Leave AROD alone

After reading about AROD I wanted to say I totally agree with him.  If I was an inch away from being the greatest of all time and someone said take this and leave no doubt…. I would.  And he admitted it.  Leaving no doubt that every nerd faced sports writer for as long as baseball is around will judge him in the most harsh terms.  WHy?

Because every single one of those writers wishes they could be him.  But no amount of PED’s will ever give them half the ability AROD has in one arm.  So judge they will, judge to make themselves feel better.  Judge so they can sleep well at night thinking some how their pathetic words have made America safer.  But lets be honest sports writers are not upset that baseball is a bad influence on kids.  No because if that were the case R-rated movies and alcohol would not be advertised during games.  Sports writers are just big kids crushed that America’s past time is not pure as the fresh driven snow.  Sports writers are worse then 8 yr old kids because 8 yr olds grow up.  Baseball like everything else is not pure.   Just like the Roman Empire, Catholic Church, and Christmas before it.  Nothing ever remains pure.   Sorry I had to say it.

This is Me Complaining

I am sick and cranky.  I have not run enough and my marathon is 46 days away.  So here is a list of things that annoy me;

People walking on treadmills (I am happy for them but you have to understand the indoor track is vicious on knees with those sharp turns)

People walking in rows on the indoor track.

The weather.  It is 20 degrees outside

Myself.  I have not invested the in the proper outdoor equipment, which is why I have to run inside and am annoyed at all those walkers.

Me being sick

Ok now that that is off my chest.  I really do love walkers, good for them getting out there!  I am just a cranky pants today. 

I am going to change my routine and hit the gym at 6:45 two days a week for a morning 10k.  I need some inspiration.

So I tracked out all my runs for the next 7 weeks up to race day (THANK YOU Runner’s World).  So here is my renewed commitment to running.

I am going to hit 250 miles in that time.

I am going to remember EVERY single morning the words of Peter Maher  “Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’”   And I am strong today.

I am not a quitter….not true… I have always been a quitter.  Running made me a finisher, I am not going to let running down.

I am running this marathon to prove something to myself.  I am not going to prove that I cant do it. 

I will remember what Dick Beardsley said “When you cross that finish line no matter how slow or how fast it will change your life forever.”

TIART THE MARATHON!

What attracts us to the marathon?????!?!?!  The running duh lol.  I have not yet run a marathon but I am already addicted.   It’s all I think about!  Seriously ask my gf she hates me because of it   What attracts us?  I love football but I will never experience the Super Bowl.  I have an unhealthy man crush on Derek Jeter but I will never play shortstop (or is it catcher lol) for the Yankees.  I love politics and Barack Obama but I most likely will never be President (most likely the jury is still out).  I love Bill Rogers and I WILL run in his footsteps when I run the marathon!  It is exactly that ability.  The ability to do what our heroes do.  To feel the same pain and joy that they felt when completing NY or (dare I say it) BOSTON.  The fact that to those who dont run they will never know.  Its like a secret club and you have to bleed and sweat to get in.  There is a cover charge that few are willing to pay and even fewer can afford.It’s like Fight Club but the first rule is YOU TALK ABOUT IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!  I couldn’t be more excited.  I look forward to walking up stairs backwards and the 50 dollar meal I have planned for that night.  I look forward to the ice bath and salt stains.  We are sick!  I cant wait to join the club.  I can’t wait to say I am a marathoner!

TIART- half marathons!

Man I have been lost for awhile, very busy week.  So TIART today is tips on how to run your best half marathon.  Hmmm find a flat course lol.  But seriously.  As with anything it comes down to training.  You gotta be prepared for the miles.  I have to apologize, I am super amped up today and cant focus.  Everyone should run a half it is so much fun.  You should run with a friend that will help too.  Oh oh oh!  Get a nike +.  I just got one.  I am in love with it.  Just ran 14 miles it was fantastic!  Be careful though, once you run a half you will want to do the real thing!

So I have a lot of changes coming soon, hopefully.  The semester starts soon, and hopefully a new job.  I could not be more excited.  But I am worried about my running!  When will I have the time for my 20 milers???  Please I need help! 

Ok I am over this I need to just blab!

