Long day. 13 hour day. Not too bad of one, though. I woke up to photos of Tin Man's experience at the Apple Store...grinning as far as her young face would let her. She was so thrilled with all of it. To rub it in extra deep, they all had some Outback Steakhouse afterwards. Yea, I know how bad Aussie Cheese Fries and Bloomin' Onions are calorie-wise...but after being gone now for nearly 2 months, that sounded SO good! I was happy to see everyone had such a great night.
Today bounced between productive meetings and shopping for Camel Hair blankets. I picked up 4 in total today. The first was bound for home and I got that shipped. The other 3 were for friends who sent me some funds and I picked them up and shipped them. The blanket is the natural camel color and made here in Oz...handmade. They're soft and the perfect blanket to curl up on the couch with a hot chocolate during the frigid "Kansas" winter.
In the meetings, I'm beginning to get some backbone as I learn the inner workings of everything and who the key players are. Almost always, I'm in a room with people who all out-rank me but I bring to the table the powerful logistics arm and the power to get things into theater faster than other means...or at all. Mostly, I sit quietly, taking notes, but at times will offer up my help or guidance to resolve an issue...and those issues are many. Oz is an extremely difficult place to have a war. With no seaports, logistics are a nightmare. Looting, archaic road systems, mountains...and days and days of travel to get stuff here. That's the reason much comes here via air and why my base is so integral to this war. We are THE hub of logistics in Oz. So much is happening here, 24 hours a day. I think that's one reason we get very little VIPs. Many political leaders who visit this country often skip this base because of the impact it would have...the disruption in operations. So, as these leaders make the headlines, you'll rarely see my base below the headline as the location. Fine by me! It would be nice for Toby Keith or the Zac Brown Band to stop by, though. :-)
The day ended simply..with a long bus ride to my side of the airstrip and a hot piece of homemade pizza and a 1/2 cup or so of mixed veggies. Today was another low calorie day. No running, that's for sure. No time for it. Perhaps tomorrow night. I have a 5pm conference call but I'm done after that.
Many thanks to Gina back home who sent me a care package...received today! A funny card and several small packages of pistachios sat on top. My dad would be so jealous! More Clif Bars, more Starbucks Iced Via, and a bunch of other goodies. I will never run out of Clif Bars! :-) Thanks, Gina!
Time to wind down, shower up, and hit the sack. Wiped out tonight. I hear there were some awesome storms back home this morning. I'll admit...I'm a bit envious. I haven't seen a drop of precipitation in over a month.
Goodnight, everyone.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Day 58
Hello Monday. It was strange yet again to wake up this morning while friends/family were still up on Sunday night. Nope...never going to get used to that. Just so strange. The only cool thing about it is at the other end of my day as they (you) all wake up. Back home today, I woke my family up with a phone call to wish them a great new week...and the last week of school. It's always great to talk to all of them. Today, too, is the day Tin Man is heading to an Apple Store for the first time..for HER. She recently tried to win a reading contest and read over 600% of the goal but the winner of a new iPod Touch was drawn instead of giving it to the winner. Her name wasn't drawn but Dorothy and I had already decided that if her name wasn't drawn, she earned it so today's the day. While I sleep tonight, Tin Man will be catered to at the Apple Store. I'm a fairly new Apple addict and would love to be there with her. Those Apple folks really know how to do it right. They don't let you just walk in a buy it and walk out. They make it an "experience." On my wish list? A new MacBook. :-)
Today at lunch, I was sitting with those out of our office and I realized while sitting there, it was a truly "joint" lunch! We had 4 officers...Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marines. The Marine, of course, was all of our boss, the colonel (pronounced 'kernel'). I sat right across from him and guess what came up in conversation...running! It started with him asking how far I run. Eventually, that led to me telling him about the 100-milers and how the care package yesterday had two of those finisher awards in it. Turns out, he's an ultra-runner himself! He hasn't run a 100 yet but has done the JFK 50-Miler. His next goal is a 24 hour technical trail run near Quantico, VA. Great conversation from an O-2 Navy guy to a shaved head, O-6 U.S. Marine. Breaking common ground where we can just talk is a rarity so I greatly appreciated it. He's the first one to "understand" ultra-running. To everyone else, I'm just crazy.
