I'm Not Dead Yet, So Please Hold the Funeral Music

Don't listen to Chopin Piano Sonata #2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 35, B 128, Funeral March while making running playlist. It is, as one might expect of the appropriately titled "Funeral March," not uplifting.

I was sorting through my iTunes music to pick something for today, and apparently clicked on the Chopin piece while looking for my warmdown music (see the picture, at the end). Nice music, but I need something perkier! I'm not dead yet.

What's not on here? Taylor Swift's Speak Now.

Calming Before the Storm - 4.0 Miles

4.00 miles (34:16 - 8:34/mile)
0.50 miles (7:30 - 15:00/mile)

total: 4.50 miles
course: home treadmill

The view pictured is just before the three mile marker in the October 10, 2010 Chicago Marathon. The runners are probably at 2.5 miles, and we are about to see the wheelchair races. This is the calm before the storm.

Over 38,000 runners started the race, and 36,000 finished. In all, 94.5% finished what they started, though some 7,000 never even started.

I'm impressed. Naturally, the real story is about all the runners and those like us watching.

But enough of that. I'll get into the race details more this week.

For now, for tonight, I ran 4.0 miles with blisters on each heel. Not from running, but from watching the marathon. Sounds crazy, but it is true. New shoes, new socks, neither broken in, were apparently not just so. It has made for a wobbly run.

My pace feels good. Time to add miles. I'll hold the speed; I'm not ready for more of that yet. Might even slow it back up to accommodate the mileage. 

So far, with a long walk in Chicago on Saturday, with a good run in the evening, and again, a lot of walking on 10-10-10 (no running), I've compiled 27.25 miles for six days, and, thusly, killed off a helping or two BBQ ribs. That's not even a pound's worth of calories, but it is all piled on.

PADS RUN 2010 Pictures - 5K, 10K

I had a chance to snap a few pictures of the Wheaton, IL PADS 5K, 10K and walk. If any of these are you, and you would like the original, contact me. Likewise, if you are feeling bashful, drop me a line and I'll remove it. And, if you are here, and love it, please tell me so I can label the pictures.

A photographer for PADS was there with two very impressive cameras and 100x the skill, so check them out to see if they post theirs on the site. If you have some extra money, or are willing to skip a meal or two this week, you'll find a way to donate here.

Later this week, I'll report on my experience at the race, hopefully with an interview with a very cool high school coach who gets what really matters. Look here for the story next Friday.

Click pictures to see them bigger.

Read my weekly column

The Red Bandana
Finding Fitness Through the Joy of Running
http://anthonytrendl.com/The_Red_Bandana.html

Fridays online in the Chicago Tribune's TribLocal, and in print occasional Thursdays
http://triblocal.com/browse.html?user_id=16221

Van Halen to Gregorian - 5.1 Miles

5.10 miles run

0.90 miles hard walk

total: 6.00 miles

course: Cardinal Fitness

I didn't listen to Jimi today. I might have. I love Jimi. He just didn't happen to be in my playlist. In my tunes today were Van Halen, Queen, the Who and the usual classic rock mix. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly could have been, newly loaded, but just didn't come around. 17:02 of pure testosterone.

My warmdown music? Gregorian chants. I'm not kidding. More on this later, but it helps.

My run was better than yesterday. I almost took a nap, but got things together just in time. My thighs ached, but that's OK. A good meal, night's rest and lots of water will help that out. Or two days of rest? We'll see.

My pace started at 9:31, and moved eventually to the low 9s. My mojo isn't back, but it is nice to string two days in a row. I missed the Sunday afternoon nap, but in a few months, I will be happy I ran. I'm happy now.

Picture: That's me just as I began my warmdown.

Four Tired Miles and a Fire in the Glen

4.0 miles run
0.50 walk warm down

total: 4.50 miles
course: Cardinal Fitness

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day, I listened to Irish tunes, from the Raggle Taggle Gypsy by Nickel Creek and the Chieftains to Celtic Christmas Carols.

I'm exhausted. Just to plop out four miles at 9:40/mile yanked every bit of sap from this feeble oak. I'm hoping to get beyond this stage, get my sleep together and find again my groove.

Fellow Amazon reviewer Tom Knapp is in a little Irish duet worth a listen. This has nothing to do with running, but he's having fun. Fine music. If you find yourself in Lancaster, PA, check them out. Or, see their website.

