When...Revealed!

Soooo, we had planned our trip just prior to the announcement of the MGE, and wouldn't cha know it....We'll be there just as it ends. Heading down on the 1st of Nov...Economy be damned, we're still going! ;-)

Hartford Half slowly approaching on the 11th. A little anxiety starting to build up as I haven't been able to commit to as much running as I'd like as of late. However, whenever I do get out for a training run it feels good. So I'm confident that I'll improve on the half time from June (1:56:xx:xx). Goal is the high 1:40's ....1:46...1:48....something around there. It's the last two miles that I'm most interested in. Haven't run 13 since the last half, so I've no basis for comparison. I may have the time later in the week to give it a go and see how I feel, but we'll see.

On the Eagles front....yesh, very dissapointing that the LB's can't cover a TE.....it's been exposed in all four of their games thus far. Also, in my estimation and the way the D played...they should have won by 17..... and would have if Westbrook played. In any event, I'm not worried about this team, still a very potent offense that is seeing Reggie Brown get better by the day and should have Kevin Curtis back in a week or two. The defense has played very well and will get better (if that's possible). Now, what about the Bill's? If not for a late game defensive TD, they most likely would have lost to the lowly Rams! Oh yeah, you know I was watching ;-) Glad to see they are 4-0, but based on that Rams game, I'd be concerned! Love Lynch, but he's gotta run better against bad defenses..... 4-0 is 4-0 though!

Nothing Much...

shorter runs this week and the weather hasn't exactly been condusive to running. Not worried about getting wet, but it's like flash flood conditions in CT this weekend. Will try to get a long run in on Sunday as it's supposed to let up a bit by then. Couple of weeks to the Hartford Half-Marathon....then only a couple of weeks till our Disney trip! woohoo!

Redemption..Apple-style

Okay, that's a bit much, but I just got back from my Apple-fest 10k and pretty happy with the result. 53:14. Much better than the lack-luster effort from the Corn-fest 10k. :-)

Lap 1: 8:2 7 (and up a might big hill at that...)
Lap 2: 8:25
Lap 3: 8:36
Lap 4: 8:36
Lap 5: 8:40
Lap 6: 8:43
Lap 7: 1:43

Average 8:35/mi

I woke up and Fall happened....

Sooo, I'm standing in my driveway this morning watching....my breath? Not to mention that I'm wearing a short sleeve shirt. Ah, where has summer gone. Oh well, the great part about it is that my lungs seem to work much better whilst running in said "fall-like" weather. An epiphany? Yeah, probably not. However, I was able to get in one of those quality runs that I've been talking about lately. 5.7 miles last evening @ 8:40/mi average, and it felt outstanding. Looking forward to seeing what I can do for this Saturday's Apple-of-my-eye-10k!!! Looks like a high of 65 here in southern New England, so I'm looking for some speed out of this thing. :-)

Still a ton of yard work to do. Put it on hold due to time contraints, but the mud-hole needs a retaining wall or it's going to fill itself back in... Need to get those pics of the yard that I've been promising posted.

Off to the "Big E" tomorrow. The Big E, or the Eastern States Exposition as it's called, is an enormous fair combining livestock, products, food, rides, etc. etc. from the New England states (and no...New York is NOT a New England state contrary to popular belief....but CT IS part of the Tri-State area....go figure....or at least I think it is....hmmm). This is the one time a year where I can enjoy a huge Maine baked potato, maple cream cone of Vermont, a draft Sam Adams Cherry wheat, and freshly made apple pie with cheese on it (don't ask about the cheese, I don't....). Going to need that 10k on Saturday to work off the food! LOL

Status...

Running - Fifteen days into September and I've got 28.7 miles logged. Not exactly what I'd call outstanding, but considering my schedule so far I'm okay with it. I'm trying to focus on quality runs this month given the time constraints. Friday's 8.7 would fit into that category. Averaging around 8:58/mi over ver hilly terrain is quality for me and I'm happy that I didn't lose to much ground due to the decrease in overall monthly mileage.

