Just wanted to share this for those of you interested in what I am up to when I am not reporting progress (or avoiding progress). Check it out here.
I am moving ahead and as always I will add some updates soon. I had a good meeting with Scott Padiak in which he showed my the flaws in my thinking (which is what is leading to my building block). Also I have been spending time with a certain young lady who gets quite a bit of my time.... no explanation offered.
More soon.
Carry on.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
something different
I am doing a run in June and have decided to try to help out the St. Jude charity. I would appreciate your support, and if you can donate, do so here. Just type in Andrew Bates and they will appreciate anything you can give.
As you were.
As you were.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The latest in traning
I have been a bad blogger. If I could, I would smack my nose with a rolled up newspaper. I keep promising pictures of my hull development, and I keep posting about running. I will change this, but not right now.
So, I just read another book.
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It's pretty amazing. For runners, I think you can't live without it. For every other athlete: it will expand the way you think about your body. If you just like really good books: outstanding read. In short, everyone, but this. It's really good.
End of book report.
This is a story that has to do with learning from nature and traditional ways and questioning technology. In boats, this is not as big an issue. The boat -canoe's specifically -are very old. We have been making floating vessels for a long time and we have been refining them. Pretty much every culture has a form of human powered boat. But, running has gone in a different way. In running, we invented the shoe and then the running shoe. But the running shoe is really a new thing by comparison. And really, it is still in an early stage. If this book is to be believed (and I do, though I want to look into it) the running shoe we think of is probably hurting us more than helping. The traditional runners are faster and win more. In many ways, we are re-discovering what we used to know. To do this, we are looking at people who have maintained the traditional ways. You probably want to ask, so I will just say: so what?
Well, I am testing a new footwear to test how our footwear has changed our strides. Many of you know that I have run three marathons, and I pay for it often. After my last marathon, which was more than two years ago, I have had almost constant pain in my left ankle. Stopping running didn't help, so I am trying a new shoe based on an old way to correct whatever I messed up.
These weird little babies are an attempt to get better while not hurting myself. And it got me to thinking.
I was at the gym tonight after being told not to run in these shoes right away (I have had them since lunch) and I ran a couple of miles. They worked. I ran differently. Maybe not faster, but my ankle doesn't hurt really, and my back is fine (it went out for the first time I can remember the day after my last half marathon). And as I was trying to run naturally and not think about my feet, I started thinking about how boats are really the same as they have always been.
The canoe is still a canoe. Sure, materials have changed and we use them for recreation or sport rather than survival, but they look like canoes. The later development of things like surfski boats are remarkable similar to dugouts of the south pacific, complete with outriggers. Paddles are still paddles.
So, we are in touch with the heritage. And our studies of human bodies have given us a wealth of understanding. And from this (plus a quick two miles) I am feeling a renewed vigor toward my boat.
Think about this: the largest muscle groups are in the legs. We were meant to propel ourselves with our legs. Why should it make any difference if it's on land or in water? I mean, the bike works pretty good, right.
Stay tuned. I have a 5K this weekend and I really want to test these shoes in a race.
So, I just read another book.
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It's pretty amazing. For runners, I think you can't live without it. For every other athlete: it will expand the way you think about your body. If you just like really good books: outstanding read. In short, everyone, but this. It's really good.
End of book report.
This is a story that has to do with learning from nature and traditional ways and questioning technology. In boats, this is not as big an issue. The boat -canoe's specifically -are very old. We have been making floating vessels for a long time and we have been refining them. Pretty much every culture has a form of human powered boat. But, running has gone in a different way. In running, we invented the shoe and then the running shoe. But the running shoe is really a new thing by comparison. And really, it is still in an early stage. If this book is to be believed (and I do, though I want to look into it) the running shoe we think of is probably hurting us more than helping. The traditional runners are faster and win more. In many ways, we are re-discovering what we used to know. To do this, we are looking at people who have maintained the traditional ways. You probably want to ask, so I will just say: so what?
