July 12-19: Running, Swiming, Cycling, Listening, and the le Tour de Cahaba

Been a busy week for work, exercise, and my younger brother died. We weren't close. Last time I was in any real contact with him, we simply had choosen paths in life that were incompatible with each other. No disputes, fights or anything, just different. I would say he fought demons for most the of the time I can recall. He could have used more help along the way I'm sure. I doubt he got it and wished that at the time I would have been in a better position to provide it. Not sure I could have regardless. I'm sad that he lost his battle at such a young age and feel for what his last few years must have been like. Rest in peace, brother.

I am learning what is wrong with my swimming, but I haven't really started improving it yet. I'm trying to, but it ain't happening yet. I need to kick better. I go backwards with a kickboard. Yeah, it is funny to watch. I will get it.l

I did the le Tour de Cahaba today. Almost 70 miles on my bike. I didn't know if I would be able to do it. But, I did. I was struggling a bit at the end and was extremely happy to see Homewood (where it ended). I burned 2800 calories, a day's worth! Despite a flat, I had a good time and there was good comraderie along the way.

Podcast Listening

• Phedippidations
• 195: The Bunion Derby
  

• This American Life
• 223: Classifieds
• 379: Return to the Scene of the Crime

• Cranky Geeks
  
• Episode 175:
  Facebook Worth $6.5 Billion, Office 2010 Test, Apple's Tablet?, Intel's Battery Boasting, and more...
  Can't get away from Adam Curry (he was on the show today). But, he was a good contributor since the show didn't go off on conspiracy crap and stuck to technical topics. The discussion on the futility of companies intentionally trying to thwart internet access via filtering and restrictions was dead on. I especially liked the noting that some folks simply pull out their smart phone and go where they need to go. You don't stop folks, you just make them find another way. They also had a good discussion on Google vs Microsoft in terms of competition. Bottom line, they compete on different grounds and all of the recent hoopla is just that.
  

Data

July 19, 2009: Birmingham, AL le Tour de Cahaba Cycling
Distance:	66.78 Miles
Time:	4:12:49
Heart Rate:	134
Speed:	15.8 mph
Weather:	Clear Temperature-68° Humidity-76%
Route Info

July 17, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:39
Heart Rate:	144
Pace:	9:32
Weather:	Partly cloudy Temperature-86° Humidity-57%
YMCA, Birmingham, AL Swim
Distance:	600 Yards
Time:	17:45

July 16, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:26
Heart Rate:	138
Pace:	9:28
Weather:	Clear Temperature-86° Humidity-97%

July 15, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	6.2 Miles
Time:	1:02:38
Heart Rate:	142
Pace:	10:06 I'm not sure what's happening with my pace slowing
Weather:	Clear Temperature-77° Humidity-79%
YMCA, Birmingham, AL Swim
Distance:	600 Yards
Time:	16:30 This is getting faster!

July 14, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:43
Heart Rate:	137
Pace:	10:14
Weather:	Clear Temperature-70° Humidity-97%
YMCA, Birmingham, AL Swim
Distance:	600 Yards
Time:	17:30

July 12, 2009: Birmingham, AL Brownell Running
Distance:	13 Miles
Time:	2:10:29
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	10:02
Weather:	Clear Temperature-80° Humidity-71%
Route

June 30-July 11th:Running, Swimming, Cycling, Painting, and Fishing

Betsy took me to Sips and Strokes last night. It was my first time to paint something on a canvas. It was fun. Here's the pics I posted via TweetDeck to TwitPic (click on the photos to enlarge):

Getting ready to start.
Good wine: Broquel, Malbec, 2007
Intermediate version of mine
Intermediate version of Betsy's
My finished version which is not horrible.
Betsy's finished version which is better, but it wasn't her first time ;)

We went fishing at a catfish pond on July 4th. If you want to take a young one out and let them experience the thrill of catching a fish, a catfish pond works great. Put bait on the hook, throw it i the water near the aerator, watch the cork basically go down when it hits the water, and pull the fish in. 26 lbs worth. Here's the pictures I put on Flickr:

We also bought some fireworks and I blew up the kiddie pool. Here's the pictures from Flickr:

I have started some swimming lessons to see if I can dramatically improve my swimming times. So far, my overall time for 600 yards has not changed, but I think I am on the edge to making a major break through in technique. I don't breathe, kick, or use my arms right. So, a few lessons will likely make a big difference.

Podcast Listening Update

Phedippidations

• Fdip191: Me Heart Takes a Beating
• Fdip192: Theseus’s Paradox and Other Thoughts
• Fdip193: Running with Ear Candy
• Fdip194: Athletic Arthritic?

