Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Another Reason Why I Love Marin County

You go outside on a random day and find one of these suckers lounging out on your front door. I think this dude might be a bit lost - they are usually seen closer to water.

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Monday, May 30, 2011

Jim Tressel Situation and Ohio State

I have to say that as a die-hard Michigan Wolverine, I take no pleasure from the Jim Tressel situation whatsoever. I think he's a fundamentally decent man who made some mistakes. He probably deserved what he got in the end but at the same time, I think the problems he encountered could have occurred at any major university - including Michigan. I also think that in the end, Tressel is going to go down as both a legend and now a martyr and that kind of bums me out. I would FAR prefer that he stayed at Ohio State, if for no other reason than to even the score a bit. Because any way you color it, the man holds a 9-1 record against Michigan. Us Wolverines will be reminded of the fact for an eternity. Anyway, a sad and unfortunate chapter closes. I sincerely wish Coach Tressel all the best moving forward. And - Go Blue.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Training for a 100 Miler

I have to say that training for this 100 miler is taking its toll both mentally and physically.

Physically, I am starting to feel like an old man, and I have aches and pain just about everywhere. Nothing major, knock on wood, but everything kind of hurts. Guess that will happen at age 45.

I'm running every day but Monday and sometimes twice a day. I'm up to about 55-60 miles a week, which is the most I have consistently run in my life. And yet - it's still not enough. At this stage of the game, I should really be at around 70 miles a week, which is proving to be untenable. I'll get there, I guess - but I'm just not sure how or when and I'm starting to run against the clock.

The mental problem I guess is associated with the above. The other issue is that my Saturdays - a critical training day - are essentially shot, between baseball games and swim meets (which I am not willing to give up). So I have been super stressed about that.

But last week - while running (surprise, surprise) I decided to cool out and just be zen. It is what it is. I've come to the conclusion that in all likelihood, I'll be going into this race a bit undertrained. I'm going to absolutely give it my best shot, as is always the case. IfI don't make it, there's another 100 miler in my backyard (literally) one month later, so I have a fall back of sorts.

Once again, it is what it is. I can't let this completely consume me - got too many other things going on in my life right now. So - let the chips fall where they may.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Team Record!

Well, the Little Girl did it - she broke a team and record in the fly, coming in at 16.42. I'm really happy for her, though she seems to be the one who's least worked up over the hoopla. She has a very good attitude and perspective on all this. Basically, she wants to go out, try her hardest and have fun. The thing I love best about her is what a great teammate she is; she's always supporting someone else. Shortly after her fly, her 100 free relay team also broke the team record and pool record, with a 1.03.3. In certain respects, this was even more exciting as the four teammates got to enjoy and celebrate together. I'll have to post a team photo later. In the meantime, here's a video from her fly.

And special props to her teammate, who we will refer to as R (I don't feel comfortable naming kid's who aren't mine on these here pages unless they are mine!). She broke three records herself, including back, IM (lowering her own record) and the aforementioned free relay.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

What I'm listening to

When you run upwards of 10 hours a week, music takes on increased importance. If it weren't for my trusted iPod Nano, I think I'd go batshit crazy. Fortunately for me, I have some friends who hook me up with some of the best and newest music (should out to my RTP peeps). For those of you looking for something new, lots to recommend, including the newest Beastie Boys album, Antlers, Modest Mouse (everything this dude touches is gold), Cold Cave, Fleet Foxes, Gang Gang Dance (weird, but really listenable), Love Inks, and My Morning Jacket, among others.

Anything new out there that anyone recommends? I have plenty of time to listen - scheduled for a 4-5 hour run on Sunday. Yikes. Painful just typing those words.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

More swimming

The Little Girl swam great again on Saturday; she won back and fly and her Relay team won IM and free relays. She took second in IM. Her fly time (video linked here ) in particular - 16.94 - is really spectacular and is close to the pool record.

Despite her successes in the pool, I'm particularly proud of what a level headed, sweet kid she is. She's always pool side rooting on a teammate, she loves being out there with her friends, and she doesn't get too worked up about how she does one way or the other. She's got the right attitude and spirit and that's what it is all about.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Seal Team SIx

If you're reading this blog, you've probably been around long enough to know that I have long been obsessed with the Navy SEALS. If I were to get a do over on my life, I'd love to give SEAL training a shot. I struggle in cold water and so probably wouldn't make it - but I'd love to give it a shot all the same. Oh, and I'm probably not all that good at jumping from planes either. Us Jews aren't known for skydiving. So, there's that.

Anyway, coming on the heels of the Bin Laden assasination (we got to call it what it is) a new book titled SEAL Team Six debuted just yesterday. Talk about good timing; this dude is going to sell a hell of a lot of books this week.

Anyway, I'm only 20 pages - I started it today on my flight home from Orange County (my tenth flight in as many weeks, for the record) and it is already quite captivating. If you're looking for a good read, check it out.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Game of Thrones

So, my new favorite show of the season is HBO's Game of Thrones. It's well acted, the visuals are stunning, and it features a ton of action. My only problem? I have no freaking idea whatsoever who's who, or what's going on. As many of you have probably surmised, I watch a ton of TV, but I'm always doing something else simultaneously - usually reading a magazine, surfing the web or doing email (hello, iPad). And this is one of those shows that demands your full attention. And so - I am lost. Anyone care to jump in and explain to me what in the hell is going on? Neil? Beno?

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Fly

IMG_0305.MOV Watch on Posterous

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Posted via email from Howard Solomon

Water Baby

The Little Girl had a great first meet of the year yesterday. She won four events (IM medley relay, backstroke, fly, free relay) and came in a close second in IM. She also had three best times, which is what the coaches have them aspire to each meet. Her swim of the day was definitely the fly - her previous best was 18.26 and she broke through yesterday with a 17.25. For those of you unfamiliar with swim times, that is really fast. I will post the video from that race. And today? She's at yet another meet. She is indeed a Water Baby. Report to follow.
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Posted via email from Howard Solomon

Friday, May 6, 2011

Grandparents are in Town

Thus the reason I've been so quiet. I'll resume my normal posting next week.

Image

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Posted via email from Howard Solomon

Monday, May 2, 2011

Osama Bin We Got Him

Sorry I haven't been posting too much lately. In no particular order, I've been: hanging out with my parents, working, running, enjoying the kids activities and watching - nonstop - news relating to Osama Bin Laden.

Man oh man oh man - I cannot wait to read the book on that raid. You know it's coming out soon and you know it is going to be GOOD. I'm thinking it will be written by either Coll, Woodward or Mark Bowden (Black Hawk Down). It's going to be good, because there is much, much more to this story than is currently being reported.

Those SEAL Six boys are straight up, 100 percent bad ass. Can you imagine the guy who took OBL out? That has to make him a SEAL legend forever, right? Bad ass. And you know what? Today our President is too.

Nice job all around. Really had given up much thought of getting that guy. Nothing like methodical planning and plotting though.

Great message to any and all terrorists and present/future bad guys. Proceed with caution because we WILL come find you. And we WILL kill you.