Took this panoramic shot this morning while out kayaking
ISHI - Japanese for DETERMINATION. Some would say I am stubborn - others opinionated - but in reality it is determined. I believe it is determination that got me through the challenges I have faced and allowed me to start this new and wonderful life. I will stay determined and we will have as much fun as we can along the way. Read along for the wonderful adventure.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
A fantastic Fathers Day
I had a great day yesterday ... thanks to all my girls. An early message from my beautiful daughter in Ottawa, and an afternoon with Laura, Kris and Sam made for a great day. Some BBQ for a picnic before we kayaked at Fountainhead Park was a great way to start the afternoon and an ice cream in Clifton a great way to end it.
Thank you all. Here are a few pics of the day
Thank you all. Here are a few pics of the day
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| All loaded up |
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| Sam ready yo go |
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| Kris seems excited ... even though exercise is not her thing |
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| The rewards of an afternoon kayaking |
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Happy Fathers Day Dad!!!!
I think Mom sent me this picture a couple of years back. I just love it. It is no wonder I still like old cars and still do my best to look after them it was obvious you did and I think I learned my best from seeing your example.
I want to thank you for all you have done for me by living that example ... working hard, being strong and firm but also letting us make our decisions, not being afraid to get your hands dirty and do do the things that needed to get done. You taught me to be able to do things myself and to do things for others as well. You were always willing to help others with whatever they needed and I know that I learn a lot from other people by doing that as well.
Thank you for always being there and thank you for being such a wonderful father.
Happy Father's Day. Love you
Monday, June 3, 2013
The Brutal Race Weekend
So it may have been the new kind of race, it being my first trail race; it may have been that the temperatures were in the high 70s to low 80s with high humidity; or it may have been that this was my 3rd weekend in a row racing but it was a looooooong day Sunday morning.
If you have been reading you will see that this is the 3rd weekend in a row that I have raced - a hilly half in Fredericksburg two weeks ago and, a nice flat 10K in Ottawa - but both I did personal bests in - Fredericksburg for the race and Ottawa for the distance. Yesterday was the North Face Endurance Half Marathon. Well it was called a half but everyone I spoke with had it at over 14 miles - but we all ran the same course so all the runners were even.
The weekend started out well - I stopped by North Face in Georgetown between meetings and picked
up my race packet - including a nice new shirt and some SmartWool running socks. It was actually really good since with the new clearance on the Jeep street parking is more critical in Georgetown and I found some right away. Saturday was an easy day and Sunday I woke at 5:30 to make sure I was all fueled with protein and carbs - Canadian Bacon, Waffles and banana for breakfast and snacks as I headed to the race start.
The race seemed very well organized until the announcer stated that we would pick up a water bottle at the first aid stop at about 2.5 miles but it would not have water until we filled it at the second stop which was supposed to be at mile 8.5. REALLY - 8.5 miles without water other than what we carried - and most people planned based on the aid stations being equipped. Well after some quick work they rectified that and we had water in our water bottles at the first stop.
The course itself was a good course - very scenic. Well not that you saw that since if you looked anywhere but down and two feet in front of you you were face planting after hitting a root or rock - I know - I did it when I looked up to see if I could find a place to pass. I had to look for places to pass as we had about 2-1/2 to 3 miles of anything but single track - and it was truly single track. Thankfully the start was mostly on wider trails so I moved ahead a bit over the first 2.5 - 3 miles but even in those first 3 miles we hit single track where it became obvious that this race would be dictated by how big a crowd was in front of you.
Once we got into the continuous single track there were lots of obstacles - some small that would catch feet and some very large that require clambering, jumping, wading or scrambling up muddy embankments. Of course that plus the inability to pass made it near impossible to get and set a pace. At mile 5 I was thinking about that - how to set a pace - but after 10 miles of climbing, jumping, falling, scrambling and sprinting where I could I realized that this was called Endurance for a reason.
When I finally hit Algonkian Park I knew the finish and a glass of beer were not far away so I kept the pace and crossed at 2:24:21. I was a little disappointed at that point as I knew it was a solid 40 minutes slower than my best half and 36 minutes slower than just two weeks ago but now that I look back at it adding 36 minutes based on the extra mileage, the heat and humidity, and the course is nothing to be disappointed about. It turns out I placed 7th in my division of 35 runners and 130th overall in a field of 773 - a good day.
