RT66MM

Saturday morning, and at a civilized hour of 7:30, our faithful along with a sprinkling of visitors, ran the MOCK. (a 22 mile preview of the Rt 66 marathon.) This was our last long run, and this time we pounded pavement on the actual course where the race will be. No surprises for most of us, but I spoke with a few peeps who came in from out of town to get a taste of what race day will be like.

Future marathoner Cheryl gears up for her longest run to date.

Heidi braved this run, being very careful with a sore knee, and absolutely aced it.

The Mock was treated like a real race in many ways. People signed in, turned in an entry form. Here, Terrie and Kim help out with the sign-up.Everyone wore race bibs, the race started at the same time as it will on race day, the same refreshments were served at the water stations, there were mile markers along the way, there were 9 live bands playing on the course...oops, no, there were not live bands, Larry did sing a few numbers from Showgirls.

Polly looks forward to the run, and also to a little garage sale hopping.

This must be the David section. Davids Crisp, James, and Scofield are poised and ready to run.And another David for good measure.

Curtis, Dude! You forgot your chip!

Musta been an awful quiet gun. I never heard it.

There was such a crowd it took me 16 seconds to cross the starting line!

Notice the geek on the right. Brian does a good job of out-nerding the usual paparazzi.

Charlie plays catch-up. It was a great morning for a run, and maybe the last good Saturday for good color in the fall leaves.

Camera wars. Score +1 for Brian.

A huge thanks to all who volunteered at the start/finish, and at the aid stations. Cindy, Carmie, Joe, Jason, Lisa, Wade, Sally, Terrie, Kim, I know I am leaving out others....but thank you all!!!

Cruising along at mile 4.

Dana poses for a pic at the 2nd aid stop.

Ed, just back from a 3-week business trip to Brazil, laces up the Asics and gets himself 22 miles in. TZ sports his designer Rt 66 Mock Marathon shirt.

Dustin and Andy, setting a scorching pace, stop at the 4th aid station. At this point they were fully 2 miles ahead of my group.

Umm....ok?

Another water stop, and more fantastic volunteers!!

Stacy and April take a short break.

Nothing left 'cept for a little jaunt down to 56th Street and back.

Tatur Dave takes it easy after a hot humid run.

Kaci is ready for Rt 66....bring it on!

David Harris finishes his 22 miler, his longest run to date. (His previous longest run was 12 miles.)

Arena knocked out her 22 miles like it was nothing. Nice steady improvement. Next long run, 26.2!

Say What?

When: Saturday, November 07, 2009 7:30 AM-12:00 PM. Central Standard Time
Where: Veteran's Park (21st & Boulder)

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Rumors abound that we’re going to have a Mock Run this Saturday. I suspect that everyone shares my shock and disappointment, especially after all we’ve been through these past few months of intense marathon training. Just when you think you know someone, they show you another side, complete with make-up, wigs, and unnaturally form-fitting outfits – more than our poor eyes can handle. Saturday morning is still a few days away, yet I can still scrunch my brow, twist my head to lead with the good ear, and hear Brian shouting out his mocking insults as we pass by another magical staging mile marker. Mock us will you? We’ll have to see about that.


