09/30/07: 12 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

Another run alone. Judy is at the beach. I listened to the latest Daily Source Code and Phedippidations shows. Adam needs to get off of this "red pill" and "blue pill" thing. It was cool and entertaining, but it is getting tired. Further, it seems to perpetuate the same old polarizing viewpoints that are every where. Republican vs Democrat, Muslim vs Christian, Black vs White, etc. The world is far more complicated than that. The truth or best action is not located at the one of a pole, but somewhere end between the two poles. Presuming, of course, that we have even managed to look at the right dimension of a problem's source. Go for the purple pill!

Data

Distance:	12 Miles
Time:	1:52:14
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:14
Weather:	Clear Temperature-66° Humidity-51%
Route:	The usual 10.5 Miler + 1.5 Miler

09/18-29/07: Running, Not Blogging: Work Took Over Life

OK, Life has been NUTS. I am glad that I got all of my runs in, but blogging just ain't been happening. I have managed to let work just take over all of life. I have had a lot going on and I need to figure out how to manage it better. I have been either preparing for, managing, or attending sessions at a conference we host. I managed 1 track and co-championed another. Add to that the building of an estimate that is proving more difficult than expected, and I have just been crumbling under the pressure. Oh, and my work laptop died while at the conference.

I have had a problem with this particular laptop's ability to maintain a lit LCD for a long time. Normally, a little tap or movement of the screen and a power monitor on and off reset and it comes back to life. Well, with everything going on and my working endlessly, my prompting for the return of the monitor grew more aggressive. We have to have roommates at this conference to enable more of us to go. Well, I am sure my roommate thinks I am nuts. He said it was no wonder my laptop died implying that I killed it. He might be right.

I did manage to calm myself by the end of the week and I need to search my soul a bit more to regain balance. I need (and will!) to take charge of my life and my work again. All things in balance and I have been letting work just consume me. In fact, one of my friends at the conference said that he was worried about me because he saw me in the hall and thought I looked "consumed and tired". I probably did try to do too much. I didn't relax at all until Thursday night. What really sucks is that since I work remote, I get less time to spend with folks in my company on a face-to-face basis than those in the office and this conference did not afford any opportunities to significantly enhance that. In other words, despite that fact that I was in the same place as many of my colleagues, I saw them little.

I am confident that I will regain balance. Sometimes, you just have to dig in and get stuff done and that's all there is to it. I need to handle it better. But, it is behind me and I need to just keep running forward. I didn't let my running fall behind.

Data

09/18/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	47:23
Heart Rate:	145
Pace:	9:28
Weather:	Clear Temperature-64° Humidity-70%

09/21/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:44
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	9:14
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-71° Humidity-79%

09/22/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	2 Miles
Time:	17:33
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	8:42
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-90%

09/23/07: Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL

	7.7 Miles
Time:	1:13:00
Pace:	9:28
Weather:	Few clouds Temperature-85° Humidity-72%

09/25/07: Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL

Distance:	3.7 Miles
Time:	31:09
Pace:	8:29
Weather:	Clear Temperature-75° Humidity-79%

09/27/07: Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL

Distance:	7.85 Miles
Time:	1:14:51
Pace:	9:32
Weather:	Clear Temperature-74° Humidity-87%

09/28/07: Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:18
Pace:	8:57
Weather:	Clear Temperature-77° Humidity-87%

09/29/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:47
Heart Rate:	143
Pace:	9:15
Weather:	Clear Temperature-66° Humidity-42%

09/16/07: 12 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

I ran alone on this nice, brisk morning. I put the iPod on shuffle and along I went. This is the first day of 2008 Mercedes Marathon training for me and the longest run I have done since the last Mercedes Marathon. I did fine. But, I did have a little knee irritation at the beginning (inside of the first 3 miles). The discomfort did subside. Overall, the run felt great and I completed it with no difficulty.

I am a bit disturbed by the reactions to General Petraeus's presentation to Congress and the nation. We Americans have to feel responsible for the mess in Iraq right now. Not to mention that if we abandon the country there is surely a bloodbath (as in one that is worse that the current and recent ones) coming. The extremists will be emboldened and they will have a field day. Add that to the sectarian strife and it will simply be horrible. We have to do everything possible to stabilize the country including routing out the extremists and local killers before we leave. To do otherwise is shameful and cowardly in my opinion. We made the mess; we have to clean it up.

