tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27825615849493988112024-03-05T05:06:00.348-08:00Cycling and Life"The obstacles to overcome are simple and clear- air and pain. Beat the air with your equipment and beat the pain with your will to win." - SpokePost.comScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-75311047558404866172010-08-08T21:25:00.001-07:002010-08-08T21:41:44.427-07:00Great weekend!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_CdFJi7eZw9tC5xQb-eJTtMU7sXgy-wJ8jofosTP1Se_rXoB_6VLOfXCuXn-bOask4yexZ2HAvFus7wDDqU_dFp5c2rIinmicXOusmym56298nEN4gmo4Uufzfb0keE1Ro0gpF_0m5vg/s1600/0806001806.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_CdFJi7eZw9tC5xQb-eJTtMU7sXgy-wJ8jofosTP1Se_rXoB_6VLOfXCuXn-bOask4yexZ2HAvFus7wDDqU_dFp5c2rIinmicXOusmym56298nEN4gmo4Uufzfb0keE1Ro0gpF_0m5vg/s320/0806001806.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503264555426698434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBzxhlJRbKU-EqFkjdN23byHyIp61pbvKu5iHCfsXIbup5QodFwIuK1Uf2VnLSTtl8BNsnyO6S1DbpGmJIsgjbQjMgAIUoL0IwII1VzrTNECIpvB8I41cYfDkCZYqji1aC-odaZFAkUbo/s1600/0806001803.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBzxhlJRbKU-EqFkjdN23byHyIp61pbvKu5iHCfsXIbup5QodFwIuK1Uf2VnLSTtl8BNsnyO6S1DbpGmJIsgjbQjMgAIUoL0IwII1VzrTNECIpvB8I41cYfDkCZYqji1aC-odaZFAkUbo/s320/0806001803.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503264456024586706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The weekend started out great on Friday riding with Alex after he got off work. We rode up towards the Lytle Creek area and back. The ride was roughly 26 miles. I have never been up that way so it was new and interesting.<br /><br />Saturday was a great day. I spent most of the day out and about. It's been awhile since I've just gone out and had fun with great company like that. This day was the best day of my weekend.<br /><br />This morning I got up around 6 after getting back to my place about 2 am. I went and did the mountain loop with Don that we've been doing. We talked about Tucson in November and he's going to participate with Alex and I. That will be fun! We have a new best time for the ride and it's 2:45. I'm feeling much stronger on the hills. I went up the front side of GMR with no difficulty about 2 gears higher than I normally would have been.<br /><br />I got back after riding, started to get some homework done and pretty much passed out. I didn't realize how tired I actually was until I had to focus on school work. This week is the last week of the term so I finished up the current assignments and will start on my final paper tomorrow. I'll be glad to have that turned in Saturday night.<br /><br />And now another weekend has come and gone and work arrives once again.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-75506213043868416872010-08-02T20:23:00.000-07:002010-08-02T20:45:01.891-07:00Saturday brought another 80 mile ride down to Solana Beach. The weather stayed very nice the whole way down the coast. The sun came out as were riding out the front gate of Camp Pendleton. Don actually joined us and I invited a new acquaintance, Daniel who I met through Mike. He races for the Claremont Colleges.<br /><br />I think climbing hills is getting easier since Don and I have been riding our Sunday morning mountain route. I like not suffering so much (my legs were made for sprinting and TT efforts, not climbing). In fact I've found some good kicks up climbs. Weird feeling just being able to get out of the saddle and pick up the pace...<br /><br />We arrived in Solana in 4:30 which makes me feel really good about finishing Tucson in under 4 hours. The ride down the coast is pretty undulating and Tucson is pan flat.<br /><br />I went out for a ride today and flatted not only on my front tire but the rear as well. It was probably on the thinner parts of the tire after the issue riding through Oceanside on Saturday. Some guy was driving oddly slow on single lane local road. I didn't want to pass him on the right because there was a parking lot entrance up ahead he could pull into. I started to try and pass on the left because his driving was making me uncomfortable and a car came on that side of the road as I poked my nose out. By that time I was going faster than the car and it was like the guy in the car just let off the gas and coasted as I was trying to brake. I locked up both front and rear wheels and went sliding forward towards him...nothing I could do. When I was literally 1/2" off his bumper he decided to pull into some restaurant parking lot. I looked at him as he drove through the lot and he was 100% oblivious to anything and everything. I wish people driving would be predictable. I'm glad I had near professional bike handling skills in the moment. Oh well, part of cycling I suppose. =) Thankfully I'm always trying to keep an eye out.<br /><br />Alex, Daniel, and I took the train back to the cars in Anaheim and Don drove back with Victoria and the kids since they drove down to play at the beach. Don was nice and offered to take our bikes back with him so we didn't have to fuss with them on the train. When I went around to tell Victoria thanks both the kids started yelling hi to me. They are such happy little kids when someone comes around. It was cute and I thought how rewarding having kids must be when those simple moments come around.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-75070564146655580522010-07-25T16:50:00.000-07:002010-07-25T17:20:35.579-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-m6ZsV357RQ5YMxaIty2QZznaj5dkjHdERBM-0fzxXo06XLfH7qdoHNCia5j7EYIS8kOVus46PPjhJUnJzwvWNX08ZTRkp-FhRr-tOVdkUuigPmQsmvb6ilRIvs2Pr-uxwUkSUcykUTO/s1600/0725001716.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-m6ZsV357RQ5YMxaIty2QZznaj5dkjHdERBM-0fzxXo06XLfH7qdoHNCia5j7EYIS8kOVus46PPjhJUnJzwvWNX08ZTRkp-FhRr-tOVdkUuigPmQsmvb6ilRIvs2Pr-uxwUkSUcykUTO/s320/0725001716.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498003148590672898" border="0" /></a>This weekend brought some cooler temps here. It was only in the low 90s which was far more comfortable than they 100s we've had previously.<br /><br />Saturday I went out running a little bit with a friend from work and then came home and relaxed. I haven't been running at all lately and won't be doing any multisport events until I'm done with school. Time is a limiting factor with running and cycling.<br /><br />This morning I went out riding with Don on our now typical 40 mile GMR-GRR-Baldy loop. We finished in 2:46 and we knew we were faster than any previous trip. We didn't need our cycling computers to tell us that...our bodies told us. I felt really good physically and my heart rate stayed abnormally low overall. Not super low, just lower than normal.<br /><br />I'm about to start some homework and am finishing up watching today's final stage of the Tour de France. For the first time, I'm actually saddened that the last 3 weeks is coming to a close. I suppose it's largely because Lance will no longer be road racing after today. He has brought a lot of media attention to cycling and has really made it fun to watch. I'm sure it will be enjoyable next year without him but it certainly won't be the same. Where did 3 weeks go? It seems like it just started.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-75778003340304067322010-07-17T15:19:00.000-07:002010-07-17T15:24:25.936-07:00Another warm day today. I found some local listings of a few fish places I wanted to go visit but at 102 degress, I don't have any interest in even getting the mail let alone driving from place to place.<br /> <br />I did get out this morning to ride. I took the TT bike out and rode to Claremont and back. It was a good 20 mile ride. I did it in about an hour and would have likely ridden faster if it wasn't for the weather. At 6:30 this morning it was 82 degrees. 