Tim “The barrel man” McKernan passes away.

As I sat at my computer this morning going through countless emails and skipping boring news stories, one particular twitter post caught my eye, and for a second I couldnt believe it.  The Broncos greatest fan ever, and possibly the greatest fan in all of sports, the Barrel Man has passed away.

I remember seeing the Barrel Man at almost every Broncos game I went to, and he was a fixture in the community. For a time when you said Denver Broncos the first response you would get would be John Elway or the Barrel Man.  It was a sad day several years ago when he retired, I had no idea of the serious nature of his medical illness.  For me, when he retired it was like a bit of the Orange Crush, Mile High Stadium, South end zone craziness that I grew up with was all gone.  New stadium, new colors and uniforms, new players, and no more Barrel Man.  I’m not saying that I don’t dig the new stadium, uniforms, or colors, just that to me it felt like the door to my youth as a Broncos fan was shut and locked.

Barrel Man was the first sports fan inducted into the Visa sports fan hall of fame.  He was so respected that when he went to Oakland to cheer for the Broncos the crazies in the Black Hole would escort him through the stadium for his protection.  According to the story in today’s Denver Post the worst treatment he ever got was in San Diego (stay classy San Diego) where he was pushed down the stairs by Charger fans.

So today as I religiously drink my Sunday morning cup of coffee out of my Broncos coffee mug like I do the morning of every game, prepare to hang the Broncos flag outside my house, and try to decide which Broncos shirt, jersey, or sweatshirt to wear today, I will think of the Barrel Man as he smiles down on Broncos fans world wide.  Barrel man, I salute you!

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Now playing on iTunes: 3OH!3 – Colorado Sunshine
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Recovery nutrition advice

I came across a very good article from Colorado Premier Training about their 6 tips for recovery nutrition.  A lot of it is fairly common sense for anyone who has been training for a while, such as getting fuel in your system right after training or racing, same with taking in adequate fluids during your racing and training.  Everyone could use a little refresher course every now and then.  Here are their 6 tip categories.

#1 – Failing to prioritize recovery nutrition by socializing after a race or packing gear/bike away resulting in delayed feeding.

#2 – Inadequate fluid consumption to replace sweat losses and allow for optimal glycogen replenishment.

#3 – Using the excuse of a hard effort to fill up on high fat junk foods and empty calories.  (I am very guilty of this one)

#4 – More than enough is not better than enough.

#5 – Overconsuming protein in the false belief that muscles require excessive quantities following exercise.

#6 – Following recovery nutrition guidelines for only the first meal after exercise.

For all of the info jump the link!

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Now playing on iTunes: Zero 7 – Destiny
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So you like strong beer? Try Nuclear Penguin.

If you are able to find it, then able to afford it, Brew Dog has created “Tactical Nuclear Penguin”, an 32% alcohol beer.  You read that right, 32%.  Move aside Sam Adams with your 28% $150 per bottle beer, there is a new boss in town. The first batch has already sold out, but there is more coming December 17th.

More can be found here…
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Now playing on iTunes: Weekend Players – Jericho
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“Prefontaine” is on Hulu!

If you have not seen the movie or haven’t seen it in a while and would like to see one of the better movies about the life of one of – if not the greatest American middle distance runner, Steve Prefontaine, and how he became who he was before driving off a cliff, check it out!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/105591/prefontaine

Rock and Roll Marathon adds half marathon in Los Angeles

I predict that by 2015 every non-major US marathon (Boston, Chicago, NYC) will be a rock and roll event.

From the competitor website:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon Set for October 24, 2010

San Diego, CA – November 20, 2009 – The Competitor Group announced today that it will expand the presence of its Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series in Southern California through an agreement with Grove of Hope to operate and manage an annual fall half marathon in Los Angeles. The newly renamed Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon, scheduled for October 24, 2010, will replace the City of Angels Half Marathon, which has historically been held the first weekend of December since 2006.

“As the second largest media market in the country, Los Angeles has been a critical expansion target of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series,” said Peter Englehart, President and CEO of the Competitor Group. “We were fortunate to connect with Katherine Gluck and Kamal Oudrhiri with Grove of Hope, who have launched and built a successful event we feel is poised for significant growth.”

“The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series has a great reputation for executing well-organized events,” said Katherine Gluck, Treasurer of Grove of Hope. “We look forward to the opportunity to work in partnership with the Competitor Group and continuing to generate funding and awareness for science and technology education.”

Grove of Hope will remain a benefiting charity of the new half marathon, which promises an entertaining destination event for runners and walkers of all abilities. Between 15,000 and 20,000 participants are expected for the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll event in Los Angeles, which will highlight the brand’s unique combination of entertainment on courses that distinctively feature their host cities. The event’s theme will showcase the glamour and entertainment mecca that is Los Angeles.

“We’re excited to host this world-class event, which I believe will become the new flagship half marathon on the west coast,” said Tom LaBonge, Los Angeles City Councilmember, whose district encompasses a majority of the course. “In addition to providing race participants a unique tour of Los Angeles, the event will serve as an outstanding platform to promote health and fitness throughout the city.”