There he stands, one hand seductively placed on that abnormally roundish hip, and the other tightly clenching his fave announcing megaphone, while shouting out to passing runners in his sultry morning voice: “You call that running?” “Hey, that top doesn’t match your socks!” “Hey Larr-Am-Y, you know I’ll always look better in a pink tutu than you could ever dream of” “You’re not worth wasting sour rainwater on” and “OMG! There goes Rob – Did you know we wear matching Pearl Izumi’s?”
I mean, is this boot camp treatment really necessary to help us run better, to improve our dedication, to help block out the post “hit the wall” pains? Or is this mockery just another one of “Pretty Boy” Brian’s pretentious all too brief moments that help him imagine what it must feel like to wear the pants in a relationship?
Moving on, did I mention that I’m feeling just a tad bit betrayed? Our sponsors have requested that participants make a $5 donation for Saturday’s Mock Run. I thought the deal was that we were supposed to show up on a just barely in time basis, wipe the sleepy crustacions from our eyes, and literally suck up the training each week. In exchange, the previously considered great folks at Runners World would show up hours in advance, set up welcome tents, develop training routes, mark the turns to minimize LSS (lost soul syndrome), stage water and gatorade at strategic points, provide bottomless snacks and refreshments, have drawings and giveaways of invaluable merchandise, drive around and check on us during our runs, provide encouragement when needed, treat the wounded and injured, give us valuable running and training tips, arrange for guest speakers, coordinate guest sponsors, wait for the last runners to finish their runs to make sure everyone was safe and accounted for, and to even go out and sweep the trails if someone was feared to be missing. I mean, even though it was roughly a 51 (us)/49(RW) deal, and not wanting to quibble, it was close enough to call it even.
Well, I guess a $5 donation is reasonable after 6 months, and it really isn’t that much. I mean, after all, what’s a few days of going without electricity … or indoor plumbing … or being able to buy week old bread? Plus, in a pinch, the plasma bank is always taking deposits.
Always scheming up a plan, I’m willing to “process” everyone’s $8 donation (small handling fee included – cash only please) and make one big presentation to Coach K (not Brian of course – even Coach K doesn’t trust him with that kind of scratch) – in the spirit of servitude and efficiency.
So, in closing, Saturday’s Mock Run starts at 7:30 AM (same time as the Route 66 Marathon in 2 more weeks), at Boulder Park. Please show up a little early, get those Mock race numbers pinned, check out your training partners/partnerettes in actual daylight for a change, and get charged up with those ever exciting and invigorating turn by turn course directions and last minute training tips.
NOTE: We will NOT be starting Saturday’s Mock Run from the BOK Center. If you go there by mistake, you are hereby instructed to run counter clockwise around the BOK until the start of the 2010 Tulsa Run.
Larr-Am-Y

Tulsa Run 2009

It was the 30somethingish running of the Tulsa Run, Tulsa's biggest race and one of the oldest runs in the state. Robert Maddy, you know the crazy skinny guy at RunnersWorld, has ran every darn one of them. Ran the one back in 70s when Keds were the high-tech shoe (even before Converse burst onto the scene!) And yet, a lot of our group was running this for the first time. The above group pic will have to suffice until I kidnap Brian's new $5000 dollar camera. He owes me some pics.
He owes me a race with a PINK TUTU!! Lucky dog that he is, he squeaked out of wearing one this morning, since Lisa and Roman were gonna design an extra large extra feminine one and did not quite get it put together. GRRR!! It would seem to me that since he lost his bet fair and square, that he should have visited Fredericks of Hollywood, Christy's Toybox, Massad's, or wherever necessary to get his race outfit. Can we get a movement started to have him wear it at Route 66??

YEE HAW!!! have ya ever seen a better lookin buncha cowgirls than these??? Makes me wanna go out and rustle some cattle just so they could arrest me.No, I said RUSTLE, not RUSSELL. Russell got all excited there.

It was a little chilly before the race, an occasional north breeze and temps in the low 40s. Terry and Becky are relaxed and ready for their first 15K. Sandra has her game face on, and her minute beeper strapped on.

Excitement was in the air. Joye and Bette can hardly contain themselves....or maybe they are signaling for touchdowns?

Hayley and Meg hanging out before the race. You might want to hit Hayley up for an autograph....she is a college superstar now.

Wonder Woman made an appearance. Cassy, I always KNEW she was you!!

And, the Easter Bunny also made an appearance!!

Coach Kathy looks beautiful as the Queen of Hearts. WOW!!





Roman ran as the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

Truly a great costume!

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From the Best Movie in the History of Motion Pictures, (as voted by TZ) "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"....Jason and Lisa did a superb job portraying Roger and Jessica Rabbit.



Not sure what Rabbit Sloan was supposed to be, but I am thinking Elmer Fudd would need to be berwy careful hunting this wabbit!!

