Setting 'em up and knocking 'em down

That's pretty much what I feel like right now, I'm just doing things for the sake of doing them- school, work, even running- just seem terribly monotonous right now. I really need to re- prioritize, slow down, and refocus. Running has gone well, and I've been doing it a lot lately; I'm trying to get back consistently to 40mpw seeing that I don't have anything to train for until January 23rd. Sigma Chi seems to be in full swing, I'm opting not to go to the Theta Gama initiation at Drake this weekend, but even still I've got the Christmas party this weekend, and next weekend we've got the initiation of another brother from Iota Tau, as well as a retreat, so It'll be busy. I've got a few final papers in addition to the daily boring homework, which just seems to wear me down. I've been going to bed late and running early, which is never a good combo. Plus, I've got to find a date to the Christmas party and have to worry about all this rediculous crap that doesn't matter. I just need to take a deep breath, take a quick 5 miles to clear my head, and make a list.

Note: College is easy, until the last three weeks

Living History Cross Country Extravaganza

I'm just going to throw this out there before I start- I'm wiped. I mean I'm really tired and looking forward to thanksgiving break. I'm going for a run tonight and wouldn't be surprised if I ran into a tree or something. That said, ignore my atrocious spelling and grammar.

Friday after my 10:40 class I headed up to Urbandale, IA for the Living History Farms Mud Fest that passes off as a Cross Country Race. Driving up with a couple teammates, I couldn't be more exited and debated with myself whether I should race it or not, but cooler heads prevailed and I decided not to. We got there after a good four hours on the road, which was perfect, not even a quarter mile from the start line, and went to dinner. We went to bed early after watching a bit of Return to the House on Haunted Hill (terrible movie.) The day of the race was ridiculously foggy, but not that cold. We woke up at 7:00, and got to the race after a quick warm up at 8:45 or so for a 9:00 race. There aren't really waves or anything, and there isnt really a starting chute, it was just line up and go. You had to get a good spot because there is a tunnel about a mile into the race and I hear it bottlenecks pretty bad for the people in the back of the midpack. I lined up in the fourth row and went out kind of fast, so I didn't get stuck in that, and I was off. About two miles into the race there are hay bales on the right as you run, and I saw some people in front of me try to climb up and jump off, and look like idiots, so I decided not to and run right past.

After the hay bales (or maybe before them?) there was this huge hill. I mean ridiculous. I ran up it, but I saw a bunch of people walking. I was like, are you kidding me? Two and a half miles in there's your first stream crossing. I was disappointed by how many people were apprehensive about it, waiting to find the perfect spot to slide down the banks. I jumped down and tore through the river, but had a hell of a time getting up. There was another stream crossing a short while later that had a bunch of rocks in the center that people were trying to step on to cross the river. I thought I would be smart and went to the far left and splashed through the water by everybody. Then there was a cornfield, which was a little tough to go through. It wasn't well plowed, and there were ears of corn everywhere which were ankle breakers, that really slowed me down.

Then there was this creek crossing where I lost my shoe, and had to go through in my socks, which was wet. After that I put my shoe on, and went immediately up a hill, a huge one that you had to use a rope to climb up. Again, I went to the left and climbed up pretty easily because there was a huge line to use the ropes. You went a little farther and into the woods where you went down a really big hill, this was at the last creek crossing, and people were yelling HARD LEFT! HARD LEFT!! in front of you, and it was through another river. I had a bunch of speed, so I jumped over a lot of the river and when I landed I got really really dirty. I then went up another one of those rope hills, and again tried to not use them, but slid down twice when I was halfway up the hill. I got up on the third time, and it was through the tunnel, over the gigantic hill and up to the finish to eat hot beef stew.

All told there were 8 creek crossings, and lots and lots of mud. I was really looking forward to a hot shower at the hotel after the endorphins wore off half hour before the race, because it was freezing and I was wet. Unfortunately, the hotel turned into a ghost town at 7:30 before the race, and everyone came back around 10:30, and everybody used all the hot water. Definitely a race I'll do again.

Then here's to our Fraternity, and may she never die. May heav'n preserve the Blue and Gold; and The Cross of Sigma Chi.

That's from the song "Then Here's to Our Fraternity," composed by Beta Chapter in 1950. So, I got initiated on Saturday morning and am now worthy of wearing the White Cross. I dont really want to say a lot about I week and Initiation itself in fear of saying too much, but lets just say I learned a lot about myself, the brothers, and Sigma Chi as a whole. It was a really emotional week for me, and for all of us, and even though it was a lot of late nights and early mornings, I'd give a whole heck of a lot to do that experience over again. Our initiation ended at about 1:30 PM, so it went from 5:00 PM Friday to 1:30 Saturday, then I slept from 2- 9, and went back to the house to party. I had actually brought my homework over and intended to do that, but after going to the club and several drunken renditions of "The Sweetheart Of Sigma Chi" it was three in the morning and I didn't feel up for a few hours of homework.

So that's what I've been up to. I had to take Friday and Saturday off from running, and have yet to get my run in tonight, but I will, although it'll be late. Also, this weekend is Living History's 7 mile XC race in Iowa. I'm so pumped.

Blood, Sweat, but no tears (yet)

Thank God I can run myself out of trouble. My foot has more or less stopped hurting after only five runs last week in four days. It was a recovery week, so I'm not too concerned. On my Friday run, I got run off the trails by a couple bikers, took a spill, and kept running. I didn't think anything of it, except some people were looking at me weird, but I blew them off. I went a couple more miles, ant then somebody passed me and was like 'are you okay?' I told them I was, why do they ask, and they kindly explained that I was going to die from blood loss because my knee was gushing blood. I don't want to get really gross, but I had to throw away the socks I was wearing that day because they were pretty bloody. I cleaned myself up at least a little bit, and the carnage really wasn't that bad; I had just let it get out of hand. I had to run home without a shirt on, because I used that to dab at the blood so it didn't get too crazy, which was okay because it wasn't that cold, but I got more than my fair share of weird looks. I got some blood splattered on my Adrenaline 10's as well, which I think looks pretty bad assed so I can fool people into thinking I'm a serious runner.

That was my fun for the week. This morning I ran 12, down to Lake Nokomis and back. I've never run that loop before, but now I'm going to more frequently, it was beautiful; like 50 degrees, and I felt great. No pain at all. I also tried some Sport Beans instead of my usual Power Bar Gel, and they worked okay. My one gripe is that I had to stop to take them, which once I stop its tough for me to get going again, but I did, running sup 9 minute miles, which I guess is okay for a long run.

Oh, I was going through the Brooks ID discussion group, because it is about time to re- up again, and I came across the Brooks Running Club facebook app. (http://apps.facebook.com/brooksrunningclub/) Its got a training log component, which is awesome, as well as a discussion board and a shoe tracker thing so you can track the milelage on your current pair of shoes. I currently rotate between the Adrenaline 10, Adrenaline 8, and Mach 11, but you can only have one pair of shoes, so I am supplementing it with my buckeye outdoors log so I can keep track of individual shoe mileage, but once the gurus at Brooks figure that out, its going to be so cool!

So this week is I week for Sigma Chi. Basically what that means is that I have to live in the ∑X house for the week until Friday when I get initiated. The purpose of it is to get in touch with yourself and your brothers in a more intimate sense. Straight from the I week packet:

This includes abstaining from television, music, newspapers, magazines, internet, alcohol, tobacco, masturbation, and cellular phones. Also, to obtain the optimal effect, a personal vow of silence is required. This is not an absolute silence, but serves to cut out needless chatter, in hopes of aiding the development of deep and meaningful conversation.

So that means no posting for this next week. I have a XC race on Saturday, but I've heard through the grapevine that initiation goes until 10:30AM Saturday morning. I'll talk it over with the Magiester and Consul, but if you're on my team know that its a gametime decision. Also, this most likely means more running. I'm a devout believer that running is a way to 'get real with yourself,' reevaluate your priorities, clear your head, and pray, so I'll probably up the time on the road this week, for the sole purpose of getting myself in order.

Whats wrong with Meb?

As everyone already knows, Meb won the New York City Marathon in 2:09:15, being the first American man to win since 1982. However, it looks like the media won't let him off the hook. Take a look at this yahoo article. How dumb. I just cant fathom anyone writing that. I mean, I dont know what to call that. Racism? maybe, but its definitely prejudice. I just don't know how anybody can say that, can call someone not an American simply because they emigrated here. Hey, guess what Darren, somewhere along the line, your grandparents immigrated to this great country as well, therefore, based on your own arguments, you are not fully American either, no one is. I dont want to rip on this guy too much, mostly because he's not worth ripping on, but also because he posted an apology the next day. But I really don't know why he thinks this is such a big issue now. I mean, if he wants pure American distance running, he'll have to go back to the late '70's/ early'80's with Dick Beardsley and Bill Rodgers. This quote rubs me the wrong way the most, however:

Nothing against Keflezighi, but he’s like a ringer who you hire to work a couple hours at your office so that you can win the executive softball league.

