Hi All,

Sunday, December 23rd to Saturday, December 29th: 19 miles

I ran 7 miles around my neighborhood on the day before Christmas in 58:36, a 8:22 pace. It was 30F and windy. I ran the usual 6 mile zoo run around the pond on Wednesday and Friday. Both days were relatively mild, 35F and 40F, respectively.

Bad news on the job front. My last day at ITT was on Friday. After 6 years, ITT decided to let go all its contractors who had been there more than 18 months. My contract house, TCN, does not have a new job for me. Oh, well. I am trying to find another job. I have had an interview at Ultralife in Newark and a phone screen with Bosch Security in Fairport.

I have finished the stairwell. I found that flat white does not cover very well. I needed three coats ... each coat only took three hours. Now I need to figure out which room to tackle next ... David's room, the bathroom or the kitchen. Plus I really need to start dejunking in earnest.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, December 16th to Saturday, December 22th: 20.15 miles

I ran two lunchtime zoo runs around the pond of 6 miles each on Wednesday and Friday. The river trail was snowy covered so I ran on some streets also.

I ran 8.15 miles around my neighborhood on Saturday morning. Instead of looping back on Wood Lane I continued on Filkins Road down to Route 31, then down Whitbeck Road to West Shore Blvd and back into Newark. I kind of ran out of energy and stopped twice. My time was 1:10:48 for a 8:41 mile pace.

I finished Michael's room before he came home. I just had to pick up my tools and put some Pledge on his dresser and shelves. I helped him put his piano back in his room. Next up is the stairwell.

I have watched a couple of good movies lately with Michael. I rented Spiderman 3 and Bourne Ultimatum from the Red Box at Wegmans. It's a great deal, a one day rental for $1 plus tax. I have also converted some of my old VHS tapes to DVD using my Samsung DVD-VR330 DVD Recorder. It's really quite easy once you get the hang of it.

I used the warm weather to finally rake the leaves in my backyard. Over the course of three days I took 24 barrels of wet leaves to the backwoods.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, December 9th to Saturday, December 15th: 12.5 miles

Just two runs this week. A 6 mile lunch-time zoo run around the pond on Tuesday. Then I ran 6.5 miles from B601 on Friday, my first time from this building. I just ran down Lee Road (the dangerous part) to the canal trail, then ran south to Chili Ave and back. The trail was snow covered, I ran slowly in foot prints mostly. The weather both times was in the mid 30s. I saw an interesting running quote: "There is not such thing as bad weather, just soft people".

I was painting Michael's room this week. First a coat of primer on the entire room, then two coats of flat white on the ceiling, two coats of enamel white on the trim, two coats of 'casual blue' on the walls. Plus I pulled the rug, staples and tack strips. I am a bit tired.

We got a north-easter on Sunday. Initially, the forecast was 1 to 2 feet of snow. But Newark only got 4 inches of snow and sleet by 10AM, then 4 more inches by 5PM. I got some exercise shoveling and walking down to the corner store to get the Sunday papers.

The Buffalo Bills lost to the Cleveland Browns in a snow storm down in Cleveland, 8-0. The Bills are now 7-7 and out of the playoff hunt. The Bills never really had a chance, all 7 wins were against opponents with losing records. I listened to the game while I was painting upstairs, then watched the last part of the 4th quarter.

Well, winter has really started early in upstate NY. We are well on the way to a record setting snow total for December. The average for December is 9.3 inches, we already have 27 inches ... without what we got today.

Keep running, Doug

Update: Another 6 inches of snow to shovel on Monday morning, plus uncovering the car. What fun it is to live in upstate NY in the winter!

Hi All,

Sunday, December 2nd to Saturday, December 8th: 12.75 miles

December came in snowy. It snowed the first five days with 14 inches in Newark on Tuesday. I got my exercise by shoveling out my driveway twice plus prepping and painting primer on the ceiling of Michael's bedroom.

Thursday, I ran the usual 6 mile zoo run around the pond in my Pearl Izumi trail shoes with the closed toe box. They did well in the snow. Saturday, I ran the usual 6.75 mile run around the neighborhood in 57:27, a 8:30 mile pace. Slow but steady with just one stop for a couple of dogs.

I made three trips down to Ithaca College this week to see Michael in concerts. Tuesday - Brass Choir, Wednesday - Wind Ensemble and Sunday - Madrigals and College Chorus. A long trip and long day on Tuesday and Wednesday. Plus I painted primer on the walls and two coats of ceiling white in Michael's bedroom. I need to pick out a medium blue for the walls to cover the choo-choo train wallpaper that I am sure that he has not liked for several years. I should be done with his bedroom by the end of this week.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Month of November: 53.9 miles, I ran 13 out of 30 days
Sunday, November 25th to Saturday, December 1st: 12 miles

I just did two zoo runs around the pond of 6 miles each this week. It was cold (28F) and misty on Tuesday and slightly warmer (36F) and windy on Thursday.

I didn't get as much done around the house as I wanted to. I just couldn't get motivated. I did put together a computer desk for my youngest son and filled the garbage bin with junk. I did figure out how to back up a VCR tape to DVD. I kind of watched the Buffalo Bills beat the Washington Redskins, 17-16, on a last-second field goal. It's about time that the Bills win one at the end instead of lose two at the end.

I wanted to get out running around the neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday. But it snowed both days and I wanted to be safe rather than run over. In fact, it is snowing right now. We might get a foot overnight in persistent lake effect bands.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, November 18th to Saturday, November 24th: 17.75 miles

I ran the usual 6 mile zoo run around the pond on Tuesday. I do this run but I really don't like the route ... it just seems uphill all the way back.

I ran my third Newark Turkey Day 5 Mile Race on Thanksgiving. It was a raw day, around 40F with a misty rain that got heavier around mile 3. I finished in 38:57, a 7:47 mile pace. I was 65th out of 151, 5th in my age group, M 50-59. Oh, I won a $5 gift card from Dunkin Donuts as a door prize.

I ate Thanksgiving dinner at a JK's house. We had turkey and stuffing (of course), sweet potato souffle, cranberry sauce, leeks and a parsnips, celery, bacon and maple syrup dish whose name escapes me. Dessert was two helpings of homemade chocolate cheesecake and coffee mocha. We also watched "License to Wed" with Robin Williams and Mandy Moore. We had a nice talk. I value her friendship. The rain during the day had turned to a light snow which I had to scrape before I went home.

I ran 6.75 miles around the neighborhood on Saturday in 55:47, a 8:16 pace. It was a beautiful sunny crisp morning. I had painted the baseboard and used my run as a reward.

I am 95% done with my bedroom. The only thing left is pull the blue tape on the floor and move the small stuff back. Next is painting the trim in the upstairs bedroom. Initially I painted the walls and baseboard the same color, antique white. Now that I see how much better white baseboards and trim look I will repaint. It shouldn't take too much effort. Next is Michael's room. I have to be done by December 21st which is when he will be home next.

Speaking of Michael, I took him back to Ithaca College today. I ran over something that looked like aluminum foil just as I got there ... well, I think it put a hole in one of my radiator hoses. I had to buy two gallons of anti-freeze to limp back home ... stopping to cool the car down every so often. It looks like a trip to the auto repair shop is in my future. Oh well.

