tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20007862171913389652024-03-05T02:09:11.534-08:00Enjoy the JourneyLive the Adventure. Enjoy the Journey. Be Kind. Have Faith!ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-69125898385407253702015-12-30T14:49:00.002-08:002015-12-30T15:17:46.053-08:00Year in Review - 2015!While I may not have been blogging, it has been one heck of a year. Unlike the past few years, there have been some very difficult times as well as some really unexpected things that were pretty darn amazing. Life has been very steady and good for quite a while so I guess it was time to shake things up a bit. Not one to disappoint, God provided. I could say it was a difficult year because there were some really difficult times, but there were too many wonderful things thrown in to feel sorry for myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLryR89jb2TOwJ8eo0ioFw25dlkM9Ws_yp7Yaa0JH_svzVXTFvEDd4S0FHYwUgWngQRA9XoibA5azmQK7l1W4CtpSi_4xe6JhoHRxwHNtrUmhiFjnW7FpQdlpRIulSpu3MwkgwIBZ_bff/s1600/IMG_20151116_112818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLryR89jb2TOwJ8eo0ioFw25dlkM9Ws_yp7Yaa0JH_svzVXTFvEDd4S0FHYwUgWngQRA9XoibA5azmQK7l1W4CtpSi_4xe6JhoHRxwHNtrUmhiFjnW7FpQdlpRIulSpu3MwkgwIBZ_bff/s200/IMG_20151116_112818.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRkO_XlW1mcpWpuZ-bN7jC64Xectu6VpRMq_QtnhvOBeSrCF_cCOHmSn1SaXHdv6aR7Tr0-xy2HkCxSMtHGlwH7RzBpjSNHp2BCXW5FWNt5xoiFnlTkVPY1C73fqfXvK-NKdLAPNJaCE7/s1600/IMG_20151116_112756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRkO_XlW1mcpWpuZ-bN7jC64Xectu6VpRMq_QtnhvOBeSrCF_cCOHmSn1SaXHdv6aR7Tr0-xy2HkCxSMtHGlwH7RzBpjSNHp2BCXW5FWNt5xoiFnlTkVPY1C73fqfXvK-NKdLAPNJaCE7/s320/IMG_20151116_112756.jpg" width="240" /></a>Unfortunately I had to say good-bye to my furry companion who had been my buddy for over 12 years, the Charlie dog. Charlie started showing signs of not feeling too well around August, and a trip to Vet confirmed that he was fighting cancer. He lost his fight after Thanksgiving, but he had a lot of great years. When I got him, he had just been rescued by a place that saved him from sure death - a high kill shelter. The way I see it is that every day he received after that was a bonus day, and he received <a href="http://www.theorybean.com/sub/charlie.html">a lot of bonus days</a>! We had also adopted Honey Bear so he would have a companion, and it was easy to see how much happier he was with her around. I think he stuck around a bit longer for her. I sure do miss him!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVHKekUTjonCLBI9zW8sxIkcLWNQExZbG_f95tiiGIiOPg4j7UpKo28tvSjMx5npfZEbgmzlKIMKSdRfx0Mh7qNPbq7FjPUxpkYj4evheZCvTCPmvVQ6vy2fv6JmcaE_yy-34MHQsnOuT/s1600/thegang+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVHKekUTjonCLBI9zW8sxIkcLWNQExZbG_f95tiiGIiOPg4j7UpKo28tvSjMx5npfZEbgmzlKIMKSdRfx0Mh7qNPbq7FjPUxpkYj4evheZCvTCPmvVQ6vy2fv6JmcaE_yy-34MHQsnOuT/s200/thegang+-+Copy.jpg" width="150" /></a>Things on the job front changed as well - multiple times! My project manager and good friend took a job with another company, and it changed the entire landscape of our project. Our company also merged with another larger company.<br />
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I soon switched to another project which helped me to realize how awesome my last project manager was, as if I didn't already know that. He and I were friends for a long time, and I miss our discussions and brain storming sessions. I don't know if we could have solved all the world's problems, but I think we could have checked a few of them off of the list. With the big change at work, I decided it was time to look for another job. Whammo presto! God provided in record time. I will start with a new company in the New Year. I am definitely going to miss my SRA Dayton friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP_UeeDSiuUiJSo3-LAeXOwoWg1UOqgFkES8_GB3Nv4lZBQnwRykek-QerBURVJCVQqDAas9T8uqtIAUADTz6gG0kzt-zGvLGSfx1p1LD8GeuxNnl_Mg6tRP4SksnUf4I0-f9E9JtwXXM/s1600/IMG_20130711_074136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP_UeeDSiuUiJSo3-LAeXOwoWg1UOqgFkES8_GB3Nv4lZBQnwRykek-QerBURVJCVQqDAas9T8uqtIAUADTz6gG0kzt-zGvLGSfx1p1LD8GeuxNnl_Mg6tRP4SksnUf4I0-f9E9JtwXXM/s320/IMG_20130711_074136.jpg" width="320" /></a>My coworker, friend, and breakfast buddy also lost her fight with cancer. It was very sudden and very sad. Karyl always had a smile on when I'd walk into her office. I'm not exactly sure when our friendship began, but it was years ago. We'd go and get tea together almost every morning around 10am. Tea time! That eventually turned into ladies' breakfast every few weeks with Karyl, Karrie (Karyl's daughter), Linda, Mom and me. Karyl's funeral was yesterday, and I still cannot believe we never get to have another tea or another breakfast together. I know she belongs to God, but her leaving is still a very difficult thing. It's been years since I've shed this many tears.<br />
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So that was a lot of rough stuff for one year, but I cannot possibly ignore all the great things that have happened as well. My mom's appendix ruptured while I was out of town. Well, actually, it ruptured before I left but we didn't know it. I had a call on my voicemail from mom after I finished a 50 mile race, "Cassie, I am on my way to the emergency room. The doctor says my appendix ruptured." I was in Montana. Mom was in Ohio. I felt my heart sink and fear gripped me, but I was already planning to leave for home early the next morning. This could have ended terribly, but it didn't! After a week in the hospital, mom was released. A few months later, she had that bad little appendix removed laparoscopically. Thank you, God! I'm chalking that up in the good category.<br />
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The other huge, and rather remarkable thing, is that I got married - at the age of 39. Over the years I learned that I could find joy being single and that it didn't make me less valuable even if society might hint (or shout) otherwise. Life was good, and I liked my life as it was. I had spoken to Jim a few times over the years, but it took us a long time to actually go on a date. Actually, it first started with going on runs which turned into getting food after running, which turned into dates, and more runs. I liked Jim. He liked me. We had a lot in common, and we enjoyed spending time together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My handsome groom</td></tr>
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I remember once upon a time Mr. Gray asked if a guy I was dating treated me well. I couldn't honestly answer that question with a yes then. Well, Mr. Gray, I can now honestly say yes. Jim treats me well. He's a good man. You'd like him.<br />
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Marrying Jim also brought other people into my life: his daughter and his family. They all treat me like family, and I couldn't ask for a better group of folks to call family.<br />
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Jim, I am thankful to have you in my life!<br />
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We will be sharing our new adventure <a href="http://clouseinthewoods.blogspot.com/">in a new blog</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KMcpnAfXS2EF7HApzULKX1WVmsBizVjknwKqap5iK9MND6AyqYTc7QugWvo0NrKUvMvPOMso8yMOwQ8-77j0j6uW77C3VtrGWAmtioAy2UyTnNrN6nmYLVKmLRVzTxX1om3P_saPyXa2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-17+at+16.22.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KMcpnAfXS2EF7HApzULKX1WVmsBizVjknwKqap5iK9MND6AyqYTc7QugWvo0NrKUvMvPOMso8yMOwQ8-77j0j6uW77C3VtrGWAmtioAy2UyTnNrN6nmYLVKmLRVzTxX1om3P_saPyXa2/s200/Screen+Shot+2015-05-17+at+16.22.28.jpg" width="200" /></a>While it seemed as if this year brought a huge amount of change in my life, there were some constants that I am so very thankful for. My tough mom who wanted to go shopping despite an appendix rupture. She took pain medication only after they told her she couldn't leave the hospital. This year I was also able to spend some time with my sister from another mother and friend of almost 20 years, Mary, who is now US Army (Retired)!<br />
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I am also thankful for all my other friends who've shared this year's journey with me. It's crazy to think I know so many wonderful people. I can't imagine what life would be like without you all. Thank you for being so awesome. Happy New Year!<br />
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ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-39343808386897476522015-01-02T14:32:00.000-08:002015-01-03T07:10:22.501-08:00Initial Impressions: Altra Olympus and Hoka Bondi 4After my disappointment with the <a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2014/07/shoe-review-hoka-bondi-3.html">Bondi 3</a> and subsequent Bondi 3 donation to the Salvation Army, I managed to find a pair of Bondi 2s at a reasonable price and have been running in those. Unfortunately the sole is on the way out so it was time to get new shoes for an upcoming double marathon. I have wanted to try the Altra Olympus for a while, but I wasn't up for paying full price. I noticed the price dropped significantly at <a href="http://www.runningwarehouse.com/Altra_Olympus/descpage-AOLYW1.html">Running Warehouse</a> so I decided to pick up a pair. I had read that they run small so I ordered an 8 rather than my usual 7.5. As soon as I put the shoes on my feet, I knew I needed another half size larger. I've found that if I feel like a pair of shoes feels like they might be too small, they will be by mile 30. Luckily Running Warehouse is great about such matters, and I soon had a 8.5 at my door.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIiA1LygiX2aUqQahabmvT6b2k0vM3w83_tf8K7HsmPL5UPTSGrQAKmhn6JHWLXhv5qygcOX-OLzwVCIe-Zi8OvYcVcDP0h4D29aOzn-whphPvBqgDl1WPBXQKRVx2McI_GH_gcPA5bTa/s1600/IMG_20141224_104916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIiA1LygiX2aUqQahabmvT6b2k0vM3w83_tf8K7HsmPL5UPTSGrQAKmhn6JHWLXhv5qygcOX-OLzwVCIe-Zi8OvYcVcDP0h4D29aOzn-whphPvBqgDl1WPBXQKRVx2McI_GH_gcPA5bTa/s1600/IMG_20141224_104916.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcehDzZoCbhmFD-JElnoGZOOsYKlZl2PVhs5Lca774VoGMHo1OirED9Xq_US8BvOztJjXg9jPqNtWfjcoN8TXF7wpFO3cD6P9-sp7MW1jMaU-WZ2vd6X9EC2zmqbD4czEKegYKcQDsZk1j/s1600/IMG_20141224_104935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcehDzZoCbhmFD-JElnoGZOOsYKlZl2PVhs5Lca774VoGMHo1OirED9Xq_US8BvOztJjXg9jPqNtWfjcoN8TXF7wpFO3cD6P9-sp7MW1jMaU-WZ2vd6X9EC2zmqbD4czEKegYKcQDsZk1j/s1600/IMG_20141224_104935.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a></div>
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Instantly I liked the upper of these shoes. The inside has nice padding and the quality of the materials is impressive. Of course, they also have that distinctive Altra shape. These are my first pair of Altras so they felt different than what I am accustomed to. The Olympus is a trail shoe, but it is hard to imagine that the tread would be effective on technical trails. What really struck me as strange after putting these shoes on was the "cliff" that seems to occur slightly forward of the ball of my foot. I expected zero drop shoes to be... well... flat. You know, slope of 0 an all of that. As I rolled from my heel to the front of the shoes, it felt as if there was a cliff near my toes. Odd. This strange drop makes it feel as though I should be impacting the ground on the ball of my foot. Do all Altras have this rocker "cliff"? If you know the answer, please let me know. My first run was a 6 mile run on the roads which went okay, but I am fairly certain these will not be my next long distance shoe. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nd42L9ier85LRThe-yDJNiZ1PB-tMThjv1e_Q126QJ9TgjyARTIWcOimXs5-rV3BjxwFwJpNfWqLBejmIRHvrlgIt_b3PBBvxuP43HG9mufjBdISpj8f3PB8e4w2WadtvvwlXFZ8ZjMt/s1600/IMG_20141224_104840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nd42L9ier85LRThe-yDJNiZ1PB-tMThjv1e_Q126QJ9TgjyARTIWcOimXs5-rV3BjxwFwJpNfWqLBejmIRHvrlgIt_b3PBBvxuP43HG9mufjBdISpj8f3PB8e4w2WadtvvwlXFZ8ZjMt/s1600/IMG_20141224_104840.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's Size 8.5 comes in at 8.5 ounces (no insole)</td></tr>
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I looked around for another pair of Bondi 2s with no luck. I noticed that the Bondi 4s had just been released so with a couple of looming races, I pulled the trigger. I had been told by Running Warehouse that the 4s should be lighter than the 3s (yay!), and I noticed they had changed the tongue of the shoe back to something that looked a little more comfortable. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RFWdyzyr3tRC4xjWVyWVhp_XokT4QiVOyj4jvTp0byCam3Jqm6sdgj5-JlvvVBR00CMVy5s3YKgHqL70exJX7XXPznGOzSFzIF59_Mz-Az_sCxy0KDOELBr0ND-RCJxOpJ7Q_N5uD__d/s1600/IMG_20141231_134859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RFWdyzyr3tRC4xjWVyWVhp_XokT4QiVOyj4jvTp0byCam3Jqm6sdgj5-JlvvVBR00CMVy5s3YKgHqL70exJX7XXPznGOzSFzIF59_Mz-Az_sCxy0KDOELBr0ND-RCJxOpJ7Q_N5uD__d/s1600/IMG_20141231_134859.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
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Despite Hoka still using my less than favorite upper that they incorporated since changing ownership, I was hopeful that the design change would make things better. For the most part, it has, but the stiffness is still a bit uncomfortable around the ankle area. The tongue of the shoe is significantly better than the one on the Bondi 3s, however. Instead of being a flat inflexible piece of material, it has some very comfy padding. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpnLtAQ9Oxb8NJtX5TjHQJHYphoztTtyAKhWIobzPup2PrjTQANNBosx2bhVW6_TJJdmgYa0-6XOrbz499rAtiAnONvTrlifZ36SRZUrKSn2ieBmgmAPUo48tvBn6lCShbUxStPEfzKx0/s1600/IMG_20141231_152115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpnLtAQ9Oxb8NJtX5TjHQJHYphoztTtyAKhWIobzPup2PrjTQANNBosx2bhVW6_TJJdmgYa0-6XOrbz499rAtiAnONvTrlifZ36SRZUrKSn2ieBmgmAPUo48tvBn6lCShbUxStPEfzKx0/s1600/IMG_20141231_152115.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bondi 4 versus Bondi 2 sole</td></tr>
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Hoka says they have added better material in key wear areas to increase durability, and the soles do look different. They also look slightly more narrow than the previous versions. Since I've read many complaints about the narrow nature of the Bondi model, I really do not know why Hoka would choose to do this. Perhaps to cut weight? If so, it worked. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9Me6nomvhzKea9Pdr9FO7GPSyUo2mnf1_epj0hLDcmWxudeazVRFCGXgjp-o_rpEchwtTcybtD_DADFLm2gHNeV3cmI8wwqP9aWPcq6LRJrS7TVBCvVI-VdZX-fpJL1kQT0rn-VEGybI/s1600/IMG_20141231_135244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9Me6nomvhzKea9Pdr9FO7GPSyUo2mnf1_epj0hLDcmWxudeazVRFCGXgjp-o_rpEchwtTcybtD_DADFLm2gHNeV3cmI8wwqP9aWPcq6LRJrS7TVBCvVI-VdZX-fpJL1kQT0rn-VEGybI/s1600/IMG_20141231_135244.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoka Bondi 4 women's size 7.5 - 8 ounces (no insole)</td></tr>
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The Bondi 3 came in at 8.5 ounces for a size 7.5, and now the Bondi 4 is 8 ounces. That still isn't as light as the original Bondi which came in at a mere 7.4 ounces for size 7.5, but it is a step in the right direction. I should also mention that I was told the new 4s run a bit larger than previous models, but I chose to go with my regular size, 7.5. I really see very little difference in the 7.5 Bondi 4s and the 2s. I am quite certain 7 would have been too small for me. The 4 seems more narrow than previous models, but things may feel different with added miles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhJn-HYcBCw6uXUrTX6wPsgbCf-i1HM6AF6fBCfQ_dKDG45UKrais9p7GImMbnWMrP-KnDKCAU-aWiil2pH-uLlxvfWVfIuicyMGniB0O0uB2zUGpgBCdHMeXqi-MQ1i0HhOCL21LM5HK/s1600/IMG_20141231_135047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhJn-HYcBCw6uXUrTX6wPsgbCf-i1HM6AF6fBCfQ_dKDG45UKrais9p7GImMbnWMrP-KnDKCAU-aWiil2pH-uLlxvfWVfIuicyMGniB0O0uB2zUGpgBCdHMeXqi-MQ1i0HhOCL21LM5HK/s1600/IMG_20141231_135047.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Bondi 4 Right: Bondi 2</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qPmlwH2tI2SedtXl6itoLeQUowL4EbZ1ISxExoJeVq8ZFhY4gItzlqAmHd5DWf2uz7wDpL_cuVr3N_6tS6rFosZxNPHssnAw0-2byRUR6m-J3iCiUQMt9FiX2h24-Kp-CIPLSvGLcnHZ/s1600/IMG_20141231_135127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qPmlwH2tI2SedtXl6itoLeQUowL4EbZ1ISxExoJeVq8ZFhY4gItzlqAmHd5DWf2uz7wDpL_cuVr3N_6tS6rFosZxNPHssnAw0-2byRUR6m-J3iCiUQMt9FiX2h24-Kp-CIPLSvGLcnHZ/s1600/IMG_20141231_135127.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left:Bondi 2 Right: Bondi 4</td></tr>
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Just for kicks, I ran some miles on the treadmill in the Hokas and then switched over to the Altras. The sole of the Altras is significantly harder than the Hokas. The strange rocker shape of the sole felt as if I was slapping the ground with my feet unless I made the conscious decision to run on the balls of my feet. Making this effort in a 5 mile race is doable, but after mile 20 in a marathon my mind isn't up for a lot of thinking. I then switched backed to the Hokas which felt a little odd, but not as odd as the other way around.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtMOk9iJN76Otp3b5CA56MhTjlO2wM00i1W-ABNgLS9ROUHY-OP076EKhnCzeu57jLyCO_vNjeWmx2mzpdnh5O26Rl4NC7ETFPgTK_P-W4w9Aml2ZBl7Sp1Kwf8sg9_wwyLTy32VSCx67/s1600/IMG_20141231_135149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtMOk9iJN76Otp3b5CA56MhTjlO2wM00i1W-ABNgLS9ROUHY-OP076EKhnCzeu57jLyCO_vNjeWmx2mzpdnh5O26Rl4NC7ETFPgTK_P-W4w9Aml2ZBl7Sp1Kwf8sg9_wwyLTy32VSCx67/s1600/IMG_20141231_135149.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
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If I could combine the feeling of the uppers and the anatomical shape of the Altras with the sole softness and rocker of the Bondi Bs, I think I might just have my perfect shoe. Until then, I'll put in some more miles with both of these shoes and see what turns up. Happy running!</div>
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ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-88816736973426919502014-11-25T17:58:00.000-08:002014-11-25T18:44:26.549-08:00Thanks to GodFor entirely too many years, I had no idea what it meant to be thankful. "Be thankful for what you have!" - a directive that implied it was as easy to be thankful as flipping a switch, or maybe it was simply a matter of changing your mind. I would do the best I could to will myself to have an "attitude of gratitude". It was short-lived. Rinse. Repeat. It felt as if I had an obligation to be thankful. How could a feeling of obligation ever really bring a feeling of thankfulness? Looking back, I have no idea how I believed that was possible, but I kept trying.<br />
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I often noticed a lot of the things I didn't have. I was also worried that what I did have would be taken away. Perhaps I would lose things if I didn't behave a certain way. Perhaps I would lose them simply by chance. Perhaps I never received the things I wanted because I wasn't behaving a certain way or maybe God just didn't want me to have them. I had no idea what was going on, but I was pretty certain it was all about me. Strangely, it was all about me, but not in the way I had imagined.<br />
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What I didn't understand was that it took more than just changing my mind or my attitude. What I now know is that I could only truly understand being thankful with help. That help came from Jesus.<br />
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I've had people ask about proof of the existence of Jesus and/or God. Of course, I cannot provide the rigid, almost mathematical, proof I assume they want. I've heard people say that their proof of Jesus comes from the change that occurs in them when they ask Jesus for help. This proof might not be concrete enough for some, but the truth is that most people are not capable of making a change deep within their core. We might like to think they can, but experience shows otherwise.<br />
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One of the biggest changes I experienced was being able to feel thankful. Instead of worrying or fearing loss, a good portion of my day I feel like I have everything I could ask for. My life has certainly changed over the years, but it hasn't been so drastic that I went from nothing to everything. It feels that way, though. Sometimes doubt creeps back in, and I wonder if I lost all that I have whether I'd still feel thankful as often as I do. More often than not, that brings to mind <a href="http://www.gci.org/bible/phil/paul">Paul</a>'s words while sitting in prison, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4. He never said rejoice in things you have. He said rejoice in the Lord.<br />
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I have many reasons to be thankful, but without the capacity to feel thankful, that would all mean very little. That is not something I gave myself or taught myself because I had no clue how to do that. This Thanksgiving, more than anything, I'm thankful for feeling thankful. Thanks to God!<br />
