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(Monica Scholz tackles Whitney at Badwater)

Monica Scholz has yet to meet a 100-miler she doesn't like. Last weekend she finished her 25th 100-miler in a single year, breaking her previous world record of 23 set in 2001. Amazingly, she is posting some damn good finish times with each of them too! The Spec has a great article about her last race.

My first thought was "can you even schedule 25 100-milers in a single year"? Turns out you can...here was her original schedule, courtesy of Vince. Look at all those hot ones in July, or the 5 back-to-back in October. She is super woman!!!

Race #	Date	Race Name	Place
1	January 16	HURT	Honolulu, Hawaii
2	February 6	Rocky Racoon	Huntsville,Texas
3	February 13	Iron Horse	Florahome, Florida
4	February 27	LOST	Florida
5	March 5	Coyote Two Moon	Ojai, California
6	March 27	Paulinskill Sussex 100	Knowlton, New Jersey
7	April 10	McNaughton	Pekin, Illinois
8	April 24	Jerseyville 100	Jerseyville, Ontario
9	May 1	Iron Horse	St. Paul, Alberta
10	May 8	McNaughton	Pittsfield, Vermont
11	May 15	Keys 100	Key West, Florida
12	May 29	Sulphur Springs	Dundas, Ontario
13	June 5	Old Dominion	Fort Valley, Virginia
14	June 12	San Diego	San Diego, California
15	June 19	Mohican Trail	Loudonville, Ohio
16	June 26	Laramie	Laramie, Wyoming
17	July 12	Badwater	Death Valley, California
18	July 17	Vermont	South Woodstock, Vermont
19	July 24	Swan Crest	Swan Lake, Montana
20	July 31	Burning River	Willoughby Hills, Ohio
21	August 7	Viaduct Trail	Lanesboro, Pennsylvania
22	August 21	Leadville	Leadville, Colorado
23	August 28	Angeles Crest	Wrightwood, California
24	September 4	Grand Teton	Alta, Wyoming
25	September 11	Haliburton	Haliburton, Ontario
26	September 18	Virgil Crest	Virgil, New York
27	September 25	PCT 100 OR Bear	To be determined
28	October 2	Arkansas Traveller	Ouachita, Arkansas
29	October 9	Oil Creek	Oil City, Pensylvannia
30	October 16	Boulder OR Ozark	To be determined
31	October 23	Syllamo	Blanchard Springs, Arkansas
32	October 30	Javalina Jundred	Fountain Hills, Arizona
33	November 6	Pinhoti OR Mother Road	To be determined
34	December 11	Ancient Oaks	Titusville, Florida

That makes 111 lifetime 100's for Ms. Scholz...congrats, Monica!!!

- SD

Poultry and Kids..........

Just had to do it-




Rainy and nasty here this morning. Still pretty warm though and that's a plus for this time of year.
The weather was so nice yesterday I was really tempted to take, TheBigBluePlasticMotorcycle out for a ride but my better judgment decided against it.
Probably should have. It's unlikely that we're gonna see anymore 65 degree days till Spring. Oh well.

Gratuitous Picture for a Tuesday Morning-

Tiap 2 hari sekali dapat diskon gila-gilaan dari disdus.com - Diskon gila dari disdus.com, Setiap orang yang ingin belanja pasti ingin dapatdiskon, apalagi jika dapat diskon gila-gilan dari toko tempat kita membeli.

Now Here's Something I may Just Invest in.......

Every year we can a lot of what comes out of the garden and go through a lot of canning jar lids doing it. This is a product that just makes a lot of sense.

Reusable Canning Jar Lids
Yeah, they are a bit pricey, but they would probably pay for themselves in short order.

I first heard mention of these in a Jackie Clay article early this year and sort of forgot about them, till I stumbled across this excellent Road Test of them at Rural Revolution from July of this year.
Hey, there's even pictures!
Seriously though, this seems like something you may want to look into if you do a lot of canning.

I'd like to buy several dozen to test drive and see for myself but the author at Rural Revolution seems like see has her ducks in a row and probably has more experience than we do so I'll probably order some when I get $$$$ I don't need to spend on something else.

Till then, these will go on the ever growing list of, "Stuff it would make sense to buy when we get the money."

