Justin Havu

Actually, I just bought a 12-pack of Coca-Cola.

Still waiting to get outside. I just got a couple pairs of Saucony running shoes that I really want to break in. Maybe in a week or two. Problem right now is if it isn't too cold, it's far too windy.

I'll start this one. I just acquired a K2000 for $300. She sounds awesome! Ain't exactly bad lookin' either! Your turn. http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k193/justinhavu/31d67349-c5db-4a06-a7fe-50e4a5efe630.jpg

Been listening to Ole Borud for the last couple days. I love the songwriting and musicianship! [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDK-dXtnA-E

Improv I recorded a couple days ago... CLONKETY CLONK

Really? Which ones? I've tried them all -- Akai, Alesis, Arturia, Behringer, Korg, Line 6, M-Audio, Nektar, Novation, Roland, Samson -- and, to me, none of them feel "pretty decent." There's always something wrong with them: too tightly sprung, too spongy, the pivot point is wrong, the keys are uneven, it's too difficult to get a good velocity range, the keys are too short, the keys have rough edges, the key travel is too shallow, etc. And that's just the keys; there are plenty of other issues with build quality, knobs and sliders, wheels, drum pads, etc. Makes me wish I'd kept my MIDIBoard! However, I had to deal with a really buggy OS and sold it quite a few years back. Anyway, the action of a keyboard makes it or breaks it for me. Sure it would sound good, but what's the use if it isn't playable? I had such a hard time with my church's Ensoniq KS-32 over a year ago, that I had to start bringing my own instrument (Quadrasynth.) Haven't touched the KS since.

Even a Behringer powered monitor sounds better than a KC amp. Quite honestly, and I'll probably get a lot of crap for this--I've never heard anything marketed as a "Keyboard amp" that sounded pleasing to my ears, but that's just me.

Just getting into Pat Metheny Group. Love this tune... [video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8-_M7HgCEY

Been listening to a lot of Toy Matinee/3rd Matinee lately. Awesome songwriting and musicianship! [video:youtube]

This was taken last Saturday at a 5K benefiting anencephaly, a disease in which a newborn is born with a large part of the brain missing. The family's baby lived for about 45 minutes before passing on, so four years ago, they started an annual 5K event raising awareness for the disease. My Christian/Worship band was asked to play the event, which we graciously accepted. While we wanted to donate our time, I asked to run the race as well to show my support.

Well, I ran my first 10K this morning, time was 1:12:15. The course was pretty hilly for the most part, but I took them all fairly slowly, and finished with an average 11:38 pace. Overall, I'm happy with the results. The 5K coming up on Saturday should be a cakewalk.

After two years of writing and recording in the midst of a bunch of low points in my life during the 2013 year, my new album, "Running For You" is finally complete! CLONKETY CLONK Enjoy, and blessings! JH

Went for an 8-miler on Friday to gear up for a 10K at the end of next month. I'll still be doing my 1.5 mile morning run every morning to help wake me up, then once a week, I'll substitute one of my morning runs for some interval training, then I'll be doing a long, easy run every weekend until the 10K. I'll be running the actual course on one of those runs, and I'll be running the 10K with someone else from my church who does a lot of running as well. Can't wait for that!

This was from the 5K this past Sunday in Dover, NH, about to cross the finish line. I'm in the blue/white singlet. http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k193/justinhavu/imagejpg1-2.jpg

Just bought a foam roller too. Used it before and after the race. It's great to have, just gotta get used to how it feels. I'll post some race pics as soon as I can get my hands on them. My next goal is to successfully complete a 10K. I'm looking at one at the end of July. I don't have a target time in mind, just to complete it without walking.

Ran my second 5K this morning. Finished it in 28:35 with an average 9:12 pace. First mile was my fastest mile at around 8:35. Slowed down a bit for the second mile, then picked it back up for the final mile. The weather was gorgeous, sunny, 72 degrees, perfect day for a run!

Just bought a foam roller today. Can't wait to incorporate that into my cool downs. Will definitely be utilizing it after my 5K tomorrow!

Been listening to Toy Matinee quite a bit lately. Amazing album, amazing musicianship, amazing writing. 'Nuff said!

I will say this, too. My clothing choices as of late have definitely benefitted my ability to run longer distances, and has helped my speed--just gravitated to 3" running shorts, and a singlet. Furthermore, Over the last year, I've found a bunch of singlets in various thrift shops in my area, still looking for more shorts as I only have one pair of 3" shorts. I'm the most comfortable I've been in a long time.

That's my furthest distance--for now!! The next big run is the Father's Day 5K I'm doing next Sunday. I'm so pumped for it! I want to get one more speed workout and possibly a slow 3.5 or 4 mile run before the big day.

Did a 6.25 mile run today. Ran the first mile at a 9:45 pace, and slowed down for the rest, around 11:00-11:30. A little tiring, but a whole hell of a lot of fun!

Alright, I'm participating in Runner's World's 40-day Streak Challenge... CLONKETY CLONK CLONK It lasts from Memorial Day to Independence Day and the premise of the challenge is to run at least one mile a day for 40 days. I've mapped out a 1.25 mile course around my neighborhood and I've noticed my time get a little faster and faster each day (Yesterday's average pace was 9:12.) It's definitely getting me stronger, but I still want to do one or two more 3-milers before my 5K in a couple weeks.

Another question, guys. (sorry, lol!) What are some good tips to avoid heel-striking? From what I've read and watched on YouTube, the best way to avoid it is to not run completely vertical, but with a slight forward lean, so the leg goes behind me. Just wondering if if that would be a good idea to start practicing, or are there other things I might want to try?

Well, the weather decided to clear up yesterday, so I did a slow, steady 2.85 miles, with an average 11:42 pace. Like I said, slow and steady... Back to interval training on Wednesday. Now here's another question: could I mix up my interval training and hill intervals from week to week (regular interval training one week, hill training the next, and alternate between the two), or should I just stick to running intervals for a while, then focus on hill training later on?

Rainy day today. Looks like either eliptical or treadmill work for me. I think I'll pick eliptical. It's more comfortable for me to run outdoors than on a treadmill, where I don't have to worry about shortening my stride. Don't get me wrong, I like warming up and cooling down on a treadmill, but I'll only do a running workout on one as a last resort.