Saturday, August 20, 2011

8/20/11

today: run 8 on 1/2 trail 1/2 road. overcast early, about a 3 minute cloudburst followed by humidity. tired legs, have work to do.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

8/18/11

yesterday: run 4.5 on dirt trails. hot. easy pace.

today: run 3.5 on dirt trails. hot. dusty. easy pace w/ 2 minute pickup in mile 3 just for fun.

have already lost fitness from mid-summer, just happy to be out there.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

8/13/11

run 7.5 miles, part trail, part road. hot again.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

8/11/11

late dusk run. 4.5 miles trails and grass around lake. a bunch of deer feeding in the floodplain with a sunset backdrop over walnut creek.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

8/9/11

run 5.5 this morning @ 6:10 a.m. streets around eureka. a bit less hot, a bit less humid. tomorrow looks simply amazing.


Sunday, August 07, 2011

8/7/11

run 3.5 on dirt trails in the hot midday sun. thank god for the ability to get out in the woods. even for the black flies.

Saturday, August 06, 2011

8/6/11

run 7.5 1/2 trail, 1/2 road. humid, all too humid. (nietzsche joke)

nice to be running, however.

more chunk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rRIMY3nHRg

Friday, August 05, 2011

8/4/11

yesterday: run 4/5 miles trails. less hot. nice.

in summer music, superchunk, mode. superchunk tastes good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot0ViPMkNKo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwdG52iQkZA&feature=related

Monday, July 11, 2011

old 97s

uh huh. roll on blacktop highway, circles towards the sun, springfield's in the distance, and that's the last big one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsvks2ojjJ0

7/11/11

yesterday: run 6.5 humid, decent run, slightly tired legs.

today: 5:15 a.m. incredibly frickin humid. run 4.5

the pacific northwest knows how to do soccer. sounders 3-2 over timbers.

props to usa women, also.

Saturday, July 09, 2011

7/9/11

today: run 8 miles. hot, not too hot. nice run. just trying to stay loose. not easy at my advanced age...

Friday, July 08, 2011

7/8/11

milo aukerman holds a ph. d in biochemistry. he's also lead singer of the best bands ever, the descendents. bonus cups for everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7WanzlOvGg&feature=related

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

7/6/11

today: run 4.5 miles or so fartlek trail run. felt a bit tight, but got it done. hawt out. that's a given.

no, i don't just sit around and surf youtube for nostalgic pop-punk videos. that said, enjoy the stylings of the mr. t experience:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5rVQg_C7Xw

7/6/11

yesterday: run 5.5 miles followed by 3 hours of landscaping.

a gem from the east bay pop-punk scene of the mid-90s. tilt was a great band--largely due to the gravely beauty of cinder block's lead vocals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkVS0aqK0QE

Monday, July 04, 2011

7/4/11

run 6.2 miles on dirt trail, roads, and paved trail. a little less humid this morning. carried handheld and felt just ok for duration.

Sunday, July 03, 2011

7/3/11

run 4.5 mi. 1/2 trail 1/2 road. warm, but nice.

caught the first two sets of djokovic/nadal. djokovich looked like an all-time great. caught the san jose/new york mls replay this morning--good match, if chippy. i'd like to see more of steven lenhart, fun player to watch.

Saturday, July 02, 2011

7/2/11

5:25 a.m. run 4.5 easy. muggy and such.

in the 90s there was emo, we were there. gauge helped start it all:

http://gauge.bandcamp.com/album/soothe

Friday, July 01, 2011

7/1/11

blast furnace, sore back, run anyway. 8 miles easy on roads this morning. one handheld water bottle. amazingly, back feels better now. god is good.

remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw5Gl28Xe5o

or this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCsmIHLjM_o

no?

