Well, I have another half marathon tomorrow. Shooting to be back around an hour thirty again. This one will be a little more fun since it is in costumes. I will be a race rabbit. (I am sorry to any of the non runners who do not get the joke). Any way, all I am really doing is wearing bunny ears and a home made cotton tail (made of cotton balls and a cloths pin) and I will wear a target on my back as though people are supposed to be gunning for me. Ha ha ...
Any way. I have a big, action packed weekend too. I will be leaving shortly to spend the night on a couch so I don't have to get up as early to get there on time. Then, after lunch, I will be going to a college cross country conference championship meet, probably still in my race rabbit costume. In the evening will be a costumed birthday party, where I will don the second, much creepier costume.
Sunday should include a house visit where I will live starting in January and a trip to a "haunted town" type tour with a college club I'm involved with. To be a pillar of safety or an extra creeper...hmm...We shall continue to ponder that. I bet it would be pretty funny to see a bunch of the HvZ crew at one of these places. (esp. if they brought nerf/socks).
Happy Halloween
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Results of Homecoming Weekend
It comes as little surprise to me that I bombed the pictures challenge, but was astonished by the 5k results. The race itself was 0.2 miles short, so it is not legitimately a 5k time, but my 16:11 pace for a 2.9 mile race means I averaged 5:34/mile. With as good as i felt at the end, I have no reason to believe I could not have held that pace for another quarter mile for a roughly 17:15 5k. I would say this smashing success is well worth offsetting the minimal number of pictures taken.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Weekend Challenges Oct 14-16
For lack of input, I am once again unilaterally deciding my own challenges.
First is picture taking.
I often end up being notorious for having a camera and either not using it or hoarding away the photos I get on my hard drive.
That being said, the goal is to take 5 silly pictures with people at Homecoming. Take 5 serious pictures with other people at Homecoming. And (these can overlap with the previous 10) take pictures with 5 current students and 5 alumni. I don't think I need to worry about family, my mom does a good job of taking care of that. I could add however that at least 1 picture should be at the football game.
Second is running the Homecoming 5k
I have determined that my 5k pace should be very close to 18:40. This challenge will have completion tiers.
The first tier is run under 19 min (shouldn't be much of a problem, but you never know)
Second tier is to run under 18:50. (still pretty managable)
Third tier is to run under 18:45 (now a challenging goal, as my current PR is 18:43 if I recall correctly)
Fourth tier is to run under 18:40, leading to a new PR.
Ultra Level tier is to run under 18 min. (I don't think we have to worry much about this one. I don't see much reason to expect I can at this time. It is however a road mark for me running a sub 3 hr marathon)
First is picture taking.
I often end up being notorious for having a camera and either not using it or hoarding away the photos I get on my hard drive.
That being said, the goal is to take 5 silly pictures with people at Homecoming. Take 5 serious pictures with other people at Homecoming. And (these can overlap with the previous 10) take pictures with 5 current students and 5 alumni. I don't think I need to worry about family, my mom does a good job of taking care of that. I could add however that at least 1 picture should be at the football game.
Second is running the Homecoming 5k
I have determined that my 5k pace should be very close to 18:40. This challenge will have completion tiers.
The first tier is run under 19 min (shouldn't be much of a problem, but you never know)
Second tier is to run under 18:50. (still pretty managable)
Third tier is to run under 18:45 (now a challenging goal, as my current PR is 18:43 if I recall correctly)
Fourth tier is to run under 18:40, leading to a new PR.
Ultra Level tier is to run under 18 min. (I don't think we have to worry much about this one. I don't see much reason to expect I can at this time. It is however a road mark for me running a sub 3 hr marathon)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Bit of a let down
Rather sporadically, I had decided to visit my school campus since I wasn't working over the weekend because I knew there was Humans vs Zombies going on this week + the Zombie pub crawl in the evening.
I arrived on campus to enjoy the fun to find the turn out for the mission was so low it did not get held. Really glad I payed for the 2 hr of parking to get there in time to figure out where this was going down. As a secondary turn ov events, the mission time was such that there was a considerable amount of time before the evening events, which I was only the least bit excited about because of the theme. Not getting a hold of any of my friends in the area, I decided to return home for the extra sleep I could really use.
