The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Ironman is Not a Cult?
Video created from the website xtranormal. The dialogue is great between the co-workers.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Tips for the Day
1. Don't go hiking near the Iran/Iraq border. That is stupid. I hope the three idiots who did this have to repay the millions of dollars it cost to have them brought back to the US after Iran had them in jail on suspicion of being spies.
2. Want to win prizes at a local running race? Choose your races carefully. At Sunday's Casa Larga winery Peoplechase 5k, MW and I got first in our age groups, Jan and Eileen second place. We got wine glasses, t-shirts, medals and Mike and I, $20 gift certificates to a local restaurant! It's almost like we are professional runners now.
3. One runner in the race was 84 years old. He won his age group, of course, finishing in less than 40 minutes! See, you can run forever.
4. If you aren't already on for the ride, time to join the Buffalo Bills bandwagon. First place in the division, undefeated? This won't last, but it sure is fun.
2. Want to win prizes at a local running race? Choose your races carefully. At Sunday's Casa Larga winery Peoplechase 5k, MW and I got first in our age groups, Jan and Eileen second place. We got wine glasses, t-shirts, medals and Mike and I, $20 gift certificates to a local restaurant! It's almost like we are professional runners now.
3. One runner in the race was 84 years old. He won his age group, of course, finishing in less than 40 minutes! See, you can run forever.
4. If you aren't already on for the ride, time to join the Buffalo Bills bandwagon. First place in the division, undefeated? This won't last, but it sure is fun.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Teaching and Running Races
Amazing to me how similar my pre-race and pre-teaching anxiety levels and routines are.
With both I usually calm down a bit once I reach the site. I need to be early, sometimes ridiculously early when compared to normal people.
When teaching students about using the library databases I rely on technology to work. Rarely does it go off without a hitch. It's too easy for the system to be down, a computer needs to go through a rebuild process, the projection system is malfunctioning, the student computers are booting up forever. When I'm at a race it's generally my body that is malfunctioning. I need to use the bathroom, the lines are too long, I can't go once I'm in the port-a-john, I feel like I have to go again three minutes after exiting the loo.
I have taught thousands of lessons over the years. I'm not really good at it, definitely not one of those natural teachers who loves leading a class of students. The subject matter, while important, isn't exciting, really, how do you make learning MLA or APA citation styles into a fabulous lesson? I'm open to ideas. I've run hundreds of races since 1980, maybe more. I've had a few memorable races, but generally am doing well if I get in the top 20% of my age group. Similar to teaching, I'm in the middle if you are grading me.
On a really anxious day, like if I'm working with a professor I've never been with before, or they have a screwy lesson plan that even I don't understand, I can hyperventilate. Yes, I've read all the articles and books about presenting and relaxing, taken workshops on teaching, yada, yada... I still can get over the top with nerves. So I breathe deep, tell myself it's 50-90 minutes of my life, think about how far I've come from the kid who seldom raised a hand in class in case I got the answer wrong. Funny, usually once everyone is situated and I begin the class, things go fairly well. It's also strange how the chemistry of each class can be so different even with the same professor.
There have been a few races that I made super important in my mind. I need to reach a certain time goal, qualify for the Boston Marathon, qualify for the Snowshoe National Championships or maybe run in the championship. Similar to teaching, in these cases, my anxiety is ridiculous. I have blown races, particularly the Snowshoe Nationals, simply due to using too much energy worrying about the race before it even begins. I have a nickname, thanks to my kids, Psycho Dad. It's reserved for those times, pre-race, when a side of me comes out that isn't pretty.
For two years, unbelievably, I was the moderator/question reader for the National Geographic contest when I worked at the Byron-Bergen central school district. This was a big deal. I was Alex Trebek for the day and spent weeks learning to pronounce all the strange words. There were 500 people in the audience. Was I scared? Oh yeah. But I volunteered for it just to prove to myself I could do it.
One of my greatest races was the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in Washington DC. Not because of my finishing time, though it was decent, but for how I felt before and during the race. There were thousands of people in the race, but the starting area, in front of the Washington Monument, didn't feel crowded. We were seeded and somehow I was put into one of the front corrals. It was so cool. I was just a few feet away from the elite women, some of the fastest women in the world. I got to watch them warm-up. A sense of calm came over me while waiting for the starting gun (cannon?). It was a day made for running and I always like doing races in DC, not sure why. To top it off, I ran with Bill Rodgers, one of my heroes, for almost three miles during the race.
Since that race, which was about five years ago, I have been looking to capture the feeling of how lucky I was to be standing there, in good shape, feeling so relaxed. I think my anxiety levels will continue to be a work-in-progress, whether in the classroom or on the roads, but I promise to try and improve.
