Hanging with Almost Olympians

Went to Morris Bridge yesterday to check out some new trail shoes where I ran into my friend Rhonda, along with a few other Land o Lakes runners, the speedy Lee Stephens among them. Seeing few others that could keep up with (ok, ok, slow down to) my pace, Rhonda and I ran a delightful 9 miles together.

In our last mile Rhonda pointed out Melanie Peters to me. She won the Gasparilla Marathon this year and consequently competed in the US Olympic Trials in April. Turns out she had gotten injured at some race at Croom a couple of weeks before the trials. I guess the race director did a poor job of explaining that in March in Florida it's still a little dark at 7 AM, Race Directors suck, and I hear this one could give a riding Hoover a run for it's money in the Suck factor (that's what I hear.)

I digress, anyway, I really enjoyed having Melanie's company there for a mile. Got to hear a bit of her interesting story.

She is a grad student in USF's Marine Biology program, and talk about struggling. No insurance, even though she works for the state part time, and goes to school full time. I know my ex-friend Kim wouldn't agree with this, but why aren't we all insured? If we have enough money to occupy two foreign countries at a time, can't we afford to get a promise young grad student a little health care? No, we can't? oh, my bad. Hey, US Gov, Drop and give me 20!

Oh, and no scholarships or grants either, seems they have drastically cut back on those as well. Property tax cuts, my arse! Our Universities are bursting with applicants, our professor to student ratio is the WORST in the USA, and we're crying about budgets. Perhaps a little mismanagement by the state? Oh, you think? And while you're at it, give the Good Doctor and the Professor raises will ya? Hey, Florida, drop and give me 20!

Melanie also has only one minor sponsor. No, she wins races, doesn't compete, wins, she's in grad school, she's really nice. She's written to many running products companies, but has secured only a hair tie sponsor. "would have been able to pull away at 25, if my hair hadn't flopped in my eyes!" Yeah, not quite as good as a running shoe, or a power bar." Hey, Asics - Zombie Runner (I love Zombie Runner, I just can't think of another running Z) drop and give Melanie 20!

Well, at least Rhonda is going to see what she can do at Moffit, which may be something, she's been fairly successful in previous attempts. Any way, I'm cheering for you Melanie, keep on winning (she has to to pay for school) and go on and finish school, we're getting more ocean every day for you to biologize (even W has copped to Global warming now, watch your heads ladies and G's the sky may just fall!)

Ready Set... Breakfast!

Hey, nice last long run before the Vermont 100, which is one week from today (wildfires withstanding!)

It was a beautiful crew on a, shocker! hot and inhumanely humid morning, out at the Morris Bridge/Flatwoods area. Representing the FU Runners headed to Vermont were, Andy 1 & 2, Candi, Tracy, Patrick, and Andrea. We also had the pleasure of visiting with Puerto Rican Ron, Leon, the lovely Michelle, and a nice lady I met for the first time, Bridget.

Andy and Patrick took me too long and too fast around the park, we were a mile short on the main loop as we clocked in a solid 14ish, and I guarantee we chatted more than Kathleen Wheeler's sewing circle (by the way, check out and buy some of her blankets, they are dynamite!) All I know is we didn't get Andy 2 talking enough because I threw up in my mouth while trying to keep up with him, and I'm not sure there wasn't part of a lung in of those mixtures. I was doling out my un-solicited advice to the two of them regarding Vermont, then realized that these guys are tougher than Lloyd Bridges with sand in his undergarments, they didn't need squat from me, and they'll do amazing things at Vermont and on!

After our run, we caught up with the rest of the crew at First Watch (even Andrea slummed it, and ate with us!)

My gosh, it was what the running community is all about. We ran, we struggled and we had a good time chatting about the next big thing, Vermont. I'm stoked!

Strong Song of the Week, Gettin' There

Chaser sent me the idea, via Matthew Moon's "Don't Change for Me." They are using this song as an Olympics promo. We liked the "You gotta run," and the "Gonna make up the Hill" portions. Sadly there wasn't a usable U-Tube on it. So, I thought of my favorite hill running song.

And..... I am "On My Way" to "Proclaiming" the song of the week:
Because this is what I think about when I'm climbing those Vermont hills and the sweat is rolling off the tip of my nose and dripping from my earlobes. I think, "yes, I'm miserable now, but I'm going to be so happy when I get over this hill."

I think the first time my I-Pod spit out this song I was running on Croom Mountain and it just BAM hit home.

Guys and dolls, we are on our way from misery to happiness, don't forget that when the road gets tough, I'm telling you 10 times over, it's worth it!!!

Andy Say, Relax!

How many drop bags?
Where you gonna have 'em?
Where are the big hills?
How fast, how fast, how slow?

Let it go!

Guys, we're all gonna do fine, really I promise. And besides, it's just for a grin, you know a goof. This isn't important.

Vermont,
Ok, I've done it 3.72 times. And I've done fine every time.

The cool thing about it is, you're walking up ('cept Roger and Jon on some of 'em they'll run) or you're running down. There is very little flat, which you should run if you can, it's hard late in the race, but I'm usually bucking to finish, so I run.

Supplies: Shoot, they have 30 aid stations!! Yeah, yeah, bring your Boost, your Starbucks, sure sure, but if you don't have it, they do!! Yes, you'll want flashlights and batteries, but other than that you are set.

Weather? I ran Vermont in the second hottest year, man, the night run we did was worse! We're from Florida, heat is our hills.

Hey, we've all done event harder than Vermont.
Candi, Wyoming double, much harder!
Becky, GEER, plus your AT training.
Roger, Hellgate, shorter, but harder!!
Jon, wiley veteran, no problem
Andy B, well, you'll be fine, I swear you will, I know you will
Andrea, Iron Man, gotta be tougher
Woody, You'll do great, you did the hills you conquered Umstead, you are on a Roll!
June, you could do the hunnert! You are my hero!!!
E- Hey, You specialize in the 100K at Vermont :)
P- See above
Prof, shoot, you've prolly put in 2000 miles in the Northeast this summer
Tracy, hang with Prof and pass him at the end!

Just don't worry. We're gonna have a great time!

Tail on the Scale

We (we being me) won't get discouraged.

You may have noticed I stayed away from the report last week, due to the cancellation of WS 100 I didn't get in all of the exercise I wanted and got in much more drinking than I wanted!

So, here's the latest: I'm up two pounds (to 174,) but I was probably up 5 after WS, yes, I drank that much! But, I feel great (oh, how I wish someone would confirm that, "yes, I've felt him and he feels great!"), and I'm on the right track.

Short term goal: 172 for Vermont. Long term goal, good health.

I'm Taking today O-F-F Off

I got nothing. I'm taking today off.

I might could still run 6 or so miles depending on the Tuesday Night Running Club, but I have nothing about which to write, so I'll weigh in tomorrow.

When Duty Calls

I didn't want to run today, I had to!

Last night, Melting Pot to celebrate the Ali-Cats report card. Well, who was I to say no to a glass of wine, 3 melted Swiss chesses, 2 melted chocolates, various veggies and sea treasures cooked in cholesterol-free oil? No one! I had to do it, but I didn't have to let it put my belly back on! Even though I'm re-tapering and even though I ran 18 yesterday, I coaxed the Good Doctor into running 12.5 today at Morris Bridge.

It was fun, and we really moved that last few hundred yards, the girls got moves I tell you.

Speaking of moves, I need to work on mine. Why is it I can talk someone in to running for hours in the Florida heat and humidity but I can't talk someone in to _____________ with me? Oh, well, I guess I'm just a __________!