And what about the rumors about the McCann's (the family with the missing daughter, Madeleine)! I would put a link, but really I can't find anything substantial looking. The rumor is that they were swingers and they would sedate the children while they were swinging. The hypothesis is that Madeleine had a reaction or something and the parents are executing a cover up. I sure hope that's not true. Surely, they would have had enough sense to get a sitter. Not to mention they would know better than most of the risks with sedating anyone especially children.

Data

Distance:	12 Miles
Time:	1:53:45
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	9:28
Weather:	Clear Temperature-58° Humidity-78%
Route:	The usual 10.5 Miler + 1.5 Miler

09/12/07: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the lastest Daily Source Code and the rest of the latest Accident Hash during this morning run. iTunes struck again. The last time I sync'd, I right clicked on my channel node in iTunes, right-clicked, and selected "Update Podcast". I swear I got the visual cue indicating nothing to update. I clicked on the red "X" indicating that I wished to close iTunes. I switched the input focus to some other window since iTunes takes forever to do anything. Sometime later, I saw some notice blinking on my system bar. It was iTunes telling me that it was in the middle of downloading and asked something like "Continue...or...". I am sure I selected the option indicating I wanted the download to finish. Well, it didn't.

The show enumerated the various reasons why terrorist hijackers weren't the reason the World Trade Center buildings collapsed. I have to say I don't buy the explanations that suggested conspiracy of our own doing (our own as in some US government planned job or something). Adam referenced a video that you may want to check out to form your own opionion. In fact, it seems interesting that on one hand Adam claims that the CIA and such are such colossal boobs, but we have some organization that could demolish the World Trade Center live on TV and blame on someone else who happily takes the blame. Give me a break! The extremists are real and they really did and want to kill us. It is that freaking simple. I would agree that the path that leads to why they want to kill us is less simple.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	48:19
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	9:39
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-68° Humidity-93%

09/11/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the lastest Daily Source Code during this morning run. The days are definitely shorter and I am getting reacquainted with running in the dark, yuk. It is peaceful though.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:52
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	9:17
Weather:	Clear Temperature-75° Humidity-82%

09/09/07: 8.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

No Judy. It seems that she met her new bough, she has not been able to get out to run with me. Well, good for her (and, yes, I mean that). She deserves some happiness and companionship is an excellent way to get some happiness. I have also failed to contact her lately, so maybe she thinks I am not behaving dependably and just running from home. So, I just need to drop her a line and say "hey!".

I listened to the Daily Source Code and Phedippidations during this run. I didn't take the iPhone on the run because ITUNES SUCKS. I got up early to download any new podcasts so I could sync the iPod and the iPhone. Phedippidations disappeared before I could sync it to the iPhone. It made it to the iPhone. Then, the Daily Source Code did not go the the Channel folder per my subscription, but when to its own separate folder. It loaded to the iPod, but not the iPhone. I tried moving it to the usual folder, dragging it to the playlist, and the bottom line is NOTHING F**K*NG worked. The show went to the iPod, but not the iPhone. So, I ran with the iPod. Apple will you F**K*NG FIX THIS!

The run went great, just check out the pace. Yee haw!

Data

Distance:	8.5 Miles
Time:	1:14:09
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	8:43
Weather:	Clear Temperature-77° Humidity-62%
Route:	The usual 8.5 Miler

09/07/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the lastest Daily Source Code during this morning run. I am expecting a stress filled overloaded day, so I needed this run to try to settle my mind and spirit before starting the day. It worked, but unfortunately I don't expect it to last long. Absent from my life at the moment is a strong sense of control and adequate control of time and load. I assume this happens to most of us from time-to-time when the demands just seem to overpower and out pace one's ability to deliver. On I go hoping like hell catch up or at least stay one step ahead. Is the singularity here yet?

Oh, before I forget, I tried to listen to the latest Phedippidations via streaming to the iPhone on the way back from the beach. Unlike the Daily Source Code I streamed recently, it didn't work. :(

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:48
Heart Rate:	145
Pace:	9:35
Weather:	Clear Temperature-76° Humidity-71%

08/29/07-09/04/07: Running and Vacation

We went to the beach, Seagrove Beach, Florida, this weekend and I have been incredibly busy. So, here's a bunch of runs and a few comments. I finished "The Innocent Man" by John Grisham. Excellent book although it's Grisham's first non-fiction work.I thoroughly enjoyed the time with my family especially our young son. He had many moments of just pure joy. It was a pleasure to be there with him. We swam in the ocean and we swam in the pool. I really needed some time away from work. I got some good runs in too.

The Gulf was just beautiful. The weather was beautiful.

