7.8mi, 69:40, 23 May 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 101 of the campaign.

iThink:
Kutless, "Somewhere In the Sky"
Chris Stamey, "16 Shades of Green"

WX at 0130: 68 (20) DP 53 (12) BP 29.88 (1012) Variable 2 RH 59

Odometer 3: 33.8mi

Z2-3.

Today was very deliberate wogging. I did not try to go fast, I deliberately started slow, like marathon pace.

Not surprisingly, I ran smoother, and ran continuously negative splits, and actually had a relatively fast, for the most part effortless finish.

Now I have the munchies. Yes, the time on the weather is correct, I really was running at 1:30am here.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.17 10:58 10:58 09:22 09:22 1.17
1.83 28:02 17:04 09:20 09:21 3.00
1.46 41:06 13:04 08:57 09:13 4.46
2.09 59:35 18:29 08:51 09:06 6.55
0.76 66:05 06:30 08:33 09:02 7.31
0.45 69:40 03:35 07:58 08:59 7.76

6.0mi, 51;24, 21 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 99 of the campaign.

iThink: Kutless, "Somewhere in the Sky"

WX at 0730: 73 (23) DP 23 (-5) BP 29.88 (1012) NW 5 RH 15

Odometer 2: 147.0mi

Z3-4.

Crunched against a deadline = fast run. Or, more likely, as fast as I can go, which is not all that fast lately.

My hamstrings are sore and rather tired, so I'm tapering from here on out...since I have a physical fitness test in a few days.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.18 09:55 09:55 08:24 08:24 1.18
1.82 25:31 15:36 08:34 08:30 3.00
1.82 41:19 15:48 08:41 08:34 4.82
1.17 51:24 10:05 08:37 08:35 5.99

4.0mi, 34:19, 20 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 98 of the campaign.

iThink:
Sonny Rhodes, "Ballad of Serenity" (yes, the Firefly theme song)
Bear McCreary, "Storming New Caprica"

WX at 0830: 69 (21) DP 26 (-3) BP 29.97 (1015) WNW 6 RH 19

Odometer 3: 26.0mi

Z4.

Slow start, quicker finish, all negative splits, a good sign overall. I am going off CrossFit if I'm killing myself just to hold an 8:30 pace at the start, though. My legs are still dead tired.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.01 08:53 08:53 08:48 08:48 1.01
1.00 17:19 08:26 08:26 08:37 2.01
2.02 34:19 17:00 08:25 08:31 4.03

7.8mi, 68:55, 18 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 96 of the campaign.

iThink:
The Bats, "Courage"
Kim-Lian, "Kids In America"

WX at 0830: 80 (27) DP 25 (-3) BP 29.91 (1013) 16G25 RH 13

Odometer 2: 141.0mi

Z3.

Yep, you read that right, 16 mph gusting to 25 mph. This is something different - running straight headlong into a 25 mph headwind. That is suck, although probably not as much suck as killing yourself just to run a 9 minute mile.

I suspect I'm going to taper off CrossFit for a few days as my legs are totally dead. Dead, dead, dead.

On the other hand, it was useful to have the Forerunner 305 to give me an idea of just how slow I'd gotten.

Still, this was worth the run.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
7.76 68:55 08:55 08:53 08:53 7.76

2.0mi hash, 39:52, 15 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 93 of the campaign.

iThink: none.

WX at 2230: 71 (22) DP 28 (-2) BP 30.03 (1017) N 20 RH 20

Odometer 1: 252.0mi

Z2.

The wogging I did this morning was easy money, and for a good reason, actually.

Today marks the first time I decided to try using technology on trail for real - and it was actually fairly rewarding. I received a Garmin Forerunner 305 in the mail, and I must admit the thing works like a champ compared to my old Timex Speed+Distance Ironman watch.

This is the first time I've been able to divine distance quickly, just for curiosity's sake.

On hashing - this was a good trail. It did a great job of keeping the pack together, and more importantly, it didn't sacrifice the trail for punishment. This is the shortest trail I've run in a long while, but it did most of what it was intended to do - and frankly, that's the best thing about a hash. It's certainly not about the competitive aspects that aren't supposed to exist!

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.04 39:52 39:52 19:33 19:33 2.04

4.1mi, 38:00, 15 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 93 of the campaign.

iThink:
Juliana Hatfield, "When You Loved Me"
James Horner, "Genesis Countdown"


WX at 0830: 75 (24) DP 33 (1) BP 30.00 (1016) SSE 3 RH 22

Odometer 3: 22.0mi

Z2-3.

After last night's grind, I decided four miles of easy wogging was in order, so I did. Today's run was to do one thing - burn lard, and do nothing else.

It also provided some time for reflection, which I don't usually get at the workplace because the pace is a mite nutty lately.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.05 19:11 19:11 09:21 09:21 2.05
2.05 38:00 18:49 09:11 09:16 4.10

4.0mi on elliptical, 30:05, 14 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 92 of the campaign.

iThink: Tommy Keene, "Alta Loma"

WX at 2330: 71 (22) DP 30 (-1) BP 29.97 (1015) W 6 RH 22

Odometer 2: 133.1mi

Z4 by heart rate.
Average heart rate ~ 160.

I decided to weenie out and not run tonight at night...so I decided on doing four relatively fast elliptimiles. I was pleasantly surprised at the speed - although I know it's not necessarily correlative with run speed. I started going at about 7mph, and once I was warmed up, I realized that going 9.5-10mph was not as hard on the elliptical as I thought...so I cranked on.

4.1mi, 34:52, 13 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 91 of the campaign.

iThink: Tommy Keene, "Alta Loma"

WX at 0930: 77 (25) DP 32 (0) BP 30.03 (1017) NNW 5 RH 19

Odometer 2: 129.1mi

Z3 high.

Today was pleasantly nice for a run - so I decided to go for a run...after sleeping through three alarms.

Still, I needed a break from doing CrossFit, especially after 120 pull-ups (of varying levels of poor quality) and 120 dips (of equally shoddy extension).

One of my gripes about CrossFit is the relative lack of aerobic work - and I don't have the latitude to do two PT sessions a day most of the time.

So I ran today - because I have to. The fact that I thought I was moving out and only going 8:30 pace is pretty sad.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.05 17:27 17:27 08:31 08:31 2.05
2.05 34:52 17:25 08:30 08:30 4.10

7.8mi, 69:01, 11 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 89 of the campaign.

iThink:
background music to the game Puppy Luv (my kids have this game)
Anberlin, "Cold War Transmissions"
The Bats, "Courage"
Michael Kamen, Band of Brothers Suite 2
Armor for Sleep, "Frost and Front Steps"

WX at 1830: 78 (26) DP 14 (-10) BP 29.91 (1013) NNE 15G32 RH 8

Odometer 3: 16.9mi

Z3.

The slowing trend continues - although I knew I had accumulated enough sleep to sleep through three separate alarms last night - which is, in my opinion, a dangerous level of tiredness.

Today's CrossFit also involved a fair number of squats, so it's no accident my legs were tired.

I still needed to burn lard, so I ran. The Asics GT-2130 trail shoes did not feel as smooth as I'd once thought. Some of it might be socks, but some of it may be that it's the second time I've worn these shoes and the conditions, based on prevailing winds, were borderline hostile. It is very little accident I was running progressive positive splits as I spent a good chunk of the last three miles running into the wind. When it's 15mph gusting to 32, it's a little more than I normally like.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:59 08:59 08:59 08:59 1.00
2.00 26:30 17:31 08:46 08:50 3.00
2.73 50:40 24:10 08:51 08:51 5.73
2.05 69:01 18:21 08:57 08:52 7.78

7.8mi, 68:53, 9 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 88 of the campaign.

iThink: Kutless, "Somewhere in the Sky"

WX at 2359: 55 (13) DP 32 (0) BP 29.97 (1015) WNW 7 RH 40

Odometer 2: 125.0mi

Z3.

I was unable to get much beyond steady state. My legs are too tired from lack of sleep, combined with heavy lifting, with inconsistent running.

The few times I get to run, it's slow and painful, although I think my really irregular sleep hours have something to do with it. I need to run, but eating dinner at 8:30pm means that I have to wait a few hours before it settles - and there is no time otherwise in the day to do it. The alternative is that I wake up early - and I can only burn the candle at both ends before things start to go very, very wrong.

When there are people in combat who will have to execute the orders I write, I owe it to them to do the best work I can. Period.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:01 09:01 09:01 09:01 1.00
2.00 26:31 17:30 08:45 08:50 3.00
4.78 08:53 42:22 08:52 08:51 7.78

1.0+7.8mi, 66:05, 7 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 85 of the campaign.

iThink:
The All-American Rejects, "11:11pm"
The Bats, "Courage"

WX at 2230: 64 (18) 33 (1) 30.00 (1016) SSW 6 RH 31

Odometer 3: 9.0mi

Z5, then Z3.

Today's CrossFit was supposed to be 4x880yd. I got through two with the most colossal side stitch I've ever had. That might follow for doing speedwork only a mere 45 minutes after dinner, but I don't like skipping meals and I need to work out. I got through two at a pathetically slow 4:00 and 4:30, and then gave up and ran almost 8.

I almost woofed and I have bad hiccups. I gotta eat earlier.

For all the pain involved in CrossFit, I am getting stronger. I ran faster off less effort because my legs and other musculature was stronger. Can't argue with that.

On the bright side, I really like my new Asics GT-2130 Trail shoes!

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.00 25:35 25:35 08:32 08:32 3.00
4.78 66:05 40:30 08:28 08:30 7.78

6.0mi, 52:45, 4 May 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 82 of the campaign.

iThink:
Tears for Fear, "Snatches of Pain" (curiously appropriate)
Journey, "Only the Young"
Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, "The Girl from Ipanema"

WX at 0830: 69 (21) DP 39 (4) BP 29.97 (1015) NNW 5 RH 32

Odometer 2: 117.1mi

Z3/4.

