My parents got me a Garmin 310XT for Christmas. I was a little surprised, I had told them I wanted one, but I didn't really expect them to spoil there 44 year old boy with one. Got it out of the box and put it on charge. It programmed pretty easy, at least the watch part did. I was slightly overwhelmed by the garmin site. I have been using run keeper and it is very simple. I created some routes, but have not figured out if and how you get them into the actual watch.
I made my first run with the Garmin this morning. It was a good cold start for a six mile run. I got the watch turned on and picked up the satelites in about 15-20 seconds. I ran a route that I am very used to and all the distance marks fell in line with what I have been getting from run keeper. I had thought at first that the watch was a little big and that it might be heavy enough to notice. I was pleasantly surprised that it was very comfortable and you quickly forgot that it was there. I had the alarm set for vibrate at ome mile intervals and it seemed to work just fine. I am still using my I Phone for music and that is what I was using for Runkeeper. I am glad to be using the Garmin now because I am haping that this is the year that I will be able to run longer than the battery will stay up on the Runkeeper.
I am bumping my running to four days a week. I look forward to getting the bike back our soon.
Happy Running for 2012....
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Look back on first year of running.
This started out to be a blog for my surveying company. Although I like my job, I believe I work so I can afford to enjoy things in life. I believe I will blog more about running and training for tri and throw in a few work issues if it feels right.
I am coming off my first year of racing. Racing is probably stretching it though, I am not fast. I run enjoy time with friends and mainly compete against myself. This year I completed the Cowtown half (2:23:00) The Oklahoma City half (2:10) The HHH in Witchita Falls ( 100K bike) and 13.1 mile trail (2:40) The Hottest half (2:30) The Tyler Rose (2:10). Throw in a couple of Sprint Tri's at Tyler and Toyota Challenge at Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall. I am going to call that good for my first year.
I have met a lot of people as I run. I always read that running was a social sport. I find people interested in running in just about every endeavor I am in.
I am currently pretty comfortable with a 9:00 minute mile. I remember about 14 months ago I was exited to see a 12 minute mile. I don't know where my running will take me, but I look forward to the adventure. I am signed up for the Texas Half in Dallas in January, The Cowtown Half in February. My first marathon at the Big D in April and then OKC marathon two weeks after that. I am sure I will find more to do as the new year dawns.
We are currently on a three day running schedule. I don't know if that is good, bad or otherwise, but it seems to work for us. This morning it was about 45 degrees at the start of the run and extremely foggy. It had rained until late last night so we were dodging puddles the whole way. I didn't eat right yesterday and I could feel it in the run this morning. I really wanted to stop, but luckily my friends keep me honest.
TTYL
I am coming off my first year of racing. Racing is probably stretching it though, I am not fast. I run enjoy time with friends and mainly compete against myself. This year I completed the Cowtown half (2:23:00) The Oklahoma City half (2:10) The HHH in Witchita Falls ( 100K bike) and 13.1 mile trail (2:40) The Hottest half (2:30) The Tyler Rose (2:10). Throw in a couple of Sprint Tri's at Tyler and Toyota Challenge at Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall. I am going to call that good for my first year.
I have met a lot of people as I run. I always read that running was a social sport. I find people interested in running in just about every endeavor I am in.
I am currently pretty comfortable with a 9:00 minute mile. I remember about 14 months ago I was exited to see a 12 minute mile. I don't know where my running will take me, but I look forward to the adventure. I am signed up for the Texas Half in Dallas in January, The Cowtown Half in February. My first marathon at the Big D in April and then OKC marathon two weeks after that. I am sure I will find more to do as the new year dawns.
We are currently on a three day running schedule. I don't know if that is good, bad or otherwise, but it seems to work for us. This morning it was about 45 degrees at the start of the run and extremely foggy. It had rained until late last night so we were dodging puddles the whole way. I didn't eat right yesterday and I could feel it in the run this morning. I really wanted to stop, but luckily my friends keep me honest.
