3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

A hot afternoon run. I tried to get it done in the morning, but checked my calendar before I headed out and discovered that I had a meeting. So, I worked all day in running attire and got the run in just before we were due to meet friends for some wine tasting. I got through it despite the heat and the wine tasting was great.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:58
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	9:59
Weather:	Clear skies, 97°

6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Logged too late to say much. I know listened to my latest load of podcasts and got the run in before it got hot.

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	59:47
Heart Rate:	159
Pace:	9:58
Weather:	Clear skies, 68°

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I got in an early morning run listening to the lastest Daily Source Code. You probably didn't notice that I didn't run Friday or Sunday as is my normal pattern. The Family and I including the maternal grandparents, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew went camping at Smoky Mountain National Park. Home of the synchronized lightening bugs. Since my son got tired, I missed out on the lightening bugs. But, what a place. We had a great time and there is so much to see and do there. I simply have to go back when I have more time. I would love to backpack there. We did these things:

• Camped at Elkmont campground
• Cades Cove - 11 Mile loop with lots of stops to look at stuff especially old dwellings
• Grotto Falls on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail
• Metcalf Bottoms Trail to the Little Greenbrier School
• Ate a lot
• Played a lot
• Got rained on a lot
• Everyone but me saw the lightening bugs
  

As to running, well I believe that every once in awhile you should take a wee break. The roads around the campground were narrow and there were many blind curves. So, I decided not to risk it and enjoy the break.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:19
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	9:46
Weather:	Clear skies, 68°

5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I finished this run listening to Accident Hash #155, Godspeed Granny. C.C.'s grandmother died. I found myself thinking of a woman I never met, and since I am a new listener, didn't know was ill. The closing song was so fitting. The song was On MyMind and Willow Creek by The Cool Waters Band. "You will be on my mind down the open road" is part of the chorus. Can you imagine? I am running listening to C.C. talk about his family and his grandmother's passing. This line fit the occasion so well. It touched me that his loss could touch me so and I hope that knowing I was touched while running brings some comfort (I sent C.C. and email). His grandmother's life was celebrated during my run and in some way her spirit was there with mine.

I also finished up the latests Daily Source Code and Pod Save the Queen.

Note to the US Mainstream Media: Quit putting family members of those who have lost loved ones on your shows! I am just appalled at the media coverage involving family of soldiers killed in Iraq. Especially, the coverage related to the 2 mutilated soldiers most recently reported. It is simply too soon to put these family on TV! And, even more appalled, at those in the media that then talk about what these family members say in a manner that condemns or praises their position on political matters. This whole show just cheapens us all, if you ask me. Leave them alone to grieve. Sure adds meaning to Don Henley's "Get the widow on the set" line from a very old album.

Data

Distance:	5 Miles
Time:	49:68
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	10:00
Weather:	Clear skies, 72°

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I got in an early morning run listening to the lastest Daily Source Code. I spotted a little snake (about 7 inches long) on the trail around the lake. I am not sure what kind it was and didn't cause it any harm. There were more people out running and walking than I see on the hot afternoon runs. The afternoons have become too hectic, so I am going to try getting my runs done in the morning. It adds the benefit of running while the temperature is cooler.

My family was interviewed Saturday by our local NBC station. The story was about assistive reproduction therapy. We went through the clinic referenced in the story to conceive our youngest son. I had a vasectomy 24 years before fathering my youngest son. I was told 15 years before that I was hopelessly sterile and that body wouldn't even produce sperm in about 5 years (10 years before my son was implanted). While we expected to learn about sperm donors and artificial insemination, we learned that I not only produced sperm, but that medicine now had a procedure to extract it and fertilize eggs. So, we did and our son is the result.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:20
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	9:47
Weather:	Clear skies, 72°

8.4 Mile Run: Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway

I finally measured the "9 Mile" course. Well, surprise, it isn't 9 miles. It is 8.4. Which is fine, but it will be good to have an accurate pace measure. Judy and I took off at near 6:30 am without her dog. Her dog had some trouble at the end of last week's run. So, given the temperatures of summer, Judy has decided to not run the dog on the long Sunday runs.

