the-rundown

We Are Certifiable!!

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:19:21 +0100

Those that know me already believe I am certifiable, but this is a different type of certification...

Brenda and I, as volunteers in the Dive Immersion Program (lovingly refereed to as DIP) have earned a couple of swim/dive certificates for our service at the aquarium. We have both done the swim program twice and enjoyed it, but decided that it was time to move it up a notch and do the dive. But, you have to be open water dive certified to do it.

Another volunteer at the aquarium, Art Eberhart, and his wife Patti (who is a divemaster at the aquarium) are both dive instructors and they said they would help us become dive certified. We started reading the manuals a couple of months ago, but with work schedules (of all parties) we were finally able to do our classroom and confined swims on the weekend of July 31st. We had no major issues (Brenda had some minor issues that she needed to overcome) so we scheduled our certification dives for the weekend of August 15th.

On the 14th we headed up to Loc-Low Minn dive quarry in Athens, TN (the home of Mayfield dairy - great tour if you get the chance) for what we hoped would be 3 of the required 4 dives. The weather was a bit iffy, but luckily it cooperated for the day. After checking in and putting our gear on, we hit the water for our first dive. We had to do a number of skills on each dive to show that we had mastered/understood the skills involved. This included flooding of our masks and then clearing th mask (ask Brenda about this one), underwater compass navigation, removing our bcd and then putting it back on, and others.

My biggest issue was achieving neutral buoyancy. After a few attempts I was final able to find my "sweet spot" and achieve it. This is the one skill I will practice in future dives. I enjoyed being in the water and believe this will also help me in my triathlon swims. We did our 3 dives for the day, for a total bottom time of about 2 hours. Now when you dive you cannot come back to the surface, get another air tank and then jump back in (well you can, but it is not advisable.) Nitrogen builds up in your system and you need to have some time between dives to let your body get rid of some of the nitrogen. But I digress.. We decided to go to another dive quarry the following day that was a bit closer to home for our final certification dive (Athens TN, is a 3 hour drive from Atlanta.)

The following day we headed up to White, GA and Dive Haven quarry. The visibility in this location was not as clear as it was in Loc-Low Minn, but from what we were told, it was clearer than normal. Now I only had a couple of skills left to do, but Brenda had a panic attack the previous day so she had about 4 left. I did like the entry point into the quarry at Dive Haven, it was basically a dock that had stairs down to a submerged dock (about 5 ft) so it made a great training platform. We spent about 45 minutes in the water, going through or skills as well as a "tour" of the site. We saw a submerged van, and I laughed at the fish that kept nibbling on the ear of my instructor, Art. Didn't know it was possible to laugh underwater. Anyway, after all was said and done, Brenda and I were now open water certified divers. WOOT!!

We are already planning our first dives with a return trip to Dive Haven to get some bottom time in and to work on our neutral buoyancy skills. As for the dive at the Aquarium? That is being scheduled for the 16th of October. We decided to try to do a couple of dives before we hit the "big tank." And we are also going to take the Whale Shark Specialty during the dive at the aquarium.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you all an update on what I have been doing. I am currently into week 5 of my 16 week training program for the NYC marathon. This is a structured program and I really like it. Wonder why it took me so long to get into a program?? Anyways, time to let you all go. The picture below is one of the many "sights" we saw when we did our dive in Low-Loc Minn. How appropriate, a dragon. Later..

What a Frickin' A Good Time..

Thu, 27 May 2010 18:20:03 +0100

This past weekend, along with my friend Ben Collier, and new friend Ryan Taylor, headed up to Mountain City, GA for the first SE Warrior Dash. This is a race that includes 12 obstacles; from the tire run, to a cargo net wall climb, to a mud pit and fire leap. Brenda thought I was crazy to do it, but it was just another adrenaline fix for me.

The course was advertise as being 3.22 miles in length, but for whatever reasons it was shortened to 2.45 miles, but the obstacles was all there and the addition of a "water walk." There were probable about 5,000 for teh event on Sunday (it is a 2 day event) starting every 30 minutes in groups of 500. We started in the 11am wave.

It was fun and a bit painful at the same time. I am a runner by nature so the use of my upper body / arms was a bit taxing. The cargo net climb, pulling myself up on a rope, and the wall climbs were something I do not normally encounter on my runs. Also doing one of the water obstacles, s branch in the water cut my left leg just below the knee. Not serious, but it did draw blood.