In keeping with the true spirit of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, the Los Angeles half marathon will feature live bands, themed water stations and cheerleaders along the flat and scenic course. The 2010 race will utilize the existing point-to-point course that takes runners from Griffith Park near the Los Angeles Zoo, along the Los Angeles River, down Sunset Boulevard, near the edge of Echo Park Lake and finishes with a scenic view of downtown at the Los Angeles Civic Center.

For more information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, please visit www.runrocknroll.com

Broncos beat the Giants on Thanksgiving, and I drank beer.

 

Thanksgiving was yesterday and I have so very much to be thankful for.  I hope all of you took a moment to realize how good your life is-I may not  know you but if you are reading this I guess you are better off than 99% of the world’s population.  It was great to have family around and friends on the Motorola Droid (shameless plug) to share the day with.

I was not able to run in Peoria’s turkey trot yesterday due to my hip, I really think I am headed back to the physical therapist. For those of you who did run in a turkey trot, good job.  You earned those calories you consumed in the afternoon and evening!  Me, I just consumed.

Thank goodness the losing streak is over, but I don’t know if it is in time to catch the dreaded Chargers.  Hopefully they can keep it up and nab the wild-card if they don’t take 1st place back.   It was a pretty good game that the defense really dominated, which I did not expect at all. What can you say about Brandon Marshall, except give him a contract extension…NOW! 

And then we have coach McD.  I will admit, I was so wrong about this guy before the season started.  I even sent an email to Pat Bowlen telling him what a stupid mistake he made.  Now the Broncs are way overachieving and Cutler is in Chicago losing, throwing interceptions left and right, and costing yet another coach his job.

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McDaniels is winning games (Coach of the year anyone?) and ripping into his players when it is needed. “All we’re trying to do is win a mother fu@kin’ game!” I am glad he got all over them for those stupid 3 false start penalties as I was screaming at my TV about it.

Bonus clip…

What’s left to cover…hmm.  Broncos, check.  Thanksgiving, check.  Cutler sucks, check.  Oh yeah…BEER!

We had many different beers over the day yesterday.  Everything from Belgian wheats to Great Divide (several of my favorites), Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, Breckenridge Brewing’s Vanilla Porter, Sierra Nevada, Hoegaarden, Deschutes Holiday Ale, and a bunch of good stuff I had not heard of or tried before, and even the taste of the Rockies, Coors Light.

So that is about it for now.  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and I hope all of you have a great holiday season full of joy, great running and biking, and many great beers.  Oh yeah, I will be brewing at the end of December as I am getting a primo home brew set up for Christmas.  Lots of hoppy IPA’s and craziness will follow.

Ok, one last bonus picture.

Now playing on iTunes: Bjork – All Is Full Of Love
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More good Autumn food for runners

I don’t know if it is the time of year, or if I am just hungry all the time, but here are some more tasty and fairly nutritious food ideas for runners.  This days edition is brought to you by the New York Times (who covers running a lot if you were not aware)and Deena Kastor.  They shared a recipe for Green Chile Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Lasagna (I will try it this weekend), and Cornbread stuffed Portabellas.  Here is the recipe for the pie, jump the link for the others.

The article

Green Chile Pumpkin Pie

1/2 cup green chilies, roasted, seeded, peeled and chopped
2 cups pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pie crust
Whipped cream
Roasted almond slivers

1. To roast chiles, place them under broiler flame until skin becomes charred; rotate until all of the skin is blackened. Place chiles in a plastic bag to cool. Once cool, peel off skin and remove stem and seeds. Chop. This step can be done in advance.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, blend chiles, pumpkin, eggs, sugar, cream, spices and vanilla. Mix well and pour over pie crust.

2. Bake for 35 minutes, or until pumpkin is firm. Let cool for about 30 minutes. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of roasted almond slivers.

And yes, I am still running.  Just not as much as I would like or need to be doing.
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Now playing on iTunes: Sia – Breathe Me
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Super Oatmeal. Eat breakfast like an Olympian

I will be the first to admit that my diet basically…sucks.  It is the weakest link in my training.  So when I discover a quick, easy, and cheap way to get some good nutrition in my system I am all for it.  So when I discovered this video for “Super Oatmeal” I was quite stoked.  From Olympic dietitian Bob Seebohar.  Enjoy!

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Now playing on iTunes: Robin Skouteris – 3 Sugar Feelings (Robin Skouteris Mix)
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More beer info, Draft Magazine’s The Big Pour

After the successful Brewfest in Tempe last weekend now we have Draft Magazines “The Big Pour” coming to Scottsdale. 2 of my favorites will be there.  Great Divide brewing will be there with their oak barrel aged Yeti (one of best beers ever) and Oskar Blues will be there with the magical TenFidy stout.

It is $10 for 8 pours Thursday and Friday, Saturday is $35 for 15 pours.  And if you are a high roller a VIP pass is $75 for all 3 days and access to brewing seminars and tastings not open to the public.  If this is just the VIP area, it might be worth the price.

