Review - Armada by Ernest Cline

Movie choices from September 9, 1985. Back to the Future. Teen Wolf. Rambo. Gremlins. Key movies of the 1980s.

 
It pains me to say this, but this book wasn't that great. I had some seriously high hopes for it, even after reading the review that started off with something along the lines of "this book sucks." That's right, even after reading that the book sucked and that it was a total rip-off of other stories like The Last Starfighter and Ender's Game. Despite the negativity, I leaned heavily on Cline's performance in Ready Player One.

And that's where I was disappointed.

You see, I had glowing words for Ready Player One. It was a good story and the 80s theme was a key part of that story. But in Armada, the 80s theme was forced. In fact, the whole story felt forced. At times it felt like the ending was just randomly shoved in there because there needed to be an ending. Kind of like there was this process of writing and writing and suddenly the editor comes along and says "hey, you need to tell the readers what happens to the hero."

Movie choices from September 9, 1986. The Karate Kid Part II. Aliens. Top Gun. Things aren't looking too hot.

So yeah, I was disappointed in Armada. A lot of writers, TV shows, movies, and so many other things suffer from the Sophomore Slump. And from how this book read, I really do think that Cline had a slump.

Which could be a good thing so hear me out.

You see, think about a movie that you like. Then think about it's sequel. Then the third installment. It's usually the first and third that totally rock while the second one leaves feeling "meh." Well, I think Cline will impress us with his third novel. I'm holding out hope that he'll redeem himself by going back to what he did right in Ready Player One, fixing what was wrong with Armada, and crossing the finish line with his best book yet. I'm hoping the next book will be Back to the Future III because Armada was totally a Teen Wolf Too.

Movie choices from September 9, 1987. Summer School. The Big Easy. Can't Buy Me Love. Now we're back to normal.

 

Mile 99 - The End

Today marks the end of my podcast. It was something brewing in the back of my mind for some time but it was a bit of a instant decision this morning to pull the plug. So I recorded the last episode and will now put it to rest.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-99-the-end

Weather:
Temps were about 80F. Humidity was high. Sun was out. No wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Half a coffee before the run. Plain water during the run. Recovery was eggs, sausage, bacon, hashbrown, and toast. And coffee. Not good choices.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing hurt but my back has been a bit tight the past few days. Sleeping patterns aren't quite what they normally are so I'm trying to adjust.

Gear:
Shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
I knew I couldn't get the miles in but made do with the time I had. Just a desperate attempt to get something in the books.

Naughty Neil:
Breakfast. ::sigh:: I don't know if I'll ever be able to make the right choice all the time.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 7:22
Loop 2 - 8:10
Short Break - 00:53
Loop 3 - 9:01
Loop 4 - 8:36
Finish - 34:03

Sun Rise Over Soy Beans

Today's run was a bit tougher than expected. More of a mental challenge than a physical one. But I got dressed, got out the door, and finished it.

Photos:
We went to Colonial Beach and took a picture with their Virginia LOVE sign.
 

Sun rising over the soy bean fields.

Right next to the mattress is an old RV. Just in case the mattress isn't big enough.

Weather:
Temps were about 70F. Humidity was high to moderate. Sun was out. Not much wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Half a coffee before the run. Plain water during the run. Recovery was more coffee, a banana, two egg whites, three sausage links, and two slices of toast.

Aches and Pains:
Right calf felt a little tight but I've been noticing that I'm not drinking as much as I normally do before bed time. I'm guessing this is why I'm a bit parched in the morning and drink so much on my runs recently.

Gear:
T-shirt and shorts.

Today's Motivation:
The fact that I needed 6 and knew I could land 5+ before starting work. As long as I got up and got dressed at least.

Naughty Neil:
I had a burger and fries yesterday. And a grape Nehi. It was delicious.

Splits:
Outbound - 31:42
Inbound - 31:45
Finish - 1:03:27

Day of Neighbors

Felt good about today's run. The weather stank but I still felt good by the end. Along the way today I recorded another podcast episode, took a picture or two, saw a couple of deer out for breakfast, and saw about 10 or 12 of my neighbors out and about. I didn't think I saw that many until I was in my last loop and started counting in my head how many I had seen. Sometimes it's nice to see neighbors but it's always great to live in such a great neighborhood.

Let's see, what else. Nope, that's about it. Oh, if you get a minute, go give @busankevin some love. He's getting back into running after a long break.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-98

Photos:
The fog today was thick.
 

These were from this weekend's run.

Weather:
Temps were about 75F. Humidity was high. Sky was probably clear but there was some dense fog so you couldn't see it. No wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Had some coffee before the run. Plain water during the run. Recovery was a breakfast burrito (a healthy one), a banana, yogurt, and coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Right leg felt a little janky for a mile or so in the middle of the run. Aside from that, things felt good.

Gear:
Nothing special. Just a t-shirt and shorts.

Today's Motivation:
Busan Kevin and his running challenge for the month of September. I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up with his daily runs, but heh, worth a try, right?

Naughty Neil:
Whoever it is on my team that suggested I try the frozen yogurt ice cream bars is evil. But also my savior. Instead of eating a bowl of ice cream goodness that's full of calories, I'm now able to control my serving size and make things a tiny bit healthier.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 18:51
Loop 2 - 17:27
Loop 3 - 17:00
Loop 4 - 22:25 (about half was walking recovery)
Finish - 1:15:45

1991-06-25 - Train Trip - Day 2

Day 2 of our trip across the country took us through downtown Lafayette, IN. You can hear part of the comment I make about robbing the bank in town and hopping on the train to make a getaway. I think I had a few too many plots from Westerns running through my head at the time. But it was neat to just roll through this city like we owned the place. Of course we were on a train so people gave us the right-of-way but you know what I mean. It was like we were important people and everybody was looking at us. I'm not sure if the train still goes through the city like it did then.

