Tang returns to Texas

The Tangs make it back to Texas






[+] Tang's thoughts
[+] 3.1/ 8.5 in Texas
[+] coaching/ editor's note/ goals



In the imaginary Rhode Island stock market I'd say that the make believe stocks of Shaw's frozen vegetables for knees and spitting [who'd buy stocks in spitting?] have plummeted along with running faster [aka the Ego run] whenever anyone tries to run faster or if a pretty lady comes around. Hopefully, warming up and cooling down have reached an all time high in Rhode Island now that I am gone.

Altitude training? Scratch that. Pollution training/ heat in Texas. Check. Beat that, Kenyans.

Four states run in 5 days (RI, VA, AR, TX) and I'll have to say it ranks in that order as well as far as perfect running weather.

So if you run long enough and sweat a ton (Brian), and then cool down, salt pops up on your arms (or I need to re-think how I shower).

I've got a black and non-existant badge of honor (running-style) since my toe nail just popped off last night.





Marchman Way/Coit/Hedgoxe/Independence/ Marchman Way loop

Runners:
Tang, Aaron (NB 903) 8.5 mi
Tang, Lisa (??? wow, what a great son) 3.1 mi

Thanks to Mom being my personal pacer, I ran a decent first loop of the route.

Today was a day in which I needed two things:
1) carbs, because I bonked* HARD at mile 8.5. (bonk - verb 1. hitting the proverbial wall). Empty stomach running is only good for so long. I thought I tasted pineapple but it turns out a) when was the last time I ate pineapple b) yakking was imminent.

2) my personal cartographers, Amerigo Knapp (and Brian), to map out the path BEFORE running it since I underestimated the distance and what I've dubbed the "Hedgcoxe Road Triple Hill of Doom". I made the turn on to Coit and remembered running this course and being scared of a hill. I thought I had just finished a speed bump/long hill and thought to myself, "this is easy."

Famous last words of a dead man.

Then I made the right turn on to Hedgcoxe Road and on to the three consecutive gradual hills. This is no Providence, RI Angell St. 7% grade but the long, gradual hill after long, gradual hill after long, gradual hill mentally bested me. So yeah, I definitely needed Amerigo's help.


Southern Hospitality: I remembered many northerners saying the people in the South were friendlier. I got a refresher course when I got 5 hardy "GOOD MORNING"'s and the runner's wave between 6:30-7:30 AM. By the end I was recognized as a native son again.

Thanks to Nikki and Brian for finding those shades because now it's functional and not JUST to look like THAT guy.







OK, let me put on my Coach Tang cap.

I have to say I was happy to see Knapp and Sri post up 3 new entries. [Looking forward to the other kids posting as well] As for bonking, guys, it happens. I just did it today. These days happen but they make the great running days feel better; nothing great ever came easy. You guys already threw down 100+ miles in 2 months (more than me in my first 2 months--check my log) AND you've run 8 miles once way before I ever attempted that distance. Do whatever it takes; imagine I'm behind you telling you to relax.

As for weather, guys, I don't know if you know this but the high today in Plano is gonna be in the mid 90s. What do I suggest? Go to weather.com and find a temperature and time you like. I woke up at 6:30 to run the equivalent of the hottest it is in Rhode Island; and that's the coolest it'll be all day. I'm not asking for 6:30 AM runs, but I think you guys can get away with 9:00 AM runs.

Now let's get to what I'm excited to read about (when I come back from my family vacation) which is the Matty's 5k race. I'm ready to see some new PRs on the left side of this blog from you guys. I'm ready to see the duel of Knapp and (if he shows up) Eamonn. Erica Estus will become a member after the race. I can't remember if it was Nikki or Kevin who was running it but the same goes for both of you. Stop running if you feel the slightest pain while training because you are not racing when you are running easy. (EASY, Kevin. Easy means we are not racing all the time). I'm very disappointed I won't be able to cheer you guys on but again I look forward to reading some race reports and maybe even seeing some awesome race pictures.

Non-race related but I am pumped to see Brian enter the 100 mile group soon.





Editor's note: I apologize about not letting you guys know this in advance but I will edit (but not change) the content for some choice words just because I want to keep this PG-13. Also, Runner's World or Nike may be picking us up so we want to be corporate-friendly. Just kidding. But seriously.



Personal Goals:

Let's get to the brass tax.
Seven.
Seven states (TX, RI, NY, NJ, VA, AR, NV) run in.
Seven is also the number of opportunities I have to medal and get the Tang family sweep at the Plano Pacers Running group races each month. 5 in the 20-24 group, 2 in the 25-29 group. It looks like either running is becoming more popular, the college kids are out, or the fact that there was only one race this time but the competition looks tough.

In fact, small world, I know who would've knocked me out of a medal if I had run

May's results

I also have thrown away the idea of setting a time for finishing the half for now; I had more fun running when there wasn't a goal.


I'm not at Mammoth Lakes, California like Meb where I can go dunk myself in a cool river but I CAN go jump in the pool. Peace.

Since my NB 903's are running out of mileage soon, I don't know if I should stick to the NB lineage (904's for 44 bucks) or appease Bober and head towards some ASICS 1150's.

Ashton Mill Run

Sean and I ran alone after excuses were spoken from Nikki and Kevin. Poor choice in timing, as a nice Memorial day = a s-load of bicyclists that seemed dead-set on running both of us over, including one [not nice lady] who just stared at me and almost made me run into the swamp because she would just not move the hell over. Aside from that it was hot...real hot.

Sean ran 2 consecutive miles up from only 1.5 yesterday, his goal is 3 within the week.

I ran 3 on the day at an incredibly slow pace...even for me.

