So what does rock bottom feel like? I feel like I have hit it. Not in my personal life but in both professional and from an athletic standpoint. Yesterday I went for a run, I slogged .5 miles at about 10:30 pace, walked and then did a combo job / walk home. Less than 3 weeks before I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in DC with no training whatsoever, but I RAN it.
I miss the days of doing some kind of race, running, biking, a sprint triathlon, feeling healthy, feeling good, my only complaint would be sweat in my eyes and maybe too much sun. The winter was a depressing one. Lots of cold windy days, not as much snow as the two previous winters I have been in Virginia, but the lack of daylight makes it unbearable. I had the fibula injury at the beginning of February, and with that was any attempt to cross train into something else.
I began the year 2011 a little over 200 lbs. I set a goal of being 170 lbs by July 1st as a far fetched New Year’s resolution. Not exactly what some would say healthy. I have continued a recurring cycle of failing to prepare for a marathon correctly (I have never trained for one correctly, EVER) but it got worse. I have been successful into fooling my mind that I have done a marathon in the past I can do one now. Well when Hartford Marathon happened in Oct 2010, I realized this body of mine isn’t bouncing back like it used to. I feel aches and pains, and at 32 years of age now, I never had any of these before. If I did I would probably be over 400 lbs at this point.
I have realized that I lead a life of convenience. I don’t make my lunch, it is easier to buy it. I don’t go to grad school because life is hectic enough and I like having free time. I like having everything on my Droid smart phone a couple clicks away. I have kept the same passwords for most every account I have logged into for almost 10 years. So now I find myself on April 21st 2011 at 206.7, had my Gmail hacked, struggle to do anything aerobically outside of biking, and can’t button my top button on any of my dress shirts with the exception of 1! That is no exaggeration. And I wear dress shirts for every day at work.
So I decided to make a commitment to myself that I am not signing onto Facebook until I am 190 lbs. Easier said than done for a lot of people. I can’t remember when I was 190, probably right around when Danielle and I began dating, April 2008. Facebook, which I was totally against when it came out I have become some accustomed to following it. You don’t realize how much time you actually spend on it until you start tallying it all up. I keep track of my family, Jake and Alicia never call me, but they will post something to FB. And same goes for many of my friends. My minutes on my cell phone are not used each month since the social networking craze is alive and well. I realize sometimes I haven’t actually TALKED to friends of mine in well over a year. But you feel like you have been via status’ and pictures and everything else.
So no Facebook, perhaps a different outlook, and some conscious decisions on how to get there. More to follow. Josh
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Atlantic City, boardwalk shithole
So as the rain pours around us Danielle and I drive back from a day trip to Atlantic City. I haven't been since Jake and I BMX raced in the National Series approx 1992 when there was a East Coast National at Egg Harbor Township. We went as a family then and I just remember being 12 years and seeing filth along the famous boardwalk and never feeling comfortable. Now I am 32 years old and the one time was enough for me, again. The boardwalk is filled wit casinos some nice and some dimly. Inbetween there are salt water tarry joints and asian massage parlors with their dollar a minute specials. If the weather were not raining I am sure these desperate asian women would have propositioned me on the boardwak. Instead they layed it on heavy from their side of the glass.
Two bright points. The Tropicana had some nice bars and reaturants and bars in it, which included a bar that had 5 dollar 40s. That's right I had my first 40! I enjoyed Miller Life as Danielle had Bud Light. One of the classier moments of our relationship.
Plenty more to talk about but sitting shotgun as my head bobs all over as Danielle hits the breaks while dodging crazy Maryland drivers on I95 who seem to forget how to drive when its raining out.... well its not that enjoyable. Tomorrow is a huge day for me, and I hope its an enlightening one by the close of buiness. Between that and going to H&R Block to get my taxes done once again.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
This hurts..
So I should be on the road to the Hyannis Marathon however I sit in a bed in Franklin, staring at the ceiling wondering if I made the right descision.
Its been less than 4 weeks since I was on crutches and wearing a brace. I have yet to have a follow up appointment with him to see if it has healed. I have run on it 3 times in the last week. The 5 mile loop with Steve and Courtney in 02360 most recently on Thursday.
So I lay here wondering, and I have a pit in my stomach.
Friday, February 25, 2011
A trip home with many uncertainties
I flew home to Plymouth Massachusetts today with the anticipation of meeting my newest nephew Daniel who turned 6 weeks old today.
Also many of you may have remembered that this was also supposed to be the weekend of the Hyannis Marathon however things have gone art in that area.
So the question remains should I even consider this. It would be completely against the instructions of the Orthopaedics Doctor who saw me last month.
While I can talk at length about so much I think I will just give two thumbs up to my first Jetblue experience today. I would not have changed a thing about it. Heading to bed more tomorrow from the 02360.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Can you run a marathon on one leg?
