Labor day weekend

Saturday morning we went up to the farm. Lazy weekend. Set up the badminton net. Put up a couple of swings on the hedgeapple tree. Took a few pictures. But, the shots of the snapping turtle didn't come out very good. Must have moved from the pond to try and find another place to live. Ran once Sunday morning, easy 10 miles.

Come back to Murfreesboro Monday morning. I weed eated the yard, while PJ trimmed the shrubs. Ryan came over and mowed the grass. PJ paid him $25. Our mower died last time I mowed the yard. The rings were shot I believe. It'd been smoking for awhile.

Went into work for a little while on Monday night. But, not before stopping at the stone gates of PWP for a little bike ride. Warmed up on Belle Meade Blvd. Then rode the 11.2 route, plus added the Shell cut through, as an out and back. Ok, I love the park for running, but biking wow. Got up to 33 mph on a couple of the downhills. I didn't even try and push it all the way. I'd like to follow someone who could descend and see how they push the corners. I slowed down to around 18 mph to go around the one 180 degree hairpin turn on the backside of nine mile hill. I've heard of a couple of bikers who have either hit the wall or gone down in that turn.

Little Creek Half Marathon

Brian and Dylan waiting for the runner to arrive.






Tired old Ford Galaxie



start



aid station never materialized



out and back course, turn around point

fast weekend

Made a quick trip up to the farm Saturday morning. We stayed overnight and came back early Sunday afternoon. Little bit cooler out in the country versus Mufreesboro. PJ and her mom picked a crop of beans, cucumbers and squash. Watermelons are starting to grow and quite a few cantaloupes as well. Peppers didn't do well at all. Tomatoes are plentiful, but difficult to pick. Planted them to close together. Bob and I worked on sealing the roof on the camper. Caulk I bought at x-mart was all dried up, both tubes. Ended up using a tube of caulk he had left over. Patched the hole I made with the hammer. Put on a coat of cool seal. We'll put on one more coat next time we come up.

Dug up a cactus to put in Aiden and Thumper's garden. Also dug up some kind of wildflower, similar to a foxglove, but different kind of flowers. Need to ask Trine what the best wildflower book is for middle Tennessee. Next time Dylan and I go to the library we can check out a few and try and figure out some of the flowers. The wildflowers and sunflowers Ryan planted are attracting all kinds of birds. Seems the mocking birds are attracted to the bugs that like the flowers and golf finches just like the seeds?

Moved some rocks from the fence row. Easy to see how someone can get hurt easily on the farm. I was lifting a rock that Bob wasn't able to get into the bucket and damn near smashed my arm between it and the bucket on the tractor. Jeez, that would be one of those farm accidents where a man looses his arm. Dylan got a kick out of the big salamander we found under one of the rocks. Solid black with yellow spots. We put him back under another rock, to live another day.

Sunday morning slept in till 7 am. Real late start for a run. Took it easy and did a 4 mile out and back down Big Creek road. 8 miles total, but the road was about 50/50 shade and sun. I could taste the heat rolling off the road, pretty warm for that time of the morning. Quiet morning, saw lots of butterfly's, more so than the birds. At least 20 different kinds of wildflowers growing on the side of the road. This is the type of run where I wouldn't mind stopping and taking pictures, if I had a small enough camera to bring along.

Saturday before we left for the farm, I was able to get in a 13.1 mile marathon pace run. Ran from the house, almost to Cannonsburg and back. Waited until almost 6 am before I left the house. Busiest the greenways been all year. Lots of runners, walkers, dog walkers and bikes. Really felt good going out. Even had visions of a fast marathon in my future. Reality on the return leg. Mostly the heat and sun in the last 2 miles, but only slowed to a 7:42 coming up the rise towards the house and still able to average a 7:27 pace for the run.

Missed 2 days of the tour. One HC climb on Sundays stage. Pretty steep climb for the finish and a change in the yellow jersey. Dennis Menchov crashed going up the hill, flashback to Lance a few years back. Just don't see how those guys are able to jump right back on the bike and recover as quickly as they do. I've hit the ground twice on the bike. I laid on the ground both times for quite a while before I felt like getting back up. Even after getting back on the bike, the rest of the ride was easy. Not balls to the wall, like these guys.

Happy 4th

Sunflower at the farm


snake eggs, must have been a BIG snake


Darrell and Oscar


PJ, Lance and Dylan


Dylan

Gone country

Packed up the car right after work on Friday and headed to the farm. We got there about 30 minutes before the sun went down.

Saturday morning I got up at 3:30 am to get my run in, started at 4:30 am. I wanted to do 10 miles at a 7:30 pace. After 4 miles my heart rate started really creeping up to almost tempo pace. Looking at the elevation map, I can see why. I had been climbing slowly the whole way. At 5 miles I hit the top of one hill and decided to just go down the other side for a mile to make an even 12 miles. (out and back) The return was fast, 7:15's mostly. Didn't pay much attention to the heart rate, just went comfortably hard, marathon pace. Great run, probably 60 degrees to start and only 64 degrees when I finished.



