10 Miles

Last night I ran 10 miles as part of my training for the OBX Marathon in November. To date, it's the farthest I've ran continuously. I'm finally realizing what effect a regimented running schedule has on my overall well-being and psyche. I feel energized and confident. Granted, I'm not totally sold on enjoying running just yet but the motivation to run is there. It's easier for me to get up and do it. As a result of my training program I'm starting to see positive results. I have greater endurance. I'm adding some tone to my physique (an added bonus I suppose). My change in diet has also helped. Casey and I cook dinner almost every night and I've pretty much quit eating out for breakfast and/or lunch. I'm finally eating breakfast.

The run started out fine. I've got a good route planned around the Market Commons area in Myrtle Beach. I strategically place water bottles at either end of the road between US 17 and US 17 Business. This works since it's about three miles between the two and that's a good mileage to stop and get a drink. Of course my bladder's the size of a walnut and I had to find a place in the woods to pee three times (an acceptable side effect of good hydration). Around mile 8 my legs started to get tense, especially my knees and quads. It was tough pushing through those last two miles but the end result of finishing was well worth it. Next week I run 4 miles twice, 5 miles once, and 11 miles.

This week at work was more taxing. On Monday we finished our ozone plots. For these we just visit clearcuts and look for three indicator species (in our case, the most common would be blackberry, black cherry, sweetgum, sassafras, and yellow poplar) and examine thirty individuals of each species for ozone damage. Well, I never find any because I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. Sure I've been to the training session and looked at examples but we only do these plots in a two week window in August so it's never really fresh in my mind. Plus it's hotter than hell in these clearcuts during the hottest month of the year. You could say I don't like doing these.

Tuesday through Thursday we worked in Florence County. Tuesday was interesting. Nothing unusual about the plot other than it was located within a fox pen. A fox pen is a large tract of land that has about eight foot high fence around the perimeter to keep foxes in so they can be hunted. When we got there the gate was open so we took the lock thinking we wouldn't get locked in. Well, whoever was in there decided to open the other lock and lock us in when he left. That didn't stop us from breaking out. We got my trusty blunt hatchet and started hacking away at one of the chain links. About thirty minutes later we had broken out. We promptly locked the gate back with the one we took and got the heck out of there. Moral: take the entire chain so gate can not be locked behind you. Or just park outside the fence and walk in.

Wednesday was in a sapling-size stand of mostly sweetgums, water oaks and maples. We couldn't find the plot center pin since nothing was witnessed on it and the course to plot was screwy. Nothing more substantial about that plot. Thursday we did a swamp plot in the floodplain of the Great Pee Dee River. After we found a mud bank and a beaver dam to walk on, we were forced to cross a water tupelo/cypress drain. Alas, my feet were wet. It didn't matter anyway since it started to rain right after that. The redeeming factor was that the plot wasn't very difficult and the trees were rather large. There were 120 foot tall cypresses and our starting point was a monster pecan. It was 38" at DBH (diameter at breast height) and 115 feet tall with a 65 foot crown spread. I thought I may have finally found a champion tree. When I got home I consulted the Clemson champion tree list and was disappointed to find that I was about 30 inches in diameter away. Our tree was taller though.

Friday we had to replace two ozone plots since Jeremy checked them and didn't find enough of one of the indicator species. So we did that and two other non-forest plots and started our weekend.

I'm ready for football. three weeks to go. Hopefully the Braves can continue to do well and make the playoffs. They need another series win tonight against the Phillies. Hopefully this rain delay won't last too long.

Relocation

I moved in with Casey on August 1. Now I live in Myrtle Beach. Not the ideal beach location, but the beach. I always chose the mountains over the beach when asked where I'd rather live when I was younger, so I guess I went back on that promise. Regardless, this may be the only time I live at the beach so I'm going to make the most of it.

Currently I'm training to run a marathon in November. I've decided to run the Outer Banks Marathon on November 7. This should be a good first marathon since it's mostly flat. Right now I'm up to 8 miles. Saturday I'll dip into the double digits and attempt a 10 mile run. It sucks I have to get up early on Saturday to run but if I don't I might as well go take a lap on the surface of the sun. Casey's going to do the coinciding half marathon so we've both been busy getting in adequate shape to attempt this race.

I've been able to catch some Myrtle Beach Pelicans games since moving down here. Verdict: lackluster following the loss of Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman to promotion. I don't mind since I thoroughly enjoy watching live baseball, plus I get to scout potentially future Braves prospects.

I bought a new car last month. It was time to retire my trusty 93 Accord for something new. I bought a 2009 Honda Fit and am satisfied with my purchase thus far. My record MPG is 44.4! Of course the New Car Smell may be the best part of it all.

Mona is still recovering from her leg problems. She's been on cage rest for two months with a twice daily regimen of anti-inflammatory medication. At first she didn't like the pills but now I think she's a junkie. She gets excited about pill time. She's eating better and walking on the leg more and more so I'm happy.

Next Monday will be my two year anniversary with the South Carolina Forestry Commission. It's gone by fast. Right now I'm trying to become a registered forester with the state which is a royal pain in the ass and a huge waste of money, but it's required in order to get a raise. I never thought I'd have to spend money to make money. I don't particularly like that.

I'm going to try and get back to reporting about my daily wanderings in the woods of the Pee Dee. I can feel the bated breath!

Bedtime.

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