Due to being corporate puppets for the next couple days, Kevin, Nikki, Sean and myself will be listening to CVS people talk about how great CVS is, therefore will not be able to run... thank God for rest days.

Keep it going Sri, it's all mental you can do it...

Epic Failure in NY

As I was called out by Andy yesterday, I set out for a 4 mile run today around my neighborhood. Well, this run turned out to be an epic failure, comparable to my first run at Dexter.

Sri vs. Sweltering Heat - Sri - 0, Heat 1

Attempt #2 will be tomorrow...

PS. I miss running with the team

Non-running running news

Only in the South:
-biscuits and gravy for the complimentary breakfast (don't worry, I went with the usual peanut butter/ honey/ banana smorgasbord)
-we've all moved out of our dorms with trash bags before. Passing the hallway, I saw a student with a legit trash can. No lie.

Looking for the free crossword in the mandatory hotel newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette (what? They read in the South?) I found an article on barefoot running. I enjoyed how the writer who sounds like he has no clue on the debate gives both sides an equal shot (although the title of the article is "Shod and proud: Experts say running barefoot is for birdbrains"). Basically, it's the battle of Dr. Daniel Lieberman and Chris MacDougall (Vibram FiveFinger backers) versus Kevin Kirby, the MacDougall-dubbed "angry podiatrist".

Thanks to reviewing journal clubs for pharmacy school, it's easy to see that there are biases involved; Kirby wants to fit runners with orthotics while the other two support barefoot running with a sponsor from Vibram. Dr. John Vander Schilden, a foot surgeon in Arkansas, points out that this trend of barefoot running may churn out more stress fractures (and metatarsal injuries like I may have ... uh oh). The tell tale sign that I'm now a runner is based on his description of a runner:
"Runners are no treat to take care of because they don't listen"

-and-

Runners are prone to dive feet first into a fad.

I'm just happy that people are running.


which leads me to a question I have received: How do you know when you are a runner?
-You feel like something is wrong when you don't run
-The question of running or not running comes up and you laugh at the idea of rest

I don't care how fast or how slow you are, if this applies to you, then I will dub you a runner.

First RI run without Tang *single tear*

Today the Tang-less team ran for the first time without its fearless leader. No one will ever be able to post in the Blog like Tang...seriously, probably the best blog writer of all time. The run came post Uno's lunch and post retardation by myself yesterday. I woke up early before work to run, and ran about a half mile tempo run without stretching before I had to stop with shin splints.

Runners:

Nikki (Asics) ran 3 miles and self-reportedly did well. She will no doubt embarrass the field in the Shake and Bake run.

Sean (NB) ran 3 miles as well and is improving after a long layoff. Also leads the league for number of Bobby Jenks shouts during a run.

Knapp (Saucony) ran 4 and change miles... some long run this turned out to be.

Kevin (SHOXXXXX) had an epic knee injury and vagina-ed (AKA walked) 3 miles.


Congrats on the 30 miler weeks Tang, one day I hope to get to that plateau.

Also Brian and Sri are missed... graduation blows.
PS Sri is called out for saying she doesn't want to run because "it isn't fun anymore"... lame

Lonoke, Arkansas

Runner:
Aaron Tang (NB 903)
The Tang men left Salem, Virginia at 8:00 and passed on staying in West Memphis (why? on the bathroom stall read, "Kill Obama" with a swastika through the O; not exactly minority-friendly) and on to Lonoke, Arkansas. Ran in the rain through Lonoke, Arkansas and found the Civil War marker for the Battle of Brownsville. Funny what you see on your runs.
New month high score of 111.2 miles and dropped my fifth 30+ mile week.

Salem, Virginia

Runner:
Aaron Tang (NB 903--the official shoe for Virginia runs (V. Beach and now Salem)

While the other correspondents get ready to write about their running in their own unique way, the male Tangs landed in Salem, Virginia near the Blue Ridge Mountains. Naturally, 8pm means running around the fast food-filled streets of the South.

The big selling point for our temporary housing, Comfort Suites on Wildwood Road, was the Zen Awakening massage chair. A couple of things:
1) sitting in a massage chair of this caliber always makes me feel like Professor X from X-Men
2) getting a massage still feels like absolute torture meaning I'm still a little kid
3) I now know what to get my parents
4) I am re-thinking my shirtless t-shirt turban running look after feeling like I was jiggling in all the wrong places

Sean's First Run/ Tang's last RI run

Sean's First Run/ Tang's last RI run

"The first run/
is the toughest"
Knapp (sung to Sheryl Crow)


Runners:
Souksanh (Nike)
Tang (NB 903)
Brian (NB Zip 8509)
Knapp (Nike Free 5)
Nikki (Nike)
Sean (NB)

Running an indian run for 10 minutes led to a regular group run. Being a puppet and seeing as it is my last run, I ran turban style to catch up to a woman runner. Trying to talk to her, I asked
"Hey what are you training for?"
"for life"

wow.

entered the triple double club with back to back 100 mile months since June-July 09 and an 8 (weeks) X 20 (miles). 7 more 20's to equal last year.

and circling the wagons, it was a proud moment [teary, parent-like rant] to see Nikki and Knapp encouraging Sean to finish.

Brian's East Coast run: 19 miles down, 2881 miles to go.

Our new recruit , Erica is throwing down in Phoenix weather (100 degrees, but its a "dry" heat)

Ashton Mills (non-politically correct) Indian Run

As my time as writer for the rhode island chapter comes closer to an end, I'd just like to say that Andrew Knapp will be the new RI correspondent. IF anyone else on the team would like to contribute, let me know; I can add up to 100 writers. Just shoot me an email at atang@mail.uri.edu. There's no pressure to write every day; in fact with moving and me working (what?) I'll probably not post every day but just feel free to post whatever you feel would help or be funny to share.

