Team Brandon

This past weekend at the Marine Corps Marathon I had the good fortune to cheer on a good number of friends and acquaintances. One in particular really stuck out. I had thought about mentioned Ted and Brandon Kucowski in the previous blog but decided they deserved their own little spot.

The social networking sites all around us are allowing people to become friends with people they have never (and in some cases may never) meet. There are obviously pros and cons to this which is not the point of this post. The point is to talk about a pair of fellas I met online named Team Brandon.

103rd Marathon Looms

As I approach my 103rd Marathon at the Manchester City Marathon, in New Hampshire, I shake my head at two things:

1. How, 100 marathons ago, I was lining up for, what was in my head, my LAST Marathon.
2. How, I still have not done as many marathons in the rest of my entire life combined (not counting 2006), as I did DURING 2006!

A few months ago I was planning on being elsewhere this weekend. I had the registration form all filled out for the Javelina Jundred, which I wanted to be my redemption race for needing to bow out at mile 87 of my first 100 back in 2007, at the Old Dominion 100. Something stayed my hand on sending in the registration form, and then when I had the run in with the left bumper of a car in August, the rest of my year was throw all a kilter. Could I have still run this 100? Sure. Would it have been in a time far less than I would have wanted it to be? Definitely.

Marine Corps Marathon Weekend

It is rare when I am at a marathon, or nearby and not running it. In fact, a brief thinking backward has me recalling only three such instances.

1. Drake Well Marathon 2009 - I was the race director
2. Potomac River Run Marathon 2008- I was helping run the race
3. Women's Olympic Trials 2008- I am neither female or an Olympic hopeful (expect for in the strictest definition of the word "hopeful").

However, even though the MCM remains one of my most favorite marathons ever, I was not going to be running it this weekend. I knew I would be stretched thin in the week prior to the race doing many other things previously mentioned HERE and with 6 straight marathons on the horizon I had to decide to not run the race. Probably a very good decision but I sure would have loved to run my 5th MCM.

My Review of My Book Review

I was recently informed by one of the creators of website Letsrun.com that my book, See Dane Run, had been reviewed on his website.



He then went on to say that the review wasn’t exactly favorable. To be honest, I relished reading it even more because of that. Why? Am I masochistic? Nope. As much as I thoroughly enjoy hearing how much people have enjoyed my book or have used it for their own inspiration, I am always wishing to improve myself and my writing. Granted there is nothing I can do to "fix" a book already in print but I can most assuredly learn from constructive criticism.

So, below is the review in its entirety (in italics) with not only my responses to some of the critiques but also some of the responses my fellow readers gave as well, after reading his review.

Marathon Makeover Marathon Recap

A Runner's Ramblings: Volume 4; 20th Edition
505.3 miles raced in 2009
Race: Marathon Makeover Marathon
Place: Jackson, MS
Miles from home: 1803 miles
Weather: 40-60s; cloudy to clear


My Comeback From Injury Train had its next stop in Jackson, MS at the Marathon Makeover Marathon.


After an especially turmoil-filled week for me personally, I was happy to touch down with my hosts for the weekend on Thursday afternoon. Friday morning, after appearing on the Marathon Makeover show on SupertalkFM, I headed over to the expo to sign books for all the wonderful people here to challenge themselves at either the 13.1 or 26.2 mile distance. After this I headed to the Jackson Street Fair to give a speech and provide some inspiring words for the people gathered. A hearty flock were there but even with a heathly ego, I know that while most might have enjoyed my talk, they were eagerly awaiting the announcement following my speech. That announcement? Which person would win a brand-new car!

What's Next?

Ever since December 31st, 2006 around 8 PM CST, I have been asked what my next big goal would be. Seriously. I was not even showered from the last marathon of Fiddy2 when a phone call with BBC radio posed the question. (Clicking this link opens up a radio interview with a person with a delightful British accent. And me sounding very tired.)



From being asked "Would you do it again?" (which my answer is usually: "If you pay for it this time!") to "So, what's next?" I have never needed the prodding I have received to continue to dream big. Well, I finally have my next big goal.

A Note of Thanks

I am very fortunate to receive a great deal of email and letters from people I have met on my travels. I would say 99.9% of them are extremely positive. Without a doubt I know I have my detractors and I am fine with that. I remember all of the people who send me missives but every once in a while, one really stands out. This time it was from a woman named Ginger.

You might be automatically thinking of Ginger from Gilligan's Island, and I have a feeling in her day, this Ginger would have rivaled the other's for beauty.

