Sunday, August 23, 2015

MyHowl August 23 - 29

Saturday
It is 4:30 AM and I slept sort of shitty last night. I had to make a bed out of a few pillows as I loaded my bed into the POD. It is going to be picked up around 1:00 today so I don't have much to do besides loading the last few boxes and to prepare the house for its last inspection. Hopefully, I will start my travels back to Colorado tomorrow. I am feeling mixed feelings; leaving my girl and the life that we have built is really sad. We have dated long distance before so we can do this. I am excited about building a life in Colorado but there is so much uncertainty. I feel strong and capable of success. I have come a long way. In regards to managing my life and the difficulties related to living with a traumatic brain injury. I know that it is now time to return home. To grow.


Friday

I probably talk about religion too much. But sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the intolerable influx of God-speak funneled into my head day after day. It is refreshing when an entertainment icon tells the people cold hard facts.

Thursday

I have convicted feelings about the state of our nation. Unfortunately, the Donald Trump movement says more about the folks who make up the American electorate than it does about this born rich racist narcissist. The frightening thing is, The Donald is a viable candidate and could become our nations next president. I know, it is horrifying to imagine; but not far-fetched - we are the people who elected (at least once) George W. Bush. I cringe and the world is not laughing at us because they are equally frightened.

Sunday
Florida. I have lived here for over 3 very good years.  I am sure that my cognitive development has accelerated tremendously during my stay in the SoFla swamp. The years immediately following my accident were challenging and due to my new limitations - mentally and physically - I struggled. I could not embrace my new life; nor acknowledge the new me. Instead, all of the immediate reminders/comparisons of who I was prior to my traumatic brain injury flooded my environment and fueled my denial. This was an overwhelming limiter and I was not really improving. I don't think that I was depressed, but I was a mental wanderer. Thankfully, I found Mimi (or she found me) and we began dating long-distance; ultimately I moved to South Florida so that we could be closer. The years that followed have too many specific benchmarks to list here, but I am grateful. Now, it is time to go home. In the next few days I will, finish packing my moving POD, drive back to Colorado and then embark on phase 3 of the Dick Dime restoration.

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Training this week: Run 59.04 mi - Bike 0 mi (0 rest day)

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Sat Run 4.16 mi - 39:46 9:34 pace 126 avg hr
I am spent. The moving, sleeping on the floor and attempt at training is wearing me out. The POD leaves today. I was going to leave tomorrow, but I may just leave today.

Fri Run 6.76 mi - 59:16 - 8:46 pace - 135 avg hr
My moving POD leaves tomorrow. My journey to CO is imminent. I will not miss this heat and humidity. I struggled today.

Thur PM Run 7.12 mi - 58:46 - 8:15 pace - 142 avg hr
Well its sad, but another final run tonight with Runners Depot. Good day. The move is just a few days away.
Thur AM Run 8.34 mi - 1:15:28 - 9:02 pace - 130 avg hr
AM run and shower done before sunrise. 
Wed Run 6.64 mi - 56:35 - 8:31 pace - 139 avg hr
I hope all this swamp training (3+ years) is improving my running,
Tue PM Run 5.19 mi 40:.35 - 7:59 pace 130 avg hr
My last World of Beer run before my move to Colorado. We will meet again.Tue AM Run 7.35 mi 1:07:00 - 9:06 pace 135 avg hr
It was tough out there this morning. I think my mind is already in Colorado. I am struggling in this cliamate.
Mon Run - 6.76 mi - 56:12 - 8:21 pace - 132 avg hr
A better run than yesterday. I am still struggling with the humidity. I am curious about how the Colorado Sawill effect my running.
Sun Run - 6.75 mi - 1:01:05 - 9:2 pace - 127 avg hr
Ugh. Hot, humid, slow. Recovery run?

