tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461411764442647942024-03-13T15:53:15.486-05:00Evan's AdventuresUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-26063938387104060132012-11-10T09:02:00.000-06:002012-11-10T20:43:08.309-06:00Tons of Projects!A couple of years ago, I bought a Karcher pressure washer to hose off my dirt bikes. With very infrequent use (my bikes are often put away dirty), the damn thing broke. I took it apart to find that the cheap-ass plastic pump had cracked. Replacement parts are unavailable and if you could get them, they would cost almost as much as a new unit. DON'T buy Karcher stuff! Here's the barely used junk about to get tossed into the recycle bin:<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kgl2Qu-6XIw/UJ5VmyEwVmI/AAAAAAAAAlg/e2rW93iJnrk/s1600/DSC05013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kgl2Qu-6XIw/UJ5VmyEwVmI/AAAAAAAAAlg/e2rW93iJnrk/s320/DSC05013.JPG" /></a><br />
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So I bought an "AR" brand. That stands for Annovi Reverberi, THE manufacturer of most of the actual pumps that are in most brands of pressure washers. For the same specs (1.3 gallons per minute, 1,450 psi), the AR just KICKS ASS! I immediately took it apart and found a high quality die cast pump housing...REAL stuff in an inexpensive product.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YEYJHzrj7YM/UJ5VoFhKBxI/AAAAAAAAAls/wA10OcHwBUM/s1600/DSC04995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YEYJHzrj7YM/UJ5VoFhKBxI/AAAAAAAAAls/wA10OcHwBUM/s320/DSC04995.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfbZVnFyxzE/UJ5VouIb2jI/AAAAAAAAAl4/_9woWCUXDLE/s1600/DSC04997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfbZVnFyxzE/UJ5VouIb2jI/AAAAAAAAAl4/_9woWCUXDLE/s320/DSC04997.JPG" /></a><br />
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And here, I'm painting the fan with a marker to cover up all but 2 shiny stripes for my optical tachometer. I needed to know how fast it runs. (it runs 8500 rpm at the motor, before gear reduction, BTW).<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsmDfOhRpJE/UJ5Vp_Jt5uI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/a4Bl2LfaE7o/s1600/DSC05002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsmDfOhRpJE/UJ5Vp_Jt5uI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/a4Bl2LfaE7o/s320/DSC05002.JPG" /></a><br />
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About to fire it up to get the speed measurement. Note handheld optical tachometer:<br />
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Here, I'm milling the bottom of the pump so I'll have a flat surface when I flip it over to mount it to the milling table for measurement purposes.<br />
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Here, I'm using the milling machine with its digital readouts to reverse engineer this thing. I've gotta hurry up and reverse engineer it and come up with a design. It's Saturday and time to GO RIDE, so I need to put my brand new deal back together to hose off the bike!<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUKTnsuQ1mI/UJ5XF-bCYII/AAAAAAAAAnA/R1Ck-f6D_qU/s1600/DSC05008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUKTnsuQ1mI/UJ5XF-bCYII/AAAAAAAAAnA/R1Ck-f6D_qU/s320/DSC05008.JPG" /></a><br />
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So WHY am I measuring my brand new pressure washer pump?? Well, WHAT'S this?? It looks like a Honda GX-25 engine that has been mated to a badass mini-alternator. WTH??<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-VkpsXgF3w/UJ5XGiUqbrI/AAAAAAAAAnM/SIsP-O9hbcE/s1600/DSC05009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-VkpsXgF3w/UJ5XGiUqbrI/AAAAAAAAAnM/SIsP-O9hbcE/s320/DSC05009.JPG" /></a><br />
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And now the pump is next to that whole assembly. You thinking what I'm thinking?<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3UB2P3X3SA/UJ5ZaqCJicI/AAAAAAAAAnY/9Ld6nBwyPu4/s1600/DSC05010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3UB2P3X3SA/UJ5ZaqCJicI/AAAAAAAAAnY/9Ld6nBwyPu4/s320/DSC05010.JPG" /></a><br />
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And here's the solid model design with enough detail that I can reassemble the pressure washer and be able to continue with the design phase:<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcyXXiqqZSw/UJ5ZbdVAkZI/AAAAAAAAAnk/Ez1bg0iwVVE/s1600/DSC05012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcyXXiqqZSw/UJ5ZbdVAkZI/AAAAAAAAAnk/Ez1bg0iwVVE/s320/DSC05012.JPG" /></a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-36118345409606192492012-11-08T08:56:00.000-06:002012-11-08T20:43:23.666-06:00OK, back to the blog? Got lots of project stuff to post...Hey Y'all, long time since I've stepped in here! I used to enjoy the blogging deal until the Facebook thing took over the social media. We lost a lot of great, entertaining blogs when FB showed up.<br />
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OK, so my running buddy, Stephanie, mentioned this morning that her daughter's car had a boom box. Well, not to be outdone, it was only right that I inform her that I have a LONG history of building killer stereo systems in cars, LONG before the age of boom boxes.<br />
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When I was 13 or 14, I mowed lawns feverishly to earn money to buy high-end audio stuff. I bought huge Cerwin Vega speakers and went on to be the DJ at most of the junior high and high school dances. I was a tiny, scrawny little kid toting around these huge speakers.<br />
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When I was 16, my first car was a beautiful and VERY COOL 1967 VW Karmann Ghia... In addition to doing this beautiful paint job and customization, I also built a "box" for some Cerwin Vega 10's:<br />
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So, getting back to this morning's discussion. In 1983, my DAD bought me a brand new GMC pickup truck. First I built a small box (trapezoidal cross section to fit really well) that went behind the seat and put some Cerwin Vega 10" woofers in it. It was OK, but NOT the deep bass I was looking for. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWOnS_MFuB0/UJvFCwusdmI/AAAAAAAAAjU/_m858kBfKVU/s1600/GMC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="193" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWOnS_MFuB0/UJvFCwusdmI/AAAAAAAAAjU/_m858kBfKVU/s320/GMC1.jpg" /></a> <br />
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So even though the truck was still pretty new and DAD would kill me if he knew what was about to happen, I did it anyway! It was a FINE installation! Keep in mind this was LONG BEFORE the age of boom boxes, there were no store-bought boxes available. This had fantastic DEEP BASS and not obnoxiously "boomy" like all the crap that's out there nowadays! The woofers were the infamous 123-W 12" Cerwin Vega woofers! This thing ROCKED off the planet! Here: <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXuf0Y53bt8/UJvFDBXAXEI/AAAAAAAAAjg/IaqTVS_gBpg/s1600/Thump%2BTruck3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="177" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXuf0Y53bt8/UJvFDBXAXEI/AAAAAAAAAjg/IaqTVS_gBpg/s320/Thump%2BTruck3.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIzSILXaGmY/UJvGZOQjXhI/AAAAAAAAAk0/UGsLEwVudVk/s1600/Thump%2BTruck12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="229" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIzSILXaGmY/UJvGZOQjXhI/AAAAAAAAAk0/UGsLEwVudVk/s320/Thump%2BTruck12.jpg" /></a><br />
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The installation was beautiful! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5u4cgMZdBk/UJvG5W5MJ5I/AAAAAAAAAlM/c60PD7bG2EA/s1600/Thump%2BTruck11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="191" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5u4cgMZdBk/UJvG5W5MJ5I/AAAAAAAAAlM/c60PD7bG2EA/s320/Thump%2BTruck11.jpg" /></a><br />
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The sheet metal cabinet was angled so that I could still stuff a dirt bike wheel up into the front corner of the bed and still close the tailgate. Here, the installation is all wrapped up and we're taking a ROAD TRIP to Austin! Bwahaha!<br />
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The modifications were difficult to spot if you weren't looking for them. It was probably close to a year later when DAD looked in the bed of the truck, "EVAN! What in the HELL have you done to this truck!!" He was cool with it after he saw what a neat job I had done! :):)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-67459142856402387002009-07-02T08:22:00.012-05:002009-07-02T09:25:05.323-05:00Summertime, I'm loving it! Lots of riding!We've been riding plenty of dirtbikes! Last week I rode at <a href="http://www.threepalmsesp.com/">3 Palms</a> on Wednesday night with 4 friends. It seems the Wednesday night deal is a standing appointment. I took grilling stuff along and we grilled up some burgers as the riding was winding down. Saturday, I took my beloved border collie to the <a href="http://www.runningintheusa.com/rtw/">Run The Woodlands 5k</a>. Ran a slow 26-ish minutes, but it's way hot! Then we again went to 3 Palms. What was to be 'an hour or two' turned out to be almost 4 hours. There are a lot of water breaks! <br /><br />Then, I called my buddies Larry and Thomas Saturday evening and informed them that it would be wise to ride in the forest on Sunday. Larry and Thomas:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sky3hYrPJrI/AAAAAAAAAg8/CcFon_CaoTM/s1600-h/DSC01084.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sky3hYrPJrI/AAAAAAAAAg8/CcFon_CaoTM/s320/DSC01084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353855841224042162" /></a><br />They had church, so we went super early. I got there at 6am. Is it wrong or illegal to listen to The Rippingtons very loud on the way to ride? Is it not contradictory to listen to jazz before climbing aboard a very rowdy dirt bike? Let's just call it the 'calm before the storm'... :):) Evan:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sky5V7RdAQI/AAAAAAAAAhM/zzQZwseqz6M/s1600-h/DSC01093.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sky5V7RdAQI/AAAAAAAAAhM/zzQZwseqz6M/s320/DSC01093.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353857843375964418" /></a><br />My riding has been very good! Lots of laps, lots of miles, lots of athletic endurance (yes, it is an endurance sport!). Zero perfectly good motorcycles thrown to the ground! Knocks on wood.