The Great American Stair Challenge

Will Seidel is on a quest to become a physical Renaissance man of sorts.  He declared to me today that he aims to master the impossible triad of athletic achievements no man before him (except maybe a fit basketball player) has accomplished:  1) Run fast, 2) Bench press something-something, and 3) Slam dunk a basketball.  Somebody should remind Will that the Harlem Globetrotters aren't based in Brooklyn and furthermore, that the Harlem Globetrotters are too old to run fast.  Let Will be reminded that any conversations he has with me, online or otherwise, are now fair game as Syracuse Mile material now that I read his flattering comment from about 3 months ago bemoaning the fact that I hadn't updated my blog in five days.  My cited reason:  Droolwork.

With that, I turn your attention to a more realistic if not more emetic physical goal.  Today, after our outdoor run, Mike and I ran the 24 flights of stairs in Jefferson Tower, a dizzying cascade of hair pin turns and elevation changes coming at 8 steps at a time.  I did not time myself, but I am making this bold prediction to you four people who read my blog:  In one month's time, I will run said stairs from the basement to the roof in under two minutes.  Then I will slam dunk a basketball right into Will's grill while my balls brush over his forehead.  Brutal abuse for no reason at all!

(This post has been a test of audience response rate via the Blogger comment feature, which I find to be heavily under-utilized.  The embarrassingly inaccurate and self-promoting link posted above should be more than enough fodder even if you don't think abuse warrants a typed defense.)

Run Syracuse

If you hadn't noticed by now, there's a new wave of excitement cresting on facebook, leaving Syracuse harriers alike pissing themselves in spasmodic glee.  Run Syracuse, a group for area runners, is now off and running with a healthy 14-member base.  There's an upcoming 8-mile event at Highland Forest next Saturday that might make for a fun way to start a horrid weekend of schoolwork.  As long as the snow accumulation stays under 2 feet, I'll probably do it.  After all, post-run pancakes are involved.

Recapping 2008.

The letsrun.com boards are piping up with a list of the best and worst running moments of 2008.  I didn't do a great job of following the sport this year by any means, but reading some of the nominations did bring back some memories, both good and bad.  "Arm Warmers?" (handle) put together a pretty comprehensive list to get your brainstorm off and running...

Personally, I have to put the OT 800 at the top of my list even if Khadevis didn't make the team.  A close second would be Will, Andy, and Carl running the steeplechase at Club Nationals.  At the bottom would probably be the Jamaicans tearing a book from the U.S. Sprint Team's Guide to Steroidal Success 2000 edition--that or Natalie's tempo run from last Saturday (she doesn't read this, right?).

My Best Moments in No order Pro Flanagan picking up a Bronze in the 10k in a new AR Symmonds, Wheating and the battle for 3rd at the OT 800 Hall's 2:06 in London American's go 6-7-8-10 in NYC men's and 3rd in women's Lomong Flag bearer at Olympics (& gets some media coverage) Jenny Barringer/Anna Willard Trade American Records Hearing Solinsky is going to give the steeple a serious go Lagat-Teg 1-2 WAF 3k College UW 1-6 at Pac 10 Rupp finally gets his NCAA Title Kipyego 3-Peats Hernandez, Wheating, Solomon 800m duel NCAA's Alcorn suprise in 3K at NCAA's indoors to lift ASU Texas men win the 3 distance relays at Penn True Freshmen Class in NCAA XC Iona's huge run at NCAA's after coaching change HS Price's 800 at Pre Derrick 13:55 @ Arcadia Hasay/Chetelet 3200 Finnerty's solo 4:01 Fernandez double at state meet NON 2 Mile - Fernandez HSR, Puskedra, Lowe ect. Elenor Roosevelt Smashes HSR in 4x8 FM Girls dominate NTN for 2nd year. My Worst Moments Pro Webb's season K Robinson does not make Olympics in 800 Lagat not advancing Solinsky fails to qualify for Olympic 5k despite great 2 mile that summer Kastor drops from the Olympic Marathon Christian Smith blowing lead in DMR at Penn College OSU at NCAA's Sean Quigley getting outkicked in the 5k at indoor NCAA's after making a move to the lead and not placing top 3 in the 10k despite having fastest seed time. Brie Felnagle at outdoor NC's and OT. Jager goes pro? Bethke not being released while Wisco teammate who also transfered to ASU was. Fernandez DNF's NCAA's HS Price getting knocked out early in the OT in a tacticle heat Derrick getting Mono Fout getting hurt NXN announces individuals, add that to the regional meets and FL Regional and State meets around the country are dilluted. The end of an era. Forgot to add for best moments Shannon Rowbury's season leading up to the Olympics

Meanwhile, at SU

Good read on three guys making a go at it.