Next up was Dyer, IN where we got off the train. My Uncle Phil picked us up at this tiny station that was more of a road crossing with a bus stop vestibule there. I'm guessing it was a commuter lot of some sort so people could ride the train into Chicago for work. You can hear Phil questioning me like normal about the trip. He was always full of questions. And jokes.It was great to hear his voice again for a change.

Phil and Diana lived in Homewood, IL. It's the source of many of my childhood memories involving the Lester family. One of them is in this video where I play wiffle ball with my cousin Eric. That's right, he hit the ball so hard it went ping. I'm sure the electrical tape on the bat helped. But we played countless games of home run derby in the little front yard and it always spilled out into the island in the street.

The best part of the shot is cousin Glenn. I have no idea how old he is but he's carrying a case of beer. Then proceeds to tell a wonderful story about puking in the baseball stadium and Eric giving directions back to his house. In the background is Aunt Diana having a great laugh about it.

And thus ends the day.

Nosy Neighbors Are Good

Well, maybe nosy neighbors aren't great, but they can be a good thing. Yesterday was proof of that.

After a bit of work stress built up, I went outside for a quick bike ride around the neighborhood. This is pretty normal and it helps me a lot. Not only do I get to clear my head but I get some fresh air and a little exercise. The route is usually only a mile or so long and doesn't take me long.

As soon as I got on my bike, I smelled some smoke. It didn't smell like wood smoke or even leaves burning, but more acrid like burning plastic or rubber. I saw no smoke and the smell wasn't that bad so I continued on my merry way. By the time I got a quarter mile down the road, I could see some light smoke coming from a neighbor's house. It wasn't heavy and I just assumed they were burning something in their burn pile which they occasionally do.

I headed around the loop and didn't think much of it other than maybe going a little slower when I went by their house just to be nosy. By the time I got back around, there was a thick, black column of smoke coming from behind the house instead of their burn pile. My dad's truck was in their driveway and I could see him walking around the house.

My Spidey senses went off so I rolled into the driveway to see what was up. Within a few minutes we determined that nobody was home, there was a small debris pile on fire, and that the fire department needed to come. So as he walked to dispatch, I drove his truck back to my house to grab a fire extinguisher.

I managed to put a good dent in the fire which had continued to grow in size and intensity in just the few minutes I was gone. It had gone from a smallish fire with heavy smoke to large flames with heavy smoke and started to creep up the porch post.

The fire department arrived in a few minutes and quickly doused the flames. Dad and I left our contact info as they were mopping up and then we left. Still no word on what happened but the best guess is a large projection TV was left outside (unplugged) and the clear plastic screen acted as a magnifying glass and started the fire.

In the end, my dad's curiosity saved her house. I'm not sure I would have arrived in time to do that especially since I didn't have my phone on me. My getting the fire extinguisher saved her porch. If we had just sat there and waited for the fire department, it would have caught fire before they arrived. And the fire department obviously saved the day. The fire extinguisher only put a dent in the flames but they made sure everything was clear.

So nosy neighbors do help and can be a good thing. Not necessarily a great thing, and maybe sometimes annoying, but they can be good.

This marks the second active fire that I can remember being a part of. It was the smallest and the only one I helped put out. The other fire was way back in my college days where a dorm three floors below us caught fire and we had to evacuate the building. It was a scary night.

One of the many things to take away from this is you should always know where your fire extinguisher is. And know your address. And carry your phone with you. Some of these lessons should be taught to your kids at a young age.

Finally, I'm extremely happy with what happened yesterday. No, not that some lady's junk burned up. Or that I get the chance to make myself look like a hero. I'm happy that I did the right thing. There are so many times in my every day life that I don't do the right thing or do the easy thing instead of what needs to be done. There's a book or story or something about there about the dog poop and who is going to pick up it. I hate it but it teaches a good lesson. Sometimes you need to just stop and do the right thing. Even if that means it's uncomfortable or dirty. And in those few moments, I made the right decision. And that's what makes me so happy.

If you're interested in somebody that's even better at doing the right thing all the time, check out Wranglerstar's YouTube channel. He does a lot of homesteading videos but his most recent ones are of him fighting forest fires in Washington.

Bazooka Gum and Running

Friday was a fun-filled day of getting the kids to school for their Open House. We got to meet their new teachers for the year, drop off their supplies, and freak a few people out. After that, I came home and got on my bike for what would be the longest bike ride I have ever done. 40 miles. My ass is still sore but it was worth it.

Along the way I got the chance to see part of the county that I haven't seen in years. The highlight of the trip was seeing Buddy's Supperette, which was a highlight of my childhood. I'd get to stop there most of the time we went by to get some Bazooka gum. It was a small treat but it was cool. I mean, the gum was hard as a rock but you got a cool little comic strip with it. After the short stop, we'd continue to the small field where my dad would fly ultralights.

Shortly after stopping there for a quick break, I nearly got my ass ran over by some idiot in a black town car who refused to slow down, yield, pass safely, or just be a cool dude. Instead he was a complete dick and would have lost his window had I not been so focused on being pissed at him. And, to top it off, he turned 15 seconds after he passed me. This is why I feel safer as a pedestrian.

After a very long ride and a very sore rear, I cleaned up and went to dinner. I didn't eat all the food but I seriously thought about it.

Today was filled with running and walking. I headed out to join the local Cross Country team for a workout but didn't have 8 miles in me. So I did about 3 and headed home. After breakfast, I headed back out on the trail and got a few more miles of walking in. Along the way I think I hit every damn spiderweb in the park. Sheesh.

But I also found a shortcut. And even though it spit me out on what was actually a closed trail, I felt comfortable in knowing where I was. Unlike when I was on the bike and was a bit lost a few times. Again. Seems like I need more maps when I ride than when I run.

Photos:

Weather:
Temps yesterday and today were about the same, about 70F to 80F. Humidity was low but it was a bit clammy this morning. Sun was out in full both days with a slight breeze.