So for those of you who have seen me limping around today I went to an Urgent Care establishment today. Never been to one of those, been to the ER a couple times in my day, but never to Urgent Care. In general I do not enjoy going to any kind of doctor whatsoever. Usually there is never any good news at all. The costs are insane, and I have no patience for a waiting room. Why make an appointment for 9am when you wait till 11am to be seen by someone for 5 minutes? I could go off on a tangent about all the healthcare things I disagree with, but I think you smell what I am stepping in.
When I ran last night with my friend Melody (approx 5 miles) I felt fine, yet when I rose for work this morning I got a pain in my leg unlike any other I have had before. It caused me to partially collapse, my leg felt weakened. I tried to tough it out at work but I figured I should have it checked out since I was unable to bear weight on it comfortably. Their findings from the XRays weren’t very helpful. They noticed the posterior change along the distal fibula. Stating “inderminate ossification arising from the distal fibular shaft possibly posttraumatic or related to “ … my 1994 East Coast Nationals previous surgery where I made my main however never raced BMX again. So anyways more to follow tomorrow with an orthopedic doctor in Fairfax, VA. In the mean time I was told to pop ibuprofen and do the ole R.I.C.E. routine. For those of you new to my life YES those three screws were put in my gorgeous leg in May 1994 when trying to qualify for the Main Event of a BMX race in Mullica Hill, NJ. Surgery performed by the Dr. Joseph Zabilski, MD, of Duxbury, MA.
The staff at the Arlington Urgent care Clinic was actually quite good, they seemed genuine and cared. Besides the ghetto fabulous chicks that check you in and hustle you for your money the people who actually ran the place did a good job.
When I ran last night with my friend Melody (approx 5 miles) I felt fine, yet when I rose for work this morning I got a pain in my leg unlike any other I have had before. It caused me to partially collapse, my leg felt weakened. I tried to tough it out at work but I figured I should have it checked out since I was unable to bear weight on it comfortably. Their findings from the XRays weren’t very helpful. They noticed the posterior change along the distal fibula. Stating “inderminate ossification arising from the distal fibular shaft possibly posttraumatic or related to “ … my 1994 East Coast Nationals previous surgery where I made my main however never raced BMX again. So anyways more to follow tomorrow with an orthopedic doctor in Fairfax, VA. In the mean time I was told to pop ibuprofen and do the ole R.I.C.E. routine. For those of you new to my life YES those three screws were put in my gorgeous leg in May 1994 when trying to qualify for the Main Event of a BMX race in Mullica Hill, NJ. Surgery performed by the Dr. Joseph Zabilski, MD, of Duxbury, MA.
The staff at the Arlington Urgent care Clinic was actually quite good, they seemed genuine and cared. Besides the ghetto fabulous chicks that check you in and hustle you for your money the people who actually ran the place did a good job.
We will see what tomorrow brings, but I think I may have to get myself a bell so Danielle will know when I need her assistance. I may now have an excuse why I am not training for Washington’s Birthday 10k, Hyannis Marathon, National Marathon, and the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, more to come. Joshie
Monday, January 31, 2011
I can rub off on someone and have them too make poor choices!
SO I just got an email, my best friend in the world is influenced by me I guess. While he is off working in the finical district of Boston, and now owns a big house and has a child, he also took the plunge, went on EBay and bid on a 1920s – 30s Iver Johnson bicycle! And he won, and he had a OH CRAP WHAT HAVE I DONE moment. I am glad to see after 27 years of friendship Geoff is still the guy I spent so much time with growing up and he CAN make poor decisions! I look forward to seeing what happens with his newest steed! Congrats Geoff!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Giving an old bicycle a second life
So where do I begin. As many of you are aware I have been some type of cyclist thru most of my life. Beginning on a BMX bicycle as a child, this progressed to BMX racing. That became a family affair with Jake and I which became a love for time spent on two wheels. The thrill of BMX with jumps and competition was what Jake and I desired at our younger ages. However as I grew older I bought other bicycles, and since the age of 14 they were always purchased with my own money.
Funny thing is I can remember every bicycle I have ever owned, yet I can not remember what I ate for breakfast on Thursday. I began with a chrome bicycle that had red handlebars. I believe it was a Columbia. I remember it was a hand me down from my cousin Peter who was a couple years older. He had just gotten a new bicycle and I remember the look of his new bike and what mushroom grips felt like for the first time. I then got a bicycle called a Sigma complete with white disc covers on the rims. In a later post I will relive all the bicycles of years past but its 10:40pm and I have work tomorrow.
So bicycles always have held a special place in my life. They have provided me transportation, they have provided me competition, they provided me a way to make money on my first job as a paper boy with the Patriot Ledger, and brought me to establishing a mountain bike club in high school, and even riding my bicycle at 9pm along the Cape Cod Canal during my junior year at Mass Maritime because I just couldn’t stand to look at any more study materials, and I wanted to clear my head.
