We’ve all had those awkward conversations with complete strangers about running and how much we run.
Caolan MacMahon, of the Chronic Runner blog, captures one of those moments very well in her post My Dean Karnazes Moment At Target.
You should read it.
There has been a flurry of news articles over the past couple days about the recent lawsuit against Vibram, maker of the Vibram FiveFingers.
Naturally, the somewhat lurid piece in the Daily Mail is my favorite because it describes the shoes as “bizarre” and “odd looking,” and includes pictures of celebrity FiveFinger wearers.
The lawsuit is being brought by a Valerie Bezdek, who’s complaint alleges the “Defendants’ false and misleading advertising campaign has allowed them to reap millions of dollars of profit at the expense of the consumers they have misled.”
Yesterday, I made a brief mention of the passing of ultrarunning ambassador Micah True (AKA Caballo Blanco). I felt like there really needed to be more said about this famous but not fame-seeking runner.
Brian Metzler wrote a great tribute for True that is now up on Runners World online.
“Many people have been saying that ultrarunner Micah True died doing what he loved to do most. That’s correct, but in reality, he lived most of his life doing what he enjoyed most and on his own terms, not just the final moment.”
It’s definitely worth a read.
Try to remember what is important.
You will probably recognize some of these guys–unless you are one of them, of course.
Like many of you, I heard about Micah True going missing via Facebook and I prepared myself for the worst.
It looks like the worst has come to pass as his body was found Saturday evening in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest. No news yet as to the cause.
The ultrarunner Micah True was also known as Caballo Blanco and was introduced to the world in Chris McDougall’s bestselling book, Born To Run.
Tesfaye Alemayehu on his way to victory in 47:34. (SRN photo.)
There was a time in the not too distant past, where 60-minutes for a ten mile run was the demarcation line between serious and non-serious runners. The local Buffalo Stampede 10 mile race would produce a bushel of sub-60 minute finishes, and the Stockton’s California 10 wouldn’t even give you a shirt unless you broke 60-minutes.
While local races still usually deliver a few speedy times, the crowd is pretty thin when you get under six minutes per mile.
As I’ve written before, a little prize money goes a long way. Now, with this year’s $15,000 prize purse and PAUSATF grand prix status, the Sactown 10 delivers as a serious, competitive race.
One of my favorites.
It looks like that chocolate bar I keep in my desk drawer is not a bad thing after all.
NPR explores the question: Does a Chocolate Habit Keep You Lean?
Spoiler alert: Possibly!
A new study finds that people who eat chocolate several times a week are actually leaner than people who don’t eat chocolate regularly.
Registration closes at midnight tonight!
This past spring, I was visiting Washington D.C. and asked the hotel concierge for suggestions on where to run the next morning.
“Well,” she said. “A lot of people run around the Mall, but the Cherry Blossom Run is tomorrow and it might be crowded.”
“Oh!” I said. “A race! Maybe I could run that.”
I could see the smirk form on her face before she looked up from the map she was doodling on.
The lead pack after 8-miles: Gary Gellin, Rich Hanna, Shaun Martin and Sam Robinson
This past weekend featured two of the regions most popular races.
On Saturday, over 700 ultrarunners, including some of the top names in the sport, lined up near the Cool Firehouse for a go at the remarkably dry Way Too Cool 50K.
This was the second running on a new and designed to be faster course. For last year’s debut of the new course, mud was the theme of the day and thigh-deep stream crossings kept a lid on the pace.
