Record APFT, 289 points, 30 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Dos Gringos, "Going In For Guns"

WX at 0600: 46 (8) DP 44 (7) BP 29.56 (1001) SSW 20 RH 93

Odometer 2: 54.0mi

Z4 high.
Average/max heart rate = no reading

My first PT test in almost a year. Yes, almost a year.

I was pleasantly surprised at what I did on today's PT test. After the relative lack of physical exercise over the last few months, I didn't expect to max the pushups and situps as cleanly as I did - perhaps this is the long-term benefit of pumping aluminum from time to time. Even the situps weren't that bad.

I realize, looking back at the last few APFTs, that I'm pretty happy if I score above 280. I'd really like to score 290, and almost did (missed it by two seconds this morning) but I'm really not quibbling about scoring 289 when I was afraid I wasn't even going to get 80 points on the run.

My pushups and situps remained their usual, 100 points in each event. I continue to find it curiously ironic that the events on which I spend the least amount of time, I do the best. This has been the case for APFTs since, oh, when I was in college. My norm for the first two events has been 100 points each; I can count maybe one or two times in my career (less my brief stints at Ranger School) where I didn't have 200 points going into the run.

Splits

Pushups: 75 in 0:45
Situps: 80 in 1:38
14:50 2 mile run:
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.25 01:39 01:39 06:36 06:36 0.25
0.25 03:31 01:52 07:28 07:02 0.50
0.25 05:23 01:52 07:28 07:11 0.75
0.25 07:18 01:55 07:40 07:18 1.00
0.25 09:12 01:54 07:36 07:22 1.25
0.50 13:03 03:51 07:42 07:27 1.75
0.25 14:50 01:47 07:08 07:25 2.00

The Coolest Thing Ever

Awesome. Totally awesome.

7.44mi, 63:11, 25 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
R.E.M., "Driver 8"
Carmine Coppola, end credits from Gardens of Stone
Philip Glass, "Hamburger Hill Theme"

WX at 1000: 52.0 (11.1) 48.0 (8.9) 29.86 (1011) SSW 7 RH 86

Odometer 1: 186.6mi

Z4 first two miles, Z3 remainder.
Average/max heart rate = 159/179

I decided to get a copy of Gardens of Stone on disk, finally, after buying it on tape in 1994. Gardens of Stone has been one of my favorite films on Vietnam because of how it captures some essential truths about life in the Army. For people with no family, it can be paternalistic (as depicted in the film) up to a point.

The Vietnam theme might explain the Philip Glass note, which is appropriate for long runs over hills, perhaps.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 07:46 07:46 07:46 07:46 1.00
1.00 15:12 07:26 07:26 07:36 2.00
1.00 24:05 08:53 08:53 08:02 3.00
1.00 32:59 08:54 08:54 08:15 4.00
1.00 41:41 08:42 08:42 08:20 5.00
1.00 50:48 09:07 09:07 08:28 6.00
1.00 59:31 08:43 08:43 08:30 7.00
0.44 03:11 03:40 08:20 08:30 7.44

5.0mi, 43:18, 23 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Chris Cornell, "You Know My Name"
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 "Eroica," Scherzo-Vivace

WX at 0600: 41 (5) 39 (4) 29.65 (1004) WNW 14 light drizzle

Odometer 2: 51.5mi

Z3 high.
Average/max heart rate = 149/174

I have no idea what sparked what I've come to call the LtCol T.C. McQueen Workout Video. Until the 2003 Battlestar Galactica reboot, Space: Above and Beyond was my favorite TV show, bar none - and I tend to be picky (my average TV viewing a month is maybe 10 hours at the MOST). I was in a T.C. McQueen kind of mood. Lately, I'm in a T.C. McQueen kind of mood, a lot.

The weather this morning was breezy, cold, and damp. I might've gone a little heavy with snivel gear, but it was worth it when I was running into an 18mph headwind. The weather reading was deceptive - there was a sensor here at Fort Leavenworth that read 38F.

"This one's for you, Winslow..." Awesome.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:32 08:32 08:32 08:32 1.00
1.00 17:15 08:43 08:43 08:37 2.00
1.00 25:54 08:39 08:39 08:38 3.00
1.00 34:37 08:43 08:43 08:39 4.00
1.00 43:18 08:41 08:41 08:40 5.00

3.7mi, 34:23, 21 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Starflyer 59,"I Drive A Lot"
The Connells, "Fun & Games"

WX at 0600: 62.1 (16.7) DP 54.0 (12.2) BP 29.95 (1014) S 17 RH 74

Odometer 1: 179.2mi

Z2-Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 139/164

Not a hard run, but I wanted to get out and do some light running that wasn't so short as to be perfunctory - but it sure feels that way if I'm going less than 4 miles.

