Death Cab for Cutie, "The Sound of Settling"
Death Cab for Cutie, "We Looked Like Giants"
Guns & Roses, "Sweet Child of Mine"
WX at 0500: 35.1 (1.7) DP 21.9 (-5.6) BP 30.12 (1019) N 12 clear RH 58%
Odometer 3: 29.7mi
Z3.
The G&R only showed up because I chanced across this footage of Kelly Clarkson, trashed, at a G&R show, still outsinging everyone else in the show...This is what I get for reading the Washington Post story on how Youtube is regarded differently by some media firms. Sigh.
First run since Thursday. I was playing single parent this weekend and was just too busy to get someone to watch the Princess (Household6 and the Sledgehammer were away this weekend). That was probably a good enforced rest, though., which I really needed.
I felt like I was slowing down as I ran progressively more negative splits, but I could tell I was getting tired. I also have the beginnings of a cold which I need to kick.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:24 02:24 08:55 08:55 0.27
2.09 20:18 17:54 08:34 08:36 2.36
2.09 37:54 17:36 08:25 08:31 4.45
2.09 55:21 17:27 08:21 08:28 6.54
0.27 57:44 02:23 08:50 08:29 6.81
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
computers are evil, but so are standardized tests
I had occasion to take, on Thursday, the Graduate Record Exam for the first time in over a decade. When I took it in 1996, I remember it to be one of the more punishing, harrowing tests I've taken in a while.
The GRE is, for all intents and purposes, a version of the SAT on steroids and crystal meth. I would've thought, that as an Army officer, that I'd have a reasonable grasp on how to answer the critical reasoning questions on the GRE. Oh, hell, no.
This new one is the first ETS test I've taken that was done as a Computer Adaptive Test. I was too busy trying to figure out how to answer some of the questions to realize that feeling like I was getting kicked in the nuts repeatedly by the test was actually a good indicator. I was more concerned about not finishing the test in time, as unlike the old SAT, there is no penalty for answering questions wrong on the GRE. I can't speak for the current SAT.
I routinely do a lot better on the verbal than I do on the math portions of standardized tests, but I was gratified to know that my GRE scores this time were higher than any other standardized test I've taken, if the unofficial scores are any indicator.
I did actually study up for the GRE this time, unlike the grand total of 1 day's preparation I did for the GRE the last time. I think my improved performance has a lot to do with actually practicing on the test this time around.
There is something to be said for UI, and while the one for the GRE sucks, it's the same as the one that they distribute for free on their PowerPrep software off their website. Practicing on their software beforehand seriously saved my bacon.
I hope I never have to take another standardized test from the Educational Testing Service again, though.
The GRE is, for all intents and purposes, a version of the SAT on steroids and crystal meth. I would've thought, that as an Army officer, that I'd have a reasonable grasp on how to answer the critical reasoning questions on the GRE. Oh, hell, no.
This new one is the first ETS test I've taken that was done as a Computer Adaptive Test. I was too busy trying to figure out how to answer some of the questions to realize that feeling like I was getting kicked in the nuts repeatedly by the test was actually a good indicator. I was more concerned about not finishing the test in time, as unlike the old SAT, there is no penalty for answering questions wrong on the GRE. I can't speak for the current SAT.
I routinely do a lot better on the verbal than I do on the math portions of standardized tests, but I was gratified to know that my GRE scores this time were higher than any other standardized test I've taken, if the unofficial scores are any indicator.
I did actually study up for the GRE this time, unlike the grand total of 1 day's preparation I did for the GRE the last time. I think my improved performance has a lot to do with actually practicing on the test this time around.
There is something to be said for UI, and while the one for the GRE sucks, it's the same as the one that they distribute for free on their PowerPrep software off their website. Practicing on their software beforehand seriously saved my bacon.
I hope I never have to take another standardized test from the Educational Testing Service again, though.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
10,000m on Concept2 Model C, 42:57, 26 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Kim-Lian, "Kids in America"
WX at 0600: 53.1 (11.7) DP 50.0 (10.0) BP 29.82 (1009) NE 5 fog RH 89%
Odometer 2: 202.6mi
Z4.
First time on the erg in a while. It was that much more painful as I've been doing physical therapy on my right ankle, which was presenting for arthritis a few weeks ago. I think, now that it's gotten cold and the barometric pressure has for the most part changed, that it shouldn't be problematic, but given this morning's weather, spinning was fine, also.
Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 0:42:57
Per 500m: 02:09
Drag Factor 148
Per Mile 0:06:55
WX at 0600: 53.1 (11.7) DP 50.0 (10.0) BP 29.82 (1009) NE 5 fog RH 89%
Odometer 2: 202.6mi
Z4.
First time on the erg in a while. It was that much more painful as I've been doing physical therapy on my right ankle, which was presenting for arthritis a few weeks ago. I think, now that it's gotten cold and the barometric pressure has for the most part changed, that it shouldn't be problematic, but given this morning's weather, spinning was fine, also.
Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 0:42:57
Per 500m: 02:09
Drag Factor 148
Per Mile 0:06:55
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
4.1mi, 35:28, 24 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Corrosion of Conformity, "What (?)"
