Today was a big day. Nathaniel had his first day of school. Kara and I had been prepping him for months, talking about it, getting him excited. And he was.
The excitement was really evident when he and Kara went out for some school shopping. Nathaniel got two complete new outfits of some nice jeans and shirts and a new hat. So that combined with the wicked cool Spiderman backpack his Grampy Lang got for him and his new Spiderman lunch box he was all set.
Last night I set my travel alarm clock for him for 6:45, he thought that was really cool! So with his lunch made, and clothes laid out (with Spiderman boxers and socks) he was all set. He went to bed around 8:30, and may have finally been asleep by ten!!!!
The clock in my room said 6:44 when Nathaniel came in with an energetic and infectious, “I’m up!”
“Go get dressed.” said mom. Footsteps. Thirty nanoseconds later footsteps back, then he begins dragging the blanket off the bed. He was dressed in his hat, his sneakers, and his backpack.
“Go downstairs.” said dad. Footsteps. Front door opens. Dad jumps up, “get in here you need to have breakfast!!” Door opens, closes, footsteps.
“Can you make me breakfast?” Nathaniel asks.
I don’t think he was excited at all.
A short time thereafter, (after coffee) Mom, Dad, Raven, and Sophia (complete in new rubber boots and a backpack to be like Bubba) walk Nathaniel to school. The mosquitoes were horrible.
Once there, Kara takes Nathaniel inside to find his classroom. That left me with one obedient thing and one thing running around sniffing people. Yep Raven just sat there at my feet. Just kidding.
But it was weird; I was in uniform, as I had to go to work right after. So I had a crowd of twenty kids, boys asking “Are you ARMY?” Girls asking “Can I pet your dog.” I felt like the Pied Piper….
Well all in all it went well, apparently he had fun and wants to go back. My little guy is still little, but he’s getting there. I am really proud of him. And I am proud of his mom, for not crying….
I am sure there will be many stories to follow.
7.9.06
3.9.06
A Nice Sunday Bike Ride
I start this little monologue with a note on how out of touch fitness wise I have been for the last little while.
I had plans to run a full marathon in November in Moncton. Then as everyone knows, and a point I have belabored a bit too much, my professional life stepped up and said no. That’s cool, but I totally stepped ff the healthy bus for a while. Started eating poorly again with the excuse that I was busy, I started skipping runs, with the excuse that I was busy. The spiral continues but I think you and I get the point.
So, as things happen it seems that I will get the opportunity to go home for Thanksgiving, and the Valley harvest Marathon (and Half) are happening that weekend. For all kinds of reasons, personal pride, Kara, fellow Maniacs going I decided to get off the downward escalator and get on the one going back up.
I have started running again, and have been following a schedule again. And today I had a ten-twelve km planned.
I told you all that to tell you this.
I have had few days since I became a runner that I have woke up and truly felt that I didn’t want to run. Even days with injuries, days with no time, whatever I usually still felt like running. Today, nope. Maybe my body finally said, “Listen jackass, you are eating crap and were working continuous 16 hour days, NO running, that means you.”
So. I didn’t run, didn’t even dig out my running gear. Then I proceeded to feel restless and snappy all day. I busied myself round the house with little tasks and stuff. But the mood persisted.
Then on a whim I changed my clothes into some workout clothes and jumped on my bike, and started pedaling. Now I did do some planning. I filled my water bottle, had a quick snack, and drank a little water. I planned a route, well, sort of. I had a general idea of where I wanted to go, and considering my familiarity with this area I took this as a good opportunity to learn the area. I am so dumb.
I left and figured at most with the route I wanted to follow I would do about 15km, by far the longest ride I had done since reacquainting myself with the bike. The first warning sign should have been the sign that said “Salisbury 11km”, but maybe I was so frustrated by the continuous rolling hills. There was nary a level patch, I was either on a down slope or climbing a damn slope. I was changing gears more than the Red Sox change second basemen.
It was when I climbed the hill that housed the sign that said, “Welcome to Salisbury” That I realized I might have missed my turn…
I transitioned from the pavement to dirt to pavement at one point coming into and realized I had been shot. I hadn’t heard it, but I felt it. Right above my right bum cheek. Maybe the locals didn’t like bikers…kind of an Easy Rider thing. It paralyzed me for a short time. That’s when I decided I would backtrack to a payphone and call Kara. This I did do. And after I got off the phone I must have looked silly trying to find the pins that were sticking up through the seat into my ass. Never found them, or the shooter.
I figured with Kara coming as a knight in a shining Windstar I would back track and meet up with her. This I did do, it took a little while for me to work the kinks out but then I started to make some good time.
A short time later I was rescued, and mercilessly tortured by my son…ahhhh.
Kara and I backtracked to my turnaround point and clocked the distance. Apparently I made it 8 km back from my turnaround. All in all, I traveled exactly 30 km in 90 minutes. Much more than I thought possible at this stage in the game.
Well I must go, I am going to be surfing the internet for walkers.
I had plans to run a full marathon in November in Moncton. Then as everyone knows, and a point I have belabored a bit too much, my professional life stepped up and said no. That’s cool, but I totally stepped ff the healthy bus for a while. Started eating poorly again with the excuse that I was busy, I started skipping runs, with the excuse that I was busy. The spiral continues but I think you and I get the point.
So, as things happen it seems that I will get the opportunity to go home for Thanksgiving, and the Valley harvest Marathon (and Half) are happening that weekend. For all kinds of reasons, personal pride, Kara, fellow Maniacs going I decided to get off the downward escalator and get on the one going back up.
I have started running again, and have been following a schedule again. And today I had a ten-twelve km planned.
I told you all that to tell you this.
I have had few days since I became a runner that I have woke up and truly felt that I didn’t want to run. Even days with injuries, days with no time, whatever I usually still felt like running. Today, nope. Maybe my body finally said, “Listen jackass, you are eating crap and were working continuous 16 hour days, NO running, that means you.”
So. I didn’t run, didn’t even dig out my running gear. Then I proceeded to feel restless and snappy all day. I busied myself round the house with little tasks and stuff. But the mood persisted.
Then on a whim I changed my clothes into some workout clothes and jumped on my bike, and started pedaling. Now I did do some planning. I filled my water bottle, had a quick snack, and drank a little water. I planned a route, well, sort of. I had a general idea of where I wanted to go, and considering my familiarity with this area I took this as a good opportunity to learn the area. I am so dumb.
I left and figured at most with the route I wanted to follow I would do about 15km, by far the longest ride I had done since reacquainting myself with the bike. The first warning sign should have been the sign that said “Salisbury 11km”, but maybe I was so frustrated by the continuous rolling hills. There was nary a level patch, I was either on a down slope or climbing a damn slope. I was changing gears more than the Red Sox change second basemen.
It was when I climbed the hill that housed the sign that said, “Welcome to Salisbury” That I realized I might have missed my turn…
I transitioned from the pavement to dirt to pavement at one point coming into and realized I had been shot. I hadn’t heard it, but I felt it. Right above my right bum cheek. Maybe the locals didn’t like bikers…kind of an Easy Rider thing. It paralyzed me for a short time. That’s when I decided I would backtrack to a payphone and call Kara. This I did do. And after I got off the phone I must have looked silly trying to find the pins that were sticking up through the seat into my ass. Never found them, or the shooter.
I figured with Kara coming as a knight in a shining Windstar I would back track and meet up with her. This I did do, it took a little while for me to work the kinks out but then I started to make some good time.
A short time later I was rescued, and mercilessly tortured by my son…ahhhh.
Kara and I backtracked to my turnaround point and clocked the distance. Apparently I made it 8 km back from my turnaround. All in all, I traveled exactly 30 km in 90 minutes. Much more than I thought possible at this stage in the game.
Well I must go, I am going to be surfing the internet for walkers.
1.9.06
Home Again.
Hey Folks.
Back home again for a couple weeks. Was in Gagetown again for another exercise. The highlight of whch was getting to see the new Nyala up close and personal, what a huge vehicle...I want one!!!!
Yesterday Kara had her Root Canal done. Nothing serious, got to watch the whole thing, that was kinda neat.
My parents are in town for couple of days, checking out our new place, them seem to like it and the neighbourhood.
Running is going well, planning on being in NS for Thanksgiving and run the Valley Harvest 1/2. Good time to see all the family as it will be my last free time til Christams with deployment thereafter
Have fun y'all talk to you soon
19.8.06
$0.02 (response to an RM post)
I've weighed in on this topic before, though I 'm not going to wade through the search function and find what I've said I will make an effort to throw out a Readers Digest Version of my thoughts.
Please forgive me, I am writing this after an extended time from home, after an extended time awake, with 40 hours before I leave to do it again. (That was not a sympathy/empathy ploy, those are facts, those of us who will be in Afghanistan in the new year for six months are already up to our necks living and breathing the training and prepartation to get there.) Not supporting "the war" is a personal and political decision, based on whatever factors make up your character and make you Canadian. And as a voter you can have a say. (as a soldier with 27 years in said to me recently "Don't like it, vote Liberal in a couple of months, they'll bring us home and remind everyone why it was a mistake, though everyone will have forgotten it was they who sent us...")
But supporting the Troops is also a personal decision based on whatever factors make up your character and make you Canadian. It can be as simple as not spitting on a Canadian soldier in an airport, or as simple as helping line the road leading to the base with yellow ribbons as they come home.
some one on RM wrote:
Personally, and maybe this is due to a lack of understanding, I don't support the 'war' in Afghanistan (surprised?). I remember hearing that more Canadian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan now than in any other war since WWII. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Why are we fighting insurgency in Afghanistan? What good are we accomplishing there? What cause are Canadians dying for? Who benefits from winning this war? Is it even possible to win?
The mission statement of the Candian Troops in Afghanistan has never wavered, we are there to add credibility and stability to the governing authority in the country of Afghanistan. Not warfighting. Yes we are trained to kick ass, and take names. And in the Wild West environment of Afghanistan that is a necessary thing, and it is a damn good thing that we are good at it.
But we are also damn good at building schools, building infrastructure. We are not just fighting "an insurgency" (a little anti-US/IRAQ shading there) We are fighting an established terrorist regime, with skewed views of Islamic Law, and we are also fighting entrenched criminals and war lords who have profitted from the civil turmoil that has plagued Afghanistan for decades and who have kept the majority of the population dirt poor. We as a respected and established HAVE country are providing opportunity for impoverished have-nots. We, as soldiers, believe in these ideals as it is one thing we cherish about Canada, and I don't think we have the morale high ground to let some casulaites take that away from others.
Who benefits? The 6 year old girl who goes to school for the first time and learns how to read. The fifty year old woman who will get to vote for the first time in her life and be treated as a human. The thrity year old mechanic who gets to do what he is trained to do because for so long there was no way for him to do, and he can finally support his family. Who benefits? Canadians, we can say once Afghanistan takes fledgling steps as a recovering nation and we can say, yeah, we did that...
