7.8mi, 64:14, 31 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 201 of the campaign.

iThink: Rob Zombie, "Feel So Numb"

WX at 0030: 68 (20) DP 23 (-5) BP 29.91 (1013) WNW 6 RH 18

Odometer 2: 256.2mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 162/179

This is perimeter run 38.

If you're wondering whether I really took four days off from running, I did. Work has been that bad lately.

I forced myself to run tonight, although I much rather would have gone to sleep, but as a function of personal discipline, I need to hit the roads - and in spite of being tired, I am running faster. My finishes are markedly faster, which is always an encouraging sign.

Part of my not running is that unlike some people whose basic lack of professionalism and failure to exercise any legitimate work ethic is the norm, I've been grinding away at our next major order, and as one of the nominal standard bearers in the plans group, I have been a mite dogmatic. I'm not kidding about the dogma part.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:14 08:14 08:14 08:14 1.00
1.00 16:48 08:34 08:34 08:24 2.00
1.00 25:04 08:16 08:16 08:21 3.00
1.00 33:27 08:23 08:23 08:22 4.00
1.00 41:43 08:16 08:16 08:21 5.00
1.00 49:58 08:15 08:15 08:20 6.00
1.00 58:10 08:12 08:12 08:19 7.00
0.76 64:14 06:04 07:59 08:17 7.76

7.8mi, 71:16, 28 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 198 of the campaign.

iThink:
The Cure, "A Forest"
"The All-American Soldier" (yes, the 82d Airborne Division's song)
Juliana Hatfield, "Perfection"

WX at 1230: 75 (24) DP 23 (-5) BP 29.97 (1015) NNE 18 RH 14

Odometer 2: 248.4mi

Z2-3.
Average/max heart rate = 146/171

This is perimeter run 37.

As I look at my deployment counter, I realize I'm just a bit over 40 percent through my tour. Man, does that feel weird.

Today was a day to counteract some of the bad stuff I ate for dinner, namely a slice of apple pie and two scoops of ice cream. It's not that I'm getting fat - but I do need to be more judicious about what I eat, and most of the time, I come back thinner than when I left. I'm not so sure about this one.

Today, as a result, entailed some good wogging since my legs certainly weren't up to any hard work after the last two runs, especially that last one. Even with a day's rest, I felt like today needed to be easy, and it was.

It was kind of therapeutic to know that I could wog along to the tune of 9:10/mi or so and not feel any pressure at all.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:10 09:10 09:10 09:10 1.00
1.00 18:30 09:20 09:20 09:15 2.00
1.00 27:27 08:57 08:57 09:09 3.00
1.00 36:37 09:10 09:10 09:09 4.00
1.00 45:36 08:59 08:59 09:07 5.00
1.00 54:41 09:05 09:05 09:07 6.00
1.00 64:16 09:35 09:35 09:11 7.00
0.75 71:16 07:00 09:20 09:12 7.75

5.0mi, 39:30, 26 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 196 of the campaign.

iThink:
Juliana Hatfield, "Perfection"
The All-American Rejects, "It Ends Tonight"

WX at 0030: 71 (22) DP 46 (8) BP 30.00 (1016) Variable 3 RH 46

Odometer 3: 175.2mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 164/178

This was a burner, and I'm not sure why.

I'm not sure why I have a Juliana Hatfield song stuck in my head that was never formally released.

But I'm not debating the results. It is noticeably cooler, and that matters a LOT when I run. It's no accident my best times were right around the 45 degree F mark.

Of course, I guess I have to do some expectation management when I think that 39:30 is good for 5 miles. Aging sucks.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 07:58 07:58 07:58 07:58 1.00
1.00 15:43 07:45 07:45 07:52 2.00
0.51 19:53 04:10 08:10 07:55 2.51
1.00 27:54 08:01 08:01 07:57 3.51
1.00 35:50 07:56 07:56 07:57 4.51
0.50 39:30 03:40 07:20 07:53 5.01

7.8mi, 64:41, 24 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 195 of the campaign.

iThink: the day of SXSW...
Rachel Loy, "Love Me Too Much"
Housewife, "Channel Noir"
The Amazing Pilots, "The Price of Winter"

WX at 2330: 71 (22) DP 48 (9) BP 30.00 (1016) Variable 1 RH 44

Odometer 2: 240.6mi

Z4.
Average heart rate = 165

This is perimeter run 36.

