Our World

Category: Fitness

All things fitness related.

  • Day 057 of 2026

    Day 057 of 2026

    And it’s another Thursday and almost the end of this short month. It’s always strange to have a 28 day month instead of 30/31 days. I woke up this morning around 4:30am, of course that has to do with being on Eastern Time for the last few days, I was able to fall back asleep until our normal 6:20am getting up (or should I say mine). Got up, got the dogs out, and our coffee made.

    Sat down and logged into work, before I even had a single cup of coffee I already had a technician trying to reach me. I didn’t answer him and sent him a text that I would call him after I had my first cup of coffee as I was on Mountain Time. He was having login issues, for some reason the iPhone attempts to pre-fill password blanks on Safari and this is very confusing for some people, the correct thing to do is delete that out and select your own secure passwords. That way you are not tied to the Apple Infrastructure.

    Just realized I forgot to tell everyone that I did receive a promotion at work. I was brought in as a Technical Field Manager about 5 years ago. Over the years I have been more and more in a support role with technicians and processing. I have added the online education component to my world, and technician procedural and technical training. So, as of February 1st (though we just finalized all the paperwork on Monday) I am the Operations Support Manager for StrikeCheck and HVACi, all part of Alpine Intel. I am happy with the role.

    I went out for my morning workout, did a little over 5 miles, and finished another one of the monthly challenges for Garmin. I like the Garmin challenges as it keeps me motivated to push myself.

    Total distance: 5.91 mi
    Max elevation: 5652 ft
    Min elevation: 5474 ft
    Total climbing: 686 ft
    Total descent: -683 ft
    Average speed: 4.29 mi/h
    Average cadence: 57
    Average heart rate: 114
    Average temperature: 23.6
    Total time: 01:23:32

    I have completed all of the February swimming challenges and then a majority of the February Walking and Health Challenges. Today I finished the one that has been eluding me, the Running Climb (vertical distance during runs). I did the power line trail today from the bottom to the top and fixed that issue. The photograph below is looking up towards the top of Power Line Trail, I had already done an equal climb from the bottom to the point I was standing.

    I have made an honest effort on the February running challenges but had to cut back on that as we may be having some weird heart issues (not deadly, really not that dangerous, just irregular – it has been diagnosed, now we have to figure out if it’s worth doing something about). But, I am happy with the challenges I have completed.

    I took Climber out to play in the backyard a little bit today and she was doing great, but when she went to the backdoor and stood there waiting to go in she held up her right front paw and started yelping. We crated Res real fast (we do not want a dog fight) and got her inside. She was back to normal almost immediately. I am having a really tough time figuring out what is going on with her. She was perfectly fine until she stopped. And then 5 minutes later after some water and laying down she was fine again as well. This is just really strange.

    So, Res got a lone walk today, I wasn’t going to take a chance on taking her and having a problem in the middle of the park. I am starting to think she has something going on with her back, but I am not at the vet visit point yet as it could be something simple as needing some crate rest and no running.

    Right now everyone is napping for the evening.

    I will leave this open on my laptop to see if there is anything else I want to add for today, probably not, but maybe. Anyways, that’s it for today. I will talk with you all tomorrow.

    Day 057 of 2026

    18344 E Arkansas Ave, Aurora, CO 80017, USA
    Get directions

  • Day 055 of 2026

    Day 055 of 2026

    And today was just another work day, while traveling. These days typically follow the same patterns. First, I get up, have a cup of coffee and log into work. I do a quick browse through my email and my tickets/tasks that have already come in, are past due, urgent, or need immediate attention due to the urgency of a file. Then, I take my laptop with me to go have breakfast downstairs.

    Home2 Suites usually has a pretty good breakfast selection so I can usually find something good and something that works within my diet. Today was an everything bagel with fried egg, 1 slice of bacon, and a slice of Swiss cheese. Each sandwich was around 400 calories, and combine that with coffee by breakfast was right at 926 calories. The goal was around 700, but I am still OK.

    After breakfast I went and did my morning inspection at another hotel nearby. It’s one of the chains that I do stay at, but I learned the lesson a long time ago, no matter how much I like the hotel, do not stay there the night before you do an insurance claim. That particular lesson was taught to me when a desk clerk figured out who I was, got the manager, and they put my into a room without any air conditioning in the middle of a Miami, FL Summer day. I think they felt it would help sway my opinion that their maintenance department actually did something. In this case the manager was awesome, probably would not have done that to me, and had a valid loss. Everyone knew they had a valid loss but they were wanting to verify repair vs replace.

    In this case, as toasty as it was, it will probably be a replace.

