tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199629882024-03-13T00:04:27.366-05:00JogAmericaBlogOne person's virtual journey across America.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.comBlogger1753125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-56963463307628043802011-11-30T20:45:00.001-06:002011-11-30T20:52:11.002-06:00Day 1482 -- Jogger's Progress<table>
<tbody>
<tr><th></th><td>Trip</td><td>YTD</td><td>Nov
</td></tr>
<tr><th>Distance</th><td>9281.8</td><td>1268.8</td><td>86.6
</td></tr>
<tr><th>Time</th><td>64 days, 16 hrs, 53 min
</td><td>9 days, 14 hrs, 21 mins
</td><td>15:56
</td></tr>
<tr><th>Days</th><td>1482</td><td>216</td><td>17
</td></tr>
<tr><th>States</th><td>35</td><td>12</td><td>1 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-27386935255691253692011-10-31T17:44:00.000-05:002011-10-31T17:44:57.296-05:00Day 1466 -- Jogger's Progress<table>
<tbody>
<tr><th></th><td>Trip</td><td>YTD</td><td>Oct
</td></tr>
<tr><th>Distance</th><td>9195.2</td><td>1182.2</td><td>101.3
</td></tr>
<tr><th>Time</th><td>64 days, 0 hrs, 57 min
</td><td>8 days, 22 hrs, 25 mins
</td><td>18:36
</td></tr>
<tr><th>Days</th><td>1465</td><td>199</td><td>18
</td></tr>
<tr><th>States</th><td>35</td><td>12</td><td>2 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />Tomorrow, I'll try to figure out where in Kentucky I am, and get a picture posted. USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-47416590684568685512011-10-18T20:41:00.000-05:002011-10-18T20:41:01.881-05:00Day 1457 -- Grayson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkgbqy0FebuI-123BCJOGhVLJv5zk4PMXSVArBEH3gM4ynR0ydpJT9frJHjSelcYUp34k45xzEuSPvKhG5z8T5sRghV37tmROcm5DWdNU1F0ZpVJDmlXhkLDFzm-Goh8_hEdF/s1600/grayson+ky+march+1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkgbqy0FebuI-123BCJOGhVLJv5zk4PMXSVArBEH3gM4ynR0ydpJT9frJHjSelcYUp34k45xzEuSPvKhG5z8T5sRghV37tmROcm5DWdNU1F0ZpVJDmlXhkLDFzm-Goh8_hEdF/s320/grayson+ky+march+1952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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. USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-36956478702831105892011-10-16T20:21:00.001-05:002011-10-16T20:22:00.511-05:00Catching up to Day 1456<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3aubUJrRcgQQ4fmD8HkodhVINEBfNudevSH7N_czSRxV5UpwTnOj4OMOzXEf7AD6CLF8h24xkj6xJrjEqWSRxi5SEWnZ4v5-jLpbEtQsGpOdFYlfT3wKVEEh9K661wzlnMbQ/s1600/i-075_nb_exit_011_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3aubUJrRcgQQ4fmD8HkodhVINEBfNudevSH7N_czSRxV5UpwTnOj4OMOzXEf7AD6CLF8h24xkj6xJrjEqWSRxi5SEWnZ4v5-jLpbEtQsGpOdFYlfT3wKVEEh9K661wzlnMbQ/s320/i-075_nb_exit_011_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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.<br />
<br />
Some time in those four days, I ran into Kentucky. If I dug around the <a href="http://www.aaroads.com/southeast/i-075na_ky.html">AARoads</a> 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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-70405491392524459852011-10-09T20:36:00.001-05:002011-10-09T20:36:23.229-05:00Day 1452 -- Huntington<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSGM9NwvWz7SKiGtKppLk7vkcFl0AFq9Mv2aiNBC-pLZENYnGBVyoUYYuD7CN6aGeTYwUeA2BcIgif2KuAtCCSaZW_fU3hTIT5DcADkYM3baUKUbDHbUimrof6rkvFsDoU8YD/s1600/vfiles18504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSGM9NwvWz7SKiGtKppLk7vkcFl0AFq9Mv2aiNBC-pLZENYnGBVyoUYYuD7CN6aGeTYwUeA2BcIgif2KuAtCCSaZW_fU3hTIT5DcADkYM3baUKUbDHbUimrof6rkvFsDoU8YD/s320/vfiles18504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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.<br />
<br />
