Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Day 1482 -- Jogger's Progress

TripYTDNov
Distance9281.81268.886.6
Time64 days, 16 hrs, 53 min 9 days, 14 hrs, 21 mins 15:56
Days148221617
States35121

Well, I know that one reader has noticed the death of JogAmericaBlog, because my mother mentioned it to me. For the rest of you thousands of loyal readers who have missed me for the last month, I apologize. I continue to run, and continue to keep track of where I am. Maybe some day, I will again feel like posting. Until then, expect sporadic posting.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Day 1466 -- Jogger's Progress

TripYTDOct
Distance9195.21182.2101.3
Time64 days, 0 hrs, 57 min 8 days, 22 hrs, 25 mins 18:36
Days146519918
States35122

Yes, it has been a while. Partly I've been busy, and partly I have not had a lot of interest. Not in running, I've been running away like crazy.  But I haven't been really highly motivated to blog. 

OK, "like crazy" is a bit of an exaggeration. I only got in 18 days in October, and just barely cracked 100 miles.  I skipped my long run the last two Sundays.  No particular reason.  I just didn't feel like running.  I can pretend that I was tapering for the Pikermi this upcoming Sunday.  I think I'll be OK.  The last long run I did was almost 18 miles, and it's not like I totally stopped running.

Tomorrow, I'll try to figure out where in Kentucky I am, and get a picture posted. 

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Day 1457 -- Grayson

It was a really nice morning for a run.  Right at 40 degrees, and fairly still.  I got in almost six miles in a little over an hour.  And ran back in time to 1952, when this photo of downtown Grayson, KY, was taken. 

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Catching up to Day 1456

Well, I have been running this week.  I just haven't been posting.  I got in almost 6 miles on Wednesday, 3 each on Thursday and Friday, and a whopping 16.7 today.  That was quite a bit, but I wanted to get in a good long run.  I have one more Pikermi scheduled, for the first week in November.  Now I feel like I'll be ready.

Some time in those four days, I ran into Kentucky.  If I dug around the AARoads site a little, I might be able to find the correct "Welcome to Kentucky" sign, but I didn't.  This sign welcomes you as you drive north on I-75 from Tennessee.

Sunday, October 09, 2011

Day 1452 -- Huntington

Starbucks, anyone?  I happen to like my coffee strong, so I like Starbucks.  My favorite part is that the urn for the decaf says, "Mild", and it tastes like battery acid.  I'd like to know what "bold" tastes like.  Or maybe I wouldn't.

This particular Starbucks is in Pullman Square in Huntington, WV.  It looks like you can sit and sip your coffee and watch the fountain.

I plodded out almost 11 miles this morning.  It was a beautiful morning, although I don't think my form was particularly beautiful.  But I made it, and I'm feeling OK now, so that's good.

Saturday, October 08, 2011

Days 1450 and 1451 -- Milton

I have a thing about covered bridges.  This particular bridge is on the Milton, WV, Message Board

I ran Thursday and Friday, but took today off.  I want to get in a semi-long run tomorrow, if I have the energy. 

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Day 1449 - Hurricane

After 40 years as mayor of Hurricane, WV, Raymond Peak retired in 2007.  The story at activerain.com featured this picture of the Hurricane City Building.

It has been a while.  Sunday was a planned day off, after the triathlon.  Monday was a semi-planned day off.  I set my alarm, but when it went off, I didn't feel like running, so I reset my alarm and slept another hour.  Tuesday, I popped out of bed, put on my running clothes, and then realized I hadn't rereset my alarm.  I was an hour late, and with an 8:00 meeting, I didn't have time to run. 

So I finally got back on the road today.  It was a nice day, and I got in a fairly nice five miler.

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Day 1448 -- Race Report: Kickapoo Reserve Dam Challenge

Everything went as well as could be expected.

We got up early.  It was a little over an hour's drive from here.  It was me and my friend Bob, Mrs. J and Bob's wife, Mrs. H. 

