10.2mi, 90:08, 13 JUL 07, Fort Campbell KY

Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"
Dinbot, "Hot Buttered Bizkits"

WX at 0700: 65 (18.3) DP 62 (16.6) BP 30.06 (1017.5) calm mostly cloudy RH 90
WX at 0800: 71 (21.6) DP 63 (17.2) BP 30.07 (1017.8) calm mostly cloudy RH 76

Odometer 4: 147.1mi

Z4.

So I did my tenner. And it sucked hard. I hit the wall around the 8 mile mark and had to walk for about 150m. These are necessary workouts, but they hurt, and this is my first legitimate long run in a long while.

The road to recovery isn't supposed to be easy, but I'd failed to account for the relatively exceptional level of suck that morning.

I did gain some wry satisfaction in the juxtaposition of Hilary Duff, Gershon Kingsley, and Limp Bizkit as my running mantra during the run.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.96 15:59 15:59 08:09 08:09 1.96
2.47 37:29 21:30 08:42 08:28 4.43
2.90 63:04 25:35 08:49 08:36 7.33
2.87 90:08 27:04 09:26 08:50 10.20

5.8mi, 54:57, 11 JUL 07, Fort Campbell KY

some idle running cadences.

WX at 0700: 72.9 (22.7) DP 72.5 (22.5) BP 29.95 (1014) WSW 7 mist RH 99

Odometer 3: 353.5mi

Z2.

I was tired, and my legs hurt, so I did nothing more than wogging...and
it was strangely therapeutic. My knees hurt, though, and it is
definitely time to jettison this pair of shoes.

I did use this morning to think about some things I need to do at work.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.43 13:45 13:45 09:37 09:37 1.43
1.47 27:32 13:47 09:23 09:30 2.90
1.47 41:27 13:55 09:28 09:29 4.37
1.43 54:57 13:30 09:26 09:28 5.80

4.4mi, 35:35, 10 JUL 07, Fort Campbell KY

Bear McCreary, "Passacaglia"

WX at 0700: 73 (23) DP 73 (23) BP 30.00 (1015) SSW 9 mist RH 100

Odometer 4: 136.9mi

Z3 high.

I was feeling ambitious, thinking about doing that tenner I'd mentioned earlier this week.

I realized at the 4 mile mark that there was no way I was going to finish ten and decided instead to practice some discretion.

I didn't realize I was going the speed I was...I was hurting this morning, not realizing I was going 8:02/mi pace. It didn't feel like 8:02. It could also be that I was being suckered by watching most of 2d Brigade combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, running in the opposite direction, in formation, which was a reminder that I, indeed, was back in the Real Army(tm).

The 100% relative humidity didn't help much. Too bad it started raining, hard, as soon as I stopped running. That actually would've been okay.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
4.43 35:35 35:35 08:02 08:02 4.43

Only in America

Can you buy Class 1.1A explosive pyrotechnics next to a place where Class 3 flammables are available for sale...

...and the only word that accurately describes this is..."Dude."

60min on elliptical, 9 JUL 07, Clarksville TN

Nothing in the iThink. Snippets of The Show of No Ugly Women in the Navy(tm) and the pre-race show of today's Tour de France instead on the Glass Tit.

WX at 0700: 73 (23) DP 68 (20) BP 29.96 (1014) Calm haze RH 83

Odometer 3: 347.5 N/A

Z3.

I was going to run 10 this morning...but was very tired after yesterday's drive back from St Louis and accompanying catharsis festival...so I'll wait until later in the week to do a tenner (not to be confused with the NKVD's Gulag punishment of the same name).

More to follow later on my Weekend of Intemperate Fury.

Splits
None.

5.8mi, 47:44, 6 JUL 07, Fort Campbell KY

Dinbot, "Hot Buttered Bizkits"

WX at 0700: 70.2 (21.2) DP 68.7 (20.4) BP 30.06 (1017) Calm RH 95

Odometer 3: 347.5mi

Z4.

After yesterday's elliptical, I felt surprisingly good. Good enough to run hard. I'm kind of despondent that running hard is only good for 8:10/mi. I was still running past people left and right. I'm not sure this is right if I'm burning people on the PT roads going all of 8:10/mi...a mere shadow of what I used to be able to do even five years ago.

I've also been very undisciplined about keeping my low-sodium diet, and have been getting dumpier. My weight is staying the same, though...so I'm not so sure about it, but I feel fatter. I need to do other things than running, so I've been lifting and doing some other stuff.

I'm posting this from St Louis, MO, where I had occasion to drive through a giant fireworks show being cooked off in front of the Gateway Arch as I zoomed by on Interstate 64 westbound. Wild. Between driving in St Louis, which is always hairy (at least for me) and trying not to be too distracted by the fireworks, it was interesting. It took me about four hours of continuous driving from Fort Campbell to get here; I figured I'm good for about four hours at a stretch. I've crystallized my techniques for long drives, so I have plenty of practice.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.90 23:42 23:42 08:10 08:10 2.90
2.90 47:44 24:02 08:17 08:14 5.80

30min on the elliptical and some weight work, 5 JUL 07, Clarksville TN

Nothing in the iThink.

WX at 0700: 73.9 (23.3) DP 68.0 (20.0) BP 30.05 (1017) SSW 5 haze RH 82

Odometer 3: 341.7mi N/A

Z3.

First time on an elliptical in a while, but I decided to sleep in and did some stuff at the apartment complex. Some weight work, and about 30 minutes on the elliptical to counteract the effects of the 20-some White Castles I'd eaten in the preceding 96 hours.

I reflected that I had fully internalized the light infantry's ethos of "if you do only one thing during the day, that one thing had best be PT." Physical training was a way to check my brain out for a few minutes as well.

Splits
N/A.

5.8mi, 52:01, 3 JUL 07, Fort Campbell KY

Scott Cossu, "Demeter/Rejoicing"

WX at 0700: 62.8 (17.1) DP 57.7 (14.3) BP 30.14 (1020) Calm RH 83

Odometer 3: 341.7mi

Z3 low.

Nothing fancy, not too bad. Easy run, and I was still passing people!

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.90 26:35 26:35 09:10 09:10 2.90
2.90 52:01 25:26 08:46 08:58 5.80

6.8mi, 77:23, 2 JUL 07, Clarksville TN

The All-American Rejects, "Move Along"

WX at 0900: 73.0 (22.8) DP 57.4 (14.1) BP 30.17 (1021) ENE 7 RH 58

Odometer 4: 132.5mi

Z4.

I took yesterday off, and decided after seeing the weather forecast that I'd go run trails today. Today was actually quite nice running weather, and I don't quite feel so bad for running an average 11:23/mile given that the trails here are pretty hefty.

There is very little level ground at Dunbar Cave State Park, and so the 1.7mi loop seems like not much, it can be a real speed killer as the hills are very pronounced, not unlike the ones at Wyandotte County Lake park back in Kansas. The ability to make up speed on the downhills are minimized by the fact that it's pretty dangerous with a lot of loose small rocks. That offers opportunities to either bust your ass or twist an ankle, and with a prior broken ankle, I really don't want to chance it.

It was good though, and running a negative split on the end was good. I realized my two breakpoints for running had happened - the first being fully warmed up at around the 25-30 minute mark, and then transitioning to metabolizing fat at around an hour.

I do need to start road marching again, though.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.70 18:27 18:27 10:51 10:51 1.70
1.70 37:54 19:27 11:26 11:09 3.40
1.70 57:44 19:50 11:40 11:19 5.10
1.70 77:23 19:39 11:34 11:23 6.80

3.5mi hash, time indeterminate, 30 JUN 07, Clarksville TN

WX at 1500: 79.2 (26.2) DP 70.0 (21.1) BP 30.08 (1018) NE 12 RH 74

Odometer 3: 335.7mi

Z4.

