Demotivational Monday

Because the weekend is over and Mondays are just horrendous at times

Weather: 65 and rain
Time of Day: 1:30pm
Distance: 7.27 miles
Time: 1:03:29
Pace: 8:44
Running Shoes: Saucony Fastwitch
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 8
Comments: Love running in the rain!

54.72 miles for the week........not that I am counting

Today's Workouts

Today
Weather: 70 and sun
Time of Day: 10am
Distance: 7.29
Time: 1:02:10
Pace: 8:32
Running Shoes: Saucony Kinvara
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 8.5
Comments: legs surprisingly fresh after yesterdays long run

Yesterday
Weather: 60 and cool
Time of Day: 6am
Distance: 16.63
Time: 2:27:08
Pace: 8:51
Running Shoes: Saucony Tangents
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 8
Comments: Nice long run. Longest in about 3 months

Thursday
Weather: 80 and sunny
Time of Day: 12:00pm
Distance: 4.01
Time: 31:48
Pace: 7:56
Running Shoes: Saucony Kinvara
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 8.5
Comments: Quick paced run

Yet More Reasons to Love Black Gold

Coffee! Yes I love me some coffee every now and again. Ok I love some coffee hourly. And here is 5 more reasons to love coffee/caffeine if you are a running. I didn't need any more reasons to drink coffee but it's nice to have a few more excuses.

From Runner's World

Run Longer, Think Faster
In a study done last year, researchers gave cyclists an energy bar with or without caffeine (equal to one cup of coffee) before and during a long, hard ride. They found that cyclists who have caffeine ride farther and think faster on cognitive tests than the no-caffeine group—useful news to runners in endurance events and adventure races, where quick decision-making is key.

Increase Sprint Speed
Consider drinking a cup of coffee before your next speed workout: Australian scientists gave fit athletes a 300-milligram dose of caffeine one hour before running five sets of 6 x 20-meter sprints. They found that runners who have caffeine sprint faster than those who don't have caffeine. Researchers think the stimulant enhances reaction time and running speed.

Recover More Quickly
Runners know they need carbs postrun to rebuild their glycogen stores, but a recent study suggests caffeine may also enhance recovery. Cyclists rode hard for two consecutive days to drain their glycogen stores. They then drank a carb beverage with or without caffeine. Researchers found that having a drink with caffeine rebuilds glycogen stores 66 percent more than a carb-only drink.

Hydrate Smart
Many people have heard caffeine causes dehydration. Most studies, though, show you can have up to 550 milligrams of caffeine (or about five cups of coffee) without affecting hydration levels. That means you can have quite a few caff einated sports drinks and gels while running without risking dehydration; more than 550 milligrams will have a diuretic effect.

Keep Bones Healthy
A few studies have shown a link between bone-mineral loss and caffeine—but a close look at the data reveals that caffeine itself doesn't cause the mineral loss. Many coffee lovers may drink it in place of beverages rich in calcium (such as milk), and as a result, decrease their intake of this bone-strengthening mineral.

Pet Peeve Phriday

Overused Phrases and Words that need to go. Can we agree to get rid of these. What ones would you like to add?

Team Building
Action Items
New Paradigm
Think Outside the Box
Out of Pocket
Significant Other
Take that offline
Back in the day
Old School
It is what it is
Fail
Epic
Not so Much
Just Sayin'


On the other hand maybe I need to engage in some Team Building with my family, including my Significant Other, and show them how Epic it was Back in the Day when we rocked it Old School. First I better make a list of Action Items, that will take awhile so I will be Out of Pocket for awhile working on a New Paradigm. But I would probably Fail, Just Sayin'. Oh well, It is what it is.

Constipation

Today's Workouts

Weather: 80 and warm with a strong breeze
Time of Day: 11:30am
Distance: 7.22 miles
Time: 1:03:08
Pace: 7:44
Running Shoes: Saucony Fastwitch 4. Other than the obnoxious color these are nice light weight racing shoe with some support. They can also be used as everyday trainers.
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 8
Comments: Easy paced run in the last hot weather we are supposed to have for awhile.

Cool Interactive Music Video

Check out this interactive video of the Arcade Fire song The Wilderness Downtown

You enter you address of where you grew up at the start of the video and then...well you'll see.........

You have to use the Google Chrome browser with this video. It won't work correctly with Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer etc...........

Today's Workouts

Weather: 75 and sunny
Time of Day: 11:30am
Distance: 4.01
Time: 31:07
Pace: 7:46
Running Shoes: Saucony Kinvara
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 8.5
Comments: Great run. Short but quick

The New Marlboro Man

Indonesia's smoking toddler kicks habit

JAKARTA (AFP) – A two-year-old Indonesian boy who smoked about 40 cigarettes a day has kicked the habit after receiving intensive specialist care, a child welfare official said Thursday.

Ardi Rizal shocked the world when a video of him drawing heavily on cigarettes appeared on the Internet in May and drew attention to Indonesia's failure to regulate the tobacco industry.


