tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-210680002024-03-07T01:21:33.357-05:00Living and Tri-ing in River CityA 50 something mom/grandma tri-ing to succeed at triathlon and running.Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.comBlogger805125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-73219507969147527392010-12-01T08:53:00.000-05:002010-12-01T08:54:51.910-05:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545711816852118466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBKkYDCsofqwYNvuki0QxOvXqaP6IUvJJnssaDZdAlK_knEjhVrJXzaAx6QjSDACggAAz9lE6wHB-ba6gbegZVDxS9kI3cRBmT0jbbkfW-riv4YTNB2-hU1YJP_PGFke4_dlv-g/s320/16_15_2---Snow-Covered-Car-Wing-Mirror_web.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-19468773585644906492010-11-17T10:50:00.001-05:002010-11-17T10:53:11.938-05:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">(NOT SO) WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540546874897543826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD93qlhyZEkw0OWHS09vPiJSdLaJX3vpIzdRXr_E1MQg_ns5oYJmLxH-up6KNce3Q2T9G60wXBrrSIO0zyBQp3CPxbh8DxO2K90TrHKMSdp2g_nEsxCfgXeh6oxxYGZYqpNHenw/s320/Touch_My_Junk_Mouse_Pad_20101116164943_320_240.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-41285420640678627132010-10-27T14:04:00.000-04:002010-10-27T14:05:38.826-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532788453497010802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-8Okrc-OVeK-dERYtrPcxWtHXkN3d0N_FNjwLjw6sgXmi15USSzKhbZ791WqCyEEry0YMEjhPBvaIlc-gke64nhoddPwzIcKfRW_oBoxphkNN4LA2F3mP90o_G7_eMTlygqFnA/s320/8995480-standard.jpg" border="0" /></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-87203035943305963992010-10-22T09:25:00.004-04:002010-10-22T09:36:59.905-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">THE RACE I ALMOST “WON”</span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><div align="left"><br /></span></strong><br />Saturday, I will be running the <a href="http://mirunning.com/candlestone/faqs.html">10k Nike Human Race, held at Candlestone Inn </a>in Belding, a small town northeast of Grand Rapids. I haven’t run here in probably 20 years, at another 5k/10k race. A few things stand out in my mind about that race so many years ago.<br /><br />The race I ran in this town 20 years ago was a 5k. There was also a 10k but I preferred the 5k distance. At that time, I was running 5k races in the low 20 minute range, and I had become particularly strong at that distance due to running with my son in his stroller most of the summer. At that time, we didn’t have the fancy jogging strollers. No, I was pushing him in a type similar to the Gracos they still have now, with the swivel wheels, etc. Nothing aerodynamic about this buggy, but it was all I had and once again I was ahead of the curve running with a baby in a stroller. Needless to say, the uphills were a total grind, but it did pay off in faster race times. I still remember my son saying as I was gasping for air, “Run faster Mommy.” And even though I was running way faster than I do now, I still had to slow down some on the corners to avoid a rollover accident.<br /><br />I don’t remember the name of the race, but I know it started and finished at one of the local elementary schools, put on by veteran runners, whose names I don’t remember and have to wonder if they are still running or even alive any more. A group of us from my gym were regulars at the area races, racing probably at least every other weekend, and one woman probably most weekends. She was young, unmarried, no kids, and was fast. She could easily win a race outright and otherwise won her age group every time. She too preferred the 5k distance. <br /><br />The 10k started 15 minutes ahead of the 5k, and I don’t remember anyone who probably did the 10k, although I’m sure if they said they were there, I’d remember. I didn’t see anyone from my age group lined up for the 5k, but while I raced frequently, I still did not know everyone in my age group either, and there was always the chance someone would move into a new age group at any given race, or even cheat. And being 20 years ago, I honestly don’t remember every detail of this race, but there are some that are clear and stand out in my mind.<br /><br />It was finally time for the 5k race to start. No chips back then, probably someone with a whistle or starter’s pistol starting the race, and pins to hold our numbers on. Race belts were not known to me then. I didn’t even own a water bottle or holder! <br /><br />Off we went, down a long, winding driveway leading from the school to the street. I was running at a fast enough pace to be close to the front, but still not fast enough to see the lead runners by the time they reached the street. Sue, the fast one, was up front with the fast guys.<br /><br />Once I reached the street, the lead group could no longer be seen, even though I was with the next group behind them. At that point in the race, you are raring to go, and not thinking of anything but one foot in front of the other, trying to get a good start and fall into a good pace. I don’t think the race course was marked by arrows on the road, which would explain one thing significant that happened. Since there was a 10k and a 5k race, at some point there was a split for the 5k. Volunteers or maybe a police officer pointed the way and we went wherever they pointed. <br /><br />The race was held, as I remember, in mid to late September, one of those early fall days where the nights are cold and the days can be bright, sunny, and even quite warm. Those are the types of days when the bees can’t quite figure out what to do: they become lethargic during the cold nights, but become crazy and almost frantic once the sun comes out and starts warming the day. At probably the last mile of the race, a bee flew under my sunglasses. I whipped them off and shooed it away before it stung me, then regained my composure to continue on with the race. I was almost done, I remember that, and didn’t want to stop. My time was going to be okay, not great, but okay.