Bicycles have given me some great opportunities where ever I have lived or traveled to. Yet after I left for Kuwait for the year in 2004, my cycling diminished. I went from riding quite often and being in good shape while living in Tucson, to someone who didn’t touch a bicycle for almost 3 years. My riding lately has been off and on, but mostly off. I can go MONTHS without touching a bicycle, when 12 years ago I couldn’t go 3 days without hammering out a ride of 20 miles just for fun on my own. I felt like it kept me normal, like the juices in my head needed that stimulation or severe depression would set in.
So in late 2009 I went to an antique store, which some people know I have a soft spot for, and it was an older store, in a house setting, with a loft, and just hundreds of things to look at, all from the 1930s and 1940s. Most people see it as crap, I am faciinated by it all. And then there was this rusted bicycle in the corner of the shop, and as I got closer to it, and wiped off some of the dust I just started seeing how so many things have changed since a bike of this age, yet so many of the basic principals are the same. The details of this era bike reallu generated a lot of interest within me. How my mind works is that if something is of interest to me I normally go and research it online until I develop a more healthy appetite for whatever it is that made me salivate.
So I went home, and typed in things like “vintage bike” or “antique bicycle” into the search engine box on a website like EBay or Craigslist to see what kind of results would be generated. Then, especially on EBay, these two words opened a different universe where I became fascinated. I read blogs, I read forums, I read about restorations, and watched videos on youtube. That night I went to bed at 1:30 in the morning and yes it was a week night, however because I was enjoining everything I was reading and seeing I just kept looking deeper into it all. I ended up buying one of these bikes on a whim. It was a rusted, needs TLC, Schwinn Black Phantom that a gentleman has just began restoring in Minnesota; however I think he either lost interest or needed money. It turned out it was a 1953 manufacturer date based on the serial number. The Black Phantom was a Cadillac of bicycles at the time. I rode the bike to work one day, before any restoration was done. It was rusted, but the wheels spun and the coaster brake seemed to work. I rode it downhill, from the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington into Rosslyn. For those of you familiar with the area, you know it’s all downhill into Rosslyn and lest just say, a 30 year old on an almost 60 year old bike looking like Pee Wee Herman in his suit with his work badge flapping in the breeze must have been a sight. I passed a bus one day, and I felt empowered. The bike while an eye sore, yet rode like a dream. The front springer fork and the springs in the saddle made for quite the smooth ride.
When I had the ride, downhill, passing cars, on this single speed bicycle I realized I wanted to bring it back to its splendor. I found a young guy named Len in Manassas Park at Figure Engineering http://figurefinishing.com who does bead blasting and powder coating. He usually works on motorcycles but had done a couple bicycle frames in the past. I brought the bike by him and he loved the idea. He talked about the complications of doing the different colors, and would have to do the trim by hand, but he accepted the challenge. The finished product I was very happy with. Len did a hell of a job and had the bike on display on his wall and pictures on his website. I brought the several boxes of parts (you don’t realize how many parts a bicycle like this has until you break it down and have each part blasted and then painted) to Ron at Wheel Nuts Bike Shop http://www.wheelnuts.net in Old Town. Ron Taylor and his team of skilled mechanics accepted this challenge too. Between Ron’s knowledge of assembling some of the reproduction Black Phantoms Schwinn produced more than 10 years ago and their perusing on the internet and research, they put her together flawlessly.
Like any bicycle I have ever owned, I named her. “Mamie” she is named after the first lady at the time of her production, January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961 Mamie Eisenhower was the woman of the USA. Between her dominance of the public eye and the nickname for the USS Massachusetts battleship, I felt it was an appropriate name for this more than 50 lbs of Chicago made steel. To date Mamie has been ridden only three times, all three to National Harbor over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
The feeling of riding a bicycle that someone enjoyed more than 50 years before is an empowering feeling. For a brief moment you can picture the world around you in black and white. And it must have done something because I found myself looking into other bikes once Mamie was completed. The next blog entry will explain my next purchase, which began with a winning bid on EBay and a drive after work to York, PA to meet a sketchy man wearing a Hawaiian shirt in a Burger King Parking lot as he pulled a bicycle out of his filthy cluttered van that reeked of marijuana. Thanks for reading.
Funny thing is I can remember every bicycle I have ever owned, yet I can not remember what I ate for breakfast on Thursday. I began with a chrome bicycle that had red handlebars. I believe it was a Columbia. I remember it was a hand me down from my cousin Peter who was a couple years older. He had just gotten a new bicycle and I remember the look of his new bike and what mushroom grips felt like for the first time. I then got a bicycle called a Sigma complete with white disc covers on the rims. In a later post I will relive all the bicycles of years past but its 10:40pm and I have work tomorrow.
