4.5mi on dreadmill, 39:04, 31 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 39 of the campaign.

iThink:
Dos Gringos, "Going in for Guns"

WX at 9 PM (2) Dec 30 19 (-7) 15 (-9) 30.09 (1019) Variable 1 mist

Odometer 13B: 78.9mi

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

I wasn't sure if I felt up to five, but I spent a little more time lallygagging than I thought I should, so I ran only 4.5. I was hoping to go easy, but I may do some longer, slower distance tomorrow. The difficulty of that, of course, is doing that on the treadmill. The alternative is to do something ridiculously easy and just sit there for two hours, which I've actually thought about doing. For that, I would need a book.

At least I'm in the gym BEFORE New Year's, not just after. I'm actually starting to work off some of my uncertainty-induced lard from the first two weeks of being here. That's encouraging.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
4.50 39:04 39:04 08:41 08:41 4.50

8,000m on Concept2 Model D, 35:23.7, 30 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 38 of the campaign.

iThink: Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"

WX at 3 AM (8) Dec 30     28 (-2)     21 (-6)     30.09 (1019)     Variable 2

Odometer 13B: 74.4mi

Z3 high-Z4.  Average/max heart rate = 158/168

It snowed early this morning, so I was greeted with about 5 inches of fluffy snow.  I also decided to save my workout for the middle of the day since I'm usually up late, so instead of running like I have for the last few days, I decided to crank 8,000m out on the erg.  I didn't go particularly hard, but I was trying to hold down the pace to about 160-165bpm, while trying to finish under 35:30.  Not very ambitious, but I think that was a good alternate day from running 6 yesterday.

The iThink is misleading as I wasn't really having a song stuck in my head so much as concentrating on form, speed, and relative effort.

Splits
Distance:    8000
Time:    35:23.7
Avg/500m:    02:12.7
Drag Factor:    112
Per Mile:    00:07:07

6.0mi on dreadmill, 51:16, 29 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 37 of the campaign.

iThink:
Mary Lou Lord, "The Inhibition Twist"
Mary Lou Lord, "Supergun"
For Against, "Clandestine High Holy"

WX at 3 AM (8) Dec 29 33 (1) 3 (-16) 30.03 (1017) SSW 9 WC 24 (-4)

Odometer 13B: 74.4mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 1621/176

I slept in this morning, but knew I desperately needed to get a run in, so I did. This time I decided to expand the distance and go for six. I felt surprisingly good today, although it could also be chalked up to running in the mid-day rather than right after I wake up or right before I'm supposed to go to sleep.

Of minor not is the comparative lack of scenery here at Camp Cupcake. Not like previous deployments.

Back to work. Hilarity will ensue.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.00 17:18 17:18 08:39 08:39 2.00
3.00 42:49 25:31 08:30 08:34 5.00
1.00 51:16 08:27 08:27 08:33 6.00

5.0mi on dreadmill, 43:43, 28 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 36 of the campaign.

iThink:
Chris Stamey, "Incredible Happiness"
Chris Stamey, "On The Radio (for Ray Davies)"

WX at 10 PM (3) Dec 27 23 (-5) 21 (-6) 30.09 (1019) ENE 3

Odometer 13A: 405.2mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 154/173

I was entertaining the idea of sleeping in, but my hopes to go work out yesterday were dashed by some official writing I had to get done. I'll reattack on that writing, but I needed to get a start on it. By the time I was done, the gym was closed and in general, I don't run at night here in Kabul because the air quality is usually sketchy. Last night was much better than the night before, but that was because it was breezy enough where it dissipated the thick smoke that just settled the night before.

