This man threatened to eat his own foot if QCRunner did not correct his wretched ways, and post a link to the QC Marathon in the links page at right.
Much thanks to Joe Moreno and the great folks who put together QCM every year. The blogger regrets his oversight, and will be sentenced to multiple runs up and down BB hill in Moline for his penance.
From the NYTimes, video of 7 days, 350 miles by foot, skis or bicycle. No dogs allowed. 40some start, 20 some finish. The madness of the ultra. Exquisite. Don't click link unless you are on broadband.
Here's your chance to see the site from Alaska Ultra Sport, event organizers. You have choice of other events, including 1100 mile human powered Anchorage to Nome.
The racer's fuel of choice - 'fat, fat and more fat.' No independent support is allowed. You carry your own gear. Although there are aircraft delivered 'drop bags'. 10 lb limit, please.
"...straining the limits of machine and man, laughing out load with fear and hope about a desperate plan..." - Rush
"...I have become, comfortably numb..." Pink Floyd
Thanks to Scott Hoffman for putting this bug in my ear. There is a 200 m indoor track located at Augie's PepsiCo Athletic center. Perhaps the nicest 1/8 mi loop indoors in the QC.They are operating on winter break hours right now. Nicer than anything at the local Y's that I have seen. Someone will correct me if I am wrong there.
I visited and took a jog around last Thursday. Soft surface, not banked (thank goodness.)
Pay $4 for a day guest pass, you can use the track and locker rooms. Seems like a reasonable alternative to ice covered paths for speedwork and tempo runs, if weather stays poor.
Before Jan. 9, hours are MWF 6 am to noon. After Jan. 9, hours are MTWT 6 am to 11 pm Fri 6 am - 8 pm Sat 9 am - 6 pm Sun 11 am - 11 pm
Students apparently don't get up early on weekends. Beyond that, not much not to like. Use map below to find...
- Updated the Illinois Marathon bus trip list at right. Let us know if you are in, and try to get your $25 deposit to Dave J. or myself by 1/9/08. Trip is looking good!
- Thanks to Joan and Dean Dick for hosting their Christmas party on Saturday night. Lots of good food and conversation. I count my blessings for such good friends. I am especially thankful for the welcome that Suzanne has had into running and our group. Lots of pictures taken, but I am camera-less. Will post as I get them.
- Congrats to John Kvapil, Matt Mathews and Dennis Hall (did I get that right?) for running and finishing the first of the Rock Cut State Park trail run series. Am told of single track, sticker brush, knee high single file shuffles on un-broken trail. Told John K. that I am spoiled by the well run crazy long trail events. Moving feast in the woods, hot soup, conversational pace. 5k in the timber seems, so fast and hurried. My brain shuts off competitive instincts on trails, and wants a good all day stroll...
- Bitter cold today. Never got above zero today by my thermometer. Treadmill a poor substitute, but I guess I am softening.
Was looking at QCM website and found... Official QC Marathon Apparel Model... Compliments to her 'attendants'. Recently spotted at McGraths' Christmas party. Looked for a pic from there, but the blogger can't find it. Too many electronic places to lose pics.
Thanks to Dave and all those who have signed up for the bus trip so far. Update list here and at right.
We are getting close to half the bus filled. I've got lots of nibbles, so please get your $25 deposit to me or Dave.
Full marathon, half marathon, relay and 5k. What is not to like, to dream of spring running in the depths of winter. (OK, winter hasn't officially started yet. Sunday, Sunday, Sunday.)
Off topic sidebar - Windows Internet Explorer has a new security hole. Standard advice. Don't click on what you don't know. Use Firefox or get a Mac.
Aside from the 100 lb female runners and the 145 lb 6 ft tall male runners (!) featured on the covers (designed to shatter your body image), Runner's World seems to have taken a bit of a supermarket tabloid bent this month. Maybe I'm just cynical. Headlines from Jan. 2009-
- "Do you tie your shoes wrong? You might be surprised." - Double knot. Really tight. Next. - "No time to Train? 20-minute workouts" - Misleading. Lunchtime workouts great, if schedule permits. But 20 minutes? Hardly worth the sweat. - "A better way to Breathe" - In and out usually works. If not, seek medical. - "Why We Need Running Partners" - amen.
If you can get past the fluff, there is a really good article in there pioneering mountain runner Rick Trujillo, who started the Ouray to Telluride Immogene Pass run. Another year...
Heard her Marine Corps Marathon race report on Steve Runner podcast. Found the tagline on the blog amusing...
I'll sleep when I'm dead. Unless someone needs me to do their laundry.
She missed BQ by 5 seconds. Reminds me of the local engineer runner who wrote the BAA to be admitted when his Garmin time said he qualified, missing official time by a few seconds. And was admitted (!)
The "tired mama" blogger wears the Stabilyx tights favored by this same runner, who says he's retired from running and now a biker and swimmer and house builder again. $100 for tights, yikes....
Every runner needs a bit of down time, and I am enjoying some of that this weekend. Hot tea, weights and some biking on the agenda for today, plus some blogging. 16 week training cycle for April 11, 2009 starts soon. First long run in two weeks. See calendars below and countdown clock at right.
Your first reaction. "I'm not on that list! I wanna go! I told them!"
Yes, you probably told me or Dave. The list is a first draft, based on my recall of this morning and those who have paid. Tickling our palms with cash or check has a way of focusing the mind of the aging Master's runner. Email Dave or me lsandhaas@hotmail.com, and I will get you on the list. Panic not. Bus trip deposits of $25 are due Jan. 9, 2009.
-Larry (channeling Dave via keyboard and psychic runner bonds)
December busy hits a high point. Remarked tonight to Danelle K. that I had seen her four times in two days (asked in jest for John's forgiveness). Pictures above and below from Fulton Christmas Walk/Run, Reindeer Ramble, Turkey Trot, McGrath's party and probably someplace else I have forgotten. Thanks to Tina B. for the abundance of pictures.
Legs pleasantly tired after Reindeer Ramble. Our group well represented by place in age group as usual. Congratulations to Scott, Danelle, Tina, Missy, Joan, Laurie, Paula, Lisa and all others who ran. 10 degrees and no wind, but a bit of ice at the start and end of the course to slow things slightly.
Many thanks to Rick and Laurie McGrath for hosting a Christmas Party at their house and opening their hospitality to the great cleaned up rather nicely runner masses.
Kudos to Danelle K. for the big band music on a cold, frosty night in Orion, IL. Suzanne and I needed a date night for a long time, and enjoyed the music.
Reminder - we need your $25 deposit for the bus trip to the Illinois Marathon. Check or cash to Dave Jessen or Larry Sandhaas.
