JogAmericaBlog

Day 1482 -- Jogger's Progress

2011-11-30T20:45:00.001-06:00

	Trip	YTD	Nov
Distance	9281.8	1268.8	86.6
Time	64 days, 16 hrs, 53 min	9 days, 14 hrs, 21 mins	15:56
Days	1482	216	17
States	35	12	1

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.

Day 1466 -- Jogger's Progress

2011-10-31T17:44:00.000-05:00

	Trip	YTD	Oct
Distance	9195.2	1182.2	101.3
Time	64 days, 0 hrs, 57 min	8 days, 22 hrs, 25 mins	18:36
Days	1465	199	18
States	35	12	2

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.

Day 1457 -- Grayson

2011-10-18T20:41:00.000-05:00

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.

Catching up to Day 1456

2011-10-16T20:21:00.001-05:00

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.

Day 1452 -- Huntington

2011-10-09T20:36:00.001-05:00

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.

Days 1450 and 1451 -- Milton

2011-10-08T19:07:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1449 - Hurricane

2011-10-05T19:31:00.000-05:00

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.

Day 1448 -- Race Report: Kickapoo Reserve Dam Challenge

2011-10-01T20:56:00.000-05:00

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.

Days 1446 and 1447 -- Jogger's Progress

2011-09-29T20:36:00.001-05:00

	Trip	YTD	Sep
Distance	9093.9	1080.9	111.8
Time	63 days, 6 hrs, 21 min	8 days, 3 hrs, 49 mins	20:31
Days	1447	181	19
States	34	11	2

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.

Day 1445 -- Institute

2011-09-25T17:04:00.001-05:00

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.

Days 1443 and 1444 - Charleston

2011-09-24T20:28:00.001-05:00

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.

Day 1442 -- Yeager Airport

2011-09-22T20:28:00.001-05:00

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

Day 1441 -- Big Chimney

2011-09-21T20:38:00.001-05:00

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.

Day 1440 -- Blue Creek

2011-09-18T20:40:00.002-05:00

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.

DAy 1439 -- More Big Otter

2011-09-16T19:58:00.001-05:00

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.

Days 1436 and 1437 -- Big Otter

2011-09-14T20:21:00.004-05:00

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.

Days 1434 and 1435 -- Strange Creek

2011-09-11T20:43:00.000-05:00

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.

Day 1433 -- Gassaway

2011-09-09T19:28:00.003-05:00

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.

Days 1431 and 1432 -- Flatwoods

2011-09-07T20:34:00.000-05:00

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.

Day 1430 -- Napier

2011-09-05T16:29:00.000-05:00

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.

Day 1429 -- Burnsville

2011-09-04T16:32:00.002-05:00

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.

Days 1427 and 1428 -- Jogger's Progress

2011-08-31T07:41:00.003-05:00

	Trip	YTD	Aug
Distance	8982.1	969.1	116.9
Time	62 days, 10 hrs, 00 min	7 days, 7 hrs, 18 mins	21:09
Days	1428	162	21
States	34	11	2

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.

Day 1425 -- Weston

2011-08-29T19:25:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1424 -- McWhorter

2011-08-26T20:43:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1423 -- Lost Creek

2011-08-25T19:15:00.002-05:00

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.

1423 -- Craigmoor

2011-08-24T19:33:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1422 -- Clarksburg

2011-08-22T19:05:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1421 -- Race Report: MMM III

2011-08-20T18:32:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1420 -- Uffington

2011-08-18T19:03:00.003-05:00

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.

Days 1417, 1418, and 1419 -- Morgantown

2011-08-17T19:42:00.002-05:00

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.

Days 1415 and 1416 -- Rock Forge

2011-08-12T16:31:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1414 -- Cheat Neck

2011-08-10T20:07:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1413 -- Bruceton Mills

2011-08-09T16:32:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1412 -- West Virginia

2011-08-07T18:42:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1411 -- Selbysport

2011-08-06T13:26:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1410 -- Keysers Ridge

2011-08-04T18:45:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1409 -- Jennings

2011-08-03T18:47:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1408 -- Grantsville

2011-08-02T18:14:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1407 -- Jogger's Progress

2011-07-31T13:55:00.002-05:00

	Trip	YTD	Jul
Distance	8865.2	852.2	132.0
Time	61 days, 12 hrs, 51 min	6 days, 10 hrs, 9 mins	25:07
Days	1407	141	22
States	33	10	1

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.

