Saturday, January 23, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday run, + a new vender on Riverside!
Tuesday evening, instead of spending time watching Wheel of Fortune, over 100 new runners laced up their running shoes, found a parking space in the general vicinity of RunnersWorld, and made another step in their quest for a 5K finish. For some reason, the "Couch to 5K" this time around has soared to new heights. Fitness is in. maybe for some, it's the New Years Resolution thing. For others, it may be the report of Oklahoma being the second fattest state. For some, it may simply be the desire to get healthy and to push themselves to new limits.
Whatever the reason, it was so awesome to see so many eager faces, ready and willing to go for a 3 mile jaunt to the river. And they all listened intently as Coach Kathy gave the instructions.
First go this way, then that, and turn two blocks before the big mud puddle. All you have to remember is 42nd Street, or was that 42nd Place? and Norfolk, or was that Southfolk, or Southpark? One more turn and Kathy would have her arms tied in a granny knot.
Brandon and Cameron....you might think twice before taking advice from Tom!
Waiting to cross 41st Street on Cincinnati. Actually, the route through the neighborhoods to the Riverside path is not at all complicated.
Zipping on across Riverside Drive. For the ones going 3 miles, the turnaround was about a half mile north near 36th Street. Four milers went on to 31st Street, or on to the water fountain past the pedestrian bridge, which is turned on as of last night. A good thing to remember....for some reason, the water at this fountain is always cold--even during the summer.Those going further had a strange opportunity to have a consultation with a Doctor from New York. Dr. Michael Jackson had a display of rare supplements for sale that he claims are not even available in Oklahoma. And, "Hey, I'm a doctor," Dr. Jackson reassured us. He went on to explain that these supplements exceed the RDA of every vitamin and trace mineral beneficial to today's athletes. Dr. Jackson says these performance enhancing supplements usually retail for $80.00 per bottle, but this night was offering them for $20.00. (cash, of course)
I found it amusing that when I whipped out my camera, he whipped out his sunglasses!
Of all the rotten luck--I do not run with any money! Dr. Jackson did say he usually is at this location (just north of the restrooms by the pedestrian bridge) in the evenings. I also was amused that besides his collection of nutritional supplements, he also was selling a bottle of cologne!!My advice, get an appointment and see him at his practice. I am sure he has a better selection there. Or, just go to Walgreen's. (I think he's harmless enough, but be careful)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Larry's Confessional
When: Saturday, January 16, 2010 7:45 AM-10:30 AM. Central Standard Time
Where: Veteran's Park (21st & Boulder)
Confessions
I think it’s just human nature to kind of keep things to yourself, especially those that might lead to some personal humiliation, peer ridicule, and accompanying loss of stature. Especially as one of Coach Kathy’s troop of esteemed run leaders, I mean reputation is everything. That’s why we successfully strive each and every week in our run announcements and invitations to keep them down the middle, non-offensive to anyone, and with nary a hint of impropriety.
But …. there comes a point where the silence can no longer be contained, when the right thing to do is to clear the air, come clean with the admissions, and to start down the long and painful road of healing. Just like when Britney disclosed that she wasn’t among the top ten finalists for mother of the year; just like when Mark McGwire announced that he dabbed a little with “recovery” shots and pills, but only for a short decade or so; and like when Tiger admitted that his SUV driving skills weren’t quite on par with his golf driving skills. Well, I also have a confession to make. This is the time when a run leader truly is able to separate his real Dominoes and his Dominettes from the pretenders – those with the spots that easily rub off if you will.
You see, even though I am one of the most grateful and adoring fans of Tatur Dave’s infamous torturing and always challenging training routes, my self-diagnosed ADD presents an even greater challenge when listening to and attempting to memorize the turn-by-turn verbal instructions for each explicitly detailed route. In fact, a couple of weeks back, I somehow managed to blindly lead myself and Dom #1 (Bill) to the following destination. With the birth given masculine gene, it was not within our DNA to stop and ask for directions, nor to any time give any hint of being unsure of the route.
