Sunday, December 21st to Saturday, December 27th: 15.5 miles

Flights (24 steps/flight)
Sun: -, Mon: 10, Tue: 8, Wed: 12, Thu: -, Fri: 14, Sat: -

Steps
Sun: 2304, Mon: 4144, Tue: 4367, Wed: 7682, Thu: 10411, Fri: 10219, Sat: 14198

I ran three times this week.

Sun: Caught up on my sleep ... 11 hours. Lazed around ... sick with a head cold and sore throat. I listened to the wind howl around the apartment. Outside it was 15F (or lower) with 10 to 30 mph winds sending the wind chill below zero. I do know someone who snowshoed in the AM. I haven't tried snowshoeing yet ... but that will have to wait until I am better.

Mon & Tue & Wed: Getting better. Tuesday was the first day I actually felt close to 100%. I put up some Christmas decorations, strung some Christmas lights and played some Christmas music. I made me feel in the spirit of things. I could have gone running down at the Fleet Feet Cobb's Hill run but decided to play it safe. Wednesday I was all ready to head out in the 50F weather after work but it started raining! So I played it safe ... again!

Thu: 4.4 miles, 36:28, 8:17 pace, 32F, easy, sunny, a little windy, nice and easy, icy, mild left knee pain, no stops. I took a nice and easy Christmas morning run. It was a bit icy so I made sure of my footing. I wore my neck warmer ... I looked like a running robber when I wore it over my nose! I went out to see my kids, my father, then back to a cousin's house for Christmas dinner. A nice Christmas day but sort of empty in a certain sort of way.

Fri: 4.1 miles, 32:07, 7:50 pace, 36F, a little hard, mild left knee pain, no stops. Your usual Friday night Fleet Feet happy hours run. Just letting it loose, no stops ... a good run!

Sat: 7 miles, 58:16, 8:19 pace, 53F, easy, mild left knee pain, no stops. A nice Saturday morning run that I squeezed in between rain showers. I went out easy, kept it going, a bit overdressed. I felt a mild left knee pain early but it went away. I wore the IT band wrap on my right knee. I had to be careful of the odd icy patch plus puddles.

I took my 36-36 dress pants to Mens Warehouse to have the waist taken in. I think my waist is around 34 now. I also got three 50% off 15.5 / 34-35 dress shirts at Sear's. Then I headed out to Newark to work on my youngest son's laptop that had a corrupt config/system file. It turned out the config folder had issues. I ran chkdsk which fixed the problem. I also got my haircut and had a couple of beers with my best friend from high school who was home from KY for the holidays. The weather is really balmy tonight. Right now at 11:30PM it is 61F!

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, December 14th to Saturday, December 20th: 18.7 miles

Flights (24 steps/flight)
Mon: 29, Tue: 9, Wed: 29, Thu: 10, Fri: 16

Steps
Mon: 11360, Tue: 19595, Wed: 15321, Thu: 7669, Fri: 7899, Sat: 7687

I ran 3 times this week.

Sun: 9 miles, Seneca-Titus-St Paul-Zoo-Pond + Seneca-Titus-St Paul, easy, 40F, morning, 4 stops, it band, 8:12 pace. I didn't eat anything before heading out so I bonked to four stops, no energy. Lesson learned ... have a little something to eat before a long run. It's been a while since I have run long.

Tue: 6.7 miles, FF Cobbs Hill Run, easy, 25F, night, calm, no stops, 4.24 miles in 8:14 pace. I went out for 3.5 loops: 4 right side, 3 left side. I wore exactly the right stuff for the conditions but I forgot to wear my IT band wrap. Not too much pain, a little on my left side instead of the right.

Wed: 2.7, Snow Cheap #1, 29:55, 11:04 pace, easy, 30F, night, calm, some stops. We had about 3 inches of wet snow in the morning so there was snow. I ran an easy 29:55, walked some hills, good for 50th out of 124, results here. I was slipping and sliding! I walked some hills. Trail races just hammer my legs. I need to buy some Yaktraks (so I won't slip and kill myself) and leg gaiters (so I won't nick up my ankles).

Thu, Fri & Sat: Real life gets in the way of running as it will do on occasion. I am not feeling 100%. I have a head cold that came on after the Snow Cheap race ... a running nose, headache and cough. Joy ... not.

Fri: I drove down to Ithaca College to pick up my oldest son, Michael. The conditions were not good. The Rochester area got about 10 inches of snow. It took about 3.5 hours to get down there and 2.5 hours to get back. Michael stayed at his grandparents for the night while I ended up heading back up to Rochester.

Sat: I lended a helping hand to my kids and ex and helped them move. It was not the best day to move: 20F and falling, a light snow to make the ramp slippery. I ended up falling and hurting my right knee when I fell while pulling up the appliance dolly with a portable dishwasher on it. That's not to mention the usual cuts, aches and pains. All in all, a long day.

I am finding out living up near Irondequoit has its disadvantages in the winter ... almost a daily occurrence of lake effect snow.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, December 7th to Saturday, December 13th: 21.6 miles

Flights (24 steps/flight)
Mon: 16, Tue: 30, Wed: 15, Thu: 19, Fri: 29

Steps
Sun: 6241, Mon: 11249, Tue: 18282, Wed: 9950, Thu: 21239, Fri: 12129, Sat: 2081

I ran 4 times this week.

Sun: 3.1 miles, Polar Cat #1, 24:14, 7:49 pace, 15F, very windy, too cold to feel any pain! I ran the first Polar Cat #1 5K down in Honeoye Falls. It was a little sunny and very windy with wind chills probably sub-zero. I didn't warm up ... too cold. We turned the corner at mile 1 so the wind was in our face and then turned another corner so the wind was on our left ... brutal! I had to stop twice ... my face almost froze off plus I was almost blown over! Anyway, I finished 16th out of 44, 4th in my age group, results here. The free hot chocolate provided by the Brewery Resturant was much appreciated.

Mon: I baked some bake-n-stick cookies and an apple pie. I also pounded some nails in my bookcase ... the shelves needed more support for my books and magazines. I posted it on Facebook so I was urged to bring the cookies into work. The apple pie was mine ... all mine!

Tue: 6.1 miles, FF Cobbs Hill run, 4.81 miles in 41:14, 8:32 pace, 48F, slushy, calm, no stops. I wore my trail shoes and headlamp. I ran 3 loops before heading back. I forgot to wear my IT band wrap.

Thu: 8.3 miles, 2 x Seneca-Titus-St Paul + Seneca, 69:53, 8:25 pace, 25F, easy, icy, no stops, it band. I needed some major endorphins so I just put on the IT band wrap and ran. Perhaps I shouldn't have added the extra up and back on Seneca. But the extra pain was worth it.

Fri: 4.1 miles, FF Happy Hour run, 34:29, 8:25 pace, 25F, a little hard, light snow, no stops. The FF Happy Hour run was light snowy goodness. I like to just go out and run. I tend to leave the pack behind ... I can't run slow. There are people who run faster (mostly young whippersnappers) but most don't.

Sat: I needed sleep so I didn't do the first Freezeroo out in Spencerport. I heard that the conditions were great ... 20F, sunny and calm. I went down to Lyons in the afternoon to see my father at the Wayne County Nursing Home in Lyons and also took more of my empty boxes to my ex. That's one way to get rid of all my empty boxes in my apartment! I will be helping her and the kids move from a 2 bedroom apartment to a 3 bedroom house next Saturday. I will be driving the 14 foot Uhaul truck she is renting. She will have plenty of help from what she tells me. So it should be an easy move.

Right now I am watching It's a Wonderful Life. I have never watched it from the beginning before. Even with all the commercials that NBC is throwing in I will be sniffling by the end.

Oh, gas prices are great! I filled up at the Deltasonic on Ridge Rd E by Hudson for $1.79 after I passed gas stations at $1.99 on the way back ... sweet!

Keeping active, Doug

P.S. I like to think that I am active ... but there are people that I have met that make me look like a slug! They inspire me sometimes or discourage me other times ... but not enough to go back out after a 5K with sub-zero wind chills! I definitely need to get more and/or better cold weather gear! Today I got a Drylete Neck Warmer from Dick's Sporting Goods. It should help next time there are subzero wind chills!

Sunday, November 30th to Saturday, December 6th: 15 miles

Flights (24 steps/stair)
Mon: 15, Tue: 5, Wed: 8, Thu: 27, Fri: 26

Steps
Mon: -, Tue: 18291, Wed: 6061, Thu: 18241, Fri: 12145

I ran 3 times this week.

Sun: 5 miles, Seneca-Titus-Paul-Zoo Run, sucked, 32F, cloudy, calm, right knee pain. The pain really sucked.

Mon: The IT Band Wrap from Ithacasports.com came today. It's really made by www.injurybegone.com. I had to hold myself back from running but today is an off day.