Yes, I really do have a list that is titled exactly that.

Gratuitous Picture for a Monday Night-
This is my, "Not really my Grand Kid but it seems like it", with one of the friendlier Silky Hens.
Cute little shit, isn't she?

Cool Train Video.................
Saw this at Theo Spark



This kind of stuff geeks me out. I don't know squat about this particular train or even when this was filmed, but I do love trains and I guess that's good enough.

Here's a couple of more interesting links from Theo -

Looking for a boat? Aircraft carrier HMS Invincible is put up for sale

Just in case there was any doubt left about the UN and Global Warming -
The IPCC mask slips

"First, the admission that the mission isn’t climate, but global wealth redistribution (emphasis mine):

First of all, developed countries have basically expropriated the atmosphere of the world community. But one must say clearly that we redistribute de facto the world’s wealth by climate policy. Obviously, the owners of coal and oil will not be enthusiastic about this. One has to free oneself from the illusion that international climate policy is environmental policy. This has almost nothing to do with environmental policy anymore, with problems such as deforestation or the ozone hole."

Suck it, Al Gore.

Gratuitous Picture for a Monday Evening-

Monday Morning and All is Well............
It's OK here anyway.

There's been a dramatic improvement in how my surgically repaired foot is doing over the last few days. Really surprising and I'm grateful for it.
I'm going back to work at the end of the week and that will jump start the economic situation here back on track. Still gonna be on crutches for another 2 weeks but the Boss says I can run the Triage desk at least. I've been hobbling around using just one crutch some and as long as I don't over do it and put too much weight on that foot for too long a time there's been no problem.

This has really helped with the - "Coffee Cup" problem. Carrying a cup of coffee is just about impossible when you're using crutches and that has been one of my biggest complaints.

So I'm pretty encouraged this morning as I can really see things getting back to normal soon.

So let's have some upbeat pop music from a band that did pop music as well as anybody. The Hollies-






Alright then. That seems like a good way to start the day!

Gratuitous Picture for a Monday Morning-

The word "Solidarity" carried so much magic because it expressed a quality Poles dreamed of: sticking together, supporting each other, not allowing Poland's enemies to drive Poles apart. Adam Michnik, Jewish, Lech Walesa, Catholic, intellectuals and workers, students and clerics, united in that magical time.



Otherwise, Poles are notorious, among Poles, for their lack of solidarity with each other.



I was told this joke in Poland, by a Pole, in Polish:



Tourists are in hell. Their guide explains that there is a devil in each cauldron full of sinners, percolating over flames, in order to keep sinners down near the hottest part of the pot.



"But there are no devils in some of these cauldrons," the tourists note.



"Those cauldrons are full of Poles," the tour guide explains. "They keep each other down."













The former polish president, Aleksander Kwasniewski, who served for 10 years, said the best way to describe Poland today was with a short story: “A group of children say to a rabbi, ‘Please tell us in a few words what the situation is,’ ” and the rabbi answers, ‘Good.’ “The children say, ‘Perhaps you can use a few more words, and the rabbi responds, ‘Not good.’” The former president laughed, but then said that the story was not funny.



Full text of NYT article, Poland, Lacking External Enemies, Turns on Itself by Michael Slackman.

This is the San Francisco Bauer's "Wi-Drive" commuter shuttle bus service. It's the same one used by Facebook and Twitter employees to go to and from work. What this blogger likes about the shuttle bus service is the seats. Wow. They're really thick, cushy, leathery, and luxurious.

You can operate your laptop computer and work online while on your way to work. The Bauer's "Wi-Drive" bus was used by the San Francisco Giants to transport their players to and from that awesome parade after their amazing World Series win.

Need corporate transportation? Call my good friend Gary Bauer. He and Bauer's Transportation delivers for all occasions and transport needs. Bauer's Transportation is at 1-800-546-6688.

Film Indonesia Dengan Pemain Bintang Film Porno Asing. Hobby nonton film baca info film ini. Tema film indonesia kedatangan tamu pemain yang sudah terkenal hot dalam kehidupannya.

Film Indonesia Terbaru Bulan Ini Daftar Film Bioskop Favorit Untuk Di Tonton. Judul Film Indonesia apa yang menarik untuk di saksikan di bioskop di Kota Anda.