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<br />ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-38055482400914316332014-07-13T07:52:00.003-07:002014-07-13T07:56:15.718-07:00Shoe Review: Hoka Bondi 3After a lot of procrastination and 196 miles, I thought it was about time to review the Hoka Bondi 3s. When I first read about the new uppers on the 3s and the fact that it made the shoe a bit lighter, I was excited to give them a go. I went with the coral version.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vJi1fbuncvg_VJOVsMVCt49B0Czd2g8R3vRQ9wkHlPA7StcCWiwOTx0KBGT8pmZU1HxwPwv0oJrTrz5hFRxpqMSFZBqQYdqjJ9lE6vB6Wxb3zhCmaC87NLqnTjVolW4NXwMoG7s2OWks/s1600/2014-03-17-20-54-47_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vJi1fbuncvg_VJOVsMVCt49B0Czd2g8R3vRQ9wkHlPA7StcCWiwOTx0KBGT8pmZU1HxwPwv0oJrTrz5hFRxpqMSFZBqQYdqjJ9lE6vB6Wxb3zhCmaC87NLqnTjVolW4NXwMoG7s2OWks/s1600/2014-03-17-20-54-47_photo.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vJi1fbuncvg_VJOVsMVCt49B0Czd2g8R3vRQ9wkHlPA7StcCWiwOTx0KBGT8pmZU1HxwPwv0oJrTrz5hFRxpqMSFZBqQYdqjJ9lE6vB6Wxb3zhCmaC87NLqnTjVolW4NXwMoG7s2OWks/s1600/2014-03-17-20-54-47_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vJi1fbuncvg_VJOVsMVCt49B0Czd2g8R3vRQ9wkHlPA7StcCWiwOTx0KBGT8pmZU1HxwPwv0oJrTrz5hFRxpqMSFZBqQYdqjJ9lE6vB6Wxb3zhCmaC87NLqnTjVolW4NXwMoG7s2OWks/s1600/2014-03-17-20-54-47_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vJi1fbuncvg_VJOVsMVCt49B0Czd2g8R3vRQ9wkHlPA7StcCWiwOTx0KBGT8pmZU1HxwPwv0oJrTrz5hFRxpqMSFZBqQYdqjJ9lE6vB6Wxb3zhCmaC87NLqnTjVolW4NXwMoG7s2OWks/s1600/2014-03-17-20-54-47_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vJi1fbuncvg_VJOVsMVCt49B0Czd2g8R3vRQ9wkHlPA7StcCWiwOTx0KBGT8pmZU1HxwPwv0oJrTrz5hFRxpqMSFZBqQYdqjJ9lE6vB6Wxb3zhCmaC87NLqnTjVolW4NXwMoG7s2OWks/s1600/2014-03-17-20-54-47_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vJi1fbuncvg_VJOVsMVCt49B0Czd2g8R3vRQ9wkHlPA7StcCWiwOTx0KBGT8pmZU1HxwPwv0oJrTrz5hFRxpqMSFZBqQYdqjJ9lE6vB6Wxb3zhCmaC87NLqnTjVolW4NXwMoG7s2OWks/s1600/2014-03-17-20-54-47_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Mk9GoaW6sOCZMMOvYjsobU-VMKtevJ1v9mrj01bIIwGl__qSlr75xMGqjU227jPv8UT6oroLWdBnjd2ghMXj_BlUYT7aGfbQaGAd0-8ybsqT2xvCWSRLJMJ0zaK9hX_C_WOS6oKkItAr/s1600/2014-03-21-11-37-54_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Mk9GoaW6sOCZMMOvYjsobU-VMKtevJ1v9mrj01bIIwGl__qSlr75xMGqjU227jPv8UT6oroLWdBnjd2ghMXj_BlUYT7aGfbQaGAd0-8ybsqT2xvCWSRLJMJ0zaK9hX_C_WOS6oKkItAr/s1600/2014-03-21-11-37-54_photo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hoka decided to go with their new lacing system on these, but they did throw in a pair of regular laces for those who aren't fans. I changed out the laces just after taking these pictures. The other big change was the uppers. The sole felt just like the original Bondi Bs (<a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2011/11/hoka-one-one-bondi-b-shoe-review.html">read my review</a>) to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeJhLdfjpFnPEgdgT0yaXZ3d0R6xkPgAjWG-W3rFq4xXHZfjuHHytLFzLKg5xy0SZHFZ3wKnDWpE9ezUOxvNCp5uugROu0Yx2Zbb-DvnM4-i1N9Qhyphenhyphenui10z-iZFKd9ed79vlkOqR8YAMj/s1600/2014-03-17-20-55-49_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeJhLdfjpFnPEgdgT0yaXZ3d0R6xkPgAjWG-W3rFq4xXHZfjuHHytLFzLKg5xy0SZHFZ3wKnDWpE9ezUOxvNCp5uugROu0Yx2Zbb-DvnM4-i1N9Qhyphenhyphenui10z-iZFKd9ed79vlkOqR8YAMj/s1600/2014-03-17-20-55-49_photo.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Women's Size 7.5 (no insoles) = 8.5 ounces</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hoka Bondi B Size 8 Women's (without insole) = 7.4 ounces</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hoka Kailua Tarmac Size 7.5 Women's (without insole) = 7.5 ounces</span></div>
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Well, hmmmm, those new Bondi 3s appear to be a full ounce heavier the my old Bondi Bs. I'm not exactly sure where I read they would be lighter, but this was disappointing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkEKuPWrh8HzyHfGLcWLoQIqPO5tTUfGgXV1Gk4qq0tiCFFX78_i6sWu7oBLIayocC6LOO93iSDFz2GThCJioTzatqoz6uuv2UPWVXNqp_QOiJxHwPYTrBwdo1TeOTvaiEZ2xcXQ9v3G9/s1600/2014-03-21-11-40-04_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkEKuPWrh8HzyHfGLcWLoQIqPO5tTUfGgXV1Gk4qq0tiCFFX78_i6sWu7oBLIayocC6LOO93iSDFz2GThCJioTzatqoz6uuv2UPWVXNqp_QOiJxHwPYTrBwdo1TeOTvaiEZ2xcXQ9v3G9/s1600/2014-03-21-11-40-04_photo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bondi B vs. Bondi 3 vs. Hoka Kailua Tarmac</span></div>
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The new upper was supposed to make the shoe more durable, and from what I can tell with almost 200 miles on them, it has done just that. I can wash the shoe, and it looks basically brand new. The other thing the new upper did was make the shoe feel a bit larger because it just isn't as thick as the old Bondi upper. Unfortunately there was another side effect of this new upper. After putting 20 training miles on the shoes, I took them for a spin at the Georgia Marathon and wound up with a slight bruise on the top of my foot near my ankle due to the stiffness of the material. It must have softened a bit with miles as I had no bruises after the Delaware Marathon, but I still was not loving them.<br />
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I noticed the uppers on the Hoka Conquest felt stiff as well after a test run at a local running store in March. That is one of the reasons I went with the Bondi 3 over the Conquest. While the material has softened enough so that it does not cause any more bruising, it still feels a lot less comfy than those old Bondis on my feet. If I could go back and buy a pair of the originals, I would. <br />
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What to do, what to do. It appears that Hoka is starting to use this material on most of the new shoes being released. Since these shoes are Hokas, I shouldn't have to purchase a new pair for quite a few more miles. I'm just not excited about buying another pair with this new, stiff upper material. Part of the reason I was dragging my feet on writing this review was because I really wanted to like these shoes as much as the old ones. Truth is, I don't. I'm scoping out the new Altra Paradigms for my next purchase, but the colors in the women's model are ... well ... ick. I just can't do it. Hopefully by the time these wear out, Altra will release some new colors or maybe Hoka will make an adjustment on the upper material. Believe me, this was not the review I was hoping to write.ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-73768999633151422622014-03-02T09:00:00.000-08:002014-03-02T09:00:03.332-08:00Shoe Review: Hoka Kailua Trail<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF44IdVo_72n-Oza5sRadi665pRFB15KgyxFK5FM5vzMPjHFaj0UaRDR1POKlYwCjv8o55Uy_YGbw0htpaF1shgGd0q7oRkvidAdtXbJQUNMWneyBo8AqIVH50CgNVLo5utJ0m7G9KUiv3/s1600/hoka_kt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF44IdVo_72n-Oza5sRadi665pRFB15KgyxFK5FM5vzMPjHFaj0UaRDR1POKlYwCjv8o55Uy_YGbw0htpaF1shgGd0q7oRkvidAdtXbJQUNMWneyBo8AqIVH50CgNVLo5utJ0m7G9KUiv3/s1600/hoka_kt.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a>I picked up a pair of Kailua Trail shoes at <a href="http://www.runningwarehouse.com/">Running Warehouse</a> for $99 during a sale. I wasn't in the market for a Stinson Evo Trail (<a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2012/05/hoka-one-one-stinson-evo-review.html">review</a>) replacement, but I decided $30 off made them worth a try. While I like the Stinson Evo for trail running, I always felt like the tread offered a little less than what I expected as far as grip. I got that impression after running in the Mafates (<a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2013/01/shoe-review-hoka-one-one-mafate-2.html">review</a>) which didn't fit me overly well but gripped the ground like nobody's business. After having these shoes for a few months, I finally got a chance to take them out on trails that weren't completely ice and snow covered.<br />
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Before I did that, I managed to get a few shots of them:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFzCA_D_SYjvA08k_O-5ls0Xu277bv5zgxr63_P1mhmM9-yh3Lk0Mfb58gwrJJdFuuhNETRGeNOa7SV5Xk2Ukq5SNSdeUrWcOfauBUOYRZ8OU8YvkAnIjEMixjI5wQiUhPkrg5DI40WZJ/s1600/three_hokas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFzCA_D_SYjvA08k_O-5ls0Xu277bv5zgxr63_P1mhmM9-yh3Lk0Mfb58gwrJJdFuuhNETRGeNOa7SV5Xk2Ukq5SNSdeUrWcOfauBUOYRZ8OU8YvkAnIjEMixjI5wQiUhPkrg5DI40WZJ/s1600/three_hokas.jpg" height="132" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tale of 3 Hokas: Kailua Tarmac, Kailua Trail, Bondi B (1)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQ8SryVvb-gr3SR_GbJXLjvPUJOA1O2acaBxqc7SGpLQa8UGhb7joa9jLN_6K3xtR5rfXUEV6AtYw1RYJ9y7iBgpNeQZIVx0pB5vMv8TcX92vdiqfwDKa4FVVhAip7vxadr8FV_L2z1-H/s1600/kt_weight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQ8SryVvb-gr3SR_GbJXLjvPUJOA1O2acaBxqc7SGpLQa8UGhb7joa9jLN_6K3xtR5rfXUEV6AtYw1RYJ9y7iBgpNeQZIVx0pB5vMv8TcX92vdiqfwDKa4FVVhAip7vxadr8FV_L2z1-H/s1600/kt_weight.jpg" height="156" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Women's Size 7.5 (no insoles) = 7.7 ounces<br />Kailua Tarmac = 7.5 ounces</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Bondi Bs = 7.4 ounces</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Stinson Evo Tarmacs = 8.8 ounce</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">s</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">trail Stinson Evos = 9 ounces</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />Mafate 2 = 10 ounces</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pg0xH5o75u3mEcM8VSTxwM3gg_ucTaCv3Mq135KdFkxOUY0Dlw7c_pBGWV78f-5oTBQ98wwfTw2DqBKODXoHqO4ufG2l4pRzugCJ1RC25k3MnQepNCPpyCBaDkV2e2vCsuAHsjQH_dB5/s1600/tread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pg0xH5o75u3mEcM8VSTxwM3gg_ucTaCv3Mq135KdFkxOUY0Dlw7c_pBGWV78f-5oTBQ98wwfTw2DqBKODXoHqO4ufG2l4pRzugCJ1RC25k3MnQepNCPpyCBaDkV2e2vCsuAHsjQH_dB5/s1600/tread.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail - left : Tarmac - right</td></tr>
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I just wore the <a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2013/12/shoe-review-hoka-kailua-tarmac.html">Kailua Tarmacs</a> in the El Paso marathon so I assumed a long trail run in a brand new pair of Trails should be just fine. Just like the Tarmac version, I removed the thin little insole and replaced them with a pair of regular insoles. Just in case, I did throw my Stinsons into the back of my car. I headed over to meet my favorite Marathon Manic for an easy long run, but our first few steps onto the trail made it obvious this was going to be a little harder than anticipated. Part of the trail had a significant amount of mud and other parts were covered in slushy ice. There were some parts that were in absolutely perfect shape which made this a great trail shoe test course. The front of the Kailua Trails have a toe guard which was a good thing as I managed to kick something sticking out of the ground. I kept myself upright, and my toe didn't get hurt thanks to the hardened toe area. The tread also had a good amount of grip which meant I didn't do much slipping in the mud and ice slush. The mud did stick quite a bit to the bottom of the shoe. That said, I would take this tread over the the Stinson Trail tread any day.<br />
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10 miles later, I never even considered switching from the Kailuas into the Stinsons. I did consider running my next trail 50 miler in these, though. These things were covered in mud by the end of the run, and after a quick washing, they look as good as new. They do have less cushion than the Stinson Evo trail so I'm still not certain which pair I will be wearing during longer events, but I may have found my new favorite trail shoe.<br />
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ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-92165752946987254112014-01-30T17:52:00.000-08:002014-01-30T18:16:46.131-08:00Tecumseh Trail MixThe last truly muddy long distance trail run I ran was in 2011. It was not fun. I vowed never to torture myself that way again. It's funny how time makes us forget.<br />
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I had signed up for the Tecumseh Trail Marathon expecting a snowy run in December. It was so snowy, in fact, that the run had to be postponed due to a snow storm in Indiana. The Race Director opted to reschedule the event to January 11th. This was a hit or miss proposition with the harsh winter the Midwest had been having and continues to endure. Up until a couple of days before the race, I wasn't even sure that running it was going to be an option. Tecumseh was originally a point to point course which happens to be my favorite type of course. There is something about someone dropping you miles and miles from your car and then saying go! The harsh weather conditions this year turned this course into a lolly pop with 3 loops and then back. Not my preferred option, but I really wanted to kick this year off to a good start with a January marathon. It also helped that Jim was as brave (or crazy, whichever you prefer) as I and had planned to run Tecumseh, too. Difficult times are much easier when shared.<br />
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The beginning section of the trail was on road. Normally this feels a lot like cheating because it gives you some faster miles, but not on this day, on this course. The road was completely covered in ice. This was the only time I fell during the entire event. I slid on the ice and some lovely soul behind me grabbed me and helped me get up off of the ground. No clue who you are, but thank you! After that slip, it was time for a water crossing (in the middle of the road?!) that had ice along the bottom and water that went up to my knees. Rather than go into all the gory details of the trail portion of this race, I will just say that we were usually either running in 1. mud or 2. water with ice floating in it or 3. on ice. We did that loop 3 times and then it was back to more ice water and then onto the icy road. While all these things were impossible to ignore, another thing that was impossible to ignore was the volunteers. They were all so nice and friendly, and they stood out there in the freezing cold helping us so we could finish this race. We both managed to finish without any major injuries which was not a given on this trail in these conditions. That said, we didn't get out unscathed. I am very thankful that the falls, slips, slides, blisters, brier scratches and multiple ice water crossings didn't do more damage.<br />
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I also must say I have never had so many pictures taken during a trail race. That means I can show you some of the fun we had. I also want to give a shout out to <a href="http://edibotrails.blogspot.com/">Ed</a> who I bumped into after the race. Good to see you again!<br />
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On with the pics...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icy roads...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD45iKwEku4TlEPhI5aTb9ks2TmDRp1dlKNUUaybpeBBsSHAt_O4ru9ASn36RVUDJK5ZY71tnpJeYN4TUWMWjwp59gRA5p2Sn63waneJJJrBGe_FeWw0M7NMuEODiszdEHgOgNMSxUngO/s1600/DSC_3584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD45iKwEku4TlEPhI5aTb9ks2TmDRp1dlKNUUaybpeBBsSHAt_O4ru9ASn36RVUDJK5ZY71tnpJeYN4TUWMWjwp59gRA5p2Sn63waneJJJrBGe_FeWw0M7NMuEODiszdEHgOgNMSxUngO/s1600/DSC_3584.JPG" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It begins...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQcwppukYm4Yit9QFfrBy0cfWgI8TVTpBSjciPRCRZSUjdCePjPj_fyJQwjpxC4f6VhfpEnVZtLB8s91q0gPmckmFrVv9PWexYeSpCss7hGRRENCcOqZUDWZY57VXS4uq77At2LyQ7KFr/s1600/P1110239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQcwppukYm4Yit9QFfrBy0cfWgI8TVTpBSjciPRCRZSUjdCePjPj_fyJQwjpxC4f6VhfpEnVZtLB8s91q0gPmckmFrVv9PWexYeSpCss7hGRRENCcOqZUDWZY57VXS4uq77At2LyQ7KFr/s1600/P1110239.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice water trail... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ2m59b3dBN2dOJaol4zN3MxVQlMKvgUj5ZfTRZy6X_XZn193Sc7H4CsJrF9INCSwXezbxquOnrqwSlV-8raCDzri0kqZZuxxdxwO_KX_rskBnfq-IB0fcu2UuAx46w2CSmbySySVQAsr/s1600/P1110244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ2m59b3dBN2dOJaol4zN3MxVQlMKvgUj5ZfTRZy6X_XZn193Sc7H4CsJrF9INCSwXezbxquOnrqwSlV-8raCDzri0kqZZuxxdxwO_KX_rskBnfq-IB0fcu2UuAx46w2CSmbySySVQAsr/s1600/P1110244.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Might as well run through it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek crossing....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUYDUKhG6KaFmBR75MFLvRwYeSOhgh7LYqcY3cD-eDReei6pPyEs0VW5zXy78z0UTTKITy6nBKC1qJQ9vJnqQJXySMqonuC6IHj9GuSSM4Ns7-b58MbblYAmVDY8KU5H-3_Ug-X7IaHKU/s1600/cassie_n_jim_tecumseh_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUYDUKhG6KaFmBR75MFLvRwYeSOhgh7LYqcY3cD-eDReei6pPyEs0VW5zXy78z0UTTKITy6nBKC1qJQ9vJnqQJXySMqonuC6IHj9GuSSM4Ns7-b58MbblYAmVDY8KU5H-3_Ug-X7IaHKU/s1600/cassie_n_jim_tecumseh_1.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, hills, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Li9vyw7qkWy4KTnWxK85C6fXFZ1hnkmqAJ7ttXnCbkefxxKhY9hyA97x56fdzfGrSfPdGFXXN094unaCtgHB1wJPLAezxLohUTkhi2RcYLFuBLixHMGC8_8yDqbBKDkOaulFGDFFZr6X/s1600/dsc_4398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Li9vyw7qkWy4KTnWxK85C6fXFZ1hnkmqAJ7ttXnCbkefxxKhY9hyA97x56fdzfGrSfPdGFXXN094unaCtgHB1wJPLAezxLohUTkhi2RcYLFuBLixHMGC8_8yDqbBKDkOaulFGDFFZr6X/s1600/dsc_4398.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud and hills!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With my January race complete, my February marathon will take me to a warmer climate. Is it too early to be ready for Spring?ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-43329969789303001052014-01-05T07:56:00.002-08:002014-01-05T07:59:17.135-08:002013: My Year of DIYSome people seem to believe engineers can do any type of engineering. Okay, well, at least my mom seems to think so. "You're and engineer! You can do it!" At this point I always point out that I was an electrical engineer and not a mechanical or civil engineer. Apparently I am not alone in this with my fellow EEs. Give me a math problem, and I will be just fine. Give me water running through pipes or dual bladed saws, and I start to twitch a little. Okay, maybe a lot. This year I took a few steps waaaaay outside of my comfort zone, and nothing flooded or fell apart. Thank God! Truly...<br />
<br />
I updated a half bath. Unfortunately I didn't take before pictures, but I removed pink and white splotched wall paper (who picked that?!). I added shutoff valves under the sink. I removed a vanity, sink and mirror. I painted. I installed a new vanity, sink, and mirror. Mom framed and matted a picture that looks great. Most importantly, I did not flood the bathroom. You know how they take a weekend on television to do this sort of thing? Well, this took me 4 months or so. Part of it was waiting on a wood floor to be installed downstairs. Part of it was me dragging my feet. Part of it was trying to figure out how to do things. The other part was buying the vanity from a company that didn't pay attention to the sink dimensions I provided. (I even took the sink with me!) Another part of it was hiring a plumber that almost ruined the vanity so I decided I would do it myself which required cutting a very thick bamboo vanity. That's where the saw came in. I have to say, power tools can be fun. Scary, but fun. Somehow all these parts came together. After it was complete, it took a while to sink in (ha ha) that it was really finished.<br />
<br />
My upstairs has a vanity that looks like the one that used to be in the half bath. This is what was there:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofrV_OHEVSarZ4hgtrn52Z5hoIgbwNo_ZfRse0np22BUs21iciQSSXxPOT7-uBrME2Iim0JJuR2-KqeuROfOTRuTAcOHUzoAmg66EeNQl6UwxYVjD89V5ml3P-eJDm0DAA_4Hy6LHOPAz/s1600/IMG_20130521_064837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofrV_OHEVSarZ4hgtrn52Z5hoIgbwNo_ZfRse0np22BUs21iciQSSXxPOT7-uBrME2Iim0JJuR2-KqeuROfOTRuTAcOHUzoAmg66EeNQl6UwxYVjD89V5ml3P-eJDm0DAA_4Hy6LHOPAz/s200/IMG_20130521_064837.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the finished product:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9H5eW1Fg__Qokyh8Z2l46dbLb6VXEzBkNPzauyBKyA_QbWQs_JKHW2fcmWPm-_xFg7fN8dElouqSNaCOlMP8eQZb8944u_j4kX8u8lxeTNF-EGotigMTnNtWxidlVntSLK0UmdxFabcr/s1600/IMG_20130521_063618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9H5eW1Fg__Qokyh8Z2l46dbLb6VXEzBkNPzauyBKyA_QbWQs_JKHW2fcmWPm-_xFg7fN8dElouqSNaCOlMP8eQZb8944u_j4kX8u8lxeTNF-EGotigMTnNtWxidlVntSLK0UmdxFabcr/s200/IMG_20130521_063618.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4ivk-kjjaxyQH7uX1C_Apvt6FSMY2rr2IhyphenhyphenUJDXyR4VimY8rmoaRD7LWp0VMT9z-AxWiuP1NSBnZNrZg9m3jgsQqPYu7vd5GP_D8QxxiZHL_FYq6jCprY3CLmhBUwltsolQa2C6h_T3K/s1600/IMG_20130521_063612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4ivk-kjjaxyQH7uX1C_Apvt6FSMY2rr2IhyphenhyphenUJDXyR4VimY8rmoaRD7LWp0VMT9z-AxWiuP1NSBnZNrZg9m3jgsQqPYu7vd5GP_D8QxxiZHL_FYq6jCprY3CLmhBUwltsolQa2C6h_T3K/s200/IMG_20130521_063612.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggo-IBXRoN5jvTPXNZ_k7lduXsQl1CzydhImcmaZv3Vvwy59JyvNfap9dxH7KuToG2e3RVOjIChn1t2Jp_8X5_hNvxftRggfIOfrEXhjADnApPTLIjwdqNXtLoRR-buczjmNLCZPrb76wN/s1600/IMG_20130521_063659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggo-IBXRoN5jvTPXNZ_k7lduXsQl1CzydhImcmaZv3Vvwy59JyvNfap9dxH7KuToG2e3RVOjIChn1t2Jp_8X5_hNvxftRggfIOfrEXhjADnApPTLIjwdqNXtLoRR-buczjmNLCZPrb76wN/s200/IMG_20130521_063659.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
My next project involved a ceiling fan. Two actually. I had a fairly new ceiling fan in my room that was a remote control fan. Unfortunately the receiver began malfunctioning and decided to turn both fan and blade off and on at random times. That isn't good when you are trying to sleep. Finally it got to the point that it no longer wanted to turn on at all, but the remote control was the only way to turn it on. Who decided to make a fan with no manual switches?! Hunter, that's who. I also needed to replace a fan in the guest bedroom because it wobbled like a drunken sailor and had no light. I found one heck of a deal online on two fans that were exactly the kind I wanted. I was pretty determined on this project so it only took me a weekend and one backache. Out with the old....<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuGyO5Xx0jjdg56eu07IOnthj2aiwIaewhxkEVLlK9DIWdQz1PaBmajyx5XzwXSs4_IVBovFvRXGZiCbGzCB1wx1iUXaWhrpwcpU5mAXkGY2kQ73nGA5zlRc8-NX-8-1CqL4DRSkAbv5C/s1600/IMG_20131014_142050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuGyO5Xx0jjdg56eu07IOnthj2aiwIaewhxkEVLlK9DIWdQz1PaBmajyx5XzwXSs4_IVBovFvRXGZiCbGzCB1wx1iUXaWhrpwcpU5mAXkGY2kQ73nGA5zlRc8-NX-8-1CqL4DRSkAbv5C/s200/IMG_20131014_142050.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why would this room not have a<br />
light?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sd4GesNxD6g/Ulw5gtDokUI/AAAAAAAAGyk/k5ppKCzp5to/s1600/IMG_20131014_143525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sd4GesNxD6g/Ulw5gtDokUI/AAAAAAAAGyk/k5ppKCzp5to/s200/IMG_20131014_143525.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, wires! This I can do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<br />
In with the new...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqZDv5wwWL6nNNDMSoA2qz6NXxnkFFf6PpkLhBBe9kWN6cj6Eyq1qthrmefwupyXIhxYM5ne94VWYuysP5c7W8WXLMtoixzTME4O7YdFNcZSKKdgEJIjkw0BndgNtC1FaL-_ZTxtOWJjC/s1600/IMG_20131027_133240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqZDv5wwWL6nNNDMSoA2qz6NXxnkFFf6PpkLhBBe9kWN6cj6Eyq1qthrmefwupyXIhxYM5ne94VWYuysP5c7W8WXLMtoixzTME4O7YdFNcZSKKdgEJIjkw0BndgNtC1FaL-_ZTxtOWJjC/s320/IMG_20131027_133240.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta da! Wood blades shaped like leaves - Bu-tee-ful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My last project was my closet. This one only took me 6 years to do! Okay, really, I started it in December '13, but this closet needed to be replaced when I bought the house. The height between the shelves was designed for childrens' clothing, I guess. I couldn't use a quarter of the closet. Rather than moving the shelf up, it took me years to decide I didn't like the white wire shelving and instead wanted a cedar closet organizer. I bought this kit directly from <a href="http://www.northernkycedar.com/">Northern Kentucky Cedar</a> which made the price less than most of those wood closet organizers AND it smells like cedar. Saw + cedar or drill + cedar = aromatic delight.<br />