<br />_____________________________________________________________________________________<br /><br />The weekend of June 20-21:<br /><br />Ran a good 5-6 miles with a new group. Not really new, they're <a href="http://www.thewoodlandsrunningclub.org/">The Woodlands Running Club</a>, just a different little splinter group with a different day and place than the usual Sunday group. Great time and Tessie got to run with another border collie named Jessie. Ironic. Jessie chewed on Tessie so it's apparent that my dog got "owned". It could have gone either way with 2 females.<br /><br />I rode it <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/recreation/sam_houston/multi-use_trail.shtml">The Forest</a> after that and ventured to a new trail that I had never ridden. Oh man, THAT was TOUGH! I think the trail loop is 17-18 miles. Then there are the additional 5 miles of GETTING LOST. Very deep sand, the whole way! Very deep, deep, deep sand! The whole way. Hell of a workout. Don't ride the Northeast Trail unless you have a bike that floats on sand!<br /><br />That weekend by the numbers:<br />Number of miles run: 6<br />Number of miles ridden: 22<br />Number of miles ridden in VERY DEEP sand: 21.97<br />Number of perfectly good motorcycles thrown to the ground: 1<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sky5WO8uL4I/AAAAAAAAAhU/T0VMEOvvl5I/s1600-h/DSC01070.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sky5WO8uL4I/AAAAAAAAAhU/T0VMEOvvl5I/s320/DSC01070.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353857848657719170" /></a><br />Cool new fiberglass bridge, the only one of its kind I've encountered in the forest:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SkzDIaZ9a3I/AAAAAAAAAhs/rifKwqHdgIg/s1600-h/DSC01071.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SkzDIaZ9a3I/AAAAAAAAAhs/rifKwqHdgIg/s320/DSC01071.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353868606331251570" /></a><br />Post ride self portrait:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sky5Wo_yMbI/AAAAAAAAAhk/PvU0jSh3OAg/s1600-h/DSC01075.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sky5Wo_yMbI/AAAAAAAAAhk/PvU0jSh3OAg/s320/DSC01075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353857855649886642" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-53444878798635113912009-06-18T07:57:00.010-05:002009-06-18T20:55:17.790-05:00I had a strange relationship with a small pine tree...I've kept this pretty quiet until now. I've told a few people about what happened in the forest, but not many. Only now can I start to understand what happened and find a hint of levity.<br /><br />Trail riding in the forest is a lot like trail running. Yes, running on trails with your feet and legs. Runners find and latch onto "runner's high", a brain state where endorphins are flowing and the runner is relaxed, euphoric, even 'high' and sometimes, 'quite high'. And for me, that runner's high sets in much sooner and is a lot more intense when running on trails. The reason is that you're really focused on picking your line. You totally zone out the surroundings other than the immediate terrain that you're negotiating. And you must pay close attention to your line to prevent twisting your ankle or tripping on a root or rock. It's easy to get lost when you're trail running because you tuned out the surroundings.<br /><br />The same thing happens on a dirt bike when you're blasting through the woods. It takes a while for this intoxication to set in. You start to sweat, you're exerting energy moving around on the bike (body English) to get it to go where you would like. You're getting a little tired and you start picking up the pace a little. NOW, you're entering the ZONE! You're paying particular attention to the trees, ruts, roots, mud puddles, and sand patches. You're not totally focused on any one element; your brain is processing all of the information about the stuff in front of you and the stuff you just blew past, in your periphery. It's COOL! (this pic is not THE tree, just a pic I swiped off the internet)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sjo8VTFlJOI/AAAAAAAAAgs/5LXkCnINDuQ/s1600-h/Pine+Tree.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sjo8VTFlJOI/AAAAAAAAAgs/5LXkCnINDuQ/s320/Pine+Tree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348653844054484194" /></a><br />So let's get back on topic. I had a strange relationship with ONE small pine tree out of billions. As I approached, it was perfectly in focus. Not an unfocused, slightly blurred tree like all of the others. I saw this tree perfectly. Perfectly focused, perfectly right there on the side of the trail. And I RODE RIGHT INTO IT!! Bwahaha! It nailed the ring finger on my left hand. Beneath my glove, it hurt like hell. After about 5 minutes of riding, I had to stop to peel the glove off. Finger was bleeding and cut pretty well on the outside of the hinge joint (I ain't no anatomy guy!). I'm damn lucky it didn't separate my finger! Lesson learned? Bark Busters!! Don't go into the woods without 'em! I've had these for years but hadn't bothered to bolt them on! Doh! So now the 125 has 'em and I'm going to fabricate a couple more pairs for the 100's.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sjo8Vso7LjI/AAAAAAAAAg0/zX15MvZw_DY/s1600-h/DSC01048.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sjo8Vso7LjI/AAAAAAAAAg0/zX15MvZw_DY/s320/DSC01048.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348653850913615410" /></a><br />So I've heard about something related to motorcycle riding that is called <span style="font-style:italic;">Target Fixation</span>. I've always heard about it in a bad light. How could this be? Target fixation must certainly be a good thing, eh?! You know, like super focused, really alert to pulling off what you're trying to do. So after this episode with the pine tree, I googled it. And SURE ENOUGH, it's a BAD thing and something to be avoided! Apparently, if you focus too sharply on something, the brain has a little software glitch that will steer you right into that object. Prior to my relationship with the tree, I would have absolutely called BS on such a ridiculous notion. No way, it'll never happen!<br /><br />Target Fixation DOES exist and it IS a bad thing! I've done it! Only once. And I mean that tree was in focus! Like no other tree ever before. Strange. Really weird! Here's what Wikipedia says, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_fixation">Target Fixation</a>.<br />________________________________________________________________________<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sjo8VJlsJ2I/AAAAAAAAAgk/paCAh764CX0/s1600-h/DSC01013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sjo8VJlsJ2I/AAAAAAAAAgk/paCAh764CX0/s320/DSC01013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348653841504806754" /></a><br />And in other news,I got an invitation from a friend, Glenn (a guy I met while riding in the woods), to visit the legendary Houston motocross track that has been laboriously and meticulously resurrected, <a href="http://www.riobravomx.org/">Rio Bravo MX Park</a>! Wow! Nice work, guys! They've done a fantastic job putting it back together! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sjo8VH-KLDI/AAAAAAAAAgc/M7rr3hA_f2c/s1600-h/DSC01015.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sjo8VH-KLDI/AAAAAAAAAgc/M7rr3hA_f2c/s320/DSC01015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348653841070566450" /></a><br />After I took a couple of laps, I came in and said, "WOW, it's an old-fashioned motocross track, just like what tracks looked like in the 70's and 80's!" It's different in that it's a fast track with long sweeping turns and pretty graceful jumps. It just means you've gotta ride super fast to get the effect (like the Gran Prix track at 3 Palms). Not really my cup of tea because the speeds are high (the consequences for making a mistake can be high). But the guys at Rio Bravo have done a GREAT JOB! Hats off!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-88642854310049105242009-06-08T07:21:00.013-05:002009-06-08T17:27:37.074-05:00Another great weekend is now 'on the books'...On Saturday, we were all fired up about going to the RTW 5k. It has been 2 weeks since the last one, right? Ahh, but something failed to register. The race is the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Doh. So when Tessie and I showed up, we were disappointed to be the only ones there. Tess was looking around the starting area, wondering why we were alone. I was going to bag the run, then thought, "we're here, we're gonna RUN IT!" So we did. Tessie came in 1st place dog, and I finally got my 1st place finish.<br /><br />Sunday brought the Tejas Triathlon. Having signed up for it only 6 days prior, I had ZERO training going into the event. But I DID show up well ahead of time to get set up. You might recall what happened last year when I sped to the event at over 100 mph. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Here's the funny topic from last year:</span> <a href="http://evansadventures-evan.blogspot.com/2008/06/tejas-triathlon-report.html">Tejas Triathlon 2008</a><br /><br />So this year, I was punctual. "Hmm, I wonder if I can just stuff the bike into the convertible?" Wheels in the trunk. Yeah, it's doable:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0FqEs6flI/AAAAAAAAAfU/9MWd5xw4oZ0/s1600-h/DSC01025.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0FqEs6flI/AAAAAAAAAfU/9MWd5xw4oZ0/s320/DSC01025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344934553133416018" /></a><br /><br />Horrible mess, big pile of stuff in my transition area (last year)? No way baby, my little piece of real estate was tidy and organized! Yea:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0FrP5TFnI/AAAAAAAAAf0/NBMRHqHkTLI/s1600-h/DSC01020.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0FrP5TFnI/AAAAAAAAAf0/NBMRHqHkTLI/s320/DSC01020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344934573318018674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0Fq6p9PMI/AAAAAAAAAfs/YI3FMnzUg9E/s1600-h/DSC01019.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0Fq6p9PMI/AAAAAAAAAfs/YI3FMnzUg9E/s320/DSC01019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344934567616527554" /></a><br /><br />Nice venue, super triathlon weather:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0GwflIVLI/AAAAAAAAAf8/PVMhadEHJwM/s1600-h/DSC01021.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0GwflIVLI/AAAAAAAAAf8/PVMhadEHJwM/s320/DSC01021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344935762939368626" /></a><br /><br />The swim was really no big deal. Hmm, that's a first. I didn't inhale a quart of water right at the beginning of the swim (last year), and it seemed that there were very few people kicking me and very few being kicked by me. What's up with that? Swim was good. I didn't get passed by anyone, but I passed a bunch of people.