Running Out....of tolerance for incompetence

Based on my observation of several serious runners I can say that these folks tend to be fairly competent people who are willing to put in the work to make stuff successful. Therefore I find myself becoming less tolerant- of incompetence and laziness. Unfortunately, the blasted bug of laziness bites us all, and even I succumb to it- nevertheless it really bugs me.
Running forward, with more miles to cover- that's life.

Legging it...

One benefit of not running long distances is that the legs recover and have some energy in them- which is very good if one intends to do some speed work. Relaxed, fresh legs can put on quite a pace.

Googling Out the Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner

Running for me is a lonely sport- something I like to do alone, for the most part. I am reasonably disciplined, but will take a day off from running every now and then. However, running groups and clubs are the rage and norm, and certainly serve a purpose for many. Google along with its Maps is handy for locating these clubs. Running with others takes on a social aspect- a different feeling than that of the solitary runner taking the time to be by himself or by herself.

A Running Conversation

This evening I had dinner with some of my colleagues and the conversation turned to running. Two of the folks had run a marathon and had sworn not to run another one. Another person commented on the "painful" look on runners' faces at the end of a race- apparently her father said that he would take up running when he saw a runner finish looking happy.
The funny thing is that runners are very happy upon finishing a race, though the body might be tired. Running is about understanding one's body and mind, and overcoming the fears and doubts- about the capacity to last the physical race as well as life's race. It is truly a joyous activity, filled with introspection and insight.

A fast run, and a fast fade

For the first time this year, I went out and ran fast today. Though I ran only six miles or so, I was exhausted by the end- I was in quite bad shape. Need to do a lot more crunches and push-ups to get ready for the long runs.

A fine run

Today I had dinner with four of my advisees who are graduating this Sunday. I have seen all of them transform from the freshmen state and become fine human beings. In addition they are all excellent students. I consider myself lucky to have had this group to work with- it is a rather rare event.

Growth in Running

One of my favorite memories is running the 8K Shamrock Shuffle in 1986 or 1987. There were only a few hundred runners, and I could break free and run a fast pace after just a few minutes. Nowadays, more than 13000 people run the race, one has to crawl from beginning to end. Yuk!

Need for Speed

When I got out to run at 12:30 PM today it was quite warm and I was quite hungry- a great combination for speed work. The need to finish quickly meant that I had to put on some pace. Running fast after a layoff is never easy.

Time to run up

With warm weather in place and school almost over, the time is right to pick up the pace and the distance. But summer is also the only time for good gardening and easy reading...so many things to do, and running like crazy to do all the things!

3 hours of fun

This week has gone by without any running on my part- perhaps for the good. My mind is Star Trekking back to 1988 when I used to go for 3 hour runs Saturday mornings. I would start around 7 AM and come back around 10 AM. I would go all the way up to Lake Cook road and back, in Evanston. It was one heck of a run. Being on the road for three hours really hurts the feet, and for the rest of the day I would be at my desk drinking tons of soda and reading the newspaper. A feeling of absolute tiredness would be combined with one of relaxation and one of pain- an interesting amalgam.

A Bull Run

While the equity markets are experiencing a bull run these days, it gives me much greater pleasure to see my students get some good opportunities- a truly Bull Run. Even in this tight market, smart managers are recruiting and using smart talent. If only my physical running kept up with my academic running!

One of my inspirations and favorite memories of running is the 1985 Chicago marathon, which I saw on TV. Steve Jones ran a spectacular race. There is an interesting interview with him about the race.

A true legend in the sport, Welshman Steve Jones ("Jonesy") won the Chicago Marathon twice--in 1984 and 1985. The first time his 2:08:05 was a world record. His next crack at it (2:07:13) came up just one second short of Carlos Lopez's standard. Known as "The Fox" for his ferocious running right from the gun, Jones was also a pioneer at slightly higher altitude distance training, running 90 miles a week in Park City, Utah, at 7,500 feet, a good 2,000 feet higher than many of his contemporaries who trained in Boulder, Colorado. We caught up with Jones Saturday at the Reebok booth at the Expo.

Runner's World Daily: Tell us about the world record run in 1984.
Steve Jones: I didn't even know what the world record was. I just came to race against people like Deke (Rob DeCastella) and Carlos. I remember people shouting, getting excited around the 20-mile mark on the press truck. But it didn't mean anything. I didn't have a watch on. I couldn't equate the time on the lead clock to how fast I was running really. I knew it was fairly quick. But I just didn't know what the world record was or how it was going to affect me at the end of the race. There was drama in that there was a bit of an accident. About 18 miles, Gabriel Kamau cut across Jeff Smith and myself on a corner and took himself out. He fell down. Jeff almost went down behind him, but I caught Jeff by the arm and held him up. Then I thought: It's getting too crowded. People are getting tired. Reaction times are slower. So I just bogged off. And at about 19 1/2 miles I left Carlos and Rob. I won by over a minute.