Today was the first run in a while. Work has been so bad that there has been no way to actually get runs in. The end result is that today was a fast run because I wasn't sure when I was getting the next one in and I don't really think that hash a few days ago really counted.

I was belly breathing and experimenting with posture and gait. I think I get psyched out when I stare at the GPS and get track and speed under way; I think I can go faster when properly motivated. Problem is actually holding that pace. That's the challenge.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:27 08:27 08:27 08:27 1.00
1.00 17:05 08:38 08:38 08:32 2.00
1.00 25:19 08:14 08:14 08:26 3.00
1.00 33:43 08:24 08:24 08:26 4.00
1.00 41:50 08:07 08:07 08:22 5.00
1.00 50:08 08:18 08:18 08:21 6.00
1.00 58:29 08:21 08:21 08:21 7.00
0.75 04:41 06:12 08:16 08:21 7.75

2.8mi, time indeterminate, 21 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 191 of the campaign.

iThink: none

WX at 2330: 69 (21) DP 53 (12) BP 29.94 (1014) S 5 RH 57

Odometer 2: 232.8mi

Z2-Z4.
Average heart rate = 127, max = 171

This was actually a pretty cleverly done hash. One of the hares was a guy who, when laying trail off road here, makes me a little nervous as his hash name, "Senim," comes from the word "mines" backwards. But it was a good trail, and we didn't see any minefields...

It also involved running up a giant dirt clod, and some well laid trail. It did a pretty good job of keeping the group together and most everyone had a good time. Many of my coworkers didn't show up - work has been worse than usual lately - but tonight was well worth it and it's always good to take a break from the usual Groundhog Day-like grind.

7.8mi, 62:33, 20 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 190 of the campaign.

iThink:
Juliana Hatfield, "Perfection"
mewithoutYou, "January 1979"
Kutless, "Somewhere in the Sky"

WX at 0130: 68 (20) DP 41 (5) BP 29.91 (1013) WNW 5 RH 37

Odometer 2: 230.0mi

Z4 high.
Average heart rate = 166, max 178

Fastest run in a while. Weather was the biggest contributor, by far.

I also haven't run in three days, so that might have something to do with it also. Some of this is attributable to pacing, but I definitely started too fast. That said, the fact that I was holding anywhere between 7:40 and 8:30 on the average or so was pretty encouraging, actually.

I do need to do other things than just run, though.

Aside from my unintentional Christian emo kick, I had a song stuck in my head almost all day, from about the time I woke up to about the time I left for my run about 15 hours later.

I have no idea why I thought of "Perfection" by Juliana Hatfield, but there are far, far worse songs to have stuck in the back of my head, at least at work. Of course, being married, perhaps the song isn't quite as appropriate as I'd think...a brief excerpt follows.

You piss me off
But not a lot
I forget to forget
Why can't I see
Your qualities
That are not negative
You're so sweet to me
So why?

Do I want too much?
Would perfection be enough?
And if it came to me
Would it be what I really need?
Do I want too much?

I don't want to say "words to live by," but certainly thought provoking enough.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 07:40 07:40 07:40 07:40 1.00
1.00 15:39 07:59 07:59 07:50 2.00
1.00 23:43 08:04 08:04 07:54 3.00
1.00 31:54 08:11 08:11 07:58 4.00
1.00 40:07 08:13 08:13 08:01 5.00
1.00 48:20 08:13 08:13 08:03 6.00
1.00 56:29 08:09 08:09 08:04 7.00
0.74 62:33 06:04 08:12 08:05 7.74

7.8mi, 72:17, 16 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 187 of the campaign.

iThink: Bear McCreary, "All Along the Watchtower"

WX at 2230: 75 (24) DP 24 (-4) BP 29.80 (1009) NNW 17 RH 15

Odometer 3: 170.2mi

Z2-3.
Average heart rate = 151

This is perimeter run 34.

