4.54mi, 44:03, 30 JUL 14, Bagram, Afghanistan

Today is day 250 of the campaign.

iThink:
Above & Beyond feat. Oceanlab, On A Good Day" (original, Jer Martin mix and Daniel Kandi remix)

WX at Noon (16) Jul 30 82 (28) 60 (16) 29.85 (1011) ESE 12 RH 47

Odometer 14A: 206.0mi

Z3 start, Z4 finish. Average/max heart rate = 152/164

Holy fucking shit did I feel like ass today. I was thinking I was going to run the perimeter of BAF tonight, but just in case, I decided to cut it short, thinking I was going to try to make it in for an initial manifest call for a flight I was thinking about trying to get. I was able to get on it, so I'm proceeding with onward movement.

The generally unsettled feeling with not being at my home base or at home for more than 24 hours is not a big deal - as this is my third deployment - but the sense of dislocation never escapes me.

Just on principle, I'd like to run Bagram Airfield's perimeter again. This is something that might have to wait until I'm getting ready to go home. But I'll do it, just on principle. I'll try to do it when I come back, if only to revisit one of the touchstones of my last deployment, and one of the things that kept me sane back then.


Also, I think my GPS settings were wonky as they were all over the place. Then again, there was the usual healthy wind that characterizes running at Bagram in the summer.  Yay.  I used to call it the 120-day blowjob...if only because I thought "120 days of wind" sounded too mundane.  It sure as shit wasn't mundane when you were running into a 25mph headwind.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:03 09:03 09:03 09:03 1.00
1.00 19:18 10:15 10:15 09:39 2.00
1.00 29:23 10:05 10:05 09:48 3.00
1.00 38:56 09:33 09:33 09:44 4.00
0.54 48:29 09:33 17:41 10:41 4.54

6.66mi, 57:58, 28 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 248 of the campaign.

iThink:
Bob Mould, "Dreaming I Am"
Bob Mould, "Underneath Days"
Tim Carleton & Darrick Deel, "Opus No. 1"
The Connells, "Fun & Games"

WX at 4 PM (20) Jul 28 84 (29) 26 (-3) 29.85 (1011) N 15 RH 12

Odometer 14A: 201.5mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 158/168

My incipient rage is not very incipient these days, because I'm either having to account for some basic incompetence at work, or I have to deal with people I can't get rid of, or my job in general just crawls under my skin, or the work is fucking stultifying, or all of the above.

I probably shouldn't take so much glee at running 6.66mi every time I run, but I feel better when I run that distance, just because. I think I like it because it unsettles people so much, which causes me to revel that much more in it. I coudl be penitent, but I really don't give two flying shits.

Hard first five laps, one easy recovery lap. The recovery lap was being prudent; the first five was mostly catharsis. It's certainly that when the second song that comes to mind involves the white-hot fury that Bob Mould's "Underneath Days" involves.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.11 09:31 09:31 08:34 08:34 1.11
1.11 19:07 09:36 08:39 08:37 2.22
1.11 28:37 09:31 08:34 08:36 3.33
1.11 37:54 09:16 08:21 08:32 4.44
1.11 47:20 09:26 08:30 08:32 5.55
1.11 58:01 10:41 09:37 08:43 6.66

6.66mi, 63:37, 26 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 246 of the campaign.

iThink:
Above & Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day" (Jer Martin mix and original)

WX at 4 PM (20) Jul 26 75 (24) 66 (19) 29.97 (1015) SE 9 RH 73

Odometer 14B: 23.5mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 148/157

Today needed to be a long run, although I probably should've gone shorter than that. Today was an exercise in running totally aerobic, so I decided to see how it might go. I felt pretty bad the first three miles, and didn't really loosen up until the last two laps, although the times didn't really reflect. I was just burning lard, which this run did in spades, I'd like to think. I'll follow it up by having enough discipline not to go to Ramadan midrats.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:42 09:42 ----- 09:42 1.00
0.11 10:22 00:40 09:20 09:20 1.11
1.00 20:52 10:30 ----- 09:53 2.11
0.11 20:56 00:04 09:31 09:26 2.22
1.00 31:19 10:23 ----- 09:44 3.22
0.11 31:27 00:08 09:28 09:27 3.33
1.00 42:01 10:34 ----- 09:42 4.33
0.11 42:09 00:08 09:38 09:30 4.44
1.00 52:25 10:16 ----- 09:38 5.44
0.11 52:48 00:23 09:36 09:31 5.55
1.00 03:27 10:39 ----- 09:41 6.55
0.11 03:39 00:12 09:46 09:33 6.66