It wasn't as breezy as the report says it is, but the sensor is also out in the open at Kansas City International Airport, about 15 miles away...and, as it turns out, the sensor at my kids' elementary school (about 200m away) reads 7mph.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:36 09:36 09:36 09:36 1.00
1.00 19:05 09:29 09:29 09:32 2.00
1.00 28:17 09:12 09:12 09:26 3.00
0.70 34:23 06:06 08:43 09:18 3.70

The Coolest Thing Ever

I have to admit, I don't see too many professional academics who can also claim to have been a Syracuse lacrosse player. As someone who grew up in the 1980s, and remember seeing Bacharach Rasin helmets, STX SAM and Brine Superlight 2 sticks as a 4th grader, it's always interesting to see those memories of my childhood...and others. I didn't start learning how to play lacrosse until I was in 6th grade. At that point I largely taught myself, so I never really developed much in the way of skills. It would take a combat deployment to Iraq before I really learned how to throw left-handed.

I never would've thought that I would've ended up at Johns Hopkins when I got my first STX Laser-Lite back in 1984. How strange things are after 25 years...

4.5mi, 39:04, 19 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Starflyer 59, "I Drive A Lot"

WX at 0600: 51.1 (10.6) DP 45.0 (7.2) BP 29.94 (1013) SSW 16 RH 79

Odometer 1: 175.5mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 152/176

I woke up earlier than expected and deliberated a bit on whether I wanted to run or not today. I'm starting to taper (although there's not much to taper from) for a physical fitness test, which I expect pretty close to the lowest score of my career, if only because exercise hasn't really been one of my priorities lately. It is, but only when I think it's becoming a problem.

There's a certain regretful tone to the Starflyer 59 song that stuck in my head today that makes it apropos. That, and for it being as crystal clear this morning (Orion was clearly visible as I looked up from my front doorstep) it wasn't as cold as I would've guessed. The only reason I wore a long-sleeve shirt was the supposed wind, and I wouldn't have needed it, in retrospect.

After a grinder of a start, I think the finish went well, but this is the last hard run I do this week. Today was surprisingly brisk - but hardly fast for the standards I need to meet for the physical fitness test. I guess I should probably do some pushups and situps too while I'm at it.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:46 08:46 08:46 08:46 1.00
1.00 17:36 08:50 08:50 08:48 2.00
1.00 26:33 08:57 08:57 08:51 3.00
1.00 35:14 08:41 08:41 08:48 4.00
0.49 39:04 03:50 07:49 08:42 4.49

3.7mi, 32:57, 17 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Descendents, "'Merican"

WX at 1000: 45.0 (7.2) DP 39.9 (4.4) BP 30.46 (1031) N 7 RH 82

Odometer 1: 171.0mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 157/178

I decided to get a short one in - not so short as to be ineffectual, but at least something other than just sitting at a desk most of the day.

Household 6 and the kids are out shopping. That's fine.

I think, as I've read through some of the less savory aspects of our national history, that the Descendents song for today's iThink is particularly appropriate.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:31 08:31 08:31 08:31 1.00
1.00 17:38 09:07 09:07 08:49 2.00
1.00 26:42 09:04 09:04 08:54 3.00
0.71 32:57 06:15 08:48 08:53 3.71

The price of freedom

I had occasion to take a break from work for about an hour today to pay my respects to Sergeant Aaron Smith, who was killed in Wardak Province, Afghanistan while serving with the 2d Battalion, 87th Infantry, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. He was buried at Fort Leavenworth today.

I was talking with Household6 about the size of the Patriot Guard Riders contingent escorting Sergeant Smith's remains and his family to the cemetery here at Fort Leavenworth and being surprised at the size of the contingent, but I had mentioned part of it was due because of Fred Phelps and his followers in picketing previous military funerals - and that Phelps is from Kansas. Household6 was unaware of Phelps, but it honestly wouldn't bother me at all if his entire congregation were struck by precision-guided lightning some day. After trying unsuccessfully to explain why Fred Phelps might have been a factor today, I didn't want to talk to Household6 anymore today. I realized that Fred Phelps doesn't figure much on someone who likes to watch the Disney Channel.

