Pushing Limits

Goals for 2012

2012-01-31T08:47:00.002-06:00

These were my goals for 2011, FYI - I didn't meet any of them:

So here is what I got, before I turn 34 on 16 Nov 2011:

Bench Press 3 wheels. That's 315lbs (this will be pretty easy)
Squat 4 wheels. That's 405lbs (just did 315 yesterday, this will be easy too)
Deadlift 5 wheels. That's 495 lbs. (just did 405 today, shouldn't be too bad)
Run a 5 minute mile. (This will be freakin hard)
Run a sub 6 pace 10K. (this will suck ass too)
Run a 3:10 marathon, i.e Boston Qualifier. Planning for San Antonio Marathon 13 Nov.
25 Pullups. (I can do about 15 now if I really try, maybe)
Get down to 170 - 175 lbs range in body weight. Thats 25 to 30 lbs down from now.
Drink no more that 6 beers a week. That will be down from like 30+ a week

So we'll just try these again in 2012.

BadAss Half-Marathon

2012-01-30T15:21:00.001-06:00

So I ran a 6:47 pace at the 3M half marathon in Austin yesterday. 1:28:52.

That officially puts me in BMF status.

Ode To Adipose

2012-01-17T22:07:00.004-06:00

It's not you,
It's the adipose I loathe
Slim and lean,
Without adipose, Whom I betroth
Under your skin, a growth
However slightly of adipose
Smoothly rounding, skin glowed
Subcutaneous adipose
Later, above your knees
Cottage cheese I did see
Adipose around your waist,
Adipose in your face,
My favor displaced
Adipose in your wrists
Can you even make a fist
Baby, It's the adipose I loathe

101 Hill Repeat Challenge

2011-07-04T14:26:00.003-05:00

What a good way to spend the 4th of July morning. Jaime and I did hill repeats. Not sure how many Jaime got, but I did 76. Had about 6742 ft. of gain, 12.2 miles, in 4 hours. Not bad, for our first time. Looking to do this again 1st Saturday of August, if you're interested.

Monday Updates

2011-06-27T15:13:00.002-05:00

Got in about 55 miles last week, post San Juan Solstice. Not bad coming off a 100 mile week. Started on Wednesday, need a few days rest cause quads were still a little sore. My typical minimum run is 6 to 8 miles. So I felt those 8 on Wednesday. Did some other stuff through the week. Had a nice 10 up in Keller, TX on Sat. Ran 18 on Sunday. I am liking 2 a day workouts. 6 to 8 in the morning, and 6 to eight in the evening.

Went up to DFW over the weekend. Hung out with my buddy Bill as he was working on his motorcycle. Pretty rockin, custom bike. He's trying to get it ready for Sturgis this year. Also did some dancing with friends on Friday.

Love the new car. G37 Sport Coupe. Runs like a dream, drives like a dream!

Stopped through Austin on Sunday. Had lunch with Wade and JoAnna. Good folks. Finally down to 175lbs. I'm looking pretty lean now, finally. Going for 8 more, to get under 170. My weight in the Army (18 to 22 y/o) was always between 170 and 174. At 168, I should be able to run pretty good. It's getting way easier already, now that I'm 20lbs lighter. Need to get some iron in, help hold the muscle. Going to throw in a protein shake every night about 1 AM. That should do the trick and lean me out real nice over the next two weeks. I've got Tahoe 100 coming up and I would like to be 170 for this race. Shooting for sub-30 hours in a mountain 100 that has 22k of gain. Sub-24 would be awesome, but prob not at this point.

I'm on day 16 of alcohol freedom. That's a major step for me. Been 12 years since I did that. Only because we were deployed to Saudi in summer of '99 and you can't have alcohol there. My goal is 21 days, so I have to make it Sunday this week. It's not so bad once you give it up. It's not like you're really giving anything up, it's more like getting more. More out of life.

San Juan Solstice 50M

2011-06-21T16:15:00.004-05:00

Went up to Colorado. Lake City exactly. I love the San Juan mountains, so back in Jan or Feb when the race opened up, I signed up again. I DNF out here last year. Since I didn't get into Hardrock, this will probably be the only time this year that I will be in the San Juans so I think I made the most of it.

Six weeks ago I barely made it out of the Grand Canyon on our R2R2R adventure. May 6th. I was not training and was drinking a whole bunch.
On Saturday, I ran a 13:29:40. I got there the day before the race. Took it slow the first 22 miles, feeling things out. Ate Zone bars and shot blocks and drank water, had about 20 S-Caps.

Needless to say, I am very pleased with my performance. Took it steady till mile 22 aid station, then started to pick up steam. From there till the end, I ran all sections that were not the actual 2 remaining climbs. Ran on the divide, the whole way. Running at 12,000 feet will make your heart beat. Passed about 20 people in the last 10 mile section, was running the downhills about 7 minute pace or faster. Pretty good since I started training on May 13th. I was alcohol free for 6 days leading up to the race. I'm at 10 days now. Also at 180lbs, down from 195 when we were at the Grand Canyon.

That is all!

Good Weekend

2011-06-13T10:09:00.003-05:00

Went up to Southlake (north Ft. Worth) over the weekend. Actually left on Thursday night.
My boss works out of our Southlake office, plus it's a rather large office with quite a few employees. We have a corporate gym there with 2 trainers on staff. Since I'll probably be up there once a month, I went ahead and joined the gym. It's like 15$ a month, so shouldn't hurt the pocket book to bad. haha I took some of my Pavel training videos up there for them. Some professional development. Since I've been hitting iron for like 22 years and thought that Pavel knows what he was talking about, I figured they might get some use out of them. I hope I get them back though, they are about 40$ a piece.

Did an interval speed workout on the treadmill on Friday morning about 4 miles, and BS'd with the trainers a bit. They are pretty knowledgeable and fun to hang out with. Also did some deep front squats to help keep my hips flexible and loosened up. On Friday afternoon, I did a faster interval workout on the TM, where I went .5 miles at 8 min pace and .5 at 7 min pace, or something like that. Ended up with a 45 minute 10K. Not bad, getting some turn over.

Later on Friday, I went over to the 24Hour Fitness in Southlake to meet my buddy Bill. He was planning on doing some heavy deadlifts. I walk in and he's pulling 405 for 4 reps. So I was like man, that looks like fun!! I never lift with a belt, but I've pulled 385 plenty of times in the last 2 months, so I borrowed his belt, and pulled 405 for 2 reps. hhaha

Saturday was good, got to catch up with my buddy Rick and his two brothers. These boys are crazy. We always going skiing together every year and have a good time. Checked out where Bill is building his motorcycle at. Good shop, good folks down there. Later, I went over to McKinney to attend my step-mom's retirement get together. It was real nice, over at Rick's Chophouse in old downtown McKinney. Was able to BS some and spend a some time with my little sister. She is awesome and is making her way out there in life with fabulous success. After that, went dancing at Cowboys Arlington. Meet some friends out there, some lovely Louisiana girls. Spent all night dancing the two step! I used to do this all the time, but in the last 3 or so years I've not gone very much. So it was a real treat for me. Only had 1 beer, if you can believe that. Drank a ton of water though, b/c I was sweating like crazy!

Woke up early on Sunday, and went to church with Bill. He's into that quite a bit, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to go check it out. They had a good message. The message was, Ask God to change your heart, not your behavior. Pretty good.

Class of 1996

2011-06-07T21:55:00.004-05:00

We had our 15 year class reunion over the weekend. Coming from a small town, these are usually a pretty cool thing to go to, because you kinda know everybody. Figured I write up a little something to commemorate the event. Maybe you like it, maybe you dont:

Can you believe we're here
We've faced fears, cried tears
We drank a few beers
Through these years

Our hearts soften, those jeers of yesteryear
Listening intently do we hear, a cheer
Through these years

The good times, we'll hold dear
But our loved ones, we'll hold near
Through these years

Book Review - Selfish Path to Romanc e

2011-06-07T05:20:00.002-05:00

Just finished up reading: The Selfish Path to Romance: How to Love with Passion and Reason.
What an awesome book. Here is the review I wrote for my Living Social: Books account.

I consider this book as must read for any one person or couple if they are seriously interested in establishing a relationship based on mutual respect, which will ultimately be both rewarding and fulfilling. The books has case study examples and at the end of each chapter, it has a workbook style format with questions that help you understand the ideas presented in each chapter. From our typical understanding of the word "selfishness" you may be put off somewhat. We often think of love as selfless and how we should sacrifice for others to prove out love, etc... This book throws those archaic relationship defeating ideas right out of the window and help you start anew, with an approach grounded in logic and reason. It is only through the use of our mind, can we reach the fullest expression of our humanity.

Here are some highlighted takeaways, from the book.

Romantic love is a strong, emotionally intimate relationship between consenting adults that combines an intense valuing of a partner on the deepest level and the enjoyment of sexual pleasure with that partner.

It is no accident that one of the most painful complaints you can make about your partner is that "He/She" makes me feel invisible, unimportant, like I don't exist.

Being "good" by sacrificing one's values destroys happiness and romance.

The code of sacrifice promises happiness by advocating a contradiction: the demand that one give up that which makes happiness possible.

Loving a narcissist is a frustrating, painful and ultimately heartbreaking experience, because they have unlimited wants but nothing positive to offer another person

True love is egoism a deux - egoism for two.

Real love is based not on mystery or fantasy but on causality. People want to be loved for specific reasons.

Anyone who wants to establish a long-term relationship is faced with the question: What's essential in a partner for my happiness?

The Platonic view that sexual enjoyment is shameful or wrong is profoundly insulting and unjust. Your body - with its capacity for sexual pleasure - is neither good nor evil; it is a fact of your nature. You are born with it, and this it's outside your realm of choice. To feel condemned for your sexual capacity is to make a mockery of morality.

A woman of substance surely wants to hear something profound about why she is loved - something specific about her character, mind, values, and way of approaching her career and life.

Alright, so get out there and get this book!

May Training Updates

2011-06-03T10:32:00.003-05:00

Didn't post much in May. So what.

The Month started off slow, but did R2R2R so that was cool.

Started training seriously on the 13th of May. Was working out of our Southlake office at work. They have a corporate gym there with trainers on staff. I don't use trainers. I've been pumping iron for 22 years, and run 100 mile races. I'm not sure exactly what they would be able to teach me. Maybe something I guess. Most times, when I'm motivated, it's internal motivation so I'm not looking for accountability or to have someone cheer me on or yell at me.

Started cleaning up my diet, and working out up to 5 times a day, 3 weight workouts, 2 runs. Not every day with 5 workouts, but everyday I have done something. Averaging about 10 to 13 miles a day running. Half-marathon a day will keep the doctor away!!

All that running gives you time for some introspection, so I've been doing some of that. Probably will write up a story about it in the coming weeks.

Going to start a 7 day hemp powder shake and fruit and vegetable diet on Sunday. See how that works. I was able to put on my jeans today and feel comfortable, w/o to much dunlap disease. Really hoping to get to 175 by end of June and under 170 by mid July. Haven't been that light since '98. Should be a running machine at 165 being as how I've been running at 185 to 195 for the last 4 years.

So. I'm pretty motivated right now, I hope it lasts.

LDS - Review

2011-05-22T20:03:00.002-05:00

Just completed reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism
I figured I'd write a review. Not sure who all has checked out the LDS faith, but it is a compelling faith. I sometimes post things on this blog that are of a religious nature, but not too often. You may be wondering why I decided to pick up this book.

I recently met a person, who in the first 5 minutes, absolutely captivated me. From her countenance and posture to her positive, friendly attitude she exuded confidence. The feeling is probably not mutual, but nevertheless I was intrigued. Well turns out she is a member of the LDS faith, so that's what prompted me to check out the book.

This review is not an attempt to explain LDS faith, per se, but I wanted to point out a few of the things I learned which I am in agreement with, and which I think are positive aspects of the LDS faith. (NOTE: I didn't really find anything I thought was negative.)

First is the concept of Original Sin. This concept holds that we are all born sinners and that man is born pre-determined a sinner. The LDS don't believe this, I don't either. If we were there would be no reason for free will or Christ for that matter.

Second is the concept of free will. With out free will, we could not be accountable for our actions because we had no choice. Free will is a concept embraced by LDS. The LDS focus more attention to the time Jesus spent praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, as opposed to other Christians that wear crucifixes symbolizing Jesus' death. This focus puts primacy on the concept of free will, and the importance of choice. Whether we choose wrongly or rightly, we must choose between a choice of alternatives. There is no getting around this, its the basic axiom of our condition as human beings. When you make no choice, you have inadvertently chosen. Through our actions we demonstrate our values. Whether our actions are in harmony with our short and long term interests is a subject for another posting.

Third is the equality between men and women. The LDS see all people as equal in God's eyes. Men and women may have different responsibilities, but one is neither held in a higher or a lower position. The differing responsibilities are complementary.

Fourth is the concept of eternal family. The LDS place immense value on family. From rearing children, fidelity, etc... In the LDS concept of the afterlife, we will be re-united with our family in God's presence. I didn't have the best family life growing up. I was able to see a lot of the wrongs things to do, and some good ones. For me, the family unit complete with the mother and father, is irreplaceable and a necessary part of raising children.

Fifth is consistency of the Church. The LDS has an established program that promotes stability in thought, worship, and actions so that all members regardless of where they have come to the faith, can feel a sense of togetherness and shared heritage.

There are plenty of gems in this book, I only wanted to point out a few things in this blog posting. If you're interested, I say pick up the book and give it a whirl, you may be surprised.

Grand Canyon Report

2011-05-22T13:17:00.003-05:00

Hey y'all. I was supposed to write this a few weeks back, but I've been busy. A whole, big group of us from Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and some other places met up and decided it would be a fantastic idea to run all the way across the Grand Canyon and back in one day, about 50 retards. We all need medication.

Flew out with the San Antonio group, Tom, Kelli, Joe T., and Brian. Had fun BS'n. Waited around the airport b/c Kelli's luggage was misplaced. Finally, Jamie from Houston showed up at the airport in Phoenix about nine A.M. He was traveling up to the canyon alone, so I rode with him.

Stopped and picked up a sixer for myself, since I wasn't driving. Probably about 10AM. Jamie and I rode up to the canyon, hit the grocery store for supplies and a phone charger in Flagstaff, and some more beer. The lady at the Verizon store gave us all the details about the park, she used to be a ranger there. It was like hanging with family! Anyway, went in the east gate, and drove along the canyon up to where the hotel was.

Met up with Naresh who drove in from Cali. Crazy Indian! We spent the afternoon, shootin the shit, and drinking beers. Bedded down about 8 or 9 PM.
About 3:30 AM we hit the south rim trail head, all of the other folks had taken off so Jamie, Naresh, and I began our descent into Hades.

It was dusty as hell, I was in the back of our group eatin dust. The trail has erosion prevention posts all over, I can't see shit. My lights not good. Either bad batteries or I'm just getting old and need more light. Never fell down, but was worried about it as we were running down.

Got to Indian Springs, tripped on a rock which tweaked my ankle, let out a boisterous yell of "mother fucker". I didn't realize there were folks sleeping in tents about 10 feet away. Some guy yelled at me, go figure, it happens all the time. Stopped to fill up my handheld, and drain it. Jamie split off at this point, and it was Naresh and me. Got down to the river (about 7 miles in) as the sun was coming up. Made a few video recordings with my flip recorder.

Naresh was pushing the pace into Phantom Ranch, and then on to Cottonwood. I was having trouble hanging, cause I drank a shit load of beers the day before and had only run once since we were out at the Guads the second week of April. Oh well. I hung back. Naresh paid for his treachery.

I wasn't really into being at the Canyon. The whole time, I was still all compressed from the last few weeks of work that have been running me ragged and have been stressful. Never did get over that. Shit happens.

Once you get to Cottonwood, its 14 miles round trip up to the North rim and back and there is no water till you get back. I was going to turn around and go back, but my ego won the fight. Thanks ego, I was needing a good ass whippin.

Spent most of the time with big Roger. We always have a good chat, when we're running. Naresh was suffering, so I let him suffer on. Too bad, I got my own problems here buddy. Saw all the folks on the turn around, kinda lifts your spirits, when you realize that all you have to do is run/walk all the way back! Yippie!
North Rim was uneventful, except for the huge biting flies and the snow I put into my water bottles. Ummmmm, Ummmmm, good! It wasn't yellow, at least it didn't look yellow. Was having trouble breathing, one b/c we were at 8K feet and the other because I'm about 195lbs, so I'm feeling pretty fat. Especially at 5'6.

Started heading down, grabbed a samwich outta my bag, chowed down. My quads were hurting, so I walked quite a bit. Actually I probably walked 80% of the whole return trip. Most of the day I spent alone, I liked that. Put in a dip of snuff, man it really picks up your heartrate. Ooops. Plus it was hot as hell, about 110 degrees I heard.

Made it back to Cottonwood and filled up on water and grabbed another samwich. Started heading back to the big river crossing. This whole section is runnable, but I didn't feel like running, so I just walked and ate jelly beans. No thoughts really crossed my mind, you know like those "ah ha" moments where you figure out answers to the important questions in life like, "Who moved my cheese?" or "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

Listen folks, one hand can't clap and nobody gives a damm about your cheese. Hell you'll just throw the cheese out when it gets moldy. I used to think that running would bring me closer to me or some crap. Maybe it did. But I was really having an issue being motivated out there. I came to the realization, that running is just a hobby, something to do. It coulda been fishing, hunting, collecting stupid trinkets and putting them in a curio cabinet or, you name it. Oh well.
The suckie part was, I've still gotta get out of this canyon. Shit man. It was a trek.

SO 21 hours later, boom, I'm at the south rim trail head. One step at a time baby. Kinda like life, one step at a time.

Some Bible Stuff

2011-04-19T13:05:00.003-05:00

I was asked, by a friend, to answer the following questions:

1. What is sin?
2. Are all people sinners?
3. Do people become sinners because they sin or do they sin because they are sinners?
4.What is God's penalty for sin, if any?
5. Are there penalties that occur on earth for sins in a person's daily life?

The following are my responses:

1. Sin is what one does when willfully violating the laws and morality in the Bible.

2. Yes, except Jesus b/c if Jesus had been a sinner then God could not have sacrificed him. In the Old Testament all sacrifices had to be the most pure gifts. Logically then, God could not sacrifice anything, including Jesus, that was less than pure.

3. No one is a born sinner. To say one is born a sinner is to say that free will does not exist. Sin is a product of mans free will. But you would not be able to classify one as a sinner, who didn't know the difference, if whether or not a sin was committed. When the Bible says, let no man judge, it's b/c no man can know what the defendant knows, except God.

4. God's penalty for sin should be clearly ascertainable in the Bible - hell. But God gave us an out, b/c he knew no one could keep his laws/morality. That out is Forgiveness. When we ask for forgiveness, what we are actually saying is, "I recognize I screwed up, which means you must be honest with yourself." What that means, is that you are consciously recognize God's law as supreme which is what he wants in the first instance, and in the second, he would like for you to follow his law to the best of your ability.

5. No - I think it's clear in the Bible that all men (persons) will be called to account on judgment day. Any mis-fortunate event, if it's cause is attributed to some so called "sin" , would be erroneous.

Cookies and Applesauce

2011-03-23T23:11:00.002-05:00

Went for a run after work. From work to Gold's Gym is 5 miles, unless I stop by the house then it's 6. Left work on a run, tried to run intervals to work on speed, but have been cutting calories. So I got about 3 miles in, and started feeling all shitty. Was averaging 8 min pace, with my intervals. I run past a Starbucks, so I dropped in. I always keep some money in my hand held UD bottle. I had the most exquisite 1 dollar per table spoon apple sauce they sell. Of course they brand it as apple/grape fruit (whatever) organic, bullshit. USDA organic probably means nothing, other than this shit was grown in the dirt, not a lab. I was sweating all over the counter, because I'm a fatty. So I got the magic apple sauce and a cookie. Yea, you know the cookie monster, that weird blue thing from Sesame Street on PBS. Oatmeal raisin is my fave. So after my blood sugar spiked, I was rollin.
Did a few standing one arm dumbbell presses with a 105 dumbbell. Don't hate, pussies. Was gonna do some squats with 315 but my pussy was on fire, so just left. Ended up with 8 miles once I got back home, but my truck was still at work. Got the bike out of the garage, rode it up to work to get my truck. So 3 miles on the bike. Went to Hooters had some chilli. Was pissed b/c the girls ain't what they used to be. Had 3 22oz Modelos. Talked shit to the bartender. She got pissed, I don't give a damm.

Smells

2011-03-23T09:58:00.005-05:00

You know, call me a puss or whatever. I don't care, but I was not interested in running after work yesterday. Wind was gusting up, not sure how fast but it was pretty damm windy. I had already ran 4 miles yesterday morning before work so I had some miles in the bank. Hooters was doing a customer appreciation day yesterday and giving away 10 free wings with purchase of a drink.
Yippie, now I can eat for free and spend the money on extra beer. So I decided to blow off my afternoon workout, and go drink beer and eat wings. I got the naked, boneless wings with a side salad. (healthy option) I was enjoying my big daddy, 22oz, Modelo Especial at the bar and having a good time, watching the TV. Then some son of a bitch walks up, sits down a seat or two away. This asshole was wearing enough cologne for 2 draft horses. Fuck man, you just ruined my whole day.
You may not know, but I hate a lot of smells. Like two fat chicks running at the park who smell like laundry detergent or downy sheets. Like the old cougar at the gym who's wearing perfume. It's not gonna help lady, you look like sandpaper and your cooch probably sags more than your titties. The smell of the crap people spray after they take a dump. Light a freakin match. Matches smell good. Your spray smells worse than your shit. I really hate the smell of rotten boiled eggs, but I don't have those at my house so I'm okay.
I do like the smell of leather candles or vanilla ones. Also the smell of pork chops frying in a pan. The smell of scotch and wild turkey 101. The smell of my last girlfriends panties wasn't too bad either. (j/k i knew i'd get you)
Anyway, so I'm sitting there, trying not to kick this freakin dudes ass. I can move, but I gotta payout and plus the tables I like to sit at are taken. So I'd have to sit in the back and you don't get to watch the girls and give them shit while they are carrying a heavy ass tray of food. I order another beer, thinking that it might help. But, the dude musta had some extra in his pocket and keep putting more on. So after only 2 of those biggies, I took off. Man, I wanted to drink it up, like at least 4 or 5.
Went on home, tried to sleep. Couldn't. Got a text from my buddy Bill about how he squatted 315 for 4 reps. I texted back with, drank 44oz of beer in 20 min! he gave me some shit. So What. But, couldn't sleep so I went out and ran 8.5 miles. Not fast but just running. Came back, drank another beer, and read about Iceland's Economic Collapse a book I am working on.

