free scribbles

2008 Boston Marathon Coverage

Unlike last year, where it was easy for me to get coverage of the Boston Marathon because:

1. I live on the course, going outside was easy.
2. It was covered live on the local CBS affiliate, WBZ.
3. It was also broadcast nationally on Versus TV. 

This year I have to rely on the BAA live blogging platform.  Last year was the first time that they attempted such an effort.  You may recall I wrote on the subject.  It was a complete failure. 

This year, they are attempting it again, hopefully with better success.  I'll be checking in throughout the day to see how it goes. It will also continued to be covered live on both WBZ and Versus for those of you fortunate enough to get to watch television during the day.

UPDATE (10:30am): So far, so good.  Updates are coming in at 5 minute intervals for both the men's and women's races.  They've already surpassed themselves from next year.  Now if only they tightened up the interface.

Boston Children's Museum

Kacey's baby class organized a trip to the Children's Museum this morning.  Along with a group of other parents we explored the playspace for infants, which included a deep waterbed, obstacles for crawling, a fish tank, and a variety of educational toys. 

She had just fallen asleep in the car when we finally got there, but as soon as we entered the building, she was wide awake and wondering who all these people were.  Within 5 minutes she seemed to be getting antsy like me and wanted to see more.  Instead of rolling around in her stroller, she went for the daddy's eye view, turning this way and that to see bubbles, boats, lights, and sounds. 

Several times, I am sure that my wife got worried as we wandered off unannounced to see something new.  While this time was fun, it will be way more fun when Kacey is a little older and can climb, make messes, and interact more.  I'll also feel a lot better when she stops learning with her mouth (They do sanitize all toys every 15 minutes). 

Afterwards we ate at Flour Bakery.  I recommend the BLT. 

Running in the Snow

I've written about running in the freezing cold and I've run in the snow, especially over the last three days as the Boston area (and most of the Northeast) was hit with two snowstorms.  And while all the rules of winter running apply, some additional ones need to be considered. 

Some may decide to cross-train with snowshoes and some may stay inside and hit the treadmill.  The most stalwart runners decide to run either in the streets or slog through the accumulation.  Each has its benefits. 

Streets provide a surer footing, but those pesky plows and cars certainly make the real estate a little more dangerous.  Remember to go against traffic so that you can see them coming.  And for those who enjoy their iPods while running, its best to leave them inside in this type of weather, you'll need all your senses to be safe.

For those who have opted to go off the beaten path, shortening your run might be the smart idea.  High stepping or pushing the snow out of your path drains more energy than normal and unless you are wearing gaiters to keep your socks dry, your feet can suffer from blisters and frostbite. 

Like in any season, knowing your own limitations and the dangers of the conditions makes for safer experiences.  Your muscles will be worked differently in the snow and you may feel the burn the next day.  If nothing else, pretend that you are Rocky preparing to fight Drago in Communist Russia...

World Series Champions 2007!

In case you missed it, the Red Sox swept the Rockies.

Kacey is one spoiled little girl, she only had to wait 6 weeks to see this Spectacle. (Actually she's sleeping, but we're very happy)

Thank you for a wonderful season.

The Long Drive Home from the Hospital

...okay, I only live like 4 miles away, but it's Boston, so that's the equivalent traffic and 1000X the excitement/stress of 700 miles through the Great Plains and probably that many times the hills. 

And I don't think I could have handled much more than that.  I'm a good driver, probably too aggressive, but I had been working on that, but they don't tell you that the car which is probably a full length behind you is TOO close. 

The normal, everyday, traffic idiots that you are so used to running into now have the persona of Sherman tanks or Battleships.  Sprinkle in a healthy does of those two old to drive or two stupid to realize that texting at this time is dangerous and you have a fun little adventure.

I would go so far as to say the MBTA buses the equivalent of AT-ATs from Star Wars: giant, death-causing, clumsy, machines with drivers who would be better off on a distant ice planet than metropolitan streets.  Apparently it is so bad there is a blog entitled Bad Transit.  I looked online for the statistics which I overheard on the radio recently, but to no avail (Sorry, please share if you can).

This little girl has changed my perspective on life and all I wanted to do was get her home safely.  I know that people want to see pictures.  My inbox was full of requests, but I'm too tired to hook up the camera and go through that process, give it time... I'm tired and learning. 

Maybe, tomorrow...

Corporate Challenge Race: Boston...

A race I'd like to forget or get a Mulligan on...

Tonight was the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge race in Boston and I participated on the behalf of my company.  How could I not, I run every day...

The temperature at 7pm was still in the 90s and it was humid.  What's unique for this race, at least for me, was the distance.  The race was 3.5 miles and going into the race, I was amped up, because no matter what I ran, it would be a PR (personal record) as it is not a common race distance for me.  On top of that, add 11,999 other runners all jimmying for spot at the front. 

