Tow Da Line

Vampire Runs

2008-04-29T08:26:00.002-05:00

Tim and I have been back to our Vampire Runs for the past week. The Vampire Run is one where you try to get through before the sun rises in the morning. There are always very interesting people out and about at that time. And the city looks and feels a bit different during the course of a Vampire Run. You tend to notice things that you would typically ignore. Like the fact that you see quite a few employees of Roanoke Memorial Hospital that actually leave their post, probably have to take the elevator down 14 floors, and the walk about 300 yards to have a cigarette. The hospital must not let them smoke on the property. How satisfying! That's how you take a 15 minute break! And there sure are a lot of ducks in the Roanoke River. AFLAC!

The perfect running weather.

2008-03-27T09:42:00.002-05:00

Tammy and I ran last night. I went for three miles or so, and Tammy did two miles. I also walked Savannah for two miles prior to the run. The weather was perfect. Around 70 degrees with a light breeze. I have not been running in a while and I have had a long lay off since The Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October 2007.
It felt good to get back out for an easy run. I look forward to getting back into running shape and completing my running goals this year. See ya'll on the road.

On the Road/Treadmill Again.

2008-02-14T12:23:00.002-05:00

Well... I am back to running again. After a 3.5 month lay off I have decided it is time to get back into shape. Hiberbating is overrated. my Goal is to run in three half marathons this year. VA Beach RNR, Star City Half, and one TBA.

Slacker

2007-08-15T08:02:00.000-05:00

I am a slacker. I've slacked in training,blogging,and fundraising so far this summer. Now it's crunch time. I have a lot of work to do in the next few months. The only good news is I really believe I can get it all accomplished.

We'll see. Check out link to TNT website.

Feeling Better

2007-06-23T09:32:00.000-05:00

I am feeling a lot better about training after today's long run. It has been a while since I have completed a seven mile distance without stopping, shaneing, or just plain hating the run. This gives me new life.

It's like Frank Constanza ( George's Dad in Seinfeld ) said,"I feel reborn, like the great Phoenix rising from Arizona."

I look forward to next week's training!

GUT CHECK

2007-06-04T08:59:00.000-05:00

There comes a time when you either go forward or fall back towards a goal you have set for yourself. My goal is to run the Marine Corp Marathon this year. My goal is to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

I am very discouraged with my efforts so far, and this weekend was rock bottom. It was a failed attempt to run the AEP 10k that sparked a dreary Sunday. Yes, I brought the rain storm! I am disappointed in myself for not being fully committed to training, fund raising activities, and for lack of confidence that is required to endure 5 hours of running to complete my goal.

You're either in, or your out. And I have decided that I am in!

My apologies to The Tim for not being fully vested in training so far. I will get caught up and I will be there in October.

My Memorial Day Vacation

2007-05-30T14:29:00.001-05:00

The wild west was the destination for Memorial Day 2007. Golf, food, pool activities were all on the itinerary at my sister's house for the weekend. A small road trip to the mountains north of Phoenix proved to be entertaining.

Golf at Stone Mountain GC.

Monica, Ann, and Me at The Palace Saloon in Prescott, AZ. This is where Monica's wallet was stolen. We think by a horse thief.

Monica and Ann's house in North Phoenix. Look Mountain in the background.

We started here at Eagle Mountain GC.

Spectator on the 18th Tee.

And we finished at the TPC of Scottsdale. Great Course!

Spectator on the 15th tee of the TPC.

I had a great time. And now I am back in Roanoke. The Hall of Fame is in two weeks, back to training for the marathon, starting a new prospecting campaign for work, and finishing my creek project.

Rocking Right Along!

2007-05-21T12:53:00.000-05:00

Well......I have used all the rocks I gathered for my project. I will need a few more for finishing touches. All the over runs are contained, the rocks in place, the pump works, and I am on to the plumbing phase.

I bought a 5,000 GPH pump. Over kill! It'll be a class 5 rapid. I need to install a ball valve to regulate the flow. The pump will not be running full capacity so it should last alot longer. It's starting to look like an actual creek now. It won't be long until the birds and squirrels are bathing in it.

I am taking a short break from construction due to a trip out west to see my sister Monica. There will be some golf posts from AZ coming some.

