2.8mi + lift, 24:34, 8 MAY 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Cobalt 60, "Darwin Was Right"

WX at 1200: 72.0 (22.2) DP 59.0 (15.0) BP 29.73 (1006) SE 7 RH 63

Odometer 4: 211.0mi

Z3 in, Z4 out.
Average/max heart rate = no reading.

Today was focused primarily on speed, trying to get it done quickly so I could do some errands. Normally, this workout takes me about an hour and a half. This one took just a little over an hour, but I got those economies of scale from shorter breaks, which might make for a more productive lifting session, at least for what I'm trying to do, which is maintain endurance while building strength.

I also needed to get out the door, period. Two days of not doing PT was necessary, but I don't need to get into that habit.

The run going in was pleasantly quick, the run coming back was painfully slow after doing all that work. I was in the suck going uphill after doing all that lifting. The road to recovery is slow, but it's getting there.

The Cobalt 60 song was somewhat of a blast from the past - but that was from playing Wing Commander Secret Ops for a little while before starting. It's always good to play a game where I get to fly around and blow some people's shit away with reckless abandon. Damn, that's therapeutic, although I'm fully cognizant that not everyone here in the United States shares my basic desire to fucking kill shit on a periodic basis.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.39 11:32 11:32 08:18 08:18 1.39
1.39 24:34 13:02 09:23 08:50 2.78

5.1mi, 44:47, 5 MAY 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
R.E.M., "Crazy" (the Pylon cover)
Game Theory, "Last Day That We're Young"

WX at 1100: 66.0 (18.9) DP 55.0 (12.8) BP 29.96 (1014) SSW 10 RH 67

Odometer 4: 208.2mi

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

I was thinking of going for a longer run, but I honestly didn't feel like it. I did feel like going at least five miles, so I did.

I went moderate pace, to find how I was feeling for baseline pace.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:33 08:33 08:33 08:33 1.00
1.00 17:16 08:43 08:43 08:38 2.00
1.00 26:06 08:50 08:50 08:42 3.00
1.00 34:39 08:33 08:33 08:40 4.00
1.00 43:44 09:05 09:05 08:45 5.00
0.14 44:47 01:03 07:30 08:43 5.14

2.8mi + lift, 25:26, 4 MAY 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Corrosion of Conformity, "What(?)"
Bear McCreary, "One Year Later"

WX at 1000: 64.0 (17.8) DP 50.0 (10.0) BP 30.03 (1016) NE 9 RH 60

Odometer 4: 203.1mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = No reading.

A day of lifting. I concentrated a little more on working biceps and shoulders and I was pretty tired after working this. My runs back are typically slower, and today was no exception. I was pretty beat going uphill on the return leg.

I am finding, though, that now that I'm getting used to lifting every few days, that it's something which is surprisingly easier to keep up than I thought. Certainly more than running, but this is a deliberate shift. I do intend to do at least one long run (more than 7) a week, but I'm not sure when that'll happen, maybe Sundays.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.39 12:11 12:11 08:46 08:46 1.39
1.39 25:26 13:15 09:32 09:09 2.78

3.1mi, 25:03, 3 MAY 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Bear McCreary, "Storming New Caprica"

WX at 1100: 64.0 (17.8) DP 42.1 (5.6) BP 29.97 (1014) NE 8 RH 44

Odometer 4: 199.3mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 162/178

I decided to go out for a brief run while Household6, the Princess, and the Sledgehammer were at church, and felt fast enough where I decided to turn on the heat some. I was pleasantly surprised at the times I ran, although I might have been better served had I not looked at the clock. Empirically speaking, although I'm not really getting much more sleep at home than I did in theater (about 6 hours/night), the fact that I'm lifting and in turn, building strength in places where I normally don't, is helping my speed.

I don't think I'd be running what I ran today otherwise.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:01 08:01 08:01 08:01 1.00
1.00 16:15 08:14 08:14 08:07 2.00
1.00 24:24 08:09 08:09 08:08 3.00
0.10 25:03 00:39 06:30 08:05 3.10

2.8mi + lift, 23:35, 1 MAY 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Paul Simon, "Wartime Prayers"

WX at 1000: 51.1 (10.6) DP 42.1 (5.6) BP 30.15 (1020) NNE 14 light rain; mist RH 71

Odometer 4: 196.2mi

Z3-4.
Average/max heart rate = no reading.

I tried to get out the door earlier today as I had a few things I was meaning to do. A short run followed by the usual work (although I wimped out and went only 15 for all beyond the bench presses).

I think it's working, although I've been noticing that I've been gaining weight lately - which I attribute to muscle mass. I think there may be some weight loss later on if I continue to do this, which is pretty time-intensive (for me, at least, as I don't spend that much time in the gym ordinarily).

It is making me fitter, which is kind of important, at least for me. I don't know about anyone else.

Yesterday I didn't do anything, or intended to, until I ended up digging up four bushes outside my house. That required some work. As I told the neighbors (who probably didn't appreciate the humor), "stay in practice, kill something every day." Hacking away with an axe validates that"Kill something every day" ethos, admittedly.

The Paul Simon song recalls my drive out from North Carolina to Kansas back in 2006, and that song was very much part of the background for the move and my first few months here.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.39 11:13 11:13 08:04 08:04 1.39
1.39 23:35 12:22 08:54 08:29 2.78

2.8mi+lift, 24:29, 28 APR 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Bear McCreary, "One Year Later"

WX at 1300: 59.0 (15.0) DP 45.0 (7.2) BP 30.33 (1027) NE 3 RH 60

Odometer 4: 193.4mi

Z3-4 run.
Average/max heart rate = no reading.

It's not usually my nature to spend long hours in the weight room. I was raised running cross-country, where weights and running distance were seen as mutually exclusive. In retrospect, I would have benefitted from some weight training at very low weights to improve strength and complement the endurance base I already had from distance running (I was running 40-55 miles a week at that point in my life and I was pretty thin, rather than the somewhat rounder shape I have now).

So, to give an indicator of what weight work entails lately:
3x25 Flat Bench Press w/ Olympic Bar
3x25 Incline Bench Press w/ Olympic Bar
3x15 Machine Row
3x15 Machine Military Press
3x15 Machine Pull Down
3x15 Machine Shoulder Raises (one arm at a time) (a.k.a. the Chicken Wing)
3x20 Machine Chest Flys
3x15 Machine Reverse Flys
3x15 Machine Preacher Bench Curls
3x15 Triceps Cable Pull Downs
3x25 Triceps Straight Arm Pull Downs (one arm at a time, elbow locked, wrist bent back)

Whether I can sustain this when I go back to work remains to be seen, as this weight work normally takes me the better part of an hour and a half. This may have to be an afternoon workout, which may also hold some benefits to actually doing this in a timely manner so I can get back and get the Princess and Sledgehammer from school at the end of their academic day.

I was pleasantly surprised at the run paces, although the temperature and winds were infinitely better than before, and maybe I'm getting into better shape if I'm holding an average pace of 8:48 for the return leg after killing myself on weights.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.39 11:36 11:36 08:21 08:21 1.39
1.39 24:29 12:53 09:16 08:48 2.78

6.8mi, 57:08, 27 APR 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
New Model Army, "Bloodsports"
Jimi Hendrix, "All Along The Watchtower"

WX at 1500: 50.0 (10.0) DP 48.0 (8.9) BP 30.09 (1018) N 18 light rain RH 92

Odometer 4: 190.6mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 169/180

I'd done my previously mentioned 12+4 ab work earlier today, but went out for lunch. I came back an hour and a half later as I was hell-bent on running the golf course block here at Fort Leavenworth three times (just shy of 7 miles), and today was a particularly good day as it was cold and rainy, my preferred conditions for long runs.

I found my fingers hurt a bit as it was colder than I anticipated, but after the middle of the second lap, I was warmed up enough where there was enough warm blood going into my hands to offset, mostly, the heat loss through exposed hands and fingers.

I probably should've worn gloves, though.

I was pleasantly surprised that I ran as steadily as I did once started - although these miles varied, they weren't off by much, which is encouraging. The average pace, once out the door, reflects this consistency.

Goddamn am I glad I'm actually doing PT more than once every two days...

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 07:59 07:59 07:59 07:59 1.00
1.00 16:35 08:36 08:36 08:17 2.00
1.00 24:56 08:21 08:21 08:19 3.00
1.00 33:21 08:25 08:25 08:20 4.00
1.00 41:40 08:19 08:19 08:20 5.00
1.00 50:05 08:25 08:25 08:21 6.00
0.83 57:08 07:03 08:30 08:22 6.83

3.1mi, 27:34, 26 APR 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Bear McCreary, "Roslin and Adama"

WX at 1000: 73 (23) DP 62 (17) BP 29.86 (1011) S 28G38 RH 68

Odometer 4: 183.8mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 158/175

As Roman Catholics, Household6, the Princess, and the Sledgehammer went to church this morning. As an atheist, I did not. I thought about a variety of things, but I also thought about my expanding spare tire and the fact that I'm about 7 pounds over allowable weight for my height, so I went for a short run.

