The I

When training for Arkansas in 2006 I employed a motivational technique to keep me on track in my training. I was out for a long run one day and realized that I was spending mucho tiempo on negative energy. At times I would literally yell at myself to keep running (I guess that's what I do when there are no 10-Year Old kids around.) When I realized that I was going to be spending a lot of time alone I decided I should spend that time with someone that I loved, so I knew I had to start treating myself better.


What? Wait. Now he's talking about loving himself in the woods as motivation. What kind of story is this?

No, no, it's just about being kind to oneself.

Ok, I'll keep reading.

Anywho, when I realized that the negative energy was turning something I loved to do, trail running, into a negative experience, I thought of a way to employ positive motivation by rewarding myself with a letter of the name of the goal race with every exceptional or key workout while training for said race.

On Feb. 29 I received my I for In The Grand Slam. No, I didn't run that day. But as the good doctor (Dr. Candi Ashley) pointed out to me, lots of running needs lots of rest. And I knew she was right. When the realization came to me that my leap year was lucky not for the extra day of training in the year, rather for the extra day of rest. Then I realized, viola! the rest wasn't "Not Training," it was part of the training, and I did it exceptionally well on that day, so I knew I had the "I" for that workout!

So, if you rested exceptionally well recently, reward yourself with a letter, on me!

Later Today, Oh, There's an "I" in The Slam!

Later today, I got an I.

March Forth!

Today Is March 4th. My brother pointed out to me years ago that this is as much a command as it is a date. This year bro, you couldn't be more right!

I'll be Marching, soldiering on, towards the Slam. Every day, eyes on the prize, it's a journey. So, there's that.

Also, I'm starting to see the results of ground work laid in Cross Country season with my track team. The drag here is now, I've got to keep some of these cats going. I can't just accept that they are tired or couldn't make it to practice. Now that I see their potential, I want them to capitalize on it.

My boy, Peter G, now that I know he can achieve a fast time, I know what he needs to do to get there, and I know he can handle harder workouts. Of course, he wants to be the same lazy kid that started cross country hiding as much as he was running. He actually came to me yesterday and asked that revise his mile goal back up to 6 minutes. I'm like, "Whoa now son, you've already gone 5:47, now we have to shoot for 5:30 then down to 5:00 by year end." He actually said this, "But coach, that was really hard."

Oh, ok, just jog the next few meets and take two of these fast pills. Er, NO! Yes, it's hard, but Peter, I saw you run, I saw your joy, "No go March Forth!

Keep Track of your Skakes

You see, this is why that don't allow Skakes on the track!

The Running Man

I thought, hey neat, I'll show a little clip from Arnold's the running man, because, it's a cool 1980's movie, and I run and all.

Well this clip has one line from the running man, and it's like 8 minutes into the clip, but I like the clip so you now get it. Let me know which is your favorite Bad@ss quote. I of course liked the Rowdy Roddy Piper Qoute.

"I'm hear to run 100 miles and to chew bubble gum. I am all out of bubble gum!"

Enjoy the next 9:26 or your life!

I'm Proud of Peter G, and Chase is Proud of Me!

I'm awfully proud of almost everyone that showed up for my track meet on Saturday. It was a long tough day, but it was a great day.

My athlete of the day for our team could have been the fast, suave, Julius. He came in second place of athletes from 26 schools, in the high jump, then followed that up with thirds in the two hurdle events. He scored 20 points for our team. All while cutting a dashing figure that the girls were going crazy over. It could have been Trevor, who got the teams only first place finish when he won the discus. He followed that up with a 3rd in the Shot Put. Trevor, the lovable lug, scored 16 points for our squad. Nope, neither of those worthy competitors was my athlete of the day, that goes to Peter G.

Peter didn't score any points for the team yesterday, but he showed me once again, what coaching is all about. Peter was the runner that had never broken 7 minutes in the mile a week ago, then he ran 6:27 at our meet on Thursday. Well, Peter did it again, but this time he went under 6! He clocked in a rapid 5:47. Wow, he is no a legitimate high school miler. I was talking to one of the other coaches later in the day and told him that story, and I told him, truth be known, if we cut athletes from the team, he would have been one of the first to go. I did not think he had that speed or desire in him. I WAS WRONG! He has worked harder than I thought he would. He has improved more than I thought possible. Who know how fast he can go? I told him after the race, "Peter, I've coached two all-Americans and several state champions, and I'm as proud of you as of any athlete I've every coached!

Oh, yeah, and Chase is proud of me because I was running today, I was smoking! I ran 26.2 miles in 3:45 minutes. No, this wasn't a marathon, just a little training run. Becky and Candi, both stood me up, so I was free to run the distance and speed of my choice. I chose to run fast (for me!) The weather was beautiful so I had a little bouncy-bounce in my steppy-step. Anyway towards the end of the run the bicycles were out in force at Flatwoods. Once I had to step off the trail and come to a complete stop to let a whole line of cycles by. Anyway this young, 10 - 12 year old girl warned those behind her, "Walker up." While I did correct her, "Actually I'm a runner." I didn't get mad, I didn't dog-cuss her, I just stepped back on the trial and started hauling butt again, making sure not to be misidentified again on today's run.

I know Chase is proud, I hope he tells that story to the next set of friends that visit him in Colorado :-)

SuperDave, I Pity the Fool!

Ok, SuperDave524 was gracious enough to dole out some tributes to posters and lurkers on his excellent "IntheBoro" site (catchy name) and I liked the idea so much I decided to post one for him. One, that's pretty easy, but he did four, man I pity the fool that has thinks that hard. Anyway, here's SuperDave's tribute (I'd forgotten how funny SuperDave is, well, here's a reminderator:



Thank you SuperDave!

Also, Check out the New YouTuber for you Don't Mess Around with Jim. I found some actual Jim Croce footage, and he's introduced by the "hippie" version of Kenny Rogers (Before he made all that chicken for Seinfeld :)