This particular Starbucks is in <a href="http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv18504.php">Pullman Square</a> in Huntington, WV. It looks like you can sit and sip your coffee and watch the fountain.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-26745323393508971382011-10-08T19:07:00.002-05:002011-10-08T19:07:42.570-05:00Days 1450 and 1451 -- Milton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMXaOfw1106sMg_vHwMTfi4eEk26S-wfCZ5TR2SICEEiXD81oEsocWNc8NIkyqhcxr0gIHa0UBgdaknf5ieb_Ak5qKgbHfNECGr0t4zCZzUgc2Vd6cXlwl-9O-wKdVidc-WDS/s1600/miltonbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMXaOfw1106sMg_vHwMTfi4eEk26S-wfCZ5TR2SICEEiXD81oEsocWNc8NIkyqhcxr0gIHa0UBgdaknf5ieb_Ak5qKgbHfNECGr0t4zCZzUgc2Vd6cXlwl-9O-wKdVidc-WDS/s320/miltonbridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I have a thing about covered bridges. This particular bridge is on the <a href="http://miltonwv.org/viewtopic.php?t=107">Milton, WV, Message Board</a>. <br />
<br />
I ran Thursday and Friday, but took today off. I want to get in a semi-long run tomorrow, if I have the energy. USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-28635088747357928102011-10-05T19:31:00.000-05:002011-10-05T19:31:15.491-05:00Day 1449 - Hurricane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGcnQKkDOdOgKtX9iRxs5wr7fj1rjgchS2nki0EenTJFsVaZvVCK_qh2IcJbpkLNbLc0RaoF1KlOsc8I9s7I9qIJie56WDdZz5_90Qo0IoPF3JgQ7Nf5vf-hWa04I-NG7oabq/s1600/hurricane_wv.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGcnQKkDOdOgKtX9iRxs5wr7fj1rjgchS2nki0EenTJFsVaZvVCK_qh2IcJbpkLNbLc0RaoF1KlOsc8I9s7I9qIJie56WDdZz5_90Qo0IoPF3JgQ7Nf5vf-hWa04I-NG7oabq/s320/hurricane_wv.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
After 40 years as mayor of Hurricane, WV, Raymond Peak retired in 2007. The story at <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/120842/hurricane-wv-elections-tomorrow-june-12th-">activerain.com</a> featured this picture of the Hurricane City Building. <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
So I finally got back on the road today. It was a nice day, and I got in a fairly nice five miler. USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-541160462329616132011-10-01T20:56:00.000-05:002011-10-01T20:56:45.993-05:00Day 1448 -- Race Report: Kickapoo Reserve Dam Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXPSfuJLv9oC2EcRVABwmc1NAxKtnh2KCCf45Jl45xn1Xx-edClMM0pRjZk_i5DnvHVndrRx35Cz2IJF9YysoIIXp2rSVvZcqE2vPLRHcXWN7TwASWAUraZ_ijy4Man_tpnTC/s1600/kickapoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXPSfuJLv9oC2EcRVABwmc1NAxKtnh2KCCf45Jl45xn1Xx-edClMM0pRjZk_i5DnvHVndrRx35Cz2IJF9YysoIIXp2rSVvZcqE2vPLRHcXWN7TwASWAUraZ_ijy4Man_tpnTC/s320/kickapoo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Everything went as well as could be expected.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-29359654616728996712011-09-29T20:36:00.001-05:002011-10-31T17:34:48.163-05:00Days 1446 and 1447 -- Jogger's Progress<table>
<tbody>
<tr><th></th><td>Trip</td><td>YTD</td><td>Sep
</td></tr>
<tr><th>Distance</th><td>9093.9</td><td>1080.9</td><td>111.8
</td></tr>
<tr><th>Time</th><td>63 days, 6 hrs, 21 min
</td><td>8 days, 3 hrs, 49 mins
</td><td>20:31
</td></tr>
<tr><th>Days</th><td>1447</td><td>181</td><td>19
</td></tr>
<tr><th>States</th><td>34</td><td>11</td><td>2 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-82822125554317743852011-09-25T17:04:00.001-05:002011-09-25T18:00:03.780-05:00Day 1445 -- Institute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxy_NC8u-fUeG6w-wHvDTk7_EwEoyAEN1S2RpW5AcBTGqJJ7G_VxzGBo7DUjTap8Ry9aKF9Zp0j28EMjCUTG4lpesOCRCCdBRWtXIuFJrK1FoF_U3QUlcW_HVVRSPXbnIbQoX/s1600/institute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxy_NC8u-fUeG6w-wHvDTk7_EwEoyAEN1S2RpW5AcBTGqJJ7G_VxzGBo7DUjTap8Ry9aKF9Zp0j28EMjCUTG4lpesOCRCCdBRWtXIuFJrK1FoF_U3QUlcW_HVVRSPXbnIbQoX/s320/institute.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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.<br />