I did learn some lessons for next year though.. 1) start at the front of the pack as the road you run is about 5 people wide leaving little room to pass. This will slow you down if you are in the middle of the pack when you hit the hill climbs and people in front of you start walking 2) do not wear a cotton short (I took mine off at he start) as they hold the water and add weight 3) do not wear gym shorts for the event as they hold the water as well. I did and regretted it. Next year it will be compression shorts. And 4) might want to lose the socks as well, again they hold water and add weight.

We had a great time and have decided to return next year, wiser from our experience. We are also looking at a couple fo other similar events coming to the Atlanta area. The lessons learned at the Warrior Dash will come in handy. As you can see by the pic below, we got dirty. Thanks Warrior Dash for a great event.

Upcoming events in regards to my running include the Blalock Lakes duathalon, and one of my favorites, the Army Hooah race from College Park to Fort McPherson. I will be running that event with Blaine and Amy, 2 of my running buddies. Also looking forward to my trip to The Dalles, OR. Hope to get in some serious running there as well as some cycling.

Also this weekend (Memorial Day Weekend) is the grand re-opening of the Cold Water Quest Exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium and Brenda and I are going to take a peek on Friday night. Speaking of the aquarium, Brenda and i have decided to work on getting scuba diver certified. We have started reading the manuals and will be buying mask and fins this weekend. Hope to get certified by fall so we can do our first dive at the aquarium.

Well time to end this session. Peace, Love and Free Wheelin'

May the Fourth Be With You!!

Wed, 05 May 2010 00:47:25 +0100

Today is May 4th, International Star Wars Day, hence the title of the post. Hard to believe that we are entering the 5th month of the year. Wow!!

Since my last post about 3 weeks ago, I have been a busy runner. I did the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon, coming in 6th for my age group with a time of 3:30:21, and then this past Saturday 05/01, I ran a 10K in College Park. My time for was 50:04, one of my slower times, but remember I had run a marathon just 8 days earlier, so I am entitled to be off my mark.

Upcoming runs for me include the Army Hooah 10k run from College Park to Fort McPherson. The ATC Fathers Day 4 miler, and of course the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th. It will be my 6th year running in the event. And of course later this year in my next marathon, the NYC marathon. We just booked our airline tickets for the trip.. 5 days in "The Big Apple."

On the Aquarium front, Brenda and I were both recently given certificates for a free dive/swim at the aquarium. So we have decided to take diving lessons and become dive certified. We have started reading the manual and getting up to speed on it all. Hopefully by the end of the summer, we will be certified and take a dive in the big tank at the aquarium.

In just over 2 weeks, a good friend of mine, Ben Collier, and I will be heading up to Mountain City, GA for the Warrior Dash. According to thier website, "Warrior Dash is the ultimate event for thrill-seeking athletes." Basically it is a 5k obstacle course. Brenda thinks I have lost it for wanting to do this, but it is just another jolt of adrenaline for my system. Ben and I are looking forward to the challenge. I am sure there will be pictures to share with you all.

Well, let me call it a night and close this post. Remember, "In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."

Ode to a duck

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:38:44 +0100

Ever since my stay in Yosemite in the summer of 2008, I have felt a special bond with the animals that I encounter in my life. Much more so than I do with the animal known as human. And one of the things I love about my new office is the access I have to nature there. We have turtles, squirrels, geese and ducks.

I enjoy feeding the ducks and geese and just walking around the complex taking it all in. And today was no different until I meet her.

I was walking along the edge of the lake at the complex when I notice what I thought to be a deceased duck. It was still and lifeless. But then I saw 2-3 other ducks come upon it and start to "attack" it by pecking at its back and neck. So I walked over and the other ducks scattered. I squatted down to look at the duck that was lying there and saw it head move.. I knew at that point she was still alive.

I started to pet the duck and say words of comfort to her. While some say that ducks don't understand English, I was hoping that it at least she understood my action, that I meant it no harm and was there to comfort and help anyway I could. A couple of people watched in amazement as I petted and spoke to the duck. I'm sure they were wondering how I was able to get so close to it.

I picked it up in my arms and walked closer to the lakes edge when she "signaled" me to let it down. I let the duck down into the water and it seemed to spring back to life. I was feeling good about that. But then a group of other mallards came and started again attacking the poor creature. I could not let this happen.