-

Last week: run 39,66 mi - bike 0 (2 rest day) 

last month run 266.7 mi (1 rest day)  - bike 0 

-

run yr: 2,073.43 mi

bike yr: 207.95 mi         

-

run last yr: 2,670.88 mi
bike last yr: 3614.17

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#traumatic #BrainInjury #TBI #running #training #healing #politics #liberal #democratic #triathlons #UltraRunning #vegan #athletes #blogging #Google #Blogger #rants #howls #peace #love #WorldOfBeer #Beer #Facebook #marathon #PlantPower #liberal #secular #atheist #LeftWingPolitics #democratic #fitness #health #PlantBasedNutrition 
#traumatic #
BrainInjury #TBI #running #training #healing #politics #liberal #democratic #triathlons #UltraRunning #vegan #athletes #blogging #Google #Blogger #rants #howls #peace #love #WorldOfBeer #Beer #Facebook #marathon #PlantPower #liberal #secular #atheist #LeftWingPolitics #democratic #fitness #health #PlantBasedNutrition

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

I love pigs

Please don't eat pork, pigs are smarter than you cat or your dog.


Sunday, August 16, 2015

MyHowl August 16 - 22

Friday
Excellent: The Joe Strummer Foundation (The Clash)


https://twitter.com/_strummerville


Sunday
Beers with Jimbo (Jim Linser) at the Skylark Lounge in Denver. It was awesome catching up with my long-time buddy and reminiscing about the good times. After my move is complete we will not have to wait years between hangouts.


And my trip to Colorado is winding to a halt. I had a great time despite my lack of running. I probably needed some rest anyway and now I am anxious to get back to my typically aggressive training schedule. In a few weeks I will be moving to the high mountains. I do not yet know where I will be living as the location details are still uncertain; but I am confident that things will fall into place. Once I return to Florida I will begin packing and preparing for my return.

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Training this week: Run 39.66 mi - Bike 0 mi (2 rest day)

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Sat Run - 11.83 mi - 9:12 pace - 133 avg hr
Wow, I ran with a running group and we were off buy 5:30 in the dark. I got lost, but found my way back. Its actually quite nice to be done this early.
Fri Rest
Thur PM Run - 5.22 mi -  41:42 - 7:59 pace - 138 avg hr

Runners Depot club run - I logged mile 2002 tonight making this the 3rd year in a row above 2000 miles
Thur AM Run - 6.8 mi - 53:13 - 7:49 pace - 140 avg hr
I am happy to get this run in before 8 AM - I need to do that regularly.
Wed Run - 7.11 - 1:00:11 - 8:27 pace - 140 avg hr
I am not in Colorado anymore. I forgot how hard it is to run in the Florida humidity. Less than 2 weeks unti I move!
Tues Run - 5.12 mi - 39:00 - 7:37 pace 129 avg hr
World of Beer run. I was happy to finally run mostly pain free tonight. 
Mon Travel
Sun Run - 3.58 mi - 36:15 - 10:07 pace - 135 avg hr
Wow that was hard, slow and extremely wobbly. The downhill of Green Mountain destroyed this flat lander's quads a couple of days ago. Even with multiple rest days, I struggled. I probably should not have attempted to run today. I fly back to Florida tomorrow so it will be another rest day. Hopefully when I move to Colorado next month, my legs will adapt to the pounding of the mountains. They will, when I lived here a few years ago, it was never a problem. Still, I really wanted to get more running in on this trip. So it goes.

-

Last week: run 30.93 mi - bike 0 (3 rest day) 

last month run 266.7 mi (1 rest day)  - bike 0 

-

run yr: 2,014.38 mi

bike yr: 207.95 mi         

-

run last yr: 2,670.88 mi
bike last yr: 3614.17

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#traumatic #
BrainInjury #TBI #running #training #healing #politics #liberal #democratic #triathlons #UltraRunning #vegan #athletes #blogging #Google #Blogger #rants #howls #peace #love #WorldOfBeer #Beer #Facebook #marathon #PlantPower #liberal #secular #atheist #LeftWingPolitics #democratic #fitness #health #PlantBasedNutrition 
#traumatic #
BrainInjury #TBI #running #training #healing #politics #liberal #democratic #triathlons #UltraRunning #vegan #athletes #blogging #Google #Blogger #rants #howls #peace #love #WorldOfBeer #Beer #Facebook #marathon #PlantPower #liberal #secular #atheist #LeftWingPolitics #democratic #fitness #health #PlantBasedNutrition

