Wednesday, December 31, 2014

New Year's resolution for 2015

Ask not for victory, ask only for courage. In your pursuit, you bring honor to yourself. But more important, you bring honor to us all. Let's kick some ass in 2015!

Relentless, or at least pretty consistent, forward progress

6 miles at 9 degrees makes an even 1,200 for the year, including 5 half marathons, 2 marathons, a 30-mile ultra and personal best times in the half, 10K and 6-mile. Not a bad year's work.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Friday, November 21, 2014

In the church of Al



Last night, a Swiss jazz trio followed by Dirty Bourbon River Show (the musical bastard child of Gogol Bordello, Man-Man, Tom Waits and a brass band) playing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club. Not just the song. The whole damn album. Tonight, after warming up with the Hot Club of New Orleans, I felt the need.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Stretch



Freakishly tall people at the supercomputing conference, which just ended, which means the drinking lamp is lit for this dude in Nola!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Good old Flamehead



Oh the humanity, somebody get me a fire extinguisher, or a bucket of water, or a beer. Because I like a to drink a beer or two with my entertainment.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Monday, November 17, 2014

New Orleans snow flurries



Note to self, when eating beignets, the player's move is to wear the white shirt not the black. (Damn old gold and black color scheme.)

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Lookin' good E-money



Brushing Ely's tux. I want him to look coiffed when I go to New Orleans in the morning. He doesn't get to go. But every burglar's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Friday, November 07, 2014

Strange brew

On the road jamming to Lady Gaga's Artpop, followed by Beverly Sills singing Cleopatra in Handel's Julius Caesar, as I drive south to the Kentucky border, intent on running 30 hilly miles in the morning, and suddenly it hits me: I am one strange dude.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Old school, like me



The Marques Carroll Quintet is like straight out of late '50s early '60s hard bop, which is actually when I was meant to be haunting jazz clubs anyway. Then again, I was age 0-6 in the late '50s and early '60s so they probably wouldn't have let me in jazz clubs...even with the beard.

Friday, October 24, 2014

It's the journey, not the destination



I passed the guy at the top of the hill, not working at it mind you, just moving along in rhythm, and I think he really really wanted to pass me back. I didn't have the heart to tell him I ran 8 before I even lined up at the start. End of the Boilermaker Half Saturday. (I ran 1 after, too. 22.1 mile day. And taper.)

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The tribe

When I cross paths with some other wayward soul, light strapped on, running against the dark and the rain, I feel all tribal.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Way down hill



Coming down that damn near vertical hill looming over my shoulders at France Park Saturday.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Relentless forward progress

Looking at the daunting week ahead I am keeping in mind the sage words of the great Shalane Flanagan: Let's fuck shit up!

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Trail eyes

Lesson learned on the hilly (we even had a couple kind of mountain goaty paths to traverse under cliff faces) rocky and rooty (and sneakily covered by leaves) trails at France Park: racing this stuff is like whitewater canoeing. You've got to keep your eyes aimed downstream to see the obstacles in time to react. Learn something everyday. And I didn't hit the dirt once today.

Sunday, October 05, 2014

Nice work if I could get it

If somebody said to me, "Hey, we want to hire you to sit under a clear blue sky, with a nice breeze blowing over you, drink beer and listen to live music" I might have to take a femtosecond to think it over, but I probably would decide to do it. I'm adaptable that way.

Friday, October 03, 2014

I could have danced all night

I could have sat there drinking to that pulse St. Vincent was laying down all afternoon. But one of us would have passed out. I like to think it was her.

ACL me



It's on!

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Tasty payoff



Lemon Custard Cup after the Wild Wild Wilderness trail race today (on top of the Knobstone Trail Mini yesterday). I think I can say I earned it.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Torture devices for runners



8:30 on Friday night, I'm in a cheap motel south of Indianapolis, I've rolled the nubby green ball under my feet and The Stick over my legs and I am about to go to bed. Somewhere, my life got seriously off track, or on it, not always sure which. Off the track tomorrow anyway; Knobstone Trail Mini.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Just call me crusty

If I had collapsed in the woods instead of finishing the 18 miles deer would now be coming up to me saying: "Cool, a salt lick."

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Wild thing



Look, wildlife, and right outside my office door this morning. I think they count that as a benefit

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Life's a bitch



Drinking Bitches Brew (thanks to the Big C) and listening to Bitches Brew. Some people have a personal relationship with Jesus, I have a personal relationship with Miles.

That was fast



About 10:30 I'll be 57 (and probably asleep). This morning I'm 1:57 (and change) ... or about 2 minutes faster in the half marathon.

Monday, September 01, 2014

It lives!

Maybe the best IOSF ever. We should cancel it every year. But this morning I feel so bad thinking about the people who couldn't attend the 33rd IOSF because they had to go to a Ball State-Colgate football ga... Oops, never mind!