6.66mi, 57:59, 25 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 245 of the campaign.

iThink:
Skrillex, "Bangarang" feat. Sirah
The Smiths, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" from Complete Soundcheck at Glasgow Barrowlands, 1986

WX at 11 AM (15) Jul 25 84 (29) 60 (16) 29.85 (1011) ESE 17 RH 45

Odometer 14A: 194.7mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 156/167

First workout in two days. I got chumped on sleep because there was something going on today that I couldn't drop and I frankly didn't trust the person involved to follow through. That's in general the trend for that individual. He talks a good game, but most of what he touches ends up being fucked up in some way, shape, or form.

I know I've been a little snappy at work because I've been more testy than usual - so it'll be a useful acid test if I'm a little less desirous of killing everyone in sight.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:11 09:11 ----- 09:11 1.00
0.11 09:31 00:20 08:34 08:34 1.11
1.00 18:49 09:18 ----- 08:55 2.11
0.11 19:14 00:25 08:45 08:40 2.22
1.00 28:38 09:24 ----- 08:54 3.22
0.11 29:02 00:24 08:50 08:43 3.33
1.00 38:21 09:19 ----- 08:51 4.33
0.11 38:44 00:23 08:44 08:43 4.44
1.00 47:59 09:15 ----- 08:49 5.44
0.11 48:21 00:22 08:40 08:43 5.55
1.00 57:31 09:10 ----- 08:47 6.55
0.11 57:58 00:27 08:40 08:42 6.66

15,000m on Concept2 Model D, 66:50.0, 23 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 243 of the campaign.

iThink:
Above & Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day" (Jer Martin mix)
Velvet Crush, "The Apple"

WX at 7 AM (11) Jul 23    98 (37)    21 (-6)    29.80 (1009)    ENE 6    RH 6

Odometer 14A: 187.9mi

Z4.  Average/max heart rate = 157/169

I've been meaning to do this for a long while but didn't really feel up to it until today.  The dreaded 15,000 was something I said I was going to do this week but now I finally hit it, and surprisingly, it didn't feel that bad.

I did callus up my hands, so that probably won't feel too awesome - but at least I got it in, which is better than I can say about my Do Nothing But Eat day yesterday that I wasn't intended on doing.

Splits
Distance:    15000
Time:    1:06:50.0
Avg/500m:    02:13.7
Drag Factor:    100
Per Mile:    00:07:10

7.77mi, 68:19, 21 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 241 of the campaign.

iThink:
The Connells, "Try"
The Connells, "Fun & Games"

WX at 3 PM (19) Jul 21 77 (25) 17 (-8) 29.91 (1013) NNW 6 RH 10

Odometer 14B: 16.9mi

Z4, last 1.11mi at Z3 threshold. Average/max heart rate = 156/168

Today went by fast. The fact that today is 242 days since I left home is pretty amazing considering how busy I've been. That might also be the reason why this tour has gone by - because time flies when you're getting your nuts crushed fucking flat all the goddamn time.

Thus, I decided to get in a long run today - because I was going to choke someone out if I didn't. That's about why.

Last lap was run at recovery pace, which was still around 80% based on heart rate but much easier based on comparative level of effort.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.11 09:44 09:44 08:46 08:46 1.11
1.11 19:28 09:44 08:46 08:46 2.22
1.11 29:09 09:41 08:43 08:45 3.33
1.11 38:28 09:19 08:24 08:40 4.44
1.11 47:49 09:21 08:25 08:37 5.55
1.11 57:22 09:33 08:36 08:37 6.66
1.11 68:19 10:57 09:52 08:48 7.77

4.44mi, 37:32, 20 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 240 of the campaign.

iThink:
Above & Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day" (Jer Martin mix)

WX at 11 AM (15) Jul 20 84 (29) 14 (-10) 29.83 (1010) N 23G35 RH 7

Odometer 14A: 187.6mi

Z3 start, Z4 finish. Average/max heart rate = 160/174

I was thinking about rowing, but started too late. I decided to run 6.66, but started too late. I ran 4.44, and ran it pretty damn quick because I was backed up to something I need to attend. Because I started too late. Still, today was a day to experiment with pace and speed, and I think it worked well, mostly.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:52 08:52 ----- 08:52 1.00
0.11 09:38 00:46 08:41 08:41 1.11
1.00 18:41 09:03 ----- 08:51 2.11
0.11 19:07 00:26 08:33 08:37 2.22
1.00 28:10 09:03 ----- 08:45 3.22
0.11 28:28 00:18 08:25 08:33 3.33
1.00 37:15 08:47 ----- 08:36 4.33
0.11 37:31 00:16 08:09 08:27 4.44

