BRI'S RUN FOR THE PETITS

Not so flattering...

2008-10-30T11:37:00.002-04:00

Hair and makeup, STAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

www.marathonfoto.com

Bib #9939

Select Marine Corps Marathon & 10k 2008

Yiiiiiiiiiiikes. I particularly like the one with a side view of me seemingly about to fall over at the finish line.

Beauty.

Looking rough but happy - 26.2 miles is far!

2008-10-28T15:14:00.000-04:00

Super swollen IT band post race

2008-10-28T15:11:00.000-04:00

Finished! Carnage report to follow

2008-10-26T23:18:00.000-04:00

The Troof

2008-09-19T10:07:00.005-04:00

OK, so I have a been a tiny bit absent, but not for a lack of action...whoa, that doesn't sound PG. Anywho, I think I have found a way to a) keep my cardio fitness up enough to manage 26.2 come October while leg knee heals and b) a form of exercise that will not bore the ever-living @!$%!@$#!$# out of me. What is it, you ask? Come on now, Reader, you know better than that! I have to be as long winded as humanly possible, skip over a few details, rant about something that shares no context to the current post (kind of like right now, perhaps?), and most likely publish the post, only to have to follow up with a subsequent post detailing the answer. So, let's start that long-winded bit...right now!

Soooooo, I have been kind of going out of my mind...well...even more so than I already am. I didn't realize how much I have come to rely on my running to even out my days. Not only does it burn off the infinite amount of energy that runs through my veins at all points of the day and night (I am the type that can wake up at 3:30 in the morning and play a full court game of bball with out missing a beat, and yes, I would dunk all up on and over your dome), but it also regulated my mood. That whole "runners high" bit? Well, I wouldn't go that far, but running certainly has become an integral part of keeping me feeling normal, that my day was complete because I hit the pavement. Now that I am forced to shelve the running kicks for the time being, my energy has hit dangerous levels. Like, if G.W.B. 43 was running my endocrine system, my color code would be flashing RED...that and the voice of my conscience would have a fake Texas accent and want me to clear large amounts of brush. Now where was I...

Brian Hetzel needs to contact Stella to find out how the !#$! she got her groove back and which direction he should go to find his. Damn it...I feel like a bump on a log every day that goes by that I can't run. It doesn't help that the marathon date is now approaching fast and furious, Vin Diesel style. I have heard from a number of people that if I just let my knee rest for 10-14 days, I should be fine. Hearing this is encouraging, as running all over Boston in poom-poom shorts and a headband for the last 6 months has not been easy. I mean, sure, I look fresh to death, but this training bit has taken a lot of time, dedication, and filthy amounts of Body Glide and nipple patches.

Yes, I went there - get over it...although how great would it be to see a NASCAR sponsored by Nip Guards? Hahaha. Picture it...

"And there is the number 22 Nip Guards car playing bumper cars with Jeff Gordon."

That would be hilar...What? I am not, I just thought it would be funny if...What? I will get to the point, I just thought this was funny so I took some creative license and...FINE. RELAX. I'll get back to the story.

Gosh, Puuuuuuuuuushy.

Anyway, it got to the point earlier this week where I seriously thought I was going to run really fast into a wall if I didn't exercise. I could literally feel myself getting out of shape. OK, maybe this is an exaggeration, but we're talking about me here, so, yeah. I tried to test the knee out with a few really short runs but didn't get very far. Frustrated, I weaved in and out of traffic going much faster than I usually do (I have more speeding tickets than I care to talk about) on my way back to my parent's house in Springfield, MA.

There, I found my road bike in the basement, covered in dust, staring at me. So, with no other options other than swimming...I will touch on that in a later post...I brought her over to get tuned up and headed out.

And that's where the adventure began....

No change

2008-09-11T14:18:00.003-04:00

Nothing has changed...well...it's only been about 24 hours but still. What can I say, I am hoping that one of these mornings I am going to wake up and it will be as good as new.

The more and more I think about the race, the more I come to the realization that I will finish the race one way or another and my feet will be involved. I may have to walk it, who knows, but I will be there regardless; I made that promise.

Other results from the race

2008-09-10T16:34:00.004-04:00

Well, this is not the result I was looking or hoping for...more of one that I was fearing.

So, I have been talking about my right knee on here, mentioning that it has been bothering me, hampering me from properly training. Well, it has certainly reared its ugly head and got my complete attention. I woke up on Sunday and my knee felt really tight and sore. I know it is my IT band, I mean I can actually SEE that it is swollen. I tried it out by going for a very brief run, but the pain didn't go away.

I know, I know, how would it...Hey, you never know.

Shut up.

Anyway, it got pretty tight on the drive home. I stretched it out when I got back to my apartment, hoping that would help out some. It didn't feel too, too bad the following day, Monday, so I tested it out on a four mile run. I could "feel" the ligament throughout the entire run, especially when I chased after a few middle schoolers shouting out explatives to random people walking by, minding their own business. What? They were rude and deserved to get chased. Little buggers....Anyway, when I got home, I stretched a bit, but didn't feel any significant pain. I thought I had taken care of what ever was making it enflamed...of course I did. So, with that thought in mind, I tried to tackle 6 miles yesterday, a run that normally is easy and thoughtless. Well, it proved to be just that...for about 4 miles and a half miles. It was at this point that the pain in my IT band became so bad that I had to actually stop and stand still. I stretched it out, which is not a TON of fun, and proceeded to walk for a half mile.

I am not good a going slow, in any regard. So, the idea of walking back to my apartment was not one that sat well with me. It is also why I have FAR too many scars, surgical repairs, pins, etc. for a 30-year old. So what did I do? That's right, I tried to start running again with about a mile to go from home. I got about 100 meters down the road before a shooting pain ripped through my knee to stop in my tracks and throw some serious shadow box punches through the air. I don't know WHAT THE FREAKING DEAL IS, but my body is angry at me. I mean, I know what the deal is, I just don't know why it is happening now, with less than two months left before the race, after putting mile after mile in. I ended up walking the rest of the way, which was also extremely painful. Yes, I know, I have done a number to this IT band, and I am not exactly sure where it leaves me. I stretched my knee really well last night, I stretched all the areas connected to the IT band, even my booty. I then iced it, took some ibuprofen, and went to bed, hoping for the best.

I woke up this morning, took one step and almost fell over. My whole leg is so damn tight, my IT is throbbing as I write this, and seems to be getting worse with every step. There is absolutely no way that I will be running today, tomorrow, or in the near future. I mean, I will pray for something awesome to conspire, but I also am not holding my breath.

So what does this mean? Well, I am not exactly sure. I have registered for the race, I have set up plans to get down there, etc. I have put in countless hours to prepare, and I am not one to back off, even if it is the right thing to do. And then there is the Petit Family, who I am running this marathon for. Thinking about them, I have come to this early decision - it doesn't matter how I feel on race day, I will toe that line. I may have to walk the whole thing, but I don't care, I will finish it. I will be damned if this hiccup is going to stop me from accomplishing that. In all honestly, I have always believed this training is bigger than me, wholeheartedly. I made a promise, and I will keep it regardless.

Any thoughts, hints, stretching routines, methods of treatment for IT bands, etc. is welcomed...actually I begging any and all of you to help me out!

Really, really dejected and frustrated-

-B

This just solidifies the fact that I will be in Arizona in mid January to run the Rock n' Roll marathon.

The Race

2008-09-10T15:33:00.008-04:00

Although I have been running a good amount since February, I was still a bit apprehensive about running the 6K this past weekend. But, I said I would run it and it was to be a good test of exactly where I stood on the conditioning scale. I could have bailed and run the 5k but that would have been a cop-0ut for me, as I knew I was in good enough shape to run a decent 6k. I also was a bit worried about my right knee, which had become a problem after finishing my last 20-mile adventure. I had dialed down the amount of daily miles in the previous week and a half, but not much had changed; my knee was still bothering me.

Race day was great - minus the humidity. Why is it that every time I decide to run a race, one where I am looking to put down a decent personal time, mother nature is like TAKE THAT! MN, you are a sour @#$*%. Seriously, can't I get some love on the weather tip? Man...Anway, I toed the line with 93 other runners, a mixture of current student-athletes and alumna. I made sure to find my way to the back, as I was not trying to kid anyone by thinking I was going to break a course record. I also didn't want to pull my usual blazing first mile only to fade hard afterwards; not this time. So, the gun went off and so did I, settling to the back and being happy about it!

I felt great through the first mile, actually felt like I was just maintaining, not really pushing at all.

"6:45...6:46...6:47...," the bald man with the clipboard shouted.

Normally, I would have been concerned about that pace, but I felt fine. In past years, I felt OK at that pace but knew I was going to run out of gas. Not this time, though, I felt my legs under me and knew I had enough in the tank to run it out.

I started to pick off a handful or runners as they came back after starting off too fast, which is normally my role. It was nice to have someone take over the reigns for once! I still felt pretty good at mile 2, which is where I found two current Lady Saints and decided to hang on their pace. I also decided to act like a complete wierdo, which is not uncommon, for the race photographer...

What? Someone had to do it. And the double bandana, while also dope-boy fresh, is a shout out to Ry-Ry, the colors of his beloved 'Cuse.

It was at this point where I started to feel the humidity. I mean, I hydrated for a few days before the race, so I was fine for a while. But, I do not do well in humidity, as any loyal reader of this blog will know. I really needed some water, but there was none offer on-course, which needs to change before next year's race. I mean, I didn't wilt and slow way down, I just could

feel my body become less responsive to the ground. It was also zapping my energy, as before I felt as though I could pick up the pace at any point. But, as the race wore on, even though it was only a bit over 3 miles, I felt as though I was trying to maintain my initial pace.

The SLU XC course isn't a particularly fast one, as there are a number of ups and downs, places where you will get caught up. For me, the race-killer is the short but steep hill coming out of the woods near the baseball field. Hills and I do not get along normally as I have long legs, but this hill seems to have my number more than others. Is it the roots, the loose dirt, the incline, the fact that it is also so damn muggy, the mental idea of a hill? I have no idea, I just know it hurts and slows me down quite a bit and takes a while to recover from. Here, check out my face coming up the hill for the second time, I am not even pandering for the camera:

Damn hill, who put that there. But, I did know that I only had a half mile or so left to go, so I was not overly worried. I knew that I had a good 300 meters before the start of the long homestretch, which I could use to recover before trying to kick it in.

Well, I was a bit more zapped coming out of the woods than I thought I was going to be. I wanted to hammer coming around the turn to home, but didn't feel like I had much left in me. With that said, I have never been one to qu

estion or care what I have or have not had in the tank. So, with that thought, I put my head down and gave a push forward. My legs responded this time, and I started to gain ground on a handful of people ahead of me. Unfortunately, the rest of my body was not in sync and I really began to feel it!

"Briiiiiaaaaaan...what are you doing....Briiiaaaaan....hey, down here, your stomach, remember me? Yeah, we are going to need you to slow up a bit...Briiiiaaaaan...fine, don't listen and see what happens!"

That was the message I got with a hundred meters to go. Check out the facial expression I was sporting with about 25 meters to go...

Yeeeeeeaaaaaaeah...

I wasn't feeling too hot. I can't tell you how excited I was to see that finish line. I am not going to line, I definitely dry heaved, twice actually, right at the end; once with about 10 meters to go and once right after the finish line. Ahhh, just like old times! I don't know w

hat it is, but I almost always dry heave after a distance race.

Yummy. Chewed banana, anyone?

I ended up finishing in the mid 26's for the 6k, which is about a 7:15 mm pace. Not blazing fast but certainly quicker than I have run in the past. I think I could have run faster if I drank something during the race, but oh well. I was happy with the time, especially after not having run a ton in the previous week.

In the end, a good time was had by all, just as Wellsie would have wanted it. The alumns capped it off as only the mud and blood do, with Sergis in the belly! And if anyone forgot, it 386-4581 :) Thank you to all who made the trip to lovely Canton, NY. We were able to raise an additional $1500 to go towards the Track and Field awards area to be bestowed in Wellsie's name. That means we are about halfway to our goal of 6K now...keep it coming! For more information, contact the XC and Track and Field coaches at St. Lawrence University, www.stlawu.edu/sports, or head on over to www.run4stlawrence where one of us can point you in the right direction.

See you all at XC Regionals in Canton on November 15!

-B

Wellsie's Run - Why we return

2008-09-10T13:59:00.004-04:00

Every fall, St. Lawrence University XC and Track and Field alumna return to campus for a sole purpose: to celebrate the life and message of Ryan "Wellsie" Wells. Who is he? Well, that would take a million blogs to cover everything he stood for, but I will do my best.

