The tally is in...

http://www.oakbarrelhalf.com/images/files/2011OakBarrelResults.htm


1:57:24

Awesome day!

As long as there's no significant difference between the time that read on the clock when I finished and the actual time I took from the start, I finished the Oak Barrel Half Marathon in about 1:58:00. I'm happy with that for now. It was under two hours and about nine minutes quicker than my first half back in February.

As far as the use of that GU Roctane, I feel it made a difference. My muscles didn't feel as shredded this time. I'm certainly sore after the run and the accompanying 75-80 minute drive home, but I can move right now. Last time, I soaked in a hot bath for at least 45 minutes and was still stiff and sore the next day. Additionally, my right calf got very sore around mile 9 last time. I didn't have any particular focal point of soreness this time. An added benefit? The caffeine. I didn't have my usual half gallon of coffee by race time this morning, so the caffeine was good. Disclaimers? Last time, I probably didn't stretch as much as I should have and the race started off when the temperature outside was colder. Therefore, it's possible that this isn't an apples to apples comparison...

Lest I forget (a little plug here)...

After picking up my other stuff, I just HAD to go get some GU Roctane from Fleet Feet Huntsville.

Gettin' pumped...

I just picked up my race number and swag bag for the Oak Barrel Half tomorrow. Should be fun!!!

Squirrel vs. tissue box

NASA's Space Rock

NASA's Space Rock lets the public choose Shuttle Endeavor wake-up song...

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An excellent writeup of the Fukushima Daiichi accident can be found at this page under the heading of "Part IX Nuclear Safety".

Poll: (6) Coheed and Cambria vs. (9) Disturbed

Poll: (6) Coheed and Cambria vs. (9) Disturbed

I voted. My preference? Both are good, but I prefer Disturbed...

32 years ago today...

The Three Mile Island nuclear accident was unfolding. Following TMI, substantive change began in the nuclear industry. A lot of that change began within the framework of the recommendations of the Report of The President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island (aka The Kemeny Commission Report). I'd love to be able to say that we're perfect by now, but we are not. I will say that, from everything I have seen, the operators and all other workers at nuclear plants are held to high standards...

Nuclear failures indeed have the potential to cause more widespread problems than some other means of power production. However, in almost every case, these failures do not have a single cause. Most large scale problems come about from multiple equipment and human deficiencies. The sensational nature of the Fukushima coverage and the ability for a lot of information (some correct, some not so much) to travel THE ENTIRE WORLD quickly have, at times, seemed to overshadow the underlying issues in Japan. There was a KILLER earthquake that generated a KILLER tsunami. Yes, the nuclear plant issues compound the problem. However, thousands of people were killed and thousands are still missing. And for those who are still alive, many lost friends and/or family members. Of course, the people can't be replaced by any amount of help that the Japanese people are receiving. Less importantly, but still painful, the material possessions gathered over the courses of the lives involved can only be replaced slowly, if at all. And yet, the most pressing issues are basics. Food, water, shelter...

Keeping that in mind, I've placed a Red Cross banner on the upper right hand side of this page. Just click it if you would like to donate...

How it Works: White Paper on Mark I Containment

In the wake of the events at Fukushima Daiichi, there has been a lot of discussion regarding GE's Mark I containment system. This design is in use at 16 US nuclear plant sites for a total of 23 units. The link below is a "white paper" from the Nuclear Energy Institute discussing the basics of the design.

How it Works: White Paper on Mark I Containment