Saturday Afternoon with Tom..........
Tom Waits that is.





Here's one you probably recognize, but may not know that he wrote-


He does a nice cover of this old classic-


I'm sure none of us have ever been here-


Gratuitous Picture for a Saturday-
Yeah, the wife left me in charge of the baby while she went to town.

Having trouble finding the perfect gift for a trail running friend? Here are a few of my favorites that can help get you started - if you know of others, be sure to add them in the comments!

2011 Tribute to the Trails Running Calendar ($23)

Uber-photographer and trail runner Glenn Tachiyama has once again assembled a gorgeous calendar of great photos to raise money for the Washington Trails Association. The beautiful full-page shots (check them all out here) compliment a complete calendar of ultrarunning events. Few things can spice up the drab cubicle life like a constant reminder of epic trail runs hanging on the wall. You can pick one up at ZombieRunner, Rogue Valley Runners, or other stores for $23.

Cryosauna ($85,000)

For the runner who has everything, the Cryosauna is the latest must-have gadget. Jump in and hit the start button, and your entire body is surrounded by air frozen to -120 degrees C for 2-3 minutes for an instant ice bath. Get it in black to match your Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill! Available at...well, if you can afford it, you probably know.

Race Gift Certificate ($25-55)
I don't know about you, but few things get me as excited to hit the trails like a race scheduled in the near future. Get a friend a gift certificate to a race organizer like Pacific Coast Trail Runs, and you are giving the gift of adventure! If your friend is always super busy, couple the gift certificate with an offer to crew/watch the kids/have a celebratory picnic, and it's like giving a box of sunshine. Added benefit - you can buy and send via e-mail in minutes!

Trail Running Coffee Table Book ($15)

If your trail runner is going to open a gift in front of a big group of people, a nice coffee table book is something that can be passed around to get a lot of gasps and admiration. I'm a big fan of Extreme Running by Kym McConnell and Dave Horsely, available at ZombieRunner for $15.

Custom Trail Running Shirt/Tie/Mug/Whatever ($10-40)

Zazzle.com is a custom-making miracle site that can put just about any picture or phrase on a shirt, mug, hat, tie, etc., and ship it to you in days. Create a one-of-a-kind gift for your trail runner! You could also go for a license plate frame.

Framed Photo ($15-50)

Did your trail runner have an epic race experience? Go find the photo service that was at the race, and get them a nice framed photo. I know we all rarely buy these things for ourselves, but honestly, how many good photos of yourself running do you have? Unless you are married to a photographer like me, it's hard to get a good shot that can be blown up into a decent photo. Time to splurge!

ZombieRunner Gift Certificate ($10-100)

I can ALWAYS find something I didn't know I needed until I saw it at ZombieRunner. Definitely will prompt a smile. Also an easy gift to buy and send instantly.

Jackhawk 9000 Knife ($100)



What better gift to give a loved one than the Jackhawk 9000? Available at Wal-mart. (Thank you, Ricky Bobby!)

Fire on the Track DVD ($15)

This is the best Steve Prefontaine documentary out there, with plenty of interviews with those who were there. For those looking at hours of indoor training through the winter, Pre can help keep them company. Available at Amazon.com.

Personal Running Tour (Free!)

My pal Gary Gellins recently took me on a long run tour of the Foothills Park in Palo Alto, CA, a place I had barely set foot in. It was such a treat to have a guided tour! Set the date, make a plan, bring some snacks, create a hand-written card that sums it all up...voila, an instant free gift.

(I know I posted this once already, but am doing once again to get the Google indexing right - gotta put that name in the Title!)

Thanks for the well-wishes, everyone! I hope you are having a great holiday. I put links in this story to everyone else's blogs in case you would like to stop by and tell them congrats!

Best, SD

USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council Announces Runners of the Year

Indianapolis, IN ---- The Mountain/Ultra/Trail running (MUT) council of long distance running has named the 2010 USATF Mountain Runners of the year, Ultra Runners of the Year, Trail Championship Series winners, and Contributor of the Year. The following individuals will be recognized at the USATF National Convention in Virginia Beach, VA, on Saturday, December 4, at an awards breakfast.