Fluids and Fuel:
Yesterday was breakfast like normal but no lunch, which was about the time I left for my ride. During the ride I had a bottle of GenUCAN, a bottle of Hammer Fizz, two applesauces, an iced tea, and a bottle of GenUCAN Hydrate. Recovery was a dinner of shrimp tacos, white rice, chips, and fried ice cream.

Today was a few sips of coffee, my run, a recovery of a full breakfast. Breakfast was two English muffins, two eggs, two slices of bacon, and coffee. Then I did my walk followed by a recovery of tart cherry juice, iced tea, and eventually a lunch of two BLTs with chips and a cherry Coke. During the run I had plain water and during the walk I had plain water and an applesauce.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing really. Except my ass. That still hurts. And some mild chafing.

Gear:
No special gear but I did carry my ASP. After my close call with the asshole, I switched it to my left pocket so I can grab it and hit a car if need be.

Yesterday's and Today's Motivation:
I knew the 22 miles on my plan wasn't going to happen but I felt like riding. So I tried to challenge myself to doubling my run plan on the bike. I made it home with 38+ miles so I cranked out another loop around the hood just to hit that 40 mile mark.

Naughty Neil:
Well, the ice cream wasn't a great idea but I was hungry. Damn hungry.

Splits:
Bike - 40 miles - 3:47:30
Run - 3.5 miles - 42:47

Walk - 3.87 miles - 1:38:05

1991-06-24 - Train Trip - Day 1

It was June 24, 1991 and I was about to embark on a journey across the country. A trip that I had taken many times before with my father but this time we were taking the train. We left from Fredericksburg, VA and made it to Alexandria, VA before being delayed due to a chemical spill of some sort. I couldn't find any reference to it in the local papers.

As you can tell from the expression on my face, an expression that will be seen countless times through all of these videos, I was not at all pleased to have my father shove a camera in my face. Granted, it wasn't one of those giant camcorders that needed a VHS tape, but still. The constant nagging to "say something" and "speak up" still get on my nerves 24 years later. But after frequent viewings, I'm slowly developing some thick skin.

For those watching, the only editing done was to split this into individual days. So all those beeps and clunks and blue screens are left in there. I thought about editing them out but figured I would keep them in as original condition as possible.

Busy Weekend

I'm not sure I'll remember every little tidbit of what we did this weekend so I'll hit the highlights of what I can remember. And throw some photos in there to make things interesting.

Saturday was a girls vs. guys day. While the ladies of the house went shopping, did some super-secret-stuff, and met us for lunch, the guys went to the gun show, John Deere dealer, and talked. In fact, my dad and I talked so much, William complained that he didn't get a chance to say anything. Which is hilarious because it's usually him that talks so much we can't get a word in edge-wise.

While we were at lunch at Goolrick's, I used the bathroom. I know, not exactly what you needed to hear about but it was my first time. So I had a pleasant surprise when I walked to the back of the building and saw this cool safe.

After that, we got our groceries and headed home. After a short break, we went back out into the wild and had a good time at a local car show. The owner of a 1974 VW Beetle offered William $100 if he could find the radiator. Well, he had no idea what that was but after walking around a bit more I showed him one. He promptly went back to the guy and asked if his offer was still good. It was so he looked all around the engine. I finally gave him my only hint. Turns out neither of us knew it was a trick question and that the engine was air cooled and there was no radiator. After seeing the look on William's face, he was nice enough to allow him to sit inside.

Sunday was full of exercise. Elizabeth dragged my butt out of bed and we went running bright and early. Then it was breakfast (sweet rolls) then after breakfast settled, it was off on a bike ride with William. Both of them were troopers and we had a great time. Most of the photos I took were at his direction.

When we got back, I got to work on cutting the grass and trimming up some of the crab apple tree branches. William helped out a bit and earned a few dollars. Then we went to the pool and chilled out, then home for dinner, then bed. I was pooped by the end of the day. And a little sunburned. But it was worth it. Great weekend that was fun and productive.

Review - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

It's been ages since I've done a full-on book review. So let's start it in style with the evening TV lineup of August 5, 1985.

No, this isn't the full list of channels that were available. The guide went on to include several PBS stations, a few independent stations, and cable channels. But we didn't have cable. And our antenna wasn't big enough to get those independent channels. And of the PBS channels we did get, they were either fuzzy with static or chock-full of boring programs. I mean, what kid wants to watch the MacNeil Lehrer News Hour? Maybe Alex P. Keaton.

Anyway, what you see above is what I had to pick from. More than what I had to pick from really since we only got channel 4 (NBC), 5 (FOX), 7 (ABC), and 9 (CBS). The big four networks. I can remember watching a lot of different shows as a kid and a few of them are listed here. Happy Days. Mork & Mindy. One Day At A Time. M*A*S*H. The rest of the stuff was after my bedtime. I mean, it was 1985 so I wasn't even 10 years old yet.

So what does this trip down memory lane have to do with Ernie Cline's book? A shit-ton. A metric shit-ton. Ready Player One is a book set in the future that lives in the past. The future is bleak with starvation, over-population, and crime being the norm. It's no wonder everyone wants to escape into the online world of OASIS where you can be anyone you want to be.

Surely there is some hidden or layered meaning behind the dark future and the politics that play out within OASIS, but I ignored it. I've been a fan of dystopian stories for decades so reading another one was nice. At least at the start. Later in the book the real world was a little forgotten and I wanted to see more of it. But maybe that was the hidden tale of the future that I ignored.

OASIS is basically a giant alternate universe that's online. Everyone logs in and lives there life online. Kind of like the Sims or World of Warcraft, but on steroids. Kids go to school here, people wage wars, use magic, live in the past, and anything else you can think of. For a gaming nerd, this book is heaven. For a non-gaming nerd, this book is still easy to understand.

The basic plot is the standard trope of a young kid getting sucked into an adventure. A trope that's often overused but is still believable and easy to relate to. The MacGuffin, yet another standard tool in storytelling, is introduced when the guy behind OASIS dies. His last wish is to send everyone on a grand adventure to find three keys and three gates. If you make it to the end, you win. If you win, you get to become the richest person on the planet.

