Frak

Right up front: FUCK SHIT MOTHER FUCK FRAGGLE ASSMOUNTAIN.

Okay. Now that I got that out of my hair:

I spent the better part of this evening rebuilding my user profile in Windows 7. Something had gone wrong and thankfully I still had everything because I damn near had a heart attack because I thought I'd lost the dissertation and the 30GB worth of research materials (digital photos and PDFs) I already had. Even though I had backups, they were a few days old and I already had 3/4 of a new chapter in the can.

Jesus titty motherfucking airborne christ. It's time for a goddamn double shot of Balvenie tonight.

4.61mi, 43:55, 31 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The Sisters of Mercy, "Temple of Love"

WX at 0700: 54.0 (12.2) DP 48.9 (9.4) BP 29.84 (1010) SSW 16 RH 82

Odometer 11C: 117.1mi

Z3 low. Average/max heart rate = 146/164

My legs were toast this morning, which is to be expected for going as hard as I did yesterday. Weather was warm enough to warrant shorts and t-shirt for the first time since I think October. It would've been criminal not to get at it this morning, as good as the conditions were. It wasn't completely a recovery run, but I'll probably do one tomorrow.

This is a ridiculously warm winter. Not that I'm complaining.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:22 09:22 09:22 09:22 1.00
1.00 18:59 09:37 09:37 09:30 2.00
1.00 28:46 09:47 09:47 09:35 3.00
1.00 38:18 09:32 09:32 09:34 4.00
0.61 43:55 05:37 09:12 09:32 4.61

5.0mi, 43:39, 30 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Iron Maiden, "Aces High"

WX at 0700: 39.9 (4.4) DP 28.9 (-1.7) BP 29.97 (1014) SSW 17 RH 64

Odometer 11B: 300.1mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 159/180

I probably should've moderated the pace some, but it was warm enough to go to shorts and long-sleeve shirt this morning. That resulted in a faster start and the rest was momentum. The iThink this morning helped. Harnessing some of the naked aggression I associate with that song turned the last mile into what felt like max VO2 workout pace.

Never mind the fact that I haven't done a max VO2 workout by design in a long, long while.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:35 08:35 08:35 08:35 1.00
1.00 17:10 08:35 08:35 08:35 2.00
1.00 26:11 09:01 09:01 08:44 3.00
1.00 35:13 09:02 09:02 08:48 4.00
1.00 43:39 08:26 08:26 08:44 5.00

8.01mi, 69:26, 28 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Velocity Girl, "Labrador"
Bob Mould, "The Breach"
that dog., "Never Say Never"

WX at 1100: 36.0 (2.2) DP 21.9 (-5.6) BP 30.34 (1027) WSW 9 RH 56

Odometer 11C: 112.5mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 161/178

The temperature normally wouldn't have warranted shorts only, but with the sun out, I usually go light on snivel gear, which was a wise decision. It's been a while since I've gone 8mi. The difficulty is not really in the run (although I could feel myself starting to really tire near the end) as much as how I feel afterwards. Mentally I felt fine with going that far, although I didn't expect to go 8 today.

The start was fast, but it was that way partly because I was cold. The uphills were noticeable harder than usual - maybe an indicator of being tired. I haven't had dead legs in a while, but I also haven't been very aggressive about going out - which might be keeping me from overtraining.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:19 08:19 08:19 08:19 1.00
1.00 16:34 08:15 08:15 08:17 2.00
1.00 25:12 08:38 08:38 08:24 3.00
1.00 34:15 09:03 09:03 08:34 4.00
1.00 43:07 08:52 08:52 08:37 5.00
1.00 51:55 08:48 08:48 08:39 6.00
1.00 00:28 08:33 08:33 08:38 7.00
1.01 09:26 08:58 08:53 08:40 8.01

4.87mi, 44:30, 27 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Michael Kamen, Band of Brothers Suite No. 2
The Bats, "Flowers and Trees"
Sarge, "Stall"

WX at 0700: 32.0 (0.0) DP 26.1 (-3.3) BP 29.94 (1013) ESE 9 RH 78 WC 24 (-4)

Odometer 11B: 295.1mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 154/173

Today was a run of meh. I didn't feel like going out, but I needed to get at it. I need to sleep more than 5 hours if I don't want my runs to feel like they suck monkey balls.