The Cure, "A Forest"
WX at 0600: 34.0 (1.1) DP 25.0 (-3.9) BP 30.22 (1023) SE 8 fog RH 69% WC 26 (-3)
Odometer 2: 202.6mi
Z3 high start, last 2 miles Z2.
The 2.13 at the start was to get to the start of a run which would be intended as wogging, and for the most part was. The start was fast since I started late and didn't want to stand the guy up. I didn't, not for long.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.13 16:47 16:47 07:53 07:53 2.13
1.00 26:26 09:39 09:39 08:27 3.13
1.00 35:28 09:02 09:02 08:35 4.13
The Cure, "A Forest"
WX at 0600: 34.0 (1.1) DP 25.0 (-3.9) BP 30.22 (1023) SE 8 fog RH 69% WC 26 (-3)
Odometer 2: 202.6mi
Z3 high start, last 2 miles Z2.
The 2.13 at the start was to get to the start of a run which would be intended as wogging, and for the most part was. The start was fast since I started late and didn't want to stand the guy up. I didn't, not for long.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.13 16:47 16:47 07:53 07:53 2.13
1.00 26:26 09:39 09:39 08:27 3.13
1.00 35:28 09:02 09:02 08:35 4.13
Sunday, October 22, 2006
6.8mi, 56:08, 22 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
"Jester" from the DOS computer game Terminal Velocity
WX at 0800: 34.0 (1.1) DP 27.0 (-2.8) BP 30.2 (1022) W 7 mostly cloudy RH 75% WC 28 (-2)
Odometer 3: 22.9mi
Z3 high.
Good god was today a cold one. I had double gloves and a hat. Polypro gloves and the hat came off after the first 2.09 lap.
It's gratifying, though, to run nothing but negative splits, and today was a textbook example.
I could tell a definite acceleration at the 36-37 minute mark, as I fully warmed up. If this is what I can expect going into the winter, this is pretty good news.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:17 02:17 08:29 08:29 0.27
2.09 19:53 17:36 08:25 08:26 2.36
2.09 37:11 17:18 08:17 08:21 4.45
2.09 53:58 16:47 08:02 08:15 6.54
0.27 56:08 02:10 08:01 08:15 6.81
WX at 0800: 34.0 (1.1) DP 27.0 (-2.8) BP 30.2 (1022) W 7 mostly cloudy RH 75% WC 28 (-2)
Odometer 3: 22.9mi
Z3 high.
Good god was today a cold one. I had double gloves and a hat. Polypro gloves and the hat came off after the first 2.09 lap.
It's gratifying, though, to run nothing but negative splits, and today was a textbook example.
I could tell a definite acceleration at the 36-37 minute mark, as I fully warmed up. If this is what I can expect going into the winter, this is pretty good news.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:17 02:17 08:29 08:29 0.27
2.09 19:53 17:36 08:25 08:26 2.36
2.09 37:11 17:18 08:17 08:21 4.45
2.09 53:58 16:47 08:02 08:15 6.54
0.27 56:08 02:10 08:01 08:15 6.81
Friday, October 20, 2006
8,000m on Concept2 Model C, 34:20, 20 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
David Bergeaud, opening credits to Earth2
Michael Kamen, closing credits to From The Earth To The Moon
WX at 0600: 36.0 (2.2) DP 30.9 (-0.6) BP 29.85 (1010) SSW 9 clear RH 81%
Odometer 2: 198.5mi N/A
Z3.
For a day I was planning on doing something different, I was singularly out of gas. The 2:09/500m average pace is deceptive; I was dragging ass, as I was rowing a signficant segment at 2:12 with some parts as slow as 2:15.
It could be that my legs are tired...just maybe. Tomorrow is a Do Nothing But Eat day.
Splits
Distance: 8000
Time: 0:34:20
Per 500m: 02:09
Drag Factor 182
Per Mile 0:06:54
Michael Kamen, closing credits to From The Earth To The Moon
WX at 0600: 36.0 (2.2) DP 30.9 (-0.6) BP 29.85 (1010) SSW 9 clear RH 81%
Odometer 2: 198.5mi N/A
Z3.
For a day I was planning on doing something different, I was singularly out of gas. The 2:09/500m average pace is deceptive; I was dragging ass, as I was rowing a signficant segment at 2:12 with some parts as slow as 2:15.
It could be that my legs are tired...just maybe. Tomorrow is a Do Nothing But Eat day.
Splits
Distance: 8000
Time: 0:34:20
Per 500m: 02:09
Drag Factor 182
Per Mile 0:06:54
Thursday, October 19, 2006
5.1mi, 44:01, 19 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Michael Kamen, opening credits to From The Earth To The Moon
WX at 0600: 41.0 (5.0) DP 30.0 (-1.1) BP 30.04 (1017) NNW 7 overcast RH 64%
Odometer 3: 14.1mi
Z3.
Today started fast and inconsistent. Then we started hitting hills and we slowed down considerably. Still, today was productive, but inconsistency is bad. I'll need a more disciplined approach later on.
I wore some snivel gear, which is kind of unusual for only 41 degrees, but I was glad I did at the end. It was chilly...
