Merging Women Running & Domestice Violence To Sell Sport Bras...WTF?

Canada's largest specialty Runner's Shop, "Running Free" - is under fire and for good reason - it's best summed up by the blog Adland and I will let them take the stage, "Back in Noverber ad agency DDB Canada approached Nick Capra, co-owner of Running Free, a Markham, Ont. athletic apparel store, with an offer to do a pro bono ad campaign - meaning they figured that they had an awesome idea they really wanted to do. The idea was to show what happens when us girls don't have a decent running bra, portraits of women with black eyes and broken noses and the line “Support bras, now available.” Nick Capra didn't like the ads, but sought the opinions of his co-workers anyway: “I do things by consensus, so I showed them to everybody at the shop and they all had the same reaction, which was quite negative...They looked like a domestic violence campaign.” Capra then told DDB he didn't want to use them, and that was that, right? Wrong. However, according to Andrew Simon, senior vice-president and creative director at DDB’s Toronto office, Capra gave the agency the go-ahead in writing to produce the ads, though Simon declined to show the Marketing copy of Capra’s approval. But the ads were sent to adblogs and have thus cause quite a stir on the net, so finally Capra has posted a statement on Running Free’s website calling the ads a “hoax,” “tasteless and offensive” and saying he never authorized the use of the company logo. DDB now wants to apologise and are asking all adbloggers to take the ads down. [END] There's a pretty good discussion on this going on at Feministing.com and a news report claiming Capra gave the green light on exploring this is here. My comments: Think about it, people that have some measure of education, general awareness of the world, culture, etc. not only came up with this, but ran it up the flag pole thinking they had a "winner" on their hands. What are the only words available to characterize their thinking ? I don't like characterizing people as "ignorant" or "dumb" - however unfortunately there are times & people responsible for things so plainly offensive....the shoe fits, this is one of those times. It makes me want to scream....just as I am screaming about Tony Reed & the National Black Marathoners Association and their logo & slogan:1865:Free To Run. I know, I said I would not but I had to illustrate this analogy. Tony Reed and the Black Marathoners are out of Texas, a state where 27 Jim Crow Laws were passed up through 1958. It's a fact Black people like Tony Reed & his members were not "Free To Run" in State Parks in Texas (and hundreds of city parks): It was a violation of law Texas put on the books in 1950 (at best you were arrested, at worse lynched -people were both). If you do not see ignorance & offense in DDB Canada/Running Free/Nick Capra/Tony Reed/Black Marathoners - something is wrong with you. Have a great day!

NYC Half Marathon July 27, '08 - Register Next Week!

I see the '08 NYC Nike Half Marathon is set for July 27 - set the date, registration starts next Week, March 5, they claim it's a "lottery" - however I am sure there will be earmarked guaranteed entry qualifying times too. This is the second largest race hosted by the New York Road Runners - it's been ran twice - I've done it both times - years from now this will be the #1 Half-Marathon in the world (attracting world class runners, etc.). The thing you have to be aware of for this race is NYC heat & humidity - it's ran early but it can still wear you out. It's a big race - a loop of Central Park and run through Manhattan Time's Square just like you see in that photo on the right and on down the West Side. I am sure the New York Road Runner$ are going to get about $75 or so for each entry - life in NYC - it's expensive. However if you're not in the NYC Marathon - and curious to get a feel of a big NYC race - this is a pretty good one to try and get in - it will have it all - a world class field, crazy fanfare, live TV, etc....it will be "New York City". I will be running it looking to PR at about 1:25 or so. Have a great day!

1. 
   

The 50 Best Running Shop Stores In America

The 50 Best Running Stores in America and none are in Harlem? I'm shocked! The Running Network, LLC and Footwear Intelligence announced the 2007 list of the 50 Best Running Stores in America. They do this every year - this is from 2 months ago I thought I would share it with my readers - I rip on running shops a lot - just giving fair and balanced "air" to the topic. Now though I've never been there - my idea of a great running store is Bob Roncker's Running Sport, truly woven into the community in their area - a myriad of running information separate and away from spending a buck with them, etc just looks like a great place. Locally I am surprised my favorite, Urban Athletics did not make the list - and I am pleased Super Runners Shops did not as they suck. The announcement of the list capped off a near year-long search that took into account more than 2,000 nominations from consumers, the mystery shopping of more than 120 stores, and input from leading running vendors. The criteria to select the stores was changed from last year based on feedback from stores and vendors. However, a Mystery Shopper Rating conducted by The Franklin Resource Group, the sport industry's leading merchandising services company, still counted for a strong percentage (50%) of the overall grade. "The Mystery Shopper Ratings were way up this year over 2006," said Mark Sullivan, editor of Footwear Intelligence, which administered the program. "Last year, if a store scored in the high 60s out of a possible 100, it had a good chance of making the list. This year, we had stores that scored in the mid 70s out of a possible 100 and yet they did not make the 50 Best list."

Midwest
Athletic Annex / Big River Running / Elite Feet, Kansas City / Fleet Feet Chicago / Fleet Feet Cincinnati / Fleet Feet St. Louis / Garry Gribble's Sports / Gazelle Sports / Hanson's Running Shop / Movin' Shoes, Madison / Naperville Running Co. / Playmakers / Runners High'N Tri / The Running Spot / The Running Company, Indianapolis

The West
A Snail's Pace / Bandanna Running / Boulder Running Company / Fleet Feet Davis / Fleet Feet Tucson / Heart & Sole Sports / Napa Running Company / Runner's High, Menlo Park / Ryan's Sports Shop / Salt Lake City Running Co. / See Jane Run / Skinny Raven Sports / Super Jock'n Jill /

The South
1st Place Sports / 9th Street Active Feet / TAF Raleigh / Big Peach Running Co. / Fleet Feet Huntsville / Fleet Feet Tulsa / Luke's Locker / Metro Run & Walk / Pacers Running Store / Potomac River Running / Roger Soler Sports / Running Zone, Melbourne / Run On / Runner's Depot / Track Shack / Virginia Runner

The Northeast
Bryn Mawr / Elite Runners & Walkers / Fleet Feet Adams-Morgan / Fleet Feet Syracuse / Flying Feet Sports / Georgetown Running Co. / Marathon Sports / Medved Sports / Jack Rabbit Sports / Whirlaway Sports

Finalists for Store of the Year
9th Street Active / Bryn Mawr Running Co. / Fleet Feet Huntsville / Luke's Locker

How The 50 Best Was Selected

There were new criteria for selecting the 50 Best Stores in 2007. Last year the results were based largely on a mystery shopping rating of each stores that was conducted by The Franklin Resource Group, the leading store merchandising company serving the sporting goods industry. This year, the mystery shopping accounted for 50% of the total evaluation. A community involvement rating accounted for 25% and credit scores and evaluation from vendors accounted for the remaining 25%.

Rating Criteria for The Mystery Shopping
* How promptly were you greeted? * How knowledgeable and helpful was the staff OVERALL? * How many choices of items in your size and price range did they bring you to try on? * Were they polite and respectful? * Did they offer additional information beyond your question(s)? * Were you thanked and given incentive to visit the store again in the future? * How would rate the overall experience? * If you were shopping with your own money and interested in running, would you return to this store? * Did the sales person measure your foot? * Did the sales person measure your gait for specific needs? (ie - overpronation, underpronation or neutral) * Were try-on socks available? If so, were they clean? * Did the sales person help you beyond the shoe selection? (ie - discussed apparel or accessory items, etc) * Did the store carry a wide range of sizes, colors and brands of running shoes? (refer to brand list above in report instructions) * Was your size available in the shoe(s) the associate suggested initially? * Were all of the prices clearly marked? * What kind of range of accessory products does this store carry? (socks, insoles, water bottles, hats, watches, etc) * Was the store well-lit, clean and easy to maneuver? (rate overall) * Was the merchandise presented in a way that was easy to understand and shop? (rate overall) * Was the fitting room for apparel comfortable, well lit and clean? * Was the checkout procedure quick and simple? * Rate the sales associates on their attire. Were they readily identifiable? * Please add anything (positive or negative) that you experienced during your visit:

Total evaluation was worth 100 points

The First Black American Marathon Runner : My Boycott of The National Black Marathoners' Association

Many consider that man on the left, Arthur Newton to be one of the visionaries in distance running, and to a degree, he was. I would not dispute that assertion, however, what I would dispute is Arthur Newton's assertion that - "Blacks would never run distance. They just don't have what it takes to do the distance." Yes, that cut and dry, plain and simple - fortunately, Black American Ted Corbitt responded to that assertion and eventually towered over Arthur Newton as a running visionary in ways Newton could not imagine. The first distance runners in America were Native Americans who have a rich running history. Running was a means of transportation, as it facilitated trading and sending of messages in addition to hunting and warfare. I can't prove but I have no doubt slaves escaping the South and heading North were essentially in many cases ultrarunning. Note, this whole distance running endeavor as an "event or sport" is a progression of what in the 1800's was called "Pedestrian Multi-Days" (power walking over hundreds of miles for days) - this was a huge sport drawing crowds, fans, great prize money, etc. A superstar of the sport and the first African American distance athlete I know of was named Francis Smith - a "pedestrian" great of the 1830's. Now before there was Ted Corbitt, there was Black American Fred Hitchborn, a grocery store clerk in Boston who set a goal to become a professional pedestrian for the prize money to be won - and that he did. He entered his first race at age 20 in 1879 at the Boston Music Hall. As is stated per the record, "He was the favorite and followed by many at races because of his color, a Black Man and he walked with some of the most prominent names in the walking world; Charles Rowell, Edward Weston, and George Guyon. Fred Hitchborn later changed his name to Frank Hart (he was also known as "Black Dan)" (there he is on the right showing a championship pedestrian belt). At races no one would shake his hand at the start, he received racial taunts and threats of violence from spectators. Once a spectator gave him some soda water he became severely ill and it was determined that he was poisoned. Even being ill-stricken he managed to beat Weston and Guyon. He won the Rose Belt race by completing 540 miles, one mile short of the world record. Hitchborn then cracked the world record at the 1880 O'Leary race by successfully running 565 miles". Click here & here to learn the history and check out Multi-Days.com. I've never met a Black person who ever heard of Fred Hitchborn/Frank Hart and most all African American historic archives neglect mentioning him - however thanks to Quintard Taylor & Blackpast.org & Charles B. Kastner - you can click those links and learn about "Black Dan". We Black Americans have a problem - it's ourselves, it's exemplified & worsened in distance running by people like Tony Reed & The Black Marathoners Association. Arthur Newton, Ted Corbitt, Frank Hart, and Delores Cross (former President of a Black College and only Black American to write an autobiography paralleling life and marathon running, below on the left) should be found on the website of any organization characterizing itself as "The National Black Marathoners Association". On their site the only book Tony Reed gives voice and attention to is his. The National Black Marathoners have no room for Delores Cross, only Tony Reed. Consequently he fosters and preserves a collective ignorance within the organization, inarguably illustrated in their logo and slogan. Let's be clear, Tony Reed co-opts the words National, Black, Marathon, & Association and all they imply and markets the identity of the authoritive source and bastion of American Black distance running. His press releases leverage his ethnicity and organization name to establish the appearance of legitimacy, this is his "currency" to promote himself, sell his books, and secure bookings as a speaker. In sum, Tony Reed exploits a history and legacy in name for his own promotion (while excluding giving that legacy any "air"). Have you seen The Great Debaters? The film, based on a true story, revolves around the efforts of Black debate coach (Denzel Washington) at historically Black Wiley College to place his team on equal footing with whites in the American south during the 1930s, when lynch mobs and Jim Crow laws abounded. The Wiley team eventually succeeds to the point at which they are able to take part in a debate with Harvard University. The pursuit of Black excellence need not only be in film, it should be in all quarters wherein we (Black People) present ourselves as national organizations and entities. Last week Tony Reed ran Marathons spaced 5 days apart, he assured himself the less than mediocrity he achieved finishing 645th out of 701 (inside runner talk, Tony's AG grade was 40.4% - no marathoner of this level could be in Runner's World - however Tony markets himself to Runner's World using his ethnicity and organization name and receives a type of "Negro Affirmative Action"). Tony's strategy is to promote himself, say he ran 100 marathons, use and exploit a legacy (Black Distance Running) while not paying tribute to it - and indeed insulting it with his logo and slogan of ignorance. I've chosen to be a contrary voice to the fraud that Tony Reed & the Black Marathoners Association is, for the reverence and dignity I hold to the legacy - the footsteps I run in. I will not be mentioning it again going forward on this blog - however I am boycotting the National Black Marathoning Association until such time that they 1) change their degrading logo and slogan and 2) incorporate some exposure to the legacy inherent to the name they co-opt. (I email reference a lot of people to them all the time). How does it work? Google the words Tony Reed Marathon and you tell me what you get?....an unmanageable situation for Tony Reed and the Black Marathoners going forward - and will remain until they institute change and dignify the words they've chosen to co-opt. Have a great day.

Serge Girard: French Ultramarathoner Ran Across 5 Continents Without a Day Off: Enjoy this GORGEOUS Video Footage (U.S. in '97 hence the WTC)

Register for the '08 NYC Marathon!

