Sunday, May 20, 2012    

Bolder Boulder 2011

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

It’s a little late, but I’m finally getting around to posting about my last run…the best of the past 12 months: 2011 Bolder Boulder. I decided late last year I was going to run this historic race for no other reason than to say I did it. I expected it to be over-crowded and walk away with the experience but never wanting to do it again.

I could not have been more wrong! This was the best race of the year because it is run so well. There are a LOT of people, but they manage them perfectly. No over-crowding. No running shoulder to shoulder for the first two miles. I will be back next year (and so on) for as long as I can make it.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that I ran a PR for a 10K either. My original goal was to run it in a 8:00 per mile pace, but my training wasn’t going as well as I’d hoped so I changed that to around 8:45 by the time race day came around. I finished with a very encouraging  50:32:96 (8:08 pace). If it hadn’t been for a BRUTAL mile 3 I might have hit my original goal…but still very happy!

The atmosphere surrounding this event is second to none. Running through the neighborhood streets in Boulder is nothing short of fun. You never know what you’re going to see: from slip & slides, to BBQs, to music0filled parties, to men dressed as female belly dancers (that one made me pick up the pace!). I can’t wait for next year’s race already.

Here are a few pics from the event…

Me at mile 5

Plugging Along...

The Home Stretch!

Crossing the finish line (Yep, that's me in the red circle)

 

 

16.06.2011 Hobbies, Running, Sports 2 Comments

Marathon Training Preview

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Next week I begin a journey that just over a year ago I said I’d never take (famous last words). I begin my 16 weeks of marathon training…leading up to the Denver Rock-n-Roll Marathon on October 9th (yes, I am officially signed up). I still haven’t really wrapped my mind around running for 26.2 miles, but that’s pretty much been the case for every distance I’ve faced in the past year. As Anita said last night: “That’s what the training is for.”

As part of my training, I plan to record my progress…but not on quite the same regularity as when I was doing the Couch to 5K program last year. My plan is to have one blog post per week with a review of the past week’s training and a preview of what’s coming up for the week. I hope to keep a record of my progress (or lack of) as well as keep myself accountable.

To get that started, here are my goals as I begin preparing for my training:

  1. Start the marathon: I know, sounds obvious…but this really means no injuries so that I can actually run the race.
  2. Finish the marathon: Since this is my first marathon this is really the ultimate goal…but I can’t just leave it there…
  3. Finish in under 4 hours: This is my stretch goal and what I’m training for…big goal, but you gotta have goals right?
  4. Lose 20 lbs between now and the race: This one has two purposes…first, I need to lose the weight and second, that will be 20 lbs I won’t need to carry with me for 26 miles.

I’m still fine-tuning my training program, but I know for sure that it begins next week. So stay tuned for more…26.2 here we come!

13.06.2011 Hobbies, Marathon Training, Running No Comments

The Jersey Curse Continues

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

With yesterday’s trade of Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks, my jersey curse continues. No, I didn’t own Melo’s jersey…I owned Chauncey Billup’s. And with him included in the trade I now have my second jersey in the last couple of years made irrelevant. And I REALLY liked both the jersey and the player in this case. Chauncey is a class act, home-town boy made good who will be missed. An innocent causality of another player’s ego. It’s sad to see him (Chauncey) go…I only hope he’ll be back sooner than later.

The first instance of “The Jersey Curse” started with Mr. Jay “Whiny Boy” Cutler. I purchased his jersey just months before “the coach who shall never be mentioned by name” traded him away to Chicago. I was hoping it was a one-time occurrence…but alas it was not. It took a little longer this time, but the curse has claimed it’s second victim…and this time a player I actually respected as much as the team.

The really bad news is that I still have one jersey left…the Cutler replacement. Again, I love the player and I got his jersey because I was SURE it was a safe buy. The Broncos absolutely couldn’t let this guy get away! Surely not. Well, here’s hoping…but it’s not looking so good so far…

UPDATE: The power of a blog!! The same day that I wrote this blog, the Broncos signed Champ to a new four-year deal. Is the curse over??

22.02.2011 Broncos, Hobbies, Sports 1 Comment

My 2010 Bronco’s Prediction

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

It’s FINALLY that time of year again…football is in the air and all is right with the world once again!!

And I love this point in the season…when you have nothing but hopes and dreams since we haven’t played a game that actually counts yet. And I get to put down my own dreams and fears on the record for this year’s Broncos season.

