Running Stupid Podcast Review

I almost going to do a review of one of my favorite podcasts because he had bribed me with an official Running stupid kazoo, seen above. But I felt I could be objective regardless. I dont sell out that easily. Of course I have emailed him many times and now that he made me an adminstrator on the Running stupid facebook page it's hard to claim objectivity.

Coach Ken hosts the Running Stupid podcast is an ultra runner in California. He doesnt seem to take himself or the podcast overly seriously, with his laughing thru out the show makes you realize he's just doing this for the fun of it. Yep he laughs at his jokes and remarks. Much like his running, assuming you consider pain and suffering for long distances fun. Most episodes are about his training or the latest ultra he's just finished. He usually keeps it fun on lighthearted. He's going into HURT 100 miler with only Mrs Coach Ken has his crew. If he ever runs an Ultra or any race in North East Ohio I promise to crew or run it with him.

Coach Ken has several regular segments like stupid philosphy and regular updates about his hero Dean Karnazes. Beware the kazoo never know when he's going to play it! Obviously a high point. Of course if I play it on computer when my wife is home she gives me a weird looks and thinks Im stupid for listening to it. Wait till he mentions his favorite energy gel.

On the serious side, if there is one, it is great to listen to someone who loves running and races. He isnt going to win a race, and his favorite expression. All Day!! is both an inspiration and how long he's going to be out there, long after the winners have finished. You can just tell how much Ken loves being out there just running a race. That enthusiasm can inspire you.

I realize this podcast isn't for everyone, I had to listen to a few episodes before I got it. But give it a try, become a Stupidhead.

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Sunday morning run

It was 9* out this morning but seeing there were 4 guys waiting on me to run made it a little easier after I got to the park. We did a different route leaving Mill Creek Park going thru down town Youngstown and thru the YSU campus. Made for a little more interesting route, but downtown looked like a ghost town. Im sure it would be a completely different and more dangerous run on Monday morning.

BHAG

BHAG is Big Hairy Audicous Goal. I was listening to a podcast, Dirty Dawgs Running and he talked about having a BHAG. I liked the idea of setting a big goal for the year since I had been feeling a little unmotivated. And this is even after signing up for the Cleveland marathon. Had to get the early bird price.

So I considered a BHAG for me and came up with 2 marathons, one of them in 4:15. Or both. Now, first ones already decided it's Cleveland. Trying to come up with a second one this year. I always like the idea of running all the Ohio marathons and Columbus is a good possiblity. I think I have a place to stay there.

So started to consider the different possiblitys and without limiting myself to one state. But in being honest with my finicial abilities knew it would have to be one thats drivable without more then 2 nights away. Dont have much vacation time or hotel funds currently. The training to gt to 4:15 is an entirely different issue.

A couple of other ideas I was tossing around were doing an ultra and running 50 races in a year. Both are doable, the 50 races in a year would mean finding the right races to fit my work schedule.

So any one got any ideas for my BHAG? Any suggestions for a second marathon this year? Any reasonable idea will be considered.............

Welcome 2010!

I ended 2009 by running in the Jingle Bell run 5K. With most of the streets the race was held on snow covered I ended just slightly behind where I thought I would. In truth it was about has good has I had thought I could run in especially in the conditions.

So that means I ended 2009 with 20 races. Which consisted of:

• 7 - 5K's
• 1 - 4 miler
• 1 - 5 miler
• 2 - 10K's
• 1 - 8 Miler
• 2 - 15K's
• 1 - 10 miler
• 3 - Half marathons
• 1 - 25K
• 1 - Marathon

Of them I had no real PR's. I feel I've slowed down. Last couple of months I have noticed it more. But its a new year. I had some real fun races last year and hope for more of the same this year. So looking forward in a year I enter a new age group, but till August what are the goals. I gave it some thought and didn't come up with much, so I thought some. So here's what im willing to put down to blog.

1. Finish Cleveland Marathon. Preferably under 4:30. Ultimately in 4:15.
2. Run 1800 miles.
3. Have more fun running or at least has much has last year.
4. Get 2 PR's.

I will try to get some more goals. Am considering a second marathon next year but very non commital about it.

Run Vegan Run Podcast Review

I hadn't listened to this podcast much till this week. Just a few random episodes. So I took the time this week and listened to multiple episodes. This podcast is put a on by Megan, a vegan runner in California. While at first glance I thought I wouldn't like this. The odds of me going vegan is very small. Remote. Non existant. But since she has a great name, Megan which is my daughters name. Also I found out that she has a son Riley, I have a granddaughter Riley. I also decided since I listen to podcasts about triathlons with no intention of ever doing one, why not give a vegan a chance.