<br />
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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-72068160026696212642011-09-24T20:28:00.001-05:002011-09-24T20:28:53.530-05:00Days 1443 and 1444 - Charleston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIUWinHePnELmixhN4NLw9mXdX74O-LknqzdpdXw3jVL92qJk5tqTkx38s0m4lhx3hXqot4ew85ajXhWHRzKMtjpcqwW3MnwWxHs66iL1xO5O-8hH4fNg0vYaV7WBPCFfdqPH/s1600/westvirginia_cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIUWinHePnELmixhN4NLw9mXdX74O-LknqzdpdXw3jVL92qJk5tqTkx38s0m4lhx3hXqot4ew85ajXhWHRzKMtjpcqwW3MnwWxHs66iL1xO5O-8hH4fNg0vYaV7WBPCFfdqPH/s320/westvirginia_cap.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
Long time readers may recognize <a href="http://www.latlong.com/capitols/usa/westvirginia.htm">Frank</a>, 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.<br />
<br />
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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-68622500721491936612011-09-22T20:28:00.001-05:002011-09-22T20:28:33.482-05:00Day 1442 -- Yeager Airport<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZPpkGKsf-BhYkaLVznI-ubNqDlyjoPqFzmWgJA1XScxQaNik59C008oW4ZKAaJa-M-4akrhQ3jzKPZgwzLrW_EB16Vn2GIndId3dz_L_1BMMK7Vg-vo2Xt6EWcz-002Jt1Ae/s1600/vfiles16638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZPpkGKsf-BhYkaLVznI-ubNqDlyjoPqFzmWgJA1XScxQaNik59C008oW4ZKAaJa-M-4akrhQ3jzKPZgwzLrW_EB16Vn2GIndId3dz_L_1BMMK7Vg-vo2Xt6EWcz-002Jt1Ae/s320/vfiles16638.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Just east of Charleston, I'm running somewhere near Chuck Yeager Airport. USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-18578846007671614032011-09-21T20:38:00.001-05:002011-09-21T20:38:37.404-05:00Day 1441 -- Big Chimney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEelbi32TlDuGvbC27SKL0bOLgtOhgEVuP5e_Xhe_hECoXx5AJ5CAehwNphzwYlSbTZueY2TfV9aXXM9xfyp_xWOYfCfToI6RL8GVAjUp9KpJxc-XHYqKllSeISr9tHmsOmmr/s1600/Big_Chimney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEelbi32TlDuGvbC27SKL0bOLgtOhgEVuP5e_Xhe_hECoXx5AJ5CAehwNphzwYlSbTZueY2TfV9aXXM9xfyp_xWOYfCfToI6RL8GVAjUp9KpJxc-XHYqKllSeISr9tHmsOmmr/s320/Big_Chimney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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 <a href="http://www.millenniumhwy.net/OH_WV_Aug_2004/OH_WV_Aug_2004.html">Millennium Highway Roadtrips Project</a>, and it's as good as any, I guess.<br />
<br />
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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-81075462343392748772011-09-18T20:40:00.002-05:002011-09-18T20:40:30.161-05:00Day 1440 -- Blue Creek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqeFMoKS5EN_XuuqkcNchSBiArHYCXcR3Z2cW_4PcIzTUQ6Xc-RL5DY5UgSz0Go6X1Y8NexDYlz1yKRBUQBFTx1XuVE177DYMYFtBn-uZn0F16QZePGvf5jymui4vsb_4zZ-L/s1600/wv-army-national-guard-base-n1-blue-creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqeFMoKS5EN_XuuqkcNchSBiArHYCXcR3Z2cW_4PcIzTUQ6Xc-RL5DY5UgSz0Go6X1Y8NexDYlz1yKRBUQBFTx1XuVE177DYMYFtBn-uZn0F16QZePGvf5jymui4vsb_4zZ-L/s320/wv-army-national-guard-base-n1-blue-creek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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 <a href="http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/slideshow-photo/wv-army-national-guard-base-by-travelpod-member-annieem32-n1-blue-creek-united-states.html?sid=10926462&fid=tp-13">TripAdvisor.com</a>.<br />
