2007 Peachtree Road Race - 55,000 PEOPLE!!!

55,000 PEOPLE!!! Holy crap! An amazing sight to see. And even more amazing to be a part of it.

Way to go everybody! I would like to congratulate all my family peeps for crossing the finish line at this years Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, Georgia. What a way to celebrate the 4th. I had a blast and was able to finish the race without walking and even had a little steam at the end to bust out a nice little stride for the ladies. They love me! Anyway, here are some of the group photos that we took before and after the race. Notice the headband. I am too cool. But I do have to admit that this was a very exciting event and even though I ran alone, I felt a part of the whole phenomenon. The energy was just awesome. Sign me up for next year!

This was way too early for me to be smiling so ridiculously. I have no idea how i did it.


This was after the race. I got my t-shirt and bragging rights.


Then the family came out to meet us.

Hot, Hot, HOT!

It has been quite some time since my last entry and many things have happened since then. I'm not sure where to start so I will be brief.

As some of you may know, I am going to be running the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th in Atlanta. I have not been training or running very much recently. I have been very busy and feel that I need an excuse to justify my lazy ass not getting out as much as should. But to the point, I decided to go out for an easy 3 miler. Well, it was not so easy. This is in part to the fact that my daughter accompanied me on her bike as I ran. But mainly because it was 90º with 60% humidity which makes it FEEL like 98º. The sun beating on my face felt as though it was melting my skin by the second mile. We made about 4 stops in the shade to drink water and for my daughter to take a breather as I ran in place. I am beginning to think that running in this kind of heat is not very good. I was well hydrated and had food in my system. But it was just agony. Now I know why I normally choose to run at night. I will continue to do so. Unless I have the ability to wake up at some ridiculous hour in the morning and do it.

I just hope it's not that hot for the P'tree because the only way I would be ablt to prep for that would be to run in this horrible heat here in Florida. And it's not even at its worst yet!! The worst comes in July and August. *sigh*

Either way, I finished the 3 today and will proabably go out tomorrow for a night run. This heat is just insane. It can't be healthy.

The new Pensive Crow House is well under way!
Front


1st Floor (half bath in right corner)


First Floor (kitchen in back left corner)


Stairs Going to 2nd Floor


2nd Floor Looking North

Mickler Pics

I think I can, I think I can...


I CAN! (barely). Nice chin, uh? jesus.


and the group shot...

The Mickler Mile

This morning I challenged myself in more ways than one.

1. Getting up at 5:45a.m. (after drinking the night before) *oof*
2. Sprinting 1 mile at 7:00a.m. in 6:40 and only gagging a couple of times.
3. Not dying

I am proud of myself for running a decent time and having the head to go for it. I decided to do this thing last night, right before I went to bed. It was on Anastasia Island about two blocks from the beach. Mickler Road. You could smell the morning saltiness from the ocean breeze. I love that. *sniff, sniff* Ahhhh. And Mickler Road is exactly one mile long.

Anyway. I know I have been few and far between with my entries. But I will do my best to keep pace.

This is what we call life...and a real cowboy!

Hey look...a real cowboy!

Update: I need to let myself go for a minute so please bare with me....

For those of you who know me very well, you can understand why sometimes my "things" just don't make sense in a "life should go THIS way" kind of way. So, I took some time off from my blog for no particular reason other than the fact that I have a busy schedule and things happen in life that make it more important for me to devote time to "it" rather than spilling my dirty innards here onto your cheap internet connection for a cheap thrill. Or maybe a stalking or two. No offense to those who hide. Philosophically, I could go on for several eternities...but I guess I won't. So my life has gone well in many ways. My daughter is excelling and making me very proud and my wife is beginning to find her stitch in life that seems to fit pretty well. I am very proud her as well. Of course I, myself fall off course every once in awhile, but hey...who doesn't?