Wellsie was everything you want, and desire, to be. I know, that sounds cliche but it is true; ask anyone who knew or met him. He was that once-in-a-lifetime soul that lived life to its absolutely fullest and inspired those around him to do

the same. It was not unusual for me to get a call from Wellsie at midnight just to say hello. On asking him where he was, he would say,

"I am on way down to Bethpage to play the Black course."

"But Wellsie, it's midnight on a weekeday," I would reply, knowing that this meant nothing to him.

"I know, but I want to play it, so why not do it now?"

I couldn't fault him, he lived as many of us always have wanted - to the fullest. He would jump in the car on the fly if you needed him, he was quick with a joke when you were down, and did everything, I mean EVERYTHING, at 100%. Proof of this could be found in his support for the 'Cuse, his beloved Orange. You think you are a big fan? Please...

"Wellsie, what are you listening to?"

"Ah, just a CD 'Melo made for me."

"Riiiight...of course"

"Wellsie, is that a 'Cuse championship ring?"

"Yeah, got it from Boeheim."

That's how my boy Ryan Wells rolled.

All of this is well and good, but Ryan's true character shone through during his battle with cancer. I didn't use the word fight, because it didn't sound strong enough. You see, Ryan went to war with his disease, battled it at every turn, and never EVER gave up.

"I'm going to treat it like the flu, Boo, that's all it is."

And that is just what he did. It didn't trump him when he didn't have enough energy to even open his eyelids, when his hair fell out, when he spent week after week away from home tucked away in some sterile room in Sloan Kettering, or when the disease came back for a second and third time. He needed surgery to stop the spread of the disease?

"Let's do it."

It didn't matter to him, he was going to come out on top. The disease never defined him, but his battle persona did. I know Lance Armstrong is revered for his strength, but I'm sorry. Lance, you don't have @#$% on Wellsie, not an iota. Whether the fir

st, second or third time he fought it, Wellsie came out guns blazing. And it was a sight to behold.

I am not doing this special guy justice...just know that he was incredible, a one-of-a-kind. I miss my boy, I wish I could hit a 'Cuse football game with him, like I promised I would, I wish I could crush some of his mom's homemade meatballs in Canastota and toss the the football around afterwards. Most of all, I just wish the world could have

had him for just a little longer; it would be a much better place for it.

I miss you, bud - Make it clap ;)

For those of you that knew Ry and read this blog - please feel free to post stories of him, funny things you remember, etc. I would love to hear and share them with the rest of the folks that wander on through.

Run for Wellsie up at SLU

2008-09-09T00:09:00.004-04:00

I will post my full report from this past weekend up at SLU when I have a chance tomorrow. In the meantime, check out the money post-race feast I hammered at Dana, who was always really good to me (photo credits to Sammy):

You know what that is right there? Well, it is actually two things:

1) Straight money

2) Me winning at Breakfast

Yes, brown rice, pasta with cheese, a blueberry bagel with PB and honey and pepperoni pizza do INFACT go together, so stop hating.

Hater.

I win.

PS- I washed it all down with a nice, cool Coca-Cola Classic. Eat it!

Hopefully my Rx

2008-09-04T11:45:00.005-04:00

Check it- Just landed what I hope to be my cure:

Yes, sir. Orthotics, B#$!@#S!

If you look close, really close, you can see that they are actually made of money. Yeah, I know, I didn't realize orthotics were made of money, either. I guess tha...

What? Yeah, money, that is what I said. Did I stutter? What? I don't know why, I just know that they have to be made out of money if anyone in his/her right mind is going to charge $300+ for foam. So, I concluded that they are, in fact, not foam at all but money. It's all logic; if you paid attention you would understand. Will you let me get back to my post? What? I know Wolf Blitzer is really a robot, everyone knows that. Now will you let me finish my post? Thank you.

Sorry about that. Some people have no shame. Anyway, I hope these orthotics do the trick, as I am not about to stop running for an extended period of time. The marathon is in less than two months and I still have work to do. I am running, period. Whether or not my body gets that is besides the point.

I will toe that line.

A bit damaged

2008-09-04T11:23:00.004-04:00

So I haven't really recovered from that 20 miler...actually, I think I kind of broke myself a bit. Actually, I know I did. At mile 15 I experienced serious leg pain and should have stopped. But, anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not good at listening to my body when it is telling me to chill out. I bulled through the last 5 and did some damage to my knees.

I had been feeling pain in the outside of my knees for a while, but figured it would go away. Unfortunately, throwing down 20 miles on top of a tweak, especially in these. They are the Nike Lunar trainers, which I piked up a few weeks back. They are light, which is very good for my rebuilt ankle, and are neutral with a ton of room in the forefoot for people like me with wide feet. But, I found out they are not GREAT for really long runs.

I got to mile 10 feeling awesome, hammering 7:30 miles, which is a decent pace for me. But, my knees started to hurt at mile 12, mostly my IT bands. By mile 15 I was in serious pain, to the point where I had to stop and still, hoping the throbbing in my legs would fade. I was a ways out, and I am inpatient as all get out, so walking was not an option. I decided to push through it, which now I realize was not the smart choice.

I am not sure where this leaves me, but you can bet I am not going to give up.

3:00

2008-08-25T21:19:00.002-04:00

not in minutes, but hours....I hurt everywhere, not running again until I pick up my orthotics on Thursday...I am pretty sure I have no more cartilage left in my knees...vaseline has nothing on nipple guards...and Nike makes terrible running shoes.

If anyone needs me, I will be in the shower until tomorrow morning...

leaving now for my......

2008-08-25T17:50:00.000-04:00

20 miler! Ah! I will let you know how it goes when I get back.

And yes, I look amazing.

Run 4 St. Lawrence

2008-08-25T12:06:00.005-04:00

So to all of those that read this, you know that I am obsessed with the Scarlet and the Brown, Mud and Blood; St. Lawrence University and all that it entails. Well, a big part of what keeps me fired up are the alumni that are just as rabid as I am, and for the most part, they hail from the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Because we are so fresh and so clean, clean, we often connect like Voltron for big races, relays, events, and any other debaucheries we can think of. Since we all chose to attend college at this fine academic institution, we are therefore incredibly intelligent. What does that mean, exactly? Well, it means that a) we really are that dope b) we all at one time ate fat bags at 3 a.m. and c) decided that taking over the world would need a website. Therefore, following was born:

www.run4stlawrence.com

This is the brainchild of the famous, and quite infamous, Sammy. While we all helped here and there along the way, there isn't a chance in hell that so many hotel rooms around the country would have been collectively owned if it were not for his organizational prowess. So, hat tip to Sammy, he can hook a steak up, as Biggie would say (40oz. tip-emphasis added).

So, check out the website if you want to see what winning looks like. And by winning I mean at everything, et al.

Git out now!

It's the Olympics fault

2008-08-25T11:23:00.006-04:00

Blame the rings - they are the reason that I have not posted in a while. What, it is once every four years that I get to watch the US drop the baton in the 4x100, I am not going to miss it.

OK, so here is what I have been up to...well...OK, FINE, it's not much of anything but it's an update.

I've been crushing 6-milers like they were the celery that comes with every BBQ wings order. I know, I like the celery, too. Who ever thought of this particular tubular friend of spice is the bomb. Anywho, my daily runs have consisted of a 6-mile out and back in south Boston that for one reason or another does not get old. Here, check it out-
http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/ma/boston/123719975118
Not bad, pretty straight forward. That and I get to scare the crap out of the folks waiting for the T/Bus at the corner of DOT Ave and Broadway :). Hey, it's not everyday that you get to see a stunning picture of fashion-meets-grace such as this:

Photo credits go to my moms, Jane, who was thoroughly appalled by my outfit - which is what got the thumbs up. I was actually heading out the door for a long run of 13 miles on this one, but as with many things that I do, it didn't turn out the way I envisioned but I finished...15 miles later. I was out of water and about drink from a puddle on the side of the road when I thought I was on a road I recognized. I also thought that there was a mini mart further down the hill, so I took the chance, and chance turned out to be a punk A-B. I finally corrected myself and jogged the extra 2 miles to the mini mart I was thinking of and about stuck my face under the soda fountain. Thanks to the nice ladies working behind the counter, who after taking their finger off the red "call police" button, treated me to the coldest water south of the arctic. It was breathtaking. After getting thoroughly cold and tight, I headed back out and finished the run, although I think I left my hamstrings in East Longmeadow.

I am about to embark on my second 20 miler of the training plan. In preparation, I spent hte day at the beach yesterday and got severely sunburned. I thought that would add a little fun to the run, especially since the worst burn spots are on the backs of my thighs, you know, right where the irritating part of the hem on my running shorts will be.

Excellent.

GE Petit Foundation 5k

2008-08-06T13:10:00.011-04:00

A few weeks back I traveled down to Plainville, CT with the lovely Nisa Bryant to run in the GE Petit Foundation 5K. It was the first annual race and I must say rather bitter sweet, as race day fell a few before the one year anniversary of the Petit Family tragedy.

I had been anticipating this event for a long time, it meant a lot to me to be there. Now for those of you who have run in a 5k before, you will know that they typically draw a few hundred people, especially on the first go-round. Yeah, not this time, not for the Petit Family...

3,000+

Wow! That is how many runners and walkers showed up and registered for the race. Now if you add in the number of supporters that were on hand, well, that number would be upwards of 5,000 people. It was certainly a sight to see, and proof that the human spirit is innately good. Here are a few pictures that were taken by various media outlets that were on hand to capture the magic of the day.

OK - who can pick out yours truly...I know, not tough with the ridiculous hairdo I had going on...

So here is a picture I would like to entitle, "before," for obvious reasons. I look pretty relaxed, ready to run a good time for a great cause. A few problems, though...

1) My father came in the house just before I left for Plainville and said that he had run already and it was brutal out - and by that he meant the humidity. He was lucky, as he ran at 6 AM where the temperature was not a factor yet. Me, well, not only was the humidity a big factor, it also felt as though the thermometer was in the 90's. My father's advice? "Go out really slowly and work into it." Good nugget of info from a seasoned runner and wise man in general.

2) Apparently I took my father's advice and threw it directly out of the window as I headed down the highway. What was I doing at the front of the pack, as can be seen in this photo? Is that a Kenyan running by my side? Does anyone else smell trouble?

3) looking at the stride length of some of those cats in the front of the picture, the start pace was fast - much faster than I should have been moving at. Hey B, what did Dr. Paul C. Hetzel say to do during the race, more specifically at the beginning?

For your viewing pleasure, I thought I would tell the story of my race through a series of pictures. Notice my facial expression and demeanor in the pic above. Take that, hold onto it, even savor it a little, as it is the last time you will see calm, cool, and collect on this race day...

Notice the time on the clock as this man finishes and wins the race. He was not in the picture f

or the beginning of the race, I think he was standing off to the left or just getting mentally ready to sprint for 3.1 miles in the

nauseating heat and humidity...but being from Kenya, and most likely Eldoret and the Rift Valley at that, he is used to it.

Bwana, kazi nzuri lakini ulihitaji kusaidia Brian!

Translation

Buddy, good job but you needed to help Brian!

That is a blazing time, sub 5 minute miles. Now, seeing that he ran that time, I have to point out the obvious...

WHAT WAS I DOING TOEING THE LINE WITH THIS GUY?!

I mean, seriously, I know I am a competitive guy, but you would think I would learn by this time that dry heaving is not a) a sport

and b) fun. Apparently my brain seems to think otherwise.

So, back to the start of the race - The announcer...announced...that the mile markers would coincide with water stops. So, I made a mental note of it, waited for the gun, and took off. Almost instantly I felt the pace in my legs, but thought I could hold on for a little bit, ease into it after a while. About a half mile in, I could still see the lead pack up ahead, which you would think would be enough for me to slow down.

Nope.

I didn't feel terrible at this point, but I wasn't feeling awesome either, nor comfortable for that matter. Trudging on, I looked up as I came around a corner and there it was...the first water stop. Again, I could see the lead pack still and I actually think time stood still for a second as the synapses fired in my brain, connected the water stop and lead pack images and sent an impulse up to my amygdala - the fear center of the brain - which then sent an impulse to my temporal lobe that probably sounded like a teenage girl on instant messenger:

OMG! Look at ur watch! LOL ur soooooo OOC! TTYL - F.L.

I looked down at my watch to see what my first my split was...

5:45

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

That was the sound of my amygdala, along with all the other parts of my brain, laughing in unison as I reached for a cup of water. I could have sworn that I heard a small child say, "Good job Mr. Hetzel! Have fun walking the rest of the route! You are so screwed! Enjoy trying to sit comfortably tomorrow!" It was probably just my imagination.