Update: I needed a new radiator reservoir cap which only cost $12.96! Thanks, Big Mike's Auto Repair, links here and here!

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, November 11th to Saturday, November 17th: 12.75 miles

I only ran two times this week. Work prevented me from running on Tuesday and Wednesday so I ran after work on Wednesday. It was warm (57F) and dark so I ran 6.75 miles around the neighborhood with my reflective vest. I ran a little hard in 56:07, a 8:18 mile pace. I ran the usual 6 mile zoo run around the pond on Friday. It has turned colder.

I am painting my bedroom. I painted the ceiling and trim during the week and the walls during the weekend. I decided to try the expensive Kilz Casual Color in Airy Blue with Kilz as an undercoat. It worked very well. I almost covered the walls in one coat. I need to do one more coat, pull the rug and do the bottom trim. So I should be done by the end of next weekend. I am not taping except to do the ceiling so it is going faster.

I am watching the Bills get pounded by the Patriots 28-7 ... now, it's 56-10 with 11 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, November 4th to Saturday, November 10th: 17.4 miles

I ran the usual 6 mile zoo run around the pond on Tuesday and Thursday. It was cold, windy and rainy on the Tuesday run. But I perserved and trudged on. I ran 5.4 miles around the neighborhood on Saturday morning. I am not really pushing on my runs, maybe 8:30 mile pace. I only wear my Forerunner on the Saturday run.

I learned that the company that I am contracted to will be getting rid of all contractors on December 28th. So besides fixing up the house I also have to find another job. After six years with this company ... what can you do?

I finished painting the right dining room hutch. I am letting it dry before I move stuff back in. I just started painting my bedroom. I put down one coat on the ceiling. It's not bad painting ... the pain in the ass is moving the furniture (bed, dresser and drawers) from one side of the room to the other. I will be working all week on painting besides working on an outside website and computer job. I plan on getting done in a couple of weeks.

Keep running, Doug

P.S. I changed the weather widget from www.wunderground.com to www.blogskinny.com/ which uses www.weatherbug.com.

Hi all,

Sunday, October 28th through Saturday, November 3rd: 17 miles

I ran 6 miles on both Tuesday and Thursday, the usual zoo run around the pond. I ran a nice 5 miles around the neighborhood on Saturday morning. It was nice, frosty and crisp ... just begging me outside to run!

I didn't do as much as I could have to the house last weekend. I lazed on Saturday. I painted the first coat of the right dining room hutch on Sunday ... in between watching the Buffalo Bills pull off an improbable three game winnning streak against the Cincinnati Bengals to get to 4-4. The next game is against the winless Miami Dolphins. Then I watched some of the "first Super Bowl in November", the undefeated New England Patriots against the undefeated Indy Colts. New England won 24-20 with a pair of late TDs.

Keep running, Doug

Happy Halloween, October 31, 2007

Hi All,

Month of October: 50.1 miles, I ran 10 out of 31 days

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! I sat in front on my house in a Scream mask and handed out candy to 202 kids of all ages.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, October 21 to Saturday, October 27: 11 miles

Yes, once again nothing too exciting ... I just ran my usual 5 mile zoo run on Tuesday and a 6 mile zoo run on Thursday. It was a busy weekend. I finished painting paint the trim in the hallway and entranceway plus the left hutch in the dining room. The weather on Sunday turned cold.

Now I have a decision to make ... what room is next? My bedroom, Michael's bedroom upstairs or the stairway? I am leaning towards my bedroom ... which means I have to go through its junk.

Keep running, Doug

P.S. I have been watching the Red Sox beat up on the Colorado Rockies. They are up 3-0 in the World Series. Go Red Sox!

Update: Yes, the Red Sox won the World Series 4-0 ... it would have been nice if the Rockies had shown up!

Hi All,

Sunday, October 14 to Saturday, October 20: 11 miles

Again nothing too exciting ... I just ran my usual 5 mile zoo run on Tuesday and a 6 mile zoo run on Thursday. It was a busy weekend. I wanted to paint the trim in the hallway and entranceway but I tackled a rather engthy things-to-do list. I painted the back door. Exciting stuff ... not! The weather on Sunday was unusually warm ... high 70s ... for this late in October.

My daughter had her gall bladder out at Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic on Friday. She is recuperating before heading back to Houghton College on Wednesday.

Keep running, Doug

P.S. I have been watching the lastest Red Soxs comeback against the Cleveland Indians. Now it's time for the World Series, the Red Sox against the Colorado Rockies. Two hot teams ... it should be a great World Series. Go Red Sox!

Hi All,

Sunday, October 7th to Saturday, October 13th: 10 miles

Nothing too exciting ... I just ran my usual two 5 mile zoo runs at lunch during the week. It was a busy weekend. I painted the trim in the hallway and entranceway. Exciting stuff ... not!

I gave blood yesterday for the 61st time. My pulse was 72, blood pressure was 110/72. I guess I will continue kicking for a while.

Tonight I am going down to Ithaca College to see my oldest son play in the Wind Ensemble.

Ithaca College School of Music Concert Calendar

Keep running, Doug

Dallas 25, Buffalo 24 - October 9th, 2007

Hi All,

Sunday, September 30th to Saturday, October 6th: 13.1 miles

I ran my usual two 5 mile zoo runs at lunch during the week. I ran the Fairport Scarecrow Safe Journeys 5K on Saturday morning. I ran a PR of 22:17 with a first mile of 6:30. I placed 46th out of 286 (11 seconds out of 3rd). I even walked for a 100 feet or so. One of these days I will run a 'perfect' 5K and break 22 minutes.

Race results: http://grtconline.org/2007Results/2007ScareCrowOverall.html

It was a busy weekend. No painting got done. Saturday, I visited my daughter down at Houghton College during homecoming weekend. We saw an exciting men's soccer game, HC versus Point Park. HC won 1-0 on a goal with no time left in the 1st OT.

Houghton Men Win as Time Expires in First OT

Sunday, I visited my son down at Ithaca College. I saw him in two of the five choral groups, Chorus and Madigral Singer, during their Choral Collage concert.

Ithaca College School of Music Concert Calendar

I took both of them grocery shopping which I am sure was appreciated. However, it was a lot of driving and a pretty tiring weekend.

And yes, I watched the second half of the Dallas - Buffalo game on Monday Night Football. It was 7-7 when I joggged over to Parker's Grille and Tap House and it was Buffalo up 17-7 when I got there. Things were looking good ... up 24-13 in the 3rd quarter and even up 24-16 in the 4th quarter. Though the three touchdowns were on two interception returns and a 103 yard kickoff return. Then ... things went downhill. Of course there was a lone Dallas fan that cackled with suppressed glee as the Bills couldn't get a first down when it really mattered. Then Dallas scored the touchdown, failed in their bid for 2, went for an onsides kick, got it, and then the knife ... made not one attempt, but two attempts at the winning field goal and took the win and the breath away from the sold-out Ralph. Well ... at least we will have the top spot on SI's Best MNF Finishes of last 20 Years. Man ... to lose two games out of five to last second field goals ... but if the Bills offense could have made first downs when it mattered ... their record could have been 3-2 not 1-4. But would have, could have doesn't cut it in sports ... or in real life.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, September 16th to Saturday, September 22nd: 11 miles
Sunday, September 23rd to Saturday, September 29th: 10 miles
Month of September: 38.5 miles, I ran 8 out of 30 days

Well, I am running just two days a week now. Usually Tuesdays and Thursday during lunch. Just to the zoo and down to the bottom of the hill and back is 5 miles. My left knee hurts after 3 or 4 miles but I just ignore it and motor on.