The first thing that we did was to drop our kayaks off at the entry point, seven miles upstream from the main exchange point.  We were actually there pretty early, which was good.  They lined up the canoes and kayaks as they came in, and when we went into the water -- an hour and a half later -- we went in in that order.  So we actually got to go in pretty quickly.

We drove back down to the exchange area and dropped off our bikes.  We checked in, got our numbers, our timing chips, and our t-shirts.  Mrs. J and Mrs. H took all the stuff that we didn't need, and Bob and I jumped on a shuttle bus back up to the entry point. 

Things at the entry were pretty well organized.  They had four or five people in waders in the water, and they helped us into our boats one at a time and floated us out to the official starting point.  Every thirty seconds, someone blew a whistle, and the next boat was off.  The guy behind me was some 25-year paddler with an ultra-lite kayak.  I swear he passed me before the echo of his whistle died down.

Other people passed me, and I passed one or two.  Mostly people were passing me.  I'm just not that great of a paddler.  My main concern was to keep on top of the boat, and to keep out of the way of the faster people as they zoomed past me.  My arms aren't in great shape, and by the end of the kayaking leg, I was pretty tired.  I was looking forward to getting out and giving them a rest.

The second leg was biking.  I haven't biked that much this summer, but at least it was my legs that were carrying me.  The bike route was quite a challenge.  It's a big loop, which starts and ends down by the river, so of course the first bit is going to be mostly uphill.  It started out pretty gradual, but once it had softened you up, it hit you with the Big Hill.  I admit I got out and walked for a little bit.  I didn't want to, but I did.  The second half of the ride was mostly downhill, and it was kind of fun.

The run had a pretty good hill, too.  I walked up that one, too.  It was largely trail, which meant I had to be more careful where I put my feet.  I didn't exactly tear up that three miles, but I finished, and I felt pretty good.

My overall time was 3:33:17, which I consider satisfactory.  I didn't have any particular time goal in mind.  Bob wanted to beat three hours, and he did, coming in at 2:50-something. 

Mrs. J and Mrs. H tried at first to get out and see us in the water.  They stopped at a couple of bridges, but they really had no idea when we were going to get in the water, so they didn't know if they had missed us or if they should wait, and if they did wait, they didn't know how long it might take.  So they gave it up, and slipped off to a nearby town to get a bite and do a little shopping.  They didn't quite get back in time to see our finishes.  So no action shots, but Mrs. H took the shot above before we started out.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Days 1446 and 1447 -- Jogger's Progress

TripYTDSep
Distance9093.91080.9111.8
Time63 days, 6 hrs, 21 min 8 days, 3 hrs, 49 mins 20:31
Days144718119
States3411

I got in a good five miler on Tuesday. But Wednesday, I didn't feel like running, so I didn't. Today, I didn't feel like running, either, but I made myself go out and get in 4.5 miles. I got out and realized that I didn't have my watch. I would have had to go back in and tiptoe through the bedroom, hoping not to wake up Mrs. J. So I opted for an untimed run.

Today is the end of the month, because I'm taking tomorrow off. On Saturday, I'm going to the Kickapoo Reserve Dam Challenge Triathlon, where I will kayak 7 miles, bike 14 miles, and run 3 miles. I'm pretty nervous about it. I have barely kayaked at all in my whole life. I haven't gotten much biking in this summer. Even my running has been rough for the last week or so. So mere survival will be the main goal. If I don't make that one, this will be my last post.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Day 1445 -- Institute

I was afraid that Institute, WV, might be one of those places that's hard to find a picture of.  You know, I'd get pictures of the Art Institute in Morgantown and the National Institute for Toothpick Science in Wheeling.  But no, this is a ball field in Institute, with the towers of a chemical plant in the distance.  I'm sure I'd be happy to have my kids playing there.

I knew from the get-go that today's run was going to be rough.  It was my fifth running day in a row, and my legs were tired from the beginning.  I plodded out almost nine miles, and that was that.  Tomorrow is definitely going to be a day off.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Days 1443 and 1444 - Charleston

Long time readers may recognize Frank, the Photoshop-impaired person who has visited all 50 state capitols.  I'm not sure when the last time we crossed paths was.  It has been a while, anyway.

