Runners – Be SAFE! I’m Not Kitten Around!

Chicago Marathon training is going swimmingly runningly! In the midst of a 55 mile week, with a 20 miler long run this weekend. Things have been going almost purrfectly…almost…..

You guys, you gotta be careful out there…Or should I say “Be catful”? The other day at the TNSR Social Run, things got a little hair-bally…

I couldn’t remember if you’re supposed to play dead, or flail your limbs like a fool when a giant cat is stalking you.

As runners, we all know that you always have to be smart – know your surroundings, watch your back, run with others, carry pepper spray, etc….But this day I completely forgot to bring along my catnip. And it didn’t help much to fake a catnap…

Nope, playing dead doesn’t work either.

If you feel really threatened on a run, it’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for a hiding place. I thought the lake would be good, but unfortunately some of these gi-cats were amphibious…

Luckily a couple run buds pulled me from ole crazy eyes there.

When all else fails, it’s best to have at least one person around that you can run faster than so they can be the fall guy…it’s all about self preservation at this point.

Oh snap! I’m in the back of the pack! That’s trouble cause just like with humans, the cute ones are the most dangerous.

One thing I always do when I feel threatened is to face the threatener. Be less of a passive target that way…

Come on, Kitty! Put up your paws! Let throw down like Bobby Flay!

More often than not doe, being calm and level headed can go a long way in deflating a dicey situation. That’s what helped us patch things up with our kitty kitty meow meow head friends…

I still don’t trust ole yellow eyes back there.

In the end, errbody was safe and feline fine!

And I hope all of y’all are being safe out there…and if you’re not, then start right MEOW!

How bout yous? Any safe running tips? Did I miss any cat puns? Have you heard of any radiation laced mice that these cats might be eating?

PS. Once again I gotta thank @sojomy for the pictures – he’s always there to capture the moment! Big shout out! That’s him taming the tabby…

Yeeehaww

And if y’all are ever in North Texas on a Thursday evening, you gotta come to TNSR…fo real doe! To see the rest of the pics, check out the TNSR Facebook Page and give it a Like.

Mars Attacks Runners & A Dewey 18 Miler!

What it is, playa playa? Hmmm – Just occurred to me that if you speak Spanish, you think I just called you “beach beach”. OK, that works too…What’s up, beaches?

It was a crazy week of running. I mean, at TNSR we were attacked by friggin Martians!!!

I don’t know what it is about all this marathon training, but I’ve been eating like I got a hole in my stomach.

It was crazy, we were just minding our own runness when they attacked!

Joke’s on the aliens, they attacked the wrong headquarters! Either way, Jewely & Andre The Human were not impressed.

We tried to make nice and offer a truce through a group photo, but things deteriorated quickly!

After this, I’m now thinking like I got a hole in my head.

Before I move on, I gotta give credit for all the above photos to @sojomy He brings some creativity and funny stuff to the table! Thanks Josh!

I move on…

Chicago Marathon training is going well. Haven’t missed a workout yet. Body feels mostly good. Tired, but mostly healthy. The weather doe, that’s another story doe. Like at Saturdays long run with WRRC…

Started at a taco joint, ran to a lake, somehow ended up in Downtown Dallas. Craziness.

Our dew point has been hovering around 70. I was reading somewhere that when it’s that high, you should just skip your workout. Welp, that’s not an option. So sweaty times it is!

It’s pretty oppressive, but with the help of friends who stick with me when I struggle, I do get through it. Thanks friends!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will have our reward at breakfast.

Salt, ice, citrus, tequila – all things that help runners recover.

And it goes on and on. More (s)miles and (s)miles. Looks like 192 miles is the plan for August…and at least 148 selfies to go with them. Stay tuned, beaches!

How bout you? Gotta plan for when Mars attacks? Do you have a secret to fighting the dew point? Wanna meet for a breakfast ‘rita? 

-Scott

The Mankini Run, Greek Tacos & Dinorappers!

Quick update on the Chicago Marathon training. The beats by dre goes on. And things may be getting weird…

Ladies love the mankini.

What had happened was we got a Christmas in in July miracle! A “cool front” came through Texas over the weekend. So instead of being triple digits, we were just in the upper 90’s!!! It made the 16 mile group run somewhat pleasant!

Thankfully no mankinis were worn on the run.

It started at 5:30 am at a WRRC member’s house (thanks John!) for the final Run My Hood run. I had never run in this area before and the route took us on a long hike and bike trail that I really enjoyed. But 16 miles later it was over, and the non-running fun began. Pool Party, hey hey!