Are we really saying stuff like that on such a public forum? I mean that's downright terrible journalism to call someone out like that, I don't understand how we can let that disrespect go in our culture. brickrunnin06 made a great point on the Dyestat Talk forums. He said "Nobody has a problem with Big Papi hitting homers, or Patrick Ewing slamming the ball in, or Wayne Gretzky lighting up the ice or Osi Umenyiora making the big sack. Give Meb the credit he deserves."

I can't get my head around such ignorance and bigotry. I don't care what that guy says, I'm happy to call Meb my countrymen.

On the same note, kind of, did anyone see the article on Hassan Mead in this month's Running Times? really inspiring stuff.

So, what about my running? Well, nothing doing here. I have only run one day, on Monday, and it was a disaster, just really hurt. I self diagnosed myself having Morton's Neuroma, so I've just been taking it easy, not running, doing core, and icing, a lot. I'm going to try to jog four miles or so and see how it goes. I'll just keep the mileage low this week, and get back into it next week.

'I gotta beat the bananas!'

Its been almost a week since I've posted anything, but that's because nothing exiting has happened. I have noticed that my left forefoot between the third and fourth metatarsals start getting numb as early as 20 minutes but as late as 35 minutes into my run. I can still run on them, but it eventually feels like I'm running on my ankles. I've never tried running any longer than 1:10:00 like that, but it isn't painful, although sometimes it stings pain. I looked on the internet and they said it could be one of five things: (1) due to new shoes, (2) due to old shoes, (3) Morton's Neuroma, (4) a prerequisite to Type II diabetes and death is immanent, (5) a prerequisite to a stroke and death is immanent. I ruled out 2, 4, and 5 right away. I bought some forefoot gel cushions, but ran without them yesterday. I only went 20 minutes, but left them out for the race today because I had no ill effects yesterday.

Today I ran the Monster Dash 10 miler, my second in October. It was cold, like low 30's at the start. I was one of the few people who wore shorts for the race, but it turned out to be a good choice. In fact, I was thinking that I should have wore a singlet the first five miles of the race. It was a loop course, which I was not too fond of on a windy day like this morning was. Going back was just brutal. I did my first 6 in 45- 50ish, but fell apart from there. Maybe it was the hills, maybe it was the wind, or the fact that I had not taken any water until 4 and a half miles, but I was set up for an epic collapse. So, the title. I ran my first mile in 9:45 because I was stuck behind a good 100 people slower than me. My dad saw me at the 1st mile mark, and at that point there was a bunch of bananas in front of me by about 200 meters. I shouted ' I'VE GOT TO CATCH THOSE BANANAS' at the top of my lungs and then proceeded to pass them (I ended up beating them by a good 15 minutes) and then ripping off several 8 minute miles.

The turnaround point was just brutal too. You went up a hill for about 300 meters, took a right, went up another hill for another 300 meters, and then dropped that distance over a course of 400 meters or so. That was the beginning of the end. I mostly just walked the water stops, but when I started walking, its tough to get back running. No foot problems though, which was an absolute godsend. The crowd support was sparse, it was like there was a mile where there was nobody, then there was a ton of people for a half mile, and so on. Plus, I ran 1:26:13, which is almost a four minute PR! plus, I won the 15-19 age group! I'm excited!!

October snowstorm

When I was in my Political Thought class on Friday, it started snowing. It wasn't real snow though, it was more or less freezing rain that looked like snow. Nevertheless, it was coming down fairly hard, and I decided to run my workout anyways. I was planning to do a few strides across the baseball and soccer fields for 15 minutes or so, something easy. Of course, the snow was melting and puddling up whenever it hit the ground or whatever, which was not good for me. I grabbed my spikes anyway and headed out. It was pretty cold, but that really didn't bother me. I found that the fields don't drain well at all though. I managed a couple strides, but I had to be careful. Even with my 3/8'' frog killer spikes, I couldn't get any traction. I finished the workout, but my legs, shorts, and back of my singlet were all streaked with mud and grass from my kick. I guess I'm lucky I didn't fall.

So the next day I ran Jack's Run at the U of M golf course. If you were paying attention, you'd know I didn't finish last weekend's race because of my ankle. I had talked to a few people in my dorm who had run Griak in their high school days, and they said how hard the course was. Keeping that in mind, I decided to play it conservative for the first 4k and hammer the last k to the finish. Well, the pre race warm up I ran was pretty difficult, but I was feeling pretty good. I guess this was an official meet for the U of M women, since their whole team was there, which was pretty cool. We had our own start box, which made it feel like a big meet, and it was pretty sizable, especially compared to the 20 people or so that usually show up to our races. I stuck to the plan and hit 4k in 20 minutes. The hills were killing me, but it was mostly downhill from the 4k mark. I tried to pick it up, but I just couldn't. I was wobbling from one side of the finish chute to the other, feeling like I was going to pass out. I didn't, and I finished, but it wasn't pretty. I threw up just after I finished, so I've got to figure out what went wrong. I felt pretty good during the cool down, so who knows.

Brooks Adrenaline 10 review

Note: those are not my shoes. Mine are much dirtier. I figured I should hold off on posting a review until I put some substantial mileage on my shoes. I've got 27 miles on them and I cant hold off any longer. These shoes feel awesome, with the exception of the toe box. They feel a lot like the 8's in every respect, although they feel a tad heavier, its not very noticeable though. Whereas you could feel the road under your feet with the 9's, there is none of that with the 10's. The arch wrap feels amazing, I think Brooks got it right when they said that they nailed the cushioning system. They aren't too firm, and they definitely aren't to spongy. I can't speak to the lacing system though, because I took out the stock laces in favor of black and reflective silver speed laces, however, I laced them fairly loose because they fit like a glove. Speaking of, I'll get to the toe box. I think its a little bit cramped, and even though I have wide feet, I fit in Adrenaline 8 size 7.5D just fine, but the same size in 10's feels a bit tighter. I'm actually finding that my toe would go numb after 6 or more miles, but we'll work on that, its no big deal. There definitely is a break in period for the 10's, about 10 miles or so, no big deal.

I'm getting a pair of 8's that I got off ebay sometime next week and will be splitting time between the 8's and the 10's, so that will be an interesting comparison. Also, they get dirty really easy, so if vanity is your thing, forget the 10's, but they still look dead sexy even covered in dirt.

In Hoc Signo Vinces

Its been a while, since Saturday I think? Anyway, so Sunday... didn't go so well. My Grandparents came to the race, so it was doubly disappointing that I didn't finish. I felt all right during the warm up, but could tell something was up. I just didn't feel right. About a fourth of a mile into the race, I had to drop out. My ankle just didn't feel 100%, and my legs just wouldn't turn over. If you were wondering, running a double the day before a race, bad idea. Whatever though, I'll be back and better than ever for Jack's run on Saturday though. It's at the U golf course, so I'm going to have to go easy cause of all the hills- that probably won't happen though.

I did a thirty minute set of run 7 minutes/ walk 3 minutes on Monday for the Couch to 5k program I coach, but I decided not to log that because it was at a really relaxed pace. I went seven on Tuesday, and there wasn't a huge contingent from the TCRC there because it was foggy, rainy, and overall bad day. Makes me wish I'd bought a headlamp. We had a couple new runners, and so the pace was pretty slow. I ran the first mile from St. Thomas to St. Clair by myself in ~8:40, then the next mile with the group was at 11 something. I'm in sort of a time crunch on Tuesdays if I want to get my run done and do core, so I broke away from the pack. It was pretty dark, so I was glad I'd ran that loop probably like a hundred times before. I was alone, no one was out, and I had a Sigma Chi pledge test that night, so I decided I would repeat the Sigma Chi creed for the next five and a half miles. So I was like:

I believe in fairness... decency and good manners... I will endeavor to retain... the spirit of youth. I will try to make my college... the Sigma Chi Fraternity... and my own chapter more honored by all men and women.... and more beloved and honestly respected by our own brothers. I say these words in all sincerity... That Sigma Chi has given me favor and distinction... that the bond of our fellowship is reciprocal... that I will endeavor to so build myself and so conduct myself that I will ever be a credit...to our Fraternity.

We didn't have a pledge quiz that night, I was pretty bummed. I now know the Creed like the back of my hand though.

Yesterday was a fun one. I pulled a double, again, not the greatest idea in the world because I'm feeling it a little today. I did a speedwork session; 5x800 then a 200 sprint then a 400 jog. It was raining a little bit when I started, but by the time I got through my 3rd 800 it just started pouring. I had to take off my shirt for the 200 and 400 because it was really really heavy. It was ridiculous. I went out again to do an easy five a half our later and it wasn't raining at all, but there were puddles all over the place. It was tough, my legs felt like lead, but I got through it. I think I ran like 45 minutes and it was ugly, but its over now.