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

6/29/11

run this morning. hotter. 8:00 warmup followed by 7 x 1:15 @ hard effort with 2:00 recovery followed by 10:00 cooldown.

yeehah.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

6/28/11

early morning run. medium effort 4 miler. warmer but manageable. samian on the headphones.

don't break me, but the acoustic version. electrified version here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqcciVm-hTk

Monday, June 27, 2011

on the avenue

an oldie but a goodie from the potatomen. some of the best music is from the unheralded. side project by the lookout records crew who put out some good acoustic stylings. enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLwvL4_odPA

6/27/11

yesterday: run 8 miles easy. another cool morning.

today: run 4 miles easy. another cool morning, stormed last night.

lincoln/douglas 3 mile 22:34, 7:31 pace, 33/165

Saturday, June 25, 2011

6/25/11

1.5 mile warm up. raced lincoln/douglas 3 mile in metamora. 22:30 somethingish. first short race in...in years. fun time, although my back has been tight lately. happy with the effort, need to keep working.

beautiful morning to race.

Friday, June 24, 2011

6/24/11 or Comment allez-vous ce soir? Je suis comme ci comme ca.

no running today.

the strike was a good band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19WUcFxJeMU


the weakerthans are really great, too. something about the cold north?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rvKD2PDeik

Thursday, June 23, 2011

6/23/11

run 4.5 miles. another cool, overcast morning. some back tightness, survived. lincoln-douglas 3 mile on saturday morning. first 5k-ish race in years. stoked.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

6/22/11

cold front with storms last night. ran this morning: 5.5 miles w/ 6 x 1:15 fartlek pickups @ 70-85% with 2:00 recovery and cooldown.

watching venus vs. date-krumm. good match.

Monday, June 20, 2011

6/20/11

saturday: off. watched baseball, kj's little league game, then cornbelters in the evening. no running, a bit of beer, some food.

yesterday: 6.5 mile tempo run, first half in light rain. felt solid for the entirety.

today: 4.5 easy. muggy again, overcast but rain held off.

catching a bit of the schiavone/dokic match at wimbledon before class.

Friday, June 17, 2011

6/17/11

early morning run. 8.5 miles, roads, relatively easy pace. thank god for the ability to get out there.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

6/16/11

ran 4.3 miles (approx) on paved trail and grass around lake. a few hills thrown in. easy pace. and why not?

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

6/15/11

serious storms last night/early morning. still got workout in this morning on grass soccer fields and paved trail. 7:00 warmup, 4x 1:00 at 85-100% effort, 3x 1:30 at 70-80% effort. 7:00 cool down. went fairly well, cool temps and only slight mud and standing water in the low spots on the bike trail.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

6/14/11

another livable, cool morning conducive to running. run we must. 5 miles on dirt trails and paved/road trail along the north side of lake and lower lake park. felt ok.

Monday, June 13, 2011

6/13/11

run 5.5 miles trails and grass around lake. nice easy run.

mavs win! diiiiiiiiiiirk!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

6/12/11

beautiful morning for a run. some days are blessed. run 10 miles in low humidity. felt good.

Friday, June 10, 2011

6/10/11

today: run 5.5 miles. 62 degrees, lower humidity. felt average, got it done.

last night: mavs beat heat, i promise have been a huge dirk fan prior to this series! have the shirt to prove it.

fire draw sporting kc nil-nil. did not look offensively at all. narrowly missed a goal off the top of the post, but honestly didn't deserve the win.

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

6/8/11

a.m. steambath. 5 miles or so w/ 9 1:00 sprints, 2:00 recovery between each interval. done on grass soccer field and a couple on paved trail. solid workout.

Monday, June 06, 2011

6/6/2011

this morning: 5 miles. first 5k was a tempo run on a measured course through town. tired legs, managed a 24:12 3.1 mile and two mile "cooldown." dog butt tired afterward.

Sunday, June 05, 2011

6/5/11

5:30 a.m. run 4 miles plus on roads. held up ok. storms looming on western horizon.