82 normally isn't bad but when the sun is just beating on you that early it feels so much worse. The only thing to note about the ride was my front flat at 30 mph along this nicely fresh-paved section of flat road. It was no nice flat either...this was a gusher and quickly was out of the aerobars and getting control of the bike to stop quickly.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-38158123583647678092010-07-15T21:22:00.000-07:002010-07-15T21:30:13.117-07:00Well, the heat has finally arrived for the first time this year in Southern California. Yesterday it was 100 and I went out for a 35 mile ride. I brought 3 bottles with me and refilled 2 of the 3 on the way home. I think a full bottle of water weighs around 3 lbs. which means I consumed 15 lbs. of water in total and it still wasn't enough. I left the apartment marking my weight just for that reason. I weighed 186 lbs. out the door and even after drinking 5 bottles of water, I weighed 181 before I hit the shower. It wasn't a bad ride though, just very warm.<br /><br />Today it went up to 104 here. It's 9:30 pm now and the temperature is only down to 92. Last night I don't think the temp. went below 80 all night so I'm sure the same will remain the case tonight. So away the A/C cranks.<br /><br />I have finally finished planting the fish aquarium. Now I just need the plants to take and start growing. The fish certainly seem to enjoy all of the real plants instead of the fake ones.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-16717683379464798032010-07-11T12:53:00.000-07:002010-07-11T13:25:26.996-07:00In the tank<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9K1xjzbd7nq8xB6B8tLBFGVaRqpIdV8pDgjokrjAvZe5TrRYwWf2NJDV9-jgr59WiWL-sLbRuVxppuFszwe2f-CiGCf-lqPdc9YQz_E6MyxA36VipzyIq1hx6Bh1amfHRzFyzoG1CAbUW/s1600/downsized_0711000959.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9K1xjzbd7nq8xB6B8tLBFGVaRqpIdV8pDgjokrjAvZe5TrRYwWf2NJDV9-jgr59WiWL-sLbRuVxppuFszwe2f-CiGCf-lqPdc9YQz_E6MyxA36VipzyIq1hx6Bh1amfHRzFyzoG1CAbUW/s320/downsized_0711000959.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492747404377876802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Whew! This morning's ride up GMR across the ridge and down from Mt. Baldy was a real pain. I didn't recover adequately from yesterday's 80 mile ride down the coast.<br /><br />Yesterday, I hit every little climb very hard and with all the punishment I could force into the geography. I didn't eat as much as I should have along the way and tanked around 75 miles in. I sucked up the last 5 miles and just finished.<br /><br />Today I should have called Don and said I wasn't going to go but the specialty endurance powders we use aren't cheap to mix up multiple bottles only to toss them down the sink drain. I didn't think it would have been as bad as what it ended up. I knew I would pay for yesterday but just not as much as I did.<br /><br />Of course, Don was happy that for the first time in 3 years he wasn't riding behind me but laughed and said it was an empty cheap feeling since I was not up to par physically. Oh well he can have it. =)<br /><br />I'm glad I had plums here because I ate 4 or 5 of them once I was home and cooled off.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvft-JdsfFQQginQa99f5aETLwB44i-wxJ5ObRnP9tNx4bkzO6vlR0YvQYF3hrZgPgJ6GBXIz93uDHHJBjiXTnTwZRVVZGyQb7HWzwxB6LXP9TncpaBOQ-gXukovXqEcFz-rNR48-FJf8T/s1600/0711000959a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvft-JdsfFQQginQa99f5aETLwB44i-wxJ5ObRnP9tNx4bkzO6vlR0YvQYF3hrZgPgJ6GBXIz93uDHHJBjiXTnTwZRVVZGyQb7HWzwxB6LXP9TncpaBOQ-gXukovXqEcFz-rNR48-FJf8T/s320/0711000959a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492747004782045090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally done!!! All downhill from here.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-53515208117496412022010-07-05T18:28:00.000-07:002010-07-05T18:36:41.324-07:00I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday weekend. It was mild here and perfect weather in the mornings to be riding up in the mountains.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhBcphx5p_uzix8vQ0x-bc1uz7pkW78APe5uH85k54w5N3vOF-TSrscCwg0mRZ2CRZBrPeCnuB2Kkpl9-y-6JPXAV1wGgLd-3gfAR_7V0Mn7yv4OfGq6EoUBcuK8tkduRtTNUaKAryX6X/s1600/July+4th+GRR+view.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhBcphx5p_uzix8vQ0x-bc1uz7pkW78APe5uH85k54w5N3vOF-TSrscCwg0mRZ2CRZBrPeCnuB2Kkpl9-y-6JPXAV1wGgLd-3gfAR_7V0Mn7yv4OfGq6EoUBcuK8tkduRtTNUaKAryX6X/s320/July+4th+GRR+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490600675125618482" border="0" /></a>The race event that was scheduled for this weekend was canceled so I went riding with Don up Glendora Mountain Road and then across the backside of the mountains to Mt. Baldy village. It was a good 2 hour 56 minute 40 mile ride. The pace was pretty casual and scenic as always. The road was closed to all motor traffic because of the fire hazard with fireworks and such so it was perfect for cycling. This picture is a view off the side of Glendora Ridge Road. One of many nice views Sunday morning.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-186174819406128492010-06-29T21:17:00.000-07:002010-06-29T21:36:47.030-07:00Two weeks ago I went out riding on Sunday after having done my brick on Saturday. Don an I took a ride up GMR and went across Glendora Ridge Road to Mt. Baldy Village. It was a 39 mile ride altogether with about half of it climbing through the San Gabriel mountains. The back side of the mountains was so pretty and quiet. We casually went up GMR as to not burn ourselves out for the remaining 13 miles of climbing. We got to the top of GMR in 58 minutes doing a casual pace. We were actually trying not to do it in under an hour. Oh well. lol We managed to keep our descending speed down Mt. Baldy road at 46 mph. The goal was under 50 which takes some work to do.<br /><br />Last weekend I wanted to get out and do my brick workout Saturday morning and knew I would naturally be up before 7 so I didn't set my alarm. I found out last weekend that if I don't set my alarm, regardless of how early I get up that I will not go ride. Sunday I set my alarm and go figure, I did my brick workout.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-56891387610644725382010-06-20T16:21:00.000-07:002010-06-20T16:31:57.566-07:00Lots of stuff this weekendFirstly, let me say once again Happy Father's Day dad!<br /><br />Friday I went for a 33 mile ride after work. I didn't ride all week because last weekend I got some awful fly bites on my right leg and chose to try and keep them out of the sun until they stopped itching. When I went riding Friday it felt like I had been off the bike for a month. It's strange sometimes how alien things become when suddenly you don't do it according to your normal frequency or routine.<br /><br />Saturday I went out to Bonelli for a brick workout. I rode 3 laps (21 miles total) and went for a 2 mile run. I felt better transitioning to the run this time although my overall run time was identical. Since I felt comfortable this time though I think I could have pushed the pace a bit higher. I'll have to remember to do that next weekend if I feel good.<br /><br />This morning I got up after 4 hours of sleep and met Don out in Claremont. We decided last night since the weather is cool and sunny that we would ride out to GMR, go up it and head across to Glendora Ridge Road where we'd take it to Mt. Baldy village and head down to the cars. We both felt surprisingly good. It was a 39 mile ride with about 4500 feet of elevation gain and a very fast descent. We kept our descent under 50 mph...to 46.