My Olde Friend 'The Canal'

Went for a short run this morning and found myself on the AZ canal. I haven't been on the canal in my neighborhood for almost 6 months and it brought back fond memories from when I was a more active runner. This system of waterways was originally engineered by the Hohokam native americans about 1,000 years ago. They stood on top of the mountains surrounding our valley and surveyed with amazing accuracy. Much of the original system is still in place, though fortified with modern materials. I have done most of my canal running over in Scottsdale, but these paths are all interconnected and one with the Phoenix water tables.

Most Phoenix runners use these paths for obvious reasons --they are flat, stretch a long distance, they have soft gravel, have lots of places to pull over and poop and they are frequented by lots of other runners.

I chose to listen to some podcasts since I have gotten behind on almost everything in life these past three weeks. I'm a Principal in a K-8 school and everyday so far this year has been like one big Beatles concert. My podcast of choice this morning was The Boring Runner and it was all I could do to keep from throwing my ipod in the canal  and I was able to catch both of his latest productions which means I'm going f'ing slow these days. As always when I make myself run, I have a good time, feel rejuvenated, and vow to knock out  20+ miles each day of the week and start eating oatmeal starting......... Tomorrow. Adam is a good friend, a soon to be father, and a tremendous runner. Read his blog here and I promise entertainment!

In the meantime, I have been contacted by two former colleagues who want to start running. They want ME to help them. So, as they say at my local convenience store, "it is on like that animal with the legs you know his name it is the king of donky a boy you know?" Have a great week!!

C2O Coconut Water Review

C2O Coconut Water

This is not the most tasty coconut product out there because it doesn't have added sugar or a chocolate coating. I bet Adam or Lauren could photo shop that in, but the reality is that C2O Coconut water is made for one thing -and it isn't to satisfy 12 year old sugar junkies. This product replaces essential minerals and rehydrates you quick. It's the water from the coconut so it doesn't have fat, has a few carbs, and all the potassium and magnesium you need after a tough soak in the hottub  10 mile neg. split run.

It's a bit pricey --this 17.5 ounce (what an odd quantity!! probably has an even amount in metrics  --nope, 520ml. My guess is that it has water from 3 coconuts) ..... this 17.5 ounce can cost @$1.75. You can find it in most overpriced small grocery stores that rhyme with Pouts, Hole Lewds, or GayRays.

Get it COLD! I would not want to drink this except ice cold. Haven't had it warm, but my Spidey Sense tells me it would not be pleasant. It might be improved with the addition of booze, but someone else would have to report that.

I will work in a few cans to the rotation of the RTP recovery system and will also try a few different brands. It's not the most exciting product, but it really feels like it helped me after my workout.

Overall rating: Cupcake = pretty good product, take it for what it is worth, leaves me wanting MORE

Your Punishment is Over

I decided a few weeks ago to have a blog contest and reward winners with homemade bread. Readers could suggest running workouts for a one week period, and I would complete them. A random selection would choose the winners and everyone would have had fun and liked me. But oh no, you couldn't accommodate-- not even a little.

Only one person responded to the contest and he sent me f'ing sprints! And just days after I bombed at the first ever SYTO 5K. At least he tried and now he's running all around like a maniac. Plus, my local running/swimming/Bikram friends went on jobs and vacations out of state, and I started my job up again at the local schoolhouse. Dark brooding ensued and I decided to punish you all with a strict code of silence.

cue the Sinead music

Meanwhile, I entered and won a blogging contest sponsored by Julie over at Julie's Running Blog. And what a set of prizes!! They came in the mail today: A really nice 18" foam roller (which I highly endorse), a stick of Sun/Sport Glide, 4 Powergel Strawberry/banana gu's, 3 packs of Sport Beans --one is Extreme (will I ever win the Rhoto Ceepo bike  or the Sportbeans bike contest?), a tube of Nuun hydro-tabs, 2 Powerbars, and a Powerbar with extra protein. And a thoughtful card with an airline voucher good for one roundtrip to Minnesota (some restrictions apply). Thanks Julie!! Check out her blog. I also got a new Header for the blog thanks to Runlaur. Pretty snazzy!


This has raised my spirits, and in good cheer, I hereby lift the sanctions. RTP now has 37 followers. I still have no idea how to determine the number of readers if there are any besides the followers. Someone will have to show me how to view the stats. I bet it's a million! I forgive all of you.

SYTO 5K Race Report

Phx in July: Green and Rainy!!

1st Ever Sweat Your Thorns Off 5K
July 31, 2010, Phoenix Papago park reserve
5K 30:30 chip/gun time
4th overall (my first top ten finish, and also top 5!!)
2nd in gender
1st in overall age group

This was a beautiful morning in Phoenix. It had drizzled all night and was still overcast as the race Director thanked us for coming, wished us well, and fired the gun at 6am rolled drunkenly out of a cab at 6:20 shouting about bears, approached the race field with a 1/2 full (1/2 empty) appletini, and shouted at us to get the hell out of his circus.

We took that as our cue to start the race.





Lauren had marked the course the day before, but the rain had washed everything away so she gave us landmark directions and it seemed simple enough --just a couple of spots to pay extra attention to stay on route (or as they say in France, "en route").

We did a little warm-up walk --that is Demi, Lauren and Jeff walked while Adam sprinted a mile like bees were in his bra.

We synchronized our beloved, highly accurate, informative, comfortable, rugged, and let's not forget stylish (and, ok yes, ubiquitous) Garmin 305's. Alright Garmin, send me some love!!

Sometime half an hour later, we started the race. Adam shot out at some kind of 6 minute pace. Rio left Lauren and I in the dust after around 1/4 mile, and soon thereafter, Lauren pulled away from me and left me to meditate on oneness for the remainder of the run.

Adam, Lauren, Jeff, Rio

The finish line was a riot. We had all gotten finisher gifts for each other. Adam spent almost one dollar at Home Depot to fashion finisher medals and also a shwag bag which included wire nuts, zip ties, a termite coupon from a ValPac, some other assorted crap from Adam's garage, and a pack of chocolate/agave #9 gel. Beats olive oil and flyers.

It was a humid race, the course was an interesting out and back, with a small hill, some canal road, a cow-ish utility pole, and a short canal swim. We all had fun, and are already planning shirts, repeat races, and the immediate impeachment of the race Director.