Let me step on my soapbox ... there are plenty of people that don't run that I see taking the elevator or outside smoking ... I just shake my head. I'm 50 ... I run. Everyone should do some form of exercise. Hey, I am 6' 3" and I used to weigh 182. I took me about 3 years to get down to 160 which I have maintained for the past year or so. I feel great. It wasn't all roses. I just discovered that I enjoyed running and slowly went from walking to running a little to running a lot to running long distance. Yes, I eat healthy ... mostly. Yes, it can hurt ... but I would rather hurt after running 5 miles than get out of breath because I went up two flights of stairs. OK, I will step off my soapbox now.

I am skipping my weekend run for now. I have to paint the inside of my house every weekend. So I need all the daylight I can get so I can see to paint. I really don't like painting at night. So far, I have two rooms (upstairs right bedroom and living room) almost done. Just bits and pieces need to be done in each room.

I thought a friend was going to help but maybe yes, maybe no. She helped one Friday night. We disagreed that the living room ceiling needed painting. It had not been painted in ten years. So I painted it the next day. It does look better. When I do a job I want it to look good ... even if I am going to sell the house after I get done.

Keep running, Doug

September 16th, 2007 - Happy 50th Birthday to me!

Hi All,

Month of August: 39.1 miles
Month of September (so far): 17.5 miles

It's been a long time between blog posts ... real life and injuries have gotten in the way. I am finally on the mend from a right calf pull, then a left knee ache. I ran the Palmyra Canaltown Days 5K in a PR of 22:30, a 7:15 mile pace, finishing 12th and good for 2nd place in my new 50-59 age group. I wanted to just run for fun ... after all, I hadn't run a race in 4 months but the competitive juices just flowed ... plus I was pacing someone for the first mile and a half. She left me in her dust when we started to go up a hill. I ran a 6:41 first mile and ran pain free.

What has happened to me running-wise over the past two months? Well, I did not run the Boilermaker 15K. I could not have run the race more than a couple of miles before I would have had to walk the rest of the way. My right calf slowly healed. Then when I started to run again my left knee hurt. But that has slowly gone away. I am happy to just run for fun now. I don't know if I will be able to run the longer distances. I think that always pushing for PRs, or pushing my mileage up too fast got me injured. I wanted to run the Rochester full or half marathon this morning but didn't want to injure myself again.

What has happened to me personally over the past two months? Well, I have come to the realization that I will have to fix up and sell my house so I can move up to Rochester. It is just too expensive to live way out in Newark and commute to Rochester. I grew up in Newark but what can you do?

Personally, life is frustrating. I am still not divorced. My wife ran out of retainer money with her lawyer and we have nothing to show for it. No settlement, no nothing ... we have been living separately for two years now. It is frustrating being lonely and wanting to have a relationship but not being able. So JK is a friend now ... not a girlfriend. I don't know what I was to her back in June and early July. I thought she was a girlfriend ... whatever that means nowadays. I guess I reached for something I couldn't have right now. I don't know much about the dating world of today. I asked her to let me know if I was screwing up ... well, she didn't. I thought I had found someone special ... for a while I was the happiest I had been in years. I had found happiness, motivation ... all that good stuff. Now I am just getting over the heartache and getting back the motivation that I will need to fix up my house. JK says she will help me fix up my house. I could use her input ... she knows quite a bit about this sort of stuff.

Well, it is my birthday but I need to get busy with my house. I have one upstairs bedroom painted and I have a lot more to do. I started out wanting to do one room a weekend. If I want to do that I will have to work every night after work. My first room took two weekends. Even though my house is just a small three bedroom cape ... it's a big house when you are all by yourself working on it.

I will continue to work in some running. Twice a week during lunch up at work and once during the weekend. I need the joy that running gives me.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, June 24th to Saturday, June 30th: 0 miles

Yes, zero miles again. I did take a couple lunchtime walks of three and five miles around B6. My right calf is starting to feel better. I hope to try a test run of a mile or so either today or tomorrow.

I am signed up for the GRTC bus to the Boilermaker on Sunday morning plus the Boilermaker. I have to be at the RTS Park and Ride on 31F near 490 at 4:15AM. The bus will leave for Utica at 4:30AM. Hopefully, I will be able to get some more sleep! My plan for the Boilermaker is to finish with no plans for a certain time. The forecast for Sunday in Utica is sunny, race time temperature in the mid 60s.

The house is starting to look a little nicer. JK and I planted some flowers near the front and back entrances.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, June 17th to Saturday, June 23rd: 0 miles

Yes, zero miles. The pain in the right calf prevented me from running. I did a walk around the parking lot at B6 one day. No, I have not gone to a doctor. I am trying the age-old method of trying to let it heal on its own. I am signed up to run in the Boilermaker 15K in Utica on July 8th. I will walk this race if I have to but I will be there!

I have turned some of my energy to home improvement. Last weekend my girlfriend and I pulled the carpeting leading to the upstairs bedrooms and cleaned the back room. I have been told to think of all the work that my house needs as room sized weekly projects. Just think of what you want to accomplish that week, else you will get paralyzed by all the work that needs to be done. That philosophy can be applied to life as well.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, June 10th to Saturday, June 16th: 6 miles

Yes, you read that right ... a whopping 6 miles. I ran a slow 5 miler (greater than 9:00 pace) on Sunday to try out my new Pearl Izumi trail running shoes. I felt the usual pain in my right calf but this time it was sharp. I iced it and took ibuprofen. Then I ran a measured mile at Fleet Feet on Wednesday. I ran a 6:56. The same sharp pain was there. Ellen says I have a knot in my calf that needs to be worked out. I did manage to get a massage on Friday. So I am not running for the time being. I think I will try to get my bicycle tuned up so I can crosstrain.

Personally, it was a busy weekend. I hung out with JK on Friday night watching 'Night at the Musuem' and went up the Rochester Jazz Festival on Saturday to listen to the The Capitals and Rusted Root. There were thousands and thousands of people at the Jazz Festival. I was a first-timer and was totally amazed. I also tried a DeCaf Mocha Latte at Spot Coffee afterwards.

My brother and I saw my father at the nursing home for a father's Day party on Saturday afternoon. We took him outside to see the car show in the parking lot. We had some hotdogs and pop for lunch. It was a good day to see Dad, he was 'there'.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, June 3rd to Saturday, June 9th: 21.5 miles

I only ran twice this week. Real life plus a tight right calf got in the way. I took my car in for service at RTR Enterprise in Palmyra on Wednesday for a left wheel bearing, front pads and rotors. Rather than wait around for two hours while it was done I decided to go out for a run. I headed over to the canal trail and headed west out and past Macedon 6.2 miles (49:00, a 7:54 pace), with a 0.2 mile break and 6.2 miles back (total 1:44:21, a 8:20 pace). The weather was perfect, mid 60s and sunny.