<br /><br />The biking was good. I got passed by a BUNCH of folks! My bike is prolly 25 years old and my body much older than that. I have no idea how much the fast riders are benefited by riding the ultra-modern (read very expensive) TRICK bikes. It's probably a mix of modern equipment AND training. Imagine that. It was funny, I was pedaling along thinking, "this is a 19-20 mph ride". I came upon one of those automatic speed displays on the side of the road to make drivers conscious of their speed. There was a car coming past on my left. The sign read "32 mph", then "19 mph". "Ahh YES, I'm doing just fine". Funny.<br /><br />The run totally SUCKED! That's unusual for me. I just couldn't find my 'land legs' after ditching the bike. It was bad from the start. I was walking at times. I was spent and just couldn't get the job done. Perhaps if I had trained. Mental note to self. <br /><br />My swim was 12:37 for 600m (6 seconds slower that 2008), the bike was 21.7 mph (19.1 for 2008, YEA), and the run pace was 8:33 (7:32 in 2008, BOO!). Total time was 1:15 Pretty cool being done with this before most people open their eyes!<br /><br />In all, I saw about 5-6 people I know. I wanted to get a group picture of 4 of us, but people didn't want to be photographed. Whatever. But Cassie was OK with it:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0Gwp6fS0I/AAAAAAAAAgM/g3qKPfPRgJI/s1600-h/DSC01024.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Si0Gwp6fS0I/AAAAAAAAAgM/g3qKPfPRgJI/s320/DSC01024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344935765713308482" /></a><br /><br />Cassie JAMMED with a 10 minute PR (personal record for you non-runners)! Great job on that! Overall, I'm pleased and had a great weekend! Now I need a work week to recover! Whew.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-78925615625398782982009-06-01T19:59:00.007-05:002009-06-08T14:49:08.709-05:00Dirt Biking in the Sam Houston National Forest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SikNzvMzpBI/AAAAAAAAAe0/rjZWcuTIQw4/s1600-h/DSC00686.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SikNzvMzpBI/AAAAAAAAAe0/rjZWcuTIQw4/s320/DSC00686.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343817615346476050" /></a><br />After riding in the Sam Houston National Forest in 2007 when I was looking to relocate here, I swore I'd never do that again. Those who keep up (on this blog), know I've been riding motocross here locally, for the past year and a half...<br /><br />I'm HOOKED on RIDING IN THE FOREST!! It's different, requiring typically a smaller bike than the motocross track and is an acquired pleasure. After riding in the forest 3 or 4 times, I can now understand the attraction. The terrain isn't too technical and there are no big jumps and not much high-speed terrain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SikN0TwRgbI/AAAAAAAAAfM/XwqOA4CUcME/s1600-h/DSC00688.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SikN0TwRgbI/AAAAAAAAAfM/XwqOA4CUcME/s320/DSC00688.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343817625158910386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SikN0PXeetI/AAAAAAAAAfE/TLJZpq8VtKA/s1600-h/DSC00683.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SikN0PXeetI/AAAAAAAAAfE/TLJZpq8VtKA/s320/DSC00683.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343817623981161170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SikNz4D9tEI/AAAAAAAAAe8/Ll8vbKkd4Uc/s1600-h/DSC00682.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SikNz4D9tEI/AAAAAAAAAe8/Ll8vbKkd4Uc/s320/DSC00682.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343817617725305922" /></a><br /><br />I've contemplated taking beginner riders to the woods, but now don't think so. There is deep sand and tree roots that require bike handling prowess, for sure. But the real problem is that the consequences of even a minor riding mistake can be pretty dire, as there are unwielding pine trees everywhere! There is also a neat camping area 3 miles from where I go dirt biking. The camping offers kayaking and grilling, all the good stuff. The trails are not far from my house. Here: <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/recreation/sam_houston/multi-use_trail.shtml">Multi-Use Trails</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-56495007971520165062009-05-30T07:33:00.002-05:002009-05-30T07:42:44.251-05:00So this Facebook thing showed up...I got sucked into the facebook deal with invitations. Whoopee! I don't get it. I don't know what to do with fb. I don't care that you're going to Starbucks or that you are working late. Maybe you're someone I knew in junior high school or high school. Maybe that's cool to touch base and say howdy. But if we didn't hang out as friends back then, what's the attraction now?<br /><br />And fb has wiped out blogging that occurred before fb was prevalent. There were some kick ass blogs that I used to keep up with....now, those bloggers have just kinda disappeared. And this blog has also been neglected.<br /><br />But it's not all bad. I have met some cool people in the local running community! But I just don't know what to do with fb.<br /><br />And twitter. What the hell is that? So now I'm supposed to get a little phone with a full freaking keyboard and write real-time about my Starbucks frappa-latte WHILE I'm driving down the road. Oh good grief. Not just no! I'll never twitter, tweet, or text...just forget it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-20964949022249760542009-05-29T05:55:00.003-05:002009-06-01T19:58:43.666-05:00How in the world have 2 months slipped by....I hope my faithful blog reader(s) have been wondering where I've been. Sorry! A lot has happened in the past couple of months! Here's a sampling of what will soon be discussed here:<br /><br />Teaming arrangements that don't happen<br />BMW Trunk Latch Handle Project<br />The Rippingtons concert<br />Dirt Biking in the Sam Houston National Forest<br />"Fix It BEFORE It Breaks" Project<br />Very short hair<br />Broken tooth<br />Plantar Fasciitis<br />Featured runner in "Deer Tracks"<br />Yard cleaned up then big tree fell down<br />Borrowed a kayak<br />The Honda lawnmower that just keeps running<br />YMCA Trail Run in Conroe<br />Facebook<br />Twitter<br />Riding at Rio BravoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-75013652894606354422009-03-24T08:14:00.017-05:002009-03-24T17:50:50.432-05:00C'mon Summertime!I suffered a traumatic experience last week! My neighbor took his family on spring break vacation and asked me to feed his chickens. No sweat, I've done it on previous occasions. It seems the chicken population has grown since the last time I fed 'em.<br /><br />On Tuesday, I leisurely walked across the street. Relaxed and enjoying the day, I fed the chickens. Then all of a sudden, a large rooster starts coming after me. WTF?! That son of a bitch attacked me! Clawed the hell out of my legs and pecked deep gouges with its beak. So I kicked the hell out of this thing to cease the attack! He came back at me 3 more times. Geez! I had no idea that I was going into battle when I went to feed 'em and that I would come back bleeding. I opened up the gouges and repeatedly poured rubbing alcohol into the wounds. I followed it up with plenty of neosporin. I really didn't want infections from this filthy bird. My legs oozed watery bloody stuff for the rest of the day. OF ALL the injuries I can sustain, it's a freaking rooster that takes me down??<br /><br />The next day, I wore thick coveralls, leather gloves, and carried a broom handle. All went well, almost. As I'm walking away, I kept looking back. I was over 50 feet away and I turned around to see this guy hauling ass after me. This was after I fed the f**king INGRATE!! He caught a broom handle. He came back for more, 3 more times. I ended up breaking the broom handle on his ass! He HAD to be sore after the broom handle escapades.<br /><br />After my neighbor returned home he said, "oh yeah, I forgot to tell you about the violent rooster, he's a real backstabber". No sh*t, you don't say! I'm gonna fire up the grill. <br /><br />Because I've had a little Plantar Fasciitis deal, I decided to ride my bike, instead of run this past weekend. Other than Mountain Biking and Triathlons, I haven't ridden in any organized bike rides/races in probably 12 years. Once I caught the running bug, I wasn't interested. I decided to ride in the Tour de Houston. They offered distances of 20, 40, and 70 miles. I picked the 40 miler, that seemed perfect for having not been on the bike.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Scjhp1wcd7I/AAAAAAAAAdo/IYkZttR_eBA/s1600-h/DSC00552.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Scjhp1wcd7I/AAAAAAAAAdo/IYkZttR_eBA/s320/DSC00552.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316747469032028082" /></a><br /><br />The cycling society is DIFFERENT than the running crowd! The athletes' physiques are surely different. There is a bunch of cycling etiquette, apparently. You only pass on the left, and must announce that you're passing on the left. One lady started bitching me out because I didn't announce it. Maybe if her slow ass was on the right side of the lane (where it belongs), there would be no problem. The second part of the "rule" is that if you're a slower rider, move to the right side of the lane! DUH! And there were 3 big crashes, where the crashed riders couldn't negotiate diagonal grooves in the pavement! Pay attention, y'all!<br /><br />I WAS paying attention to the route signs, YET still ended up on the 70-mile course! I think the race organizers forgot to post ONE critical sign because I wasn't the only one wondering how we ended up on the 70 mile route. I din't want to ride 70 miles because I had lots of stuff to do on Sunday. So I broke off from the ride and "did my own thing" to get back to Downtown. I prolly ended up with 34-35 miles. A mountain bike would be much better suited for assaulting the urban terrain! Subsidence on the sidewalks in Houston? This was about 1 foot tall, the road bike had to go around it! Here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ScjhqFpX5FI/AAAAAAAAAdw/a70VR5lHZ1U/s1600-h/DSC00554.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ScjhqFpX5FI/AAAAAAAAAdw/a70VR5lHZ1U/s320/DSC00554.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316747473297335378" /></a><br /><br />On my interesting and now-solo journey to return to Downtown, I saw all sorts of cool stuff. I always envisioned "Reliant Stadium" being more impressive than what I saw:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ScjguSQpjEI/AAAAAAAAAdg/o8tzoX_TaMI/s1600-h/DSC00555.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ScjguSQpjEI/AAAAAAAAAdg/o8tzoX_TaMI/s320/DSC00555.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316746445891144770" /></a><br /><br />Neat structure Downtown:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ScjhqSVcQMI/AAAAAAAAAd4/0z4galTToNQ/s1600-h/DSC00557.