Saturday, April 17, 2010

2010 Statue-To-Statue Run

A hard, but fun run. I only walked one of the big hills. This makes for the second year in a row that I have managed to do only walk on the steepest of the 2 steep hills. Yeppee! I love this challenging, but good run. I do always pack my own water because I find the space between water stops just too long for me.

April 17, 2010: Birmingham, AL
Statue-to-Statue Run
Distance: 9.3 Miles
Time: 1:23:23
Heart Rate: 169
Pace: 8:51
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Temperature-64°
Humidity-65%
The Route:

Saturday, March 27, 2010

2010 Cooper River Bridge Run

I haven't blogged in awhile and I find myself looking here for past race results and such. So, I thought I should at least get in here and update my recent race results.

I had a good run for the Cooper River Bridge Run this year although it was a minute slower than last year. I can not complain about these results:

March 27, 2010: Charleston, SC
Cooper River Bridge Run
Distance: 6.2 Miles
Time: 49:28
Heart Rate: 167
Pace: 7:51
Weather: Overcast
Temperature-48°
Humidity-82%
The Route:

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Printing to HP Deskjet 722C from Mac via Windows Server 2008

I got a MacBook late last year. I am running Mac OS X 10.6.2. I learned how to use the network to connect to printers connected to Windows' machines, but the Mac doesn't have a driver for my ancient, but very well working HP Deskjet 722C printer. I was printing to my wife's more modern printer, but she disconnects her machine too frequently and I have to walk over with the Mac and physically connect. Yuk! I had given up when I found a gem on the Internet, How to Use a Printer Attached to a Windows XP Computer in Mac OS X, that led me to a solution.

Now, the instructions did work exactly as written for me, but contained everything I needed to resolve. Here are the key points that vary from the instructions in the article that led to my success:

Do exactly as instructed for items 1-3. Except, choose to share "Ghostscript722C"; you will see why in a moment.

I selected "HP Color LaserJet 2500 PS" for the Print Driver instead of "Apple Color LW 12/660 PS" which was not installed on my system. I just looked for something with "PS" and went with HP for obvious reasons (the printer is an HP, but I don't think it matters as long as it supports postscript).

I did have to make the registry change suggested in the instructions:

After googling the error I found the following solution on redmons homepage:

http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/redmon/

"gsprint can't find any printers because RedMon runs as the default 
user which doesn't have any printers. Copy the printer configuration 
in the registry from the current user to the default user. This problem 
is related to using mswinpr2 on Windows NT."

And the solution is found here:
http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/redmon/muir.htm

Copying the stringvalue with *the name of the real, working 
printer* (as phrased in part3) found in the registry location. 
Using Start->Run->Regedit (be careful, because it can cause severe 
damage to windows if something wrong is done with regedit):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Devices

f.ex. (I suppose in your case, if it was on windows 2000):
String name: "HP DeskJet 722C" (The printername)
String value: "winspool,FILE:"

To the registry location:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Devices

String name: "HP DeskJet 722C" (The printername)
String value: "winspool,FILE:"
My String value was "LPT1:", not "FILE:" though.

And, this note (also in the main article referenced above), led me to the final conclusion which worked:

I'd like to contribute one note for the instructions that other 
multi-computer switchers might find useful: 

With 10.3 Panther, one has the option to just share the redirected
printer as a standard Windows share instead of using Unix print services. 
I basically just followed your instructions up to step 3, but then just 
turned on sharing. I was then able to find the printer from the Printer 
Setup Utility using the Windows Printing menu item.
However, I used the Add Printer, Advanced Tab

  • Type: Windows
  • Device: Another Device
  • URL: smb://IBMServer/Ghostscript722C (Note: "IBMServer is server name where printer is connected)
  • Name: IBMServer
  • Location:
  • Print Using: Generic PostScript Printer

And, walla, I am printing.

2010 Mercedes Marathon Finish: Run Your Real Pace Fool ;)

I ran the Mercedes Marathon on Valentines day  at 4:25:52. As the chart below shows, I died in the 7.6 miles. I should have ran to what I knew was my fitness level by aiming at something like a 4:15 or a 9:43 pace. I shot for 9:09 and ran with the 4:00 hour pace group. I am just not at that fitness level. I was close to that fitness level last year. I was running to improve last year's time, instead of to what I really knew my ability was. I'm OK with my overall time, but I hate finishing this spent. I walked A LOT in the end. I hate that. I don't mind being slow. I do mind walking. Lesson learned. The times listed for the 15K and 25K must be wrong. I suspect the 15K was wrong and the rest are correct. It is as if the measurement of the 15K was more like 10 miles or something. Anyway, I was spent, I ran way ahead of my ability and it hurt. But, no injury. I was just WAY tired.