All the CrossFit I've been doing has one side effect - my legs are completely dead. I was killing myself just to hold this pace today because I have no power in my quadriceps or calves.

Yesterday involved similar amounts of heavy lifting, mostly involve barbell jerks and presses. My legs, however, were also involved, but I think most of it is because of the 300 squats I did two days ago.

This is transitory, I suspect, but it didn't make for a very enjoyable run in some ways.

The other thing I don't like about waking up early and running right away is that it takes me a little while to hydrate, and there are few things less enjoyable than running with a completely dry mouth.

I know it's going to be a rough one when the only mantra in the last two miles of this run is "The Girl from Ipanema," which roughly equates to my "get through it" background tune.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.00 26:11 26:11 08:44 08:44 3.00
3.00 52:45 26:34 08:51 08:48 6.00

heavy lifting + ~1mi, time indeterminate, 2 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 80 of the campaign.

iThink: Armor for Sleep, "Frost and Front Steps"

WX at 2030: 71 (22) DP 26 (-3) BP 29.85 (1011) S 6 RH 18

Odometer 2: 110.1mi

Z4.

How can only one indeterminate mile be a zone 4 workout?

Try 100 pullups, 200 pushups, and 300 squats first. I am frankly surprised that I didn't woof. Thus goes another CrossFit workout - although it seems to work and I'll hopefully reap the benefits in a few weeks. Or something like that.

In the meantime, it's time to get more than 3 hours of sleep. I have noticed that the jet fighters near my hooch don't wake me up in the middle of the night when I'm already asleep. Whee.

Distance indeterminate, time indeterminate, 1 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 79 of the campaign.

iThink: "The All-American Soldier" (Yes. I have no idea why.)

WX at 2130: 71 (22) DP 19 (-7) BP 29.97 (1015) N 17 RH 14

Odometer 1: 250.0mi eqivalent

Z3.

Nothing like haring a hash run that turns into a rout - I had to go to ground to avoid getting bagged. I did successfully recover and finish the run. It was messy, but most importantly, people had fun, so that was by far the most important part.

I was haring with El Gato and the unnamed coworker tonight. Good times! It was good fun, seriously.

Lesson learned: route selection, route selection, route selection. Actually, once I was warmed up, running was easier than I thought!

I don't think I've ever been in a place where the relative humidity was so low. Egad.

In the meantime, I call home and listen to my house getting hit by coin-sized pieces of hail. Nice.

4.1mi, 36:41, 1 MAY 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 79 of the campaign.

iThink: Kutless, "Somewhere in the Sky"

WX at 0800: 66 (19) DP 33 (1) BP 30.06 (1018) WNW 6 haze RH 29

Odometer 2: 109.0mi

Z3.

Today is one of those singularly bizarre days that I woke up after only about four hours of sleep and for whatever reason or another felt completely rested - to the point where I felt froggy to go for what is now a fairly rare morning run.

It doesn't change that there's a big difference between running at night and running during the day - and I like running at night because there's less traffic, less dust, and perhaps more significantly, I'm not running under the sun.

The alternate explanation is that CrossFit is actually working for me, sort of.

This will be one of two runs today - another rarity, which I probably need to start doing again. I suspect I'll be haring tonight since it's been two weeks since the last hash here and I think they need an experienced hare.

This has to be at least marginally safer than the last run I did, though...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.05 18:20 18:20 08:57 08:57 2.05
2.05 36:41 18:21 08:57 08:57 4.10

Jesus Titty Fucking Christ

Day 77 of the campaign.

iThink: None.

WX at 2300: 68 (20) DP 32 (0) BP 30.00 (1016) Variable 2 RH 26

Odometer 2: 104.9mi

Z2-3.

This is my first run since the abortive attempt a few days ago.

Work has been absolutely fucking insane lately.

Another one of my coworkers has been trying to get me to do Crossfit with him. It's not to the extent of do it until you barf, but it's working parts that I didn't - and as a rule, I'll try almost anything once.

The same coworker (and I haven't come up with a catchy name for him yet) is a hare for this Thursday's hash. We were scouting trail as an alternative workout and we decided to climb over a wall. The place looked mostly cleared, but I wasn't sure. After seeing nothing that even looked like tire tracks or a foot path, we ran across a field, and saw some plastic red marking tape...with the word "DANGER" on it. I'm thinking "did I just do what I think I did?"

...and uttered the words that adorn the title of this blog entry.

No Splits.

~5.0mi, 54:01, 27 APR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 75 of the campaign.

iThink:
Game Theory, "Drive"
Veruca Salt, "Awesome"

WX at 0830: 64 (18) DP 23 (-5) BP 30.06 (1018) WNW 14 RH 20

Odometer 2: 101.4mi

Z2-3.

I felt like total and complete crap this morning...which might partly be due to it being my first run back since returning from Qatar.

4,890 feet is officially no joke. I am not kidding if I think I was running slower than 10:00/mile.

Of course, the other contributing factor was a 22km/h headwind for most of the run, but I've been so used to running in the afternoon and evening that I wasn't very hydrated. The skinny is that I need to spend about an hour prior to the run actually getting water in. Starting off with a dry mouth is not a good sign.

I've also been lifting certain things I haven't in the past, so that's another contributing factor. Still, between winds, general lack of conditioning, and the fact that I've managed to gain something like six pounds in the last two weeks, not good indicators...

No splits warranted for a run this slow!

9.3mi, 82:59, 23 APR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 72 of the campaign.

iThink:
Blue Oyster Cult, "Don't Fear The Reaper"
All-American Rejects, "Move Along"

WX at 2000: 78 (26) DP 62 (17) BP 29.91 (1013) N 3 RH 57

Odometer 2: 96.4mi

Z3.

I am not kidding. I ran this at Z3 pretty much the entire way through. I had been meaning to run a 3-lapper around the compound here, and I did - without significant effort.

I am really, really glad that I was able to run negative splits, especially at the end. This is the longest run I've done since getting into theater, and it was damned therapeutic.

The one sobering thing about today's run is that it's been three years since Thor, quite possibly one of the most faithful companions I've ever had, died of old age. I still miss him. It was no accident today that I was imagining him running alongside, like he used to do when he was still with us.

I'm not a religious person, but there's a thought in the back of my mind that someday, in some better place, I'll be reunited today with Thor and all the people long gone that I had loved.

I don't observe the Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday, but there are plenty of times that I've thought, just one more moment with some of the family that I'd lost long ago. Some of that includes my grandmother, Thor, and one of my uncles, who died of stomach cancer a few weeks ago.

I also need to call my sister, since today's her birthday.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.10 28:50 28:50 09:18 09:18 3.10
3.10 56:27 27:37 08:55 09:06 6.20
3.10 82:59 26:32 08:34 08:55 9.30

6,000m on Concept2 Model D, 25:44, 21 APR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

iThink: nothing. I was too busy paying attention to form and watching the start of the Women's elite leg of the Boston Marathon today.

WX at 1600: 84 (29) DP 59 (15) BP 29.80 (1009) NNE 14 widespread dust RH 34

Odometer 2: 87.0mi equivalent.

Z3, Z4 finish.

I wasn't expecting to crank as fast as I did today, but it was cool inside (and 84F outside). Then I got some lifting in afterwards. I notice usually that when I spin on a Concept, and I don't look at the screen, I tend to row faster, and better. I was also concentrating on smoothness today, which seemed to get me an extra second or two per 500m. Every second counts, and I suspect this is actually my PR for 6,000m, which given that I'm effectively at sea level (making both the machine and myself more efficient after training at altitude the last month), shouldn't surprise me.

Still, I'm going to try to squeeze in a long slow three-lapper so I can say I've run 9.3 before I leave...which is the plan, but maybe not necessarily in execution.

Splits
Distance: 6000
Time: 0:25:44
Per 500m: 02:09
Drag Factor : 204
Per Mile: 0:06:54

6.2mi, 49:53, 20 APR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 69 of the campaign.

iThink: The Cure, "A Forest"

WX at 2000: 82 (28) DP 51 (11) BP 29.77 (1008) SE 6 widespread dust RH 34

Odometer 2: 84.6mi

Z4.

This doesn't factor in a slow easy run I did two days ago which I forgot to log. My legs are still tired, if today was any indicator, but I didn't realize it was over 80 degrees until I checked the weather.

I was somewhat dismayed that I wasn't running as fast as I thought I was...until I realized I'd cut a respectable negative split when I did my second lap.

Then...I was witness to some particularly bad small-mindedness tonight. I was at the bar here at As Sayliyah tonight with a Navy Reserve commander who kept asserting that "you don't know shit." I tend to be a pretty tolerant guy most of the time, but I don't suffer fools too well. I may have been a little curt in my response of "okay, sir, whatever," but if someone feels compelled to pull rank off duty because he feels insecure and someone junior to him by rank decided to publicly challenge his incorrect statements, it's an indicator that he really does feel like he has something to compensate for. Myself...I don't feel like I have to compensate for anything; I am who I am. I find it laughably sad, but I don't work for him, I don't need his approval for my own edification, and as I pointed out to some other folks who were witness to it...he effectively doesn't exist to me.

Some people might be a little surprised that I can write people off at the drop of a hat, but frankly, I don't need anything from him personally or professionally, so for all intents and purposes, he's dead to me. Some people think that's unkind, but it's not an overstatement to say that I honestly wouldn't care if he suffered death by misadventure - not that it's very likely in Qatar, of all places.

To quote the Intrepid Coworker, "it is what it is."

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.10 25:08 25:08 08:06 08:06 3.10
3.10 49:53 24:45 07:59 08:03 6.20

6.2mi, 51:36, 17 APR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 64 of the campaign.

iThink: Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"

WX at 0600: 75 (24) DP 68 (20) BP 29.80 (1009) SE 5 RH 79

Odometer 2: 76.3mi

Z3.

