Couch Potato to Marathon: My Life on the Run

I recently completed my first Marathon, due in large part to Facebook and a young girl named Mari.  

Now, as you're reading, please don't take my story as bragging or showing off or anything like that.  It's quite the opposite, actually.  I'm just telling a personal story about an adventure in my life--how it benefited me and how it could benefit others.  I make no claims of fitness expertise. I'm just saying this is how it worked for me.

My story--this story--starts out about 5 1/2 years ago.  I found myself overweight and out of shape, largely from a sedentary job and lifestyle, a complete lack of exercise, and a hearty appetite for junk food.  At work, it was not uncommon for me to consume a dozen Oreos and a can of Pepsi at a 7:30 AM break.  OK, you got me...I did that every day, actually.  I'd have more soda and cookies with lunch and after work I might have half a bag of Doritos

Doritos

or Fritos for a snack before consuming a huge supper packed with massive carbs.  I live in an Asian household, if you will, so there was never any shortage of rice on my plate.  Later in the evening I'd have more chips and soda or maybe some ice cream.   The fast food drive-through was a staple in my life. Ultimately, I had ballooned up to 225.  I looked grotesque.  Physically, I would get winded simply standing up from the couch or walking up a few stairs.  

I was a couch potato.

Couch Potato (not me, an actor)

One night I woke up gasping for breath.  I don't know if I had stopped breathing or just dreamed it but it didn't matter--I believed in my heart that I almost died in my sleep and I blamed it on my own poor diet and lifestyle choices.  I tossed and turned the rest of the night--actually it was pre-dawn on a Saturday in June.  When I got up I immediately wrote out a determined and do-able diet and exercise plan. 

For starters, I committed to reducing my food intake by more than 50%, eliminating all junk food (pizza, ice cream, chips, cookies, soda, etc) as well as high-carb foods (pasta, rice, etc).  I went out and bought a treadmill and immediately began walking on it every day, without fail. 

That is:  EVERY DAY, WITHOUT FAIL.

Two miles a day turned into 3 then 4.  I set it up so I could watch TV while on the treadmill which made walking for an hour almost like I wasn't walking at all.  It was mid-baseball season at the time so I would usually walk the treadmill during a Red Sox game.  

Sox

When the season was over I became a fan of syndicated television hits such as Bones and NCIS.
  

The NCIS Team

After about a year on the treadmill, walking inside turned into walking outside--four miles every day, rain or shine. Literally every single day, rain or shine.  More than one day found me walking the Linear Park at night, in the rain, holding an umbrella while the tunes of Dagwood or the Big Fat Combo or the like played through my iPod.
  

Big Fat Combo

(The Linear Park closes at sunset so please don't squeal on me.)

By then I had lost 35 pounds.  I felt great and I looked great.....uh, at least people told me that I looked great....I mean, I'm not just saying that on my own.....uh, uh, uh....you know what I mean.  The funny thing is I had numerous people ask me how I lost so much weight and when I told them my system they all, without fail, said something like, "I don't want to do that.....I like soda.....I like ice cream.....I like pizza....."  You get the picture. Well dammit, I like all that stuff too.  That's why it's called a sacrifice.  I'll have a soda about once a year now but honestly I can live without it.  I really have no desire to drink soda, I don't miss it, and I'll only have it in a dire pinch.

I would have been content to go on walking like this probably forever.  I had no interest whatsoever in jogging or running.  I had run a bit of cross country in middle school

Dodd Cross Country 1979--I'm back row, third from right

and high school and had run in the Service (because I had to) but nothing too serious.  I think back then it was more of a chore than anything.  

BUT.....in 2010 my CHS '84 classmate Matt Hall and his wife Lisa inaugurated a charitable foundation named after their young daughter and devoted to Autism Spectrum Disorder Early Intervention--The Mari Hall Family Foundation.  Their main fundraiser is a 10K road race in Cheshire.  

MMOS

This is where my opening line meshes up with history.  Had the Halls created their foundation pre-Facebook I may well have not given it a second thought--or  first thought, for that matter.  It would have been announced with a small blurb in the local paper--I would have read it or not--and I may or may not have reacted to it.  However.....since we did have Facebook by then, I got a Facebook invitation to attend a charitable fundraising 10K named after a little girl in need.  It's called Mari's Miles of Smiles.  

