Not running Afton on Saturday, but I will be there documenting it on camera and video. Or.... I may just be the RD's b*&$# for the day.
I am in no shape to run it. Have no business or desire to.
Ran today for the first time in a week and a half. I am sore.
Working on a few themes for blog posts. Should be interesting.
I may have some good news to share in the next week as well.
But for now, I have to get back to that darn pull up bar. This time I put in 4" lag screws. That should do it.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Direction of the blog
Now that I have taken a few steps back to relax and live a somewhat normal life, I have been wondering what direction to take this blog.
It started as a forum on what I was doing on a leave of absence from work (it wasn't google blogger back then... comcast).
It turned into a running blog. Then the "road to 100", documenting the process I went through to finish my first 100.
I was told to keep posting, so it became anything to do with running.
The title "A Guy Who Runs" is on purpose. I am an average guy who was never an elite runner. I didn't run track or XC in high school or college. I have been a recreational runner for almost 30 years.
That is still kind of the theme, but since I have nothing on the schedule, I am at a loss for things to blab endlessly about.
So... since all of who are the ones who read this, what do you want to see? I have some ideas which I find interesting, but probably only me. Although, my attitude has always been "If I think it is interesting, somebody might also find it interesting".
So...... here is your chance for input.
It started as a forum on what I was doing on a leave of absence from work (it wasn't google blogger back then... comcast).
It turned into a running blog. Then the "road to 100", documenting the process I went through to finish my first 100.
I was told to keep posting, so it became anything to do with running.
The title "A Guy Who Runs" is on purpose. I am an average guy who was never an elite runner. I didn't run track or XC in high school or college. I have been a recreational runner for almost 30 years.
That is still kind of the theme, but since I have nothing on the schedule, I am at a loss for things to blab endlessly about.
So... since all of who are the ones who read this, what do you want to see? I have some ideas which I find interesting, but probably only me. Although, my attitude has always been "If I think it is interesting, somebody might also find it interesting".
So...... here is your chance for input.
Friday, June 18, 2010
I am that tough
Okay.... call it "I am that stupid" or... "should have paid attention during physics/engineering class"
Yesterday I was busting out a metcon, and on the second rep of pull ups, I tore the bar out of the lam beam.
It was a near disaster, buy I escaped with a minor bruise (and a failed workout).
I guess 2" screws on flanges are not sufficient to hold a 175.... 185 pound man in a kipping pull up.
I call it bad ass, but most would call it stupid engineering.
Thought I would share.
Yesterday I was busting out a metcon, and on the second rep of pull ups, I tore the bar out of the lam beam.
It was a near disaster, buy I escaped with a minor bruise (and a failed workout).
I guess 2" screws on flanges are not sufficient to hold a 175.... 185 pound man in a kipping pull up.
I call it bad ass, but most would call it stupid engineering.
Thought I would share.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Am I being offensive?
I like keeping tabs on the "goings on" of my sweet home Chicago.
This week, there was some controversy over an ad the Chicago Tribune put on for the last nights hockey game.
You can see the picture here with someone who is upset by it here by Christine Brennan.
I saw a debate on this last night on Fox 9 in the twin cities between a U of M person (not sure what her capacity was) and "The Common Man". Common made the analogy of when people are playing a poor round of golf, they get comments like "you are playing like the Common Man". I know it is not the same, it was a joke.
Halfway through this interview, I thought "Oh, crap..... I am going to have all sorts of feminists after me for the "getting chicked ale" I made. I would upload the picture, but blogger says it is corrupt. Figures... the guy who made it is also corrupt :)
So, if you find the Blackhawks add offensive, you should find the term "getting chicked" offensive. Right?
Without opening a huge can of worms, let me say this first.
* I first hear the actual term in reference to Christine Crawford constantly kicking all of the guy's asses in Wisconsin. In fact, SHE may have come up with the term. Although, I think it has been around for a long time.
* I get beat by a lot women, so it is nothing I really worry about. AND, it is not something that even factors into hurting my ego.
* I look at our fast female MN ultra runners, and consider myself having a good race if I come close to any of them. Helen, Kim (Martin and Holak), Eve, Valeria, and many more. I am pretty sure they are not offended by the term, but maybe I am wrong.