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Cranky Geeks

• Episode 171:
  Hulu's Desktop App and Boxee, The DTV Transition, Anti-Piracy Pup, TiVo Wins $190 Million, and more...
• Episode 172:
  Return of Steve Jobs, FTC Targets Bloggers, Single Mom Gets $1.92 Million Bill, China vs. Google, and more...
• Episode 173:
  Google Mocks Bing, Michael Jackson Stalls the Web, Unreliable Tweets, iPhones Overheating, and more...
• Episode 174:
  Google to Deliver Chrome OS, Is a Cloud Disaster Imminent?, D.O.J Goes After Telecom, and more...

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Accident Hash

• Last Day of School - Start of Summer
• Happy Fourth of July

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This American Life

• 289: Go Ask Your Father

Data

July 11, 2009: Birmingham, AL Oak Mountain State Park Cycling
Distance:	24 Miles
Time:	1:19:30
Heart Rate:	145
Speed:	18.14 mph
Weather:	Clear Temperature-80° Humidity-69%
Route

July 10, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:48
Heart Rate:	135
Pace:	9:50
Weather:	Clear Temperature-86° Humidity-49%

July 9, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:30
Heart Rate:	135
Pace:	9:50
Weather:	Clear Temperature-70° Humidity-84%
YMCA, Birmingham, AL Swim
Distance:	600 Yards
Time:	17:45

July 8, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	6.21 Miles
Time:	1:00:37
Heart Rate:	138
Pace:	9:45
Weather:	Overcast Temperature-75° Humidity-73%

July 7, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:58
Heart Rate:	136
Pace:	9:39
Weather:	Clear Temperature-68° Humidity-93%
YMCA, Birmingham, AL Swim
Distance:	600 Yards
Time:	18:00

July 6, 2009: Birmingham, AL YMCA Swim
Distance:	600 Yards
Time:	17:50 minutes

July 5, 2009: Demopolis, AL Running I experienced extreme digestive distress at 3 miles and I will not provide details. I was able to finish the run. So, either swimming in the river or eating too much fried food and too little vegetables on the 4th did me in.
Distance:	11.09 Miles
Time:	1:48:39
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	9:47
Weather:	Clear Temperature-82° Humidity-67%
Route

July 4th, 2009: Demopolis, AL Cycling
Distance:	25.1 Miles
Time:	1:20:35
Heart Rate:	127
Speed:	18.69 mph
Weather:	Clear Temperature-71° Humidity-81%
Route

July 3, 2009: Demopolis, AL Running
Distance:	6.77 Miles
Time:	1:03:03
Heart Rate:	140
Pace:	9:47
Weather:	Clear Temperature-70° Humidity-78%
YMCA, Demopolis, AL Black Warrior River
Distance:	600 Yards (estimated)
Time:	15:50

July 2, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	6.18 Miles
Time:	1:01:38
Heart Rate:	136
Pace:	9:58
Weather:	Partly cloudy Temperature-68° Humidity-81%

June 30, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:31
Heart Rate:	142
Pace:	9:30
Weather:	Clear Temperature-69° Humidity-75%
YMCA, Birmingham, AL Swim
Distance:	600 Yards
Time:	17:50

Updated Cholesterol Log

Date	Result
June 16, 2009	172
April 2, 2009	147
January 6, 2009	171
November 11, 2008	182
July 27, 2008	198
May 8, 2008	231
April 23, 2008	206

Looking Good!

June 15-28: Running, Cycling, Swimming, Listening, Working, & Living

Rest in Peace

Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and lots of other people have died recently. OK. I didn't know most of these people but I try not to over emphasize the value of one person as if others are of less value. But, we all certainly knew of these folks and their work in ways we don't of most of their peers. Each was a icon for some context and era of my life. I read several Facebook based tirades about Micheal within which he was either being berated for his bizarreness or the beraters were being berated for being judgmental. He did great things for music, dance, and videos in the early 80's. He and his brothers were definitely icons my adolescence in the 70's. It was too bad his last few decades were marred by what seems to be bizarre behavior and suspicious circumstances with children. After reading these posts, I have decided to accept that I can't know the truth. I really liked Thriller, but most of the rest of his music was influential to the culture around me, but not on my I would buy that list. May he rest in peace. Farrah and Ed were famous folks that seemed be straight up and nice. I hope they too rest in peace. It is a reminder that we all age and life is short. Make it good.

Swimming Lessons

I have signed up for swimming lessons/coaching at the Y. I am hoping that it will help improve my horrible swimming speed. My goal is to see significant improvement at Mountain Lakes Triathlon in Guntersville, AL on August 8, 2009.

Podcast Listening Update

No Agenda
I have removed this one from my subscription. I am justing growing tired of the conspiracy theory stuff. It is some what entertaining, but the banter is starting to annoy me. So, I am going to give Cranky Geeks a try. I am expecting that his will be more up my alley. I miss Adam's Daily Source Code especially in the style I found it (lots of gadget talk). The "crackpot" stuff is just going over the top for me. I wish the show well and I am sure there are many that find it really hits some cool marks for them.