I clicked the "will attend" button and was at that very moment committed 100%.  (Side note in parenthesis and italics:  I would like to point out at this time that one of our other classmates also committed to attend, commenting on FB that he was going to start training for the run but then didn't and to this day remains his same old doughy, out-of-shape self.

No names, and I say this with the fondest admiration of this gentleman.)  So I registered for the 10K and my daily walks turned into daily jogs in order to train-up for the race.  My first 10K was my first road race and was more of a painful run/walk.  I was not adequately prepared.  I finished in about an hour and a quarter.  I think it was 1:13.  While I was satisfied with completion, I was also determined to "do better next year. " It was at that time I made running a focal point in my life.  

In the ensuing years my regular training run has turned into a minimum of 5.2 miles--usually every other day.  If I do anything less I feel like I haven't done anything at all.  I'll do a 6.2 once a week and throw in an 8.5 or a 10 every 2 or 3 weeks.  It never ceases to amaze me that at my age stepping out in the afternoon to run 10 miles is a breeze and it feels great! 

Let me say that again: IT FEELS GREAT!  

Sometimes I bring my iPod, sometimes not.  Sometimes it's dark, or cold, or hot.  Sometimes not.  Sometimes it's raining or snowing, sometimes not.  Sometimes my legs feel heavy, only to find at the end of the run that I've bested my regular time.

Other times, I feel like I'm flying only to find at the end I'm behind my regular time by minutes.  But always, it feels great.  I've been blessed with good health throughout this journey, having only a couple of minor injuries or pains. Even the soreness which accompanies my running feels good.  It's hard to explain but I guess the movement and the rhythm is soothing and relaxing.  It's peaceful.  It feels like my mind is just along for a ride on my body and it generally doesn't even feel like I'm exerting any effort.  I'm not even tired when I finish a regular training run.  It's a craving. Sometimes I'll be at work thinking, "Man, I can't wait to get home and go running."  If, due to schedule, I go a couple of days without running, my knees start to ache.  That's just my body saying, "Hey, jackass!  What's more important here?  Get back out there and run!"  In a pinch, I'll jump back on the treadmill if I need to but it's not the same as the great outdoors.   

Since the 2010 10K I've bettered my time in each subsequent year with my most recent finish at 49:38.  The last 2 years my home town has also hosted the Cheshire Half Marathon.  

Lady finishing Cheshire Half

I've run both with times of 2:05 and 1:59.  I remember thinking after my first Half Marathon, "There's no way in hell I could ever do a Marathon."

Nevertheless, the next logical step was to run a Marathon. Luckily for me the Hartford Marathon is less than 30 minutes drive from my home.
  

Hartford Start

As a first-timer, I gave myself the modest goal of finishing in "under 5 hours."  I was psyched and pumped leading up to it and it did not disappoint.  It was a thrill.  A painful, numb thrill.  It turned out to be one of the top five experiences of my life.  Yes, I keep a list.    

On race day, in keeping with my strategy, I ran as far as I could without stopping, which turned out to be 15+ miles before my knees began to hurt.  I quickly descended into a run-walk-run-walk routine as my knees would permit. Everyone who finished around my time was utilizing the same strategy.  At times I could run for 5 or 7 minutes before going back into the walk and at other times it was only a minute or two. 

In the high teen miles and into the twenties the pain was excruciating, particularly in the ball of my right foot, my left knee, and my left groin.  This puzzled me because leading up to the Marathon my right knee and right hip had been bothering me but turned out to be non--issues during the race.

Near the end it got weird.  With about half a mile to go (the course comes over a bridge from East Hartford and right into downtown) I guess I started thinking about my accomplishment and how far I'd come not only on this day but over the course of the last several years.  A sudden wave of emotion came over me.  For reasons still unknown to me, I burst into a sprint.  I don't even know if "I" was in control.  It was like my body took over without conferring with my brain.  The pain was gone as I blew down the last hill and around the corner to the finish line, passing a bunch of hobbling racers along the way. 

Actually, I'd say I couldn't feel anything in my legs during the sprint--no pain, no numbness, nothing.  It felt like I was flying.  It was euphoric.  Then, as soon as I crossed the finish line (4:55) and went into a walk, the pain came rushing back and I could barely stand, let alone walk. I limped very slowly through the chute--receiving my thermal blanket, medal, and water bottle--and into the food tent where I took some much needed nourishment.