Standing on the side of Grant Avenue here at Fort Leavenworth as the group passed by, I remembered Hal Moore's basic truth, that "When your men die, and you don’t, you feel guilty. You’re the leader." I'd been talking to some of my students today prior to the group passing by, but I realized it's probably bad form to weep in front of my students, so I didn't say much after the group passed by.

Acknowledging that Sergeant Smith (who I did not know) died in the execution of the last phase of the campaign plan I wrote two years ago, I realize that while I've been physically living in my house for the last six months, there is a very significant part of me that has not returned home. I realize that I still haven't been able to disassociate myself from my last combat tour, where I spent a lot of mental and emotional energy turning myself into a razor. This is that much more ironic since I was literally walking out of a video teleconference about Afghanistan this morning on the way to pay my respects.

I guess there's a reason why David Drake's Redliners is a book that I hold particularly dear, especially after spending 14 months as a campaign planner. Another science fiction writer alludes to part of my anguish:

Any ship we lose, thought Bean, means that grown men and women have died. Any carelessness on our part takes lives. Yet they don't tell us that precisely because we can't afford to be burdened with that knowledge. In wartime, commanders have always had to learn the concept of "acceptable losses." But those who keep their humanity never really accept the idea of acceptability. Bean understood that. It gnaws at them. So they protect us child-soldiers by keeping us convinced that it's only games and tests.

Therefore I can't let on to anyone that I do know. Therefore I must accept the losses without a word, without a visible qualm. I must try to block out of my mind the people who will die from our boldness, whose sacrifice is not a mere counter in a game, but of their lives.

Orson Scott Card, Ender's Shadow

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, but there is an obligation of memory by the society for those who pay the opportunity cost of that freedom.

4.5mi, 37:55, 16 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Angst, "Die Fighting"
Husker Du, "Eight Miles High"
"Have You Heard of the 173rd Airborne Brigade" (remake)

WX at 0500: 45.0 (7.2) DP 39.0 (3.9) BP 30.11 (1019) NW 9 RH 79

Odometer 2: 46.5mi

Z3-Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 151/168

Once again, another day where I briefly debated going out. The tipper this morning was thinking back to the fat Apollo from the remake Battlestar Galactica being told "You lost your war, Lee. And the truth is, you're a soldier who needs a war." Since I saw some unpleasant parallels between Fat Apollo and myself, I rolled out.

And so it was. Going light on snivel gear (and maybe going a lot easier yesterday) made for what felt like a brisk run, even if the clock doesn't say so. Certainly more so than the last few days.

The tie between Angst and Hüsker Dü was from an old SST compilation called The Blasting Concept, Volume 2, which I recall from 21 years ago. The 173rd ballad...well, that has more immediacy. That, and it has a desperate quality (reflective of the circumstances that bred it) that the earlier version doesn't have.

Another cautionary note from the same episode: "These are things you just don't do, Colonel, not even in war."

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:19 08:19 08:19 08:19 1.00
1.00 16:41 08:22 08:22 08:20 2.00
1.00 25:19 08:38 08:38 08:26 3.00
1.00 33:42 08:23 08:23 08:26 4.00
0.51 37:55 04:13 08:16 08:24 4.51

3.64mi, 33:15, 15 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The Verve, "Bittersweet Symphony"

WX at 0600: 44 (7) DP 42 (6) BP 29.92 (1013) WNW 3 light drizzle RH 93

Odometer 1: 167.3mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 131/163

The morning debate is the same. Sleep or run? I woke up and wasn't so dead at 5:00am that I decided to get at it. First, though, I did some reading for grad school on some online databases. This cut into my run time.

I was also overdressed this morning. I was cold when I started, but it was apparent after a mile that I had put on too much snivel gear. I think the last segment being faster was also partly because I had two people behind me and I didn't want to get passed.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:18 09:18 09:18 09:18 1.00
1.00 18:26 09:08 09:08 09:13 2.00
1.00 27:37 09:11 09:11 09:12 3.00
0.64 33:15 05:38 08:48 09:08 3.64

3.0mi + lift, 27:03, 12 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Bear McCreary, "Dirty Hands"

WX at 1200: 46.0 (7.8) DP 42.1 (5.6) BP 30.13 (1020) WNW 3 RH 85

Odometer 1: 162.6mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = no reading

Easy run trying to keep up momentum, otherwise known as not sleeping in. For running as slowly as I thought I was going, it wasn't as slow as I actually thought.

