2.4mi + 5,000m on Concept2 Model E, 22:31 + 22:02, 23 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Maritime, "Pearl"

WX at 0700: 50.0 (10.0)     DP 44.1 (6.7)     BP 30.11 (1019)     ENE 8  RH 80

Odometer 11B: 35.1mi equivalence

Z3 high.  Average/max heart rate = 146/169 run only.  Averaged about 161-165 on erg.

First time on the erg in a while.  First 1000m felt promising, then I started to suck really bad.  When you don't do it for a long while, your times get worse.  Got it.

I should do this more often, though.  Since I don't see myself buying my own Concept2 anytime soon, maybe so.

Splits
SGMT    AGGRG    SEGMT    PERMI    AVGPC    DIST
1.21    11:27    11:27    09:28    09:28    1.21
1.21    22:31    11:04    09:09    09:18    2.42

Distance:    5000
Time:    00:22:02
Avg/500m:    02:12
Drag Factor:    107
Per Mile:    00:07:06

The Coolest Thing Ever

I played Traveller when I was growing up.  It was hard enough SF that it appealed to me after I got away from fantasy, more gritty than Star Frontiers, but not quite as suicidally glum as Twilight: 2000.

The Traveller Map pretty much rules.

4.6mi, 43:37, 22 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
The Soviet national anthem (no shit.)
Dan Latarski and Kim Nagel, title music to the 1990 computer game Stellar 7

WX at 0800:     48.9 (9.4)     DP 46.0 (7.8)     BP 30.2 (1022)     NNE 3  RH 89

Odometer 11A: 416.6mi

Z3 easy.  Average/max heart rate = 148/163

The weather was nice and I was tempted to go harder but I know I'll pay for it later on if I do that.  So today was a pretty easy-feeling recovery run, mostly.

I'll go long on Saturday.

Splits
SGMT    AGGRG    SEGMT    PERMI    AVGPC    DIST
1.00    09:20    09:20    09:20    09:20    1.00
1.00    18:36    09:16    09:16    09:18    2.00
1.00    28:11    09:35    09:35    09:24    3.00
1.00    37:45    09:34    09:34    09:26    4.00
0.60    43:37    05:52    09:47    09:29    4.60

5.0mi, 42:52, 21 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
The Killers, "When You Were Young"
Maritime, "Pearl"

WX at 0700: 54.0 (12.2)     DP 46.0 (7.8)     BP 30.1 (1019)     W 7 RH 74

Odometer 11B: 31.1mi

Z4.  Average/max heart rate = 157/172

Today did not start feeling like I was going to go hard, but I settled in after the first 100m and went at what I thought I could hold for 5 miles going at effort.  Today turned into a tempo run, and it was productive.

Uphills of any kind were more work than expected, perhaps a sign that my legs are tired and maybe I should work raw strength on some days.  Then again, I like to eat, so I like to run.  I should eat to run, but I run to eat.

Maybe when graduate school is over, I might do better.  That might be denial talking too since my schedule will return to its usual structured self afterwards.

Tomorrow will be an exercise in discipline as those are the days I need to start working on pushups and situps.  It's coming up to that time of the year again.

Splits
1.00    08:39    08:39    08:39    08:39    1.00
1.00    16:54    08:15    08:15    08:27    2.00
1.00    25:38    08:44    08:44    08:33    3.00
1.00    34:30    08:52    08:52    08:37    4.00
1.00    42:52    08:22    08:22    08:34    5.00

3.67mi, 35:59, 20 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The Bats, "Flowers and Trees"

WX at 0900: 64.0 (17.8)     DP 53.1 (11.7)     BP 30 (1015)     S 13 RH 67

Odometer 11A: 412.0mi

Z2.  Average/max heart rate = 146/178

I wasn't sure what I was going to be up for, but as it turns out, recovery mileage was about all it was good for.  I was too beat for much of anything else.

Splits
SGMT    AGGRG    SEGMT    PERMI    AVGPC    DIST
1.00    09:41    09:41    09:41    09:41    1.00
1.00    19:24    09:43    09:43    09:42    2.00
1.00    29:24    10:00    10:00    09:48    3.00
0.67    35:59    06:35    09:50    09:48    3.67

6.22mi, 55:15, 19 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Maritime, "Pearl"
The Bats, "Afternoon in Bed"

WX at 0700: 55 (13) DP 55 (13) BP 30.06 (1017) WNW 3 fog RH 100

Odometer 11B: 26.1mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 153/168

I took yesterday off partly because my legs were totally beat. Today was a pleasant run in comparison, although I only got 4 hours of sleep last night.

The humidity and temperature were a nice counterpoint this morning. No problems with shoes once I had them laced properly. I have less latitude with these than the GT-2160s I had beforehand.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:01 09:01 09:01 09:01 1.00
1.00 17:36 08:35 08:35 08:48 2.00
1.00 26:31 08:55 08:55 08:50 3.00
1.00 35:36 09:05 09:05 08:54 4.00
1.00 44:31 08:55 08:55 08:54 5.00
1.00 53:18 08:47 08:47 08:53 6.00
0.22 55:15 01:57 08:52 08:53 6.22

4.61mi, 41:18, 17 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: R.E.M., "Driver 8"

WX at 1100: 55.0 (12.8) DP 53.1 (11.7) BP 30.13 (1020) SE 13 mist RH 93

Odometer 11B: 19.9mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 153/173

Not too hard, not too easy. Not junk miles either as I was getting some kinks out from yesterday and the day before.

Eating two pieces of bread a half hour before made for a better experience - rather than gearing up at the 25-35 minute mark, I felt better at the 17:30 mark. It could also be that I slept with all alarms off and slept a blissful 9 hours last night.

The weather was damp, overcast, and altogether quite pleasant.

I think the GT-2150s are starting to break in.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:02 09:02 09:02 09:02 1.00
1.00 18:07 09:05 09:05 09:03 2.00
1.00 27:00 08:53 08:53 09:00 3.00
1.00 35:50 08:50 08:50 08:58 4.00
0.61 41:18 05:28 08:58 08:58 4.61

4.0mi, 39:16, 16 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Maritime, "Tearing Up the Oxygen"

WX at 0700: 52.0 (11.1) DP 42.1 (5.6) BP 30.24 (1024) SE 6 RH 68

Odometer 11B: 13.3mi

Z3 low. Average/max heart rate = 140/153

Easy recovery run after yesterday's hard run. My legs were not up to much else today. Cool, overcast, and damp after a brief rainstorm earlier this morning.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:38 09:38 09:38 09:38 1.00
1.00 19:25 09:47 09:47 09:43 2.00
1.00 29:31 10:06 10:06 09:50 3.00
1.00 39:16 09:45 09:45 09:49 4.00

7.35mi, 63:23, 15 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Maritime, "Pearl"

WX at 0700: 42.1 (5.6) DP 35.1 (1.7) BP 30.36 (1028) N 5 RH 76

Odometer 11A: 408.4mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 156/170

Today was cool and the run was glorious. Nothing better than to get out there and just crank hard without feeling like I was going to redline.

This weather, of course, won't last more than a few days before it heats up again.

My old GT-2160s have more life on them than I thought - or it could be that I just haven't broken in the GT-2150s because my feet felt so much better in the old shoes, which is unusual. Most of the time I've been able to run hard in new Asics shoes right out of the box, but these GT-2150s are an exception.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:23 08:23 08:23 08:23 1.00
1.00 16:43 08:20 08:20 08:21 2.00
1.00 25:18 08:35 08:35 08:26 3.00
1.00 34:09 08:51 08:51 08:32 4.00
1.00 42:48 08:39 08:39 08:34 5.00
1.00 51:36 08:48 08:48 08:36 6.00
1.00 60:19 08:43 08:43 08:37 7.00
0.35 63:23 03:04 08:46 08:37 7.35

4.27mi, 38:59, 13 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
30 Seconds to Mars, "Closer to the Edge"
The Cranberries, "Twenty One"

WX at 0700: 64.9 (18.3) DP 57.0 (13.9) BP 29.94 (1013) NNE 8 RH 75

Odometer 11B: 9.3mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 149/165

Nothing hard. Another run to not sleep in and to try to see if these shoes will work for me. Left foot seemed okay, but right foot still had some blistering problems. It was better than yesterday, which is an encouraging sign.