<br /><br />A few hours later I headed over to Don's to help work on the race truck. Today I was in charge of getting some of the body plate tabs measured, plasma cut, and prepped. Each body panel requires it's own custom tabs. Ok well every two panels since panels are symmetrical from one side to the other.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-54594300689468908732010-06-14T20:13:00.000-07:002010-07-26T17:10:23.820-07:00Pics of El ToroI went down to El Toro...well what formerly was called MCAS El Toro and roamed around a little while. One of the civilians left a road block gate open to I drove through it and it gave me access to the bottom part of the base. This meant I got to see what became of where I used to work.<br /><br />As I thought, my old building was demolished and a food donation program building was built in it's place. Most of the buildings on the old base have been demolished. Only a few remain. The roads are largely neglected except for the few that are used by a couple of the companies that have set up shop there. Most of the base is fenced off and inaccessible.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50206&id=1641663813&l=a81739bfc0">Photo album</a>...<span><br /><br />Sunday I went riding up GMR with Don. I made it up in 46:07. I didn't think I'd make it up that quickly but it just means I'm closer to breaking my previous best of 45 minutes. =) We got to the top and took a break and the flies were out biting and drawing blood. So we got the heck out of there and came back down. Later in the day I went over for about 4 hours and helped work on the race truck a bit. It was fun and I learned a few new things.<br /><br />I tried to get up at 5 this morning to run my 4 miles since it was going to be hot later in the day but didn't succeed. I ended up just coming home after work and finishing up homework instead. I will try again tomorrow morning. Perhaps I can get in a run in the morning before work and go ride after.<br /><br />On a fish note, the fry are growing daily and becoming increasingly active in the temporary tank. They may be large enough to put in the community tank in about a month or so. Once they are big enough I'll take some pics.<br /></span>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-7428944033225693672010-06-12T11:30:00.000-07:002010-06-12T11:44:03.341-07:00Catching up...It's funny (not in a humorous way) how life just seems to get busier and busier. Oh well.<br /><br />Last Saturday I went riding down to Solana Beach with Alex. We got down there and much to our surprise and every other passenger that no trains we running. The ticket counter was open though and selling tickets for a train that would never arrive. Go figure.<br /><br />This morning I did a brick workout. It's something I haven't done since my IT Band injury last November and something I knew I really needed to get back on track with to be successful racing again. I rode 3 laps around Bonelli Park (22 miles) and then went for a 2 mile run. My word did my legs not transition from bike to run well. I can normally run 4 miles in 30 minutes. I couldn't even hit anything under an 8:40 pace after riding. Brick workouts are something I'm going to have to get back on board with regularly.<br /><br />I finished medicating the tank last week. I put the crayfish back in the tank once the water cleared up. I had to remove it since the medication can kill invertebrates. One of my platies had babies last week. Platies are livebearers and she had 9 living fry. Out of the 9, 8 are still surviving and growing daily. When they were born the fry were roughly 2 mm long. Today they are around 5-6. <br /><br />Today is also my 10 year anniversary of getting out of the Marine Corps. Alex and I always see how decrepit the old MCAS El Toro base is now since it was shut down in 1999 and we moved to San Diego. For reminiscing sakes I'm going to go down to visit the old base today. It was my favorite duty station. Now it is home to an RV storage facility and food bank. It's rather sad but nothing can be done with the base because of all of the trichlorethelene (I think that's what it's called) contaminants in the ground. So it just sits and rots away as a ghost town. A mere shell of what it used to be. I'm sure when I visit I'll try and envision the F-18s, Super Cobras, C-130s, etc. taking off and doing training exercises somewhere off the coast and in the surrounding foothills.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-77281226006113584992010-06-02T21:22:00.000-07:002010-06-02T21:34:14.057-07:00Aquarium looks better...I took Tuesday off from riding and running and just relaxed when I got home. I rode this afternoon with my old roommate and a friend of his, a former Cat 3 crit. rider. Boy does he make me realize what being 11 years younger does for ya. Of course, it doesn't help me any that he's naturally like 30 lbs. lighter too. And that's on his self-proclaimed out of shape side. Oh well, it gives me something to work towards. It always helps elevate one's own performance levels when you can get in with people faster or stronger than you in some way.<br /><br />I'm saying this with fingers crossed but it looks like I'm out of the woods with the Ich emergency. I'll keep the heat up in the aquarium until Monday and then slowly drop it back down. After running my tests on the water today I'm happy to see the ammonia levels are still reading 0 ppm which tells me it really did fully cycle. My Nitrite levels have also dropped to 0 ppm which is good because the Nitrates are doing their jobs. Now, the normal weekly water changes will keep the Nitrates in check so they don't become too concentrated and lethal.<br /><br />One of my Platies looks pregnant but we'll have to see. They are livebearers which means they give birth to fry instead of laying eggs. Those fry will likely be eaten by other tank mates if they can't get to good cover because they are a super source of protein for the other fish. I'll be keeping an eye on the fish to see what happens. She could just be well fed.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-84110486018406370312010-05-31T21:02:00.000-07:002010-05-31T21:16:08.309-07:00Casual weekendI notched a 7:30 min/mile pace last Thursday and repeated the same today. I do feel my running is improving and I hope it continues to get better since it's the one serious disadvantage I have in the multisport lifestyle. I've said it before and I'll always say it...a good runner will beat a good cyclist any day of the week. <br /><br />Alex called off sick from riding Saturday morning...something about an ear ache. No biggy. I still went and rode 40 miles on the TT bike. Sunday I went to go ride with Don. We rode up GMR and came back down. I almost feel like my descending was better than it was before. We haven't ridden GMR in probably a year. Because it was a nice weekend, lots of motorcycles were out doing their thing on the mountain road. Going up it never unnerves me but when I'm coming down at 30-35 mph, it can get a little nerve wracking. <br /><br />Today I went out running my 4 miles and finished averaging 7:29/mile which made me feel good. I intentionally left the mp3 player in the apartment so that I could see if I could do the 4 miles at a good pace without the distraction of music. I'm a bit more confident knowing I can. I will have to run more towards the evening now that the temperature is warming up a bit much for running in the afternoon.<br /><br />I've lost quite a bit of my fish both from the "ich" as well as from the higher temperature water. Only 7 more days to go...of the higher temps. =(Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-27331212879739768532010-05-25T20:45:00.000-07:002010-05-25T21:08:25.533-07:00Time to catch up...Wow! It's been quite some time since I've posted anything on here. I suppose me interest in blogging has fallen by the wayside over the last number of months. I'll try and see about keeping this at least reasonably up to date.