I should probably be doing my stats homework right now, but I don't want to. I'm ridiculous tired, I've gotten up at 5:30 the past three mornings, and gotten to bed at midnight. Its been brutal, I just want to take a nap. I have a Sigma Chi event tonight that I'm still in the dark about for the most part, but its always a fun time hanging out with the brothers. So now I'm just sitting on Dyestat as well as finding a route to run after work. If you were wondering why the title for this post, it means "With This Sign You Will Conquer" and is the motto of Sigma Chi.

I've got a feeling that tonight's going to be a good night

Or should I say last night was going to be a good morning? I wrecked it. That's a Black Eyed Peas reference by the way, but it doesn't really have any relevance to my topic, I was just listening to that song. I did a double today- a hill workout and then a recovery run. My hill workout was at 2:30 in the morning. I came back from the Sigma Chi house after a night of NFL Blitz 2000 around 1, and then just laid around for an hour and figured I might as well be productive. It was pretty nice actually, a little cold but I warmed up after a couple hill repeats. I had a full 12 hours between my first and second runs, but I still felt like crap. I ran somewhere around 9:30's and it was tough; but the course I ran wasn't very flat either.

Thursday was my big run, we'll call it my long run because I felt sick on Friday (my long run day) and only got in a tempo. It was a seven mile route, but I logged it as eight, and I bet I went eight and a half because I can't find anything in downtown Minneapolis. I kept thinking Portland avenue ran east- west rather than north- south, so I got all confused. It chilly and raining when I started, but that cleared up. I'll post the route, but by far the coolest part was the pedestrian bridge by the Mill City Museum over the river. That was just an awesome run overall, I'll have to do that again.

Now its off to dinner, than to start my Art History project that was assigned two weeks ago and is due on Monday. I've got to clean out my spike wells in my XC spikes too. Tempo run+ muddy trail+ empty spike wells= bad idea. If anyone asks you to pay $11 to see Law Abiding Citizen, don't. That movie's not worth it. I'm in for a chill night tonight, because I'm running a 5k bright and early tomorrow.

Ode to running

I love running.

I love cold runs. I love hot runs.

I love running without a shirt.

I love running with too many shirts.

I love doing more loads of running running clothes than you do regular laundry.

I love running at 5am when the rest of the dorm is asleep.

I love those races nobody knows about.

I love shrugging off a run saying it was only seven miles.

I love race numbers.

I love trainers, flats, spikes, and trail shoes

I love 1am runs

I love night runs

I love trail running

I live for coming back with muddy calves and dirt splattered shorts

I live for running in the mud/ snow/ hail/ rain/ whatever nature throws at me

I live for coming back night soaked to the bone, freezing cold, standing in my running gear saying "that was one hell of a night"

I love six hours a week away from everybody

I love six hours a week praying

Because for those six hours a week, I'm somebody. I'm myself. Just me, and the six miles of road in front of me. But then, I'm also nobody...

I don't even really know what an ode is. The only ode I know of is Ode to Joy, and that's a song, so I really don't know what I just posted. That was really just something I made up while I was on a runner's high last night. But I do love running. I even love speedwork sometimes. Plus, I just got back from a brutal speedwork session just now, so that works well. I am writing this over the course of two days, if you didn't notice. Yesterday was fun. It was dark, and cold, but I felt great. I stayed right with my coach Dave, which I don't do that often. He would throw in a surge, then I would counter, and so on. I mean, we weren't going all that fast, sub 8:00's I think, but nothing wrong with that though. I always get killed on the downhills though. Everyone's just bigger than me so when they start going downhill, its all over. No big deal.

Today's workout was brutal. A set of 6 quarters, then a 800 jog, then 6 more quarters. It was a bit chilly, but I was soaking when I came back. I may do a little recovery run in a couple hours, but only if I feel like it. You know, it actually wasn't that bad. I was in the 1:45- 2:10 range for all of them, and it felt pretty easy. I'm going to have to really hammer on my tempo on Friday.

Also, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10's are on running warehouse. I already have mine ordered, I'm looking forward to them.

Every Day is a Beautiful Day for a Run

I can't speak for anyone else, but I love running in crappy conditions. My past four runs have been in a downpour, freezing rain, sub-40 temperatures, and today it was snowing, with a ton of puddles on the ground-- so its been muddy all week. Its a mental thing, I guess. This has been a weird month for weather, we've had like 2 weeks of Fall, and now its snowing. I love hearing people complain about the snow. Its like, yes its snowing, get over it. Some people really need to know how to pick their battles. But whatever, I'm off my soapbox. Today, I did an easy 3.5 in just under half an hour as a recovery from my tempo yesterday. I ran down Cleveland to Randolph, then across, and back up the river road. I think UST had XC or indoor track tryouts today because they had 100 meter intervals marked on the Road, so I ran some along side some of the guys just because I wanted to. I ran through the fake trail on my way back up to school, and that took a toll on my shorts. That's how you know if you had a good run or not, depending on how dirty your shorts are on the back.

In other news, I'm super pumped for my run from work Thursday, although I havent figured out the logistics, I should probably do that soon. I figure I won't bring a backpack, and wear some clothes I can stash at the desk for a couple days. I'll have to write an outline for my Morality paper beforehand, but I don't know when I'll do it. I've got a full day tomorrow, so we'll see. I was watching the Blackhawks-Flames game, and the Flames were just dominating through a period and a half. But the hawks tied it and sent it to OT and won it there. Thank God they didn't go to a shootout, the NHL has a tendency to do that on national TV games.

Rekindle your relationship with running

So, I'm kind of down about this week of running. On Monday, I felt like a running brick, Tuesday was good, a nice 5 miler in the rain. Wednesday was horible. I got through half my track workout and my ankle was just killing me. I did a couple strides after that and an unthinkable amount of core, but still. I didn't even log the half I did because it was so sluggish and slow. I might try again Sunday. So anyways, I need something to spice up my running life. Today I'm planning to run around Minneapolis- around the dome and stuff. My friend Joe, who's girlfriend finished the 10 miler twenty some minutes after me, suggested I run home from work one day. Heck, its only 7 or 8 miles, I'll plan on that next Thursday.

I've been thinking of getting a pair of Lunar Racers, since I've heard great things about them. They're expensive, so I probably won't. Runner's Warehouse is having a spike sale-- $20 on a few plus free shipping. I've been thinking about getting another pair of Dirt Dogs, but I don't really need them and my foot is too wide anyways, ao I'll probably go with some Mach 11's once the time comes. Right now though, I really need some new road shoes. I'll probably get some Ravanna's, and then snag a couple paits of the Adrenaline 10's in January.

Dear runners on Summit Avenue

If you run significant milage in Nike Shox, you will get injured.

Love,

Burger

Just sayin.

Don't stop, people are watching

Wow! So I'm two days out from the Twin Cities 10 and I really think that is one of those defining moments in my life that I'll remember forever. Let me take you through the day and give my race report:

A 5:30 wake up call woke me up and I was on the road to the 'dome at 6:15 or so. It was beautiful out for running. A good 50 or so degrees at race start. I got out of my dad's car, and warmed up around the 10 mile and marathon corrals for about 15 minutes. I was really warm for the race start, and just felt amazing. I was in the 4th corral, the slow corral, and I started in the back of the pack because I thought that would help me go out slow and not blow it in the first four miles. Right out of the gate I knew I was in the wrong corral though. As far as I could see were jackets, running tights, ipods, gym shorts and gelled hair. Rediculous- they looked slow, how could anybody out of this group run fast? I was the only one that I could see in my corral wearing short shorts and I just felt out of place. I heard talk of 2+ hour finishes and 5 mile long runs. Everyone was horsing around and going crazy and I was squatting in the corner saying a prayer. No disrespect to those people I'm trashing, but I just felt all around faster than those guys.

The gun went off, and 15 minutes later I was licking my fingers, doing the backwards sign of the cross, and crossing the start line to bewildered stares. The first three miles were slow, and I tried to stay behind some bros in gym shorts (that's not a term of endearment,) although I jumped from person to person every fourth of a mile or so until I was the only blue bib number in the sea of green ones. We should say here that I was planning to run a 1:30. We went through the first 4 miles in 45 minutes, and by them the pack had thinned out a little and it was time to go. I felt really strong up the hill where I saw my dad and brother and just kept on going. I've ran this route about a hundred times, so I wasn't really surprised I ran that hill well.