Tue: 5 miles, FF Winter Warrior Cobbs Hill run, 34F, night, calm, really mild right knee pain. Fleet Feet Hill Winter Warrior initial meeting. I ran three round trips of Cobbs Hill (wanted to see the whole thing), walked one and then ran the right way once (up the right side, down, up the left side, down). I am guessing that I ran 5 miles. I wore the IT Band Wrap ... my knee didn't hurt as much.

Wed: Yes, I watched the Victoria's Secret Runway Show with Heidi Klum and all the other angels. I am a guy, I do like lingerie and I have a pulse ... and intend to for a long time to come. Though if I saw a woman in lingerie and huge wings coming my way I might run the other way!

Thu: 5 miles, Seneca-Titus-Paul-Zoo Run, 39:50, 7:58 pace, easy, 30F, dusk, calm, it band, no stops. The IT Band Wrap seems to help. Maybe I will get one for the other knee.

Fri: I was late coming home from work so I couldn't make the FF Happy Hour run. A friend and I tried to go out ballroom dancing at a place in Webster but it had just closed its doors forever. After walking over to Starbucks for some get acquainted coffee, we ended up dancing to Gap Mangione up at the Woodcliffe Hotel in Bushnells Basin. Lesson learned ... I shouldn't drink regular coffee after dark ... much less two! I couldn't sleep the rest of the night!

Sat: I couldn't make it down to see my father at the Wayne County Nursing Home in Lyons but did make it down to Ithaca College to see Michael in the Symphony Orchestra. I was pretty tired on the way back up to Rochester.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, November 23rd to Saturday, November 29th: 10 miles
Month of November: 57.3 miles, I ran 14 out of 30 days

Flights (24 steps/stair)
Mon: 18, Tue: 15, Wed: 18

Steps
Mon: -, Tue: -, Wed: 8261

Post 100!!

I ran twice this week plus a run/mostly walk.

Sun: 5 miles, Seneca-Titus-St Paul run plus over to the Seneca Zoo and down the hill, easy, 20F, calm, icy, mild right knee pain, no stops, 8:28 pace. A weird thing happened. My left kneecap popped in and out about a mile in. A very strange feeling! I continued on cautiously plus it was a bit icy in spots. Then when I was lightly stretching out afterward I pulled a muscle in the back of my left knee. I iced it right away. It seemed better. Then when I felt a twinge in it during work on Tuesday. So I did not run on Tuesday and applied heat all night until I went to bed.

Wed: I was out window-shopping at the Marketplace Mall. I bought a Princeton Tec Fuel LED Headlamp at Dick's Sporting Goods. It was on sale for $19.99, regularly $24.99. It will be useful for night runs.

Thu: 5 miles, Newark Turkey Trot, 37:28, 7:30 pace, 40F, cloudy, calm, mild right knee pain. I told myself I was just going to run slow, don't hurt myself. Well ... the gun sounds and off I go. I felt the usual right knee pain after a mile, ignored it and ran on. No pain in my left knee, so I ran on. I didn't have my Garmin or my stopwatch and there was no shout out at the 1 mile mark. So I had no idea about my time. I was 53rd out of 172 and 3rd in my age group. So much for running slow, I guess ... only 10 seconds off my 7:20 mile PR pace for 5 miles. There were a lot of runners in the Rochester area today ... 1096 at the 4.4 Webster Turkey Trot, 531 at the 2.5 Mile Webster Turkey Trot, 886 at the Race With Grace 10K and 172 at my race.

The bling and sweatshirt!
I went to my ex's apartment in Newark to see my daughter. My youngest son was not home. My ex is going to rent a 3 bedroom house in Newark next month. So ... since she helped me move ... I will help her move. Quid pro quo, you know. Plus I will give her all my empty boxes! It should be a relatively easy move ... all my kids should be able to help, plus she is only moving a mile or so.

Then I went out to my cousin's house in Penfield for Thanksgiving dinner. Many thanks to them for inviting me. I enjoyed myself.

Fri: 3 miles, FF Black Friday run, 36F, 10% run/90% walk. I attempted to run the Fleet Feet Black Friday morning run but could only manage a very short run of a couple hundred yards before I was forced to a walk. Oh, I tried to run but I could tell it wasn't worth it. The pain was not something I could ignore. I did some Google research and I think it is time to face the fact that I have a IT band injury on my right knee. I definitely need to attend to this injury ... ignoring it will not work. I ordered an Iliotibial Band Compression Wrap from nearby Ithaca Sports for $19.99 with free shipping. I hope it will help.

A thought: Is there privacy on the internet? If you Google me, Doug DeWeaver, you will find all sorts of stuff ... this blog, my LinkedIn page, my NHS alumni page, my Classmates page and lots of race results. In fact, the first two pages are all about me. If you Google most anybody (unless it is a common name), you will find something about them if you are willing to look and sort through the chaff. Is this good or bad? That answer depends, I guess. I am comfortable with my results.

Oh, I listed my blog on the Complete Running Blog Network.

Keeping active, Doug

P.S. Gas prices are great! I got gas for $1.96 at the cheapest place in Rochester, the 7-11 in Henrietta, according to www.rochestergasprices.com.

Sunday, November 16th to Saturday, November 22nd: 15.4 miles

Flights (24 steps/stair)
Mon: 10, Tue: 15, Wed: 18, Thu: 16, Fri: 31 flights

DM gave me a pedmeter on Wednesday. I will try to wear it during my workday. I didn't think I walked that much at work!
Steps
Thu: 8852, Fri: 9820

Winter came early to Rochester but I ran 4 times this week.

Sun: 5 miles, Upstate XC Series #5, 42:39, 8:32 pace, 37F, easy, very windy, mild right knee pain, multiple stops. The day dawned very windy and snowy. The women raced their 6K first at 11AM. I cheered on KK when she finished. The men raced at 11:45AM. It was still very windy, a little snowy and a little sunny. It was a long run with the usual right knee pain. I talked with CR afterward. He suggested that I rest my knee for two weeks while exercising on a bike. I ran a 42:39, good for 138th out of 147, results here. I saw KK at the race on Sunday and talked a bit.

Monday ... our family (ex and I) dog, Blackie, died unexpectedly. We got the dog on Halloween nine years ago. He was a cocker spaniel and black labrador mix, tall like a lab with the fur of a cocker. He was a nice dog, friendly. When my ex moved out in September 2005, I inherited the dog and an old cat named Inkie. I took care of Blackie until March 2008 when I persuaded my ex to take him. I adjusted to just having Inkie. When I moved up to Rochester I had to give Inkie to my ex. I do miss him, he is 21 years old, "older than dirt", and absolutely adores me. Well, Blackie was having some issues and my ex was going to take him to the vet tomorrow. He became worse and she was taking him tonight. Well, she was stopped at the stoplight by BurgerKing in Newark when Blackie started howling. She was petting and reassuring him when he died right there. She continued on the vet who said that there was nothing she could have done ... that he must have had a heart attack. My ex called me with the news ... crying her eyes out. My daughter, Karen, is heart-broken. My ex is going to pick up Karen tomorrow from Houghton so she can see Blackie before he is cremated. A sad ending to a Monday.

RIP Blackie
Tue: 3.1 miles, Seneca Zoo run, 25:17, 8:10 pace, easy, 25F, night, light snow, calm, real mild right knee pain, no stops, excellent. A short 5K in real light snow, 25F, calm winds ... just a nice run. Thursday's Seneca-Titus-Paul run was excellent. Another great winter run. Friday's Fleet Feet Happy Hour run was good. The roads were icy for the first mile or so. But a run is all good when it's done.

A friend and I went to the Cracker Barrel in Henrietta for a leisurely dinner then to see Quantum of Solace. I didn't particularly like this Bond movie ... too much cold-blooded vengeance, no chemistry between Bond and his leading lady. We both rightfully took issue with the bad science behind the finale.

Thu: 3.3 miles, Seneca-Titus-Paul run, 25:52, 7:50 pace, a little hard, 30F, dusk, calm, no right knee pain, no stops.

Fri: 4.4 miles, FF Happy Hour run, 34:00, 7:44 pace, easy, 20F, night, calm, mild right knee pain, no stops.

Saturday, I headed down to Ithaca College to pick up Michael and take him to stay with my ex in Newark, then I headed to see my father at the Wayne County Nursing Home in Lyons.

Well, I really should unbox, sort, put away and/or throw out my junk.

Oh, I signed up for the 33rd Annual Newark Turkey Day 5 Mile Race.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, November 9th to Saturday, 15th: 13.2 miles

Since I climb a lot of stairs at work I am going to include my daily stair flight count. I don't take the elevator unless I am carrying something heavy.

