Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls....

Quick update for you - there are no waterfalls in the Southeast Wisconsin area!  The closest would be those in the Green Bay area which is around 2 hours drive.  And most of these are rapids and not waterfalls.   So I need to find a different hiking goal for 2013.  Any suggestions?

I'm considering the Walk the Wauk program as an alternative.   This program is by the Ice Age Trail's Milwaukee/Waukesha Chapter.   I think that may be a good group for me to get acquainted with.  I've added their New Year's day hike at Laphem Peak on to my personal calendar.  That sounds like a nice way to start the new year.

http://waukeshamilwaukee.iceagetrail.org/

Ramblings

I need some motivation and possibly a kick in the ass.

I have a lot I want to get done before the holidays - mainly before the family arrives and stays with me.  And I think my perfectionism gets my way of getting things done.   Now to be clear, I am not a perfectionist in the normal definition of the word.  Perfectionism applies to me in a much narrower focus - it's my efficiency that sometimes gets caught up in the perfect / most efficient way to do things that slow me down.  The actual quality of the work does not get impacted by perfectionism.

I need to start working and making some progress - easier to say/blog than to actually do ....especially when work / life / dog / etc get in the way.

Suckie End of October Update

The title says it all for my running.  I don't recall going out for a run since the last running update post.  I have jogged a few places here and there to get somewhere faster but no outings for a dedicated run.

These are not (valid) excuses, but these are the key things that I let me keep me from running.  I'm not listing them to justify why I didn't run, I'm listing them for me to document and examine to see if there is a pattern I can help break.

• Lakefront Marathon - there is much work and some celebratory activity (now that I am in a leadership role on its staff) that I allow to take a priority over my me-tasks
• Barb T's Wedding and Travel to Vegas- almost the same result, I feel this is an important one time thing.  One-time being significant because it means I can't skip out and do it next time.   I allowed this to take a priority over me
• Soar Throat and Cough - I do not exercise when I don't feel well and this cold and cough lasted for 2 weeks.  
• Soar Right Knee - my knee feels tight and swollen often when I either do too much or wear shoes that don't provide enough support.   The knee hurt after the black trail hike; that trail has lots of hills and is about 7 miles.  The knee also hurt after Vegas when walking around in sandals.    I've been home from Vegas since Monday and my knee seams to be

The post title is pretty negative but there have been some positive things. I have been out walking and hiking a few times.  And it does feel sooooo good.  I want to do more and I think I can do more now that the dog is a getting a bit older and better by himself.   Also I ran into one of the trainers from the old gym at the LFM Expo and found out she left the gym and is doing some training on the side.  I would like to work with her a couple times a month where we do a routine together and gives me goals/program to follow.  And I am committed to the Santa Hustle December 5K.

So there is hope - I have a goal, the Santa Hustle, I like to walk - can I push that to a run/walk and keep pushing to a (slow) run?  and I could have a trainer to help get me there.   My cold/cough is almost gone.   My biggest concern/excuse is my right knee.  I need it to stop hurting!



 

Good bye Wally's Chair

I know this will seam silly and most will not understand this.  I left a beat up chair out for trash pick-up and it brought tears to my eyes.  

This chair has been sitting in my garage for at least 2 years, possibly 3 years or even more.   My brother's family had purchased the chair sometime back in the 90's when their kids were small, and when I moved back to Milwaukee in 2000 they gave to me for my condo.   My cat Wally LOVED this chair. He spent hours and hours sitting on the top of the chair back looking out the window.   I think of this as Wally's chair.   And it does make me sad to throw it away.  It is nothing I want back in the house - it has spent much too much time in the garage and had signs of field mice around it.  But it still made me sad - the end of an era - to see it thrown in the trash.  It had a good frame - and was an Ethan Allan chair.  Someone could have stripped it down and reupholstered it.  It was time for it to go.  It was doing no one any good in my garage and was unusable/undonatable in its current condition.  
So good chair I say to you 'Thank you for your service'.  I will miss you and the way you reminded me of my Wally.

Quick Update

Quick update to let the world know I did make it out for a run over lunch.   I ran around the Condos across from the ravine.  Almost no traffic and very few people (especially people I know) to see me.  At first I was only going to go a mile or so, but I felt fine - a little warm as those streets are better protected from the wind than St James and Parish are.   I ended up going for 2 miles.   Pace is slower than I would like but I my approach is to first get the miles in - ie, build endurance to support 3 miles, and then work on the speed. 

Mac at Get Fit Slower recommends a different approach.  He says if he were reteaching himself to start running he would go for the same duration each time and not worry about distance at all.   I think that approach works well if you are running on a treadmill.  In my approach I build up to a route that I know if 3 miles and keep running that - and just to keep me form getting board, I usually have multiple routes and variations to the distance.

I'm planning to hike on Saturday so I'll try to get some biking in on Friday.  Possibly another run on Sunday, and if not then I'll make sure to get it in on Monday.

So, I have a goal (Santa Hustle 5K) with an approach.  I do have some more work to make a plan -- and to stick with it!  Considering my running motivation being as low as it has been recently, it is a big success to have both a goal and an approach.   And I have the luxury of time - the run is 12 weeks out.  As I write this, I realize my true goal is the Snow Run in January - so 14 weeks out to get 5 miles in under 60 minutes.  For me this is an aggressive challenge.

Midpoint goals

• Run 3 miles comfortably
• Run 3 miles under 40 minutes
• Run 4 miles comfortably
• Run 3 miles under 36 minutes
• Run 5 miles comfortably
• Run 5 miles under 60 minutes - January 5, 2013

The more I type here, the more I worry if this is even possible.   I have to get my but in gear!  I know I can make these goals.  You hear that Destiny?  I'm ready now!

September Update

Hmmm, good thing I had added an ongoing task to post to this blog at the end of each month with a running update.  Otherwise, not sure you would see any updates.  Which is a key indication of how well (or not well) this has been going.

My running continues to be primarly only at the BLS fun runs.  Well the problem with that is because of life and traffic, etc I have not made it to a fun run in time to actually run since August 22.   Wow that means I've basically missed running at all in the entire month of September. 

And for some reason I signed up for the Dec 22 Santa Shuffle 5K at the Milwaukee Lakefront's Veterans Park.  It was one of those' spending money to save money type of deal';  I had $5 expiring on Groupon so with that and the groupon discount this run costs me $15 (instead of the early prerace $35 which goes up to $45).  More about this later.

I have continued hiking and of course the daily dog walks.   My knee continues to bother me - to the point where I'm considering going get one of the free sports physical therapy evaluations.  My issue with that is I feel like no matter what shape your body is in, they will always find a need for 6 weeks or more of therapy, And that will be another several hundreds of dollars, and this year I have already maxed out my HSA spending account.

I'm disappointed in how I let the running goals drop and disappointed in where my running condition is. 

The good news is that I do feel a new level of motivation.  Part has to do with our Light Weigh program restarting - that does help keep me motivated in overall health and weight loss focus.   Plus we are done with the extremely hot weather that did limit my hiking, and now also have the beautiful Fall colors that make me want to hike more and more.  I hope to see an increase in physical activity in the near future. 

