5K Training Officially Begins

More specifically, it begins somewhere around 6,000 feet above sea level.  In case you’ve never attempted to do anything that high up, the general idea is that you can not breathe.  Being from a state like Pennsylvania, where our highest mountains are just barely touching the 2,000 foot mark, it’s a pretty big jump.

Despite the difficulties, I already started to find a rhythm in my short run and my breathing showed improvements by the end of the trip.  I won’t embarrass myself by tracking the distance I run JUST yet, but I ran enough to be thoroughly tired.  I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s run, as well as the rest of the week.  Training is hard, but the reward is amazing.

 

- Andy

Training Begins

This past Saturday Matt and I officially began our training for the 2010 Livestrong Challenge in Philadelphia.  The ride was really a test to see in what shape we were in as we begin more consistent/rigorous training in a week or two, but it was important nonetheless.

We went on a ride that I did last season which in total is about 60 miles.  After about 40 miles a combination of fatigue and destroyed bridges forced us to pack in for the day, the final total being 42.5 miles or so.  It was a good ride and showed me how much my training at the gym this winter had helped, and it was nice to see that Matt is right there with me (oh to be as thin as him!).

The more serious training will begin when I return from my current trip in a couple of weeks, but until then I’ll be working on my 5K run by walking and jogging in some higher elevations.  I’ll see if I can’t get some pictures along the way!

 

- Andy

 

PS – If you’d like to donate to me or anyone else on the team, you can find us at http://philly2010.livestrong.org/teamzibings.  Feel free to join us too, we’re open to anyone!

A Disappointing End of the Day

Today I participated in the Philadelphia Livestrong Challenge.  I set off around 8:10am with the rest of the 45-mile group.  The ride started off quite well, this of course being the first time I’d gone on any manner of group ride in my life.  I ended up making friends with a fellow rider named Bob who took me “under his wing” as a past participant to make sure I didn’t kill myself.  It was certainly great having a friendly face amongst the hills to keep me upbeat.

Even so, my day didn’t end even remotely close to how I’d hoped.  A little before mile marker 10, on a quick left-right turn series, I was involved in a bit of a pileup.  As far as I can tell I was the only rider who was tossed off of their saddle, but it didn’t really matter much in the end.  I flipped over the front bars, did some strange aerobatics that involved jamming my left elbow and head (with helmet) onto the ground.  I popped up immediately and walked my bike to the side of the road as police and other riders stopped to ask if I was ok.

At this point, I could feel that I’d hit my left elbow quite hard, but it seemed as though I’d be able to recover.  I calmed my nerves, hopped onto the bike, and gave it a go with Bob for some more distance.  I made it to approximately mile 22 before I couldn’t stand to put weight on my arm anymore and stopped.  I was picked up by a SAG (Support and Gear) vehicle, and eventually made my way through medical stations and to the start line, but I didn’t get to finish.

My arm is quite sore right now, but I don’t seem to have done any major structural damage that won’t heal on it’s own.  To say I’m disappointed in my inability to finish would be an understatement, but it is simply how the cards fell today.  I met a lot of great people and am looking forward to next year’s challenge in Philadelphia.  You can be sure I’ll be back, and next year I won’t be so kind to the course…

 

- Andy

2009 Livestrong Challenge - Philadelphia

I've been talking about doing this for a week or so now (basically since I was informed of it's existence), and finally I paid the registration fee and committed to participating. I will be riding my bike 45-miles for the fight against cancer on August 23rd, 2009 around Philadelphia. I only need to raise $250 in order to be allowed to ride, but I figured I might as well set my sights high. You can visit my 'fundraising headquarters' at http://philly09.livestrong.org/andym84/. After about 9 years of being off my bike, I'm going to do a 45-mile ride after only riding for about 3.5 weeks consistently. Am I crazy? More than likely...

At least it's for a good cause.



Click Here to Donate


- Andy

Food, Inc.

During my usual morning routine, I noticed a link to a YouTube video on Reddit.  The video was a trailer for a movie called ‘Food, Inc.’ and seemed interesting.  I’m not sure if anyone else was planning to see this, but if you’re curious check out their site at www.foodincmovie.com.

 

- Andy

Three Cups of Tea

Over a month ago, my grandparents suggested that Mom, Ashley and I read a book called 'Three Cups of Tea'.  The book chronicles the travels of a man named Greg Mortenson through areas of Central Asia (particularly Pakistan and Afghanistan).  The book was a wonderful read which I finished in a matter of 2-3 days.  I found myself very involved with the book throughout, never once finding a section boring or not worth reading.  Mortenson's proves that there are other ways of spreading peace in the world than through the point of a gun, a point this Ron Paul supporter can happily endorse.

If you're looking for an emotional and motivational read, I highly recommend this book.  The writing is plain, but captivating, a combination rarely seen in today's world of literature.  When you've finished with the book, go ahead and make a donation to Mortenson's Central Asia Institute.

 

Andy

A Ron Paul Milestone

I thought I'd write something about this here.  First, the back-story...

Ron Paul's campaign posed a challenge to his supporters on Monday September 24th.  The challenge was to raise $500,000 for his campaign's 3rd quarter postings.  Within 2-3 days, they had raised the $500,000.  As a result, the challenge was changed, and we (the supporters) were told to try raising $1,000,000 by the 30th on midnight (the end of the 3rd quarter).

Needless to say, the group of people who keep 'spamming' the debate polls, have done their part in showing just how cunning they are.  Through almost 12,000 donations, by 10:31pm on Saturday September 29th, 2007, we had raised $1,000,000.  As of the writing of this post, there is still some more time left before the deadline arrives, and the total count for the fundraising is well over $1,025,000 and never stops rising.  To 'capture' history, I decided to take a screen shot right when my screen showed me we'd gone over the million mark:

 

- Andy

Free Hugs?

I've been continuing on my personal mission to constantly broaden my horizons through reading and discovery, and today was perusing through random blogs on blogger (you can do the same using the 'Next Blog' link at the very top of my page). I came across a mostly quiet and short-spoken blog from a girl in Texas, but for some reason decided to look at it. There was a picture of a dog lying across two seperate parts of a lounge chair or couch of some kind, it just amused me for some reason.

After studying the picture for a little while, I scrolled down through the page and saw a post about something called 'Free Hugs'. I started the YouTube video and was soon smiling. I haven't had a particularly rough day, but it was nice to see something this heart warming. You can view the official site for what turned into a whole movement at www.freehugscampaign.org. Here's the video that I saw (which apparently won one of the YouTube Video of the Year awards!):

Save The Streams!

When I went to tune into an internet trance station I used to listen to quite often, I saw that there was a link on it and a request for me to sign a petition on a site called SaveTheStreams.org. I was curious, so I headed over to check it out. By the time I'd finished reading the information they had, I was nothing short of appalled. If you have a few minutes, head over to the site, read up. Even if you don't listen to internet radio, I think we should all be doing what we can to try and show the record labels that we don't want to put up with their greediness anymore.