I'm absolutely not 21 anymore.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:17 09:17 09:17 09:17 1.00
1.00 18:10 08:53 08:53 09:05 2.00
1.00 27:25 09:15 09:15 09:08 3.00
1.00 36:34 09:09 09:09 09:09 4.00
0.27 38:59 02:25 08:57 09:08 4.27

5.0mi, 45:45, 12 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Maritime, "German Engineering"

WX at 0700: 57.9 (14.4) DP 55.0 (12.8) BP 30.06 (1017) S 8 RH 90

Odometer 11B: 5.0mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 145/159

Today was supposed to be a 7-miler, but my legs were not up to it. The desire was there, but today's run went down shitty. That's about the most accurate descriptor for it. Shitty.

New shoes may be another factor, since I ran in a pair of ASICS GT-2150 trail shoes for the first time and must admit I don't like them as much as the GT-2140s (which I loved) or the GT-2160s (which I liked). Maybe they'll break in. Today was the first time I had to stop to readjust shoes because I was at risk of blistering my feet. It's been a while.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:58 08:58 08:58 08:58 1.00
1.00 17:52 08:54 08:54 08:56 2.00
1.00 27:04 09:12 09:12 09:01 3.00
1.00 36:38 09:34 09:34 09:09 4.00
1.00 45:45 09:07 09:07 09:09 5.00

Some thoughts, a decade after 9/11

I had occasion to go to a commemoration of the attacks on September 11, 2001 at my children's school. I realize I look at patriotism a little differently than many other I know.

Being there around lots of children reminds me of why I feel uncomfortable around them; they still have their innocence, something I lost a long, long time ago.

I was a company commander the day of the attacks. I told my troops to get ready to go, because it might happen. I also told them to squelch any rumors and I would tell them what I knew as soon as I found out. I kept to that promise, and while my cavalry troop didn't deploy under my watch, it did a year after I turned the troop over to my successor.

The students sang three of the verses of the national anthem, omitting the one perhaps most important to me as a servant of the Republic:

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

For a variety of reasons, the children don't sing that verse. I suspect because we don't want to share the fact that sometimes, however unpleasant, we must kill the enemies of the state to defend the people who live in it. The other might be that we don't want to dust off discussions of indentured servitude or worse still, slavery with our children. Better they be high schoolers before we really start digging into the bucket of poo and start slinging some of the really unpleasant truth about the origins of the United States.

The other thing about being around children, certainly those who still have their innocence, is that I don't want them to get the same view of purpose that I hold. I don't want my children to inherit my belief of "dear lord, make me an instrument of your vengeance." But as I boil down what I used to describe to my former students as the "Hannah Montana Theory of Victory in the Long War," I will freely advocate an ethnocidal war of annihilation using mostly nonlethal means. My preferred weapons include portable energy generation, delivery of essential services, the internet, and satellite TV.

I say mostly nonlethal means. The ones who don't want to embrace modernity and can't accept peaceful coexistence...well, I'd be perfectly happy to kill every last one of those motherfuckers. While I'm out of the Close Combat Industry by choice, I realize that there was some dark satisfaction to some of the plans I wrote years ago; reports that insurgents were going hungry and were cold and didn't have shelter because coalition forces were taking it to them in the middle of the winter brought me some dark glee. The insurgency was acting at odds to what we were seeking to accomplish, so I hope those assholes fucking froze to death. I have no regrets and no compunctions. None.

That's why I don't like bowdlerized patriotism. Sometimes you have to do terrible things because the alternative is worse, and freedom usually costs more than $1.05, for those who have seen the film Team America: World Police.

As Thomas Paine said, "If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace."

Postscript: I realized the other thing that really just gets me on the fucking rag -- it's the "under god" part of the Pledge of Allegiance. I'll say it, but not those two words. Oh well. At least my dog tags say ATHEIST on the religious preference line, so I don't have any pretenses either way.

The war continues. In the meantime, I have a new bottle of Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey. It's time for some goddamn catharsis drinking tonight.

That's how you do it, bitch!

Oh, I adore poking eternal fun at Disney...

5.0mi, 44:19, 9 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Velocity Girl, "Labrador"
Maritime, "It's Casual"
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 "Eroica," Scherzo-Vivace

WX at 0700: 55.0 (12.8) DP 54.0 (12.2) BP 30.06 (1017) NW 5 RH 96

Odometer 11A: 396.9mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 151/167

Not too fast, not too slow, but today actually felt okay.

I had brief glimmers of schadenfreude-induced speed. Woot.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:52 08:52 08:52 08:52 1.00
1.00 17:28 08:36 08:36 08:44 2.00
1.00 26:42 09:14 09:14 08:54 3.00
1.00 35:37 08:55 08:55 08:54 4.00
1.00 44:19 08:42 08:42 08:52 5.00

6.0mi, 50:48, 7 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Maritime, "Tearing Up the Oxygen"

WX at 0700: 48.0 (8.9) DP 46.0 (7.8) BP 30.25 (1024) NE 6 RH 93

Odometer 11A: 391.9mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 158/175

Today was pleasantly fast relative to my other runs all year.

I felt two bursts of speed this morning, the first from the usual full bore warmup at about 30 minutes, and the second coming mostly from the burning schadenfreude I get from burning people on the sidewalk. I don't care if that sounds antisocial.

It was a glorious 48 degrees, and I went out hard, right from the start. I am SO glad I didn't sleep in this morning.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:31 08:31 08:31 08:31 1.00
1.00 16:38 08:07 08:07 08:19 2.00
1.00 25:17 08:39 08:39 08:26 3.00
1.00 34:01 08:44 08:44 08:30 4.00
1.00 42:14 08:13 08:13 08:27 5.00
1.00 50:48 08:34 08:34 08:28 6.00

4.04mi, 39:40, 6 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Maritime, "Pearl"

WX at 0700: 51.1 (10.6) DP 45.0 (7.2) BP 30.19 (1022) E 6 RH 79

Odometer 11A: 385.9mi

Z2. Average/max heart rate = 140/165

I felt like complete trash this morning, so I figured I'd run, but I had no grand expectations. Circadian rhythms being what they are, waking up on a workday after 4 days of dissolute weekend sleep habits is always a barrel of laughs.

At least I didn't sleep in.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:57 09:57 09:57 09:57 1.00
1.00 19:44 09:47 09:47 09:52 2.00
1.00 29:59 10:15 10:15 10:00 3.00
1.04 39:40 09:41 09:19 09:49 4.04

4.59mi, 43:07, 5 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Maritime, "Tearing Up The Oxygen"
The Dust Brothers, "Stealing Fat"

WX at 1000: 62.1 (16.7) 50.0 (10.0) 30.21 (1023) NNE 12 RH 64

Odometer 11A: 381.9mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 148/164

Deliberately easy in spite of a few minor lapses in judgment. I couldn't pass up a day where it was still 62F by 10am.

It's been a while since I thought about the opening credits music to Fight Club as an iThink. I think the last time I did that was sometime in 2008, in Qatar, of all places.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:07 09:07 09:07 09:07 1.00
1.00 18:44 09:37 09:37 09:22 2.00
1.00 28:17 09:33 09:33 09:26 3.00
1.00 37:31 09:14 09:14 09:23 4.00
0.59 43:07 05:36 09:29 09:24 4.59

7.37mi, 66:32, 4 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Maritime, "Pearl"
Maritime, "Paraphernalia"
Velocity Girl, "Labrador"

WX at 1000: 66.0 (18.9) DP 51.1 (10.6) BP 30.15 (1020) N 14 RH 58

Odometer 11A: 377.3mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 154/170

What a pleasant surprise from yesterday's run...although I suspect it took a run like yesterday's to set one up for today.