Today I ran in the PowerBar 9 mile Trail Race at Mendon Ponds put on by Fleet Feet. This was the second trail run for me ... by far the most difficult. The course was up, down, sideways and a little slippery ... particularly when we have to come down a rather steep hill. I finished 100th out of 136, in 1:29:46, a 9:58 pace. The results are here. As usual Fleet Feet put on a great race with a great post-race party. Afterwards I checked out the Outdoor Expo close by. I tried out a kayak for the first time. It was quite relaxing and fun.

This is Newarkfest weekend. Friday was quite the washout. The weather was initially around 90F. A severe thunderstorm rolled in around 7PM with lightning and high winds. A transformer blew and cut the power in a lot of Newark. I headed over and saw a couple of trees down on Bartle Ave. I tried to get something to eat but just ended up have a couple of beers at the Elks Lodge. Tonight there was quite the crowd ... quite young and perhaps looking for trouble.

My father has been moved upstairs at the Wayne County Nursing Home. He still knows who I am but often doesn't know where he is, where I live, etc. All I can say if that you should cherish your parents while they are alive and aware ... you can never tell when that may change.

Keep running, Doug

P.S. Oh, I signed up for the BoilerMaker 15K in Utica on July 8th.

Please Give Blood, June 7th, 2007

Hi All,

I gave blood for the 59th time today. I have had a drop of my blood spun to check if my iron level was high enough. A first for me.

My pulse was 50, my blood pressure was 118/68. My blood draw took 10 minutes. I was in and out in 45 minutes.

So remember ... please give blood. If you are squeasmish about needles, just shut your eyes ... I do. If you don't give blood, please consider donating money to the American Red Cross. You may not save your own life but you could save someone you care about. Sign up at: http://www.donatebloodnow.org.

Keep healthy, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, May 27th to Saturday, June 2nd: 26.6 miles
Month of May: 120 miles, I ran 17 out 31 days

I only ran three times this week. I ran 6.75 on one of my usual routes in Newark on Monday (Memorial Day), 52:42, a 7:49 pace and Wednesday night, 52:21, a 7:46 pace.

I also ran 13.1 miles, a slow 2:02:05, a 9:16 pace, on a new route around Newark on Saturday morning ... like a dummy. I did carry water though ... a point in my favor. When I started around 9:30AM, it was already 77F. By the time I finished around noon ... running out of water at 10 miles, it was 88F. I was close to my house and drenched myself with water since I was seeing spots. I made it inside and immediately drank a Gatorade and spent some time on the floor with my legs up waiting for the tingling in my hands to go away. Well at least I know the warning signs. I should have run early Sunday morning but I am stubborn.

Things are really starting to pop on the running front. I have signed up for Fleet Feets Long Distance training program to give me some pointers on running the Rochester marathon in September. Race-wise, I am signed up for the Powebar 9 mile trail run in Mendon Ponds next Saturday and will probably run in the Medved 5K at Frontier Field on Father's Day. Janet will be in town from WA and might run. It will be fun to catch up if I see her. I am not going to sign up for many 5Ks so I may run all out. Maybe I can figure out my Forerunner 305s Virtual Runner feature to push myself. Then after that is the Harborfest 10K, the Furry Scurry 10K, the Firecracker 5 Mile and the Boilermaker 15K. Yes, I have signed up the GRTC bus trip to the Boilermaker on July 8th ... now to sign up for the race. I know I said that I wouldn't sign up for so many races ... but I have succumbed to the siren call of the race!

I went up to the Green Lantern on Friday night for a singles dance. I danced some. I hung out with a friend, JK, on Saturday night to watch a movie. I thought ahead and watched the Cleveland Cavs close out the Detroit Pistons to advance to the NBA Finals against the San Antonia Spurs via tape delay. I may have found the motivation that I have needed to get off my ass and starting doing the stuff that I need to get done. Time will tell.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, May 20th to Saturday, May 26th: 30.1 miles

I ran in the Lilac 10K on Sunday in 46:22, a 7:29 pace, and the usual two 4.4 mile runs during lunch on Tuesday and Thursday. I upped the long run on Saturday to 15.1 miles. I finished in 2:10:00, a 8:38 pace. I stopped for a water break at miles 6 and 11.

I had some hi-tech and low-tech help during my long run. I just bought a Forerunner 305 and Camelbak Rogue from Amazon.com.

The Forerunner 305 is way cool, you can look down at your wrist and see your elapsed time, pace and distance. It will really help with my sense of pace during my long runs! If you are serious about your running, run ... don't walk ... and buy one! Plus you can upload to your PC or Mac using the Garmin Training Center where you can see your time and pace or upload to MotionBased.com where you can see your route on a street map plus more. Again ... way cool!

Wearing and using the Camelbak Rogue took some getting used to. First I had to figure out how to bite the mouthpiece to get water out. Then just the sheer fact of carrying about 2.1 liters (almost 5 pounds total) on your back while I ran and listening to the slosh of the water. But all in all, carrying water will help me during the hot summer to come

I must tell you though ... running 15.1 miles tired me out for most of the afternoon.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

I ran my first Lilac Festival 10K today, www.lilacfestival.com. I am the tall guy second from the right. The results are here. I ran a 7:12 first mile, a 22:38 5K, a 29:04 four mile and faded to a 46:22, a 7:29 pace. The course is a gentle downhill for the first mile or so but you have to run back up when you are finishing. I finished 213th out of 931, 22nd in my age group. I stuck around to smell some of the lilacs.

Then I headed out to Williamson to have lunch at the annual Williamson Airport Fly-In Breakfast, sponsored by the Williamson Flying Club. The usually excellent pancakes, sausage and eggs was served.

I am pretty tired now and could use a nap.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, May 12th to Saturday, May 19th: 21.8

I ran my usual 6.8 miles on Sunday. I may go longer on Saturday and shorter on Sunday in the coming months. I ran my usual 4.4 mile zoo run during lunch on Tuesday and Thursday.

I ran the Williamson Appleblossom 10K on Friday night. It was on a new course starting from the middle school. My PR in a 10K was 47:37 ... well, no more. I ran a 6:55 first mile, a 22:20 5K (an unofficial PR), a 29:00 four miles and hung on to run a 45:13, a 7:18 pace ... a PR by 2:19! I was 11th overall out of 50 and got another third in my tough age group of 45-49, receiving another jar of sour cherry preserves. The results are here. I was a rabbit to the first woman to finish who hung on me for a couple of miles before passing me around mile four. The post race feed was pretty good with hot dogs, apples, lots of cookies, yogurt, water and chocolate milk.

Today, I am resting ... if you consider mowing and weed-wacking the lawn resting. The back of my right calf is sore. I am running in the Lilac 10K tomorrow morning. I don't know if I will PR again ... but who knows?

Keep running, Doug

Happy Mother's Day, 2007!