<br />
Here's what it looks like before... but unlike the picture, mine was <span style="text-align: center;">without the ability to hang clothes in a quarter of the closet. This is the closet in the guest room that has white wire shelving:</span><br />
<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3jm97m7ahjhqanYWOQW-jA1datvLPPTyCyo53M0Q8RESYzOONaXjHVtdkkJMcg3_QdOU4MYsovjlC66RrealhGiMslpwOgzlF9YDcHeRAkMexKnI7OertrclLIvUSgGvvQEa1uZEFwAl/s1600/IMAG0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3jm97m7ahjhqanYWOQW-jA1datvLPPTyCyo53M0Q8RESYzOONaXjHVtdkkJMcg3_QdOU4MYsovjlC66RrealhGiMslpwOgzlF9YDcHeRAkMexKnI7OertrclLIvUSgGvvQEa1uZEFwAl/s200/IMAG0374.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2RZraN4IYwGnOV6q_OF1APc5TJ7aIhCANewgcBW3vjSZ1EL9hOqOHVbqXDjjYe9DKhXxdsKswNgwxVnzrd1AS_rHAppfsQg7mV9yf6ToP_sj1yBQrTgucQnoCyRgDB9FaC9yqS_Oo9cw/s1600/IMAG0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2RZraN4IYwGnOV6q_OF1APc5TJ7aIhCANewgcBW3vjSZ1EL9hOqOHVbqXDjjYe9DKhXxdsKswNgwxVnzrd1AS_rHAppfsQg7mV9yf6ToP_sj1yBQrTgucQnoCyRgDB9FaC9yqS_Oo9cw/s200/IMAG0364.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naked closet with patched<br />
drywall and fresh paint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j8Sz5HWqlJvN-fOv40_nxnrZp9Lg-9UdhMTlQ8mGUhvLQ4y_8E0D45biElX2I45Cz0z_m90scqFWsqIabDHAXlgL66Loly48pGmKrxM2NZHXfzunmVEM_W1PryUploTZ1JQBQFxgKzWD/s1600/IMAG0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j8Sz5HWqlJvN-fOv40_nxnrZp9Lg-9UdhMTlQ8mGUhvLQ4y_8E0D45biElX2I45Cz0z_m90scqFWsqIabDHAXlgL66Loly48pGmKrxM2NZHXfzunmVEM_W1PryUploTZ1JQBQFxgKzWD/s200/IMAG0365.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting there...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRQDKLXYZCf0LFakd7pi_tVh5KHW3NkgeWD_Cg4LVsNOfOga9bbRNkSOIjt280TOSETGNoTYTKi3UwG3czmz5Piy6l75rezPsIZ3RJWOFPCbU5DX-lsgWV9PTRkNVCf1JAfsqGrwgoQ5N/s1600/IMAG0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRQDKLXYZCf0LFakd7pi_tVh5KHW3NkgeWD_Cg4LVsNOfOga9bbRNkSOIjt280TOSETGNoTYTKi3UwG3czmz5Piy6l75rezPsIZ3RJWOFPCbU5DX-lsgWV9PTRkNVCf1JAfsqGrwgoQ5N/s200/IMAG0368.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta da!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhGlqeJ2wHJXwSv7pFrc2iXjSVvVxsYIBnuU5xySt5onItytEoo4I7pHG6bvyLIh9Mwxl3d3l2O38Bl0Eg_Xlh8xE3duBZymw0P9wug-v9hFcIKC2JKUU6VmghyphenhyphenPI36D7F2XnPdhGhK9i/s1600/IMG_20140105_094605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhGlqeJ2wHJXwSv7pFrc2iXjSVvVxsYIBnuU5xySt5onItytEoo4I7pHG6bvyLIh9Mwxl3d3l2O38Bl0Eg_Xlh8xE3duBZymw0P9wug-v9hFcIKC2JKUU6VmghyphenhyphenPI36D7F2XnPdhGhK9i/s320/IMG_20140105_094605.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar is bu-tee-ful :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjtrzDSpAiMISCpf42nwbFRghHXBc4Z7pXtRUOAHnAcAbiPXS_A9HL-q4NNfT6KvESlh5ZCHQ1VZrdUZfAonCU1TuaAqFXrOvvIlzfWf4QP-IVw5cjttkz-nvRz3TxdKD64MbcWLnxoFD/s1600/IMAG0373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjtrzDSpAiMISCpf42nwbFRghHXBc4Z7pXtRUOAHnAcAbiPXS_A9HL-q4NNfT6KvESlh5ZCHQ1VZrdUZfAonCU1TuaAqFXrOvvIlzfWf4QP-IVw5cjttkz-nvRz3TxdKD64MbcWLnxoFD/s320/IMAG0373.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still standing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I learned a lot in my year of DIY:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- I can do it! Who knew?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Even if I do something wrong, I can usually fix it.</div>
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- If I can't fix it, there is someone I can call who can. Thankfully I haven't had to do this... yet.</div>
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- Watching DIY channels made me want to take on the entire house.</div>
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- Talking to friends who do this sort of thing regularly is very helpful.</div>
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- Youtube has a lot of useful DIY videos. Mental rehearsal is a good thing.</div>
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- There were challenges I did not expect so I should just go ahead and expect challenges.</div>
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- It will take significantly more time than I think it will.</div>
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- It's okay to take significant time to think about what you are going to do before doing it.</div>
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- Sometimes professionals aren't so be careful who you hire to do work. </div>
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- Home improvement hurts: my back, my hands, etc. Strength training regularly is a good idea.</div>
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- I ♥ wood.</div>
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- I ♥ power tools.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Eye protection. Seriously.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- There is no such thing as perfect. Stand back 5 feet and look. If it looks good and works, you did well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Once you start DIY projects, you will notice great work or flaws everywhere: hotels, other houses, etc.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Taking a few minutes to say a prayer before starting made starting significantly easier.</div>
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- Getting to enjoy work you've done yourself is a great reward!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Hopefully 2014 will be the year of PhD dissertation, and maybe a few more DIY projects. :-)</div>
ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-81438189712571071952013-12-30T07:09:00.000-08:002013-12-30T07:41:01.069-08:00Shoe Review: Hoka Kailua TarmacAt this point it is safe to say that I'm a Hoka One One gal. When it came time to get ready for my yearly Turkey Trot 5 mile, I decided to purchase a pair of the new Hoka Kailua Tarmac. I wanted a shoe that was more of a racing shoe than the Bondi B. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my Bondis (<a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2011/11/hoka-one-one-bondi-b-shoe-review.html">review</a>). I just wanted a shoe that was a little lighter and not quite as soft in the sole department for a shorter distance event.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EN2_IKvVtdytsMI2-Nu5TXjo3CNZLAvf3eyCU76NacN8ZYSQFWoTx6UUecY-vDlvkJXvqEwSngNHsXQd_pgZhS0xsQXePVjcu68xyakW0j0ABHqWu881aUzZ7cNwZ9GS8ZDESkHY2w_O/s1600/IMG_20131011_092137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EN2_IKvVtdytsMI2-Nu5TXjo3CNZLAvf3eyCU76NacN8ZYSQFWoTx6UUecY-vDlvkJXvqEwSngNHsXQd_pgZhS0xsQXePVjcu68xyakW0j0ABHqWu881aUzZ7cNwZ9GS8ZDESkHY2w_O/s320/IMG_20131011_092137.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzN1Qt6UfgcsJZukYLL2vcadZc_xtNXuv5r4tNmnBVM305R4TWrla-HNIvSHaI8VVg1VSkO-vW4r9UYNDG0O9xuImXf1ljlv2t9irEZcYphqCj5cIFh72jiyAzCNKtwQgm6354qUDD4WfU/s1600/IMG_20131011_092232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzN1Qt6UfgcsJZukYLL2vcadZc_xtNXuv5r4tNmnBVM305R4TWrla-HNIvSHaI8VVg1VSkO-vW4r9UYNDG0O9xuImXf1ljlv2t9irEZcYphqCj5cIFh72jiyAzCNKtwQgm6354qUDD4WfU/s200/IMG_20131011_092232.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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I ordered my standard shoe size of 7.5, and I noticed that they felt a little big. The shoe itself appears to be the same length as my other Hoka's, but the insole that comes with the Kailua is the thin insole that is optional with the Stinsons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAf9cWVIzY5XM5_5EBTANtQs3yrgcZLqIpaZIBzl1EmUGTKJCfYyGOkvvSV9gSIMSh4rBDgIdskglXnZ-1ZD-GXD29XxFFHwFepteLS-VDTkPP-YEEsvzrHrnbWcIeeAKGe1us4loFiZS/s1600/IMG_20131011_092202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAf9cWVIzY5XM5_5EBTANtQs3yrgcZLqIpaZIBzl1EmUGTKJCfYyGOkvvSV9gSIMSh4rBDgIdskglXnZ-1ZD-GXD29XxFFHwFepteLS-VDTkPP-YEEsvzrHrnbWcIeeAKGe1us4loFiZS/s320/IMG_20131011_092202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had an extra pair of the regular Hoka insoles so I replaced the thin ones, and my feet were as happy as a bug in a rug. My friend Vickie also purchased a pair of the Kailua and noticed the same thing about sizing. She, too, will be putting in a thicker insole to keep the inside of the shoe from feeling too large.<br />
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While there is still plenty of softness to the Kailua, it isn't as squishy as the Bondi B or Stinson Evo Tarmac (<a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2013/01/shoe-review-hoka-stinson-evo-tarmac.html">review</a>). This was exactly what I was looking for. I also notice the toe box area of the Kailua seems narrower than both my Bondis and my Evo Tarmacs. They feel sleek and fast, and still plenty soft for shorter races. Strangely they weigh slightly more than Bondis. I'm not even sure how that is possible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-7UNk2PDRHEfvjSYyv4XIIRE7v5T4P6SPEdAkkK6HABBuMMLmapJk6FTe5fpXm4y5qOzMjOKmtnJat2PlvMlSY5KAC5S3VYl-k5UT1JBFcVdOeSmFRoWQB-DVg8W7Z1ddRYcc9ZB7dEW/s1600/IMG_20131011_092406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-7UNk2PDRHEfvjSYyv4XIIRE7v5T4P6SPEdAkkK6HABBuMMLmapJk6FTe5fpXm4y5qOzMjOKmtnJat2PlvMlSY5KAC5S3VYl-k5UT1JBFcVdOeSmFRoWQB-DVg8W7Z1ddRYcc9ZB7dEW/s320/IMG_20131011_092406.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinson Evo Tarmac and the Kailua Tarmac</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXR4zTQMtIQgP13rFhBQIOuz2ExQi-aWI0FDDWQufteB9y1agO-S9iWNZZi9hcLlslOyGLqLaFWHA7iiwst1YmYQfZVsmmFgI3uBJXCkd7pJbeETxU-7bDpCincucl-8o4yk_WJlhgKo5/s1600/IMG_20131011_091901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXR4zTQMtIQgP13rFhBQIOuz2ExQi-aWI0FDDWQufteB9y1agO-S9iWNZZi9hcLlslOyGLqLaFWHA7iiwst1YmYQfZVsmmFgI3uBJXCkd7pJbeETxU-7bDpCincucl-8o4yk_WJlhgKo5/s320/IMG_20131011_091901.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Women's Size 7.5 (no insoles) = 7.5 ounces</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Bondi Bs = 7.4 ounces</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Stinson Evo Tarmacs = 8.8 ounce</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">s</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">trail Stinson Evos = 9 ounces</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />Mafate 2 = 10 ounces</span></td></tr>
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Now with almost 80 miles on the Kailuas, I notice that there is more wear on the sole than I would expect. I don't expect to get as many miles out of these Hokas as I have my others based on the premature wear. They are $30 or so less than the Bondis, but I would still expect less sole wear in a $130 shoe.<br />
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I won't be giving up my Bondis anytime soon, but I still like these shoes. While the Kailuas cost less on paper, I imagine they will cost more per mile based on shoe life expectancy. If you are looking for a shoe that is light and can last a long time, go with the Bondis. If you are looking for a shoe that feels faster, go with the Kailuas. Happy running!ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-85290304924357464872013-12-24T07:16:00.001-08:002013-12-24T07:43:43.249-08:00Mere ChristianityThe weather outside is frightful.... yeah, it is. A week or so ago I managed to get on an airplane headed to Washington state with a stop in Minneapolis. Unfortunately the weather and de-icing delayed my departure. With that delay came a missed flight. Since the rest of the flights were full to Washington, I hopped back on another plane toward home. It was a Minnesota day trip. It was also my first time in Minnesota. One of these days I will go back and see something more than the airport.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sun-surfer.com/photos/2011/12/Christmas-Pond-Duluth-Minnesota.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://sun-surfer.com/photos/2011/12/Christmas-Pond-Duluth-Minnesota.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Pond, Duluth, Minnesota</td></tr>
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While travelling I usually download a book from Audible to listen to, and on this particular trip that book was <i>Mere Christianity</i> by C.S. Lewis. I've never been a fiction reader. No idea why. Honestly, the whole <i>Narnia</i> business isn't something I've really cared for as an adult. When I was a kiddo, I did really like the cartoon. I picked this book not because I wanted to read C.S. Lewis but more because others has given it positive reviews, and a lot of Christian organizations seem to push C.S. Lewis... a lot. I figured it wasn't very fair to have a somewhat negative opinion of an author if I've never really read his books on his beliefs. I had also heard over the last year that J.R.R. Tolkien had a big influence on C.S. Lewis's faith. I have to admit I found that a little funny and a little odd for a two reasons. The first reason deals with wizards, magic, and the like. Fantasy books never interested me, and honestly I thought them to be the opposite of Christianity. The other reason was that someone who many moons ago repeatedly laughed about my Christian beliefs said to me, "If you want to understand me, then read Tolkien." He was being serious. I could not help but chuckle when years later I read that Tolkien was an outspoken believer.<br />
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As I began listening to <i>Mere Christianity</i>, I realized how off the mark my biases were.I had no idea that Lewis was an atheist who found Jesus. In this book, he was able to put into words many things that I struggle to explain to others. A relationship with Jesus isn't something that you have to be able to explain to other people, but it sure it helpful to be able to communicate with others rather than saying over and over again, "I don't know how to explain it." There is plenty to explain, but for me it is such a shocking and joy-filled thing that words just don't convey what I want to express. How can I put into words a deep internal change and spirit that leads to joy and peace and have it make any sense to someone? When I was reading Lewis's words, I immediately understood that he was communicating in a way that I have been unable to do. He also spoke of some things I had yet to even think about. Does that mean I can now use his words to explain to a random person in a way that is understandable? I wish, but no. It doesn't work that way, and it isn't supposed to. "Let those who have ears hear." A relationship with Jesus has only to do with Jesus and the person in that relationship. Perhaps that sounds exclusive of others, but it really isn't.<br />
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I will go back and read sections of this book again because I want to spend extra time thinking about some of his words. Speaking of, here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:<br />
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“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”<br />
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"The great difficulty is to get modern audiences to realize that you are preaching Christianity solely and simply because you happen to think it true; they always suppose you are preaching it because you like it or think it good for society or something of that sort."<br />
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“It seems, then, we are forced to believe in a real Right and Wrong. People may be sometimes mistaken about them, just as people sometimes get their sums wrong, but they are not a matter of mere taste and opinion any more than the multiplication table.”<br />
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“Now we cannot...discover our failure to keep God's law except by trying our very hardest (and then failing). Unless we really try, whatever we say there will always be at the back of our minds the idea that if we try harder next time we shall succeed in being completely good. Thus, in one sense, the road back to God is a road of moral effort, of trying harder and harder. But in another sense it is not trying that is ever going to bring us home. All this trying leads up to the vital moment at which you turn to God and say, "You must do this. I can't.”<br />
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“[To have Faith in Christ] means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.”<br />
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“I think all Christians would agree with me if I said that though Christianity seems at first to be all about morality, all about duties and rules and guilt and virtue, yet it leads you on, out of all that, into something beyond. One has a glimpse of a country where they do not talk of those things, except perhaps as a joke. Everyone there is filled full with what we should call goodness as a mirror is filled with light. But they do not call it goodness. They do not call it anything. They are not thinking of it. They are too busy looking at the source from which it comes. But this is near the stage where the road passes over the rim of our world. No one's eyes can see very far beyond that: lots of people's eyes can see further than mine.”<br />
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"But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”<br />
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Merry Christmas :-)ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-66850340883545844922013-12-02T17:18:00.000-08:002014-03-18T16:38:44.136-07:00 In a galaxy far, far away....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, really, this blog post has absolutely nothing to do with space, but galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose sounds like a it could be some cool little planet somewhere out there. Turns out it is a carbohydrate found in mammal meat. So instead, this blog post is about ticks. Maybe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqfkTp1T7X1DrAVHznUbG33wePXZHeMTzECDjcK5gZPIguFfcOoJBZbBldjB256lvzvVQy5aYVCRmGzibg1gv84c52yfBp1gtf_y3-zlw3-B9XaZCmSDvBo0Us1i7RlPBHpIa2Dn-qHJ_/s1600/alpha-gal+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqfkTp1T7X1DrAVHznUbG33wePXZHeMTzECDjcK5gZPIguFfcOoJBZbBldjB256lvzvVQy5aYVCRmGzibg1gv84c52yfBp1gtf_y3-zlw3-B9XaZCmSDvBo0Us1i7RlPBHpIa2Dn-qHJ_/s400/alpha-gal+copy.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></div>
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I remember it well, that little steak that made me feel like dying over 8 years ago. I had no idea what it was that made me so ill, but I woke up around midnight feeling absolutely miserable. My hands and feet felt as though they were itching under the skin, and my stomach felt like something out of Alien. Or Space Balls. Let's go with Space Balls because it's just funny...</div>
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Luckily when all this started happening, I was using Weight Watchers and tracking everything I ate. I had a doctor who wanted to take out my gallbladder, but before him I met a disgruntled ultrasound tech which turned out to be a very good thing. He told me how he was sick of listening to the doctors complain about all the patients while they were making boat loads of money from those very same patients. He scanned my gallbladder and said it looked perfectly healthy with no gall stones. His next sentence went something like this...</div>
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"The next thing they will do is an ejection fraction test. It will be a percent or two below what they hope to see. They will want to take out your gallbladder. Don't let them do it." Now, I'm pretty certain he wasn't supposed to say those things, but THANK YOU Mr. Ultrasound Tech! The doctor wanted to do exactly what the tech had said. I even went to get a second opinion and was told the exact same thing. Luckily between the two opinions, I began to realize that on the days I was feeling awful I had eaten red meat hours before the episode. I stopped eating it. I got better. I kept my gallbladder which is good because I'm pretty attached to it.</div>
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Fast forward 8 years later: That dreaded feeling began again but without the red meat! Or so I thought. Read a blog post down, and you will see a little trail run I did in Tennessee. After that trail run, I had bites all over my legs which I assumed were chiggers. Turns out, they may have been seed ticks. Recently <a href="http://uvamagazine.org/research_and_discovery/article/ticked_off_carnivores/#.Up0s7MRDtIE">researchers at the University of Virginia</a> noticed that people in certain regions were turning up with adult onset allergies to ... wait for it .... red meat! Those same regions also happen to be where the Lone Star Tick likes to reside. (Tennessee does not sound good to me!) They have been doing more studies to see if ticks are in fact the root cause of this allergy that seems to be becoming more and more common.</div>
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It also turns out that pork is considered a red meat and contains the same carbohydrate, galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (aka Alpha-Gal) as beef, venison, and lamb. I had already managed to figure out that it was either pork or dairy causing my issue by food tracking and process of elimination (no.. not THAT kind of elimination). This little piggy went wah wah wah, all the way home. Luckily the pork issue combined with the trip to Tennessee which is where I picked up the initial beef allergy are what put me on track to put the puzzle pieces together. I found a local allergist who had written an article on the topic and went to have the Alpha-Gal IgE test. Results .35 and below are a negative test. My results came back at 18.5. Gee, I guess I really am allergic to red meat, or alpha-gal actually.</div>