I picked her up again and proceeded to walk to an area of the lake that did not have ducks and had a lot of bushes. I was going to try to hide her in the bushes away from the other ducks in the hope that she could recover. I said some more words of comfort and returned to my office. It was a long walk back up the hill and the rest of the day as she was on my mind.

I went out a couple more times to check on her before heading home for the day. Some other ducks had moved closer to the area she was at, but they did not seem to bother her. She was breathing heavily and the fly's had started to gather on the area that had been stripped bare of feathers. If you look closely at the picture you can see the area I am talking about.

Anyway, I took a final picture and headed home. But something is gnawing at me inside. I know that animals sometimes attack "outsiders" and that it is the survival of the fittest. But I am sure she was in a lot of pain and may not even understand why she was attacked. Was she attacked because she was not part of the group? Or was she attacked by male ducks while breeding? (male ducks can be brutal when they mate with a female.) It just pains me to see an animal suffer.

So I thought that if I at least write down my thoughts and feelings it would help. I am crying while typing these words. I am hoping that tomorrow she is still there and alive. At least I feel a bit better. BTW, how do I know she was a female.. Not sure why, but I just know.. something I sense.

Will update this tomorrow with some hopefully good news. Till then, love an animal,it will make your day a whole lot better.

The season is upon us..

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:44:09 +0100

Wow, What a great weekend we had. Yes, it is definitely time to get out and be active. I have been doing my best to get there as well.

On Saturday the 3rd of April, I participated in the Making Tracks Duathlon in Anniston, AL. Had a great time and it reminded me how much I like duathlons. This was a 5k / 10 mile / 5k event and the course was good. Being the forst event of the year it allowed me to work out any kinks and get ready for some longer distance duathlons. I finished 2nd in my age group and was awarded the top finisher in my age group - male 50-54. Got a nice medal to add to the collection at home.

I signed up for some events; a couple of 10K that take place locally (College Park.) On May 1st I hope to register for the Blalock Lakes duathlon taking place on the 5th of June.

I have a 6k this Sunday and then a week later I will be in Louisville, KY for the Kentucky Derby Festival marathon. Hope to have a good one there. May even do some Facebook updates during the run (will have to see.)

Not getting as many hours in at the aquarium as I would like to. Have about 75 hours but I wish I was at 100, but I will get there soon. With all the updates at work, it has cut into my free time and become more of a balancing act to manage my outside life against my work life. Have a Captain event coming up for the aquarium on May 15th at Woofstock in Suwanee. Hope to be able to bring my dogs with me for the event as well. I know they would enjoy being with other dogs as well.

Brenda and i are planning a day together on the 8th of May. Every now and then we just decide that we will do no aquarium work, no running events and just spend the day together and enjoy the time together. Might head up to North Georgia for the day and night Looking forward to the day.

Well, lunch is almost over so I better get back to work. Later.. and remember, Peace, Love and Spinning Wheels..

Damn.. where does the time go??

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:28:09 +0100

Just got an email from a reader of my blog who asked me what was going on since I have not updated the site since 03/01.. Life is what is happening.. more specifically, work and running. So let me get started and "try" to get up to date.

On the running from I did a couple of runs this past month. The first was the Silver Comet 10k on the 13th. This is always a good run to do ans the course if fairly flat and the after race support is good. I finished 143 overall (out of 845 finishers) with a time of 47:54. A good qualifying time for the Peachtree Road Race. Was not pushing to hard as I had a marathon just 8 days later.

My second running event was the ING Georgia Marathon on the 21st. This was my 4th year running the marathon and this year they changed the course. Added few more hills at about mile 20 and, in my opinion, made it a bit tougher. I also worked the packet-pickup at the race expo and meet a marathon runner who is only 1 of 43 runners ever to have completed a marathon on all 7 continents as well as the North Pole. He is running the marathon and is 72 years young. WOW! Hope I can still be running at that age.

I finished the course in 3:16:45. A course PR for me and almost a PR overall (missed it by 3 minutes) It was a cool day and the gods were with me in my pacing. Had a 7 minute mile the first half and an 8 minute mile the second half. Those hills they added got to me and I did find myself almost speed-walking on the later part of the course. Overall a great race. I have already registered for the 1/2 next year as Boston is only 1 month later and I want to be ready for that.

Have not done as much long distance cycling as I would like to. I need to get out and do a good 25 mile ride (if not longer.) The Tour de Cure is May 16th and it approaching quickly and i am slated to do a 62 mile ride.