At least they were consistent. Consistently meh.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:19 09:19 09:19 09:19 1.00
1.00 18:22 09:03 09:03 09:11 2.00
1.00 27:32 09:10 09:10 09:11 3.00
1.00 36:35 09:03 09:03 09:09 4.00
0.87 44:30 07:55 09:06 09:08 4.87

4.98mi, 44:49, 26 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
The Bats, "Dancing As the Boat Goes Down"
The Bats, "Flowers and Trees"

WX at 0700: 34.0 (1.1) DP 34.0 (1.1) BP 29.93 (1013) WNW 7 fog RH 100 WC 28 (-2)

Odometer 11C: 104.5mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 152/168

I wasn't sure how I'd feel this morning as there was a substantial temptation to sleep in. I decided I needed to get up and get at it, so I did. I felt okay, but not great.

It was very foggy this morning, which at least marginally increased the potential for Death by Misadventure. At least I remembered my reflective belt...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:13 09:13 09:13 09:13 1.00
1.00 17:49 08:36 08:36 08:54 2.00
1.00 26:58 09:09 09:09 08:59 3.00
1.00 36:11 09:13 09:13 09:03 4.00
0.98 44:49 08:38 08:49 09:00 4.98

4.6mi, 40:34, 24 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The XX, "Intro"

WX at 0600: 26.1 (-3.3) DP 21.9 (-5.6) BP 30.14 (1020) ESE 6 RH 84 WC 19 (-7)

Odometer 11B: 290.2mi

Z3/Z4. Average/max heart rate = 155/171

Well, I felt a lot better today than I did yesterday. Not sure why - unless it was residual suck from cranking away on the Concept2 on Friday. I may start alternating days on the Concept with running as there are probably benefits to be had from doing that rather than just running all the time.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:47 08:47 08:47 08:47 1.00
1.00 17:50 09:03 09:03 08:55 2.00
1.00 26:42 08:52 08:52 08:54 3.00
1.00 35:24 08:42 08:42 08:51 4.00
0.60 40:34 05:10 08:37 08:49 4.60

4.6mi, 42:18, 23 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Liz Longley, "Avery"
Theme song to the film Team America

WX at 0700: 36.0 (2.2) DP 28.0 (-2.2) BP 29.8 (1009) WNW 15G23 RH 72

Odometer 11B: 285.6mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 153/171

Good fucking god did today suck monkey balls. I have no idea why I felt so gassed, but today was an exercise in "fucking grind it out until the run is complete." It wasn't just the wind.

I'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:07 09:07 09:07 09:07 1.00
1.00 18:17 09:10 09:10 09:09 2.00
1.00 27:44 09:27 09:27 09:15 3.00
1.00 36:54 09:10 09:10 09:13 4.00
0.60 42:18 05:24 09:00 09:12 4.60

4.86mi, 45:10, 22 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The XX, "Intro"

WX at 0900: 42 (6) DP 39 (4) BP 29.51 (999) S 20 mist RH 86

Odometer 11C: 99.5mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 149/164

I felt like complete crap this morning but knew I had to run or else. I was hoping for a 666 run, but only got in a bit over two laps so it was going to be a 4-something run.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:23 09:23 09:23 09:23 1.00
1.00 18:36 09:13 09:13 09:18 2.00
1.00 27:54 09:18 09:18 09:18 3.00
1.00 37:08 09:14 09:14 09:17 4.00
0.86 45:10 08:02 09:20 09:18 4.86

2.42mi + 4,000m on Concept2 Model E, 21:54 + 17:50, 20 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: no memory...

WX at 0900: 17 DP 9 BP 29.90 (1014.1) E 8 mist RH 70

Odometer 11B: 281.0mi equivalency

Z3. Average/max heart rate = no reading

Forgot to post my last. Reconstructed reading. I am out of shape when I'm working hard to hold 2:15/500m.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.21 10:48 10:48 08:56 08:56 1.21
1.21 21:54 11:06 09:10 09:03 2.42

Distance: 4000
Time: 00:17:50
Avg/500m: 02:14
Drag Factor: 109
Per Mile: 00:07:10

Epic paratrooper fail

At least that was my reaction watching this. Goddamn if there weren't jump refusals coming out the ass. Jesus fucking airborne christ...

4.59mi, 42:17, 19 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Michael Kamen, Band of Brothers Suite No. 2

WX at 0700: 23.0 (-5.0) DP 17.1 (-8.3) BP 29.95 (1014) NNE 16 RH 77 WC 10 (-12)

Odometer 11C: 94.6mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 133/174

Sleeping just under five hours is not the path to a good run. Neither is the temperature dropping right before sunrise and the wind picking up.

