Caps-Sens Games

Last night we went to watch the Senators play the Capitals in the final "Capital Cup" game. To this point in the season each team had won two games so this was to be a tie-breaker. Myself and Tika and two of her friends, Paula and Lisa went. You can tell from the picture who Paula was cheering for. Lisa had never been to a hockey game before but she showed her colours as later in the second period she exclaimed "No" as Washington made a good play on the puck.

The game started out really slow - both teams were playing sloppy but Ottawa took advantage of that and went up 3-1 by the end of the first so the scoreboard at the start of the second was something 3 of us liked. The Caps showed up to play half way through the second and tied the game at 3. The third got interesting when the Caps opened the scoring at the start of the third. Ottawa responded five minutes later and 15 minutes from that we are in overtime. Ottawa kept up the pressure and with 19 seconds left in overtime Kovalev scored giving Ottawa the win and the Capital cup.

Myself and Tika were a little bit excited :-)

It was a cool morning but .....

the race itself was a good race. This was the first time I had run in 3 weeks - some soreness in my leg, I think partially caused by running in old shoes. So this race I was running in new shoes as well as not having run for 3 weeks - ok - not my best plan.

But all that being said I ran a slightly slower than normal race - the 10K in 50:51 which is just about an 8:10 mile and I placed 509th of 1804 finishers which is well into the top third so I was happy with that. The run itself was nice since it was on Quantico right by the Potomac and there were lots of people in the area since it was on the base.

It was a nice way to start a Saturday

MCM 10K

So far this year not too much luck for warm weather races. Last weekend was in the 70s. This morning as I checked in for the Marine Corps 10k it was not quite 30 - brrrr! Hopefully the Cheery Blossom 10 miler in 2 weeks is warmer.



Location : 1101-1121 Hill Ave, Quantico, VA 22134,

First Ride

Today was my first bike ride in over 8 months. I did a quick 17 miles and it felt great - fresh air - nice scenery - the whole combination.

And yes I wore my helmet.



Location : 42433 Greenside Dr, Ashburn, VA 20148,

Happy Birthday Kristen

Today is Kris's actual birthday so I wanted to make sure that she had a

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Kris"s 16th Birthdsy

Saturday myself and Laura threw a little party for Kris. We took her, her sisters and a bunch of her friends to see Alice in Wonderland 3D, as you can see from the glasses, and then hosted everyone @ our house for dinner and a homemade cake.

The biggest thing was that she had fun - and she certainly seemed to.



Location : Northstar Blvd, Ashburn, VA 20148,

Different views of things

The other night myself and Laura were sitting down to watch some TV. We had just gotten notice that Verizon was adding extra HD channels so I was checking to see which ones. Rather then using the online guide to see what was on I was flicking between channels. I got up into the high 500s when I cam upon the sports channels. The usual ones were still there - Comcast HD etc. I hit the NHL Network channel and was ready to just fly through it when to my surprise we now had the NHL Network - but not just the NHL Network but in HD. I let out a "Woohoo". Now Laura enjoys hockey, in that she will watch it and she understands it. We have gone to Caps games before so I can safely say she is more of a hockey fan than most Americans. But I think she was a bit surprised by my "Woohoo". Now there is a difference between fans in the US and the importance of hockey in Canada. To make my point, I saw this news article today ....

(Reuters) - Canada's largest airline has learned it sometimes has to take a back seat to the country's biggest sporting passion, ice hockey, the head of Air Canada said on Tuesday.

The airline was forced to delay a flight from Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games because passengers watching the end of gold medal final on airport televisions ignored repeated calls to board.

"We incurred a flight delay for a reason Air Canada had not yet encountered in over 72 years of existence," chief executive Calin Rovinescu told a business gathering.

The Canadian fans were rewarded for their delay, as the nail-biting end to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics saw Canada beat arch-rival United States 3-2 in overtime.

So while I know she will watch a game with me, and enjoy it, and will tolerate my desire to watch hockey I know I will also  find a balance between watching and other things. The first full football game I watched was this year ... maybe she has converted me a little bit ..... just a little bit ;-)

..... cu

Race Results

Saturday's run was a nice one - ok the hill that you are halfway through when you reach mile one was a bit less than nice but the weather was good - lots of people and a great cause.

The course meanders through Broadlands with some small rolling hills and one good climb (the mile one climb). My phone GPS said it was a little over 5 miles but all my other maps said 5 miles so not sure what is going on with the phone. In either case I ran it in 40:40 putting me 189th in a field of 596 - so right in the top 1/3rd - which I was happy with.

The next race is a 10K in a couple of weeks in Fredericksburg. I just got some new running shoes so I will start training in those tomorrow. The old ones were well worn, as my legs will attest to, having been running in Texas, California, Florida, Tennessee, Ottawa, Switzerland, and of course Virginia.

OK - back to work

.... cu

Van Metre 5 miler

It is just before 8 AM on Saturday. I am waiting for the start of my first race of the year. It is sunny but 32 degrees outside - Yay for winter running.



Location : Wynridge Dr, Ashburn, VA 20148,

Heading home ...

San Fran is a great city but I am glad to be heading home. A long week with 4 very full days in 2 cities.

San Antonio was great - wonderful hotel, a great speaking engagement and some great conversations with a variety of people.

The trip to San Fran was tight with a 10th minute connection in Denver but the upgrade to the top floor suite in a nice boutique hotel made up for it. Again great meetings, a very good press interview, good business leads and good meals with colleagues I infrequently see made San Fran worthwhile.

But being away is tough - missing the one you would rather be with especially when I should have been more attentive is very tough. Hopefully I am home in 9 hours and I can make up for that.

cu .....


Location : 672 Easton Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066,

Found a great hotel

Here in San Antonio to speak at a conference. Saw some old friends at the airport and flew down chatting to Mike Butler who headed up the GSA MSO. If you need a nice hotel try the Hotel Valencia.

Location : 150 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205,