10/14/07: 13.1 Miles: Phedippidations Worldwide 1/2 marathon -2, Bob-50

I ran the 2^nd Annual Phedippidations World-Wide Half Marathon Challenge. You couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect for running. I love running in temperatures in the low 50's. OK, I copied that from last year's entry, but it was true today too. I did run faster that last year's time of 2:11:41. And, since this was my fiftieth birthday, I am especially pleased. I saw lots of other runners but ran alone. I did listen to the the Cheers from the World episode of Pheppidations. Thanks Steve and the other organizers for making this happen!

I started the run listening to the Daily Source Code and completed it finishing up the latest Accident Hash. I had a great lunch with Edd, Kaye, Tim, Faye, Danny, Judy, Byrd, John (Rish), Dave, Lisa, Hannah, John (Evans), and Betsy. I got a lot of very cool gifts (especially this 24 inch flat screen monitor! Between this weekend and last, I am reminded about just how blessed I am to have such good friends and family. I love them all. They my 1/2 century celebration wonderful.

I get the feeling listening to Steve indicate what all we should log after a run and I feel a bit inadequate. I think a lot while I run, but seem to run out of words when it comes time to log. I didn't get all philosophical, but I did think about work a fair amount. I also thought about how much I appreciate my friends. For a brief moment, I thought how appropriate it was that on my 50th birthday, I started the day doing something rewarding and difficult all by myself. I came, I saw, I ran.

Data

Distance:	13.1 Miles
Time:	2:02:59
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:23
Weather:	Clear Temperature-55° Humidity-77%
Route	Brownell-Montclair Loop

10/02-10/13:Still Running and Life is Still Nuts

OK, Life is still NUTS. I am glad that I got all of my runs in, but blogging just ain't been happening. I did make it to Fripp Island for our yearly celebration with friends which includes celebrating my birthday. Early, true, but fun none the less. I took first place in the 5K. That's right, first place in the race. I didn't know how to break the tape (it was thick plastic; it was not going to break). I didn't know what I was supposed to do. Should I run hard through it, put on just a little pressure, and fly through. I ended up simply stopping after the race directors said "stop you are going to hurt yourself".

The rest of the weekend continued to be a blast and it was incredible fun to be with friends while they provided festivities and best wishes for my 50th year on the planet. They sang to me during the Trolley Pub Crawl. Other people passed on the word and groups just started songs too. One friendly fellow made me drink a shot of Jack Daniels from his bottle. It was lots of fun. I stayed in control and still managed to get my 10.5 mile run in the the next day.

I have listened several Daily Source Codes, Accident Hashes, and Phedippidations. They are still my favorite podcasts and keep me company during my runs. Tomorrow is the Phedippidations Worldwide Half-Marathon and I will be running it. Judy will not be joining me. She is still pacing around the southeast with her new boyfriend. I am so pleased for her despite missing her companionship during my Sunday long runs. I hope I can get control of my schedule to do a better job of logging my runs and thoughts daily. It is too difficult to cover so much time in one burst and really do any justice to what's in my head, not that I am that verbose in general anyway.

Data

10/02/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:49
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	9:16
Weather:	Clear Temperature-63° Humidity-70%

10/04/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	47:15
Heart Rate:	150
Pace:	9:26
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-90%

10/05/07: Lake Wateree, SC

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	26:41
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	8:53
Weather:	Overcast Temperature-73° Humidity-90%

10/06/07: Fripp Island, SC

Distance:	3.1 Miles
Time:	24:05
Pace:	7:46
Weather:	Overcast Temperature-73° Humidity-100%

10/07/07: Fripp Island, SC

Distance:	10.43 Miles
Time:	1:39:58
Pace:	9:35
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-100%

10/09/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	48:37
Pace:	9:32
Heart Rate:	144
Weather:	Clear Temperature-71° Humidity-87%

10/10/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	7.017 Miles
Time:	1:07:39
Pace:	9:38
Weather:	Clear Temperature-58° Humidity-93%