Day 1406 -- More Cumberland

2011-07-30T16:33:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1405 -- Cumberland

2011-07-29T18:34:00.003-05:00

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.

Days 1403 and 1404 -- Rocky Gap State Park

2011-07-27T19:43:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1402 -- Flintstone

2011-07-24T11:54:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1401 -- Green Ridge State Forest

2011-07-23T17:38:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1400 -- Billmeyer Wildlife Management Area

2011-07-20T19:45:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1399 -- More Hancock

2011-07-19T19:32:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1398 -- Hancock

2011-07-17T19:21:00.004-05:00

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.

Day 1397 -- GTLOVI

2011-07-16T19:03:00.003-05:00

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.

Days 1395 and 1396 -- Clear Spring

2011-07-14T14:54:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1394 -- Halfway

2011-07-12T16:59:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1393 -- Funkstown

2011-07-10T18:58:00.002-05:00

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.

Day 1392 -- Middletown

2011-07-09T17:37:00.004-05:00

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.

Day 1391 -- Braddock Heights

2011-07-07T18:31:00.003-05:00

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.

Day 1390 -- Frederick

2011-07-06T18:52:00.002-05:00

We stayed up late Monday to watch the fireworks. So I went ahead and slept in on Tuesday. After all, I had run on Monday, which is my normal day off, so I was due for a day off. This morning, I ran 6.5 miles in muggy heat. It was actually foggy this morning. Not a good sign in early July.

Day 1389 -- Buckeystown

2011-07-04T14:59:00.002-05:00

Being from Wisconsin, I couldn't resist a little detour to Buckeystown. Unfortunately, it looks like they had a bid of water back in 2005.

Today is the fifth anniversary of my first every road race, a July 4 5K right here in town. To celebrate, I ran it again. I'm a bit slower than I was then, but overall I had a good day. In fact, considering I ran 12.6 miles yesterday (not really considered the appropriate way to prepare for a Personal Record 5K), I had a great day. It was my fastest 5K of the year, faster than all of my Thursday 5Ks.

I did get "strollered", that is, beaten by a woman pushing a stroller. A double stroller. But I didn't mind, because she had extra motivation. One of the kids repeated, "Go, Mommy! Go, Mommy! Go, Mommy!" for the whole three miles. It was so much fun! I think Mommy and the other kid got a little tired of it, but I didn't.

Day 1388 -- Urbana

2011-07-03T16:00:00.003-05:00

No, I haven't stepped into a black hole and popped up in Illinois, or even Iowa. I'm in Urbana, Maryland. The Buyer's Best Realtors, LLC says that "Urbana, Maryland, today is a real estate boomtown." So there.

It wasn't quite so warm and humid this morning. It wasn't cool, but it was better than it has been. The first half of my run went pretty well. I was going to say "The miles flew by," but that would be an exaggeration. Let's say that the miles went by at the rate of about one mile per mile. In the back half of the run, they slowed down a little. It took me two miles to run a mile. Then three. Then four. I'm pretty sure that the last mile was as long as the first 11.5 altogether. The last 100 yards was actually infinite.

Day 1387 -- Gaithersburg

2011-07-02T17:11:00.002-05:00

The U.S. Metric Association has a page dedicated to signs with metric measurements, and this one at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg MD. So I suppose it's appropriate to say that I ran about 7.4 km today.

Day 1386 -- Jogger's Progress

2011-06-30T16:23:00.002-05:00

	Trip	YTD	Jun
Distance	8733.2	720.2	118.1
Time	60 days, 11 hrs, 44 min	5 days, 9 hrs, 2 mins	21:42
Days	1386	120	22
States	29	8	2 + DC

I managed to make my 22 days in June, but only by cheating. Last Monday was a scheduled day off, but I ran. Two miles. I don't know when the last time I ran only two miles was. But I knew I wasn't going to make 22 days unless I ran, and I didn't want to run too far and screw up the rest of the week.

I suppose it actually worked in my favor. This morning, I didn't really feel like running. But if I didn't, I'd blow the 22 days that I worked so hard for. So if I hadn't run Monday, I might only have run 20 miles this month.

I did my Thursday 5K this morning. It was a little warmer, and very muggy, so I didn't manage much in the way of speed. Oh well. Maybe next week, if it's a little cooler.

Day 1385 -- Potomac

2011-06-29T16:46:00.003-05:00

According to an article in CNNMoney, Potomac, MD, is the seventh highest earning city in the country. They say, "The locals still call it horse country, but much of Potomac has been turned over to the Washington, D.C., area's wealthiest residents." Which may explain why so many of the top images in my Google search looked like this one, from real estate agent Colleen Barlow.

