Health

Way back in January I had an alarming visit to the doctor. I got a routine blood test and was surprised to hear that I had high cholesterol and low testosterone. For someone who runs and works out as much as I do, this was quite surprising.

Looking back, it probably shouldn't have been that much of a shock. I definitely had the mentality that because I ran so much, I could eat and drink whatever I wanted. Clearly, years of poor nutrition finally caught up to me. In fact, the reason I got the blood test in the first place was because I felt like my heart was beating harder, and that something just "seemed wrong."

So I immediately enacted sweeping changes to my diet. I stopped shopping at Aldi and got back to real grocery stores. I heavily reduced my intake of fried foods. I don't drink as much as I used to. I pretty much eliminated what was once my favorite food, cheese. And I've started eating lots more fruits and vegetables. And oh yeah, my favorite change: I'm back to drinking soy milk instead of skim milk. Man I loooooove soy milk!

Anyway, there were many other changes. Too many to list here. In less than 4 months, my numbers have significantly improved across the board, including:

AST (SGOT) from 50 to 27 (normal range is 0-40)
Cholesterol from 207-173 (normal range is 0-199)
Triglycerides from 157 to 101 (normal range is 0-149)
LDL Cholesterol from 131 to 111 (normal range is 0-99)
Testosterone from 299 to 705 (normal range is 241-827)

My LDL is still high, but I'm happy that it dropped 20 points in less than 4 months. Everything else is looking within normal ranges. Obviously I'm going to keep at it with the changes I've enacted. It's great to see some concrete results, for sure.

And best of all, I FEEL better. I think the diet has also helped my running. I ran a great 5k at Ravenswood a couple weeks ago, and I attribute a lot of this to the new diet, because my training has been significantly less this year than last year. I shouldn't have been able to run 17:57 off the training I've done so far this year, but I did. Among other things, I think the changes in my diet played a huge role.

7 Angry Days of Local H

Well I really should be running right now. But it's 44 degrees, the 30 mph winds make it feel like 30 degrees, and it's hailing. So I think today might be the perfect day to bail on running. I'm not really training for anything right now anyway. Maybe I'll run later if it stops raining (it's not supposed to stop). Or at least if I hear the pounding hail stop hitting the window by my desk :)

I figured I'd take this opportunity to talk about Local H. They have a new CD that is coming out this upcoming Tuesday. In support of the new album, the band decided to do what I say is possibly the coolest thing ever. For seven consecutive nights, they are playing each one of their 5 CDs from front to back. Then on Monday they're playing a B-Sides/rarities night, and then on the seventh night, which is Tuesday (the day the new CD comes out - how convenient), the new album will be played front to back.

I was fortunate enough to score a full 7 day pass (for only $85!), and the Beat Kitchen is about 15 minutes from my place. How cool is that?

The first night was Ham Fisted, which is the only Local H CD I didn't know. But a couple months ago I added it to my MP3 player to listen to while I'm running. It quickly became my second favorite album by them. That first concert was probably my favorite so far. Since most of the songs never get played live anymore, the crowd was really intense. I really wanted to go in the pit, but I'm an old man now, and with my recent back problems I don't plan on moshing or going crazy anymore. Plus, the pits at Local H shows are the rowdiest ones I've been to, besides the Metallica concert I went to back in '04. At my first ever Local H show I got hit in the mouth and my two front teeth were loose for a week. Lemme tell ya, it's pretty scary having your front teeth loose. Anyway, Ham Fisted was probably as close as I'll ever come to attending a Nirvana show. That first CD is grunge for sure. The newer ones are definitely more "hard rock," but I love me some grunge.

The second night was the band's most "popular" album, As Good as Dead. Again, a rockin show. The combo of "High Fivin' MF" and "Fritz's Corner" from the show was posted on YouTube. If you don't know Local H, watch this clip and you'll get a good idea. I'd encourage you to watch the whole thing because it gets really awesome towards the end :) (and yes, I realize I posted the video twice, but I don't know how to remove one. Oh well)

That may have been my favorite song combo of the series so far. I remember seeing the people in the pit being like "holy shit we have to go through this now?" When Fritz's started playing (around the 6 min. mark of that video). They were already dead from the last song, haha.