Party like it’s 8:30 am (cause it is)!

Funny how your brain works after waking up at 4 am to run for over two hours. You sometimes do silly things. Meh, oh well. Good times.

And if you know me, you know my love of tacos post-run. Well this week was no different. But this time it was Greek tacos!

Gyro, taco, same difference.

As for the rest of the week, the runs have been going very well. I’m very pleased. And this weeks TNSR didn’t even have any dinosaur attacks! But one did join us for the run. We were all very pleased.

Rapasoraus. Photo cred @sojomy

And so it goes. And there you go. A quick update for your face’s eyes to look at.

How bout you? Get a break in the weather at all? Do you like Greek tacos? Be honest, is that mankini a good cut/color for me?

More updates to come in a day or so!!!

-Scott

Running With Dinosaurs, I’m Punny & My Shorts Are Soaked With Something!

Things are really picking up in the Chicago Marathon training world. And it was made even more challenging because during one run, some dinosaurs had escaped from the zoo!

The pterodactyls were using the restroom when they snuck up, but I couldn’t hear them because the pee is silent. Is that joke funny, or am I getting carried away here?

This was at the always fun Thursday Night Social Run. It was just unfortunate that the dinos were everywurrrr!

After this run I was definitely dino-sore.

Though it got a little hairy scaley, in the end we all made up.

The tyrannosaurus is cool, but I prefer his smarter cousin, the thesaurus.

Big shout out to @sojomy for the pictures!!! If you want to see all of them, just check out the TNSR FACEBOOK PAGE. And give em a ‘like’ why don’t ya?

Other than that, I’ve been sticking to the training plan. Mileage is ramping up. The Texas summer is hot. But I’m hanging in there. Here’s last week’s weekday runs…

Kid and Playground.

Give me all the food!

I’ve got the whole sun in my hands. The whole sun in my hands…

I’m either wringing sweat or urine out of my shorts.

That was a hawt one! Fo realz…I’m not lion.

As you can see, I’m pretty regular with updating MY INSTAGRAM. I’m also trying to keep up on MY TWEETER. Check them out if you want to stay more up to date. Or don’t, no big whoop.

Stay tuned for more updates, selfies and puns!!!

How bout you? Every been chased by something scary? Did I miss any pun opportunities…or are they oppuntunities? Do you ever play cards in the jungle?…If they’re not a lion, they’re a cheetah…amiright?

-Scott

Running Santa, Hipster Tacos & Purple Time!

Chicago Marathon training is in full swingers beasty mode. Been a good week of running. Let’s go backwards, shall we?

Sunday – I had a race, but I’ll save that recap for the next post. So let’s go to Saturday. This was the long run of the week.12 sweaty sweaty miles.

Texas roads don’t look normally like that – It’s a weird route because it was around a lake.

The plan for this run was to do a 9 mile loop of the lake, followed by a 5k race to make an evenish 12. Well part I of the plan went ok, part II did not. I had failed to pre-register for the race, and by the time I got there they had run out of bibs. So no dice, Detroit!

So mad that I had to partially strangle my running booze.

No worries – Went ahead and ran the final 3 miles along the race course so I could cheer for friends. And yay! Some of them won age group awards!

Tory y Juash. A tale of two pairs of shorts.

Serene got her medal, but her real reward is that I let her run with me sometimes.

Afterwards we met up with a bunch of other runner friends to get wasted on tacos! Woot woooot!

It’s ok to wear blue shades there, it’s a hipster taco joint. Fo realz – everyone in there is either in short running shorts or purple skinny jeans.

Moving on…or uh, further backwards….The weekday runs were also on point. The highlight being the Thursday Night Social Run.

Click image to enlarge and see all the totally not photoshopped action going on here. Really – Some of my friends just have weird proportions and don’t cast shadows.

This run took us past yet another group of longhorn statues. Not sure why we need so many of them here, but whatevs.

We were looking at something udderly amazing. Honest, I wouldn’t steer you wrong! Thank you, I’ll be here all week!

It was also like runner Christmas in July at my house cause a gift magically appeared this week…My ALZ Stars tech tank!

Thanks, Running Santa!

As you may know, I’m running Chi-town this fall on behalf of an Alzheimer’s charity. I’m so proud to represent the purple! If you would like to donate to the cause, you can find info HERE. And to those who have already donated, I know it’s slow going, but I promise to get your thank you prizes soon!!! #BoomShakaLaka!

On to more run-fun!

How bout yous guys? Do you believe in Running Santa? Ever have a hipster taco? Isn’t it unbullieveable how many longhorn statues are ’round here?