I did two days of PT consecutively for the first time in a while. It was rougher than I thought, partly because it was more humid than I thought.

I was told afterwards I didn't look very happy.

I got a haircut after I realized how much I was sweating this morning.

Still, working but not killing myself for average paces so far is a good sign, mostly.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.11 25:17 25:17 08:08 08:08 3.11
3.11 51:36 26:19 08:28 08:18 6.22

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 43:50, 15 APR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 63 of the campaign.

iThink:
Bear McCreary, "Violence and Variations"

WX at 1700: 82 (28) DP 60 (16) BP 29.83 (1010) NNE 10 RH 47

Odometer 2: 70.0mi equivalent.

Z3 high.

Today marks my return to Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, for work-related reasons. It sure is weird being back here after a month. It's even weirder since the room in which I'm billeted is all of one room removed from where I stayed with The Intrepid Coworker (now back at home) a month ago. Wacky.

I can definitely feel being back down at sea level - but the real proof of the pudding is going to be when I go running. Today marked the first time spinning on the Concept2 (and the gym here has not only a Model C, but also a Model D, so naturally I went to the Model D) in a while. I noticed the drag factors go up dramatically as the air gets thicker, which is consistent with the way a Concept2 is supposed to work. I still had to work my ass off to get what I considered an acceptable time.

I sure wouldn't mind buying a Concept Model C or something like it - but it may have to wait until after I get back home from this long deployment.

Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 0:43:50
Per 500m: 02:11
Drag Factor : 200
Per Mile: 0:07:03

7.8mi, 66:54, 14 APR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 62 of the campaign.

iThink: "Johnny Hopkins" (yes, that song at the end of every winning Hopkins lacrosse game.)

WX at 0930: 50 (10) 46 (8) 30.00 (1016) Variable 3 light rain showers

Odometer 2: 67.5mi

Z3.

Not so bad, not so great. My legs and hip flexors were really feeling doing nothing but long runs - which implies that these longer runs are actually toughening me up, or so I'd like to believe.

I did loosen up near the end, and finished relatively smooth.

All that was punctuated by "dammit!" when I realized I didn't have my room key. Fortunately, I'd locked it in my room...rather than leaving it somewhere on the road to be found by someone else. Oops.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
4.72 40:41 40:41 08:37 08:37 4.72
3.08 66:54 26:13 08:31 08:35 7.80

7.8mi, 67:53, 12 APR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 60 of the campaign.

iThink:
Bettie Serveert, "Smack"
R.E.M., "Driver 8"
R.E.M., "West of the Fields"
Bear McCreary, "Violence and Variations"

WX at 1900: 60 (16) DP 26 (-3) BP 29.97 (1015) N 14 RH 26

Odometer 1: 244.0mi

Z3.

Today was a day to unload, and think, somewhat. It was not a day for killing myself to get a personal record, and today's time reflects that relative effort. It also reflects the soreness I still feel in my legs after going full bore on Thursday.

I did feel relatively relaxed, so I was running at under anaerobic threshold. It should be interesting to see what I can pull out when I'm back at sea level. I'll find that out shortly.

I'm surprised I had as much in the iThink as I had today, though.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
7.80 67:53 07:53 08:42 08:42 7.80

7.8mi, 62:59, 10 APR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 58 of the campaign.

iThink:
John Williams, "Battle In the Snow" (from The Empire Strikes Back)
John Williams, "The Mission" (yes, the NBC Nightly News theme)
The Bats, "Straight Image"

WX at 1630: 48 (9) DP 46 (8) BP 30.06 (1018) NNW 13 rain RH 93

Odometer 1: 236.0mi

Z3-Z4.

My shoes are starting to fall apart. I realized this when I looked down at my shoes and my outer forefoot showed through both shoes. The upper on the left side was literally starting to come apart from the midsole, with the upper on the right side heavily stretched out.

I'm guessing that by not brushing dirt (of which there's a lot at Bagram) out of the shoes, it started cutting the shoes from the fibers inside...so I guess I have some work cut out for me...and the next pair of shoes I buy need to be trail shoes.

I didn't quite expect to run a PR today, but I did, and I was gratified. Of course, it could be that I haven't done anything but eat since the 7th.

Today also marked transfer of authority from the 82d Imperial Airborne Division to the 101st Imperial Airborne Division today...the sad thing is that the senseless butt-sniffing about which division is supposedly better is still going on by some of those in the joint task force staff who have inferiority complexes or really small peckers.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 07:54 07:54 07:54 07:54 1.00
2.06 24:02 16:08 07:50 07:51 3.06
2.68 46:56 22:54 08:33 08:11 5.74
2.04 62:59 16:03 07:52 08:06 7.78

4.1mi, 33:23, 7 APR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 55 of the campaign.

iThink: Aly & AJ, "Speak For Myself"

WX at 0830: 50 (10) DP 42 (6) BP 30.09 (1019) NW 5 RH 74

Odometer 1: 228.2mi

Z3 high.

The Intrepid Coworker goes home today; he has richly earned his parole from the combat zone. I did meet up with him to go for a run and throw the rock around.

There is something bizarrely therapeutic about throwing a lacrosse ball around as people watch in amazement, but maybe that's my barely-hidden iconoclast coming out.

Today was not excessively fast, but it was a strong finish, and the weather was about as good as it's been for the last few weeks. Perhaps a fitting finish.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.05 16:44 16:44 08:10 08:10 2.05
2.05 33:23 16:39 08:07 08:09 4.10

6.1mi, 52:26, 5 APR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 53 of the campaign.

iThink:
R.E.M., "Driver 8"
The Reputation, "Let It Rest"
The Reputation, "Some Senseless Day"

WX at 0830: 46 (8) DP 39 (4) BP 29.91 (1013) NNW 3 RH 75

Odometer 2: 59.7mi

Z3 low.

Today was a day of forced activity as the pace of work has gotten to the point where I have increasingly less time or opportunity to actually do any physical activity during the day.

I may shift to lifting during the workday so that I don't feel like putting my fist through random people during the day.

Of course, the fact that I carry a bullet launcher and a magazine or two of 9mm ball ammunition on a daily basis right now should not be a cause for alarm. Actually, with my general degree of schadenfreude these days, if I ever had to use my weapon in anger then it would take me very, very little mental (or physical, for that matter) energy to transition to aiming for one of the three lethal zones and putting a round (or two or three, just to be sure) into who I was trying to kill.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.06 26:12 26:12 08:34 08:34 3.06
3.06 52:26 26:14 08:34 08:34 6.12

~4.0mi, time indeterminate, 3 APR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 52 of the campaign.

iThink: Chris Stamey, "Shades of Green"

WX at 2330: 51 (11) DP 42 (6) BP 29.94 (1014) ENE 9 RH 71

Odometer 1: 224.1mi

Z3.

I was very nearly the FRB on tonight's hash...I just found markings and I barely caught the hares trying to bring up stuff. I knew how close I was to the hares when I started seeing markings that I knew I hadn't passed not 3 minutes prior. I also noticed with some satisfaction that I have some endurance that I didn't think I had - albeit not much speed. Looks like my long runs are starting to pay off!

Fun. But I'm tired.

No Splits.

6.0mi, 52:54, 1 APR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 50 of the campaign.

iThink: "Johnny Hopkins" (alas, not heard much these days at Homewood Field...)

WX at 2330: 59 (15) DP 30 (-1) BP 29.97 (1015) ENE 10 RH 33

Odometer 2: 53.7mi

Z3.

The last few days have been singularly unpleasant at work if partly because of unexpectedly high workload. I was so intemperate that I was seriously about to go choke someone out today.

One of our soldiers was promoted today - and I ws very gratified to tell him that. That said, I had a discussion with him about how things were happening that should not happen, like officers having to do basic administrative tasks that were in the purview of others to do.

I did tell El Gato this morning that I was going for a run, come hell or high water. No way around it. I didn't care how late it was, but I was going for a damn run. We went for an easy run starting at about 10:45 at night...which by itself is not a big deal considering that we had been doing bare-knuckle planning most of the day.

It's hard, often thankless, and sometimes stultifying work, but there is a certain pleasure in doing planning that gets acknowledgement from senior leadership for its correctness. It's what the professor of military theory at the School of Advanced Military Heresy described as the difference between knowledge and mastery. I have no doubt that I work with some of the right people to achieve some of that mastery - rather than the clumsy knowledge of a mere courtier.

I don't make any pretense about what my eventual future is in the Green Polyester Industry; my conscious decision to leave the command track was the right decision for me. It does validate the prediction I made at the age of 22...that my greatest contributions to the Nation's defense would not be made as a commander.

Damn, that run was therapeutic. I was really getting crotchety today.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.00 27:26 27:26 09:09 09:09 3.00
3.00 52:54 25:28 08:29 08:49 6.00

7.8mi, 63:58, 30 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 47 of the campaign.

iThink:
The Bats, "Courage"
Juliana Hatfield, "Rider"
Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"

WX at 1930: 62 (17) DP 24 (-4) BP 30.00 (1016) NW 29 RH 23

Odometer 1: 220.1mi

Z3-Z4.

Today was not intended to be a particularly fast run - but I had a lot of energy from doing Nothing But Eating over the last few days.

The Intrepid Coworker had intended on a longer run, so he did a full lap, then met me about 2/3 of the way around the airfield where we are. I had the benefit of running with a tailwind for much of today, and by I very nearly hit a PR. I didn't feel like I had started all that fast - which frankly bodes well for the future.

I was thankful that the Intrepid Coworker decided to pace me in - this was one of the strongest finishes I've had in a long while.

This is more than I can say about the Johns Hopkins lacrosse team, which has been having a bad, bad, season. Losing four games in a row is a bad trend for the defending national championships. It would be catastrophically bad if the team did not make the NCAA Division I championships...which I can actually foresee.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
7.78 63:58 03:58 08:13 08:13 7.78

35min on elliptical, 27 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 44 of the campaign.

iThink: nothing

WX at 1630: 64 (18) DP 24 (-4) BP 30.00 (1016) NNE 8 RH 22

Odometer 1: 213.4mi relative

Z3 low.

