re-calibrating

So the plants have been in the hydroponic ebb and flow system for a while, and seemed to be thriving. Then they started to turn yellowish. I moved the light up a bit, as I was concerned they might be getting 'burned' by the light. Finally called the store, and was asked what the pH was...told to check the pH every time I added nutrient. I had added nutrient last weekend. It checked a bit lower ppm than recommended. Yellow sounds like its lacking in nitrogen. Check the pH. When I checked the pH, it was 7. Recommendation is to be around 5.5. Got the pH up/down stuff. Added about an ounce and it came out to pH 5 to 6. right on. shifted the timer so the water would flow and the plants would get a dose of good juice. Now patience again to wait for the greening up of the plants.

moving into the system

Moved the first seedling plants into the system. Added the nutrient..its not quite to the concentration, but I'm concerned about overdoing it. and this is the first that the plants are getting nutrient, so want go slow.

The water is warmed to 68F or so. That will help them survive the cooler atmosphere of the basement.

Also put up the new light. large and powerful. will be interesting to watch the light over the system.

little ones

A couple weeks ago I started seeds. They are coming up strong, in the rockwool plug. I'm not sure I'm excited about the plugs, but I haven't used anything else, yet. I will try out some other medium. I have the seeds in a tray under a large light set up for plants. I am checking the seedlings morning and evening, to make sure they are damp enough. So far, so good.

I have the hydroponic system set up with the pump working, and the heater warming the water. Underneath the system is a 2" think slab of pink insulation, to keep the water from being as cold as the concrete.

Still practicing patience. Seeds take time to grow.

getting unstuck

failure. Its only failure if you don't learn from the experience.
I'm learning.
Its only failure if you never start. never challenge yourself. never do something new and outside of your comfort zone.


Here is the deal: I bought a hydroponics system so I could have fresh lettuce. Last fall. Haven't harvested anything yet. _Probably_ too cold in the basement. So, I've re-started my effort.

Washed up the system. Bought another light system for the seedlings so they are getting enough light. Got a water heater to warm up the water in the reservoir. The general area should be warmer for both the reservoir and the seedlings.

I started a couple of seeds of spinach and romaine last week. They are starting

Tomato, basil and parsley seeds started today.

So, intentional forward motion also applies to situations in which one is stuck and finally works to get out of that stuck position.

Do what you can.

Its been a while since I posted.
Last weekend watched and cheered the Twin Cities 10 miler runners. I particularly talked to those who were at the 12 and longer pace. The point is, they were doing the event and had every right to be pleased with themselves for that fact alone. They were moving forward, with intention. And that meant they had been training for some time, preparing for walking and running 10 miles.

I recall an older gentleman walking across a street with a cane, as I ran past him. He commented that he wished he could move as fast as I.

The point is, he was moving the best he could, for what his body was able to do.

Move the best way you can.
Move with intention.

The power of group.

My lessons learned this past week.

Last Wednesday, I ran the Torchlight 5K. Shelley wisely chose to rest her injury, so I was out there with 3,000 others. I ran a sub 11 pace, way faster than I anticipated. Besides good training under my belt, and a half marathon at a solid 13 pace, I think the power of group pulled me along. Picture this: Running during the first mile, I made sure I didn't get elbowed in the eye, and navigated around the walkers/groups of friends/and baby wheelers. I heard the military back and forth call, from behind. About mile 1, about a dozen guys, in formation, passed me. I decided to draft them. They were doing a comfortable pace for me. At about the 2.25 mark, I realize they were slowing down, or I was speeding up, so I passed them. Their back and forth call was a constant . In the last quarter of a mile, I thought I heard them coming up behind me, and I decided I didn't want them to pass me and cross the finish line before me, so I picked up my pace just enough to finish ahead of them. Whew. The mass of people around me magically pulled me along, and the desire to not get passed up one more time, pushed me across the finish line.

Fast forward to Saturday.
I ended up starting our ride about 15 minutes behind the group. Once I got on the course, I realized my heart wasn't in biking. So I just biked, about a leisurely 10-13 miles/hour pace. When I knew they were turning around, I turned around. Since I was being a slug, I decided I needed to get ahead of the group so I would get back to the parking lot at least sometime close to the same time. They caught up to me the in the last 7-8 miles. As we pedaled on back, up that hill, and back to the parking lot, it was pretty amazing that I was keeping up with those speedsters. I was back in a group, making an effort to keep up, and being able to do so.

I've trained plenty on my own. I can do it. But Group is powerful. Being together very much does help when training. I manage to pull out some reserve, and learn that I didn't deplete myself. I can do this.

setting goals. Thinking ahead to 2009

A motivator to move forward is planning for and committing to an event, whether a 5k ( 3.1 miles) or a longer run or multi-event ( duathlon, triathlon ).

This gives you a goal to gradually increase your effort, so that you can accomplish that event.
"Gradually increase" means to train by increasing distance moved, and varying speed. There are many plans on how to do this.

I set my event goals early in the year. Some I had to modify, or cancel, due to an injury. but then I focused my efforts forward, and moved in a way that worked around the injury. (increasing distance and speed too quickly may leads to injury--do so by small increments ).

It is July. I accomplished the 1/2 marathon, have the duathlon in September, but thinking ahead to my goals for the next year.

I've experienced the pain and major discomfort from inactivity to moving, realizing there is an event just round the corner. Its much better to continuously move, so one can be prepared for any upcoming events. So I'm planning and plotting my goals for 2009.