DistanceTimePaceLeg DistanceLeg TimeLeg Pace
6.254:438:506.254:438:50
9.3*1:31:348:493.136:5111:53*
15.5**2:16:358:496.245:017:16**
18.62:43:048:463.127:599.03
26.24:25:5210:097.61:42:4813:53

* There is no way that I was running a 11:53 pace between 6.2 and 9.3. So, the posted data from the results is wrong.
** There is no way that I was running 7:16  pace between 9.3 and 15.5. So, the posted data from the results is wrong.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Dec 18 - Jan 3: Working, Listening, and Exercising

Another year done gone. Man, where did the time go. I continue to spend more time working and exercising. I hear "get a life" more and more from folks around me. Hum.... Maybe, I should work less, but exercising is something I definitely enjoy.

My family and I had a great Christmas and New Years season. We had time together and with friends. That was great. John and Betsy had lots of vacation time together. Me, well, I was working, of course. No time for fun: Work! Work! Work! Deadlines to make and money to make. Go Go Go. I do like what I do, so that helps. The stress does stay high, but I guess that is modern life. Here just a few pictures from our family celebration:



Updated Cholesterol figures I forgot to post from November 20, 2009:
Total: 176 (goal < 200)
HDL: 49.8 (goal > 40)
I am missing riding my bike! It has been cold and I have been cranking out the miles for the Mercedes Marathon. But, I feel the need to ride.

Podcast Listening


Accident Hash
Phedippidations
IT Conversations
This American Life
Cranky Geeks
Fitness Rocks
  • New Beginnings a new site at http://science2health.org/ because apparently if you mention global warming or evolution you get attacked if you show is title "Fitness Rocks". Gee Whiz. Everything has to be treated in a polarizing way, eh? If you disagree with someone, bash 'em, yell at 'em, hate 'em, bitch at 'em, etc. Religion, politics, and Science are blending to the point where reason has no chance of prevailing.
Science2Health

Exercise Data

January 3, 2010: Birmingham, AL
Mercedes Course 

Running

Distance:
13.14 Miles
Time:
2:05:57
Heart Rate:
145
Pace:
9:35
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-21°
Humidity-63%
Route

January 1, 2010: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
3 Miles
Time:
29:12
Heart Rate:
145
Pace:
9:43
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-42°
Humidity-49%

December 31, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
5 Miles
Time:
45:52
Heart Rate:
148
Pace:
9:10
Weather:
Overcast
Temperature-50°
Humidity-93%

December 30, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
10.03 Miles
Time:
1:37:30
Heart Rate:
138
Pace:
9:43
Weather:
Overcast
Temperature-43°
Humidity-47%

December 29, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
7 Miles
Time:
1:07:51
Heart Rate:
137
Pace:
9:41
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-25°
Humidity-85%
YMCA,
Birmingham, AL
Swim

Distance:
1000 Yards
Workout:
4 X 50 yards even laps-sprint odd laps-smooth, work on stroke
200 yards kick, with or without board
200 yards free, easy!
4 X 50 yards even laps-work on arms, odd laps-work on legs
100 yards sprint
100 yards easy

December 27, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Brownell - Shades Creek-Crestline
Running

Distance:
17.01 Miles
Time:
2:47:40
Heart Rate:
138
Pace:
9:51
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-34°
Humidity-75%
Route

December 26, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
7 Miles
Time:
1:06:25
Heart Rate:
135
Pace:
9:29
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-30°
Humidity-88%
YMCA,
Birmingham, AL
Swim

Distance:
600 Yards
Time:
15:19

December 24, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
8.04 Miles
Time:
1:16:18
Heart Rate:
138
Pace:
9:29
Weather:
Scattered clouds
Temperature-48°
Humidity-77%
 
December 23, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
10.02 Miles
Time:
1:32:19
Heart Rate:
144
Pace:
9:12
Weather:
Mostly cloudy
Temperature-48°
Humidity-63%

December 22, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
6.16 Miles
Time:
59:00
Heart Rate:
139
Pace:
9:34
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-33°
Humidity-92%
YMCA,
Birmingham, AL
Swim

