22 and counting

I officially entered and paid for the Chicago Marathon today. I tried coming up with a training plan last night and earlier today. I used an article from "Runner's World", but it's for a half-marathon, is for eight weeks and is from 2002. Yesterday was my official start of training, as school is now completed.

As I was realizing the marathon is not for 22 more weeks, I immediately began looking for more races. 22 weeks straight of training would suck. So I also signed up for the 10K race during the MadCity Marathon. That's the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. THat's in less than two weeks. I tried finding more races in the area and I have a tentative schedule that has me racing every two to three weeks. The problem is that every race is 10k. There are ZERO half marathons between the MadCity and Chicago marathons. Not sure if I need the build up, but it wouldn't hurt.

tough as nails

I once got an "award" in track for subbing for a sick person in the 2-mile after running the low hurdles, which directly preceeds the 2-mile race. It also happened to be windy as hell and 34 degrees outside. The coach called it the "tough as nails" award(it literally was a long freaking nail stuck through a cut-off 2x4).

That agonizing two mile will feel spectacular compared to the coming events of now.

the marathon of finals begins tonight at 7:25PM.
The line-up:
Wednesday 7:25 PM Thermodynamics
Thursday 10:05 AM Fluids Dynamics
Thursday 2:25 PM Principles of Environmental Engineering
Friday 7:45 AM System Dynamics of Vehicles

That's three exams starting and finishing in 21 hours, and a fourth to finish it off in 38. The first exam Sunday didn't go so well. I'm better at the distance events anyways.

commencing at the conclusion of prueba numero cinco:
FBC->FAC->Essen Haus

An EP from Seattle might be getting upgraded somewhere in there too.

Revolutionary

Wednesday night at the terrace ended with a good discussion between Jasper, Andrew and I about sustainability and energy technology. A lot of information was brought on all sides and I felt we all learned some intriguing information we did not previously know.

It turns out a job I'm about to apply for requires me to write a one-page essay detailing a new/developing technology that will reduce global energy concerns. I'm really just posting these for my benefit, but I figured I'd spread the word, or at least spark an interest. The two technologies I am now researching are solar and hydrogen power.

Feasibility of Solar Electric Generation 1999
Different Solar Energy Systems
Pro-Solar Energy site
USDoE on non-battery solar energy generation
Wired's input on potentiality

I guess those are all on solar power and there are a couple more articles I found(pdf) that are on solar/hydrogen generation. I am noting that Jasper was correct in saying that hydrogen fuel currently is made with natural gas, which defeats the purpose of using a "clean" energy ALTERNATIVE. Anyways, the report should be finished by midnight and I'll make sure to post it.

Earlier in the day, I also turned in a group paper on the benefits and difficulties of active suspension systems. I wish more of my classes were like this.