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By the way....did I mention there was a race this morning? Soon enough 9:00 am rolled around and the gun sounded, and the massive crowd ever so slowly began to move . (Thank God for chip timing, at least for this race.)Had to snap a pic of Jack Wing...the MOUTH of the Tulsa Run.

Down Boulder, east on 15th/Cherry Street up the long hill, then a half mile down Utica, and back west on 21st Street where there were a couple of hills that I was not thinking about. That's ok....hills are our friends, right? Then it was around the clover leaf over the Arkansas River. I love it when we get to run on that loop. It's a banked turn (like I really NEED a banked turn!) I stopped very briefly for another pic or two.My right arm and shoulder were very sore after the run, and I could not figure out why, until posting this pic. I had a flu shot yesterday. (The round building that looks like a hypodermic needle...)

The RW entourage at approx mile 5. Sweethearts Roger and Jessica are tucked in behind the photo-bombers.

Sweethearts Charlie and Robin enjoying a good runner's buzz after their run.

This is a busy quartet of runners. There are BOMB members, Chain Gang members, a couple of members of the Slow Trotters, and they all enjoyed a nice little 15K run.

MVPs of the Tulsa Run: Candice and Nate, who followed us around on the course and cheered us on! Thank you!!!!

The next nine pictures were taken by Cheryl. She evidently has an awesome camera, or at least skills surpassing mine.

Bobby and Todd race to the finish line.

The rabbit pack finishes their 15K. The saying "Quick like a bunny" does not apply to them today.

I am sure there will be more pics tossed around on Facebook in the coming days, so check back and I'll post 'em when I get them.

Kno Betta N Dis!

When: Saturday, October 31, 2009 8:30 AM-11:30 AM. Central Standard Time
Where: 3rd & Boulder (Downtown Tulsa)