    Once I got done with the inspection and submitted my findings I realized that I was very close to the Rosen Aquatics Center. This facility used to be part of the YMCA, but during COVID the Y almost abandoned it. During COVID the Y just about lost everything, they really screwed up when they did not allow “traveling” members to travel. So Mr. Rosen purchased the facility to keep it open. I used to swim here about once a week or so when we lived in the area. It was almost a 40 minute drive, but when this pool is setup in Long Course (50 meters) it was well worth it.

    This was the training home of Rowdy Gaines and many other future Olympians and would have been a loss to the community not to have it any longer. Anyways, $10.00 poorer for a day pass, I was able to get my swim workout in. I had to give up at the 2000 meter point because I was starting to worry about how much work was accumulating, and I had taken my one hour lunch break.

    I was happy with it, would have liked to do another 1K to get myself to 3K in one session, but I really had to get back to work.

    Spent the rest of my afternoon working, and then had some dinner, came back and read a little, listened into a net on one of the repeaters locally, bunch of old guys talking, and then uploaded my greyhound-data races for the last two weeks.

    Now just sitting around watching TV, writing this blog post, and trying to plan tomorrow’s travels. At least on this trip I did not have a massive travel change and I am headed home tomorrow.

    I think this is goodnight for the evening. I will see you all tomorrow.

  • Day 053 of 2026

    Happy Sunday! Happy USA Hockey won the Gold Day! First time since the miracle on ice in 1980, in 1980 the NHL did not participate in the Olympics, this win was complete with NHL players on both teams. This did not make it less impressive, congratulations guys!

    Started off my day with a few cups of coffee and then taking Res and Climber out for their walks. Res wanted to go further this time and I let him, but we had our normal problem with him getting about 50% through the walk and he wants to give up. Anyway, we finished, he did close to 3 miles.

    Total distance: 2.65 mi
    Max elevation: 5653 ft
    Min elevation: 5564 ft
    Total climbing: 157 ft
    Total descent: -153 ft
    Average speed: 3.55 mi/h
    Average cadence:
    Average heart rate: 91
    Average temperature: 21.9
    Total time: 00:47:47

    Once I got Res back home Climber was raring to go! She was carrying on so bad we had trouble getting a leash on her. I did a slightly different walk with her today, but when we ended back up on Power Line Trail with her Prairie Dogs she knew exactly where she was and almost walked herself home. She acted like I was holder her back. She did over 4.75 miles.

    Total distance: 4.73 mi
    Max elevation: 5657 ft
    Min elevation: 5522 ft
    Total climbing: 334 ft
    Total descent: -314 ft
    Average speed: 3.79 mi/h
    Average cadence:
    Average heart rate: 98
    Average temperature: 21.1
    Total time: 01:18:10

    Jesse and I had breakfast (well, brunch) and I finally had a chance to get to the Central Recreation Center for a swim. I had really wanted to get a 3K yard swim in, but the pool was very crowded and I had to share lanes with other swimmers, and that always causes problems since I swim breaststroke and that is a very wide stroke compared with freestyle. At least I didn’t kick anyone. I did get 2K yards in, I am happy with my workout overall.

    When I got back we had a little problem, Climber got up and was very wobbly and was limping a bit, actually a lot, and her back was arched pretty badly. We worked with her a bit, I went over every bone, every joint, and everything I could think of. I was finally able to get her onto a leash and walk her around the backyard. We made the decision not to take her to the ER Vet as she was acting a lot like Leona when she would hurt her back and neck. Jesse and I talked about it and decided that we would give her a carprofin and see how she was in the AM. I think she will probably need one more carprofin tomorrow afternoon and then she will be fine.

    I think her a little over 3 miles yesterday and 4-1/2 miles today may have been a little much for her, I bet her muscles are hurting her a bit. We will see what it looks like in the morning.

    I had to pack for my trip tomorrow as I had to list the number of bags I am dropping at my check-in. I decided that I was going to break out “Big Bertha” – the largest suitcase we have in the house and was going to try to do one bag. It worked, I am right under 60 pounds, I am allowed 70 pounds per bag. The reason I want to go to one bag? It’s getting to the point that two bags are really rough to handle sometimes. Of course I may curse that decision when I have to lift the thing into the back of a rental car.

    We decided that at the afternoon walk time that Jesse would take Res and I would stay home with Climber. She slept through the walk, and was ready for dinner. I did have to lift her food bowl up a bit for dinner because she was having issues stretching her neck that far down. It’s almost like she ran into something, but neither of us saw what she ran into. This is going to be a “crate rest and leash walk” type of injury.