I made the turn on Summit Ave. knowing that I had to pick it up a little to make my goal. I saw the lovely ladies of fifth floor Dowling by St. Thomas and knew if anything, I had to do it for them- college students don't get out of bed at 7:30 for no good reason. I really don't remember much of Summit. I was on autopilot for the most part, my feet weren't even hitting the ground. People were packed two or three deep from St. Thomas to Macalaster, which was so cool. There was a giant Viking at mile 8, I remember that. Everyone was all hunkered down in their pace, and then somebody's like "How about that game tomorrow night?" and everybody just went crazy; it was great.

The next thing I distinctly remember was making the turn onto John Ireland Boulevard and running under the huge American flag. That was really special. I was so focused going to the capital, it was great. The stands were still packed as I crossed the finish line. I finished in 1:29:48, 23rd in my age class. It felt easy. Honestly, I could have easily run the extra 16 miles for the Marathon. Can anybody say Minneapolis Marathon? Twin Cities next year? we'll see. Money holds me back more than anything.

4 weeks until Monster Dash. A rainy 6 miles tonight. Later.

'There is no secret'- Bruce Denton

I figured I might as well get a post out before Twin Cities even though I don't really have anything to say. I'm getting sick, and I feel like its a take care of myself first- schoolwork later kinda deal. Whatever though, just a runny nose and scratchy throat so that shouldn't impair me that much as far as running goes. The Tigers just beat the Twins, scoring seven unanswered in doing so. They're done, stick a fork in them. Running-- um, I did 6, 6.5-ish on Tuesday in a little over 52 minutes. A solid pace, and I felt so strong doing it, I just felt in control the whole way. I didn't even stop at the midway mark for water that's how confident I felt.

I picked up a flyer for the St. Thomas 'Wellness Center 5k' because it fell upon the one week in October I don't have a race scheduled so I thought it would be cool to race every weekend. Biggest Letdown In America. Ever. Its not even a real 5k, its a four person relay that adds up to 5k. I'm going to get on my soapbox here:

This event is billed as one to build fitness and have fun. Really though? I mean really? Fine, you get the camaraderie of being on a team like that. Its kind of like Ragnar I guess, only 64 times shorter. Again, I guess I'm in shock. I mean I was all pumped for this. I was going to get purple and white racing flats and dominate everyone. Instead, you get to run a .8 mile leg- are you kidding me? Another thing, the flyer had all over it ONE PERSON CAN NOT RUN ALL FOUR LEGS. Now they want to discourage people from running distances? I would expect better, but then, it is a free race. Has society really regressed so far that most people can't even run a single mile? I sure hope not.

I'm off to read The Norman Shield, the official book of Sigma Chi. So far, its been great. The brothers are awesome, the pledges are awesome, I'm just having an all around great time. I can not wait for initiation. I'm going to need a suit though, and $355 bucks- that's going to be a tough one.

I'f you're in the St. Paul area and want to see a minimally- clothed young man run past you, I'm bib #14552 on Sunday, race starts at 7:05, but I'm in the slow coral, so It'll be a while.

Race report: A day late, several dollars short.

I ran the Twin Cities XClassic last Sunday, and boy. I mean, oh, man, that was really hilly. On my Tuesday run my Teammates was telling me that it was pretty hilly, but that was ridiculous. It was like you went up a hill, then you went down, and then up again; you really couldn't get a break. It was like if you were just a regular, consistent runner, you were screwed. You almost had to be a power runner to succeed on that course. The few parts that weren't hill were uneven because we ran on a XC ski trail, so it got ugly real fast. Plus, I was wearing XC spikes, which were a bad choice because I got zero traction. Whatever though, I could make excuses all day long but at the end of the day I just didn't show up, I was a trainwreck; albeit a fun trainwreck. The best part by far was the boy scout camp. They were so loud it was amazing! plus, when I ran through there on my warmup they were cooking pancakes and bacon. Next year I'm going to run with a spatula so I can grab some pancakes off the grill and keep moving. As far as the administration side, Sam pulled it off with out a hitch. The only thing is, I took a right and went to the finish chute near the end where I should have gone left to do another loop, so that added a couple minutes to my time. I don't know if that's so much the race guy's fault than my stupidity.

Today I just did a shakeout easy run. I went with a couple girls who were running 5 minutes and walking one (I think, I wasn't really paying attention.) So we got about 2 and a half, three miles in in half an hour. Nice aerobic effort, and it'll probably be the same aerobic work- I may mix in one speed workout in there- for the countdown to Twin Cities.

I run this

Whats up guys? I'm tired, i'm just feeling so lethargic; there's a pot of Coffee brewing at 6:49 at night with my name on it. Since I don't really know what the weekend will hold (I'm going to Greak tomorrow, then Prior Lake the next day,) I'm doing my homework tonight. No biggie, drinking coffee, listening to the Wild play the 'hawks, and watching Cretin- Derham Hall play out my window. That's one thing I like about the Sophomore only floor, you really feel no pressure to go out and get trashed every day of every weekend. I'm not anti fun, I'm not the Fun Nazi, but If I have stuff to do then I'm going to do it. I think people realize that in college you can find a party any day of the week, any time of the day and they can go get wasted or whatever pretty much any time you want. Whereas when you're a freshman, you feel like you have to go out Friday and Saturday, because you've got to put your nose to the grindstone Monday through Thursday.

I started running at night, like late. I usually do my :30 at 9, 9:30, but this Thursday I did my five miler at 10. It was pretty well lit, so it wasn't like I was going to end up on the side of the road with stab wounds on University Ave. Plus, I had nothing on me, not even my school ID or room key (I had my Road ID though.) It was awesome, a really good time. I sung Sweet Caroline, Build Me Up Buttercup, Living on A Prayer, and The Final Countdown a couple times at the top of my lungs. It was really good stuff.

Today, I ran 12.6 at an 8:50 pace. Not much to say about this one, it was cold and wet. Another great route. I'll try to not separate my shoulder patting myself on my back. I took a hot shower for like a half hour after my run. Best shower I've had in a while. Now I've got to make up a schedule for October as far as training goes. Plus, I got an invitation letter from Sigma Chi, so I'll go to their pledge ceremony Sunday. I love listening to hockey.

This is not an intervention.

Hi, I'm Matt, and I'm an addict. I'm addicted to running. You here that a lot, that people are addicted to running; that they feel guilty if they didn't get their 6 mile tempo in yesterday, but is that a bad thing. From my perspective its not. I can see the other side, that if you run too much you get injured, if you're form is weak you get injured. However, I don't feel guilty taking days off, at least planned days off. This current plan I'm ending next week calls for me to run six days a week with an off day on Monday. Do I miss running Mondays, yeah, but after a while you get in the habit of not running Mondays. Its the six days I do run that I feel guilty missing. I was hurting yesterday, and I got dropped by my group at mile two- ish, so I just went home; but I still felt bad. Like I said, its an addiction, but not a bad one. There's a reason why they start chronic drug addicts on running-- to trade one addiction for another.

Okay, so you heard my heartbreaking tale of dropping out at mile 2. My hip flexor was killing me-- my vast medical knowledge tells me that happens because of lack of core strength-- or it could have been that I was doing a good 8:00 pace to get to my running group, then met them halfway and moved to 7- somethings (or what felt like it) with no warmup. Ether way, I didn't log anything, and I ended up doing 45 minutes of core on the infield and a couple hours of icing. Todays run was amazing though. It felt easy, I went fast, really fast. I did 8:05's for 4 and a half miles, and like I said, it felt like nothing. Here's the route, it was a good one:

Now I have to figure out how to get to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts this week/ weekend. Plus, I need to find a ride up to Cleary Lake Park in Prior Lake for the 5k this weekend.

Get going. Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race.

I guess I owe a race report? I ran the Snelling 5x5k relays at Pike Island. My club had two teams on the mens side, one masters team, and one open team. We went in to Race day having 4 people on my team (the open team) for a five man relay. We were prepared in advance and actually had something that resembled a strategy and a relay order on race day. That all went to hell in a handbasket when we returned from our mile and a half warmup and found out that our fourth leg decided not to come. So, we had one guy run legs 1 & 5, the other guy run legs 2 & 4, and I was leg 3. I was calling it the recovery leg because I'd give them time to recover... because I'm so slow. The trail itself was pretty nice. Mostly packed dirt with some sand mixed in, I had to run to Run'n' fun the day before and get some blanks to wear in my XC shoes; in hindsight, I should have at least brought my spikes, but oh well. I was bib #98, but definitely not the 98th fastest there-- it was serious business, son. I mean there was no one jogging it, it was like all out give 'em hell every leg. I ran 24:32- I think (that was my watch time, at least) and was probably the slowest guy there, but thats fine for the first race of the year. I ran my first mile in 6:42, and I looked down at my watch and swore really loud, because that means there's an 8 plus minute mile coming somewhere, and that's bad news.