I didn't feel like running outside, so I decided on the elliptical and weight approach today. I felt like I was working harder, but my breathing was so relaxed that it was a confirmation of what my heart rate monitor was already telling me, which was that today was going to be a recovery day. And so it goes.

7.8mi, 63:05, 26 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 43 of the campaign.

iThink:
Def Leppard, "Photograph"
The All-American Rejects, "It Ends Tonight"

WX at 1730: 55 (13) DP 41 (5) BP 30.06 (1018) SE 8 RH 59

Odometer 2: 47.7mi

Z4.

Today was a totally unintentional start to what would be my PR running the perimeter here by about 3 minutes. I was pleasantly surprised to know that in all of about 9 days, I'd gotten into better aerobic conditioning. The Intrepid Coworker picked up on this and turned on the jets accordingly.

He paced me into a PR, improving by some 3:19, which at almost eight miles is somewhat respectable.

I didn't think I was going to run a PR today - but it sure feels good to do so. Today also marks the last day I spent in command, six years ago. There are some who probably miss it - at least where I came from - but I don't...and frankly, neither does Household6.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:05 08:05 08:05 08:05 1.00
1.00 16:49 08:44 08:44 08:24 2.00
1.00 24:52 08:03 08:03 08:17 3.00
1.00 32:58 08:06 08:06 08:15 4.00
1.00 40:57 07:59 08:00 08:12 5.00
1.00 48:52 07:55 07:55 08:09 6.00
1.00 57:01 08:09 08:09 08:09 7.00
0.78 63:05 06:04 07:50 08:07 7.77

4.5mi approximate, 40:23, 24 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 41 of the campaign.

iThink: The Bats, "Courage"

WX at 1630: 71 (22) DP 8 (-13) BP 29.97 (1015) Variable 3 RH 8

Odometer 1: 209.9mi

Z3.

Today wasn't intended to go very hard, and it wasn't. It was a recovery day for The Intrepid Coworker, who then also indulged over half an hour of throwing the rock around in the courtyard outside our headquarters building.

I did, after all, make it a point to pack my lacrosse sticks first before loading much of anything else.

My other indulgence today was cake, as it was the one thing I could think of on my wedding anniversary.

Approximate Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
4.50 40:23 40:23 08:58 08:58 4.50

7.92mi, 71:30, 23 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

D+40 of the campaign.

iThink:
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"
The All-American Rejects, "It Ends Tonight"

WX at 1830: 64 (18) DP 15 (-9) BP 30.06 (1018) NNW 9 RH 15

Odometer 2: 39.9mi

Z3.

The Intrepid Coworker decided to go fast and hard today, so I decided to go on my own - which allowed me a relatively relaxed recovery run (or something like it). I wasn't killing myself for the first time in a while, although there was a hell of a headwind (and it was really apparent at the third mile where I was transitioning to running fully aerobically).

This is probably the easiest I can get away with in a non-recovery period, though. I guess I should be gratified I can run what I can - but I want to go faster.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:04 09:04 09:03 09:03 1.00
1.01 17:53 08:49 08:46 08:55 2.01
1.00 27:13 09:20 09:20 09:03 3.01
1.00 36:19 09:06 09:06 09:04 4.01
1.00 45:11 08:52 08:54 09:02 5.00
1.00 54:03 08:52 08:52 09:00 6.00
1.00 63:09 09:06 09:06 09:01 7.00
0.92 71:30 08:21 09:08 09:02 7.92

3.11mi, 25:06, 22 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

D+39 of the campaign.

iThink: theme from "The Easter Bunny Hates You"

WX at 1730: 62 (17) DP 21 (-6) BP 30.00 (1016) NNW 14 RH 20

Odometer 1: 204.1mi

Z4.

I had to get back for a weekly ceremony and so only went about 25 minutes out and back. What I didn't realize is that, after turning around at about the 13 minute mark, that the Intrepid Coworker would turn on the jets and I would do a full up tempo run.

I was actually doing some good belly breathing to try to keep up with the Intrepid Coworker. It sucked, and he pulled away, as he does (he has far more running talent than I'll ever have), but there's always improvement - and it was useful to run at just under anaerobic threshold. It's painful - but there's definite benefit to it, especially at altitude.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.56 12:58 12:58 08:20 08:20 1.56
1.56 25:06 12:08 07:48 08:04 3.11

About 6 miles, time indeterminate, 20 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

D+37 of the campaign.

iThink: None

WX at 2230: 59 (15) DP 23 (-5) BP 29.97 (1015) ESE 12 RH 25

Odometer 1: 201.0mi approximate

Z3-4.

Wasn't sure how much today's hash was, but it involved some clever trail setting by the hares. I was also witness to folks who don't really know how to name hashers, and so heard some pedestrian names being dished out to folks getting named.

I wax on this topic because the point is not to give someone a name that's long and vulgar as much as it is another name that they can occasionally say in more casual company.

8.3mi, 73:24, 19 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: Armor for Sleep, "Dream to Make Believe"

D+36 of the campaign.

WX at 1730: 64 (18) DP 5 (-15) BP 29.88 (1012) NE 3 RH 9

Odometer 2: 32.0mi

Z4.

Today was a day I went out because the Intrepid Coworker decided to run and it would be criminal not to get a run in when the prevailing winds were less than 15 knots here.

I felt like utter and complete crap, and between almost woofing midway, hit the wall where I was grinding out max effort just to hold 8:45/mi pace.

What is the sound of suck? I don't know for certain but I sure heard some today.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.01 09:23 09:23 09:18 09:18 1.01
1.00 18:00 08:37 08:39 08:59 2.01
1.00 26:23 08:23 08:21 08:46 3.01
0.99 34:50 08:27 08:30 08:42 4.00
1.00 44:11 09:21 09:21 08:50 5.00
1.00 53:24 09:13 09:12 08:54 6.00
1.00 62:05 08:41 08:40 08:52 7.01
0.99 70:57 08:52 08:55 08:52 8.00
0.28 73:24 02:27 08:43 08:52 8.28

3.1mi, 28:51, 18 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: Game Theory, "You Drive"

WX at 1730: 62 (17) DP 8 (-13) BP 29.91 (1013) N 12 RH 11

Odometer 1: 195.1mi

Z3 low.

So much for progress...today was an easy wog based on my need to expend lard. It was better after warmup, just as I was about to finish, but at least I got out and got at it.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.08 28:51 28:51 09:22 09:22 3.08

7.8mi, 66:24, 17 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: The All-American Rejects, "It Ends Tonight"

WX at 1830: 60 (16) DP 26 (-3) BP 29.94 (1014) NNW 14 RH 26

Odometer 2: 23.7mi

Z4.

This started ugly, then turned into a respectable run...for the circumstances. After a week at sea level, I could feel the altitude right away...but after about 30 minutes, I was fully warmed up and had transitioned to a tempo run, where I was running right at anaerobic threshold, as I was almost the entire run. I just felt a hell of a lot better at the end.

Usually I get slower when increasing altitude, but I felt surprisingly good today. Maybe I'm reaping some benefits, but there's plenty of work remaining to go.

I have no doubt that I negative splitted this run, but I didn't keep score by mile.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
7.84 66:24 66:24 08:28 08:28 7.84

3.1mi, 26:02, 15 MAR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

iThink: "Rendezvous with Destiny"

WX at 2000: 71 (22) DP 37 (3) BP 29.97 (1015) NNW 10 RH 37

Odometer 1: 192.0mi

Z3 start, Z4-Z5 finish.

Easy run that turned into a painful challenge at the end, courtesy of the Intrepid Coworker. I needed it!

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:10 09:10 09:10 09:10 1.00
1.00 18:00 08:50 08:50 09:00 2.00
1.10 26:02 08:02 07:18 08:24 3.10

6.2mi, 55:40, 14 MAR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

iThink: Aly & AJ, "Speak for Myself"

WX at 1900: 77 (25) DP 48 (9) BP 29.91 (1013) NNW 17 widespread dust RH 34

Odometer 1: 187.9mi

Z2.

Easy slug run to burn lard. Much of the run included conversation with the Intrepid Coworker, who normally runs fast enough to burn me straight into the ground. Fortunately, he was interested in an easy run to shake things out. That's good, since I've been eating far too much over the last few weeks and I need to get back into a disciplined program.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.10 27:58 27:58 09:01 09:01 3.10
3.10 55:40 27:42 08:56 08:59 6.20

3.2mi, 27:19, 13 MAR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

iThink: Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"

WX at 0700: No reading.

Odometer 1: 181.7mi

Z3.

I didn't feel quite as froggy as on my previous run, and it showed. I was working a good bit harder for all of about 8:45/mile pace. No matter. Today was a day I needed to get out the door and run, any distance, any pace, since I could feel myself starting to get a little tubbier. That's the way it is.

SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.15 27:19 27:19 08:40 08:40 3.15

6.2mi, 52:36, 11 MAR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

iThink: Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"

WX at 1800: No reading.

Odometer 1: 178.5mi

Z4.

I started off relatively slow and by the end, with the Intrepid Coworker, was going some 7:30/mile pace. Needless to say, I was going full tilt, but I'd say in the aggregate it was a zone 4 run as I was not beyond anaerobic threshold until near the end. That's not a bad sign, actually, as it indicates that if I lost a few pounds or so, I might be significantly faster as my cardiovascular system is not as bad off as I thought it was.

Splits:
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.10 27:42 27:42 08:56 08:56 3.10
3.10 52:36 24:54 08:02 08:29 6.20

3.0mi, 25:40, 10 MAR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

iThink: "Ice Fishing" from the on-line game Club Penguin

WX at 0600: No reading.