Progress

2007-05-18T08:17:00.000-05:00

I made a little progress this week on the pond less waterfall. I have the waterfalls set the way I want them, and I have laid the creek bed. I used mortar to keep the bed from shifting and to secure some key rocks. We had a gully washer last night so I hope it does not mess it up to much.

Next I will need to assemble the plumbing and test the pump. After that I will fill the hole with different size rocks and pebbles, finish edging the creek bed, plant flowers and shrubs, mulch, and then finally run electric. June 2nd is the target date.

I slept in this morning. A four miler is scheduled for 4pm today.

It Just a Number

2007-05-14T15:11:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I played in a two day event at Countryside Golf Course. It was the first weekend available to attempt to qualify for the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame Tournament. We had to play two rounds of golf and the total of the rounds were your score to qualify for the ten man team to represent our club in the tournament. The tournament is a three day event at Hunting Hills, Hidden Valley, and Waterfront Country Clubs. It is a team and individual event to be played from June 8-10th. Nine spots were available since our 2006 Club Champion is exempt. You usually have to shoot 160 to make the team. I shot 77-79 for a total of 156. I am currently fifth with five left to qualify this week. Baring no one else is allowed to sign up after the past deadline, I am mathematically safe.

What a relief! After making an 8 on the eighth hole of the tournament I could have starting packing it in early. I tightened up and finished with a good round on Saturday. Going out with a 38 on the front nine Sunday I felt pretty good. That's when little things start to happen. You start thinking about the number. Three straight bogies on 10,11,12. A great par on 13, lobing a shot out of the knee high rough on 17 to a back right pin. A bogey on 14, a double bogey on 15. Wait a minute don't tell me you are going to blow this thing! After watching two competitors hit it in the water on the tough 16th par three, I punched a 7 iron to about 10 feet. MADE IT! BIRDIE! I then snapped hooked my tee shot on the 17th. It hit a tree and kicked out of the the hazard. I hit it into the bunker short of the green. UP and DOWN! ANOTHER BIRDIE! Finally some breathing room. I wish I could say I finished strong but I made yet another double bogey on the 18th. ( note to self: When up by two or three shots don't hit driver of the 18th tee ever again. )

What a game!

We Have Water!

2007-05-10T08:26:00.000-05:00

These are the current pictures of my continuing project. I don't know what phase I'm in because new phases keep popping up.

Original Plans:

Bricks to form stream bed and ledge for rock walls:

Padding I got at the carpet store dumpster for free:

Liner bought online. I left the hole unlined so the water could drain from the Flow Test:

Cool Waterfalls:

Everything flowed perfect. Now to the next phase. Uh???????

Notice my helper in about every picture. She is very impatient and critiques all my work.

Wachovia Championship 2007

2007-05-09T08:07:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my friend Jimmy King in Charlotte, NC. He kindly saved two tickets for Tammy and I to attend the Wachovia Championship at Quail Hollow Golf Club last Friday. It's not often you get to see an event that has 29 of the top 30 golfers in the world playing in the same field. We saw a lot of golf.

The weather was a little suspect. It was cool and rainy at times. Nothing a few beers couldn't do to make it bearable. Jimmy was right, he said I was going to love the golf course. It was long and narrow. The fairways and greens seemed to look white in stead of green. Indicating the firmness and speediness of them both. The rough was thick and green and the majority of the greens were elevated with the slopes shaved. The shaved slopes looked like the greens at Countryside. Any short shots came twenty five yards back in the fairway.

We stood left of the green at the 18th and watched several groups struggle to finish. Tiger, VJ, Ernie, Phil, Zack Johnson, John Daly, the list goes on. We also stood behind the green of the 8th. A short par four, some 340 yards. A few guys tried to drive the green. Most laid back to hit wedges into the very small green. We saw alot of good shots on that hole. Some almost holing out from the fairway. Half of the players had some trouble reading the green, which meant just a par on the easy birdie hole. Tiger and Phil included.