Hi All,

Sunday, May 6th to Saturday, May 12th: 29.8 miles

I found out that my usual running route was not 7.2 miles but actually 6.8 miles, which made for inaccurate pace times. I have adjusted all my previous blog entries.

I ran an easy 6.8 miles on Sunday in 55:00, a 8:05 pace. Then I ran my usual zoo runs on Tuesday and Friday. My Saturday long run of 13.6 miles on Saturday was good. The weather was rather cool, mid 50s with a cool wind out of the north. I ran a first 6.8 miles in 53:30, a 7:52 pace. After stopping for three minutes for hydration and gel, I went out for my second 6.8 miles in 55:34, a 8:10 pace. The total time was 1:52:34, a 8:17 pace.

I went to the Green Lantern Inn, www.thegreenlanterninn.com, on Friday night for a singles dance. It was "m" night .. I danced with three women named Marcia, Marie (who schooled me in the swing and waltz) and her friend, Mary. Marie told me about a dance school in Waterloo on Sundays at 5PM that I may check out.

I went up to the Water City Music Hall, www.waterstreetmusic.com, on Saturday afternoon to watch the Knighthawks, www.knighthawks.net, play the Arizona Sting. The Hawks got screwed out of their right to host the championship because of the circus being in town. So the NLL changed to the venue to Phoenix, Arizona. It was a great game televised on Versus, www.versus.com. The Hawks jumped to a 7-2 lead, led 7-4 at half, 10-6 after 3 quarters, were almost caught at 11-10, then won 13-11 to take the 2007 NLL championship. It was great, hanging with the K'Hawks Krew, and willing the Hawks to the championship!

Next week will be busy. I will be running in the Williamson Applefest 10k on Friday night and the Lilac Festival 10K on Sunday morning.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, April 29th to Saturday, May 5th: 29.5 miles
Month of April: 98.9 miles, I ran 15 out 30 days

I upped my mileage this week. I ran my 6.8 mile route on Sunday. Then I ran my usual 4.6 mile zoo runs on the street at work on Tuesday and Thursday. I carried my cell phone in my hydration belt and kept a watchful eye out. Today I ran my 6.8 mile route twice for 13.6 miles. My times were 52:01 (7:39 pace) after 6.8 miles and 1:52:18 (8:15 pace). I stopped for 30 seconds on each loop and 3.5 minutes at the turn for hydration and gel.

I went to the Green Lantern in Fairport, www.thegreenlanterninn.com, for their Singles Dance on Friday night. I danced but with no one to write home about. I passed by the new Wal-Mart SuperCenter west of Macedon on Route 31 that just opened. Why do we need another Wal-Mart here? Where are the shoppers going to come from? Just another reason (read: another stoplight) for me to avoid traveling Route 31 up to Rochester. When I go to work in Rochester I head down to Manchester to hop on the Thruway to 490W so I can use my EZPass, www.e-zpassny.com. I don't hit any stop lights until I get off on the Inner Loop at Saint Paul Street.

A word about runner stuff. I have two black toenails (one on each foot) again plus a open sore on the inside of my right ankle where my left shoe clips me occasionally. I need to find something to protect it when I am running. I also put up a countdown clock to the Rochester marathon. Thanks to www.boilermaker.com for the idea and www.bloke.com for the countdown script. Hmmm ... running the Boilermaker 15K in Utica on July 8th.

Another thing ... the Grey's Anatomy episode which introduced Addison's possible spinoff had an interesting moment. One woman said that the reason she ran so much was so she didn't think about not getting any sex from her husband (who turned out to have a tumor, of course). It was hilarious!

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, 4/22 to Saturday, 4/29: 26.2 miles

A lot went on this week ... not all good. My running was good as usual. I did two zoo runs of 4.4 miles on Tuesday and Thursday. I also ran 5.3 miles on Sunday and my usual long run of 12.1 miles (6.8 + 5.3) today. I PR'ed again with a 1:39:11, 8:12 pace. My intermediate splits were 5K of 23:50 (7:41 mile pace) and 6.8 miles of 52:15. I had a PowerBar Performance bar before I headed out. I had more energy today. I stopped only twice for a minute each and three minutes when I went by my house at 6.8 miles. I was definitely in the zone where I felt I could run for a long ways. I clipped my inside right ankle with my left sneaker eight times and ended up with a blood spot on my sock. Cool!

I went out to see the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra at the Smith Opera House on Thursday night. I was one of the younger ones in the audience. The music was very good ... some of it first played before I was born. One of their trumpet players was 82 and Tommy Dorsey was 88. They both can still play very well.

The not so good part. I had been heading out for two mile walks lately during lunchtime at work. Just a walk on the Genesee River Trail to the mile tree and back. Well on Friday I headed a little later than usual. I was walking back on the trail in the area where it dips down where you are isolated. Well, two black males (1 tall, 1 shorter and stocky, both wearing red) were coming the other way. I nodded when I approached and the shorter one just ran up and hit me on the left side of my head, knocking my glasses off. No words were spoken, no robbery attempt was made. I kept on going, they kept on going. If I see them again, I will recognize them. I have seen them before. Last week on a hot day, they were just hanging out in the same area of the trail when I walked by. They were still there when I came back so I took a shortcut up to the street above the trail. This time there was no time, it all happened so quickly. This is the first time I have even been hit while running or walking.

I didn't let this assault stop me from seeing the Knighthawks, www.knighthawks.net, play the Buffalo Bandits in the MLL Eastern conference finals. I parked on the street like usual. It was a very tense game, it seemed that the Hawks were down by two goals all night. They just seemed a step slow all night. They were three down going into the 4th quarter, tied it up late, went up by one, got tied and went into OT. John Grant ended it 26 seconds into OT. The Hawks won 14-13.

I am watching the news right now. There was a homicide on Avenue D on Friday night (a couple blocks from work). Senseless violence at a party. The area where I work on Saint Paul Street is not exactly the safest.

Keep running, Doug

Happy Earth Day, 2007!

Hi All,

The road beckoned today, I went out for a nice, but slow, 5.3 mile run. I finished in 43:32 without stopping, a 8:13 mile pace.

I did some recycling today. The Park Presbyterian Church in Newark had an Earth Day event where I disposed of an old B&W TV set, monitor and printer.

I also went down to Ithaca College to see Michael in a Madrigal Singers concert. They sang Schuetz's "Musikalische Exequien". It was a beautiful drive and concert on a beautiful day. It was unseasonably warm, close to 80F.

Keep running, Doug

P.S. A mild rant: Some people think that it is impossible to get in shape. It's not ... it just takes effort and determination. You just have to look yourself in the mirror and resolve to make it happen. Starting three or four years ago, I weighed 182 pounds and slowly transformed into the runner I am today. It wasn't overnight by a long shot. In fact, it took some starts, stops and restarts. You have to persist with exercise until it is not a pain in the ass but a habit that you make time for consistently. Doing a long run on Saturday is a big time commitment of three hours or more when you consider the warm up, run and cool down time. By upping my running and changing my diet I have gotten in the best shape of my life. Now I weigh 165 pounds. I don't always eat right, I drink diet soda but on the whole I eat OK for a guy who lives by himself and can barely cook. Working on my upper body is the next thing I will be working on.