I must say that this adventure in running has been life-changing for the better.  And if I can do it, you can do it.  I continue to run and look forward to many more Miles of Smiles, Half Marathons, and Marathons.  Now that I know I can do it, I'll do it as long as I can.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Will you join me?  It's worth every step.

Couch Potato to Marathon.  

Facebook. 

Mari.

When It Comes to Local Elections, Party DOES Matter

Just adding a letter I sent in to the local paper back before the elections.  First, the paper's editorial board wrote a piece advising voters to disregard political party when voting for local politicians.  I rebutted with this, which they published.  THEN in subsequent weeks BOTH Democratic and Republican committees sent in letters urging voters to vote exclusively for their respective party.  THEN the paper wrote another editorial endorsing Republican ACROSS THE BOARD!!  Hellooooooo.........  So anyway, here it is:

Editor, The Cheshire Herald: 

Regarding the recent editorial in The Cheshire Herald titled "When It Comes To Local Elections, Leave Party Out Of It" the author has ignored or perhaps overlooked a critical piece of the puzzle.  

To summarize, the editorial's advice is that voters should disregard political party in local politics because a candidate's views on local issues is more important to us here in town than the State or National Democratic and Republican Party platforms.  

On the surface and in theory that sort of Kumbaya, feel-good, happy-talk appears to make sense but to a serious voter it's really an irrational point of view and here's why: With any of the hot button issues--gun control, health care, abortion, death penalty, taxes, etc--a local candidate's stance/position speaks to his or her overall judgement, world view, and in some cases morality.  That is key because today's Board of Ed member or Town Councilman could be tomorrow's State Representative or U.S. Congressman or the like.  For those so inclined to pursue a career in politics, every stop along the way is a stepping stone to the next level.  For that reason alone, party affiliation should not and must not be discounted in any election for any candidate.  I'm not saying you shouldn't vote for your neighbor because you know him, he's a nice guy and he's in favor of Bulky Waste Pick-up and buying a new fire truck but the bottom line in politics is that the opponent must be defeated at every level. 

Elvis Costello Solo Show, New Haven, CT

"Filled up his purse dictating verse
While painting masterpieces
His almost universal excellence
Is starting to disturb me
They asked how in the world he does all these things
And he answered, 'Superbly'."

--Elvis Costello, My Science Fiction Twin

STRANGE, INDEED

OK, so I just gotta put this in writing somewhere.  I'm not drawing any conclusions--just saying that it's some wild, wild stuff is all.

On August 2, my father and I were traveling to Northford, Connecticut to see Big Fat Combo perform at the Potato and Corn Festival.  Northford is about 40 minutes from Cheshire but I had never been there before so I was using my Magellan Roadmate GPS device to guide me there.  The address we were going to was on Forest Road.  So just as we got onto Forest road, Magellan directed me to "keep right at the fork."  I noticed immediately that keeping right would take us off of Forest Road and onto Middletown Avenue.  I went right anyway, remarking to my father that perhaps this way was a shortcut which would link us back to Forest.  After a very short distance--maybe a quarter mile--we passed a church on the corner of Middletown and Foote Hill Road.  Magellan directed me to turn left onto Foote Hill which is a winding, narrow little road THROUGH THE NORTHFORD CEMETERY!  

Foote Hill dropped us right back onto Forest Road with neither time nor distance savings.  We were both like, "What was that all about?"  Just another glitch in the Magellan system, I opined.  So we got to the festival and were treated to yet another exemplary show by Big Fat Combo.  

So now a week's gone by and my father tells me that one of our fine parish priests of days past died a few days ago, on August 5, rest his soul.

Father Joseph Parel, a beloved priest who served us at St. Bridget Church way back in, say, the early 80's, passed away while on his way to his homeland of India.  So I went to the website of the Hartford Archdiocese to read up on his passing and come to find out he was, at the time of his death, assigned to St. Monica Church on Middletown Avenue in Northford.

That's the church we drove past in the 1/4 mile misdirection of the Magellan--right at the Foote Hill Road cemetery.  So again, no conclusion.  I just find this series of events strange, wild, and crazy.  If I call it a coincidence then I think that'd be a conclusion so I'll just leave as is, using the words I've used.

Fathers Day and the Vanishing Handkerchief

We gave my father some Red Sox apparel and a 6-pack of Pierre Cardin handkerchiefs for Fathers Day.