My weight has not appreciably changed since I've been here, so I need to probably be more judicious about trying to lose weight. I thought I was getting better, but apparently not. Unfortunately, living on a postage-stamp compound doesn't help and there are reasonable limits to how much I can tolerate being on a dreadmill before it gets really old.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.00 17:41 17:41 08:50 08:50 2.00
3.00 43:43 26:02 08:41 08:45 5.00

5.3mi, 46:17, 26 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 34 of the campaign.

iThink:
Psy, "Gangnam Style"
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"

WX at 4 AM (9) Dec 26 44 (7) -2 (-19) 30.21 (1023) Variable 5

Odometer 13B: 68.2mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 161/167

First run in a long while, but today was clear and not too cold. It was as good running weather as I'm likely to get, so I took it. I'm hoping these newer shoes mean my knees won't hurt as bad.

This is my delayed payment for pigging out at x-moose dinner last night.  And at x-moose lunch yesterday afternoon.  And at x-moose breakfast yesterday morning.  Now it is time to work off my sins.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:41 08:41 08:41 08:41 1.00
1.00 17:30 08:49 08:49 08:45 2.00
1.00 26:23 08:53 08:53 08:48 3.00
1.00 35:40 09:17 09:17 08:55 4.00
1.00 44:06 08:26 08:26 08:49 5.00
0.30 46:43 02:37 08:43 08:49 5.30

5.0mi on dreadmill, 43:08, 24 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 32 of the campaign.

iThink:
Archers of Loaf, "Plumb Line"

WX at 10 PM (3) Dec 23 24 (-4) 15 (-9) 30.30 (1026) Variable 5

Odometer 13B: 62.9mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 159/175

First run in a while, but I didn't quite feel up to rowing this morning, so I got on the dreadmill. Five and done. I felt pretty good, although some of that could be chalked up to not doing anything yesterday. At least it's something more than what I did yesterday, so the rule of thumb remains in effect. Four times a week, no more than two days rest.

The usual pace of work in a deployed organization gives this place a decidedly Groundhog Day-esque (as in the Bill Murray movie) feel.  In this case, it certainly does not feel like Christmas Eve.  It feels like any other day.  Moving on...

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.00 17:24 17:24 08:42 08:42 2.00
1.00 25:59 08:35 08:35 08:40 3.00
1.00 34:38 08:39 08:39 08:39 4.00
1.00 43:08 08:30 08:30 08:38 5.00

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 44:44.1, 22 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 30 of the campaign.

iThink:
The Bats, "Mastery"
The bats, "Never Said Goodbye"

WX at 35 (2) 28 (-2) 30.15 (1021) NW 5 mist

Odometer 13A: 401.0mi

Z4.  Average/max heart rate = 162/173

The commander I work for has a useful rule of thumb.  Work out at least 4 times a week, and take no more than two days off at a time.  That sounds like an eminently useful rule as it gives you some latitude for rest days when you need it, but enforces a certain level of discipline during the week.

I've taken the last two days off because I was stuck on some work-related projects.  Thus, I needed to get at it this morning, and I figured today was as good a day as any to try to take on the dreaded 10,000 on the erg.

These times are nothing to write home about, but I'm not doing it for anything right now other than just basic health and weight loss.

Splits
Distance:    10000
Time:    44:44.1
Avg/500m:    02:14.2
Drag Factor:    101
Per Mile:    00:07:12

5.0mi on dreadmill, 44:57, 19 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 27 of the campaign.

iThink:
Attack in Black, "Liberties"
Journey, "Only the Young"

WX at 4 AM (9) Dec 19 48 (9) -2 (-19) 30.09 (1019) WSW 6

Odometer 13A: 400.7mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 165/176

First run since getting sick, but I didn't want to row two days consecutively. There's still some residual cough, but I need to do this to start burning off some of the lard I managed to accumulate in the last two weeks.