Mountain men open: Joseph Gray, 26, Lakewood, WA, wins his third consecutive USATF Mountain Runner of the Year title. Gray was the top U.S. finisher (10th overall) at this year’s World Mountain Running Championships to lead the men to their best-ever finish with a team silver medal. He earned his spot on the 2010 U.S. Mountain Running Team (his third U.S. mountain team) by placing third at the USA Mountain Running Championships held at the Mount Washington Road Race in June. Gray also won the NACAC Mountain Running Championships hosted by Canada in July and placed second at the 2009 XTERRA World Championships (December).

Mountain men master: Tim Van Orden, 42, Bennington, VT, had a stellar year in 2010 including masters top honors at the USA 10km Trail Championships, the USA 15km Trail Championships, and the Mt. Ashland Hill Climb where he also set the masters’ record. He finished fifth in his age group at the U.S. Mountain Running Championships. In the USATF New England Mountain running series, he finished ninth overall at the Ascutney Mountain Challenge, tenth overall at the Wachusett Mtn. Race, and sixth overall at the Northfield Mountain/NE Trail Running Championships. In addition, Van Orden was the top masters snowshoe racer in New England, taking overall places of three firsts, six seconds, two thirds and three fourths (masters’ champion in all but one).

Mountain women open: Kristin Price, 28, Raleigh, NC, is a first-time recipient in this category. Price won the USA Mountain Running Championships to earn a spot on her first U.S. Mountain Running Team, and was the top finisher (12th overall) for the U.S. women at the World Mountain Running Championships leading the team to its fourth-place finish. Team USA was the first team to finish all four women at the World Championships.

Mountain women master: Nicole Hunt, 40, Deer Lodge, MT, had an outstanding year as a masters’ competitor. Hunt is no stranger to mountain running awards having been named the 2006 USATF Mountain Runner of the Year. In 2010, Hunt finished fourth overall – third American – winning the masters’ title in a masters’ course record performance. She was the third U.S. woman finisher (17th overall) at the World Mountain Running Championships. She finished fourth, first master, at the USA 15km Trail Championships.

Ultra men open: Michael Wardian, 36, Arlington, VA, wins his third consecutive Ted Corbitt Memorial USATF Ultra Runner of the Year Award in 2010. Wardian was the USA 50km Champion, and won bronze at both the 50km World Championships and the IAU 100km World Championships. He finished third – the best finish ever by a U.S. man – at the Marathon Des Sables in Morocco, and finished as the top U.S. runner at Comrades Marathon (89km). He finished second at The North Face Endurance Challenge in Washington, DC, just one week after Comrades. He posted six marathon victories in 2010 including ING Miami, National Marathon, Delaware Marathon (Delaware State Record & Course Record in 2:26:22), Grant & Pierce Indoor Marathon (setting indoor marathon World Record of 2:27:21), Kauai Marathon, and ING Hartford Marathon. He was also 15th overall at the USATF Men's Marathon Championships posting a time of 2:21:18.
 
Ultra men master: Scott Dunlap, Woodside, CA, 41, is a first-time recipient of this award. He was the top master and 11th overall at the USATF 50km Trail Championships, third master at the USATF 50km Road Championships, third master at the USATF 100 Mile Trail Championships, and third master at the USATF Trail Marathon Championships in 2009. He also won the 40-44 age group at the XTERRA World Championships in 2009 and was first overall at the Woodside Trail Marathon (3:36, CR). He won the 40-49 age group at the Tahoe Rim Trail 50km (5th overall, the RRCA Nevada Championship). Dunlap promotes USATF and its championship races on his award-winning blog, A Trail Runner’s Blog at this link. (http://runtrails.blogspot.com)
 
Ultra women open:  Kami Semick, 44, Bend, OR, is now a two-time recipient of the Ruth Anderson USATF Ultra Runner of the Year award having won this title last year. She posted an outstanding year on the road and trails. Her wins included the USA 50km Trail Championships, the Miwok 100km Trail Race, the Vermont 100 Miler, and the Portland Marathon. In 2009 (November), she won the IAU 50km World Trophy in Gibraltar. She was fourth overall and top American at Comrades Marathon (89km). Semick is an active member of USATF’s Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council.

