Week 43 (24-30 Oct)

As far as running weeks go, this was certainly one of the least exciting weeks since the year started. Aside from the music I was listening to, and the treadmill I was using, not much changed from day to day this week when it came to my nightly runs. That being said, this week was also, the best running week I've had with regards to total miles, and so even though it wasn't exciting, it was definitely a good week for running

My Totals for the Week Are:

Total Runs Logged: 7

Total Miles: 53.7

Total Time Spent Running: 6 hours, 49 minutes, 52 seconds

Average Pace: 7:37 (min/mile)

While I intentionally kept the pace a little slower than normal, it didn't have too much of an effect on my overall total. In the long run (ha!) it probably helped me this week because I was never too tired or sore to actually run. My new totals for 4 July to 30 October are:

Total Runs Logged:81

Total Miles: 517.8

Total Time Spent Running: 65 hours, 35 minutes, 16 seconds

Average Pace: 7:35 (min/mile)

My total miles run thus far is: 1266.1

REFLECTION TIME! Not an exciting week for running, but with the 1200 mile mark far behind me, and the end of my running in 2011 so close (just 2 months left), even during weeks where the running isn't very fun, the excitement of actually hitting 1500 miles is enough motivation to get me on the treadmill. For two weeks now I've been running at night which I'll probably continue to do, though as long as I'm in Zamboanga I cannot run outside at night. There are too many potholes and not enough light to do it safely. Perhaps, I will try a day time run in Zam at some point just so I can use my GPS here, and upload my map to the blog. For now, I'll keep using the treadmill.

Okay, I know that if running on a treadmill isn't very exciting, then reading about running on a treadmill has to be even less entertaining. For those who stuck with it to the end, though, here is something that will hopefully "lift" your spirits. I saw this while driving the other day, and had to take a picture (I wasn't actually driving, just along for the ride).

1200 MILES!!

So in addition to loading ships, and observing the Filipino version of "safety in the workplace", I've also managed to do some running. In the past three weeks, I logged just over 90 miles. As mentioned earlier, while in Subic, the running shoes I had with me fell apart, which significantly reduced the running I did during the last part of Week 40, and all of Week 41 (I was in Subic for 10 days, and my shoes crapped out on me on the 3rd day). Undeterred, and determined to get my mileage back on track I really picked it up in Week 42. The end result: I met my goal for the year, 70 days ahead of my original schedule. Here's a break down of the past three weeks of running.

Knowing full well, that I would have a hard time running in Subic, in the days leading up to my departure, I made sure to get on the treadmill everyday, and log at least 6 miles. My totals for Week 40 (3-9 October) were:

Total Runs Logged: 4

Total Miles: 24.8

Total Time Spent Running: 3 hours, 2 minutes, 27 seconds

Average Pace: 7:21 (min/mile)

It was a little short of my weekly goal, but entering the next week I was determined to make it up and then some. This became extremely difficult to do in my Vibram's 5-Fingers. While I love wearing them, if I don't wear them with special 5-toed socks, then they tend to rub my feet. Well, I forgot to bring my socks with me to Subic, but decided to run in them anyway. Anticipating some blisters, I hit the road. By mile 5, I was hurting, and decided to wait until I returned to Zamboanga to continue running. I ended up with much less than I wanted, but better to protect my feet. My totals for Week 41 (10-16 October) were:

Total Runs Logged: 2

Total Miles: 13.6

Total Time Spent Running: 1 hour, 43 minutes, 32 seconds

Average Pace: 7:36 (min/mile)

Undeterred by two less than stellar weeks, but rather determined to get my mileage back on track, I went after it this past week. I actually switched up my running time too which I think helped some. Rather than run in the morning when I first wake up, I do my strength training in the AM. In the evenings, after dinner is when I run. This gives me a little more time to run, and although I'm usually tired by the time I go run, I'm still able to find the motivation. Knowing that my goal was to make up for my lost mileage this week, I decided to slow my pace down just a bit. The last thing I wanted to do was burn out by Tuesday or Wednesday, and not have the strength to finish the week. The slower pace (and determination to run every week) really paid off. I logged more miles this week, than any other week this year. My totals for Week 42 (17-23 October) were:

Total Runs Logged: 7

Total Miles: 52.2

Total Time Spent Running: 6 hours, 40 minutes, 2 seconds

Average Pace: 7:39 (min/mile)

My totals from 4 July to 23 October are:

Total Runs Logged: 81

Total Miles: 464.1

Total Time Spent Running: 58 hours, 45 minutes, 24 seconds

Average Pace: 7:35 (min/mile)

With that, on October 22nd, the 295th day of 2011, I competed what I set out to do on January 1st by the end of the year...I ran my 1,200th mile! My total mileage to date is now: 1,212.4!