Once 5:30pm rolled by, I headed on back and before heading to my room, went into the internet cafe where I could grab some WiFi. Why? Well, a good friend back home just sent me an iTunes card and I wanted to download some music for my running around the base. I downloaded Kenny Chesney's Greatest Hits, Vol 2. All great songs and ones that do nothing but remind me of Kansas and Dorothy. Two things that I prefer my thoughts focus on as much as possible. Afterwards, I laced up and headed on out for a perimeter run of the air field. The moon was shining bright at 22.4% full and growing. In the sky above, I can verify that F-16s, F-15s, a C-17, C-130, a few helicopters and one Navy Intruder were out on missions. That jet has a very unique sound that is easily identifiable without even seeing. I think the Intruder is the only Navy aircraft here. The fighter jets are all Air Force. After 8 miles, I called it a night and had dinner in my CHU...comprised of tuna and crackers (from a care package), some more bottled water, some banana chips (from another care package) and a few chocolate Goobers...just a few. (from yet another care package!) Today was definitely a low calorie day, especially with the run. I am sure I've lost between 5 and 10 pounds so far. The belt on my uniform tells the tale every time I get dressed.
Lastly, I got an e-mail recently saying that someone donated a "cup of joe" for me. At Green Beans Coffee (see logo at right), anyone can go to their website and buy a coffee drink for one of us. We write our e-mail down on a clipboard at the counter when we order there. Anyway, I got one and accepted it...and wrote back. When I did, I checked the box I was willing to participate in the "pen pal" program that allows the person donating to write back. I wrote a few paragraphs introducing myself and after my run, the following e-mail was in my inbox:
"I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed your COJ. I do this every Monday, send a Cup of Joe. The notes back from all of you make it worth it even more.
First and foremost, thanks for all your service. I would not have qualified for the service... at least I thought so when I was younger. Who knows if I was accurate in my assumptions. I never actively asked... I was asthmatic. But, my sister was a cadet at the Air Force Academy, and many people from my extended family have all been members of the armed forces in various branches. I feel like as you serve, I could do at least a little on my end to help; be it through words of support or even a simple cup of coffee. :-)
I see you are a runner. I envy your ability. I need to just bite the bullet and do it. I am an athlete in many other ways, I just seem to see running as my nemesis. :-) I like to golf, play softball, bike, you name it... and of course, being from WI... you have to know football. :-)
You are from Ohio (The Buckeyes). I see you are in the reserves. You mentioned a bit of what you do in the Naval Reserves. What is it you do outside of the Reserves? Do you have a family back home? I have only driven through Ohio, and I have a cousin who just graduated from Miami of Ohio. However, that is about the extent of my experience with your state.
You entered the Navy in 1991? I would suspect we may be of a similar generation? I graduated High School in 1991. After finishing college and graduate school, I am now on my 11th year as a High School Counselor. I work with recruiters often, which aids in my desire to send my support.
Anyway... sorry to go on and on. I am happy to correspond if you are so inclined.
Take Care,
xxxxxxx xxxxx
Today at lunch, I was sitting with those out of our office and I realized while sitting there, it was a truly "joint" lunch! We had 4 officers...Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marines. The Marine, of course, was all of our boss, the colonel (pronounced 'kernel'). I sat right across from him and guess what came up in conversation...running! It started with him asking how far I run. Eventually, that led to me telling him about the 100-milers and how the care package yesterday had two of those finisher awards in it. Turns out, he's an ultra-runner himself! He hasn't run a 100 yet but has done the JFK 50-Miler. His next goal is a 24 hour technical trail run near Quantico, VA. Great conversation from an O-2 Navy guy to a shaved head, O-6 U.S. Marine. Breaking common ground where we can just talk is a rarity so I greatly appreciated it. He's the first one to "understand" ultra-running. To everyone else, I'm just crazy.