I have been listening to Steve talk about The Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon where else but on Phedippidations. All you have to do is run 13.1 miles anywhere on October 7th or 8th of this year. Check it out. I shall.

Data

Distance:	8.4 Miles
Time:	1:18:08
Heart Rate:	Not measured
Pace:	9:18
Weather:	Partly Cloudy, 72°
Route

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another hot afternoon run. I ran listening to the lastest Daily Source Code. Nothing special to blab about today. Here's the data:

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:15
Heart Rate:	153
Pace:	10:05
Weather:	Clear skies, 92°

6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another hot afternoon run. I listened to a podcast suggested by a colleague at work about agile methods. I have read about and been a fan of agile methods. Although, I have not had the opportunity to apply them in real world settings. But, I am intriqued by the potential opportunities they may offer over the more traditional waterfall approaches. The podcast was worthwhile and in line with with what I have heard and read in the past. I am anxious to check out some of the other podcasts from ARCast at channel9.

I have also added Accident Hash to my subscription list. I listened to show 152 during this run. The start was a little melow for a run, but man when Five Star Fall kicked in the run started to pick up. Then, came Derek Jones and I was extremely pleased. Good choices C.C. At this rate, the ripped CD's are seeing less and less play during the run. Sorry, Sony. Sorry, BMI. Yeah Right!

I think the source of the unwanted posts were through email posts. I had not changed the default setting and some asshole's bot or some asshole was taking advantage of it for some sort of stupid thrill. Hopefully, I have removed the nuisance. May the asshole get a hemorrhoid!

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	59:23
Heart Rate:	158
Pace:	9:53
Weather:	Clear skies, 86°

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

A slow and hot run. But, hey at 88° you should not go too fast or hard, eh? I listened to the lastest Daily Source Code. Adam got an interesting question from a caller asking about when he first let his daughter, now 15, start wearing makeup. I have to admit that upon hearing this question my thought was when did he let her start using profanity in front of him. As you may remember, my American and puritanical reaction to her first podcast. I am subscribed to her show.

But, for me, I consider a cool thing that my children (regardless of age) don't curse in front of me as a matter of respect. I know they curse, but with dad they maintain a certain decorum. Me, I think that is good. But, there are many people and many roads. I don't own "right".

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:22
Heart Rate:	147
Pace:	10:7
Weather:	Clear skies, 88°

10.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

I met Judy for our regular 6:30 am run. While the temperature was only 72, you could feel the thick humid air. And, it was quite noticable while we ran. Found a garbage post here when I came on to add this entry. Its title was "conflict of interest". Clearly, someone has figured out how to hack entries onto my blog. What assholes. Get their kicks just proving they can disrupt the stuff of others. May they vomit into the wind. It is difficult to figure out why someone of clear talent would waste it in such a stupid way. Enough wasted time on scum.

My cousin is serving in the army and has been involved in the production of some videos that he and his friends produced while in the middle east. I spotted on on iFilm this week. It amused me and it is a good video.



Data:

Distance:	10.5 Miles
Time:	1:43:50
Heart Rate:	155
Pace:	9:53
Weather:	Clear Skies, 72°
Route

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

This was a stressful week. Thus, it was great to end it with a run. It was hot and I didn't see many folks outside. I listened to Adam Curry's Daily Source Code. Not much else to say right now.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:36
Heart Rate:	149
Pace:	10:12
Weather:	Clear skies, 88°

5 Mile Run: Neighborhood

No Daily Source Code published today, so I ran with commercial music for the first time in a long time. I enjoyed it. I blogging this late. Thus, got the news that Al-Zarqawi was killed last night. Wow! To bad he and others have choosen such a path of hate and force others to seek his death. Noone's death is something to celebrate and I am sorry he lost his. But, it is good that another of his ilk have been removed from a position of threath. May we find a way to solve differences without death. Note to all humans: let's find a way to focus on love and positive growth. Don't let Bush or Bin Ladin set your context. Think free. Think love. Think life. I am American. I do not hate muslims. In fact, I love all that I know personally. I am not in some NATO organization seeking to destroy Arabs. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. I did not believe Sadaam was friends with Bin Ladin. I did not believe he was a WMD threat. I did not think we should invade Iraq. And, I am not alone. But, rest assured, I, like other Americans, will do whatever is necessary to ultimately live free of fear and intimidation. But, we humans must find a better way. Don't blindly believe or follow anyone. Think for yourself! I listened to Concrete Blond which is not listed on Amazon. That's a first for me. Anyway, great CD from my college days. Finished up with a couple of tracks from Creed. Data: Distance: 5 Miles Time: 48:28 Heart Rate: 151 Pace: 9:37 Weather: Clear skies, 85°

