
I needed to register the script with the Screenwriters guild, done today and the US Copyright office, also completed today. I was on my way to holding that Oscar. Next step to find an agent and roll the dice.
these past couple of weeks I have been busy knocking things off my to do list. With the script ownership now secure and the wheels in motion to find an agent, I have only a few more boxes to check before the holiday break is over.
The remaining to-do's will have to wait, tonight we celebrate the passing of another year and the birth of new decade. I could list many things that have happened during the course of the year and the previous decade, but most have been captured in this journal and my blog and i far more enjoy looking forward.
Dinner with family and friends, fireworks to bring in the new year with a literal “bang” and libations to liven the spirit. Best the last few moments of 2009 spent with Kim and the boys close and well wishes in the coming year and decade. Onward!
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