Here you go Scott, thanks for the tag.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
hmmm, should i shave?

2. How much cash do you have on you?
$140 ~ don't ask me why, i just do

3. What’s a word that rhymes with “DOOR?”
whore ~ it's the first thing that came to my mind and i was looking at my wife

4. Favorite planet?
:-( It was Pluto, those bastards...Planet of the Apes is pretty cool, Planet P had lots of MTV air play in the 80s with "Why Me", Interplanet Janet is a galaxy girl

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
Fun Guv

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
Stars & Stripes Forever

7. What shirt are you wearing?
Kiss Destroys Tiger Stadium, bummer Scott so sorry they ran out

8. Do you “label” yourself?
yes ~ all the world is a stage and we are merely players
or i guess in the simplest terms you label us as you see us...a jock, a beauty queen, basket case, nerd, the criminal. i guess that's how we see ourselves

9. Name the brand of your shoes you’re currently wearing?
i'm not wearing shoes, but the ones i just took off were my old Nike Air Pegasus

10. Bright or Dark Room?
yes, or actually a white room with black curtains

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
he needs to figure out how to use his cell phone and he's a great kisser

12. What does your watch look like?
It's shaped like RJ from Over the Hedge and has a ringed tail furry band that velcro's around my wrist ~ very chic

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
basking in the after glow of, you know, stuff

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
Welcome to Verizon Wireless

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?
18 Mile & Hayes ~ right around the corner

16. What’s a word that you say a lot?
c'mon

17. Who told you he/she loved you last?
Fun Guv

18. Last furry thing you touched?
Schubert

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?
2 ~ caffeine & nicotine

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?
what the hell is film?

21. Favorite age you have been so far?
still working on that, I'll tell you when I get there

22. Your worst enemy?
myself or my bride or bizzaro mike from the opposite universe or maybe just punctuation

23. What is your current desktop picture?
Schubert

24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
i have a laptop not a desktop

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?
fly ~ I'd rent myself out and make a million bucks
oh wait, how good am i at landing? don't want to be mr. hinkley on greatest american hero

26. Do you like someone?
i hate people

27. The last song you listened to?
The Freshman by Verve Pipe, it was on the radio

28. What time of day were you born?
I don't remember, it was so long ago

29. What’s your favorite number?
3 it's the magic number

30. Where did you live in 1987?
Tate Hall at CMU

31. Are you jealous of anyone?
sure

32. Is anyone jealous of you?
why? what is there to be jealous about? oh please, covet my life

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
Room dad in Mack's kindergarten class. Didn't know anything happened until the kids went to music and we were told to turn on the tv.

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
i don't know, it's never happened

35. Do you consider yourself kind?
well, i think you have to be cruel to be kind in the right measure so i guess that's a yes

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
my upper arm/shoulder

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
german would be good so i could finally understand the words to 99 luftballoons ~ i know luft is not really red. vulcan would be nice so i could understand what mr spock's first name really is
eskimo's have 17 words for snow so i'm kinda curious about that too

38. Would you move for the person you loved?
yes and that was a smart move on my part

39. Are you touchy feely?
i guess.

40. What’s your life motto?
eat drink and be merry for tomorrow at least ye may die ~ saw it on the wall of a sanitarium near where i grew up

41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
there are no 3 things i have on me all the time, i'm a minimalist

42. What’s your favorite town/city?
traverse city

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
a soda ~ diet coke and a hershey bar with almonds

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
uh......you're assuming there was a first time

45. Can you change the oil on a car?
yes

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
she thought about crashing my 20 year reunion

47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?
you rat bastards, throw that in my face again, you know i'm adopted

but i do know my grandfather (not my great-grandfather) fought in the spanish-american war, he was born in 1870

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy?
a tux for the kings ball back in april

49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
no

50. Have you been burned by love?
who hasn't?

Nitmos tag, you're up!

O.K., RR wants to know how i did a marathon and at a fairly good time and my lungs didn't explode.

It's a little tough to explain. i trained just like everyone else did. i just smoked. Totally dumb, i get that... and really, i kept waiting for some epiphany moment of lapsing into a coughing fit and throwing the smokes away, forever, well before my 20 mile run.

It never happened. As a matter of fact, i was so nervous before the marathon, i had a smoke at the hotel before heading downtown.

i'm as surprised as anyone about my time, but... i am a little bit taller than most runners, my strides are longer, i don't think i work as hard as say someone 5'6" to run the same distance. Sorta like NBA centers, a person can't train to be 7 foot tall.

i do recognize the problem and i am trying. Thanks for the support.

So, anyway, i hate traffic and rude drivers. We all do as we, runners, have to occasionally dodge cars, trucks, SUVs, etc...

i, like most i imagine, run on the sidewalk opposite of traffic so i can see traffic as it heads toward me whenever possible. So once again, last nite, here i am in the middle of a lit parking lot entrance to the local high school, and a stupid woman in a minivan slams on the gas to turn into the parking lot quicker than i can cross. i am partially through entrance before she starts her turn. Unbelievable....and frightening...

So as momentum carries me into the side of her minivan. i have two choices:

1, try to stop, unsuccessfully and run into the side of her van, face first, or;

2, throw my foot up into the side of her van and try to push back to avoid getting run-over.

Guess what i choose?

And yeah, i hate to admit, it felt a little satisfying to not only defend myself from physical harm, but to see the jump in the woman, and the van for that matter, as i kicked against the van to throw myself back.

it was a little louder than expected...

it left a little bit bigger dent than expected...

Cause i'm a little bit taller and heavier than a lot of runners, and i seem to go at a good clip...so i am reminded of two laws i learned from high school, oh the irony, physics class

Force= Mass X Acceleration

For every action there is an opposite but equal reaction.

As i continued along the sidewalk, i wondered how she would explain this to her husband. i just kept running. She didn't stop for me and i didn't feel like stopping for her.

"i hit a runner in the crosswalk, in a well lit area"

"So, you hit a pedestrian?"

"yeah"

"and you think we're going to file an insurance claim?"

Thanks for reading

RR....hope the scope goes/went well.

Back to Running

Yesterday was a wonderful 10 miler. My kind of run as the weather was a brisk 40 something out and the wind was out of the north.

So, off i go. Shorts, a running T, and a sweatshirt, out the door for what i hope will be about an hour and a half.

It's so amusing to watch the snow begin to fall in the middle of a long run. i wasn't sure what i laughed at more. The idea of running through another long winter or the looks on drivers faces as they drove by me. Some idiot out in shorts running North, against the wind, with snow falling.

Finished in about and hour and 13 minutes. That just sounds too fast, but i remember the time 10:55 when i headed out and the clock read 12:08 when i returned. That seems real fast to me and at the time it didn't feel like i was running faster. The route was my consistent 10 mile route for marathon training, and it had always taken at least 1:20 in the past.

There could be something to the notion of not smoking....except... i bartended and a huge group came into the hotel. All 20 something's, all sport biker's, all smoking and celebrating a birthday. Man... after an hour of inhaling 2nd hand smoke, i was going nuts... it was so unbearable... first chance i could i bummed a smoke...tasted like crap

Movin' On

Thursday, in addition to being the one day i can play Alice's Restaurant on our stereo, will be the Turkey Trot, downtown motown. Right before the parade. It should be a fun 10 k. As this will be the 2nd ten k i've ever done, i'm hoping for a PR. Fun Guv has an uncle who is going to run it. We're making plans to head downtown together. It'll be his longest race. He just started running and has done a 5k.

Very impressive, though. To take on a new sport at the age of mid 50 ish, like running. Sorta inspirational in it's own way. i thought taking on running at 37 was tough.

Luckily, he won't be kicking my ass just yet. i should have plenty of time to finish, grab a water, maybe a banana and settle in to watch and cheer for Uncle Earl to finish.

Thanks for reading

Football is just a game

This man was the entire state of Michigan. Everything good and bad, whether a MSU or UofM, or any...,everybody in between..., wrapped in a human body.




Rest in Peace

God Bless Bo

Not the best, but what really happened to Bo?

Confession of a Running Blogger

i'm not a gear-head. When it comes to my car and motorcycle, i usually have someone who is handy work on my machines. However, there is one thing i learned about engines when deciding on new pipes for the Harley. See, baffles not only restrict noise but also the air flow, hence loud pipes for after market piping, and so loud pipes do more than save lives, people may not see me, they will hear me. Loud Pipes provide speed.

If any machine is to operate faster. The faster air goes in, and the faster air goes out; the faster the machine.

Well, in this 101st post of my running thoughts of a runner, i've got to come clean to those who read this blog and do not realize that i started running, trained for a marathon, and completed a marathon while maintaining about a half a pack a day smoking habit.

It was just easier to keep smoking.

I remember a college vocal professor had a hand written sign posted on his office door. I never took music classes, but was a member of the music fraternity, ...sad....but social. Anyway, the sign read...