Ultra women master: Meghan Arbogast, 49, Corvallis, OR, a first-time recipient of this award, was the winner of the 2010 U.S. 100km Championships, the USA 50 Mile Trail Championships, Where’s Waldo 100km and the Ice Age 50 Mile Trail Race.  She finished second overall at both the 2010 Western States 100 Mile Trail Race and at the 2009 JFK 50 Miler (November) where she was also the top masters’ finisher. She was the fifth masters’ finisher at the Twin Cities Marathon – the U.S. National Masters Championships – finishing 16th overall.

USA Trail Championships Series Winners – Mario Mendoza, 24, Cambria, CA, and Gina Lucrezi, 27, Newton, MA. Mendoza and Lucrezi garnered the most points in the inaugural USA Trail Championships (sub-ultra) series. The events included the 10km, 15km, half marathon, and marathon event distances. In 2011, the USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council hopes to further promote and enhance the championship trail series.

Contributor of the Year – Mount Washington Road Race Directors Bob and Anita Teschek. In 2010, the Tescheks recruited the deepest field in the 50-year history of the Mount Washington Road Race (June 19).  This was done by actively recruiting top runners and offering inducements such as travel money, lodging, and doubling the prize purse.  The race served as not only the USA Mountain Running Championships, but also as the lone qualifier for both the men’s and women’s mountain running teams.  This was the first time a race had been granted this distinction, which can be traced to the efforts of the Tescheks to get the top runners to the starting line.  They have served the mountain running community for many years, hosting the USA Mountain Running Championships and team selection races in the even-numbered years starting in 2004. They have also made contributions to the U.S. Mountain Running Team. Bob Teschek has been the race director at Mount Washington for over 25 years with this year’s race being his last as race director.

Others nominated in the Contributor of the Year category for 2010 included Salomon footwear; Julie Fingar, owner of Fit to Run, Inc., and race director for The Sierra Nevada Endurance Runs, Way Too Cool 50km, and the American River 50 Mile Endurance Run; and Race Directors Jason and Allison Bryant (The Continental Divide 10km Trail Race)

In order to be considered for the USATF Mountain and Ultra running awards an athlete must show top results in U.S. competitions for 2010 November 1, 2009 through October 31, 2010, to include mountain races (these may be on paved/gravel surfaces as long as there is significant elevation loss or gain) and trail races of varying lengths, as well as road races for the ultra category (distances beyond the marathon). International results are also considered. The nominee must be an ambassador for the sport. Nominee must be a USATF member for 2010, and to be considered for the masters’ category athlete must be a minimum of 40 years of age.

For a list of past winners in the other categories, please visit www.usatf.org. You can view this release at the following link. (http://www.examiner.com/trail-running-in-national/usatf-mountain-ultra-trail-council-announces-runners-of-the-year)
##

Does It Really Matter???????????
Apparently not-

Manassas was a great band and really, what can ya say about, Stephen Stills? Great Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist, not necessarily in that order either. You pick.

Here's Stills singing another of my favorites. The video is perfect for this song.


The temperature is currently 35 degrees. Big drop in the last 24 hours and I'm just hanging out by the Woodstove with the dogs today.
All the waterers for the Chickens and Ducks were frozen up solid this morning and that means we'll be carrying water out to them twice a day for the next 4 months or so.
Just part of having animals.

Gratuitous Picture for a Friday Afternoon-

Rahasia Pria Yang Harus Di Ketahui Wanita. Setiap perempuan harus mengetahui bahwa pria / lelaki memiliki banyak rahasia. Ketahui rahasia tersembunyi yang ada pada diri seorang lelaki.

Black Friday...............

I guess we're supposed to go spend all of our money on shit no one needs today. Or at least that's how it seems.
Not happening here. Can't imagine even leaving the house today and merging with the Zombie hordes out there.

Like most things, I'm ass backwards on topics like this. The wife and I have been going through the house over the last few days looking at crap to get rid of. I damn sure don't need any more shit I don't use around here.

When did the whole, "Black Friday" thing get so big anyway?
Not that I pay attention to crap like this, but I don't remember when this becoming a big deal. Maybe its always been like this & I just missed it.