I do have a duathlon this coming Saturday 04/03 but the bike portion is only 10 miles. Speaking of multi-sport events, I have decided not to do any triathlons this year. I will continue to do duathlons, but my swimming is poor and I just do not see myself finding the time to work on it this year (or the $$'s to hire a trainer.) I am hoping that 2011 is better for me. If, and a big if at that, I do any tri's it will be sprint distances,

Well, i guess that enough for now. Have to get back to work and all. I hope to update more this weekend. Till then peace, love and spinning wheels.

2 down, 10 more to go!!

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:56:02 +0100

Wow! Here it is the 1st of March. Where have th first 2 months gone?

The past 2 weeks have been a busy one both at work and in my personal life. Had 5 days on testing from the 20th through the 25th. This included a couple of late night shifts and weekend work. And I have another test period coming up on the 13th.

On Friday the 26th, I did my first Atlanta Critical Mass bike ride. There were about 100 cyclists on the ride and we ended up doing a 12 mile loop through Atlanta.while we did stop for red lights, once the pack started through, if the light changed, we continued on through. Did hear a report after the event that 1 cyclists was hit by a motorists while going through a red light. And the motorists was an Atlanta police officer. Did the bike ride on my new single speed freewheel bike. Didn't seem to bother me until the next day when I had to do a 20+mile run.

Saturday morning got up to do a 20 mile run as part of my training for the ING. The first 14 miles were OK, but then the legs started to feel it. I am sure much of it was because of the riding I did the night before on a single speed bike. Some of the hills in ATL can tear you up on a single speed. Though I finished the run, I was not happy with my time and probably had to walk a good 2 miles total during the run. Again, not something I like to do. The next 3 weeks are time to taper down to the ING marathon on 03/21.

But Saturday's mail did bring some good news.. got my early registration information for this years Peachtree Road Race. I will be registering this Thursday. This will be my 5th running of the Peachtree and I am looking forward to it. And the fact that it is a 3 day weekend helps as well. I have the 5th of July off as a company holiday. Also started our taxes (UGH!!) for 2009 and looks good overall. Bottom line is that we will not be owing anyone money between our state and federal taxes. might even make some $$'s on the deal. That is always good news.

Brenda and I are heading to NC this weekend for Stellar-Con. While I am there I am planning a 13 mile run on Saturday. followed by a 5 miler on Sunday. Also a chance to see some old friends while we are there. For Brenda it is a work weekend as she is there to sell D*C memberships.

Oh yeah, I also signed up for the 2010 Tour de Cure bike ride for the American Diabetes Association. have already reached the minimum fund-raising goal of $150. Hope to hit $300.

Well excuse me while i kiss the sky (and finish my lunch..)

peace, love and keep those wheels spinning

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:44:00 +0100

The past 2 weeks have been a busy 2 weeks with some good news on a couple of fronts. First good news is that I have been accepted for the NYC marathon on Nov. 7th of this year. Unlike the Boston, in which you must qualify, the NYC Marathon is done via a lottery system. BUT... you can skip the lottery if you pre-qualify for the event. I did that when i ran my 3h 13m marathon at Chickamauga in 2009. So Brenda and I will be heading off to the "Big Apple" later this year to run the event. I am so excited. This leaves just the Chicago Marathon on my list of "must-do" marathon. Perhaps in 2011

I also decided to purchase a new bike to add to my collection. I wanted something that was a bit heavier and cheaper than my current bikes. This way if I am in an accident, the damage to my pocketbook, and hopefully the bike, would be minimal. But i also wanted a single spped bike.. not a fixed gear, but a free wheel single speed. So I found a great deal at perfonace bikes and for less than $200 got what i wanted. of course I have made some "modifications" to suit my needs, and have a few more that i would like to do, but so far i am loving it. Requires a little more work in regards to going up the hills here in Atlanta, but I enjoy the ride and workout I am getting a good workout on the legs.

Tomorrow, the 20th of February, will be our 28th wedding anniversary. I cannot imagine how the past 28 years might of been without her by my side. We are planning on going out to dinner tomorrow night at a restaurant called California Dreaming. the menu looks good and I wanted to take her someplace nice. Unfortunately I have to work this weekend so that most likely will be the only time we have to celebrate. Bummer...

Anyway, need to go.. My running so far this year is going good; over 250 miles so far, and a 18 miler planned this weekend (hopefully) my next BIG race is the ING Georgia Marathon at the end of March and I am feeling good about the run.

So excuse me while I kiss the sky

Straggles of my mind...