    She was slightly better at our 9pm out time, and she is now resting in her crate. She will be handled very careful over the next 48 or so hours.

    I spent some time with my Packet Radio station today. It has become abundantly clear to me the packet station on this property will not work. We are in a topographical hole in with the neighborhood around us. I am also starting to wonder if there is a connection between the radios and some of the growling Res has been doing at night. The timing almost makes sense, he growls early in the evening about every 10 minutes and that is the time period of the beacon systems on the station. OK, the radios are off for now as I just cannot figure out how to resolve this issue. The real answer is a very tall antenna, but let’s get real, that is not possible right now.

    Anyways, that’s a wrap for tonight. Tomorrow is a travel day and we will see what comes up.

    Anyways, it’s that time of the evening to say goodnight, and I will see you all tomorrow.

  • Day 048 of 2026

    Day 048 of 2026

    Hello all!! Busy day today with some closure as well. I received a phone call that Gizmo was ready to be picked up. I took an early lunch and went and brought her home.

    The cycle is complete, all my promises are kept, she is partially home with her pack, and her spirit is re-united with the bridge pack. Hopefully I will see them all in the future. But please, not too soon.  The candle flame is out, the candle is put away hopefully not to be  used again for many more years.

    Got back home, spent the rest of the day working, got a lot done. I finally have my head above C level. Allstate files keep me very busy. Finished off what was in my queue and then escaped for an hour.

    I did get out for my 4.5 mile (or about) jog/walk. I only label it as a run on Garmin as I try to separate that from my dog walks ans indoor walking at the airport.

    Total distance: 4.46 mi
    Max elevation: 5685 ft
    Min elevation: 5554 ft
    Total climbing: 902 ft
    Total descent: -917 ft
    Average speed: 4.25 mi/h
    Average cadence: 57
    Average heart rate: 107
    Average temperature: 18.7
    Total time: 01:05:08

    Not a bad walk, and I found this on one of the roads.

    Speed Camera
    Warning Sign

    Aurora is starting to move these around town. And this is a really good location. Capture all the people leaving the base in a very big hurry at the end of the day.

  • Day 046 of 2026

    Day 046 of 2026

    What a day! First, the Candle Still burns for Gizmo. It will remain lit until she comes home, it’s a tradition that we do for all of our Angel pack, when we have to say goodbye the candle is lit and stays lit until they come home.

    I did take her unopened food and cat litter bag over to the donation spot for they Aurora Pet Food Pantry (Part of the Denver Food Bank). If she can help at least one pet stay with a family that is struggling for food I will be more than happy to donate. I will eventually take her cat tree over and maybe her litter box, but for the moment the food was the most important thing to pass on before it went bad.

    On happier news, started off the day with a little down time to have my coffee and once Jesse got up I took Res and Climber for their walks. Res always goes first and gets a longer walk on the weekends. We did just over two miles. Then I took him back to the house and took Climber back out. Climber got a long walk today, she did over 4 miles.

    Total distance: 4.28 mi
    Max elevation: 5667 ft
    Min elevation: 5519 ft
    Total climbing: 440 ft
    Total descent: -430 ft
    Average speed: 3.77 mi/h
    Average cadence:
    Average heart rate: 102
    Average temperature: 24.5
    Total time: 01:12:22

    And it didn’t even tire her out! She was going going going going……. And when we got home she decided to run the stairs.

    After Jesse and I had breakfast I went back out to Cherry Creek State Park and did another jog. It was supposed to be a 2min run / 2min walk training tempo, but unfortunately my heart rate dropped significantly about 3 miles in. Of course that means I was 3 miles away from the car, so I just walked the rest of the way. As I went around the reservoir I noticed the water level is the lowest I have ever seen it. It is probably going to be a very interesting year for boating. The water is very low.

    I made it back to the car and wrapped things up. I did sit there for a few minutes and finished my water and tried to figure out what was happening with my heart rate. I don’t think I will have any answers until the cardiologist take a look at the cardiac monitor I am wearing for the next 4 days or so. I am starting to wonder if I am going back into aFib and my watch and heart rate chest strap doesn’t know how to interpret it.

    Total distance: 6.55 mi
    Max elevation: 5622 ft
    Min elevation: 5566 ft
    Total climbing: 514 ft
    Total descent: -507 ft
    Average speed: 4.31 mi/h
    Average cadence: 58
    Average heart rate: 92
    Average temperature: 28.3
    Total time: 01:36:03

    Anyways, I am done for the day, tomorrow is another day. Good night all!

    Day 046 of 2026

    18394 E Arkansas Ave, Aurora, CO 80017, USA
    Get directions
  • Day 043 of 2026

    Day 043 of 2026

    Hello All! This is one of these posts that is going to be ongoing today. Started off the day at my hotel in Grand Junction, CO.

