Go, you chicken fat, go away!

I wanted to get up early and go on a long double digit run this morning.  But late yesterday afternoon I found out that I had to take my son out and set up flags for his Boy Scout troop.  And we had to do a double shift because so many people were out of town.  So we got up at 6am and finished at 7:30.  I immediately got changed because it was already warming up.  I decided to run south down Ellsworth towards the San Tans because I figured it was uphill and when I turned around I would be going downhill.  I went 4 miles and decided that was enough.

Time - 1:11:21 (avg. pace 8:52)

Splits - 8:26, 8:34, 8:45, 9:14, 8:37, 8:56, 9:02, 9:19, 0:29

Temp - 85

This is Gina.  Her story is to come.  Stay tuned.

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If you're only here to read about my daily workout, navigate away right now.  If you like good stories, stick around a bit.

This is the story of the (what's the correct phrase here?  Obsession? Passion? Fetish?  Let' say "healthy fascination") I have with the Phoenix Suns Dance Team.  It all started when I was a junior in high school.  The young men (ages 12 to 18) in our church went on a trip to watch a Suns game.  It just so happened that it was the Suns Dance Team autograph night.  (Of course it was.  What better way for the devil to taint a church-sanctioned activity with the purpose of bonding a bunch of hormone-raging teenagers?)  They handed out posters of the dance team and you could take your poster around the arena, find the girls out at their folding tables, and have them sign your poster.  I got most of them to sign it.  Graciously they were nice enough to be a little flirtatious, and that sure makes a skinny little dorky 17-year old feel good about himself.  I was the only one brave enough to bring my poster to school the next day, and for that day I was king.

Jump ahead 16 years and the skinny little dorky kid is now a big fat dorky man.  (If you haven't guessed, it's me.)  I was playing basketball three times a week, but it wasn't enough to keep me in good shape, and I was really starting to let myself go.  I also would watch the Phoenix Suns games as often as occasion would permit.  I did not have cable so that meant only being able to watch the away games that were broadcast on local television network UPN45.  Enter Gina.  Gina was a typical Suns dancer, nothing to make her stand out from amongst her peers.  She spent the typical two to three years with the team as the rest of them do.  (Incidentally, she no longer is with them.)  But somebody at UPN45 decided Gina was a standout, as it were.  They hired her on to do commercial stints.  "Coming up after the game, back to back episodes of Malcolm in the Middle."�  Kudos to UPN45.  She was great.  Maybe that's just my bias from a deeply engraved hormonal memory speaking.  I thought everybody knew and loved Gina.

At the beginning 2007 while Gina was at the height of her advertising/marketing career and most people are setting resolutions to better themselves for the coming year, my work put on a Biggest Loser contest to motivate people to reach their goals.  I knew I had a weight issue, so I signed up.  Quickly I started to shed the pounds and regain my confidence.  About a month into it, my good friend from work, Brad, took me to a Suns game.  He has season tickets.  (I'm not just calling him a good friend because I mooch Suns tickets off him every year.  He's a sweet guy.)  We got there a little earlier than we usually do.  As we were walking down the hall to my great and wonderful astonishment I see Gina flanked by two other Suns dancers (Who were they?  Who cares?) coming our way.  I can't believe it.  It's actually her!  When she passed us I said, "Hi Gina."  But I said it in a way as if I knew her.  Her natural response was to say "hi"� back to me.  I could see in her eyes that she was trying to figure out where the heck she knew me from.  I think at that moment she realized what a star she was.  I continued walking and as soon as we were out of earshot Brad said, "Where in the world did that come from?"  I was like, "That's Gina.  Everybody knows and loves Gina."�

Brad was so amused by my new found bravado that it didn't take long for the tale to spread through the office the next day.  Bobby from work sent out a company email with his predictions of who would win the Biggest Loser contest.  Most people figured Nate, the skinny guy, would be the runaway winner because percentage wise, the numbers should work in his favor.  Bobby stated that my chances at winning the contest were about as good as my chances at getting a date with a Suns Dancer.  (You cut me really deep there, Bobby.)

About a week later Brad offered me his tickets again because he couldn't go.  I made up my mind to get that date with the Suns dancer, or at least a picture with one, Gina preferably.  My brother-in-law Curtis and I arrived at the stadium and found some Suns dancers in short fashion.  There were three of them.  Gina was not among them, but no matter.  I walked up to them (remember the newly found confidence) and asked if they would be kind enough to pose in a picture with me.  Maybe it's part of their job description, but they were happy to oblige.  Now I had the evidence I needed that I would indeed be the champion of the Biggest Loser contest.  (Side note: I did win in a big way.  Dropped 42 lbs. and walked away with $450.)  And for a day, again, I was king.

