Running the Book of Last Pages

6.03mi, 51:34, 18 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-18T10:41:00.001-06:00

iThink:
The Sisters of Mercy, "Temple of Love '92"
Bear McCreary, "The Differently Sentient"

WX at 09:53 NE 12 10.00 Partly Cloudy SCT250 34 20 56% 25 30.23 1024.2

Odometer 11C: 152.9mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 160/177

The weather was very good - almost good enough where I would've turned back and jettisoned a layer of snivel gear.

Taking yesterday off helped, but I think sleeping 8 hours each the last two days helped a lot more.

Almost all positive splits, but the start was much, much faster than it should've been for a run of this length. Encouraging, yes, disciplined, no.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:06 08:06 08:06 08:06 1.00
1.00 16:25 08:19 08:19 08:13 2.00
1.00 24:57 08:32 08:32 08:19 3.00
1.00 33:44 08:47 08:47 08:26 4.00
1.00 42:21 08:37 08:37 08:28 5.00
1.03 51:34 09:13 08:57 08:33 6.03

4.6mi, 44:54, 16 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-16T07:20:00.001-06:00

iThink: Tommy Keene, "Running For Your Life"

WX at 06:53 NW 6 6.00 Fog/Mist CLR 30 28 92% 24 30.23 1024.4

Odometer 11B: 275.3mi

Z2-Z3 low. Average/max heart rate = 147/159

I wasn't sure what effort I would put in, but after running the first few feet, I decided to go for an easy recovery run. Not quite wogging, but not really running in the traditional sense.

Tomorrow, after all the goddamn black ice is gone (and the thin veneer of death that condensed on this morning), maybe I'll go further than 4.6.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:56 09:56 09:56 09:56 1.00
1.00 19:33 09:37 09:37 09:46 2.00
1.00 29:16 09:43 09:43 09:45 3.00
1.00 38:59 09:43 09:43 09:45 4.00
0.60 44:54 05:55 09:52 09:46 4.60

4.6mi, 42:20, 15 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-15T07:12:00.002-06:00

iThink: Sisters of Mercy, "Temple of Love '92"

WX at 06:53 SE 8 9.00 Mostly Cloudy SCT036 BKN110 35 33 93% 28 29.87 1012.2

Odometer 11C: 146.9mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 155/174

Dead legs are back for real. That workout on Monday was probably the precipitating factor. Either that or the double shot of Jeremiah Weed that represented my sole celebration for a holiday I normally loathe. That was surprisingly little in the way of catharsis.

At least most of the black ice is gone since it went up to 44F yesterday.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:08 09:08 09:08 09:08 1.00
1.00 18:32 09:24 09:24 09:16 2.00
1.00 27:55 09:23 09:23 09:18 3.00
1.00 36:56 09:01 09:01 09:14 4.00
0.60 42:20 05:24 09:00 09:12 4.60

No, you don't get a damn trophy...

2012-02-14T15:17:00.003-06:00

...when you screw the pooch in my chosen profession. It's a shame that you can't have a motto that implies that you get it right the first time or else. god help us if I ever land in a unit that enforces orthodoxy in such a Soviet manner.

If you fuck the dog, people will die. Sounds pretty goddamn straightforward to me.

Read it at the Blog of the U.S. Naval Institute. I wish, I really wish, that the Army had a similar forum-- and I remember the USNI publishing stuff that was even more provocative in years past. If we don't have the intellectual honesty to man up, we deserve what we get.

3.03, 30:04, 14 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-14T07:18:00.001-06:00

iThink: Rufus Wainwright, "Hallelujah"

WX at 06:53 SW 5 0.13 Freezing Fog VV002 27 27 100% 21 29.87 1012.3

Odometer 11C: 140.3mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 149/170

Predictably after yesterday's workout, my legs were beat. Add to that the patches of black ice all over the roads this morning and I knew I was going to run off relative effort only and not time.

I never thought I would run to "Hallelujah" as an iThink, but I guess it's preferable to Ministry's "Flashback." This day will end like most others.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:34 09:34 09:34 09:34 1.00
1.00 19:36 10:02 10:02 09:48 2.00
1.03 30:04 10:28 10:10 09:55 3.03

Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

Is the bane of my existence.

5.9mi, 20:05 + ~35:00, 13 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-13T10:15:00.002-06:00

iThink:
Velocity Girl, "Labrador"
Journey, "Escape"

WX at 08:53 S 13 0.50 Light Snow Fog/Mist FEW007 BKN013 OVC020 29 28 96% 19 29.93 1014.1

Odometer 11B: 270.7mi equivalence

Z4. Average/max heart rate = no reading

Snow, snow, snow. That had to offset weekend of doing nothing but eating.

So I went to the gym and beat myself up on the dreadmill after realizing that 10 minutes on the elliptical wasn't going to work.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.07 09:52 09:52 09:13 09:13 1.07

10 minutes of elliptimile
3.46 30:08 30:08 08:43 08:43 3.46

1.05 20:05 10:13 09:44 09:28 2.12

4.06mi, 38:10, 10 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-10T10:02:00.000-06:00

iThink: The XX, "Intro"

WX at 1000: NW 17 G 26 10.00 Overcast OVC021 24 9 52% 10 30.18 1022.7
WX at 0900: NW 17 G 24 10.00 Overcast OVC021 27 19 72% 14 30.15 1021.8

Odometer 11B: 264.2mi

Z3 mid-high. Average/max heart rate = 154/176

And the dead legs are back. Holy frak did this run suck monkey balls. I'm sure the 17 gusting to 26mph winds plus the 10F windchill was a contributing factor too.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:05 09:05 09:05 09:05 1.00
1.00 18:42 09:37 09:37 09:21 2.00
1.00 28:09 09:27 09:27 09:23 3.00
1.06 38:10 10:01 09:27 09:24 4.06

Cut slingload. Now.

2012-02-09T22:29:00.003-06:00

I am not always a believer in the institution, but life is too short to be married to someone who is this self-absorbed.

I don't always agree with everything that's on CDR Salamander's blog, but I do on this one. There's a reason why I RSS his blog near the top of my aggregator.

If I turned the clock back 10 or 15 years, there are a hell of a lot of things I'd do differently. Based on that hindsight, my advice to this lieutenant is in the title. Cut fucking slingload. NOW.

4.97mi, 45:02, 9 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-09T06:43:00.001-06:00

iThink:
Michael Kamen, Band of Brothers Suite No. 2
Dum Dum Girls, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"

WX at 0600: S 5 9.00 Light Snow SCT020 OVC026 29 23 78% 24 30.30 1026.9

Odometer 11C: 137.3mi

Z3-Z4. Average/max heart rate = 153/173

I felt surprisingly alert this morning, but my legs felt pretty dead. Not dead legs/no energy kind of dead, but not spry by any stretch.

At least I got a run in before it starts to get cold as hell tomorrow.

Wind chill might've been 24 this morning but it didn't feel that way.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:03 09:03 09:03 09:03 1.00
1.00 17:52 08:49 08:49 08:56 2.00
1.00 27:01 09:09 09:09 09:00 3.00
1.00 36:20 09:19 09:19 09:05 4.00
0.97 45:02 08:42 08:58 09:04 4.97

3.49mi, 33:04, 8 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-08T07:22:00.001-06:00

iThink: Death Cab for Cutie, "Long Division"

WX at 0700: N 7 10.00 Overcast OVC012 30 27 88% 23 30.46 1032.5

Odometer 11B: 312.8mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 151/173

I need more than 5 hours of sleep. I felt like crap. As usual, I felt better after the first two miles.

I guess it's better than a "Do Nothing But Eat" day.