Like any Kevin-involved activity, we sit around for 2 hrs then at the point of starting running (or a thing), we get outside and turn around for a bathroom break.

Runners:
Tang (Nike Free 5)
Kevin (Nike Free 7)
Brian (NB Zip 8509)
Knapp (Saucony Omni)

Knapp brought up the idea of the indian run and it was finally used today going up to Massachusetts on the Blackstone River Bike Path. What's an indian run you say? Well for us, it consisted of four males running single file and the last person in the line would sprint to the front and hold the pace for 30 seconds, then repeat. 5 miles of this resulted in:

It's nice to have mile markers for pacing thanks to the knapp-dubbed obelisks.

on the subject of running all 48 miles of the path:
Kevin: It's like a super marathon
Knapp: You mean an ultra marathon, it's over 26.2 miles
Kevin: A super ultra marathon.
Tang: [non-sense] superman run.
Kevin: A supermanathon.
Tang: that doesn't sound right

A runner with no shirt on passes us and Kevin has to comment on this fact. This lead to what i'm now calling the Prince of Persia/turban look to see if we could beat the guy (:cough: which we did) instead of the pirate look with the t-shirts wrapped on our heads.


Brian sweating through hypothetically 3 layers of clothing

through synergy, we determined 2900 miles is a goal of the team to get to. Why? Sean (who may finally run with us) mentioned a bike path up and down the east coast which would equal 2900 miles. That's a lofty goal, Brian, to start at mile zero now.

Ashton Mills Run/ 11 Grant's Last Run

Moving out and review sessions aside, 11 Grant gathered at the new apartment of Knapp and Kevin for one last run together:

Runners:
Brian (NB Zip + the debut of short shorts)
Nikki (Kiwi)
Knapp (Saucony omni)
Sri (NB)
Tang (NB 903)

Running the other path at Ashton Mills = ponds galore. Definitely more bugs/ mosquitoes than the other path. In almost a reality show ending, Sri wanted 100 miles and on sheer heart, got it on the last run. Slow clap worthy.

everytime I think I am out they keep pulling me back in

After sitting and calculating for NAPLEX all day in Dedham with 5 other URI alumni, (Souk, Fish, Maura, Liz, Leah), I was ready to run.

So what happens? I get locked out of the house waiting for the room mates to get back from boston and get to visit The Avery for some beer and some awkward "Office" like moments.

per Brian in Boston, I get a consolation prize:


8 o'clock at night? perfect time to run.
Runner:
Tang (Nike Free 5)

Blackstone review/ pics and ideas dump

Sri's fav hill, Knapp's fav bridge/ Brian's parkour stage, me bronzing on the quad, blackstone parking at the red door house


Last tour through our stomping grounds: Blackstone

random thoughts:

-10% off at Rhode Runner if you are a student. Pass that on.

-Be prepared to give directions when you are a runner.

-marathon lightweight could be referring to:

a) my disposition to beer now due to running
b) a Call Of Duty reference
c) What I will be called after the Boston Marathon

-the equivalent of rings on a tree for a runner is the shorts length on a runner

-the best gift I received from the team. No good deed goes unpunished so I got them Body Glide from the running store (hence the 10% drop) since we drank all their water.

-I took a pic of the Athletic Complex because it reminded me of the time freshman year when my 3 roommates and I went to a Dartmouth v Brown hockey game. My roommate Dave, being from Vermont, led to all of us cheering for Dartmouth who eventually won. As we drove away we got to a stop light, rolled the windows down and asked unsuspecting students what the score was to the game. Like typical URI kids, we screamed "DARTMOUTH RULES!!!"

Doctor Run

Thanks to graduation, moving, and the rents coming, I entered Bonk country. Thanks to my lovely Blackberry breaking (and a need to run 20 miles a week) , I ran downtown at night for the first time as Dr. Tang to receive my mom's phone for the week as a replacement. What did I find out at 10 pm?
Adults who drink Sunday night can't handle their alcohol.

Blackstone run with the rents

Runners:
Tangs 1-3

Parent Run

Ah, the parents arrived to Rhode Island and are staying downtown. What does that mean for running?
3 miles to meet em up.
Tang (Nike Free 5)

Blackstone run tomorrow at 7:30 AM for anyone interested.

Latest half marathon news:
Dallas Running Club Half Marathon
John Tang, Lisa Tang and Aaron Tang have thrown their names in to the DRC Half on November 7th, 2010. 171 days to train.

check out the altitude from miles 3 to 8.

4 days before I jump up to the 25-29 age group, too. What an early birthday present, paying to run 13.1 miles.

Runner:
Tang (NB 903)

7AM run in the fog/ rain in Providence is the right remedy for a late night. Unfortunately, I learned that:
chewing gum for an hour+ run on Block Island = jaw pain
running on rocks/ loose sand = tweaked hip/knee

The Gang tackles the Block Island Run

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Landing on Block Island


Start of our run, the most intimidating bar, YELLOW KITTENS TAVERN


"Labyrinth" entrance


Labyrinth findings



Patriotic running team


Hiding water bottles at Andy's Way








Runners:
Kevin (Nike Free 7)
Knapp (Saucony Omni 8)
Tang (NB 903)
Sri (NB)

Bikers (aka the dark side):
Brian
Nikki
Kasey

Landed at Old Harbor via ferry, started around Yellow Kittens Tavern, up Corn Neck Rd to the North Lighthouse, stop at the Labyrinth, and back.
~7.9 miles

Block Island is NOT Providence, that's for sure. The scenic view of the beach, ponds, and wildlife are a far cry from the urban settings we are used to. It was definitely similar to the Outer Banks (OBX for you car decal people). I was really happy to know we could hide bottles of water at the half way point behind the right turn sign (to keep 'em cool too) at Andy's Way like the trail runners we've read about. Unfortunately, I ran solo to the lighthouse which was not great due to loose sand/ huge rocks AND this set me back at least 10 minutes behind everyone else.