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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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-30867366151151391402011-09-16T19:58:00.001-05:002011-09-16T19:58:16.064-05:00DAy 1439 -- More Big Otter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbCV019h2SaqMnvUWyYwNQkkfP2OEH60lI58zzkl_UqMbo0jGLc0YdG3hqbZ4FWLcScrQw3moWHbWbOb_qd4kxNwzEkEjJfR_o9aP25uCX9wNn-SFZJ0yc5EmyFfvzFdZSuh-/s1600/otterSubheader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbCV019h2SaqMnvUWyYwNQkkfP2OEH60lI58zzkl_UqMbo0jGLc0YdG3hqbZ4FWLcScrQw3moWHbWbOb_qd4kxNwzEkEjJfR_o9aP25uCX9wNn-SFZJ0yc5EmyFfvzFdZSuh-/s320/otterSubheader.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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 <a href="http://www.worldslargestthings.com/minnesota/otter.htm">The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things</a>. They provided the picture above. The picture below, which is a better view, is from <a href="http://www.eb5magazine.com/2011/08/18/eb-5-in-fergus-falls/">EB-5 Magazine</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2umqxaLded9pyShPjf7vjQqrDKw7kGZxB_lq_CWwrco4dgOAihYJe8g52FcMNjLxaVh3ejabxuFOjWawKRrqKwp1pUcWLQHBg9ourFhywSqmuWMU65RzTLpVOxIvia1ILMK9/s1600/fergus-falls-otter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2umqxaLded9pyShPjf7vjQqrDKw7kGZxB_lq_CWwrco4dgOAihYJe8g52FcMNjLxaVh3ejabxuFOjWawKRrqKwp1pUcWLQHBg9ourFhywSqmuWMU65RzTLpVOxIvia1ILMK9/s320/fergus-falls-otter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-54757759312860348292011-09-14T20:21:00.004-05:002011-09-14T20:21:49.571-05:00Days 1436 and 1437 -- Big Otter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkQD9ToZl07uBG_Jah7PLhivPqmiNQK-BRqdgxXsfA4Sl4DMlSgxh56P2BbmdWOzUQMuxsILz7fAhHuYnvaFPj6CnWGxHFSxztbFkbbcu_V18QiEEs4Kvd9tVRhUFM4zlpGUb/s1600/bigOtter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkQD9ToZl07uBG_Jah7PLhivPqmiNQK-BRqdgxXsfA4Sl4DMlSgxh56P2BbmdWOzUQMuxsILz7fAhHuYnvaFPj6CnWGxHFSxztbFkbbcu_V18QiEEs4Kvd9tVRhUFM4zlpGUb/s320/bigOtter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
From <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/21137626">Panoramio</a>, the very exit I ran past yesterday.<br />
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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. <br />
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<br />USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-43809391366692568822011-09-11T20:43:00.000-05:002011-09-11T20:43:21.418-05:00Days 1434 and 1435 -- Strange Creek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM4FGtO0a-gGQogXFoYd8zovZPpWN2NX3qSNgXZuBW4_lJm-PUMg_1YVKO0gQ58t3UrtTnn57R6Z89xMM9u5Tt85ZGxz9qTdc1pPzTjUiaodpjUZcam3dibfVEvB9wagVqFyc/s1600/swingingBridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM4FGtO0a-gGQogXFoYd8zovZPpWN2NX3qSNgXZuBW4_lJm-PUMg_1YVKO0gQ58t3UrtTnn57R6Z89xMM9u5Tt85ZGxz9qTdc1pPzTjUiaodpjUZcam3dibfVEvB9wagVqFyc/s320/swingingBridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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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 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/r_tom_sizemore/2388069260/">Flikr</a>, posted there by R Tom Sizemore III.<br />
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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.<br />
USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-42863248696640953292011-09-09T19:28:00.003-05:002011-09-11T19:54:09.491-05:00Day 1433 -- Gassaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-6FxQDXUaaX0hj9GJI8LBmeFihc1E7XFzdrY1MzTTkdRE1_IrL3GKYq46qayXYRHPZuZYwGzHa_SBCOBcKMyM4JlEMtSEcm2jUfKFKPMbhPjWSHVHl4dpKcYWhbiI9wWAW3F/s1600/Gassaway+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-6FxQDXUaaX0hj9GJI8LBmeFihc1E7XFzdrY1MzTTkdRE1_IrL3GKYq46qayXYRHPZuZYwGzHa_SBCOBcKMyM4JlEMtSEcm2jUfKFKPMbhPjWSHVHl4dpKcYWhbiI9wWAW3F/s320/Gassaway+sign.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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The town of Gassaway, WV, is named after "former United States Senator and one time vice-presidential candidate, Henry Gassaway Davis", according to the <a href="http://www.townofgassaway.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx">Town of Gassaway web site</a>. Why they couldn'thave named it "Davis", or even "Henry", I don't know. Oh, well, I guess it's a cool name.<br />