<br /><br />In February I moved. I no longer have a roommate and just come home to my apartment every day after work. It's nice to have some place to call your own. The complex is pretty quiet on most occasions. Only a hint of noise now and then that would tell you that you do live in an apartment but honestly, they could happen in a neighborhood too. All in all I'm very content.<br /><br />I've started a freshwater aquarium. It's funny how something so peaceful takes a large amount of maintenance. I do enjoy it though and take pride in keeping the 55 gal. aquarium clean for my fish. I added a Hammers Blue Cobalt crayfish to the aquarium a couple weeks ago. When I got him he was only perhaps 2 to 2.5 inches long. He molted 2 nights ago and he's pretty close to 4. They are nocturnal so I rarely see him out. In fact, tonight I caught a glimpse of him for the first time in about a week. I do have to confess I tricked him though. I turned out the aquarium lamps but left a small room light lit. He came out, groomed, and then when some of the fish were distracted by the room light acting like a bug to a light bulb, he got his pincers on a couple sending them scurrying away feeling the effects. Once I realized this I didn't want to commit any fish to an untimely death due to distraction on my part and went to the bedroom to start updating my blog leaving the aquarium surrounded in darkness.<br /><br />I did travel to Alaska in early May and had a blast. I ended up going by myself and am glad I did. We lucked out the first week in May with nothing but sunshine at each port and while cruising the Inside Passage. It was an awesome experience. I wish I had more time to do more back country exploring than what time allowed but would be best having a partner considering the bear population.<br /><br />My knee has healed from whatever injury I was dealing with before. I never did get a medical diagnosis for it but just took it easy and tested it now and then. When I felt the pain, I would stop running immediately. Eventually, I went for a run one day and the pain never came back. If I ever do feel my knee start to ache in that spot again (which has only been once) then I stop running and walk it out. <br /><br />Before my IT band issue, I was running 8 miles averaging about 8 min/mile. Right now, I haven't gotten back to that distance but have been running 4 miles consistently and as of today have my min./mile average down to 7:41. I have registered for 3 races this summer and am contemplating attending the Strawberry Fields event I placed 1st in my age group last year. We shall see.<br /><br />I am cycling once a month to Solana Beach from Anaheim with Alex. That's an 80 mile ride and we're keeping with it once a month so that when we ramp up our mileage in preparation for Tucson in November, our bodies aren't so shocked by it on a more regular basis.<br /><br />I have been contemplating a couple things for 2011 as we approach the halfway point of 2010. I would love to see Hawaii and I know there are travel deals out there where you can find accommodations included if you look hard enough. So in 2011 I'm not sure if I would like to go to Hawaii for a week or travel back east and compete at a duathlon event back there for a change in scenery. <br /><br />Time will tell. A lot can happen before next year.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-83341783577466216112010-01-30T19:52:00.001-08:002010-01-30T20:00:06.215-08:00Oorah Marines!Ya know, there are times when I really miss the Marines. New equipment and seeing it roll out is certainly one of them.<br /><br />I'm certainly pro big military and whatever keeps our guys safe on the lines out there, get the mission accomplished, and punishes the enemy into submission is always good for me. A new breacher vehicle is coming about that will allow Marines to clear IEDs from roads and anywhere else much more effectively than before. These new Assault Breacher Vehicles apparently are going to deploy in Afghanistan to spear a heavy assault on one of the big Taliban cities.<br /><br />For the smallest branch of the military with the smallest budget (and I really do mean SMALL) we certainly find ways to come up with the most bad ass stuff to get the job done. Adapt and overcome, that's what Marines have always found a way to do.<br /><br /><h1>Marine assault vehicles key to Afghan strategy</h1> <h2><span style="font-size:100%;">As U.S. and Afghan troops prepare for an offensive in Helmand province, the Assault Breacher Vehicle - a cross between a tank and a bulldozer - is intended to conquer the terrain and roadside bombs.</span></h2><span class="toolSet" style="width: 345px;"> <div class="byline"> <span class="byline">By Tony Perry</span> <p class="date"><span class="dateString">January 31, 2010</span><br /></p></div></span>"Reporting from Camp Pendleton - Weighing 70 tons, traveling up to 45 mph and possessed of a smash-mouth name, the Assault Breacher Vehicle is the Marine Corps' latest answer to a perennial problem of offensive warfare: how to push through the barriers and booby traps of an enemy's outer defenses.<br /><br />Over the decades, Marines have used various strategies to breach defenses, involving heavy vehicles or, in some cases, sending Marine engineers into minefields to set, by hand, line charges loaded with explosives.<br /><br />"Breaching is always the hardest part of an assault," said Sgt. Carl Hewett, a breacher operator stationed here.<br /><br />In the 1990s, the U.S. Army decided it could not afford to continue developing such a complicated, maintenance-heavy vehicle. But the Marine Corps persisted -- funding the development and testing from its own discretionary budget funds.<br /><br />In December, the 42-foot-long assault breacher was used in combat for the first time, as Marines pushed into a Taliban stronghold called Now Zad in Afghanistan's Helmand province. The brass were pleased with its performance.<br /><br />Now, as the Marines plan a much larger and more complex assault in the same province, the vehicles, which cost $3.75 million each, are being touted as part of a strategy for routing Taliban fighters.<br /><br />The top Marine general in Afghanistan, Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, has made it no secret that he plans a massive assault against the Taliban-held community of Marja, where hundreds, maybe thousands, of Taliban took refuge last summer when battalions of Marines swept into Helmand.<br /><br />From Marja, the Islamist militants, who were toppled from power in Afghanistan in late 2001 by U.S. and allied forces, have been able to plot assassinations of Afghan officials, concoct the roadside bombs that are the No. 1 killer of U.S. and Afghan forces, and control the cultivation and sale of the area's poppy crop, which is turned into heroin and helps fund the insurgency.<br /><br />Marja is located 380 miles southwest of Kabul, the national capital. Taliban forces have had months to bury roadside bombs in anticipation of an assault by Western troops. Increasing the difficulty, the land is broken up by irrigation canals, built by the U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s, that could stop the advance of tanks and other assault vehicles.<br /><br />Enter the breacher, a cross between a tank and a bulldozer, armed with a .50-caliber machine gun and grenade launcher, powered by a 1,500-horsepower turbine engine, and manned by a driver and an operator of the vehicle's weapons and communications systems.<br /><br />"Anywhere a tank can go, we can go," Hewett said.