Contrary to popular opinion, I did slowly come to realize that the old adage of “if ever in doubt, then head north” has some shortcomings.
Confession #2: I can’t tell you the number of times that I’ve been asked whether I participated in the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge, nor can I disclose the number of times that I answered a different question or somehow changed the subject, and even one occasion when I faked a kidney malfunction as a diversion (note to self – you don’t have to play that one all the way through, especially when it’s below freezing temps). Well, all I have to say is that what I once viewed as a one time lack of Halloween costuming indiscretion, which landed me back in rehab, the subconscious magnetic pull of re-donning the hot iron and dolling it up again proved to be just too much. Just like before, there truly can’t be any conclusions drawn from either event. As all my G-friends can attest, it’s amazing what a little eye liner, a couple of dabs of carefully contoured gel (gel - it’s not just for running shoes anymore), and a dollop of attitude can do. So, if you revisit the RW Polar Plunge photos, look carefully for the red bikini.
So, this Saturday we find ourselves back at Veteran’s Park for the start of another training run. This one is charted for 16 miles, which will be our longest of the season. Fittingly, after last week’s “Test Icicle” run, this week holds the promise of being held in “balmy” conditions. And remember, if you don’t show up at 7:45 AM sharp’ish, then you run the risk of being inflicted with bed bugs, and not the good kind.
Random tip of the week: Might be a good contingency plan to listen to the route directions for yourself, not that your fave run leader would ever lead you astray.
Larry
Where: Veteran's Park (21st & Boulder)
Confessions
I think it’s just human nature to kind of keep things to yourself, especially those that might lead to some personal humiliation, peer ridicule, and accompanying loss of stature. Especially as one of Coach Kathy’s troop of esteemed run leaders, I mean reputation is everything. That’s why we successfully strive each and every week in our run announcements and invitations to keep them down the middle, non-offensive to anyone, and with nary a hint of impropriety.
But …. there comes a point where the silence can no longer be contained, when the right thing to do is to clear the air, come clean with the admissions, and to start down the long and painful road of healing. Just like when Britney disclosed that she wasn’t among the top ten finalists for mother of the year; just like when Mark McGwire announced that he dabbed a little with “recovery” shots and pills, but only for a short decade or so; and like when Tiger admitted that his SUV driving skills weren’t quite on par with his golf driving skills. Well, I also have a confession to make. This is the time when a run leader truly is able to separate his real Dominoes and his Dominettes from the pretenders – those with the spots that easily rub off if you will.
You see, even though I am one of the most grateful and adoring fans of Tatur Dave’s infamous torturing and always challenging training routes, my self-diagnosed ADD presents an even greater challenge when listening to and attempting to memorize the turn-by-turn verbal instructions for each explicitly detailed route. In fact, a couple of weeks back, I somehow managed to blindly lead myself and Dom #1 (Bill) to the following destination. With the birth given masculine gene, it was not within our DNA to stop and ask for directions, nor to any time give any hint of being unsure of the route.
Contrary to popular opinion, I did slowly come to realize that the old adage of “if ever in doubt, then head north” has some shortcomings. Confession #2: I can’t tell you the number of times that I’ve been asked whether I participated in the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge, nor can I disclose the number of times that I answered a different question or somehow changed the subject, and even one occasion when I faked a kidney malfunction as a diversion (note to self – you don’t have to play that one all the way through, especially when it’s below freezing temps). Well, all I have to say is that what I once viewed as a one time lack of Halloween costuming indiscretion, which landed me back in rehab, the subconscious magnetic pull of re-donning the hot iron and dolling it up again proved to be just too much. Just like before, there truly can’t be any conclusions drawn from either event. As all my G-friends can attest, it’s amazing what a little eye liner, a couple of dabs of carefully contoured gel (gel - it’s not just for running shoes anymore), and a dollop of attitude can do. So, if you revisit the RW Polar Plunge photos, look carefully for the red bikini.