Man, did that suck cock. Some of this could be attributed to the fact that it's 73F (rather than the 40-50F I'd been used to running at Fort Campbell or in Afghanistan). Some could also be attributed to the influence of increased lard, some of this could be that I just haven't worked out much and I'm out of shape.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:39 08:39 08:39 08:39 1.00
1.00 17:27 08:48 08:48 08:43 2.00
1.00 26:35 09:08 09:08 08:52 3.00
0.11 27:34 00:59 08:56 08:52 3.11

2.8mi + 6,000m on Concept2 Model D, time, 24 APR 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Dos Gringos, "Jeremiah Weed"

WX at 1000: 71.1 (21.7) DP 60.1 (15.6) BP 29.78 (1008) S 18 RH 68

Odometer 4: 180.7mi

Z4 on spinner.
Average/max heart rate = no reading

I forced myself to get out the door and do something, so I got on the Concept Model D (of which there are two at Fort Leavenworth, albeit one being broken) in addition to the Model C which had been there for, well, forever.

Getting on the Concept sucked, and was painful (especially given what I'd cranked out two years ago) but it's part of the road to recovery. Certainly it's an improvement over what I had back in Afghanistan.

I didn't expect drag factors that high, either, but I'll take them.

Splits
Total run time: 24:49

Distance: 6000
Time: 00:25:58
Per 500m: 02:10
Drag Factor : 195
Per Mile: 00:06:58

2.4mi, 23:46, 23 APR 09, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: some of Bear McCreary's background music to Caprica

WX at 1100: 64.0 (17.8) DP 59.0 (15.0) BP 29.79 (1008) NNE 6 RH 83

Odometer 4: 174.2mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = no reading

I decided to do the workout that Gunny sent me. It took about two hours to complete and you know it was a good one when you're too beat up to run fast (and get passed by someone who's not working very hard).

Still, it was a good chance of pace and something I probably need to sustain doing.

And yes, I went out and bought Caprica yesterday. Aside from the inveterate fanboyness of being a BSG fan, it delivered on the quality of writing I expected from the Ron Moore and David Eick crew. It is, however, a fundamentally different show. I'll be very curious to see how it gets trimmed for viewing on prime time TV.

No Splits.

I am home.

Last day of the campaign, 17 April 2009, day 430.

It's been a long trip.

7.1mi, 61:50, 16 APR 09, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Day 429 of the campaign.

iThink:
Tommy Keene, "Eyes of Youth"
The Cure, "A Forest"

WX at 0700: 45.7 (7.6) DP 41.9 (5.5) BP 30.29 (1025) NNE 5 RH 86

Odometer 4: 171.8mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 158/171

Today was the first long run in a while. I decided to see if I could go 7 or so, and while the start was ugly (partly because my hip flexors were sore) I was fully warmed up by about mile 5 and I was running substantially faster than I thought - in some segments, as fast as 8:00/mi, which is a major achievement after the last few months. It's been a while since I've run negative splits of that size.

Today also was punctuated by a chance encounter with one of my old bosses this morning, who is the current division director of operations, plans, training, and mobilization here.

Running is a little more difficult because of the lifting and ab work, but if I can sustain it, the returns will be there for certain.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:46 08:46 08:46 08:46 1.00
1.00 17:47 09:01 09:01 08:54 2.00
1.00 26:47 09:00 09:00 08:56 3.00
1.00 35:52 09:05 09:05 08:58 4.00
1.00 44:32 08:40 08:40 08:54 5.00
1.00 52:55 08:23 08:23 08:49 6.00
1.00 61:07 08:12 08:12 08:44 7.00
0.08 61:50 00:43 08:57 08:44 7.08

4.8mi, 46:58, 15 APR 09, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Day 428 of the campaign.

iThink: none.

WX at 0600: no reading.

Odometer 4: 164.7mi

Z2.
Average/max heart rate = no reading.

I was out doing PT for the first time in a while with a guy who had the moniker of Gunny, as the oldest guy in our plans section - from the last deployment, not this past one. He's been letting me live out of his place for the last few days as I get ready to boogie out of Fortress Campbell.

He runs pretty slowly, but that's a result more of extensive surgery on his back and shoulder more than being big. He cracked his back (I believe through a stress fracture) and then also had some work done on his right shoulder from an old football injury from a unit PT event a few years ago.

He doesn't run much (once every few months or so) but he's still out there bringing heat, which isn't bad for the amount of reconstructive work he's done.

Gunny also punishes me through a fairly disciplined lifting and core strength program that he's refined through his evolutions through physical therapy. He did three years ago in Iraq - no better opportunity than now to get back on the stick. This is something I need to sustain when I get back home.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
4.80 46:58 46:58 09:47 09:47 4.80

Some thoughts on my thirty-seventh birthday

A correction: I've been back in the United States ten days now. I was not in the close combat business, but I wrote plans that would ultimately have to be executed by those who were. One of the things I've never been able to completely reconcile is now I might have written better plans that might have made a difference for those who did not come back home.

Into sunlight they marched,
into dog day, into no saints day,
and were cut down.
They marched without knowing
how the air would be sucked from their lungs,
how their lungs would collapse,
how the world would twist itself, would
bend into the cruel angles.

Into the black understanding they marched
until the angels came
calling their names,
until they rose, one by one from the blood.
The light blasted down on them.
The bullets sliced through the razor grass
so there was not even time to speak.
The words would not let themselves be spoken.
Some of them died.
Some of them were not allowed to.

Bruce Weigl, "Elegy"

3.4mi, 28:56, 9 APR 09, Fort Campbell, KY

Day 422 of the campaign.

iThink: Bear McCreary, "One Year Later"

WX at : 53.2 (11.8) DP 34.5 (1.4) BP 29.92 (1013) SE 8 RH 48

Odometer 4: 159.8mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 159/177

Something shorter from yesterday. My legs are starting to feel it, but I need to get back out there and hit the road. This is the road to recovery...

So I did. The clearing quest continues at Fortress Campbell.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:31 08:31 08:31 08:31 1.00
1.00 16:52 08:21 08:21 08:26 2.00
1.00 25:40 08:48 08:48 08:33 3.00
0.40 28:54 03:14 08:05 08:30 3.40

6.6mi, 55:57, 8 APR 09, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Day 421 of the campaign.

iThink: Dos Gringos, "Heat Loves The Cock"

WX at 1200: 57.9 (14.4) DP 32.0 (0.0) BP 29.82 (1009) SW 7 RH 37

Odometer 4: 156.3mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 159.174

First run in a few days. Although there's plenty of time for scheduling a run, because there's not much to do during reintegration days, I also find that once I'm back from said activities, I need to force myself to do something other than just goof off. I got back from this morning's festivities (dental exam) and took a nap, which is downright unheard-of.

One of the great things about having a Garmin Forerunner is that I can run randomly around almost anywhere and still get real-time track to what I'm doing, so this was productive. Certainly, I need to get back on the stick, so this was a useful chance to shake things out. I think once reintegration is complete I'll get back to something approximating a normal workout rhythm. I hope.

The other thing that made today's run not too bad (once I was warmed up after the first two miles) was that today was about as nice as I've seen Fort Campbell in a while. It would have been criminal not to go out and run.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:56 08:56 08:56 08:56 1.00
1.00 17:34 08:38 08:38 08:47 2.00
1.00 26:09 08:35 08:35 08:43 3.00
1.00 34:28 08:19 08:19 08:37 4.00
1.00 42:48 08:20 08:20 08:34 5.00
1.00 51:07 08:19 08:19 08:31 6.00
0.60 55:57 04:50 08:03 08:29 6.60

Adios White Sled

I sold my daily driver of the last six years, a VW Passat station wagon. It had a number of names, not the least of which was the Kubelwagen, in homage to the German squad car of World War II, but my old classmate Mike Ripley is responsible for the moniker that really stuck, which was "The White Sled," in no small part because the car really looked like a wedge that might sort of resemble a sled.

I traded the White Sled in for a car which I've at least nominally monikered "the SVBIED." This was a running joke, inasmuch as the most common Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED) in Afghanistan is a white Toyota Corolla. I briefly entertained the thought of a Corolla, but relented when the OPFOR Commander (also known as Household6) mandated that I get a larger car because a rinky-dink econobox was probably too small for what we really needed from it.

I'd joked about how I'd wear a headdress, drive the new vehicle in (a 2009 Honda Accord LX-P), and hold a cell phone like it was a detonator, and to top it all off, I'd do this from a car that had a vanity plate that said "SVBIED." Then I could count on getting tasered a few times for good measure.

Seriously, though, I won't get the license plate. I'm not sure how many people who haven't been to Iraq or Afghanistan will get that one. I also remembered how much I hate haggling for, and then buying, cars from an auto dealer.

5.1mi, 44:50, 5 APR 09, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Day 418 of the campaign.

iThink: Bear McCreary, "Diaspora Oratorio"

WX at 0500: 49.5 (9.7) DP 40.1 (4.5) BP 29.8 (1009) ESE 5 RH 70

Odometer 4: 149.7mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 146/167

The campaign counter is still running, because I am not home. I may be back at Fort Campbell, but I am emphatically not home.

This is literally the first PT (aside from some desultory lifting I did while I was in Kyrgyzstan) I've done in over a week. I was thinking about sleeping in, but I knew I needed to get back on the wagon. Quickly. While the opportunity permits. At least the run wasn't too bad. I was working on basic pacing and not running too hard - I need to build back up to mileage base once again, I think.