Flights (24 steps/stair)
Mon: 15, Tue: 17, Wed:17, Thu: 20, Fri: 22

I ran three times this week:

Tue: 5.3 miles, 43:00, easy, 40F, cloudy, calm, right knee pain, no stops, 8:07 pace
Thu: about 3.5 miles, 27:21, Seneca-Titus-Paul run, 55F, easy, dusk, calm, little right knee pain
Fri: 4.4 miles, Fleet Feet Fun Run, 60F, a little hard, night, calm, really mild right knee pain

Tuesday, I ran out to the zoo plus two loops around the pond. By the time I got back my right knee pain had worsened from mild to moderate which slowed me quite a bit. I did climb up and down 17 flights of stairs at work so that may have had something to do with it. This pain that only comes on when I run is really beginning to piss me off. I want to run longer but can't.

Thursday's night run was nice and easy as I discovered a new run route up Seneca Ave to Titus and back down St. Paul St. The aftermath was not. I had my apartment and door key on a key ring in my left shorts pocket wearing shorts and a ss tech shirt. I heard them jingling all the way up Seneca Ave. Well, by the time I got back to my apartment ... they had bounced out somewhere. I retraced my steps all the way back to Seneca Ave but could not see them in the gathering gloom and cold. It got a bit cold and windy during the time I was out hunting for my keys. I had to buzz the nice woman in C so I could get in. I must have looked like a sight! I was cold and shivering when I stopped concentrating on looking for my keys. She let me call maintenance for an emergency key which cost me $20. I need to get some extra keys made for sure. Next time I will run with my keys knotted in my sneakers! I walked my running route up and back on St. Paul Street and Titus Ave during the daylight on Friday with no results.

I ventured out to Newark on Saturday to fix my youngest son's laptop. He said that the LCD was gone. I had a similar laptop that wouldn't boot so I thought it was just a LCD transplant. Well ... it turned out that his video cable between the LCD and mainboard was severed so I had to replace the video cable. How did it get severed? Well, let's just say that he is rough on his stuff. I updated all the usual stuff and he was all set. I also headed out to the Wayne County Nursing Home to see my father. We watched the end of the last Nationwide race on ESPN2, link here.

I really need to unpack my apartment ... but I am procrastinating. That is one of my weaknesses.

Oh, I have started drinking coffee after all these years. Just at work and not straight black ... but if you add enough half and half it just tastes like bitter hot chocolate.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, November 2nd to Saturday, November 8th: 13.4 miles

I ran three times this week:

Sun: 6.2 miles, 48:42, Turkey Trot + 1.2, a little hard, 28F, sunny, calm, mild right knee pain, no stops, 7:51 pace
Fri: 4.4 miles, Fleet Happy Hour, a little hard, 55F, calm, mild right knee pain, no stops
Sat: 2.8 miles, Seneca Zoo run, easy, 55F, dusk, calm, mild right knee pain, no stops, 8:07 pace

The Sunday morning run was beautiful. It was shortly after 7AM just after the time change back to EST. The ground was frosty, the sun was coming up, it was calm and peaceful. The run just came out of me. I was thinking that this would be my last run from my house.

The Friday night run was pretty good. I broke away from the slow pack and just ran ... enjoying the night. I have found that I have to run my pace ... I can't run slow. My pace is usually 8 minute mile or a little better ... I guess it's because of my long legs. I met a woman afterward, we talked and exchanged contact info. I enjoyed the short drive back to my apartment.

I took a short run from my apartment to the Seneca Park Zoo and back on Saturday just to see how far it was. I must remember to take both my apartment key and door key next time ... having just my apartment key does not get into my door. Luckily, someone in my unit came ... after 30 minutes or so.

The past several days have been a blur of sorting, packing, moving and unpacking (more to do). I thought I had already gone through my stuff ... boy was I wrong! I ended up making several "Misc" boxes with who knows what in them! The move day was Wednesday with the help of a 24 foot U-Haul truck (I only rolled one curb), my ex, my youngest son and Pedro. It was a long day but I am 95% moved out of Newark and up to Rochester. All I did on Wednesday night was set up my bed, unpacked some clothes and crashed. Thursday, in typical guy fashion I set up the TV, electronics, stereo and internet first. The cable guy said he did that too ... it must be a guy thing. Then I watched a heart wrenching episode of Grey's Anatomy.

I am going to toss the stuff that I don't need ... which is quite a bit. Though talking about tossing stuff and actually tossing it are two different things.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, October 26th to Saturday, November 1st: 13.1 miles
Month of October: 73.8 miles, I ran 15 out of 31 days

I ran 3 times this week:

Sun: 3.7 miles, 30:58, Upstate XC Series #3, a little hard, 50F, sunny, calm, 8:20 pace
Wed: 5 miles, no time, zoo run, 40F, windy, easy, 40F, cloudy, windy, mild right knee pain
Fri: 4.4 miles, 31:52, FF Happy Hour run, a little hard, 55F, dusk, calm, mild right knee pain, 7:15 pace

I ran the Upstate XC Series #3 down at Ithaca College on Sunday morning. It was a beautiful fall day (50F, sunny, a little windy) after an all day rain on Saturday. The course was uphill for the first two miles (including up the local Mt. Everest) and then downhill back. The start was pretty congested ... someone fell behind me when we turned a corner. I finished in 30:58, 121st out of 131 males, results here. This XC Series attracts a fast group which was why I at the bottom of the group. Michael and her girlfriend, who go to Ithaca College were at the start and finish and invited me to a leisurely brunch before I headed back home. Oh, Michael's senior recital is Wednesday, April 9th at 9PM.


I gave blood for the 65th time on Wednesday after work. My pulse was 60, blood pressure was 120/70. If you want to give blood, go here to sign up.

I was busy all week looking for a one bedroom apartment up in Rochester. I looked at several and found one at Pine Ridge Crossing on Seneca Manor Drive in Rochester, website here. This apartment (with heat and water included) is the Taj Mahal compared to all the ones I have seen ... trust me. This will give me an opportunity to start over.

Those who know me know I have been living alone for a little over three years now, officially divorced for about four months ... afraid to make a decision about almost anything. I should have sold the house years ago. I have fixed it up as much as I could. Moving from this house will force me to downsize ... well, not unless I just start dumping stuff into boxes. So I will busy this weekend for sure.

Gas prices have continued to fall. I saw $2.79/gal in Palmyra and 2.88/gal in Newark on the way home on Friday from the FleetFeet Happy Hour run. According to www.rochestergasprices.com the cheapest is $2.52. I talked to my brother in Syracuse and he said that www.syracusegasprices.com says his cheapest gas price is $2.19/gal. Hey, anything under $3/gal is a bargain to me. My new apartment is 2 miles away from work. Newark is around 40 miles one way from work. If you crunch the numbers assuming that I will work 22 days/month, gas mileage of 25 miles/gal and gas price of $3/gal, I will save around $200/month. Now I will have to head out to Newark to see my children and out to Lyons to see my father but still I will be ahead. When gas goes back up to $4/gal (and you know it will) I will save even more.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, October 19th to Saturday, October 25th: 17.5 miles

I ran 3 times last week:

Mon: 5.5 miles, 41:58, a little hard, 55F, sunny, calm, mild right knee pain, no stops, 7:41 pace
Wed: 6 miles, 46:54, easy, 38F, light mist to sprinkle, windy, mild right knee pain, no stops, 7:49 pace
Fri: 6 miles, 46:28, easy, 55F, cloudy, windy, mild right knee pain, no stops, 7:45 pace

Lots of stuff going on. I will be moving up to Rochester shortly. I was busy apartment hunting this morning.

I had a coffee date at Tim Hornton's just as the all day rain was ending. She is an active woman but no spark on either end. There was a pretty rainbow as the sun set on the way home.

Gas prices continue to go down. It's $2.999 in Newark and more expensive in Palmyra at $3.099. Usually it is the other way around. But I am happy to see lower prices for sure!

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, October 12th to Saturday, October 18th: 23.9 miles

I ran 4 times this week:

Sun: 5.5 miles, 42:31, easy, 50F, sunny, calm, mild right knee pain, no stops, 7:43 pace
Tue: 5.5 miles, 42:23, easy, 55F, sunny, calm, mild right knee pain, no stops, 7:42 pace
Thu: 5.5 miles, 42:51, easy, 55F, sunny, calm, mild right knee pain, no stops, 7:47 pace
Sat: 7.4 miles, 1:32:07, Jensen Stables 12K, hills, mud, water ... oh my!

I just got back from the Jensen Stables XC Challenge 12K. It was chilly when I got there but it warmed up to 45F by 10AM. I wore shorts, a ls and ss tech top, hat and gloves. There were hills, a creek crossing with water up to our knees, mud, then lots of hills, then a pond crossing where you had to either swim across a 50 foot pond or take a penalty lap (I pulled myself across on the rope), more hills, a mudslide, more mud, more hills, a haybale obstacle and the finish. I had the usual mild right knee pain but disregarded it and plodded onward. I finished 92nd out of 116 in 1:32:07. Overall results here, age group results here. I brought a complete change of clothes and certainly needed them! The swag was a nice ss tech top along with some beads at the finish. There was a good feed afterward with pulled pork sandwiches, salt potatoes, cookies and cider catered by Beale Street Cafe. I christened my new Asic Gel Trabuco 11 WP trail shoes that I bought Thursday from the good people at Fleet Feet with the help of their $25 off coupon. They are certainly muddy now!