PS. Come back in a day or so for rest of the weekend’s recap!!!

Running With Pirates, Yogis & Mouth Breathers!

Whazzzuuuup? I hope all my American friends had a great 4th of July holiday weekend – and my foreign friends had a great normal weekend! I, myself, and me participated in an unofficial race. Not so much a race, but more a social run…but we did get kewl homemade medals afterwards!!!

I like my nike mustache, or is it a muswoosh?

The course was  10kilometers, but for our Chicago Marathon training, we needed 10miles, so we tacked on another 4 afterwards. I’m glad we did, cause we found a big ole pirate ship!

I had to invoke the right of parley.

Almost Just as good, I also ran into some other run buds in the last stretch. Soo coo to go for a run in a different part of town and still literally run into friends on the roads.

A. Pickle on my right and an ole Ohio high school bud turned Texan on my left.

Speaking of Chi-town, the training is slowly picking up. It feels kind of good again to be running mediumish runs during the work week. The 4am wake up calls blow, but #whaddyagonnadoboutit? Gotta get em done!

Yes, I was so rungry that I tried to eat a tree.

And of course, I always like hitting up some of the local social runs to incorporate into the training.

We ran and then sat in big red chairs, duh.

Even though I’m all the tired from it all, I’m still keeping up with the cross training – either at the gym or in the department store.

I wear that I squatted a little lower right after this pic was taken.

OK, there’s more but I’ll save it for the next post. I really am planning on being more diligent about blogging – especially as the training increases. But if you want to keep up quicker, just give my Instagram a follow! Like a dude who eats a lot of bananas, on there I’m pretty regular.

Howzit? Training going well? Can you guess what the pirate ship was for? Do I ever close my mouth in an IG photo?

-Scott

Running with Taylor Swift, A Real Life Monster, & Don’t Ask About My Job!!!

Chicago Marathon training is in full swing! It’s early still, but so far so good. It’s nice to finally have a plan instead of just running random daily miles. I’ve been running a lot with friends and I think I have a pretty solid base heading into the real dillyo.

A highlight of the week was our TNSR celebrity social run…

Josh didn’t photoshop anything here. It’s all legit. Kanye and Taylor set the pace.

It’s always good to have other folks around to help push you on the run…and to mess with your otherwise perfect running photo…

Guess they thought I needed two sets of bunny ears.

Another fun group run this past week was with the WRRC and their “Run My Hood” series. This time it was a run around some East Dallas neighborhoods, followed by another fun pool party!

I actually ran 10 miles – the gps was acting up.

There’s something about jumping in a pool after a sweaty humid Texas summer run. I need to get a pool, or more friends with pools, or figure out a way to sneak into my neighbor’s yard.

And I don’t know if you can tell this or not, but whenever a camera makes an appearance, I am instantly drawn to it…even if the subjects didn’t necessarily want me to be in it. Cause in my head, if you want to improve your pics, just add Scott! 😉

Photobombsaway! #notcreepy

So the training is going well so far. And other than that, this little monster had a birthday…

Don’t let the cute smile fool ya, she can single-handedly destroy an entire house.

And at her school, they gave her a father’s day questionnaire. After reading her answers, I feel like she doesn’t know me at all!

If any narks are reading this, please ignore her answer to what my job is. (click the photo to enlarge)

So things are good, things are good. Oh yeah, and so are TACOS!!!!

I like to eat in front of a mirror to make it look like there’s more tacos.

So there ya have it. BOOM! On to more!

How bout you? You’re not a nark, are ya? Who likes mirror eating? Will you invite me to your pool?

-Scott

Rock the Block 10k Recap – Running in Soup & Winning Medals!

I did just run the Rock the Block 10k over the Memorial Day weekend. It was a tough day, but good news is that I was still able to manage my way to a medal!

I wish in college I had learned how to make a proper collage.

As I mentioned in my preview, I was not looking forward to running this race course. I’d run it before and wasn’t a huge fan. Well, be careful what you wish for. Due to all the crazy stormy floody weather we’ve been having in Texas, the course was part underwater. But rather than cancel, the organizers scrambled to get a new certified course.

Look closely folks, the 10k is a two lap course.

First off, kudos to the race for not cancelling, and finding an alternate route. But unfortunately the new route was a 5k distance that we had to run twice. There’s nothing more demoralizing than crossing the finish line and realizing you’re only halfway done. And on the 2nd lap of the race, we hit all the people still trying to finish the 5k. That meant a lot of weaving and missing out on tangents. Throw in a few hills and 180 degree turns, and it was a bit challenging.