Saturday, June 04, 2011

6/4/11

today: run 7 on roads, wanted 10. used new ultimate direction handheld bottle. wasn't enough. just didn't have it today, way hot, legs betrayed mind, tough run.

watched germany take a 2-1 win over austria. really a sloppy game from die mannschaft, only a gomez goal in the 90th minute salvaged the win. didn't need, handily controlling their euro qualifying division, but still could have shown more sharpness. schweisteiger and klose out didn't help.

usa trails right now in the 40th minute 3-0. it is spain, so no shame.

li na v. schiavone started badly, second set was entertaining tennis, na wins it.

i'll take rafa over federer tomorrow in four sets. paris belongs to nadal.

Friday, June 03, 2011

6/3/2011

yesterday: walk a bunch in heat, up and down stairs, etc. getting too old for coasters?

today: run 4.5 miles around lake. when is that first frost again?

john wesley harding, anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntKf9ixflcI

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

6/1/11

today: 5:50 a.m. 7 min. warmup, 8 x 1 min intervals on grass field, 7 min. cool down. good workout.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

5/31/2011

ran 5.5 miles roads. hot and overcast. felt average, just good to run.

french open, my favorite on the men's side, monfils is out, picked schiavone to repeat and she won an incredible comeback match against pavlyuchenkova in three sets. playing great tennis and is tough on clay. love her game.

off to st. louis.

Monday, May 30, 2011

5/30/2011

yesterday: run 4 miles around lake on roads w/keegan tagging along on bike. almost got home in time--sky opened up a half mile away. massive downpour. they feel good when running on a warm day.

today: just two easy miles for fun and to loosen up.

last night there were skinheads on my lawn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1UgeOKN1DE

Saturday, May 28, 2011

5/28/11

had a slight chest cold the last few days, decided to run today anyway. felt sluggish, but not totally awful. 10.5 miles or so at a comfortable pace on roads. a welcomed cooling rain for the last 45 minutes. put the miles in and am happy about that.

mug of coffee, watching barca/man u. 2-1 barca at the moment. rooney and messi have each scored. just brilliant players, both.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

5/26/2011

another march day. 50 degrees, windy, overcast. did a get a run in after a busy couple of days. about 6 miles on paved trail and road. threw in 6 or 7 surges of 1:15 to 1:30 each. Felt good to get out.

in news about faster people: usain bolt narrowly held off asafa powell in the diamond league 100m. no idea if he's clean or not, my guess would be no, but still love watching bolt run. relatively slow start to his season here, though.

Monday, May 23, 2011

5/23/2011

today: run 6 miles. part trail, part road, part soccer field, part dirt road. been a bit tired lately, decent run, though.

other stuff like...

basketball: my pick of bulls/thunder has taken a minor blow, 2-1 down in each series. i honestly would love to see dirk get to a championship. one of my all-time favorites. any 7-footer who can shoot 3's like that is a hero in my book.

soccer: fire fall to union 2-1. ugh. blackpool falls to an already qualified man u. team, relegated to the second tier. need a new team to root for in premier.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

5/21/2011 or Robin's In the Metaphysical Section

a good 10+ mile run, on roads with the exception of about 1/2 mile. most enjoyable. trying to work more on form, staying upright, etc., not always with success, work in constant progress. just thankful i can actually run.

soundtrack is poi dog pondering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XC4Vu1hofU

Thursday, May 19, 2011

5/19/2011

run 5.5 or so mostly on road, a little trail thrown in. ideal spring-like day.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

5/18/2011

given a perfect running day. sunny, 60, no humidity. 5 miles or so, intervals on trail and grass soccer field, 8 x 1 min. fast, fast, full butted fast.

that is all.

Monday, May 16, 2011

5/16/2011

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

nice mid-april day today. run. run 4.7 miles or so. my mind is my garmin. easy pace.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

5/15/2011

today: cold, overcast, like seattle without the great coffee, hipster vibe, and well, just about everything else. go run. 4 miles easy.

anyone remember the the?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isUCQIvOplA

Saturday, May 14, 2011

5/14/2011

panera. too much coffee? scrabble.

rainy. 50 degrees. went for a run just as the rain was stopping, overcast skies, great running weather. 8.5 mile tempo run on streets. too much coffee? perhaps.