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another hot afternoon run during which I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. This was also an election day. I voted Republican since this was basically an election to weed down the candidates for the final vote in November. Why Republican? Because we had a anti-gay wedding amendment proposal on the ballot thus a draw card for ultra-conservatives and Roy Moore on the Ballot. The last thing I want is Roy in the Governor's mansion. And, our current governor Bob Riley seems to be doing a good job to me. I voted NO to the the anti-gay wedding. But, I was only joined by 19% of the voters. I don't understand why so many people want to prevent people who love each other and wish to dedicate themselves to just one other person in a loving relationship from enjoying the same social benefits as heterosexual married couples. Too bad in my opinion. It seems hateful and mean to me. Let God judge. We humans should just be kind to one another and do things based on love, not hate.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:06
Heart Rate:	146
Pace:	10:02
Weather:	Clear skies, 90°

8.4 Mile Run: Brownell - Shades Creek Greenway

Judy didn't show today. She called after the run. She set her alarm clock wrong. So, I attached the iPod to the water bottle harness and off I went. Oh, well before starting I chatted with a fella I met while training for the Mercedes Marathon. He and I are interested in the same kind of reading material. That was fun to catch up. I sure wish I could remember his name. Then, I was off.

I started off listening to the Adam Curry's daughter's new podcast, Pod Save the Queen. Sounds like a young UK chick talking about indie music complete with slang that only such a person might recognize. But, interesting musical selections. I may subscribe. My American puritanical nature was pulled out while listening. Adam has ranted a couple of times about how puritanical we can be and he is right. But, nonetheless, I would be bothered if my 15 year old was publishing with profanity peppered in somewhat gratitously. But, to each their own.

I also got in another session of Phedippidations. Good one too. Steve's description of Accident Hash had prompted me to add it to my subscription list. I haven't listened to one yet, so cann't comment yet. And, Steve's rant about Muriel Gray's podcast interview was spot on for describing how podcasting will kill the radio for many of us. Already killed for me. And, I will have to go listen to the interview myself when I have some time. It sure pissed Adam off. On a side note, Steve's description of how much corn we consume in America was very interesting. Basically, he noted, based on a book he read, that we consume stuff cooked in corn oil, loaded with corn syrup, etc. Never thought about how pervasive corn is our diet is before...

I have discovered a really cool feature on the iPod by the way. Namely, I love that when you unplug the headset it automatically pauses! Since I switch between headset and cassette adapter is very cool not to have to worry about pausing. Still looking for the bookmarking capability. I usually have 4 or 5 listens going on at the same time. And, sure would love a sync with folder(s) I select. I do like the smart playlists.

I am nervous about the stuff in Iraq indicated that some marines may have killed 24 civilians. I sure hope we find out that the real story does not show wrong doing on our part. War sucks. How to you teach and expect morality from those for whom you have turned off morality to permit killing in the first place? We humans need to find a better way, period. Killing sucks no matter who is doing it. And those that use it to reach sinister ends, may they rot in hell.

Data

Distance:	9 miles (I measured and it's 8.4)
Time:	1:22:03
Heart Rate:	151
Pace:	9:46
Weather:	Partly Cloudy, 68°
Route

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another afternoon run during which I listened to the latest Daily Source Code. Nothing special today, just needed to get the run in.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	29:01
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	9:43
Weather:	Clear skies, 88°

6 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Another hot one. And, I walked part of the big hill back to the house. I was simply losing energy. I am sure it is the heat backed by work stress. I just have a lot going on right now and struggling to keep up. I reckon that is how work goes; it is work. I listened to the latest Daily Source Code during the run. The show was only 37 minutes long and I didn't have anything that I normally listen to during a run on the iPod to pick up when this show ended. So, it rolled on to a show from the IT Conversations. A disadvantage of putting music on one player and podcasts on another.