"you can be a smoker who sings, but you can't be a singer who smokes"

I guess some of that statement rings true, cause today i feel like a smoker who runs...

So i am in day 2, of not smoking. Day one was easy, today is a little rough. A big question right now. Is my addiction stronger than my commitment to running faster?

Holy Death Wish vs. Life Wish Scenario Bat-Freud!!!

Anyway, wish me luck, Great American Smoke Out is right around the corner.

Thanks for reading

Well...i had planned on detailing the factors that helped determine that the Flying Pig just will not work this spring. And i was hoping to do so in as diplomatic way as i could, to not incur the wRath of a Running Rabbit, 3R's, appropriate for referring to a school teacher, eh?

Since L*I*S*A let the news out, let me at least confirm that i will be unable to fly with the piggies this spring.

Two huge factors weigh real heavy. First, it is Fun Guv'nor, names ringing a little truer now, lol, and lowly little me, Mr Man,'s 12th anniversary of at least 4 or 5 years of happily being married,... to each other,... in a row

so that's a biggie. it really is and she did not ask me not to run in Cincy. But since she's just starting to run i don't want to burn her out with another big marathon.

The other factor is my daughter, Allison, whom i rarely get to see. She lives up north in the Traverse City area. Since the Bayshore is on Memorial Day weekend, it gives me an extra day in the oh so few and far between weekends and moments we get to spend together.

Now i'm not saying this is written in stone, but it most likely will not be my year to fly with the pigs. And of course, i reserve the right to have strange things happen which will allow for a change. It's my perogative...not as a woman, but as Bobby Brown!!! Not sure what this means, just go with it.

Another thing. L*I*S*A, great???? minds must think alike. So i'm thinking of updating my video's with some home grown Michiganders. And i think "turn the page"!!! Great tune. Bob Seger... Then i see the update of her blog. Good call, but...since i didn't want to appear redundant...or stalker-like...at a whole different twisted level beyond Blogshere,... Let's go with another not so recognized as a Detroiter, but really it makes sense if you've ever visited here... IGGY POP!!!

Next Posts.... Real appropriate if you know what Wednesday is....if not...good for you...besides the first day of Deer Season..... Confession of a Running Blogger!!!

Thanks for reading

First things first:

Gotta give some thought to running today. Fun Guv'nor seems to enjoy the new shoes. She is still working on a run/walk route of about a mile. Good for her. Seems like she has received lots of support from her friends around town.

Also thanks to the RBf'rs out there for the well wishing.

i did a little speed work today. My how many days in a row experiment, ended yesterday. Due to planning around life. It can't all be running, as much as we would all like it to be.

Today though, i went for what started as a little 4 miler. Don't you know as i passed the local high school, i couldn't resist the track and did two laps at 1:35 per. No Yasso 800 here, just a lap, a minute rest and another lap.

Then, a nice run home.

OK.... if you only read for running, go ahead stop here.....

I gotta admit to being tired today from staying up late and watching the voting results. i couldn't be happier. See, even though everything i did or didn't vote for, didn't go my way, i'm very happy with the end results. hint hint...that's called a compromise, Georgie-boy

It's totally short lived as they're all crooks, but give me a day or two to enjoy the feeling of hope. Cyncicism will reign again soon enough, but c'mon give a happy day.

Cause, i love my country and the freedom it allows, and so i present the ultimate compromise....

KID ROCK!!!!

Why Kid??? O.K. unpause the video and i'll explain....

Well, he's an eastsider, and a metrodetroiter. His guitar player is a former classmate from Traverse City. He represents the Detroit area well. We are a little red-necky, we love cars and we love our home and Detroit. We can talk bad about this area, but out-of-towners, keep your mouth shut.

This video was shot at the State Fair Parking Lot. See the State Fair is the oldest fair in the US. i remember listening to Kid on the radio the day the video was shot. He had a couple request: monster trucks, bikers, hot chicks and American Flags. This video was to be shot in detroit on a chilly autumn day, and it was a celebration of the good things in Detroit.

Not bad for a parking lot, on the edge of detroit. Real close to the trendy areas of Royal Oak, Pleasant Ridge and Huntington Woods.....

Maybe not... i love my area...but please, out of towners, take a look at the real State Fair neighborhood.

This is my wife's favorite blog, after all the RBF'rs of course, and a reason to cry over the fate of my home. As wonderful as Chicago was, and is; it's such a reminder of what Detroit used to be, and how hard it will be to come back.

Anyway, i nice shot out to Russ. Thanks for Stalking and commenting on the blog recently. Another Bayshore runner. Good For you. Even if i do flying pig something tells me to go "up north" that weekend. Maybe to just lend support. Hell, i might still run it......

Thanks for reading

Fun Guv'nor converts to Running Mania!!!!



Behold, the shoes!!!

Now, like any american husband, i have invested numerous dollars on trendy exercise equipment. As a matter of fact, i have most likely spent less than most, so numerous is an overstatement. We have no eliptical coat racks, or stationary drying racks. At worst, i have a solo-storage rack for whatever holiday decorating materials are upcoming. We also have one adjustable step-stool, which came with an aerobic VHS tape. At least the box said there was a tape, can't say i've seen it.

Anyway, i think the shoes are great. You gotta love shopping for shoes, and being able to chat with the clerk about her olympic tryouts, 100+ mile weeks, running Chicago in about 2 and a half hours vs 4:10:17 and Lance Arm-not so-Strong- as he thought he'd be, all while being helped in a totally postive commitment to help a new runner, in this case Fun Guv'nor, get started in a positive manner. Holy Run On Sentence Batman!!! You ain't seen nothing yet!!!

FG's gonna take the new shoes out for a run today and see how they feel.

Alas, i have voted. i get to bitch. For the first time i can remeber i actually voted for 2, that's right 2, republicans. So, although i favor liberalism, i try to see the forrest through the trees and vote as an independent. Or is it trees through the forrest, i always seem to confuse my metaphors.

As i looked a the ballot in Michigan, it occurred to me, if i wanted to, if could have...

...voted in a manner, that ensured we could all have jobs as independent sales reps, meeting our up-line over coffee at Denny's, and taking the occasional hunting trips together paying our extra stamp for a Dove license, and with that extra money generated and not being used for DNR and Conservation, and it could be used to provide additional funding to schools, and where all the white male teachers can pad their pensions, and since no new science supplies are needed as we now teach intelligent design where else will the money go?

At least i know where to get my new closet organizer...

Thanks for reading...

Outta my Monday Moanin' Mind (i sooo miss reading Bob Talbert)

i've been putting in a lot of miles this weekend. It's been great to run with no thougths of an future marathon or race. i think i'm done with organized running for the year. It's getting a little chillier. So now it's just run for the enjoyment and health.

i've done 4-6 miles every day for the last 3 days and i think i'm gonna push to see how many i can do in a row. i think three more as Thursday starts at 7:30 and goes straight through to midnite.

Needless to say, some quick hits on my thoughts while running:

Being an adopted child let me say that Madonna; kiss my a$$. You want to adopt, great, but i'm not buying the way you are going about it. Also, drop the fake accent. Nobody from Rochester Hills, has that accent. Angelina; i think you've done some great work in Africa, and i believe you have the best intentions. Unfortunately, if adoption becomes trendy for the privelaged, how de-humanizing can it become?

Also, from an adopted viewpoint, Tom Cruise; Kiss my a$$, too. Glad you have a new child, but to call the experience you're greatest moment? Why not call your adopted children, second class siblings, cause where do they stand in your experience as a parent?

My parents are my parents, my sister is my sister, end of story.

i ran mile with the Fun Guv'nor Saturday morning. Run/walk, that's ok. It's been fun.

Kudos to John Kerry for sticking to his guns and not allowing the neo-con chicken hawks, to pervert an apology out of him. Rush, go back to attacking people with parkinsons, and popping pills. Bill, i'm an SP and proud. Go back to your sexual harrassment problems and then tell me how you are founded on christian principles. Unless, your principles deal with crystal meth and homo-erotic rundowns. Mr Kerry, had you shown this same conviction two years ago, you'd be president today. So, not huge kudos, but keep trying to pull the extreme right back to a center. It's getting hard to be so far left.

And being left, let's say hooray to the state of New Jersey. Going back to my viewpionts on gay marriage. i don't view this as legislating from a bench, but making sure eveyone is treated equal. Also why i favor AA policies, alas to the plight of the poor white man. We've had it so rough throughout the history of this nation.

And, regarding the bible, which i am slowly still working through. i found a passage, not sure if it's in Psalms or Isaiah as i'm reading both which says something like; Beware of creating laws that limit the freedoms and favor a group of men, or something like that. It's not a quote, but i'm noticing a different God, as i read the bible, than the one preached about on Sundays, by evangelicals who seem to know that their flock doesn't seem to read.