Look at that - wow, the start of the NYC Marathon....want to join the fun? Seriously, why not...if you've never ran the NYC Marathon - it's hard to really describe...2,000,000 fans screaming on the course in a frenzy beginning to end, nonstop. Well just click here to give it a shot, the entry lottery registration process is open! You never know, you just might get picked, secure a slot, remember - come late October people on Craig's List and Ebay commonly sell entry bibs for $300 - $500 a pop. Come the Fall everybody wish they could be in it - and it's possible that you can! Why not give it a shot? And local NYRR members, did you see the new policy where to qualify for the NYC Marathon - in addition to completing 9 races in a year - you now also have to volunteer at at least 1 race event. I'm good with that - I did that any way. However I must tell you and be honest - NYRR events are becoming almost too "corporate machine driven", "too big in scale, etc.". Between the TV show production, the multiple starts for even basic 4 mile races, everything - it's starting to feel like you are corralled and more so part of a parade or something - than a race. I'm glad the events are getting popular....but...there is "hassle" factor now connected to many of the events. Oh Well...also note - the Chicago Marathon is also open for registration too - and it will be closing very soon...so if you want a flat fast course, something ideal to PR or qualify for Boston, check out the Chicago Marathon site here. I still hope one day to run a small town Marathon....something I've never done...perhaps I'll show up at the '09 Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth, TX...who knows. Have a great day!

National Black Marathon Association & Tony Reed the Negro PT Barnum : The Blind Leading the Blind

Harlem in the Roaring 20's - a couple of blocks up Lenox Ave from where I live was the legendary Savoy Ball Room - there you could have found Casper Holstein who became a millionaire running, running a numbers racket that is... in Harlem. He also presented Black distance runner Toby Joseph Cotton Jr. (there below on the left) with a diamond studded gold medal for his historic “Bunion Derby” run, the nickname for the first footrace across America in 1928 - Toby averaged running 40 miles / day and finished in 35th position. Then there's Black distance runner Samuel L. Robinson who finished 45th.....and of course a man I've blogged about before, Eddie Gardner (there below on the book cover and the adjacent larger photo). Thanks to Blackpast.org [Quintard Taylor] and the writing of Charles B. Kastner, you can click those links and learn about these historical Black distance runners (Charles B. Kastner is the author of the must read "Bunion Derby" - telling the story of these and other runners). However, what you can't do is go to the "National Black Marathoners Association" site and learn this...or well...anything (other than that Tony Reed, co-founder, has got a book for sale). Why is that? How is that? There is so little writing(s) of Black American runners, that all which is out there should be heralded, no? I illustrated the dysfunction and non-function of the Black Marathoners earlier this week and was going to cut them some slack.....until I read the scolding I received in the comments from one of their people - no more slack - the truth will here & now be revealed. Tony Reed (founder) is Negro P.T. Barnum - the Black Marathoners an embarrassment. They truly embody a "collective ignorance", starting with Tony Reed and I am baffled. That NBMA logo & slogan (1865: Free To Run). I know Black people (runners) that are ALIVE today that were not "Free to Run" in their lives. One is named Thomas Brooks, he's a friend of mine, a current US Olympic Committee member, a former Olympic teammate of Ted Corbitt, ...hell Ted Corbitt was not "Free To Run" - Tony Reed and the Black Marathoners are so poorly educated - they apparently are not aware Jim Crow laws and the like made it illegal for Black people to run in all sorts of races for a very long time. This is one of the reasons I am insulted and annoyed with Tony Reed and the Black Marathoners - they simply don't know much about the history of Black Americans - and make it their business "not to know" and - that logo and slogan is an insult to Black people that are alive today, and Black people that are dead - it runs counter to their reality, their experience, their lives (you really should read Charles B. Kastner's book). The Black Marathoners have that horrible "Scarlett Letter" of a logo rooted in history - yet how is it..... why is it,....they offer no history of Blacks & running on their website? Tony Reed and the Black Marathoners' choice is to look back and brand themselves in a remembrance of slavery, my choice is to look back and connect myself to Black runners like Ted Corbitt, Eddie Gardner, Alice Coachman (the Tuskegee Flash) - there she is at the bottom far right in that 1941 photo of the Tuskegee Tigerettes National Champion Track & Field Team, or how about U Penn Quarter Miler John Taylor (there below the Tigerettes) - In observing, it's clear that Tony Reed is about promoting Tony Reed first and foremost.....and the media swallows it up - and why? They have no where else to go. Black Americans & marathoning is a vacuum - devoid of anyone who can speak with the slightest authority on the topic. A couple of years ago a National Black Marathon Assoc. member Gregory Evans made a film called "Black Americans & The Marathon Distance". I've only seen the trailer but it looks awful, incomplete and void of historical context - is there any reason to have a trailer for such a topic not mention Ted Corbitt? Do they even acknowledge Ted in the video? Out of concern of the possible omission of Ted Corbitt not being duly recognized and appreciated, I sent the filmmaker an email telling him I could probably arrange for a telephone interview with Ted - and he can "Ken Burns" style publish a photo, re-edit the DVD - and release it with some measure of legitimacy. This was a year ago - to date I've gotten no response. These are the type of experiences I've had with the Black Marathoners. Go to Tony Reed's organization's website - they do not speak to the story of Blacks & marathoning in any way whatsoever. None, zero, it does not exist. Added to this, I have never once, not a single time, ever seen Tony Reed speak of Blacks & distance running in a historical context. Someone told me of a podcast where he was questioned and said something - look, I've read a lot of his interviews - yet never heard of him electing to bring forward his place in the greater context of the history. Tony Reed's always been about Tony Reed. The problem with that is two fold: (1) If you can't go to the "National Black Marathoning Association" website and learn about your yourself, your culture, of Ted Corbitt and Eddie Gardner, Charles B. Kastner's book, etc. how does one even know where to go? This is history that's stumbled upon, not sought and; (2) It reflects the shame & disservice the National Black Marathon Association is today - simply put, when your organization labels itself as, The National Black Marathon Association.... you assume an obligation and duty to all of society to archive and place in distance running context the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans, period - is that too damn much to ask for? For Tony Reed the answer is "yes" this he cannot do, but you know what he can do? He can dedicate space on the Black Marathoner's website to promote and sell his book - oh...no problem, no excuse, no omission there, no sir. Isn't it funny how we can somehow get done things that are important to us...have you seen this? Tony Reed's book is an "OFFICAL NATIONAL BLACK MARATHON ASSOCIATION AUTHORIZED PRODUCT" Negro please, the ultimate in chutzpah to say the least. There are so few Black Americans that run distance - the media defers and recognizes the few that are able to be spotted as "voices" speaking for the whole. Tony Reed does not speak for me, neither does Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson or any of these Negro figureheads that assume the stage as an authoritative voice. Judging by Tony's 5 Hour & 53 Minute performance last week in the Lost Dutchman Marathon, his taking the stage in any way on any matters "marathon" is rather befuddling in my honest opinion - don't get me wrong, I want to congratulate Tony on breaking 6 hours and not to worry, media's Marathon Affirmative Action will bestow credence to his voice - and no doubt when it does, he will talk about himself, not Ted Corbitt, Eddie Gardner, Jim Crow laws denying Blacks the right to run ...that kind of stuff does not rise to the priority of being on the Black Marathoners website, but Tony's book? Oh that is "front and center". And today Tony is running in another Marathon, 5 days between races - mediocrity holds no bounds I see. Negro PT Barnum's back at it, Tony Reed, his formula? Compile numbers, performance be damned, the marketing of the feat being the real goal anyway - get more interviews by saying you ran 100 marathons - he's like the first Negro in Space after all - and brand himself "First Negro" too...... no one's the wiser on the foolishness of running marathons 5 days apart, no one will ask about how well he ran, or the guaranteed mediocrity inherent in his choice to run marathons 5 days apart - just keep promoting yourself. This is the indisputable earmarkings of a marathoning huckster. There are feat accomplishers, and then there are marathon runners who take it seriously, respect the endeavor, go 100%, and that is not Tony Reed. Have you ever considered that Tony Reed and the Black Marathoners in many ways reflect a very unfortunate aspect of much of Black America, the acceptance of mediocrity. Think about it...straight up - if you ran a 6 hour marathon on Sunday - you've got no damn business running another marathon on Saturday - you are not strong when you do that, - what you are is a serious mediocrity-embracing person. You get out of things what you put into them. Tony Reed puts nothing into his Marathons - his Saturday Cowtown Marathon result of 5 hour 51 minutes shows he got less than mediocrity out of it (the event). The American low to no expectation Negro is one of our problems y'all. We should expect more of ourselves, we can do better - it starts with someone who can lead by example, that is not Tony Reed. Have you seen Tony's other self-published books, "The Power of Personal Accountability" and "The Achievement Equation Your Formula To Success". And did you all see the comment section of the blog wherein I illustrated the lack of dynamsim & leadership of the Black Marathoners?....with lots of examples... & the commenter who demanded I apologize to Tony Reed? They spoke of Tony Reed like he was a god, who could do no wrong, is in all cases right, above reproach, and not accountable for anything blah blah blah. After reading their response, I really considered for a minute the Black Marathoners were really some kind of Negroidian Cult and how dare I speak of Negro-untouchable Tony Reed..then the person went on to say >I think it's important to remember that 100% of the organization's costs are paid for out of the pockets of the Board of Directors. (I'd like for you and your "friends" form a national organization and fund it yourself.) And there are no sponsors. My reply to them was, You're illustrating my point exactly, "What's Wrong With You Negroes?" The Black Marathoners lack anyone, including Tony Reed, with vision & talent at the leadership level. You on your own are supposed to be savvy & smart enough, to have the skill set to secure sponsorship. Take a look in the mirror, take a look at Tony Reed, ask him why you don't have Nike sponsoring you with great running gear and discounted shoes? The Central Park Track Club here in NYC does, what's your excuse? I say it's a lack of executive talent. I am dishing you tough love. Would you like a list of the running clubs in America with sponsorship? There are HUNDREDS! I can send it to you, you can ask Tony Reed, "why don't we have sponsorship"? My god you're Black Marathoners, securing Fortune 500 sponsorship should be a slam dunk - no trouble at all. But you don't want to do that, do you? Personal responsibility for your organizational poor and or non-performance? Look at your leaders, look at Tony and ask fair grounds & valid questions - that reveal and reflect.....a lack of organizational dynamism? I suggest you take this spoonful of tough love and as an organization. When reading that person's statement about Tony Reed, they scolded me and demanded from me twice to apologize to Negro PT Barnum aka Tony Reed. However, they completely avoided all the points I raised in that blog, then cried about not having sponsorship - with the backdrop of Tony Reed authored books titled, "The Power of Personal Accountability" and "The Achievement Equation Your Formula To Success"assumingly being cornerstones of their organizational culture, no? Is Tony Reed and the Black Marathoners not pathetic top to bottom? Am I supposed to not characterize it for what it is because their Black? Lower my standards and expectations? At the end of the day, we're all family, and family's fight. If you read the blog - I spend a heck of a lot of time profiling every day people, runners just out there trying - I celebrate that - I've done that for a long time, everybody knows that - and it truly saddens me to have to characterize and illustrate Tony Reed & the Black Marathoners as I have. But I am not going to feed them bullshit and tell them that they're great - when at least on my standard they are not. Even they, upon reflection, should have no problem seeing their very logo is an insult, shame, and embarrassment to ALL of Black America reflecting true ignorance of fact & the Black American experience. They can do better, YES THEY CAN! I don't want them to accept mediocrity from their leaders, from themselves, but rather, I want them to get sponsorship, strategically align with major sponsored marathons - just work the hell out of the running scene with the Road Runners Club of America. Tony Reed's just gotta get his shit together on an executive level and make it happen. YES HE CAN...to the Black Marathoners....get your numbers together of who's committed and I guarantee you I will get every one of you guaranteed entry in the NYC Marathon for those who want to run it - with you entering as the NBMA - however PS, tell Tony to leave his damn book at home and don't show up in Harlem with that fucking logo and....oh yeah - tell Tony Reed it's a 6 hour cut off. Have a great day.

Running into Hoda, Komen, & Pink

Wow, I Dierdre Cox Baker has written a piece about a jogger I see in Central Park and at races with the NYRR all the time, if you run in Central Park or watch NBC news shows, you see her too, Hoda Kotb, that woman on the left. Dierdre wrote, "Hoda Kotb wears a pink ring embossed with one word: “Forward.” Forward, explains the co-host of the NBC-TV “Today” show’s late-morning segment, is also a word she writes daily in a personal journal to remind herself of the direction in life she chooses to take. Kotb, 43, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007, underwent a procedure to remove three lumps from her breast and reconstructive surgery during an eight-hour operation. The year 2007 was an eventful one for the personable Kotb, she fought breast cancer for several weeks in the spring, returned to work on NBC’s “Dateline” news program, was chosen in August to co-host the new “Today” fourth-hour segment that begins at 10 a.m. in the Quad-Cities and decided in October to go public with her breast cancer experience. To say goodbye to 2007, Kotb took part in the Midnight Run in New York City’s Central Park. Dec. 31, she says, “was one of those epiphany days, with cold weather, fireworks, everyone running. It struck me that in 2007 I got rid of everything that was bad. And I started to think that 2008 will be great for me, and tears started running down my face.” New life view. The breast cancer diagnosis put Kotb’s life in perspective for her. She is in a five-year Tamoxifen program where she takes the prescription medicine daily to reduce her estrogen activity and the chance of the cancer spreading. One downside is that the drug probably will prevent her from ever giving birth. “Some days I think: Is this fair?” she says. Kotb has exercised and eaten a healthy diet her entire life. She has long had an interest in wellness and has anchored the syndicated TV series “Your Total Health” since 2004. “There are times you really have to choke down those pills. ‘Beat the cancer but also stop my reproductive life,’ I think to myself. ‘OK, take this damn pill,’ I say, and I do it,” she says. Kotb is focused and, she explains, has become almost fearless. “You know, some people are in a bad mood every day just because they are, always cranky and itchy. And some people are far worse off than me. “I made it through breast cancer and I think, ‘What’s better than that?’ [END]. I see Hoda jogging & speed walking all the time...and next time I think I'll give her the "thumb's up" & Holla at my girl! - if you see her - give her a shout too! This all reminds me of the Susan G. Komen movement - which is pretty great - you see it - everything all "pink'ed out".....with survivors and activists in 125 cities and communities, more than 100 Komen Race for the Cure® events in the United States and three International Affiliates, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the most progressive grassroots organization fighting breast cancer today. Not matter where you live in the U.S. there will be a race near you - check out the schedule here. It's pretty cool to see the cause & movement all "pink'ed out" isn't it?.......I've seen the pink running shoe laces...well Newton Running is making its way to New York City big time, I am seeing more and more Central Park Runners in Newton shoes - the shoe I can only assume is the ultimate running shoe (I'll have to check that out for myself one day...), I've yet to be so fortunate to get a pair - however if I were to be so fortunate....the pair I would get would be the Newton Cure Distance Shoe, that's it there. The Cure Distance running shoe, limited edition, was created to support prostate cancer research. Newton Co-Founder, Jerry Lee battled with prostate cancer since 2005 and is now a survivor. Professional athlete and official spokesperson for Athletes for a Cure, Michellie Jones is fighting the fight with Newton. Designed with Michellie's signature color pink in mind (their words) Newton is donating $10 from the sale of every pair to help find better treatments and a potential cure for prostate cancer. C'mon Newton Running, should perhaps $5 of that donation go to Susan G. Komen? Even I initially thought the shoe was Susan G. Komen affiliated due to the pink...another bone to pick for another day. I've not ran in the snow all year - we've got about a foot or so falling right now - I'm going running in Central Park. Have a great day!