Read the rest of the story here


Now I thought about getting all high and mighty and preachy, but this is how I spent my lunch hour with my 3 year-old toddler, Eric. After taking him to the tattoo parlor we hit McDonald's



Now I know eating at McDonald's isn't the same as smoking-not done daily and maybe not as unhealthy as smoking. But we all know that stuff they call food isn't really food and it surely isn't healthy. And I don't eat there everyday, in fact that is probably the second or third time I have been to a McDonald's this year. Yet lots of people eat there regularly and look like it. They are fatter then the smoking porker in the story. So I find it amusing that fat western society is criticizing Indonesia for their smoking policies. I don't know but something about removing the plank from their own eyes comes to mind.

My kids also happen to be very active so they can get away with eating junk food on occasion. Unlike the fat kids and their fat parents who spend most of their time in front of the TV, Video games and computer screen.

When I was at McDonald's today there was no one in line inside for food yet there were a dozen cars waiting in line for the drive-thru. Those people could have parked their cars, waddled a whopping 25 yards inside, gotten their food and been back in their cars and on their way in half the time. But I don't think it even occurs to people to actually walk somewhere when they can drive.

Schools are open now and I run in the mornings when the little darlings are getting to school. The number of parents that drive their kids a block or two is amazing. And I'm not talking about 6 year-old kids crossing major roads. I'm talking about upper elementary and middle-school kids in safe neighborhoods. On quiet roads that have sidewalks. Is it really necessary that you drive your "little" darlings a quarter mile down the road on a lovely morning?

As for me and my house, we shall keep the kids active; scrubbing toilets, playing sports, hand-washing my running clothes, changing the baby's and cleaning the lint out of my belly-button. Cause I don't want Eric to grow-up to be this guy.

Today's Workouts

Weather: 80, sunny and light winds
Time of Day: 2pm
Distance: 8.29
Time: 1:12:23
Pace: 8:88
Running Shoes: Brooks Axoim 3
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 4
Comments: Warm but not oppressively hot today. Stopped part way through the run at the local libray to vote in the primary elections. Yes in Labor Day, some new early voting thing. The main voting day here in MD is a week from tomorrow.

Demotivational Monday

Because the weekend is over and Mondays are just horrendous at times

Today's Workouts

Weather: 80, Sunny and Awesome
Time of Day: 1:00 pm
Distance: 5.11 miles
Time: 45:19
Pace: 8:52 per mile
Running Shoes: Saucony TypeA 3. First run in these shhoes. Right arch a bit sore cause there is no support in these shoes. There isn't much to these shoes at all. Kinda like having a thin sponge taped to each foot.
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: Too early to rank these


Comments: Legs still semi-sore from the past week of increased mileage.

Today's Workouts

Weather: 65, dry and breezy
Time of Day: 6:30 am
Distance: 13.13 miles
Time: 1:57:08
Pace: 8:55 per mile
Running Shoes: Nike Lunar Racer2. Another minimalist type shoe like the Saucony Kinvara's I wore the other day. The Lunar Racer's and Kinvara's are my two favorite shoes out my current 9-shoe rotation. Yes nine pairs of running shoes. After all I have my image as The Imelda Marcos of Running Shoes to live up to. These are another pair of very light weight shoes good for racing or training. They held up well on my longish run this morning. Feet felt great after-wards.
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 9. 9 is about as good as its gonna get cause I can't imagine every giving a shoe a 10.


Comments: Quads are still a bit sore from last Sunday's race but are manageable. This was my first run over 10 miles in about 2 months. Felt good to go for almost 2 hours. This will have to become a weekly occurrence if I am gonna survive the Philly marathon in November.

Today's Workouts

Weather: 72 and muggy. Felt like it was gonna rain the whole way but sadly it never did.
Time of Day: 7:30 am
Distance: 7.41 miles
Time 1:06:40
Pace: 9:00 per mile
Running Shoes: Brooks Axiom 3
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 4
Comments: Sweaty mugging run. If it's gonna be that humid out the lest it could do is rain. Left quad still very sore from race.

Yesterday's run

Weather: 65 and not too humid
Time of Day: 7:30 am
Distance: 7.21 miles
Time 1:03:34
Pace: 8:49 per mile
Running Shoes: Saucony Tangent 3's - A great lightweight shoe with a bit of stability in the arch. Not as light as some of the shoes I have but a good all around shoe
SCD Running Shoe Ranking: 8
Comments:

Garmin Forerunner 305 Running Watch Review

This is a review of the Garmin Forerunner 305 Running Watch. Garmin makes other models but this one seems to be the best for running (it also works for cycling and walking) and the most bang for the buck. It is not cheap. Regular price is $199.99 but it can be found online for $150 or less. And it lasts a lot longer than running shoes which run $75-$100 or more.

Calling it a watch is not exactly the correct terminology. It is bigger than a normal sized sports watch. It's more like something Inspector Gadget or Get Smart would wear. It is a tad bulky but you do not notice it after a few runs.

some of the data features it records are:
-distance
-pace (or speed if you are biking)
-heart rate (you wear a chest strap for HR)
-total time
-plus averages and maximums of those fields
-altitude in feet above sea level
-plus lots of other things I don't use much
It can also download data to your computer and use their software to track all the stats.