<br /><br />As I was approaching the school, the end of the race, I knew I had to dig in and climb that hill back up to the finish line. Just as I turned onto the hill, one of the volunteers starts clapping and cheering. “Good job! First woman!” I’m thinking it must be the first 10k woman so steal a glance behind me. No one coming except some guys. I’m puzzled. As I get closer to the volunteer he again yells out, “Great job first woman, right up to the finish. You’re almost there!” At this point I’m thinking, is he talking to me??<br /><br />I dig in and push to the finish. My time was under 23 min. but don’t remember the exact time. No one says much at the finish line except congratulations, etc. At this point, I'm wondering how it was possible I won this race. I'm definitely wondering what happened to Sue.<br /><br />I head into the school to recover and cool down and wait for the awards. It’s the usual scene after a race, with people discussing their races, their times, whether they were disappointed or pleased, etc. Back then, there were no elaborate post race spreads. We probably had popsicles, maybe apples or oranges, and water. That was it. Good enough.<br /><br />Eventually, the results were posted. I didn’t try to push my way into the crowd initially but hung back waiting to see if I really did win the women's race. In the back of my mind I still didn't believe it and figured there was a mistake somewhere. Still, I never expected what happened next. Sue, the fast one, came over to me and said, “They have you winning the race! But I should have won because they directed us onto the 10k course and we were probably 2.5 miles into the race before someone discovered it and sent us back to follow the 5k course. So I probably ran more than 5 miles today.” <br /><br />I was stunned and don’t even remember what I said. I do remember the huge trophies for the winners. Apparently, the mistake was reported to the race director, some further calculations were done, and my trophy was stripped from my possession! I did end up winning my age group that day, receiving one of those generic medals I’m sure everyone has somewhere in their race memorabilia. <br /><br />The next thing I clearly remember is another woman in my age group, supposedly, who took second. I remember standing up and saying to someone because I was so outraged, “She’s not in my AG! She’s in the one below me!” To this day, I still run into this woman, and to this day she continues to switch between one age group and the next, apparently whenever it works to her advantage. Even though I’ve reported her, nothing has ever been done. And she has never dared to "beat" me when doing her switches because she knows I know.<br /><br />My after thoughts on the race that day, which really occurred to me today for the first time. Even though there was a mistake in course directions, technically I did win the women’s race and should have been awarded the first place trophy. There is no way to accurately or truthfully determine what the times of the wayward runners would have been had they actually followed the 5k course. And while it wasn’t their fault, neither was it mine. Oh well, easy come, easy go. Had I thought this clearly back then, who knows? I didn't feel I deserved it based on my time. If this happened today, would I feel differently?<br /><br />I don’t expect tomorrow’s race to even remotely resemble that day, but I hope the course is just as beautiful and challenging as it was back then. I will just run my pace and hopefully enjoy the day.</div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-29798460916043865752010-10-20T14:11:00.001-04:002010-10-20T14:12:29.044-04:00<div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530192577240137986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhXY141PzzYzEiKN3Q36z5vr-7DRHeldn1iNRRU-b7OXy4zPAR-1Wj4zv3C6ZYpzC4OyeA6ykH0Z8QqZolUEwu-iI-15VQWhDcQY9tQIjbA2eReH8noWDVZ66u027KiFPfquDbQ/s320/1663603_f260.jpg" border="0" />Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-63623513337384692802010-10-19T13:43:00.004-04:002010-10-19T14:19:31.977-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">SHADOWY FIGURES<br /></span></strong><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529822708581764146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80R-AjFjgdfg7tvupcNJh3Br5j6BTGjYuj0zjp3RAVMi4by54dAcGXhyPmeOG-iwZAlbHwz_Szj_PUc00F02CA7FBHGhI3ZBtoPJ_8BVR9RP9iaiNksMQmRpnyVczfY1UxtiVzw/s320/233675894_39bb603f8e.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify"><br />Running in the early morning hours are my favorite. Those hours between 5 am and 7 am are when I seem to run my best because I feel my best. Running in the dark or semi-dark going to light is also when I run my calmest. Not much in the way of distractions when you can only see to the next street light. It also heightens your awareness of your surroundings—that rustling in the bushes—could that be a cat, raccoon, or even a skunk??; the sound of water running into the sewer before even hearing the sprinklers spilling water into the streets; the rattling of a dog’s collar as it trots along with its walker; the distant sound of the bakery ovens which you don't hear when traffic starts, along with the aroma of fresh baked breads and other pastries. These are just some of the things I enjoy in those pre-dawn runs.<br /><br />Then there are those shadowy figures that you see approaching, either walking or running, with or without pets. You see them cross the street under the street lights, but they have no faces at that hour. They are part of that anonymous world of the early morning darkness, and I’m surprised at how many of us there usually are.<br /><br />Today seemed particularly dark. No stars were visible, and even with the moon in its almost full phase, the clouds obliterated any illumination it might have provided. Instead, just a hazy shadow could be seen in the still dark sky. Leaving from my driveway, I could already see someone a block or more away who turned just as I got closer and disappeared before I turned the corner. On I went another few blocks, only again to see someone walking a dog who, once passing under the street light, also disappeared into the night.