Distance:
1000 Yards
Workout:
4 X 50 yards even laps-sprint odd laps-smooth, work on stroke
200 yards kick, with or without board
200 yards free, easy!
4 X 50 yards even laps-work on arms, odd laps-work on legs
100 yards sprint
100 yards easy

December 20, 2009: Demopolis, AL
Running

Distance:
15.03 Miles
Time:
2:21:33
Heart Rate:
140
Pace:
9:25
Weather:
Scatttered clouds
Temperature-39°
Humidity-61%
Route

December 19, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
5 Miles
Time:
49:57
Heart Rate:
148
Pace:
9:59
Weather:
OvercastTemperature-39°
Humidity-87%

December 18, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
6.23 Miles
Time:
59:27
Heart Rate:
Not measured
Pace:
9:32
Weather:
Light rain
Temperature-39°
Humidity-96%

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Nov 16-Dec 17: I Need More Life!

I continue having a hard time balancing exercise, life, and work. Work takes over more and more and more and more... I am working on exciting stuff and it pays the bills in these scary days when unemployment is double digit, so I guess it could be worse. But, I do seem to fail to find time to update this blog. As a result, I fear that when I look back (OK, if I look back) I will find that I didn't say anything that will help me remember what ever I might be looking back to see. Anyway, here I am.

I have my sights set on the Ironman 70.3 Augusta, GA in 2010. It looks like Team in Training will be sending a team and I reckon I will get on it. I'm a little intimidated at the notion of raising $3500 given my time management problem. But, folks who know say it won't prove to be an issue.

We went to Dempolis, Alabama's Christmas on the River this year and had a blast (I also did well in the 5K see results below). J.T. Thomas was the Grand Marshall and he set in the Grand Marshal vehicle right in front of us for 10-15 minutes and we chatted. Seemed just as nice as he did on Survivor. Survivor is the only thing I watch on TV besides the news. So, it was cool to chat with him. I don't know why I didn't do the "let have a picture with you thing." Here are some pictures the whole celebration though:



John sold popcorn to as part of the Tiger Cubs fund raiser. And, for meeting his goal he got to throw a pie into the face of the troop leader. It was fun to watch and for John fun to do:



Betsy and I did Sip-n-Strokes together again. It was a blast, but I was the only male in a group of about 30 people. Guessing I am expressing my feminine self:



Notice on my December 9th run, the following story:
A truck passed me going the same direction (on the other side of the road) and crashed! It fishtailed and left the road right in front of me. I ran as fast as I could to where it left the road and found it upside down with in a raveen with water in it. I yelled, "are you OK?" The response was a resounding, "yes."  And,  a teenage boy climbed out unharmed. I was so afraid I was going to find a bloody mess in the car. I waved down a car and asked the driver to let the boy use her cell phone. I wasn't carrying one and his was not working after getting soaked in the water. He called his house. You could tell that his mother answered. He said:
Let me talk to Dad. Yeah, I'm fine, but I need to talk to Dad please. Dad, I have had an accident.....
His Dad arrived and showed compassion and concern. His first action was to simply hug his son. I hope all ends well for the boy, Lou.

Podcast Listening

Phedippidations
Cranky Geeks
Accident Hash
Fitness Rocks
Has Monte gone commercial? iTunes did not load show 150 from my collection at mevio.com. The site, Fitness Rocks, now shows a Subscribe button seems to want to set me up for a monthly charge. Now, I have to decide if I want to pay I reckon. I emailed Dr. Monte and he indicated that iTunes should work and that 1 show a month will continue to be free. iTunes did work. This is one of my favorite podcasts and I know production is not free or cheap. I may subscribe just to offer support.
This American Life

Exercise Data


December 17, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
10 Miles
Time:
1:35:24
Heart Rate:
145
Pace:
9:32
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-49°
Humidity-48%
YMCA,
Birmingham, AL
Swim

Distance:
700 Yards
Time:
17:55

December 15, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
6.23 Miles
Time:
59:25
Heart Rate:
150
Pace:
9:32
Weather:
Light rain
Temperature-59°
Humidity-94%
YMCA,
Birmingham, AL
Swim

Distance:
1000 Yards
Workout:
4 X 50 yards even laps-sprint odd laps-smooth, work on stroke
200 yards kick, with or without board
200 yards free, easy!
4 X 50 yards even laps-work on arms, odd laps-work on legs
100 yards sprint
100 yards easy


December 13, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Mercedes Course (well almost)
Running