10th Marathon

2011-03-20T13:26:00.002-05:00

Ran my 10th marathon on Saturday. This was a trail marathon and cheaper than a road marathon which, in my view, road marathons are way overpriced. This one was special. My friends Jeff and Cheri put on a marathon for their wedding. It was pretty fun. Out at Warda. I have never run there before, but back in 2000 to 2003 I used to drive by the place about 4 times a month, and it was only like 60 miles from where I grew up. Pretty cool. Ran the whole race with my buddy Gordon. Talkin shit the whole time. I really did have a blast. Didn't beat that damm Russian Dmitry, but oh well. I was gonna whack him with a stick when he passed us, but decided against it. Carried this chick on my back over the finish line. She's lucky I didn't take her in the woods and have my way with her. But thought that would be a little much. Wore a breech cloth the first loop with hurraches. Went native till I started chaffing like crazy. Pretty good pics. Woulda been better if I could have worn it the whole time and been 20lbs lighter. hahah.
Drank some beers after the race. Went out there with my buddy Scott, but we only got like 4 hours of sleep the night before because we drank beers and bullshitted till 1 AM.
Went to the wedding on Sunday. It was real nice. Lots of Jeff and Cheri's trail runner friends showed up, plus of course, family and friends they know from their other life pursuits. The ceremony was awesome, a little chapel south of Austin. The dinner was excellent. Got home about 12:30 last night.
Ran to the gym after work today. Did a fast mile about 7:15 pace on road. Did a fast hill, and then eased on into the gym. 3 miles. Did 4 sets of my clean and jerk with a front squat. Did 315 deadlift for 4 reps. Did 2 sets of 1 rep with 100lbs dumbell one arm, standing arnold press. That was cool. Got a ride home with a buddy from work. Didnt feel like running back. Not bad after a marathon on Saturday.

Moonlight

2011-03-19T22:20:00.003-05:00

Since it's like the biggest moon tonight in the last 20 years, figured I'd write a poem to commemorate the event.

Through window, moonlight glows
A depression left in your pillow I see
You've never been further from me

It's been our companion and friend
On the beach, in sand it glowed
Our bodies entwined in love throes
It reflected off the lake
Between us, love we did make
We gazed upon it in fields of flowers
Our love, it's awesome power

A depression left in your pillow I see
Come back to me

No Guarantees In Life

2011-03-15T20:50:00.003-05:00

Well I found out today that the General Manager at the Chick-fil-a in Selma died this past weekend from a massive heart attack on his way home from work. He was 54. I didn't know Dan personally, but I go to the place at least 5 or 6 times a week. Every time I went into the store, he would be working a register, filling orders, or drinks just like his lowest level employees. He always had a smile and really set a great example for his workers and for the culture of the restaurant chain. He probably didn't have to do that, but he did and it was one of the main reasons I used to go there so often. Also because I liked the food.

There really are no guarantees in life. My own dad was 43 when he passed on. Here one day, and then gone the next. For me, I don't want to sit on my death bed having regrets for all the things I wish I would have done. That doesn't always mean how many races you do or how many places you see. It also means, how did you treat your neighbor. Did you smile and say hi, or did you just walk on in the house. It means, not compromising your integrity and being magnanimous. Things like that.Eevery day you wake up, you've got an opportunity to try again. One of my favorite quotes is:
It's not how many times you fall down, it's how many times you get back up.

So no matter how much you screw up, you have free will, and you can fix it. You can not fix the past, but you can fix your future.

Ran 6 miles, kinda crappy. Think I was dehydrated or something, just didn't come together very well for me. Was at Gold's. Working on heart rate training. I have decided on the clean and jerk with a front squat for time and reps, will probably be the single best exercise to increase the strength and size of the heart and it's ability to move massive quantities of blood. Besides actually running wind sprints, this movement is one I will be focusing on quite a bit. Using 135 barbell right now. Went 3 sets of 5 and 1 set of 4. Try it, and you will see what I am talking about. You can take your HR from 110 to 180 in about 10 seconds.

It looks similar to this, but only one squat and then repeat the movement:

Change of Plans

2011-03-14T20:42:00.006-05:00

Well Leadville and Tahoe are out. I found this race called La Ultra - The High.
Actually from one of those targeted ads on the right hand side of my facebook page.
Other than actually climbing Denali or something like that, this is the ultimate high altitude, mountain, running adventure. And, BTW, I freakin hate being cold and camping at night and being cold in a sleeping bag, so no Denali like stuff for me. I submitted an inquiry on-line, and the RD gave me permission to run the race. My credentials are pretty light, judging by the standards of the 3 people who ran it last year, but I am excited and pumped. My only real qualification is finishing Hardrock 100 last year. This is in the foothills of the Himalayas, the most bad ass mountain chain in the world. In northern India.
What is actually pretty coincidental, my Tahoe and Leadville trips, I bought the travel insurance. First time ever. So I should get a refund on the ticket. The Tahoe race entry I can roll to next year. Not sure about Leadville race entry.
I still will have to train hard. I will need a very,very strong heart. Need to figure out how to do heart-ups or or heart-presses/curls or something.
Anyway, went for 7.5 miles today, slow. Ran over to Gold's did a little stretching and some easy lifting to work out the kinks from Saturday.

4:46 50K. Hip, Hip, Hurray!

2011-03-13T10:21:00.002-05:00

Yea, you read that right. Fast. Second fasted pace I've ever run. But, overall I had the best race I have ever done. Managed my hydration, salts, and fuel perfectly. No issues. Had 2 gels per loop on 1st 2 loops, and 3 gels on the last loop. Drank 2 to 3 16oz water bottles per loop. (loops were 10 miles). Had coke at almost every aid station, for all 3 loops. Oh and 6 Scaps per loop or so, about 2 per bottle. To run a 9:13 average pace, you gotta dip down in the 8min 7:30 zone, quite a bit. First loop ran alone, got into a spot and it almost seemed like I was the only guy out there. Second loop ran with Brain Ricketts. This due is like 6'4, he's running 8min pace, looks like he ain't even moving. I had trouble keeping up. Had to weave in and out of all the 10 milers here, which is always fun. Parted ways at the 7 mile aid station on loop 2. Kinda eased in behind some other dude that running a good race, but he was running 9ish. Seemed a bit slow, but I needed the recovery. Came in on loop 2, looking good. Left on loop 3, behind the same dude, he was starting to slow down, so I went on around. In the first half of the loop, I passed about 6 or 7 50k'ers. And then didn't see anymore. Up on the damm, I was running 7:50. Popped smoke on some ass! Anyway, was by myself the whole loop. Finally, walked about mile 6.5 of loop 3, but really just stopped for a second. Thinking, shit man. This fuckin blows. Anyway, I pulled up my big boy shorts. Hammies were screaming from all that speed work earlier in the week. Which paid of nicely, by the way. Was about 1'500 yards from the finish line, still in the trees. Freakin did a superman and busted my ass. Ran the whole race and fell down at the very end. Oh well.
Ended up 3rd in my age bracket, again. Beat my 50K PR by 22 minutes, and still got 3rd, just like last year. Arrrrgh. When I got done, I busted out my party hat and glasses. Drank about 7 beers, while still at the park. And they had fajitas, so that was cool. Ate some of them. Meet a new trail runner from Austin, told her to get hooked up the the Hill Country Trail Runners. She kicked ass, 5 hours. She is also a soccer player, so she has one hell of a running base. And, she is pretty cute too.
Anyway, left the park. Stopped off at Hooters to celebrate a bit. Had about 3 more. Sat there BS'in with one of the girls that used to work there, was hanging out with her parents, and her sister (still works there). Anyway, she was lookin hot. That party fizzled out, so I got on to the house. Poured a vodka neat, it wasn't going down well at all. So busted out some Becks. Had about 5 more tall boys.
Surprisingly, I don't feel like total shit today. I'm moving good, feeling good, little bit of a headache. haha

Yea, It Sucked

2011-03-10T21:39:00.002-06:00

Was going to bag my run after work, but those NB Minimus were calling my name. Damm fine shoe. Kinda wanted to see what I could do after a week of speed work. Went for 9 miles, averaged a 8:29 pace. Had trails, road, urban terrain, hills. Not bad. Felt great afterwards. Kinda makes me wish I woulda started those 800's about a month ago. Was trying to get a feel for what pace I should try to set on Saturday at the prickly pear 50K. I really would like to go 4:30, but that's probably a stretch at 8:50 pace. Prob, try to keep it at about 9 pace for 20 miles, then hopefully under 9:30 for the last ten. Gotta use all my experience to make sure I fuel right and stay hydrated. Anything under 5 would be bad ass, but under 4:45, I'm going to get wasted and party to celebrate!!! One of the girls from "the office" was in a bad car accident a while back and is doing physical therapy to recover her ability to walk again. So I'm dedicating my 50K run to her. If all goes well I may beat my PR by 30ish minutes. We will see.
No day is promised to you. Make the most of each day. An old acquaintance of mine believes in re-incarnation. So he used to say, the body is just a temporary vessel, so ride the fuck out of it, you'll get a new one.
Well he could be right, I don't know. But, I rather like to go with. God gave you this body, don't waste it. If you can do, then do. I don't run for God per se, but he probably enjoys seeing you pursue the limits of the potential that he has endowed you with.
So, I'm going to give it all I got, and see what I come up with.

Books

2011-03-09T21:44:00.002-06:00

I've been wanting to write about my love affair with books.
My grandma taught me how to read when I was two or three. I don't actually remember this but that is what she used to tell me. I used to read encyclopedias in the second grade, and the third grade I read most of the Greek mythology. I didn't understand it all, but Hercules and Jason and the Argonauts, Medusa, Diana, Hermes, were all pretty bad ass stories. In the sixth grade I read all kinds of Louis L'Amour. With the classic line, "the attack broke just as quickly as it had begun" I read Lord of the Flies in the 6th grade, cause it sounded like a cool story, but I didn't get as much out of it as I did in the 11th grade. My senior year in high school, they kicked me out of art. Which wasn't a big loss, I thought making clay pots was stupid as hell. I guess they thought they would punish me by making me a library aide. They were wrong. I loved it. The librarian was a little off, but a pretty nice guy I guess. He let me have like 50 books they were going to discard because they were so old. I read books mostly, and never figured out the Dewey decimal system. So what. In the Army I used to read all the technical manuals, field manuals, SMCT, and regulations for fun. For the last 10 years, I get to read technical manuals at work. They are pretty dry, but I just skip through the bullshit, and get down to the nitty gritty. They are fairly complicated, but not like programming. That shit is hard. Not my style. I started building my library about 10 years ago. I used to spend 100 a week at Barnes and Noble, or half-priced books, or Boders. Now I just buy on Amazon. With the advent of the Kindle, it has been predicted that books will go the way of the dodo bird, and that may be true. I bought one in 2009. I read like 5 books on it the first 2 months. It is a nice product, I won't lie there. I was really excited about it. But, I don't use it much anymore. I've got about 1,000 books. Probably comes out to a ton of books. ha. They range from classical novels, to history, economics, politics, sociology, etc.. Hell I kept almost all my books from college, since I didn't have to pay for them. In history, it ranges from Greek and Roman, all the way up the modern era. I have been buying quite a few books from the Mises Institute. I can't stop. I read most all of Hemingway, and currently working on Erich Remarque. Just wherever my thoughts, lead me, there I go grabbing another book. I'm bad about reading a hundred pages, and starting another book. I wonder sometimes, when I die, "WTF is my sister going to do with all these books?" Who knows, maybe they can be donated to a library, if they even have real books then. If not, maybe the will just end up in a landfill. Anyway, don't ask to borrow any. You'll never return 'em anyway. If I like you, I'll probably just give you the damm book, and buy another copy.
If you are not much of a reader, try it sometime.

Ah Hell

2011-03-09T20:29:00.002-06:00

Dammit, Larry was right. Shouldn't be doing speed work everyday. I knew that, but hell push the limits.
Hammies were tight today, opted for 3 mile run at lunch, but at a much faster pace than my typical 10 min pace. Didn't have garmin, but prob was around 8:15, 8:30 pace.
Ran in the NB trail minimus after work, for 5 miles on the most rocky trail in Texas, Cibolo Creek. Check it out on Facebook, Cibolo Creek Running Club. The NB Trail Minimus ran like a champ. Once again, I pushed hard, averaged about 160bpm on the heart rate monitor. Not sure the pace, but pushed myself.

Read that the Army is re-vamping their PT test. Probably b/c all the douches they get coming in cain't pass it. The new test, is pussy. Read about it on the National Guard Facebook page.

Next hipster I see, I'm gonna choke 'em out.

Today's Training

2011-03-08T22:03:00.002-06:00

Worked last night till 3. That sucked. Got up about 9, so went to work.
It was just peachy.
Decided to do my lunch sprints against my better judgment.
Ran 6 200 meterish sprints, should be real close to 200 meters. Averaged 33 seconds.

After work, went for some 800. They sucked ass. The high school track/field had some stuff going on, so went over to the middle school.
Ran 5 800, averaged 3:14 pace, with best at 3:05.

Little bit of an improvement over sunday at 3:23 average. This is only my first week, so will see how it goes. Hope to be motivated enough tomorrow to run some sprints at lunch. Feels pretty bad ass. I just want to big buckle at Leadville, Big enough for a Texan.

Prob shouldnt do speed work everyday, but I'm not going to listen to anybody. Tough shit, its my training, I'll do it my way. Till I blow a hammy. hhaha.

Some Updates

2011-03-07T21:03:00.002-06:00

About 5 days after I got out of bed with the flu, I ran the Austin Marathon. Ran about 4;26 came out to about a 10:10 pace. Didn't run again till the following Thursday. Tried out the Merrell trail glove w/o socks. It's like the 5 finger, with out the 5 fingers. Rubbed blisters on both little toes, and my heels. I was not super impressed at all. I got persuaded to run the Cowtown 50k by Ganda Man. Talked with Derek Westbrook and we decided to shoot for 5 hours or so. Went to the race expo, picked up a pair of NB Road Miniumus. They ran like a dream. Had to put some tape on my ankles and toes where the blisters were from the trail glove. Derek and I were right at 2:30 at 15 miles, and it was humid as hell, so i figured that we werent going to make 5 hours, but we held on for a 5:15 finish. Derek ran a PR, i was about 11 min over my PR time. But, same as Austin ran right at 10:10 pace. Went out to RockSprings this weekend, for the Nuecues race. Was supposed to run the 50 mile. But, didn't feel it. So I stayed in bed and slept till noon. Could have done the 50K or the 25K but, blew them off also. I think I needed the rest. I typically, don't do that kind of stuff, but I am still feeling a little crap from the flu. oh well. I drove 2.5 hours so I could sleep for 13. Pretty nice.
Started my first speed work training yesterday. Ran 5 800 with a 400 recovery between. Averaged 3:23, with 3:15 being my best. Today ran 5 200 or so meter sprints. Felt okay. Also bought a george foreman grill. Going to get a little more serious about loosing some weight. At 190 now, 10 pounds down from when I had the flu. Going for 20 more, maybe by EOM April. Grill is bad ass. Also picked up a pair of NB trail minimus, havnet run much trail in them, so no reports yet.
Going to run the Prickly Pear 50K this weekend. Ran a 5:06 last year, going to try to run a 9:10 pace and come in around 4:40. That will be bad ass. So we will see.

Republicans are Disingenuous

2011-02-17T22:38:00.002-06:00

The Flu Sucks

2011-02-13T19:45:00.003-06:00

Well I had a pretty good week. Did a 405 deadlift, and a 315 squat for 3 reps. Ran some fast interval work on the treadmill. Also did some fast runs on the road. Well fast for me, right now anyway. Ran to the gym on Friday at a 8:30 pace for 3 miles. Seemed like it should have been easier. I went in and lifted a little bit of weight, but everything hurt. So I just cruised back home. I woke up saturday morning, and kind of had the chills and sore muscles. I figured I was just tired from hitting so hard all week, so I went for a run to Starbucks, 3 miles there and 3 miles back. Had an expresso. I got home just in time to sign up for Cascade Crest 100 mile, I'm like 14 on the wait list so I should get in. It filled up in 8 minutes. I want to go run with my buddy Dmitry, it's his nemesis. He has DNF twice there, much like my two DNF at Leadville.
Cascade is the weekend after Leadville, so I probably won't go to Leadville this year. I was feeling tired, and coughing up flim so I went to sleep. Had the cold sweats, and chills all day and all night. I went to the doctor today, turns out I got the flu. So I'll be working from home tomorrow. The Doc gave me some tamiflu, so hopefully that works out. Probably will have a slow week this week regarding training, but once this flu passes, I just want to maintain. I have the Austin marathon this weekend. We will see how this goes. I havent been sick like this in like 6 or more years. I got my tonsils taken out in the second grade, so I don't get sick too often. Oh well.
Well best of luck to you and your training this week. I'll try my best also.

Goals for 2011

2011-02-08T20:46:00.004-06:00

Well it has been some time since I blogged. I dug my self a big hole since September, drinking my ass off and not doing shit. So I paced a friend for 40 miles at RR100 this weekend. It totally kicked my ass. I haven't run more than 16 miles at a stretch (maybe 4 times total) since my DNF at Leadville back in August. However, I have managed to drink a shitload of beer and gain 20lbs (now at 200). Anywho, Saturday night was a wake up call from hell. Didn't get into Barkley, Wasatch, Hardrock, or Western. One kick in the pants after another. Must be blacklisted for that video I did this summer for a Hardrock. Who, knows. Maybe it's just bad luck.
So I've been talking things over with myself, and also my buddy Bill. Got some goals laid out I'm going to post publicly, so maybe I will have some more accountability.
NOTE: when I say 3 wheels or 4 wheels, that means 3 - 45lbs plates on each side or 4 or whatever number.

So here is what I got, before I turn 34 on 16 Nov 2011:

Bench Press 3 wheels. That's 315lbs (this will be pretty easy)
Squat 4 wheels. That's 405lbs (just did 315 yesterday, this will be easy too)
Deadlift 5 wheels. That's 495 lbs. (just did 405 today, shouldn't be too bad)
Run a 5 minute mile. (This will be freakin hard)
Run a sub 6 pace 10K. (this will suck ass too)
Run a 3:10 marathon, i.e Boston Qualifier. Planning for San Antonio Marathon 13 Nov.
25 Pullups. (I can do about 15 now if I really try, maybe)
Get down to 170 - 175 lbs range in body weight. Thats 25 to 30 lbs down from now.
Drink no more that 6 beers a week. That will be down from like 30+ a week

Okay, there it is folks. Keep me honest.

Also, updated my race schedule. I haven't signed up for Leadville or Bear, but we'll see how my running goes (been having knee isssues) before I plop down the cash. I am going to try and get into Cascade Crest this weekend, Dmitry and Naresh say they are going to try to get in, and the girl I paced this weekend. So I may have to scratch on Leadville since Cascade is the following weekend.

Signed up for a Realy for Life in New Braunfels in April. Should be fun. Here is the link to my page. Going for a 100k distance in 12 hours, but really would like to bust 3 marathons. (wishful thinking)

Also, this lady down in Corpus Christi is running around the Bay, like 65 miles. It's the last weekend in March, I'm planning on this. Should be fun.

Here is my motto for the year. It's adapted from Ludwig von Mises' motto.

Tu ne cede poena, sed contra audentior ito

It means: Do not give into pain, but proceed ever more boldly against it

Tuesday

2011-01-18T06:45:00.002-06:00

I was going to write a bunch of crap about my new years goals and all the things I would like to change this year. But, then I was like, awe fuck it. Updated my race calendar, maybe get some training in this year.

Death By Burpee starring Comrade Dmitry and Texas John

2010-08-03T08:43:00.000-05:00

Ben Bernake Interview

2010-07-28T05:42:00.008-05:00

Found a new website called xtranormal. It is really cool. You write the script, pick the actors, and boom you got yourself a movie.
I just couldn't resist picking on a central banker so here is an interview with questions that I would ask and things that I would say if I could interview Ben Bernake the Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Enjoy!

Bernake Interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgcINTadhwo

Hardrock 2010 Race Report

2010-07-18T16:26:00.008-05:00

I guess I should write this since I didn’t write one last year after my DNF. I will break this report into two parts. One part will deal with the technical and training aspects and the other will deal with the mental part. Read at your leisure.

Training and Preparation:

# of races I signed up for in 2010 that I didn’t actually run:
Texas Marathon
Bandera 100K
Houston Marathon
Hells Hills 50 Miler

# of Beers per week since April 2010:
1 case minimum.

# of miles run per month since April. (From Daily Mile account)
April – 125 (60 of these at The Guads in 36 hours)
May – 16 plus 18 at Pocatello Total 24.
June – 50 (40 of these at San Juan Solstice which I DNF)

# of John’s Garage workouts:
Not sure but not more than 20ish. See sample here.

# of Races I actually ran and completed since January:
2 – Nuecues Marathon about 5hrs 10 min. and Prickly Pear 50K 5:06 both in March.

Books that had the most influence on me before this run:
Slow Burn – Stu Mittleman
The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand
The Virtue of Selfishness – Ayn Rand

Race Details:

Night before race dinner: Brisket, cornbread, tater salad.
Race morning breakfast: yogurt and nectarine.

Power walked / shuffled almost every section except for a little bit into Telluride, Governor, and Ouray. Ran down Handies into Sherman.

Ate 1 lemon drop every 30 minutes for 46.5 hours. Sometimes added a few jelly beans for extra sugar. Had some olive oil when I felt I needed it. Used some of my molasses and cane syrup mix but not too much. Ate a few packs of peanut butter crackers throughout the race. Had about 5 gels the last 29 miles also.