<br /><br />The breacher operator fires line charges loaded with explosives. Once the lengthy lines hit the ground, they can be detonated by the operator from inside the vehicle. The pressure of the explosives is designed to detonate any roadside bombs buried by an enemy.<br /><br />Two breachers, side by side, are meant to clear a path wide enough for other vehicles and infantry troops. The scoops on the front of the vehicles can help deflect the explosion from buried bombs; a different scoop can fill irrigation canals with dirt to permit passage.<br /><br />A Marja assault could be months away. The Marines' assault last year into Helmand was made in early July, the hottest month in one of the hottest spots in Afghanistan.<br /><br />The Marja campaign will involve Marines and Afghan soldiers and will probably be seen as a major test for the Afghans, whose army is still in the formative stage. Eight senior Afghan officers were recently hosted by Marines at Quantico, Va., Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms.<br /><br />"Afghans have been fighting for 30 years," Afghan Lt. Col. Abdulltai Nashat told reporters at Camp Pendleton. "They will fight forever -- don't worry about that."<br /><br />And where do the Marines expect the Taliban fighters to go?<br /><br />"To their graves," said Nicholson at the Marine base in Afghanistan."<br /><br /><br /><br />Enjoy and certainly crank up the volume!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXNJkR-dkpk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXNJkR-dkpk</a>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-51380081392930842902010-01-17T16:00:00.000-08:002010-01-17T16:15:26.274-08:00Alex and I rode the river trail Saturday morning. The ride started out overcast and a crisp 48 degrees. I'm about 13 minutes behind the time I was completing the ride in awhile back. I've decided not to schedule any races this year until my knee is better. I found I was stressing way too much about being ready for the big race in May.<br /><br />I will also be moving the week before Valentine's into a new apartment closer to work. Close enough in fact that I'll be walking to work every day. The new place will be roughly 3/4 of a mile away. I've been out of the Marines for 10 years and this will be the first place without roommates of some kind. MY home sweet home.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-66313722253436629042010-01-11T16:33:00.000-08:002010-01-11T16:36:48.457-08:00When I got home today I decided to go for a little run. I've been holding the same pace the last few "rehab" test runs I've done and today extended the distance slightly to 1.4 miles from 1. Again I ran pain free so I canceled my Dr. appointment tomorrow after work and will ease myself back into running carefully and slowly. I think perhaps the most critical part is not the fact that I'm running in new shoes but that I'm stretching daily for about 20 minutes.<br /><br />There is hope yet.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-20713537024467321862010-01-09T16:23:00.001-08:002010-01-09T16:33:58.259-08:00Running painShortly after I came back from Tucson I started having a shooting pain in the outside of my left knee. It would rear it's head about 1-2 miles into a run and I would feel it as early as half a mile into a run. It would get so painful I would have to stop and walk back home. Funny though, as soon as I started walking instead of running...no pain.<br /><br />A few weeks went by and every time I ran the pain would come back and I would have to abort the run. Shortly before I went back home for Christmas I was given a recommendation to see this Chiropractor in Glendora. At the time I was thinking about going to see my primary physician and get a referral to a PT. After talking with other athlete's I came to realize that Physical Therapists won't know how to deal with a sports related injury. A broken limb...sure! But nothing specific like a sports pain.<br /><br />So I saw Dr. Bolton before I flew back east and he gave me a general work-over on the leg but needed more specific information as to what my foot was doing when it hurt and the specific area of pain. The place on my knee I was trying to point out has about 7 different functions so he needed a more precise location.<br /><br />This past Tuesday I went back to Dr. Bolton with this information and he started to think it was less my IT band and more my meniscus. He worked everything pertaining to the meniscus for 40 minutes. I went running Wednesday for a slow 1 mile run and had no pain. I went for another run Friday afternoon and also was pain free. I'm hoping that Monday when I run again at the same pace again that I can cancel my Tuesday appointment after what I hope to be another pain free run. If that's the case, I'll run Wednesday maybe a 1.5 miles at the same pace and see what happens when I only slightly up the distance.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-29285693873876560392010-01-06T17:31:00.000-08:002010-01-06T18:25:48.464-08:00Post holiday catch up...This Christmas was most likely the best I've ever had and it started last June. In June, I asked my mom about flying home to surprise dad for Christmas. He's always so bah humbug during the holidays since the kids have grown up and moved out. It's not the holiday for him without family. She thought the idea was great so I purchased my tickets.<br /><br />I left California the morning of Christmas Eve and arrived in Philadelphia early that evening. Philly is only about 40 minutes from my parent's house in Valley Forge and it took only slightly longer because I had to pick up the rental car.<br /><br />I arrived home and snuck up to the front door. My mom answered and dragged my dad over to the door. She had to almost yell at him to look out the door. My dad was eating dinner and hates being disturbed during dinner so I understood his reluctance to get up. He did, and as soon as he saw me, he broke into tears of joy. The look on his face is something I will NEVER forget! =) We sat down and enjoyed dinner together for the first time in 3 years. I hadn't been home in 7 or 8.<br /><br />Christmas evening we all traveled to the airport to pick Lorelei up. It was rainy and her flight was delayed landing for about an hour. My parents had never met Lorelei so I was anxious. She landed and everybody met. We picked up her baggage and drove home. That night my mom made a roast and we feasted! I should just throw a general statement out now...every night we were there we feasted! <br /><br />Lorelei and I spent time visiting Valley Forge National Park where we visited the Visitor's Center, several encampment sites of George Washington and his Army, Peddler's Village, a couple trips into Philadelphia, and the Hershey Park Factory Tour. We did a lot that showed her the area and enjoyed being able to spend the holidays with my family.<br /><br />We were very fortunate and grateful for my godparents to drive up to spend a few hours with us and go to dinner. It's been so long since I've seen them and it was sad to see them have to go but I felt very lucky to have gotten the time to share with them that I did. Thank you Alan and Marcia!!!<br /><br />Photos can be seen by clicking the link below.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35658&id=1641663813&l=489276adbb">http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35658&id=1641663813&l=489276adbb</a>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-30191284264071500972009-12-23T18:56:00.001-08:002009-12-23T19:16:12.120-08:00Well, it seems yet again it's been awhile since my last update.