RWD: Tell us about 1985.
SJ: I had the world record for six months and then Carlos broke it. I came back to Chicago, but I didn't have any strong thoughts or ideas about going after a world record. I just wanted to beat Deke. Even though I was the defending champ and former world record holder, I felt that Deke was getting the publicity. He was still the superstar. That was fuel to the fire. I just wanted to beat Rob. He's a great guy and a great friend, but I wanted to show him that it was my race. And I should have been where he was.

RWD: The gun goes off...
SJ: Carl Thackery was the pacemaker. He was supposed to go through about half-way. We got to the mile in about 4:50. And he said: "Is this fast enough?" I said, "Yes, just keep it like this and it will be fine." Then I picked it up, though. I wanted to get away, and by four miles Carl had dropped out and I was all by myself then. We went through 10 miles in 47:20, and the half-marathon in 61:40.

RWD: Is that the fastest half-marathon split ever?
SJ: It was for many years, and still might be pretty close. I was out there and I didn't turn around. I just kept focus. You can watch the video now and see I was just focused on forward. In 1984 when I was with a group I was looking around, at the helicopter above, but when I was by myself I was focused. You can shut everything else out when you are by yourself. No one is going to trip you and you're not going to fall down.

RW: 1:01:40. That feels painful just saying it. When did it start hurting?
SJ: I don't know. It's something that sets in pretty quickly. It's not like you get a little tighter and more sore. I remember going through 18 miles and my good friend and manager Allan Warner was at the 18-mile point, where, the previous year, Gabriel fell down. Allan was getting a bit worried because I had gone off so fast, thought I was going to overcook it. He shouted at 18 miles: "Jonesy, you okay?" I just winked at him. I just carried on. So he knew I was fine. I wasn't in any pain, but I do remember the last couple of miles. I was actually slowing down. My legs were a little sore. I was still running 5-minute miles.

RW: One second off the world record. That must have hurt a little.
SJ: I didn't wear a watch. And there was a bone of contention about the timing. Chris Brasher was writing for "The Guardian" at the time. And a couple of other reporters that were here made a fuss about the press truck leaving me at 23 miles so I didn't have any idea with no clock there. But they had to get to the finish so they could get off before I finished. Everyone seemed to think that if I had that clock there, I would have got that one second. But I just ran as hard as I could for as long as I could.

Running Wild

A great story appeared today on ABC News:

Scientists say a 47-million-year-old fossil found in Germany may be a key link to explaining the evolution of early primates and, perhaps, telling them about developments that led to modern human beings. The fossil, of a young female that probably resembled a modern-day lemur, is described as "the most complete primate fossil ever found." It is small -- its body is about the size of a raccoon -- but it has characteristics found in later primates and in humans.

"We realized, when I was offered this specimen," said Dr. Jorn Hurum of the University of Oslo, who led the two-year effort to determine the fossil's importance, "that it was the most complete primate in the fossil record."

The fossil was unveiled today amid great fanfare at a news conference at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Hurum nicknamed it "Ida," after his own six-year-old daughter.

It has, among other things, opposable thumbs, similar to humans' and unlike those found on other modern mammals. It has fingernails instead of claws. And by examining the structure of its hind legs (one of which is partly missing), scientists say they can see evidence of evolutionary changes that would eventually lead to primates standing upright.

Run and Sun

It feels like summer in Chicago- the beautiful Sun is shining happily, everything is looking green- but not too many runners and walkers are to be found. With gas prices falling to $2.50, some folks are back to their bad habits- driving ridiculous big vehicles and shorting their exercise.

Running away together...

Could not run today, but remembered a song from a long time ago, by Brotherhood of Man...a song we used to listen in our Hostel's common room...

Running...out of Steam

Runners are a strange lot. I am used to taking a certain route for my regular run, even though when I go to a different place, I run on a strange route without a second thought. But when I run on my regular route, I have a mental image of how far I want to go and at what pace, and this construction season is playing havoc with those plans.

With more prairie land being converted to parking lots, there appears to be lesser and lesser space for animals and birds to thrive. Rather sad to see that our parking needs run over the homes of birds and animals.