So bicycles always have held a special place in my life. They have provided me transportation, they have provided me competition, they provided me a way to make money on my first job as a paper boy with the Patriot Ledger, and brought me to establishing a mountain bike club in high school, and even riding my bicycle at 9pm along the Cape Cod Canal during my junior year at Mass Maritime because I just couldn’t stand to look at any more study materials, and I wanted to clear my head.
Bicycles have given me some great opportunities where ever I have lived or traveled to. Yet after I left for Kuwait for the year in 2004, my cycling diminished. I went from riding quite often and being in good shape while living in Tucson, to someone who didn’t touch a bicycle for almost 3 years. My riding lately has been off and on, but mostly off. I can go MONTHS without touching a bicycle, when 12 years ago I couldn’t go 3 days without hammering out a ride of 20 miles just for fun on my own. I felt like it kept me normal, like the juices in my head needed that stimulation or severe depression would set in.
So in late 2009 I went to an antique store, which some people know I have a soft spot for, and it was an older store, in a house setting, with a loft, and just hundreds of things to look at, all from the 1930s and 1940s. Most people see it as crap, I am faciinated by it all. And then there was this rusted bicycle in the corner of the shop, and as I got closer to it, and wiped off some of the dust I just started seeing how so many things have changed since a bike of this age, yet so many of the basic principals are the same. The details of this era bike reallu generated a lot of interest within me. How my mind works is that if something is of interest to me I normally go and research it online until I develop a more healthy appetite for whatever it is that made me salivate.
So I went home, and typed in things like “vintage bike” or “antique bicycle” into the search engine box on a website like EBay or Craigslist to see what kind of results would be generated. Then, especially on EBay, these two words opened a different universe where I became fascinated. I read blogs, I read forums, I read about restorations, and watched videos on youtube. That night I went to bed at 1:30 in the morning and yes it was a week night, however because I was enjoining everything I was reading and seeing I just kept looking deeper into it all. I ended up buying one of these bikes on a whim. It was a rusted, needs TLC, Schwinn Black Phantom that a gentleman has just began restoring in Minnesota; however I think he either lost interest or needed money. It turned out it was a 1953 manufacturer date based on the serial number. The Black Phantom was a Cadillac of bicycles at the time. I rode the bike to work one day, before any restoration was done. It was rusted, but the wheels spun and the coaster brake seemed to work. I rode it downhill, from the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington into Rosslyn. For those of you familiar with the area, you know it’s all downhill into Rosslyn and lest just say, a 30 year old on an almost 60 year old bike looking like Pee Wee Herman in his suit with his work badge flapping in the breeze must have been a sight. I passed a bus one day, and I felt empowered. The bike while an eye sore, yet rode like a dream. The front springer fork and the springs in the saddle made for quite the smooth ride.
When I had the ride, downhill, passing cars, on this single speed bicycle I realized I wanted to bring it back to its splendor. I found a young guy named Len in Manassas Park at Figure Engineering http://figurefinishing.com who does bead blasting and powder coating. He usually works on motorcycles but had done a couple bicycle frames in the past. I brought the bike by him and he loved the idea. He talked about the complications of doing the different colors, and would have to do the trim by hand, but he accepted the challenge. The finished product I was very happy with. Len did a hell of a job and had the bike on display on his wall and pictures on his website. I brought the several boxes of parts (you don’t realize how many parts a bicycle like this has until you break it down and have each part blasted and then painted) to Ron at Wheel Nuts Bike Shop http://www.wheelnuts.net in Old Town. Ron Taylor and his team of skilled mechanics accepted this challenge too. Between Ron’s knowledge of assembling some of the reproduction Black Phantoms Schwinn produced more than 10 years ago and their perusing on the internet and research, they put her together flawlessly.
Like any bicycle I have ever owned, I named her. “Mamie” she is named after the first lady at the time of her production, January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961 Mamie Eisenhower was the woman of the USA. Between her dominance of the public eye and the nickname for the USS Massachusetts battleship, I felt it was an appropriate name for this more than 50 lbs of Chicago made steel. To date Mamie has been ridden only three times, all three to National Harbor over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
The feeling of riding a bicycle that someone enjoyed more than 50 years before is an empowering feeling. For a brief moment you can picture the world around you in black and white. And it must have done something because I found myself looking into other bikes once Mamie was completed. The next blog entry will explain my next purchase, which began with a winning bid on EBay and a drive after work to York, PA to meet a sketchy man wearing a Hawaiian shirt in a Burger King Parking lot as he pulled a bicycle out of his filthy cluttered van that reeked of marijuana. Thanks for reading.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Keep the wheels turning
Bill Moulds was recommended by Ron at Wheel Nuts Bike Shop when I approached him with the old rusted vintage bike dilemma. He explained how we were fortunate to live in an area with one of the better wheel experts in the area akso resided. Considering it is after 11:30pm after a very long drill weekend I will post a few pictures and then explain myself in greater detail later in the week. Cheers. And check out the amazing work of a genuine guy who has a passion for building wheels. Bill Moulds
The rear hub of a now built wheel to the vintage bicycle. The hub was rusted and painted when I dropped it off and never had any idea that there was any type of writing on the hub itself. What a surprise.
