The End

Well, this was a failed experiment. Sounded like a good idea at first, but there's no way I can maintain it.

Hot Grandma

Yes, it was as disgusting as it sounds...

Obviously I am talking about the oppressive heat at the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth 2 weeks ago. Very little clouds and very little shade makes 80 degrees a little rough for a marathon. The black flags were out and I heard they were close to canceling the race. That being said, it was overall a well-run and nice marathon, and I highly suggest it.

Because of the heat I managed just a 3:45, and will be running Vegas in December for another BQ try.

Stay cool in all the heat!

On the Road

It's going to be a slow week for this, since I'm on the road. I'm currently in Utah for work, and then off to Minnesota for Grandma's Marathon in Duluth on Saturday! Wish me luck! :)

Dorky Old Man Runner's Look

They don't know what it means. I don't know what it means. Hopefully I have a long while before I get there. Is there a "Dorky Young Man Runner's Look" too? Hmm... =/

That 'Dorky Old Man Runner's Look'

Runners in the Storm

I've been real busy this week looking at places to live in downtown Baltimore, so that's the reason for the little hiatus here.

Tuesday I got caught out in a severe thunderstorm, which was really scary to run in. There was a LOT of lightning, and it started pouring rain. I ended up having to spend 30 minutes under a canopy at McDonald's before running my 4th and final mile of the run. I do have to say that a thunderstorm makes you run faster. My last mile was 6:21... It was crazy - 83, humid and sunny when I started, and 20 minutes later it was 66 and a severe thunderstorm.

So in honor of that run, here's a link to running safety tips when a thunderstorm rolls in... Running For Cover

Run Happy

A nice article about how good running can make you feel. As my dad always says, running fixes everything! Seriously though, it does help whenever I'm feeling down or just kind of blah...going out for a run makes me feel better. In general, the sense of accomplishing something - even if it is just a slow mile - is a nice feeling. You went somewhere, got somewhere. Of course there are many factors that lead to your mood, and I can't say that it always lasts 12 hours for me, but I can't say I disagree with the article on a whole.

Good Mood Can Run Long Time After Workout

One (wo)Man Team

Literally. Bonnie Richardson was this year's only member of the Rochelle (TX) High School track team. That didn't stop her from winning the state track championship. The TEAM title. By HERSELF. For the second consecutive year! Crazy - never heard of anything like it!!

Teen Wins Team State Title By Herself - Again

Kenyan Racewalking

Great. Now are the Kenyans starting to take over racewalking too!? Haha. Duncan Shilindwa took the victory with a 47-minute 10k.

Kenya Junior Internationals Shine in Eldoret

5 Marathoners Save Life

Five runners that helped save another from a heart attack during the Kasumigaura Marathon in Japan in April. They got an official thank you from the race director and city's mayor. Scary moments and ordinary heroes save the day. Love it.

Five Runners Receive Official Thanks

National Running Day

Hope everyone went for a run on National Running Day - Wednesday, June 3rd.

I'm terrible for not posting on that day, and not running myself! Oops.

Running Addiction, Yo

Who knew Eminem was a runner? Like the article says...it's much healthier than stuff he was addicted to before! I like the "17 miles is way too much" quote :) On a serious note though, if you don't have the base, it can be.

I'm an addict.

Eminem: Two-a-Day Aficionado

4x4 Dynasty

Talk about a winning streak! Baylor won their 42nd straight collegiate 4x400 relay and haven't lost in that event since 2006. I have to admit that I'd be blown away if it was 42 straight NCAA championships. That would be ridiculous. Still, they must have some fast people there...I wonder how they'll do next year?

Baylor Bears Win 42nd Straight Collegiate 4x4

Back of the Pack

While I don't typically take marathons slow, I do still take in my surroundings and stuff. I'm sure I don't have as much fun as some people though. Here's an article for all the back-of-the-packers:

Marathoners These Days See Little Need For Speed

Ryan Hall Gets Advice From Stoned Hippie

Haha - as soon as I saw this headline on LetsRun.com I knew I had to post this article, because it made me chuckle. Ryan Hall was on a run and got some nice advice from a "sage" on a mountain...

Running is No Place to Waste Time

Nuts!

Overall, nuts are pretty good for you. As with anything, moderation is good. Despite my nickname, I'm not a huge nut for nuts, but I do occasionally eat some, usually peanuts.

Nuts & Athletes: Love 'em or Leave 'em?

Chocolate Half Marathon

For all of you chocoholics out there, here's a half marathon themed around chocolate! Have chocolate during and after the race, and I'm sure there are some other cool things to go with the theme :) The race is up in Ontario on August 30th.

Chocolate Half Marathon

Happy Memorial Day!

A happy Memorial Day to everyone, and a big thank you to all those who serve, protect and support our country!

In honor of that, here's a link to the DOD's Marathon site. The marathon championship was held at the Belgrade Marathon this year.

Ice Bath

The Runner's World website apparently has set up a "wiki" feature, and one of the latest articles is on ice baths. It actually tells you how to take one...which seems funny until it says ideal temp is 59 degrees. That's warmer than I expected, but I don't usually take ice baths, so what do I know? I probably should...

Ice Bath

Iowa Is Slow

Iowa's high school men's track records have stood for 30 years, and this article is questioning where the state's speedsters went. My guess is they just breed football linemen.

5/21/09 - Council Bluffs, IA

"The heyday of distance running in Iowa seems, well, distant.

It’s been 30 years since Todd Peverill and Wally Duffy set Iowa state track meet records in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, respectively, and those marks still stand today.

In western Iowa, the relative decline of boys prep distance running seems even more evident. A look at western Iowa’s all-time boys track leaders reveals that the top 10 times in both the 1,600 and the 3,200 are dominated by the Baby Boom Generation.

Duffy, who owns the state meet record of 9:07.06 in the 3,200, also set western Iowa’s overall mark (9:04.06) at Shenandoah in 1979. Only three western Iowa runners in the last 10 years have cracked the top 10..."

Not Willing to Go the Distance

Kenyan H.S. Champ

I figured it would be appropriate to start off the blog with a Kenyan article. Can you imagine how competitive a Kenyan championship must be?

5/23/09 - Eldoret, Kenya

"Upstart Nickson Chepseba of Keiyo upstaged James Magut, the World Junior 1500 metres Silver medalist in Poland, to win the 1500 metres race at the Rift Valley Secondary Schools Championships in Eldoret on Saturday.

About 200 athletes from all the 43 districts of the Rift Valley Province braved the scorching heat at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in the chase for places in the team for national secondary schools championships scheduled next week at the same venue.

Chepseba, who..."

Chebseba wins Kenyan High School Championship

Ready, set, go!

Since running has become a lifestyle for me, I thought it would be cool to have a blog about everything running. Running news, running articles, thoughts about running...etc. So here we go!