The third night was my favorite album from the band, Pack up the Cats. I really couldn't wait to hear "Cha Said the Kitty," and it didn't disappoint.

Last night was "Here Comes the Zoo." I actually thought last night was the "worst" of the shows, which means instead of "awesome and amazing" it was just "really good." The opening band was the Tossers, but unfortunately I overslept from a nap and missed them. But at least I didn't miss H.

So tonight is "PJ Soles." I'm excited because instead of going by myself, Jerry will be going with me this time. Hooray! I can't wait to hear "California Songs" (and F New York too).

Oh, a couple things to talk about as well:

1. My ears were DESTROYED by the third show, so I wore earplugs last night. i wasn't the only one wearing them, but I still felt like a tool. But on Friday night was ears were ringing so bad I even had trouble falling asleep, so I opted to be lame and keep my hearing.

2. Brian St. Clair is a MADMAN on the drums. I've never seen anybody go as crazy on the drums as that guy. You can't really tell that well from the YouTube videos, but that guy's insane back there.....

3. There is a lot of taping going on at these shows. I'm hoping these shows will eventually be posted or released. They would be so awesome to own.

Okay, that's it for now. Oh yeah, they posted two more YouTube video:

Yeah, screw Bush!



More of a "jam session" for Manifest Destiny II:

Ravenswood 5k - 4/27/08

Okay, I know this report is pretty late. But I've spent the last 2 days moving to a new apartment, so at least I have an excuse.

Background:
I ran the Ravenswood 5k 2 times before this time. In 2006 I arrived late and had a pretty poor showing (20:02 - one of only 3 times I've ever been over 20 minutes). But then in 2007, the stars aligned and I ran my current PR (17:53). Along with the Race That's Good For Life 5k in Oak Park, Ravenswood is my favorite 5k in all of Chicago-land. The race is well run, and a VERY easy course. Basically, unless you do something stupid like arrive late, you have a great chance at going for a PR.

This year, my training has been spotty. I've FINALLY gotten back into a "groove" after injuring my back earlier this year. However, I have had VERY limited speedwork, and am only averaging 30-40 miles a week, as opposed to last year's 50-60 over the same time period. Nevertheless, I figured I'd go for a sub 18 time. The easy nature of the course played a big factor, but also, my legs are a little more "fresh" this year because of the reduced mileage.

Pre-Race:
I knew beforehand that this year's race would have a lot of motivation. First off, I now live in Lincoln Square/Ravenswood, so this is essentially my "home" race. So close that it's a mere 20 minute walk to the start line. I also knew that RunAsics would be there, so it would be a good opportunity to even the score from the Shamrock Shuffle in March. Also, the "rival" from last year's race would probably be there too.


So there were a lot of things going on. Would I beat RunAsics? Could I PR? Could I go under 18 for only the second time ever? What about the rival? Would I hurt my back again in the process? Should I even try to go sub 18, and risk a big bonk?

Race:
I chatted briefly with RunAsics before the gun. I lined up further back than usual, simply because of the high quality of the field. I was pretty much even with RA. After the initial crowded beginning, things separated very quickly. RA took a bit of a lead and I figured I'd just hang back so that I didn't go out too fast. The wind was calm so there was really no benefit to drafting. About 1/4 mile short of the first mile marker, I went ahead and passed RA, because I felt I could maintain a quicker pace than he was running.

Here's the thing about me. When I pass someone, I do NOT want them re-passing me later. I try to make my pass a definitive pass. I think I've mentioned this in posts. You have to kill their spirit so that they don't try and keep up with you. If you hesitate during the pass, you give them the idea that they can latch onto you. So when I went for the pass of RA, I increased the pace enough (at least that's what I thought) where he'd really have to work to keep that pace.