The afternoon round we followed Ted Purdy and Retief Goosen for their whole round. That was great for two reasons. One was to see an athlete at the top of his field maneuver around the golf course, play a multitude of different shots, and shoot an under par round. Purdy shot 69. The other reason is that Tammy's brother Mark use to live with Ted's wife when he first moved to Phoenix. She was there. Tammy recognized her and went to say hello. We walked and talked to her on several occasions during the round. I tried to plant the seed for a match with Ted,me, and my sister Monica. Monica also lives in Phoenix. Ted is on the road alot as you can imagine, but I bet when he hears about my offer it will be hard to concentrate on his other matches for a good while.

All and all we had a great time at the tournament. What a life it must be to play golf for a living and to be successful at it. I know it's still a job, but come on. Wouldn't you just love it! I would. I came back to play in Countryside two day event. I shot 70-77. Finished tied for second. Won $75.00. Watch out Tiger!

On the Road Again!

2007-05-02T10:04:00.000-05:00

Ok..... I'm back in training mode. Tim and I met for the first of many runs this morning at 5:45 AM. It's a little early for most people, but it's the best time to beat the summer heat. The roads are cool and so is the air for the most part. I think it's the only way to survive logging almost 700 miles this Summer preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon in October. I will once again be fundraising for TNT. Should be great Summer!

Round Two

2007-04-26T08:55:00.000-05:00

This past weekend's weather was a little better for rock hunting. I also had help. Tammy, Savannah, and myself drove to the South Prong area of Barbour's Creek in Craig County. The temperature was in the mid 70's. Forty degrees different from my previous journey to my favorite rock store.

It also didn't take as long to fill up with a driver to follow me along to way. We made a few stops to let Savannah run through the creek. She'll be laying in the one I am building. She already goes out and sits in the holes I have dug.

This load should do it. I am patiently awaiting the arrival of my pump and liner. I still have to run electrical and attach plumbing. The last step is cosmetic. I hope to have it completed by Memorial Day weekend. My sister Monica is flying me out to Phoenix for a golf weekend.

Rebuilding the deck is scheduled for June. Just in time for Summer cookouts!

Stoned!

2007-04-09T09:21:00.000-05:00

Saturday was not a typical day in April. It was cold and in New Castle, VA it was snowing for a good part of the morning. I used this non golfing day to go rock hunting in the Jefferson National Forest. I drove Tub Run Trail ( 15 mile fire road ) stopping ever so often to pick up rocks for my waterfall project. I only saw one other person. It was a park ranger! But I was in between stops and just started my covert project. It took about two hours to get what I could and what I thought my truck could handle. And after a couple of red eyes, letting Savannah run around the creeks, and attempting to throw my back out I came home and unloaded my bounty. To my surprise I will need more. I may not push my luck again. I might just break down and buy a half ton of rock at the other rock store. I believe that I saved about $250.00 with my trip to Craig County. Every little bit helps with a tight budget and still with the deck to do. I love it when a plan comes together.

The railing on the deck it going to be removed and replaced with steps. An Infinity Deck!

The Masters

2007-04-05T08:54:00.000-05:00

This is a great week! Masters week is upon us. Azaleas, green grass, white sand, and dark water. I have made one trip to the tournament in the mid 90's. I would love to make it back. I could always try to get tickets and I have a few people that have access every year. But the ultimate ticket is the dream of playing into the Masters.

The US Public Links Championship winner gets an invite. I have played in three qualifying events and I am playing yet again this year at Bryan Park, NC. It is a 36 hole event and if you are in the top four you get to go to the Championship. You then have to play 36 holes stroke play. If you make that cut you play matches. You need to win five 18 hole matches and a 36 hole final match to play in the Masters. That is the Dream! It's not every week you get to say that you are playing in a golf tournament that could qualify you to play in The Masters!

The qualifier is Jun 18th. I need a caddy! Any takers?

Spring Projects!

2007-04-03T16:41:00.000-05:00

I have started an outdoor project. This is bound to occupy many hours of my time and energy this spring. What you see is the beginning of a pond less waterfall and stream. There will be many updates and pictures to chart the progress. I cannot wait until it is finished. I did forget to take the before picture though. Lots of juniper was laying around dying and I had the stones around the trees formed into a retaining wall. I am also going to open my deck to stairs along the side facing the water feature, get rid of the hot tub to make room for lounging furniture, and light up the area with low voltage lights. Anyone know someone who needs a loan? I need to also pay for all of this. Wish me luck.