Fire in the Glen

Moving Forward - 3.25 Miles

3.25 miles run
1.25 miles hard walk (as fast as 12:46/mile)

total: 4.50 miles

Looking good? Not me. There's work to be done to improve that mug. And I don't just mean plastic surgery. Miles, miles, miles! That's me after a mere 3.25 very slow miles. Winter demons need exorcism.

I felt OK going into the gym. Legs vaguely achy, but nothing to be concerned about.

Happily, the Stinking Perfumed woman of Cardinal was not there, nor was the crabby Cardinal employee. 

Side effects from a prescription once again gave me a terrible night's rest, and I finally got up at 5-something am. After my run, however, I slept 1.5 hours. I'm still groggy. 

Snow, Snow Everywhere in 4.55 Miles

4.55 miles

1.01 miles

total: 4.56 miles

course: Cardinal Fitness Glen Ellyn

On the left is one reason I go to a gym. This was the best all weekend as snow kept falling. How much now? Several inches? Six? I don't know. I do know that our homeowners association has not plowed our drive as per my understanding of the contract. One of us is wrong, and it might be me. Either way, snow is everywhere, but not on my treadmill.

Ran just a little longer than usual. Tomorrow is a day off. Yesterday, I foolishly (as I am apt to do), I upped the speed to 6:00/mile for the last quarter, and am sore to prove it.

Again, a few weights. Still too early to call it a habit, but so far, so good.

Christmas Fat Is Exiting the Building: 3.1 Easy Miles

3.1 miles
0.50 miles

total: 3.60 miles

course: Cardinal Fitness Glen Ellyn

A short, post-Christmas workout. I want to add another day to my routine without adding too many miles. Ideally, I'll run tomorrow morning before church, maybe 3-5-4.5 miles, with a few weights.

Today I did just three machines, but have started again doing sit-ups and push-ups at home.

I took a 'before' picture. The plan is to take a shirtless shot weekly. If there's no progress, I won't post them. No one wants to see flabby me. What I hope, of course, is to show a guy can lose 10-15 lbs and increase upper body strength. I don't know what to expect since weights are new to me, but, at least, fat will disappear of I stick with it. If I can figure it out, I'll put them into a video. My cousin's kid took a year of pictures his first year in college and it turned out pretty cool. Something like that.

Why? It will help keep me accountable to myself. By taking the picture, there will be an honest record of what I am, or am not, doing.

Photos
Top: Treadmill #6 just before I ran.
Bottom: Me, two miles into it. Take note of the red, puffy face. I hope to show off a leaner, fitter look come March.

Snowbound? Snow Way! Bounding Inside, Sans Snow - 4.01 Miles

4.01 miles run

1.00 miles walk warmdown

total: 5.01 miles

course: Cardinal Fitness Glen Ellyn

I wanted to do between 4-5 miles. Legalistically, I made. More importantly, I felt OK. Did some weights too. I've never grabbed on to weights, but sorely need more strength.

In the photo, you don't see the snow. There was plenty of it. Running buddy Amanda M. chastised me to run instead outside. It is relatively warm, and a legitimate question.

Accountability. That's why. While I know treadmill running is not a 1:1 ratio to outside running, I can see my time and pace to the second and 1/100 at any moment. I can fool myself on the trail, or just get so discouraged. On a treadmill, I can remind myself how far is left. I need this while building miles. I prefer to enjoy what running buddy Liz Flowers calls "a beautiful zen run" in the quiet of a snowy trail.

Hopefully I get back there Monday. The rest of today is meant to clean, and to host a small dinner party (eight people in all).

Best Run of the Year (so far) - 5.5 Miles

5.5 miles (47:06 - 8:34/mile)
.5 miles walk

total: 6.0

62°F °C
Current: Clear
Wind: E at 0 mph
Humidity: 82%
course: Springbrook Prairie

finish
70°F °C
Current: Clear
Wind: S at 0 mph
Humidity: 54%

Nice run, among my most relaxed in months. My stride was easy and long, my pace steady. The first mile was in 8:41, and picked up from there.

It is especially nice as I had a week off. First, I ran too hard at the Spivey Club workout, and paid for it the next 2-3 days. My fault. Next, a friend, a beginning runner, passed away and hit me off kilter. Allergies and life otherwise took hold. Next thing I knew, zero miles for over a week. I hoped to struggle through 9:15s today. 8:33.8 is an accomplishment, and I never pressed.