Before the race with two normal sized friends and a miniature sized one.

The weather was also a factor. 97% humidity. Ugh. It was like running through pea green soup. Legs felt heavy and when the breeze was at our backs, it was hard to breathe. I saw one guy puking about a mile in. And through a middle section of the race it started to rain on us which made the roads a bit slick.

That all said, I was able to push through and finish 3rd in my age group and 14th overall!

Official stats.

I was hoping to break my PR of 46:00 that I set one year ago, but it wasn’t meant to be. I finished in 46:32, or 7:29 per mile. And I was proud of myself for actually rocking a negative split (I lost those stats doe).

I’ll get you next time, two guys I don’t know!

Not only that, but my peeps from WRRC and TNSR also received age group awards!

Bringing home da bling.

So despite the tough conditions, we had a great time. And they raised a lot of fundage for a good cause.

And best of all, we all went for breakfast tacos after the race!

Racing, medals & tacos…I’ll take it anytime!

How bout you? Race this weekend? Your tips for humidity running? It’s been so long, can anyone tell me what the sun looks like?

-Scott

Race Discount for YOU, Check My Flow, & It’s (hopefully) Race Day!

It’s been a good week of runs for me, I think even Kanye would agree…

Josh is excellent at photoshop.

A TNSR run is always fun.

Trying a new running form.

Tho the day before’s run on the track was whack.

The clouds and the noises they made were scary, but I got the run dun before they cried on me.

But the day before that was pretty phat.

A baby run and a papa run.

OK, that’s enough freestylin. I gotta focus on this weekend – RACE TIME! Well, I hope. My last two races have been cancelled due to massive Texas storms. And as I write this it is storming again. Hopefully it will clear up before the race.

I was lucky enough to get a free entry to this race – Rock the Block 10k. That said, I’m dreading it a little. I ran this race last year and wasn’t a fan of the course.

Last year’s poster. The route hasn’t changed. Who likes an out and back – I mean, honestly?

But at least I know what to expect since I’m familiar with the route.

And we’re off! -Photo from Dallasnews.com

And hopefully the rain clouds will help keep it kewl this year – last year it was friggin hawt!!!! But I still ran a PR (with a horrible positive split) of 46:00.

Just a bit sweaty at the end.

I’m going for a negative split and another PR, so come back in a couple days for the recap!!!

Other than that, the fine folks at Spartan Race have sent me a discount code to share with you:

They do these obstacle races all over the USA (and I think internationally too), and they have different distances you can choose from…

But hurry up and use the code MEMORIAL because I believe it expires pretty soon!

So there ya go, kiddo. A week that was pretty on fleek. And now I best be goin cause my rhyme is done flowin.

How bout you? Running this holiday (US) weekend? Ever run a Spartan Race…or going to? Do you have any race predictions?

-Scott

Beer Mile Race Recap – Someone Puked

The latest TNSR Beer Mile came and went. And I’m happy to report it went much better than my previous attempt.

Everyone is all smiles before the race…that would change.

I wouldn’t set a PR this day, but I still had a decent time, and I didn’t blow chunks – that’s always a win in the Beer Mile. Not everyone there could say the same thing. A few people in the pictures in this blog vomited. I won’t say who, but maybe you can take guesses.

At least one smiley clean shaven person in this pic puked.

If you’ve never done the Beer Mile, what happens is you pound a beer, sprint a quarter mile – then repeat until you drink 4 beers and run one mile total.

We were so official this year – bibs, timers, and we were provided with Mich Ultra beers.

What makes it tough is all the carbonation bubbling up in your belly. Well, that and 48 ounces of liquid sloshing around as you try to sprint 400’s. If you can’t get some burps out, then you’re in trouble. I’m happy to report that I burped each lap!!!

Someone in this pic may or may not have puked.

And even though I didn’t PR, I did come in 4th place overall – just missing out on the podium.

The official results.

Looking back, I think a couple things helped me out this year – Like I said, I worked really hard to make sure I burped. But also, I chose to drink warm beers instead of cold – tasted nasty, but had less carbonation. <taps head> “Not just a hat rack.”

Thanks for another great event, TNSR!

And after the race they had food grillin, music blastin & fun havin. I even made a 6 second video about it…

All in all a good time was had by all – even the folks who hurled.

Kanye was upset at his race results…or maybe because he puked.

Luckily these Beer Mile races don’t happen too often – they really do hurt. But I did have a great time and look forward to the next one!

How bout you? Would you ever want to do a Beer Mile? Have you ever? Any guesses as to the pukers?

-Scott