Lastly, i had lunch with an attorney friend last week. As the elections are soon we discussed our political viewpoints. Thoughout our pleasant conversation we really hit on some middle ground, with regards to fiscal and social policies. Our argument on the middle ground was if our middle ground was left or right. He thought my opinions were soundly based on conservative, although not to the extreme right, values. While i found his beliefs to be liberal, but much more liberal than todays liberals in office.

i think if we had had a beer or two, instead of lunch, we would have solved all the worlds problems.

thanks for reading

So a little construction. No major changes. Just moving and adding and updating my profile.

It's not done yet, but soon.

Anyway, here's the deal.

Flying Pig Marathon is my 12th anniversary, ooops. I mean c'mon 12 in a row, that's the sweaty sock year right???

Now Fun' Guv'nor is totally cool with the occasional running weekends, and believe me, would normally love a weekend someplace new, yeah stunning Cincy, whoo hooo, how 'bout a tour of WKRP, oops tours, that was York PA.

Another positive, ok the only positive to missing the flying pig, is that i would most likely spend the entire weekend singing that damn theme song.....

Baby, if you ever wondered, ....wondered.... whatever became of me, I'm living on the air.....

Oh yeah, someone get me a pickaxe to take out my minds ear.

But stinky runners not quite = romance, Cause i'm such a romantic

Anyway can we make a marathon weekend hold a little romance? Probably not.....

But if everyone pleads with her, she needs validation too, RR.

So it may be the Bayshore

Anyway more to come, still a little dust and sawdust around the keyboard from the rehab

thanks for reading

Final Post First Marathon Thoughts:

First let's say after thinking about the marathon for the last week, i am hooked. Marathoning is a blast, i can't wait to do more. What will be next? Not sure yet, but soon i'll have a plan. RR makes a strong argument for the Flying Pig, and since i might be able to run at her pace, i could spend 26.2 running 5-10 feet behind her. It might just be the best thing to see in Cincy.

Second, we already have room reservations for Chicago next year, but i would like to do a spring marathon as well.

Third, prior to the big run, when Lisa and i were saying good-bye to our sig. others, Fun Guv'nor gave me a hug and a kiss, told me to run strong and then said something i've never heard from her. "i'm proud of you."

This is something i've never heard before. We kiss and hug and say we love each other daily, that's not new. But that she was proud of me. i think more than anything, that statement carried me through any pain i felt during the big run. Thank you, i'm proud of you too, for so many things and i'm sorry i've never told you.

Fourth, meeting all the other RBF'ers at the post race party. What a thrill, thanks Barb for doing the leg work. Thanks to all the other bloggers for being there. And to those of you bloggers who couldn't, 1000 lashes with a wet noodle. You were missed, but i hope you felt the great vibe generated by all the positive thoughts from the meetup, as you made your way home from Chicago.

Fifth, i went for a run Wednesday after the big run. It was a simple little 4 miler. Mostly i ran to work out the kinks left over from acid built up in my joints. It was great to hit the road again. After all, I'M A MARATHONER, it's what we do. WE RUN

Sixth, i need to spend a little time on updating the look of the blog. So rehabbing it may take some time, it may be a longer time between post. Please stick around as i make some subtle changes.

Lastly, i could go on forever with my thoughts of the big run, but i need to stop. Content wise, the blog will remain the same. Thoughts of a runner as he trains for life as a runner, peppered with whatever strikes my muse that day.

Thanks again for reading

Now that i've hit the most embarrassing moments....

Let's go over the best moments:

Wrigleyville....heard a local pep band playing the Superman Overture... how cool was that?

Old Town Chicago.... next huge crowd, crowds were large almost the whole route, but this was another level

Passing the 4:30 group leader...this was tough, lots of folks in this group, but at the 12 mile mark, i had visual evidence of making up time from my #1/#2 break at the two mile mark

Halfway....

.....A picture says a thousand words

Somewhere around 16 or 17 miles when i realized i wasn't tired yet. This was an great moment for me. My strides were long and even, great breathing still. i thought i would be hurting but wasn't...yet

Little Italy, again huge crowds, not as big as Old Town but a great boost, which led to...

Mexican Town, a little bigger crowds, a little louder, another boost, neat moment...guy with tequila shots, with all the fixin's, i admit to being tempted, but no, not today

30K mark...

Again 1000 words here

About here a stitch started but i wasn't going to stop until 20 miles, and

rest doesn't really make a stitch go away, keep going then...

Chinatown, loudest crowds, rowdiest excited folks yet. Funny how the stitch went away here, never to be felt again

Around mile 22 i took my first walk break through a water station, i had slowed down a little at the others this was my first stop to walk. It felt good

The last 800 meters was phenomenal. The roar of the crowd, the excitement. Finding an extra boost of energy, high five-ing spectators. And as i approached the last 200 meters, and was beginning to lose steam, i saw the best site of the entire 26.2

Lisa, MacKenzie and Jimmy in the stands.

i never thought i would see them.

What a boost, crowds and cheers be damned!!

i swear i ran in a vaccum the last 100 meters

Lisa was able to snap this picture at the end.

Then it was time to revel in the moment. Get my mylar blanket and medal, a rub-down and a frothy beverage.

What a day!!!

of course, best shared with friends and family...

Nitmos and i

and with Mac

Thanks for Reading

Next final thoughts after the Big Run

Why a 40 minute 5k to start the marathon?

While i wait for Fun Guv'nor to upload some great pictures of the marathon, let me fess up to an embarrassing moment.

i had to pee.

i had to pee as soon as the horn went off to start. i'm not sure what i did different from any other race, but it was cold. i did have a bottle of gatorade standing in the corral to start, and then, i had to pee.

i thought as i ran it would go away. Noo, not today. It was a bit chilly.

At 2-2.5 miles, i saw a couple port-a-johns, so...

i stopped, and waited in line, and waited, and waited.

As thousands of runners went by...even Lisa noticed me as she went by, waved, and i think, giggled as i stood waiting for my turn, rocking for foot to foot, heavily into pee-pee dance mode.

I swear i thought when i finally got out of the port-o-potty i would be the last person in the race. Less the 10 people behind me in line.

So finally, finally, i get in and start doing my business, when the old churning belly feeling kicks in and i realize it's better here then down my shorts in three miles sooo....a little bit more time to my stay....

eventually....

So now, i'm out hitting the streets again and noticing i'm with the 5:30 pace group.

It may have been a little earlier then expected, but i put the hammer down there. I ran, i had 12 minutes to make up, and thank god, 24 miles to do it in. But, hell, i just had a long break i was good to bust out the longer strides. Plus, there seemed to be a little added bounce in my step.

Being a sub 9 minute miler,it feels great when running with people over 10 minute mile. I felt like i was flying passed people. For the next 18 miles, ran at 8:40 per mile.

I estimate my pace time was increased by 25 seconds, due to the stop.

My goal, make up enough time to be halfway at 2:10, which i did, and finish with a 2:00 second half. I was real close.

At the 12-13 mile marker i ran in front of the 4:30 pace leader. That was a great feeling.

Anyway, thanks Bob, for hoping i was helping another runner at the start. i wish it was the case.

Plus, although i think i may have finished under 4 hours, it's hard to say because i was so focused on slowly picking up time. i might not have pushed so hard had i not had to stop.

Regardless, the race was amazing.

So eventually more details will follow as i get some pictures to post as well.

More less embarrassing details, This tops it for me.

Thanks for reading

MICHAEL PASSMORE | Bib #17412 |
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI - UNITED STATES | Age 38 | M | USA


START 5K 10K 15K 20K HALF 25K
8:16:49 AM CST 0:40:31 1:07:54 1:35:59 2:03:47 2:09:40 2:31:08
30K 35K 40K Finnish
2:59:24 3:28:18 3:58:04 4:10:17

TIME Chip Time: 4:10:17 Clock: 4:28:06 Pace: 9:32

Placement Overall: 14046 Gender: 9924 Division: 1959

Well there's the Stats and i'm thrilled.

What the heck could've slowed me down the first 5k?

After all the 5k's after that were all the the 27/28 minute range. Then i did slow a little after 30k, but what could it have been?

Why so slow?

More on that later and hopefully a pic or two, Fun Guv'nor got a great one as i finished. So glad to see her and the kids at the end.

Chicago rocked, albeit a little cold. It was amazing. More on this later just wanted to put some stats out.

Thanks for reading...

Any advice on how to change my profile as it no longer should look towards my first marathon. additionally, running the marathon was not the hardest thing i ever did. Those things are being a good husband and father. Funny how 26.2 puts life in persepective

Since this is most likely my last post to the blog prior to the big run, i have a few housekeeping items.

Bib# 17412

if you care to stalk my progress from afar on Sunday, that will help.

