RED LINE STUDIO BLOG » Play http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:48:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 5 miles, 34:34! http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/07/05/5-miles-3434/ http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/07/05/5-miles-3434/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:23:01 +0000 Matthew http://mattyt976.vox.com/library/post/5-miles-3434.html?_c=feed-rss-full Ran in the Schoolcraft Firecracker 5 Mile Run Saturday morning. There were quite a few more participants this year over last year (I think a hundred more) so I didn’t get in the top 40, which was my goal. But I did run my goal of just under 7 minute miles, ran 6:52 minute miles, and finished 44th over all and 3rd in my age group! So I am very happy with the results and now, back to marathon training. I forgot I was running the race this weekend so my 18 mile run for Sunday got pushed back a week. It’s okay, I got my speed work in for the week so now it is all about distance.

]]> http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/07/05/5-miles-3434/feed/ 0 Found more Robins to feed. http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/05/29/found-more-robins-to-feed/ http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/05/29/found-more-robins-to-feed/#comments Fri, 29 May 2009 20:26:37 +0000 Matthew http://mattyt976.vox.com/library/post/found-more-robins-to-feed.html?_c=feed-rss-full Feeding a baby RobinThere is a Robin’s nest in one of the lilac bushes near our driveway with 4 babies that hatched about a week or so ago. They are getting their plumage and most have their eyes open. And they are hungry! I tried feeding them several times but they kept moving their little heads around. Finally got a worm in on the third try.

]]> http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/05/29/found-more-robins-to-feed/feed/ 0 Feeding a baby Robin http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/05/27/feeding-a-baby-robin/ http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/05/27/feeding-a-baby-robin/#comments Wed, 27 May 2009 18:02:43 +0000 Matthew http://mattyt976.vox.com/library/post/feeding-a-baby-robin.html?_c=feed-rss-full While getting the hose out to water our garden, I almost stepped on a fledgling Robin nestled in the grass. Instead of bounding away when I approached it, the little birdie opened it’s beak to be fed. I guess I looked like his mother. So I dug up some worms, grabbed my brother to take photos, and obliged.

Feeding baby Robin 1.

Feeding baby Robin 1.

Feeding baby Robin 2.

Feeding baby Robin 2.

Feeding baby Robin 3.

Feeding baby Robin 3.

]]> http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/05/27/feeding-a-baby-robin/feed/ 0 Running again! http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/05/06/running-again/ http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/05/06/running-again/#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 22:49:47 +0000 Matthew http://mattyt976.vox.com/library/post/running-again.html?_c=feed-rss-full Now that the semester is over I can really get back to running. I took a swim class this semester and it really ate into my training. I’m glad I took the class and really improved my stroke, breathing, and learned how to dive. But running is really the only thing that keeps my sugar levels inline. Plus, I love to do it!

Ran the Borgess Half Marathon 2 weekends ago and it sure was hot! I think it was 78 degrees by the time I finished. Such a difference from last year when it was 40 something. I ran about 5 minutes slower than I wanted but finished a minute faster than last year. The heat can really make a difference. Below is me at the start. I’m the one in the orange shirt. My finish photo is too painful to share!

Borgess Half Marathon start.

Borgess Half Marathon start.

I was a bit disappointed with my time so I decided to redeem myself an ran the Triple Creek Dash 10k last weekend. And redeem I did! I came in 10th over all with a time of 44:20 and placed second within my age group. The first time for me to place and my personal best. Now it’s time to train for the Chicago Marathon.

]]> http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/05/06/running-again/feed/ 0 Winter Haiku http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/01/26/winter-haiku/ http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/01/26/winter-haiku/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:53:10 +0000 Matthew http://mattyt976.vox.com/library/post/winter-haiku.html?_c=feed-rss-full ice cold winter winds
flame azure crystal heart
Mateo est vide ]]> http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/01/26/winter-haiku/feed/ 0 Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009! http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/01/06/goodbye-2008-hello-2009/ http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/01/06/goodbye-2008-hello-2009/#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:27:53 +0000 Matthew http://mattyt976.vox.com/library/post/goodbye-2008-hello-2009.html?_c=feed-rss-full So much happened in 2008 I am feeling a bit overwhelmed coupled with a great sense of accomplishment. December was a whirlwind up to the moment I fell on the ice Christmas Eve! I just started running and knew it was very slippery out but I fell anyway, directly on my left hand. It still hurts, making it difficult to type. Therefore, all my plans to redesign my website over Christmas break went out the window. I did get the template and CSS page done but the copy is killing my wrist. In fact, I need to stop typing this post but I really want to get something up. I have a chiropractic appointment today so maybe the doctor can fix me up. My friend Doug has his own practice, Austin Lake Chiropractic, and does amazing things! It is healing, just not fast enough. Also, my shoulder has not been the same since the fall.