I have had the watch for 2 years and it has worked flawlessly and is very accurate. I have tested the distance feature at a track and on race courses that have been certified as correct and the Garmin comes in within 1% of the correct distance.

The watch has a built-in rechargeable battery and sits in a cradle when not in use so that it stays charged. I believe the battery will last up to 7 hours when fully charged. I have used it for 5 hour runs and it was still ticking. It also comes with an USB cable to hook it up to the computer and transfer the data and install any software updates from the manufacturer.

You can program a specific workout that you want to do and it will record it for you and also give you an alert when you are supposed to change speeds. For example you can tell it you want to do: a 1 mile warm-up, then run 4 1mile repeats with a 1/2 mile easy job in-between each mile, then a 1 mile cool down. It will sound a bell when you are supposed to slow down or speed up and at the end of the workout you can see all the data.

Here is a picture of my watch on my forearm that is hairier than Roseanne Barr's (after a Nair treatment) and Ricardo Montalban combined


Negatives
-Will it is water resistant, you can run in the ran in it, it's not recommended that you swim with it
-It can take a minute or two for the unit to acquire a satellite
-you will find yourself 'racing' the watch and trying to beat your time from previous runs. Not always a bad thing but some days you just need to chill and run easy
-you can become a slave to it and have to wear it for every run. I suggest that if you get the watch you run 'naked' every once in awhile. ie no watch, iPod, cell phone etc....


Here is what Garmin has to say about their watch

Today's Workouts

Weather: 72 going up to 95 later today
Time of Day: 8 am
Distance: 7.21 miles
Time: 1:03:50
Pace: 8:51 per mile
Running Shoes: Saucony Kinvara's. A new lightweight "minimalist" shoe that came out recently. Minimalist is a new trend in running shoes designed to take advantage of the barefoot running craze. Minimalist shoes are basically thin and lightweight shoes without a lot of fancy stuff added in. Of course the shoe companies still manage to charge just as much for less shoe as they do for regular shoes. Any who these are currently one of my favoritist shoes that I have to run in. The feel light on the foot but still have some cushion. They don't have any support though so your arches are on their own.Comments: Warm but not hot out. Legs still sore and a bit dead from the race Sunday. After about the 5 mile point I was pretty beat.

Today's Workouts

Weather: 63 with crisp air, going up to 95 later today
Time of Day: 5 am
Distance: 7.06 miles
Time 1:04:27
Pace: 9:07 per mile
Running Shoes: Brooks Axiom 3 - I do not like these shoes. They are advertised as light-weight training shoes but they weigh 11 ounces and feel like boats. Fortunately I got them on a closeout sale so they weren't too expensive. I'll run in them a few times a month and eventually get to 300 miles at which point I'll ditch them
Comments: So to easy run in nice weather. My legs are still beat-up from Sunday's race but are slowly getting better. They should be fine by the end of the week...maybe...I hope

First My Wife Now the Feds

A guy can't get a break.

From CNN
Court allows agents to secretly put GPS trackers on cars

(CNN) -- Law enforcement officers may secretly place a GPS device on a person's car without seeking a warrant from a judge, according to a recent federal appeals court ruling in California.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Oregon in 2007 surreptitiously attached a GPS to the silver Jeep owned by Juan Pineda-Moreno, whom they suspected of growing marijuana, according to court papers.

It was bad enough that my wife secretly had a GPS chip implanted in my head while I was passed out after my bachelor party (shh she doesn't know that I am on to her) but now the cops can plant a GPS device on my car without a warrant. What is this country coming too? I'm sure the founder father's would have been more than ok with King George putting a tracking device under their horse's saddle.

I mean I accept that behavior from my wife, I figure it's implied in the marriage contract. It does present some difficulties after going for a run if I stopped for any length of time. "Honest honey I was in the porta-potty for half and hour, that chili con queso you made last night did a number on me. What's that? Why yes the porta-potty was inside a Hooters restaurant. Go figure."

Listen I am not advocating growing marijuana, at least not unless you are gonna share with a stressed-out father of 12. But do we really want the police sneaking around our houses and putting tracking devices on our private property? What's next? Mind reading chips? National identity cards (oh yeah they are in the works)? Medical information chips under the skin (oh wait another bad example)? There is a line of Brazilian lingerie that has built in GPS! Really! How romantic can you get?

Of course if they could implant a GPS device in my teenagers I just might change my mind....

Annapolis 10 Mile Race

Ran the Annapolis 10 mile race this morning for probably the 10th time over the last 35 years. I first ran this race in 1978 as a 13 year-old. That was my first running race that I ever ran so I like to try and do this one when it fits my schedule and when I am healthy.

The race starts and ends at the Navy Marine Corp stadium and goes through the downtown area of Annapolis, past the Naval Academy, across the Severn River (on a steep bridge), through some hilly but shaded neighborhoods, then back over the bridge to the stadium.