<br /><br />But today what I found unusually disturbing was the cyclist in completely dark clothing with no light or reflector that I nearly ran into before I heard the spinning of his gears and couldn’t believe how close a call that was. Its hard to imagine someone not making themselves seen in that kind of dimness. Fortunately I had my blinking light on.<br /><br />And then a nice surprise. Less than a block later, along came two young boys out for a morning run. Never have I seen them or anyone that age at that time of day. Made me wonder what their goal was and whether they would keep up the early morning runs.<br /><br />At one point, I thought I heard footsteps behind me, but it was only my own. And all too soon, the run was over and it was time to head off to the corporate world. </div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-25087030146383896592010-10-13T11:18:00.000-04:002010-10-13T11:23:30.487-04:00<div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527551472283639618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotSu2qPjJr7mqloBc3q3kGa1deSRKpfA_5UaZxdLZ_lxhm0W9zabl4vluc5LKX3l95v5ij2M3JnPm-WMrc4HbxBgwEHUaMD0qAwpTTSbwVjp8n2nHzeMWA_Eo3z2vzIJ4NiJvfQ/s320/33723_443829914469_629049469_5009673_113439_n.jpg" border="0" />Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-65626912830175160432010-10-06T09:32:00.000-04:002010-10-06T09:33:48.460-04:00<div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524925661966408546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q7ZPtbXzfzBGLcjNpguL-vB2PNsIVwlCshngxOpWfj6R_redl837wiDF9VrmjHtlCfe7L1c-VjtmbkHIgfph3mUruqR_GKDMaFzkcxbu9E23McBbD5VRmbuIrHkt6fYS8JsFiA/s320/101393-large.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-30852856958663887432010-09-30T11:50:00.011-04:002010-09-30T13:07:35.025-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">LIKE A GHOST TOWN</span></strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522734527292473810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 203px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yWb0KnL0AeodfYCJbgwZk1GbYI8tORhy-n7zsf_36-8P7XoIVzxd6IBGnRonLdjyXdL2SBh2CAfzKdHqtmvEeDUzdRet6LCAgplJXF5wgQHnmc73SdjcPMgsvv8Kx2kdov9Ohw/s320/EmptyOfficeIS_203x150.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p> </p><p>For the first time in the nearly 30 years I have worked for this firm, we are faced with layoffs and cutbacks. Some of it was due to overstaffing for so long, but when its a boom time, you always keep the good people around in case of emergency, regardless of how unbusy they were on a regular basis.</p><p>While I have been working on trial preparation for months, the trial starts Monday, and I'm officially off the case until maybe something post-trial, if necessary. That too is being handled mainly by a Chicago lawfirm, since the trial will be held there, and we are only second chair, not necessitating the need for a full staff to be there other than the 2 main attorneys.</p><p>So I go back to twiddling my thumbs most days. I can't remember there ever being any lack of work for this extended of a period. And its not just because the work isn't there. It all goes back to clients laying off, clients going out of business themselves, and clients not paying their bills. The office is starting to look like a ghost town, even during the day.</p><p>Our biggest growth period was over the past 6 previous years, and during that time they also decided to rennovate the entire office, spending big bucks, expanding from the 3 floors when I first started to 5 floors, as well as basement and main level space shared by the bank that holds our lease. We have slowly crowded out other tenants so that now there are only 4 tenants in the building. </p><p>But with all the layoffs and doom and gloom around here, our once full floors are dwindling down to only being 1/3 to half full. On my floor alone, there have been 7 people let go for various reasons, including attorneys, paralegals, and other non professional staff. The same is pretty much true for the other floors. People are running scared.</p><p>What makes me the most disappointed in all this is the seeminly lack of value that is being placed on long-time employees. Everyone is on equal footing, so no positions are safe. If your job becomes eliminated, rather than absorb them somewhere else--anywhere else--they let people go. </p><p>Not only that, I have been BEGGING for a year for projects and repeatedly am passed over by attorneys needing work. And when a few projects come along, everyone is fighting over them like seagulls at the beach when someone throws out some chips. Scrambling more or less. </p><p>So I bide my time, waiting for the big projects to come back or at least some idea of security. With the possibility of having no job hanging over everyone's head all the time, I have to say that is one reason I have not actively trained for many races, not wanting to have to spend the money on the fees or travel. Yes, I know, I took a vacation recently, but that had been planned since last year. I couldn't let the mood around here ruin that. </p><p>But, looking on the bright side, that hasn't been all bad! I have to say my semi-retirement--maybe hiatus is a better word--from racing this year has been a lot more fun than I was allowing myself to think. For the first time in over 20 years, I have been free to plan weekends far in advance, instead of having to work around races, tapering, and recovery. I am ALWAYS training, just not for any particular race. </p><p>Usually I feel "obligated" to consider some spring, summer, and fall race, but this year I am just going with the flow. For once it feels good to not feel guilty about not doing the local marathon or half (although I still may do the half if I can get in a few good long runs), and my attitude toward mileage or race times is "whatever I do is good enough." Its a liberating feeling!