The weather was absolutely glorious this morning. When I can roll out just shy of 10am and it's still 63 degrees (and it goes up to all of 66) I can deal with that.

Comparative speed for effort was no comparison. I felt a big, big difference in today and in days that the temperature is over 70F, let alone 80F.

Yay. I felt so moto that I even went a bit extra. First time I've done a 7-miler in a while.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:55 08:55 08:55 08:55 1.00
1.00 17:40 08:45 08:45 08:50 2.00
1.00 26:38 08:58 08:58 08:53 3.00
1.00 35:55 09:17 09:17 08:59 4.00
1.00 45:00 09:05 09:05 09:00 5.00
1.00 54:09 09:09 09:09 09:01 6.00
1.00 03:12 09:03 09:03 09:02 7.00
0.37 06:32 03:20 09:01 09:02 7.37

What Would Adama Do?

Hat tip I Never Disrobe Before A Gunfight.

Hrm.

From a few years ago...

"The lack of serious discussion about war that goes on leads to a great deal of compromise, lack of intellectual rigor, and a lot of mushiness, and a tendency of strategy by slogan, or strategy by acronym, or strategy by buzzword and not to talking about the actual philosophy behind this is. When people start dialoguing about this at this level, then when they get to 3-star and 4-star, they actually have some concept or philosophy to fit in a new environment."

- Brian McAllister Linn, guest speaker at the US Army Command and General Staff College
about The Echo of Battle, his 2007 book about the U.S. Army's schools of thought.

I see what's out there in military literature lately, and I am not sanguine.

3.30mi, 31:11, 3 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Maritime, "Pearl"

WX at 1000: 82.0 (27.8) DP 69.1 (20.6) BP 29.88 (1011) SSW 15 RH 64

Odometer 11A: 369.6mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 148/168

It might be only 82 degrees air temperature, but under the sun, JESUSTITTYFUCKINGCHRIST is it hot as shit.

The Girl Formerly Known As the Sledgehammer went for a bike ride with me. I realize I don't like doing multi-modal workouts (someone else rides, I run) because of the inherent disparities in uphill/downhill. I didn't mind her going, but I usually don't have to yell out direction to someone on the run.

By itself, not a big deal. However, running in direct sunlight (which usually makes me cranky) is a big catalyst for my general irritatedness. Also, and I haven't explained this to people, but I dislike of running in the day also manifests itself as a desire to start RIGHT THE FUCK AWAY.

Maybe I need to lay off the caffeine. Either that, or maybe a bottle of Jeremiah Weed might fix that shit.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:16 09:16 09:16 09:16 1.00
1.00 18:34 09:18 09:18 09:17 2.00
1.00 28:17 09:43 09:43 09:26 3.00
0.30 31:11 02:54 09:40 09:27 3.30

I find this curiously motivational.

So say we all.

H/T Frak Yeah! BSG

Girls with Bren guns make me hot.

I was reading badassoftheweek.com tonight and chanced across a photo of a girl firing a Bren gun on cyclic, so I had to look it up.

I have to admit it. Girls with Bren guns make me hot.

4.59mi, 42:31, 2 SEP 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Let's Active, "Co-Star"
Chris Stamey, "14 Shades of Green"

WX at 1100: 86.0 (30.0) DP 66.9 (19.4) BP 29.95 (1014) SSW 12 RH 53
WX at 1000: 82.9 (28.3) DP 66.0 (18.9) BP 29.94 (1013) SSW 10 RH 57

Odometer 11A: 365.3mi

Z3 start, Z4 mostly. Average/max heart rate = 157/176

I was not particularly planning on going that hard, but with the heat and starting late, with some of the hills, it was going to be hard no matter how I went. Running in the late morning means I will run faster to get out of the heat. That's just the way it is.

The weather might be the reason for my late onslaught of North Carolina jangle-pop. I remain unrepentant.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:19 09:19 09:19 09:19 1.00
1.00 18:22 09:03 09:03 09:11 2.00
1.00 27:38 09:16 09:16 09:13 3.00
1.00 36:56 09:18 09:18 09:14 4.00
0.59 42:31 05:35 09:28 09:16 4.59

Egad

It's true, even if nobody wants to admit it. Not publicly, at least.


Hat tip XKCD.

5.0mi, 45:17, 31 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
R.E.M., "Driver 8"
Let's Active, "Co-Star" (I have no idea where this blast from the past came from!)

WX at 0700: 71.1 (21.7) DP 66.0 (18.9) BP 29.86 (1011) SSE 9 RH 84

Odometer 11A: 362.7mi

Z3 start, Z4 steady state. Average/max heart rate = 155/175

It's a bad sign when I go to sleep and I think "I just went to sleep" when I hear my alarm going off.

The first mile on any given morning like that never goes well, but this morning felt particularly lugubrious. Oh well.

I have not thought of "Co-Star" by Let's Active, one of my favorite bands from my high school years, in a long, long time. That's a positive. My knees didn't hurt like hell when I finished running then, and I used to run a lot faster.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:14 09:14 09:14 09:14 1.00
1.00 18:05 08:51 08:51 09:02 2.00
1.00 27:19 09:14 09:14 09:06 3.00
1.00 36:21 09:02 09:02 09:05 4.00
1.00 45:17 08:56 08:56 09:03 5.00

Technology. Meh.

Note to self. Anchor tablet computer to something so I don't try to throw it out a window.

Playing with Household6's Motorola Xoom is pretty much a full-bore endorsement of never getting a tablet computer because trying to use it makes me want to kill people with my bare hands.

3.58mi, 35:54, 29 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The Cure, "Grinding Halt"

WX at 0700: 64.0 (17.8) DP 60.1 (15.6) BP 29.93 (1013) ENE 10 RH 86

Odometer 11A: 357.7mi

Z2. Average/max heart rate = 139/158

I was completely up for nothing more than wogging and light sightseeing this morning. I took that charter in mind with nothing more significant than getting a Disney Channel cover of Taio Cruz's "Dynamite" out of my head.

It also led me to one of the most hilarious retorts I've seen to a music critic. Awesome.

Fixing on the Cure's "Grinding Halt," combined with the weather this morning (in spite of getting bit by a mosquito less than 30 seconds after walking out the door) made for a pleasant run.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 10:14 10:14 10:14 10:14 1.00
1.00 19:56 09:42 09:42 09:58 2.00
1.00 30:15 10:19 10:19 10:05 3.00
0.58 35:54 05:39 09:44 10:02 3.58

On the way, one last time

GEN(Ret) Donn A. Starry, widely regarded as one of the fathers of AirLand Battle, the doctrine that saw the US Army through the end of the Cold War, died this past Friday after a long fight with cancer.

If there is anyone to whom the U.S. Armored force owes its eternal debt and gratitude, it is him.

As a former armored cavalryman, I was among the inheritors of his legacy. Yet another reason to continue to pursue the dissertation.

The Coolest Thing Ever

"The Internet is a world-wide network of computers and websites and shit. It is the home of Google and Porn.

The Intranet, for all intents and purposes, is the "private internet" that can only be accessed by computers on the local area network. This is the home of almost everything you do that is work-related. Please stop using these two terms interchangeably, because you sound like a fucking dumbass and your ignorance grates on my very soul."

Hat tip badassoftheweek.com for one of the most hilarious reads about sitting in a meeting that causes a sensation akin to your nutsack getting turned into a speed bag.

Awesome

Jesus fucking airborne christ this made me laugh my ass off. Or to quote one of my favorite web comics, XKCD, "Science. It works, bitches."


Hat tip SMBC.