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:07 02:07 07:50 07:50 0.27
2.09 20:22 18:15 08:44 08:38 2.36
2.09 37:53 17:31 08:23 08:31 4.45
0.67 44:01 06:08 09:09 08:36 5.12
WX at 0600: 41.0 (5.0) DP 30.0 (-1.1) BP 30.04 (1017) NNW 7 overcast RH 64%
Odometer 3: 14.1mi
Z3.
Today started fast and inconsistent. Then we started hitting hills and we slowed down considerably. Still, today was productive, but inconsistency is bad. I'll need a more disciplined approach later on.
I wore some snivel gear, which is kind of unusual for only 41 degrees, but I was glad I did at the end. It was chilly...
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:07 02:07 07:50 07:50 0.27
2.09 20:22 18:15 08:44 08:38 2.36
2.09 37:53 17:31 08:23 08:31 4.45
0.67 44:01 06:08 09:09 08:36 5.12
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
4.0mi, 35:20, 18 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Nothing in the iThink.
WX at 0600: 52.0 (11.1) DP 45.0 (7.2) BP 29.84 (1010) N 13 overcast drizzle RH 77%
Odometer 2: 198.5mi
Z2.
Today was a recovery run. GPS on the track, target time 9:00mpm. I can live with 35:20, though. What I didn't count on was it being as cold as it was. 52 degrees was chillier - and I think the relative humidity and wind speed didn't help either. I needed to do some wogging, though, so today was productive. I have to avoid the temptation of overtraining, particularly in weather like this.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:44 08:44 08:42 08:42 1.00
1.00 17:32 08:48 08:46 08:44 2.01
0.99 26:17 08:45 08:48 08:45 3.00
1.00 35:20 09:03 09:01 08:49 4.01
WX at 0600: 52.0 (11.1) DP 45.0 (7.2) BP 29.84 (1010) N 13 overcast drizzle RH 77%
Odometer 2: 198.5mi
Z2.
Today was a recovery run. GPS on the track, target time 9:00mpm. I can live with 35:20, though. What I didn't count on was it being as cold as it was. 52 degrees was chillier - and I think the relative humidity and wind speed didn't help either. I needed to do some wogging, though, so today was productive. I have to avoid the temptation of overtraining, particularly in weather like this.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:44 08:44 08:42 08:42 1.00
1.00 17:32 08:48 08:46 08:44 2.01
0.99 26:17 08:45 08:48 08:45 3.00
1.00 35:20 09:03 09:01 08:49 4.01
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
10,000m on Concept2 Model C, 42:53, 17 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Moonbabies, "Sun A.M."
Moonbabies, "War on Sound"
WX at 0600: 55.9 (13.3) DP 52.0 (11.1) BP 29.56 (1001) SSW 8 mist RH 87%
Odometer 3: 9.0mi
Z3-4.
Today was a day of tired legs. My legs weren't feeling so hot after all the running in the last few days. Tomorrow needs to be wogging. Plan is four miles on the track going no faster than 9 minute pace.
In spite of it all, though, I was pretty pleased to spin under 43 minutes regardless of how tired my legs were. My hamstrings were pretty well smoked today.
Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 0:42:53
Per 500m: 02:09
Drag Factor 140
Per Mile 0:06:54
Moonbabies, "War on Sound"
WX at 0600: 55.9 (13.3) DP 52.0 (11.1) BP 29.56 (1001) SSW 8 mist RH 87%
Odometer 3: 9.0mi
Z3-4.
Today was a day of tired legs. My legs weren't feeling so hot after all the running in the last few days. Tomorrow needs to be wogging. Plan is four miles on the track going no faster than 9 minute pace.
In spite of it all, though, I was pretty pleased to spin under 43 minutes regardless of how tired my legs were. My hamstrings were pretty well smoked today.
Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 0:42:53
Per 500m: 02:09
Drag Factor 140
Per Mile 0:06:54
Monday, October 16, 2006
4.7mi, 41:05, 16 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Trey Parker, "America, Fuck Yeah"
WX at 0700: 57.9 (14.4) DP 48.9 (9.4) BP 29.74 (1007) SE 12 overcast RH 72%
Odometer 2: 194.0mi
Z3-Z4.
This morning's iThink stemmed from a discussion of North Korea and the recent tensions over nukes. My running partner was watching Fox News (which I try really hard not to watch) last night and he was telling me about how they described a second Korean War happening.
Herroo, Mister Brix!
Today's run was a textbook case on starting too fast and blowing it. The first split wasn't actually at 7:41/mi pace but wasn't much slower than 8:00/mi pace. After the fast start, we backed it off, then
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:04 02:04 07:41 07:41 0.27
2.09 20:27 18:23 09:04 08:40 2.36
1.24 31:19 10:52 08:46 08:42 3.60
0.85 38:40 07:21 08:39 08:41 4.45
0.27 41:05 02:25 08:57 08:42 4.72
WX at 0700: 57.9 (14.4) DP 48.9 (9.4) BP 29.74 (1007) SE 12 overcast RH 72%
Odometer 2: 194.0mi
Z3-Z4.