First an open letter to Brett Favre:

Dear Brett

Retire

LOOOOOVVVVVE BRYAN

Seriously please take your salary cap killing contract and go hunt turkey in Mississippi or whatever weird things it is you do.  Please don’t handcuff Sexy Rexy (this will be how I refer to my new coach Rex Ryan from here on out) like you did the Mangenius.  Oh wait follow up letter

Dearest Brett,

I dont love you anymore.  I am sorry.  Our relationship was nice.  It started out hot and heavy but unfortunately it was only physical.  And Brett you have really let yourself go.  Your performance is not what it used to be if you get my drift.  I need a younger man in my life.  Thanks for the memories kid.

Love Bryan PS don’t call!

ok I am over that. 

Big Game prediction (seeing as I don’t want to be sued by the NFL and they have copyrighted any form of the words Super, Sunday, and Bowl)so the prediction,  as if you care,  Pitt huge!  I mean 3 turnovers by Kurt “did you know I bagged groceries” Warner.  That Pitt defense is vicious.  Speaking of I  hate that the NFL seems to not care about tacklers leading with their helmet.  Ok I gotta go work to be done.  More later.

Sorry for the sporadic posting more continuity to come.  Also sorry for the lack of focus today.

TIART- training tips

I don’t really have any great tips that any of us have not read a thousand times.  But my favorite tip, one that I think about at least once a month, usually right before a 14 mile run is; You will always regret the run you don’t do, and never regret the run you do run. 

There is nothing better then the feeling of accomplishment after you go out on a run you thought you would never do.  Whether its a new longer distance you set out for or a faster time. 

My favorite runs are those runs I dread and fear that I can’t finish.  But I put on my shoes and get through it, that is the best feeling running gives me.

Happy New Year!

So my training is back on schedule with a 14 miler yesterday.  Sorry I have not posted in awhile my computer is down and I have limited time in front of one.

I wanted to give a little longer year in review.  This year was such a tremendous year for me I felt it needed more than the 52 words TIART called for (although the 52 word exercise was fun).

If I were a sports star an announcer would call this year “a breakout year” filled with “watershed moments” (in a Gus Johnson voice) YES! (Marv Albert’s voice would agree).  I would be accepting my “Comeback Player of the Year” Award and thanking my offensive line.  My speech would go something like this;

(Stepping up to the mic teary eyed)  I would like to thank all the people who believed in me, gave me that second chance.  Mom, Dad you were always there for me.  To my coaches and teammates I couldn’t have done this without you.  And of course to my lineman this one is for you my trusted steads!  I promised myself I wouldn’t cry…..(rushing off the stage).

But I am not Chad Pennington.  So this is my speech so to speak.

Simply put I am not sure I would be here today if not for two things.  Actually I am fairly certain that my weaker self would have easily destroyed me if not for them.

Most importantly Meg.  Without her I simply would have lost faith, faith in myself.  I dont know how to explain it.  There is something in her that brings out the best in me.  I have never found someone who so believed in my abilities that my failure is just not an option.  And she does it in such a way that makes me sick at the thought of letting her down and beyond pride when I reach my goal.  She is an amazing person; brilliant, wonderful, beautiful all the things that anyone can see just by spending a few minutes with her.  But for me, being with her failure escape me, fear leaves me, and everything is possible.  She is the reason I believed in myself again, and it is amazing.  She is the reason I am here today and the reason I wake up and smile every morning.  This is exactly what is supposed to be like.

The second thing is running.  Running.  Just the word alone makes me smile and fill with pride.  So many times I said I would start running to keep and shape and failed.  Finally the stars aligned and I had something…someone… to fight for.  If someone asked me to define myself in a word several jump to mind.  Two stick out.  Democrat and Runner.  I have always loved politics, it is my first love and passion.  But the thing I am most proud of is standing on a start line with thousands of people and saying “I am a runner”.  Then 13.1 miles later huffing at the finish line “I DID IT!”.  It means I am dedicated and passionate enough to set a goal and accomplish it.  Rain, cold, heat, even treadmill does not stop me.  It is the first thing I never quit at.  It has changed my physical apperance and I do say I am a handsome man LOL.  But most importantly it changed me mentally.  I am stronger now.  Being a runner means I know my limitations and choose not to accept them.  Because I have pushed myself further, and farther, as a runner then I ever thought possible.  Now, I know I can accomplish any goal.

So teary eyed I leave the stage.

Happy New Year!

TIART- Year in Review (52 words or less)

Started running.  Did a half marathon!

Set lofty goals.  Hello marathon

This year has transformed my life; mind, body, and soul (how cheesy lol, but true).

So here is to a year better then the last, with long smooth runs, accomplished goals, and of course three piece suits.