To bring an end to this story, now every time I go to a Suns game I am not only encouraged by the people I'm with to ask the lovely ladies for a photo op, I am compelled to do so.  Yes, it makes my wife jealous, but she need not worry.  A pretty face could not replace the everything that she is.  And secretly I bet she loves me even more because of it.  The end.

Time - 43:14 (avg. pace 8:06)

Splits - 7:54, 8:11, 8:14, 8:25, 8:04, 2:26 (7:07 avg.)

Temp - 82

Finish time - 7am

It's been a while since I've had some sub 8's.  I've been taking it so easy because of the rising temps, and I want to up my mileage.  I think I'll do a fast 3 miles tomorrow and ride my bike to work.

Two words to describe today's run: Yuh key!  I've narrowed down the possibilities for the yuckiness to three reasons.  1) Last night my wife made me a delicious reese's peanut butter shake.  So good.  But it was still around this morning.  2) I did not purge myself of the yumminess.  3) As soon as I opened my bedroom door this morning I was greeted to a houseful of greasy smoke.  My daughters decided to surprise everyone by cooking breakfast.  Apparently they didn't know that you don't need to cook bacon in oil.  The scent alone sent my cholesterol levels through the roof.  So. 

Time - 23:09 (avg. pace 7:43)

Splits -

1 mile - 7:31 - trying to run through the lingering affects of the bacony lungs.  Focusing on shorter strides and faster turn-over rate.

2 mile - 7:41 - about half way into it I feel some pressure in my bowels.

3 mile - 7:57 - This mile is almost always faster than my second mile, but not today.  I felt like I might enter puke zone or worse if I sped up.

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AM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.5 miles

Time - 1:12:41

Avg Speed - 14.4 mph

Max Speed - 21.4 mph

Temp -  86

I don't think I ever stopped sweating after my run.  Not a fun ride today.

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PM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.5 miles

Time - 1:02:29

Avg Speed - 16.8 mph

Max Speed - 25.0 mph

Temp -  ??? hot

I couldn't get up this morning, so I ran tonight.  There was a cool lightning storm for my viewing pleasure.

Time - 23:30 (avg. pace 7:50)

Finish time - 9:45pm

Temp - 99

Splits - 8:01, 8:04, 7:25

AM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.5 miles

Time - 1:05:21

Avg. Speed - 16.1 mph

Max Speed - 21.2 mph

Temp - 88

Enjoyable ride today.  Probably because I didn't work up a sweat beforehand going on a run.  Hopefully I'll get a run in tonight again.

PM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.67 miles

Time - 1:05:15

Avg Speed - 16.2 mph

Max Speed - 23.3 mph

Temp -  106

Yesterday I saw two prairie dogs on the way to work and four on the way home.  I decided to make a game out of counting how many I saw today.

AM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.48 miles

Time - 1:04:32

Avg. Speed - 16.2 mph

Max Speed - 20.8 mph

Temp - 89

Prairie Dogs - 37

PM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.48 miles

Time - 1:05:21

Avg. Speed - 16.0 mph

Max Speed - 23.7 mph

Temp - 109

Prairie Dogs - 3

Whenever I get to work I fill up my water bottle and freeze it.  Yesterday it was 106 when I left and there was just a tiny sliver of ice left.  Today, nothing.  Still cold though.

Buddy I'm still alive, and I'm here to remind you, of the mess you left since you went away, it's not fair to something something, of the cross I bear something else, giddyup giddyup, you ought to know.  That's the crummy song I had stuck in my head his morning.  And it was pretty much that same part over and over.  Now I was thinking how much I miss Montelepsy and Kungfublonde, and I know how much KFB loves Alannis, so that may be the reason.

0.20 mile warm up.

Time - 46:06 (avg. pace 8:37)

Splits -

1 mile - 8:23

2 mile - 8:26

3 mile - 8:34

4 mile - 8:56

5 mile - 8:53

0.35 miles - 2:55 (8:19)

Temp - 88

No songs in my head this morning, thank goodness.  I set my alarm to get up at 4am this morning, but I wasn't about to drag myself out of bed on 3 hours of sleep.  We've decided to do monthly interviews starting yesterday evening with my kids.    Surprisingly the kids really got into them, especially the younger ones.  So I didn't get to bed until 11:30pm.  I flipped between Jesse James is a Dead Man, Charm School, and Sports Center until midnight.  Then the baby kept me up until 1am.  I think she's starting to get sick.  This is how it usually starts.

