3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

No CD's on this run, I got caught on Adam Curry's Daily Source Code. I checked out the MadgeCast videos distributed via my subscription. For those of you who don't know, Madge is Madge Weinstein of Madge Weinstein's Yeast Radio. I have only heard Madge on Adam's show (now nicknamed "the Charlie"). She sounds hilarious and creative. She, by the way, is biologically a he and prefers the masculine gender. Except for these video's , I had only seen glimpses of Madge and always in drag. Madge's partner died in February. This is quite evident in the video's.

Madge, sorry for your loss. I would check out your show should I have time. But, I just can't keep up with my current subscriptions. I did appreciate seeing you without drag. Just to see what you "really" look like. Seems wrong that at such a time while viewing such a personal creation in such circumstances, that this is what strikes me. The video is very touching. I hate to see the pain anyone suffers after such a loss.

Can't wait to hear Adam's next show as it should contain details about his suit against the gossip rag in the Netherlands. The took pictures from Flickr that were covered by a Creative Commons, non-commercial use license and plastered them in their rag. Moreover, they pissed off Adam (and for good reason) by following his daughter to school and describing where she goes to school. Most disturbingly, they described her travel arrangements and schedule. So, Adam had to change them of course. Even Lawrence Lessig is apparently interested in this one. Should be interesting.

Data

Distance: 3
Time: 30:03
Heart Rate: 150
Pace: 10:03
Weather: Clear skies and 65 degrees

10.5 Mile Run: Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway

Another good Sunday run in the cold. Listened to the latest Phedippidations about the mystique of the marathon. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Steve told the story of the first Marathon run, that of Phedippides. Then, the mp3 player rolled into Shinedown. What a good CD! I especially like the rendition of Simple Man. The singing on this one is just great. The run finished off with Eve 6 which is another favorite for running with. Further, both of these flowed together well. Data: Distance: 10.5 Miles Time: 1:43:45 Heart Rate: 154 Pace: 9:53 Weather: Clear skies, 37 degrees

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

A late day run in the dark and cold. Was just too busy cranking out the work today to get out while the sun was there. No CD's on this run, I got caught on Adam Curry's Daily Source Code.

Data

Distance: 3
Time: 30:04
Heart Rate: 154
Pace: 10:01
Weather: Clear Skies, low 50's.

6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

It was raining and in the 50's on Wednesday (when I planned to complete this run). This is just the right conditions to making dressing very difficult. Warm enough to make wearing water resistant clothing really hot and cool enough to be cold without the water resistance. So, I delayed for this morning. My son caught the flu despite having had a flu shot. So, didn't sleep much as I took the duty of taking care of him while the wife slept. He is doing fine and the run went well. Today, I ran to The Vines' Ride CD. Ride just jams while the rest is little sleepier, but not bad. Data: Distance: 6 Miles Time: 58:28 Heart Rate: 160 Pace: 9:44 Weather: Clear skies, 53 degrees

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I need to get better at logging right after my runs as the brain just gets fuzzy with time. Work has been so demanding, I can barely keep up with when I last ate. But, twas a good run. Today, I ran to Outkast's Speakerboxxx. Some jam, some not. Overall, it is a good CD to listen or run to. Interestingly enough, I find that rap and hip hop CD's list so many artists for the songs, that you have to select by album title on the mp3 player if you want to hear the entire CD. Data: Distance: 3 Miles Time: 29:03 Heart Rate: 158 Pace: 9:41 Weather: Cloudy, mid 50's

9 Mile Run: Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway

Another run catching up on podcasts including Adam Curry's Daily Source Code and Phedippidations. A very cold, but good run. After my long diatribe of the last posting, I am going to just log the data and get going.

Data

Distance: 9
Time: 1:21:47
Heart Rate: 156
Pace: 9:05
Weather: Cloudy and 25 degrees.

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I have not been able to keep up with all the podcasts I listen to regularly. So, again I didn't select any music for the run. Instead, I listened to show 337 of Adam Curry's Daily Source Code. The most interesting part of the show was Michael of Podshow's comments about the NATO-Caliphates war. Interesting and scary, I should say. Seems to me that Michael's comments add some sort of credibility to what we think of as terrorists as a Caliphatic army defending the Ottoman Empire. I found this gem of an article, KryssTal : USA: The "War on Terror", that I assume presents some of the foundation for the position well.

I am sure that like all such polarizing arguments "the west's" and the "Caliphates", the truth is somewhere in between all of the rhetoric. If we can divide everything up into two camps, it will sure make fighting easier. I hope we can find a way through what looks to me like a mess getting messier. And, it seems that much of it is in the name of the same God who I understand prefers love. How dreadful we humans can make our own lot! I can actually understand and sympathize with some of the sentiments in the aforementioned article.

For many Americans, myself included, the sentiment expressed in the aforementioned article does not reflect our position. We do fear for the safety of our society and for our families. And, that fear motivates us to act. All should forsake violence and pursue real peace. And, yes, for me that means Americans too. But, I have to tell you that tearing down a government that hung cassette tapes from lamp posts and treated a soccer field as an execution center while maintaining training camps to kill me and my children, does not seem too difficult to support. Further, at the time I had no idea what Caliphates was. Iraq, for me, was a totally different matter.

