Dream trail

Dream Trail?

I dream of running in locations like this some day...

What do you dream about?

Cancer Hater

At first it was a simple connection, our names are similar (Brian and Briana), this connection compelled me to read her blog.  At first, Briana's Still Easier Than Chemo blog was just another runners story.  Then some how her touching story, of how she lost her mother to the terrible disease called cancer came to life for me.  Some how I felt the need to run her event.

Over the weeks leading up to this event my families history with cancer became uncovered.  An Uncle died of leukemia years before my birth.  My middle name, Charles, is in his honor.  Another Uncle, Uncle Johnny died of Leukemia as well, I was 14.  My only real memory of Uncle Johnny was a time when we were all visiting my Grandparents, he was a runner, and I asked him if I could go running with him.  And more personally, my first wife Terri has been fighting breast cancer for 12 years.  Although I'm no longer a part of her life, for choices I made, I still feel her struggles.  The hard part is my daughter's pain as her mother wages a war against this ugly disease.  Wanting to help Terri and comfort my daughter, My connection to Briana and her cause grew more then I expected.

Not trying to say I did anything heroic.  The REAL heroes are the people fighting cancer.  The REAL heroes are the families who support, care for, and love them.  I am just another runner, but I wanted to do what I could...and if it was raising money...then I was going to bring in as much as I could.  There are many requests for donations now a days, so fund raising turned out to be harder then I thought.  I was sure people would just throw money at me for such a noble cause as cancer research.  When that did not happen, I knew I needed a hook.

The idea of "The Bald Tutu Runner" was born...  The challenge was set down.  Donate a set amount and I would run in a Tutu, double my then total of $688.00 and I would run bald and in a Tutu.  That's better then double coupon days.  Little mass marketing via Facebook and Twitter and the money came in.

(the Bald Tutu Runner)

Running my time slot the Midnight to 1 a.m. shift was easy, even with the lack of sleep.

(Briana, Her Father and I)

Meeting Briana and her father was wonderful, although I felt at a lack of words...words which I could express my admiration and support for their loss.

Thanks to you, I (We) raised $1800.00 of the nearly $8,000.00 raised during the 24 Hour Run.  The hook worked, yet I never knew how many people wanted to see me bald and run in a Tutu.  But I'm Thankful and glad you did.

There is still time to give: Click Here.

Brian 

Bald or Tutu

UPDATE:  Recently I ran 71.25 miles (in 24 hours) for the American Cancer Society.  And now I'm running the Cancer Hater 24 Hour Challenge for the Massey Cancer Research Center of Richmond, Va.  So far I've raised over $650.00. $1159.00 $1304.00

(I am a Cancer Hater)

FREE FREE FREE
Cleveland Browns Team Issued/Game Used Breast Cancer Awareness towel used on the sidelines by then Browns Tight-End #82 Benjamin Watson.  Autographed by Watson and direct from NFL Auctions.  How do you get this towel, be the first to donate $50.00 $40.00 $25.00 to my Charity Run at the link below.  Pls put Watson towel in remarks and post contact info on how to get in touch with you.

Now here is the QUESTION, Do you want to see me run it Bald or in a Tutu?

Run it Bald:
We are $260 $179 $84 away from the "Run it Bald goal."  Who is going to help us meet this goal, you know you want to see it!

If my donations double in the next week, from $688.00 to $1376.00 or if someone would donate $500.00 in a one time donation, I will cut off all my hair.  That's right buzz cut G.I. style.

In a Tutu:
Done, goal met, I will run the Cancer Hater Challenge wearing a bright yellow TuTu.

If someone will make a one time donation of $50.00, I will run the 24 Hour Cancer Hater Challenge in a Tutu.
  

You still have time...

Deadline for donations is 4 pm Saturday, 11 May.  All donations go to Cancer Research...I get nothing and have put over $100.00 towards this cause myself.  PLS click on the link below and donate today.

Donate here:

Pictures and a blog post will be provided.  I will also provide a run recap which you can post on your blog.

Who is up for the challenge!

Top Tweets

Top Tweets
 

Even the things that we don't understand are all a part of God's plan  @gingerpoulson

After a bottle of champs, a greasy cheeseburger, and a dance party… that nap was glorious. @runinhighheels

Should not have gone grocery shopping post #halfmarathon #rungry #run #running  @jenxc77

Shorts, shirt, running shoes, hat and rain jacket. All of that to stay dry going into the Y to get sweaty running on the treadmill. Yep!   @cynicalife

What’s the saying? Home now, pants off?  @BulletProofJenn

Rest days are a critical component of your training plan. Respect the rest day! To do otherwise, risks injury.  @TufMotherRunner

 If the only Star Wars movie she's seen is The Phantom Menace, she's not the one.  @DepressedDarth

If you're reading this, you've got it a heck of a lot better than you think.  @AshRuns100s

 If you'll excuse me, I need to scrub the trail dirt rings from my ankles. Never fails after a long run, but gorgeous trails are worth it!  @Run_Rebecca_Run

 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13  @BruceVH

Bonus Best Picture:

 

Blisters

Blisters, what are you good for....Absolutely Nothing

(I was going to post a pic of blistered feet 

but that just grossed me out, go ahead google it....)