So how did I fare during the rest of the race? Funny you ask. Let's jump on my time machine and take a look! I like to call this next picture "after," a nice juxtaposition to the photo entitled "before."

I know it was hot out but seriously? Did you sweat an ocean? Like I said, humidity and I don't get along, and apparently neither do I and a comb. I have to say that at the point where this

picture was taken, a few steps from the finish, I seriously thought I was going to puke all up on a volunteer. I felt terrible, dehydrated, and above all else, SLOOOOOW.

What's that? My finishing time? Seriously,

you have some nerve asking that question...

FINE, I'll tell you, stop asking.

22:04

Yes, laugh away, I know, I know. NO, I didn't stop and take a nap, very funny. I just went out little too fast. OK - Maybe entirely too fast. I honestly wanted to stop and walk the rest of the way in at around the 2.5 mile mark but there was no way that was going to happen. And what the #$!@#$@ is up with these modern finish lines in all of the races I have run over the past few months? You know, the ones on rollers that move away from you as you are coming down the home stretch? Not a cool invention - that idea sucks.

All in all it was a good time and an amazing cause, one that I care deeply about. I would do it over again in a second if asked, and thankfully, the organizers are going to make it a yearly event. The lovely Nisa Bryant and I capped off the race with a scrumtious specimen of a meal - a Saints chili dog. Apparently I have been living under a rock as it was my first chili dog ever. I know, I know. But, I will make up for lost time because that mama jamma was DE-lish. If you are in the Southington area, stop in and say hello, awesome people and dope food -

Saints Restaurant

1248 Queen Street

Southington, CT 06489

They cater, too! Tyler, a former student and proctor of mine at Suffield Academy, works there (his parents own it) and will hook you up with a tasty treat or two. If you see him, congratulate the guy on getting into Cornell. Not too shabby!

Anyway, here are a few more pictures of the race. It was a spectacular event, not just a 5k. Big props to all the volunteers and workers who put it together. Most of all, well done, Dr. P., you are an inspiration.

-B

been a while

2008-08-06T12:52:00.003-04:00

I have been bouncing around a few states over the past few weeks so it has been difficult to write. So, here is an update:

My training took a hit this past week, as I was up at St. Lawrence University to work a track camp hosted by my good friend and former coach Mike Howard. I thought I would have time to get out and put some serious miles in, but I was always a) chasing a camper down b) eating c) napping or d) too tired to go out. I know that sounds lame, and it pretty much is. However, that week was really tiring and my body was just not having it. I did go out for two 9-milers with Mike, although the first was a run-walk as it took place at 8 AM. For those who have never run long distance, changing the time when you go out can make a big difference. I usually run at night, it's when my body seems to be adjusted and ready. Running that morning, my body was like,

"Uh, what is this? Brian? HEY, DOWN HERE! Fine, you don't want to listen? Have fun trying to get us to cooperate for the next hour.

Sincerely,

Legs

PS- You're screwed"

I'm sorry, legs, I should have listened to you. It was not fair and I will never neglect you like that again. Actually, I will just ask for your permission, see how you are feeling before I try and use you like that again - Seriously, my b.

I got about 4 miles in and it felt like I had just finished a 5k running as hard as I could. I told mike at the 4 mile mark that I had to stop and walk for a bit, which I did. My whole body was shot, even my lungs were laboring. Now, if we were setting a land speed record I would have understood but that was far from the case. In fact, I don't even think we were jogging as much as shuffling. To be fair, it was the first time so far that I have woken up and gone right into a run. As Legs said earlier, and to quote Beyonce,

"NO NO NO NO NO"

I should start getting up earlier to run, as the Marine Corps Marathon is in the early AM. But, that is not going to happen. Besides, I have run races that early and been fine. I was golden at the Boilermaker, and that started at 8:30, about the same time I went out with Mike. What the deal?

Anyway, enough of that run. I did put in a full 9 miler with Mike and my other buddy and coach, John Newman (new head men's track and field coach at SLU as well as Head Men's XC coach). It was hot and painful, but I got through it. You know how Batman and the Joker are bitter enemies? Yeah, well if humidity wore creepy face paint and had a jacked up mouth, it would be totally along the same lines. I fight on runs in humidity, and my body does not respond well in the least; This run was no exception.

I was able to get in a few 4 milers at a good pace with Mike, put in a couple more with Newms at one point, but that is it. I know, not good enough for Marathon training. What is worse is that I haven't been on a long run in weeks - especially nothing longer than 15, which needs to happen this weekend. I am going to put in 18 in the next few days, whether my body is ready or not. We will see what happens!

Check it

2008-07-18T22:42:00.005-04:00

I ran a 5 miler last night in Souf Boston with my sister, Annie. It was a nice night, albeit humid. I made the mistake of starting out in the back of the pack, which hampered my first mile. Getting through all of the people and out onto the main street proved detrimental to my time. I went through the first mile in 8 minutes flat, which was not what I was hoping for. It was a nice, flat course along the water and a good time overall. I finished with a 7:27 minute pace, which although not blazing, was better than I expected. The race was also an excuse for me to debut my new racing kicks...

BOOOOOYA.
I realize they are usually worn for XC and track, but they are super light, feel like they weigh about AH pound, so I got 'em. Probably not the best for my shins but hey, details.

The Boilermaker carnage report

2008-07-18T21:30:00.005-04:00

Ok, so there isn't much carnage to report, to be honest. I didn't run as fast as I would have liked, but for 9.3 miles in thick humidity, I think I did OK. I would give you my actual time, the accurate one measured by the chip I was wearing, but I can't. Why, you asked? Oh, because the timing company, the one hired to get all of our times correct...yeah, they dropped the ball BIG time. Apparently there was a malfunction at the start and all the data was lost. So, the only times we got were from the gun start. That is fine and dandy for a small 5k race, but when a start looks like this, you are going to have some explaining to do.
Not to mention that the race finishes on the grounds of the Saranac brewery, so some folks are going to be even more irate due to the all-you-can-drink fest.

Ah, nothing says dehydration better than a 9-mile run on a hot and humid day followed up by a dozen Saranac Pale Ales. Now enjoy that drive home, folks!

As for myself, I didn't partake in the hopps and barely love fest, as I already dry heaved enough for the day. I stuck to the free Vitamin water and snow cones...and try to take all the horrific outfits in. Seriously, what better way to say "LOOK AT ME" other than wearing a thin layer of microfiber in places where there should be a lot more material. Ah, but that is the distance runner for you. They are the same bunch that, while resting in the comforts of home...or at Disney Land, will not be afraid to be caught looking like so:

Yeah, that is the dreaded socks and sandals combination. I mean, there hasn't been a combination that deadly since I rocked Chun-Li on the Sega Genesis. There is nothi....

What? What about Blanka? Please. Blanka was trash. Ryu, maybe, but not Blanka; get out of here with that annoying body spin.

Anyway, how great is that socks and sandals specimen on the left? I know, I don't even think that the owner of these size 10's knows that he probably has killed a few people. Out for a slow nance around the park, Vern remains unaware that his devastating combo has caused many onlookers to go blind, even drawn the stare of those behind the wheel, causing massive road carnage.

Poor Vern, he just wanted to go for a little nance. Should have thought that one through, Vern. Should have thought that one through...

Overall, it was a fun weekend, even if I only got 1.3 minutes of sleep at the lovely Davis Motel. With two rooms the size of a freshman dorm and 15 people, not a lot of Z's were caught. Also, I would like to meet the artistic master that is in charge of landscaping at the DM; the fake floral arrangements throughout the property are breathtaking.

I must give props to my boy Mike Howard, who powered to a sub 60-minute finish after fighting Ebola throughout the previous week. Well done, bud. Also to John French, who sprinted for 9 miles and ran 49 minutes and change. Fast, very. I also want to give a huge cyber high-five to the folks who thought they were going to pull off a Guinness Book of World Records feat by handing out glasses with plastic noses on them. Apparently they forgot that they were also handing out free beer...to 15,000 REALLY thirsty people. Apparently everyone was supposed to put them on at a certain time. Whoops. This is what happened instead...

Ah, a good time had by all. And check it out, the debut race for the Petit Family Foundation jersey. Thanks to Dr. Petit for the logo of his family's charity. I certainly wore it with pride and will continue to do so for a long time. I will be running in the first annual Petit Family 5K this Sunday, July 20th in Plainville, CT. If anyone is interested, head on over to:

www.petitroadrace.com

and sign up.

Peace-

B

This is....

2008-07-13T16:19:00.000-04:00

What happens when a 15k race ends at a brewery and the beer's free :)

Wow, that wasn't bad.

2008-07-13T15:59:00.001-04:00

I'm serious with this one. I'm on the way back now, hamstrings are
shot from that speed workout but other than that, I feel good. Ran 23
minutes for the third and final 5k...not bad!

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."- Mahatma Gandhi

APB out on my fast-twitch muscles

2008-07-12T09:11:00.005-04:00

They are missing...

I can't believe they would up and desert me like that. I mean, I know my eyesight and hearing are mandated to leave me over time, but I am prepared for their departure. But I'm only 29 years old and last time I checked, I didn't have any weird grey hairs growing out of my ears and I don't wear these:

If you are wondering what is wrong with such a pair of shoes, then it is a waste of my time to explain it to you. But, being the nice guy that I am, here it is in brief...After the age of forty, a man's DNA changes drastically and as a result, a few things go to the way side. The most important of these is his ability to detect crucial fashion faux pas. It's sad, really, seeing so many good men make such destructive decisions. Unfortunately, major corporations have taken notice to this evolutionary quirk and being evil, they exploit it. Why do you think the world has fanny packs?

Yeah, I know, I know, it is hard to digest when you first accept the truth. Have a seat, get some water, take a deep breath - the world can be a harsh place. Just count your lucky stars you found this blog, and me, to guide you through the destructive mine fields of bad fashion.

Anywho, sorry for the tangent (you can thank me later). Where was I...middle age...bad DNA, decisions...fanny packs and comfortable white, mid-cut cross training shoes with seven different width selections...OH YEAH!

Got it - They are missing. Up and left me, didn't even leave a note. Just vanished in the night without me even noticing. They are probably in Santa Fe by this point, heading for the border, looking for cheap booze and bad decisions. What are missing, you ask? My fast-twitch muscles, of course.

Obvi; gosh...

I discovered they were missing while attempting a speed workout yesterday on the track near my apartment. It being in Dorchester, I had to shimmy through a fence, and then another, to get to it. Trespassing? Yes, but all in the name of a good cause so it's OK.

Write that down.

I didn't have any real expectations for this workout...OK, that's a lie, I thought I would be able to at least resemble, even if by the narrowest of margins, a sliver of my old track self. Shoot, I even broke out the dusty spikes that had been sitting in my trunk. Mind you, I haven't run many times on the track since I went and had this done:

Yeah, that would be my left ankle post reconstructive surgery. My favorite part is the staple you can clearly see at the top of the incision that is directly IN the wound itself. Sweet aim, doc. Anyway, putting the spikes on, I wondered if I could still hold my own. I mean, I wasn't a super star or anything, but I could run a 22 second 200, high jump around 6'7", long jump in the high 22's, and split a 49 and change in the 400. With that said, I also realized that running distance had an averse effect on leg speed and turn over, A.K.A. fast-twitch muscles.

BUMP THAT.

How about running distance makes fast-twitch muscles run for the hills, leaving no signs of anything other than tears and terrible split times.

Four 2oo's at 100%, a joke of a workout back in the day but all I could handle at the present time. I was shooting for 25-second splits for the first two and then 27's for the final two. Not fast by any stretch, but good enough to get my legs moving again.

Dear Brian,

We no longer love you because you neglected us. We are leaving you, have fun trying to get through your workout with out us.

Talk to you never,

F-twitch

Yep, pretty much sums it up. Here is the carnage:

Splits:

1) 27.5 seconds, thinking I was going too fast as it felt like I was going ALL out. Dismayed by the time, I rested to recovery and tried again.

2) 28 seconds. OK, what the...I was pushing with everything I had, legs looking like someone cut my hamstrings, arms doing some new-aged dance move. I started to get the picture...

3) 30 seconds. Laugh, go ahead. I know, I could jog that in my sleep too...or so I thought. I swear, I was pressing with absolutely everything I had in me. No dice, the mighty Brian struck out.

4) To make myself feel even worse, I ended with a 30.5, a split I would have run if I was injured, intoxicated, with a bag over my head...wearing flip flops.

