Tenth Avenue North / Deck the Halls

Bill Sammons from 88.7 The Bridge was talking about this video the other day on the radio.  This is what happens when wildly creative people get bored and decide to do something completely different.   Here's a clue to the whole thing:  think pop up children's book.  This whole video was done in one take. (The drummer gets the award for the goofiest smile.)

Here's a video about how they made the first video:

What's the weirdest thing...

Forgot to add this to the list of FAQs.

• So, the question would be "What's the weirdest thing that's happened since training for the race?"

• Without a doubt, that would be a thought I had during one of the long runs about a month ago.  It was a cold morning, and I was wearing a stocking cap that covers my face.  About half way through the run, I was tired but sort of cozy running along in my cap.  The tired feeling turned to a sleepy, relaxed feeling.  I begin to wonder if I could sleep while running, like a horse can sleep standing up.  I tried closing my eyes for a spell to test the theory, but once I pictured myself running out into traffic or into the ditch, I gave up on that idea.

• Another thing that comes to mind, although not really weird, was that on one long run I found an I-Phone in the dirt beside the road.  I picked it up, discovered it worked, and dropped it off at the house mid-run so Tina could try to track down the owner.  We discovered the owner was snoop dog somebody (no offense intended... his nick name included the word "dog"), who I met later at McDonald's to return it.  He was very appreciative, and told me I "Saved his life".  Finally, some redeeming value to this whole thing.

FAQs concerning the marathon

OK, so these aren't really frequently asked questions.  These are actually questions no one has bothered to ask as of now:

• What did it cost to enter the race?
• $120.00   

• Did you lose any weight during the training?
• I weighed about 168 at the start of the training at the end of June.  My lowest weight at the height of the training was about 159.  The schedule is tapering down, and I'm around 161 now.

•  Did you lose any of your mid-life gut?
• A disappointing 1 1/4 inches, which will likely return during the Christmas season.

•  How many miles will you have run training for the marathon?
• 484 miles.

• How many are racing?
• There are 994 entered for the marathon, and 1001 entered for the half marathon which runs simultaneously.

• Where do you expect to finish in that field?
• Among the marathon runners, I expect to finish 525th with a time of 4 hours 8 minutes, roughly.

•  What's your biggest concern at this point?
• Getting sick before the race.  Even a cold would wreak havoc.

• Do you think or talk about anything other than the marathon?
• It's pretty consuming, I confess.  Try it and see what you think and talk about. 

• Can't you think of anything better to do with your time?
• Well, yeah.  What's your point?

 Here are a couple of questions which a few people actually asked:

• Did you adjust your diet for the training?
• Nope.  Tina has always cooked healthy meals for us.  And I continued to occasionally eat the same junk food I always have.

• How long did you actually train?
• I'd say I officially started on June 20.

• Do you eat anything during the race?
• I've been drinking Ensure a little during the long runs, but I'm not sure that's the best thing.  They make some goo junk for nourishment, but the one I tried was awful.  I also eat a couple handfuls of candy corn (the Halloween type) starting at about the midpoint of the long runs.  You won't find this tip in any training guides.

This question wasn't actually asked, but I could see it on the person's face:

• What's next?
• I can hardly wait to get back into a regular running week, which I picture being 3 runs of 3-4 miles and a long run of 6-8 miles on the weekend.  And then I'll go back to running 5 k's (3.1 miles).  For those races, you run like the devil the whole three miles, get a t-shirt, then go out to breakfast.  

Two Weeks to Go

A friend of mine recently asked about my marathon training and then sarcastically added "I need you to post another running blog".  So here's an update, whether you want it or not.

You can look at where I'm at in my schedule by clicking this link to another post:  Training Schedule.

I'm currently tapering my running down, as the training calls for reduced miles in the weeks prior to the race.  My long run topped out at a 20 miler last week.  A surprising number of people curious about the training have asked "So you don't actually run the full 26 miles before the race?" Hmmm.

The hardest part of the training was increasing the long run from 6 miles up to about 12 miles.  Once I made it to that point, adding the additional miles wasn't as difficult.  I've had minor aches in my feet, but otherwise feel great.

One would think that after working up to these long runs, a short 3 or 4 mile run would be a piece of cake.  Physically it is indeed easier now.  But it still takes the same amount of energy to just get out there and do it.  I had a relatively short 12 mile run this Saturday morning.  You would think this would be a psychological cinch after running 20 miles last week.  It just 'aint so.  And this has everything to do with why marathon training, or any long term training, takes determination.  Determination doesn't come naturally for me.  It's why I put myself in the position to get a lot of practice.

Someone recently asked me why I run.  It would take a long time to answer that question.  For now, I'll give you a list.

• Running is good for your heart.
• Running is good for battling moodiness (although it is not a cure.)
• Running gives one time to ponder.
• Running is good for lowering cholesterol
• Running controls weight.
• I just heard that the risk factors for Alzheimers are the same as the risk factors for heart disease.  So apparently what's good for your heart is also good for your brain.
• Being fit makes me feel better physically, and knowing it makes me feel better mentally.
• I like setting lofty goals which can actually be attained.

Of course, most of this can be accomplished with a much more moderate schedule.  But once in a while I enjoy setting an outrageous goal.  I think the effort required does something for my psyche.

If Chickens Could Sing / Carol of the Fryers

Here is a re-post of a previous blog entry. 

We first heard this song when WXPZ was on the air in the early '90s.  During the first listen, one asks himself  "What the heck is this?"  But at the end of the song, it becomes clear.  It has become one of our favorite Christmas songs, and believe it or not, one of the most touching.

We have a new Christian Radio Station, 88.7fm, THE BRIDGE, and they still play the song.

Never too soon for Christmas Music

Yea, it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I got this song in my mind today during my 20 mile run while trying to put together an article for the Manna in my head.  This is a re-post from last Christmas Eve:

Casting Crowns

Here is another Christmas song, recorded in a contemporary style by Casting Crowns, which has become one of my favorites.

  "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".

Here's a live version, which sounds almost as good as the studio version.

I failed to recognize (until my all-knowing mother pointed it out) that this is an old, old song.  I actually have it on a cd which I had made from a Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians Christmas record we listened to when I was a child. 

According to Wikipedia, ""I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is a Christmas carol based on the 1864 poem "Christmas Bells" by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  The song tells of the narrator's despair, upon hearing Christmas bells, that "there is no peace on earth... for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men". The carol concludes with the bells bestowing renewed hope for mankind."  For additional background into the poem, see this article by Tom Stewart.

Well, we know Who holds that hope.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn, the households born
Of peace on earth, good will to men.