I understand that kind of, Black Friday.

Edit Update - OK. This shit I REALLY don't understand-

One more example of why a 1918 Flu Epidemic would probably be beneficial for the gene pool.
H/T - Ace of Spades

Gratuitous Picture for a Friday-
I'm already thinking about next years Garden

Daftar tempat belanja murah di Jakarta. Salah satu kekayaan pariwisata di Jakarta adalah tempat belanja. Kota Jakarta memberikan banyak pilihan tempat untuk untuk berbelanja. Jakarta adalah surga belanja untuk wisatawan yang hobby shopping.

Daftar tempat belanja murah Singapura. Tak lengkap rasanya setelah lelah mengelilingi obyek wisata Singapore, tak berkunjung juga ke Wisata belanja di Singapura. Boleh dikatakan Singapura merupakan surga tempat untuk shopping di kawasan Asean.

YerUnk Wishes a Happy Thanksgiving..............

To All 'a Y'all!
Give thanks for all the good things we have today and pray for a future we can be thankful for.

I already mentioned a few of the things I'm thankful for a couple days ago. Lord knows there's plenty more than that too.

Being off work for the last 5 weeks has put a serious dent in the income and cash flow around here. But having a well stocked up Pantry has helped a bunch. Not having to spend a ton on groceries has been a blessing since the income has been cut in half.
Having again seen the benefit of being prepped for such an occasion, I would encourage all of ya, if you don't already, to start working on building up that pantry.

Maybe make it your, New Years Resolution or something.

You may be wondering just how to go about doing that and I'll refer you to Jackie Clay who's the expert on this sort of thing. Go read that article linked there and look around the Backwoods Home Website - especially the archives. There's a ton of good info, on a multitude of subjects there.

I want y'all to think about this, OK? Food prices have been rising fast and I don't see where that's gonna get any better anytime soon.
I had to put gasoline in the little blue truck the other day. First time in almost 2 months and got one hell of a shock. Gas cost .50 cents a gallon more than when I last filled up. I don't expect that to change to much to the better either and that's another good reason to build up that pantry if you're spending significantly more for energy/fuel that leaves less for food.

Unlike the Government, we just can't print money and spend what we don't have every month. And, even if I wanted to, I don't personally know any Chinese Bankers that want to loan me, basic budget money every month.

I woke up with this topic eating on my brain this morning. That doesn't normally happen so I figured I better go ahead and share it with ya.

If you have questions on this topic feel free to ask in the comments or via email (bsa71lightning-at-hotmail.com) & I'll be glad to help.

OK. Now that I got that out of the way.................

It is Thanksgiving and that means, Alice's Restaurant!



Yeah, it's a tradition here.


All the kids will be here this afternoon for dinner and we will listen to Arlo singing. Like every Thanksgiving. I'm thankful I have a great family that want to come hang out with, The Old Man.

Here's something cool. Or warm. Whatever.
It was spitting snow yesterday morning & It's currently 55 degrees outside.

The furnace has not run for well over 24 hours and I last loaded the woodstove around midnight last night.
Check this out-

That's incredible. I should'a figured out a way to get a woodstove a long time ago.
It's been quite a few years since we had a good stove & I forgot how nice it is.

If I had better insulation in the attic it would be even better. It's pretty lame up there and could use some more.

Just one more thing to add to the, "Shit I need to do when I get the money" List.

It's all good.
Like my friend, Jerry says - "Life is good. All ya got to do is live it."
Can't argue with that theory.

Again, I hope y'all have a nice day today.

Gratuitous Picture for a Thursday-
Phil Read Hauling Ass. Yeah, he was a badass.


Photo via - Motorcycle Picture of the Day

Hey, check out who won the USATF Masters Men Ultrarunner of the Year. I think I know that guy!

Honestly, it just feels so cool to be mentioned in the same press release with the likes of Michael Wardian, Kami Semick, Meghan Arboghast, Joe Gray, Tim Van Orden, and all these amazing trail runners. Look at the seasons they had! Remarkable. I think I've officially peaked. ;-)

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving, and take a moment to give thanks for this wonderful sport we are a part of. I will certainly have a toast for my fellow runners tomorrow, particularly those of who encouraged me through an amazing year. I am forever grateful to each of you.