That led to the runners looping back to find me. Now, if I were to write like Dean Karnazes, it'd go a little something like this:
[Dean Karnazes voice]
Coming back from the North Lighthouse, I knew I could make up 10 minutes in 3 miles. I marched on with cell phone and camera to test the Labyrinth which proved to be a tourist trap. Meanwhile, the other runners, scared the worst may have happened to the namesake of the team, turned their vision to the north. When all hope was almost lost, a phoenix arose out of the woodwork, with a white shirt tied up on his head, bare chested, like a makeshift pirate. Kevin joined suit and proclaimed the sexiness on Block Island was at an all-time high.
[and end of Dean Karnazes over-exaggeration]


Getting back to Old Harbor, I was relieved by the David Goggins chant due to the lack of a shirt but was then embarrassed just as quickly as 2 nuns passed by.

And just to be awed by how much has changed, who would've thought 2 years ago that Kevin, Knapp, Tang, and Sri would've run roughly 32 miles on Block Island?

The cold ocean water after a run > shower head with cold water

Chariots of Fire run on the beach is also complete.

Not to be mature, but can Block Island re-think how they sell souvenirs with BI on it?

For those log peeking, check out Sri's log; closing on being the 2nd 100 miler.

and, to our delight (and to the disappointment of the onlookers thinking we had spotted Loch Ness), we had spotted an old wooden ship in hopes that it would contain pirates because we are eternally 5 years old


Ron Burgundy: Well, I could be wrong, but I believe diversity is an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era

Long Run

Pre-run

[in the other room] Brian: guys, you've heard about barefoot running...what about...bare CHESTED running?!?
:crickets chirping:
Knapp: Brian, I just ate breakfast.

India Point Park run
(post party)
5.3 miles
Brian (NB Zip)
Knapp (Saucony Omni 8)
Sri (NB) - got her "mojo" back
Kevin (Nike Free 7)
Nikki (Asics)
Tang (Free 5)

In an act of solidarity, Brian fell near the scene of the Sri trip.

spotted on Wickenden by Kevin, a man with Purple Drank on his shirt with the Kool-Aid guy on it. Thanks Dave Chappelle.

The new goal of running logs is to apparently collect different colors. Have fun fartleking and intervaling guys

The Day after the Senior Banquet

A couple brave kids from the team ran the Narrow River Run 10k after the Senior Banquet.

Congratulations as they are the top 2 runners for the 10k (aka Ultra 5k) on the team.
SIobhan 57:23
Jess 59:34


the athletic group that preceded this one (the unbloggable RX Basketball League) will have THE last game of basketball 4pm, Thursday, location TBD. Video of THE game last year may happen..



For those who haven't run with us yet:

This team is ALWAYS open for new recruits.


For people that don't know us really well, we're really nice people. (cough, Becky, cough)
For people that do know us really well, don't tell them we are mean.

Thanks Dr. Estus for the free commercial for the club
and that commercial (mixed with alcohol) has turned me in to a lightning rod for run.

examples:
-Thanks to Kasey's father, we are now the proud recipient of the back catalog of Runner's World magazines from 1992-2009
-Pritesh verbally agrees to join the Texas team during the senior banquet making him the first member without the last name of Tang down south.
-C Feds is a 19:30 5k'er; he should have his own club/ slide show
-Half marathon aspirations from Lauren Vieira, Tyler, and Donato?
-a 5k from Erica Snape?
-A certain new BFF who is going to Texas pinky swore to run with us once this upcoming week. We'll call her for the time being, Miss "I can run 2 miles in 15 minutes"


and how do you know I may like running? I brought a pair of Nike Frees to the Senior Banquet for a possible golf course run.

Tempo run

Blackstone Park tempo run:

3.3 miles
Runners:
Tang (NB 903)--one of those runs that happen once a year where you can, as Shaggy put it, "Throw the hammer down"
Kevin (Free 7)
Knapp (Saucony Omni)


Tempo runs = lack of senses of humor

pre-run world-famous analogy:
Maybe he likes her personality.
Kevin: That's like me liking a grape.

Although we did see a license plate that said "ASIA". The driver? Not even close to being Asian.
Honestly, Asia?



Cal: [Pointing to a framed poster] I mean, seriously, Asia? You framed an Asia poster? How hard did the people at the frame store laugh when you brought this in?

easy run part two

broadway to south main to india point park, down broadway, up westminster

Runners:
6.9 miles
Kevin (Nike Free 7)
Brian (Nike Free 5)
Knapp (Saucony Omni)
Tang (Nike Free 5)

5.5 miles
Sri (NB)

runs by Fish Co.:
Tang: woah (in reaction to a 5 o' clock skirt in Providence)
Sri: I think I saw some butt cheek

Down a hill, Sri sustained a 39th degree scrape/ boo boo on her hand while trying to run backwards like us idiots. Be sure to ask her about it tomorrow at the Senior Banquet.

cutting down an alleyway to get on to Weybosset:
[A Copacetic shop selling oddities and a Robot shop selling ... well, robots]
Knapp: I feel like after 9 we'd get scalped, [illegal criminal act], or murdered here.
Tang: Or all three.
Hopefully in the right order.

Darker humor passes for humor on our longer runs

C Barks has a log

In the mean time, if you are continuing your running lives, I recommend runningahead.com

It'll help keep you organized in your training, help keep tabs on how many miles your shoes have logged (since you're supposed to change them every 500 miles), and it'll keep you realistic for your race times.

