A little catch up on the numbers for the last two weeks. The week of July 7th was skewed pretty heavily toward biking with the Seattle to Portland bike ride. The following week a hodgepodge as I was out of town. The running and biking were very hilly, and the swimming took place in the Columbia river.
July 7th - 13th
Running: 9 miles
Biking: 229 miles
Swimming: 3/4 mile
July 14th - 20th
Running: 16 miles
Biking: 11 miles
Swimming: 25 minutes
July 21, 2008
July 17, 2008
America(na)
A friend asked me to bring along some "good old American rock n roll" over to the 4th of July party we were heading to. I looked at my CD collection, and I wasn't really sure what would qualify. So I hastily put together a playlist to put on my MP3 player. It was dominated by some heartland artists like John Mellencamp and Bob Seger, with some Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and the Eagles thrown in. The mix opened with Fozzie Bear singing "America" from the Muppet Movie - a classic.
The CD player is still broken in my truck, so for the wife and my latest road trip I had my MP3 player going. We were traveling through eastern Washington farmland and listening to the mix I had made for the 4th of July. After leaving the freeway, we traveled along a smaller country road. The kind that features signs letting you know what crops are growing in the fields your flying by at 50 miles an hour.
In one of the fields there was a father with two daughters and a dog in tow, working the sprinklers for his crops. It was a nice Americana moment with the sun setting in the sky, complete with a soundtrack playing in the background.
The CD player is still broken in my truck, so for the wife and my latest road trip I had my MP3 player going. We were traveling through eastern Washington farmland and listening to the mix I had made for the 4th of July. After leaving the freeway, we traveled along a smaller country road. The kind that features signs letting you know what crops are growing in the fields your flying by at 50 miles an hour.
In one of the fields there was a father with two daughters and a dog in tow, working the sprinklers for his crops. It was a nice Americana moment with the sun setting in the sky, complete with a soundtrack playing in the background.
July 16, 2008
Seattle to Portland
This was my 5th time participating in the two day ride from Seattle to Portland (STP). It has become a nearly annual tradition to do this ride with some close friends. Our group has shrunk to three, but there is hope to entice a couple new riders for next year. The ride is still difficult to challenge each of us, but still provide a fun day in the saddle. The STP puts a firm date on the calendar to spend a weekend together catching up as we peddle down the road. It always ends up being a good time.
The ride has grown in numbers each year, and this time there were over 9500 riders on the road. This is simply too many riders to support. Though we improve a bit in fitness each year, it is offset by the increasingly long lines at the food and bathroom stops, so we don't seem to roll into town any sooner. Our wonderful support person (the wife) has provided us with Subway sandwiches the last couple of years, but until we start towing our own porta-pottie, we are still stuck standing in line behind the increasing number of riders. It is frustrating, and unless something changes the STP may fall off our calendar of events.
The Seattle to Portland bike ride is one of those events that becomes a goal for many new bikers. Someday...they think. Roughly 20% of the riders on the road are participating in their first STP each year. There are people of all shapes, sizes and ages out there, and it can be a pretty encouraging community. It can also lead to some chaos on the road with so many different skill levels sharing the road. The Cascade Bicycle Club did a better job of promoting safety, and it was noticeably better this year. There were of course still people not following the rules and making it more difficult for everyone, but that is true of almost any endeavor I suppose.
The heat slowed us down quite a bit this time around. We have enjoyed good weather every year so far, but the temps topped 90 degrees this time around and it really sapped our energy. That beer at the finish line tasted that much sweeter.
The ride has grown in numbers each year, and this time there were over 9500 riders on the road. This is simply too many riders to support. Though we improve a bit in fitness each year, it is offset by the increasingly long lines at the food and bathroom stops, so we don't seem to roll into town any sooner. Our wonderful support person (the wife) has provided us with Subway sandwiches the last couple of years, but until we start towing our own porta-pottie, we are still stuck standing in line behind the increasing number of riders. It is frustrating, and unless something changes the STP may fall off our calendar of events.
The Seattle to Portland bike ride is one of those events that becomes a goal for many new bikers. Someday...they think. Roughly 20% of the riders on the road are participating in their first STP each year. There are people of all shapes, sizes and ages out there, and it can be a pretty encouraging community. It can also lead to some chaos on the road with so many different skill levels sharing the road. The Cascade Bicycle Club did a better job of promoting safety, and it was noticeably better this year. There were of course still people not following the rules and making it more difficult for everyone, but that is true of almost any endeavor I suppose.
The heat slowed us down quite a bit this time around. We have enjoyed good weather every year so far, but the temps topped 90 degrees this time around and it really sapped our energy. That beer at the finish line tasted that much sweeter.
July 10, 2008
Kicking a man when he is down
My (our) friends Matt and Holly have been going through a extremely tough time this year. Their baby Annabelle has been diagnosed with Spina Bifida, they found out Holly has an ovarian cyst, their income declined with the housing downturn, their cat recently died, and now Matt has lost his job through downsizing six weeks before Annabelle's due date.