I did my Thursday 5K on Friday, this week.  After unexpectedly taking Tuesday off, I was behind a day.  This morning, I did a very easy four miles.  I'm a bit run down, but I think I'll still go for a medium-long run tomorrow.  We'll see.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Day 1442 -- Yeager Airport

Just east of Charleston, I'm running somewhere near Chuck Yeager Airport. 

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Day 1441 -- Big Chimney

I am not on US 119 in Big Chimney.  I'm on I-79 north of Big Chimney.  But here's this picture from the Millennium Highway Roadtrips Project, and it's as good as any, I guess.

I hadn't planned to take two more days off, but I did.  Monday was an easy day to take off, after the long run Sunday.  But Tuesday, I just couldn't struggle out of bed in the morning.  I did seven this morning, and that will have to do.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Day 1440 -- Blue Creek

Yow!  I'd better get moving.  This tank, from the Army National Guard base in Blue Creek, WV, looks like it means business.  Thanks to the folks at TripAdvisor.com.

I wasn't sure if I was going to make a long run, today.  There was a chance of rain, and I wasn't sure how strong my legs were going to be.  But the rain held off, and I got a strong 16 miler in.  It was a fine run, but I'm kind of tired tonight.

Friday, September 16, 2011

DAy 1439 -- More Big Otter

 OK, I'm a bit off course.  I'm in Big Otter, West Virginia, but this particular big otter is in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  I didn't run close enough to it when I ran through Minnesota, which is a shame.  I've actually seen this big otter in real life.  And, of course, I always love a chance to link to The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things.  They provided the picture above.  The picture below, which is a better view, is from EB-5 Magazine.
I ran an easy three this morning.  It was a little warmer than yesterday, but I didn't have much ooomph.  That's OK.  Doesn't matter.  Had a run.  That's what counts.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Days 1436 and 1437 -- Big Otter

From Panoramio, the very exit I ran past yesterday.

Day 1436 was Monday.  I ran a very easy two miles, just to not take the day off.  Day 1437 was yesterday.  I did a hard five and a half over hills.  That made my fifth day in a row, so I took today off. 



Sunday, September 11, 2011

Days 1434 and 1435 -- Strange Creek





I don't think this swinging bridge looks very safe to run on.  I think I'd better take it easy. The bridge is on Flikr, posted there by R Tom Sizemore III.

We continue to have beautiful running weather.  It's been cool and dry.  I ran an easy four yesterday, and 10 more this morning.  I ran the same five mile loop twice, and deliberately tried to run the second loop faster than the first.  I felt pretty good about that.  It's not my forte.  I tend to slow down as I go along.  But today I managed to pick it up nicely during the second lap.

Friday, September 09, 2011

Day 1433 -- Gassaway



The town of Gassaway, WV, is named after "former United States Senator and one time vice-presidential candidate, Henry Gassaway Davis", according to the Town of Gassaway web site. Why they couldn'thave named it "Davis", or even "Henry", I don't know.  Oh, well, I guess it's a cool name.

I finally took that day off yesterday.  It was another cool and dry morning, but I was just worn out.  Today was another cool and dry morning, so I ran my "Thursday 5K".  It went fine. 

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Days 1431 and 1432 -- Flatwoods

Here's a little known fact: Its the law in Braxton County, Flatwoods, West Virginia that you must provide proper first aid to all aliens at the scene of an accident. This is according to Thermopylaehillbilly. And they wouldn't lie about something like that.

I had a great run yesterday.  I ran about 7.5 miles at a decent pace.  It felt really, really good.  It was a great way to start off the first day of classes.

So, after running 25 miles the first three days of the week, I could definitely have taken today off.  I didn't for three reasons.  (1) I'm still feeling guilty about skipping the first three days of the month.  If I had skipped today, I would have been back down to less than 50% of the days in September.  (2)  Today was the second day of classes, and my first day meeting my MWF classes.  I didn't want to face them without my daily exercise.  (3)  We are in the middle of a spell of wonderful weather.  It's been about 10 degrees Celsius in the morning, and dry.  We don't have that many perfect running days here in Wisconsin.  I didn't want to miss one.