10/12/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	4.5 Miles (estimated, ran last part with Prince)
Time:	42:25
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:25
Weather:	Clear Temperature-51° Humidity-74%

10/13/07: Neighborhood

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:35
Heart Rate:	145
Pace:	9:11
Weather:	Clear Temperature-50° Humidity-83%

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%

08/05/07: 10.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Loop

No Judy. So, I put the iPod on shuffle for music, turned on the bluetooth, and put on the headset, ran 100 feet, and had to get the wired headset. There is nothing more frustrating than using high tech gear that just doesn't work at all. When it works this bluetooth and headset are great. No wire, easy control of the volume, start/pause, and skip to next track are wonderful. But, way too often I have to reset and reset hoping that the skiping and garbling stop. I think it boils down to "bluetooth sucks".

It was and felt like a slow run. I got a late start because we were up late thanks to a party at our house. I had 1 glass of red wine and I could feel it when I got up. That sucks too. But, I got the run in.

Data

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:42:32
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	9:45
Weather:	Clear Temperature-81° Humidity-69%
Route:	10.5 Mile Loop

08/03/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to Daily Source Code during this morning run. I have been using the iPod because I lost the TTY adapter for the iPhone. I love the iPhone, but I would like to know what f**king genius had the dumbass idea that a headset jack would be better if it wasn't standard. STUPID! I am going to have to order online as apparently the only Apple store in town here will never get anymore. I will be ordering 3 of them ($30) just so I can have one at the end of every wire I plug into the headset jack. Out of all of the irritants of this new device, this is the more irritating one.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:30
Heart Rate:	141
Pace:	9:30
Weather:	Clear Temperature-73° Humidity-76%

08/01/07: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to Daily Source Code during this morning run. I was just doing the usual multiple loop around the lake when I saw Prince and Larry coming down the road. So, I joined them and did 2 of the middle miles along C-41. It was good to see and chat with them. Then, I learned that I am 14 years older than both of them. I never really thought about it I guess. I find it hard to look in the mirror and see a guy that turns 50 this year.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	48:12
Heart Rate:	149
Pace:	9:38
Weather:	Partly Cloudy Temperature-77° Humidity-74%

07/31/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to Daily Source Code during this morning run. It is hard to be chatty on a blog entry that you do days after the run. I don't remember what this morning was like.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:34
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	9:31
Weather:	Clear Temperature-74° Humidity-82%

Chat on the iPhone!

After using up my first month's 200 text messages, I decided there must be some kind of option. I found meebo. Safari seems to be at bit buggy with it since it has crashed a couple of times. But, I did get it to work and it looks promising. Getting chat in the iPhone would be cool.

07/29/07: 8.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

No Judy. So, I put on the bluetooth headset and turned on the iPod. Just me and music made the trek. I steady run, but I somehow managed to not stop the watch so I lost the data. Nothing special to say today and I gotta get going so that's all for now. Oh, I read my track club newletter in the bath tub via the iPhone. Too cool.

Data

Distance:	8.5 Miles
Time:	Unknown
Heart Rate:	Unknown
Pace:	Unknown
Weather:	Clear Temperature-78° Humidity-77%
Route:	The usual 8.5 Miler

07/27/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to Daily Source Code during the morning run. It it good to be back on the morning schedule. I started the day at 2:30 am due to 3 deliverables due at work today. I got one done before 5:30 am, so I decided I deserved a break. Off to run...

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:31
Heart Rate:	149
Pace:	9:10
Weather:	Clear Temperature-72° Humidity-90%

07/25/07: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to Daily Source Code. Adam has moved on to talking about his iPhone. He got brave and hacked it to put in a SIM from his existing cell phone based on his reading on the web (he didn't put the link in the show notes, so I think this is the right one). He likes his for the same reasons I like mine. He did find some of the same frustrations including the difficulty with moving pictures from the iPhone to the computer. His complaint helped motivate me to try a little more exploration. First, I discovered on the Apple Support forums that someone had noted that the iPhone had to be unlocked to be able to use the file systems capabilities to simply drag and drop files via the Windows' Explorer. However, I have never had any luck getting the iPhone's camera to show up in the Explorer. Well, I managed to get it done. Here's how:

• Reboot
• Unlock iPhone
• Put iPhone in cradle
• Set the default action to view and move files via Windows Explorer on the dialog box that comes up (I also set that as the default action for the Apple iPhone by clicking on the set options button on the dialog)

Now, it seems to work everytime. Yeppee!

