11/25/06: 4 Mile Run: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

That's right, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. We took some vacation and are hanging out out the beach here with some friends from South Carolina, USA. No TVs, but the lobby has free wireless. Thus, I am still logging my runs and noticing that Steve Runner enjoyed my slam on Gabriel who despises slowpokes. I did not take a MP3 player on this run although I have it with me. I wanted this first run to be one where I just soaked in my surroundings. It was good. I enjoyed running and noticing all of the foreign sounds, sights, and smells. This area is like an oasis in the jungle and I thoroughly enjoyed the run.

Data

Distance:	4 Miles
Time:	38:24
Heart Rate:	Not Measured
Pace:	9:36
Weather:	Few Clouds Temperature-65°
Route:	4 Mile Run

11/23/06: 10K Run: Montclair Turkey Trot

Judy and I had planned to meet to run this one. I also bumped into Larry and Prince, the two guys I met who run and live in my neighborhood. It was good to see and chat with them as well. I ran faster than I expected expecially since I had run 8 miles less than 24 hours before. I was pleased. Judy, Larry, and Prince all ran faster than they expected and faster than I. In this group, I am the slowpoke. I listened to the Accident Hash and heard good tunes to drive the run. Fortunately, I did not hear much of the festive music during the run. I don't mind the festive music, just prefer it outside the venue of running.

Data

Distance:	6.2 Miles
Time:	55:03
Heart Rate:	160
Pace:	8:52
Weather:	Clear Temperature-48° Humidity-48%
Route:	Montclair Turkey Trot (approximation)

Microsoft Vista Experience (so far)

I loaded Microsoft's Vista operating system last weekend (11/18-19/2006), and yes it took 2 days. I put it on a machine that was runnning Redhat's Fedora. So, I thought fine, I would boot the machine with the Vista DVD. NO LUCK. A windows install exe is not going to launch from Fedora. So, I loaded Windows Server 2003 from its installation CD which was bootable. NO LUCK, Vista in stall said must be Windows 2000 or XP. So, I loaded XP, then launched Vista Install. Walla Walla! Got Vista running.

I haven't used it as my main computer yet, but I am liking it so far. Although, I haven't seen anything earth shattering. The sidebar is cool, but hardly innovative. Didn't Windows 95 have something like this for a brief time. I did start ripping CDs to fill up the 15 GBytes of wasted space on my Creative Zen. I found a nice feature in Media Player 11 on Vista. You could tell it to rip on load and eject when done. This made mindless ripping easy. Everytime the door on the CD player opens, switch CD. But, Media Player starts ripping the first track before the track's info is loaded and it gets ripped without the info used by the player for organization. So, I had to turn off auto-rip. Fix this, Microsoft!

11/22/06: 8 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another way out and back (not around the lake run). I listened to the Daily Source Code and Phedippidations. Steve indicated that the next show is going to be a rant about an article by Gabriel Sherman, Running with Slowpokes, which looks like it deserves to be bashed some. I can't wait to hear. May Gabriel trip in front of me some day! And, by the way, Gabriel, I may be a slowpoke, but I'm not an asshole. And, your article made me think I should write "Living with Assholes: How Assholes Ruined the Gene Pool". OK, I ranted following Steve's lead.

As to today's run, I had planned to run this morning but work got ahead of the run. So, I put it off for the afternoon. I still had on my clothes for a run in 36° temperatures, but the temperature had climbed to 62°. So, I had to change into fewer and shorter running clothes. A good run nonetheless.

Data

Distance:	8 Miles
Time:	1:15:23 (too slow for Gabriel)
Heart Rate:	151
Pace:	9:40
Weather:	Clear Temperature-62° Humidity-32%

11/21/06: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I was caught up on Podcasts, so I took the Creative Zen that has my ripped music collection. I put it in shuffle mode and let the tunes just flow. Privilege by Incubus and Pink Floyd's Animals were 2 I can remember as especially enjoyable. It was a very cold run! Oh, and no soreness. So, I guess the discomfort on Sunday is a non-issue. Yeppee!