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ScjhqSVcQMI/AAAAAAAAAd4/0z4galTToNQ/s320/DSC00557.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316747476703396034" /></a><br /><br />And finally, a DELICIOUS Rudy's breakfast taco with egg, cheese, brisket and salsa:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ScjhqfwMp-I/AAAAAAAAAeA/k7UHSpeZBE8/s1600-h/DSC00562.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ScjhqfwMp-I/AAAAAAAAAeA/k7UHSpeZBE8/s320/DSC00562.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316747480305280994" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-68091197728454269542009-03-12T09:36:00.037-05:002009-03-12T17:57:22.978-05:00OK, I'm back! Been away from the blog for a month...Sheesh, I have no idea how a month has slipped by and I've not kept my loyal reader(s) abreast of all that happens around here!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Austin Half-Marathon:<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>(Feb 15th)<br /><br />I'm disappointed with the Austin Half-Marathon and likely won't return.<br /><br />[BEGIN RANT]<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1)<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> What's up with charging $97 for a half-marathon?<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2)<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> No race-day packet pickup and they wanted to charge me $7 to park the car to go inside the runner's expo to pick up my packet? You're trying to sell me a bunch of stuff at the expo and you want to charge me 7 bucks to park?? Austin, you're FULL OF YOURSELF! And your traffic sucks badly! <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3)<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> Inside the expo it took 45 minutes to pick up my packet, what's up with that?<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4)<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> They RAN OUT of tee shirts?! Ninety-seven dollars to run your crummy race and you ran out of shirts? This is 2nd grade math, y'all. Your event filled up well before race day. Each registration has a shirt size listed. Tabulate those numbers and you will know how many shirts to order. Geez.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5)<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> The course bites. Not only is it hilly, NOT fast, but poorly laid out. Route the ENTIRE marathon runner flow through a single-lane alley after mile 3?<br />[END RANT]<br /><br />Before the race, Sonya, Evan, Dennis, & Rick:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl9mGQDWI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/MIXdtHFBjnw/s1600-h/DSC00456.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl9mGQDWI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/MIXdtHFBjnw/s320/DSC00456.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312318975589223778" /></a><br /><br />I went into the race with Plantar Fasciitis (foot owwie), but still managed a 1:46 time:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl-RBbjOI/AAAAAAAAAaU/pFkjXidKjAY/s1600-h/Austin+Half+2009.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl-RBbjOI/AAAAAAAAAaU/pFkjXidKjAY/s320/Austin+Half+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312318987111730402" /></a><br /><br />HEB did a great job of providing all sortsa GREAT food after the event! HEB is king:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl9m9dKBI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/mJPuujKubKo/s1600-h/DSC00458.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl9m9dKBI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/mJPuujKubKo/s320/DSC00458.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312318975820769298" /></a><br /><br />A cool chic who took our group picture, Bianca:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbk3CoChtFI/AAAAAAAAAb8/XBa0xvpWMrc/s1600-h/DSC00462.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbk3CoChtFI/AAAAAAAAAb8/XBa0xvpWMrc/s320/DSC00462.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312337753707492434" /></a><br /><br />Evan, Chris, unknown, & Kristen:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl93H1sNI/AAAAAAAAAaE/qvM3WmYdgPM/s1600-h/DSC00460.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl93H1sNI/AAAAAAAAAaE/qvM3WmYdgPM/s320/DSC00460.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312318980159287506" /></a><br /><br />Rick and Evan enjoying some delicious breakfast: <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl-RN85cI/AAAAAAAAAaM/TbwSwOK7MyI/s1600-h/DSC00464.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkl-RN85cI/AAAAAAAAAaM/TbwSwOK7MyI/s320/DSC00464.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312318987164247490" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Park To Park 5 Mile Race, Houston Museum of Natural Science, & Mountain Biking<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> (Feb 21st)<br /><br />Great little race in downtown Houston! It runs from Discovery Green Park to Herman Park. I ran a decent 37:00 race. <br />Evan, June, Stephen:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkpMEm9jbI/AAAAAAAAAac/XqyOQptRunQ/s1600-h/DSC00465.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkpMEm9jbI/AAAAAAAAAac/XqyOQptRunQ/s320/DSC00465.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312322522832539058" /></a><br /><br />Pam (ran an INCREDIBLE 33:55!), Stephen, Geri, & Evan:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkpMWrDqeI/AAAAAAAAAak/JcNOTwQFVso/s1600-h/DSC00471.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkpMWrDqeI/AAAAAAAAAak/JcNOTwQFVso/s320/DSC00471.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312322527681554914" /></a><br /><br />AFTER the Park-To-Park race, I was riding my bike back to downtown to return to my car, when I rode right past the Museum of Natural Science. People who know me know how I'm totally drawn to neat mechanical stuff. Go inside, nah. But WAIT, I'm right here, right now! I locked my bike and went inside to check out all of the neat Energy Exhibit stuff:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkropbw2fI/AAAAAAAAAa0/1xFlG7OxVC8/s1600-h/DSC00472.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkropbw2fI/AAAAAAAAAa0/1xFlG7OxVC8/s320/DSC00472.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312325212777273842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkrosbJXlI/AAAAAAAAAas/NFGjeNC3lP4/s1600-h/DSC00474.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkrosbJXlI/AAAAAAAAAas/NFGjeNC3lP4/s320/DSC00474.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312325213579992658" /></a><br /><br />AFTER the museum, I decided to go Mountain Biking in Memorial Park. The last few times I've gone, I always ask people "where is the technical stuff" (challenging terrain). This time, a guy told me where the REAL stuff is! It's called "The Triangle"...He told me to ride down the sidewalk to the Arboretum, then RIGHT THERE at the corner of the driveway, there's an almost-hidden trail that "drops in". He told me that as soon as I dropped in, I'd see a tunnel that goes under Memorial Drive. "The Triangle" is the area bordered by 610, I-10, and Memorial Drive. A little known secret! Shh! He wasn't lying:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkrpVGFP0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/H0_4-7fiur8/s1600-h/DSC00475.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkrpVGFP0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/H0_4-7fiur8/s320/DSC00475.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312325224497495874" /></a><br /><br />The Triangle IS thoroughly technical! Be careful, it's ROWDY! The picture does NOT do the terrain justice. Here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkrpAdZQHI/AAAAAAAAAbE/3L5RC7ThNZk/s1600-h/DSC00476.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkrpAdZQHI/AAAAAAAAAbE/3L5RC7ThNZk/s320/DSC00476.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312325218958131314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkro8oL1KI/AAAAAAAAAa8/suuaW4ia-mo/s1600-h/DSC00477.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkro8oL1KI/AAAAAAAAAa8/suuaW4ia-mo/s320/DSC00477.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312325217929647266" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Houstex Machine and Tool Show<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>, GRB convention center (Feb 25th)<br /><br />Those who know me know my absolute delight in all things mechanical, especially machine tools! My great friends over at <a href="http://www.ceesan.com/">CeeSan Machine and Fabrication</a> not only invited me to ride along with them, they had an admission ticket for me and fed me plenty of cold beers during the show! I just LOVE my friends! <br />Evan, Curt, Festus:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkweBRKzGI/AAAAAAAAAbc/EOuhmxfqpqE/s1600-h/DSC00486.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkweBRKzGI/AAAAAAAAAbc/EOuhmxfqpqE/s320/DSC00486.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312330527754865762" /></a><br /><br />I'm always so pleased to check out cool tooling:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkweSzBbdI/AAAAAAAAAbk/hfi9ECaKJIQ/s1600-h/DSC00488.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SbkweSzBbdI/AAAAAAAAAbk/hfi9ECaKJIQ/s320/DSC00488.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312330532460260818" /></a><br /><br />Hanging out with Danny O from MLC Cad:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkwd7nwBMI/AAAAAAAAAbU/bQ1KpwBJsDg/s1600-h/DSC00483.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbkwd7nwBMI/AAAAAAAAAbU/bQ1KpwBJsDg/s320/DSC00483.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312330526238966978" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Prickly Pear 10 Mile Trail Race, San Antonio<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> (March 7th)<br /><br />I had the pleasure of running in the Prickly Pear 10 mile race! Great event! Those who run might be aware of the "runners high" that you experience when the endorphins are flowing (or whatever it is that makes you feel so euphoric). Trail running amplifies the runners' high by about a factor of 10! Prolly because you're so very focused on ONLY the rugged, rocky trail right in front of you! Good stuff! Patti, Dennis, Sonya, & Evan:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbky1IRIORI/AAAAAAAAAbs/jD9D9L0k4_M/s1600-h/DSC00503.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbky1IRIORI/AAAAAAAAAbs/jD9D9L0k4_M/s320/DSC00503.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312333123793991954" /></a><br /><br />I'm pleased with my 1:33!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbk1Z9P3K9I/AAAAAAAAAb0/PVXsCbWgD8g/s1600-h/Prickly+Pear+2009.