My plans for 2009:

  • School, school, school
  • Finish my website redesign
  • Continue to build my website design business Red Line Stuido
  • Take more photos (my good friend Robert gave me a pinhole camera for Christmas I can’t wait to use!)
  • Spend time at the beach on Lake Michigan (I really miss San Diego sometimes)
  • Find a hiking or running partner
  • Read more! (so hard to do while in school)
  • Run the Borgess Half Marathon in 1:30:00.
  • Run the Chicago Marathon in 3:50:00 (if I can get registered)

There really isn’t enough time to fit everything in but I’m sure going to try.

Happy New Year everyone!

]]> http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2009/01/06/goodbye-2008-hello-2009/feed/ 0 Snow, school, and work oh my! http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2008/11/12/snow-school-and-work-oh-my/ http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2008/11/12/snow-school-and-work-oh-my/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:32:50 +0000 Matthew http://mattyt976.vox.com/library/post/snow-school-and-work-oh-my.html?_c=feed-rss-full Yes, winter is upon us. It snowed this weekend…while I was out on my 10 mile Saturday run. Ugh!  The snow itself doesn’t bother me so much, it is that cold, penetrating wind. So unbearable and it makes me soooo cold. Just don’t want to do anything but stay inside and sleep. At least I feel good! Swimming 2 days a week too at KVCC. So nice to have free access to a sports center. And very few people use the pool during open swim which is a nice change from the Bud Kearns Pool I used to swim at in San Diego.

Soooo much going on right now. School is really consuming me with only 4 more weeks left until the end of the semester. And the work load seems to be doubling. But it will all be over soon. I’m only taking 2 classes next year! I’ve inquired about a position at the photo lab so I think I will at least have access to a dark room. That will be a relief. I really cannot fit in another photography class for awhile but just couldn’t bare not being able to print. Working in the lab will not make me rich financially but will definitely provide priceless instruction on the finer arts of photo development and printing and access to a great scanner.

I am now working for Gazelle Sports in Kalamazoo doing data entry for their switch over between inventory tracking systems. I have a ton of experience doing this for Adventure 16 so they pretty much hired me on the spot. It is a part-time, temporary position which works out fine with me. Especially the discount! Great people, great store, love to run!  But it is hard to fit everything in to my schedule. My work on the Austin Lake Chiropractic Web site has slowed because of it but was able to get the First Visit page done this week and another should be done by next. Love my XHTML class right now. I learn something useful everyday we have class and am looking forward to the JavaScript class.

Hope to have some new photos uploaded soon. I have another assignment due next week and need to start working on my portfolio. There should be something good in there to share.

]]> http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2008/11/12/snow-school-and-work-oh-my/feed/ 0 Marathon photo http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2008/10/20/marathon-photo/ http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2008/10/20/marathon-photo/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:42:59 +0000 Matthew http://mattyt976.vox.com/library/post/marathon-photo.html?_c=feed-rss-full
So far I’ve only found one photo of me in the Grand Rapids Marathon. I’m the one wearing a black shirt, grey tights, sunglasses and hat on the left 3 people deep.
]]> http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2008/10/20/marathon-photo/feed/ 0 GRAND RAPIDS MARATHON FINISH! http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2008/10/20/grand-rapids-marathon-finish/ http://www.redlinestudio.org/blog/2008/10/20/grand-rapids-marathon-finish/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:58:58 +0000 Matthew http://mattyt976.vox.com/library/post/grand-rapids-marathon-finish.html?_c=feed-rss-full Wew! That was hard. Ran the Grand Rapids Marathon yesterday and came in with a great time of 4:12:49. Not bad for my FIRST marathon. Especially considering I did almost no training the last month due to leg problems.

The first 3 hours went by beautifully with me right on pace for my finish goal of 3:56. But alas, my left leg started to cramp right around the 20 mile mark. I slowed down a bit and worked it out until around 22.5 and had to stop all together. The last 3 miles I mostly walked. It was very discouraging but I was still able to finish at a very respectable time and finishing was my ultimate goal.

My biggest challenge though was hunger. Between 23 and 24 miles my stomach started to grumble and eventually hurt so much from hunger I couldn’t run at all. GU wasn’t enough. I needed solid food which was not available until after the finish line. So I toughed it out and ran the last half mile just to get to FOOD!

My running partner through the first 3 plus hours was this wonderful woman from Indiana, Gretta. Thank you Gretta for the companionship and the encouragement! Sorry I couldn’t finish with you but without you, I don’t think I ever would have finished at with such a great time.

Not sure if I would ever run another marathon. It is really hard that last 5 miles. But I do feel great today. A bit stiff and tired but not nearly as bad I thought I would feel. I joined Gazelle Sports Summer Safari marathon training program and would never have run in Grand Rapids without it. Great people, wonderful support, and a very informative program. Also, I had a great chiropractor and medical message therapist to keep me training: Austin Lake Chiropractic and Azay Wellness Partners. I heartily recommend having a team like this when training for such a stressful event.

I’m already planning to run the Borgess Half Marathon again next year. We will see how I feel next year if I’ll run a marathon.

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