Training Log Archive: Mr Wonderful

Reports are back surgery went well over in Grand Rapids.

Barbara crossing sketchy bridge is outperforming Jens crossing cool swamp log on click rate and cost per click. Still unsure why original ad reverted to snow pic and was shown to people who already like us, like Jennifer and my wife, rather than new folks. Perhaps a hiccup in fb's system and their preference for chrome over opera. It's confusing because the ad creation process is incredibly different depending on how you initiate the process (create ad versus promote).

I am currently not using newsfeed ad, instead using the less obtrusive side column, mobile side column equivalent, and third party options. Unless my alert readers say the newsfeed things are not too annoying. Or maybe I'll try them next either way.

C • Well... 2

In Grand Rapids today. Father in law was helping a neighbor with a snagged tree when it fell wrong broke and clipped him. Both legs broken, some spinal fractures, cracked ribs, and a helicopter ride, but he can wiggle his toes and make jokes. Surgery on several items this morning. His retirement could be off to a better start....of course we are very lucky it wasn't worse.

On a less serious note, SMOC ad Day #1 - shown to 214 people at a cost of $.81, resulting in nine clicks to the website.

C • That's terrible 6

First ever SMOC facebook ad should be running shortly. First week will feature: me crossing a log. Next week we'll try w4j crossing a sketchy bridge. Budget is uber modest. Too modest? We shall see. I had it point to the website. Targeted interests: trail running, mud runs, obstacle racing, outdoor recreation in the metro Detroit area.

Easy. Much of it in the unpaved neighborhood.

Event: Raccoongaine
 

Raccoongaine 2015

W4J and I wisely ducked our direct competition (Olga and Eaton, respectively) by pairing up.

Overly ambitious (forgot to consider "garmin" versus "scalex" in distance estimation) plan doesn't ruin the day! I have great potential for improvement in point density.

I swear, every year, I start by screwing up in that messy briar south east of the start. I will stop doing that.

After that it was smooth, just physical. Mixed it up with some teams, had great fun Cooper-ing a fit masters mixed team. I was strong for three hours, then had a two hour lull, then perked up a bit at the end.

Speaking of the end, tried to judge the time to grab a couple more high pointers, but didn't count on the creek crossing difficulty and crazy brambles guarding one of our last, so we were pushing it. Making the attempt on the final punishing hill to the start finish, I spied one more 10 (I thought 20) pointer, so I ran to punch it but forgot to tell w4j to start climbing. That was to be our "if we're late" cushion. They have a soft cut off, so skipping a 50 point to avoid being two minutes late was not a good strategy and I was mentally prepared to run over a little. Then we hit brambles and out of bounds, and desperately skirted around getting ripped up and made it at 6:01:00 on the nose for just 10 pts off. Phew!

Many highlights - scrambling along a super steep dirt bank above a creek, with only roots as handholds, many great long trickling creek hikes, apparently many skeletons I walked over but never saw, and a great teammate. 10/10 would race with again.

1st elite mixed

144-101-116-123-122-148-147-136-121-124-146-145-135-113-134-120-115-112-125-126-143-103-132-141-110

Next year I would just skip more 10 pointers. With that 5:1 ratio for big ones, any time seems just not worth it.

C • Well done! 7

I decided it would be fun to get my old Schwinn trash heap rescue bike operational. I picked up an old Schwinn 27" wheel off craiglist. Then I tried to assemble it Friday, but I couldn't find three of the fasteners removed when I took it apart after the rear wheel suffered a multi-spoke failure sprinting to beat a red light.

Thankfully, local bike shop had an old donor Schwinn, so they gave me one of the three fasteners, and I was able to improvise for the rack mounts - not sure the rack mounts are rated for heavy loads, but I can go easy on it for now.

I took it for an easy roll around Whitmore Lake, figuring if anything broke, I wouldn't be more than a 3.5 mile walk from the house. Then I stopped by the bike shop to say thanks.

Should be just the ticket for running from my house to Bandemer park and back on Whitmore Lake road in the wee hours.

C • Nice ride. 1

Easy peasy for calorie parity.