Monday, September 05, 2011

Day 1430 -- Napier

I googled all around this part of West Virginia, without finding any really good pictures. So finally, I settled on this one, because (a) it was kind of a funky thing to even have a picture of, especially for a real estate site. I mean, seriously, how did they think this photo was going to help them sell anything. Also, (b) it was clearly the most difficult picture to paste myself into.

Tomorrow is the first day of classes, so my main goal this morning was to get up and run. I haven't gotten up early for several days, and I definitely want to do so tomorrow. So today was practice. I admit that I was still sore from yesterday's run, but that's OK. I didn't go real far or real fast.

Sunday, September 04, 2011

Day 1429 -- Burnsville


Actually, I'm closer to Gem, West Virginia, than to Burnsville. However, a Google search for "Gem West Virginia" turns up a whole lot of stuff that isn't the town, which is so small it's listed in the West Virginia Home Town Locator as a "Populated Place". What is the population? I don't know. I can't find it.

So, Burnsville it is, although I'm a little past it. This sign is from the Byrne Family Reunion page.

I set my alarm for Thursday morning, but I wasn't sure if I was going to run or not. It turns out that I was up in the night with a migraine, so I had no trouble turning off the alarm. Then I planned to run on Friday, but that night, we had little alarum straight out of a Thurber short story (which I am not going to blog about) so I slept in again. Saturday morning, we had thunderstorms. Every time I thought they had blown over, there would be another little rumble. In the end, they never got that close to Joggerville, but how was I to know?

So, I had three days off, for the first time in I don't know how long. This morning, I made up for it with a long run, which turned out to be exactly 13.1 miles. Another Pikermi, this one slightly slower than the Madison Mini Marathon.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Days 1427 and 1428 -- Jogger's Progress


TripYTDAug
Distance8982.1969.1116.9
Time62 days, 10 hrs, 00 min
7 days, 7 hrs, 18 mins
21:09
Days142816221
States34112

Another month down. Not a particularly spectacular one. Good, but not great. I suppose the important thing is to keep on keeping on.

That's been a challenge these last two days. I've barely been able to drag myself out of bed, never mind get out on the road and run. But I have, making about four miles each day. Predictably, I've felt pretty good at the end of those runs. The half hour or so right after a run is usually the high point of my day. It's all downhill from there.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Day 1425 -- Weston


This is the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, WV. Don't worry, followers, they closed in 1994. Now they are a museum, which apparently goes in for a bit of mystical claptrap. You can take a "ghost tour", if you wish. The photo itself is from this site at the University of Vermont, which tells the history of eugenics in the U.S. Apparently, the good folks at the Trans-Allegheny didn't mind a little forced sterilization. No wonder they are haunted.

I didn't run Saturday, because I was lazy. Then yesterday, I went kayaking with my friend Rob. We are training for the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Dam Challenge Triathlon. Well, "training" is probably too strong a word. We're planning to participate, and Rob has taken me out on a kayak a couple of times. I'm now more or less proficient enough that I might not totally embarrass myself on kayak leg. Anyway, yesterday we got in about six miles. The kayak leg of the tri is seven.

Today, I ran a good solid seven miles. After two days off in a row (the kayaking doesn't challenge my legs at all), I felt pretty sharp.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Day 1424 -- McWhorter


This is Iden McWhorter on the porch of his store in McWhorter, WV. I got this photo from a high school project by Kristin Snyder. She says the photo is from the 40's or 50's, but I suspect it's older. Kristen has young eyes, so lime green lettering on a black background doesn't make her head hurt. If you are my age, don't click through.

I ran six miles today, in the hilly part of town. It was cool again, so not a bad run. I'm thinking tomorrow will be a day off.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Day 1423 -- Lost Creek


It says here that Lost Creek, WV, is one of the "ten best smallest towns in America." I know that United Country Farm & Home, LLC is trying to sell property in Lost Creek, but still...they wouldn't lie about something like that.