So, speed work. Yeaaaaaaaaaaah. Apparently I need to do a bit more of it. Thank the Lord I didn't do the 4x400's I planned on...

Until next time, if you see my fast twitch muscles, send them to:

Brian Hetzel

P.O. Box What the F

Slowville, MA 021ihateeverything

Thanks,

Very Cool Happenings!

2008-07-11T16:17:00.003-04:00

This has nothing to do with running but I must put it up anyway. So as many of you know, I attended and worked at Suffield Academy, a small independent private school in CT. Well, a few of my good friends and former colleagues and three former students are making a waves in the local music scene and now have a shot at opening up for Coldplay! Please go to the website and vote!!!!

Taken from the the Suffield Academy website, www.suffieldacademy.org,

The Pam Autuori Band, whose members include recent graduates Pam Autuori '08 and Dan Matchett '08, alumnus Keller Glass '01, faculty member David Stillman, and former faculty member Dean Ellerton, is among the final 15 bands in a contest to be the opening act for multi-platinum rock stars Coldplay, at the XL Center in Hartford on August 2nd.

The winning band will be chosen according to votes tallied on the 96.5 FM WTIC web site.

Students, alumni, and friends of Suffield are encouraged to go on line and vote for the band!

The band is the final video, at the bottom of the web page:

http://www.coldplayontour.com/wtic/

NICE WORK GUYS AND PAM!!!!!!!!!!!

Fundraising update

2008-07-11T13:22:00.002-04:00

I thought I would update you all with some fundraising numbers. I just got a note from Dr. Petit, said that the numbers from the Petit Foundation golf tournament will most likely be up over $100,000. I have to give a huge congrats to him and the people who put this wonderful event on. If you want to get involved, head over to the Petit 5k road race page at,

www.petitroadrace.com

As of right now, there are over 1,000 folks signed up to run on Sunday, July 20th. I will be there, hopefully with a few friends from the area.

As far as my own fundraising, I have to get on the ball. Thank You to all those who have given so far. I will send out another email tonight, as I still think I can hit my goal. It's a big number, but definitely doable. If you want to give, head over to

main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/brisrunforthepetits

Thank You to you all in advance!

Best-

The Boilermaker

2008-07-11T12:45:00.002-04:00

Big race this weekend in Utica, NY. It will be the first time I make an appearance at the Boilermaker as a runner, although I have dabbled in the post-race festivities in years past. It should be good run, as the weather looks as though it is trying to cooperate. I will take low 70's, mild humidity, please. The race is slated to draw anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 peeps, with 11,237 runners signed up for the 9 miler to date (with another 1500 or so for the 5k)...that is a lot of humans. Check out the webpage:

www.boilermaker.com

SLU has represented in large numbers during years past and this year will be no different. We are all congregating for a pasta dinner on Saturday night, hosted by the lovely folks from the alumni office; should be a good time.

As far as the race itself, I have no idea how I will do. I certainly will not be running down John French, former SLU XC star and resident cut off T-shirt extraordinaire, that is for sure. Homie likes to cruise in at 49 minutes...for 9 miles...that's like a dead sprint. Props to that, but I'm all set, I want to come away from this weekend with both of my lungs, on the real.

I will update this page from the race, but you all can track the results live if you wish.

Wish me luck!

-B

What running a 25-minute 5k looks like

2008-07-03T11:46:00.002-04:00

Soak it in.

SOAK.

IT.

IN.

(and yes Kronic, you really are checking out your calf.)

Run for Wellsie

2008-07-03T10:38:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago a bunch of alumni from SLU track and cross country made the trip out to Canastota, NY (right outside of Syracuse) for the annual Nate the Great 5K. It started off as a run to remember Nate, who was killed in a car accident the summer before he was to head up to SLU. Since then, Nate's family, especially Papa Nate, have become quite close with Mike Howard and the track coaches at SLU, even sending a large contingent of Canastota High School track athletes to the SLU T&F camp every year. Over the last two years, though, the race has morphed into a memorial run for another SLU track athlete as well, my buddy Ryan "Wellsie" Wells.

Wellsie passed away two years ago after battling cancer, beating it twice, for 4 years. He was the definition of a fighter, never gave up and always had a positive attitude. He left a huge impression on those of us who were privileged enough to have known him, even if it was for just a short time. So, it is with great pride that many of us toe the line at the Nate the Great to remember our teammate and friend.

This years' race was like the last few - I started out thinking that I would run well and finished wondering why 5k's suck my will to live. It didn't matter that I was in shape, having put in many, many miles in preparation for such an event. Nooope, didn't matter in the slightest, really. I always manage to do something to undermine my efforts before the race even starts. In past years it was "the worst tradition ever," which entailed getting lit the night before, not sleeping much, and heading to the line for an 8am start. I might as well have done so, I would have a great excuse for my TERRIBLE finishing time. The only thing I can say about this years' race was that the weather wasn't THAT optimal for running. I am pretty sure I could taste the humidity, it was that heavy, coming in somewhere around 1,000,000%. I also wasn't pleased to find that by the time the race got underway, the temperature had already reached 90+. Awesome. You know what that is a recipe for?

Vomit.

Oh and did I ever.

After going out in a pedestrian pace for the first mile, I hit the start of the hill not with gumption and vigor but more with a thud and a whimper. Halfway up what seemed to be K2, I slowed to a notch above Crawl and maintained, not wanting to overdo it...or pass out. When I reached the summit, I was sucking wind and looking for oxygen, or at least a friendly Sherpa to help me finish. With no help in sight, I dropped the hammer and cranked it down a notch to Shuffle pace, reaching the bottom of Mt. What the F wanting to throw things. I had the urge to tackle the water people out of pure spite for being so nice, but I didn't have the energy. So instead, I took my shirt off in the thought that for some reason it would help. All this did was allow the sun to continue its hateful rage on me, sucking every last bit of moisture out of my body. It was at this point - you know, the point where the gates of hell were completely outstretched - when a lovely young lady ran by me and said,

"Come on! Almost there! Just crank those strides."

.......................................................................yeah........................................

I am sure she meant well and that her tone of voice was really normal and didn't sound like a four-year old saying, "I know you are but what am I" but that is besides the point. To me, it sounded like this,

"Come on! My sister could beat you and she is blind with one leg. Face it, I am passing you because you suck. Later, loser!"

That is what I heard and therefore she deserved to get a roundhouse kick to the upper torso. And I would have, too, if I could have done anything other than collapse.

As I made the turn towards the finish line, I felt the sensation that accompanies almost every 5k that I have run. However, this time around, my stomach was not sending a warning shot across the bow. Oh no, he meant business this time around and wasn't at all concerned that the finish line was only 100 meters away. In front of as many people as possible, I pulled off to the side of the road, right onto the lawn of the nice old lady sitting on her front porch. I looked at her, then the man announcing the names of those lucky bastards whose stomachs cooperated, and then at my feet...

Booya.

After giving back what seemed to be my soul, I felt a gentle tap on my back from my good friend and roadmate Chris Konic, who offered these words of encouragement,

"Damn, almost made it. Well, see you at the finish!"

Thanks, Chris, thanks for being there to wipe my tears and hold my hair back.

Feeling authentically awesome enough to start running again, I dragged my pale bag of skin across the finish line in record time...record time meaning my worst 5k result ever. Notice I didn't say, "worst 5k FINISH ever" as that would be misleading. No, my finish was flawless, breathtaking, actually - Wellsie would have been proud.

And I stuck the landing - suckkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas.

Till the next running-induced debacle-

B

Yeaaaaah...so......

2008-07-02T21:03:00.002-04:00

I'm a slacker, I will admit it.

I need to do a better job about keeping this updated. I really do not have a good excuse, although I am sure I can think of one... ;)

So my training has been humming along, things are going pretty well. My legs got tired for a spell of a week or so back in June - just felt a little sluggish. That might have been due to the fact that I was 5 weeks ahead of schedule in my marathon training. What? I just eyeballed the calendar and thought I was semi-near the start date.

Yep, nooooooooooope. Not even close.

So, I have scaled things back a bit, lessened my mileage during the week, and DEFINITELY slowed my roll on the weekend long runs. Plus, my golf game has taken a serious hit due to training. What? You try and run 16 miles in the summer and have enough energy to walk around a golf course for 5 hours. That's what I thought. This time last year I had upwards of 30 rounds in with numerous 9-hole rounds as well. This year?

1. Uno. Moja.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak. I don't have the excuse of needing reconstructive knee surgery like Tiger. I just haven't played. I did shoot an 86, though. And what.

Anyway, I will keep this thing updated more often. I have a bunch of stories that I need to post so stay tuned. They are sure to amuse, as usual.

Waguan-

B

To one of my idols...

2008-06-15T22:44:00.003-04:00

I could care less that he was a great journalist; I was more interested in how he carried himself off the set, as a son, a husband, and a father. Mr. Russert was not afraid to express how much he cared for and loved his family, as he wrote two books about the subject. For this reason, Tim Russert was one of my idols. He also happened to be a really great guy.

Happy Father's Day, Mr. Russert, I know it was one of your favorite days of the year.

Go Bills.

Yeah, Yeah, I know...

2008-06-09T18:07:00.002-04:00

I have been a slacker...Yes, I will admit to that.

But man, do I have some stories to share! It is joooooooooohny blaze outside right now, so running has been tough. So, that gives me a good excuse to stay inside and catch up on this site, yeah? OK, OK, I will.

So I am known for my gastro-intestinal fortitude. What, we are all friends here, I can be brutally honest. Anyhow, like I was saying, I have been known to drop heat like it is nobody's bidness. At first, I just thought it was genetic, that my magical toots were sent down generation by generation like some sick heirloom. Not that my potency isn't a gift, far from it. But, I have come to realize that I, unlike the rest of my family, have a legit problem that I may need to address with some seriousness (hahahhahahahhahhahaha) soon. Why, you ask? Do you sense a good story coming up? Mmmmmm, me too. Come, hop in, let's go for a trip on Brian's bat @$@# crazy adventure train. wHOOOOOO wHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

And awaaaaaaay we go!

Alrighty, so there I was, running...wait, let me set the stage. Picture this: poom poom running shorts, tube socks, big and sexy white running shoes, no shirt, and a ripped t-shirt sleeve as a headband. Add in a tall, lanky white boy and some seriously flowing locks and you have the anti-Dorchester superhero. Yes, that was me, out for a run at the normal hour of 9 PM last week, trying to get in 6 miles. Normally six miles is nothing, I can go out, cruise along and not think anything of it. This time was a tad bit different, though, because my stomach had more nefarious plans for me.

I reached the hill on G street in southie without a problem, which is about 3 miles in. I usually decide at his point if I am going to run up it or walk it, depending on how my ankle feels. For any of you that live in this area and know G street, I am sure you are well aware of the grade this hill has to offer. I seriously wouldn't ride a bike down that jammy without consulting a physician. Yeah, it is that surious. When my refurbished ankle is being a punk b, I can feel the tendons pulling on the pins in my bone while running up this brutalis street.

That's always a fun sensation.

Anyway, I was about to make the decision on whether or not to summit Mt. Southie when my colon sent a heeeeeeeeeeeyyyyoooooooooo shivering through my stomach. Like most, I grabbed the nearest sturdy object, whimpered and proceeded to sweat.

"Ooook, that's a wrinkle I wasn't expecting. AWESOME."

I thought to myself, "Well, I could walk up the hill, get the rest of my miles in and risk public embarrassment and some serious chaffage or I could take the short way, head down the seaside and hope that this volcano doesn't erupt before all are evacuated. Hill and bad things or short way...rumble, rumble...OOOOOOK, seaway it is."

So I get my jog on (it's a soft J) along the beach, looking out over the beautiful moonlit water, thinking I had mad the right move. I mean, I was within eye sight of the church that sits right at the end of my street. Safe, right? Well, I thought so too. Unfortunately, I still had about a mile to go when BAAAAAAAAAM, my stomach threw a super-nose drop kick and let me know I better clench and get a move on.

Have you ever seen how a penguin walks? Well, picture that but replace the cute little creature with a 6'4'' guy with not enough clothes and way too much hair. Cover him with sweat and throw in a few tears and presto, there I am, so close to home and safety yet so far away. I tried to look around for cover, maybe I would be able to duck into a few shrubs and get on with it. Too bad I was a) next to a beach b) that is located in a city and c) everything is made of concrete. The only shrubs that were in located within a ten block radius were bought in sold in little plastic bags. So it was at this point I was feeling awesome about myself and the situation I was in. The best part was the major road that I was next to, the one with all of the people on it....staring at me.