Kristin Hersh writes, "Jet Lag is a bitch goddess" and I have to agree with her. I was prescribed sleep aids and didn't use them two nights ago - which led to my waking up at 2:00am, wide awake.

I didn't make that mistake last night, and I got six blissful hours of rack.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:22 09:22 09:22 09:22 1.00
1.00 18:02 08:40 08:40 09:01 2.00
1.00 26:53 08:51 08:51 08:58 3.00
1.00 35:50 08:57 08:57 08:58 4.00
1.00 44:26 08:36 08:36 08:53 5.00
0.05 44:50 00:24 08:00 08:53 5.05

The mills of the gods, they grind slowly

The first thing I ate when I arrived in Afghanistan some 14 months ago was a Twinkie. It was only fitting that I had two Twinkies saved up for when I would eventually leave. I ate both of them yesterday on a crowded C-130 flight leaving Afghanistan.

Nothing screams irony, after growing up in the Cold War and learning how to kill T-72 tanks on the battlefield, than flying out of the combat zone through a former Soviet air base.

Now begins the inexorable wait to return home.

7.8mi, 68:55, 29 MAR 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 411 of the campaign.

iThink:
Bear McCreary, "One Year Later"
Dos Gringos, "Jeremiah Weed"
Bear McCreary, "A Distant Sadness"

WX at 1130: 51 (11) 39 (4) 30.03 (1017) SSE 5 RH 61

Odometer 4: 144.7mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 158/176

This is perimeter run 79 and my last here in Afghanistan for the past 14 months or so.

Something is definitely not right when I'm killing myself to run a slow 9:00/mile pace and I've been having problems breathing over the last few days, something which I've been treating with albuterol over the last few days to little avail. I haven't done any PT in the last few days because of lack of energy. Today was a deliberate attempt to grind out a run and it sucked ass. When I'm running well into zone 4 just to run under 9 minutes per mile at the end, something is very, very wrong.

I was thinking to myself about something I was told by my old running partner, which is "you will not know how exhausted you really are until after you leave theater." I don't think so, actually. I'm pretty exhausted right now. Fortunately, I'm almost about to leave theater. I realize this because I have no patience for stupid motherfuckers lately, and if you move or think slow, you're going to get yelled at for being a leaf-eater.

There are a variety of reasons why I need to work in places where breaking things and killing people are the raison d'etre for the organization's existence. I realize that, after all this time, I still haven't outgrown the need to be around killers by trade, because I can't stand being around those who don't think that way.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:26 08:26 08:26 08:26 1.00
1.00 17:10 08:44 08:44 08:35 2.00
1.00 26:01 08:51 08:51 08:40 3.00
1.00 35:09 09:08 09:08 08:47 4.00
1.00 44:07 08:58 08:58 08:49 5.00
1.00 53:08 09:01 09:01 08:51 6.00
1.00 62:07 08:59 08:59 08:52 7.00
0.77 68:55 06:48 08:50 08:52 7.77

7.8mi, 68:51, 25 MAR 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 407 of the campaign, still.

iThink:
Bear McCreary, "One Year Later"
Bear McCreary, "A Sign of Things to Come"
Bear McCreary and BT4, "All Along the Watchtower"
Sarge, "Clearer"

WX at 2330: 44 (7) DP 41 (5) BP 30.06 (1018) ENE 5 RH 87

Odometer 4: 136.9mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 153/165

This is perimeter run 78.

I was feeling pretty beat, but I got out of the office early enough to warrant maybe a full perimeter run. I didn't feel very froggy, but decided to run this just below anaerobic threshold, and tonight's run wasn't too bad. I was pleasantly surprised to be holding under 9 minute pace for not going very hard.

As things work thru preparation for redeployment, I realized there's some benefit to backing off the killing wheel. The biggest fight is yet to come.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:34 08:34 08:34 08:34 1.00
1.00 17:29 08:55 08:55 08:45 2.00
1.00 26:28 08:59 08:59 08:49 3.00
1.00 35:29 09:01 09:01 08:52 4.00
1.00 44:21 08:52 08:52 08:52 5.00
1.00 53:10 08:49 08:49 08:52 6.00
1.00 62:07 08:57 08:57 08:52 7.00
0.76 68:51 06:44 08:52 08:52 7.76

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 44:37.2, 25 MAR 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 407 of the campaign.

iThink:
Bear McCreary, "One Year Later"
Bear McCreary, "A Sign of Things to Come"

WX at 0030: 41 (5) DP 39 (4) BP 30.03 (1017) Calm RH 93

Odometer 4 at 50% equivalency: 129.1mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = no reading

I was thinking about going for a run but neglected to check the weather and most of my cold weather gear is packed away already.

I decided to take my chances to see if no one was on the Concept tonight, and no one was, so I decided to hop on. I was hurting, but I needed to work out, so I decided to stag on - and so it goes. I started controlled, at about 2:15/500m, but that was about all I was good for at the end, regardless of how hard I was going, and it was pretty hard near the end.

I also had some tightness of breath this morning, but it seems to have gone away and it was okay this evening. I don't have any history of asthma, and I'd like to keep it that way.

I shameless attribute tonight's iThink (punctuated by watching Japan win some real (as opposed to MLB) World Series of Baseball or something) to the season finale of Battlestar Galactica. That, and tonight's workout is the closer to my second consecutive anniversary spent away from home, and it sucks, regardless of how things are here or there.

Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 00:44:37
Per 500m: 02:14
Drag Factor : 181
Per Mile: 00:07:11

6,000m on Concept2 Model D, 26:25:6, 22 MAR 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 404 of the campaign.

iThink: The Dust Brothers, "Stealing Fat"

WX at 1130: 55 (13) DP 33 (1) BP 30.15 (1021) ENE 3 RH 43

Odometer 4 at 50% equivalency: 126.0mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = no reading

I was deliberating on whether to go in or not to the gym after running the perimeter yesterday. I was glad I did, if only to work through some extreme stress in my life from a phone call last night.

I started out promising at 2:05/500m, and got tired, slowing down to 2:17/500m, and finished at 2:12/500m or so.

Like I said, things are grinding towards their inexorable end...

Splits
Distance: 6000
Time: 00:26:25.6
Per 500m: 02:12
Drag Factor : 178
Per Mile: 00:07:05

8.2mi, 70:50, 21 MAR 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 403 of the campaign.

iThink:
Bear McCreary, "Storming New Caprica"
Journey, "Only The Young"

WX at 1630: 53 (12) DP 33 (1) BP 30.06 (1018) SE 12 RH 46

Odometer 4: 124.0mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 164/180

This is perimeter run 77.

I was going to save this for tonight, but I'm glad I did it when I did. The weather was good, and there were enough people out there where I could pull along mentally as I tried to pass them.

I ran into one of the soldiers who had once been in our staff directorate, who was in a recent engagement where he ended up laying down some suppressive fire with a .50 caliber machine gun after getting shot at with a rocket propelled grenade from 35 meters. He was okay, although they lost an Afghan National Army soldier in the engagement.

This combat tour, like other things in my life, is grinding inexorably towards the end.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:35 08:35 08:35 08:35 1.00
1.00 17:08 08:33 08:33 08:34 2.00
1.00 25:29 08:21 08:21 08:30 3.00
1.00 34:06 08:37 08:37 08:31 4.00
1.00 42:41 08:35 08:35 08:32 5.00
1.00 51:19 08:38 08:38 08:33 6.00
1.00 60:26 09:07 09:07 08:38 7.00
1.00 69:35 09:09 09:09 08:42 8.00
0.17 70:50 01:15 07:21 08:40 8.17

2.4mi, time indeterminate, 19 MAR 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 401 of the campaign.

iThink: none, but I've had Dos Gringos' song "Squiggly Porn" stuck in the back of my head for a few days now. At least, for some inexplicable reason the line "Without 'Naked Sorority Grandmas 6' showing up on my Visa bill" seems to stick. I have no idea why.

WX at 2230: 53 (12) DP 26 (-3) BP 30.03 (1017) SSW 3 RH 35

Odometer 4: 115.8mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 138/157

Last hash at Bagram. I put some thought into this trail and I was breaking in a new hare who's a pretty novice hasher, but has speed. This was a workable combination, and I exercised pretty good direction on how trail was going in. It's a good sign when the following things happen:

1. No one gets lost.
2. Everyone can follow trail.
3. It's not a road race.
4. Hares don't get caught.

There was one small goof, where a new hasher beaned her head on an air conditioning fairing. Aside from that, it was a pretty good trail. Of course, I hadn't checked for beer or cups, so we were sucking bad in that department, but given that I've been trading PT for sleep again now that I'm back, this has once again been the week of ridiculous suckage.

No Splits.

3.1mi, time indeterminate, 18 MAR 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 400 of the campaign.

iThink: None.

WX at 2130: 50 (10) DP 44 (7) BP 30.09 (1019) SW 1 RH 81 light rain

Odometer 4: 113.3mi

Z1-3.
Average/max heart rate = 124/157

Scouting trail for my last hash here, it started raining on us as soon as we were starting. That said, it wasn't bad - I was completely vindicated as to why we scout trail, as I ended up doing a major change in path for our trail, based on not wanting to get in trouble with the MPs here.

