The Banwagon is Heading to the Blarney Stone

Monday March 17Th Aneta plans to kiss the Blarney Stone in her 2008 running debut. One of Omaha's local running stores is putting on a 5k St Patty's run.

You know ever sense I can remember I've been challenging Aneta to try running but there hasn't been much interest, but last month Blink came over for a few beers and conversation. Well the usual smack talk started and Blink challenged Aneta running in the Blarney Stone 5k.

I have to say Aneta's has been working hard and laying down some good miles. I know she will do well.
Who knew, the motivating factor would be....
#1 A challenge from Blink.
#2 Free Beer and pizza after the race

I can understand #2 that's enough motivation for me to run. But #1 REALLY a challenge from Blink? Who knew.

And here's the kicker. The above picture is a blatant violation and unauthorized use of Yeti's Man Cave.

Well I hope everyone's St. Patty's day is one to remember and I hope everyone gets to Kiss the Blarney Stone. Happy St. Patty's day!

Back From the PsychoWyco

Let me just start off by saying, have you ever had to ask yourself, why do you enjoy this sport? Let me skip forward for a moment to say, I just got back from the Psycho Wyco 50K trail run this week and absolutly had a blast. Probobly the funnest race I've been in. But on paper it looked like the worst. I was in the back of the pack and my time was 9:20 on a 50k trail run. When I got home, the question was asked, how did you do? After telling my story the, responses was.....Why did you go? Did you even go? What's the point if you arn't number one? and so on. So I caught myself dwelling on the question. Greg why do you do this? You know maybe they are right? I can remember back when I first started running the answer was simple. I wanted to look good naked! Not like a toad. Then you decide maybe I'll enter a race,then a few years later we try differant types of races, or we become more competitive. All of us have an different agenda and I almost forgot my reasons for a second. HAVE FUN. It's simple, but meaningfull to me. Have fun and enjoy this as long as the good Lord let's me. And when it's no longer fun, well do something else.



So let me tell you about the fun in KC. Aneta, Bob Murphy and myself roll into KC about 6pm on Friday. Went to Garry Gribbles running sports for packet pick up. Probobly one of the nicest running stores I've seen. We checked into the hotel then went to the Outback for some shrimp off the Barbie, then got a good night of sleep.



8:00am the following day the race starts with 900+ runners. The temperature was 25 and the ground was frozen and snow covered. The course is a 10 mile looped course, each loop had 5 stream crossings and 1800 foot acent/decent so dry warm feet and running on flat ground is not an option.



The temperature warmed up quickly to 35 by 9:30 and 40 by noon so with the snow melt plus 900 runners equealed a nasty messy crazy-ass run. The mud was anckle deep at times.


The first two laps were runable, but the last lap was reduced to a walk. Let's just say the mud was deep, the hills were steep and Greg's legs were cramping. Maybe that's why it was so much fun...It was a challenge. (5400ft total Acent 15 stream crossings)



Again, this is one of Bad Ben's races and he does a fantastic job. Plenty of aid. Hot food and drink. For Forty bones (entry) I got a cool shirt, event mug and bling. Ben puts on a great race, one you will likely never forget.













In short, we had a fantastic weekend. It's nice to go into the next season with a good base and look at what I need to work on with Coeur d'Alene only, 4 months way. One thing is for sure, my goals and agenda have not changed for 2008. HAVE FUN! My goal for Iron Man is to have an enjoyable Iron Man experiance and getting to know all of the Iron Man peeps.



Happy training kids.

Question: Every time I get out out of the pool my sinuses are so plugged up, and it's miserable. Does anyone have a good remedy for that?

Playing Catch Up

I'll be the first to admit I'm terrible about keeping an updated blog so here is the Cliff Note version.

Three weeks ago was the first opportunity to take a four day week-end off. So what's a fella going to do? Go hunting. I traveled out to North Platte Ne, to go preditor hunting.

We called dogs for three days and had high winds and bad weather to limit our success, but the last day we were able to call in five coyote's and pulled off one good shot.

I even tried to get the Tri-Dummy to go one day but we weren't able to pull off a hunt. Dummy, we'll hook up next time.

Saturday I'm heading down to Kansas City KS for my first Ultra of the year. The 50k Psyco Wyco ultra. This is one of Bad Bens yearly races, and I'm really looking forward hitting the trails again. I'll give a full race report next week.

Coming Out Of The Closet

Well I've had a dirty little secret for sometime now now, and I've been reluctant to talk about it for the last few months. I think the reason for not talking about it is because it's probably not the best idea in the world, but sometimes you just have to say "fuck it" and just do something stupid. I signed up for the McNaughton Park 100 mile Ultra Marathon in Peking IL. For April 12th, 2008. This will be my second attempt at the 100 mile distance. My first attempt at the 100 mile distance was at Lean Horse 100 mile Ultra last August in which I fell short of the finish by quite a few miles.



One side of me says, take your time. Train harder. But the other side says quit acting like a pussy and just do it. If I have half the fun in this attempt as I did at the Lean Horse it will be worth it no matter what the out come is.



If you are not familiar with the McNaughton Park Ultra. It's the only 150 mile Ultra in the USA. They also offer a hundred mile and a 50 mile during the same race. The 150 milers start on April 11th at 12pm, and us 100 milers join them on April 12th at 6am. The McNaughton Park Ultra is a single track trail run on a 10 mile loop course. Each 10 mile loop has heavy hills and two stream crossings per loop.



I can honestly say, if I had to run this race tomorrow I would fail miserably but I do think April is far enough out to put in enough miles to get me ready for this. I've been running all hills and mixing in some pool time too. I'm banking on that combination to get me where I need to be.



Wish me luck on this next adventure and may the trail gods be good to me this next three months.

Happy New Year 2008

Happy New Year to all.

Well lets get this year started. The last football game is about over. Work is slowing down. With those two major distractions behind me, maybe we can start getting some miles in. The tough part is planning out the year and putting together a training plan. CDA will be the big focus and I think we will see at least three Utra's on my wish list year.

Good luck in 08.