Sunday, August 9, 2015

MyHowl August 9 - 15

Saturday


-
I'm a little bit frustrated today. The primary purpose of my Colorado trip was to find a place to live. I spent two full days looking at properties. I found a nice agent to show me around and we found lots of affordable properties to buy. I did find one that I particularly liked in the hills on 2.5 acres. I do not know if I will be able to finagle the buy or not, but I am trying. The thing is, regardless, I will have about 2 weeks to move once I get back to Florida and my time will be primarily dedicated to packing. It is weird because I do not have a place to call home and will not before I journey back. Randomness and chaos is the story of Dick Dime. Also, I wanted to do a lot of trail running while in Colorado. I did run Green Mountain and it was awesome. Unfortunately, the down hills have wrecked my quads and I have taken 2 consecutive rest days and today will most likely be my 3rd. I have become a flat-lander and I am paying the price. I am staying positive and I know things will work out. Still...


Sunday 
This time tomorrow morning I will be on an airplane for my visit to Colorado. I will be there for a week and I can't wait to see my daughter, Nico and my grand-daughter Mo. Of course I will make time to see as many of my friends as possible. The primary purpose of this trip however, is to find a place to call home. At the end of August, I am moving back to Colorado. I had a nice 3+ year escape to Florida. So many great things have happened; I return a much improved survivor of traumatic brain injury.
-
I have trained hard and later this week I will have logged 2000 miles running for the 3rd straight year (this year the earliest despite not having The Leadville 100 on my schedule). I still have a lot of work to do if I ever want to be a comparable athlete to the one that I left behind in August of 2009. It is much more challenging post TBI. Even though I don't think that I ever ran more than 1000 miles in a single year before the accident, I was a much faster runner. I am excited to report that my progress has been measurable and I can anticipate significant improvements to come. Simply put, I cannot wait to return.
-
Unfortunately I will be moving without my girlfriend and team-mate, Mimi. I know that she still loves me as I love her. As a wise man once said, it remains to be seen. As for me, I believe the distance will be a minor obstacle and our relationship will remain secure, limitless.  
-
Beautiful.

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Training this week: Run 30.93 - Bike 0 mi (0 rest day)

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Wed Run - 6.81 mi - 1:09:23 - 10:11 Pace - 135 avg hr
Green Mountain - Lakewood, CO - 986 feet of elevation gain
Tues Run - 10.15 mi - 1:21:28 - 8:01 pace - 134 avg hr
First run on my Colorado trip. I ran from my buddies house to my old stomping ground of Washington Park. It felt awesome to run in the dry mountain air. I did something I could never do in South Florida. I ran without any Gatorade for 10 miles. In SoFla I would be walking home by 8 miles.
Mon AM Run - 7.23 mi - 57:47 - 7:59 pace - 125 avg hr
Very early run at about 2:30 am. I am flying to Denver this morning so I wanted to sneak a quick jog in.
Sun Run - 6.74 mi - 50:50 - 7:33 pace - xxx avg hr
Good run. 6.2 at near tempo and then recovery home.

-

Last week: run 62.45 mi - bike 0 (1 rest day) 

last month run 266.7 mi (1 rest day)  - bike 0 

-

run yr: 1,974.72 mi

bike yr: 207.95 mi         

-

run last yr: 2,670.88 mi
bike last yr: 3614.17

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#traumatic #
BrainInjury #TBI #running #training #healing #politics #liberal #democratic #triathlons #UltraRunning #vegan #athletes #blogging #Google #Blogger #rants #howls #peace #love #WorldOfBeer #Beer #Facebook #marathon #PlantPower #liberal #secular #atheist #LeftWingPolitics #democratic #fitness #health #PlantBasedNutrition 
#traumatic #
BrainInjury #TBI #running #training #healing #politics #liberal #democratic #triathlons #UltraRunning #vegan #athletes #blogging #Google #Blogger #rants #howls #peace #love #WorldOfBeer #Beer #Facebook #marathon #PlantPower #liberal #secular #atheist #LeftWingPolitics #democratic #fitness #health #PlantBasedNutrition