This was another evening run during which I didn't notice that I was going so slow. In fact, I felt good. However, I didn't feel fast either.

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	57:37
Heart Rate:	149
Pace:	9:36
Weather:	Light rain Temperature-79° Humidity-79%

7/24/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Just back from Newark, NJ after spending a night in a lovely hotel near the airport. OK, it was a hotel save the lovely bit. But, I did sleep good actually. I listened to Daily Source Code. Adam is still going on about the fall of big media and the BBC's woes. The fall of big media may not becoming and I am all for exposing what is really done to produce TV content. But, I am not ready to sign up the independent media is the vehicle to truth. Most of what I see is still someone putting something out there with the intent to get noticed or to convince me of the truth the other person thinks I should believe. That is not the same as simply telling me the truth. The point becomes the convincing, not the sharing of the truth and thus starts the slippery slope.

I completed this run in the evening, after supper due to a busy schedule including travel from New Jersey. The run felt fine, but the pace and time may reflect the impact of running just after dinner on a long day.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:04
Heart Rate:	149
Pace:	9:41
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-85° Humidity-44%

7/22/07: 10.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Loop

No Judy. So, I put the iPod on shuffle for music, turned on the bluetooth, and put on the headset. All technology worked well until the battery on the headset died about .25 miles before the finish. Not too bad really. But, it is sure irritating when things don't work on a run. Technology should just work, right? The left knee started to feel a bit funny towards the end of the run again (like last Sunday). In fact, I had to mow my yard immediately after the run since I am traveling next week. The knee was particularly troublesome when going down hill with the mower. I am a bit worried about this.

Data

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:39:10
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	9:26
Weather:	Clear Temperature-71° Humidity-61%
Route:	10.5 Mile Loop

07/21/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I took the iPhone and listened to the Daily Source Code on this run. Adam is going off on the BBC's getting caught hacking up video to show the queen leaving, but in fact the video was of her arrival. It seems to me that most stories, big media and not, come packaged with the bias of the producers. Thus, truth continues to be elusive if your source is anything other than personal experience. TV, radio, YouTube, Podcast.... the lot generally have to be filtered with caution.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:07
Heart Rate:	141
Pace:	9:42
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-70° Humidity-93%

07/18/07: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I took the iPod and bluetooth headset to listen to music in shuffle mode. I have changed the earpieces and the flapping noises are gone. So, I'm pleased with that. I also cover everything in plastic now. This was an afternoon run. So, I was surprised that I didn't really notice the 10 more degrees than my usual morning runs.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	47:44
Heart Rate:	144
Pace:	9:32
Weather:	Partly Cloudy Temperature-85° Humidity-57%

07/17/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the latest Daily Source Code during this run. I also started listening to a Accident Hash. I haven't heard one of those in a long while (well, not since June 28th....just seems longer). Welcome back C.C. We missed you for sure. No trouble out of the knee. So, that's good news. I was worried.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:21
Heart Rate:	140
Pace:	9:27
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-75° Humidity-82%

7/15/07: 10.5 Mile Run: Demopolis, AL

I ran with the iPod and bluetooth headset (Motorola S9). I had the same problem I have experienced before with the iPod and bluetooth attachment in the front. But, this time there was not heart rate monitor. But, I did have on the Timex/Garwin Time and Distance transceiver. So, I thought maybe that was causing interference. But, turning it off made no difference. Put the iPod in the back and all was well. Interesting.