Friday, May 13, 2011

5/13/2011

Dean Andrew Zimmerman 8/30/45-5/12/2004

yesterday: 5.2 miles easy on trails. hawt.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

5/11/2011

yesterday: 4.5 miles trails. heat. heat.

today: 4.5 miles trails, 6 x 1:00 intervals with 2:00 recovery, most on trail, one on soccer field. heat. heat. heat.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Quivering Quads

results from first ever ultra. dang slow, dang fun:

QUIVERING QUADS TRAIL RUNS 50K

Overall Finish List

November 08, 2003


Results by FLEET FEET Sports (www.fleetfeetsports.com, 636-939-0161)

Place

Name City

Age

Age Group

Time

Pace

1

TIM MEYER ST. LOUIS MO

34

***** M 1-99

4:17:23

8:17/M

2

THOMAS WHALEN ST LOUIS MO

38

***** M 1-99

4:22:18

8:26/M

3

JOEL LAMMERS OCONOMOWOC WI

41

***** M 1-99

4:24:20

8:30/M

4

CHRIS ARNOLD SAINT LOUS MO

34

***** M 1-99

4:27:36

8:36/M

5

DAVID NAUMAN MASON CITY IA

47

***** M 1-99

4:35:25

8:51/M

6

KEITH TIMMINS GRANITE CITY IL

48

***** M 1-99

4:40:46

9:02/M

7

LARRY SCHMIDT SPARTA WI

50

1 M 1-99

4:48:36

9:17/M

8

BRAD DARNELL OFALLON MO

34

2 M 1-99

4:55:48

9:31/M

9

BECKY LEAHY FLORISSANT MO

29

***** F 1-99

5:09:23

9:57/M

10

CHRISTINE CRAWFORD WHITEWATER WI

34

***** F 1-99

5:10:18

9:59/M

11

MIKE MCNICHOLAS ST CHARLES MO

42

3 M 1-99

5:10:20

9:59/M

12

SYLVAN ADDINK IOWA CITY IA

61

4 M 1-99

5:13:08

10:04/M

13

STUART JOHNSON SHAWNEE KS

44

5 M 1-99

5:13:22

10:05/M

14

MIKE FITZGERALD ST. LOUIS MO

35

6 M 1-99

5:16:24

10:10/M

15

BRAD MARTINI O'FALLON IL

40

7 M 1-99

5:25:24

10:28/M

16

DOUG HANSEL CINCINNATI OH

44

8 M 1-99

5:25:24

10:28/M

17

JERRY FROST ST LOUIS MO

48

9 M 1-99

5:25:54

10:29/M

18

MARK WILLIAMS ST ANN MO

45

10 M 1-99

5:27:41

10:32/M

19

ROB HILLS ST CHARLES MO

37

11 M 1-99

5:28:28

10:34/M

20

BILL NICTAKIS ST LOUIS MO

43

12 M 1-99

5:45:23

11:06/M

21

CARRIE BESSELMAN TROY MO

42

***** F 1-99

5:45:49

11:07/M

22

STEVE BLANCK BRENTWOOD MO

44

13 M 1-99

5:46:41

11:09/M

23

KELLY ZEIER ST CHARLES MO

28

***** F 1-99

5:47:00

11:09/M

24

JOHN TOWNSLEY ST. CHARLES MO

41

14 M 1-99

5:47:22

11:10/M

25

CARY OBRIEN ST PETERS MO

40

15 M 1-99

5:49:48

11:15/M

26

CLINT TREADWELL ST LOUIS MO

36

16 M 1-99

5:52:19

11:20/M

27

DONALD LOVE FLORISSANT MO

40

17 M 1-99

5:53:18

11:22/M

28

STEVE HAMMANN MUSCATINE IA

48

18 M 1-99

6:00:44

11:36/M

29

JOHN QUICK ST. PETERS MO

46

19 M 1-99

6:02:10

11:39/M

30

JOSEPH NEUBAUER CHESTERFIELD MO

56

20 M 1-99

6:03:18

11:41/M

31

JIM STROUP ST LOUIS MO

56

21 M 1-99

6:03:36

11:41/M

32

ROBIN KOKJOHN FARMINGTON IA

47

***** F 1-99

6:05:08

11:44/M

33

TIM BOTT GODFREY IL

33

22 M 1-99

6:07:30

11:49/M

34

PETER FRIDDLE EAST PEORIA IL

30

23 M 1-99

6:18:57

12:11/M

35

DON RYAN ELDON MO

54

24 M 1-99

6:23:51

12:21/M

36

CHRISTA WARNER ST. LOUIS, MO

36

1 F 1-99

6:26:15

12:25/M

37

DAVE SHANLE SHERMAN IL

45

25 M 1-99