</p><p>Who knows about next year. I keep getting asked repeatedly if I will do another IM. I would like to--love to--if I didn't have to do all that bike training! But that's inevitable, so if its going to happen, I need to get a new attitude about that. I have not been on my road bike since August, instead started up off road riding, which I am finding much more to my liking. Just the mountain bike itself is so much more enjoyable than the road bike! I'm still pretty much a chicken on any steep downslopes, sandy areas, or unknown terrain, and still haven't mastered the technique to get up steep embankments, but again, its that "whatever" attitude that has set in. I'm enoying myself. </p><p>All this of course is to be taken with a grain of salt, since a change of attitude can happen at any time!</p>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-82159118008818832532010-09-29T09:09:00.000-04:002010-09-29T09:10:50.407-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522322108133798498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Vn7nRFDRO44ZoDu6WTg8fTBNCCola97j5l-lsCU-gWLq0jo8jy7ogAQFCp42KGzJxVYWReKxNRyrOzfrm6UoNFgIWpoY10UYoegUtkzgjF9zY5j3F28ydFRvA3-zznmn3I41AQ/s320/Artprize+2010+001.JPG" border="0" /></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-69453728806121508242010-09-22T09:18:00.001-04:002010-09-22T09:20:05.046-04:00<div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519726968277604914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO66J3gtuKRJ0dpR8mnqz0o-7KPqG66uxJ0zxjPjp8LMBYHFRFMabhCwwYyp7-N8gqoNKnb_vBBnnDP0F2QetdWijk1lgiu5QSA8WAhoClKyZtoThDRp0rtPDkoSS9DSy34dzQdw/s320/DEER+RIDGE+002.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-2882904213034662262010-08-25T12:59:00.000-04:002010-08-25T13:00:10.427-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509393267904348050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSeL02ZoRNTrXCtQBa3ToaCIh_q-akEk29vewmUzuW95CUpU-IXhY28YYAcV99k39AxqaghviZduBjJx9ioe3hiW4JLlc_Jf9ewWLeaM1lkJW_6QG0xU2KbhS_b1jSi-dDpw4AQ/s320/hod_summer_veggies.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong><br /><br /></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-49577897061480219312010-08-16T11:22:00.002-04:002010-08-16T11:28:14.265-04:00<div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">MYSTERY RUNNER</span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506028585298623266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDgiioYA43xTYaLGJfKAytCXQfHM9uzeWxwNb_DiuzWtYahyphenhyphenXzH1aMrrrRx8A25adKhTSfkOJO_zt_cs8mIJz7dXrbFBVLFcnJcDf0T5KndKmpDkOMPb5T-V9rI57Mw5RCZOFkA/s320/mystery_person.gif" border="0" /><br /><br />For years, I’ve seen him running in all kinds of weather: hot, humid, cold, rainy. While I am riding my bike around the <a href="http://www.accesskent.com/CultureLeisureAndTransit/Parks/kent_trails.htm">Kent Trails </a>near and around the river, I see him running, faithfully, day in, day out, week in, week out. Years ago, it was two young Hispanic men running, always wearing sweats and long sleeves or maybe a short sleeved shirt depending on how hot it was. At first, they didn’t even wear running shoes, just some sort of black athletic shoe.<br /><br />Over the years, the two have been reduced to one, for reasons unknown to me. I don’t know who this guy is, how old he is, although he looks fairly young, what he does for a living, where he lives, or why he runs. All I do know is he runs consistently, possibly every night in the non-snowy months, and judging from the route he takes, probably anywhere from 4-6 miles.<br /><br />And this year he has evolved to wearing running shoes and using an iPod. Considering I’ve been seeing him out there for at least the past 10-12 years, I have to wonder if he ever enters any races in the area, but not knowing his name, I can’t check any results.<br /><br />Instead, he remains a mystery, but he reminds me every time I see him that running is not for elites, or any specific age, race, or culture. You don't even have special clothes or shoes if you really want to do it. It is a universal way to find yourself and enjoy nature, and that clearly looks like what he is doing every time I see him.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506029585034434178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChA7nak_LZXWe0uyMIIcpoOqpBpSl_tM7e4PBf5XU9Guxuh83F1hTnhe7lguCilfycX1-Vu0FL2sKXAX5LoHgv5o3YvECc2QDzn9ZkESAxV4stZsMntF52-qNQDl8euor0p1a2g/s320/biketrail.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506028593433276978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUxDPWZ73YKp9PLh2i_Jfh5xvLX3qEVTxnt2pXR58a6Wf1hCVSYF_rHqC4brc6_CBkRO22PnqMC5mQWSzbe24fBRIoOmVfHOK1__2C8FkP1BXbHpjCrnDlV7Z6vQ9i8JDSolwSQ/s320/Kent-Trails.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-58065849589756666472010-08-04T09:09:00.001-04:002010-08-04T09:29:56.306-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501546339913381858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dhItueD75_UfNMKVQPk1Rm-y0pjH9W2eNv1ePXFoqzVe0rqDzvwDIBFSN7fNVs4r-kGR04HUT21aQcnUYDZvmOJINkeMumH5_Qx371_-QQpxmdDZTTiUVxhYuRNLKX7QJdGwUA/s320/northernlights.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-34528978267153593822010-08-03T09:56:00.003-04:002010-08-03T10:16:00.935-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">EARLY MORNING RISING</span></strong><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501182337999433698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaKQnkwWZbBzPAfS9sNRgkvl2Mpbvr0p2BTeXkhtb-K7vm5S51rFJaxe76ZqGKeA9SDmcoPA3z85LV15xpczI6gTAOXlbWAOCENv9LBOSFWdjD9v2eCQKcxWMSHfN7oWDF6-NEw/s320/clock.jpg" border="0" /><br />A while ago, I posted the question: If you had to get up at 4:30 a.m. to work out or train, would you? Most of the answers were yes! a few were if I had to, and a couple were definitely no. Joining up with the early morning swim group, 4:30 a.m. became more of a necessity than a choice. Not that I had to get up at 4:30, but I’m a morning dawdler so like to get up at least a half hour earlier than necessary so I can have that time to waste. <br /><br />But as the weeks go on, I’m finding as long as I go to bed early enough, I don’t mind waking up that early, during the work week at least, and actually can’t wait to get up to swim on the days we meet. It also guarantees being up and out early enough to get in at least a short run on those days as well, in an attempt to not only beat the heat but get to work on time. <br /><br />To me, there is nothing more magical than being outside in the early morning hour or so before dawn. It is quiet. The weather is usually calm. There is no one to see the look on your face as you deal with the humidity, gut out a hard set of intervals, or even the peaceful calm I feel when running in the early morning hours. Summer of course is my favorite time, and obviously the easiest, but even in the winter, with the calm in the hours before dawn, even the coldest and snowiest days its not so bad. It beats the treadmill any day. <br /><br />This summer has been extremely great, even with the high humidity we have had. Its more like running through a cool sauna, where the sweat beads up on your arms, rolls down your chin and neck, and puddles around you if you stop. But after, I feel cleansed, rejuvenated, ready to start the day. <br /><br />And its surprising just how many people are out running or even biking at that hour, not to mention all the dog walkers. As we pass each other, we silently nod, and go on our way, sharing that bond if only briefly.<br /><br />I am going to miss the early morning swims once the weather turns or it gets too dark to see in the morning, but I hope I continue on with the early morning runs, because I am finding that is my best time of day.Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-67617296743108966662010-07-28T12:12:00.001-04:002010-07-28T12:13:15.147-04:00<div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498990764377201778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfRsQxezaBvljPICQU66WTkn_kqpbGc2cvK3pTXnnrW6XF6L9jr5-DoTUK1nWE-TM938AZIMOlBXIYQAm-DqLu8xAaUkLKG0vu5FqvxYbFpy61G2hH_jWXkDXAYvnaCxZSTVkmw/s320/moon3696819488_4061f188fc.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span></strong><div></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-73778529081105008962010-07-23T15:40:00.004-04:002010-07-23T15:57:10.661-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">HO HUM</span></strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">Its been one of those ho hum weeks at work, so what better time to finally get a chance to update my blog??</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I have been extremely lax this summer about blogging, either because of being busy at work or its been just too darned hot at home to want to sit next to a hot laptop computer besides other than for brief Facebook updates.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">The hot weather, something we've all been experiencing it seems. And without air conditioning at home, it becomes an extra challenge. But I do believe it helps tolerate the heat more when I am in it. There's little difference in going out for a run in the heat than spending the evening cooking or doing chores. After a while it all blurs together into one big sweat fest. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Wednesday, however, was possibly <em>the worst</em> running day I remember in even my far distant memory. At predawn, not only was it in the 70s, but the humidity was 95%, and there was absolutely no wind. I honestly could not breathe. But I managed to get in about 7 miles (and I'm calling it 7 no matter how far it was!) with a lot of walking. I was out of breath almost from the first block to the last step. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Despite the heat this summer, I still have vivid memories of last summer's cold wave, for lack of a better description. While it was lovely for long endurance training, it pretty much went by in a blur, with only one or two trips to the beach because it was too darned chilly to sit there and the water too icy to swim. Waste of time. So hot as it is, I still do not believe in global warming. I believe that God controls the weather and its not something man or even Mother Nature can alter. So I'll get off my soapbox now that I've stated my opinion. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Not trying to be pessimistic about this sauna like weather, because for me to really complain would compare to cutting off my tongue, since facing the alternative is 100% worse, the theory for predicting how snowy Michigan winter will be goes back to the summer weather. The more hot days we have, and the longer Lake Michigan stays warm apparently affects when the lake will freeze. The longer it does not freeze, the more "lake effect" snow we will get. To prove this theory, at least going back last year, when we had a very cool summer and the lake waters stayed pretty icy, the lake froze early and we had a fairly mild winder, with more steady temperatures and only half the average amount of snow. I don't know how this works exactly, other than with the lake frozen, the clouds cannot suck up any additional moisture, so by the time a snowstorm reaches landfall, it breaks up pretty quickly. Others, who normally don't get any or much snow, ended up with our weather fronts and got dumped on. So, considering this theory is true or holds true for this year at least, we are in for one heck of a winter! Which is why I am going to soak up all the heat and humidity I can now so I have something fond to look back on when I'm trudging through the snow next winter.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">And all this talk about snow is sure to take your mind off the heat. Enjoy it while you can! </div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-73720512480425340182010-07-21T17:24:00.001-04:002010-07-21T17:25:43.953-04:00<div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496473623976608498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfLGSG6muQ60o2cwCggBkR6NPGBt2uPfZmFumYNLQluQWic5SaSrvCMj8KAR-xHJSIxwZC0uuJaVDH0ut32Mi3zIwKVnn_cpBL24bdFuY-updoqu7Ocg1QL7MVhaiZRPrvt815g/s320/blueberries_earlyblue.jpg" />Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-38789247410188138462010-07-14T09:50:00.000-04:002010-07-14T09:51:14.428-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493758979018444418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeGUi3FWQ5iwrAaG33xx61qVEL-iSBrzfy6HFVm0lGd-MoRfQM9RaRvuJ-DSWbokO8qfgaw793xN-f4gWrEhzXt3J4BR0QL73ryzO4hXw77mj21Eooay9jVOk-o1BUwBfuHJYLw/s320/Summer_flower_garden_small.