I ran my Thursday 5K this morning. It was cooler, but I still wasn't able to run very fast. Nonetheless, it's always nicer to run than to not run.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

1423 -- Craigmoor


I am near Craigmoor, WV, so I did a Google search. Near the top was this football player from WVU Tech. I clicked on it, figuring it was probably a guy from Craigmoor. But no, his hometown is Hinton, WV. I puzzled for a minute, and then I noticed his name. Ladies and gentlemen: Craig Moore, Jr, a freshman offensive lineman.

I was all set to run yesterday. I was changed and ready to go. I got upstairs, and there was lightning and thunder. I admit, my first thought was "Yipee!" In any case, I didn't run. But this morning I got in a slow five miles.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Day 1422 -- Clarksburg


Hungry for a hot dog? You might stop in to Ritzy Lunch in Clarksburg. Of 14 people at Roadfood.com who rated it, 85% gave it a positive rating. "Ritzy dogs are lovely little pups buried deep inside a steamed-soft bun and topped with a zesty ground-beef sauce that is gently peppered and earthy-flavored." Sounds great.

An easy 4 this morning. It was good weather again, but I was still tired from Saturday.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Day 1421 -- Race Report: MMM III

The story of the third annual Madison Mini-Marathon is mostly the story of the prerace.

I got up early, and headed out of Joggerville by about 5:00, where I was greeted by distant flashes of lightning. I don't like to mess with lightning, of course, but it was still two hours to race time. Also, the lightning was already in the east, meaning it would be blowing away from us. And, of course, I didn't want to miss the MMM, having run both the first and the second. So I pressed on.

I arrived in Madison by about 6:30 and parked the car. At this point, it wasn't even raining in Madison, never mind storming. I walked over to the starting, line, but I had to stand in line for a while for the porta-potty. I was cutting it a little closer than I normally like, but I was starting way back in corral letter I, so I had time. Just as I was finishing up, about 5 minutes before race time, an announcement came that they were delaying the start because more storms were coming through. They told everyone to take cover, and promised they would get us all out and organized before the start.

What could I do? I went into one of the official shelters, staked out a comfy piece of floor, and sat. And sat. And sat. And sat. I projected a delay of at least an hour. We had to wait for a storm to blow over that hadn't even blown in yet. And I figured at least 20 minutes after the all-clear to line up and get started. I decided that if we weren't running by 9:00, I would bag it and go home. The Little Joggers were actually home alone, and I didn't want to leave them too long.

I needn't have worried. The all-clear came at 8:15, and it only took 15 minutes to get us lined up and sound the gun. Which was just as well. The storm was done, but the rain wasn't. So I was wet, stiff from sitting for over an hour, hungry, and I had to pee again. It wasn't the most auspicious start for a Pikermi.

I actually came out fairly strong for the first six miles or so. The rain let up within the first half hour or so, and I found a convenient porta-potty (although I had to wait a short bit to get into it.) At mile seven or so, the sun was out, and it was already getting on for 10:00, so it started to heat up, which sapped my strength a bit. I did a fair bit of walking between miles eight and twelve. Right about mile twelve, the 2:30 pace group caught up to me. That spurred me into action. I took off and ran the last mile and change, beating the pace group by a couple of minutes.

Overall, it wasn't a great time, but that's OK. I covered the entire distance, and didn't die.

One thing I love about the MMM is that you can sign up a year in advance. I registered this afternoon for MMM IV, on August 18, 2012. See you there.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Day 1420 -- Uffington


This photo of a rusty crane was taken somewhere along the Monongahela River somewhere near Morgantown. But it showed up when I searched for Uffington, and it was just too cool not to post. Thanks, Flikr user ToneMapped.