Student Shows up a Professor

One of my star students, Miss Smith, is graduating in a couple of weeks. In addition to completing a complicated double major double minor program and doing a host of other activities, she has represented our school in Track and Field the past four years. She is a very good runner and also does cross country and steeplechase. I usually kid her about the marathon. Today she told me that she is running a marathon in fall and hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon. She is good enough to easily qualify, something I could probably do but with difficulty. It is great to see a student out-distance me not just in academics but also in other areas.

Bittersweet Run

This has been a rather bittersweet evening. I received a number of recognitions at our Honors Convocation, and was awarded a Chair. My students received grants and recognitions. One of my best, MS, received the Wall Street Journal award and two of my students were nominated for Senior of the Year. Neither won, but another student MS for whom I had written a letter for grad school got it. I met the parents of these students and it was the best part of the evening- far more rewarding than my individual accomplishments. There is so much work ahead this summer- I have to run hard just to keep pace.

Trying to keep pace

One of my former students who graduated recently works in the City and commutes from a northern suburb. She was describing to me the big changes in her life as she became a working adult. In particular, she said she was surprised by the mass of humanity (ants) arriving at the train station and going to office buildings in the morning.

A student I met at a get-together this evening challenged me to race her--I must be getting very slow...

This term has been an interesting run...Have completed some stuff but have been running backward on some stuff...

Fire and Ice

One of the teams in our marketing class presented the product Fire and Ice, a shoe that keeps the feet warm in winter, and cool in summer. A great notion, but technologically challenging.

Miles to go...before I sleep

The weather is getting nicer, and is proving to be an inspiration to the runners, both recreational and the serious ones. I am slowly picking up my distance. All the weight gained during the winter months begins to show when one is out running. By a similar token, one should not be weighed down when running in the life's race. Unburdening the mind of unnecessary junk and focusing on socially useful stuff adds speed and rejuvenates a person.

Light at the end of the Day

Now that Daylight lingers on until 7:45 PM or so, it is easier to come home from work in the evening and then go running. That is what I did today. After coming home at 5:30PM, and taking care of a few things, I went out at 6:15PM and ran till 7:00PM. While it was cool, the presence of light made it enjoyable. As my semester runs to a close, and I jump over the final hurdles, the experiences are humbling but enjoyable.

De"Constructing" Runners

One word that is synonymous with spring is Construction. Where I live, roads everywhere are being dug up, unfortunately all at the same time. I went out running this evening and had to change my route drastically due to the construction craters. Half way through, I went to the fountain for a sip of the tetra-hydrogen di-oxide, H4O2, and on my way back was disoriented enough to go the wrong way. Eventually I found my bearings and came back, although I ran a little more than I had planned to. As the days get warmer and longer, it is becoming easier to run.

Those were the days my friend...

As I was driving home from work, I thought about the days I used to run 100 miles a week- getting up at 4:30AM, going out to run at 4:45, coming back at 6:30 or 6:45, showering up and getting to work by 8:00. I would get home in the evening around 8:00PM, have dinner and get to bed. It was a heck of a life- I paid a dear price for the hours I put in and the stress I faced- my health, appearance, hair, all suffered- but the running episodes from those days form a fond memory.

Running in a Maze, in a Daze

The past few months have been hectic. I have felt as if I have been caught in a maze and have been trying to escape from it. It has often left me dazed but unfazed.

Running....a Showcase

Today was our annual Research and Performance Showcase Event. One of my students was among the feature presenters, and she did a wonderful job. Her presentation was titled 'When the Minority Becomes a Majority" and focused on the increasing number of women entering colleges and more women graduating than men in four years.
Unfortunately there were only about 45 people in attendance. It is difficult to get students to attend, but what is even more galling is that very few of the faculty attend. We have faculty who are upset if students don't attend their classes, yet these same bozos don't have any qualms about disrespecting the presenters by not attending the Showcase, which features the best and brightest of our school. As always, 10% of the faculty carries the load for the entire College.

Run N Fun

The key is to have fun doing stuff... This is the message I delivered to some students today. Running is stuff... and the key is to have a adaptable, friendly disposition.

Jerks, Joggers, and Java

I was out running today a woman driving a big van pulled up and rolled down her window and said "Can you tell me where Olesen is?" This woman apparently a) had not been trained in good manners by her parents, teachers, and friends, and b) thought she had the right to stop a runner and ask a question. I stopped and politely gave her directions, and she drove away with nary a thank you. Similar incidents have happened many times in the past...which always make me wonder about the ignorant lives these people lead.

