For those who care, I have moved my blog to a new location.
You can now find me at: www.angleman.net
Thanks for stopping by...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Friday, December 5, 2008
Mayne Street
I was a big fan of Kenny Mayne during his days as a regular on SportCenter. For the last several years, he's he's been a far less visible member of the ESPN team.
But he's back now with an internet show and it's hilarious. Have a look at the most recent episode:
"So if you're scoring at home, or you're just alone"...I hope you enjoyed it!
But he's back now with an internet show and it's hilarious. Have a look at the most recent episode:
"So if you're scoring at home, or you're just alone"...I hope you enjoyed it!
Mavericks!
No, not that kind of Maverick. You can relax, this is not a political post.
When Maggie and I lived in the Bay Area, we would often head to Half Moon Bay in December to check out the crazy surfers at Mavericks. Check out these insane photos and videos from a recent swell. These guys are sick!
When Maggie and I lived in the Bay Area, we would often head to Half Moon Bay in December to check out the crazy surfers at Mavericks. Check out these insane photos and videos from a recent swell. These guys are sick!
Monday, November 24, 2008
kettlebell!?!
Life is about perspective. As an ultrarunner who hangs out with other ultrarunners, the notion of an easy 20-miler seems rather routine. Nothing special. To the first-time marathoner, it seems epic. To the average runner, a little strange. And to the non-exerciser, absolutely insane.
That said, to the ultrarunner, other athletic pursuits can often bend the mind. Enter kettlebell. My friend (and gifted rolfer) Brad Jones, has been training for kettlebell competitions for the last several years. What is kettleball, you ask? Well, have a look:
Kind of makes running 100 miles seem sane. But that's a matter of perspective, I suppose.
That said, to the ultrarunner, other athletic pursuits can often bend the mind. Enter kettlebell. My friend (and gifted rolfer) Brad Jones, has been training for kettlebell competitions for the last several years. What is kettleball, you ask? Well, have a look:
Kind of makes running 100 miles seem sane. But that's a matter of perspective, I suppose.
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Ultracentric Experience
Just back from Dallas and "The Ultracentric Experience." Scott asked me to come down and help with his attempt to break Mark Godale's American 24-hr record of 162.46 miles and cash in on the $8000 prize money the race director put up for a record-breaking performance.
We arrived at the course on Friday and noticed it wasn't quite "flat" and didn't look particularly "fast" either, even though both of those terms had been used in the course description. We expected a 1.15 mile loop with about 9 feet of climb per loop, but soon realized the loop had more like 82 feet of climbing. That would work out to abotu 11,500 feet of climb over the record distance. Scott took a few tester laps to get a feel for the course and got his mind around the positives of the situation - maybe a rolling course would allow for less stress on the body? I wasn't convinced, but played the part of enthusiastic crew and offered any positive spin I could muster.
On Saturday morning we woke to chilly temps (35) and blustery winds (25 mph). Scott toed the line with the 100 or so other competitors and was off at a strong clip. He came through the marathon in 3:03 and the 50k in about 3:38. Between 50k and 50-mile, however, he was coming to grips with the reality that this was not the course and these were not the conditions for a record-breaking day. The hills were taking a toll and the crowned surface was putting him at risk for serious injury. He made the call to drop just after 50 miles. Dusty and I gave him the usual ribbing before accepting his decision as final, but that was really nothing more than fulfilling our responsibilities as crew. He made the right call - no doubt about it.
Watching the other runners in both the 24 and 48 hr races, I was struck by how many folks were having biomechanical troubles. Perhaps this is the reality of a road ultra, but I suspect the uneven, crowned surface was more than partially responsible. The usual ultra carnage includes lots of dehydation and GI distress. No so at Ultracentic...peoples' wheels were breaking down and it was tough to watch.
On the bright side, we made the best of it and enjoyed catchin up with Dusty, Luis, Nikki, Jennifer, and many others. But I'm not gonna lie - I'm glad the Ultracentric Experience is over!
We arrived at the course on Friday and noticed it wasn't quite "flat" and didn't look particularly "fast" either, even though both of those terms had been used in the course description. We expected a 1.15 mile loop with about 9 feet of climb per loop, but soon realized the loop had more like 82 feet of climbing. That would work out to abotu 11,500 feet of climb over the record distance. Scott took a few tester laps to get a feel for the course and got his mind around the positives of the situation - maybe a rolling course would allow for less stress on the body? I wasn't convinced, but played the part of enthusiastic crew and offered any positive spin I could muster.
On Saturday morning we woke to chilly temps (35) and blustery winds (25 mph). Scott toed the line with the 100 or so other competitors and was off at a strong clip. He came through the marathon in 3:03 and the 50k in about 3:38. Between 50k and 50-mile, however, he was coming to grips with the reality that this was not the course and these were not the conditions for a record-breaking day. The hills were taking a toll and the crowned surface was putting him at risk for serious injury. He made the call to drop just after 50 miles. Dusty and I gave him the usual ribbing before accepting his decision as final, but that was really nothing more than fulfilling our responsibilities as crew. He made the right call - no doubt about it.
Watching the other runners in both the 24 and 48 hr races, I was struck by how many folks were having biomechanical troubles. Perhaps this is the reality of a road ultra, but I suspect the uneven, crowned surface was more than partially responsible. The usual ultra carnage includes lots of dehydation and GI distress. No so at Ultracentic...peoples' wheels were breaking down and it was tough to watch.
On the bright side, we made the best of it and enjoyed catchin up with Dusty, Luis, Nikki, Jennifer, and many others. But I'm not gonna lie - I'm glad the Ultracentric Experience is over!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
deep, or maybe shallow, thoughts...
As I struggled through my first yoga class in 3 years yesterday, the instructor implored her students to "clear your head of that monkey-brain that is the human affliction." Huh?
Human affliction? That sounds pretty grim. Webster's defines affliction as the "cause of persistent pain or distress." Does the phrase "the human affliction" impliy that being human is a condition of constant suffering? This is far too negative an outlook for me...
Perhaps we should just embrace the "monkey brain" within. Monkeys lead a pretty simple life, free from most of the stressors to which I suspect that yoga instructor was referring. Or maybe I was just reading too much into it...better just to focus on not popping a hamstring on my next downward dog...
Back to the mat...
UPDATE: Thanks to Brad G. for a clarifying comment:
"Monkey Mind" Describes a mind that jumps from thought to thought like a monkey jumps from tree to tree. The monkey mind is not content with existing in the present moment, but rather engages in the thoughts that pass through.
Generally speaking, yoga and meditation seek to quiet the monkey mind. It is considered a human affliction because animals don't generally spend too much time "in their heads".
Human affliction? That sounds pretty grim. Webster's defines affliction as the "cause of persistent pain or distress." Does the phrase "the human affliction" impliy that being human is a condition of constant suffering? This is far too negative an outlook for me...
Perhaps we should just embrace the "monkey brain" within. Monkeys lead a pretty simple life, free from most of the stressors to which I suspect that yoga instructor was referring. Or maybe I was just reading too much into it...better just to focus on not popping a hamstring on my next downward dog...
Back to the mat...
UPDATE: Thanks to Brad G. for a clarifying comment:
"Monkey Mind" Describes a mind that jumps from thought to thought like a monkey jumps from tree to tree. The monkey mind is not content with existing in the present moment, but rather engages in the thoughts that pass through.
Generally speaking, yoga and meditation seek to quiet the monkey mind. It is considered a human affliction because animals don't generally spend too much time "in their heads".
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