My First Nike + Run

I finally took a run using the Nike + iPod Sport Kit that Nate gave me for my birthday...a mere 6 months ago. The one thing holding me back from using it was going out and purchasing the $100+ special Nike + running shoes (they're "special" because they have a little gap in the sole for the transmitter, big whoop). It seemed like a waste when I had brand new running shoes sitting in my closet already.


So when Nate's brother Steve told me he was going to start training for the LA Marathon and said he was going running last night, I said, "Screw It!" I put on my Reebok ultra high tech lace-less self inflating pump running shoes and then to my surprise I found that I could fit the transmitter perfectly under the "faux rubber laces".

(Notice the transmitter in the left shoe)

We decided to run to Pechanga and back, approximately 4 miles roundtrip. Hit the Start Workout option on my iPod Nano and we were off. I started off strong, but then came to the realization I have not run in years, I think the last time I actually ran was the Linfield Alumni soccer game 2-3 years ago. So you can notice the dips in the chart where I slowed down. While we were running along Pechanga Parkway we got some nice catcalls from girls most likely headed to Pechanga (they were probably asking themselves, "Who runs on a Saturday night?"), also one kind girl sang us Eye of the Tiger! haha

After I got home, I hooked up the iPod up to my PC and it sync'd my run data to the Nike+ site so I can track my runs and set goals. I'm considering setting up a goal of running 50 miles in 4 weeks.

Another Weekend Jaunt

I polled the minions at work right before the weekend to see who wanted to go on another hike at Santa Rosa. Along with our usual posse we had a couple welcome additions to our group, namely, Frank, his wife and two children and John's daughter Genevive.

We decided to go on an "early" morning hike, starting at 9AM *gasp*. We took a longer route this time, which took us to the old Adobes, through the always serene Adobe Loop forest, as well as through some pretty cool new trails. Surprisingly the girls beat us back to the visitor center, apparently they were told they would get pizza if they finished first, so we let them beat us....yeah that's it. ;)

Here are a few pics that really don't capture the full experience but help none the less.

All in all, we hiked and took in the scenery for about 3 and a half hours while traveling a little over 7 miles.

(Image goes to Google Maps Pedometer)

Here's a new one...

I just got paid for my computer repair services IN EGGS!


Last week you read about my T.O.E. hike, which by the way we hiked Santa Rosa Plateau today.

Anyway, one of the guys from last week's hike lives on some property out in wine country and one of his hobbies/weekend projects is trying to make his property self sustaining. So he keeps some chickens for eggs and once a year feeds pigs for pork. I asked him if he could taste the difference between store bought and farm fresh and he said he didn't notice much of a difference in the eggs, but definitely could taste the difference in the pork. He offered to give me a few eggs once we got back from the hike, but we completely forgot after we returned.

Fast forward a week and he's having some problems with his PC popping up a message saying it is infected and he should purchase some antispyware software, which it oh so conveniently directs him to the website to buy. So he drops the PC off in my office with a bunch of fresh eggs.

Of course his PC is fine and it is just some spyware trying to sell him crap he doesn't need. I fixed his PC so it doesn't pop up the annoying message anymore and deleted the spyware files. And after making a couple omlettes, I'd say that I was able to taste a difference. Yum!

T.O.E.

A small group of the "Temecula Outdoor Enthusiasts" (T.O.E.) decided to start off the weekend with an early morning hike of a "peak" around Vail Lake, on our Friday off. The group consisting of John Meyer, John Degange and myself, started the hike at 8:45 am and Finished at around 11am. We started off at an elevation of 1300 ft and reached the peak of 2600 ft an hour later, giving us an average of 1.7 mph (1.1 mph including stops)...gotta love portable GPS! We covered the elevation of 1300 feet in an hour to give you an idea of how steep the hill actually is. Suprisingly getting down the hill only took half that time, at 30 minutes.

(Click for larger image)



Can't wait until our next hike with the rest of the T.O.E. for some new mountains and adventures!

Happy New Year!

Well I'm back from my little hiatus to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!
May this be the year of years....until 2008 that is. Then I will declare 2008 the year of years, then 2009, 2010 and so on....

My one observation of New Years would have to be, in 2011 those people that make the New Years glasses are gonna be in big trouble!