The race started at 7:45 (before it was too hot). My brother in law, who was also running, and I got to the start area around 7am and hung out with my friend The Donk who was also running - along with 5,400 other people.

The Donk and I had a nice BFF shot taken by his wife. I'm the handsome short one in the chili pepper's shorts. No that is not a training bra that I am wearing, it's a strap for a heart rate monitor. And between us we have 15 kids so lay of the fruitcake jokes :p



The start is a bit of a jumbled mess, kinda like driving on the DC beltway or being in the mosh pit at a Black Flag concert, but we worked our way through the crowds using only a few sharp elbows to peoples ribs. This happens to us every year we do the race. We really need to line up closer to the start and the geezers, the dues who are built like John Candy and women who could play linebacker for the Redskins really need to line up towards the rear. The Donk and I were running a similar pace today so stayed together the entire way. After a few miles we settled into a comfortably-hard pace for the next 5 miles. We did push the pace a bit the last 3 miles and finished fairly strong. Strong as in we didn't embarrass ourselves by passing out or puking at the end. So we got that going for us...which is nice.

Here is a random picture that someone I don't know took and posted on her facebook page. I got it through a friend of a friend...small world



After the race it was a quick exit and then back to the Old Casa de Sardonic Dad for a cookout. 3 cheeseburgers later and I am finally full...almost...

Race Stats:
Time: 1:18:24
Pace: 7:50
Place: still awaiting official results
Shoes: Saucony Fastwitch 4's
Shorts: BOA Chili Peppers
Watch: Garmin Forerunner 305

Today's Workouts

Weather: 60 and clear and low humidity
Time of Day: 4:55pam
Distance: 7.11 miles
Time 1:03:40
Pace: 8:58 per mile
Running Shoes: Saucony Fastwitch 4 racing flats. Brand-spanking new shoes, just out of the box yesterday. Very light and fast, faster than I am
Comments: Nice easy paced run. Got a 10 mile race Sunday and trying to keep the legs fresh. I also signed up for the Philly Marathon in November

Update to Today's Earlier Post

For Karen-
Question: If a blonde and a brunette fell off a building, who would hit the ground first?
Answer: The brunette - the blonde would have to stop for directions!

Laura-that is great that your hubby is running and I love your eye doctor.

We were at the ER last Friday when Mary broke her leg. Mary, who is 6, tells the nurse who is putting the temporary splint on her leg "and sometimes when my dad is mad he says he's gonna rip our face off". I am expecting Social Services any day now.

I heard "I'm gonna rip your face off" daily growing up and so have my kids now.

Fortunately the nurse was a young girl who was one of six kids and thought it was hysterical

Politically Incorrect Day

Been up since 4:30 and I am in a feisty mode. Today is Global Forgiveness Day. Yeah I've never heard of it nor know what it is either. Sounds like some commie think that pantsuit wearing nuns came up with in the 70's. If I want forgiveness I just go sit in the penalty box at church on Saturday afternoons...a few Hail Mary's later and I am good to go.

In honor of Global Forgiveness Day I present the following jokes designed to offend all. And no I don't want your forgiveness.

Q. What's the Cuban National Anthem?
A. Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

Q. Where does an Irish family go on vacation?
A. A different bar.

Q. What did the Chinese couple name their tan, curly-haired baby?
A. Sum Ting Wong

Q. What do you call it when an Italian has one arm shorter than the other?
A. A speech impediment.

Q. Why aren't there any Puerto Ricans on Star Trek ?
A. Because they're not going to work in the future either.

Q. Why do Driver Ed classes in redneck schools use the car only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?
A. Because on Tuesday and Thursday, the Sex Ed class uses it.

Q. What's the difference between a southern zoo and a northern zoo?
A. The southern zoo has a recipe along with a description of the animal.

Q. How do you get a sweet little 80-year-old lady to say the 'F' word?
A. Get another sweet little 80-year-old lady to yell, 'BINGO!'

Q. What's the difference between a northern fairytale and a southern fairytale???
A. A northern fairytale begins, ...'Once upon a time...'
A southern fairytale begins, ... 'Y'all ain't gonna believe this sh!t.'

Q. Why doesn't Mexico have an Olympic team?
A. Because all the Mexicans who can run, jump or swim are already in the United States

Today's Workouts

Yesterday

Weather: 70 and cloudy. Less Humid out and a nice breeze
Time of Day: 12:30pm
Distance: 7.04 miles
Time 56:32
Pace: 8:02 per mile
Running Shoes: Asics DS Trainer. My final run in my final pair of this model of shoes. I have gone through over 20 pairs of these in the last 5 years. But in the past two years the shoes have gotten heavier as other models of shoes have been getting lighter. They have also gotten stiffer and less comfortable. All but one of my marathons have been in this shoe and so as the run portion of all the triathlons I have done. Goodbye old friend.
Comments: 1 mile w/u, 4 X 1 mile with 1/2 mile recovery/cool down. Mile splits: 7:47, 7:42, 6:57, 6:56. Last hard mile was almost a puker at the end.

