How Far Have I Run?

I never thought that I would have come as far as I have with my running. It has been an amazing journey. I want to thank all of you that have encouraged me along the way. Don't think you're done, though. I still need all of the encouragement I can get!


Running -
So… What have I accomplished so far in 2009? Not as much as I wanted to, but I have been running. So far, it has been treadmill running. I’m used to it and it is easily accomplished. I'll be out more and more as the weather clears in April.

I seem obsessed on my 10K run coming up on May 9th. I know that I have been ignoring the half-marathon coming up on May 17th. I really need to start increasing miles now so I will be able to run it!

This is my running statistics chart for 2009.


I still have my cough. I keep telling myself to go back to the Doctor. I believe it is related to the blood pressure medicine that I am taking. If I could clear that up I could breathe a lot easier and get more accomplished.


The Recent Denver Snow Storm –
Well, you’ve heard about it. An almost blizzard! The, all of a sudden, it tapered off and just slowed way down.



Other stuff –
I am still going jeeping on a regular basis. After all, you need to do something (fun) on your day of rest.

Here are some videos if you are interested –

Running a steep hill covered with snow. Will he make it in this Bronco?


Now, let’s try it in the Mighty YJ!

(oh well, you can’t have everything!)

What happens if get up there and then get stuck?

Things & Stuff!

Running!
Yes, I have been running. So much that I felt last week should be an easy week. That was the plan, but you know how these things go… I ran 26.1 miles. All on the treadmill. I seem to be getting faster and faster…

Here is a chart to track some “Progress.”


Improving? I think so!


Home Theatre PC
What is a Home Theatre PC (HTPC)? An HTPC is a computer built to handle a household’s entertainment from a central location; music, pictures, audio and video.

I’ve had an HTPC before but decided to rebuild it. Before it had a TV Tuner, and the purpose was to serve as a secondary DVR (Digital Video Recorder). It had SageTV for the DVR software. I removed the tuner card and the software.


The build is almost finished!

I kept the motherboard, AMD duo-core processor, 1Gig of RAM and the 400 GB hard drive (re-formatted). I bought a new case, power supply, and video card. I had already added a HAVA Titanium HD Video server for my home network.


The case has a flip up cage for the peripheral devices.


Never as easy as it could be, I had to use an EIDE DVD-Rom drive to load the operating system.

The HAVA unit takes a video signal and transmits it, either via Ethernet or wireless or even from the internet. So, I take the HAVA signal and use the HTPC to act a second TV in the lower level entertainment center.


In place! No separate DVD unit or receiver amplifier now!

I am also using BOXEE and HULU as sources for the HTPC.

Now…What does this have to do with running? The lower level of my house used to be a Mother-In-Law apartment. I have the treadmill down there. It sits in front of the HTPC entertainment center. So, it is all to keep my mind as busy as my body during my runs!


The Treadmill and I are satisfied again!


Finally…
Ever get splashed while running? This Jeep is going to do it now!

March! (Already?)

Last week, I ran 30.1 miles at a pace of about 9:17. I am trying to get faster.

First of all, let me say that I actually like running on my treadmill. It is an offensive machine in that it makes me work so hard, but I am the one that programs it.

Through February, I slowly raised the elevation of the treadmill from 1.0 to 2.5. The first week of March I ran on it at an elevation of 3.0. Next week, I plan to raise the elevation to 3.5.

A Progress Chart -


Competitions -
Saturday, May 9th is the Highline Canal Run. Sponsored by a local parks & recreation district, I want to run the 10K AND run it in less than 1 hour. Maybe 2009 is the year for that! You can find out about it here. This will be my third year running this local, fun run. My friend, Tom, is going to run this one, too!

Eight days after that, on Sunday, May 17th, I'll run the Colorado-Colfax Half-Marathon. I ran this last year. I hope to beat 2:20:00 and my previous run time. You can find out more about it here. I'll be running a co-worker at this one. Early registration was a 2-for-1 and we agreed to run it!

Running Humor -
A runner asked his wife: "What do you love most about me? My tremendous athletic ability or my superior intellect?" "What I love most about you," responded the man's wife, "is your enormous sense of humor."