Nothing Honey................

Outside of running with the team this weekend, I did absolutely nothing and loved it!

Since I have participants that work on Saturdays, I've been meeting them on Sunday to help them get in their miles.

It helps to keep them motivated and ensure that they're getting in proper fluids and nutrients. So with the help of Sandy, the marathoners did 14 miles and the newbies did three.

So back to back team training days takes it out of this old coach, so a nap was on the horizon.

Why is it that when I want to take a nap and have the opportunity I get a second wind? I even turned on the PGA golf tournament and could close my eyes!

We're getting braced for a possible foot of snow this week, which will mean school closings and terrible road conditions. This also probably means running on the moving belt! ARGHHHHHHHHHH

Last day of January and I'm sure everyone is tallying up their mileage to recap the month. How many more days until Summer?????

Stay thirsty my friends.........

Who You Calling a Blogger????

Today, I had an unofficial TNT group training run at Stony Creek and ran pass Detroit Runner Jeff. We gave the obligatory runner's hi and kept running. I thought it was him and he did the same.

So this got me to thinking of all of the bloggers that I've met or seen since I've been blogging.

Okay, in no particular order here they are:

Detroit Runner Jeff - He was just starting his long run and it was only about two seconds. He's shorter than me and can't weigh more than 130 pounds. He has the body of a runner, unlike me!

Discom-Bob-ulated Running - She came to the Detroit Free Press marathon to work one of the expo booths for Women's Running magazine - I wasn't able to spend a lot of time with her because she was actually working but we did speak for a shot while. She's another of those runners that has the physique to run fast. I'm 6'4" and carry too much muscle(ha, I made myself laugh at that).

Caution: Redhead Running - This little lady moved from the State of Florida where there is no such thing as Winter to the mitten state for Luv!!!! We met when I was volunteering for a race and her beau Spike was participating. Once again, we didn't had a lot of time to talk since I was on the clock and she honestly needed to get out of the cold. I use the word 'cold' loosely... Another short blogger that can't weigh more than one bill!

Sun Runner - Since she's a Hasher, I know that we met at a weekly has but I really remember her at the Beer Mile. You know run a quarter mile and then drink a beer. Well, I wasn't feeling really fast that day but I knew that I could still run. for some reason Sun Runner didn't want to finish last, which isn't a bad thing at an event like this. In an attempt to break the world record for the final fifty yard dash at a Beer mile, she tweaked her hamstring.

Christy - She no longer blogs but she ran pass me at the Country Music marathon yelling as I waited on my TNT folk.

Runner Girl - No longer blogs but I ran with her for a short distance at the Bayshore marathon in 2008.

We're going to get a few more inches of snow in the upcoming days, so it may be some dreadmill days in my future.

Stay Thirsty my Friends..........

If it's Saturday, it must be snowing........

Here is the 2011 Summer team getting ready to put in their miles....

We got about three inches of snow overnight and the driving was the worse part of the morning.......

These guys were excited to get their training started. I love the enthusiasm and determination that they showed.

Yes there was too much cotton on some of them but they will learn!

I love this part of the job, seeing all those new faces.

I wonder which one will have untapped Olympic talent?????

T.G.I.Fun

This young lady had me in stitches at out Team in training Kick-off last night......

She's talking about training and what may be said during the training.




I think we're going to have some fun...........

Three Things Thursday...........

I remember when my Thursdays were the start of the weekend, now it's just Thursday.

1) Is it just me or did I fall asleep and miss a generation of tennis players? Not only can't I spell the names of the top-rated players, there is no way I could even pronounce them! Don't let me get on my soapbox about the Americans.......

2) I have made several attempts to stay on the dreadmill for more than thirty minutes unsuccessfully. I must be going so fast that time stands still. I've attempted raising the incline, lowering the incline speeding up and slowing down. Listening to my music, listening to the television. People watching helps for a minute but then that gets stall. ARGHHHHHHHHHH

3) We have our Summer 2011 Team in training Kick-off tonight! We have thirty-two people on the team, with hopes of retaining all of them. Fresh meat!!!!!