<br /><br />A couple weeks ago Lorelei and I went to go see <a href="http://www.bowfire.com/">Bowfire</a> at the <a href="http://www.cerritoscenter.com/">Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts</a>. I saw these people a number of years ago playing their "normal" routine and was blown away by the little known stringed instrument group. This is such a performance like no other. This year they were playing a holiday themed routine which was phenomenal. Although, I will admit I like their normal stuff better.<br /><br />Last weekend Lorelei hosted a pre-Christmas dinner at her house for friends of ours and ones of her's that I had not met yet. Unfortunately not everyone could make it. I made dinner and desert from start to finish. I made a Dutch Apple pie, Pumpkin pie, and my mom's dinner rolls Friday night and finished just in time Saturday for the guests to arrive with the glazed ham, au gratin scalloped potatoes, Waldorf salad, and fresh steamed green beans. Everything turned out perfect and everyone really enjoyed it all. The evening was fun and conversation enjoyable.<br /><br />Now it's Christmas and time to bring smiles and cheer to people's faces. And perhaps those that least expect it. Of course, that's the ultimate reward for a gift giver isn't it? =)Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-44289373326338130072009-12-08T08:56:00.000-08:002009-12-08T09:07:34.304-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9ITOzewIx4sQFff6Q94EmMAYxbWtFOPDgGrKL7n71UoixuDGYuZIjgNq-4UE1GEtwTBJbqG_KJyvSVZAGEah_vH0tqIxH2GGeUJdT7DfbZSzFFWMPeEMyCGxvC5zD0EbdrIpX9mIv2v2/s1600-h/1208090818b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9ITOzewIx4sQFff6Q94EmMAYxbWtFOPDgGrKL7n71UoixuDGYuZIjgNq-4UE1GEtwTBJbqG_KJyvSVZAGEah_vH0tqIxH2GGeUJdT7DfbZSzFFWMPeEMyCGxvC5zD0EbdrIpX9mIv2v2/s320/1208090818b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412912828657554450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Recently the weather has been uncooperative as far as being able to get out and run. I'm starting to get a little concerned about the half marathon in February. I was looking forward to getting out this week but it seems my roommate has been sick with a persistent cough and fever since Sunday and now I've decided to come home from work today not feeling 100%. I can't risk getting sick. Hopefully I can fend off this tickle in my throat and slight congestion before it gets worse. It is a catch 22 situation though. Be at work in the shop when it's in the 40's inside or at home with my ill roommate. I guess at least at home I can be a bit warmer. Still, it's far from an ideal situation because I fear I'll get sicker regardless of the decision.<br /><br />Maybe I'll try and get out for a 4 mile jog today anyway. The fresh warmer air this afternoon couldn't hurt too bad. The house is just festering with sickly germs which is worse. Sigh.<br /><br />The winter storm system finally lifted last night and left us with a very gorgeous looking Mt. Baldy this morning (pic above). If all of the area ski resorts weren't open before this storm they certainly are now.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-10024047745099689882009-12-04T17:03:00.000-08:002009-12-04T17:43:35.649-08:00Trans-Siberian OrchestraLast year I really wanted to see TSO but Tucson fell on the same weekend they were performing. This year, I made sure that I went to see them. I've been attracted to what they do for quite some time and have long been curious about how cool of a performance it might be.<br /><br />Well, last night all my questions were answered. I bought tickets and Lorelei and I sat in the 4th row from the stage. I have been to my share of concerts so when I say this one blew everything else away entirely...it is still an understatement. <br /><br />The first 1.5 to 2 hours was a narrated Christmas story, musical feast, and eye popping something-or-other (I really have no idea how to capture everything in words). The narrator took a bit of getting used to but it was a narrated story of this person with no family to spend time with on Christmas and how even a neon sign on a bar can be a hopeful star on Christmas Eve to some. The story went along with someone that the person met at the bar and started talking to about a story of his own. Between narrations, the band would play, or a singer dressed as a bum would come walking on stage and giving his part in the whole presentation.<br /><br />I can't quite find the proper intensity of words to describe any of this but as the story goes on, it captivates you, makes you feel joyful and lucky for what you do have, it makes you want to help those less fortunate. Somehow you feel transported into this magical world of beauty and joy. I found this story took me through a range of emotions from awesomeness of the performance and music to almost tears. TSO's performance last night was something I can only say as magical. If I had to put it into something more understandable, remember in the Polar Express how the boy felt when he went to see Santa? How everything felt magical? That's the feelings TSO provides through their performance.<br /><br />After that part of the performance was done, the creator of TSO came on stage and asked who was seeing them for the first time. All those applauded and screamed. Then, we were asked who were repeat offenders...I couldn't believe how loud the Honda Center erupted. We were told to hang tight after they played some of the new material off their new album, Night Castle. We had a very special surprise coming.<br /><br />TSO played about 40 minutes of their new material I guess. I was so captivated that I wasn't keeping time. Then Joe Walsh walks out and the audience just erupts in cheer. Holy freakin cow, a surprise appearance by Joe Walsh!!! Joe played a number of songs and even in his 60s, still sounds pretty darn good!<br /><br />If you ever have the opportunity to go see TSO, GO SEE THEM!<br /><br />Photos: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32348&id=1641663813&l=c4dc732369" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/album.<wbr>php?aid=32348&id=1641663813&l=<wbr>c4dc732369</a>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-69563475888273180802009-11-26T09:14:00.001-08:002009-11-26T09:31:37.070-08:00Wojciechowski: Remembering Tony WojoI just wanted to share this story I came across on espn.com as many of us share stories, laugh and joke, watch football and enjoy festive holiday meals with the family and friends we hold dear. While we give thanks for the many things we do have, and complain about the things we don't think is right (politically or whatever), let us be grateful that we can express such thoughts and enjoy such comforts because we have selfless men and women in the military keeping us safe.<br /><br />Being a Marine myself, albeit not actively serving any longer, I always think of our troops every holiday, especially the holidays. I think that few people really realize how lonely it can be to be in the military and not have your family to share it with. For military personnel stationed overseas and those stationed in the US watching their brothers and sisters leave for the holiday while they remain stuck on base it can be a very depressing time. In fact, it's one of the highest times of suicide in the military. To anyone in the military, family means everything.<br /><br />As we enter the holiday season please be thankful for everything you have but also remember those that keep it all possible. If you have family stationed somewhere, write them a letter. You may have no idea how much written mail makes a difference in a soldier, sailor, or Marine's day. If you don't have any family in the military, contact a local charity organization that will send it to a unit and write one of thanks. Let them know they and their hard work are appreciated. All it takes is a few minutes of your time to make a difference.