Finished! Excellent writing and riveting reading. Clearly this story was told with much input from Ron Williamson's sisters who loved him very much. The story is sad, but well worth reading. It is horrible to think that other innocent men suffer similar fates.

Data

08/29/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	48:28
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:45
Weather:	Clear Temperature-74° Humidity-94%

09/01/07: Seagrove Beach, FL

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	26:38
Pace:	8:52
Weather:	Clear Temperature-74° Humidity-94%
Route

09/02/07: Seagrove Beach, FL

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:38:54
Pace:	9:25
Weather:	Mostly cloudy Temperature-79° Humidity-89%
Route

09/04/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:13
Heart Rate:	139
Pace:	9:44
Weather:	Clear Temperature-71° Humidity-90%

08/28/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the Daily Source Code during this early morning run. I was saddened and amused to hear Adam tell of his accidental dropping of his iPhone into the soiled bowl of his toilet. I hope it comes back to function, but he doesn't sound hopeful. I am hoping that my pace is a reflection of recent illness and not a developing pattern. I am about 4-5 pounds lighter than last week. So, I think I was sicker than I thought.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:57
Heart Rate:	141
Pace:	9:39
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-75° Humidity-87%

08/26/07: 8.65 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I put the iPod on shuffle, grabbed the bluetooth attachment and headset and off I went for the early morning run. Judy hosted a party so she knew in advance that she would not be able to make this early morning run. So, to save time I simply ran from the house instead of the usual Brownell trip. I ran ok. I saw several cyclists on C-41 and traffic was very light. I came across a middle-aged woman (hum, guess that would mean my age) do Tai Chi (at least I think it was Tai Chi). I thought that was very cool. She had found an isolated spot along the back road leaving our neighborhood.
The rest of the day was not to go so well. One of the reasons I chose to run from home was to save time to permit me to work. I had to mow the yard after the run especially since my wife had a plan for a social gathering later today. I had to take significant breaks between portions of the yard work and when I finished I was completely fatigued. I also had diarrhea. I was sick for the entire rest of the day. I didn't eat or get out of bed. I did not get any work done. :(
And, the Motorokr bluetooth headset appears to have broken. Arghhhhhh. Can't turn it on or off.

Data

Distance:	8.65 Miles
Time:	1:24:28
Heart Rate:	151
Pace:	9:45
Weather:	Mostly cloudy Temperature-74° Humidity-97%
Route

08/25/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I put the iPod on shuffle and let the music flow for this run. Lots of people were out and around the lake this morning. I received 2 interesting text messages from AT&T. The national press and the Internet caught on to an amusing video about someone's iPhone bill. It came in a box. I received the following text message:

Makes you think the video was definitely genuine. What a hoot!

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:58
Heart Rate:	151
Pace:	9:19
Weather:	Clear Temperature-75° Humidity-87%

08/23/07: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the Phedippidations and the lastest Daily Source Code during this morning run. Despite Adam's opportunity to interview his Uncle Don, ex-CIA and a person who like's George Bush, Sr. but not George W. Adam has been hyping this interview for a very long time. It appears that the avenue to the content now is though PodShow Press. I do wish Adam and his uncle would simply quit baiting and start delivering. Adam did read a book review written by his Uncle Don that sounded very interesting. The review included information about his uncle's life including information about his inductance into the CIA and such. More Adam, more!

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	57:33
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	9:35
Weather:	Clear Temperature-78° Humidity-64%

08/21/07: 3 Mile Run: Farmington, CT

I listened to the latest Daily Source Code during this early morning run in Farmington, CT. The temperature was awesome. I forgot what it was like to run in cooler weather.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	26:58
Heart Rate:	Not measured (took the GPS thingy)
Pace:	8:59
Weather:	Clear Temperature-57° Humidity-90%
Route:	Route

08/19/07: 10.5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I have to head off to Hartford, CT this morning so to maximize time, I ran from the house. Judy is at the beach so I would have lost an hour to go run alone at Brownell. I took the iPod and put it on shuffle and listened to music. The run felt great. I saw several other runners while out there. I thought about adding .5 miles to make for an even 11 miler, but decided to stay with the plan.