Another nice morning for a run, right about 15 degrees. I did a relaxed four miles.

Days 1383 and 1384 -- Virginia

2011-06-28T19:13:00.002-05:00

Actually, I ran into Virginia already on Sunday. It's not really possible to run 9 miles in a straight line in DC. Then I ran again yesterday, but never got time to post. So today is already my third day in Virginia, and I'm just getting around to the welcome sign. Just in time, too. Tomorrow, I run back into Maryland. Never let it be said that I wore out my welcome in Virginia.

These last two days have been gorgeous for running. Yesterday, I just did a quick couple of miles, but today I stretched it out to six, and it felt great. Tomorrow...well, I'll worry about that tomorrow.

Day 1382 -- White House

2011-06-26T12:37:00.002-05:00

While I was in DC, I thought I'd stop and visit my good friends Barack and Michelle. They have a nice little place not far from the Capitol Building. I've been telling them their paint job could use a little color, but do they listen to me?

While I was there, I went for a walk with Barack and Michelle and their two lovely daughters, Malia and Sasha (and, of course, Bo).

Today was kind of a rough run. The weather was still cool, if a bit humid. And I was only running nine miles. But I still had a hard time finishing. But finish I did, and since then I've been lazing about the house. Summer Sundays are wonderful.

Day 1381 -- Washington, DC

2011-06-25T09:10:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our nations capitol. I got this picture from Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space, a blog that "focuses on place and placemaking and all that makes it work--historic preservation, urban design, transportation, asset-based community development, arts & cultural development, commercial district revitalization, tourism & destination development, and quality of life advocacy--along with doses of civic engagement and good governance watchdogging." The blogger isn't real fond of this sign. The title on this blog post is "Is this the best we can do?"

It was a beautiful morning for a run. It was warm early this week. Then Wednesday, a cool front came through, and we've had four pretty nice days. Today was the best of all. No rain, no strong wind. Just 15 degrees and pleasant.

Day 1380 -- College Park

2011-06-24T21:49:00.002-05:00

Just east of College Park, so I thought it would be a good idea to stop in to the University of Maryland. The math building, of course. This particular picture of the math building is from a page dedicated to a conference in honor of Prof. Pete Casazza's 65th birthday. Happy Birthday, Prof. Casazza. Wait a second! That conference was last year. Never mind.

Day 1380 was actually yesterday. I ran my Thursday 5K, not quickly, but at least I finished, unlike last week. Friday, of course, is a scheduled day off.

Day 1379 -- Greenbelt

2011-06-22T19:44:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure exactly how to parse the name of Labelscar, the Retail History Blog. Is it "Label scar" or "Labels car"? Or perhaps "Label's car". Or even "La bel scar". In any case, they provided us with this photo of the Beltway Plaza Mall in Greenbelt.

I plodded out 3.3 miles this morning. I'm glad it wasn't 3.4. I was pretty tired.

Day 1378 -- Patuxent Research Refuge

2011-06-21T21:25:00.002-05:00

Just west of Fort Meade is the Patuxent Research Refuge. While you're there, you might want to hop on one of these all-electric, open-air trams to see the place. Or you could just jog.

Yesterday was a scheduled off day. Today, I managed 5 miles, which was half running, half swimming. The humidity is a little high right now. Maybe the storms in the next couple of days will bring it down.

Day 1377 -- Ft. Meade

2011-06-19T16:33:00.002-05:00

Office housing at Ft. Meade. Or, as the Wikipedia page from which I stole this image has it, "Officer houseing".

I ran eleven miles this morning, the same route as last Sunday. Of course, last Saturday, I didn't run, but yesterday I ran 6+ miles, so I knew from the beginning it would be a plod, and it was. I was fortunate that I had intermediately sprinkling rain to keep me cool. So I made it through, and now I'm ready for a day off.

Day 1376 -- Roadrunner Rally

2011-06-18T18:56:00.003-05:00

Better watch my step. The roadrunners are everywhere.

Today was the Roadrunner Rally, a race to benefit the local private school. I'm always up for a race where I can walk to the start, so I signed up. Then I realized that I had a little problem. Today was also the day when we had to set up for Cub Scout Day Camp, which is next week. So I ran the race asynchronously. I've done this before. I got up early and ran the route on my own. I ran the 10K, I got a time, so I'm counting it.