I should have checked the schedule before I ran, because I was only due to run 8.5 miles. I left knee started acting a bit funny around 7 miles into the run. It was cutting up and laughing (just kidding). Seriously, it started to feel strange. I wasn't experiencing pain, but something is not quite right. I finished the run and I am experiencing a little sensitivity on the left knee still. It isn't painful, but it feels like it is just seconds away from pain. I am hoping that the next 2 days of rest will resolve it.

We are in Demopolis, AL. I built a computer for my mother-in-law who has been limping by with an ancient and slow boat anchor for some time.

Data

Distance:	10.5
Time:	1:39:04
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:26
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-69° Humidity-90%
Route + 1 mile worth of out and backs tacked on near the lock and dam and another mile at the end

7/14/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the latest Daily Source Code during this run. I cranked this one out before I took off to the gym for muscle works. We signed a contract for someone to fix our water damaged ceiling. Well, partially water and partially Bob. The contractor said that I didn't need to do much more than poke a hole in the sheetrock ceiling. I tore down any sheets that were thoroughly soaked.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:24
Heart Rate:	141
Pace:	9:28
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-71° Humidity-81%

07/12/07: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I was caught up on the podcasts I normally listen to so I took the iPod with the bluetooth headset. It was a little irritating because I could hear the rubber on the ear piece flapping as I ran. This is very distracting. In fact, I am going to try different ear pieces in hopes that will resolve it.

Near the end of the run, a car approached me and the driver, an elderly male, raised his hand. I thought he was being friendly and responded accordingly. Then, I noticed that he was actually trying to direct me to get off of the pavement. So, naturally, I used my hands and arms to gesture more dramatically than he did. I wanted him to look in his rearview mirror and get the message. I have no idea if he did or not. But, gees, on a road with no traffic and lots of room, he is going to flip out because I am using 2 feet of road. He should just get over himself. I nearly look forward to the opportunity to conflict with him.

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	54:51
Heart Rate:	145
Pace:	9:08
Weather:	Clear Temperature-71° Humidity-87%

07/10/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I put the iPod on Shuffle for this run. But, I meant to comment after listening to a recent Daily Source Code (630, I think) during which Adam Curry commented about his doubts about the veracity and causes of global warming from the apparent slew of experts brought in to comment during Life Earth. It just strikes me a bit funny that a guy, Adam, that will stop smoking after someone reads his palm, doubts the explanations of those that claim to be scientists and use reason and the results of studies to explain phenomenon. But, yes we should have a balanced view on such an important matter, global warming. My concern remains that in the current climate where we all seem to prefer polarization over truth is that we simply won't get it. Worse we may be the proverbial frogs in the warming water. Let's hope not. The truth can be so damn hard to get.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:18
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	9:05
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-74° Humidity-82%

07/08/07: 10.5 Mile run: Brownell-Shades Creek Loop

Judy met me at 6:30 am, turned off at 4 miles. So, I did the last 6.5 alone listening to the Daily Source Code on the iPhone. It was show 630 which had another screwed up start like another show a few weeks back. Adam just puts 'em out as they are. It was a bit irritating and I nearly stopped several times thinking it was the iPhone that was screwing up. Which it has lately, by the way. I believe the iPhone's response to an application crash is a simple return to the home page of the iPhone. Safari does this fairly often. And, it seems to be associated with navigating down a long page. So, if you are really trying to get to a piece of information on a particular page, you may suffer 3-4 crashes first. Maps suffers similar woes. Very irritating. I am really looking forward to the updates that I pray are coming. And, I had to reboot it recently because it simply became unresponsive.

I did get a kick out of the IDon'tCare song by Tom Smith in the Daily Source Code Show 629. I know it will make my wife laugh as she thinks my iPhone hysteria was just that.

I signed up for Twitter, but I'm not totally sure what I will get out of it yet. I am not seeing me updating it frequently and that seems to be the idea. We'll see...

I listened to Phedippidations on the way home from the run and in the grocery store at which I normally stop and purchase some groceres from along the way. I love the show and Steve seems like a truly genuine and nice guy, but he sure can pour on the "thou shoulds". This show was about blogging, logging, and other venues for sharing the experience of running. Something, I obviously love to do given my posts here. But, I do it more for me and less out of obligation or obedience to some rules ascertained by "so greats" that have gone before me. That said, I think it is Steve's dedication and healthy respect for "thou shoulds" that makes me listen and dare I say "obey". I love his passion. Keep it up Steve!