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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. USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-27898706247873062602011-09-07T20:34:00.000-05:002011-09-07T20:34:34.292-05:00Days 1431 and 1432 -- Flatwoods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tCFuXIlScL_ZavlSkOAS-xGMrUEUzENenytsHNnTPz77OcqagjfAP6Re7BPGpDmF9TwBRLn7tx8nzed2bvKo_zUEDee_A_8wiDPs0jku27lW5gMuZfC_Mwp__uZMYUhyphenhyphenBFXX/s1600/ufocrash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tCFuXIlScL_ZavlSkOAS-xGMrUEUzENenytsHNnTPz77OcqagjfAP6Re7BPGpDmF9TwBRLn7tx8nzed2bvKo_zUEDee_A_8wiDPs0jku27lW5gMuZfC_Mwp__uZMYUhyphenhyphenBFXX/s320/ufocrash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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 <a href="http://wwwwendolbloggercom.blogspot.com/2008/06/flatwoods-west-virginia-aliens.html">Thermopylaehillbilly</a>. And they wouldn't lie about something like that.<br />
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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.<br />
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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. USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-10715900335124569032011-09-05T16:29:00.000-05:002011-09-05T16:29:55.003-05:00Day 1430 -- Napier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE15RTAheH1Hg-I40yno5cHFKcNSMKNMOl8vcORCokbsThBTr1UDDpFIsXFgVi_aWaSZyPpOB5NiFM1Y7DrTkA9W4NxXq_gvYnawYvRwPuC3jJXOQPtn8PNPzD9X1NrDibi7zn/s1600/500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="120" width="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE15RTAheH1Hg-I40yno5cHFKcNSMKNMOl8vcORCokbsThBTr1UDDpFIsXFgVi_aWaSZyPpOB5NiFM1Y7DrTkA9W4NxXq_gvYnawYvRwPuC3jJXOQPtn8PNPzD9X1NrDibi7zn/s320/500.jpg" /></a></div>
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 <a href = "http://ecology.fizber.com/west-virginia/napier/">real estate site</a>. 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.
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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.
USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-26636325127735094762011-09-04T16:32:00.002-05:002011-09-04T16:48:06.573-05:00Day 1429 -- Burnsville<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3enzhG6Zh-lNek9bDlPN5mUZKqYAdbNLnkrtjZCy0ORVS7yGbJv4Am1sEAGntw0QLFnzdVpUgwEPbR578xMfGLlIFFySxAAoWJwWHpUWAXmbYtL3o_sUoYP4MSXqUXd9BgkeK/s1600/Burnsville_sign-290x384.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3enzhG6Zh-lNek9bDlPN5mUZKqYAdbNLnkrtjZCy0ORVS7yGbJv4Am1sEAGntw0QLFnzdVpUgwEPbR578xMfGLlIFFySxAAoWJwWHpUWAXmbYtL3o_sUoYP4MSXqUXd9BgkeK/s320/Burnsville_sign-290x384.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648620784347787490" /></a>
<br />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 <a href = "http://westvirginia.hometownlocator.com/wv/braxton/gem.cfm">West Virginia Home Town Locator</a> as a "Populated Place". What is the population? I don't know. I can't find it.
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<br />So, Burnsville it is, although I'm a little past it. This sign is from the <a href = "http://byrnefamilyreunion.org/Burnsville.html">Byrne Family Reunion page</a>.
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<br />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?