Today

Weather: 80 and sunny
Time of Day: 1:30pm
Distance: 5.11 miles
Time 44:43
Pace: 8:45 per mile
Running Shoes: Brooks Axiom 3 - 5th run in this shoe, not feeling the love yet
Comments: very sore legs from yesterday's hard run and lifting weights at the gym

Get Out of Bed Now Kids!!!!

This is how we used to get the kids out of their beds......well until Mary fell out of her bunk bed last Friday and broke her leg.

Today's Workouts

Weather: 80 and sunny. Less Humid out and a nice breeze
Time of Day: 11:30am
Distance: 5.09 miles
Time 42:57
Pace: 8:26 per mile
Running Shoes: Asics DS Trainer 13 running shoes. 300 miles on these shoes so they are done. I get rid of my shoes at 300. Good thing too cause its summer and I run sock-less in the summer so these shoes smell worse than Obama's health insurance reform plan. That leaves only 7 pairs of running shoes in my current rotation. I think I better go shopping on my favorite shoe website (runningwarehouse.com). Just don't tell my bride, she thinks I have a running shoe addiction.
Hip/Back Pain: about a 1, almost no pain at all today

Today's Workouts

10.31 nasty sweaty smelly miles. It finally started raining AFTER I ran in about 99% humidity. I am sore and chaffed all over. Wore my KSwiss K-ona running shoes which I love.

How Sweet It Is

Happy Sweet 16 Lizzie


Lizzie with her big sister Alex (Lizzie is actually the taller one)


Lizzie in the middle with Kara and Danielle


16 Red Roses from the Grandparents


Mary and her Hot Pink new cast watching the party and getting fussed over


Caleb and Danielle

Lizzie and Friends


She just can't keep her hands (or lips) off me

Mary's New Look

Well at least she has a cool color for the next 6 weeks

Hello, Remember Me?

Hi I am Rob and I used to Blog here....once upon a time.....

Since I was last here:

- my running has been in the toilet. Missed 6 weeks in March/April due to a hip injury. I have been back running since last May. ABout 85 days in a row but mileage only around 5-8 miles per day.

-Josh came home from the Seminary a few weeks ago and starts classes Monday morning at community college. He aslo bought a car and is working part-time.

-Mary fell off her bunk bed at 4am this mornig and broke her leg. We were at the ER from 4:30-7am.

-I did get a good run in after the trip to the ER

-Lizzie is 16 today and we are having a Sweet 16 Party today.

Demotivational Monday

Because the weekend is over and Mondays are just horrendous

THE PERFECT HUSBAND

Several men are in the locker room of a golf club. A cellular phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands-free speaker function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen.

MAN: 'Hello'

WOMAN: 'Honey, it's me. Are you at the club?'

MAN: 'Yes'

WOMAN: 'I am at the shops now and found this beautiful leather coat. It's only $2,000. Is it OK if I buy it?'

MAN: 'Sure, go ahead if you like it that much.'

WOMAN: 'I also stopped by the Lexus dealership and saw the new Models. I saw one I really liked.'

MAN: 'How much?'

WOMAN: '$90,000'

MAN: 'OK, but for that price I want it with all the options.'

WOMAN: 'Great! Oh, and one more thing...the house I wanted last year is back on the market. They're asking $980,000'

MAN: 'Well, then go ahead and give them an offer of $ 900,000. They will probably take it. If not, we can go the extra 80 thousand if it's really a good deal.'

WOMAN: 'OK. I'll see you later! I love you so much!'

MAN: 'Bye! I love you, too.'

The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are staring at him in astonishment, mouths agape.

He turns and asks: 'Anyone know who this phone belongs to?'

Today's Workouts

Weather: 70 and not as humid and sunny
Time of Day: 5:15am
Distance: 20.04 miles
Time 2:58:01
Pace: 8:54 per mile
Running Shoes: Asics DS Trainer 13
Hip/Back Pain: 1 feeling much better this morning

Sign of the Times?

Today's Workouts

yesterday's actually. 2 runs.

Run #1
Weather: 80, very humid and sunny
Time of Day: 8:30am
Distance: 7.17 miles
Time 1:03:15
Pace: 8:49 per mile
Running Shoes: Asics DS Trainer 13
Hip/Back Pain: 1 feeling much better this morning

Run #2
Weather: 82 and still humid
Time of Day: 9:30pm
Distance: 5.01 miles
Time 45:45
Pace: 9:09 per mile
Running Shoes: Saucony Tangent 3 running shoes
Hip/Back Pain: 1

More on Coffee and Health

That Black exilar may just be good for you....or not.....Pick the study that fits your view.


The coffee health debate is well grounded in fact

USA TODAY

06-14-10

When you wake up at the crack of dawn each day, like cafe owner Natalia Kost-Lupichuk, you need your coffee.

Milk, no sugar, please, Kost-Lupichuk says.