Felt bad for a bigger guy, high school football player sized. I passed him, easing on by at the two mile marker on down a hill. My stride is longer than others my height, and going downhill, this helps. I think he took it as a challenge, and chugged past me as we went up a hill. Down the next hill, I slipped by. I tried to hold my pace, and he wore himself out I think. I thought I heard him trying to give it a go as we went up a longer hill, but his 'get up and go got up and went'. By the time I was stuck at the 4.0 mile stop light, he was nowhere to be found.

The picture I took at around the 5.25 mile mark, after I ran. Slight uphill, not as steep as it might look. Got down low, and then put a hue onto the shot to give it a sepia-like look. Bad cell phone picture meets Photoshop.

Smokey Gets in My Eyes as I Run Three

3.0 miles (29:00.60 - 9:40/mile)
1.0 mile hard walk warm down

total: 4.0 miles

77°F
Current: Cloudy
Wind: N at 0 mph
Humidity: 49%
course: Glenbard South track (see photo)

Mile one, about 10:00
Mile two = 9:27
Mile three = 9:33

COD's track is being rebuilt. Not sure when it will be done. This meant tonight's gallop would be at a new place, the nearby Glenbard South track.

I'll be sore tomorrow, and do not plan to run until at least Monday. Tonight was a good sweat, the second in a week.

Meanwhile, tonight, Smokey sings just down the road.

PADS 5K and 10K - Brief Recap with Pictures

Mike Demerrit brought out a good representation of the Jim Spivey Running Club. Frank, Lee, Rudi, Rich, Paul, Margaret, Steve, and Kevin were all there, as was I, to help raise funds for PADS.

Kevin and Frank smiling just before we got into action.

Had a fun post-race conversation with Mike's wife Valerie, who says she actually reads my blog.

I spent my time at a corner with Steve Hess and Nick, a policeman, who did the official traffic directly. I did little more than clap and cheer, but I was enthusiastic.

No real hitches outside of an overly grumpy business owner, convinced he was losing customers, and a few drives unhappy they had to go another way. Wheaton's downtown traffic is complicated, so I felt their frustration, but little could be done about it.

I missed pictures of some colorful dressers, a few race walkers and the overall race scene.

Mike directs us to what we'll be doing and where.

Entirely unrelated are two new YouTube videos I have posted:

Laptop Blogging Blues - A poem I perform with images of my garage about the struggles of blogging with borrowed WiFi.

You Gotta Shake What Your Momma Gave You - Just a silly video of a baboon dancing at Brookfield Zoo lazy weekend.

College of DuPage Track - Glen Ellyn, IL

College of DuPage Track - Glen Ellyn, IL

This is a broken down, worn out track. Ripples on the surface are on the back stretch, and at the start of the 100 meters. I took these around 1 pm, August 20, 2008, while walking with my friend, David Dane. I have run here often.

Missed the Mark: 23:06.26

Viking Sunset Race Results

1 mile warm up
4x100 striders
3.1 mile race - 23:06 (official)
400 meters warm down

total: 4.6 miles

At 5:25 pm
88°F
Current:Cloudy
Wind: NW at 15 mph
Humidity: 51%

predicted
7pm Sunny
84°F
52%
From WNW 12 mph

weight 131.

7:10
7:20
7:49 (final 1.1 miles)
23:06.26 (7:27.1)
finish: 179th
gender: 137
age group: 20

That's all. Not good. I stuck as well as I could to plan, and choked.

My kick was strong, though not long. I planned to suck it up for the last 800 m, gradually working it up, but the tank was dry. I did have something the last 200 m, especially the last 75 m, and caught several people.

Good? No. Why not? Passing people is good. Right. Being passed by a guy the last 5 m is bad. I passed everyone in front of me that I could, but a guy shot up to me, then snuck by with a few steps to go. I relaxed just before the chute instead of finishing the race. When I realized he was there, it was too late. He had momentum and I couldn't get my leg turnover up. This boils me. I should have beaten him.

picture: Me on the way to the Viking Sunset 5K, trying to look tough

see last year's race report: 5K PR - 23:13 - Viking Run

Cosley - Cream of Wheaton, Run for the Animals 5K: 96% Humidity, Good Race

In the first picture, you can see me on the far left. I am about to pass the guy in the white T-shirt and sunglasses (Sam Bridle, 411, though you can't see his number here). Close, on the right, I will eventually pass 1545. Tom Lanagan, 904, finished strong with a 22:06.1. I think that's John Wascow, the guy without a shirt, 2178, finishing in 22:16.9. I'm not sure about the others. The second is close to the finish. Click to see these bigger.