6.66mi, 57:13, 18 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 238 of the campaign.

iThink:
Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day" (Daniel Kandi and extended remixes)

WX at 3 PM (19) Jul 18 73 (23) 19 (-7) 29.80 (1009) N 17 RH 12

Odometer 14A: 183.2mi

Z3 first half, Z4 second half. Average/max heart rate = 160/172

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this, but as it turns out, after the first three, which was middling to unpleasant, quite all right. The end of the run was reasonably quick, but didn't feel that way, in spite of running well inside zone 4 at around 167-170bpm.

The change in timings below are an acknowledgement that I'll never get accurate readings, so I decided to fix my spreadsheet to reflect accurate readings.

About .3mi of walk and wogging to cool down afterwards.  It was the prudent thing to do.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:14 09:14 ----- 09:14 1.00
0.11 09:33 00:19 08:36 08:36 1.11
1.00 18:36 09:03 ----- 08:49 2.11
0.11 19:04 00:28 08:34 08:35 2.22
1.00 28:27 09:23 ----- 08:50 3.22
0.11 28:57 00:30 08:54 08:42 3.33
1.00 38:04 09:07 ----- 08:47 4.33
0.11 38:33 00:29 08:39 08:41 4.44
1.00 47:31 08:58 ----- 08:44 5.44
0.11 47:57 00:26 08:28 08:38 5.55
1.00 56:50 08:53 ----- 08:41 6.55
0.11 57:14 00:24 08:22 08:36 6.66

4.44mi, 27:14+11:04, 17 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 237 of the campaign.

iThink:
Delain, "Such A Shame"

WX at 4 PM (20) Jul 16 75 (24) 24 (-4) 29.85 (1011) N 12 RH 15

Odometer 14A: 176.4mi

Z4 first three laps, Z3 low finish.. Average/max heart rate = first three 164/159, last lap 151/152

First three were surprisingly fast. I don't know why I was so quick right off the start, but I was going to milk it for all it was worth and did for the first 3.33mi. I know that going that hard all the way to the end was probably a bad idea, so I used the last 1.11 as a cooldown, which is probably prudent. Today was a somewhat crappy day at the start - and involved ingestion of monster amounts of caffeine (as in 4x espresso shot + about 20 oz of weak-ass coffee, and 30 oz of super high-test (as in Peet's Major Dickason's Blend) coffee today). I needed to get some of that out of my system, and did with a run.

I can almost excuse the fact that I started at MIDNIGHT.  Yay. Dumbass.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.11 09:06 09:06 08:12 08:12 1.11
1.11 18:21 09:15 08:20 08:16 2.22
1.11 27:14 08:53 08:00 08:11 3.33
1.11 38:18 11:04 09:58 08:38 4.44

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 43:49.3, 15 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 235 of the campaign.

iThink:
Jack Say, "Brass Bonanza"

WX at 5 AM (9) Jul 15    93 (34)    23 (-5)    29.85 (1011)    N 12    RH 7

Odometer 13A: 171.9mi

Z3 first half, Z4 second half.  Average/max heart rate = 155/169

I needed to get something in today as I finished up far too late to get a run in last night, and running during the middle of the day here is probably not a great idea.  It had been a little while since I rowed, so I decided to get that in for today's work.

I truly have no idea what caused "Brass Bonanza" to drop into my head today.  I'm not a Hartford Whalers fan, and that team has been gone for years.  I have no explanation.

First 20 minutes was done to stay below anaerobic threshold while going at least 2:12/500m.  From there out, it was to hold 2:12 without going into zone 5.  The target time was 43:50, based on the computer and how I felt, so that's how I rowed. 

Back to work.