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	49:44
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	9:56
Weather:	Clear Temperature-29° Humidity-75%

11/19/06: 13 Mile Run: Brownell-Montclair

No Judy today. She was in Atlanta last night and went to see James Taylor. I had listened to all of my usual podcasts, so I loaded up three CD's I recently purchased and they finished about 45 seconds after I finished running. Here's the list:

I have always thoroughly enjoyred running to Alien Ant Farms' Anthology, so I expected this one to be equally good. I was not disappointed. It was sort of more of the same, but the same is good in this case. OK Go, I bought because of that wonderful Treadmill video for Here It Goes Again, but my favorite song  was actually Maybe, This Time. Good music. But, the All-American Rejects was by far my favorite of the three. They provided an upbeat and different vibe that I just plain appreciated. And, I am glad they were queued up for the hardest part of the run.

It was cold today (36° degrees at the beginning of the run) and I felt a little discomfort just above my right ankle, on the inside of the leg. I am hoping it is just because I have had run 4 days in a row with a Muscle Works work out to boot. Tomorrow is a day of rest (and well deserved).

Data

Distance:	13 Miles
Time:	2:07:39
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	9:49
Weather:	Few Clouds Temperature-43° Humidity-60%
Route:	13 Mile Montclair Run

11/18/06: 4 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Today, I circled the lake twice. Along the way I listened to the Daily Source Code, and Accident Hash. I posted a comment on the Daily Source Code as Adam was having some folder option issues in Windows, but after listening to the show, I discovered he found the solution already. Good for him. Wishbone Ash has joined the PodShow Music Network and Adam played on the Souce Code. Man, I haven't thought about that group for a long time. Very cool.

C.C. Chapman is off to London and this show, Accident Hash, was awesome. I especially liked the Munk and David McMillin tracks. Thanks CC. 

Data

Distance:	4 Miles
Time:	40:42
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	10:10
Weather:	Few clouds Temperature-38° Humidity-89%

11/17/06: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another way out and back (not around the lake run). I listened to the Daily Source Code, Phedippidations, and Accident Hash. I checked out this week's blog of the week (from Phedippidations), http://xlbrooklyn.blogspot.com/. Man, it makes me realize that I can be too brief perhaps. I don't get very expressive about my experiences along the run. Frankly, I am not good at that kind of exposition. I respect those who are. Also, Steve indicated in this show, # 71-The Cost of Running, that he doesn't really have to have all the gear he as. He was talking specifically about things like his heart rate monitor, GPS, etc. I say, "Oh, contrare!" Thes gizmos are absolutely required, lol! 

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	1:00:08
Heart Rate:	145
Pace:	10:01
Weather:	Clear Temperature-36° Humidity-92%

11/16/06: 8 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another way out and back (not around the lake run). I listened to the Daily Source Code and Accident Hash. Don't have enough time to say much. It was cold and wet.

Data

Distance:	8 Miles
Time:	1:20:48
Heart Rate:	145
Pace:	10:05
Weather:	Light rain Temperature-45° Humidity-80%

11/14/06: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. After reacting to Podshow being bashed by some other podcasters, they all made up and had a love fest. All over a new show. I hate to say it, but it sure seems contrived. But, it was entertaining regardless.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	50:16
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	10:03
Weather:	Clear Temperature-40° Humidity-89%

11/12/06: 11 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Loop

Judy didn't make it today. She indicated yesterday that she was having some hamstring and glut pain. So, she expected to take a day off. So, I put the ear phones in the Creative Zen Sleek and let the random selections flow while I ran. It felt like a good and steady run.

Have I failed to mention that I am pleased that Rumsfeld is stepping down. May the next guy convey less arrogance and more inclusiveness in the world. Oh, and get off the cheap!