Whea I didn't realize was quite how small this race was going to be. The organizer is a friend of mine, but I didn't tell her that I wasn't going to be able to show up. So when I wasn't there when it was about to start, she called up to see if she should wait for me.

It would have been fun to go, too. She stopped by later and told me that only three people ran the 10K, one man and two women. So not only am I counting the race, I'm counting myself as the second man. My best showing ever.

Day 1375 -- More Baltimore

2011-06-17T16:40:00.003-05:00

Apoptosis is natural cell death. A cell does its job, then it dies, and gets sloughed off. If your cells don't undergo apoptosis, they keep growing. That's cancer.

Why bring this up? Because this photo is from a blog called Digital Apoptosis. What does that mean? I haven't the slightest idea. I can't make heads or tails of it.

I did feel much stronger this morning. I didn't go really far, because I've got a long weekend planned. But at least I had a little spring in my step.

Day 1374 -- Baltimore

2011-06-16T17:13:00.003-05:00

As we approach Baltimore, I thought I might check in with some of the local fauna. They are bigger than I thought they were.

It hasn't been a very productive couple of days. Yesterday, it was raining, and I wimped out. There was a little rumble of thunder, but it was far off, and I could easily have run, but I didn't. This morning, I set out for my Thursday 5K, but I guess I started out too fast. About halfway through, I threw in the towel. I thought I'd slow down and extend my run, but I didn't even end up extending it that long. I ran 3.4 miles, and walked most of a mile home. Ugh! I hope I'll be in better shape tomorrow.

Day 1373 -- Kenwood

2011-06-14T19:06:00.002-05:00

Now that is a beautiful picture. Well, except for the guy in the ugly pants. I've never been to Cherry Blossom time, but I'd love to go.

It was a nice morning for a run. I did a solid six miles. It felt really, really good. But I've been sore all day. Oh well, it was a good sore.

Day 1372 -- Nottingham

2011-06-12T20:40:00.002-05:00

We're clearly getting to towards the outskirts of Baltimore. Most of the Google images for Nottingham, MD, are real estate. This one is at least a store that's not for sale. If you are in the Nottingham area, and in need of pet supplies, may I recommend White Marsh Pet Center, conveniently located in the White Marsh Mall (upper level, next to J.C. Penney's).

I pounded out 11 miles this morning. It wasn't easy, but at least the weather cooperated. It was cool and dry -- one of the best running days of the summer so far.

Days 1369 and 1370 -- Joppatowne

2011-06-11T18:17:00.002-05:00

More from citifiles: this is Mariner Point Park in Joppatowne.

After being so warm early in the week, it finally cooled down on Thursday. For my Thursday 5K, it was more like 16 degrees than 26. Then Friday morning, it was raining when I got up. By the time it blew over, I had lost my momentum, so I didn't run Friday at all. This morning, there was a bit of mist when I went out, but it was over by the time I finished.

Day 1369 -- Havre de Grace

2011-06-07T17:22:00.002-05:00

I have decided to measure the temperature for my runs in Celsius. If I say that it was 26 degrees at 5:30 this morning, it doesn't sound so bad.

The boardwalk in Havre de Grace is brought to you by CityFiles.

Day 1368 -- Craigtown

2011-06-06T20:14:00.004-05:00

Blogger is not letting me upload pictures today, so you'll just have to use your imagination to insert me into this photo, from AARoads, of the highway to Craigtown. I ran 5.2 miles this morning, which would have gotten me to Craigtown, if I had run that way, but I continued on the road down towards Baltimore.

Days 1366 and 1367 -- Charlestown

2011-06-05T08:58:00.002-05:00

Actually, I'm closer to Bay View than to Charlestown, but "Bay View, Maryland" is a tough Google, because every town in Maryland has a Bay View Drive, and Johns Hopkins has a whole Bayview Medical Center. So historic Charlestown it is. Those are very historic stocks that I'm running towards.

I ran a tough 5 miles Friday morning, and then neglected to blog it. I meant to run again on Saturday, but didn't. Today, with 11 weeks until the Madison Mini Marathon, I'm starting to build up. I haven't set out a whole training plan for each day, but I have at least made a plan for my long runs, starting with eight miles today. Which I did, and it was OK. It's going to be another warm one, but I got out early, so it wasn't too bad, yet.

Day 1365 -- Maryland

2011-06-02T18:12:00.003-05:00

I am very, very close to the Maryland border. If I didn't run into Maryland today, I will in the first mile or so tomorrow. This sign is from a blog with the wonderful title Around the World, One Journey at a Time.