Splits
Distance:    10000
Time:    43:49.3
Avg/500m:    02:11.5
Drag Factor:    105
Per Mile:    00:07:03

4.44mi, 44:49, 13 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 233 of the campaign.

iThink:
Porter Robinson, "Language"

WX at 4 PM (20) Jul 13 77 (25) 21 (-6) 29.91 (1013) N 9 RH 12

Odometer 14B: 9.1mi

Z3 easy. Average/max heart rate = 140/149

Recovery run as my legs were pretty beat up after yesterday's almost-8 miler. I needed it as it was mostly to work lactate out of my muscles more so than anything else. Also, based on heart rate, it was also a lard burner run.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.11 11:16 11:16 10:09 10:09 1.11
1.11 22:28 11:12 10:05 10:07 2.22
1.11 33:44 11:16 10:09 10:08 3.33
1.11 44:49 11:05 09:59 10:06 4.44

7.77mi, 69:06, 12 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 232 of the campaign.

iThink:
Tim Carleton & Darrick Deel, "Opus No. 1" (better known as the Cisco hold music)
The Smiths, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" from Complete Soundcheck at Glasgow Barrowlands, 1986

WX at 3 PM (19) Jul 12 80 (27) 24 (-4) 29.91 (1013) NNE 18G30 RH 12

Odometer 14A: 171.8mi

Z3-Z4. Average/max heart rate = 158/169

Today was going to be a long slow run. Emphasis on slow, with a little less emphasis on long. I was thinking about going for another lap, but I decided that discretion was the better part of valor, and I'll save that for a few days from now. This past week has involved two rest days, one I didn't intend to take, and one I recognized that I had to take or bad things would happen.

I have the first iThink to blame from calling someone on a VoIP phone earlier today and being put on hold, and being at a computer while on hold and quick enough to think about Googling the song. And the rest is history.  It also makes a useful running mantra for a run that's deliberately run at zone 3 or so.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.11 09:55 09:55 08:56 08:56 1.11
1.11 19:46 09:51 08:52 08:54 2.22
1.11 29:39 09:53 08:54 08:54 3.33
1.11 39:34 09:55 08:56 08:55 4.44
1.11 49:23 09:49 08:51 08:54 5.55
1.11 59:14 09:51 08:52 08:54 6.66
1.11 09:06 09:52 08:53 08:54 7.77

8,000m on Concept2 Model D, 35:35.7, 10 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 230 of the campaign.

iThink: none, surprisingly.

WX at      7 AM (11) Jul 10     95 (35)     30 (-1)     29.86 (1011)     NW 6 RH 10

Odometer 14B: 4.7mi

Z3 threshold.  Average/max heart rate = 147/156

Something not too hard, not too easy after yesterday's twenty minutes in zone 5.  I knew if I went hard today it would be a bad thing, so I was looking for a row of about zone 3, although it popped briefly into zone 4.

The trick was trying to get as much in as I could  at a reasonably controlled rate so I could bank low-intensity time erging to not go too far into zone 4 - which occurred at around the 30-minute mark.  The challenge then became to be disciplined to prevent from going too hard but still maintaining speed and form.

Splits
Distance:    8000
Time:    35:35.7
Avg/500m:    02:13.5
Drag Factor:    114
Per Mile:    00:07:10

6.5mi on dreadmill, 58:34, 9 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 229 of the campaign.

iThink:
Porter Robinson, "Lionhearted"
Men At Work, "Down Under"
MaX, "Aim"


WX at 5 AM (9) Jul 09 88 (31) 46 (8) 29.86 (1011) E 18G30 RH 24

Odometer 14A: 163.9mi

Z4 high. Average/max heart rate = 166/178

I needed to get something in during the afternoon because I know I won't get any opportunity tonight. Thus, 6.5 on the dreadmill, which I found harder than usual, maybe because I was going faster in actual pace than I usually go. As a result, I was well into zone 4 most of the run and according to the chart, I was into zone 5 for most of the last 20 minutes, which implies that today might really be considered a max VO2 day.

I don't usually find good mantras on the dreadmill, but I was reminded of a trip I'd taken to Cleveland almost two decades ago when I was dating someone at the time. It was in the middle of January, and it was cold, but I remember that trip very, very well. For a variety of reasons. No, I don't really know why that came to mind.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:11 09:11 09:11 09:11 1.00
2.00 27:00 17:49 08:54 09:00 3.00
0.50 31:41 04:41 09:22 09:03 3.50
1.00 40:43 09:02 09:02 09:03 4.50
1.00 49:40 08:57 08:57 09:02 5.50
1.00 58:34 08:54 08:54 09:01 6.50

4.44mi, 40:08, 8 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 228 of the campaign.

iThink:
Porter Robinson, "Language"

WX at 4 PM (20) Jul 07 77 (25) 24 (-4) 29.88 (1012) N 17 RH 14

Odometer 14B: 4.5mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 149/155

Easy run, but not as short as it was intended. I felt better, so I went longer. Yesterday wasn't a rest day as I was up late anyway. The relative effort and pace fit today's iThink better than last night's run anyway.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.11 10:01 10:01 09:01 09:01 1.11
1.11 20:07 10:06 09:06 09:04 2.22
2.22 40:08 20:01 09:01 09:02 4.44