Distance:
13.39 Miles
Time:
2:06:10
Heart Rate:
150
Pace:
9:25
Weather:
Light rain
Temperature-53°
Humidity-93%
Route

 
December 12, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Jingle Bell Run at Greystone Elementary
Running (ran with John, school event)

Distance:
1 Miles
Time:
9:00 (estimated)
Pace:
9:00 (estimated)
Weather:
Mostly cloudy
Temperature-40°
Humidity-40%
December 11, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
9.15 Miles
Time:
1:26:06
Heart Rate:
141
Pace:
9:24
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-29°
Humidity-56%

December 9, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
9.1 Miles
Time:
1:26:07
Heart Rate:
144
Pace:
9:27
Weather:
Mostly cloudy
Temperature-60°
Humidity-88%
A truck passed me going the same direction (on the other side of the road) and crashed! It fishtailed and left the road right in front of me. I ran as fast as I could to where it left the road and found it upside down with in a raveen with water in it. I yelled, "are you OK?" The response was a resounding, "yes."  And,  a teenage boy climbed out unharmed. I was so afraid I was going to find a bloody mess in the car. I waved down a car and asked the driver to let the boy use her cell phone. I wasn't carrying one and his was not working after getting soaked in the water. He called his house. You could tell that his mother answered. He said:
Let me talk to Dad. Yeah, I'm fine, but I need to talk to Dad please. Dad, I have had an accident.....
 His Dad arrived and showed compassion and concern. His first action was to simply hug his son. I hope all ends well for the boy, Lou.

December 8, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
9.13 Miles
Time:
1:28:21
Heart Rate:
Forgot monitor
Pace:
9:40
Weather:
Overcast
Temperature-50°
Humidity-87%

December 6, 2009: Demopolis, AL
Running

Distance:
2.89 Miles
Time:
27:33
Heart Rate:
141
Pace:
9:31
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-29°
Humidity-82%
Route
iPod died. iPhone was loaded with old stuff. Got distracted and never finished the run.

December 5, 2009: Demopolis, AL
Jingle Bell Run 5K
Finished 11th overall, 1st in Age Group


Distance
3.1 Miles
Time
48:56
Heart Rate
164
Pace
7:41
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-60°
Humidity-47%
Route
Results

December 4, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
6.19 Miles
Time:
58:39
Heart Rate:
147
Pace:
9:28
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-44°
Humidity-55%

December 3, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
9.13 Miles
Time:
1:30:00 (estimated watch was dead)
Heart Rate:
Watch was dead
Pace:
9:51
Weather:
Overcast
Temperature-43°
Humidity-76%

December 1, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
5.01 Miles
Time:
50:14
Heart Rate:
132
Pace:
10:01
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-33°
Humidity-92%

November 29, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway - Montclair
Running

Distance:
17.01 Miles
Time:
2:47:19
Heart Rate:
136
Pace:
9:50
Weather:
Light rain
Temperature-47°
Humidity-83%
Route

November 27, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
4 Miles
Time:
38:57
Heart Rate:
140
Pace:
9:44
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-37°
Humidity-79%
YMCA,
Birmingham, AL
Swim

Distance:
1000 Yards
Workout:
4 X 50 yards even laps-sprint odd laps-smooth, work on stroke
200 yards kick, with or without board
200 yards free, easy!
4 X 50 yards even laps-work on arms, odd laps-work on legs
100 yards sprint
100 yards easy

November 26, 2009: Birmingham, AL
33rd Annual Montclair Run, Sam Lapidus Run


Distance:
3.1 Miles
Time:
48:56
Heart Rate:
164
Pace:
7:41
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-60°
Humidity-47%
Route
Results


November 25, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
9.17 Miles
Time:
1:26:04
Heart Rate:
145
Pace:
9:23
Weather:
Overcast
Temperature-52°
Humidity-86%


November 24, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
4.01 Miles
Time:
38:09
Heart Rate:
141
Pace:
9:30
Weather:
Overcast
Temperature-52°
Humidity-88%


November 23, 2009: Birmingham, AL
YMCA
Swim
Distance:
1000 Yards
Workout
4 X 50 yards even laps-sprint odd laps-smooth, work on stroke
200 yards kick, with or without board
200 yards free, easy!
4 X 50 yards even laps-work on arms, odd laps-work on legs
100 yards sprint
100 yards easy

November 22, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway - Crestline
Running