This morning's iThink stemmed from a discussion of North Korea and the recent tensions over nukes. My running partner was watching Fox News (which I try really hard not to watch) last night and he was telling me about how they described a second Korean War happening.
Herroo, Mister Brix!
Today's run was a textbook case on starting too fast and blowing it. The first split wasn't actually at 7:41/mi pace but wasn't much slower than 8:00/mi pace. After the fast start, we backed it off, then
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:04 02:04 07:41 07:41 0.27
2.09 20:27 18:23 09:04 08:40 2.36
1.24 31:19 10:52 08:46 08:42 3.60
0.85 38:40 07:21 08:39 08:41 4.45
0.27 41:05 02:25 08:57 08:42 4.72
Saturday, October 14, 2006
9.0mi, 75:12, 14 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Scott Cossu, "Demeter/Rejoicing"
WX at 0800: 36.0 (2.2) DP 21.0 (-6.1) BP 30.12 (1019) W 6 clear RH 54%
Odometer 3: 9.0mi
Z3.
First run in the new shoes and it was good. The weather conditions were just about perfect, although my hands were cold by the end, even in spite of my gloves.
Still, it was cold. This underscores why summer is just a holding effort while winter is where I make my real progress.
This breaks my old PR by about six minutes. Yes! I was gratified to run an average pace of 8:23/mi, although holding 8:05/mi in the last 1.4 was definitely worth it.
Splits
SGMT AGGREGT SEGMENT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.32 0:02:47 0:02:47 08:44 08:44 0.32
3.19 0:29:12 0:26:25 08:18 08:20 3.50
3.82 1:01:20 0:32:08 08:25 08:22 7.32
0.28 1:04:08 0:02:48 10:08 08:26 7.60
1.37 1:15:12 0:11:04 08:05 08:23 8.97
WX at 0800: 36.0 (2.2) DP 21.0 (-6.1) BP 30.12 (1019) W 6 clear RH 54%
Odometer 3: 9.0mi
Z3.
First run in the new shoes and it was good. The weather conditions were just about perfect, although my hands were cold by the end, even in spite of my gloves.
Still, it was cold. This underscores why summer is just a holding effort while winter is where I make my real progress.
This breaks my old PR by about six minutes. Yes! I was gratified to run an average pace of 8:23/mi, although holding 8:05/mi in the last 1.4 was definitely worth it.
Splits
SGMT AGGREGT SEGMENT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.32 0:02:47 0:02:47 08:44 08:44 0.32
3.19 0:29:12 0:26:25 08:18 08:20 3.50
3.82 1:01:20 0:32:08 08:25 08:22 7.32
0.28 1:04:08 0:02:48 10:08 08:26 7.60
1.37 1:15:12 0:11:04 08:05 08:23 8.97
Iraqi patriots
I was respectful of my Iraqi Security Forces counterparts, but this is a tragedy indeed.
Sectarian violence will be the undoing of the Iraqi state. In a country composed of such wildly different demographics, I have to wonder why we didn't study our history and maybe consider a federation after all.
That said, I did not know about the Scorpions; but the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force (ICTF), the élite Iraqi military special operations unit, was very, very good indeed. I don't dish out the descriptor of élite much - but the ICTF's professional competence - tied to their strong nonsectarian identity. They weren't Shia, they weren't Sunni, they weren't Kurds - but they were definitely Iraqi patriots, as was COL Mamuri.
These Iraqi patriots are our best chance to prevent Iraq from tanking.
Sectarian violence will be the undoing of the Iraqi state. In a country composed of such wildly different demographics, I have to wonder why we didn't study our history and maybe consider a federation after all.
That said, I did not know about the Scorpions; but the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force (ICTF), the élite Iraqi military special operations unit, was very, very good indeed. I don't dish out the descriptor of élite much - but the ICTF's professional competence - tied to their strong nonsectarian identity. They weren't Shia, they weren't Sunni, they weren't Kurds - but they were definitely Iraqi patriots, as was COL Mamuri.
These Iraqi patriots are our best chance to prevent Iraq from tanking.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
3.7mi, 33:41 11 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up" (Ultimix)
WX at 0600: 46.0 (7.8) DP 42.1 (5.6) BP 29.72 (1006) W 8 clear RH 85%
Odometer 2: 189.3mi
Z2.
I desperately need to find a different default mantra. Much of the reason is because of the tempo of the song - which fits. I just need more variety than teeny-bop.
Today was a zone 2 wogging recovery run, in spite of the disproportionately fast start. My legs were tired and today was a prime candidate for sleeping in. Tomorrow I think I'll row, as the forecast calls for temperatures right around freezing.
Weather like this, though is dangerous. I tend to overtrain in conditions like this because the weather is good and I perceive a lost window of opportunity if I don't train hard. Then I end up training too hard.
My new shoes should come in sometime today, I hope. 200 mile overlap between shoes seems to be about the going crossover point for shoes.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.86 07:12 07:12 08:25 08:25 0.86
0.73 14:19 07:07 09:45 09:02 1.59
0.98 23:18 08:59 09:08 09:04 2.57
0.86 31:08 07:50 09:07 09:05 3.43
0.28 33:41 02:33 09:04 09:05 3.71
WX at 0600: 46.0 (7.8) DP 42.1 (5.6) BP 29.72 (1006) W 8 clear RH 85%
Odometer 2: 189.3mi
Z2.