Data

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:41:11
Heart Rate:	Not measured (took the GPS thingy)
Pace:	9:34
Weather:	Clear Temperature-79° Humidity-77%
Route:	10.5 Mile on CR41

08/14-15/07: Runs While Onsite in Columbia, SC

I spent the work week in Columbia and got in a couple of runs as shown below. I listened to the latest Daily Source Code and Accident Hash episodes. I listened to episode 652 of the Daily Source Code on the way home by streaming it via the iPhone since the hotel's Internet connection was not working and I couldn't catch up with latest podcast subscriptions. Very cool! I was a bit nervous about some of the work stuff I had to get done and such for the week, but it all worked out and I should have worried less. I couldn't drive all the way home as I got too tired. So, I slept in the rental car for a few hours in a hotel parking lot.
I also had to stop at several places along the way so I could find a paper holder that my son insisted he needed me to get on my next trip. He selected one as a gift for me once. He was at my desk playing with it and insisted I write a note that next time I went on a trip, I needed to get him one. So, I did. I will put the note on flickr a little bit later.

Data

08/14/07: Blythewood, SC

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:01
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:00
Weather:	Clear Temperature-73° Humidity-79%
Route

08/15/07: Blythewood, SC

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	57:01
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:30
Weather:	Partly Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-91%
Route

Finished Let It Be Morning

I finally finished this wonderful novel. I read Sayed's first novel as well. I assume that his writings represent a viewpoint that can only realistically be portrayed by someone who has experienced like in places like Gaza first hand. Further, he represents his protagonists as Arabs and from an Arab, all be it non-extremist, point of view. The stories are well written and quickly absorb one in the life's of those in the stories. I highly recommend his books.

8/12/07: 8.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

Judy made it today. She is under some pretty heavy duty stress (I won't say why). I hope I was a good friend and offered a good ear and reasonable advice. She is also battling what seems like some fatigue. The stress and the temperature probably have stacked the deck against her. So, she skipped the little out and back at the end of the trail and I finished the last 1.5 ahead of her. But, she was not that far behind. I sure hope her situation improves. She is a hard working, loyal, steadfast person that doesn't deserve any ill. I am happy for other parts of her life that have improved (think new fellow) :)

As for me, well I just ran a good steady pace with the sound of my conversation with Judy or the sound of my running. Prince was with Al DiMicco's group. First time I have seen him out with the Sunday crowd. I might have tried to show up earlier and ran with the big group had I known. But, I did get a chance to chat with him which was nice.

Data

Distance:	8.5 Miles
Time:	1:16:34
Heart Rate:	158
Pace:	9:00
Weather:	Clear Temperature-82° Humidity-55%
Route:	The usual 8.5 Miler

08/10/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the Daily Source Code during this morning run. Nothing special to say today. Just knocking off the miles and trying to relief the stress from work.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:01
Heart Rate:	158
Pace:	9:00
Weather:	Clear Temperature-78° Humidity-74%

08/09/07: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to Phedippidations during this morning run. Good show, but the discussion based Dr. George Sheehan's, This Running Life, that explained significant portions of personality based on one's body type (endomorph, mesomorph, ectomorph) was a little too reductionistic in my opinion. The development of one's personality (well the rest of the person too really) is a result of a dynamic interaction between the person and its environment (all of it). One's body type influences the environment and vice versa. The range and pervasiveness on other variables in the environment is enormous. I suspect that a scientific investigation of personality and body type would reveal a much more tenuous relationship than that reported by Dr. Sheehan.

I listened to a Scott Berkun on a podcast and had to checkout a Scott's blog as a result of their description of Asshole Driven Development. What a hoot! I have been in software development for nearly 20 years and I was very amused by the satirical list of software development lifecycle methods.

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	56:31
Heart Rate:	154
Pace:	9:25
Weather:	Clear Temperature-78° Humidity-77%

08/07/07: 3 Mile Run: Blythewood, SC

I listened to Daily Source Code during this morning run. I didn't take the wireless headset given the recent woes with its use (see previous posts for my whining). The Garwin Timex system also screwed up, IMHO. I believe that you have to get the green light on the monitor indicating that you have established connection with the satellites before you indicate your desire to use the GPS services on the watch. I turned on the monitor, pressed the watches buttons to reset the values from the last run, selected distance as the GPS related metric to display, and I got the green light after awhile. Silly me; I pressed start and started running. After about a mile I looked at the watch and distance was 0.00. The GPS light was off. Arghhhhhh. Turned it on.

It started tracking distance. I guessed at a turned around point. I noted the time at the turn around. I figured I would just take the watch's end time - this midpoint value multiply by 2 and there you go. Well, using that mechanism showed I ran 7:10 pace! Yeah right.

Data

Distance:	3.2 Miles (estimate, validated on gMaps)
Time:	30:26
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:30
Weather:	Clear Temperature-78 Humidity-87%