Stay Thirsty my Friends...........

Wednesday's What?????

We had team building outing at a local indoor Go-Kart establishment. This place not only has the karts but they sell alcohol,. Sounds like a good combination, right?

Well being the team layer that I am, I rearranged my busy schedule to attend(isn't that what Tivo is for)....

Just like so many things in life one size does not fit all. I tried sitting in one of the karts and immediately knew that it wasn't my size! I could just imagine my knees taking a beating.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm my knees are bad enough without being banged in a go-kart.

I took a verbal beating from my co-workers about not getting in the kart, but stuck to my guns.

It did look like a lot of fun, while I cried in my BEvERage......

What activity have you given up knowing that it would impact your running or ability to run?????

Tuesday's Random Thoughts

Online shopping for your running stuff or do you support your local running specialty store or both?

Do you have local elite runners that compete on a national level too? Here we have the Hanson's Distance Project and these guys are down to earth people.

Does your area have enough races to keep you satisfied or could yoiu think of a month that could use some more?

What's your worse race experience? Mine was running a first year race that had self-serve water stations. They evidently couldn't get sufficient volunteers to man the stations. I actually started handing out water as I raced.

I get a brand new batch of runners for the summer season on Saturday. Hopefully the temps will be close to freezing, so they don't get scared off...

Stay thirsty, my friends.............

Monday Muse

What a great NFC Championship game yesterday....

I was so in sync with the game, when I had to pee they would call a timeout.

When I needed to get a BEvERage, there was a commercial.

Go Packers.............

Since we've been in the deep freeze with our running, it peaked my curiosity watching the football players exposing their arms while playing in single digit windchill.

These guys are banging heads and falling on the ground and not even thinking about the temps!

Maybe their base salaries plays a big part of the equation?

Although they have more body mass and tattoos to keep them warm, I wondered could I actually run with exposed arms?

Obviously I would make safety a priority but I'm wondering how it would feel.

So stay tuned to the 'TNT Coach Ken Real Science Sports Lab'.......

Once Was Not Enough!

When you love doing something, don't you want to do it all the time????

Well in my youth I could do it several times a day and not even think about it.

I could even do it with different partners!

Well as I've gotten older it's a little tougher but I still try.

That's right, I went back out to run with some of my team that can't make it on Saturdays...... again.

This is how the morning started.....



Can you believe it, I have over 33,000 miles on my car!!!!

Once again I put on all the running clothes that I own and got out there to run. The first miles was into the wind to the point of almost turning around and calling it a day. That's the beauty of running with others, no one wants to be the wimp!!!

Once we got out of the wind, it was actually pleasant(for sub-zero) weather. Here's Sandy and one of the participants basking in the sunshine. I think those are smiles.......



Needless to say, everyone admitted that it was better than they envisioned it would be. So I got in my multiple sub-zero runs in this weekend. I guess next on my list should be a Polar Plunge......

Check out the blue sky.

It's Effin COLD!

It was fucking freezing this morning! WTF???????????

Oh, that's right I'm in Michigan..............




I love making them stand still as I take the photo. Can you tell how cold they are?????

It really wasn't that bad, if you stay indoors!!!!!! The wind hadn't picked up to gust status yet, so we were hoping to finish before that happened.

Some people claim that it's all in the mind and you can handle almost anything, so.......



I broke out the HOT Hawaiian shirt! Don't I look hot???????

We froze our asses off but we got in the miles..........

Stay warm, my friends.

T.G.I.Freezing.....................

Windchill temperatures below ZERO!

It's the weekend, a time for all runners to frolic outside doing their longest mileage.

We're suppose to be pushing our bodies to the limits with just running, not trying to maintain a normal core temperature!