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So what's the moral of the story? Ticks suck. Why yes they do, but that's not the moral. Allergies are serious stuff. People with this allergy have gone into anaphylactic shock. I joke, but this is serious business. I haven't had beef in over 8 years. While doctors can be great, we have to remember that they, too, are human. They make mistakes. Had I had my gallbladder removed, it would not have solved my issue. We are all an experiment of one, and the more you take the time to research your issues and track what is going on, the better chance you or someone else has of figuring out the problem. Oh, and, last but not least, if a few people act like you might be making up the physical problems you are having, it may just be that the medical profession will get it figured out in a few years. Don't give up!</div>
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Turkey burger, anyone?</div>
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ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-81803464118242498482013-09-14T16:42:00.002-07:002013-09-15T06:47:16.742-07:00Enjoying the Journey7+ hours in a car is a long time. I've done it a few times. Usually I hurry to get from point A to point B. When I found out I would be driving from Indiana to Georgia, I had an idea. What if I stopped in each state and ran a 1 mile along the way?<br />
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I pulled up the map and noticed that there were a number of state parks near the interstate. What a great country! Well, why not? I looked for the biggest patches of green on the map. In Indiana, I saw Clark State Forest. In Kentucky, I saw Knob State Forest. Tennessee gave me a few choices, but Chattanooga happens to be a beautiful place so I knew that was going to be one of my stops. I picked Point Park as I had never been there before. In Georgia, I planned to run a mile on the sidewalks of Atlanta to recon the route from my hotel to my work spot the next day.<br />
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After about an hour into my journey, I was at my first stop. That first hour flew by because I was more interested in where I would be running than getting to Atlanta. As I was driving down some back roads after leaving the interstate, I saw a little parking area and a sign. It was so little that I almost missed it. The thing about parks on Google maps is that you never really know where the entrances are, where the trail heads are, or what you are getting yourself into. Since I didn't want to spend a lot of time driving in circles, I stopped.<br />
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The first small section of the trail was on grass along the road, but that soon turned into some single track going up a hill. The trail was narrowing as I continued to run, and as the different plants were slapping my legs, I was praying that last plant that just got me wasn't poison ivy. It was just me, a trail I had never run on before, and an uphill. My little heart was pounding, and I felt great.<br />
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Before I knew it, I was half a mile out, and it was time to turn around. I headed back to the car, took some time to stretch, and continued on my journey.<br />
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The next stop was another hour or so that went by like it was nothing. I found myself on some gravel back roads in Kentucky. This time I saw signs for Knob Forest State Park so I was hopeful. I saw a small parking area that had no real trails from what I could tell so I kept driving. After a few miles, I turned around to head back to the parking area because I felt like I was going to circle the forest. On my way back, a couple of dogs started chasing the car. Ugh. I checked my mileage to make sure if I had to run along that gravel road, it would be far enough away from them. Over a mile later, I was back to the parking area.<br />
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I saw a small opening to what might have been a trail at one point. I decided to head that way to see what I could find. A short time later, I realized there wasn't enough of a trail to make it work. Still, it had pretty yellow flowers.<br />
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I ran back toward the car and opted to head down the dirt road. It was shaded, and there were no cars.<br />
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A short time later, I rounded a corner, and I'll be darned if I didn't see those same two dogs coming down the road. Geeze! They weren't too friendly when I drove by the first time so I turned around and hightailed it back to the car. I had pepper spray, but I wasn't really looking for a fight. I made it back to the car safely and out of breath. It was a close call, but I knew Chattanooga was next. I was really looking forward to Chattanooga.<br />
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Before I knew it, my half a mile was done, and it was time to head back to the car. I really didn't want to, but I also didn't want to get caught in Atlanta traffic after 5pm. I decided that on my return trip I would stop and do some miles on one of the many trails on Lookout Mountain. I managed to get into Atlanta shortly before 5pm, and luckily I managed to get to the hotel without any major traffic issues. It took more courage to get myself to go out and run on city streets than deserted trails. It was .6 miles from my hotel to the building I would be going to the next morning and so I completed my final mile for the day. </div>
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What could have been a very long day in a car turned into a mini-adventure. Why hadn't I done this before?!</div>
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On my way home, I stopped in Chattanooga once again and this time parked at Craven's House since Point Park did not open until 9am. I left Atlanta at o-dark 30 to miss traffic and get to the trail early. I started along Bluff Trail at 7:30am, and I had the trail completely to myself. The only unfortunate side to this was that I became a spiderweb slayer. </div>
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I had managed to get my miles in for the day on some beautiful trails. I'd love to go back to Lookout Mountain and do some more exploring on the awesome trails in the area. Road trip anyone?</div>
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Next time I find myself on a long journey in a car, you bet I will be doing this again. You never can tell what you will find off of the beaten path. </div>
ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-50452784503484819822013-08-31T13:50:00.000-07:002013-09-01T04:26:54.352-07:00A Great Ride Along the Little Miami Scenic TrailIt only took 6 years for me to finally do this bike ride. It was there, stored away, in the back of my brain. Simmering. This year was the year.<br />
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As luck would have it, I have a friend who also wanted to do this ride. Her goals were a little loftier. Since I think just about any ride on the <a href="http://www.miamivalleytrails.org/little-miami-scenic-trail">Little Miami Scenic Trail</a> should include Peaches, I was easily persuaded to do a few more miles starting at Yellow Springs. She also convinced me to go to the very end of the trail in Newtown. Like I had any clue where that was.<br />
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I mapped out the distance, planned a few stops, and figured out that there was a Hilton Garden Inn near the trail which meant a free room with Hilton Honors points. Luckily the weekend we chose was perfect in the weather department so everything was set. Well, everything but my bike rack was set. The new bike didn't have eyelets for a rear rack. That meant some creative attaching using a Tubus QR adapter set and some rubber clamps I picked up at Home Depot. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4ngj-0kG9B3sJzvVq7PyQ3LUOTQA_ovZSvYpvRdsqMtLaM8ul_-ur0Eb8fOgco7VyRc7EMNh14xB-q2HgNkGQxILWnbQGRfwH-erJZbDwc5SpcHaO7FPcUWQZJYoCoq7l5-EZepZb3fu/s1600/LMST_start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4ngj-0kG9B3sJzvVq7PyQ3LUOTQA_ovZSvYpvRdsqMtLaM8ul_-ur0Eb8fOgco7VyRc7EMNh14xB-q2HgNkGQxILWnbQGRfwH-erJZbDwc5SpcHaO7FPcUWQZJYoCoq7l5-EZepZb3fu/s200/LMST_start.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beginning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj62sHZr147db-5hxMpeiKC54bt7oYxjYGzlTBrb_E2U3wJnqeyjIv_lXFLOpaGs-tpxqXWKS1B_8PBGfnXPb-d-yUs8pQ2hRGuNOLJ0FgfbKcEljZjZGQ8PW0PzMjIuJNlT0JeQ7xW1f/s1600/IMG_20130817_085959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj62sHZr147db-5hxMpeiKC54bt7oYxjYGzlTBrb_E2U3wJnqeyjIv_lXFLOpaGs-tpxqXWKS1B_8PBGfnXPb-d-yUs8pQ2hRGuNOLJ0FgfbKcEljZjZGQ8PW0PzMjIuJNlT0JeQ7xW1f/s200/IMG_20130817_085959.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xenia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This <a href="http://www.miamivalleytrails.org/little-miami-scenic-trail">Little Miami Scenic Trail</a> actually starts a little more north than our starting point. We opted to start in Yellow Springs mostly because, well, it is Yellow Springs. There is plenty to see and do there, and it would be a festive finish upon our return. It also helped that I really enjoy Peaches which is right beside the bike path.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Our first landmark town on our journey was Xenia. It is roughly 8 miles from Peaches to the McDonald's in Xenia. That wasn't so hard.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxdvV78fVPvKQdUncHKN6y-K-nZBQIzdsOR-L9Hjrpl-TjVoJdWamLjqrdiPIUrfk314FfIYMrG72MczcnjRSdWjkQsARFrkupjUacDc1khTLHMpwKNAH1UU1LV25yYYR7CNJy0yzuL1Q/s1600/IMG_20130817_092607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxdvV78fVPvKQdUncHKN6y-K-nZBQIzdsOR-L9Hjrpl-TjVoJdWamLjqrdiPIUrfk314FfIYMrG72MczcnjRSdWjkQsARFrkupjUacDc1khTLHMpwKNAH1UU1LV25yYYR7CNJy0yzuL1Q/s200/IMG_20130817_092607.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fellow was riding from<br />
Cincy to Yellow Springs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H-laZGr4W9A/UhFLhTguZZI/AAAAAAAAF6U/M2hviTHIDE0/s1600/IMG_20130817_091108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H-laZGr4W9A/UhFLhTguZZI/AAAAAAAAF6U/M2hviTHIDE0/s200/IMG_20130817_091108.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xenia Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our next planned stop 16 miles from Yellow Springs was a new place along the path called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Treanas-Folks-Spokes-Cafe/137574609747683?directed_target_id=0">Treana's Folks and Spokes Cafe</a> in Spring Valley. All I can say is wow! This place awesome. Carolyn had Broccoli and Cheese Quiche, and I had a ham and cheese croissant. Darcie took good care of us and told us a little about the place. It is very nicely decorated, and they have bike parts for sale as well. They also have a nice outdoor seating area. This place was definitely going to be a stop on our return trip.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19C7DCUQ0E4JgJRLjLQG0KdocAGpB-kLGeQwkJiR-nOBOZ-YMLEtSFHfd3lZt_PvaE3-C6TnH0uA9DzUQjrZOBU3owh1FKaWtDmW4JJbHLNskjHK2xP6NVerIePo-RqZzEbqbvEB394eB/s1600/IMG_20130817_095704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19C7DCUQ0E4JgJRLjLQG0KdocAGpB-kLGeQwkJiR-nOBOZ-YMLEtSFHfd3lZt_PvaE3-C6TnH0uA9DzUQjrZOBU3owh1FKaWtDmW4JJbHLNskjHK2xP6NVerIePo-RqZzEbqbvEB394eB/s320/IMG_20130817_095704.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicycles hanging from the ceiling. How cool<br />
is that?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3LM2anEYClw/UhFLhV6fagI/AAAAAAAAF6Q/_xUc5Xb8bEI/s1600/IMG_20130817_094035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3LM2anEYClw/UhFLhV6fagI/AAAAAAAAF6Q/_xUc5Xb8bEI/s200/IMG_20130817_094035.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring Valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-y4igb_PC8XE9ssE_IpuCfFo_4qzoUV7y_TyC01TiGMCspRepouooG-W8j8FfGum19TtnpmpPzzXsf1w2ganwJ2Wr1Ik7N_vy-rWtgAN_HqXvQswNc3MW9XT0Krqxj9dYbfs4Eut9Crt/s1600/IMG_20130817_095128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-y4igb_PC8XE9ssE_IpuCfFo_4qzoUV7y_TyC01TiGMCspRepouooG-W8j8FfGum19TtnpmpPzzXsf1w2ganwJ2Wr1Ik7N_vy-rWtgAN_HqXvQswNc3MW9XT0Krqxj9dYbfs4Eut9Crt/s200/IMG_20130817_095128.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treana's Spokes and Folks</td></tr>
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The next place of note along the path was Fort Ancient. I have yet to actually see Fort Ancient other than passing by on the bike path. One of these days.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9IE4V-yTE4/UhFLhWa1VGI/AAAAAAAAF6Q/Vq63F47p4Gk/s1600/IMG_20130817_114635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9IE4V-yTE4/UhFLhWa1VGI/AAAAAAAAF6Q/Vq63F47p4Gk/s320/IMG_20130817_114635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMqLNsE3hUFFJAspKrouh4g0BYFySjYt5mskOzh1xBjT90FKDfAU7t-eU5jY4LnMwXJZnBzjD4CVIbXHCO7A9oNzTKcYxn33zxDewPwPnHnMFKVTT4QhwitB3TApETseiwQjwEFtfqgk2/s1600/IMG_20130817_130113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMqLNsE3hUFFJAspKrouh4g0BYFySjYt5mskOzh1xBjT90FKDfAU7t-eU5jY4LnMwXJZnBzjD4CVIbXHCO7A9oNzTKcYxn33zxDewPwPnHnMFKVTT4QhwitB3TApETseiwQjwEFtfqgk2/s200/IMG_20130817_130113.jpg" width="150" /></a>Morrow was our next stop and the farthest I have ever been on the Little Miami Scenic Trail. We stopped at Miranda's Ice Cream shop and had some lunch. Morrow is a pretty small town, and there aren't a lot of options close to the path. This is where it would have paid to know about Loveland. I had heard that the path traffic would pick up as we approached Loveland (which is 13 miles from Morrow), and it did. As Carolyn and I cruised into Loveland, we were amazed at all the fun everyone was having. People were out and about. Plenty of folks were on bicycles, and there were also a lot of folks smiling, eating, and drinking outside at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trailside-Cafe/130837017103752">Trailside Cafe</a>.<br />
<br />
And I hear...."In the Big Rock Candy Mountains, There's a land that's fair and bright...." A band at the Trailside Cafe was playing this song which transported me right back to Tennessee. This song always reminds me of the Smoky Mountains. I can only think I must have heard it there when I visited as a child.<br />
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This song was fitting as Loveland seemed like a fairy tale in the middle of our journey. I was so interested in what was going on around me that I actually forgot to take pictures. Since we had committed to going to the end of the trail, we continued on our journey. In order to get to the end, we had to pass the road leading to the hotel. A bit later we arrived in Milford which touts itself as Trail Town, USA. There was a lot less path traffic in this section.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIKuKWk7ddqWo9op-rLHwkAp7YUgk8x6LHI1nuf61F9HSKpmTrxrnz_yoaEqwU1XlNU2kAZTd4sWCgcL10A4zlatRuNThzEKcnb3zTNHw-tItxFq69q0IZjsEbX_XrXqQmBB6FV6KbjWF/s1600/IMG_20130817_150738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIKuKWk7ddqWo9op-rLHwkAp7YUgk8x6LHI1nuf61F9HSKpmTrxrnz_yoaEqwU1XlNU2kAZTd4sWCgcL10A4zlatRuNThzEKcnb3zTNHw-tItxFq69q0IZjsEbX_XrXqQmBB6FV6KbjWF/s320/IMG_20130817_150738.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmmm, which trail do we next? How about<br />
Cincy to Cleveland! :-)</td></tr>
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65 miles later, we arrived at the end of the trail in Newtown. There was no finish line or even an end of LMST sign. There was just a golf course sign ordering us to dismount bikes.<br />
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This section had little shade, and it was getting pretty warm out. We still had 10 miles to go to get back to the hotel. We considered heading back to the Trailside Cafe but decided to go the hotel instead since it would have added quite a few more miles to the journey. Little did we know what awaited us on Wards Corner Road. It was only about 1 and half miles to the hotel from the path, but what a tough 1.5 miles it was!<br />
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My Lightspeed doesn't have a granny gear. I was carrying plenty of gear. I had just ridden 70+ miles. This road had cars on it. This was no time for a hill! Unfortunately no one informed the hill. I would have stopped and walked the bike, but I didn't think I could unclip from my pedals without falling over. By the time I got to the top, my legs were shaking and my heart was about to jump out of my chest. If we hadn't gotten our money's worth in the first 73 miles, we certainly got it in the last 1.5. I was very happy to arrive at the hotel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKku0x0J2SWJBvCuFxCA3TBHD-jyidf915SVMKIlqLgtlo6XBKm33gLEHd5Hcs4FK1lUddDEOvWV4p7Qx3YjEcsG1dnY3V6LbtiIN0O_YQsSDFGglyBU-MAXDLQeSYKJPGTLZvB7bPfzlS/s1600/IMG_20130817_182658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKku0x0J2SWJBvCuFxCA3TBHD-jyidf915SVMKIlqLgtlo6XBKm33gLEHd5Hcs4FK1lUddDEOvWV4p7Qx3YjEcsG1dnY3V6LbtiIN0O_YQsSDFGglyBU-MAXDLQeSYKJPGTLZvB7bPfzlS/s320/IMG_20130817_182658.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oDd7T1k3aQE/UhFXP4qZKJI/AAAAAAAAF6w/LSAR2jyDOgg/s1600/IMG_20130818_150835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oDd7T1k3aQE/UhFXP4qZKJI/AAAAAAAAF6w/LSAR2jyDOgg/s200/IMG_20130818_150835.jpg" width="150" /></a>After a good breakfast on Sunday, we headed back toward Yellow Springs. Our timing was a little later than we had preferred, but it was out of necessity to avoid the Little Miami Half Marathon on the path. We did manage to go through the race finish line in Morrow. It was another day of absolutely perfect weather, and we once again stopped at Treana's on the way home. This time we met Treana and had some fajitas and good conversation with others who had stopped to "fuel up" along the path. After 55 miles for the day, we arrived back where we had begun. We enjoyed a celebratory drink at Peaches and walked around Yellow Springs which was bustling with people out enjoying a beautiful day. Our Little Miami Scenic Trail adventure was complete!<br />
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ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-89955745169778438762013-07-17T15:04:00.000-07:002013-08-16T17:14:54.323-07:00July!My favorite month!<br />
<br />
July and I have had our moments. I remember back in my KinderCare days (which means I was probably 4 or so), I had a book with facts about popular shows / movies. I used to love <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight_Rider_(1982_TV_series)">Knight Rider</a> so when I saw David Hasselhoff and I had the same July birthday, I thought that was pretty awesome. In high school, I learned that my favorite teacher, <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=16545890">Mr. Gray</a>, also had the birthday of July 17th. More on that a little later. In any case, I loved birthdays.<br />
<br />
The first time I remember not being happy on my birthday was during Camp Buckner at West Point. I was far from home spending a humid summer in New York. I was miserable. I was hot, sweaty, tired, and running around in the woods. (Strangely, I now do something very similar for fun.) Later in life, I had people forget my birthdays. When you've been dating someone for a while, that feels less than good. That happened two different times over the years during two different relationships. No joy there. Worse yet, I could never recall my dad ever calling to say happy birthday. As a kiddo, I didn't think about that much. As an young adult, it made me a little mad.<br />
<br />
My final straw occurred on my 30th birthday. I had always thought I would be married by 27 and have children by 30. I was turning 30, and neither of those things had occurred. Instead, I was in a very negative relationship, in a brand new job as an IT project manager (ugh), out of shape, and trying to figure out where things had gone so wrong. I felt the black hole pulling me in, and it was a terrible feeling. Logically I realized that it was ridiculous for a number to have such real impact on my emotions, but it was more than the number. The issue was my life the way it was at that moment. The number just made me focus on my reality. A month after our birthday, Mr. Gray passed away.<br />
<br />
Later I would joke and say I had my mid-life crisis 10 years early. At the time it felt like anything but a joke.I knew I could not continue in this direction so I decided to begin celebrating my birthday again.<br />
<br />
Not only would I celebrate my birthday on my birthday, but I would begin my celebration on July 1st. To heck with that darkness trying to pull me down, I was going to fight back. Everyday between July 1st and the 17th, I would have a birthday celebration. That celebration could consist of a stop at the coffee shop, a new jacket, a bike ride with a friend, or anything a little different really. The point was to focus on the joy and goodness of one thing for that day. I also began my tradition of the red sock run one year later to celebrate and remember Mr. Gray.<br />
<br />
The first time I came across Mr. Gray, he scared the hell out of me. Mrs. Wuthrich sent me up to his classroom to look for Nathan who she had sent up that way earlier to get something. I was in 8th grade and sent up to talk to a teacher I didn't know in front of a bunch of high school students. I asked him if he knew where Nathan was, and he said something ridiculous. All the older kids laughed. I took his algebra 1 class that next year, and somewhere during that time he decided I was pretty smart. Over the next four years, Mr. Gray became the dad I never had. The summer after my sophomore year, I spent every morning beginning at 7am with him, Jonathan (his nephew) and Angie (a woman studying for her PhD) doing math problems under the big pecan tree in his huge garden for about 3 hours. Afterwards, we would pick black-eyes peas, watermelons, cucumbers, garlic, or whatever was ready to be harvested. One day during a math lesson, I asked him when his birthday was, and he said, "July 17th!" I didn't believe him so he showed me his driver's license. Lo and behold (as he would always say), it was July 17th! From that day forward, he often referred to me as his twin.<br />
<br />
Mr. Gray was retired Army; field artillery to be exact. Every day he wore red socks, "field artillery red" as he called it. So the first birthday after his passing, I ran my first red sock run and have continued the tradition ever since.<br />
<br />
This year I took some pictures of my daily birthday celebrations at the request of a friend so I thought I'd go ahead and post them on the blog. Without further ado....<br />
<br />