So, this Saturday we find ourselves back at Veteran’s Park for the start of another training run. This one is charted for 16 miles, which will be our longest of the season. Fittingly, after last week’s “Test Icicle” run, this week holds the promise of being held in “balmy” conditions. And remember, if you don’t show up at 7:45 AM sharp’ish, then you run the risk of being inflicted with bed bugs, and not the good kind.
Random tip of the week: Might be a good contingency plan to listen to the route directions for yourself, not that your fave run leader would ever lead you astray.
Larry
Monday, January 11, 2010
Kudos to 5 RW girls!!
Just a quick shout-out to Ronit and Sandra, who ran the Disney Marathon in Orlando, Florida this past Saturday. Both Sandra and Ronit are Marathon Maniacs, having run 3 marathons in the past 2 months. Congrats ladies! Can't wait to hear your story!
Patti keeps adding to her marathon and state total. What has Patti been up to lately? Well, let's just say that she is really GOOFY! Patti ran the Disney Half Marathon Saturday, and earned a Minnie medal. Then, she did the Disney Marathon Sunday and received a Micky medal, and for doing BOTH, she got a Goofy medal! Awesome!
Cassy and Stacy were busy this past weekend as well. They both ran the Mississippi Blues Marathon in Jackson, Miss on Saturday, then drove to Mobile, Alabama and ran the First Light Marathon on Sunday. Back-to-backs... one of the hardest things to pull off, but something a lot of 50 Staters do, and Marathon Maniacs live for. This earned 4 stars in Marathon Mania, and moved them up to Iridium in the InSane AsyLum.Be sure to congratulate these ladies when you see them. They represent RunnersWorld well. I think someone should count all the marathons ran in by our group for the past year. I am betting there is well over 100....maybe a lot more! Anyone care to make a tally?
Friday, January 8, 2010
Test-Icicle Training Run
When: Saturday, January 09, 2010 7:45 AM-9:45 AM. Central Standard Time
Where: North Pole - AKA Veteran's Park (21st & Boulder)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Who would have thunk it that last Saturday’s “bumpy” training run was literally a warm up to this Saturday? Can you believe how much we’re wishing that we could have some of that 20 degree F temps for this weekend? Crazy? Possibly. Insane? Certifiably so. If you do choose to run on Saturday morning, make sure you don’t tell any non-runner acquaintances, and it’s suggested you exercise discretion even when telling other “fair weather” runners. Tell them you’re going out for coffee, or to the store, or to check on the street conditions, or to learn the new noises that come from your car when there is “NO TEMPERATURE”. After all, surely omitting a few details here and there such as a 14 mile mid-trip jaunt won’t be the make or break determining factor on whether your final resting place comes complete with cushy socks, running kicks that don’t ever wear out, and beautifully warm and low humidity places to stretch those accompanying wings from time to time.
Back to the topic of self mutilation and jaw/cheek/tongue/mind/limb numbing torture (Who needs Novocain when all you have to do is step outside for 10 minutes and get the same effect?) – kind of puts a rather rosy spin on things, don’t you agree? This Saturday's training run is specifically intended to help scratch that unfulfilled scientific itch that many of us have carried since our college/high school/grade school/sand pile days. The unique combination of slightly crisp temperatures plus the residual XMAS eve moisture allows for the opportunity to qualify the structural, material, and physical properties of varying stages and forms of icicles during our run. We can compare those formed along the trails with those in neighborhoods with those along major streets, commercial businesses versus residential, and those formed and reformed by periods of thawing and refreezing against those adjacent to flowing waters. So, hopefully by now I've sufficiently justified via political correctness the use of the "Test-Icicle Training Run" term. I mean, how could this possibly have any other intended meaning?
On a slightly more serious note, running conditions for Saturday mornings run are a wee bit on the sub-optimal side. As such, permission is once again granted (we sure can't let this become a habit) to anyone who chooses to sit this one out - with qualifying conditions. If you don't get your 14 mile long run in on Saturday morning, then you really need to get them in either later on Saturday or on Sunday when the temperatures become more reasonable. I'm certainly not trying to discourage anyone from joining us, as there will be a "nutty" contingent of hard heads either too stubborn or intellectually challenged who will show up to run.