KT: Two Pieces of cheesy bread with added olive oil.
Chapman: Cookies, soup, biscuit, nectarine, myoplex drink.
Telluride: Nectarine, myoplex drink.
Kroger’s Kanteen: Soup broth with olive oil.
Governor Basin: I forgot.
Ouray: I forgot.
Engineer: Mac and cheese. It was light on the cheese, but added olive oil.
Grouse Gulch: I forgot this too. But had shitty climb up Handies. Probably shoulda ate more.
Sherman: Breakfast Burrito. Umm, Umm, good.
Pole Creek: coffee and soup broth with added olive oil.
Maggie Gulch: Forgot.
Cunningham: Myoplex drink, nectarine, took Ziploc bag of spaghetti up the climb.

Started race with MT100 till Chapman. Switched to Cascadias till Grouse Gulch. Then wore North Face till the end with two pair of socks. Feet did well, just a touch of blister behind toes on pad of foot. Put Glide on my feet throughout the race.

Drank only water. Used 70oz Nathan pack and two 20oz hand-helds.

# of Calories burned during the run according to HeartRate Monitor:
20,000

# of Calories I took in during the race:
Maybe 6,000.

Max Heart Rate: 177 bpm coming down Grant Swamp.
Average Heart Rate: 132.

# of Pacers and Crew: 0
# of Days before race at altitude: 10
# of Days pre-hiking: 4

Hardrock 2010 Race Report – John T. Sharp

“Hey Uncle John, what you doing back here?” my nephew asked. “Well, Delynn, I quit the race at Champman,” I responded. “Oh, well what the hell did you quit for?” he says. “Sometimes you give it all you got, and it ain’t enough,” I told him.

Hemingway wrote in his book A Moveable Feast, “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know.” That is how I felt about the statement, “Sometimes you give it all you got and it ain’t enough.” That was at Hardrock 2009, which I quit. Maybe I could of told him how I didn’t manage my calories properly, or how I went out to fast, or even made up another excuse; but those excuses just wouldn’t express what I felt he needed and I needed to hear. A statement that says we are not all-powerful or omnipotent. A statement that said we are human and our struggle is the struggle of the unknown. A statement which allows room for hope, but one that is final in its totality.

Fast forward to Rocky Raccoon race weekend 2010. Rocky Raccoon is a great race for all the runners but also the same weekend that the lottery results for Hardrock come out. Naresh had his I-Phone checking the HCTR list for any information. J.T. posted that him and myself were in, among others. I gave a big Rick Flair, “Whoooooo!” and a “Hell Yea, Baby!” yelling out at the awards ceremony. Now I’m in. “Nothing can stop me,” I tell myself. We won’t be having this bullshit like last year. I’m going to train like an animal. I will finish Hardrock in 2010.

The training started well. Lots of 15 degree incline treadmill work in February with intervals. One of my goals was to get so fast that I could run competitive with Josue. I worked on a Vo2 max conditioning work out called Viking Warrior Conditioning using the kettlebell. Dmitry killed the workout a few times, I think he got some hella results. In March I ran the marathon at Nuecues 50 in something like 5:10 or so. A few weeks later, the Prickly Pear 50K I ran a 5:06 or so. I was on fire. I hadn’t run that fast in 2 years, since I first started running these crazy races.

It’s funny how life gets in the way. By the end of March I just couldn’t muster the drive to get out there and get the training done. Oh, I thought about it. I knew I needed to be getting my runs in. I needed to work on my diaphragmatic breathing exercises and my core workouts, but I just drank beer. I’m not real sure where my drive went. I looked for it behind the couch, at the bar, and under the bed. It was no where to be found. I lost my “why” and in the process I quit believing in myself.

I bowed out of Hells Hills 50 mile telling Joe, “I just don’t feel like running so I ain’t coming.” I would get some motivation for a few days and get a few workouts in, but then would be kinda down in the dumps again. Then, I’d drink more beer and put my training off.

Towards the end of April the HCTR and Tejas Trails groups would go out to the Guadalupe Mountains for a training weekend. I convinced myself that I really should go and that this would be the start of my training, for real this time. A lot of friends I have made in the running community were there. Yes, moral support. This weekend is what I need. Its funny how in a crowded room, some people can be alone. I am one of those people and during the weekend at the Guads, I was alone in my mind. I went out for 20 miles the first day, alone. I needed to just be alone. What for? I still do not know the answer to that question. I was probably looking for that spark I found back in 2008 when I was there. No spark to be had. After 30 miles the next morning and a trip up to the peak that night, still, nothing.

The first of May, I was really bullshitting myself. This is it, no more pussy-footing around. I’m getting serious. I bought my plane tickets for Pocatello 50 and San Juan Solstice. That motivation lasted for about a week so I did get a few quality workouts in. Mostly, I would do my garage core workouts, no running really. I even contacted the San Antonio Fit organization about being an assistant coach for the 4 hour to 4:15 marathon group. The organization leader said that would be fine after a few questions about my experience. This would be the motivation I needed to keep me on track. Before the first training run, I sent the fella an email saying that I would, in fact, not be able to be an assistant coach because of some bullshit reason I made up. I felt bad about that, and drank more beer. My friend Thomas would call from time to time, but I would ignore his calls. Not because I didn’t want to talk to him, but because he just started training with a new coach and was really pumped up all the time and I really just wanted to quit running. I didn’t want my pessimistic attitude to rub off on him, as if that would have been possible.

I went out to Pocatello. The race was cancelled because of weather at mile 18, for me. Whew, got lucky. Now I wont have to drop because I am under trained and don’t really wanta be at this damm race anyway. So, I drank more beer. Solves every problem. Or at least puts it off as you waste your life for a while.

Just before Pocatello, I went on a work trip to Atlanta. I always peruse the book stores at the airport cause I’m a bibliophile. They usually have all the contemporary, bullshit novels and the latest biographies of your typical douche bag. Never anything of any real substance, at least in my opinion. I’d been putting off reading Ayn Rand for years. I just figured she was some bullshit writer from the 50’s. However, I always liked the noble looking statue on the cover of Atlas Shrugged that you typically see. I ended up picking up The Fountainhead. Little did I know, that in a short time, it would have a substantive effect of my sense of self, my self-esteem. I couldn’t put it down. A noble vision of man, who lives for himself. It was like reading about myself, but currently that self was in the past. Back in 1998, back in 2008, but not on that day. I ended up buying and am currently working on reading everything she has written. Funny how it took a woman to denote and layout in philosophical terms, man. The Virtue of Selfishness was another book I read between Pocatello and San Juan Solstice. I remember while reading this book I remarked, “Wow, this is how I have felt my whole life.”

Just before San Juan Solstice I confided in my friend Faye about how I didn’t really want to run anymore. How that drive and desire were gone from my heart. It was difficult for me to say out loud what I had been feeling over the past two months. I don’t recall what she said exactly, cause I was about 7 beers into a real good night of beers.

I talked with my mentor and coach, Joe about not wanting to run anymore. He says, “Hey Sharpie, you gotta change your outlook.” Just do the damm thing and don’t worry about nothing else. Just go do it. If Joe had been working in the marketing department for Nike in the late eighties or early nineties the slogan, Just Do It would have never see the light of day. Just do the damm thing, would have won the day.

I remember sitting at the airport waiting on the flight to Gunnison, for the Solstice. They were calling out the boarding order, Group 1, now 2 and finally Group 4. I picked up my bag and started walking back out to security. Ah, fuck it, I’m not going to the Solstice. I’m not ready, I can not finish this race. I ended up getting on that flight. Mostly because my friend Joe was going to be there and I wanted to run with him.

Once we cleared the timberline above Lake City, I found myself again. The San Juans are violent, deliberate, imposing, and aggressive. There may be more spectacular mountains in the world, but I’ve never seen them. The San Juans tell a man, “You may summit my peaks, but not in some half-assed way, you gotta wanta be up here.” I came to the mountains that day so that I may live again, that life began above the timberline. Only deliberate, conscious decision will take you to the top. There are no escalators, nor are there any elevators in the San Juans. You can take a Jeep tour, but you merely pass along the ridges like the false backgrounds in the studios where they filmed those old B rated westerns. When you walk up a peak in the San Jauns, you carry a little bit of with you in your heart, forever. The feeling of, I’ve just done some bad ass thing and I’m a better man because of it, becomes a part of your being. Mile 15 of the Solstice, I was going to drop, but decided against it.

About mile 20 I had an epiphany. Ayn Rand, in her objectivist philosophy, is all about logical reason. There never seemed to be any room for faith. The concept of faith, I think, would be inconsistent with Objectivism. But, faith is real. Whether that faith is in yourself or God or whatever. I was running along thinking what is that one key difference between finishing and not finishing a race? You can plan a race strategy. At what time will you make a shoe change? What food will you eat and when? Logically you have thought it all out. First A, then B, then C etc… But, because we are not omnipotent we are forced to make decisions with incomplete information. No outcome is a foregone conclusion. If it was, would life really be worth living at all? If we knew what was going to happen tomorrow and everyday after for eternity what would be the joy in getting up in the morning? When your race or life for that matter, starts to fall apart what does a man do? What does he have to fall back on? In my estimation, that thing we fall back on is faith. A belief in our self, that we do own ourselves. Like Phoebe from the Friends TV show said once, “You’re not the boss of me, I’m the boss of me.” A person cannot exist on, well so and so thinks I can do this thing so I must be able to. To truly exist you must believe with conviction that there are no mountains you cannot climb. You have the knowledge, will, heart, and determination to get a thing done.

I have believed for many years that there are essentially only two kinds of people in this world. There are those that believe they can control events (internal locus of control) and those that believe that events control them (external locus of control). In the balance, which is no balance at all, there are more external locus of control people in this world. In the ultra-running community the balance is in favor of the internal locus of control folks. How could it be any other way? Maybe that is what keeps me around, being surrounded by like minded folks eating cookies and drinking soda water all day!

Uh, back to the report. I ended up not finishing the Solstice. Joe and I walked the last 12 miles or so and one of the ladies at the last aid station gave us some beers so we stopped down the trail and drank ‘em. At that point finishing didn’t matter too much at all. Here I am, drinking a beer in the middle of the San Juans with my mentor and coach musing over something or the other.

I flew back to Texas renewed and refreshed. I remembered something my mom taught me and used to tell me all the time when we were growing up. She used to say, “You can do anything you want to, if you want to.” I posted that quote as a status on my Facebook profile on the 22nd of June. That’s the day I really, really decided. Decided that yes, I will go to Hardrock and yes, I will finish. I just knew that nothing would stop me. It’s kinda like the stories you hear about some married couples. You know the one. Where they say, “The first time I saw him/her I knew that I would marry them.” That kind of belief just becomes part of who you are, like putting your pants on in the morning. You just put ‘em on, you don’t know how you do it. They just slide on and you zip them up, just like that.

I could go on and on about the race itself. About the climbs, the downhills, the start, the finish, the people I met along the way but that’s not the critical part. Besides, if you have seen the video I made then you will already get the gist of that. I could go on about the 10 days before the race where I did the pre-hiking and worked on getting acclimatized. No, the real meat and potatoes, the tough part started about mile 88 or 89. Kind of like they all do. Anyone who has done a 100 mile race knows that the race doesn’t start till mile 80 anyhow.

The memory is still fresh. Sundown of the second day was upon me out on the trail and I had about two or three miles to go, to get into the Cunningham aid station. Probably, about 8:30 PM, or maybe 9:00 PM. I was on the top of Green Mountain headed in. The thirty-nine hours or so that I had been out there were starting to take their toll. The time at altitude was taking its toll on me. Oh, and the sleep depravation. None of these issues were really that bad per se. I was still moving well, no sprained ankles, and the mental state was fair. The ride into Cunningham is steep, down hill for few miles. Then really, really, really steep down hill for the last mile and half. Short, steep switchbacks that are almost endless, as I recall. It was full on dark by this time. You never see the aid station till you about 2K feet above it and it looks like you are almost on top of the aid station when you come in.

I could look across the valley and see the runners making the final last big hike up Dives Little Giant. A faint glow of headlamps snaking up the pass that went on forever and ever. Thomas the Train is what I thought of. Those down hills were putting a pounding on my knees and I was just walking them. I still couldn’t see the aid station, there was nothing but darkness besides my headlamp and those headlamps across the valley. Laborious breathing was the name of the game. No big, deep ones like yesterday, just a whimper. And there was till the pain in my knees, like someone jabbing a knife in them with each step, right in the front.

I had been out here for forty hours now and my race just begun. In my mind there was no longer a noble vision of man a “Randian Man”, just a shallow caricature of a man. I never cried out to God to “Please take away this pain.” It wouldn’t do any good anyhow. Not because he is not real as some suggest. God would have to be a real sorry son-of-a-bitch if at this juncture, this moment which could be the finest hour of your perseverance, to intervene. Oh no, God has given you everything that you need to complete this task. You’ve had it since you were born. You have a rational mind, free will, capacity for self-love, forgiveness of all your sins, unconditional love and everlasting life. What more could you ask God for at this moment that he has not already given you? With these resources, the only thing you must do to fulfill the mandate of your existence is to act. What is the mandate? It is merely this, to effect change, while pursuing your potential.

I laid on the trail a few times feeling sorry for myself. The pain in my knees would not subside. In my mind I started making all the compromises that we do when things get tough in our lives. Compromises like, well when I go home I’ll just say that I gave it a shot but the race was just more than I could bear. Or, it will be okay, no one will think less of me if I quit. I told myself those little white lies with which I could justify quitting. Like, I didn’t train properly etc… In my heart, as we all know at these times, I knew I was lying to myself but I didn’t care. I remember looking across at Dives Little Giant and thinking, “There is no way I can do another climb, no way.” I just wanted to stop. I decided that when I got to the aid station I would quit. I knew that by quitting I would deal with an even greater sense of regret and pain, but that would be later.

I sat down at the Cunningham aid station and Mike was there. Mike, his wife and I had eaten together the night before the race. Like all “night before the race” talk, it was about how we are going to do a good job, we will finish, etc… Mike says, “Hey buddy, how is it going?” Mike, I says, “I’m gonna drop.” “What?” “My wife and I are gonna finish this thing, hell it’s only a four hour hike into Silverton and you got seven hours,” “You can do it,” Mike told me. I looked at him kinda puzzled, with my mind racing, thinking of all the excuses I made for myself over the past hour.

With a Myoplex drink and a nectarine down the hatch I started up Dives Little Giant with a Ziploc bag of spaghetti in hand. I think I was at the Cunningham aid station for about nine minutes, maybe eleven.

I thought of a year ago and what I told my nephew. I guess I can rephrase it now. Well Delynn, “Sometimes you give it all you got, and it is enough.”

Coming into Silverton, I had always expected that there would be a feeling of elation and I would be light on my feet with a spring in my step. I thought that my heart would lift a little, knowing that I was going to get this thing done. Well, none of those things ever happened. It’s not like in the movies, this shit is for real. I figured I should at least pretend to run into the finishers chute and up the rock. I kissed the rock.

Matthew 22:37

2010-04-12T23:21:00.003-05:00

The passage reads:
Jesus said unto him. Thou shalt love the Lord with all they heart, and all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
I am probably not known to be the most religious person around, but this passage came to my mind on Easter, as I thought about what Easter means. I wasn't at church, as you may expect, but on my way to Hooters for a few beers. I didn't want to take up space, so that all the C&E folks would have plenty of room. But, what does that passage mean? I grew up in the Church of Christ, so it was expected for you to read the Bible, and make your interpretation. No, intermediaries, like in other religions. So I says to myself, "Johnny, what do you think?" How can one keep this greatest of commandments? Can you just say, "Oh yea, I believe that." Or should one show demonstrable action. I felt that one should show action. How would you? The answer is there in verse 39. " And the second is like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. " What does it mean to love thy neighbor as thyself? Here is where my thoughts begin.
I think we are all inherently selfish. Some may disagree, but if you really look, what drives any action that you take. Whether it be helping someone, working hard, drinking beer, it doesn't matter. We pursue ends for our personal fulfillment. Someone may benefit, but in the end, we would not do a thing if we didn't benefit more, or at the very least we were indifferent as to whether or not someone else benefited. If God made man in his own image, and if God is a selfish God, then would it stand to reason, that this proposition is true? How would we keep the commandment in verse 39? Follow the golden rule. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Or to state the same rule in the negative, Do not do unto others the things that you would not want them to do to you. By this time, you may be asking, where the hell is this guy going? Good question. It is an a priori, self-evident truth, that we have free will. Whether or not it's God given is irrelevant. So, what could be more unjust, more unloving, more un-God like than to impose your will upon someone else? Or for a person to impose their will upon you? Could you agree that it is just for a person to make, influence, and or direct you to do a thing which is against your will? I would answer in the negative. So, in my mind, I think that to keep the golden rule and the commandments in verse 37 and 39 we must allow our neighbor, loved one, etc... To choose. To choose wrongly or rightly. To love one, is to allow them to fail or to succeed on their own merits. To love another, is to allow them the freedom to understand, to exercise their free will, regardless of how much sorrow or happiness it may bring us. What is a more beautiful feeling, to know that you have "saved" someone, or for them to come to you and say, "Hey, now I get it. I had to learn the hard way, but I understand now." The "teach a man to fish parable". The lesson I drew: To love God, allow your fellow man his freedom of action, his free will, as God has allowed you the same.

Unalienable Duties

2010-03-22T20:10:00.002-05:00

Everyone talks about their rights, but not about their duties. Here is a list of our unalienable duties under natural law.

The duty to honor the supremacy of the Creator and his laws.
The duty not to take the life of another except in self-defense.
The duty not to steal or destroy the property of another.
The duty to be honest in all transactions with others.
The duty of children to honor and obey their parents and elders.
The duty of parents and elders to protect, teach, feed, clothe, and provide shelter for children.
The duty to support law and order and keep the peace.
The duty not to contrive through a covetous heart to despoil another.
The duty to provide insofar as possible for the needs of the helpless, the sick, the crippled, the injured and the poverty stricken.
The duty to honorably perform contracts and covenants both with God and man.
The duty to be temperate.
The duty to become economically self-sufficient.
The duty not to trespass on the property or privacy of another.
The duty to maintain the integrity of the family structure.
The duty to perpetuate the race.
The duty not to promote or participate in the vices which destroy personal and community life.
The duty to perform civic responsibilities - vote, assist public officials, serve in official capacities when called upon, stay informed on public issues, volunteer where needed.
The duty not to aid or abet those involved in criminal or anti-social activites.
The duty to support personal and public standards of common decency.
The duty to follow rules of moral rectitude.

Unalienable Rights

2010-03-22T20:04:00.002-05:00

The Declaration of Independence stated 3 of our unalienable rights under natural law.

The did not state all of them, so here are some more.

The right to:
self-government
bear arms for self-defense
own, develop, and dispose of property
make personal choices
free conscience
choose a profession
choose a mate
beget one's kind
assemble
petition
free speech
free press
enjoy the fruits of one's labors
improve one's position through barter and sale
contrive and invent
privacy
provide personal security
provide nature's necessities - air, food, water, clothing, shelter
a fair trial
free association
contract

Realpolitik

2010-03-02T21:37:00.005-06:00

No workout today. Had to make a compromise between working out and politics. The decision was not hard.

I have been casually studying Austrian Economic Theory over the past year with information from the Mises Institute. After the TARP program and the the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act were passed, I asked myself, "Johnny, if you were broke, would you spend more money?" The answer is a resounding no, not only for me but for most anyone. Keynesian Economic Theory, says that government should and I disagree with it. Keynesian Economics is what we were taught in schools, so most folks think yea, this is a good theory. Whereas, in fact, it is not. See Where Keynes Went Wrong. Glenn Beck was all for the stimulus act and said it should be even bigger than it was. Beck is a douche bag. Around the same time, the Tea Party movement began. Which in my opinion, was basically an offshoot of the ideas about fiscal conservatism that began to become popular during Ron Paul's campaign in 2008. The Republican Party has a fissure between the old Bush Republicans, i.e. Sara Palin / Rick Perry / Mitt Romney and the Ron Paulian view for the Republican Party of classical liberalism. The outcome of this fissure and how it is resolved will ultimately make or break the Republican Party which, historically, going back to Lincoln is a party of coalitions. Ron Paul's view is essentially a Libertarian / classical liberal view grounded in the Subjective Theory of Value and a non-interventionist foreign policy.
Let me state, for the record, the Ron Paulian view is the view that I support as opposed to the Bush Republican view of big spending, neo-conservatism and compassionate conservatism. Which, in fact, is not a conservative position at all. The old Republicans and the Democrats are two sides of the same coin. So we look at Democrats with their current view on health-care. Is this really any different than the Bismark's realpolitik stance on domestic policy? Does anyone have any idea why Bismark developed state socialism? It was basically a counter-weight to the communistic movements that were sweeping across Europe with it's Marxist Labor Theory of Value which was totally invalidated by Eugen von Bohm-Bawerk. This counter-weight was implemented first and foremost to preserve the power of the Prussian King. Communism, Socialism, and Fascism are really one in the same only differing in matters of degree. This position is elegantly laid out by Jonah Goldberg's book Liberal Fascism.

With all of the above being mentioned, let me get to tonight. I found out after the polls closed for the primary elections, they have the precinct conventions for each party. My precinct is #4083 with 7xx voters registered as Republicans. All registered voters who vote in the primary elections can attend the precinct convention and select delegates to the Senatorial District Convention who in turn select delegates for the State Convention for the Republican Party. In addition to selecting delegates at each level to represent the party, resolutions can be proposed and voted upon, which help to determine the Republican Party of Texas Platform. Curiosity, got the better of me, so I decided, what the hell, I'll go check it out. I printed out quite a bit of information so I would have an idea of how the meetings are run, etc.. Also, I armed myself with resolutions to present from the campaign of Debra Medina. Well, what was merely meant as cursory overview of the process, devolved into me being the only person who showed up for my precinct. So, I did what I do naturally. I ran with it. I nominated my self precinct chairman of the precinct convention and secretary. Which basically meant that I had to fill out all the paper work, submit and vote on the resolutions I brought, and nominate myself to represent my precinct at the Senatorial District Convention on March 20th. The only bad part is that I had a 50k scheduled in Birmingham, Alabama that same day. I think i will pass on the race and cancel my plane ticket to go to the convention.
Basically, this is a way to work within the current system, hopefully to advocate the Ron Paulian views for the party at the county and state level. Who knows what will happen, but the current course of the party, the Bush Republican course is a dead end road.