Just exiting the knee high creek crossing!

There was a lot of running going on in Rochester on Saturday. The Run for Hospice 5K had 673 runners, the Run for Hospice 10 Mile had 245 runners, the Black Diamond Duathalon had 126 runners/bikers and the Jensen Stables 12K had 116 runners. You can't say that Rochester doesn't have active people!

A mild reminder: I take running safety seriously. I wear reflective gear when I run during dusk. Please, runners ... make sure you are seen and can hear! You don't need to listen to music so loud that you can't hear someone coming up from behind you!

I like that gas prices are coming down ... sometimes very fast. I was on the way home on Thursday night and filled up in Perinton for $3.499. I was irked when I got to Palmyra and saw that gas was $3.299 there ... costing me $2.40. Gas was $3.199 in Newark when I headed out this morning.

A minor peeve ... it would be nice if married women wore wedding rings. I tried to hit on a runner around my age who wasn't wearing a wedding ring ... then she started mentioning her husband! How am I supposed to know?

Dating is so not happening. I just ended my paid subscription to fitness-singles.com. I had been on this site as tallrunner57 for 6 months ... I have met one woman there in the flesh, no date. I "met" 3 other women that I can email or call, no dates. I still think that internet dating is great for the type of women that I want to date, not so much for me ... though I have been wrong before. I do not want to date a BBW, I want to date an active, fit woman around my age ... I know she is out there.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, October 6th to Saturday, October 12th: 16.2 miles

I ran 3 times this week:

Tue: 5.5 miles, 42:14, a little hard, 55F, sunny, calm, right knee pain, no stops, 7:41 pace
Thu: 6.3 miles, easy, 60F, sunny, calm, right knee pain, 1 stop, 7:53 pace
Fri: 4.4 miles, 33:10, Fleet Feet Happy Hour, 65F, sunny, calm, started slow, right knee pain

I am still struggling with a pain in my right knee that I first started to feel during the marathon. It starts after I run about 2 or 3 miles. Eventually it gets to the point where I can't take a full stride. So I have shortened my usual run from 7 to 5.5 miles. It could be getting better. I ran this 5.5 miles this morning ... it was only a mild ache. Non-runners would say "why not just stop running until it heals?" ... runners would say "Huh?" I think I will just shorten my runs until it heals.

Speaking of marathons ... I wish I had run the Wineglass Marathon instead. I heard from DS that the running conditions were ideal ... cool and misty, she ran a 3:38. My realistic goal at Rochester was 4:00 and my "must beat" goal was 4:30 ... which I met by 23 seconds.

I went down to Ithaca College for Michael's Symphony Orchestra concert. It was held at Cornell's Bailey Hall ... filled to the rafters. They played "The Planets" by Holst while pictures were shown of the planets. It was a long day. I didn't get back to Newark until midnight.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, September 28th to Saturday, October 4th: 15.6 miles run

I ran 3 times this week:

Sun: 7 miles, 56:22, run around neighborhood, easy, 60F, sunny, calm, no stops, 8:03 pace
Tue: 5.5 miles, 43:14, run around neighborhood, easy, 60F, misty, calm, no stops, 7:52 pace
Sat: 3.1 miles, 21:36, Safe Journey 5K, 45F, hard, sunny, calm, no stops, 6:58 pace

I ran the Safe Journey 5K in Fairport this morning. I have a good history in this race ... I either pull a hamstring or set a PR the two times I have run it. Anyway, it was a perfect fall morning, 40F when I headed out. I got there in plenty of time. I wore my new Brooks pants and a long sleeve tech shirt along with light mittens and a hat. Race conditions were 45F, sunny, not a cloud in the sky, calm. The start was good, first mile in 6:39. I latched onto a guy who was running the same pace and just kept up with him for the rest of the way before passing him in the final stretch. I was just starting to get a bit tired but then I saw the lift bridge in the distance and kept it in gear with a kick at the finish. Result ... no stops, a PR of 21:36, 6:58 pace!! My first 5K of sub 22 and sub 7 pace! I was 24th overall out of 225 and 4th in my highly competitive 50-54 age group (5th place was 1 second behind me). Oh, as usual ... an excellent race by Fleet Feet of Rochester. Overall results here, age group results here.

You would thing that everything is OK in my running world ... you would be wrong. I still am troubled by a slight hamstring ache that gets worse when I run long. I didn't notice it in this 5K.

As I posted last week I have a new job. I am working as a contractor through Burns at Synergy. Synergy won a Printer Fleet Management contract with ITT to take care of all their printers. I will be working as a Printer Concierge taking care of the consumable needs of all the printers (paper, toner, etc) in 4 buildings. I, along with the break/fix engineer, will also be upgrading all the old printers to the Lexmark brand. So I should be keeping out of trouble.

I watched the vice presidential debates between Palin and Biden on Thursday night. It was more of the same ... the Republicans trying to spread FUD to stay in power and the Democrats trying to give America hope for the future. My feeling ... Obama 08, 12. I must say though that Palin did hold her own for the most part ... though sometimes she seemed too much like a McCain cheerleader.

Oh, stop the presses! The Buffalo Bills are 4-0 with wins over Seattle, Jacksonville, Oakland and St. Louis. Three of the wins have been fourth quarter comebacks to boot. They play in Arizona tomorrow.

Update: the Bill are now 4-1 with a loss to Arizona. A complete nightmare of a game with their QB knocked out on the third play.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, September 21st to Saturday, September 27th: 15.6 miles run

I ran three time this week:

Sun: 3.1 miles, 24:03, Upstate XC Series #1, a little hard, 60F, misty, calm, no stops, 7:45 pace
Wed: 5.5 miles, 45:17, Run around neighborhood, easy, 50F, sunny, calm, 1s, 8:14 pace
Fri: 7 miles, 56:28, Turkey Trot + 2, easy, 55F, cloudy, calm, no stops, 8:04 pace

Sunday, I ran the 5K Upstate XC Series #1 sponsored by Genesee Valley Harriers. I ran a 24:03 at Mendon Ponds, good for 207th out of 289, result here. It was a great day for a race, mild and misty ... a lot of fast runners were there!

The finish line is in sight!
Eating a raisin bagel with my eyes closed, lol!
Wednesday and Friday, runs around Newark. I am still trying to recover from the marathon. I can't really run long yet. I develop an ache in my right hamstring, sometimes in my right hip ... just like during the marathon. I don't want to take a week off to see if it heals, so I just get out there and run.

Saturday, I decided to get out and head down to the Naples Grape Festival, map here. It was a scenic drive down Route 21 from Canandaigua. There was a particularly beautiful spot in South Bristol with the south end of Canandaigua Lake on the left and cliffs on the right. I had never been down this way before. Anyway, the festival was pretty good. I just wandered around. There were loads of craft and food tents along with people having garage sales along the Main St in Naples. I bought a lot of grape things ... a pie, 2 turnovers, brownie, tart and several cookies (including a large grape chocolate chip). I also bought a loaf of zucchini bread, a bottle of maple syrup and some skin salve. It was a pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning and early afternoon ... I need to get out more, I don't need a woman to accompany me ... though one would be nice.

South Bristol - south end of Canandaigua Lake, just north of Naples
Meanwhile, I have been busy dejunking the house. I have been busy in my downstairs office.

Oh, my life of unemployment is over starting on Monday. More about this next week.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, September 14th to Saturday, September 20th: 34.3 miles run

I ran 3 times last week:

Sun: 26.2 miles, 4:29:37, slow, hot & humid, 70 to 85F, multiple stops, 10:17 pace
Wed: 3.5 miles, 37:56, easy, 70F, sunny, calm, multiple stops, 10:50 pace
Fri: 4.6 miles, 41:48, easy, 45F, sunny, calm, multiple stops, right knee problem, 9:05 pace

A tough week. Sunday was the Rochester Marathon. More about that in the previous blog entry.

Wednesday, I ran in the Dirt Cheap Trail Race #6. I was 60th out of 123, results here. I placed 7th out of 10 in my age group, age group results here. At the awards ceremony afterward I met a woman, KK, from f-s. She had run the Monster Marathon (a marathon run on trails) in Virgil a month earlier. Other women at her end of the table had run half an Ironman and a full Ironman ... I felt like I had entered the deep end of the women's running pool.

Friday, I tried to run my usual 7 miles. I had to cut it short. I developed a problem with my right knee. I could not raise my leg to take a long stride and was forced to trot/walk because of the pain. Recovering from the marathon is taking longer than I expected ... which is pretty frustrating since that is how I relieve my anxiety and frustration.

Karen is home from Houghton for the weekend. She has a bunch of work due next week but felt the need to be home for the weekend. I have not heard much from Michael since he has been at Ithaca except for a couple of emails and IMs. I am still taking David down to FLCC in the morning. It does give me a chance to talk to him ... when he is not doing his homework on the way there.