Saturday, August 23, 2014

That was a hot one



Trail racing tan, so to speak. Two-plus hours humping in 90ish heat and humidity really leaves you feeling like you've done something. Like taken a hot, salty shower. Even the inside of my shoes were swimming, without any creek crossings you couldn't hop over.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Divine Davina

I am having an orgasm with Davina (and with the Vagabonds, too), in a this-music-is-so-freaking-awesome sort of way, of course.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Little Ricky needs a spanking, or a nice nap in the slam

So I don't think they hang public officials who commit felonies in Texas anymore and I'm for that, but I think a public spanking, bare ass, of course, would be nice.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Hot tamales, so to speak



End of the Augosto 12K in San Antonio Saturday; 7.45 miles at about 90 degrees and 85 percent humidity and I'm cooking … literally.

Friday, August 08, 2014

Smooth sailing



Schooner at the ersatz Texas Ranger Museum (and saloon) in San Antonio makes me flash back to Snap's Cafe in Jasper, IN. But the beer is better!

I'm trying to forget



Ignoring The Alamo.

Saturday, August 02, 2014

Down in the dirt



The medal/bottle opener is for running a series of trail races. The knee, which I picked up this morning in the last one, the Eagle Creek half marathon, just kind of emphasizes the point

Monday, July 28, 2014

Sun ship



Heading back to the beach so I can run some more. If I'd been able to do the running part of the Iron Eagle Paddle & Run Saturday as fast as the paddling part, I would have finished a lot sooner. But at least I can still work the sticks.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

I was running a 10K and a canoe race broke out



Canoe Saudade and me after the Iron Eagle Paddle & Run, kind of a 10K on trails with a canoe race in the middle. The boat smoked some people but I had sea legs the second half of the run.

Monday, July 07, 2014

Next April? Already got plans

A leap of faith is me registering for the April 25, 2015, Illinois Marathon this morning, on the day registration opened.

Friday, July 04, 2014

It's on!

Bra-zeel!

Força Brazil!

It's the shoes, but I helped



Two races in these Altra One2s, two best times. This morning, the Firecracker 6 miler in Indy, 3:12 faster than last year (woot) and 49 seconds better in the second three miles than the first (negative split, woot, woot). I'm kind of on love with some shoes.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Magic shoes

I am shepherding new students today (which is a scary thought in and of itself) and I swear every one of them is wearing Nikes or Chuck Taylors and I'm like, "Come on man, get radical, rebel, break the mold, let's see some Altras, or Hoka One Ones or some damn Sauconys." I'd even settle for a pair of Crocs at this point.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess


Lit up for the night quarter marathon on the trails at Eagle Creek. Unlike the Hog Jog this morning, it will be a leisurely run ... but not too leisurely.

I got there as soon as I could

Love that traditional grilled pork burger after the Flora Hog Jog 10K. Love knocking 1:52 off my best 10K time, too.

Friday, June 06, 2014

LeBron has a boo-boo



I just don't understand how they could make the poor NBA players FROM MIAMI play in an arena without AC.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

We love pain

What a wonderful morning to run, or to otherwise be alive. Did about 9 miles easy then ran the Legal Aid trail 5K; practice running fast(er), and in pain, in the end game. Also a good cause.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

10 almost a 10

First run in double figures since double marathon April and it felt pretty good. Then again, running in the woods mostly does.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Easy for me to say



On the other side of the aid table today volunteering at the Gnaw Bone trail marathon, 50K and 50 mile, waiting for the 50 milers to come through on their second loop. Tough bunch of guys and gals.

Thursday, May 08, 2014

5x5

Doctor reviewing blood tests at my checkup this afternoon: "And your liver function is completely normal." Me: "Man, my liver is one tough little motherf----r." But I only thought it, I didn't blurt it out. Thankfully.

Sunday, May 04, 2014

Carb me



If I ever come to New Orleans to run the marathon, I'm thinking the bread pudding in praline sauce would be great for carbo loading the day before. It was superfluous after a day of music, but still mouth watering.

Saturday, May 03, 2014

Where nobody knows your name



Since it is in New Orleans and everything I decided to get a little fancy with the name of my new restaurant.

Friday, May 02, 2014

Free and easy

I'm in church and we're all clappin' because Pharoah Sanders is preaching up a storm, with his tenor and otherwise.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

It sure ain't Iowa

Is this heaven? No, it's a bar, on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans, with music and cold beer. Close enough, another Abita Amber, please.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Post double marathon blues

Thank goodness I don't remember the truck my body is saying hit me over the weekend.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Plan executed, albeit slowly



It was hot. I sweat like a big dog. I was slow. I had a lot of fun. I finished...my second marathon in two weeks. Now I don't have to do that again, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

Friday, April 25, 2014

It's a plan



I have my Illinois Marathon game plan for tomorrow on the front of my shirt because, you know, I wouldn't want forget or anything.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

On the path less traveled

Running is good. Running on trails, in the woods, along a river, with the sun rising is awesome.

Tuesday, April 08, 2014

Root, root, root for the dropouts

So the team that got in trouble for its low graduation rate beat the team that has no intention of graduating its players. Let's celebrate!

Saturday, April 05, 2014

Crazy for the lady in red


People's Conccinati Red Wheat. So pretty, and so hoppy. I think I'm in luv.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Sim, bebo vinho e cerveja

In today's Portuguese lesson we learned that "o escritor bebe vinho" and, I might add, in the case of this particular escritor cerveja.

