Getting faster

Today felt good. So good I did a few tempo repeats. I did a short jog to the park and then ran a lap on the inner loop in the high 7 to high 8 minute mile range. Then I jogged another lap before running again. I did this for four tempo laps and four slow jogs before heading home. The total distance was only 3.5 miles but I felt I could have gone further. But knowing I'm just getting started again, I didn't want to over do it.

I used to be a good runner, completing marathons in the 3:30-4:00 range and ran a mile in just over five minutes. As of last week I weighed 228. When I was running fast I was 186. So starting over requires logged a lot of miles to reduce weight and strengthen the muscles and bones again.

Today I'm down to 220 and the last couple weeks of jogging are starting to feel good. I'm off to a good start for 2019.

Early morning three-miler

Today was an early morning three miles at the little park near my house. It's safe, close to home, small and has a bathroom. I pretty much just run laps around it, mixing up the route on the paved path.

I went a little further today continuing to test my legs and build some running base. Endurance running is a game of patience and dedication. I plan to make both virtues my mantra in 2019.

918 collection

Can anyone have just one 918? Not I.

I have seven in 1:64 scale now. These three are my favorites. They represent the Weissach version of the 918. One even came with a trailer and Cayenne to pull it.

Cool thing is each is from a different manufacturer. The black/red is Hot Wheels, the white/orange is Majorette and white/red is Maisto.

In a groove

In a two-mile groove anyway. The body is getting used to easy two-milers. Time to move it up.

Porsche Design Endurance Boost 2.0 ordered

I just ordered a pair of the new Porsche Design Endurance Boost 2.0 running shoes. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Endurance Boost 1.0 shoes and now have 160 miles on them. They'll last another 100 miles or so, but I'd like to have another pair ready to replace them. The 2.0 version looks a little cooler, but they're basically the same shoe. I'll take some comparison photos when they arrive.

Cayenne love

I just love my 2006 Cayenne S. We've been through a lot together. Long trips, extreme winter weather, towing cars stuck in the snow, off road, carrying the bicycles around, winning Concours d'Elegance events and even a huge dirt storm causing a complete repaint. I replaced the spark plugs, ignition coil packs and air filters and changed the oil a couple weeks ago and now rotating the tires. Next on the list are the brakes. I have all the rotors and pads sitting in the garage and will change them out as soon as the wear indicators light up.

Sunset run

Another short winter run. This time as the sun is setting ... at 4pm!

Eye of the (slow) tiger

Running three of the last four days, I'm starting to feel pretty good. Giving up alcohol and unhealthy foods probably helps too. I may be on the long road back to speed and distance but I'm feeling more and more like a runner again. Give me a month and I'll firmly be back in the drivers seat.

I do have to watch out for over use injuries though. I'm no stranger to these. I tend to get overexcited and pile the miles on too early. I'll try to learn from my past mistakes and include enough rest days in my comeback trail.

And once again, my shoes of choice are the Porsche Design EC Running shoes. Maybe not the fastest of my PD athletic shoes, but they are the most comfortable and durable. Perfect for slow reentry running.

Winter run

This has been an amazing Porsche-year, but a horrible biking and running year. All the Porsche-related travel, events and activities have side-tracked me from riding and running. My 2020 goal of being the first person to qualify for the Boston Marathon wearing Porsche Design apparel could be in jeopardy.

Today I was back out again running slow, although I felt good and a little faster than two days ago. But then again, I'm still way off my goal pace for sure.

My New Year's resolution is to get out for way more running in 2019. I'm feeling I'm ready for it. Onwards!

1985 Porsche 911 Rally

Matchbox just released a 1985 Porsche 911 Rally. The packaging is so awesome it was difficult to open it. But I did and added it to my collection!

Winter nesting

I have the Boxster in winter hibernation, with the trickle charger and the convertible top cover on. This is how I protect the Porsche 986 during the winter months.