In two Ultras where I ran in excess of 50 miles (75 and 71.25) I suffered badly from blistering.  So I wanted to learn as much I could about the subject. 

Blisters are caused by friction, heat and sweating. 

Shoes - As with other running ailments, it all begins with the shoes. Your shoes must fit properly. Too snug / loose is always a problem. Ensure that there is ½ inch space between your longest toe and the end of your shoe. Be sure that you have enough room to wiggle your toes inside the toe box, and your heel does not slip.  You should choose shoes that breath well.

Inspect the inside of shoes for seams / worn areas that produce extra friction.

Socks - Socks should fit without being too tight or too loose.  Choose soft wicking fabric. Cotton absorbs moisture and is usually a little rough in texture. Some choose to wear two layers (or one made with double layers) to aid in prevention.

Do not wear socks that are too worn. Thin areas and holes are likely to produce hot spots.  Do not wear untested socks on a long run. 

Lubricant - When you increase mileage all other efforts may fail. It is time for real preventative. There are a variety of lubricants on the market and are available at most running stores.  Many distance runners use lubricants on their feet, i.e. Body Glide, Bag Balm

Blister Blocks, Second Skin and Spyroflex - Have specific places that are prone to blisters?  Try applying one of these as a preventative, or to provide cushion and protection after a blister has formed.

Used on long distance training. They are like a thick rubbery extra skin you apply to problem areas to cushion and protect. 

Some long distance runners will apply tincture of benzoin to skin every day for a few weeks in order to toughen sensitive areas. Tincture of benzoin can be found at your local pharmacy. Not a prescription, but it is usually kept behind the counter.  Of course others will suggest that softer feet are less likely to blister. You can keep your feet soft by applying a moisturizer daily.

Wrapping and Taping - Using moleskin or taping feet with athletic tape (or duct tape) is also a common practice. If you wrap your feet it is important that the tape is applied smoothly (no wrinkles) and not too tight. Ultra runners might tape their entire foot, but most only need to tape up hot spots.

Moleskin can also be used to cover a blister that has already formed.  Cut a piece larger than the blister and cut a hole in the center. (Shaped like a donut.) This will cushion the blister, but the blister itself will not be covered.

Hopefully using a combination of the preventatives above you will come away blister free. It is important to apply the products prior to your run if you are prone to blisters. You can also carry supplies with you.


How do you prevent/treat blisters?

We Won

At the 2013 Virginia 24 Hour For Cancer endurance race, for the first time in my running career I fielded a team.  The 3 prior years I have run this event as a solo runner or "with friends" but not as a team.  This year...Team Run4Life was born, And...pause for effect.

We Won!

Team Run4Life, with 785 Official miles!

Our Team back to front: Chris C @cwiklinskicj, Mike K @gunzrunner262, Paul S @pstarlings, Nathan M @socialshark, Lloyd S @lloydswede, Matt S, Jon H @jonhendrickson, Steve S @britishbulldog, Brian B @Cledawgs, Kim Z, Cara H @carahendrickson, and Kelly G.

Team Crew members: Ally S @allyspeirs, Chase H, Amanda M @amandawife, Michele B, and Anthony B. 

And we are already talking about defending out title and breaking the course record next year!

Dear Brian

Dear Brian,

It's the end of the road, I'm done...  You promised me long walks on the beach.  You promised me, my toes playing in the sand with a margarita, and the cool sounds of Jimmy Buffet just above the cords of the waves breaking on the beach.  But what you delivered is a whole lot less.

71.25 miles of abuse...  I'm swollen, sore, bruised and have the biggest blister known to man.  In fact the blister is so large, we had to name it to address it properly.

We shall call it "THE BEAST"  And a beast it was.

Going into this years, the 10th Anniversary VA 24 Hour Run For Cancer, we "agreed" our goal was to complete 52.5 miles (14 Laps) as fast as we could...and I was up for that challenge.  But once you achieved that goal, and I had lived up to my end of the deal, 52.5 miles in 10h 43 mins (12:15 pace, never taking a break).  YOU went back out for more...

And if that was not bad enough, when you felt that familiar hot spot growing on the ball of your right foot, You ignored it.  You ignored me, you ignored the pain and you ignored the damage you were putting me through only to reach an adhoc second goal of 75 miles.

Mile by mile the hot spot turned into an inferno.  Then at mile 68, just barley a mile into the 3.75 mile loop the Beast erupted, aka the blister popped, exploded, it became a life of it's own.  It took your breath away, almost dropped you to your knees but for me it was like 10,000 razor blades were unleashed on my tender skin.

So Brian, with love and peaceful heart don't be to surprised when the divorce papers show up in the mail.

Signed,

You Feet, and the ten little piggies

P.S.  When is the next Ultra, I can't stay mad at you.