5.55mi, 49:21, 6 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 226 of the campaign.

iThink:
R.E.M., "Driver 8"
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"
Porter Robinson, "Language"

WX at 4 PM (20) Jul 06 73 (23) 26 (-3) 30.00 (1016) N 14 RH 17

Odometer 14A: 157.2mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 156/164

I was tired and was going to crash, but realized that I needed to get in a run or I'd be up all night shuttling back and forth to the latrine. So I ran. Not slow, but not fast - but not slow!

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.11 09:48 09:48 08:50 08:50 1.11
1.11 19:46 09:58 08:59 08:54 2.22
1.11 29:39 09:53 08:54 08:54 3.33
1.11 39:32 09:53 08:54 08:54 4.44
1.11 49:21 09:49 08:51 08:54 5.55

6.66mi, 58:39, 4 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 224 of the campaign.

iThink:
Porter Robinson, "Language"
Porter Robinson feat. Urban Cone, "Lionhearted" (Arty Remix)

WX at 4 PM (20) Jul 04 75 (24) 28 (-2) 29.88 (1012) N 15 RH 17

Odometer 13B: 403.7mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 160/172

I think I can finally retire this pair of shoes. This is my first run in a week, and while I like rowing, it's not the same as running. Today was much like any other run - I did not really loosen up until midway, by which time it was 3.33mi.

I was thinking maybe running 4.44mi was more appropriate given today, but I always get excited when I have the opportunity to run 6.66mi.

Customary one-lap cooldown was in effect.

Time to open the new box of shoes that have been waiting a week. Going over400mi is the usual trigger for replacement, but it's also been 11 months since I got these shoes, so it's time as well.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.11 09:36 09:36 08:39 08:39 1.11
1.11 19:07 09:31 08:34 08:37 2.22
1.11 28:49 09:42 08:44 08:39 3.33
1.11 38:09 09:20 08:25 08:36 4.44
1.11 47:34 09:25 08:29 08:34 5.55
1.11 58:35 11:01 09:55 08:48 6.66

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 43:52.2, 2 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 222 of the campaign.

iThink:
The Smiths, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" from Complete Soundcheck at Glasgow Barrowlands, 1986
Game Theory, "I've Tried Subtlety"

WX at      5 AM (9) Jul 02     89 (32)     32 (0)     29.88 (1012)     NNW 14 RH 12

Odometer 13B: 397.0mi

Z4.  Average/max heart rate = 158/170

Today was a measured start to see how much I could get in before I crossed anaerobic threshold, then to see how low I could hold below 160bpm before holding the pace I needed to finish under 44 minutes.  I think this is mostly for my own mental unloading more than anything else, but I don't see a whole lot of other people erging for 10,000m in this place.  Admittedly, some people think it's tedious as hell, but I'd much rather row than run on the treadmill.

Splits
Distance:    10000
Time:    43:52.2
Avg/500m:    02:11.6
Drag Factor:    114
Per Mile:    00:07:04

8,000m on Concept2 Model D, 34:56.5, 1 JUL 14, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 221 of the campaign.

iThink:
Los Campesinos!, "Hate For the Island"

WX at      1 PM (17) Jul 01     82 (28)     28 (-2)     29.94 (1014)     N 12G23 RH 13

Odometer 13B: 396.7mi

Z4.  Average/max heart rate = 162/170

My right foot still hurts, although I suspect it's probably from residual chemical burns from using salicylic acid to burn off my corn on the right foot.  It means the skin underneath is tender as shit, and a nice shade of angry red whenever I take my shoes off.  This row was no exception, but I didn't want to chance a run with my right foot feeling the way it did.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel, and was originally going to do an aerobic erg, but found that I was gunning to finish faster than 35:00, and was holding pretty steady from 160 upwards to about 170.  I was working to balance speed and effort so I didn't go over 170, just to see how I was going to feel.  I didn't think I needed to go zone 5 at the end, and didn't.  It didn't take much more than five and a half minutes to break 160, and it steadily increased (barring a short dip around the 15 minute mark as I was transitioning to being fully warmed up.  I think.  I was holding pretty steady at just under 170 near the end, but that was because of the time goal.

Splits
Distance:    8000
Time:    34:56.5
Avg/500m:    02:11.0
Drag Factor:    100
Per Mile:    00:07:02