I probably need to go more, but if I don't really want to go more or harder, then I won't. I just don't care enough to do it right now. Maybe when the weather gets better.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:20 09:20 09:20 09:20 1.00
1.00 19:16 09:56 09:56 09:38 2.00
1.00 28:33 09:17 09:17 09:31 3.00
0.49 33:04 04:31 09:13 09:28 3.49

4.61mi, 42:46, 7 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-07T07:20:00.001-06:00

iThink:
J.S. Bach, Ich ruf zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ (BWV 639)
Bear McCreary, "Passacaglia"
The Cure, "A Forest"

WX at 0700: NW 5 10.00 Overcast OVC090 36 29 76% 32 30.22 1023.8

Odometer 11C: 132.3mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 152/172

I woke up feeling none too froggy, but after 3 miles I felt a lot better. The first two miles felt really slow. It is rare that I run continuous negative splits all the way through a run that's uphill and downhill.

The Bach is from the Andrei Tarkovsky film Solaris.

One of the most egregious pieces of sophistry I ever did in college was to try to tie that film as an allegory for the history of Soviet science. When I look back at that paper and the utter lack of any intellectual rigor I put into it, I realize the C- I got on that paper was an early x-moose gift. I think if I'd been TAing that paper I would've failed it. It was that bad.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:34 09:34 09:34 09:34 1.00
1.00 19:01 09:27 09:27 09:30 2.00
1.00 28:11 09:10 09:10 09:24 3.00
1.00 37:10 08:59 08:59 09:17 4.00
1.00 42:46 05:36 05:36 08:33 5.00

4.59mi, 44:35, 6 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-06T09:14:00.001-06:00

iThink: MxPx, "I Will Follow"

WX at 0900: SW 6 0.13 Freezing Fog VV001 29 26 89% 23 30.29 1026.6

Odometer 11B: 309.3mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 154/178

I am disinclined to believe the figures on heart rate as I thought I was going about 140-150 most of the run. The 178 figures are skewing the overall since there is no way I was going hard enough to spark that kind of level of work.

My legs were extremely beat after yesterday's run, so I knew today was going to entail some wogging.

I ate Chinese buffet last night as an act of protest against some televised football event of which I couldn't give two flying shits.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:42 09:42 09:42 09:42 1.00
1.00 19:28 09:46 09:46 09:44 2.00
1.00 29:09 09:41 09:41 09:43 3.00
1.00 38:48 09:39 09:39 09:42 4.00
0.59 44:35 05:47 09:48 09:43 4.59

Holy mother of god

2012-02-05T22:00:00.003-06:00

This has been wending its way around the internet the last few days, but jesus fucking airborne christ, do NOT be the schmoe who does this. Read it and weep.

I don't really care what you look like, I only care whether you're competent or not. The rigors of combat demand nothing less.

7.34mi, 65:42, 5 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-05T09:49:00.000-06:00

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

WX at 0900: NW 10 9.00 A Few Clouds FEW080 31 28 89% 22 30.37 1029.4

Odometer 11C: 127.7mi

Z3 with Z4 finish. Average/max heart rate = 153/171

Today marked a run after the second snowfall of the entire goddamn winter. However, the snow that had melted on the roads also froze over as the air temp dropped below freezing. That resulted in a nice thin veneer of ice that made the first 3 miles high adventure in the (successful) hope that I would avoid Death by Misadventure.

By the end, most of the ice was melted. Between the ice and my usual first-few-miles doldrums, the first 3 miles were somewhat unpleasant and lugubrious. The last three miles felt pretty good, actually.

This doesn't completely make up for not running the last two days, but it was kind of wet and shitty outside and I was trying to kill the rough draft of chapter 5 of the dissertation, which I did.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:08 09:08 09:08 09:08 1.00
1.00 17:54 08:46 08:46 08:57 2.00
1.00 27:14 09:20 09:20 09:05 3.00
1.00 36:31 09:17 09:17 09:08 4.00
1.00 45:22 08:51 08:51 09:04 5.00
1.00 54:10 08:48 08:48 09:02 6.00
1.00 62:51 08:41 08:41 08:59 7.00
0.34 65:42 02:51 08:23 08:57 7.34

Daddy Juice FTW

2012-02-02T23:31:00.001-06:00

This is why SMBC rules.

3.29mi, 32:04, 2 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-02T07:16:00.001-06:00

iThink:
Journey, "Girl Can't Help It"
Journey, "Only the Young"
Liz Longley, "Avery"

WX at 0700: Calm 10.00 Mostly Cloudy BKN250 34 24 67% 30.23 1023.9

Odometer 11C: 120.4mi

Z2-Z3. Average/max heart rate = 152/178

It is a bad sign if I sleep through four alarms and wake up realizing that I was hearing my alarm in a dream.

Still, as the weather is supposed to turn crappy tomorrow, I needed to get something in as tomorrow has outstanding potential to be a rest day.

Today was wogging. I wasn't up for much else today and I can't run after 9:00am as I have stuff to do this morning.

On the bright side, at least I was consistent today, accounting for hills.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:42 09:42 09:42 09:42 1.00
1.00 19:25 09:43 09:43 09:43 2.00
1.00 29:14 09:49 09:49 09:45 3.00
0.29 32:04 02:50 09:46 09:45 3.29

4.59mi, 40:00, 1 FEB 12, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2012-02-01T09:39:00.002-06:00

iThink: Sarge, "Stall"

WX at 0900: Calm 10.00 Mostly Cloudy FEW150 BKN250 43 33 68% 30.15 1021.1

Odometer 11B: 304.7mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 158/173

New weather provider. It's not a big deal since it's only for historical purposes. The old NOAA weather tabulations went away.

Today was going to be an easy run, but I was suckered out by scenery (of which there was a surprising amount), at which point it became a Z4 run. I felt pretty good anyhow, so I don't think I would've gone as easy as I probably should've anyway.

If I didn't need time unmolested by kids to work on the dissertation, I'd run after 8:30am regularly. Not that it matters and not that it'll change anything.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:50 08:50 08:50 08:50 1.00
1.00 17:27 08:37 08:37 08:43 2.00
1.00 26:10 08:43 08:43 08:43 3.00
1.00 34:51 08:41 08:41 08:43 4.00
0.59 40:00 05:09 08:44 08:43 4.59

Frak

2012-01-31T22:31:00.002-06:00

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

2012-01-31T07:12:00.000-06:00

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

2012-01-30T07:15:00.002-06:00

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

2012-01-28T11:34:00.000-06:00

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

2012-01-27T09:23:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-26T07:21:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-24T07:15:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-23T07:33:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-22T09:48:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-22T09:43:00.002-06:00

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

2012-01-22T00:57:00.002-06:00

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

2012-01-19T07:21:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-18T07:16:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-17T07:20:00.002-06:00

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

2012-01-15T12:23:00.000-06:00

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

2012-01-14T11:42:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-12T21:22:00.004-06:00

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

2012-01-11T09:49:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-10T07:45:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-09T07:10:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-08T09:17:00.000-06:00

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

2012-01-07T22:23:00.004-06:00

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

2012-01-06T07:14:00.003-06:00

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

2012-01-04T07:30:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-03T07:17:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-02T15:11:00.001-06:00

Sylvia Plath rules. (Hat tip SMBC.)

What does good art do?

2012-01-01T21:05:00.003-06:00

It edifies you, goddammit.

Sometimes in ways profound:

Sometimes in ways that are simply amusing:

I know where my next $30 is going.

5.02mi, 43:04, 31 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-31T09:39:00.002-06:00

iThink: Bob Mould, "MM 17"

WX at 0900: 46.0 (7.8) 27.0 (-2.8) 29.74 (1007) S 17 RH 47

Odometer 11C: 64.0mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 161/184

I deliberately went light on snivel gear and it was the right choice as the temperature went from 39F to 46F in an hour. Today started out moderate for relative effort and ended up finishing very, very hard. Good run to close out the year.

There are little snippets of Bob Mould's "The Breach" that kept sneaking in during my iThink. Life and Times is a great album that I discovered late. Better late than never.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:40 08:40 08:40 08:40 1.00
1.00 17:20 08:40 08:40 08:40 2.00
1.00 26:01 08:41 08:41 08:40 3.00
1.00 34:32 08:31 08:31 08:38 4.00
1.02 43:04 08:32 08:22 08:35 5.02

4.6mi, 40:20, 29 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-29T10:19:00.000-06:00

iThink: Bob Mould, "Paralyzed"

WX at 0900: 36.0 (2.2) DP 28.9 (-1.7) BP 29.78 (1008) SW 9 RH 75

Odometer 11B: 260.2mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 160/177

Once again, a run I didn't want to do, but a run I need to do.