    Looked out the window of the hotel and saw a bunch of new car models with manufacturer plates. All fitted with GPS and all Toyota. I had a chance to talk with one of the drivers and yes, they are testing new models in various conditions across the country. Sort of cool.

    New Toyota Models

    Got breakfast and then spent the next few hours working on desk stuff. That is pricing, processor questions, and tech support.

    While I had the room booked for two nights I decided to check out early as the roads look pretty good through the mountains and I really want to go home today. I had to check out around 10:00am so I went to the park and got in most of my 10,00 steps for the day.

    Total distance: 4 mi
    Max elevation: 4596 ft
    Min elevation: 4566 ft
    Total climbing: 186 ft
    Total descent: -195 ft
    Average speed: 4.01 mi/h
    Average cadence:
    Average heart rate: 96
    Average temperature: 22.2
    Total time: 01:11:52

    I also had some time to find some more of the sculptures and other neat things around the park. This is one of the neat things when I am traveling, I can find some really neat things in all the areas I travel to if I look close enough.

    Playground Entrance
    Outside Playground
    The Grand Junction Slugger
    By Tennis Court
    Near Tennis Court
    Child Entering Playground
    View From Park
    View From Park
    Clouds Moving In
    The Mountains Vanish
    Near the Park

    After that it was time to head over for my appointment and meet up with the adjusters, the engineers, and the property management (HOA) representative. The inspection went about as well as I thought it would, but the view from the roof was awesome. I love the mountains in this part of the state.

    Rooftop View
    Rooftop View
    Rooftop View

    After the inspection was done it was time to head home. Here are some awesome photos that I took along the way.

    Entering the Canyon
    Entering Canyon
    Rocks Along Canyon
    Rock Face
    Rock Wall
    Rock Wall
    Rock Wall
    Entering The Canyon
    Rock Face
    Tunnel Entrance
    Rocks along parking area
    Rock Wall
    Rock Face At Parking Area

    I decided that I would do something I have been wanting to do for a while here, I put the drone up to get some good photos of the canyon from above. This is all along the Colorado River. I am going to put those photos up on a page that I will link into this, but just not tonight. That is a tomorrow project. In the meantime below is a 360 Panoramic Image that I leave you with. You will need to click into it then you can move it around with your mouse of phone. Zoom in and out works as well. Enjoy.

    And the rest of the drive home was rainy and dark. I made it home around 8:00pm, had a late dinner and then time for bed.

    Today’s travels took me about 300 miles total.

    Have a great evening. Check back tomorrow for that updated link here with my drone reel from today’s stop.

    Day 043 of 2026

    18394 E Arkansas Ave, Aurora, CO 80017, USA
    Get directions
  • Day 042 of 2026

    Day 042 of 2026

    And how fast plans change during the course of a day! Oh, hello and welcome to my world!

    I was supposed to spend today at home and do a “quick” trip to Grand Junction, CO tomorrow for an inspection. Well, that did not happen as planned. I am sitting in a hotel right now in Grand Junction. Why you ask? Well, there is this small Winter storm that was supposed to hit the mountains overnight and into tomorrow that was going to follow I-70 and it’s mountain passes. I decided that the best idea would be to get out in front of it and get to Grand Junction before they did something stupid like close the road. Would have been no fun tomorrow as there really isn’t another option other than I-70.

    Anyways, made my way slowly out to Grand Junction. I had to stop frequently as I had to check in on some questions from the office and some of our technicians. On long flat land I can sort of take a look at things on my tablet/laptop as long as I don’t have to type, but in the mountains, nope, not happening. Too many curves, and Colorado has something against guardrails. We just don’t use them.

    Some photos from my travels today. The first one is the climb into the Eisenhower Tunnel, the next two are leaving the tunnel. We have no snow on one side and snow on the other.

    I stopped at a rest area along the way a little further West along I-70 and took a these. I love this part of the state, it’s so neat how the mountains, water, and all the cliffs come together.

    Got to my hotel in Grand Junction and checked in. Decided that I wanted to go out and get my steps in. Fortunately there is a really nice local recreation/athletic/trails park nearby. Found a really neat sculpture along the way, it’s called Love Song and it was created by Denny Haskew out of Loveland. I sort of get it and that is something I don’t say about a lot of sculptures.

    The part was really nice as well. It’s called Canyon View Park and it is off the last Grand Junction exit, right as you are headed into town. Lot’s of construction going on in the area, but the park looks like it is most often used for Soccer during the warmer seasons.