And to all of us who do, and who are fortunate enough to survive, then we willingly bestow heaping piles of bragging rights to all those misguided soles/souls. Also, each blue and shivering "Test-Icicle" survivor is entitled to a guiltless group hug (high five or a communal grunt are suitable substitutions). And further, if the key is able to penetrate the car lock, and the car then magically happens to start, then each "Test-Icicle" survivor is bestowed best wishes on getting to a warm place before full rigormortis sets in.
For those of you have gotten in the habit of being a little tardy, it's anticipated that this Saturday's run will start pretty darn close to 7:45 AM from Veteran's Park - pre-run loitering time will likely be limited to conserve any remaining car heater ingested articificial heat. So, in addition to wearing your winter warmies, the more flexible folks/folkettes may also want to consider self administering a farewell/good luck kiss to the arsal regions. For the flexibility challenged, you're on your own unless you can rustle up your own surrogate to perform the honors, as there's a good chance that if you wait until you get to Veteran's Park that you won't find any willing accomplices, unless of course Brian, our resident Pretty Boy Toy, chooses to grace us with his well fortified presence.
"Test-Icicles Up and Bring 'Em If You Got "Em"
Dom-N-8rz 9:51
Double Blank Larry
Where: North Pole - AKA Veteran's Park (21st & Boulder)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Who would have thunk it that last Saturday’s “bumpy” training run was literally a warm up to this Saturday? Can you believe how much we’re wishing that we could have some of that 20 degree F temps for this weekend? Crazy? Possibly. Insane? Certifiably so. If you do choose to run on Saturday morning, make sure you don’t tell any non-runner acquaintances, and it’s suggested you exercise discretion even when telling other “fair weather” runners. Tell them you’re going out for coffee, or to the store, or to check on the street conditions, or to learn the new noises that come from your car when there is “NO TEMPERATURE”. After all, surely omitting a few details here and there such as a 14 mile mid-trip jaunt won’t be the make or break determining factor on whether your final resting place comes complete with cushy socks, running kicks that don’t ever wear out, and beautifully warm and low humidity places to stretch those accompanying wings from time to time.
Back to the topic of self mutilation and jaw/cheek/tongue/mind/limb numbing torture (Who needs Novocain when all you have to do is step outside for 10 minutes and get the same effect?) – kind of puts a rather rosy spin on things, don’t you agree? This Saturday's training run is specifically intended to help scratch that unfulfilled scientific itch that many of us have carried since our college/high school/grade school/sand pile days. The unique combination of slightly crisp temperatures plus the residual XMAS eve moisture allows for the opportunity to qualify the structural, material, and physical properties of varying stages and forms of icicles during our run. We can compare those formed along the trails with those in neighborhoods with those along major streets, commercial businesses versus residential, and those formed and reformed by periods of thawing and refreezing against those adjacent to flowing waters. So, hopefully by now I've sufficiently justified via political correctness the use of the "Test-Icicle Training Run" term. I mean, how could this possibly have any other intended meaning?
On a slightly more serious note, running conditions for Saturday mornings run are a wee bit on the sub-optimal side. As such, permission is once again granted (we sure can't let this become a habit) to anyone who chooses to sit this one out - with qualifying conditions. If you don't get your 14 mile long run in on Saturday morning, then you really need to get them in either later on Saturday or on Sunday when the temperatures become more reasonable. I'm certainly not trying to discourage anyone from joining us, as there will be a "nutty" contingent of hard heads either too stubborn or intellectually challenged who will show up to run.