I was trying to go relatively hard but not very hard. By just after mile 2 I was fully charged up and ended up running a sizeable negative split. That actually felt all right.

I still grossly overestimated snivel gear. Even at 36F, it was warm enough where I could very well have gone down to shorts and t-shirt by the time I was done.

My parents are coming today, so I'm not sure how much running I'll get done in the next few days.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:51 08:51 08:51 08:51 1.00
1.00 17:46 08:55 08:55 08:53 2.00
1.00 26:42 08:56 08:56 08:54 3.00
1.00 35:07 08:25 08:25 08:47 4.00
0.60 40:20 05:13 08:42 08:46 4.60

Song of the day

2011-12-29T09:35:00.001-06:00

No idea where I'm going
Here's a road to lead you there
You were riding by my side
Roll the windows tight

Star crossed, solar system
Another neighborhood
Mile marker seventeen
Fading from memory

Hoping for a better ending
Choice you made the one depending
Taste mixed with melancholy
Bitter sweet goodbye

Memory begins to fade
Letter never replicated
Mile marker seventeen
Fading from memory

Sometimes in dreams you reappear
Stay in dreams
And everything you meant to me
Will stay in dreams

A memory to replicate
Pure in essence, pure and vain
Wrong sign post flying by

Kept safe in memory
Fade erase replay
My failing memory
Everything you say

Sometimes in dreams you reappear
Stay in dreams
And everything you meant to me
Will stay in dreams

Flame burning incandescent
Replaced by pure and essence
Wrong sign post flying by

Goodbye to innocence
Farewell to all your friends
Age weathered memory
Mile marker seventeen

Mile marker seventeen
Mile marker seventeen

3.93mi, 36:24, 28 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-28T14:58:00.001-06:00

iThink: Bob Mould, "The Silence Between Us"

WX at 0900: 35.1 (1.7) DP 27.0 (-2.8) BP 30 (1015) S 10 RH 72

Odometer 11C: 59.0mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 155/177

Easy run today, and was going to be short since I was going to be sitting at the house doing mostly dissertation work today. Also, it's probably unwise to be running two hard days in a row.

Once again, I grossly overestimated snivel gear. The presence of open sunlight makes a huge difference in heat regardless of air temperature. There's something to be said about direct radiation of heat that you don't get when it's dark.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:03 09:03 09:03 09:03 1.00
1.00 18:08 09:05 09:05 09:04 2.00
1.00 27:55 09:47 09:47 09:18 3.00
0.93 36:24 08:29 09:07 09:16 3.93

6.68mi, 58:49, 27 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-27T11:22:00.001-06:00

iThink:
Chris Cornell, "You Know My Name"
The Connells, "Scotty's Lament"

WX at 1100: 39.9 (4.4) DP 25.0 (-3.9) BP 30.03 (1016) NW 21G26 RH 54

Odometer 11B: 255.6mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 160/182

This is the run I normally call the 666 run because it tends to hover around 6.6mi, with a few times hitting the magic 6.66mi, just for the x-moose season.

I was going to the gym when I realized it was warm enough to run without snivel gear, so I went out in shorts and a long-sleeve shirt. What I didn't count on was the wind. As usual, tailwinds were fun, headwinds weren't. At least it was warm enough where the only snivel gear I had to wear was gloves.

It's not particularly heartening to run positive splits, but that's partly because of the tailwind-assisted jackrabbit start. So much for thinking I was actually getting faster.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:10 08:10 08:10 08:10 1.00
1.00 16:55 08:45 08:45 08:28 2.00
1.00 25:56 09:01 09:01 08:39 3.00
1.00 34:48 08:52 08:52 08:42 4.00
1.00 43:46 08:58 08:58 08:45 5.00
1.00 52:42 08:56 08:56 08:47 6.00
0.68 58:49 06:07 09:00 08:48 6.68

5.02mi, 44:52, 26 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-26T10:29:00.001-06:00

iThink:
Hüsker Dü, "Pink Turns Into Blue"
Bob Mould, "Paralyzed"
Bob Mould, "Underneath Days"

WX at 1000: 36.0 (2.2) DP 28.0 (-2.2) BP 30.16 (1021) SSW 7 RH 72 sleet

Odometer 11C: 54.1mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 162/183

I was indifferent to the notion of a run, but needed to get one in just on principle, and to assuage my belief that I normally get fatter during the holiday season.

I didn't feel that great, which is maybe a factor of being around the holiday seasons, but as usual, I felt better after the first three miles. The Hüsker Dü was an attempt to stave off the theme music to Matlock, which was on in the background before I started because it happened to be on the Glass Tit.

Last mile, as usual, probably felt the best overall. I was thinking about things at home, and that's what sparked the last iThink. I am unrepentant.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:44 08:44 08:44 08:44 1.00
1.00 17:21 08:37 08:37 08:41 2.00
1.00 26:32 09:11 09:11 08:51 3.00
1.00 35:45 09:13 09:13 08:56 4.00
1.02 44:52 09:07 08:56 08:56 5.02

Song of the day

2011-12-24T19:07:00.001-06:00

Hell fucking yeah. Play this LOUD. Preferably not around any children.

4.6mi, 41:52, 24 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-24T11:05:00.002-06:00

iThink:
Journey, "Suzanne"
Journey, "Remember Me" (yes, it's from that horrible movie Armageddon.)

WX at 1100: 37.0 (2.8) DP 26.1 (-3.3) BP 30.37 (1028) WSW 7 RH 64

Odometer 11C: 49.1mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 156/171

I grossly overestimated snivel gear for this morning. That was apparent when I stepped out in turtleneck and sweatshirt and went back to drop turtleneck. The temperature was steadily increasing through the run - and when it's 37F outside and clear and sunny and not that windy, I should've gone down to shorts and long sleeve shirt.

I started out quicker than I should've, but I was running near someone and was undisciplined about pacing until I broke contact. Oops.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:35 08:35 08:35 08:35 1.00
1.00 17:40 09:05 09:05 08:50 2.00
1.00 26:52 09:12 09:12 08:57 3.00
1.00 36:10 09:18 09:18 09:02 4.00
0.60 41:52 05:42 09:30 09:06 4.60

4.34mi, 40:40, 23 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-23T10:12:00.002-06:00

iThink:
James Horner, "Rose" (yes, stop laughing.)
Sarge, "Stall"

WX at 0900: 19.9 (-6.7) DP 18.0 (-7.8) BP 30.44 (1030) W 6 RH 91 WC 12 (-11)

Odometer 11C: 44.5mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 150/163

I didn't feel like going very hard, so I didn't go that hard. It's still a zone 3 run, but that's because I was fully warmed up, which is surprising given the temperature outside.

I was reminded of a post on Facebook a while back about a 1999 gathering I attended in Pittsburg, Kansas of fans of the TV show My So-Called Life. It was about the same, cold as hell, and sunny outside, and I did a fair amount of running in the mornings because it was my way of staying honest. That sparked the track from the Titanic soundtrack. The person hosting the gathering was a fan of that movie (in her defense, she was a college student at the time) and so there was some Titanic propaganda on the walls.

The Sarge song was a recollection of something a few months before that, when I had gotten that album while I was in the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, back in 1998, and I was in Birmingham, Alabama for a few things. That was a long time ago.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:13 09:13 09:13 09:13 1.00
1.00 18:18 09:05 09:05 09:09 2.00
1.00 28:00 09:42 09:42 09:20 3.00
1.00 37:33 09:33 09:33 09:23 4.00
0.34 40:40 03:07 09:10 09:22 4.34

8.4mi on elliptical, 65:00, 22 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-22T09:40:00.001-06:00

iThink: British Sea Power, "A Forest"

WX at 0800: 32 (0) DP 28 (-2) BP 30.15 (1020) NNE 12 RH 85 WC 23 (-5)

Odometer 11B: 249.0mi equivalency

Z4. Average/max heart rate = no reading, but maxed out at around 170.