I was a hare for this hash, and it was a good one.

I had a difference of philosophy with my co-hare, who was into the "social" aspects of haring and hashing. This became apparent from step off as I was going to run the group from where we were originally going to start, thus extending the trail. She didn't want to do so.

The other aspect which is a significant departure of philosophy was that when I lay trail, I will try to punish the FRBs (Front Running Bastards) as much as possible. The intent behind punishing FRBs is to keep the trail together and compensate for what can be wildly differing levels of ability, as was the case today. My co-hare does not subscribe to that philosophy, but I grew up hashing where there were a LOT of fast people and keeping the group together was of paramount importance.

Unfortunately, I laid a bad trail on the reverse slope of a hill - one which enabled the pack to visually acquire us as we were going uphill further away. It effectively cut off a mile and a half from the group, but the group came in two packs, so it worked out. Unfortunately, the FRB caught us both. Oh well.

Finally, the weather reading is deceptive. It was hot.

Splits
Not relevant!

4.43mi, 37:31, 28 JUN 07, Fort Campbell KY

Dinbot, "Hot Buttered Bizkits" (a very entertaining mashup of Hot Butter's "Popcorn" and Limp Bizkit's "Nookie")

WX at 0700: 73.6 (23.1) DP 70.5 (21.4) BP 30.11 (1019) Calm mist RH 90

Odometer 4: 125.7mi

Z3.

Today was a day of less deliberate effort, and so I was not trying to run all that fast.

I need to vet my GPS readings as my transmitter was showing low battery. The usual error induced by the receiver around power lines also makes me leery - or as I once read, "Those who use GPS altitude to aid in landing their small plane should have their insurance policies paid up at all times."

Back when I was still a shooter in the 82d Imperial, I had occasion once to rip some lieutenant's ass over his inability to navigate using map and terrain orientation. Turns out he was dependent on his GPS for knowing where he was. I asked him very pointedly where he was, and although he was sitting on a trail that happened to be less than 200m away from a major road (one which was on the map) and a recognizable intersection, he couldn't locate himself. Not acceptable. I talked to his battery commander afterwards about that issue and my resultant ire. The other reason I don't trust GPS by itself was my experience of getting LLMF(*) in Brussels with a GPS to help me get lost. Consequently, I will have to do this run again on some easy day.

Then I did some abdominal work. I will be sore tomorrow. I did my first ab work in a few months, and my stomach started to cramp. Bad, bad, bad!

(* LLMF = Lost Like a MotherFucker)

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.20 01:51 01:51 09:15 09:15 0.20
0.86 09:27 07:36 08:50 08:55 1.06
0.90 16:58 07:31 08:22 08:40 1.96
1.26 27:18 10:20 08:13 08:29 3.22
1.22 37:31 10:13 08:24 08:28 4.43

5.3mi, 45:58, 27 JUN 07, Fort Campbell KY

Nothing in the iThink.

WX at 0800: 72.7 (22.6) DP 70.5 (21.4) BP 30.2 (1022) SSW 6 mist RH 93

Odometer 4: 121.0mi

Z3.

Today's PT event was a little unusual. I had attended a unit PT function with about 25 others soldiers that entailed running from place to place in what had once been a secret nuclear weapons storage and assembly facility. The speaker was a little long-winded, but it was some interesting history. It is perhaps an indicator that the best places to run around here are all on post. Clarksville itself is not really a runner-friendly city if the way the city is built is any indicator.

The run started as a formation run, which was pretty slow - the last time I did a formation run was the Division run during the 82d Airborne Division's All-American Week in 2002 (see right). (Yes, that really is the formation in the far background of the photo...which is what 14,000 people running all at once looks like!) The last part was a release run, which was done at a little faster pace than I think I would've liked. I was in a group and I needed to not get dusted. My coworkers are for the most part in better shape than me. This is fixable, but it gives me a lot of incentive to work this a lot harder.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
5.30 45:58 45:58 08:40 08:40 5.30

Damn, almost forgot

Happy birthday, jwer! I'm slipping in my old age... slightly more than your advanced age...

5.8mi, 48:53, 26 JUN 07, Fort Campbell KY

The Bats, "Courage"
Paul Oakenfold, "Ready Steady Go"

WX at 0700: 72.0 (22.2) DP 71.4 (21.9) BP 30.24 (1024) E 5 mist RH 98

Odometer 4: 115.9mi

Z3 high.

First day running on a real Army installation, surrounded by troops, in about five years. Last time I did any of that was when I was at Fort Bragg, still in the 82d Imperial. Today was steamy. And hot. And when it's hot and humid, the sweat begins. There were no dry parts of my shirt by the end of the run. That's about the norm, but it's almost July, so it's really to be expected.

I knew I was going a bit faster than usual, but I didn't realize I had been holding an average 8:26 pace for the run. I was starting to hurt near the end as there was a very noticeable difference in relative heat from being in the shade (next to trees) and being out in the open with the sun beating down on me.

Now that I'm back in an infantry division again, I got a clean set of whitewalls yesterday (had the sides and back of my head shaved). That's one of the few ways I can really deal with the heat when it's summertime.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.90 24:05 24:05 08:18 08:18 2.90
2.90 48:53 24:48 08:33 08:26 5.80

5.1mi, 58:00, 24 JUN 07, Clarksville TN

The Pixies, "Holiday"
The Pixies, "Velouria"

WX at 1000: 75.0 (23.9) DP 69.4 (20.8) BP 29.99 (1015) SW 5 mist RH 82
WX at 0900: 71 (22) DP 68 (20) BP 29.99 (1015) S 2 mist RH 90

Odometer 4: 109.1mi

Z3 downhill, Z4 uphill.

Since I've been too lazy to describe my passage to Fort Campbell, suffice it to say, I have departed Fort Leavenworth. There is an undeniable feeling of disconnection I feel at being a geographic bachelor, especially when I see other folks out here with their children. It's the absence of my kids that I often feel the most.

First run in over a week. Man, did it hurt. Some contributing factors:
1. I was running in high humidity for the first time in a while.
2. I was running on trails for the first time since I was at Carlisle Barracks (aside from running the Psycho WyCo 20 miler).

I always lose some speed on trails (primarily to prevent from augering myself into a tree or bush), but the hills were really killing me today. They usually do. Dunbar Cave State Park is not particularly long, and the trails are not particularly technical, but that actually serves my purposes well.

I was thinking about going for a fourth lap, but discretion prevailed over bad judgment.

The road to recovery, however, begins with some discomfort. It begins today...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.70 18:11 18:11 10:42 10:42 1.70
1.70 38:00 19:49 11:39 11:11 3.40
1.70 58:00 20:00 11:46 11:22 5.10

5.6mi, 48:21, 15 JUN 07, Carolina Shores NC

The Connells, "Something To Show"
Greg Kihn, "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)"

WX at 0800: 59 (15) DP 44 (7) BP 30.08 (1018) NE 6 overcast light rain RH 57

Odometer 3: 332.2mi

Z3 high.

I have no idea what sparked Greg Kihn this morning. Today started slow and turned much faster. I felt pretty good so I decided to go cruise at the end. This morning's was a little different as I decided to take an untraveled road just to see what was there.