Picking the Perfect Running Shoe - From A Running Shop

In the video above meet Gloria Rios from Future Track Running Center in California - watch her approach on how to pick the right shoe - it's slightly over 1 minute - to her credit what you see above is about as good as it gets in terms of service at a typical running shoe store. However - even after this experience - it's still "crap shoot" - and never stops being a crap shoot with a shoe until you break it in and settles, etc (between 25 - 50 Miles). Not all running shops have video gait analysis systems, this one appears not do. Is a running shop not equipped with technology less capable of serving you? I say no and the technology is bullshit anyway. People get video gait analysis done all the time and still end up in the wrong pair of shoes for them - it never stops being a crap shoot. At the NYC Marathon Expo I received Mizuno's "total analysis" for running shoe fitting - their analysis process involved no treadmill running, zero none! They had room for it however the Mizuno rep told me video gait analysis via treadmill is insufficient and often ineffective (in determing the shoe for you). To fit for a running shoe Mizuno has you walk on a straight line for about 50 feet, turn around and walk back - while their system is doing a musculoskeletal modeling / mapping (of the motion & alignment of your entire lower body joints). They then have you stand on a scanner, feet placed parallel to shoulders - you apply pressure on the balls of your feet, stand on one leg, balancing, etc. (more modeling of your musculoskeletal legs/knees/hips alignment/walking gait / foot scanning & pressure mapping of the bottom of your feet). Again - running is not part of their analysis to determine the best running shoe for you - and even after all this....they suggest a shoe....and it's still a crap shoot real world. The point? Video gait analysis is little more than a sales mechanism used by running shops and shops that have them are no more a capable of serving you than running shops that don't. The tactic of using gait analysis service is little more than "Snake Oil" - wherein the consumer assumes and accepts the technology = accuracy, something that's false. A good shop and professional will tell you to go home and bring back to them a shoe you've walked in or ran in for awhile. A pro can look at your other running shoes or even walking shoes that have some good miles on them - and guide you on that just as well if not better than video gait analysis. But they won't do that because when you step in the store, they are there to sell you a shoe while you're there. For example, go into your local running shop and ask them, "How can you properly fit me without musculoskeletal analysis of my joints and pressure mapping my foot?" Try it. You see you can flip the whole necessity and value of technology right back at the running shoe shop. You don't need that technology - hell you don't need that running shop if you want to get right down to it..... and even after all this - you still have the fundamental nonsense of the whole business anyway: "It's silly & nonsensical to claim, promise, and sell the notion that you can find a perfect fit in an off the rack world". There are so many variables to your foot, stride, gait, musculoskeletal structure, spine, weight, etc. - to expect an off the rack shoe to be perfect is unrealistic. If a shoe store claims a technology solution for you?....it better be a foot analysis lab like Profeet in the UK - shy of that - they are unnecessary sales tactic devices to give the consumer a false sense of security. This sales woman in the video above? I think she's good and knows her stuff. My only criticism of her is her failure to speak to the perfection point - as I always say, you get a "serviceable" shoe with a pretty decent fit - however you on your own make the fit perfect for you with devices (insoles, gel heel cups, forefot pads, etc.). The very first thing I do when I get a brand new pair of shoes is remove the stock / factory insole and replace it with a SofSol Sport insole - changes the fit entirely. There you have it - and this is the fallacy of the running shoe shop. Sans a full blown serious lab analysis that might cost $200+ or so, they sell a false notion on a false premise. You on your own, flying blind, can perform your own wet foot test and see what kind of arch you have (support you need). Just step out the bath tub on paper, simple enough? Roadrunnersports, The Running Warehouse, Holabird Sports, are just a few of the places where you can get great running shoes - expansive inventories - at a great value. Have a terrific day.

National Black Marathoners: What Is Wrong With These Negroes?

Well it's Black History month and last week I had a blog entry aptly titled, "The Ignorant Negroes of Harlem"....in the spirit of the month I ask the question: The National Black Marathoners' Association (NBMA), What is wrong with these negroes? Yes, there is such an association - glad to see it, - very much needed. It's co-founded by an impressive guy there on the left below, Tony Reed. Tony's ran for 25 years and all over the world - in that photo he is running in last weeks "Lost Dutchman Marathon" the event where the Black Marathoners held its annual gathering. Tony & I have corresponded - I am not speaking out of school here - this is going to get ugly y'all. The NBMA estimates that a little less than 2 percent of U.S. marathoners are Black. I say the NBMA does not know the demographics of marathoning in America. Note Tony Reed is the unofficial spokesman of Black American Marathoning. I get emailed and asked about Blacks (American) and marathoning - invited to participate in books on the subject, etc. - I am sure Tony does too - Tony gets interviewed far more than me. White people (Runner's World) basically defers to Tony the recognition as being the leading authority on the subject - though Tony's accomplished at marathoning - he does not know much on the subject, at least I've never seen hints of knowledge in interviews - he's never once said the name Ted Corbitt - and you all know how I am when it comes to Ted, right? On the Black Marathoners website.... , I have never seen mention of Ted, Eddie Gardner, Oscar Moore, Jr, Lou White, I can go on and on and get turn of the Century on you in a nano-second [Historical Black figures in distance running]. But you know what I do see on the Black Marathoners website?...a tribute to the 1865 Emancipation Proclamation - their logo. A remembrance to Slavery? That's your fucking logo? Tony Reed, is this the best you can do? Would it be too much to ask for a logo that is more forward thinking, more celebratory, something that suggest fitness, health, movement of the human body? A contemporary " joie de vivre" spirit (joy of living)....? No, the Black Marathoners go with a logo that looks like a Generic License Plate. Anytime I need to be reminded I am an "ex-slave" in heritage I look at the Black Marathoners logo that brands and keeps Slave Stigma alive and well. Congratu-fucking-lations on self-ghetto-izing yourself. I ask you, what is wrong with these Negroes? Back to the point, since about 425,000+ people completed marathons last year, the Black Marathoners are saying a little more than 8,000 Black Americans ran marathons in '07. That did not happen. How do I know - I just know. Where did they run them? I live on the NYC Marathon route - I know how many Black people I see......seriously, I've seen this 2% number floated around - to my awareness there is nothing supporting it. You will not see 100 Black people (2%) in a NYRR Half Marathon of 5,000. I would guess somewhere between 0.5% - 1% at the very most of marathon finishers in '07 were Black, closer to 0.5% in fact, certainly not 2% or 8,500 or so - no way. In response to the question of why don't Blacks run distance, Tony Reed said, "With a lot of Americans, it's easier to take a pill or a shot than to get up off the couch and become active," Reed said of what he calls the diseases of inactivity. Is this Tony Reed nicely saying, "Negroes are lazy"? Funny - I say the same thing about the Black Marathoners - his ogranization. In that linked article Tony Reed said in 2005, about 15 runners ran the inaugural Black Marathoners event at the Louis & Clark Marathon. Tony Reed said he anticipates more than 150 black runners converged in Phoenix last Sunday for the Lost Dutchman Marathon . (note some ran the Half Marathon and lesser distance events at the same venue). Fort Worth's Cowtown Marathon will be the 2009 venue. Membership in the Black Marathoners has increased to 800. Tony's compiled his race memories in a new book titled Running Shoes Are Cheaper Than Insulin: Marathon Adventures on All Seven Continents. It's a collection of stories chronicling his 25 years of running. Reed, always goal-driven, now aspires to finish 100 marathons. He ran No. 92 at the Lost Dutchman and No. 93 in 3 days at Cowtown Marathon . He plans to run No. 100 at Cowtown 2009 with his fellow NBMA members on hand. Tony, Tony, Tony....why are you running marathons spaced 5 days apart? I know lots of people who do this - they run a marathon every single weekend, week after week. They even have an organization I've mentioned before, the Marathon Maniacs. That's their logo on the left. What Tony is doing is "compiling" - that's all, it's not hard. Worse, it marginalizes and depreciates the whole marathon event for yourself - which is cool, if that's what you want to do. Lots of people enter marathons, proceed to basically use them as long slow distance training runs, get the medal, etc. and that's it. When you race a Marathon at your best effort, you need time to ramp up & train, taper, run the event, and recover. That's a process of months to do it anywhere near your maximum potential. When you run marathons week after week, you're not racing, you're compiling miles at a 75% or 80% effort at best. I have a different orientation to marathoning. Compiling stats, numbers, does not appeal to me - I marathon for performance. I don't half-ass it - and perhaps I am not a member of the Black Marathoners because I am convinced it's a half-ass organization content with being insular. If you're into marginal efforts.....or groups, clubs, hey...whatever, that's not me. The Black Marathoners ? I don't even know where to begin to illustrate this.... The logo is awful, they don't know marathon demographics, and they make no effort to expand, progress, or be a dynamic organization. How do I know? I reached out to them, and all the ancillary affiliated running clubs connected to them. There's 1 in Atlanta I think, a chapter in Chicago, Cleveland, there in Texas where it's based out of with Tony. I contacted ALL OF THEM in email, making an effort to bond, network, etc. 1 of these chapters got back to me - never heard from ANY of the rest... this was at the beginning of last year - and they need some presence in NYC for goodness sake - they have none here - with the biggest running club in the world, the NYRR. I can get them at least 100 earmarked set aside entries in the NYC Marathon with little trouble - I am sure of that. But we don't network or have dialog....I got them figured out (very insular thinking). The Black Marathoners know shit about how to build a dynamic organization - just look at their model now. What the fuck is the Black Marathoners Association doing having their annual event in Apache Junction, AZ? The organization needs to grow - most Black runners in NYC never heard of the organization - for real. Their 2009 event is the "Cowtown Marathon" - well that's nice and convenient for Tony Reed (it's where he lives)....but awful for the growth of the Black Marathoners. What is wrong with these Negroes? I understand they want to summit at events that have multiple race lengths other than the marathon distance so more can participate - fine, I get it. Still....the Georgia Marathon also has a Half Marathon Race; the LA Marathon has a 5K Run/Walk event, in Washington DC there is the National SunTrust Marathon and Half. Atlanta, LA, DC. Major metro city events with in place Black communities justifying more people to go because it's quite likely they have friends & family they could also visit on the trip - it just further justifies participating in the event for a typical Black person. Plus there are other Black professional organizations robust in size - in these cities (accountants, engineers, physicians, sororities, fraternities etc.) to tap into, promote and recruit from & with. In sum, an ideal infrastructure is in place to conjure a ground swell of promotion, word of mouth, interest and participation with the Black Marathoners - in the held annual event /venue. The Philadelpia Marathon also has a Half, 8K, and a Kids Run - perfect for all. Strategically locate - that's how you grow & expand - further your goal and mission - it's called "optimizing" your charter - you have events in Vegas & Orlando for "value added" reasons - there are other attractions for all - reasons to go....but what does Tony Reed & the Black Marathoners do? They have their summit in Apache-fucking-Junction, Arizona? And in '09 it's the Cowtown? I ask you, what is wrong with these Negroes? There's no organizational dynamism, no strategic thinking. For example, when you hold these events in major cities - there's media in place (print & TV), these events have major sponsors - Verizon's affiliated with the Philadelphia Marathon, well Verizon also has all sorts of foundations, programs, scholarships, etc. aimed at African Americans - there is all sorts of synergy to be conjured for the NBMA in recognizing, valuing, and leveraging alliances with marathons that have in place programs & connections serving African Americans - promoting education, health, fitness to Black communities. The Black Marathoners seem to be hell bent on holding their summit in February? Why? Black History month? Dumb, think bigger please, broader...... Black professional organizations hold their annual summit meetings at all sorts of times during the year, they do not confine themselves to February annual meetings for the sake of Black History month. In sum, the whole mindset of the Black Marathoners? - sorry, I just can't get down with it, too insular, too small. I am not just criticizing - I've offered some solid paths to improvement in this blog entry - I hope they take my words and run with them - #1 revise the logo for starters, hell it looks more like a mug shot number/ID plate that you are forced to hold at your chest when arrested and booked, #2 network in all cities (don't stay insular) reach out to people - market online, hell it ain't that hard, create a blog for crissakes, the Black Marathoners are basically non-existent on the East & West coasts. #3 align with major sponsor events in major cities, etc. hence align with ING / Atlanta - Georgia for that event, etc. - in sum, become relevant, that means bigger than Tony Reed. Right now the Black Marathoners is all about Tony Reed - and when he places the '09 event in his backyard for the Cowtown race - looks to me he's preserving insular think, c'mon Tony....be bigger - something he should have no problem doing....Sadly I am not a member of the Black Marathoners, isn't that something?.....and really does not make sense - until you digest my reasons why in this blog - a lack of dynamism....and they don't want to hear from me - I do more to promote the awareness of Blacks & marathoning than that whole organization ......and I would not be a member of any organization with such a fucked up logo that reflects backward to your slave heritage. "What is wrong with these negroes"? Have a great day!