I probably could've gone for a run this morning but I didn't feel like going out. I drove to the gym and ran for an hour on the elliptical instead, which in some ways was more challenging. Today was a deliberately hard workout since I was trying to offset some of the last few days where I didn't do anything.

I also had an exhaustion crash of sorts and slept something along the lines of 15 hours two days ago. That might've been a factor of too many days pulling less than 5 hours of sleep, although I thought I had more fortitude than that. I guess not anymore.

No splits.

About time.

2011-12-21T20:09:00.003-06:00

To quote an observer, "that Sailor has her warfare pin. She's squared away." All hoopla aside, the professional competence of the Sailors involved is the most important thing. The rest will be water under the bridge. Pulling the clock 60 years back, you could've said the same thing about mixed-color couples. Nobody cares now, nor should they.

Navy kiss seals the year of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal

67:42, 7.65mi, 19 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-19T10:28:00.002-06:00

iThink:
Big Country, "Rockin' In The Free World"

and the original:
Neil Young, "Rockin' In The Free World"

WX at 1000: 45.0 (7.2) DP 42.1 (5.6) BP 30.02 (1016) Calm light rain RH 89

Odometer 11C: 43.2mi

Z3-Z4. Average/max heart rate = 157/175

I had to get in a long run after all the nothing I did except eating this past weekend. This delivers the goods.

It also expresses my general schadenfreude at this time of the year. It was a tossup between this song and the Dead Kennedys' "This Could Be Anywhere." I'd have to say that "Rockin' In The Free World" is one of the flat out angriest songs I think I've ever heard. Ever.

That might explain why it gets so much goddamn traction for me.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:41 08:41 08:41 08:41 1.00
1.00 17:21 08:40 08:40 08:41 2.00
1.00 26:24 09:03 09:03 08:48 3.00
1.00 35:35 09:11 09:11 08:54 4.00
1.00 44:39 09:04 09:04 08:56 5.00
1.00 53:29 08:50 08:50 08:55 6.00
1.00 62:04 08:35 08:35 08:52 7.00
0.65 67:42 05:38 08:40 08:51 7.65

4.59mi, 41:54, 16 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-16T07:44:00.000-06:00

iThink: Maritime, "German Engineering"

WX at 0700: 18.0 (-7.8) 17.1 (-8.3) 30.43 (1030) WNW 3 RH 96

Odometer 11B: 244.8mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 158/175

I was going to check the weather, but the weather is the weather and I had to run. So fuck it all, I got out there. Not very fast, and I realized that going hard after yesterday's run was Not a Good Idea but this was probably not much better as I was going about the same level of effort.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:56 08:56 08:56 08:56 1.00
1.00 18:11 09:15 09:15 09:05 2.00
1.00 27:27 09:16 09:16 09:09 3.00
1.00 36:31 09:04 09:04 09:08 4.00
0.59 41:54 05:23 09:07 09:08 4.59

4.96mi, 43:41, 15 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-15T07:39:00.000-06:00

iThink: Tommy Keene, "Running For Your Life"

WX at 0700: 33.1 (0.6) DP 28.9 (-1.7) BP 30.09 (1018) NW 15 RH 84 WC 23 (-5)

Odometer 11C: 35.6mi

Z3 high-Z4. Average/max heart rate = 157/173

Downhills were quicker. Uphills were slow. I needed to run. The iThink didn't suck. Neither did the weather, in spite of the numbers.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:50 08:50 08:50 08:50 1.00
1.00 17:12 08:22 08:22 08:36 2.00
1.00 26:05 08:53 08:53 08:42 3.00
1.00 35:15 09:10 09:10 08:49 4.00
0.96 43:41 08:26 08:47 08:48 4.96

4.14mi, 40:29, 13 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-13T07:17:00.000-06:00

iThink: Journey, "Girl Can't Help It"

WX at 0700: 39.0 (3.9) DP 37.9 (3.3) BP 30.3 (1026) S 5 light rain; mist RH 95

Odometer 11C: 30.6mi

Z2. Average/max heart rate = 141/154

Easy recovery run. I was tired so this almost became a sleep-in day. I was vindicated since I started waking up by about the second mile. I really was that tired.

This morning's iThink is because of having glimpsed a spot for Shawnee Mission Medical Center on the glass tit this morning. The music in the background of the ad is very similar to the opening three measures of the Journey song in question. No shit.

Raised on Radio is actually not that bad of an album, but maybe I'm waxing nostalgic for my lost childhood.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 10:14 10:14 10:14 10:14 1.00
1.00 19:56 09:42 09:42 09:58 2.00
1.00 29:28 09:32 09:32 09:49 3.00
1.00 39:06 09:38 09:38 09:46 4.00
0.14 40:29 01:23 09:53 09:47 4.14

4.6mi, 40:19, 12 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-12T09:43:00.002-06:00

iThink:
The XX, "Intro" (Go Jane Go Dubstep Remix)
Pood, Bhud, and Pflug, "Duelling Techno"

WX at 0900: 42.1 (5.6) DP 27.0 (-2.8) BP 30.24 (1024) S 13 RH 54

Odometer 11B: 240.2mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 153/173

Today started faster than it should've, but ended on a more temperate note. The transition period between about 5 minutes and 25 minutes was rougher than usual today, but by the end felt fine.

I had not thought about the Pood, Bhud, and Pflug song in ages. Goes back to my college years when I got that played at the ROTC Military Ball my junior year. No shit.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:27 08:27 08:27 08:27 1.00
1.00 17:07 08:40 08:40 08:33 2.00
1.00 26:11 09:04 09:04 08:44 3.00
1.00 35:10 08:59 08:59 08:47 4.00
0.60 40:19 05:09 08:35 08:46 4.60

Oh YAY!

2011-12-11T23:35:00.003-06:00

Jesus fucking airborne christ I SO adore The Oatmeal's take on x-moose.

How do you like me now

2011-12-11T23:16:00.006-06:00

The more I look at life out of the combat zone, I realize I miss the clarity of purpose that made my life so much more straightforward. Whether I'm ready to deal with the unbelievably corrosive aspects to my personality that is the price of doing that remains to be seen. It's been two and a half years since coming out of the combat zone and my estrangement from much of what I call home is still pretty goddamn palpable. Either that or it's the same kind of generalized anger at my lost youth that I described last week.

It could also be because it's x-moose season and as usual, I'm on the fucking rag every x-moose. My wife is an x-mas True Believer. I am the ultimate x-moose Heretic, if only because I've associated x-moose with earth-shattering heartbreak (and not entirely mine) on a number of occasions. So, to quote my favorite seasonal song, "Fuck Christmas."

"Fuck 'em, he decided. Just fuck 'em. Fuck everybody who doesn't come out here and do this."

James Webb, Fields of Fire

4.6mi, 44:41, 10 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-10T10:34:00.002-06:00

iThink: that dog., "Being With You"

WX at 0900: 25.0 (-3.9) DP 19.0 (-7.2) BP 30.5 (1032) S 10 RH 77 WC 15 (-9)

Odometer 11C: 26.5mi

Z2. Average/max heart rate = 149/170

I am typing this on a Rosewill RK-9000BR keyboard, and I realize that I have such a heavy-handed typing style (those who have seen me in real life know this already) that I will fucking fling this keyboard out the window because the keystrokes are so light. I need a keyboard that will hold up to domestic abuse, so it's getting returned. The keyboard is glorious, but I need a keyboard that will accomodate a less pussificationeque typing style.

