Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Weekly Wednesday Update # ummm lets go 28?

Goal Update
After reaching my 1000 mile goal last week, I honestly didn’t know when I would accomplish my next goal for 2017. I was doubtfully optimistic that I would set a PR at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, but sometimes you just have to ignore the doubt and control your own fate. Remember, no one owns you anything. I am still trying to wake up from the dream that was Sunday, October 9th, 2017 and all I can say is this is going to be one hell of a month!

Now that it has been 3 days since I last ran (who cares if it was a sub 3 hour marathon), I feel back to near full strength and will hop on my bikes tomorrow to begin logging miles. Some light jogging is scheduled in the near future, with a well deserved massage before that happens.

Weekly update
Miles Run: 32.55 [1036.5] -- CHALLENGE ACCOMPLISHED
Tacos Ate: 21 [828]
Miles Biked: 0 [1156.0]

By my watch, only mile 24 was >7min/mile. Yes, I am upset about it. No I do not want to taco bout it

Things I worked on - Chicago Marathon Recap

A brief peek into my head during the run...
I'm in back, don't worry I am chasing them and passed them
"You're going too fast Zach. Slow down... Well shit, this doesn't feel tough, just go another mile. What's the worst that could happen? There are so many people, if you pass out, you'll wake up in the hospital with parts of a great story!"
But seriously, what a fantastic race! Where else can you get such an amazing crowd that are cheering on runners for over 25 miles?!?!? Never in my life have I felt so accepted, appreciated, congratulated and even praised for anything. Chicago; you are the BEST!
Some other highlights of the run:
At mile 7, I spilled water on myself and my music player died.
At mile 8, the music returned.
At mile 9, I saw my best friends cheering me on and gave them sweaty high 5s.
At mile 13, I was still slightly ahead of pace.
At mile 14, my music player ran out of battery.
At mile 16, I started to feel at hot spot on my foot
At mile 20, I felt that blister on the ball of my foot every time my right foot hit the ground.
At mile 23, I nearly tackled a family that decided it was okay to cross the street in front of me.
At mile 24, my legs started to feel heavy and I had my first and only >7/mile minute split.
At 800m out, everything started to go numb.
At 300m out, there was a 'hill' which was just rude.
At mile 26.18, I think my eyes were trying to water, but I was so dehydrated they couldn't.
At mile 26.2 I crossed the finish line and accomplished not only my 'drop dead' goal (BQ), but my 'you're dreaming' goal (sub 3).
At mile 26.5, they gave me a $180 beer.
At mile 26.8, they told me I could not leave the athlete area with any beer.
At mile 26.78 a girl who finished in 303 and I chatted for a few minutes trying to appreciate the beer without throwing up.
At mile 26.9, there was a curb.
At mile 27, I found my parents and friends.
At mile 27.1, the post party began!
If I was given the opportunity to summarize the past year in 5 words or less it would be: anything is possible! Also, I should probably start calling myself a marathoner now!
The Three Best Friends that Anyone Could Have

Favorite Quote(s) of the Week

“Unless you have the mindset, skillset does not matter.” - Tim Grover
“If you’re not all in, you’re all out.” - Chris Lee

Random of the Week

Two successful launches and landings this week! Pretty sure I have touched things that have now gone to space. :) Check them out on the SpaceX YouTube Channel!

Time to write post: 12 minutes

Monday, October 2, 2017

Weekly Wednesday Update on a Monday...

Goal Update
Since I decided to uproot my life and move to LA to work at SpaceX, my attention and dedication to this blog has deteriorated. Not an excuse, just stating the facts. Sorry to those of you that looked forward to reading my weekly blog, I just do not have the bandwidth to continue at the cadence that I held while living in Michigan. Don’t worry, I am still learning a ton; really - I learned basic rocket science in a week, now understand the rocket engine cycle and controls, and have touched parts that have gone to space!

You can thank my father for this random ass update - every time we talk he asks when I will be writing another blog post because there is a small quorum who take time out of their busy days to glance through my ramblings. For that, I sincerely thank you; and thank you dad for making me do this.

The main reason for the random Monday update is that this morning, I ran my 1000th mile of the year! Now the only problem is, what do I do for the next 3 months??? Yes, I do have some tacos to eat and miles to bike. Don’t worry, I am working on those as well - check out the numbers.

September update
Miles Run: 204.78 [1000.87] -- COMPLETE -- 250 ahead of schedule
Tacos Ate: 104 [798] -- 47 ahead of schedule
Miles Biked: 87 [1156.0] -- 358 behind schedule

Things I worked on

Becoming a rocket scientist. (Still in progress)
Building rockets. (Still doing that)
But really, how cool is that? Here are a few videos that hopefully get you as excited as I am every day to “go to work”.
BFR | Earth to Earth (Big Falcon Rocket - get anywhere in the world in less than an hour)
How Not to land an Orbital Rocket Booster (when at first you don't succeed, try again)
Making Life Multiplanetary (That’s my boss - and no, I did not know about the BFR earth to earth plan.)

Favorite Quote(s) of the Week

“Once you stop learning, you start dying.” - Albert Einstein

Random of the Week

This entire post is random! 1000 miles done, got some biking to do and some tacos to eat. Chicago Marathon coming up on Sunday. Two SpaceX launches this weekend with a 36 hour turn over! As always tune in on Spacex.com/webcast to see them live or view the recording on the SpaceX YouTube Channel!

Time to write post: 19 minutes