A 20 Mile Run, But Not My 20 Mile Run

All the best to my Team in Training chums as the prepare to log 20 miles this Saturday. From there, they'll taper down in distance as the San Diego Marathon approaches on June 4.

Six months ago I ran 20 miles in preparation for the Honolulu Marathon. Six months from now I should be running 20 again as I gear up for the Phoenix Rock 'N Roll Marathon.

And now, back to my deadlines.

TNT '06 Photos

A long Saturday run back in March with teammate PJ.







Thanks to assistant coach Mark for the digital memories.

Broken Bone News

X-rays show my 5th metatarsal knitting nicely. As a reward, I got a walking cast. If I hadn't spent three weeks on crutches, I'd say this was a lousy way to get around.

The bitter doctor found a more chipper side today. Looks like three months of no running. But once I lose the cast, I'm cleared for aqua jogging or ellipticals — non-impact things.

Still working on my young adult horror novel. I've set a target date to finish the outline by June 4. That's also San Diego Marathon day.

So I've still got a goal, just not the one I'd planned.

Feels great to limp!

Web Brawlers

Having a broken foot means I spend more time on the Internet. Recently, I've discovered fight sites. These websites feature videos of people fighting. Some contests are staged but most show fistfights in parks, alleys and streets.

As you might guess, combatants are usually young males. There are one-punch knockouts, sucker punches, painful beatdowns, group battles and a few really good fights where both parties go at it hard with some know-how. An archive of blog CityRag featured a fight linkfest.

Lots of headlocks along with the perennial favorite of climbing atop your opponent and punching him in the face until he quits.
A surprising number of girl fights. Girls go for the hair, gripping it like C-clamps. They will sometimes pause in the middle of a punch-up to taunt or insult one another.

There was a muscular black guy named Kimbo who came across as a semi-pro, bareknuckle fighter. I saw him in a few videos. He traveled with a crew, changed shoes before a fight, and wore a mouthguard. Kimbo kept his arms up and his feet moving. He hit hard, klonking one opponent with an uppercut that laid the guy out in a parking lot. But Kimbo was nothing if not a good sport, wishing his foe well and checking to see he was Okay.

My fighting years are long past. Nowadays, when trouble threatens, I drop a twenty-dollar bill and run.

Or hobble briskly.

18 Miles and a BBQ

This weekend the team will hoof 18 miles on trails around the Rose Bow. The run is proceeded by a raffle and bookended by a finish line barbeque. I will miss said events as I'm up to my crutches in paying work — thankfully. However, the TNT energy continues into the afternoon with the opportunity to:

BUY NICE THINGS!
Ready to lose the Queen poster and stop drinking out of Flintstone jelly jars? TNT member Wendy opens her home to representatives from Private Quarter and Southern Living at Home. See their spring collection and upgrade your space with fine items ranging from glassware to accents. Drinks, lite snacks and a few bonus drawings (including a little something from The Simpsons) round out a fun evening starting at 6:30 PM on Saturday, April 29. Click here for Wendy's Glendale locale. Check out an "Early Bird" showing from 4:30 to 5:30 PM.

Meanwhile, I count the hours until my orthopedic appointment Monday. A walking cast may be in my future. Non-crutch locomotion would feel fine about now.

Hit Me

Hit number 2,000 today.

Thanks to all who frequent this blog.

That includes web crawlers and the "Anonymous" people trying to sell me something.

Everyone Shows Up At Nick's

Tonight is the night of NICK'S VERY OWN FILM FESTIVAL!
He films as fast as he runs and that's pretty quick. Having just wrote and directed an entry for the Howard Stern Film Festival, Nick's turning on the town to his cinematic efforts by screening Booey Parts: From Bobby to Booey. Wear your hippest black to Pasadena's Bodega Wine Bar starting at 9:00 PM. Pay ten dollars at the door and let 'em know you are there for the TNT fundraiser/screening. Find Bodega here.