Data

Distance:	11 Miles
Time:	1:47:31
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:46
Weather:	Clear Temperature-44° Humidity-68%
Route:	10.5 Mile Loop + .5 Mile Add-On

11/11/06: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I caught on all this week's Daily Source Code episodes. Adam admitted that he was in a bad mood. Good for him! The number one thing I like about his show is his transparency and authenticity. He shares far more than I would, but he is clearly a human being and worthy of respect.

While chopping wood today, I listened to the latest Phedippidations. Steve proclaimed this blog the blog of the week! I have to admit that struck my ego. It is nice to think my ramblings do at least entertain someone. In fact, Steve often refers to his show as "this goofy little podcast" or something very close to that. Talk about goofy, this is kind of how I feel about this blog. I just ramble my thoughts and log my runs.

He read the header stuff and such as he described my blog. I do wonder if I question stuff enough. I find myself so absorbed with work and family that it is hard for me to get too deep. I also seem to have better thoughts and more expansive dialogues when I am running. Yet, when the run is over I can't seem to recreate the chain that was in my head. I keep thinking that perhaps I should take my iRiver along just to capture my ideas when they come. We'll see if I ever do.

Thanks Steve!

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:17
Heart Rate:	142
Pace:	10:06
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-65° Humidity-90%

11/10/06: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

After several days of no new Daily Source Code episodes, I discovered that new PodShow updates had killed My Channel. So, I wasn't getting updates. I subscribed to the show separately and got the latest shows. So, I had some to listen to this morning. Adam and Patricia did  a show together. She said he was in a bad mood. He denied it claiming he was just stressed. He sure sounded like he was in a bad mood. If one is stressed and showing signs of irratibility, that is a bad mood.

Data

Distance:	6.015 Miles
Time:	59:15
Heart Rate:	Not measured used GPS
Pace:	9:51
Weather:	Clear Temperature-52° Humidity-89%

11/08/06: 8 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another run during whichI put the Creative Zen Sleek on random mode and listened to music. Weather was a lot nicer this morning as compared to yesterday. I didn't circle the lake multiple times. I ran down highway 41 using a new finger light I bought for $1.98 at Wal-Mart. It has a velco strip designed to go around a finger. It has several modes included flash. It is very light and bright. I used to carry a small flashlight. This frees up my grip and it worked great!

The election is over and my fellow Americans have joined me in saying "It's time for a change!" Let's hope we really get one and that we start making a difference. We need to fight the jihadists straight on while embracing good willed Muslims. We need to lead demonstrating that problems can be solved without killing. Let's do it! Oh, I still believe we are right in killing those who would kill us. But, for me, that does not include some of what we have done in Iraq. Time to make it right or as right as we can.

Data

Distance:	8 Miles
Time:	1:19:44
Heart Rate:	Not measured used GPS
Pace:	9:57
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-53° Humidity-86%

11/07/06: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Today is  my youngest son's Birthday. Happy Birthday, John!

I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. During this one, Adam refers to getting points added to his license due to speeding tickets as a scam. OK, I speed some and I hate getting tickets, but it is the same law for everyone and you can choose not to speed. It ain't a scam. It's an attempt to motivate people to drive the speed limit or less. Statistics do fairly well demonstrate a strong relationship between fatal car crashes and speed. So, Adam welcome to the same world the rest of us live in. Hey, maybe they should change the model and let you pay more for your speeding tickets to subsidize the rest of us poor souls. OK, I am being a bit of a smartass. But, sometimes Adam's attitude needs adjusting.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	52:03
Heart Rate:	150
Pace:	10:24 (oh, so slow)
Weather:	Raining Temperature-57° Humidity-90%

Finished "Knowing the Enemy"

Mary started from the position that we should ask the Islamic extremists why they are doing what they are doing. Given this position, she demonstrated how one can take these explanations and see the historical threads that led to the conclusions used by the extremists. This made for a very interesting analysis and reading. I find Mary's description of today's events and the history that led to them compelling and convincing. The extremists believe that they are on a path that is blessed by Allah and as such readily dismiss our forms of government. Further, they have managed to find a message that resonates with many in the Islamic world. Mary concludes the book with some reasonable advice. First, rename the "war on terror" to something that makes it clear that the war is on those that have declared jihad on America. This is not war against a tactic. Second, we need to help change the shape of the governance over most of the Arab community where the current governments are corrupt and oppressive. This does not mean invade and turn them into little America's. It does mean helping to support any initiative that puts the people in control and moves toward democratization and undermine the ability of the Jihadists to just garner continuing support.