The future of our country can go to ways, towards more Stateism, or we can choose to re-adopt the classical liberal values of our founders.

I choose freedom. I don't need any baby sitters.

A case of the Mondays?

2010-03-01T20:35:00.003-06:00

Alright, good weekend. Went to Austin on Sunday did a crazy monkey run with Josue. It rocked we jumped off cliffs, swam the creek a few times, ran up hills, climbed trees, jumped over shit, under shit, and climbed up grapevines! Freakin crazy man. All in VFF Treks, 16oz of water and a little bit of cane syrup. For 3.5 hours. I had some low blood sugar towards the end, I only had a small yogurt for Breakfast.

Saturday after noon, a visit with my coach Joe. All is well, not gonna do Tahoe 100 or Bear 100 this year after talking with him. Gonna focus on HardRock, Leadville, and Gila. Also though, I signed up for Fuego Y Agua. Should be fun, the RD is good people and some of the Austin folks that are going are also good folks.

Saturday night, I went to see a piece by Chopin at the Majestic in San Antonio. I was tired, and didn't pay for parking, so I was anxious the whole freakin time. Decided to go to Cowboys dancehall afterwards. I got a cab over there and a cab home, prob had 8 beers and some vodka shots. I felt like shit all day Sunday, like SHIT man! That's how it goes, I slept most of the day. I am gonna try to go all week w/o beer until the Nueces Marathon on Saturday. Lets see what happens.

Today, 8.5 miles did the firs 7 in an hour, then slowed a bit. Total time was 1:15:31. Came out to a 8:49 pace overall, put in some hills, and ran pretty leisurely was trying to keep the AVG HR down, ended up with 151 AVG 170 MAX, but only hit that twice. Something may be wrong with my HR monitor. I look at it sometimes in the middle of a run and it will read 43 or 36 or some crazy shit. Who knows, maybe I am freak of nature, or maybe this thing is a piece of crap-ola! It's a Polar F11. It doesn't stay like that, just for a few seconds maybe 15sec max. Anybody ever hear of anything like that happening? I was really glad about my run today, being as I wasn't going to go. But I was like man, you got to start bumping up your mileage, you big pussy. So I says, Johnny, git yer ass our there and make it happen. Sometimes when you get a run going, it gets better. Not this time, with this crappy as front that started blowing in this afternoon. When is winter going to be over? Got dammit.

Salt

2010-02-25T21:23:00.002-06:00

What does the title of this post have too do with it's contents? Not a damm thing. Had an excellent run today.

10 Miles total with a 2 mile walk home. haha

Did .5 mile warm up, followed by 9.5 miles of hard running. (the warm up was not included in the times that follow. The 1st 5 miles were 7:50 pace average, by the end I dropped back to like an 8:15 or 8:20 pace over all. The last 4.5 had the rolling hills and it got dark on me. So I'll take that. At 1 hour I was at 7.4 miles. No gels, or any crap, just water. Although, I could feel that my blood sugar was dropping somewhat towards the end. So 1 hour 19 minutes total time for the 9.5 miles. That is moving, baby!
AVG HR 159 MAX 177.
One of the most amazing things is that in less than a minute if I walk, the HR will drop 25 to 30 beats. That bodes well for pacing and interval/recovery. The 2 mile walk home was mostly because I started getting a blister on my right foot, and truthfully, I was running out of gas too.
So, another good day on the run training. Also did a few KB snatches with the 32kg bell. This weight feels heavy, so I am backing off some on my intensity and getting used to the feel of the bell. I need to hit another 2 week cycle of Viking Warrior, but this time with the 24kg bell on the 15:15 and move to the 36:36 with the 16kg bell. That should put me where I need to be for 7 minute paced miles for a half marathon. That would be nice and fast enough for now. Will work on that the 1st 2 weeks in March. I have the Nueces Trail Marathon next Saturday, I am hoping for a 4:30 time, but its a nasty course, so it will be hard to run it that fast, but I plan on laying it on the line and running till the wheels fall off. On March 20th I have a 50k in Birmingham, I plan to do the same, run till the wheels fall off. It's at Oak Mountain State Park, I have run there once, lots of good climbs, but not too steep. Will be visiting my sister out there also. Should be fun. Then a quick trip to Seaside.

WOW, I am Getting Faster.

2010-02-24T21:10:00.002-06:00

Ah, I know I haven't posted since Friday, but so what.

Over the weekend, I drank beer and screwed around. Sat morning, put up my pull up bar from Stud Bar. That is cool, still haven't used it yet, but it makes for a great place to hang my ropes from.
Saturday night, I ran into Chris Nall a dude I went to high school with at my local Hooters. We sat around and drank beers and shots, and hit on some cougars. Had to get a cab home, hahah. You, know safety, safety.

Monday I finally got my competition 32kg bell from American Kettlebell Club, that I ordered back at the beginning of December. I am still waiting on the other one and a t-shirt. I am a little pissed off. They have a kettlebell training seminar in Ukraine this summer that I would like to go to, but after my experience so far, I think I will wait.

Also, Monday afternoon, I went to a Barefoot and Pose running seminar in Austin which was presented by Josue Stevens and some folks who train in POSE Running. Best damm seminar I have went to. Afterwards, I chilled out with my trail running friends and my good friend and pacer Naresh. It was a good day.

So on Tuesday, I started trying to run POSE style. Went for 4 miles in the MT100 from New Balance.
Hellva shoe. Didn't record any times, just practicing. Went well.

Tonight, I went for 8 miles, with the recording equipment.

8 Miles total with .5 mile cool down, and a stop for a piss.
1 hour and 5 seconds (7.5 miles). That's nice and that's moving baby.
AVG HR was 155 max was 175. I'll take that, had some nice roller hills in there.
Came out to a 8:05 pace. Best pace was 5:30, but only on downhills.

So, I am sold on POSE. WHY?? Well, last week when I was throwing back some hella paced runs, it really felt like I was stuck in 3rd gear with the pedal on the floor. Now its like, hey i am running sub 7, and yea my lungs feel it and my heart rate is high, but I got 3 gears left. So, bought some videos and books. I will be studying this method. Also, my legs didn't even feel anything. I am pumped, about this.

More in the coming weeks.

It's Friday, Bitches!

2010-02-19T20:21:00.002-06:00

Never look back, if there was something there you need, you'd have it with you.

No workout on Thursday. Said, "John, you know, you should take a day off and drink some beer." And, I agreed. Wow, that was one hell of an argument but I knew I would convince myself of the necessity.

Today. Woke up late, as usual. Gonna get some discipline one day.

Workout:

8 total miles. 1/2 mile warm up and 1/2 mile warm down.
On the road, 7 miles at 8:10 pace. Pretty good, considering I was somewhat dehydrated and 8 shots of expresso today. HR Max 171 Avg. 161 getting better I think.

Shooting for 7:30 with avg of 155 be really cool if I could roll Sevens at 155 HR AVG. I'll keep working on it i guess.

Tired at The Gym

2010-02-17T21:07:00.002-06:00

After my runs today, I went to the gym tonight. It was kinda crappy. Mostly just a little tired.

Here was the run:
2 miles in 15minutes comes to a 7:30 pace, but broke it up in 2 minute intervals with 4 2min intervals at 10MPH and 4 2min intervals at 6.5MPH.

Core:

4-S X 5R of rollouts and rollups.

1 set of suitcase holds @ 65lbs.
2-S of 10R Long Cycle at 35lbs KB
1-S of 10R KB snatch at 35lbs KB.

Grilled chicken salad at Hooters for dinner. 2 beers.

BS'ed with my buddy Brice who stopped by, and also Kelli who came in after class.

Charlie, who works there there, but just stopped by on her way out to party was getting primed for a night out. She recently had an "enhancement" Job well done, very enhanced I would say. The twins almost fell out.

Blazing Speed?

2010-02-17T12:43:00.002-06:00

Well, I wouldn't call it blazing, but I had a nice little run at lunch today.

My director goes running at lunch everyday and has been for the last 5 years. I have run with him in the past but he is pretty fast so I kinda quit after I started running ultras. But, today I challenged him to a run. Well I lost, but we pushed each other.

We did 3.5 miles in a 7:17 pace. That was nice. Real fast for this fatty. Ultimately, I'd like to run a 5K in sub 6.

The best part is I feel fine, and that makes 9 miles for the day so far. All systems go right now, knee good, hip good.

Panzerkampfwagen

2010-02-17T06:47:00.003-06:00

Some of you may know that German is an amalgamated language. The term panzer every knows as a tank but the actual word is panzerkampfwagen. Which means something like "slow moving caterpillar like armored vehicle". Well not anymore, I was moving faster for longer this morning than I have in about 10 years. See below.

Yesterday for lunch:

10 KB snatch each arm with 32kg.
20 Bulgarian Bag Swings each direction with 26lbs.
2X15R Bulgarian Bag Swings with 37lbs.

Didn't workout last night but worked late till about 8PM. We never stop working for you.

I did drink 6 beers and waste a bunch of time reading blogs and Facebook crap.

This A.M. did a run to Starbucks and back. 3 miles each direction. 8min pace up there, then a double expresso, then 7:30 pace on the way back. Even left them a present in the latrine.

Good Day for Training

2010-02-15T21:34:00.003-06:00

Today was a doosey!

Lunch Workout:

50 reps of KB snatch @ 24kg with each arm. WKC rules says you can not set the bell down or rest in the hang position.
I was going for 70 reps each arm, that would have been WKC LVL-I rank, but didn't make it. Will try again next Monday. My heart rate was crazy.
Check the you tube video.

After work was the running workout.

Overall it was 5 miles.
I did 6 hill repeats on treadmill.
Also 6 speed drills on treadmill.

The hill repeats had 3 minute slow down between sets but speed was always 5 MPH for the rest period and the hill period.

1st 2.5 min @ 15% incline HR to 170
2nd 3 min @ 15% incline HR to 173
3rd 3 min @ 15% incline HR to 176
4th 1.5 min @ 15% incline HR to 174
5th 2 min @ 15% incline HR to 176
6th 1.5 min @ 15% incline HR to 170

The speed workout was fast (10 MPH) for 1 minute the to 5MPH for 2 min, then repeat.

1st HR to 170
2nd HR to 174
3rd HR to 173
4th HR to 174
5th HR to 171
6th HR to 182 (.5min @ 12MPH and .5min @ 10MPH)

So getting some turn over speed work in and some hill work.

After that, I was like I outta here.

Weekend Workout

2010-02-15T07:26:00.002-06:00

The past weekend was Valentines weekend. I was supposed to run the Austin Marathon, but decided that I was not ready for that many miles. Didn't want to find out at mle 15 that my knee is still messed up. haha

But none the less, I did go to Austin on Saturday night.

My friends Mark and Naresh had talked me into running the half marathon course with them. I was really glad that they got me out there. I felt great, running extra full speed up the hills. Also went to the capitol grounds at night. The Capitol is one impressive building.

Other than the 13 miles, I mostly worked out my jaw, talkin shit all weekend and drank too many beers. Back to the grindstone.

Cheered on runners at mile 21 for the Austin Marathon on Sunday with my friends from Hill Country Trail Runners. That was way more fun than running it!!

Building Momemtum

2010-02-12T20:32:00.003-06:00

Wholly Shit. I just blew up the 1st VWC protocol.

It calls for 15sec @ 7 KB snatches per set followed by 15 sec rest, then repeat for 80 sets with a 35lbs kettle bell.

Well last night after my treadmill run, I was able to do 40 sets.

Not tonight baby, 80 sets, in YO face!

80-S KB snatch @ 35lbs KB. For the 1st 40 sets, my HR never went above 170. The average for the whole workout was 168, and the max HR was 178. The whole protocol take 40 minutes to complete. After 1 min my HR was 144 and after 2 min the HR was 122. Now that is some hella conditioning.

The Viking Warrior Conditioning workout was after the 5 miles I ran on the treadmill. At a 7mph pace for 5 miles max HR was 167 avg was 160. Getting better.

Next goal is to do 75 KB swings each arm with a 24kb (50lbs) bell with each arm with out setting it down in under 10 minutes. Gonna go for this Monday at lunch. Give my hands a break.

Miss Sarajevo

2010-02-11T23:43:00.002-06:00

This song by U2 has always held a special place in my heart. I was in Bosnia in'98. What a beautiful place it could have been. To know the possibilities of a place and to see what it became, you would understand the why free markets are important and how central planning fails.

The translation for the Italian part of Miss Sarajevo

You say that the river
finds the way to the sea
And as the river
you'll come to me
Beyond the borders
and the thirsty lands
You say that as river
As river
Love will come
Love
And I cannot pray anymore
And I cannot hope in love anymore
And I cannot wait for love anymore

Simple Truths

2010-02-11T23:40:00.001-06:00

Here is something I put together a few years back, maybe you like it, maybe you don't.

Simple Truths

1. Discipline of children is unconditional love.

2. When choosing acquaintances judge not by appearance but by the three I’s, in this order: Integrity, Industry, and Intelligence.

3. Most problems we have as individuals are caused by lack of discipline and failure to set standards for ourselves.

4. Most all men desire to be told what to do, hence the importance of Leadership.

5. You must always take care of number one. When married you are number two the spouse is now number one. When children arrive they become number one.

6. The hardest tasks in life are the most fulfilling.

7. To be respected, first you must respect yourself and secondly you must respect others with the same enthusiasm.

8. The proper order of values are: accountability and responsibility. Adherence of these will bring about the second tier of values, which are: honesty, loyalty, love and respect.

9. To lead your first task is to set the example and secondly to demand compliance of previously established standards in every instance.

10. When examining a problem the first conclusion you come to is not likely to be the true cause of the problem, you must challenge yourself to seek the deeper underlying problem.

Texas Lady

2010-02-11T23:34:00.001-06:00

TEXAS LADY (Yea, I wrote this in '98)

Barely sixteen when she had a child
It was the blind, leadin the blind
But, with four years down the road she's twenty now
Workin late nights with school and a child can take its toll on your soul
Now she's startin to learn what lifes about
....
She's a texas lady, tryin to make her way
Playin the hand, she's been dealt today
She's been California dreamin,
Lord, she's dancin on England's stones
But she's a lady and Texas is her home
....
She's finally found the love shes needin
In a cowboy from Abilene
He gives her the love and the strength that she needs
But he's left for a job in Dallas, and now he's in Tennessee
She gets a call from her cowboy every week
....
She's a Texas lady
Trying to make her way
Playin the hand that she's been dealt today
Well, he's been Tennessee livin
He's headed for music row
But, she's a lady and Texas is her home,
She's a lady and Texas is her home.

Hardrock Training Day 3

2010-02-11T23:17:00.003-06:00

Nice one today. Heart rate training like a MOFO.

5 miles total run in 43 minutes. Here is the breakout.
3M @ 8min Pace
.5M @ 7:30 Pace
.5M @ 10:00 Pace
.5M @ 7:00 Pace
.25M @ 12:00 Pace
.25M @ 6:30 Pace
Avg HR 168 Max 187

Viking Warrior Conditioning Workout.
This workout is 15sec of snatches with a 35lbs KB min of 7 snatches followed by 15sec of rest. Then repeat till you die.
I went for 40 work sets, @ 7 reps per set.
21 min total time.
Avg Hr 176 Max 182.

So basically I spent 1 hour at an Average HR at 168 or above. Nice!

More information on Viking Warrior Conditioning:
http://www.dragondoor.com/b39.html?gclid=CMjHqbaH7J8CFZhf2godOSLrew

Lunch Work Day 2

2010-02-11T14:53:00.004-06:00

Nice one today:

1-S 30R each arm 50lbs KB Snatch w/o setting down bell.
1-S 30 swings each direction with 26lbs Bulgarian Training Bag.
1-S 10R each arm KB Snatch 70lbs bell.
1-S 15 swings each direction with 37lbs Bulgarian Training Bag.

Some Equipment I use:
http://www.mckinneygymequipment.com/
http://www.suples.com/bulgarian-training-bags/
http://www.dragondoor.com/kettlebellkettlebells/

Hardrock Training Day 2

2010-02-10T22:18:00.002-06:00

Running:
Treadmill run:
2 min warm at 5mph
3 min @ 15% incline HR to 175 @ 5mph
2 min flat at 5mph HR to 153
3 min @ 15% incline HR to 182 @ 5mph
2 min flat at 5mph HR to 152
1.5 min at 15% and 1.5 min at 10% HR to 178 @ 5mph
3 min at 10% incline HR to 170
2 min flat HR to 140 HR 140
1 mile at 7mph (8:29 pace) HR to 170
2 min flat HR to 140
1 min at 8mph (7:30 pace) HR to 180
Cool down.

Heart Rate Training:
HR 184 Max & 162 avg over 16 min. with:
1-S X 30R 35lbs Long Cycle
1-S X 20R 35lbs Double Snatch
1-s X 20R 35lbs Double Snatch
1-S X 25R 35lbs Long Cycle

Core Training:
Rollouts:
2-S X 3R 3/4 out
Rollups:
2-S X 5R

Fun:
5 Handstand pushups
2 Inverted Frog pose leg lifts.

Flexibility Drills:
Hip Stretches
4R Wall Walk Backwards.

Enjoy the Pain.

Lunch Workout

2010-02-10T12:37:00.001-06:00

1-S X 20-R KB Snatch each arm 50lbs
1-S X 10-R KB Snatch each arm 70lbs
1-S X 20 Bag swings each Direction 26lbs
1-S X 10 Bag swings each direction 37lbs

Hardrock Training Day 1

2010-02-09T20:42:00.002-06:00

Well, I got in. Lucky pick in the lottery. So, I gotta get down to business. Been having a problem with my knee, hoping its just an it band issue, but who knows. It should be ready to go soon, we will see.

Here was today's workout.

Heart Rate Training:
Long Cycle 2 X 30 reps @ 35lbs KB.
Double Snatches 2 X 20 Reps @ 35lbs KB.

Core:
Standing ab roll outs: 3 @ 1/4, 2-S X 3-R 1/2, 2-S X 2-R 3/4, 1 Full roll out.
Feet rollups 2 sets 4 rollups.
4 Leg lifts overhead from the frog position.
Farmers walk 70lbs 1 arm 2 X 30second walks, each arm.

Working the backside, working hamstring tie in with the glutes.
Romanian Deadlifts (RDL) 2X8R @ 95lbs

Fun:
Handstand pushups 4-S X 3-R.

Flexibility Drills:
2 Overhead squats with 45lbs bar.
Various hip stretching.
3 Reps of Walking down the wall. Reach back, walk down the wall.

Running:
2 min warm up @ 5mph
3 min 15% incline @ 5mph
2 min @5mph flat
2.5 min @ 15% incline @ 5mph
2 min cool down.
This only equaled about a mile on the treadmill, but I am going to start with quality, over quantity. Heart rate training is my goal here, and hill running. Trying to stay very erect and force the glutes, hamstrings, abs to engage.

I will work this type of workout, hopefully everyday for a while and see where it goes.

Cactus Rose 100 Video

2010-02-05T00:25:00.002-06:00

Here is a clip i put together from Cactus Rose 100.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LMuywX-J_Q

Enjoy!

Marlboros and a Bach Concerto

2009-12-22T21:24:00.001-06:00

Smoke billows as crescendo grows
Remembering youth, days of ole
Resting my head, feather pillow
Marlboros and a Bach Concerto

Straight line, winds make cusp
Back then, was it us
I’ve tried the wine, just fine
Laying here, marking time
Marlboros and a Bach Concerto

Allegrissio, images appear
Never catching the ones
I hold, most dear
Fear keeping us apart
For you dear, my heart, my heart
Marlboros and a Bach Concerto

Prestissimo, and although
Around and around, mind goes
Must hold image, Sostenuto
There you are, and far away
Barely can see you, through the haze
Marlboros and a Bach Concerto

Misterioso, can I feel
When you were near, so near
Track changes, now Chopin
Washing it all away
A miner, with a pan
Marlboros and a Bach Concerto

The Real Immigration Issue

2009-12-09T00:14:00.006-06:00

Here is a copy of a letter I sent to the Paisano, the Student Newspaper at UTSA.
It was written in response to a previous letter http://www.paisano-online.com/2.840/statue-is-a-symbol-of-strength-1.28218
arguing for not removing a statue that depicts a border crossing into the U.S. by Mexican Nationals.

Here is the link to my original: http://www.paisano-online.com/2.840/economics-of-immigration-1.28179

The original issue was that the statue should be removed, but the person I wrote a rebuttal against said no. My letter was the response.