Sunday, August 2, 2015

MyHowl August 2 - 8

Saturday
First run in my new running watch today. I had to replace my Garmin 910XT (very expensive); so I am trying the Garmin Forerunner 620. It appears to be an excellent running watch with many fantastic metrics. Still, I struggle with new devices and generally experience a learning curve. Today was not any different; but the watch seems to have worked in spite of my ignorance. Perhaps I will read the manual now.



Monday
If you haven't seen this film, take the time to do so.

Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, EARTHLINGS chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.
EARTHLINGS is a 2005 documentary film about humanity's use of animals as pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and for scientific research. The film is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, features music by Moby, was directed by Shaun Monson, and was co-produced by Maggie Q, all of whom are practicing vegans.
"Narrated by Academy Award Nominee Joaquin Phoenix and featuring music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby, EARTHLINGS is a documentary film about humankind's complete economic dependence on animals raised for pets, food, clothing, entertainment and scientific research. Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, EARTHLINGS chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit. Powerful, informative, controversial and thought-provoking, EARTHLINGS is by far the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals and human economic interests."


Sunday 

Here is a great and healthy vegan recipe. I have made this on multiple occasions (and I am no chef) and it is delicious. Give it a try.


Ingredients 

  • 1/3 cup vegan margarine
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup soy milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)


Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together the vegan margarine and sugar, then stir in the flour and baking powder and baking soda. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Pour into an oiled bread pan and bake for 50 minutes.

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Training this week: Run 62.45 - Bike 0 mi (0 rest day)

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Fri - Run 6.73 mi - 54:24 - 8:04 pace - 125 avg hr
easy morning jog

Thur - PM Run - 5.2 mi - 38:25 - 7:23 pace - 133 avg hr
Runners Depot club run - good pace tonight.
Thur - AM Run - 6.73 mi - 56:19 - 8:22 pace - 125 avg hr
I got up and out early. I rarely finish as early as I did today (6:40 am)
Wed - Run - 8.12 mi - 1:06:30 - 8:11 pace - 129 avg hr
steady easy morning jog
Tues - PM Run - 5.11 mi - 40:27 - 7:54 pace - 125 avg hr
World of Beer run club

Tues - AM Run - 7.11 mi - 57:16 - 8:03 pace - 130 avg hr
decent run, no issues. 
Mon - Run - 8.12 mi - 1:02:31 - 7:41 pace - 135 avg hr
I felt so much better on this run than on yesterday's early morning run. It was humid and windy as a storm had just rolled in but I found a dry spell to get out.

Sun Run - 7.25 mi - 1:04:10 - 8:51 pace - 134 avg hr
Pre-dawn run today - very slow start and I progressively increased the pace

-

Last week: run 60.39 mi - bike 0 (1 rest day) 

last month run 266.7 mi (1 rest day)  - bike 0 

-

run yr: 1,943.79 mi

bike yr: 207.95 mi         

-

run last yr: 2,670.88 mi
bike last yr: 3614.17

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#traumatic #
BrainInjury #TBI #running #training #healing #politics #liberal #democratic #triathlons #UltraRunning #vegan #athletes #blogging #Google #Blogger #rants #howls #peace #love #WorldOfBeer #Beer #Facebook #marathon #PlantPower #liberal #secular #atheist #LeftWingPolitics #democratic #fitness #health #PlantBasedNutrition 
#traumatic #
BrainInjury #TBI #running #training #healing #politics #liberal #democratic #triathlons #UltraRunning #vegan #athletes #blogging #Google #Blogger #rants #howls #peace #love #WorldOfBeer #Beer #Facebook #marathon #PlantPower #liberal #secular #atheist #LeftWingPolitics #democratic #fitness #health #PlantBasedNutrition