Work has gotten so insane trying to finish things out that I'm back to my old bad habits of only being able to do PT once every three days or so if I'm lucky. I realize I don't have to take a PT test anytime soon, so I think I'll assume some risk until I can get back to a place where the workload isn't so fucking insane. I noticed this inasmuch as I don't run that fast anymore, or maybe it's because I was hitting cancer sticks while I was in Qatar to let off steam.

That said, I think it'll be a good trail, one worthy of my last here.

No splits.

7.8mi, 67:08, 16 MAR 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 398 of the campaign.

iThink:
Tommy Keene, "Late Bright"
Bear McCreary, "All Along the Watchtower"

WX at 0730: 46 (8) DP 32 (0) BP 30.12 (1020) NE 3 haze; smoke RH 56

Odometer 1: 117.9mi

Z3-4.
Average/max heart rate = 160/173

This is perimeter run 76.

Today started out auspiciously, then turned south. I found that I was good for a few miles, but my legs were tired, probably from running nine miles a few days ago. I need to be more regular about PT but haven't been so good at that lately.

At least I did it, which is a whole lot better than wimping out. That, and I realize I was hitting the Krispy Kremes a bit too vigorously while I was in Qatar.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:12 08:12 08:12 08:12 1.00
1.00 16:44 08:32 08:32 08:22 2.00
1.00 25:20 08:36 08:36 08:27 3.00
1.00 34:04 08:44 08:44 08:31 4.00
1.00 42:48 08:44 08:44 08:34 5.00
1.00 51:49 09:01 09:01 08:38 6.00
1.00 60:40 08:51 08:51 08:40 7.00
0.76 67:08 06:28 08:31 08:39 7.76

9.1mi, 79:08, 12 MAR 09, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 394 of the campaign.

iThink:
Bear McCreary, "Storming New Caprica"
Bear McCreary, "All Along the Watchtower"

WX at 0700: 66 (19) DP 59 (15) BP 30.09 (1019) NW 8 RH 78
(not bad at start, then getting progressively warmer - and downright hot at the end after the sun emerged from overcast skies. It was a whole lot more humid than I expected.)

Odometer 1: 12.1mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 153/171

A triple lapper for my last full day in Qatar for a while, I think. I started early, and ended up going faster than I expected, making for a rough last lap. I also found that I tend to go faster when I run around other people, because for some reason, I continue to draw negative energy when I run around other people...or attempt to keep up with people who are running faster than me.

Of course, bravado aside, it provides me some other benchmark besides my Garmin Forerunner 305, which tells me how much I suck or how slowly I'm going.

The humidity was pretty bad this morning. I got a new haircut yesterday and then with my new whitewalls (which I haven't had in a few years) I started sweating, big time.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:30 08:30 08:30 08:30 1.00
1.00 17:16 08:46 08:46 08:38 2.00
1.00 25:45 08:29 08:29 08:35 3.00
1.00 34:17 08:32 08:32 08:34 4.00
1.00 42:49 08:32 08:32 08:34 5.00
1.00 51:07 08:18 08:18 08:31 6.00
1.00 59:56 08:49 08:49 08:34 7.00
1.00 69:16 09:20 09:20 08:39 8.00
1.00 78:03 08:47 08:47 08:40 9.00
0.13 79:08 01:05 08:20 08:40 9.13

3.0mi, 30:18, 10 MAR 09, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 392 of the campaign.

iThink:
Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, "The Girl From Ipanema"
Dos Gringos, "Bitch Spent All My Money"

WX at 0700: 66 (19) DP 60 (16) BP 29.91 (1013) SSE 5 RH 81, Otherwise known as hotter and more humid than anything other than I've seen since July 2008.

Odometer 1: 3.0mi

Z2.
Average/max heart rate = 140/160

This is a consequence partly of getting tore up from the floor up last night, and this was probably necessary to get some of the poisons out from my monster drinking binge of all of three beers. In spite of mostly negative splits, I still felt like complete and total shit. I'll reattack when I get a chance today.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 10:24 10:24 10:24 10:24 1.00
1.00 20:49 10:25 10:25 10:24 2.00
1.00 29:57 09:08 09:08 09:59 3.00
0.04 30:18 00:21 08:45 09:58 3.04

9.1mi, 82:30, 8 MAR 09, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 390 of the campaign.

iThink:
W.G. Snuffy Walden, opening credits theme to My So-Called Life
Bear McCreary, "Passacaglia"
Dos Gringos, "Going In For Guns"
Dos Gringos, "Heat Loves The Cock"

WX at 1700: 71 (22) DP 59 (15) BP 29.97 (1015) NNE 8 RH 66

Odometer 3: 374.9mi

Z3-4.
Average/max heart rate = 161/175

Every time I come down to Qatar for more than a few days, I try to get in a long run, which has to be at least the length of a run of the perimeter back at Bagram. In my case, it's a triple lapper, which my current running partner elected to boot - not the least of which is that his knees start acting up after five miles.

For whatever reason, I had eaten too late and I still had chow in my stomach, which was not so good for the start. I figured my first lap was going to suck regardless, so I decided to go easy and settle in. That was fine, but I thought it disconcerting that I was good for all of 9:00/mi pace when I was fully warmed up, which is unacceptable.

So I decided to stay on for a third lap and I ran negative splits almost the entire way, as things turned out. My stomach was mostly empty and I was fully warmed up.

I realize that I relax in some ways through long distance - and in ways that other activity won't do.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:15 09:15 09:15 09:15 1.00
1.00 18:28 09:13 09:13 09:14 2.00
1.00 27:47 09:19 09:19 09:16 3.00
1.00 37:04 09:17 09:17 09:16 4.00
1.00 46:05 09:01 09:01 09:13 5.00
1.00 55:07 09:02 09:02 09:11 6.00
1.00 64:06 08:59 08:59 09:09 7.00
1.00 72:55 08:49 08:49 09:07 8.00
1.00 81:24 08:29 08:29 09:03 9.00
0.13 82:30 01:06 08:28 09:02 9.13

4.2mi, 38:09, 6 MAR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 388 of the campaign.

iThink: Tommy Keene, "Late Bright"

WX at 0700: No reading.

Odometer 3: 365.7mi

Z2-3.
Average/max heart rate = 149/170

Today's pace was all fucked up. I was running with my old running partner whose sense of pace is inconsistent and he's not used to running formation with someone else who is setting pace. Between that and being tired, I decided not to go much for anything consistent and settled for relative level of effort, which was all over place. That was barely tolerable until the end of mile three, and then I felt warmed up, but ultimately, I'm not used to running distances this short.

I don't work hard enough to warrant running these times, and I need more time for recovery if I do it at all.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:21 09:21 09:21 09:21 1.00
1.00 18:50 09:29 09:29 09:25 2.00
1.00 27:56 09:06 09:06 09:19 3.00
1.00 36:43 08:47 08:47 09:11 4.00
0.15 38:09 01:26 09:33 09:12 4.15

6.1mi, 50:32, 5 MAR 08, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 387 of the campaign.

iThink: Bear McCreary, "All Along the Watchtower"

WX at 0600: No reading.

Odometer 3: 361.5mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 158/175

Today I went out on my own and it was somewhat therapeutic. I usually need long runs for some degree of catharsis, and this is no exception. This provided a way to shake the legs out for what I thought would be a good run. That, and I was intent on getting my six-miler in.

Being at sea level makes its usual difference, and I made it up by running significantly faster than I normally would. I was pushing at my usual level of effort, and it seemed to work out well.

This is good, since I've been averaging five Krispy Kreme doughnuts a day in the conference I'm attending. At least.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:36 08:36 08:36 08:36 1.00
1.00 17:05 08:29 08:29 08:32 2.00
1.00 25:19 08:14 08:14 08:26 3.00
1.00 33:31 08:12 08:12 08:23 4.00
1.00 41:57 08:26 08:26 08:23 5.00
1.00 49:56 07:59 07:59 08:19 6.00
0.08 50:32 00:36 07:30 08:19 6.08

4.3mi, 36:35, 4 MAR 09, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 386 of the campaign.

iThink: None.

WX at 0600: No reading.

Odometer 3: 365.4mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 148/167

I woke up too late to get in the six miles I wanted. I'm also roomed with my old running partner from Fort Leavenworth, who is of diametrical opposite philosophy to mine, where I consider any run shorter than five miles as short. He doesn't subscribe to my long distance focus, and his workout schedule is predicated on having the time to do it.

I find I have to make hard choices between work, PT, and sleep, and approaching month 14 of my deployment, I can spare maybe two hours a day. So I run. Or I crank away on the spinner. I lifted yesterday, and going from doing PT once every two or three days is a lot different from doing two a day like I have here.

The other part of it is that I'm not used to working out right after waking up. I do it late when I'm already fully stretched out from being at work. Waking up explains the monster negative splits I ran today throughout the entire run. Normally it's not as extreme as that.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:05 09:05 09:05 09:05 1.00
1.00 18:01 08:56 08:56 09:00 2.00
1.00 26:20 08:19 08:19 08:47 3.00
1.00 34:23 08:03 08:03 08:36 4.00
0.29 36:35 02:12 07:35 08:32 4.29

3.1mi, 26:44, 3 MAR 09, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 385 of the campaign.

iThink: Beatallica, "...And Justice For All My Loving"

WX at 0600: No reading.