With both I usually calm down a bit once I reach the site. I need to be early, sometimes ridiculously early when compared to normal people.
When teaching students about using the library databases I rely on technology to work. Rarely does it go off without a hitch. It's too easy for the system to be down, a computer needs to go through a rebuild process, the projection system is malfunctioning, the student computers are booting up forever. When I'm at a race it's generally my body that is malfunctioning. I need to use the bathroom, the lines are too long, I can't go once I'm in the port-a-john, I feel like I have to go again three minutes after exiting the loo.
I have taught thousands of lessons over the years. I'm not really good at it, definitely not one of those natural teachers who loves leading a class of students. The subject matter, while important, isn't exciting, really, how do you make learning MLA or APA citation styles into a fabulous lesson? I'm open to ideas. I've run hundreds of races since 1980, maybe more. I've had a few memorable races, but generally am doing well if I get in the top 20% of my age group. Similar to teaching, I'm in the middle if you are grading me.
On a really anxious day, like if I'm working with a professor I've never been with before, or they have a screwy lesson plan that even I don't understand, I can hyperventilate. Yes, I've read all the articles and books about presenting and relaxing, taken workshops on teaching, yada, yada... I still can get over the top with nerves. So I breathe deep, tell myself it's 50-90 minutes of my life, think about how far I've come from the kid who seldom raised a hand in class in case I got the answer wrong. Funny, usually once everyone is situated and I begin the class, things go fairly well. It's also strange how the chemistry of each class can be so different even with the same professor.
There have been a few races that I made super important in my mind. I need to reach a certain time goal, qualify for the Boston Marathon, qualify for the Snowshoe National Championships or maybe run in the championship. Similar to teaching, in these cases, my anxiety is ridiculous. I have blown races, particularly the Snowshoe Nationals, simply due to using too much energy worrying about the race before it even begins. I have a nickname, thanks to my kids, Psycho Dad. It's reserved for those times, pre-race, when a side of me comes out that isn't pretty.
For two years, unbelievably, I was the moderator/question reader for the National Geographic contest when I worked at the Byron-Bergen central school district. This was a big deal. I was Alex Trebek for the day and spent weeks learning to pronounce all the strange words. There were 500 people in the audience. Was I scared? Oh yeah. But I volunteered for it just to prove to myself I could do it.
One of my greatest races was the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in Washington DC. Not because of my finishing time, though it was decent, but for how I felt before and during the race. There were thousands of people in the race, but the starting area, in front of the Washington Monument, didn't feel crowded. We were seeded and somehow I was put into one of the front corrals. It was so cool. I was just a few feet away from the elite women, some of the fastest women in the world. I got to watch them warm-up. A sense of calm came over me while waiting for the starting gun (cannon?). It was a day made for running and I always like doing races in DC, not sure why. To top it off, I ran with Bill Rodgers, one of my heroes, for almost three miles during the race.
Since that race, which was about five years ago, I have been looking to capture the feeling of how lucky I was to be standing there, in good shape, feeling so relaxed. I think my anxiety levels will continue to be a work-in-progress, whether in the classroom or on the roads, but I promise to try and improve.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Glasses
With apologies to those who have had to wear contact lenses or glasses for the majority of their lives, here are the top ten things I hate about the eye doctor.
10. Those drops to dilate my eyes. I don't like things put into my eyes and I don't like not being able to see clearly for the next two hours.
9. The cost. New lenses and/or glasses are ridiculously expensive.
8. My eye doctor is a great guy, he even runs. But you leave his examining room and are led directly to a person who wants to sell lenses and frames. It's like being at Disney World, getting off a ride and having to go through a gift shop before you can leave.
7. Jan driving me home. I'm blinded by the sun and the eye drops and keep thinking she is going to hit other cars. Jan does not appreciate my helpful safe driving tips (slow down, speed up, watch out you're going to hit him!).
6. Picking out frames. No matter what style I choose I'm not going to look as hot as the people in the ads.
5. Contact lenses. I don't wear them and won't. Icky.
4. Corrective eye surgery. My vision problems can't be fixed by this, plus having someone cut or laser my corneas? Not likely.
3. Swimming in a lake. Is it hard to see the buoys because they are small, or because my vision is worse? I'm sure this is why I can't swim in a straight line.
2. I break glasses, a lot. My current reading glasses have bent frames, lenses that are scratched and kind of foggy. Jan thinks I'm worse than a kid, but I can't help it.
1. A visit to the eye doctor is a depressing reminder I am getting old. I grew up with great vision. Until the age of 40+ I could read tiny print, see street signs from a mile away and recognize people hundreds of yards away. Now I wear glasses when I have to drive and see signs, especially at night, wear glasses while watching television and when reading. I don't like it.