The OPFOR CDR told me that Popcorn, our remaining guinea pig, may not live much longer as he has been very reclusive and just pooping and peeing in his plastic igloo.  That tells me he is starting to get older, going the same way that Thor did in his last two weeks.  There is something about having pets that I find difficult - mostly in terms of saying goodbye, something I have never done very well.  When I was living by myself, I avoided it by not having any pets.  That's avoidance, I guess, but I didn't want to deal with the loss.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
5.00 44:57 44:57 08:59 08:59 5.00

8,000m on Concept2 Model D, 37:09.8, 18 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 26 of the campaign.

iThink: The Bats, "Mastery"

WX at 4 AM (9) Dec 18 51 (11) 8 (-13) 30.09 (1019) ESE 6

Odometer 13A: 395.5mi

Z3 start, Z4 finish.  Average/max heart rate = 157/167

I've been sick with a fucking colossal chest cold the last few days.  Today was the first day in a while I felt okay enough to actually contemplate going to the gym.  I decided that something relatively balanced like rowing might work, although I needed to get at a reasonable pace.

The coughing wasn't too bad, and opening it up all the way felt okay.  Whether this helps with some of the upper airway congestion I feel remains to be seen.

I've been using melatonin to try to sleep, which worked okay, but not the nights prior.  It took a while for me to figure out that I should sleep face down so the post-nasal drip wouldn't collect back and cause me to wake up and cough.

Splits
Distance:    8000
Time:    37:09.8
Avg/500m:    02:19.4
Drag Factor:    98
Per Mile:    00:07:29

8,000m on Concept2 Model D, 35:48.5, 12 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 20 of the campaign.

iThink:
Ultimate Fakebook, "Far, Far Away"
Yo La Tengo, "Somebody's Baby"

WX at      9 PM (2) Dec 11     32 (0)     32 (0)     30.24 (1024)     N 3     mist

Odometer 13A: 395.0mi

Z4.  Average/max heart rate = 156/169

After three days of Doing Nothing But Eating, I had to fix that in short order, and got at for 8,000m on the erg.  Not great, but as usual, my ergs tend to go strong start, weak transition, and recovery to normal speed by about the 25 minute mark, which for me is around 5500-6000m or so.

I didn't feel up to doing a full 10km, but I figured 8km would be Good Enough for Now.  Off to work.  No rest for the wicked, and it's going to be another fast-paced day of craziness.

Splits
Distance:    8000
Time:    35:48.5
Avg/500m:    02:14.3
Drag Factor:    105
Per Mile:    00:07:12

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 46:36, 9 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 17 of the campaign.

iThink:
Carly Rae Jepsen, "Call Me Maybe"
Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "Satellite"

WX at 8 PM (1) Dec 08     35 (2)     35 (2)     30.12 (1020)     Variable 2     fog

Odometer 13A: 395.0 equivalence

Z4.  Average/max heart rate = 155/164

I was wrong about there not being any Concept2s in the gym here.  There are six, in varying states of repair.  Most of them, if not all of them, are being used by crossfitters who routinely don't care too much about the computer and max out the resistance meter.

I'm apparently one of the few (if any) who isn't in it for full power, so I set the drag factor to my usual 106 or so and got at it, surprisingly, for a full 10,000m.

I'll probably feel it later today, but I'm glad there's a fully functional C2 out there that'll work because otherwise it'd be nothing but dreadmill from here on out.  Also, I think I'll probably burn more lard rowing than running, frankly.

Splits
Distance:    10000
Time:    46:36.0
Avg/500m:    02:19.8
Drag Factor:    106
Per Mile:    00:07:30

7.0mi on dreadmill, 60:51, 8 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 16 of the campaign.

iThink:
Billy Bragg, "Sexuality"
Loquat, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"
Dum Dum Girls, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"

WX at 4 AM (9) Dec 08 48 (9) 41 (5) 30.15 (1021) E 7 mist

Odometer 13A: 394.0mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 166/179

After pigging out last night, I had occasion to sleep in because I was way the hell up too late last night. Thus, I decided of my own accord to get at it with a vengeance, and ran 7 on the dreadmill at what I thought was going to be about aerobic threshold pace, but turned instead into a tempo run after the first two miles. Of course, by that time I was committed, so I was going to grind out the pace to the best of my ability, which got me to about 6.9mph or so.

