been a while since we spoke. bet you thought I quit walking. Well, wrong-oh. Just been busier than a one eyed hunter at a skeet factory. weight is down more than 10 lbs, time is down to 90 minutes and I could run now if I wanted, but I am going in the hospital soon and want to wait until I get out. aches and pains are prevalent but you work through them. Left ankle hurts most, everything else actually feels good. I have moved to falknor drive in manchester. life is good, too. maybe the new deejay at cts hottest country bar soon, got a new if boring job and on my third woman since august. they keep dumping me, I am no tramp. last one goes out with me once, we bond (so to speak) then she calls me two days later and says sorry, getting married. damn women. Second time I have been burned by MHS class of 1970 so lie if you are part of it.....she was out of my league, anyway....blonde, beautiful....I just want the happily ever after part (hint-email me here). so, let me know how you are doing and we will talk again soon. I walk almost every M-f @ 5:30-7pm and week end mornings go almost ten miles now.

Well, feeling stronger all the time now. Got the walk down to a standard 95 minutes and really feel like running, especially on main st or willis streets....downhill only, of course. weather has been awesome. nobody really passes me anymore, in fact I pass others now.....still not losing weight but try to remember muscle weighs more than fat and I may be converting (sounds good, anyway). see more and more people I know all the time now, a little scary because if I quit or get hurt will have some splaining to do....lol. anyway, probably no entry tomorrow but look for me saturday folks....godd nite!

10 miles since our last chat, and I am now officially a prize winning authors (see yesterdays hartford courant www.courant.com/ne) and remember my name. Anyway, poured yesterday, which felt good in the hot, humid air. Have cut time down big time now, walking entire thing in under 100 minutes now, a 20% improvement in 9 days. Yes, it has been 45 miles since we started this thing and as yet, doing it all on my own. Today was my first real work "day" in a while, so did not even get started til after 5:30pm. Beautiful weather, hot but not humid....sweat pours off me now...weight not falling off, problem must be all this walking makes me frigging hungary..no music today, couple of jokes.....will write more soon..peace...I can feel a run coming but gotta lose some weight or will get hurt....ugh.... TT

got an early start today, parked the car @ St James parking lot (sjpl), which is the official starting/finish line for race day. Total time was close to 105 minutes, which means in the first week we knocked off more than 15 minutes in total time....and it shows, too, although todays decrease can be linked to the fact that I was not at all tired from walking up highland street til I actually did it. people out everywhere today, but seemed to be grumpy. Not one walker/jogger/biker responded to my greeting, I think because they see me as fat and sweaty and themselves as hot physical specimens. It is true that everyone passes me, but I continue to meet and exceed the challenge of the hill. Two attractive women passed me wearing damn little. They had nice shapes, for sure, but people our age should dress more modestly. ENUFF said..........todays music started with mark Knopfler and dire straits...heavy fuel, segway to romeo and juliet (blatent plagiarism) then calling elvis, so far away from me, mtv, sultans of swing, my parties (hilarious) then after a brief word from our sponsor, brooks and dunn made a special appearance, sang my maria (dance version, awesome) you know, for a guy who can not sing or play an instrument, I sure can throw a party. People dancing everywhere man (that much is true...One time 350,000 people came over 4 days, although not my family.). Stage and light shows very similar in theory (but more intricate and outdoor fireworks) than Pink Floyd "pulse" from 1994. Oh yeah, there was a little comfortably numb, brick in the wall, pigs, then joe walsh jammed by but anyway, i had two hours to kill so let me have some fun. The tally after week one stands at this- total miles walked-38. Most miles in one day-8. Quickest time-105 minutes. Injuries-none. Weather was perfect. Weight loss-yes (but still fat). Goals for week two- walk in the rain, walk after work daily, loss same amount of weight within a pound or two, think seriously about second trip up the hill. I continue to enjoy myself, the invitation to join me is still open, meet @ 6pm at sjpl m-f. you will recognize my green chevy malibu with the shark bite up front and me, with the scar on my throat...email your comments or suggestions to- usmusicman@gmail.com on another positve note (thats why you come here, isn't it? I mean, to make yourself feel better....) In the Sunday, August 20, 2006 NE magazine section of the Hartford Courant, read the Naughty Dog Essay" second place submission...it is from me and about my now dearly departed Beauty and Zeus, the two best friends I have ever had. (www.courant.com and scan fo ne magazine). I continue to thank you for your support and encouragement and will see you Monday (I write from work or the library, both of which are closed tomorrow.....) but I expect to be out there tomorrow huff-ing and puff-ing.... Peace Tom

oh man, the time is coming down. Must be the music. Today, we listened to the little river band (long way there, among others). People are starting to figure out what I am doing, got my first honks and what not today. And the block, runners block, man, I was into it before I even knew it and boom, the hill was history. No running yet though. GOOD NEWS 200LBS AFTER ONLY A WEEK (30 MILES) At this rate, October 1 is doable.....oh yueah, "the girl" is back on my mind, little kiss and make up. Next week, I start my new hours by the way, so the training times will move to about 6pm.....heh heh heh...wont be so HOT but dark is a problem. need to get down to an hour...lol so, thought a lot today. Had some minor issues with the drug testing (I do not use them, remember) but could not fill the cup enough to get the temperature. Geez, just do what God did and yank a handful of my hair out...gotta go. More tomorrow kids.....