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That’s right – it’s finally here – Tulsa's B-I-G, Annual, very own, highly anticipated, heavily tread (sorry Brian, but stay at it and the weight will eventually come off), and anti climactic Tulsa Run. 2009 marks the 32nd running, which has amazingly been strung together back to back in consecutive and accumulative order (you know, started with #1 – sometimes referred to as the inaugural, but sometimes not if no one thinks of it, then #2, then a bunch more with no repeats unless there was an error in counting – oh, where was I, yeah then #3, etc., and then PRESTO – now). To put it in perspective, if the Tulsa Run were only held on February 29th, then this would be very confusing since it wouldn’t be run again until 2012, but there would roughly be a lot fewer runs to keep track of.
A lot of folks and folkettes have trained very hard this Summer and Fall to get ready for the TR, especially those from Camp Runners World, led by the illuminating Coach K, who inspires us weekly with quips such as “Do what I say, not what I do”. Ah, such inspiration … And when you mix in the Magellanesque trail blazing/marking talents of Tatur Dave and the photogratizing ingenuity of the renowned flank sweeper, Trail Zombie (old Arapaho tribal name meaning “he who leads from the rear but who would be in the front if everyone suddenly did a 180”), it’s a 1-2-3 combination that just can’t be beat, regardless how much “Pretty Boy” Brian tries.
So, enough of the build-up – I say “Bring it”, as in lace it up tite, lift them puppies up, put them down, and repeat a bunch of times. A word of caution is in order as this year’s Halloween run forecast calls for a trace of creepiness, a 30-50% chance of scare-ding-lings, with potentials of developing punkin' hallowness as the day grows longer. There are even hints of possibly sighting those horrified beings who return from the dead, who won’t lie quietly, that keep coming back, you know the ones that aren’t really fast but are relentless in their pursuit – oh heck, what are they called – Hombies? Zonkers? (Thank goodness I've never seen one close up, and remember that they are afraid of being on the flash side of a camera lens.) Whatever – just be advised to not stay out on the course too long and whatever you do, don’t drift off alone, or with "BOR" (secret code name - read it right to left).
This goes without saying, but it’s nearly impossible to imagine that anyone would miss this event – not since the tragedy of ’94 still fresh on everyone’s mind. Legend has it that in ’94 there was a breakout of rogue runners who turned their backs on the TR and ventured north to New York City for reasons too silly to comprehend. All I know is that that group was forever branded as a bunch of lame @#$es. Like New York City could ever compete with “The 918”! Such lightening could never strike twice.
For “the runner formerly known as Rob”, you better come to the TR prepared to be distracted – to the tune of several thousand times. So, go ahead and get your rack out, up the track, rack it up, or whatever delirious saying you have, polish up those high kickin’ side steppin’ strides, and be prepared to have a great time. And whatever you do, remember to forget your watch. Most importantly, as always, be sure to have one for me.
What’s so great about the TR? Well, it begins and ends in the mountainous rarified air of Boulder and Denver. It provides the opportunity to get your fresh vegetable shopping in at Cherry Street, and to get a physical and heart palpitations as you detour through St. John’s Emergency Treatment Center, do a little luxury shopping in Utica Square (might consider layaway so you don't get weighted down), cruise on past the pictoral country setting of Woodward Park, and take the 21st Street high velocity banked NASCAR turn onto Riverside Drive (NOTE TO Rob-SELF: Miss this turn and you’re either joining the Rowing Club or crossed over to the scary west side.) pointing South toward Downtown. Oh, big mistake, that’s not DT, it's the ORU Tower, so better turn around near the spankin’ new 41st Street Quick Trip Park (hey kids, stay out of those fountains!), and head back to the other South (that would be North to you city folks), and before you know it, arrive at the big gleaming stainless BOK Arena (remember that it wasn't advertised to be streakless or mildewless, so don't be critical - and you have to admit that it is kind of round) . Mix in a few hills here and there, avoid the potholes, and remember to go around and not through the barricades, and call it a great day.
NOTICE: The Tulsa Run will NOT be starting from Veteran’s Park. If you go there anyway, then you’re a big cheater, who won’t win the TR cause your chip will have never started timing – so there.
NOTICE # Dos: Not a good weekend to sneak in an extra cartoon and plan on showing up in the nick of time (as some of you have seemed to develop a nasty habbit of doing). Remember, the TR waits for no man or manette, plus RW picture assembly is scheduled for 8:30 AM – not as in ‘ish.
See you in Rehab –
Larr-Am-Y

As promised, we got to sleep in an extra hour yesterday morning before our Saturday long run. 6:45, while still a little uncivilized, did not require quite as much eye rubbing. In fact, one the first batch of eye crispies were wiped away, I seemed fairly alert!

We had a good turnout and it seemed like everyone and their dog was huddled around the old street corner awaiting directions.
It seemed like a maze, the course as it was described. Tatur Dave said it was really easy, but after 4 minutes of describing the turn-by-turn route, it seemed best to just follow the peeps ahead of you and at least we'd all be going to the same place, wherever that was.

The route took us north on the trail (Midland Valley Trail?) to 3rd Street, then a jog west to Greenwood, and then under 244 towards the OSU/Tulsa campus. It actually turned out to be a great route, and even the mile or so north of 244 was a treat.






A view of downtown Tulsa that not many have seen.


Graffiti is not always a bad thing.


We ran back through the OSU campus, a beautiful facility, but the camera guy was having some technical difficulties during this stretch and did not take nay pictures. Another run another day perhaps.

Approaching downtown. Big buildings against a big sky.






Welcome
to the
Center
of the
Universe.


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I love all types of running. Running in big races, running all alone on trails. Running all alone through the heart of downtown on a quiet Saturday morning is a treat. This time next Saturday though, it will be anything but quiet. Thousands will be pounding the pavement at the Tulsa Run.

The first 8-mile loop done....time for a pit stop....eat a little, rehydrate....make some shoe changes....and then it's another 8 miles.Oktoberfest was gearing up right across the river. Could not have been a better day for a run. And then some German sausage and beer. YUM!