I needed to run more than I wanted to run. I did not feel great, although I felt better in the last mile. It was cold as hell this morning.

The HRM reading is off. It felt like around 155 average, and the HRM was rendering grossly low readings (90bpm!) in the last two miles.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:03 09:03 09:03 09:03 1.00
1.00 18:27 09:24 09:24 09:13 2.00
1.00 27:37 09:10 09:10 09:12 3.00
1.00 36:53 09:16 09:16 09:13 4.00
0.59 42:17 05:24 09:09 09:13 4.59

3.54mi, 33:57, 18 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
The Bats, "Courage"
The Bats, "Dancing as the Boat Goes Down"

WX at 0700: 12.0 (-11.1) DP 9.0 (-12.8) BP 30.23 (1023) S 9 RH 87 WC 0 (-18)

Odometer 11B: 279.3mi

Z2. Average/max heart rate = 145/166

I almost slept in this morning. I almost didn't go out because it was so cold this morning. My late start this morning resulted in a very slow first mile and a half. After a short break to get squared back away, I was far better off.

It's still going in as a recovery day.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:57 09:57 09:57 09:57 1.00
1.00 19:28 09:31 09:31 09:44 2.00
1.00 29:04 09:36 09:36 09:41 3.00
0.54 33:57 04:53 09:03 09:35 3.54

4.58mi, 40:58, 17 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"
Above and Beyond, "On A Good Day" (Daniel Kandi remix)

WX at 0700: 19.9 (-6.7) DP 14.0 (-10.0) BP 30.1 (1019) NW 15G28 RH 77 WC 6 (-14)

Odometer 11C: 94.6mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 156/176

The differences in comparative pace starting to finishing reflected the wind today.

I think I got snivel gear about right. The tailwind was useful in not thinking I overdressed today.

It feels like it's been a little while since I've sallied out in temperatures like this, but today was actually not unpleasant. Some of it might be because it was dry.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:46 08:46 08:46 08:46 1.00
1.00 17:42 08:56 08:56 08:51 2.00
1.00 26:51 09:09 09:09 08:57 3.00
1.00 35:41 08:50 08:50 08:55 4.00
0.58 40:58 05:17 09:07 08:57 4.58

3.28mi, 32:13, 15 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Michael Kamen, Band of Brothers Suite No. 2

WX at 1000: 43.0 (6.1) DP 24.1 (-4.4) BP 30.03 (1016) S 23 RH 47

Odometer 11B: 275.8mi

Z2-Z3 low. Average/max heart rate = 148/170

Holy fuck did I feel like complete dogshit today. Yesterday's run took more out of me than I thought.

Nothing but wogging, time constrained as I had to get back before the OPFOR commander and the spetsnaz departed for church.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:40 09:40 09:40 09:40 1.00
1.00 19:36 09:56 09:56 09:48 2.00
1.00 29:32 09:56 09:56 09:51 3.00
0.28 32:13 02:41 09:35 09:49 3.28

6.66mi, 58:19, 14 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The Sisters of Mercy (with Ofra Haza), "Temple of Love"

WX at 1100: 32.0 (0.0) DP 16.0 (-8.9) BP 30.16 (1021) NW 15 RH 51 WC 21 (-6)

Odometer 11C: 90.0mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 157/174

Today did not feel as fast as it was. I just didn't feel like going that hard. Apparently, I wasn't. That still doesn't explain the split times, which were uncharacteristically fast for relative effort.

It could be that I took two days off and that might make a difference too. It could be that I slept for 9 hours for the first time since my implosion in December.

Who knows? I'm just happy that I hit the magic 666 figure today. I deliberately cut a tangent or two just to be sure.

I might need to relook what I said about the Sisters of Mercy song before. It was a lock-step steady mantra today.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:34 08:34 08:34 08:34 1.00
1.00 17:30 08:56 08:56 08:45 2.00
1.00 26:26 08:56 08:56 08:49 3.00
1.00 35:00 08:34 08:34 08:45 4.00
1.00 43:43 08:43 08:43 08:45 5.00
1.00 52:31 08:48 08:48 08:45 6.00
0.66 58:19 05:48 08:47 08:45 6.66

I chortle

Pick up the nearest book to you.
Turn to page 45.
The first sentence describes your sex life in 2012.