I am not saying that everyone needs to run. I am saying that everyone who wants to get in shape needs to make a consistent commitment to whatever exercise and diet that works for them. A exercise partner may work for some people. I haven't found one yet. Self motivation has worked thus far.

Hi All,

Sunday, 4/15 to Saturday, 4/21: 20.9 miles again

The nor'easter on Sunday night and Monday was far enough away that in Newark we got about two inches of wet snow and a lot of rain.

I run the usual zoo run of 4.4 miles twice on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday was around 40F and Tuesday was around 60F. The second time was on new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 7s. Man, what a difference running on new shoes! Spring is here!

I ran 12.1 miles on Saturday, a combination of my 6.8 and 5.3 mile routes. I ran a 7:22 first mile, a 23:38 (7:37) 5K, 53:50 (7:55) for 6.8 miles and finished with a 1:42:16 (8:27) for the 12.1 miles. I walked for probably six minutes and stopped for gel and water at the turn for two minutes. It was around 62F when I started at 10AM. I was careful to stay hydrated.

I went to see a free concert by a cello rock band, Break of Reality, on Thursday night at Roberts Weslayan College. Who knew that cellos could rock? They played two sets. One was acoustic with a bongo drum and the second was amped with a drum set. Awesome!

A word about VA Tech. I am sad that 32 people died because one deranged person didn't take his own life first. I saw two different viewpoints about gun control on CNN.com. One from Ted Nugent, Nugent: Gun-free zones are recipe for disaster and one from Tom Plate, Plate: Let's lay down our right to bear arms. I fall mostly on the right to bear arms side with the exception that gun ownership needs to be regulated. I also think that the Virgina gun ownership law needs to be changed, it is much too lenient.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, 4/8 to Saturday, 4/14: 20.9 miles

I did my first long run, 12.1 miles. First I ran my 6.8 mile route. I had some gel, hydrated, then ran my 5.3 mile route. The weather was great, around 40F at the start, warming up to around 45F at the end. My time was 1:45:20, a 8:42 pace. I stopped about six or seven times for short walking breaks. My aim was conditioning, not a time. But being the competitive runner that I am, I will try to beat it next week.

I also ran twice up at work out to the zoo and back, 4.4 miles. I ran under 8 minute miles each time.

I believe I need new running shoes. I have about 570 miles on my Brooks Adrenaline. They still look good but I think they have lost their cushioning. I hope that FleetFeet, www.fleetfeetrochester.com, has a size 12 pair. I plan on using my $25 gift certificate that I got for Christmas.

I had a free $22 ticket to a Rochester Knighthawks, www.knighthawks.net, game thanks to giving blood last month. I couldn't find a companion so I went by myself. I had a really good seat in the corner, 119-N18. It was a good time, Rochester beat Buffalo 14 to 8 in front of a sellout crowd. The Hawks are 14-2 and have won twelve in a row.

Keep running, Doug

P.S. My youngest son, David, has been out of the hospital for a week now. He is gaining strength and is back on solid food.

P.P.S. There is a major winter storm warning for Sunday night and Monday as a nor'easter barrels up the coast. The forecast is for six to twelve inches of wet, heavy snow by Monday afternoon.

Hi All,

Sunday, 4/1 to Saturday, 4/7: 31.2 miles

An uptick in my weekly mileage due to the Spring Forward 15K last Sunday and today's CATS Leo Austin Memorial Half Marathon.

I ran two zoo runs up at work this week. Tuesday's run was excellent; it was about 40F, I was dressed exactly right and I ran a 7:40 pace. Thursday's run was OK, it was about 22F with a headwind coming back and I ran a 8:01 pace.

Today the conditions for the half marathon was definitely chilly, around 25F with no wind at the start. I dressed for the cold with two T-shirts and my wind jacket and pants. I definitely appreciated my hat and mittens. Somehow, the Mendon hills didn't seem as steep the second time around. I kept a steady pace and didn't really walk very much, just a little on some hills after the 8 mile mark. I didn't have any kick at the end, the finish just popped up all of a sudden. I finished 38th in 1:50:45, a 8:27 mile pace. I bettered my previous PR by 9:06. Right now, my legs are quite beat and I could use a nap.

Results are at: http://grtconline.org/2007Results/2007CatsHalf.html

But stuff needs to get done. I have to go see my father at the nursing home. Plus my youngest son, David, is in the hospital recovering from a severe case of mono. So I have been bouncing around for the past few days.

I stopped to give a friend a happy 50th birthday hug. I would never give anyone black balloons for their birthday. A birthday is not a negative event, but a positive one.

Keep running, Doug

Happy April Fool's Day, 2007!

Hi All,

I just got back from the Spring Forward 15K down in Mendon Ponds. It was nice and cool, cloudy around 45F plus the monsoon held off until I was heading back to Newark.

I ran a 1:14:29, a 8:00 mile pace, which was my goal. I was 117th out of 328. The hills of Mendon did me in I guess, I did walk about 100 feet on five of them. I ran a 7:32 first mile, 23:02 5K, 39:14 5 mile, 49:14 10K and gutted out the last 5K.

Results are at: www.yellowjacketracing.com/
Spring%20Forward%20Overall%20Results%202007.htm . I finished 20th out 38 in my age group.

Fleet Feet, www.fleetfeetrochester.com, sure knows how to host a race. The volunteers did a great job and the after race spread (bananas, veggies, hot dogs and pasta along with plenty of water and pop) was excellent. Thanks to Boots, Ellen and all the volunteers! Thanks for the Running keychain!

I had a flyer on my windshield about the Leo Austin Memorial 26th Annual Half Marathon next Saturday at Mendon Ponds. It sounds interesting ... if I want to try the Mendon hills again.

My sister, Diane, just got in from Kentucky around noon. My brother, Don, from Syracuse, Diane and I will converge on the Wayne County Nursing Home to see Dad this afternoon. A lot of catching up will ensue!

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, 3/25 - Saturday, 3/31: 24.3 miles
Month of March: 86.7 miles, I ran 17 out of 31 days

I ran about 9 miles on Sunday around Newark. I finished by going down the Route 88 south hill then back towards home. I carried water and I did have to stop four times. But a good first long run.

I ran 5 miles during lunch on Tuesday and Thursday at work. The big difference was the temperature. It was 60F on Tuesday and I had no endurance, stopping six times. It was 40F on Thursday and I didn't stop once. I think the difference was that I sweat a whole lot more when it's hotter. So I will have to remember to tank up with water before, during and after a warm or hot run. I have gotten used to running during the cold weather when that is not so important.

I cross-trained by taking a 2 mile walk during lunch. I ran the 4.3 mile Happy Hour Run at Fleet Feet on Monroe Ave in Rochester when I picked up my packet for the Spring Forward 15K on Sunday. I ran with the lead pack then broke away when I turned the corner onto Monroe Ave. I think I ran around 31 minutes which is around a 7:20 mile pace. Not bad for a fun run.