6:26:58

12:27/M

38

DAN CARNESCIALI BALLWIN MO

39

26 M 1-99

6:28:55

12:30/M

39

KAY MCVEY ST. PETERS MO

50

***** F 1-99

6:29:21

12:31/M

40

STEPHEN RECHTIEN FLORISSANT MO

49

27 M 1-99

6:29:27

12:31/M

41

MICHAEL GRIFFIE ST. ROBERT MO

31

28 M 1-99

6:29:30

12:31/M

42

CHARLES WOOD EUREKA MO

33

29 M 1-99

6:31:23

12:35/M

43

BUD STRAUMANN BALLWIN MO

48

30 M 1-99

6:31:24

12:35/M

44

LEE HESS ST LOUIS MO

53

31 M 1-99

6:31:33

12:35/M

45

CAROL IZADI FENTON MO

44

2 F 1-99

6:34:23

12:41/M

46

ALLEN WARNER ST. LOUIS MO

38

32 M 1-99

6:35:38

12:43/M

47

DICK HOGAN URBANDALE IA

57

33 M 1-99

6:41:56

12:55/M

48

GARY MCGOWAN FOREST PARK IL

48

34 M 1-99

6:42:52

12:57/M

49

RICHARD HENGST CAPE GIRARDEAU MO

53

35 M 1-99

6:48:47

13:09/M

50

TONY BIERMAN EFFINGHAM IL

48

36 M 1-99

6:49:23

13:10/M

51

ROB APPLE MURPHREESBORO TN

42

37 M 1-99

6:53:33

13:18/M

52

GLENN EZELL ST CHARLES MO

45

38 M 1-99

6:56:17

13:23/M

53

JENNIFER STRUNA ST. LOUIS MO

26

3 F 1-99

6:59:37

13:30/M

54

STEVEN KULLMAN COLUMBIA MO

43

39 M 1-99

7:00:49

13:32/M

55

AL MAIURO ST CHARLES MO

58

40 M 1-99

7:04:10

13:38/M

56

WAYNE JENSEN LA CROSSE WI

48

41 M 1-99

7:04:12

13:38/M

57

PAULETTE ARNS CAMANCHE IA

50

4 F 1-99

7:10:17

13:50/M

58

RANDY NORRIS MANCHESTER MO

44

42 M 1-99

7:12:04

13:54/M

59

DANIELA KACAVENDA O'FALLON MO

17

5 F 1-99

7:17:57

14:05/M

60

TIFFANY HERBERGER WENTZVILLE MO

17

6 F 1-99

7:17:57

14:05/M

61

JASON ZIMMERMAN EUREKA IL

29

43 M 1-99

7:17:59

14:05/M

62

CHERYL ANDERSON CHESTERFIELD MO

43

7 F 1-99

7:22:48

14:14/M

63

BETH GORMAN CHESTERFIELD MO

37

8 F 1-99

7:22:48

14:14/M

64

GENA BONINI CHESTERFIELD MO

40

9 F 1-99

7:22:49

14:14/M

65

STEVE BUSHONG SAINT LOUIS MO

33

44 M 1-99

7:23:11

14:15/M

66

ANGELA WILLIAMS WRIGHT CITY MO

31

10 F 1-99

7:24:13

14:17/M

67

NICOLE LONG MAPLEWOOD MO

31

11 F 1-99

7:41:58

14:51/M

68

JANE BURLESON WRENSHALL MN

45

12 F 1-99

7:49:19

15:05/M

69

JEFFREY BURLESON WRENSHALL MN

54

45 M 1-99

7:49:20

15:05/M

70

TODD HASTINGS FT LEONARDWOOD MO

34

46 M 1-99

7:51:09

15:09/M

71

OLLIE NANYES PEORIA IL

44

47 M 1-99

8:11:52

15:49/M

72

DEBBIE COLLETTA ST CHARLES MO

46

13 F 1-99

8:30:34

16:25/M

73

RICK BENDER CHESTERFIELD MO

55

48 M 1-99

8:43:52

16:51/M

Sunday, May 08, 2011

5/8/2011

mom's day.

sunny and 64. awesome

run 4.5 miles, part trail, mostly road. if i was a "real" runner i'd call it a shake out run.

felt good.

Saturday, May 07, 2011

5/7/2011

today: picture perfect may day. ran 10 or so miles, mostly roads, little bit of grass. first really warm day to do a longer run. a tad dehydrated. still got it done. decent pace.

watching fire vs. caps. nil-nil as of this moment.

Thursday, May 05, 2011

5/5/2011

today: run 5.5 miles or so. trails. leave my trails alone. stop making them wider, don't care if your cross country kids can't pass. run faster out of the gate. and surely don't pave them. you wouldn't do that, would you? nah.