They wrote:
It seems counterproductive to fight religious fundamentalism with violence. Attacking the insurgents just seems to create a martyr complex which breeds more violence. Do Afghanis even want a democracy? I can think of 10 African countries who'd be better served by a peacekeeping force, or an installation of democracy.
Peacekeeping is dead. We are no longer in between equally strong sides and keeping them apart. We are peacemakers, by whatever means necessary. We are popluar in Afghanistan, average joe Afghan likes us and wants us there beacuse of what we mean. I don't know if Afghanistan wants democracy. They want freedom to pray the way they want and feed their children.
And you don't stop religious fanaticism by asking nice. You do whatever necessary to stop, interdict, and disrupt their operations, physically, and ideologically. As leaders we do not want to send our troops out into sustained combat because it is destructive not constructive, and there is more chance for body bags coming home. But sometimes you have to call a spade a spade and throat punch someone.
they wrote:
That said, I don't support our troops because our troops are enacting a mission I can't support. I empathize with the families and the soldiers themselves. I pray for the safe return of every soldier overseas. I wish Canadians weren't dying (seemingly) in vain. If there's a good reason that we're at war in Afghanistan, fill me in.
We are in Afghanistan because I believe we have a morale obligation to assist an impoverished society that has asked for our support. And because we can. I don't care if you support us, though I'd like you to. Just as long as you remember that politicians and the public choose our missions, we freely choose the lifestyle. /steps off soapbox/
Please forgive me, I am writing this after an extended time from home, after an extended time awake, with 40 hours before I leave to do it again. (That was not a sympathy/empathy ploy, those are facts, those of us who will be in Afghanistan in the new year for six months are already up to our necks living and breathing the training and prepartation to get there.) Not supporting "the war" is a personal and political decision, based on whatever factors make up your character and make you Canadian. And as a voter you can have a say. (as a soldier with 27 years in said to me recently "Don't like it, vote Liberal in a couple of months, they'll bring us home and remind everyone why it was a mistake, though everyone will have forgotten it was they who sent us...")
But supporting the Troops is also a personal decision based on whatever factors make up your character and make you Canadian. It can be as simple as not spitting on a Canadian soldier in an airport, or as simple as helping line the road leading to the base with yellow ribbons as they come home.
some one on RM wrote:
Personally, and maybe this is due to a lack of understanding, I don't support the 'war' in Afghanistan (surprised?). I remember hearing that more Canadian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan now than in any other war since WWII. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Why are we fighting insurgency in Afghanistan? What good are we accomplishing there? What cause are Canadians dying for? Who benefits from winning this war? Is it even possible to win?
The mission statement of the Candian Troops in Afghanistan has never wavered, we are there to add credibility and stability to the governing authority in the country of Afghanistan. Not warfighting. Yes we are trained to kick ass, and take names. And in the Wild West environment of Afghanistan that is a necessary thing, and it is a damn good thing that we are good at it.
But we are also damn good at building schools, building infrastructure. We are not just fighting "an insurgency" (a little anti-US/IRAQ shading there) We are fighting an established terrorist regime, with skewed views of Islamic Law, and we are also fighting entrenched criminals and war lords who have profitted from the civil turmoil that has plagued Afghanistan for decades and who have kept the majority of the population dirt poor. We as a respected and established HAVE country are providing opportunity for impoverished have-nots. We, as soldiers, believe in these ideals as it is one thing we cherish about Canada, and I don't think we have the morale high ground to let some casulaites take that away from others.
Who benefits? The 6 year old girl who goes to school for the first time and learns how to read. The fifty year old woman who will get to vote for the first time in her life and be treated as a human. The thrity year old mechanic who gets to do what he is trained to do because for so long there was no way for him to do, and he can finally support his family. Who benefits? Canadians, we can say once Afghanistan takes fledgling steps as a recovering nation and we can say, yeah, we did that...
They wrote:
It seems counterproductive to fight religious fundamentalism with violence. Attacking the insurgents just seems to create a martyr complex which breeds more violence. Do Afghanis even want a democracy? I can think of 10 African countries who'd be better served by a peacekeeping force, or an installation of democracy.
Peacekeeping is dead. We are no longer in between equally strong sides and keeping them apart. We are peacemakers, by whatever means necessary. We are popluar in Afghanistan, average joe Afghan likes us and wants us there beacuse of what we mean. I don't know if Afghanistan wants democracy. They want freedom to pray the way they want and feed their children.
And you don't stop religious fanaticism by asking nice. You do whatever necessary to stop, interdict, and disrupt their operations, physically, and ideologically. As leaders we do not want to send our troops out into sustained combat because it is destructive not constructive, and there is more chance for body bags coming home. But sometimes you have to call a spade a spade and throat punch someone.
they wrote:
That said, I don't support our troops because our troops are enacting a mission I can't support. I empathize with the families and the soldiers themselves. I pray for the safe return of every soldier overseas. I wish Canadians weren't dying (seemingly) in vain. If there's a good reason that we're at war in Afghanistan, fill me in.
We are in Afghanistan because I believe we have a morale obligation to assist an impoverished society that has asked for our support. And because we can. I don't care if you support us, though I'd like you to. Just as long as you remember that politicians and the public choose our missions, we freely choose the lifestyle. /steps off soapbox/
12.8.06
zen moment
Religion is not just some dry intellectual idea but rather your basic philosophy of life: you hear a teaching that makes sense to you, find through experience that it relates positively with your psychological makeup, get a real taste of it through practice, and adopt it as your spiritual path. That's the right way to enter the spiritual path.
We are not compelled to meditate by some outside agent, by other people, or by God.Rather, just as we are responsible for our own suffering, so are we solely responsible for our own cure. We have created the situation in which we find ourselves, and it is up to us to create the circumstances for our release.
Lama Yeshe
Please comment.
The photo of Buddha with View by Sean Duggan was found on the following website, which contains a heck of a lot of other interesting, and amazing photos. http://www.f1point4.com/f1point4/toy_camera/index.html
The day before I go away.
Hey faithful readers...
It's Saturday and it is the day before I go away for two weeks to be involved in two separate, yet related exercises as part of TF1-07, (Task Force 1-07). As always I am excited, yet that is tempered by the fact that I will be away. It is excellent to be a part of a training scenario where shortfalls and lack thereofs are not things to be accounted for and accepted, but are attacked and if the exact thing is not readily available SOMETHING is made available. Really weird because the whole previous time with any training, whether as trainee or trainer we went without.
The fact that I am plugging into 2RCR Battle Group HQ and being useful is really good and has become quite real.
Recently, asI mentioned it in a previous post, I bought a bike. It is a KHS Westwood 19inch. Here: http://www.khscanada.com/v2/bikeview.php?id=335
The good news/ bad news/ and the no-so-bad-I-can-live-with-it..
Good news, I got it for less than the MSRP (taxes in) and I got a kickstand and water bottle/holder too. It is a nice comfortable bike, and it is very lightweight and mechanically seems pretty good. It will be the ideal bike for commuting to and from work...When I am in Moncton to do that...Ha-ha- *sigh*
Bad news, I was originally looking for bike that I could participate (comPLete, not coMPete) in a duathlon or two once I got home and had some time in the saddle. And I knew that beginners often used whatever they had. I had nothing, So I stayed away from the Mountain Bike side of the House and got something with "big thin tires" I know that may sound stupid, but I've ridden nothing but a unicycle for the last five years. So I got what I thought would be an ideal starter bike. Well, I do have a friend who was a semipro racer who scolded me saying that the bike is totally inadequate.
The result... I have decided to live with this bike, which is cool because it is still a work out for my legs and it is comfortable to ride on. Both good things to re-initiate me to two wheeled self-powered transportation. Also, the handlebars and seat are fully adjustable. So I was able to lower my grips forward and elevate my seat to make the riding position a bit more "aggressive" and "workout like".
As I said this bike is a really nice commuter bike, and Moncton seems to be pretty bicycle friendly, and I could likely get to just about anywhere in the city relatively easily and relatively quick, I like that. Especially with gas prices, and the fact that Nathaniel is getting better on his bike and is harder to keep up with now. So hopefully, upon my return we could bike together.
The ultimate plan (right now) is to make due with what I have (and I am not complaining I like what I have) and then upon my return I'll give some Du's a tri...*groan* and then maybe spend a couple grand on an entry level triathlon bike.
Til next time....(see you ina couple weeks)...
OH, and for those who usually email me at work or those who want to email me, I lost my entire contacts list recently so I have none of your email addys...so please please, lang.sm@forces.gc.ca... I want to keep in touch with you all at home and abroad...
It's Saturday and it is the day before I go away for two weeks to be involved in two separate, yet related exercises as part of TF1-07, (Task Force 1-07). As always I am excited, yet that is tempered by the fact that I will be away. It is excellent to be a part of a training scenario where shortfalls and lack thereofs are not things to be accounted for and accepted, but are attacked and if the exact thing is not readily available SOMETHING is made available. Really weird because the whole previous time with any training, whether as trainee or trainer we went without.
The fact that I am plugging into 2RCR Battle Group HQ and being useful is really good and has become quite real.
Recently, asI mentioned it in a previous post, I bought a bike. It is a KHS Westwood 19inch. Here: http://www.khscanada.com/v2/bikeview.php?id=335
The good news/ bad news/ and the no-so-bad-I-can-live-with-it..
Good news, I got it for less than the MSRP (taxes in) and I got a kickstand and water bottle/holder too. It is a nice comfortable bike, and it is very lightweight and mechanically seems pretty good. It will be the ideal bike for commuting to and from work...When I am in Moncton to do that...Ha-ha- *sigh*
Bad news, I was originally looking for bike that I could participate (comPLete, not coMPete) in a duathlon or two once I got home and had some time in the saddle. And I knew that beginners often used whatever they had. I had nothing, So I stayed away from the Mountain Bike side of the House and got something with "big thin tires" I know that may sound stupid, but I've ridden nothing but a unicycle for the last five years. So I got what I thought would be an ideal starter bike. Well, I do have a friend who was a semipro racer who scolded me saying that the bike is totally inadequate.
The result... I have decided to live with this bike, which is cool because it is still a work out for my legs and it is comfortable to ride on. Both good things to re-initiate me to two wheeled self-powered transportation. Also, the handlebars and seat are fully adjustable. So I was able to lower my grips forward and elevate my seat to make the riding position a bit more "aggressive" and "workout like".
As I said this bike is a really nice commuter bike, and Moncton seems to be pretty bicycle friendly, and I could likely get to just about anywhere in the city relatively easily and relatively quick, I like that. Especially with gas prices, and the fact that Nathaniel is getting better on his bike and is harder to keep up with now. So hopefully, upon my return we could bike together.