This is the last run I will probably do from this house, as we are getting ready to sell it now that Household6's parents are both deceased.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.63 05:48 05:48 09:12 09:12 0.63
0.62 11:26 05:38 09:05 09:09 1.25
1.88 27:45 16:19 08:41 08:52 3.13
0.90 34:57 07:12 08:00 08:40 4.03
1.61 48:21 13:24 08:19 08:34 5.64

5.5mi, 50:04, 14 JUN 07, Carolina Shores NC

W.G. Snuffy Walden, opening credits to My So-Called Life

WX at 0900: 69 (21) DP 62 (17) BP 29.99 (1015) NNE 10 clear RH 78

Odometer 3: 326.6mi

Z2.

My legs were pretty tight after Tuesday's run, so I decided to do some wogging today. I was much more warmed up after about 30 minutes, as is usually the case, and there was quite a bit of acceleration near the end. I've rechecked distance and it's not an error in measurement (when I run 45 seconds/mile faster in my last half-mile).

I was running what I thought would be easy ultramarathon pace. On pavement.

We passed through Fayetteville yesterday, so I got a real haircut for the first time since, oh, about November. Man, does getting the sides and back shaved off help in warmer weather...but I knew that anyway.

Tomorrow may bring some other developments. We depart tomorrow for Virginia in any instance and begin the Bataan Death Drive back to Fort Leavenworth probably Sunday.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.63 06:17 06:17 09:58 09:58 0.63
1.81 23:12 16:55 09:21 09:30 2.44
0.97 31:57 08:45 09:01 09:22 3.41
1.57 46:07 14:10 09:01 09:16 4.98
0.48 50:04 03:57 08:14 09:10 5.46

7.4mi, 62:39, 12 JUN 07, Carolina Shores NC

Gene, "Where Are They Now?"
Paul Oakenfold, "Ready Steady Go"

WX at 0800: 68 (20) DP 53 (12) BP 30.04 (1017) NNE 6 clear RH 59

Odometer 3: 319.1mi

Z3 high.

The morning reading started at 60 degrees when I woke up and it was already 68 by the time I finished. Going back to Eastern time isn't that hard, but it can be disconcerting when waking up early.

Today was a better run than yesterday - once I had warmed up, I ran what I thought to be relative steady state pace until near the end where I decided to run into oxygen debt to see what I could do.

I felt my usual loosening up at around the 25 minute mark, but more notably, I felt another second wind at the 54-55 minute mark. This is either endorphins (which I somewhat doubt) or it's fat expenditure (perhaps more likely).

My knees hurt. Now with only 319 miles on a pair of shoes, this normally wouldn't be a big deal - were it not the fact that the shoes are about a year old.

I normally rotate shoes out at the 400 mile mark, but I may go early on this pair.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.63 05:45 05:45 09:08 09:08 0.63
1.81 21:22 15:37 08:38 08:45 2.44
0.97 29:27 08:05 08:20 08:38 3.41
2.11 47:14 17:47 08:26 08:33 5.52
1.39 58:59 11:45 08:27 08:32 6.91
0.48 62:39 03:40 07:38 08:29 7.39

I fucking chortle, part 2

Which God or Goddess are you like? Your Result: Satan You are dEvil.You love to make people cring, and you also laugh and heckle Jesus while his back is turned. You have a weird sense of humor, but somehow it works. Many fear you, and thats the way you like it. Congatulations!! Your are Satan!!
Jesus
Goddess Sekhemet
Budha
The Christian God
You are your own God or Goddess
God Zeus
Goddess Bast
Which God or Goddess are you like? Make Your Own Quiz

12 years of Episcopal prep school couldn't steer me wrong...

I fucking chortle, part 1

What American accent do you have? Your Result: Boston You definitely have a Boston accent, even if you think you don't. Of course, that doesn't mean you are from the Boston area, you may also be from New Hampshire or Maine.
The West
The Midland
North Central
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The South
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I grew up in Virginia. I have taken great pains to purge the vestigial remnants of Southern influence.

Since I'm legally from New Hampshire, this is a good sign...

5.5mi, 47:47, 11 JUN 07, Carolina Shores NC

some random music to an Air Force propaganda video from a decade ago

WX at 0800: 62 (17) DP 53 (12) BP 30.05 (1017) NNE 5 cloudy RH 72

Odometer 3: 311.7mi

Z3-4.

First run in a while, and first after driving 1200 miles in two days. My lower back is a little tight, but I'm also dragging from the rigor of a long drive.

I briefly thought about going 7ish, but thought better of it. Although I was warmed up, I figured I'd take it easy this morning. I did run negative splits, which was a good indicator of loosening up.

Maybe better luck tomorrow.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.63 05:51 05:51 09:17 09:17 0.63
1.81 21:59 16:08 08:55 09:01 2.44
0.97 30:27 08:28 08:44 08:56 3.41
1.57 43:55 13:28 08:35 08:49 4.98
0.48 47:47 03:52 08:03 08:45 5.46

6,000m on Concept2 Model C, 26:40, 7 JUN 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Gene, "Where Are They Now?"

WX at 0600: 75.9 (24.4) DP 64.9 (18.3) BP 29.4 (995) S 30G40 overcast RH 68

Odometer 3: 306.2mi N/A

Z3.

The Concept was fixed, with a new chain, a set of Model D grips and a new PM2 computer. Keen!

So much for thinking I was all recovered. I was killing myself just to hold a 2:15/500m today. I have, to quote Paul Simon, become soft in the middle now...to think I used to hold 2:08/500m with comparative ease.

The repairs on the Concept also had an effect on the turbine, as I was registering a drag factor higher than I've ever seen.

The wind was pretty fast all night. An hour earlier it had been gusting 43mph from a sustained wind speed of 29mph. Being an old paratrooper, I couldn't help but think "man, it sure would suck to have to jump in this" although it does exceed safety minimums for peacetime.

Splits
Distance: 6000
Time: 0:26:40
Per 500m: 02:13
Drag Factor : 193
Per Mile: 0:07:09

4.2mi, 39:02, 6 JUN 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

The High Violets, "Invitation"

WX at 0700: 64.0 (17.8) DP 53.1 (11.7) BP 29.73 (1006) SSE 13 RH 67

Odometer 4: 104.0mi

Z2-3.

Distances, and consequently paces, are approximate. The imagery I have doesn't support the run I did this morning.

It didn't feel as windy as the reading would suggest, and at Leavenworth, it wasn't. (The WX reading are taken from Kansas City International Airport, about 12 miles away.)

I felt inconsistent today, but my running partner felt much worse. He's also been fighting plantar fasciitis for the last few months.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.80 07:24 07:24 09:14 09:14 0.80
1.29 19:35 12:11 09:28 09:22 2.09
0.80 26:45 07:10 08:57 09:15 2.89
1.26 39:02 12:17 09:45 09:24 4.15

3.3mi+0.5mi, 30:12, 5 JUN 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Radiohead, "Anyone Can Play Guitar"
ABBA, "Angel Eyes"

WX at 0600: 60.1 (15.6) DP 55.9 (13.3) BP 29.86 (1011) NNW 6 RH 86

Odometer 3: 306.2mi

Z2.

I did some more wogging on the track this morning, trying to recover from my Sunday run. As the splits would indicate, I started accelerating as I got progressively more warmed up. I'm not sure where I was running so inconsistent splits coming even/odd in the first few laps, but I thought I was pretty consistent near the end. I was going at what I felt like marathon pace effort, and I guess for that kind of pace at the end, I can't say too much.