listen to more j-church, please:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbmJDUtKk84&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AVGxdCwVVULXeXz1LrFOOxSxc_l_O84KCy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eP3DgCBI0c&feature=related

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

5/4/2011

bin laden elimination celebration run:

5 miles bike path and soccer fields. speed pickups. 8 x 1 min. with 1.5 to 2 minute recovery. saw tapp and robinson.

Monday, May 02, 2011

5/2/2011

sat: 9 something cruger loop. good pace, but brutal headwind out of the south. almost comical trying to run back into town

sun: 3.5 miles road. easy pace, cool afternoon

today: 3.5 miles trails. bluebells, violets, other pretty stuff. spring.

Friday, April 29, 2011

4/29/11

yesterday: 5 mile road run, relaxed. night run. still really cool in the am and pm. perfect running weather. all good.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

4/28/2011

yesterday: still cool and cloudy. good running weather if nothing else. 41:00 fartlek. 8 pick-ups of about a minute apiece. this qualifies as a "speed" workout for me. felt nice.

i admit it, i've become a fan of the nba this year. the playoffs are awesome, just about every matchup is a good one. here is my take going forward from today:

East:

Bulls vs. Atlanta/Orlando: Atlanta is the better matchup for the Bulls. Rose will simply be too much and stylistically they should be easier even than Indiana was. Bulls in 5 if this happens. Orlando is tougher because of Howard, but I still think the Bulls win. Orlando is a very streaky shooting team and honestly they don't have the perimeter speed to handle Chicago. Bulls in 6 against Orlando.

Heat vs. Celtics: Boston is old and fading, Miami is young and surging. I really don't think Boston has a chance here. Miami in 6.

Bulls vs. Heat: This will be a great series. Ultimately I believe that Chicago's team defense and cohesiveness will win out. Noah and Boozer have also shown that they can neutralize Bosh and Rose is every bit as dangerous as Lebron. Bulls showed in the regular season that they can beat the Heat. Great matchup and really a coin flip. Bulls in 7.

West:

Thunder vs. Spurs/Grizz: Do not sleep on Okla. City. This team is dangerous. I honestly think they dispatch either one of these teams. Westbrook and Durant are deadly and they have the interior defense with Ibaka and Perkins to negate Memphis' post strength should they hold on and win. Thunder in 5 over Grizz in 6 over Spurs.

Lakers vs. Dallas: We'll look ahead here. I think this will be the matchup. I really love Dallas and am a huge Nowitzki fan. The Lakers are there to be had this year, the problem for Dallas is that they don't have the tools to get it done. They can't defend Kobe, and although Chandler has had a great year, Bynum and Gasol are too much. This will be more competitive than people think, however. Lakers in 6.

