The Run Thru Hell was a lot of fun! Boy, it was cold, about 34 degrees at race start. It was 41 by the time I arrived home, about three hours later. The course wasn't the 10-mile one of the usual Run Thru Hell, but a 10K. It was still pretty hilly, although not as bad as the longer course. And, it wasn't 90 degrees with 90% humidity.
Folks were all dressed up, adding to the festive atmosphere. Batman, Spidey, the Flintstones, lots of devils and witches, a couple astronauts/cosmonauts, the Joker etc. I found Waldo. Scoobie was there, too, with Velma or Daphne, I don't know which. A guy dressed as the Olympic gold medal swimmer Phelps was there, complete with medals, drug-paraphenalia, and speedo--he had to be cold! I was disappointed that a gorilla whupped me! He chugged right past me at mile 4 and never looked back--I never saw him again.
I ran pretty well, my fastest 10K in several years. I ran right at the limit of my comfort zone, pretty much pushing it the whole way. I could have slowed some, but couldn't have sped up at all. I thank Chris Burley for keeping me at that good pace. She didn't back off and pushed me on the up- and downhills. I hope I run that well at Big Bird, which doesn't have the hills.
It was great to see so many runners and walkers, more than 3400 I understand. It was a phenomenal number (and I don't use that term often) for a race planned just two months ago! It was in large part due to the efforts of the running community and its affection for Dolores and Harrison Hensley. They have been mainstays and great ambassadors for the Michigan running community for almost 3 decades. I hope the wheel-chair accessible van works out well for them.
It was a great AM....
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Election
If you've not voted, I urge you to read the article to which I have linked. Think about it and the implications of the election--not just who we elect, but the message that needs to be sent.
http://detnews.com/article/20101029/MIVIEW/10290395/1469/MIVIEW#ixzz13lyQ6yb0
http://detnews.com/article/20101029/MIVIEW/10290395/1469/MIVIEW#ixzz13lyQ6yb0
I have returned....
OK, so that's not original, but I have!
Just finished two articles, beating tomorrow's deadline for each! Hooray! I enjoyed doing both. I thought, as I wrote the third of three "feel-good" columns this week, that some might think I'm always so rosy. Well, when I do most of my writing (not necessarily blogging or sending out e-mails) I am. Why, for instance, would I want to grouse about, say, running, a runner, or the running community? There's too much out there to be negative about; running doesn't need to be. Others, if they wish, can cover the negativity there.
Besides, runners are great to talk to and write about. I always feel better after talking to them and writing about them. With all the junk going on in the rest of the realm, that's a good escape.
I read a very, very good book this week. Once a Runner is one of my favorites. I wondered when John Parker was, if ever, going to write another novel. After all, Once a Runner was published in '78 I think. Well, Again to Carthage is out in paperback and it is terrific. I really enjoyed it.
I think I have all my writing done for a couple of weeks now. I have one race to cover on Nov 14 and my Dec column to write (I already have the topic/subject and have notified the guy I need to interview). Whew.... That October was quite a month, with about half a dozen reviews, two or three columns, a couple of race stories. Carrie F. said, "You write too much." Yep, but I like it.
I broached the subject of a history dept journal, where instructors could write about history. They could take episodes that interest them, write book reviews, tell about teaching techniques, etc. This didn't work so hot at OCC, where just a handful of people contributed and one guy did most of the work. I know it is a lot of that. Maybe I'll ask if I can start one.... I'll think about it.
OK, now out for more fun, to grade some papers.
Just finished two articles, beating tomorrow's deadline for each! Hooray! I enjoyed doing both. I thought, as I wrote the third of three "feel-good" columns this week, that some might think I'm always so rosy. Well, when I do most of my writing (not necessarily blogging or sending out e-mails) I am. Why, for instance, would I want to grouse about, say, running, a runner, or the running community? There's too much out there to be negative about; running doesn't need to be. Others, if they wish, can cover the negativity there.
Besides, runners are great to talk to and write about. I always feel better after talking to them and writing about them. With all the junk going on in the rest of the realm, that's a good escape.
I read a very, very good book this week. Once a Runner is one of my favorites. I wondered when John Parker was, if ever, going to write another novel. After all, Once a Runner was published in '78 I think. Well, Again to Carthage is out in paperback and it is terrific. I really enjoyed it.
