Sunday, March 15, 2009

The CEO’s of four major beer companies met to on March 17 to discuss the world beer market. After a long day in conference they went for a drink. The CEO of Coors ordered a Coors beer, the Labatt’s CEO ordered a Labatt's beer, and the Budweiser CEO ordered a Bud.
When the waiter asked the Guinness executive his preference the man replied,
“I’ll have a soda please.”.
Surprised with the response, the Coors executive asked why he hadn't order a beer.
The Guiness executive replied with a twinkle,
“Well, if you lads aren’t having a beer, neither will I.”.
Happy trails,
M :>)
PS... Another week and I'll be able to run lightly. The Police Half is still on my radar.

Monday, March 9, 2009

River Trail Reaches the End of the Road.

The Free Press published an article about the closing of our beautiful River Trail. The article includes a list of River Trail By The Numbers stats, such as number of kilometers (9.34), number of bananas handed out by the guy in monkey suit (400), number of skaters (200,000), and a whole pile of others. It's good fun, you should read it.
I sent the following letter to the editor. Thought you might be interested.
Editor,
Further to your list of River Trail statistics (March 6, River Trail Reaches The End of the Road) I submit the following for your consideration:
number of purely joyful moments inspired by everyone's favourite dweeb in a snow-suit, Paul Jordan... priceless.
Toques off to you, Mr. Jordan; thank you for your vision, thank you for your joie de vivre!
Michael
My apologies to all you out 'o towners... you need to be a local to catch the dweeb reference. Suffice it to say, it's a compliment!
For those of you following the saga of my bum calf, my physio-therapist, Barb Web, told me today I should expect
another 6 weeks of no running. I've decide to pull out of the Fargo Marathon. Anyone looking for a bib? Cheap!
Cheers all. It's a good day to be alive. M

Monday, March 2, 2009

Why We Run

If you haven't already read Bernd Heinrich's book, Why We Run, I suggest you run down to your local book store and pick up a copy. Heinrich is a biologist/ marathoner, (or is it marathoner/ biologist?) and he explores the history of running pretty well from the beginning of time. As the blurb on the back says "This is not a how-to book, it's a why book - and an immensely enjoyable read.".
Heinrich examines the concept of ultra-endurance from a scientific perspective and then infuses it with his passion toward running. The scientific information is thoroughly explored, yet it's written in a language that's friendly to the non-science types (myself included). For example, for the first time ever, I now have a clear understanding of VO2 Max and its implications for runners, "That maximum volume of oxygen that we can process on a sustained and steady basis over a matter of minutes.". Thanks Bernd!
In my favourite passage, Heinrich explains that our ability to endure sustained pain and focus for a future goal is because we, as in humans, have the ability to dream... to see into the future. He says,
"Dreams are the beacons that carry us far ahead into the hunt, into the future, and into a marathon. We can visualize far ahead. We see our quarry even as it receeds over the hills and ito the mists. It is still in our mind's eye, still a target, and imagination becomes the main motivator. It is the pull that allows us to reach into the future, whether it is to kill a mammoth, run a marathon, write a book, or to achieve a record time in a race."
So my friends, dream on and remember, always, it is a good day to be alive.
Cheers, M
PS...
still not running :>(
... maybe next week :>)