"I'm up every morning by 5 o'clock. Coffee gets the energy going," says the owner of Natalia's Elegant Creations in Falls Church, Va.

Kost-Lupichuk is among 56% of American adults who drink coffee regularly, the National Coffee Association says.

Though many refer to their java habit as an unhealthy indulgence, experts say that in moderation, a cup or two of joe a day actually has numerous health perks.

"People always talk about it as if it's a little bad for you. That's not necessarily true," says Donald Hensrud, associate professor of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition at the Mayo Clinic. "Coffee contains over 2,000 different chemical components, including cancer-fighting anti-oxidants."

Some studies suggest coffee can boost vision and heart health, says registered dietitian Elisa Zied, author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips. Research also has suggested coffee helps people with liver disease, but it has had mixed results when it comes to diabetes.

But be aware of how much caffeine you're consuming, because it varies among coffee drinks, says Mary Rosser, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, N.Y.

Loading up on cream and sugar is a bad idea, Hensrud says. A Starbucks venti 24-ounce double chocolate chip frappucino has 520 calories, 14 grams of saturated fat and 75 grams of carbohydrates. Pregnant women and people with anxiety and sleep problems should especially watch their intake, he says.

Also, people metabolize caffeine differently -- the result of genetic differences, Hensrud says.

Caffeine's influence can last for 10 hours or more, says researcher Jim Lane, a professor of medical psychology at Duke. He recommends pacing yourself throughout the day: "It's nice to have places to meet friends that aren't alcohol-related, but it does sort of encourage people to ignore the drug effects of caffeine."

Today's Workouts

Weather: 85 and sunny
Time of Day: 11:30am
Distance: 5.48 miles
Time 49:30
Pace: 9:02 per mile
Running Shoes: Newton 3 running shoes
Hip/Back Pain: 3
Comments: Hot out there tday and the hip pain was a bit worse today than it has been lately.

Everyone Needs a Dug

I Hate Squirrels


The Squirrel gets dead.


I was Hiding Under Your Porch Because I Love You

Classic Ads From the Good Old Days

You aren't big-boned or have a gland problem, you are just Chubbie. I wonder how that ad campaign worked out?


Now we know who Miley Cyrus' role model was growing up


Alas Mother's Day has already past. But there is always next year


If Santa says they are good for you then they must be


Not really sure, I think the Supreme Court is still reviewing that issue


I like coffee as much as the next guy - probably more - but I would never spank Sam for buying the wrong coffee, wrong beer yes, but coffee no


New Mothers, Babies, Beer and Nursing...doesn't get much better than that. Plus with enought beer in the house baby #2 will be on the way in no time.


The 70's were awful in many ways. Of course Levis is a San Fransisco based company


Today is the first day. So light up and enjoy


Don't forget to smoke after eating the Bacon-Pancakes


I also am an understanding husband


The librarians didn't look like that when I was a kid...heck I might have gone to the library more if they did

Today's Workouts

Weather: 85 and sunny
Time of Day: 11:30am
Distance: 8.08 miles
Time 1:12:27
Pace: 8:58 per mile
Running Shoes: Asics DS Trainer 13 running shoes
Hip/Back Pain: 3
Comments: Fairly hot on this first day of summer and the hip pain was a bit worse today than it has been lately.

Demotivational Monday

Because the weekend is over and Mondays are just horrendous

What's Next?

Squirt Guns for Baptisms?
Robots in the confessionals?
Credit card machines instead of collection baskets?

IPad coming to church altars with daily missal app
June 18, 2010 - 1:32pm

ROME (AP) - An Italian priest has developed an iPad application that will let priests celebrate Mass with an iPad on the altar instead of the regular Roman missal.

The Rev. Paolo Padrini, a consultant with the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said Friday that the free application will be launched in July in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Latin.

Two years ago, Padrini developed the iBreviary, an application that brought the book of daily prayers used by priests onto iPhones. He said the iPad application is similar but also contains the complete missal _ containing all that is said and sung during Mass throughout the liturgical year.

Pope Benedict XVI has sought to reach out to young people through new media.

(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Ok I can see the iBreviary being somewhat useful and kosher. While I prefer a good old fashion paper book, I guess when traveling having the Breviary on and iPad would be handy. But an iPad on the altar? Seriously? I don't even think the iPad Queen would go for that.

Some of the "Catholic" churches already look ridiculous enough. What with their lack of Crucifixes, Holy Water Fonts, Kneelers and their drum-sets, hot-tubs for baptisms and pant-suit wearing nuns. Do we really need mini-computers on the altar of sacrifice?

I am embarrassed that an Italian would come up with this. An American or Australian I can see. But and Italian? With all that history and beauty over there, not to mention great food. Sigh - am I just overacting? Being old fashion? A jerk?

Happy Father's Day

Saturday Funnies

A little boy went up to his father and asked: 'Dad, where did my intelligence come from?'
The father replied. 'Well, son, you must have got it from your mother, cause I still have mine.'