• #104 No Agenda For Sunday June 14th 2009 - Furries Forever
• #105 No Agenda For Thursday June 18th 2009 - The French Fry Connection
• #106 No Agenda For Sunday June 21st 2009

IT Conversations

• Mark Madsen - Using Open Source BI in the Real World
• George Reese - Cloud Applications
• Paul Otellini - Enterprise Collaboration
• Lawrence Lessig - Trust and Independence

Accident Hash

• Podsafe Childrens Album Thoughts

Data

June 28, 2009: Birmingham, AL Brownell Running
Distance:	11.16 Miles
Time:	1:49:11
Heart Rate:	140
Pace:	9:47
Weather:	Partly cloudy Temperature-82° Humidity-69%
Route

June 27, 2009: Birmingham, AL Oak Mountain State Park Cycling
Distance:	24 Miles
Time:	1:20:36
Heart Rate:	138
Speed:	17.80 mph
Weather:	Clear Temperature-82° Humidity-67%
Route

June 26, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:44 I was tired. We ate party food instead of my usual supper. I weighed 157 pounds instead of my usual 159 to 162. So, I think I just messed up my nutrition the day before this run.
Heart Rate:	130
Pace:	10:14
Weather:	Clear Temperature-72° Humidity-84%

June 25, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:16
Heart Rate:	139
Pace:	9:25
Weather:	Clear Temperature-79° Humidity-56%

June 24, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	6.18 Miles
Time:	58:45
Heart Rate:	143
Pace:	9:30
Weather:	Clear Temperature-72° Humidity-87%

June 23, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	28:39
Heart Rate:	136
Pace:	9:32
Weather:	Clear Temperature-77° Humidity-84%
YMCA, Birmingham, AL Swim
Distance:	600 Yards
Time:	19:54

June 21, 2009: Birmingham, AL Brownell Running
Distance:	11.11 Miles
Time:	1:47:28
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	9:40
Weather:	Clear Temperature-82° Humidity-76%
Route

June 20, 2009: Birmingham, AL Oak Mountain State Park Cycling
The Alabama Sports Festival Triathlon was underway when I started. In fact, the leader had started cycling but had not reached the turn around point which is where I started. I reached the point along the race where he would finish before he did. The photographer and others clearly thought I was the leader at first. I waved off and try to make it clear I was not in the race. But, it felt good for a second ;)
Distance:	24 Miles
Time:	1:21:06
Heart Rate:	140
Speed:	17.69 mph
Weather:	Clear Temperature-87° Humidity-63%
Route

June 19, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:11
Heart Rate:	139
Pace:	9:43
Weather:	Clear Temperature-77° Humidity-84%

June 18, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	6.19 Miles
Time:	1:02:42
Heart Rate:	140
Pace:	10:07
Weather:	Clear Temperature-75° Humidity-90%
YMCA, Birmingham, AL Swim
Distance:	600 Yards
Time:	18:00

June 17, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	6.18 Miles
Time:	59:48
Heart Rate:	140
Pace:	9:40
Weather:	Clear Temperature-73° Humidity-93%

June 16, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	27:29
Heart Rate:	140
Pace:	9:09
Weather:	Clear Temperature-68° Humidity-93%

June 15, 2009: Birmingham, AL Neighborhood Running
Distance:	8.09 Miles
Time:	1:16:16
Heart Rate:	141
Pace:	9:25
Weather:	Clear Temperature-69° Humidity-93%

June 13, 2009: My First Triatholon

My First Triathlon, The Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon

I did it! The swim was hard. I honestly nearly swam to shore at the first buoy. I tried to swim like I practiced in the pool with my head down and turning up for a breath on every 4th stroke. But, I took in water from the waves everytime. And, I was really disoriented by all of the people and activity around me. Then, I noticed that I swam just to the right of the buoy, instead of the appropriate left side. Someone else had just done that and was going back, so I did to. Then, I had trouble getting back into the lane of people. I honestly considered just swimming for the shore. But, I didn't. I stopped trying to keep my face in the water and just swam. I only swam faster than 7 people, 4 men! So, at this point of the race I was in 470th place overall and 340th for male finishers.

Then, the ride started. I was never passed by anyone. I passed literally 10's of people. Then, came the run. Again, I was never passed by anyone. I passed quite a few, but fewer than on the bike. I finished as the 237th male. Not bad for my first one if you ask me. I will definitely be taking some swimming lessons. I had a great time and I want to do this again.

My wife and son did a great job encouraging and enabling me to prepare and do this. They ventured out in the rain with me to take pictures of my first experience. I love them and they are awesome.

The pictures from flickr:

Data

June 13, 2009: Birmingham, AL Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon Time: 1:25:43
	Swim	Distance: 400 Yards Time: 11:07
	Transition	Time: 4:13
	Cycle	Distance: 13.1 Time: 44:46 Rate: 17.56
	Transition	Time: 2:11
	Run	Distance: 3.1 Miles Time: 25:38 Pace: 8:16
	Weather	Clear Temperature-57° Humidity-67%
	Route