Odometer 3: 361.1mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 135/161

I was somewhat hung over and did not start well but was fully warmed up by the end. I was sucking also partly because I don't normally work out in the mornings lately.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:54 08:54 08:54 08:54 1.00
1.00 17:56 09:02 09:02 08:58 2.00
1.00 26:30 08:34 08:34 08:50 3.00
0.03 26:44 00:14 07:47 08:49 3.03

2,000m, 6:46, 2 MAR 09, As Sayliyah, Qatar

Day 384 of the campaign.

iThink: None.

No WX reading.

Odometer 3 at 50% equivalence: 358.0mi

Z4-5.

Decided to check what the drag factor is at sea level and what I was able to pull - and it was surprisingly fast.

There was some heavy lifting involved but all upper body work. I was also in transit most of today, so I'd slept about 3 hours the night prior flying in on a redeye from Bagram to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Fun, fun, fun.

Splits
Distance: 2000
Time: 00:08:25
Per 500m: 02:06
Drag Factor : 221
Per Mile: 00:06:46

7.8mi, 71:56, 27 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 381 of the campaign.

iThink: Dos Gringos, "Has Anybody Seen My Wingman?"

WX at 2330: 37 (3) DP 15 (-9) BP 30.15 (1021) WNW 3 RH 40

Odometer 3: 355.8mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 158/168

This is perimeter run 75.

I probably would've hit the rowing machine, but there were two guys who were going to run the perimeter, slowly, and I was totally game. It's unusual that I get in a night run with someone else, but it was good. It also validated why I wear my Garmin Forerunner, as we were all over the map on pace. We stayed honest only because I was calling out splits and pace. I've been pretty good about staying relatively steady on pace, but I find that I might be an exception to the rule as not everyone else shares my relative consistency.

I am noticing my knees hurt a bit more. I also know that I've done enough walking in these shoes that it's probably not just 356 miles in these and it's probably time to toss these in the trash.

I'm also gratified at the bizarre phenomenon of actually doing PT for four consecutive days, something I haven't done in months. Literally, I think.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:12 09:12 09:12 09:12 1.00
1.00 18:31 09:19 09:19 09:15 2.00
1.00 27:46 09:15 09:15 09:15 3.00
1.00 37:12 09:26 09:26 09:18 4.00
1.00 46:30 09:18 09:18 09:18 5.00
1.00 56:02 09:32 09:32 09:20 6.00
1.00 65:12 09:10 09:10 09:19 7.00
0.77 71:56 06:44 08:45 09:15 7.77

2.0mi hash, time indeterminate, 26 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 380 of the campaign.

iThink: None.

WX at 2330: 35 (2) DP 17 (-8) BP 30.06 (1018) W 3 RH 47

Odometer 3: 348.0mi

Z1-Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 129/176

I was frankly surprised that I was able to make a hash happen today. This week has been so bad for workload that I was almost unable to get out and make this happen. I was actually glad that I did. This was a well-marked trail that allowed the pack to stay together in a way that I haven't seen in some trails lately.

My legs were pretty sore from running the perimeter yesterday, though. There were some parts where I had small bursts of speed, but my legs were pretty well beat.

I'm actually more gratified that I've done PT three days in a row for the first time in months. Literally.

No Splits.

7.8mi, 67:44, 26 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 380 of the campaign.

iThink:
Killing Zone, "All Along the Watchtower"
Tommy Keene, "Highwire Days"

WX at 0030: 37 (3) DP 17 (-8) BP 30.03 (1017) W 6 RH 44

Odometer 3: 345.9mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 167/174

This is perimeter run 74.

The weather was the clearest during my entire tour. Literally. I resolved to crank out a perimeter run, no matter how late it was. And it was worth it. I ran a lot more slowly than I expected - but it also comes after a day of cranking hard on the erg and this is the most PT I've done in a row in a few months. Seriously.

Times were inconsistent tonight, but I started too fast relative to actual ability and I was facing more winds than I've seen in a while. It's not time for the winds of summer, and I'll leave Afghanistan before that happens, but I haven't run in a while either.

I intend to hash tomorrow, so the streak continues. It's a start.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:23 08:23 08:23 08:23 1.00
1.00 17:25 09:02 09:02 08:43 2.00
1.00 26:05 08:40 08:40 08:42 3.00
1.00 34:59 08:54 08:54 08:45 4.00
1.00 43:48 08:49 08:49 08:46 5.00
1.00 52:32 08:44 08:44 08:45 6.00
1.00 61:26 08:54 08:54 08:47 7.00
0.73 67:44 06:18 08:38 08:46 7.73

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 44:14.0, 25 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 379 of the campaign.

iThink:
Aly & AJ, "Chemicals React"
The Cure, "A Forest"

WX at 0030: 33 (1) DP 21 (-6) BP 30.03 (1017) WNW 6 RH 59 WC 26 (-3)

Odometer 3 (at 50% equivalence): 338.1mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 163/185

I don't like exercising with headphones on. I tend to sweat so much that my headphones become somewhat soggy. Eeuww. Therefore, I'm stuck with whatever's on the radio in the gym, rather than being able to iThink my way through my workout unmolested. This wasn't an issue in the other places where I've had a Concept because there was no background music, and I could figure out whatever the hell mantra I was going to use.

I was able to get out of the headquarters early enough (i.e., before midnight) that I was able to get to the gym and crank out my customary 10,000. This is a good sign, actually, that I'm getting stronger again, although I don't feel it much.

I weighed in at 181, which is less than I thought I was, which was 185. This is also encouraging. I'd like to get back down to below 179 again, which I think I'm starting to do through diet (finally), and if I continue to do this, I think I'll get leaner (as I'm working things other than just legs when I crank on the spinner). I have noticed that I've been shaving off about 5 seconds per workout so far. I think this is an indicator of not having rowed regularly in a while rather than any indicators of actual improved fitness, but I could be wrong.

I absolutely must do this more often than every three days. That is not enough.

Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 00:44:14
Per 500m: 02:13
Drag Factor : 183
Per Mile: 00:07:07

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 44:25.7, 21 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 376 of the campaign.

iThink:
The All-American Rejects, "Breakin'"
Belle and Sebastian, "Sleep the Clock Around"

WX at 0030: 35 (2) 28 (-2) 30.12 (1020) W 6 smoke; mist RH 74 WC 30 (-1)

Odometer 3 at 50% equivalence: 335.0mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 161/183

It has literally been a week since the last time I worked out. I thought things might slow down after finishing the last order, but within a day or two after finishing it, I was the escort officer for multiple civilian officials from the Pentagon the first few days of this past week. I am now also the acting chief of plans, rightly or wrongly.

I'm tired. Again. At some point, and we also managed to get the office redesign I'd been planning for the last four months, finally, that meant that we've been packing out. We might get a decent interval, but I'm not sure when.

I really, really need to work out every day or at least try. A week is far too long. When I'm making choices between exercise and sleep, this is problematic.

I'm not sure why I was thinking of Belle and Sebastian, but for some reason, I was reminded of the film Juno, although this wasn't either of the songs that was in that movie, I think. Or maybe it was "Expectations" and my memory's just spotty since the last time I listened to a lot of Belle and Sebastian was a decade ago.

Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 00:44:26
Per 500m: 02:13
Drag Factor : 186
Per Mile: 00:07:09

Background music

During my time in Afghanistan, for whatever reason, I get particular songs stuck in my head right after waking up. I'm not sure why, or what the reason is behind whatever song, but it is interesting occasionally, as some come completely unbidden. This morning is no exception as I haven't listened to U2 in years - and yet, "Like A Song" from their album War is this morning's background music.

Other improbable ones have included "My Flaming Red Bobsled" by Cub and innumerable Dos Gringos songs. Indeed, if I had to think of a wryly appropriate soundtrack for this tour, Dos Gringos is as good as any, unless that's just because I'm thinking about Jeremiah Weed more often than otherwise - although that has figured prominently as a running mantra over the last year as well.

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 44:30, 15 FEB 09, Kabul, Afghanistan

Day 369 of the campaign.

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

WX at 0130: 23 (-5) DP 15 (-9) BP 30.18 (1022) NNW 6 RH 73 WC 15 (-9)

Odometer 3: (+1.0 from elliptical+50% on spinner) 331.9mi

Z3, Z5 finish.
Average/max heart rate = 155/183

I was waiting on someone who was on the Concept2, and his form was just painful to watch, so I decided to save it for later tonight.

Problem was, it wasn't tonight. It was a day and a half later, and I attacked the Concept2 with a vengeance. I was concentrating on smooth form, and as usual, found that I was pulling an average faster time without really worrying about the clock or the time when I was concentrating on smooth, consistent form.

I still have a ways to go, although I will admit being at 5,000 feet probably makes a difference.

I'm glad there's a Concept2 here, although I have to admit I'm more partial to a Model C, which has been out of production for a long, long while.

Courage might mean hanging on for a moment longer. It sure meant that for me cranking away to finish in 44:30 - after most of this was spent with an estimated finish time of 44:50. I guess this is an example of "if I want it that bad, I'll kill it into existence" on the spinner...or to quote Frank Miller, from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, "You sold us out, Clark. You gave them the power that should have been ours. Just like your parents taught you to. My parents taught me a different lesson...lying on the street, shaking in deep shock, dying for no reason at all. They showed me that the world only makes sense when you force it to."