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'Mr. Clark, I have reviewed this case very carefully,' the divorce Court Judge said, 'and I've decided to give your wife $775 a week,'
'That's very fair, your honor,' the husband said. 'And every now and
then I'll try to send her a few bucks myself.'

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A doctor examining a woman who had been rushed to the Emergency Room, took the husband aside and said,

'I don't like the looks of your wife at all.'
'Me neither doc,' said the husband.
'but she's a great cook and really good with the kids.'

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An old man goes to the Wizard to ask him if he can remove a curse he has been living with for the last 40 years.
The Wizard says, 'Maybe, but you will have to tell me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you.'
The old man says without hesitation, 'I now pronounce you man and wife.'

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Two Reasons Why It's So Hard To Solve A Redneck Murder:
1. The DNA all matches.
2. There are no dental records.

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A blonde calls Delta Airlines and asks, 'Can you tell me how long it'll take to fly from San Francisco to New York City?'
The agent replies, 'Just a minute.'
'Thank you,' the blonde says and hangs up.

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Two Mexican detectives were investigating the murder of Juan Gonzalez.
'How was he killed?' asked one detective.
'With a golf gun,' the other detective replied.
'A golf gun! What is a golf gun?'
'I don't know. But it sure made a hole in Juan.'

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Moe: 'My wife got me to believe in religion.'
Joe: 'Really?'
Moe: 'Yeah. Until I married her I didn't believe in Hell.'

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A man is recovering from surgery when the Surgical Nurse appears and asks him how he is feeling.
'I'm O. K. but I didn't like the four letter-words the doctor used in surgery,' he answered.
'What did he say,' asked the nurse.
'Oops!'

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While shopping for vacation clothes, my husband and I passed a display of bathing suits. It had been at least ten years and twenty pounds since I had even considered buying a bathing suit, so sought my husband's advice.
'What do you think?' I asked. 'Should I get a bikini or an all-in-one?'
'Better get a bikini,' he replied.. 'You'd never get it all in one.'
He's still in intensive care.

........................................................................

The graveside service just barely finished, when there was massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance.
The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, 'Well, she's there.

Today's Workouts

Weather: 60, sunny and low humidity
Time of Day: 6:00am
Distance: 18.23 miles
Time 2:37:05
Pace: 8:37 per mile
Running Shoes: K-Swiss Kona Light Weight Running shoes
Hip/Back Pain: 3
Comments: Fantastic morning for running. After the heat and humidity we have been having this was a nice change. First run in a long time where I felt like I good run forever. I felt great the entire run and this is my longest run since February 19th.

Today's Workouts

Weather: 80 and sunny
Time of Day: 11:30am
Distance: 6.06 miles
Time 53:13 Pace: 8:47
Running Shoes: Newton Running Shoes
Hip/Back Pain: 3
Comments: Great day for running. Warm out but a bit lower humidity than we have been having. Basically a great day to work up a good sweat without dropping dead from a heat-stroke. Hip is slowly improving along with the back. I do to my "Voodoo Doc" tomorrow to have my hip worked on.

My Hip Flexors (Top of thigh where the thigh meets the torso) really started hurting on a run back in early March. I had x-rays and a MRI to check for a fracture - those were negative. Chiropractor worked on them. I've done: ice, heat, stretching, strengthening exercises etc...I finally found this Voodoo Doc (really a massage therapist) who has been digging in and working out the kinks and sore spots in my hips, back, hamstrings, quads and other places that can't be mentioned on a family blog. It has been a slow road back to recovery. But I think I am headed in the correct direction. I got in 45 miles last week while at the beach and feel halfway decent.

So Its Been Awhile

But that doesn't mean that I have been slacking, well not totally.

We were at the beach (Bethany Beach, DE) for a week. Great weather, Great food and good times.

I have been running, pretty much everyday.

Working now and again.

Watching the NBA finals and World Cup Soccer - Go Italy - the US too but seriously do we expect them to really fine it? With all the illegals we have shouldn't we be better at soccer?

I still have the most awesome wife around. The kids are ok too.....for kids ;)

The oldest one, Alex (20), graduated from college with honors (4.0 gpa) with a degree in social work. She started Grad school a week later.

The Army hired me to come up with a new uniform since they are repealing their "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. Here is the finished product:

Demotivational Monday

Because the weekend is over and Mondays are just horrendous

Today's Workouts

8 mile run this morning with a quick stop at one of the city pools at mile 5.5 for a 300 meter swim. Cold water. Wore my Asics DS Trainer running shoes.

Demotivational Monday

Because the weekend is over and Mondays are just horrendous

Today's Workouts

Saturday-10 mile run. First double digit run in about 9 weeks do to the stupid hip injury. Speaking of which it is slowing getting better. Been going every Friday to have deep tissue massage on my hip/groin area. I'm pretty sure myself and the frosted-haired massage therapist that is working on the hip are engaged now.

Sunday-4.41 mile run with a short swim in the middle.

