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May 30, 2005
Marathon Day
Yesterday I ran in the Vermont City Marathon. It was a good day for the spectators, but a little too warm for the racers (at least that's my opinion). I was concerned that I was going to have trouble finishing the race, but did finish with a bottom-half-of-the-slug-pack time of 4:36:36. The time was not remarkable, but my race experience was: in the past, I started to loose it around mile 12-14. Yesterday, I felt good up until mile 23.
A couple things that made a difference:
- I had a gel shot about 20 minutes before the race, and another when I completed 6 miles (about an hour into the race).
- I started the race in 10 minute mile group. This was really my expected time (my average pace was 10:33). This group was a lot more mellow than the 8-9 minute mile crowd I've started with in the past, and hence there was no urge to run fast for the first 6 miles as has happened in the past.
- I concentrated on having a good time. I enjoyed being with other runners, the spectators, and the general festive atmosphere. It was fun.
There was one negative though: The race program had said there would be gel shots available on the course, but they had run out when I got there. Not good - I was counting on those babies. I grabbed some fruit that some spectators had prepared for the racers, so that helped a little. Further on someone was handing out candy which I grabbed, but the combination of these upset my stomach. I was starting to worry about the program when Kika road up next to me on her bike - she offered me a gel shot (!!) what a wonder. It gave me just enough kick to make the next 6 miles without problem.
Finally at mile 23 the lack of training caught up with me. I didn't crash hard as in the past, but a gentle glide down to I'm tired. It's something I could manage, but not without walking a fair amount. But this final pedestrian phase did not detract from the race - I love it, and can't wait for next year.
Posted by pgutwin at 8:27 AM
May 19, 2005
Use the Force
The Star Wars trilogy contains many threads, but the one that strikes me right now power - the lack of it, and the exercise of it. In the story, there are all the combinations of good and bad people using power well or poorly. Because of the sweep of the movie (in time and space), one gets a strong sense that exercising power must be done with care; we as spectators see the effects.
My experience is that it is incredibly difficult to view a situation objectively when in the echo chamber created by being in a position of power. It's really complicated - when you turn to the people around you, you don't get what you expect. Some don't want to criticize, some don't want the responsibility of criticism, some are ambivalent about the outcome. I think this is clear from the Star War story as well - there are lots of examples, but my poor memory of the character names would reduce my explanation to "that guy who tried to get the other guy to..." so you'll have to excuse me.
The Republican Caucus in the Senate is an echo chamber full of powerful people. I think that in the short run they (the Republican Caucus) will run things they way they want. But in the long run, like in Star Wars, the very power they wield will fall victim to the echo chamber they have created around themselves. For progressives, this is cold comfort, but comfort none the less.
Take note - some day you will have more power than you expected - balancing focus and perspective will be your biggest challenge.
Posted by pgutwin at 10:42 PM
May 15, 2005
Moving along
My nascent interest in fly fishing is being pursued amidst many other pressing matters, so I wasn't prepared for the involuntary reaction to seeing a Mayfly perched on my bedroom window: "Do I have a fly like that?"
Odd, since I haven’t even taken the time to get a fishing license (although that's on the list for next week). Unfortunately, more gear is required as well. Sigh Just more stuff to cart around.
Speaking of pressing matters, one weight off my mind is that we sold our Condo. (That's just a "likeness" of the Condo). A very nice woman made us an offer a few days after she saw it - the whole process was very pleasant, aside from the mad rush to complete 2 years of deferred projects in about 2 weeks.
Another item on the "must" list for this past week was to finish up our paper on some floorplanning theory we're working on. Pretty interesting results if I do say so myself. 
Progress on my marathon training schedule hasn't been as successful as I had hoped. I wanted to get in 6-12 miles during the week, and then get a solid 18 mile run done on the weekend. I turned in a whopping 0 miles during the week, and struggled through a 15 mile weekend run. The "revised plan for race domination" calls for a 12 mile run Tuesday, another 2-3 mile on Friday and then the solid 18 mile run next Sunday. Stay tuned sports fans.
And last, but not least, Becca returned on Friday. She came over for dinner last night, and I put together a vegetarian Paella in her honor. She regaled us with stories from her South Africa trip, and gave us a couple bottles of wine and a very nifty book on Braai (which for the uninformed is barbecue with an attitude).
Posted by pgutwin at 10:32 AM
May 7, 2005
A little more time
Now that the Condo has been cleaned enough to show off it's natural beauty, activity around here has died down to a dull roar. We had a good showing last Sunday at the open house, and one interested person will be returning today to take a second look.
I'm still nervous about the marathon - the time needed to prepare the house for showing really dug into my training schedule. I'm scheduled to take a long run today (18 miles), but I'm not feeling very well (stomach, headache), so I may put it off until Sunday. I'm really looking forward to the run - I did 12 miles last Tuesday and had a great time.
Spring is really hear. The trees outside my office window are letting out leaves - it's wonderful to see. To be honest, I'm going to miss my office. I've found that working out of the house is grueling - it can be lonely, and the work is "always there", but I have privacy and freedom which I've learned to appreciate. I associate this sense of found satisfaction with the view outside my office, and seeing the last spring bloom outside the window is bittersweet. I'm ready to move, but there are many things I will miss about the Condo.
Posted by pgutwin at 11:02 AM
May 4, 2005
It's hard to leave
My success rate for my flights leaving on time is going down at a rapid rate. No explanation - just frustrating.
Why you may ask am I posting about travel after an extended period of inactivity? It's because we have been out flat with A) getting the condo ready to sell, B) Getting ready for the marathon, and C) WORK, WORK, WORK. Sitting in the airport waiting on a delayed fllight is one of the few unscheduled moments I have these days.
Oh - there was the fly fishing class I took last weekend. I'm sure you may wonder about that as well - well, wonder away because I can't explain my interest either.
Paul Gutwin
Sent from: Paul Gutwin