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/Sbk1Z9P3K9I/AAAAAAAAAb0/PVXsCbWgD8g/s320/Prickly+Pear+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312335955514305490" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-23515972537387882009-02-10T09:51:00.019-06:002009-03-12T13:32:10.544-05:00Weekend in Review! Weekdays are needed to give pause/recovery from Weekends!I've been working diligently for the past few years to eliminate my monetary debts. Going into the weekend, I was finally DEBT FREE! No mortgage loan. No car loans. No credit card debts. No big machinery loans. Feels GOOD! My mantra has been, "I'm gonna take back my weekends!" Done deal.<br /><br />So how did I score on taking back my weekends? Let's see: Saturday morning, I drove down to the Buffalo Wallow 6k Race down at Waugh and Memorial Drive. It was a great cross-country event. Further evidence that my anonymity (after relocating back here) is gone, I saw folks I knew at the event. Of course there was <a href="http://coach-bill.blogspot.com/">Coach Bill</a>, <a href="http://psychorunnergirl.blogspot.com/">Adrienne</a>, and <a href="http://run-gaslight-run.blogspot.com/">Gaslight</a>. I hung out and chatted with Gaslight after I was done running. Neat lady, hardcore about her Houston running scene! There were runners EVERYWHERE! Not just my race, but everywhere for miles and miles. Houston's running contingent is stout! Photo credit, Bill D:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGleHyNqFI/AAAAAAAAAZc/haRX0TnvtSc/s1600-h/n1575257559_120303_9471.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGleHyNqFI/AAAAAAAAAZc/haRX0TnvtSc/s320/n1575257559_120303_9471.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301200173296101458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlB-hKDRI/AAAAAAAAAZU/nzc8bwgnkTM/s1600-h/n1575257559_120306_263.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlB-hKDRI/AAAAAAAAAZU/nzc8bwgnkTM/s320/n1575257559_120306_263.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199689772305682" /></a><br /><br />Earlier in the week, my good friend, Jeff, suggested that we go mountain biking on the Ho Chi Minh Trails that are within Memorial Park. Well, he opted out so I went anyway! It had probably been 12 years since I'd cycled there. I asked a rider if there were any "technical trails" (challenging). He said, "very technical" and pointed me in the right direction. Having done most of my mountain biking in Government Canyon (Helotes), Crown Ridge (San Antonio), and Hill Country Natural Area (in Bandera), I'm telling you that Ho Chi Minh is not VERY technical. Technical, yes. VERY, no! In all, a really cool place to ride! I had a blast, can't wait to go back!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlBul6uNI/AAAAAAAAAZM/XGDo5aRih0o/s1600-h/DSC00427.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlBul6uNI/AAAAAAAAAZM/XGDo5aRih0o/s320/DSC00427.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199685497305298" /></a><br /><br />A typical picture of what the technical areas look like:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlBs7BR-I/AAAAAAAAAZE/eg94J-INuEs/s1600-h/DSC00433.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlBs7BR-I/AAAAAAAAAZE/eg94J-INuEs/s320/DSC00433.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199685048944610" /></a><br /><br />Really COOL sort of chute:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlBgBXQEI/AAAAAAAAAY8/t0eIcmYirF0/s1600-h/DSC00435.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlBgBXQEI/AAAAAAAAAY8/t0eIcmYirF0/s320/DSC00435.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199681585889346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlBcJkbXI/AAAAAAAAAY0/EtmnMSnA-Js/s1600-h/DSC00437.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGlBcJkbXI/AAAAAAAAAY0/EtmnMSnA-Js/s320/DSC00437.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199680546565490" /></a><br /><br />From there, it was off to just "go see people". This is RARE for me! I was in no particular hurry! I went and visited my good friends, <a href="http://elisharose.blogspot.com/">L & J</a>, who have put their home up for sale. I'm pretty tough on them. They still have stuff all over the place and I tell them they're NOT moving anytime soon. That's what the prospective buyers will think. My Realtor told me the same thing. I'll be damned if I didn't clear the whole house out after she barked at me! So it's my job to pass it on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbs8C0zI/AAAAAAAAAYs/IM4-XPRlpIQ/s1600-h/DSC00438.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbs8C0zI/AAAAAAAAAYs/IM4-XPRlpIQ/s320/DSC00438.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199032218211122" /></a><br /><br />It IS important to be wary of under-arm perspiration whilst riding one's Harley on the 610 loop. This guy figured out the solution:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbaB64EI/AAAAAAAAAYk/lCXV1EBN8-c/s1600-h/DSC00439.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbaB64EI/AAAAAAAAAYk/lCXV1EBN8-c/s320/DSC00439.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199027142582338" /></a><br /><br />Next up was a visit to my buddies over at Cee San. Apparently, they TOO have taken back their weekends! Place was a ghost town:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbWF7beI/AAAAAAAAAYc/UKVBkMJvvI8/s1600-h/DSC00441.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbWF7beI/AAAAAAAAAYc/UKVBkMJvvI8/s320/DSC00441.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199026085653986" /></a><br /><br />I then went to my MOM's for lunch and fixed their treadmill. Great visit. Later in the day as I was prepping some dirt bikes, my buddy Matt came by. Damn, I've known this guy for 38 years! Hadn't seen him in prolly 25 years. I was gonna say he's a bit freakish, but then noticed the pic of my lovely tie-dye shirt. Oh well:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbcGlE9I/AAAAAAAAAYU/5GW0yVwPpCQ/s1600-h/DSC00442.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbcGlE9I/AAAAAAAAAYU/5GW0yVwPpCQ/s320/DSC00442.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199027698996178" /></a><br /><br />Then came Sunday! Had a great time at the track! It had been watered a bit much for my liking, but had a super time and passed a couple of riders. Yeah BABY:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbW-gh_I/AAAAAAAAAYM/xagHmcnQaFs/s1600-h/DSC00444.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SZGkbW-gh_I/AAAAAAAAAYM/xagHmcnQaFs/s320/DSC00444.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301199026322966514" /></a><br /><br />I was going to go to my first "Hashing Run", but I got scared and the afternoon was overcast and windy. Next time! These <a href="http://h4.org/">hashers</a> (Click on the link) are just nuts! Go to the "Hashing 101" section. That would indeed make me a 'virgin'!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-47603282346427304752009-02-02T10:29:00.011-06:002009-02-02T19:13:59.589-06:00Great weekend, I'm loving it!...Good times were had by many this past weekend! I was REALLY looking forward to going dirt biking! Didn't happen, BOO! I worked a bunch on Saturday, but I'm not complaining...my client needs her products and it's interesting and challenging stuff! <br /><br />I traveled to the <a href="http://www.remissionrun.org/">Bill Crews Remission Run</a> on Saturday. It was the first year for this fantastic event. I didn't see too many spoilers in my age group, other than the ultra fast Jacob Mazone. I figured maybe I could earn some bling, take home a prize. It was a tough course and my fortitude wasn't strong late in the game. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclhrY2WxI/AAAAAAAAAXU/36hQBA3MS7g/s1600-h/n1653565069_139941_2926.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclhrY2WxI/AAAAAAAAAXU/36hQBA3MS7g/s320/n1653565069_139941_2926.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298244747137538834" /></a><br /><br />I thought about leaving before the awards presentation, but resisted. The time I came in 1st place in Masters' division, I wasn't there for the award. It's anti-climactic for the organizers to give out awards to people who aren't even there! So I stayed. I scored 3rd Place in the 40-50 division! I won a heart-warming book, written by Dana-Susan Crews that told of Bill's winning battle over cancer! Thanks! I'm so glad I stayed!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYcqtpdtTPI/AAAAAAAAAYE/j41jJNClBOk/s1600-h/DSC00420.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYcqtpdtTPI/AAAAAAAAAYE/j41jJNClBOk/s320/DSC00420.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298250450337615090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYcqtn3cULI/AAAAAAAAAX8/neoDVhlLouk/s1600-h/DSC00422.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYcqtn3cULI/AAAAAAAAAX8/neoDVhlLouk/s320/DSC00422.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298250449908682930" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Sunday, I went running with The <a href="http://www.thewoodlandsrunningclub.org/">Woodlands Running Club</a> and had a great 7.5 mile run and met a couple of folks while running. Good times!<br /><br />I went home, worked a bunch more, then showered and went to Brenham to deliver a new computer to my mentor, Glenn. Super cool guy that I met in 1986. He's an engineer's engineer, truly a bad-ass when it comes to R&D of internal-combustion engines, among many other things! Over the years, Glenn has kept me pointed in (mostly) the right direction. But he hasn't been too generous with the 'atta-boy's'. I'll show him some neat stuff and he compliments my effort, but will often provide a little additional suggestion. JUST ENOUGH to have me striving for higher career performance and seeking his approval! Good stuff!<br /><br />Anyway, his computer was probably 20 years old. I got him "tuned up" with a modern Dell from eBay for $150. Since my work was done for the day and I've been on a quest to "take back my weekends", I was actually not too hurried when I visited. That's rare! After several hours I was suddenly in a hurry! <br /><br />I had MORE socializing to do, Superbowl Party! Quite the sociable guy yesterday. At the party, I hung out for almost 4 hours, not particularly in a hurry. Rare.<br />Fun party:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclibqAEdI/AAAAAAAAAX0/IgI8e9yL2z8/s1600-h/DSC00418.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclibqAEdI/AAAAAAAAAX0/IgI8e9yL2z8/s320/DSC00418.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298244760094380498" /></a><br /><br />My friend Curt built this really cool table:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclh7dJrsI/AAAAAAAAAXs/g1XhsbCLnWg/s1600-h/DSC00410.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclh7dJrsI/AAAAAAAAAXs/g1XhsbCLnWg/s320/DSC00410.