The transition to the ABBA song came from the end of the refrain of the Radiohead song. This might be one of the few times I think of ABBA and Radiohead in the same thought.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.28 02:41 02:41 09:39 09:39 0.28
0.28 05:18 02:37 09:25 09:32 0.56
0.28 07:53 02:35 09:18 09:27 0.83
0.28 10:24 02:31 09:03 09:21 1.11
0.28 12:58 02:34 09:14 09:20 1.39
0.28 15:30 02:32 09:07 09:18 1.67
0.28 18:00 02:30 09:00 09:15 1.95
0.28 20:29 02:29 08:56 09:13 2.22
0.28 23:00 02:31 09:03 09:12 2.50
0.28 25:27 02:27 08:49 09:09 2.78
0.28 27:51 02:24 08:38 09:06 3.06
0.28 30:12 02:21 08:27 09:03 3.34

4.0mi, 36:57, 4 JUN 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

The Go! Team, "Huddle Formation"
Ashley Tisdale, "Kiss The Girl"
The Judybats, "Ugly On The Outside"

WX at 0600: 60.1 (15.6) DP 57.0 (13.9) BP 29.77 (1008) W 8 clear RH 89

Odometer 3: 302.4mi

Z2-3.

Wogging, but inconsistent. My partner wanted to go faster (unconsciously), I didn't.

Feeling yesterday's long run in a big way.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.86 07:40 07:40 08:57 08:57 0.86
0.73 14:14 06:34 09:00 08:58 1.59
0.98 23:23 09:09 09:18 09:06 2.57
0.78 30:38 07:15 09:18 09:09 3.35
0.65 36:57 06:19 09:43 09:14 4.00

9.0mi, 78:59, 3 JUN 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Paul Oakenfold, "Ready Steady Go"
The DiVinyls, "I Touch Myself" (yes.)
Michael Kamen, "Band of Brothers Suite No. 2"

WX at 0900: 62.1 (16.7) DP 55.9 (13.3) BP 29.79 (1008) WNW 10 RH 80

Odometer 4: 99.8mi

Z3.

Today was the first time I've tried running this since, I think, February. Surprisingly, I ran mostly negative splits once I had gotten up the giant hill in the first two miles of the course. My climb at the 7.59 mark was slower than usual - but in all honesty, not so bad if I can run 8:20 as a finisher.

The DiVinyls song is because of a particularly insidious piece of video footage taken by a JLENS aerostat near Balad, Iraq. Eeeeuww. Now I have that song stuck in my head.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.34 02:59 02:59 08:46 08:46 0.34
0.87 11:17 08:18 09:32 09:20 1.21
2.28 30:50 19:33 08:34 08:50 3.49
3.82 64:33 33:43 08:50 08:50 7.31
0.28 67:31 02:58 10:36 08:54 7.59
1.10 76:44 09:13 08:23 08:50 8.69
0.27 78:59 02:15 08:20 08:49 8.96

8,000m on Fluid S350, 33:18, 1 JUN 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Paul Oakenfold, "Ready Steady Go"

WX at 0600: 62.1 (16.7) DP 60.1 (15.6) BP 29.79 (1008) SSE 6 tstorms RH 93

Odometer 3: 298.4mi N/A

Z3.

The weather and my massive drinkathon last night (all four beers and six hot dogs of it) ensured that I wasn't going to be running much of anywhere this morning. So I spun, and it was productive, and I got some of the alcohol out of my pores, which was always useful.

Distance: 8000
Time: 0:33:18
Per 500m: 02:05
Drag Factor : 6
Per Mile: 0:06:42

5.6mi, 48:44, 31 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Teen Heroes, "Manta Ray"

WX at 0700: 59 (15) DP 57 (14) BP 30.03 (1016) Calm patches of fog RH 93

Odometer 3: 298.4mi

Z3.

I felt pretty good. The fact that I could yap a large portion of today's run even while running most of the Teardrop of Suck is a good sign. It was also cool and nice, and with a clean haircut, I felt pretty good. I could have gone faster. Maybe in a few days I'll try a longer run. The fact that I ran this at Z3 talking most of the way was an unintentional discipline tool. I really felt like I could have gone faster.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.34 03:08 03:08 09:13 09:13 0.34
0.87 11:16 08:08 09:21 09:19 1.21
2.24 30:23 19:07 08:32 08:48 3.45
0.76 37:18 06:55 09:06 08:52 4.21
1.11 46:35 09:17 08:22 08:45 5.32
0.27 48:44 02:09 07:58 08:43 5.59

4.7mi, 41:07, 30 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

The Pixies, "Where Is My Mind?"
Chris Cornell, "You Know My Name"

WX at 0600: 64.9 (18.3) DP 61.0 (16.1) BP 29.96 (1014) S 9 light rain; mist RH 87

Odometer 4: 90.8mi

Z3.

Slow, rocky start to a relatively indistinguished run. I leveled off after the first 25 minutes, but I was planning on going 6 and got up too late. So it was only 4.7. I think some discretion may be in order, though. This was not supposed to be a hard run, and it really wasn't, but it wasn't easy either.

Easy run tomorrow, maybe something hard on Friday.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:25 02:25 08:59 08:59 0.27
1.24 13:15 10:50 08:44 08:46 1.51
0.85 20:46 07:31 08:51 08:48 2.36
1.24 31:25 10:39 08:35 08:44 3.60
0.85 38:52 07:27 08:46 08:44 4.45
0.27 41:07 02:15 08:20 08:43 4.72

Not As Think As You Dumb I Am

Seen recently at a Toys 'R Us in Kansas City...

Save Over $0?!?!

3.3mi, 32:07, 29 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Paul Oakenfold, "Ready Steady Go"

WX at 0600: 66.0 (18.9) DP 62.1 (16.7) BP 30.01 (1016) SSE 9 RH 87

Odometer 3: 292.8mi

Z2-3.

I attribute the iThink this morning to some faceoff footage I saw on YouTube. I really enjoy watching a LSM faceoff guy (in this case Jake Deane from UMass in 2005) clean house - which I saw over and over in the 2006 NCAA Division I lacrosse final between UMass and Virginia. Couldn't stop Virginia's killer offense last year, though.

I probably should have gone easier this morning, but once I was fully warmed up, I think I was okay. Overtraining is a legitimate hazard here.

This is a day where I probably need a functional heart monitor, to let me know when I was going too hard on an easy day. I have one, but the transmitter strap is 7 years old and I doubt it still works. I could be wrong, though.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.23 02:08 02:08 09:17 09:17 0.23
2.84 29:08 27:00 09:30 09:29 3.07
0.29 32:07 02:59 10:17 09:34 3.36

Oh yeah!!

Coach Dave Pietramala hugs goalie Jesse Schwartzman, MVP of the NCAA Division I lacrosse tournament, in Hopkins' 12-11 victory over Duke.

Congratulations to the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays, the 2007 NCAA Division I men's lacrosse champions.

5.06mi, 40:52, 28 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

The Pixies, "Velouria"
The Pixies, "Here Comes Your Man"

WX at 0700: 66.0 (18.9) DP 63.0 (17.2) BP 30.05 (1017) SE 8 partly cloudy RH 90

Odometer 4: 86.1mi

Z3-4.

Taking a day or two off actually running (and spinning instead of running on Saturday) may explain why I felt curiously froggy. I certainly did not expect to be running 8:05 aggregate pace today!

I usually run in lane two of the track. This has some benefits. I realize afterwards that I'm actually going faster than I think I'm going - and I tend to stay clear of runners in lane one.

All in all, not bad.

Good luck to the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays as they play Duke in the national Division I NCAA men's Lacrosse championship! (I was not surprised to see that Salisbury University won Division III men's, or that Northwestern won the Division I women's championships.)