6.69mi, 60:29, 28 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day" (Daniel Kandi remix)
The Greenberry Woods, "Trampoline"

WX at 0900: 72.0 (22.2) 60.1 (15.6) 29.94 (1013) SE 7 RH 66

Odometer 11A: 353.1mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 156/175

First day after two days of break. I needed it, but I had to be careful not to go too hard. The proof will be in tomorrow's run, if I do one.

A later start than I'd have liked, but the weather was cooperative.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:12 09:12 09:12 09:12 1.00
1.00 18:13 09:01 09:01 09:07 2.00
1.00 27:07 08:54 08:54 09:02 3.00
1.00 35:54 08:47 08:47 08:58 4.00
1.00 44:59 09:05 09:05 09:00 5.00
1.00 54:01 09:02 09:02 09:00 6.00
0.69 00:29 06:28 09:22 09:02 6.69

Egad

Even at my most cynical, this might even beat me in terms of the regret it communicates.

Hat tip SMBC.

5.15mi, 48:12, 25 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Tommy Keene, "Running For Your Life"

WX at 0700: 60.1 (15.6) DP 55.0 (12.8) BP 30.06 (1017) NE 7 RH 83

Odometer 11A: 346.4mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 145/160

I couldn't pass up the weather (and after getting clean whitewalls yesterday at the barber shop since the heat index during the day has been 103 and 108 respectively the last two days) but the legs were largely unwilling.

The dead legs are back, I suspect from Tuesday's unexpectedly hard run. Oops. Probably not a good idea to run hard two days after a race when I don't have as much training base (certainly not for speed) as I'd like.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:32 09:32 09:32 09:32 1.00
1.00 18:49 09:17 09:17 09:24 2.00
1.00 28:07 09:18 09:18 09:22 3.00
1.00 37:46 09:39 09:39 09:26 4.00
1.00 46:53 09:07 09:07 09:23 5.00
0.15 48:12 01:19 08:47 09:22 5.15

5.0mi, 51:16, 24 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
James Horner, "Enterprise Attacks Reliant"
James Horner, "Stealing the Enterprise"

WX at 0700: 75.0 (23.9) DP 70.0 (21.1) BP 29.75 (1007) S 9 RH 84

Odometer 11A: 341.2mi

Z2. Average/max heart rate = 138/156

Wogging! After yesterday's hard run there was no other alternative. I'm chalking up the ST2/ST3 music to having watched a clip from Star Trek: The Motion Picture last night. Meh.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 10:24 10:24 10:24 10:24 1.00
1.00 20:30 10:06 10:06 10:15 2.00
1.00 31:02 10:32 10:32 10:21 3.00
1.00 41:08 10:06 10:06 10:17 4.00
1.00 51:16 10:08 10:08 10:15 5.00

4.6mi, 40:08, 23 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
James Dunne, "Doom, Episode 1, Mission 1" (a real speed metal cover of the background music from the first mission of the first episode of That Game)
Elvis Costello, "Everyday I Write the Book" (I have no idea where this came from.)

WX at 0700: 73.9 (23.3) DP 66.9 (19.4) BP 29.86 (1011) S 13 RH 78

Odometer 11A: 336.2mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 155/172

I wanted to sleep in, but didn't. I didn't think I was going balls to the wall, but after running in sufficient numbers of people who were running about the same speed as me, I did, against my better judgment. Fortunately, I'd had two rest days, so I could afford this indiscretion.

That said, it felt good to burn people on the run. I am totally at peace with my schadenfreude.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:02 09:02 09:02 09:02 1.00
1.00 17:34 08:32 08:32 08:47 2.00
1.00 26:23 08:49 08:49 08:48 3.00
1.00 34:53 08:30 08:30 08:43 4.00
0.60 40:08 05:15 08:45 08:43 4.60

Oh, dude.

An Apple store deep, deep, deep in the heart of China. Except it's completely fake. Intellectual property rights, anyone?

5.77mi, 49:11, 20 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Axis of Awesome, "Four Chord Song"
Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day" (Daniel Kandi remix)
Survivor, "Eye of the Tiger"

WX at 0800: 70.0 (21.1) DP 64.9 (18.3) BP 29.93 (1013) SSE 8 RH 84

Odometer 11A: 331.6mi

Z3 warmup, Z4 high race, Z3 return. Average/max heart rate = 160/185

Today was a free road race, billed as 3 miles or 5k, although the distance itself wasn't that important. Today was Fort Leavenworth's contribution to the Run for the Fallen, a memorial run series to memorialize American servicemembers killed in action in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and while the literature doesn't say it, NEW DAWN as well.

The Survivor song was playing at the start of the race portion. That's an old standby of many a formation run at Fort Bragg, but unfortunately, my attempts to dislodge that earwig were totally unsuccessful, and I ran the entire 3.3mi of the race with Survivor in the back of my head.

I have to admit this was faster than I expected. I was running an out and back course that had a brief uphill start, and then went mostly downhill out, which might explain why I was holding down under 8:00/mi the first mile, and running all positive splits afterwards. I did have a finish, but I was kicking to finish at full speed at the end - which might explain the substantially increased speed (6:03/mi) at the end.

I can take tomorrow off - and probably should after three days of over 5 each, the last done generally as a time trial.

For the record, I memorialized MAJ Brian Mescall and SFC Gary Vasquez. Of the 187 men and women who died in the execution of the last campaign plan I wrote, they were the two most personal names on that list to me.

Brian was the deputy commander of TF ZABUL, out of FOB Lagman, Zabul Province, Afghanistan when he was killed by an IED in January 2009. I had talked at length with him on a secure phone a few weeks prior to that about some things that were relevant to his unit and how they related to the execution of operational art and strategy for CJTF-101, since he was representing a generally independent unit under Romanian command. I very much would have liked to have met him in person. He was killed before I had that chance.

Gary was one of my former soldiers when I commanded a cavalry troop in the 82d Airborne Division. He had gone on to Special Forces, but I remember Gary as the guy we sent to Ranger School and didn't see for another 6 months because he would not quit. He eventually graduated with the tab he so richly deserved. He was killed on a combat recce patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in late September 2008.

To quote my friend Rico Alvarez, "Asi como nos recordamos cada ano, no son muertos. Viven en nos memoria." My Spanish isn't very good, but Google Translate says something along the lines of "So as we remember each year, they are not dead. They live in our memory."

So say we all.

Warmup (2.0mi@18:12)
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:07 09:07 09:07 09:07 1.00
1.00 18:12 09:05 09:05 09:06 2.00

Race (3.3mi@26:27)
1.00 26:03 07:51 07:51 08:41 3.00
1.00 34:03 08:00 08:00 08:31 4.00
1.00 42:24 08:21 08:21 08:29 5.00
0.30 44:39 02:15 07:30 08:25 5.30

Return (0.47mi@4:32)
0.47 49:11 04:32 09:39 08:31 5.77

A public service announcement

No, I don't know where this came from.

This is obviously a roadsign from the Island of Awesome.

5.96mi, 53:41, 19 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day" (Daniel Kandi remixe)
Velocity Girl, "Labrador"

WX at 0700: 64.9 (18.3) DP 64.0 (17.8) BP 29.85 (1010) NNE 10 RH 96

Odometer 11A: 325.9mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 153/175

I wasn't expecting to go 6, but I felt okay after warming up, and the weather was pleasant if a bit humid, so I did a repeat of yesterday's run, mostly. I may regret it later, but this gives me a little latitude to sleep in tomorrow, maybe.

Today's times were actually on the average faster than yesterday's in terms of running slightly faster splits in areas where I traditionally don't. Of course, the weather probably had something to do with it also (and the maelstrom of hailstones that dropped last night).

