Post Race Update

The final results are in, and it looks like we did a little better than we though on race day. Pretty cool. Some of the photos have been uploaded, but I haven't gone through them all yet. There were quite a few.

After I finished, I ran back to cross with Bethany and this seems to be the only photo I could find of the two of us running together. Robert - Placed 232, Time 29:28
Bethany - Placed 373, Time 33:13

Race Day - Semi Live Blogging

It's race day. It's slightly raining. We're getting ready. Here's a little play-by-play as the race goes on...

-0600 - We're up. We're checking on the race status. They made a comment it could be cancelled in the event of severe weather.

-0610 - Race is on. We're getting ready.

-0635 - The bottom just fell out. It's pouring outside. Sheeting rain. I'm packing a rain jacket.

-0645 - Off to the race. See you when we get back.

-0715 - Arrival at the parking center. It's still raining, but not terribly hard. Bethany's elected to wear her rain jacket. Me, not so much.

-0740 - There are quite a few folks here despite the rain. They are putting on costumes. One group has fake butts and hospital gowns. Guess they are competing for the costume award.

-0750 - Anybody seen the start line?

-0755 - Oh, it's by the stop sign. Got it. We're getting there.

- 0800 - And we're off. Here we go.

- 0829 - Robert's finished. Slower than he wanted, but faster than the last time. Now, to find Bethany.

-0833 - Bethany's finished. She made it. Yay Bethany! :)

Overall, it wasn't too bad. The sponsors did a pretty good job of providing us with entertainment afterwards too. We worked our way back toward the local school gym, where we were treated w/ a $10 off coupon to The Melting Pot, a few water bottles, and the usual bananas, bagels, cookies, coffee, and water.

A few highlights:
- The group w/ the hospital gowns was pretty impressive. The next best group would be the girls dressed as bunnies passing out Easter Eggs as they ran.
- The guys passing out water at the aid station managed to spill the water on me instead of passing it to me. There was a goof w/ the handoff and next thing I know, water is being splashed on my face instead of in my mouth.
- Bethany's knee hurt. She's mentioning taking it easy for a little while. We'll see.

Now, not a whole lot. We're talking of possibly a bike ride later, and taking the dogs to the park. Should be a nice easy relaxing day. :)

Wonderful Weather

Here's the weekend weather forcast for our area for the upcoming race I blogged about last week. FYI - the race is Saturday.
According to the website:
THE RACE WILL CONTINUE RAIN OR SHINE. The race will only be cancelled in the event of severe weather. We will continue to monitor the weather situation, so keep checking this site for updates.

Looks like we may be running in the rain. Secretly, let's all hope nobody shows, then I might can place among the top in my age group... :) Well, at least hope so.

8 days and counting

The first race for 2009 is just over a week away. Bethany and I have been doing a little running through the neighborhood lately in preparation for it, so hopefully we'll be ready.

The Rumpshaker 5k

From their website: The Rumpshaker 5k Run/Walk benefiting colon cancer awareness is an event the entire family will enjoy! Runners, walkers, individuals, families, teams, and volunteers are all welcome. We'll have door prizes, age group awards, team awards, food, and free stuff. Come out and join us on March 28, 2009 at the Mountain Brook City Hall located in the Crestline Village area of Birmingham, Alabama to support this important cause.

As we finished off our training run last night our cool down conversation went something like this:
me: I feel like the engine is ready, but I'm concerned I'm going to be racing on flat tires.
her: At least you think you can finish it
me: What are you talking about, you can do this?
her: It's been 2yrs since I've run a 5k
me: oh. huh.

I'm hoping it's just a simple run to help me measure my fitness as I prepare for my first triathlon, while she's just hoping she can get to the finish line. We all know she can do it though.

She knows she can do it too!

So, in 8 days, we'll be shaking our rumps to the finish line. Hope to see some of you there!

I wasn't speeding

Wednesday nights lately have had me slightly occupied with the local bike rides hosted by the shop. They send one of their workers out with us, to take us around town. They sorta provide a rolling "auto shop" in the event of a break down or something. That and they know all of the local roads, routes, and rules. Pretty helpful.

Well last night was a completely new ride, with some of the same folks. We've been averaging 10-15 riders per ride and we've been covering between 12-20mi at a time. Pretty easy pace.

It started with the same basic few miles through the neighborhoods & parks before venturing into traffic and through office parks. Then we turned for the "real ride". It started with a long slow climb. The climb went for nearly 3mi of just steady upwards.

As we approached the top, we pulled aside, waited for everyone, and then realized we needed to head back to beat daylight. We made a turn and stopped again at the red light. Our group leader warned us that once we turn, we'll be going downhill at a rather fast pace. To watch for debris and lightly feather the brakes. Just a warning.