I owe the assault of the Pixies to hearing Coverville Show 313, which is appropriately named "The Pixies Cover Story." I also recall that when I arrived at Fort Bragg (for the second time) for duty at ROTC Advanced Camp on 28 May 1994, three days after commissioning, that one of the first things I bought (at Coconuts Records, which I think is still in existence!) was a copy of The Pixies' Doolittle. No shit!

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.25 02:09 02:09 08:30 08:30 0.25
0.25 04:12 02:03 08:06 08:18 0.51
0.25 06:15 02:03 08:06 08:14 0.76
0.25 08:16 02:01 07:58 08:10 1.01
0.25 10:20 02:04 08:10 08:10 1.27
0.25 12:23 02:03 08:06 08:09 1.52
0.25 14:27 02:04 08:10 08:10 1.77
0.25 16:29 02:02 08:02 08:09 2.02
0.25 18:34 02:05 08:14 08:09 2.28
0.25 20:37 02:03 08:06 08:09 2.53
0.25 22:40 02:03 08:06 08:09 2.78
0.25 24:41 02:01 07:58 08:08 3.04
0.25 26:44 02:03 08:06 08:08 3.29
0.25 28:48 02:04 08:10 08:08 3.54
0.25 30:51 02:03 08:06 08:08 3.80
0.25 32:54 02:03 08:06 08:08 4.05
0.25 34:57 02:03 08:06 08:08 4.30
0.25 36:57 02:00 07:54 08:07 4.55
0.25 39:00 02:03 08:06 08:07 4.81
0.25 40:52 01:52 07:23 08:05 5.06

5000m on Fluid S350, 20:42, DATE, Fort Leavenworth KS

Nothing in the iThink.

WX at 1000: 70.0 (21.1) DP 64.9 (18.3) BP 30.1 (1019) SSW 12 RH 84

Odometer 3: 289.5mi N/A

Z3 high.

I'm never quite sure how to interpret my results when I spin on the Fluid. The Washing Machine, as my occasional running partner calls it, tends to give fast readings, even at low levels of resistance. This differs from the Concept, where low levels of resistance also register low levels of relative speed. Then again, the Fluid has a terrible computer and no real computation of drag factor other than wattage, which is always sketchy.

Still, I was gratified to spin 20:42 for 5000m, a time which I haven't run since I was 21. I doubt I'd have spun the same thing on the Concept, but that's okay.

What is also okay, is Johns Hopkins advancing to the national Division I final! They'll rematch the 2005 game where Duke and Hopkins fought it out in a close one for the national title. This year, though, I think it's going to Duke. Not that I don't want Hopkins to win - any year that Hopkins wins the national championship is good - but Duke brought out the heat in Baltimore this weekend.

I find it disgustingly ironic that I move just outside of Kansas City and I see more lacrosse on TV than I ever did in North Carolina.

Splits
Distance: 5000
Time: 0:20:42
Per 500m: 02:04
Drag Factor : 6
Per Mile: 0:06:40

4.6mi, 42:42, 25 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Death Cab for Cutie, "Title and Registration"

WX at 0600: 57.0 (13.9) DP 50.0 (10.0) BP 30.26 (1024) E 8 overcast RH 77

Odometer 4: 81.6mi

Z3.

I wasn't sure how I felt today but I think things have started to settle. My legs were still tired, which is somewhat annoying. I guess it could have been worse, at least today wasn't marked by the dead legs of yesterday.

More to follow on my Deep Blue Funk after graduation from the School of Advanced Military Heresy later. Maybe even a picture.

The Death Cab for Cutie song didn't hit until afterwards - but it was etched in my mind this morning. This may be an aftereffect of the Deep Blue Funk.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
4.64 42:42 42:42 09:12 09:12 4.64

3.0mi + 0.5mi, 27:35, 24 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Kristin Hersh, "Under The Gun"

WX at 0700: 70.0 (21.1) DP 59.0 (15.0) BP 29.95 (1014) S 17 overcast RH 68

Odometer 3: 289.5mi

Z2.

I was going to row this morning, but the chain on the Concept2 at the gym here at Fort Leavenworth is broken. Sucks. That would've been a fitting finish to the School of Advanced Military Heresy - as I had come here knowing there was a Concept. Well, maybe not anymore...

So I decided to run on the track. That sucked too. I found I was good for no more than simple wogging when I started out. So...based on that - that's what I did. However, there were some people on the track running a PT test. Now, if I can reel people in with a 9:08 pace and then burn them with an 8:30 (which is what I was running while most of the run event of the PT test was going on) then yes, bad discipline, but mentally fun, sort of.

Let's see if another day of easy wogging helps this, though. This dead legs stuff is really annoying.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.01 09:45 09:45 09:39 09:39 1.01
1.01 18:59 09:14 09:08 09:23 2.02
1.01 27:35 08:36 08:30 09:06 3.03

4.7mi, 40:33, 23 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

The Bats, "Courage"

WX at 1200: 73.9 (23.3) DP 64.0 (17.8) BP 29.99 (1015) S 18 overcast RH 71

Odometer 4: 77.0mi

Z3-4.

Still tired, still trying to get back in the saddle...and accidentally stood up my running partner this morning when I failed to show at 6:00am. He deservedly went without me. I felt like a dumbass.

Initially quick start was too quick for the relative level of effort. Nothing but positive splits = need to be more judicious.

Tomorrow is my graduation from the School of Advanced Military Heresy. One of my ROTC classmates at Johns Hopkins had predicted that I would go to the school...in 1990. It was with great satisfaction that I emailed him, 17 years later, about his uncanny prescience.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:14 02:14 08:18 08:18 0.27
1.24 12:24 10:10 08:12 08:13 1.51
0.85 19:54 07:30 08:49 08:26 2.36
1.24 30:26 10:32 08:30 08:27 3.60
0.85 38:04 07:38 08:59 08:33 4.45
0.27 40:33 02:29 09:12 08:35 4.72

4.0mi, 35:42 21 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"

WX at 0600: 59.0 (15.0) 50.0 (10.0) 29.98 (1015) SSE 9 RH 72

Odometer 3: 286.3mi

Z2-3.

I had the syndrome commonly known as Dead Legs today. I had absolutely no power going uphill, so once I was warmed up, I decided to run judiciously and not do anything really stupid. Four miles of almost-wogging. At least, it was after I warmed up.

Still, if I hadn't met my running partner this morning, I totally would've chickened out. He started out a little faster than I would've, but he's dealing with incipient plantar fascitis too.

Yesterday, I watched the Duke Blue Devils eviscerate the University of North Carolina Tar Heels...and revalidate why I call Duke the most lethal attack in Division I. If Johns Hopkins makes it to the finals, it will be ugly, and Duke'll be looking for payback.

There's always a part of me that wants to see Hopkins win the national championship. But I wouldn't have any severe heartburn with Duke lacrosse winning either, honestly. They're a good team and very capable of winning the national championship.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.86 07:06 07:06 08:18 08:18 0.86
0.73 13:25 06:19 08:39 08:28 1.59
0.98 22:34 09:09 09:18 08:47 2.57
0.78 29:37 07:03 09:02 08:50 3.35
0.65 35:42 06:05 09:22 08:56 4.00

5.6mi, 55:08, 19 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Working too hard for a mantra - Nothing in the iThink!

WX at 1000: 68.0 (20.0) DP 50.0 (10.0) BP 30.19 (1022) SW 14 clear RH 53

Odometer 4: 72.3mi

Z4, Z5 going uphill.

I had the Princess this morning, and I was paired with my usual morning running partner here. I was looking for something slow and it was suitably slow. Going uphill was brutal. The Princess with Baby Jogger = about 55 pounds. This made going uphill unbelievably painful.

