A short run or two each day this week. Nothing special. 6 miles today at lunch time. I need to start picking my mileage back up or eating less. My body shape is changing and not for the better I'd say. Well you be the judge. Sam took this picture of me yesterday.
Coffee brims with health benefits, researchers say
The Palm Beach Post, Fla.
11-02-09
Oct. 31--Drink up, coffee lovers. Not only is coffee aromatic and delicious, it's good for you.
Who says? None other than Harvard Medical School.
Once considered questionable for your health, it turns out that the beloved beverage is actually healthful in moderation. That means a few cups a day.
At about 20 cents per 6-ounce cup, coffee is a good deal if you brew it yourself.
Harvard researchers say drinking coffee may help prevent diseases such as:
Cancer: Some studies have found coffee drinkers have lower rates of colon and rectal cancers and are 50 percent less likely to get liver cancer than coffee abstainers.
Type 2 diabetes: Coffee is thought to contain chemicals that lower blood sugar because heavy coffee drinkers may be half as likely to get diabetes as those who drink little or no coffee. Coffee also may increase your resting metabolism rate, which could help prevent diabetes.
Parkinson's disease: Coffee seems to help protect men from Parkinson's disease, but not women. The difference might be due to estrogen, researchers say.
Heart disease: Coffee is not linked to the development of heart disease. In the past few years, Harvard scientists say, coffee has been shown to be safe even for heart attack survivors. Scientists think antioxidants in coffee may reduce inflammation and protect blood vessel walls.
Life span: Recent studies suggest that drinking coffee decreases the risk of premature death, especially in women. Women who drank at least five to seven cups a week had a death rate 26 percent lower than non-consumers, a large investigation by researchers in Spain and at Harvard Medical School found.
Read the full article here
My best marathon time to date was at the Baltimore Marathon 2 weeks ago. I finished in a time of 3:44:18. I got curious to see what famous people have run marathons and what their times were (yes I’m that competitive).
The following people I smoked - HA!
Meredith Baxter, Family Ties, New York City Marathon
4:08:30
Alex P. Keaton would not be pleased
Anthony Edwards, Chicago Marathon
3:55:40
Who is Anothony Edwards? I have no idea. Oh well I dusted dude too.
David James Elliott, JAG, Boston Marathon
4:57:23
I just love how these celebrities get entries into Boston without earning it. The rest of us slackers have to qualify.
Will Ferrell, Boston Marathon
3:56:12
I wonder if he entertained fellow runners with jokes.
David Lee Roth, former lead singer of Van Halen, New York City Marathon
Guess dude stopped to hit on the girls along the way
6:04:43
Mario López, Saved by the Bell, Boston Marathon
5:41:41
That time is lame Mario, just like the show you were in. You could walk a marathon that fast.
Peter Weller, New York City Marathon
3:51:26
I beat Robo Cop! Cool!
Freddie Prinze, Jr., Los Angeles Marathon
5:50:49
Freddie must have been flirting with the ladies with David Lee.
Danni Boatwright, Winner: Survivor: Guatemala, Nashville Country Music Marathon
4:23:24
I guess she was stopping along the way to eat slugs and grasshoppers, how else to explain that time
Oprah Winfrey, Marine Corps Marathon
4:29:20
Like Thumpers dad says. “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
Kerri Strug, Gymnast, Houston Marathon
4:12:06
Not bad but no gold medal performance. It must be those short legs (like I’m one to talk)
Lisa Ling, formerly of The View, Boston Marathon
4:34:18
Is there a worse show on TV for guys than The View? Other than Oprah of course
P. Diddy (Sean Combs), New York City Marathon
4:14:54.
I would have shot myself in the face if I ran slower than Puff Daddy or whatever his handle is these days. Actually I’m surprised he didn’t shoot me.
Lynn Swann, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, New York City
4:26:21
Looks like Swann has lost a step or three. Maybe if people in the crowd tossed him footballs while he was running he would have gone faster
George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States, Houston Marathon
3:44:52
I just barely beat W’s time. But at least I can say nuclear
Al Gore, Vice President of the United States at the time, Marine Corps Marathon
4:58:25
He probably was late to the start because he was busy inventing the internet.