Just make sure if you create a profile to go to settings>my log preferences>allow everyone to see my running log

and also to tell me the screen name so you can be put up on the site.

Runners Read Books too

Since today is a rest day (thank God) I felt like it was a perfect time to drop this:





Book Report on Ultramarathon Man by Aaron Tang

Let me start off by saying that the distances this man covers is insane and I bow down. The jaw-dropping opening of the book where he orders a pizza and has them deliver it to him in the middle of a run, unheard of.
http://www.roundtablepizza.com/rtp/hi/ ( the company that delivers anywhere)

I know that I may LIKE like (maybe even, love) running, but this man takes it to an extreme. There are parts of this book where I question whether or not this man has lost his marbles or if maybe I'm just jealous that I can't run 2 days straight like this mad man can. I think this is the only drawback; where Born to Run is written from a mere mortal's view point, Dean is a running machine that could never understand the plight of the weekend warrior. More specifically, it's like MJ telling you how he won 6 NBA championships; I'm sure he had hurdles along the way, but we all know this fact: his talent > our talent.

While he may share the hurdles that come with running more than 26.2 miles, it did get a little repetitive. 'I can't do
this, I can do this" and repeat. But maybe that was to reflect the true nature of running. The book is also fast paced, much like his running. He tries to tip toe the line between gloating and humility.

The spark for his passion of running is very touching in that it was the loss of a family member and a bottoming out that had him turn it around with running. He goes on to mention every runner knows when they started and for what reasons. I think that many of us thankfully have not had to go through his pains to start running but I think the point is, we all know when and why we started.

I realize he was the author and shared what his thoughts were for most of the book but I would have liked for him to paint a better picture of the people who shaped him. In Born to Run (the first running book I had read), Christopher MacDougall characterizes/caricaturizes the people in the book in to something more rewarding.

Even though Dean doesn't show off all his hardware like I would (The trophy belt buckles from Western States 100 miler? come on), he makes a lot of points about running that I find true as well. I think that the part I enjoyed the most was the ending:

"Often, people can't understand how running can have such power. They say it's little more than a slightly ambitious version of walking. True, running is a simple, primitive act. Yet in its subtleties lies tremendous power. For in running, the muscles work a little harder, the blood flows a little faster, the heart beats a little stronger. Life becomes a little more vibrant, a little more intense. I like that.

I also like the solitude. Long-distance running is a loner's sport, and I've accepted the fact that I enjoy being alone a lot of the time. It keeps me fresh, keeps me--oddly enough--from feeling isolated. I guess a lot of people find it in church, but I turn to the open road for renewal. Running great distances is my way of finding peace.

The solitude experienced while running helps me enjoy people more when I am around them. The simple, primitive act of running has nurtured me. I've become
more tolerant, more patient, and more giving than I ever thought I could be. Suddenly the commonplace is intriguing, and I've learned to dig the little things in life [...]
This is what running has taught me, making me -- I hope -- a better man.

[...] I run because I've never been much of a car guy. I run because if I didn't, I'd be sluggish and glum and spend too much time on the couch. I run to breathe the fresh air. I run to explore. I run to escape the ordinary.
I run to honor my sister and unite my family. I run because it keeps me humble. I run for the finish line and to savor the trip along the way. I run to help those who can't. I run because walking takes too long, and I'd like to get a few things done in this lifetime.

I run because long after my footprints fade away, maybe I will have inspired a few to reject the easy path, hit the trails, put one foot in front of the other, and come to the same conclusion I did: I run because it always takes me where I want to go."

An Easy run

Broadway to state house to cvs bathrooms and over the skywalk

Runners:
Brian (free 5)
Nikki (free 5)
Knapp (saucony omni)
Sri (nb)
Tang (free 5)

Women runners = easy run

Rocky II montage complete

Parkour expert Brian parkours Providence

The good news:
Very thoughtfully Knapp, Sri, Brian, Kevin, and Nikki
got me an awesome t-shirt with

Coach Tang
Tang Clan Running Club est. 2010
On the front

And Pre's quote on the back under my name. We'll see if Pre appreciates that with our future PRs.

Like I've said before though, I didn't do anything but run with y'all. You guys put in the miles and got out and ran; I never pushed you guys. Those 5k times are yours and I hope the running bug has been caught.

How do I keep humble after such a gracious gesture? What would ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes do? (Just kidding, he'd stare at the mirror)

The bad news:

I don't think I explained fartleks too well as apparent by this exchange:
(Not safe for sanity)
Nikki: tang, you fart, and I lick?!?
Tang: (look of disgust)

Tag of the day: on a running tank top at TJ Maxx: wicked muscle top

And dropping this week, book reports on Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes and Born to Run by Chris Macdougall

"Easy" run

Broadway to State House to South Main to Pine and back.
~3.92 miles

Runners:
Kevin (Nike Shox)
Brian (NB Zip 8509)
Knapp (Free 5)
Tang (NB 903)

The all-male team, where easy runs go to die.
RIP Easy Run. We hardly knew ye.

on the corner of Broadway:
[Knapp ties shoe]
Tang: Kevin, wait.
wait.
(Kevin runs across the street)
wait.
Kevin, wait means stop.

repeat 5 more times.

Checklist of things to do:
run the steps of the RI State House, act like Rocky



This blog/ 4 team members were close to being obliterated when all 4 of us tried crossing the street in front of a bus.

Pine street stop sign versus Kevin's right arm. If I were judging, it was a tie.

and the quote of the day:

Brian: "We have not begun to run" -John Paul Jones-Tang

not the Led Zeppelin band member.