TTYL
Friday, October 7, 2011
A Busy Weekend
Last weekend I completed my second sprint tri at the Toyota U.S. Open on Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, Texas. That sprint consisted of an 800 meter swim, a 14 mile bike ride and then a 3.1 mile run. I am not sure how they laid out the course, but it seemed all up hill. Just kidding. It was a very well run event and it was nice to be in the company of professional athletes even if I did only see them from the start and at a distance.
The work week started slow and is finishing slow. Oddly enough we were busy in the middle.. Shout out to my biggest client, United Bilt Homes and all of the other people that we were able to help this week. I am glad there are people out there that can appreciate a job well done and not just the cheapest price. Thing is any survey from the cheapest to the most expensive is likely to look good on paper and probably get your transaction closed. Its months or years later when you may realize that survey was done incorrectly through incomplete research or no mathematical closure on the traverse (i.e. shortcuts). These things can cause boundary conflicts, shortages in acreage, and very hostile neighbors. I am happy to be closing out this week and looking forward to the next. Fall can be a very energizing time. A little rain would be nice though.
You can catch me this weekend at the Mineola Metric Bike Rally in Mineola of course. It starts on Saturday morning (10-18) at the civic center behind Brookshires. There are multiple distances to ride. I am doing the Metric Century (100K or 62 miles). This should be a good warm up for the Rose Run in Tyler on Sunday morning where I will be running a half marathon. No sleeping in this weekend.
Hope everyone has a good weekend. It will be what you make it so go out and make it yours.
The work week started slow and is finishing slow. Oddly enough we were busy in the middle.. Shout out to my biggest client, United Bilt Homes and all of the other people that we were able to help this week. I am glad there are people out there that can appreciate a job well done and not just the cheapest price. Thing is any survey from the cheapest to the most expensive is likely to look good on paper and probably get your transaction closed. Its months or years later when you may realize that survey was done incorrectly through incomplete research or no mathematical closure on the traverse (i.e. shortcuts). These things can cause boundary conflicts, shortages in acreage, and very hostile neighbors. I am happy to be closing out this week and looking forward to the next. Fall can be a very energizing time. A little rain would be nice though.
Hope everyone has a good weekend. It will be what you make it so go out and make it yours.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Fall
Been a while since I have posted here. Baseball is wrapping up and Hockey is about to start. Hope my Stars do better this year. I think if they get their ownership straitened out they will do okay.
I am coming up on 5 years since I broke my right femur. Although it sucked, it might have been a good thing after all. After several years of weight gain, a lethargic lifestyle and feeling sorry for myself, I finally got off my but and am trying to do something positive for myself and my family.
I am now about 18 months into running. I have completed numerous half marathons (13.1 miles) this year. Friends that will run with you or make you run help break the monotony. Shout out to Keith, Chris and Steve. I competed in the Hotter that Hell bike race in Wichita Falls and am about to do my second sprint triatholon. I have found that if I stay signed up for something in the future then I have something to train for and look forward to. It can also be very addictive.
My first full marathon (26.2 miles) is set for April 15, 2012. I am currently working a training plan for it and I will soon be working on some of my longest training runs to date. I hope my friends will keep up with me. I am a minimalist runner. I am running in Vibram Five Fingers and New Balance Minimalist shoes. They get lots of strange looks and start a lot of conversations when I wear them out and about.
Time to Run (literally)
Gregg
I am coming up on 5 years since I broke my right femur. Although it sucked, it might have been a good thing after all. After several years of weight gain, a lethargic lifestyle and feeling sorry for myself, I finally got off my but and am trying to do something positive for myself and my family.
I am now about 18 months into running. I have completed numerous half marathons (13.1 miles) this year. Friends that will run with you or make you run help break the monotony. Shout out to Keith, Chris and Steve. I competed in the Hotter that Hell bike race in Wichita Falls and am about to do my second sprint triatholon. I have found that if I stay signed up for something in the future then I have something to train for and look forward to. It can also be very addictive.
My first full marathon (26.2 miles) is set for April 15, 2012. I am currently working a training plan for it and I will soon be working on some of my longest training runs to date. I hope my friends will keep up with me. I am a minimalist runner. I am running in Vibram Five Fingers and New Balance Minimalist shoes. They get lots of strange looks and start a lot of conversations when I wear them out and about.