Also if you are unsure of how to stalk my progress, it can be done through the chicago marathon link. See Chicago 05 video at the right side of the screen.

if you need my full name to do so: Michael Passmore

to the RBF'rs: i do look so forward to the chance to see some of you, before and definitely after the big run. If prior to the race i'll be with the chick with all the graffiti on her shirt. i'm wearing blue shirt, grey shorts. White Duct tape spells out MIKE on the front. My 3 children and Fun Guv in white duct tape on the back. i'm still debating on how to throw an old english D on the shirt.

Thanks: last time to thank everybody, regrets if i miss anyone

to the family for their awesome support,
to all my in-laws,
to my extended family, Lisa, Mark, Scott, Tess, Annette, Steve, Drew, Hans, Lori, Lori-O and Gknee - my brothers and sisters from another mother,
to the Steers, King, Nitmos, and Hitman
to the people in the office, Kay, Carey, Janice, Kim, Rick and Mike- your support through this obsession has been tremendous. Mike your coaching has helped in more ways than i can say.
to Marc St Angelo, my college roommate and a tri-athelete
to the people at Hanson's Running for help with shoes and clothes, advice, and belief that i can do this
to Rich Miiller, not a typo that's how it's spelled, for running with me and being a good friend
to the RBF'rs
to Bob for throwing the link together, good luck, run strong, if i have a final kick in me i'll be thinking of you, and you finishing way ahead and hitting your goal
to Runner Girl, your injury and recovery continues to inspire me to do my best
to Barb, Little Ms Jayhawk, aren't you so far removed from your little medical concern a few months back?
to every blogger, i have stalked for advice and support and a good chuckle,
thanks
to the Mom's of the Mom 2 Mom website
to the Anchor Bay Rotary Club
to the Bloomfield Hills Local Business Network

If i missed anyone, i'm very sorry. Truthfully, every one i've been in contact with over the past few months should be thanked.

As this is my Debut as a marathoner, thanks for the lingo Bob, i'm very geeked to get underway. i have two planned for next year.

Unless, some tix for the World Series fall in my lap today or tomorrow we leave at 1:30. That is the only thing that can stop me now.

Lastly, in addition to all the people previosly mentioned, people whom i wish i could share this event, but, sadly, can't:

My Mom, Jewell
My Grandfather, Donald
My other brother from another mother, Steve

Thanks for reading

Wow, it's only a couple days away.

i guess i'm getting real nervous to start the marathon. It's a truly excitement type of nervous energy. Nothing new to marathoners, but new to first timers.

i'm sure i'll finish. Confidence is everything at this point.

It's more like a nervousness of a teenager looking to lose their virginity.

"what'll happen?"
"will i be forever changed?"
"how long will it go?"

More than likely the first marathon will take longer than the act of losing ones virginity.

Hell, the walk from my office to the copy machine takes longer than that act.

And quite honestly, i probably spent the more time training to lose my virginity than i have for the marathon. but that's another issue.

Anyway, i've read that many marathoners experience a brief depression after euphoria of completeing the run. i'm trying to avoid that by downplaying my excitement at this point.

i think that denying myself to feel great, about what i have done so far, has been a mistake.

i have a dear friend who has been prescribed mood levelers for the past few years. i never equated the negative aspect to them. As long as he didn't get real depressed, and potentially do harm to himself, i was happy for him.

We had a brief conversation about a year back and he explained how the down side to mood levelers was that he didn't get to experience the enjoyment while on them. Life on a even keel meant no extreme low moments, but also no extreme high moments of excitement.

How sad. This moment of clarity, and i understood, or emphasized with his ordeal.

Today, i realize, i have done this to my marathon experience. Now this was another moment of clarity, but no more!!!

i'll risk the depression. i know it may come. i am fore-armed for it. bring it!!!

i refuse to let my fears affect my happiness.

This is one of the largest, most prestigous, marathons in the world. i'm thrilled to no end to have the chance to run in it.

i am so glad to have met other runners online, at all levels of support and experience.

i am so thrilled to have the support of my wife, kids , our family, our friends, the lists is too long, but even friends i hadn't seen in years at my reunion offered encouraging words. And these were people that had never seen me when i was waaayy heavy.

So, Lisa, i'm with you. i'm gonna throw my name on my shirt. i welcome the encouraging words of absolute strangers while i run. i'm ready to let my thoughts be consumed with the big run.

i will run strong, finish stronger, and emerge a changed man. a finisher.

Last training run:

yesterday was 3.25 miles. This is the last run as the final two are technically jogs. 23 minutes, fastest time ever. but i refused to slow down cause i wanted to experience pushing through pain.

Chicago...bring it!!!

So today i'm putting in my number one song video to run to.

Heck nobody, really watches the video, it's just a toy for me to play with....

Sorta like training to lose one's virginity....

Thanks for reading.

Looks like somebody had a little bit of fun at their 20 year high schools reunion!!

And truth be told all these old people graduated from high school together in 1986. What the hell? We don't really look old enough to be 38, do we?
Fine, we do. No reason to placate.

Anyway, allow me to introduce the 1986 senior trombone section. Yep, band geeks. Totally not the coolest area of the school. Now, really it's a little cool to be a chick and play an instrument, but for the fellows... not really.

i wasn't quite Napolean Dynamite, but i was a bit of a lanky, unco-ordinated, pimply, shy, not-too-confident, big Greg Brady fuzzy haired....Crap....Gosh...Idiot....

i think maybe i was Napolean....

Anyway, going left to right we have: Kevin, Missy, yours truly, and Mimi

It was so great to see these guys, and, thanks to modern techno-stuff, so easy to remain in contact now, vs. 10 years ago at the last one. Christ, who even had a cell phone way back then? Let alone email, website, a blog??
This picture was taken shortly after midnite. 10 years ago we posed for a similar picture, and i wanted to recreate it to compare to last reunion. Can't wait for the 25th to do it all again.

i truly had a better time then i anticipated. And big kudo's to my bride. Huge Kudos for doing her best, trophy wife, ratchet up the breast, look hot, yet still remain casual, while we exchanged knowing glances and private mysterious chuckles throughout the evening.

This whole mid-life crisis thing is ruined when you totally love your wife.

So Thanks!!!! Big Thanks also to the organizers of this party!!!! A few people i was actually able to thank in person. If i missed you and you helped in any small way to create a wonderful evening, i so sorry i missed you, but thanks, a million times thanks, my kingdom for a thanks.

Back to Running:Had an absolutely frigid 5 mile run, saturday morning. Wind was out of the west and i ran north and south, in a down and back 5 miles along the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay. The view was wonderful. The constant side wind sucked real bad. At least, i wasn't rained, or shudder, snowed on. 8 more miles, in runs of 3,3 & 2 and bring it chicago. You're gonna be my new bi-otch.

Looks like i'm going to run the Bayshore marathon in TC next spring. A fellow class of 86'er is looking to run his first marathon at this one. 13.1 miles up the Old Mission pennisula and then back. Go figure, i haven't even ran one marathon and i'm looking to help an old friend get ready for his first.

My Bad:Not sure why, but my last post was terrible. Mea Culpa, and i'll try not to do that again. i was in a bit of a hurry, but still wanted to provide some update. Stupid, stupid, stupid combination. i'm still learning and developing my voice. Thanks for staying through the bad posts.

Tomorrow is my 20 year high school reunion.

i admit to going as just a curiousity. i really only have stayed in touch with one person from my graduating class. one out of 666, well 665 minus me, hard not to forget a number like that.

Anyway, this should be a fun weekend. Nicely, i should be able to squeeze a little 5 mile run at home out of the weekend.

Today was a bitter 3.5 miles. It's been a while since i bundled up in a sweatshirt and, egad, sweatpants. I even through the hoody on.

Man, it was bitter cold. i ran with the wind in my face for the final mile.

At least i had the headphones on to keep my ears warm.

Moving on the Tigers. i watched most of game one of the NLCS. i'm thinking that if the Tigers get passed the A's or vice versa, either team will destroy the National League Champ.

i normally don't watch the NL but the pitching didn't look great for either team.

And with the average pitching those teams have, only 2 two were produced. What are these teams going to do against either staff of the A's or Tiger's?

Of course, i'll favor seeing the Tigers in the World Series.

Anyway, i'll be away for a few days, enjoy the new video.

Can to see what i'll be doing this weekend? go here

thanks for reading

Bib # 17412

There it is. I'm ready to go.

Today was a nice 5 miler. Of course, it rained and was real windy. My kind of run!!!

A new thing i have just noticed about the taper. It's much less miles, but the intensity is back.

i'm attacking these shorter runs with new intensity i haven't ran with for a month. Oh yes, i ran the long distances and ran them with a slow pace. i felt i needed too. It was most likely the correct way to approach them.

i see now that my fear of the taper wasn't physical. i wasn't going to lose my training by running less. i was afraid of losing my intensity. i started last week with the shorter runs at the same pace as the longer runs. This is where i lost my some emotional attachment to the marathon. In some ways i almost felt like my approach to the taper was sabotaging my ability to finish strong in Chicago.