Slept like a baby last night, I mean like 11 hours. But first, had words with "the girl", beginning to lose interest in her BECAUSE 2 gorgeous 20 somethings, a blonde and a brunette who don't know each other, are making me feel so manly.......while "the girl" is getting me nowhere.... Anywho, walked again today, 5th day in a row and knocked off a full ten minutes from the time. Did not stop once, no resting no water no break at all. Won an argument, too, and as regular readers know, that's important. More on my thoughts while out there- 1) Beautiful day. 2) All those political signs, hard not to at least think about it. And when I think about it, I think Ned Lamont, Lowell Weicker, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton remind me of the four horsemen of the Apocolypse mentioned in Revelations. Noticed my body is changing today, after only 25 miles..............fat tightening up, i HAVE HORRIBLE BEER BELLY, ESPECIALLY FOR A GUY DOES NOT DRINK BEER...Todays music (all in my head remember) included Clint Holmes (PLayground in my mind) The Who (Emminence Front) Talking Heads (and she was), then I drifted back to my days as a Marine Corporal. Marched my troops down Porter Street, crisply, and I call a mean cadence if I do say so Myself (your left, your right,). My 29th anniversary of leaving for boot camp (UGH!) is 8/21...29 years ago.....funny things I noticed today....an old man ran by me, kinda hurt my feelings, but he only ran like 100 yards past me. But later on, towards the end, two kids passed me, although I think they were extending themselves to sort of pass THIS old man. No, they were not together, and once they passed me, they never really got too far ahead of me. I feel a run coming but the need to lose weight is

heh heh heh, yeah, Nov 23 is right around the corner, only 126 shopping days til Christmas. Better get a move on.... Man, was I sore this morning. Getting out of bed was a chore! Slowly moved all the parts (mine, since I sleep alone, yeah, with nobody else) to make sure nothing was injured. Ankles first, then knees and on up. Then I decided to stay in bed for another hour and ten minutes....ahhh man. I love going to bed early because it means getting up early. Its still light when I crash most nites.....But once I finally did get up, I was one cranky bear. growled at the dog and my coworkers. Not typical, kinda scared me..at that hour of the day, I am lucky noone threw coffee at me, either...anyway, a couple of hours of pleasant chit chat and loud country music on the radio and I was.......tolerable. Got home, decided I better change this attitude and quick, so I donned my superman outfit (red shorts and black tshirt, sneakers and white sox-honk if you see me although I change daily) and that big freaking walking stick and headed up the hill........... got an early start today and immediately my attitude changed. I guess its true-ya start working out and man, you need that "fix" daily or it shows. managed to count to 1200 (hope you've been paying attention), which is some sort of record, remember I start at ognc (oak grove nature center) and walk up highland street (commonly known as heartbreak hill to the runners). My time was marginally better than it has been (by 0.00234 seconds) so despite the fact I only took one break, we are showing little progress. However, todays big development was the return of "the block". Yes, you runners know what that is....and for those who don't, please, let me explain. When we run (or in my case, amble) the mind sort of takes over and we enter a type of autopilot zone. You cant talk to me, cant get me to talk. Yet its safe, I know whats going on (at least on the same level I normally do) and know to stay out of traffic, etc. And time flies, too. Before you know it, you are like, somewhere you didn't know you were. And today, it happened to me, at the top of the hill. However, I crashed into the curb and almost into the bushes, so all this talk about not hurting myself is just so much hooey, I guess. Anyway, the trip was awesome baby, I see me running by the end of September at the latest. Maybe not the whole five miles, but running. The short term goal for now is to start on the hill and finish-on the hill. Yes, walk the hill twice. Then and only then will this large frame of mine be ready to begin running. Couple of idle thoughts for today from a sleep deprived bipolar (me)-1) I felt like Forest Gump for a while today (where ya going, why ya walkin? run forest run!) although nobody followed me and 2) I realized I walk looking down so as not to make eye contact with drivers. Even I think thats weird. 3) Construction on Main Street progressing nicely. 4) People with vanity plates should not drive recklessly eddy-e. Okay- it has been decided that I am happy to bring other people with me, however I am not a babysitting service. Email me (usmusicman@gmail.com for the details.) And yes, we will have our party Thanksgiving weekend. Free food and drink (for me and a date)..... On a sad note- a friend of the family passed away today. When you say your prayers tonight (as all my readers do), please mention Al to the God of your choice.....he is missed. See you tomorrow kiddies!!!!!!

