Hi All,

Sunday, May 18th to Saturday, May 24th: 19.5 miles

I ran the usual three times last week:

Sun: 7 miles, 52:43, a little hard, 50F, cloudy, no stops, 7:32 pace
Tue: 7 miles, 51.55, hard, PR, 55F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:25 pace, right handstring tight
Fri: 5.5 miles, 43:25, easy, 60F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:54 pace, right handstring tight

My right hamstring has bothered me the past two times I have run. I am going to take it easy and do some bike riding on the Canal Trail for a week. I know that I need to rest it now before I hurt myself.

I have hit the online dating sites lately ... fitness-singles, singlesnet and plentyoffish. No dates yet. The type of woman that I am attracted is pretty, active, and slim (has to weigh less than I do) ... couch potatoes need not apply. Exercise is not a four letter word to her. However, it seems that the women are still in control. The ones who post pictures probably have lots of email and IMs. I am conversing with a woman down in DE from fitness-singles. She is a runner like me ... so she knows how crazed (in a good way I hope) I am!

My oldest son, Michael, got a 3.983 GPA for the spring semester at Ithaca College. He got all As except for an A- in a 1 credit course. He just started a summer job at Ultralife Batteries in Newark. Karen got 2 Bs and 2 B+s at Houghton College. She is down there taking a math course during their May-term. She is doing very well ... surprising herself. My youngest son, David, is doing well at his job at Wal-Mart.

I have decided to take down my 24 foot round pool in the backyard. I haven't opened it in going on three years ... ever since N and the two youngest kids moved out. I just didn't see the point. Any pool I ever have from now on will be a hot tub.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, May 11th to May 17th: 20.2 miles

I ran the usual three times this week:

Sun: 7 miles, 53:12, 65F, sunny, no stops, 7:36 pace
Tue: 7 miles, 53:54, 70F, sunny, no stops, 7:42 pace
Fri: 6.2 miles, 44:04, 55F, cloudy, 2 stops, 7:06 pace

The runs were all different.

Sunday's run had a little extra. A blond walker passed when I was stretching after my run. I talked to a neighbor and he suggested that I run after her. So I did. I caught up to her after almost 2 miles. I walked with her for a while. She walks seven days a week, 27 miles total. I did find out that she is married but she is exactly the type of woman that I am looking for ... active and easy to talk to. Trying to meet someone is outside my comfort zone but I will try.

Tuesday's run was a tired run. I went out even though I was tired. My slower pace says it.

Friday's run was at the Williamson Appleblossom 10K ... race temp of 54F and cloudy. I forgot my Forerunner 305 and was a bit lost without it. I went out too fast with a 6:20 first mile. I passed all the water stops. I couldn't see all the mile markers so I was a bit nervous about my pace. Two people passed me on the run plus I walked a bit on two hills and two more youngsters passed me. I picked it back up and finished 9th overall (the joys of running a small local race). Results are here. I found out that I got first in my age group (50-59), then that I ran a PR (by 1:09) of 44:04, a pace of 7:06! Wow! Afterwards, I was quite tired, hungry and went to bed early at 10PM.

Today I was a bit sore but I am satisfied with the results of the week.

I did give my soon-to-be ex-wife, N, my signed divorce papers for her to give to her lawyer. Hopefully we will not have to go to court again. How long before it becomes official ... who knows? I am not the world's best dater and starting over at 50 will be a challenge but I will.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, May 4th to Saturday, May 10th: 24 miles

I ran three times last week:

Mon: 7 miles, 52:11, 60F, cloudy, calm, no stops, 7:36 pace
Wed: 10 miles, 80:52, 70F, cloudy then misty rain, 1 stop, 8:05 pace
Fri: 7 miles, 53:54, 60F, cloudy, no stops, 7:27 pace, PR

I mixed up getting my car fixed with my run on Wednesday. I dropped my car off at RTR Enterprise in Palmyra for a right wheel bearing replacement and then ran the 10 miles home on the canal trial. Since it was warm, I carried water in my Camelbak Rogue.

N and I went down to Ithaca College to get Michael. We took separate cars and got down there at 10:30AM ... then had to wait while he packed. We didn't start back until around 2PM. I didn't do too much on Saturday night. I watched the Cavs beat the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern semifinals and the end of the Nascar race.

Keep running, Doug

Sunday, April 27th to Saturday, May 3rd: 21 miles

I ran 3 times this week:

Monday: 7 miles, 53:29, 65F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:38 pace
Wednesday: 7 miles, 52:17, 50F, sunny, a little windy, no stops, 7:28 pace, PR
Saturday: 7 miles, 53:09, 60F, sunny, a little windy, no stops, 7:36 pace

I ran pretty hard on Wednesday and got a PR for my usual 7 mile route. I wanted to run longer on Saturday but just couldn't run any more after I hydrated at my house.

Oh, I got my new RoadID this week. I got the RoadID Interactive so I can keep my info current. I keep it in the back pocket of my running shorts that way I will always have it. Here is a RoadID coupon code worth $1 off any order of $10 or more: TAF5865, TAF5866 and TAF5867 (first come, first served).

Another Oh, I got an email that I have been rated a 8.0 out of 10 on www.blogged.com. You can read about it here.

I went down to Ithaca College on Friday to see Michael's last Wind Ensemble concert of this semester. I will have to head down to Houghton College tomorrow to pick up Karen since her mother's car is having troubles.

I took my youngest son, David, out to see Iron Man at the Newark Showplace 5. It was a good movie and it was good to get out for a change.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, April 20th to Saturday, April 26th: 0 miles

That's right, 0 miles. I was sick with an intestinal bug on Monday and Tuesday. I lost 5 pounds but have since gained it back. The rest of the week I was just out of it and needed the rest.