    So, I rounded out my outdoor time today with almost a 7.5 mile walk around the park a few times. Wasn’t as fast of a pace as I normally do, but as I am traveling I really do not want to get hurt.

    Total distance: 7.39 mi
    Max elevation: 4592 ft
    Min elevation: 4553 ft
    Total climbing: 262 ft
    Total descent: -264 ft
    Average speed: 3.96 mi/h
    Average cadence:
    Average heart rate: 104
    Average temperature: 20.7
    Total time: 01:53:43

    Finished that, had some dinner at the hotel. I stay at Home2 Suites when I am out here normally, so they usually have some healthy options in the frozen dinner selection. Today was something Mexican. And then I had to catch up on all the open requests from work. Took me about two hours to get that done before I sat down and wrote my blog (this) for the day.

    Today’s travels, about just under 300 miles along I-70.

    And…. I forgot my laptop charger. Though it appears one of my phone charger has the “umpf” to charge my laptop, if it doesn’t overheat and die we may be OK. I am going to sign off for the evening, but before I do…..

    The mheard list from KO4YAW on Net 105, 14.105LSB or 14.1023USB located in Aurora, CO:

    YAWNOD:KO4YAW-7} Heard List for Port 4
    N6CTA-1    Feb 12 01:32:11    
    KC2IHX-7   Feb 12 01:30:02    
    KB9PVH-5   Feb 12 01:28:48    
    N6CTA-7    Feb 12 01:28:16    
    N0BN       Feb 12 01:27:28    via KB9PVH-7*
    N0BN-1     Feb 12 01:27:03    via KB9PVH-7*
    K7SKI      Feb 12 01:19:26    
    KB9PVH-7   Feb 12 01:13:26    
    W1CDN-1    Feb 12 01:01:31    
    KB9PVH-3   Feb 12 00:58:59    
    W3TQG      Feb 12 00:55:07    
    KC2IHX-1   Feb 12 00:42:02    
    KB5YZB-1   Feb 12 00:35:43    via KB9PVH*
    AC0ZH-7    Feb 12 00:32:36    
    K0LAI-1    Feb 12 00:31:32    
    K0LAI-7    Feb 12 00:29:56    
    K5DAT-7    Feb 12 00:18:19    
    KF7PSM-7   Feb 12 00:16:28    
    W1CDN-7    Feb 12 00:01:16    
    KN6NW-5    Feb 11 23:05:02    
    NS2B-1     Feb 11 23:03:36    
    WB7PZZ     Feb 11 22:54:32    
    N4QMI-7    Feb 11 22:40:04    via KB9PVH*
    KB8UVN-7   Feb 11 22:37:24    
    KB9PVH-1   Feb 11 22:20:31    
    KA9QJT-1   Feb 11 21:31:36    via KB9PVH*,N0HI-2
    WB5BNV     Feb 11 20:57:18    
    W9LCF      Feb 11 20:57:08    
    WW6Q-1     Feb 11 19:46:18    
    KB9PVH     Feb 11 19:21:58

    Goodnight All!

    Day 042 of 2026

    650 Market St, Grand Junction, CO 81505, USA
    Get directions

  • Day 041 of 2026

    No great photos today. It was an “in office” and “at home” sort of day. Had so much to do and such little time to do it. On health news I am on the heart monitor again, it’s not awful, it is just a pain because I can’t get it wet for 24 hours and then I can’t swim with it on. Which means no swimming for 13 more days. And I keep hitting the “record symptoms” button by accident.

    So, I got up and had my coffee, enjoyed some quiet time with the dogs before I logged into work for the day. And then it started…… I was finally able to take a break around 10:30 to go do a long walk, I was not able to jog as I wasn’t supposed to get the glue under this thing sweaty. But, I got a decent walk in, made my 10K steps (what a joke that is).

    Total distance: 5.81 mi
    Max elevation: 5679 ft
    Min elevation: 5516 ft
    Total climbing: 449 ft
    Total descent: -433 ft
    Average speed: 4.22 mi/h
    Average cadence:
    Average heart rate: 118
    Average temperature: 18.8
    Total time: 01:22:58

    Came back and finished out my day with work. I ended up working later than I wanted to and still didn’t get everything done. So, I had about two hours of extra stuff to do this evening. Now I am in a much better place. I really need to spend some time on the phone calling technicians tomorrow or Thursday. I may try to have some conversations while I am driving on Thursday. Oh, yeh…. I have to go out to Western CO Thursday for an appointment.

    Res and Climber got a short walk today, it’s an afternoon weekday walk, these are always short.