American Idiotic Voting!

2007-03-21T11:03:00.000-05:00

What the F*&%!!! Please stop voting for him America! He sucks and is very weird!

Ride Her 'til She Bucks Ya!

2007-03-12T20:12:00.000-05:00

The definition of this term has many meanings. I am about to explain the one my friend Wade Whitehead had this Sunday. As Wade (a.k.a the Gun Slinger) said many times that morning, "Who needs opponents with partners like you guys?"

The players were Rico(no picture file yet), newly renamed HDBP(because of his spiffy,crystal clear shades), Wade, and myself(Pruner). The stage was, as usual, Countryside Golf Course. The round started out like it normally does. Rico being late to the tee, HDBP telling us again how he would change the golf course, and everyone trying to get their bets in like stock brokers on the NYSE floor.

Suddenly this round of golf took a new direction. We started making birdies from everywhere. Wade had the most. He had six birdies and one eagle. As we came to the 18th hole HDBP, Rico, myself were all eight to nine over par respectively. But the Gun Slinger was three under after making a forty foot eagle putt on the 17th. Again with the 17th. Should this hole be a par four? Here is where the story takes a drastic change for the worse.

I was reminded of a playing ability test(P.A.T) I took in Williamsburg several years ago. I was playing with Bruce Carr(ex-manager/pro/grounds keeper/wildlife manager) of Ole Monterey GC. He looked over to this guy we were playing with and said "You know if you make a three on this hole you are going to pass!" Kiss Of Death! He made Four! Shock!

Well I told Wade "You know if you make a three on this hole you will shoot 29 on the back!" The Gun Slinger hit his drive near the green. Not unlike many of us that get the ball airborne for more than 250 yards. And let the record now tell the tale.

This was the approach shot he faced.

This was the first putt he faced.

This was the second putt he attempted. This is the third putt he struck.

And he then holed out a one footer for six.
Now this is the ball mark in question. Where the hell was Stevie!!!

Wade still won all the money. One of his partners made four. He shot one under for the round(70). Not a bad score by any means Tex. As he walked into the setting sun off the 18th green I could have sworn he said "Blog that Pilgrim." I watched his cart go out of sight in the dust from the hard pan, the blowing plastic trash bags, and mildew film on the windshield of cart number 17.

The Albatross!

2007-03-09T09:35:00.000-05:00

To make a double eagle on a par five is a feat that many golfers never achieve. This feat is twice as hard as a hole in one. You first have to hit a tee shot that gives you a chance to reach a par five green in two. Then you must strike your second shot in a manner that it goes into the hole. Thus scoring a TWO on a FIVE par. Sound easy?

Well I have witnessed three in my golfing career. One was Rob Little's 3wood from 240 yards out on old #14 at Roanoke Country Club. We were playing through a five some that was on the green at the time. What are those odds? The second was at Blue Hills Golf Club on #13. Rico Rourk (my golfing brother-in-law) hit a 5iron in from about 200 yards. Everyone on the course heard that one.

Now the third one was on #17 at Countryside Golf Course just this past Saturday.Oddly enough my brother-in-law hit this one too. Rico hit driver/7iron into the hole. We never saw it go into the cup. But as I walked to green, then up to the edge. I peeked in and there it was. Needless to say everyone heard that one too. Congratulations Rico! I'm glad we made the bets we did that day.

Wealth of Knowledge

2007-02-26T16:15:00.000-05:00

As Tim and I were driving to Blacksburg for a race this Saturday we had a conversation about BenGay. You know the magic cream you use for aches and pains. That discussion had me wondering, during the run mind you, where that name came from. I did some research and came across the only explanation that made any sense.

You see BenGay is named for the Trojan Hairdresser Benthropius Gaywadacus. He was the last person to see the great Greek warrior Achilles alive. It was said that Benthropius Gaywadacus used a salve that was made of cream, berries, and eucalyptus leaves. He had originally used this cream onthe feet of Trojan soldiers returning from battle to soothe their aching feet. He used this salve to try to treat Achilles' injury. An arrow in the back of the ankle. The only place his mother did not dip into the river Styx. The Band was later named after the river. Benthropius was not successful in saving his life , but it was said that it offered Achilles some much needed relief. And to honor him the famous cream was named Ben Gay. Now you may chose not to believe this story, but first you have to trust the source.

