Category Archives: General
WARNING SIGNS OF A HAPPILY OBSESSED RUNNER…
We all know an obsessed runner when we see one… and I happily count myself amongst the many. In this ongoing feature, we’ll point out some of the countless crazy characteristics of those runners who love to run. I mean really really love to run.
WARNING SIGN #6724
“WASH DAY”
The happily obsessed runner has a clothes hamper just for their running/workout clothing. And they have a second hamper for that “other” stuff.
Wash & Wear
YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST…
This Sunday I lace I up my shoes to run the Surf City Half Marathon for the just second time. I’ll be joined by almost 20,000 other runners as we pound the pavement along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. It truly is a beautiful vista to behold and should be a great time. Of course, I’m a bit biased as Surf City holds a special place in my heart and it has nothing to do with the surfboard finisher’s medals (which are really really cool).
You see, Surf City was my first.
On you mark…
Let’s turn the way back machine to early January 2009. I was three months into training with T2 (known then as AIDS Marathon) for my first Los Angeles Marathon. I was still quite the newbie and at that point our biggest run had been 12 miles, which was also the longest distance I had ever run in my entire life.
The Los Angeles Marathon had originally been planned for February 16th (President’s Day), but due to a convoluted scheduling snafu, the race date was forced to move to May 25th (Memorial Day). It was like finding out on Thanksgiving Day that Christmas was going to be pushed to March. Bummer.
THE FREAKY FOOT CHRONICLES: CHAPTER 1 (PART 2)
So you weren’t too put off by my tale of piggybacking piggies and socks that fit like a glove? Okay, then. Where were we?
CHAPTER 1: TOES- PART 2 “OLD MAN TOE”
Medicinal tic tacs.
When we last left my toes, things were hunky-dory. Injinji socks had solved my problem. Little did I know, yet another problem was waiting just around the corner. Or should I say on the back of a truck.
But like a Tarantino film, let’s throw linear story structure out the window. We’ll start in the here & now… or how about November 2013. I was at the podiatrist getting fit for new shoe inserts. As part of the check-up, they took x-rays of good ‘ole lefty and righty.
So, my foot doc took a look at my right foot x-ray and said something that no one wants to hear roll of their physician’s tongue. “Oh, that’s not good.”
THE FREAKY FOOT CHRONICLES: CHAPTER 1 (PART 1)
Ever since I started distance running back in the fall of 2008, I’ve come to the harsh realization that my feet are a bit of a mess. How big of a mess you may ask? Well, enough that I feel the need to break it down into chapters. Fortunately, they’re fairly tame… no rampaging fungi stories or pics, I promise.
So now that you know you won’t have to suppress the gag reflex, let’s talk about my feet.
CHAPTER 1: TOES- PART 1
Piggies unite!
(Yes, there will be two parts on this… kinda KILL BILL-like)
Toes. We’ve pretty much all got ‘em. Typically ten of ‘em. They aid us in traction, balance and help keep pedicurists gainfully employed. They feel like the less useful and less attractive cousins to our fingers. And other than stubbing your toe, which painfully reminds us they’re present, toes typically stay hidden in your shoes and fly under the radar.
For the most part, my toes are pretty typical. Five on each foot. My second toe is a hair longer than my big toe, which is not uncommon. There are stories that people with a slightly longer second toe have Celtic origins or descend from royalty. I’m cool with that. If Arthur can be hailed as King of Camelot by pulling a sword from a stone, why can’t my long toe at least earn me a knighthood?
But all is not well in the kingdom of Scott’s toes.
THE CHANGE
“Change comes from within.” -Anonymous
Change is good!
Change is hard. Change takes time. Change hurts. Change is to venture outside your comfort zone and into the great unknown.
Let’s face it. Change is scary as hell.
We often will tolerate bad jobs, unfulfilling relationships and unsatisfactory life situations simple because we’d rather deal with that damn devil we know as opposed to put forth the effort to do something about it.
“What if we fail?”
“What if we make things worse?”
To that I say, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
RUNNING NUGGET: FAN OF FOIL
Mmm mmm mmm…Toasty!
For those of you out there who haven’t noticed (or are living in SoCal where it’s beach weather in January), it’s still winter out there people. That means cold mornings before the sun comes up (and sometimes after). And while we all know the downside of wearing too much clothing for a race, it can be downright nippy waiting an hour for your race to start… especially when it’s 48 degrees and you’re standing around in shorts and a T-shirt.
There are many ways to keep warm prior to a race, from wearing “toss away” thrift store clothes to the ever-stylish garbage bag. Well, here’s a little tidbit that will keep you warm and not looking like a garbage bag with legs. And better yet… it’s FREE.
NIP IT IN THE BUD
It’s kinda like that. Ouch!
RUNNER: “Your nipples might bleed.”
ME: “Can you say that again?”
RUNNER: “Your nipples might bleed.”
ME: “My nipples might what?”
RUNNER: “Bleed.”
ME: “Bleed?”
RUNNER: “Bleed.”