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=4686681">Wojciechowski: Remembering Tony Wojo</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com/">ShareThis</a><br /><div class="headline"> <h2>In memory: Marine's Thanksgiving note</h2> <h3>Tony Wojo's letter home, written in 2006, resonates months after his death in Iraq</h3> </div> <div class="subhead"> <cite class="source"> <a href="http://search.espn.go.com/gene-wojciechowski/"><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/i/columnists/Wojciechowski_Gene_35.jpg" alt="Wojciechowski" border="0" height="48" width="35" /></a> By Gene Wojciechowski<br />ESPN.com<br /><a href="http://search.espn.go.com/gene-wojciechowski/"><br /></a> </cite> </div> <!-- end mod-article-title --> <!-- begin story body --> <p>The e-mail arrived in my ESPN inbox on Friday at 9:32 a.m. It was there among the handful of Russian spam messages, our in-house research notes, expense report statements and dozens of e-mails from Bill Belichick supporters, angry Mark McGwire defenders, as well as one persistent Texas Longhorn fan who insists there's a Worldwide Leader conspiracy against quarterback Colt McCoy.</p><p><b>From</b>: <i>Susan Kroner</i><br /><b>Subject</b>: <i>RE: A Thanksgiving message from Tony Wojciechowski ...</i></p><p>I double-clicked.</p><p><i>Dear Gene,<br />I am not sure if you remember me. My nephew, Staff Sgt. Mark A. Wojciechowski ("Tony Wojo"), was killed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on April 30, 2009.</i></p><div class="mod-inline image image-right"><div style="margin-left: 10px; width: 200px;"><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0508/espn_usmcwoj_200.jpg" alt="Mark A. " tony="" wojciechowski="" border="0" height="300" width="200" /><div style="width: 200px;"><cite>ecnurre.com</cite>"Tony Wojo" was killed in Iraq. For more on his life, click <a href="http://www.ecnurre.com/obituaries/details.asp?id=799" target="new">here</a> or <a href="http://legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=2577107200660" target="new">here</a>.</div></div></div><p>Remember? I'll always remember Susan and her nephew, Tony Wojo, the 25-year-old Marine from Union Township, Ohio, who served two tours of duty before his death almost seven months ago. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=4151343">His remains were returned home in early May</a> and the entire procession route -- from Cincinnati's Lunken Airport to the E.C. Nurre Funeral Home in Amelia, Ohio -- was lined with people honoring the Marine's sacrifice.</p><p>I wrote about it then and still get choked up thinking about a stranger who shares the same last name and whose family, like so many families who have lost loved ones in these wars, approaches the holiday season with a hole in their hearts.</p><p><i>I came across this e-mail that Tony sent to his family and friends at Thanksgiving time in 2006 while he was stationed in Japan and was not able to come home to share the holiday with us. His mother has re-sent this to many of his friends to remind them what Thanksgiving meant to Tony.</i></p><p>His letter was attached below Susan's note. I read it and asked the family for permission to reprint it here.</p><p><b>From</b>: <i>Mark Wojciechowski</i><br /><b>Sent</b>: <i>Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006</i></p><p><i>Thanksgiving often passes to some as another holiday: a day of food, family and football, with little more than just tradition and routine setting the tone. To some, it reminds them of the "American Heritage," the whole pilgrims came, made peace with the Indians, shared a harvest together -- and we still celebrate that today.</i></p><p><i>Thanksgiving is also, to most, a time to give thanks to the Lord, from which all things are made possible and whom without, there would be nothing to be thankful or unthankful for.</i></p><p><i>Perhaps it is now, [as] I am growing older and have a newfound respect for simpler and less tangible things, or the fact that I am unable to be where I would like to be sometimes, [that] I can describe what Thanksgiving means to me.</i></p><p><i>Obviously, Thanksgiving means being thankful for the things you have, but what does that include? I am thankful for being blessed with a wonderful family, a family that supports me in every way and is always there for me, even though I try not to need them as much as I probably should. I am thankful for health and well-being, not only my own, but the health and well-being of those around me which I love.</i></p><p><i>I am thankful for the society we live in and the comforts we take for granted each and every day. Although many will think our system is far from perfect, at least we can rest our heads each night without even so much as a remote worry of bombs being dropped, bullets being shot or poverty in our future.</i></p><p><i>Of all of the things I am thankful for, none of them would be as rich as they are without giving proper thanks to all of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, in wars past and present, to give me the liberty and freedom.</i></p><p><i>Even though I am serving in the military and will be spending this holiday away from my home and my family, I am thankful for all of my brethren -- the troops that are currently serving in harm's way. Not only are they away from their families, but they won't even have the pleasure of safety or rest this holiday weekend.</i></p><p><i>I hope you have a happy and safe holiday. After all, I think being together is one of the things people overlook. It doesn't mean as much until you can't have it.</i></p><p><i>As for me, my holiday will be just fine. I will be surrounded by a great group of guys, which I have come to love as brothers.</i></p><p><i>I will talk to you all soon. I love you.</i></p><p><i>Tony</i></p><p>Wojciechowski was deployed to Iraq from Japan. He later returned to Camp Pendleton, Calif., before a second deployment to Iraq this past February. He was killed in action, according to the Department of Defense, "while supporting combat operations."</p><p>Wrote Susan in her e-mail:</p><p><i>There are numerous people, including a Marine unit stationed in Iraq, who will be reading [Tony's letter] at their dinner table on Thanksgiving.</i></p>And one in Wheaton, Ill., too. It's the least I can do.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://sharethis.com/"></a>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-71106185823682004602009-11-22T20:22:00.000-08:002009-11-26T12:12:51.054-08:00El Tour de Tucson 2009Well, El Tour de Tucson is in the books for 2009 and officially it closes my race year. I'm sure as I turn my focus from road cycling back to the TT bike and more running in preparation for Auburn I'll have some reflecting to do on this past year. Reflection can be a good thing. I've been fortunate enough to feel what a podium finish is like a few times, what it feels like to be thoroughly beaten, and that I'm pleased with my first year of duathlons. Standing on podiums my first year simply confirms that I can win. Not standing on them lets me know I have more to work on and that improvement is never a finite thing.<br /><br />I drove out to Tucson Thursday morning. It was such a long day of driving. Arizona really has gotten ridiculous with their speed enforcement cameras on the highways. They are about every 5 miles is seems and literally seem to create a safety hazard as people drive one way and then suddenly slow down for the cameras and then speed right back up again. The traffic surges are ridiculous. At some point you choose either one of the lanes that's going ridiculously slow or another that may be a little too fast and it triggers these cameras. I have no idea what the allowance is.