The ultimate plan (right now) is to make due with what I have (and I am not complaining I like what I have) and then upon my return I'll give some Du's a tri...*groan* and then maybe spend a couple grand on an entry level triathlon bike.
Til next time....(see you ina couple weeks)...
OH, and for those who usually email me at work or those who want to email me, I lost my entire contacts list recently so I have none of your email addys...so please please, lang.sm@forces.gc.ca... I want to keep in touch with you all at home and abroad...
5.8.06
UPDATE
Well, it has been a heckuva long time since I updated anything…so as quick cheat sheet/ Readers’ Digest version of the last month: here goes…
Conveniently broken down into bite size chucks, divided into categories.
THE MOVE-
For all intents and purposes the move is complete, and it was a moderate to genuine success.
Kara and I got in to paint and bring some life to the institutional white walls. Decorating took a little time to get things the way we wanted it. Good thing we discussed a lot of it in advance.
We have recently added a new (enormous) desk to our office, and a new armoire. Specifics may follow if I get time.
THE NEIGHBOUHOOD-
Is outstanding, those of you who have been privy to the stories know that for the past four years our immediate neighbors in Gagetown were an absolute pain in the ass. I would have rathered been living next to a sewage treatment facility full of vipers.
The kids (and Kara) have definitely assimilated themselves into the area…and though the street out front is busy by local standards it is like an rarely traveled footpath compared to the ol’ neck o’ the woods.
All is good.
MY TRAINING-
Sadly, I have abandoned my ‘marathon is ‘06’ thoughts. Workup training for TF 1-07 is too demanding and unpredictable (even in it’s micro managed planning status) to allow me to dedicate the time required to meet such a goal…
However, my running continues, and I am trying to sustain runs and a ‘training schedule’ that would still leave me able to compete in a 10km race with little prep time, or a Half marathon (21km) on short notice. This includes one long run a week 9-13 km, whatever I can swing. Plus two shorter higher intensity runs, either speed work or tempo style runs…
Also I bought a bike yesterday, is a hybrid style bike. It is not a road bike, not a mountain bike. It has fairly big thin wheels and a lightweight frame. My primary intent is to commute to work, but also go out and pound the roads a couple times a week when I can… Start my Duathalon training as quick as I can.
MY OTHER TRAINING
I started officially training with the 2RCR Battle Group last week. It was the first time all the players had come together to for the command element that will be deploying in ’07.. It was a great experience, many lessons learned and I look forward to the coming months…
MY WRITING
Yeah, my writing, while on leave I wrote about five short stories and sketched out some more. I’m letting them sit before I go back and review them…Any one interested in giving them a read….?
That’s all for know. Specifics will come as I think of them.
Conveniently broken down into bite size chucks, divided into categories.
THE MOVE-
For all intents and purposes the move is complete, and it was a moderate to genuine success.
Kara and I got in to paint and bring some life to the institutional white walls. Decorating took a little time to get things the way we wanted it. Good thing we discussed a lot of it in advance.
We have recently added a new (enormous) desk to our office, and a new armoire. Specifics may follow if I get time.
THE NEIGHBOUHOOD-
Is outstanding, those of you who have been privy to the stories know that for the past four years our immediate neighbors in Gagetown were an absolute pain in the ass. I would have rathered been living next to a sewage treatment facility full of vipers.
The kids (and Kara) have definitely assimilated themselves into the area…and though the street out front is busy by local standards it is like an rarely traveled footpath compared to the ol’ neck o’ the woods.
All is good.
MY TRAINING-
Sadly, I have abandoned my ‘marathon is ‘06’ thoughts. Workup training for TF 1-07 is too demanding and unpredictable (even in it’s micro managed planning status) to allow me to dedicate the time required to meet such a goal…
However, my running continues, and I am trying to sustain runs and a ‘training schedule’ that would still leave me able to compete in a 10km race with little prep time, or a Half marathon (21km) on short notice. This includes one long run a week 9-13 km, whatever I can swing. Plus two shorter higher intensity runs, either speed work or tempo style runs…
Also I bought a bike yesterday, is a hybrid style bike. It is not a road bike, not a mountain bike. It has fairly big thin wheels and a lightweight frame. My primary intent is to commute to work, but also go out and pound the roads a couple times a week when I can… Start my Duathalon training as quick as I can.
MY OTHER TRAINING
I started officially training with the 2RCR Battle Group last week. It was the first time all the players had come together to for the command element that will be deploying in ’07.. It was a great experience, many lessons learned and I look forward to the coming months…
MY WRITING
Yeah, my writing, while on leave I wrote about five short stories and sketched out some more. I’m letting them sit before I go back and review them…Any one interested in giving them a read….?
That’s all for know. Specifics will come as I think of them.
30.6.06
I'm gonna give it a shot.
Training for a marathon that is.
With the Help of HCD (HardCoreDuathlete), or Andy from RM, I have a plan.
My planned marathon debut will be 5 November in Moncton, the Legs for Literacy Marathon.
There is the possibility that this dream/ goal will go nowhere as September and October are brutally full of workup training for deployment. But I will do what i can to meet the training requirements...si non...I will have a great 1/2 then...
Here is the plan.
Week of July 16 - 22
Sunday: 11-13K LSD
Tuesday: 4x Hills or 4x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 20 minutes @ Tempo
Week of July 23 - 29
Sunday: 12-14K LSD
Tuesday: 4x Hills or 4x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 25 minutes @ Tempo
Week of July 30 - August 5
Sunday: 13-15K LSD
Tuesday: 5x Hills or 5x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 30 minutes @ Tempo
Week of August 6 - 13
Sunday: 15-17K LSD
Tuesday: 5x Hills or 5x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 35 minutes @ Tempo
Week of August 14 - 20 (Fall Back Week)
Sunday: 11-13K LSD
Tuesday: 4x Hills or 4x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 20 minutes @ Tempo
Week of August 21 - August 27
Sunday: 18-20K LSD
Tuesday: 5x Hills or 5x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 35 minutes @ Tempo
Week of August 28 - September 2
Sunday: 21-23K LSD
Tuesday: 5x Hills or 5x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 35 minutes @ Tempo
Week of September 3 - 9
Sunday: 23-25K LSD
Tuesday: 6x Hills or 6x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 405 minutes @ Tempo
Week of September 10 - 16
Sunday: 25-27K LSD
Tuesday: 6x Hills or 6x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 40 minutes @ Tempo
Week of September 17 - 23 (Fall Back Week)
Sunday: 12-14K LSD
Tuesday: 4x Hills or 4x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 20 minutes @ Tempo
Week of September 24 - 30
Sunday: 27-29K LSD
Tuesday: 7x Hills or 7x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 45 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 1 - 7
Sunday: 28-30K LSD
Tuesday: 7x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 50 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 8 -14
Sunday: 32K LSD
Tuesday: 8x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 55 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 15 -21 (Fall Back Week)
Sunday: 13-15K LSD
Tuesday: 4x 800m and 4x 400m
Thursday: 30 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 22 -28
Sunday: 32-34K LSD
Tuesday: 4x 800m or 4x 400 repeats
Thursday: 45 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 29 - November 4
Sunday: 15K LSD
Tuesday: 45 minute Easy Run w/4-5x 30sec pickups
Thursday: 30 minute Easy run w/3-4x 20-30sec pickups
Week of November 5
Sunday: Marathon Day
With the Help of HCD (HardCoreDuathlete), or Andy from RM, I have a plan.
My planned marathon debut will be 5 November in Moncton, the Legs for Literacy Marathon.
There is the possibility that this dream/ goal will go nowhere as September and October are brutally full of workup training for deployment. But I will do what i can to meet the training requirements...si non...I will have a great 1/2 then...
Here is the plan.
Week of July 16 - 22
Sunday: 11-13K LSD
Tuesday: 4x Hills or 4x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 20 minutes @ Tempo
Week of July 23 - 29
Sunday: 12-14K LSD
Tuesday: 4x Hills or 4x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 25 minutes @ Tempo
Week of July 30 - August 5
Sunday: 13-15K LSD
Tuesday: 5x Hills or 5x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 30 minutes @ Tempo
Week of August 6 - 13
Sunday: 15-17K LSD
Tuesday: 5x Hills or 5x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 35 minutes @ Tempo
Week of August 14 - 20 (Fall Back Week)
Sunday: 11-13K LSD
Tuesday: 4x Hills or 4x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 20 minutes @ Tempo
Week of August 21 - August 27
Sunday: 18-20K LSD
Tuesday: 5x Hills or 5x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 35 minutes @ Tempo
Week of August 28 - September 2
Sunday: 21-23K LSD
Tuesday: 5x Hills or 5x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 35 minutes @ Tempo
Week of September 3 - 9
Sunday: 23-25K LSD
Tuesday: 6x Hills or 6x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 405 minutes @ Tempo
Week of September 10 - 16
Sunday: 25-27K LSD
Tuesday: 6x Hills or 6x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 40 minutes @ Tempo
Week of September 17 - 23 (Fall Back Week)
Sunday: 12-14K LSD
Tuesday: 4x Hills or 4x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 20 minutes @ Tempo
Week of September 24 - 30
Sunday: 27-29K LSD
Tuesday: 7x Hills or 7x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 45 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 1 - 7
Sunday: 28-30K LSD
Tuesday: 7x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 50 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 8 -14
Sunday: 32K LSD
Tuesday: 8x 1 mile repeats
Thursday: 55 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 15 -21 (Fall Back Week)
Sunday: 13-15K LSD
Tuesday: 4x 800m and 4x 400m
Thursday: 30 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 22 -28
Sunday: 32-34K LSD
Tuesday: 4x 800m or 4x 400 repeats
Thursday: 45 minutes @ Tempo
Week of October 29 - November 4
Sunday: 15K LSD
Tuesday: 45 minute Easy Run w/4-5x 30sec pickups
Thursday: 30 minute Easy run w/3-4x 20-30sec pickups
Week of November 5
Sunday: Marathon Day
27.6.06
A Rookie Runners Paradox.
Obviously I have not posted with great regularity as of late. Mostly as a result of my participation in a seven week course that begins the lead up to my deployment to Afghanistan in 07.
As I look at the history of my recent posts they are predominantly running based, and this shall be no exception. Though this will not be a race report but a commentary on running.
I begin by mentioning that I have been a runner for just shy of a year, and I have completed a couple 10k, one Half marathon, and participated in the CTRR. I do have some running goals for the future, CTRR 07, Full Marathon…etc. I feel comfortable in stating that running has become indoctrinated into my everyday life and is an official pastime.
However, during the aftermath of my last event I realized that my response to my results were, well, in a word…schizophrenic, or paradoxical. I am at once thrilled by the result; I felt I ran well, despite my belief I was not fully mentally prepared to run the event. I know that any running accomplishment that occurs these days trumps any previous running (with there is little of) and is becoming a second highlight reel in the history of Scotty’s Athletic Career. For these reasons I am content, I am happy, I am healthy.
