long runs

So I recently remembered why I run. The obvious one and one I tell people is cause I can and not doing so would be a waste. But I recently experienced the low to high to low then back to high sensations that so many distance runners experience. Breaking through the negative or low state barriers is always followed by a reward, a high. I haven't gotten this sensation in a while cause of being in a rutt of running the same amount of time every saturday, which is when I do my long runs. But this particular saturday I had to increase it a little in light of events I have signed up for that are in the not too distant future.So I had to run longer, I had no chose. Funny how when you have to accomplish something that it gets accomplished. The trick is not to listen to yourself when you get in your low state. Ignore how you feel and think of the high, or reward, that you will receive once you get through the low moment. Thats what it is, 'a moment', not permanent.This applies in all areas of life but is very apparent and more pronounced when running. Having some experience in running has allowed me to recognize this internal war of balance. Instead of dreading the lows I try and welcome them. They tell me that it will only get better. I just need to have patience which as we all know can be hard in this instant gratification society. So as I continue to ride this rollercoaster of life and running I hope you all will, like me; look for the good to come, help and be a friend to others, and never give up. -Barton- "just to the next mark"

for the heros

     
     Any expert, no matter what field they are in will all agree with one thing. The key to being successful at anything is the attention to the details. It is often the case that the small things are just as important or more important than the big picture. What better way to decribe the value of the microscope and its ability to peer into even the smallest of details.

Being a Cytologist the small details are of the utmost importance. We are imperative in determining the patients health and how to proceed with treatment. Our attention is in the small details that which couldn't be seen without the microscope and a trained eye. The minute changes in a cells nucleus can only be seen and distinguished by a qualified cytologist who has gone through the training and has experience with lots of cases. I'm not putting myself on a pedestal, but rather my fellow cytologists. I like to call them all, "heros."

      Hero's come in many forms. We usually think of Firefighters and Police Officiers as heros. In my case I usually associate the word hero with Spiderman, Batman, and other comicbook superheros. My fellow Cytologists are a different kind of hero but a hero nevertheless. I still think they have superpowers but thats for another essay. We are heros in a sense that we save lives, period. With the help of caring pathologists we all really make a difference. Sometimes the difference we make goes unnoticed, which is why I am thanking all my fellow hero's I have come to know throughout my experience thus far. They have been a great source of inspiration. Besides all the guidance and help I have received from them I have also the utmost respect for what they do and have done in the past, helping and caring about people. It is not the easiest job. Focusing on the details can get to be mentally tiring at times. Having run a couple of marathons I appreciate hard physical work, but also know how hard mental work can be. The job of a Cytologists is not as physical as running a marathon, but it can be as mentally challenging at times. The mental drain that can follow a day of work can seem equal to the mental drain of running a marathon, minus the endophine high that usually proceeds after the race. One thing I learned, like in running, is to just take things one step at a time and don't get ahead of oneself. So in a way working as a Cytologist has been my mental training for the marathons I have run. Mental strength is far more important than physical strength cause without the mental strength the physical would be of no use. My fellow hero's all have mental strength beyond my capabilities so far and I thank them for influencing me and helping me develop and improve my own. In my opinion all my hero's deserve a metal for there efforts in helping others and being an inspiration to the next generation.

John B. Inglese Jr. CT(ASCP)cm

Of Interest
August 2012
Dear Reader,
So it has come to my attention that I
like a lot of things. Most likely you can
relate. Of the many interests I have
there is actually a whole week dedicated to one of them. That's right, I am
talking about shark week. The discovery channel dedicates one week every
year to these amazing creations. I'm not an advocate of sitting on the couch
and eating cheesy puffs normally, this week is the exception. At least I like to
think so. I usually only see a couple of shows despite me wanting to veg out on the couch for the entire weekend. Us laboratory techs should get the week off. Nevertheless, I still have
promoted it for the past 5 or longer years and will continue to do so. This
year, along with the past previous, it has been my tradition to watch the
movie Jaws sometime during the week. This year I didn't have anyone over,
except Cadence. But as you can see from the picture at the bottom of this
post... he doesn't appreciate it as much as I do.
It's amazing all that we don't know. We may feel like we have learned
everything we possibly could know about a particular subject, place, or
person. Undoubtably we will always find out more. It's good to refresh are
minds on our previous knowledge that we have come to know. This way we dont
forget what we learned and get it forever burned into our brains. So until next year, swim safely
everyone and may the rest of summer be a great learning experience for you all.
-Barton-
"Don't look where you don't want to go."

Change is great. I was recently asked if I like the hot weather we have been getting. I like it for a little but also like the cold for a little. Variety is the spice of life as the saying goes. In contrast to change, routine can be very comforting. It is something you know, something familiar. Being primarily a mountian biker I dont shy away from the road on occasions. Every once in a while I like to go to the north part of the island. I usually ride my fixed gear bike or put slicks on my 26 inch mountain bike and hit the road. I recently went following the usual road route to what has become my first rest stop, a bagel place. Its not even a particular good bagel place but it has that comfort factor of a familiar place. Its ironic that this 'comfort' bagel place was once new and different. Thats why its important to switch it up once in a while and do something different. You never know what new things you will discover.