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-37711680305033517592010-07-12T14:20:00.004-04:002010-07-12T14:30:33.566-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">THE EARTH BENEATH MY FEET—<br />MORE ON BAREFOOT RUNNING </span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><div align="left"><br /></span></strong><br />It sure seems to be the fastest growing “fad” in running these days. More and more I am seeing people around town running barefoot, in the neighborhood and at races. One guy at a race recently said he had run 63 marathons—all barefoot. We even have a Barefoot Triathlon on the roster this year, so you can see it might be here to stay for a while at least. Not so sure how winter will change that, but I know they make some shoes specifically for winter.<br /><br />For me, I have been running in Nike Free 500s since March. These are a more traditional type running shoe, but totally unstructured, with soft sides that remind you of putting on slippers, but with a firm yet flexible rubber sole. </div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493086699570763794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zRtkH7NLJw3Ssyhm0blpV5zsqpcjN8lEPhvn1-02wXO61w1HfIh8SCvXujGInZUz1cbLB5GU-Ny3yVG1SGFZIVyQFHga-G_cG-mjY8MLXV_gCU8v_F_vfj9GgmSdB6a5gHFcvQ/s320/nike+pink.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />After having run barefoot on the beach while in the Dominican Republic, while I knew I wouldn’t go that route once I got home, I did immediately go out and buy the Nikes, and have been loving them ever since. I honestly can say I am enjoying running more than I have in over 10 years.<br /><br />Mainly this year, by my own choice, I have been running shorter distances with more intensity, so they work great for that, but I have also used them in one sprint tri, and finally, just recently, on a 6.5 mile trail run, working up to running a half marathon distance trail run in late August. Here’s what I am finding with the Nikes that I did not think about initially and never would have guessed about: on trails they are far more responsive in handling rocks, roots, up hills, and steep down hills. On grass, they are more responsive when you come across an unseen divot or uneven terrain. And why do you think that is? I don’t have any scientific answer but only my own opinion, and that is that when wearing more structured shoes, with orthotics as well, often I could not feel a rock or indentation or a root that was only partially exposed until I actually stepped on it, and that usually caused me to roll an ankle, trip, or lose my balance somewhat. With my Nikes, I am more fully able to feel the earth beneath my feet so to speak. The flex grooves in the soles of the shoe allow the soles to flex with everything under foot so I feel a lot more stability than ever before. I absolutely got to hating trail running because every time I did, I rolled an ankle. So far, so good. I’m not saying I’ll never trip over something again, because I’m just not that coordinated. I am just hoping the shoes will allow me more stability to keep me from many of the unplanned spills I seem to have on trails.<br /><br />One article I have read, by Phil Maffetone, athletic trainer to triathlete Mark Allen, can be found <a href="http://philmaffetone.com/fr_sports.cfm">here</a>. This backs up my findings as well.<br /></p><p>One thing worth noting from this article is that structured shoes force the foot to land on the heel when running, when the natural inclination is to land mid to forefoot. Running barefoot you would never land on your heel naturally, and I think this is mainly because the heel cannot withstand the impact of thousands of footstrikes when running any distance, particularly a long distance like a marathon. The padding is in the front of the foot for a reason. The article also notes that running with shoes with a thick heel (like most athletic shoes) is actually the cause of more trips and falls. <br /></p><p>"When wearing thick soles, the body can’t make these important and intricate adjustments as well to the surface stress. This poor communication between the foot and the brain is referred to as <em>diminished kinesthetic sense</em> of foot position. While kinesthetic sense normally declines with age and is a contributing factor to the frequency of falls that occur in later life, many of today’s young athletes wearing thick sports shoes show significantly reduced kinesthetic sense similar to or worse than an elderly patient! (These same sports shoes, studies show, often worn by middle aged and older, inactive people also increase the risk of falls and hip fractures.)"</p><p>The only drawback I am finding to these shoes is that because the flex grooves on the soles are so deep, when running on rocky trails I pick up a lot of stones that have to be picked out by hand or with a stick, and running in mud they tend to cake up entirely in the grooves. If I ran through any manure, I might be in deep doo doo! I also can feel rocks, so sometimes my feet are a little sensitive to that, but I figure as time goes on I will not notice it as much.<br /><br />Another thing I have noticed with my running is that with my feet lighter by a considerable amount, I am able to run faster and pick my feet up easier as well. And my feet when really going barefoot aren’t nearly as sensitive. I used to walk like a cripple when I didn’t have shoes on because it was like my feet were deformed from wearing the structured shoes for so many years. And they would ache then when the bones tried to go naturally when barefoot, so I rarely did, pretty much wearing shoes every hour I was awake. And its not like I go barefoot outside much, if at all, but I can at least walk through the house without having to put on a pair of sandals or other hard soled shoes.<br /><br />All in all, I am hoping this fad catches on and stays so I can find the same pair of shoes when I am ready to buy my next pair. You know how that always works. As soon as you find a shoe you love, they discontinue it or “improve” it.