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:34:00 +0100

Here it is, the 10th of February and I am getting tired of the cold we have been experiencing. While we are not getting the snow the mid-Atlantic states are getting, I am constantly finding myself having to dress up like Nanook of the North when I go out for a run, bike, walk or to work. I am shorts and t-shirt kinda guy.

About 2/3 of the escalators on the MARTA system are down do to inspection issues. Want a chance to see how out of shape the citizens of Atlanta are? Watch them as they walk up the stairs in Peachtree Center station. Usually about halfway up they stop. Even worse are the number of younger patrons taking the elevator, making it difficult for those that really need the elevator, to get on. We are a nation of Lard-asses!!!

My new bike has been shipped to the store and hope to have it by the weekend. It is a single speed bike and I have been wanting to add one to the bike stable for a while. it was cheap and I am sure I will spend a few $'s to upgrade it to my liking.

Submitted my application for the NYC marathon, now I am waiting for them to verify my qualifications and move me into the registered category. Arghhh the wait is killing me.

Found out yesterday that due to work related issues I will not be able to take time off for Dragon*Con in September. First time in 16 years that I will miss the event. Not too happy about it, but work does kinda take priority, considering the economy and all.

In 10 days I will be celebrating my 28th wedding anniversary; there was a time in my life I would of never thought that would happen. And yes, it has been an enjoyable 28 years.

Well that is all I have to straggle about for now. I am sure there is more, but I only have so much time in a day. But I want to leave you with a quote from John Lennon that pretty much sums up my religious POV.."I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong."

Now excuse me while I kiss the sky...

Just some pure random thoughts...

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:56:45 +0100

Came across an article today that starting me thinking and wondering (Yes, I know that can be dangerous.) It involves your life in cyberspace. More specifically your afterlife in cyberspace. What happens to the information that exists out there after you die? What about those accounts that you may have setup and have not shared log-in information with your loved ones, especially banking or financial accounts? What about FaceBook, MySpace, Yahoo, Google, you get the idea. It is almost impossible to get these companies to give you access to these accounts, even with proof of death. Really, think about all the places you visit on the internet, and all the accounts with retailers and others that you have. What happens to them when you are gone. And those pictures you uploaded to flickr?? They could be out there for a while...

This weekend had an issue that reminded me of why I like to ride my bike. On Saturday I decided to drive the car to work my shift at the Georgia Aquarium. Well at the end of my shift, what is normally a 20 minute ride back home turned into a 1 hour exercise in frustration. Seems there was a big event at the Georgia Dome (Battle of the Bands) and the traffic in and around the area was a mess. Atlanta PD had set all the traffic lights to flashing and were directing traffic. Sounds like a reasonable plan right?? Wrong!! They were so concerned with getting traffic away from the Dome they failed to realize that some folks have to drive towards the Dome to get home.

I tried all the side roads I could think of but they were packed with people trying to avoid the traffic. Streets that are normally 2 way traffic were turned into one way streets by the APD to move people out of the area. I eventually drove westbound away from the Dome into some, shall we say, unsavory, parts of town before I could finally release myself from the traffic nightmare. By the time I got home I know my blood pressure was getting higher, and my tolerance for the PD was stretched thin. And I also realized that I could of avoided this all by riding the bike to the aquarium. It maght of been a bit cold and damp, but that was a small price to pay compared to the frustration I endured.

And some facts that makes me feel good and a bit safer in regards to my bike riding.. Was looking over some traffic safety facts from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration pedal-cyclists (bicyclists, tricylists and unicyclists) traffic fatalities. Let me share some of them with you;

716 pedal-cyclists were killed in 2008 making up 2% of all traffic fatalities.
The numbers of deaths in 2008 is 6% lower than in 1998, despite an increase in the number of pedal-cyclists on the road.
Fatalities for pedal-cyclists occurred more ofter in urban setting (69%)
at non-intersection locations (64%)
and between the hours of 5pm and 9pm (28%)
Most accidents occurred in the months of June (9%) and September (12%)
Average age of pedal-cyclists killed in 1998 was 32; in 2008 it was 41.
Males made up the largest percentage of deaths at 87%.
In regards to Georgia; 1,493 total traffic fatalities in 2008 of which only 20 (1.3%) involved pedal cyclists that's 2.06 pedal-cyclists fatalies per million. Compared to 2.35 national average. (Florida had the highest at 6.62 per million

Take care and keep those wheels spinning..