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February 24, 2008

Week 1: Training has begun

Back in January I wrote that I registered for my 6th running of Grandmas Marathon. To make running a marathon achievable I need to train for 18 weeks. Training started this past Monday.

I established my training schedule based upon an intermediate marathon training schedule that I found on the Grandmas Marathon website. I tweaked it a bit to fit my schedule and my comfort level. Each week I will have two days that I do not run. Those days I plan to bike or do some other fun activity that will give me exercise. The first week the scheduled miles is relatively low. The training concept is to build up the miles, take a step back for recovery and then build up a bit higher. So I will step back about every 4th week and then follow up the 3 weeks after with greater mileage than the 3 weeks prior to the step back week. By following the schedule it should make running the marathon a nice a stroll along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

This week I logged 25 miles. The schedule did call for 28 however I had a few things to do on Thursday that ran my day out too long. I hope to avoid things like that happening however there will most likely be one or two days that will probably happen again. Missing a short run is okay however I must hit the long runs.

The early stages of training for a marathon are the time to test new things. My experience of drinking an energy drink for the first time during my first marathon was not smart but fortunately was a recoverable event and I was able to continue on. This past week I purchased a new pair of shoes that are a different brand than I used in my prior marathons. Plan is to save some money. I have 15 days to return them if they don’t work out. The hitch is that I cannot wear them outside. I have to run on a treadmill which I refer to as a dreadmill (see prior post). One of my runs this week was on the dreadmill and one next week will also be on the dreadmill. After the first run I have some doubts about the new shoes but I did not put in the insole inserts that I use in my other shoes. This week I will. The run I am scheduling inside will be 8 miles which should provide me with an answer if the new shoes are going to work.

That’s it for week 1. I’ll keep you posted.

Posted by Tim at 09:51 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 19, 2008

G'kid Update 2/19/08

Sean has moved up from the terrible two’s to the wild and free three’s. Sean is no longer the cute slightly pudgy little baby he once was. He has grown into a sleek and tall handsome little boy. As most kids are he is quite inquisitive and is so full of questions. Sean has what I call a very good imagination and I love to watch him as he plays. It won’t be much longer and he will be throwing on his backpack and heading off to school.

Mira will soon be entering the terrible two’s. I think we are getting a prelude at this point. Some might say she has attitude. One thing is for sure and that is she is still as cute as ever. Those cute brown eyes can make grandpa melt. Mira’s mom enrolled her in a gymnastics class. I think we could describe Mira as a free spirit in the class. She mostly has her own agenda when it comes to doing things. I think being a free spirit is a good thing and it’s not to unlike her mom.

Kyle is now pretty much on the loose. He started walking shortly after he turned one. One thing for sure is that he is not about to take a back seat to his older brother. Kyle will stand firm when he thinks an object should be his even if it’s not. I have a feeling he will be quite a scrapper and no way will his cousins be able take advantage of his youth. Watching Kyle continue to develop his personality will be just as much fun as it was with Sean and Mira.

I had thought there was no greater joy than watching my children grow up and become who there are today. Watching my grandkids will rival that joy and just might exceed it considering they out number my children. Bring it on because I am looking forward to sharing life with them.

Posted by Tim at 02:24 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 15, 2008

Why give them the stage?

Due to recent events there will most likely be a call for gun controls above what we already have. I have a better idea. I call it media control.

As long as we give these nut jobs the center stage the tragedies will continue. It’s okay to report them but leave out the perpetrators name. No need to mention name, display photo or give any personal information about the freak that caused harm. There would be no fame and glory for the psychos to see. Just maybe with no glamour the nut jobs will just fade off into the sunset by themselves.

Someday just maybe the media will figure out there are more responsible for promoting tragedies than they realize. I will not hold my breath though.

Posted by Tim at 08:35 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 04, 2008

Nothing Like Being Alone

There are few places where one can go and find solitude in today’s world. One place I go is ice fishing. Sitting on a frozen lake in a little tent like structure is priceless in my book.


The contraption you see above is my ice shelter that keeps me protected from the elements while ice fishing. The shelter is a big tub like sled with am umbrealla tent type system attached to it. You put all your gear and stuff in the tub. When you get to your location you drill two holes through the ice, position the sled and fold over the tent. The sled has bench seats built into it and there is plenty of room for your legs. I use a heater called a sunflower type heater which will keep me warm even when the temps are below 0. The shelter works quite well and allows me to move about easily.


This is what I am looking at while sitting and waiting for the fish to bite. We are allowed to fish with two poles which can cause a problem. You see sometimes you have a bite on one line while you’re watching the other one. So you grab it and miss. As you’re grabbing the one that had the bite the other line gets a bite and now you have missed two fish. Sometimes I wonder if fish have mental telepathy and do that on purpose. Also just in case you notice the candles, they are not for ambiance, they help illuminate the bobber. Looks cozy, eh?

I kinda sorta have a TV with me also. Below you see the fish locater that I use. It may locate fish but it doesn’t make them bite which can be frustrating. If it indicates there are fish, I expect a bite. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. You see fish are just as moody as......…I better not go there. The locater does give me some diversion from staring at two holes in the ice.


Just for an idea of the landscape. When the day is done and I crawl out from my shelter a view of the winter landscape.


Come and join me some time. I’d be glad to share some of my solitude with you. All you would have to do is say “Tim? I’m cold. Could I come in and warm up?”


Posted by Tim at 06:05 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)