Sand

.It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out - it's the grain of sand in your shoe.
Robert Service

When I was a little kid we had a sand box. It was a quicksand box. I was an only child... eventually.
Steven Wright



 While out for a run on the tow path we spotted the Cannibal at the One Mile Marker.  He was staring down at his hands, mesmerized.


What was he up to now?

Using our Ninja running skills we moved swiftly and silently to where he was resting (Nutjob Ebook Ninja Running Skills coming out soon).

Upon a closer look we saw what was holding his attention.

Cupped in his hands was a granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.

It was sand.



When  he saw us he hid his guilt with a smile and let the sand trickle discretely through his fingers.

The Cannibal is a crafty one. 

But what did it mean?

What was he thinking?

What was he planning?

 
Only time will tell.

NutJob Of The Year

With the New Year almost here, it's time for the prestigious First Annual Nutjob of the Year award.   There are a lot of "interesting" people out there on the running trails.  How do you narrow it down to just one?

Basically, this award is all about the person that loves running so much, it turns them into an absolute nutjob. 

To attain Sainthood you must perform at least one miracle.

To become Nutjob of the Year you must have performed at least one mentally unstable running feat.

Not having the sense to come in out of the rain is a start, but there has to be more.  Do you think of a twenty miler in a blizzard as "fun"?  You're getting warmer.  Did you ever think it was okay to "run through" a stress fracture?  You're on your way.

There are many paths that lead to the land of Nutjobs.  I salute all of you for your courage, endurance and insanity throughout the year.  This award is all about you.

And this year's winner is . . .

Clyde Ferguson!

Was it running the Ultra through gastronomy problems that earned him the award?  Or how about living off of nuts and twigs on a Chi Running weekend with no beer or meat? 

No, it was running the Philadelphia Marathon as a bandit. Who runs a marathon as a bandit???

Clyde Ferguson, Nutjob of the year, that's who.

Congratulations Clyde. You're going to have lots of competition for next year's award. The Winter 100 Beast of Burden is looking to have more than a few contenders.

Just remember the nutjob creed - "If it ain't crazy, I ain't doin' it".