Go, you chicken fat, go away!

This morning I found myself lost.  Lost in my own little world.  I'm usually worried about what pace I'm running or what I'm going to blog about.  But this morning I kind of woke up and said, "Wow.  I'm just running for running's sake."  The cutest part of the morning was when I said good morning to this old Mexican lady.  She replied back, "Gooth modneeng sird."

Time - 40:16 (avg pace 8:03)

Splits - 8:13, 8:10, 8:16, 8:12, 7:27

Temp - 89 (as usual)

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AM Bike Ride

Distance -17.49 miles

Time - 1:15:51 (I stopped and helped a lady who was having car trouble.)

Avg Speed - 13.8 mph

Max Speed - 19.9 mph (It was windy on the way to work, so hopefully it doesn't shift during the day, and it will push me home.)

So, I'm sitting there counting prairie dogs on my way to work.  It was a slow day for prairie dogs (18 total.)  11..........12...........13..........snake.........SNAKE?!?!?!  This crummy little snake was slithering along next to the curb.  I immediately lifted my legs up to avoid being bitten.  Then I realize what a little girl I'm being and seeing that it had no rattle, I try to redeem myself and go back and catch it.  But it slinked into a catch basin.

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PM Bike Ride

Distance -17.44 miles

Time - 59:43

Avg Speed - 17.5 mph

Max Speed - 22.7 mph

Temp -108

Because I lost so much time when I stopped to help a lady in distress this morning, I set my Garmin to automatically stop when I stop.  I also set it to record mile splits.

Splits - 3:27, 3:24, 3:23, 3:22, 3:11, 3:14, 3:35, 3:23, 3:42, 3:25, 3:16, 3:16, 3:15, 3:16, 3:23, 4:04, 3:19, 1:44  (Interesting note: my max speed occured in the same mile as my second slowest mile.)

I didn't feel like rolling out of bed this morning.  So when I finally got up I didn't have time to go on a long run.

Time - 22:28 (avg. pace 7:29)

Splits - 7:39, 7:31, 7:18

Last night I made some delicious creamy smooth root beer floats (Brent's gonna kill me) for me and my wife, and then I made her watch a movie with me.  The name of the movie was The Memory Keeper's Daughter.  I'm sure it was some Lifetime made-for-TV movie.  The setting for the movie began in the early 60's in Lexington, Kentucky.  A man and a wife were going to have a baby.  What they didn't know is that they were having twins; one boy and one girl.  The father was a bone doctor and had delivered 5 babies in medical school.  It was just him and one of the nurses from the clinic he worked at delivering the babies.  Because they gassed up his wife real good (remember, this was the 60's), she was kind of out of it.  When the girl was born (after the boy), right away you knew something was wrong.  At first we thought she was still born.  That was the first time my wife started crying.  But she was alive.  She had Down syndrome.  Because people weren't educated a lot about Down syndrome back then, and because he saw his mother's life in shambles because of his terminally ill sister, he told the nurse to take her to a "care" home, and he told his wife that she died after birth.  When my wife realized what was going on she not only started crying harder, she started hitting me.  (She's quite abusive.  But any abuse besides emotional, I'm okay with.)  So, the nurse took her to the home, but couldn't leave her there.  She decided to raise her on her own and skip town.  Then whenever we would see her (Phoebe, the little girl with Down syndrome) growing up, my wife would cry.  Whenever the father would recieve polaroids of her, my wife would cry more.  As the father regretted his decision, she cried.  When she was grown up and wanted to get married, she'd cry.  When my two year old with Down's walked in, she cri-ied!  The point of the story is that my wife thinks I'm a jerk now, but she'll get over it.

The ride to work this morning was beautiful.  It's not as hot today as it has been.  I was just cruising.  I wasn't even watching for prairie dogs.  The I finally saw a dead one, and I began to wonder if someone had poisoned them all.  So then I started watching for them and saw 5 of them. 