I must say that I am bullish on the Donkeys for the long haul. I think they’re putting the right pieces into place but they are shallow at many positions, very young at others, and the schedule this year is brutal!That said, I still think they have a chance at the AFC West title (which is what they’ll need to make the playoffs) only because the AFC West is weak in general. And I like the foundation they are laying for the future.

What do I think about Coach McD? I don’t hate him (as many do) and I don’t necessarily love him either. I’m taking a wait and see mentality. And I’m patient (I’ve been a Bronco fan since birth so I developed that patience early on). I do know it takes time in this league to build a winner for the long haul and I’m willing to take the time and I assume McD knows more than I do. The winning and losing will tell the tale.

With that said, here’s what I think will happen this year…and I’m never right so take this all with a grain of salt (or your preferred spice of choice):

  1. @ Jacksonville – W
    I think we start off strong and the offense wins this one on the road for us. If not…hold onto your hats for a long season.
  2. Seattle – W
    This team is a mess and we win the home opener. Gets rougher from here…
  3. Indianapolis – L
    We come back down to earth. The defense won’t be able to rush Peyton and the blitz will just burn us.
  4. @ Tennessee – L
    The brutal schedule continues. I don’t see us winning our first two road games and Tennessee has plenty of firepower.
  5. @ Baltimore – L
    We just won’t be able to hang with the Ravens, but I think this will be closer than some people might think.
  6. NY Jets – L
    The good news? This game is at home. The bad news? It’s against the Jets!
  7. Oakland – W
    Always good for what ails you. The Raiders help us stop the losing streak, but it will be a tougher game than it should be.
  8. @ San Francisco – L
    I had a tough decision with this game, but I think we drop this one. My heart says a win, my head says a loss.
  9. BYE - Thank goodness!
  10. Kansas City – W
    Getting better, but still a bad team on the rise.
  11. @ San Diego – L
    I don’t think SD will be as good as some people think, but I still think we split the season with them.
  12. St. Louis – W
    This team has a long way to go…but this game scares me! Has all the makings of a “look past” game.
  13. @ Kansas City – W
    We always seem to have a tough time at Arrowhead, but I just can’t put a loss here.
  14. @ Arizona – L
    Not sure why, but don’t see us pulling this one off. Defense may be getting gassed by this point. Arizona’s QB situation may help us though.
  15. @ Oakland – W
    Honestly, even if I though we’d lose this one I never predict a loss against the Raiders. I just hate them too much.  ;o)
  16. Houston – L
    This one is close, but I think we find a way to lose it.
  17. San Diego – W
    This is the split, but why do we always seem to be playing these guys at the end. I hope this game doesn’t count for something big!

The grand total? 8-8

Does that get us into the playoffs? Errr….maybe not….but I still think we can take the division. But it’s going to take some great offense, a decent defense, and staying healthy (above everything else). With my swing games I wouldn’t be surprised by a 5-11 or 9-7 season (or anything in between). As always….that’s why they play the games!!

Are you ready for some football?!?!??

07.09.2010 Broncos, Guy Stuff, Hobbies 1 Comment

They’re Naturals

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Last night Anita and I took the kids down to the park to play catch and swing the bat a little bit. It has been a long time since we’ve taken them to play catch and it’s been even longer since I’ve played softball (I miss it). We expected to have a little fun running around, messing around, and trying to learn/teach a few skills. I fully expected Kyle to pick it up (he tends to be the jock in the family)…but we were pleasantly surprised.

Every single one of our kids was able to pick up the bat and make good (if not great) contact with the ball. They took instruction and applied what they learned with positive results. And throwing the ball was no exception. Each one of them can throw and catch (to one degree or another). They’re naturals. It runs in the family blood I guess (on both sides of the family).

We had a great time together a a family and I’m starting to plan my retirement.  ;o)  We are planning on getting them signed up for t-ball/baseball/softball this next season. They’ll make their GGPa proud!! Watch out world!

18.05.2010 Family, Hobbies, Recreation, Sports No Comments

Coach is a Verb

Monday, April 12th, 2010

A little warning as I start this blog post…it’s a rant on my part and I just hope I feel better when I’m done.

Lindsay is playing soccer for her school this year. She loves playing organized sports and she puts effort and heart into it. She’s good at volleyball and soccer. Her team…not so much. They’ve played three games so far this year and if my math is correct they have lost by a combined total of 30-2 (and no, I am not exaggerating). One of the games they lost they actually played two extra players for half of the game (their field is so small they play 9 players instead of 11). The last game they lost to a team with only 9 players…no subs.