I desperately need to find a different default mantra. Much of the reason is because of the tempo of the song - which fits. I just need more variety than teeny-bop.
Today was a zone 2 wogging recovery run, in spite of the disproportionately fast start. My legs were tired and today was a prime candidate for sleeping in. Tomorrow I think I'll row, as the forecast calls for temperatures right around freezing.
Weather like this, though is dangerous. I tend to overtrain in conditions like this because the weather is good and I perceive a lost window of opportunity if I don't train hard. Then I end up training too hard.
My new shoes should come in sometime today, I hope. 200 mile overlap between shoes seems to be about the going crossover point for shoes.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.86 07:12 07:12 08:25 08:25 0.86
0.73 14:19 07:07 09:45 09:02 1.59
0.98 23:18 08:59 09:08 09:04 2.57
0.86 31:08 07:50 09:07 09:05 3.43
0.28 33:41 02:33 09:04 09:05 3.71
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
4.7mi, 40:09, 10 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Corrosion of Conformity, "What(?)"
Corrosion of Conformity, "Negative Outlook"
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up" (Ultimix) [yes, no shit, it keeps coming back.]
WX at 0700: 51.1 (10.6) DP 41.0 (5.0) BP 30.14 (1020) NNE 9 overcast RH 68%
Odometer 2: 185.6mi
Z3.
Today was the first real run back after going on profile. My profile states "run at own pace." I ran a time that indicates I could have passed the physical fitness test with comparatively little effort. I'm not in shape to get my usual 290 points or so, but that's not important right now. The sad thing is that I'm prohibited from running two miles for time. Lame.
My ankle didn't bother me much so long as I didn't turn on it. I was watching that pretty closely.
What I didn't realize was that I was faster at the end than when I started - I certainly didn't feel that way when I finished. The general inconsistencies of speed come from hills.
Yay.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:23 02:23 08:52 08:52 0.27
1.24 12:45 10:22 08:21 08:27 1.51
0.85 20:14 07:29 08:48 08:34 2.36
1.24 30:36 10:22 08:22 08:30 3.60
0.85 37:53 07:17 08:34 08:31 4.45
0.27 40:09 02:16 08:24 08:30 4.72
Corrosion of Conformity, "Negative Outlook"
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up" (Ultimix) [yes, no shit, it keeps coming back.]
WX at 0700: 51.1 (10.6) DP 41.0 (5.0) BP 30.14 (1020) NNE 9 overcast RH 68%
Odometer 2: 185.6mi
Z3.
Today was the first real run back after going on profile. My profile states "run at own pace." I ran a time that indicates I could have passed the physical fitness test with comparatively little effort. I'm not in shape to get my usual 290 points or so, but that's not important right now. The sad thing is that I'm prohibited from running two miles for time. Lame.
My ankle didn't bother me much so long as I didn't turn on it. I was watching that pretty closely.
What I didn't realize was that I was faster at the end than when I started - I certainly didn't feel that way when I finished. The general inconsistencies of speed come from hills.
Yay.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:23 02:23 08:52 08:52 0.27
1.24 12:45 10:22 08:21 08:27 1.51
0.85 20:14 07:29 08:48 08:34 2.36
1.24 30:36 10:22 08:22 08:30 3.60
0.85 37:53 07:17 08:34 08:31 4.45
0.27 40:09 02:16 08:24 08:30 4.72
Monday, October 09, 2006
10,000m on Concept2 Model C, 42:19, 9 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Public Image Limited, "Rise" (right ethos, wrong tempo - too slow)
Asobi Seksu, "I'm Happy But You Don't Like Me" (right tempo, wrong tone)
WX at 0800: 51.1 (10.6) DP 41.0 (5.0) BP 30.22 (1023) N 9 pcdy RH 68%
Odometer 2: N/A.
Z4-Z5.
Today ended up being a personal record at 10,000m. Not sure how, not sure why, but I was able to hold 2:05/500m for the first 2000m cut. After that, it was just a matter of not slowing down much. Much of the last 2000m was done at paces ranging from 1:58-2:04/500m. That was a nice change of pace.
It also underscores the basic disparity of speed. I was spinning at 6:49/mile pace. Encouraging, but depressing at the same time. I don't remember the last time I ran 6:49/mile for 10km, but I think it was 1998.
Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 0:42:19
Per 500m: 02:07
Drag Factor 140
Asobi Seksu, "I'm Happy But You Don't Like Me" (right tempo, wrong tone)
WX at 0800: 51.1 (10.6) DP 41.0 (5.0) BP 30.22 (1023) N 9 pcdy RH 68%
Odometer 2: N/A.
Z4-Z5.
Today ended up being a personal record at 10,000m. Not sure how, not sure why, but I was able to hold 2:05/500m for the first 2000m cut. After that, it was just a matter of not slowing down much. Much of the last 2000m was done at paces ranging from 1:58-2:04/500m. That was a nice change of pace.