    Total distance: 0.58 mi
    Max elevation: 5619 ft
    Min elevation: 5567 ft
    Total climbing: 73 ft
    Total descent: -73 ft
    Average speed: 2.95 mi/h
    Average cadence:
    Average heart rate: 104
    Average temperature: 19.9
    Total time: 00:12:38

    I just imported and ran all of the Greyhound-data race files for Tri-State and Wheeling Downs for last week. Still need to upload the final files to greyhound-data, but at least the hard part is done. The rest is basically point and click.

    I think I am going to call it a night tonight, I am exhausted and have spent way too much time staring at a monitor today. My brain is mush.

    mheard from KO4YAW on 14.1023 USB / 14.105 LSB Net105 Aurora, CO

    YAWNOD:KO4YAW-7} Heard List for Port 4
    N6CTA-7    Feb 11 02:36:27    
    KB9PVH-5   Feb 11 02:13:32    
    N6CTA-1    Feb 11 02:13:27    
    KC2IHX-7   Feb 11 02:06:01    
    KB9PVH-3   Feb 11 01:50:27    
    K5DAT-7    Feb 11 01:48:19    
    KC2IHX-1   Feb 11 01:35:20    
    W1CDN-7    Feb 11 01:34:59    
    AC0ZH-7    Feb 11 01:32:38    
    K0LAI-1    Feb 11 01:30:46    
    K0LAI-7    Feb 11 01:29:56    
    K7SKI      Feb 11 01:19:30    
    W6VVN-7    Feb 11 01:14:59    
    KB9PVH-7   Feb 11 01:14:13    
    W6VVN      Feb 11 01:09:55    
    KD9WZZ     Feb 11 00:55:05    
    VE3QBZ-1   Feb 11 00:47:26    
    KA9QJT-1   Feb 11 00:31:40    via KB9PVH*,N0HI-2
    KN6NW-1    Feb 11 00:23:05    
    KN6NW      Feb 11 00:23:03    
    N9SEO-3    Feb 11 00:20:09    
    VA3PIX-7   Feb 11 00:15:46    
    KF7PSM-7   Feb 10 23:46:35    
    KB9KC      Feb 10 23:34:32    
    WB7PZZ     Feb 10 23:13:35    
    WG0A-1     Feb 10 23:04:05    
    WG0A-7     Feb 10 22:51:26    
    N4QMI-7    Feb 10 22:31:41    via KB9PVH*
    K7TMG      Feb 10 22:15:49    
    NS2B-1     Feb 10 22:02:43

    Day 041 of 2026

    18394 E Arkansas Ave, Aurora, CO 80017, USA
    Get directions

  • Day 040 of 2026

    Day 040 of 2026

    Happy Monday!!!

    Started off the day with the alarm not going off. I am so happy (most of the time) that I have an internal alarm clock that won’t let me sleep past 6:30-6:45 before I am awake. Got up, gave the dogs their morning treats, and their outside time. Then I had to log in for work.

    Had a meeting with IT today to go over software used. I am not sure but I always feel IT is there to make life more difficult. I spend more time answering questions and not getting much accomplished. But, we got through the meeting and I am sure I will hear some follow-up in the next day or so. Once I finished with that call, I tried getting caught up on tags (questions), Cause of Loss Determination requests, and Tech Support requests.

    Lunch time today was a swim. I have to start wearing a heart monitor after today for the next 14 days and I wanted to get the Garmin swim challenge for this week done. Unfortunately can’t swim with the heart monitor, so it was important to get in the water today. After the 14 days are up on the 23rd of February I should be able to get back into the water and complete the monthly challenge. I need about another 5K of swimming to get that done. Maybe I will attempt to do that in one session and I can take care of a few Swim.Com challenges as well. I need a 200yard kick also for the USMS challenge. These challenges do keep me motivated so they are important.

    Came back home and finished out the day. I worked a little bit late to get it all done and then I worked a little extra this evening to get some new technicians added to the Alpine Intel University, our online training platform. I suspect that less than 50% of them will actually take the online classes and I will spend some additional time pestering them to do so. Life goes on and it’s job security.

    I just had time for an afternoon walk to get my steps in for the day. I got my 8,000 steps that is my goal, but weight watchers would like to see 10K steps (there’s that magic unscientific number again). I am also participating in a 300 floor step challenge. It is climbing 300 floors worth of steps in the next 30 days. That’s easy because every one of my workouts gives on an average of 20-30 floors. Give me the next 15 days and this will be done as long as the weather holds up. 27 floors today. During the afternoon walk I had to take a couple of tech support calls and of course that is difficult when you are not sitting in front of a computer, but had phone in hand and I was able to provide the support.