Speaking of painful:
1 - you gotta be feeling it for Brett Queener and the Albany Great Danes, who lost a sudden death (what is this "sudden victory" bullshit that the announcers were using today?!) overtime to Cornell in the NCAA Division I lacrosse quarterfinals. They went to the wire with Cornell and it really could have gone either way...
2 - ...and you gotta be feeling it for Georgetown, who got annihilated by Johns Hopkins today, a team not known for a run-and-gun high scoring game. Hopkins' defense was killing the Hoyas, and the Bluejays have enough good outside shooters where the Georgetown goalie got shelled.

Alas, the Lady Jays did not fare so well against Duke today.

Go Jays, we want more!

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.11 21:25 21:25 10:09 10:09 2.11
3.11 52:42 31:17 10:04 10:06 5.22
0.33 55:08 02:26 07:22 09:56 5.55

0.5 + 3.0mi, 27:01, 17 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Circle Jerks, "Fortunate Son" (yes, a cover.)
Jane Siberry, "Mimi On The Beach"
The Connells, "Fun & Games"

WX at 0700: 50.0 (10.0) DP 36.0 (2.2) BP 30.32 (1026) NE 5 clear RH 58

Odometer 4: 66.8mi

Z2.

No a bad day of wogging. I exercised some discretion from yesterday as two hard days back to back would have been a colosally bad idea.

Today was intended to be an easy one, and it was. I went to the track and strove for consistency of pace, which actually ended up being negative splits as I ran progressively faster. Acceleration, though, was incremental, but steady as I progressively warmed up.

Man, am I glad I got up, though. I did think about sleeping in, though.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.01 09:12 09:12 09:07 09:07 1.01
1.01 18:15 09:03 08:58 09:02 2.02
1.01 27:01 08:46 08:41 08:55 3.03

Not Quite The Coolest Thing Ever

I can't believe Micro$oft is giving this away for free, in spite of its age.

I feel so retro it's criminal. I haven't used Word for DOS since...well, college.

I typed a large chunk of my sophomore thesis and senior thesis on Microsoft Word 3.0 running on a generic no-name 8088 laptop running, at the time, MS-DOS 3.3 on that box. The computer had a single 3.5" drive, parallel and serial ports, a supertwist grayscale LCD CGA screen and IIRC, 640K of RAM. I had a direct connect 300 baud modem that I could plug into one of the serial ports. (Yes, I was geek back then too.) Before being accused of being a Luddite, I was running Novell DOS (originally given life as DR-DOS from Digital Research before they got bought out by Novell in 1991) on my Northgate 386DX-20 at the time, which was my primary computer when I wasn't on the road.

All geekness aside - I had to download this one. Because!

6.8mi, 56:27, 16 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Bear McCreary, "All Along the Watchtower"

WX at 0700: 50.0 (10.0) DP 43.0 (6.1) BP 30.23 (1023) WNW 6 clear RH 76

Odometer 3: 282.3mi

Z3-4.

I so need to find a new mantra for the iThink.

I couldn't ask for better running WX today. Today marked a clear day, some wind but not too much, and perfect temperatures.

So...I felt like going about 7 - and the goal was to hold under 8:30 pace today. The start was a bit fast, admittedly, but once I had settled into pace, I think I was right on track - and my times were generally consistent. I think I would've slowed down some had I not felt the need to start burning people I saw in the distance. What in my mind was not a catharsis run had about the same level of intensity...meaning that even when I'm training, I still feel the need to, well, compete.

Still - a good indicator nonetheless...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:10 02:10 08:03 08:03 0.27
1.24 12:19 10:09 08:11 08:09 1.51
0.85 19:39 07:20 08:38 08:20 2.36
1.24 29:50 10:11 08:13 08:17 3.60
0.85 36:57 07:07 08:22 08:18 4.45
1.24 47:08 10:11 08:13 08:17 5.69
0.85 54:09 07:01 08:15 08:17 6.54
0.27 56:27 02:18 08:31 08:17 6.81

4.7mi, 41:51, 15 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Sarah Shannon, "City Morning Song"

WX at 0600: 64 (18) DP 62 (17) BP 30.00 (1015) NNW 13 heavy rain with thunder; mist RH 93

Odometer 3: 275.5mi

Z3.

Household6 said I was stupid to be running during a thunderstorm. IIRC, those are always the best runs. There's something curiously cathartic about a run in a rainstorm.

So it was thundering and raining. I briefly, very briefly, entertained the thought of chickening out. I also realized that I needed to get going again and sleeping in was not an option. This is where the prospect of a running partner (which I had this morning) was a powerful motivator not to blow the workout off, as I didn't want to stand him up. Once I was out the door, the rest was pretty academic.

Today was none too fast, as I was carrying on a conversation - but I was being relatively judicious as to pacing as I didn't want to get too ambitious on the road to recovery.

I don't know why the Sarah Shannon song keeps sticking in my head. I was a pretty partisan Velocity Girl fan in the day, but it's been a long while since I really listened to any of that, which is not really a reflection on Velocity Girl's comparative excellence.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.23 02:10 02:10 09:25 09:25 0.23
1.24 13:16 11:06 08:57 09:01 1.47
0.85 21:01 07:45 09:07 09:04 2.32
1.24 31:49 10:48 08:43 08:56 3.56
0.85 39:23 07:34 08:54 08:56 4.41
0.27 41:51 02:28 09:08 08:57 4.68

The Coolest Thing Ever

I'd never heard of Stephen Colbert, and I'd only tangentially heard of Rain, a long time ago, but this is by far the best laugh I've had in recent memory.

I did note that Rain's name in Hangul is the actual Hangul word for "rain," not some Koreanized phonetics for the English word, which I've seen from time to time.

This is so absolutely the heat...and the Korean is really bonafide Korean. His pronunciation isn't too bad either, in all honesty.

Enjoy...

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
He's Singing in Korean
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Fox News

4.4mi, 37:58, 13 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

The Bats, "Courage"
Bear McCreary, "Prelude to War"

WX at 0700: 63.0 (17.2) DP 55.0 (12.8) BP 30.16 (1021) SSE 5 sunny RH 75

Odometer 4: 63.3mi

Z3.

I needed to run, but wasn't sure how ambitious I felt. I really didn't, as it turned out. I was thinking about 20 laps, but only did 16 laps in lane 8 of the track here. Could be worse.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.11 09:34 09:34 08:37 08:37 1.11
1.11 19:05 09:31 08:34 08:35 2.22
1.11 28:37 09:32 08:35 08:35 3.33
1.11 37:58 09:21 08:25 08:33 4.44

3.15mi, 30:17, 11 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Nothing in the iThink. Idle discussion instead.

WX at 0700: 62.1 (16.7) DP 57.9 (14.4) BP 30.03 (1016) N 3 RH 86

Odometer 3: 269.9mi

Z2.

Easy wogging up a part of the Teardrop of Suck = slow hill work. Totally aerobic today as I didn't feel motivated to do much else.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.32 03:30 03:30 10:56 10:56 0.32
0.89 12:02 08:32 09:39 09:59 1.21
0.68 18:20 06:18 09:14 09:43 1.89
1.26 30:17 11:57 09:29 09:37 3.15

4.0mi, 35:08, 8 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Bear McCreary, "All Along the Watchtower"

WX at 0700: 59.0 (15.0) DP 57.0 (13.9) BP 30.13 (1020) Calm patches of fog RH 93

Odometer 4: 58.9mi

Z2.