Thursday is 5K day, so not a long run. I ran four seconds faster than two weeks ago, making it my fastest 5K of the summer. Still not fast, mind you, but faster.

Day 1364 -- Jogger's Progress

2011-05-31T18:55:00.002-05:00

	Trip	YTD	May
Distance	8615.1	602.1	120.6
Time	59 days, 14 hrs, 2 min	4 days, 11 hrs, 20 mins	22:04
Days	1364	98	22
States	28	7	3

Well, I made my 22 days in May. I'm setting a goal for 22 in June. That's one fewer day off, of course.

In terms of mileage, May lost out to both February and March. Although I got in a lot of days, I didn't have that many long ones. So I'm setting a goal of 121 miles in June, just to beat out my mileage for May.

In terms of time, it was pathetic. I'm getting slower and slower as I get older. But at least I'm still running.

Day 1363 -- Christiana

2011-05-30T14:37:00.003-05:00

From Wikimedia Commons, the Old Fort Church in Christiana.

I had planned to get up this morning and run my long run that I missed yesterday, because of the marathon. However, I had trouble getting to sleep last night, and at some point, I turned off the alarm. When I finally rolled out of bed, it was already warming up, so I only ran a little over three. I'm figuring I just won't get in a long run this weekend. That's OK. If I get in a run tomorrow, I'll make my 22 days in May.

Finish Line

2011-05-29T18:57:00.002-05:00

Well, I admit that it wasn't as much fun as I had expected. The main problem was that there were too many of us. You can hardly blame the organizers for that. It's definitely better to have too many than too few. But there just wasn't enough for everyone to have something to do. Many of the finish line volunteers were teenagers -- there was at least one church group involved -- and they wanted to be helpful. So they crowded up near the finish line and shoved medals at people. My choices were either to elbow my way past them, or stand back with a couple of other old guys and hand out medals to the few people who slipped through the gauntlet. We also cheered a lot.

I was reminded of why I'm glad I'm not a serious runner. The guy who won the quarter marathon was pissed. I never heard exactly why. He was mad at the bike escort, who was trying really hard to apologize to him. So the bike guy must either have cut the runner guy off, or led him off course briefly. Whatever it was, it couldn't have been that bad. The runner guy still won the race by five minutes. But by golly, he was pissed, and he let everyone know it.

All weekend, I had the urge to join in. I couldn't help but envy the runners' broad smiles. It was cool and overcast, so that wasn't as bad as last year. But just about 10:30, when I would have had about an hour and a half left to run, it started raining steadily. So maybe it was just as well that I didn't run.

Day 1362 -- Minquadale

2011-05-28T20:06:00.002-05:00

In July 2009, the Minquadale Village Homeowners Association, Inc. created the first resident-owned manufactured home community in Delaware. The group utilized state legislation passed in 2008 that provides residents the right of first refusal to purchase the land in their community. The community residents were assisted by a collaboration of several affordable housing organizations.

Scratched out a little over five miles this morning. It wasn't a bad day for a run. I hope that tomorrow is more of the same, because tomorrow is the Madison Marathon. No, I'm not running it. I'm volunteering. I went up today and volunteered at packet pick-up, and tomorrow I'll be at the finish line, handing out medals.

Day 1361 -- Delaware

2011-05-27T18:10:00.002-05:00

Delaware is a new state for JogAmericaBlog. This sign comes from a blog that documents a 2003 cross country trip. It seems like the blog hasn't been updated for a while, but of course, nothing on the web ever dies.

I managed to get out and do my Thursday 5K this morning, only one day late. It was not quite as fast as last Thursday. I guess I'm just slower on Fridays.

Day 1360 -- Deepwater

2011-05-26T21:00:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty close to Deepwater, NJ, and my Google search turned up the Deepwater Diner. OK, it's in Carney's Point. But Carney's Point isn't too far away from here, either. I got the photo from a blog called Diner Hunter, who says it has "solid tasty diner food". And you'd think, if he has a whole blog about it, that he would know.

Tuesday night, I was up late, waiting to pick up the Oldest and Newest Little Jogger after an away soccer game. So it was really, really hard to tear myself out of bed Wednesday morning, but I did it! I got changed, walked out the door, and heard the rumble of thunder. Crap. As it turned out, the thunderstorm never did get that close, but I couldn't know that. So I skipped yesterday.

Last night, I got to bed on time, and should have been able to get up and get moving, but I didn't. Fortunately, it's summer vacation, so I could get in a nooner, which I did.