Possible technical countermeasures to weapons such as the SADARM and TGW range from the prosaic to the exotic and include (for example): the use of additional armor protection on the top of Warsaw Pact vehicles (e.g., sand bags or additional armor plates); use of decoy devices (e.g., flares or radar reflectors) to create "dummy" targets; use of "screens" to attenuate an armored vehicle's IR signature; and use of smoke or multi-spectrum aerosols to "blind" the smart submunitions.

European Security Study, Strengthening Conventional Deterrence in Europe: A Program for the 1980s

So much motherfucking WIN!

4.59mi, 40:48, 11 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Corrosion of Conformity, "What(?)"
Big Country, "Rockin' In The Free World" (cover)

WX at 0900: 37.0 (2.8) 26.1 (-3.3) 29.64 (1003) SSW 7 RH

Odometer 11B: 272.5mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 158/173

Goddamn I felt like shit today. Holy fuck. I was going out thinking I was going to do a 666 run and quit after two laps. I am tired.

Positive splits are an indicator, but I didn't want to sleep in before the cold snap hits later today.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:34 08:34 08:34 08:34 1.00
1.00 17:23 08:49 08:49 08:41 2.00
1.00 26:27 09:04 09:04 08:49 3.00
1.00 35:33 09:06 09:06 08:53 4.00
0.59 40:48 05:15 08:54 08:53 4.59

3.2mi, 28:08, 10 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Bob Mould, "MM 17"

WX at 0700: 28.0 (-2.2) 21.9 (-5.6) 30.04 (1017) S 6 RH 77 WC 21 (-6)

Odometer 11C: 83.4mi

Z3 high-Z4. Average/max heart rate = 154/177

I woke up late. I wanted to get back before the girls went off to school, I did the same short run as yesterday. I sure felt a lot better than yesterday...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:35 08:35 08:35 08:35 1.00
1.00 17:21 08:46 08:46 08:41 2.00
1.00 26:19 08:58 08:58 08:46 3.00
0.20 28:08 01:49 09:05 08:48 3.20

3.1mi, 30:26, 9 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Velocity Girl, "Labrador"

WX at 0600: DP 28.9 (-1.7) DP 25.0 (-3.9) BP 30.24 (1024) W 6 RH 84 WC 23 (-5)
WX at 0500: DP 23.0 (-5.0) DP 23.0 (-5.0) BP 30.23 (1023) WSW 6 RH 100 WC 17 (-9)

Odometer 11B: 267.9mi

Z3 low. Average/max heart rate = 143/161

After yesterday's long run, I was pretty beat most of yesterday and that followed through to today. I got out there (in spite of the temperature) because today was going to be a light recovery run, which, for the most part, it was.

My legs are tired.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:44 09:44 09:44 09:44 1.00
1.00 19:41 09:57 09:57 09:50 2.00
1.10 30:26 10:45 09:46 09:49 3.10

7.06mi, 64:43, 8 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Above and Beyond, "On A Good Day" (original and Daniel Kandi remixes)

WX at 0900: 33.1 (0.6) DP 26.1 (-3.3) BP 30.3 (1026) NNE 5 RH 75 WC 28 (-2)

Odometer 11C: 80.2mi

Z3 start, Z4 finish. Average/max heart rate = 154/172

I didn't feel very ambitious today, so I didn't do much at the start. I was thinking about doing a 666 run this morning, but I had to take a short pit stop. By the time I got to where the bathroom was, it was locked and I decided to drive on anyway.

I felt better by the 3-mile mark, as is usual, so today was productive as I was running at full efficiency for over half the run. The last two miles were particularly helpful as I was using them to experiment with foot strike and tempo.

I was relatively consistent today since I wasn't intending on going that hard. 7 miles is actually not that hard if you have the time, and I had the time and inclination (after the first 2.5 miles) this morning.

At least I had an iThink this morning that fit the run and mood...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:08 09:08 09:08 09:08 1.00
1.00 18:24 09:16 09:16 09:12 2.00
1.00 27:42 09:18 09:18 09:14 3.00
1.00 36:57 09:15 09:15 09:14 4.00
1.00 46:16 09:19 09:19 09:15 5.00
1.00 55:11 08:55 08:55 09:12 6.00
1.06 64:43 09:32 09:00 09:10 7.06

Memory

I had an occasion to visit a Facebook page of a person I had known in passing, who I just found out had died of breast cancer about 7 months ago. It is the first ghost listing I know, although I knew two people whose profiles there either state "remembering" or "in tribute to" as they were killed in combat.