I am not running today, resting up for the 15K on Sunday. I want to run 8 minute miles to finish under 75 minutes but the course down at Mendon Ponds is hilly so we will see. The temperature should be relatively cool so that is good.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, 3/18 to Saturday, 3/24: 14 miles

I only ran three times this week, all up at work during lunch. Monday, 4.6 miles, a zoo run on the streets. Wednesday, 4.4 miles, a zoo run on the trail. Friday, 5 miles, a zoo run to the bottom of the hill. The snow has almost all melted! I didn't run on Saturday to rest up for a long run on Sunday. The Spring Forward 15K is coming up on April 1st!

Lots of other stuff happened this week. My father entered the Wayne County Nursing Home in Lyons on Thursday. Hopefully he will respond well to therapy and come back home before summer.

My last dance class was Tuesday. Now I need to find someone to practice my limited dance knowledge with ... if I can.

I attended an 80th birthday party for my Aunt Eleanor on Saturday night. It was nice to get out of blue jeans for once! It was also nice seeing some of my late mother's relatives that I haven't seen for a while. I told enough people that I will be running the Rochester Marathon on my 50th birthday on September 16th that I have to do it. I will sign up soon.

Keep running, Doug

Donate Blood!

Hi all,

I donated blood for the 58th time on Tuesday. My blood pressure was 108/80, my pulse was 50. Only 4% of eligible people donate blood from what I read. It really doesn't hurt except for the needle stick plus you get cookies and juice at the end! Plus sometimes you get stuff ... this time I got a free ticket to a Rochester Knighthawks game during March and April!

So go to http://www.donatebloodnow.org and schedule your blood draw today!

Keep running, Doug

Happy St. Patrick's Day, 2007!

Hi all,

Sunday 3/10 - Saturday 3/17, 19.3 miles.

Rochester weather went from one extreme to another this week. Sunday was around freezing with a 5.3 mile run on the short usual route around my house. Tuesday was around 55F with a 4.6 mile run out to Rochester zoo on the streets since the trail run was still icy. Thursday was around 40F with a run out to the Rochester zoo on the trail, the snow was practically all melted due to the warm weather. Then Friday night and all of Saturday it snowed about 8 inches of the wet, heavy snow that March can bring.

But now the good part. I ran the Johnny Runnin' of the Green 5 mile up in Rochester along with 760 runners crazy enough to run in 20F, snowy weather on St. Patrick's Day. I didn't rabbit and ran a nice 7:38 first mile. I could have sworn that I slowed down after that but when I turned the last corner and got close enough I was amazed to see I was going to beat my PR of 38 minutes. I crossed the line at 37:34 in a 7:31 mile pace ... bettering my PR by 26 seconds! I seem to set all my PRs in cold weather ... maybe I just want to get in out of the cold!

The race results are at: http://grtconline.org/2007Results/JOHNNYGREENORD.HTML

I am the third runner (with the green sweatshirt tied around the neck) in the picture just crossing the line.

I placed 169th out of 760. There was other people that I knew that ran, though I didn't see them: Mike, Eileen and Sara. I stayed for a while to sample some of the usual beverages consumed on St. Patrick's Day and to watch some of the parade. I got more exercise when I got home shoveling the six inches of snow that was in my driveway to greet me. Then more fell after I got done. The snow won't last. The forecast is for 50s and 60s by the end of the week.

I will really need my running in the future to deal with the mounting pressures in my life: work, trying to get divorced, my father in the hospital and other things. It would be nice if someone special could share my PRs. Running helps ... I enjoy it and it's good for me, though while I am doing it I have my doubts!

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday 3/4 - Saturday 3/10: 19 miles.

The cold weather did indeed come on Monday with bone chilling cold and wind and Tuesday. I had to cancel out on going down to Ithaca College to see my son's concert on Monday night. It was just too dangerous. It has warmed up. This afternoon it was 40F. I think spring is just around the corner.

I ran 4 miles on the treadmill on Sunday,Thursday and Friday. The treadmill needs some work. It slipped a lot, especially on Friday. I think I have a lot of time to fix it since the weather has turned for the better.

I ran about 7 miles on Saturday morning, adding on some mileage to my regular route. I think that running just 14 hours after running on the treadmill did affect my performance, I had to stop and walk four times. Also I think my mind was playing tricks on me. I was running a new route so I didn't know the mileage.

Keep running, Doug

P.S. The Runnin' of the Green 5 mile is coming up on St. Patrick's Day!

Hi All,

Sunday, 2/25 - Saturday 3/3: 29.1 miles. February: 83.3 miles, I ran 19 out of 28 days.

The weather broke a little bit this week ... it got above freezing for a couple of days. So I ran outside 4 out of 5 days. I ran 5.3 on Sunday, 6.3 on Wednesday and 5.3 on Friday out at home and 4.6 on Thursday at work. I ran 4 miles on the treadmill on Monday.

The weather is turning back towards winter plus real life is intruding so my mileage will be down next week.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday 2/18 - Saturday 2/24: 24.1 miles.

I have become somewhat obsessed with running of late. I have run 9 out of the past 10 days. This week was another bookend with outside runs on Sunday (Polar Cat #6 5K) and Saturday (5 miles) along with four treadmills runs of 4 miles each during the week after work.

I have a new routine on the 4.0 incline treadmill. It's 2 miles at 7 mph, 1.625 miles at 7.5 mph, 0.25 mile at 8 mph and 0.125 at 9 mph. It's over in 34 minutes plus a cool down of 5 minutes at 3 mph.

February has been a snowy month. I saw a weather report that said that Rochester has gotten 39.9 inches of snow this month which makes it the 4th snowiest February on record. Well, the couple of inches that we got last night will make it the 3rd snowiest ... which is why my treadmill has seen so much use this month.

One thing about running is that I can occasionally eat the "bad" foods without any effect. Over the past couple of years I have gone from 182 pounds down to around 168 pounds. This also means that I have gone from wearing a 36-36 jean on my 6' 3" frame to a loose 34-36 jean. Now if I could convince myself to work out my upper body. All the running magazines say that I should cross-train.

I like running because I can go out and think about nothing at all or "run away from my problems" as one woman put it. Non-runners find excuses, runners run. It doesn't matter how fast or how far, just run. Well, there are worse things I could do with my spare time I guess.

Keep running, Doug

P.S. I have signed up for the Runnin' of the Green 5 Mile on St. Patrick's Day, http://www.johnnysirishpub.com/greenreg.htm, and the Spring Forward 15K, http://www.yellowjacketracing.com/Spring%20Forward.htm, on April Fool's Day. I had better get out for some long runs!

Hi All,

Sunday 2/11 - Saturday 2/17: 18 miles.

The weather relented so I could run two 5 milers on Sunday and Saturday and two 4 mile runs on the treadmill on Wednesday and Friday. I have a new routine: 3.75 miles at 7 mph and a 0.25 mile at 8 mph. It's a good workout.

Plus I got three workouts outside shoveling my driveway. I am not like some people who either have a plow come do it or just drive over it. I like a clean driveway.

