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