Easy run today, recovery run after the last few days.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:33 09:33 09:33 09:33 1.00
1.00 19:08 09:35 09:35 09:34 2.00
1.00 28:55 09:47 09:47 09:38 3.00
1.00 38:41 09:46 09:46 09:40 4.00
0.60 44:41 06:00 10:00 09:43 4.60

5.76mi, 49:52, 9 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-09T10:02:00.000-06:00

iThink:
Daft Punk, "End of Line"
Daft Punk, "Derezzed"
that dog., "Hawthorne"
that dog., "Long Island"

WX at 0700: 24 (-4) DP 19 (-7) BP 30.34 (1027) NNE 7 RH 81 WC 16 (-9)

Odometer 11B: 235.6mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 160/179

I didn't really want to go for a run, but I needed to after sleeping in yesterday. I felt better than I thought I would, after about two miles. Time for coffee. At least this morning's iThinks didn't suck.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:49 08:49 08:49 08:49 1.00
1.00 17:17 08:28 08:28 08:39 2.00
1.00 25:55 08:38 08:38 08:38 3.00
1.00 34:45 08:50 08:50 08:41 4.00
1.00 43:36 08:51 08:51 08:43 5.00
0.76 49:52 06:16 08:15 08:39 5.76

5.27mi, 46:08, 7 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-07T09:01:00.000-06:00

iThink: Above and Beyond, "On A Good Day"

WX at 0700: 14.0 (-10.0) DP 10.0 (-12.2) BP 30.14 (1020) SSW 8 RH 84 WC 3 (-16)

Odometer 11C: 21.9mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 162/180

Goddamn today was cold. But after the amount I ate last night, I need to run.

I passed a big group today. The Command and General Staff College was doing a big-ass formation run this morning. It is not good when you see a straggler chain going back a half mile, not two miles past the start. Sad, sad, sad.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:31 08:31 08:31 08:31 1.00
1.00 17:21 08:50 08:50 08:41 2.00
1.00 26:19 08:58 08:58 08:46 3.00
1.00 35:07 08:48 08:48 08:47 4.00
1.00 43:47 08:40 08:40 08:45 5.00
0.27 46:08 02:21 08:42 08:45 5.27

4.6mi, 40:53, 6 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-06T08:41:00.001-06:00

iThink: that dog., "Being With You"

WX at 0700: 17 (-8) DP 12 (-11) BP 30.37 (1028) NNW 10 light snow RH 80 WC 5 (-15)

Odometer 11B: 229.8mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 156/174

Slow, but I had to run today. Can't eat more than two days of Do Nothing But Eat in a row. Also the first day of running in the cold and realized that sweatpants just don't work for me as they bind my legs. I'll figure something out.

I had today iThink stuck in my head this morning, but after the run it was a tossup between "Cowboy Hat" and "Until The Day I Die."

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:46 08:46 08:46 08:46 1.00
1.00 17:45 08:59 08:59 08:52 2.00
1.00 26:44 08:59 08:59 08:55 3.00
1.00 35:33 08:49 08:49 08:53 4.00
0.60 40:53 05:20 08:53 08:53 4.60

A little catharsis of my younger years

2011-12-04T00:38:00.012-06:00

As I go through chapter 3 of the dissertation for edits and cleanup tonight, I've been listening to a video of that dog.'s reunion show at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA from 26 August 2011.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of the show are here.

Of the bands of my younger years, there was no band that I'd placed as much emotional baggage (in some ways) as that dog. I'm not sure why; I didn't discover them until about the time they had broken up. I had Gerry Dolan, one of my classmates from Johns Hopkins, for the hat tip. He sent "Never Say Never" on a tape (and later, their cover of "Midnight at the Oasis" from the compilation disk Spirit of '73) while I was in Kuwait for an INTRINSIC ACTION exercise in 1997. There was a certain hopefulness to "Never Say Never" that for some reason really stuck with me. It was a a statement of love that, being unattached at the time, I sure wanted to visit on someone else.

I remember a fair amount of disillusionment after I came back from Kuwait. In retrospect, I realize that life in a deployed cavalry squadron task force had a certain degree of intensity that was lacking when I came back to the United States. I returned with a fucking shitload of expectations for what I thought my life was going to be like and realized very, very few of them. It wasn't until much later that I realized that those adjustments were normal and I just didn't take to them well. That level of dislocation wasn't shit compared to what I felt after I came back from Iraq and Afghanistan.

I still consider Retreat from the Sun one of my favorite albums ever. It was one of the first albums I ripped to disk (at 128k CBR) when I bought my first computer that could rip MP3s back in 1999. I guess I need to cart out my that dog. disks and rerip those tracks at 256k VBR.

I'm not sure why listening to that dog. had so much more significance. I can only conjecture that it was because the three women in that band were within months of my age. Petra Haden is a violinist (as am I) and had a note in the liner notes of Retreat from the Sun that she uses Dr. Thomastik Dominants as her primary string. First time I used Dominants was sometime in 1985 and they're still my string of choice, even though I haven't picked up the violin in months. I had a tremendous crush on Petra Haden back then.

It's been 14 years since that deployment to Kuwait and I am older, fatter, slower, and maybe even a bit wiser rather than the dumber that I occasionally claim to be. I'm married now, and have children.

I have far, far more anger than I used to have, even compared to that summer of unfulfilled dreams.

A cautionary note on my chosen profession

2011-12-03T21:12:00.004-06:00

In a 1998 conference at the Naval Postgraduate School, COL (Ret) Harry Summers Jr., made some comments about professional military education that are worth taking to heart.

Among other things, I am the founding editor and publisher of Vietnam magazine, now in its tenth year. This last year, we had a piece by Major General Guy Meloy who, as some of you may know, as a lieutenant colonel in Vietnam, commanded the 1st of the 27th Infantry "Wolfhounds." In November 1966, he got in a very severe fight with a Vietcong regiment. He normally commanded three rifle companies but, in the course of this battle, ended up commanding 11 rifle companies. He was reinforced piecemeal, by eight rifle companies from other battalions, and even beyond his brigade. In the conclusion to his article, he said that his other commanders didn't know him from Adam. They had never met him. They didn't even know his name. All they knew was a call sign over the radio. And all he knew about them was a call sign over the radio. But he ordered them, literally, to their deaths, and he got no argument. All he got was a "Roger" over the radio, as they closed with the enemy. He said, "If you want a testimonial to the military's educational system, you can't get a stronger one than that." They shared the same concepts, the same values, the same notions, the same tactics as he did, and they didn't need to know each other. They didn't need to know any more than a call sign over the radio that said, "Move out and close in on the enemy."

I think that is a lesson that we need to carry away. All of this military education has to focus on this point: when the time comes, does it work on the battlefield?

8.08mi on elliptical, 60:06, 3 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-03T12:05:00.001-06:00

iThink:
Tommy Keene, "Today and Tomorrow"
The Go-Go's "Throw Me A Curve"

WX at 0900: 46.0 (7.8) DP 46.0 (7.8) BP 30.06 (1017) SSE 10 light rain; mist RH 100

Odometer 11C: 16.6mi equivalency

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = no reading, but HRM was averaging 155, finishing close to 164 by the end.

It was raining and I didn't feel very ambitious, but I needed to work off all the pasta I ate last night for dinner. 60 minutes of self-mutilation on elliptical was the ticket today as I didn't think I was up to 10,000m on the Concept.

The calorie counter says I burned 760kcal but I think I burned more than that. I could be wrong, of course.

No splits.

4.57mi, 40:30, 2 DEC 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-12-02T08:10:00.000-06:00

iThink: The Bats, "Flowers and Trees"

WX at 0700: 21.0 (-6.1) DP 18.0 (-7.8) BP 30.42 (1030) N 5 RH 87 WC 14 (-10)

Odometer 11B: 225.2mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 157/173

Same story as earlier runs this week. I ran this morning, felt so-so at start, dragged it out beyond the first 25-30 minutes, and felt a lot better. As the Talking Heads would say, "same as it ever was."

I ran this morning not because I wanted to run, but because I felt like I had to run. I didn't run yesterday and got in my most productive dissertation writing day in a long while. I'm not sure I like that dichotomy.