Our team finished in 1:50- something (I got a little careless with the watch,) but it was a good time. Next week I'm in Prior Lake for the Twin Cities Running XClassic. I'm told this one is pretty hilly, so I'm all set up to run a slower time, but that's cool I guess, I've got to fit the speedwork I'm supposed to do in somewhere. Its tough training for two things at once, but at least the long runs match up. Allright, I'm out to read the rest of Thucydides, and then hopefully get a shakeout run in at like 9 to flush the legs.

One quick thing that I should mention. I saw on facebook that Run For The Fallen is selling t- shirts. They're near the top of my shopping list, btw. Check out runforthefallen.org. Its a great project. To all those we've lost in combat, thank you for your service, your country is eternally grateful. I think a mile is the least we could give our fallen heroes.

Stop Me!

Get it? its like 'Stop Pre' except you know... okay that was pretty brutal. If anyone ever asks you to do a long run on Friday afternoon, say no immediately; learn from my mistakes, kids. It didnt help any that it was 80 degrees ether. There was some rhyme and reason to this though, believe it or not. I supposedly have a XC race on Sunday morning (assuming I can find a ride to the unspecified location its being held at) and that's usually my recovery day from my Saturday long run. If I went long Friday, I could do a :30 easy run before the race. I guess its tough training for two things at once. The course itself was really fun. I ran down Marshall, which was okay but you wouldn't want to run it after dark unless you can run well wearing a flak jacket. From there I hit up John Ireland Boulevard, then I looped around the Cathedral, then went down Kelogg and looped around Rice Park and the X, and finally back on John Ireland for a run up to the Capital. Then back Marshall to Cleveland and down to Randolph for some garbage miles. Get that? don't worry, I'll post a map-- it was a good run.

So, what else was fun? I ran past St. Paul Central High School when school was just getting out, so I had to bob and weave through all the kids getting on the busses for a couple hundred meters. Lets just say, had I been wearing spikes, there would be more than a few casualties. I was running up close to the end of Marshall, and some kids were playing on the sidewalk when I ran past them they high fived me. Pretty cool, shows its almost October. Oh, and I finally Quentin Cassidy'd some poor guys car. I felt terrible about it, but I guess running over some guys car is better than getting killed by it. I was at an intersection, and I waited for the walk signal to cross. I didn't see this car coming up the street I was crossing, and he was turning left (without a signal) while I was crossing the turn lane. He stopped, but just barely and he was pulled out pretty far. To go around him, I'd have to run in the middle of the intersection, and I wasn't about to get killed that way. So without thinking, I strided up and over the hood of his car-- probably not the best decision I've made, but I didn't really have any time to react.

I felt good, really good. It took a mile or two to shake off the soreness of yesterday's double, but then I felt like I was standing still and everything was flying by around me. The way back though was an absolute hammer fest, I mean it was brutal. Lotsa hills, I'll post the elevation chart too.

My name isn't Forrest!

Seriously, I might kill the next person who thinks its perfectly original and really funny yelling "Run Forrest Run" at me. It seemed like every other block someone would say that, it got really old really fast. It seems I'm doing a lot of two a day workouts lately, but its no big deal. I'm not going like 10 and 6, its going 4, with a track session at night. Its more like my nightly shakeout run than anything, I don't do any fast stuff with the goal of just putting 3 or 4 miles on the shoes. That's also when my core workouts happen as well. So, today's run. Easy 3.3 miles in 26 minutes or whatever. I ran a new loop, and you're never supposed to do that, but I figured 4 miles couldn't hurt me. The night session wasn't really planned, but it was kinda fun anyways. The running group I belong to was practicing practically right outside my window on the UST track, and I had to give my coach a check. So I go down there, and he wants the money after practice, so I agreed to put in a few miles and ran up to my room to grab some shorts. I did 2x400, 3x200, and 3x300, and threw away the watch. I dunno, I'm a little sore now, but nothing that won't come out within the first couple miles.

Where have I been?

I think there's a few steak knives sticking out of my back from all the backstabbing my coworkers have done to me lately. I work three days a week. Three days a week, how hard could that be? 22 hours in those three days. Plus I worked for this guy 5 hours on Saturday because he was doing a trail marathon. THATS SO SWEET I WANT TO DO A TRAIL MARATHON. So, other than that, running's been good to me, I've been good to running; no earth shattering events there. Chafing is at an all time low, coffee consumption is at an all time high. I've been going to a couple events at the Sigma Chi house, I think I'm going to pledge. All the guys there seem really cool and it isn't going to be like an Animal House scenario. See, Fraternities got banned at UST in the 90's when the star basketball player fell through a beer rotted floor, but somehow Sigma Chi got grandfathered in. However, they can't have a real Fraternity house (you can't call it a frat ether) so its just four guys in a house. Thats all I can divulge, because if I tell more they'd have to kill me, and being dead is detrimental to your health.

Anyways, I went running with some guys from the Fraternity on Monday, at like 10:00 at night. I love night runs. I ran twice on monday. I did 6x300 then 5x100 striders on the infield and then a 3 miler at night. Mind you, none of this was hard, but it was still time in the shoes. I ran my 7 mile tempo with the TC group today. It was nice, pretty brutal at the end though. Did 8's the whole way which was nice. I may have found myself a Cross Country racing gig on the weekends too, so I can put those spikes to good use. Stay tuned.

3weeks until race day

And we're off

First off, I'm typing this from my iPod, so don't rip me too much for the spelling mistakes. School started for me on Wednesday, so I just got done with my first day. Class from 8:15 to 1:30 makes for a long day, but no class tomorrow. I work 7 or 8 hours though. So Tuesday night I subbed my speedwork for the 50 minute tempo. I left my log in my room, but I went a bit longer than fifty. I went 6.5, and I wasn't concentrating on my pace, but I was around tempo pace. In my true fashion, I went out way to fast, and I thought I was done at the water stop on the Minneapolis side of the bridge loop. I had put a solid 1,000 meters on everybody else in the group at the water stop, and then I jogged for a bit and waited up for the rest of the group. It was pretty hot, I was drenced by the end, and went to my floor meeting like that too, it was pretty hot. Wednesday was just a 30 minute run, but it was ugly. It had just rained, and the air was all sticky and humid. Once again I was drenched, and it was streight to the washer to wash my stinky shorts and singlet.

So, I'm posting from my iPod because I got kicked out of my room. My roomate's got some girl over, and I voulenteered to go to the basement. You call that something in college, but I can't say what because my mom is reading this. I tell you what though, girls have to be out by midnight. I'm not too keen on going to bed at midnight or 1:00 and waking up at 6:15 to go to work on a speedwork day.

baby, we were born to run

Can you believe it? they're actually beginning to pave some of the roads around here, which makes them more difficult to run on. They smoothed it down really well so its hard packed overnight, and they put a layer of crushed rock down, so it would be real easy to turn an ankle. Lame. I still ran it, I had to be slow and careful, hence 8:44's and the and the ankle pain, although I didn't pop my pills before the run so that may be the reason too. Todays run was just about as perfect as you could get it. Mid 60's for the run and it just felt effortless. The first mile was a little tough, and I went out around 9:30, but no big deal. I walked the four miles to Run'n Fun yesterday to pick up gels, and man, was it busy. I ended up getting the GU Vanilla Bean with caffeine. They work a thousand times better than the Power Bar gels I had been using. I shot one for "breakfast" before my run, and one around mile 7 or 8, and that did the trick.

I also picked up a paper training log to help with motivation. Its cool. I ran 41.5 miles this week-- 5:46:52 on the roads, with and average of 8:21 per mile. I also tried on the Brooks Ravenna. Those are some pimp kicks, as the kids these days say. I went a mile in them in the store, and they were so nice. Just the right amount of arch support, plus they held my foot in so nicely. At the pace I'm going, I'll be due for a new pair of trainers in two months, and the Ravenna's are definitely on my short list.

Run like hell and get the agony over with

Today was my great big running extravaganza. An eight mile tempo fun fest. Like I said last post, I stuck to my "nutrition" plan of a gel before and a gel after, plus some alive before. Despite people saying that running on pain killers is bad, I've never experienced any negative effects. I ran down a hill, turned left, ran up a hill, then ran down a huge hill, and that was the first half of my run. I tell ya, if you ever get a chance, you've got to run down Randolph. You get a real hill workout, and its just beautiful right around the onramp over 35E. I never realized Randolph was a County Road though, that made it very difficult to cross. I'm sure glad I didn't run my 14 miler down that way though, that hill is brutal. I negative- splitted the run, but I'm almost sure that was a mistake. I mean I just bombed the uphills. I saw some girl I know when I was running up the quad. I hadn't seen her all summer, so I gave her a hug-- I probably should apologize, because I doubt that was a very enjoyable experience. I was pretty much a salt shaker when I get back to the dorm, I could tell I was pretty dehydrated.

Running is my girlfriend.