Kim Alexis, model, New York City Marathon
3:52:00
I could probably slow myself done a bit and run that pace
Ali Landry, model, Boston Marathon
5:41:41
Ok I’m not slowing myself down that much, model or not
And ones that are faster than me
William Baldwin, New York City Marathon
3:24:29
Not sure which Baldwin brother he is (I don't think even their mother can keep them straight) but I’m glad it wasn’t the fat slob Alec Baldwin that beat my time
Lance Armstrong, Seven-time Tour de France champion and triathlete, New York City Marathon
2:59:36
Lance “Drug Doper” Armstrong beat my time? What a shock. Come on Lance you can do better than that. There is no drug testing at NYM unless you win.
Joan Van Ark, Santa Ana 1979
3:35:00
Never cared for Knott’s Landing but that is some fast running
Michael Dukakis, Former Governor of Massachusetts, Boston Marathon
3:31:00
That little dweeb beat me? Must train harder.
Björn Ulvaeus, former member of Swedish band ABBA, Stockholm Marathon.
3:23:54!
Ok now I’m down right embarrassed. ABBA? Seriously dude was in ABBA. I may not be able to show myself in public. I need a hug
John Edwards, Former United States Senator, Marine Corps Marathon
3:30:18
Guess all his spare time wasn’t spent cheating on his wife
Mikuláš Dzurinda, Prime Minister of Slovakia, Malokarpatsky Marathon
2:54:57!
I have no idea who he is or wear Slovakia is but that is a real sweet time. Better than Lance’s
Housework Pays Off Between the Sheets
by Sue Shellenbarger
Wall Street Journal
Housework may seem like the ultimate romance-killer. But guess what?
A new study shows that for husbands and wives alike, the more housework you do, the more often you are likely to have sex with your spouse.
Earlier studies have hinted at this connection for men; the sight of a husband mopping the floor or doing dishes sparks affection in the hearts of many wives. But the more-housework-equals-more-sex link for wives, documented in a study of 6,877 married couples published online recently in the Journal of Family Issues, is a surprise.
Scrubbing the floor is no aphrodisiac, and seeing your spouse doing it usually isn't either. "My husband loves doing laundry, yet I don't get any thrill out of his doing it," says Chicago writer Julie Danis. And "I don't think he thinks it's sexy when I go around gathering the detritus of his daily life."
But for some high achievers who take a "work hard, play hard" approach to life, researchers say, working hard in one domain produces more energy for others. The study also found a correlation between hours spent on paid work and the frequency of sex in marriage.
"Rather than compromise their sex life" because of time demands at work or at home, "this group of go-getters seems to make sex a priority," says Constance Gager, lead researcher and an assistant professor of family and child studies at Montclair State University, Montclair, N.J. The study doesn't measure what proportion of spouses fall into this group, but she believes "they are on the leading edge of couples we expect to see more of in the future."
Many husbands and wives I interviewed offered an additional explanation – that housework may be a proxy for a general willingness to invest in shared interests, a symbol of commitment to home and hearth. Perhaps "working on the same task … makes the couple remember why they married – to be on the same team, to build a life," Ms. Danis says.
Read the rest of the article here
Bob Griese – former Dolphin QB and current commentator for ESPN college football games was suspended for 1 week for speculating that race car driver Juan Pablo Montoya of Columbia was out eating a taco. Holy Salsa Batman! We have become such a sensitive people. Griese should have been fired for being a nitwit. Tacos do not eat Columbian food.
Larry Johnson – Kansas City Chiefs running back was suspended indefinitely. His crime? Apparently he used the F-word on twitter and again when a reporter asked him a question. No not THAT F-word, I’ sure that F-word would have been just fine. He used what is called a ‘gay slur’. Basically he called his coach a f@g. This set the homo-rights group into a big old prissy hissy fit. Are these people serious? Have they ever been involved in sports (stupid question)? You can’t go 2 minutes in a guy’s locker room without someone calling someone a f@g, queer, pansy etc...plus a host of other indelicate names. It's not gonna stop and you can't change it people.
He wasn’t suspended, which he should have been, for being disrespectful to his coach. It was his choice of insults that did him in. He could have used the other F-word accompanied with mother in referring to his coach and nothing probably would have happened to him.
Heck for all I know he could have been using the word f@g in the British meaning, maybe his coach is a smoker.
The Chiefs actually did him a favor by suspended him since they suck so bad.
Sure calling someone a f@g isn’t nice. But neither is calling them a butthead, weenie or dweeb either. I'm not suggesting we call anyone any of these names but quite taking yourselves so serious people.