First mile went by in 5:53. Very quick, but not on pace for sub 18....

The second mile is usually the make-or-break mile for me. My splits for the average 5k frequently have 2 good miles (miles 1 & 3) bookending mile two, where I lost focus and popped off some 6:00+ mile. This time around, I really tried to focus on mile 2, and going sub 6 or sub 5:55. I felt like I was continuing to increase my pace. I actually had to dodge a few people as I was passing rather large groups. When I pushed the lap button for mile 2, I was happy with another 5:53. Still not sub 18 pace though.

I turned it up a notch. Still passing a lot of people. I DID give a quick glance over my shoulder to see RA about 10-15 seconds behind. I didn't think he would be able to pick it up much more, so I changed my focus to everyone in front of me. You know the drill: pick a guy, and pass him. Pass. Pass. Pass. Nobody had passed me since the first mile. I like that.

We made the turn for the final stretch, which is actually about 4/10 of a mile. Close enough where you can see the finish line, but not close enough to start your kick. I passed a few more people and really started to turn it own with a quarter mile to go. Lo and behold, I stumbled upon the "Rival" from last year's race. I gave it all I had at mile 3 and made the pass. There was one additional runner that tried to outkick me in the end, but I beat him by a second or so. I was too engrossed in my kick to hit the lap button at mile 3, but I crossed the finish line with 18:01 on my watch. I knew I would be under 18 with the chip time! So my splits were:

1: 5:53
2: 5:53
3.1: 6:13 (5:31 pace)!

I guess I really hammered that last 1.1. When the official results were posted, I came in with a chip time of 17:57. Great, but not a PR. In retrospect, I think I did everything right. I ran the first mile relaxed, I focused in during the second mile, and I HAMMERED the final mile. I DO think that I could have PR'd. After the race I was walking around fine. It didn't even seem like I ran a race. If I had increased my pace a little more during mile 2, I would have done it.

Still, I'm happy with this result. I accomplished nearly all of my goals. This officially means "I'm back," after some inconsistent training and poor race times. Hopefully sub 18 will be more common now, as opposed to a once a year thing. Then again, I said that exact same thing after this race last year......

Chip time: 17:57
56/2502 overall
55/1202 male
9/227 age group
second fastest 5k ever

50 and 5k's

They finally posted the official results from the 50k on 4/5:

5:04:22
44/140 overall
36/102 male
9/18 20-29 y/o male

Also, a HUGE congrats to V on an amazing 5k PR race this weekend! She ran a 27:02 at the Race that's Good for Life 5k in Oak Park. That knocked a full 1:50 off her previous 5k PR. Sweet!

March is Over......

Last year was more of the exception, not the rule. In my NCAA tournament bracket last year I finished in second place in our Yahoo league, and had 3 of the Final Four teams, and even had the correct final 2 (although I picked OSU over Florida). This year, it was back to normalcy. John and I, the two people that should in theory know the most about college basketball, tied for last place in the league. Good to see things are returning to the way they used to be.

As for the championship game, I actually found myself rooting for Kansas by the end of the game. Despite Bill Self's bolting for Kansas a few years ago, I can't really hate the guy. He's gone through his fair share of (well-documented) chokes in the tournament, so the Illini "revenge" has kind of gotten old. Also, I really really don't like Joey Dorsey. And Memphis was so extremely talented, it seemed like they took a "we don't have to play hard all the time" attitude. Maybe that was just me creating an excuse to root for Kansas. Oh, and I LOVE the fact that Memphis lost at the free throw line. Calipari seemed to dismiss their poor free throw shooting all year. Whoops.

But I am STILL very annoyed by that horrible Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant that the Kansas fans do. It's creepy and proves that the Kansas basketball fan group is really just a cult. I figure they'll "get theirs" when Self ditches them for Oklahoma State anyway.

I can't wait until NEXT March so I can come in last in my bracket again!