The team goes political
Kevin made the point Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan looks a lot like Jon Lovitz

The India Point Park day

Broadway to Weybosset to South Main, up Wickenden, around India Point and back. Thanks to the JWU co-eds for extra motivation during the "back in my day, I ran uphill both ways" run.
(5.3 - 5.5 miles)

Half Marathon Runners:
Tang (NB 903)
Kevin (Free 7)
Knapp (Saucony Omni)

On run #1 of the day, Kevin mentioned we will forever be etched in to a guy's painting of India Point Park while we went down the hill going side to side like the hills in San Francisco.



Kevin said it was like running on a seashell. WHAT.

Record book for the team is up, scroll down on the left side.


afternoon 3 Runners + 2 runners from earlier:
Brian (Free 5)
Tang (Free 5) (don't adjust your eyes) 30 miles for the week, 300 for the year
Knapp (Saucony Omni) (two a days) 20+ miles for the week
Sri (NB)
Nikki (Asics?)

Thanks to the most studious running disciple/ pupil Knapp, the Tarahumara shuffle (aka the Sri shuffle) was demonstrated. Although some scoff, it definitely is the fastest way to run. Feet low to the ground, less impact, faster results? Might have to switch it up.
(Born to Run reference)

Book reports on Born to Run and Ultramarathon Man will be up shortly.

I guess we didn't learn from rule #34: Don't run AFTER Chipotle.
Also, people in cars, I don't know if running has given me more self-esteem but the stuff people scream out of cars is:
a) not funny
b) a waste of my time

heard from a frat-toting car their parents bought them:
"...keep ...going"

I usually never stick up for myself as a pacifist but I intentionally ran backwards to look at the car. I figure if they can out run me, they wouldn't be shouting moronic stuff at runners.



and while we preach teamwork and junk, the "friendly" gauntlet has been thrown down; Eamonn, you are getting called out for a 5k showdown June 12th.

What's a gauntlet (not the video game) you may ask?:

Team Nike Free

Route: Broadway to Washington, left on Main, up Olney, down Congdon past the Rojo sculpture, walk down Mt. Doom car/ indie make out session and back. 4 miles.

Runners:
Kevin (Nike Free 7.0)
Knapp aka Amerigo Vespucci for mapping our runs (Nike Free 5.0)
Tang (Nike Free 5.0)

type: Fartlek
for Kevin: Hills ("If there are hills in the course, I categorize it as hills")

laugh-inducing early 90s moment around the river:

(Kevin begins skipping during the run)
Tang: [singing half-heartedly] skip it, skip it
Kevin: [eureka/remembering something from back in the day / Kool-Aid guy] OHHH YEA!
hysterics ensue.

On such a warm day, I thought it would be appropriate to drop this article:



The Art of Spitting (Lao Tzu's lesser known book)

Sri, skip this next sentence. For those of you with a dirty mind, laugh at the idea of a post on spitting. Done?

Ok, so seeing as how I was not involved in any organized sports past 5th grade, I never learned the art of spitting on the run.
For those that have mastered it, congratulations. It's taken me a year and when I do spit on the run, I look like that dinosaur
in Jurassic Park that blinds Newman. (More 90s nostalgia)



And that's only when I get it right, otherwise I end up getting it on my sleeves, face, pants, and other people. The worst is the
string of spit that happens when a female is running right by you. I'd say I'm a lifetime 80% non-embarrasment inducing spitter (a lesser known running stat, known as the NES system). However, I have run so much that I am amazed by the double spit ball spiraling shot. Yeah, I need to get out more.

tips on the art of spitting:
-drink more water and less milk (helps decrease viscosity)
-turn your head to the side
-look to make sure no one is behind you
-aim low
-run faster so that you are less of a target for your own spit
-do NOT spit in to the wind

Wild Colonial

Broadway to Washington to S. Main aka the Wild Colonial route

Runners:
Knapp (Saucony Omni)
Tang (Nike Free 5)
Sri (NB)

[Seinfeld soap box] What's the deal with people not getting out of the way when we run? Can they not hear us breathing hard or stomping the pavement?

And in a lapse of judgment:
Knapp: Tang, you going running
Tang: (inaudible noises) I'm gonna take a nap



Official race pictures
Look up Souksanh's picture and tell me what you see. Spell "Litthisack"

Running checklist (at least before I leave)
run up the State House steps a la Rocky

Firsts

nothing new, just:
1) Knapp joining the 100 mile club



2) Nikki gracing the running photographer's site



The astute runner is happier that the knee brace was worn as a bracelet and not for a knee

3) Pat recording the best 5k time for the (limited) team history



4) Chris Solinsky throwing up sub 27 for the 10k (first for USA)

5) the number of views of this site will surpass my mileage since Feb. 09 (albeit half of the views are from me constantly editing content)


6) A certain preceptor would like to join the team for one race; yea or nay?

Recruitment for Matty's 5k (cough Eamonn cough) and for a Texas team should be thrown on the agenda.


Angell to Blackstone to Hope to Olney and back
Tang (NB 903)
Up Angell (a 7% grade hill, which according to my best source, wikianswers, means its roughly 369.6 feet rise over 5280 feet (269.6/5280 = .07 or 7%) saw 2 polar bears on Hope, a wooden nickel (? I brought it home), AND the Y chromosome strikes again; some kid in a polo, black socks and trail shoes tried racing me at the beginning of Blackstone. Do not challenge me.

And many of you may wonder why I eat so "healthy". To that I offer, nothing tastes better than being fast. And then someone may ask, you probably will never be the fastest human and that is right unless I sprout another pair of legs. But I can at least try and have fun becoming the fastest Aaron Tang.

It seems I run every time there's a drinking holiday (St. Pat's, Cinco de Mayo, Thurs-Sat for college) or maybe running every day makes a holiday a coincidence. Anyways, I feel like this guy.