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:14 09:14 09:14 09:14 1.00
1.00 18:04 08:50 08:50 09:02 2.00
1.00 27:11 09:07 09:07 09:04 3.00
1.00 36:04 08:53 08:53 09:01 4.00
1.00 44:58 08:54 08:54 09:00 5.00
0.96 53:41 08:43 09:05 09:00 5.96

6.11mi, 54:48, 18 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

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

WX at 0700: 71.1 (21.7) DP 69.1 (20.6) BP 30.02 (1016) SE 3 mist RH 93

Odometer 11A: 319.9mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 152/172

"Waltzing Matilda" (as in the snippet from Axis of Awesome's "Four Chord Song") would not get out of my head until I forced it out. Bizarre.

Today started out slow, but after the first half hour, I felt pleasant. It was much more humid than I normally like but by the last two miles I was fully geared up, so it was a productive run.

Now I can justify eating a gigantic lunch, because I can.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:29 09:29 09:29 09:29 1.00
1.00 18:37 09:08 09:08 09:18 2.00
1.00 27:10 08:33 08:33 09:03 3.00
1.00 36:24 09:14 09:14 09:06 4.00
1.00 45:16 08:52 08:52 09:03 5.00
1.00 53:47 08:31 08:31 08:58 6.00
0.11 54:48 01:01 09:15 08:58 6.11

3.88mi, 37:03, 16 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Axis of Awesome, "Four Chord Song"

WX at 0700: 69.1 (20.6) 63.0 (17.2) 29.88 (1011) ESE 12

Odometer 11A: 313.8mi

Z3 low. Average/max heart rate = 145/177

For feeling as tired as I do right now, I felt surprisingly fine this morning once I was out the door. Of course, I wasn't going to do anything ambitious, so I didn't.

I'll milk the overcast and lower temperatures as long as I can get away with it. Woot. That, and I run so little that any mileage is not really junk mileage because it's not a day of "do nothing but eat."

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:37 09:37 09:37 09:37 1.00
1.00 19:13 09:36 09:36 09:36 2.00
1.00 29:02 09:49 09:49 09:41 3.00
0.88 37:03 08:01 09:07 09:33 3.88

3.9mi, 39:06, 15 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Dos Gringos, "Going In For Guns"

WX at 0700: 64.9 (18.3) DP 63.0 (17.2) BP 30.04 (1017) NW 6 RH 93 rain

Odometer 11A: 310.9mi

Z2. Average/max heart rate = 140/166

Beware the ides of August. Or something. Because there might be rain. And it might be awesome.

Today was going to be slow after yesterday's hard run, and the rain (neither light, nor heavy) was a great way to start it out. Slow recovery run in rain works for me.

That said, I have no idea why this morning's iThink was an oldie but goodie, as far as running mantras go.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 10:12 10:12 10:12 10:12 1.00
1.00 19:50 09:38 09:38 09:55 2.00
1.00 30:11 10:21 10:21 10:04 3.00
0.90 39:06 08:55 09:54 10:02 3.90

6.82mi, 60:58, 14 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: ‪Deep Forest With Peter Gabriel, "While The Earth Sleeps(Junior Vasquez Mix)‬‏"

WX at 0800: 66.0 (18.9) DP 62.1 (16.7) BP 30.1 (1019) N 5 RH 87

Odometer 11A: 307.0mi

Z3-Z4. Average/max heart rate = 156/173

I slept in yesterday, missing agood day of weather, but couldn't pass up running today. Gritty start at first as usual, but the last lap felt pretty good, as I was fully warmed up and in the in-between period between fully charged up and out of gas.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:58 08:58 08:58 08:58 1.00
1.00 17:55 08:57 08:57 08:58 2.00
1.00 27:04 09:09 09:09 09:01 3.00
1.00 35:48 08:44 08:44 08:57 4.00
1.00 44:43 08:55 08:55 08:57 5.00
1.00 53:25 08:42 08:42 08:54 6.00
0.82 00:58 07:33 09:12 08:56 6.82

4.6mi, 42:14, 12 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: ‪Deep Forest With Peter Gabriel, "While The Earth Sleeps(Junior Vasquez Mix)‬‏"
‪
WX at 0700: 66.9 (19.4) DP 66.0 (18.9) BP 29.91 (1012) ESE 9 RH 96

Odometer 11A: 300.2mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 152/178

Almost slept in, glad I didn't after mile 3. Up to mile 3, not so glad. At least the weather was okay. It was right after a rainstorm and a bit humid.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:25 09:25 09:25 09:25 1.00
1.00 18:45 09:20 09:20 09:22 2.00
1.00 28:00 09:15 09:15 09:20 3.00
1.00 36:51 08:51 08:51 09:13 4.00
0.60 42:14 05:23 08:58 09:11 4.60

6.0mi, 52:56, 10 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Journey, "Only The Young"

WX at 0700: 68.0 (20.0) DP 57.9 (14.4) BP 29.92 (1013) ESE 8 RH 70

Odometer 11A: 295.6mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 158/179

Hard run, under overcast cooler weather, but my legs are still tired. Today started out rough and finished out rough. Will need to go at a more moderate level of effort over the next few days.

I might venture that I went out too fast because the last mile was slower than usual - the third mile is mostly uphill and it was a painful grind.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:27 08:27 08:27 08:27 1.00
1.00 16:58 08:31 08:31 08:29 2.00
1.00 25:47 08:49 08:49 08:36 3.00
1.00 35:00 09:13 09:13 08:45 4.00
1.00 43:57 08:57 08:57 08:47 5.00
1.00 52:56 08:59 08:59 08:49 6.00

Dirty dirty dirty

That is the only thing that comes to mind when I see this video. I need to scrub with a wire brush, I feel so dirty. Dirtydirtydirtydirtydirtydirtydirty.

3.90mi, 37:32, 9 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day"

WX at 0700: 69 (21) DP 69 (21) BP 29.86 (1011) WNW 5 mist RH 100

Odometer 11A: 289.6mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 150/181

A pretty nice day for it being late summer, and another easy run. Tomorrow is supposed to be cooler, so I will go hard then.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:39 09:39 09:39 09:39 1.00
1.00 18:45 09:06 09:06 09:22 2.00
1.00 28:52 10:07 10:07 09:37 3.00
0.90 37:32 08:40 09:38 09:37 3.90

3.9mi, 38:12, 8 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Archers of Loaf, "Backwash"

WX at 0700: 73 (23) DP 66 (19) BP 29.86 (1011) NW 10 RH 78 light rain

Odometer 11A: 285.7mi

Z2/Z3. Average/max heart rate = 146/166

Slow, but deliberately slow after yesterday's 7-mile run. I didn't want to overachieve, so I didn't. This felt about right for a recovery run, if only because I was pretty sure of what would happen if I ran hard two days in a row.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:50 09:50 09:50 09:50 1.00
1.00 19:12 09:22 09:22 09:36 2.00
1.00 29:20 10:08 10:08 09:47 3.00
0.90 38:12 08:52 09:51 09:48 3.90

7.0mi, 65:55, 7 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Body Count, "Killing Floor"
Body Count, "Cop Killer"

WX at 1700: 80.1 (26.7) DP 68.0 (20.0) BP 29.81 (1009) SSE 6 RH 67
WX at 1600: 75.9 (24.4) DP 69.1 (20.6) BP 29.76 (1007) E 18 RH 80

Odometer 11A: 281.8mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 156/178

Late start, hoping to catch a break after this afternoon's brief thunderstorm, but the sun came back out and it got hot in a great big hurry.

I hate running in the sun.

After reading about religious faiths, Body Count was the only iThink choice. No other alternative.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:02 09:02 09:02 09:02 1.00
1.00 18:23 09:21 09:21 09:11 2.00
1.00 28:00 09:37 09:37 09:20 3.00
1.00 37:36 09:36 09:36 09:24 4.00
1.00 46:57 09:21 09:21 09:23 5.00
1.00 56:35 09:38 09:38 09:26 6.00
1.00 05:55 09:20 09:20 09:25 7.00

3.27mi, 33:34, 6 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Circle Jerks, "Wasted"
Kitchens of Distinction, "Smiling"

WX at 0900: 79.0 (26.1) DP 75.0 (23.9) BP 29.88 (1011) Calm RH 87

Odometer 11A: 274.8mi

Z2. Average/max heart rate = 144/163

Easy run, but I was pretty beat. It was somewhat humid, but thankfully overcast. Today was deliberately slow and involved wogging after yesterday's hard run.