SCROLL DOWN

Now do you believe!!!!

Ice Ice Baby! Da-da, Da-da, Da-Da-Da-Da!

2007-02-14T14:25:00.000-05:00

Most of us awoke this morning expecting to see a lot of Ice. This storm lasted about as long and had just as much impact as the career of the gentleman pictured to the left. Now we are left with forty mph winds. My running will take place on the treadmill tonight. Followed by some core strengthening exercises. My new routine will take me through mid April. This is combat injuries, lose about 10lbs, and prepare to start training for the 2007 Marine Corp Marathon.

This will be my second marathon. It will my friend Tim's first. We will be training together as well as funding raising together. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will be the benefactor. We do have plans for a golf tournament(details to follow).

In case you we wondering this will the fifth week in a row that I have failed to earn any money in the Long Branch Golf Pool. Freddie decided not to play this week. He must be resting up for the Champion's Tour. I'm happy for him.

Anyway......today is Valentine's Day. And no better time to mention my wife in my new blog than today. In November 2005 I asked her to marry me. She said yes. DUH. So in the spirit of romance I would like to share the view we had that night. Happy Valentine's Day Tammy! I love You! I told you I would work you in somehow when you did not expect it.

View from the top of Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Oh Mexico.

2007-02-03T17:27:00.000-05:00

Today was a little cool. There was the temperature, 33 degrees. There was the wind, 30mph gusts. And there was the season, winter. I wish I was back in Mexico. Pictured here at Pamilla, in Cabo San Lucas. Standing on the par five tee over looking the Sea of Cortez it was quite warm. Unlike today when Rico and I walked nine holes at Countryside Golf Course. My friend Tim chose to run 10 miles today. I am taking a week or so off running longer distances. This is to combat shin splints.

I really do not know what makes us do these things on days like today. I wonder what conversations people are having in their cars as they pass us on I-81, or Tim on Jefferson Avenue. What else were we going to do? Watch TV? Do chores? Boring! We chose wind burn and possible pneumonia! I feel good about that decision being that I won our match 2up.

I still would have rather tee'd it up in Cabo, caught a $30.oo cab ride back to the resort, and laid at the pool drinking beer the rest of the day. Maybe next year!

Long Branch Golf Pool

2007-02-01T19:27:00.000-05:00

Okay......It seems that for some freaking reason I cannot pick a player that will either show up, or make the cut in a PGA event this year. I am currently in a golf pool in which I had to pick a player in thirty events on the PGA Tour Schedule this year. I could only pick them once, and I could not pick the winner of last year's event. Except for in the Majors. So I chose Carl Leonard in the Countryside Club Championship! (inside joke)

The results are based on the total amount of money the players win. I have zero $ this year so far after two events. My guy this week is four over. For those of you who do not know golf, this guy is not good! Did he stop and do an upside down keg hit at 16? I don't understand. I will have to get my sister Monica to put some heat on him. She will be at FBR Open in Scottsdale, Arizona tomorrow. I told her to look for the white guy wearing the baseball cap. That should narrow the field.

I don't want to mention any names, but if Scott Verplank can't break par tomorrow that means that I have to visit Arizona again, play the TPC, beat his score, then go to his blog, and tell him he sucks. Maybe Scott should untuck his shirt, swear a bit more, and try to make more birdies. I've played TPC courses before. How hard can they be?

Apologies to Bob Williams. He blindly trusted me to pick these guys. Just wait for our win streak! It's just around the dogleg!

It's about showing up!

2007-01-30T18:30:00.000-05:00

Woo Hoo!!! Here we go. A new year of training for a marathon, numerous golf championships, exciting challenges in a new career, and the beginning of my life as a married man. This should be fun. This blog is dedicated to the people out there who choose to towdaline (toe the line was not available). Life is about showing up, putting it on the line, falling down and getting back up, and savoring the sweet taste of success.

No limits. We are not going to be punching any clocks this year! Go hard or go home is a saying that comes to mind. I hope you will stay tuned for the show. It should be interesting.