A jog between the aquarium and the mid span of the Biscayne causeway gave me a lift today. The city skyline view and the breeze and warm sunshine from the bay sparked resolve to go again — before the weekend crowd gets the same idea. Tomorrow, I am back in the saddle with a 0700 sim session. 
Category Archives: jogging
it’s no thang
People, like cats, would appear to be averse to precip and�wetness. The dawg doesn’t care. A jogger doesn’t mind either. Running can be enjoyed in all seasons. (as long as he has a hat for the brow) Yesterday’s fine spring weather brought showers after only a mile or two of my lakeside trail loop. I was not concerned except for the fact that my car key, an electronic gizmo, was riding in my trunks and trying to maintain a reasonable dry state. Mental note: bring a plastic sandwich baggie next time. I became worried that the car would be immobilized. The battery cell powered FOB is the only way to gain access. A keyhole is a thing of the past… B.O.Y.R.Girl came to mind. Her arm band mounted MP3 pod didn’t take to the rain at all. The ear phones now exclusively play the sounds of the seashore. Phsssst. Does the U.L. test for these events? Loaded up with mobile phone, digital camera, pocket pc — it could get expensive without an umbrella.
fargo
Jogging in North Dakota. I picked up the Fargo Recreational Trail at 2nd Street South and turned right. The path is paved wide and open to the grass and trees of the Red River of the North’s flood plain. Flat grade and goes for miles. The trees are still bare now in mid April, but this is what it looks like during prime time. Nice! Who sez there is nothing to do in Fargo!
Fort Wayne Rivergreenway
early run
Dawg and I set out an hour before sunrise. The sky had already begun to lighten but under the canopy of trees it is relative darkness. In fact it helps not to focus down directly at the trail but eyes straight ahead. The iris can draw in more light this way and you “see” things peripherally. Well, basic trail definition anyway. One must be mindful for ruts, semi-submerged tree roots, the chance hazard like deadwood or very rare but possible copperhead basking in the residual warmth of the path : – o Other pitfalls: Spider ticks like to spin a strand or two of web across the path so as to snag a free ride from the first host (victim) of the morning to come along. You get this trip wire across the face or torso. Flailing about with your arms/hands to rid the sticky stuff from your hair is futile. Joys of trailblazing. Geez, I’m kind of wondering now why I didn’t just wait for the sun.
canalway trailside
This late summer afternoon jog offered rich views from pathway edge.
.01 mi – 2 hotel employees smoking dope in closed car
1.4 mi – unique overhead perspective of passing freight train, big bore diesels belching
2.0 mi – boy and dad fishing beneath overpass
3.2 mi – lazy houseboat rumbling by
3.6 mi – teens in swimsuits gathered on granite embankment looking for courage to make that Acapulco swan
3.7 mi – massive Rockwilder led off to the side agitated jaws — lady on the other end of teather well protected
3.9 mi – early leaves beginning to turn and fall to earth
geo trace
Modern conveniences. Some people strap on their CD or MP3 walkman and tune-in. Some can actually read a paperback while doing it. How about mobile computing? This is output from my exercise routine. I carried a GPS handheld during this morning’s outing. Since the unit is portable but neither outdoor rugged nor water resistant I took care not to drip sweat into it. Set to save auto-position waypoints every 60 seconds you can track progress and then save the whole ball o’wax as a route trace. These waypoints are stored as Lat and Lons. Great Circle formulae will tell the full details of how far and how fast. Why, you say? Because it’s the geek thing to do 🙂
Clintons Folly
I’d been thinking my layover in Rochester would be a slam | click. I mean the place is on a cement island amidst freeway ramps. Might as well be holed up in my hotel room. NOT ! Did spot a greenway trail behind the building and — what a find! Miles and miles of pathway along the Erie Canal system. Great for jogging. Most of the original tow paths along the abandoned portions have been converted. You can’t see much of the canal water for the dense brush that has filled in but that’s okay. Green is good.
scenic route
Enjoyed an early morning shower — while jogging on upper deck. The ship penetrated a rain squall that was too large to deviate (else the skipper has a mean streak) and we got pelted. The side effect was that it cleared everyone out. Only the diehards pressed onward. The track is 400 meters and with each loop opens a different panorama. Ship’s position 04 degrees North of the equator.
running shirtless
I went wide on the trail to pass slow pokes. You didn’t hear screeching shoe rubber for all I could do was suck it in, grunt, spin and brace for pain. Encountering flora I thought I could brush aside as I passed but at the last moment – and too late… determined that it was thorn bush.