Today is National Airborne Day. Ironically, I forgot to put on my 82d combat patch as that's the last airborne division in the Army. There are some in the 101st Imperial who would see that as disloyal, but I think that's a function of being insecure.

I freely admit to being a product of the 82d, where those nonperformers were publicly crucified, which sounds draconian, but is one of the ways of keeping discipline in the ranks.

Today was a slow run trying to get one in while not going too fast. My coworkers didn't want to go too fast - and my GPS kept us mostly honest. Mostly.

The 17mph headwind near the end was always entertaining for the wrong reasons.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:22 09:22 09:22 09:22 1.00
1.00 18:43 09:21 09:21 09:21 2.00
1.00 27:46 09:03 09:03 09:15 3.00
1.00 37:10 09:24 09:24 09:18 4.00
1.00 46:28 09:18 09:18 09:18 5.00
1.00 55:48 09:20 09:20 09:18 6.00
1.00 65:31 09:43 09:43 09:22 7.00
0.74 72:17 06:46 09:09 09:20 7.74

7.8mi, 66:13, 15 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 186 of the campaign.

iThink:
Kristin Hersh, "Cold Water Coming"
The Bats, "Courage"
Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"

WX at 0030: 71 (22) 55 (13) 29.80 (1009) Variable 3

Odometer 2: 222.2mi

Z4.
Average heart rate = 161

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel after the last few days, but I got one evening of blissful, mostly uninterrupted sleep. This, I'm sure, had a material effect on how I was going to run tonight.

I'm pretty sure the winds were not variable 3mph like the weather report says it is. I had a sizeable tailwind and I was running more efficiently than I normally do, so it was quick and a fairly good run.

I'm glad I did, though - it keeps me mostly honest. Mostly, I'd like to think. I also felt like I'm getting faster, which is always a good piece of feedback.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:43 08:43 08:43 08:43 1.00
1.00 17:52 09:09 09:09 08:56 2.00
1.00 26:26 08:34 08:34 08:49 3.00
1.00 34:53 08:27 08:27 08:43 4.00
1.00 43:03 08:10 08:10 32:37 5.00
1.00 51:19 08:16 08:16 08:33 6.00
1.00 59:58 08:39 08:39 51:25 7.00
0.77 66:13 06:15 08:07 41:11 7.77

7.77mi, 78:29, 13 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 183 of the campaign.

iThink:
The Bats, "Straight Image"
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"

WX at 2230: 77 (25) DP 59 (15) BP 29.80 (1009) E 8 RH 53

Odometer 2: 214.4mi

Z3 start, Z4 finish.
Average heart rate = 162

This is perimeter run 32.

Today started slow and finished unexpectedly fast. I was tired, and very nearly chickened out, but I decided to stay with it and ran the usual loop.

Two factors at hand - one was the elevated humidity (at least more so than usual for here) and the other was the relative lack of wind compared to most nights. I think that had a lot to do with it.

That, and I really do need to get more disciplined about running daily - the problem is one of time and opportunity. I don't feel very compelled to work out in the day because it's hot...and at the same time, I stay late at work, and I'm too old to burn the candle at both ends at the level of effort that I normally hold in the office.

