The Race

The last man (maybe woman) standing race is coming up on October 19th. So far we have 15 entries to enjoy the misery together. We will start the race at 9:00am with a rules briefing at 8:45. The course is 4.15 miles long almost completely on the trails at angel mounds. Base camp (start and finish line) will be at the Komar's house on Polaris. The trail should be marked including mile markers (unless someone removes markings again). Here is a list of rules

1. You have 1 hour to complete 1 lap.  Anything left is yours to rest.
2. At the next hour (on the hour) we start the next lap.
3. If you are not across the finish line before hour is up, you are disqualified.
4. If you are not ON THE START LINE at the bell for start of next lap, you are disqualified.
5. All your water and food is your responsibility. Anything you want/need for the race is up to you.
6. Headphones and GPS are allowed.
7. Running off the course will result in disqualification. (Honor system)
8. Winner is the runner that completes the most consecutive laps. Time doesn't matter, only laps.

We will have a $10 entry fee with 75% of the profit going to the winner. 25% will go to the Nostradamus award winner. Each runner will predict the number of  laps he thinks everyone else will complete.  1 point will be given for each lap you are off in your prediction. Lowest point total wins. We will also average the laps predicted for each runner and he will receive -2 points for each lap that he surpasses the predicted total for him. (If average prediction for a runner is 2.5 and he completes 4 laps, he will subtract 4 points off his total prediction number for everyone else.)

This race promises to be miserable and fun at the same time. A true mental and physical challenge for  non-runners like ourselves. For an enjoyable and entertaining read, check out this blog http://ilove2runraces.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-big-dog-backyard-ultra-death-match.html?m=1about a guy who ran the race we are basing this race off.

Good luck to all and I'll see you on race day.

Tough Mudder

Well the Tough Mudder challenge has been accepted and completed.  Congrats to all who finished (Brandon, Chris, Meggie, and myself). I am proud of every one of you for enduring the elements.Unfortunately the training for the Mudder knocked two team members out of the race.  Next year we will do it again and get Ken Smith and Susan their official Tough Mudder status.  Overall it was a great time, but very cold for those not built like a grizzly bear. We have many great stories, most of which will be embellished over the next few months, so just ask.

 For those wondering what the yellow spaghetti strings are, they are electrical wires ran on an alternating current, so you do get shocked when running through. Good times! Anyone looking for someone new and challenging, I highly recommend the Tough Mudder. Check them out online to see the race schedule.

More warrior dash photos

Looking good (pre-race photo)

Looking better (post-race photo) 

Warrior Dash Complete

Congrats to all who ran in the Warrior Dash.  I thought everyone did a great job. We definitely have to plan a return trip next year (possibly a new location with different obstacles). I will post more pictures as soon as I have them.

(Some say sexy, I say scary) Warrior

Warrior down!

A couple of weeks of great training.

Gotta love having "fun"!

2 sets of 3

I recently read The Wisdom of Wooden.  It is essentially a compilation of the thoughts of John Wooden (for those who do not know, John Wooden was the coach of UCLA basketball, winning 10 NCAA championships in 12 seasons).  He praised his dad for establishing good moral values in him.  One of his dad's concepts was the 2 sets of 3.  As some of you know, I have been doing "Daddy's School" with the kids over the summer.  We tweaked Wooden's sets of three just a little and came up with our own sets to live by.

Set 1
Never lie.
Never cheat.
Never steal.

Set 2
Don't complain.
Don't make excuses.
Don't quit.

Obviously we are not perfect on the sets of three everyday, but we will continue to try. Every night I ask the kids how they did on the 2 sets of 3.  Not only when they succeeded, but also when they failed.

The other day I was doing my tire mile (fun!) and Kayla (my 8 year old) wanted to run with me. After the first lap, she was only 20 feet in front of me. She complained about the run and I told her she could do better on the next lap and she did a little but not great.  Later that night we were talking about what happened during the run.  She made a few excuses (headphones kept falling out, trying to pace herself, etc).  We discussed what it takes to make a great athlete and if she could have done better. She of course said yes. An hour later (around 7:00) the family and I were watching a movie and Kayla comes downstairs with her Vibrams and heaphones on.  She walked out the front door and started trotting down the road.  After the first straight away she throws the headphones at me because they kept falling out.  At the end of the first lap, she starts to hobble a little bit from a blister she got the other day.  I told her she could stop and she gave me a look as if I was the biggest idiot in the world. She continued down the road, finishing the mile 3 minutes faster than earlier in the morning.

This is the set of three at its best. Excuses were made. Complaints were spoken.  And even though she finished the first mile, she still quit on herself.  But instead of letting that go, she decided to make a change and do it over the right way. Obviously I was proud as well as inspired. Maybe even you are too.

Warrior Dash

Check this out.

http://www.warriordash.com/register2011_tennessee.php


I thought this would be a fun thing to do.  Those who complete the race get a t-shirt, a warrior helmet (think Fred Flintstone Grand Poobah hat), and a warrior feast. Let me know if you are interested.