This will probably be a four-layer weekend! I'll even have to dust off the wind briefs........

What's the most layers that you've ever worn????

I remember running before the advent of all the hi-tech apparel.

We would wear layer after layer of cotton clothing and pray that we had on enough. I remember running with ski goggles, that's how old school we were! Ah, the good old days (boy were we stupid)..........

Once again we'll find out who has the biggest balls to be outside braving the elements. Where are all those people that I saw running in July?

This cold spell should make for some good football this weekend. Am I the only one in Blogland with their favorite team still playing? GO Packers............

I finally saw this week's Biggest Loser and is it just me or is it strange for adult twins in their fifties to have identical mustaches and the same kind of glasses?

What's the coldest that you run outside in??????????

Three Things Thursday...........

Boy, I miss a few days in Blogland and you guys are posting like crazy!!!!!

1) My son was in town from Los Angles and we got together with the kids for dinner and drinks. Don't ask me how it happened but my kids hate beer! Can you believe that? I know they aren't adopted but how could that be? They both prefer different drinks like bourbon and vodka, Ewwwwwwww.

2) I've been using the treadmill the last few days because the roads are icy and treacherous around work and home. I need to find a way to get pass my thirty minute mental barrier! I go crazy staring out the window or looking at other people on machines. Even ESPN can't help...

3) We had a TNT Nutrition clinic and I'm amazed at the amount of supplements that people take. I will take a multi-vitamin to make up for bad days. What type of magic bullet do you take on a regular basis to keep your well tuned body going?

Weekend Recap Sorta............

Football, BEvERages and snow.............

Notice the absence of running? Well this was the weekend of cratastic runs....

I know that a large portion of the problem was my nutritional intake.

REMEMBER, you cannot get the majority of your calories from liquids!!!!!!!!!

Is it just me or when you people that run in the snow and ice wear your Yak-trak devices do you go looking for snow and ice?????

After being almost completely footballed out, I went for a Sunday evening run in the hood! Since we don't have sidewalks, most of my run has to be on the shoulder of the road, which is iced/snowed over. I found myself avoiding dry pavement because I was wearing my 'grippers'..... Is that normal?

How about those Packers????????????

Another thing that I've noticed lately in Blogland is less conversations regarding the television show 'The Biggest Loser', has it jumped the shark?

So I'm logging all my weekend miles as 'junk' miles. They still count in the total but I got nothing out of them.

The Rhythm Method

I love my Spring 2011 TNT participants. We got more of the white stuff and the roads were a little slippery for an early morning drive but they showed up for training like troopers.

The path had been cleared but the snow kept falling and the footing got a little tricky.

It funny how your muscles take a beating when you alter your gait and stride length from the norm.

Okay back to the topic at hand...........

No, I'm not talking about that type of rhythm, remember this is a running blog!

Anita Baker had a song about the rhythm of love.... and I'm sure all of you are aware of your rhythm of running.

I had my team get out of there comfort zone and try to run with a new rhythm.

I challenge them today, whenever a runner passed them, they had to tag on and run with the passing runner for at least twenty yards!

Do you play games when you're running?

TGIF Bitches...............

I have a Facebook friend that loves to use this title every Friday and I can hear her saying it right now.

We're in the process of holding information meetings for Team in Training's summer season and I had an actual doctor sign up for the team. (I sometimes play a doctor on the weekend. TMI....)

I'm not sure why but I'm feeling a little intimidated to coach a doctor? I've coached nurses, teachers and even other coaches but how can I tell a doctor that the pain in his leg is normal?

(Random thought) Hey, is there a top and a bottom to a banana? I saw a co-worker opening(is that the correct term) a banana from what I called the bottom, he looked at me like I was crazy!