10. Those drops to dilate my eyes. I don't like things put into my eyes and I don't like not being able to see clearly for the next two hours.
9. The cost. New lenses and/or glasses are ridiculously expensive.
8. My eye doctor is a great guy, he even runs. But you leave his examining room and are led directly to a person who wants to sell lenses and frames. It's like being at Disney World, getting off a ride and having to go through a gift shop before you can leave.
7. Jan driving me home. I'm blinded by the sun and the eye drops and keep thinking she is going to hit other cars. Jan does not appreciate my helpful safe driving tips (slow down, speed up, watch out you're going to hit him!).
6. Picking out frames. No matter what style I choose I'm not going to look as hot as the people in the ads.
5. Contact lenses. I don't wear them and won't. Icky.
4. Corrective eye surgery. My vision problems can't be fixed by this, plus having someone cut or laser my corneas? Not likely.
3. Swimming in a lake. Is it hard to see the buoys because they are small, or because my vision is worse? I'm sure this is why I can't swim in a straight line.
2. I break glasses, a lot. My current reading glasses have bent frames, lenses that are scratched and kind of foggy. Jan thinks I'm worse than a kid, but I can't help it.
1. A visit to the eye doctor is a depressing reminder I am getting old. I grew up with great vision. Until the age of 40+ I could read tiny print, see street signs from a mile away and recognize people hundreds of yards away. Now I wear glasses when I have to drive and see signs, especially at night, wear glasses while watching television and when reading. I don't like it.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Runner's World Heroes
Early notification that Boots and Ellen, of Fleet Feet Rochester and YellowJacket Racing fame, will be one of Runner's World's "Heroes of Running" for 2012. Boots and Ellen will be in the December issue of the magazine.
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Vault
"What's said on the canal path, stays on the canal path". It's written in the by-laws which was signed by all the original members of Sals.
Similar to Seinfeld, when something is put in the vault, it's supposed to stay in the vault. Unfortunately, if you have a Bourbon tasting party, things can pop out of the vault rather quickly.
There's a Seinfeld episode where Elaine says, “You can tell me. I’ll put it in the vault.”
Jerry “No good. Too many people know the combination.” He then makes a motion with his hand as if having a drink.
Elaine protests, but later — naturally — we find out Jerry was right. Elaine can’t keep a secret when she’s drinking. And Elaine enjoys a drink.
Simply substitute Jerry for MW and Elaine for Lou.
Lou - "You can tell me Mike, it's in the vault".
Mike - "No good, too many people know the combination"
Lou protests and Mike gives the secret idea he has. (I can't share it because that would be opening the vault).
Later that night within seconds of having his first taste of Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon, Lou opens the vault!
Kramer (MW): Look, I can't say anything. You know, the guy told me the stuff in
confidence, I'd be betraying a friend.
Jerry (Lou): Well you can't just mention it and then not tell me.
Kramer (MW): Alright. I'll tell you but you can't say anything to him.
Jerry (Lou): I'm not saying anything, I'm putting it in the vault, I'm locking the
vault, it's a vault!
Later, at the Bourbon Party:
Jerry (Lou): Yeah, but I can't say anything because Kramer wasn't supposed to tell
me.
Elaine (Joanne and others): Oh, you have to say something.
Jerry (Lou): I can't, I told Kramer (Mike) I was vaulting it.
Elaine (Joanne...): You gotta open the vault.
Jerry (Lou): Open my vault?
Elaine (Joanne...): Open your vault.
Jerry (Lou): Once I open the vault, it ceases to be a vault.
Elaine (Joanne...): You have no choice.
Jerry (Lou): Oy ga-vault.
Similar to Seinfeld, when something is put in the vault, it's supposed to stay in the vault. Unfortunately, if you have a Bourbon tasting party, things can pop out of the vault rather quickly.
There's a Seinfeld episode where Elaine says, “You can tell me. I’ll put it in the vault.”
Jerry “No good. Too many people know the combination.” He then makes a motion with his hand as if having a drink.
Elaine protests, but later — naturally — we find out Jerry was right. Elaine can’t keep a secret when she’s drinking. And Elaine enjoys a drink.
Simply substitute Jerry for MW and Elaine for Lou.
Lou - "You can tell me Mike, it's in the vault".
Mike - "No good, too many people know the combination"
Lou protests and Mike gives the secret idea he has. (I can't share it because that would be opening the vault).
Later that night within seconds of having his first taste of Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon, Lou opens the vault!
Kramer (MW): Look, I can't say anything. You know, the guy told me the stuff in
confidence, I'd be betraying a friend.
