Run, Bike, Run

A week down and I have some stat’s for my training.
Total time of exercise: 3:54:39
Time on Bike: 1:24:10
Mileage on Bike:16.49 mi
Time Running :1:56:50
Miles Run: 8.12 mi
Time Walking: 0:33:39
Miles Walking: 2.29 mi

With the up comming trip to Florida, I was a bit worried about being able to run in the heat. But Sunday’s run the temperatures were running around 86 degrees and I felt pretty good. So early morning runs should be okay while we are away. While on Gowagon.com I got some real good advise about running in Florida this time of year, avoid the trails too many snakes. . . YIKES! On that note, I will leave my trail running shoes at home

I can’t help buying cool gadets, and today I picked up a garmin Forerunner 305. I chose this over the Edge models since I would be able to use it with my bicycle as well as hiking. Along with a map my walk  membership I’ll be able to better track my fittness progress. Today I did a lap around the Fort Steilacoom Park here in Lakewood, it’s 1/3 paved and the rest being gravel trails. It’s a nice walk with a bit of hills.

Wow, the trees are having a grand time. So much pollen is flying through the air that it looks as if it’s snowing. Well, if snow was yellowish green, but let’s not go there.  The day after running sag in my truck, my hood looked like had a new paint job.

With all this stuff falling, the ride to and from work is leaving my eyes feeling as if there is a bucket of sand in them. Even after my short 4 mile commute my Knogg light was covered. Let’s face it, that’s a small target to hit too. So with any luck and maybe a little rain (god, can’t believe I’m saying that) will help keep the clouds of pollen down.  Not only that, I’m starting to feel a little defiled

Cell phones have been identified as a distraction for drivers. But who’s to say if you ban one distraction, another one won’t  appear?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090413/ts_afp/norwaysexoffbeat_20090413122247

There was some question about the sign in the “Sometimes 3 feet may not be enough” was a photoshop job. So figuring that if this was going to be found it would probably be Everglades National Park. So I entered a question on the web site and few days later this delightful response came.

Dear Ron,

There can be signs like that in the park system, and parks like us due have
a number of alligators clustered in different areas. So…yes your picture
is a likely sight. Funny as it may seem, with todays drivers I’ll take my
chances with the gators. : – )

Thank you for your interest in Everglades & Dry Tortugas National Park.

Regards,
S. P.

Reception Desk,
Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks
Try us at: www.nps.gov/ever or www.nps.gov/drto

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American
people so that all may experience our heritage.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA!

Weather was great for my evening commute home, sunny and in the lower 70’s. After I worked my way though the back roads and on to the main road on my commute, I came up a ways behind another cyclist. As we came up to a stop light the other cyclist takes the lane in left turn lane.  And without hesitation the rider dove across the opposing traffic lane and road against the traffic waiting for the light. After passing the 3 cars the rider took a quick look over their shoulder and slid across the 3 lanes of the road. To top things off, when they had taken the turn lane, the rider activated the light and could have crossed safely after waiting about 5 seconds.

I know how busy the rider must be, but I just can’t get it into my mind what makes anybody who does this to save less than 10 seconds of time and in danger their own life. And this coupled with all the the drivers that are now talking about those damned cyclists that don’t follow the rules, makes even less sense.

Not totally unexpected but still really sad news today is that Dorel Industries is closing down the US manufactering of Cannondale Bicycles. I first heard the report on a Tweet by Bike Biz’s Carlton Reid. I have a real soft spot for Cannondale since it was what I consider my first “real” bicycle. My T-700 took me on many rides including several self contained tours carrying my large butt and all my camping equipment through the Northwest and Canada. The name might still be going on, but to me at least the spirit is dead.

I think I’ll take my chance with the car! I wish I could give credit to the photographer, but this was emailed to me by a friend and it was too good not to share.

Cagers, dogs, pot holes are all things we have to watch out for while out for a ride. But here is something that I never really worried about . . . until now.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0306/1224242371457.html