So, i have made a new effort to attack these new shorter runs. Somewhat out of a new curiosity. If i could run the long runs at a slow pace, where is my short run pace now?

Can i finish my three mile runs under 24 minutes? What about 5 miles under 45?

If i can hit these targets, how do i feel? Am i drained or how much better shape am i in, now that i have completed these long training weeks?

Of course, i don't expect any of these short runs to make a difference in my time next week, but i have found a way that keeps my mind of something other then the big run.

I can now tackle the shorter runs with new intensity. The time is where i want, and my head is back in the game.

I hate to jinx the team but.....

How 'bout them Tigers!!! Bless you boys.

Two quick things on my drastic change of appearance from running:

First, i ran into yet another family member who did not recognize me, and

Second, i fear wearing my wedding ring as it fell off in the office last week, just fell of my finger. How odd, eh?
Fun Guv'nor thinks it's just an excuse not to wear it.

Thanks for reading

North Korea has nucular capability...

we think...maybe.... not confirmed but we're real sure....

the ground shook....they said it a underground testing....

But it makes great press....See we told you....

China Agrees...and they're Commies....

Well, it's good to know we are not going to invade North Korea anytime soon. After all, the American Empire only invades countries without nuclear weapons, not nucular. Shouldn't the leader of the free world, hah free, speak correctly. OK, maybe not a requirement, but a good idea at least.

And China...of course they agree. Aside from the socially repressiveness of China, they are our allies. That country now sees everything in hues of green light. Since China relies so heavily on US dollars to maintain their economy, of course they're gonna pooh pooh North Korea.

Truth is... if you look hard enough...nothing has been verified. It looks like nuclear weapons, N Korea says it has nuclear weapons, and if that country is known for anything...it's truthfulness.

If you look even harder. Conventional weapons can create the same results that N Korea claims are nuclear. The test not as strong as most underground nuclear tests have been. N Korea has already screwed up a rocket launching. Our press has already been misled this year about said failed rocket launch.

Failed or not, the first reports of that rocket launch were that the target was Hawaii. That would have been a blatent act of war. If true, and we all know what happens if you attack Hawaii, support for defending our country would have been extremely strong. A true attack response is a lot different than a pre-emptive war.

Look how we reacted to just the notion of WMDs. ok redundant, but you get the point

But, eventually the truth was a failed rocket launch not aimed at the US. The hoopla died down real quick. We didn't really react.

So, now, hhmmmm, isn't it just as easy to believe that N Korea is basically playing extreme Texas Hold'em with us. They've gone all in, and we're debating on getting a chance to see the river?

There is the same amount of evidence to support that claim as well. It just doesn't make for good copy.

i've been a little critical of Ford Motor recently. Looks like they are getting ready to dump some money into the Livonia plant. Although buyouts are coming, at least it looks like they are not giving up on Michigan completely. Let's hope for more good news.

Lower gas prices may increase sales of trucks and SUVs. Dear Lord, we never learn, do we?

Thanks for reading, again my not so much running stuff today, my running blog

Saturday was my last 10 mile run prior to the marathon.

It was nice out. The weather was perfect. Sunny. Warm. No Wind.

As i ran i encountered more runners than i ever had before. Now 10 miles for most people is a long run. Since this is the taper, i ran easily. It was strong and a consistent run. When i returned home i even mowed some of the lawn before showering. It was such a comfortable run.

i guess the taper has me a little emotionally drained. There was no eagerness to hit the road. i missed the nervousness of making a new long distance and pushing myself. 10 miles is a long way and ask me two months ago and i would have been excited to run it. But Saturday....not so much.... Ho Hum, just another middle distance run.

It was nice to run just to run.

Funny, as i ran i noticed a lot of other runners out. More than i had ever seen. i wonder how many, if any, were doing their big 20 miles for the Detroit marathon one week after the Chicago run?

Anyway, thanks to Lisa, i have a new toy to play with by adding some videos to the blog. A few months back, i blogged about favorite songs to run too. That's what i'm working with as the big run approaches.

There's even a brief running reference in this new one

enjoy.

thanks for reading

"what a piece of work is man"

-William Shakespeare

The recovery of the body amazes me. Yesterday was a short 5 mile run. i would have thought it would be a little hard after the 20 miles Saturday morning. It wasn't. It was the best 5 miles i ever ran.

Truthfully, i didn't do more than glance at the clock when i headed out. 7:20 something and a quick glance at the clock when i returned, 8:02.

i felt great the entire run and regardless of the clock, there was no lingering pain from Saturdays 20 miles. If anything, i felt stronger with such a short, eek 5 miles...that's short, run.

Anyway, i started this on Tuesday afternoon and am finishing Wednesday evening. Due to a schedule conflict, Tuesdays day of rest became to Wednesday's 10 mile run and today is now a rest day.

Weather wise i am thrilled as today was rainny and chilly. Last nite was perfect, Sunny and 71 out. There's not going to be many more days like this. Glad i was able to enjoy it.

Just some running housekeeping in today's post. i have to finish quick as today starts the NHL season and the Tigers need to get a win tonite.

Crap, and Lost is finally new. To much on....not enough TV's.

Anyone remember the Taxi episode where Reverend Jim worked a ton of OT to buy a wall full of TV's so he could watch every channel at the same time?

thanks for reading this all too dull, just running stuff post.

"Look.. if you had.. one shot, or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted.. in one moment Would you capture it.. or just let it slip?"

-Eminem

In this third chapter to what motivates me to run. Please let me throw some housekeeping. Ran my 20 mile run yesterday morning. Started around nine-ish, throw the watch away for the day, finished around 12:20 ish.

Stopped a few times for some scheduled water and pee breaks. It was rainy, again, like every other of the last few Saturdays, and a little chilly. So i started with a sweatshirt over my running shirt. i lubed up with body glide, had an apple, a carb bar, some water and headed out.

Let's just say with the wind, rain, and having a short 4 mile training run the night before. i am tired. i am really sore. The rain and having wet sweatshirt must have washed to lube away, as my thighs are raw, and i finally got to experience a shower with a raw, bloody nipple.

i got to say, not a big fan of this experience, the shower. The run though was great. i think a couple weeks of taper and recovery and i am ready to go for chicago.

Kudos to Lisa for her great run as well. First of many marathons?

Let me finish this little extended thought my typing that my motivation for running this first marathon is me.

i want to do for myself
i want to do it to show my children they can do anything they set their minds too
i want to push myself, physically and emotionally, harder than i ever have
i want to live in the moment and take the risk
i wnat to do the homework, follow the plan, and rely on a little faith to help me through rough times
i want to compete with myself and do better than i credit myself
i want to finish and realize that i have done something that most people would never attempt
i want to finish and know that i did my best on that particular day
i want to finish

i'm not sure if this really answers what motivates me.

But i hope this helps understand what influences me

"So here I go it's my shot, feet fail me not
This may be the only opportunity that I got"

-Eminem

thanks again for reading

"You've gotten awfully brave, awfully suddenly"

-Ernest Hemingway, from the short story...

The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber

My good friend Lisa, see blog link on the right side on your screen, emailed me recently and asked about my motivation, and what i am hoping to accomplish by attempting to complete the big run.

i'm honestly not sure. However, this question has led to this little series of posts that perhaps provide some insight. Thanks to my Anon. response correcting Marius vs Alexander. First, because i know now if i ever get serious about writing, i need a fact checker. Second, cause anybody who ever sat through Greek and Roman Lit. at Central would enjoy knowing how the professor erred on a big fact.

But, now, let's jump ahead a few thousand years...

Hemingway is one of my favorite writers. Not so much due to his detailed plot and descriptive nature, but rather his tone. For me reading Hemingway was all about the mood. He left out huge amounts of details in his writing, and most of his endings were a bit ambiguous. Mood and tone, though, does it for me. You always know how his characters feel, cause they're always real.

Francis Macomber is one of my favorite, along with Nick Adams (i grew up in the same part of Michigan), characters. Without ruining the ending, although by the title you can figure out what happens, Francis has a few brief true moments of happiness.

Hemingway's code is more obvious in this story than in any other. The details of the code go in so many directions, but for me....

Is it better to live long and unhappy and safe, or is it better to take risks, truly engage in the moment, and be vulnerable?

Also, if i make a decision to take this risk and make a conscious change. How does it affect the people around me?

'Cause Margot really flipped when Francis changed. It's a short story, go read it.

Good thing i don't own a gun, right Fun Guv'nor? Hope that doesn't totally blow the ending. What??!?, Bruce Willis was really dead the whole movie? Who'da thunk?

i think i can finish this little thought and tie all together into a nice little bow with my next post. i just might be able to answer Lisa question.

thanks for reading

"Sing in me, oh muse, and through me tell the story"

-Homer, Greek poet, not Simpson

This is a rough translation from Greek of the opening line of The Odyssey.

i know this cause i had to take Greek and Roman Literature twice. It is burned into my conscious after spending two semesters taking the same class. This was a class taught by one professor at CMU, Mr. Koper.