The other reason I ran today was that I got a somewhat slipshod haircut today and I had to do something to get the loose hairs off. Might as well work out if I'm going to take a shower regardless.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:02 09:02 09:02 09:02 1.00
1.00 18:05 09:03 09:03 09:03 2.00
1.00 27:01 08:56 08:56 09:00 3.00
1.00 35:59 08:58 08:58 09:00 4.00
1.00 44:38 08:39 08:39 08:56 5.00
1.00 53:22 08:44 08:44 08:54 6.00
1.00 02:06 08:44 08:44 08:52 7.00
0.77 08:29 06:23 08:17 08:49 7.77

7.8mi, 66:08, 11 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 182 of the campaign.

iThink:
Aly & AJ, "Shine"
Bear McCreary, "Storming New Caprica"
Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"

WX at 2330: 78 (26) DP 23 (-5) BP 29.77 (1008) N 20 RH 12

Odometer 3: 162.4mi

Z3-4.
Average heart rate = 162

This makes up for my day of inveterate wogging. I knew I needed to go for a run - and by the time I was out of the workplace it was almost 11:30pm. That still didn't stop me from getting out there and hitting the road, especially since I've been larding up over the last few weeks. It's time to start burning fat again - the hard part is just being disciplined enough to get back out and hit it.

Today marked the day I decided to switch out weapons with one of my coworkers. He wanted a pistol - and although I was assigned a pistol, I really felt a lot more comfortable with a rifle as a personal security blanket...so we decided to switch weapons. I also was able to get the rifle configured for my shooting style - finally - after carrying it around while he was out of the office. It feels, honestly, a lot better.

I would imagine, that my walking around with a long gun gives some people reason for pause. No matter...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:35 08:35 08:35 08:35 1.00
1.00 17:22 08:47 08:47 08:41 2.00
1.00 25:46 08:24 08:24 08:35 3.00
1.00 34:15 08:29 08:29 08:34 4.00
1.00 42:29 08:14 08:14 08:30 5.00
1.00 50:57 08:28 08:28 08:30 6.00
1.00 59:35 08:38 08:38 08:31 7.00
0.77 66:08 06:33 08:30 08:31 7.77

7.8mi, 75:11, 9 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 179 of the campaign.

iThink:
R.E.M., "Driver 8"
Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"
Aly & AJ, "Shine"
Dmitri Shostakovitch, Piano Concerto No. 2, Allegro, Opus 102
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"

WX at 0030: 84 (29) DP 26 (-3) BP 29.77 (1008) N 23G36 light blowing widespread dust RH 12

Odometer 2: 206.6mi

Z2.
Resting heart rate before start = 61
Average heart rate = 154

This is perimeter run 30. Hard to believe I'm six months into my combat tour with another ten or so to go...

In the meantime, 23mph gusting to 36mph. Yeah!

Today was a day of nothing but wogging. It was my slowest run around the perimeter. I didn't care, though!

I spent most of the afternoon launching bullets at paper targets since I said I'd zero a rifle for one of my coworkers...upon which I decided that he and I should probably switch weapons anyway, so I did. I guess that's okay - I feel about 100% sure of my zero when I'm firing up iron sights or optics. And right it is...

In the meantime, I sweated most of the afternoon (although the breeze this afternoon helped).

The highlight of today's range was inadvertently catching hot brass from one of my coworkers, who was firing adjacent to me, as well as discovering the particular suck that firing in frag vest and helmet entails when you're used to firing without body armor on. Kneeling...which is particularly unpleasant if you don't have a lot of flexibility in the lower legs.

To add insult to injury, on my second-to-last evolution (I would fire over 150 rounds today in the space of 2.5 hours) my target started flapping in the wind. I was so irritated that I stayed in position, continued to engage, and in my irritation got mostly head shots on the zero target. The fact that they were on a moving target only added to the inadvertent catharsis at getting mostly head shots on a 300m-size target...

I gotta admit, there's something cathartically therapeutic about shooting stuff.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:26 09:26 09:26 09:26 1.00
1.00 19:14 09:48 09:48 09:37 2.00
1.00 28:35 09:21 09:21 09:32 3.00
1.00 38:13 09:38 09:38 09:33 4.00
1.00 47:46 09:33 09:33 09:33 5.00
1.00 57:41 09:55 09:55 09:37 6.00
1.00 67:32 09:51 09:51 09:39 7.00
0.79 75:11 07:39 09:41 09:39 7.79

~3.5mi, about an hour, 7 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 177 of the campaign.

iThink: None

WX at 2230: 84 (29) DP 28 (-2) BP 29.71 (1006) N 17 RH 13

Odometer 3: 154.7mi

Z3-Z4 segments.
Average heart rate before start = 153

After the last hash debacle, I decided to hare the next one. This one was a lot better received. Ironically, we only had about 8 people show up, and while I was worried about getting caught, I had scouted a pretty well-thought out trail and my cohare was prepared as we had talked through how we were going to lay the trail.

