10th Annual Rock and Roll Half Marathon Virginia Beach

Today was the 10th Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon in Virginia Beach.  I ran the first one and several others since, but unfortunately today I was a spectator.  This race will always be special because it was my first distance race, but the "draw" has faded for this old timer.  Two main reasons really - first the course seems so limited especially for what Virginia Beach can offer in terms of routes and scenery.  I love the bands and live music, but running a good chunk on one road and a military base is "BORING"!!  That plus the price of this race is absolutely insane at around $9 dollars a mile.  Those two items were really turn-offs for me.  I'd would much rather run the Williamsburg Half for 1/3 of the price.

Regardless I will always support the local runners that use this as the springboard to longer distances and events!  Rock ON!

Back from Vacation

I took a little vacation to see the extended family up in Cleveland Ohio.  I haven't really been home in about 15 years so it was good to catch up with everybody.  While home I ran a total of ZERO MILES and ate about FOUR WEEKS worth of food in my six days.  So I need to get back on it ASAP!

It looks like I may get a few days on the AT later next month so I did a few productive things in terms of preparing.  I ordered the Maxpedition Fatty Pocket Organizer (Black) and got my survival tin in order. The fatty may be my FAK or tool compartment.  Depends on how items I have fit.

I had a chance to stop at REI, Gander Mountain and Dick Sports (all within a few days of one another) so I threw some $$$ their way as usual.

I picked up the following:

• eGear PICO Zipper Light
• Kwik Tek Dry Pak Multi-Purpose Case (Clear 9-Inch x 12-Inch)
• Outdoor Products 3-Pack Ultimate Dry Sack
• Dritz(R) Cord Stops - 2/Pkg
• 50 - 1/2" Side Release Plastic Buckles
• Also the gear to build a survival fishing kit

A few other items came in the mail too:

• Swedish Firesteel - Army Model, Black Handle (for my tin)
• Aviation cable key rings

I'm expecting the "fatty" to arrive tomorrow so I'll post up what I'm using it for.  My tin is about done and I'll post that too.  

Lastly I'm at a dilemma for what to ask for for Fathers Day.  The RAT-5, Tan Canvas Micarta Handle, Cordura Sheath or Snow Peak Titanium Double-Wall Cup 450.  The birthday is next month and the knife would be for both....  Decisions decisions.  

Good to be home and back on the site! 

     

First Month - Bike and Run to Work

Well I've just completed the first month of my Bike and Run to Work Challenge.  I logged 80 miles ether jogging or biking to work.  That included a business trip for three days and a few rain days.  I average about 215 miles per tank in my Jeep which was last filled on 21 April for $62.42.  Simple math says I saved about $23 in gas.  I'll take what I can get.

What I'm really getting out of this is the health benefit of jogging and riding.  According to my CLIF 2 Mile Challenge tracker I've saved 73.6 lbs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Not sure how much (if any) weight I've lost, but I have inadvertently increased my average pace.  I like to sleep, but don't like to be late to work.  Made for some quick runs!

During this I found out about the CLIF 2 Mile Challenge.  I've signed up and chose to support "Red Team" which is:

Safe Routes to School National Partnership is a network of more than 500 nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and professionals working together to advance the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) movement in the United States. SRTS can provide a variety of important benefits to children and their communities, including increasing physical activity, reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and enhancing neighborhood safety.

I'll give another update next month.

Camping at North Landing Beach Campground

We'll it looks like almost a year to the date we're going back to North Landing Beach Campground. My last post about this particular outing brought back some good and bad memories.  We're going to give it a try again.  I'm hearing that its a "pirate" themed weekend so "I be practicing me piiiirate accent" all week.  My coworkers should love that!

This time we're going with some different friends who have a child the same age as ours.  Hoping to get some hiking done and maybe a geocach or two.  

Lazy

I owe a post!  Spent most of the weekend outside relaxing.  I also disconnected this weekend and it was great!  I didn't check email for three whole days!

I may be the taste I needed to be able to do it more often.