Along the way the kid gets sucked into all sorts of schemes and plots in both OASIS and real life. Cline does a good job keeping the reader engrossed with action and 80s trivia. Music, movies, TV shows, video games, and anything else that could be found in the 80s played a key role in the book. Even though I never played that many video games as a kid, I was never really lost when I read the book. I'm sure a few references went over my head but it never took me out of the story.

In the end the kid wins. If you didn't see it coming, well, you're clearly not familiar with that trope either. I mean, the good guy always wins, right?

Would I recommend the book? Absolutely. I'd even go so far as to make it required reading for anyone that was a kid in the 1980s because, well, it's just nice to take a trip down memory lane sometimes.

Crazy Stupid

As an utra-runner, I've been known to do some stupid shit. Running in extreme weather. Going extreme distances. Testing my body and mind. Well today was a bit different because I think many people would think what I did was just stupid. Many would think it's weird. Some would think it's nice or sweet or some variation of that. But I'm going to leave you guessing. Sort of.

Suffice it to say, I went a little longer today than my body wanted to go but I made it back just fine. I didn't have coffee before the start so I pretty much stumbled out the door and caught my dad walking around the neighborhood. He said he was up since 0200 and had already gone out for breakfast. I just chuckled on the inside because that's about as tired as I felt. Minus the breakfast. Wife's alarm went off, again, at 0510, way before my 0600 wake up time.

So I stumbled out the door and went down the road. I was exhausted. I went down the road, fought off a few horseflies, and made it to the future home of hundreds. Stupid developers are going to force us to live in cities if we're not careful. From there I crossed the major highway and ran down the shoulder. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people that would move to the left lane to give me space and by the wonderful breeze I'd get from the passing traffic. Sure as hell kept the flies away from me.

Once I reached the cemetery, it took me a few minutes of walking around before I found the grave. I paid my respects, then headed back home. Made the stupid mistake of not really watching the traffic and cut between some cars. Lack of coffee and heat was getting to me. Thankfully that was the last dangerous roadway I needed to worry about on the way back home.

And that was pretty much it in a nutshell.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-96

Photos:

I like big bacon butts.

Weather:
Temps were about 80F. Humidity was moderate. Sun was out but due to my early start it didn't really impact me until the return leg. That's when the temps started to go up. No breeze (except from traffic).

Fluids and Fuel:
Nothing before the run. Plain water and GenUCAN Hydrate during the run. Recovery was two slices of toast, two egg whites, two sausage patties, and coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Pretty much everything hurt. Spent a solid 5 hours walking on Sunday. Then yesterday's walk, bike, and strength training. That left me feeling stiff and sore today. I think it was the lunges and squats. Oh, and the right forearm is sore from using the weedeater on Saturday. Also had some sore feet, likely caused by the loose sand on the shoulders of the road and the wet grass in between the graves. So the wet socks and odd twisting motion gave me a hot spot.

Gear:
No special gear. Just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
Guilt mostly. I knew I needed some miles in and I knew I'd hear about it if I didn't. The goal of making it to the cemetery helped me find enough motivation to actually get up out of bed. But I still laid there for a minute or two doing a cost benefit analysis of waking up or staying in bed.

Naughty Neil:
I skipped breakfast yesterday. Something I rarely do. Which meant I over-ate at dinner a bit too much.

Splits:
Outbound - 56:00
Inbound - 52:59
Finish - 1:49:00

Lollipop

Was today another flash in the pan or is this the birth of a new runner? Only time will tell. While I gave my daughter a pass yesterday, I was prepared to lay down the law this morning if she didn't get up to go run like she said she would. Thankfully she was feeling excited about it last night and even got her clothes out before bed. So waking her up this morning was not that big of a deal.

Once we were ready to go, we headed out the door. I knew the dead-ends in the hood were home to horseflies and expected them today. I smacked one on her head as we got started but aside from that one, the rest only buzzed us a bit.

Since the flies were buzzing, we did two lollipop routes instead of the full neighborhood loop. That left us with a good two and a half miles which was more than she wanted but easily within her abilities. And mine. Just not within my abilities when going at her pace. She seemed a little surprised when I told her this and said she was running slow.

The time flew as we flew around the lollipop route twice. When she bailed I snapped a quick selfie because, well, because I'm a dork. It was nice to capture the joy of spending time with her. I feel bad sometimes that I don't spend time with her like I do my son. But she doesn't really like G.I. Joe or Star Wars like we do so sometimes it's hard to find a common interest. That's why I'm so excited she's talking about running, actually running, and planning on running next year. I can only hope the trend continues.

Photo:
Post run selfie.

Video:

Weather:
Temps were much lower at 70F to 75F. Humidity was much, much lower. Sun was out in full. Light breeze.

Fluids and Fuel:
Sipped a little water before the run. Bottle of plain water during the run. Recovery was yogurt, coffee, and two slices of toast.

Aches and Pains:
My ass, specifically my gut, was paying me back for some poor food choices yesterday. Felt like I ate 10 pounds of extra food yesterday with that giant burrito thing only to shit out 20 pounds last night. At least it curbed my appetite at dinner and after dinner.

Gear:
Just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
It was a struggle to not jump up and down like a teenage girl from the 80s in the front row of a New Kids concert. I'm just so excited my little girl, well, not so little any more, wants to run with me. And she started talking about swimming next summer on the swim team and running before practice and my head was past cloud nine.

Naughty Neil:
Yesterday's lunch was brutal. It tasted divine when I ate it but it quickly turned hellish. Payback is a bitch.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 13:42
Loop 2 - 14:36
Loop 3 - 14:41
Loop 4 - 14:09
Finish - 57:10

Unexpected Substitution

I had hoped this morning would be a repeat of my great run last week with my daughter. She surprised me again last night with the request to run with me this morning. But when I went in to wake her up, it was pretty clear she wasn't coming. So I headed out the door anyway.