Oh, and it's cold again.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:54 08:54 08:54 08:54 1.00
1.00 17:55 09:01 09:01 08:58 2.00
1.00 26:48 08:53 08:53 08:56 3.00
1.00 35:35 08:47 08:47 08:54 4.00
0.57 40:30 04:55 08:38 08:52 4.57

3.6mi, 34:00, 30 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-30T07:12:00.001-06:00

iThink:
The Loud Family, "Top Dollar Survivalist Hardware"
The Dream Academy, "Life In A Northern Town"

WX at 0700: 19.9 (-6.7) DP 15.1 (-9.4) BP 30.14 (1020) S 8 RH 81 WC 10 (-2)

Odometer 11C: 12.6mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 152/172

The HRM says it wasn't as easy as I'd hoped today, but the only parts I really felt like I was overworking was going uphill. I don't think I'm working as hard as the HRM says I am when I'm going about 155-160bpm. That's always been the case, or maybe I have a hard time running slowly.

The new shoes are starting to loosen up. This is a novelty, having to break in shoes, I guess. Second pair after the GT-2150 trails, which, in all, have turned out to be pretty good shoes. This is the first non-trail shoe I've bought in a while, so I suspect there are differences in outsole composition.

Not that it should really compensate for being a slow fatass.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:26 09:26 09:26 09:26 1.00
1.00 18:43 09:17 09:17 09:21 2.00
1.00 28:29 09:46 09:46 09:30 3.00
0.60 34:00 05:31 09:12 09:27 3.60

3.97mi, 37:08, 28 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-29T08:34:00.001-06:00

iThink: Maritime, "Tearing Up The Oxygen"

WX at 0700: 34.0 (1.1) DP 28.0 (-2.2) BP 30.2 (1022) N 13 RH 78 WC 24 (-4)

Odometer 11C: 9.0mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 156/176

Uphills were HRMed harder than I felt. Today was deliberately easy after yesterday's run. Tomorrow looks to be another recovery run.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:24 09:24 09:24 09:24 1.00
1.00 18:40 09:16 09:16 09:20 2.00
1.00 28:10 09:30 09:30 09:23 3.00
0.97 37:08 08:58 09:15 09:21 3.97

Oh, chortle.

2011-11-28T22:04:00.003-06:00

So, so true sometimes.

6.68mi, 58:18, 28 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-28T09:53:00.001-06:00

iThink:
The Bats, "Flowers and Trees"
The Loud Family, "The Second Grade Applauds"

WX at 0900: 28.9 (-1.7) DP 24.1 (-4.4) BP 30.16 (1021) Calm RH 81

Odometer 11B: 220.7mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 162/180

Today started fairly quickly, but I think that was a reaction to it being below freezing. Second lap was the make-or-break as to whether I would go on for a third, and I felt good enough by the end of lap two (after my usual transition point of about 25-35 minutes) that I decided to go for a third.

Around the 6-mile mark is where I think I am hitting the second of the transition points around the 50 minute mark, or I'm just tired by that point. Maybe.

I finished smoother than I thought, but average heart rate is regularly higher than it should be for a run of this perceived intensity. I didn't think I was going particularly anaerobic, but I could be wrong, based on heart rate. My 80% MHR is around 153, so by that measure, I'm going too hard.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:33 08:33 08:33 08:33 1.00
1.00 17:13 08:40 08:40 08:36 2.00
1.00 25:59 08:46 08:46 08:40 3.00
1.00 34:35 08:36 08:36 08:39 4.00
1.00 43:21 08:46 08:46 08:40 5.00
1.00 52:17 08:56 08:56 08:43 6.00
0.68 58:18 06:01 08:51 08:44 6.68

5.03mi, 44:19, 27 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-27T09:10:00.001-06:00

iThink: The XX, "Intro"

WX at 0800: 35.1 (1.7) DP 25.0 (-3.9) BP 30.21 (1023) NNW 16 RH 66

Odometer 11C: 5.0mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 159/180

I didn't feel that particularly great, and I was unsure how far I would go since I was having to break in some new shoes that I got on Black Friday.

I felt okay at the end, but a little rusty at the front end. The last few days of doing nothing but eating are a dangerous precedent, one I need to stave off in the future.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:43 08:43 08:43 08:43 1.00
1.00 17:08 08:25 08:25 08:34 2.00
1.00 25:59 08:51 08:51 08:40 3.00
1.00 35:04 09:05 09:05 08:46 4.00
1.03 44:19 09:15 08:59 08:49 5.03

6.66mi, 58:48, 23 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-23T09:51:00.000-06:00

iThink:
The Smiths, "Sweet and Tender Hooligan"
Wire, "Silk Skin Paws"
New Order, "Regret" (The New Order Mix) (A b-side from the Regret EP)
The XX, "Intro"

WX at 0900: 39.0 (3.9) DP 37.9 (3.3) BP 30.24 (1024) S 9 mist RH 95

Odometer 11B: 214.0mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 160/177

I ran the magic distance today. Awesome. Yes, the magic distance is 6.66mi. That is a harbinger of great shit to come. Just because.

I've been listening to a lot of the Smiths lately, if only to rediscover parts of my lost childhood. Except I didn't think I spent much time as a child, looking back at it.

The Wire and New Order songs neatly bookend my freshman and senior years in college. I would wake up in the mornings to A Bell Is A Copy...Until It Is Struck as a freshman, and the New Order song was a standby of my senior year as I'd bought the EP before going off to what I called the Summer of the Hitler Youth (i.e., 10 weeks on temporary duty in three places) before coming back to school. Republic was released that summer, but I never got around to getting it until after I was back to school.

I felt like complete shite for the first lap of three. I felt better on two and was starting to tire by three, but I will pig the fuck out tomorrow, so I need to run. Meh.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:53 08:53 08:53 08:53 1.00
1.00 17:49 08:56 08:56 08:54 2.00
1.00 26:51 09:02 09:02 08:57 3.00
1.00 35:26 08:35 08:35 08:51 4.00
1.00 44:09 08:43 08:43 08:50 5.00
1.00 52:51 08:42 08:42 08:48 6.00
0.66 58:48 05:57 09:01 08:50 6.66

4.6mi, 41:18, 21 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-21T07:18:00.002-06:00

iThink:
Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day"
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 "Eroica," Scherzo-Vivace
The XX, "Intro"

WX at 0700: 35.1 (1.7) DP 32.0 (0.0) BP 30.22 (1023) ENE 3 RH 88

Odometer 11B: 207.4mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 152/174

I was still a little beat, and woke up a bit later than I wanted, partly because I was up after midnight working on the dissertation.

I was thinking of the T.C. McQueen workout video soundtrack partly because of some unbidden memory of the 59th Ready Reserves, the old Internet fan group that got a shout out in the series finale. I have no idea why I thought about Space: Above and Beyond this morning.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:45 08:45 08:45 08:45 1.00
1.00 18:01 09:16 09:16 09:00 2.00
1.00 26:51 08:50 08:50 08:57 3.00
1.00 35:58 09:07 09:07 09:00 4.00
0.60 41:18 05:20 08:53 08:59 4.60

6.0mi, 53:44, 19 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-19T12:08:00.002-06:00

iThink: Dum Dum Girls, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"

WX at 1000: 62 (17) DP 51 (11) BP 29.6 (1002) SSW 33 RH 67

Odometer 11B: 202.8mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 153/169

My legs were tired. Very tired. They felt much better after the 3 mile mark, about 30 minutes in. I finished surprisingly faster than I thought but tomorrow is a sleep in day if I really feel that beat. Maybe. I started slow thinking I was going to finish slow, but I felt good enough at the end where I sped up more than I thought I would.

At least the iThink today was a pleasant one. I am reminded of listening to one of my college classmates attempt to do a marching cadence to the tune of the original Smiths song and I started laughing uncontrollably. Then I told him to stop because I hurt so bad from laughing.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:02 09:02 09:02 09:02 1.00
1.00 17:47 08:45 08:45 08:54 2.00
1.00 27:11 09:24 09:24 09:04 3.00
1.00 36:23 09:12 09:12 09:06 4.00
1.00 44:58 08:35 08:35 09:00 5.00
1.00 53:44 08:46 08:46 08:57 6.00

4.6mi, 41:32, 18 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-18T07:32:00.000-06:00

iThink: Daft Punk, "Derezzed"

WX at 0700: 42.1 (5.6) DP 26.1 (-3.3) BP 29.93 (1013) S 25 RH 52

Odometer 11B: 196.8mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 152/169

My legs felt very dead today, but after about 2.25mi they were much better. I suspect some of this is still the leftover lactic acid from finishing very hard on Wednesday.