However, it is when I compare the results of myself as an individual to those of the others who compete in the same event, or who are my age, and run similar events. As happy as I am with my running I am not ignorant of the fact that I consistently finish on the south side of half. And in no way what so ever am I a competitive runner. Which in itself, semantically, is a paradox because I am extremely competitive by nature.
This is where my problems begin I find myself discouraged by these truths. Before you think me insane I know I will never win an event I do not have the time, talent, or discipline to achieve this. I would simply like to be a “good” runner, on the north side of half…
I am at the same time proud that I achieved another PB on my latest 10k, yet realistic enough to know that it is only my third real 10k event, and I have likely yet to plateau so it is almost an unfair celebration.
The questions this leaves me with are:
Will I ever be faster? How fast can I be?
Is my running ability/ fitness still in its immaturity, and therefore hard to say?
How much faster would I be 15-20lbs lighter?
There are more questions but you get my gist…And I have no means by which to answer these questions.
The morale of this rambling monologue boils down to…I have some running goals, but I do not know how to temper my expectations.
I would hope that these are fears and questions that many new runners have experienced…and that there is some sage wisdom out there among the masses to allay these fears…
As I look at the history of my recent posts they are predominantly running based, and this shall be no exception. Though this will not be a race report but a commentary on running.
I begin by mentioning that I have been a runner for just shy of a year, and I have completed a couple 10k, one Half marathon, and participated in the CTRR. I do have some running goals for the future, CTRR 07, Full Marathon…etc. I feel comfortable in stating that running has become indoctrinated into my everyday life and is an official pastime.
However, during the aftermath of my last event I realized that my response to my results were, well, in a word…schizophrenic, or paradoxical. I am at once thrilled by the result; I felt I ran well, despite my belief I was not fully mentally prepared to run the event. I know that any running accomplishment that occurs these days trumps any previous running (with there is little of) and is becoming a second highlight reel in the history of Scotty’s Athletic Career. For these reasons I am content, I am happy, I am healthy.
However, it is when I compare the results of myself as an individual to those of the others who compete in the same event, or who are my age, and run similar events. As happy as I am with my running I am not ignorant of the fact that I consistently finish on the south side of half. And in no way what so ever am I a competitive runner. Which in itself, semantically, is a paradox because I am extremely competitive by nature.
This is where my problems begin I find myself discouraged by these truths. Before you think me insane I know I will never win an event I do not have the time, talent, or discipline to achieve this. I would simply like to be a “good” runner, on the north side of half…
I am at the same time proud that I achieved another PB on my latest 10k, yet realistic enough to know that it is only my third real 10k event, and I have likely yet to plateau so it is almost an unfair celebration.
The questions this leaves me with are:
Will I ever be faster? How fast can I be?
Is my running ability/ fitness still in its immaturity, and therefore hard to say?
How much faster would I be 15-20lbs lighter?
There are more questions but you get my gist…And I have no means by which to answer these questions.
The morale of this rambling monologue boils down to…I have some running goals, but I do not know how to temper my expectations.
I would hope that these are fears and questions that many new runners have experienced…and that there is some sage wisdom out there among the masses to allay these fears…
24.6.06
VOLUNTARY Army 10k
*fade from orange* This was a really odd run/ race/ event for me. Foreward (and forewarned) For one, when I arrived I realized “hm, I’m not really ready for this.” The past week went by in a blur and Saturday morning arrived in a rude heap. I must say I had the best of intentions of doing three weeks of disciplined runs to get myself in the mindset for this event after CTRR. Oops. Silly me shoulda thought a little bit harder on that one. Let’s see… Week one, I was in the Field. (It is amazing how hilarious a vicious thunderstorm, torrential downpour and category 4 winds can be at 0230 Wednesday night…) Week two, final exercise for the course I was on…did get a couple o’ runs in. Week three, house hunting trip / honeymoon in Moncton. One run… After my arrival, and then I finally realized I had to run in less than an hour. And I got nervous. And I did not know what to do. I had never gotten nervous before. Maybe it was the home field “advantage” I had. The run was going to be on the trails I train on. Maybe it was the fact that I felt maybe as an ARMY guy at the ARMY 10k I had to be ARMY-ish? or maybe it was the fact that the last time I did a 10k event on these trails it was a horrible experience. *cue transitional music* (sappy retrospective) The year was 2004, October. I was on my final phase training course when they came in and said. “Ok, everyone will be doing the Terry Fox 10km next week” I was a bit heavier, much less a runner and sat there in freshly soiled combats with a stunned look on my face. Great. It was as embarrassing as I thought it would be, gasp, wheeze, I sprinted I walked, gasp, I lumbered, and staggered across the finish line at 1:04:xx. But it was great (sarcastic) my course was waiting for me, and most of my friends were still there. To my credit I still came in closer to the middle than the back…well, ish. That run taught me something. I was fat. I had convinced myself I was in shape…(and on some comparative scales it was arguable that I was). Shorter after I joined Jaimer and Scadian on there Fredericton 2005 Half quest. Which lasted about ten runs, as I had an operation scheduled a month before the event, and I was terrified, overwhelmed, and a wuss. And stopped running. Fast-forward to August 2005, CAW finds RM, therefore, ergo, donc, Scotty finds RM. *cue transitional music* (finally…the point) Today: I warm up a little, slap a few bugs. I feel unprepared. I have no MP3, no Garmin, and no watch. Nada, well a snazzy retro headband…I was running on pure measured output. My previous best 10k was 53:38, back in March. I had had a whisper goal before of 50:00, seemed like a reasonable goal. But in essence I just hoped to mirror my previous result. With only 100 or so starters I had no problem seeding my self about 1/3 of the way back… It was just before the 2km marker when I had a funny moment, that is when I started to feel “yeah, ok, got my stride now, breathings good, I feel good, look out world I’m loose now!” Then I look up and see this kid streaking towards me, doesn’t even look old enough to shave…little bugger is already on his way back (doing the five). So I smiled, and shoved his 85lb frame as hard as I could into the bushes. Which got a chorus of cheers from behind me… I wish. I was still chuckling to myself at the 4 km mark; people must’ve thought I’d lost it. I had heard quite a few people, unfamiliar with the route nervously chattering about the “hilliness” of the course, and to some like me, it was moot as I didn’t find them that bad, but for anyone who focused their training on level ground…oops. At any rate I had no clue how I was doing, time wise. Physically I was maintaining a cruising pace somewhere below ‘vomit’, but above ‘comfortable’. I was stuck right around ‘stitch’. I nodded to Dan, high-fived Jaimer, smiled with Pete, and high-fived Kara. As I came into the last km mark, a spot I know very well, I decided to leave my spleen and pancreas on the course and go for it. As I came around the six-foot wall on the obstacle course I see the finish. Holy carp…I lumber my way to the line. 52:02. I tried so hard to shave 3 more seconds off, but the timer mocked me… Still, a PB is a PB. I am surprised, excited, and sore… I like those accomplishment that sneak up on you unawares and yell, “BOO!” and then giggle at you… *roll credits*
30.5.06
1500kms and One Choked Herring.
(Scotty at CTRR)
It’s Tuesday afternoon, and I am home, finally, with an opportunity to decompress- relax, and bask in the glow of something still immeasurable.
Foreward- When I answered the call to become one of Brendan’s Volunteers back in later stages of oh-five I had yet to run a single event, not a one. So many would wonder what in the Hell I had to be thinking when I agreed to run a leg at CTRR. The quick answer is that I wasn’t thinking, or at least not properly. It seemed like a good challenge, and I did get swept up in the wave of excitement, anticipation that grew into a Tsunami that crashed upon the shores of Cape Breton like a great and terrible storm.
I had the Fredericton Half Marathon a mere two weeks before as my training goal, and as I have posted before, my bib did well. I had not had the time to really consider the magnitude of the run that would follow two weeks after. These days are an awkward time for me, and this awkwardness is shared by James (Scadian), Jaimer, Kara, and Trish too; and it all revolves around February 07. That is the date that three of us in the Merry NB Crew will deploy to Afghanistan.
I have heard that an impending deployment can be equated to being told you are suffering from a fatal illness, once you have your deployment time, everything in your life goes on hold, and stays that way for at least a year by the time the training, deployment, and return home is complete. I know Scadian and myself felt particular strain leading to this event as we really did not get a chance to prepare the way we would have liked and it was questionable to the last possible moments if we would even get to make the trek.
But fortune favored us and we did get to make the trek, though with it required our immediate return with the weight of obligations to training calling us back for 0630 Monday morning. But those 60 insane hours that covered 1500kms, 4 legs equaling almost 70kms, an 11 x 11 cabin, and one ‘choked herring’ was a journey into a place where time stood still, and all was right in the world.
I told you that to tell you this, and so you would understand the emotion and sentiment behind my words.
~Friday, the plan is coming together like a train wreck. Once we finally had the kids away, Raven accounted for, James out of the field and showered, and Trish’s kids duct taped to her van we were good to go.
Six hours and three Great Big Sea CD’s later we arrive at the Silver Dart and as if it were scripted the Maniacs were lined up right there at the door. Of course it is at this point I must apologize to all my fellow Maniacs as I was about as friendly as a cactus in the but as I was totally bone weary from a long work week and a long drive. Paying $20 for a pasta supper with no pasta and no dessert of course enhanced my mood. The three pieces of bread I had though were worth it.
We took a trek to the Firehall, and I watched the NB crew assimilate themselves into the RM Nation dancers, too cute!!!!
Then it was time to call it a night that led to the game “Let’s find our unmarked campsite” Fortunately, we found it with out too much incident, and my companions gave me my bottle and put me to bed.
~Saturday, when the day started I still had no clue what I was in for, none. Having missed the team meeting and some of the hoopla I still was not “in the know” And as we started out through the drive, the energy in the air became palpable, like its own weather front, rivaling and eventually overcoming the rain. We caught up to the trail on Leg 3 and I knew my memories, and perhaps my entire running career would never be the same again.
My run-
Well, I did Leg 6, 17.5km, rating of 4.5, with the threat of “Strong Coastal Breezes”
I was in the zone as I milled around after Scadian’s leg. I shared some shoulder time with the stunning Portia Bates, before she ran off into the horizon.
My goal was 1:40, but I wasn’t optimistic because that would have me almost matching my Half marathon pace in Fredericton, which is like running across a pool table, not a wash board.
When everyone took off it took little time before my morale was in the toilet. A group of sixty people race off in to the distance and by the first real hill I was 200-300m behind my closest competition. I checked James’ Garmin and I was maintaining 5:00km for nearly the first four km, which is well above my normal pace, and I fell further and further behind.
My support crew must have seen all the racers tearing off into the distance and thought “Oh crap” because Kara was soon there shouting and jumping and cheering. I started to feel a bit better. Then as I came over the hill I saw the red wig, and I knew all couldn’t be wrong in the world.