This exercise of discretion should pay off. I hope.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:39 09:39 09:39 09:39 1.00
1.00 20:36 10:57 10:57 10:18 2.00
1.00 30:48 10:12 10:12 10:16 3.00
0.27 33:34 02:46 10:15 10:16 3.27

6.01mi, 53:46, 5 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The Mayflies USA, "The Apple"

WX at 0700: 75.9 (24.4) DP 72.0 (22.2) BP 29.88 (1011) NNE 5 RH 87

Odometer 11A: 271.5mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 159/178

Hard run, faster than usual, first since Tuesday. I don't want to go back to old habits (as was the case last year and earlier this year) because I have crap time management skills, but I was in the "run or else" mode this morning because I didn't think I could afford yet another day of Do Nothing But Eat.

Today was dark. And overcast. And therefore awesome. There might even be thunderstorms today. Bring it on.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:55 08:55 08:55 08:55 1.00
1.00 17:25 08:30 08:30 08:43 2.00
1.00 26:18 08:53 08:53 08:46 3.00
1.00 35:37 09:19 09:19 08:54 4.00
1.00 44:32 08:55 08:55 08:54 5.00
1.01 53:46 09:14 09:09 08:57 6.01

Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies.

Oh. Hell. Yeah.

Leadership. Dig it.

I am not a Floridian, nor am I a Republican, and I am absolutely not an Xtian, but I sure hope Senator Rubio puts his money where his mouth is. There is hope for the future.

I have been there...

About five years ago I had occasion to run my first and only ultramarathon, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq. It was not by design, but by the general incompetence of the person who was putting together the race itself.

By the time I had hit the 20-mile mark, knowing the distances were about 55 shades of fucked up beyond all recognition, I was pretty much right along the sentiment described in the picture, which appears in The Oatmeal about the comic author's ultramarathon experience.

This is a different kind of art, probably not so public. I would totally buy a t-shirt that said this, were it not for the fact that it would be unwearable at home (my kids) and outside (standards of professional conduct). That's a shame, because it's so fucking dead on.

Why public art is important

As The Secret Life of Swimmers can show, public art edifies you in ways you don't expect.

Yes, I am glad I grew up around the visual and performing arts.

Oh, dude.

I find Imperial Death Star chicks curiously compelling.

That would also be the reaction known as "oh."

Miss Death Star. Oh.

3.33mi, 30:03, 2 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day"

WX at 0700: 80.1 (26.7) DP 69.1 (20.6) BP 29.84 (1010) S 10 RH 69

Odometer 11A: 265.5mi

Z3 first mile, Z4 everything else. Average/max heart rate = 154/174

I almost slept in. I was gratified to get out there since I was expecting it to really suck monkey balls, but the relative humidity was low enough where it was actually not that bad. Surprising. Also surprising was my sustained effort past mile 1 since I wasn't intending on making this a harder run, but I knew I had to go short since I had to get a few things done beforehand.

It's been rare lately for me to run all negative splits.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:23 09:23 09:23 09:23 1.00
1.00 18:29 09:06 09:06 09:15 2.00
1.00 27:17 08:48 08:48 09:06 3.00
0.33 30:03 02:46 08:23 09:01 3.33

5.1mi, 48:17, 1 AUG 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day" (Daniel Kandi and Metropolis remixes)

WX at 0600: 75.0 (23.9) DP 73.0 (22.8) BP 30.02 (1016) SSE 6 RH 93

Odometer 11A: 262.2mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 151/169

I felt remarkably blah today for having skipped yesterday (and it was a missed opportunity). At least I started early enough where I beat the sunrise. The humidity, on the other hand, was markedly higher this morning, so I'm sure that was a factor.

I don't have dead legs, yet (which is a promising sign) but I didn't feel particularly hale either this morning.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:27 09:27 09:27 09:27 1.00
1.00 18:45 09:18 09:18 09:22 2.00
1.00 28:28 09:43 09:43 09:29 3.00
1.00 38:12 09:44 09:44 09:33 4.00
1.00 47:23 09:11 09:11 09:29 5.00
0.10 48:17 00:54 09:00 09:28 5.10

6.0mi, 54:44, 30 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Mason Daring, "Spider (Main Theme)"

WX at 1100: 75.9 (24.4) DP 71.1 (21.7) BP 30.08 (1018) E 13 RH 85

Odometer 11A: 257.1mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 155/173

Got in a run, finally, after a day of rest yesterday. I slept almost 9 hours today, which is an indicator. I probably would've slept longer had there not been noise in the house. I am that tired.

Today was much easier - but today was much cooler than days past. Breezy and mid-70s made for a survivable run, even in the sunlight.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:16 09:16 09:16 09:16 1.00
1.00 18:09 08:53 08:53 09:04 2.00
1.00 26:57 08:48 08:48 08:59 3.00
1.00 36:14 09:17 09:17 09:03 4.00
1.00 45:23 09:09 09:09 09:05 5.00
1.00 54:44 09:21 09:21 09:07 6.00

6.02mi, 58:22, 28 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Above and Beyond feat. Oceanlab, "On A Good Day"
James Horner, "A Call to Arms"

WX at 0600: 79.0 (26.1) DP 64.9 (18.3) BP 29.88 (1011) Variable 7 RH 62 HIDX 81 (27)

Odometer 11A: 251.1mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 151/169

I slept in yesterday. Sleeping through five snoozes is an indicator, so I didn't do anything yesterday. Except eat a fucking pound of barbecue, so today was a mandatory run day. Period.

Slow, but I had no expectations for speed when the heat index is already 81F. Yesterday was the hottest day this summer. I was drinking water like it was going out of style after sitting at the pool, in the shade, with the kids in the pool.

My taking two days off between Monday and today is also an indicator.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:37 09:37 09:37 09:37 1.00
1.00 19:11 09:34 09:34 09:35 2.00
1.00 28:59 09:48 09:48 09:40 3.00
1.00 39:08 10:09 10:09 09:47 4.00
1.00 48:32 09:24 09:24 09:42 5.00
1.02 58:22 09:50 09:38 09:42 6.02

4.6mi, 42:18, 25 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Suddenly, Tammy!, "Freez-n-Friz"

WX at 0700: 73.0 (22.8) DP 68.0 (20.0) BP 30.02 (1016) SW 3 RH 84

Odometer 11A: 245.1mi

Z3 high/Z4. Average/max heart rate = 154/173

Almost slept in, but the weather was a lot nicer than the last few days, and it was worth it even though my first two miles felt like total trash.

Biggest challenge was not redlining heart rate, although there's one uphill where I totally blew that goal. Average heart rate was more representative of what I wanted out of today, although the end was a little harder than I should have gone.

Fortunately, today was a relatively disciplined run. I guess that's a good thing since I'm still trying to build base. It's also to make up for my eating in my ravenous fury Saturday night since I went 8 hours after eating and I meant it when I was fucking hungry and put away what had to be over 1500 calories in less than 30 minutes. The guys I was with didn't get the whole "I'm fucking hungry" part, and I don't like to starve if I don't have to.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:11 09:11 09:11 09:11 1.00
1.00 18:30 09:19 09:19 09:15 2.00
1.00 27:38 09:08 09:08 09:13 3.00
1.00 36:49 09:11 09:11 09:12 4.00
0.60 42:18 05:29 09:08 09:12 4.60

6.4mi on elliptical, 70:00, 23 JUL 11, St. Louis, Missouri

iThink: none. Watching the Tour de France while on the elliptical.