Viva la Revolution!

Shoe questions!!!!

Back from the weekend and not much to report.

I do have a question.  I am looking for shoes for overpronators.  Any suggestions?  I love my new balances but I would love to be able to use the Nike +

speaking of any one love/hate the Nike + equipment is it worth giving up my allegiance to New Balance?

long run tomorrow see you after

Note to self; you are not Bill Rodgers, or even a hero of lesser stature like say Superman

So in case you were unaware Bill Rodgers is a 4 time winner of the Boston Marathon, a 4 time winner of the NYC marathon, and he won the Fukuoka marathon.  He is the only person to win The Boston NYC and Fukuoja in the same year!   I am not him.  I am not nearly as talented lol.  As was made abundantly clear to me today during my run.  Bill Rodgers told Alberto Salazar that the marathon one day will humble you.  Respect it.

Not what I did today.  I decided that the breakfast of champions at 7:30 am was a chicken cutlet left over from my visit to mom’s.  Hmmm for a 14 mile run?  So for the first time ever I did not complete a run.  Actually I had to stop at the eight mile mark and I nearly passed out!  Ugh. 

Usually this would make me super worried.  But I have 100 days til the Shamrock marathon.  And I think Mr. Rodgers would say it was just a humbling experience.  All my long runs are now half marathon length and longer, I need to treat them with the preparation they deserve.

One must respect the run!

So outside of that I got eight miles in today.  Since I am going away for the weekend, I have decided to do short runs and speed work until next week.  Where I will start again this time with the respect distance running deserves.

On a side note Bill Rodgers is my running idol.  I got to meet him at the Hartford Half Marathon and he was the nicest guy.  He talked to me for a good fifteen minutes about the race (he ran the half also).  He said the hills got him a bit and we laughed (he ran 7 min miles I ran 11 1/2 min miles they got me worse).  And just a fact for all of us out there training for our first marathon none of us are Superman.  Mr. Rodgers posted a DNF in his first marathon, so never lose heart.

Back from the weekend

I have finally warmed up to a normal temperature after spending my Sunday in the Meadowlands with a very happy gf as her Eagles defeated the Giants.  Man it was cold!

Saturday was fun too got  an awful five mile run down, then watched the “little man” Pacquiao cement his status as the best pound-for -pound fighter today.  Just a stunning display!  There was obvious trouble when the “little man” in the fight came in weighing more then DLH.  DLH obviously out thought himself and was owned from start to finish.  I keep hearing rumblings that if Pacquiao defeats Hatton, Mayweather will “have”  (and by have to I mean that is what reporters think) to come out of retirement to fight for his p4p crown.  This would be horrible for me!  I love Mayweather, and after his virtuoso display, love Pacquiao.  This can’t happen!

Also Victor Diaz fought in the undercard and was sensational.  He was also hilarious and charming in the post fight interview.  Not to mention ESPN’s Dan Rafael says he should be fighting for a title in 2009.  I am excited to watch this guy mature hopefully into an entertaining fighter.

Back to running.  102 days til the Shamrock marathon and I have decided to up my mileage a week to above 40 miles.  Which is from everything I read the minimum amount for a healthy and good marathon.  Which means I am going to start speed work for the first time and do average runs of 6 miles plus long runs over 14 miles from here on out.  So tomorrow being my day for long runs I will attempt 14 miles for the first time ever.  I am nervous but confident I will accomplish my goal.  As I have said in other posts there is never a doubt when I step out to run that I will accomplish my set goal.

I think this new philosophy, and this run in particular, will go a long way to help me believe that the marathon is an attainable goal.  Just like with the half marathon I was constantly worried I would not be able to finish.  This run will be longer then a half and my longest to date, which I believe is one major hurdle to my running, physically and mentally.  I am really looking forward to it.

Just in general; I am in the best mood of my life.  I mean extended mood.  I had the best weekend ever.  Just amazing.  Due in large part to how awesome my gf is.  But also I feel great physically.  It has been a long time.  And I am noticing so many changes in the way I feel.  Waking up in the morning is not just easy its nice!  Every morning when I get ready for work my clothes fit differently, properly, some are too big lol.  Just an in  general better mental state.  For the first time every day is not a battle.  It is not a monotonous schedule from point a to b.  There is no haze to my mornings or tunnel vision to the end.

This new resolve, mental and physical focus, is going to carry me through to the marathon.  It’s like a whole new life.  I couldn’t be any happier or more excited.