Recently, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time with a new running partner. He’s really been an ideal companion because he never complains about the weather (unless it’s really hot) or how far we’ve gone (more = better), and he seems to be able to read my mind when it comes to following a […]
Archives for 2009
Great Running Movies
Every once in awhile I need a little jolt to remind me why it is that I put myself through the physical and emotional punishment involved in training for and running marathons. A good movie is one thing that can accomplish this for me. When compared to other sports, the selection of running movies is […]
Going Live: Run-NH.com Website for NH Runners is On-Line
As part of my foray into the on-line world, I’ve been working on a website dedicated to providing information of interest to runners in the state of New Hampshire. While it is still very much a work in progress, the Run-NH website is now on-line and accessible at http://www.run-nh.com/. I decided to go live with […]
Running Gear Review: Garmin Forerunner 205/305 GPS Wristwatch
By 25 Comments
This review of the Garmin Forerunner 205/305 GPS Wristwatch follows up on my review of the Nike+ system (see here). I’ve used both of these systems extensively (> six months of regular use each), and my goal here is to explain why I much prefer the Garmin Forerunner. If you want a personal running computer […]
Nike+ = Great Running Commercials
In researching my recent posts where I explained why I prefer the Garmin Forerunner 205/305 to the Nike+ system, I do have to give Nike the nod in at least one area: they have awesome running commercials. Check these out: I have to hand it to them, Nike really are good at marketing.
Running Gear Review: Nike+ Ipod System
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere on this blog, and much to my wife’s chagrin, I’m a complete gadget junkie. Thus, to my good fortune, my initiation into the world of distance running about two years ago roughly coincided with the appearance on the market of several new high-tech running gadgets: the Garmin Forerunner 205 and 305, […]
A Great Day and a Great Run: Spring has Officially Sprung in NH
After officially committing to run the Vermont City Marathon a few weeks ago, I’ve successfully maintained my weekly mileage at or above 25/week. Long runs have been going well, though my legs are feeling the effects of the faster than desired increase in workload. Two weekends ago I did a twelve miler from home, after […]
The Origin of Oblinkin: How Charles Darwin Helped Me Become a Blogger
By 2 Comments
This is the first installment of what I hope will become a running series of posts on becoming a blogger. I have a long history with the world-wide-web. From the early 90’s and Prodigy (you get a gold star if you remember Prodigy), to the mainstream appearance of e-mail and the internet when I was […]
My Road Racing Results: 2007-2008
Below is a log of my results from races that I’ve run in my first 1 1/2 years as a serious runner. I compiled this list on Athlinks.com, which is a neat little site that allows you to compare your performance with others who run the same races as you. You can submit the info […]
Ingenious Inventions: The Peter Potty and Flippee the Toilet Shield
As any parent of a 5 year-old boy knows, they are inherently messy and destructive creatures. One area where this is particularly true is in the bathroom. One of the great joys for a little boy is to learn how to pee standing up – it’s like a small right of passage on the way […]
Spring Fever in New Hampshire
I and many others who live in New Hampshire have a love-hate relationship with winter. The first snowfalls are always exciting and pretty, the heavy snows of December-February make for great skiing and snowshoeing, and our state relies heavily on winter sports as a source of revenue. However, by March, most of us up here […]
Music Review: The Hazards of Love, by The Decemberists
I’ve become a big fan of The Decemberists over the past few months, having quickly amassed most of their albums in either live form or as downloads from Amazon or Itunes. If you’re not familiar with the band, they’re one of the more unique groups that I’ve listened to in quite some time, in part […]
Vermont City Marathon Rematch is On
I’ve been debating heavily for the past month or so about whether or not to follow through with my plan to run a spring marathon. Mostly, my hesitation stemmed from the feeling that I’m not yet at a fitness level to handle the training needed to run one. However, writing the series of blog posts […]
Running Gear Review: Jaybird Wireless Bluetooth Headphones for Ipod (JB-200i)
By 3 Comments
If you’re like me, an Ipod is an essential running accessory. On training runs, I typically listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. to help pass the time. In the winter, I could not survive on a treadmill without some form of distraction, and the TV in my basement or my laptop set on a shelf […]
Running Gear: Garmin Forerunner 310 XT
My Garmin Forerunner 205 is probably my favorite and most essential piece of running equipment (read my detailed review of the Forerunner 205 here). It was therefore with some excitement that I discovered that Garmin was releasing a new Forerunner, called the Forerunner 310XT (credit due to http://www.innoland.it/) – here’s what it looks like: As […]