Giving gumbud a few days to recover from his robust imagination , I see that OGF is offering a few images that will prevent us OFFers from sudden reactions that might have us cardiologist bound…
OGF, your diagram was excellent work, though you might have a self-image problem :-D.
The interesting thing about your theory is that you are right - there is some minor distortion from the particles in the atmosphere due to the increased angle of viewing - but it actually makes the sun appear smaller. In fact, if you look at your drawing, the curve of the atmosphere creates a lens shape, but it’s backwards. It ever so slightly reduces the size of the sun’s appearance. It’s all that Ponzo illusion … ;-)
Thanks Surfermom, I’ve got another theory to try and put the illusion into perspective…Watch this space…:shock::shock::shock:…or should I say…Watch Space…:-D;-)
Thanks Sue Hebbs and welcome to Bob’s Bits…:-D:-D:-D Sometimes the basic things in life produce the greatest pleasure…
Numbers rule our lives, they can tell you more than words ever can. Sometimes they are friendly (Lucky Numbers, Birthdays and Holidays) and sometimes they are to be avoided (Superstition, 9/11 and 1939) but whatever you think of ‘Numbers’ we can’t live without them especially in sport or workouts. A certain number of 'Reps, Laps, Miles or time. The 4 minute mile, the sub 2 hour marathon, running means nothing if a time or distance is not stipulated, they are landmarks in the quest for success.
This morning I arrived a such a landmark, I have just completed my 1000th mile, the distance I have run this year, it now stands at 1009.2 miles with still a few weeks to go until the end of the year. However, numbers are a man made phenomenon, and whereas the numbers meant everything in my competitive years of running, now they don’t mean much at all. I will never run further, and I will certainly never run faster than those early years, and guess what? I don’t really care, I run for the now, I run for the escapism, and I run to enjoy the sights and sounds of the open countryside…Yes, one thousand miles is a landmark when in a few years time I look back at 2017 and say “I ran a thousand miles in that year” but the real meaning is that I ran all year without injury, so I must be doing something right…
As you can see, there were plenty of people waiting to celebrate my achievement…
It’s funny, Bob, my miles for this year will be somewhat less than last, but it somehow feels like a greater accomplishment given all of the hurdles and detours life has thrown in the way.
Whew, yes, being able to manage that total without injury is a relief, but your lack of injury is likely because your run so consistently. I am with you that the numbers are relative - so be it! Just to be out there is a personal win, and while the paces and distances may be declining, the satisfaction and enjoyment is somehow…increasing.
Glad you enjoyed Nidd Hall Bob, the grounds are lovely aren’t they, the inside is in need of some TLC though but it’s a gorgeous building, So pleased you liked it
Thanks Summer, yes it was a good few days at Nidd and since you mention it, as we were checking in, there were several painters working throughout the building. Once everybody had arrived the painters disappeared, but they returned as we were checking out after our three night stay. The work they had completed was excellent and really brought the decor up to scratch.
Surfermom! Sorry to hear about your daughters fight with an illness on another thread, but I’m glad for both of you that she has made a good recovery. Send her some hugs…:hug:… from this Yorkshire bloke at the other side of the Atlantic…And if there are any spare you can have them for being a caring Mom…
It’s been a ‘Hard Day’s Night’ and Mrs Fox has had me ‘Working Like a Dog’… Well that’s not strictly true, I’m the sort of person who, if there are things to be done, likes to get ‘Stuck in’ unfortunately, sometimes the mind is willing, but the flesh is weak…:-(…But I am a hard taskmaster on myself…
Anyway, I became aware of some disturbing information yesterday. I was going to do a blog on the things that have motivated me during my time as a runner. Two of my all time heroes are James E Fixx and Ron Hill. In my early days of running I bought Jim’s book (The Complete Runner) he went on to describe life as a runner, the benefits etc. Although the book wasn’t the reason that I became a runner (A story for another day) it certainly motivated me throughout the years, even today.
Jim died of a Heart Attack at fifty seven while out on a run, his body was found at the side of the road. He ran ten miles every day. I knew about Jim’s Heart Attack, and how he had an underlying heart problem, so I guess it was inevitable. But my other hero, Ron Hill, holds a world record for the longest unbroken spell of running, he has run at least one mile every day of his life since sometime in the sixties to the present day.
So I googled Ron and found that earlier this year he has had to end his attempt due to Heart Trouble, and I’m gutted!..I will post more details later…But there seems to be a pattern emerging here, with long distance runners and dodgy tickers…
As you can see, there are some well thumbed pages in this excellent book…Well thumbed…A bit like me really…
So it’s my last long run (ten miles) of the season tomorrow morning, the snows all gone so the canal bank should be nice and firm, and it’s a good weather forecast. Going on a shopping expedition to Norwich on Monday for three days with Mrs Fox and some friends so I thought I’d give running a rest until Friday. But It won’t hurt to pack my running kit just in case…
I’ve decided that with the possible bad weather and dark mornings that December, January and February can bring I’ll reduce my running to a couple of sixes through the week and an eight on Sunday. I’m out of here now, laters…:-p
Had a spot of bother this morning Mags and Val. The run I was looking forward to was a non starter I’m afraid after being woken up in the night with an inflamed and swollen big toe joint. I’ve had trouble with that joint before but it’s never stopped me running. I set off up the road, but even after just two hundred yards I realised that it was not going to go away and had to return home disappointed.
I’m not too concerned at this stage because the swelling has reduced through the day and with going away for three days, I’ve decided to give it a rest. So It’s business as usual on Friday…
Thanks Mags, it’s the first Sunday run I’ve missed this year and it doesn’t feel natural… You’re probably right though Mags, no point in making it worse when I’m not training for anything special.
Anyway, I’ve just finished packing my string vest and ripped jeans but can’t seen to find my sneakers, so I’ll go in my slippers and buy some shoes when I get there.
My toe seems so much better tonight and after thinking about it, I remember slipping on some ice on Friday and stubbed that toe. I can’t understand why it didn’t bother me yesterday though…
It’s free Wi Fi in the hotel so I’ll take my netbook and report on our progress. Bye for now…
You’re probably right though Mags, no point in making it worse when I’m not training for anything special.