Run Well *** Finish Strong

Are you a trail runner? This Active.com article has an excellent description of the difference between trail runners and road runners. I say the article is excellent because it is right on. I should know. I am a trail runner. The article talks about many difference between road runners and the 6.2 million trail runners. As the author of the article, Adam W. Chase, President of the All American Trail Running Association, says, the basic difference boils down to a psychological one: Road Runners are into competition; Trail Runners are into the intrinsic experience. Read the article. Decide if you qualify as a trail runner.

The Berlin Marathon will be run on Sunday September 20, 2009. The Berlin is the site of the men's World Record for marathon time: 2:03:59 – set by Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia in 2008, breaking his own record from set at the Berlin in 2007 of 2:04:26. The women's record is 2:15:25 held by Paula Radcliffe of the United Kingdom set on April 13, 2003 at the London Marathon.

I have not been around for a while. Could not run due to my ankles, suffering from the down economy like the rest of the world, trying but failing to get the razor out of my Gillette Mach3 (do not ask why)....but I am better now. Recent family reunion and white water rafting soothed the soul. And my ankles have started to cooperate. I am back!

The inaugural Tukwila to Seattle Rock'n'Roll Marathon and Half Marathon ran today, June 27, 2009.

This was my favorite entry...Number 2 son (a la Charlie Chan--for those of you old enough to remember) surrounded by his two sons. Finished the marathon in 4:29:57 chip time. Excellent time for a non-pro runner.

For those interested in the Rock 'n' Roll Series of Marathons/Half Marathons.

"Nirvana" is how the Seattle Rock'N'Roll Marathon and Half Marathon are billed. Next Saturday, June 27, 2009, will be the inaugural run with for this new event in the Rock'N'Roll Marathon Series. This event was formerly the Seaside Marathon/Half Marathon running from Tukwila to Seattle. The routes feature 70 live bands and 40 cheer squads.

Last Saturday, June 6th, I did two miles without ankle pain. Maybe this miserable experience which started last September is finally over. Be thankful for your good running health.

I did two miles again today...or should I say I did one mile and walked the rest of the way. It was like fire sale at Macy*s with my ankles screaming at me to hurry and get back to the car. (Of course, at the rate the US economy is running, Macy*s may be having a going out of business fire sale one of these days! The US economy makes my fire sale look like a matchbook.)

Not much, but after eight months of no running, two miles felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Rehabbing from plantar fasciitis [video demo] and attacks of excessive uric acid (or gout) in my feet kept me hobbled. I have run since college days. I am not fast, nor do I try to be. The reasons I like running are legion, but primarily include: Good Cardiovascular Health and Good Mental Health. (More on this later.) So being unable to run for eight months was depressing and irritating.