And promptly ran into my dad out for a walk. So I walked for him for a bit. Nothing exciting but it made some of the miles go by fairly easy. After he was done walking for the day, I headed back out for more miles and found myself walking and swatting at flies. I pulled the old bait-and-switch on them and managed to kill four of them in less than a quarter of a mile. I came across the scam by accident but I've used it a few times and find that it works pretty well. Just stick one elbow in the air and rest your forearm on your head. The flies attack at the highest point so they simply land on your arm. Where your other hand can beat them to a pulp.

So that's what I did. After I killed the four, I was out of their little zone so I didn't have to put my arm up like an idiot.

And that was about it for the run. Had way more miles on the schedule but I knew with the heat and humidity that I was lucky to get what I got. So I quit there.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-95

Weather:
Temps were about 80F. Humidity was about 90%. Sky was overcast. No wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Half a coffee before the run. Plain water during the run. Recovery was two egg whites, a few ham slices, coffee, and three slices of toast. The extra slice of toast was just because it was the end of the loaf.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing really. Right hip did feel a little tight but it was okay.

Gear:
Just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
My running partner. Even though she didn't get out of bed, she still got me excited enough to wake up at 6am and go for a run.

Naughty Neil:
I had a beer last night. Then a bowl of cereal. Not too bad but I ate the cereal way later than my normal night-time snacking routine.

Splits:
Partial Loop 1 - 24:01 (includes coffee-induced bowel movement)
Full Loop 2 - 24:11
Partial Loop 3 - 20:02
Finish - 1:08:14

Letting Go of Guilt

My coach said something wonderful yesterday. I didn't read it until this morning but it worked for me. I can't tell you how many times I've completely ignored a coach and just went and did my own damn thing. It's not that I'm necessarily openly defiant, or at least I don't think that way. Maybe my coaches see it differently though. Anyway, I tend to do my own thing but still try to stay within the guidelines set before me. So I try to stay in the lines when I color but sometimes I like to add a little flair. Or something like that.

So what were these words of wisdom from my coach? "Tomorrow is your day to put the guilt behind...it is the day." It was one of those little epiphanies you have in life and you just kind of go "well damn, what the hell was I thinking? of course! duh!"

So yeah, I went out the door this morning and did my best to let go of my guilt. It's not easy. I've struggled with guilt and shame for a long time and the only thing that made today different was that simple line from my coach. Just a few words that spun my mind the right way and set me down the positive path instead of negative thoughts.

With good vibes moving me along, I headed down the road. I did a few hills walking, did some time running, took a break for work, and then went back out for a few more miles. My first round was walking the hills in the newer section of the neighborhood. It felt okay, nothing fancy. My second round was running a couple of loops in the neighborhood. I managed to rescue a shoe that the neighbor's toddler dropped during their walk. After my break for work, I wanted to go out for two more loops but only managed one. Better than nothing.

Photo:
The rescued shoe.

Weather:
Temps were about 70F to 75F. Humidity was moderate. Sky was mostly clear but got a little overcast during the day. Wind was light.

Fluids and Fuel:
Half a coffee before my first foray. Bottle of water during the run/walk. Recovery was two egg whites, two pieces of ham, three slices of toast, and the rest of my coffee. My last round I just took water with me and ate lunch when I finished.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing major. Had some quirkyness in my ankles and knees but no real pain.

Gear:
Nothing fancy. T-shirt and shorts.

Splits:
New Section - (2.83 miles) - 51:41
Loop 1 - 20:50
Loop 2 - 17:23 (speedy running to return the lost shoe)
Loop 3 - 21:48
Finish - 1:51:44

Mixed Bag

Today's mixed bag of tricks was brought to you by guilt. I felt a little guilty in switching up my days yesterday and today but I knew yesterday that I wouldn't be running so pushing the run to today just felt like the right thing to do. But the heavy guilt kicked in around 6am when I promptly rolled over and went back to sleep. Instead of running. In perfect weather. I repeated the process a few times before finally getting up. I just felt sick of feeling down and used that to actually get up.

Once I was up, I ate breakfast then went for a walk. With the internet down, I figured I didn't have to rush to work. It came back online by the time I got back home but I ran into some momma drama as my wife discovered my son peed on the floor in our daughter's room. I found him in there last night but didn't know he was going to the bathroom. She was livid. He was ashamed. So I got to mediate.

After chugging along at work a bit, I headed back outside for more miles. I managed a little more before wimping out and hopping on the bike. At least on wheels I got a little bit more of a decent workout.

Weather:
Temps were 60F to 65F this morning. I missed the opportunity. Instead I had to deal with 75F temps. At least there was very little humidity and the wind was cool. Sky was sunny with a few clouds.

Fluids and Fuel:
Breakfast was two egg whites, two slices of toast, and two sausage patties. And coffee. During the run and ride I had plain water. Right before my ride I downed an applesauce. Recovery was leftover hamburger, mac and cheese, and broccoli.

Aches and Pains:
Shins were hurting on the run. Outside of that, I was fine physically.

Gear:
Shorts and t-shirt. Nothing special. Although I did skip my watch. Didn't feel like watching how slow I was today.

Today's Motivation:
Guilt. Plain and simple. And I think this will be the key source behind my game-changing plan post-Oil Creek.

Naughty Neil:
I didn't snack as much as I wanted to last night but I still had a bowl of chips. I skipped the beer because I'm starting to wonder if that's another trigger. Still need to do some further testing on that.

Splits:
Loop 1 - ~20:00 (walk)
Loop 2 - ~15:00 (run)
Loops 3-8 - ~60:00 (bike)
Finish - ~1:35:00

Best Run In Years

Last night as I was tucking my daughter into bed, she hit me right in the feels by saying she wanted to go run with me in the morning. I was so shocked I barely knew what to say. She saved me by saying that she wanted to get up at 7am. Totally as much of a shock as her wanting to go run. This is the girl that takes after her own father and could easily sleep until noon. Unfortunately there are two other people in the house that are quite the early bird so that'll never happen.