Another plus is that I'll be developing and adding 'training' to my schedule to be able to comfortably complete the Santa Shuffle.   I'll admit part of the appeal of the Santa Shuffle was its timing in late December -- I'm hoping that if I can do this run comfortably, then I can continue the running and this year runs the S-No-W Fun Run which is a 5 mile run in Lake Geneva with an awesome after party that my friends Dave and Bonnie almost always attend.   My problem is this run is in early January and most years I have not run since late October (Discovery Run) and the added fact that because of the average January temperature they have a time limit of 60 minutes (12 min miles) on the run so that their volunteers do not need to stay outside for long periods.   This run has been on my bucket list - not the list of big item but a unwritten, undocumented list of local things I've heard are fun or good and want to try.  This could be the year for the Snow Run!

I'm actually considering taking a short run of approximately a mile or mile and a half right now as a break - and once again work gets in the way.  I need to finish one contract before I can exit and run, and hopefully nothing new will come in as I'm working on that contract.  Remember - no matter how slow you are you are still passing everyone on the couch!!!

August update

The semi monthly running update!!  And sadly it's not much of an update.  Over August I have only run twice- yes only two times!  Both runs were with at Badgerland Striders fun runs - the Corn Roast and the OU812 (meatball) fun runs.   In both runs I felt OK - not bad, not great - maybe good, but OK is really the right description.  But it also made me feel like I really need to add running throughout the week.  It's such good exercise and I do like it - I just need to get around my personal issues with making time for myself away from the dog commitments.






The weight loss progress has been at a plateau - summers are challenging for me.  There are so many fests, fairs, sporting events, gatherings, etc that is makes it hard to lose weight.  Normally I'm hiking, biking and even running (remember I said normally) enough that it counter balances the extra indulgences.  Sadly the puppy has taken over so much of my free time that I'm doing a lot less.  To clarify, it's not that I can't leave the dog; the situation is there is only so much time I have where I can leave - usually the morning before work, lunch time, and a little bit in the evening before I'm heading out to something.   Those times are now most often spent walking the dog for bathroom breaks.  Luckily the Light Weigh program does work for me and that is counterbalancing my lack of exercise.   I wish I could add more exercise in, because I think with that and the light weigh combined I would be losing weight even with the extra indulgences.   I attribute some of my 15 pounds of Light Weigh session one to the springs hikes I was doing.  I hope to add more hiking, maybe with the dog (that overcomes one of the conflicts I have).   This weekend I am boarding the dog to free up more time for me - I have some decluttering/clearing tasks I want to do, and I hope to get in some good exercise - probably a hike and possible a long bike ride.


Update on the specific running goals
First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs
Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.
---I'm doing ok with the 3 mile distance.  It's hard and challenging but doable - at last night's run there were times I thought about stopping and walking but never felt the need so I kept running.   Getting to a 9+ minute mile by the last fun run is next to impossible.   I'm not sure what to do here....admit defeat and move on?  select a much slower but more realistic goal?  I'm not ready to do either - I need some time to think on this.     

Second summer goal is compete a long distance race. 
-- My running goal to complete a long distance race has been heavily on my mind.  There are a few candidate runs - the BLS Discovery Run and the Chicago Perfect 10.   As I slogged along at way too slow a pace made me question doing either.  If I ran the Discovery Run at the same pace as last night's fun run then I would be the very last runner by at least 30 minutes.  Now if I trained I'm sure I could bring down my pace and finish with those final stragglers.  That's a better result but still not what I want.  The Chicago Perfect 10 has a wider range of running paces and I would beat a handful of other runners.  That race includes an Expo and Chicago tends to do Expos very well - so that is a big plus.  The downside it that would require a hotel room because the run starts too early on Saturday to make it viable to drive down that morning and no train runs at that hour; although that is in someways a plus because it helps make this an "event" for me.  I'm not sure either is a good fit - I'm questioning keeping this as a goal.  I need to either get moving on getting to running regularly (and therefore increasing my pace and endurance) or drop this goal for this year

 Third running goal is to run hike with Zeus.
 -- Zeus and I have done the Wirth Park trails.  He did really well and seamed to enjoy it.  The only concern was that it was really short - I want him to be able to go at least 3 miles without issues.  We were through the trails and I wanted to take the path around the rest of the park but the pup was pooped and would not walk more than a few yards before he was stopping again (and again).  This was only about a mile and half.  Similar thing happened on today's lunch time walk.  Zeus was so tired and barely made it back - all he wanted to do was stop and take a nap in the shady grass!  It's things like this that make me concerned for taking him on a hike at Laphem Peak State Park - he may be taking a nap in the middle of the Red trail (Zeus is definitely not up to tackling the Blue or Black trails ....but we hope someday he will!). 

(Running) update...looking for the horse

Last running update was near the end of May.  I missed the end of June update because of the New Mexico trip.  The bad news is that I am running much less than I thought I would, but the good news is that these 3 mile fun runs that I am doing are feeling much better than I thought I would since I'm not in practice.

Since the end of May I have only made 2 fun runs over the last two months.   And while I'm skipping the one tonight so that I can go to a movie with a friend, overall I think I'll have a much better attendance over August and September.  

The key impact is that I don't have any more extended trips - and I'm a strong introvert (not meaning that I don't like people, but meaning I get my energy by being alone [groups sap my energy]).  These trips sap my energy and I need time both before and after to get me back to "being me".  Another impact is that there are several of the funner fun runs in August and September (corn roast, meatball OU812 run, the runs near to my house, etc).  Plus I'm refocused on the weight loss effort - before the New Mexico trip I had reached my first BMI goal but in the stress of preparing for that trip and then the trip itself, 4th of July events, and the excess of house-boating I've put on a few pounds. 

Somewhat surprisingly, I'm not really very worried about the extra pounds I picked up.  I'm not thrilled with them but I feel like I can remove them fairly easily over the next few weeks by following the Light Weigh program and bumping up my exercise efforts.  I have to say it is really nice having this confidence and not being overly worried about it.  In reference to this post title - I'm looking for the horse to get back on!  Its been a few weeks of excess and bad habits, but that is over and done with and I'm ready to rededicate myself to this program and goals.

Update on the specific running goals
First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs
Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.
---First goal is solidly achieved.  I feeling confident and able to easily complete these 3 mile routes.  The overall goal of being at near a 9+ minute miler is not seeing improvement.  I'm still much closer to a 13 m/m than a 9 m/m - I do have expectations that cooler weather and running more will quickly make a significant improvement.  I'm also doing some small interval fartleks with Zeus where I now run at his pace for a house or two a couple times during our walks - it's a small step but its in the right direction.    

Second summer goal is compete a long distance race. 
 -- I have tentatively selected the BLS Discovery Run as my long distance run.  It's at the end of October (27th) and is 15K (9.3 miles).  Another option is the North Face Endurance Challenge - which also has a 10K on Sun, Sept 16     

 Third running goal is to run with Zeus.
 -- update - the vet re-evaluated the heart murmur and said it wasn't that bad and pointed out that a lot of puppies outgrow them.  So nothing to worry about.  The new tentative plan is to revisit this in September and October when the weather gets cooler.  The approach will be to take him to Laphem Peak's easy trails and see how he does.  Hopefully he will be able to do the distance, the hills, and both of us will be able to run small sections of the trails.   

Vacation Valley

I thought about call this post Vacation Hangover.  I'm having a rough time getting back into the swing of regular life.   But I think its more than the vacation hangover of trying to get caught up again, in this case it also includes some stress related to getting my sh*t together for Houseboating in just over another week.