I kept going, remembering Sherry’s banner, and you can pick whichever slogan because I was going through them all. I figured my goal was shot, so I made a new one. I would not walk on a hill, at all, ever. Yes I am a sucker for punishment.
I was on autopilot throughout the entire mid potion of the race. I saw all the maniacs on the course and I wanted to hug them all, though I must have looked like old yeller did at the end just waiting for someone to shoot me.
Then, after my long down hill when I was starting to pass people I heard a weird reverberating echo of shouts, horns, and the odd primal beat of rocks on the guardrails. I thought it must be a trick of landscape because that noise appears to be coming from that very steep hill going the other way.
I had memorized my paper brochure and knew my leg ended with a stiff incline. When I rounded the corner and saw what was facing me I literally laughed out loud. Apparently the little jump on the brochure outline was a three-kilometer stretch steadily up hill. I redoubled my efforts and my vow to not walk, and I started to pass a few more people.
And much to my surprise as I reached the top, the mat was still there, and I could tag my wife. I had met my goal, no walking up hill; at least I had my pride. And when Kara told me my time I was stunned. 1:37 and change. Some how I had sustained a 5:35 pace, just slightly faster than my half two weeks ago.
Then it was time to don my clown gear and start cheering.
The other highlights
1) The Homestyle Restaurant in Cheticamp, huge portion sizes of Nectar and Ambrosia I swear.
2) The accomplishment of Kara finishing her leg after all she’s been through and put up with, I have more pride in that that anything.
3) I hope I was able to pay back some debts at the water station, everyone else brought so much to this entire weekend. Thank you all and I will forever be in your debt.
4) For James and I it is the end of an era, we have known each other since Grade 8 and except for a couple of short periods we have lived in the same neck of the woods and on July 10 we will be posted in separate directions. The guns, the guns, thank God the guns.
5) I hereby submit my name for next year’s events. Though this time I will coordinate a trip home from Kandahar Airfield instead of off a course.
Conclusion.
I am overwhelmed at all levels.
Personally, I am pretty dang proud of my results.
The little NB Super van that could, wow, we pulled it all together.
The entire RM CTRR team. Hm, what can one say?
Thank you all.
Oh yeah, the Choked Herring…It is a small thing, but it ended up being the running joke and defining slogan for the NB trip. It was the password that initiated the fun of the weekend. As we approached Baddeck there was a small little restaurant called the Herring Choker. It took us all by surprise and struck us quite funny. I’ll let you imagine all the lewd references that may or may not have been tossed around.
It’s Tuesday afternoon, and I am home, finally, with an opportunity to decompress- relax, and bask in the glow of something still immeasurable.
Foreward- When I answered the call to become one of Brendan’s Volunteers back in later stages of oh-five I had yet to run a single event, not a one. So many would wonder what in the Hell I had to be thinking when I agreed to run a leg at CTRR. The quick answer is that I wasn’t thinking, or at least not properly. It seemed like a good challenge, and I did get swept up in the wave of excitement, anticipation that grew into a Tsunami that crashed upon the shores of Cape Breton like a great and terrible storm.
I had the Fredericton Half Marathon a mere two weeks before as my training goal, and as I have posted before, my bib did well. I had not had the time to really consider the magnitude of the run that would follow two weeks after. These days are an awkward time for me, and this awkwardness is shared by James (Scadian), Jaimer, Kara, and Trish too; and it all revolves around February 07. That is the date that three of us in the Merry NB Crew will deploy to Afghanistan.
I have heard that an impending deployment can be equated to being told you are suffering from a fatal illness, once you have your deployment time, everything in your life goes on hold, and stays that way for at least a year by the time the training, deployment, and return home is complete. I know Scadian and myself felt particular strain leading to this event as we really did not get a chance to prepare the way we would have liked and it was questionable to the last possible moments if we would even get to make the trek.
But fortune favored us and we did get to make the trek, though with it required our immediate return with the weight of obligations to training calling us back for 0630 Monday morning. But those 60 insane hours that covered 1500kms, 4 legs equaling almost 70kms, an 11 x 11 cabin, and one ‘choked herring’ was a journey into a place where time stood still, and all was right in the world.
I told you that to tell you this, and so you would understand the emotion and sentiment behind my words.
~Friday, the plan is coming together like a train wreck. Once we finally had the kids away, Raven accounted for, James out of the field and showered, and Trish’s kids duct taped to her van we were good to go.
Six hours and three Great Big Sea CD’s later we arrive at the Silver Dart and as if it were scripted the Maniacs were lined up right there at the door. Of course it is at this point I must apologize to all my fellow Maniacs as I was about as friendly as a cactus in the but as I was totally bone weary from a long work week and a long drive. Paying $20 for a pasta supper with no pasta and no dessert of course enhanced my mood. The three pieces of bread I had though were worth it.
We took a trek to the Firehall, and I watched the NB crew assimilate themselves into the RM Nation dancers, too cute!!!!
Then it was time to call it a night that led to the game “Let’s find our unmarked campsite” Fortunately, we found it with out too much incident, and my companions gave me my bottle and put me to bed.
~Saturday, when the day started I still had no clue what I was in for, none. Having missed the team meeting and some of the hoopla I still was not “in the know” And as we started out through the drive, the energy in the air became palpable, like its own weather front, rivaling and eventually overcoming the rain. We caught up to the trail on Leg 3 and I knew my memories, and perhaps my entire running career would never be the same again.
My run-
Well, I did Leg 6, 17.5km, rating of 4.5, with the threat of “Strong Coastal Breezes”
I was in the zone as I milled around after Scadian’s leg. I shared some shoulder time with the stunning Portia Bates, before she ran off into the horizon.
My goal was 1:40, but I wasn’t optimistic because that would have me almost matching my Half marathon pace in Fredericton, which is like running across a pool table, not a wash board.
When everyone took off it took little time before my morale was in the toilet. A group of sixty people race off in to the distance and by the first real hill I was 200-300m behind my closest competition. I checked James’ Garmin and I was maintaining 5:00km for nearly the first four km, which is well above my normal pace, and I fell further and further behind.
My support crew must have seen all the racers tearing off into the distance and thought “Oh crap” because Kara was soon there shouting and jumping and cheering. I started to feel a bit better. Then as I came over the hill I saw the red wig, and I knew all couldn’t be wrong in the world.
I kept going, remembering Sherry’s banner, and you can pick whichever slogan because I was going through them all. I figured my goal was shot, so I made a new one. I would not walk on a hill, at all, ever. Yes I am a sucker for punishment.
I was on autopilot throughout the entire mid potion of the race. I saw all the maniacs on the course and I wanted to hug them all, though I must have looked like old yeller did at the end just waiting for someone to shoot me.
Then, after my long down hill when I was starting to pass people I heard a weird reverberating echo of shouts, horns, and the odd primal beat of rocks on the guardrails. I thought it must be a trick of landscape because that noise appears to be coming from that very steep hill going the other way.
I had memorized my paper brochure and knew my leg ended with a stiff incline. When I rounded the corner and saw what was facing me I literally laughed out loud. Apparently the little jump on the brochure outline was a three-kilometer stretch steadily up hill. I redoubled my efforts and my vow to not walk, and I started to pass a few more people.
And much to my surprise as I reached the top, the mat was still there, and I could tag my wife. I had met my goal, no walking up hill; at least I had my pride. And when Kara told me my time I was stunned. 1:37 and change. Some how I had sustained a 5:35 pace, just slightly faster than my half two weeks ago.
Then it was time to don my clown gear and start cheering.
The other highlights
1) The Homestyle Restaurant in Cheticamp, huge portion sizes of Nectar and Ambrosia I swear.
2) The accomplishment of Kara finishing her leg after all she’s been through and put up with, I have more pride in that that anything.
3) I hope I was able to pay back some debts at the water station, everyone else brought so much to this entire weekend. Thank you all and I will forever be in your debt.
4) For James and I it is the end of an era, we have known each other since Grade 8 and except for a couple of short periods we have lived in the same neck of the woods and on July 10 we will be posted in separate directions. The guns, the guns, thank God the guns.
5) I hereby submit my name for next year’s events. Though this time I will coordinate a trip home from Kandahar Airfield instead of off a course.
Conclusion.
I am overwhelmed at all levels.
Personally, I am pretty dang proud of my results.
The little NB Super van that could, wow, we pulled it all together.
The entire RM CTRR team. Hm, what can one say?
Thank you all.
Oh yeah, the Choked Herring…It is a small thing, but it ended up being the running joke and defining slogan for the NB trip. It was the password that initiated the fun of the weekend. As we approached Baddeck there was a small little restaurant called the Herring Choker. It took us all by surprise and struck us quite funny. I’ll let you imagine all the lewd references that may or may not have been tossed around.
14.5.06
The Life and Times of Bib #1116.
“-Hi, Bib #1116 here, but my friends call me Bib #1116. I want to tell you the story of my Fredericton Half Marathon. I waited with nervous anxiety on the table with all my 10 km, Half, and Full Buddies… and had to listen to Bib# 2342 brag to my girlfriend Bib # 733. But I digress.
Well the line up starts moving through, and now I’m getting excited…I can’t wait to see what kind of athlete my runner will be. Is it an elite athlete? a sexy first timer? The anticipation was palpable, so imagine my disappointment when the slightly round guy picked me up. I tried to introduce myself but then I as shoved unceremoniously into a yellow plastic bag, but I did get to meet some nice brochures from other races, and I did cuddle up to a Fredericton Half T Shirt, roughly the size of a three-man tent.
So I was pretty excited listening to this round guy talk about his training runs and telling people about his goals for the next day. “Hmm, not too bad” I think to myself as he mentions his goal is 2:09, with a whisper goal of breaking 2:00. So given how serious lard ass sounds I was hoping we’d go through some nice prerace rituals… Well this guy had the weirdest prerace rituals ever. He left me hanging on the pantry door in the cheap bag so the damn dog could sniff me endlessly. So while I sit there Lardo drinks six beers! I mean come on, are you serious, his logic is, well they’re LIGHT beers!!
All my training going for squat.
The next day was much better, as this guy seems to know some pretty cool people, some running the 10, some the Half. Soon I realize it’s time to “pin me to Buddha!” and I guess I was just lucky that drunk guy realized there were predrilled holed for the safety pins.
So we milled around a bit, the nervous energy oozing out of this guys pores, or maybe it was alcohol…but anyway we all got to pose for great pictures, pictures and more pictures, with hugs and words. Had to admit this guy was in with a cool crowd.
So while I’m still posing for pictures I realize,”whoa crap we’re moving” The technological wunderkind that I’m hooked to spent the first km trying to figure out how to start his watch.
After that it was pretty smooth sailing. This guy had a pace bracelet, cleverly crafted out of duct tape. He stopped and walked his way through most of the water stations, which he was kind enough to share with me most of the time.