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr><td>July 1<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxU4MeQxs3KApwJ6DXkW7eVKzW7RdAwPBMMsrVbNaRcgShJfCHxPXu8Z4K6dz6hdLlZ565DVLaVbho0FpjVG66wtEdPOIG-F3dE2YkfuDiF1r-QSxcU8BLAuFKWMrPYGa0fijozZxwE1r/s1600/bagel_blueberry.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxU4MeQxs3KApwJ6DXkW7eVKzW7RdAwPBMMsrVbNaRcgShJfCHxPXu8Z4K6dz6hdLlZ565DVLaVbho0FpjVG66wtEdPOIG-F3dE2YkfuDiF1r-QSxcU8BLAuFKWMrPYGa0fijozZxwE1r/s200/bagel_blueberry.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry Bagel at Panera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></td>
<td>July 2<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintDq_zNipIF2oCTGxb8_LKMLNEohd8WuVPuDDtY0i7X0YFJqPRk5PIJjZrLApjSasImhXk1fEThF9H-fZIiQFo8rJqx7Yz6IZyMaO4IkPj_z2fru4Aw18FJKyBwNB0t5KJRi_PSw8Ibox/s1600/IMG_20130702_205636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintDq_zNipIF2oCTGxb8_LKMLNEohd8WuVPuDDtY0i7X0YFJqPRk5PIJjZrLApjSasImhXk1fEThF9H-fZIiQFo8rJqx7Yz6IZyMaO4IkPj_z2fru4Aw18FJKyBwNB0t5KJRi_PSw8Ibox/s200/IMG_20130702_205636.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While cleaning my garage, I found<br />
$40 someone had left behind </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td>July 3<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC2LhKgb_NHNaqITOe7VuNRkvVNc8bjpuqOxinwYO1bQEbUOXcwRzgM7nbQV9txNh0RErGyi4Gg12aDFPLsyAsxCwfkQbBTQD8HD1jNz0rkim_LMJ7oGvr0YQipKvm1LysZJlmloAgz0y/s1600/IMG_20130703_103326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC2LhKgb_NHNaqITOe7VuNRkvVNc8bjpuqOxinwYO1bQEbUOXcwRzgM7nbQV9txNh0RErGyi4Gg12aDFPLsyAsxCwfkQbBTQD8HD1jNz0rkim_LMJ7oGvr0YQipKvm1LysZJlmloAgz0y/s200/IMG_20130703_103326.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free Iced Latte at Panera!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td>July 4<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNmzR1463J1xO4RI5kQYTqNbRba83QAe_eFDOgHcAyhjUQrllZQo9da6WdD9jyad3LIABFar4MTzjiK4y8JgIAsr1oq1pG5q3HPcYwgCXsvcowJ_YUYfpzZF74VNAkKXBB7lM8MwOqsbL/s1600/IMG_20130704_113424+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNmzR1463J1xO4RI5kQYTqNbRba83QAe_eFDOgHcAyhjUQrllZQo9da6WdD9jyad3LIABFar4MTzjiK4y8JgIAsr1oq1pG5q3HPcYwgCXsvcowJ_YUYfpzZF74VNAkKXBB7lM8MwOqsbL/s200/IMG_20130704_113424+-+Copy.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freedom 50K Ride with Carolyn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr><td>July 5<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2g-1O03adlYyhhvSqnzW_Sus2V9beVFzCsZK2kjlq6l7YHdJT_5EQcnIX0ceMsPvt-P69Vt06Rx_gHGUs2QVhjfYM6z1XHPjpfzbceLsXDGBqmYfpnsMErE0d248Kkf6CsudugVb5e3b/s1600/IMG_20130705_130143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2g-1O03adlYyhhvSqnzW_Sus2V9beVFzCsZK2kjlq6l7YHdJT_5EQcnIX0ceMsPvt-P69Vt06Rx_gHGUs2QVhjfYM6z1XHPjpfzbceLsXDGBqmYfpnsMErE0d248Kkf6CsudugVb5e3b/s200/IMG_20130705_130143.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sold my old bike on craigslist in <br />
less than 4 hours and made<br />
$100 more than I thought I would</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td>July 6<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBVgchUVCqIviY-jLKDyAcpePwtxs9g6VHaoLqLrep3SUYv1uqa7ddWzE6t-nJDIX5SasHYzwd8IJ69XYe0yezc1UypW-c0poRCXbEaFgO2kNjZcwcsAGD8SiSF01qHQ4IgcpMHX99_6z/s1600/IMG_20130706_162443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBVgchUVCqIviY-jLKDyAcpePwtxs9g6VHaoLqLrep3SUYv1uqa7ddWzE6t-nJDIX5SasHYzwd8IJ69XYe0yezc1UypW-c0poRCXbEaFgO2kNjZcwcsAGD8SiSF01qHQ4IgcpMHX99_6z/s200/IMG_20130706_162443.JPG" width="127" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diet Cherry Lime Dr. Pepper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1799670551"></span><span id="goog_1799670552"></span><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr><td>July 7<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooy7xUEkK-H0zmWn33fytIP4bJpbpHbt2RqUs6PxmGVCJHUpIsAgr9-bMldkzDnDA3nB83irs5uTZrdP0nw9abvh5n0omzcVR9DE9Mhx6t8FPwzhwaE4-t8rt-BASPnojmGubdL6MtP4I/s1600/IMG_20130707_120335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooy7xUEkK-H0zmWn33fytIP4bJpbpHbt2RqUs6PxmGVCJHUpIsAgr9-bMldkzDnDA3nB83irs5uTZrdP0nw9abvh5n0omzcVR9DE9Mhx6t8FPwzhwaE4-t8rt-BASPnojmGubdL6MtP4I/s200/IMG_20130707_120335.JPG" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$85 running jacket for<br />32 bucks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</td>
<td>July 8<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQDmH8TTz-4pjEGBHKQoAmy90x-_R2OtfysbohLGbqnCj1bPGmoRTYB0KciWjQoO22K7PmqBI-HNiTT1XnZQ7Okm5NJESU8iJ0k8Vy9KWez53n8-IaAU8Xu59x-Ft6eLVGZPMZDrw1jz9/s1600/dartfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQDmH8TTz-4pjEGBHKQoAmy90x-_R2OtfysbohLGbqnCj1bPGmoRTYB0KciWjQoO22K7PmqBI-HNiTT1XnZQ7Okm5NJESU8iJ0k8Vy9KWez53n8-IaAU8Xu59x-Ft6eLVGZPMZDrw1jz9/s200/dartfish.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dartfish.com/en/healthcare/gait_analysis_software/physiotherapy_orthopedy.htm">Dartfish</a> running gait<br />
analysis at PT. Very neat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>July 9<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w-vs3Hoq7_ymh1dGsBS2J2vuxAy7I29w6-TN6jMbNYD_4y2coyrXalyJngvSx63lUxkR8k3xUKdl5_BFz0sIXbt0BuJJCccpBSU-KhBzituC8A9tKm7V980XlYtouPxa1e76uImOvA8r/s1600/thegang+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w-vs3Hoq7_ymh1dGsBS2J2vuxAy7I29w6-TN6jMbNYD_4y2coyrXalyJngvSx63lUxkR8k3xUKdl5_BFz0sIXbt0BuJJCccpBSU-KhBzituC8A9tKm7V980XlYtouPxa1e76uImOvA8r/s200/thegang+-+Copy.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In New Jersey for work. Birthday<br />
dinner with my friend<br />
Dave (far right). Thanks Dave!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td>July 10<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijsweZnddZkYS_5H7w9OLbvM_OVNIratoAcQtzC3Z498e2oylKO-XB9SehtMNFXdMRjy4Z6refwy4UfEwMSj8YCjpYLxU9ghRUzgYT1mPOiPCI-oAXLSfRH5LSdslwmwLbrCqByjQv-mT/s1600/IMG_20130711_124008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijsweZnddZkYS_5H7w9OLbvM_OVNIratoAcQtzC3Z498e2oylKO-XB9SehtMNFXdMRjy4Z6refwy4UfEwMSj8YCjpYLxU9ghRUzgYT1mPOiPCI-oAXLSfRH5LSdslwmwLbrCqByjQv-mT/s200/IMG_20130711_124008.JPG" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom bought me a beautiful<br />
sunflower. Thanks Mom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>July 11<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U0SNFE9Zb-LWzf0e2GkerVcttzSc48NNuYjk9t1ccwFC4lVWqtBNZZt4xmzM3hcWKJFE6qDcjBYM4OWhFvalgWgkp8wYAizRrTZ-iPctKcWnCHksw35WmHb9HFpElKgrkV3Xox47xF9h/s1600/IMG_20130711_074136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U0SNFE9Zb-LWzf0e2GkerVcttzSc48NNuYjk9t1ccwFC4lVWqtBNZZt4xmzM3hcWKJFE6qDcjBYM4OWhFvalgWgkp8wYAizRrTZ-iPctKcWnCHksw35WmHb9HFpElKgrkV3Xox47xF9h/s200/IMG_20130711_074136.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast with the ladies. Blueberry<br />
pancakes! (No powdered sugar,<br />
sugar-free syrup ;-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td>July 12<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEg5sb8OK5jSeJJq6dtWK1zb1A1Ca5rwXTu7awrGX4UuNvoiRvoTYZazcJ6HcS7zZDLslfnwO-cgYVQrODIGtG8l3IxSW1cLQa-WcByDPEdNITxJykdgQerTzn6UvYXx2SqfNBJylceo_/s1600/IMG_20130712_121529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEg5sb8OK5jSeJJq6dtWK1zb1A1Ca5rwXTu7awrGX4UuNvoiRvoTYZazcJ6HcS7zZDLslfnwO-cgYVQrODIGtG8l3IxSW1cLQa-WcByDPEdNITxJykdgQerTzn6UvYXx2SqfNBJylceo_/s200/IMG_20130712_121529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$20 at a time, Mom and I gave away<br />
the extra $100 I got for the bicycle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>July 13<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkYSYCbiQ5fZzkeggUV5ITrKC2UXTQCUpAOShQcTDqCTwaLDul_uC_tFQRzXF-T8kGp5lxNBE8Z5d1Xa3UnYjDjpJNOjEIJqSBpdZZVqqKLdLwrFtx2utvdOUpj7p75J5uY3OFfoWLzWl/s1600/IMG_20130713_154841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkYSYCbiQ5fZzkeggUV5ITrKC2UXTQCUpAOShQcTDqCTwaLDul_uC_tFQRzXF-T8kGp5lxNBE8Z5d1Xa3UnYjDjpJNOjEIJqSBpdZZVqqKLdLwrFtx2utvdOUpj7p75J5uY3OFfoWLzWl/s200/IMG_20130713_154841.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut Paradise Smoothie sans sugar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></td>
<td>July 14<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRk3Ev9fUM6CuG8naZf9yL5gmX5X0w9mLHP34lefDSYMxItdC8hRCW1_ShPfrT1BzHNIausxCAC5eZQV4i9rUAZh40xUfYoaEqy7iRei41ay9inMevCDIWXgUO8Nym_wV5_MCwBbsBLrQ/s1600/IMG_20130714_094606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRk3Ev9fUM6CuG8naZf9yL5gmX5X0w9mLHP34lefDSYMxItdC8hRCW1_ShPfrT1BzHNIausxCAC5eZQV4i9rUAZh40xUfYoaEqy7iRei41ay9inMevCDIWXgUO8Nym_wV5_MCwBbsBLrQ/s200/IMG_20130714_094606.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wright Museum and Bike Tour.<br />
Very cool :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td>July 15<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1a9dk8TclFmlC4ATahAFBYfPKLkxRIgG5e3fJRx5OMU-SaT5rT9Q4L3zuWEh5lJ93bM7NIYl5KxolLmGgDDxnrpv0wxT8-UugRMDmIJrt8Iufu_Jd4I8f2mGJC4WY8r64XRveVwASp7i/s1600/IMG_20130715_184608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1a9dk8TclFmlC4ATahAFBYfPKLkxRIgG5e3fJRx5OMU-SaT5rT9Q4L3zuWEh5lJ93bM7NIYl5KxolLmGgDDxnrpv0wxT8-UugRMDmIJrt8Iufu_Jd4I8f2mGJC4WY8r64XRveVwASp7i/s200/IMG_20130715_184608.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday beer and free dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td>July 16<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massage!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">July 17th</span></b><br />
Red Sock Run and Bike</td></tr>
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<br />ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-72474556291529321082013-07-03T17:15:00.000-07:002013-08-06T17:25:37.930-07:00c<div dir="ltr">
This post could be about physics, but it isn't. It's about a bicycle, sort of. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old School Dyno Compe</td></tr>
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Back when I was a lot shorter, I used to love bicycles. I would ride my bike all over a little Texas town for hours on end. I read BMX magazines. I would sit around and draw different frame designs. My mom once told me that a bike made out of titanium would fly. She was an enabler of the best kind.<br />
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I made a calendar and charted out when I would have enough money for the bike. My mom would give me an $1 for every A I made on my report card and pay me for helping out at the office. I plotted and saved and eventually bought a chrome Dyno Compe freestyle bike. When it came time to assemble it, I did fine until it came to the rotor. I had never actually seen a rotor in action so mom drove me to a bike shop in the big ol' town of Wichita Falls, Texas. We got it figured out. For a kid who loved bicycles, it was awesome.</div>
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Usually once a year I think about getting a new bike. I bought my current bike in 2007, and it's been good to me. That titanium bike has always been there stuck in the back of my brain, though. Those things cost $4000 brand new so there was no way that was ever going to happen. I could be richer than a king, and I doubt I would spend that much money on a bicycle. Two weeks ago, however, I looked around and found a used titanium <a href="http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=2001&brand=Litespeed&model=Tuscany+(03)#.UdTC7vk3u8A">Litespeed Tuscany</a> on sale within a 2 hour driving distance. It also happened to be just my size. The wheels began to turn... :-)</div>
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I contacted the seller, and a meeting was set. I began thinking about what I would do to fix it up and researching online, and I had a plan as to what I needed to look at once I was there to make sure it was a good purchase. I showed up at his house, went to ring the doorbell, and jumped a mile high as he unexpectedly rounded the corner of the garage. It was at this point all logic left my poor brain. Pure rational thought was gone anyway because I was way too excited about this bike. The bike went out of my brain when I saw the guy selling the bike. Let's call him B. I think it was his smile that put me over the edge. </div>
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My mom had insisted on going with me since there have been more than few cases of people pretending to sell things on craigslist and doing terrible things. While Mom isn't scary, she does know how to shoot a gun, and I happen to own one. None of that was necessary because it turned out that B is a police officer. He also lives alone and had a road ID that matched mine, as he pointed out. I was smiling. He was smiling. Mom thought the entire thing was pretty funny, and it was. So anyway, I wound up with a good story and a new (to me) bike. Luckily when I got home and had a good look at it, the bike was in perfect shape.</div>
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So over the past few weeks I've been learning a lot about bicycles. I've been figuring out to remove decals from titanium (acetone works great), ordering new decals and installing them, replacing tires, figuring out I know almost nothing about derailleurs, cleaning gears and a chain, putting on new handlebar tape, bike fitting and adjusting blah blah blah. I have plenty of knowledgeable internet folks to thank for the tips. Between message boards and YouTube videos, I've learned a lot.</div>
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Litespeed Logo before...<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> Litespeed Logo after...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9osOPwf5Lr1qFv5xpfCGCRU3mN89LMPrkNcdetoqjxQ2T1252FahOWoZkWOth1ZMnRVkNFVTQfzmb4kJN14gLSCXLTa6a5z4VKH3fTMQv070hQhgPnR4GZRL5u8jPfj7YaeB5W8TYd9sR/s1600/IMG_20130623_180215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9osOPwf5Lr1qFv5xpfCGCRU3mN89LMPrkNcdetoqjxQ2T1252FahOWoZkWOth1ZMnRVkNFVTQfzmb4kJN14gLSCXLTa6a5z4VKH3fTMQv070hQhgPnR4GZRL5u8jPfj7YaeB5W8TYd9sR/s320/IMG_20130623_180215.JPG" width="173" /></a></div>
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Before...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5qLbh1Qp3lpkGxltKJ4RAOUxcok807iOwSicqqC8KXS1yC35dcwa4fMT2NbUXIOHk8upvR8Mv5WwPa_6q_D6OgjGTdZDVYgJioq-pxWbByAyMOKAbppZz69PfBd5yOTJAkJqhbzxQ-Cj/s1600/IMG_20130622_162742.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5qLbh1Qp3lpkGxltKJ4RAOUxcok807iOwSicqqC8KXS1yC35dcwa4fMT2NbUXIOHk8upvR8Mv5WwPa_6q_D6OgjGTdZDVYgJioq-pxWbByAyMOKAbppZz69PfBd5yOTJAkJqhbzxQ-Cj/s320/IMG_20130622_162742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHl7ozUrI9DMeWHWWQMO_v2acE8ctMQ1FrO0PgRS-tva_V45EwJAmGsVP4PK20Ev_xYsokb7QKPEHDtMHZbJeHKHLZ4R7TVy6uu0DzXmMRCJXKT9wkSjxPAWrAT8wEsR7NpkcWSPvH_om/s816/newdecals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHl7ozUrI9DMeWHWWQMO_v2acE8ctMQ1FrO0PgRS-tva_V45EwJAmGsVP4PK20Ev_xYsokb7QKPEHDtMHZbJeHKHLZ4R7TVy6uu0DzXmMRCJXKT9wkSjxPAWrAT8wEsR7NpkcWSPvH_om/s320/newdecals.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(waiting on a different water bottle holder to arrive, though)</td></tr>
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Before...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1tfVtx_-otjmHlfL2HpUtnX5W3MUtCAjplgSpC7QzEevQPnmr7RV6a0xnr3wEDU7aQ3os7YMXGYezJA2b04JvaYplOhAp2spQToj70S-aGq1yVzRHPGzORVT-_lvTVZFNSTadeQKV5B0/s1600/IMG_20130622_162722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1tfVtx_-otjmHlfL2HpUtnX5W3MUtCAjplgSpC7QzEevQPnmr7RV6a0xnr3wEDU7aQ3os7YMXGYezJA2b04JvaYplOhAp2spQToj70S-aGq1yVzRHPGzORVT-_lvTVZFNSTadeQKV5B0/s320/IMG_20130622_162722.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGapXElOMshMYMddIgCTGLNbzLzvOGjOIlYz6zc2rRBTQ_6Itpq88exSaIIJrW5koz8tXt0L6Mm7USmhuZsqB5wocWluGFuxdPM-4SEzItEC-e3QQzQjs4ouCA1TYbcUvqR-8f-7PCEg-/s1109/blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGapXElOMshMYMddIgCTGLNbzLzvOGjOIlYz6zc2rRBTQ_6Itpq88exSaIIJrW5koz8tXt0L6Mm7USmhuZsqB5wocWluGFuxdPM-4SEzItEC-e3QQzQjs4ouCA1TYbcUvqR-8f-7PCEg-/s320/blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it blue?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIJI0VUvhUGuhC7ahso6toqebawkeaNNebEXvC0NnW0SZXBRC76GMUDavD-O76NgrrpO7L1irNNmMKpcAlFyvY2soex7IVhik_tURhx6LhjPkng61bKElrqSCWV4__5PpGACWSSh121Zy/s959/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIJI0VUvhUGuhC7ahso6toqebawkeaNNebEXvC0NnW0SZXBRC76GMUDavD-O76NgrrpO7L1irNNmMKpcAlFyvY2soex7IVhik_tURhx6LhjPkng61bKElrqSCWV4__5PpGACWSSh121Zy/s320/green.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it green?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3g1Xx2UsJ1NFTAhteFT5Aku5e5z_YMtcZgA7Gr2DVw1N0AokZMlfeBQkd2fy8iwXjXCdyDpg5YiK6ehS-GL3m3aIjq6CzfPmcsUHj8-NgcLrq59sikL7V7fOhesK7FmyijR_HhXViCIn/s846/blueandgreen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3g1Xx2UsJ1NFTAhteFT5Aku5e5z_YMtcZgA7Gr2DVw1N0AokZMlfeBQkd2fy8iwXjXCdyDpg5YiK6ehS-GL3m3aIjq6CzfPmcsUHj8-NgcLrq59sikL7V7fOhesK7FmyijR_HhXViCIn/s320/blueandgreen.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep!</td></tr>
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It's been a fun project, and used or not, I am beyond happy with my new bike. The other great thing about this project is that it has made it completely clear just how much my mom has always been there for me. When I needed to learn how to put together a rotor, she was there. When I needed backup while going to pick up a bike, she was there. That titanium bike in the corner of my mind was there partly due to her influence. A lot of who I am was greatly influenced by what she said and did while I was growing and learning. My mom is caring and always there when I need some help. Thanks for being awesome, Mom!</div>
ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-72752616205481766602013-06-09T06:30:00.000-07:002013-06-09T06:43:19.817-07:00Got Water? Nathan Speedbelt 2 ReviewFirst things first. Thank you! Enough folks have read my Hoka One One reviews and bought items from <a href="https://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/ultracassie">The Clymb</a> that I managed to pick up another Nathan Speedbelt 2. This time it was free. That's right! Zero. Nada. Zilch. Why? Because of you. Thanks!<br />
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Notice I said another. I am a big fan on the Nathan Speedbelt series. The biggest issue I have had with water belts is that they refuse to stay in place on my girlie hips. It turns out the hour glass figure and water belts don't play nicely together. I tried the Fuel Belt, and there was no love. I had it so tight that a buckin' bronco would have complained, but that didn't stop it from heading north. Guys don't seem to have the same problem. I also tried another belt in the <a href="http://www.nathansports.com/">Nathan Sports</a> series. That one didn't work out too well either. It seems the Speedbelt series is the one for me. I've been wearing them for years, and I decided a review might be helpful. You paid for it so here it is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrf_lVHFoHURYVJ1Lv_cWgwrkXFZbiNjL-ETsLxr23iXVYokXGgV3JCnQKkKPrhljvDI9LuIyAUdFEdJmnt7WrxsVLVHRreGFgmiQip9UDM96w2XiXcmpdCWSnD9ILbeRn5V-k0AGkuZg/s1600/IMG_20130609_075446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrf_lVHFoHURYVJ1Lv_cWgwrkXFZbiNjL-ETsLxr23iXVYokXGgV3JCnQKkKPrhljvDI9LuIyAUdFEdJmnt7WrxsVLVHRreGFgmiQip9UDM96w2XiXcmpdCWSnD9ILbeRn5V-k0AGkuZg/s200/IMG_20130609_075446.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan Speedbelt 2 in stealth mode</td></tr>
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My past Speedbelts were gray. I was happy to see one in black. I wear black shorts, and lets face it, black has that slimming effect. :-)<br />
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The Speedbelt 2 has a place to carry two 10 ounce water bottles. It also has a nice size pouch to store some things while on the run. First, lets talk about the pouch...<br />
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My old belt had the standard pouch that my Nexus 4 refused to call home. My phone was just too big. This time, I was in luck! My Nexus has a 4.7" inch display (specs 133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1 mm), and it fit! There was another cool little surprise. I could actually see the phone through the pouch! See:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5SZq85PtSiJlYyDqj9RJW7UQxitj8c_cq79K3AdtDJMdSa8sWxrTW1poMFhQsxeUtzkLrUFZwYqKftzPpxSaE736peFGGSR-OCvLcXJp20NKtcrUQuJ7oibHSqJeuiopHHsQRRImhGwY/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5SZq85PtSiJlYyDqj9RJW7UQxitj8c_cq79K3AdtDJMdSa8sWxrTW1poMFhQsxeUtzkLrUFZwYqKftzPpxSaE736peFGGSR-OCvLcXJp20NKtcrUQuJ7oibHSqJeuiopHHsQRRImhGwY/s320/photo+(5).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stealth mode and an almost invisible pouch. Call me<br />
Wonder Woman.</td></tr>
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There are a few other nice things about this pouch. It has a divided area that isn't see-through and helps separate things. That means I can throw something else in the pouch and not worry about scratching my phone. It also has a place to attach a key so you don't lose it out on the trail and a small card to put down your emergency info.<br />
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There is also another small key pocket upfront. My car keys won't fit, but my house key will.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiZCGLO9l6RG-2Om41qGqSWhvSYNBj5PmL9NCTqmjQnG-MwBGXUEi1KAxZ7vXzrpCtKSsU3zt2CUZM1AjC7465ZRvO99tMiFXzGr9rR96anG1qpW09DN4SDVL7huei4UQ0txB6dDyPiOj/s1600/IMG_20130609_081742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiZCGLO9l6RG-2Om41qGqSWhvSYNBj5PmL9NCTqmjQnG-MwBGXUEi1KAxZ7vXzrpCtKSsU3zt2CUZM1AjC7465ZRvO99tMiFXzGr9rR96anG1qpW09DN4SDVL7huei4UQ0txB6dDyPiOj/s200/IMG_20130609_081742.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left cap is the standard version<br />
Right cap is the race version</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXsoN0h1_3ytkxsiEvwKR0gAPaHlM8UvUogG9t-wVNQk4jcVeMc4_J4VCuqWVrUfi1xxW7ACldQ53rcxKm3axbFgcIw0oHdnIsltg7Ro0rZRHszHB_1-TwfdVCsq3EWG-faBgDejbap9G/s1600/IMG_20130609_083044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXsoN0h1_3ytkxsiEvwKR0gAPaHlM8UvUogG9t-wVNQk4jcVeMc4_J4VCuqWVrUfi1xxW7ACldQ53rcxKm3axbFgcIw0oHdnIsltg7Ro0rZRHszHB_1-TwfdVCsq3EWG-faBgDejbap9G/s200/IMG_20130609_083044.JPG" width="153" /></a>So about those water bottles... they carry 10 ounces of fluid which is generally enough to get you to the next aid station in a trail ultra unless it is an extremely hot day. They have a nice ergonomic shape that fits the hand nicely, and in general they stay put in the holder. I've had one bounce out maybe 3 times in the past 5 years. The only thing I would really change is the cap. In fact, I do change the cap. Once I tried the race cap, I couldn't go back to the old popup style so I ordered more bottles with the race caps. The race caps allow you to drink without having to look down or use two hands. On the road that is no big deal. On the trail it can cause you to kiss the dirt.<br />
