A Pain in My...

The very first thing I noticed about Tylenol Precise when I opened the tube was the smell. It was absolutely awful, I'm serious! If you don't want to be doing the old man shuffle, but don't mind smelling like an old man I highly recommend the product. Now, I know that can be said about most similar products, but, this was one of the strongest smelling pain reliever creams I have ever smelled. I actually felt myself getting a bit high from the fumes, I'm not joking. This product works miracles and I will continue to use it despite smelling like an old man.

Couple gets married running New York Marathon

With this run, I thee wed...Runners Mary Martin and Raymond Donaldson got married this past weekend in the midst of the NYC Marathon. Talk about a runaway bride. While friends and family cheered them on at mile 22 an actual marriage took place. "We met running so we thought it would be appropriate," Mary said after introducing herself to a sports announcer as Mary Donaldson. This might not have been the traditional wedding, but the bride was wearing white and the groom was in a tux. What more could you ask for? Even the officiant was an Iron Man Minister. I wish that this couple lives a long, happy, active life together.

This brings me hope that one day I too will meet someone possibly even while running! Until that day comes I will continue to quote my favorite SATC girl, Charlotte York, "I've been dating since I was 15. I'm exhausted! Where is he?"

Rain or Shine… Or So I Thought

In life you make decisions. Good ones. Bad ones. Mediocre ones. And ones that fall into the gray category. Today was one of those days where a tuff decision needed to be made. Should I run today’s City of Santa Clarita Half Marathon in torrential downpour?

As I approached the line start to see that the streets were empty, and were flooded with water, I stopped some very cute paramedics and asked if they had anything, which I could cover myself with. As they handed me a plastic protective sheet, the kind paramedic said, ‘It is 100% chance of rain and we are lucky to be out here.” His next statement really concerned me as he said, “Running on this pavement in this weather, is the equivalent of driving on black ice.”

With that statement I began to ponder my own safety. Knowing that there are other November races I decided that for my safety and to be able to continue my challenge that it was best to sit this one out. For those who did decide to stay and tough it out, I truly hope they crossed the finish line soaked, but safe from injury.

In my running future I also plan on going to the 99-cent store or Target and purchasing a rainy day race readiness kit. This kit will include ponchos, gloves, hats, etcetera. Would this kit have saved the day? I doubt it, but it would work for a milder rain. They call baseball games, don’t they? Why not races?

D-PAN ASL Music Video "We're Going To Be Friends" by the White Stripes.

Check out the Deaf Professional Arts Network's (D-PAN) latest music video of "We're Going To Be Friends" by the White Stripes. This video is going to bring a tear to your eye and a smile on your face. I was touched and inspired by these children. Each and every child in this video was simply amazing and made a wonderful music video. I hope that you enjoy this as much as I did!

One more amazing ASL video by the talented actor, Sean Berdy sign's Enrique Iglesia's "Hero"! WOW!!

Run Clubs

Tonight was my last run before race number three and my first run with the Brentwood Lululemon Running Club. I had an excellent run tonight. I felt strong, in tune with my body and ready for Sunday's Santa Clarita Half Marathon. Bring it on Santa Clarita!

It's Not Delivery. It's DiGiorno

Have I mentioned that I LOVE pizza, even though I should not be eating cheese? I like making pizza at home, but I always have a difficult time determining the correct portion size. How is one person supposed to properly determine what 1/3 of a pizza should look like? And who could eat just 1/3 of a pizza? We have all played the game of 'oh just one more slice' and that game is OVER with these pizzas! I apparently lack self-control. I recently discovered that DiGiorno has a new line of individual frozen pizzas that are only 200 calories. Yes they are marketed towards the lunch crowd, but with a salad it definitely works for dinner. I highly recommend seeking these pizza's out in your freezer section. This is a filling dinner and completely satisfying without falling too hard off the wagon.

Coolest Race...EVER!!

Just when I thought that I have seen it all I was surely mistaken. I have done MANY things that border on crazy and insane, but this draws the line! Last night marked the 10th annual Naked Pumpkin Run in Boulder, Seattle, Portland, Arcata, and Sebastopol. These runners traded their running clothes and Halloween costumes for a birthday suit and a carved out pumpkin hat. These runners streak en masses donning their pumpkin creations on their heads. Do you love the skin your in? Would you dare to bare all in the spirit of fun?

The event website provides the following history:

On a chilly Tuesday night on Halloween of 2006 Seattle launched its inaugural Seattle event at Green Lake Park. We had a great time and had a very strong event, setting a new record for an innagural run with seven participants (previous record was three people set by Denver in 2005, according to Naked Pumpkin Run Central in Boulder, Colorado). We decided to meet at 9:28 PM(or 8:88 as Josh would say) at a the secret North Seattle location disclosed to NPR Seattle participants.

This location was at the Green Lake Park East Beach, at the lifeguard elevated chair, inside of the 2.8 mile inner walk/bike trail, and adjacent to/just west of the Community Center/Evans Pool (7201 E. Green Lake Drive N). We took a few pictures clothed and naked as a group (thanks to Peterman and his friend) and then we went off!

We ran somewhere between 15-25 minutes around on the inner path and later started running along the street, before returning to the start area, posing in front of the pool/community center, and posing on the lifeguard chair. It was quite dark in the park, and there were few people on the path, and surprisingly few out driving on the streets. People were honking, pulling over and screaming, giving us cheers, people in the community center were taking our picture with their mobile phone cameras, it was awesome!