Running to Burn Fat

I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things - may clock a whole 40 miles this week. I can stand to lose 7 .lbs before racing - time to go into Fat Burning runner mode. I buy a lot of stuff at my local GNC - but I know ZERO, not a damn thing about these "Fat Burning" products (pills, etc.) other than they seem to be expensive. We are such a "take-a-pill" for this and that culture - just eat sensibly and go out and run...if for nothing else - to get, have, and enjoy a great ass. Now those are some great asses there on the left below aren't they? In fact they're almost right up there with the kind of asses Black people commonly have - and I know I sure do.... and with a solid month of training my ass can easily give that guy's ass a run for it's money! I'm not say'in - I'm just say'in. One reason women are better runners then men?...they tend to burn less carbohydrate and more free-fatty-acids for fuel, which equals more efficiency. On average, women also tend to make better high-mileage runners than men because of utilizing more FFA's for fuel and having a higher long-term pain tolerance. But on the contrary - I will be able to get to fat-burning stage whilst running faster than a woman - hence I can snap my ass back in tip top shape in 3 - 4 weeks. Researchers found that men were significantly more likely to report hitting The Wall than women - which supports the view that women might be better suited to the demands of endurance running. Levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that stimulate glycogen mobilization, rise significantly more in men than in women during exercise. These sex differences in fuel metabolism have led some scientists to speculate that men might deplete their glycogen stores more rapidly than women - and start relying on fat for fuel as the first fuel source used is glycogen. Because glycogen is continually replenished, it will continue to be the fuel used until the cell cannot supply enough for the demand. Once this happens, the body becomes aware of it and begins to draw energy from free-fatty acids that are being metabolized from adipose (fat) tissue stores on the body. Basically you get to a point in going for a run wherein you're glycogen depleted, breathing harder and the intakes of oxygen due to exercise and increased blood flow in the fat tissues begin to stimulate the fat burning process. When the body reaches this point, more calories will be burned from fat than from carbohydrates. The point of burning fat faster than carbohydrates? If you jog at an average pace of 9-11 minutes per mile, it will required about 40 minutes of jogging before your body begins to burn more fat than carbohydrates. If you run 6-7 minutes per mile, you’ll reach this point in about 20 minutes or one-half the time of the slow pace. Have a terrific day!

Happy President's Day to Our Fearless Leader!

On this President's Day I pay tribute to our fearless leader, It's incredible that George W. Bush got elected to the presidency....not once but twice! You know people around the world think we're idiots - and who's to say otherwise? My favorite Bush Quotes?

"Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?"
"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we".

• "Too many good doctors are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."
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• "Families are where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."
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• "This is still a dangerous world. It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mential losses."
• 
  
• "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literary test"..

• "Childrens do learn."
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• "There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again."
• 
  
• "We have got a bigger enemy than name callers. That is Al-Qaeda or people losing jobs."

I don't know about you all, but I'm going to miss this dumb son-of-a-bitch. There he is in that photo above, second in from the left, his form looks solid to me, he's a runner and I'm good with that! Have a great day!

No Headphones Get's a Logo: Sooner Or Later the NYRR Will Be Sued

I see the RRCA (Road Runner's Club of America -of which the NYRR is part of) has joined the USATF (USA Track & Field) in banning headphones in events and asking Race Directors to adopt the use of this new NO HEADPHONES symbol on race entry forms & race materials. Jim Gerweck just up the road in Ct. created it. Jim, the RRCA, they've got it all wrong - and that's a dumb looking icon Jim. Nike is sponsors lots of these major events and I highly doubt the RRCA or NYRR will penalize or crackdown on a single runner for wearing a Nike + iPod device - And even if joggers are not using this device - they're listening to their music on an ipod or the like. You can't promote races as "come one, come all', corral as many entry fee paying people as you can into them - and then be shocked when you see 25% of the field or more is wearing headphones. These events will not promote "No Headphones" or enforce "No Headphones" as that will reduce the gross income & produce unhappy customers - once at the event. So what will they do? Nothing. It is high risk for people to wear these devices in crowded events blunting their awareness of their surroundings and the first one of these headphone wearing runners that causes another runner to trip and or be injured (and I see these accidents now) - well the NYRR should be sued. The NYRR comfortably assumes this risk making no effort whatsoever to police it. That little fine line in the entry form will not get them off the hook. People are going to wear headphones - accept that - however have a user tax to cover the added insurance cost to assume hits - not to everybody - exclusive to the runners choosing to assume this potential liability - hence a race might cost you $5 or $10 or $100 or whatever more if you want to run it wearing headphones. Let the market determine the added costs - Let people do whatever the F they want - as long as they're willing to pay for it. It's up to the NYRR to license runners to run w/this hazard - since they allow it in the first place. This all can be sorted out, quantified and monetized - We fix problems in America via litigation. You know these ipods and the like contribute to many runners being hit, some killed by vehicles, happens all the time. That woman on the right's Marathoner Ashyln Dyer, - about a week before she was going to run the Los Angeles Marathon - on a morning training run in San Francisco she was hit and killed - the iPod contributed to her awareness being marginalized of the approaching car that hit her. America's fascination with White blond women helped this incident be one of the more publicized.....but I assure you - runners of all shapes, ages, sizes, and colors are hit by cars all the time while they were wearing iPods. Happens all over the world too - An interesting print campaign by NSW Police in Australia initiated to raise awareness of the increasing number of dead teenagers as a result of listening to iPods while they cross the street. That's one of the ads on the left. In America though people receive things as "raining on their parade", they "don't want to know" - anything that's not congruent with having a good time - they'd rather not bother with that reality. Nobody wants to be taken down by coming to terms with a couple of Americans, usually kids that are killed daily in Iraq for example. Runner's World and the Industrial Running Complex & Apple and Nike - no one wants to be connected to the downside of "their thing". Perhaps it's categorized as an "accepted loss" ....we move on, Wall St.'s expecting us to hit a certain target next quarter - press on..... I suppose runners want to be anesthesitized too. Runner's World would NEVER publish a photo of a Nike + iPod runner - dead in the street in a pair of Asics & with Adidas running gear on for example. That's a realistic image - however not one to come to terms with - it's rain on the parade. Never portray the hand that feeds you in such a light - though it's real. Of all the shit I talk on this blog - if I can reach runners with one thing - it would be to never run in the street - and dump the headphones. Enjoy this Sunday - it's going to be a cold, a nice day in New York - I'm off to Central Park.

Nike Running Shoes & Ray Charles I.D.'s Feet

That on the left is a container ship....um...going down in the ocean with all those containers - you see'em pulled by trucks on the highways....well in 1990, the container vessel Hansa Carrier encountered a severe storm in the north Pacific Ocean on its passage to the United States and container much like in that photo went down - 5 of them contained containing approximately Nike shoes, the containers opened into the stormy waters, releasing over 60,000 Nikes into the north Pacific Ocean. The following winter, hundreds of these shoes washed ashore on the beaches of the North West America. Well it has happened again - those pesky Nike running shoes....this time with running shoes washed up on the shore...with the feet still inside the running shoes - all right feet and size 12!. As reported by Gerry Bellett , Canwest News Service U.S. expert on ocean currents says mysterious right feet washing up on the islands off British Columbia's coast could have drifted in from as far as 1,600 kilometres away. "They could easily have come that far from California or Alaska," Curtis Ebbesmeyer said Friday from his home in Seattle, Wash. "I suppose they could even have come from Japan because things do drift in from that distance too." Ebbesmeyer is an expert on drifting objects and has assisted investigations in Washington State when body parts were found in the ocean or washed ashore. Three right feet have been discovered over the last six months, bodyless right foot inside a Nike running shoe. Ebbesmeyer said the fact they're all right feet is intriguing. "That's certainly very strange. There will be an explanation for it, no doubt, but it's very odd," he said. Not so odd is that they were all contained in running shoes, he said. Sneakers are the most likely article of dress to survive the "disarticulate" process of a body breaking up in the water due to decomposition, he said. "I've seen instances where legs were washed ashore protected by jeans, but certainly running shoes which are made of material that floats are the most likely to survive," said Ebbesmeyer who had a chance to study the issue when 61,000 pairs of Nike sneakers fell into the sea from a container ship in Alaskan waters in 1990. Running shoes float upside down protecting the remains inside from birds but leaving them open to the attention of fish and other water animals, he said. [END]. Well that's reassuring to know - that should any of us fall off a cruise ship out at see - in our shoes - they float. Do you think there's an island somewhere in the Northwest populated with left footed joggers? I'm not sure but I believe that's a sketch of one of the feet above, recognize it anyone? I hear when they find these shoes with a foot in them washed ashore - to properly I.D. which foot it is they actually don't take the foot to a CSI like forensic lab or pathologist at all, they just call Ray Charles who comes in, takes a look at the shoe & foot and says, "...You Got The Right One Baby....Uh Huh!" Have a great day!

Mt. Cameroon: Running Up a Live Volcano

Well someone's made a an interesting film called Volcanic Sprint. The sleepy town of Buea in the Southwest Province of Cameroon hosts Africa’s most grueling footrace: the Mt. Cameroon Race of Hope, a marathon-length sprint 10,000 feet up a live volcano, and back down again. To conquer the mountain, racers must overcome some of the cruelest conditions in sport: temperatures fluctuate 50 degrees, altitude sickness claims the weak, and loose volcanic stones can cause serious injury, and even death, as runners fly back down the mountain. Volcanic Sprint takes you deep inside the lives of athletes like Sarah Etonge, a five-time champion and mother of seven known as the Queen of the Mountain. Just days before the race, Sarah is haunted by a nagging knee injury and the strain of a hospitalized child. Sarah needs the money she earns from racing to support her children and the Race of Hope is the biggest purse in Cameroon. For these competitors, Mt. Cameroon isn’t just a race. It’s their best shot at achieving fame and fortune in a country short on both. For former champion John Ekema, it’s a chance to relive fading glory through his son. For two-time champion Dominique Tedjiozem, attacked by rivals during the 2002 race, it’s a chance for vengeance. All the competitors’ hopes and aspirations come together on the biggest sporting day in Cameroon. The winners will achieve lifelong fame. But nearly half of all runners will quit the race … conquered by Mt. Cameroon. Sounds cool (I mean hot) check the trailer - but would I do this? #@% no! I'll stick to Central Park, enjoy & have a great day!

Running in Central Park on Valentine's Day: So Sweet....for a while anyway...

It's going down today in Central Park - yup - it's going to be a gorgeous day, it's now 7am and I see blue skies. If you run in Central Park today - you're likely to see it "go down". Dozens of people will be dropping to their knee and asking their loved one for their hand in marriage - as it's Valentine's Day in Central Park. If you run in Central Park today anytime between noon and 6pm - you'll see it in various areas of the Park.....but the #1 spot? Bow Bridge. And this time of year that's what it looks like there on the left, stretching sixty feet over the lake, from Cherry Hill to the Ramble, it is not only one of the most beautiful cast iron bridges in the world, but also offers some of the most breathtaking views of the park around it. And there on the right is a guy on his knee on the bridge. This is the kind of thing you're likely to spot if you run in Central Park today - all over the place at the fountains, on the horse carriages, etc. all over the place. And why? It's become an industry - yup, I just learned of something called "Proposal Planners" (as in a career profession, don' believe me? Check the Wedding Channel). Guys actually pay money, lots of it, to other people for guidance on how and where to pop the question. Has it come to this y'all? Today's world? People pay at Match.com/eHarmony to meet, then they pay for a proposal planner, then they pay for a wedding planner. Love has turned into one continuous payment wherein you yourself don't have to think, be imaginative, etc. on your own...nope....you just pay and show up. Romantic. So as I run today I will see several proposals "go down" for sure - no doubt. It's just unfortunate after all the payments - 50% of these unions are going to ultimately wind up once again paying - this time big time - in divorce. Cupid does sometimes miss the mark y'all. Shouldn't there be an answer to Valentine's Day called "Divorce Day" where single people rejoice and are celebrated? January 7, is considered that indeed in the UK & Canada. Couples make it through the holidays, Christmas is often the defining event - come the new year, that first week, it's over! - begin the new year with a fresh start! Any doubt the woman or man that filed for the divorce would love to return to that same Bow Bridge in Central Park?....and this time throw the other person off the bridge? On first blush I figured the flipside of proposal and wedding planners were called "Divorce Attorneys" - however there seems to be a new trend of "strategic divorce planners". Lovely, we've come full circle, your entire life can now be planned - for a fee of course. But where can I run to see those scenes? Hey, everybody likes to see a train wreck now and then, no? Must be neat to have a wife like Hillary Clinton. Think about it, you can screw around with numerous bimbos, get blow jobs in your office, humiliate her publicly repeatedly - and she'll never divorce you. They have an arrangement. Wow. Now that's character, courage, and strength that no doubt makes Wesley College proud! Have a great day!