ME: “$%#@”
That was me just before my first 8-mile run back in 2008 when I was told that I should probably get some kind of nipple protection. I was thinking, “What the hell kind of sport am I getting into where my nipples might start dripping blood like a pair of synchronized leaky faucets.” Got a mental picture, didn’t you?
FAST FACTS: NY MARATHON THEN & NOW
Today’s fast fact has to do with the annual fall pilgrimage through New York.
Run on!
MY “OTHER” GIRLFRIEND
Me and Becky.
If you ask any lady who has ever dated me, after rattling off my many “endearing” quirks (at least I think they’re endearing) they’ll probably describe me as dependable, loyal and trustworthy (damn, I’m making myself sound like a dog). I’m not the kind of guy who would ever go behind their back and fool around.
Well shocking truth be told, I actually have been involved with another woman for the last 5 years and I’m proud of it.
Scandal!
She and I spend an intimate few hours together every Saturday without fail. I’ve taken her on trips around the country. She’s seen me at my best and at my worst. And whereas other women may come and go in my life, she’s always been by my side (or should I say on my wrist).
Her name is Becky.
And she is my Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver.
RUNNING NUGGET: THE BEST ICE PACK MONEY CAN BUY
As runners we all know about sprains, strains and sore muscles far too well. And at some point we’ve all had to have a heaping helping of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Well, today’s nugget is brought to you by the letter “I.”
I’m going to give you a little insight to help you in a post-race pinch and probably piss off the manufacturers of sports ice packs in the process. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve used many types of ice packs and they all basically work… it is pretty hard to get cold wrong, isn’t it?
Wear your vegetables!
I’m here to tell you about the best ice pack value for your buck and it’s not at the sporting goods store, running specialty shop or on-line.
It’s in your grocer’s freezer.
Let me tell you a story. After a recent race, I was driving a friend home and she was in pain. After limping the final mile of the race, her knee was sore as hell. She said she either needed some Advil ASAP or a samurai sword to commit Hara-kiri.
FEELING GUILTY
Days off make me go D’oh!
On Sunday, I didn’t workout at all. I didn’t go running. I didn’t hit the gym.
There were races I could have run… The Arizona Rock ‘n’ Roll Half or Full Marathon, Disney Tinkerbell in Anaheim, The Houston Marathon.
But I didn’t.
Instead I hit the grocery story, cooked some chili in the crock pot, watched a little playoff NFL football, and met a friend for a drink.
No real exercise to speak of whatsoever.
And I feel guilty.
RUNNING NUGGET: CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF
“You learn by doing it wrong.” –Anonymous
Loud and Proud!
Well, in the spirit of paying it forward, I’m going to start an ongoing series of “Running Nuggets,” little helpful hints that might make your races or runs a little bit easier.
Today’s hint has to do with gear check. Most larger races give you a plastic bag or drawstring backpack at the expo that doubles as you gear check bag. It’s awesome… don’t use it!
I’m not saying don’t use gear check; I’m saying don’t use the bag they give you. Why, you ask? A simple analogy will make things clear. Think about the baggage carousel at the airport. You get off a flight and wait along with 150 other cranky passengers at the carousel. After what seems like eternity, bags start coming out… and about every other one seems to be a black bag. Don’t they all look alike? How many times have you wondered which bag is yours or started grabbing one only to realize it belongs to someone else. Oops.
50 AND COUNTING…
I saw a statistic yesterday that both thrilled and freaked me out a little…
50 Days Until the Los Angeles Marathon.
March 9th is fast approaching.
Now this is not my first time to the marathon rodeo (it’ll actually be my 6th), but I still get that growing excited/scared feeling as it gets closer. By March 9th, I’ll have whipped myself into a frenzy. I apologize in advance to my friends who will have to endure this, but at this point they’re used to it and can selectively tune me out when I go off on my hydration and taper tangents.
And this week things got real. For starters, I received my race confirmation the other day. Yup, I’m registered and official. I also reserved my parking spot for race day (this is Los Angeles remember).
DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?
“Forget the lottery. Bet on yourself instead.” –Brian Koslow
What are the odds of running Chi-Town?
When I wanted to sign up for the Chicago Marathon in 2009, it was pretty straightforward. I jumped on the website, filled out the registration form, gave ‘em my credit card info and just like that, I was good to go.
The times they are a changing.
This week the Chicago Marathon joined the growing trend of races moving from open registration to the lottery method.
The switch comes in the wake of last year’s snafu where the Active.com registration site for the Chicago Marathon crashed due to the mad rush of applicants on opening day. BTW, here’s hoping Active.com used that “hard-earned” convenience fee we begrudgingly pay each race to upgrade their servers.
CAN I SEE YOUR I.D.?
Tag, you’re it!
Here’s a bad joke.
MOM (to young son): “Are you going out?”
SON: “Yes.”
MOM: “Do you have on clean underwear?”
SON: “Why?”
MOM: “In case you’re in an accident.”
SON: “If I’m in an accident I’m going to poop my pants anyway, so what does it matter if they’re clean now.”
Like I said, a bad joke.
Tripping The Kenyans 