And to all of us who do, and who are fortunate enough to survive, then we willingly bestow heaping piles of bragging rights to all those misguided soles/souls. Also, each blue and shivering "Test-Icicle" survivor is entitled to a guiltless group hug (high five or a communal grunt are suitable substitutions). And further, if the key is able to penetrate the car lock, and the car then magically happens to start, then each "Test-Icicle" survivor is bestowed best wishes on getting to a warm place before full rigormortis sets in.For those of you have gotten in the habit of being a little tardy, it's anticipated that this Saturday's run will start pretty darn close to 7:45 AM from Veteran's Park - pre-run loitering time will likely be limited to conserve any remaining car heater ingested articificial heat. So, in addition to wearing your winter warmies, the more flexible folks/folkettes may also want to consider self administering a farewell/good luck kiss to the arsal regions. For the flexibility challenged, you're on your own unless you can rustle up your own surrogate to perform the honors, as there's a good chance that if you wait until you get to Veteran's Park that you won't find any willing accomplices, unless of course Brian, our resident Pretty Boy Toy, chooses to grace us with his well fortified presence.
"Test-Icicles Up and Bring 'Em If You Got "Em"
Dom-N-8rz 9:51
Double Blank Larry
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Thank you
Thanks to all of you who came out to the Race Into the New Year and Polar Bear Plunge. We had a great time and hope you did to. We have had dozens of email thanking us for not canceling the Race Into the New Year due to the black ice. About 30 people worked all day on Wednesday and New Years Eve day to plow the trails and put down salt and sand, but the snow just kept melting across the trail all day and froze back up into huge sheets of black ice between 7-9pm making it too dangerous. Apologies for the big pileups on the wooden bridge on the last minute course, but it was the only trails available that were not super icy.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Ice Ice Baby
Brrr! Is anyone else sick of these cold temps? The light wisps of snow this morning dancing across a winter sky had me gnashing my teeth. Never ever again will I complain about those hot summer afternoons! The picture above....is that what's hanging from my back porch, or is it the profile from Tatur Dave's route for Saturday?
Hmmm....If you have not yet read it, dig through your email and read Coach Kathy's last offering about proper dress for running in cold weather. Momma always told me to bundle up, which back then meant a fruit-of-the-loom t-shirt, a hand-me-down sweatshirt, two pairs of pants (my church pants underneath so they'd stay clean for Sunday), two pair-o-socks, with one pulled down and tucked under my toes since it had a hole, and a crocheted hat that she had made which was brown and looked like she changed her mind on what pattern she had in mind about a third of the way through the creation. Gloves were never an option for me as a kid, but an extra pair of tube socks worked as mittens on the coldest of days. Turns out, Coach Kathy is dishin' out the same advice. The only difference is she'd probably rather you wear some nice Asics or Mizunos instead of the old worn out Keds I had to wear as a kid. But the main thing that my Momma and Coach Kathy have in common, is that they both wanted us to GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!
Big time atta-boys and WTGs for all those who made it out last Saturday for their prescribed long runs. I hear it was cold....doh! Mr. Threlkeld says the temps will be nothing on Saturday morning....no wait, he said ZERO! That's what it was. Couple that with a nice gentle breeze and we should have wind chills in the negs. What a great day to run.. Hear me out on this....if you do in fact make it out for our long run this Saturday, you will not have a glitch in your training regimen, you'll have bragging rights to all those friends and family members who think you are crazy anyway, and if you bring some warm dry clothes, you can go out with friends for breakfast afterward and hot chocolate will never have tasted so good! Years from now, you'll be chatting away with your running friends and will fondly reminisce about the winter of 2010 when you braved arctic temps for your 10 miler.
I am sure Mr. Larry will have a few things to say about our upcoming training session this weekend, and I anxiously await his offering. The paparazzi will be back out in full force Saturday with cameras a-blazing. Look me up if you have any residual frozen snot rockets, drool-cycles, frost on the hats, and of course I'll still take pix of all the boo boos and blisters you wanna expose.
Speaking of pix, if you haven't already seen enough, here are Brian's Polar Bear Plunge pix Take special notice of the fashionable PINK TUTU that he is wearing, as he finally paid off a bet he LOST last October.
TZ did a short write-up on the RW double (Race into the New Year, and the Polar Bear Plunge). Click here
Happy Running!
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