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Saturday, March 01, 2014

All hopped up



Hoppy brew before Pink Martini at the Shriners hall in Indy. Hoppy Brew used to be my FM radio name.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Clothes make the man comfortable



Watching Habib Koite I've decided to get some threads like his because A) they look really comfortable and B) people will look at me and think, "That dude knows something I don't."

He's a complicated man

Whenever I hear the Theme from Shaft I always think of the famous alternate lyrics. (Who is the man that wears a thong and shakes his can...) OK, they're not all that famous.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Tolerate-hate relationship

Tempo Intervals I will never love you. I will do you. But it will always be an occasional quickie not a lasting relationship. Sorry.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Die Hoosier scum; OK, don't actually die, but suffer a lot

In life, I think it is vital to test your limits, to keep trying new and challenging things. But there's nothing wrong with taking timeless pleasure in some things, too. Like Indiana getting its ass kicked. By Purdue. In hoops.

Robot harp seal is angry with you



Be afraid, be very afraid. Robot harp seal has powerful laser eyes and cuts anybody attempting to club him in half, and sometimes just people who piss him off in general.

Friday, February 14, 2014

I see your Roomba and raise you one proto-terminator


All hail Bartron II, your new robot overlord.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste

Pew survey figures from a session on public views of science I'm attending this morning: 33 percent of Americans believe humans are unchanged since the beginning of time, 39 percent of Republicans, 69 percent of white evangelical protestants. Even if you dispute the mode of transport by which we got here, to deny that a journey was made is only possible by being willfully ignorant. Their outlook on the reality of and potential dangers posed by climate change is similar, by the way.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Simple pleasures



Sitting outside having coffee and waiting for the airport shuttle. My phone says it's 0 degrees in Indy. Maybe I won't get on the bus.

Saturday, February 08, 2014

And how about a little carbo loading with that music



OK Dewars (who had my back). I took the light rail down, too. Easy. Of course you know spending the evening with Alejandro is going to make me run slower tomorrow.

Having a heat wave

Currently 39 F in Houston, going up to 57 today and 72 tomorrow. I'm thinking of stripping down to my underwear, or at least running the Rhythm & Blues Half Marathon Sunday in shorts.

Monday, February 03, 2014

Nutz

I'm not much for religion, but I do believe a damn good job was done on pistachios.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

That's the way the whole things ends

That's the way the cornbread crumbles
That's the way the whole thing ends
--Gillian Welch, The Way the Whole Thing Ends

1/22/14

Indiana's Purdue University shooting leaves one dead, man in custody

(Reuters)-A man was shot to death at Indiana's Purdue University on Tuesday and a male suspect was taken into custody, police said, in an apparently targeted killing that follows a rash of shootings at U.S. schools this month.

On Monday night, a student was shot and critically wounded outside an athletic center at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. Last week alone, two students were shot at a high school in Philadelphia, another was shot at a high school in Albany, Georgia, and two students were shot at a middle school in New Mexico.

Gun ownership laws in the United States have come under intense scrutiny since December 2012, when 20 young children and six educators were shot dead by a long gunman at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut.

1/20/14

Gun access tied to greater suicide, murder risk

(Reuters) - People have heightened risks of dying from suicide and murder if they own or have access to a gun, according to a new analysis of previous research.

Researchers found people who lived in homes with firearms were between two and three times more likely to die from either cause, compared to those who lived in homes without guns.

For the new review, the researchers analyzed 14 studies that looked at the risk of committing suicide among people who did and didn't have access to guns and five studies that looked at gun access and the risk of being murdered. Four of the studies examined both suicide and murder risk.

The studies were published between 1988 and 2005. All but one found people with access to firearms had heightened risks of dying from suicide and murder.

The researchers found having access to a gun was tied to a three-fold increase in the likelihood that people would kill themselves.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 12 out of every 100,000 people commit suicide each year.

Anglemyer's team also found about a two-fold increased risk of death from murder among people who had access to a gun, compared to those without access to firearms. For women, the increased risk of being killed was even higher.

Firearm ownership is more common in the United States (upwards of one-third of households) than in any other country – and firearms cause more than 31,000 deaths a year here, according to the review. Further, the annual rate of suicide by firearms in America is higher than in any other country with reported data; the annual rate of firearm-related homicides in America is the highest among high-income countries.

Insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results.
--Narcotics Anonymous

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Toasting being toasty

It required 120 laps to get in 12 miles on the indoor track, boring, but warm. Hunters Pub is warm, but this People's 4th Anniversary IPA is by no means boring.

Monday, January 06, 2014

Frozen rewards



1.6 miles to the drug store to get out of the house, pick up a prescription and answer the silly question: Gee I wonder what running at minus 13 is like? I figured I owed myself the Heath Bar.

Saturday, January 04, 2014

Beat up, but going strong



I got to visit with my longtime newspaper colleague (and Boston Marathon qualifier, she's much faster than I'm ever going to be) Jodi Heckel at the Siberian Express trail race in Illinois this morning. It was cold, but not really Siberian. The trails were nice and gnarly though.