Finally, a huge congratulations to Sandra. Sandra started early this morning at 5:30, an 6 miles, and then did the 16 with the group for her first 22 mile long run. This is all to get ready for her first marathon in Greece in just two weeks. I know she'll do just fine. Probably even get the bug and do another and another. End up a Marathon Maniac....she's already a Half Fanatic! Awesome job, Sandra. You now can take it easy for a couple of weeks. Welcome to your taper!

Oktoberfest Rumble

When: Saturday, October 24, 2009 6:45 AM-9:30 AM. Central Standard Time
Where: Veteran's Park (21st & Boulder)

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So Larry, just wondering how that RW Blog gig is working out for you?
Well, you know that feeling you get when you’re in a crowded room, screaming at the top of your lungs to be heard over all the background noise, and then suddenly it gets totally quiet, yet you’re still screaming? And then you suddenly feel naked and totally exposed, and you instantly go from being totally ignored to a focus of head shaking disbelief?
It’s all summed up in a simple phrase that the owner of these ears has received time and time again: “Dude, it sucks to be you”.
Remember when I’ve never been known to exaggerate or attempt to flesh out a story out of the slightest remnants of a misheard event? Well, it’s absolutely certain that this either is or isn’t one of those times. I’ve always vowed to spew the truth as I’ve chosen to remember it.

So, speaking of running, we begin this Saturday’s run at our regular place, Veteran’s Park, but at a NEW TIME: 6:45 AM (not 5:45 AM). After several months of holding the earlier start time, the RW brain trust (AKA Brian) suddenly realized that 5:45 AM is really, really early – as in too early – to succumb to this running obsession. Secondly, because we have been starting our runs in total darkness the last few weeks, I’ve personally sensed the feelings of desperation from a co-runner at first light, who realizes that they have been running and sharing their personal experiences with a complete stranger for the past three miles – yeah, I could have said something earlier, but just think what I would have missed hearing (always need fresh dirt blog material). But mostly, with Daylight Savings Time just a couple of weeks away, and with Coach K never being one to miss a promotion opportunity, we can proudly state that RW Runners are first out of the gate, and even quicker than the seasons.

There’s also the slightest of possibilities that the overlap of Oktoberfest, not to be confused with the hangover of Oktoberfest, with this weekend’s 16 mile training run could benefit dual function attendees with a one hour delayed start on Saturday morn. Although I can’t imagine that any of the RW group would be so bold and foolish as to risk an entire summer’s body of training work by going to and embracing the decadent spirits of Oktoberfest the day before a training run, the delayed start time could be a blessing in disguise. If you do attend, please do the sensible thing and appoint one person from your group to be the designated runner.
Once again, this week’s training run will NOT BE initiating from the Oktoberfest central keg. If you happen to wake up Saturday morning and find yourself there, then one suggestion would be to throw yourself into the Arkansas River and stay there until some sense of soberness returns. Also, make sure you have “friends” around who will promise to capture this golden moment via pictures.

A word of caution about this week’s run route: It seems that some of the surrounding neighborhood watch groups have become extremely nervous and frightened upon hearing reports that small bands of nomadic trail pounders have made plans to invade their homelands this Saturday. Although I feel that our reputations of recklessness have been greatly exaggerated, we must recognize that perception is reality in the eye of the beholder. With everyone’s commitment, we can vow to come and leave in peace, and hopefully over time help to break down those barriers of fear – at least until the residents get to know us better.

Also, as an extra measure of safety, this week's route has been personally de-serpentized by RW's very own crime fighting duo of Trail Zombie (Ken) and Tatur Dave - the power's in the Chalk!
See you close to first light – say 6:45 AM – ish.

Larry

NEW: a guest author on the blog!!