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Finally onto my favorite part of the belt, the velcro attachment that keeps this thing where I put it:<br />
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I can get this belt tight enough to stay without making it too tight. This is what originally sold me on the Speedbelt and keeps me coming back.<br />
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And now for the model shot with the help of Charlie and Honey:<br />
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Another nice touch is that the silver you see on the belt is reflective. In fact, I had to turn off the flash to take the above picture or else risk blinding you with the Nathan logo in the middle.<br />
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These belts have an MSRP of 45 bucks. If you keep your eye out on <a href="https://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/ultracassie">The Clymb</a>, you can get them for less than half the price on last year's model. Stay hydrated and happy running!<br />
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ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-57666791557417673572013-05-31T06:00:00.000-07:002013-05-31T08:23:00.793-07:00Timbuk2 Showdown ReviewAh, the good ol' days. I remember my favorite part of going back to school. While mom would go do the shopping, I spent a ridiculous amount of time looking through hundreds of Trapper Keepers trying to find the perfect one. I looked forward to doing that every year. While I don't remember many of the ones I picked, I remember my favorite had picture of a large waterfall surrounded by green. I have a very similar photo hanging up in my house now. Hmmmmm.<br />
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I've carried the same laptop backpack now for quite a few years. I walked into a chain store, picked out one that seemed okay, and that was that. I've had it for probably 7 or more years. It didn't bring me joy, but it worked. I use my backpack a lot for work. Sometimes it hauls a laptop back and forth to the office. Sometimes it hauls around military electronic equipment while I'm out walking in the woods. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it recently had a blowout of an inner lining. It was time for a new backpack.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZczg0iL27o9DF9eutHpR36LBvHq9fIu4yOTzdRnzGhow3BGut9b0Ibw9cnCXGVwMiZgdf4qbQuhUq7yM157NqxlHhOILtBqgfhnnKsQOueySHhiq_MB2QvM_prJoO5hwHR53CuuMDyKp/s1600/timbuk2showdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZczg0iL27o9DF9eutHpR36LBvHq9fIu4yOTzdRnzGhow3BGut9b0Ibw9cnCXGVwMiZgdf4qbQuhUq7yM157NqxlHhOILtBqgfhnnKsQOueySHhiq_MB2QvM_prJoO5hwHR53CuuMDyKp/s320/timbuk2showdown.jpg" width="320" /></a>I'm not a big fan of paying full price for things. I went to a few places that tend to have the best prices on outdoor gear: <a href="http://www.leftlanesports.com/invite/CassandraRalls">LeftLane Sports</a>, <a href="https://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/ultracassie">The Clymb</a>, <a href="http://www.sierratradingpost.com/invite~2410635/cassandra~ralls/">Sierra Trading Post</a>, and <a href="http://6pm.com/">6pm.com</a><span id="goog_187504763">.</span> The backpack choices are astounding. I was transported right back to the 80s, hanging out in Target, picking out my Trapper Keeper. There were a few things I needed in a backpack: a place for my laptop, a place to shove a water bottle, and a place for my phone. I also didn't want anything too large since I would be hauling it through the airport, on an airplane, to the office, and in the woods/field/desert/etc. I also wanted something that would fit into my work environment (think army meets engineer) as well as something I could use to go for a day hike. Enter the <a href="http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/showdown-laptop-backpack">Timbuk2 Showdown</a>.<br />
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There were many to choose from, but I decided on the Showdown. It met all my requirements, and, hey, I liked the way it looked. The laptop compartment is completely separate which is nice. Plenty of times going through security at the airport, I would pull out my laptop and the papers in the divided section would come out with it. Big deal? Nah, but slightly annoying. This backpack solved that issue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu__i2JwTx8KhAJAsFjosGeg55cYqw_N6pn3OWXyB5VaSMKDoLZuJanzpTuU8BRQH3q3NLj7K2ZiikCoVDIsjt-YOmcpkeMg4RRTPGoAs2_ZZAQCdOv-JK_Al-kRbkG2vyOFUw2jESnL1d/s1600/IMG_20130509_125330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu__i2JwTx8KhAJAsFjosGeg55cYqw_N6pn3OWXyB5VaSMKDoLZuJanzpTuU8BRQH3q3NLj7K2ZiikCoVDIsjt-YOmcpkeMg4RRTPGoAs2_ZZAQCdOv-JK_Al-kRbkG2vyOFUw2jESnL1d/s400/IMG_20130509_125330.JPG" width="248" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuxfeVtHRWcq07j76zvk9s2R75R8s0M66M5xdSijaabXAVn4m5Eb2SMQWJydjIax3v8HSiNQB0C_EZnmWZKCLSFhFClYd67Oe_ULumRQ6Kk4760MxythADFLOM5hV0s6CAtvNGpwnWsUc/s1600/IMG_20130509_125953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laptop Cocoon of Luxuary</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJX-MN4sOXHhBmoXTiqCuelSHnIazyUoxVmZwk_K3aR7rPO_QLUesZN3Ky4ooW0vbq8z3CR-llsq437TsrfUQhKjxpR8FvLrwfDCrgc5j3qmDd3j6vgZuL9fNu_kyG5ziaxfKbsd4eLF87/s1600/IMG_20130509_075940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJX-MN4sOXHhBmoXTiqCuelSHnIazyUoxVmZwk_K3aR7rPO_QLUesZN3Ky4ooW0vbq8z3CR-llsq437TsrfUQhKjxpR8FvLrwfDCrgc5j3qmDd3j6vgZuL9fNu_kyG5ziaxfKbsd4eLF87/s200/IMG_20130509_075940.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
The phone pouch is oh-so-soft and will keep a phone riding in style, scratch free.<br />
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Room to throw in a water bottle, or in this case, a Flying Monkey Silipint cup. </div>
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There is a large zip pocket on the front with a mesh pocket. My sunglasses case fit perfectly at the bottom of this pocket. On the other side below the phone pouch, there is another zip pocket that is about half the size.<br />
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The main compartment has a zip pocket as well as an area for pens and other items.<br />
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There is a detachable sternum strap, a bottle opener (never know when you'll need one of those, right?), and a padded area with air channels for the back.</div>
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Two of the best things about this pack are that I managed to get it for $40 less than retail at 6pm, and it comes in smaller than most at 22 liters. It's not a waterfall, but it is a darn good backpack.ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-18330672120680128912013-05-13T18:11:00.000-07:002013-05-14T12:21:55.334-07:00Race Report: Ice Age 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sIp3Zo2mDMDxcgNxxXbDVn2dHEKjzT_zRV6rDf2JCFqP8pZssH6wbKWDrDrdOuWT_fD5tWqBiAetD2UAiUin0ykZnj5s88gpfvqAVhIBIDvQjaNclFepsKxSLfH2eqTtOvJeQcF2p84N/s1600/Ice+Age+2+The+Meltdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sIp3Zo2mDMDxcgNxxXbDVn2dHEKjzT_zRV6rDf2JCFqP8pZssH6wbKWDrDrdOuWT_fD5tWqBiAetD2UAiUin0ykZnj5s88gpfvqAVhIBIDvQjaNclFepsKxSLfH2eqTtOvJeQcF2p84N/s200/Ice+Age+2+The+Meltdown.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
No, not THAT Ice Age. <a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2012/05/it-cant-always-get-worse.html">Last year's Ice Age</a> could have easily been titled The Meltdown for me. I had originally planned on the 50 mile, but I did the 50K because I knew something was wrong. It turned out that I was severely anemic and didn't know it. My meltdown occurred very early during the event, but I still managed to go 31 miles. Looking back, it felt like I ran that entire race in a tunnel. Truthfully, I don't remember a lot of it. That combined with the fact that I had not run an ultra since last year's <a href="http://www.iceagetrail50.com/site/">Ice Age</a> made me a little nervous for this year's 50 mile attempt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCCt6a1HOQTAVD26kptssd09cU0YkOJisnKYbTURXh1uhak_cCW41m0IgpvihP67ZE_iUsMJ3PK2NGkllkVUJBMD1sgsEB7LFu-yYly41H4CoREyUBGsdv4yN55Hx6K_x6nqlfU2OgGtd/s1600/iceage50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCCt6a1HOQTAVD26kptssd09cU0YkOJisnKYbTURXh1uhak_cCW41m0IgpvihP67ZE_iUsMJ3PK2NGkllkVUJBMD1sgsEB7LFu-yYly41H4CoREyUBGsdv4yN55Hx6K_x6nqlfU2OgGtd/s200/iceage50.jpg" width="200" /></a>This year, the woolly mammoth was back on the buckle, and I was back in Wisconsin to run the 50 mile.<br />
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My good friend, Don, was also back to continue our once a year ultra running get-together tradition for run #5. It all started back in 2007 when I decided to run a trail marathon, and he ran the entire thing with me even though he had only trained for a half. This would be Don's first 50 mile race.<br />
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When I arrived into Wisconsin in my shorts and t-shirt the first thing I noticed was BRRRRRR! Ice Age was right. Wow! It was 60+ in Ohio ad 44 with cold winds here. The forecast called for temps between the 30s and 50s on Saturday, and that works just fine for me when it comes to distance running. I'd much rather see those temps than 90-100 degree temps we dealt with at Brew To Brew in 2011. There was a little bit of rain predicted as well, which I could happily do without. Dirt + water = mud, and I've had more than enough of those runs thank-ya-very-much.<br />
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<tr><td><i>"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ~ Ephesians 3:20" </i>K-Love Verse of the Day 5/11 and some very great news considering I was about to try and run 50 miles.</td></tr>
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The ~10.5 mile Nordic loop is a beautiful, wide trail covered with pine needles. During this section, we had plenty of company and ran quite a few miles with a fellow from Wisconsin named Brandon who was running his first 50 mile. The Nordic Trail seemed to be over almost as soon as it had started, and the day was turning out to be beautiful.<br />
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Section 2 of the race changes things up quite a bit. The trail turns into a lot of single track, and rocks and roots begin to get your attention... or else. This section also begins an out and back portion on a very narrow trail, and this is where my trouble began without me even realizing. Blissfully ignorant, I kept mostly to the right side of the trail jumping up onto the right section to move out of the way of runners coming back from the opposite direction. This meant my right foot was constantly running at a cant which becomes important in later miles. No matter at this point. The 3rd runner I saw coming the opposite direction was <a href="http://riddleruns.blogspot.com/">David Riddle</a>, who won this year's 50 mile race. He was flying down the trail with ease and grace. It really is amazing to watch.<br />
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My plan had been to take a gel every 45 minutes or so which worked well for the first 4 gels as I was carrying peanut butter Gu. This was the same strategy that had worked for me in my first 50 miler. Unfortunately not all aid stations had gel so I got a little off schedule. It was around this time I started feeling a bit tired. Hmmmmm. The aid station at the Section 2 turnaround point (~21 miles) had a plethora of Montana Huckleberry Hammer Gel. I grabbed 3 for the return trip back to Confusion Corner.<br />
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Montana Huckleberry: the only flavor of gel available during the entire event. Don joked that they had Huckleberry Pie at the finish. I did mix it up with some oranges. I had my Garmin set to alert me every 45 minutes to take a gel, and as the miles went by, I begrudgingly obeyed its command. Even though I was over the flavor, the energy it delivered kept me going. Don and I finished the first 25 miles in 5 hours which put us well ahead of the 12 hour cutoff. I was thankful to have energy at the marathon point as last year my pace had turned into a walk because I just had nothing to give. I was thankful for my running buddy. I was thankful for the beautiful day that we were given. I was thankful for no mud!<br />
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Running long distances has its stages. At first, things feel great. Then, after a bit, your legs get tired. A little later, your legs are really starting to get grumpy. Eventually they yell at you. Then, after that, I can only assume the legs either get tired of complaining or your brain gets tired of hearing it. That means things are going well.<br />
<br />
When things aren't going well, it takes every ounce of energy you have just to get up that hill at a snails pace or something or other locks up completely and won't let you take another step. We were at the 50K point, and I was amazed to find walking up the smaller inclines was more annoying than running up them. The legs were feeling it, but life was still good.<br />
<br />
We headed out on the third and final leg of our journey to Emma Carlin for the last 19 miles. Don and I had tried to fall numerous times but were unsuccessful. Based on the amount of folks I saw with scraped knees and dirt covered clothes, the roots and rocks got in a few good punches. The last leg seemed to be the hilliest portion of the course. I thought maybe it was because I was getting tired. The truth is that the highest point on the course does occur during the 3rd section. I managed to get a few more peanut butter Gus I had put in a drop bag at mile 37. It's the little things that can bring happiness on the trail. We finally found ourselves at the 10K remaining point. Things were really going well, and I was surprised to find myself still wanting to run the smaller inclines. Everything changed around mile 45 including the weather. Running on a canted trail finally caught up to my right foot when a sharp pain stopped me in my tracks. Ouch! My foot no longer allowed me to run on anything with a slope. I was worried I was going to have to walk the last 5 miles. Luckily the foot was okay with flat sections. Don had been dealing with a large blister for a while; although, he's not really the type to complain much so I'm not exactly sure when that started. It was around the same time that it actually started hailing. It was so surprising and fitting (it is the Ice Age after all) that I knew that was just the way it was supposed to be. That didn't make it any less cold, though. 10 minutes later, the sun was out.<br />
<br />
We ran through the finish and received our very nice buckles. The after party consisted of a live band, soda, beer, hamburgers, some awesome vegetable lasagna, a rain shower, and a lot of limping.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekUF2Srt11KElJJhC6cTPvgvF6kREEsfzTUPJ7X6t9tsa6CKKXRTUvwJ4WcPekUu9AO_pOLIEEOKNqiq10buF0vL9CbvvtuBFqa6UJ6MPEq16PxJw9WoiyyMd8ONJmkvCZJGT0Q2qoJF1/s1600/ice_age_buckle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekUF2Srt11KElJJhC6cTPvgvF6kREEsfzTUPJ7X6t9tsa6CKKXRTUvwJ4WcPekUu9AO_pOLIEEOKNqiq10buF0vL9CbvvtuBFqa6UJ6MPEq16PxJw9WoiyyMd8ONJmkvCZJGT0Q2qoJF1/s320/ice_age_buckle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I should mention the beautiful sections of pine on this course. The trail is soft, and beautiful, tall pines create inviting tunnels that feel very much alive. These areas were my favorite sections of the trail. Overall it is a beautiful course. It was very well marked which is something that should never be taken for granted. Bonus miles can be okay but not during a 50 mile run.10 aid stations on the course meant a lot of volunteers. Not only did they give us water and food, but they cheered when each runner was coming into every station. They stood outside on a cold day to keep us moving forward, and they helped other people reach their goals.<br />
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It feels good to feel good again. Now it's time to rest and give my wounded foot a break. I wonder what's next?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Age 50 Course</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevation Profile</td></tr>
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<br />ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-36239935205526380082013-05-05T18:20:00.001-07:002013-05-05T18:21:54.954-07:005 Days and a Wakeup......a very early wakeup, I might add. It's been almost a year since my last ultra. Where has the time gone?<br />
<br />
50 miles?! Geesh, what was I thinking? Sometimes I can't help but wonder why in the world I sign up for these things. Well, I did, so I guess I might as well run it.<br />
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This time last year, I was severely anemic without knowing it. I had just had my first and only root canal. I had been taking a ridiculous amount of antibiotics. I still somehow managed to make it 31 miles. So... I should make it 50 this year, right?<br />
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Hokas? Check. <a href="http://www.dirtygirlgaiters.com/">Dirty Girl Gaiter</a>s? Check. Gels? Check. Water belt? Check. Training runs? Yeah, mostly. Running buddy? Heck yeah!<br />
<br />
Am I ready? It's hard to say. I've struggled with a few injuries here and there. I would have liked to have put in more training miles, but I opted to listen to my body when it cried uncle. Well, I mostly listened anyway. Motivation has been lacking a little, but I think that has more to do with a nagging hip that never seems to get completely well. I've been feeding it a daily dose of the foam roller and two <a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeplus/us/v2/en_US/pdf/myrtl.pdf">Myrtl's</a> twice a day. That seems to be making a difference.<br />
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Speaking of... I hear that foam roller calling.<br />
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If you are sitting around wondering what to do with a minute or two over the next week, send a prayer my way. I will take all of them that I can get.<br />
<br />
Happy Running!<br />
<br />
Do you not know? Have you not heard?<br />
The Lord is the everlasting God,<br />
the Creator of the ends of the earth.<br />
He will not grow tired or weary,<br />
and his understanding no one can fathom.<br />
He gives strength to the weary<br />
and increases the power of the weak.<br />
Isaiah 40: 28-29<br />
<br />
<br />ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-76407808223777584582013-04-18T08:00:00.000-07:002013-04-18T17:24:18.817-07:00Road Trip!<div dir="ltr">
It was time to take a trip down to Fort Benning for work so I thought a road trip would be fun. After a quick search for races, I discovered the Knoxville Marathon was happening the weekend before so....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEKAn_ZK1HTQ3pPZ_XQNTwMqp3Q6LRs_Io0sHWz_Z2pyOwtLHqbPA1Lty5fbjcRy6f_wGIc2buWf2THwcazZOtmwCW-soR-aEzPVV_HMxEmvLPPYVeac62WCACIAlIREvY95VQl-7o-zY/s1600/mostinterestingman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEKAn_ZK1HTQ3pPZ_XQNTwMqp3Q6LRs_Io0sHWz_Z2pyOwtLHqbPA1Lty5fbjcRy6f_wGIc2buWf2THwcazZOtmwCW-soR-aEzPVV_HMxEmvLPPYVeac62WCACIAlIREvY95VQl-7o-zY/s1600/mostinterestingman.jpg" /></a>I decided to drive to Knoxville, hang out for a night, run a marathon because it was on the way :-), and then head to Georgia. After a week in Georgia I would travel to Alabama to spend a few days chillin' with Major Mary.</div>
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After checking in at the hotel, I headed over to the expo. I was shocked to discover how small the expo was. The marathon itself had only 700 or so people registered. I headed over to the <a href="http://www.team413.org/">Team 413</a> booth, talked to Chris and Kiki, and bought a few more shirts. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTegXYl-b6O9XYUZWCHu74D0JXwjb3i1i8D8ypr0BrCdejjvGRXx1qMp9LPlc1bSuJVBUgnFTV-2TCqAX0lD-hWyTP7uVUc5isTpJWah69B7oLx9nHb2wzOLYyxLjzlaXtQV4u1nU2DjVO/s1600/IMG_20130406_200655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTegXYl-b6O9XYUZWCHu74D0JXwjb3i1i8D8ypr0BrCdejjvGRXx1qMp9LPlc1bSuJVBUgnFTV-2TCqAX0lD-hWyTP7uVUc5isTpJWah69B7oLx9nHb2wzOLYyxLjzlaXtQV4u1nU2DjVO/s200/IMG_20130406_200655.jpg" width="200" /></a>It was then time to find some dinner. The woman at the front desk suggested Market Street which was just a few blocks over. When I arrived, I found an art festival.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok456bZ-ligWPqu3JPI_4ojP8cc_Dwu2SKjlMPweclyBAYy82Ie474M9NXLp6QlRgbofJI4P7hzpYlVGL2jq5FbqMbj1iIYE77HZ-mvqhY57DV6yenDwekRyIB7GPjKAM0s8SssMYdb2h/s1600/IMG_20130406_193342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok456bZ-ligWPqu3JPI_4ojP8cc_Dwu2SKjlMPweclyBAYy82Ie474M9NXLp6QlRgbofJI4P7hzpYlVGL2jq5FbqMbj1iIYE77HZ-mvqhY57DV6yenDwekRyIB7GPjKAM0s8SssMYdb2h/s200/IMG_20130406_193342.jpg" width="200" /></a>There were a lot of chalk art drawings on the sidewalk and even more people. In the middle of the excitement was a tent for a local brewery. Since I was planning on taking this training run very seriously (ha), I decided to try a local brew. I bought the souvenir cup, and the fella told me that he expected me to drink at least 5 beers to get the full discount on the refills. I planned to run 26 miles in the morning so I'd only be having one. He'd let it slide this time. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of people and chalk art...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBw1ck9nWVvJyPkMcc_8D_sDlDLCFyjF6weURji7x4vDYKSanO3YVmAhd691vSQuB6nUOtOmr2uCfKgnfHOOujKnACMWs1NRfyJO5wbjH-T4PG6QQTQsBIWQhIzcgkjKcqR_TCrD9_oU4l/s1600/IMG_20130406_193219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBw1ck9nWVvJyPkMcc_8D_sDlDLCFyjF6weURji7x4vDYKSanO3YVmAhd691vSQuB6nUOtOmr2uCfKgnfHOOujKnACMWs1NRfyJO5wbjH-T4PG6QQTQsBIWQhIzcgkjKcqR_TCrD9_oU4l/s200/IMG_20130406_193219.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCn5a11TBKyYKy-HbKr4yK6vOGpuWdG23SAdqw4J0vGzLuiEUu8Zvoi8V-56Zwd-D09joCntdND3y1e_9GQ4gtMNHDQLkNrzoJlCxh11ytPlq3A9yCVEItikpiE6SKwDrqWGmXFGqmFg2/s1600/IMG_20130406_193431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCn5a11TBKyYKy-HbKr4yK6vOGpuWdG23SAdqw4J0vGzLuiEUu8Zvoi8V-56Zwd-D09joCntdND3y1e_9GQ4gtMNHDQLkNrzoJlCxh11ytPlq3A9yCVEItikpiE6SKwDrqWGmXFGqmFg2/s200/IMG_20130406_193431.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBw1ck9nWVvJyPkMcc_8D_sDlDLCFyjF6weURji7x4vDYKSanO3YVmAhd691vSQuB6nUOtOmr2uCfKgnfHOOujKnACMWs1NRfyJO5wbjH-T4PG6QQTQsBIWQhIzcgkjKcqR_TCrD9_oU4l/s1600/IMG_20130406_193219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmGHRZ7FHzckrzwJwPngMIlzowd5atX0cyQH5aPav0D1BposPtE_7MofUrycd0AKxNAbUBFLLs7T1c8n5plVcpeiwi2A4w0avV_-7w7vbkfFYyNUm1RLepPE9aZb3b7F3imkr_8uOXQVp/s1600/knoxmarathonsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmGHRZ7FHzckrzwJwPngMIlzowd5atX0cyQH5aPav0D1BposPtE_7MofUrycd0AKxNAbUBFLLs7T1c8n5plVcpeiwi2A4w0avV_-7w7vbkfFYyNUm1RLepPE9aZb3b7F3imkr_8uOXQVp/s200/knoxmarathonsmall.jpg" width="106" /></a>My hotel was very close to the start so after a short walk, I was in the start corral. Knoxville does have a few hills, and I was expecting that. The first 13 miles went smoothly with plenty of foot traffic along the course as those miles were with the 7000 or so half marathoners. Since I had been having some IT band issues, I knew I could bail at the half if necessary. Luckily the IT band was not an issue after previous trip to the ART doc and a lot of foam rolling. Shortly after the half I started talking to Jason from Nashville. He told me we had already gone up the hill that was the course was known for during the first half. He was training for the Country Music Marathon by running the Knoxville marathon. After some good conversation, I was once again solo. It was around that time that I noticed how incredibly hot it was down in Tennessee. I had brought along my S Caps, but that didn't help as much as I had hoped since I had been training in 40 degrees and the marathon temp was now 70+ and in direct sunlight. I was tired of water, and my body wasn't doing a very good job of processing it. It just kept telling me how thirsty I was. Just when I started thinking I really needed something.... ANYTHING... other than water, I entered the Island Home neighborhood. There was reggae music, the people of the neighbor hood were incredibly nice, and they gave me oranges. I seriously love oranges during a long run. I had four slices of oranges in those 2 miles. Those wonderful souls made my miles 21 - 23.<br />