How's that for a slogan? I should put that on a shirt and see how many stares I get. So yesterday I went on an easy 5 miler that I made into a pretty tough 5 miler. I think I ran 8:08's and they felt easy; I hope that doesn't come back to bite me on today's run. Oh, and on my way back to UST I had to dive off the sidewalk to avoid getting killed by an overzealous pack of bikers. I'm a little scratched up, but nothing that will stop me. My singlet I was wearing looks like I'm a murder victim though, its all muddy with smears of blood-- I can't wait to do laundry. Other than that it was really good. One gripe I have running by the river is the first mile, mile and a half there's probably a thousand people, and you can't really get a stride going. After that, there's nobody. I mean you can run for miles and only see a few people. I can't complain though.

I have an eight mile tempo scheduled for today, so I'm going to run to Run'n Fun and back, which is a bit over 8, but whatever. I love running new places, its the best. I'm going to shoot a goo before the run, then shoot one after, because my nutrition is absolutely shot right now. I mean I'm a mess. Plus, I've got to go to Run'n Fun tomorrow to get some more gels, hopefully the caffeine ones, get some running posters for the establishment, and maybe try on some shoes?

I'm not at all looking forward to my run on Sunday. 14 miles, and then its move in weekend, so I'll probably climbing seven flights of stairs to get to my dorm. Can you think of anything more fun? Maybe I'll start at 5am so I can get to use the elevator

Silly City of St. Paul, Trails are for Runners

This post has been a long time coming, its been a while. The City put grass seed over the running trails that cut through the center of Summit Avenue up to who knows where (I haven't run out of trails yet, there's at least five and a half miles out there.) Now, when I say trails, don't think trail running; think road running that happens to be on dirt. Its a single track trail, so its really hard packed with very little give. Whenever I can, I'll go as far away from that trail as I can and run on the grass. There are some parts, where you weave through a bunch of trees, where it can't be helped, but that's my favorite part. But, everyone else goes on the dirt trail that shoots through the middle of Summit. I don't know who they're kidding, they're never going to grow any grass there


So, where'd I leave off? I dont know, really doesn't matter. I moved in to my dorm last Tuesday, its like the St. Thomas run camp here. I work, I run, I listen to the Sox game, I go to bed. There are maybe three people on my floor, and they're all football players, who like to talk about that great fly pattern they ran in practice, so I pay them no mind. Sometimes, I run before and after work, just because I'm bored, but I never log two runs.


So I had my dreaded, doom and gloom speedwork on Tuesday. Just me, alone on the track; 7x1000 meters. It really wasn't hard, except  went crazy hitting the split on my watch, so that went to hell. I ran around 5:45's, and they felt really good. I ran in the Dirt Dogs, and I started to feel them the 6th and 7th 1000, but they were fine. Again, my calves hurt a little, but nothing I couldn't deal with. 


Wednesday, was an easy 30 minutes. I dunno, seems like kind of a waste of putting my shoes on, but whatever. I'll do what the plan says. You know, I might have gotten in over my head with the volume, but I've never missed a workout-- I think I've only shortened one workout-- so there. I ran the entire thirty minutes on dirt, and it was awesome. The signs were like "Road Closed" and I'm like "Wrong, Road Open." I ran past a worker going home, and he just stared at me. It was cool. 

12.56.27

Wow, I can't even believe it. Twelve minutes and fifty- six seconds over five thousand meters. That was Dathan Ritzenhein's time in the 5k at the Weltklasse Zurich Meet in Zurich, Switzerland. Obviously, this is old news, he set the American Record on Friday, but I still can't get my head around going that fast. If you have the chance, watch the race again on Flotrack; I know I will be several more times. That was a simply beautiful race, just an absolute art form. According to Flotrack, He is the 3rd fastest non-african and the 3rd American to break 13 mins in the 5000 meter event.

I forgot what I was going to post. Oh, yeah, Friday- Saturday- Sunday of running, and the Red Sox and Rays. So Friday was a nice easy 30 minutes; I wanted to go somewhat hard because I did a half hour easy the day before. It was a little tough getting up to speed, but once I did it was easy. I zigzagged around the neighbourhoods, so I have no idea how far I went. At one point, I ran through a couple streets that were torn up for probably a mile or so. It was all dirt, and it was at a slight incline, so it was my Magnolia Road (see Running With the Buffaloes.) That's probably as close to a trail as I'll ever get this year. Saturday was a 10 miler, felt really good, I just flew through it. I believe I ran 8:20 somethings; so the speedwork is paying off a little bit. I was stiff the first mile, mile and a half, but that was because I ran at 9:00 the night before and got up at 7:00 to do this one, but I ran through that. Yesterday was only five. Its funny how five miles seems really short.

Did anyone catch Paul Byrd's start the other day against the Jays? 6 innings 3 hits, 3 walks, 1K. He had one rough patch when he walked I think two guys in a row, but he got out of that jam via strikeout. Other than that, he looked like an ace; he made Theo Epstien look really, really smart. Honestly, we couldn't ask for anything better from a fifth starter, he completely out dueled Roy Halladay. Tito pulled him after only 76 pitches in favor of Manny Delcarmen, which was a little odd, but it worked out in the end. Also, the Rays traded left handed phenom Scott Kazmir to the Angels. Anahiem had all kinds of holes in their rotation, and Kazmir goes a long way to help them. Bad news for the Red Sox, who always seem to end up playing the Angels in the first round of the playoffs. Needless to say, this makes the Angels a frontrunner for the World Series.

So lets talk about running

Still listening to the telethon, and I mean, man, I tell people my story and they think I'm inspiring, but man, this is serious stuff; I've got nothing on them. But, back to running. I have two recovery runs in a row because I screwed up my schedule for the week is all screwed up. I ran a tempo run and speedwork back to back (which was brutal, by the way.) I put the real spikes on , not the rubber spikes that I sometimes wear. I only went 15 minutes, a couple laps around campus, and it wasn't that fun. It seemed like I was hurdleing sidewalks every couple strides. I did core for the first time in a lond while after the run because I really wasn't satisfied. If it wasn't 8:45 after I finished, I probably would have gotten out there again, but its not a real big deal. I'm going to Run 'n Fun tonight because I've got to pick up some gels for my 10 miler tomorrow, and hopefully pick up some running posters for my dorm. I'll ask them for some good XC courses too.

Lets talk yesterday though, that was a good workout, in a wierd way. I printed my workout and put it in my back pocket, but I still didn't follow it. I think I was supposed to do 2 miles at half marathon pace, 2 miles at 10k pace, and 2 800's at 5k pace. I think I went 4 miles around 7:50, then both 800's around 4:00, which is a little slow. Whatever though, I mean, its speedwork, isn't the goal to go fast?

WEEI/ NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon

I'm listenintg to the Dennis & Callhan show on WEEI and they're doing the 8th anual Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon to benifit cancer research. I've never listened to WEEI before, save when I tune in nightly to listen to the Sox games. Well, its 8:00 in the morning, and I almost broke down and cried. I mean, I'm suprised I kept it togother. I was listening to Ben Finer, who is 13 and just found out yesterday that his cancer took a turn for the worse. 13 years old and he was diagnosed with cancer. 13 years old, and his life could very well end. I'm listening to this kid, and he's not woried about himself at all. I won't remember his exact words, but he said he was okay with dying and didn't care what happened to him, but he was deathly afraid of what happened to his family and said that they would go downhill if Ben left his family. Seriously, it was the most touching thing I have ever heard. The link to the respective bits on the show is here, and the interview with Ben and his dad is the sixth clip over and is titled "D&C with Ben Finer and his dad Ron." If you get a chance, take a listen, it will give you a new perspective on life. I also listened to Cameron Riley, who was also diagnosed as a 13 year old (he's the first clip, tilted D&C with Cameron Riley with his dad Jason.) You can hear just the sheer joy the Jimmy Fund gives these kids through the programs they provide, the trips to Spring training and such. I watched some of the Ben Finer interview and the kid's just in such great spirits despite his grave condition, its unbelievable. I mean, its a real shame this terrible disease happens to kids who have their whole lives out in front of them only to have it all taken away.

Life is short, but it should be long enough. But its a shame for these kids, that life isn't long enough. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but that's okay; you can't put a disease this malicious into words. You know, I once heard that a disease like cancer doesn't discriminate. Rich, poor, old, young- it doesn't matter, which is what makes it so tragic. We all think we're so badly done to, but so often that's not the case. Most of us will never have to have to have chemo three times a week, most of us will never have a timeline put on our lifespan, most of us will never at thirteen years old, be not afraid to die; most of us will never have the words "there's no hope" spoken to us. Kind of makes that guy who cut in front of you during your run this morning feel meaningless. Life is so fragile, and I don't think enough people underststand that. Until you've had something life threatining happen to you, you don't understand that the gift you have can be gone in a second. We are all so blessed.