I didn't think I was going to make it. I waited for a lull in traffic long enough for me to waddle across the street and not get hit. Upon reaching the opposite sidewalk, I realized my only option was the park about 2oo yards up the road. I know what you are thinking,

"What? A park? Brian, go there, there has be some cover there!"

Easy there, buster, this isn't a Create Your Own Ending story, let me get to it. So, this park isn't like most, as it is void of anything bearing leaves. All that's available is open space, lots of wiiiiiiiide, and OPEN, space. Not the most ideal setting for one to do what he has to do. But, you know what, I kind of was out of options so I went ahead and set the land speed record for the clench 200 meter walk. Amazing pace, beautiful form, naturally.

Through shear mental fortitude, I made it to the entrance of the park, but barely. I still was not far enough from the road to be out of site but it didn't matter, as I was out of the most important thing, time. Taking a last desperate look around for a hidden spot and the shambles of my dignity, I spotted a random set of bleachers a few paces ahead.

"got.........to........get............theeeeeeeeeeeere..........aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhHHHHHHHH."

And with one last mighty move, I reached the stands and assumed the position, letting out a yell reminiscent of Roger Banister crossing the finish line in 3:59. I had done it, folks, I had really pulled it off. Out of time, out of room, with despair only a cheek away, I managed to do the impossible without being spott......

"Pardon us...sorry...just passing by....sorry," said the little old man and his curios dog.

There I was, afro completely jacked up, covered in sweat, panting out of pure fear, daisy dukes no where to be seen. There was nothing I could do, nothing at all. For what I had been through in the last 20 minutes, to come so close to pulling off the impossible, ruined in the last second. I bowed my head, shrugged my shoulders and gave a huge, defeated,

"Hey."

What? What did you want me to say? Ask him how his day was, how the Sox were doing? Yeah, I didn't think so.

As the little old man walked away, retinas bleeding from our encounter, I pulled myself together and started the rest of my walk home.

There is nothing like marathon training the Brian Hetzel way....

A nod to the Orange and Black

2008-05-24T11:51:00.003-04:00

Just a quick congratulations to the Suffield Academy boys and girls track teams that competed at the WNEPSA Division 2 meet last weekend. It was an impressive day for the Tigers all around.

Champs:

Boys-

100m
200m
800m
4x1
4x4 and New England D2 record, 3:23.9
Took home 3rd place hardware

Girls:
Long Jump, New England D2 record
Triple Jump, New England D2 record

Congrats to Cherelle and Thomas for taking home female and male athlete of the meet, respectively!

I know, I know....

2008-05-24T11:36:00.002-04:00

Again, being lazy with the posts. I have been right on schedule with my training, though, so my fitness is solid.

I put in my longest run to date last weekend, running close to 14 miles in through Springfield, into Longmeadow, over to Eastlongmeadow, and back. It was a long go, and complete with unexpected hills, one HUGE one in particular. My legs felt OK, although not until I hit the 6 mile mark or so. I am not sure what it is, this seems to be a reoccurring theme on my long runs. Once I hit the 5 or 6 mile mark, my legs seem to settle in and ache less and less. I did run into a bit of a wall around the 12 mile mark, my hamstrings were just about done. I decided to stop for a bit, try and get some energy back. Whatever the case was, this seem to work and I made it home with minimal pain.

I am now into the third week of my 18-week marathon training plan. I found it on the NYC Marathon web-page and decided to go with it. I have no idea if it is a solid layout, if it is short on mileage, too heavy on the long runs, etc. I do know that it has me running four 20+ mile runs, which I find to be a bit much, but I know just as much as the next guy when it comes to marathon training. I figure if it is on the NYC Marathon home site, it has to be somewhat legit, right?

Over the last week, I have been increasing my daily mileage a bit. I no longer run anything shorter than 5, and my days off are starting to dwindle. My body seems to notice, as my hips are now getting upset more often, and these hips don't lie. I don't know what it is, and I am sure I should get it checked out, but I will wait until it is catastrophic like usual. I know I need to get into the podiatrist for a new pair of orthotics. I have a feeling they will clear up many of my little annoying aches.

I am set for a 10-mile hoof today, dorrping the mileage downa little bit in anticipation for the next two weeks, which will be my longest jaunts yet. Next week is a 15 miler and the following week goes 3 miles longer, at 18.

That's far.

Hopefully my legs will start to get the picture and cooperate more often. If not, well, I just keep going :)

Here's to 26.2!

Orange and Black getting it done.

2008-05-13T23:11:00.003-04:00

I want to take this time to give major props to the Suffield Academy boys 4x400 squad that went into the prestigious Hartford Public Invitational track meet as relative unknowns and shocked the world. With a season's best 3:29, the coaches were hoping for a top 5 finish. But, these boys had other plans. Boy did they ever!

3:23.81 later, my alma mater reigned supreme by a mere .01 over the second place team. Great run by both squads.

Orange and Black, all day - well done boys!

I also have to give big props to Cherelle, who took the triple jump championship home with a 38'4'' leap. Not too shabby!

One thing of note - I realize that I got a little carried away in the stands...I did almost throw my watch onto the track at one point by accident. Ooops.

It's been a while

2008-05-13T22:53:00.003-04:00

Ok, so it has been a hot minute since I last posted. No excuses, I have just been a tad on the lazy side. I will get back into it.

I have been keeping up, ran over 10 miles for the first time since my Boston Experience. On a recent trip to visit my mom dukes for Mom Dukes day, I thought it would be a great idea to run from Springfield to Suffield. Now, I have driven this route a bagillion times. However, why not see it from a different perspective? It is exactly 11 miles, a distance I have done before and need to get used to.

Yeah, about that.

It was a tough one right off the bat. My legs never really got under me, but I guess I wasn't expecting much as it was my first long run back. The terrain was fine, my stamina was fine, just my legs gave me a problem. I stopped a few times, once to get water and gatorade, a few more times just to shake my legs out. I eventually got there, and sat for a good 30 minutes before getting up. My sport of a dad came down and picked me up, since there was zero way I was going to run back!

All in all it was a good run. My training plan has me running 13 this weekend.

Fingers crossed? Cheeeeeeeeck.

Oh snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap!

2008-05-04T23:46:00.003-04:00

You're daaaaaaaaaaaaaamn right!!!!!! Sorry for the silence, I will post a bunch of updates tomorrow.

Also, thanks to everyone who has donated thus far. I am getting close to the $1,000 mark, which is awesome. Check it out here:

main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/brisrunforthepetits

WE ARE IN!!!!

Big day tomorrow

2008-04-29T09:08:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow is the day all of this becomes official:

REGISTRATION TIME, STARTING AT NOOOOOOOOOOON!

I spoke with the race director at the Boston Marathon expo, and he said that I shouldn't even bother trying to sign up at noon tomorrow. Of course, he had zero idea who he was talking to, so I will not hold it against him. Brian Hetzel, not attempt to register at the exact moment it starts, when this has been on my mind for the last gabillion days?

I will be there, finger above the enter button, counting down...

11:57...

11:58...

11:59...

11:59.59...

GO TIME.

Sorry dude, I will be one of the peeps flooding your server. Best belieeeeeeeeeeeeeve.

For a cool little interactive map of the course, check this out:

http://map.mapnetwork.com/event/dc/marinecorpsmarathon/

Steve-O, get your credit card out, find an internet connection that works, and bust it!

Finally

2008-04-29T09:03:00.002-04:00

I went out last night in the rain to test the legs and finally, they held up. I ran about 6.4, just a 10k, and that was about as far as I was going to go. My legs still have a ways to go to fully recover, as the last mile was pretty painful.

Stop running? Haha, um, nope.

I would like to reproduce yesterdays run tonight, but, we'll see. It has only been a week, and maybe I should take it easy.

So it looks like 6.4 tonight :)

Muuuuuuuuuuuhhahhaha

2008-04-28T16:54:00.002-04:00

It worked! My plan for the finish of Boston was to find a registered runner and cross the finish line as close to them as possible without seeming creepy. As luck would have it, I caught up to someone I knew and finished with them. I made a point to remember her bib number, which was key.

Why?

No, I don't want her number. I just want the finishing photo, people, and just as I planned, it worked!

Check it out if you feel like it:

Go to this website:
http://www.marathonfoto.com/
Look up Boston Marathon 2008
Last name: Ingram
Bib number: 23820

Look for the wierd looking guy in the nuclear green tank-top and hair wings....you will see what I mean.

Thanks Kristina!

Seriously...

2008-04-28T16:50:00.002-04:00

I have had a longer than expected spell of health issues as of late. I haven't been able to run much, mostly due to the shinnanigans associated with the Boston Marathon. I also have a condition that tends to zap my energy, it comes and goes, and for some reason it has stuck around longer than usual this time around. I am going to head out today with the mindset of getting at least 6 in, I need to start getting my miles back. We will see, though. The last few times I have done so I made it about 2 and had to stop and walk. I just felt like I had nothing in the tank. I even stopped and sat for a bit two days ago. I need to get this taken care of and soon. Time to call my primary care physician that looks like he is 18....

Getting there

2008-04-24T13:32:00.000-04:00

I am finally starting to feel better. Or at least somewhat normal. I
was warned not to run for a few days, maybe longer but I will head out
for a short one today to test the legs. Now I just have to get rid of
this head cold!

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."- Mahatma Gandhi

Random thoughts and pictures from this weekend

2008-04-22T16:09:00.009-04:00

It is always a blast when SLU running alumni, or non-running alumni get together. Also, you can always bet on a) humor b) an innapropriate comment or two and if Sammy is involved, c) signs:

I take no responsibility for his actions, by the way. But hey, he got after it and had an extra ticket to the Red Sox game. Well done, Sammy, I applaud your gumption.

I must say that in my time, I was known to rock unnecessary amounts of spandex. That's right, knuckle pants, three bean salad shorts, etc. Hey, it got cold up in Canton, NY and spring track meant 40 degrees, snow, sleet, and sprinting. Anyway, I was tasteful about my outfits, relatively speaking. So when Sammy and Meg thought this was me for a second, I was appalled:
Sammy and Meg, I would never, EVER wear that hat. Jeez...

Here are a few Saints, reppin' the Scarlet and Brown...

...and we bring the cowbell.

Also, I am all about giving it my all, 100%, etc. when it comes to qualifying for the Olympics...well...that is if...you know what I mean. Anyway, this next image is where I draw the line. They can have their medals, I'll stop before this happens:

I guess she really didn't give a crap what I thought...

And to close this one up, I have a piece of evidence that will explain why my arugment about fanny packs is sound:

Lady, I don't know what you all do deep in the heart of Texas, but we don't roll like that up here. And will you just look at this specimen, please? It is quite rare, the Embroidered Fanny. Soak it in, soak it in.

Photo credits to Sammy. Ladies, please see www.run4stlawrence.com to contact him.

Health Update

2008-04-22T15:56:00.003-04:00

I didn't go in to work until noon, and probably should have stayed home altogether. But, I needed to find out how all of my runners did. By stomach still hates me, my feet are pretty blistered up, and I still feel dehydrated for some reason but other than that, I feel OK. I will not be running for a while, maybe a couple days, based on how I feel and due to the threats I recieved from my father.

So for now, folks, I will be subsisting on the items below and straight chillin with my tubesock sunburn.

GI Bug + 13 miles + not enough fluids= very bad ending

2008-04-21T23:25:00.002-04:00

I wish I could say my run went well today, but that would be a monsterous lie. A GI bug that I picked up last night haunted me every 1.5 miles until the finish, and is still hanging out, acting a fool. What I didn't realize was that I was not taking in nearly enough fluids until it was too late. I just got home about an hour ago. After finishing the race, I wandered for a little bit and realized I was in some trouble. I walked to my sisters apartment in Southie in my singlet and draped in a silver thermal blanket, looking like a handicapped super hero; not an ideal method of walking 3 miles after having just run 13 but I made it. Thankfully she was there, as I was holding on to a thread at this point. She called my mother, who mentioned that I maybe should go to the hospital, but I was not really up for that. I knew that I needed an IV, but I just didn' t have the strength nor the desire to go. So I took a 45 minute shower, water bottle in hand, sitting in the fetal position. I then got out, put my running shorts back on, put on my sister's medium sized sweatshirt, and lied down in an effort to find a comfortable position. I stayed that way until 9:30, when my sister brought me back to Wellesley to get my car. I just came from CVS, where I bought some Boost, pepto, immodium, gatorade and saltines. I don't care what it all tastes like, I will do anything make this feeling go away...