Walked the "official" route of the 2006 Manchester Road race today, it is taking an average of 2 hours, which seems like a lot. You walk up Highland street......felt great, weather hot, humid and overcast. somebody asked me what I think about for two hours while I walk, tried not to laugh. Maybe I shouldn't say anything, but here goes. Today, thought about "the girl". In my mind, belted out an incomparable rendition of Englebert's after the lovin, with a really big finish. Then played some country music (remember, still no headphones, so this is all in my head), sang wynonas "she is his only need", Brad Paisley's "When I get where I'm goin" among others. I spend lots of time counting steps, cadence (don't forget, I was a Marine) beats every FOURTH step. Make a game of it. Also cognizant of where I am at all times, how much things have changed and how little has changed (the two are not mutually exclusive). Lived in this town all my life....ask me about the sign of the beast in East Cemetery, yes, it will scare you. Uh oh, here comes the "I am on a mission speech"....good vs evil. I dream big while I am out there, too. Gonna do a concert one day, featuring Phil Collins. Something happened on the way to heaven, one more night, easy lover, against all odds,two hearts, tell me-do you remember, just look over your shoulder, and finish with take, take me home, cause I dont remember.......... Gotta have Paul Mccartney or it wouldn't be a concert, too. Just 17, coming up, let it be,this one, things we said today, aint that a shame, If i were not upon the stage, brave face, Hey Jude (Take me back-you were great), yesterday. Garth would be there, too, much too young, unanswered prayers, Friends in low places, your song, the dance. Yeah, Should be the deejay on lifes FM................ can you tell I am really starting to get into this?

OK, this is actually kind of exciting. My name is Tom Topping, and I live in manchester, Connecticut. Every year, on Thanksgiving Day, the Town (along with the Tall Cedars and others) sponsors a 5 mile road race. This year, we celebrate the 70th running (www.manchesterroadrace.com). So, big deal, right? What's that got to do with this blog? Well, I'm gonna tell ya. For the first time in ten years, I wanna run again. And boy, have things changed in ten years. I am now almost 50 years old (47 on 7/29/2006) and weigh over 200 pounds. I have run before, too, This race, so I have a clue. And you can follow my progress, hopefully my progress, right here. Starting now............... June/July, 2006.......recovering from thyroid surgery on May 1, 2006. Quit smoking, too. Weight is a problem, going from 155 lbs to over 200 in just three months. Started walking daily on Case (lookout) Mountain (in Manchester), but a severe ankle injury leads to an almost six week timeout........ankle is not used to my new weight, for one thing. None of me is. Doc says good trade (smoking for fat), but I can lick both....former marine, ya know..... My, how times really have changed. It has been 20 years without a drink, almost 10 without drugs and now I don't even smoke......maybe I am boring, but should live to be 100.... Sunday, August 13, 2006........beautiful day for a walk. Temps in the 70s, low humidity.....Ankle seems to have healed nicely, no residual pain or swelling. Got to pay a little more attention now, time is of the essence and I really did not listen to my body before......so what do I do? follow same trail that used to take two hours, but pace myself and today it takes 2.5 hours. Met another marine on the hill, saw maybe a dozen other people and just one weird lady who thought her lab did not need to be leashed. Neither did I, but she was kinda nasty, so so was I....I love being right....was into the whole hike, look forward to tomorrow but gonna make one change..... Monday, Aug 14, 2006. More summer like outside, much more what I expected. Hot, humid and sunny. Did not walk up the mountain today, chose instead to walk the race route. Good idea except for one big tactical error.....left from moms house, which adds an hour to the trip and means finishing on highland street. Gonna change that tomorrow. But I feel...great again, this is exactly what I needed. Unlike ten years ago, no walkman now.....my ears still ring from back then....yes, I will eventually get music, but now pacing, breathing and finishing are important. And with the hill last, well, this was a tough three hours that never really became a cruise..... Stopped several times along the way....gotta bring frozen H2O tomorrow....Main Street under construction again, nice and quiet. I suppose I look like a weirdo in my parka and carrying the big stick, but dogs are an issue. Yes, I love them but they can bite. If one bites me, I will do my best David Ortiz impression..... Thought about my new job a lot today, start next week and hope to keep this up. I know, walking after work is tough, but by October thsi should be a lot less time consuming, unless I get hurt again.... Getting hurt again scares me......gotta stay 100 percent healthy or I will fail.... Goals as follows- weight loss, good running time (entire route in under 47 minutes-get it?), eventually longer runs, yes, there is a girl involved so