We have a pond in the back yard. It's about 20" deep, 7' wide, and has three tiers. Lots and lots of rocks too.
When we put our pool up two years ago, I was so inspired by the digging and water features that digging a pond felt like a good idea too. Digging began and before too long I realized that although it would be neat to have a small and easy to dig pond, it would be neater to have a big pond, even if it were hard to dig.
So, I put the digging on hold and explored the cost of making a big pond.
After a few quick rounds with the web browser and some visits to the local pond supply stores, I determined that $500 was the minimum entry point for new materials to make a big pond. This was more than I spent on the pool and I was not up for that kind of expense. Yet.
The pond could wait.
Now and then I would look at Craigslist to seek out a cheap pond deal. This year I struck gold. First, there were several pre-formed pond liners available, and second, the price was right. The pre-formed liner gives the huge benefit of providing defined structure. In the area where I was digging, the structure did not lend itself to a pond. It was more of a puddle with some trees nearby. By putting the preformed liner in place, I quick know how deep to dig, how wide to make it, and when to stop. Very nice.
Within about 24 hours of bringing the liner home, I had water and fish in it. As the pond was still not quite "ready", the fish went back into the house for the night.
Things were coming along well now. Over the next few weeks there were a few more rocks to move, tree pruning adventures, a short battle with a pole saw and seven stitches in my forehead, and finally a trip to the fish store for plants and fish.
We went to Uncle Ned's in Medway. They have a big selection and no pretence on presentation. That always gives me the feeling that I'm not paying to much.
We bought two little plants, two little fish, one snail, one tadpole, and one mostly formed frog.
Uncle Ned requested that we let the plants and fish out of their travel bags as soon as we got home. This did not happen for the frogs. The pond where the frogs were to live needed about 2 hours of renovation before the frogs could move in. This meant a much longer stay in the bag.
We moved rocks, installed a new pond liner, stirred up lots of water, and got a filter going to clear the water. Then it was time to let the frogs out. The tadpole was spunky as ever and swam quickly to the bottom of the newly-relined pond. The frog was almost gone. I coaxed him back to life with CPR (no frog kissing mind you, he was on his own if it came to that). He hopped a few times, and with the girls watching, we figured all was good and the frog was in the clear. So we put him by the pond where he twitched and squirmed a few more times before settling in.
Then he stopped squirming. I picked him up again. Spoke to him. Sang a song or two. CPR (again). No more jumping. No more squirming. Nothing. It took us a long time to accept it and it took me a longer time to forgive myself but the frog did die.
We dug a little hole, put him inside, and said goodbye.
The pond is looking good and, if all goes well, the tadpole will grow nicely into a happy frog. About 15 feet from the pond is a small oak tree with some fresh soil turned up by the base. This is the resting place of the frog that lasted just long enough to see what the new pond-home looked like. But not long enough to swim in it.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Boston 2010
Ran the Boston Marathon again this year. This was my fourth consecutive Boston and my ninth marathon in 5 years. I started running marathons in 2005 and have a vision of running my 70th marathon on my 70th birthday. If I run two marathons a year, and perhaps an extra here or there for good luck, I can see that vision come to fruition.
Boston this year had all the makings of a PR race (that's personal record). There was a tail wind, a slight cloud cover, good temperature, and an excellent support crowd.
The day started out with the standards - fun visiting with fellow runners at runners village, chit-chat on the bus heading into Hopkinton, nice warm-up walk to the start line, and excellent weather. The forecast called for rain early in the day but that did not happen.
For the first 10 miles, I ran with a first-time marathoner who was targeting a pace near mine. We chatted and cheered each other on. Around mile 7, my neighbours cheered and shouted and after I was about 30 yards passed them, I noticed. Just in time to look back and give them a big wave and smile. Not long after, I passed between a few runners and a person on the left ran in front of me at the same time. This pushed my into to one of the people I just passed and they stepped on my shoe. Flat tire. Fortunately, I was able jam my foot back into my shoe without breaking stride. This felt like a huge accomplishment, one for which I rewarded myself by running another 16 miles.
The next three miles were run alone, no particular running partner at this point and it was time to start looking for Robyn and the girls. They were waiting for me near mile 13 in Wellesley. When I found them they took my jacket - way too warm for a coat - and gave me a snack. They had fun banners and posters and "go Bill", "you can do it Dad!" signs. Very cool. If I didn't have 13 miles to go, I would have ridden home with them. Not a good sign for marathon pace so I pushed passed the temptation.
Around mile 14 I met my friend Helen who called my name as I ran passed her. We ran together for a short bit then I resumed my normal pace. Also around this time I started feeling my toenails. They began to hurt. I also had lost some of the excited spark that I usually carry well into the last 3 or so miles. This I attributed to two things: 1) ibuprofen before the race; and 2) recovery drink before the race. It's not clear how either of these contributed but I figure each has the job of shutting things down so you can heal and that's the opposite of what you need to run fast.