The Real Immigration Issue
By John T. Sharp
April 4, 2006

While reading the 4 April edition of The Paisano I was shocked and appalled by the opinion letter submitted by Ms. Bowman.
First, I am concerned by how she cloaks her argument in the veil of racism and has the audacity to call anyone who is arguing for the removal of this statue a racist. Granted, using a racist cloak makes for an effective argument and generates popular support and sympathy, I expected more from a person as erudite as her title implies.
Also, the claim of covert reverse discrimination can made against her argument by her omission to any “adversity” faced by Irish-Americans in New York after the Irish Potato famine beginning in 1845 or any other American that has to mark “Caucasian” on government documents because there is no special block for them.
Second, her statement regarding the rightful ownership of Texas land confuses me. These illegal immigrants have no title to any property in Texas. The Mexican government once possessed title to this great state but after the Texas Revolution of 1836 this title was lost due to the ineptitude of the Mexican military and political leadership. It could be argued that the historical corruption and ineptitude of Mexican political leadership has exacerbated the current issue of illegal immigration. The Mexican-American War of 1848 further reinforced the claim to U.S. possession of Texas. To claim that this land is rightfully “theirs” is to flout international law of treaties.
Third, she makes the claim that these undocumented workers pay into the Social Security system, “a system they will not be able to partake in”. I fail to understand how an employer can pay into the Social Security system for a worker with no Social Security number.
Fourth, she says she has never seen an unemployed illegal immigrant. If you want to see some unemployed illegal immigrants, I ask only that you go downtown around the jail and you will find plenty of illegal immigrants that are unemployed.
The real issue at stake here is economics. If there were no incentives to come to the U.S. (e.g. jobs, health care, education) there would be no cause for the “Border Crossing” statue nor would there be cause for massive illegal immigration.
I am in agreement that the current house bill on immigration is misguided. Why would the house pass a bill criminalizing being here illegally? By the nature of the definition isn’t being here illegally already against the law? However, I do support the provision of the bill that authorizes state and local police to enforce immigration laws and to transfer aliens to federal custody.
The most effective way to prevent illegal immigration is to remove the incentives. By this I suggest that the government crack down on businesses that employ illegal immigrants. Fines should be imposed that represent the real lost revenue to the government plus associated interest. If there are no jobs available to illegals they will seek work somewhere else.
Additionally, health care and education should be denied to all persons who are not citizens and do not posses a social security number, unless here as an official guest of the U.S. government. Illegals “de facto” steal money from tax paying citizens when their children are educated in the public school system. This is a particularly acute problem in Texas because schools are financed by property taxes, increasing the tax burden on the average tax-paying citizen. Not only is this unjust to the citizens of this state but these illegals even think it prudent to demand bilingual education which further increases this burden.
The same issue of the “de facto” stealing of taxpayer dollars by illegal immigrants is evidenced by a visit to your local hospital emergency room. Illegals go to the emergency room for care because U. S. law says that no one can be denied emergency services in the health care industry. These services and fees have to be paid for by someone and it is not the illegals in most cases.
If these Mexican nationals, who are here illegally, and their supporters, who wave the Mexican flag on U.S. soil in their protests, want to effect real change their current strategy should be revamped. A positive strategy to pursue is for these foreign nationals to withhold remittances to their home country. Remittances are the 2nd largest source of income and make up 70% or Mexican GDP. Without this money the Mexican government and business interests will be more willing to support real economic and social change to further the betterment of these proud Mexican people.

John T. Sharp
Undergraduate Student and Citizen

German Unification

2009-12-09T00:10:00.001-06:00

Here is a copy of a paper I wrote back in May of 2006 for a class on Europe in the 19th Century:

German Unification

At the beginning of the 19^th century the Germany we know of today did not exist. The German peoples were established as a confederation of states after the Napoleonic wars, each ruled by their own princes or kings. Austria and Prussia both contended for power and influence over the confederation. The two main currents were a gross Deutschland strategy and a Klein Deutschland strategy. The gross Deutschland proposition placed Austria at the head of the confederation with Prussia included. The Klein Deutschland strategy, the one pursued by Prussia, placed Prussia at the head of the German confederation and excluded Austria. By the close of the 19^th century and into the 20^th century Germany was a unified, formidable force in central Europe and a world power. Germany had a robust economy and had overseas colonies, primarily in Africa.

Not since the time of Charlemagne had Germany been a unified entity under one ruler. Many Germans wanted to be united and longed for the nostalgic time when Germany was one. Only one man was able to achieve this unification of the German principalities into one nation. This man was Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck. Bismarck was able to maneuver around the domestic and international political landscape to achieve unification. Bismarck’s skill in statecraft and diplomacy was unmatched by his peers. Bismarck is remembered in posterity as the Father of German unification.

This essay will focus on two key foreign policy maneuvers and two key domestic policy platforms that Bismarck used. The foreign policy tactics helped to achieve the actual, final unification of Germany after a long series of steps employed by Bismarck. The two domestic policy points in the essay will center on how Bismarck tried to strengthen the unification and nationalization of The German Empire, while cooping the radical socialist elements that existed in German society at the time. Most all of the tactics that Bismarck used were effective in achieving their goals, but not all of them.

To understand how Bismarck was able to wield so much power in the Prussian government to achieve this unification, one must understand the responsibilities inherent

in Bismarck’s positions in the Prussian government. Bismarck was the Prime Minister of Prussia and the Foreign Minister of Prussia. As Prime Minister of Prussia, Bismarck was directly responsible to the King of Prussia, King Wilhelm I and he also presided over parliament. In this capacity, to question Bismarck was almost to question the King himself. This position as prime minister gave Bismarck a wide degree of latitude to implement the policies necessary to achieve his domestic policy agenda. As Foreign Minister of Prussia, Bismarck was also directly responsible to the King of Prussia. In this position, Bismarck possessed total control over Prussia’s foreign affairs, its dealings with other nations, whose power was only checked by the King himself. Additionally it must be noted that Bismarck was a Junker. A Junker was word used to reference the landed aristocracy of Prussia. As a Junker, Bismarck had a vested interest in increasing the power of Prussia as the head of a unified Germany. Bismarck was fiercely loyal to his king, in all his dealings with other nations and domestic politicians, and he used his personal skill of statecraft, negotiation, and manipulation to increase the power of the King of Prussia.

In 1863 the Danish king, King Fredrick VII died leaving no male heirs to the throne. The Danes presided over the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein. The duchy of Schleswig consisted primarily of Danish peoples, whereas the duchy of Holstein was made up of Germanic peoples. Once the king died the Danes and the Prussians competed for control over the duchies. The Prussians wanted control of the duchies to establish a naval base in the harbor of Kiel. This base was important to the Prussians, which would enable them to establish control over the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. With control over these seas the Prussians could trade coming out of the Rhine and from Russia with ports along the Atlantic coast. Furthermore, Bismarck wanted to build a canal across the duchies to keep the Prussian government from having to build to navies, one in the Baltic Sea and the other in the North Sea.

The Treaty of Ribe stated that the two duchies were inseparable. Disregarding this treaty the newly appointed King of Denmark, Christian IX, passed a resolution annexing Schleswig for the Danish peoples primarily because of the large population of Danes that lived in the duchy. Bismarck used this action as a base of argument in the international arena to seize control of the duchies.

Bismarck was aware of the international forces that had an interest in one, checking the power of Prussia, and two, ensuring legitimate transfer of power in the duchies. Bismarck used the Austrian government achieve these ends. If Prussia invaded the Holstein duchy with out the aid of Austria then, internationally, it would seem as though Prussia was trying to make a grab for power in the North Sea. The British would not have allowed this encroachment on their power in the North Sea and would have made war against the Prussians and would have come to the aid of the Danes. The Prussians needed the Austrians to invade the duchies. With Austria on the side of the Prussians the other main powers of the time (Brittan, France, and Russia) would not have wanted to get involved in what merely seemed to be a succession disagreement. Additionally, it is interesting to note how Bismarck manipulated the Prussian king to decide in favor of invading the duchies. King Wilhelm stated in a letter to Bismarck, “I have no right to Holstein” (Bismarck, vol. II, pg.13). Bismarck casually reminded the king that every recent King of Prussia had taken action to add territory to Prussia and that it was his duty to intervene. Bismarck was able to manipulate the Austrians by using their sympathies with the gross Deutschland strategy.

Needless to say the Austrians and the Prussians invaded the duchies and defeated the Danes in what is referred to as the Second War of Schlewig. The circumstances could not have been more favorable to Bismarck. Through is diplomatic skills of negotiation he was able to influence Austria to assist Prussia in the invasion while keeping the other main powers in Europe out of the conflict.

The Austrians and Prussians jointly decided that they would occupy the duchies as independent powers in support of the German confederation. After this conflict the Austrians controlled the administration of Schlewig and the Prussians controlled the administration of Holstein. Due to the circumstances of the relationship within the duchies under joint Austro-Prussian, Bismarck was able to provoke Austria in to war with Prussia by claiming that Austria had violated their administration agreement under the Gastein Convention. Austria declared war on Prussia, which made Austria appear as the aggressor. It was important that Austria declared the war so Prussia would not appear, to the international community, to seek power. The Prussians defeated the Austrians in Austro-Prussian War in 1866.

The importance of this war was significant for a number of reasons. First, this proved the military strategy of Bismarck was effective and proved that the Prussian Army was a major force. Second, the two duchies now came solely under the influence of Prussia and the German Confederation virtually excluding the Austrians. This is exactly the Klein Deutschland strategy that Bismarck pursed all along. Third, Prussia achieved these goals while merely appearing to be defending their own sovereignty.

Prussia controlled the states of northern Germany, which were primarily protestant, but the southern German states of Baden, Bavaria, and Wurttemberg were still independent. These south German states were primarily Catholic and were somewhat sympathetic to Austria, which was also a Catholic country. Although sympaethic, these south German states were still Germans and were interested in a unified Germany. The French were disturbed with the new balance of power in central Europe and the humbling of Austria after its defeat by Prussia. The French sought to neutralize this growth of Prussian influence because they saw this growing Prussian hegemony as a threat to their national security. Understanding this while still trying to increase Prussian dominance in central Europe, Bismarck was looking for a way to influence these states to join the Bund.

This opportunity came in 1870 when the Spanish offered the throne of Spain to a Hohenzollern prince, Prince Leopold. Prince Leopold was a distant cousin of the Prussian king, King Wilhelm I. The French under Napoleon III, due to internal and external crises, were looking for a foreign policy victory. The French were afraid that ascension of a German prince to the Spanish throne would ally the Spanish to the Prussians. With this kind of alliance the French would be in effect, boxed in, by Prussian influence and considered this a definite threat to their national security. In the event of a war the French would have had to fight a war on two fronts. Napoleon III government asked the Prussian king to influence Prince Leopold to withdraw his canadicy to the throne of Spain. King Wilhelm I acquiesced to French demands and the prince withdrew. Napoleon III was disappointed that the Prussians gave up so easily because what he really wanted was a war with Prussia, which, in defeating Prussia, he would strengthen his power in France. The French sent their ambassador, Vincent Benedetti, to demand that King Wilhelm I agree that he would never support the candidacy of a Hollenzollern prince to the Spanish throne into perpetuity. King Wilhelm declined to support French demands and sent an account of his meeting with Benedetti to Berlin in what is know as the Ems Dispatch.

Bismarck took this opportunity to instigate a war with France. If the Prussians won a war with France, Bismarck’s goal of German unification could be completed. It was important still for Prussia to appear to play the part of defender, not as the aggressor. Bismarck basically falsified the Ems Dispatch. He did not add anything extra to the text of the telegram; he took out a few key lines. In effect he strengthened the language of the telegram to make it appear that King Wilhelm I was insulted by the actions of the French and their ambassador (Bismarck, vol. II pg. 97). Bismarck knowingly edited the message in this way to provoke France. Being as how the French were looking for a war, by offending the French with this telegram he felt for certain that the French would take action to defend their honor. This is political manipulation at its finest hour. Furthermore, Bismarck released this telegram at the direction of the king, which could have merely been left as an internal message, to the press. By releasing the telegram to the press he could garner sympathy and support from the German peoples for a war and in the same token he the French people would support their government in a war with Prussia. This action had its desired effect. The French were insulted and promptly declared war against Prussia in July of 1870.

The French were defeated in the Franco-Prussian war. This war established Prussian supremacy in central Europe and was the last step, in a long series of steps; Bismarck took to unify the German peoples under one crown. The German Confederation and Prussia were re-designated as the German Empire. King Wilhelm I led this empire as the German Emperor, a first among equals (Wikipedia). Once King Wilhelm was made the German Emperor he appointed Bismarck as the Imperial Chancellor of the German Empire. Now that this unification had been achieved Bismarck pursed policies which he hoped would solidify and strengthen the German Empire.

As Bismarck began this strengthening of unity towards the new German nation he turned his attention to domestic policy. Within the new empire was a large portion of Poles. These Poles due to the nationalist sentiment of the era were pressing for more autonomy. These Poles were also Catholic. Bismarck began implementing polices to reign in this growing threat of Polish nationalism in the state of Posen which he saw a danger to the newly formed empire. These policies were collectively known as the Culturkampf, a culture struggle. It has generally believed that these policies were directed specifically at the Catholic Church and its worshipers. According to Bismarck, the Prussian government was not anti-Catholic, but really just anti-Polish (Bismarck, vol. II, pg. 137). Bismarck on a personal and political level generally tolerated differing religions as long as those religions did not impose upon the authority of the government (Bismarck, vol. II, pg. 137). The policy aims of the Culturkampf were to acquire the means of combating Polonism, removal of certain articles in the German constitution, and most importantly making the state as head of the school system. The legislation passed during this time was known as May Laws. The May Laws put disciplinary authority over priest in Germany under state control, made the state in charge of education of the clergy, introduced civil marriage, and extended state control over the education in general. The Catholic Church would not recognize these laws so the German government cut off all financial aid to the Church. What Bismarck was trying to do with these laws was to limit the power of the Catholic Church inside of Germany which he felt was the driving force behind Polish nationalism. Because of these policies the progressive party in Germany defected to the Centrum party which was the party of the Catholics (Bismarck, vol. II, pg. 145). These laws were basically a failure in domestic policy for Bismarck. Instead of creating greater unity in the German empire; this policy created deeper divisions among the Catholic minority and the Polish elements. By 1879 Bismarck realized this failure in policy and repealed most of the May Laws.

Emerging in Germany and across Europe in general was a growing socialist movement. Bismarck felt that this socialism was an even greater threat to internal security that the Catholic Church or Polish ideas of independence. In 1878, after two attempts on the life of the German Emperor, King Wilhelm I by socialist radicals, the Reichstag under the direction of Bismarck passed anti-socialist laws. These laws were meant to check the growing influence of Social Democratic Party in Germany. Bismarck re-aligned himself with the Centrum party to help him get these laws passed. These laws were wholly reactionary and failed to achieve their stated aims. The anti-socialist laws forbid meetings of socialist groups and socialist leaders were arrested (Wikipedia). A person who held socialist beliefs could still run for office in the government, so socialists would just run as independents. By doing this the socialists basically circumvented the anti-socialist laws and were strongly gaining more influence in the German government. Based on the lessons learned by the failures of the Culturkampf policies, and with Bismarck realizing the anti-socialist laws were also failing, Bismarck tried a new strategy. Instead of combating, head to head, with the socialist why not coop their policy platforms into the governmental policy thereby reducing their influence among the constituents. If Bismarck could successfully coop the socialists their whole reason for political unity would crumble. Bismarck succeeded in this strategy. Bismarck took the first steps in creating labor laws. In 1883 a Health Insurance Act was passed. This health insurance allowed the workers to pay two thirds of the policy premium and the employer would pay the other third. Additionally accident insurance was provided to workers in case they were hurt on the job. In 1889 pensions and disability insurance were also given to workers who were retired or who were disabled. These reforms were dynamic in the fact that there was no precedence for this in any government until Bismarck. In our own time workers expect that health insurance and disability will be provide along with a retirement check from the government. Workers across Western Europe and United States ultimately have Bismarck to thank for these "rights". These reforms did not entirely bridge the gap between workers and government, but it can be said that these reforms stifled any type of worker revolution that the socialists were clamoring for.

Bismarck was the most influential figure in European politics in the second half of the 19th century. His realistic views of the political situation and his pragmatic approach to unification allowed him to unify the German states into a strong and cohesive nation state. His foreign policy built a German juggernaut in central Europe which other European powers respected. Although most of his domestic policy can be viewed as a failure, he was merely trying to build the strongest internal cohesion that would allow Germany to become a great nation. Bismarck achieved these goals overall and it is thankful he did not live to see this great nation, only forty-seven years after his death, become mired in two world wars, in which they were soundly defeated, and brought to its knees due to the political ineptitude of his successors.

Onward

2009-12-04T21:06:00.004-06:00

Onward, Onward, Onward
I run, Onward into the sun
Reaching for you, cannot grasp
Calling for you, voice rasp
Yearning for you, void remains
Love for you, always restrained
Passion for you, never fulfilled
Feel with me, this invoidable will
Onward I run, into the sun

Poem For You

2009-12-03T22:53:00.004-06:00

I remember us then
Were just kids, rail thin
In rain played, by day
Danced and laughed, what'd you say
Love me forever, yes ever

Hair blowin wind, bills set in
Wishin, we were rail thin
Go out on Friday, we may
Must meet responsibilitays
Love me forever, maybe never

A Poem For Your Thoughts

2009-11-24T17:40:00.004-06:00

Upon a star love, we wished
Blue cheese devoured with ease
As over wine, we dined
Sun setting, waves cresting
Many seagulls 'a festing
Thistle thyme, passing time
Over mountain for love, climb
Upon a star love, we wish

Thanksgiving Run

2009-11-24T11:01:00.002-06:00

Naresh and I will be do a 100 miler on Thanksgiving.

We don't have a name for it yet, maybe Dos Hombres Sojourn.

Here is the map:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Selma&1s=TX&1y=US&1l=29.5842&1g=-98.305603&1v=CITY&2c=Koerth&2s=TX&2y=US&2l=29.308901&2g=-96.996399&2v=CITY

I think it will be fun. We will be traveling along the access road of I-10 and stopping in Gonzales at some of my family's house for food.

Going to drop water tonight, 2 gallons every 10 miles.

This area of Texas is pretty rural and when we get to Koerth, we will ride 4 wheelers and shoot shotguns. Should be a blast!

Send us good vibes and texts: 210-347-6392 for me and 203-564-0233 for Naresh.

Ditty Mao

2009-10-25T21:28:00.002-05:00

What is ditty mao? It means hurry up in Vietnamese.

I went for Vietnamese food on Saturday night. I was kinda forced into after packing race packets for Cactus Rose. It was really good. Not like those Chinese food places that make you wanta puke.

Earlier in the day on Saturday, I ran the Frankenthon Marathon. I think it was my slowest marathon to date. 5hr15min. But who gives a shit. I had fun. Ran the first 18 miles in the Vibram Treks. Then had to bum a pair of shoes from Jeff, because my freakin feet were killing me. Thanks, Jethro. Got to hang out with my buddy Mark and his family for a bit. His son Gavin is a pretty cool dude!

I was trying to keep my heart rate in a certain zone, under 150bpm. Did well, had great energy. I didn't take any food or gels or anything besides salt and water. I walked from mile 18 to 21 because my feet hurt and I need to get used to the shoes I borrowed. Most of the race was on concrete. Oooh, that sucks. The last 5 miles i ran at about 160bpm. Nice. Felt great the whole time, stable solid energy levels.

Afterward, Cheri busted out the pigs-in-da-blanket. Umm, Umm, Good! I even gave some chick a calf massage at mile 23. Yea, I'm a playa! hahah.

Went to NXNW for the Ocktober fest deal they were having. Hung out with Naresh (i.e. Tonto) and Jeff and Cheri. We had a good time. I think Jeff is gonna put the smack down on me for choke slammin his dog. Not a mean choke slam, an instructional choke slam. Oh yea, the girls were dressed up like little Bavarian girlies. Oooh, it just did it for me. Nice little cute out fits. Eye Candy!

Sunday was pretty tame, went riding the Harley with Bill. Went to the old tunnel where the bats live. Had some beers. Saw some fat school teacher biker chicks that pissed me off. Ran about 90mph back down I-10 and lost my do rag. Dammit.

Hooters sucked today. Got there about 2:30. They had the C team workin. Jeeze. Where's my ladies. Ahhh! Dammit.

Peace out.

Palo Duro Weekend

2009-10-18T21:33:00.002-05:00

Well my weekend started early, Thursday lunch to be exact. I went to work Thursday feeling like crapola so I says to myself, "John, you outta leave work early and drive out to South Llano River State Park and just go chill out." So, I called up Enterprise and picked up a car, 4 days for $70 bones. That's a steal. Asked the boss man if i could just roll out at lunch and he was cool with it. So bam, just like that I'm out the door at 11:50. Sweet, dawg.

It was nice little 4 door red number, a Chevy Colbolt. What POS. I spent 4 days in that damm thing. We made an agreement. If the car would not piss anyone off, I would promise not to beat the steering wheel when it just pokes along as I nail the gas pedal.

I got to the South Llano river park about 4ish. I got my sleeping pad outta the car, and my new book "Where Keynes Went Wrong" and lay in the shade, under a tree, by the river and started reading. Well from the title you can tell it was probably pretty booring, so about 15 minutes in I fell asleep. I needed to, because I was feeling like shit anyway. I think I had the brown bottle flu from Hooters on Wednesday night.

I woke up about an hour later and went to my campsite, but I forgot my tent. Oops. No problem, I just slept on the picnic table. That went pretty good except for the mosquitoes. Of course I forgot Off, but the park hostess lady has some and fixed me right up. I was asleep by 8PM. Up by 430 in the AM, I showered up, and took off for the rest of the drive up to Amarillo for the Palo Duro Canyon 50 Miler.

My good friend Bill Conway, signed up to run this race. He started training while I was at Hardrock, after reading Ultramarathon Man. I have been excited to run see his development regarding running. Bill and I have been friends since '96. We were stationed together in Germany while in the Army. We used to lift weights together back in the old days. He taught me alot about nutrition. I got down to 5% body fat just before I turned 21 and had 17 inch arms. Whose ya daddy? Anyway, we have traveled around the U.S. on motorcycles and we both work for Verizon Wireless. He was there as a pallbearer at my grandfather's funeral. I was there at his mom's wedding, and his wedding. So yea, we are good friends. We have been friends my whole adult life I guess.

This guy is built like me, about 5'6 or 5'7 180 lbs. Like a brick shit house. hahha

I told him, hey man I am gonna run with you. You run your race and I will provide motivation and coaching, on the fly. Like take more salt, or hows your blood sugar. Eat some food, etc..... Drink more water.....

Loop 1 went well. 2hours 40min. with 5 min at the start/finish aid station. loop 2 went pretty good with about 2 hours 50min. with 10 min at the aid station. So we were still sittin pretty. He wanted to make a shoe change here. Loop 3 we had a slow down b/c of his knee. It was bothering him quite a bit. But we did quite a bit of walking and got to talk about alot of good stuff. Like whats going on in your life, etc... But more than just the casual B.S. that you usually talk about. That really made the whole race for me.

We came into the start/finish about 30 min over the cut off so we had to stop. But this guy ran 38 miles. Wholly shit, on 2.5 months of training. Hell, I'll take that any day. If he wouldnta tweaked his knee, then we would have been out on loop 4. His wife came also to the race. A beautiful lady, who is totally supportive. He is a lucky dude.