I think that is the hardest thing about the things I experience - it is very hard for me to say goodbye, ever, except in the few cases in which I had only ill will.

In another story...Anakin Skywalker turns to the Dark Side of the Force because he is afraid of the loss of those he loved. It was that fear and the desire to try to change the world to go the way that he wanted that turned him to the Dark Side. There are some parallels.

The Pixar film Up was on tonight on the Hub cable TV network. At that point I was going to be in the basement all night. I can't watch that film without weeping. Part of it is because of its constant references to memory and when life was better. Although those references are to fictional lives and not mine, it is the analogues I draw to my own life that made me way that I would never sit through that movie ever again. I can't do it.

They are not my memories, but that's not the point. It's the things that could have been, things that I suspect are lost forever.

5.0mi, 42:47, 6 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

Think:
The Sisters of Mercy, "Temple of Love"
Liz Longley, "Avery"

WX at 0700: 42.1 (5.6) DP 30.9 (-0.6) BP 29.74 (1007) SSW 13 RH 64

Odometer 11C: 73.2mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 155/171

Today started fast because after seeing the temperature, I went deliberately light on snivel gear. That was definitely the right choice given how warmed up I was by the end.

The price I paid for that was a jackrabbit start the likes of which I haven't done in a while.

"Temple of Love" is a little too fast tempo for me to use as an iThink unless I'm going really, really fast. I realized this as "Avery" is not quite thematically right, but the tempo was closer to what my actual stride is. I'm sure there's a correlation to tempo and the songs that get used as iThinks, which might explain why some songs get so much traction in these runs. The iThinks are also to a lesser extent a barometer of what my musical tastes happen to be veering towards at the time.

I run differently (and I would guess, more efficiently) in shorts only than in warmer running toggery. At least it seemed that way this morning.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:14 08:14 08:14 08:14 1.00
1.00 16:45 08:31 08:31 08:22 2.00
1.00 25:35 08:50 08:50 08:32 3.00
1.00 34:23 08:48 08:48 08:36 4.00
1.00 42:47 08:24 08:24 08:33 5.00

4.19mi, 40:18, 4 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Bob Mould, "MM 17"

WX at 0700: 36.0 (2.2) DP 27.0 (-2.8) BP 30.17 (1021) NW 3 RH 69

Odometer 11C: 68.2mi

Z3 easy. Average/max heart rate = 146/161

Slow, easy run. I didn't feel very ambitious, and I woke up late. Woot.

I needed a recovery run as running every workout at Z4 is not a particularly good idea.

Competition for the iThink included Liz Longley's "Unraveling" and the Sisters of Mercy's "Temple of Love," but the Bob Mould song fit better than anything else today. I guess if I were going faster the Sisters of Mercy song might fit, but not this morning.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:24 09:24 09:24 09:24 1.00
1.00 18:55 09:31 09:31 09:28 2.00
1.00 28:41 09:46 09:46 09:34 3.00
1.00 38:26 09:45 09:45 09:36 4.00
0.19 40:18 01:52 09:49 09:37 4.19

4.6mi, 41:06, 3 JAN 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Iron Maiden, "Aces High"

WX at 0700: 19.0 (-7.2) DP 9.0 (-12.8) BP 30.41 (1029) S 10 RH 64 WC 6 (-14)

Odometer 11B: 264.8mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 159/177

It was cold as shit this morning! Somehow, the first of two songs that stuck in my head were Iron Maiden's "Aces High," especially after seeing this. The second song was Game Theory's "Watch Who You're Calling Space Garbage Meteor Mouth," but it certainly doesn't compare to the raw feral fury I associate with the song and video below:



Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:47 08:47 08:47 08:47 1.00
1.00 17:49 09:02 09:02 08:54 2.00
1.00 26:53 09:04 09:04 08:58 3.00
1.00 35:46 08:53 08:53 08:56 4.00
0.60 41:06 05:20 08:53 08:56 4.60

The Coolest Thing Ever

Sylvia Plath rules. (Hat tip SMBC.)

What does good art do?

It edifies you, goddammit.

Sometimes in ways profound:


Sometimes in ways that are simply amusing:


I know where my next $30 is going.