Time to Run (literally)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Spring
Been a while since my last post. I guess that is good, it has been busy.
The surveying world seems to be picking up. The phone is ringing and we are bidding lots of jobs. My crews are staying busy. I think competition is still kind of stiff. There are some companies and individuals that will really cut your bid, but buyer beware. They may not be turning out the same product. The old adage is definetly true "you get what you pay for" and some things may not be worth the paper they are printed on.
My last post introduced my newest team member, Tina Ballard. I am happy with her work. Looks like that taught her well in California and now she is doing a good job learning the rules and ways of Texas. Be carefull though, she is meaner than I am.
I am also now a full fledged partner with my wife in "The Tanning Cove". This is our first full season. It has been very busy and we still seem to be increasing in client volume every day. I have learned a lot about tanning and tanning lotions and the effects of sun on the body (good and bad) and managing risk. The state says I can't say tanning is "safe" but they can't seem to produce any real information that shows it not safe if you are carefull and use a little common sence.
The Tanning Cove also offers sunless tanning with the Norvell airbrush system. Kristi handles the spraying. She wont let me spray anyone although I am not sure why. If you don't know sunless it is kind of neat. Think about cutting an apple into and let it set down for an hour or so. If you remember correctly that it turns brown, well this is similart to how the spray tan works. The spray initially puts down makeup that will wash off, but that makeup up contains DHA that reacts with the protiens in the outer third of your skin to turn it brown. It last about a week.
The surveying world seems to be picking up. The phone is ringing and we are bidding lots of jobs. My crews are staying busy. I think competition is still kind of stiff. There are some companies and individuals that will really cut your bid, but buyer beware. They may not be turning out the same product. The old adage is definetly true "you get what you pay for" and some things may not be worth the paper they are printed on.
My last post introduced my newest team member, Tina Ballard. I am happy with her work. Looks like that taught her well in California and now she is doing a good job learning the rules and ways of Texas. Be carefull though, she is meaner than I am.
I am also now a full fledged partner with my wife in "The Tanning Cove". This is our first full season. It has been very busy and we still seem to be increasing in client volume every day. I have learned a lot about tanning and tanning lotions and the effects of sun on the body (good and bad) and managing risk. The state says I can't say tanning is "safe" but they can't seem to produce any real information that shows it not safe if you are carefull and use a little common sence.
The Tanning Cove also offers sunless tanning with the Norvell airbrush system. Kristi handles the spraying. She wont let me spray anyone although I am not sure why. If you don't know sunless it is kind of neat. Think about cutting an apple into and let it set down for an hour or so. If you remember correctly that it turns brown, well this is similart to how the spray tan works. The spray initially puts down makeup that will wash off, but that makeup up contains DHA that reacts with the protiens in the outer third of your skin to turn it brown. It last about a week.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
New Team Member
As we move into a very busy February I would like to take this opportunity to welcome my newest team member. Her name is Tina Ballard and she is a newly wed from California that has been transplanted to Alba, Texas.
I look for her to be a valuable addition to our team. She has a Bachelor of Science in Surveying Degree and will be eligible to set for her State Surveying Exam later this year. She will be a project manager and will assist me in providing superior service to our clients.
The weather has not been great today, so we were able to catch up on some items in the office and speak to some clients about needs and logistics on upcoming projects. We are going to get to do some large boundaries that incorporate aerial images into the drawings for some realy interesting and informational plats for my clients.
We are from the small, but growing town of Mineola. I like to think we provide superior service with small town friendliness and charm. We can do anything that larger companies can do at a competitive price and an approachable attitude.
I want your business.
Till warmer days.
Gregg
I look for her to be a valuable addition to our team. She has a Bachelor of Science in Surveying Degree and will be eligible to set for her State Surveying Exam later this year. She will be a project manager and will assist me in providing superior service to our clients.
The weather has not been great today, so we were able to catch up on some items in the office and speak to some clients about needs and logistics on upcoming projects. We are going to get to do some large boundaries that incorporate aerial images into the drawings for some realy interesting and informational plats for my clients.