Its the lean wolf that leads the pack, baby

One of the things I hate, next to people running in high tops and gym shorts, is people telling me to eat more, or gain some weight or whatever. Now, I'm not a stick, but I'm not a fat guy either. I think society's perception of an "athletic build" has changed. In other words, I don't think that I'm skinny, but everybody else is just fat-- or used to seeing fat guys so much that their norm has changed. I think the perception of body weight changes in different circles. For example, compared to fat guys, I'm emaciated skinny. Heck, even in people who aren't bigger I guess I'm emaciated skinny. But compared to the distance runner, I'm average. I don't know if that makes any sense, but I just don't like people comparing me to society because society has gone off the deep end. Only .1 of 1% of the population has run a marathon;26 million males, and 16% or approximately 10 million children are obese. I don't know if those statistics prove my point, but its just ridiculous how people's perceptions have changed due to society's laziness. Its funny, I went in to the doctor's office a few months ago for a follow up about my wisdom teeth, and the nurse said something about making sure I heal up so I could eat a sandwich. Its not a question of eating, I try to get well over 2,000 calories a day. So, I thought to myself "Its the lean wolf that leads the pack, baby."

I'm finishing up listening to the podcast Runners Round Table episode 44, about the Girls on The Run Program. Girls on The Run is a program that teaches young girls, among other things, self respect. I think that's a real key. I mentioned that society is in a downward spiral, and I don't want to get that far into it, but its quite the opposite for females. The pressure is on for girls to look and act trashy, or at least that's my experience. Since when do all girls have to be blonde, look like Barbie, and wear as little clothes as possible? Okay, that's my rant, but its about time that someone teaches girls some core values. I'm not a girl, but if I was, that would be an awesome program to join.

Finally, an editorial note: you might notice a readers digest version of a couple of posts. Reason being, my mom caught word of my blog, and so I've got to clean up my language a little bit. I hate censorship. Introducing my new co- editor, my mom. No, in fact, if she's going to decide what I can and can't say, why don't you just write the thing? oh, well....

I'm just full of fire and brimstone today. Maybe I should lay off the coffee?

Random thoughts

I'm working front desk again which means I have nothing to do, so here's something for your reading pleasure-- a couple random thoughts, some about running, some not

• I have to go down a hill from my house to start my mid distance runs up to 8 miles, which means I have to go up that hill to finish runs. I hate when it rains because the water pools up at the bottom. My shoes were soaking when I came back from my five miler last night, and I hope they dry because 7 miles in wet shoes would suck. I guess I could run in my spikes if I really needed to.
• Why is it always so cold up at the front desk? and why did my boss make me come in an hour early?
• The Sox open up a set with the MFY's tonight at Fenway. We really better sweep or we're in deep trouble
• The Norfolk Admirals of the AHL are trying to get a game to be played on the deck of the USS Eisenhower. How cool is that. That sure beats the NHL's winter classic. What if somebody skates right off the boat? and what if they have to like, launch some planes?
• I love running early. Like 1:00 or 1:30 AM early. Nothing breaks up a long day studying for finals than running through people's yards at midnight
• I just drafted Aaron Rodgers in the second round. Is that to early?
• I want some of that Brooks Nightlife stuff. I mean that looks really nice, but its expensive. I hope they put it on the brooksrunning.com/pro site soon so I can get a discount.
• I look at all these other running blogs, and they actually educate you. They're like posting on "the effect of Lactic Acid on your legs" and scientific stuff like that. I don't care about that stuff, I just want to run. Plus, I don't understand that anyway-- I just run until I get tired. I guess that's why no one reads this. I don't really care.
• Brett Farve starts tonight for the Vikings. I'll be running.
• We all have our superstitions as runners- here are a couple of mine: I start out the door, my annoying fluorescent laces on my shoes (annoying green on my Dirt Dogs and annoying yellow on my Adrenalines,) and make the sign of the cross backwards (This originated on a long run when I couldn't remember what way the sign of the cross went. Jesus won't mind.) I also have to blast the same song at the start of every run. Speedwork is "Enter Sandman" by Metalica, and regular runs is the "Listen to Your Heart" Trechno remix by DHT- Don't hate.
• I spiked some poor girl last time I spiked up. I was wearing rubber turf spikes, but still. I was screaming "on your right" for a good half a block, but she moved to her right, and I nailed her. I wouldn't worry about it
• I'm still waiting to pull a Quenton Cassidy and run up and over a car

Brooks I.D. Acceptance Spectacular

I'm sitting at the front desk and the Tornado Sirens went off- that's my excitement for the day. Good thing I work in the basement, right? I wish I could run through a tornado warning. I know what that sounds like, like I'm some stuck up prick or something, but I dunno, I just think it would be cool. Maybe its that teenage invincibility complex or whatever, but I think that would just be really cool.

So, a few days ago, I got an email from the Brooks Sports Marketing guy, Steve DeKoker, asking if I was planning on running at the NCAA level. I never even thought that I might not be eligible because I'm in school. Nonetheless, I told him no, because honestly I don't want to. I have no interest in running 5k's and 10k's. Plus, its the whole Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner thing. I run with somebody else once a week, maybe, but other than that I go alone. I'm fine with that, I guess. I mean, I'd love to run with somebody, but everyone I meet (or most people) are not like me at all. No one's as fanatical as me, except my running group on Tuesdays. No one else knows why I would sacrifice a perfectly good night to toil on the empty roads.

So, I got accepted, when I got the email, it made my day. They give you a 40% discount, which is great, so I know where my second, third, fourth, and fifth paychecks are going. The part that I'm looking forward to the most is the camaraderie. I heard Steve Runner's episode on the Run Net community, and as much as I like listening to podcasts and The Extra Mile and such, but I think there is something to be said about having a community of runners that you have a bond with. I mean to tell you, I looked through the Yahoo group, and these runners know more about the sport than I will ever hope to know. Plus, they deserve it more in my opinion. These guys are more than active in the running community, I'm just some guy who managed to sneak himself in.

Track is back!

Okay, I stole that from Flotrack, so if those guys read this don't sue me. For the first time, I think I may have gotten in over my head. I have a brutal week ahead highlighted by my track workout tonight, a seven mile tempo Thursday, and a long run of undisclosed distance on Saturday. I say undisclosed distance because I have a 14 mile run scheduled, but I decided that's just rediculous training for a 10 miler, so I think I'll go 12 or so. So tonight will be brutal. It'll end up to be 7.5 miles total, with a mile warmup, mile cooldown, and 8x800 in the middle. This is my first real speedwork session, and I can't think of anything better than interval work in 80 degree heat.

The miles of trials, the trials of miles

I've got like 50 pages left in that book, and I don't know what everyone's going on about, I don't think that book is "The best book ever written about running" as Runners World claims. Give me Running With The Buffaloes over Once A Runner any day of the week. Next on my reading list is Ultramarathon Man, although after that I'll maybe give the sequel to once a runner a try, Again To Carthage, although I have probably only one book left in my summer. Real quick, my 9 miler yesterday was solid. It was long, but solid. I'll post my route at the end of this post, because it is definitely worth running again. I got to lake Harriet about 8:00, ran that twice, then ran around Lake Calhoun. Two gripes I have- one, the lakes are popular in the summer, so there's always a ton of people there. They started a walking event during my second lap of Harriet, so I was weaving in and out of everybody. The hill between Calhoun and Harriet is also pretty brutal. Its always a good run when you finish and your shorts are laced with salt.

I've got to go 6 today, I'll go after the 100 final in the World Championships. I promised myself I'll go easy, but I don't know if I actually will. I'm listening to the Runner's Round Table about XC racing, and I was thinking that I've got to find a course, find a race. I've only got 3.5 miles on my Dirt Dogs, and I've got to get a couple more before school starts.

Its been a while

Has it really been a week since my last post? I've been going ridiculous mileage the last week, well, not ridiculous mileage, but substantial mileage. I've gone 6- 4- 4- 5- 6 as far as miles go, and still have a recovery run and long run of 9 miles left to do this week, so its getting serious. So Sunday's run was pretty cool, I ran before Church at 9:00, I ran at lake Harriet for the first time ever. I've ran to Harriet from St. Thomas, but never around it. I went up with my brother, and he went around Lake of the Isles, and I went around Harriet twice. I didn't save my split times (I superglued my watch because it was falling apart and accidentally glued down the button I use to check my splits,) But if I remember right I went through the first three miles in 23:00 or 24:00, whereas I was trying to hit 21:00. We only had 45 miutes so we could shower and get to chutch on time, and so I had to hammer and run seven- somethings. I felt great though, I bet I could have run 6 minutes if I'd tried.