Data

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:41:54
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:42 (I think I am still recovering from Peavine Falls)
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-84%
Route:	10.5 Mile Loop

07/06/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the Daily Source Code on the iPhone during this run. Adam was was patriotic and played it up. He even had John Wayne doing the Pledge of Allegiance. Bordered on too much. Hey, is it just me or aren't you damn glad those UK terrorists never treated you? It's almost amusing to see how pathetic their attempt at terrorism was. Of course, since they really meant to do harm it isn't amusing at all. Idiots!

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:38
Heart Rate:	144
Pace:	9:32
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-74° Humidity-82%

07/04/07: 8.2 Mile Run: Peavine Falls Run

I put the iPod on shuffle and took off with what seemed like about 400 runners up to Peavine Falls. I guess they were up there; I never saw them. I have always wanted to run this race and finally did. I found references that said this was the 26th and 28th running. But, it was my first. It was tough, but not as tough as the Statue-to-Statue. I am happy to see the time I ran it in. I used the Motorola bluetooth headset and was beginning to get frustrated because it was cutting out a lot. The belt I was wearing that held the iPod such that it was on my back instead of my stomach. Sure enough, that put an end to the cutting out. I had started the race with the player positioned in front. I thoroughly enjoyed this race and will do it again.

Data

Distance:	8.2 Miles
Time:	1:08:32
Heart Rate:	169
Pace:	8:21
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-76%

07/03/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the Daily Source Code during this run. Since I am blogging this days after the run, I don't remember anything significant to say. So, here's the data:

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:04
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	9:21
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-73° Humidity-79%

07/01/07: 8.5 Mile Run: Shades Creek Greenway

Judy and I met at the usual 6:30 am for the first time in a bit. Last night was exciting. My 4 year old son got a very tightly compressed towel designed to be expanded in water. So, we ran a sink full of water, put the towel in it, and I instructed him to leave the faucet alone. Off I went to do something. He came down with the expanded towel which was a turtle. Then, we started preparing for a walk to the lake. We were in the basement when I heard my wife get up here quick. There was water coming through the ceiling of our living room. My son had turned the faucet on and left it on. I have posted pictures on Flickr. We will have to replace at least 2 walls and 1 ceiling's worth of white wall. Lesson: never assume a 4 year old will follow rules. If you feel the need to tell them not to do something, you probably already suspect they might. Well, he did.

Data

Distance:	8.5 Miles
Time:	1:17:25
Heart Rate:	154
Pace:	9:06
Weather:	Clear Temperature-81° Humidity-63%
Route:	The usual 8.5 Miler

06/29/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the Daily Source Code during this run. My big news of the day is that I bought an iPhone with the hoard of others. Although, I did not stand in line for longer than 1 1/2 hours. I like the iPhone's convergence of browser, phone, iPod (audio and video), and email. But, it is not without it woes. The headphone jack has a different signature than standard headphones. I had to buy a $10 adapter. The email interface doesn't rotate and I am finding that gmail on the iPod via Safari is better than the built-in client. I was pleased to discover that both my personal and work mail are readily accessible and readable. You can only delete 1 email at a time in the built in client. It wasn't long that I started regretting that, if there was much spam. So, for reading at least, I am sticking with gMail. I haven't needed to compose one yet. I may discover that the email client is better for that. The sync of the iPhone hiccupped a couple of times. So, I learned quickly to only leave it connected long to successfully sync. I am disappointed that not all applications support the rotation feature. I find that I frequently want to switch to a wider, shorter view. But, all-in-all, I like the iPhone and I am pleased. The iPod was not without irritants too. I haven't tried to blog from it yet...