I know I scared the crud out of some lady today.  I was still cruising along when I came up to the intersection at Power and Southern.  As I was going through the intersection I was riding at the same speed that this lady was driving.  She looked over and saw me smiling at her through her passenger window.  Her eyes got all big like, "What the...?"  It was awesome.

AM Ride

Distance - 17.7 miles

Cycle time - 1:01:51

Avg speed - 17.2 mph

Max speed - 23.1 mph

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PM Ride

Distance - 17.5 miles

Cycle time - 1:01:58

Avg speed - 17.x mph

Max speed - 2x.x mph

Since I was such a slacker last week, I cranked out 12 this morning.  All of my splits were pretty even, although I am 99% sure that when I passed the first mile it said 7:56.  When I looked at my splits afterwards it said 8:31.  Maybe Merri's right.  Maybe I do smoke weed.  I must get so high that I don't ever remember doing it.  And who is my pusher?  Maybe I'll never know.  I saw some more runners out this morning and a couple of old ladies (grrrrowlll.)  

Time - 1:45:00 (avg. pace 8:45)

Splits - 8:31, 8:32, 8:48, 8:51, 8:45, 8:48, 8:36, 8:41, 8:39, 8:56, 9:02, 8:51

Temp - 76 (why has it been so nice out lately?)

What I said earlier about pot isn't even funny to joke about.  Kids, stay away from drugs.

Happy birthday Lani!

I don't think anyone poisoned the prairie dogs, nor did the snake eat them.  I did not count them though because I had infiltration rates and orifice equations swimming through my head.

AM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.49 miles

Cycle Time - 1:05:49

Avg Speed - 15.9 mph

Max Speed - 20.0 mph

Temp - 87

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PM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.47 miles

Cycle Time - 1:05:49

Avg Speed - 16.8 mph

Max Speed - 23.9 mph

Temp - 100

I saw a new old lady out this morning.  She's of Asian decent.  I saw her for the first time Monday.  She won't even look at me though.  But I tell her good morning nonetheless.  With about a mile to go I saw a young woman coming down one of the side roads.  I thought about being bad, slowing down, letting her catch up, and using the blade of grass trick on her.  But I opted to be good and just out run her.  Or maybe that is being bad.  Just mean I guess.  The point is, contrary to popular belief, I do prefer the younger woman to the older woman.  (Except I prefer my wife over them all.  (Somehow (I'm using triple parantheses) I don't think stating that is going to get me out of the trouble I just got in.))

The bike ride yesterday was just what I needed to get me loosened up again.  Even still the first three miles felt like I was dragging.  So did the last two, but I expect to be dragging at the end of my runs.  Anyway, I don't think I was running as slow as I thought I was.

Time - 45:04 (avg pace 8:27)

Splits -

1 mile - 8:21

2 mile - 8:18

3 mile - 8:37

4 mile - 8:47

5 mile - 8:14

0.34 miles - 2:49 (8:18 pace)

Temp - 87

It was so humid out this morning.  I didn't push it at all.

Time - 25:09 (avg pace 8:23)

Splits - 8:25, 8:21, 8:24

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AM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.49 miles

Cycle Time - 1:13:37

Avg Speed - 14.3 mph

Max Speed - 19.3 mph

Temp - 79

That was the slowest ride ever.  A strong breeze was pushing against me.

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PM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.46 miles

Cycle Time - 1:02:41

Avg Speed - 16.7 mph

Max Speed - 23.4 mph

Temp - 94

Blue skies on the way home.  Woo hoo!