Anyway, once I finally found my tongue, I said 7am might not be early enough and asked if she would be willing to get up at 6am. She scoffed at that but we eventually compromised with 6:30am. So I could barely sleep this morning and tossed and turned until my alarm finally went off. Once I got up, I patiently waited for the appointed hour.

I woke her up, she got dressed, ate breakfast, and we were out the door. While we eased our way around the neighborhood, we chatted about everything and nothing. She said she only wanted to do a mile and a half so we did our one loop together and went back home. She stayed inside while I went to the bathroom and headed back out for more miles.

So that totally made my day. And it helped that it's also my 15th wedding anniversary too. Sure, we've had our problems, but we continue to work through them and end up a stronger couple every time.

Photo:
Sometimes the path to enlightenment is hidden.

Weather:
Temps were about 75F to 80F. Humidity was high. Sky was overcast. No wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Before the run was just half a cup of coffee. During the run was plain water. Recovery was the rest of my coffee, yogurt, two slices of toast, and two eggs.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing major but my left knee has been janky for a few days. Started feeling it this past weekend but it doesn't seem to hurt when I run, only walking or sitting. Right armpit is also continuing to chafe more than normal.

Gear:
Nothing major, just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
I had a running partner.

Naughty Neil:
Had a small serving of ice cream last night. That part was fine but it was the bowl of chips after that that I really should have skipped.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 17:49
Aid Station - 3:27 (needed to take a dump after the coffee kicked in - and yes, I can poop faster than I can run)
Loop 2 - 18:32
Loop 3 - 18:13
Loop 4 - 22:21 (mostly walking)
Finish - 1:20:24

Lost My Will?

No, I don't think I lost my will to run. And I don't think I've lost my motivation to run. I think I've lost my confidence. The confidence I used to have in myself and my ability to push myself into uncomfortable places to see what I can make of it. Kind of like a lump of coal getting into the back of a Volkswagen to come out of it as a diamond.

That was my epiphany as I ran, and walked, today. I think my latest bout of issues with running have stemmed from a lack of confidence. I'm sure I can get it back and plans are ruminating in my head about what to do after Oil Creek in October. But until then, I need to deal with what I have. Which doesn't feel like much.

I did my out and back for 5ish miles and then walked a loop for an extra mile around the hood. The walking mile felt kind of nice physically but the mental side was tough. Almost as tough as the 5 miles before hand where I struggled to put one foot in front of the other.

But I'll get there. As some would say, this too shall pass.

Photos:
Some weeds/flowers along the way.

Weather:
Temps were about 80F. Sun was out but skies were partly overcast. Almost no wind. Humidity was high.

Fluids and Fuel:
Pretty much nothing before the run. Bottle of plain water during the run. Recovery was coffee and two slices of toast. I've been feeling bloated lately so I eased off the food this morning. Felt good but still a little hungry.

Aches and Pains:
Right calf felt a little tweaky towards the end of the run. Nothing major but okay.

Gear:
Tested out my merino wool shirt from Pulse. If fits nice, doesn't chafe, has a half-zip top, and it's wool. Which meant it was a little itchy. But I haven't washed it yet so maybe that's it. Plus, it's wool. Which meant it was warmer than I had hoped. Which meant I pretty much overheated within the first 10 minutes or so. But I stuck with it and made it to the end. Oh, and did I mention it's wool? That meant it was a little heavier than when I first started because it soaked up all that sweat. So I guess that makes it a mixed review. I'm thinking it would be a perfect fall/winter/spring shirt though.

Today's Motivation:
I wanted to get my run in early before the kids woke up. I didn't quite make it back before they got up but it was close. The kids that stayed over I'm sure were afraid of me. Not surprising since many assume I suffer from Bitchy Resting Face. I don't. I'm just a man who doesn't smile.

Naughty Neil:
I had hummus and pita chips last night. Really should have skipped them but I didn't. Felt the need to snack on something.

Splits:
Outbound - 37:03
Inbound - 36:23
Extra Loop - 17:07
Finish - 1:30:35

Moldy Grass, Moldy Ass

Damn near forgot to write this up. Guess it was pretty forgettable. Brought back some memories though as I cruised around the neighborhood like a sloth on a skateboard. I was huffing and puffing and inhaled the strong odor of moldy grass. I was instantly taken back to my early years of spending my summers on the road with my dad. Now, I didn't spend all summer with him, it was actually just a week or two. Most of my summer vacation was spent with my mother.

But those summer trips with my dad were memorable. And that moldy grass smell took me back to the time I'd spend on the family farm in Nebraska. I was never a fan of getting up early and I'm still not. But I didn't have much of a choice as a kid and I can remember some early mornings on the farm walking along the road or path or field and smelling the freshly cut grass that was wet from the previous night's rain. The grass had been cut, started to dry, then got wet, and started to stink. Sometimes you'd get the same smell from a bale of hay or straw but most of the time it was the fresh stench of the fields that caught your nose.

Anyway, I walked past a yard in the neighborhood that reminded me of those carefree moments and I began to wonder, will my kids ever get to experience as much as I have at the same age? Probably not but their life can't be perfect. Mine certainly never was. All I can do is my best to be the best parent I can be.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-93

Photos:
I've been watching a lot of THE WIRE lately. So now I've taken to looking at, well, wires.

Getting things done, sort of, at sunrise makes for some neat shots.

Weather:
Temps were about 70F to 75F. Sun was out. No wind. Humidity was high.

Fluids and Fuel:
Had a few sips of coffee before the run. Had a bottle of plain water during the run. Recovery was two slices of toast, a left over brat, and two eggs. And the rest of my coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Left ankle and both knees were a bit creaky from the start. Ankle worked itself out but the knees were still feeling it at the end. Biggest issue was my gut. I was halfway through eating a slice of apple pie with whipped cream yesterday at lunch when I found mold. As I sat there seriously considering finishing the slice, I poked around the pie to see if there was any more mold before I dove back in. You see, I'd been waiting patiently before having more pie. All damn week I was waiting. When I found more mold I realized I wasn't so hungry and that I shouldn't have waited so long. So my moldy ass was feeling it this morning. Not to mention that I didn't wait for the coffee to kick in, if you know what I mean. If you don't, I mean that I didn't wait to take a shit before I left for my run.