I lifted as well. More weight on bench and incline bench but not nearly as much power left afterwards - less the row. It could be that the extra weight might have taken more energy from later on. Still, the increased bench and incline bench were encouraging.

More studying to do. It was warmer than yesterday, but that's not saying much for mid-October!

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.51 13:12 13:12 08:45 08:45 1.51
1.51 27:03 13:51 09:10 08:57 3.02

4.1mi, 36:51, 11 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Bear McCreary, "Gaeta's Lament"

WX at 0900: 37.0 (2.8) DP 27.0 (-2.8) BP 30.37 (1028) NE 8 RH 67

Odometer 1: 159.6mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 158/180

Once again, a day I didn't really want to go out, but once I was out about two miles, it was fine.

I was thinking about whether I wanted to term this as junk miles or not but I decided any day I was doing something other than just eating was of value.

I followed it up with a 12+4 ab session and will be feeling it the rest of the day...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:46 08:46 08:46 08:46 1.00
1.00 17:54 09:08 09:08 08:57 2.00
1.00 26:56 09:02 09:02 08:59 3.00
1.00 36:07 09:11 09:11 09:02 4.00
0.09 36:51 00:44 08:19 09:01 4.09

7.4mi, 66:32, 10 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Descendents, "Cool to Be You"

WX at 0900: 37 (3) DP 32 (0) BP 30.32 (1026) N 14 RH 80 first snow!

Odometer 2: 41.0mi

Z3 high.
Average/max heart rate = 156/178

I didn't really feel like going for a run this morning, but since I don't seem to get much done on Mondays and Tuesday because of graduate school, I need to get out there and hit the road.

There were some bird hunters out at the airfield, so I was hoping I wouldn't catch a slug in the head. That might hurt. I realized I was one of the few people not wearing blaze orange this morning out there, which I might want to remember as an anti-fratricide measure...

There were flecks of snow (nothing more than occasional flecks) but it's still snow. Before Halloween. It's going to be a cold winter.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:17 09:17 09:17 09:17 1.00
1.00 18:07 08:50 08:50 09:03 2.00
1.00 27:22 09:15 09:15 09:07 3.00
1.00 36:13 08:51 08:51 09:03 4.00
1.00 45:01 08:48 08:48 09:00 5.00
1.00 54:22 09:21 09:21 09:04 6.00
1.00 02:58 08:36 08:36 09:00 7.00
0.41 06:32 03:34 08:42 08:59 7.41

Memory and forgiveness

Today, I had occasion to run into an ex-girlfriend who I had not seen in 17 years. I realize that, after all this time, I still cannot forgive her for what she did to me. There's a line from the Iliad that stuck as a result:

Looking darkly upon Hector,
Swift-footed Achilles answered,
“I cannot forgive you,
As there are no trustworthy oaths between men and lions,
There can be no love between you and me.
One or the other must fall before then
To glut with his blood
Ares, the god who fights under the shield’s guard.
Remember every valor of yours,
For now the need comes hardest upon you
To be a spearman and a bold warrior.
There shall be no escape for you. You will pay in a lump
For all the sorrows of my companions you killed
In your spear’s fury.

Homer, The Iliad, book XXIII

3.5mi, 31:08, 9 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Bear McCreary, "Earth"

WX at 0600: 44 (7) DP 39 (4) BP 29.98 (1015) N 16 light rain RH 81

Odometer 1: 155.5mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 157/175

Cold today, but I figured I'd try to keep some momentum from yesterday, and compensate for not working out literally all week long.

First day it's been cold enough (and the drizzle probably was a factor as well) for me to warrant wearing snivel gear.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:45 08:45 08:45 08:45 1.00
1.00 17:51 09:06 09:06 08:56 2.00
1.00 26:55 09:04 09:04 08:58 3.00
0.47 31:08 04:13 08:58 08:58 3.47

10,000m on Concept2 Model E + 3.1mi elliptical, 43:53 + 22:30, 8 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: "Have You Heard of the 173rd Airborne Brigade" (OEF 07-09 version)

WX at 1200: 55 (13) DP 53 (12) BP 29.91 (1012) NNW 3 rain; mist RH 93

Odometer 1: 152.0mi equivalency

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = no reading.