Time - 45:15 (avg. pace 8:28)

Splits -

1 mile - 8:26

2 mile - 8:11

3 mile - 8:29

4 mile - 8:43

5 mile - 8:40

0.34 miles - 2:45 (8:01)

Temp - 89

I think I was running some fat miles as Sasha explains on the Discussion Forum.  I say that because I was running slow, but it still took some effort.  And I weighed in before my run at 202.  196 after.

Time - 45:21 (avg. pace 8:31)

Splits -

1 mile - 8:16

2 mile - 8:13

3 mile - 8:30

4 mile - 8:41

5 mile - 8:49

0.33 miles - 2:52 (8:41)

Temp - 89

I did a tempo run this morning.  At least, that's what I think it was.  I'm not too sure on all these fancy workout names.  I did one mile easy, then one mile as hard as I could, then another 1.1 easy.

Total time - 24:51 (avg. pace 8:01) (max 5:39)

Splits -

1 mile - 8:34

2 mile - 6:35

3 mile - 8:56

0.1 mile - 46 sec (7:55 avg.)

Temp - 88

Thursday's workout was designed specifically to determine whether or not I would run in the Arizona Road Racers Summer Series #4.  I did the first race with James W.  I might have done the entire series, but they have 2 of the 5 races on Sunday.  I like to avoid running on Sundays.  Bad things happen.  Back to Thursday.  Since I hadn't been training for speed lately due to the increasing temperatures, I wasn't sure how I would do.  Thursday I ran a mile in 6:35.  Before my last 5k I ran a 6:26.  I knew I was a touch slower, but decided to run anyway.

I forgot my Garmin today so I'll just post a bunch of pictures instead of giving a mile by mile breakdown.  Who doesn't love pictures?

Wait wasn't too bad.  Immediately afterwards I took the high ground and did a 1.4 mile warm-up.

After my warm-up I stretched out.  I had about 4 minutes before the start of the race.  By this time the chute was full of runners.  I started out in the back and it took me about 2 minutes before I crossed the starting line.

Because I started so far back, I was passing people the whole race.  I got passed a couple of times.  It wasn't long and I knew I wouldn't be PR-ing.  Too hot.

Down the stretch I was able to pass a bunch of runners.  Enjoy these action shots in Tempe's beautiful Kiwanis Park.

At one point in the race there was a gentlemen on a bicycle coming down the path.  I was ready to clothesline him.  "Can't you see there's a race going on old man??"  It turns out he was the race official making sure people stayed to the right.  The pack of lead runners was right behind him.  Man, they were fast.  (I look so dorky when I run.)

Staying wide to the right to avoid the puddle of water.  My wife said she saw someone biff it.

Sweat levels 10 - Captain Insano.  I could use the services of an experienced waterboy.

(Notice the can of soda I nicked in my pocket.)  After the race I saw an old high school friend of mine.  Even though we ran cross country together, I never expected to see him at a race.  I wasn't sure it was him at first, so I yelled "Somar!" and looked away.  He kind of paused.  Then I said, "Mike Somar!" and did a 180.  Now he stopped, and I turned around so he could see me.  He was like, "I know  you from somewhere.  I recognize your eyes."  He probably didn't know it was me because I was too cool to wear my glasses in high school.  It was good to catch up with him, and we've already added each other as FaceBook friends.  The End.

My legs are still a little sore from the race Saturday which is weird because I didn't push it that hard until the very end.  Took it easy today.

Time - 25:02 (avg. pace 8:21)

Splits -

1 mile - 8:25

2 mile - 8:25

3 mile - 8:12

Temp - 89

I was running late today, so I'm finally blogging for real.  I didn't get to work until 9:30am because I had to take my boy to his comedy class at Jester'z.  The other reason it took me so long to blog is because I saw a dead lizard lying on its back on my run.  I figured it was a bad omen that maybe Eric Day would die today.  I didn't want to say anything in case it really happened.  I could never live with myself.

Time - 1:06:44 (8:50 avg.)