Odometer 1: 172.3mi

Z3.

Being back at sea level is strange. I'm at Qatar for work-related reasons, and not surprisingly, it was easier to breathe. I was running some 8:30 pace this morning, and although I had to work to maintain that speed, I could tell the overall speed was faster.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.00 25:40 25:40 08:33 08:33 3.00

7.8mi, 69:13, 8 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink:
Mims, "This Is Why I'm Hot"
The All-American Rejects, "Move Along"

WX at 1800: 57 (14) DP 28 (-2) BP 30.09 (1019) NNE 6 RH 33

Odometer 2: 15.9mi

Z3.

This was a deliberately easy run until the end, when El Gato (one of my running partners and coworkers) decided to turn on the jets. Most of the run otherwise was just under anaerobic threshold, which was good; I'm not sure how much I would've wanted to run working hard after the last few days, which have been anything but consistent.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
7.76 09:13 09:13 08:55 08:55 7.76

7.2mi, time indeterminate, 6 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: None.

WX at 2100: No recording.

Odometer 1: 169.2mi

Z3.

I got volunteered to be a hare for this week's hash. That's fine, because it turned into a tutorial on how to do it. I took two inexperienced and one first-time hasher and ran what I thought to be a fairly respectable trail, all things being equal.

I'm really cramped by the available space at Bagram, but it makes for fun when taking the pack through very tightly compacted terrain. It makes for a fun challenge.

That should not be construed as meaning that I'd be willing to hare every week!

6.1mi, 52:01, 4 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: nothing

WX at 1800: 55 (13) DP 30 (-1) BP 29.97 (1015) NNW 5 RH 38

Odometer 2: 8.1mi

Z4.

I was out for a relatively moderate pace run (one that I could still talk on) and it turned into an unintentional time trial.

I had to return for a fallen warrior ceremony here at Bagram, which necessitated a change in clothes and paying appropriate respect for the dead. There is a noticeable shift in speed, although I find it disconcerting that all I'm good for these days is an 8-minute mile. That's weak.

My knees don't hurt anywhere near as much as they used to - which makes me think that there's a lot less life left on pair 1 than I thought I had.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.01 08:57 08:57 08:54 08:54 1.01
1.00 17:24 08:27 08:28 08:41 2.00
1.00 26:20 08:56 08:55 08:46 3.01
1.00 35:04 08:44 08:46 08:46 4.00
1.00 43:17 08:13 08:13 08:39 5.00
1.00 51:19 08:02 08:02 08:33 6.00
0.08 52:01 00:42 08:20 08:33 6.09

10,000m on Concept2 Model C, 44:57, 3 MAR 08, Kabul, Afghanistan

iThink: nothing particularly memorable...

WX at 0700: 57 (14) DP 14 (-10) BP 30.06 (1018) WSW 14 RH 18

Odometer 2: 2.0mi equivalent

Z4.

First time spinning in over a month, and I felt every bit of it. The drag factor (and in turn, the relative speed I was going) was lower based on higher altitude, so I was killing myself just to spin 45 minutes/10000m, which is unusually slow, even for being relatively out of shape.

I'm sure altitude also had something to do with the relative effort as well.

Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 0:44:57
Per 500m: TBD
Drag Factor : 155
Per Mile: 7:14

about 2mi, time indeterminate, 1 MAR 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: DinBOT, "Hot Buttered Bizkits"

WX at 1700: 59 (15) DP 19 (-7) BP 30.00 (1016) ENE 6 RH 21

Odometer 1: 162.0mi

Z2.

I was done before I started, for the most part. Lack of sleep over the last few days has really squashed me, and today was no exception.

I did do some legitimate lifting, and I felt a lot better. I need to lift much more regularly if I want to avoid larding out since I hit the scale at over 190lbs, which even with shoes on means another seven or so pounds of lard that needs to get burned.

Splits
Indeterminate - and probably irrelevant.

7.8mi, 66:50, 28 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: Kutless, "Somewhere In The Sky"

WX at 1900: 57 (14) DP 23 (-5) BP 30.15 (1021) WSW 6 haze RH 23

Odometer 1: 158.7mi

Z3 high.

For not running in two days, this wasn't so bad. My knees hurt, which is a possible indicator that my shoes are more dead than their mileage would imply.

My GPS was off distance, which underscores that perhaps I made the wrong choice in watches. In reality, I don't use the GPS that much, so maybe I don't really need it.

After two days in Kabul, maybe I felt more froggy than I thought since I got back almost 1000 feet of altitude from there.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
7.78 66:50 66:50 08:35 08:35 7.78

7.8mi, 66:54, 26 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: None, actually...

WX at 1730: 50 (10) DP 14 (-10) BP 30.15 (1021) SW 5 RH 23

Odometer 1: 150.9mi

Z3 high.

I didn't think I was going to run the entire airfield, but as it turns out, I was running with two others and one felt good enough to get all froggy - and in turn, run as far as he could take it. No worries.

I was sucking at first, but after about 30 minutes (the usual), I had fully warmed up and I was actually doing okay.

Actually, running wasn't so bad as it at least is getting me used to the environment here - and is helping burn off some of the lard that I inevitably pick up while being sedentary.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:26 08:26 08:26 08:26 1.00
2.00 25:25 16:59 08:29 08:28 3.00
1.00 34:07 08:42 08:42 08:32 4.00
1.00 42:51 08:44 08:44 08:34 5.00
2.78 66:54 24:03 08:39 08:36 7.78

5.15mi, 43:13, 24 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: For Against, "Fate"

WX at 1900: 39 (4) DP 14 (-10) BP 30.09 (1019) W 5 RH 35

Odometer 1: 143.1mi

Z3.

I was pleasantly surprised at being able to hang at about 8:30/mi pace after only two weeks in theater. Aside from the dust, today was a great running day. Seriously. Aside from slam-dunking a briefing this morning, all in all, not a half bad day...for being in a combat zone.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.01 08:25 08:25 08:21 08:21 1.01
1.00 16:41 08:16 08:15 08:18 2.01
0.51 21:00 04:19 08:24 08:19 2.52
0.48 25:29 04:29 09:18 08:29 3.01
1.00 34:28 08:59 09:00 08:37 4.00
1.00 42:16 07:48 07:48 08:27 5.00
0.15 43:13 00:57 06:33 08:24 5.15

30min on ellipical, 23 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: Kutless, "Somewhere in the Sky"

WX at 0800: 33 (1) DP 17 (-8) BP 30.15 (1021) NNW 8 haze RH 50

Odometer 1: 138mi equivalent

Z3.

I decided to stay indoors, not for any particularly reason, but I just didn't feel that industrious.

I did do some lifting, so there's some bicep curls, shoulder presses, and isolat rows that ended up there.

Some of this is an attempt to address my basic frustrations at learning a new environment, so all that remains to be seen over the next few months...or something.

~4.5mi, time indeterminate, 21 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: None.

WX at 2200: 33 (1) DP 32 (0) BP 30.09 (1019) Calm light rain; mist RH 93

Odometer 1: 135.0mi

Z3.

I hashed for the first time in a combat zone and was actually well entertained.

I do admit it's kind of weird when there's no real beer, and the hash is a little restrained compared to what I normally do, but it's something to do, and that's better than nothing at all.

I still think seeing people in shorts is weird, especially given the conditions. It was wet, so my clothes got righteously muddy.

I'll see if I can find a photo of the event since I have yet to get a photo of myself now that I'm actually in Afghanistan.

~3.5mi, 29:52, 20 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: "Girl from Ipanema"

WX at 0800: 30 (-1) DP 23 (-5) BP 30.18 (1022) NW 5 RH 75

Odometer 1: 130.5mi

Z3.

Even on a relatively easy run, I still felt pretty bad. There were two contributing factors - one, lack of sleep, and two, altitude. Also somewhat disturbing is the fact that it can be 30 degrees out and I'm still wearing shorts. Awwright!

I'm not sure how far I went, but I'll venture to guess about 3.5 miles or so.

No splits.

7.8mi, 67:59, 18 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: Kutless, "Somewhere In The Sky"

WX at 1730: 48 (9) DP 10 (-12) BP 30.18 (1022) W 6 RH 21

Odometer 1: 126.7mi

Z4 high.

One of my coworkers decided on going all the way around our installation. Against my better judgment I decided to go with him and experienced tunnel vision, working well above lactate threshold, and just in general a hard workout because of the relative difficulty in running at altitude with no acclimatization.

I'm glad I did this run, but I don't deny that it was a slow, painful experience. The people I ran with gave me a surprisingly disciplined session because I was expending so much energy trying to keep up with them.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
7.80 67:59 67:59 08:43 08:43 7.80

4.1mi, 34:49, 17 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink: Aly & AJ, "Something More"

WX at 1700: 50 (10) DP 15 (-9) BP 30.15 (1021) SSW 9 dust RH 24

Odometer 1: 119.1mi

Z4 high.

Four miles. I don't think I've worked so hard to run this pace on level ground. Of course, yesterday's suckathon might have had something to do with it.

It could also be dust and altitude, too. It's been a while since I've felt burn like what I felt in my chest. Needless to say this would have been a zone 3 run - except I was probably well beyond lactate threshold judging how hard I was breathing. I don't normally work that hard except when doing intervals.

This is the price of the road to recovery...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.04 17:12 17:12 08:26 08:26 2.04
2.04 34:49 17:37 08:38 08:32 4.08

7.4mi, 72:22, 16 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink:
Hybrid and BT, "Running Down the Way Up"
Silverstein, "Defend You"

WX at 0800: 32 DP 28 BP 30.24 NW 3kts dust mist

Odometer 1: 115.0mi aggregate

Z3.