Also my friend Mike West and his wife showed up with his son Cody. Totally unexpected. Mike and I have pictures of us sitting on his parents couch in our underwear when we were kids. His dad and mine worked in the oilfield together back in the '70's. I don't guess I have known anyone any longer than Mike. Well, other than family. We got to catch up quite a bit. He is doing well and so is Mindy, his wife. As I was running down the start finish chute, I told Cody to jump on my back and ran in with him. That was cool. We may have us another trail runner one day. I guess we will see. hahah.

After the race, we sat around drinking beer at the Austin runners hangout. John Kuss had an RV and Joe brought the overhead cover. Crash was cooking and about 45 folks showed up for supper. Crash is the man! The food was great, and the camaraderie was also pretty damm good. The freakin Barney Fife park rangers showed up about 10PM givin everybody shit and busted up the party. Freakin douchbags. Prob for the best though, I passed out in the car shortly after. ahahah

On Sunday morning, Brenda and John Brown had their post wedding reception breakfast. That was real nice and I wish them the best. They met the year before at the race. Pretty cool! Again Crash was cooking up the vittles. Wow, ultra runners are some hella good folks. Come out and run an ultra. Preferably one that Joe puts on. You will come back!

The drive home was pretty uneventful. So I will end here, but will say its one hellva long drive from Amarillo to San Antonio.

Run Some, Then Eat Gorgonzola Filet

2009-10-12T22:59:00.002-05:00

Did a little 6 miles to the gym after work in the Vibram Treks. http://www.kayakshed.com/prod/vibram-five-fingers-mens-kso-trek.cfm
Then some one legged over head press (50lbs DB). Then some one armed farmers walks (45lbs plate in one hand) around the gym, and finish off with leg extensions ( 2 X 60 R @ 50lbs).

My sister is in town this week so we went to Bravo here in San Antonio. http://www.bravoitalian.com/

The have the best ensalada de la casa and Gorgonzola Filet. I think the waiter was shocked when I said, "Hey Boss, bring me another Peroni (beer # 4)." Top it off with some Tiramisu and you got yourself some good eats.

I always like to have tiramisu when I go for Italian. Reminds me of my friend Heidi and 1999 just before we left to Saudi.

The only problem I got is that I have to run to work in the morning, cause my truck is still there. Uhh, dammit. Well it could be worse, I could be worrying about how I am going to pay child support for three kinds. Humm, kinda puts things into perspective don't it??

Pretty Good Weekend

2009-10-11T22:27:00.003-05:00

Wow, I finally downloaded IE7 and now my freakin blogger will load. I kinda quit doing a blog b/c the freakin thing too for ever to load. Not so anymore. Bout time.

Well two of my running buddies finished their 1st 100 miler up in Kansas. Ryan ( http://distortedveracity.blogspot.com/) and Thomas. These dudes kick ass!

Congrats for them and the best part is, they still have time to sign up for the Western States lottery. I am callin them out, sign up dammit. http://ultrasignup.com/events/lottery.aspx?did=5752

As for me. Humm. Chilin like a villian. Went to Bandera (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/hill_country/)for about 10 miles on Saturday with my friend Cheri. She is going for her 1st 100 miler on Oct. 31 @ Cactus Rose. http://www.tejastrails.com/CactusRose.html Whooo, Hoooo! I am going to pace her on loop 3. Looking forward to it. I left about 11 and went over to Enchanted Rock. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/enchanted_rock/

Enchanted Rock was fun. I did some hill repeats in the Vibram Treks. i.e. Rock Eaters. And it was a blast. What a great place to learn how to run up and downhill. Real steep grades, good footing. Ran from the top of the rock to the latrines, 3.5 minutes. I love it. I will be back.

My sister is also in town for the week. Its been fun to catch up. We went to the Symphony on Sat. night. 1st time I have been but it was pretty fun so I will most likely go back again.

I ran 9 miles in the Treks on Thursday. My lower leg, the part below the calf is taking a beating right now, but its a good kinda whippin.

Been reading books from the Ludwig von Mises Institute www.mises.org Currently working on Epistemological Problems of Economics by Ludwig von Mises. Great read so far.

Have decided after 5 years of political limbo that I am, in fact, a Libertarian. Pretty liberating. I get a daily email from the Campaign for Liberty. http://www.campaignforliberty.com/ If you are tired of being manipulated by the douches, give these folks a look.

Ron Paul is the man! This guy is a tireless defender of Freedom and Liberty. Ron Paul 2012.

This website has some kick ass T shirts: http://www.rangerup.com/ and so does this one: http://www.zazzle.com/libertymaniacs

Recently read: End the Fed by Ron Paul. Great book. It should be required reading to get outta douchebagdom. http://www.amazon.com/End-Fed-Ron-Paul/dp/0446549193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255319726&sr=1-1

Thats all for now!

Some Stuff

2009-08-19T23:59:00.002-05:00

Alright, Okay, yea I know! I have not been keeping up with this freakin blog. So there!

Not a whole lot going on here, I am up in Leadville getting ready for the 100 mile trail run. I hope I finish. Its going to push me pretty hard, but if I keep the calories going then I should be fine.

I did the Incline in Colo Springs twice this week and hiked up Pikes Peak. I didn't start getting a headache until about 13,500 feet so that was pretty nice. On Tuesday I went to Rocky Mountain National Park and ran about 2.5 hours at 12,000 feet. That went well with no headaches. I helps when you are well hydrated. I haven't seen any of the Leadville Trail but from what I hear it is not as aggressive as Hardrock. So maybe I will have something working for me.

I bought a sixer of PBR today. It's okay, but it says union made on the can, so this will be the last PBR sixer I will ever buy.

I don't have a whole lot of anxiety about this race, not like all of the other 100 milers. So I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

I got to spend some time with my friend Heidi over the weekend which was nice. Her and her husband John are great folks. She has a nice place east of Denver complete with chickens, guineas, goats, alpacas, horses and sheep. She has a regular farm going on there. Pretty cool I think.

I also hung out with Yvette another friend of mine from the Army who I haven't seen in 10 years. She was a little tired from working all night, but we had a fun time driving out to the national park.

I have been seeing signs around Colorado that the road construction projects are being funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. You know, the "shovel ready" projects that the 750B is being spent on. The only problem is all I see are cones and barrels and no workers. Humm. Another funny thing is that in places like Colorado all the road work is done in the summer from what I understand. So is this "investment" really just the Federal government spending money on projects that were going to be done by the states anyway?? And if so, what happened to the money that the state had already allocated for that project?? Interesting.

A Little Experimentation

2009-08-05T23:51:00.003-05:00

Had a pretty good day today. Did a workout at lunch and then one after work.

Lunch workout was:
1 set 7 kettlebell swings each hand with the 32kg bell.
1 set 10 Kettlebell swings each hand with the 32kg bell.
2 sets 15 reps each hand with the 10lbs Indian club.
2 sets 10 reps on the ab wheel.
2 sets 5 reps of Janda situps.
2 sets 10 reps of Russian Twists.

After the lunch workout I went up to Chick-Filet and ran into one of the ladies from my running group. I havent ran with them for a while, so it was good to see her. I am committed to run with them next week now. Oh, dang it. I guess I gotta get up early.

After work I went to Gold's Gym. First time in a long time. Saw a really nice blonde, I gotta find an excuse to talk to her next time I go in. I was experimenting with some old school power lifting exercies. Power Cleans, Snatches, Clean and Jerks, and Clean and Press. Also the Sots press.
The Sots press is where you Clean the weight, then squat down till your ass touches the back of your calves, with your heels on the floor. Then you press the weight. WHolly shitbags, it is tough. You have to have some hella strength in your core to do this and hella flexibility in your hip flexors.
I also did deadlifts. These deadlifts are with the straight bar, not the Gerard Trap Bar. They are significantly harder. I used 25lbs plates because with these you get about 4 inches deeper than if you used the 45lbs plates.

1 set of 5 reps @ 295 (10 25lbs plates total)
1 try of 1 rep @ 345 (no dice)
1 set of 4 reps @ 295lbs
1 set of 3 reps @ 295lbs

Really tried to work on form and staying "tight" through the midsection and squeezing the glutes.

Also did 2 laps of Farmers Walks around the gym with a45lbs plate in each hand on my tippey-toes. OOOOOHh, and wearing the Vibrams.

Yea, sucka that shit hurt.

Saturday night was Humid as Hell.

2009-08-05T16:08:00.007-05:00

Okay, all ya folks out there.

I did a recovery workout yesterday from the 60k that I did this weekend.
Foam roller, assisted stretches with the kettlebell, bag swings, and 32kg kettlebell swings.

Not much, but got out there in the heat, in the garage, sweated a little, just loosening up.

The 60K at Muleshoe went well on Saturday night. I got there about 30 minutes late and didn't really feel like running, but I got talked into it. Dammit. I was hoping to just sit around and B.S. I ran loop 3 - 6 with my friend Cheri. We had a good run, check out the splits. It was a 10K loop on trail.

Cheri Woldt
L1 1:46:46
L2 2:02:56
L3 2:12:24
L4 2:09:53
L5 2:02:11
L6 1:51:32
TOTAL 12:05:42

John Sharp
L1 2:03:36
L2 1:46:05
L3 2:12:20
L4 2:09:45
L5 2:02:26
L6 1:51:31
TOTAL12:05:43

Yea we were over the cut off of 12hrs, but not bad considering that I didn't even want to run I was just happy I didn't quit. If you will notice we got faster every loop after loop 3. With the 6th
loop almost as fast as the 1st loop. This race was just a 60k, but it had a only a 40% finish rate!
It was hot, humid, and it rained so we had a shitty muddy aspect to this race.

Hurray for pizza!

On another note, I just bought 200ft of water hose. I have to start watering some of my mountain laurels, trees, and grass. Its been super dry round these parts. I may even wash my truck today and my dishes. Hummm, we will see.

Check out the You Tube Video

2009-07-31T01:17:00.001-05:00

PAIN in the Dungeon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQMqKKxTPV0

28 July 2009

2009-07-28T23:47:00.002-05:00

I didn't really want too, but I did hit the track tonight for some speed work.
Here was the workout, 5 x 400 and 1 x 800. Times are in min/sec/hundredths

1. 1:30:34 - 400m
2. 1:29:03 - 400m
3. 1:26:69 - 400m
4. 1:40:28 - 400m
5. 1:37:87 - 400m

1. 3:45:63 - 800m

My freakin feet hurt like hell. And, yea I know these are pretty slow, but I haven't done any speed work in a long ass time. And I know I planned on 10 x 400, but I didn't do that.

I also did a few Turkish get ups, anchored snatches, and double cleans with the kettlebells.
I did make a few video recordings of some of these lifts, but I am not entirely happy with them. The camera angle needs to be wider. Also I need to figure out the editing software.

27 July 2009

2009-07-27T23:22:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I have posted anything to this blog. I am going to try to start posting my daily workouts again, hopefully to create a little more accountability and consistency in my training.

Did quite a bit of stretching in my garage "Bikram" studio. It's hot in a garage in July, let me tell ya. Focused on hip flexor and leg stretches.

Also started working on the Turkish Get-Up with the 25lbs Kettlebell Brice left at my house. These are going to be a challenge. Hoping to move to the 54lbs kettlebell in a week or so.

Went to the football practice field at the high school near the house and did sprints.
10 x 120 yard sprints, here are the times. In seconds and hundredths of a second.
1. 18:87
2. 18:17
3. 18:10 Only took a 40 second rest between the 3rd and 4th sprint. A real ass kicker.
4. 19:22
5. 19:98
6. 18:02
7. 18:28
8. 21:33
9. 23:12
10. somewhere below 20 seconds, forgot to start the stop watch.

I ran these in my Mizuno racing flats. Something similar to these.
http://mizunoshoes.stores.yahoo.net/wavemusha.html

These are the thinnest shoes I could find at the Fort Worth Running Company Store. Not quite barefoot, but we are looking at less than a half-inch of sole without any arch support.

I am going to focus on speed work during the week for the next two weeks before I leave for Colorado for the Leadville 100 Trail Run.

I need to get the wheels turning faster so this should do the trick.

Planning on 10 400's tomorrow, wish me luck.

When I Run

2009-06-25T01:26:00.001-05:00

When I’m Running

You know how, sometimes, you have things on your mind that you just need to work out?
Recently, a friend, and running buddy of mine asked for guest writers to contribute to his blog, http://welshrunner.blogspot.com/, for his “Other Voices” series. He asked for volunteers to write about running and fitness and how those things had made an impact on their lives, etc… It just so happens that, for the last few months, I felt I wanted to write a little on running and what it means to me. Like a sort of, “WHY or WHAT FOR”, so to speak. I couldn’t really discern an exact why or what for as I thought about what I would say. So my approach in this essay is to talk about what goes through my mind when I run. When you start thinking about something, ideas flood at you all at once, and it’s hard to make heads or tails out of it. But, sometimes there is a singular moment of clarity which comes at you, and in a flash it’s gone. For that instant you are at peace with yourself and with your surroundings.
In August of 2007 I was unhappy with myself. I finally came to the realization, that I was an alcoholic. Yea, I went to work on time, I had recently finished a BA in management, owned my own home, etc… But, alcohol, I could do that, and I liked it, a lot. Eighteen liters of single malt in 3 weeks once. I never really investigated what it means to be an alcoholic or how you come to be one, or what distinguishes one from some intermediate state. But, what I did know is, is that I was not happy with the kind of person that I was. We were in D.C., my sister and I, we were doing morning jogs around the capital mall, and I decided that I would run a marathon before I turn 30. That is when I started on the road to recovery, the road I am still on.
Theory of Forms: One of my hobbies is reading western philosophy, particularly classical philosophy. Yea, that probably sounds pretty boring to most folks, but I picked up my first book of philosophy when I was fifteen. Do I know a whole lot? Not really, but it’s enjoyable. On a run one day I was started thinking about Plato’s theory of forms. Like there is a perfect triangle, but when you draw one, it’s never perfect or a circle or any other geometrical shape. The form though, is perfect. That got me to thinking about myself. If we are unique in the eyes of God and we are created in his image, then we have a perfect form. But, when you look at yourself or others around you, you notice blemishes. I noticed plenty of blemishes about myself, how I am selfish, narcissisistic, and who knows what else. I felt that there was a better me inside, but I was hiding it, to my own detriment. Why, not sure, but it probably has a lot to do with ego. When I run far enough for long enough, the ego goes away and what’s left is something that is closer to my true form. That me that wants to cry when I am sad, instead of hold it in. That me that wants to help my fellow man. Not because of what I get from it, but from a true sense of compassion. That me that can let another runner finish a race ahead of me and not try to belittle his accomplishment. Some may say, “Well that isn’t what a man does.” Humm, maybe. But, I think “What is a man who can not allow himself the full range of his own emotions?” That is the me that I want to be every day, the me that lives up to the virtues of fidelity, truth, courage and magnanimity.
Choices and Opportunity Costs: Over a series of runs, I started kicking around this idea of choices and opportunity costs. In life, sometimes it’s the choices you make, and sometimes it’s the choices you don’t make. I was trying to talk a friend of mine into signing up for a half-marathon. He was undecided saying things like, “Jeeze, its like $80!” Yea, sure it is, but when you cross that finish line for the first time, the feeling you get, you’d pay $1,000 for. Because it’s not the $80, it’s all the things you had to give up to get to the finish line. You know, with the training you have to do, the lifestyle choices you have to make which will allow you to get to that finish line. You have to train, maybe not eat that greasy food when you really want it. All the sacrifices you make leading up to the point where you cross that finish line, that is what makes it worth it. Maybe it’s not the finish line you cross, maybe it the new car you forego, so that you can save for your kids college. When they cross that stage, you cross your finish line.
Hero: Everybody wants to be that Hero that saves the world. Not many of us get the opportunity where circumstances put us in that place that we can “save the world.” I thought about this one time while I was running. But, you have the opportunity to be a hero everyday. I think that for each one of us, we are a hero to someone. Whether it be to a friend, a child, a neighbor, niece, nephew or maybe a complete stranger. One of my heroes or, rather, heroine is a lady from California named Catra Corbett. She is now fifteen years, clean and sober. She is an ultra runner. I have only met her twice. But, what an example. Or Dick Beardsley, give his book a read. What an inspiration. For me, both of these folks were complete strangers, but they have made a huge impact on my life. Other heroes are Joe Prusiatis and Allen Wrinkle. Joe is my coach, he ran Hardrock and Badwater (these are ultramarathons, the hardest, toughest 100 and 135 miles races, respectively) in the same week! Allen ran 203 miles in 68 hours once! Wow!!! Other heroes for me are 1st Sergeant Jacob Walls. He was my first team chief back in ’96 when I was in the Army. I looked up to Sergeant Walls. We used to have pushup competitions in the motor pool in Germany. I think we did 150 consecutive pushups one day, a challenge. Or Coach Pensik, he gave us a speech once during half-time at a football game which we were loosing, against a town called East Bernard. He talked about, effort and hustle. He said, “What, Do you think Earl is gonna make the tackle?” Who the hell Earl was, I still don’t know (maybe Earl Campbell) but what we realized is, if we don’t hustle we aint gonna win. We each have an opportunity to change the world, one person at a time, by our example. By our zest for life, our desire to seek out the best of every situation and make the most of it.
Validation and Self-Confidence: I have thought about this idea quite a bit while running. My conclusions may or may not be valid but I have hit upon a few ideas that seem to resonate with me. I think that what drives a large majority of human behavior is the seeking of validation due to a lack of self confidence. We choose to do some things like college, career, or relationships, not because it’s what is true to our own nature, but because we are seeking validation. Validation from a significant other, a mother, a father, or some idol that we choose which we think will validate us. What does validate mean in this sense? To me it means, if I do this thing then I will earn respect, acceptance, etc… Then I will be complete as a human being. We seek this validation, because we are not sure who we are, what we mean, and what our significance is in this world. We feel that if someone can just tell us, then all will be well. Maybe so, Maybe not so. For me, the biggest thing is the recognition of what drives our action. What underlying desires drives my action? Have you given any though to this? Try it sometime, you may be surprised as to the answers you come up with. For a long time, and sometimes still, what drives my actions, whether it is power lifting, body building (back in the old days), drinking, dancing or running is validation. I was seeking validation because of low self-confidence. Through running, I was able to find self confidence, maybe it was the self-confidence I lost, or the self-confidence I never had. It happened to me at about mile 87 of my third attempt at a 100 mile run. I sat in the aid-station tent for two hours wanting to quit. I didn’t give up, even though I had already given up in my mind. I finished that run, that day and a good friend Mark Richards ran about 45 miles with. Another good friend, Bill Johnson, came to watch me finish. I am glad I didn’t quit. A month later, that’s when I realized how important that day was for me. I was at the same place, Hill Country State Natural Area, and I had an epiphany while running. Funny, now that I try to recall it, I don’t remember a damm thing about what I was thinking. But, life was simple, clear, I finally understood. I was confident in myself and who I am for the first time in my life. It was during a training run, and after 15 miles I had to quit and walk 5 miles back to my truck because of my hip flexors and I was okay with it. I didn’t feel like a puss. It was the best 1.5 hours of my life and I was all alone. What a beautiful day.
Courage: Courage is a word of French origin. Something about the heart, I am not sure exactly and I don’t feel like looking it up just now. What is courage? It is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, or pain without fear. I went out to Lake Tahoe in July of 2008 for my second attempt at a 100 mile run, a run that I didn’t finish. A month before this run, I had just run my first 100 miler. Running a 100 miler is crazy, that’s all I can say. But, I wish everyone could do it, so that one could experience the life changing experiences one has when one runs one. The two weeks after my first 100, I got drunk everyday and smoked cigarettes. Yea, I know, you are thinking, “This guy is a freaking douchebag!” But, drinking was/is how I cope, it’s what I know can “fix” it. Well, I was sitting at work on a Saturday and started thinking about courage and what it means to me. Courage is one of my four “cardinal virtues”. I thought, I have to run this thing. I signed up for it, I know now how bad it’s gonna hurt, but I gotta do it. So, I bought my plane ticket, finally. I was sitting at a restaurant in Carson City, Nevada the day before the race and decided to call my friend Bill Conway. We have been friends since ’97, and have grown a lot together over the years. He is like my older brother. He had recently become a Christian, which he still is, and I noticed a change in his approach to life. Some things I agreed with, some not. But, he was better for it, not only as a friend but as a person in general. I wanted to discuss with him this idea of courage. I says, “I think that if there is a God, then he favors courage over obedience.” Maybe I was coming out of left field, but it made sense to me. Courage, as we defined earlier, is a quality which allows one to face pain without fear. So, take for example, Jesus. Much courage he possessed as he drug his own cross to his own crucifixion. Obedience will not get you there, but I think courage will. I don’t remember what he said in response. But, I think about courage a lot. It takes courage to make a change in ones own behavior. To be able to step outside of yourself and ask tough questions. Who am I? Do I matter? What to my actions say about me? In what context am I making these decisions? It takes the most courage to give reasoned responses and in most circumstances, being honest with yourself. My old boss, Brad Cooper, told me about the Mobile Theory. It’s a theory about a mobile, you know, the one above a baby’s crib with the little horses or whatever hanging from it. When you move one out of balance, all the rest of them try to put the protagonist back into its place. It’s what happens when you try to make some change in your life, which makes those around you uncomfortable, and they try to put you into the place where they recognize you. It takes courage, not to be put back. To stay on your path, and become the person you can be. The person that, in your heart, you know you can become.
These are the things I think about when I run, among a whole host of others, but these are the leit motifs of my running thoughts. Do I have any answers? Probably not, but, for me, the most important thing is that slowly, surely I am on road of self-discovery. Will I be a better person for it, yea, I think so. I don’t drink as much now. I am more empathetic and compassionate now. I value people now as an end of themselves, as opposed to a means of a selfish end. I have more patience now. I believe in the value of others and that everyone has something to offer. I talk less and listen more.

The Past Week and Easter Weekend

2009-04-14T08:44:00.003-05:00

I don't think I have posted anything since last Tuesday so I figured that I would catch up on this.

