Mostly Non-Running Blog Today!

But, I am still sore!

Why? There is a new Wii game console at my house. Why would that make me sore? The Wii game console is an interactive get-off-your butt physical game system.

The reason is mostly because of the Wii remote system. It interacts with a sensor bar placed near the TV. You have to stand or move your body while holding the remote to interact with the game.

The Wii console can interact with your wireless home network. It can provide interactive internet based activities with other Wii users. It also offers Wii Channels like a weather forecast channel and a news channel.

You should make a Mii. The Mii can be made to look very closely to what you look like, a caricature. This is your personage on the Wii.

Now, I don’t have a lot of games for it. The console came with Wii Sports. That includes Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Golf & Boxing. All of those are really cool. My favorite is bowling followed closely by Golf. Hey, I’m rotten at both, but the purpose is to have fun. Bowling is like being at the lanes. No shoes, no ball and you don't have to rent the lane! But you do get a fairly accurate game to play.

You see the lane when it is your turn. You have to size up your shot then approach the lane, swing the ball in your arm and send it down the lane. It is a lot of fun AND a total time waster! I love it. You will even find yourself performing some body english as the ball heads towards the pins. I have not busted a 200 game as of yet.

First thing I needed to get was a second remote. The additional remote came with Wii Play. It is another set of games that include a shooting gallery, pool, fishing, and some more. I like the shooting gallery and the pool game.

I also got Super Mario Galaxy. In it, you visit a series of galaxies that contain worlds that you need to negotiate. You are after power stars. You have to maneuver through these very small worlds upside down sideways and right side up while collecting goodies and defeating baddies. The physics are interesting and has caused some interesting twisting and turning of my own body while trying to succeed.

I also got Guitar Hero III. I’m not good at that at all. It does make for interesting play (but is probably a little more of an acid or heavy metal rock music then I personally like).

I like the Wii because of the nature of the beast. It is very family and friendly oriented than most games. There are only a handful of first person shooters for the Wii.

My evaluation? A lot of fun. I do recommend it. It may not be as much fun as a good morning run but after the run, it makes for a fun cool down. The High Def graphics it is capable of is 480p. It requires an additional cable for that. I find that the cable it comes with provides an excellent 480i visual experience!

I have a friend, Tom, that swears he threw his shoulder out while playing Tennis, so be careful.

Running?
By the way – I have run 30 miles this week. Tomorrow or Sunday, I will try to take the Jeep out for some snow bashing, but I will take one of those 2 days off from running to have a rest day.

SEE? I said "Mostly Non-Running..."

TTFN!

He Has Done It!

He Has Done It!

Kudos goes to Greg of the Philly to LA on Foot blog! He is a marathoner! Greg finished in 4:53:57!

I am proud of my friend and his great accomplishment! Please take the time to go and read his blog! He has written some excellent articles regarding the experience of his first Marathon! He covers all facets of that first time experience! And... While you are there, leave him a comment congratulating him on his acheivement!

Again, Congratulations, Greg! Great job!

Philly to LA on Foot!

Now for the boring and the pedantic…
I ran 29.92 miles last week. How did my mileage end up being a palindrome number? Who knows!

A Nike+ iPod Challenge
I am participating in a Nike+ challenge that is sponsored by Adam Tinkoff of the blog and podcast, Another Runner. Adam calls it the Adam Tinkoff 200.

What do you need to do to participate in a Nike+ challenge?

You will need two basic things. The first is a 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation iPod Nano (it MUST be an iPod Nano model). The second thing is a Nike+ iPod receiver and sensor. All of which can be procured at an Apple store or online through their website. The receiver goes into the Apple proprietary cable slot in the iPod Nano. You will also need a way to attach the sensor to your shoe. Nike makes shoes that have a place for the sensor. I use Velcro to attach it to my shoes. There are also pockets made to hold the sensor that attach to your laces.

But… What does it do? Essentially, this is an extremely fancy pedometer. It tracks the sensor as you move your feet. It will play the music you put of your iPod and track the run. It will give you audio messages while you run (depending on how you set it). If you do well, it will encourage and/or congratulate you as you go!