First real run since arrival, and it hurt. Altitude was probably a factor, but so was general lack of being in shape. I wouldn't say I was wogging, but I sure wasn't going very hard.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
7.40 72:22 72:22 09:47 09:47 7.40

30 min on elliptical + lifting, 15 FEB 08, Bagram, Afghanistan

iThink:
Apollo 440 remix of Blue Oyster Cult, "Don't Fear the Reaper"
BT and Hybrid, "Running Down the Way Up"

WX at 1800: 6 DP -6 Overcast

Temperature: 6 DP -6 BP 1023.4 11@240 RH 45 WC 3

Z3.

First time I've gone out and done PT since arriving in Afghanistan. The jet lag has been fun, as it always is, but I realized I was starting to get a gut. So, it was time to start whittling away at the gut, especially since I haven't done much but eat in the last three weeks.

Thirty minutes on the elliptical followed by some lifting (7x7x7 bicep curls and tricep pulldowns and shoulder presses today. Nothing particularly ambitious.

It's been snow slushy lately so I haven't gone out to run...don't feel that froggy in this weather.

40min on elliptical, 5 FEB 08, Clarksville TN

iThink: Game Theory, "Last Day That We're Young"

WX at 0800: 66.9 (19.4) 61.0 (16.1) 29.93 (1013) S 10 RH 81

Odometer 3: 388mi equivalent.

Z3.
Average heart rate = 141

I didn't feel like running, so I decided to spin instead, in the event I needed to go to the little boy's room. I didn't, but got in 40 minutes of relatively worthwhile work in.

I suspect this is still some recovery from this past weekend, though.

The unexpected Game Theory song was a reasoned attempt to ignore VH1 on the TV in the exercise room. It's the first time I've thought about "Last Day That We're Young" in a long while...but then again, I'm not young any more. I did think about that song at my graduations from high school and college, as I thought it was very appropriate to the occasion...but I have, after all, become old.

4.9mi, time indeterminate, 3 FEB 08, Nashville TN

iThink: nothing in particular

WX at 1200: 53 DP 46 BP 30.08 (1018.6) SW 12G22

Odometer 1: 105.4mi

Z3.

It's been a while since I've done two hashes on consecutive days, but it was the case. I was very nearly the FRB, surprisingly after all the suck I ate up the day prior laying my trail. This trail was over quite possibly one of the sportiest places I've ever been in Nashville. To say this place looked rough was really, really a major understatement.

This'll be my last one until I get to Afghanistan, though. It was a good one.

I also blew my annual quota of football since I actually watched most of the Super Bowl, which I didn't really intend to do, but did for want of anything better to do.

14.7mi, time indeterminate, 2 FEB 08, Clarksville TN

iThink: nothing in particular

WX at 1200: 51 DP 33 BP 30.12 (1020.3) SW 12G20

Odometer 1: 100.5mi

Z3.

This is what I get for noncontiguously laying a dead hare trail. What I should have done is at least run parts of the trail, although I ended up autolaying some of the trail that was on pavement. I then walked the actual true trail, which was about 5.6mi.

This came a day after a bad bout with food poisoning, so I guess if I can slug out almost 15 miles, I'm not as out of shape as I thought.

The trail was relatively speaking a success. I like to punish Front Running Bastards, so I built in a Checkback 21 in my trail, as is my custom...ha, ha, ha.

5.6mi, 60:24, 1 FEB 08, Clarksville TN

iThink:
Corrosion of Conformity, "What(?)"
The All-American Rejects, "Move Along"
Jane Siberry "The Walking (And Constantly)"

WX at 0800: 33.1 (0.6) DP 27.0 (-2.8) BP 29.94 (1013) WSW 18 light freezing rain; mist RH 77 WC 21 (-6)

Odometer 1: 85.8mi

Z2-3.

Scouting trail and coincidentally my first run in a week and a half, perhaps...

I'm ont sure where I got the Jane Siberry kick...although I did listen to a lot of her music when I was dating Household6 before we got married. There is a very specific context to "The Walking (And Constantly)" that is peculiar to our courtship, although I don't think she knows it.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
5.60 60:24 00:24 10:47 10:47 5.60

6,000m on Concept2 Model C, 25:48, 23 JAN 08, Fort Leavenworth KS

iThink: Bear McCreary, "Storming New Caprica"

WX at 0700: 14.0 (-10.0) DP 6.1 (-14.4) BP 30.08 (1018) SSW 10 RH 70 WC 1 (-17)

Odometer 4: 371.0mi equivalent

Z3.

I started unusually fast for any spin session, but particularly the first one in a very long, long while. I was actually somewhat surprised that I hadn't hit the Concept when I was at Carlisle Barracks, but it wasn't a priority for me. My initial fast start (2:00/500m, actually) backed off after the first 1000m, and the rest was done at a more realistic 2:10/500m or so.

There were some portions I did as slow as 2:14/500m, but I was actually holding significant chunks at around 2:09, which I guess makes sense for the average pace.

Splits
Distance: 6000
Time: 0:25:48
Per 500m: 02:09
Drag Factor : 186
Per Mile: 0:06:55

6.0mi, 55:14, 21 JAN 08, Fort Leavenworth KS

iThink:
The Immortals, Techno Syndrome (Mortal Kombat)
R.E.M., "Driver 8"

WX at 0800: 28 (-2) DP 15 (-9) BP 30.2 (1022) S 20 RH 58 WC 14 (-10)

Odometer 2 legacy: 352.5mi

Z3.

I haven't thought about the Immortals song in a long, long time. I found a capella Mortal Kombat music by accident this morning and I had it stuck in my head. The thought of that is pretty creepy, actually.

The shoes I wore are the same ones I wore on the Psycho WyCo Run Toto Run , and they were useful as there were still large patches of ice on the road today. Running on pavement with 3/8" sheet metal screws in, though, is a strange proposition. I would have collected some blisters had I run for longer as the pressure points on the shoes aren't quite usual.

I wasn't trying to go all that fast, and I suspect the shoes (and the changes in traction) had something to do with the changed traction and corresponding changes in speed...but I hadn't really tried to do much since the end of Air Assault School.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.32 02:56 02:56 09:10 09:10 0.32
0.89 11:19 08:23 09:28 09:23 1.21
0.68 16:49 05:30 08:04 08:55 1.89
0.67 22:36 05:47 08:41 08:51 2.55
2.24 45:22 22:46 10:09 09:27 4.80
0.86 52:38 07:16 08:25 09:18 5.66
0.32 55:14 02:36 08:09 09:14 5.98

30min on elliptical, 17 JAN 08, Clarksville TN

iThink: nothing because I was watching Robin Meade on CNN Headline News this morning

WX at 0700: 35 (2) DP 33 (1) BP 30.00 (1015) S 5 mist RH 93 WC 30

Odometer 4: 368.0mi equivalent

Z3.

I didn't really want to do anything, but after sleeping in yesterday, I needed to do something...so I can eat 6 White Castles on the way into work this morning.

I'm a big fan of White Castle principally because I can eat them for breakfast and I'm not constrained to a breakfast menu. That, and I loved the movie Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle...which is why I await its sequel with baited breath.

Some lat pulldowns, bench presses, and standing pulldowns afterwards, not much, but some maintenance work.

4.0mi, 36:10, 15 JAN 08, Clarksville TN

iThink: Nirvana, "In Bloom"

WX at 0600: 21.0 (-6.1) DP 14.0 (-10.0) BP 30.21 (1023) NNW 7 RH 73 WC 12 (-11)

Odometer 4: 364.5mi

Z3.

I have my recent watching of Shoot 'Em Up to thank for today's attack of grunge. It's hard to ignore the amount of ordnance expended in that movie in such a refreshing gratuitous manner!

Today was cold. Real cold. But I couldn't take another day of Do Nothing But Eat.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.21 02:02 02:02 09:55 09:55 0.21
1.82 18:39 16:37 09:09 09:14 2.02
1.80 34:29 15:50 08:48 09:02 3.82
0.21 36:10 01:41 08:01 08:58 4.03

30min on elliptical, 13 JAN 08, Clarksville TN

iThink: Rob Zombie, "Feel So Numb"

WX at 1700: 33 (1) DP 24 (-4) BP 30.12 (1019) WNW 10 RH 69

Odometer 4: 360.0mi equivalent

Z1.

Today was a day of loose wogging, or would have been had it not been cold and somewhat glum. I decided instead to do some light spinning at low resistance on the cross-training setting of the elliptical machine.

I also did some heavy lifting instead, and noticed with some satisfaction that I was pulling more weight with shorter breaks...it could also be that I did almost no PT whatsoever last week, so that might have something to do with it also. Today became, for the legs and hip flexors, at least, a necessary recovery session. I noticed my legs were still bruised up from doing the Weaver on the Air Assault obstacle course six days ago.

However, my legs have largely recovered from the road march on Friday, which is a great sign; it means that I did the right thing by doing some light wogging and some light spinning today.

4.0mi, 40:35, 12 JAN 08, Clarksville TN

iThink:
Chuck Berry, "Johnny B. Goode"
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, Scherzo-Vivace (as in the “LtCol T.C. McQueen Workout Video,” from the Space: Above and Beyond episode “The Angriest Angel”)
Bear McCreary, "Refugees Return"
Bear McCreary, "Storming New Caprica"

WX at 1100: 43.0 (6.1) DP 34.0 (1.1) BP 30.08 (1018) ESE 6 RH 70

Odometer 4: 356.5mi

Z1.

This was deliberate, the day after the 12-mile road march, and this was to prevent what will otherwise happen if I Do Nothing But Eat today.

I don't particularly feel bad about running 10:34/mi on the way out since I was fully warmed up and even ran a 9:35/mi pace running back. I could feel the acceleration, though, and it was a good thing. I'm still beat up, though.