Now, legend around the English Dept, was that Koper did not like his class being offered as a general education option. Since he wanted to rid the class of all but English majors and minors, per rumor, he made it as difficult as possible. I received a total failure the first time around, D+ the second. Just enough to count towards my major. Anyway, i received my degree but one lecture heard twice also stands out.

Marathon.... as heard in Greek and Roman Literature...

After Alexander the Great had conquered Persia he turned his eyes towards Greece. His army was much larger than the Greeks. However they had a plan. About a days march east was a place called Marathon. Marathon set in the bottom of a canyon. It would be impossible for Alexander's army to not pass through this very narrow opening. That is where the Greeks set out for. They had to hurry to get there. It they met Alexander's army there, victory was possible.

The Greeks stood side by side across the entire canyon floor, with short swords and large shields. And like teeth in shark mouths the Greeks stood in layers front to back so that as one was killed another could step up and take his place.

Alexander's army approached the narrow and thinned to fit. They carried long spears and pole arms as weapons. As they met the Greeks, they were totally unprepared and ill-fitted for this type of battle. Their weaponry was no use in tight quarters and the Greeks soundly defeated
Alexander.

Legend tells of a messanger sent to notify the King of their victory dying upon delivering the message. That's not important to me.

What is important is the battle against the odds.

Marathon historical importance has so little to do with the fact that the distance in 26 and some change. Greece was the birthplace of modern theater, art, logical thinking, scientific thought, and democracy, to name a few things.

Had Greece fallen, what would today's world look like?

An ancient Greek Playwrite, sorry the name escapes me, did not want his epitath to read of his great plays. His epitath reads that he stood in the line at Marathon.

That enough for now. i'll continue this thought in my next post.

thanks for reading

The masochist in me really is not looking forward to the taper.

See, i know after i run 20 miles saturday, things will slow down miles-wise. i really need to rest before the big run. i understand this is a fact of marathon training. i have weakened muscles and stamina due to the number of long runs i have done.

i, most likely, also have small tears in my muscles that use this taper period to heal and recover.

i will run a better marathon if i slow down next week.

but....

i am obsessive. And, even though this is not a stop running cold turkey, it is significantly less running. Which leaves me no choice but to spend more time with my family.

So, while experienced runners look forward to the taper, i am dreading it, not cause of the family time (joke). My instincts will tell me to run more, and i'll need to rely even more on the training schedule to keep me from hurting myself.

Wish me luck, on this next phase of personal growth through marathon training.

thanks again for reading

After previewing future posts a few posts ago, i noticed some increased comments to my occasionally radical views, even with a massive brain dump. Let's try this again....

Soon..... observations from an idealist in a pragmatic world

who'da thunk 18 miles was a long way?

Ran a long 18 miles Saturday. Technically, i guess it 17.8 but close to enough to call it 18.

i guess looking at a marathon training schedule and looking at a map that finishes at 26.2 miles, sounds far on paper. i mean when i first started this i thought, piece of cake. Just add a few more miles each week. Three weeks from the marathon max out at twenty, and coast from then to the big run.

But really 18 miles is a long way.

but really what's another 8.2 at this point. If i felt this good after 18, and i'm not beat up, my nipples aren't bloody yet, and i have all my toenails still, what can be so different in the next 8.2?

Watch out, this saturday adding 2 more miles might put me into all those conditions.

Anyway, ran the first 8.9 with my good friend Lisa, and although she runs much slower than me. It was fun and a good workout. Yes, i went much slower than i've ran in a while, but really i just shortened my stride a little. I still did the distance. The second half was a bit quicker, but really i had a good sweat going at this point and it wasn't like i sprinted the final 8.9 miles. It was an awesome workout.

More than anything, this gave me an excuse to run for 3:20. Since a big part of being ready for the marathon is preparing for a 4 hour workout, i think this weekends run hit my goal for endurance preparation.

Thanks Lisa for allowing me to join you. No you did not hurt my run as increasing my ability to run for longer periods of time is just as important as putting in the miles. i wouldn't train this way every week but last week was perfect.

a few other Monday things:

it's finally fun to be a Tiger fan after 19 seasons of missing the playoffs, since this year is my 20th high school reunion, it really seems like a long time.

Thanks to marathon training, i may be able to attend my reunion looking sharp. No gray hair, i still have hair, and only 10-15 lbs heavier than when i finished high school. i mean i grew about two inches taller too.

Gonna miss Farve when he retires. Glad the Li-downs defense was able to assist his pursuit of Marino's TD pass record. Luckily Brett gets another game against the Honolulu Blue and Silver, what a lucky man he is.

Spartans snatch defeat from the jaws of victory again. Go Green.

Anyway, thanks for reading

Silly Republicans... phony,...i mean photo id's are for National ID cards,

not voter id's to cast your most basic of rights as an american.

So congress is looking to push through a bill requiring gov't issued photo ids to prove registration of voters starting in 2008.

See, here's a great example to my post from two posts ago about stupid waste of time and money.

It's an election year, and this will make great press and illegals have been a hot topic. Gotta keep the illegals from voting. How many illegals try to vote?

How is this not a national id card?
How is this going to be issued?
Who's going to pay for it?
If poor people can't afford it, and it will be paid for by the gov't, what's the cutoff amount to get it free?
Why can't i get a free one then, aren't i also a citizen, entitled to the same benefits?
How the hell can our gov't get these out on a timely manner?
What if i move?
What if i lose it a day before the election, can i still vote, it's my right?
If i can still vote, then why do i need a voting picture id?
How often do i need to update/renew it?
Who provides the training to the voter registration people to verify it's authenticity?
If it's going to swipe through a magnetic tape machine to verify it's authenticity, why is my picture on it?
If i'm a black man, in Mississippi, and a white voter registration person recently retired with bad eyesight and a former grand wizard, doesn't like my new haircut and even though i have a authentic card, based upon my recent change of appearance, then denies me my right to vote am i a second class citizen?
What if i vote absentee, do i need to mail a copy of my card?
If i mail a copy of my card how do you know it's a legit card without reading the magnetic strip on the back?
What the hell happens in Oregon, aren't all their ballots absentee?
What about our servicemen, they vote absentee?
How does this make our government smaller?
Don't republicans want smaller government?
Have the republicans pushed rezoning districts to minimize left wingers to the level where most districts are geographically thinner then most of their constituants waistelines, so that this is the next way to ensure results, by further surpressing the ability for anyone who isn't white middle american from even bothering to vote?

How many illegals try to vote again?
Doesn't this make for great press?
Doesn't this make congress look tough on illegals?

It's all class warfare baby.

Man, it feels good to dump this clutter out of my head

thanks again for reading

Oh how i love election years...

First, a quick apology for yesterdays long winded, too many subjects, post. Too much for one post. i see that now.

Second, thanks to all who still read through it. Real big thanks to Animal for his well worded, just as tedious to read, response. It so re-enforces why we are such good friends. Almost as if we were characters in a Kevin Smith movie, or better yet...comic book.

Third had a great run last night. Summer is definitely over in Michigan as i ran in darkness, and brrrrrr cold weather. Not ready to break out the sweats yet, but it could be soon. 9 good miles, and now two days of rest before tackling 18 Saturday morning.

Real quick Bible update: Psalms has been too tough to read straight. So, i've skipped ahead to Isaiah. I'm now reading a few Psalms and then jumping up to the prophet books. Maybe that will help keep my interest.

i felt the bible update important cause, i read in the paper today our republican candidate for Guv'nor endorses the "theory of creative design" being taught in public schools. Having studied The Voyage of the Beagle, never read it, toooo boring. i have an understanding that the modern theory of evolution is based upon scientifically gathered material. See, Darwin noticed the same fish species in different islands had consistent differences, something, observable. Scientific Theory has a defined description by scientists as to what qualifies as theory. Data must be observed to support a designation of theory.

Creative Design has no such observable data, hell , no datum even exist to support this notion should be catagorized as a "theory".

So i'm thinking the idea of believing in something with no observable evidence is called...Faith.

So even if creative design is responsible for life there's no evidence to support it. It's not like i'm walking around with a barcode stamped on my a$$.

Hope this wasn't so wordy. i seem to be stuck on education.

thanks again for reading

i'm a big fan of healthy competition.

i also think that many laws, regulations, ordinances are created by lawmakers unnecessarily creating controversy to sway voters. i'm sure i'm not alone in this thought but i remember going to a middle school class about american government and the teacher told us once.

"the first objective of any elected official is to get re-elected"

As a 13 year old, i guess i wasn't sure what he meant. i thought and the occasional non-cynic me tries to think of elected officials as people who care about bettering our society. The truth is many elected officials do care, but not enough to make a stand which could cost votes. Too bad.

i like to also make comparision between the left and right. And also hear others peoples opinions of the two sides. here are some examples of what i've heard.