I also have my first active smoker getting ready to train for an event! This should be really interesting as the team warm-ups stretching and this person is puffing on a cigarette! HA

(Random thought #2) Jess over at Run Jess Run had an interesting situation with an older(not me) runner commenting on her speed. I think he meant well but it got her to thinking. It got me to thinking about comments that we leave on blogs, most are encouraging and uplifting but have you been the victim of blog venom? Has someone left a comment that hurt?

Can you use nicotine patches as a base layer????

We're having a TNT Bowling event tonight, so I get a chance to socialize with a bunch of alumni.

Party on Garth!!!!!!

Three Things Thursday...........

1) Non running stuff, did I mention that the Green Bay Packers are in the playoffs? People always ask me how I became a Packer fan and I really can't explain how as a kid I fell in love with the team. Kind of like how I fell in love with running, how do you explain your love for running to others?

2) It's the time of year when my team is running double digit miles in some pretty cold temps! I always try to make it as much fun as possible, like Hawaiian shirts over six layers. Should I have Hot Chocolate at the fluids stations???

3) I'll be doing the parking lot loops, since the sidewalks and roads are snow and ice! I have a pair of the cheapo ice grips but they aren't comfortable and you know I need to be comfortable when I run. The sun is suppose to make a cameo appearance in about six days, good thing I put some sunshine in a jar back in July!

Wednesday's WTF?????????

Okay we all know about getting a new pair of running shoes and the excitement associated with it. You know that new car smell......... Well my excitement was thrashed against the rocks of despair!!!

I know what size and width feels and works best for me.

I know what brand and model works for me.

I even know what color looks the best on me.

So why the f#@k does upgrading to the latest model of a shoe that I have 212 pairs hurt my feet?

Can you believe that 49 of the 52 states has snow??????

Happy Humpday......

Tuesday's Thoughts..........

Is Running a true Sport????

If running was truly a sport wouldn't we have some running cliches???

I'm sure that you've all heard the following cliches:

'I'm really proud of the way our guys hung in there. '

'This team shows a lot of poise.'

'Just watching him is worth the price of admission.'

We spent an hour at work talking in cliches, it was hilarious!

All we runners have is stuff like '..looking good' or 'you're almost there...'

We need some middle of the pack cliches.............

How about:

'...I knew I could take him on that last hill, how did I know he was 80?'

' Damn dude, you just got chicked!'

'I knew coming into this race that I was in average shape'.

'Lady, you're looking good and you're running okay too'

On a different note, go check out B.o.B., she was just awarded the prestigious Stylish Blogger Award, which is only given out every 1.3 hours!

I'm going to make up some award that I can give to myself, isn't that how the People's Choice got started?????

Monday Moanin'

Why does that 48 hours go so fast?

I get to run indoors on the dreadmill because I have new shoes to test drive......

Is it universal for runners to give the hand wave or head nod when encountering another runner going the opposite direction?

How much out of the way will you go to speak to another runner?

I've had some runners, typically male just run by and not even acknowledge my existence!

Sandy survived the torturous weather of Orlando for the Disney marathon weekend. I think it got to 65º one of the days!

The Packers are moving on in the playoffs....

Sunday Isn't a day of Rest.........

Some of my team participants can't make the Saturday group runs, so we meet on Sundays (boy am I a great coach)........

I purposely start an hour later to make it seem like I'm sleeping in on day on the weekend!

Well today the sun was shining brightly in the sky but the temp was still 13º with a 10 mph wind....

We still have over two more months of this type of weather......

Okay enough about running, today the Packers take on the Eagles in their road tot eh Super Bowl.

Time to put on my Packer underwear (good luck pair) and rest my arse in front of the television....

Go Packers......

Time for a Quiz...........

You remember those pop quizzes in school, well we had one today at our Team in Training group training run.

We've been training for two months and today was a chance for them to show me what they've learned. Normally, we start out as a group for the first mile to warm-up and converse about everything under the sun. Today, I told them to just run.

I dashed off with my normal blazing speed to see if any of them would follow or would they start off slow and gradually speed up. Well, there's always that one student...... Needless to say, she knew that she was going too fast but as we all say, 'I was feeling good'.........