It remains to be seen whether I have enough discipline to lay off eating, which I think is starting to happen as I stay here longer, but I need to be much more diligent about actually running or doing something. My knees were feeling it all yesterday long, so I figure the dreadmill, as much as I hate it, is going to be the way to go.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
7.00 00:51 00:51 08:42 08:42 7.00

3.78mi, 36:21, 7 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 15 of the campaign.

iThink:
Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"

WX at 9 PM (2) Dec 06 46 (8) 32 (0) 30.12 (1020) S 3

Odometer 13A: 387.0mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 154/165

First run in Kabul, and it was as challenging as I'd expect any run to be in as small a compound this is. It also emphasizes why I'd rather run outside than on the dreadmill. It was also raining, so it warranted snivel gear for the run. Not great, but better than nothing, and I was still coming off the dreadmill kill-a-thon last night.

I had low expectations of pace, but I guess mostly negative splits are always encouraging.

Addition: after running on concrete and rocks, my knees fuckin' hurt.  Time to hit the Celebrex.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:41 09:41 09:41 09:41 1.00
1.00 19:29 09:48 09:48 09:45 2.00
1.00 29:01 09:32 09:32 09:40 3.00
0.78 36:21 07:20 09:24 09:37 3.78

3.45mi on dreadmill, 29:41, 6 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 14 of the campaign.

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

WX at 1 PM (18) Dec 06 46 (8) 32 (0) 30.15 (1021) Variable 3

Odometer 13A: 383.2mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 168/180

Late run as I slept in this morning, worked late, and got to the gym just a half hour before it closed. I was going to waddle away on the elliptical, but instead, I decided to get on the dreadmill as I'd burn more calories running than on the elliptical. I set the speed for 7mph, and in a vain attempt to get halfway done before the gym closed, I cranked hard, much harder than I probably should've. So this turned into a max VO2 run, but that's okay. I was also running off some ire from an email I got this morning and running hard is probably more constructive than hitting the Cancer Stix (tm).

At some point I need to get back to doing long runs again, but I just haven't had the werewithal to do so yet. At the rate the ISAF chow hall is feeding me, though, I'm going to turn into a fucking balloon if I don't get back on the stick.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.45 29:41 29:41 08:36 08:36 3.45

4.0mi on dreadmill, 34:28, 5 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 13 of the campaign.

iThink:
Rush, "Manhattan Project"

WX at 10 PM (3) Dec 04 37 (3) 26 (-3) 30.27 (1025) Variable 3

Odometer 13A: 379.7mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 155/167

Today should've been an easier run, but I decided I was crunched for time and went a bit faster. I was going to hit the elliptical again, but decided to go for the dreadmill.

85.6kg today. I should probably back off the chow, but I'm still looking to settle in before I try to be more disciplined.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
4.00 34:28 34:28 08:37 08:37 4.00

10km on elliptical, 45:09, 4 DEC 13, Kabul, Afghanistan

Today is day 12 of the campaign.

iThink:
Aly and AJ, "Chemicals React"

WX at 10 PM (3) Dec 03 37 (3) 30 (-1) 30.30 (1026) SSW 3 haze

Odometer 13A: 375.6mi equivalence

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 158/170

First day of PT after what has been almost 4 days of transit and a day at the workplace.

Kabul is at altitude, just like it always has been. I really feel it walking around, but I also felt it on the elliptical today. I was hoping for more running machines, but the Concept2 in the gym is toast, which was disappointing.

Perhaps not as disappointing as missing chow by 10 minutes. No matter.

This should be a good tour, and the living conditions are a lot nicer than I had in Bagram almost five years ago. Okay. Off to work.

Splits

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
6.21 45:09 45:09 07:16 07:16 6.21