Countdown to the Pain Cave

The Annapolis 10 Miler is one of the few races that you do not receive your 'premium' till you actually finish the race. Most races you go to pick up your packet and your shirt or whatever the give away is already in your bag. Hell, why run the race I got the shirt. I always ignore the shirt or in the bag till after the race. I would never wear a shirt of a race I did not run or finish my soul can’t take that kind of torment. When I ran the Baltimore Half Marathon (13.1 miles of my life I would like to have back) I did not even look at the shirt till I came to my senses a day later but people were actually wearing their shirts to run the race, which I feel is like wearing the t-shirt of he band you are going to see in concert….Don’t be that Guy.

Here is this years Premium.



Notice it says 'Finisher'.
I like that they do it that way, because if you don’t run or finish no jacket or running shirt (in this case)for you. They always have the best give-a-ways but you have to bleed, sweat and cry to get.
Less than 3 weeks I have a 7 mile run this Saturday followed by regular week of running finshed with a 9 mile next Saturday and a ramp down to the race on the 30th.

Guest Blog @ Hobotrashcan.com

This is an article I wrote for ‘The Trashcan’ getting everyone up to speed on what has happened since Top Chef began in 2005, as the Sixth season gets ready to kick off in Vegas Baby, Vegas!

Guest Blog @ Hobotrashcan.com

http://www.hobotrashcan.com/2009/07/23/guest-blog-post-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-bank/
This was an article I wrote in response to the brilliant decision that Dreamworks bought the movie rights from Mattel for Viewmaster.....yes, that Viewmaster....also get ready for movies based on the board games Candyland and Battleship....I'm not kidding.

Hills!

In preparation for the Annapolis 10 Miler I have put into my training a hills loop. My wife came up with it last year because you could get out quick in the neighborhood and get a good work out. It starts at my house goes out to North Laurel Rd and up a ¼+ climb, a loop around the neighborhood at the top of the hill then back done the hill back towards my house down 3rd street around Decatur up the hill on 4th St. to Madison past my house back down 3rd St and then around the other way on Decatur to the bottom of Madison and then the hill back to my house. A 2 mile beatdown of hills to get the endurance for hills up. I sandwich this in between my other two runs for the week to hopefully get me ready for’ The Severn River Bridge of Doom’

Free Shoes....both of them

Free Shoes!

Safety First!

My wife, Mrs. Runner, and I have two children. So we do not get to run together much at all. I wake up, run, come home, make breakfast for the little ones and mommy goes running. We always have a quick briefing of where we are running and when we should be back and it always ends with ‘if I’m not back by such-and-such time come find me’.
My brother is an avid bike rider both road and mountain biking and he has had numerous run-ins with cars and sketchy roads and trails. Taking a page out of his playbook I decided to buy a product for my wife and I that I hope we will never need.
I purchased for us each a RoadID http://www.roadid.com/. It is much reminiscent of the dog tags I wore in The Marines, minus my gas mask size and religion. For $20 you get a tag with your emergency contact and medical information on a stylish 3M reflective band. They sell these to be worn on your wrist, ankle, or your shoe. We both opted for the neoprene ankle style, mine in red and the Mrs. in Pink. I filled out our tags with our names, address, home phone number, each others cell phone number, blood type and that we have no allergies to medication and that we are both organ donors. It may seem a little bit morbid to think about but if I get ripped in two by a passing car it would be nice if they could give my still functioning organs to someone (although my liver may not do anyone any good) or better yet get me some blood and put me back together.

It’s easy to say it won’t happen to you but I decided for us it is better to be safe than sorry.

…and don’t forget: Be Positive…..no really! If you see me bleeding on the side of the road get me some B+!

11 weeks!

Getting back on the Horse

Running Saturday was better. Not great. Each run should be getting better. I am breathing a little better. The River run is a good 3.5 miles and can be a very good trail not very scenic although it does go through Historic Laurel via Main Street. At this point I am trying to get my breathing and stride to match up. Which can take some time to hit the groove. nothing is worse than having to concentrate on your breathing while running once in stride you can just move without thinking. 12 Weeks till A10. It is on.
Hockey tonight running Tuesday, Thursday and long run on Saturday.

Don't forget to honk at chubby runners, it make us feel good.