Month: January 2026

Liberty Bowl, Memphis, etc

On December 29, we watched the Bradley Men (Jacob and Barbara) rally from 13-0 down to beat Evansville 76-68.

On December 30, the house was empty. We watched Illinois beat Tennessee 30-28 on a walk-off field goal. IMHO, the Illini outplayed the Volunteers for most of the game, but gave up a kick return for a TD.

On December 31, Tracy came over and we watched Ohio State lose to Miami 24-14

Then we drove to Memphis and stayed at the Hampton Inn. Checking in and leaving were a zoo. The rest of the stay was fine, and the local food was delicious!

Barbara skipped the game as it was pouring down rain. Fortuately, I had a poncho and a dry sweat shirt to change into at half time. It was 21-7 Navy by then; Navy was running effectively but had enough passing to score on a 2 minute drive just before the half.

The Mids played even over quarter 3 and took a 28-7 lead on another pass right in front of me. The Bearkats pulled to within 28-13 on some nifty passing, but Navy’s pick 6 deep in Cincinnati territory sealed the deal.

I had a good old time chatting with a member of the Class of 75 during the game.

On the way back (left earlier) we lucked on to a Middle Eastern restaurant at the Love’s Travel Stop in Sikeston, MO.

It isn’t as if I have nothing to say

The point is: my wife is recovering from a broken foot and should stay off of it. So, all household chores are on me, and that is time and energy consuming. So, not much here, other than hum drum workout posts.

So, the workouts:

Walking: Thursday, before Memphis: 3.27 in 46:14 (14:09 pace; 13’s over the final 2 miles) on campus.

Friday: 2 mile treadmill 2.04 in 30 minutes; almost 16 for mile 1 (increased the speed as I went along). Also, dumbbell weights in the hotel gym: bench (55), standing shoulder (30), curls (20, 25): 3 sets of 10 of each exercise. Got out of breath.

Saturday: core only. no walking

Sunday: B park spur (1:18 at the turn around), 2 mile Cornstalk “wrap around” loop then from the exit: wandering around campus, Moss, etc. Total: 10.1 miles at 16:12. (2:43:36). Disappointed in the pace but this was better than my recent 8 milers. And the hills coming first took it out of me a bit.

Not getting the time that I want

I really (stupidly) thought that I’d get more time to write, but “people duties” have taken me away.

Workout notes:
walking:
27 December: 8.2 tough course at 16:57 mpm
Later: 1.6 campus pushing Barbara
28 December: 2.3 commuter walk
29 December: 2.4 commuter
30 December 8.1 commuter walk at 16:53. Good weather; done for the soul
31 December: 2.1 commuter after weights (Wednesday)
Weights:
Moving backwards:
Yesterday (31 December): pull ups: 7 sets of 6, one of 8
bench: 10 x 134, 17 x 134, 10 x 134
High incline: 10 x 94, 5 x 115, 5 x 115
trap bar: 10 x 134, 10 x 184 (low)
4 inch: 10 x 225
29 December: pull ups: 2 sets of 10, 5 sets of 6
bench: 10 x 134, then 3 sets of 5 x 155
high incline: 10 x 94, then 2 sets of 5 x 110
27 December deadlifts: 10 x 134, 10 x 184, 10 x 225 low, 10 x 250 wagon wheel.
Of note: we saw Bradley beat Evansville 76-68 in a game that saw the Braves struggle early (13-0 deficit) and saw EU take a brief lead in the second half.

I’ll check in more completely later and put a year in review post as well.