The key stumbling block is that I am once again overwhelmed with the amount of tasks I want to get done.  So overwhelmed that I don't know where to start - part of that is my perfectionism for efficiency coming into play.  I want to complete things in the most efficient order, because remember I have a lot to get done ;-)

The good news is life with the dog is getting better.  He has been so much better since he got back from almost two weeks of boarding while I was in New Mexico.  In part, I think they don't (and really can't) baby the dogs so Zeus has gotten better about communicating when he needs to go out, be feed, and even wants to be played with.   Plus he's 'gotten it' that he needs to poop while we are on a walk and if we are headed home and he hasn't pooped yet, now he does poop as we get close to the house.   This is a huge improvement!  He used to get distracted, not poop and then come in but need to go back out 15 -30 minutes later and often that same cycle would repeat - need to poop, go outside and get distracted and don't poop, come inside, and need to poop, go outside and get distracted and don't poop,....

The eating has been poor.  It started with the dinner/evening in the hotel on Saturday night and has continued.  Although I'm aware of the problem and that awareness is part of the solution.  Today I've been making a real effort and doing much better but the 2pm energy lag hit me harder than I would have liked - but its was not as bad as it has been the previous days.  So its slow but steady progress in the right direction.

Another huge factor is the weather.  Brookfield has been in the 100s.  I went for a short bike ride yesterday and literately felt like I may faint - I got home as fast as I could to get myself out of the heat and back into the air conditioning with a cool drink.  I worry about Zeus.  He wants to play while we walk but ends up a hot, heavy painting mess within just a few minutes.

The nice thing is that its been very quiet at work this week because of both the US July 4 holiday and the Canadian Canada Day holiday.  

As always I have high hopes for how much I can get done this slow week - and as always I have overestimated and that stresses me when I don't get as much done as I thought I would.  Oh, the cycle continues.

Instead of rushing through my pile on the to-do list of things that are really not important, I am going to take a break and figure out some goals.  I think that may be near the root of my problems - I'm feeling a bit rudderless and not sure of my priorities.   I was searching out the list of bloggers going to FitBlogging (which I considered attending since I really liked the Health Living Blog event I went to a few years ago).  So many of them use their blogs to track and inspire their goals -- I need that inspiration back in my life.  Not sure with what types or target deadlines for these goals but the start of July is the start of the 2nd half of the year so it is great timing.       

 

I made it (yea!), then I didn't (boo!)

Earlier this week I reached my BMI goal.  Yea!!!  This was a stretch goal I wanted to reach before I left for New Mexico.   But with this being a bad week - I'm up 1.5 pounds from that goal .  This has been a tough week for me with a fair amount of stress eating and less exercise, plus throw in Father's Day and an evening with my friend Scott.  I do think this is a temporary gain and normally I would be back down in a few days. But this is family vacation week which I think will push me up even more.   Boohiss!


The exercise is less due in part to the weather being 90+ and humid.  This has greatly reduced the distance of the dog walks.  Zeus gets too out of breath and pants so much that I usually try to get him back homeward as soon as he does his bathroom business.  I still have high personal hopes that one day he will be able go miles, but this is not the week!  I think I have to push out my goal of turning Zeus into a dog that loves to hike the trail - maybe try this in September or October as it gets a little cooler.

The exercise has also lost out on the priority list to the trip preparation - both packing and trying to get the house and yard stuff done before I leave.

And you can add in a couple days of drinking. It's not that I drank that much, but I really have stopped most of my drinking so now having 2 or 3 beers in a night is a big night.  And not only is that a lot of empty calories, it also leads to eating more.  Some of that is because I feel the need to eat to 'soak' up the alcohol and the other part is when I've been drinking my food judgement can be swayed too easily.    

So what does this mean....in no particular order
- I'm getting better at knowing myself and being able to select good stretch goals 
- Need to find a way to get in more exercise this week to compensate for the family food frenzy (that these family vacations include) and the increase of alcohol

• I think I will have 4 days of good exercise - Friday at White Sands, a day Bandelier National Park, a day hiking in the Santa Fe Forest, and the last Saturday at Capulin Volcano National Monument
• I'm also going to try to get in some healthy long and fast walks on 3 of the mornings when at the Santa Fe rental house
• and hopefully this will also give me some personal time away to help me recharge
• I also usually get some good walking when I'm at the airport waiting - both Friday (which also already has White Sands) and Sunday, July 1 will benefit from that  
• Eating will be hard but I need to keep focused on the light weigh method and really just work to eat less - sounds so simple, but we all really know how hard this will be

Santa Fe Visitor Bureau Link

Handy link for the Santa Fe Community Calendar, Things to Do, Dining, etc

http://santafe.org/Calendar/#top

Just keep swimming!!!

I'm stressing myself and I try to get everything ready for the trip and all the house stuff and volunteer stuff I wanted to get done before I left... so in the immortal words of Dory: Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming!!!

Fort Marcy Recreation Complex

Our New Mexico "swimming hole"

Fort Marcy Recreation Complex
490 Bishops Lodge Road
Santa Fe, NM  87504

Daily Fees $2 for youths (11 -17), $3 for adults, $1 for Simon

http://www.santafenm.gov/index.aspx?nid=102


Also has Outdoor fields and walking path and Weight Room / Cardio-Vascular Fitness

Walking directions to 490 Bishops Lodge Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (0.4 mi, 7 mins)
   
125 Paseo De La Cuma
Santa Fe, NM 87501
   
1. Head southwest on Pso De La Loma toward Pso De La Cuma - 102 ft
2. Turn left onto Pso De La Cuma - 0.1 mi
3. Turn left onto Old Taos Hwy - 341 ft
4. Turn right toward Artist Rd - 0.2 mi
5. Slight right onto Artist Rd - 138 ft
6. Turn right onto Bishops Lodge Rd/State Route 590
Destination will be on the left

490 Bishops Lodge Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Day Hiking

Don suggested this hike

This hike begins on the outskirts of the city of Santa Fe and affords panoramic views of the Rio Grande valley and the city of Santa Fe as well as an introduction to the vegetation characteristic of the foothills and mountains of this area.

Atalaya Mountain Hiking Trail
Length: Trail 174 is approx. 7 miles round-trip, Trail 170 is 4.6 miles round-trip
Degree of Difficulty: Easy-Difficult
Altitude: 8240 to 8800 ft
Seasonal: 4 Season (Snow in winter possible)
The Atalaya Mountain Trail, accessible from the parking lot at St. Johns College, is one of the most popular and easily accessible hiking trails in Santa Fe. Hikers have the option of taking the longer route (Trail 174), which is approximately 7 miles round-trip, or parking farther up near the Ponderosa Ridge development and doing a 4.6-mile loop (Trail 170) instead. Both trials eventually join and take you toward the top of Atalaya Mountain, a 9,121-foot peak. The first few miles of the trail are relatively easy, but it becomes increasingly steep and strenuous as you near the summit of Atalaya Mountain. Hikers who make it to the top are afforded great views of the Rio Grande valley and the city below.