I had a great time, hanging with my like-minded coworkers, chatting, stretching, and drinking (post race of course).  If only I could forget the actual race.  Based off my runs earlier this week, in equal if not greater heat, I thought I would be able to run sub 7 minute miles. I did not.  As I chugged along, I found my legs getting slower and slower, the pain increasing and my body letting me down. 

Two days ago, I ran 4 miles in almost the same time as I ran this evening... and it was just a training run.  So while i am upset at my performance, it has caused me to question the reason behind it.  Why do I perform better during an everyday run than I do during a race situation?

I don't have the answer now.  Consider this my declaration of investigation.  While I know that the mental blocks I have to racing our unique to me, I hope that I am able to find more universal elements to help others perform better.   

Other than that, my only advice is to stay hydrated in the heat...

Massachusetts joins the 22nd Century...

An article in the Boston Herald, this morning, highlighted Massachusetts' commitment to the future, joining a 31 state initiative to monitor greenhouse gas emissions with the help of a nonprofit organization, The Climate Registry. 

Combined with Governor Patrick's signature on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in late January, this effort to monitor and reduce carbon dioxide emissions will improve the life of the natives and promote further investigation and involvement in the surrounding region.

Now, if the Cape Wind Project would take off...

Car Issues...

It's been a long couple of weeks. The weather bounced around like a yo-yo and on the way down I had an unpleasant "string snap" and got into a bit of a fender bender on a Wednesday's evening commute. It wasn't serious, but my driver's side headlight was wrecked.

No one was hurt and my insurance rate is staying status quo. But my car has seen better days. The next day I took it in for a estimate. I left the garage astounded at how much the repair costs to be... $2,200!

Being the ever industrious New Englander that I am, I decided that I could fix the damage myself, as long as I could get the parts I needed. Luckily I discovered a great website, one my mother entitled an "online junkyard", Carpartswholesale.com.

While the headlight relay took a week to arrive, it was worth the price and wait (They did not offer express shipping on the item).  Thankfully, I had generous family and friends who let me borrow their cars in the meantime.

The car is not yet 100% but I am able to take it on my daily commute until I can buff out the fender and put a new hood on. Grand Total for Repairs including car rental, gas, et cetera: $450.

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

I don't remember the show that I was watching at the time, but a commercial came on which caught my eye.  The woman on screen was talking about how solar panels were being manufatured within the state of Massachusetts, making solar energy a great boon for the economy and the environment of the Commonwealth.

Since I started working in digital communications, I have focused more on the website at the end of the commercial.  If I am really interested in what I saw or heard, I will go check it out.  Granted I still live in an apartment, but solar options interest me for the future house. So I went to masstech.org, the website of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), the state's developmental agency for renewable energy innovation and economy.

The MTC operates several projects or subdivisions which invest time and money into renewable energy.  Tht two main efforts, John Adams Innovation Institute and the Renewable Energy Trust.  The John Adams institute is primarily focused on bringing technology into the state, be it an R&D facility or an innovative consumer product manufacturer, especially if their end product is hi-tech.

The Renewable Energy Trust has been established to educate and assist the Commonwealth's citizens with clean energy programs. 

Since Gov. Patrick took office, the state has been strongly invested in both these endeavors as they are very forward thinking and collaborative, involving many.

2007 Boston Marathon Coverage

I write about running a lot here.

And since today is the Boston Marathon, I am following the race closely as it passes by my apartment.

It seems that the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) tried/is trying to do some event blogging. While I love the idea, for those avid runners or family members who can't make it to the race, don't get Versus, or live in the Boston area, where it is also airing on the CBS affiliate. I like it better when it's working.

The concept of live event blogging is popular. Think CES when Apple was unveiling the iPhone, Steve Jobs keynote was up to the minute. A commitment has to be made to have the right technology in place. It seems that the BAA inserted the idea as an afterthought.

The BAA has two individuals writing up their own expert commentary, news, and coverage: Barabara Huebner and Jim O'Brien. While Barabara is keeping up to the best of her ability, the site isn't, the actual Commentary page hasn't updated since 9:35am, so you can only read small snippets and if you missed something on the homepage, it's gone. And where's Jim? Haven't heard from him since before the start.

In the search of a better alternate, I found Running Times was offering live coverage. But keep receiving a timeout as the Server can't handle the load.

Meanwhile Versus and WBZ have two unique styles, expert and local. While I have watched some of Versus' coverage, WBZ offers a much funnier alternative, as the regular newscasters, who have no running expertise try to look good, focusing on the mediocre and obscure. And their websites both fall short. Versus doesn't even have it on the homepage. And WBZ is webcasting, which is could, although with their television coverage being technically challenged, how good will the live webcasts be?

In a sport that suffers from a lack of exposure, these elite and honored events need to capitalize on an audience that loves its niches and could use the internet audience.