The T.C. McQueen reference was apt, perhaps, given how I felt after road marching. But no matter.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
2.02 21:20 21:20 10:34 10:34 2.02
2.01 40:35 19:15 09:35 10:04 4.03

12mi at 43#, 2:47, 11 JAN 08, Fort Campbell KY

iThink:
Hilary Duff, "Come Clean"
Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"
Rob Zombie, "Feel So Numb"
The All-American Rejects, "Move Along"
The All-American Rejects, "It Ends Tonight"
"The All-American Soldier"
"Garryowen"


WX at 0800: 41.0 (5.0) 34.0 (1.1) 29.87 (1011) W 9
WX at 0700: 41.0 (5.0) 35.1 (1.7) 29.85 (1010) W 9
WX at 0600: 42.1 (5.6) 36.0 (2.2) 29.84 (1010) W 10
WX at 0500: 43.0 (6.1) 36.0 (2.2) 29.81 (1009) W 9

Odometer B1: 40mi

Z3.

I am now, after all this time, a graduate of the Basic Air Assault Course.

I was the second of 8 finishers today on the last major event of the Air Assault Course, the 12-mile road march. Road march uniform was body armor stripped with strike plates, a canteen, and an assault pack containing about 10 pounds of stuff.

I wasn't working all that particularly hard - but was running the vast majority of the course. My hip flexors, as a result, are well and verily trashed. Thankfully, much of the course was on pavement, so the likelihood of blisters and hot spots was reduced. I did, inadvertently, step through a puddle on the way in. Wet boots normally mean hamburger feet at the end of a long march. I was very lucky. Never a good indicator when I have occasion to mutter "shit!" when I walk through a puddle on what is, even on a good day, a pretty painful experience. It reminded me in a lot of ways of the Psycho WyCo 20-mile run I did last February. My feet are intact with no hot spots or blisters, although I'm walking around like I got beat up pretty good.

In the last mile, being the contrarian guy I am, I had the division song of the 82d Airborne Division (rather than the 101st) stuck in my head, along with the regimental song of the 7th Cavalry, a decidedly un-air assault unit. I am a very disobedient air assault trooper.

The roadmarching I've done over the last month was good for me. It is unlikely that I would have passed the road march had I decided to do it solely based on training base alone. This is one of those events where specificity is important. You don't get ready for a English test by studying history, although there are some commonalities. In the same way, you don't get ready for road marching by running without a load. I was exceedingly glad that I had trained with the heavy loads I did while I was at Fort Leavenworth; when I found out my working load was going to be about 40 pounds, I was damned glad I trained with a 60 pound working load in training. That helped me out - although I strated cramping up pretty bad near the end.

All thing said, it took a long time to actually earn Air Assault wings, a long, long while after the first time I was supposed to attend - back in 1991. What a long, strange trip it's been.

Splits
SEGMT AGGRGTE SEGMENT PERMI AVGPC DISTC
12.00 2:47:30 2:47:30 13:57 13:57 12.00

1.9mi, 14:40, 7 JAN 08, Fort Campbell KY

iThink: The All-American Rejects, "Move Along" (once again)

WX at 0800: 61.2 (16.2) DP 55.8 (13.2) BP 30.17 (1021) S 8 RH 82

Odometer 1: 80.2mi

Z4.

I am finally, after some 17 years of trying, in the Air Assault Course.

I did the Fort Campbell Air Assault Obstacle Course, and the only obstacle I no-go'ed was the swing, stand, and jump, which I didn't really practice at all. The two that I thought were going to really beat my ass didn't - the Tough One is not a problem if you can climb a rope, and the Low Belly Over (better known as The Dirty Name in most other places) was a nonissue, amazingly.

Aside from the usual scratches and bumps from any obstacle course, I was okay for the run. I finished second in the group, although admittedly, I'm in a "Senior Leader Air Assault Course" where the harassment is largely absent, thankfully.

Splits:
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.95 07:15 07:15 07:38 07:38 0.95
0.95 14:40 07:25 07:48 07:43 1.90

9.5mi, time indeterminate, 5 JAN 08, Nashville TN

iThink: The All-American Rejects, "Move Along"

WX at 1300: 50, DP 34, BP 30.21 (1023.1), S16G24, RH 54

Odometer 4: 362.0mi

Z3.

This was a dead hare hash. True to form for the MCH3, our dead hare hashes suck ass for markings, and this was no exception. This ended up being almost 10 miles given all the bad distance we logged. I get a little ornery when I have dead hare hashes that suck because the hares can't logic trail their markings.

In spite of it, I was still the FRB. This did not quite bode well for what was to come the next workday...

40min on elliptical, 3 JAN 08, Clarksville TN

iThink: The All-American Rejects, "Move Along"

WX at 0700: 10.0 (-12.2) DP 5.0 (-15.0) BP 30.84 (1044) Calm RH 80

Odometer B2: 4mi estimate

Z4.

For not working on the elliptical, I seemed to be doing okay.

More encouraging was the fact that I hadn't actually lost any strength if this morning on the weights was an indicators. I was using the set I normally use in Clarksville, and actually went up in weight on almost every repetition.

All a good sign, I think. I hope.

I have this particular clip to thank for the attack of the All-American Rejects. It also was the song I beat to death as I drove from Kansas to Tennessee yesterday. Only about an 8 hour trip!

I will admit I don't see much like this coming from the fighter community. Why is it that the only really memorable clips I've seen come from Hawkeye squadrons?

Back to work today, whee...

6.0mi at 60#, 104:14, 31 DEC 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

iThink:
Throwing Muses, "Mania"
Throwing Muses, "Flood"

WX at 1000: 28 (-2) DP 24 (-4) BP 29.89 (1012) NW 8 light snow RH 86

Odometer B1: 28mi

Z2-3.

The weather conditions outside made it unsafe to walk at any legitimate speed, so I had to slow down.

I had two good wipeouts. The first happened walking downhill. The second happened, and I honestly think I would have cracked my head open had I not had my ruck or body armor on. I wasn't wearing a helmet, but I need to recheck my ruck to make sure I didn't break anything when I landed on it trying to kill myself.

It is surprising how little snivel gear I need to wear when I'm roadmarching with body armor on. I had a sweatshirt, pants, and gloves, and nothing else.

I was in a singularly shitty mood this morning when I started, so I knew I was going to finish the road march dead or alive. It was a matter of time when, but I frankly didn't fucking care how shitty the weather got. It's been a while since I roadmarched in snow flurries.

One of the gifts I received this x-moose was the box set for My So-Called Life. It, then makes sense to think of this quotation, that "Hatred can become like food. It gives you this energy. You can, like, live off it." Curiously appropriate, I think.

Splits
SGMT AGGRGTE SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.32 0:05:02 05:02 15:44 15:44 0.32
0.89 0:19:27 14:25 16:12 16:04 1.21
0.68 0:30:25 10:58 16:08 16:06 1.89
3.77 1:38:41 08:16 18:06 17:26 5.66
0.32 1:44:14 05:33 17:21 17:26 5.98

3.4+3.4mi, 28:58+30:13, 28 DEC 07, Carlisle PA

iThink:
"Jester" from the PC video game Terminal Velocity
Everlast, "All Along the Watchtower"

WX at 1100: 44.1 (6.7) DP 30.0 (-1.1) BP 30.32 (1026) SE 6 RH 57
WX at 0900: 37.0 (2.8) DP 30.9 (-0.6) BP 30.33 (1027) Calm haze RH 78

Odometer 4: 352.5mi

Z3.

The run itself was not particularly hard today. It was the heavy lifting at Thorpe Hall at Carlisle Barracks that really made today difficult. That was an exercise in suck.

This is what happens when I lay off the weights for a few weeks. All my improvement from the last few weeks evaporates like an illusion. Still, this is just to hold the line before going to Air Assault School in January.

On the other hand, if I'm not going particularly hard just to run 8:39/mi, then I guess I can live with that. For now, at least. I'm still working off the sins of the last few days, and our family trip to Hershey Park yesterday probably didn't help much...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
3.42 28:58 28:58 08:28 08:28 3.42
3.42 59:11 30:13 08:50 08:39 6.84

3.4mi, 29:19, 27 DEC 07, Carlisle PA

iThink:
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"
The Cure, "A Forest" (from Concert, 1984)

WX at 0900: 37.9 (3.3) DP 35.1 (1.7) BP 30.03 (1016) E 3 mist RH 89

Odometer 4: 344.5mi

Z3.

Nothing too hard after yesterday's run, but today wasn't exactly slow either for a relative recovery run.

I needed to do something as I got in some suds last night at the Market Cross Pub with my old professor from Carlisle Barracks from a few years ago. Mmmm, Stella Artois. Actually the other poison of choice was a Snakebite, which is a half Woodpecker Cider, half Harp, and is quite good.

I wore normal snivel gear as I wasn't trying to go particularly fast. Tomorrow I grind out a good one - or I may end up going to Carlisle Barracks to get in some gym work.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.13 09:55 09:55 08:47 08:47 1.13
1.30 20:56 11:01 08:28 08:37 2.43
0.79 27:35 06:39 08:25 08:34 3.22
0.22 29:19 01:44 07:53 08:31 3.44

7.0mi, 57:45, 26 DEC 07, Carlisle PA

Neil Young, "Keep On Rockin' In The Free World"
R.E.M., "Driver 8"

WX at 0900: 34.0 (1.1) DP 28.0 (-2.2) BP 30.23 (1023) Calm RH 78

Odometer 4: 342.0mi

Z4.

It sure is weird being back at Carlisle again. I'm visiting my brother-in-law and his family, along with my other brother-in-law and his two boys. Having nine kids in the house sure makes it exciting.

It most certainly did NOT feel like 34 degrees at all this morning. It could be because I have more hair than I usually do (2 weeks between haircuts does that) or it's because I'm working off the sins of the day prior. I went out initially with tights and a sweatshirt, and gloves, and after about 200m, returned to the start, jettisoned all snivel gear, and ran in shorts, long-sleeve shirt, and gloves. My legs were pink from the cold, but I didn't overheat.