The New Cause of Muscle Fatigue: Calcium Leakage & How to Manage Cramps

The causes of muscle fatigue are elusive. For more than 80 years, physiologists blamed lactic acid, which is produced during exercise and which they believed interfered with muscles' contractile proteins. That's what we've all been told, right?....But in the early 2000s, researchers found that at realistic body temperatures, very little acid accumulates inside muscle cells--and the bit that does may even improve endurance. Physiologist Andrew Marks of Columbia University has completed a study suggesting overdoing it may temporarily sap muscles of calcium and strength. The findings might do more than explain why muscles need rest after intense training. Marks' team put mice on an intense training regimen that included scampering along a treadmill. During high-intensity exercise, the mice's muscles leaked calcium, and when that happened, the mice's muscle endurance nose-dived. Their muscle strength recovered with three days of rest. Humans showed similar changes. When the team analyzed the calcium-channel structure in muscle samples from 12 elite athletes before and after a series of intense cycling sessions, their calcium channels had begun to undergo changes that were "totally parallel" to what had happened in the mice, Marks says. "exhausting exercise, such as that performed by a marathon runner results in significant muscle damage and can impair task performance for days or weeks." Here's a more comprehensive read on the same study, and the New York Times has also written about the study here. On a similar note Jane Clarke, a nutritionist gave the most comprehensive insight on how to manage cramps I've read in a while and explains why you commonly see Bananas being served at races after the event, and offered to runners by fans during marathons, it goes beyond potassium too. She says, " cramps can be hugely debilitating. It is also not uncommon for cramps to ease up and then return several times before going away entirely. Many fitness experts think cramps are related to poor flexibility, muscle fatigue or doing a new activity. Other factors include exercising in extreme heat, dehydration and electrolyte depletion. Electrolytes are nutrients such as sodium or salt, potassium, magnesium and calcium, which are sweated out during exercise. When levels of these nutrients - important for everything from muscle movement to blood pressure - drop, you suffer more muscle spasms. Sipping water (or an electrolyte-filled sports drink) is therefore vital throughout a training session. Again, the causes are not fully understood, however certain conditions such as iron deficiency, anaemia, smoking, hormone imbalances, varicose veins, arthritis, even atherosclerosis (blocked arteries) can all result in cramping and tend to be more prevalent in older people. Medication such as diuretic drugs for high-blood pressure or heart disorders can cause cramps, as can poor circulation, so see your doctor to ensure everything is OK. But if none of the above applies to you, your cramps could be down to an imbalance in the body's electrolytes - magnesium, calcium and potassium - and/or deficiency of vitamin E. To boost magnesium levels, try including more pulses, tofu, nuts, potatoes and oatmeal in your diet. Lack of calcium can also aggravate night cramps. Ordinary calcium sources include leafy green vegetables, small-boned fish such as sardines, orange juice, cereals and nuts. To boost your potassium intake, eat bananas, pulses, garlic and onions, and fruit and vegetables in general. Make sure your diet is rich in vitamin E - this includes vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, avocados and sweet potatoes. On that note I'm going out to try and clock 5 miles in the snow - assuming the roads are not too icy...have a great day!

How & Why To Buy A Marathon: Los Angeles is For Sale & The Crooked Race Director

Want to buy a Marathon....in a big city? Greg Johnson, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer penned an interesting story about the Los Angeles Marathon to be rumored up for sale! Marathon Operator Chris Devine says no deal has been reached despite talk involving equity firm that has bought related businesses - and many see room for improvement no matter who owns event, to be run March 2. The article stated. "As the 23rd running of the Los Angeles Marathon approaches, the race remains something of a mixed bag. It is popular with Southern Californians but is ignored by many top marathoners who prefer events in London, New York and Boston, and viewed with suspicion by sports agents who have had trouble collecting appearance fees from current race operator Chris Devine. [ME: Chris Devine is an unethical liar who's repeatdely not paid winners of Marathon he's operated their prize money - this is well known in marathoning, click here.] . Now the marathon that founder William Burke sold to Devine four years ago for $15 million reportedly is on the block again. A national sports business publication reported last month that Chicago-based Devine Racing is in talks with a private equity firm that recently acquired four cycling, marathon and triathlon businesses and is on the prowl for more race-related companies. David Moross, chairman of Falconhead Capital LLC, a New York investment firm, declined to comment on the reported discussions with Devine -- but did state that more deals will occur: "All I can tell you is to stay tuned." Devine wrote in an e-mail to The Times that he was "horribly misquoted" by the Sports Business Journal, and that there is no deal to report, though he did not address whether he was in discussions with Falconhead. The publication did not respond to a request for comment. Whether the race is for sale, the rumors suggest that the once sleepy business of running marathons -- long the province of mom-and-pop operators who scramble to stage one race per year -- might finally be poised for change. "We absolutely think there's a need -- a crying need -- for consolidation on multiple fronts," said Moross, whose company acquired three endurance sports companies in San Diego County on Jan. 7. "There are a lot of revenue synergies and cost synergies, and, ultimately, we could give [runners] a much better product." For runners, that could mean easier registration, better-marked courses, plenty of water stations and, for elite competitors, better paydays. For municipalities, it could bring a stronger economic boon should the new-and-improved events attract additional out-of-town runners. Though the Los Angeles race draws as many as 25,000 runners, last year 95% were from California. In contrast, just 20% of the 23,906 athletes in last year's Boston Marathon were from Massachusetts, and 14% were from other countries. About half of the ING New York City Marathon field came from other countries. Falconhead will have to prove that it can wring additional revenue and profits from its newly acquired race-related businesses. The allure for Moross is the attractive demographics of such endurance sports as marathons, triathlons and long-distance cycling. For example, Triathlete magazine's 60,000 subscribers boast a median income of $122,600. Falconhead believes it now can offer easier access for car companies, fast-food chains and other marketers to almost 200,000 athletes who will register for races this year. "It's a good time to be selling sponsorship to marathons and other running-related events," said William Chipps, senior editor of Chicago-based IEG Sponsorship Report, which estimates that sponsorship spending for the category during 2007 rose by 14% to $77.5 million. Falconhead isn't the first company to pursue a consolidation. Devine tried to do much the same thing after acquiring the L.A. Marathon in 2004, when he assembled a high-powered team of sports marketing executives and sought out acquisitions. But the process proved more difficult than anticipated, Devine has said, because many races were not sufficiently profitable or had "suspect" bookkeeping. His Chicago-based Devine Racing, which had staffed up to market corporate sponsorship deals, ran into cash-flow problems that led to delayed payments to professional athletes who had run in Devine races. Devine, in a 2006 interview with The Times, described the cash crunch as temporary. But well into 2007 some athlete agents publicly complained about continued late payments. In a recent e-mail, Devine said that all runners in the 2007 L.A. Marathon have been paid[ME: Not sure this is true] , and that winners of December's Las Vegas Marathon will be paid before March 1 [ME: Don't Hold Your Breath!]. The international reputation of the L.A. Marathon, which will run its 23rd annual race March 2, continues to suffer, according to marathon industry observers. "Obviously, L.A. has taken a hit on the quality of the field," said agent Derek Froude, who represents such athletes as Marilson Gomes Dos Santos, who won the 2006 New York City Marathon. "I'm working with them the best I can, but there definitely are managers [who] won't deal with Devine at present, and that's hurting the overall sport." Ricky Simms, director of Teddington, England-based Pace Sports Management, which represents such runners as Stephen Ndungu of Kenya, who won the Los Angeles race in 2001 and 2002, also said that the cash crunch continues to worry some agents. "To be honest, none of our athletes have asked to run in the L.A. Marathon recently so it has not been a problem," Simms said. "But it is something that we keep an eye on." Prize money also shapes a race's image among top runners. The L.A. Marathon offers $100,000 to the first runner to finish. He or she -- a time differential is established once the top male and female field is set -- also receives a $20,000 prize and a Honda Accord. The appearance of top athletes tends to have a synergistic effect, according to Jeff Vannini, co-owner of Phidippides Encino, one of Southern California's premier running stores. Though he has run dozens of marathons, he still gets a kick out of competing against the world's best athletes. "That doesn't happen in NASCAR, football or baseball," Vannini said. Vannini also longs for a course that would incorporate a brief stretch along the Pacific Ocean. "What could be more attractive than running in Los Angeles at that time of the year?" Vannini said. "Who wouldn't want to run a race that shows everything that L.A. is about?" [END].

Note - couple this with BusinessWeek's take: " private equity groups including Falconhead Capital and Seaport Capital are studying the economics of the business, industry sources say. It's a solid growth business. The number of people finishing marathons has nearly tripled from 143,000 in 1980 to 410,000 last year, estimates the Road Running Information Center. Organizers reap handsome revenues from runners who pay up to $100 a pop -- in some cases more -- to enter races. Additionally, the managers pocket hefty sponsorship fees and marketing dollars from advertisers keen to reach the affluent demographic runners represent. "You have an average household income of $160,000, every one of them has a computer, 98% use it daily," David Moross, chief executive of Falconhead, told SportsBusiness Journal. "It is an affluent group that spends and from a marketer's perspective it is a very attractive demographic." Advertisers such as car companies and banks have flocked to runs to reach potential consumers. It's no accident that ING (ING) and LaSalle [now Bank of America (BAC)] are heavily involved with the runs in New York and Chicago. The backing of such groups has thrust hefty amounts of money into the sport. Indeed, SportsBusiness Journal reported that the ING New York City Marathon, slated for Nov. 4, (last year '07) will draw about $27 million in revenue (itself - far more for the City), even as its economic spin-off effects for hotels, restaurants, and other outfits toss still more money into play. Although it is a run by a nonprofit group, the New York Road Runners, the journal reported the outfit is likely to reap a $6 million gain (profit). Such races all over the country have been overwhelmed by the number of applicants, even as many have hiked the number of slots available for runners. New York will play host to about 38,000 runners and has had more than twice that seek slots. Chicago's race, in October, drew a like number and registration for it closed months before, last April. A combined marathon and half-marathon in Houston, slated for January, sold out 17,000 spots by early October and has been battling scalpers who are selling entries for as much as $500. Still, making sure of a payoff, particularly when getting races going, can be risky for promoters. Chicago-based Devine Sports, believed to be the second-biggest for-profit operator in the business, says it makes money on its Los Angeles marathon, which draws some 26,000 runners and thousands more for an accompanying bicycle ride. But it has lost money on new races in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, even while drawing thousands of runners, says Chief Executive Chris Devine. "We want to make sure that they become profitable in 2008 and then we'll expand," he adds. Industry-leading Elite Racing, which operates such entertainment-heavy races as the Rock 'n' Roll marathons in San Diego and San Antonio, and a country-music race in Nashville, lost money on its startups, as well, says Chief Executive Timothy Murphy. But he says the company, which he founded in the 1980s, now turns a nice profit on more than $35 million in annual revenues. "It's a good strong business, but you have to invest," says Murphy. The economics of the industry have grown treacherous as races have become entertainment extravaganzas, not just athletic competitions. The New York and Boston marathons, both run by nonprofits, are unlikely to wind up in the hands of private equity investors, running veterans argue. But Chicago's race, which Devine once owned and Murphy once ran, has changed hands a few times. It's unclear whether Bank of America, which took over LaSalle only weeks before the latest race, will keep the Chicago event over time -- though it has scheduled the October, 2008, run already. Murphy says one of his partners has been knocking on the bank's door to take the event off its hands. Murphy adds that he has been approached from time to time by investor groups interested in taking over Elite Racing and he is now talking with one he declines to name. While he says he's not intending to sell at the moment and is instead focusing on growing his business, Devine has been in and out of the field over the last 10 years. He says several private equity firms are out trolling for ways to get into the business. If there is money to be made on marathons, half-marathons, triathlons, and even smaller events, private equity firms certainly will want to run the numbers on them. [END]. I always encourage runners to visit marathonguide.com and other online forums and groups to learn and discuss specific marathons before you enter them - there are crooks in this business and Devine is one - you have to learn how well organized, supported, etc. these races are. Runners have marginalized quality experiences in marathons all the time (insufficient water stations, etc.). This blog entry illustrates why many of my seasoned long time runner friends find big & mid city size marathons entirely unappealing - it's business first and foremost. Even me with the New York Road Runners? I used to race in every single race, week after week. Now? I'll probably only race in a 4 or 5 premier events in '08, that's it. I have friends who are Race Directors, they charge $2 for the events - no T Shirt & the bib is a 3" x 5" Index Card with a Magic Marker written number on the card pinned to the top of the runner. Long time runners know what I'm talking about. The running lifestyle is just that - in and of itself - and you are no less a runner if you shy away from all these business events. The race does not define, characterize, or brand you. It's what you do - in your private moments alone - on a daily or weekly basis - putting in those miles - that says who you are. Have a great day.