And it’s not that the girls aren’t playing hard…they are giving it everything they’ve got. They want to win. They want to learn. Lindsay left the last game crying because she wants to win and get better. But it isn’t happening…and I know part of the reason why…coaching.

The word “coach” is a noun…as in: “One who instructs players in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and directs team strategy.” More importantly, it’s also a verb…as in: “To instruct, direct, or prompt”. Lindsay’s coach has the title of coach, but isn’t taking the verb part seriously. They don’t run drills, they don’t get basic instruction, they don’t get correction during the game. They don’t even get passion.

It’s hard to watch. I don’t want to be one of those parents…but that’s becoming increasingly more difficult with each game. I’ve offered to coach (or assist) in the past for her school and been turned down every time. I don’t claim to be a great coach, but I’d at least be active and help the girls learn along the way. I don’t even really care about the winning part as long as they are learning and getting better (which will often lead to winning a few games).

Frustrating…and not sure I actually do feel better…but I tried.  ;o)

12.04.2010 Family, Hobbies, Misc Ramblings, Sports 1 Comment

They Are What We Thought They Were

Monday, January 4th, 2010

R.I.P. my beloved Denver Broncos. Another year down the drain…full of promise never quite realized.

After they way they’ve played over the last month plus I’m not sure I wanted to watch another game in the playoffs (OK, I lie…I wanted to see it). Like everyone else, I am sickened and confused by the Bronco’s end-of-year meltdowns, this time with almost an entirely new cast of characters.

But now that it’s over, this is the team we thought we might get at the start of the year. In fact, few people gave them a chance to be this “good”. Most thought my prediction at the beginning of the year (read it here) of an 8-8 season was a fantasy…most thought they’d be lucky to get 4-5 wins. That 6-0 start got us all excited and hopeful that a miracle had occurred.

But the bubble was burst.

Reality set in.

These Broncos are who we thought they were…mediocre.

It was still fun to watch most weeks (setting aside losing to the stinkin’ Raiders and Chiefs!!). And the Defense was better, although I’m not sure how it could have been any worse, and has room to continue to improve. I was a little surprised by the offensive line play at times during the year. The running game never got the traction it needed. And there was too much off-field drama (blame both sides there).

Here’s hoping for a better off-season, a great draft, and a better 2010…we gotta keep the faith Bronco Nation!

04.01.2010 Broncos, Hobbies, Sports 1 Comment

Book Review: The Lost Symbol

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Last night I finished The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (of The Davinci Code fame…or is that infamy?). My overall assessment is that the story is actually very good…for a work of fiction. As long as you remember that this is a novel, and not a scholastic work, it’s easy to enjoy. It has a good story, great plot twists, it captures your attention and keeps you involved in the evolving story. The riddle(s) that is unraveling keeps you guessing and you actually get engaged in trying to solve the riddle yourself. For a story I give it an A+.

I just wish that Dan Brown had left it alone when the story was over. The last few chapters have nothing to do with the story (they even occur after the riddles have been solved and everyone else has gone home except for two of the main characters). The last few chapters (chapter 133 in particular) is simply Mr. Brown’s way of getting in his secular humanism…it reads as page-after-page of secular humanism lecture. In the last pages he manages to proof-text Scripture (when he isn’t outright mis-quoting or mis-interpreting it), lump all religions into one basket, and declares that all religion simply points us to ourselves as gods.

Here are a two examples (two of many):

The Bible, like many ancient texts, is a detailed exposition of the most sophisticated machine ever made…the human mind.” (chapter 133).

Um….no it isn’t! The Bible is an exposition of God’s search for relationship with mankind. It’s the story of God’s redemptive love…from start to finish. It’s exactly the opposite of an exposition of the human mind.

Langdon had never understood why the very first passages of the Bible referred to God as a plural being. Elohim. The Almighty God in Genesis was described not as One…but as many.

“God is plural,” Katherine whispered, “because the minds of man are plural.” (chapter 133)

Again…wrong! God is plural because God is Trinity…not because the minds of man are plural. This is basic theology and Mr. Brown does his best to explain the Trinity away withing the confines of secular humanism (and does a poor job if you ask me).

As I said, these are only two example. The litany of secular humanistic “teaching” in this chapter alone is too long and detailed to get into here…but it is obvious. Mr. Brown believes that humans are becoming like their Creator (at least he admits we have one)…gods that can accomplish great things. I agree that we can accomplish great things, but not apart from God…rather with God. There is a big difference.