This is the lineup of the 2 front wheels and 2 rear wheels I had on Jan 3, 2011 when I met Bill for the first time and sat down to discusss my dilema and have him explain the options.
The lineup of wheels I picked up today, January 23, 2011 from Bill's Shop. The rear hub was cleaned and reused to make the wheel to the far right. The two existing front hubs were not not possible to make into usable wheels.
An oild cap, on a hub? Yeah it was common in this era. While I have not done enough reserach to see what year this hub / bicycle are fron here is a 1936 New Departure Hub Model D specs sheet I found online.
One of the steel clad wooden rims that was found unuseable from the old bicycle with the spokes removed and the hub was then cleaned up had a complete overhaul and now is attached to a 21st century rim and spokes.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
On the brink of the first full work week of 2011
So as I stare the first full week of 2011 in the face, being a Sunday evening now, I think back to what has happened in the last week. Besides thinking I was going to be writing this blog a lot more, which it hasn’t happened yet. It’s been crazy in the world for sure this last week. A week usually filled with people joining gyms and counting calories was a tad different. It started with hundreds of birds dropping dead from the sky in Arkansas. Then it happened in Louisiana. Then an estimated two million fish died along the rivers in Maryland. Then in Omaha, Nebraska, a high school senior decided to shoot the principal and assistant principal of his school, using his fathers gun (who is an Omaha detective, who is a close friend of my friends in Nebraska) and then just yesterday a 40 year old Congresswoman is shot point blank in the head by someone and 6 others are killed at a “Congress on the Corner” at a Safeway parking lot in Tucson, AZ. So here I was two of the largest news stories of the year so far in Nebraska and Tucson looking at very familiar backgrounds on CNN and other National news media.
As of yesterday morning I have purchased a new camera. I have purchased a Nikon D90 with an additional 18-200mm lens. I did so at Ritz Camera in Old Town Alexandria. Well I did so with the help of my credit card, photography equipment is very expensive and I really don’t have a couple grand burning a hole in my pocket. With the purchase Ritz has a multitude of classes I can take and which I plan on taking to gain even more knowledge and hopefully I can help pay for the camera thru work I do with it. Atleast that’s the plan. Ambitious is my middle name. Well its really James but ambitious sounds cooler.
My “art” side is something that wants to come out, with the last camera I only entered one contest for the EPA on their Earth Day poster and I got a picture published on the Patriot Ledger website of Layla walking Goliath along the beach in Manomet. It was one of the first photographs I took with the new camera. Prior to that, with my last point and shoot camera, I had a photo that was on display in a traveling art show displaying Images from the War in Iraq called Reconnect US. Then the images were on display at the Pawtucket Armory for quite some time. I donated the framed photo for an auction where I chose the proceeds for its sale would go to the Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Yesterday my first photographs were in Annapolis, MD outside the US Naval Academy.
I love photography, and have enjoyed all the photos that my Nikon D40X has provided me over the last couple years. I look forward to getting to know the camera better than any other one I had used. I think having a creative outlet is essential in what people consider success. My brother plays his music; my father is going to dabble in his stained glass once again, and The Warden yanks on the penny slots until her heart is content at Twin River Casino.
I have run twice with my friend Melody this week. What began as a handshake at a Old Town Tri Club meeting had me working with her as she is a realtor and we have quite a bit in common. This week gave us a chance to run together twice which is something that hasn’t happened in quite some time. I haven’t run twice in the same week with someone since living in Plymouth. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction as to
Last night Danielle and I attended a Navy basketball game. We have the common thread of loving collegiate sports and really have no allegiance just love good competition. I had looked at tickets for Georgetown games or University of Maryland but it is insane how much people wanted for tickets to nosebleed seats on Craigslist. I decided to look into Navy and it was an awesome desiccation. We sat in the front row with a couple great couples in their 70’s they were a trip and one of the guys was a former player for the Midshipmen many moons ago. They also honored the 1986 NCAA Elite 8 team for the Midshipmen which included David Robinson. I have been a fan of him since he went to Navy and no one has been classier in the Pro Sports arena over his entire career. It was a thrill to see him up close.
The rest of the night tonight I am trying to hash out my race calendar for 2011 as the bound planner I have for the year begins to get full pages. I will post as soon as I am done.