Porsche and Volkswagen

Here's a photo from my 1:64 scale Porsche collection. Except these are (mostly VWs) with a lone 356.

VW is connected to Porsche from way back when Ferdinand Porsche designed the VW Beetle.

My collection includes two VW transport vans Porsche used in the early 1970s and a recent Hot Wheels "Urban Outlaw" 356 and VW transport combo.

Nice scale cars!

Porsche parking

Plentiful Porsche parking at the office and my latest T-shirt design.

908/3 garage art

I took this photo through the rear window of the Cayenne showing my recent framed 908/3 digital artwork in the garage.

This is the series of four Porsche 908/3 that ran in 1970 Targa Florio race.

New Porsche Formula E race car

Photos of the new Porsche Formula E race car have just hit the web. Even though all the cars in this racing series share the same chassis and bodywork, it is still cool to see this new race car for Porsche. I can't wait to follow this new racing series that Porsche starts toward the end of next year.

Office pics

The PCA Region backdrop I designed behind a recently detailed 911...

... and my 986 next to a sweet 914!

Porsche bicycle oddities

Surfing the web, I noticed these Porsche bicycle oddities.

This, I believe, is a replica or customized bike. The paint and Porsche logos added to "look" like something Porsche would produce.

This one is a factory Bike S with the frame and forks custom painted purple. Looks pretty sharp.

This is a fake Porsche "folding" bike. I've seen this same bike with BMW logos. I do like the color though.

This is a real factory Porsche Bike FS with custom colors on display at Petersen Automobile Museum in Los Angeles.

And last, this is another factory Bike FS but looks like a custom paint job and matching seat. Another nice job!

Counting 1:64 scale Porsches to fall asleep

What does a guy that has just about every 1:64 scale Porsche ever produced do when he can't sleep? He thinks about the obscure Porsches not produced in that scale. This is way better than counting sheep!

Since I know of every Porsche full and 1:64 scale car ever produced, finding something I wasn't aware of is like finding the holy grail. I just ordered a rare 1984 McLaren Porsche Formula One and a VW Porsche-parts van to my collection. So, I'm still adding a few to the book shelf now and then.

But there are a few Porsche street and race cars I really wish someone would make in 1:64 scale. Here's my wish list:

• 718 - not the latest version, but the late 50s/early 60s mid-engine sports racer
• 804 - Porsche's first and only Formula One winning works entry
• 908/3 - the spyder version of the 908 would be fantastic in 1:64 scale
• 909 - The lightweight hill climbing specialist in silver would be perfection in 1:64
• 916 - I have plenty of 914 and 914/6 but NO 916!
• 917/30 - again, plenty of 917, 917K, 917 LH and 917/10 but not the ultimate 917/30
• 924S - Hot Wheels produced a 924 when I was a kid but I'd love a modern recreation
• 935 K3 - Every version of the 935 has been produced, but not the Le Mans winner
• 940 - I have a poor reproduction of Porsche's indy car, but a proper version would be great
• RS Spyder - the LMP2 racer won several championships, yet no 1:64 scale car
• 982 - the latest 718 would be a nice addition too
• Taycan - It won't be long I'm sure, but Porsche's new e-car needs a 1:64 version

You can see there are plenty of Porsche cars left to create in 1:64 scale. Someday I hope to have them all!

919

The 1:64 scale Porsche 919 #1 just arrived in the mail today. It looks awesome! It will go well with my collection.

Easy evening fall jog

Autumn fun

Great fall day in Maryland. Changing the oil in the Boxster and drinking a German pils. Prost!

Remembering Tahoe snow

With the first snow of the year in Maryland, I thought about my old "snow daze" in Lake Tahoe. I took a look at my blog here and couldn't find the above photo. So, I wanted to post this photo driving the 2006 Cayenne S over Mount Rose in Nevada back in March 2017. Since I couldn't find it, here it is now. The bottom photo is today's Maryland snow. Quite a contrast!

PEC pics

 

My favorite photos from a recent trip to the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta, Georgia.