Running in the Beijing Olympics: Pick Your Point of Protest

It's cold and windy - but I've gotta clock at least 5 miles this morning, damn. Check that, it's -8F with the Windchill, I am not going out running, F that! Oh well...I see China is asking all athletes of all nations to sign a contract that bans them from making political statements against China, or they will not be allowed to travel to China this summer - so they're trying to demand world-wide. British Olympic chiefs indeed tried to force their athletes to sign a contract promising not to speak out about China’s appalling human rights record – or face being banned from traveling to Beijing. China is keen to prevent events such as that at the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico City, when black American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos [Harlem Runner] raised their fist to make a "black power" salute when receiving their gold medals - photo below - I've blogged about that moment and you can read about that by clicking here....and for the British this conjured up the memories of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, when the England Soccer team was told to make a Nazi salutes in the Berlin Olympic stadium before playing Germany - to accomodate & please Hitler - and you know what....they did it, there's the photo of that disgrace below on the right - athletes forced to pay political tribute to heinous & vile political leadership. I lived in China for a while - the parallels of Hitler's Germany & China are there....China has been a nation thriving on human rights violation, repressions of freedom, illegal occupation of Tibet and now this. Well yesterday British outrage caused their Olympic Organization to make a reversal to this and the British Olympic Association (BOA) agreed to revisit language in the official contract athletes must sign ahead of competing this summer. Beijing Officials are especially unhappy about attempts to link the Olympics with China's support for the government in Sudan, implicated in the violence in Darfur - genocide. The British are well aware Germany secured propaganda value - derived by the Nazis by hosting the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. British newspaper commentator David Mellor said the British Olympic committee should "consider what effect kow-towing to totalitarian governments had in the run-up to the Second World War: none on the dictators, lasting shame on the appeasers." [ME: think about that - this is why if you are on the award stand, you must take a stand on something - hell it's China pick you violation of choice, there's a list of 10 below all worthy of protesting]. "People in China can't speak out about human rights without fear of reprisals," said Tim Hancock, campaigns director of Amnesty International. "people in Britain can. It's up to each individual to decide what they think and what they say about China's human rights record and that goes for athletes too." National Olympic bodies in a couple of smaller countries, including Belgium and New Zealand, have placed restrictions on their athletes giving political opinions in Beijing. But Australia, which will have one of the largest teams at the Games, will not stop its athletes from commenting on sensitive issues like rights abuses and the occupation of Tibet. Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates has said the country's participants are "entitled to have opinions and express them." To my understanding American and Canadian athletes have not been required to sign such contracts either. If you get a chance check out the organization behind that logo, rsf.org = Reporters Sans Frontiers (Reporters without Borders) - monitoring "Press Freedom" day by day all over the world with solid concentration on the the Beijing Olympics & crackdown of free speech on people including athletes. When you look at the totality of China's actions as a nation, it is surprising they were awarded as a host site of the Olympic games in the first place. Below are the 10 top reasons these games should have been boycotted, and they look pretty legit to me.

10 Repression of religious groups like the Falun Gong (freedom of religion is an important human right)

9 censorship & imprisonment of journalists, cyber-dissidents and press freedom activists (how can there be justice in a state without watch dogs free to speak out)

8 child, prison & sweatshop labour (we wonder how we can buy stuff so cheaply)

7 slaughter of endangered species & government sponsored slaughter of domesticated animals (time's running out for several endangered species)

6 ongoing human rights violations use of the death penalty (maybe we can re-use this one to address future bids by the USA)

5 catastrophic pollution (16 of the world’s top 20 most polluted cities are in China)

4 defective and dangerous products (if price is the bottom line ... but maybe consumers are rethinking that)

3 cultural genocide in Tibet (There's been a call on a general boycott of China for it's actions in Tibet since 2002)

2 genocide in Darfur over Oil (it's already come up this year in France's presidential elections)

1 Support for the Burma regime (who else is there who can quickly pressure the Burmese military to stop the persecution of their people?)

I would hope some of these athletes that have the spotlight on them, in the momen, do what Tommie Smith & Harlem's John Carlos did in the Olympics in that 1968 Mexico City photo above - perhaps the greatest moment in Olympic history. When you have the stage - that's the time to be significant - to be relevant to something grand - that's precisely when it's time to make a statement that's bigger than you and the moment you're in. Let's hope some athletes realize the stage they're on and their chance to be legendary for human rights worldwide. Have a great day!

Charles Rangel - Keith Wright & The Ignorant Negroes of Harlem

Getting ready for a Sunday 9 miler and as I do run through my community, I wonder, what is wrong with these Negroes? These Negroes that live there on the left - in Harlem. I can't get the NY State Primary out of my mind. Kevin Wardally, a Clinton consultant with deep roots in Harlem politics, published the numbers for Charlie Rangel's 15th Congressional District of New York (Harlem) , with 92 percent reporting:

Hillary 50,404 - 54%
Obama 41,610 - 46%

Wardally's take: "Old Harlem lives." It was the only African-American majority district in the state Clinton won. [ME: A reflection of the depth of ignorance John Q. Public Harlem Negro ( in the aggregate and in general - to say, "Old Harlem Lives" is in and of itself very insulting, think about it, a regressive statement, a glee in saying Obama's theme of "Change" does not apply to Harlem]. On a political Blog a Harlem resident responded to this point by stating "Perhaps the reason why Clinton was able to pull this number is because there were delegates like NY Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright. [ME: I know Keith, that's him below on the left - not bright or intelligent, his mother basically set him up to the position and role he has today in Harlem politics - if Rangel says "jump" Keith ask "how high" - he's little more than a puppet on a string, a foot soldier in Rangel's "machine"]. Wright who used manipulative tactics targeted at older black voters such us circulating the following letter. It clearly encourages residents to vote for a certain group of delegates (Clinton's people) without disclosing that by doing so they would ultimately be voting for Hillary. It read: February 4, 2008 Dear Riverton Neighbors: As Harlem prepares to decide who is the next President of The United States, I am asking you to vote for a number of delegates to the Democratic National Convention. These delegates will represent Harlem to the world, an important task as we enter the most decisive election of this generation. The delegates are; City Councilwoman Inez Dickens, Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito, City Councilman Miguel Martinez, activist Pamela Bates, and myself. Harlem must get out the vote and we must ensure that the issues important to our community are placed front and center at the Democratic National Convention. When this slate of delegates goes to Colorado to nominate the next President, our community will want our strongest voices heading up the nomination, and with these delegates, Harlem has its strongest voices. Whoever the Democratic nominee ends up being, they must listen to the needs of Harlem by nominating this slate of delegates, they must assuredly will. Thank you for voting and helping to maintain our community's dominance in City, State and National politics! If you should have any problems with any of the polling sites, please contact the New York City Board Elections immediately. I look forward to seeing you on the Primary Day, February 5th, 2008! Sincerely, Keith L.T. Wright Member of Assembly" [END]. Yup, that's what Keith did, as instructed to by Charles Rangel - this is classic Harlem. The political leaders dupe a community for their own interest (to vote for Hillary). Rangel & Wright know in the aggregate the community is grossly under-educated/under-informed - or in other words " ignorant" and they do all they can to exploit that fact. Rangel's operated this way for decades, this practice and Rangel is really the shame of Harlem. Ever see the Chris Rock routine wherein he makes the distinction between Black people and Niggers? Like Chris Rock said, "I love Black people, I hate niggers". "Niggers like to not know shit"! If you stay up on politics you know regardless of race, higher educated people prefer Obama over Hillary by a considerable margin, it's not even close. Also note when you get away from Harlem, Obama routinely captures 75% - 85% of the Black vote regardless of education, again, not even close. With that foundation, how is it that this voting produced results appreciably incongruent with every single other Black regional demographic, can you explain that? Are Blacks supposed to vote for Obama because he's Black? No, however the disparity relative to other Black regional voting bases is gross, extreme, and warrants some explanation. It goes far beyond the fact that Hillary is a NY State Senator, after all, most of Brooklyn is the 11th Congressional District where regardless of ethnicity they voted Obama with 55.8 percent to Clinton’s 44.2 percent. How does Obama beat Hillary in Brooklyn by 11 points, but lose to Hillary in Harlem by 8 points? That cannot be explained in a way that does not illustrate the ignorant negroes of Harlem coupled with the unethical politicians like Rangel & Wright. Look, Oprah said it best, "Don't tell me I am voting for Obama because he's Black........don't play me small.....I am voting for Obama because he's brilliant". My sentiments exactly. Let's get something straight here - I don't give a damn if a politician is Black. Full disclosure: Google my name, Charels Rangel, and Mississippi. In '06 Rangel, on the congressional floor, insulted anyone who would want to live in Mississippi - this was front page CNN news at the time - and he did this right after my mother lost everything she owned (except her life) due to Hurricane Katrina and returned to her coastal Mississippi village, her concrete slab of a former home, in Waveland, MS to volunteer in rebuilding the community. I wrote a Op Ed letter that was picked up by 20+ newspapers in the South and about 100+ political blogs - Google it - you'll see it...and I summarily ripped Rangel a new asshole and I've been doing that...ripping Rangel publicly for a long while - why? He's a scoundrel of the worse kind, always has been. Do a WHOIS search and you'll see I own www.CharlesRangel.com, not him. That too illustrates how dumb Rangel & his staff are in a nutshell. During the 90's and through 2004, they lacked the basic intelligence to secure his own brand and strategic asset - his name. For years I had a hit piece on Rangel published there that was in the New York Times & Washington Post every now and then - I have the site down now but am working on something. The point? Being a Black politician holds no favor with me, zero, none, far from it - Rangel can't stand me. Now don't get me wrong, there are lots of intelligent well informed and educated Black people who dwell in Harlem, indeed there are extremely sharp, bright, truly brilliant Black Harlemites - this past Summer I in fact met a future Obama (if you will). The problem is they're outnumbered by these dumb negroes by a factor of 10-1 and manipulated by politicians like Charles Rangel & Keith Wright. I love Harlem, but Harlem on many levels is an embarrassment and it's illustrated in the results of the NY State Primary last week in context of the rest of New York City like Brooklyn, and rest of the United States & that letter from the Rangel Democratic Machine. That's Rangel and Hillary up top on the right - If your choice is Hillary or McCain - that's cool. This Blog entry is not so much about Hillary or Obama, it's about Harlem, how perplexing that vote result is in context, and the tactics of Charles Rangel & Keith Wright. Sorry y'all - it has to be said, and I am saying it. Have a great day!

Running into a Great Dane @ Marathon Finish Line. Harlem & Haarlem

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I've been too busy to run, not cool - however I am going to clock about 9 miles this morning in Central Park. However before I do - let me share with you something that is indeed cool, the name Harlem comes from the Dutch city of Haarlem. When New York was New Amsterdam, this section in northern Manhattan was known as Nieuw Haarlem and the eight miles of waterway that flowed along its eastern shore between became the Harlem River. Governor General Peter Stuyvesant (1592-1672) of New Amsterdam offered newcomers between 40 and 50 acres per family to settle in the sparsely populated area, and a diverse group of settlers accepted. I'm still waiting on my 40 Acres & a Mule but I'll blog about that later - but here and now Harlem '08 throws back some shine on a a Great Dane and that's photographer Erik Refner, a Berlingske Tidende (Newspaper) photographer based in Denmark, won the first prize of the Sports Features Stories category with this picture of a marathon runner taken at the Copenhagen Marathon finish line taken May 18, 2007. This was the prize-winning entry of the World AP Press Photo Contest 2008, the world's largest annual press photography contest, were announced yesterday. REUTERS/Erik Refner/Berlingske Tidende. Click here to see some of his other photos at the finish, facial close ups like the one above - the guy is an amazing photogrpaher - photos like above very inspirational. Have a terrific day!

"Competition Gaining on Running Stores" : "Our Inventory is Narrow, I Keep The Selection Small" - SuperRunners Shop - New York City