* Too many people in our world today can't take a joke. I know it is hard to take a joke when it hits too close to home, so I will be open to the fact that I (we) are being offensive by using this term. But.... in my experience, any woman who braves the trail/ultra community can hold her own. They are tough women, women I admire. I think it takes a lot more than silly hyperbole to get mad. But maybe I am wrong.
* If men and women are truly equal, then why do golf courses still have womens tees? And why does this not offend the likes of Christine Brennan?
The Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in 2002, 2003, and 2004 used the "equalizer" format which gave a head start to the elite women against the elite men. The idea was to equalize the men and women, hoping for a race to the finish between a man or woman. Is this not sexist? The term "equalizer" itself should make some mad. I know women who would WANT to start with the men, AND BEAT THEM.
* In college, I was a part of the basketball pep band. We played at all of the Men's home games. It was a party. It was a blast.
A group of women on campus got together and protested us for being sexist. They said we should be playing at all of the womens games. The university caved, the group compromised, and we ended up playing some of the games with some of the band. Nobody in the band (men or women) wanted to, but we were forced to. Every womens basketball game I played at had more players in the band then spectators watching the game.
I can understand the desire to be equal, but where was the crowd who wanted to watch those games? Their answer was "you have to give it a chance". One person actually said it was because the band was not at the games. Seriously.
So back to the topic.
Are we being bad by using this term?
Is it offensive if I wear a skirt to run the Afton 50K?
Or is this just a vocal minority trying to get their way?
***********
For the record, I have never beaten Helen.
The only time I beat Christine was when she broke her hip and dropped out (I think she still made it like 50 miles). Never beaten Kim H.
This week, there was some controversy over an ad the Chicago Tribune put on for the last nights hockey game.
You can see the picture here with someone who is upset by it here by Christine Brennan.
I saw a debate on this last night on Fox 9 in the twin cities between a U of M person (not sure what her capacity was) and "The Common Man". Common made the analogy of when people are playing a poor round of golf, they get comments like "you are playing like the Common Man". I know it is not the same, it was a joke.
Halfway through this interview, I thought "Oh, crap..... I am going to have all sorts of feminists after me for the "getting chicked ale" I made. I would upload the picture, but blogger says it is corrupt. Figures... the guy who made it is also corrupt :)
So, if you find the Blackhawks add offensive, you should find the term "getting chicked" offensive. Right?
Without opening a huge can of worms, let me say this first.
* I first hear the actual term in reference to Christine Crawford constantly kicking all of the guy's asses in Wisconsin. In fact, SHE may have come up with the term. Although, I think it has been around for a long time.
* I get beat by a lot women, so it is nothing I really worry about. AND, it is not something that even factors into hurting my ego.
* I look at our fast female MN ultra runners, and consider myself having a good race if I come close to any of them. Helen, Kim (Martin and Holak), Eve, Valeria, and many more. I am pretty sure they are not offended by the term, but maybe I am wrong.
* Too many people in our world today can't take a joke. I know it is hard to take a joke when it hits too close to home, so I will be open to the fact that I (we) are being offensive by using this term. But.... in my experience, any woman who braves the trail/ultra community can hold her own. They are tough women, women I admire. I think it takes a lot more than silly hyperbole to get mad. But maybe I am wrong.
* If men and women are truly equal, then why do golf courses still have womens tees? And why does this not offend the likes of Christine Brennan?
The Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in 2002, 2003, and 2004 used the "equalizer" format which gave a head start to the elite women against the elite men. The idea was to equalize the men and women, hoping for a race to the finish between a man or woman. Is this not sexist? The term "equalizer" itself should make some mad. I know women who would WANT to start with the men, AND BEAT THEM.
* In college, I was a part of the basketball pep band. We played at all of the Men's home games. It was a party. It was a blast.
A group of women on campus got together and protested us for being sexist. They said we should be playing at all of the womens games. The university caved, the group compromised, and we ended up playing some of the games with some of the band. Nobody in the band (men or women) wanted to, but we were forced to. Every womens basketball game I played at had more players in the band then spectators watching the game.
I can understand the desire to be equal, but where was the crowd who wanted to watch those games? Their answer was "you have to give it a chance". One person actually said it was because the band was not at the games. Seriously.
So back to the topic.
Are we being bad by using this term?
Is it offensive if I wear a skirt to run the Afton 50K?
Or is this just a vocal minority trying to get their way?
***********
For the record, I have never beaten Helen.