<br /><br />In the meantime, I really do need to get rid of my new, in the box, pair of regular shoes I bought before I tried these. Anyone? Make me an offer.</p>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-11258251867146539712010-07-07T10:08:00.000-04:002010-07-07T10:09:32.195-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491166074725814242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 315px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtNwfYFpcgSvpRScTp_oozoild7qjo6UD2-hEnE_Bq3mZEMpgYww6tF3v5pKLO4riHeNByYCZrYtZAgNXB03hY9v156aQnB17T_VTxp3D3yQbiT8WmRzDM2vGOIqSwmimjpOLrQ/s320/hot-sun-thermometer.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong><br /><div></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-1275452587349733392010-06-30T10:37:00.000-04:002010-06-30T10:38:08.540-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488575876335862434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB6U7oeidkbfNnQX1QxbR4w5ZPj-RfMvDa2D5WbN6ZgBEKXSDN7Jt3nN1WOdEqg8EqJUMMFTiCaGZrVdWDwTxIQj9mxhvdqL9VzBIbFOr4xClheexlgEx-fmFFD801V7sWjtjvQ/s320/PARK_DSC0009_small.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong><br /><div></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-79191639048257383172010-06-29T08:42:00.020-04:002010-06-29T09:34:32.653-04:00<div><div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">EARLY MORNING SWIMS</span></strong></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488176407790143970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOv3DrUeJdhNtFvDwocOIRYRj6wRWOnTRjoJKkbLAqS7_GAgPBXMeL-GzEBUHAJy-G3q3SQHJSM16RMqFvYoQO7UiMCA_mpaU_97p7Oncsuz1B4c_KtIBZIrk2B-v6kL9Q3qNsA/s320/reeds+lake.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></div><div><br /></div><p></p><div><br /></div><p>The alarm goes off at 5 am, but usually I am awake well before that time. I don't know if its anticipation for the workout ahead or just gets to be a cycle that isn't broken until these early morning swim workouts stop. </p><div><br /></div><p>The swims are in the lake near my house, a short 10 minutes or less drive in the early morning hours. The traffic lights are still on the blink cycle when we head to the park, the sun is not yet up, but the sky is beginning to lighten, giving the promise of another day.</p><div><br /></div><p>Mondays, Wednesdays, and most Fridays a group meets for a swim, and some of us run after. We arrive just before sunup, some slipping into wetsuits, others go without. There is a faster first group and then me, one of the slowest, in a second group. But this year I have Don to swim with me, and not training for anything himself, he has no personal agenda requiring him to stay with the fast guys and gals. My problem isn't that I'm slow, although I am slower than most, its my inability to see in the not quite light. Added to that the size of the lake. The closest place to site to is over 1/2 mile away, and while some of the houses have night lights on that give you something to focus on, by the time the sun is fully up, about 10 minutes into the swim, these lights go out. </p><div><br /></div><p>The park itself is quite beautiful, the lake a rather large, inland lake, with a public access boat launch, with most of the rest of the lake inhabited by some of the more wealthy citizens in the area, living in homes like these, like the $7.5 million mansion below. Oh yeah, its for real, and maybe you heard about Dr. Stokes who owned the house? Suffice it to say, he's now living off the State of Michigan in a penitentiary somewhere nearby.</p><div><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488182569523594594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqPqVoFfvVwSxh-ETumA6iyV1qGe7AG-fT0hkvS9OBw-8R25AEYkUrc9fyXyk4doJkvwlVy8ZRC9NgLPfIPPCI8tbu98MYwUxGL4QP8K4Chc70vE1zvHqxx3MPMZL5E5TdBinwg/s320/large_stokes-house-453.jpg" border="0" /></p><div><br /></div><p>This one's for sale, and quite cheap too: $270,000.</p><div><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488182573278950834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmok0zY9rbEHQAURlCWTYwq4DBIitSXSlhuqoqFBUCBPYH0nTl7Eh3p7zXwacSy0YeYx4cWQ2m6diaadg3M212XDjJODtE7_Sm3K9UukZuT37-ugohG2oSkU89IXRLgSdYyccFQ/s320/luxury-home.jpg" border="0" /></p><div><br /></div><div>Years ago, back when my mom was a kid, Reeds Lake was known for this on the water amusement park-beach area, similar to Coney Island, called Ramona Park back then:</div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488185898064640850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8DR3L7Mf4MCzVJD19PnfPPeVRp5EMawCQsH5vH-ihLtmMQQ2LzOXKtwycSycDJiMplgq8DWrp3XH3ZHt5XpOJz7BPhiCPo1MKd5QD14imMnPQVCl6dJZO4oby4LW6hyphenhyphenDzmBKjQ/s320/Ramona1D%255EFerry.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488186440358479442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHNUGY6S6zk4fScEmlv3j9ewbwZPAnTZkWMYRhJmQce13CZNyeXKgAD90DDhHhkZ8bB1VBY97XrG7tZWvqwafpDXvQk9rutss8jZIFxrZ9y91G-A3Vu4EDGYjvW8fnexpxKmBnw/s320/ramona33330881605_844febe268.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488186451134084866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFe3kFUGe0ZYficxknl-1K0mHdLu-GvPyEOtMiWlm3TciKakG2Y5lzSFZKuV5ThasWHMo18UaE3zcmV2nKhU52NahyphenhyphenwvEnIYAXkNdBiYmYA4yYE8S1n8hUFqsTRI5pBQrx9XlT2Q/s320/ramona2F%255ERoller_Coaster.jpg" border="0" />(Photos from historical society pages.) The park, which provided fun and recreation for families for decades, closed down sometime in the 1950s.<br /></div><div><div></div>The park has been rennovated in recent years, and now has some lovely paths, landscaping, and lots of mature trees. Its the venue of the local triathlon held in September, and many other races in the area throughout the year take place right near here , with some going around the lake, which is about 4.2 miles around.<br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488180289487955602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0NC4Rr9OxtFCIE_oSAYfOelwhn_qtOPg7yDiE4c0Je4kcVkPLrA5SFGE99BXOR-rZuOkwVmSQT-gN70S6wPvJ2pMsjDi4Ti1wFUfnXjHDkRritZy5LiJingshAufMDTOoEq-oQ/s320/Reeds1ar121806022275751.