Day 1359 -- Auburn

2011-05-24T20:30:00.003-05:00

Not a lot of great pictures from Auburn, NJ, I'm afraid, but this one is at least a little odd. It's from the web site mitula.us, which seems to be a classified ad sort of sight. It's a listing for a 2008 Acura Legend. I'm not real big on cars, but that doesn't look like an Acura Legend to me.

Another nice morning for a run, and I cranked out 5.6 miles. It wasn't a bad run.

On an unrelated note, Mrs. J and I have been married for 24 years today. Another 24 to go, I hope.

Day 1358 -- Swedesboro

2011-05-22T17:23:00.002-05:00

OK, not a really big photo, but it is the Swedesboro Municipal Building.

I set out this morning to make 15 miles, but it was clear by the seventh or eighth mile that that wasn't going to happen. Hell, it was clear by the second or third mile that wasn't going to happen. So I plodded out 10, and called it a day. Maybe next week.

Day 1347 -- Mickleton

2011-05-21T16:04:00.002-05:00

Storage World #1808, in Mickleton, NJ, because why not?

I managed to plod out almost five miles this morning. I didn't feel very sprightly, but it was OK. It was fairly nice weather, mid sixties, but overcast, so it didn't feel too warm. Tomorrow, I'm hoping for a long run.

Day 1356 -- Woodbury

2011-05-19T18:13:00.002-05:00

Behold, First Baptist Church of Woodbury, NJ! It's not a bad looking church, but this was a tough shot because of all the telephone wires in the foreground. I know from my own experience as a church photographer that that can be a pain. It's exactly the kind of thing that your mind filters out when you are looking at the church in real time, but that jumps out at you when you photograph it.

I took Tuesday off, having run on Monday. Yesterday, I did a hilly 5.6 miles. This morning, I tried a quick 5K. Well, relatively quick. It was faster than my 5K race last week. That's partly because it was a less hilly course, and partly because it was much cooler. For the last couple of days, it's been really nice weather for running. Cool enough not to be oppressive, but not too cold (and not raining).

Day 1354 -- Cherry Hill

2011-05-16T20:13:00.004-05:00

I really think of covered bridges as a midwest thing, but here's one in Cherry Hill, NJ. I think the Graphics Institute has it installed specially, because they needed something picturesque for the web page.

A rare Monday run for me. I needed a day off after yesterday's long run, but I had to take the van to the shop. Our mechanic is a half a mile out of town. Of course, I could have Mrs. J run out with me to pick me up. But I also like to brink the van out early in the morning and run back into town. So I did.

Day 1353 -- Moorestown

2011-05-15T20:27:00.002-05:00

This blog has lots of nice pictures of Moorestwon, NJ. I selected this picture of a large fiberglass dog that someone painted artistically. Another one of those "civic pride" things that every town from Austin to Zanesville seems to be doing.

I ran 13.2 miles today. Not quite the same as the Pikermi two weeks ago. Much lonelier, for one thing. Also, in the race, I picked up the pace for the last four miles. Today, I slowed down so much in the last four miles that an arthritic turtle sped by me with his walker and flipped me off. But I finished, and it felt OK.

Day 1352 -- Allentown

2011-05-14T15:22:00.002-05:00

This paddock at Hill Haven Farms wasn't the most attractive photo of Allentown, NJ, to show up in my Google search, but it looked like a great place for a run. Well, if you watch out for the horse apples.

Another long week, but I hope it's the worst one for a while. It was the last week of classes. Finals are next week, and then things should slow down for a while.

It warmed up for the first part of the week. Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty hot and humid, even first thing in the morning. It cooled down a little on Thursday, and this morning is was downright chilly. I started in the rain, but it tapered off before too long.

Day 1348 -- Prospect Plains

2011-05-08T19:15:00.004-05:00

A quick summary of my jogging life:

Tuesday: Didn't want to get out of bed. Monday evening, I had posted a goal not to skip any scheduled runs this month. You kind of want to keep those goals going for at least 12 hours. So I got up and ran a slow 5K.
Wednesday: See Tuesday. I little bit longer, but a little bit slower.
Thursday: Slept in. Felt bad.
Friday: Made up for the missed day on Thursday. Not a real strong run, but I ran it.
Saturday: The Pioneer Trail 5K at the university. My second race this week! I actually ran about the same pace for the 5K that I had for the Pikermi. It was hot, and I wasn't rested, and it was a really hilly trail. It was far from my best 5K, but I finished.
Sunday: A nice, cool, dry morning. I just got out and ran. I didn't have any particular time goal, pace goal, or distance goal. I ran until I was tired, and then, well, I was still two miles from home, so I kept running. It turned out to be a little over eight miles, which was fine.