It was a gorgeous day, with a little breeze lots of sun, and a lot of smiling happy runners. So I feel the guy start to wheeze a little feeling his energy flag a little at km 19. This guy had some gels with him but was too busy running to take them. The next thing I know we round the last corner and this guy is waning, when suddenly he kicks it in and I must admit the breeze felt nice…I see the Finish line approaching and I am yelling at this guy to slow down, I’m going to be all bunched up in the pictures…”
So his wife who was crushing us in these huge bear hugs after he staggered past the finish line told him our time…
1:57:49… he seemed pretty happy. And I almost forgave him shoving me in a plastic bag, until he did it again on the way home.”
Hey Scott here, damn thing is awful long winded. Any way, I’m pretty proud not just of myself, but of all the RM crew, James, Jaime thanks for all the training runs and the motivation, great way to cap our stay in Gagetown eh? (+CTRR). Dani and MrDani, great work on the 10km!! Sanders, Karen, Dan great to meet you/ see you again. And Trish great job, first race, first half, big smiles.
Oh yeah, hurray for me actually ran a smart race, minus forgetting the gels, and the beer the night before…I did beat 2:00 though-
Well the line up starts moving through, and now I’m getting excited…I can’t wait to see what kind of athlete my runner will be. Is it an elite athlete? a sexy first timer? The anticipation was palpable, so imagine my disappointment when the slightly round guy picked me up. I tried to introduce myself but then I as shoved unceremoniously into a yellow plastic bag, but I did get to meet some nice brochures from other races, and I did cuddle up to a Fredericton Half T Shirt, roughly the size of a three-man tent.
So I was pretty excited listening to this round guy talk about his training runs and telling people about his goals for the next day. “Hmm, not too bad” I think to myself as he mentions his goal is 2:09, with a whisper goal of breaking 2:00. So given how serious lard ass sounds I was hoping we’d go through some nice prerace rituals… Well this guy had the weirdest prerace rituals ever. He left me hanging on the pantry door in the cheap bag so the damn dog could sniff me endlessly. So while I sit there Lardo drinks six beers! I mean come on, are you serious, his logic is, well they’re LIGHT beers!!
All my training going for squat.
The next day was much better, as this guy seems to know some pretty cool people, some running the 10, some the Half. Soon I realize it’s time to “pin me to Buddha!” and I guess I was just lucky that drunk guy realized there were predrilled holed for the safety pins.
So we milled around a bit, the nervous energy oozing out of this guys pores, or maybe it was alcohol…but anyway we all got to pose for great pictures, pictures and more pictures, with hugs and words. Had to admit this guy was in with a cool crowd.
So while I’m still posing for pictures I realize,”whoa crap we’re moving” The technological wunderkind that I’m hooked to spent the first km trying to figure out how to start his watch.
After that it was pretty smooth sailing. This guy had a pace bracelet, cleverly crafted out of duct tape. He stopped and walked his way through most of the water stations, which he was kind enough to share with me most of the time.
It was a gorgeous day, with a little breeze lots of sun, and a lot of smiling happy runners. So I feel the guy start to wheeze a little feeling his energy flag a little at km 19. This guy had some gels with him but was too busy running to take them. The next thing I know we round the last corner and this guy is waning, when suddenly he kicks it in and I must admit the breeze felt nice…I see the Finish line approaching and I am yelling at this guy to slow down, I’m going to be all bunched up in the pictures…”
So his wife who was crushing us in these huge bear hugs after he staggered past the finish line told him our time…
1:57:49… he seemed pretty happy. And I almost forgave him shoving me in a plastic bag, until he did it again on the way home.”
Hey Scott here, damn thing is awful long winded. Any way, I’m pretty proud not just of myself, but of all the RM crew, James, Jaime thanks for all the training runs and the motivation, great way to cap our stay in Gagetown eh? (+CTRR). Dani and MrDani, great work on the 10km!! Sanders, Karen, Dan great to meet you/ see you again. And Trish great job, first race, first half, big smiles.
Oh yeah, hurray for me actually ran a smart race, minus forgetting the gels, and the beer the night before…I did beat 2:00 though-
12.5.06
Body Management vs. Run Management
RUNNING ECONOMY The amount of oxygen used when running at a steady, less-than-all-out effort. An economical runner uses less energy to maintain the same pace. This leaves the more efficient runner with greater energy reserves for later in a workout or race. Runners World June 2006
e·piph·a·ny n. pl. e·piph·a·nies
Epiphany
1- A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.
2- A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.
3-A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
b- A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization: “I experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash that would change the way I viewed myself” (Frank Maier).
I suppose it is an epiphany even when it takes months for a realization to happen, and I suppose in the religious context above it is something that could take a lifetime, equitable to a Buddhist seeking Enlightenment. When I read the ‘running economy’ definition in this months well used edition of the Runners World a lot of ideas in my head came together with the subtlety of a train wreck.
Back in August 05 when I followed Kara’s example and started running for fun I, personally, was a victim of the stopwatch and formulas. Slowly over time I have weaned my self from using devices during my runs, watches, Garmins, MP3 players, every thing, I would even put the treadmill to calorie counter (which did disappoint me a little…but I digress). So everything is becoming what in some circles in known as a ‘Zen’ runner, no bias on the religion. I have learned to run and enjoy running by perceived exertion. I often felt trapped in training plans having to run a certain distance at a certain speed, even on days when I felt like sh—aving cream. So I started taking the strict distances as suggestions, and I allowed my running objectives to be incorporated into the realities of my work and family schedules. Though I did maintain a solid focus on conducting my LSDs on weekends. So I stayed true to my distances, and technically stayed true to my schedule, but did in a way that would not have me hurting myself or grow weary or discouraged.
Though it was an injury, I think, that started my unconscious focus on Body Management. I have become so aware now of what it takes to fuel my body and build my body to achieve the goals I want. I must add immediately though that this is only a relative success, as before I was completely and utter oblivious to the way I treated my body, everything became so right now. I want to drink a lot of beer right now, I want a bag of chips right now, I want to run right now….Having planned out that “Yes Saturday/ Sunday, I will do a long distance” has lead me to hydrate before, during and after, and feed my body and rest the adequate amount to make it worth while.
I began to realize these things just before, during, and after my last 18km LSD with Trish. It was helped by the fact that I am on course right now, and had to regiment my weekly PT and weekend timings to make sure it happened as it was a necessary thing to act as final preparation for Sunday’s Half.
I now know I have trained enough and will be able to complete the half (barring catastrophe), goal number one has been accomplished. Goal two is to try and beat 2:15 for a time. But that will rely on Race Management, making sure that I run at a good even pace for the entirety of the race. So I have been going over walk-run strategies, music- no music strategies in my mind.
I hope that I can achieve a balance, and display running economy during the half. For it was something I achieved this week in an unplanned frantic five km on the treadmill. Normally my treadmill routine starts off with a “warmup” at about 10km/hr. Then increases, based on time or distance or whim until the last bit I am sprinting at 14 km/h. Well, this past run I started at 10-11km for the first two km, because I wanted to run at one smooth pace. I got bored and jacked the treadmill to 13km/h planning to sprint for a short time. That short time lasted for 15 minutes and I managed a 24 minute 5 km, which surprised me. I was nowhere near as beat and winded as usual. Lesson learned, nice even pace, even at a faster race brings the same result as slow and steady followed but by gut wrenching sprint…the kind of gut wrenching sprint that has me leaking bacon fat instead of sweat…
So hopefully I have done enough body management to facilitate good run management to facilitate goal 2 being met…
Did that just sound awkward to me?
e·piph·a·ny n. pl. e·piph·a·nies
Epiphany
1- A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.
2- A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.
3-A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
b- A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization: “I experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash that would change the way I viewed myself” (Frank Maier).
I suppose it is an epiphany even when it takes months for a realization to happen, and I suppose in the religious context above it is something that could take a lifetime, equitable to a Buddhist seeking Enlightenment. When I read the ‘running economy’ definition in this months well used edition of the Runners World a lot of ideas in my head came together with the subtlety of a train wreck.
Back in August 05 when I followed Kara’s example and started running for fun I, personally, was a victim of the stopwatch and formulas. Slowly over time I have weaned my self from using devices during my runs, watches, Garmins, MP3 players, every thing, I would even put the treadmill to calorie counter (which did disappoint me a little…but I digress). So everything is becoming what in some circles in known as a ‘Zen’ runner, no bias on the religion. I have learned to run and enjoy running by perceived exertion. I often felt trapped in training plans having to run a certain distance at a certain speed, even on days when I felt like sh—aving cream. So I started taking the strict distances as suggestions, and I allowed my running objectives to be incorporated into the realities of my work and family schedules. Though I did maintain a solid focus on conducting my LSDs on weekends. So I stayed true to my distances, and technically stayed true to my schedule, but did in a way that would not have me hurting myself or grow weary or discouraged.
Though it was an injury, I think, that started my unconscious focus on Body Management. I have become so aware now of what it takes to fuel my body and build my body to achieve the goals I want. I must add immediately though that this is only a relative success, as before I was completely and utter oblivious to the way I treated my body, everything became so right now. I want to drink a lot of beer right now, I want a bag of chips right now, I want to run right now….Having planned out that “Yes Saturday/ Sunday, I will do a long distance” has lead me to hydrate before, during and after, and feed my body and rest the adequate amount to make it worth while.
I began to realize these things just before, during, and after my last 18km LSD with Trish. It was helped by the fact that I am on course right now, and had to regiment my weekly PT and weekend timings to make sure it happened as it was a necessary thing to act as final preparation for Sunday’s Half.
I now know I have trained enough and will be able to complete the half (barring catastrophe), goal number one has been accomplished. Goal two is to try and beat 2:15 for a time. But that will rely on Race Management, making sure that I run at a good even pace for the entirety of the race. So I have been going over walk-run strategies, music- no music strategies in my mind.
I hope that I can achieve a balance, and display running economy during the half. For it was something I achieved this week in an unplanned frantic five km on the treadmill. Normally my treadmill routine starts off with a “warmup” at about 10km/hr. Then increases, based on time or distance or whim until the last bit I am sprinting at 14 km/h. Well, this past run I started at 10-11km for the first two km, because I wanted to run at one smooth pace. I got bored and jacked the treadmill to 13km/h planning to sprint for a short time. That short time lasted for 15 minutes and I managed a 24 minute 5 km, which surprised me. I was nowhere near as beat and winded as usual. Lesson learned, nice even pace, even at a faster race brings the same result as slow and steady followed but by gut wrenching sprint…the kind of gut wrenching sprint that has me leaking bacon fat instead of sweat…
So hopefully I have done enough body management to facilitate good run management to facilitate goal 2 being met…
Did that just sound awkward to me?
