Adult Lego's

"Uh, I don't think you need to worry about the baseboards, we'll take care of them ourselves" Chris said to Tyler the guy who sold us our flooring and carpet at West Coast Flooring. I just simply smiled and nodded. I'd run 15 miles that morning then immediately come home, taken a shower and we were off to buy floors. "Sure, I can do that, I've been a part of crown molding and baseboards before with my dad, I got it" I tell myself. Secretly I was nervous, we didn't have the tools, the closest finish carpenter we know currently resides in DC but what hell, I had smiled and nodded.
Growing up there were a few things you could be guaranteed to learn about me quickly. One, if you took me to the mall, you'd better be feeling patient cause I was going to push it big time. Two, we go to the emergency room A LOT! So much so that they were thinking of giving us our own parking space at Reston Emergency Access. I still remember the conversation my Mom and I had the last time we were there, "now, we are going to say to ourselves, 'No more coming to the emergency room, this is our last visit.'" Somehow, it was. The third thing was quickly apparent when you entered our playroom, I loved Lego's. I say loved, who am I kidding? I still love Lego's. This works out nicely since we live so close to Legoland now. Unfortunately just looking at the Lego version of the Vegas strip isn't my idea of "enjoying" Lego's. I'd much rather take the Luxor or MGM Grand replica apart and build two forts and then start some kind of Lego World War that lasted the better part of 10 years. I love building stuff out Lego's!
What's the point here? During my two 10 day baseboard odyssey I learned more than just how to cut a good 45 degree angle and how thin to cut a caulk bead. I learned a much more important lesson. These baseboards are the same thing I grew up doing, I just didn't have anyone looking over my shoulder complaining about not wiping my fingers off before connecting pieces together to make a wall. When I cut the last piece, I was depressed to unplug and put the miter saw away. I'm glad to be done with this first project, feels really good to do it myself. It was much easier than I thought it would be that day when I agreed to it. I actually stare at the walls now and wonder if it would look good with some crown molding, but there are other more pressing renovations to tackle. Here's some pictures of my fort.

Resurection

Very few things ever come back to life or rise from the ashes. I've broken many a thing, many a toys, killed many a plant and they all have one thing in common, they never worked again. Since we've been in the house, we've had a few things go wrong, some appliances losing their function. This happens when everything is original. It's been easy though, we just remove it and get a new one.
On Sunday morning as I cooked my usual scrambled egg weekend breakfast, I was throwing the shells into the sink just like always. When I finished, I mixed up the my eggs with milk, then poured them into the perfectly warmed pan and off they went. As I turned back towards the sink, I flipped on the water and then reached for the garbage disposal switch. As it went up, there just a faint moan from under the sink and then nothing, silence. I thought to myself, "huh, weird" and flipped the switch back to off and then on again. Nothing. "Ah great, what now?" I said to Wilson and Yeti as they stared at me with their heads tilted sideways. I opened up the cabinets under the sink and started poking around. Maybe when we were cleaning up the house the 409 bottle went back into far and knocked the cord out. After my best attempts and plumbing I quickly reached for the phone and made the call. Dad and I discussed the noises I heard, the look of the electrical box and the what type of disposal we have.
"Badger 5?! I find it hard to believe that it would ever break." We both laughed sarcastically. So the decision was made to call a plumber and see what we need to do to get it fixed/replaced.
After some thought, my dad emailed me with some interestingly ironic information. It being Sunday, they went to church and the gospel for the day happened to be about Jesus raising a young girl from the dead. With that story in hand, I started talking with a friend to see if he knew about garbage disposals. I explained my situation, the noises and dropped the Badger 5 name. It turned out he had the Badger two, the new model but with a lower number. Well he hadn't had that problem with his but he remembered his parents having a similar issue a few years ago and just needing to reset the thing. So on Monday night, I got home from work and opened up the cabinets again and started poking around. Behold a red button sticking out of the bottom which was immediately pushed. Now, I feel this quote from my dad's email is fitting to describe what happened when the switch was flipped "and verily he said to the Badger “awake” and the Badger awoke and began to grind once more."
So that's where we are, the Badger is back to life, ready to destroy all that comes within it's metal teeth. Here's a picture of ferocious beast.

Go Friars!

Sorry this one is late, but I've been having trouble finding the USB cord for the little camera since we moved. Cord recovered, pictures loaded.
The night after the Marathon we got discount tickets to the Phillies/Padres game. We figured for 17 bucks a ticket to go watch the reigning world champs take on the Pads would be a good time. So off we went. Unfortunately, Chris was having a tough time getting out of the office on time, so we had to leave without her. She eventually ended up coming down for the 2nd half of the game.
We started out sitting in the "Marathon" section which we quickly learned was really just filled with out of control and very intoxicated husbands of runners. It was funny for a little while but since we were underneath the overhang, we decided to move to the outfield to sit in the warm night air. It was awesome, Petco park is right in the heart of downtown San Diego. The city was lit up and there was almost nobody there. So we got a great spot in the outfield and settled in with beers and peanuts. All in all, I'd say it was an awesome time. I'm trying to get more into baseball so this was a good way to do it, we'll be heading to more games as the summer rolls on. It's just too easy.