-Barton-

-always searching for a new and exciting path-

May 2012

Greenbelt 2012

It never rains it pours, with the occasional thunder and lightning storm thrown in. Every year since 2009 in may I run the 25K Greenbelt trail run and it has raining every year since. I've been doing it for three years now and it always has rained. Knowing this I am actually looking forward to it. It's a mud fest and I always seem to come out bleeding for one reason or another. The year I hit the tree being the worst. Wait, no the worst was when I sprained my ankle. Then there was the time when they ran out of beer at the post race party... Yeah that one is probably the worst. There have been a lot of worsts to say the least. So why if I always get hurt am I doing it again and looking forward to it? Simple, because I can and always love a challenge.

Greenbelt trail stats
5/1/2009 - wet & drizzly - 25K = 2:45.35
5/8/2010 - wet & drizzly (injury) - 25K = 3:06.37
5/7/2011 - 25K = 3:03.29
5/12/2012 - 25K = 2:58.10

I would love to beat my time but I really just love running, especially in the woods surrounded by nature. Peace, contentment, mixed with exhilaration all rolled into one is the best way to describe it for me.
Besides the peace,contentment and exhilaration there is also a sense of adventure and purpose (purpose being to survive) every year. Every year runners get lost in the networks of trails dispute having the trail blazes mark the way. The rainy, muddy conditions don't help in staying on the rocky and gnarled path. Trying to watch where your stepping and where you have to go for over three hours can be a challenge. A challenge that I look forward to every year. I call it, "taming the owl." The owl being a metaphor for a seemingly elusive challenge that you did not think you could do at first, but just train and do it anyway. One step at a time is how we live life and also during a foot race. I've written about this before but I'm sure it's good to repeat things for emphasis. I still remember how new and exciting my first time running. And training for this race was. I still get the same feeling every year. To follow is my post race report and result.
And finished! The day started out with cadence my cat jumping on me to wake my butt up. I Went through the usual routine of eating, 7-11 coffee, all the pre race stuff. I was not in the mood to race today. It seems every time I take ibuprofen pm's before bed I always wake up feeling like crap. It's so easy to just not go but i know that once i get going I will get into the groove. I went to the back of the starting line as usual and got caught in the traditional bottle necking that occurs. Gotta remember to start in the front of the pack next time. The most interesting thing about today was the fact that the sun was shining, not even a drop of rain. This was the first time since I started this back in 2009 that it hasn't rained. Another thing that happened that was new was the fact that I didn't hurt myself. So no rain and no injury this was by far the worst green belt race to date, just kidding.

Some interesting things and observations I made include;

(1) peanut butter, jelly, and potato chips on white bread is the perfect food

(2) the older you are the better you do in this race

(3) Runners are still the most friendliest of people

(4) post race naps are the best things that were ever created

(5) watch out for runners with yellow shoes (especially if they are older)

The time on my watch was 2 hrs, 58 min, 07 secs. But it really is just being around nature that I truly enjoy not necessarily the competition. I still got beat by some of the older runners but the aid station food was amazing, it was a beautiful day, and the race turned out to be a complete success. Can't wait till next year.

april 2012

Maybe its the sound of the water drowning out all the other stresses your body and mind accumulate throughout the day. Or it could be the lack of oxygen after a really hard set, which leaves you gasping for air at the edge of the pool. It could also be the focus on when to breath so as to not be inhaling water which is not very fun. It seems that swimmingreally brings out the positive spirit inside myself and when you force yourself to go fast, for even the shortest distance, you are forced into having fun. The tired sense of accomplishment forces you to focus on the positive things. Theres so many negative things that can weigh us down and their always going to be there. Swimming forces yourself to focus on the positive, simple things such as breathing. Cause what is there to be negative about when your body is in motion in 'clean', revitilizing water. Sometimes it can be hard just to get to the pool. I've learned to tell myself that I'm a shark to get pumped up. Sounds silly but it works. A shark being a top predator oozes with confidence. Just by the way it swims it is easy to visualize the almost prideful motion of the sharks swimming. When you think your a shark, you are a shark, its a simple self-fulfilling prophecy that works.
When those negative thoughts come into your head, cause they will, you need to trick yourself sometimes to keep going. One great way is to break up the yardage into smaller parts. I like to give more effort at the 500 yard, and after every 500 yard I will start back at 100 yard in my head. So every 5th 100 I count back as if it is my first 100 yard. You still with me? Changing your speed helps you to want to keep going. Sounds weird but going faster will actually help you sometimes.Visualizing that the water is my enemy is a great motivator as well. It may not always be the smoothest or fastest way through the hydrogen and oxygen bonds but it sure fells good. except when the 60 and 70 year olds that have been doing it for years pass you cause you have no form, but thats another story.




-Washing away the stresses- Barton
Pic is from Ireland = Americano and lemon coconut muffin. Another way to reduce stress. :)

Love to write write to love

Write about what you love and love what you write. Most people have the ability to write and I feel it is very important not to let this ability go to waste. Like a olympic athlete in training for an event, if we dont keep up with our writing we could lose the skill that we have developed. By loving what we write we will be rewarded with expressing our thoughts on paper which if you never experienced the flow of writing, it is well worth the effort. I enjoy writing with ink rather then with the aid of a keyboard and computer. Or rather I should say the hinderance of it. Call me old school but its more personal and gratifing to write in that manner. The world has enough complications so ink and paper is a way to simplify things for the moment.
When I first started writing I was afraid that my grammer wasn't right and that everything I wrote would never amount to anything. I've learned to not take myself so seriously and just write for myself. I plan to improve and find ways to write things that are interesting and fun to read about. Maybe one day I'll write a book. If I ever get all my random thoughts in order.)

- I bet your more at peace since viewing the picture of Cadence sleeping. Not a bad idea.
-Barton going to bed-