As to perspectives that span hundreds of years and acts of dead people, I think it is up to us to find a better way. I would say it looks like we have a long way to go.

Data

Distance: 3
Time: 30:09
Heart Rate: 153
Pace: 10:03
Weather: Partly cloudy. 47 degrees

5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Early morning run that should have been on Wednesday. And, I just noticed that I failed to log Tuesday's run. Unfortunately, my heart rate monitor and watch do not save history beyond last run. So, when I make that log entry shortly, it will be scant for information. During this run, I just got caught up on Adam Curry's Daily Source Code and Phedippidations. Phedippidations was on Runner Safety. Gotta tell you Steve, you said it all nicely. But, folks who get emotional and holier than thou about mp3 players and headphones, can sure irritate me. You didn't. You were polite and non-emotional. And, yes I will continue to use them while I run.

Data

Distance: 5
Time: 52:26
Heart Rate: 153
Pace: 10:24
Weather: Clear skies and 51

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Lamest running log entry ever!

I lost the data on the watch because I cleared in the next run. I did log this run on time. I don't remember the data, the weather, or what I listened to. I'm lame.

I did run and it was the first run after the 1/2 marathon. I know my legs said "ouch".

13.1 Miles: Mercedes Half-Marathon

I did it! I completed the Mercedes Half-Marathon of 2006. This is an extremely well organized and managed race. A 7:03 start time made for an early start. Yes, I know I normally run at 6:30 on Sunday mornings, but it is different to start a race so early. Nonetheless, I toed up and did it. I never felt overly fatigued. The right hamstring was a bit tight after about 7 miles, but no real issue. After all of the ankle trouble and such, I am just glad to have done it. I considered putting the latest Phedippidations in the playlist for the start, but opted for nothing but music. All three CD's I selected are amongst my favorites and I sure put them in the right order. Train, The Killers, P.O.D. Data: Distance: 13.1 Miles Time: 2:05:29 Heart Rate: 162 Pace: 9:34 Weather: Mostly clear skies, 29 degrees

5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

This is the last run before Mercedes 1/2 marathon on Sunday. I am holding back a little on workouts and runs this week to ensure a fresher start on Sunday. The weather man is predicting very cold temperatures (low 20's). But, it has always been cold on the 4 other times I have run this thing. I can handle it. I am just happy that with all of the ankle problems last year, that I find myself in a position to go for it. Yeepee! Wish me luck. This run's musical selection was one of my favorites. The Black Eyeed Peas, Monkey Business. These guys are just too cool. I love the vibe, lyrics, and hip hop. Great to dance and run to. Data: Distance: 5 Miles Time: 49:57 Heart Rate: 156 Pace: 9:59 Weather: Partly cloudy, 41 degrees

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another morning run and I am sure slower in the neighborhood. The hills do make a difference. Good run. I jammed to Soul Coughing. Data: Distance: 3 Miles Time: 30:31 Heart Rate: 151 Pace: 10:10 Weather: Clear skies, 28 degrees

11 Mile Run: Jemison Park - Shades Creek Circle

Finally, I have worked enough of a base to run my favorite loop here in Birmingham. The even better news is that now I feel confident enough to enter for the Mercedes 1/2 Marathon scheduled for next weekend. The run felt great! Today, I listened to the latest Phedippidations and jammed to Velvet Revolver and Sum 41. The Velvet Revolver CD has some super good running tracks and some ok music. One of these days, I need to identify the songs from the CD that just crank for running and put them in a playing list. I nearly gave up on this CD thanks to the sneaky attempt to prevent mp3 ripping on it. I don't share music files. And, I seldom do anything other then listen with my mp3 player. I find it easier to buy CD's then buying by track especially since I don't have an iPod and don't benefit from iTunes. The upside is that I learned the importance of turning off auto-launch for CD's. I removed BMG's load of a hidden driver that prevented the copy and prevented them from taking the same sneaky path to dropping hidden files on my machine in the future. I ended the run with Sum 41 which is a cranking band. Data: Distance: 11 Miles Time: 1:48:04 Heart Rate: 154 Pace: 9:49 Weather: Clear skies, 28 degrees

3 Mile Run: Columbia, SC

The last early morning run before I go back home! Yeppee. I sure miss the family. I am still digging these early morning runs. This could get addicting. Jammed to Trapt today. Trapt came to Birmingham for a yearly CSchaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil that is just awesome and more so with such a jamming band. I love their chose of musical style and the lyrics are rich with introspective and heart felt outpourings that make me feel strong (esp. Headstrong). Data: Distance: 3 Miles Time: 28:21 Heart Rate: Not measured Pace: 9:10 Weather: Mostly clear skies, 61 degrees (ew, summer is here, lol)

6 Mile Run: Columbia, SC

Another beautiful morning, although cold. These pre-dawn runs are exhilarating. Something about the earth waking up that just makes you feel good. I jammed to the Meat Puppets and Mary Playground. Both are good, but the Meat Puppets just nail the perfect running beat. In fact, this CD is almost playing when I start the Cooper River Bridge Run each year (running for the 11th time this year). The pace is picking up. I suspect it is due to the much flatter courses. Data: Distance: 6 Miles Time: 56:48 Heart Rate: Not measured Pace: 9:22 Weather: Clear skies, 39 degrees