Self portrait of me and Adam


First view from under the overhang


Onto the outfield

Quick Knee Update

Here's an update for everyone who doesn't talk to me or Chris often. My knee still hurts a little bit sometimes. They are really the most interesting times when I start to think about it. Actually, for some reason, I wake up at about 4:30 in the morning everyday and roll from my back to my stomach. I never noticed this before but now, when I wake up and go to roll, I get my knee in this weird position where it hurts to straighten. Honestly, it's the only time that I feel any pain. Not sure what that means but I just think it's funny.
But I did run today for the first time since the marathon. Felt okay, could tell the entire time that my knee was on there, but no major pain. I'm changing my shoes because I think that may have something to do with it, but for now, I'm back running and am training for the San Diego 1/2 Marathon in August. This time Chris is planning to run, guess we'll have to race.

You'll never know what to call them

With this weekend marking our another momentous occasion in my life, our first wedding anniversary for those of you keeping score, I figured I tell this little story from a couple of weeks ago. For everyone who doesn't know, Chris still remains with her maiden name. Just so we're clear, it's not a huge deal, just fun to give her a hard time about. So of course, the obvious anniversary gift this weekend is the paper work to change her name. But seriously, badgering her about it has been hilarious lately and it's gotten to the point that if you're paying attention, you'll have noticed that she has changed her voice message and now your just calling "Chris."

Well we were over at Elizabeth and Greg's house with Mrs. Liashek when this conversation reared it's ugly head again. Letters and such have been showing up in our mail boxes from Maryland with my last name and her frist on them for a while now. I've almost opened them a couple of times....gotta love having the same names! Now, again, I have to say, it doesn't bother me, she'll change it when she gets around to it. But for both Mrs. Liashek and Mrs. Sheilds, that was not a good answer. I lobbed the name grenade at Chris and would have jumped on it if I could have, but it was too late, the assault was on. After 20 minutes on the defense from all sides and great points like not knowing what to call the kids and "you're just being ridiculous," Chris waived the white flag. I could do nothing but laugh and be glad it wasn't me. What was most interesting to me, was to see these three women so adamant about the need to to take my name. I would have never suspected that this be so important. It's gets me thinking, maybe I should take a stronger stance.........the world does need more Castellani's!

Piece of advice for reading

Just an FYI for those about to embark on the Marathon odyssey, start at the first post and then read up, it's just the way the blog works, otherwise I would have had to write this thing backwards.

Also, I'm be uploading the link to Picasa with the rest of the pictures, that way everyone can see all the pics.

Edit:Here are the pictures.

PICASA


Oh, and special thanks go to Chris, who drove and rode her bike around SD on a rainy and very early Sunday Morning. I know it took a lot of work for her to watch us run 26.2 miles......

What the hell did we just do?

At mile 23 it happened, the 3:30 pace runners past me as I walked along the side of the old PCH. Just a 1/2 mile later, the 4:00 pace runners past. There goes my goals I thought, I couldn't help but feel let down. It really hurt to watch them go by, all the training, all the time, everything I had missed out on, passing by me as I walked in pain. Oh well, I set new goals at that point. I would run the final mile, no walking, no matter what! I would finish this insane thing I'd started. So I pressed on. At mile 4 I had thought to myself, what will it feel like to see that 26 on the banner. I planned to speed up, run faster across and then be done. When it actually happened, I could only think "ah shit.....another 2 tenths of a mile....for real?" I also think that this course may have been designed by Dr. Mengele because at 26 you make the turn into the military base. It then goes up the road and makes a sharp left turn causing you to think it's over, final turn and I'm done. No, no you're not, still got to turn another right hand turn, go under the bridge, then run up the final 100 yards in front of the grandstand.
I don't remember what it was felt like to cross, in fact, I'm pretty sure I didn't know where I was. I just wandered there aimlessly for a minute until Adam came over with a couple of well deserved high fives. I grabbed a water and ice towel and got myself together. Adam and I stood there for a second before heading over to talk to Chris. I had no idea, at that point how long it had taken me to do it. I couldn't help but ask Adam.

3:38.....wow, blew my mind. Adam had killed it. I am super impressed that in his first marathon, while training in NYC and beyond, he had come in at a time that most people dream of. I'm stoked for him and how hard he worked. What an accomplishment! For me, it was 4:20.22. I'm couldn't help but think that it was pretty good for how much I had walked, I guess I was moving pretty good before things went south. I'm happy to finish, but the time is a disappointment. During the race, I swore I'd never do this again, one and done. With the outcome and this time, I have to do another, I have to come in under that 4 hour mark. So when I get better, I'll be figuring out when and were to torture myself again.

Last round of pics. We're hurtin big time here.











Adam with his "mom and dad, we did it" shirt....nice gut!

Part 2......

Since that last post was turning out to be so long, I am breaking this thing up. So stay with me, cause the pictures are going to get better. Make sure to take a look at the faces and body language from not only Adam and I but the people around us. Moral of this entire story......Marathon's Hurt!