WX at 1100: 93.9 (34.4) 73.9 (23.3) 29.98 (1015) SSW 10 RH 53 Heat Index 104 (40)

Odometer 3: way the hell more than 226.4mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = about 153/161.

Slow, but not intended to be fast. I was shooting for target HR and was at about the right speed. I figure I burned up mabe 930 calories or so. That is what allowed me to walk a few blocks down the street to White Castle and eat 8 slyders, fries, and an assload of Diet Coke. Yay.

I brought an old pair of shoes. That explains odometer 3.

Of course, all this was done indoors. There is no way in hell I was exercising outdoors in a heat index of 104F. The walk to White Castle and back was a sweat festival in itself.

4.58mi, 42:35, 21 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Archers of Loaf, "Backwash"

WX at 0700: 79.0 (26.1) DP 69.1 (20.6) BP 29.86 (1011) S 9 RH 71

Odometer 11A: 240.7mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 151/169

Today was almost a sleep-in day since I was up until almost 2:00am doing homework. This is happening mostly because I'm not killing it off early in the day when I need to do so.

It was still better than doing nothing since yesterday was a rest day. I went faster than expected, partly because of focusing on people in front of me and maintaining relative position. I really do benefit from group running, but I'm notoriously antisocial in the mornings.

My pace will remain controlled so I don't go back to mainlining caffeine to stay awake during the day like I did a few weeks ago.

The Archers of Loaf songs I seem to like are all from their early body of work. I had "Backwash" on infinite repeat last night as I was doing homework.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:03 09:03 09:03 09:03 1.00
1.00 18:09 09:06 09:06 09:04 2.00
1.00 27:26 09:17 09:17 09:09 3.00
1.00 36:58 09:32 09:32 09:15 4.00
0.58 42:35 05:37 09:41 09:18 4.58

Schadenfreude, baby.

Yup.

6.14mi, 55:13, 19 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Foo Fighters, "Weenie Beenie"
The Bats, "Courage"
Foo Fighters, "Good Grief"

WX at 0700: 77.0 (25.0) DP 70.0 (21.1) BP 30.01 (1016) SSW 8 RH 79

Odometer 11A: 236.1mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 155/172

The average heart rate is deceptive - my legs were working at much higher intensity than the heart rate would indicate.

After yesterday's abortion of a run, today needed to be a hard one, but the problem is not so much in endurance as much as it is in raw power. When I'm gassed at 165bpm that's crap, if for no reason than I've been able to hold up to 170 for extended periods.

The dead legs are back and I'm not sure how to fix them, aside from wogging, since the implication is that I'm overtrained, again. Shit.

Perhaps "Weenie Beenie" is a useful song for the kind of catharsis I feel from time to time.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:25 08:25 08:25 08:25 1.00
1.00 17:14 08:49 08:49 08:37 2.00
1.00 26:12 08:58 08:58 08:44 3.00
1.00 35:31 09:19 09:19 08:53 4.00
1.00 44:38 09:07 09:07 08:56 5.00
1.00 53:55 09:17 09:17 08:59 6.00
0.14 55:13 01:18 09:17 09:00 6.14

Mozilla drinks its own bathwater, hard

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

2.72mi, 26:23, 18 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The Bats, "Courage"

WX at 0600: 73.9 (23.3) DP 70.0 (21.1) BP 30.08 (1018) S 7 RH 87

Odometer 11A: 229.9mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 140/162

Today was one of the most horrifically bad runs I've done in a while. I woke up completely beat, so this morning was an exercise in brute will. I had slept less than 6 hours, so that had something to do with it, but also jumping my circadian rhythm a few hours back really made this run suck big hairy monkey balls.

At least I didn't sleep in, which I was sorely tempted to do.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 10:04 10:04 10:04 10:04 1.00
1.00 19:29 09:25 09:25 09:45 2.00
0.72 26:23 06:54 09:35 09:42 2.72

4.95mi, 46:44, 16 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Archers of Loaf, "Web In Front"
Dos Gringos, "Going In For Guns"
Sarge, "Clearer"

WX at 2100: 87.1 (30.6) DP 75.9 (24.4) BP 29.97 (1014) ESE 9 RH 70

Odometer 11A: 227.2mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 162/175

Late start, but late dinner and a few other priorities of work around the house. I was reliving memories of my college days when I was listening to Archers of Loaf earlier today, among which "Web in Front" was one. It was on a sampler disk that Alias Records had published called Hot! Cinnamon Churros, only because I was a pretty devoted fan of The Loud Family at the time.

Today was crezzy hot. It was not fast, but it was certainly tough going, largely because of the heat, even though the sun had dropped. Last time I ran at night I was in Afghanistan, hence the Dos Gringos song, which was one of my favorite running mantras while I was there.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:52 08:52 08:52 08:52 1.00
1.00 18:01 09:09 09:09 09:00 2.00
1.00 27:22 09:21 09:21 09:07 3.00
1.00 37:29 10:07 10:07 09:22 4.00
0.95 46:44 09:15 09:44 09:26 4.95

6.68mi, 68:59, 14 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Tommy Keene, "Running For Your Life"

WX at 0800: 75.9 (24.4) DP 73.0 (22.8) BP 29.92 (1013) ESE 10 RH 91

Odometer 11A: 225.2mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 146/165

Today was a deliberately easy run to expend lard, and it worked. I still feel vaguely self-conscious about waddling my ass at an average 10:19/mi pace.

Weather was pleasant because it was overcast. I'm sure it would have gone worse had the sun been directly out.

Tomorrow is a rest day, Saturday will be a fast one.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:46 09:46 09:46 09:46 1.00
1.00 19:50 10:04 10:04 09:55 2.00
1.00 30:00 10:10 10:10 10:00 3.00
1.00 40:26 10:26 10:26 10:06 4.00
1.00 50:51 10:25 10:25 10:10 5.00
1.00 61:29 10:38 10:38 10:15 6.00
0.68 68:59 07:30 11:02 10:20 6.68

The hazards of half-baked security assistance programs

Otherwise known as don't give a kid (or an ape) a gun unless you inculcate the appropriate weapons safety training first.

Also known as a "criminal case of dumbass."

6.0mi, 54:15, 13 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Tommy Keene, "A Secret Life of Stories"
The Connells, "Fun and Games"
Mason Daring, "Spider"
Body Count, "Bowels of the Devil"

WX at 0800: 73.0 (22.8) DP 70.0 (21.1) BP 30 (1015) ENE 9 RH 90

Odometer 11A: 218.5mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 156/175

Today started out inconsistent but I felt better after yesterday's recovery run. It was still slower than I would've liked, but it was acceptable, mostly.

Tomorrow will be long slow distance, with emphasis on trying to be disciplined about going slow.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:59 08:59 08:59 08:59 1.00
1.00 17:42 08:43 08:43 08:51 2.00
1.00 26:43 09:01 09:01 08:54 3.00
1.00 36:03 09:20 09:20 09:01 4.00
1.00 45:01 08:58 08:58 09:00 5.00
1.00 54:15 09:14 09:14 09:02 6.00

Roller Coaster Massacre

I have to admit I laughed uncontrollably after watching this the first time back in 2007. So I'm glad I found it in 360p on YouTube, from the author's site.

4.6mi, 46:45, 12 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Jerry Goldsmith, "Main Title" from Star Trek: First Contact
Mason Daring, "Spider"

WX at 0800: 82.9 (28.3) DP 72.0 (22.2) BP 29.93 (1013) SSE 5 RH 69

Odometer 11A: 212.5mi

Z3. Average/max heart rate = 147/167

After a health assessment, I got some hard confirmation that I've been running at way above training heart rate.

It's hard to not feel like a complete shitbag if I'm running as slowly as I did today.