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It was time to run my least favorite part of any big city race: the last few miles into the city. It is usually not shaded, is uphill, and is in a big city. I normally avoid big city races unless I'm running with friends who want to run them. This was a well done event, but I don't think these big city races are for me. This revelation happened around mile 24. Maybe I was just delirious. After the finish, a nice lady handed me a medal and a finisher's cap. It was a great start to an awesome road trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAMlAMW38VLP7nvSy7kZoj7PyIWP7ZfaQh4NBm-osc6I-0DPJBkecqGiegTc5uXY-MM0w2_a-h0T4Lnh6ZtQJt0MzQZA3TIdtVMnSAREcIWH8qrmY0bIuKtF4oJRiCuj5LuN_5tFWlNq7/s1600/columbus-riverwalk-bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAMlAMW38VLP7nvSy7kZoj7PyIWP7ZfaQh4NBm-osc6I-0DPJBkecqGiegTc5uXY-MM0w2_a-h0T4Lnh6ZtQJt0MzQZA3TIdtVMnSAREcIWH8qrmY0bIuKtF4oJRiCuj5LuN_5tFWlNq7/s200/columbus-riverwalk-bridge.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite sections of the path</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It was now time to travel to Columbus, Georgia, for a week of work. The
next day my IT band gave me a little limp, and the foam roller made me
want to cry, but two days later I was running along the Chattahoochee
River Walk. Although, it had rained the entire week before I arrived, we were
blessed with a gorgeous work week. That was a pretty big deal
since we would spend the week working outside and in large tents. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day at the office. Or not.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37WZGhDth30z57o4wnQxFunugcgglo8bAjlN3jq_mxZyfEZ0HwNaphtsrb6JUKw70d4Ud6QbpuT7T4kZStaWia8ojVhLTwIDf-1yLyzL-eqYEF-t4DGif60LorCVOxldX8v0eIWkYeg5Q/s1600/IMG_20130411_105022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37WZGhDth30z57o4wnQxFunugcgglo8bAjlN3jq_mxZyfEZ0HwNaphtsrb6JUKw70d4Ud6QbpuT7T4kZStaWia8ojVhLTwIDf-1yLyzL-eqYEF-t4DGif60LorCVOxldX8v0eIWkYeg5Q/s320/IMG_20130411_105022.jpg" width="240" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I should have brought my trail shoes to work</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AZ0jIYLa3X2yvbv079Ie1Vb2ziPHvHTqjgWjn7KhmN9Ky4r5nrBg7d5G46l9n4AJyDw9nmkRqsDcpiG_7PI_YLbHMJWr7z-9kUkdC5Hb3IEYKC1HRtVVJGR0DH4I0BcofDXI1Q9073cW/s1600/IMG_20130410_204348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AZ0jIYLa3X2yvbv079Ie1Vb2ziPHvHTqjgWjn7KhmN9Ky4r5nrBg7d5G46l9n4AJyDw9nmkRqsDcpiG_7PI_YLbHMJWr7z-9kUkdC5Hb3IEYKC1HRtVVJGR0DH4I0BcofDXI1Q9073cW/s200/IMG_20130410_204348.jpg" width="200" /></a>I work with some great folks so it was a great week. I even got to pet a red tailed hawk courtesy of one of my coworkers. Cool, huh?</div>
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At the end of the week, I headed to Alabama to visit with my best friend from college. She is stationed at Fort Rucker and is a battalion XO. (Gee, Mary, how did we get so old?!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYqFb5lAQbk_KciT2N6pcXBrTuRDp14kY6E3XYkI8t_XteGelSgQmdinmEI6MdlBbiVOyB7C1tPQ6g28Y9BS_SgSOfT7LfE8FYW0VlbrPw7dsReIoWMa1v3aYa0t9eqzAq1L-p45LdNLB/s1600/IMG_20130412_202005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYqFb5lAQbk_KciT2N6pcXBrTuRDp14kY6E3XYkI8t_XteGelSgQmdinmEI6MdlBbiVOyB7C1tPQ6g28Y9BS_SgSOfT7LfE8FYW0VlbrPw7dsReIoWMa1v3aYa0t9eqzAq1L-p45LdNLB/s200/IMG_20130412_202005.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
We had dinner at a local place called The Rawls which is a historic bed and breakfast as well as a restaurant. It also happens to almost have my last name. In our usual fashion, we decided to turn the next day into an adventure. We planned to drive south to Panama City, Florida, for breakfast, kayaking, and hanging out on the beach. It could not have been a more perfect day for it. It was 80 and beautiful. We took a boat over to Shell Island and then kayaked around the island to the beautiful Gulf side. The ocean was a little rough for kayaking, and I'm a wimp when it comes to water. I've kayaked in rivers, and in lakes, but never in the ocean. Thanks to Mary keeping me calm as a large wave picked us up and surfed us into Shell Island; I lived to tell about it. We paddled by a dolphin and the Blue Angels flew over while we were relaxing on the beach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0HRuUxsAHa5A0cTMztsxEQFwQau-c9M7o1z1ajgRsIeNIaQYmgbasmMdqewEsUkqR3fauRNlXV2X7WomhEkwPcfmgvMbqH-h_M-P8kru80SOVCLTMpuWJxNyZ6QQWgWSen20Y8XwJ76c/s1600/IMG_20130413_121047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0HRuUxsAHa5A0cTMztsxEQFwQau-c9M7o1z1ajgRsIeNIaQYmgbasmMdqewEsUkqR3fauRNlXV2X7WomhEkwPcfmgvMbqH-h_M-P8kru80SOVCLTMpuWJxNyZ6QQWgWSen20Y8XwJ76c/s200/IMG_20130413_121047.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast in Florida</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary on the boat to the island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RVOVFCzewlWcLBMIZA7j9XMVNxOTYiEO98icxUW91YcbN3KgTa0hTc0UNApNrHWpPo5djF31eFucq4xzDrN7jwKnwfIiwMqQqjDOAYDC0E9f5hy1jns5F6FfHgXyTlBHAOQwo7GMVifv/s1600/IMG_20130413_135052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RVOVFCzewlWcLBMIZA7j9XMVNxOTYiEO98icxUW91YcbN3KgTa0hTc0UNApNrHWpPo5djF31eFucq4xzDrN7jwKnwfIiwMqQqjDOAYDC0E9f5hy1jns5F6FfHgXyTlBHAOQwo7GMVifv/s200/IMG_20130413_135052.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shell Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrSwjpfdBLOmnrz03Rhy_dX8rou_i5YhsdbT6r3YsfFq9eKXWagxAtBESkeqA019xsntQNvoR-HJklq8KQs-BsQE6foe4R3mfctQjqoZlvDOq-WAEujEibxbCdpm8Xx3kXq0K6pMhfvdl/s1600/IMG_20130413_134502.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrSwjpfdBLOmnrz03Rhy_dX8rou_i5YhsdbT6r3YsfFq9eKXWagxAtBESkeqA019xsntQNvoR-HJklq8KQs-BsQE6foe4R3mfctQjqoZlvDOq-WAEujEibxbCdpm8Xx3kXq0K6pMhfvdl/s200/IMG_20130413_134502.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Das Boot</td></tr>
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After our island adventure, it was time for dinner: shrimp, crab cakes, and tuna dip. On the way into the restaurant we met the fellas on the left. I'm very happy to report that it was bird week for me rather than shark week. As the day drew to a close, we journeyed back to Alabama. On Sunday, it was rainy and cold most of the day. That made it a prefect day to start the morning at a truly awesome coffee shop, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boldly-Going-Coffee-Shop/80647302048">Boldly Going</a>. This coffee shop serves as both a place to put some pep in your step and a place to lift your spirit. <br />
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After spending most of Sunday relaxing, on Monday it was time for a long drive back to Ohio. It had been a great 9 days, and I am very thankful for those days. On the way home, there was a wreck that caused a standstill on I-65 for 45 minutes. There was a big fire and life flight was called. A long drive home was much smaller inconvenience than what those people were going though. Unfortunately during the drive home, I heard about the bombing at the finish of the Boston Marathon. Someone went out of their way to try and destroy people. Beyond tragic. That is in the realm of cruel and evil. After checking email upon my return, I learned that a former boss had a major heart attack, and the prognosis was bad. He has since passed away. All of these things cause me to feel even more thankful for my road trip and my life no matter what tomorrow brings. I have found that giving thanks to God extinguishes both anger and sadness when my life is difficult. When life is good, it amplifies that goodness a million fold. I just wish I could always keep my focus on being thankful. Until that day comes, I'll just keep on working at it.<br />
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<i><b>"If we have thankful hearts we are untouchable." - Ryan Hall</b></i><br />
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ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-41150046202801585032013-01-29T22:00:00.000-08:002013-01-30T12:07:01.263-08:00Shoe Review: Hoka Stinson Evo Tarmac<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_44EET4-d7Xo6-TdIUhEjIsSktSC9pfBLpHqHk_rW2_HStTXRFeKyNPtvAkf5lCzYgvuqiHJjrGqWUpv0e0JkElOFrBjW_Y3OrwynbnUap2Hww6jNhHnwN_rEuRIODN6Led6EEwst5OD5/s1600/IMG_20130127_103904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_44EET4-d7Xo6-TdIUhEjIsSktSC9pfBLpHqHk_rW2_HStTXRFeKyNPtvAkf5lCzYgvuqiHJjrGqWUpv0e0JkElOFrBjW_Y3OrwynbnUap2Hww6jNhHnwN_rEuRIODN6Led6EEwst5OD5/s320/IMG_20130127_103904.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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I picked up a pair of the New Hoka Tarmacs for a good price from <a href="http://runningwarehouse.com/">RunningWarehouse.com</a> by using their annual before Christmas gift card sale and a coupon code. It took some patience as I had to wait a few months for their arrival, but it was certainly worth the savings. When I opened the box, I was shocked with the blast of color. The images I had seen showed a more subdued blue with yellow accents. Cameras don't capture the color of this shoe well. The blue is much richer (think <a href="http://www.zensah.com/c.1045870/site/item_images/6055-Blue.jpg">Zensah leg sleeve blue</a>) than in the picture to the left, and the yellow is more of a tennis ball green (or yellow, whatever) than the banana yellow it appears to be. Mostly, I am happy that Hoka has recognized that women's shoes don't need to be boring white or gray like a lot of their past models. Thanks Hoka!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWxOycZ7O0JYfZf7wk4ghzPV9jktWlJGg4dPFvgtcXVJtwMs7BlFd_lrg-000jRJo7uOKI-G99cJH5bLJkthTNTT-0tsQ81aBWmd6d2zNnXU7O1GdGrGWfJMsCzHhfpzbypUKqs9-LzyR/s1600/IMG_20130127_104636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWxOycZ7O0JYfZf7wk4ghzPV9jktWlJGg4dPFvgtcXVJtwMs7BlFd_lrg-000jRJo7uOKI-G99cJH5bLJkthTNTT-0tsQ81aBWmd6d2zNnXU7O1GdGrGWfJMsCzHhfpzbypUKqs9-LzyR/s320/IMG_20130127_104636.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinson Evo Tarmac = <span id="goog_1863650427"></span>Stinson Evo<span id="goog_1863650428"></span> (left) + Bondi B (right) ... sort of.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_Kb53H8RchW0KU9hvC6EOt-JAoz5CFECkvWzw0te-B3TddRubQ5Oia087O8YF0hraUViTIs5d0EN8nNDGM5EeUn5o8bWfAFjIF9iDglbnvrz8jvLi1aAcUyjYH74INg1NLVVSAhfWPPN/s1600/IMG_20130127_104036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_Kb53H8RchW0KU9hvC6EOt-JAoz5CFECkvWzw0te-B3TddRubQ5Oia087O8YF0hraUViTIs5d0EN8nNDGM5EeUn5o8bWfAFjIF9iDglbnvrz8jvLi1aAcUyjYH74INg1NLVVSAhfWPPN/s200/IMG_20130127_104036.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
The sole of the shoe has a different tread than either the Bondi B (<a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2011/11/hoka-one-one-bondi-b-shoe-review.html">read my review</a>) or the Stinson Evo (<a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2012/05/hoka-one-one-stinson-evo-review.html">read my review</a>). This shoe is meant to be a road shoe. Just like the Stinson Evo, it comes with a pair of extra insoles that are thinner than the regular Hoka insoles and a pair of laces to replace the no tie version that comes on the shoe. The toe cap is also re-enforced like the Stinsons (unlike the softer Bondi B toe cap).<br />
<br />
The weight of the Tarmac is closer to the trail Evo than the Bondi B, and the upper has some stiffness due to the rubber support structure just like trail Evos. The mesh material is thicker than the Bondis, and I think it will probably stay cleaner and last longer. (I currently have 804 miles one on pair of my Bondi Bs.) The toe box seems a bit narrower than the Bondis as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJxZ8SXHFSUjrjm7NZzU_ddAH-hzyX4248Z0sMs_KnZHF_jesRYYYfAEpgICZ_i0muSKjiW4D0IRKyCdCj1SjNXiMt85Z8YVsxDDJZXiRTybSNhjukjrW3Z8dXbVtJiHgX62Y8zNYpPWr/s1600/IMG_20130127_104214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJxZ8SXHFSUjrjm7NZzU_ddAH-hzyX4248Z0sMs_KnZHF_jesRYYYfAEpgICZ_i0muSKjiW4D0IRKyCdCj1SjNXiMt85Z8YVsxDDJZXiRTybSNhjukjrW3Z8dXbVtJiHgX62Y8zNYpPWr/s320/IMG_20130127_104214.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Women's Size 7.5 (no insoles) = 8.8 ounce</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">s</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Bondi Bs = 7.4 ounces</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">trail Stinson Evos = 9 ounces</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />Mafate 2 = 10 ounces</span></td></tr>
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First Impressions: Woohoo! Unlike my last Hoka purchase (Mafate 2s, <a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2013/01/shoe-review-hoka-one-one-mafate-2.html">read my review</a>), these things feel good right out of the box. Also, 7.5 in Tarmacs = 7.5 in trail Evos = 7.5 in Mafate 2s. I jumped on the treadmill for a mile just to see how running would feel. The shoes felt good, and my heels did not slip.<br />
<br />
Second Impression: Ran 5 miles in the Tarmacs and had no issues. I did notice the white piece running down the middle of the shoe for the first mile, and then I didn't notice it again. I think it was a little stiff initially, but that went away quickly. I think the Tarmacs and I will get along just fine. It is going to be tough choosing between the Bondi Bs or the Tarmacs. Tough choice, I know. What can I say? Life is good. Time to fly!<br />
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<br />ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-44973512850003087882013-01-17T15:35:00.000-08:002013-01-25T10:11:38.885-08:00The Joy of Running<u><i>Officer Basic Course Flashback:</i></u><b> </b><br />
<b>Me</b>: Hey, Holly, some of are going to go get dinner. Wanna go?<br />
<b>Holly</b>: Thanks, but I'm getting ready to go for a run.<br />
<b>Me</b>: Why?<br />
<b>Holly</b>: Because I like running.<br />
<br />
Say what?! In 1997, the idea of running for fun was completely foreign to me. For the life of me, I could not understand why anyone would take her own free time and go for a run. Running and I had a very bumpy start.<br />
<br />
Now in the very beginning it wasn't so bad. I would run the 50 meter dash at track meets in grade school, and usually I would get some kind of ribbon. At that point, I fancied myself as an okay runner from what I can recall. It was all uphill from there.<br />
<br />
<u><i>High School Flashback:</i></u><br />
As a freshman, my coach asked me to run on the mile relay team for track. 3 of my friends were on the team, and a 4th wanted to be on the team. Coach wanted me on the team for what reason I know not. It turned into a battle, and I didn't want to take my friend's spot. I remember my coach doing his darnedest to talk me into it. I remember feeling really awful about the whole situation, but somehow I wound up on the team instead of Angela. I didn't really want to run that far nor did I want to take Angela's spot, but there I was. It gets worse...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rDtSad0xxbOLqO6Po_lml0JpNFpoglY7_xI66Yf-01Vqj_wTsMN6eF6R6ibqWq0NqpJKNeo0aFW11SRXZnQcLEu5WEbq8AsYwIHknuNgmGKgOE10FxUR4bIo-HFQfIczrD5l7Vama3zP/s1600/space+cadet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rDtSad0xxbOLqO6Po_lml0JpNFpoglY7_xI66Yf-01Vqj_wTsMN6eF6R6ibqWq0NqpJKNeo0aFW11SRXZnQcLEu5WEbq8AsYwIHknuNgmGKgOE10FxUR4bIo-HFQfIczrD5l7Vama3zP/s200/space+cadet.jpg" width="200" /></a>When I was younger, my mom would affectionately refer to me as space cadet. I liked Star Trek, so I was good with that. There was a little more to it, however. You know when you are talking to someone and you "space out" or lose track of your point? Well, I did that, but it was a bit more. I would be talking, and every once in a while, I would just stop. A few seconds later, I had no idea what I was just saying. In fact, it felt as if someone had pulled the curtain, and I really wasn't even seeing what was right in front me. Seconds later, I was back and confused.(I am happy to report that I graduated space cadet academy and no longer have this issue.) Now imagine being a teenager, standing on a track waiting for the relay baton, and doing that as your friend Ginger runs past you. You don't move an inch as coaches, classmates, and kids from other schools are watching. Yep, I was beyond embarrassed. One minute Ginger was running up behind me. The next she was jumping up and down at the hand-off line. That was the only year I ran track in high school. <br />
<br />
Coach had a rule. If you played on the varsity basketball team, you had to run at cross-country practice to get in shape for basketball. I loved basketball, and I made varsity my sophomore year. I felt like the slowest person at cross-country practice. I imagine that I really wasn't, but that didn't matter much. Before district competition my sophomore year, one of the runners on the team caught a cold. Coach told me I had to run. Because of that district meet, I missed a debate competition. Thanks again, running! Running was a torture I was willing to endure to play basketball.<br />
<br />
<u><i>West Point Flashback:</i></u><br />
"Gold Group" was slowest of all running groups during basic training at West Point, and there I was. Usually, most of the women wound up in Gold Group. "Look, that must be gold group," remarked an upperclassman as he passed by during one of my first mornings at physical training (PT). Now whether he said something about us being girls or I just took it that way I cannot remember. There are more stories, but I will move on... By my firstie (senior) year, I was being counseled by my TAC (tactical officer) for scoring so poorly on the run on my PT test. I even lost my extra 3 day passes because I didn't score well enough. Seeing a trend here?<br />
<br />
<u><i>Army Flashback:</i></u><br />
After that, it was on to Fort Campbell where I was expected to be able to run 4 miles in 36 minutes even though it was above and beyond the women's Army PT standards. Even if I had tried to keep up, I despised running so much by this point that it was never going to happen. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAGEg2hlWnkSRHFox0fWhdq7hBhe720JZKDLLtcu8NZsiFzsIPHC2X6o0e7DCF7KP2KCEi8LmwPowV-Op2hrYSC3EyYjX87i0QlE6ZnydOAgGU3ymqPK5pG_RZv5g3g0GITsVsuv5B7K3/s1600/armyptformation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAGEg2hlWnkSRHFox0fWhdq7hBhe720JZKDLLtcu8NZsiFzsIPHC2X6o0e7DCF7KP2KCEi8LmwPowV-Op2hrYSC3EyYjX87i0QlE6ZnydOAgGU3ymqPK5pG_RZv5g3g0GITsVsuv5B7K3/s200/armyptformation.jpg" width="200" /></a>"Ralls, get up here or you have no heart!" Yelled the XO Major in front of God and country during a battalion run. I had stuck it out until the last mile, but he decided we had fallen behind pace. That meant it was time to run an 8 minute mile up a big hill. I was barely holding on before the hill. His style of "motivation" completely took the wind out of my sails. I looked him dead in the eye and slowed down. I was at the front of the battalion with the rest of the staff which meant I had fallen out in front of the entire battalion. Nice, eh? After the run, I received a counseling statement from my boss about how I needed to improve my running. Of course, it didn't say anything about how to do that. That was how running was for me in the Army.<br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
For 15 years, running had been the bane of my existence, and I felt like a failure.<br />
<br />
<b>Wait one minute! I thought this post was about the joy of running?!</b><br />
Uhm, yeah, it is. <br />
<b>Sounds more like torture to me!</b><br />
Uhm, yeah, it was. Let's continue, shall we?<br />
<br />
After the Army, I kept running. I would like to say that it was because I enjoyed it, but it wasn't. With age came a slower metabolism and weight gain. With running, I was able to eat more activity points with Weight Watchers. Finally, I was getting something out of running. More food! I also picked up a book about women's running so I could understand how to do a little better since I was running anyway. Shortly after that (in 2005), I signed up for my first 5K. No one MADE me run it. No one told me I had no heart. In fact, people were smiling and cheering. It was, dare I say, kind of fun. After that, I signed up for a few more. I also started reading about running... a lot. I began to understand the importance of weekly mileage, hills, and speed workouts. I was also enjoying the nice pair of legs that were forming and the weight that was leaving. Suddenly, I cared about getting better at running. I also found friends who would run with me. After races I would sometimes receive age group awards rather than counseling statements. With the weight now gone, I kept on running.<br />
<br />