Better get this out of the way than later. Dissertation work to do. At least today's iThink wasn't too embarrassing.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:12 09:12 09:12 09:12 1.00
1.00 18:16 09:04 09:04 09:08 2.00
1.00 27:29 09:13 09:13 09:10 3.00
1.00 36:13 08:44 08:44 09:03 4.00
0.60 41:32 05:19 08:52 09:02 4.60

6.0mi, 52:26, 16 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-16T08:58:00.001-06:00

iThink:
The Judybats, "Our Story"
The Bats, "Flowers and Trees"
The XX, "Intro"

WX at 0800: 33.1 (0.6) DP 21.0 (-6.1) BP 30.16 (1021) N 6 RH 60 WC 28 (-2)

Odometer 11B: 192.2mi

Z3 with Z4 finish. Average/max heart rate = 156/175

Today didn't feel so great at the start, and my legs were still tired. I decided to go 6 today since I pigged out at an Indian lunch buffet yesterday and I had some sins like chicken tikka masala and kheer rice pudding to run off.

Tomorrow is a day of rest. My legs are going to hurt today, as hard as I was going in the last 1.5 miles.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:58 08:58 08:58 08:58 1.00
1.00 17:24 08:26 08:26 08:42 2.00
1.00 26:21 08:57 08:57 08:47 3.00
1.00 35:28 09:07 09:07 08:52 4.00
1.00 44:02 08:34 08:34 08:48 5.00
1.00 52:26 08:24 08:24 08:44 6.00

4.6mi, 41:33, 15 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-15T07:13:00.001-06:00

iThink:
The Millions, "Ordinary Men"
U2, "I Will Follow"

WX at 0700: 32.0 (0.0) DP 27.0 (-2.8) BP 29.72 (1006) S 9 RH 81 WC 24 (-4)

Odometer 11A: 186.2mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 153/177

My legs were still pretty beat. I felt surprisingly better at around the 30-minute mark, probably due to warmup. The run before that was a little harder than I'd have liked. The finish was okay.

Today wasn't a recovery run proper, but it was not supposed to be hard either. It was neither.

I didn't expect it to be 32F today! The temperature dropped 7F in the hour beforehand...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:05 09:05 09:05 09:05 1.00
1.00 18:09 09:04 09:04 09:04 2.00
1.00 27:18 09:09 09:09 09:06 3.00
1.00 36:09 08:51 08:51 09:02 4.00
0.60 41:33 05:24 09:00 09:02 4.60

4.6mi, 44:37, 14 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-14T07:30:00.001-06:00

iThink:
The Judybats, "Down in the Shacks (Where the Satellite Dishes Grow)"
Daft Punk, "Derezzed"
Beastie Boys, "Intergalactic"
The Judybats, "Woman in the Garden"

WX at 0800: 44.1 (6.7) DP 35.1 (1.7) BP 29.56 (1001) NW 7 RH 70

Odometer 11A: 181.6mi

Z2 high. Average/max heart rate = 145/167

Recovery run, which was the right decision after yesterday. My legs were complaining all day yesterday, so I was going to run easy today at some point to work off the lactic acid.

I would never have figured I'd be running with "Woman in the Garden" as an iThink. To quote the other Judybats song, "well, I'm sorry, but when I met you, you were an asshole."

Yay.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:52 09:52 09:52 09:52 1.00
1.00 19:39 09:47 09:47 09:49 2.00
1.00 29:12 09:33 09:33 09:44 3.00
1.00 38:44 09:32 09:32 09:41 4.00
0.60 44:37 05:53 09:48 09:42 4.60

7.7mi, 66:20, 13 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-13T10:07:00.000-06:00

iThink:
The Judybats, "Saturday"
The Dust Brothers, "Stealing Fat"
MewithoutYou, "January 1979"

WX at 0900: 57.9 (14.4) DP 37.9 (3.3) BP 29.5 (998) SW 14 RH 47

Odometer 11B: 174.0mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 162/180

Long run, after finding out it was shorts and t-shirt weather. Today was surprisingly fast for the distance in question but I figure I'd go easy tomorrow.

The Judybats sound would not de-earwig, in spite of my desire to get more homicidal-sounding iThinks in my head.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:35 08:35 08:35 08:35 1.00
1.00 16:56 08:21 08:21 08:28 2.00
1.00 25:45 08:49 08:49 08:35 3.00
1.00 34:41 08:56 08:56 08:40 4.00
1.00 43:20 08:39 08:39 08:40 5.00
1.00 52:08 08:48 08:48 08:41 6.00
1.00 00:41 08:33 08:33 08:40 7.00
0.70 06:20 05:39 08:04 08:37 7.70

Honey Badger Doesn't Give A Shit

2011-11-11T23:02:00.002-06:00

Honey Badger is pretty badass. And he also has swag.

Hat tip Historiann.

A little nugget of truth

2011-11-11T21:57:00.003-06:00

"When I returned from Afghanistan this past spring, a civilian friend asked, “Is it good to be back?” It was the first time someone had asked, and I answered honestly. But I won’t do that again. We weren’t ready for that conversation. Instead, when people ask, I make it easy for everyone by responding, “It’s fine.” That’s a lie, though. It’s not fine."

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/on-war-and-redemption/

I had a lot of not-so-latent rage when I came back to the United States, even though I had not personally seen any close combat. One of the things (but not the only thing) that made me so crotchety was the realization that real people, including two people I knew, got killed executing the plans I wrote.

Two and a half years after the fact, I acknowledge that I did not kill them myself, and that sometimes the enemy gets their vote in too. I still felt guilty.

It was a few years later that one of my instructors in a military course told me he knew colonels who did not compete for tactical brigade command because of the belief they were responsible for the deaths of the soldiers in their previous commands at battalion level. I understood those colonels' perspectives.

Home is a very tenuous concept. I didn't (and for the most part still don't) want to talk to a lot of people after I came back.

6.0mi, 54:02, 11 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-11T10:12:00.002-06:00

iThink:
R.E.M., "Driver 8"
The XX, "Intro"
The JudyBats, "Our Story"
The JudyBats, "Ugly on the Outside"

WX at 0900: 46.0 (7.8) DP 34.0 (1.1) BP 29.84 (1010) SW 15 RH 62

Odometer 11B: 166.3mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 158/177

Started quicker than I should have, then turned it into an easier run. Today was just not the day for a killer run.

Not sure where the assault of southern power-pop came from this morning...although I carted out all my old Judybats disks and started EACing them at 256Kbps VBR. I had ripped the albums earlier at 128k and the difference is...noticeable.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:48 08:48 08:48 08:48 1.00
1.00 17:25 08:37 08:37 08:43 2.00
1.00 26:51 09:26 09:26 08:57 3.00
1.00 36:10 09:19 09:19 09:02 4.00
1.00 45:01 08:51 08:51 09:00 5.00
1.00 54:02 09:01 09:01 09:00 6.00

4.6mi, 44:57, 10 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-10T10:16:00.001-06:00

iThink: MewithoutYou, "January 1979"

WX at 0800: 32.0 (0.0)     DP 23.0 (-5.0)     BP 30.3 (1026)     W 8 RH 69 WC 25 (-4)

Odometer 11B: 160.3mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 147/163

Easy run after yesterday. My legs were pretty beat.

Splits
SGMT    AGGRG    SEGMT    PERMI    AVGPC    DIST
1.00    09:23    09:23    09:23    09:23    1.00
1.00    19:34    10:11    10:11    09:47    2.00
1.00    29:09    09:35    09:35    09:43    3.00
1.00    39:11    10:02    10:02    09:48    4.00
0.60    44:57    05:46    09:37    09:46    4.60

5.96mi, 51:00, 9 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-09T10:43:00.002-06:00

iThink: The XX, "Intro"

WX at 0900: 39.9 (4.4)     DP 33.1 (0.6)     BP 30.19 (1022)     NW 12 RH 76

Odometer 11B: 155.7mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 163/184

Today went hard but relatively fast. Still continuing to experiment with forefoot striking and it seems to be working for me, although I have to pay more attention to form than I normally would. The other factor at hand might be the weather too.