The right sees the world as black and white, while the left sees the world as shades of grey

The left vote the way the world is, the right vote the way they would like the world to be

The right see democracy as majority rules, the left see the democracy's job as protecting the minorities.

Both left and right try to accomplish the same things, they just go about it from different starting points.

My most favorite part of running is internal. i do my best thinking when lost in thought miles away from the house. The entire ordeal is very therapy for me. So here's my thoughts on charter schools from a man whose kids go to public schools.

i like charter schools. As an alternative to public schools, i think they would help produce better schools. i saw the John Stossel special on schooling and was surprised by how public schools fight the development of charters. Then i remembered back on elected officials again and it hit me..

more charter schools, means less money to public schools, since, in michigan, dollars are based on enrollment. Less dollars mean less programs, or God forbid, more efficient programs. Since School boards are elected officials and as elected, their first object is to get re-elected.

Then i thought, teachers are better in public schools, and they care most about the kids. But no, they care most about getting the first day of deer season off in their contract, two full weeks at christmas off, mid-winter full week off, spring break full week off, four day weekends out of every three day weekend normal people have. So now my kids won't get out off school until end of june. Or Early July depending on Snow days. Hell, let's work the July 4th holiday into the next contract.

And even though it's the same amount of days they work a year the teachers unions have fought hard to get all this time off for their workers. Of course more charter school teachers mean less money in the teachers unions bank accounts as charter schools are non-union. Again it's always comes back to money.

So now i see public education as all about the administrations needs and the needs of the unions and somehow our kids have gotten lost. And being the guy on the left, i see healthy competition as the only solution. Cause if it's one thing a liberal hates, it's a monopoly.

So, while i support the idea of unionized working, charter schools gives teachers an option to work in a union or non-union environment. It also forces schools boards to make better decisions to keep their customers, that's US by the way, happy. It would also force the unions to base their contract decisions on those that would better the students and keep more enrolled. More money to them, a good thing.

In the end, we all win.

Funny side note; Lincoln Park installed a new dress code policy banning any printed material on clothing wore to school. Twin students were suspended multiple times for wearing t-shirts with the first ammendment printed on the front. Whatever we do as educators, don't encourage free thought.

Ironic side note: Smoke Free bars and restaurants; back to unnecessary laws, if bars and restaurants just went smoke free or didn't go smoke free, they would either profit or lose from the new business or lack of business. Many bars and restaurants here in Michigan, where smoking is allowed, and has the 2nd highest population of adult smokers in the country, have gone smoke free and have seen an increase in business. The laws in other states were just a waste of time and money. Michigan may be getting on this craze shortly, but until then... btw... as a bartender in a business hotel i laugh at the number of californians who run to the gift shop and buy smokes realizing they can smoke at the bar. i swear those laws were supported by people who wanted to stop smoking but couldn't. Then they had to stop.

Lastly, i'm not anti-union, anti-teacher, or anti-big business. i'm anti-monopoly.

These are some of my thoughts while training for the big run.

Thanks again for reading

i wonder how bad i stunk at the end of the Mackinac Island Race?

i'm thinking Tess was trying to smile for the picture but she's real short and i guess someones face that close to an armpit of a stinky runner is hard to mask.

It's like her thought bubble should read "Hurry up, someone take the picture or i'm gonna hurl"

Anyway, a million thanks to Tess for the invite again.

Movin' On

Bring on the windy city.

Lisa has been struggling a little with some pain, and nervous energy. i can't speak for the pain. i do know personally, pain sucks. So an injury 5 weeks to the big first marathon can be a major bummer, ergo...nervous energy.

So, my friend, and parent to my godchild. Relax....i bet you could stop training now for 2 weeks, just stick to your low impact, aerobic, i.e. biking, eliptical, etc... finish the last 2 weeks of training and still finish in Chicago.

I, ooooh a capital I (must be important), know you can and i'm betting you know it too.

Wanna know why i know? of course you do or you wouldn't keep reading this blog. Gawd, i hope someone reads this... i must be getting boring. i need a juicy political tirade or gossip item to pepper the blog with.

back to the thought... i know cause i feel i can finish a marathon today. If i can do it, 15 lbs overweight still, not quit smoking yet, eating bad foods too often, can feel i can finish a marathon, than so can you. And if you need a visual aid, check out the rock hard bod of the woman next to your profile. That is a finisher.

Coming soon.... a feel a thought surfacing about the unnecessary mystique celebrities feel their offspring don't unnecessarily deserve.

....a thought about the advantages of charter schools from a man whose kids go to public

....a thought about anything other than running, training, splits, pr's, gu, shoes, for christ's sake this can get obsessive.

thanks for reading

If only i had a picture...

Well the Mackinac Race is over, and it was great to only run for 8 miles after doing two 10 milers in the last month.

Ran great and hard. Before the race i had stated to i wanted to go for a PR as this was the last race until the Marathon.

My previous best time was an 8:19 pace per mile in St John's. i had dropped to 8:36 at The Crim and i wanted to improve on the Crim's time.

Well, i got my PR. My time was 1:04:56, 8:07/mile. 30 out of 66 finishers in my age/gender group and 239 out of 1050 finishers overall.

Also, i made a point to look at the sites. The day was awesome and the views of the Bridge and Arch Rock and the Water was amazing. Plus a day and a half of Island Time was the most relaxing time of the summer.

Thanks to Scott and Tess for inviting us. And super huge thanks to the Millers for allowing their daughter to invite us to their cottage. What an incredible treat!!!

Additionally Tess finished at 1:17:00, her best time ever. Kudos to you. Scott has decided to run next year and pick up his distance to enter a 8 miler, good for him. Hopefully, he doesn't ever decide he can fit in his circa 1991 speedo swim suit as he gets in better shape by adding extra miles.

Why no picture of my finish? Fun Guv'nor and Scott missed it cause i was about three minutes faster than they expected.

And if you still read my blog: Runner Girl- mile 5 was for you... i made a point to wish you well as i ran that mile. No real reason for mile 5, except i was getting a little tired and needed a little pick-me-up.

thanks for reading

Timing is everything....

Well golf league is over for the season. Just in time to begin the big miles next week. My training plan is looking better every day.

Tomorrow Fun Guv'nor and i head to Mackinac Island. Saturday is the 8 mile race around the island. i'm looking forward to a couple things. First, that it is to be my last race until Chicago. it will be nice to just train for the last month and a half. Being OCD, i have jumped into this running thing with reckless abandon and have ran way more races than i ever intended.

It's not a compaint, more an observation to the crazy way i jump into new activities and become obsessed.

Second, we get to hang with Scott and Tess for a few days. That would be great without the run.

i did some speed work on Monday. Ran 4 miles, then stopped at the high school track by our house and did 2 400's at 1:45, with a 45 second rest between. After the second 400, i rested 45 seconds and did a 3:35 800. i intended to run the 800 under 4 minutes but did better than expected.

i enjoy speed work and having a rubberized track so close to home has really been a blessing. Speed work seems to have helped as today i ran 4 miles in 31 minutes. i'm not speedy yet and have no desire anymore to ruin my first marathon, hint first, as in i am already planning on doing more, by worrying about time and pace.

But i must admit to getting a kick when i run faster on my short runs. Another kick, when i call 4 or 5 miles a short run. i forget most people consider this to be a long run. From that thought alone, marathon training has been a success.

To go Zen with this entire year, 2006 goal of the marathon, the hopeful finish has nothing to do with the finish line. It's been the entire journey. Where i am now, were i was, and no more important, where i'll be as i cross the finish line. if i do.

At this just passed halfway point of training, i can look back and easily see the changes in my physical appearance. The emotional and psychological changes are just as drastic, i just have to remember to pay attention to them as well.

Thanks for reading and although this may be starting to sound redundant... Thanks to everyone who has expressed support as i have gone through this experience.

Most importantly, to my bride, my trophy wife, my fun guv'nor who i love more now than at anytime ever before for so many reasons, but also, for just dealing with the changes in our family dynamic and timing that the marathon training has created. you're simply the best. sing it Tina....

that's about as sappy as i can be

thanks again

14 non solitary miles...

A friend in my Rotary Club, yep, i'm a rotarian, is an experienced runner and has done a few marathons. His name is Rich and we are also in the Wednesday golf League together. BTW anyone ever need a good CPA? i got your guy right here. SHAMELESS PLUG OVER. MOVIN' ON....

So i ask if we would help me train since saturday's are his big run days and voi'la i have a running date.

New Baltimore, MI at 7:30 am., i never get up this early- marathon training is definitely changing me, we depart for 14 miles/2 hrs of running.

Our cast is myself, Rich, his lovely wife, Cindy (man i'd love to run with my wife, hint hint, since you are my one true constant reader, i'm sure you may read this), and a friend of theirs named Bob.