7.5.06
Thoughts on my career, Running, Friendship, and the Human Condition
Well, unfortunately another long delayed Blog post, and for those in the know I’ll make it a bit more erudite than “What a friggin good time”!
I started a course last Monday known in the Air Defence world as BMC, Battlefield Management Course. In a nutshell it is the course than brings me, “to the next level” of my career progression. And I get the feeling that for all seven of us on the course it arrived the same way, with relentless determination and little in the way of real warning or preparation. There were some of us who were aware of when it should happen and what it was likely all about but little in the way of real meat.
Now I say this course is designed to get us to the next level, where we take a step from junior Captain status and are expected to fill a void in the Air Defence world as (more) senior Captains. Cool eh? But here’s the kicker- we are now entering the oft maligned world of the staff officer. A level where we really don’t have troops, we may have a small staff under us, but really we are just higher paid worker bees making sure the Commanders plan works, and is viable. And for us AD types the level of job we will be doing can be described thusly, us doing our job won’t win any battles, but if we don’t do it could mean we lose the battle. Rewarding. :/
I approach the life of a staff officer with a little apprehension; I have grown to enjoy immensely the rush of command. For the past year I have commanded a small troop of gung ho, professional soldiers in the world of UAV’s. That era has come to an end, unceremoniously, as I would have it. And who knows when I will command again?
However, I don’t want to be totally misleading here. I am looking forward to the next step, more responsibility, more decision-making, and more clout. We’ll see I guess.
On a different note, the running is going well. It looks like the half, for me will happen. And to paraphrase Dicken’s “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” as Kara is still nursing a bad foot injury that we want healed for CTRR. We’ve both had to let go of the dream of running the Half together, but we will defeat the Cabot Trail together. I admire her passion about missing the half, and it really sent it home that she is committed to maintaining the positive changes we’ve both made.
The highlight of running this week was my 18km LSD with someone who is becoming a close friend. There is a lot of time to get to know someone through the “pain and agony” of the gel experiment, loose gravel, and sweaty spandex…The run left me feeling confident, happy, and totally primed for the half AND CTRR. Yesterday was a full CTRR workup, starting with the Long Slow Distance, followed by marathon power drinking with most of my close friends from Gagetown, to which all of whom Kara and I will be saying some semblance of good bye to in the near future.
Feeling uncharacteristically philosophical, forgive me this; I have been admiring my friends as of late. Particularly their resolve, determination, or their passion for life. This isn’t the place for me to go into specifics, but I am so glad I try to surround my self with positive people. You know who you are.
Why waste so much energy on ridiculous things?
Well, I’m going to sign off now, time to go get teary eyed watching Ty Pennington change someone’s life, LOL. Take care, and I yes, I will write sooner next time.
I started a course last Monday known in the Air Defence world as BMC, Battlefield Management Course. In a nutshell it is the course than brings me, “to the next level” of my career progression. And I get the feeling that for all seven of us on the course it arrived the same way, with relentless determination and little in the way of real warning or preparation. There were some of us who were aware of when it should happen and what it was likely all about but little in the way of real meat.
Now I say this course is designed to get us to the next level, where we take a step from junior Captain status and are expected to fill a void in the Air Defence world as (more) senior Captains. Cool eh? But here’s the kicker- we are now entering the oft maligned world of the staff officer. A level where we really don’t have troops, we may have a small staff under us, but really we are just higher paid worker bees making sure the Commanders plan works, and is viable. And for us AD types the level of job we will be doing can be described thusly, us doing our job won’t win any battles, but if we don’t do it could mean we lose the battle. Rewarding. :/
I approach the life of a staff officer with a little apprehension; I have grown to enjoy immensely the rush of command. For the past year I have commanded a small troop of gung ho, professional soldiers in the world of UAV’s. That era has come to an end, unceremoniously, as I would have it. And who knows when I will command again?
However, I don’t want to be totally misleading here. I am looking forward to the next step, more responsibility, more decision-making, and more clout. We’ll see I guess.
On a different note, the running is going well. It looks like the half, for me will happen. And to paraphrase Dicken’s “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” as Kara is still nursing a bad foot injury that we want healed for CTRR. We’ve both had to let go of the dream of running the Half together, but we will defeat the Cabot Trail together. I admire her passion about missing the half, and it really sent it home that she is committed to maintaining the positive changes we’ve both made.
The highlight of running this week was my 18km LSD with someone who is becoming a close friend. There is a lot of time to get to know someone through the “pain and agony” of the gel experiment, loose gravel, and sweaty spandex…The run left me feeling confident, happy, and totally primed for the half AND CTRR. Yesterday was a full CTRR workup, starting with the Long Slow Distance, followed by marathon power drinking with most of my close friends from Gagetown, to which all of whom Kara and I will be saying some semblance of good bye to in the near future.
Feeling uncharacteristically philosophical, forgive me this; I have been admiring my friends as of late. Particularly their resolve, determination, or their passion for life. This isn’t the place for me to go into specifics, but I am so glad I try to surround my self with positive people. You know who you are.
Why waste so much energy on ridiculous things?
Well, I’m going to sign off now, time to go get teary eyed watching Ty Pennington change someone’s life, LOL. Take care, and I yes, I will write sooner next time.
29.4.06
In the Aftermath
Wow, wudda friggin good time last night! Even as the DD!
There was so much positive energy it was unreal, all of which was enhanced (slightly) by the alcohol.
The music was good, at both places and ya gotta love waitresses in kilts!!!
I had the most fun I've had in a while, and while it might not have been Barrington Street it'll do for now, right guys?
Bt no one lost a peanut shell in their cleavage, no wait... Well at least no one dumped beer in their own crotch, no wait...
Well at least nothing went "BOOM!" No wait....
Did we ever discuss CTRR?
There was so much positive energy it was unreal, all of which was enhanced (slightly) by the alcohol.
The music was good, at both places and ya gotta love waitresses in kilts!!!
I had the most fun I've had in a while, and while it might not have been Barrington Street it'll do for now, right guys?
Bt no one lost a peanut shell in their cleavage, no wait... Well at least no one dumped beer in their own crotch, no wait...
Well at least nothing went "BOOM!" No wait....
Did we ever discuss CTRR?
25.4.06
The Fifteen-Minute Solution
As is the normal cycle of Lang-Life Kara and I have hit bottom again. Don’t worry it is nothing drastic; we’ve hit the bottom of the rut.
Every so often life tackles us about the knees when we weren’t looking, and we realize we have stopped controlling what’s going on and things build up and breakdown.
In particular, I am speaking to the state of clutter and chaos consuming the house, floor-by-floor, room-by-room. This domestic chaos (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome) is inevitably tied to the financial lethargy our life has had since we met that at times rears it’s ugly head and becomes an all-pervasive feeling of dread and impending doom.
So with the posting message in hand and now an address for where we will live in Moncton Kara and I had a full out emotion session, with raised voices, tears etc. But the cool thing is we were not at each other’s throats as may have happened earlier in our relationship. We were, in essence, completely on the same page. Though we do have fundamentally different ways of looking at both the problem and the solution.
The solution that worked for us before in terms of decluttering and organizing was something Kara found at FlyLady.com. To summarize right now we are adopting what I call “the 15 minute solution”. A strategy of Crisis Cleaning that has you begin in the kitchen and clean, and clear surfaces for fifteen minutes (use a timer), then when the timer goes of you move to the living room and do the same, then to the kitchen again. At the end of the third segment you take a fifteen-minute break, where you relax and enjoy the accomplishment of the previous 45 minutes.
So we began last night and took a tremendous step towards the top of the rut. And gosh darnit it feels good.
As for the financial lethargy, ha, not such an easy fix. There is just never enough coming in for us to get ahead. At our best we are breaking even. We will be taking drastic measures to catch up this time. And that means no Fredericton Half marathon. A) we can’t buy Kara the sneakers she needs, and b) we can’t pay to enter. So after six months of training it is a really cocksucker of a kick in the balls.
Sacrifices we make eh?
But to end on a positive note the fifteen minute solution adds such a piece of mind to the upcoming move. And if we can start on the right foot in Moncton then that will be ¾ of the battle.
Til next time.
Every so often life tackles us about the knees when we weren’t looking, and we realize we have stopped controlling what’s going on and things build up and breakdown.
In particular, I am speaking to the state of clutter and chaos consuming the house, floor-by-floor, room-by-room. This domestic chaos (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome) is inevitably tied to the financial lethargy our life has had since we met that at times rears it’s ugly head and becomes an all-pervasive feeling of dread and impending doom.
So with the posting message in hand and now an address for where we will live in Moncton Kara and I had a full out emotion session, with raised voices, tears etc. But the cool thing is we were not at each other’s throats as may have happened earlier in our relationship. We were, in essence, completely on the same page. Though we do have fundamentally different ways of looking at both the problem and the solution.
The solution that worked for us before in terms of decluttering and organizing was something Kara found at FlyLady.com. To summarize right now we are adopting what I call “the 15 minute solution”. A strategy of Crisis Cleaning that has you begin in the kitchen and clean, and clear surfaces for fifteen minutes (use a timer), then when the timer goes of you move to the living room and do the same, then to the kitchen again. At the end of the third segment you take a fifteen-minute break, where you relax and enjoy the accomplishment of the previous 45 minutes.
So we began last night and took a tremendous step towards the top of the rut. And gosh darnit it feels good.
As for the financial lethargy, ha, not such an easy fix. There is just never enough coming in for us to get ahead. At our best we are breaking even. We will be taking drastic measures to catch up this time. And that means no Fredericton Half marathon. A) we can’t buy Kara the sneakers she needs, and b) we can’t pay to enter. So after six months of training it is a really cocksucker of a kick in the balls.
Sacrifices we make eh?
But to end on a positive note the fifteen minute solution adds such a piece of mind to the upcoming move. And if we can start on the right foot in Moncton then that will be ¾ of the battle.
Til next time.
23.4.06
A note on where I've been.
Work, the simple answer.
This week was a very long, yet rewarding week at work. It was the confrimation week for a Vindicator UAV course that ran in my troop. The weather was horrid the first few days; wind, rain, hail, and the wind.
had a lot of high profile (read high ranking, or important) visitors, and i think it went well despite the added stress.
My running went for a dump, though I did get one great run in with james a and Jaime ( a fortuitous turn as it wasn't planned)
tomorrow, an LSD.
This week was a very long, yet rewarding week at work. It was the confrimation week for a Vindicator UAV course that ran in my troop. The weather was horrid the first few days; wind, rain, hail, and the wind.
had a lot of high profile (read high ranking, or important) visitors, and i think it went well despite the added stress.
My running went for a dump, though I did get one great run in with james a and Jaime ( a fortuitous turn as it wasn't planned)
tomorrow, an LSD.