I learned a lesson today - when you are peeing out of your butt every 15 minutes, you should stop running, it doesn't end up well. But hey, I guess it is better than my sister's friend; 300 feet from the finish, she fell and broke her femur. How one does that, I do not know, but she managed to. She is having surgery tomorrow morning, not good. At least the nice fireman ran across the finish line with her shoe so that she would get a time :)

Never dull when Brian Hetzel's involved.

Huge, major, jack-diesel props to my younger sister, Toons, for taking care of me while she was juggling a million other things. She really is a Galoon, that one.

What?!

2008-04-21T11:37:00.000-04:00

The lead runners just went by and that is not running.

That's a dead sprint!

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."- Mahatma Gandhi

Women's Oly marathon trials, downtown Boston

2008-04-21T09:32:00.007-04:00

So yesterday, on the eve of the regular marathon, saw the best of the best toe the line in downtown Boston for the start of the women's marathon olympic trials. And I illegally parked just in time to catch the gun!

Now I am generally not cruising the Boston Commons at 7:45 AM on a Sunday, but these ladies can straight up fly, and I competed against one of the runners in college...well...she spanked our team every time but, you know what I mean. Melissa White track and XC for Geneseo State back in the day, so a bunch of us from SLU thought we would lend our support. Melissa currently trains with and runs for the Brooks Hanson Project in Michigan. Not bad...Here she is hammering along:

Although she started out really strong and hung on until mile 18 or so, she eventually dropped a bit and finished out of the running for a spot in Beijing. Hey, she made it to the trials and was in the running up and to the end so I give her nothing but props. Well done, Melissa!

I have never been to a marathon before, especially not the Boston Marathon, which is THE race of races. I have to say that so far, everything has lived up to the hype. Even non runners get psyched about Marathon Monday in Boston, even if it is just another excuse to booze and get lit. I have to say that these Women did a great job kicking of the festivities and blew me away at their ability to just out and out HAMMER for 26.2 miles. Check out this pace:

Yeah, that would be 16 miles in an hour and a half.

WHAAAAAAAAAAT?! That is flying! The buzz around this woman was that she was relatively unknown, and that she put the hammer down and stretched her lead to 2 minutes over the rest of the field, including Deana. I seriously was waiting for Ashton Kutcher to tackle Deana, screaming at her about getting punked. But, what I came to learn, was the Deana is Deana and she is world class for a reason. Fast forward to mile 24 and the once 2-mute lead had shrunk to seconds and saw Deana just put the hammer down and blow by the leader. Now, some were saying that Magda, the second place finisher, died and went out to fast.

Wrong.

She didn't die, she ran 5:45 miles almost the entire way. Deana just decided that she was going to negative split the second half of her race and run 5:30's like they were a jog in the park. Her she is kicking it in for the win:

Yep, she crushed and took her bagillionth title. I would say that I wasn't surprised as her qualifying time was a 2:19, way ahead of the pack but she was so far behind. I guess that is why she is going to the Olympics and I am not.

And before I close, I have to tip my hat to Joan Benoit, who ran what most say is her last competitive race, which she finished in 2 hours and 49 minutes

At the age of 50!

So here is to you, Joan; Thanks for being a pioneer for the sport (and nice hat :) )

Marathon Week

2008-04-21T09:11:00.002-04:00

I am writing from my apartment, 45 minutes before the Boston Marathon kicks off. I should be getting on my way soon, but that would be just too practical. I will wait until the last second, thank you very much.

It has been an interesting, if not trying, week of training. As if on cue, I came down with what I thought was just a cold earlier in the week. I thought I could just run in out of me, even though I don't know if that is actually possible. After about 5 miles of flem and fun, I realized I might have an issue trying to finish 13 miles come Monday if this keeps up. Sure enough, I broke out into some serious sweats that night and into the next day. My sinuses started to really bother me, my chest was getting in the act, and I thought it would be a good idea to just try and get a run in regardless.

Not a greaaaat idea.

I made it about a mile before I felt like I wanted to pass out. Awesome!

So, I have taken a bunch of days off since, and although not 100%, I feel a bit better.

What's that? Skip the Boston Marathon and take it easy? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Whoooo, that's funny. Come on, now, you know me better than that by now. I will be running in T-minus 3 hours whether I feel like gold or a box of smashed bums.

Giddy up.

Bonk and rally

2008-04-16T11:14:00.005-04:00

Spring finally held on long enough for a run in shorts yesterday. No, no, I wasn't rocking the pooms, although I wiiiiiiill, muuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhahaha. Anywho, after a rest day, I wanted to put in some decent miles, although nothing too far. So after procrastinating but bucking a few punk B's in Call of Duty 4, I shoved off for a long-ish run.

Now as I have said before, sometimes I get a little carried away on my runs, thinking that I just might be an extra in Chariot's of Fire. Translation - I take off like a bat out of hell. I don't know why I do it, you would think after dry heaving over and over again I would get that sprinting the first mile of a long run isn't so smart. Apparently I have memory loss in that department because as soon as I crossed the 93 overpass I was ouuuuuuuuuuuuuut. Seriously, I might as well have resurected my old nickname, The Caucasian Comet, as I was hammering along. The thing is, I normally do not feel great when I take off, but this time was different. I felt awesome, my legs felt fresh, I wasn't overtired, my endurance felt money, I got whistled at, etc. As I made my way down Dorchester Ave, I continued to pick up the pace, flying by D street, racing no one but believing I was winning anyway. When I got to my first turn point at A street, I was feeling money. However, the logical part of my brain must have woken up from its nap because thought ran through my head,

"Hmm, I have 5 and a half more miles left, maybe I should slow it down a bit."

Good idea. I took a right onto A and headed off to the financial district at a much slower clip, thinking that my sprint warm up was a good way to warm the legs up.

"You should have worn pants if you wanted to warm up your legs, @#$%#@$," I thought to myself as I walked along the Boston Commons. Yeah, that is right, I said walked. Apparently that Hyper Hypo start to my run zapped a good deal of my energy, as I felt like someone had stolen my mojo. My legs felt like wet noodles, I had no giddy up, and I was a looooong way from my apartment. The best part was that it was dark, and I had to run down some shadey sections to get back. Again, planning, not my strong suit.

I figigure I must have walked about half a mile, hoping that my legs would come back from their unannounced sabatical. But, after passing through the Theatre District and trying to cut back around to find 93, I thought it would be in my best interest to start running again.

I am not scared of running is strange places, dark alleys, etc. However, I do have, as those who know me can attest to, a very active imagination. So as I am running along the dimply lit roads along the railway, under overpasses, etc., the only thing I can here is the theme music coming from my own head. No, it's not the Rocky theme, although that would have been nice. It wasn't even Eddie Van Halen's SIIIIIICK guitar riff from Top Gun (which I have always wanted as my ringtone, which would go off in public and I would recieve high fives from all of the dudes around). No, Think creepy overcoat, scary voice, zero happiness.

Yes! You got it, Robert Stack. Wow, how did you guess that? Amazing...

The Unsolved Mysteries theme was playing over and over in my head as I was criss crossing my way home over railroad overpasses and under the highway. I can see my episode now....

Sketchy backlot scene that looks like it exists in no town or city, anywhere? Check

All KINDS of fake smoke and fog? Check

Overly confused actor in retro 80's running gear, complete with permed-out dome and purple jogging suit? Check

Last shot of overactor running into an ominous cloud of faux fog, in coordination with the line, "Never to be seen or heard from again." Check.

I swear, I was looking for that creepy rain coat. Thankfully nothing came of it and I was fine. I did, however, find my second wind. Now, I probably should have just ran a comfortable pace home and called it a night.

Nope.

I pushed the pace, as usual, down Dorchester Ave to see how long I could keep it up. I don't know where my energy was coming from as I certainly did not stop at a taco stand underneath the high way...although I would have if there were one. What? Meat under the highway, totally safe. Where ever it came from, I hammered all the way back to my apartment, at which point I came to the realization that a) I seriosly need to get some coaching for this training thing and b) my Unsolved Mysteries episode would be soooooooooo sick.

Guards for what?

2008-04-15T12:24:00.007-04:00

To be a distance runner is to be completely content with your body, or at least that is what I am coming to realize myself. I guess it was only a matter of time before I found these things out and was introduced to the underworld of the distance running culture.

"Dad, the run was fine, I got a pretty tired during the last mile or so. But, the one thing...um...the one thing that I...uh...bothered me the most were...um..."

"Your nipples?"

"What?! How did you know?!"

"Welcome to distance running. Just use some vaseline and a few band aids, or get a package of nipple guards.

[MUSIC SKIPS]

"Excuse me? Nipple what?"

Yeah, I heard correctly, nipple guards. Apparently this chafing business is a common problem among long distance runners and can get quite painful, which I found out this morning in the shower: soap + nipple chafe= not a fun experience. And for some, it can be quite embarrassing as this poor guy found out:

I don't know what your power song is, sir, but you need to invest in some nipple guards because that is nasty. I know, I didn't know they existed either. So as I was....

What? No, it is not a fanny pack.

What? No, it is not even related to the fanny pack family. Beat it, sir, you are not funny. Go take care of your nipples.

Anyway,as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, they actually sell these guards at specialty running stores like Marathon Sports here in Boston. Check these things out:

Maybe I am a bit immature, but I would be hesitant to walk up to any counter and plop these down.

"Yeah, I will take this hat, these socks and the *cough* nipple guards *cough*."

I would be afraid that the clerk would ask for a price check over the loud speaker.

"Price check on NIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPLE GUUUAAAAAAARDS. This guy needs a price check on NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPLEEEEE GUUUUUUUUUUUUURDDDDDDDDSSSSSSS!"

OK, so maybe I live and think that life reflects the movies but whatever. I don't care who you are, you don't walk up to the counter not feeling weird about the fact that you are buying something called NIPGUARDS.

With that said, best believe that I will be picking up a pack or two on my way home from work. Sorry, pops, I am not going to rub vaseline on my nipples. And for further reference, please never utter that phrase to me ever again, please.

Say whaaaaaaaaat?

2008-04-14T16:57:00.005-04:00

Guess what, homies? The Kid ran 12 miles yesterday!

You's a BAD motha! Shut your mouth!

I know, that's really far. Believe me, going into the last mile, I seriously thought my brain was cooked. But to be honest, I don't think I could have stopped even if I wanted to. My legs were on auto pilot, just running. It was a really nice day out and I thought, shoot, why not bust a long one. 11 miles later, I was seriously questioning my reasoning, especially since I was wearing a pair of shoes I purchased two days previously. That made for some fun leg pains. My IT band is super pumped with me right now.

I have to say, though, I am starting to like this long distance running thing. I mean, it feels like you are out on the road for all of April, but it didn't take that long. This 12 miler gave some serious credibility to jumping into the Boston Marathon around Wellesley and running a half. What will not be super awesome about jumping in at this point is Heart Break Hill, which is only a few miles from where I plan on starting. Nothing says fun like a full 1.5 miles of incline; Whoooooooooooooooooooooo!

I have to admit that I didn't mean to run 12, more like 10.5. No, no, I didn't get lost, per say, just more confused than anything else. check out the map below from www.mapmyrun.com, which I used to plot out most of my runs. It may not look systematic, but I actually meant to run that loop, but got confused on a few side streets that ended up tacking on an extra mile and a half.

Before I go on, I just have to make a quick quip about a dude who made a comment on my tube socks.

OK, tube socks, maybe not what the majority of people like to wear. You know what, tube socks are dope, especially the kind that have the thick cotton around the feet like the Puma ones I rock exclusively (Puma, hit me up, I would love to rock your joints for a small fee). Before my run, a dude made a comment about them, how any sock that went above the ankle was off limits. See, I used to think so too, but there is something dashing about the tube sock now. I don't know, call it a fashion trend that has grown on me in my older years. However, this little dig at my tubes was not the problem. The problem was the source of the comment.

There I was, stretching, getting ready to head out, you know, minding my own business when a middle aged dude walks by me and stops.

"Nice tube socks," says the middle aged guy with a snicker.

Now I could really have given a deuce, but after taking one look at this cat, I just got annoyed. You see, home slice was wearing a running tank top, which is fine, I have several. However, he was also wearing some SERIOUS poom poom running shorts. For those who are not schooled on just what poom pooms are, refer to the picture below:

Yep, those are poom pooms. You older folks might refer to them as daisy dukes, hence the picture of Catherine Bach. Either way you slice it, dude was sporting a serious pair of shorts. Now again, I don't care as yes, I too own a few pairs of short running shorts (what, they are comfortable for long runs...even though they are quite revealing). However, I do not, nor will I ever, own anything with floral patterns.

Yes, floral patterns. Dude was heading out on a long run looking like he was sponsored by the Talbots spring collection. I'll take the tube socks, thanks.

