TheDailyRunner.com

Report from Krispy Kreme Challenge: When eating on the run isn't fun

Here's a funny article I read today that was written by someone who did the Krispy Kreme Challenge.

If you see me, do not offer me a doughnut. I mean it.

I'm OK if I never again smell that honey-glazed scent that wafts out of the Krispy Kreme store anytime in the near future.

And I'm absolutely OK if I never catch the scent, sight or sound of partially digested Krispy Kreme doughnuts tossed out on Hillsborough Street, rejected by some determined runner's system.

N&O reporter Sarah Ovaska shows her empty box of doughnuts. She ate 10.

Yesterday, I took part in what must be one of the most ridiculous and bizarre challenges out there -- run four miles, eating a dozen doughnuts in the middle.

I've run four miles, so I thought, "I can do this."

And I like to eat.

But I soon realized that the real hole in my training was the doughnuts.

I'd never eaten a dozen doughnuts at a single sitting.

But I do like a good challenge every now and then, and what better to do than match myself up against a bunch of college-aged students to prove to myself that I've still got it.

Well, I wish I could tell you that this tale had a happy ending.

Click here to read the rest of the article

BREAKING NEWS: Teacher breaks clown marathon record

When I read this story, I knew I had to post it.  This is big running news ;-)

Paul Fernandez, 34, completed the Gloucester Marathon in full costume in two hours 50 minutes, more than half an hour faster than the previous record.

The biology teacher from Oxford finished second in the overall field of 250 on Sunday, despite his brightly-coloured one-piece outfit, clown's wig and face paint.

His time will now be verified by the Guinness Book of Records.

This was not Mr Fernandez's first attempt at getting into the record books. An earlier effort – a relay triathlon that involved running from Newcastle to Dover, swimming the English Channel and cycling to Gibraltar – was rejected because of the difficulty potential challengers would face in retracing his exact route.

He says that he was inspired to attempt quirky world records after browsing the bizarre feats of other title holders.

"I was looking through world records and I saw that some kid had got one for putting 14 snails on his face or something like that and I thought 'if he can do that, I want to get a record," he said.

Click here for the rest of the story

Body says no to the idea of a marathon

This is a pretty funny article.  Enjoy!

I took my second training walk across the Ravenel Bridge on Friday, the second in two weeks, and the body is not happy about it.

The body, you see, thinks we get enough exercise sitting in our anti-gravity chair watching McClellanville's oak trees grow.

The body constantly tells me our walk to the library two houses down is pushing it, pal.

So the body could only groan when I explained that I have registered for the Feb. 14 Myrtle Beach Marathon.

I told the body we've been out of the loop too long and it's time, old buddy, to jump back in, feet first.

That little pep talk didn't impress. And the body only smirked when I mentioned that we would only be doing the half marathon, just 13.1 miles instead of a full 26.2 miles.

I thought it would soothe the body's feelings.

It didn't.

The body's answer is not exactly printable in a family newspaper, so I'll have to paraphrase:

"What an idiot you are! We're 69 years old and for us 13.1 is the new 26.2! Give it a rest already."

To continue reading, click here

Super Dave sells running shoes

Thanks to @simpsoka for posting this video on Twitter.

Top Ten Reasons to use Wii Fit to Train for a Marathon

Saw this on Twitter yesterday and thought I'd share it with you.  Comes from a running blog called "Marathoning Matters"   You can follow the author on Twitter by clicking here .  Pretty funny stuff!

Top Ten Reasons to use Wii Fit to Train for a Marathon

1. Because Super Mario Bros marathon training involves stomping too many Goombas and rescuing Princess Toadstool.
2. Running in place is closer biomechanically to real running than, uh, not running.
3. Swimming and cycling in place are still in beta so you can't train for a triathlon yet.
4. You can jump and hit the bottom of the bricks with your head to get minutes taken off your time.
5. Rumor has it Boston will certify the Wii Fit Island course for qualifying.
6. Wii Fit Hula Hoop provides perfect cross training.
7. Wii Fit is a good marathon training combo with the "Eat all Day and Lose Weight Diet."
8. Wii Fit balance board work ensures you're unlikely to fall down when you actually venture outside to run.
9. Being close to the living room wet bar makes it easy to stay hydrated.
10. Get enough credits in your Wii Fit Bank and you can train for Wii Fit Ironman.

This "top ten list" is all in fun.  Certainly, running in place in front of your TV is more exercise than standing or sitting in place in front of your TV.  In fact, people claim to burn calories during Wii Fit workouts at almost the pace they do when running.  And if you don't do anything else but run, Wii Fit yoga, strength and balance work should improve your overall fitness.