Today was a very deliberate effort to keep my heart rate below 155, and later below 160. I was mostly successful until the end when I was running in open sun and it was getting unpleasantly hot.

The iThink was a pleasant surprise also, from my favorite TV mini-series, ever. From the Earth to the Moon may not be completely accurate history (accurate history being something for which many Americans have no patience), but it is amazing storytelling.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 10:19 10:19 10:19 10:19 1.00
1.00 20:06 09:47 09:47 10:03 2.00
1.00 29:57 09:51 09:51 09:59 3.00
1.00 40:15 10:18 10:18 10:04 4.00
0.60 46:45 06:30 10:50 10:10 4.60

More schadenfreude than even me

Awesome. Someone who hates shitty web design, with a passion.

4.95mi, 45:55, 10 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

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

WX at 0800: 82.0 (27.8) DP 72.0 (22.2) BP 29.79 (1008) S 13 RH 72

Odometer 11A: 207.9mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 153/178

I needed to get out there before it got too hot, but it was already warm when I started this morning. I didn't go very fast and felt like I was working a lot harder to run slowly - but I needed to get one in for the 3 hamburgers I ate last night.

Today will be crezzy hot. I intend to spend it mostly indoors.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST 1.00 09:27 09:27 09:27 09:27 1.00 1.00 18:36 09:09 09:09 09:18 2.00 1.00 27:49 09:13 09:13 09:16 3.00 1.00 37:15 09:26 09:26 09:19 4.00 0.95 45:55 08:40 09:07 09:17 4.95

4.7mi, 40:40, 9 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Joe Stump, "Speed Metal Messiah"

WX at 1100: 82.0 (27.8) 70.0 (21.1) 29.88 (1011) S 13 RH 66

Odometer 11A: 202.9mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = no reading

Late start, but necessary today. I was thinking just about running to the gym and running elliptimiles, but realized there was enough shade on the course I was running to survive running in direct sunlight, which I loathe.

Still, I gritted it out. I needed to get out there since I didn't do anything yesterday. I still dislike running in hot weather, and this is not that hot.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
4.67 40:40 40:40 08:42 08:42 4.67

Extreme danger from heat, exhaustion, and climax.

Awesome.

5.96mi, 56:02, 7 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: R.E.M., "Driver 8"

WX at 0600: 73 (23) DP 71 (22) BP 29.96 (1014) SSW 10 heavy rain with thunder; mist RH 93

Odometer 11A: 198.2mi

Z3 high. Average/max heart rate = 158/170

I slept maybe 5 hours before this run, but hearing hard rain and thunder, I needed to get out there and get at it. Couldn't pass up the chance.

Today was a slow run, although not by design. For whatever reason, I could not get going today. I do not know why other than lack of sleep.

There was nobody else out there running today. Weenies.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:01 09:01 09:01 09:01 1.00
1.00 18:13 09:12 09:12 09:07 2.00
1.00 27:47 09:34 09:34 09:16 3.00
1.00 37:42 09:55 09:55 09:26 4.00
1.00 47:00 09:18 09:18 09:24 5.00
0.96 56:02 09:02 09:25 09:24 5.96

Awesome

Song of the Day: Body Count, "Body Count"

Validation for why I always ignored country music. I laughed my ass off. Yes, I have schadenfreude. No, I'm completely unrepentant.

4.13mi, 38:15, 4 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: The Bats, "Courage"

WX at 0900: 72.0 (22.2) DP 69.1 (20.6) BP 29.99 (1015) ESE 7 RH 90

Odometer 11A: 192.2mi

Z3 low. Average/max heart rate = 149/171

Recovery run. 10 pullups (on top of 18 yesterday) after going to track and wogging a few miles after yesterday's Festival o' Schadenfreude. Woot.

It was bright and sunny. I guess that's good for a national holiday, but I don't like running in it.

Maybe, looking at previous recovery runs, that I ran this one too hard. Shit.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:08 09:08 09:08 09:08 1.00
1.00 18:21 09:13 09:13 09:11 2.00
1.00 27:32 09:11 09:11 09:11 3.00
1.00 36:59 09:27 09:27 09:15 4.00
0.13 38:15 01:16 09:45 09:16 4.13

Front leaning rest position, move

In cadence, exercise.

Ho yay, so say we all

6.06mi, 54:17, 3 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink: Body Count, "Killing Floor"

WX at 0800: 75.0 (23.9) DP 69.1 (20.6) BP 30.03 (1016) ENE 7 RH 81

Odometer 11A: 188.1mi

Z4. Average/max heart rate = 160/187

I stayed up late last night working on the dissertation and woke up later than I'd like. What saved my bacon was it being overcast today so I wasn't having to deal with the withering sunlight that would undoubtedly follow.

I remain slow. On the other hand, I sweat a lot in the summer. There's a reason why I prefer running in the cold. I can always compensate for the cold - not the heat.

I had a Body Count song stuck in my head that's less than two minutes long during my entire fucking run. Part of it was having to deal with a cable repairman yesterday who could not tell the difference between the unencrypted QAM channels being sent over the cable versus what was being output from the cable box. He also didn't address the reason he was supposed to come out, but I don't use that cable box much as Household6 is the primary user of that TV and I'm still clocking my usual 5 hours of TV a month (which is about to increase dramatically with the Tour de France starting yesterday).

It's no secret that I have increasingly less tolerance for dealing with people lately. It's not to the point where I just make a blanket pronouncement that I just fucking hate people in general, but my fucktard tolerance is at an all-time low and I still stand by my assertion that some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them. I'm sure there's good reason somewhere, but I haven't figured it out yet. Maybe it's better that today's iThink wasn't "I Just Want Some Skank" by the Circle Jerks, another mainstay of my childhood (Group Sex was their first album and remains a hardcore classic).

Perhaps it's good that I'm not carrying my 8-pound security blanket; in my intemperate rage, I got 4 head shots and a chest shot of a grouping of 5 on a 300m human-size target the last time I went to the rifle range and the target started flapping in the wind...

That, and "Killing Floor" is a pretty straightforward song of catharsis, and I so love my catharsis lately.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 08:46 08:46 08:46 08:46 1.00
1.00 17:35 08:49 08:49 08:47 2.00
1.00 26:31 08:56 08:56 08:50 3.00
1.00 35:39 09:08 09:08 08:55 4.00
1.00 44:39 09:00 09:00 08:56 5.00
1.00 53:49 09:10 09:10 08:58 6.00
0.06 54:17 00:28 07:47 08:57 6.06

5.0mi, 46:49, 1 JUL 11, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

iThink:
Body Count, "Killing Floor"
Body Count, "Bowels of the Devil"
Suicidal Tendencies, "War Inside My Head"

WX at 0700: 77.0 (25.0) DP 64.9 (18.3) BP 29.93 (1013) SSW 13 RH 66

Odometer 11A: 182.0mi

Z3 high.
Average/max heart rate = 150/174

Today was the worst I've felt on a run in a long, long time. I was absolutely tired, but I need to run. I could be overtrained, but between trying to advance on the dissertation and doing other sundry shit, I will try to run as much as I can.

I had absolutely no energy today whatsoever. Today was not at risk of running in the redline because I didn't have the energy to do much other than run completely aerobically.

I guess that's okay for weight loss, but that doesn't really do shit for me otherwise. The heat could also be a problem. If it's in the high 70s by 7am, today's weather pretty much promises to completely lick my ass raw.

On the other hand, any day I can revisit the music of my childhood is not necessarily a bad thing since it gives me the excuse to say I'm still cyco after all these years.

Splits
SGMT AGGRG SEGMT PERMI AVGPC DIST
1.00 09:16 09:16 09:16 09:16 1.00
1.00 18:27 09:11 09:11 09:13 2.00
1.00 27:59 09:32 09:32 09:20 3.00
1.00 37:39 09:40 09:40 09:25 4.00
1.00 46:48 09:09 09:09 09:22 5.00