That is all.

-B

I know, I know

2008-04-14T16:39:00.003-04:00

Yes, I have been neglecting my blog, and that is not a nice thing to do. But, to make up for it, guess what I did?

I got a new pair of kicks, of course! Check it-

Yes, they scream middle-aged-white-man, but I have to remind you that I only wear them to run in. You will not catch me wearing them with Levi's straight-leg 501 jeans, with dress socks and shorts, etc; just running.

My old running kicks were giving me leg problems, or that is what I used to justify my new purchase. I had an old pair of Brooks Dyads a few years back, but I gave them away when I was in Tanzania. There is a little kid running around with a pair of size 11's, much too big for him, but hey, he was over the moon.

I have a weird foot strike, probably due to the lack of ligaments left in my ankles. One I had surgically reconstructed, and so now I over-pronate in that foot. I have been putting off getting my other ankle reconstructed because, well, it is a pain in the G-Maximus. This unfixed foot, it has ZERO stability, I can actually dislocate it on command without pain. Gross, but fascinating. Because of the instability, I tend to supinate. Add the fact that I apparently have a wide foot, which I didn't know until I went to a specialty running store a couple of years back (thanks to Matt Magonis and his running peeps at Fast Feet Syracuse), my feet make for a tough fit. The Dyads could seriously be used to water ski with, they are that wide. Super comfortable, very steady, not too stiff; I am not sure why I ever went away from them. Sorry, Brooks, it won't happen again.

I am going to take a shot in the dark here but maybe it would be in my best interest to see an podiatrist and get some orthotics. Having one foot over pronate and the other supinate, probably not the greatest for my legs and back. Great, I heard orthotics are cheap.

Nope.

10+ a faux pas

2008-04-08T00:25:00.014-04:00

OK, so I am a fashion snob, well, kind of. I like to call it fashion common sense. I mean, come on, who honestly feels comfortable walking out of the house wearing socks and sandals? No one except fashion criminals, right? Exactly. There are tons of these kinds of fashion breaches, many of which are on display in this undated photo of some stranger below:

You can see the deadly combination of the white tube sock and the active sandal, or what I refer to as the Honkey Sandal. I don't care who you are, where you are from, what you believe in, etc. You should be arrested and jailed for thinking, even for a second, that this combo is couth.

Not couth.

The jacked-up waist line is a gimme and shouldn't even be talked about, unless your draw string is needed to save a drowning baby. The flat brimmed hat has made a comeback among the hip hop crowd, but I say how dare they. Don't they know that the flat brimmed hat started the great depression in the 1920's? Such egregious behavior can prove to be fatal. Lastly, I would like to point out the worst blunder of all in this picture, the Fanny Pack.

Fellas, there is never, EVER a right time to wear one of these bad boys. I have often heard the excuse, "But I was at Disney World." What? I don't care if you were in a sauna with no clothes on...what...go with it...there is never a right time for the fanny pack. Ever.

Need to carry some extra cash? Get a bigger wallet. Need a place to put your passport? get a man-pouch that can tuck under your shirt. But never, EVER resort to using a fanny pack. One friend of mine did so on an ill-fated trip with his family to see Mickey and the concubines and he ended up losing all of his hair. Yeah, I know, I didn't know fanny pack wearage could cause such severe health problems, either. Just be glad that I told you.

I am telling you all of this because there have been some rumors floating around the internets that I have been wearing a fanny pack while running. First off, I would just like to say that is simply blasphemous; I did not have any relations with that fanny pack. Yes, I do wear a contraption around my waist that may or may not be misidentified as a fanny pack. I must assure you, though, it is by no means a fanny pack and I take great offense to such accusations.

Enter exhibit A: The contraption that I wear is below and as you can see, has a specific purpose for runners. I am not sure who reads this blog, but if you are a runner, you will know that running clothes do not hold much. Also, when you are out on the road suffering through pounding the pavement, you do not want to have anything in your hands. No, those are saved for dropping the Heismann move while dodging traffic, throwing bows at local dogs that may give chase, and showing annoying folks how you really feel when they cut you off. So, you need to put your water somewhere. In your pockets? That makes sense...

nope.

So some smart people took it upon themseleves to toe the faux pas line without crossing it and came up with the bottle holder. I am not looking to store anything other than my house key and some midrun excuses to slow down, that being a drink.

Enter exhibit B:

I know, I should have warned you all about the picture to the right. If I burned your retinas, well, sorry but I didn't come up with these horrible contraptions. Blame the middle-aged tourist with a lack of social grace, not me.

Anyway, you can see a clear distinction between the pack I wear and the one which scars people, young and old. One is simple, erganomic and people friendly, supplying owners with a resevoir of thirst-quenching liquid. The other is offensive in almost every category imaginable, definitely too many to list here. It often bodes national flair, as seen above. You want to sport flair? Throw on a red polo and some suspenders and get me an awesome blossom. You want to sport American flair? Call up my boy Kronic and seek an invitation to his world-reknowned Festivus Celebration - you will be hip deep in the stars and bars. But showing your patriotism by draping it across your booty?

Nope, not patriotic; at all, really. I don't care if you have a screaming bald eagle tattooed across you chest - still not patriotic to don one of these jammies.

OK, that is enough for now. Back to running....

My long run on Sunday was fine, nothing exciting. I did get to run it in Springfield, MA, my home town. Forest Park is my favorite place to run in New England, although I wish I could have taken it in more this time around. I was busy trying to think about the fact that I had 7.5 more miles to go. I did eventually get through it, although this one was especially slow. I don't know what it was, but my legs were just tight and tired. Unlike previous runs, 10 miles was the farthest I could have gone that day and I was glad to sit down afterwards.

And yes, I did wear my liquid FP.

Saturday is for procrastination

2008-04-08T00:02:00.003-04:00

I woke up a bit late on Saturday morning and didn't get out to meet my team until around 8:30 AM or so. I was planning on running with them for motivation, but no one was around by the time I got there. I wasn't feeling THAT awesome, it was butt cold out and raining, so I listened to the procrastination side of me and decided to just put in a short run. Another training team was in the area and I hooked up with a triathlete heading out for an easy 3 mile run. Too bad his version of easy and my version of easy were not the same thing. Not one to ever say anything, or to tell myself that the pace may just be a bit quick for me, I kept up with him...until my legs felt like they were made of concrete. At about mile 2, I did something I almost never do.

"Hey, I am going to slow it down a bit, go ahead and take off with out me."

What? Right that down! Did you hear that? Yeah, I know, crazy. Typically I would have run myself into the ground out of pride, or better put, false pride. What can I say, I am a typical dude in that department.

"Must...not...show...weakness..."(cue collapse on concrete)

Not this time. No, my running partner with the uber-tight leggings and oversized shirt (he looked like a toddler, it was weird) obliged and took off, leaving me to drop the pace a bit and find my legs. I never really did, but I did finish with the ability to walk afterwards, so that is a step in the right direction.

I decided to go for my long run on Sunday, a justification for the three I just put in. Never the less, I am coming along. I may not feel like it, but I know I am making progress. Tomorrow will be a good test of how my legs have gotten used to the longer distances.

After returning home for a quick clean up, I headed off to the bustling town of Suffield, CT to watch the Suffield Academy track team, my alma mater, compete in their first meet. Quite a strong group of kids. Can you believe that in this little tiny WNEPSA league, there are some of the nations elite HS boys 800 meter runners? Stay tuned on that, SA has a phenom of their own (www.suffieldacademy.org).

My NCAA gripe/rant right quick...

2008-04-07T23:41:00.004-04:00

I can't write anything about running right now, I need to get this out and I will get back to what I came here to write about:

This game is a perfect as to why basketball is a stupid sport, and one more reason why all Americans should adopt football, not American football, as the sport of choice. Memphis proved they were the best team, up by 9 with 2 minutes to go. In comes the STUPID hack-a-shaq game style and Kansas gets back in it.

I thought penalty kicks were the worst way to decide a game, but this is leaps and bounds beyond that. Penalty kicks at least decide the game between two legitimately tied teams. This was just bunch of bull. I am not even a Memphis fan, as Caplipari left UMASS when I was a kid for nothing but money when he said he wasn't going to. That and I picked Kansas in my pool. No, this was just a frustrating game to watch and unfortunate for Memphis. Without a question the better team did not win tonight, by a long shot. In my opinion, they (whoever decides these things) need to make intentional fouls an automatic 2-shot-and-the-ball situation. Scoring then fouling before the inbounds? That isn't basketball, that is straight crap. What a cheap way to win a national title.

Sorry coach Cal, you should have played footy.

A few I am sorries

2008-04-05T00:18:00.009-04:00

Ok, so maybe I have been slacking a bit on the update piece. For that, I apologize. I would like to say it will not happen again, but, that may be a bit of a stretch. Nonetheless, here is what I have been up to-
I first would like to apologize to my new friend, who I disrespected the other day.

Goo, I am sorry.

I know, I called you something along the lines of hot trash. I was a little dehydrated at the time, I wasn't thinking clearly; I don't know what got into me. I feel as though our relationship has gotten off on the wrong foot. I would like to start anew, take a clean slate approach - what do you say? I promise not to call you names and say you taste like mung if you promise to provide me an insane amount of energy similar to rocket fuel. Deal?

So I pounded out 11 miles this past Saturday. It was really far, the farthest I have ever run. I know 11 miles is eleven miles, but this was a really long 11 miles. Remember that whole bit about my problem with planning? Yeah, well, that kind of came into play again. You see, Hopkinton, MA in regards to the Boston Marathon, sits up on a hill, allowing the runners a fairly drastic descent over the first 3 to 4 miles. I knew this before I set out to run my pre-determined 10 mile long run. Did I map it out, check to see what type of run this could turn into? HAHAHAHA, whoooooo. No, no I did not to answer your question.

I knew I was in trouble after the first few minutes of this particular journey. You see, I sometimes have trouble gauging how fast my pace is. By that I mean I refuse to feel like I am going slow, so I tend to go out too hard and end up sucking wind within the first few miles. And wouldn't fate have it that two people I work with show up at the start line just as I am about to head out. Of course, these two guys are super fit as they plan to run the Boston Marathon in a few weeks. So what do I do? Yep, you guessed it, I tried to keep pace with them. ten minutes and a few F-bombs later, I was knee deep in the hoopla and this starship was off to a bad start.

Luckily for me I am impatient, which led me to slam that Goo before I started out. Let me tell you, my new friend might taste like a bag of smashed booties but man, can they fire you up. And those of you who know me, I don't really need much to reaise my energy level; I my day to day speed is usually measured at the ludacris level. However, after kidding myself and running like I stole something, I was in need of a pick me up. I;ll tell you, that gooey scrumtrulescence is amazing stuff. I was able to make it to the 5 mile marker without seriously considering hailing a cab. What I did know was that I had just descended some SURIOUS hills and I had to turn around and go back. One goo pack of Mint Chocolate and a few watery-eyed dry heaves and I was ready to go.
Yeah, I can't accurately portray the world of pain I was operating in on those last 5 miles. Instead, I would like to explain myself through pictures, a before and after montage if you will:

Before:

or as my younger sister, Annie, likes to think I look like:

Liono? Really? I mean, besides the forearms, I don't see the resemblance. Well, maybe the cat-like moves I guess, but that still is pushing it.

And after being drop kicked off of the pain train:

(I will fix the formating in the morning...)

Yep, didn't feel AWESOME after that run. But, I got my 11 in, one more than I planned but that will do.

What? I have a mullet? Easy, there is a difference between a true business in the front, party in the back dome slice and the hat-mullet. I have a mullitude of hair, I don't enjoy it in my face as I am swearing my way up mountains (hills, mountains, whatever. You didn't know K2 was actually in eastern MA? Look it up, on wikipedia). So, I have to bite the bullet and rock the faux mullet every now and again.

That is all for now. I have another long run tomorrow morning. I had some minor surgery done this morning and I was told not to run for a few days. But, my primary care doctor only went to medical school, so what does he know?

2008-04-03T20:57:00.002-04:00

I haven't been slacking, I will post tonight. Check this doozey out for the time being.

At the crizzack

2008-03-30T17:24:00.007-04:00

Apparently when you are training for a marathon, sleeping in on the weekends doesn't happen. I thought I would take a picture just to document the fact that I was up and dressed at 5:45 AM on a Saturday morning.

5:45 AM. I wanted to write that again just in case anyone missed it the first time.

AM. Dressed.

This Saturday marked the last long training run for those who are competing in the Boston Marathon. It is tradition for those running on charity training teams to meet up at the start line in Hopkinton. I know this because several of the runners I manage are training for Boston. What I didn't know was that everyone within a 3,000 mile radius would show up.