Okay, I admit it: I'm just jealous because I don't have a Wii Fit. If Nintendo sent me one, I might even be willing to train on it exclusively for a marathon.

Naah!  Not unless it was a virtual Wii Fit marathon.

You know you are a runner when...

Taken from "I Run Therefore I Am Nuts" by Bob Schwartz

Your feet look better without toenails.

You rotate your running shoes more then you rotate your tires.

You start planning family vacations around races.

You spend your entire pay check on running gear, energy bars and entry fees.

You try to tie double knots in your Oxfords.

You can say "fartlek" with a straight face.

You wear more electronics on a run than are in the dash of your car.

You are excited about your birthday because it will bump you up into another age category.

You finish a race and they wrap you up like a Pop Tart.

Why runners are like two year olds

This is a fun article from OregonLive.com

Enjoy!

I've been running a lot more on my own lately. Having a specific training plan sometimes doesn't gel with group runs.

That means more time to think about my running.

Lately, it's occurred to me that runners have a lot in common with small children. Here are a few reasons:

1. The obvious reason: We run everywhere.

One a kid learns to walk, there's no slowing them down. Go to any social function that includes kids. Family reunions, for example. Kids run. Everywhere.

2. We talk about many more bodily functions than non-runners.

It's strange to talk about poop to someone you just met. Unless you're two and just learned how to use the toilet. Or unless that someone has joined a group run, you're six miles in and there's no porta-potty in sight. Runners don't look at it as a taboo topic. They look at it as part of running.

3. We make friends quickly.

Remember elementary school? "Let's be friends." "Okay." Similar things happen with runners. "What pace to do plan to run for this 10k? Oh, cool, me too! Can I run with you? Awesome!" I don't have a lot of free time for socializing, therefore running is my social hour as well. 90% of my friends in Oregon are runner friends.

4. We like to talk about the same subject over and over again.

I ran 10.5 miles yesterday morning in the snow. It was lovely. And I've told the story of my run to my mom, on my running club's message board, to my boyfriend, on facebook, and, yes, on the blog here.

So you see, we're a lot like two year olds. And it's awesome.

I've been running a lot more on my own lately. Having a specific training plan sometimes doesn't gel with group runs.

That means more time to think about my running.

Lately, it's occurred to me that runners have a lot in common with small children. Here are a few reasons:

1. The obvious reason: We run everywhere.

One a kid learns to walk, there's no slowing them down. Go to any social function that includes kids. Family reunions, for example. Kids run. Everywhere.

2. We talk about many more bodily functions than non-runners.

It's strange to talk about poop to someone you just met. Unless you're two and just learned how to use the toilet. Or unless that someone has joined a group run, you're six miles in and there's no porta-potty in sight. Runners don't look at it as a taboo topic. They look at it as part of running.

3. We make friends quickly.

Remember elementary school? "Let's be friends." "Okay." Similar things happen with runners. "What pace to do plan to run for this 10k? Oh, cool, me too! Can I run with you? Awesome!" I don't have a lot of free time for socializing, therefore running is my social hour as well. 90% of my friends in Oregon are runner friends.

4. We like to talk about the same subject over and over again.

I ran 10.5 miles yesterday morning in the snow. It was lovely. And I've told the story of my run to my mom, on my running club's message board, to my boyfriend, on facebook, and, yes, on the blog here.

So you see, we're a lot like two year olds. And it's awesome.

Need a reason not to run a marathon? Here's 26

Here's an article that gives you 26 reasons not to run a marathon.

To read them, go here... http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/10/17/news/local/ba4a84bf6398f3fe862574e40079970e.txt

Gorilla runners sweat it out on London fun run

It could have been a scene from Planet of the Apes, but there was no sign of Charlton Heston in a loincloth and the final scene was more likely to involve Big Ben than the Statue of Liberty.

Hundreds of people dressed as gorillas took to the streets of London yesterday for a charity race to raise money for the endangered African species. The sixth annual 7km Great Gorilla Run started and finished at the London Underwriting Centre off Mincing Lane. About 750 runners went ape - claiming the world record for the biggest gathering of people wearing gorilla costumes.

Bill Oddie, the conservationist and TV personality, fired the starting pistol and handed medals to everyone who finished. 'It is great that people can put so much effort into something so worthy, while maintaining such good humour,' he said.

Article link:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/28/endangeredspecies

The Donut Man and the Jogger

If you're easily offended, you might not want to watch this.  Otherwise, enjoy!