A quick summary of my non-jogging life:

Tuesday: A long meeting with the student discipline committee, reviewing the procedure for two pending appeals of suspensions for non-academic misconduct. At that point, we had almost no details, and were just talking in generalities. Since then, both appeals have been settled, and the committee is going dormant again until needed.
Wednesday: Not too late at school, but too tired to blog.
Thursday: Two senior seminar presentations. We have 14 senior seminar students this semester, the most in at least five years. Naturally, the duty of organizing senior seminar, which rotates around the department, fell on me. I'm also the topic advisor for two of the students.
Friday: Relaxed a little in the evening, and watched TV with the kids.
Saturday: Grading, grading, grading. Mrs. J isn't feeling well, so I get to cook.
Sunday: More grading. Helped Mrs. J out in the yard. She is planting, replanting, landscaping, and just generally having a good time. She is still not 100%, so I help with the digging. This is actually a pretty good Mother's Day present for her.

This next week is the last week of classes, with finals the week after. I am now officially in "the semester can't end soon enough for me" mode.

New Jersey Turnpike picture from AARoads.

Jogger's Progress

2011-05-02T19:32:00.003-05:00

	Trip	YTD	Apr
Distance	8494.5	581.5	111.6
Time	58 days, 16 hrs, 48 min	3 days, 13 hrs, 16 mins	20:18
Days	1342	76	18
States	27	6	3

I know, everything is out of order. I'm supposed to post Jogger's Progress at the end of the month, but I never got around to it, because of all the chaos last week.

It wasn't a great month. I can't believe I only ran 18 days. I have set a positive goal of 22 days this month. That would be taking only taking Mondays and Fridays off.

Today being Monday, I took it off.

Day 1343 -- Race Report: Eau Claire Pikermi

2011-05-01T18:38:00.002-05:00

What a week it's been.

Monday: Planning meeting for this summer's Cub Scout Day Camp, with the Oldest and Newest Little Jogger, who will be helping out. The Littlest Little Jogger had children's choir.
Tuesday: The LLJ had a meeting at the middle school to talk about next year's orchestra. It would have overlapped with Cub Scouts, but Cub Scouts was canceled.
Wednesday: Math Department Banquet.
Thursday: "STEMposium" in which the various programs around the area designed to increase interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math show off their results. Both the LLJ and the First Little Jogger have projects. The O&N is supposed to have a soccer game, but it's canceled because of rotten weather.
Friday: I get up before the crack of dawn to drive up to the state meeting of the Mathematical Association of America. The O&N goes to a friend's house for the weekend, the FLJ goes to another science camp for the weekend, and the LLJ goes camping with the Cubs. Mrs. J and the Medium Little Jogger party until they drop.
Saturday: More math meeting, until early afternoon. At which point I drive a half hour to Eau Claire, for the Pikermi. I am the only one at the race expo wearing a tie.
Sunday: Run the Pikermi (more below). Drive three and a half hours home. Finally get a few seconds to relax.

So that's why I haven't been blogging.

And how was the Pikermi, you ask? Cold. It was mid-thirties and gusty winds. We had occasional flakes of snow throughout the morning. Somebody suggested that it really wasn't such bad weather for the first day of March. For the first day of May, however....

The start was the single most disorganized experience I've ever had at a race. At first, no one even knew where we were going to line up. When we did figure it out, there was nothing to indicate where to line up for your pace. There was a pace team, but their projected times were written on balloons, which bobbled in the wind, making them impossible to read. There was an announcer, but you couldn't hear him from the starting area. I swear I never saw a race organizer at all.

Once we got going, things were better. The water stops were frequent and well manned. The course was quite nice, with a few gentle hills, and enough scenery to keep one interested.

I tucked in with the two-and-a-half hour pacer. He was a nice guy, and we had a nice long conversation about various courses he'd been on, and various courses I'd been on, and training, and aging, and all sorts of stuff. There was one other woman who ran with us, and that was pretty much the pace group for nine miles. At that point, she started to drop back, and I decided to push ahead. I finished in 2:25, which wasn't bad, all things considered. Ten hours later, I'm starting to get feeling back in my fingers and toes.

I think that I would do the Pikermi or even the Marathon again in Eau Claire, if only they could promise me decent weather.