21 Years - Whoa

2 reasons I love you for each year we have been married

1. I love your soul
2. I love your face
3. I love your faith
4. I love your mind
5. I love being married to you
6. I love you body
7. I love your optimistic personality...even if it annoys me at times
8. I love that you homeshool our kids
9. I love that you have faith in me
10. I love the taste of the salt on your skin
11. I love waking up in the morning with your hair in my face
12. I love your smile
13. I love your hair...even though you cut it short
14. I love you during labor
15. I love how hot you look when pregnant
16. I love that you stay home with the kids
17. I love that you support my working out
18. I love that you feel safe in my arms
19. I love how you cuddle up next to me in the winter for warmth
20. I love your laugh, the nice one, not the witchy cackle one
21. I love that you don’t like to go shopping
22. I love when you wear blue jeans and diamond stud earrings
23. I love you when you cry
24. I love that you can’t balance a checkbook and might not even know where we bank – that’s trust
25. I love to watch you sleep
26. I love that you don’t call me at work 20 times a day
27. I love how you can nurse a baby and coach a soccer game at the same time
28. I love when you make my lunch for work and put notes in it
29. I love when you rub my shoulders
30. I love when you hug me from behind
31. I love that you are the pick of the litter
32. I love when we pray together
33. I love that we are BFF’s
34. I love your eyebrows
35. I love your warmth
36. I love when you try and do new things on the computer
37. I love that you are more beautiful at 42 then you were at 16 when we met
38. I love how you are selfless
39. I love that I love your more today than the day we were married
40. I love TTN
41. I love that you take care of me when I am sick
42. I love that you are trying to cook better

And a bonus reason:
I love this wedding photo of you

Demotivational Monday

Because the weekend is over and Mondays are just horrendous

Yo Mrs Half-Dozen Productions

I think someone had you in mind with this t-shirt. Tell that WingNut Dude to get ya one.

Today's Workouts

3.8 Miles at a quick pace - for me.
Hip is slowly, really slowly, improving.

THE BAPTIST WHITE LIE CAKE

Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially all of the ladies who bake for church events:

Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa, but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and, after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix. She quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for Scout camp.

When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat, and the cake was horribly disfigured. She exclaimed, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!" This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of the cake. She found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect. Before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money with specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30, and to buy the cake and bring it home.

When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone and called her mom. Alice was horrified! She was beside herself! Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.

The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake. She would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who, more than once, had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa. But having already RSVP'd, she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust Old South and to Alice's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert! Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "What a beautiful Cake!"

Alice, still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it myself.."

Alice smiled and thought to herself, "God is good"

What's a Parent of a LC Seminarian to do?

Wait out the reforms, whatever they may be, that are coming? Try and talk them home? "Force" them home? Sigh....

That idiot Maciel really screwed up and caused a lot of pain and suffering across this world (understatement I know). And when are the others in the Legion and in the Vatican who knew what the sociopath-pervert was up too gonna get the hammer dropped on them? Seriously! I'd be more than happy to do it.

Maybe I'm so bitter and p!ssed because I trusted them and let my son go when I could have prevented it (when he was still a minor). I should have known better. The questions about the fruitcake founder have been around for years. Personally my son is doing just fine and his faith and vocation seem as strong as ever...but still...what kind of future will he have in the Legion? If the name is kept they will always be treated as outcasts and lepers by many. And yet there are many good and faithful priests and seminarians in the Legion - which given who their founder was is quite incredible and proof of how the grace of God can function in any place at anytime. It would be a shame to throw away the wheat with the chaff.

I've been reluctant to write about because every Tom, Dick and Harry have been mouthing off about. And a lot of the so called Catholics writing about seem to take great glee in all this and see it as a way to not only kill the Legion (which may be needed) but also to "reform" the church in general and the papacy in particular. And I don't want any part of those different groups of loons...Voice of the "Faithful". National Catholic Reporter etc....

There are no lack of suggestions of ways to reform the Legion (see below for an example) but this is of little comfort or use when you have a son already 2 years into the process of becoming a priest.

Next Acts in the Legionary Drama
May 5, 2010
George Weigel

Over the past year, members and friends of the Legionaries of Christ and its affiliated lay movement, Regnum Christi, have worked hard in trying to “save what can be saved” from the wreckage created by revelations that the founder of these communities, Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado, lived a vicious and duplicitous life of moral turpitude for decades, during which he fathered several children; sexually abused seminarians; violated the canons respecting the Sacrament of Reconciliation; deceived popes, curial officials, bishops, his brother Legionaries, and the lay members of Regnum Christi; and funded all of this by the misdirection of contributions given to support the religious work of the communities that called him Nuestro Padre or Nuestro Padre Fundador.

Read the rest of the article

Today's Workouts

5 mile run at lunch time. Lovely weather out. 80 and sunny with a nice breeze. After 8 weeks with a strained right hip I am finally back running a little bit.

David is Going Home

After a two year loan to the United States, Michelangelo's David is being returned to Italy.



His visit here was sponsored by:




Sadly he was here a bit too long

Happy Birthday Hunny

Demotivational Monday

Because the weekend is over and Mondays are just horrendous