Splits - 8:23, 8:35, 8:46, 8:52, 8:53 , 8:52, 9:19, 5:05 (9:11 avg.)

Temp - 88

It was a little cooler today because of the monsoons.  At about mile 4.9 the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.  I thought to myself, "These last 2.6 miles are going to stink."  But after a couple 100 yards it slipped back again.  Then with a mile to go it reared its shiny face again, this time as I was running directly into it.  The coolest part of the run was when I crossed Queen Creek Wash.  I saw this big ol' squirrel scurry across a path.  Then as if tagged in by the squirrel, a bunny rabbit hopped the other way.  Right on cue after the rabbit a family of quail followed the path of the squirrel.

My family and I went up to the high country outside of Payson, AZ for our ward camp out.  We had a good time.  There were 10 of us; me, my wife, my 6 kids, my sister, and my dog.  I slept on the hard ground inside the tent.  Because I wasn't stinky enough from wearing the same clothes for two days, sweating constantly, and being around smoky campfires, I went on a run.  We had everything packed up and went down to the lake.  It was 5 and three quarter miles to the main road.  When I left I told my wife to wait 30 minutes, then come and get me.  That was around 12:30pm.  Hot.  As I was driving down to the lake I was scoping out the run.  It was truly "down" to the lake.  I was thinking, "I have to run back up all this?" 

Garmin told me that I started out at an elevation of 7110.  The first two miles was a 300 foot climb (2.84%.)  I did it in just over 20 minutes.  Not too bad methinks.  The next 0.75 miles was a 180 foot climb (4.54%.)  That slowed me down considerably.  Apart from the hills of the first three miles, I was already sore from sleeping on the ground all night.  But after that, the hills weren't as pronounced.  I started feeling pretty good.  I got up to 600 feet higher than than the 7110, but there were a lot of rolling hills, so the net elevation change was probably closer to 700 feet. 

A couple of ladies in my ward complimented me on my genetically huge calves as they drove by.  That made my day.  I really expected my wife to get to me before I reached the main road, but I guess I'm too fast.  I turned around to go see if I could borrow a phone from a guy parked in his jeep.  But he was talking on it.  Then my HPG leader drove by.  I asked if I could use his.  I guess my wife thought that she would catch up to me sooner, too, so she was freaking out.  But she said she was almost there.

Time -  59:22 (avg. pace 10:17)

 Splits -

1 mile - 9:34 - taking it nice and easy.  I was worried the altitude might kill me.

2 mile - 10:47 - trying not to eat too much dust from passing cars and ATV's.

3 mile - 11:38 - the steepest portion of the run, but the sun went behind the clouds.

4 mile - 10:13 - I stopped at 3.25, GU'd it up, and drank a large portion of my Gatorade.

5 mile - 10:04 - heard some loud thunder cracks.

0.78 mile - 7:08 (9:10 avg.) - a very enjoyable run.

AM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.68 miles

Time - 1:12:10

Avg. Speed - 14.7 mph

Max Speed - 22.2 mph

Temp - 93

Prairie Dogs - 40 (also, 1 cat, 1 softball, 1 pair of spectacles)

PM Bike Ride

Distance - 17.48 miles

Time - 1:04:32

Avg. Speed - 16.3 mph

Max Speed - 23.2 mph

Temp - 110

Prairie Dogs - 4 (also, 1 tiny bunny and 1 golf ball)

Today there was this nice old lady coming down the road just shuffling along.  I said hi to her.  Then I saw another lady in short shorts coming not too far behind her.  I was going to tell her to hurry up and catch the old lady in front of her.  But then I noticed that it was old lady regular.  This was the first time I've actually seen her running.  She had that dumbell in her left hand just pumping away.  Maybe she was going to use it to smash me in the face.

Time - 1:30:40(avg. pace 8:57)

Temp - 89

Splits - 8:33, 8:43, 8:41, 8:34, 8:45, 8:56, 8:57, 9:11, 9:43, 9:20, 1:18 (9:33 pace)

I went a little faster today than I have been lately.  There's been some construction along my route, so now there's more sidewalk.  In fact, I think there's only about a quarter mile stretch without sidewalk.  That had nothing to do with me running faster.

Time - 46:01 (Avg. pace 8:12)

Splits -

1 mile - 7:54

2 mile - 8:02

3 mile - 8:19

4 mile - 8:34

5 mile - 8:27

0.61 miles - 4:46 (7:48 pace)

Temp - 89