This got me to thinking:  I've never used a handkerchief in my life--not to blow my nose, anyway (I prefer some sort of tissue)--but my father has carried one with him daily for as long as I can remember.  

Upon further reflection, it dawned on me that I don't know anyone my age (47) or younger who carries a handkerchief around on his person.  Maybe a young guy will have one in his suit pocket but that's just for show.

Just some guy modeling.

I guess back in the day (and by the way, the phrase "back in the day" always refers to a Tuesday) when there was always dust and heavy air pollution clouding the air and before the invention of Kleenex tissue

Kleenex

guys needed to purge the nasal passages frequently and weren't particularly concerned with the lack of hygiene associated with carrying around a mucus-soaked and snot-encrusted square of thin fabric in the pocket.  

Just some guy blowing his nose into a hankie.

Upon further reflection still, I'm wondering if the handkerchief will go the way of the buggy whip some day. I worked at T.J. Maxx for a number of years and we always did a booming business in handkerchiefs but I just don't see that lasting.  Let's face it:  when The Greatest Generation has left us, is there really going to be anyone walking around with a handkerchief?   

Bear in mind, I'm not referring to the kerchief itself--just the handkerchief.  Remember the neckerchief?  Cowboys and bandits and stuff?  That's basically gone bye-bye save for some gang bangers and Justin Bieber 

The Biebster

but the kerchief (from the French couvre-chef, "cover the head") is alive and well and will last forever.

Portuguese chick wearing a kerchief on her head.

I think another cultural phenomenon leading us away from the handkerchief is the "snot rocket" made popular and prevalent by athletes the world over.  I mean, seriously, do you see a hockey player stopping at the blue line to pull out a hankie and blow his nose?

Some hockey guy just standing there.

And I'll leave you with the visual of snot freezing on the ice surface.

Happy Fathers Day!

Willow Street vs. Dalton (...again)

I attended a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting recently.  I went in support of my Willow Street friends and neighbors who take issue with a proposal by Dalton Enterprises to build a second driveway for their place of business. 

Before I go on let me say that I have no beef with Dalton.  I'm simply bringing attention to a current issue in town which I learned about at the meeting.  

The gist of the issue is this:  Currently, all truck traffic for Dalton runs from West Main onto Willow and enters the business via an existing driveway across from the bottom of Spring Street.  

Entrance on the right.  Spring Street on the left.

Truck traffic then exits Dalton via a gravel driveway at the rear of the site which connects to Railroad Avenue.  

Gravelly road from premises onto Railroad Avenue.

This arrangement seemingly will not be viable when the Cornwall to West Main leg of Linear Park is completed in the next so many years.  Reason being, "no one" wants tractor trailer traffic crossing the pedestrian path.  Hence Dalton's proposal to make a second driveway from the premises onto Willow.  

Proposed driveway would be on the right just past the utility pole.

In practice, both driveways would be one-way with trucks entering only through the existing driveway and exiting only through the proposed driveway.  As one could imagine, Willow Street residents would be dramatically affected by this with a doubling of truck traffic on their street as well as the aesthetics of having the new driveway directly across from and next to existing residences.  

Conflicting numbers were discussed during the meeting but my takeaway was that current tractor trailer truck trips entering Dalton via Willow range from 5 to 30 per day depending on the season and would equal 10 to 60 trips per day with trucks entering and exiting via Willow.  

View from the residential property directly across from the proposed driveway.  On the other side of the tall vegetation past the pole is a private dwelling.

I must say I was very impressed with and proud of so many Willow Street residents who spoke with immense passion during public comment to defend their neighborhood, their families, their property values, and their quality of life.  Negatives mentioned included engine noise, engine brake noise, heavy vibration, diesel exhaust fumes and the fact that there are no sidewalks on Willow Street so that all pedestrian traffic, including kids walking to bus stops, must use the travel portion of the road.

Existing driveway on the right.  The residential driveway on the left serves as a school bus stop for several neighborhood children.

The Dalton engineer/agent who spoke seemed like a genuinely nice guy--not a villain--and he appeared sympathetic to residents' concerns while he detailed the proposal and laid out why several other considered options were not viable.  Some of the other options included an exit through the Ball and Socket property as well as running a driveway along Linear Park, without crossing it, and exiting on West Main.  These and other plans have been discounted entirely for various reasons.  The bottom line coming from the Dalton representative was that it was understood the second driveway would exist at the expense of Willow Street residents for the benefit of those using Linear Park.  