My father was transferred back to the nursing home but I have been unable to see him. His unit was under a GI quarantine on Sunday night. I could have gone in but since I was recovering from my own GI experience I decided against it.

I went to give blood on Monday after work at a church in Palmyra. I didn't have enough iron so I could not. I have not been eating as many vegetables as I should or been taking my vitamin pill I guess.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, April 13th to Saturday, April 19th: 38.5 miles

I ran four times this week:

Sunday: 11.4 miles, 36F, a little snowy at first, calm, no stops, 8:16 pace
Tuesday: 7 miles, 55F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:37 pace
Thursday: 7 miles, 70F, sunny, a little windy, no stops, 7:47 pace
Saturday: 13.1 miles, 75F, sunny, calm, 54:50 1st 7, 7:50 pace, stopped for water, 6.1 afterwards, walked several times

I think I got dehydrated on Saturday in the early unseasonable (88 on Thursday) heat of April. I had some gel and water after the first 7 miles then went out again. I had to walk three times and had some spots in my eyes. I finished up with another 6.1 miles, then I had to walk home about 1/2 mile with more spots in my eyes. I drank lots of water.

Well, later that night I got sick. Trust me, after 5AM on Sunday morning and all day Sunday, you did not want to be between me and the bathroom. I ended staying home from work on Monday (relapse after drinking OJ for breakfast) and Tuesday (still tired). I took a walk down to the post office and Savalot and was tired.

The father was readmitted to Newark Wayne Hospital on Friday morning because he developed a stomach problem from the strong antibiotics that he is on. I haven't seen him since Friday night because I don't want to give him whatever I had. I have learned that he has the VRE bacteria which is pretty hard to treat. It could be a coincedence that I got sick after I saw him ... or not.

I had my second meeting with the divorce judge, my wife and her attorney. I don't particularly like her spousal support requirements but what you do? It is something that I will have to live with. I filled out and mailed my financial asset form (what little there is) to her attorney. Hopefully all I have to from here on out is sign off, get it done and over with.

Keep running, Doug

P.S. I just got done watching Atonement. I rented it on Saturday night but didn't have a chance to watch it. A sad and romantic movie with a twist at the end.

Hi All,

Sunday, April 6th to Saturday, April 12th: 23.3 miles

I ran the usual three times last week:

Sunday: Spring Forward 15K, 9.3 miles, 40F, PR by 3 minutes, 40F, calm, no stops, 7:40 pace
Tuesday: 7 miles, 65F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:42 pace
Thursday: 7 miles, 55F, calm, no stops, 7:33 pace

I have amped up my running by concentrating on lengthening my strides and pushing off. Thursday's run on my usual 7 mile route was a PR.

My father is in Newark-Wayne Hospital with a bladder infection. I have been heading to the hospital after work to see him. He looks well.

Keep running, Doug

Hi all,

Sunday, March 30th to Saturday, April 5th: 24.3 miles
Month of March: 106.1 miles, I ran 13 out of 31 days, 8.2 mile average

I ran 3 times this week:

Sunday: 10.3 miles, 30F, sunny, calm, no stops, 8:11 pace
Tuesday: 7 miles, 55F and falling, very windy, no stops, 8:16 pace
Thursday: 7 miles, 55F, calm, no stops, 7:39 pace


I just got in from running the Spring Forward 15K held in Mendon Ponds. The results are here. I finished in 1:11:21, 7:40 mile pace! I set my Forerunner 305 to show me lap time per mile which helped a lot. I started out fast with a 7:09 first mile and kept it up. I was slowing at the end with one mile at 8:00. The Mendon Ponds hills tried their best to do me in but I conquered them ... today at least.

Michael's junior recital down at Ithaca College went very well yesterday. I had heard bits and pieces before never all of it. It sounded very well. He did a very good job. He had a CD made so I should have it by next week.

Well ... the girl that I was chatting with from fitness-singles.com told me I wasn't her type after a less than one minute conversation when I met her at medical fair that St. Michael's had yesterday. I was at least willing to give her time for coffee and conversation before I made my "yea or nea" decision ... call me old-fashioned. But I guess the internet age moves fast. Well, my mother told me that there are plenty of fish in the sea.

Well, time for a shower.

Keep running, Doug

I am still pumped about the great run I had yesterday!

It was a warm, calm 55F late afternoon. I wore shorts, long sleeve shirt and light mittens (just in case of wind). I had an Energy Gel GU before I headed out. I concentrated on lengthening my stride and pushing off instead of plodding. I ran a 7:20 first mile and didn't let up too much. I ran my usual 7 mile route in 53:35, a 7:39 mile pace!!

I hope to bring this into the Spring Forward 15K on Sunday. The rolling hills of Mendon Ponds may have other plans though. I ran a 1:14:29 last year, a 8:00 mile pace. I want to run under 8 and set a lifetime PR. I may be 50 but I still got some kick left!

I also chatted with someone from fitness-singles.com last night and tonight. Maybe I can find a exercise partner and more?

Keep running, Doug

Happy April Fool's Day!

The Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes Of All Time

The weather of Upstate New York pulled its own joke today. Temperatures were in the mid 50s at 8AM, mid 60s by 2PM, then a fierce, gusty cold front whipped in and now it's 41F with a forecast low of 30F. The top gust at the Rochester airport was 54mph.

I went for a 7 mile run in the wind from 5PM to 6PM. I thought I would run in shorts and a ls shirt but I was glad I wore shorts with wind pants and a ss and ls shirt. I ran a slow but steady 8:16 pace. More than a few times I was almost blown over by the wind! Running in the wind is quite tiring.

Keep running, Doug