I'm shooting for 2-3 regular runs per week with a long run of 8+ miles on the weekend in order to keep in shape for the Hartfor Half marathon Oct 11th. I'm also targeting a 13.1 mile training run two weeks prior to Oct 11th, which would be the 27th or thereabouts. Also, the 20th is circled on my calendar as well for what I'm dubbing the "Apple a day keeps the....get my revenge from the horrid performance put in for the cornfest 10k run....wicked queen away" run. Too wordy? :-)

MBA class tonight for another 8hrs. I'm hoping that we get out early as my Philiadelphia fighting Eagles are playing the dreaded Tony Romo and his merry band of pop singer girlie friends....otherwise known as "The Dallas Cowboys" on Monday Night Football. Gotta watch this one on the TV versus a static-y AM radio station on the hour car ride home. Why can't XM radio just finish this Sirius merger and get us the NFL already! ha! Maybe that's one for Matt's political rant blog...hmmm....haven't been there in a while, perhaps it's time!

MBA...Away!

Completed the first class in my MBA program, woohoo! 8 hours of communications talk today...needless to say it was, well, communicable (is that a word? or something we use to describe diseases?). Anyhoo, I'm back to school, and no, this time I won't join the diving team and perform a triple linde. LOL

So Monday's are out for running with the all day work/class schedule, but it still leaves 6 other days to choose from. Looking forward to the Apple of our eye run on Sept 20, and getting my revenge on the 10k! MUhahahahahahahaaha...

Did y'all see my hidden Mickey or what? I'm totally non-artistic, so I was impressed! :-)

3 Miler and a Hidden Mickey?

Hey y'all, weather was beautiful this morning after the 6+ inches of rain that fell last night (remnance of Hannah). Got a 3 miler in although I cramped up in my side about a tenth of a mile into the run.... OUCH! Shorted my breathing and stride untill I could stretch it out a little more. Never was fully comfortable, but I got through it. MBA program starts tomorrow (8 hour class) so no run, but will run on Tuesday after work.

Ah, so finally I've figured out how to make my tribute to the DVC Hole in the backyard project..... When I ordered 6" stones for an area outside my pool deck I thought they'd be a bit smaller, but I think I've figured out how to use them. As you can see in the pic (taken from up above on my deck) I've supplemented it with some smaller pond stones. Got a granite bench for the area, but have to level the base before it's useable. Don't want that thing to fall on anyone! Almost broke my back bringing that thing to the back yard! ;-)

Okay run...

Just got back from a tough 7 mile run. Didn't realize it was as hot and humid as it was, and the route was not well shaded at all. Anyhow, I was able to get some work in so I'm pretty happy about it. Need to try and get the frequency back up, even if they are shorter runs (I think).

This weekend is going to be tough on time as well. My daughters 4th b-day was this week and we're having a kids and family get together Saturday and Sunday. Most the time will be spent running around, cleaning, etc. But she's cute, so I suppose she's worth it. ;-)

Thanks for the support T.V.!!! :-)

Checking In

Not too much to report. Looks like I missed the August goal, but need to go back and update my spreadsheet to see. Didn't get my "pirate pic" in..... Falling behind on alot of things as of late, but what can ya do. My wife and I have this philosophy of "Do all outdoor projects in a mad rush prior to fall/winter". So, I've been doing just that, which is taking up any free time I thought I had... which isn't much with the two little ones (kid time is non-negotiable). Still "transitioning" between two different jobs as well, which is making my life even more chaotic. Not to mention the start of my MBA program next Monday (8 hours every Monday...). I love the old line "I'll sleep when I'm dead" LOL!

In any event, I'm going to do my best to keep on the blogs, but you'll know where I am if I don't respond in a while. Either in a trench of dirt, in a marathon MBA class, working two jobs, or being attacked by my kids. :-)

Rae - Shirt size is a Large. Stopped buying XL's as even when I shrink them they don't fit now! I think you mentioned you needed that information.

One month to the Hartford Half Marathon

Two months till my family Disney trip

A little over four months till the Disney Half Marathon, wow!

**gotta love the "hang in there" cat!

PS - Almost forgot! Going to the Red Sox game tomorrow afternoon! WooHoo!! Another loooong outing from Dice-K no doubt. :-)