1 mile warm-up
3.1 mile race - 22:42.6 (7:19/mile)

total: 4.1 miles

At 6:37 am (race starts at 7:30)
72°F
Cloudy
Wind: SE at 3 mph
Humidity: 96%
course: Cosley - Cream of Wheaton, Run for the Animals 5K (results)

At 9:16 am
75°F
Cloudy
Wind: SW at 4 mph
Humidity: 89%

7:15s. I wanted 3.1x7:15 miles. Close. Not quite. I had 7:19s.

1 - 6:55
2 - 7:35
3 - 7:21 (last 1.1 was this pace)

First mile was around 6:55, so says Dave Christiansen who ran the 10K, but started with me. Too fast. Felt OK, but still, a slower start probably would have been better.

Second mile slowed considerably. This was partly decisive -- trying to adjust, partly tired, and partly hills. Third mile was about trying to finish well.

Although it was humid, I felt pretty good. Never fell out of it, but there is a point during the 2.25-2.75 mile ballpark I need to focus less on running and more on racing.

Jody ran a tough 10K, doing some age group damage. Steve Hess finished in a solid ninth in the 10K. Dave struggled, paying for the first mile more than I did. Bob Vishanoff took down four or so runners in the last 300 meters with a strong finish. Jeff Couch ran 21:00, staring down his sub-20:00 destiny. Paul Cook, though, blew out his age group with a 18:43.7.

Frank, Paul, Matt and a few others of the JSRC also ran in the 5 or 10K.

Two thumbs up for the organizers. Great start, well-structured, incredible volunteers, mile splits easily visible, plenty of water, bagels, bananas and juice afterwards.

Gotta feel good about this overall. I dropped 1:11 from my May 17 race, and ran my third quickest race since beginning last year. My recovery is good -- I feel great a couple of hours later.

Missing: better warm-up, striders, day before run (I gave into high heat, and took a two-hour nap instead), strong second mile.
Good: ran hard despite humidity, better warm-up than last race, 2:30 faster than this time last year.

Next race? PR.

Currently slated is a 4-miler. My goal, today, is 28:00. The course is hillier than Cosley. To run that will mean I run a 21:42 5K along the way. Things are making this look possible. I have four weeks of training until then, meaning my distance base should be better, plus another month of Jim's workouts.

This One's For Jack - No PR, But a Decent Race

This One's For Jack 5K road race - 22:39 (see official results)
.25 wu
4x75 striders
3.1 miles
.5 wd

total: 4.0375 miles

54°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind: E at 6 mph
Humidity: 80%
course: This One's For Jack road race - streets of Glen Ellyn, IL

Mile 1 - 6:53 or 7:01
Mile 2 - 14:27 (7:34 or 7:21)
Mile 3 - unknown
Mile 3.1 Finish - 22:39.3 (official) - last 1.1 miles in 7:27 pace

Some disparity between the official clock and my friend Jeff Couch's watch. He says the official mile one clock was eight seconds fast. My finish time is off, as I missed turning off my watch as I entered the chute. I'll adjust this post when the results are in.

What plagued Chicago Marathon runners did not concern us. While they had high heat, and little water, we had a perfect temperature and rain. The rain, for me, only mattered in traction. The road was slippery, and, at one point, I almost wiped out. Who knows how the Glenbard West High school runners behind me must have laughed at my near splattering mid-road.

I started as intended, right on pace. I tried to hold, but the hills did me in. Near the end, I kicked pretty well, but too little, too late.

My goal was 22:00. I was 39 seconds off, but, still, feel I did well given the hills, and given the unusual speed of the Park Ridge Charity run, where PRs are expected. So much better than my first showing in Glen Ellyn, for the Fourth of July Freedom Four four-mile race (plopped out an 8:14 pace -- look out next year!), when the hills kicked me square on the keister.