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<br />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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-54178222630156819192011-08-31T07:41:00.003-05:002011-08-31T07:46:23.447-05:00Days 1427 and 1428 -- Jogger's Progress<table width = 50%>
<br /><tr><th> <td>Trip<td>YTD<td>Aug
<br /><tr><th>Distance<td>8982.1<td>969.1<td>116.9
<br /><tr><th>Time<td>62 days, 10 hrs, 00 min
<br /><td>7 days, 7 hrs, 18 mins
<br /><td>21:09
<br /><tr><th>Days<td>1428<td>162<td>21
<br /><tr><th>States<td>34<td>11<td>2
<br /></table>
<br />Another month down. Not a particularly spectacular one. Good, but not great. I suppose the important thing is to keep on keeping on.
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<br />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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-25666236939136173492011-08-29T19:25:00.003-05:002011-08-29T19:48:27.370-05:00Day 1425 -- Weston<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEOhQUig3Mml1RJDDuwzOcigl9ieB0bJSJVan6pJyxnzX50iI7UhHyNrCqcddkWt8uuCIAuxlLEXgsJ2FWJhnUFYPxLX8MbOA-c-IZtMRm8-yT4KpIfjnfxIdJtsZALR7F2_2/s1600/WV1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEOhQUig3Mml1RJDDuwzOcigl9ieB0bJSJVan6pJyxnzX50iI7UhHyNrCqcddkWt8uuCIAuxlLEXgsJ2FWJhnUFYPxLX8MbOA-c-IZtMRm8-yT4KpIfjnfxIdJtsZALR7F2_2/s320/WV1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646438823133077314" /></a>
<br />This is the <a href = "http://www.trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com/index.html"> Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum</a> 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 <a href = "http://www.uvm.edu/~lkaelber/eugenics/WV/WV.html">this site at the University of Vermont</a>, 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.
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<br />I didn't run Saturday, because I was lazy. Then yesterday, I went kayaking with my friend Rob. We are training for the <a href ="http://kvr.state.wi.us/category.asp?linkcatid=2197&linkid=949&locid=115">Kickapoo Valley Reserve Dam Challenge Triathlon</a>. 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.
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<br />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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-85037816725176038532011-08-26T20:43:00.003-05:002011-08-26T20:49:45.332-05:00Day 1424 -- McWhorter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxbIpBK79rQPptyQQoVoIAgc_VQkPO_KydQDmUnUpyXeLbTHUt7HIVoIssOzZ0W-XcVd4vbkyVIjImRXxJ0xNjlal1eyVKdIcygD6aCslHRUedHhyphenhyphenqvIRAm1ERzhyyJoiZ0nt/s1600/Iden_McWhorter_Store.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxbIpBK79rQPptyQQoVoIAgc_VQkPO_KydQDmUnUpyXeLbTHUt7HIVoIssOzZ0W-XcVd4vbkyVIjImRXxJ0xNjlal1eyVKdIcygD6aCslHRUedHhyphenhyphenqvIRAm1ERzhyyJoiZ0nt/s320/Iden_McWhorter_Store.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645345689584519602" /></a>
<br />This is Iden McWhorter on the porch of his store in McWhorter, WV. I got this photo from a <a href = "http://members.citynet.net/warner/McWhort.htm">high school project</a> 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.
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<br />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. USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962988.post-77797522613290112672011-08-25T19:15:00.002-05:002011-08-25T19:29:33.258-05:00Day 1423 -- Lost Creek<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh791bJGSoX_Id_9As2KjnZhIKG6ULSEcMpl0chui8DXE68uLAhOyH0fQuIzdKC9mkNJwWhHO6VUIpx5guKC4IQoSGqGfIG1pHQCzOsepX9KDu-aNFNNmujgrBgUnXtD2PWYNSU/s1600/lostcreekpix-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh791bJGSoX_Id_9As2KjnZhIKG6ULSEcMpl0chui8DXE68uLAhOyH0fQuIzdKC9mkNJwWhHO6VUIpx5guKC4IQoSGqGfIG1pHQCzOsepX9KDu-aNFNNmujgrBgUnXtD2PWYNSU/s320/lostcreekpix-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644952143667415890" /></a>
<br />It says here that Lost Creek, WV, is one of the "ten best smallest towns in America." I know that <a href = "http://www.lostcreekwvrealestate.com/">United Country Farm & Home, LLC</a> is trying to sell property in Lost Creek, but still...they wouldn't lie about something like that.
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<br />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.USJoggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932505890003472392noreply@blogger.com0