I ran my Thursday 5K this morning. It was a great morning for it, and I got a good time. That will be my last run before the Madison Mini-Marathon. It looks like the weather won't be too hot, but it may rain. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do if there is lightning. I don't want to skip the run, but I don't want to get struck by lightning, either. I guess I'll just cross that bridge if and when I come to it.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Days 1417, 1418, and 1419 -- Morgantown


I spent four days in Grandma Jogger's town with three of the Little Joggers. I ran three of those four days, for a total of about 18 miles, but I wasn't able to post. I brought my work laptop, so I didn't have my cut-out to paste into a picture of the UWV Campus. I could have posted a photo without me, but I also seem to have forgotten my password for Blogger. It's automatic on this computer.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Days 1415 and 1416 -- Rock Forge


As I approach Morgantown, I thought I would stop in Rock Forge to help out the Morgantown Area Meals on Wheels. These are volunteers at the Rock Forge pick up location.

I ran my Thursday 5K yesterday, as planned. It was nice weather, and I had a decent time. Friday is a scheduled day off, but the weather has been so fabulous, I couldn't stand to not run. Before you know it, the weather will heat up again, or we'll get thunderstorms, or snow (or all three in one week). So I ran today. I only meant to run about four, but by the time I was done, it was over five. I'll probably have to take tomorrow off, but it was worth it.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Day 1414 -- Cheat Neck


Not really to Cheat Neck, yet, but that's OK. This web site doesn't seem to be there, either. No real clue as to what this web site is about. It has this photo (sans Jogger), and some tags, including Cheat Neck.

It was a wonderful morning for a run this morning. Cool and dry. Four and a half miles just flew by. My watch said that it took 48 minutes, but I know that it couldn't have been more than 10 or 20.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Day 1413 -- Bruceton Mills


From Roadfood.com, Olivia's Restaurant in Bruceton Mills, WV. It's a converted gas station, complete with the pumps still in the parking lot. The reviewer said it was good food, and not too expensive.

We have finally gotten a genuine cool front. It was a very pleasant morning for a run. I got in six miles in just over an hour.

Sunday, August 07, 2011

Day 1412 -- West Virginia


I should have hit West Virginia back in 2006. If I had passed form Pennsylvania to Ohio further south, I could have hit the WV panhandle, and then I wouldn't have to hook back to get it now.

On the other hand, thanks to AARoads, I got the exact "Welcome to West Virginia" sign that I would have run under today if I were really running where I claim to be running. Interstate 68 Westbound out of Maryland.

I ran eleven miles this morning. It was humid and still when I started out, and I wasn't sure I was going to make it. But the breeze actually picked up, and blew a little of the humidity away. It wasn't exactly cool, but it was OK.

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Day 1411 -- Selbysport


I googled "Selbysport, MD" and found this nice old railway station. Unfortunately, it's from the Garrett County web site, and it's not clear that this place is in Selbysport. It might be in the county seat, Oakland, which is well south of here. Or it could be in Accident, Bittinger, Bloomington, Crellin, Deer Park, Friendsville, Grantsville, Hutton, Jennings, Kitzmiller, McHenry, Elk Garden, New Germany, Keysers Ridge, Loch Lynn Heights, Ashor Glade, Avilton, Elder Hill, Hoyes, Thayerville, Sang Run, Shallmar, Swanton, Table Rock, Redhouse, Gortner, Alamont or Bayard. The web site isn't real clear on this.

I ran about six and a half miles this morning. It's a little cooler, but I still managed to work up a sweat over that distance.

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Day 1410 -- Keysers Ridge


Here is a kindred soul. This guy walked across America last year. I mean, actually walked the whole thing. He did it to support Kiva, "the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website".

I did my Thursday 5K this morning. It was a good time, but not a great one.

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Day 1409 -- Jennings


A little south of Grantsville is Jennings, MD. I'm not running south; I'm running west. But there ain't a whole lot just west of Grantsville. So I picked up this photo of Jennings from a web page dedicated to the Castleman River Railroad.