Best, SD

USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council Announces Runners of the Year

Indianapolis, IN ---- The Mountain/Ultra/Trail running (MUT) council of long distance running has named the 2010 USATF Mountain Runners of the year, Ultra Runners of the Year, Trail Championship Series winners, and Contributor of the Year. The following individuals will be recognized at the USATF National Convention in Virginia Beach, VA, on Saturday, December 4, at an awards breakfast.

Mountain men open: Joseph Gray, 26, Lakewood, WA, wins his third consecutive USATF Mountain Runner of the Year title. Gray was the top U.S. finisher (10th overall) at this year’s World Mountain Running Championships to lead the men to their best-ever finish with a team silver medal. He earned his spot on the 2010 U.S. Mountain Running Team (his third U.S. mountain team) by placing third at the USA Mountain Running Championships held at the Mount Washington Road Race in June. Gray also won the NACAC Mountain Running Championships hosted by Canada in July and placed second at the 2009 XTERRA World Championships (December).

Mountain men master: Tim Van Orden, 42, Bennington, VT, had a stellar year in 2010 including masters top honors at the USA 10km Trail Championships, the USA 15km Trail Championships, and the Mt. Ashland Hill Climb where he also set the masters’ record. He finished fifth in his age group at the U.S. Mountain Running Championships. In the USATF New England Mountain running series, he finished ninth overall at the Ascutney Mountain Challenge, tenth overall at the Wachusett Mtn. Race, and sixth overall at the Northfield Mountain/NE Trail Running Championships. In addition, Van Orden was the top masters snowshoe racer in New England, taking overall places of three firsts, six seconds, two thirds and three fourths (masters’ champion in all but one).

Mountain women open: Kristin Price, 28, Raleigh, NC, is a first-time recipient in this category. Price won the USA Mountain Running Championships to earn a spot on her first U.S. Mountain Running Team, and was the top finisher (12th overall) for the U.S. women at the World Mountain Running Championships leading the team to its fourth-place finish. Team USA was the first team to finish all four women at the World Championships.

Mountain women master: Nicole Hunt, 40, Deer Lodge, MT, had an outstanding year as a masters’ competitor. Hunt is no stranger to mountain running awards having been named the 2006 USATF Mountain Runner of the Year. In 2010, Hunt finished fourth overall – third American – winning the masters’ title in a masters’ course record performance. She was the third U.S. woman finisher (17th overall) at the World Mountain Running Championships. She finished fourth, first master, at the USA 15km Trail Championships.

Ultra men open: Michael Wardian, 36, Arlington, VA, wins his third consecutive Ted Corbitt Memorial USATF Ultra Runner of the Year Award in 2010. Wardian was the USA 50km Champion, and won bronze at both the 50km World Championships and the IAU 100km World Championships. He finished third – the best finish ever by a U.S. man – at the Marathon Des Sables in Morocco, and finished as the top U.S. runner at Comrades Marathon (89km). He finished second at The North Face Endurance Challenge in Washington, DC, just one week after Comrades. He posted six marathon victories in 2010 including ING Miami, National Marathon, Delaware Marathon (Delaware State Record & Course Record in 2:26:22), Grant & Pierce Indoor Marathon (setting indoor marathon World Record of 2:27:21), Kauai Marathon, and ING Hartford Marathon. He was also 15th overall at the USATF Men's Marathon Championships posting a time of 2:21:18.
 
Ultra men master: Scott Dunlap, Woodside, CA, 41, is a first-time recipient of this award. He was the top master and 11th overall at the USATF 50km Trail Championships, third master at the USATF 50km Road Championships, third master at the USATF 100 Mile Trail Championships, and third master at the USATF Trail Marathon Championships in 2009. He also won the 40-44 age group at the XTERRA World Championships in 2009 and was first overall at the Woodside Trail Marathon (3:36, CR). He won the 40-49 age group at the Tahoe Rim Trail 50km (5th overall, the RRCA Nevada Championship). Dunlap promotes USATF and its championship races on his award-winning blog, A Trail Runner’s Blog at this link. (http://runtrails.blogspot.com)
 
Ultra women open:  Kami Semick, 44, Bend, OR, is now a two-time recipient of the Ruth Anderson USATF Ultra Runner of the Year award having won this title last year. She posted an outstanding year on the road and trails. Her wins included the USA 50km Trail Championships, the Miwok 100km Trail Race, the Vermont 100 Miler, and the Portland Marathon. In 2009 (November), she won the IAU 50km World Trophy in Gibraltar. She was fourth overall and top American at Comrades Marathon (89km). Semick is an active member of USATF’s Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council.