Keeping active, Doug

Rochester Marathon, 2009

Sunday, September 14th: 26.2 miles

I was on the road up to Rochester at 6:05AM, it was 72F, foggy and humid. I didn't sleep well, maybe 4 hours. The traffic around Frontier Field was dense but I knew a trick or two to bypass a bit of it.

The start was uneventful. The first 9.5 miles on the roads were OK ... however the sun came out about a mile before I made the turn onto the canal path for the next 14.5 miles. It rapidly got hotter and more humid ... by noon it was around 87F. A heat advisory was posted on the course and we were advised to slow down and hydrate. Any thought of a PR went out the window and all I thought about was finishing. I saw spots more than a couple of times so I was on the edge of keeling over. Everyone was having trouble with the heat and humidity ... plus I forgot my sunscreen. So ... I am a bit red in the face.

Well, besides the heat and humidity I was having my own problems. My right hamstring started hurting ... then my right hip started hurting ... then it became very painful to run. After about mile 12 or so I was starting to run a mile, walk a tenth. After about mile 18 or so I was starting to run a half mile, walk a quarter. After mile 22 or so, it was sheer willpower. By then trying to start up running after walking was sheer agony. But I wasn't going to quit, no way, no how. People have said that a marathon is an experience ... they are so right.

Note the gritted teeth and farmer's tan!
The finish line is in sight!
The bling!
I finished under 4:30:00 barely ... 4:29:37, 10:17 pace, 188th out of 556, overall results here, 10th out of 32 in my age group, age group results here, youtube video here. I needed a guiding hand at the finish ... I guess I didn't look so good. I really took my time drinking lots of water and getting some nutrition (mostly pizza) after the race. Not bad I guess for a 50 year old (51 in 2 days)! Everyone says that finishing in 4:30 under these conditions is an accomplishment so I guess I will take pride that I am part of the estimated 430,000 that complete a marathon every year!

After I got home I just collapsed on the bed. I texted a bunch of people my results and watched the Bills pull out a win over Jacksonville, 20-16. Later I went to see my father at the Wayne County Nursing Home. He likes that I visit him every Sunday. I was not going to let him down, though I did limp.

Keeping active, Doug

P.S. I watched the Channel 10 news and it reported that the marathon was shut down at 12:30pm at mile 20, news link here. I had been done for half an hour by then.

P.P.S. I had a fitful night of sleep. My right knee really hurt. I woke up around 4:30AM and iced it before going back to sleep. I will heal and I will run again.

Sunday, September 7th to Saturday, September 13th: 18.7 miles run

I ran 3 times this week as I tapered for the Rochester Marathon tomorrow morning:

Sun: 7 miles, 54:34, easy, 60F, sunny, perfect, no stops, 7:48 pace
Tue: 6.2 miles, 47:40, easy, 60F, cloudy, a little windy, no stops, 7:41 pace
Thu: 5.5 miles, 43:23, easy, 45F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:53 pace

Looking back: who would have thought that I would be running a marathon as I took my first runs about 5 years ago? I started running as a stress reliever ... we all know why. I think I weighed 182 pounds. My first race was the Newark Turkey Day 5 Mile Run way back in November 2005. I don't remember my exact time but I think it was around 48 minutes and change. I started to keep a yearly list of my races in 2006. As of today, I weigh between 157 and 159 pounds. I have run 1 race in 2005, 15 races in 2006, 11 races in 2007 and 5 races in 2008 for a total of 32. I started to keep my running spreadsheet on 9/12/06. I started to keep this running blog in January 2007. I have run 11 5Ks, 6 5 miles, 5 10Ks, 2 9 Mile, 2 15Ks, 3 20Ks and 2 Halfs. Most of my PRs have been set this year ... I really should run a 5K and a Half this year just for PRs. I would really love to break 22 minutes in a 5K.

I picked up my packet this morning. Tonight I will set out my stuff. Tomorrow is my first marathon at 7:30AM. The weather forecast for tonight is low of 69F, 70% chance of showers. Tomorrow is high of 82F, 60% chance of showers. I am nervous and excited. The second half of the marathon will be the test of my endurance and will.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 31st to September 6th: 27 miles
Month of August: 145.7 miles run, 90.8 miles bike, I ran 17, biked 4 out of 31 days

I ran 3 times last week, tapering for the big day next Sunday:

Mon: 13.8 miles, 1:56:08, easy, 60-72F, sunny, calm, 1st 7 miles in 55:10, 8th mile 12:15, 8:25 total pace
Wed: 6.2 miles, 48:09, easy, 70F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:46 pace
Fri: 7 miles, 57:27, easy, 80F, sunny, a little windy, humid, 2 stops, 8:14 pace

I did not bike this week.

I have been taking David to FLCC every day this week. I take him down and my ex takes him back. I did some shopping afterward one day. I bought a 352 CD carrier from Wal-Mart. I put all my OS, game, app and driver CDs in it ... they were in three shoeboxes before. I did some sightseeing also. Thursday, I took a 5 mile walk in Geneva along Seneca Lake all the way from the Ramada Inn to the marina at the other end of Seneca Lake State Park, map here. Friday, I waited for David at the Canandaigua pier. It was quite hot (90F) and windy ... just one day, today it is cooler and cloudy as Tropical Storm Hanna rockets up the east coast.

Canandaigua Lake - Canandaigua
I have been watching the Democratic Convention last week and Republican Convention this week. Both parties say they are the "party of change". McCain (aka McWar, McSame, McBush) and Sarah Palin (aka Sarah Barracuda, "Drill, Baby, Drill") ... No Way, Enough is Enough! I sure haven't heard anything but FUD ... fear, uncertainty and doubt about what the Democrats will do from the Republicans ... no plan of what they want to do about the economy, gas prices, jobs, Iraq, housing, etc. I could bore you but let me say that I will be voting for Obama. Any PUMAs who want to vote for McCain because they can't bring themselves to vote anyone but Hillary really should think about the consequences! OK ... some links, Bush Sucks Daily, Backwards Bush (Home of the ORIGINAL Bush Countdown Clock), Just More of the Same and Anti-Bush Links.

Today I sold the outdoor table and chairs that I listed on Craigslist. I have to relist the outdoor adult swing. I also started sorting and boxing the basement office stuff. I can only take so much before I have to take a break.

I am backing up my store bought DVDs with the proper application of DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0 (available here, installed first) and RipIt4Me 1.7.1.0 (available here).

Some might call this mean ... I saw a funny bumpersticker ... "If a fat chick falls in the forest, do the trees laugh?" I had the overweight wife who didn't want to exercise, don't want to go there. Trust me, there were many more reasons for my divorce. I wish my ex the best.

I want to find a woman who will support my fitness goals just as I will support her fitness goals. I have a profile as tallrunner57 on fitness-singles. Check it out if you want. Nothing is going on in the dating world ... I can hear crickets.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 24th to Saturday, August 30th: 21 miles run, 20.2 miles bike

I wish everyone an enjoyable Labor Day! I "celebrated" by running 13.8 miles in the morning. My last long run before the Rochester Marathon in less than two weeks. I did the first 7 in 55:10, 7:53 pace. I had some gu and water at the house then headed back out. I had some stomach cramps and could only do 12:15 for the next mile. I cranked out slow 8:15 to 8:30 miles the rest of the way to finish in 1:56:08, 8:25 pace. I was kind of stiff afterward with a slight pain in the back of my right thigh and Achilles tendon.

I ran three times last week:

Mon: 7 miles, 53:35, a little hard, 65F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:39 pace
Wed: 7 miles, 54:14, easy, 60F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:45 pace
Fri: 7 miles, 54:58, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:51 pace

I am worried about running the marathon in two weeks but I am committed ... or should be committed, I guess. I am concentrating on running easy, trying not to run for time.

I biked once last week. I rode my bike 20.2 miles out to Palmyra to give blood for the 65th time, www.donatebloodnow.org. My pulse was 44, blood pressure was 100/70.

Sunday: I helped cart some of my daughter's stuff down to Houghton College. I had a car load: a dorm refrigerator, beanbag, and stuff. I could have taken more ... but not much. I talked with LB down in DE on the way down. She will be moving to a new job in VA next month.

On the way back I decided to go to the DCA World Championship at Paetec Park, link here. I had a seat in last row of the upper deck, even with the goal line on the right side. There were 4 Class A corps in competition: SoCal Dream, Chops Inc, Fusion Core, Alliance. Alliance won with a 82.750. There were ten open class corps in competition: Rochester Crusaders (10th 83.738), CorpsVets (9th 86.763), Renegades (8th 89.675), Brigadiers (7th 90.013), Bushwackers (6th 93.425), Caballeros (5th 93.625 falling from 3rd), Hurricanes (4th 94.913, rising from 5th), Empire Statesmen (3rd 95.063, falling from 2nd), Minnesota Brass (2nd 96.513, rising from 4th), Buccaneers (1st 97.913). I may not be a judge but you didn't need to be to know that the Bucs won. They were simply astounding. Scores and recap, here.