Wednesday the 8th of April was a hard training day. After work I did my standard routine of abdominal work, kettlebell and bag swings. I did not do the deadlifts. I decided to save those for the deadlifts for the gym. I ran 3 miles to the gym and did my deadlifts, 3 sets of 25 reps and 1 set of 30 reps with 165 lbs. Then I took off from the gym, they got upset because I was deadlifing barefoot. hahha!! Power to Me. I ran another 11 or so miles before I went home. This workout I did took about 4 hours, I used to handhelds worth of water and 1 gel Needless to say, I was pretty well jacked up from this.

Thursday the 9th of April I did my ab routine and some kettlebell swings but not too much. I also ran 10 miles. So for the week I only ended up with about 30 something miles, but hey I was satisfied.

Friday the 10th of April I did not do any workout whatsoever. I did manage to make it to Hooters for some beers after work though. Funny how its so easy to drink a few beers, but it's so hard to find the courage, time, etc.. to hit your workouts.

Saturday the 11th of April: Taxes. You can thank me for doing my part. I paid in $19,500 worth of taxes this year. The 43% of filers who actually pay no tax can also thank me for supporting our deficit ladened government.
In the afternoon I went back home to Yoakum, Texas for the Easter weekend. I picked up my nephew who is now 15yrs old and showed him how to workout with kettlebells. He is a pretty tough kid. We were doing farmers walk, swings, floor presses, standing presses. Good time.

Sunday, no workout but ended up eating pork chops at my sisters for lunch. She is a great cook!
Also shot the .22 with my nephew.

Monday the 13th of April was a pretty good day.
Did 5 miles this morning with the Ladies.

At lunch I did a little bit of kettlebells:
2 sets 40Rn swings each arm with the 24kg bells
1 set 10R swings each arm with the 32kg bells
1 set 25 R deadlifts with 165lbs
2 sets of bag swings 10 each directions with 36 lbs bag.

Had to go back home after work to pick up my dog. She ran off Sunday while we were target shooting a .22 caliber rifle with my nephew.
Once I got home, at about 8PM I went out for 8 miles. It was a great run, pretty fast with no water bottles. Legs felt great.

A New Week, A Good Start

2009-04-06T22:34:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted in almost a week but I have not been too terribly lazy.

Last Wed I did my home gym workout. I was so sore and jacked up I didn't do anything last Thursday.

On Friday, I went to Bandera after work and put in an 11 mile loop. The same loop as the week prior. I was able to run all the hills and didn't feel near as bad as the last time I ran the same route. So, I must be making progress. This run was about half-night run with the headlamp. I didn't check my light before I got there and it wasnt working, but thankfully I had a spare.

On Saturday, I did a 10 mile loop out at Government Canyon with my friend Erin from the Schertz Ladies Running club. It went well. It was her first trail run and she did fall once but it was not bad. I was worried the whole time that something like that was going to happen, but we got luckey.

On Sunday I chilled out. Drank a few beers at Hooters and then went to my buddies house and grilled some fajitas and sausages. After the food and some beers I played some baseball with his two boys. They are the coolest dudes. haha. Later I went home and finised my 3rd book on my Kindle from Amazon. It was called The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria. It was actually a good book. I need to finish two other books I started back in December. The First World War by John Keegan and How the Scots Invented the Modern World by Arthur Herman. I will be working on these this week.

I ended up with 45 miles last week. I want to pick up maybe 20 to 30 more miles this week. We will see.

Today I did my weight workout in the garage. I did 4 sets but split them up into two workouts because I had to pick up a tiller so I could till up my garden. The garden is 16'X16'. It's not too big but that is okay. I am thinking of going another 16' to make it 16'X32'. Who knows. I will be planting tomorrow. I have some corn, radishes, tomatoes, squash, onions, carrots, squash, okra, cucumbers, peas, green beans, cauliflower and lettuce.

Here was todays workout.

4Sx20R Deadlifts @ 165lbs
4Sx15R Kettlebell swings with 54lbs
4SX5R Janda situps
4Sx10R of russian twists with the barbell and 20lbs of weight on the end.
4Sx10R ab wheel rolls from a kneeling position.
4Sx10R @ 65lbs on arm deadlifts with long bar
4SX20R Indian Club swings with 8lbs clubs, Persian Style.
4Sx5R @ 54lbs one arm kettlebell presses.

Thats it for today. Have a great day, week, etc....

Hit your workouts with all you got today, one day you will not have it anymore.

Fun and Running

2009-03-31T08:34:00.002-05:00

The past weekend started off good. I left for Bandera about 3 PM after I woke up from working the night shift.

I made it out there about 4PM and was getting set up to go for a little run and Joe and Mike showed up. I left out for a 8 mile run or so and ran all of the hills. It was a little tough but not bad.
Then later that evening, a freakin cold front blew in. Wind was howling like crazy. I was not ready for that crap at all. Ended up sleeping in my truck on the front seat.

I lay there all night thinking, screw this I should just take off. I don't want to run in this wind in the morning. It's going to be freakin cold. And cold it was in the morning. We left for our run in the morning. Alot of folks with Rogue training. The loop was an 11 mile loop with lots of hills. I ran all the hills, but got my arse kicked. I didn't take any gels and had just my two handhelds. I was having some issues with my blood sugar. I think it could have been because of the beer the night before. I only ended up doing 1 loop, but oh well. That was all I could put in on Saturday.

I left about 3 PM and came back to San Antonio. My buddy Rick came down from Ft. Worth and we went to Hooters. The B Team was working so we were unimpressed. We watched a bunch of the Pavel Training videos and then decided that we should go to the country bar called Cowboy's Dancehall. I know now why I quit going there. Too smokey, too dark and it just wansnt really much fun.

On Sunday we took off heading to Ft. Worth. Stopped in Lockhart for BBQ at Black's. They have the best sasuage in the whole state. When we got to DFW we met up with one of my co-workers at Bone Daddy's in Grapevine. I kicked back way to many brewskies, but the views were exceptional.

On Monday I had a class at one of our switching offices in Arlington and got to see the new Cowboy's staduim. Holy Crap that thing is huge. Jerry's big glory hole. Thats what they call it. I hope the Boys can do something this year.

Monday night we drove back, Harold and I from DFW back to San Antonio. I went out for a run about 845 last night and did about 14 miles. It went pretty good and I only took my two handhelds.

No kettlebells but I will try to work some in tonight!

Mowing the Yard and such things ...

2009-03-26T20:42:00.006-05:00

If anyone wants to read about a real life bad ass! Then click on the link below. This guy ran 203 freakin miles. If you need to be inspired, read this and discover what is possible.

http://www.hillcountrytrailrunners.com/docs_reports/TexasIndependenceRelay_allen_2009/index.html

Yea, okay, homeowners association. I finally mowed my yard so quit sending me those letters.

Really, I haven't mowed my yard since August or so. I don't really remember when the last time I mowed it. We have not had any rain since then so I figured, "Why should I mow, the grass isn't growing?"

Looks pretty good once you mow it and I was able to take down those weed trees I had growing.

I actually did a little workout today against my own will, or with my own will, if I am not careful someone will be reading my will. My sister gets everything, so don't ask.

Here was the workout:

4 sets X 20 reps @ 165lbs deadlifts

4 sets X 10 reps @ 35lbs alternating military press kettlebells. (10 each arm)

4sets X 10 reps on the ab wheel

4sets X 10 Reps @ 55lbs one arm dead lift with long bar (both sides)

1 set X 10 Reps @ 70lbs kettlebells swings (10 each arm)

3 sets X 15 Reps @ 52lbs kettlebell swings (15 each arm)

2 sets X 10 Reps @ 26 lbs bag swings (10 each direction)

2 sets X 10 Reps @ 37 lbs bag swings (10 each direction)

3 sets X 10 Reps @ 5lbs indian club swings (10 each arm)

1 sets X 10 Reps @ 8 lbs indian club swings (10each arm)

Also some stretching. Umm, its good for you.

And here are some pictures of my Home Gym that is actually pretty portable.

Another Day Down

2009-03-24T19:29:00.002-05:00

Well once again I didn't want to work out, but did it anyway.

2 sets of 5 reps of the same ab routine from yesterday, from the Pavel Beyond Crunches DVD.
2 sets 10 reps each arm Indian club swings, 5lbs clubs.
2 sets 10 reps each arm kettle bell swings with the 53lbs bell.
2 sets 15 reps of dead lifts with 165lbs.

Went for 10 mile run at slow pace. About 2 hours. Trying to rebuild my base a little bit.
I have not done any base building work since probably mid November.

Workout for Today

2009-03-23T17:52:00.002-05:00

Today I did not feel like working out at all. So I decided that I would just do something.

I started out by straightneing out my garage so I would have some room to work out in.

Then I did all the exercises from Pavel's Beyond Crunches DVD. You can purchase this at
http://www.dragondoor.com/dv042.html

These exercies include:
one arm deadlift with the long bar
Russian twists with the long bar planted in a corner.
side bends with 5 lbs plate in each hand, hands above the head extended.
Janda sit ups, I only did the negative portion becuase I can not do the whole sit up yet.
Ab wheel. From a kneeling position.

I did 3 sets of 5 reps for each of these exercies.

I also did the following:

3 sets X 10 reps (each arm) kettle bell swings 35lbs.
3 sets X 15 reps Deadlifts 115lbs
3 sets X 20 reps Bag swings (10 each direction)
3 sets X 10 Reps Alternating military presses with 35lbs kettlebell.
3 sets X 10 Reps (each arm) Indian club Persian swings with 5lbs club.

Went for a 6 mile run, no water, no technology. After each mile I did 50 Hindu squats.

This workout is a little light, but it was better than sitting on my rear all day.

Hopefully tomorrow will go a little better.

A Little Run

2009-03-21T11:18:00.003-05:00

Have you ever felt like, Hey I need to just go run. No conraptions, no technology, no hassels? That was how I felt, So I just laced 'em and went out for a little jaunt.

Went for a nice little 9 mile run Friday. A little fast it felt like, but that is okay.

Tomorrow will be some real fun.

Oh yea, I have just come to the conclusion that Barak Obama is a douchebag!

Let me say this, I hate that son of a ...

Day 1, 100 Something Left to Go

2009-03-18T22:24:00.002-05:00

Well I guess I can officially call today, Day 1 of my training for Hardrock 100.

I ran with the Ladies on Schertz Parkway this morning. A slow 5 miles.

My training area today was an open field near my neighborhood just off of I-35 in Selma. The field is about a 1/2 mile loop.

After work I started my training:

1 mile pulling a weighted sled with 80lbs (2 loops)
1/2 mile with a 125lbs. (1 loop)
The loop is oblong so on the long parts I did forward walking and backward walking and on the shorter ends I did sideways walking.

I did 4 loops with my 26lbs Bulgarian Training Bag on my shoulders at a slow jog. At the end of each loop I did 40 bag swings. About 40 of the total swings were walking swings which are totally a real ass kicker.

I did 1 loop with a pair of 35lbs kettlebells in each hand. This is called the Farmer's Walk.

It really sucked, but hey thats part of it.

Not sure whats going to be going on for tomorrow, but I am sure it will be a real sonofa ...

When you can not run, Pump Iron!

2009-03-11T14:00:00.000-05:00

Well, as you may know I have a broken toe! That sucks. Not that it really hurts that bad, but I am not able to run b/c I wan it to heal so I can run and prep for my next 100 miler.
I did run in the Texas Independence Relay this weekend and I do plan to start my training next week after I get back from snow skiing in Taos this weekend.

Also, since the beginning of this year I have been looking for alternative to the traditional "gym" workout. I have also been looking for some new training devices for running. Maybe some of them are gimmicks but, I don't really care. I will give them a shot. Here is a run down on some of the devices I will be using to prepare for Hardrock 100 and to just workout with in general.

Indian Clubs - http://www.revolutionclubs.net/
Kettlebells - http://www.kettlebellkettlebells.com/
Power Sled - http://www.competitiveedgeproducts.com/detail.aspx?ID=573&affiliate=33
Resistance Vest - http://www.resistancewear.com/
Running Chute - http://www.sparqstore.com/catalog/productdetail/model_nbr--77928/sku--7-7272/cm--Left+Nav/
Deadlift bar - http://oldtimestrongman.com/gerard_trapbar.html
Bulgarian Training Bag - http://www.bulgariantrainingbags.com/
Macebell - http://www.torqueathletic.com/ts1/details.php?prod=MP10

Some of these devices may seem unconventional but that is okay with me. I have spent way too much money on equipment so far this year, but hey I am single and dont have anything else to spend my money on. haha

Additionally, I have been looking into body weight exercises and calisthenics.
Hindu squats and push ups. Bear crawls and mountian climbers.

I will be working these into my runs along with the sled, parachute, and weight vest.
The dead lift stuff is for high reps upwards of 30 to 50 reps at about 130 to 180lbs.
The kettlebells and Bulgarian bags will be used for heart rate training and recovery.
My coach has also suggested the stair climber so I will be working on that also.
The mace bell and Indian clubs are just for fun. I may incorporate some sledgehammer training into my routine also.

You may be thinking, "What the hell is this guy doing, sledgehammers, macebells, deadlifts etc... Hell I don't know, but it sounds like fun to me!!

I will continue to do Bikram Yoga along with kung fu and tai chi. I really need to get back to the yoga studio. I have been sandbagging on this and I can really feel it.

Anyway, check back from time to time if you are interested in what is going on with my training!

Mountain Laurels Blooming

2009-02-22T22:51:00.005-06:00

I left for work a few mornings ago, and noticed that the mountain laurels were blooming. Mountain Laurels only bloom once a year, and the blooms are beautiful. I wrote a few lines, I hope that you will enjoy.

Mountain Laurels Blooming:

The dew fell on the mountain laurel blooms

Flowers glistening, purple hue

A blanket spread in the meadow there

Heather blooming, we had no care

Could we know, sun low

Whether love wither, love grow

Thrice loved, Twice hated

Time passed, love abated

Apart together we travel

Till judge rings the gavel

When mountain laurels bloom

Down Time?

2009-02-20T00:53:00.002-06:00

I have been taking it easy this week. My knees have been bothering me, probably because I have been hitting it pretty hard on the running side. Additionally, I have a piece of bone broken on my index toe on my right foot so I talked it over with my coach and I have decided to take about 4 weeks or so off from running. I am supposed to be doing core work, but so far I haven't done any of that.

I have, however, done something. On Monday and Tuesday I didn't do didley squat. But on Wednesday and today I did some work with my Indian Clubs and Bulgarian Bag and also did kettlebell military presses. I did end up going to kung fu today which was nice. I had to take it a little easy, because of the toe, but no problem. I went through the forms slow, which makes them a little harder to remember and worked on getting low in my stances which helps the flexibility.

I ended up buying more workout equipment online a pair of 5lbs and 8lbs Indian clubs and a set of kettlebells 35lbs, 53lbs and 70lbs. I now have a pair of 35lbs bells, but will probably let one of my good friends use the 35lbs extra one I have so he can start using kettlebells. Once my new Indian clubs come in, I will let him use the 1 and 2 lbs clubs I have also.
Here is the link to the place where I ordered the Indian clubs:
http://www.revolutionclubs.net/

I have also been reading a book called The Naked Warrior by Pavel. Its about strength secrets using bodyweight exercises. Here is the link if you are interested:
http://www.dragondoor.com/b28.html

I bought a book today at the Shaolin-do school where I take kung-fu and tai-chi called Secrets from the Temple. It's a book which talks about the history of Shaolin kung-fu and has an indepth section on meditative breathing. It's actually pretty good. Here is the book on Amazon if your are interested:
http://www.amazon.com/Shaolin-Do-Secrets-James-R-Halladay/dp/0787212423

The plan for this weekend and next week is do work on my kung fu and tai chi forms daily, hit yoga once a day, do medicine ball, indian club, and kettlebell work each day and lastly start working on some freakin core work. hahah

Hello Kitty, Rules!

2009-02-15T21:25:00.002-06:00

You can thank Dan-O for the title.

I ran the Austin Marathon today and finished somewhere around 4:20. Not as fast as I would like, but the right speed for the type of training I have been doing over the past 6 months.

I must say that I was elated at almost every turn of the race. I saw people from HCTR all over the course cheering folks along as we went by. For the sake of accidentally leaving someone out I won't name names, but I do want to thank Gabe A. About mile 20 Gabe was there with some Shiner Bock and it just so happened that about that time I was needing a drink of beer or ,in my case, a half a beer. Thanks Gabe.

HCTR is a group, if you are in the Austin area, you must be a part of. Everyone of these guys and gals are number one. Great character. Positive enthusiasim.

As far as the race, I had a great time. I really tried to run this race better than I have run any of my previous marathons. I always get caught up in the event and run poorly on the back 13.
Not this time.

I ran with my friend Erin from the Schertz Ladies Running Club. We started the first two miles with another friend of my Jenn who was running the half at about a 10:20 pace. This was good because we did not waste alot of energy running around folks and got a chance to get warmed up. At about mile 6 I thought it would be funny to yell out, "Hello Kitty, Rules!" At the top of my lungs of course. I continued to do that throught the race. It made me laugh, not sure if anyone else thought it was funny. Around mile 13 I yelled out, "Spongebob is my homeboy!" That was funny, but had to many syllabyles. So, I just stuck with Hello Kitty, Rules. The plan for this race was to run no faster than a 9:30 pace until at least mile 17 and then we could start to unload. This plan worked great and I ran every step with no cramping, so soreness, or any of those issues that normally happen to me in a road marathon.

At mile 21 or so, I didn't really start running waaay faster, but I did pick up the pace about 15 to 30 seconds faster. I was using an idea from Joe, about stealing peoples energy. Needless to say after mile 21 no one passed me, but I was passing folks and "stealing thier energy". I havent looked at the splits yet, but I know the back 13 were faster than the front, they were easier but I was real solid and steady and at the killer hill at mile 24 I was able to run up the whole thing and the lesser hill at mile 25 with no ill effects. The last 400 meters I broke into a full sprint running up on my toes. What a nice way to finish a marathon.

It was fun to run by and say thank you to all the spectators and give high-fives to all the kids.

I saw one dude about mile 22 who was running so poorly with his form, because he was hurtin real bad, he was making me tired. As I passed him up, I told him to hold the form and keep the breathing steady. Running like that, he was going to end up feeling like he ran 50 miles.

Before and after the race, I was able to spend a little time visiting with Thomas Orf and his wife. His wife was running the half and he was supporting her. From what he tells me she had a good strong race and felt real good for most all of it.

All in all it was good day. I was able to spend the afternoon with Jeff and Cheri eating lunch and talking about up coming races. It was a good afternoon!

Almost forgot, I am out of the running for the Texas 50 mile slam award. I broke a piece of bone off my toe this past Tuesday in Kung Fu. I went and had it X-rayed on Saturday morning. I knew something was wrong, but wanted to know what so I could decide whether or not I was going to run Austin. My index toe has a piece of bone chipped off right where it meets the foot bones. I am glad its nothing major, but I need to take about 4 weeks off to let it heal and want to get started on my Hardrock training well and healthy. So until about the end of March I will be working on core work. I am mentally prepared now for what its really going to take to do Hardrock after talking over the race with my coach, Mr. Joe.

That's all for now!

100 Miles 1 Day

2009-02-09T09:25:00.002-06:00

I knew once I crossed the finish line on Sunday morning what the title to my next post would be. I did not know what the focus of the post would be exactly, or whether I would write a race report per se or maybe dig a little deeper. I am still not sure.

100 Miles in 1 Day is like a running a Boston qualifier marathon, different of course but similar in what it means. The first guy to run a 100 miles did it in one day, read about Western States endurance run. You can easily find links to this on Google.

My finish time was 23:27. I had good consistent energy throughout the whole race and never experienced any lows. My knees hurt and my feet hurt but that is to be expected. I did not get any blisters or loose any toe nails either. Which is actually a good thing because in '08 I lost 9 of 10 and one of them I lost twice. As far as muscular soreness in the quads, glutes or hamstrings I don't really have any, but my tendons and ligaments are sore and tight. My mom, sister, and my nephew came to the race which was really awesome and I was glad that they were there to support me. They commented on the people there. How everyone was so friendly and supportive, like family. They were impressed by the character of everyone they met. I am continually impressed by the people I meet at these endurance events and that is one of the reasons I keep coming back. What a great community of people. If you have never been to an ultra event, go to one, run it or volunteer and you will understand what I am talking about here.

Some observations from the race:

Aid station crews will get you through! Mr. Potter, Lynn Ballard, Allen Wrinkle, Guarav, Crash, and Ganesh those guys kept me honest and kept me moving.

There are a lot of folks out there tougher than you are. Axel and Thomas Orf come to mind here. Axel had a strained Achilles and stayed the whole way, limping. Thomas had some type of stress fractures from Bandera in his shins and went to mile 76 before not meeting the cut off (his 1st 100).

Some guys can just run. Mark Richards comes to mind here. He ran a 21:35 in his 1st 100.

Some guys just wont quit. Naresh comes to mind here. From what I understand he has tried this race two times before and did not finish, On Sunday he did!

I mentioned reading the book Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage the week leading up to this race as a way to maybe gain some inspiration. What's funny is that I don't remember ever thinking about the book or any of the events in the book while I was running, consciously at least. Maybe it was there in my subconscious somehow affecting my how I interpreted the race and my feelings of pain. While I was reading the book I did lament the fact that it seems like all the frontiers have been explored, where can a man, now, boldly go where no man has gone before. Space, the Arctic poles, the jungles, the deserts have all been explored at least somewhat by someone.

In reflection, on my 4 hour drive home after being awake since 0430 on Saturday an idea came to me. While it may be true that all of the great physical frontiers have been explored, there is still one frontier, the greatest, the largest, the ugliest, the most beautiful frontier of all is still waiting to be discovered, mapped and transversed. This frontier exists for everyone and can only be discovered by one person. The one who possess it.

The mind as the final frontier. Physically the brain would probably fit into a large soup bowl, but the mind is boundless and limitless. What exists in the mind can be made manifest into a physical reality. You have heard sayings like "mind over matter, if you don't mind it don't matter" or "change your perception to change your reality".