Ultra women master: Meghan Arbogast, 49, Corvallis, OR, a first-time recipient of this award, was the winner of the 2010 U.S. 100km Championships, the USA 50 Mile Trail Championships, Where’s Waldo 100km and the Ice Age 50 Mile Trail Race.  She finished second overall at both the 2010 Western States 100 Mile Trail Race and at the 2009 JFK 50 Miler (November) where she was also the top masters’ finisher. She was the fifth masters’ finisher at the Twin Cities Marathon – the U.S. National Masters Championships – finishing 16th overall.

USA Trail Championships Series Winners – Mario Mendoza, 24, Cambria, CA, and Gina Lucrezi, 27, Newton, MA. Mendoza and Lucrezi garnered the most points in the inaugural USA Trail Championships (sub-ultra) series. The events included the 10km, 15km, half marathon, and marathon event distances. In 2011, the USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council hopes to further promote and enhance the championship trail series.

Contributor of the Year – Mount Washington Road Race Directors Bob and Anita Teschek. In 2010, the Tescheks recruited the deepest field in the 50-year history of the Mount Washington Road Race (June 19).  This was done by actively recruiting top runners and offering inducements such as travel money, lodging, and doubling the prize purse.  The race served as not only the USA Mountain Running Championships, but also as the lone qualifier for both the men’s and women’s mountain running teams.  This was the first time a race had been granted this distinction, which can be traced to the efforts of the Tescheks to get the top runners to the starting line.  They have served the mountain running community for many years, hosting the USA Mountain Running Championships and team selection races in the even-numbered years starting in 2004. They have also made contributions to the U.S. Mountain Running Team. Bob Teschek has been the race director at Mount Washington for over 25 years with this year’s race being his last as race director.

Others nominated in the Contributor of the Year category for 2010 included Salomon footwear; Julie Fingar, owner of Fit to Run, Inc., and race director for The Sierra Nevada Endurance Runs, Way Too Cool 50km, and the American River 50 Mile Endurance Run; and Race Directors Jason and Allison Bryant (The Continental Divide 10km Trail Race)

In order to be considered for the USATF Mountain and Ultra running awards an athlete must show top results in U.S. competitions for 2010 November 1, 2009 through October 31, 2010, to include mountain races (these may be on paved/gravel surfaces as long as there is significant elevation loss or gain) and trail races of varying lengths, as well as road races for the ultra category (distances beyond the marathon). International results are also considered. The nominee must be an ambassador for the sport. Nominee must be a USATF member for 2010, and to be considered for the masters’ category athlete must be a minimum of 40 years of age.

For a list of past winners in the other categories, please visit www.usatf.org. You can view this release at the following link. (http://www.examiner.com/trail-running-in-national/usatf-mountain-ultra-trail-council-announces-runners-of-the-year)
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Who Needs Laws???????????

When we can regulate the Hell out of ya.

Hinkle: Homeowners Now Must Pay EPA's Hidden Tax
"In April, the EPA issued its edicts governing home renovation, repair, and painting (RRP). If reasonable regulations are a children's sandbox, the EPA's rules are the Gobi Desert.

First, companies that do home renovation and repairs have to receive EPA certification, and use certified renovators "trained by EPA-approved training providers" if they're working on any space larger than 6 square feet. So if you're getting more than one window replaced, the guy has to be EPA-certified. An eight-hour course costs $200 to $300, not counting the time and income lost. If he works without the government permission slip, he could face fines of $32,500 per violation, plus possible jail time."


OK, that shit is just depressing. We are gonna need a shitload of rope to correct this sort of thing.
H/T - Doug Ross

Need some music here today -




Maybe a couple more.

And one more for the Gipper.



Gratuitous Picture for a Wednesday Afternoon-