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298244751450549954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclh7A5PLI/AAAAAAAAAXk/cA4RDcXSdAA/s1600-h/DSC00409.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclh7A5PLI/AAAAAAAAAXk/cA4RDcXSdAA/s320/DSC00409.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298244751332031666" /></a><br /><br />Party animal! Man about town:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclh6aaLEI/AAAAAAAAAXc/2iz5lOCX4l0/s1600-h/DSC00408.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SYclh6aaLEI/AAAAAAAAAXc/2iz5lOCX4l0/s320/DSC00408.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298244751170612290" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-69547910758232469882009-01-21T22:11:00.012-06:002009-01-22T20:51:37.542-06:00Evan is thoroughly ENERGIZED by running a fast race...Issues challenge to Heidi...Heidi's a tough chic! She's been running a lot faster than me leading up to last Sunday. She came down with food poisoning that lasted until way too close to the race...so I beat her by less than a minute. Not that it was intended to be a competition, that's just the way it happened. Two things have changed since then.<br /><br />She's talking ABSOLUTE SMACK about kicking my ass in the half-marathon distance, AND I've gained HUGE confidence and will NOW TRAIN to ensure ABSOLUTE PREVALENCE!! <br /><br />Let's train together for a couple of 1:35's....We'll hafta run some big hills, repeatedly! ARGH!! <br /><br />Hey Heidi, I just signed up for the Austin Half-Marathon, February 15th....The race is 96% full. If you wanna kick my ass in this race, you best get signed up! This is a performance challenge! You don't have what it takes!! Whatcha Gonna Do?? You sure talk a good game. :):):)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gonna THUNDER IN AUSTIN!! <br /><br />BRING IT! <br /><br />PACK A LUNCH!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-15274658585876946562009-01-19T08:32:00.035-06:002009-03-12T13:32:40.590-05:00Houston Marathon Report/My Half-Marathon Run...First, there's Sabrina. She's my running bud who has turned into QUITE the celebrity! I'm surprised she even hangs out with me anymore. It seems she wrote a really great story about how she found running after the death of her mother and how she's since elevated her performance. Yesterday, she ran a GREAT marathon with a finishing time of 3:52. Her celebrity is enormous! In this pic, she's shown in a television interview:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQOR1nZ0I/AAAAAAAAAVk/OCIsi6AFFQw/s1600-h/DSC00364.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQOR1nZ0I/AAAAAAAAAVk/OCIsi6AFFQw/s320/DSC00364.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293014037048026946" /></a><br /><br />If you've kept up with my ramblings here, you know that blistered toes have been the #1 show-stopper for me in the past couple of half-marathons. Because my training bites, and my mileage base is quite low, my toes don't have the requisite callouses. Per Roger Soler's advice, I was going to tape them up. At the running expo, I saw Mick at the Luke's Locker Exhibit. He showed me these great socks and LaErica sold 'em to me! What a GREAT IDEA/INVENTION...I wish I'd thought of it first! In the first couple of miles they were awkward and irritating. I thought they might be a show-stopper. Then my socks and I really got into the groove!! I love my new socks, ZERO blisters!:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQOnC1nrI/AAAAAAAAAVs/qCZZCRf9U_w/s1600-h/DSC00367.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQOnC1nrI/AAAAAAAAAVs/qCZZCRf9U_w/s320/DSC00367.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293014042740629170" /></a><br /><br />Here, moments before the race, I got a pic with Stephen Smith:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQO4InM8I/AAAAAAAAAV0/8nqXcobWWOM/s1600-h/DSC00368.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQO4InM8I/AAAAAAAAAV0/8nqXcobWWOM/s320/DSC00368.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293014047328252866" /></a><br /><br />I carried my camera and cell phone. I called my MOM at mile 7 and it just about derailed my run. Turning the fanny pack around and unzipping it to get the phone took more energy than I'd have liked...talked to MOM after crossing over Allen Parkway. I was pretty brief with MOM, sorry.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXcfBhu7laI/AAAAAAAAAWk/wUgWfl3B1rg/s1600-h/Houston2009.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXcfBhu7laI/AAAAAAAAAWk/wUgWfl3B1rg/s320/Houston2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293733998092850594" /></a><br /><br />The Houston Marathon is a GREAT VENUE!! And inside the GRB Convention Center, HEB spared no expense or effort. Fantastic spread! Bananas, bagels, cookies, muffins, coffee, hot scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits, hot sauce, the works! Here, having some breakfast with some of my running buds:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQPNyOJFI/AAAAAAAAAV8/_c26TnTbxkw/s1600-h/DSC00369.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQPNyOJFI/AAAAAAAAAV8/_c26TnTbxkw/s320/DSC00369.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293014053139915858" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQboORGEI/AAAAAAAAAWU/kVKKApjaKiM/s1600-h/DSC00373.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQboORGEI/AAAAAAAAAWU/kVKKApjaKiM/s320/DSC00373.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293014266395301954" /></a><br /><br />After stretching and packing it up to go, I went outside and there was a festival-like PARTY going on! Sausage-on-a-stick, free beer, lots of fun stuff everywhere:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQbTbrE2I/AAAAAAAAAWM/Oy8JxQjOBvA/s1600-h/DSC00376.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SXSQbTbrE2I/AAAAAAAAAWM/Oy8JxQjOBvA/s320/DSC00376.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293014260814386018" /></a><br /><br />I've always thought I'm so clever to take a mountain bike to marathons. Parking stress is nonexistent, stress-free. Park a mile or two away and just roll into and out of the race. Finding a place to pee is easy. Chain the bike near the start/finish line. Great idea, right? Well yesterday, for the 1st time, I goofed! I LOST MY FREAKING BIKE!! I was sure that it hadn't been stolen, as there are people everywhere. I'll be damned if I didn't walk around for OVER an hour, looking for my bike! Geez. The scenery of the race venue changes A LOT from the time you take off until the time you finish! Where there were massive scaffolds covered with huge banners for the 2 starting lines, there were none! And it appears they built up a huge finish line while we were running. Quite the feat. So it confused me. I ended up walking all the way back to the car, a long way away, AFTER walking for over an hour looking for the bike. Recall that the very premise of the bike trick is to REDUCE walking. I drove the approximate route that I rode to the starting line. Well, THERE'S my bike!! I'll try to pay attention next year!<br /><br />There were some GREAT performances out there yesterday! GREAT RACE!<br /><br />Sheesh, the whole bunch enjoyed PR's (personal record), except me!<a href="http://psychorunnergirl.blogspot.com/">Adrienne</a> just ran a STELLAR 3:05 PR! My friends Sabrina and <a href="http://26point2princess.blogspot.com/">Carolyn</a> both ran fantastic 3:52 PR's! My friend Pam ran a fantastic 3:28! Very stout! <a href="http://tiggsintexas.blogspot.com/">Cassie</a> and her husband Manny, ran super impressive 2:05's, despite being uninspired by the race beforehand! She bested her previous record by 5 minutes! Way to go, girl! Lots of great running out there, thanks folks! I had planned on running a 1:40 half-marathon, although I don't deserve such a number at the present time. I ended up with a 1:39! I THUNDERED in Houston! I'll take it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-22835961937489761162009-01-14T20:20:00.016-06:002009-01-15T10:24:16.579-06:00It was only a week ago....If you read that topic right down there, 2 topics down, I wrote about wanting to blow off Wednesday Night Track run. I emailed my running buddy with whom I have a "standing appointment" for this Wednesday Night thing. My email, "you going tonight?"....Her reply, "of course!" So I blushed and thought I need to not even ask, just SHOW UP!<br /><br />So surely I wouldn't send a message like that today, as the answer, "of course" would further make me look like a wimp.<br /><br />I showed up. I showed up 45 minutes early to make this my "long run" before my Half-Marathon on Sunday. My last-ditch training. Schucks, I've still got .43 weeks left to train (laughing)! Had a GREAT TIME, lotsa great folks showed up! We all ran a pretty relaxed paced and chit-chatted the whole time.<br /><br />But apparently SOMEBODY elected to NOT SHOW UP!! (Where's my "shaking head" emoticon? And while I'm digging up emoticons, might as well splash in a few "rolling eyes" emoticons, too). Hey, it's all good!<br /><br />And in other news, I found this to be quite funny! Dealing with bill collectors:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SW6whAjlkzI/AAAAAAAAAVU/KDgJA7Lda7g/s1600-h/canihavemyspiderbackot3.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 2643px;" src="http://people.msoe.edu/%7Egormand/canihavemyspiderbackot3.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-75511324268034168192009-01-10T17:21:00.008-06:002009-01-11T17:48:46.889-06:00Excellent Running!I ran with Susie's group in the forest this morning and took my dogs. All went well, great run! <br /><br />It's easy for the dogs to hack off other runners by getting in front of them, then stopping. It didn't happen this morning, thankfully. I'm working on this. They really should run by my side, without exception. They're as energetic as can be imagined, so I get their side of the story. I'm working on this, it's a tough one...<br /><br />I ran prolly 5 miles with a few of the trail runners, then we (me and 2 dogs) hooked it over to the RTW 5k race. We got there with only a moment to spare. My younger brother gave me a couple of dog crates for Christmas (2 of their 3 dogs died recently :(:(:(...) Mackie, the big American Bulldog just LOVES the crate! I set it up yesterday and put her blanket in there. She immediately claimed it and hangs out in there a LOT!<br /><br />So if you recall that I've had running-with-dogs issues since the disappearance of the old Border Collie, I now have the solution. I ran both dogs in the forest, and kept the big dog in the crate, in the back of my truck while Tessie (Border Collie) ran the 5k race with me. It worked well.<br /><br />Lotsa running this morning, 8 miles.