This morning I went running with my neighbor Otis.  He's trying to get back into shape.  I told him we could run at his pace.  I grabbed a shirt out of my running clothes but was a little hesitant to put it on.  The shirt was black and so is Otis.  I didn't want him to think I was trying too hard to fit in.  So we were about ready to go, and I saw my home teacher.  We waited for him because I know he always runs to the community gym which is along our route.  Then the three of us took off at a nice liesurely jog.  But I forgot to start my Garmin until we had gone appr. 0.6 miles.  Otis likes to say good morning to people more than I do.  He's so delightful.  After 0.75 miles we parted ways with Br. Adams.  As we were going down Rittenhouse I saw old lady regular and told Otis that I see her all the time.  I asked him how he was doing when we reached the halfway point.  He was doing good.  He ran on the asphalt the whole way while I stayed on the sidewalk.  I told him that since he usually runs on the treadmill, his joints might be a little stiff after we finish.  I kept telling him how much further we had left to go.  He hung in there.  Then when we turned on our street he said, "Let's pick it up."  I told him to get the full three miles in we need to run to my house, turn around, and run to his house.  When we turned around he opened up his stride and just left me behind like it was effortless.  Remind me to drop him early if we ever race.

Avg. pace for the recorded 2.4 miles - 9:55

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AM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.67 miles

Cycle time - 1:08:41

Avg Speed - 15.4 mph

Max Speed - 21.7 mph

I got passed by two cyclists this morning.  That hasn't happened in forever, although I don't know why it doesn't happen more often.  Anyway, after the first one passed me I looked at my Garmin and saw that I was going 15.8 mph.  I tried to speed it up to see how fast he was going.  I got up to 18.5 mph and he was still pulling away.  Unfortunately that little stunt made me reach a level 4 on the sweat charts.  Not good.

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PM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.44 miles

Cycle time - 1:01:49

Avg Speed - 16.9 mph

Max Speed - 22.7 mph

Week in review:

31 miles running

105 miles biking

I went out with Otis again this morning.  He did the same route we did yesterday.  I left him after 1.8 miles to do my 7.66.  We were running at about a 10 minute pace.  After I left Otis I tried to pick it up some, but it was hard getting out of the funk.  That's a fun word.

I ate two huge burritos last night.  And my back muscles are tight from swimming Saturday.  So I thought my run today would be blech.  But after I got going I felt pretty good.

Time - 44:16 (avg pace 8:18)

Splits -

1 mile - 8:13 - I saw the old lady that never looks at me.  But a lady walking a dog was walking right by her when I passed her.  So when I said good morning she was the only one I heard say it back.

2 mile - 8:11 - Passed the day laborers at Circle K.

3 mile - 8:23 - Through the Wal Mart parking lot.

4 mile - 8:28 - Saw a choo choo.

5 mile - 8:17 - I saw my boy's school bus and hoped he wouldn't miss it again today.

0.34 miles - 2:45 (8:07 pace) - No Otis to outrun.

Temp - 78 - Beautiful!

The best part of the ride this morning was when I approached the intersection of Elliot and Ellsworth.  They were doing construction again and traffic was backed up for about 3/4 miles.  I was passing all the cars that passed me and yelling, "This is why you should ride a bike!"

AM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.66 miles

Cycle Time - 1:07:03

Avg Speed - 15.8 mph

Max Speed - 21.1 mph

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PM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.47miles

Cycle Time - 58:31

Avg Speed - 17.9 mph

Max Speed - 24.7 mph

I have another coworker that rides his bike to work.  He lives less than three miles away.  As I was riding home today, I saw him pushing his bike.  I stopped.  He had a flat tire.  He said it was flat before he came to work so he just pumped it up hoping it would last the day.  I said my bike tire was flat today, also.  We looked at my bike tire and it is starting to bald really bad.  I'm glad I made it home, but I ought not ride on it anymore 'til I get a new tire.

Today I made sure to do a little more than 12, just in case.  First I did my 5.65 mile loop.  Then I went in my house real fast to drag my son out of bed.  Then I went back out and did my 5.35 mile loop.  When I got to the 7 mile mark, I stopped at the park for a water break.  Then when I got home I checked to see if my son had left for the bus stop yet.  We couldn't find him, so we figured that meant yes.  But it also meant he probably snuck out the back door without eating breakfast.  I took a few swigs of Gatorade and went out to do my last mile.  I ran to the bus stop and asked my son if he ate.  He said he had a granola bar.  I waited for the bus to get there, said hi to our brand new bishop, and was off again.  I was pretty worn out by the time I was done.