And so ends another Valentine's Day...

Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 00:44:31
Per 500m: 02:14
Drag Factor : 190
Per Mile: 00:07:10

The Two Words of the Day: courage and rancor

"Courage...means hanging on for just one moment longer." I think of this, perhaps, after the last few months, where my coworkers and I have been saying to ourselves "we just have to make it through this month and maybe the workload will back off." We've been saying that since July and we're still just hanging on.

On the other hand, there's rancor. Right now, there are big wet hairy flakes of snow coming down where I am. At a steady rate. I think of the enemy, out in the snow, and the first thought that comes to mind is to let them freeze. If they want heat, then let 'em burn.

I've never denied my darker side - but I also usually don't celebrate death the way I have lately, either. We also lost three soldiers this past week - not as bad as the bad days of August, but an awful lot for the winter at once.

After a year of working over 16 hours a day, I realize that I have gotten to the point that David Drake wrote about in The Military Dimension, that war makes people insane by civilian standards. After they return, they may return to those civilian standards. After a while.

10,000m on Concept2 Model D, 46:25, 10 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 364 of the campaign.

iThink: None. Couldn't fix on any one song since there was music in the background.

WX at 2330: 32 (0) DP 24 (-4) BP 30.00 (1016) NW 7 haze; smoke RH 74

Odometer 4: (at 50% equivalence) 110.1mi

Z4 by feel only.

First time in a long while that I've hit the spinner. I found out yesterday that there was a Concept2 Model D in our gym, so now I have a very real incentive to get back on the stick in a way that I'm pretty sure will keep me engaged. Besides, not too many other folks want to hit the rowing machine here, aside from the Crossfitters who seem to enjoy that sort of stuff - but not at the distances I row.

I haven't worked that hard in a while - and running, even when I'm going hard, doesn't really work the same thing.

I was stiff, and at first, I was encouraged at clocking 2:05/500m, but reality set in quickly, and I was much closer to 2:15/500m for the first 4500m, then just barely hanging on at 2:20-2:24/500m at the end. I was tired, but I was determined to finish 10,000. I'm sure I'll get stronger - I haven't done this in a long, long time. There was a cold fury behind tonight's work - somewhat like the same attitude I get when I'm going to finish something or kill anyone in my way. But it's the road to recovery. And I may be going home sooner than I thought originally when I got here.

It's no accident I've wanted a Concept2 for a long, long time, but the only chance I might have to get one will be after I come back from Afghanistan.

Splits
Distance: 10000
Time: 00:46:25
Per 500m: 02:19
Drag Factor : 186
Per Mile: 00:07:28

7.8mi, 66:40, 9 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 363 of the campaign.

iThink:
Housewife, "Channel Noir"
Bear McCreary, "The Ballad of Gaeta"
Sonny Rhodes, "Ballad of Serenity"
The Smiths, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"

WX at 2330: 37 (3) DP 32 (0) BP 30.09 (1019) SSE 2 RH 80

Odometer 4: 107.0mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 162/178

This is perimeter run 73.

I chickened out of running yesterday, but decided since I left work uncharacteristically early (i.e., 10:00pm) I'd get in my run. It was a little faster than before, and I was running more efficiently, but right now I'm weighing in at 185, and that's too much. I'm also working off some of the lard accumulated by writing the plan I did over the last few months.

I should eat less, but I'm not that disciplined lately.

I do have enough discipline, however, to get out and run.

I found out there's a Concept2 Model D in the gym. I suddenly feel much less compelled to run when I can get back on the saddle and crank away. Oh hell yeah.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:40 08:40 08:40 08:40 1.00
1.00 17:22 08:42 08:42 08:41 2.00
1.00 26:08 08:46 08:46 08:43 3.00
1.00 34:57 08:49 08:49 08:44 4.00
1.00 43:22 08:25 08:25 08:40 5.00
1.00 51:55 08:33 08:33 08:39 6.00
1.00 60:24 08:29 08:29 08:38 7.00
0.76 66:40 06:16 08:15 08:35 7.76

7.8mi, 66:55, 8 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 362 of the campaign.

iThink:
The Bats, "Courage"
Michael Kamen, Opening credits to From The Earth To the Moon

WX at 0130: 28 (-2) DP 19 (-7) BP 30.24 (1024) NW 6 RH 68

Odometer 3: 328.8mi

Z3-Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 159/179

This is perimeter run 72.

Tonight's not a school night, so I decided to go for a late night run. Sure beats lighting up cancer sticks to let off steam, and besides, I need to think about something different than why I don't want to talk to anyone, because the last few weeks has been sad validation about my basic belief in human nature.

I realized, though, that after almost a year in the combat zone, I cannot listen to Taps without crying. At the same time, I have no doubt that if I had occasion to level off my bullet launcher at someone I'm supposed to shoot, I'll do my damndest to put two rounds 5.56mm through that person's lethal zone. Maybe that's why I felt compelled to rewatch parts of The Lost Battalion, a really underrated movie starring Rick Schroder in a very compelling, non-Silver Spoons-like performance.

Coming up on St. Valentine's Day - and the first thing I think of whenever I think of that is St. Sebastian, getting shot with arrows and roasted on a grill by angry Roman soldiers. I also decided to rewatch the film Juno to remind me of a time when I was once still in love.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:43 08:43 08:43 08:43 1.00
1.00 17:38 08:55 08:55 08:49 2.00
1.00 26:17 08:39 08:39 08:46 3.00
1.00 34:52 08:35 08:35 08:43 4.00
1.00 43:21 08:29 08:29 08:40 5.00
1.00 52:01 08:40 08:40 08:40 6.00
1.00 60:39 08:38 08:38 08:40 7.00
0.75 66:55 06:16 08:21 08:38 7.75

~5mi, time indeterminate, 5 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Still day 359 of the campaign.

iThink: None.

WX at 2330: 28 (-2) DP 19 (-7) BP 30.03 (1017) WNW 6 RH 69

Odometer 3: 321.0mi

Z2-4.
Average/max heart rate = no reading.

I wasn't intending on hashing tonight, but after the course became an A-A trail, I decided to run. I was glad I did - it's the most substantive PT I've done in days, not counting my 30 minutes whittling away on the elliptical.

It's always hard to follow trail - but more so during the middle of the night on rocks. Still, it's easier than laying trail myself, and I got some good stretches of speed in just to shake things out.

No Splits.

2.95mi simulated, 30:00, 5 FEB 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 359 of the campaign.

iThink: None.

WX at 0130: 33 (1) DP 33 (1) BP 29.97 (1015) SE 2 mist RH 100

Odometer 4: 99.2mi

Z2.
Average/max heart rate = 117/133

First PT in almost a week, I think. At least it feels like it. We are going through the finish of our last major order, and I think it's probably the best order we've collectively written. It also reflects my extremely coercive view of the nature of my work and has been goddamn near all-consuming lately.

I've also found that as I've been downrange, I have progressively less and less to talk with Household6. She lives in a universe that is utterly alien to the attitude that sometimes terrible things have to be done because they are necessary. This is my reality.

It is no accident that I had the lyrics to Throwing Muses' "Shimmer" in my head this morning when I stepped out to work: "it don't rain under the water, it don't rain inside my heart."

Continuing to work my way through Keri Hulme's The Bone People. There are some parallels to my own life, it seems, from time to time, with that book. Not that I'm Maori or anything.

No splits.

The Coolest Thing Ever

I've been playing with Celestia Portable, a space simulator, and realize that my astrogation skills suck. But it's pretty neat, and after spending much of a day writing plans about how I'm going to find a way to kill certain demographics of people, there's some strange release in playing around with this.

When I don't feel like flying around at relativistic speeds to go see things like the Small Magellanic Cloud and M31, I can stay on Earth and look at constellations with Stellarium Portable instead.

7.8mi, 70:56, 31 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 354 of the campaign.

iThink:
Bear McCreary, "All Along the Watchtower"
The Cure, "A Forest"

WX at 0130: 32 (0) DP 19 (-7) BP 30.18 (1022) NNW 5 RH 59

Odometer 4: 96.2mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 159/168

This is perimeter run 71.

I was half-thinking about chickening out tonight, but I heard about about something on base that I couldn't pass up, so I went for a run to do some sightseeing.

I also needed to expend some lard. I skipped lunch today and I was paying for it all afternoon as I tried to eat my way through a shitload of junk food.

Tonight felt more like 33 degrees more so than yesterday - although I was wearing less snivel gear and I felt like I ran more efficiently. My legs were tired, though, from doing two perimeter runs in a row, so I'll need to be judicious about what I do the next few days to make sure I'm not overtrained.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:45 08:45 08:45 08:45 1.00
1.00 17:49 09:04 09:04 08:54 2.00
1.00 26:52 09:03 09:03 08:57 3.00
1.00 36:13 09:21 09:21 09:03 4.00
1.00 45:25 09:12 09:12 09:05 5.00
1.00 54:40 09:15 09:15 09:07 6.00
1.00 63:58 09:18 09:18 09:08 7.00
0.76 70:56 06:58 09:10 09:08 7.76

7.8mi, 67:47, 30 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 353 of the campaign.

iThink:
The All-American Rejects, "Dance Inside"
Death Cab for Cutie, "What Sarah Said"
Hilary Duff, "Wake Up"

WX at 0130: 33 (1) DP 32 (0) BP 30.09 (1019) Calm RH 93

Odometer 3: 316.6mi

Z3, Z4 finish.
Average/max heart rate = 163/176

This is perimeter run 70.