I did an easy four this morning. The weather continues to be humid, even in the early morning. So even at a sedate pace, I managed to work up a sweat.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Day 1408 -- Grantsville


Not much time to blog this evening. Just a quick peek at this photo of a nice split-rail fence near Grantsville. I ran almost six miles this morning, in heavy humidity. It felt pretty good, but was naturally pretty slow.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Day 1407 -- Jogger's Progress


TripYTDJul
Distance8865.2852.2132.0
Time61 days, 12 hrs, 51 min
6 days, 10 hrs, 9 mins
25:07
Days140714122
States33101

If you are paying attention, you may notice that my total number of states has had a little jump. (OK, I realize no one is paying attention, but I'm explaining anyway. I'm a college professor. It's what I do.) I've been going along, just sort of saying, "Did I run into a new state this month? Better add it." But I haven't been keeping a running list. I began to wonder if maybe I hadn't missed count. So, earlier this month, I went through and made a running list. I was off by four states! I'm not sure exactly where I lost them. Anyway, 33 is the official, accurate count. And I even know which 17 I have to hit, yet.

At 132.0 miles, this wasn't quite my longest month of the year. I made 132.7 in March. And it took me an hour and a half less time. So I'm slowing down. As if I needed evidence of that.

This morning, I managed to crank out 15.2 miles. I was tired and sweaty at the end, of course, but considering I managed four miles more than last week, I felt pretty good about it. I may actually survive the Madison Mini Marathon, after all.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Day 1406 -- More Cumberland


Not much of a run this morning. I am going for a long run tomorrow, so I didn't want to wear myself out. I just did a couple of miles, just so I didn't take another day off. So I didn't really clear the greater Cumberland area. So I managed to catch this concert by the Boro Boogie Pickers. Which was some feat, seeing as the concert was back in September of '08.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Day 1405 -- Cumberland


Found this picture at an interesting little site. Realneo is a web community for people interested in "arts and culture, economy, education, environment, health and technology" and stuff like that there. They posted this photo of the "Design Quarter" in Cumberland, which they say is "not an over analyzed, committee process--just restoration and renewal brought to you by real artists".

I meant to run yesterday, but every time I thought of it, there was another little rumble of distant thunder. It never really got near, and I probably would have been safe, but why take any chances? In any case, by the time the storm passed well and firmly over, I had given up.

So I ran a little longer this morning. About 6.5 miles, with some hills. It was a good run, but a little humid.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Days 1403 and 1404 -- Rocky Gap State Park


There is No Lifeguard on Duty at this beach at Rocky Gap State Park, so I think I will stay out of the water.

I had a nice conference. I learned some things, and met some people. I ran 3.4 miles Monday morning, and 5.1 on Tuesday. Tuesday's run was along the western shore of Lake Michigan. It was very beautiful. No run this morning. I was tempted, but I'd run three days in a row, and I was tired.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Day 1402 -- Flintstone


Well, I couldn't resist a stop in Flintstone, MD.

OK, fine, here's Flintstone, MD:


More thunderstorms this morning, so I got a late start. It was no cooler or less humid, so by the time I was seven or eight miles out, I was pretty beat. I managed to eke out almost 11, but I had been planning for 15. I'm beginning to wonder whether or not I'm going to finish the Madison Mini Marathon, next month.

I'm off this afternoon for a conference. I'll be running, but not blogging. I should check in again on Wednesday or Thursday.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Day 1401 -- Green Ridge State Forest


The Howard Country Group of the Sierra Club beat me to Greed Ridge State Forest, by about eight years.

I took an unscheduled rest day on Thursday. I just couldn't get my butt out the door. Then Friday, it was thundering when I got up. Fortunately, I didn't have any place to be, so I just hung out for a while, and did my Thursday 5K about 26 hours late. It was medium fast. This morning, more thunder, and I didn't want to wait, so I just didn't run.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Day 1400 -- Billmeyer Wildlife Management Area


Mashpedia, Real-Time Encyclopedia? How is it more "real-time" than other on-line pedias?

In any case, they are my source for this photo of the Billmeyer Wildlife Management Area.

Another sweaty run. I think it might have been slightly cooler and less humid than yesterday. I know that today there was a little bit of breeze. Yesterday, it was as still as death. In any case, I ran just a bit longer today than yesterday, then came in to loll in the AC.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Day 1399 -- More Hancock


Hey, if I stick around Hancock for another couple of months, I can run the Western Maryland Half Marathon. It benefits Habitat for Humanity, a worthy cause. However, I had better not jump the gun, as I appear to have done in this photo from the 2008 race.