Our route was a figure 8. Cindy had to bail after one hour to get their kids to a sitter. First hour was almost all country roads, corn fields, dirt, real nice. We went for miles without seeing a car. That never happens at home. It was great.

Quick break after the first 7 miles and Rich, Bob, and i are out the door. Freshly hydrated and Gu'd up for the next half, we strode into downtown New Baltimore. We then ran along the shore of Lake St Clair for a while, headed to Rich's and finished our 14 miles.

First and foremost, a hearty thanks to Rich and Bob for going the whole way with me. Neither of them intended on doing the entire way with me but a funny thing happened. We had a great conversation the entire time. Now this is truly a unique occurrance cause i always run alone. This is the first time i've ever been able to really talk, without scaring people, while running.

Second thing was the advice about Chicago. Now Bob has done Chicago and quite honestly, is not a big fan of it. Too many People. Bob also thought it was a great first Marathon, and that although he would never do it again, i would have a blast if i did a couple things;

run slower than i want to go. the number of people on the course will make me anxious to create room by trying to move ahead of the packs of people. Don't try to do this and just go slow. In the total scheme of things a 30 second per mile decrease in speed accounts for roughly a 15 minutes. What's 15 minutes, really? and...

Look up... he spent so much time looking a the feet of people in front of him that the entire marathon was lost to him. He couldn't tell any of the scenic details to me. His advice to me was to not let this happen.

So i left my longest run ever with a couple new things to ponder. And i'm still trying to work out the details in my head... i felt great. The run tired me but i wasn't exhausted. i will finish the marathon in a respectable time, barring any injury. How much i enjoy the during and after parts of the marathon are dependent on me. I had just figured i would feel terrible at the end of the marathon. Feeling terrible would be a necessary evil to finish. Bob and Rich both helped me realize that i can feel good the entire time.

I have some new thoughts to work out,

More to come on this thought, but until next time...

thanks again for reading

Here i am running out of gas at the end of the Crim.

i guess i miss judged the finish line cause at the end i started my finals kick to finish about 200 yards to early and just didn't have anything left in the tank at the end.

Bummer? not really, cause i'm still happy with my finish

After a few days of perspective i finally realized my favorite part of the Crim...

BEER....

It's so unique to the Crim. Between mile 3 & 4 you pass a little pop & shot corner bar. For 17 years, per conversation with other runners, this bar has been setting up their own version of a water station. That's right...

BEER....

little dixie cups of beer. What a spectacular way to carbo load!!!

Now, i could pass up the fraternity guys handing out crispy creams at the third mile, but,

BEER....

no way am i missing this.

Least favorite part of the CRIM. Bloody nipples...

Not mine, but some guy at the finish in a white cotton tee shirt with a bloody stream running down his shirt. I just about ralphed....

Dude, get some body glide next time, or at least a bandaid.

Anyway, i ran a good 5 miles tuesday and had a real fun 8 + yesterday. Summer must be almost over as i find myself running in the dark again. Time to break out my blinking lights again. As if i think it'll help cars see me.

thanks again for reading

1:26:01

Well, not a PR but a good run.

The Crim was a great time.

Never ran with a race so big. 8300 runners for the 10 miler. Yeehaa.

Here's a couple quick observations and rationalizations to deal with being three minutes slower from 2 weeks ago at the 10 miler in St John's.

Jostling really slows you down at the beginning of a race. i'd say the first 3+ miles was a bit uncomfortable. i wasn't really able to find a good stride with the amount of people i was with.
This is definitely something to consider for Chicago.

Flint is a little hilly. Whoever told me there were only 3 hills to be concerned about should be lashed with wet noodles.

A good thing was i was able to manage negative split time as my 5 mile split was 43:05 and the second 5 miles was 42:56, baby steps but hey nearly 2 seconds a mile quicker. Take the good where you find it.

Another good thing was the way i felt after the race. i felt great. Not too tired but a good workout and i kept a strong form the entire way. Relaxed shoulders, unclenched fists, standing straight...these were my goals for training and i was surprised by how well i felt. At mile 6 i felt i finally had hit a stride than i could've ran for another 10 miles. It felt that good and relaxed.

Sorry for the boring posts today. i just wanted to put the stats out.

thanks for reading

Well, i guess i'm used to the whole 38 thing

Thanks again to Fun Guv'nor ("FG") for ambushing my blog.

Anyway let's talk about this weeks training.

Monday, i had a short 5 miles on the schedule and FG came along on her mountain bike. It went well and it was nice to have a coach help me with my form. Technique may be the next way i look to improve time. i was losing form trying to push harder. Funny thing the whole work smarter not harder thing. i was trying to brute my way to faster times. Thanks to her, for following me, even if it wasn't much exercise for her.

peddle, peddle, coooooooaaast, repeat 5 mile.

Wednesday was way better. i had 8 miles to do. It's been a while since i felt so good. i pushed when i could and pulled back when needed. Thought about technique the whole time, and balance, and relaxing.

Unbelievable. It was a great time. Both enjoyment factor and literal TIME. i ran with no watch but checked the clock on the way out. Nothing official here but 8 miles, 62-63 minutes.

i've been riding high on besting 8 minute miles for the last two days.

Now the real test. Can i repeat for The Crim? If so, a 10 miler in 80 minutes is a real possibility.

Another shout out and thanks to all the other running bloggers out there that i have been stalking for inspiration and advice. Yes this may be you i'm thanking, all levels and experience of runners. From a guy named Vic somewhere in Texas to Running Girl somewhere near Indy. Of course, BOB, who not only has taken the time to put together a Chicago bound community but has even taken to at least once perusing this blog and called me out on some radical posts.

Thanks again to all of you.

Moving on to some non runner stuff.... it's been a few days and i need to unload useless data

So i'm reading the Free Press today and a couple headlines jump out at me....

Relearn the System.....i can deal with the fact that i'm not sure of all the countries in Europe. My wife is of German descent and i learned one Germany. USSR? Gone... o.k. Good thing but i have no idea of all the relatively new countries in the world. But dammit....

Planets seem to be something constant. A planet is just that.... Until some rat bastard scientist discovers UB313 and my favorite school house rock segment is trashed. Sing along... interplanet janet, she's a galaxy girl....

so now Pluto the farthest planet from the sun, with it's elliptical orbit bringing it closer than Neptune every couple hundred years, is just a little ball of ice. Screw you guys....Georgia is a state not a country

Rich Rebuild after Katrina, the Poor Can't.... really??? How is this news? What parents wasted college education for some journalism graduate offspring to write this article? Let's sum up the article in one word...

DUH

7-Eleven Clerk is Killed over Taco.....someone in Sterling Hts store was shot over an argument for a $1.13 tacquito. How does this happen? A father of three gunned down over a crappy piece of food...WTF

Black Kids sent to Back of Bus.... apparently a bus driver in the south, go figure, assigned seats to students. No problem, just don't assign all the black kids to the last two rows of seats. Especially, if it's so many kids the little ones have to sit on the laps of the bigger kids. What millenium are we living in???

One little Political thing.....

Kudos to US District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor for having the balls to rule the Bush Administration version of domestic spying unconstitutional!!!

I'm not denying there may be reasons to wiretap. However, there is a system is place called FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which legally allows for wiretapping. Why can't the Bushites just work within the existing system?

I just remember learning, as a small child, that our Government is based upon a three ring (circus) system of checks and balances (School House Rock, again) with each branch making sure that power is not abused or exploited.

But i also learned there were 9 planets....

See how i tied it all together here???

Thanks again for reading

Happy 38th Birthday Mike!!!

Fun Gov'ner here again, I just wanted to hi-jack Mike's site really quick and wish him a happy birthday.

Wasn't he just a cutie? Those are 6 months, 15 months and 2 years. Then the teenage years - that's 10th grade below...hey, he's almost that skiny again!

Love you honey!!!!!

12 rainy miles

Did i mention the rain? oh yeah, it came down today. but as i am totally cool with running in the cold, and winter, what the hell? Let's go!!

Thanks to the Fun Guv'nor for meeting me twice with water.

Since this is the farthest i have run since the 1/2 marathon in April, i took it slow. Plus the route wasn't exactly littered with sidewalks so i had to dodge some traffic, jump some puddles, and stop for a few major intersections, so no worry about time.

The total route was actually 12.6 miles so i ran till i knew i was passed the 12 mile marker and slowed waaaay down for the last bit. i made a quick pit spot at the local library for a pee break, so i didn't care about time after the first 10 miles.

My hands and feet have never been so pruney and my body glide must have started to wash off in the rain as my left nipple is screaming in pain. Normally i'm a little into that, but definitely a topic for a non-family friendly blog.

Next week is The Crim. Funny, it'll be nice to only run 10 miles, somehow i need to add another 4 that day.

Anybody have any thoughts regarding my golf league? It's on Wednesday afternoon, but those are also running days and the miles are starting to build. Can i do both still?

Thanks again for reading