Activity Type:     Hiking
Nearby City:     Santa Fe
Length:     7 total miles
Elevation Gain:     1,781 feet
Trail Type:     Out-and-back
Skill Level:     Easy
Duration:     Day hike
Season:     Best spring to fall, depending on weather
Local Contacts:     Santa Fe National Forest


Holy Ghost Trailhead
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/santafe/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=75898&actid=50

Capulin Volcano National Mounument

This is targeted for my last full day in New Mexico between the day at Taos and my flights homeward.

http://www.nps.gov/cavo/index.htm

A Stellar Example of Recent Volcanic Activity
Come view a dramatic landscape—a unique place of mountains, plains, and sky. Born of fire and forces continually reshaping the earth’s surface, Capulin Volcano provides access to nature’s most awe-inspiring work.

Directions by car

Interstate 25 is the major north/south route through the state. The monument is located 33 miles east of Interstate 25 at Raton, NM, via US Highway 64/87. The park entrance is on New Mexico Highway 325, 3 miles north of the town of Capulin which is at the junction of NM Hwy 325 and US Hwy 64/87.

From the east, the monument is 58 miles west of Clayton, NM, also via US Hwy64/87. 




Things To DoCapulin Volcano National Monument offers a variety of activities for the visitor. With nearly five miles of hiking trails, visitors can experience a varied landscape. See the Rocky Mountains from the volcano top, or explore Capulin's very own lava flow at its base. For our younger visitors, Junior Ranger and Junior Junior Ranger books are available by request. Stop by the Visitor Center to check out the park film and pick up a brochure before heading up to the rim.

The paved 2 mile Volcano Road to the top and paved trails into the crater and around its rim provide access to explore the volcano and 360 degree views of the surrounding area. While you're there, listen to a ranger-led interpretive program to get a better understanding of Capulin's geology, ecology, and history.

Bandelier National Monument

This national monument is close to our New Mexico house, so the group is planning on going one of the days we are together

http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm

White Sands National Monument

My plan is to visit and hike the White Sands National Monument on the Friday that I fly in, before meeting up with half the group on Saturday.  The park recommends evening visits because of how hot the sands get during the day in the sunlight.  Plus the park will be closed on Saturday, so Friday is the one time I'll be able to get there.  Dave Guse recommended the park to me.  And it does sound cool!!

http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm


Directions - Getting to the monumentThe visitor center is located on U.S. Highway 70, 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Alamogordo and 52 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Travelers from Carlsbad Caverns to southern Arizona can follow U.S. 82 through the scenic Sacramento Mountains to reach White Sands National Monument. I'll be doing the reverse on Saturday morning


Park Map

http://www.nps.gov/common/commonspot/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=whsa&parkname=White%20Sands

Carlsbad Cavern National Park

Plans are for the first weekend to spend it at Carlsbad Cavern National Park with Jo Ann's and Jim's families.

http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

Directions

To access Carlsbad Caverns National Park's only entrance road, New Mexico Highway 7, turn north from US Hwy 62/180 at Whites City, New Mexico - which is 20 miles southwest of Carlsbad, NM and 145 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas. The entrance road stretches a scenic 7-mile (11.3 km) from the park gate at Whites City to the Visitor Center and cavern entrance. The address for the park's Visitor Center is 727 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, NM, 88220 even though it's located 27 miles from the town.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Vicinity Map 
http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/upload/areamap.pdf [154k PDF file]
This map requires Adobe Acrobat for viewing. 


We have tickets for the Kings Palace cave tour on Saturday afternoon

http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/kings_palace.htm

Our New Mexico Home

Here's the link to our rental house in New Mexico

125 Paseo de la Cuma,
Santa Fe, NM 87501

http://www.vrbo.com/139308

Continuing the New Mexico links for easy access once I'm on the road!!

St Joseph's Staircase

This is the first of a series of New Mexico location details and links in preparation of the Family 'bacation trip

At last night's Light Weigh meeting, Lisa and Krissy shared about this miracle staircase in New Mexico.  Turns out it is in Sante Fe, the city we will be staying in for most of the trip.  So there is a very good chance I'll be able to make it there.

The Loretto Chapel
207 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 982-0092

This is from their website - http://www.lorettochapel.com/index.html

Two mysteries surround the spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel: the identity of its builder and the physics of its construction.

When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small Chapel.

Legend says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man (an ad even ran in the local newspaper) and finding no trace of him, some concluded that he was St. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters' prayers.

The stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent structure. The design was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex experts today.

The staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. Also, it is said that the staircase was built without nails—only wooden pegs. Questions also surround the number of stair risers relative to the height of the choir loft and about the types of wood and other materials used in the stairway's construction.

Over the years many have flocked to the Loretto Chapel to see the Miraculous Staircase. The staircase has been the subject of many articles, TV specials, and movies including "Unsolved Mysteries" and the television movie titled "The Staircase."

Lisa asked that I pray for our Light Weigh group while I'm there - especially through the Intercession of St Joseph:

For the Intercession of Saint Joseph

O Joseph, virgin-father of Jesus, most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, pray every day for us to the same Jesus, the Son of God, that we, being defended by the power of His grace and striving dutifully in life, may be crowned by Him at the hour of death.

St Walter Pray for us

I started to call Wally "St Walter of the Patio".  Image my surprise to find out there is a St Walter (of Pontoise) and that one of the reasons to pray to him is for invoked against job-related stress - and to think my Wally was my main stress reliever.  No matter how bad things were, the mere presents of Wally would lower my frustration level dramatically.  A few minutes with him and all was right in the world again. Oh how I miss him and his calming affect on me. 

As a gift to myself I plan to get St. Wally medallion as soon as I reach my next weight loss goal - this is very appropriate since Wally's death was the catalyst for restart on the weight loss.  Wearing the St Wally medallion will be a physical reminder for me, something tangible to help me stay focused on my priorities. Wally will always be a priority for me.

Milestones

Just a quick update on the weight loss progress.  I don't like to leave too many personal details out here on the web so this may seam a little nebulous but I know what it means and if you have questions, ask me!

Our St Joe's group has complete our first Light Weigh program and are about to repeat it starting next week.  Through the first session I've lost 10 pounds!!  That's a big accomplishment for me; I usually lose between 1 and 2 pounds a month - and this is 10 pounds in 14 weeks!! (12 week program plus I started a week early on Ash Wednesday with my own Lenten plans, and our week in-between the program on the back end.)  Very nice achievement for me.  Last year's shorts are no longer fitting me well; I've purchase new one and the new size is one "X" less than last year. Very nice feeling!

I still have another 35 pounds to go to get to my desired final BMI category.  That is too big a goal for me to directly focus on, I need to have some intermediate goals.

I am now within 3 pounds of my next weight lose goal of reaching the next level on the BMI scale.  I would really like to reach this goal before my New Mexico trip at the end of June.  Honestly, this is a stretch goal - I have about a 50-50 chance of reaching it.  It will take a lot of hard work and dedication to reach it.

Next goal is for the Houseboat trip and this goal is not fully set yet.  I would absolutely love to have lost 19 pounds at this point in July.  That would put me at a nice round number that would feel like I've made a lot of progress.  I'm down 10 but getting another 9 between now and mid July is just not realistic for me.  So I'm setting this goal as 5 more pounds - its takes me not to a nice round number, but a pound under a nice round number so that I'm under NNN.