On a perky note, both McD and Starbucks are rolling out national ad campaigns supporting their coffees. Funny thing is that they could save the ad money and just lower the prices for consumers. That will do the trick.

Running...a tight ship but a free ship

How to give people enough freedom to explore and be creative while reining in the tendencies to wander too far away, both physically and meta-physically? This is the challenge that is always at the top of my mind, and it became more apparent today. I took students to a new-age marketing agency that helps clients with the innovation process- from idea creation and to execution. Only half the class showed up. I also talked to students on another issue and realized I should have been more assertive. Always an intellectual dilemma, but an enjoyable challenge.

When Running Low on Fuel...

Apart from the weather, a nice environment provides great inspiration for the runner, walker, biker, thinker, sleeper, and dreamer in all of us. During my short run today, I went by our prairie path and looked at the board describing the efforts by the City to restore the path to the Midwest prairie habitat. Naperville is a very conservative, grass is green type of city, and in the past has not taken kindly to efforts at being eco-friendly. The climate, political and popular, is changing slowly, and now the City is taking more steps towards a greener, cleaner environment. Running through areas where there are a lot of varieties of birds and plants is always rejuvenating. When one is tired and running low on fuel, even a slow saunder through these areas is food for the body. Just walking through the Redwoods in California, climbing the hills in Los Gatos or Los Altos, or walking idly by the beach in La Jolla is quite fulfilling and leaves one sated.

Back on My Feet

After nearly a week, I finally got to put on my Asics and go out running. It is hard on the body when one runs irregularly. However these problems pale when compared to others. I went to school this afternoon to work with two of my students on a research project. One of the students had a painful laceration and other problems. It hurts to see my young students in pain.

As spring springs to summer, it provides the opportunity for a runner to enjoy the scenery and run longer distances. Today, we had a gentleman come by to give us estimates for some windows we need to replace, and he was talking about a woman in a nearby street who had a window above her bathroom. This window was apparently clearly visible from the street. According to the window guy, there would always be a bunch of people in the courtyard in the morning reading the paper and "enjoying" the morning "show."

What a window to the world!

Absconding..

For a variety of reasons, I have been unable to do any running this week- a rather hectic schedule not helping matters any. However, today I raised the issue of female leaders in my class. I showed students my cool site with the pictures of many female leaders of countries, and asked them why the U.S. did not have any so far. Of course this is a complex issue, but a serious issue as well. I was reminded of the interview Paula Radcliffe gave some time ago..

Paula Radcliffe bemoans men running scared.
Owen Slot, Chief Sports Reporter.
Male distance runners in this country have a weaker mentality than their female counterparts, they are scared of having their egos bruised by testing themselves against top competition and are more likely to “bottle out” in poor conditions. Two days before another London Marathon in which no Briton is likely to challenge in the men's elite race, this is the view of Paula Radcliffe, the women's world record-holder.

In an interview with Spikes magazine, Radcliffe said that many male athletes are psyched out before they have even got to elite level. “A lot of it is about the mental outlook of the athlete,” she said. “The youngsters coming through now in male middle- distance are in an era where they're being told, 'We haven't got anyone as good as Coe, Cram or Ovett.' So they never think they're going to be able to live up to that.”

Radcliffe also said that, in the United Kingdom, “our squad development and group training mentality fell apart” and that female runners were far better equipped to cope than the men. “Men in particular need that more than women,” she said. “Women will either be able to get themselves together in a group or they will go out and hammer it in training.

“In my experience, women can train more closely to their maximum on their own for more sessions in the week than men. It's just the way the physiology is. By putting men in a squad, you force them to push a little bit harder and train a little bit harder.”

However, she said simultaneously that the male elite “avoid” each other in training and are scared to leave the comfort zone of their local training groups to pit themselves in training against their peers. She added that their mentality is, “‘We're not going to train together because it might hurt my ego.' That doesn't help, either.”

And in a withering assessment of the psyche of male runners in general, she said: “Women are generally better organised and more consistent. You might see the guys start off a bit faster and probably running at a quicker pace, but they're fair-weather runners. If the rain or snow comes in, the guys are going to bottle out.”

Radcliffe also suggested that attitudes at the elite level are too soft on the young talent of both genders. “The whole country went through this phase of thinking, 'Oh, you shouldn't give it all in training anyway, you shouldn't train too hard, you can overtrain,'” she said. “They are competing against people who were out there being the best in the world and winning world championships already at 20, 21, and yet we're saying, 'They're only just under 23.'

“We're creating a whole new extra age group to ease that transition, when really we need to almost be throwing people in and getting them aware of what they're doing.”