A stolen journalling exercise
Having read a good friends blog I was so struck by one of her posts that I decided to explore the same question. Though my own version may lack the focus of the original intent it held for her I think it will be an excellent exercise. Here is the question:
Are you a night owl or a morning person or something in between? Do you know when this habit began in your life? Do you think people’s sleep patterns are really a part of who they are (like hair color) or can be changed with circumstances?
-The easy answer to this question is that I am a full-blown morning person. I do know when this habit began, and I believe though natural, they can be changed by circumstances.
My explanation. I have always gotten up early, always. I used to always be awake a half hour before the sun would rise. This was a habit reinforced by my requirement to always get up for school, or to get up to go to hockey practise. This ability and preference for me to start my day as early as possible was an advantage, especially when it came to sports as my mental readiness was often much more focused than my teammates during early practises.
This has proven so extremely advantageous for me considering my career choice. Being a soldier, and an officer often requires me to be up before the rest, even if I went down after all the rest. But I think I have a good ability to wake up, and wake up quickly and alert. This is coupled with my ability to shut myself off, an ability Kara hates, and that I will discuss in a couple paragraphs from now.
Even if I take the time to stay out, or stay up and be a night owl I will 95% of the time be awake first thing in the morning. This may leave me as a complete writeoff by 1400 but I was up. Kara and I have always been very different in this regard as I would classify her as a definitive night owl. She would be happy if her day started at 9 am with a two hour nap. But her fun isn't starting til 2230-2300.
This habit, as mentioned, mostly developed naturally for me as a result of forced school timings and hockey practise. But I began to acknowledge my like for it in High School, and I have a real fascination with the "dead"morning hours, the time of pure darkness, and often calmness usually at about 3:30 to 4:30 in the morning. I went through a period in Grade 12 and first year university where I stayed up all night to reach this point, then I smartened up and started going to bed earlier and getting up at this time.
It is my favorite time to drive long distances, it is my favorite time to pull sentry or CP duty.
I have really developed a skill that Kara hates, and that is my ability to turn off, and fall asleep almost immediately. No matter what is going on in my life. This has been ultra enhanced by my reaction to Basic training, when I realized, "You know what? screw it, tomorrow is going to get here, and it's probably going to suck, but I don't want it to suck and be dragging my ass!" This ability to detach was something mentioned and explored in a book I just finished "Tuesdays With Morrie" (review to follow in another Blog!) I pride myself on this ability, and though I do have those times whan I just can't do it, I pride myself on "letting go" and then reestablishing the connection (and the heartburn) the next morning.
I believe peoples sleeping habits are the perfect blend of nurture and nature. I think I am predisposed to an early rising, and events in my life made it habit. Working to detach myself from issues has been something I have nurtured, and have tried to make 'natural"'.
I think people can set conditions for their own success if they make it a) a priority and b) if the circumstances allow for it to happen. Causes of our stress we cannot control, reactions to that stress we can. Some things just can't be done from 2300-0500, so laying awake brooding/panicking is no help to anyone.
Those are my thoughts anyway, and almost worth a nickel...
What a great exercise...
Til next time.
Are you a night owl or a morning person or something in between? Do you know when this habit began in your life? Do you think people’s sleep patterns are really a part of who they are (like hair color) or can be changed with circumstances?
-The easy answer to this question is that I am a full-blown morning person. I do know when this habit began, and I believe though natural, they can be changed by circumstances.
My explanation. I have always gotten up early, always. I used to always be awake a half hour before the sun would rise. This was a habit reinforced by my requirement to always get up for school, or to get up to go to hockey practise. This ability and preference for me to start my day as early as possible was an advantage, especially when it came to sports as my mental readiness was often much more focused than my teammates during early practises.
This has proven so extremely advantageous for me considering my career choice. Being a soldier, and an officer often requires me to be up before the rest, even if I went down after all the rest. But I think I have a good ability to wake up, and wake up quickly and alert. This is coupled with my ability to shut myself off, an ability Kara hates, and that I will discuss in a couple paragraphs from now.
Even if I take the time to stay out, or stay up and be a night owl I will 95% of the time be awake first thing in the morning. This may leave me as a complete writeoff by 1400 but I was up. Kara and I have always been very different in this regard as I would classify her as a definitive night owl. She would be happy if her day started at 9 am with a two hour nap. But her fun isn't starting til 2230-2300.
This habit, as mentioned, mostly developed naturally for me as a result of forced school timings and hockey practise. But I began to acknowledge my like for it in High School, and I have a real fascination with the "dead"morning hours, the time of pure darkness, and often calmness usually at about 3:30 to 4:30 in the morning. I went through a period in Grade 12 and first year university where I stayed up all night to reach this point, then I smartened up and started going to bed earlier and getting up at this time.
It is my favorite time to drive long distances, it is my favorite time to pull sentry or CP duty.
I have really developed a skill that Kara hates, and that is my ability to turn off, and fall asleep almost immediately. No matter what is going on in my life. This has been ultra enhanced by my reaction to Basic training, when I realized, "You know what? screw it, tomorrow is going to get here, and it's probably going to suck, but I don't want it to suck and be dragging my ass!" This ability to detach was something mentioned and explored in a book I just finished "Tuesdays With Morrie" (review to follow in another Blog!) I pride myself on this ability, and though I do have those times whan I just can't do it, I pride myself on "letting go" and then reestablishing the connection (and the heartburn) the next morning.
I believe peoples sleeping habits are the perfect blend of nurture and nature. I think I am predisposed to an early rising, and events in my life made it habit. Working to detach myself from issues has been something I have nurtured, and have tried to make 'natural"'.
I think people can set conditions for their own success if they make it a) a priority and b) if the circumstances allow for it to happen. Causes of our stress we cannot control, reactions to that stress we can. Some things just can't be done from 2300-0500, so laying awake brooding/panicking is no help to anyone.
Those are my thoughts anyway, and almost worth a nickel...
What a great exercise...
Til next time.
18.4.06
A short note about Monday's shopping.
Kara and I followed EBay religiously for five days. The exact part required to make my bike almost road worthy was on for a decent price American.
It came down to the big day. Kara went with Trish for a 14km run...which is awesome in and of itself. So, I went upstairs to play some Age of Empires to pass the time. Then the phone started ringing, then the kids were hungry, then the family looking for bedframes that Kara posted on Fredericton Freecycle arrived. Funny, because I was unaware that they were coming, and the bed frames were in about twelve %$#%# ing locations around the house.
But once again things calm down, and I go back to Age of Empires, which again, funny, was not on pause while I was away and I was getting the shy-za trounced out of me. So I get it all sorted out and carry on.
Five minutes later Kara comes in the room, cheeks rosy pink and cute from her run and she says, "Did you win?"
I say "No I just..." Then I realize she is not talking about Age of Empires.
{{panic}}
-going to ebay-
Sold, done, ended, about seven minutes before...
Needless to say I did not win the part.
And Monday we also needed to buy a new mouse for the computer.
To facilitate putting the bike, piece by {ahem} piece on EBay...
*sigh*
It came down to the big day. Kara went with Trish for a 14km run...which is awesome in and of itself. So, I went upstairs to play some Age of Empires to pass the time. Then the phone started ringing, then the kids were hungry, then the family looking for bedframes that Kara posted on Fredericton Freecycle arrived. Funny, because I was unaware that they were coming, and the bed frames were in about twelve %$#%# ing locations around the house.
But once again things calm down, and I go back to Age of Empires, which again, funny, was not on pause while I was away and I was getting the shy-za trounced out of me. So I get it all sorted out and carry on.
Five minutes later Kara comes in the room, cheeks rosy pink and cute from her run and she says, "Did you win?"
I say "No I just..." Then I realize she is not talking about Age of Empires.
{{panic}}
-going to ebay-
Sold, done, ended, about seven minutes before...
Needless to say I did not win the part.
And Monday we also needed to buy a new mouse for the computer.
To facilitate putting the bike, piece by {ahem} piece on EBay...
*sigh*
Easter Weekend, Readers Digest Version
"Knock, Knock"
"Who’s there?"
“Cheese”
“Cheese who?”
“Knock Knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Glad Phia’s not here for cake!”
Nathaniel’s comments during cheesecake dessert Saturday night, Easter. Aaron was over for some vino and some eats, and the Lang Family premiere of Narnia.
Friday was a good day, had the day off and the sun was shining. Nathaniel and I built a soccer goal out of some scrap wood and played soccer for about 90 minutes. Then Kara and I went to Dave’s place and got to see the new Xbox 360.
Saturday was a good day too, got our Easter shopping done and as mentioned Aaron came over and spent a few hours. The movie Narnia was good, kept the kids interest and the parents’ interest and was a good adaptation of the book.
Sunday started off great with the kids following picture clues from hollow plastic eggs around the house. Upstairs then downstairs, to their chocolates, their soccer ball/ bike helmet, and their new jackets. The kids were so excited following their clues they left their little Easter eggs behind!!!
(The remainder of the day was a blend of sugar-induced rampage and cursing the rain! During which time Nathaniel had his soccer ball, and then lost all soccer ball privileges for a while, after hacking off hunks of Phia’s hair with scissors. To his credit he did admit to it/ brag about it immediately after…
Monday was another trip to the mall day, looking for gels for Kara’s running. The only place on the planet (well planet Fredericton) that had them was Walmart, not GNC, or any running store. Keep in mind we didn’t try the RR, which was across town.
Needless to say no run for me…I’ll have to rectify that this week…if I can in the field all week.
"Who’s there?"
“Cheese”
“Cheese who?”
“Knock Knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Glad Phia’s not here for cake!”
Nathaniel’s comments during cheesecake dessert Saturday night, Easter. Aaron was over for some vino and some eats, and the Lang Family premiere of Narnia.
Friday was a good day, had the day off and the sun was shining. Nathaniel and I built a soccer goal out of some scrap wood and played soccer for about 90 minutes. Then Kara and I went to Dave’s place and got to see the new Xbox 360.
Saturday was a good day too, got our Easter shopping done and as mentioned Aaron came over and spent a few hours. The movie Narnia was good, kept the kids interest and the parents’ interest and was a good adaptation of the book.
Sunday started off great with the kids following picture clues from hollow plastic eggs around the house. Upstairs then downstairs, to their chocolates, their soccer ball/ bike helmet, and their new jackets. The kids were so excited following their clues they left their little Easter eggs behind!!!
(The remainder of the day was a blend of sugar-induced rampage and cursing the rain! During which time Nathaniel had his soccer ball, and then lost all soccer ball privileges for a while, after hacking off hunks of Phia’s hair with scissors. To his credit he did admit to it/ brag about it immediately after…
Monday was another trip to the mall day, looking for gels for Kara’s running. The only place on the planet (well planet Fredericton) that had them was Walmart, not GNC, or any running store. Keep in mind we didn’t try the RR, which was across town.
Needless to say no run for me…I’ll have to rectify that this week…if I can in the field all week.
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