    Total distance: 3.65 mi
    Max elevation: 5666 ft
    Min elevation: 5557 ft
    Total climbing: 318 ft
    Total descent: -318 ft
    Average speed: 3.62 mi/h
    Average cadence:
    Average heart rate: 98
    Average temperature: 24.8
    Total time: 01:03:20

    Got back just in time to walk the dogs for their afternoon/evening walks. Then it was dinner time and relax time. I am sort of done for the day, but I do have one more computer related activity I need to do and that is to start the import jobs for last week’s races for greyhound-data.org.

    I have to make a vet appointment for Gizmo. Something is wrong and I am worried about her quality of life. She is 19 years old and I am afraid she is hurting. It could be arthritis, but I guess I am going to have to get her checked out. I just have this gut feeling that this may be a final appointment for her, which is why I have been hesitating. Why am I worried about quality of life?
    1) She does eat, but has graduated to wet food only.
    2) When she moves she “hollers” as she walks.
    3) She has stopped cleaning herself. I am having to deal with matted fur.
    4) She hides under a bed most of the day and rarely comes out. I am not sure this is the life for a pet.
    5) She still does navigate the steps to come to her litter box.
    6) She stopped eating outside of her room. I think it may have been that she can no longer jump up on the table without extreme effort.

    This is just one of these, I am not sure situations.

    Today's mheard from KO4YAW in Aurora, CO for 2/9/2026 on 14.105LSB / 14.1023USB.

    YAWNOD:KO4YAW-7} Heard List for Port 4
    KC2IHX-7   Feb 10 02:42:01    
    KC2IHX-1   Feb 10 02:28:39    
    K7SKI      Feb 10 02:23:33    
    AC0ZH-7    Feb 10 02:02:40    
    KB9PVH-5   Feb 10 01:51:48    
    KB9PVH-3   Feb 10 01:48:55    
    KB9PVH-7   Feb 10 01:45:18    
    KB5YZB-1   Feb 10 01:32:56    via KB9PVH*
    K0LAI-7    Feb 10 01:20:38    
    N9SEO-3    Feb 10 01:20:08    
    K5DAT-7    Feb 10 01:18:19    
    KB9PVH     Feb 10 01:16:49    
    NS2B-1     Feb 10 01:02:00    
    KB5YZB-7   Feb 10 00:28:30    via KB9PVH*,KB9KC-7
    KC6HBB-1   Feb 09 23:55:38    
    KC6HBB     Feb 09 23:55:37    
    KE8NAD     Feb 09 22:36:07    
    KB9KC      Feb 09 22:28:02    
    K7TMG      Feb 09 22:23:28    
    KA9QJT-1   Feb 09 22:16:41    via KB9PVH*,N0HI-2
    WB7PZZ     Feb 09 22:05:50    
    N6CTA-7    Feb 09 21:59:08    
    N0HI-7     Feb 09 21:58:33    via KB9KC*
    N6CTA-1    Feb 09 21:27:51    
    KB9KC-1    Feb 09 18:34:56    
    KD3BFP-1   Feb 09 15:26:00    
    W9LCF-7    Feb 09 15:21:52    
    KB9PVH-1   Feb 09 15:12:42    
    WB5BNV     Feb 09 15:02:30    
    WG0A-1     Feb 09 15:00:36

    I think that is a wrap for this evening. I will see everyone tomorrow.

    Day 040 of 2026

    18394 E Arkansas Ave, Aurora, CO 80017, USA
    Get directions
  • Day 039 of 2026

    Day 039 of 2026

    And it’s Sunday. Had a busy day so far when I started writing this. I was up by my usual weekend time of 7:00am, got the dogs their treat and then had a few hours of reading and messing around on the interwebs before Jesse got up. Finished my second cup of coffee and then it was time to start the day.

    Res got the first walk. He decided that he wanted to go for the longer walk and that really only lasts until we get half-way through the longer walk and then he decides he really didn’t want the longer walk. And, by that time it is already too late, since I am not carrying his butt back home he has no choice but to finish. We did a bit over two miles today and he got to see the Power Line Trail today, which is normally Climber’s domain.

    Got Res home and then it’s Climber’s turn. I figured since 2.75 miles didn’t tire her out yesterday we were going to go for a bit longer today and include some hill work, so I added onto her walk a little today. She had good time even though I think she may have been a little confused about where she was at. Part of what we walked today she had not seen before. Lot’s of new things to smell, but she did pretty good. Once we were back to her normal area on the Power Line Trail she saw her Prairie Dogs and knew the rest of the way home. Sorry girl but new things are good for you.