---------------------------

10th in my age group (40-44), 41st overall (819 finishers)

10 Anthony Trendl Glen Ellyn IL 41 41 22:39.3 7:18/M

---------------------------

Not only did Jeff Couch run (finished in 20:49.0 - setting himself up nicely for a sub-20:00 PR next week), but Margaret was there, sitting in her warm, cozy, dry van, cheering us on. Mike DeMerritt volunteered for the Glen Ellyn Runners Club, passing out flyers at the finish chute. Nice to see them all.

Took in a free massage afterwards. My back and I have not gotten along well the last few years, so the opportunity was good.

To the race organizers: well done. So much better than the September 30 Morton Arboretum 5K disaster. Plenty of amenities, from enough port-a-johns to food, to water. Volunteers were everywhere, doing a great job doing everything from cheering us on, to getting our bags checked, to efficiently processing registration. When I got there, the parking guys were polite, and when I left, people said thanks for coming.

Next off, hopefully, is a 5K in Oak Park, named after Frank Lloyd Wright. Unsure what my goal will be, but a PR is the idea.

See: My earlier thoughts on This One's for Jack.

Outdoors PR - 5K - Less Than Fantastic Race - St. Pet's 5K

St. Petronille 5K - Glen Ellyn, IL
22:31 - 7:16 mile (unofficial)
official:
61st place
9th age group (M 40-44)
22:32.8 (7:16/M)

.3 wu
3.1 miles

total: 3.4 miles

63°F
Clear
Wind: N at 0 mph
Humidity: 81%

finish
73°F
Clear
Wind: SW at 5 mph
Humidity: 68%

1. 6:48 (6:48)
2. 14:09 (7:21)
3. 22:31.98 (7:37 x 1.1 miles)

As you can see from above, I started fast, finished slow. This was partly because of pre-race jitters, poor sleep and not feeling well the last two days, and a long hill just after mile 2. I also didn't fight like I should have to maintain pace. The biggest matter I could have controlled, I didn't. My plan was a 6:55-7:00 mile 1, but started faster, and paid dearly.

Still, the victory is that I knocked off about 45 seconds from my July 25 Viking Run 5K time, making it an official PR. Any PR is a good race.

The treadmill times are not 'fake', but do not achieve true outside conditions. I have a better race in me, so I am encouraged even by my weak finish.

Margaret ran well, winning her age group, despite starting fast well well. My friend Brad U. stepped in for a very impressive first race out of nowhere, in 29:41.9, after being cajoled into it yesterday. Better things to come from Brad, who showed a strong finish, and the will to power through the last 100 meters. If he sticks with it, gets in enough miles, he is bound to drop a few minutes quickly.

I don't feel great now, and will lay down.

Post-script: I added a fresh picture, after a short nap and long shower. A race picture isn't available. That's a long-sleeved t-shirt which came in the goodie bag.

Otherwise, the bag was filled with candy (cough drops?), race announcements, and a magnet that did not look very appealing.

The race itself was well-organized, despite being handled entirely by a neighborhood church. That's no crime to be a church organizing a race, of course, but I was concerned that a church might not realize the needs of a runner. Hats off to St. Pet's, which covered it all.

Volunteers were in full-force. I spoke with one guy who was cheering on runners near the final turn, "My job is easier than yours," he said with a smile. I disagreed, as "my job" was over in 25 minutes, while he had an hour of clapping out there.

The course utilized the Illinois Prairie Path, a local park, and the streets. The only downside was two quick left turns in the beginning, creating a bottleneck issue. No great matter, but it slowed down the middle-of-the-pack runners.

Water was offered at key points. For many 5K runners, the ones finishing under 30 minutes, this is less important, but to the ones out there longer, as the sun beats down amidst strenuous effort, it makes a difference. One stop, at least, was manned by the diligent and kind runners of the Glen Ellyn Runner's Club.

The finish was a funnel, which was a little disappointing. I had a good sprint going, but deferred to safety rather than running down the fellow I was about to pass.

5K PR - 23:13 - Viking Run

23:13 (7:29/mile)

800 wu
Mile 1 -- 7:12
Mile 2 -- 7:38
Mile 3.1 -- 8:23 (7:37/mile)

total: 3.6 miles
click pics to see larger versions

Viking Sunset 5k
Decent race. I started more or less as intended - closer to the front, more aggressive pace. I would have preferred starting right on 7:25, but it was not to be. I am pleased I did not crash, but kept my pace steady after the first mile. In retrospect, I think I could have pushed harder during mile 2, and maybe could have realized my 23:00 goal.