I blew last night's workout too. I had to start pretty late because we had to buy my little brother a car, but that's okay since its freakin hot outside. My workout was supposed to be "Tempo Run (hard, i.e. half marathon goal pace or slightly faster): 20 minutes, plus 1 mile warm-up and cool-down," Yet I actually ran a two mile easy warmup, a 2 mile tempo, and another 2 miles easy. My tempo pace was at 7:50's, which is nowhere near my goal pace. I'm aiming to go 8:20's so I don't know what I was thinking. Needless to say, I didn't look at the workout before I ran it.

Bettman makes up another way to praise Crosby

Disclaimer: I know what you're thinking, so don't even say it. You're thinking "I came here to read about Matt's blazing speed, not hockey." I apologize for going back- to- back hockey posts, but believe me, when I saw this I knew I had to rant on it, so please ignore this post.

Now, on to the business at hand- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has found another way to sing the praises of the candy- assed Sidney Crosby.

A little background knowledge- right out of the gate, Crosby was touted as "the next one," which the NHL needed. Arguably, since the days of Wayne Gretzky, the now struggling league has been without a face. However, Crosby has grown to be the face of every NHL marketing scheme since he was drafted in 2005. However, also drafted in '05 was one Alex Ovechkin, who has put up better numbers than Crosby in his tenure in Washington. Crosby continues to be the face of the league, despite his lack of physical play (see example 1.) While everyone else sees Crosby as a second line center at best, Bettman seems adamant that he is the best player in the league (he isn't even the best player on his team.)

Now you know my vendetta against Sid. Today I went to NHL.com (a site that I do not frequent anymore,) and guess what I saw? the front page says "Crosby is the best Canadian player in the NHL today." Really? even better than Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, a 15 year veteran who has three Stanley Cups, 14 playoff appearances, and who has seven 40-win seasons. He is a four-time Vezina Trophy winner, a four-time Jennings Trophy winner, a ten-time NHL All Star, and a Calder Memorial Trophy winner. But enough speculation, lets look at stats, shall we? I'll break down the offensive numbers and see who's statistically the best Canadian in the league. You can find the data here, and it stands to prove that Crosby is the best Canadian offensive player. However, you must take in to account the player's linemates, defensive game, teammates, strength of schedule, etc. If you want to get a very accurate picture. Looking at my rough picture from solely an offensive standpoint, Crosby is tops. I can't say I didn't expect that, but I expect the picture to be different if we looked at hits or shot blocks, or a defensive stat like that.

At this point, my argument looks pretty weak. Consistency though, is a very underrated stat, especially at a goaltending position. Goaltending has been incredibly inconsistent lately, we only have to look at the careers of Dan Cloutier and Ray Emery to know that. I would say that Brodeur is definitely the best player in Canada. True, Crosby may provide more flash night in and night out, but in an era where goaltenders seem to drop from NHL rosters like flies and GAA's regularly soar over three, Brodeur's career has been the model of consistency. His 15 year career and NHL record 552 wins make Brodeur a sure- shot hall of famer. He's got trophy cases full of awards, leads the league in career games played, career wins, shutouts, Goals Against Average, is fifth in save percentage, and even leads the league in points from the goaltending position.

Crosby will never amount to holding that many records.

Minnesota's goaltending logjam

Chuck Fletcher certainly made an interesting move today when he re- signed backup goalie Josh Harding to a one year deal, a day before his arbitration hearing was scheduled. I really wasn't expecting the move because we have a very solid starting goaltender in the AHL, Nolan Schafer, who has some NHL experience backing up Evgeni Nabokov in San Jose. Looking at the roster now, the Aeros have three goalies as well, so with the Wild having three as well creates a need for a trade or else a very solid goalie will be sent to the ECHL. A few weeks ago, the Wild signed career backup goalie Wade Dubielewicz who played most recently over in Russia. I don't expect Dubielewicz to make the roster out of camp, but if he does it creates a very interesting situation for Wild management. Obviously, with the Aeros having three solid goaltenders as well as the Wild having the same, the Wild have ether little room or lots of flexibility. My thought would be that Dubielewicz was signed to light a fire under Harding in camp and make him raise his game. I would be very surprised if Dubielewicz wasn't waived before the season started. As far as the trade market goes, I don't think there will be many takers for Dubielewicz, but the Wild could move either Schafer, Harding, or both, depending on how Dubielewicz plays.

Everything tastes like cloves

They put these suture type things in my mouth because my lack of wizdom teeth are giviving me flak that are made of cloves, so now I'm stuck at work tasting cloves all day.

I just listened to a speach by Dick Beardsley titled "Staying the Course." It was pdcasted by The Age Grouper over at http://theagegrouper.com/. I don't have the direct link because they just moved into a super space age website and haven't posted all the old episodes yet, but check it out if you have time... very inspirational stuff.

The reason for this post is the Red Sox, most notably the leak of Big Papi's steroid use and the looming MLB trade deadline. First off, Big Papi. Not much to say about that other than he's a cheater. Now, thats pretty rough because he's on my team, but I won't sugar coat it. I've heard a lot about "doesn't this taint the Sox '04 World Series title?" Absolutely not, and here's why: look at the teams the Sox beat in the ALCS and World Series- the Yankees and the Cardinals. The Yankees had guys like Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte, and the Cards had Mark McGuire. Its as shame for baseball, that guys like Ortiz are cheaters in a game of cheaters, but then, that's not limited to this decade. You had generation of alcoholics, cheaters, guys who bet on baseball, and all sorts of black marks on the game.

First, we have a straight up deal for your reading pleasure: Casey Kotchman from the Angels to the Red Sox for Andy La Roche. Now, Kotchman is a leftie like La Roche, and he has more power than La Roche, but he's 26. Speculation is he'll be a bench guy, but you can't put a guy with that much potential on the bench, but Lowell isn't a bench player ether. We're going to have to stash Lowell on the DL long term until we can get a good look at Kotchman, and then make a call and play Youk at third. I think this is a good move because I really don't think Lowell will be a starter next season.

Up next we have a trade that makes me want to throw something at the computer screen. The Sox are sending highly touted pitching prospects Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price for the Indians Victor Martinez. Now, Martinez can play Catcher or first base, but he's a below average first baseman, plus we have a logjam there so lets forget about that. Bringing Martinez to the Sox is a good move (note that I didn't say the deal itself was good) because we've gotten very spotty offensive production from behind the plate, and while I love Tek, he is coming to the end of his playing rope. Kottaras has played well, although his offensive production has been spotty as well. Unfortunately, Kottaras is now on the fringe and will probably be sent down and will be a September call up. The deal, however-- we gave up too much. Nick Hagadone is the eigth ranked Red Sox prospect by Baseball Prospectus, and Masterson the 53rd ranked prospect in baseball. With Cleveland so pressed for pitching depth, you could think we could exploit that and trade for less pitchers, not more.

My favorite season

I was out on a four miler the other day, and I chose to leave the iPod at home. Usually, I run with music or podcasts or something, but its been a rough week so I figured I'd let my mind wander a little. I've been asked this question a million times- "what's your favorite season"- but never really thought about it. Instinctively, I'd say it was Summer, and give some pansy- assed reason like "because there's no school." As I'm chugging along at an 8:45 pace, I figured I'm way off base with my answer. School isn't that bad, I actually miss it; but the biggest reason I hate summer is because its freakin' hot! Everyone's been complaining about how cold of a July its been in Minnesota- its been in the mid 70's all month- but that is real warm for a runner, I couldn't stand 90 degree heat.

So, I was thinking about it, and my favorite season is definitely winter- and I'm talking like real cold sub- zero winter when the snow's two feet deep and blowing all over the place. This has all to do with running too. I've expressed before my pure- bred hatred for people who go for a jog in gym shorts and sketchers, as well as my hatred for bad ass roller bladers who, while their dog is pulling them down a hill, try as hard as they can to clothesline as many runners as possible. Well, none of that in winter- its too cold and they don't want to scuff their high tops or damage their newly gelled hair. Its cold, and this is when you tell who's in and who's out. I love it, man. When its really cold there's not even any cars out you can just drop the hammer and go crazy. Its awesome.

The best part about winter is doing speedwork. They don't plow our track in the winter; nobody uses it, save three guys. So, you get up at 6 on a Wednesday when you don't have class until noon. Get dressed, and you grab your snow shovel and your spikes and head out. There's a saying- "I hope you brought your shovel"- (or something like that) whinch means I hope you're ready to work hard, but on some days we make it happen, captain. There are three guys in their mid 50's who join me. That's all I know about them, no names, nothing. But we're shoveling out three lanes all the way around, a feat that usually takes an hour or so. Then, we spike up, put our work in, and go our seporate ways.

We sometimes talk when we're shoveling, but never during speedwork. I've found out over the year that both guys have done Boston- one three times and the other one twice- so I'm in good company. I guess its kinda like how Dick Beardsley punched his calves before the Duel in the Sun- it might not make me a better runner (maybe quite the opposite,) but I sure as hell know there's nobody out there doing what I am.