    Had a great breakfast (brunch) of scrambled eggs, cinnamon toast, and little sausage patties. And afterwards I decided to go swim. Well, got over the the rec center and some swim team had taken over the pool. This is the second time in a row this has happened on a Sunday. I really am not sure what is going on here, but team practices should be on the pool schedule so people don’t plan their workouts for a day it’s not going to happen on. Now I really have to figure out a time to get over there tomorrow so that I don’t miss out on one of the Garmin Fitness Challenges. I need a 2000 yard swim sometime in the next week, and tomorrow will be the last day I have before I have to put a heart monitor on that I really can’t swim with.

    But all was not lost, I was able to go to the Toll Creek Trail right next to the fitness center and get a 5K jog (run/walk) in. I also had my new heart rate monitor – the chest strap variety and it proves what I have been suspecting, that my watch is for some reason locking onto cadence rather than heart rate during my longer runs. My heart rate and my cadence are really close and that may be explaining some of it. I guess we will see next weekend when I do one of my longer sessions over at Cherry Creek Park again with the monitor on.

    Total distance: 3.29 mi
    Max elevation: 5618 ft
    Min elevation: 5559 ft
    Total climbing: 250 ft
    Total descent: -240 ft
    Average speed: 4.70 mi/h
    Average cadence: 63
    Average heart rate: 124
    Average temperature:
    Total time: 00:43:21

    Res and Climber were not happy with Jesse and me this afternoon. Somepaws got a nail clip and neither of them were being cooperative with the dremmel so they got the old fashioned clippers. We much prefer using the dremel but they both have started to be a pain with it.

    Look who showed up in my Facebook memories today. Peanut, and the back half of Mindy by Peanuts excavation our first year in Florida. She was a master excavator. And, you can see the back half of Mindy and I am sure she was helping Peanut dig, or at least just being nosy enough to see what Peanut was doing.

    Got a bunch of stuff done around the house this afternoon and then Jesse and I took the dogs for their evening walk. Res really did not want anything to do with a walk and decided that he was going to turn around and come back to the house. I think his morning walk may have been a little far for him, but hey…. he wanted to keep going. I tried to argue with him, but nope. And then he left a little bit of his dinner as well. Not to panic, this happens on occasion.

    The humans had asparagus, salmon, and shrimp for dinner. It was good, it’s one of my favorite Sunday evening dinners. Now we are sitting here watching the Bad Bunny Superbowl half-time show. I really wish I had taken Spanish in Junior High and High School. There have been so many times over the years that I have had similar thoughts. But, back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s the students that took Spanish were considered to be the “losers” in our school district and the language was not pushed… at all. So sad.

    Anyways, this is a wrap for the evening. Climber and Res have had enough and they just want to snooze. I am being told my typing is disturbing their sleep.

    Climber
    Res
    Before I forget this is today's mheard (stations heard) from my amateur radio station KO4YAW in Aurora, CO on Net 105, 14.105 LSB or 14.1023 USB (I missed 23:59 for the date change):

    YAWNOD:KO4YAW-7} Heard List for Port 4
    N6CTA-7    Feb 09 02:11:08    
    N6CTA-1    Feb 09 01:57:25    
    KB9PVH-7   Feb 09 01:45:15    
    KC2IHX-7   Feb 09 01:30:01    
    N9SEO-3    Feb 09 01:20:08    
    KB9PVH-5   Feb 09 01:18:57    
    KC2IHX-1   Feb 09 01:09:52    
    W1CDN-1    Feb 09 01:02:28    
    KB9PVH-3   Feb 09 00:51:53    
    K0LAI-7    Feb 09 00:50:38    
    VE3QBZ-1   Feb 09 00:45:50    
    KF7PSM-7   Feb 09 00:39:41    
    W9LCF-7    Feb 09 00:36:26    
    AC0ZH-7    Feb 09 00:32:35    
    NS2B-1     Feb 09 00:31:12    
    WB5BNV     Feb 09 00:28:03    
    VA3PIX     Feb 09 00:21:31    
    VE3GE-7    Feb 09 00:20:35    
    KA9QJT-1   Feb 09 00:16:36    via KB9PVH*,N0HI-2
    VA3PIX-7   Feb 09 00:15:15    
    KB8UVN-7   Feb 09 00:08:29    
    N0BN       Feb 09 00:07:42    via KB9PVH-7*
    WG0A-1     Feb 08 23:59:49    
    KB9PVH     Feb 08 23:23:35    
    KB9KC      Feb 08 22:30:10

    Day 039 of 2026

    18394 E Arkansas Ave, Aurora, CO 80017, USA
    Get directions