<br /><br />I arrived out in Tucson between 4 and 4:30 pm Thursday and picked up my timing chip, bib number, free swag etc. and then checked into the hotel.<br /><br />Friday...went to the Pima Air and Space museum and took the AMARG tour of the local Air Force Base in Tucson. On the base is what they call the "Boneyard". It can be seen via satellite<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=105728220099918403467.000479025e3a8c2be84da&ll=32.157376,-110.849047&spn=0.052318,0.077162&t=h&z=14"> here</a>. Go ahead and zoom in. I outlined the area with a blue line. The Boneyard is where planes go to bed mothballed. These planes are used for parts for planes still in service today by us and other countries. There are countries we sell our old planes to and when those break down, they come back to us for parts. It's reportedly one of the few parts of the government that actually makes money. The program makes about $17 for every $1 we spend on those planes there. Of course, the cost of building them is not factored into it as they are accepted costs of having them around long ago.<br /><br />Our tour bus announcer was a pretty spry old guy. He told us about how they had 2 inches of snow one morning in Tucson. The local news held a photo and caption contest and one guy took a picture of the snow sitting on his palm tree adjacent to his house and sent it in. It was the winning photo and caption. What was the caption you ask? Dad...you love this! =) "But it's a dry heat!". hehe<br /><br />Saturday was race day. I woke up early, took a shower, cooked breakfast and headed out to the start area. I arrived about a hour before the start which seemed perfect timing. Alex and Nancy came shortly after and poor Alex. He had a flat from our easy ride the day before. He understandably got frustrated, changed it and made it to the starting area but not up with me.<br /><br />Eventually we were off! While we were waiting at the starting area the announcer thanked us all for our generosity. There were 13 charities involved with El Tour this year and just only 3 had reported their contributions it was announced that the expected goals for this year had been surpassed. Those 3 charities were reporting a combined total at that point of 1.6 million dollars. So, our generosity was thanked as well as our attendance to El Tour because neither would be as successful without the other. El Tour this year was the most expensive El Tour de Tucson ever costing 1.8 million. It really is a first class event for this small desert town.<br /><br />I felt pretty good through the whole course. I exercised my demon from the past two years and had no cramping and no bonking over the last 20 miles. I finished all 80 miles feeling strong. Of course, the legs burned but that sure beats cramps and the awful bonk. Finish time? 4:11. It's not better than my first year's 4:01 but is better than last year's 4:23.<br /><br />In attendance for the 80 mile event was Gary Fisher. Yes the MTB legend! =) Other pro riders showed up for the 109 mile distance as is usually the case.<br /><br />After the race I cycled through my data. For some reason my speed was never recorded which was also why I didn't have my ride distance available on display or any other data contingent on speed or distance. All I really had to upload then was my heart rate info and calorie expenditure. My heart rate was certainly up there. The interesting thing was, was that I averaged 160 bpm and even when I peaked at 184 it didn't feel like my heart was about to stage a revolt like normal. The legs and cardio systems really worked great the entire time regardless of what I asked of them. I burned 4561 calories, taking in about 1800 along the way and boy was I just something about to rampage if I didn't get something in me quick. <br /><br />I arrived home this evening after a long day of driving. It didn't feel as bad coming back as it did going out but long nonetheless. Good to be home.<br /><br />Some weekend photos <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=31394&id=1641663813&l=7a8bd8dea7">here</a>. Results <a href="http://perimeterbicycling.com/%21ETT/ETT09Results/ETT09-FS.html">here</a>.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782561584949398811.post-58789091259190626552009-11-17T20:11:00.000-08:002009-11-17T20:15:04.745-08:00REVIEW: The Circle by Bon JoviFirst, let me get something off my chest about the album...<br /><br />I looked at ticket prices last night for his new album tour to the Honda Center and Staples Center. Nose bleed ticket prices were $150 and $120 respectively a couple days ago. So Jon, when you and Richie write songs like "Work For The Working Man" and you sing about dreams, hopes, and essentially the hard honest work many people do how is it you charge so much for seats so far away? That's saying nothing of the seats closer. I've loved your music since I found a cassette tape (7800 Fahrenheit) at YMCA camp when I was a kid. I've never been able to see you and before you start to decline vocally which is inevitable I'd like to see you at least once. <br /><br />Ok, now about the album...<br /><br />There are good songs on this album but there will be nothing that really jumps out at you. "Work For The Working Man" to me, took as close of a step back to the 80s with Jon's old bluesy rock songs. He does prove he has vocal strength in a number of the songs but the songs are certainly softer than the 80s. That being said, it's not the 80s anymore folks and Jon isn't 20-something.<br /><br />"We Weren't Born To Follow" is an upbeat song that I like because it really raises your spirits. In our current time, there's a lot to balk about in the news and politics. While Jon certainly sings about how things are now he does inject something upbeat and positive into the album with this song.<br /><br />I'm not really certain I can classify "Superman Tonight" as a ballad but for anyone that's been in love it's a song we can all identify with. It most certainly is a song that after one day of owning the album I find myself singing along to. <br /><br />"Bullet" is a grittier sounding song. Again, a bluesy sound permeates this song from time to time. Perhaps it's a bit country inspired Kid Rock-ish in spots but I still enjoy listening to it.<br /><br />"Thorn In My Side" is a bit generic while being higher tempo. It hasn't really grown on me yet but perhaps it will the longer I listen to it.<br /><br />"Live Before You Die" is a quieter song. It's a song that really makes you think about how eventually " there will come a day you'll have to say hello to goodbye". So...the message is don't take tomorrow's sunrise for granted and make sure to live as full of a life as possible. I like the song because it's how I live my life as best as possible. I may only be 31 but I have my bucket list...the things I want to do and accomplish before time runs out. I wouldn't say this song is for everyone though.<br /><br />"Brokenpromiseland" is a pretty cool song for me. It's definitely a song that has a bluesy twang to it but ya know what? I'm kinda digging the bluesy twang in Bon Jovi. I never listened to his last album (the country one) but I don't mind what he's being doing since Crush. <br /><br />I'm still listening to the album trying to allow the other songs time to grow on me. The ones I've written about are ones that I have a solid opinion about and for the most part, enjoy. Don't expect a huge rock album out of this. It's nothing even comparable to his 80s and early 90s music. If you liked Crush then you will enjoy The Circle, simply put.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15643489644055129654noreply@blogger.com0