Gear:
Nothing special, just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
I was awake, again, at 0600. I swear if I keep this up it might be a habit by the time school is back in session. Aside from getting up, I didn't have much motivation to run. Didn't feel right the whole time I was out there. That's mostly why I walked the second loop.

Naughty Neil:
Stupid fucking moldy apple pie. So much for delayed gratification.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 20:06
Loop 2 - 18:53 (not quite a full loop)
Finish - 38:59

Hills Hell

Today was full of hills. It was hell. But it was worth it. I had a rude awakening when I went for my on-course training run in Oil Creek. It became plainly clear that I didn't have enough hill work in the bag. For days I could barely go down the steps in the house. So today I set about to at least put something down to make me feel better.

Truth is, I had the brainstorm last night to run the route. But this morning I nearly quit and stayed in bed. I eventually dragged my rear out of bed and headed down the road. I went into the "new" section of the neighborhood and from the main street, started doing repeats on the hills. Since my side of the street is pretty flat, I knew I'd get at least some elevation in over there. So I went in and out of the neighborhood seven times, once for each dead end. It was tiring and I wanted to quit after five or so but I kept at it because I wanted to make a bit of a stand with my brain. And I felt good when I finished. Tired, but in a good way.

The most depressing part of it all? Only 650 feet of elevation gain over seven miles.

Then I headed home and hopped on my bike for a few more miles. It's not the same as running but it still gave me a workout that I needed. So a solid reverse brick was in the books.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-92

Photos:
Doesn't do it justice but this is the big hill.

And this was me getting ready to bike.

Weather:
Temps were about 75F. Humidity was moderate. Sun was out with only a few clouds. Wind was light.

Fluids and Fuel:
Had a full breakfast of coffee, two slices of toast, two eggs, and two sausage patties. I waited a full hour before starting my run. During my run I had a bottle of plain water. That was a personal record for the longest run on a single bottle of water. I did run out with about a half mile or so to go. Recovery was half a roast beef sandwich followed by a serving of Hammer Recoverite.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing really hurt during the run. Legs were tired but I managed.

Gear:
Wore shorts and a cycling jersey. Phone flopped around in the pocket but it was nice to unzip it and a breeze to blow through my chest hair.

Today's Motivation:
16 miles was daunting on the schedule. But I was feeling decent. In fact, I'd say it's been the best run I've had in a month. Even though it was mediocre, it felt good. But I knew I wouldn't be able to get more miles in on foot so I hatched the plan to do some miles on wheels instead.

Naughty Neil:
Dinner was stuffing. Ate too much but didn't much care, I had a good day in the books. One hamburger, two brats, corn, potato salad, and apple pie.

Splits:
Running - 1:41:37 (7.18 miles)
Biking - 57:47 (10 miles)
Finish - 2:39:25

Where's Will?

I seem to have lost my will to run. I can barely force myself to get out of bed in the morning. Today I slept through two alarms and only got up because my wife said I needed to and because I knew we were having company come first thing this morning. But it was still a struggle. Once I was up, I moped around trying to get motivated to run my planned 6 miles. Instead I found myself fighting to convince my brain that 3 miles was just fine. There was a ton of walking and very little energy.

The odd thing is that walking felt fine. It felt normal and for a few brief moments, I felt normal. But I'd start running again and the arm on the suck-o-meter started going up again. I haven't figured it out and I think that's just adding to the whatever the hell it is that's going on. Anyway, the run was pretty uneventful.

Weather:
Temps were around 70F. Sky was clear. Humidity was high from last night's rain. No wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Nothing before the run. Plain water during the run. Recovery was two egg whites, two slices of toast, and four pieces of sausage. And coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Quads were pretty much on fire the whole time. Hurt the most when going down hills. Calves were a little tight but bearable. Aside from that, things were fine.

Gear:
Shorts and a t-shirt. And I think my hat was the source of my headache over the weekend. Felt it come back a bit today.

Today's Motivation:
I knew I'd be disappointed in myself if I didn't get out there and do something.

Naughty Neil:
No snacks last night and a decently healthy dinner.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 19:16
Loop 2 - 24:41
Finish - 43:58

OC100 Training Run

So my training run was a bit crappy. And wet. And muddy. And wet. But I did it. It left me exhausted, feeling run-down, and wondering if I should be running these stupid-long distances. Guess we'll find out. I'm not really sure where to start with the report so I'll just review my initial thoughts and go from there.

My secrete plans for a 50k were dashed pretty quickly. I started before everyone else but within a mile or two I realized I wouldn't be getting a full 50k loop in. So I decided to cut things short with half a loop. Still, 11 or 12 miles is nothing to sneeze at on this course, especially in this weather. And speaking of weather, the trail was a stream in several parts. Some parts were nice and dry but for the most part it was muddy and full of puddles.

Photos:

Took this on the course, through the ziploc bag, at my "thinking I'm gonna quit" rock.

 

This is after several stream crossings that cleaned me off. I needed two showers when I was done.

Course Notes:
Section 1 (Drake Well to Wolfkiel)

- Started at the parking lot across the river from Drake Well and across the street from where the paved path goes under the railroad tracks.

- Hiker sign-in is about a mile up the trail. That first mile is mostly uphill.

- Second mile is mostly level or downhill.

- Third mile starts after the sharp right turn and is uphill.

- Cross the road at Mile 4.

- After the road and before Wolfkiel is mostly flat or downhill.

- Halfway point is about five and a half miles from Drake Well.

Section 4 (Miller Farm to Drake Well)

- Cemetery Hill goes up, crosses the scary bridge, then goes up more.

- Toy Run stream is halfway.