It also underscores the basic disparity of speed. I was spinning at 6:49/mile pace. Encouraging, but depressing at the same time. I don't remember the last time I ran 6:49/mile for 10km, but I think it was 1998.
Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 0:42:19
Per 500m: 02:07
Drag Factor 140
Sunday, October 08, 2006
The source of my discontent
The last week here at the School of Advanced Military Heresy was spent doing some futures work. Futures work normally involves development of concepts and identification of the requisite capbilities to achieve those concepts.
What made it that much more suspect was the involvement of contractors, in this case, contractors attempting to demonstrate proof of some principle.
I invariably feel leery of concepts work when they show up half-baked because the basis of those concepts will often steer billions of dollars of future procurements. When it's someone attempting to sell a particular piece of hardware and the recurrent ad pitch is that "we need warfighters to validate this!" Causation and intellectual rigor are necessary components of concepts development as a result. More prosaically, weak shit will cost more lives in the future as every validated concept for futures work shapes how we will expend our spirit, blood, and treasure in the pursuit of national objectives.
There were two things that drove me nuts.
1. The scenarios to describe the future environment were written like a can of spilled fuck. I'm not saying that we'll never fight against a near-peer competitor and fight the Clash of the Titans in (insert name of desert). But it's fucking unimaginative to think that we'll be fighting someone who looks like the goddamn Soviet Army with its bevy of indirect fire gun and rocket artillery.
As a framework, the National Defense Strategy outlines four types of threats (called challenges in this case): traditional, irregular, disruptive, and catastrophic. No less a document than the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review says the US military needs to get away from fighting traditional threats and concentrate on irregular, disruptive, and catastrophic.
So when guys raised on fighting the Soviets in the Cold War are pushing a certain genre of toys as a fundamental element of how we will conduct operations in the future, I get skittish when our enemy looks almost exactly like someone we vanquished through primarily nonkinetic means almost two decades ago. Too bad they are having a much harder problem with grasping that the basic nature of the threat is probably not going to be very traditional, and will require us to do the same kind of hard, but noncontiguous campaigning that has been a basic fact of life for us in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. It is what it is. It's not the goddamn Warsaw Pact.
2. The school I'm in is supposed to create officers capable of thinking at the high operational art. So, as I found myself doing staffwork to plan out an infantry battalion tactical attack, it's hard for me, as a strategist, to avoid the overpowering urge to say What A Fucking Waste Of Time (WAFWOT). If I was still interested in being tactical, I guess I would've stayed a shooter. I no longer have any aspirations or pretense to that level of war. If I have to drill someone with 5.56mm green tip at my workplace (and for a guy who hasn't had to fire a rifle for most of his career, I shot 37 out of 40 on advanced infantry optics at my last range) then I have seriously Boned The Pooch and I will presently have much bigger problems than strategy.
The long and skinny is that I don't think I could work for a contractor in good conscience after retirement. Maybe I won't think that way when I'm no longer on active duty, but the long and skinny is that every day I got done working with these contractors on their pet project, I felt like Lady Macbeth inasmuch as I felt the need to keep scrubbing because the blood just wouldn't come off my hands at the end of the day.
What made it that much more suspect was the involvement of contractors, in this case, contractors attempting to demonstrate proof of some principle.
I invariably feel leery of concepts work when they show up half-baked because the basis of those concepts will often steer billions of dollars of future procurements. When it's someone attempting to sell a particular piece of hardware and the recurrent ad pitch is that "we need warfighters to validate this!" Causation and intellectual rigor are necessary components of concepts development as a result. More prosaically, weak shit will cost more lives in the future as every validated concept for futures work shapes how we will expend our spirit, blood, and treasure in the pursuit of national objectives.
There were two things that drove me nuts.
1. The scenarios to describe the future environment were written like a can of spilled fuck. I'm not saying that we'll never fight against a near-peer competitor and fight the Clash of the Titans in (insert name of desert). But it's fucking unimaginative to think that we'll be fighting someone who looks like the goddamn Soviet Army with its bevy of indirect fire gun and rocket artillery.
As a framework, the National Defense Strategy outlines four types of threats (called challenges in this case): traditional, irregular, disruptive, and catastrophic. No less a document than the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review says the US military needs to get away from fighting traditional threats and concentrate on irregular, disruptive, and catastrophic.
So when guys raised on fighting the Soviets in the Cold War are pushing a certain genre of toys as a fundamental element of how we will conduct operations in the future, I get skittish when our enemy looks almost exactly like someone we vanquished through primarily nonkinetic means almost two decades ago. Too bad they are having a much harder problem with grasping that the basic nature of the threat is probably not going to be very traditional, and will require us to do the same kind of hard, but noncontiguous campaigning that has been a basic fact of life for us in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. It is what it is. It's not the goddamn Warsaw Pact.
2. The school I'm in is supposed to create officers capable of thinking at the high operational art. So, as I found myself doing staffwork to plan out an infantry battalion tactical attack, it's hard for me, as a strategist, to avoid the overpowering urge to say What A Fucking Waste Of Time (WAFWOT). If I was still interested in being tactical, I guess I would've stayed a shooter. I no longer have any aspirations or pretense to that level of war. If I have to drill someone with 5.56mm green tip at my workplace (and for a guy who hasn't had to fire a rifle for most of his career, I shot 37 out of 40 on advanced infantry optics at my last range) then I have seriously Boned The Pooch and I will presently have much bigger problems than strategy.