Here is a sampling of some of the beers available in the VIP area of the main event:

• Green Flash Hop-less
• Alpine Brewing Pure Hoppiness
• Alpine Brewing Willy
• Alpine Brewing Duet
• Alpine Brewing Captains Stout
• Alpine Brewing Alpine Ale
• Pizza Port/Carlsbad Twerp
• Pizza Port/Carlsbad Chronic
• Pizza Port/Carlsbad Good Grief Charlie Brown
• Pizza Port/Carlsbad Plant to Pint Freshhop
• Dogfish Palo Santo
• Deschutes Red Chair
• Deschutes Hop Trip
• Full Sail Keelhauler
• Full Sail Lumplin Fresh Hop
• Affligem Triple Noel (Keg)
• Great Divide Oak Barrel Aged Yeti (Keg)
• Alesmith Grand Cru
• Anderson Valley Winter Soltice
• Bear Republic Racer 5
• Eel River Acai Berry
• Moylans White Xmas
• Moylans Hopsickle
• Avery Czar (Keg)
• Avery Collaboration
• Nogne-O Dogges Sahti
• Fantome Noel
• Mahrs Christmas
• Cantillon Kreik
• Sint Peters XMAS Zinnebeer
• Schneider Brooklyn Hopfen Weiss
• Redstone Nectar of the hops
• Augustijn (Keg)
• Petras Aged Pale
• Blanche Des Moines
• Scaldis Noel
• Triple Karmeliet
• Meantime Coffee Porter
• Kwak (Keg)
• Urthel Hopit
• Sinnebrychoffs Porter
• JW Lees Harvest Port
• Oude Beersel Kreik
• St Bernardus Abt 12
• Silly Scotch
• Silly Saison- (Keg)
• Petrus Winter Ale
• DeDolle Teve
• Hebrew R.I.P.A.
• Breckenridge Vanilla Porter
• Breckenridge 471 Small Batch IPA
• Hitachino Nest White
• Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12
• Flying Dog Wild Weizen
• Great Divide Hoss
• Lefthand Smoke Jumper
• Oskar Blues TenFidy (cans)
• Ska Modus Hoperandi (cans)
• Ska Euphoria (cans)
• Port Brewing Santas Little Helper
• Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi
• Lakefront Pumpkin (Keg)
• Papago Oude Zuipers
• Sonoran Cordeilla Blanca
• McChouffe
• Cucapa Barleywine
• Cucapa Chucacabras (cans)
• Steigl Pils
• Bruery Saison Rue
• New Belgium LaFolie
• New Belgium Transatlantic Kreik

Who has $75 to loan me?

 

http://draftmag.com/bigpour/beer/

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Now playing on iTunes: Goldfrapp – Forever
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I Need inspiration

I haven’t been posting much lately as I have been going through the roller coaster of training devotion and inspiration which gets me feeling depressed and down on myself for not sticking with it.  When I have run I usually feel great for completing the run, however I have been using my hip as a bit of a crutch, sure some days it hurts like hell, but other days it is sore and would probably benefit from a good run at a slower pace.  That is another part of my problem.  Psychologically the slower paces I have been running make me feel…well…slow.  Not that I am a burner or anything but being slower than my normal slow self isn’t sitting very well right now.

A few weeks ago I was also complaining about the heat.  It is still flippin’ hot here (91 degrees today, the normal temperature is 77) but the mornings are great and so are the evenings once the sun starts to go down.  I am just not feeling it right now.  I think what I need to do is go run a race and get the juices flowing again.  Have that desire to wake up in the morning and feel that muscle fatigue way down in the muscles, several inches below the surface. You know that feeling when you are pushing the most miles you have ever run in a week, you are sore and tired, but the only thing you want to do is lace them up and go for a 10 miler.  I miss those days.  I want them back.  I know I am getting older, but I can also be getting smarter.  Instead I am becoming more cynical.

So, here is some quick inspiration.  I saw a thread on a message board today about a kid in South Carolina who won the state cross country meet wearing which state of the art running shoes?  Maybe a pair of the newest, lightest  trainers, or perhaps some type of shoe that is designed to support his gait and stride type?  Nope.  Dude straight up wore his Air Jordans.  Don’t believe me, here is the picture.

Cool hunh?  Class 1A champ Chad Hampton.  Results are here – http://bit.ly/2ESMWd

This video usually does its job to inspire me.

But most of all I should be able to find inspiration in the veterans who have given their lives to protect and provide this country to me, to you, and to all Americans.  Think of the kids who don’t have their dad or mom at home this holiday season, and the ones who will never have them at home again-those who gave it all so to speak.  When I want to whine and be lazy I need to think of those people.  I didn’t intend for this post to go in this direction, I was just trying to clear my head and find a way to get my lazy arse to change and go run.  But with all that has happened in Texas this week and seeing all of the veterans at my kids school for the assembly today it got me thining.

Anyway…I think it is a great time to go for a run.  What do you think?
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Now playing on iTunes: Tiesto – Bend It Like You Don’t Care
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