After your run, you remove the receiver from your iPod Nano. At your computer, plug in the interface. ITunes will start and read the iPod Nano. It will ask and send you to the Nike site where your runs are recorded.

Hey! I knew all that but what is a challenge?
A challenge is a public forum where people can participate in a run together. There are many formats that are possible. Once you join a challenge, your mileage is applied toward the accomplishment of the Challenge.

The Adam Tinkoff 200
How can I join (or observe) the Adam Tinkoff 200 challenge? Go to Adam’s blog page @ http://anotherrunner.blogspot.com/. On the right hand side, cursor down until you see the following box.

You can check everyone’s time by using the slider on the right hand side or you can join the challenge by clicking at the bottom.

A First Marathon!

A First Marathon!

We have a friend that is running his very first marathon this very weekend!

Greg is a fellow blogger. His blog has a unique twist and he does it well. Do me a favor. Go to his blog, Philly To LA On Foot and read some of his entries. Then, take the time to leave him a comment.

Remember that this will be his first marathon. That is an accomplishment that many of us (including myself) have not achieved as of yet. So root him on!

He will be running the New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon on Sunday, February 24th. This is a long standing tradition that goes well with the Mardi Gras celebration. You can read more about it here. Let’s hope that he can soak up some of the local flavor at a great time of year.

Those of you that have run a first marathon, let Greg know how it went for you. Offer him some of your knowledgeable advice.

Look at his blog, offer him some encouragement!

Go, Greg, go! Run long and taper! (Kudos to Steve Runner of Phedippidations)

Go Shirley!

Imagine that you had the guts to vie for a sponsorship! Would you do it? Would you create a video and send it to a company for that reason?

Well, a friend of mine (and of several of you) has done just that. Her name is Shirley Pratt. She has a blog at http://humbletriathlete.blogspot.com/. Please go there and read her blog. I think that you will find it interesting.

Read the blog. Think about voting for her. I know that I did AND I am so behind her in this that I am telling YOU about it here!

If you decide to vote for Shirley (and you should!) then send an e-mail to

vote@evotri.com

You can get more information on this competition here.

We have the power of persuasive conversation here. It is a chance to use this circle of blogging friends to make a difference in one of our lives. Let's use it and get a sponsorship for Shirley!

Let’s put a fellow runner, competitor and blogger into the next round! Heck! Let's make her the winner!

IPod Nano+
I passed the 800 mile mark on my iPod Nano+ system today. Yes, it has forgiven me today and recorded today’s run!

And what is the matter with me? I seem to be posting a lot again! Hmmm...

New Shoes, iPod Woes, Jeepin' and What Holiday is This?

I ran 30.82 miles last week. It was a great week to run. No complaints! In point of fact, I have resolved some things!

My New Mizuno Wave Alchemy 7 Shoes!
Well, my shoes started to become a problem. The upper part of my right foot was getting worn against the eyelets of my new shoes. This caused a painful rub that can just spoil a run! I could adjust the lacing to compensate but I thought that I shouldn’t need to on a pair of fairly expensive running shoes! Luckily, the latest copy of Runner’s World had a shoe article in them. I read the article casually. The article was a shoe review, but also covered the parts of a shoe and how everything works together.

Then I looked at my shoes. I saw some problems!

I decided to make sure that the shoes were laced correctly. I wore the shoe laced the way the store did them. Then I noticed that I the laces did not go through the guide on the upper part of the tongue. I re-laced the shoes including lacing through the slot and haven’t had a problem since.
I don’t like the cost of these shoes that need to be replaced regularly. Even though, I can put the shoes on and not have a foot problem, I find it hard to justify the cost. Technology does cost, though. I have read that Mizuno is using a new type of memory foam that is more costly to integrate. The new shoes are extremely comfortable, do correct my obvious over-pronation, but I don’t have to like the cost!