Did I mention that it was 14º with a windchill in single digits?

Have you ever been on a run where it actually got colder the longer you ran?

Oh, back to the quiz.

I'm constantly telling them that gravity is your friend on a decline, I love hills. So we should never try to brake ourselves but let gravity do the work. Did they brake on the declines, YES...........

Do they attack the inclines...........NO....

Did I mention it was effin freezing???

Okay, I'm starting to thaw...

My grade for the team on their quiz is a B-, we need to work on a few more things..

Don't you love training?

Who Knew??????

After reading through a couple thousand post yesterday, one thing really struck and B.o.B. really made it evident.

There is a deadline time for posting to your blog!

I guess it makes sense to have it available for the masses throughout the course of the day.

I really enjoy reading during the slow periods at work, sometimes even laughing out loud(LOL) at some of your post!

So if you post in the morning, is it after your morning run or workout?

Do you post about things that occurred in the evening?

I have some of my more humorous thoughts during the day but never right them down and subsequently forgetting about them! DUH..........

Do you jot down notes for future post?

Have you ever encountered writer's block?

Okay enough of this, I'm hoping for a good run today before we get hit with snow later today.

Stay thirsty, my friends..................

Three Things Thursday...........

1) Sandy is taking her winter 2010 TNT team down to Orlando for some fun in the sun this weekend. They'll be taking part in the Disney Marathon and 1/2 Marathons. The Hanson's Distance Project is taking a few of their young ladies down for the races also. Boy, those kids are looking younger each year!



2) First crappy run of 2011 is out of the way! Why does it always look so inviting when you see photos of running in the snow? Every time I do it, I'm dodging cars or leaping over puddles and I always have that 'WTF' look on my face.

3)Just heard that the Crazy Canadian and local Redhead will be participating in the Martian Festival of Races in Dearborn, Michigan in 2011. Getting the camera ready for some Blogging antics.

Wednesday's Why??????

Why the hell is my diet so F*#ked up?

I'm logging my food intake into Calorie Count and it sucks!

Sodium and Cholesterol too high!

Carbohydrates and Fiber too low!

I'm surprised that I can even walk, let alone run and lift weights.

Most of my bad crap comes from the stuff I eat at work, and I think that I'm doing good until I input it and analyze the nutrients.

It's a new year and I'm suppose to resolve to do things better.

Do you know that cake is an alternative for carbs????

How do you guys keep your eating on the good side?

No Such Thing as a Free Lunch!

How do retired people handle all of their free time?

I am finally back to work and hopefully back to a nutritional routine that is healthy. Although that damn alarm clock scared the hell out of me this morning!

My local gym finally realized that most of the members weren't willing to pay for classes, so now all the classes are free!

So this is my chance to check out the Spinning class and see if I can still get a good sweat for 45 minutes.

I'm not very good on a class environment! I'm an overachiever that becomes borderline obnoxious!

I know that's hard to believe but it's true.

You would have thought that Lance Armstrong was on the bike next to me. I probably could have done that tour thingy in France..........

Well, do you realize the amount of torque cycling puts on your old arthritic knee?

A helluva lot! OUCH........

So I immediately ice my knee in hopes of calming the throbbing ache.

The other thing about an evening class is that I was too geeked to get to bed!

So as I sit hear with ice on my knee(at work), remember there is no such thing as a 'free' lunch!

Stupid Weather!

Well the heatwave is over, we're back to winter in Michigan!

We're back to wind chills in the single digits.....

We had another unofficial team training today and the wind and cold made it more fun for the participants. Nothing like a brisk wind in your face to get the endorphins going......

So does knowing that you're running in ridiculous weather make you feel tough?

Do you like the ice forming on your clothing from the accumulated sweat?

Have you ever had icicles form on your body?

Oh the joys of running in the High-five state.

Stay warm my friends.............