Well, I am testing a new footwear to test how our footwear has changed our strides. Many of you know that I have run three marathons, and I pay for it often. After my last marathon, which was more than two years ago, I have had almost constant pain in my left ankle. Stopping running didn't help, so I am trying a new shoe based on an old way to correct whatever I messed up.
I was at the gym tonight after being told not to run in these shoes right away (I have had them since lunch) and I ran a couple of miles. They worked. I ran differently. Maybe not faster, but my ankle doesn't hurt really, and my back is fine (it went out for the first time I can remember the day after my last half marathon). And as I was trying to run naturally and not think about my feet, I started thinking about how boats are really the same as they have always been.
The canoe is still a canoe. Sure, materials have changed and we use them for recreation or sport rather than survival, but they look like canoes. The later development of things like surfski boats are remarkable similar to dugouts of the south pacific, complete with outriggers. Paddles are still paddles.
So, we are in touch with the heritage. And our studies of human bodies have given us a wealth of understanding. And from this (plus a quick two miles) I am feeling a renewed vigor toward my boat.
Think about this: the largest muscle groups are in the legs. We were meant to propel ourselves with our legs. Why should it make any difference if it's on land or in water? I mean, the bike works pretty good, right.
Stay tuned. I have a 5K this weekend and I really want to test these shoes in a race.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Into the sunset
So much has happened since the last post. Let me catch you up.
First, the race. I ran pretty well, finishing the thirteen-point-one miles in two hours and eighteen minutes. I came in eight minutes behind the Meers-Cat, which is too bad since now I have to buy him dinner at Simone's. I also threw up during the race, which is a new experience. I told an avid runner about this, and she said, "That's good." I am not going to disagree, but I would rather not make it a habit. It wasn't the most enjoyable thing to have happen.
Moving on.
I am going to have a full-time job. Starting February first, I am no longer the cowboy of industrial design. As it turns out, I am going to be a design associate for Gravitytank. I have been contracting with them for around two years now and have found my way into the team as a full member. This is excellent news.
Obviously I will have steady income. And insurance (it's been almost three years since I had any insurance). So, now my projects like Fenrir will have a budget. That should help though it's also got to come at the cost of time (money is, after all, a symbol of our time which we trade for other things: time is money which is why we never seem to have them both simultaneously).
Secondly, I will be doing all sorts of good work which will push me to excel at my own tasks, but also learn and practice new disciplines. That is priceless. It is what I wanted. Not just the job. I never really wanted a job, I wanted to work at something that made me fulfilled. Design does that for me. And part of that fulfillment is that I don't know everything. I like that there are challenges and new ideas out there and that I can experience discovery.
I am very pleased.
First, the race. I ran pretty well, finishing the thirteen-point-one miles in two hours and eighteen minutes. I came in eight minutes behind the Meers-Cat, which is too bad since now I have to buy him dinner at Simone's. I also threw up during the race, which is a new experience. I told an avid runner about this, and she said, "That's good." I am not going to disagree, but I would rather not make it a habit. It wasn't the most enjoyable thing to have happen.
Moving on.
I am going to have a full-time job. Starting February first, I am no longer the cowboy of industrial design. As it turns out, I am going to be a design associate for Gravitytank. I have been contracting with them for around two years now and have found my way into the team as a full member. This is excellent news.
Obviously I will have steady income. And insurance (it's been almost three years since I had any insurance). So, now my projects like Fenrir will have a budget. That should help though it's also got to come at the cost of time (money is, after all, a symbol of our time which we trade for other things: time is money which is why we never seem to have them both simultaneously).
Secondly, I will be doing all sorts of good work which will push me to excel at my own tasks, but also learn and practice new disciplines. That is priceless. It is what I wanted. Not just the job. I never really wanted a job, I wanted to work at something that made me fulfilled. Design does that for me. And part of that fulfillment is that I don't know everything. I like that there are challenges and new ideas out there and that I can experience discovery.