Once 5:30pm rolled by, I headed on back and before heading to my room, went into the internet cafe where I could grab some WiFi. Why? Well, a good friend back home just sent me an iTunes card and I wanted to download some music for my running around the base. I downloaded Kenny Chesney's Greatest Hits, Vol 2. All great songs and ones that do nothing but remind me of Kansas and Dorothy. Two things that I prefer my thoughts focus on as much as possible. Afterwards, I laced up and headed on out for a perimeter run of the air field. The moon was shining bright at 22.4% full and growing. In the sky above, I can verify that F-16s, F-15s, a C-17, C-130, a few helicopters and one Navy Intruder were out on missions. That jet has a very unique sound that is easily identifiable without even seeing. I think the Intruder is the only Navy aircraft here. The fighter jets are all Air Force. After 8 miles, I called it a night and had dinner in my CHU...comprised of tuna and crackers (from a care package), some more bottled water, some banana chips (from another care package) and a few chocolate Goobers...just a few. (from yet another care package!) Today was definitely a low calorie day, especially with the run. I am sure I've lost between 5 and 10 pounds so far. The belt on my uniform tells the tale every time I get dressed.
Lastly, I got an e-mail recently saying that someone donated a "cup of joe" for me. At Green Beans Coffee (see logo at right), anyone can go to their website and buy a coffee drink for one of us. We write our e-mail down on a clipboard at the counter when we order there. Anyway, I got one and accepted it...and wrote back. When I did, I checked the box I was willing to participate in the "pen pal" program that allows the person donating to write back. I wrote a few paragraphs introducing myself and after my run, the following e-mail was in my inbox:
"I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed your COJ. I do this every Monday, send a Cup of Joe. The notes back from all of you make it worth it even more.
First and foremost, thanks for all your service. I would not have qualified for the service... at least I thought so when I was younger. Who knows if I was accurate in my assumptions. I never actively asked... I was asthmatic. But, my sister was a cadet at the Air Force Academy, and many people from my extended family have all been members of the armed forces in various branches. I feel like as you serve, I could do at least a little on my end to help; be it through words of support or even a simple cup of coffee. :-)
I see you are a runner. I envy your ability. I need to just bite the bullet and do it. I am an athlete in many other ways, I just seem to see running as my nemesis. :-) I like to golf, play softball, bike, you name it... and of course, being from WI... you have to know football. :-)
You are from Ohio (The Buckeyes). I see you are in the reserves. You mentioned a bit of what you do in the Naval Reserves. What is it you do outside of the Reserves? Do you have a family back home? I have only driven through Ohio, and I have a cousin who just graduated from Miami of Ohio. However, that is about the extent of my experience with your state.
You entered the Navy in 1991? I would suspect we may be of a similar generation? I graduated High School in 1991. After finishing college and graduate school, I am now on my 11th year as a High School Counselor. I work with recruiters often, which aids in my desire to send my support.
Anyway... sorry to go on and on. I am happy to correspond if you are so inclined.
Take Care,
xxxxxxx xxxxx
Pretty amazing, huh? A random act of kindness from a complete stranger. Absolutely made my day. And yes, I wrote her back. :-)
Goodnight, everyone.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Day 57
OK, OK....Dorothy was right. Actually, she was right without even saying a word. I could hear her...from 7,000 miles away saying "You have to write. You can't quit. You can't help yourself." OK, fine...she's right. She's always right. She knows me perfectly. That was proven today when I hung up the phone with her and went to get the mail...a care package from her. I only had a few requests for this one...my waist-pack to carry my water bottle for my long runs around base and some extra underwear. Yea...underwear. The long turnover here with laundry has made it difficult to keep clean laundry stocked in my room. Also in there were a can of cashews, a "photo mug" from Starbucks that I'm going to work on, some Wheat Thins, some baby wipes (it's dusty over here!), and two handwritten notes from Tin Man and Scarecrow. Those were awesome! Then the surprise...my finisher's award for two of my 100-mile trail races from 2009. Either she was cleaning up and was reducing the "clutter" (hiss!!) and/or she knew one sure way to lift my spirits. She knows how precious those two things are to me. If you ever run 100 miles...on the trails...without stopping....you'll understand. Before the mail, though, I had the chance for a "test drive."