The only time I beat Christine was when she broke her hip and dropped out (I think she still made it like 50 miles). Never beaten Kim H.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Kettle Shows its nastiness.... again
I woke up Saturday morning at 7am, a sleep in for me, and immediately thought "the KM 100 runners have already been out there for an hour".
I went to check the webcast to see who and how many actually started. 155 crossed the timing mats at the start.
I had a few hours of regret. I kept thinking "I should be there". "I should have stuck with my program and toughed it out". I checked the weather. 70's, overcast, scattered showers. "not bad", I thought. I neglected to check the dewpoint.
When I saw the runners cross at 50k, I was surprised. Grabowski was in 8th place, but banking a 5:25 50k. Wow, he was running a conservative race. Must have fallen and hit his head.
I was keeping an eye on Karen S., her first 100, and she looked tied for second.
Zach, John G, and the Saari's all looked to be sticking together.
The first sign of bad was when I checked the details of the weather. Dewpoint 65. Ouch! That is like 2 years ago.
Soon I hear that Karen dropped. Dizzy and headache. Dehydration.
Then I hear from Kevin that he and Dehart dropped, and that it was brutally hot and humid. It sucked the life and desire out of both of those hard core runners. Helen couldn't even get them to finish out the 100K. I would have loved to see that conversation. I wouldn't have been surprised if Helen was saying "stop being such babies".
Then the updates painted an ugly picture.
Brian Peterson was running the 100k, did the first 50k in 4:02! Came in 1st with a 9:4something. He was the only 100k runner not to get chicked by Crawford who finished second.
The hundred updates looked awful. I then felt glad about my decision to sit this one out.
Zach's wife was posting updates, and it did not sound good. Zach decided to take the 100k finish instead of the 100m. Smart move. I know Zach could have finished, but the price he was going to pay was significant.
So the night took its toll on the runners, and the Lapham girls came through nicely. Angela Barbera and Deb Vomhof finished well... around 28 hours, I think.
Congrats to Nolan Ming for finishing 3rd. That must have been some bad ass running in the last 40. Great job Nolan.
The KC Nerds cleaned house, though. They got 3 of the top 4 spots.
Great job to all who showed up and put forth effort.
If any of you want to share a race report, email me and I will post it.
*****************
I might run Afton 50K. I am feeling better.
I went to check the webcast to see who and how many actually started. 155 crossed the timing mats at the start.
I had a few hours of regret. I kept thinking "I should be there". "I should have stuck with my program and toughed it out". I checked the weather. 70's, overcast, scattered showers. "not bad", I thought. I neglected to check the dewpoint.
When I saw the runners cross at 50k, I was surprised. Grabowski was in 8th place, but banking a 5:25 50k. Wow, he was running a conservative race. Must have fallen and hit his head.
I was keeping an eye on Karen S., her first 100, and she looked tied for second.
Zach, John G, and the Saari's all looked to be sticking together.
The first sign of bad was when I checked the details of the weather. Dewpoint 65. Ouch! That is like 2 years ago.
Soon I hear that Karen dropped. Dizzy and headache. Dehydration.
Then I hear from Kevin that he and Dehart dropped, and that it was brutally hot and humid. It sucked the life and desire out of both of those hard core runners. Helen couldn't even get them to finish out the 100K. I would have loved to see that conversation. I wouldn't have been surprised if Helen was saying "stop being such babies".
Then the updates painted an ugly picture.
Brian Peterson was running the 100k, did the first 50k in 4:02! Came in 1st with a 9:4something. He was the only 100k runner not to get chicked by Crawford who finished second.
The hundred updates looked awful. I then felt glad about my decision to sit this one out.
Zach's wife was posting updates, and it did not sound good. Zach decided to take the 100k finish instead of the 100m. Smart move. I know Zach could have finished, but the price he was going to pay was significant.
So the night took its toll on the runners, and the Lapham girls came through nicely. Angela Barbera and Deb Vomhof finished well... around 28 hours, I think.
Congrats to Nolan Ming for finishing 3rd. That must have been some bad ass running in the last 40. Great job Nolan.
The KC Nerds cleaned house, though. They got 3 of the top 4 spots.
Great job to all who showed up and put forth effort.
If any of you want to share a race report, email me and I will post it.
*****************
I might run Afton 50K. I am feeling better.
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