We turned. Everyone shifted and we were off, picking up speed. Serious speed. I looked at the speedometer and saw 44.8. I laughed when I saw the speed limit sign of 45. Almost. I never saw whether or not if I broke the limit, but I was close.
Now I've hit the 30-35mph range quite a bit. It's not that bad. Once you've been there it's fine. This is a first for the 45mph. That's fast. That's really fast when you realize that your tires are less than an inch wide and your brakes are less than 1/2 inch thick.

After the dowhill, it was merely a few more red lights to pass through, a little neighborhood ride, and we were back at the shop before dark. Nothing better.

I'm ready to sign up for it again!

Stupid Sensor

Lately the Jeep has been giving us a few engine issues, and well, we have no other option, but to fix it.

Background...

3/6 - Check engine light comes on. I take it to the auto shop to get the engine code and attempt to fix it myself. Code turns up a "Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)" error. Solution: replace the TPS sensor. Cost $35

3/8 - Get defeated by the sensor and it goes unchanged. Fight, wiggle and tinker with the sensor. Blow air through the throttle body to clear anything. Engine light turns off. Cost: Free

3/13 - Engine light comes back on. Car starts acting erratic. Sensor needs changing.

3/16 - Call and get price estimates for local shop to remove sensor. They say it's a 30min job and can have it done pretty easily. Bring it in tomorrow. Labor estimate: $25

3/17 - Take it to the shop. They attempt to remove it and can't. They don't have a tool to get in the small hole in which the sensor is located. What tool they do have, doesn't fit. Two simple screws are stopping the mechanic. Solution: remove the entire throttle body and drill out the screws. Cost: $2 + labor

So now that we know what it's going to take, it's going to costs me closer to $36 + labor. How convenient. What should be a simple replacement for someone like me to do at home, has turned into something that a mechanic is going to have to fight with.

Plus, who's ever heard of having to drill out manufactured screws to replace a part. His suggestion is that they are damaged, or someone has fought with it before and now there is no alternative. Great. Just great!

I'm sure, once they get the throttle body off, somethine else will break. That's how it goes, right?

Stupid sensor...

Amazingly Interesting

I find it truly amazing at how lazy some of us can be. I discovered what some consider to be an ingenious breakthrough in kitchen gadgets, but I'll let you decide on that one.



Looks pretty much like a basic fork, right? Yea, it's not. It's a battery operated twirling spaghetti fork. Good thing we're not located in the UK, because according to Amazon, it cannot be shipped overseas.

Wow. I mean come on.

Oh, and you know how Amazon makes other "suggestions" to purchase, have a look at the tabletop vacuum cleaner, or the motorized twirling ice cream cone.

Late Mapping Update

I've continued the virtual tour again this year, except with a new destination. Persuaded by someone we know, I'm going to make my attempt to travel to Georgetown, Bahamas via swimming, biking and running. So far, I'm on target and should make it, barring any major hurdles.

I just felt like some of you would like to see the latest progress...



Current totals:
Swimming - 26:57:23 - 39.17mi
Biking - 27:30:20 - 272.93mi
Running - 7:55:18 - 45.47mi

I found the secret

Ever wonder why you can so very easily eat an entire box of Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies? You know how it works, right?

First you wait an entire year before you get the box. You open the box, grab a sleeve, pour a glass of milk, and devour. Before you've realized it, they're all gone and the one year wait has started again.

Well, it's come out why they are so addicting. It's in the ingredients!

(click to enlarge)

Shame on them.....! But they're SO GOOD!

We've been stimulated

So, this new stimulus package is supposed to fix everything, right? Well, that or dig us even deeper in debt.

A little blurb I read a while back mentioned that the average American would see a roughly $14 increase in their bi-weekly paycheck based on the package. The best part, is that it will go into effect in April (well it should).

I'm on the bi-weekly plan. I got paid today. I'm happy to admit that I saved some money from the Federal Taxes. That's great! I will now have a little more money to my name. But, I'm not spending it. I'm saving it! Take that!

On the negative side, I had to pay extra to AL state income taxes.

Hmm.. that doesn't make a whole lot of sense in my book.

Yea for economic stimulation!

Useless knowledge

Caution: Math Nerdiness ahead...

Today is apparently Square Root Day. There's something for every day of the year if you haven't already figured that out...but, on to today.

March 3, 2009 or 3/3/2009

Month 3
Day 3
Year 9

3 squared is 9. There you have it.

The next time this phenom happens.... anybody?







April 4, 2016.

I'm sure you all were dying to know that! There's your useless knowledge for the day.