I see in today's Small Business Section of the New York Times Jan Ellen Speigel wrote an article titled "Competition Gaining on Running Stores". I know a little bit about running shoes & stores so let's see what she wrote, "Some of the stores are seemingly no bigger than a closet and their wares fairly limited. But for a generation, specialty running stores have managed to survive — even thrive — around the country despite competition from the big chains and online and mail order outlets. These small stores may be at a turning point, though. They face newly invigorated competition from bigger players looking for a piece of their profitable action. Chief among them is Road Runner Sports, a 25-year-old mail order (and now Internet) powerhouse based in San Diego. The company is opening its 19th store this month, and its president and chief executive, Michael Gotfredson, has a goal of 100. The Road Runner stores offer the same personalized service as their specialty rivals but are far bigger (8,500 square feet of selling space, on average) and have a more extensive inventory. At the same time, the specialty running stores are, in effect, graying. Some of the pioneers of the genre got into the business more than 30 years ago, and are now close to retirement age, many without a succession plan. “I think a lot of specialty stores are at a critical juncture,” said Tom Raynor, chairman and chief executive of Fleet Feet, which started in 1976 and now has 80 franchised stores nationwide. His company, he said, has a mechanism in place to help retiring owners of stores. But, he added, other small-store owners “don’t have any good viable exit strategy.” “The hope that they’ll sell the business for a million bucks and retire to Tahiti is not reasonable.” For the time being, though, the small running stores are strong. According to a survey by the Leisure Trends Group in Boulder, Colo., there are more than 700 specialty running stores representing about 450 owners around the United States. In 2006, they accounted for $596 million in sales. Figures for the first half of 2007 showed a 12.4 percent sales increase over the period in 2006. “The species is strong,” said Mark Sullivan of Formula 4 Media, founded in 2005 to harness what he and his partners saw as a huge potential in specialty running stores. The company helped start the Independent Running Retailers Association; it publishes a newsletter and holds an annual conference and trade show called the Running Event, which has grown by about 40 percent to 600 participants in its two years in existence. “Right now as a class of trade, running specialty is hot and has been hot for the last three years. If you opened a running specialty store in the last three years and you could walk and chew gum, you would do O.K.” But Mr. Sullivan agreed, “It’s about to stiffen up.” Gary Muhrcke, who won the first New York City Marathon in 1970, was one of the first people to ride the early wave of interest in running into the running business — selling shoes from the back of his van in 1976. Now 67, with a thin runner’s body and a shock of gray hair, Mr. Muhrcke owns Super Runners Shops in Manhattan and in Huntington, on Long Island. Personal service with shoes, in particular, he said, is the reason for his longevity.“I can’t see the shape of a person’s foot over the phone,” he said. “I can’t do a gait analysis over the phone. I can’t look at a person’s body structure or size or whether they’re bowlegged over the Internet.” [ME: Gary is big on diversion, assumption, and obfuscation. It's not like when you go to a retail store they "get it right"- people buy shoes at a retail store that don't work out ALL THE TIME]. He added, “The basic reason why we’re still here — we’re needed.” [ME: No, no you are not! Has the world stopped traveling since Priceline, Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire, etc. put 90% of the retail travel agents out of business? Consumers are better off with online travel agents: better selection, options, & value - Same thing Gary}. Still, he said, he would entertain offers to buy his stores, “without a doubt.” Mr. Gotfredson of Road Runner Sports said he believed that his stores and catalog dovetail, more than compete, with small stores. But specialty running store owners are generally not happy to see Road Runner coming. “It’s a fact of life some people will do anything to save $3 so they’ll come to our store and get fitted and then go up the block and buy it there,” said Leanore Gallardo, whose flagship Metro Run & Walk in Falls Church, Va. — one of three she owns in the Washington area — is about to face a Road Runner Sports a mile away. “Only a fool would not be concerned,” she said. It complicates plans by Ms. Gallardo, 62, to sell her store and retire. “It’s a concern that I think about every day of my life,” said Ms. Gallardo, who has already had one sale fall through. That is why Julie Francis, 49, who opened a store in 2001 called soundRunner With No Boundaries in Branford, Conn., told her son Preston, 24, that he had five years to decide whether he wanted to take over the business. He runs a recently opened second store in nearby Madison. Ms. Francis, like virtually every owner, vendor, industry analyst and runner, attributed the success of specialty running stores to three factors. First is the running shoes — the most important product running stores sell, accounting for about 60 percent of sales. Stores have made their reputations on the ability to fit customers personally and properly. [ME: Here they want you to accept & assume their words as fact.. entirely uncontested...I spent 3 decades buying shoes at Retail Running Shops. NEVER AGAIN. This is nothing more than sales spin, people are sold shoes that don't work out for them ALL THE TIME and we often went to that specialty store because they were the ONLY game in town - there was no where else to go to buy the shoe, - any positive rep they got could have just been by default and was established in a pre-online world]. “I was running actually in the wrong shoes for years, and I was getting injuries all the time,” said Sarah Vaughan, 52 of Hamden, Conn., who said she had bought shoes at chains like Sports Authority before trying a specialty running store five years ago. “They looked at my foot and the shape of my foot and the kind of running that I do and they put me in the right shoe and I’ve been injury-free since.” [ME: It's just as easy to find and publish a horror story too! - this is just spin to slant an editorial angle and nothing more]. Second, the stores have adapted through the years to a broader clientel of fitness runners and walkers, half of whom are women. They are not just for elite runners anymore. Data from the National Sporting Goods Association for 2006 found that 20.6 million people identified themselves as frequent or occasional runners and 68.9 million as frequent or occasional walkers. The specialty stores have also assumed a role in their communities, sponsoring races, clinics, training, medical referrals and social networks. Consider, for example, Saturday mornings at Common Grounds in Branford, which is usually crowded with three dozen runners of all levels socializing after group runs. “You’re getting the whole package there,” said John Febbraio of Guilford, Conn., 55, who started running after his wife began three years ago through a clinic at the store. “Everything you need — advice and merchandise and friendship. [ME: No, there's better and broader advice at running forums online all over the place - informed experienced "community" knows more - and "friendship"? When the foundation & basis of the relationship has a commercial interest in the equation - are you really friends? Yeah, we're friends as long as my Gold Card keeps "Ka-Ching'ing" right? Spare me...please, I am sure they're nice people....but c'mon...]. A fellow coffee drinker, Jerry Turk, 49, an ultra-marathoner, said he liked the training camaraderie the store provided, but tended to buy his equipment online from Zappos and Sierra Trading Post. “It’s availability and price,” he said, pointing to his feet. “This particular shoe I couldn’t find anywhere else.” But vendors like Asics, Nike and Brooks say they still see the specialty running store as the best market for their products. “It’s introducing our brand to people a pair of feet at a time, and that usually happens at a specialty store,” said Jim Weber, the president and chief executive of Brooks. He said the company places 80 percent of its products in specialty stores. “Over the last 10 years,” he said, “our bad-debt losses have been large accounts and almost none in specialty running shops. “No one does it better than a running store.” [END]. One thing that's neat about this blog is I can speak truth - Runner's World, Running Times, etc. cannot - they are partners with the industry to fleece you and make you feel insecure about buying running shoes online, etc. I can say what they cannot publish. When you walk into a running store you are disadvantaged from the front door, it's an uneven playing field, the dynamics and commercial retail tactics are at play. I've blogged about this several times, their job and goal is to sell you their inventory - period. Usually at a typical shop their inventory is slim & narrow. It's a "racket" as most retail is. Companies (Shoe Makers) strategically strong-arm retail stores to maximize shelf space for them, and to minimize and limit shelf space & exposure of their competitor - thereby steering you to their product. 10 Years ago it was so bad in NYC that by "default" if you bought a running shoe - it was going to be an Asics - Asics rigged retail landscape well and controlled the local retail stores. I've spoken to New Balance abou this (Asics controlling the local retail shelves). Retail is about real estate - exposure to the customer and their is a whole "back end" dynamic you are not aware of explaining why you rarely see Mizuno shoes for example at a small retail running shop. I still get hate mail for ripping on SuperRunner's Shop & that blog entry. In that blog entry you will see SuperRunners founder and owner Gary Muhrcke who is quoted in this article above - he said "Our inventory is very narrow and very deep. We don’t have a selection of a hundred different models of shoes. We carry what I think are the best running shoes in New York and I keep the selection small". Do I really need to say anymore? Do you see how you're F'#@% 'ed from the very start when you walk into a place like "SuperRunners Shops"? Gary really said that - in a 2005 interview in a business magazine -check it, he's freaking 1984/Orwell - that's him on the left telling you what you will wear - what "I think are the best", "I keep the selection small" - you the runner don't know shit! Do you think he would expose this truth in Runner's World Magazine? Of course not. Runner's are worse off, not better, with this approach. Gary's a great salesman, very successful at a business model that's not good for you the runner and assumes it's 1974 or something and he's the arbiter of your choice in a running shoe. Truth is Gary's got agreements with Asics to dedicate a certain % of his shelf space to them (at the expense of Asics' competitors ) and to push Asics product on you - it's all business, nothing personal (as in personal service). The best shoe for you may well be a shoe that cannot even make it to Gary's shelf space due to the business constructs at work in retail shelves - Mizuno does not have a fair shot to make it's way in the store - it's all "rigged" before you walk in the store. Furthermore they "miss" just as much as they "hit" for the customer - I love how they want you to defer to them their word on how they always "get it right" (shoe selection) - laughable. I have to say this because you will not hear this elsewhere - and yes - I will get 3 or 4 hate emails, told I'm an "ass", etc....all because I dare to speak to the old world business model that disadvantages you - the runner. I suffered the BS of retail specialty running shops and their limited selection & full prices in the '70's, 80's, & 90's - be glad you don't have to! Runners will be better off when the specialty running shops are the next travel agents! Have a great day.

Running into a Dead Body : Pearl Izumi

It almost hit 70F yesterday in NYC - first week of February.....and damn, I was too busy with real life (business crap) to run at any point day or night. I did not let that happen today - just clocked a solid 5 miler in Central Park.....did not find any dead people either. Pearl Izumi. Do you remember this ad campaign last year from Pearl Izumi? Check the video below if you don't - there's a page on the left of the ads they took out last year in Runner's World and the like - it's true too, runner's and joggers always discover dead people, all over the world...happens all the time, we cover a lot of ground, we're out there; parks, streets, trails....we run where bodies generally show up. You've never been running and discovered a body? I have, well actually I was second on the scene....and no, it was not where you would think (Central Park or Harlem)....it was on a gorgeous California beach - I was running right on the shore line.....I chanced upon a man looking down assessing another man wearing a swim suit and lying on his back seemingly washed up on the shoreline, eyes & mouth wide open. The man observing said he himself just chanced upon the scene - the guy was very dead - full rigor mortis. So yes, I can relate to the Pearl Izumi Ad having discovered a body. Now as for Pearl Izumi running shoes? That is one brand I've never owned - I believe they're a cycling company and have been trying to get into running - I know they claim an MSRP of their shoes of $100 and more - yet you can always buy all the models brand new on Ebay for $50 shipped (often even less). I rarely see runners in Pearl Izumi shoes though - and I don't like to characterize a shoe having not ran a mile in it.....however it's probably crap. Why? The shoe gets in discounted retail channels very quickly - often you can find these Pearl Izumi shoes for $10 - $20 brand new on Craigs List and on Ebay. A quality shoe does not end up available like this - check the video to get up to speed on what all the uproar was all about with Running & Pearl Izumi. Have a terrific day!

Running into The Red Bands &The Red States

I've been training regularly - decent stuff 5 & 6 milers at a 7:30 pace - have yet to crank it up - I saw something on Ebay that's tempting me to break form my pattern of shoe buying, a pair of Newton Stability Racer running shoes, 3 days left in the auction, they're my size (9.5), and right now there is 1 bidder @$99. That's the shoe there on the right (please don't bid against me, the blog is real - just being authentic here). I wonder if a last minute (sniper) bid of $101.51 or so could win me the shoes? Damn, this would break everything I believe in in acquiring running shoes. I never pay more than $59 or so for a pair of shoes, I always buy shoes on closeout, then use on-line coupons, etc. When the smoke clears I generally pay $65 or so with shipping for a shoe that 6 or 9 months ago cost $100 - $130. But this is different, you cannot buy these shoes anywhere, I think there is like 1 or 2 dealers, and they're both in Colorado. You have to go to the company, Newton to buy these shoes and they go from $155 - $175. You rarely if ever get a chance to buy Newton running shoes at 33% off what they sell for - and this might be a chance....damn, what to do? Hell, you're only on this planet for a nanosecond - why the hell not? Who knows, I may win the auction. I'll be honest - I am seeing at least 1 runner a week, sometimes 2, now in Central Park in Newton Running shoes. I hate to say it but these easily identifiable running shoes communicate a measure of running status even (though I hate to even concede that) - they do - not the price - the awareness & knowledge of the shoe's existence - most serious runners have never heard of Newton running shoes... again...basically only available from the company. I just hate not being practical - damn I'm torn and conflicted - I am so curious about this damn shoe - what it feels like - how's the ride over the course of a road 10K or half marathon? The 30 years as a runner in me and knowing shoes in and out is incredibly skeptical that this shoe is measures above and beyond any number of racing flats I could list and buy at half the price...that's indeed more likely than not...but there's always a chance - perish the thought - but I am wrong...., and indeed this shoe is the Cat's Meow! Hence I am curious. I can't blast the shoe till I've tried it, right? Last year I blogged about this shoe and the Douglas Brown of the Denver Post article about the shoe and founders of the company. The bounce in those red bands you see on the forefoot on the left can be explained by Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion - for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction - and it's the inspiration for the company name. You can click on the links to read all about Newton shoe technology, etc. My only question is there are lots and lots of running shoes that are designed with all this in mind, already incorporated in the design. Newton Running Shoe has not come up with some new approach or theory. For me, I would justify the purchase on the foundation of buying into the technology of this one shoe - those 4 red bands you see - In that article about the shoe & founders behind the company, I will excerpt & comment: Danny Abshire (founder) say Newtons (running shoes) coax runners to land on the middle or the front of their feet, where the jolts, Abshire says, are a bit less jarring. ["coax" wtf?] "The idea is when you land, your ankle is flexed and your heel is flexed, and you're like a human shock absorber," he says. "You run faster automatically." Abshire's fluorescent shoes sport a raised, springy ridge toward the front that causes the shoe to bounce when it strikes the under the shoe right at the forefoot. You can read the article but for me it's those red bands...hum?...Speaking of "red" isn't it amazing - the RED STATES. On the Democratic side.... last I saw Obama got 67% of the voters in Colorado, 79% in Idaho, 49% of Missouri to Hillary's 48%. Red States (White people) choosing Obama over Hillary. I have faith in America! Does anyone think Hillary can win a nation-wide election when she can't win Missouri within her own party in context of all the factors involved?, she's too divisive - a continuation of family rule ( Bush/Clinton) is not America (nearly 30 years is enough already) and we need a "makeover" - the whole damn country does. There's really no good news on any front - and McCain says 100 years in Iraq is just fine. When you're White (she got 39%), and you lose in Utah to a Black person (he got 57%)...you got problems.....people really really really don't like you. Okay, I know I am asking a lot to think America would vote a Black man into office - But I would have thought there is no way Obama could win Missouri too - you never know, Obama could be "the engine that could" - and they'll (America) damn sure do that (vote this Black man Obama into office) before they vote Hillary into office - if you doubt that check the Red States. It can happen, yes it can...no, yes we can. Have a great day!

