Friday, February 29, 2008

we gots grandma's slots

The MDRA Spring Marathon Class that starts next Tuesday, March 4th. Slots still available in Grandma's too!

Sign up. Train lots. Run fast.

In case you were wondering, our current MySpace mood is "sweaty". There are like 50 different moods to choose from on that thing, each with it's own smiley icon. I think we can stay sweaty for a while...at least until Grandma's taper time. Then we'll be "nervous" or "freaking out" or whatever other crazy smileys they have.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

the kids seem to love it...

Well, we're on MySpace now. Check it: http://www.myspace.com/RunMDRA

I'm guessing the account will get flooded with spam & crap and we'll shut it down before too long, but what the hell. Maybe we can recruit a few younger members along the way. The kids are all about the MySpace & the FaceBook and other online sites with no spaces in their names. Weird.

I felt a little pervy, signing up with MySpace as a 29 year old. In the profile section there's a box you can check if you're a 'swinger' and 'looking to hook up'. I almost checked it out of sheer morbid curiosity, but I chickened out. I'm guessing the Swingers of the world are too busy hooking up to get much running in.

I think the key to getting more 'friends' is to post a bunch of really sexy pictures. So here's the deal, send me pictures of attractive people wearing MDRA gear & I'll upload them. I'm talking SEXY 20-somethings wearing MDRA stuff. If we can't find enough pics, I'll just Photoshop some up. A little red herring never hurt.

I realized the other day that I use 'Photoshop' as a verb way more than I use it as a noun. That rules. Well, it rules if you're an art geek.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

join our gang

The USATF Team Circuit is starting in a couple of weeks with the Human Race in St. Paul. If you are a USATF member, but are not on the MDRA team roster, it's time to remedy that. Send Kirk your name & USATF number pronto.

You should join our MDRA gang. We're tough as hell. We wear leather jackets and instigate gang wars with a mix of ballet and jazz tap. No wait, that was West Side Story. Whatever, we're still cool. Everyone wants to hang with the cool kids.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

strike a pose

MDRA runner Chris threw a funny story our way. It's both entertaining & cautionary...like an after-school special from back in the day.

"So, I'm out running fairly late in the evening the other day, and run through a construction zone in the total dark (I know, not too bright. get it?) and zigged when i shoulda zagged. I stepped through about a foot or so of what I assumed was mud. Well, it was an unholy mix of snowmelt and leftover wet concrete. I just wanted to get out of there and get home, but I only managed about 3 or 4 steps before I froze up completely like Tom and Jerry and fell over in a running pose. Disgusting stuff."

Let that serve as a warning to you, runners. Running through wet concrete, while hilarious, is ill-advised.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Toughest. Kid. Ever.

I meant to post this a long time ago, but it slipped my mind.

Nick Nelson is - without question - the toughest damn 9 year old Minnesota has ever produced.

He chose to have his lower leg amputated so he could, as he put it, "Run with my friends."

I couldn't embed the video, but you'll find the whole story here.

In addition to being the toughest mother around, he also has a totally awesome, super dry, moderately sarcastic sense of humor I've never seen in a person younger than 25.

I really hope he takes up running...cause I'd love to get my ass kicked by this cat.

lowered expectations

I can't believe how excited I am to run over lunch today. The temp is still in single digits, and winds are light.

These are the best conditions we've had in a week.

And that's sad.

Warm up on the way. Allegedly.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Update on Grandma's registration

2008 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
Lottery Registration Opens Tomorrow


For runners looking to obtain a spot in June’s Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, Feb. 20 should be circled on their calendars. Beginning tomorrow and continuing through March 2, the online lottery registration will be open for all half marathon hopefuls.

The lottery registration application will be available at www.grandmasmarathon.com beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Lottery participants can submit their registration any time during the 12-day online registration period. On March 3, 4,500 participants will be randomly selected and their acceptance into the race will be confirmed via e-mail. Those runners not selected will receive an e-mail notifying them that their entry was not among those chosen.

The entry fee for the 2008 race is $60, plus a processing charge. Only those 4,500 runners selected through the lottery will have their credit cards charged.

The 18th annual Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is Saturday, June 21, at 6:30 a.m., and is run on the second half of the Grandma’s Marathon course.

Grandma’s Marathon Registration Update

1,200 spots remain for the 32nd annual running of Grandma’s Marathon . A total of 8,300 marathoners have signed up for the 26.2-mile event which, like the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, will be held Saturday, June 21.

In all, more than 17,000 runners and 50,000 race fans from around the world will participate in the 2008 Grandma's Marathon weekend presented by Target, Toyota and Wells Fargo Bank Duluth.

For more information on any of Grandma's Marathon ’s races or events, visit www.grandmasmarathon.com or call (218) 727-0947.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

run cuba

Well, Castro is out.

Anyone up for a little road (and sea) trip to the Cuba Marathon?

Thursday, February 14, 2008

mmmmmm, girl. Awwww baby.

Happy Valentine's Day, you sexy thing.



My original idea was to post a Prince song - because of the Minnesota connection. Then I realized many of you read this blog at work. Blasting "Darling Nikki", "Erotic City" or "Gett Off" over your PC speakers is a sure fire way to get a talking-to from your boss. It's also a great wat to derail an otherwise productive day. After listening to "Gett Off", work is the furthest thing from my mind.

I love how Prince spelled 'Gett" with two Ts. That is just nasty.

Monday, February 11, 2008

still the icebox of the nation

A big shout out goes to International Falls, MN. They hit a nationwide low of -40 this morning.

Way to keep it real.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

the return of winter

I knew it was too good to last. Our nice 20-something temps will be checking out just in time for saturday's Polar Bear run. No word on the location yet, but it's a safe bet the temp will be below zero.

Here's a face-melting solo to keep you warm.

Friday, February 1, 2008

yep, it's slippery

Long story short, I slipped on the ice in the alley last night.

If you find yourself at the mercy of gravity, don't reach for the nearest snowbank. The latest thaw-freeze cycle has transformed the once-soft snow in to something resembling 16 grit sandpaper. This snow is remarkably effective at removing large swaths of skin from one's hand.

Road salt does a fair job of ebbing the flow of blood from an open wound. It also produces the sensation of white hot heat mixed with stabbing daggers. Lovely.

Watch your step this weekend.