I have a feeling the New Mexico trip will give me a temporary bump up in the weight so the near term goals are 3 more pounds between now and New Mexico and then losing any gains from New Mexico plus 2 more before houseboating.  These are flexible goals that I may change - they feel realistic and something that I can accomplish.   But I really would like even more weight loss and I am feeling like I'm in a good pattern so I'd like to take advantage of that good grove and set new challenges for myself if it looks like I can reach these too easily.  I have a long way to go and I want to stay both motivated and pushing to reach these goals.

Ultimately, I would like to reach my BMI goal category by Ash Wednesday 2013.  That would be a year of focusing on this and losing a total of 45 pounds.  I think it's possible and will be a great accomplishment!  Secretly I want to reach it by Christmas 2012,  but I think that is too much for me to reach by then so it is not an official goal but a huge desire.  I'll keep you posted on my progress and if we can pull this in.

Running Update

The running update.....!!!!

In a nutshell, my goals and status update:

First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs
Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.
--- I have attended 3 of the 4 fun runs - a pretty good percentage for me.  I'm conscientiously  trying to keep my schedule open to attend these but things do come up that are outside of my control.  And I have run most of these; some years I have walked more of the runs than I runs I run.  I have been starting early so that I can finish with the crowd instead of being a straggler.  Overall I'm happy with the results and progress that I have been seeing.  Tonight is the Holy Hill Fun Run which I have been looking forward to attending.

Second summer goal is compete a long distance race. 
 -- The Ice Age Half Marathon in May had mixed results for me, overall very good and it really does deserve its own post.  I finished 6 minutes faster than last year and that is with losing my keys and spending significant time and (at least mental) energy looking for them!
-- Time to start making some plans and select a long(er) distance run.  I'm not sure if I want to do another trail run (I know Laphem Peak has a couple longer events in September and October) or if I want to do a street run which would be faster.  

 Third running goal is to run with Zeus.
 -- Sad update - the vet found Zeus has a heart murmur which explains a lot of why he tires out so quickly, pants so hard after even a small exertion effort, and has the poor appetite.  No decision on what treatments, if any, are needed.   But it does make it very unlikely that he will ever be able to run with me or even hike with me - the sad thing is those are two of the key reasons I wanted to get a dog in the first place. 

Happy Birthday Boy!!

Happy Birthday Dear Tibbers

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!!!

25 years ago today Tibbers the cat was born under my bed in a college house apartment on Mifflin Street in Madison, Wisconsin.  I was studying for an Accounting final (can't recall which exact class it was) and the mother cat, Monster, was pregnant with her first litter.  She was scared; her owner/my roommate Tracey was at work that night so Monster stayed around me and hung out in my room as I was studying.  That evening she had 4 kittens under my bed and I was very clueless on what to do.  We called Tracey and luckily her manager let her go home early to take care of it.  Tracey knew just what to do and started pulling these kittens that were less an hour old out from under my bed and putting them in a nice box she has set up with blankets.  Monster was barely able to follow her out from under the bed and into Tracey's bedroom.  I had to help Monster - I've never seen a more exhausted animal - she was still bloody from the birthing process and stumbled as she walked along.  Good thing I was there to keep her steady and comfort her. 

We kept the kittens for a few weeks before giving them away.  I remember the biggest kitten was orange and we called him "Tank".  I kept the cute gray and white kitten and called him Cosmo.  Sadly he had a heart condition and only lived a few months before he was suffering and the very hard but humane thing was to put him down.  There was another kitten that my mind has forgotten.  And then the last was Tibbers.  Tracey decided to keep him.  He was the sweetest boy. 

Tracey stayed in Madison only one more semester - she moved to Arizona over Christmas break of 1987 and finished college there.   She couldn't take all her cats - by then she had 3 - Monster, Tibbers, and a new kitten from Monster's 2nd litter that we named Battle Cat (Battle for short).   Monster was given back to her ex-boy friend, who was the actual first owner of Monster.  I don't know what happened to her, but I did love that cat and hope for the best.  I kept Tibbers and he lived a happy life with me for the next 10 years.  He died much to young from a heart condition - very similar to what his sister Cosmo died from when still just a few months old. Battle was Tracey's constant companion for 20 years.  Tracey has never replaced Battle with a new pet - not that a one pet can ever replace a much loved pet - but she has not taken a new pet into her home.  On the other hand, I find I need a pet in my home and life.  Things are just too quiet and lonely without a furry friend.

I have old printed photos of Tibbers, Monster, Cosmo, and Battle but none digital - I do need to add that to my ever growing to-do list to scan those photos for prosperity. 

Happy Birthday Boy!! You were there for me through so many ups and downs.  I love you.  I miss you and I pray there is a pet heaven and you are there surrounded by our other dear pets and that they are celebrating your bday with you today!

Not proud, but at least I learned something

I'm having a rough day.  I've learned that I cannot have Herr snack products in my house.  Over the last 2 days and probably more accurately the last 24 hours I have gone through 2 bags of flavored cheese curls.  I don't recall ever having Herr's cheese curls before, but I've had this same problem with their potato chips.

Herr's has different flavors - the cheese curls were buffalo and blue cheese, and cheese pizza flavored.  The most recent problem potato chip was ribs flavored.   Prior to that I had some Corn on the Cobb flavored chips.  There is just something about these different flavors that makes me want a 2nd bowl of them.  Or want them at inappropriate times; I don't know why I want a bowl of these after I've had my cereal and am finishing my morning coffee!?!!? It makes no sense.

I'm in the midst of the Light Weigh program and the founder has said that it may come down to temporarily excluding some foods that have control over you until you are able to have control over your food.    So for now (at least) I bid Herr's snack products farewell.  You are officially excluded!!! Someday we may meet again but for now you are bad for my health and especially for my hips.

Fun Merit Badges

I ran across this company in my Outside Magazine.  Demerit Wear makes merit badges for the rest of us.  I found some of these badges hilarious.   I want to get a few and use them to cover up a few corporate logos on some luggage and bags I have but don't use that much because of those logos.

http://demeritwear.com/StoreFront.bok

April Update on Running Progress and Goals

In a nutshell, my goals and status update:

First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs
Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.
--- Ran the first BLS fun run of the year at just over a 13 minute pace.  Multiple sections of that run were actually under a 10 min pace (yea!), but the BLS Fun Run at Whitnall Park is filled with several long steep hills which I decided to walk so some of those sections were at a 20 min pace -- overall I'm pretty happy with the first BLS fun run result.  The concern is I have not run since that fun run - the weather got cold and rainy again which is not my favorite outdoor running conditions.  I have had two long (6 mile, 7 mile) hikes and several 30+ minute fitness walking sessions.  The hikes have been at Laphem Peak state park and have taken about 3 hours with travel time - I would do these more if I could find a way to fit this block of time in around my schedule, daylight, and the biggest impact - around Zeus's feeding and pooping schedule.  With his GI track issues this has been a big challenge.  Tonight is the next BLS fun run (last week was a BLS meeting so fun run).  It is at Greenfield Park so the route is flatter, which means much faster for me.  Last night was is cold and rainy - and I found out the 124th Street entrance no longer has access to the BLS reserved shelter, you have to enter off of Lincoln Avenue.  I entered on 124th street and then had to circle the park so I arrived just after the runners had taken off.  Knowing the rain was coming I decided not to follow after them but instead of head out the end of the run, circle the lake, and I was planning to head to the street entrance but the rain got harder and heavier so I returned after just one loop of the lake.  Short run of about 1 1/2 miles, and slower than I would have liked -- shows me I need to do my own training runs throughout the week!