I was pleasantly surprised to hold low 8-minute pace. I'm sure the environmental conditions had something to do with it, and the fact that I haven't done a damn thing aside from lug baggage and shovel snow in the last week.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.65 05:01 05:01 07:43 07:43 0.65
1.51 17:53 12:52 08:31 08:17 2.16
0.80 24:17 06:24 08:00 08:12 2.96
0.66 29:47 05:30 08:20 08:14 3.62
1.29 40:38 10:51 08:25 08:17 4.91
1.51 52:32 11:54 07:53 08:11 6.42
0.65 57:45 05:13 08:02 08:10 7.07

Oh hell yeah

"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd, who served a dark and a hungry god..." I haven't felt this motivated to see a film on the big screen in a long time.

When I was in 8th grade, my music teacher had us watch a videotape of the Angela Lansbury version of Sweeney Todd. Looking back, I don't think that would have ever happened in a public school. I may malign some of the folks with whom I went to school...but I don't think I can argue with the education I got there.

The fact that Sweeney Todd is coming out for x-moose only sweetens the deal...since my favorite x-moose song is, of course, FEAR's "Fuck Christmas."

Oh hell yeah.

4.7mi, 37:50, 20 DEC 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

iThink: Rob Zombie, "Feel So Numb"

WX at 1200: 45.0 (7.2) DP 34.0 (1.1) BP 29.8 (1009) NNW 5 RH 65

Odometer 4: 335mi

Z4.

Fast start, level off, and probably no negative splits...but a hard run nonetheless. I was running at just inside oxygen debt, so I think this was a decent race-like pace. Probably not a good workout right after a roadmarch, but we'll see tomorrow.

I'm not sure why I felt like going so fast at the start, though.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 02:00 02:00 07:26 07:26 0.27
1.24 11:35 09:35 07:43 07:40 1.51
0.85 18:44 07:09 08:25 07:56 2.36
1.24 28:33 09:49 07:55 07:56 3.60
0.85 35:40 07:07 08:22 08:01 4.45
0.27 37:50 02:10 08:01 08:01 4.72

4.7mi at 60#, 72:54, 19 DEC 07, Fort Leavenworth KS

iThink:
Cub, "Pillow Queen"
Cub, "Green Eyes"
Rob Zombie, "Feel So Numb"

WX at 1100: 39.9 (4.4) DP 28.9 (-1.7) BP 30.1 (1019) S 9 RH 64

Odometer B1: 22mi

Z3.

I'm not breathing all that hard - but I know my legs are working pretty hard.

Unfortunately, I'm not able to hold the kind of pace I need to hold with all this on. This is not encouraging if I want to ruck 12 miles in less than 3 hours. The big question mark is whether I do so with body armor or not.

Having 35 pounds of body armor changes things. Actually, in some ways, it makes it easier than having just the ruck since body armor tends to distribute weight better.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 04:14 04:14 15:44 15:44 0.27
1.24 22:56 18:42 15:04 15:11 1.51
0.85 36:21 13:25 15:47 15:24 2.36
1.24 55:16 18:55 15:15 15:21 3.60
0.85 08:42 13:26 15:48 15:26 4.45
0.27 12:54 04:12 15:33 15:27 4.72

4.48mi at 60#, 72:36, 17 DEC 07, Fort Leavenworth, KS

iThink: a variety of x-moose songs and "Jester" from the old computer game Terminal Velocity

WX at 1000: 27.0 (-2.8) BP 19.9 (-6.7) DP 30.18 (1022) SSW 9 RH 74

Odometer B1: 17mi

Z3.

For it being below freezing, I had to take off my hat because I was sweating so much.

It also didn't help that there was all sorts of ice all over the ground from the ice storm last weekend and a few days prior.

I'm not sure how much credence to give these splits as I was going faster later on.

Weights were 35# for body armor, 25# for rucksack. The ruck sure didn't feel like only 25 lbs...it felt lighter.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.27 04:06 04:06 15:14 15:14 0.27
2.09 32:51 28:45 13:45 13:55 2.36
2.09 68:18 35:27 16:58 15:21 4.45
0.27 72:36 04:18 15:56 16:13 4.48

30min on elliptical, 13 DEC 07, Clarksville TN

Michael Manring, "Blue Orleans"

WX at 1100: 46.0 (7.8) DP 44.1 (6.7) BP 30.13 (1020) WNW 6 RH 92

Odometer 4: 330mi estimate

Z3.
Average heart rate = 141, Max HR = 180

I woke up late, and had to do something. I need to stop doing these "do nothing but eat" days because they're not helping me!

30 minutes is about all I could spare. Nothing too hard, but nothing particularly easy either.

5.1mi, 46:27, 11 DEC 07, Clarksville TN

Kristin Hersh, "Peggy Lee"
"Girl From Ipanema" (various covers)
Everlast, "All Along the Watchtower" (yes, the one from Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter, which I don't play)

WX at 0700: 52.0 (11.1) DP 51.1 (10.6) BP 30.21 (1023) SE 3 mist RH 96

Odometer 1: 78.3mi

Z3.

Today was not quite a day of wogging - but pretty close. I think the initial pace reflected that, although the continuous negative splits (less the first leg) was an indicator that as I loosened up, I'm in better shape than I'd originally thought.

That I was running sub-8 by the end at the same relative effort was actually a good sign.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.21 01:52 01:52 09:06 09:06 0.21
1.35 14:39 12:47 09:30 09:27 1.55
1.01 24:11 09:32 09:26 09:27 2.56
1.01 33:14 09:03 08:58 09:19 3.57
1.35 44:47 11:33 08:33 09:06 4.92
0.21 46:27 01:40 07:56 09:03 5.13

45min on elliptical, 10 DEC 07, Clarksville TN

Bear McCreary, "One Year Later"

WX at 0800: 45.0 (7.2) DP 44.1 (6.7) BP 30.27 (1025) N 6 mist RH 96

Odometer B1: 12mi

Z4.
Avg heart rate = 144, max = 170

It was drizzling outside. I didn't feel very industrious, or more properly, brave.

So I ellipticaled. No problem.

I might go for an easy run tomorrow as I've back-to-backed two hard days on the elliptical.

60min on elliptical, 9 DEC 07, Clarksville TN

Bear McCreary, "Dirty Hands"

WX at 1200: 68.0 (20.0) DP 64.9 (18.3) BP 30.21 (1023) SW 12 RH 89

Odometer 4: 327.0mi estimate

Z4.
Average heart rate = 153, max 178

It was raining, so I decided to chicken out instead of putting the Big Green Tick on. So...I decided to go high on resistance and went for 60 minutes.

I'm probably at the point where I could grind out a 12-mile road march...but it'd be ugly. But it can be done.

Add some heavy lifting today for the first time in about five days. Better than Doing Nothing But Eat, admittedly.

5.13mi, 41:25, 4 DEC 07, Clarksville TN

Chris Stamey, "On The Radio (For Ray Davies)"
For Against, "Stranded in Greenland"

WX at 0700: 26.1 (-3.3) DP 21.0 (-6.1) BP 30.1 (1019) Calm RH 81

Odometer 4: 321.9mi

Z4.

At last, the Girl From Ipanema leaves me alone, atleast this morning...
...although I did have have that song suck in my head most of yesterday at work.

Today was a crapshoot after yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised to be running sub-8-minute pace this morning, although I suspect I can attribute some of that to the usual 25-minute warmup period. Still, I didn't feel like I was particuarly going VERY hard to keep the pace leading in...so I guess I shouldn't be too bent out of shape.

It is, however, winter, and I always run faster in the cold than in the heat.

And...I also did some lifting this morning not - mostly to keep myself honest on some of that too.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.21 01:40 01:40 08:08 08:08 0.21
1.35 12:50 11:10 08:18 08:17 1.55
1.01 21:11 08:21 08:16 08:16 2.56
1.01 29:16 08:05 08:00 08:12 3.57
1.35 39:48 10:32 07:48 08:05 4.92
0.21 41:25 01:37 07:42 08:04 5.13

5.1mi at 45#, 74:38, 3 DEC 07, Clarksville TN

in the iThink:
Girl From Ipanema (again)
Michael Kamen, Band of Brothers Suite No. 2

WX at 0800: 28.9 (-1.7) DP 21.9 (-5.6) BP 30.42 (1030) NW 8 RH 74

Odometer B2: 5.1mi

Z3.

I felt like I was shuffling but not going particularly fast. That's not a big deal, but I thought it was interesting that I was still holding sub-15 minute pace with 45 pounds, which is a good (but not excessively heavy) working load.

No weapon, no helmet.

I did break my rucksack frame. Time to replace it, grr...

I'll probably ramp up the weight at some point, but the speed is encouraging, mostly.

The last split was due to a late stop on the watch.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
0.21 02:57 02:57 14:23 14:23 0.21
1.35 22:33 19:36 14:34 14:33 1.55
1.01 37:21 14:48 14:39 14:35 2.56
1.01 52:02 14:41 14:32 14:35 3.57
1.35 61:18 19:16 14:16 14:30 4.92
0.21 74:38 03:20 15:52 14:33 5.13

5.31mi, time indeterminate, 1 DEC 07, Brentwood TN

Katee Sackhoff's rendition of "Girl from Ipanema" from the Battlestar Galactica Season 3 Gag Reel

WX at 1500: 57.9 (14.4) DP 28.0 (-2.2) BP 30.2 (1022) E 6 RH 32

Odometer 4: 316.4mi

Z4.

Ordinarily I don't consider hashes hard runs, but a look at the terrain around the start meant that I was going to be working for every splash of hash on the ground.

I FRBed today - although it was mostly out of dumb serendipity rather than actual skill. The hills were killing me...which might underscore that I need to get back on the stick and start working again.

I cannot describe in words the massive cognitive dissonance at running uphill, hard, and having "Girl from Ipanema" stuck in the back of my head. It was the gift that truly would keep on giving...