US Men's 10k times
29:58.9 Bud Edelen, Olympic Club Sunnyvale, California, May 6, 1960
28:50.2 Max Truex, Sn Calif Striders, Rome September 8, 1960
28:24.4 Billy Mills, US Marine Corps, Tokyo, October 14, 1964
28:17.6 Billy Mills, US Marine Corps, Augsburg, August 12, 1965
28:08.0 Greg Fredericks, Penn State, Seattle, June 16, 1972
27:58.2 Frank Shorter, Florida TC, Munich, August 31, 1972 <-in Without Limits
27:51.4 Frank Shorter, Florida TC, Munich, September 3, 1972
27:43.6 Steve Prefontaine, Oregon TC, Eugene, Oregon, April 27, 1974 <-namesake
27:39.4 Craig Virgin, Front Runners TC, Walnut, California, June 17, 1979
27:29.16 Craig Virgin, Front Runners TC, Paris, July 17, 1980
27:25.61 Alberto Salazar, Athletics West, Oslo, June 26, 1982 <-boston marathon winner/ nike coach

27:20.56 Mark Nenow, Puma TC, Brussels, September 5, 1986
27:13.98 Meb Keflezighi, Nike, Palo Alto, California, May 4, 2001 <-NY marathon winner
26:59.60 Chris Solinsky, Nike, Palo Alto, California, May 1, 2010 <-awesome

Running Humor

Forecast: Torrential Downpour/ Hail

what does that mean to this team?

Knapp dragging Tang out of a nap and peer pressuring the other 3 for a new trail which adds to 23 miles for the team.

Hope to Blackstone: 4.6 miles
Tang (NB 903)
Brian (NB Zip 8509)
Knapp (Saucony Omni)
Sri (NB)
Nikki (Asics)

cat-like reflexes stop a splat by Sri.
On the almost-fall:
Nikki: I thought you took a sharp right.
Brian: Yeah, a sharp right in to your face.

Sri keeps upping the ante of mileage.

For those of us who know what a running log is, check out Knapp's. TRIPLE DIGITS.

Polar bears = Coca Cola bears

Brian suggests investing in metalcore for your runs.

and as always, f'in Moses Brown kids pissing me off. The only car to almost run me over at Blackstone had a Moses Brown sticker and now, two backpack'ed a holes tried sprinting around our team to get to their car because of said weather. The inner Marty McFly in me turned my easy run in to a mini-race.


Now that many of you have completed your first successful 5k race, I figured I could "knight" you guys in to running and share some Jeff Foxworthy-esque jokes. I don't know who the running equivalent of Jeff Foxworthy is, so here it goes:




You know you're a runner when...


you have two black toe nails at the same time.

you have a sock drawer and a separate running sock drawer.

You go to sleep thinking of tomorrow's run; you wake up thinking of today's run.

Winter doubles the # of loads of laundry you do in a week...layers.

You realize that every time you come into the house, you kick your shoes off and leave them in the garage but after running, you gently carry your running shoes inside and put them in their own special place in the closet.

You're oddly excited when a family member or friend tells you they'd like to start running.

You get injured, and you want to run anyway

You see someone biking and wonder why in the world they would be doing that when they could be running!

You've map-quested a run to check the mileage.

When you're driving through a scenic area and the first thought that enters your mind is that you'd rather be running through the area.

You go and play basketball and you're the guy running in circles pissing the crap out of all of the non runners just for the fun of it.

If people comment about how big and buff your calves are

If soda is too strong for you

If eating pizza or any other greasy foods makes you sick

You say "its not really a hill."

You might be a runner if at work and school people say "i saw you out running"

The only key on the computer you know by heart is the colon

You can drive through your neighborhood blindfolded and not get lost.

You know other people's neighborhoods better than the residents

If you are in class or a meeting and think of "time remaining" until you get out in terms of "how far could I run in that given amount of time."

You have no qualms about taking a Sharpie and writing all over a brand new pair of $80 shoes.

another popular question: YOU run for fun?

our sport is others punishment.

you like going uphill more than downhill

you get a kick out of passing cyclists

you are passed by a cyclist, get really pissed off and try to catch the bastard

people call you crazy for running and you say yeah so...

on nice days, you don't want to stop running.

people from other neighbourhoods think you look familiar or live in their district.

Every road you drive on you think what a great hill workout this would be.

While everyone is sleeping you are up running, and while everyone is awake you are sleeping

You think 40 degrees is warm, and the ideal temperature falls between 45 and 60.

Shaving 5 seconds off yesterday’s time makes you feel great the whole day long.

Your running log is 100 times more intricate than the national budget.

You can say “five miles” and “easy run” in the same breath with a straight face.

You pass a runner while driving and are envious.

When it hurts worse to take a shower than it does to keep running.

Frozen vegetables are great for your knees

When all your friends think you eat too healthy.

You can eat and drink double what everyone else does and not feel guilty. . . well, not too guilty.

You realize they just can't make a jar of peanut butter large enough

you can spit while running.

you have running withdrawal if you don't run everyday.

your room smells like Icy-Hot and New-Skin.

you see a skinny person on the street and immediately look at their shoes.

Your heart makes the bed shake.

....you think there needs to be a fourth movie made about the life of Steve Prefontaine

You think anyone slower than you is not a runner and anyone faster is just a freak.

You don't Gallowalk

Rhode Island Tang family training?

A very good question was brought up yesterday on the way to Caserta's. "Tang, are you going to continue this blog or quit writing like most people?"

I'd hate for the picture above to be like the picture in the Sandlot where we slowly disappear one by one.

(and in this scenario, Pat would be Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez)



It's pretty simple; this blog is only as good as the content so I was thinking, we need more correspondents. The blog allows for 100 writers and we obviously don't have that many members so if someone wants to step up and show off that college education, let me know. Again, this site is only as good as the relevant topics so I feel I wouldn't be doing justice for the east coast runners of the team.

