Musings of a Mule

Is it wrong to not go out for a run when the American flag is flying sideways?


   
Is it wrong to be warm and comfortable?




And is it really all that wrong to just curl up by the fire for the morning with a cup of coffee and a good book?

Apparently it is wrong.  The nut job is on his way over to pick me up for our Sunday morning run.  The thermometer reading is 17  (minus 1  with the wind chill).

It's hell being a runner.

Nut Job Update:

Though no major nut job incidents in January have yet been reported, Baba the Freak has earned a few minor points.

He received his first nut job point by getting a haircut at Sully's and then walking off without paying for it (rumor has it, Sullivan's Barber Shop now has a prepay policy).

Then he scored a half point by showing up for a run with two left gloves.  Kind of a feeble attempt at the 2011 Nut Job of the Year award, but hey, it's a start.

Have you done anything "nut job worthy" lately?  Let me know so I can pass the information on to the judges.  Let's get those nut job points rolling.

The Golden Squirrel Presentation

It all began properly enough at the presentation of the Golden Squirrel Awards on Sunday.  

Last year's winner paid his respect to "The Master Squirrel", as was custom, remembering to kneel in the snow in homage to the suffering of nut job runners worldwide.

But then it came time to hand the coveted statue over to the new victor.

And that's when it got ugly.

The red eyes glowed on the squirrel as it smelled the scent of a battle.

Handing over the title is never an easy thing.

Shiva the Destroyer faced off against the Cannibal.

They fought with a viciousness unusual to see in a church parking lot.  

But what could have escalated into an epic battle was quickly downgraded to a misunderstanding on the Cannibals part as he was persuasively led to realize that it was time to give up the squirrel.




After claiming her hard earned statue, Shiva went off on her own to reflect on what this new honor would mean in her life.  Would it change her?  Would she succumb to the squirrel's strange and evil ways?  Only time will tell.

 

Meanwhile, the losers took to the tow path to drown their sorrows in the wind and snow.

And so a new year begins.

2010 Nut Job Of The Year

 
The judges have finally come out of the closet.  

Before announcing the 2010 Nut Job of the Year, let me make this perfectly clear.  I am in no way responsible for the judges final decision so do not complain, threaten or plot physical harm against me if you feel cheated.  Remember, there is always 2011.

As for 2010, there were many contenders.

Baba the Freak was looking good after running three ultras with bare minimum training and a possible heart condition to boot, but the doctor cleared him, so he's out.  

Roger definitely had a good shot, making 2010 his year of the ultras, but with the production of a video he turned pro, dq'ing himself from the Nut Job podium, as it is an award for the non professional nut job only.

Then there was the Cannibal, last year's winner.  Reclaiming his soul at the Oil Creek 100, he victoriously burned his race bib at the spot where he had dropped out the year before, to the delighted cheers of the aide station workers at Miller's Farm. 

At the rut race,  the Cannibal dressed up as a bear and scared the running shorts off of Scott Patterson.   

Then there was the fat ass race in Rochester, where the Cannibal fell to the ground, faking convulsions, just a few yards from the finish line with Roger in the lead.  Roger gave up his first place spot and turned back instead to help his old pal, whereby said pal jumped up and ran to the finish line, beating Roger by a hair.

I could go on and on about the Cannibal's nut job feats of 2010, but why bother.  The choice is clear.

The 2010 Nut Job of the Year award goes to . . . .

 

 Shiva the Destroyer Ferguson.

She not only was crazy enough to marry the Cannibal, but she has STAYED married to him for four plus years!  You'd have to be a nut job to put up with that guy.

Congratulations Shiva.  You truly earned the Golden Squirrel.

And good luck to all contenders for the upcoming year.

Note to Shiva - We would like to present the award to you next Sunday, January 12th at the tow path zero mile marker if you are available.  Black tie is optional.  

Note to the Cannibal - when we say Black Tie, we don't mean JUST a black tie.

To Roger, Clyde and Baba - thanks for the nut job memories.  See you in 2011.