Some links: DCI, DCA Corps, Drum Corps Planet, Band Videos.

I saw an interesting T-shirt for sale while I was heading to my seat in the nosebleed section ... the caption read "The older I get, the better I was". I prefer to think optimistically ... "The older I get, the better I will be".

Well, I have been alone in the house for a week now with just a cat for company. I have been keeping busy. I have boxed all of Michael's stuff. It's kind of heart wrenching when you box up games that you didn't have time to play back then and now you do. Now I am starting to box up my downstairs office. There is more to do for sure.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 17th to Saturday, August 23rd: 41.1 miles run, 21 miles bike

I ran 4 times this week:

Mon: 5.4 miles, 42:35, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:53 pace
Wed: 7 miles, 53:43, easy, 60F, sunny, a little windy, no stops, 7:40 pace
Thu: 7 miles, 53:13, a little hard, 60F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:36 pace
Sat: 21.7 miles, 3:18:00, easy, 70-85F, sunny, a little windy, multiple stops, 9:07 pace

My third long run was harder. My Garmin Forerunner 305 wasn't charged and I couldn't find my stopwatch so I put a clock in the garage to check my pace. I ran the first 7 miles with no stops in 54 minutes, 7:43 pace. I stopped at the house for two gels and water then headed back out. I ran the second 7 miles with no stops in 58 minutes, 8:17 pace. I was cranking out the miles for sure. I stopped at the house for another two gels and headed back out. Then I had problems. These gels didn't agree with my stomach. I had a sidesplitting pain in the side after running 200 yards that forced me to walk holding my side for at least a mile before I felt better and could run again. Plus it was getting hotter. When I started it was 70F when I got done it was 85F. I was really slow on this 7.7 miles with multiple stops, 1:17, 10:00 pace. The total time for 21.7 miles was 3:18, 9:07 pace. I think the gel that had 2X caffeine was the one that didn't agree with me. You run long, you learn.

I biked once this week on Tuesday, 21 miles around the neighborhood.

I have been watching a lot of the Olympics this week. I will definitely have withdrawal when the Olympics are over! Right now, I am watching the Mens Marathon live from Beijing. The lead guys are running 4:45 miles in mid 80s heat and humidity ... crazy fast!

I worked a little on the house this week. I pulled the crappy looking contact paper in the bathroom closet and put down removable contact paper in the dining room hutches (everything was sticking to the paint). Though none of this will matter in the long run.

I had a pleasant surprise on Friday ... a phone call from JK. She filled me in on what has been happening in her life. She wants her painting supplies back. She graciously let me borrow them last September. I did have them a rather long time. I took them back today. I will email her this week with what has happened in my life.

Michael is washing his laundry and packing his stuff. My ex and I will take him back to Ithaca College tomorrow morning. Next week is a trip to Houghton College to take Karen back.

Rant: People who drive should actually obey the traffic laws! One, don't talk on your cell phone while you are driving! A wired headphone if you don't have Bluetooth is fifteen bucks which can save you a $125 ticket! Two, look right before you turn right at a stop light or stop sign! I have given up thinking that anyone that is stopped see me unless I see them looking at me ... even then I am not sure. Three: give runners more room! This doesn't apply to everyone, just those who don't.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 10th to Saturday, August 16th: 36.4 miles run, 20.3 miles bike

I ran 4 times last week:

Mon: 6.2 miles, 46:49, pretty hard, 60F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:33 pace
Wed: 7 miles, 53:35, a little hard, 72F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:42 pace
Thu: 6.2 miles, 47:14, easy, 65F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:37 pace
Sat: 17 miles, about 142:00, easy, 65F, sunny, 54:30 @ 7, 105:20 @ 13.1, 8:21 pace

My second long run was pretty good. I had PowerBar Gel and water before I went out. Stopped at the house at mile 7 for more gel and water, 7:47 pace. I ran to 13.1 miles before walking, 8:03 pace. I stopped at the house at mile 14 for more gel and water, 8:05 pace. Then I went around the block for 3 more miles, stopping a couple more times, total of 8:21 pace. I had some tingling in my fingertips ... early signs of dehydration, so I decided to stop. I learned that I need to drink even more water and perhaps more gel since I did not have any breakfast before heading out.

I think I will do one more long run of around 20 miles before I dial back the mileage. I am prepping for my first marathon by the seat of my pants ... with a little help from Runner's World. I just run, baby ... exercise keeps me sane.

I biked once last week: Tuesday, 20.3 miles around the neighborhood.

I have been watching a lot of the Olympics ... Phelps fever has swept me over! The man is magical!! SI link here.

I had an interview through Burns at Synergy on Wednesday ... no word yet on the outcome. I stopped by Fleet Feet on the way home to get PowerBar Gel which they use at the Rochester Marathon.

I volunteered at the Sodus Point (located here) triathlon (0.45 mile swim, 13.1 mile bike and 5K run) today put on by Yellow Jacket Racing, results here. I was a road marshal on the corner of Red Mills and Shaker where the bikers come up a hill and turned right. This is the first time I have volunteered ... but I couldn't resist an email from Ellen of Fleet Feet looking for volunteers. After all, I have lost count of how many Fleet Feet races I have run! They are the best running store in Rochester! Who knows ... maybe I will start tris ... though I will definitely have to work on the swimming part! BTW, I know the 4th place finisher, Dennis Moriarty, ... 4th place at age 50 (didn't see him though).

Same old, same old on the dating scene ... a whole lot of nothing. I don't do the bar scene so I have tried internet dating with only some email friends to show for it. It is a bit frustrating but life goes on.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 3rd to Saturday, August 9th: 34.8 miles run, 29.3 miles bike

I ran 4 times last week:

Mon: 6.2 miles, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, 1 stop, 7:46 pace
Wed: 6.2 miles, easy, 70F, sunny, a little windy, 1 stop for traffic, 7:41 pace
Thu: 6.2 miles, easy, 70F, sunny, a little windy, no stops, 7:40 pace
Sat: 16.2 miles, easy, 62F, sunny, 55:17 no stops @ 7, 106:00 @ 13.1, 8:14 pace

The first long run since signing up the Rochester Marathon went well. It was 62F, cloudy, with little humidity. I had an Expresso Love Gu before I headed out. I ran the first 7 miles with no stops in 55:00, 7:51 pace. I stopped about 2 minutes for more gu and water and headed back out. I ran out to 13.1 miles before stopping again, approximately 106:00, 8:06 pace, unofficial PR by 5 minutes. Then I stopped every mile or so until I stopped. I am satisfied ... I was cranking out a 8:05 to 8:15 mile pace between miles 7 and 13.1, then slowed with some run, walk miles. Only ten more miles make a marathon. I think given good (read that as cool, not warm) conditions I could crank out a sub 4 hour marathon. But ... there is the whole "wall" that I have heard about that could throw all that out the window. Next weekend ... maybe 18 miles and the weekend after that 21 miles will help give more experience with the "wall". Oh ... I need to apply Body Glide next time ... trust me. I am a bit sore right now but nothing a good night of sleep won't cure.

I am thinking of running the Oak Tree half marathon down in Geneseo on Labor Day weekend as a training run. I ran it two years ago.

I biked once last week:

Tue: 29.3 miles, ride out to Canandaigua Rd in Macedon, easy, 75F, sunny, a little wind

I wanted another bike ride on Friday but it rained practically all day. A four hour soaking in the morning, then it would clear up, rain again and repeat. There was a waterspout on the lake off Webster in the morning. Newark had about 1.5 inches of rain according to Channel 10 news.

Nothing else going on. Some emails with a couple of women, no dates ... hopefully I haven't sunk into "friend" status. No job, no interviews. Only exercise keeps me sane ... thinking positive thoughts.

Michael quit his job at Ultralife on Tuesday. He is now busy practicing his trumpet upstairs while I am typing this. He will be going back to Ithaca College in a couple of weeks. The children living with my ex; Karen will be going back to Houghton College the week after and David hopefully will be going to Finger Lakes Community College.

The Beijing 2008 Olympics started last night. The opening ceremonies were quite impressive. I have been watching NBC coverage today while I rest from my long run. I plan on watching some online coverage from www.nbcolympics.com tonight.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, July 27th to Saturday, August 2nd: 30.8 miles run, 20 miles bike
Month of July: 102.7 miles run, I ran 15 out of 31 days; 160.1 miles bike, I biked 6 out of 31 days

I ran four times this week:

Tue: 6 miles, easy, 70F, sunny, calm, no stops
Wed: 6.2 miles, easy, 70F, cloudy, calm, 1 stop, 7:41 pace
Thu: 6.2 miles, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, 2 stops, 7:45 pace
Sat: 12.4 miles, a little hard, 70F, light rain, calm, some stops, 7:44 pace

I modified my running route this week in preparation of running the Phelps Sauerkraut 20K on Saturday. I ran the Turkey Trot route (going up the 88S hill twice).