Assistant coaching on the side of doing an internship is quite demanding, despite the fact that I still use time in the evenings to work on projects and watch movies/youtube videos. This lack of sleep thing couldn't be my fault though.
At least I get one more shot for the final mission tomorrow, as I am meeting my Mom for dinner, back in the cities, later that day. At least i will get plenty of sleep.
I arrived on campus to enjoy the fun to find the turn out for the mission was so low it did not get held. Really glad I payed for the 2 hr of parking to get there in time to figure out where this was going down. As a secondary turn ov events, the mission time was such that there was a considerable amount of time before the evening events, which I was only the least bit excited about because of the theme. Not getting a hold of any of my friends in the area, I decided to return home for the extra sleep I could really use.
Assistant coaching on the side of doing an internship is quite demanding, despite the fact that I still use time in the evenings to work on projects and watch movies/youtube videos. This lack of sleep thing couldn't be my fault though.
At least I get one more shot for the final mission tomorrow, as I am meeting my Mom for dinner, back in the cities, later that day. At least i will get plenty of sleep.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Challenge 5
Well, I have been contacted about a voluntary coaching position I have sought out. I will be helping coach high school boys cross country. The timing for this is a little unusual since I will be starting no less than 3 weeks into the season. I foresee the potential for several mini-challenges, like learning everyone's names. This will end up being about two months of my life, so it conveniently fits quite well into the pattern of my adventure. Just waiting on a background check to be complete and to finish an online quiz required by the state and I can start.
Challenge accepted.
Challenge accepted.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Challenge Requested 2
Not to sure where to go next. I need some ideas for new challenges I'm not already working on. Even if you're just a passer by, challenge me. I dare you.
On another note, eventually, I would like to run all the way to the next town and back, but I'm not sure when to attempt it. This coming weekend is available, but I have a race the following weekend. I'm not sure if it will be enough time to recover sufficiently to make a good showing. Most of October is very up in the air.
On another note, eventually, I would like to run all the way to the next town and back, but I'm not sure when to attempt it. This coming weekend is available, but I have a race the following weekend. I'm not sure if it will be enough time to recover sufficiently to make a good showing. Most of October is very up in the air.
Challenge 4 expires
So I guess I failed this one. I had a whirlwind of an end of the week. Friday just disappeared on me. Saturday my long run occupied plenty of my day, along with additional working out. I also lost much of the evening to making monkey bread and 3 hr of driving to play Risk.
I have some measurement issues to work out with my nerf homemade and some logistics to figure out concerning the smoker. As a simple matter, I still did not touch the radio.
I have some measurement issues to work out with my nerf homemade and some logistics to figure out concerning the smoker. As a simple matter, I still did not touch the radio.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Challenge 4 Update
I presume my fourth challenge is going well.
I have not actually touched my radio project, but hopefully, that will simply be a matter of assembly.
The SNAP (homemade nerf gun) has made a significant progress in the respect of getting a barrel, since I found the local Ace Hardware, which had the desired brass tubing for the majority of the barrel. I intend to telescope, so I need to get the next size down from another local Ace. I still have to remeasure my plunger compression to correctly place the hole for my catch pin. My previous attempts were too far back. I also need to produce a handle and assemble the trigger mechanism.
The biggest disappointment could be my stovetop smoker. It would seem I did not look at enough of the plans I am modifying, as it did not totally occur to me I would be releasing a significant amount of smoke in my poorly ventilated apartment kitchen. I may have to be modifying my specifications to be a smoker that can be used without destroying a heating pad to make it. As far as construction goes, I have yet to cut the hole for the thermometer or mortar some of my pieces together. I also still need to get a cheap cast iron pan to use for smoldering the wood.
Where we go from here:
I still expect to finish my radio project and intend to get my SNAP assembled to the point where I only need to add the barrel. I still need to figure out how I will be mounting my brass tubing, since it is much smaller than the 1/4 inch threading of the adapter on the end of my pressure chamber. As for my smoker project, I am modifying the plan to be having the body of the apparatus finished, so I can focus on the other projects and still allow myself time for a long run on Saturday.
I have not actually touched my radio project, but hopefully, that will simply be a matter of assembly.