The M-ATV..or MRAP All-terrain vehicle. MRAP stands for Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicle. The M-ATV is the replacement for the humvee that so many people are familiar with. (very good link to check out and see this beast) The M-ATV was specifically designed for the current conflict and saving our lives. It's a huge vehicle made by OshKosh Defense out of Wisconsin. Without it being all "pimped" out, it has a price tag of nearly half a million dollars. Anyway, as part of our training weekend which started yesterday, we headed out to a safe area where we could drive and have a photo op with the whole team...quite a big team, actually. The photo here is me in the back seat looking out the tiny, ballistic glass window. For the whole group of photos, you'll need to be linked up with me on our favorite social network. :-) Afterwards, back to the office before a cookout for dinner. With everyone together for the weekend and even some who flew in, including our boss from down south, we decided to do it up right with grilled steaks and chicken. The smell of BBQ was nice. You really notice what you miss when you haven't been around it for awhile. The steak was awesome, the company was great, and it was nice to share a few laughs with new friends. After that, we held what is called a "Hail and Farewell." For the "hail" part, we welcome everyone who has shown up since the last get-together and tell a little bit about them. I was in that group. After that, we gave the "farewell" to those who are leaving soon along with some gifts of appreciation and awards. Our Marine colonel gave us a short motivational talk afterwards and we were done. I have to say...all day, I couldn't get "A Few Good Men" out of my head. You remember Colonel Jessup, right? "You can't handle the truth!" guy?? Well, our colonel is obviously the same rank so the reason for quotes from the movie running through my head all day. "You WANT me on that wall...you NEED me on that wall...." Anyway...
Tonight, I uploaded some more pics, brewed some Tazo Passion Tea, popped some popcorn and relaxed. Oh yea, I blogged. Go figure. The day I say I'm taking a break is the day that I have plenty to say. :-) Well, at least I tried to take a break, right?
Goodnight, everyone.
Tonight, I uploaded some more pics, brewed some Tazo Passion Tea, popped some popcorn and relaxed. Oh yea, I blogged. Go figure. The day I say I'm taking a break is the day that I have plenty to say. :-) Well, at least I tried to take a break, right?
Goodnight, everyone.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Day 56 +
Notice the (+) in the subject above? That's because I'm taking a break for a few days. Instead of not posting and causing unnecessary worry, I'm letting you know today. What's a few days? It's whatever it needs to be, I suppose. As soon as I feel like writing again, I'll be back. If you ask Dorothy, she'll tell you "tomorrow!" I once canceled my Facebook account and 19 hours later I was back. She has a point, I suppose.
I leave you with this today: a photo Dorothy sent me just outside our garage this morning. I was talking to her as she awoke and heard the birds chirping through the windows and a beautiful day in Kansas beckoned. She walked outside and snapped this pic for me to show me how well Spring had sprung. It was nice to see the lush, green grass, too. When I left, the winter "smash" still had a hold on the lawn. She's happy. I'm happy for talking to her. Have a great weekend, everyone.