First run in a while, I'm deliberately not going hard because my oral comprehensive for the School of Advanced Military Heresy is tomorrow, and life at home is back to its usual frigid self with the return of Household6. Fuck it.

Sometimes there's therapy in a four mile wog...or the basic fact that I wasn't going any faster since I had to take a pit stop and I didn't want to stop in such a short run.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.01 08:46 08:46 08:40 08:40 1.01
1.01 17:39 08:53 08:47 08:44 2.02
1.01 26:29 08:50 08:44 08:44 3.03
1.01 35:08 08:39 08:33 08:41 4.04

3.0mi at 56#, 49:31, 3 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

U2, "All Along the Watchtower" (it's covers week...)

WX at 1000: 60 (16) DP 59 (15) BP 29.86 (1011) E 13 light rain; mist RH 93

Odometer B3: 3.0mi

Z2.

Deliberately easy today. I just didn't really feel like going that fast. Tomorrow will be a run.

I almost chickened out, but I needed to do something after going to the slop trough at the local Chinese buffet restaurant.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.51 25:09 22:49 15:07 16:39 1.51
0.86 38:16 13:07 15:15 16:09 2.37
0.65 49:31 11:15 17:18 16:24 3.02

4.7mi, 41:17, 2 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

The Rolling Stones, "Gimme Shelter"

WX at 0900: 57.0 (13.9) 48.0 (8.9) 29.95 (1014) ENE 9 light rain RH 71

Odometer 3: 266.7mi

Z3.

And there is vindication in small mercies. The fact that I can still run 8:45 pace on virtually no running in the last two months is a sign that the rebuilding, while shitty, won't be hopeless.

I figured a day off the Big Green Tick might be a good idea for today, especially since it was lightly raining and there was torrential downpour yesterday.

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:25 02:25 08:57 08:57 0.27
1.24 13:25 11:00 08:52 08:53 1.51
0.85 20:56 07:31 08:51 08:52 2.36
1.24 31:41 10:45 08:40 08:48 3.60
0.85 38:57 07:16 08:33 08:45 4.45
0.27 41:17 02:20 08:39 08:45 4.72

4.0mi at 55#, 61:29, 1 MAY 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Bear McCreary, "All Along the Watchtower"

WX at 1000: 69.1 (20.6) 62.1 (16.7) 29.94 (1013) S 7 clear

Odometer B1: 12.0mi

Z3.

Putting the Big Green Tick on my back tends to aggravate my incipient arthritis. I am getting faster, though. Just not fast enough. Yet.

The standard is 15 minutes per mile. I'm not quite there yet, but progress is better than nothing, and I am, for all intents and purposes, rebuilding.

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.86 13:07 13:07 15:15 15:15 0.86
0.73 24:46 11:39 15:58 15:35 1.59
0.98 40:01 15:15 15:34 15:34 2.57
0.78 52:17 12:16 15:44 15:36 3.35
0.65 61:29 09:12 14:09 15:22 4.00

4.0mi at 55#, 66:12, 29 APR 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Hannah Montana, "Just Like You" (I am so embarrassed to have this as an iThink mantra.)

WX at 1100: 75.0 (23.9) 53.1 (11.7) 30.11 (1019) WSW 12 sunny RH 47

Odometer B1: 8.0mi

Z2-3.

First substantive PT in a WEEK! Now that the PT test is done, I can concentrate on roadmarching...and maybe some weight loss as well.

I had the Princess in a Baby Jogger II, so I was pushing almost the same amount as I was rucking. Yay.

It's progress. Can't say no to that.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.86 13:38 13:38 15:56 15:56 0.86
0.73 26:10 12:32 17:10 16:30 1.59
0.98 42:15 16:05 16:21 16:26 2.57
0.78 54:57 12:42 16:17 16:24 3.35
0.65 66:12 11:15 17:18 16:33 4.00

Record APFT, 282 points, Fort Leavenworth, KS

Morrissey, "You're the One For Me, Fatty"

WX at 1000: 69.1 (20.6) DP 46.0 (7.8) BP 30.07 (1018) S 18 clear RH 44

Odometer 4: 54.4mi

Z4.

Slowest PT test I've ever run, again. The goal was to exceed 70 points, which I did. This is fucking pathetic. I did remark on the windspeed this morning, so that probably had something to do with it also.

My single parenting has destroyed my running, and today was testament to that destruction. I can pass the PT test. I can max, with comparative ease, the first two events, so that has not changed, much.

I find it ultimately ironic that the event that should be my weakest (push-ups, which is supposed to measure upper-body strength) is by far and away my strongest. The event on which I work the most is the one by far and away my weakest. What the fuck?

15:22, holy fucking shit.

Still, the standard is 180. I exceeded 60 points in every event, and I really have no pride in results, so fuck it. I passed, that's the only thing that matters.

Splits

Pushups: 78 in 1:01 (voluntary stop)
Situps: 78 in 1:42 (voluntary stop)

2 Mile Run:
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 07:23 07:23 07:23 07:23 1.00
1.00 15:22 07:59 07:59 07:41 2.00

The Coolest Thing Ever

I got into a lot of trouble, when I was a captain, for quoting John Boyd. I guess my brigade commander at the time didn't like what I had to say.

In return, I've turned into one of Boyd's biggest disciples. Those who have been sitting in classes with me have had Boyd crammed down their throat on at least one or two occasions, by yours truly.

So, when I found out there was an OODA Loop at Maxwell AFB, I had to find a photo.

An interesting tribute to a guy who was persona non grata in the Air Force for so long.

3.7mi, 32:23, 17 APR 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Trey Parker, "America, Fuck Yeah"
Random background music from some military instructional videos

WX at 1400: 70.0 (21.1) DP 41.0 (5.0) BP 29.9 (1012) SSE 8 overcast RH 34

Odometer 3: 262.0mi

Z3.

The weather was as good as it's been, ever, for an easy run.

I probably should be doing an easier taper, but I'm trying to get at least a little easy work in to offset the utter lack of training I've done in the last month.

The last few years, my physical fitness test scores have been in the 295 or so out of 300. This year, I think I'll be exceedingly thankful to get a 270. The lack of running has been that devastating.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.86 07:15 07:15 08:28 08:28 0.86
0.73 13:47 06:32 08:57 08:41 1.59
1.01 22:46 08:59 08:52 08:45 2.60
0.83 29:59 07:13 08:42 08:44 3.43
0.27 32:23 02:24 08:53 08:45 3.70

3.7mi, 31:13, 16 APR 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

Chris Cornell, "You Know My Name"

WX at 0700: 44.1 (6.7) DP 33.1 (0.6) BP 30.15 (1020) SSW 6 clear RH 65

Odometer 4: 50.4mi

Z3-4.

I took the entire weekend off starting Friday. My parents were in town and I was flying solo with the Princess and Sledgehammer. For a variety of reasons, Household6 and I are going along separate, but probably eventually convergent paths. Life is eventful.

A surprisingly fast start led to positive splits during the entire run. I should've known better.

Still, I needed to finish fast, so I started fast. The other contributor to positive splits was a growing realization that I needed to get to a latrine Real Soon Now. That never helps.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.86 06:42 06:42 07:50 07:50 0.86
0.73 12:50 06:08 08:24 08:05 1.59
0.98 21:15 08:25 08:34 08:16 2.57
0.86 28:50 07:35 08:48 08:24 3.43
0.27 31:13 02:23 08:50 08:26 3.70

3.0mi, 28:05, 12 APR 07, Tampa FL

No iThink- all conversation this morning.