The long and skinny is that I don't think I could work for a contractor in good conscience after retirement. Maybe I won't think that way when I'm no longer on active duty, but the long and skinny is that every day I got done working with these contractors on their pet project, I felt like Lady Macbeth inasmuch as I felt the need to keep scrubbing because the blood just wouldn't come off my hands at the end of the day.
2.9mi, 25:54, 8 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
For Against, "sabres"
WX at 0700: 51.1 (10.6) DP 41.0 (5.0) BP 30.17 (1021) S 9 pcdy RH 68%
Odometer 2: 180.9mi
Z3.
First run in a while. I was being careful about where I stepped, but I'm going to have to be more judicious about training regardless.
I've felt worse - but I've felt better.
2.94 miles before turning back because I was starting to work too hard is fucking pathetic.
A possibly mitigating factor is that I was pulling 120lbs. worth of kids yesterday over the Weston (Missouri) Applefest. This event highlighted some basic disparities between myself and Household6:
- my radio is on NPR (when I listen to the radio, which is almost never), her radio is on Radio Disney (yes, Kansas City has a Radio Disney affiliate).
- My normal walking speed is geared towards rucking heavy loads and being in the city, two mostly disparate activities - except for their speed. Being trapped in a crowd of aimlessly milling-around slow-moving people drives me fucking bananas. Household6's walking pace, is well, lugubrious.
On the flip side, I did get in probably about 2 1/2 miles worth of running as I staged vehicles back and forth from where we'd originally parked to a more forward location. That running was almost all hills.
Any presumptions of the Midwest being flat are fake and must be dispelled immediately. Note the not-inconsiderable Missouri River valley, which is flat. Everything else, however, is not particularly flat.
I realized I now row faster (even when I max out drag factor) than I run. Much, much faster than I run.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.91 08:07 08:07 08:53 08:53 0.91
1.45 19:58 11:51 08:12 08:28 2.36
0.58 25:54 05:56 10:14 08:49 2.94
WX at 0700: 51.1 (10.6) DP 41.0 (5.0) BP 30.17 (1021) S 9 pcdy RH 68%
Odometer 2: 180.9mi
Z3.
First run in a while. I was being careful about where I stepped, but I'm going to have to be more judicious about training regardless.
I've felt worse - but I've felt better.
2.94 miles before turning back because I was starting to work too hard is fucking pathetic.
A possibly mitigating factor is that I was pulling 120lbs. worth of kids yesterday over the Weston (Missouri) Applefest. This event highlighted some basic disparities between myself and Household6:
- my radio is on NPR (when I listen to the radio, which is almost never), her radio is on Radio Disney (yes, Kansas City has a Radio Disney affiliate).
- My normal walking speed is geared towards rucking heavy loads and being in the city, two mostly disparate activities - except for their speed. Being trapped in a crowd of aimlessly milling-around slow-moving people drives me fucking bananas. Household6's walking pace, is well, lugubrious.
On the flip side, I did get in probably about 2 1/2 miles worth of running as I staged vehicles back and forth from where we'd originally parked to a more forward location. That running was almost all hills.
Any presumptions of the Midwest being flat are fake and must be dispelled immediately. Note the not-inconsiderable Missouri River valley, which is flat. Everything else, however, is not particularly flat.
I realized I now row faster (even when I max out drag factor) than I run. Much, much faster than I run.
Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.91 08:07 08:07 08:53 08:53 0.91
1.45 19:58 11:51 08:12 08:28 2.36
0.58 25:54 05:56 10:14 08:49 2.94
Friday, October 06, 2006
15,000m on Concept2 Model C, 66:50, 6 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
iThink was drowned out by the Jazzercise class going on less than 50m away from me. On the other hand, it did provide whatever the class was listening to as background music. Sometimes ok, sometimes regrettable.
WX at 1000: 60.1 (15.6), DP 45.0 (7.2) BP 30.39 (1029) SE 14 clear RH 57%
Odometer 1: N/A.
Z3-4.
Today would have been a pretty ideal day to run if my ankle wasn't hosed. After eating something that put me in the gastric hurt box, I had to go get it on the Concept. First time I've done 15km, a running event at which I used to be somewhat competitive, but I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to hold a 2:14 overall. The actual time was 69:50, but I had to stop about 1600m before the finish for an emergency latrine stop.
Otherwise, it was a good session. A 140 drag factor may work well, although I'll see if I can find one that works best for me for time trialing.
Splits
Distance: 15000
Time: 1:06:50
Per 500m: 02:14
Drag Factor 140
WX at 1000: 60.1 (15.6), DP 45.0 (7.2) BP 30.39 (1029) SE 14 clear RH 57%
Odometer 1: N/A.
Z3-4.
Today would have been a pretty ideal day to run if my ankle wasn't hosed. After eating something that put me in the gastric hurt box, I had to go get it on the Concept. First time I've done 15km, a running event at which I used to be somewhat competitive, but I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to hold a 2:14 overall. The actual time was 69:50, but I had to stop about 1600m before the finish for an emergency latrine stop.