It was raining outside this morning and I needed the sleep, so I slept in. I didn't have classes today, so I went to the gym and cranked away, the first time all week. I'd initially set up for 15,000 but called it quits after 10. It's been a long, long time since I've tried to row 15km. I was just too tired to stay in for another 23 minutes. I got on the elliptical and ran out the other 5km I had left.

As I was walking to the gym, I passed someone wearing a maroon beret, which is a rare sight on Fort Leavenworth. Turns out this guy had been assigned to the 173d Airborne Brigade, who had a rough tour in Afghanistan two years ago. Today's iThink, for being recorded in theater (if the pre-fab buildings, aircraft sounds in the background and the Chigo air conditioners are any indicators, I'm guessing it's FOB Fenty, which I visited once), is a haunting song. I have my own reasons; although I was never in the 173d, they had to fight parts of the campaign plan I primarily wrote.

I was reminded of something I'd heard from LTG(Ret) Hal Moore, who had commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry at Ia Drang in 1965: "When your men die, and you don’t, you feel guilty. You’re the leader."

As a former member of the 7th Cavalry, those words seem fittingly apropos.

Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 00:43:53
Avg/500m: 02:12
Drag Factor : 105
Per Mile: 00:07:04

3.0mi + lift, 28:03, 4 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Warren Zevon, "Johnny Strikes Up The Band"

WX at 0800: 44 (7) DP 42 (6) BP 30.07 (1018) NNE 6 patches of fog RH 93

Odometer 1: 145.8mi

Z2-3.
Average/max heart rate = no reading.

I have no idea what sparked Warren Zevon this morning, other than the possibility of feeling more mundane than usual. Or not. Warren Zevon's dead.

Today was the first day of lifting in about two weeks. I needed it. I could tell that overhead press, bicep curls, and tricep pulldowns all had deteriorated in the meantime. Not nearly so much for bench press and shoulder curl, but still a factor.

Time to go back to studying.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.51 14:02 14:02 09:18 09:18 1.51
1.51 28:03 14:01 09:17 09:17 3.02

8.57mi, 1:14:14, 3 SEP 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Bear McCreary, "Laura Runs"
Dos Gringos, "Going In For Guns"

WX at 1500: 57.9 (14.4) DP 41.0 (5.0) BP 29.94 (1013) NW 6 RH 53

Odometer 2: 33.6mi

Z3 high-Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 162/177

Today was the first run that wasn't on a third day basis in a while, or so it seems. Today was painful, partly because I haven't done a long run all week, and the weather today was excellent (although I don't much care for running under direct sunlight), good enough where I decided to push a little harder.

I also saw some people about mid-run that suckered me into attempting to reel them in. I almost did, so I ran pretty hard (sub 8:00/mi pace) trying to catch a runner who had a roughly 300m head start on me. I was within 50m when I finally turned off.

My knees hurt like hell when I finished, though. I'll be paying for this one later on...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:26 08:26 08:26 08:26 1.00
1.00 16:44 08:18 08:18 08:22 2.00
1.00 25:38 08:54 08:54 08:33 3.00
1.00 34:19 08:41 08:41 08:35 4.00
1.00 43:04 08:45 08:45 08:37 5.00
1.00 51:36 08:32 08:32 08:36 6.00
1.00 00:06 08:30 08:30 08:35 7.00
1.00 09:15 09:09 09:09 08:39 8.00
0.57 14:14 04:59 08:45 08:40 8.57

3.4mi, 29:44, 2 OCT 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Peter Langston, background music to the game Ballblazer

WX at 0600: 48.9 (9.4) DP 35.1 (1.7) BP 29.71 (1006) WSW 13 RH 58

Odometer 1: 142.8mi

Z2.
Average/max heart rate = 152/174

Today was a day that I ran not because I really wanted to run, but because I felt I had to run. I've been noticing my expanding waistline and this is about as much as I can do about it.

Today was a great day for running. If I weren't so beat (or felt like I was behind on homework) I'd run more.

The competing factor is being tired all the time. Either that or six hours is not enough, which means a pretty significant change for me. When I'm doing daily homework reading until 11:00pm though, it's a factor.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:01 09:01 09:01 09:01 1.00
1.00 17:31 08:30 08:30 08:45 2.00
1.00 26:03 08:32 08:32 08:41 3.00
0.42 29:44 03:41 08:46 08:42 3.42