The SNAP (homemade nerf gun) has made a significant progress in the respect of getting a barrel, since I found the local Ace Hardware, which had the desired brass tubing for the majority of the barrel. I intend to telescope, so I need to get the next size down from another local Ace. I still have to remeasure my plunger compression to correctly place the hole for my catch pin. My previous attempts were too far back. I also need to produce a handle and assemble the trigger mechanism.
The biggest disappointment could be my stovetop smoker. It would seem I did not look at enough of the plans I am modifying, as it did not totally occur to me I would be releasing a significant amount of smoke in my poorly ventilated apartment kitchen. I may have to be modifying my specifications to be a smoker that can be used without destroying a heating pad to make it. As far as construction goes, I have yet to cut the hole for the thermometer or mortar some of my pieces together. I also still need to get a cheap cast iron pan to use for smoldering the wood.
Where we go from here:
I still expect to finish my radio project and intend to get my SNAP assembled to the point where I only need to add the barrel. I still need to figure out how I will be mounting my brass tubing, since it is much smaller than the 1/4 inch threading of the adapter on the end of my pressure chamber. As for my smoker project, I am modifying the plan to be having the body of the apparatus finished, so I can focus on the other projects and still allow myself time for a long run on Saturday.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Challenge 4
Challenge 4: Finishing projects
I have a few projects lying around that I have been neglecting. In an effort to get them finished up, I am giving myself until next Saturday, the 10th of September to get them done.
Homemade Nerf Gun:
I have the pressure chamber mostly assembled, along with my plunger. I need to make the catch and trigger system and attach the adapter that will stop the plunger on the barrel end. I still need to find a barrel material that will fit my darts and/or find some foam backer rod to make my own.
I have a lead to find some places to try finding tube, but none of them are sure bets.
To consider this completed, I will need to be capable of dry-firing my gun, have a handle on it and have the trigger attached.
Frosting on the cake would be a working barrel for my intended darts.
Foxhole Radio:
I believe I have all the pieces for this. Completion will depend on if I can get it working well enough to hear static since I have not made a slider to adjust the frequency in this round. It is a first run trial.
Stove-top Smoker:
This is based on some of the smokers I have seen in instructables.com and I decided to modify mine to work with my stovetop instead of a reworked heating pad. To consider this completed, I will have to test it and either determine it is crap and in need of refinement or I must cook with it and make an instructable for it.
I have a few projects lying around that I have been neglecting. In an effort to get them finished up, I am giving myself until next Saturday, the 10th of September to get them done.
Homemade Nerf Gun:
I have the pressure chamber mostly assembled, along with my plunger. I need to make the catch and trigger system and attach the adapter that will stop the plunger on the barrel end. I still need to find a barrel material that will fit my darts and/or find some foam backer rod to make my own.
I have a lead to find some places to try finding tube, but none of them are sure bets.
To consider this completed, I will need to be capable of dry-firing my gun, have a handle on it and have the trigger attached.
Frosting on the cake would be a working barrel for my intended darts.
Foxhole Radio:
I believe I have all the pieces for this. Completion will depend on if I can get it working well enough to hear static since I have not made a slider to adjust the frequency in this round. It is a first run trial.
Stove-top Smoker:
This is based on some of the smokers I have seen in instructables.com and I decided to modify mine to work with my stovetop instead of a reworked heating pad. To consider this completed, I will have to test it and either determine it is crap and in need of refinement or I must cook with it and make an instructable for it.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Challenge 2 Update
I totally forgot about my deadline for this challenge as I have considered it succeeded early. I have reached a level of functionality for this blog to be able to allow the proper level of interaction with visitors. It is a little bitter sweet, though, as I have not been posting updates as regularly as I had intended. At the very least, these should be weekly.
Since I have not gotten any votes for my next challenge, I shall unilaterally decide that it is to be finishing my DIY stovetop meat smoker project and my SNAP project (my first attempt at a homemade Nerf gun). These will be run in parallel with Challenge 3: Advertising. My next post is to lay out what should be considered success for Challenge 4 and the time frame.
Since I have not gotten any votes for my next challenge, I shall unilaterally decide that it is to be finishing my DIY stovetop meat smoker project and my SNAP project (my first attempt at a homemade Nerf gun). These will be run in parallel with Challenge 3: Advertising. My next post is to lay out what should be considered success for Challenge 4 and the time frame.
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