Distance:
13 Miles
Time:
2:05:29
Heart Rate:
144
Pace:
9:39
Weather:
Light rain
Temperature-52°
Humidity-82%
Route

November 20, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
8.09 Miles
Time:
1:13:24
Heart Rate:
148
Pace:
9:04
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-68°
Humidity-35%

November 19, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
9.14 Miles
Time:
1:26:27
Heart Rate:
148
Pace:
9:27
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-48°
Humidity-71%

November 17, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
6.21 Miles
Time:
1:00:25
Heart Rate:
141
Pace:
9:43
Weather:
Light rain
Temperature-53°
Humidity-89%

November 16, 2009: Birmingham, AL
YMCA
Swim
Distance:
1000 Yards
Workout
4 X 50 yards even laps-sprint odd laps-smooth, work on stroke
200 yards kick, with or without board
200 yards free, easy!
4 X 50 yards even laps-work on arms, odd laps-work on legs
100 yards sprint
100 yards easy

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Nov 10-15: Running, Swimming, Reading, Scouting, And Shoe Goo

I spent most of the week in San Francisco. I was worried about the 5-6 pounds I have lost over the last 5-6 months, but I found them in California. It is a sign that I have a harder time eating right on the road. I also had fewer workouts. You can tell that conferences are not organized by people that believe that daily exercise is a significant part of EVERY day. Well, at least not enough exercise to help me work up to my 70.3 Triathlon. I am planning on doing Augusta's 70.3 on September 26, 2010. It looks like Team in Training here in Birmingham may be taking a team to this event. If so, I expect I will sign up with them. I have met the coach and know several of the other people that will likely be going. And, it will help get money to help with finding cures for Leukemia and Lymphoma. A good deal all the way around.

I did, however, learn a lot about the Blackberry especially from a development perspective. There is a lot more to the Blackberry than I thought. I saw examples (e.g., 7Digital) of applications that really rock. I am excited about the opportunities for learning and doing more in this regard. I also finished a very simple, but finished an application for the iPhone while I was there. So, flexing my technical muscle and enjoying it. I love learning.


I have started reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougal. I keep hearing that others in the running community are reading and commenting accordingly. So, my curiosity got piqued. I like the start of the book. Now, to see if I find enough time to make a dent. Should be an easy read.

My Brook's Beast running shoes have started wearing down on the left heel. In fact, they have been wearing through the first rubber layer in less than 200 miles! I wear an ankle brace on that foot. I have been wearing the Brook Beast for years. But, I know this shoe has more miles of service remaining. So, I am using shoe goo to extend the life. I just can't fathom changing shoes every 175 miles. I think it is going to work. I have had 1 run on the shoe shown here (after applying the goo).




John's Tiger Cub troop visit Hoover Fire Station # 8. They had a great time and John got to put on a firemen's suit:


Podcast Listening

Fitness Rocks

Phedippidations
Cranky Geeks
This American Life

Exercise Data

 
November 15, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway - Crestline
Running

Distance:
15 Miles
Time:
2:23:17
Heart Rate:
143
Pace:
9:33
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-42°
Humidity-92%
Route

November 13, 2009: Birmingham, AL
Neighborhood
Running

Distance:
3 Miles
Time:
28:38
Heart Rate:
145
Pace:
9:32
Weather:
Clear
Temperature-61°
Humidity-56%
YMCA,
Birmingham, AL
Swim

Distance:
1000 Yards
Workout:
4 X 50 yards even laps-sprint odd laps-smooth, work on stroke
200 yards kick, with or without board
200 yards free, easy!
4 X 50 yards even laps-work on arms, odd laps-work on legs
100 yards sprint
100 yards easy

 
November 12, 2009: San Francisco, CA
Handlery - Fisherman's Wharf
Running

Distance:
6 Miles
Time:
52:01
Heart Rate:
143
Pace:
8:40
Weather:
Scattered clouds
Temperature-52°
Humidity-74%
Route

November 11, 2009: San Francisco, CA
Handlery - Fisherman's Wharf
Running

Distance:
10 Miles
Time:
1:29:25
Heart Rate:
147
Pace:
8:55
Weather:
Overcast
Temperature-54°
Humidity-86%
Route

November 10, 2009: San Francisco, CA
Handlery - Fisherman's Wharf
Running

Distance:
6.11 Miles
Time:
54:32
Heart Rate:
149
Pace:
8:59
Weather:
Mostly cloudy
Temperature-54°
Humidity-80%
Route