Wow. That was a stretch. Yeee-arrrrhhhh-ehhh. *crack* *pop* (oof)

My running: Last week I did a few 5 milers and a 6er. I did several treadmill runs and elevated the track to a 2% incline which is supposed to make up for the lack of wind resistence that you do get on an outdoor run (based upon a 6mph running speed). On average that is. It felt very good. My legs are strong and my spirit high (most of the time). My lungs are still cashed somewhat from the many years of filling them with smoke but I feel are clearing out pretty quick. And I still am amazed at the fact that a cigarrette hasn't touched my lips in 534 days. Sweeeet! The Peachtree Road Race approaches and I wonder: Will I win??? No. So...what is the inspiration? I'll tell you. Fun and ego. Both must be filled from time to time. And I look forward to both. And family of course.

The world is changing as am I. That goes for you too! Embrace aging, difference and tolerate the pull of stimulus. But also be prepared to make a decision. A big one. At some point it will haunt you and you need to take it with conviction and confidence. Otherwise anxiety will stand in for procrastination. For example: Should I poison the squirrels in my roof? heh heh. No, not really. But they WILL leave my house dammit!

So anywy. Apologies for the delay in update. I will try to be more attentive. Be very careful when listening to mass media. Don't ever be too comfortable with what you hear about what we are doing in the Middle East. And listen VERY carefully. Makle your own assesment. Not what is fed to you by the "media spoon" of complacency.

Listen to music and swim in the ocean.

I am a total slack ass

I have not been out in over a week! So, I am making a promise that as of tonight I will be starting my official training for the Peachtree Road Race.

On a totally different note:
Other then my slack-ass self, I would also like to criticize certain individuals who feel that broadcasting emotionally sensitive material, such as the recent rantings of the korean psychopath, Seung-Hui Cho, that some feel is "inappropriate" or "morally inept" can simply quiet themselves (would much rather use other language here) and turn off their fu**ing television. You have like...200 channels!! That is what defines personal freedoms. Choice!

In case you want to challenge that notion: http://www.bottomlayer.com/bottom/basic_delayed_choice.htm

Turn it off or change the channel!

Anyway, this is impulsive ranting derived from my own dark side. However, I do felel it is justified to air anything that has value to peoples curiosity of currrent affairs. And this means that broadcasting things that offend people. If you are one of those people offended by images of a crazy person that murdered a bunch of people, then why not do yourself and the rest of us a favor by reducing your household's energy consupmtion by throwing your goddamn television in the trash can. Or give it to me! I still need one in my bathroom.

And don't even get me started on the people who feel that "predicting" a person's actions is the 'answer' to avoiding such horror...

Let us consider that a person's choise of action is a manifestation of thought. Thought originates in the human brain. How could we possibly make a 'thoughful prediction' of a person's actions, if that person's actions remain a mystery even far after the event has occured.

Much more eloquently put:

“When the number of factors coming into play in a phenomenological complex is too large, scientific method in most cases fails. One need only think of the weather, in which case the prediction even for a few days ahead is impossible.”
- Albert Einstein

Trying to motivate...

Seems the hardest thing to do is to keep yourself motivated. I went out tonight for an easy three miler and felt I could do at least two more when I finished. It was a cool night. Like 67 degrees. Perfect running weather. Not too crisp, not too humid. Just how I like it. During the 1st and 3rd mile mark, I did burp up a little bit of spaghetti sauce that I probably shouldn't have eaten just before I went out. But hey, it never made it past my molers. So I'm happy about that. Currently I'm trying to get my life back in order. So if you don't hear from in a while again. Please be patient. I'm loyal. I promise.

Forgot what number I'm at.
But anywhoo.

I'd like to make it TO space before I die. And live to tell about it. In a SPACESHIP, such as a SHUTTLE, or Space POD of some sort.

And pardon the CAPS, but some of the more persnickety, literary types occasionally need clarification when it comes to posting vague or assumptive writings. Sorry! Geez.