Jerry (Lou): Well you can't just mention it and then not tell me.
Kramer (MW): Alright. I'll tell you but you can't say anything to him.
Jerry (Lou): I'm not saying anything, I'm putting it in the vault, I'm locking the
vault, it's a vault!
Later, at the Bourbon Party:
Jerry (Lou): Yeah, but I can't say anything because Kramer wasn't supposed to tell
me.
Elaine (Joanne and others): Oh, you have to say something.
Jerry (Lou): I can't, I told Kramer (Mike) I was vaulting it.
Elaine (Joanne...): You gotta open the vault.
Jerry (Lou): Open my vault?
Elaine (Joanne...): Open your vault.
Jerry (Lou): Once I open the vault, it ceases to be a vault.
Elaine (Joanne...): You have no choice.
Jerry (Lou): Oy ga-vault.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Vacation Running
We left Spencerport 90 minutes later than planned, due to our SUV battery dying overnight. Apparently I had left the back hatch ajar which drained the battery. AAA saved the day and Jan and I began the journey to Alabama, staying one night in Franklin, Kentucky on the way.
Our Hampton Inn was great, but there wasn't a lot of choices for where to run, so the next morning we did laps on the roads around three or four motels nearby. The three mile run made eating the large waffles from the hotel breakfast bar seem okay. Hampton Inn's are definitely our favorite hotel to stay in at this time.
We arrived at Andrea's home in Clanton, Alabama around 3pm on Sunday. 97 degrees and 74 degrees dew point, a bit sticky. We ran with Andrea two mornings, around 40 minutes each time. It was cool at 8:30am, only 80 or so. (insert sarcasm here).
Some tips for driving on Interstates, especially in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
1. The posted limit of 70mph can be ignored. My 75-78 was slow. I really believe there is no speed limit anymore, as long as a cop is not around most people go how ever fast they want to.
2. Watching movies while driving is okay.
3. Texting at 80mph is the norm.
4. Most people still haven't heard of hands free cell phone use.
5. Tractor Trailer drivers sometimes weave across the the line, usually because they are eating dinner while driving a 20 ton truck. This is a bit disconcerting.
6. Every state but NY has a beautiful welcome center when you cross the state line. Alabama's is still the nicest one I have ever been at. NY makes you wait 50 miles before you come to a mediocre rest area.
7. NY was the only state with toll roads on our 1,000 mile trip.
8. The entire road system in the USA is under construction.
9. Posted speed limits in construction areas are mostly meaningless, despite the increased risk to drivers and workers.
10. The most expensive gasoline is NY, averaging 3.72/gallon, the cheapest was Alabama at 3.41. The average price once you leave NY is 3.55.
Hotels seem to think an exercise room is 1 treadmill, 1 stairstepper and, if lucky, 1 stationary bike. Rarely are there any weights. This might be okay if only one person in your party runs, but if a couple wants to run, you are out of luck.
Our Hampton Inn was great, but there wasn't a lot of choices for where to run, so the next morning we did laps on the roads around three or four motels nearby. The three mile run made eating the large waffles from the hotel breakfast bar seem okay. Hampton Inn's are definitely our favorite hotel to stay in at this time.
We arrived at Andrea's home in Clanton, Alabama around 3pm on Sunday. 97 degrees and 74 degrees dew point, a bit sticky. We ran with Andrea two mornings, around 40 minutes each time. It was cool at 8:30am, only 80 or so. (insert sarcasm here).
Some tips for driving on Interstates, especially in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
1. The posted limit of 70mph can be ignored. My 75-78 was slow. I really believe there is no speed limit anymore, as long as a cop is not around most people go how ever fast they want to.
2. Watching movies while driving is okay.
3. Texting at 80mph is the norm.
4. Most people still haven't heard of hands free cell phone use.
5. Tractor Trailer drivers sometimes weave across the the line, usually because they are eating dinner while driving a 20 ton truck. This is a bit disconcerting.
6. Every state but NY has a beautiful welcome center when you cross the state line. Alabama's is still the nicest one I have ever been at. NY makes you wait 50 miles before you come to a mediocre rest area.
7. NY was the only state with toll roads on our 1,000 mile trip.
8. The entire road system in the USA is under construction.
9. Posted speed limits in construction areas are mostly meaningless, despite the increased risk to drivers and workers.
10. The most expensive gasoline is NY, averaging 3.72/gallon, the cheapest was Alabama at 3.41. The average price once you leave NY is 3.55.
Hotels seem to think an exercise room is 1 treadmill, 1 stairstepper and, if lucky, 1 stationary bike. Rarely are there any weights. This might be okay if only one person in your party runs, but if a couple wants to run, you are out of luck.
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