It was totally ugly this morning. It was 24 degrees already at 6 in the morning, and so humid it was foggy. I managed to plod out a little over four miles. Don't expect any long or fast runs until the weather breaks.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Day 1398 -- Hancock


I don't think I mentioned yesterday that the oldest and newest Little Jogger came along to the race. I ran the 8K, and she walked the 4K. This is us before the start. You can tell it's before the start, because I'm still relatively dry. By the end of the 8K run, I was dripping.

I started today with two strikes against me. I was tired, since I ran a hard 5 miles yesterday, and didn't sleep much last night. And it was horribly hot and humid. So there was no way it was going to be a great run. I finished it. That's about the best I can say.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Day 1397 -- GTLOVI

Today was the 6th annual "Get the Lead Out" Run in my little town. I'm clearly getting faster. Last year, I was 6th (and last) in my age group. This year, I was 4th (and last).

The weather was slightly better than last year. It was still pretty humid, but at least it was overcast, so it wasn't quite as oppressive. And they fiddled with the course again, and took out the really bad hill. The new course is pretty flat. As always, it was a well-organized and fun race.

On my virtual tour, I'm right around Fort Frederick State Park. This photo is from Bike Washington's C&O Canal Biking Guide.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Days 1395 and 1396 -- Clear Spring


From Clear Spring's official web site, we learn the following:
Just 12 miles west of Hagerstown sits the quaint town of Clear Spring, Maryland. Founded by Martin Myers in 1821, the town was originally named Myersville and was later changed to Clear Springs to reflect the natural spring that initially attracted its founder to the area. Impressed by the natural beauty of the countryside and this nearby spring of sparkling water, Myers envisioned a town which could grow and prosper. After all, the historic National Pike (U.S. Highway 40) ran through the center of town, linking the port of Baltimore to the western frontier of Ohio, and it’s this very road that eventually brought business and prosperity to Clear Spring.
Yesterday and today, we had beautiful running weather here in Wisconsin. Cool and dry. I've had two really good runs, 4.5 miles yesterday, and my Thursday 5K today. The 5K wasn't as fast as my July 4 race, but otherwise it was the fastest of the year.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Day 1394 -- Halfway


If I look around, I can probably find a web page to tell me what two points Halfway, MD, is halfway between. But that information doesn't seem to be on Hook, Hand, and Heart, a blog that advertises itself as "The Ramblings of an Eccentric Old Woman, rug hooker, weaver and crazy cat lady"

Scheduled day off yesterday. Six miles today.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Day 1393 -- Funkstown


How could I resist the lure of Funkstown, MD? This is the Funkstown Tavern, from Lost Bob's Flikr stream.

I ran 14.3 miles this morning. The last three were a real struggle. I don't know how many times I slowed to a walk, but it didn't make much difference, because my walk wasn't much faster than my run. But I finished the distance. Then I felt dehydrated all day. I hope that it's not this humid for the Madison Mini Marathon in six weeks.

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Day 1392 -- Middletown


If you take the "National Road" from Baltimore to Vandalia, IL, you will drive right down main street in Middletown. I know this from 125 M to B, a blog all about the National Road.

Friday was a scheduled day off. Then I'm never sure what to do on Saturday. Coming off a day off, I can run pretty far. But heading into a long run on Sunday, I shouldn't. Today, my decision was a little easier, because I slept in. So I didn't want to run too long, lest I while away the whole day. So I did four, and that wasn't bad.

Thursday, July 07, 2011

Day 1391 -- Braddock Heights


I haven't run across Flickriver before. It seems to be a place to organize Flikr photos into some kind of a theme. This theme is George Washington Slept Here, and it includes a photo of the Braddock expedition monument in Braddock Heights, MD. Can't read the plaque? Here's a close-up.


It was much nicer this morning than yesterday. The humidity was much lower, making for a nicer run. Of course, I only did about three miles, so that helped.