My last bit of writing is for my sister Alicia. She is due any day now with her 4th installment of a child. A boy it has been confirmed, Danny and she are quite eager to see the latest arrival. I ask for well wishes as she has entered the final stages of pregnancy and hope for health and happiness for the entire family. I am very excited to see what the bundle of joy will be like and he will be in my thoughts tonight. Have I ever mentioned how much I love being an Uncle? Goodnight all.
As of yesterday morning I have purchased a new camera. I have purchased a Nikon D90 with an additional 18-200mm lens. I did so at Ritz Camera in Old Town Alexandria. Well I did so with the help of my credit card, photography equipment is very expensive and I really don’t have a couple grand burning a hole in my pocket. With the purchase Ritz has a multitude of classes I can take and which I plan on taking to gain even more knowledge and hopefully I can help pay for the camera thru work I do with it. Atleast that’s the plan. Ambitious is my middle name. Well its really James but ambitious sounds cooler.
 |
| Above is the photo from 2005 I took in Kuwait during a sandstorm |
 |
| Photo of Layla and Golaith one of the first pictures I took with my Nikon D40X on March 18, 2008 that was displayed on the Patriot Ledger website. |
I have run twice with my friend Melody this week. What began as a handshake at a Old Town Tri Club meeting had me working with her as she is a realtor and we have quite a bit in common. This week gave us a chance to run together twice which is something that hasn’t happened in quite some time. I haven’t run twice in the same week with someone since living in Plymouth. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction as to
Last night Danielle and I attended a Navy basketball game. We have the common thread of loving collegiate sports and really have no allegiance just love good competition. I had looked at tickets for Georgetown games or University of Maryland but it is insane how much people wanted for tickets to nosebleed seats on Craigslist. I decided to look into Navy and it was an awesome desiccation. We sat in the front row with a couple great couples in their 70’s they were a trip and one of the guys was a former player for the Midshipmen many moons ago. They also honored the 1986 NCAA Elite 8 team for the Midshipmen which included David Robinson. I have been a fan of him since he went to Navy and no one has been classier in the Pro Sports arena over his entire career. It was a thrill to see him up close.
The rest of the night tonight I am trying to hash out my race calendar for 2011 as the bound planner I have for the year begins to get full pages. I will post as soon as I am done.
My last bit of writing is for my sister Alicia. She is due any day now with her 4th installment of a child. A boy it has been confirmed, Danny and she are quite eager to see the latest arrival. I ask for well wishes as she has entered the final stages of pregnancy and hope for health and happiness for the entire family. I am very excited to see what the bundle of joy will be like and he will be in my thoughts tonight. Have I ever mentioned how much I love being an Uncle? Goodnight all.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
a lack of desire when running
I really don't know what it is. Maybe it was the semi fit female who just ran by me as if I was carrying a 50 lb bag of concrete. Or the fact that I just got passed by another as I typed that sentence all I know is I am so unmotivated to run that tonight 2.8 miles into the run I stopped. It wasn't poor music on Pandora Radio (that I listen to while running oon my phone) maybe it was stepping on the scale before running and reading 206.4 lbs. I just have zero desire to run and wish there was a pill I could just swallow and lose 40 lbs and rediscover something that used to bring me happiness and passion and endless energy. Oh well the benefit of writing a blog from your cell phone as you walk like a chub back to the gym.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving end
So I write this as Danielle drives back to Virginia. We are in Maryland and we left the house in Plymouth about 3:30 this morning. Many people question why I leave so early if I am making the 484 mile trip from Plymouth to Alexandria or visa versa. I guess it all comes down to the person I am... inpatient. Sitting in traffic does not appeal to me one bit. In all honesty I get so damn antsy when I have to wait for anything. Heavy traffic, a table at a resturant, shopping with a female (no Danielle is NOT like that) but I like moving. If I knew I could keep moving and not sit inplace however it would take more time I would chose that route any day of the week.
The time at home was excellent. We left Wednesday morning about the same time we did today and averaged 58.9 mph the entire trip so leaving at that time. I got to attend my brother Jake's CD release party for his newest project "any kind of work today" held at the Guru Room in downtown Plymouth this venue while new, has hosted him several times, and its amazing to think Plymouth went without such a venue where the stage for a performance is what is the center of attention.
The evening was splendid. Lonesome Jukebox opened.
The time at home was excellent. We left Wednesday morning about the same time we did today and averaged 58.9 mph the entire trip so leaving at that time. I got to attend my brother Jake's CD release party for his newest project "any kind of work today" held at the Guru Room in downtown Plymouth this venue while new, has hosted him several times, and its amazing to think Plymouth went without such a venue where the stage for a performance is what is the center of attention.