5Ks turned into 10Ks. 10Ks into half marathons. Then a trail marathon. Then 50K. Then 50 miles. Crazy, right? <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8GxFacjzFvuIZrk_lRhFXzD71MLPVQ8-tarzcdBvrzkmffjrkGtD8ZcXHE7iU6-rWGM43CETt42EogR6IshYkOec7sTiDltKZCxgB8vejxkb2VMwKeneTKYOYGLMyKYbbZqb5ZldjhUE/s1600/Run+Woodstock+Saturday+Out+There+(GS)+-+0523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8GxFacjzFvuIZrk_lRhFXzD71MLPVQ8-tarzcdBvrzkmffjrkGtD8ZcXHE7iU6-rWGM43CETt42EogR6IshYkOec7sTiDltKZCxgB8vejxkb2VMwKeneTKYOYGLMyKYbbZqb5ZldjhUE/s200/Run+Woodstock+Saturday+Out+There+(GS)+-+0523.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beginning of my<br />
first 50 miler in 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now running is not only about improving and learning. When I run with friends, it is about forming relationships. When I run alone, it is one of the times I am closest to God. During a span of 23 years, running has transformed from torture to pure joy. Does that mean every run is all sunshine and rainbows? Heck no! Just like life, there are ups and downs. In the end, it is worth every step and each step is important. Without the rather depressing first years of my running life, I might have never reached an understanding of how difficult things can turn into blessings. How could something that felt so terrible transform into something that brings me happiness, peace, and strength? No clue, but I know it has God's fingerprints all over it. <br />
<br />
If you are new to running or are struggling with it, throw any shame to the wind and don't give up on yourself. There is no telling what is down the road for you. Life is full of surprises!<br />
<br />
<i>Godspeed</i> :-)ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-3875396457471566342013-01-15T12:45:00.003-08:002013-01-30T12:34:17.322-08:00Shoe Review: Hoka One One Mafate 2I am happy with my <a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2012/05/hoka-one-one-stinson-evo-review.html">Stinson Evos (review)</a> for the trail, but when I saw the Mafate 2 on sale for $59.99 at <a href="http://www.leftlanesports.com/invite/CassandraRalls">LeftLane Sports</a>, I had to go for it. I am planning on another 50 miler this year so I figured another pair of trail shoes would be a good idea. It also helped that I was saving $90 off of retail price. That's not an easy thing to do on Hokas. I also really liked the look and color of the new Mafate 2s. Yeah, I said it. People often give the Hoka a bad rap because of the look, but it is hard to argue with performance. That said, these Hokas look pretty good if you ask me... as mom laughs and says "Your little bitty legs and those big shoes!" You bet she wouldn't give up her Bondi Bs though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL7SQxN5dvvUnnwOVw3p67PBBqxRe8MhjOF-y6H0A0yK55oNqxOnIdh2K11NrlcIFcpbiaZmNKS7LHYUIjTgvuPl1O5n-Ud7POvN1OCA-tvLSW4nXnGTj52ZLfXKwWDJYXnw_XYlF_c0c/s1600/IMAG0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL7SQxN5dvvUnnwOVw3p67PBBqxRe8MhjOF-y6H0A0yK55oNqxOnIdh2K11NrlcIFcpbiaZmNKS7LHYUIjTgvuPl1O5n-Ud7POvN1OCA-tvLSW4nXnGTj52ZLfXKwWDJYXnw_XYlF_c0c/s320/IMAG0335.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These look a lot better than the yellow, black and red color scheme<br />
of the original Mafates I had purchased. My new wood floor<br />
also looks pretty awesome. :-)<br />
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</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyXlT3zjcb_a9gltlDgo1i8pmQNJlT5rM5EmslRF6QfzXRhy-bBykWGaQv89JtZ9Rfu2AGs2gPM6u7cWiDZLYimCiQArf6HuU8POAbfQ3T111lnEA5EZzTE0pkLh8LD1ZDvDyhw-z4Oqg/s1600/IMAG0336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyXlT3zjcb_a9gltlDgo1i8pmQNJlT5rM5EmslRF6QfzXRhy-bBykWGaQv89JtZ9Rfu2AGs2gPM6u7cWiDZLYimCiQArf6HuU8POAbfQ3T111lnEA5EZzTE0pkLh8LD1ZDvDyhw-z4Oqg/s200/IMAG0336.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
My first dance with the original Mafates wasn't a happy one. The tongue of the shoe was very stiff, and it dug into the top of my foot. The other issue was that I had ordered a size 8, and they were just too large. My <a href="http://ultracassie.blogspot.com/2011/11/hoka-one-one-bondi-b-shoe-review.html">Bondi B (review)</a> were an 8, and they fit perfectly. I had read that Hoka had corrected sizing in the newer shoes and the tongue issue in the Mafates so I was ready to give the remake a shot.</div>
<div>
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<div>
So the first thing I did was pull out the insole and break out the old school scale to get the weight of the shoe. I ordered the Mafate 2 in women's size 7.5. Good choice! My Stinson Evos were 7.5. My old Bondi Bs were 8. Seems from here on out I will be ordering size 7.5 in the Hokas. (For reference, I wear a 8 in Saucony Kinvaras and 7.5 in most Asics. 8.5 in Brooks Pure Flow.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWzkLY5S9GNSu53grVelRpRVoprSSqpYORAsHM3lySNWnZcWzPgCX67zddeq45nJ3AyfaiGtVyQ-btjIedyCnpEZ30c9Ej26uHKfYHRPD9ngqeoHFbZFMLh8eIB-vSd-0ubfySL3FsHtJ/s1600/IMAG0334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWzkLY5S9GNSu53grVelRpRVoprSSqpYORAsHM3lySNWnZcWzPgCX67zddeq45nJ3AyfaiGtVyQ-btjIedyCnpEZ30c9Ej26uHKfYHRPD9ngqeoHFbZFMLh8eIB-vSd-0ubfySL3FsHtJ/s320/IMAG0334.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Size 7.5 (no insoles) = 10 ounces<br />
Stinson Evos = 9 ounces<br />
Bondi Bs = 7.4 ounces</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkWwr5Ui02sXcFLQ7Rw3Ti_QXj59WSZwhibZZTBtl7WY_Byx_hXV77kGnu9_N6tHFY2Pp9BIKSFxk4U-ucxSBxvWvvYRTVZCy_-ayO61LjbGgJgNVwUjvrhdDBPmE6DBbVP2dh2ujT68B/s1600/IMAG0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkWwr5Ui02sXcFLQ7Rw3Ti_QXj59WSZwhibZZTBtl7WY_Byx_hXV77kGnu9_N6tHFY2Pp9BIKSFxk4U-ucxSBxvWvvYRTVZCy_-ayO61LjbGgJgNVwUjvrhdDBPmE6DBbVP2dh2ujT68B/s200/IMAG0337.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinson Evo + Mafate 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UmDKew3PiaZudAmnMhHLVoWP6gI_8w8SB7e5DZd9AXqBNF4byJgqSnE7_wlBkYqNtRra4Qx6dP7nZT5_AfAqQBQIhrDSFK8Dap_CD_c-jWqZx3ygJ7yMo38eFgTM3CdyuCFzQRpzRkKQ/s1600/IMAG0338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UmDKew3PiaZudAmnMhHLVoWP6gI_8w8SB7e5DZd9AXqBNF4byJgqSnE7_wlBkYqNtRra4Qx6dP7nZT5_AfAqQBQIhrDSFK8Dap_CD_c-jWqZx3ygJ7yMo38eFgTM3CdyuCFzQRpzRkKQ/s200/IMAG0338.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bondi B + Mafate 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The other thing I noticed right away was that the tongue of the shoe was, in fact, different than the original. Good news! Soft! The toe cap is nice and stiff for those times you accidentally punt an iceberg rock running down the trail. </div>
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So the first thing I noticed when putting these on is that they have a very stiff upper. After taking a step, I noticed that heel portion on my left foot slipping. Ugh. I tightened the laces and used the very first eyelet that I seldomly use in shoes (except for the Brooks Pure Flow). Unfortunately this made the area around the shoe near the front of my ankle dig right on into my ankle. Ouch. After playing around with the laces, I now have what I think may be a configuration that will keep my heel from slipping and keep the shoe from hurting my ankle. I did not have to do this with either the Bondi B or the Evos. I ran a mile on the treadmill in the Mafates. I then put on Evos for a mile. My Evos definitely seem to be lower to the ground. The uppers also have a lot more give. Then again, they do have over 200 miles on them. I am not a big believer that a person should have to break in shoes. Shoes should feel good out of the box. You shouldn't have to hurt your feet until a shoe feels okay, but that's just my opinion. That said, I think these shoe uppers may soften in time. <br />
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Now on to the trail...</div>
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I took the shoes out to the super highway of trail running after an evening of rain. There was plenty of fun mud so it was a good a test environment. :-) The tread was great, and I did very little slipping unlike my trail running buddy who was wearing another name brand. I am also happy to report that the tread did not pick up globs of mud so I didn't have to carry around extra weight on my run. Since I haven't put in a lot of extra miles on these shoes, I still wasn't happy with the overall stiffness. Only time will tell. <br />
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I like the Mafate 2 much better than the original Mafates, but if given a choice, I would go with the Stinson Evos for the trail. YMMV. Time to fly :-)</div>
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ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-2335658545990283972012-09-16T10:36:00.004-07:002012-09-21T18:28:37.402-07:00Blue Skies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you ever have those days that go perfectly even if the details aren't perfect?<br />
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When I signed up for the Air Force Half, I had no idea how much I was going to look forward to running it nor did I know how much I would enjoy it. This wasn't my first time at the Air Force Half. I ran it two years ago. Mostly I remember the beginning, a huge crowd of people along the course through the first 4 or so miles, the hill at mile 8, and the end. I also remember breaking 2 hours for the first time ever on the half marathon. I liked to tell people that the only good things about the Air Force Half were the beginning and the end. The beginning includes a fly over of some awesome plane and the end has you running through an airplane lineup and receiving a medal from a high ranking air force officer. Last Saturday, I ate those words. I am very happy about that.<br />
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I had not run an event in a couple of months as I was building my way back to being healthy after figuring out my body was running way too low on iron. I was a little nervous because my last two half marathons were terrible. I had no energy and running hurt. I was afraid of a three-peat despite the fact that my training runs had been getting faster, and my endurance had been getting back to my before anemia levels. I really had no idea of what the day would bring, and I was excited and little nervous to find out.<br />
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<i><u>Pre-Race</u></i><br />
I decided to enter the base from Harshman Road this year rather than Colonel Glenn. The traffic was decidedly better, and I highly recommend doing it this way if you plan to travel to Dayton for the event. I got out of my car and looked up. There was the B2 flying overhead. That was amazing! It glided through the skies like no plane I had ever seen. Two years ago, a jet flew over before the start and the pilot hit the afterburners. Awesome :-) That was the beginning I had spoken of.<br />
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I checked the verse of the day before heading to the start:<br />
2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."<br />
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The weather prediction was a start in the lower 50s and the low 60s by the time I finished. Perfect. The skies were blue, and the grass and trees were a beautiful green. The Air Force museum looked as lovely as it always does. I headed over to the start to put myself near the 2 hour pace group. I wasn't planning on a half PR, but I was hoping to break 2 hours if everything felt okay. I saw my friend Carolyn over by the pace group. Her plan was to run her first sub-2. Carolyn and I began the race together.<br />
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<i><u>Miles 1-4</u></i><br />
The first 4 miles flew by quickly. Running felt easy and good, and I was very happy that the beginning did not resemble the beginning of my last two events. Around mile 4, <a href="http://www.newstalkradiowhio.com/news/news/local/runners-take-wrong-route-during-half-marathon/nSCLj/">there was a glitch</a>. The group we were behind took a wrong turn. A minute or so later, people ran by us and yelled that we were all going the wrong way and that we needed to turn around. This gave us a bonus of about a quarter of a mile. I was little surprised as my past experience with the Air Force event was that everything went like clockwork. Apparently this happened to other groups too. (After the event, I heard that some people went as far as 4 miles out and some even had two wrong turns.) This certainly wasn't my first event with bonus mileage. Since I wasn't shooting for a PR and only went a little off course, this didn't really bother me. It did, however, put a little fire in my belly to move a bit faster. I didn't feel annoyed; I felt energized. Really, I was just happy to be running at a decent clip while still feeling good.<br />
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<i><u>Miles 5-7</u></i><br />
At the mile 5 mark, Carolyn looked at her Garmin which showed we had traveled about a quarter of a mile more with the misdirection. Around mile 6, Carolyn and I lost track of each other at a water station. I was thankful to have the first 6 miles go by very quickly with good company, and she was keeping the pace right on target. I turned on my music, but I must have been doing a lot of thinking. I barely remember hearing any of the songs except for David Crowder Band's Open Skies. At mile 7, I took my peanut butter Gu which gave a nice energy boost. It was good timing.<br />
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<u><i>Mile 8</i></u> brought the first hill of note during the half. It is an overpass, and it slows down many a runner. I remembered this incline from last time. I also remembered the nice downhill that comes after. On the way down the other side, a fellow runner who looked to be a retired military officer of the army or marine variety said something. I'm not exactly sure what started the conversation, but we chatted for a minute or so. He disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. I'm not sure if he wound up behind me or in front of me, but it was nice to have a brief conversation with someone who was smiling and obviously enjoying the run.<br />
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<u><i>Miles 9-11</i></u></div>
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What I didn't remember from last time were the next hills that followed. I was starting to feel tired, but my lungs felt strong and my legs felt bouncy. I'm not exactly sure what was feeling tired, but something was. The temp was rising and this portion of the course had more ups and downs than the first 7 miles. It could have been my own doing. I had no idea what my pace was, but I am pretty sure I had sped up. By mile 11, I was confident I would break the 2 hour mark so I made the decision to slow down a little when I reached the final stretch. I wanted to enjoy running between the airplanes rather than gasping for air.<br />
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<i><u>Miles 12-13</u></i><br />
Flat. Almost there.<br />
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<i><u>The last .1 and the Finish</u></i><br />
I did enjoy the jaunt through the planes. :-) As I was crossing the finish, the clock showed 1 hour 59 minute and some change. The announcer was cheering everyone on to push to break the 2 hour mark. A 2 star Air Force General put my medal around my neck. As I was walking through the finish area, there was a woman with a very serious expression who was trying to keep us moving forward. I said to her that I was trying as I made a running movement with my arms and gave her a cheesy grin. "This is about as fast as I can go!" She lit up with a huge smile and told me how great it was to see someone smiling. This year the end was even better than last time.</div>
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I grabbed something to eat and drink and then sat for a few. As I headed out of the race area, I looked down at my medal. The Air Force provides really nice bling. I thought about how I would take that medal home and throw it in a drawer never to see daylight again. That didn't sound like the best use for this beauty. As I walked, I asked for help in finding a good home for my prize. A few steps later, I saw a young boy who looked like he could use a smile. I got the go ahead from the adults accompanying him and placed it around his neck. I know it made my day even better. I hope it did the same for him.<br />
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Final Time: 1:57:14
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Looking back, I bettered my course time by over a minute even with an extra quarter mile. Based on pace, I would have run around 1:55 without the bonus mileage. It was a beautiful day. Running felt good again. The best part about this race was the entire experience.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AgR55yoZ_eE" width="560"></iframe>ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-4872189463342246112012-08-16T19:24:00.001-07:002012-08-16T19:24:49.797-07:00You Can't Spell Geek without EE<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
B-?! You have GOT to be kidding me! I need a B to get credit for this class. Was B- even an option?!?! I have to retake this class??? ARRRRRRGH!</div>
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And then I woke up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfKtGW2vfH6XXu28ifDv4yDtbtm4ugUh-V4VEWWPr8kOgDXhJINFId6sG8P3rFQ3rDtGhpImr2Y1UftYWzcTpz2dVqwaTHFC30z5I4zf3WZIR2b5sprKlPXWlZJKgF6JFykwDNB_3LdY/s1600/00630-funny-cartoons-math-brain.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfKtGW2vfH6XXu28ifDv4yDtbtm4ugUh-V4VEWWPr8kOgDXhJINFId6sG8P3rFQ3rDtGhpImr2Y1UftYWzcTpz2dVqwaTHFC30z5I4zf3WZIR2b5sprKlPXWlZJKgF6JFykwDNB_3LdY/s320/00630-funny-cartoons-math-brain.gif" width="272" /></a></div>
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I guess you could say I was stressed about this class. I have no idea why. I mean, well, yeah, it was a hard class. I spent a ridiculous amount of time studying. It had been over 15 years since I had done a Fourier or Laplace Transform. It was also the last required core course for my PhD. After drinking 4 years of math through a fire hose for my undergrad in electrical engineering, I was pretty much over it. I loved math in high school. Now, not so much.</div>
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<a href="http://ojotaylor.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/then-a-miracle-occurs-cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ojotaylor.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/then-a-miracle-occurs-cartoon.jpg" width="282" /></a>The night before this B- nightmare, I had taken the 3rd exam for Linear Signals and Systems. The professor presented the class with a nice little carrot: if you had an A or B after the first 3 exams, you didn't have to take the final unless you wanted to do so. I was 100% certain I would be taking the final. I jumped out of bed and got online to see my grade. I was praying for a B because that guaranteed I would never have to take this class again. I had made a promise to myself that I would give it my best and turn the rest of over to God. That meant if I had a B going into the final, I would spend the next two days studying for a shot at an A and be okay no matter the outcome. I had just spent the entire weekend and then some studying for the third exam. Motivation was going to be hard to find. Before the summer quarter even began, I had bought the book and managed to make it through the first 3 chapters. I knew relearning calculus while working full time during a compressed quarter and trying to get in some running would be next to impossible. </div>
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I opened the grade report. I blinked. I looked again. And again. How in the world? Next to my number, it said <b>A</b>. I looked again. Really? I don't have to spend the next two days studying? I began to feel a huge sense of relief. Is that a tear?! Yes, yes it was. I felt as if I had been given one of the best gifts ever. Five minutes before, I was trying to prepare myself for two more days of intense studying and suddenly I was free.</div>
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I had made an A by exactly .7%. Just barely. </div>
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Had I worked hard enough to earn an A? Yes, I believe I did. I gave it my best shot and invested a lot of time and effort. Did I deserve an A? Based on my performance on the tests and the overall class grade curve, I cannot honestly say I deserved it. Luckily God's grace has nothing to do with what we deserve. </div>
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A grade in a math class is such a small thing, but it was something that was important to me. Having two less days of stress meant a lot to me, and I am very thankful! If God cares about the little things, he certainly cares about the things that matter most.</div>
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"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2: 8-10</div>
ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000786217191338965.post-88054918805467319022012-08-01T18:29:00.003-07:002012-08-01T19:00:40.004-07:00Chick-fil-a Twice Today<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNycZa9iXG8GYFk2G7pA43ncttEmqJWtyQlEGIlS7N5Hbd3Eo_vMoVn-kBssyrRzPLzYcXu6ld37GtNM1Oj8FBFQx4rE28WMwAu2e5Wgge5w3n_OY4jdGU-PdxCHI1g-SDNUfv1k2kSr6/s1600/cf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNycZa9iXG8GYFk2G7pA43ncttEmqJWtyQlEGIlS7N5Hbd3Eo_vMoVn-kBssyrRzPLzYcXu6ld37GtNM1Oj8FBFQx4rE28WMwAu2e5Wgge5w3n_OY4jdGU-PdxCHI1g-SDNUfv1k2kSr6/s320/cf2.jpg" width="191" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chick-fil-a.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8dFH4G5Jte_-jpPIso4f13Ks0oOAdeel0wm9VwZDGwqkG63ecOmecofx7rVBVp9igVL9qeotVw-ugjBBhTUTsZfyqSu8Zq3z2LWEFtHtErzBS0ljs1LAiVElgEidKW4UZdC6AwrrhyphenhyphenfZ/s320/cf1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing room only and a loooooong drive thu line!</td></tr>
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I saw people smiling and showing America there is hope. I saw Christians supporting other Christians and showing that they will not allow religious persecution in a country founded by believers. I heard people talking about Jesus without fear that others would be insulted. Today was an amazing day!<br />
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God is alive, and he is faithful :-)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dfZMKfu86z0?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>ultracassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11969916179907889539noreply@blogger.com0