Data

Distance:	6 Miles
Time:	1:01:19
Heart Rate:	152
Pace:	10:13
Weather:	Clear skies, 88°

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Whew! It was hot and I felt it. I may need to figure out how to get these runs done in the morning. But, was a good run. I am always so slow in the neighborhood; it must be the hills. I listened to the latest Daily Source Code during the run. Adam is on the road and he and Patricia are recording together. For me, these are not the best shows, but this, show 395, was a bit hilarious as Adam's equipment was screwing up and he lost it. The good part was Patricia's laughing at his expense. So real, So funny. Adam, I know how you feel dude.

Data

Distance:	3 Miles
Time:	30:12
Heart Rate:	148
Pace:	10:04
Weather:	Clear skies, 90°

10.5 Mile Run: Brownell-Shades Creek Greenway

We are off to Atlanta to visit the zoo and the aquarium, so I started my run at 5:00 am. I ran alone since it was so early. So, I loaded up the play list (I used the Creative Zen Sleek since I am fairly well caught up on podcasts). Twas a good run and I enjoyed the tunes (see selection below). Data: Distance: 10.5 Miles Time: 1:41:56 Heart Rate: 155 Pace: 9:42 Weather: Clear skies, 75° Route

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

I'm back home, yeppee! I ran with an iPod Nano today. Why, you might ask? Well, while I was at the conference I met a friend of mine that works with a different company. His company and mine have a demo that demonstrates our products working together. During our first demo at one of my company's conferences, the demo suddenly stopped working properly just minutes before it was due to be shown. It was going to be shown during the opening key note session. The speaker was already on stage. I ran to get my friend who was in the audience at the time to see if he could help. On the way, I leaned too hard against a stair rail and broke the cover of my cell phone. Well, my friend had purchased an iPod Nano as a recompense for the whole affair. Which turned out fine. I had the speaker interrupted for an impromptu break. During the break, we made sure the test environment we had used originally still worked and shaped the demo just slightly to match the data in test. All went well. Back to the Nano, the Nano my friend purchased originally got lost in transit. So, at this conference. My friend said you have to come by on Wednesday! I did and that's when he gave me the Nano. What a guy! I have always wanted to play with an iPod, but not willing to buy one as about 1/2 half of my ripped CD's are in Windows Media format. I don't want to be bothered with transforming. Thus, couldn't be more appreciative of the gift. Now, I can check it out and it doesn't cost me anything. I like the player. I don't like iTunes. I am really hooked on the idea of being able to tell the desktop software that refreshes the player to simply monitor a directory. You can tell iTunes to import a folder, but I haven't not been able to find a way to have it monitor specific folders. Since I already use iPodder to manage my subscriptions and don't wish to change, this would make life easier. I have decided to use the Nano as my podcast device and leave the music on the Creative Zen Sleek. I may breakdown and start subscribing via iTunes. This would be fine for Adam Curry's Daily Source Code and Phedippidations (It was also interesting to learn that my friend listens to the Daily Source Code and Phedippidations too.). However, for IT Conversations, I normally filter the podcasts since I don't listen to all of them. I usually check out the show notes before putting on the player. That way, anything on the player is something I want to listen to. I listened to the Daily Source Code, btw. Data Distance: 3 Miles Time: 29:40 Heart Rate: 148 Pace: 9:53 Weather: Clear skies, 88°

5 Mile Run: Las Vegas, NV

Another early morning. This time I ran after my 5:00 am meeting. So, the sun was up and in my face for the first 1/2. But, still not bad. Tons of "naked women" rubbish on the side of the road. On the strip in Las Vegas, men stand around snapping cards to get your attention so they can give you a card. The card you receive has a very scantily dressed woman, a tantalizing statement, and some phone numbers. You can quess where it would lead. But, tons of these cards are on the side of the road. I can't imagine walking down this street with my toddler. I listened to one of my favorite running jams, Black Eyed Peas. Data: Distance: 5 Miles Time: 46:51 Heart Rate: Not Measured Pace: 9:11 Weather: Clear skies, 68° Route