Megan talks, discusses while on the run. Some times while running with Eric. She also runs with her dog Scout. On more then one occasion while listening to her I forget she's also running with the dog and think she's talking to Eric for stopping on the run to go to bathroom. To me its quite funny, but unintentional.

Most of the time I enjoy listening to her on the run conversations whether with Eric, Scout or the podcast listening. Some times and this shouldnt be unexpected she gets a little too much on the high horse when talking about food. Now I know I eat horibly and too much. I get it Vegans eat great the rest of us dont. But on the optimistic side it is nice to hear many different view points. I like to listen to this in general, but will take more then a podcast to change my eating habits. I might get certain things in this podcast better if I was twitterer more often. She makes many references to her tweets with others.

Overall its usually easy to listen to like having some one to run with. I think alot of time its just nice to have someone to run with, and Megan sounds nice. Just dont tell her I eat chickens.... and beef... and sausage... and eggs...............

run, cough, run

Sunday morning I met with the usual suspects for a run, Bob and Rick and Greg, up from Columbus, showed up with his sister Suzy. So we had a fun group for a run. We passed the Youngstown Road Runners club out running early in our run. A few more and we would of had has many runners.

Bob and Suzy cut off and did around 6 plus but Rick, Greg and Me went onward making it into a 11.8 miler. I would of enjoyed the run alot more if I hadn't been coughing so much. Probably not the best idea to run that far with a cough but glad I got it in. Plus noticed I was pushing it more then usual, according to heart rate monitor. I averaged 171 bpm on the run, lot of my runs lately been in 150's or low 160's when running alone. I guess I slack off too much when running alone, or the cold made it tougher running then normal.

Either way do always look forward to my runs with Rick and Bob and Suzy. Greg dont make it up here too often, a few times a year but usually makes for a fun run with some new stories.

Running in the Center of the Universe Podcast review

I been looking for topics to blog about so I decided to add a weekly podcast review. I do have a long list of podcasts I listen to, some more regular then others. Since its based solely on my opinions and tastes feel free to ignore my reviews or make up your own mind. Anyways the reviews will be mostly mindless ramblings of what I

The first of the weekly review is Running in the Center of the Universe by Ashland Dave. Why is it first? Is it my favorite? Is it the best podcast? Ok actually its the one I listened to today. I had decided to start doing these a couple of days ago and this was one I had planned to listen to on my run today.

I find Dave easy to listen to and friendly. He's around same age has me. Sounds like the type of guy I would like to run with if I ever got the chance. And judging by the paces he mentions the right pace for me to run with. Also makes you feel alright if you take walk breaks on your runs. after all it is your run. I also find a 4:30 marathon a major challenge.

He does do Ultra events and other races which all gets mentioned in podcasts. In one of his latest podcasts he talks about his opinion on race bandits, something I would never do. After all its not an official race if I didn't register. But had some interesting thoughts on that and on his long run. His podcast often consists of him running and giving his thoughts while on the run.

I been listening to him about since I got a MP-3 player so I have to say his is a regular podcast. I also think he started about the same time, he just put out episode 85, which I still need to listen to. I often go weeks without listen to his podcast then do 3 or 4 at a time, its like catching up with an old friend, who I actually had never met. Of course Ashland, Virginia is that far away. I might be wrong but I may of listened to almost all of his podcasts.

Hopefully he keeps it up for years to come. Im sure every few weeks I will catch up with him on the run.

Dark Park

Saturday evening I went to the Dark Park Pursuit adventure run 15K. Its a fun, low key event held after dark at Mosquito lake park. Its got a comination of roads and trails and headlamps or flashlights are required to run it. Last year it was in a blizzard but this year just cold. It also had a sparse crowd. Maybe a dozen or so runners. The race director was late in getting it finalized and getting the applications out. Hopefully he still holds it next year.

I went to the race with Bob, Rick and Tom. We planned to run it together and stuck to the plan. Even in the parts where we got lost at least we got lost together. Trying to watch for signs or paint on road while running in the dark can get tough at times. Our group would of been the last one's in but some guy showed up way late for the start and ran it anyways.

We ended up finishing slightly faster then we did last year in a blizzard and not sure which year we got more lost but did manage to find the finish line eventually. The 4 of us and Todd went for a beer and food after the race where we managed to basically get ignored by the waitresses for most of the time we were there. Could it be the way we smelled?

Updating

Trying to change things a bit on this blog. Lately, I keep trying to update it more regularly without much success. Hoping to change that in the near future, after the first training will get more serious has I start preparing for the Cleveland Marathon. Of course I do have a race or 2 left this year to do. Saturday is the Dark Park adventure run 15K. Then might end year off with the Jingle Bell 5K which would give me a 150 life time races. My running life time started May of 2004.

Be sure to notice the poll on the right side!!!!!