Today, the Polar Cat #6 5K was held in Newark. So I braved the elements: 20F, a little snow, a little wind. I ran a 23:32 and placed 7th out of 25. I was third in my age group. The male 45-49 age group is a tough one. The results are at: http://www.grtconline.org/2007Results/2007PolarCat-6.html

I picked up an application for Johnny's Runnin' of the Green on St. Patrick's Day. It's a 5 miler up in Rochester. It will be my next race hopefully. I am also thinking of the Spring Forward 15K on April 1st.

Keep running, Doug

Happy Valentine's Day, 2007!

Hi all,

A Happy Valentine's Day to all the women who read my blog ... Ok, don't all crowd in at once!

It was sunny, cold and relatively calm on Sunday, 2/11, so I did a 5 miler outside. Just up and down Grace Ave twice. It was nice to get outside but a bit nippy!

Today I am taking a snow day. We have gotten 10 inches of snow so far today and it's still snowing. The forecast is for about 6 to 12 more before it's all done tonight. Right now, it's 18F and the wind is starting to pick up.

I have made a things-to-do list and I am trying to check them off. One thing will be a nice 4 mile run on the treadmill.

Well, wherever you are reading this from I hope you are staying warm!

Keep running, Doug

Hi all,

Sunday 2/4 - Saturday 2/10: 16 miles.

Well, it's on the treadmill! I ran 4 times; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. I have a new 4 mile routine, all at 4.0 incline: 3.5 miles at 6.5 mph, .25 mile at 7 mph and .25 mile at 8 mph. It's a good workout and it's done in about 40 minutes.

The weather was just too cold and windy for me! Most of the week had temps struggling to get into the teens and wind chill struggling to get above zero! Well, at least there wasn't very much snow ... unlike around Oswego NY which got around 100 inches in a week!

Here is a link to a CNN gallery about the snow in upstate NY:
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/us/0702/gallery.lessthanzero.ireports/frameset.exclude.html. Look at the eighth picture in this gallery. It's taken from the bridge overlooking the Lower Falls in Rochester NY. Well, that bridge is about one hundred yards from where I work. I run over that bridge to and from the Genesee River Trail when the weather is good.

My dance class is one half over and is going well. I can do an OK impression of the swing ... less so the waltz and two-step. The instructors keep on threatening us with the polka, though.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday 1/28 - Saturday 2/3: 14.6 miles. January: 86.1 miles. I ran 17 out of 31 days.

A slacker week! Just a 5 mile run (6mph, 4 incline) on the treadmill on Tuesday night (no dance class) and two almost 5 mile runs outside on snow covered streets on Thursday and Friday during lunch. It warmed up to just below freezing for a couple of days so I got outside! I think I twinged my left knee on Friday's run by running on a snow covered sidewalk.

Saturday brought artic windchills and the forecast is for a lot more of the same! So it looks like more sessions on the treadmill for me.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday 1/21 - Saturday 1/27: 24.4 miles.

Due to the snow, I ran 5 miles on my basement treadmill three times at 6mph, 4.5 incline. Along with a 4.4 mile run out to the Rochester zoo during lunch in about 4 inches of snow and a 5 mile run out at B6 before the snow hit. I don't really like to run on the treadmill but it is a good workout. It's better than running outside when it's 15F with wind chills in the single digits, I guess. Upstate NY has gotten hammered with snow, cold and wind lately.

It's kind of tough to find the time during the week to run on the treadmill though. I am not a morning person who can wake up and exercise so my runs have been on the weekend so far. Now I will have to just come home and do the treadmill before supper which will be a big test of mind over hunger.

Keep running, Doug

So far in Jan 2007

Hi all,

This post will catch you up on what's happened in 2007.

Monday 1/1 - Sunday 1/6: 20.6 miles.

I ran in shorts and long sleeves in 60F and lots of wind on 1/6!

Sunday 1/7 - Saturday 1/13: 17.8 miles, return to seasonal temps.

I ran the Freezeroo #3 up at Camp Eastman in Irondequoit on Saturday, 1/13. I didn't 'rabbit' (a problem of mine), ran a 7:16 first mile, kept it strong and finished 94th out of 243 with a 22:34, 7:17 pace. The result ... a PR by 9 seconds! I'm the guy on the right. Results link: http://grtconline.org/2007Results/2006-07-Freezeroo3-Overall.html. A new runner, Sara, ran her first race. I also got some grief from Mike for wearing wind pants instead of tights. Sales at Fleet Feet are coming up soon!

Side note: I joined a 8 week dance class on Tuesday nights. Hopefully I will learn how to dance or at least fake it through the swing, waltz, box step and two step.

Sunday 1/14 - Saturday 1/20: 18.3 miles.

I had to contend with the snow at last. It's like running in sand.


I said "Good-bye" to a fellow runner, Janet, who moved to Washington. She has been and will continue as a positive influence on my running. She showed me the running routes around work so I can run during lunch, kept a running journal with her mileage and ran more races that I did. She will be missed by all the runners who knew her but will be back for some races this year. Perhaps a 5K or two?

The weather is turning colder now so I will be faced with the dilemma of bundling up and running outside and just running on the boring treadmill.

Side note: I gave blood for the 57th time on 1/19. My pulse was 56, blood pressure: 106/72.

Keep running, Doug

What happened in 2006

Hi all,

I would like to take a moment to show how I ran in 2006. Red denotes lifetime PR, blue denotes year PR. It was a nice year, trying to find out my limits, trying to set PRs.

You can see that my times varied but I gave it my best in every race. Though in the Oak Tree Half Marathon I ran with a mild left hamstring pull and pulled it again halfway through the Safe Journey Scarecrow 5K. I finished, I am stubborn once the gun sounds.

All in all, 2006 was a great running year. I didn't keep track of my mileage until after I bought a new pair of running shoes, Brooks Adrenaline GTS, in September. October was 69.4, 14 out of 31 days; November was 70.1, 14 out of 30 days; and December was 102.1, 17 out of 31 days. The fall and winter weather were very mild for upstate NY. We only had 5 inches of snow by the end of December!

Keep running, Doug

P.S. Here is a picture of me at the Mendon Ponds 20K Trail Run on November 11th, 2006.

Starting off

Hi all,


I have been meaning to start this blog since the beginning of the year but just kept putting it off. Who am I? I'm a 49 year old runner who lives in Newark NY. I have been running now for about three years.

Why do I run? Well ... as I got to my mid 40s I wanted to do something physical, stay active, maintain a decent weight and get rid of stress. I picked running. Non-runners may not understand but slowly, I have become hooked. First, it was only up and down my street when it was nice. I turned serious in 2006. Now, it's 5 miles or more 4 times a week. There's nothing like heading out and running at least 5 miles! You come back exhausted but feeling great for having done it!

My first road race was the Newark 5 Mile Turkey Day Race back in 2005, finishing in just under 48 minutes. Since then I have run in 16 more races, anything from 5Ks to a half marathon. I run anywhere from a 7:17 (my 5K PR) to 9:09 (my PR in my only half marathon). I am competitive in trying to set PRs but don't apply any scientific methods (at least not yet) other than just getting out there and running.

My goals this year are to try to set more PRs and to run my first marathon. The Rochester Marathon, http://www.rochestermarathon.com/, is on my 50th birthday. So .... what a great excuse to run it! Why a marathon? Well, why not?

Keep running, Doug