Second summer goal is compete a long distance race.  I have the Ice Age Half Marathon in May, but my expectation is that I will hike that more than I will run it; although this year I would like to add some running to the course.
-- No update here.  The Ice Age Half is about 3 weeks out.  I won't make any plans until this is completed

Third running goal is to run with Zeus.  This will take time and practice to get us to a mutual pace - he is a sprinter and I can go longer (but slower) distances than he can sprint.  He also has to learn to run and not stop at every interesting leaf or mailbox!
-- No update here.  I'm convinced that Zeus' GI track issues seam to tire him out very quickly - I think he has something stuck in his stomach that is pushing on his lungs so that he can't get enough air and starts heavy panting with just a little bit of heavy exercise.  He can not go near as long or as hard as he used to. 

Fort of Saint Barbara

Just like you should treat your body like a temple, you should treat your house like a fort. LOL

But actually there is some truth to that.  Forts are functional, well structured to weather the outside elements, well stocked and have specific places for every supply.  How does that translate to a family house?  Keep it clean, uncluttered, and well maintained.

Photo taken by BJD in Tuscany, Italy - March 2010 trip

100 Things To Do In Milwaukee

Way back in 1999, OnMilwaukee.com published "100 things to do in Milwaukee," and this iconic list became the most popular article in the history of their website.  A lot has changed since then, and this guide spawned several other "100 things" lists. Over the years, theyve updated the article here and there, but this marks the first complete overhaul in more than a decade.

My current score is 38 out of 100; but this list is needs to be updated to make it a good list for BJD!!!   Maybe that will be my next task.  Plus things need to be adjusted on it, for example #12 is a good one but they damaged it by including purchasing a wax Samson - no need for that, that line item should be updated to see the stuffed Sampson and recall the famous gorilla!

1. Cheer on the Brewers at Miller Park ...
2. ... and be sure to tailgate before the game
3. Check out the lights and live music at the Domes
4. Explore Milwaukee's spy bar, The Safe House
5. Pull up a boat to a slip at Barnacle Bud's or Water Buffalo
6. Eat (and request a song) at Organ Piper Pizza
7. Wind your way along Grant Park's Seven Bridges Trail
8. Get up early and watch soccer at the Highbury Pub
9. Climb Holy Hill in Hubertus
10. Close Wolski's and get a bumper sticker to prove it
11. Bike the Oak Leaf Trail as far as you can muster
12. Buy a wax Samson at the Milwaukee County Zoo and tell the kids about the famous gorilla
13. Visit the Milwaukee County Historical Society, where scenes from "Public Enemies" were filmed
14. Commiserate with the butterflies at the Milwaukee Public Museum
15. Buy a brat at the Usinger's store
16. Take the Lakefront, Sprecher and MillerCoors brewery tours in one day
17. Experience Jim's Time Out, the Downtown "towny" bar
18. Enjoy family-friendly live music at Bayshore Town Center
19. Marvel at the beauty of the Milwaukee Art Museum
20. Take a Milwaukee Ghosts tour and learn local haunted history
21. Smell the flowers at Boerner Botanical Gardens
22. Find the Streetza Pizza truck and buy a late-night slice
23. Skate a few laps on the Olympic Oval at the Pettit National Ice Center
24. Eat a corned beef sandwich at Jake's Delicatessen
25. Shop for vintage clothes on Brady Street
26. Take a booze cruise
27. Catch the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra on Monday nights at Alterra on the Lake
28. Buy farm-fresh produce all winter long at the State Fair Park's winter farmers market
29. Fall in love over a Tiki Love Bowl at At Random
30. Have a drink in The Yard at the Iron Horse Hotel
31. Eat like a king at 4th Base
32. Tour Palermo's Pizza in the Menomonee Valley
33. Interact with nature at the Schlitz Audubon Center
34. Make a difference at the Volunteer Center
35. Pet the animals at the Wisconsin Humane Society
36. Tour the Pabst Mansion
37. See an indie band at the Cactus Club
38. Cheer like a maniac with the Bucks' "Squad 6"
39. Experience intimate theater at Boulevard Theatre
40. Bowl a few lines on America's oldest lanes at Holler House
41. Tour the Harley-Davidson Museum
42. Crack up at ComedySportz
43. Say "Ayy" to the Bronze Fonz
44. Sunbathe at Bradford Beach or South Shore Beach
45. Swim in the Brown Deer Pond
46. Wander around the Bong Recreation Area
47. Marvel at the Mars Cheese Castle
48. Eat a bowl of Real Chili
49. See an Admirals game
50. Sled down the North Avenue hill
51. Watch kids playing soccer at Uihlein Park
52. Visit the Beulah Brinton House in Bay View
53. Star gaze at UWM's Planetarium on Friday night for $1
54. Stroll back in time on the Streets of Old Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Public Museum
55. Step back in time at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford
56. Bask in the beauty of the Basilica of St. Josaphat on 6th & Lincoln
57. Buy a kite at Gift of Wings and fly it at the lakefront
58. Join the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center
59. Get saucy at a Brew City Burlesque show
60. Find the city's Frank Lloyd Wright architecture
61. Visit the North Point Lighthouse
62. Take the kids to the Betty Brinn Museum
63. Hike the Hank Aaron State Trail
64. Visit the birthplace of the American League (now a Downtown parking lot)
65. Hop aboard the Lake Express ferry
66. Grab a meal at Friday's Front Row Grill to enjoy Miller Park in winter
67. Experience a real Milwaukee Friday night fish fry at Lakefront Brewery's Palm Garden
68. Rent a kayak and take a ride down the Milwaukee River
69. Enjoy a beer in a smoke-free Von Trier (or have a smoke out on the patio)
70. Eat a butter burger at Kopp's
71. Have breakfast at the Plaza Hotel on Cass Street
72. Order a Brainbuster at Bryant's
73. Find Milwaukee's smallest park, Kaszube's Park, on Jones Island
74. Rock out at Verge -- the Lakefront rock fest
75. Get a doughnut at the National Bakery & Deli
76. Watch people play lawn bowling at Lake Park
77. Take a picture at the intersection of "Keefe" and "Richards"
78. Ride the mechanical chili pepper at La Perla (or have a margarita on the roof)
79. See the statues in Doctor's Park
80. Bowl with tiny balls at Koz's Mini Bowl
81. Shop for a vintage LP at Bull's Eye Records
82. Sing along at Lucille's Rockin' Pianos
83. Take a Milwaukee Food Tour
84. Tour St. Joan of Arc Chapel on Marquette's campus
85. Find Gertie the Duck along Wisconsin Avenue Downtown
86. Admire the Carl von Marr collection at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend
87. Get hot ham and rolls on a Sunday morning
88. Tour the city's longest thoroughfare, 27th Street
89. Enjoy outdoor movies in summer at Discovery World, Pere Marquette Park, Miller Park and State Fair
90. Buy locally produced food at Outpost Natural Foods
91. See if the security guard at the Midwest Airlines Center is real
92. Take a photo of the boat house on Cambridge & Hampshire
93. Quickly order a drink at the world's shortest happy hour at The Nomad World Pub
94. Window shop the boutiques and the mod furniture at Rubin's in the Historic Third Ward
95. Grab a dog from "the hot dog guy" on Water & Wisconsin
96. Tour Growing Power, Milwaukee's urban farm
97. Tour Bolzano Meats in Riverwest
98. Eat thin crust pizza at Zaffiro's
99. Cheer on the all-girl roller derby, the Brew City Bruisers
100. Sample Great Lakes Distillery's Milwaukee-made spirits

Hmmmm

Yesterday was the first fun run of the BLS season.  Overall I rate my personal status review as positive - for the most part I was able to run comfortably and finished under the 30 minute mark.   But I did skip the big, long hill at the start of the run -- I think their route is not well designed to a big hill just as the run starts and tire people out, and kill their pace times.   And for the other hills I did walk the uphills - which I'm fine with, especially at this early start to the season.  As always, I wish I was faster.