So at 18, I'm hurting big time, but still moving continuously. I'm running slow, but I haven't walked at all, not even through the water stations. Just keep moving! That's what I needed to do. When I was training and my knee pain got really bad, I ended having to walk home 4 miles out of an 8 mile run. It was because I had stopped. My knee, even though I had stretched, had tightened up and became too much to run. I wasn't going to let that happen this time. I had to keep going.
At mile marker 20, I had reached my breaking point. I couldn't continue to run, it was time for a break. I figured, "what the hell?, I'll walk a little, run a little, I'll be alright. I'm still ahead of my drop dead 4 hour goal, in fact, I was still ahead of my 3 and 1/2 hour goal." I couldn't believe it but I was still moving at a great pace, even though it felt like I was barely moving. So I walked for a little starting at the first water station after mile 20. On and off, I would run and then walk.

I'm going to take this opportunity to point out some funny stuff about marathons here. Things I noticed along the way and found funny or interesting or just frustrating. I don't know if it's all the Rock and Roll Marathon's or just San Diego, but there is a tradition of the running Elvis'. There are people who actually dress up in the full jumpsuit, wig, sunglass get up and run this thing. Some of them fast, like real fast. I don't know how they do it, but that must seem like a great idea at the beginning but quickly turn south. Another thing I noticed, the gatorade like flavored drink, is terrible! Just stick to water! For real, it's so watered down it's bad. I think there is a very fine line when making drinks from powder, you either add the right amount, or it's the worst drink ever. These unfortunately, were the worst! Otter pops, or flavor-ice depending on where you're from. In mile 19 there were ton's of these being handed out by spectator to runners. I couldn't believe that amount of runners that took them, in fact, Adam was one of them. I was psyched to hear it, if you knew him when he was younger, you knew that he single handily kept this company in business. Thank god Price Club(Costco) carried them or I don't think I could have gone to college with the amount we would have spent.
The most frustrating thing with Marathon's, the mile markers. Who ever thought it was a good idea to tell me exactly how many miles I had left, should be shot! Seriously, when you've run 18 miles, is it that important to know that you still have to run 8? Couldn't you do without that info? Maybe, let me know that I'm crossing the 26 mark? Or just hold off till the finish line?

Now for more pics.....Enjoy this round!

Hunk ahunk of burning [thighs]



hmmmmm


Still going..


Ouch

Run Like Hell

18 weeks of training culminated on Sunday morning at 6:30 am. Everything from running in the driving rain, the heat, May gray, watching road bikers get hit on PCH, passing Leucadia Donut Shop, 3 pairs of shoes, 6 am runs, not surfing, burning over 2k worth of calories, and knee pain. It was an interesting experience, all that time, back in February when it felt like this day would never come. There was a time that I actually looked forward to the long runs. When I got back from running 20 miles, I'll never forget how proud of myself I was. Never had I thought when I was running through corn fields at Lehigh before practice would I actually enjoy the sport of running. Now I actually enjoy it.....well I really just enjoy the feeling afterwards. This was how I felt at 11 pm on Saturday night when I fell asleep.
This all changed at about 8 am Sunday morning. 1:30 hours into the 26.2 mile run I was just about at the 1/2 way point when I first felt what I had feared most, my knee pain was back. I had just spent about 4 miles on Highway 163, which has a very steep cant on the turns along with long rolling hills. These two things were what I had feared most. I need flat ground, I would have no problem running forever on flat ground. Endurance wasn't going to be what slowed me, it was going to be knee. So when it first began it was minor, I tried to put it out of my mind, "just keep going, it isn't that bad," I thought. After a few miles, there was no ignoring what I was feeling. I had dropped off the pace that Adam was setting, I figured, oh well, I'll ease off now and catch up later. Once I reached mile 14 it was impossible to think about anything else, I didn't hear my music, I didn't look at the crowd lining the streets, I watched the ground in front of me and prayed that the next time I looked up, that sign said mile 26. It didn't happen. At mile 18 I saw Chris standing right there on the sidewalk next to me.

Chris: "Are you okay?"
Me: "No"
Chris: "Do you want to stop?"
Me: "No"

And so I pressed on. There was no stopping at this point, I couldn't, I had passed the cutoff spot. It didn't matter if it took me forever, I could walk the rest of the way and finish.

Through Downtown, still together and feeling good


Adam Broken away from me and still moving well

Wishing for a quake

This weekend was momentous, not because of the marathon on Sunday, but because we got the TV mounted on the wall on Saturday. With help from back east regarding the location of studs in the walls when a fireplace is in play, we were able to hang it. Chris and I had decided to wait till Adam showed up so I'd have someone to help. What I forgot, was that Adam's best help on these sorts of things, is from the couch. Nothing like looking over and saying "what do you think, seem like there's a stud there?" and getting in response "I don't know man, I'm not good at this stuff." Now that's reassuring! Either way, that thing is up on the wall and I'm betting nothing is going to take it down. That's why I'm waiting for our next quake, I figure if it can withstand the Earth shaking, it probably won't fall.

Going up


"Looks straight from here"


Finished product


Funny thing about the last picture, if you look close enough, you can see the streaks in one of the finest ceiling paint jobs ever. Looks like we need a 2nd coat up there, guess who is responsible for this?