Miles 15 through 21 are the approach to and cresting of heartbreak hill. This is the 2nd year in a row that I faced heartbreak hill and the approach with a steady and strong pace. Crossing the top of the last hill near mile 21 I shouted "you just finished heartbreak hill" to all the folks around me and gave a big cheer.
Now the last 6 miles of any marathon are frequently thought of as the second marathon. Boston is definitely that way too. The 5.2 miles from the top of heartbreak to the finish line are some of the hardest miles to endure. For my particular race, my toes were in a very bad way and had lots of unpleasant things to say about me. Were I in a better frame of mind, I would have stopped and taken off my socks to give my toes some room. I did not.
As I ran through the colleges, there was lots of cheering. Lots of whooping and "you can do it" and a few too many drunk college students stepping into the road. It is very hard to change course - even just a few inches - after running for so long.
The finish line was a easy crossing this time. I had paced myself well and although I was hopeful of a PR, the extended time getting to the start line and the slow pace for the first 6 miles put a dent in the pace that I could not knock back. Also, what later proved to be 6 bruised toenails did not bring any extra speed to the show either. So the finish line crossing, although easy, was not a record breaker. 3 hours, 46 minutes.
Most likely, this is not my last marathon. Most likely, I'll run another 61 marathons in the next 30 years. Most likely, I'll feel the thrill of running another marathon this fall. It's in my blood. And there will be no pre-race ibuprofen, pre-race recovery drink, or extra thick socks.
Boston this year had all the makings of a PR race (that's personal record). There was a tail wind, a slight cloud cover, good temperature, and an excellent support crowd.
The day started out with the standards - fun visiting with fellow runners at runners village, chit-chat on the bus heading into Hopkinton, nice warm-up walk to the start line, and excellent weather. The forecast called for rain early in the day but that did not happen.
For the first 10 miles, I ran with a first-time marathoner who was targeting a pace near mine. We chatted and cheered each other on. Around mile 7, my neighbours cheered and shouted and after I was about 30 yards passed them, I noticed. Just in time to look back and give them a big wave and smile. Not long after, I passed between a few runners and a person on the left ran in front of me at the same time. This pushed my into to one of the people I just passed and they stepped on my shoe. Flat tire. Fortunately, I was able jam my foot back into my shoe without breaking stride. This felt like a huge accomplishment, one for which I rewarded myself by running another 16 miles.
The next three miles were run alone, no particular running partner at this point and it was time to start looking for Robyn and the girls. They were waiting for me near mile 13 in Wellesley. When I found them they took my jacket - way too warm for a coat - and gave me a snack. They had fun banners and posters and "go Bill", "you can do it Dad!" signs. Very cool. If I didn't have 13 miles to go, I would have ridden home with them. Not a good sign for marathon pace so I pushed passed the temptation.
Around mile 14 I met my friend Helen who called my name as I ran passed her. We ran together for a short bit then I resumed my normal pace. Also around this time I started feeling my toenails. They began to hurt. I also had lost some of the excited spark that I usually carry well into the last 3 or so miles. This I attributed to two things: 1) ibuprofen before the race; and 2) recovery drink before the race. It's not clear how either of these contributed but I figure each has the job of shutting things down so you can heal and that's the opposite of what you need to run fast.
Miles 15 through 21 are the approach to and cresting of heartbreak hill. This is the 2nd year in a row that I faced heartbreak hill and the approach with a steady and strong pace. Crossing the top of the last hill near mile 21 I shouted "you just finished heartbreak hill" to all the folks around me and gave a big cheer.
Now the last 6 miles of any marathon are frequently thought of as the second marathon. Boston is definitely that way too. The 5.2 miles from the top of heartbreak to the finish line are some of the hardest miles to endure. For my particular race, my toes were in a very bad way and had lots of unpleasant things to say about me. Were I in a better frame of mind, I would have stopped and taken off my socks to give my toes some room. I did not.
As I ran through the colleges, there was lots of cheering. Lots of whooping and "you can do it" and a few too many drunk college students stepping into the road. It is very hard to change course - even just a few inches - after running for so long.
The finish line was a easy crossing this time. I had paced myself well and although I was hopeful of a PR, the extended time getting to the start line and the slow pace for the first 6 miles put a dent in the pace that I could not knock back. Also, what later proved to be 6 bruised toenails did not bring any extra speed to the show either. So the finish line crossing, although easy, was not a record breaker. 3 hours, 46 minutes.
Most likely, this is not my last marathon. Most likely, I'll run another 61 marathons in the next 30 years. Most likely, I'll feel the thrill of running another marathon this fall. It's in my blood. And there will be no pre-race ibuprofen, pre-race recovery drink, or extra thick socks.
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