The evening was splendid. Lonesome Jukebox opened.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Monday, November 1, 2010
Over two bills and consider yourself a marathoner?
The photograpghs have been uploaded from the Army 10 Miler on 10.24.2010 and I must say I think the backgrounds of the photos are hreat but the subject matter leaves a lot to be desired. I guess the mouth agape shot of crossing the finish line shows just how a fat man looks when he is on the verge of collapsing. I will NOT be purchansing any photos this year! However the race was a great experience and I hope the MD National Guard wants to put a team together again next year, and I will be much more fit to do well. 
Using the Marine Corp Marathon as my turning point
Today is November 1, 2010. I washed my hands after going to the bathroom a bit earlier today and saw two gray hairs above my left ear. I started at them in disbelief, yet I did not yank them out. What could cause these? I am 31 years old? Was it yesterday’s Marine Corp Marathon? Was it the 4 nights in a row of open bar I enjoyed in Atlanta the week before while out of town for a conference on Facility Management? Was it the stress of a commute? I really did not know. I grew up in a house of 4 children and if one of us children did something to add stress to my parents’ lives they would always rant “you are giving me gray hair” I don’t even remember my mom’s natural hair color. And my dad has been gray and then white for as long as I can remember. I read a little as I love to now with the internet at our fingertips. I found the best description here http://www.disabled-world.com/health/dermatology/hair/gray-hair-causes.php in an easy to use way of putting things.
So yesterday was the Marine Corp Marathon. The people’s marathon as they call it, and its the greatest of them all. I encourage anyone and everyone to participate in it if you chose one marathon for your life. The crowds, the scenery, the weather, the amputee racers in hand cycles or wheel chairs, even a soldier that was totally blind from sharaplnel in war recently. You find youselvf looking around and saying, here I am passing the Lincoln Memorial with thousands of people cheering as loud as they can, pounding drums or clapping their hands, its enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Danielle saw me at two diffrent points on the course which was a nice surprise. Mile 10 and Mile 16. Mile 10 I was all smiles loving life. Mile 16 I told her "I am done" when my body had cirtually shut down, and I flashed her the cut throat sign (always a good idea when you have 10 miles left). Lack of training. Abusing my body. Lack of total prepration. It was the kick in the pants I needed for sure!
My buddy Rob Macdonald came down from Massachusetts. A friend and team mate back at Plymouth South High School, Rob has had a love hate relationship with running as of late but he ran his first marathon in Hyannis in Febrauary and practically took an hour off that time. He is headed in the right direction thru dieting and proper training. Congrats Rob on a great marathon.
So yesterday was the Marine Corp Marathon. The people’s marathon as they call it, and its the greatest of them all. I encourage anyone and everyone to participate in it if you chose one marathon for your life. The crowds, the scenery, the weather, the amputee racers in hand cycles or wheel chairs, even a soldier that was totally blind from sharaplnel in war recently. You find youselvf looking around and saying, here I am passing the Lincoln Memorial with thousands of people cheering as loud as they can, pounding drums or clapping their hands, its enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Danielle saw me at two diffrent points on the course which was a nice surprise. Mile 10 and Mile 16. Mile 10 I was all smiles loving life. Mile 16 I told her "I am done" when my body had cirtually shut down, and I flashed her the cut throat sign (always a good idea when you have 10 miles left). Lack of training. Abusing my body. Lack of total prepration. It was the kick in the pants I needed for sure!
My buddy Rob Macdonald came down from Massachusetts. A friend and team mate back at Plymouth South High School, Rob has had a love hate relationship with running as of late but he ran his first marathon in Hyannis in Febrauary and practically took an hour off that time. He is headed in the right direction thru dieting and proper training. Congrats Rob on a great marathon.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
In the ATL
We just landed in ATL and are taking a shuttle to Dobbins AFB for a week of SCT training. There are 6 of us from all diffrent walks of life in MD Air Guard. This should be an adventure. I last did SCT for a few times going to Tyndall AFB in Florida with the RI Air Guard. When I did that we went as an entire base for thie most part. I do not know what to expect with this group.
Additionally that was my first time flying Air Tran and I don't have any complaints.
Additionally that was my first time flying Air Tran and I don't have any complaints.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
Have you ever been to Baltimore Street? How about Baltimore St at 545am on a Saturday morning? I told Danielle going thru the center of Baltimore avoids the tunnels with tolls and eliminates going around the Beltway up here. Anyways when I have driven Baltimore Street before its been during the day. I am the only white person and the streets are crowded. Amazingly it was the same way at this hour. prostitution, drug deals, the street is filthy. and the best part about it, it is the street the Baltimore PD is on. their headquaters. Tell me how does that make any sense? I liike Fells Point, the Inner Harbor and Oriole Parkat Camden Yards but the rest of Baltimore is a complete shit hole. I rather be in SE Washington, DC than the majority of Baltimore.