My iPod Nano Does Tick me Off!
The 3rd generation Ipod Nano has a checkered history. For quite a while, it recorded runs in KMH even if you set it for mph. The final total of every run was in miles, but the running display was in miles. It was corrected in a recent update.
I almost never listen to songs as I run (especially in Winter) as I watch the TV in front of the TV.
I am participating in the Adam Tinkoff’s Another Runner 20 mile challenge. It is an iPod Nano+ challenge. It has come to my attention that I am indeed, a middle (of the back of the pack) runner. I can accept that as I already knew that. What is hard to accept is my 3rd Generation iPod Nano.
This is a pretty and very functional little machine. It does do video, music, podcasts and tracks my runs! At least, most of my runs that is. There are some runs that look like it was recorded, but it wasn’t!
Today is a good example. I set everything up in the usual way. I started the iPod when I started my run. It tracked the entire way. After my run today, I stopped the iPod and everything seemed OK. I spent some time working on my log and updating the mileage on my blog page. I did some other work in my home office, then went upstairs to connect the iPod to iTunes. Nothing! I did not show the most recent run at all. The last recorded was my Sunday long run. I reset the iPod and will hope the best for the future.
Anyone know anything about the new-fangled device and why it does that? It has done that for me at least once a month when I use it regularly.

President’s Day
I believe that this holiday is in error. It seems to me that it is an occasion for car dealers to dress up as Abe Lincoln to sell more cars over a 3-day weekend. I believe that the office of President should not be honored unless it is deserved. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays should be honored as they were Presidents that started and re-started this great nation. There were several presidents that were not outstanding as they served. Many had problems or caused problems during their terms (or immediately after).

Jeepin’!
The weather in Denver has been passable this year. Not so in our Rocky Mountains! The state has been inundated with the frosty, white stuff known as snow! I have some favorite trails near the Denver area that have not been passable recently. One rig with 38” tires could not take the hill at the beginning of the Slaughterhouse Gulch trail. He high-centered his rig trying the attempt.

So, time for longer runs on the weekends. I should ramp it up anyway. After all, the running season will be starting up soon enough!

Do I always complain this much?

The Good Husband

Jack wakes up with a huge hangover after attending his company's Christmas Party. Jack is not normally a drinker, but the drinks didn't taste like alcohol at all. He didn't even remember how he got home from the party. As bad as he was feeling, he wondered if he did something wrong.

Jack had to force himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins next to a glass of water on the side table. And, next to them, a single red rose!! Jack sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotlessly clean. So is the rest of the house.

He takes the aspirins, then cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at him in the bathroom mirror. Then he notices a note hanging on the corner of the mirror written in red with little hearts on it and a kiss mark from his wife in lipstick:

'Honey, breakfast is on the stove, I left early to get groceries to make you your favorite dinner tonight. I love you, darling! Love, Jillian'

He stumbles to the kitchen and sure enough, there is hot breakfast, steaming hot coffee and the morning newspaper. His son is also at the table, eating. Jack asks, 'Son... what happened last night?'

'Well, you came home after 3 A.M. , drunk and out of your mind. You fell over the coffee table and broke it, then you puked in the hallway, and got that black eye when you ran into the door.'

Confused, he asked his son, 'So, why is everything in such perfect order and so clean? I have a rose, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me??'

His son replies, 'Oh THAT!... Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your pants off, you screamed 'Leave me alone, I'm married!!'

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Broken Coffee Table $239.99
Hot Breakfast $4.20
Two Aspirins $.38
Saying the right thing, at the right time . .. PRICELESS

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Happy Valentine's Day!

And Now...

For something completely different!

(Click on this picture - It is a picture in movement)

NYLisa!
My friend and yours, NYLisa is in a running funk. We all need a break once in a while, but Lisa suffers currently from a lack of motivation. So, I think it would be really nice if everyone that reads this blog – Instead of leaving a comment here – Would, please, leave a comment for our friend instead. Make it an interesting, inspirational, motivational comment full of great wishes and hopes for a great runner! I personally am thinking of leaving her the following to inspire her - "To do is to be - Descartes, To be is to do - Voltaire, Do be do be do - Sinatra."
Lisa ran her first marathon last year. It was the achievement of a five-year plan. This lady rocks at achieving her goals. I was amazed at her ability and follow-through. Go Lisa!