Otherwise, it was a good session. A 140 drag factor may work well, although I'll see if I can find one that works best for me for time trialing.
Splits
Distance: 15000
Time: 1:06:50
Per 500m: 02:14
Drag Factor 140
How we're going to lose the war
I do like the proposal of centrists running two years from now.
Ideology is not an acceptable substitute for competence!
Ideology is not an acceptable substitute for competence!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
8,000m on Concept2 Model C, 35:30, 4 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Ray (last name unknown), "A Song to Help You Keep Your Job" {This is fucking brilliant.}
WX at 0700: 66.9 (19.4) DP 55.0 (12.8) BP 30.07 (1018) NW 12 mostly cloudy RH 65%
Odometer 1: 421.0mi, but really N/A
Z3.
Today was going to be an easy day. Nothing hard, nothing particularly ambitious.
"A Song To Help You Keep Your Job" is courtesy of my professor from the Army War College, who is in many ways one of the sustaining influences of my particularly specialty.
What should be outlawed: spinning on the erg and having three not unatrractive women in spandex walk behind me and trail their perfume, thus, distracting me incessantly without the recourse of being able to see.
This caused me to deviate slightly faster than the 2:12-2:15/500m I intended, as I realized I was cranking 2:09/500m as a result. Discipline, discipline, discipline!
Still, when my ankle (which I broke in 3 places a few years ago) is acting up and flares in distinctly unpleasant ways when I attempt to change direction quickly, rowing is my recourse since I've been officially disallowed from running because of what in my profession is known as a temporary profile.
More to follow on why I want to "whip somebody's ass" later, unrelated to profiles, perfume, or spandex.
Splits
8000m on Concept2 Model C: 35:30.5
Average split 2:13.2/500m
Drag Factor 183
WX at 0700: 66.9 (19.4) DP 55.0 (12.8) BP 30.07 (1018) NW 12 mostly cloudy RH 65%
Odometer 1: 421.0mi, but really N/A
Z3.
Today was going to be an easy day. Nothing hard, nothing particularly ambitious.
"A Song To Help You Keep Your Job" is courtesy of my professor from the Army War College, who is in many ways one of the sustaining influences of my particularly specialty.
What should be outlawed: spinning on the erg and having three not unatrractive women in spandex walk behind me and trail their perfume, thus, distracting me incessantly without the recourse of being able to see.
This caused me to deviate slightly faster than the 2:12-2:15/500m I intended, as I realized I was cranking 2:09/500m as a result. Discipline, discipline, discipline!
Still, when my ankle (which I broke in 3 places a few years ago) is acting up and flares in distinctly unpleasant ways when I attempt to change direction quickly, rowing is my recourse since I've been officially disallowed from running because of what in my profession is known as a temporary profile.
More to follow on why I want to "whip somebody's ass" later, unrelated to profiles, perfume, or spandex.
Splits
8000m on Concept2 Model C: 35:30.5
Average split 2:13.2/500m
Drag Factor 183
Monday, October 02, 2006
8,000m on Concept2 Model C, 34:44, 1 OCT 06, Fort Leavenworth KS
Depeche Mode, "Everything Counts" (live off the 101 dual disk set)
WX at 1200: 84.0 (28.9) 53.1 (11.7) 30 (1015) SSE 17 RH 35%
Odometer: N/A
Z3 high.
Nothing fancy. I should probably back off in the next few days or so given that I have a physical fitness test this week. However, I won't be running it as I'm on a profile. The ankle I broke seven years ago is acting up again. I realized I'm no longer around killers for a living when the nurse practitioner here wrote me a profile that says "no running." My reaction was something along the lines of "are you fucking crazy?"
Unfortunately, disobeying a profile is probably a dumb move in a schoolhouse where the students are only transients and the hospital doesn't normally serve units that, well, fucking KILL for a living.
Today's spin is what I'm doing to avoid tapping out any higher than the 186 pounds I hit today. Obligatory sound of pig squealing will ensue at weigh-in this week.
Splits
8,000m on Concept2 Model C: 34:44.3
Average pace: 2:10/500m
Drag Factor 165
WX at 1200: 84.0 (28.9) 53.1 (11.7) 30 (1015) SSE 17 RH 35%
Odometer: N/A
Z3 high.
Nothing fancy. I should probably back off in the next few days or so given that I have a physical fitness test this week. However, I won't be running it as I'm on a profile. The ankle I broke seven years ago is acting up again. I realized I'm no longer around killers for a living when the nurse practitioner here wrote me a profile that says "no running." My reaction was something along the lines of "are you fucking crazy?"
Unfortunately, disobeying a profile is probably a dumb move in a schoolhouse where the students are only transients and the hospital doesn't normally serve units that, well, fucking KILL for a living.
Today's spin is what I'm doing to avoid tapping out any higher than the 186 pounds I hit today. Obligatory sound of pig squealing will ensue at weigh-in this week.
Splits
8,000m on Concept2 Model C: 34:44.3
Average pace: 2:10/500m
Drag Factor 165
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