Baltimore Street significance is that this is where I parked my car on a rainy day in 2002 while trying to kill time prior to bringing Adam and my Mom back to BWI. We had a couple hours to kill so I figured I would show them around the inner harbor. Because I was and am a cheap bastard I parked on the street across from the BPD HQ. Most of you know this story well we came back rain soaked 60 min later and the window was smashed out and Adam and my moms luggage was missing including a soft side cooler. My mom was flabbergasted! It was all gone. after calling the Police it took 45 minutes for an officer to arrive on scene (we stood 200 feet from the entrance to the HQ)
And Adam and my mom never have a desire to go see Baltimore again, and I am not surprised!
Baltimore Street significance is that this is where I parked my car on a rainy day in 2002 while trying to kill time prior to bringing Adam and my Mom back to BWI. We had a couple hours to kill so I figured I would show them around the inner harbor. Because I was and am a cheap bastard I parked on the street across from the BPD HQ. Most of you know this story well we came back rain soaked 60 min later and the window was smashed out and Adam and my moms luggage was missing including a soft side cooler. My mom was flabbergasted! It was all gone. after calling the Police it took 45 minutes for an officer to arrive on scene (we stood 200 feet from the entrance to the HQ)
And Adam and my mom never have a desire to go see Baltimore again, and I am not surprised!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.8
On the road
We are headed to Kueka Lake, NY and Danielle is driving. I can't think of a time where she started the drive. I guess I have control issues, because I enjoy driving when its a long drive. maybe I will try and get some shut eye, it is 539am outside Baltimore.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.8
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Day after Dave
So last night Danielle and I went to see Zac Brown Band and Dave Matthews at Nationals Park. I got tickets thru Meaghan Wilk, who is a member of the DMB Warehouse club. it gave us first crack at tickets, so I splurged and got the most expensive tickets they sold. 85 bucks but we stood in front of the stage.
I had never really listened to Zac Brown but my God they were great, play quite a few catchy songs, he is almost like a hairy, winter hat wearing Jimmy Buffet.
I haven't really listened to DMB since college, my roomate James played his CD so often I think I got sick of him. I went to a concert of Daves back at old Foxboro Stadium while I was in highschool but we sat in the last row of the bleachers.
I must say the whole concert was awesome! Danielle and I had a blast. We biked to and from Nats Park, which with the temps around 100 when we rolled out of the apartment.
Danielle and I did not have lunch or dinner and after a few beers at the concert we were feeling it for sure.
Well I will write more later, this is my first time trying the blogger app on my Droid. I am at DCA waiting for boarding of my flight. BOS here I come.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.4.8
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
So Danielle and I were looking for something to do today. I do not know how smart it was of us to sign up for a membership at a rock climbing gym. I can hardly use my phone right now. The climbers are truly amazing athletes! I could never imagine bouldering the way some of these guys were, like freakin spiderman!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Post Twin Cities thoughts
So here I am, 30 years old and just finished my 31st marathon on Sunday in Minnesota. What does this mean? A feeling of accomplishment? Hardly, a feeling of redeption, not at all. I saw how my buddy Steve Infascelli tore the crap out of his first marathon first hand in Minnesota this weekend and I want that. I want quality instead of quantity and maybe I will use the blog to do just that. I know I have done this umpteen times and said I was going to get serious like 123 times before, but hopefully thru my experinces over the weekend I will be changing.
Twin Cities was awesome. If you are ever considering a marathon or want to have a good experience at a marathon, there is not one thing I would change about this one. The professionalism, the crowds, the weather, the course, the quality of the Powerade to the attentiveness of the medical staff. Without the marathon I never would travel to Minnesopota to be honest. I never knew anyone from there and never knew anyone who moved there. Now, after doing it two years in a row I can’t wait to do it all again next year. When I get some more time I will write about all that happened there, but it’s a blast.
If I want to start training correctly I have put myself in a difficult spot however. I have signed up for Marine Corp Marathon right here in DC, and the Richmond Marathon. The dates of those two races are 10.25.09 and 11.14.09. Anyways all for now.
Twin Cities was awesome. If you are ever considering a marathon or want to have a good experience at a marathon, there is not one thing I would change about this one. The professionalism, the crowds, the weather, the course, the quality of the Powerade to the attentiveness of the medical staff. Without the marathon I never would travel to Minnesopota to be honest. I never knew anyone from there and never knew anyone who moved there. Now, after doing it two years in a row I can’t wait to do it all again next year. When I get some more time I will write about all that happened there, but it’s a blast.
If I want to start training correctly I have put myself in a difficult spot however. I have signed up for Marine Corp Marathon right here in DC, and the Richmond Marathon. The dates of those two races are 10.25.09 and 11.14.09. Anyways all for now.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)