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p></p><p>The benches you see at the end of this path is where we meet. The reasons we swim so early are two-fold: (1) most of us have to get to work and (2) the lake is a "no wake" zone until 7 am, meaning no boats with motors allowed to wake up lake residents I would imagine. That gives us a window of time of about 50 minutes before the boats start lining up to hit the water. Occasionally some do enter the water early, and its astonishing how vulnerable I feel out in the middle of the lake when I hear a motor somewhere nearby. </p><p>Another thing about this lake is that there is no public swimming, yet a group of triathletes started this early morning group swim about 3 years ago, and so far no one has said anything to us, although I'm waiting for the day the local cops show up and kick us out for good or write us up. </p>And, while we start out in the semi-light of the day, by the time we finish it more often than not looks like this. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488181498339225298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTpqm9OiBGlEZGCb4i0V3_cvm5so2QDNhM1DqmnJVGOP0aDQtH-zXZcuab9RixjiV6G4ckKugH7DcelyBp36JUg-G5Z8yVrmVIyPU78p8SHjWtg3m70F4wYSiPjckvsPxQeLGpg/s320/Reeds2ar119785107667723.jpg" border="0" /></div></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-45438511151144204152010-06-23T09:52:00.001-04:002010-06-23T09:55:57.166-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WORDLESS WEDNESDAY</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485967480460847794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTFGTBfBUlPhrYT4uw5-0bEN6_bb61cCLlfLtLrgHlFY3rOcs5y5WRwDNIbULoftNjHuiNpLtRb-bDMK0GI8l9ab_FlQuWlYTgMp0QyKrrM2GBD9Ijdvh5WYyPibGT9rrh36UDA/s320/firefly.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21068000.post-79019592518675280662010-06-21T10:13:00.006-04:002010-06-21T10:57:50.114-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">LUNG POWER<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485230236944413922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO9euPCeJcqOa-hw_pgSH1_8fnFH8fxU7jVNZetm_CizcRXB1mABQbUfUS_Fj3U5rJPrQw9OC3vtug54uUahNRM78kuftBqNeN1UuvjYhU9-DgvSz6azjpd1IS2110_Y2xOCwzA/s320/lungs.gif" border="0" /></span></strong></div><br /><p> </p><p>I know I mentioned a few months ago the PACE program (Progressively Accelerating Cardiopulmonary Exertion) and how I had been experimenting with using this to get in better shape and attempt to burn off the excess pounds that had turned to fat after the IM. A short description of the program means lots of interval training that progressively gets harder and faster. The end result of this is to gain increased strength without even lifting weights, improving body composition by burning fat rather than hanging on to fat through hours and hours of aerobic exercise, and last but not least building lung capacity.</p><p>It has been proven that by the time you're 50, you've lost 40% of your breathing capacity. As you age, cells in your lungs start to die off faster than you replace them – causing your lungs to shrink. That's bad news for your strength, stamina and disease-fighting power. Researching this theory and the PACE program has led me to some different ideas of what's healthy in exercise and what is not. From my own perspective, I found out that hours and hours and endless hours of "aerobic" exercise really left me not as healthy or as strong as I was before I took on all these endurance events. What I noticed most was the loss of lung power. It was so obvious. I was finding myself getting slower and slower on my runs, not able to maintain a fast pace on the bike, and while I could swim endlessly--at an aerobic pace of course--I was unable to kick it up a notch or two or three like I attempted to do during masters swim classes. That was almost a total waste of time, since I got no faster in the 3 months of twice a week workouts than I was before I started, and only left me totally frustrated. </p><p>Its always easier blaming these problems on getting older, but I found out it was much more. While I was getting older, my body--especially my lungs--were aging faster and faster with the type of exercise that has been recommended for decades now as being the best thing for you. For me, it wasn't. </p><p>I realize and understand the importance and need for endurance training--if you are going to be doing endurance events. Otherwise? A complete waste of time, at least according to the new way of thinking about exercise. </p><p>I had had a clue about the high intensity interval training as long as 4 years ago, but until I actually backed off on the long endurance stuff for a while and worked at improving my cardiovascular system by practing the PACE method, I did not see the true benefits.</p><p>Now, after 3 months, all my workouts have become so much easier. I am not out of breath on group open water swims, nor was I during my recent triathlon; I am finally able to pump harder on the bike to the point where my race pace was over 16 mph, much, much faster than anytime in the past 4 years; and while I am still working on developing a faster run, my mile pace has dropped and I am actually able to sprint at the end of the workouts without the lung bursting fatigue I suffered just 4 months ago. And I believe I have better immunity as well, after being sick on and off all winter with respiratory ailments. My stamina has also improved. </p><p>So I believe there is something to not only increasing but maintaining lung power as you age. You have to believe it when you see the athletes who stay fast and competitive within their age groups even into their 50s and 60s and beyond. I don't believe they could stay on top with lungs that were losing power as they aged. </p><p>I guess what I'm saying is while endurance events are obviously here to stay which necessitate training for endurance as well, it certainly can be beneficial if you could spend a month or two rebuilding your lung power and then maintaining it with a once a week fast workout or race. I have to wonder how much better we might all do adding in some serious interval work. </p>Vickiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302710072433158197noreply@blogger.com4