<br /><br />BTW, bad news! The lady at the Exxon station, where most of the trail running group parks, told me they were gonna start towing our cars! Geez. Like we're hurting anyone. Hey, don't shoot the messenger, I'm just say'in...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-87002791832935369532009-01-09T09:26:00.004-06:002009-01-09T09:35:33.628-06:00Last Ditch Half-Marathon Training...Yeah baby! I've been doing OK with running. Wednesday, I took the dogs running about 2.5 miles in the woods at lunchtime, then went to Wednesday night track workout. I've been doing the track nights for maybe a month now. Wednesday we ran 1-mile repeats, 6 of 'em (others did up to 8). Not to0 bad, I was running in the 7:00 to 7:15 min/mile range. Good group on Wednesdays! Looks like I've been 'roped in' and am now expected to show up. I sent an email in the afternoon to my running bud, "are you going tonight"? The reply, "of course"....so that sets up the guilt trip for even <span style="font-style:italic;">thinking</span> of blowing it off! Sigh...<br /><br />And of course I still have 1.1 weeks to train for the Houston Half!! Smirking. I'll run today and Saturday (RTW), then a long run on Sunday. Wrap it up with a couple of runs next week and I'll be good to go! Good times!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-45393791012158618902009-01-07T08:16:00.006-06:002009-01-07T08:41:31.129-06:00Gotta LOVE Weekends!After being off of the dirt bike for a month and a half or more, my friends suggested that we have a Motocross outing last weekend. While I had plenty of stuff to do, I just couldn't fight it! They came to my house and helped load up 6 bikes and we headed to the track.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7pnkXNdI/AAAAAAAAATw/g2bies8g67U/s1600-h/IMG_1531.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7pnkXNdI/AAAAAAAAATw/g2bies8g67U/s320/IMG_1531.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288558186110334418" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7p5pFMRI/AAAAAAAAAT4/iDLBwP8Bjn8/s1600-h/IMG_1534.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7p5pFMRI/AAAAAAAAAT4/iDLBwP8Bjn8/s320/IMG_1534.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288558190961963282" /></a><br /><br />Having mixed in frequent recreational motocross with my running/triathlon stuff throughout the past year, I guess I really didn't realize the dirt biking's contribution in physical conditioning. We rode Saturday after I ran 5 miles with the dogs. Sunday I ran 10 miles with the running group. But I was TORN UP from the motocross!! Only on Tuesday did the soreness and fatigue dwindle. My riding was GOOD!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7qUpYk1I/AAAAAAAAAUI/3MUfAs6HhzA/s1600-h/IMG_1564.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7qUpYk1I/AAAAAAAAAUI/3MUfAs6HhzA/s320/IMG_1564.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288558198210990930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7qEI2UrI/AAAAAAAAAUA/49LE2SegvCE/s1600-h/IMG_1545.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7qEI2UrI/AAAAAAAAAUA/49LE2SegvCE/s320/IMG_1545.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288558193779561138" /></a><br /><br />Even though it doesn't seem very physically demanding while you're riding, do NOT under-estimate the workout you get from riding MX! I was wiped out from riding!! WooHoo!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7qWWobHI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/I8Tay5OoFxQ/s1600-h/DSC00302.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7qWWobHI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/I8Tay5OoFxQ/s320/DSC00302.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288558198669208690" /></a><br /><br />Here's our parting shot, great folks:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7woKbqAI/AAAAAAAAAUY/zLXSvrGUus0/s1600-h/DSC00339.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWS7woKbqAI/AAAAAAAAAUY/zLXSvrGUus0/s320/DSC00339.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288558306529093634" /></a><br /><br />Running Update: As mentioned above I have been running. I run on weekends and try to get the dogs out once or twice a week. The weather and holidays have wreaked havoc on my good intentions. I've got the Houston 1/2 Marathon coming up in a week and a half, so I guess I need to hit it hard this week and weekend. I've been running Wednesday night track workouts, too. So I've still got 1.5 weeks to train for the event, eh?! :):)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-5504008173145696102009-01-05T09:37:00.010-06:002009-01-06T17:33:35.379-06:00Hey man, ENOUGH with the freaking fireworks, EH??!!Geez, it happens twice a year. While I'm not trying to be a 'stick-in-the-mud' and agree that it's a person's prerogative to shoot off fireworks as allowed by our society and laws. But DAMNIT!! Shoot 'em off on the day you're celebrating, NOT for 1 week prior and another week after the day of celebration. ENOUGH ALREADY!<br /><br />There's a guy nearby who loves firing his shotguns, and 4th of July and New Year's sound like a war zone in my neighborhood. Scares the HELL out of my dogs. But now my dogs have been hiding deep in my storage building or following me around for about 2 weeks. They get to sleep inside the house, which they often do on cold nights. Heaven forbid should I actually want to spend the night out or go on vacation during these periods. Nope, I've gotta be RIGHT HERE to shelter my pets. Freaking IDIOTS (fireworks folks, not dogs)! Here's what happens every night, including last night:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWIrmi-40uI/AAAAAAAAATg/u7CilgMLbF4/s1600-h/DSC00294.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWIrmi-40uI/AAAAAAAAATg/u7CilgMLbF4/s320/DSC00294.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287836853711983330" /></a><br /><br />On New Year's Eve 2002/2003, my beloved Border Collie, Brembo, escaped my yard and ran about a mile away in a crazed escape from the fireworks. My running buddy, Sonya, likely remembers the somber run we shared for the New Year's Day Cobweb Chaser Run at McAllister Park. Before the run, I walked her over to my truck and pointed out the dead, stiff corpse of my dog. Because of the rocky terrain, it took me 5-6 hours of crying/digging/busting rocks to dig a suitable hole in which to bury her. RIP Brembo:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWIrnjA04TI/AAAAAAAAATo/O2AdgCI4YkE/s1600-h/Brembo1.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SWIrnjA04TI/AAAAAAAAATo/O2AdgCI4YkE/s320/Brembo1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287836870899982642" /></a><br /><br />I went over to a friend's house the other day and they were SUPER BUMMED! Their dog was freaked out by fireworks, escaped, got run-over and killed.....geez...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-3291836492360590972008-12-20T07:17:00.002-06:002008-12-20T07:20:15.739-06:00Ummm, I went to run 12 miles but no one showed up...The Woodlands Running Club site says, Sterling Ridge, 12 miles, Sat, Dec 21st. It's now Sat, Dec 20th....So I'll assume that Saturday, December 21st is actually going to happen tomorrow....that was a waste of time and fuel...maybe I'll try again tomorrow...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-21969981300632472422008-12-17T20:31:00.007-06:002008-12-17T22:20:38.804-06:00OK, it's time I set a couple of goals...Having run a 22:04 (7:06 min/mile) at the RTW 5k race last weekend, it SURELY begs the obvious. Sub 22-minute 5k. If it's a 21:59, I'll take it. That's there for the grabbing.<br /><br />Next, I wanna run the 5k in sub-7 minutes per mile...this'll be a tad tougher and will actually require me to WORK at it! That equates to a 5k time of 21:41 (6:59 min/mile)...that's a sizable jump. Ahh, the challenge.<br /><br />I don't recall where my 5k times were back when I was running fast, but I think I was just about in the low 21's and maybe bumped into a high 20 minute 5k.....I'm not a fast 5k runner. Also not a fast 10k runner at about 44:20ish, back in the day. The point I'm making is that my 5k pace isn't much quicker than the 10k and so-on for the 1/2 and full marathons. But the distance doesn't seem to be a problem. I guess I'm more wired for endurance than speed. <br /><br />I just went to the Wednesday Night Track Workout with The Woodlands Running Club. Damn these people are fast! Tough crowd! I now recall why I hate speed work at the track. I thought I was gonna cough up a lung. Not too bad, but running fast DOES hurt! I'm going to stick with my new-found Wednesday night regimen and see if I can't make good on that 21:41 (6:59 min/mile pace).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SUm5qVxUXLI/AAAAAAAAATA/I3Yn8SsBnqI/s1600-h/DSC00255.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SUm5qVxUXLI/AAAAAAAAATA/I3Yn8SsBnqI/s320/DSC00255.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280956175118261426" /></a><br /><br />Tonight we did 1-mile repeats with a 3-minute cool down. I warmed up for a mile, then ran 4 repeats. So YES, I ran 5 miles DURING the week! Woot!<br /><br />Ran a 6:35 pace for the 1st mile, then a 6:38 for the 2nd.....toned it down for the last 2 miles....so I guess I <span style="font-style:italic;">CAN</span> run fast, but damn the fortitude is hard to come by!<br /><br />I met my running buddy Sabrina and told her we have a standing appointment for Wednesday nights. After all, I AM training for the Houston Half-Marathon in 1 month! Training, yeah, that's what it's called....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-77767419488268103482008-12-15T08:24:00.007-06:002009-01-09T19:49:26.664-06:00WG Jones Forest is Open! Good running...After Hurricane Ike, the WG Jones Forest was closed. There's a local group who runs there and it's convenient for me to run my dogs there. The runners kept going in after the closure, until the next incident occurred, the crash of the news helicopter.<br /><br />This time the Forestry Service had white signs made with big red letters that said, "CLOSED". And they posted them all around the place. Umm, that tells me that they seriously didn't want anybody in there! Finally the signs were gone on Friday and I took my dogs in there for a 4 mile run before the Run The Woodlands 5k. The RTW race started at 8 am, so I had to be efficient.<br /><br />Old pics, but valid:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SUZriyZ8IUI/AAAAAAAAAS4/S7lvGrAAd80/s1600-h/DSC00009+(2).