The end result was a fairly enjoyable trail, although there were segments that I really had to hotfoot because we had long straightaways, which is dangerous for hares.

There's something to be said about prior preparation and planning for trail - and although getting everything together was painful - it all paid off in the end...

Splits
None really.

7.7mi, 65:29, 6 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 176 of the campaign.

iThink:
The Cure, "Disintegration"
The Bats, "Straight Image"

WX at 0630: 69 (21) DP 60 (16) BP 29.88 (1012) S 3 haze RH 73

Odometer 2: 198.8mi

Z4.
Average heart rate before start = 163

This is perimeter run 29.

Today was hard, but I wasn't going all that terribly fast. At least I didn't think so. Then I was lashed up with someone going about the same speed as me and I ended up running pretty hard the last 3.5mi. I was in the hurt box - but this will probably pay dividends later on.

The average heart rate at the end is an indicator of the level of suck. On the other hand, if I don't work any harder, I don't get any better. That's the way it is.

I was tempted to sleep in though. The temperature was downright pleasant...for being the middle of the summer. I'm sure it'll be crazy hot soon enough.

On a slightly different note, I realized that today is the 63rd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. I'm not sure why I remember August 6 and 9 for their events - but I do. I don't think about nuclear weapons much as a planner - when I do, I'm usually ill at ease for a while afterwards.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST AHR
1.00 08:26 08:26 08:26 08:26 1.00 150
1.00 17:06 08:40 08:40 08:33 2.00 155
1.00 25:33 08:27 08:27 08:31 3.00 156
1.00 34:07 08:34 08:34 08:32 4.00 164
1.00 42:24 08:17 08:17 08:29 5.00 166
1.00 50:47 08:23 08:23 08:28 6.00 172
1.00 59:18 08:31 08:31 08:28 7.00 173
0.78 65:29 06:11 07:56 08:25 7.78 174

7.8mi, 70:09, 3 AUG 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 174 of the campaign.

iThink:
Tommy Keene, "Away From It All"
Haddaway, "What Is Love"

WX at 2330: 86 (30) DP 33 (1) BP 29.85 (1011) N 20 blowing widespread dust RH 15

Odometer 3: 151.2mi

Z2 start, Z3 finish.
Average heart rate = 161

This is perimeter run 28.

I was absolutely hell bent on getting a run in tonight. It had been some four days since my last run, which is borderline unacceptable. I just haven't been able to pursue running with the discipline that I need.

I decided to start easy since it was still pretty warm after today's relatively hot day. Not Kuwait or Qatar kind of hot, but it was unpleasantly hot today during the day. I didn't have any problem waiting until night where things would cool off some. If I was really industrious, I'd wait until tomorrow morning and go hard, but I wouldn't wake up that early.

No dog, alas.

I just finished reading Kim Stanley Robinson's The Years of Rice and Salt and indulge on some of these long runs the thought of being tied in a jati - and if I had to espouse a religion, I'd argue Buddhism is starting to emerge beyond the others...but a thought-provoking read, one of the most so in the last few years.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:59 08:59 08:59 08:59 1.00
1.00 18:11 09:12 09:12 09:05 2.00
1.00 27:30 09:19 09:19 09:10 3.00
1.00 36:34 09:04 09:04 09:08 4.00
1.00 45:44 09:10 09:10 09:09 5.00
1.00 54:59 09:15 09:15 09:10 6.00
1.00 63:45 08:46 08:46 09:06 7.00
0.76 70:09 06:24 08:25 09:02 7.76