Got Some 'Splainin' to Do

So, I posted a photo of "The Dustinator" to the left. I'm sure you have lots of questions. Like "where did you get the name 'Dustinator'?" Well, a fraternity brother of mine, Kevin, started off an e-mail to me about a year ago with "Dustinator" and I decided it would be good as my nom de plume for Fort Bend Fit. You figure out the base word.

"What about that Longhorns gimme hat?" It was given to me by Fred, a very dear friend who goes a long way back. Fred and I were neighbors growing up. We started "JJ Labs" together. He was best man at my wedding. We both attended the University of Texas at Austin. A couple of years ago he gave me that hat. Now, anyone can buy their own hats, but when a friend gives you one, it is something special. Another friend and former co-worker, Jack, introduced me to the importance of "gimme" hats. Jack is an avid fisherman, and was very pleased that I had given him an Owls hat as a leaving-the-job gift, because he had lost his previous lucky hat and he believed that only hats that were gifted could be lucky. You can't buy luck, it has to be given to you. So I wear my Longhorns hat in that spirit.

"What about the dark glasses, where'd you get those sexy things?" I bought those dark glasses on a trip to Port Aransas several years ago with my wife. We had a lot of fun staying at a condo on the beach, relaxing and being with each other. Those dark glasses cost $10 but they have lots of memories behind them.

"OK, smart guy, what about that shirt, where'd you get that?" I bought it from Fort Bend Fit you idiot. Ahem, I mean, inquisitive person. And I had my wife write "Dustinator" on the front and back before the half-marathon in 2008. It's a "technical" shirt. Technical clothing is intended to wick sweat away from your body and enable it to quickly evaporate to lead to better cooling and lower weight clothing that is not full of sweat. It can be very important during long distance running. Wet skin blisters and abrades easier. This is all stuff you learn at the after-run seminars at Fort Bend Fit.

See ya on the road,
The Dustinator

Been Busy!

Saturday, 12 July

For our first training session at Velocity, we did three miles. Route to Cartwright, then left at Southminster Presbyterian Church, through the parking lot, and on about 1/3 of the way up Brightwater. Then turn around and come back. I started off at 3:1 (run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute), then slowed to 1:1 after the second mile. I am carrying a water bottle with me, the type that has a strap to help you hold it. The strap has a little storage pocket for your cell phone, money or bourbon, whatever you might need at a moment's notice. I had put on sunscreen before I left the house, and noted that sweat, in combination with the sunscreen, made for a really slick hold on the bottle. Running produces a lot more sweat than walking ever did. I was soaked by the end of the run, and missed having a beach towel to dry of with and sit on during the presentation. 38 min total, so about 13 min/mile.

Monday, 14 July

6:00 a.m. Spin class at 24 Hr Fitness with a substitute for Alison (who has gotten married and is on her honeymoon). About 1 hour, good instructor, interested mix of music. Lots of out-of-the-saddle riding. I wore some new bike shorts that I bought at Academy--$27. Didn't like them too much. A bargain is not always a bargain.

Wednesday 16 July

6:00 a.m. Spin Class with Kat at 24 Hr Fitness. Always a good ride with Kat. About 1 hr. Had started to wear another new set of bike shorts I got at REI, they were more expensive than Academy's, $40 I think (on sale) but they were even more uncomfortable than the ones from Academy. More expensive is not necessarily good. I wore my old shorts instead, which I need to replace because they are getting worn out after 5 years of use.

Saturday, 19 July

Four miles today, route from Velocity north on Dulles to the Oyster Creek Park entrance, then up and around the loop at the main part of the park (where the tent and the pond is) and back out to Dulles and back to Velocity. Started at 3:1, then dropped to 2:1 after about the 2nd mile, then 1.5:1, and maybe even some 1:1s, but who's counting? Ha, ha! I mean "Hoo Yah!" (the Fort Bend Fit official yell, which you use to greet all those FBF members you see on the trail (not "Boo Yah", or "Who Ya", or anything else, but "Hoo Yah"). Sweating buckets, really glad I have the hydration bottle with me. 51 min 34 sec, about 13 min/mile

see ya on the road,
The Dustinator

Another Marathon Training Season Starts!

Hello! As the title shows, I am training for the Houston Half-Marathon that will take place on 18 January 2009. I'd like this blog to be really witty and informative while at the same time being entertaining. Ha! Funny!

I train with Fort Bend Fit (who yah, or is it boo-ya, I can't ever understand what the heck we're yelling, but it sounds good). Every Saturday morning I'll be trudging out of bed at dark-o-clock while the sane people are sleeping in their cozy beds or just arriving back from Vegas on the Southwest red-eye.

I did the half-marathon last year. I walked it. 13.1 miles. A long way. A way long way. A really, really long way. This year I am going to run it. Next year, 26.2 miles maybe. Or maybe not.

See you on the road.

The Dustinator