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SUZriyZ8IUI/AAAAAAAAAS4/S7lvGrAAd80/s320/DSC00009+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280025858528780610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SUZrivfC-iI/AAAAAAAAASw/_c8Ym54_SgQ/s1600-h/DSC00007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/SUZrivfC-iI/AAAAAAAAASw/_c8Ym54_SgQ/s320/DSC00007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280025857744894498" /></a><br /><br />The little Border Collie was on fire! She had boundless energy, running WAY ahead! I'd call her and she would turn around and run FULL SPEED back to me. So she prolly ran 5+ miles. We got home and I had a plan to sneak her back out and take her to the 5k to further whittle away her super high energy level. I fed the cat and the big dog, then whispered for her to jump in the truck....she KNEW exactly what we were doing and jumped up there without alerting the big dog. We escaped, unnoticed.<br /><br />At the race, she just took off! I had to keep calling her back. Then about half way through the race, she began to hang with me, finally burned off some of the energy! WE ran a nice 22:04! Not my quickest, but not at all bad. Good times!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-74158450395178973412008-12-10T08:32:00.017-06:002008-12-10T21:22:10.882-06:00OK, I'm back...How rude to have bailed!...OK, running update...day before Thanksgiving, 4.5 miles...Thanksgiving, 5 mile race...Friday, 5k race(<span style="font-weight:bold;">1st place Masters' WIN</span> [still milking this all I can!])...Saturday, 5k race. LOTS of fast running in 4 days!<br /><br />Before the "Run Thru The Woods" 5 mile race on Thursday, me and my buddy, Laura:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_YrIbOWuI/AAAAAAAAASQ/VdA3chFN1oo/s1600-h/DSC00152.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_YrIbOWuI/AAAAAAAAASQ/VdA3chFN1oo/s320/DSC00152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278175523809155810" /></a><br /><br />Receiving my TROPHIES from "Puffy the Pine Cone":<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WMgGbvOI/AAAAAAAAARQ/mHAi09C-yTY/s1600-h/DSC00207.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WMgGbvOI/AAAAAAAAARQ/mHAi09C-yTY/s320/DSC00207.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278172798565203170" /></a><br /><br />Thanksgiving day, admiring a beautiful Ford Model A (it started rolling down the driveway as the guy was taking my picture...so here I'm posing for the photo AND arresting the car's movement...multi-tasking to the max):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WM0vo9ZI/AAAAAAAAARY/mdHC4cYVlCw/s1600-h/DSC00156.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WM0vo9ZI/AAAAAAAAARY/mdHC4cYVlCw/s320/DSC00156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278172804106745234" /></a><br /><br /> WTF? The WG Jones forest is STILL closed!!?? My poor dogs haven't been running with me in months! Good grief, open the forest, already!<br /><br />Last Saturday, I just had to show up at the Sunmart Endurance Race. <a href="http://www.rogersoler.com/">Roger Soler</a> has been sponsor and Race Director for the Sunmart event for MANY years. Having met Roger and his running stores/running groups in San Antonio/Helotes, I'd always been 'too busy' to travel all the way to Huntsville to run a really long race. Because I now live pretty close to the Sunmart event, I was fresh OUT of excuses this year! I saw many friends from San Antonio and plenty of friends from the Houston area, too. What a GREAT venue! Schucks, I'll run the 50k race next year! I ran about 9 miles with my buddy, Sabrina...good time!<br /><br />Sabrina getting a little breakfast before the race:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WN3RGImI/AAAAAAAAARw/Atu5Dc1dp5o/s1600-h/DSC00249.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WN3RGImI/AAAAAAAAARw/Atu5Dc1dp5o/s320/DSC00249.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278172821963809378" /></a><br /><br />Chatting with Randy Reina:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WNNaxTAI/AAAAAAAAARg/Jw88jQGPNck/s1600-h/DSC00237.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WNNaxTAI/AAAAAAAAARg/Jw88jQGPNck/s320/DSC00237.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278172810730097666" /></a><br /><br />Donny, Evan, Roger Soler:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WNky0HfI/AAAAAAAAARo/q3hPHkgK9sk/s1600-h/DSC00243.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_WNky0HfI/AAAAAAAAARo/q3hPHkgK9sk/s320/DSC00243.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278172817004961266" /></a><br /><br />Jon Walk and Roger:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_YqLRgUkI/AAAAAAAAAR4/E_DOx0JbCjI/s1600-h/DSC00247.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_YqLRgUkI/AAAAAAAAAR4/E_DOx0JbCjI/s320/DSC00247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278175507393827394" /></a><br /><br />Jim Braden, Debbie Tripp, Bill Dwyer, the usual suspects:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_YqoHjjrI/AAAAAAAAASA/RtruEedRjD0/s1600-h/DSC00248.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_YqoHjjrI/AAAAAAAAASA/RtruEedRjD0/s320/DSC00248.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278175515136724658" /></a><br /><br />Thundering thru the woods with Sabrina:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_Z2AOeSPI/AAAAAAAAASY/rGulVp8k5V0/s1600-h/fotos+055.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/ST_Z2AOeSPI/AAAAAAAAASY/rGulVp8k5V0/s320/fotos+055.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278176810098378994" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-90365856998686154492008-11-30T10:16:00.015-06:002008-11-30T17:29:23.679-06:00Sometimes you just gotta DO IT YOURSELF!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STK_wzyCcEI/AAAAAAAAAQs/X4rGDz_WHg8/s1600-h/BMW_K1200LT.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STK_wzyCcEI/AAAAAAAAAQs/X4rGDz_WHg8/s320/BMW_K1200LT.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274488958858981442" /></a><br />Several years ago, a friend of mine from "an outlaw biker web forum" told me that a component on his very expensive ($22,000) German motorcycle had failed and that failure of the component was prevalent. He suggested that I design a new and much improved component and sell them. I did. I designed a killer kit that could be installed without special rivets and machinery for crimping/swaging mechanical connections, a kit that could be retrofitted by someone with reasonable mechanical aptitude and simple tools.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STK_xFk8UZI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/xxLUdeezmkI/s1600-h/Image17.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STK_xFk8UZI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/xxLUdeezmkI/s320/Image17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274488963635892626" /></a><br /><br />I designed and built 100 kits, on my time, with my money. After selling about 50 kits, the guy lost interest and got busy with family/work. After getting pretty hacked off, I told the guy that this WASN'T within what we agreed to and that I wanted to recover my inventory. It took several months for him to box up my stuff and send it back to me, but I've got it now. Not a bad guy, we're still friends...just not a business/money/marketing guy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STK_x3GMH4I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/wE7DQhKErNc/s1600-h/DSC00228.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STK_x3GMH4I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/wE7DQhKErNc/s320/DSC00228.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274488976928677762" /></a><br /><br />I've tried Microsoft's 'Front Page' website authoring software and found it to be tough to learn. Same thing with 'Dreamweaver'. Finally, I found a pretty simple program that I learned. I spent $40 on the software and $13 to register the domain name. So for $53 and a couple of days work, I present to you my NEW website for selling this little fringe product. I'm not quite finished, but getting close. HERE IT IS (taah dahhh):<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.lttrunklatch.com/">CLICK HERE for PRODUCT WEBSITE</a></span><br /><br />Best,<br />EvanUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446141176444264794.post-77157502754205143822008-11-28T15:55:00.032-06:002008-11-30T16:22:51.802-06:00"OK, I've had ENOUGH running in the MIDDLE of the pack!! ARGH!! Today, I'm gonna be FIRST PLACE!!""I don't care if it kills me, I'm tired of NOT coming in FIRST PLACE in the Master's Division! I'm gonna go out there and KILL today!" (Notice determined look on my face/marching sort of running):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STBpV1UiuiI/AAAAAAAAAQU/ejt89bIyeyw/s1600-h/Conroe+MC3A.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STBpV1UiuiI/AAAAAAAAAQU/ejt89bIyeyw/s320/Conroe+MC3A.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273830987462261282" /></a><br /><br />"You're going DOWN!! And everyone in front of me that I determine to be a threat is GOING DOWN!! Got that? Good! I'm talking to YOU!":<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STBpWNWDlHI/AAAAAAAAAQc/oboaCwRuM1g/s1600-h/Conroe+MC3B.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STBpWNWDlHI/AAAAAAAAAQc/oboaCwRuM1g/s320/Conroe+MC3B.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273830993911059570" /></a><br /><br />"I'm DAMN SURE that I won FIRST PLACE in the Master's Division!" (arms extended to 'glide' into the finish):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STBpWK3AfGI/AAAAAAAAAQk/9PF3fnidwBo/s1600-h/Conroe+MC3C.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUJBN9Z7l7U/STBpWK3AfGI/AAAAAAAAAQk/9PF3fnidwBo/s320/Conroe+MC3C.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273830993243962466" /></a><br /><br />Photo credits: Bill Dwyer! (what's new, he's on the ball!)<br /><br />NO, I REALLY WASN'T THINKING ANY OF THE STUFF I WROTE IN THOSE CAPTIONS ABOVE! <br /><br />I'm sure it ain't true, but Bill D later wrote that I left too early and I have a TROPHY! <br /><br />For RUNNING?! <br /><br />NO WAY, but I'll take it! <span style="font-weight:bold;">Apparently, I won FIRST PLACE, MASTERS' DIVISION!</span><br /><br />Before today, I've not really given the "Masters" much thought at all. I'm pretty sure one must be old to qualify for such. I never imagined that one day it would be my CONDUIT to a FIRST PLACE FINISH! (I'm still capitalizing words I shouldn't 'cause I earned it, DAMN IT!) I'm gonna be studying this whole new world of 'Masters', as it's my NEW way to get me some BLING! BABY! :):) <br /><br /> That pesky (kidding!) OLYMPIAN 5k runner, Jacob Mazone WON the whole event which SOMEHOW left me with a FIRST PLACE in the Masters! WOOOHOOO! <br /><br />Let's be clear, I'm NOT a fast 5k runner. My fastest 5k is a 7:04 pace, and my fastest marathons were 7:26 min/mile pace. NOT a big difference, which favors me to the longer distances...Hey, I'm NOT going to argue or contest my FIRST PLACE WIN! WOOOHOOO!! :):)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8