Corktown 5k from my personal Ground Zero....

I'll start this off on a positive note. Corktown 5k was a blast. The weather was great. Given the record number of attendance. Parking was a mess. Luckily Bryan, Lee and I rode down together, found a spot at the last minute and ended up parking in pretty much a dead end alley. Turns out that there is actually Canadian property in the US. Lee discovered this after narrowly escaping an international pooping incident on the property next to the alley. Not expecting much, I hadn't thought much about goals for the race or what I would deem this a "successful" race. After some discussion, I settled on 6 minute pace or better and a top 50 finish since that would result in a beer mug. Hoping, I could suprise myself and crush those hopefully easily obtainable goals The start was congested as I remember it being the year before but, Lee and I managed to tuck in near the start and got through the abrupt first turn without a hitch. I ran the first mile with fellow EMU Alum Scott Setkze in 5:36. And it hurt. It felt like an all out sprint. I was pretty surprised at how close I still was to the front at the turn around. I wasn't surprised that last year's race experience repeated itself. The 1.5 mile return felt like 4 miles up a never ending hill. At least this year the wind was less of a factor. My next mile was spot on at 6 minutes. While I was miserable, I was holding out hope I'd be able to at least maintain the pace. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. In ended up crossing the finish line in 18:36 in 50th place. Just barely reaching my mediocre goal of 6 minute pace and a beer mug. I'll admit, I was concerned I was came in > 50th when I crossed the line and was relieved when I was handed a mug. Lee and I caught our breath and circled back to provide Bryan some "support" as he made the last turn to the finish then continued to jog (I pretty much limped) looking for anyone else we could spot from the team. In the end, our team's finish was good for 3rd in the Pub team category.

1 Lee Shaw 17:44
2 Adam Wheeler  18:36
3 James Senska  19:17
4 Bryan Deal 24:38
5 Scott Simpson 27:41
6 Cristine Simpson 27:45
7 Phil York 29:37

Team Race Results
Overall Race Results

Post race festivities were fun. It was great seeing friends from not on the team but, EMU after a long winter of hibernation.

Now for the negative. 18:36. Officially, the worst 5k of my life @ the Corktown 5k last weekend. No further proof required. I am in the worst shape of my life. It's no surprise. I haven't been doing much of anything since June of last year. I fool myself and string together three days on the trainer or a run or two on the weekend. Then follow it up with a 2-3week block of couch surfing. The scale doesn't lie either. I am above 180lbs at the moment. I have a laundry list of excuses. Some are better than others. At least I can do 50 push ups without stopping. I guess that's something.

So, if my worst 5k isn't some motivation, a look through the pictures from last weekend and the cast of characters that finished ahead of me may be. Damn. So, I am officially at my personal ground zero of personal fitness. It's going to take some dedication to even get to the 1st floor. May have to set a lot of "just finish and have fun" race goals this year.

Corktown 5k tomorrow

Corktown 5k tomorrow. Supposed to be a record turn out tomorrow. I remember the start was madness last year. Wondering if that's been changed up for this year. I'd have to look up total registrants for last year but, I remember seeing the other 1/2 of the race still heading out for almost all of the 2nd 1/2 of the out and back course.

Chances I'll be running on one leg tomorrow. It's so sunnny out I am struggling not to go out and attempt a 30 minute run. Even though I know I'll be sore at a minimum. My knee just got to the point that it doesn't hurt to walk or stand up off the couch our get out of my car. Most likely, because I haven't attempted to run since last weekend. But, it's soo sunny out. Alcohol should dull the pain post race tomorrow.

Daddy's getting a new toy

A shiny new D680 frame picked off of ebay just yesterday. Imagine this in 1X9 with a Reba. That'll pretty much be it. Let's hope it arrives soon.

Tigertown 5000 - http://tigertown5000.com

Spent some time working on the website for my single favorite race south of the Michigan border Tigertown 5000. Updates to the site include some general housekeeping, new logos and most importantly integration with runsignup.com for not only online registration but, the ability to view participants online. A feature I have not seen from many of the registration sites.

The race is not until July 23rd and my knee hurts so much I can barely walk at the moment but, I am still pretty excited. Liberty Center, OH is a great venue and welcomes the race with open arms. Not to mention we usually have a great EMU alumni turn out so, the pre-race and post-race activities make the the event a must attend event.

Happy to be a part of it. Even if it's a just a small part helping out with the site.

Hope to see you there.

Viruses and Malware suck

Only thing worse than having a virus yourself is when your computer has one. My laziness to create a back up for my wife's new computer finally bit me in the a** today. She picked up her laptop and was greeted by a gift. A new app called Sytem Tool. Looks kinda legit at first site. This thing sucks. Not only does it make your computer runs like a snail, it throws endless annoying prompts and messages, can't be closed and even won't let you see the task manager to kill it manually. The worst part is, it holds your PC ransom demanding you subscribe, ie. pay money, to change it's settings to deactivate it or at least get it to not run on start up. Apparently, this is a sneaky devil and evades nearly all antivirus software and uses tricky trojans/copied legitimate prompts to update windows, java or etc.

Some what legit looking app.

Sweet message on the desktop.

After some googling, a safe mode boot, registry key and file deletion, things seem to be in ok shape. Fingers crossed it's handled. I am in process of creating a system back up and boot disk now.

We need a new amendment to be able to hunt people who create stuff like this down and kill them. No trials, no appeals, just shot on the spot. Yes. I mean that. I can't even image what it must be like for someone less computer literate than I am to deal with this stuff. Guess it's what keeps the Best Buy Geek Squad in business.

And why F do computer manufacturers not just give you a DVD with a factory image for you computer? Burning one yourself takes forever. I would have gladly paid the extra 35 cents it cost them to include it opposed to wasting hours doing it myself. Jerk offs.

Too many races, too little time.

Trying lock down a race schedule for this year. With the baby coming, they never ending projects on the house, kids activities and whatever else, it pays to have a plan. I am simply overwhelmed with trying to lock down a decision on what races to put on the calendar. I am trying to stick to one a month. July is impossible with two of the greatest running events on the planet. I am finding it near impossible to make a decision on August. Maybury XC, Ore to Shore, 6 & 12 hours of Pando, Big M, Stoney. I want to do them all. I'll likely have to make fate decide and determine which one or two I choose as the date draws closer.

My training has been nearly none existent over the winter. Work, commuting to and from work, house projects and being sick are the story of my winter. I seem to be just kicking my sinus infection and was hoping to run this weekend. But, of course, it's looking like it'll rain 24 hours a day both today and tomorrow. I don't know why I abandoned my pre-work, workout schedule. It's the only realistic timeframe that I'll be consistent. Oh yeah, because I am a night owl and HATE waking up early.

Nothing really exciting on the bike front for this year. I am hoping to win a Redline D680 frame on ebay I am currently bidding on. Coupled with a new set of bars and MRP chain guide, my Motobecane will be reborn. I am hoping to wear through its drive train using it tow my kids on the tag along on many BTT  rides on Saturday mornings. My Specialized StumpCreaker will be receiving at least a new set of Kenda tires (hoping the Slant Sixes will be available and as light as Small Block 8's), likely a slightly longer stem and possibly some new bars as well. Still kicking around the idea of ditching my Fox fork for a White Brothers.