Much warmer than the temperature might indicate. I should've gone lighter with the snivel gear. It sure doesn't feel like 33 degrees.

I haven't run outside this week until now. Work has been that bad. I know it's bad when I go four days in between doing much of anything. It's that bad.

I'm hitting around 185 pounds partly because of this, and I should eat less, but I haven't had enough presence of mind to suck it up and be hungry.

I'm sure I'd run faster if I were lighter, but I haven't tried and keeping an even keel at work requires some food that I like other than just leaves.

Getting more than 5.5 hours of sleep a night might help too.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:37 08:37 08:37 08:37 1.00
1.00 17:27 08:50 08:50 08:43 2.00
1.00 26:15 08:48 08:48 08:45 3.00
1.00 35:15 09:00 09:00 08:49 4.00
1.00 43:50 08:35 08:35 08:46 5.00
1.00 52:38 08:48 08:48 08:46 6.00
1.00 61:27 08:49 08:49 08:47 7.00

4.32mi simulated, 45:00, 26 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 350 of the campaign.

iThink: None.

WX at 2330: 37 (3) DP 35 (2) BP 29.97 (1015) S 3 mist RH 93

Odometer 4: 88.4mi

Z3 low.
Average/max heart rate = 138/152

I figured I'd go a little shorter today, so only 45 minutes. I only got five hours of sleep yesterday, but I needed to burn lard. So lard it is.

Got a bit further into Keri Hulme's The Bone People, which is a paradoxical, but interesting read. When my entire working day revolves around writing plans, it's good to think about what else is there.

As I was telling my boss today, "education is an ornament in prosperity and a treasure in adversity." I'm sure I'm misquoting Vice Admiral James Stockdale, but it becomes more relevant every day here.

No Splits.

2.37mi simulated, 30:00, 25 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 348 of the campaign.

iThink: The All-American Rejects, "Gives You Hell"

WX at 0130: 41 (5) DP 28 (-2) BP 30.00 (1016) ENE 7 mist RH 60

Odometer 4: 84.1mi

Z2 heart rate, Z3 perceived effort.
Average heart rate = 127

Thirty minutes of idle wogging on the elliptical, and a chance to catch back up on my reading. Tonight's book is the continuation of the last, so Keri Hulme's The Bone People is still on the docket.

I was just working easy after going around the perimeter yesterday. I'm trying to maintain some veneer of momentum. It's worth a try.

That All-American Rejects song has a surprising level of schadenfreude even by my standards. It is catchy, and I can't dispute that I've felt that way sometimes in my life. Whatever.

No splits.

7.8mi, 68:59, 24 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 347 of the campaign.

iThink:
Tommy Keene, "Drowning"
Dos Gringos, "Going In For Guns"
Dos Gringos, "HLTC"

WX at 0130: 33 (1) DP 23 (-5) BP 30.18 (1022) Variable 3 RH 64

Odometer 4: 81.7mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 153/165

This is perimeter run 69.

This has been, for the most part, a mild winter. This is fine for running, but not so good for fighting. I say this partially because I wasn't wearing much in the way of snivel gear tonight when I ran.

This is later than I intended, but I needed to run, and while I had momentum, I might as well get at it.

I also realized I didn't really care about how fast I was going, so long as I got in some mileage. I wouldn't call this junk mileage as I thought my pacing was actually fairly disciplined, relative to terrain and conditions. I also acknowledge the fact that I'm not ready to do anything like what I was doing earlier since I haven't been doing anywhere near as much.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:39 08:39 08:39 08:39 1.00
1.00 17:25 08:46 08:46 08:43 2.00
1.00 26:09 08:44 08:44 08:43 3.00
1.00 35:19 09:10 09:10 08:50 4.00
1.00 44:16 08:57 08:57 08:51 5.00
1.00 53:12 08:56 08:56 08:52 6.00
1.00 62:18 09:06 09:06 08:54 7.00
0.76 68:59 06:41 08:48 08:53 7.76

4.23mi, time indeterminate, 22 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 345 of the campaign.

iThink: none

WX at : 30 (-1) DP 21 (-6) BP 30.18 (1022) NW 7 RH 69

Odometer 3: 308.8mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 128/175

This was a hash that turned out to be longer than expected because I spent a lot of time retracing paths. I also got some mud tonight since the rain/snow from the last few days left a lot of wet dirt. First one in a while I haven't hared. Haha.

Still, this is a big improvement from doing nothing for PT for the last two days.

This was needed, anyway, because work today got nucking futs, more than usual.

No Splits.

7.8mi, 65:29, 20 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 343 of the campaign.

iThink:
Dos Gringos, "Jeremiah Weed"
The Cure, "A Forest"
Sonny Rhodes, "The Ballad of Serenity"
Bear McCreary, "Storming New Caprica"

WX at 1930: 32 (0) DP 21 (-6) BP 30.21 (1023) NW 5 smoke RH 63 WC 26

Odometer 4: 73.9 mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 167/180

This is perimeter run 68.

First perimeter run in 10 days. It's been a while, and I have gotten soft.

Long runs are my way of mentally unloading thoughts I've been meaning to think about but can't at the workplace. I'm not at the hooch long enough to do much other than sleep and occasionally write this screed.

These are not things I want to entertain much lately, but I do, because I feel like I must, from time to time.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:13 08:13 08:13 08:13 1.00
1.00 16:36 08:23 08:23 08:18 2.00
1.00 24:57 08:21 08:21 08:19 3.00
1.00 33:25 08:28 08:28 08:21 4.00
1.00 41:54 08:29 08:29 08:23 5.00
1.00 50:37 08:43 08:43 08:26 6.00
1.00 59:08 08:31 08:31 08:27 7.00
0.76 65:29 06:21 08:21 08:26 7.76

3.1mi simulated, 30:00, 19 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 342 of the campaign.

iThink: None.

WX at 0130: 28 (-2) DP 19 (-7) BP 30.18 (1022) WNW 3 RH 68

Odometer 3: 304.5mi

Z3 low.
Average/max heart rate = 135 or so

I was almost about to chicken out, but I decided go for thirty minutes of easy work. That was punctuated by surfing the web. Oops.

I'm hoping tomorrow dries out enough where I can run the perimeter. Maybe.

Still not sure if I've gotten past my ire at the incompetent and unprofessional. That, or there's Grey's Law: "Any sufficiently advanced incompetence is indistinguishable from malice."

Tonight's book: Keri Hulme, The Bone People. I'd gladly read any kind of literature - and this one is sufficiently off the beaten path to be worthy of real effort. It's not like I expect to read New Zealand literature about the Maori while I'm in Afghanistan.

No Splits.

7.3mi simulated, 60:05, 18 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 341 of the campaign.

iThink: 10,000 Maniacs, "Every Day Is Like Sunday"

WX at 0030: 28 (-2) DP 26 (-3) BP 30.12 (1020) WNW 5 snow RH 92

Odometer 4: 66.1mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 155

I learned my lesson from the last time and if I was going to endure incredible boredom on the elliptical whilst burning lard, I was going to catch up on some of the reading I'd been meaning to do while here.

The book I was reading was Michael Hodges' A Doctor Looks at War, an account of a cardiologist who was assigned to Fort Bragg, and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. My parents bought this book for me, as I'd spent some seven years at Fort Bragg, but I should've guessed that there'd be a persistent element of religion. I'll burn through the book as it's a pretty fast read (I was about 175 pages through from the start when the hour timer went off) but people address things in different ways.

I realize this because as I go through this tour, and realize some of the more pervasive dark sides of my personality, that I don't embrace any kind of religion at all. I realize this because the nature of my work has led me down a repudiation of human nature in a great many ways.

There are some true professionals with whom I am honored to work. There are some others who I think are complete and utter shitbags and are merely exchanging food products and oxygen at varying rates. I'm still of the belief that working with the latter is part of the price I pay for the privilege of working with the former. The price of that is that most of the former will be crushed flat and scraped off the floor with a putty knife by the end of the tour.

We lost two soldiers today, one in a helicopter crash and the other in a suicide vehicle-borne IED bombing, and there are others who are maimed for life. I think of those and other troops we've lost, in light of what I know to be a fairly well-developed sense of revenge. I realize lately that it would take scant motivation for me to kill, up close, which may not be a good leading indicator of ethics and morality as I start approaching the last quarter of my tour.

There are a few people who have warned me that all this hate is going to burn me up. There is a part of me that doesn't really care, because that's the part of me that is going to do whatever it takes, straight up to the bitter end. There's another part of me that wonders what I have to do in order to let it go because I probably won't be a very functional member of society if I want to kill a statistically significant number of people I see that I patently don't respect.

No splits.

3.6mi simulated, 30:00, 15 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 338 of the campaign.

iThink: Douglas Fulton, theme music to the video game "Skyfox" (Electronic Arts, 1983)

WX at 0730: 30 (-1) DP 30 (-1) BP 30.33 (1027) WNW 7 mist RH 100 WC 23

Odometer 3: 301.4mi

Z3.
Average heart rate = about 130 or so.