My position:  The planners are trying to be too smart by half.  They have spent tremendous effort, time, and discussion trying to solve a problem but have suspended the operation of logic when a very simple, common-sense solution is staring them right in the face:  Truck traffic should continue to exit via Railroad Avenue but just change the way it's being phrased.  That is, instead of the truck driveway crossing Linear Park we simply have Linear Park cross the  truck driveway.  I don't mean with a bridge--just a simple crosswalk with good sight lines and a few cautionary signs.  Such an arrangement would be no less safe than crossing any public road anywhere else on the lengthy exercise path.  Also, this would not be unprecedented--there are other sites where Linear Park crosses a private driveway, although they are not as wide as this one which would be 30 feet.  We can even say it'll be safer to cross the Dalton driveway.  It's a one-way as opposed to two-way traffic at public road crossings and there can be stop signs for the trucks, caution signs and/or stop signs for pedestrians, and a 5 MPH limit on the driveway.  Dalton can ensure all drivers are aware of the crossing and insist on maximum caution and of granting right of way to pedestrians.  Truck drivers are professionals.  They don't want to hit anyone.  They'd likely be more careful crossing Linear Park than anywhere else they go.  And let's face it--most of the time Linear Park is not exactly booming with pedestrians.  Most of the time there is sporadic pedestrian traffic at best.  The busiest times are weekends and holidays and even then only in good weather.

Darn tooting, this is an obvious and easy fix.  The alternative--if the proposal is struck down and crossing Linear Park is prohibited--is that all truck traffic would need to enter and exit via the one existing driveway and nobody wants that!  So don't upset the apple cart!  Protect the Willow Street families and allow the rear exit driveway.   

The knee only hurts if I run multiple miles on it so I've been doing Insanity this past week.  It is insane, yo.  But fun and invigorating.  So far so good.

With sadness I report that I believe I tore a meniscus on Sunday morning.  My knee is stabilized and my running is halted for now.  The likelihood of running the marathon in a few months seems unlikely at this time but you never know.

I will continue with periodic, good-natured, non-running- related blog posts as appropriate.

CHS BRAVE Luncheon

On Friday I attended "Bring a Veteran to Lunch" at the Cheshire High School.  My daughter was my escort and she invited my father/her grandfather as well.  The function was organized by the CHS club B.R.A.V.E which stands for Bringing Remembrance to All Veterans Everywhere. A couple times a year they put on some sort of festivities in which all local veterans who wish to attend are honored in some way and fed extremely well with an enormous spread of entrees and desserts.  BRAVE always does something for Veterans Day and at least one other day which, this year, was Memorial Day.  We were greeted warmly and escorted inside where the kids had made and hung all sorts of patriotic--in this case personalized--posters.  

The marching band came in and played Armed Forces Salute and The Star Spangled Banner.  The VIP Chorus did a couple of vocal numbers and the Jazz Ensemble played while we feasted.  There were several student speakers, their faculty advisor said a few words and of course the principal had some remarks.  The students always put on a very warm and touching event and usually at these functions I get emotional a couple times at least.  Often it's the slightest thing which brings on a wave of emotion.  It's hard to explain and it passes quickly so I would just say that it's brought on by the pride and patriotism and kinship and the thought of those no longer with us that many--not all--Veterans share.

OOPS--I'm getting emotional now just thinking about it. There were Veterans present from every American conflict from WWII to Afghanistan.  All service branches were represented.  A good time was had by all and the kids took such pride in honoring and serving us.  Aside from the ceremonial nature of the festivities, one thing which was very endearing was how the kids scarfed down all the leftovers after the honorees had had their fill at the trough.  The club members, the musicians, the singers, the speakers all loaded up their plates then strapped on a feedbag and went to town.  It was really very sweet.  Anyway, until next time.....GBA!

