Possibilities

I am watching the Bills in overtime as I write this post.  Watching the Bills play, thinking they could win this one should make me a qualifier for the Nut Job of the Year award.

My running heroine from Connecticut, Emmy, asked me about our 2011 race schedule.  That is an interesting question.

What are we going to do next year?  Very big question.

What are you going to do next year?

Wow, Kansas City kick is no good!  Bills are still alive!  Could we possibly get our first win of the year?  Anything is possible.

That could be the nut job mantra - anything is possible.

I am terrified of heights and the nut jobs had me running along a rim with a 700 foot drop.  Anything is possible.

Two minutes left in overtime.  Tied at ten.

Do we go back to the Oil Creek 100 Trail Runs and try the 100k?  Do we do the 2011 Winter Beast of Burden?  Do we travel to South Carolina and check out one of Terry Hayes' awesome trail ultras?

Planning for the year ahead.  It is so much more fun when you're doing it with nut jobs.

37 seconds to go and Kansas City has the first down at the thirty five.

Doesn't look good but anything is possible.

I finished a 50k at Oil Creek.  The Bills can win this game.

25 seconds to go.  Kansas City at the 25 yard line.

Anything is possible, isn't it?  Swirling winds.  12 seconds, Chiefs at the 16 yard line.

5 seconds to go.  Here comes Succup.  What kind of a name is that?  35 yard field goal attempt.

Oh crap, it's good.

Okay, the Bills lost again, but still, anything really is possible.

So what are we doing next year?

I'm thinking, more long runs on Sundays during football season might be a good idea.

Good Karma, Bad Karma

To different minds, the same world is a hell or a heaven." - Ralph Waldo Emerson 
 

When the karma is good the running is good.

For instance, whenever I am on vacation I seem to run better.  Is it because I am well rested?  Probably.  But another part of it is karma.  Being away from knife wielding workmates is like stripping the shackles from my feet.

There is a type of people I like to call "Black Clouds".  Their glass is always half empty and they see nothing but doom ahead.  They will try and drag you down into their dark, depressing world whenever they can.

Want to improve your running?  Surround yourself with nut job runners.  They are on the whole a very positive, upbeat bunch and will take you to mental heights usually reserved for angels and mental patients.


Lighter mind, lighter feet.

Upcoming Ultras:

Summer Beast of Burden 100

Oil Creek 100 Trail Runs

Links To Check Out:

Core Strengthening

 

The Breath Of The Beast

"There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it." - Alfred Hitchcock


I feel the hot, heavy breath of the beast on the back of my neck.

Every day that passes brings me a day closer to our meeting.  But I am not afraid (well maybe just a little).  I am human and I have strength and I have faith and I have courage.

And most important of all, I have nut job friends to help me through when the insanity level rises over my head.

The Beast is insatiable.  He will swallow you whole if you let Him.

He is hungry and he is mean.  He makes his appearance twice each year.  In February and in August.  The coldest and hottest days of the year.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.

My allies conquered him in the cold.  Now the heat is coming and I will join my noble running adventurers (total nut jobs) and show the beast what we are made of.



Who will survive?  Who will crumble?  Those questions will be answered August 21st.

All I ask is that there be a cold beer waiting at the end of the journey.

Buffalo Hash House Harriers, can you hear me?

Races To Check Out:

JP MorganChase Corporate Challenge - Thursday June 10, 6:45 PM
Susan G Komen Race For The Cure - Saturday June 12, 10:00 AM

Ultras To Check Out:

Summer Beast Of Burden
Oil Creek 100 Trail Runs

Links To Check Out: 

The Virtual Runner Blog List
Lion Warning

Running Wet, Running Strong

"If you are already wet, you won’t care about the rain." -  Romanian Proverb

As I lay in bed listening to the rain, I think about what I will wear for our run today. 

Then I wonder -  what do non-runners think about when they wake up to the sound of rain on a Sunday Morning?

I'll bet they don't think about going outside for a long walk.

If they look out their window and see a group of runners sprinting by, are they thinking "good for them"?  More likely it's "What's wrong with those people?".


Either way, I'm glad I'm a runner.  And I'm especially glad that I run with nut jobs.  


Sometimes it means running unforgiving hills when your legs are tired.  Sometimes it means sweating out twenty miles in the summer heat and sometimes it means getting really, really wet.


But it is always fun and it is always worth it.

If you haven't already, give a nut job a hug today.

Upcoming Races:
SFC Race For A Cause - Thursday, April 29th, 6:30 PM
Grand Island Half Marathon - Saturday, May 1st, 10:00 AM

Nut Job Ultras:

Summer Beast of Burden

Oil Creek

Interesting Links To Check Out:

Life Is Far Too Short To Drink Cheap Beer

Nutrition and Your Mental Edge
50 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do

Five Reasons Why You Should Run With Squirrels

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked. - Bernard Meltzer

There are over 365 different species of squirrels in the world.  If there was a squirrel mailing club, and the post office had Sunday delivery, you could get a different squirrel in the mail every day! 

As long as there are so many squirrels out there, running to and fro, I say let's put them to good use.

Five Reasons Why You Should Run With Squirrels:

1. Squirrels never choose the same mating partner twice.  Less inbreeding equals stronger runner.
2. Squirrels are  most active 2 - 3 hours after sunrise.  Then they sleep through the afternoon and are ready to go again 2 hours before sunset - perfect for double runs!
3. A squirrels brain is the size of a walnut.  Who's stupid enough to run 100 miles?  You guessed it.
4. Squirrels communicate through chirps and tail movements.  Great for the long run when you're too tired to talk.
5. Squirrels leave their scent on food by licking and rubbing up against it before burying it.  You'll never lose a stashed water bottle again.

But how do you find a squirrel to run with? 

Put up a bird feeder and they will come.

Upcoming Races:

Shoes For The Shelter - Sunday, April 18th, 12:00 PM
JDRF Run For The Cure - Saturday, April 24th, 10:00 AM

Envirun - Saturday, April 24th, 10:30 AM

BPAC 6-Hour Distance Classic - Sunday, Apr 25th, 8:00 AM

Upcoming Ultras:

Summer Beast of Burden - Saturday, Aug. 21st
Oil Creek - Saturday, Oct. 16th

This Weeks Interesting Links:

Squirrelz Unlimited

You Know You're A Runner When . . .

Good luck to the Cannibal and friends at Boston.  Eat, run and be happy!

Eat, Run and be Healthy

Sacred cows make the best hamburger”  - Mark Twain

 

I love eating.  I run so I can eat.  I eat so I can run.

Anything that will help me keep up with my nutjob running friends is worth trying.

Super foods, core training, dark beer - whatever it takes to swallow all of those miles before they swallow me.


Today we will be running one loop of The Beast  (25 miles).

Ingredients for today's long run:  Chia seeds, Jack Lalanne Juicer, 5 bean soup.

Directions:  Mix chia seeds with fresh juice.  Let stand for ten minutes, then mix again.  Chill for half hour, then drink before the run. 

Have 5 Bean Soup simmering in crockpot.  It will be a warm welcome home after the run and great for refueling the body.

Best wishes in your training to all of the Beast of Burden runners.  February 27th is waiting for you with baited breath. 

Beware the angry mule.