When it's wet and soupy, I don't want to run outside. Because I don't feel like it.

I did, however, set my alarm to wake me up to get in thirty minutes of almost desultory work on the elliptical. This morning falls partly in the junk miles category, but it's also to build up momentum. This is an issue of willpower - if I plan properly, I can spare the 30 minutes a day for the workout and some time associated with everything else just to ensure that my physical training program for that day doesn't mean "do nothing but eat."

The theme music to Skyfox stems is actually from being subjected to some NBA basketball game. That made me think of another ancient (i.e., 1982 or 1983) EA video game called Larry Bird and Dr. J. One-on-One - whose theme music was Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" - and then it reminded me of what would stick in the back of my head.

Yes, I feel old.

No Splits.

6.0 simulated, 55:42, 14 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 337 of the campaign.

iThink: The Smiths, "Cemetry Gates" (thinking about the Oscar Wilde book I still have in my vertical file at my desk)

WX at 0730: 32 (0) DP 30 (-1) BP 30.33 (1027) NNW 3 big hairy clods of snow; mist RH 92

Odometer 4: 58.8mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = no reading - the heart rate reading on the elliptical wasn't working.

There are big wet hairy snowflakes coming out of the sky, and it's motivational. Motivational enough to get me into the gym because I'm too much of a wimp to go outside.

Goal was to crank on the elliptical until the calorie counter hit 1000. I did that in 55:42, and I wasn't too concerned about distance. I needed to because I'm starting to get rounded and somewhat fat. Not acceptable.

I'm not so desperate that I'll hit the dreadmill. Yet.

I think if I can get back on a reasonable discipline, then I may just hit the elliptical for 30 minutes daily if I don't do anything else. I've become dilatory and the commandment of "if you do only one thing, it had better be PT" has fallen by the wayside. That has to change.

No Splits.

7.8mi, 64:59, 11 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 334 of the campaign.

iThink:
Bear McCreary, "Passacaglia"
Kenny Loggins, "Danger Zone" (Yes, I saw strike fighters taking off and thought of the film Top Gun.)
Cheap Trick, "Mighty Wings" (The next song on the soundtrack. Yes, I had the soundtrack. On tape. 22 years ago.)

WX at 0130: 28 (-2) DP 23 (-5) BP 30.27 (1025) NW 7 RH 81

Odometer 4: 52.8mi

Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 161/177.

This is perimeter run 67.

Work has been nucking futs lately. It is an indicator that I've been so ridiculously busy that the only time I can work out is at 1:30am when work is done. That is so wrong, in so many, ways, and yet there's not a whole lot I can do about it.

I was pleasantly surprised at the opening pace, until I realized I was going to have to work a hell of a lot harder to maintain what I thought was a reasonable pace. The usual crossover from suck to go that happens at around the 25-30 minute mark happened, and once I was past it, I was mostly steady for pace. It is the first substantive outside run that I've done in a week. That's not so good.

I realized I've been getting fatter lately, so I've been making some changes in my diet and trying to eat less. I'm not sanguine about being able to carve out time to run more, so I'll have to intake fewer calories. It is what it is.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:15 08:15 08:15 08:15 1.00
1.00 16:33 08:18 08:18 08:16 2.00
1.00 25:00 08:27 08:27 08:20 3.00
1.00 33:35 08:35 08:35 08:24 4.00
1.00 42:00 08:25 08:25 08:24 5.00
1.00 50:27 08:27 08:27 08:24 6.00
1.00 58:54 08:27 08:27 08:25 7.00
0.76 64:59 06:05 08:00 08:22 7.76

1.5mi hash, time indeterminate, 8 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 331 of the campaign.

iThink: Death Cab for Cutie, "The Ice Is Getting Thinner"

WX at 2230: 26 (-3) 21 (-6) 30.33 (1027) WNW 2 haze; smoke RH 81

Odometer 3: 298.8mi

Z3-Z4.
Average/max heart rate = 155/175

Good lord, first hash in almost a month. The cold weather is not helping much for people coming out and hashing, and I decided to hare since I didn't want to go very far and I wasn't expecting many people tonight. As it turns out, my trail was about the right length. Total distance to the finish was actually a little over a mile. I decided not to build in any long trails leading to dead ends, and I didn't employ any of the usual tricks I use to screw with the pack.

It was well-received, which is always a good sign, but I realize that my philosophies about laying trail are pretty well ingrained - but seem to work here - especially with less experienced hashers who are looking for flour in places - so I was especially obvious. And it worked.

Circle was in a pleasantly warm (very warm) room, but the beer was room temperature, ironically since the temperature outside is...below freezing.

There's another in two weeks, but I won't have to hare that one...for once!

~6.0mi (simulated), 1 hour, 7 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 330 of the campaign.

iThink: none.

WX at 0030: 23 (-5) DP 15 (-9) BP 30.12 (1020) WNW 5 mist RH 73

Odometer 4: 45.0mi estimate

Z2. By the calorie counter, 1000 calories.

Today is the Princess's birthday. I must call home later today. Period.

I decided to chicken out. I just didn't feel like taking on 23-degree cold, so I decided to wimp out a little less than the last two days and hit the elliptical machine. I realized this because my neck and cheeks are starting to get a little chubby, and that just won't do.

My legs will probably feel it tomorrow - but my skin and my knees won't, and that's okay.

No iThink tonight, because I decided to really fall off the wagon and started reading. I'd been reading Geoffrey Perret's Winged Victory, a detailed history of the US Army Air Force during World War II. Like Perret's other books, it's an irreverently good read, and really does a good job of highlighting the importance of the history behind the narrative in a way that never gets dry.

I was talking to one of my classmates from Fort Leavenworth on the phone today, and told him I've learned more about joint warfare in this job than in any other job I've ever had. It's also the most punishing job I've ever had, and that's why I think about where things are going, when I eventually leave Afghanistan.

But first, I must de-fattify myself.

7.8mi, 70:01, 3 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 326 of the campaign.

iThink:
R.E.M., "Driver 8"
The All-American Rejects, "Move Along"
The Dust Brothers, "Stealing Fat" (the opening credits music to the film Fight Club)
Bear McCreary, "Passacaglia"

WX at : 35 (2) DP 32 (0) BP 30.15 (1021) W 9 light rain RH 89

Odometer 3: 297.3mi

Z3.
Average/max heart rate = 155/165

This is perimeter run 66.

Our intelligence planner has been telling us the weather was going to turn shitty, and the timing was impeccable. It started raining just as I got back. Tomorrow's going to be wet and sloppy, so I may not run, except on the dreadmill.

I started out going what I thought was going to be a workable pace, but found out I was running with a tailwind and started getting tired. It was slower than I wanted, but faster than yesterday.

I may pay for this later in dead legs, but the run was worth it, at least for now.

Shitty weather in the winter is good for us because it's bad for the enemy. And when it drops below freezing, it's turning into snow. Wet snow on top of wet ground.

Kill on. No thanks to the 1st No Value Added brigade of slugs who steal oxygen from more deserving individuals who actually work in our headquarters.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:36 08:36 08:36 08:36 1.00
1.00 17:21 08:45 08:45 08:41 2.00
1.00 26:16 08:55 08:55 08:45 3.00
1.00 35:51 09:35 09:35 08:58 4.00
1.00 44:32 08:41 08:41 08:54 5.00
1.00 53:45 09:13 09:13 08:58 6.00
1.00 63:10 09:25 09:25 09:01 7.00
0.75 70:01 06:51 09:08 09:02 7.75

7.8mi, 71:41, 1 JAN 09, Bagram, Afghanistan

Day 324 of the campaign.

iThink:
New Model Army, "Bad Old World"
Dmitri Shostakovitch, Piano Concerto No. 2, Allegro, Opus 102
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 "Eroica," Scherzo-Vivace

WX at 2330: 28 (-2) 21 (-6) 30.09 (1019) ESE 2 smoke RH 74

Odometer 4: 39.0mi

Z2-3.
Average/max heart rate = 157/171

This is perimeter run 65.

I started out exhausted but I know I needed to run since it had been four days since I last hit the road. I know I'm starting to get fat.

I attribute the previous discussion of the killing wheel to the New Model Army song that was stuck in my head this evening, since it factors in as part of the lyrics.

I'm not sure what caused me to get the music I associate with "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" from the movie Fantasia 2000, but it stuck, and eventually passed to what I call the "T.C. McQueen Workout Video," in homage to the show Space: Above and Beyond. The episode of S:AAB that featured the Beethoven passage was "The Angriest Angel," which is an episode about loneliness and revenge, and eventually redemption. Given that I have an extremely well-developed sense of revenge lately, I thought it appropriate - and that it was interesting how many similarities I found between the character of Tyrus Cassius McQueen and various character traits I've been exhibiting lately.

Maybe not the healthiest thing. There is time to recover later.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:07 09:07 09:07 09:07 1.00
1.00 18:30 09:23 09:23 09:15 2.00
1.00 27:50 09:20 09:20 09:17 3.00
1.00 37:18 09:28 09:28 09:19 4.00
1.00 46:21 09:03 09:03 09:16 5.00
1.00 55:40 09:19 09:19 09:17 6.00
1.00 64:59 09:19 09:19 09:17 7.00
0.74 71:41 06:42 09:03 09:16 7.74