Of course if you are on the correct side of the media (aka you are a flaming liberal) you don’t get in a lot of trouble. You just have to offer a semi-sincere apology. Witness Florida Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson called Linda Robertson, an aide to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, a "K Street whore." Did Grayson get suspended or censured? Um, no. I would argue that calling a woman who you barely know a whore is a whole lot worse than a football player calling his coach a f@g. I’m not saying, I’m just saying.
4.5 middling miles today in blah weather while wearing my Asics DS Trainers.
Because with all the problems in the world, real and imagined, life is too short and important to take seriously.
1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15.... When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines....
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos.
What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.
Don’t you just hate it when the readings from Mass convict you and make you feel like dirt? Or in my case dirt from Three Mile Island.
Both of the readings below made me realize how truly blessed I am to have found and married such a wonderful woman. Ok realized isn’t the best word, of course I’ve known it all along. It’s not like it just dawned on me. I’ve known she was special since the first time I met her 25 years ago. Reminded is probably a better word. Sadly I tend to take my bride for granted. She is so wonderful and I am so lucky to have her that I just assume she will always be there for me and the kids (which she is) but she doesn’t get the thanks and recognition that she deserves for putting up with me and the little blessings from God.
Anyway between the readings below and having her down and out for a month after her c-section, I got a great reminder during that time of how much I have to be thankful for.
The first reading from a few Sunday’s ago
I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
and I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
and countless riches at her hands.
Wisdom 7:7-11
Then this reading at a wedding last weekend that we attended
Blessed the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days; A worthy wife brings joy to her husband, peaceful and full is his life. A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the Lord; Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face.
A gracious wife delights her husband, her thoughtfulness puts flesh on his bones; A gift from the Lord is her governed speech, and her firm virtue is of surpassing worth. Choicest of blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste soul. A holy and decent woman adds grace upon grace; indeed, no price is worthy of her temperate soul. Like the sun rising in the Lord’s heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.
Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16
Ok I know the first reading is talking about wisdom not wives but I decided it was talking to me about my wife and what a gift she is to me. A gift to be cherished and loved and protected and placed above all other gifts. As for the second reading from Sirach, the author could have had my wife in mind when he wrote it. With the possible exception of “governed speech”. She does like to talk every now and again ;)
“...no price is worthy of her...” Sam you truly priceless to me. Thank you so much for saying yes all those years ago.
And thanks for putting up with:
• My running all the time
• My skanky toenails from running
• My joking about trading you in for 2 20 year-old (twins)
• The hair sprouting on my ears
• My smart-assedness (I’m pretty sure that is a word)
• HT and TTN
• My taking you for granted
• My complaining about the house
• (Insert all other faults of mine here)
Just don’t let it go to your head.
10 mile run at lunch time in the cool ran. Actually ran a decently fast pace for once. Yo Jo, I wore my Saucony Tangent 3 running shoes. I know you were curious.
When giving directions to our house, we usually just give enough directions to get people in the general vicinity of our neighborhood and tell the people they will know our house when they see it. Once you get to our street, our house will stand out more than my bride at a NOW convention. It has a distinctive look, not to mention smell. Bikes, strollers, car seats, skate boards, footballs, soccer balls etc...our yard has everything but grass.
Most of the people who live around us fall in to 3 categories:
1) Retirees who have lots of free time and are always puttering around the yard and keeping it nice and clean looking. These are the people who in the Fall when t he leaves are starting to fall down are out there picking up the leaves the moment two or more are on the ground.
2) People with 1 or 2 perfect kids. The kind who besides helping their parents do yard work (willingly) spend the rest of their time taking chess and piano lessons, conjugating verbs and memorizing Pi out to 100 decimal places
3) Childless yuppies who hire illegal’s (they pay them a living wage of course) to keep the yard and house looking great so they can do more important things on Saturday mornings… like put on their hand-dyed jeans, vintage t-shirts and expensive running shoes that are never run in and drive their Prius’ to a local coffee house that only serves ‘fair trade’ coffee, then off to the dog park and the organic pet food and designer cheese stores (I like cheese too). They really do have nice yards though.
Needless to say our neighbors don’t always appreciate living next to 12 kids who are home all day long due to homeschooling. Your 5 year-old son exposes himself to your neighbor’s daughter or pees on his wife’s daffodils and you are labeled for life. I mean how were my kids supposed to know that the grandmother who lives next door had a heart condition and was afraid of snakes.
I think my neighbors have finally had enough of us. They spent the weekend trimming and shaping their hedges that border our yard.
6.2 miles run at lunch on a lovely fall day. I wore my END OTG running shoes and yes Jo the shoe always matters with running.
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