WX at 0700 at KTPA: 70.2 (21.2) DP 68.4 (20.2) BP 29.9 (1012) S 7 mostly cloudy RH 94

Odometer 3: 258.3mi

Z2.

Nothing fancy, nothing fast. I was feel most definitely slow after a lot of beer last night and some pointed professional discussion with a bunch of my friends and classmates at SAMS.

I may not run tomorrow; I have an early plane flight. If I do I have to wake up very, very early.

This is probably a good taper for my PT test next week, though. Slow first lap was from a long break at an intersection when I forgot to stop the clock.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.25 03:16 03:16 13:04 13:04 0.25
1.59 17:22 14:06 08:52 09:26 1.84
0.15 18:38 01:16 08:37 09:23 1.99
1.04 28:05 09:27 09:06 09:17 3.03

4.5mi, 39:21, 11 APR 07, Tampa FL

Bear McCreary, "The Shape of Things to Come"
Bear McCreary, "All Along the Watchtower"

WX at 0700 at KTPA: 64 (18) DP 62 (17) BP 29.82 (1009) NNE 3 mist RH 93

Odometer 3: 254.3mi

Z3.

Nothing fancy, and my legs were dead. I did drink a little more beer last night than usual, which is kind of routine for temporary duty. No big deal, but I was going to run it out, and that largely happened. It's damned humid here in Tampa, but it was raining cats and dogs yesterday and it's been a while since I've run in 60-some degree weather.

I may also be feeling Sunday's intervals.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.22 02:05 02:05 09:28 09:28 0.22
1.35 13:58 11:53 08:48 08:54 1.57
1.35 25:53 11:55 08:50 08:52 2.92
1.35 37:28 11:35 08:35 08:46 4.27
0.22 39:21 01:53 08:34 08:46 4.49

Another lost friend

Captain Jon Grassbaugh, a 2003 Johns Hopkins graduate, died three days ago of an IED strike in Iraq.

I'm sure more details will shake out; the official casualty report will probably go out later today.

This is another sad instance of someone now lost for who I'd like to think I had some, however small, influence. He and I had talked about the nature of life in the 82d Airborne as an armor officer, a commonality which he and I had once shared, although at different times. He and I were both members of the Pershing Rifles military honor society during our years at Hopkins, which was how I ended up meeting him in the first place.

Jon is the second person I've found out about in the last four days who has died in Diyala Province, an area for which I had some nominal planning responsibility when I was in Iraq a year ago as a division strategic planner.

Some errata: Jon graduated from Hopkins in 2003, not 2002. I hadn 't realized he was regimentally affiliated to the 7th Cavalry, an organization whose history I actually know well...having been a member once.

I wonder, from time to time, if he stuck out at Philips Exeter Academy because he contemplated joining the military...something which I don't really associate with the prep school crowd. It was certainly the exception rather than the rule in the Virginia prep school I attended for twelve years.

On the web:
The New Hampshire Union-Leader
The Johns Hopkins Gazette

5.5mi including 8x407 intervals, 9 APR 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

The Connells, "Fun & Games"
that dog., "Retreat From The Sun"

WX at 0700: 30.0 (-1.1) DP 18.0 (-7.8) BP 30.07 (1018) SSE 6 overcast RH 60 WC 23 (-5)

Odometer 4: 46.7mi

Z4 high intervals, Z1 finishing wog.

407m intervals come from running in lane 2 the entire time; better to run slower intervals than to run faster ones for length of distance. This will be better when I actually do the distance for record.

First interval work in a long, long time. These splits are really not promising, but they're better than nothing else at all.

I found that I could reasonably hold 104 seconds/lap and not completely kill myself - it was when I started speeding up to 100/lap that the rest times started going noticeably longer.

By lap 8, I was pretty well done.

I took about 20 minutes of wogging (to expend lactic acid buildup) afterwards, so I'll estimate that at about 2 miles or so.

Splits (split/rest)
1: 104/78
2: 102/89
3: 104/98
4: 100/97
5: 105/107
6: 104/102
7: 100/95
8: 107/123

A eulogy for one of my old soldiers

The ongoing war - and yes, America, there is a war - is a pervasive aspect of my daily life. There are, however, none more pervasive than when someone I know personally shows up in the news for the wrong reasons.

Sergeant Jason Swiger, of the 5th Squadron, 73d Cavalry, died on 25 March when a suicide bomber attacked his convoy in Baqubah, Diyala Province.

I've known personally a few people who have died in combat in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Some of them I knew relatively well, some less so. I was then-Private Swiger's first troop commander when he got out to the force from Fort Knox, where he did his basic and advanced individual training. He was, like many of my paratroopers, a bit brash, but young, with the enthusiasm that comes with youth and perceived indestructibility.

He was not a model soldier all the time - and reading about his life from before he came into the Army, I can see where he got his wry streak. Sometimes it would get him in trouble. I remember, very dispassionately at the time, having to administer nonjudicial punishment for not showing up to work on time. Some soldiers would take that as victimization, and not move beyond it. Jason Swiger was not one of those people. He eventually grew the maturity to go beyond his childhood and become the leader of men that he eventually became. He would make his rank back before too long, and he did.

It doesn't surprise me that he died handing out candy to children; behind his smartass exterior was a truly good heart.

The last time I saw him, he was a specialist, two ranks above that which I had once reduced him. I'd been gone from the troop two years by then; I was visiting to see how some of the old troops were that were still there from my term as commander. Then-Specialist Swiger and I had a nice chat. He still had his irrepressible energy - and told me with great (and greatly deserved) pride that he had passed his promotion board and was getting ready to be promoted to sergeant.

For the uninitiated, this is a big deal. Troops can hide out as a specialist and shirk authority. Once those soldiers become sergeants, though, and don their "hard stripes," as the idiom goes, they are in a position of authority, and as a commander, I leaned hard on my sergeants to exercise that leadership.

I regret that I never did find out when his promotion ceremony was. I very much would have liked to have congratulated him on his hard stripes, which he earned in spades in his salad days.

He went back, of his own accord, to talk to students from his high school about life in the Army, and about the war. I think talking about the war to that generation carries a lot more credence coming from someone like Jason than it would from me, who is now old enough to be part of the Establishment.

As the Army goes into its fourth year of combat in Iraq, I wonder where we get patriots like Jason Swiger. I think his legacy will be in all the soldiers he touched in his all-too-brief time on this earth. I know that the world is a lesser place for his untimely passing, and only now, recognize the truly great privilege it had been to have once been his commanding officer.

Rest easy, Jason. You earned it.

On the web:
From the Portland, Maine Press-Herald
From the Falmouth, Maine Forecaster
From WCSH, NBC affiliate in Portland, Maine

4.7mi, 41:28, 8 APR 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

The Millions, "Be Good to Me"

WX at 0600: 21.0 (-6.1) DP 10.0 (-12.2) BP 30.21 (1023) WNW 6 clear RH 61 WC 14 (-10)

Odometer 3: 249.8mi

Z3.

First run in about a week of ANY kind. Today was run conservatively as a result - and for good reason.

In spite of it, the splits were not so bad - the fact that the second lap was markedly faster than the first was encouraging - and that I can breathe again now that the Cold From Hell is almost completely gone is a good sign as well.

I can't believe it's been below freezing most of the last three days. It's April. This place was over 100F last summer. What gives?

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:23 02:23 08:52 08:52 0.27
1.24 13:04 10:41 08:37 08:39 1.51
0.85 20:50 07:46 09:08 08:50 2.36
1.24 31:37 10:47 08:42 08:47 3.60
0.85 39:06 07:29 08:48 08:47 4.45
0.27 41:28 02:22 08:46 08:47 4.72