I leave you with this today: a photo Dorothy sent me just outside our garage this morning. I was talking to her as she awoke and heard the birds chirping through the windows and a beautiful day in Kansas beckoned. She walked outside and snapped this pic for me to show me how well Spring had sprung. It was nice to see the lush, green grass, too. When I left, the winter "smash" still had a hold on the lawn. She's happy. I'm happy for talking to her. Have a great weekend, everyone.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Day 55
Today is one of those days where I really don't want to write about. To date, it was the worst. It wasn't because of any certain event, although a verbal altercation did not help matters en route to the office this morning. It was simply the cascading effect of missing Dorothy and the girls. I grossly underestimated how strong I'd be out here. As a point of reference, I thought back to the 90s when I was on active duty and went to sea. We were young, Dorothy was in school, and we had no kids. Today, we've been married nearly 19 years and I've been a dad for over 10. It's 10 times harder than I expected and my "armor" is weak. I really feel that I put my desire to serve my country again (after a 6 year hiatus) ahead of my family. I just miss them so much that it's breaking me in two and every day seems like an eternity. I know I need to buckle down, toughen up, and charge through. Yea, I know that. However, it's a whole lot easier said than done.
I did find a few things to be happy about at the end of the day. Two care packages arrived with some really great things. So thankful for them...THANK YOU. I also spoke to my deployment specialist back in the States who connected me with my relief...another Navy officer. While still far in the distance, connecting with this person is a light, although quite faint, at the end of the tunnel. Some actual penciled in dates on the calendar. The moon appeared again tonight, too. Only 2.7% of it, but it's a start. I'm heading to bed.
Goodnight, everyone.
I did find a few things to be happy about at the end of the day. Two care packages arrived with some really great things. So thankful for them...THANK YOU. I also spoke to my deployment specialist back in the States who connected me with my relief...another Navy officer. While still far in the distance, connecting with this person is a light, although quite faint, at the end of the tunnel. Some actual penciled in dates on the calendar. The moon appeared again tonight, too. Only 2.7% of it, but it's a start. I'm heading to bed.
Goodnight, everyone.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Day 54
OK, let's just clear the air. I'm not going to rehash my "Groundhog Days" for you except for some highlights here and there. You may already be bored silly so I don't want to push you on your way out the door...OK? You know the basics, already...each day is starting with fresh-brewed Italian Lavazza espresso, a bowl of Special K with Red Berries, some fruit/grapes, 2 hard-boiled eggs with ketchup and that's it. You also know I spend the majority of my 10-12 hour day in an office. In the evening, I either run...or I don't. Other than that, I'm in my room. Eventually, the night is capped off in this order: shower, blog, bed. Every night. Okeedokee? Great! Tonight, though, I finally cleaned my room after living in it for three weeks. Thanks to a good friend, I was able to Swiffer it tonight and get some much needed organization done. Thank you! It worked perfectly! So much dust and dirt had made it in.
Being behind a computer and with access to Facebook, I watch many of you go to bed and wake up each day. It's pretty interesting, actually. While you sleep, I have a few friends who are deployed in this area of the world and I chat here and there with them online which is pretty cool. Currently, I have 3 others who are over here. 1 Navy, 1 Air National Guard, and 1 Army. Also on Facebook, I am following how nice it is back home and through favorite restaurant and business pages, I see the indications of Spring and Summer coming soon. Quickly, I realize so much of the material things I miss. I had no control over when I was being deployed but if I could do it again, I'd pick the wintertime! "Kansas" is no fun over the winter. Everyone turns into hermits. The whole area transforms with the arrival of Spring. So tonight...not to be sappy...but I thought I'd rattle off the things I miss...in no particular order:
I miss: green grass, driving my car, washing my car, praying with my girls at bedtime, chasing my cats around the house, mowing and "manicuring" our lawn, doing the budget/reconciling, going to Starbucks, falling asleep while holding Dorothy, laughing with my friends at work, the feel of carpet beneath my feet, DVR'd shows on my cable box, Glee, Chick-Fil-A, Kashi Cereal, bananas, whole wheat homemade pasta, my homemade hummus, Breitenbach Dandelion Wine, the grilled grouper reuben sandwich at one of my favorite restaurants, the trails I run on so often, my running friends, helping Scarecrow with her spelling words, snuggling with the girls on the couch, kissing Dorothy, taking a shower in my bare feet instead of my $1.00 shower shoes, only picking up a weapon to shoot in the woods with friends, watching So You Think You Can Dance in high definition and surround sound, men's breakfast at my church once a month, playing softball with my church family, the state park 10min from my house where I run rarely-run trails near the water, microbrews, driving through Amish Country with Dorothy and the girls...or just us, having homemade/family-made ice cream, authentic Mexican food, having Fridays off and putting the girls on the bus and getting them off the bus, taking my multi-vitamin, watching every step of Spring happen > buds, blossoms, flowers, green; dinner together with my family and Dorothy's cookin', wearing civilian clothes, hugging Dorothy, Tin Man, and Scarecrow, quiet when I go to bed, seeing Old Glory outside my garage every day I get up, beautiful sunrises and sunsets (they don't exist here), Starbucks...again, running with my new running partner around my home, picking up my girls from Sunday night AWANA, my older cat sitting on my lap while he gets the royal treatment of back-scratching, taking photos of the trails, fresh kiwis, playing UNO with the girls, sermons from my Pastor...he's awesome, Applescotch Pie made by Dorothy's mom, pouring milk over cereal instead of inaccurately squirting it, listening to the goofiness of Scarecrow, hearing Tin Man's totally off the wall comments...quotable comments, Outback Steakhouse and laughing with Dorothy and the girls. Yea, I know...just a few things.
Goodnight, everyone.
Being behind a computer and with access to Facebook, I watch many of you go to bed and wake up each day. It's pretty interesting, actually. While you sleep, I have a few friends who are deployed in this area of the world and I chat here and there with them online which is pretty cool. Currently, I have 3 others who are over here. 1 Navy, 1 Air National Guard, and 1 Army. Also on Facebook, I am following how nice it is back home and through favorite restaurant and business pages, I see the indications of Spring and Summer coming soon. Quickly, I realize so much of the material things I miss. I had no control over when I was being deployed but if I could do it again, I'd pick the wintertime! "Kansas" is no fun over the winter. Everyone turns into hermits. The whole area transforms with the arrival of Spring. So tonight...not to be sappy...but I thought I'd rattle off the things I miss...in no particular order:
I miss: green grass, driving my car, washing my car, praying with my girls at bedtime, chasing my cats around the house, mowing and "manicuring" our lawn, doing the budget/reconciling, going to Starbucks, falling asleep while holding Dorothy, laughing with my friends at work, the feel of carpet beneath my feet, DVR'd shows on my cable box, Glee, Chick-Fil-A, Kashi Cereal, bananas, whole wheat homemade pasta, my homemade hummus, Breitenbach Dandelion Wine, the grilled grouper reuben sandwich at one of my favorite restaurants, the trails I run on so often, my running friends, helping Scarecrow with her spelling words, snuggling with the girls on the couch, kissing Dorothy, taking a shower in my bare feet instead of my $1.00 shower shoes, only picking up a weapon to shoot in the woods with friends, watching So You Think You Can Dance in high definition and surround sound, men's breakfast at my church once a month, playing softball with my church family, the state park 10min from my house where I run rarely-run trails near the water, microbrews, driving through Amish Country with Dorothy and the girls...or just us, having homemade/family-made ice cream, authentic Mexican food, having Fridays off and putting the girls on the bus and getting them off the bus, taking my multi-vitamin, watching every step of Spring happen > buds, blossoms, flowers, green; dinner together with my family and Dorothy's cookin', wearing civilian clothes, hugging Dorothy, Tin Man, and Scarecrow, quiet when I go to bed, seeing Old Glory outside my garage every day I get up, beautiful sunrises and sunsets (they don't exist here), Starbucks...again, running with my new running partner around my home, picking up my girls from Sunday night AWANA, my older cat sitting on my lap while he gets the royal treatment of back-scratching, taking photos of the trails, fresh kiwis, playing UNO with the girls, sermons from my Pastor...he's awesome, Applescotch Pie made by Dorothy's mom, pouring milk over cereal instead of inaccurately squirting it, listening to the goofiness of Scarecrow, hearing Tin Man's totally off the wall comments...quotable comments, Outback Steakhouse and laughing with Dorothy and the girls. Yea, I know...just a few things.
