Just a bit ago I was at Albertson's filling my drinking water jugs.  The dispenser is about 30 feet from the entrance to the store. I was just zoning out placing money into the machine when I heard running, and someone yelling. I looked up to see this guy running with two cubes of beer.

That half a second it took me to realize what just happened slipped so I could not trip him up. I looked over the corner of the store to see where he was running to, which was down the alley.

The store person threw up his hands and shook his head. I said sorry I missed him, he was like no worries. Then I looked down to see a cell phone on the side walk.  Grin :)  When I gave the cell phone to the store guy he was like SWEET! We both just enjoyed a good laugh, as he walked to the main office.

I think this beer will be a bit expensive for some young man who was figuring on a nice party tonight.  If he was hoping to get laid, I bet he still can. Muhahahahahaha!!

My running is progressing nicely.  I reached my  goal of 10 miles yesterday.  Yaaay.  That goal along with my goal of 30 miles a week. Ultimatly my goal is 45 miles a week, and a 15 mile weekly long run.

I stated a bit slow with achilles tendinitis from my first three weeks.  Blowing the achilles can end any running hope i have, plus being miserable.  So over December and January I used the bike and ran minimally. I finally got my legs flexible and strong enough to handle the extra mileage.

From all the research I can find it seems with running there are a few magic numbers, or milestones. First is 15 miles a week. This will keep you in a health fitness standard, and add about two years to your life, manage weight. The next milestone is 30-35 miles. This level will reverse damage done to your arteries, and your blood lipid profile will be excellent. The final milestone is 45 miles. This qualifies you to physically run a marathon. Runners who ran under 40 miles per week have Troponin in their blood after a marathon, and sigh of oxygen deprived heart muscle. When doctors think you are having a heart attack they look for Troponin in your blood.  This can explain why some athletes suddenly keel over during a marathon.

Barring any long term illness or injury I should be marathon qualified by this time next year. It will be this fall before my long run hits 15 miles. It will probably be another year before I regain elite status and can consider Boston marathon, or Bah-stan, I probably should not go back east if I am going to make fun of accents.  No I am not going to run many marathons, I will mostly be in the 5K-10K range.  Boston is just a life dream for most runners.

This fall I will incorporate more plyometrics and resistance training. Running is all about power to weight ratio, ballistic training brings that.  I am a good 15 pounds lighter than I was in January.  I hope I can complete a marathon when I am 80 :).

Ok this might qualify as a political post, but the whole issue should be a concern to everyone no matter what your issues are.  A violation of rights should be a big red flag for anyone and everyone.

Not many of you might be familiar with Liberty Dollars. They are a private coins and certificates that are backed by precious metals.  They also have E note similar to E-Gold they can be used like PayPal to other members and swap notes. Some merchants will accept them as “money” and you can shop using the Liberty Dollars.  http://www.libertydollar.org

They never claim to be “legal tender,” legal tender is money that represents the U.S. government and the public debt.  Before Thanksgiving the FBI and Secret Service raided the headquarters of Liberty Dollars, and confiscated all the records, customer lists, and worse yet, the government agents took all the gold and other precious metals in their vault. The government claims they were “issuing money” and only legal tender approved by the government can be used for exchange and thus violating the law.  Taking the assets has basically broken the business, they are begging for donations to fight the government for the return of the assets. Everyone who has note in Liberty Dollars lost the value, and now have a pretty piece of paper.

Ok so next question, is Disney going to be raided next because of Disney Dollars are used at Disney parks for ride, food, and gifts? What about hotels and casinos?  Then what about gift cards and preloaded ATM cards?  For that fact what about hand written store credits we are given at times? Finally what about chocolate coins? Playing a game of monopoly? Are kids playing store with play money going to get busted?

I know I am getting carried away with the ridiculousness, but am I? Why would the government be so worried about private exchange?  People barter all the time.  The term dollar is not patented.  The web site does promote it as ‘alternative currency” and explains how Fed Reserve Dollars are fiat money and technically worthless.  Is that the issue that Liberty Dollars were at 20 million, and growing?

This is going to be an interesting court battle. The Constitution does give money authority to the congress, but the Constitution also says money should be backed in gold or precious metals.  The Constitution says nothing of private money, and early America used a lot of private money. Mines used company script, the military used script, so what is the issue?

I find this a horrible violation of rights by the government. The government had a right to audit the books to ensure no fraud was being committed, but to simply confiscate, no way!  What is you wanted me to hold your TV for you while you were away? The receipt I give you is simply proof I am holding it, and when you want it back, present the receipt, and walk out with your property.  Banks are supposed to operate the same way.  But money is public property and drawing a mustache and fangs on George Washington is a federal crime. Drawing all over your private bank note is silly, but not illegal because it represents YOUR PROPERTY.

Side note, I noticed the US Mint has changed the term First Lady to First Spouse. Is this a hint of things yet to come?  Is “you know who” destined to return to the White House?  If it happens is it a hint that the whole election process a sham?

OK enough conspiracy theory.