Eason and the Excavator

This post should redirect to Excavator

Last summer my uncle Marc let us come over and drive his excavator. Jesse just sent me the pictures and video.

Check out the pictures and video below:

Fun At The Bungalow

We went back to the bungalow for the first time of the season. We had fun playing by the lake, and boating in the lake, and playing tennis, and of course eating plenty.

Moe pictures and video below:

Back At The Bungalow

We went back to the bungalow for the first time of the season. We played ball. We went on the boats.

More pictures below:

Aviva's Signs

Aviva's name is really cool. First of all it’s a mirrored palindrome, as was seen when the plane flew by with her name in the banner at our wedding.

I found the visual symmetry so inspiring I even made these:

5k training progress

Today I used 5k sports training option on the treadmill again, still at level 1.

This time I did a warm up on the treadmill before I started the course. I think that made a big difference. The 5k took me 28:15. I averaged 6.61 mph; 9:04 minute mile.

I also paced myself better. My fastest speed was only 7.5 mph (maintained for two minutes).

I'm pretty happy with this time, but I know running in the park will be much more challenging, so I'm still looking to improve my time.

Running Update

Today I used 5k sports training option on the treadmill again, but this time I choose level 1. The incline ranged from 0 to 1.0, which wasn't bad. Unfortunately I still wasn't that happy with my time.

I ran the whole 5k and it took me 31:15. I averaged 5.97 mph; 10:03 minute mile. The climb totaled 22 meters in all. My fastest speed was 9.5 mph, but I could only maintain it for about 30 seconds.

On the bright side, this is an improvement from my last two runs. The run is June 18th, so I have a month to go.

The Fuzzy Lemons

We went to Hoboken to see The Fuzzy Lemons at Goldenhawk Lounge. We had a great time. Afterwards we went for dinner at the Bar at 10th and Willow.

More pictures and video below:

Eason's Space Shuttle

Check out the space shuttle I made with Eason. Sometimes making stuff out of odds and ends is much more fun than buying something from the store (but that's fun too).

More pictures and video below:

Corduroy

Andrea wanted me to read Corduroy, so I started reading it to her and Eason. She quickly lost interest, but Eason wanted me to finish. When I was done he said that the way Corduroy feels about Lisa is the same way he feels about me. Awww.

New MMA Ratings Logo

I finally put up a new MMA Ratings logo. I'm asking people to go the MMA Ratings post and use the star ratings to let me know what you think and comment if you have any suggestions.

5k Prep

Today I decided to try using the 5k sports training option on the treadmill. When it asked me to choose a level from 1-20, I choose 10. This wound up being harder than I anticipated. The first half of the course maintained an incline from 3.5 to 7.8, which killed my time. Ultimately this might be a good thing as it might prepare me for the hills, wind resistance and ground conditions of running in the park. However, my time was pretty bad.

Mother's Day

We had a great time on Mother's Day. My mom came over and we went to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center and then we had dinner at Long Ridge Tavern. We gave my mom a mug with a picture of her and the kids and me on it.

More pictures below:

Cleaning Up At The Y

I got to the Rye YMCA today and they had cleaned off all the weights.

All the rust was gone and the weights were sliding on and off the bar so easily. They were oiled and everything. It was great!

Speaking of cleaning up at the Y, every day I walk in and I see the babysitters scrubbing down all the toys before babysitting starts...every single day.

Kudos to you. I'm very grateful and appreciative.

running update

Today I ran my 5k in 31:40, which I'm not that happy with especially considering that it was on a treadmill.

I realized that I totally misread the fitness standards for running that I was given by Eason's dojo. I thought that one half mile in 4 minutes (which is 7.5 mph) was excellent, but it's actually considered average.

running goals

When I ran last week I met the 17 year old fitness standard, which is half a mile in 4 minutes, or maintain 7.5 mph for 4 minutes.

Today I only ran 2 miles in 18 minutes, but I maintained 7.5 mph for 1.5 miles.

For my next run I want to run 3.1 miles, averaging about 6 mph for the first 2 - 2.5 miles and sprint the rest.