Now I will take a few weeks off from racing and maybe a week or two off from running at all - just to get recover a bit - my legs are advising me of that and my nipples are screaming for it. The next planned race is the Tely10 in Newfoundland at the end of July and I want to be ready to nail that!
If you have been reading you will see that this is the 3rd weekend in a row that I have raced - a hilly half in Fredericksburg two weeks ago and, a nice flat 10K in Ottawa - but both I did personal bests in - Fredericksburg for the race and Ottawa for the distance. Yesterday was the North Face Endurance Half Marathon. Well it was called a half but everyone I spoke with had it at over 14 miles - but we all ran the same course so all the runners were even.
The weekend started out well - I stopped by North Face in Georgetown between meetings and picked
up my race packet - including a nice new shirt and some SmartWool running socks. It was actually really good since with the new clearance on the Jeep street parking is more critical in Georgetown and I found some right away. Saturday was an easy day and Sunday I woke at 5:30 to make sure I was all fueled with protein and carbs - Canadian Bacon, Waffles and banana for breakfast and snacks as I headed to the race start.The race seemed very well organized until the announcer stated that we would pick up a water bottle at the first aid stop at about 2.5 miles but it would not have water until we filled it at the second stop which was supposed to be at mile 8.5. REALLY - 8.5 miles without water other than what we carried - and most people planned based on the aid stations being equipped. Well after some quick work they rectified that and we had water in our water bottles at the first stop.
The course itself was a good course - very scenic. Well not that you saw that since if you looked anywhere but down and two feet in front of you you were face planting after hitting a root or rock - I know - I did it when I looked up to see if I could find a place to pass. I had to look for places to pass as we had about 2-1/2 to 3 miles of anything but single track - and it was truly single track. Thankfully the start was mostly on wider trails so I moved ahead a bit over the first 2.5 - 3 miles but even in those first 3 miles we hit single track where it became obvious that this race would be dictated by how big a crowd was in front of you.
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| The Course and Elevation Profile |
Once we got into the continuous single track there were lots of obstacles - some small that would catch feet and some very large that require clambering, jumping, wading or scrambling up muddy embankments. Of course that plus the inability to pass made it near impossible to get and set a pace. At mile 5 I was thinking about that - how to set a pace - but after 10 miles of climbing, jumping, falling, scrambling and sprinting where I could I realized that this was called Endurance for a reason.
When I finally hit Algonkian Park I knew the finish and a glass of beer were not far away so I kept the pace and crossed at 2:24:21. I was a little disappointed at that point as I knew it was a solid 40 minutes slower than my best half and 36 minutes slower than just two weeks ago but now that I look back at it adding 36 minutes based on the extra mileage, the heat and humidity, and the course is nothing to be disappointed about. It turns out I placed 7th in my division of 35 runners and 130th overall in a field of 773 - a good day.Now I will take a few weeks off from racing and maybe a week or two off from running at all - just to get recover a bit - my legs are advising me of that and my nipples are screaming for it. The next planned race is the Tely10 in Newfoundland at the end of July and I want to be ready to nail that!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Memorial Day Weekend
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| Looking up at the East Block Parliament Building |
The drive up was interesting as it was the Friday before Memorial Day and we drove through sleet as we entered New York State from Pennsylvania. The weather in Ottawa was similar to DC so it meant for a cool couple of days but started to warm up by Memorial Day.
We spent the weekend at a condo that we had rented. It was very convenient being right downtown and the fact that it had a well equipped kitchen meant that we could also relax a bit about where to eat and do some of our own cooking if we wanted - which we did.
After the race we went straight to the re-union and got to see some old friends. Some we keep in touch with regularly, others I had not seen in almost 20 years, but you would have thought it had been 20 weeks. We had a great time.
We also got to spend a good bit of time with Tika. We had brought some stuff up for her which meant she had to go through her place and do some culling of clothes etc, which she donated to a local charity. We also brought her up a new bike for her birthday. We went to ZenKitchen for lunch on Sunday, a birthday lunch, and did some shopping together. It was a great way to spend the day.