I ran the Phelps Sauerkraut 20K today. I did very well, 65th, 8th in my age group, 7:15 first mile, 37:30 at 5 miles, around 77 min for 10 miles, finished in 95:48, a 7:42 pace, a PR by 9 minutes. The weather was perfect: 70F, calm, light rain for the first 9 miles! Many thanks to Body Glide for no nip burn. I felt pretty good with only a light pain in my left knee once or twice. Though I was glad to stop for sure! Results here, age group results here.

I just signed up for the Rochester Marathon! I beat the $10 increase by signing up today.

I biked once this week:

Mon: 20 miles, easy, 78F, cloudy, light sprinkle, did some shopping

I rode out to Division St in Palmyra and back. I returned a DVD at Blockbuster and did some shopping at Savalot on the way back.

I am still on my DVD watching kick. Blockbuster: The Illusionist and Lady Chatterly's Lover. The latter movie would have been a great one to watch with a gf.

Sunday, I went up to the ESL airshow. The USAF Thunderbirds were great! I tried to get video but had trouble with my camcorder. I did get one pic (not very good).

Tuesday, I went to Showplace 6 in Newark with my daughter to see Batman: The Dark Knight. Wow! If Heath Ledger does not win an Oscar for his role as the Joker there is no justice!

Saturday, after recovering from the 20K, I went over to Waterloo to see the "Pageant of Drums". Class A competition: White Sabers, Fusion Core, Carolina Gold, Kingston Grenadiers, and Excelsior. Open class competition: the host Brigadiers, Rochester Crusaders and the Empire Statesmen. The Fusion Gold won the Class A and the Statesmen won the Open competition, results here.

Keeping active, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, July 20th to Saturday, July 26th: 39 miles run, 10.3 miles bike

I ran 5 (yes, 5) times last week:

Sun, 7 miles, 55:21, easy, 75F, light to heavy rain, humid, no stops, 7:54 pace
Tue, 7 miles, 54:16, easy, 70F, cloudy, humid, light rain, no stops, 7:45 pace
Wed, 7 miles, 53:56, a little hard, 70F, cloudy, light rain, no stops, 7:42 pace
Fri, 7 miles, 55:38, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, 3 stops, 7:57 pace
Sat, 11 miles, 89:35, easy, 70F, sunny, a little windy, 3 stops, 8:06 pace

Until the middle of the week, it was hot, hazy and humid with lots of rain and thunderstorms (sometimes twice a day). It dried out on Friday and the first part of Saturday. I don't like running in the sun and heat so I tried to run in the rain. The rain on Sunday was quite nice ... sprinkles to light rain to heavy rain to light rain to nothing by the time I stopped. I ran a nice 11 miles on Saturday. I will sign up for the Phelps Sauerkraut 20K next Saturday. I am running pretty good right now.

I biked once this week:

Mon, 10.3 miles, 53 minutes, a little fast, 75F, cloudy, humid, no stops

I wasn't going to go out ... but I felt like a slug so I hopped on the bike around 8PM and rode around my usual running route.

I have been losing weight lately ... down to 156 last week. So I have started to eat ice cream after supper. I weigh around 158 now.

I am still trying to find someone online. Still no dates yet. I am chatting on Fitness-Singles.com and via email. Nothing ... not much hope either ... from www.plentyoffish.com or www.singlesnet.com. Meeting someone that I want will be difficult: blond (preferred), around my age, weighs less than I do and exercises (no couch potatoes allowed). I am willing to travel.

I have been on a major movie watching kick this week. From www.movie6.net (yes, the illegal way): Hell Boy II and Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D. From the Redbox: 21 and 10000 BC. From Blockbuster: Absolute Zero, Species: The Awakening, Starship Troopers and Starship Troopers 2.

Oh, I was a finalist in the Fox951 40,000 gallons of gas contest today. I, along with 41 other finalists, headed out to LeBrun Toyota in Canandaigua. Basically, you had to roll 6 dice and try to spell out GALLON ... which no one did. I did get a $25 gas/merchandise card from GettyMart and a Led Zeppelin - Mothership CD. I saw a Toyota Prius Hybrid (48/45) there ... the list price was only $24,300! Of course there were other gas guzzlers there ... a Sequoia (13/17) costing $51K took the cake!

Milestones: my youngest son, David, turned 19 on Thursday. He celebrated by going to the Turning Stone Casino.

Keeping active, Doug

P.S. Can you believe that Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones turned 65 today?

Sunday, July 13th to Saturday, July 19th: 14 miles run, 58.6 mile bike

I bought a new pair of size 13 Brooks Men's Adrenaline GTS 8 Running Shoe from Fleet Feet.

I ran twice last week:

Thu: 7 miles, 54:55, easy, 75F, light rain, calm, 1 stop, 7:51 pace
Sat: 7 miles, 57:53, easy, 75F, sunny, humid, 4 stops, 8:16 pace

I biked twice last week:

Wed: 29.3 miles out to Ca Rd, 2:30:00, easy, 80F, sunny, calm
Fri: 29.3 miles out to Ca Rd, 2:37:00, easy, 85F, sunny, calm

The last part of the week was HHH: hot, hazy and humid. The highs on Thursday and Friday were in the 90s, Saturday just a little less but just as humid. I don't like running when it is HHH.

Rant ... Internet dating sucks! Trying to get a woman to respond to your initial inquiry, then chat is very hard ... much less meet and then date! Then there are women who once you get to the chatting stage seem to analyze your chats to find a reason not to meet you in person. I do not want to just chat with a woman ... I want to meet and date them. I have rejoined Fitness-Singles.com. I am willing to travel to meet a woman since it seems that the women that I want to date are not local. Rant off!

What do I want? My profile is simple ... I want to meet a woman who values exercise as much as I do. I do not want a couch potato (had that, didn't like it). I want a woman who weighs less than I do (157 pounds). I am a normal guy who enjoys the usual: finding the comic side of life (of which there is plenty), hugs, kisses, holding hands, sunsets and nice conversation between two people.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, July 6th to Saturday, July 12th: 19.3 miles

I ran three times this week:

Sun: 7 miles, easy, 80F, sunny, humid, 5 stops, 8:12 pace
Thu: 7 miles, easy, 75F, sunny, a little windy, 1 stop, 7:54
Sat: 5.3 miles, easy, 80F, sunny, right hamstring problem after 2.5 miles, walked in

A week of frustrations. I didn't bike because of a left quad problem. Very humid on Sunday so I walked when I had to. A right hamstring problem on Saturday so I had to run-walk in. I think my right hamstring problem is because I need to buy new running shoes one half size larger. My middle right toe is hitting the end of the toe box.

I watched a lot of movies this week from the Redbox at Wegmans: The Bucket List, Vantage Point, Fool's Gold, Rambo, Jumper and Meet the Spartans.

More frustration on the friend front thanks to MK from Clarkson. I try to be nice as the day is long, try to say what I mean. I drove all the way out there, getting there around 4PM on a Friday night. I helped MK with her back yard, hauling lots of mulch (about 2.5 cubic yards) while she spread it. We had a nice steak dinner with a nice dessert and coffee afterward. She made an offer (not what you are thinking) that I will need in the coming months then retracted it less than a day later due to a personal problem which she will not tell me about. Some emails flew back and forth. Why can't people say what they mean and think before they speak? Granted that I shouldn't be the one to talk since I have been accused on this from time to time. Oh, well. L down in Olean and DS in Kingston are still friends I chat with.

Keeping active (or at least trying), Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, June 29th to Saturday, July 5th: 12 miles run, 96.5 miles bike
Month of June: 69.8 miles run, 220.7 miles bike

I ran twice this week:

Tue: 7 miles, a little hard, 75F, cloudy, no stops, 7:46 pace
Fri: 5 miles, Fairport Firecracker, hard, 70F, sunny, calm, 1 stop, 7:20 pace PR

I ran the Fairport Firecracker 5 Mile Run on Friday morning, July 4th. The hills of Fairport were higher than I remembered. I went out fast at a 7:04 first mile and held it together with a tiny stop and finished in a PR of 36:39 by 55 seconds, 7:20 mile pace, results here. I finished 96th out of 552, 5th in my age group. I still have some kick left in me ... lol!

I biked three times this week:

Mon: 25.3 miles, bike to Quaker Rd, easy, 65F, cloudy, no stops, 5:34 pace
Wed: 29.9 miles, bike to CA Rd, easy, 70F, sunny, calm, 1 stop, 4:59 pace
Sat: 41.3 miles, bike to Fairport, easy, 75F, sunny

I biked all the way to Fairport to buy a rear view mirror from RVE Bike and Skate. I got one that I will have to stick in my left handlebar end. I stopped at Mulconry's Irish Pub & Restaurant for a Turkey Toastie and Diet Pepsi before heading back. My butt and left quad were sore when I got home.