Splits
SGMT    AGGRG    SEGMT    PERMI    AVGPC    DIST
1.00    08:24    08:24    08:24    08:24    1.00
1.00    16:29    08:05    08:05    08:15    2.00
1.00    25:08    08:39    08:39    08:23    3.00
1.00    34:03    08:55    08:55    08:31    4.00
1.00    42:35    08:32    08:32    08:31    5.00
0.96    51:00    08:25    08:46    08:33    5.96

Rendering honors

2011-11-08T22:09:00.002-06:00

Most motivational thing I've seen in a long, long time.

6,000m on Concept2 Model D, 26:29.3, 8 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-08T09:41:00.002-06:00

iThink: The XX, "Intro"

WX at 0900:     45.0 (7.2)     DP 44.1 (6.7)     BP 29.96 (1014)     NE 13     mist RH 96

Odometer 11A: 430.0mi equivalency

Z4. Average/max heart rate = no reading.

It is cold, and wet, and I am not living up to my rhetoric because it's raining outside and I am being a wimp.

Therefore, I got on the Concept2 this morning and cranked away to make sure I got something in. I'm not as fit as I used to be. Got it. I also haven't been on the Concept2 in a long while, and until the dissertation is done, physical exercise has been sort of backburnered.

Splits
Distance:    6000
Time:    00:26:29
Avg/500m:    02:12
Drag Factor:    108
Per Mile:    00:07:06

4.93mi, 43:22, 7 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-07T07:30:00.002-06:00

iThink:
Deep Forest With Peter Gabriel, "While The Earth Sleeps(Junior Vasquez Mix)‬‏"
Daft Punk, "End of Line"

WX at 0700: 44.1 (6.7)     DP 34.0 (1.1)     BP 30.13 (1020)     NE 9 RH 67

Odometer 11B: 149.7mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 153/182

I guess I'm glad I went for a run this morning. It's supposed to rain later today and today so far has been a blissful fucking day, like this weekend.

Today was a day of experimenting with stride based on what I read in the New York Times this weekend.

There were benefits to doing this, but it sure felt different. My legs were also a bit tired from Saturday's trail run.

Splits
SGMT    AGGRG    SEGMT    PERMI    AVGPC    DIST
1.00    08:55    08:55    08:55    08:55    1.00
1.00    17:17    08:22    08:22    08:39    2.00
1.00    26:13    08:56    08:56    08:44    3.00
1.00    35:13    09:00    09:00    08:48    4.00
0.93    43:22    08:09    08:46    08:48    4.93

3.8mi, 45:34, 5 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-05T11:48:00.002-05:00

iThink: John Williams, "The Imperial March" (no shit.)

WX at 1100: 48.0 (8.9) DP 43.0 (6.1) BP 30.02 (1016) S 17 RH 83

Odometer 11B: 144.8mi

Z3-Z4. Average/max heart rate = 152/178

I found a trail network not far from where I live. Most of it is traveled by horses and bears the pockmarked ground characteristic of horseshoes (which makes it sometimes treacherous trail running) but it was something different.

I was intent on going out wogging today, but started too late and was dressed to warmly for the weather or the activity. This is what happens when I start too late and then I'm waiting for the kids to finish getting their stuff together to go out.

No splits.

3.26mi, 28:19, 4 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-04T07:35:00.003-05:00

iThink: Kasey Chambers, "Not Pretty Enough" (thank you, Axis of Awesome.)

WX at 0700:     30.0 (-1.1)     DP 28.0 (-2.2)     BP 30.27 (1025)     Calm RH 92

Odometer 11B: 141.0mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 152/174

Today should've been a recovery run but was run far too hard to be one. Oops. I was in a rush. Weather was just about perfect, though.

I am one of the most non-country people in the universe, so I find it really bizarre that I would have a country song stuck in my head. Sometimes you win one, sometimes you lose one.

Splits
SGMT    AGGRG    SEGMT    PERMI    AVGPC    DIST
1.00    08:42    08:42    08:42    08:42    1.00
1.00    17:22    08:40    08:40    08:41    2.00
1.00    26:05    08:43    08:43    08:42    3.00
0.26    28:19    02:14    08:35    08:41    3.26

Walt Disney's Sin City

2011-11-03T14:08:00.002-05:00

Oh. Hell. Yeah.

7.0mi, 61:05, 3 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-03T10:21:00.000-05:00

iThink:
The Bats, "Flowers and Trees"
Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day" (Daniel Kandi remix)

WX at 0900: 37.9 (3.3)    DP 30.9 (-0.6)    BP 30.16 (1021)    NNW 17 RH 76

Odometer 11B: 137.8mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 164/177

Long run, but that was partly because of not running yesterday. The weather was cold too, but better than yesterday's overcast. It is cold again. Sort of.

I was reminded, when I was half my age, that this was this weekend that the Virginia Private School cross-country meet happens to be. I remembered it only because I had to make a choice between auditioning the following week for the central regional orchestra or running with the team in the league meet. I ran with the team since I was the team captain at the time and it would've been disingenuous to not run.

I am much slower now. The uphills were not fun, especially in a headwind.

Splits
SGMT   AGGRG   SEGMT   PERMI   AVGPC   DIST
1.00   08:21   08:21   08:21   08:21   1.00
1.00   17:25   09:04   09:04   08:43   2.00
1.00   25:53   08:28   08:28   08:38   3.00
1.00   34:41   08:48   08:48   08:40   4.00
1.00   43:22   08:41   08:41   08:40   5.00
1.00   52:07   08:45   08:45   08:41   6.00
1.00   01:05   08:58   08:58   08:44   7.00

A pleasure so guilty

2011-11-02T11:42:00.001-05:00

I laughed uncontrollably when I heard this song. Also worth the listen is "Four Chords."

I'm sure there were people who looked askance at me when I was in high school cranking Corrosion of Conformity really loud out of my car too. Just not as funny as this.

4.6mi, 40:36, 1 NOV 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-11-01T09:02:00.002-05:00

iThink: Maritime, "Pearl"

WX at 0800:     55.9 (13.3)     DP 43.0 (6.1)     BP 29.96 (1014)     S 18 RH 61

Odometer 11B: 130.8mi

Z3-Z4. Average/max heart rate = 142/174

What a great day for a run. And I almost slept in. Once the house was cleared out I could run at my own leisure, although I prefer not to do that because it sucks time away from research and writing.

I felt so-so at the start but surprisingly good for my last two miles. Not sure why, although I'm sure the weather had a lot to do with it.

Splits
SGMT    AGGRG    SEGMT    PERMI    AVGPC    DIST
1.00    09:00    09:00    09:00    09:00    1.00
1.00    17:55    08:55    08:55    08:58    2.00
1.00    26:54    08:59    08:59    08:58    3.00
1.00    35:31    08:37    08:37    08:53    4.00
0.60    40:36    05:05    08:28    08:50    4.60

5.0mi, 43:22, 31 OCT 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2011-10-31T07:30:00.002-05:00

iThink: The Bats, "Flowers and Trees"

WX at 0700:     37.9 (3.3)     DP 24.1 (-4.4)     BP 30.1 (1019)     Calm RH 56

Odometer 11B: 126.2mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 154/169

Wasn't sure how to start today but I almost slept in. Once I got out there, it was better, although I have a substantial amount of lard to burn off from the last few weeks.

My only explanation of faster splits than the norm is the temperature.

Splits
SGMT    AGGRG    SEGMT    PERMI    AVGPC    DIST
1.00    08:42    08:42    08:42    08:42    1.00
1.00    17:03    08:21    08:21    08:31    2.00
1.00    25:46    08:43    08:43    08:35    3.00
1.00    34:37    08:51    08:51    08:39    4.00
1.00    43:22    08:45    08:45    08:40    5.00

The Coolest Thing Ever

2011-10-30T16:19:00.001-05:00

Bobby McFerrin and the pentatonic scale. Woot.