OK so this was kind of a weird week.  It still is.  Another weird week in New England.  So lately I've been a bit tight in the left calf and kind of just "feeling" my right hip.  No need to limp or anything but I decided to take Monday off but I just had the need to move so I went out for a 3 1/2 mile walk.  Haven't done that particular loop in years but it just felt like the right thing to do.  Meanwhile it was like 80 degrees that day.  Tuesday I was still a bit tight but I have this thing where I just start running anyway and after a few miles it loosens up and I feel fine.  Tuesday was like 85!  Wednesday/Thursday/Friday I was idle due to hectic schedule and commitments.  Now today we hit Memorial Day weekend and this cold front moves in.  It's been rainy and damn cold since yesterday.  I went out this morning for a nice 10K in a light rain at 55 degrees and by this afternoon it was down to 45--still raining.  Remember--the other day it was 85. Sunday is supposed to clear up by noon so hopefully we get our local parade in.  Hip still feels a bit.

Haven't had much to say this week but I was out pounding the pavement for sure.  Followed up Sunday's 10 with 5.2 on Tuesday and 6.2 on Thursday.  Today, Saturday, I couldn't decide how far to go so I just set out running and when I got to the 5.2 turn-off I kept going right on past it and then when I got to the 6.2 turn-off I kept going right on past it and went for the full 10 mile loop again.  Kind of a cool breeze going and it felt great.  I'll take tomorrow off.

Beautiful 10 mile loop Sunday morning.  I'm back, baby!

On Benghazi-Gate

For more than 10 years of my working life I was involved with a group which investigated internal dishonesty in a large retail setting.  Part of our job was interviewing (interrogating) people suspected of stealing from our company.  Our team of investigators was trained in the Wicklander/Zulawski method of interrogation and most of us were very good at our job.  As you can imagine, we were no strangers to having people lie directly to our faces--just look us directly in the eye and lie to us no matter what we said and no matter what damning evidence we had on them.  All these people had one thing in common:  they did not want to sit around talking to us.  They just wanted to avoid the issue and get the hell out of our office.  Some literally ran out of the office and out of the building (to no avail).  Most of them stayed to talk but all of them just went about lying, obfuscating, and shading the truth.  Almost always we were able to get them to come around to the truth, confess, and write a detailed statement and sign a promissory note.  

BUT.......

Every once in a while--very rarely--we would err and accidentally begin an interview on an honestly innocent employee.  That was our worst nightmare and when it did happen--when we realized in the interview that we had the wrong guy--we needed to "back out" of the interview in such a way that we could return the person to work without dire consequences for us or the company.  These people also all had one thing in common:  they did not want to leave the office.  They wanted to go to the end of the earth to convince us and prove to us that we were wrong and that they were completely and totally innocent and honest folk. They wanted us to believe in them.

So, to those who support President Obama and Hilary completely and blindly regarding Benghazi-Gate:  had the Administration done nothing wrong before, during, and after the September 11, 2012 terrorist attack on our Consulate they would be out every day shouting the truth from rooftops until everyone believed in them instead of saying things like, "That was a long time ago," and, "What difference does it make?"  

The cover-up is always worse.

An awesome 6.2 miles on Friday afternoon with the temp around 80.  I forget why I didn't run on Thursday--I try to go every other day but for some reason I had to skip a day and I really can't remember why.  Oh, wait--now I remember.  So I had to go Friday because Saturday was supposed to be rainy--which it is.  Anyway, my baby girl of 16 got her drivers license Friday morning and later took her first solo drive with the car to work.  So I set off running in time to get back just before the time Maryann (wife) would be returning home from work.  So I go running and, like I said it was around 80, and when I get back from such a run it looks like I just climbed out of a swimming pool.  Not to get too graphic but my attire is saturated and there's sweat pouring off of my brow and my arms and legs are visibly wet.  So I get home and serve myself a huge glass of ice water to re-hydrate and sit on a chair out in the front yard.  Not only am I saturated but my hair is blown back and my face is usually some shade of redness from exertion.  This is a long way to go for this next comment, I realize, but Maryann pulls up, gets out of the car, and walks over to see me.  After conversating with me for about 7 to 10 minutes she says, "So are you going for your run now?"

Anyway, after getting cleaned up we eventually made our way out for the evening just to go do some shopping for a dress because Maryann's going to a wedding soon.  In the mall I find $2 on a bench so I say--hey--let's go splurge on the massage chairs:  a buck each for a 3-minute ride.  It felt good at the time but today my back is absolutely killing me and I can't think of anything else which could have caused it except for that idiotic massage chair.  They are quite harsh.

Beautiful, glorious day today.  Couldn't resist going the extra mile today--6.2--even though I just said on Sunday I was going to wait a while before stretching it out.  The weather was so perfect it just felt right.  Awesome, leisurely 10K.