Monday was a beautiful day and Laura and I spent it relaxing and walking around Ottawa. Of course we did some shopping as well but it was just great to have a sunny, warm Memorial Day with no need to hurry to do anything.It turned into a great weekend and I hope we will find time to go back soon - I now September I will be back as I have a race in Ottawa which I am looking forward to :-)
Monday, May 20, 2013
2013 Marine Corps Half Marathon
Yesterday was the running of the 6th annual MC Half - and my second running of the race. It is a great race. Lots of Marines supporting the runners and lots of other volunteers. The people of Fredericksburg go all out, lining the streets and playing music from their houses that line the course. Last year I was a tiny bit disappointed as I wanted to finish under 1:50 but was 32 seconds shy of that goal. This year I had two great races under my belt, a strong Van Metre 5 miler and a strong Cherry Blossom, both where I set personal bests in those races so my goal was to get the 1:50.
For those that follow me you will know that my Personal Best for a half-marathon is just over 1:44. The Marine Corps Half is very different though. It is a hilly course. There are rolling hills all throughout and though they may be small there are lots of ups and downs and they are taxing. Then of course you have Hospital Hill, which everyone hears about and dreads, but those of us that have run it before know that Hospital Hill is followed by a short flat piece and then a climb up and over the highway that is even more taxing.
I woke early and had a good breakfast, Canadian bacon, toast and fruit and headed down to Fredericksburg. I arrived at the start line with about 10 minutes to spare after taking care of all my pre-race stuff - so I was set. I started fairly close to the front of the almost 6300 runners - I think it only took 38 seconds to get across the start line after the gun start. Oh I should clarify - the Marine version of a gun start is a Howitzer. I had planned to start hard and then relax a bit mid-race so I could be ready for the big hills near the end. My 10K split was under 50 minutes - about 8 min/mile. The next 5 K I ran at about 8:15 so I could relax a bit and fuel up for the hill. The next 5K covered the big hills and I kept that at under an 8:40 and finished the last mile plus at the 8:15 pace before I started the hills. It felt really good. The final finish time - 1:48:00 - a solid 2 minutes ahead of my goal.
Next up - NorthFace Trail half-marathon - in two weeks.
For those that follow me you will know that my Personal Best for a half-marathon is just over 1:44. The Marine Corps Half is very different though. It is a hilly course. There are rolling hills all throughout and though they may be small there are lots of ups and downs and they are taxing. Then of course you have Hospital Hill, which everyone hears about and dreads, but those of us that have run it before know that Hospital Hill is followed by a short flat piece and then a climb up and over the highway that is even more taxing.
I woke early and had a good breakfast, Canadian bacon, toast and fruit and headed down to Fredericksburg. I arrived at the start line with about 10 minutes to spare after taking care of all my pre-race stuff - so I was set. I started fairly close to the front of the almost 6300 runners - I think it only took 38 seconds to get across the start line after the gun start. Oh I should clarify - the Marine version of a gun start is a Howitzer. I had planned to start hard and then relax a bit mid-race so I could be ready for the big hills near the end. My 10K split was under 50 minutes - about 8 min/mile. The next 5 K I ran at about 8:15 so I could relax a bit and fuel up for the hill. The next 5K covered the big hills and I kept that at under an 8:40 and finished the last mile plus at the 8:15 pace before I started the hills. It felt really good. The final finish time - 1:48:00 - a solid 2 minutes ahead of my goal.
Next up - NorthFace Trail half-marathon - in two weeks.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Happy Mothers Day
This weekend is a great weekend. As a family we use this weekend to celebrate all the Moms in our lives. For us that means the kids spend Saturday celebrating Stepmom Saturday and then celebrating Mothers Day with their Mom on Sunday.
For Stepmom Saturday we grilled and then the girls took Laura to see The Great Gatsby at the Alamo. A great theatre to see that movie in.
For me Sunday means thinking about my Mom and being thankful that she is still as healthy and strong as ever and that she is still willing to talk to me after all I have put her through. The piles of pancakes and bacon she had to cook to feed me. The gallons of milk. The wondering where I was, as a small kid exploring our as a teenager out "with friends". My willingness to jump first and think later - usually as she is bandanging something up.
Thanks for tolerating me and thank you for setting an example of how to be the supportive parent. I love you.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
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