One area for improvement is my running clothing - I need to look into a running jacket that wicks the sweat but still helps to keep me warm on these early season (or late season) runs.  I expect most of these jackets will be more expensive than I want to pay - so I'll be keeping my eye out for coupon and discounts.  I also have high personal standards for jackets (and bags) features.  I want a jacket with multiple pockets with zippers and an inside security pocket.  I'd like it to have a hood that can be rolled up into the collar.  I want it to have some reflective piping or other night safety features. 

Good Day

It has been a good and productive day today!  I haven't accomplished this much in a single day in a long time. Felt the need to post it just to help me remember it and use it to motivate me on that tougher days.

I also created a few systems and/or checkpoints so that this productivity can continue.  It is always easier to keep something going than to start it from scratch.

Update: I probably should have pointed out that Zeus was at the Doggy Office.  As I thought about why I was so productive a light bulb went off and duh, Zeus was gone for the day - there was no need to keep him entertained, take him on short bathroom walks, etc.    

Stanford University's Weeping Angle

I saw this image of Stanford University's Weeping Angle and it is the best image to represent my feelings last week .   This statue really spoke to me.  

As an update,  I do feel much better this week

Still waiting

I tend to hate this point..."To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did" When God takes something from your grasp. He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence. "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."  Just 27 Words,  'God our Father , walk through my house and take away all my worries and illnesses and please watch over and heal my family in your name, Amen.'  This prayer is so powerful


It's been a year, and I still don't understand why God would need to take my cat to make me 'open my hands to something better'.  I'm still waiting

WWWW

Trying to keep my focus and remember What Would Wally Want!!  I know he would understand I'm hurting as I come up on the anniversary and that I may fall to bad habits to comfort me.  Remembering that he would want the best for me will help me make the right choices. 

Running Challenge

I regularly use the Nick GPS+ app on my iphone to track my running.   Love the app.  It was something like $1.99 or $2.99 and well worth the price.

It has a feature called Challenge Me.  I tried it for the first time yesterday and had so-so results.  Part of the issue is me/my security (as forced by my company since the phone has my corporate emails on it) and part was the app.   The challenge I accepted was to run 30 seconds faster mile pace than my previous run.  The good great news is that I accomplished that! I ran 32 seconds faster per mile!  This really is great news because I tend not to push myself enough - and really with some valid justification because at this point I still need to develop the base of miles and increase my distance before I get too concerned with speeds plus I'm still having that Planter Faciitis issue with my right foot.   Going fast the first part but then being forced to walk the rest of the distance would be a failure to me.   So while I'm thrilled I accomplished this challenge, I can't afford to focus on this and make speed my goal... at least not yet, speed is a goal of the running season but I have to get to the point where its appropriate to focus on it.

The downside is the app responded as if I did not reach the goal.  The history clearly shows the distance, pace, total time, and calories burned for each run and you can see I am 32 seconds faster pace between Saturday's and Monday's run.  The app gives statuses as you run along, and a couple of the status messages indicated I had "doing great and only 4 more miles to go!".  4 more miles?  where did that come from? I was challenging myself against the pace of a 1 1/2 run and planning to do the same distance - something was off in that challenge.

And then I have the extra hassle that my phone has a 9 character password with both letters and numbers and it kicks into requiring it again for these runs.  Honestly trying to run and type in the password so you can access the app and finish really, really cuts into your speed and affects your overall pace.   So it's very possible that I not only met the goal but smashed it - but probably not because I had that same password issue with the previous run so Saturday's pace was already affected by that same delay.    The other impact was I had a really hard time getting started on Monday morning and the morning dog walk took extra long so I had to delay the run to later in the day.  I had then adjusted and planned for a noontime run but it was raining then.  So I finally made it out early evening.  You do what you have to do, but I know I run better in the morning!  Even though I do, I need to get used to the evening runs since all the BLS fun runs are at 6:30 pm.

I have 3 weeks remaining to get myself set for that first fun run.  I want to primarily focus on being able to cover the distance comfortably.  I often skip the first hill on that fun run so the distance is a little shorter for my route, and I don't have to be up to speed for the full distance for another five weeks -- plenty of time as long I stay dedicated to my training.

2012 Summer Running Season Goals

Had another successful run this morning.  Still short and many would not see the success I see, but like beauty, success is in the eye of the beholder.  I had three runs this week; just like I planned.  None of the runs were more than 1 1/2 miles and all of the outings were less than 30 minutes.  A lot would claim that was 'nothing' but to me each outing was longer and farther, and consistent pace even with basically doubling the mileage each run.  This is the first week back at it since about last Spring - yes there were a few running efforts last summer but they were few and far between. 

I'm not upset about this slow start because it has shown great progress and it is very similar to how I started out running.   Back when I lived on Lake Harriett in Minneapolis I started by running from my apartment to the Band Shell, then a few outings later made it a loop - running to the band shell and back. This continued for weeks as I increased the distance to my turn around point: the band shell, end of band shell's parking lot, first dock, second dock, rose garden, and finally the canoe rental storage  By the time my turn around point was the canoe rental storage it was more than half way so the combined there and back was more than all the way around the lake - but it took me weeks before I was ready to run that full lake circumference!  And the first time I ran all the way around the lake I felt like Rocky when he runs up the Philadelphia steps.

I'm pleased with my restart and its time to make some goals for the season.

First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs.....what does ready mean?  it means being able to run feeling comfortable and confident for the 3 miles.  Okay...so what does comfortable and confident mean?  it means feeling good with running/jogging the full distance without need any walking breaks (with exception for a couple of the hills), it also means being able to finish the distance in under 35 minutes  The BLS like to claim that there is more than enough to go around, but in reality there is not enough bottles of water or the special food (ie, ham roll run, etc) for all the slower runners.  The faster people take more than one so there is often not enough left to go around.  My goal is to be fast enough to make those BLS fun runs be my dinner.   My starting pace is slow enough to affect getting things at the fun runs, so my immediate goal is to shave 2 minutes off my starting pace in time for the April fun runs.  Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.

Second summer goal is compete a long distance race.  I have the Ice Age Half Marathon in May, but my expectation is that I will hike that more than I will run it; although this year I would like to add some running to the course.   I'm open to counting this as any run of at least a 10K.   There are a couple 10 miler races in Chicago that look interesting, and there is always the BLS Cudahy Classic 10 miler.  Or another half marathon could be a good fit in September or October.   I'd even consider a full marathon if the time limit was long enough to have me walk parts of it.   Ultimate running goals include a full marathon but I'm not sure this is the year for it because once again I'm starting my spring running over almost from scratch.  The full marathon may have to wait for a year that I'm RAW (Running All Winter).