Seriously, there had to have been a couple of thousand runners in Hopkinton center when I got there at around ten of 8. Sure, it was a nice morning, sunny, but Jack Frost was ALL up on my nose. So, to see so many people giddy with joy while wearing what I refer to as knuckle

pants, it was surprising. I thought I would show you the craziness:

Look at that, tons and tons of peeps all out in the freezing cold, chatting, and PSYCHED that they are about to embark on a 22+ mile run. I can see now why only a certain few run marathons. You have to be a different breed, with out a doubt. I thought this would be a great first test to see if I have any of that breed in me. So, I joined the crowd; chatted it up with a few veterans about sweat rates, lactic acid thresholds, ideal race weight, you know, things I have no business talking about. Hey, since I was dressed in micro-this and ultra-wick that, I had to blend in. It was right around this time when I noticed the majority of the heard crowding the Saucony press table - yeah, I told you this event was serious bidness. I needed to inspect this tomfoolery, if for nothing else then the body heat.

"Are you serious? I can just take as many as I want? Wow! Thanks, this stuff is like gold!"

"Gold, what? What is this treasure they speak of?" I thought to myself. As I made my way through the spandex and B.O., I saw the piles of neon packets, which were disappearing by the fistful.

"Goo?"

"Yeah, Goo, take some for the run," the nice lady with the terrible breath said. So, I grabbed a few, based on the colors of course, not to the flavors. What? Red is usually much better than blue and brown is way better than all of them, because it usually means chocolate. Then again, I had, and still have, no idea what I am talking so I probably should have checked.

As I have said before, I am not very patient when it comes to certain things and well, I had to try this little packet of wonder before my run. I mean, who can resist a name like, EXPRESSO BLAST? Not Brian Hetzel, that is for sure. So I ripped that jammy open like what and downed the gel in one.

Espresso Blast, really, Goo company? Or how about, let's say, Slimy Hot Trash? That would be WAAAAAAAAAAY more accurate in describing the foulness that oozed out of the packaging. Thanks, Goo, for ruining all of the credibility I had built up. That dry heave destroyed everything.

A few things

2008-03-28T13:41:00.002-04:00

I just realized that I meant to write about my recent easy runs in the last post

Whoops.

These things tend to happen with me.

I wanted to mention that I am adding David Hetzel, my cousin and fellow homie, to the reasons why I am running this marathon. Dave was recently diagnosed with MS, and I feel that it is my responsibility to help him out. With that said, part of this is for you, Dave.

OK- I probably should get some work done.

Right. I am off to quench my thirst with a scrumtrulescent Coke Zero. It doesn't taste like regular Coke, but I promised my coworkers I wouldn't drink that anymore. I tend to get a bit hyper, or more so than usual. Coke Zero will have to suffice, I guess, even though it tastes like flat Coke, only with carbonation...if that...works...at all.

Right.

Peace-

B

My "easy" runs

2008-03-28T11:28:00.004-04:00

Because I do not have access to Alberto Salazar, I Googled "marathon training programs" in an attempt to find one that would possibly suit my tastes. Really, I just wanted something to follow as I have absolutely ZERO idea what I am doing. Tell me to run and jump over a bar and land on a mat? Yep, I can do that. Tell me to run as fast as I can, jump far-ish, and land in sand? Sure, I can do that too.

"Brian, take this baton, chase that guy around the track, pass him, hand off to Johnny here, and collapse."

OK, I am game. But the whole start in one part of the state and run for 3+ hours having never run distance before? Yeah, that is going to take some expertise. Isn't that what Google is all about anyway?

The ING New York City website has a great section for novice distance runners such as myself. They even have tiered marathon programs, of all types; Work too much and need a condensed running plan? They have it. Want to run but do not want to put in all the miles? They have that too. Want to run relative fast but do not know where to start? Yep, they can hook you up. Head on over to:

http://www.nycmarathon.org/training/index.php

I chose the "Basic Marathoner" as my option. Yeah, I know, I have never run one before. But, I think I can handle this program and I want to run more than 3 miles at a time. I will let you know how this choice pans out right around the 20-mile mark on marathon day. I hope to still be upright at that point and in some form of locomotive state.

To be honest, I thought about just following in my father's footsteps and building a program myself, from scratch. But there are some subtle differences between my father and I when it comes to discipline. My father - as a kid he worked all through the summer to raise enough money to put himself through private school. Me - as a kid I spent the summers in Springfield firing around my neighborhood all day long in a state of reckless abandonment, eventually making it home for dinner before passing out in my spaghetti, face first. My father - as a high school student, my father took a bunch of trains from Metuchen, NJ to Newark to get to school every morning. Me - I would wake up every morning to the beeping of my ride sitting in the driveway, put on what ever was on the floor, throw on some shoes, grab the wrong books, stick my head under the faucet, forget the essentials, and be out the door in time to be late. My father - would read text books over and over again until he understood everything and would be asked repeatedly for his class notes because they were so thorough. Me- I would throw my text book out of the top floor window just so I could run down 4 flights of stairs, grab it, and run back up the stairs in an attempt to burn off enough energy to sit through the final period of the day. My father - did well enough to earn an academic scholarship. Me - "Brian, you ready for the SAT's?" "Wait, those are today?" Yep, true story (I actually did pretty well and ended up a top student in college, although this story is told better with a lot more drama. Just go with it).

So, me putting my own marathon plan together - nope, not going to happen. Besides, my father could hammer out 6 minute miles, one after the other, like it was no body's bidness. Me, yeah, nope, not going to be running six minute miles for a while. He also cranked a 2:34 marathon time, which is crazy fast. And that was back in the day before all the dope running gear was out. Homeboy rocked a fishnet singlet and some serious poom poom shorts. Electrolyte infused sports drinks? What? Psssssssssh! Doc. Hetz is a machine, no water needed. Me? You bet your booty I will be rocking the fuel belt, have the newest sweat resistant socks that keep the circulation going in the right places for a meager $80 a pair, running shoes that may not feel great but they make me look fast, some serious Nike drifit everything because if I can't run like a pro I might as well try and look like one, etc. You get the point. Me and Dr. Hetzel, not the same runner.

Right, so I don't really remember what I wanted to accomplish with this post. Anywho, good news is I have a real plan, actually printed out, and I am on my way to building a "base." Nice, I have never had one of those before. That requires AT LEAST a new pair of running-specific sun glasses....

Random note

2008-03-26T13:58:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to put it out there that the Masters is in two weeks.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!

I don't care who you are, if you play golf or not, etc. You are not human if you do not get excited about the best tournament (well, outside of the world cup) on earth. That music, once it comes on, OH, and who doesn't love Jim Nantz and his commentary. Amen corner, I want a time share there.

OK, that is all.

First long run...by accident

2008-03-26T11:04:00.003-04:00

Soooooooo, I have to say I have never been big on details. I usually just fly by the seat of my pants, and by usually I mean always. Going into my Saturday morning long run, I broke my code and decided to spare my shins any extra pounding and stick to 6 miles, no more.

Yeah, about that.

Everything started out great, I didn't try to break a land speed record like I usually do, leading me to dry heave after the first mile. No, I kept the pace slow, found someone to run with that was willing to just cruise along and chat. Now Newton, MA is not an UGLY place, per say, so I had a lot to be distracted by. We made our way along the Charles River, watched the crew teams from MIT and Harvard glide by (I just have to throw it out there that my oar would be lodged in that bullhorn if I had to get up at 5:30 every morning and listen to someone shout at me from a motor boat). Soon the conversations started up, we talked about marathons, why were subjecting ourselves to 26.2 miles of fun, where we grew up, etc. You know, the normal stuff that people talk about when they are trying to forget why they were running in the freezing cold at the crack on a Saturday morning. It was about the time when my mouth started to turn to paste that my running buddy asked, "How far do you plan on running?"

You know that feeling you get when you suddenly realize you forgot something crucial, like, say an appointment time or to send the schematics to Jack Bauer's PDA? Yeah, I know, Jack wasn't pleased. Anyhow, I told my running buddy that I was shooting for around six miles, give or take a few rest stops to hate myself.

"Well, you better turn around then; this is the five mile mark."

Awesome.

Way to go, Bri, you've just won an all inclusive package aboard the pain-train, next stop, Hatesville. I can't tell you the sense of "what the ...." that came over me. My first reaction was to cry, but I held it together. I thought of getting a cab but of course I was too proud to do that. So what did I do? Well, I don't really remember the thought process, but somehow I ended up in a CVS in Harvard Square looking for a bottle of Ensure. I know, right? A logical next step...What?

So after failing to convince the CVS clerk to sell me a single bottle of Ensure, I settled on Gatorade and a bar of horribleness that Snickers pretends to sell as an energy supplement. I tried to get this thing into my stomach but even a homeless man watched in horror as I chewed. I finished half of it, did a little wow-that-tasted-foul dance, and started on my journey back to my car.

Harvard Square to Newton.

Not close to each other.

At all, really.

As I made way back along the Charles, I started to get a terrible feeling, the one that every runner dreads when training in a city environment. Yep, you guessed it, I had to go to the bathroom. Now having run track in college, I have encountered this problem on a number of occasions. However, I went to St. Lawrence University and for those of you who don't know where that is, head directly towards the middle of nowhere. When you get there, keep going, and you will eventually find it. Finding a place to go to the bathroom up there was not difficult, as the place was surrounded by woods. Harvard Square, though, not very forested. But, I figured it being Harvard Square, the epicenter on wicked smaht people, I would easily find a bathroom. What? Smart people burn the midnight oil solving crazy equations and how to make the most effective terribly tasting energy bar. Because of this, they need a lot of coffee to stay awake. Because they need a lot of coffee, they will also need a lot of bathrooms. Natural logic.

Yeah, no bathrooms.

Harvard Square, I am really glad that you have all the eclectic boutiques, fun shops, and far too many bookstores but seriously. What is up with the Facilities? Did I miss the memo? So there I am, frantically firing around in my jogging tights, dodging one genius after another, in my quest to not find relief. Just when I thought I was going to be on the local news, I saw it, the fabulous wonder that it is...Ihop. The man at the counter was nice enough to let me by, or he read my face and didn't want to deal with what I had to offer. Either way, I was in and out of there in a quick 45 minutes and back on my way.

Rule of thumb to anyone who runs or is looking to get into running - when you have a sweat going and your body has adjusted to your run, don't stop. After nearly an hour of ballyhoo, my legs were not THAT thrilled to be running again. Of course the wind that wasn't at my back on the way out was now all up in my face on the way back. I decided to hold onto my Gatorade in an attempt to inject some energy as I went along. Funny, I didn't notice the pretty scenes or the MIT and Harvard crew teams on my way back. I am pretty sure they could have been screaming, boats on fire and I wouldn't have noticed. I was too busy rehashing in my mind how I a) got myself into a 10 mile run b) how I was actually going to make it back and c) the amazing things I was going to buy at Stop and Shop when I finally did make it back. Seriously, what is better than going shopping when you are super hungry? Exactly.

So the run back wasn't all that bad and I actually surprised myself by finishing fairly strong. I have to say that this was the first 10 miler I have ever done, even if it was only by accident. It made me realize that I am farther along in my fitness than I thought and that distance running is largely mental. I can do it, only 16.2 miles to add on...

Until next time-

B

Tech check

2008-03-25T14:42:00.003-04:00

I am sending this from my iPhone to see if the remote posting
function works. That Steve Jobs is a smart dude.

Prooooobably not poor, either.

-B

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."- Mahatma Gandhi

The begining

2008-03-25T10:01:00.004-04:00

Hello all-

Well, this is the begining of what I hope to be a successful venture into the world of marathon running. I must say that this is unchartered territory for me, as I am used to running as fast as I can, turning left as I go, and finishing in 50 seconds or less. For those of you who have never run track before, my race in college was the 400, a lot shorter than 26.2 miles.

"Hey Hetzel, do you want to run some miles with us?"

"Nope, not at all, really. Let me know how that goes. I will be here jumping on the high jump mats. Late!"

That about sums up my college running career, jumping into and over things and an occasional open 400 and a few relays. There was that one 1000 meter race I had to run for a multi event, but I have blocked it from memory. I will let others who were there comment on my amazing display of talent.

I know that I can run a marathon, and run it pretty well. I have until October 26, 2008 to prepare myself, so I have plenty of time. That said, 7 months is a long way off, and a lot can happen. For those that know me, they will tell you to stay tuned. It is always an adventure when Brian Hetzel is involved.

Well, here I go...............