If you haven’t read this book…please do. It is a good book, but think about skipping chapter 133 (it doesn’t help the book at all). And if you have read it…or if you choose to read chapter 133 (I know I would…especially if someone told me not to)…let’s keep this final quote form the book in mind…

This book is a work of fiction. (Copyright page)

21.12.2009 Books, Hobbies, Review No Comments

My Broncos Prediction

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Football is officially back (great game last night…gonna see both of those teams in the playoffs). Yesterday, Grant beat me to the punch by posting his 2009 Broncos prediction. The schedule this year is not kind to my beloved Donkeys…not exactly what McD and Company needs, but you play the cards you’re dealt. I think they will be a better team than their records indicates at the end of the year…but you never really know this early (I’ve never been right so this entire blog is an effort in futility…but it makes me feel better). So here goes…

  1. @ Cincinnati – W: I put the W here, but I’m not sure I believe it. This team is still learning, but Cincy sucks so I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt.
  2. Cleveland – W: If you can’t beat this team…
  3. @ Oakland – W: See Cleveland above
  4. Dallas – W: I know most are predicting a Dallas win here, but it’s at home, the Broncs will be riding a winning streak and I just don’t think Dallas is that good (which is why Shanny will be coaching there next year).
  5. New England – L: I want to put the W here, but just can’t do it. I have to give the edge to the Master. I will say the NE doesn’t usually play well here…so the Broncos might be able to steal this one.
  6. @ San Diego – L: I’m not as high on SD as some are (read…Norv Turner), but I’m not naive either.
  7. @ Baltimore – L: The schedule just keeps getting worse.
  8. Pittsburgh – L: And worse.
  9. @ Washington – L: I want to put the W here to help stop the November slide, but it’s hard to win on the road after four straight loses.
  10. San Diego – W: I think we split with San Diego, but what do I know??
  11. NY Giants – L: This team is good.
  12. @ Kansas City – W: This is more an indictment on KC than anything else. It’s tough to win at Arrowhead, but I think we get it done this year (they may have a new coach by then).
  13. @ Indianapolis – L: This one could be ugly, you might not want to let the little ones watch it…but can it get much worse than it was under Shanny?
  14. Oakland – W: Oakland, the perfect cure for what ails you.
  15. @ Philadelphia – L: I don’t think it will be a blow-out, but tough to win here.
  16. Kansas City – W: Come on…this one could be ugly in a good way.

After totaling up the W’s and the L’s…my prediction for 2009 is that the Broncos will go: 8-8.

There is a lot of unknown here and I think there are a few games that can make this number go up a little or way down: Cincinnati, Dallas, San Diego, and Washington specifically. Can they steal one more win? Will they lose a few more? I can’t see anything more than 9-7 (and that would be a miracle) and could see them slide to 5-11 if they don’t get their act together at the start of the year.

Gonna be fun to watch! I think the DEF is much improved over last year…meaning they will be average with some upside for the future. The schedule is brutal in November…so buckle up. Football is back!

11.09.2009 Broncos, Guy Stuff, Hobbies, Sports 4 Comments

QB Apples and Oranges

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Listening and reading about the QB comparison between Orton and Cutler this past weekend made me wonder how the two compared in their respective games. Mainly because Broncos fans have a “the sky is falling” attitude about Orton while the Bears fans have a “second coming of Montana” attitude about Cutler. I know that the circumstances over the off-season are leading to the comparisons…but wanted to take a look at the actual stats from the last game.

Here they are:

Comp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int
Player 1 18 26 69.2% 182 7.0 1 1
Player 2 8 13 61.5% 121 9.0 1 0

It’s not hard to figure out which player is which just based on the passing attempts, but take a look at some of the others numbers and they aren’t that different. The completion percentage is very close and they both threw one TD. Yes, Orton threw the interception but it was bogus…and should have been a TD on the play before (which would make the numbers look that much better for Orton).

Am I saying Orton is better than Cutler? No. I’m just saying the numbers are not really that much different and Orton is playing in a different kind of offense. Also, the Giants had over half of their DEF players out of the game…so it wasn’t exactly like Cutler was playing the SB Champs of last year.And Orton plays in a style of offense that is going to yield lower passing averages than Cutler will…not better or worse, just different.

Just an interesting observation on the perspectives for each of these two players. Similar numbers with two VERY different reactions. I for one am not freaking out yet…and I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday.

24.08.2009 Broncos, Hobbies, Sports No Comments

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