What do you blog about when you really don’t have anything to talk about? I don’t want to amble on, but I will because people are telling me that I don’t blog often enough. So, here goes…

Shoes!
I bought new shoes. They are Mizuno Wave Alchemy 7 shoes. They are alright, but they are expensive. $100. Do the video gait thing when you buy shoes at the store. I tried several shoes. It all settled out to either a pair of Asics or the Mizuno. It was interesting to watch the video between the two pair of stabilizing shoes. The Mizuno shoes really improved the way that I hit the surface with my feet. I am definitely an over pronater. I am trying to figure out how long I have to work to afford this ‘free’ form of exercise now.

Why did I get new shoes? Because this cheap guy used my old Mizuno shoes way too long developing a blister on the top of my 4th toe on the left foot. It can be amazing how physical pain can influence the need to purchase new shoes.

I decided to write about my shoes because of my friend, Greg. Greg is running virtually from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. It is an extremely interesting way to provide focus for training. Read his latest article. “100,000 Calories Burned.” I had to write him about shoes. He told me that the last time he bought shoes; he just bit the bullet and bought 2! Wait, make that 2 pair! What a commitment! What a guy!

An Adam Tinkoff 200 Mile Challenge!
I am participating with Adam Tinkoff in his 200 Mile challenge. If you have a Nike+ iPod System, then you may want to participate also. I always try not to get too competitive, but I fail. As of this morning, I was in 7th place. I really should be way back at the back of the pack, but I see where I am and I think about leaving the office, getting home and running another mile or so. Hmmm… You don’t think that might be part of the purpose of a Nike+ challenge? BTW – There is on person from Japan (Sabuchan) that is really kicking it and putting the rest of us to shame! (Don’t tell Adam, but I hope he can get an interview with him and the other top 3 – win, place and show – in this challenge!)


Vacation Time Coming!


It is about 6 weeks to vacation for me. My tradition is to go to Moab with an Internet Jeeping Group. This will be the 4th year!

I love to run Moab. It is the best time of the year for me. It is being out there in a wonderful place doing what I love to do that is so fun for me!

Running in Moab does have some rules. I am going with my friend Tom. Both he and I will carry FRS radios. Whoever is running at the time (and both of us do – Just not at the same time – Molly does not drive the Jeep well), has to stay near the trail the jeep is on (within 20 feet.). That allows the runner the freedom of the trail, with support for water and nourishment following behind. Believe me, the one running can get way ahead of the Jeeps!

Finally Catching Up…
Last week, I ran 25.55 miles.
The week before, I ran 32.85 miles.
So far this week, I have run 18.22 miles. I plan on running 2 more days with scheduled 5-mile runs, but (Geez) with the challenge, it could be more… I am already planning on going home and running another mile.

Races coming up?
Yes. (More information later)

Meeting and Running with Friends, Fellow Runners and Bloggers!

I had the priviledge and honor to run with a fellow blogger this morning!

As you can see, Peter of DC Spinster and I were able to meet this morning and run! We met at Washington Park (a major running park in Denver) to experience how wonderful it is to run in the snow and cold. It was a bright, clear morning with a lot of sunshine!

Peter is a lot of fun to run with. I had the feeling that I was holding him back. We established that we were running at a pace of 10:21 and if we were comfortable with that. I told him it was good with me and he agreed saying that he was on vacation. Hmmm...

We ran the perimeter of the park twice. My iPod said it was 5.78 miles. He surprised me by presenting me with a DC Road Runners jersey. I feel like an honorary member of the runners club! Thanks, Peter!


Peter did say that he enjoys reading my blog and to keep it up. Do you think he might have been hinting that I don't post a lot?

Did I say that there were bloggers? There were actually 3 of us there! Yes, my little Molly of Molly is a Running Dog! was there also! Looks like she might have to update her blog, as well!
I do know that Molly is fussy about the people that she appreciates, but she was following Peter as much as she was following me? I think that she liked Peter a lot!


Finally, I would like to thank my friend, Tom, for coming along and taking some pictures for us!

This week? 28+ miles. Last week? 25+