Return of the "ArmHand"
When: Saturday, October 17, 2009 5:45 AM-10:30 AM. Central Standard Time
Where: Veteran's Park - 21st & Boulder

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Attention all Runners World boys and boyettes, on Saturday we are presented with blessings almost too rich and abundant to appreciate - so it would be best to show up no later than when you arrive Saturday morning with eyes open wide, sleepy eye crud wiped away, a pleasant disposition, a friendly smile, and a "count me in" attitude. If you don't come prepared to enjoy yourself and the company of the bodacious RW group, then we'll probably just have to kick the #%&! out of you until we see a turnaround to the positive.

As for blessings, we start with a li'l ol' 22 mile training run! Nope, we don't get that every week, so be sure to make every step count, and every count step. Speaking of count, we'll be relying upon the old reliable "ArmHand" timing and distance devices this weekend. This week our revered Coach K has laid down the rules of outlawing all technical timing devices that are either sold for commercial gain and/or are "borrowed" from the limbs of fallen runners or deeply resting inhabitants of the River Parks Trail System. But we shall not panic, must not panic, will not panic - much - and we will suppress our self-gratifying addiction of knowing our exact pace, distance traveled, and how much longer until the OU/Texas Red River Shootout by getting one with our bodies and one with nature to satisfy our cravings. By extending the arm towards the moon or sun (both should be in play at varying times during our early morning run), and then by repeating this at specific points on our circular route, we are able to accurately (of course, accuracy is relative and in the eye of the beholder) determine and calculate our time splits. Using basic finger extension techniques will allow us to keep track of which 6 mile loop we are on. Recalibration point zero will be located at Veteran's Park, which will be our singular official timing device, allowing each of us to get our fix, fuel our addiction, and provide us a mental butt pat to assure us that all is OK, as long as we keep running at a consistent pace.

This Just In: Coach K has approved the following electronic devices for Saturday's Run: Pacemaker, IPOD/MP3 (as long as not being used for timing), anything connected to a retractable extension cord - preferably 480 Volt or higher, and self illuminating running outfits.

Seems a correction is in order from the last couple weeks of slightly bumpy training courses, where there is the slightest potential that when the universal requests of "More Hills" actually was preceded with the simple word "No". Turns out that this changes everything. So, as a genuinely intended act of contrition, this week's run has been custom designed to please the flatlanders in all of us. Savor it - Love it - Get it out of your system!

In the "runners help runners" category, many have noticed that "the runner formerly known as Rob" has not been his normal bubbly self the last few weeks. After significant personal research and experimentation, it has been field tested and verified that he is instantly invigorated via manual stimulation of the buttoka muscle, with a slightly higher squeal of delight when said stimulation originates in the starboard region. So, as your paths cross, extend a motivational hand, give a firm pinch, and let's all help get that boy back on recovery lane.

Another first for this weekend: Saturday's run has been hereby christened as "Share the Beef Training Run" - you give some and you get some. Runners are asked to consider bringing and donating beef jerky on Saturday morning that will then be provided to the Community Food Bank of Oklahoma. After our training run, Runners World will be treating us to a post run feast of hamburgers, and an opportunity to calibrate our ArmHand devices with those of fellow runners. A couple of notes of caution/warning are in order. First to Rusty: When asked if you brought any jerky, it would not be appropriate to nod and point over to Rob. Second to the well heeled Sandites, although we certainly will take your word as gold, the strong, strong preference is for "store bought" versus "road cured" dried meat.

There continues to be confusion over the reporting location for Saturday morning's training run. Despite our best intentions, a few of our faves have committed to meet up with us in Kansas City this weekend to run a marathon. Sounds like a great plan, only we won't be there - CAUSE WE'RE MEETING AT VETERAN'S PARK like just about every other Saturday morning at 5:45 AM-ish. (Insert lengthy pause and chest heaving sigh for theatrical effect.) Since I don't know how to get the milk back out of the cheese, all we can do is to extend our best wishes to Becky, Janet, Paula, and others who may stray a little north of Tulsa County this weekend and hope they meet up with great weather, kind winds, and deeply rutted hills so they can have the second best marathon experiences of their lives (first is naturally reserved for next month's Tulsa Route 66 Marathon).

See you Saturday - I'll be the one in the dark.

Larry