5.2 today on a beautiful Sundae morning.  Again, testing out the legs post half.  Really thrilled I'm feeling great so soon.  I'll keep up the light work every other day for a week or two before I stretch it out again.  I do miss my 10 mile runs.

Chicken Adobo (Recipe #4 in our series)

Ok, so here we are presenting the fourth in our series of recipes from Two In a Rain Barrel.  Today we are sharing our award-winning recipe for Chicken Adobo, one of the staples of Philippine cuisine.  Many a family in the Philippines has passed down its Adobo recipe from generation to generation but in this case I have simply taken my wife Maryann's recipe, given it a little twist, and made it my own.

I was initially introduced to Chicken Adobo while serving in the Philippines.  At the time, I thought it was very good no matter who made it but Maryann's was always a cut above.  Today, Maryann won't even make it because she says mine is better.  Indeed, I've been called upon by several of our Filipino friends to make Adobo for them because they either don't know how to make it or they acknowledge that they'd rather have mine.  No brag--just fact.  So you're in good hands, I assure you.

So, to begin with, let's start out with one of these bad boys:

I go with the Perdue because I find it to be the best.  That's it--no other reason.  You can also use boneless chicken breast and chop it up but it will not taste the same or as good--something about the flavor coming from the bone and marrow and the whatever.  Go with the whole bird.

Skin that puppy and chop it up good:  legs, thighs, wings, and cube the breast.  If your whole bird includes the liver then cut it up and toss it in the pot (we won't be using fava beans or a nice chianti) but don't use any of that other crazy crap like the heart, lungs, gizzard, or neck.  That goes in the trash with the skin.  There's just no place in polite society for that nonsense.

                        

Rinse it repeatedly with running water to get all the Salmonella off of it. Just kidding--there's probably no Salmonella on it but rinse it off good anyway and, for crying out loud, if you see anything in there that you don't want to eat then now's the time to get it the hell out of there. Drain off the water complete then place it on the burner and turn it up to eleven (that'd be the highest setting, please).   

Use a large spoon like the one pictured here and get out your Marca Pina soy sauce and Datu Puti cane vinegar.  If you don't possess these ingredients STOP NOW and go get them at your local, friendly Asian food store.  You may not continue effectively without these.  If you try using regular vinegar or some pansy-ass soy sauce like La Choy you will cause irreparable harm to the dish and, quite frankly, lose face with me and about 5 billion other people.  

Three spoons of vinegar and five spoons of soy sauce and throw in a few bay leaves.  And while I'm on the subject, soy sauce is high in sodium.  If you're worried about that then perhaps eat something else.  

Your pot of chicken will now look something like this:

While that's on the boil, prepare the ingredients for your saute:  one entire garlic, peeled and smashed; one medium-size Vidallia onion sliced as so; an equivalent amount of ripe tomato as that pictured.  You may use half the onion and it'll turn out fine--I just use the whole onion because I like eating it and this way there's more to go around.

Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter for your saute and turn it up to medium heat.  DO NOT USE COOKING OIL OR LARD OR ANYTHING ELSE.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME???  

Meanwhile, the chicken should be boiling away like so:

Add your garlic and onion to your sizzling butter.  Let it ride for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.  IF YOU DO NOT STIR IT, IT WILL BURN.

Introduce the tomatoes.  In a few minutes and with a bit of help the structure of the tomatoes will break down into a mash.  Stir all the saute ingredients together.

Now, using one of those big spoons with the holes in it (I don't know how to describe it in words other than I've already used), remove the chicken and add to the saute mix.  This leaves the liquid behind momentarily and also allows you to remove the bay leaves.

Like so:

Then stir it all together like so:

We're almost done.  Now add the liquid to the saute and you'll end up with such:

Cover and allow a few more minutes of burner heat.  In my case, the burner is still set to medium but the liquid will be boiling away at this point.  I shut it off after a few minutes but because it's an electric range the burner keeps up the boil for a few more minutes still.  So if you're using a gas range probably leave the heat on for like 7 to 10 minutes.

Presto!  You're done and should be looking like so:

Serve on a bed of steaming white rice.  And it's got to be some kind of decent rice out of somewhere in Asia--like Thailand or somewhere like that (we use jasmine scented). I don't want to hear about anyone disrespecting this dish by serving it with Uncle Ben's.  Enjoy!!