Michigan Fitness Foundation

Posted on October 22, 2016September 1, 2022 by GeorgeK

The Michigan Fitness Foundation was created to encourage the residents of Michigan to pursue a healthier lifestyle. It uses positive rewards to get people out running foot races, or volunteering at races. One unique award is a chance to win a trip to the top of the Mackinaw Bridge tower! <img class=”size-medium wp-image-2274″ src=”https://www.kasdorf.name/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-10-20-Michigan-Fitness-1-232×300.jpg” alt=”The conclusion of the program for 2016. Once the maximum number of events is submitted. ” width=”232″ height=”300″ /> The conclusion of the program for 2016. Once the maximum number of events is submitted.

Some of the goodies that can be earned.

The water bottle that is given out.

For more information try here. Not sure if it will change in 2017 or beyond.

The USATF Phidippides Award

Posted on August 20, 2016May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

If you have an interest in running, and want to get a little swag and at the same time support the USATF you can apply for the “Phidippides Award”. It takes a few bucks, and a little work, but you do get a very nice plaque and member card for your effort.

Basics:

Phidippides Award

The Phidippides Award is based on points accumulated over the calendar year. A runner is eligible for one award per year.

Only races that are run in the United States are eligible.
Races must be accurately measured by race director or certified by USATF.
You must be a member of USATF October 31st of this year AND 40 years or older.
You must provide website where your times can be verified.
We encourage you to submit your application as soon as you have acquired the points necessary for your award.
Only the number of points required will be considered; it is not necessary to submit events for more points than you need.
Multiple distance in one event are not counted as separate entries.

Points are accumulated on the following basis:
1 point: 1 mile to 4km
2 points: 5km to 5 miles
3 points: 10kn to 15km
4 points: 10 miles to Half Marathon
5 points: 25km to Marathon
6 points: distances longer that Marathon

Age 40-59
Gold: 30
Silver: 24
Bronze: 12

Age 60-79
Gold: 24
Silver: 18
Bronze: 9

Age 80+
Gold: 12
Silver: 6
Bronze: 3

I put this all in an Excel spreadsheet that I could put links to the web sites which had the results for the races I submitted for the award. Was not that hard. If you have done the work, may as well get the award!

ParkRun #2

Posted on December 28, 2015May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series ParkRuns

I ran the ParkRun for the second time last weekend. I am liking doing this. It gets me out to run regardless of the weather. You get a time to compare yourself against, and it provides some light competition to run with. If you are in the vicinity stop on by. Check their web site for details. https://www.parkrun.us/livonia/

After everyone (almost) arrives and signs the register people head to the start area.

Step One = Sign the register (at left)

Step Two = Assemble at the start area.

Step Three = Final instructions are given.

Step Four = Run! Off into the woods we go.

. . . and 3.1 miles later the finish line is crossed.

Highpointers Org

Posted on August 24, 2015May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

If you happen to come to this blog to read about the High Points that I have logged let me point you to another site that would help support the High Pointers group.

Highpointers.org
But you need to act soon since this is only open until about the middle of September 2015>

More information on the Highpointers Movie and how to help!

Car 54 Where are you… or where is your call box?

Posted on December 9, 2012May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

So, Dad had this old box with a phone mounted it in. He used it for an outside phone from the barn to the house. It got locked at some point, and key was missing. We took it to the local locksmith and left it with him. I got a call a couple days later saying it was ready. Went back to pick it up.

A bit of a surprise when he opened it up for the first time in many years.

Gamewell alarm box #424.

Continue reading→

Real Time GPS Tracker Part 3

Posted on November 15, 2012September 1, 2022 by GeorgeK

This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Real Time GPS Tracker

Tips for Greenalp Real Time GPS Tracker. You are allowed to add two overlays which is a really nice little addition to the program. An overlay is a previously created route or track saved as a . KML file and uploaded to a web server, and then the Real Time setup points to the file. This is sort of neat so you can put the overlay there, then when you run/walk/bike/ski/drive the course your “guest” viewers can see where you are at on the actual course. You could create a collection of overlays, and then update the web site with the one you will want to display next, but I do not want to go in and have to change this all the time. I wondered if I could take several tracks and merge them together, then upload the combined KML file and see each of the courses. Turns out this can be done. I got a very simple program “KML Merge”.

I created several KML files by exporting tracks out of Sport Tracks, then used KML Merge to… merge them together. Simple.
I posted the newly merged file on the web server, went to the Greenalp setup, added the merged file, and now have several different courses using only one of the two files allowed.