Finish was on the track. I finished hard, but decided the summer is long. There was nothing to gain by dropping :05 from my time by sprinting, and a long week of aching. In full view, this was a strong workout, not an assault on time. Racing will come later.

My form was occasionally shaky, but I kept trying to reform, relax, and lift up my head. Recovery has been good too. Tomorrow is the Jim Spivey Running Club workout, and that will prove whether I have recovered or not.

A few steps later, I swoosh by my competition faster than the camera could capture. Notice the blur.

Bob V. was there, but missed his mark. He finished in 19:20. He started far too aggressively and gassed out. Bob's friend Mark M. finished with a 26:08 in only his second race.

My friends Craig and Kati (she took the third picture) were there, standing with my wife, cheering me on!

Congrats to Tim Henry of Wheaton. He won in 15:57.

Pizza, cookies, pop afterwards. Water and pop were warm. I'm a Rosati's Pizza guy, not Papa John's, so I was disappointed. Rosati's is closer to real Chicago thin crust. Papa John's is cheap college pizza, like Domino's.

I'm satisfied that I ran hard and well, and look forward to the next race.

The official stats (my watch started when I passed the starting line)

• Finish 23:21.9


• Place overall 222


• Place gender 174


• Place age group 21


• Pace - mile 7:32.2

Four Miles - 32:57.86 - Freedom Four Miler Fizzles

800 wu
4 Miles - 32:57.86 (my watch, not official)
400 wd

total: 4.75

start
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind: SW at 6 mph
Humidity: 100%
course: Freedom Four, Glen Ellyn

finish
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind: W at 9 mph
Humidity: 84%

RESULTS

I'm in yellow. That's my snazzy new JSRC singlet. It will fit better as I slim down.

I sucked wind. Slowly starting, never getting into a cadence that felt right, it turned out to be a non-race. There's nothing speed-wise I can take as a moral victory, but I can just add it as a good run. Not a race. Just a strong workout. Next time.

The race itself was not as well organized as the Cosley Race, with poor starting, no timing chips, too many tables to register. Food and water was hard to find. As these things go, there is room for improvement.

Dick Pond Shoes had the shoe van there, and people with race flyers were all over. The community showed up, either running or cheering us on.

The guy in the Superman suit (I"m not kidding) was there. He's a Glen Ellyn icon. I have never met him, but, like anyone who has lived here awhile, know of his legend.

We met our friends Kim and Brandt, who both ran. Brandt finished just in front me, though I never saw him. A good turnout from the JSRC was there, with Rudi, Steve, Mike, Rich, Margaret and Lynda all there. Lynda didn't run, but was there to show moral support.

• Mile 1 - 8:11
  I started far back. Although it 'only' took 12 seconds to cross the starting line, the crowd before me shuffled. I never hit my stride.


• Mile 2 - 16:26 (8:15)
  More crowds, though dispersed some. By this time, I realized I would not hit my goal.


• Mile 3 - 24:50 (8:24)
  Hills were strong, and the heat started getting to me. Resigned to making it a good run, I settled into whatever pace I had.


• Mile 4 - 32:57 (8:07)
  I picked it up a little, but never really pushed. A little kick at the end, but nothing serious, as the finishing shoot was confusing.

Mile 1 - 7:27; Mile 2 - 7:38 - Fat Tony Revealed

Mile 1 - 7:27 (400)
Mile 2 - 7:38 (400)
800 - 1:58 (400)

Total: 3.25 miles

81°F
Clear
Wind: S at 9 mph
Humidity: 49%
course: COD track

I intended to do 1 mile x 4 @ 7:50. I started too fast, and didn't slow when I realized it. The second mile was the same. The final 800 was meant to be a mile, but, by then, I ran out of gas. Humidity hardly helped.

The upside is I did do two miles under 7:45. If I start my pace as intended Saturday, I should be OK.

Picture above, a little blurry, is Fat Tony. I look awful, don't I? Why post such an unflattering photo? Hopefully because in two months, Fat Tony will be replaced by not-so-Fat Tony.