Days 1338, 1339, and 1340 -- Staten Island

2011-04-24T09:39:00.003-05:00

Into New York once again. This time, I ran across the Goethels Bridge, onto Staten Island, the forgotten borough. Many, many years ago, my family lived on Staten Island. My father was teaching at Richmond College (and then the College of Staten Island, when it changed names.) I was about 8 when we moved there, and about 15 when we moved away. It was an interesting time. We took Cub Scout trips to the Statue of Liberty and the Twin Towers. Try that in Wisconsin. Of course there was also crime and crowds and litter and all the big city woes. I wouldn't move back to New York now. But it was fun.

Sorry I haven't been posting. I've run the last three days. Six on Friday, six on Saturday, and nine this morning. Twenty-one miles in three days, which isn't too shabby. The Pikermi is next Sunday morning.

Day 1337 -- North Bergen

2011-04-21T19:54:00.002-05:00

Blogs are wonderful things. People can think of all sorts of neat themes. Here is Fading Ad Blog, dedicated to "vintage mural ads & other signage by Frank H. Jump & friends". Thanks, Frank.

Day 1337 was yesterday. I got up and ran four miles or so. It was cold, but less windy, so it was OK. I was up late last night with a migraine, so I slept in this morning.

The University has a four day weekend, with both Friday and Monday off. The kids have Friday, but not Monday, so Mrs. J and I are planning to take off and do something fun on Monday.

Day 1336 -- New Jersey

2011-04-19T19:07:00.002-05:00

New York didn't last very long. I zapped through it and into New Jersey for the second time.

I got out this morning, and it was cold. But, I thought, at least it isn't raining. so, just to spite me, it started snowing. Hard little pellets of ugly sleety snow. At least it didn't start sticking until after I finished. It's been raining/snowing/sleeting on and off all day. On April 19th. Yuck.

Days 1334 and 1335

2011-04-17T20:21:00.002-05:00

Somewhere in here, I'm running through the Bronx, then the northern part of Manhattan, and then on to New Jersey. I don't know if I'm terribly near the Bronx Zoo, but I thought it would be cool visit. This photo is from Star Tours, whom I heartily recommend for all your Bronx Zoo tour needs.

I ran an easy 4 on Thursday. I took a scheduled day off on Friday, and then skipped again on Saturday, because the weather was rotten. It was cold and blustery and it snowed! OK, it didn't snow early in the morning, when I would have been running. But still. It was cold enough to snow!

This morning, I ran 11 miles. The Pikermi is just two weeks away. Next week, I'll do a relatively short long run. So that was my longest run for the next two weeks.

Days 1331, 1332, and 1333 -- New York

2011-04-13T19:04:00.002-05:00

This is actually my third spin in New York. I started JogAmericaBlog in New York City, at the Empire State Building, in 2006. I ran out of New York and into New Jersey on the first day. I ran back into New York on October 2 of last year, some time during the Lakefront Marathon. I posted this photo then. It's one of the few times I used this cutout, with me in my Lakefront Marathon shirt and wearing my medal. On Sunday or Monday, I ran into New York for the third time.

Sorry I haven't been posting. Life happens. I ran 13.2 on Sunday, my last run at that distance before the Pikermi at the end of the month. I did a very slow 5K on Monday. I took Tuesday off, and today I did a fairly brisk 5 miles. Overall, I'm feeling OK. I think I should survive the Pikermi.

Day 1330 -- Darien

2011-04-09T19:52:00.004-05:00

The photo that caught my eye of these three was the middle one, which looked like a running path. It isn't. It's the "In Progress" photo from The English Garden Company, which, as you can see, redesigned this house's garden.

I reached another spring milestone this morning. I ran outside in shorts for the first time. It was nice. It looks like tomorrow might be shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. But then another cool front is coming in tomorrow night, and then it will be back to the ugly tights.

Day 1329 -- Norwalk

2011-04-07T20:12:00.002-05:00

The Norwalk City Hall and Concert Hall is quite nice. I imagine that like almost everything in Connecticut, it is way older than anything in Wisconsin.

Today was a rough morning. I had to force myself out of the house, and even then, I couldn't get up much momentum. About the best that I can say is that it was better than not running.

Day 1328 -- Fairfield

2011-04-06T19:08:00.003-05:00

I searched for images of Fairfield, CT, and this home, with a new exterior by LS Construction just jumped off of the page at me. Isn't it gorgeous? Of course, it's in New Fairfield, which isn't terribly close to Fairfield, but we can't have everything.

An easy four this morning.