Third running goal is to run with Zeus.  This will take time and practice to get us to a mutual pace - he is a sprinter and I can go longer (but slower) distances than he can sprint.  He also has to learn to run and not stop at every interesting leaf or mailbox!

Right now these are my personal plans for the running season.  Simple and doable, but still challenging.   I promise to give an update at the end of each month through October.  Let's see how I do.  Good luck to all your running goals for the season!

BLS Fun Runs 2012

Listing of the Badgerland Striders Fun Runs for 2012

All Fun Runs at 6:30 pm

April

11th - Dave's Fun Run - Whitnall Park #8

18th - No Fun Run - Club Meeting -  Abe Louis - Ran across America Unsupported (2960 miles)

25th - Italian Food Fun Run (Little Cesar's Pizza) - GreenfieldPark #3

May

2nd - Just Plain Fun Run - Whitnall Park #8

9th - Ham & Rolls Fun Run  - GreenfieldPark #3  

16th - No Fun Run - Club Meeting

23rd - The Dunne Fun Run - Washington County Holy Hill (Ice Age Trail Run), Chili and food

30th - Burger Build Up - Estabrook Park #3

June

6^th The President’s Run – Hart Park

13^th Jacobus Park Fun Run - Jacobus Park

20^th No Fun Run - Club Meeting

27^th No Fun Run – SuperRun

July

4^th  No Fun Run – Firecracker Four

11^th  Hot Dog Fun Run – GreenfieldPark #3

18^th  Junk Food Run – Veteran’s Park

25^th  Marcel’s Fun Run – Whitnall Park #8

August

1^st Just Plain Fun Run – Estabrook Park #3

8^th Corn Roast Fun Run – Minooka Park #4

15^th Just Plain Fun Run – Froemming Park #1

22^nd OU812 (Meatballs) – South Shore ParkPavilion

29^th Just Plain Fun Run - GreenfieldPark #3

September

5^th Falls Fun Run – Menomonee Park

12^th It’s Gonna Be Chili – Fox River Park Waukesha

19^th No Fun Run - Club Meeting

26^th Dave’s #2 Run – GreenfieldPark #3

October

3^rd Ron & Nancy’s Fun Run – Whitnall Park #8

Locations / Directions

Estabrook Park #3 http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Estabrook1.pdf

Fox River Park Waukesha

http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=39633

Froemming Park #1

http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Froemming1.pdf

Greenfield Park #3 http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Greenfield.pdf

Hart Park

http://www.wauwatosa.net/facilities.aspx?search=1&CID=4&RID=4&Page=detail

Jacobus Park

http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Jacobus.pdf

Menomonee Park

http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=39636

Minooka Park #4

http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=39655

South Shore Park Pavilion

http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/southshore.pdf

Veteran’s Park

http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Veterans1.pdf

Washington County Holy Hill - Take Hwy 45 to Holy Hill Rd exit (Hwy 167). Follow that for 7.5 miles. Turn left on Stationway Rd, 0.2 miles to start. Meet at the Lower level of the 1st station of the cross

Whitnall Park #8 http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Whitnall1.pdf

List of Milwaukee Parks and links to maps

http://county.milwaukee.gov/AbTheParkSystemmap10627.htm

It's Baaaackkkk

Another Spring (OK, not really Spring officially yet but this winter has been so mild it feels like Spring is here), and another case of Plantar Fascitis With Knee Pain.   I found this video and wanted to keep it handy.  I've been doing the stretches my doctor gave me last time and for whatever reason they are not working quite as well as they did last time.  Last May they worked like a charm and the problem went away without ever getting really bad - maybe this time it has already progressed further and that's why they aren't able to help as much?  Not sure, but whatever it is I need to get it resolved quickly as I have the BLS Fun Runs starting up in less than a month, the Ice Age Half Marathon in May, and Zeus has reached the year mark so he is old enough to start jogging with me.   I need to get my right foot, knee, and leg back in rhythm.  Plus I just purchased my annual State Park pass and should get out there and hit the trail!




FYI - my first embedded video!!  I'm becoming quite the blogger  hahaha

Reflections

I'm still in that funk that I mentioned in November.  That's a long time to be in a funk.  And if I'm really honest with myself the funk started in March as anger at the world with the unexpected death of my beloved cat Wally.  I still sometimes think about how different and how happy my life would be if Wally had not died.  But it is what it is (even though it sucks) and I have to move forward from this current life as my starting point.

So I look at my life and to help me get started I'm breaking things down to 2 lists - things I like and the type of person I want to me.  Hopefully there will be a great overlap in these lists.  The idea of this exercise is to help me see the path I have to take to get to be the person I want to be.

Things I like - random list in no particular or or importance

• Hiking
• Reading a book - I find I like myself better when I have a good book to read as I'm going to bed - weird but its a reality
• Sunshine /sunlight
• Efficiency - I might be like Dr Spock on Star Trek - part Human-part Vulcan.  Logic is very easy for me and inefficiency and lack of logic are one of my pet peeves
• Maintenance and projects - I'm very handy and I like to fix things
• Schedules - I do much better with having schedules and following them, then when I just 'wing it'
•  

I want to be a person that......

• hikes multiple times a week - can be short hikes at local parks or longer hikes at the state parks
• is fit and can
• easily run a 10 min mile
• complete a 10K (don't expect this to be my 'normal' distance, but I want to be able to do this without requiring herculean efforts on my part)
• reach my hands around my back (flexibility - I've lost this ability - could easily reach when I was doing yoga regularly in Chicago)
• try multiple sports and activities with friends (i.e., not just biking, running, and hiking - but also does canoeing, rafting, zip lining, rope course, etc - I want to be the type of person that is physically able and not scared to try new activities)
• smiles most of the time
• is fashionable in my attire - with my own causal, comfortable, athletic style
• is well prepared for retirement
• is able to live on much less than I make now (job situation is somewhat tentative and its very unlikely I can make as much as I do at IBM at another job)
• leads volunteer groups - I do like being the leader (it helps reduce the inefficiencies that drive me crazy)
• BLS finish area volunteers for Lakefront Marathon
• St Dom's A&E committee
• has friends that go along with me on vacations, hikes, restaurant dinners, etc
• I need to expand my group of friends to have more active friends that want to do more new and different types of activities
• lives in an uncluttered world - I like to have things in their place and a place for everything
• has what I need and not too much else! (right now I have more than I need, I want to use up what I have before purchasing more, and donate or sell what I no longer use/want)
• is a good dog owner.  If Zeus has taught me anything it's that I'm a cat person!  But I have Zeus and I do love him - he is a great puppy - and I expect to have him for the next 10 to 15 years so I need to be a good dog owner.
• I want Zeus to be well behaved - no jumping on people, no barking that is unwarranted (I'm glad to have him bark at the door and unknown sounds, etc but I don't him to bark at people he knows or to bark out on walks, etc)
• I want to love and appreciate Zeus and make sure he knows it.  Some of my biggest relief with Wally's passing was that I knew I loved him, and I knew he loved me, and I knew he knew I loved him - I want the same for Zeus.

I expect I will come back to this post and update it, but I'm satisfied it is a good starting point.  Next step is to work on the How Do I Get There From Here post.   I like I pointed out, I like schedules and if I can put together a plan and schedule for these goals then I have a much better chance of getting there!