Pay is zero dollars by the way.

Dexter locals siesta trail:
Brian
Knapp

Race Photos will be posted online on both CapstonePhoto.com and CoxRhodeRaces.com by Thursday

Thanks to Tyler/Jess then Sri for the heads up:
Race results:


I also need to start recruitiing a Texas chapter of this team.

first Race Day for the team

Pictures:
Click to enlarge







Thanks to everyone for showing up and thanks to Kasey for being the brains of the operation with quality camera work and cell phone usage.

My own race report (anyone else want to submit their own please feel free)
Upon throwing out bags of trash, 11 Grant (House + KVH + Kasey) welcomed in Pat, Lauren, Bober, Barker, Siobhan, Lynda, and Souksanh around 9:00. Dicking around til 10:00, talking about pooping mid marathon. COX also wanted us to eat female Luna bars. After finding this out, Kevin revealed he had eaten one of these bars first thing in the morning.

The team walked down and arrived to Kennedy Plaza's cluster f (J Rad edit).

Getting there 2 hours after the half started, the portapotties were already christened (over and over again). Warming up and stretching til 11:00 and Bober and I found the back of a truck with protein shakes. The weather was humid and around 80.

On the Union Station side of Kennedy Plaza, the race was broken down by mile pace; unfortunately, OUR race would be on the other side, where 1100+ squished in like cattle in to a box car. Meanwhile, some English guy was emceeing like a jackass ("Who here has run a 5k?" and whether we had Miley Cyrus on our iPods or WHY we needed music for a 5k) while our team was trying to figure out where to corral ourselves. The nerves of this team were pretty calm.

And then the gun went off.

Thanks to zero planning for the 5k by COX, we were walking for 20 seconds before crossing the starting line which started our B-tags.


The title for the first 1/2 mile should be entitled "Bob and Weave" (not to be confused with the St. Louis Rams' celebration from the Greatest Show on Turf days). The ones on this team that carry the Y chromosome swerved in and out of the first 100-200 runners (along with our rivals, the RISD red shirt walkers). Thanks, red shirts for walking in front of us. Apparently my head was ostrich-ing around, looking for an opening after every bob and/or weave. Sorry to the 8 people I shoved or possibly tripped in my quest to be a jackass.

Taking turns through narrow streets and seeing the color red repeatedly had me feeling like I was running with the bulls in Pamplona.
(2 bovine references? Unheard of)

my own race report starts here: Kevin and I swerved in and out of the race, using the sidewalks to pass (Pat passed us God knows where on the sidewalk, I didn't even see him). They had people with orange flags helping us negotiate the 18 turns. I think that we both ran positive splits instead of the recommended negative splits and the hilliest left turn left me gassed. The only thing that kept me going was not wanting to let down the team (and the girl running in front of me). I prayed that I would see the river and be able to finish strong knowing there's less than a mile left in the race. Following Kevin left me with nothing left in the tank for a finishing kick. The chute at the end was my demise; I think 3 or 4 people passed me as I couldn't find a second gear.

Henderson, in a move that is unlike most #1 teammates, cheered everyone on (even though I didn't hear it) while Kasey took candid finishing kick shots.

After a photo op of the team that threw down roughly a 1:06 for the top 3, we headed over to get a UFO Hefeweizen. Checked the finishing times posted, walked by the GI Joe convention, and that was all she wrote.

This race was head ache inducing (literally, not figuratively?)

Once the semi-let down of not PR'ing subsides (objectively, met my sub 24 goal), I think I'd like to hang my hat on the fact that I witnessed:
1) 18 people running on a team
2) a roundtable discussion about running at Caserta's with 7 friends

I can also take solace in the sores not attributed to injury but to laying it all out there at the race. After all,
"A lot of people run a race to see who's fastest. I run to see who has the most guts." --Steve Prefontaine

My main goal was to get someone in to running; if that goal was accomplished, I'm OK with my race time.

Even though everyone earned their time and I had nothing to do with it, I appreciate Sri thanking me for the kick start ( and the college style breakfast)


Best Caserta's Conversation:
What's an ultramarathon
anything over 26.2 miles
so if we run .05 miles over, it's an ultra
bober: yea, 26.25 miles.
henderson: yea, 26.25 miles.


other notables:
C Barks and Sri point at a mom with a stroller passing them
David v Goliath: a little kid gunning for Kevin O'Brien
best runner's time? Sean Boisvert 0:00
someone actually wore the Vibram Five Fingers to the race
TCRC tattoos on the soles of our feet or TCRC shirts? Interesting...
-Sri, Nikki, and Knapp run faster, injuries disappear; weird
-anyone else's soles feel like they were gonna melt
-the ghost of running future: Bober's ominous 10 year running life span speech; looks like I got less than 9 years left then.
-Running is the only time participants pay and people who watch pay zero dollars

What rules do I preach that I broke in the race?
-shoulders loose (upper back/ shoulders are sore)
-don't blow out of the gate (positive splits)
-don't zig zag through the first half mile (zigged and zagged a ton of people; should've rode the sidewalk like Pat)
-increase your speed for the final push (zero energy)

Hours before the race

The countdown to the race went from months to weeks, and now we are hours away. 1100+ people running 3.1 miles.
Before we even race, we've got a one for the gipper speech coming since Sean will not be racing with us due to the awesome company of CVS. So let's go out there in honor of Sean and his awesome pharm tech skills.

Remember, get a good night's rest, hydrate yourself, get all your clothes and shoes laid out so you don't have to plan in the morning.

Bagels, Bananas, and water bottles at our house. Beer after you cross the finish line.