Pictures of River Gorge Trail Run

Pictures of the River Gorge Trail Run are up.

Black & White images should be uploaded later in the week.

10% of all sales go to the Cumberland Trail Conference.

Congrats to all of the finishers who made it through the mud!

Freakishly Awesome Article on Running

I love science.  Even though I'm bad at it and struggled through college, I have a huge amount of respect for science.  This is mainly due to my grandfather who was a chemist.

Anyhow, Seed Magazine just put out a freakishly awesome article on running.  

Chattanooga Outdoor Expo Update

I just got word that the Outdoor Expo that I blogged about yesterday, has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 29, from 12-4.  Everyone come on out and check out Outdoor Chattanooga's new digs!    

Chattanooga Outdoors

Unfortuantely I won't be running the River Gorge 10 miler this weekend, as I am still fighting a sinus infection.  However, I will be there photographing everyone and motivating friends.

On another note, the Outdoor Expo is this weekend and I will be there helping my friend Jon out with iMultisport.  

Outdoor Chattanooga Outdoor Expo 
Gear Swap
and
Grand Opening Celebration

Saturday, March 28, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Coolidge Park
(Rain Date: March 29, Noon - 4 p.m.)

Live Strong Manifesto

I haven't kept up with my goals of posting more on the blog due to a seriously wicked bug.  I haven't ran in 4 weeks.  It has been well over a decade the last time I went four weeks without running.  Anyway, aside from being kept up sick and dealing with a bunch of other stuff I recently found some motivation in this manifesto and wanted to pass it along.  Go LIVE!

THE MANIFESTO OF THE LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION We believe in life. Your life. We believe in living every minute of it with every ounce of your being. And that you must not let cancer take control of it. We believe in energy: channeled and fierce. We believe in focus: getting smart and living strong. Unity is strength. Knowledge is power. Attitude is everything. This is the Lance Armstrong Foundation. We kick in the moment you’re diagnosed. We help you accept the tears. Acknowledge the rage. We believe in your right to live without pain. We believe in information. Not pity. And in straight, open talk about cancer. With husbands, wives and partners. With kids, friends and neighbors. And the people you live with, work with, cry and laugh with. This is no time to pull punches. You’re in the fight of your life. We’re about the hard stuff. Like finding the nerve to ask for a second opinion. And a third, or a fourth, if that’s what it takes. We’re about getting smart about clinical trials. And if it comes to it, being in control of how your life ends. It’s your life. You will have it your way. We’re about the practical stuff. Planning for surviving. Banking your sperm. Preserving your fertility. Organizing your finances. Dealing with hospitals, specialists, insurance companies and employers. It’s knowing your rights. It’s your life. Take no prisoners. We’re about the fight. We’re your champion on Capitol Hill. Your advocate with the healthcare system. Your sponsor in the research labs. And we know the fight never ends. Cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life. This is the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Founded and inspired by one of the toughest cancer survivors on the planet. LIVESTRONG™

In honor of my friend David

On the way to work this Friday I noticed an "accident" on the right side of the road.  However, as I approached a cold shiver went up my spine that is still there.  I saw a lone bike on the ground with a huge truck in front parked.  Cop cars were everywhere.  Later I found out this was actually a good friend of mine, David Meek, a fellow commuter that I had shared many rides with on Tuesday nights, many breakfasts with at Bike to Work, and many other great memories with.  Mere words cannot even begin to explain the admiration I have for David Meek.  A true cyclist who builds his own bikes.  He passed away after arriving at the hospital.

Many of you know I'm extremely sensitive about this topic as I was full-time bike commuter for over 3 years.  I have edited this post many times to not sound so militant, but I do want to remind everyone that in Tennessee automobiles are required by law to give cyclist 3 feet of room:  Tennessee's 3-foot law.  

Southern 6 Recap

No wonder I didn't win - look how far back I am from the front!

My first race of the year went relatively well.  Saturday my friend Dusty and I did the course so I would be familiar with it.  The course is behind Southern Adventist University and has some excellent trails, that are real heart-breakers!  The race was a 6K course and the first 2.5K were straight-up!  Needless to say we didn't have to worry about pack-running.  

It was perfect running weather as it was wicked cold at the start with strong winds.  Once we got into the woods everything was fine though.  The race played-out exactly like I thought it would.  Everyone charged up the first section of the almost 3K hill and once people started to see there was no end-in-sight people started to walk and shuffle to the side.  I'm happy to report that I didn't stop the entire time.  My only dissapointment came mid-way through when I was wanting to keep-up with a very fast group and they passed me.  I was actually exicted when we were about 80% done and Chattanooga running legend Randy Whorton passed me!  However, reality set-in when they gave him an award and he announced he ran a 50-K the day before!  Owell, it was a fun day and my friend Dusty pulled a Dean K - and ran to the race!  True dedication!!!

I'm truelly addicted to trails now.  I don't care if I am significantly slower - I feel better and more refreshed after running on trails.