Thunder vs. Lakers: Time for a changing of the guard. Kobe has lost a step, Westbrook's time is now. The Laker's frontcourt advantage is blunted by a solid Okla. City line and Durant feasts from the wing. The youth of the Thunder finally matures and makes the Lakers look like what they are, old. Thunder in 6.

Championship:

Bulls vs. Thunder: We're assuming Rose is healthy, which he looks to be. The Rose/Westbrook matchup has us salivating. Thibs' commitment to defense rears its head again, Rose shows why he's MVP and leads the Bulls to a title. Bulls in 7.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Kerouac and Japhy...

hiking Mt. Tamalpais in 1955, just prior to Japhy's (Gary Snyder's) excursion to Japan and before Kerouac leaves for his season as a fire lookout on Desolation Peak. If you hike or run or whatever, this rings true still:

“Trails are like that: you’re floating along in a Shakespearean Arden paradise and expect to see nymphs and fluteboys, then suddenly you’re struggling in a hot broiling sun of hell in dust and nettles and poison oak… just like life."

-Jack Kerouac in The Dharma Bums

Monday, April 25, 2011

4/25/2011

6 1/2 miles or so on streets. relaxed pace. felt generally good, this time got the run in before the rain. not sure if that is good or bad.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

4/23/11

saturday night run. 10:00 or so. watched the chicago fire draw a game they should have won against the dynamo. why not go out and run? 4.5 miles or so. easy. air was beautiful, a few people out around bonfires. the world is peaceful after dark. at least my world is.

Friday, April 22, 2011

4/22/11

wed. night: ran on the streets after dark. 41:00 fartlek with eight pick-ups. light on my watch not working, i'd guess between one and two minutes each. so fast, oh so fast. feels fast at least. slowly gaining a little quickness back.

fri: today. 8 1/2 miles or so, stupidly in the rain. started light, downpours later. lady stopped at 4 miles and asked if i needed a ride. no ma'am i'm dumb enough to choose to be out here. no matter, fun effort despite the storms. oh, it's perfect clear out now. something about building character?

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Dharma Bum

Re-reading my favorite Jack Kerouac novel, first read 18 years or so ago (yikes), Dharma Bums.

"The secret of this kind of climbing, is like Zen. Don't think. Just dance along. It's the easiest thing in the world, actually easier than walking on flat ground which is monotonous. The cute little problems present themselves at each step and yet you don't hesitate and you find yourself on some other boulder you picked out for no special reason at all, just like zen.~ Japhy"
Jack Kerouac

Monday, April 18, 2011

race with yer heart

saturday: race with yer heart 4 mile. benefit for heart house womens' shelter. cool, 40's, windy, as in straight-up headwind the first two miles out heading west, wind at back the two miles heading back in (that's logical). 30:57.4, 7:44/mile, 31/108, 1/3 fat guy division.

sunday: nothing. oh wait, celebrate bday with bbq chicken, and pie. that's not a run.

monday: run 41:00 roads around lake. 7:03 a.m. cool. 42 F. easy pace.

Friday, April 15, 2011

April of Eleven

monday trail run. stuff is coming out, just in its infancy. buds and such. 48 minutes out my back door onto grass, down the floodplain, short loops thru the woods. warm, 60 F. sun. sun. foot feels ok. hip feels ok. i feel ok.

tuesday road run. 6:24 a.m. air feels warmish on skin. maybe it isn't. 36 minutes. "speed" pickups. five or six of them just because i felt like it. andrew wheating is my favorite track runner. six foot five, one of the fastest in the world. i am not one of the fastest in the world, still i can do "speed" pick ups. fartleks if you're swedish. hip doesn't complain much.

thursday road run. 6:11 a.m. chill in the air. 43 F, i guess. no objections, bodily or spiritually. pace of leisure through the streets. i enjoy running past my grandparents' graves in the morning. something refreshing and renewing about that. something like 48 minutes total. sunrise over a maple while running east down harrison. worth the early wake up.