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:32
Heart Rate:	143
Pace:	9:30
Weather:	Clear Temperature-73° Humidity-79%

06/27/07: 6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the Daily Source Code during this run. The bluetooth setup worked again, but cut-out some starting at about 45 minutes. So, next time I put it in a plastic bag. I do so wished tech stuff would just work.
Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	55:11
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:11
Weather:	Clear Temperature-71° Humidity-84%

06/26/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to the Daily Source Code during this run. We are in the midst of a stage 3 drought, whatever that means. It does mean, accordingly to local ordinances, fines for using sprinklers to water yards and such. Yet, I saw plenty of evidence that my neighbors are simply ignoring the rules. And, I took a bath on Sunday after my long run. Now, I am feeling guilty. After reading Jared Diamond's books (Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed and Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies), I worry when I see people, myself included, act irrationally in the face of obvious resource shortages. I turned my sprinkler system off today. Well, I am wrong! The notice from the mayor only applies to customers of the Birmingham Water Works; that does not include us. Our rules are more liberal.
Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:32
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	9:10
Weather:	Clear Temperature-74° Humidity-74%

06/24/07: 10.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Loop

Judy is traveling, so it was just me. It was the first long run with the bluetooth enabled iPod. It did really well for the first hour. But, it did cut out some for the last 35 minutes. Not sure if it was electronic interference or environmental (sweat). Next time, I will try enclosing it in a sandwich bag. I am all caught up on podcasts I will listen to while running, so I put the music collection on shuffle. It was a enjoyable and steady run.

I fixed a number of bugs and added some informative columns (e.g., day of the week) to the running log spreadsheet and updated the Mercedes 2008 training log as well.
Data

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:35:56
Heart Rate:	158
Pace:	9:08
Weather:	Clear Temperature-81° Humidity-49%
Route:	10.5 Mile Loop

06/22/07: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I put the iPod on shuffle, turned on the bluetooth and the headset, and off I went on this early morning run. The new gear is still performing well. The new quest ins to find a case that really fits well since the iPod with bluetooth is bigger than cases I currently have that are for iPod only. I bought a case that is designed for a CD player and it is really too big. I just ordeded two things from Amphipod (Micropak Explorer^TM and Airflow MP^TM that I hope will work.

Data

Distance:	3
Time:	25:30
Heart Rate:	156
Pace:	8:30
Weather:	Clear Temperature-71° Humidity-57%

06/20/07: 5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I listened to C C Chapman's Accident Hash episode labeled Wedding Mixed Tape 1. It was a great mix and I thoroughly enjoyed running to the selection. I watched Adam Curry's video documenting his flight to Cannes on my iPod later. This is the first time I watched a video on the iPod. It was cool.

Well, the Motorola Bluetooth Active Headphones S9 and the TEN Technology naviPlay Bluetooth Stereo Adapter for iPod worked well together! So, despite my woes trying to get the headphones to work with the computer, they did work for the main purpose I asked for them. I haven't run with them yet, but I am not anticipating any trouble.

Data

Distance:	5
Time:	45:42
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	9:08
Weather:	Few Cloudy Temperature-71° Humidity-90%

06/19/2007: 3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another morning run during which I listened to the Daily Source Code. I am finally back home and back into the routine; well, maybe. This Nylon dude on the Daily Source Code is generating lots of listener feedback and I have to say he can sure get on one's nerves. But, hey it's entertaining.

I got a Motorola Bluetooth Active Headphones S9 for Father's day. I bought a KENSINGTON 33348 Bluetooth USB 2.0 Adapter and plugged into my Toshiba Portege M200 (yes, the one I loaded with Vista) and guess what! It sucks. That's right, I hear a 1 sec snippet of a continuously playing stream every few minutes. This is not a good sign. I asked for the headphones for use with my iPod, so I am hoping that when the adapter for that comes that I don't discover similar results. I am so tired of running with wires hanging from my head. I have ordered TEN Technology naviPlay Bluetooth Stereo Adapter for iPod which I am hoping proves to work well.

Data

Distance:	3
Time:	27:38
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:12
Weather:	Cloudy Temperature-74° Humidity-87%