You're Kidding, Right? Is Someone Filming Me?
They could use your hopes, prayers and support as they rise from the canvas one more time, and try to make ends meet and cover insurance costs while Matt searches for a new job.
You're Kidding, Right? Is Someone Filming Me?
They could use your hopes, prayers and support as they rise from the canvas one more time, and try to make ends meet and cover insurance costs while Matt searches for a new job.
From the mouths of babes
We were at a party over the 4th of July weekend, and this story was passed on by the mother:
A boy and her mother often took walks around their neighborhood, and would frequently pass by a cemetery. After a while the boy asked what that statue was they kept seeing. His mother explained it to him.
Later, when the boy saw his Aunt he excitedly whispered, "Auntie Diane, Jesus Christ isn't just a swear word, he was a man."
A boy and her mother often took walks around their neighborhood, and would frequently pass by a cemetery. After a while the boy asked what that statue was they kept seeing. His mother explained it to him.
Later, when the boy saw his Aunt he excitedly whispered, "Auntie Diane, Jesus Christ isn't just a swear word, he was a man."
July 8, 2008
Tour de France
The tour started on Saturday, and it is a little different this year. Professional cycling is under a huge cloud of doping suspicion, and they are doing what they can to clean up the sport.
Floyd Landis, the winner in 2006 has lost his last appeal and has been officially stripped of the win. Alberto Contador, the winner from last year, and Levi Leipheimer who came in third, are on a different team (Astana) this year. Team Astana withdrew from the Tour de France in 2007 after their team leader Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping. Even though all the riders and team directors are new this year, and the only thing the same this year is the sponsor, Team Astana was not allowed to participate this year.
Several teams have put in place their own controls to try to root out any cheaters. Team Garmin-Chipotle tests its riders every 14 days, and is using a new method.
I'm still Tivoing the 5am broadcasts. The doping scandals has certainly taken a bit of the shine off the event, but I still love it. Unfortunately there will be that little doubt in the back of my mind when a cyclist breaks away and does an incredible ride. Hopefully last year's Tour will be the one that brought about sufficient change to save the sport.
Tour de France - Brand New Start
Floyd Landis, the winner in 2006 has lost his last appeal and has been officially stripped of the win. Alberto Contador, the winner from last year, and Levi Leipheimer who came in third, are on a different team (Astana) this year. Team Astana withdrew from the Tour de France in 2007 after their team leader Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping. Even though all the riders and team directors are new this year, and the only thing the same this year is the sponsor, Team Astana was not allowed to participate this year.
Several teams have put in place their own controls to try to root out any cheaters. Team Garmin-Chipotle tests its riders every 14 days, and is using a new method.
"...rather than testing for individual drugs, the testing establishes baseline biological markers for each rider—blood composition and hormone levels. ACE can quickly identify any variance from this baseline without needing to identify a specific doping product. By watching for variances from a baseline, the testing eliminates the cat-and-mouse game in which athletes and their doctors constantly search for new performance-enhancing drugs before tests have been invented to identify them. To use an analogy: by watching for changes in baseline biological markers, the testing agency does not have to look for the needle in a haystack, but instead only has to identify changes to the overall height of the haystack."One other bright spot in this year's Tour is that there are two American teams competing. Both Team Garmin-Chipotle and Team Columbia are competing in their first Tour de France. This is the first time that two American teams have competed in the same year.
I'm still Tivoing the 5am broadcasts. The doping scandals has certainly taken a bit of the shine off the event, but I still love it. Unfortunately there will be that little doubt in the back of my mind when a cyclist breaks away and does an incredible ride. Hopefully last year's Tour will be the one that brought about sufficient change to save the sport.
Tour de France - Brand New Start
July 7, 2008
Weekly numbers
Kind of a recovery week after the half marathon on Sunday.
Running: 9 miles
Biking: 0
Swimming: 3/4 mile.
Running: 9 miles
Biking: 0
Swimming: 3/4 mile.
July 5, 2008
July 4, 2008
4th of July
There is a wonderful entry over on Sean's blog regarding the Declaration of Independence and the history of the 4th of July.
I rolled out of bed early this morning to volunteer at a local 4th of July 5k. Originally I was supposed to help register runners, but at the last minute they needed me out on the course. I was stationed on Main Street just before the last turn to the finish line. My job was simply to make sure they made the turn and that the spectators stayed out of the way.
Main Street was lined with lawn chairs in preparation for the holiday parade.
The parade wasn't going to start for another hour and a half, but people got up early to stake their claim. The 5k started at a local park, and there were several families there at 8:00 am to secure a good picnicking area for their 4th of July celebration. Holiday fun takes planning, dedication and some early risers.
A little later as people started to filter in for the parade, this gentleman passed by handing out mini flags.