Despite 1200 miles down, and the initial purpose of this blog complete, I'm not done yet. 10 weeks remain in the year, and I have nearly 300 more miles to go to reach my NEW goal of 1500. If I kept up the 50 miles weeks, I would be done before Christmas, but I know that is both unrealistic, and probably not great for my body. As long as I continue to strive for about 30 miles a week (just over 7 miles a day), I'll get to 1500 before 2012. The end is almost in sight; I just need to keep up the steady pace.

OOP (Only On the Philipines) -- The Safety Issue!!

No doubt safety is critical aspect of nearly everything we do. That doesn't apply just to Americans, but I think everyone considers safety extremely importance. What may differ from person to person and country to country is how we define "safety" and what we determine to be "safe". Take for instance riding on the roof of a car. Not something I would do, but I suppose as long as you are sitting down, it's not the most dangerous thing you could be doing.

When using heavy equipment, most would say to only use it for its intended purpose. Using a forklift to pull a barge into place is not something I would suggest, but there if you are able to hook the two together, then at least be sure you use a strong enough chain.
My idea of safety head gear, when working around large machines or when something could fall on you, would be a hard hat of some sorts. The gentleman in this picture decided that a towel would be sufficient. I suppose the rational was that if he did experience massive head trauma, at least the towel would soak up the blood.
Safety shoes are critical in just about every manual labor type of operation. Steel-toed shoes are ideal, but I suppose that at least tennis shoes cover your feet completely. When you are really in a pinch though, go with flip-flops as they at least protect the bottom of your feet should you step on something sharp, but not big enough to pinch the 1/4 inch thick foam. Also in this "two-for" you see that a baseball cap can sub for a hard hat, but only if you have tennis shoes. If you are wearing a hard-hat though, it appears flip flops are okay.
Closer inspection reveals that wearing the flip flops is in fact optional.
Again, I think safety is part of everyone's work and lives. I doubt most people intentionally do unsafe things. How we determine what is safe is really up to interpretation. Keep it safe, everybody!

The Strong Mariner

A brief break from running for a moment to talk about my recent trip to Subic Bay. The Strong Mariner arrived in port, and I was responsible for loading it. Okay, I didn't actually physically load anything, but I did supervise, watch and take some pictures. It came in very early in the morning which means we had to be up even earlier. It did give me the great opportunity to get a cool shot of the crane getting ready.

Here's a shot of the Strong Mariner being tugged (pushed) into position along the pier. It was definitely a rust bucket, but she stayed afloat.
Here's a shot of the the first boat being craned onto the ship. It was a very long and slow process, but when you are lifting something that big, that heavy, and that expensive, you have to be careful about it.
Here's another shot of the boat being craned onto the Strong Mariner, this time from the top deck of the ship. It took nearly an hour from the time the boat was strapped to the crane until it was safely on the ship.
Not really related to the Strong Mariner, but since I was dealing with the Navy I thought I should also show you this picture. My Navy brethren, preparing for their 1 hour and 45 minute flight out of the Philippines, decided to set up their hammocks. You'll notice them lined up along the containers, going all the way back. The other side of the containers were identical with hammocks lined up along that side.
So the loading of the Strong Mariner was a success, and my time in Subic Bay was very enjoyable. The one downside, was that while loading the ship, the only pair of running shoes I brought with me to Subic fell apart. I had several hundred miles on them so it wasn't a complete surprise or disappointing (aside from the fact that I really liked them). Unfortunately, it left me with only my Vibram 5-Fingers to run in; which I did, once, without socks, which left me with large blisters on my toes, and put an end to my running in Subic. Not to worry, I more than made up for the lost miles this week.