I am very pleased.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Competition
A guy from the forum posted this video, and I thought I would share. These are some of the guys I have to beat...
Friday, January 13, 2012
Cross Training
Ever heard the saying, "If you want something done, as a busy person?"
I live by that.... or try to. In keeping myself on track, I have some new tech coming which will accelerate the process and make this blog more 'designer-y'. More importantly, I am entering another half-marathon.
Now, seemingly this has nothing to do with trying to design and build a boat. But remember: that is only half of my purpose. The other half is that I intend to win. So, I need to be three things:
1) a good designer
2) a skilled craftsman
and
3) an athlete.
Let's be clear about equipment. It is important and can improve your performance. However, it will not win for you. I run, cycle, canoe, hike, camp, hunt, street race cars, and have even been known to box. I can win or lose, but I am the one doing it. I have used great gear and I have thrown stuff together to make it work. My performance may have been good or bad, but it is not the equipment that did it. In every case, I was the one who had to do it. Sure, I will concede that good equipment can make you more efficient and help you perform, but the reality is that the athlete is what makes it work. The best shoes aren't going to make you win a marathon unless you have put in the time on training, diet, and still possess the drive to push yourself that hard.
I believe this.
So, to make Fenrir come out in front, I have to be strong and possess the ability to endure. Not just endure, but to excel. As a part of this, my bad habits (and often my favorite habits) will have to be in check. In their stead will be new habits which increase my ability to perform. So, I am running. I am no longer going to do full marathons (I think there is a diminished return on it: better endurance at the expense of injury), but half marathons are good. I can put more energy into the performance and still keep my legs and heart in the proper condition.
There is one other part to this. I am not sure I have ever let the thoughts crystalize, but there is a connection between the ability to think clearly and involvement in physical activity. The smartest people and the best performers are active people. Couch potatoes are rarely successful. I theorize it has to do with drive and focus- perhaps successful people possess the qualities which make them active and therefore successful- but I intend to be both active and successful.
Anyway, stay tuned, and as always, cary on.
I live by that.... or try to. In keeping myself on track, I have some new tech coming which will accelerate the process and make this blog more 'designer-y'. More importantly, I am entering another half-marathon.
Now, seemingly this has nothing to do with trying to design and build a boat. But remember: that is only half of my purpose. The other half is that I intend to win. So, I need to be three things:
1) a good designer
2) a skilled craftsman
and
3) an athlete.
Let's be clear about equipment. It is important and can improve your performance. However, it will not win for you. I run, cycle, canoe, hike, camp, hunt, street race cars, and have even been known to box. I can win or lose, but I am the one doing it. I have used great gear and I have thrown stuff together to make it work. My performance may have been good or bad, but it is not the equipment that did it. In every case, I was the one who had to do it. Sure, I will concede that good equipment can make you more efficient and help you perform, but the reality is that the athlete is what makes it work. The best shoes aren't going to make you win a marathon unless you have put in the time on training, diet, and still possess the drive to push yourself that hard.
I believe this.
So, to make Fenrir come out in front, I have to be strong and possess the ability to endure. Not just endure, but to excel. As a part of this, my bad habits (and often my favorite habits) will have to be in check. In their stead will be new habits which increase my ability to perform. So, I am running. I am no longer going to do full marathons (I think there is a diminished return on it: better endurance at the expense of injury), but half marathons are good. I can put more energy into the performance and still keep my legs and heart in the proper condition.
There is one other part to this. I am not sure I have ever let the thoughts crystalize, but there is a connection between the ability to think clearly and involvement in physical activity. The smartest people and the best performers are active people. Couch potatoes are rarely successful. I theorize it has to do with drive and focus- perhaps successful people possess the qualities which make them active and therefore successful- but I intend to be both active and successful.
Anyway, stay tuned, and as always, cary on.
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