He was all smiles and clearly proud to be there. There were a few other veterans in uniform or with a cap emblazoned with their ship or unit. I also met Sol and George:
I had a chance to talk to George while waiting for the runners to arrive. He and his wife have been coming to the parade for about 20 years. They both worked for the police department in some capacity, and he chatted with officers and the mayor as they passed by. When people had questions about the parade, and they came to me since I had an official orange vest on, he was happy to help them out.
A wonderful start to the holiday. Happy 4th of July everyone!
I rolled out of bed early this morning to volunteer at a local 4th of July 5k. Originally I was supposed to help register runners, but at the last minute they needed me out on the course. I was stationed on Main Street just before the last turn to the finish line. My job was simply to make sure they made the turn and that the spectators stayed out of the way.
Main Street was lined with lawn chairs in preparation for the holiday parade.
The parade wasn't going to start for another hour and a half, but people got up early to stake their claim. The 5k started at a local park, and there were several families there at 8:00 am to secure a good picnicking area for their 4th of July celebration. Holiday fun takes planning, dedication and some early risers.A little later as people started to filter in for the parade, this gentleman passed by handing out mini flags.
He was all smiles and clearly proud to be there. There were a few other veterans in uniform or with a cap emblazoned with their ship or unit. I also met Sol and George:
I had a chance to talk to George while waiting for the runners to arrive. He and his wife have been coming to the parade for about 20 years. They both worked for the police department in some capacity, and he chatted with officers and the mayor as they passed by. When people had questions about the parade, and they came to me since I had an official orange vest on, he was happy to help them out.A wonderful start to the holiday. Happy 4th of July everyone!
July 3, 2008
July 3rd
Woke up to a wet world. We had some thunder and lightening last night accompanying our first rain in a while. It is probably for the best with the fireworks flying around tomorrow.
Many cities in Western Washington have banned fireworks. Safety, fires, etc. We technically live outside city limits in a pocket of unincorporated county. This means we've been hearing fireworks going off for the last few days. Of course tomorrow it will be much crazier.
Our street really does it up. We moved into our house four years ago a few weeks before the 4th of July. We had our housewarming on the 4th, and we were treated to quite a firework display. Our neighbors obviously had gone to one of the Indian reservations and got some of the good stuff. They had a table set up in the middle of the street with mortar-like cylinders to launch the air shots.
The last couple of years we have gone over to a friend's house for the 4th and have missed out on the show. The debris in our yard the next morning let's us know what we missed.
I may water the lawn one more time tomorrow.
Many cities in Western Washington have banned fireworks. Safety, fires, etc. We technically live outside city limits in a pocket of unincorporated county. This means we've been hearing fireworks going off for the last few days. Of course tomorrow it will be much crazier.
Our street really does it up. We moved into our house four years ago a few weeks before the 4th of July. We had our housewarming on the 4th, and we were treated to quite a firework display. Our neighbors obviously had gone to one of the Indian reservations and got some of the good stuff. They had a table set up in the middle of the street with mortar-like cylinders to launch the air shots.
The last couple of years we have gone over to a friend's house for the 4th and have missed out on the show. The debris in our yard the next morning let's us know what we missed.
I may water the lawn one more time tomorrow.
July 1, 2008
They're tracking you
I found this website that compiles your race results. Not ones you send in, ones it has found by searching all race results. Some of the results have you living in different states. My Marine Corps Marathon had me living in D.C. for example. If you sign up (free) you can claim the ones that are yours and have all your results in one place. I'd say 90 to 95% of the events I have run were already there.
It is cool, and almost a little creepy, to search your name and find all those race results. Even from a small 5k you ran three years ago. It is called Athlinks. Check out the dossier they have on you.
It is cool, and almost a little creepy, to search your name and find all those race results. Even from a small 5k you ran three years ago. It is called Athlinks. Check out the dossier they have on you.
Beautiful
From Liz's Big Ride Across America blog this morning:
"We had been told that this particular segment of the ride was especially scenic. The route did not disappoint. The only challenge was the lack of light in some nooks, where I could see a beautiful scene but not quite capture it inside my digital camera. And the scale is impossible to convey. The hillsides and lakes are massive. You end up just trying to capture just a corner of the fabric and having to try to explain the rest. We watched for moose, and other wildlife along these first 30 miles or so. The air was still and if you made the effort to stop and just listen, it was entrancing. I was very aware of being just a visitor passing through this beautiful landscape that is home to so many creatures and plants."
"We had been told that this particular segment of the ride was especially scenic. The route did not disappoint. The only challenge was the lack of light in some nooks, where I could see a beautiful scene but not quite capture it inside my digital camera. And the scale is impossible to convey. The hillsides and lakes are massive. You end up just trying to capture just a corner of the fabric and having to try to explain the rest. We watched for moose, and other wildlife along these first 30 miles or so. The air was still and if you made the effort to stop and just listen, it was entrancing. I was very aware of being just a visitor passing through this beautiful landscape that is home to so many creatures and plants."
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