The Sex in Stair Racing: Blonde Obsession

Today is the NYRR 31st Empire State "Run Up" where runners will be racing up stairs to the 86th floor observation deck of Manhattan's tallest building - 1,576 steps. I realize it may shock some but the world actually does not revolve around us New York City people and this kind of thing (running up tall buildings) is done all the time all over the world. In fact this past weekend was KL Tower International Forest Towerthon Challenge 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (that's the KL Tower over on the right) - a 1KM hilly run to the tower - than climbing 2,058 stairs up the tower shaft of KL Tower. This Blogger-Runner gives a good race report on last week's event. Check the the race schedule for stair climbing world wide? How crazy are people? Did you know there is an "International Federation of Stair Racers"?Ya know in Seattle, for example, they climb 1,643 steps of the Columbia Center twice a year. In Toronto they race to the top of the CN Tower’s 113 stories. In Chicago, stair climbers run up the Sears Tower’s 1,643 steps, and “Hustle up the Hancock,” a race up the city’s Hancock Building. Wanna bet this whole craze is the invention and vision of a man? Is it not all very phallic and only a reflection of man's obsession with his penis. Towers are Phallic symbols - in fact The World's Most Phallic Building contest was a contest held in 2003 . Just look at that poster for the KL Towerthon race in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The whole world is obsessed with blonde white women - if a blonde White woman is lost/kidnapped/missing/whatever CNN goes into FULL ALERT!....and here in one image we see the erect tower and blonde white woman (in Malaysia mind you, a land known for its indigenous blonde white women right?), her arms spread open as if to say, "oh take me oh mighty tower"...and furthermore, why does the tower have to be White? Think I'm wrong about this? In a couple of weeks is Chicago's "Hustle Up The Hancock". Does that event logo look like a race event or a trashy urban novel or film about pimps & hookers?, you decide. Do I have to say any more? Operative words being Hustle - Up - Hand - Cock. I rest my case - have a great day!

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" Yes We Can!

[Start] A little railroad engine was employed about a station yard for such work as it was built for, pulling a few cars on and off the switches. One morning it was waiting for the next call when a long train of freight-cars asked a large engine in the roundhouse to take it over the hill "I can't; that is too much a pull for me," said the great engine built for hard work. Then the train asked another engine, and another, only to hear excuses and be refused. In desperation, the train asked the little switch engine to draw it up the grade and down on the other side. "I think I can," puffed the little locomotive, and put itself in front of the great heavy train. As it went on the little engine kept bravely puffing faster and faster, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." As it near the top of the grade, which had so discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly. However, it still kept saying, "I--think--I--can, I--think--I--can." It reached the top by drawing out bravery and then went on down the grade, congratulating itself by saying, "I thought I could, I thought I could."[END]. if you've never crossed a finish line feeling this.....you've never challenged yourself much in a race. No one gave the Giants a chance against the might Patriots - except themselves. I am always for the underdog, I have always been the underdog in everything. I am comfortable having the odds stacked up against me. I watched that Superbowl last night and it only reaffirmed my commitment to always aim high and be the little engine that could. Yes, you can. No..... better yet, "Yes We Can". Have a fantastic day!

Pro Runner or Cry Baby, You Decide: Meb Keflezighi

A Harlem 26.2 reader sent me an email last week commenting on how they've been spotting Marathon Superstar Meb Keflezighi training in Central Park lately. There on the left below is a photo of Meb near the Reservoir on the East Side in Central Park training. Steve Nearman of the Washington Times today has written about about Meb Keflezighi, the article struck with me as illustrative of "not-so-good journalism" and a defeated runner, I shall address in detail as to why. Steve Nearman wrote, " Meb Keflezighi is supposed to be training for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. But in the marathon world, things rarely go as planned. [ME: I disagree. For elite superstars like Meb it's common for them to race near their maximum potential for that day - sometimes that equates to 8th place or 15th, etc. Even for weekend warriors like me it's not "rare" for things to go as planned]. Keflezighi, expected to be a shoo-in for the U.S. Olympic marathon team this summer, failed to finish in the top three at the U.S. Olympic trials men's marathon last November. Keflezighi, who won the silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004, won't be running in Beijing. "Obviously, it was very disappointing," said Keflezighi, who was eighth in 2:15:09, more than a mile off his best time. "My cards didn't play right. The last thing I was expecting was not making the team. I went in trying to win the race." [ME: "my cards didn't play right? wtf does that mean? I've spoken with Meb numerous times - have ran with him in Central Park - he knows better than to rationalize performance in this context - random chance or "cards" had nothing to do with his performance]. For the American from Eritrea, every marathon since New York City in 2005 has been a disaster. "I'll be honest with you, the last three marathons have not tested my fitness," said Keflezighi, who is training in San Diego before moving to altitude at Mammoth Lakes, Calif. "Starting with New York City and the food poisoning in '06, London and the blisters in '07, then the trials (at miles 15-16, his right calf became painful, causing him to overcompensate and injure the glutes and piriformis). [ME: cry me a river Meb, really - take your excuses to someone who cares -your competitors and boss (Nike) don't. I was sick as a dog on NYC Marathon Day '07 - on Chloraseptic, Nyquil & some other crap - no one cares - you're a pro - you know you are what you are, that day, you just have not done the right things to have a better next day]. "You try really hard. Sometimes you have to get lucky, and I haven't been lucky. Every marathon since the '05 New York City Marathon, I haven't been on the podium." [ME: Meb's done y'all. Finished, I say he should hang up his Nike's and coach somewhere. This is not the psychology of a Champion]. Keflezighi said he is still early in his training, fighting a head cold and still recovering from the injuries from last November's trials. He was hoping to run the USA Cross Country championships because the meet is in San Diego. [Why even bother saying you're fighting a head cold in the moment? Good gracious - hell us everyday runners deal with all sorts of crap on a daily basis not even worth mentioning - but we press on, Meb's done]. Instead, he will skip cross country and prepare for April 13, when he will run the London Marathon. [My readers, remember how I told you the Boston Marathon is demised and fading? Another example, Meb has a better chance to win and earn more money @ Boston than in London, especially in the category of the earmarked prize money for the first American, etc. - yet here we see Boston's lost any luster of appeal and today I will be rooting for the Giants to kick the Patriots ass in the SuperBowl!, so take that Boston!]. Then Keflezighi's focus will shift to his only other chance to qualify for the Olympics this year — this time in the 10,000 meters on July 4. "It's definitely a competitive, tough field," said Keflezighi, who will turn 33 in May. "Like the marathon, it will be loaded. I still will do a fall marathon." [Meb's lost y'all - and I will say this to him in person. #1 you never look ahead. When you're a pro, your total focus is on your next race, that's it, not a B plan or the following race after next. If Meb is racing in the Olympic Trials in July @ 10K for a spot on the Olympic team, victory negates a Fall Marathon as he'll be training for a medal in Beijing @ 10K and on the Olympic team. Mentally he's already conceded he won't qualify his July 10K race and is looking past it]. He has not committed to that fall race yet, although he has run a marathon in New York the past four Novembers. Keflezighi has won two 10,000-meter races in the Olympic trials, one in 2000 when he was 12th in the Olympic final in Sydney despite having the flu and one in 2004. [notice the pattern of excuses by Meb? I do]. But he opted to compete only in the marathon in 2004, when he won the silver in the Marathon. "My training has been there," Keflezighi said of his preparations for London. "I'm just getting started again. Maybe I will take a week off after London, then 12 weeks to the Olympic trials." When asked whether he would go for the marathon at the 2012 Olympics, Keflezighi laughed. "As long as the body is healthy, in the marathon I still have a shot at it," he said. "Carlos Lopes did it [won the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic marathon in a still record 2:09:21], and he was 37. I am still 32, plenty of time for the marathon." [END]. Pretty lousy journalism if you ask me. Why? The writer never mentions a peep of Meb's less than spectacular middle distance racing & Half marathons since his great NYC 2nd place. The writer never probes into "solutions" to the series of repeated problems - he just swallows what Meb says hook, line, and sinker, and Meb says a lot of nonsensical bullshit and yes, anything can happen on marathon day but for Meb it's been happening also on his middle distance race days for the past years too, 10Ks, and Half Marathons. I hold professionals on a totally different and higher standard than I do us regular people that just run when we can. It's their 24/7/365 job to just run - that's it, that's all. Meb's high on a pattern of juvenile amateur excuses on his critical day of professional performance: (1) Food Poisoning? (2) Blisters? What next Meb? I suppose a Dog Ate Your Homework? I counter this with a runner like Paula Radcliffe - who 10 months after pregnancy and giving birth to a child - came back and won the NYC Marathon. Do you think Paula had a few physiological obstacles to marathon running to overcome? Like Meb, Paula too is a professional Nike runner. The difference between them? Paula's got no excuses, not even pregnancy. Meb? Oh he's got an upset stomach. Have a great day.

Kara Goucher Kicks More Ass: Is Kara Black?

World 10,000 meters bronze medalist Kara Goucher returned to action this weekend after undergoing minor knee surgery over Christmas - arthroscopic knee surgery to remove torn cartilage. Goucher competed in the one-mile event at the Millrose Games here in NYC last night. Goucher heading into last night's race said: "I still think I can get out there and run some good races. I love racing, I love pushing myself." She added: "Even though the preparation hasn't been perfect, it doesn't change the fact that I want to get out there and test myself." Damn! Perhaps it's the typical man in me but I always run words like that through the lens of sex...and what a great attitude! I bet she's an incredible lover. For the record, I am not marginalizing her down to sex - no way, I am just employing transference and appreciating how she probably takes that same spirited posture in her intimate relations with her husband (lucky son-of-a-bitch that he is). Anyway, in the women’s mile Kara Goucher out dueled Sara Hall (Marathon Superstar Ryan Hall's wife) in a hard-fought battle, 4:36.03 to 4:36.11, with the runners bumping shoulders down the homestretch. It was the first race on a banked track since 1999 and Kara said about her victory. “I didn’t know if I could win here but I thought that I could be competitive,” Goucher said. “I had to take some time off but I am so much ahead of where I have been in the past.” In yesterday's blog entry I posted a photo of Kara - did you see that body shot? No offense to the white people but that just ain't no every day white woman middle distance runner body - oh hell no. Kara's got an ethnic body y'all. Now she comes from Duluth, MN. Look at her face - any doubt she's got a health dose of bloodlines with roots in The Dakota Sioux or Ojibwe (Chippewa)? Okay to really break it down - she was actually born in Queens, NY - just over the bridge from Harlem...however she grew up in Duluth, MN - who would actually move to Duluth, MN? (from New York City)? Do have any idea how far off the beaten path Duluth is? Why go there? Okay, I'm thinking one or both parents for whatever reason went back home/to be near family, a common reason driving relocation - she being the child consequently moved back to where she may indeed have family relations - Duluth, MN. I could be wildly off the mark, I could be close, regardless- she's still strikes as having some Native American blood in her that's not too far removed generationally. That beautiful face & body alone is a dead giveaway to Native American something....and the whole Duluth thing kind of tips the scales - that area is heavily Native American in roots - Native American blood flows abundantly in them parts...right? I know she's not Black, but she could be on the ethnic "down low", something Black folks know all about. Black folks know there is a history of people that are clearly Black, well beyond the "one drop" rule or 1/64th or 1/32nd or whatever standard - but on the down low. I bet right now there are some Native Americans somewhere very proud of her but saying, "damn, Kara - come on out the close and stand up!". I'm a big Kara fan & fan of Native American Distance runners & history, Billy Mills and all that.... - don't you love that photo above? Look at Kara's face, the composure, look at Sara distressed and freaking out. What's Kara thinking?....."Don't even think about it"....or "Get the fuck back". Elbowing like that in the final stretch...that's some aggressive fighting for every inch - that is some real racing shit there. Maybe Kara's thinking, "....you killed my people, stole my fucking land, you are not winning this race..... pale face". Regardless - I doubt they're friends - Kara is one cool competitive customer....Have a great day!

Run in Beijing & Burn Your Lungs

Had a nice 7 miler yesterday - I am getting back into the swing of things - it's the first of the month, no more fooling around, it's time to get down and seriously train - I start my run weeks on Saturday but I'm cranking it up to 80 miles/week, going to clock 7 strong this morning. Just about 20 years ago I was living in Beijing - yup - and yes, I used to run in Beijing - Not sure I would do that today, why? I was reading were Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley [California] have some of the most-polluted air in the United States. San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District director Seyed Sadredin was interviewed on how their air quality compared to Beijing as it prepares for the 2008 Summer Olympics. On our worst days, the valley’s air quality is 10 to 50 times better than typical readings in Beijing, Sadredin said. Sadredin said pollution is so thick in Beijing that its normal for people there to cough up black mucous or see black char on a tissue after they wipe their faces. “I don’t think they should have scheduled the Olympic games there,” he said. “Athletes take in a much higher dosage of air they’re breathing. A marathon runner running several hours under those conditions could have permanent lung damage.” Even when I lived there it was commonplace tosee lots and lots of people walking around in their normal endeavors - just going about their business - but wearing masks to protect themselves from the air - just like in those photos. Superstar Marathoner & record holder Haile Gebrselassie has said "If things are still heavily polluted I would try to run a different distance, instead of the marathon. Last year Britain's Paula Radcliffe called in pollution experts to help her plans to run in the Games marathon. At the time her husband and manager Gary Lough told BBC Sport that Radcliffe, who suffers from exercise-induced asthma, may have to change her medication in China. "She may have to adapt her doses or medication but as long as we've done enough research and thought about it, it hopefully won't be an issue," he said. If you're reading this blog from NYC or thereabout and are not doing anything today/tonight - want to see some intense running indoors - several Olympians, etc. head over to Madison Square Garden - today is the Millrose Games. You can find there the complete schedule - I would suggest you just show up and buy tickets at the event - I am sure there will be scalpers out there and you should be able to get a decent seat for as little as $20....the line up does not really excite me too much, I've seen many of the runners before - however one that will be there, who I've blogged about serveral times is that woman above - superstar Kara Goucher - and Kara's running in New York City tonight! Have a great day!