Epictetus wrote in the Enchiridion:
"Sickness is an impediment to the body, but not to the will, unless itself pleases. Lameness is an impediment to the leg, but not to the will; and say this to yourself with regard to everything that happens. For you will find it to be an impediment to something else, but not truly to yourself."

As we venture into the unknown our goal is to "know thyself". What that means to any one person may have 6.8 billion different answers. Sometimes though, it is the journey not the destination.

A final quote from the movie Troy:

"You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again. "

Mental Preparation

2009-02-04T12:02:00.002-06:00

It's getting close, the anxiety is building for the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler this weekend.

This will be my 4th attempt at a hundred miler and hopefully if things go well it will be my 3rd finish. This course is basically flat and very,very runnable. It's a course that, if you manage your race well, you can run a sub24. Sub-24 will be great, sub 20 is my goal.

A lot of things go through my mind the week leading up to a race. Mostly, doubt.

Have I prepared enough and will I have the proper mental disposition that I need on race day to make sure I get across the finish line.

Maybe there are some, but when you step up to the starting line of a 100 mile race there are no guarantees that you will finish. A 50 miler or a 100K yea probably, but not a 100. Maybe one day, but I am not there yet.

For my 1st 100 I read Viktor Frankel's Man's Search for Meaning. I am not sure if if helped, but I think it did. It helped me to put things into perspective.

Last night as I was worrying and feeling sorry for myself, I looked around for inspiration. I received some from a few friends on Facebook and as I laid down to go to sleep, a book was staring me in the face. Endurace: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage. I picked it up. I was reading Dean Karnazes' blog a few months back and he mentioned the book so during the holidays when I went on a book shopping spree ($450.00) I bought it. It's been sitting there for a while along with a few others.

I read about 75 pages and did not get to sleep until about 0000 hours, but so far it has been worth it. Maybe this book will help to put things into perspective for me also.

The mental peparation part of the 100 is the hardest. When you are putting your drop bags together, your food plan, your hydration plan, your electrolyte plan, and your race strategy there are some basic rules and its pretty easy to do.

There are no real rules for the mental preparation. There is no book on, "how to remove self-doubt" or "how to be confident" etc....

Well, maybe there is but they mean nothing unless you believe it, and internalize it.

I want to be inspired to greatness. To read tale of heroic, true adventure with much adversity can get me there. These guys were real mean, facing insurmountable odds.

I am just a regular guy, reaching up, trying to touch the hand of greatness.

One 100 miler at a time.

10 Miles of Hades

2009-01-30T19:59:00.002-06:00

Went for a little 10 miler after work. Did some conditioning exercises after every mile.

Went something like this:
1mile/100 lunges - (50 each leg) walking
1 mile/ 100 Hindu Squats
1 mile/ 50 in cadence mountian climbers.
1 mile / 2 minutes leg lift at 45 degrees and hold (30 second sets)
1 mile / 2 min of torso lift at 45 degrees and hold (30 second sets)
1 mile / 100 standing torso twists. flex glutes and let trailing foot pivot, stretches the hip flexors.
1 mile / 50 in cadence flutter kicks
1 mile / 100 hindu squats
1 mile / 100 lunges - (50 each leg) walking.
last mile, go inside house, start crying.

My legs feel like crap O-la. I guess that's why I did it.

Thursday Workouts

2009-01-29T16:47:00.002-06:00

Got off my arse this morning and went to yoga! Finally! I don't feel like such a slacker now.

Did a quick workout at lunch.

6 minutes of Indian Club swings
2 sets 40 reps kettlebell snaches 35lbs 20 each arm
1 set 40 reps kettlebell swings 35lbs 20 each arm
3 sets of 30 reps bulgarian bag swings. 15 each direction

This workout went really well, I would jog about 40 yards between sets.

After work I did some stretching of my hip flexors, and some back bridges, and wall walking.

Wall walking is where you are two foot lengths away from the wall with your back facing the wall. Then flex your glutes and begin to lean back till your hands touch. Then you walk your hands down the wall leaving your feet in place. If your hip flexors are flexible enough, you can do this no problem. Mine arent so Its hard as hell, but getting alot better.

Then I hit a quick workout with the kettlebells.

3 sets 20 snatches. 10 each arm
3 sets 20 swings. 10 each arm.

Afterwards, I went to kung fu and tai chi practice. I am preparing to test for 1st brown in kung fu, so after stretching and drills I worked on my material.

In tai chi, I am preparing to test for blue sash. So I am working in the tai chi sword form. I basically have it down now, I just need to work through the form with proper tai chi breathing.

On tai chi 24, I am pretty good with this. I have really been focusing on breathing properly and am aware of my weight in each movement of the form.

Wednesday was a Good Day!

2009-01-28T20:51:00.002-06:00

Today was a little better than yesterday!

I didnt get up and go run like I should have, so shame on me!

But, at lunch I did a little workout with the Bulgarian Bag and the kettlebell.
2 sets 40 reps kettlebell swings 35lbs. that 20 with each arm.
2 set of 20 bulgarian bag swings, 26lbs. thats 10 to the right and 10 to the left.
1 set 200 hindu squats.

After work I did:
4 sets 30 bulgarian bag swings.
2 sets 20 kettlebell snaches. 10 each arm
2 set 40 kelltebell swings. 20 each arm

Then off to Bikram Yoga for 1.5 hours of sweat, and stretching.

Not bad, but still building, I really need to get serious with some core exercises.

I Wussed Out

2009-01-27T21:47:00.003-06:00

Today I had these big plans to go to yoga in the morning, then at lunch I was going to do some kettlebell swings and bulgarian bag swings.

NO DICE!

I woke up, feeling, not too bad, but talked myself out of yoga.

At lunch I didnt do anything because, my hips and lower back were still a little sore from Sunday.

I did end up going to kung fu and tai chi so I get some kind of saving grace there I think.

Old man winter came down to visit us today so its going to be cold as hell in the morning, but hopefully there will be no wind and I will do my run.

We will see.

BoohYa!

2009-01-26T22:32:00.003-06:00

I hadn't heard that expression probably in 10 years. I am going to bring it back, well maybe.

Great news today, the short rope came in along with my Bulgarian Training bags.

The Gerard Trap bar did not come in, but I have enough to keep me busy for now.

I watched the "How To" video for the bags. Wholly shit, brother! We did not have wrestling or powerlifting in my high school and as far as the wrestling goes. Thank God!

This training bag was designed by an Olympic wrestling champion and he is now the coach at the U.S Olympic wresting training camp.

Those dudes have some power. Torsos that are like brick walls. Strength up,down,sideways,crossways, backwards you name it they have some strength. And some hellacious muscular endurance.

For endurance running, I dont see the need to get my heartrate that high, but I am going to do it anyway because I think it will pay mad dividends.

For today, I just went to Bikram Yoga. It was an hour and half of sweat and almost some tears. I am getting much better, with marked improvments in flexibility and balance. I was finally able to grab both my ankles and do the bow pose on the floor. That was a big step. I still cannont do camel pose, but I will get there one day. I needed the good stretch and will be back tomorrow morning. 0600.

Well, I had some more thoughts but In the middle of writing and doing laundry and vacuming I forgot.

2 A Days

2009-01-25T19:04:00.002-06:00

Went for a little more action this afternoon.

Here is the workout.

50 kettlebell swings 35lbs 1 set. killer
200 hindu squats 1 set. also very killer
10 pull ups.
5 minutes of jump rope with a 2lbs rope.
100 yard farmers walk with 45lbs dumbells for 2 sets.
4 sets 50yards of bear crawls
4 set 50 yards of lunges with 12lbs medicine ball
10 kettlebell presses each arm 2 sets
10 kettle bell snatches each arm.

Getting a little more intense, but still feeling my way around.

We will see how this week plays out.

Nice Weekend, So Far

2009-01-25T10:22:00.002-06:00

Well yesterday I ran the Endurathon 25k run in Bulverde.

I ran a 9:45 pace so that brought me in at about 2.5 hours. It was little slower than last year, but I have not been working on speed at all so I was okay with it. I tried to run it on two hand helds, no salts and no gels. Its only 15.5 miles, but I wanted to see how my body would respond.
As I thought, It started getting pretty tight about mile 11. I ended up have about 4 cups of heed and had to refill one of my bottles at mile 13.5 . I took one Enduralyte and 2 sport beans. Thats pretty light for me. The course was very hilly, and it was cold with pretty significant wind gusts.

Today, I woke up early at 0630. I took my indian clubs, kettlebell, medicine balls and jump ropes to the practice field at the local high school and did a workout. Here is what it looked like.

3 min Jump Rope with 1lb rope.
Indian club swings, 1lbs clubs - 4 minutes. 2lbs clubs 2 sets of 3 minutes.
50 Hindu squats 4 sets
150 hindu squats 1 set.
35lb kettlebell 10 swings each arm 4 sets . 20 swings each arm 1 set.
50yards of lunges 4 sets
50 yards of bear crawls 2 sets
10 pull ups.

This is a sort of trial workout, I hope to "bring on the pain" in future workouts.

Till next time.

A Workout Worth Blogging About

2009-01-21T16:06:00.002-06:00

Wholly Shitcakes!

I have been mentioning about this combat conditioning book I bought by Matt Furey.

You see, lately, I have not been motivated to go to the gym or to run! I like both, sure, but I just felt there was something missing.

I finally decided to listen to what this dude Matt Furey had to say and incorporated some of his recommended exercies into my run.

It was an 8 mile run, which is not too long, but here is the break out:

Mile 1, 50 lunges
Mile 2, 25 hindu squats
Mile 2.5, 50 yards of bear crawls uphill.
Mile 3, 10 hindu pushups, 15 yards of duck walking.
Mile 4, 30 seconds of Pleasent Valleys (seated, riding bicycle, pick cherries with hands)
1 minute of leg holds at 45 degrees
1 minute of torso holds at 45 degrees
Mile 4.5 50 lunges uphill.
Mile 5.5 50 yards of bear crawls uphill.
Mile 6, 50 hindu squats.
Mile 7, 50 lunges.
Mile 7.5 till finish, race walk.

Dammit man I feel like I got the shit kick outta me. Legs are in a real bind.
This is kinda weak, but my first time. I will go for more next time.

Give this workout a shot and let me know how you like it.

Habit? Rabbit, Bilbo Bagget.

2009-01-20T22:04:00.002-06:00

So, I am supposed to be getting into this habit of updating my blog with my workouts everyday.
Which seems rather easy if you workout! ahahah

Actually I have been doing a few things, but nothing to really constitute blogging about.
I am in a learning phase with some new exercises, routines, etc...

I bought a couple of books by Matt Furey: Combat Conditioning and Combat Abs.

http://www.combatconditioning.com/combatconditioningbook.html
http://www.mattfurey.com/combat_abs.html
http://www.trapbartraining.com/#

I have been trying out some of the exercises in these books and I am working on a routine I can do with these, indian clubs, kettlebells, bulgarian bags, medicine balls, the Gerard trap bar and jump ropes.

I want to substitute my "gym" workout with these and then maybe hit the gym once or twice a week for some social interaction. hahaha

On Wednesday and Thursday of last week I went to yoga. On Saturday, I ran about 2 or 3 miles and went through all of my kung fu material. 4 long forms, 2 weapons forms, 30 short katas and 20 sparring techniques. Also I went through Tai Chi 24 and Pak Wa section 1. I worked a little with the medicine ball doing woodchoppers, russian twists, and lunges. A little work with the kettlebell and with the indian clubs. Focusing on deep breathing. Six seconds in and six seconds out.

On Sunday I went to yoga and then just rode the motorcylce for a while with a buddy of mine.

Monday I worked a little bit on my new exercies with the medicine ball, indian clubs, kettlebell and some jump rope. Tried a few back bridges, hindu squats, hindu push ups, and handstand push ups.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPSVpo4mzNI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcW61Bb8uOo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvVVMNVMqhc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTyT8y57ef0 (these are hard as hell)

Did the same today and and went to kung fu and tai chi practice.

I need to get a solid routine down, one for an extened workout on sat and sun and one for lunch time during the week. Also one for in the morning before my runs.

Still working on that, will let you know when I have everything finalized.

Updates to the Updates

2009-01-13T14:39:00.003-06:00

Well, I ended up running the Bandera 100k. I let another runner talk me into it! Dammit. I think it was due to all the energy and excitement. I have been having issues with my hip flexores and IT band. It went well though. Just under 15 hours. I can not complain about that. Good energy the whole time I had a good time visiting with everybody and running and helping out. My dog, Lacey, didn't give anyone too much trouble either. During the run, I tried a few different techniques to make sure that I kept my hip and lower back loose. I did sideways cross-legged steps up the hills and did 3rd world squats from time to time and also walked up hill backwards on occasion. These tricks kept me from alot of pain. Also I really focused on tensing my glutes to push the hips forward and stretch the hip flexors. My booty was sore, but thats better than my lower back.

http://www.tejastrails.com/Bandera.html

I am suprisingly not as sore as I thought I would be. The only thing that is really sore are my quads. My lower back and hamstrings feel like a million bucks.

I did not do anything for recovery on Sunday. I help take down some of the tents and helped fix a flat tire before leaving the state park. Breakfeast was served and it was very tasty. After I made it back to San Antonio, I cleaned myself up and headed over to Hooters for my Sunday beers. After about 4 I went on home because there were no good games on and went to sleep.

I was supposed to go run hills on Monday morning with the running group, but after waking up at 0500 I realized that my ankles were swollen ass hell, as they usually are, but worse it took me about 5 minutes to get up off the floor. I texted to the group that I would not make it.

Monday night I went to Tai Chi at 1930 for a 30 minute meditation seminar and then went through the first 24 Tai Chi movements. I made to twin peaks strike the temple but forgot the rest.

Tuesday morning I woke up at 0500 and went to Bikram Yoga and went through the 1.5 hour session in 105 degree temperature. I felt pretty good by the end, but my quads are still sore.

My kettlebell and indian clubs came in on Monday! Very excited about that and watched the instructional videos. My had grippers also came in, from 60 to 360 lbs tensile strength. I plan on working my way up to make my hands very strong.

Thats it for now, heading out for some light warm up at home and then to Kung Fu and Tai Chi.

Another One Today

2009-01-07T20:18:00.002-06:00

Well I was not satisfied with my times on this mornings workout so I figured I would head back to to the track and put in a few more loops. Here is the deal, 3 400, 2 800, 1 400.

Times:

1:29 400
1:34 400
1:21 400
3:02 800
3:13 800
1:22 400

I ran my fastest every 400 and 800 today, mostly because I never timed them before. So with that being said, those times are base lines. As they used to say on the Jefferson's sitcom, "Movin on up!"

These were with a walk/jog recovery lap in between.

I wan to get to a 1:00 400 and a 2:20 800 by the end of the month. So wish me some luck.

Also did my lunch core and stretching routine for 45 minutes. Had some success, but this core stuff will be an uphill battle for me.

Later,

John

Getting Back Into It

2009-01-07T08:54:00.006-06:00

I know it has been a while since my last post and I told a friend of mine that I would start posting daily training updates to my blog, so here goes.

Basically since the San Antonio marathon I have not been doing any serious running. I was not sure what was wrong, but my lower back was killing me. It hurt to sit down. I started doing Bikram Yoga at the begining of Decemeber because I really had no other alternative.

When you can not do your kung fu, run or hell, even sit down I gave it a shot.

After seeing me in severe pain and struggling just to sit up or lie down during the yoga poses, one of the instructors talked with me about using a foam roller and doing some hip stretches. He sent me some information all about hips and how to restore and or increase mobility in the hip musculature.

Basically, after a year of running ultra distances with very little stretching of the hip flexors and adductors and abducters, I had a type of adaptive shortning in my hip flexors. Try to do the tree pose with really tight hip flexors, you will get one hell of a laugh. It just does not happen. Or even a bow pose, ha!!

Anyway, I checked out the documents and have been learning how the glutes, the hip muscles and the hamstrings work together to provide stability while standing, running, etc... If you find yourself with tight hamstrings all the time, the issue is in your hips, not that your hamstrings are tight. The hamstrings are working double time, trying to provide stabilty which is the job of your glutes.

With that said, I have been making a real effort to stretch the hip flexors and other muscles of the hips and uppper legs.

I also looked at Rogue Running's website and found some running drills I have been incorporating into my workouts. Take a look at these, especially the sideways cross-legged running drill.

https://www.roguerunning.com/inaction.php

Also, I have decided that I need to make more of a commitment to kung fu and tai chi. I started back at tai chi last night and we did some excersises call I Ching Chings. Some forms are similar to yoga poses, but the real benefit are the breathing excercises which is also a benefit of yoga. I really want to see if chi (some mysterious internal engergy) is real, if I can develop it. We also did tai chi 24 which is the first 24 tai chi forms we learn, which I actually used to know but I forgot them and looked like an idiot. Dammit. I have some work to do there so I can get back started on tai chi sword. Kung fu is going well, but I need to polish off all my material so I can test for my first brown belt. It's been a year and half and most of the folks I started with are half way to second brown. My goal is to do all my kung fu material and tai chi material each day along with some key I Ching Ching exercies. For yoga I want to get to where I am going 4 times a week.

I bought some new excerise gear to supplement gym work and running. I have been in the gym lifting weights since I was about 13 or 14 years old. So that is like 17 or 18 years and, frankly, I am getting bored with the same ole excersises. I have plenty of strength and power front to back, but no power lateraly. Basically, because I have no core strenght. I have not done serious core work ever I dont think.

I bought flooring for my garage to make a place to do my kung fu and tai chi and also to do core type excersies that I dont feel comfortable doing in the gym. Namely hip thrusts and swiss ball crap. Also foam roller stuff.

Here is a list of of the equipment I have bought and plan on learing how to use to build a strength base for my summer hundreds and to generally experiment with some new stuff that actually is very old school.

Medicine Balls 9 and 12 lbs.
Indian Clubs. 1 and 2 lbs
Kettle bells. 34 lbs
Resistance vest.
Heavy Jump ropes.
Hand grippers up to 140lbs tensile strength.
Running parachute.

I am considering ordering a set of Bulgarian Bags, but I want to spend some time with the stuff I have now and then maybe those. They do look really cool though.

http://www.bulgariantrainingbags.com/

Here are the weblinks if you are interested in any of this equipment:
http://www.oldtimestrongman.com/medicine_balls.html
http://www.oldtimestrongman.com/indian_clubs.html
http://www.oldtimestrongman.com/hand_grippers.html
http://www.dragondoor.com/p10.html
http://www.resistancewear.com/mens/index.html
http://www.sparqstore.com/catalog/productdetail/model_nbr--96053/sku--7-7275/cm--Left+Nav/

Here is a link for heavier indian clubs: ( I want to learn how to use these before stepping into the big leagues)
http://www.revolutionclubs.net/

Here is what I did Monday for training:

5 hill repeats with the 9lbs medicine ball.

Also spent an hour walking and carring the ball to the side and front using both one and and sometimes both, trying to keep my abs tight the whole time and working on breathing. I wore an old school resistance vest I bought back in high school. A Bo Jackson resistance vest. These things have come a long way since then. I wore ankle weights during the walk.

On Tuesday I went to kung fu and tai chi for an hour a piece. Did lots of kicks and stretching. In tai chi we did some of the I Ching Chings so I got a good workout doing breathing exercises.

Wednesday morning we did 2 400 meter sprints on the track and 2 800 meter sprints.

1st 400 was in 1:36
2nd 400 was in 1:32
1st 800 was in 3:22
2nd 800 was in 3:36

After each fast lap we did a recovery lap. But on the first straightway we did half lunges and half frog hops. On the 2nd curve we did sideways cross-legged running. On the second straightway we did backwards running. I did the lunges and the curve and straightway with the 9 lbs medicine ball.

Okay, thats it for now. I am off to lunch at home to do some stretching and and abdominal work. I have done this the last two days and plan to make it part of my routine.

Adios.

A Time for Reflection

2008-11-10T13:15:00.002-06:00

Well, i finished the Cactus rose 100 mile trail run. Yes, it was painful. No, I would not have been able to finish w/o my super pacer and good friend Mark Richards from Austin. What a super guy. I am glad he brought pizza. Basically I ran the last 55 miles on 2 pieces of pizza, 1 sausage roll, 1 pastie, 4 gels, and 1 mixture of spiz and 2 ensures.

Dont ever try that. If you go to a race where you have to supply your own food, bring a large pizza or two. What? Yes, I am that guy who tried to run a 100 miler on Spiz. Not a good idea.

As the other 100 milers I have attempted this year, this race was mentally taxing. Afterwards I felt more mentally drained than physically, but I do sleep alot better the first week, ha,ha. By, Wednesday my leg quads, calves, and hamstings were fine, no pain. But, my knees, ankles and hips were still killing me. I did a 4 mile walk with my dog on Wednesday. That went pretty good, but no running.

What's a guy to do when he caint run? Drink Beer!! So I drank beer the last 7 days since the race. I am feeling quite a bit better now. Oh yea, Wurstfest was great on Thursday. Lots of nice chickies to oogle.

I went out for some time this morning. 3 miles with the ladies from the parkway. Then some walking.

I am planning on running to the gym tonight doing a light workout and running home. That will be 6 miles, plus the 3 from this morning. Not bad, I think.

I am running the San Antonio Marathon on Sunday. It's my birthday, the big 31, and my anniversery marathon. Last years marathon was my first marathon, so I guess I will just run to the start, run the race and then run home. No hurry, and just make a day of it. I already did my 31hours of running for my 31st b-day at cactus rose so I will just try to make it a 100k for by B-day. This race should be fun, its a Rock-and-Roll marathon with 30,000 people. We are big time now, here in San Antonio.

I also signed up for bandera 100k in january. I figured it would be fun. My friend Mark is running this race also. Maybe I will be able to hang with him, but he is pretty fast so we will see.

Other than that for 2009, I have not made any decisions on any races. Not real sure what I want to do. I learned quite a bit about myself over the last year, but I am feeling like I need to feed my mind. And do some writing. I started reading a book about a polish girl who helped out Jews during the war. Pretty good book and it reads well.

Well, I am out for now.