Goodnight, everyone.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Day 53
It's National Running Day! You see? The day is already better than yesterday. Just insert running into anything and it's better. The day started the same, though. Routine is good, after all. Espresso, Special K cereal with Red Berries, some grapes, and to the office by 7am. Around 10:15-ish, I had to escape the office. I headed on down to the Beauty Shop where supposedly, the best haircuts were given. My shaven head had quickly grown back. For this visit, I told her to not touch the top and shave the sides...to make it "Dorothy Compliant." She did NOT like that last haircut. Truth be told, I didn't like my shirt getting stuck on my head every time I went to take it off, either. In the end, it was an OK haircut but not worth $2 more. I think I'll go back to the original place next time. After that, it was time to treat myself to my favorite Green Beans Coffee drink...their iced espresso Chai latte. Super good. I hung out for awhile on the picnic tables afterwards and played some games on my iPhone. The mental shutdown here was nice. Afterwards, I headed on in to the exchange to do some shopping. As we have entered the 120 Days of Wind here in Oz, it's been keeping me indoors when I want to run outside in the evening. If I go out and run 7-10 miles, for example, I can't help but ingest sand and grit. Winds are gusting these days from 25-40mph around the clock. So, I got a microfiber neck gaiter that I can pull up to my nose. I also shopped for some campaign coins for Tin Man and Scarecrow....and for a fellow sailor and trail runner who I am exchanging coins with on the trails this upcoming winter. Afterwards, lunch and a quick visit to the USO again.
If you can't tell already, today was a better day. I was in a better place mentally. I can't tell you why, either. I just was. The time alone was nice, I will admit. The "norm" around here is going to lunch together and doing everything together. The thing is that I'm for the most part, a loner. I prefer being alone so that time is precious to me. Anyway.... after a 5pm conference call with folks back in Philadelphia, I bolted for my room. Quickly after getting back, I got my gear on...gaiter and ballistic glasses included...and headed out for a run. Not too bad of a run tonight, but thank goodness for the gaiter and glasses. It was soooo windy! Nasty filth, grit, sand, and dirt blowing everywhere. Gusts to 40mph. I was like a sail at times out there. The pic here is my getup for the night...and probably for many, many nights from now on. I just despise the dreadmill. Not too much sweating evident, though...today's humidity was a whoppin' 6%. I don't think I've ever seen humidity that low.
One thing is for sure. If I run first then eat dinner, I will eat a better dinner. I've seen that played out several times here, already. I guess I just can't eat bad after burning over 1000 calories on the road. Good deal! So there..run first, then eat. OK meal tonight...actually all I had was mashed potatoes and peas which I mixed, a small salad and some green grapes. In and out of the dining facility in under 10 minutes. I grabbed a few more Gatorades for my stash on my way out. I'm building an inventory for when I do my long runs here on base and for my upcoming 50Ks.
That's it from here, tonight. I'm going to finish watching my favorite show, "So You Think You Can Dance" on the Armed Forces Network then heading to bed.
Goodnight, everyone.
One thing is for sure. If I run first then eat dinner, I will eat a better dinner. I've seen that played out several times here, already. I guess I just can't eat bad after burning over 1000 calories on the road. Good deal! So there..run first, then eat. OK meal tonight...actually all I had was mashed potatoes and peas which I mixed, a small salad and some green grapes. In and out of the dining facility in under 10 minutes. I grabbed a few more Gatorades for my stash on my way out. I'm building an inventory for when I do my long runs here on base and for my upcoming 50Ks.
That's it from here, tonight. I'm going to finish watching my favorite show, "So You Think You Can Dance" on the Armed Forces Network then heading to bed.
Goodnight, everyone.
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