Well, I am officially divorced as of July 3rd ... I received my official papers. I have a bottle of chilled champagne still ready to drink. You see, I gave up drinking about two or three months ago. I just decided that it really wasn't for me any more. I mean it's expensive ... even if you drink at home, you have to be careful to not drink and drive, it is not healthy for you and it makes you go to the bathroom ... a lot. That's what did it for me.

I am still looking for a woman who shares my interest in exercise. I am chatting with L down in Olean who has a hot tub ... excellent for soaking sore muscles. DS up in Kingston has decided that she wanted to chat with someone closer and LB down in DE just wants a running friend. My membership in Fitness-Singles has lapsed for the time being.

Keeping active, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, June 22nd to Saturday, June 28th: 21 miles run, 59.6 miles bike

I ran three times this week:

Mon: 7 miles, a little hard, 75F, a little shower, rainbow, no stops, 7:33 pace
Thu: 7 miles, easy, 80F, sunny, humid, 1 stop, 8:04 pace
Sat: 7 miles, easy, 78F, very humid (78%), 3 stops, 8:00 pace

The Monday run was a great one. I heard rumbles of thunder when I headed out. I saw a rain shower up ahead on Filkins Road. I ran into it, it quit and the road just steamed ahead of me. Then there was a rainbow! The other two runs were during some hot and sticky days. I am listening to my body and walking when I need to in the heat.

I biked twice this week:

Wed: 29.3 miles out to Macedon, a little hard, 75F, sunny, calm, 1 stop, 4:58 pace
Fri: 29.3 miles out to Macedon, out hard, back easier, 80F, cloudy, 1 min stop, 4:57 pace

My longest bike ride now is 29.3 miles out to Canandaigua Rd past Macedon. Main St in Fairport is only 6.5 more miles. The past two times I have gone by Lock 30 in Macedon on Wednesday I have heard the Towpath Volunteers practicing.

I gave blood for the 63rd time on Tuesday in Palmyra on the way home. My pulse was 56, blood pressure was 112 over 70.

I am chatting with DS in Kingston on Fitness-Singles.com. She is quite a busy woman. We went out running at roughly the same time on Saturday morning. I thought of her running in the rain. I wonder if she thought of me while I was running in the heat and humidity of Newark?

Well, I am out of work yet again. I got a call from Adeccco that my contract with EK had been terminated. I could see it coming but hoped it would not be me.

Keeping active, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, June 15th to Saturday, June 21st: 27.3 miles run, 63.8 miles bike

I ran 3 times this week:

Sun: 10.3 miles, slow, hot, sunny, 80F, 3s, 9:03 pace
Wed: 7 miles, a little fast, 70F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:39 pace
Fri: 10 miles, easy, 75F, sunny, a little windy, 1 stop, 8:06 pace

I biked 3 times this week:

Tue: 26 miles out to Macedon, steady, 60F, light mist, 1 stop, 1 ps, 5:26 pace
Thu: 18.9 miles out to Palmyra, a little fast, 60F, cloudy, calm, 1 stop, 5:04 pace
Sat: 18.9 miles out to Palmyra, average, 70F, cloudy, calm, no stops, 5:17 pace

I amped up my exercise this week. I kind of enjoy getting out there every day. I accessorized my bike with a rear view mirror (need another one, doesn't work well), a bell (ring, ring) and a wireless speedometer (all kinds of data: speed, distance, time, calories, temp).

Tiger Woods is the man ... even on one leg. He won the US Open in a playoff, then sudden death on Monday. Then he revealed that he played against his doctor's orders ... he had trouble with the ACL in his left knee plus two stress fractures in his left leg. No wonder that Jack Nickalus once said, "Tiger Woods plays a game with which I am not familiar". Related story here and profile here.

Well, the Celtics won the NBA finals, story here. They blew out the Lakers in Boston on Tuesday night by 39 points to win 4-2, story here. The big three of the Celtics were too much, story here. Kobe needs more help, story here.

I am chatting with DS in Kingston on F-S. She is quite the bike rider ... a 100K ride in 3.5 hours! I am out of my league with my POS bike. My long bike ride so far is 26 miles in 2:21 ... a whole bunch slower once you plod through the mile-km conversions. But we are both active for sure. I wish we didn't live so far apart ... four hours is a bit of a drive.

Keep running, Doug

Hmmm ... now that I am running and biking my blog is misnamed and my end phrase is off. Oh well. Things change. My legs can't take running all the time and I do like biking. Cross training is good for you. Now if I could start working my upper body too.

Hi all,

Sunday, June 8th to Saturday, June 14th: 12.5 miles run, 57.7 miles bike

I ran twice last week:

Tue: 7 miles, a little fast, 75F, light rain, calm, no stops, 7:47 pace
Fri: 5.5 miles, slow, hot & humid, 80veF, 65%, 4 stops, 8:28 pace

Friday's run was awful. It was hot and very humid. I didn't carry water. I had to stop after 3 miles and then ran, walked in ... cutting it short to 5.5 miles.

I biked three times last week:

Sun: 19 miles, a little fast, 85F, sunny, windy, 1 stop, 5:08 pace
Wed: 19 miles, a little fast, 70F, sunny, 1 stop, 5:09 pace
Thu: 19.7 miles, easy, 70F, sunny, calm, 1 stop, 5:18 pace

The distances on the bike are approximate. I keep on forgetting to press my lap button after I start back up from my rest stop in Palmyra. I keep on pushing my distance ... going farther and farther with my POS bike. I need to get a car bike carrier.

Newarkfest was this weekend. I walked down on Saturday night to get supper. I got something different ... a steak and cheese sandwich with a strawberry sundae for dessert. I listened to a country rock band by the name of Flint Creek while I people-watched and looked for people I knew. I saw Aunt Eleanor and Uncle Bud and her daughter Mary and her husband Steve. I saw Ron Ambros who cautioned me about internet dating. I saw Ellie Eckert who graduated with my sister Diane. She gave me her number to give to Diane. Hopefully, Diane will give her a call. Then I saw some fireworks. It is really something to see how other people don't take care of themselves ... overweight and smoke to boot! Just digging their own grave I guess.

I saw the tail end of Tiger Woods third round at the US Open, then all the replays. The guy is simply amazing. A bad shot off the tee into the rough on the 13th, a shot on the green 65 feet away, then drains an eagle putt that broke about 3 feet left to right. 14th - bogey, 15th - par, 16th - par. A shot in the rough on the 17th, chips in on one bounce for a birdie. A shot in the rough on the 18th, a shot onto the green 30 feet away, drains another eagle putt that broke about 5 feet left to right. The result ... he came from 5 shots down to leading by 1. All this in the first tournament after getting surgery on his knee!

I am chatting with DS in Kingston on Fitness-Singles. She is into the same things I am ... running and biking (a lot farther with a better bike) plus swimming. It is amazing how you can feel a mutual connection with someone you have only chatted, texted and talked with. I hope there is mutual chemistry between us. Hopefully I will be making a visit soon.

Keep running, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, June 1st to Saturday, June 7th: 14.5 miles
Month of May: 70.7 miles, 11 out of 31 days

I ran twice this week with a bike ride in the middle: 14.5 miles run, 15.3 miles bike

Mon: 5.5 mile run, slow, 78F, sunny, calm, 3s, 8:20 pace, right hamstring tight
Thu: 15.3 mile bike, a little fast, 80F, cloudy, humid, 1 stop, 5:13 pace
Sat: 9 mile trail run, easy, 80 to 90F, sunny, windy, 10:20 pace

I ran the Power Bar Trail Run at Mendon Ponds this morning put on by Fleet Feet Rochester. The nicest running store in Rochester in my opinion, where they know you by name. I chose to run the 4.5 mile loop twice for 9 miles. Race conditions were sunny, about 80F at the start and humid but it was windy and the trail was shaded. I took it easy and walked the hills if I needed to. I ran a 1:32:45, a 10:18 pace. I did take a wrong turn on the second loop. I made a right turn when I jumped down to a main trail and proceeded along until I came to an unmarked Y and figured out that I was headed in the wrong direction. So I backtracked ... I estimate that I lost about 3 minutes. Part of the fun of running trails out by yourself ... I got so tired that I totally didn't see the cones that pointed me to the left. It was a great run with about 170 runners. The 9 mile overall results are here. The age group results are here. I did pretty well ... I was 37th out of 74 and third in my 50-54 age group.

My bike ride on Thursday was out to the Swifts Landing Park and back on the Erie Canal trail. I wanted to exercise but didn't want to run.

I think I will continue to mix up running and biking. I definitely don't want to hurt myself running like I did last summer. So I think twice a week running and twice a week biking will be my plan for a while. I definitely want to run the Rochester Marathon in September. Then I can say that I ran a marathon. I will be still 50 (by 2 days).

Well, I need to take a shower. My lower legs are still covered in trail dirt. LOL!

Keep running, Doug

Update: My chatting on Fitness-Singles.com is picking up. But there is a difference between chatting and meeting in real life.