We are from the small, but growing town of Mineola. I like to think we provide superior service with small town friendliness and charm. We can do anything that larger companies can do at a competitive price and an approachable attitude.
I want your business.
Till warmer days.
Gregg
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Outlook for the year
So far this year is looking better than last. In 2010 I had laid off field help by this time. We have several small jobs working and some bigger jobs trickling in too.
Weather had been a factor. I have one crew that is more or less based out of Winnsboro and with the snow last week they could not get out of the driveway on Monday or Tuesday. That crew is back on the job and is now and working on a job in Van Zandt County while the other crew is in Cass County. We do have a big sewer staking job to start on this Thursday at Camp Maxey in Lamar County. Pretty good drive, but it will be a nice job. We have not laid out a sewer line in a while.
I have had some interesting jobs so far this year. One in particular is located in Mineola where my client had already purchased the property, but the deed only described a small piece of what he was supposed to have bought. Luckily I was able to catch this and while performing a new survey we got with his attorney to get a corrected deed filed. I believe he stated that he would get a survey done "before" he bought property next time. That sounds like good advisc to me.
Looking forward to a good 2011 for everybody.
Till next time.
Gregg
Weather had been a factor. I have one crew that is more or less based out of Winnsboro and with the snow last week they could not get out of the driveway on Monday or Tuesday. That crew is back on the job and is now and working on a job in Van Zandt County while the other crew is in Cass County. We do have a big sewer staking job to start on this Thursday at Camp Maxey in Lamar County. Pretty good drive, but it will be a nice job. We have not laid out a sewer line in a while.
I have had some interesting jobs so far this year. One in particular is located in Mineola where my client had already purchased the property, but the deed only described a small piece of what he was supposed to have bought. Luckily I was able to catch this and while performing a new survey we got with his attorney to get a corrected deed filed. I believe he stated that he would get a survey done "before" he bought property next time. That sounds like good advisc to me.
Looking forward to a good 2011 for everybody.
Till next time.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Birthday Weekend
Looking forward to a little time with friends and family. Headed for an AHL game between the Texas Stars and the San Antonio Rampage. It should be interesting. These are a bunch of guys that may not make a lot of money, but are playing for the love of the sport. Many are just one step away from the NHL or will get called up and sent back down periodically. What would it be like to know that one phone call could put you in front of 20,000 screaming fans playing a sport you love. I would probably do well to love my job that much and some days I probably do.
I will be on the river walk this weekend in San Antonio. That is one of my favorite spots to go in Texas. The river is being drained this week for an annual clean up. I have never been there during the draining before, but it looks like they will throw a party for just about anything in San Antonio, so I expect to have fun. They are billing this as the "Mud Crawl" and it just happens to be during my birthday.
My grandfather "Pa" shared the same birthday as me although he had me beat by 52 years. He is not around any more and I really miss him this time of year. I always looked forward to our little parties and the special spaghetti that he and my Nannie would make.
Work seems to be holding. The phone is ringing again and looks like I've got projects coming up in Tyler, Longview and Kilgore. I'm looking forward to what I hope is a good year and chances are if I am having a good year then a lot of others are too. I know I am at least going to have a good weekend.
Till Next Time
Gregg
I will be on the river walk this weekend in San Antonio. That is one of my favorite spots to go in Texas. The river is being drained this week for an annual clean up. I have never been there during the draining before, but it looks like they will throw a party for just about anything in San Antonio, so I expect to have fun. They are billing this as the "Mud Crawl" and it just happens to be during my birthday.
My grandfather "Pa" shared the same birthday as me although he had me beat by 52 years. He is not around any more and I really miss him this time of year. I always looked forward to our little parties and the special spaghetti that he and my Nannie would make.
Work seems to be holding. The phone is ringing again and looks like I've got projects coming up in Tyler, Longview and Kilgore. I'm looking forward to what I hope is a good year and chances are if I am having a good year then a lot of others are too. I know I am at least going to have a good weekend.
Till Next Time
Gregg
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