I think I have all my writing done for a couple of weeks now. I have one race to cover on Nov 14 and my Dec column to write (I already have the topic/subject and have notified the guy I need to interview). Whew.... That October was quite a month, with about half a dozen reviews, two or three columns, a couple of race stories. Carrie F. said, "You write too much." Yep, but I like it.
I broached the subject of a history dept journal, where instructors could write about history. They could take episodes that interest them, write book reviews, tell about teaching techniques, etc. This didn't work so hot at OCC, where just a handful of people contributed and one guy did most of the work. I know it is a lot of that. Maybe I'll ask if I can start one.... I'll think about it.
OK, now out for more fun, to grade some papers.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thoughts on a Windy Day
The breeze is stiffening out there, growing, it seems, by the hour.
So, the NFL, I hear and read, is getting tough on "vicious hits." That has to be a tough one. First, as an On Demand ad used as a come-on today, people want to see "the great hits!" Second, how can an official call a "vicious" hit? These guys are giants, moving faster than guys half their sizes. Of course, hits are going to be "vicious." What is "leading with the helmet?" I suppose a handful, but only a handful, of hits can be so described. But there are only fractions of seconds when these giants make decisions. And others are moving so quickly and so forcefully. I guess I don't see it. And, have any players called for a crackdown? I don't know.
So, the NFL, I hear and read, is getting tough on "vicious hits." That has to be a tough one. First, as an On Demand ad used as a come-on today, people want to see "the great hits!" Second, how can an official call a "vicious" hit? These guys are giants, moving faster than guys half their sizes. Of course, hits are going to be "vicious." What is "leading with the helmet?" I suppose a handful, but only a handful, of hits can be so described. But there are only fractions of seconds when these giants make decisions. And others are moving so quickly and so forcefully. I guess I don't see it. And, have any players called for a crackdown? I don't know.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Glorious Weather
What great weather! Another sunny, relatively warm (low 60s) day. We've had a bunch of them. The colors of the leaves are great, too! I don't know which color I like the best: the fiery reds, the glimmering golds, the bright yellows, even the deep red-browns. What a wonderful dilemma to ponder.
Bopper scored two goals yesterday in a 5-1 win, against a team that smashed them before. Bopp's team really dominated the game and the other three goals were scored by a kid who's really, really improved. I am amazed, though, that so many of them are still afraid of the ball, a soccer ball! And, they still don't quite grasp some pretty basic things, like go to the ball, don't give it to the other team, etc. But at least they are exercising, not watching TV or playing video games.
Out...
Bopper scored two goals yesterday in a 5-1 win, against a team that smashed them before. Bopp's team really dominated the game and the other three goals were scored by a kid who's really, really improved. I am amazed, though, that so many of them are still afraid of the ball, a soccer ball! And, they still don't quite grasp some pretty basic things, like go to the ball, don't give it to the other team, etc. But at least they are exercising, not watching TV or playing video games.
Out...
Friday, October 15, 2010
"Fair???"
I can't wait, like I wanted. This won't be what I planned or plan to write, but....
I'm reviewing a book right now and the author writes, "It may not seem fair" that the only way to make money is to work for it. Now to be "fair," the author does later write about investments. But what would be "fair?" How about just giving people money, for free, for doing nothing? Or, would robbing a bank be "fair?" Or how about defrauding people out of their money? Well, I suppose one who robs a bank or defrauds people is doing some work....
Maybe "fair" isn't a word most people should use.
I'm reviewing a book right now and the author writes, "It may not seem fair" that the only way to make money is to work for it. Now to be "fair," the author does later write about investments. But what would be "fair?" How about just giving people money, for free, for doing nothing? Or, would robbing a bank be "fair?" Or how about defrauding people out of their money? Well, I suppose one who robs a bank or defrauds people is doing some work....
Maybe "fair" isn't a word most people should use.
The Mosque
OK, I've "pontificated" on the Cordoba Initiative/Mosque building proposed near the WTC site. I think there are Constitutional protections to construct such a center. But, as I've opined, just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should.
In So. Carolina, a woman is flying a Confederate flag in her mostly black neighborhood. Does anyone care to weigh in on that? (Actually, it's similar to a scenario I used in addressing this issue a few weeks ago.)
In So. Carolina, a woman is flying a Confederate flag in her mostly black neighborhood. Does anyone care to weigh in on that? (Actually, it's similar to a scenario I used in addressing this issue a few weeks ago.)
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