Long Beach Marathon Recap

A Runner's Ramblings: Volume 4; 19th Edition
479.1 miles raced in 2009
Race: Long Beach Marathon
Place: Long Beach, CA
Miles from home: 703 miles
Weather: 60-70s; cloudy to clear

56 whole days between marathons. A car accident which messes up my shoulder. Fifteen or so extra pounds around my waist. These are not things which I am used to having to deal with. But life really doesn't care much what your plans are.

That said, what this marathon was for me was the first of my new century of marathon running. Number 101. The beginning of getting back into shape. I had told people who asked what I thought I was going to run that I was either going to run a 3:04 or a 3:06. Why? Because I felt I was in shape for that sort of running and I chose those two particular numbers because I have never run a marathon time equal to that. That was good enough reason for me!

I was once again one of the featured speakers at the Expo prior to the race and once again got to enjoy speaking to many runners and their families. I always enjoy the fresh outlooks and insights from runners who wish to share their experiences with me. The rest of expo went very well with many others coming to tell me that they had really enjoyed my book and were inspired by it. One guy "blamed" me for his current obsession of running a half marathon every month this year after reading my book in January! I love being blamed for that sort of thing. If I am partially responsible for the slightest improvement in someone else's life, that is a darn good thing.

Heading Back to DC!

After living in DC for just short of four years, uprooting my life and moving to Salt Lake City, I knew that my visits back to our Nation's Capitol would be less frequent than I would like. However, with some friends going AWOL and my own personal changes happening, it has now been over a year since I have been back to the greater Washington, DC area. But now I am going back with a bang.

First off I will be doing a book signing and fun run at the Georgetown Running Company.

Rules, Rules, Rules

Well, the Lakefront Marathon keeps getting unwanted press.



First, Cassie Peller was disqualified as the overall female winner for receiving a water bottle between official aid stations around mile 19 or so. (Seriously?!)


After initially declaring 2nd place finisher Jennifer Goebel the winner, it was learned that around mile 19 Goebel turned on an iPod to get a little musical boost. Well, while USATF relaxed the rule banning headphones, iPods and MP3 players late in 2008, largely leaving the decision up to race directors, the ban still applies, to the top-end runners competing for USATF championships or prize money. Down goes Goebel! Down Goes Goebel!

"Facing" Adversity

I am going to clue you in right now. The title of this blog is horribly "pun"y. But you will forgive me when I am through.

I have known my friend Jenni for close to four years now. When I did my 52 Marathons in 52 Weekends, she was kind enough to host me at the San Francisco Marathon. In fact, on the way to race morning in the cab, I saw my very first live hooker! I was so excited that Jenni thought I was going to jump out and ask for her autograph.

In addition to all of this, Jenni is also in a picture that remains one of my favorite of myself of all time. As I am not the most photogenic chap out there, that is saying something!

Jenni on the left and me on in the middle. Duh.

It's Like Raaaaiiin on your Running Shoes

So here, just a few days after I nipped a little bit at Alanis Morrisette for creating an entire generation of kids who had no idea what the word "ironic" meant, I am here to praise her. If you did not know, Ms. Formerly-on-You-Can't-Do-That-On-Television (which I adored as a precocious pre-teen growing up in the late 80s) will be running the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon next weekend in Northern California.


More importantly than just another celebrity taking to the 26.2 miles that we all know and love is the fact that she will be raising money for the National Eating Disorders Association. Running for charity is obviously something near and dear to my heart. As such I am always wary when I hear of anyone, especially a celebrity, doing so. However, like it or not, when a "non-runner celebrity" does take to the roads, it is going to raise more money and more awareness than any of us non-celebrities. Which is why I am glad Alanis is running for such a worthy cause and one so completely tied into the sport of running (even if she did not know it to begin with.)

Massive Weight Loss

I am a huge champion of people getting healthier. I love hearing stories about how people have taken to better eating habits, adding more exercise to their life, and have realized the value that they have added to their own lives, and those around them by doing so. In fact, I have posted previously about my cousin Jenn who had lost 80 lbs back in March. Most recently she let me know she had pushed past the 110 lb barrier and keeps up the battle every day. I am extremely proud of her! This took a great deal of willpower and fortitude. I also, at the same time, wished she had never gotten herself into that position in the first place.

The reason I say this is a recent story about a man named Bob Bedord who lost 257 pounds in 30 months without surgery. Leaving the easy" Well, he IS from Wisconsin" jokes aside, something about the article struck me. Let me start off by saying that when I read the article I was impressed and also very happy for him. He did not take the easy way out. He worked hard. He lost the weight and will inevitably have a higher quality of life because of it.

October...and Snow?

There is something rather amusing about attending a movie and presentation showing in Park City, UT on the last day if September, wherein the residents have all gathered to speak about how global warming is affecting us all and how the snowfall will continue to decrease each year unless we do something about our habits (none of which I am actually disputing)...when there is a raging blizzard going on outside.