When I got back everyone was ready to go fishing. We went back below Cordell Hull dam. Didn't catch much and threw them all back. Stopped at the overlook on the way back. Pretty nice, the boys enjoyed it, wished I'd brought the camera. Left it in the van. I only took a couple of pictures at the farm on this trip. Saw some blooms on some cactus which I liked and took a picture of them and looking back up the hill at the barn.






The girls worked on the trailer. Made some curtains. Painted. It's starting to look pretty good.

Sunday we went back out to the lake so the boys could go swimming. I took the kayak and paddled around as well. Dylan got a lot of sun on his face, even though we put sunscreen on all of the kids. I'd have thought Ryan would have gotten sunburned he had the fairest skin. Bob and I enjoyed a good cigar while the boys swam. Everyone was worn out by the time would got home.

Lots of birds and wildlife out on this trip. The turkeys were roosting behind the barn and would fly down to the spring. Hummingbirds were at the feeders. Saw an indigo bunting a couple of times. Need to get my bird book out and figure out what bird built a nest in the hollowed out fence post. Saw the deer coming up the hill this morning while I was drinking my coffee. The blue bird seems to like the open field and the telephone wires.

back to work

Long holiday weekends take a toll. Today was catch up at work. Slept in this morning and only had time for 4 miles and weights this morning before work.

Saturday we went fishing in the tail waters of Cordell Hull Dam. It was all of the guys. We went late in the afternoon and didn't really start catching any fish until it started cooling off a little bit. The boys used worms we dug up at the farm. No big fish, mostly blue gills, some pretty good sized though. Highlight of the trip, a bald eagle. Darrell spotted it. It flew towards us and then turned and landed in the trees on the cliffs overlooking the tail waters. That may be the second time I've ever seen a bald eagle in the wild.

Sunday we chopped up the downed cedar tree. Tim and I cut up some pieces to make a bench. The first attempt was pretty lame. I gave up and Tim took over. Between him and a little input from everyone else they finished up the bench. It turned out really nice. Lots of character. Took the boys back to the same place to go fishing, but waited until around 6:30 in the evening. Lots more fish this time. Darrell only caught one, but it was a decent size Sauger. We didn't get back until late. Darrell and I stayed up to clean all of the fish and everyone else went to bed. Took some benadryl for my allergies.

Monday morning it rained before we got up. Everyone stayed dry in the camper. I went for a 8 mile run down Little Creek road. It was just a 4 mile out and back. It was already hot and sunny when I started. Saw a 6 foot black racer and pileated woodpecker.

Holiday weekend

Memorial Day

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:

1. by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.



2. by visiting memorials.



3. by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.



4. by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).



5. by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.



6. by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

______________________________________________________

PJ interviewed for a position in Murfreesboro, yesterday. She'll start on Wednesday. It's 4 miles from the house or around 4.5 via the greenway. Her commute before was about 30 minutes to Smyrna, now it'll only be 5 minutes. Same company, they just built a new office in the new Medical Center corridor. It would be cool if I could get a job in that area as well.

We'll head up to the farm on Saturday morning. No big plans, just chill out. Probably attempt to make a bench out of the cedar tree the wind blew over.

Really miss the running. My allergies have been giving me fits all week. Even PJ has allergy issues. Almost tempted to take some kind of over the counter antihistamine. Probably will if I don't get back running soon.

Headed out the door this morning for a easy 4 mile run. Got to the main road and decided I needed a real bathroom so went down to the greenway. Gate was locked and so was the bathroom. No problem, just go on down the greenway to the General Bragg trailhead. The greenway was a tunnel of white flowers. Don't know what kind of bushes, but the aroma was overpowering. Not sweet smelling like the honeysuckle and completely overpowered it. Quarter mile into this and my throat felt like it was swelling shut. Arrgh, Lisa I can feel your pain. Felt better coming back through on the return leg. Ended up with 7.95 miles. Dumb runner mistake 101, going to far coming back off a injury. Calf felt good, iced it as a precaution.(note to self, TP regardless of run length) Bathroom at Bragg was locked as well.

Check out this cool tunnel. Free State Trail Run.

Speed, some days you've got it................

Think I only ended up with a couple of spots of poison ivy on my legs from Sundays trail run. Took yesterday off, the ankle was still a little sore and the legs were itchy from the poison ivy. Went to the grocery store last night for some beer and milk with calamine lotion all over my legs:)

The rest of Sunday we spent up at the farm. PJ, her mom and sister finished covering the other seat cushions for the camper. I weedeated down by the road and took the chainsaw and cut up a fallen tree. Also spread the rest of the gravel inside the barn. Couldn't get the chainsaw started at first. Brand new chainsaw, I took it out of the box. Of course everyone thought they could start it, no go. Took it apart and ends up the "safety switch" wasn't allowing it to get a spark. Disconnected the switch and got it to run. Problem now was it wouldn't shut off. Had to stall out the motor to shut it off.

Decided to go ahead and do a tempo run this morning. Lousy effort, more of a half hearted progression run. Only positive was four miles versus the three miles last week. Splits were pitiful, 6:53, 7:00, 6:52, 6:42. Target is 6:30-6:40. Only excuse I'll throw out is the benadryl from sunday. That's why I hate taking that stuff.