11/05/06: 13 Mile Run: Brownell-Montclair

I met Judy at 6:30 am as usual. She ran with me to about 6.5 mile mark and then took a short cut home. This time I had the MP3 player with me just in case. Judy is not planning on running the full marathon for Mercedes. So, she doesn't really need to run these longer distances with me. I met up with 3 women just after the 12 mile mark. Without speaking, we ran the last mile together. They came in from a different direction, so I have no idea where they came from. It did help motivate me through the last mile. This was a tough 2 days with a total of 19.2 miles run this weekend. I'm ready!

Data

Distance:	13 Miles
Time:	2:05:00
Heart Rate:	156
Pace:	9:36
Weather:	Clear Temperature-47° Humidity-42%
Route:	13 Mile Montclair Run

11/4/06: 6.2 Mile Run: Vulcan Run

I arrived early at 6:45 am to get my packet for the 2006 Vulcan Run. It was cold this morning, 35°according to a readout on a bank's sign as I was driving downtown. So, I wore tights and was ready with long sleeves if needed. Sue, a woman that Judy and see from time to time that lives in Judy's neighborhood was one of the volunteers. It was good to see her and say hi since it had been awhile. Judy showed up at about 15 till 8:00; the race started at 8:00.

I clearly drank too much coffee and water. Despite have visited the men's room twice in the last half-hour before the race, I had to stop within the first mile and relieve myself again. That was the last time I saw Judy. So, I ran the race alone and without a MP3 player. Dang! When alone, I really like the MP3 player. It was in the car.

But, it was a good race. I ran my fastest pace this week. Judy ran faster. But, I didn't want to push it since I am doing a 13 miler tomorrow.

Data

Distance:	6.2 Miles
Time:	56:31
Heart Rate:	164
Pace:	9:06
Weather:	Clear Temperature-44° Humidity-42%
Route:	See Race Website

11/2/06: 3 Mile Run: Palisades, NY

I'm still in New York. I listened to the Daily Source Code and enjoyed my cold, wet run. I came across 3 deer this morning. Two of them seem to be running with me for a short way. Very cool.

Not so cool is the idea that during my install of the latest iTunes install it tells me it can't continue because it can't access my Outlook data because I have Outlook open. I closed Outlook, but gees iTunes what the hell are you doing with my mail, calendar client! I have suffered another annoyance lately as well. Namely, gmaps-pedometer's insistence on resetting its viewpoint to the whole country and refusing to let me get back down to the resolution of my route drawing! I have not been able to definitively pin down the steps to recreate, but it has happened to me several times now.

Data

Distance:	3.14 Miles
Time:	31:21
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:59
Weather:	Raining Temperature-43° Humidity-87%
Route:	Route

11/1/06: 5 Mile Run: Palisades, NY

I'm on a business trip in New York. I have been here before and love running this predominantly cross-country like run through a state park and a nature trail from the facility wherein I am staying. Twas a good run with the Creative Sleek playing random selections from my musical collection.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	48:5
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:37
Weather:	Partly cloudy Temperature-57° Humidity-81%
Route:	Route

10/31/06: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I ran with another runner from the neighborhood, Larry. Larry is training for the Mercedes Marathon too. We took a different route than my usual. So, no loops around the lake today. Larry and I run about the same pace. It was a good run and it was nice to have company.

Data

Distance:	5.233 Miles
Time:	49:39
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:29
Weather:	Clear Temperature-56° Humidity-77%