9 Months and 1100 Miles (Week 39)

I think it's safe to say that barring any freak accident, I'm going to make my 1200 mile running goal this year. With 91 days left in the year, my new "goal" is to make it all the way to 1500. That means for the remainder of the year I'll have to run just over 4 miles a day; a very realistic goal for me to attain. This week I really pushed myself to get a lot of runs in the day; possibly more than I should have. In addition to running every day morning before work there were a couple of evenings were I ran as a warm up to my second workout of the day. After Sunday's run, I was completely wiped out, so for the remaining 13 weeks in the year, i should incorporate a few breaks, and keep the running to once a day. Still, it was one of my best weeks of running for the year both in average pace and total distance. It took its toll on me, but I think it was worth it.

My Week 39 (26 Sep - 2 Oct) Totals are as follows:

Total Runs Logged: 9

Total Miles: 48.2

Total Time Spent Running: 5 hours 59 minutes, 16 seconds

Average Pace: 7:27 (min/mile)

With a great week of running to cap off the month of September and looking back at the past three months; I'd say it has been pretty good for running. My totals from July 4th through October 2nd are:

Total Runs Logged: 68

Total Miles: 373.5

Total Time Spent Running: 47 hours, 19 minutes, 23 seconds

Average Pace: 7:36 (min/mile)

This brings my total miles in 2011 to: 1121.8

REFLECTION TIME: Well to make my goal of 1500 miles in 2011, I essentially need to duplicate what I did the past three months. It is doable, but hopefully, I can plan to be more consistent in my runs so that I'm not killing myself in the weekly mileage to hit 1500 as 2012 nears. In the past three months, there were 5 weeks where I didn't hit 25 miles. To get to 1500, I'll need to average about 28 miles per week. With easy access to a treadmill and the time to do it, I shouldn't have too hard a time doing it.

The Flood and BBC Houston

With one day left in what is turning out to be a stellar running week, I thought I would provide some much promised pictures of my continued adventures in the Philippines. If you haven't been following the weather in the Pacific over the past couple of weeks or so, you will have missed that the island of Luzon in the Philippines (where Manila is located) was recently hit by two typhoons. The first one was a direct hit across the island and dumped a to ton of rain. Meanwhile in Mindanao, it didn't rain a drop the same day the storm was passing through. I luckily wasn't in Manila, but these pictures were sent to me from the Embassy.

A few weeks prior to the typhoons, I was actually on the island of Luzon in Subic where in addition to running outside with my GPS for the first time, I also did some work. The BBC Houston came into port, and I was tasked with unloading or discharging its cargo. Definitely a cool experience for me because as an Air Force guy, I don't spend my time around ships. This was my first time to be on a port and download a ship. Thankfully there were a lot of qualified people who knew what they were doing, and kept the operation moving very smoothly. Here the BBC Houston is being pushed by the tugs so it can dock next to the pier.

Shortly after it was tied to the pier, we started offloading the cargo with the ships cranes. This is a picture of the deck where our cargo was stored for the ocean voyage that had to be offloaded.
The Stevedores in the yellow shirts and hard hats were responsible for hooking up the cargo to the crane and unhooking it once it was safely on the pier. Our crew seemed fairly professional and knew what they were doing. They were actually wearing hard hats and closed-toe shoes unlike another crew also on the pier who were wearing basketball jerseys and flip flops (a potential liability you really don't want to mess with).

Most of the cargo came off without difficulty, but the primary reason for the ship operation and the most challenging aspect of the ship's discharge were the two boats that had to be lifted out of the ship and placed on the dock. Each weighed more than 60 tons and was more than 85 feet long. It was a slow and very meticulous process. We started lifting the first boat when it was still light outside, but by the time it had appeared over the ship, it was dark.

The shot abovand below were actually taken with my camera phone. For whatever reason its flash was working better resulting in better pictures than the ones from the point and shoot camera I had been using all day. Below is another shot of the boat, this time being turned 90 degrees so it could fit between the ship's cranes and be placed on the pier.
All in all a fun and exciting first time experience. Again, thankfully there were enough experts there to make sure the operation happened smoothly, safely, and without serious incident. It made for a long day, but it was definitely worth while. The weather was perfect the entire day which made me thankful the ship didn't try to come in last week with the typhoon creating havoc on Luzon.