Ate my granola and yogurt this morning on the deck. Sunshine felt good and nice to hear the birds singing. Can't hardly even type this out this morning because, Lance, PJ's dog thinks he's a lap dog. Little rat has to be right in my lap.

Lightning and the Lascassas Loop

Heavy rain and lots of lightning this morning at 4:00 am when I got up to get a early start. Rain front coming through won't pass until probably 8 or 9 am. That would be great if I were running the Strolling Jim (one of these days) or the Wild Thang. The Wild Thang is a 9 mile trail run at Long Hunter State Park. I've done the race once, volunteered once. Ran the trail countless times. Cool thing about that race, instead of a t-shirt, you get a tree seedling. Seems some of the bigger races have started to give out technical shirts instead of the cotton, its about time. Sure don't need anymore cotton t-shirts.

Needed to be done this morning by 7 am so we could head up to the farm. Pops poured a concrete slab for his motorhome. He also got a couple loads of gravel to spread in the barn to keep the dust down. The rain will be done by the time we get to the farm, just means I won't get my run in today. I don't mind running in the rain, its the lightning I don't want to mess with.

More later..


Starting point of Lascassas and Spain hill loops

Ended up starting my run at 6:30 am, the front pushed through faster than I thought. Got rained on for the first 2 miles and last 2 miles. No biggie, just a light drizzle. Planned on doing 12 miles at 7:30 pace, but cut it short at 10.8 because of the late start. Ended up averaging 7:25 pace, right about marathon pace. Took the camera and stopped 6 times to take pictures. Good thing I was by myself. Lots of buzzards out and saw one American Goldfinch.


first rise on the Lascassas loop


coyote corner looking towards the bridge

coyote corner looking across the field by the creek

coyote corner looking back up the hill

spain hill across the field

looking back down the last hill on the Lascassas loop

To wet for Dylan's ball game, it was canceled. Rushed for nothing on my run, to wet to go to the farm, we'll go tomorrow instead. Rest of today we'll shop for camping stuff for the farm, plus do some birthday shopping for Dylan. He'll be seven.

Struggle

This mornings run started out ok, but ended lousy. Fairly warm 53 degrees and a gray sky. Started out on the Spain Hill loop but after a mile in, I realized I didn't have my water bottle. Turned around to get an even 3 miles back to the car. Headed out again and went out Hwy 96 on the Lascassas loop. Plan was a 13 mile long run. I took it easy and felt good for the first 9 miles. Climbed the last big hill and slowed considerably. Couldn't get a good pace going after that hill. Drank the last of my water at 10 miles and continued slowing. By 11 miles I was out of energy and slogging along. At 12.4 miles I started walking. Walked the remaining 1.4 miles back to my car. Took a succeed cap before I started and again at 6 miles. No cramping, not really a bonk. Think I just got dehydrated? Felt ok once I got back to the car and drank my last water bottle.

Spent the rest of the day at the farm. PJ's sister and family drove up with us. Granny and Pop were already there. We pulled the camper and set it up inside the barn. PJ cleaned it and the boys ran around. The rest of us put up a flag pole. Grilled some brauts and hot dogs. Shot the 22's and the Glock down at the pond.

Weekend

Busy weekend. Went with Bob up to the farm to winterize the coach Saturday morning. He blew out the water lines, while I opened up each of the faucets in the coach. Didn't take long. On the way back thru Carthage we stopped at the stockyards, after he bought my lunch. We were to early to watch the sale, so we went around back to watch them unload the trucks. Lots of cattle.

PJ and Dylan did the easter egg thing at the church while we were gone. When we got back Dylan wanted to practice street hockey in Lavergne. Still little chilly, 50 degrees with a little wind. Watched the "Bee" movie with Jerry Steinfeld and Renee Zellweger, later that night. Great graphics, the movie was ok.

Sunday did the Easter lunch after church. Ate to much. PJ and I must have caught some virus. I thought it was something we ate, but I stayed in bed all the rest of the day on Sunday. Stomach still feels quesy today. We both had low grade fevers.

Ankle swelling is almost gone. Peak of the color probably, lots of purple and green. Optimistic that a couple more days off and I'll be good to go.

tractor

Going to look at a tractor this afternoon. I know zero about tractors. Bob, would like to have a small tractor for the farm. He's been looking, but doesn't really know if the small compact tractors will get the job done. Talked with his cousin last night and thinks the John Deere 755 will work. Think that't the one we're going to go see.
The farm has lots of rocks that need to be moved, a pile of tobacco stalks to be reduced and a pond to rebuild. The compact tractor should work. Only difficult thing will be to get someone to deliver it and all of the implements.
Well, change of plan. Bob has decided he doesn't want a wieny tractor. He wants a 30-40 hp tractor, bigger than the compact tractors. Oh, well. I think the compact tractor would have been adequate.
Stopped and made a pitstop at Cannonsburg this morning in the middle of my run. Forgot about all of the old tractors behind the chapel.(Paula and I were married there in 1985) They have a collection of unrestored tractors from the early 20's through 1950. Pretty cool, basically just a giant engine hooked to a giant differential with a seat on top.