On Tuesday Season 12 of the Simpson's came out on DVD.  I've got one more episode to go to finish Season 11.  My plan was to have them all watched by last night.  By I just couldn't keep myself awake to watch that last one.  So if I can't make it through a marathon of the Simpson's, how am I going to make it through a marathon running?  I can tell you my love for the Simpson's is far greater than my love for running.

Time - 1:45:something (avg. pace 8:45)

Splits - 8:07, 8:15, 8:31, 8:38, 8:52, 8:47, 8:38, 9:02, 9:07, 9:18, 9:05, 8:36, (7:59 for 0.04 miles)

I only planned on running three this morning because I did 12 yesterday.  After two steps I was like, "Ow.  This hurts."  I wasn't sure I would even be able to do three.  After two miles I had to stop and stretch out because my lower back was hurting so bad.  Then after another half mile I had to stop again.  I wonder if it's because of the lumbar support my wife bought me for my truck.  Maybe I had it too low.

Pace - 8:40

Thanks Rocket!

Thanks Alanis!

I was hoping to get more miles in today, but it's so hot and uncomfortably humid.  I downed a Gatorade before I left and I think that caused me to have cramps.  But my back felt great.

Time - 1:13:08 (avg. pace 9:09)

Temp - 82

Humidity - 10,000%

I fell asleep watching WWE last night and slept pretty soundly.  I know I'll lose some friends by admitting that I like to watch wrestling, but I don't want to be a phony.  I got up at 6:30am and just went on a 3 mile run so I wouldn't be too late getting in to work.

Time - 22:24 (avg pace 7:28)

Splits - 7:35, 7:34, 7:15

I got up late again today, but I also went to bed late.  Two negatives make a positive.  I should be healthy, wealthy, and wise.  I saw the old lady that never looks at me.  I yelled good morning to her and got a mumble out of her.  I said good morning to one of the day laborers as he was walking down the street.  He said, "Good morning amigo."  My back was hurting a little again today.  Better stretch it out some and do more sit-ups.

Time - 33:44 (avg pace 8:26)

Splits - 8:31, 8:15, 8:28, 8:30

I started a novice strength training program today.  I'm supposed to do it three times a week.  Planks are hard.

2 sets of crunches (12 reps)

2 sets of modified planks (30 sec.)

2 sets of modified pushups (12 reps)

2 isometric shoulder holds with towel

2 sets of standing adduction (12 reps)

2 sets of lying adduction (12 reps)

This morning I saw double stroller lady.  She was actually running the same direction as I was.  When I caught up to her I thought for sure she had seen my shadow or heard my footsteps, but when I said good morning, she jumped a little.  I apologized and asked her if she was training for anything.  Nope.  Just trying to stay in shape?  Yep.  Well, good, have fun.  Then I continued on around my WalMart loop.  As I was coming back down Rittenhouse I thought I saw her again.  I figured she cut through Ocotillo, which would surprise me that she would be brave enough to run by the ogling day laborers at Circle K (at least I imagine that they would sit there and whistle at any woman running by.)  It turns out it wasn't her.  It was an Asian man, and it took me about a mile to run him down.  This time I hollered before I got to him so he would know I was coming up.  Good morning.  Good morning.  Training for anything.  Nope, just trying to stay in shape.  That's good.  You?  I have a couple of races I want to do.  Rock n' Roll?  No.  My wife wants to do the Rock n' Roll.  Full marathon?  Half, I told her she is going to have to do it by herself.  You can do it.  I don't think I can find time to train.  Good luck.  And I was off again.  Nice run this morning.

Time - 43:54 (avg. pace 8:12)

Splits -  8:12, 8:15, 8:19, 8:15, 8:05, (8:10 avg. for 0.34)