Dennis B Murphy >>>>>>>>>>

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July 2006

7-31-06 WOW- quite a weekend. I completed the 12 Hours of Pando successfully (see www.funpromotions.com). My goal was to reach 20 laps, which I did do with 10 minutes to the end of the race. I came in fourth place of seven. (First and Second had 25 laps, third place had 24. Each lap was five miles. Thanks go to Robin for his expertise on bike maintenance and to the Trail's Edge for their cheering.

I felt pretty strong and rode quite steadily for the whole event. It was extremely hot and humid Saturday (over 90 degrees with heat index over 100). I was able to ride very steadily until 6pm, but at 6pm, I finally took a half hour break, changed jersey and socks, laid down for a bit sipping cold water and putting a wet cloth on my head. I started again at 630pm rode steady again. On lap 13 I suffered a thorn-created flat, changed the tube in the woods and rode into the support area. Here I fiddled with the brakes as my rotor was rubbing- and Robin was able to show me how to adjust the caliper mechanism (simple process in hindsight). There's not been a time yet that I haven't learned something about bike adjustments from him- Thanks Robin.

I think the key to my strong ride Saturday has to be the appropriate use of the Hammer products (www.e-caps.com). I had a 10oz glass of Hammer's Perpetuam, a cup of coffee, a glass of orange juice and a croissant at about 830am. Once at the race, I used nothing but the Hammer product system. I sipped Perpetuem all day for fuel, used Heed for hydration (along with a tablet or two of the Endurolyte tablets), and occaisional shots of Hammerjel.

There are alot of variables in a physical event such as the endurance race. Every product has their claims and it is really difficult to ascertain how effective these products are. But after reviewing and using the Hammer products, I think I validated their system- at least for me. In a nutshell, Hammer's system is one of two tactics- replace fluids and electrolytes while also keeping up an intake of fuel with a small amount of protein.

Fluids- the old mantra was to replace what you lose. Per Hammer- this is not possible. The body cannot take in the same amount of fluids that it loses in an event without flooding the stomach or the kidneys. What you need to do is take in what you can handle- balancing the fluid intake with electrolytes. Heed is the product for this element, supplemented by the Endurolyte tablets.

Fuel- since you are burning fuel, that needs to be replaced which is where the Perpetuem comes in, with its carbohydrate content. Fuel can be supplemented with Hammerjel for additional intake. Perpetuem also includes protein since, per Hammer, the body is also working to begin cellular repairs DURING long events and needs protein to do this.

So for sixteen hours (except for the croissant) I had NO solid food and relied on the Hammer products for the fuel and hydration. I think these products did the job for me.

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7-24- 2006: A couple of items for attention here.

Religion and Logic:
First- in a series of ongoing debates with a respected acquaintance, I realize that I the discussion between the theological oriented and I will never be one of the same language.

I reject supernaturalism- period. It is not a closed minded position. it is one of purely facts vs feelings. Supernaturalism is essentially that which can over-turn or operate against the laws of physics. Unless one can show proof of the existence of such a supernatural element- we must necessarily conclude and operate in daily life on the basis of the existing natural laws. since any deity is (by very definition of deities in any society) able to operate outside the bounds of the natural world and physics, then by the very logic of it- such deities do not exist. This does not make me a religious skeptic- it makes me an atheist by the very logic of the situation.

Political philosophy
Recently a "liberal" writer posited that conservatives can't govern because, since they don't trust government or even dislike government, they cannot use that which they despise.

I agree conservatives cannot govern- but for a different reason. First- there are very very few true conservatives in existence. The Republican Party has absconded the title conservative and it's a lie. One need only read a text by Russell Kirk or Barry Goldwater to see this clearly. Barry Goldwater was, in my opinion, the last closest politician to claim the label conservative and even he was not quite of the "Kirk" mold of pure conservatism. Goldwater, on the cusp of modern Republicanism, set the stage for Reagan and later GW Bush so that the Republicans can claim the conservative label all the while actually operating as big government politicos.

Why conservatives cannot govern? Because Conservativism is an ideal, a UTOPIA, no less than communism is a UTOPIA. One cannot bring utopia about legislatively, much less at all. Conservatism is predicated on a world view that cannot exist- EVER. Liberalism (actually I prefer progressive) is the real and true capable operator of government. Such Progressive operations were the hallmark of the Democrats under Roosevelt and the Republicans under Eisenhower or even GHWBush- the so-called "Rockafeller" Republicans. Both these Republicans and their Democratic counterparts understood that it was the duty of government to facilitate and intercede for society as necessary. The debate between these Republicans and Democrats was one of mild ideological differences- all geared toward a cooperative society in balance. The current Republican party is devoid of true ideas. Instead of constructive ideas and engagement in solutions, they are mired in soundbites and advertising bromides. Face it- no real idea of merit can be repetitively enunciated in three words and really truly be an idea.

Listen to the current pronouncements of Republicans and you hear:
-Culture of life
-cut taxes
-support the troops
-war on terror
-accountability

Nice catch phrases but totally without meaning on their own.. one must actually develop ideas and policy from these catch phrases, but it cannot be done because like many catchphrases, one must then actually deal with the real world and all the nuances and inconsistencies that abound.

Of course- Democrats have totally screwed themselves as well, with a nearly total inability to clearly enunciate their ideas. They have allowed these soundbites to doominate the discussion and unfortunately, people tend to flow, like water, to the lowest point.... in this case, the easiest thing to understand --> the soundbite.

What does the soundbites really mean in the REAL WORLD? let's examine:
-Culture of life
In opposition to abortion (though nobody is in "favor"of abortion), this cathphrase has skewed the debate on stem cell research, abortion, and sex education (abstinence). Guess what America! Europe- which has more liberal sex education and more liberal abortion laws- Europe has far lower teen pregnancy, rates of veneral disease, and lower rates of abortion!
The absolutist soundbite approach clearly does not work.

-cut taxes
John K Galbreath once noted that (and I paraphrase) what passes for sound money policy often benefit a weatlthy few. A nation's economic policies should NOT be driven by the "already have it" crowd. (and don't get me started on the stock market- freakin' gambling ring waggin' the dog)
-support the troops- what could be LESS of support than the current process which offers no goals and no end in sight.
-war on terror
it's not a war! War implies mobilization, sacrifice by the populace at whole for the war effort, even rationing. What did we get? Go shopping or the terrorists win? give me a break.

-accountability
Republicans have avoided accountability since 2001. The Delay scandals running K-street and Bush washing his hands of Iraq by already deciding the troops will be there until after he leaves office... no accountability.

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7-19- 2006: The joy of cars! June- $600 plus for clutchwork, July- $450 for power steering system repair, now- $300 for starter motor. Well the car IS a 1999 and has 105,000 miles on it. It stopped working yesterday after work and Joni picked me up from work Today, then, I rode my bike with the bob trailer to work and back...good 50+ round trip.

Summer is just speeding by. It's nearly the end of July now. WOW

7-9- 2006: Raced the Boyne Marathon. The promoter shortened the race from 42 miles to 33 for sport (actually all classes saw a reduction) but that was good... it was a grueling 33 miles! Not sure of my time but I think it took about 4 hours- I am a poor hill climber and this event had that in abundance. Next scheduled event is Ithaca 12 Hour race... it's a flat course, so I should do okay! hahahaha