- Hiker sign-in is about a mile away from Drake Well.

By the Numbers:
11.8 miles
4.5 hours

2,628 feet in elevation gain
Two wrong turns (one was about 10 steps, one was a quarter mile or so)
A few chipmunks
16 salamanders
Countless slips
3 oh-shit-I'm-gonna-fall moments
No falls
One giant headache
Swallowed one bug and barfed once

Weather:

The temps were cool and in the 60s. Humidity was 100% because it was raining. No sun. Wind only picked up once.

Fluids and Fuel:
GenUCAN before the run. Plain water and Hammer Fizz during the run. Plus two applesauces. Recovery was a BLT wrap, tea, and coffee.

Aches and Pains:

Felt okay. Had some minor cramping in my right calf. Big toes on both feet hurt a bit. No blisters. Major headache kicked in around mile 8. Had dark urine around the same time. Spent 7 hours the day after driving home and pretty much cramped up like a rust bolt.

Gear:
Two shirts for the first mile or so then just one. Shorts and gloves. Wore my hydration pack.

Today's Motivation:

I needed this. My secret plan to bust out a 50k was a bust. But I wrapped my head around making the decision to just do half a loop. It took some time but I got there. Still wish I had the energy to do more miles but I think I'll be okay.

Naughty Neil:

I had fries with my wrap. And a piece of cake last night. And I'm sure I'll have more cake tonight. But I don't feel much guilt about it.

Dead Frog City

Today's run was along my Jackpot route. That's the new name I gave it today. Something with Eden just didn't jive. But Jackpot seemed to fit since I've found boobs and a nice knife on the same road. Today's jackpot was dead frogs. Lots of dead frogs. Like so many that I gave up counting after two dozen. I did see a living salamander and two turtles but I left them alone.

Aside from that, the run was pretty nice. I had 6 miles on the plan and physically I could have made it another mile but mentally I really, REALLY needed to end things on a high note. Besides, I'm sure I'll be riding my bike or even swimming later today.

The weather was really what made it a nice run. Temps yesterday were blazing hot in the upper 90s and the heat index was nearly 110F. Today was much cooler and even had a slight breeze to help cool things off. The storms that rolled through last night really seemed to help, despite leaving some humidity behind.

The rest of the morning will be busy with work and organizing my books on my new bookshelf. Seems like my wife got tired of the totes in my office. Or she was looking out for me. Or both. Anyway, It' a big shelf but it's already overflowing with books. Guess it's time to cull the herd.

Almost forgot to mention my nightmare. I rarely have nightmares before races but this morning was the first time I had one before a big training run. What the hell? The race director was a cross between Tom Jennings and David Horton. He was nice but you knew the course would be very long and not well marked. So when my wife and I showed up late for this 10k training run.

Photo:
Proof that I got my ass up as early as the sun.

Weather:
Temps were about 65F to 70F. Sun was out but it was still early enough to have plenty of shade. Winds were light on the return trip. Humidity was moderate but bearable.

Fluids and Fuel:
Nothing before the run. During the run was plain water. Recovery was two egg whites, three pieces of sausage, two slices of toast, yogurt, and coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Left ankle felt tight last night before bed. Just came on all of a sudden. As expected, it felt better after starting my run and never gave me an issue after that. Outside and back of the right knee registered about a 1 on the pain scale during the run but nothing after. Lower left back is also about a 1 or 2 but it's still there.

Gear:
Wore t-shirt and shorts. Nothing fancy. Did listen to some music along the way though.

Today's Motivation:
A post by somebody online was my motivation to get my ass out of bed this morning. They said they were having trouble getting started and I agreed to get up if they would. Haven't heard from them but it got my butt rolling.

Naughty Neil:
Damn deviled eggs are the devil. I swear they're like candy to me. And sure enough I'm eating more of them than I should. Same goes for the Oreo truffles.

Splits:
Outbound - 34:54
Inbound - 32:07
Finish - 1:07:02

Will Run For ..... Knives?

I don't think I posted it earlier but I recently ran a local road and found boobs. It was a rough run but the ancient (circa early 1980s) photos of boobs helped me through it. Well, today I ran the same route but found a knife. A nice one. And while it says "Special Forces" I doubt it's actually from Special Forces. But it's still a nice knife. Certainly made the run worth it.

The story of the day today was the heat and humidity. It was so bad I could see the air moving. Not that shimmer you see over the hot roadway in the middle of summer. I'm talking about the humidity in the air being so thick you can see it move through the trees.

I took things slow and didn't expect to break any records. I headed out and did my best to not overheat right off the bat. And even though I considered bailing out soon after I started, I knew I needed to get my miles in. So I stuck with it and finished.

Photos:
Amber waves of grain anyone?

I'm always skittish of twigs because they look like snakes. This was the alligator I saw on my run.

There are three turkeys in this picture. But only one of them is wearing a yellow hat.

Weather:
Temps were 80F to 85F. Humidity was high. Sun was out in full. Wind was light.

Fluids and Fuel:
Had a full breakfast of two eggs (only one yolk though), two slices of toast, and a quarter of an avocado. Forgot about my yogurt but remembered my coffee. How could I forget?! During the run I had a bottle GenUCAN Hydrate that ran out with about half a mile to go.

Aches and Pains:
Have some lingering back/hip/thigh pain from my mini-tri. I think I swim funny. Or maybe I leaned over too much on the bike. Either way, I must have done something to cause it. But it wasn't a major deal and wasn't very noticeable during the run.

Gear:
Wore shorts and t-shirt. Ditched the shirt with a mile or so to go.

Today's Motivation:
Can't say I really had any other than I needed to get my miles in. I didn't feel much pressure to go fast so maybe that helped too.

Naughty Neil:
I've found a new favorite snack. Yogurt covered raisins. They're like candy. And after my run I had my favorite iced latte which is really just chocolate milk with some coffee in it but it was delicious.

Splits:
Outbound - 35:44
Inbound - 36:08
Finish - 1:11:52