"Torn and Frayed"/STG

Big Rolling Stones fan. Have not always been. It was a band that was there. Always there it seemed growing up. I first noticed the brilliance of them with Some Girls. Which still is my personal favorite of all their albums. Yet, Exile on Main Street sometime in my 20's really hit my Smooth when it comes to music. "Torn and Frayed" is my favorite cut on Exile. The reason - at the heart of it all - this songs says what the Stones were shooting for as group. Then the following cut, "Sweet Black Angel" drives it all home. The Stones were and always will be a Blues band, masquerading as Honky Tonk, Country/Western, and Rock and Roll band. In a nutshell - they were the most American Band than most American Bands.

Yesterday in music the first Rolling Stones recording was produced. "Come on" and "I Wanna Be Loved". It was 1963. "It's Only Rock and Roll ..." as Mick would say, yet they are still so much more.

Today in Baseball history my most beloved player of All Time was traded from the Giants to the Mets. Willie Mays. Godfather of my second All Timer - Ken Griffey, Jr - the sweetest swing baseball will ever see.

Running leads me to another History note of date. Today, 1858 the great State of Minnesota became the 32nd State. A State I have only been to once - a quick fly-in to the Twin Cities. Yet, the state must be filled with some of the greatest people ever. Everyone I have met from Minnesota seem as genuine as Lutfisk is awful. :) Love everyone I have met from Minnesota.

Running? Julie of Minnesota Mileage is maybe my second thought when I think of Minnesota now. Of course the Vikings always seem to be the first (still will never forgive them for stealing Steve Hutchinson from my beloved Seahawks). With Garrison Keillor dropping to number three. Plus, a day doesn't seem to go by without hearing that Medtronic ad on NPR wanting runners to be guinea pigs while they run the Twin Cities Marathon. Anyone actually done this?

Okay, update time. Update for the upcoming races. Yesterday I got an email with a CONGRATS you are a proud winner of a Lottery. The St. George Marathon Lottery that is. Three times trying - they had to take me this time. To be honest, I have been sooooo very busy of late, I almost forgot till I saw the email. Guess I know what else I will be doing the First Weekend in Oct.

Other races coming up? Well, I have registered well ahead for some, and simply forgot for others. Others meaning the Disneyland HM. It was a year ago that I registered for last years race. This year? I think it sold out in a month along with the 5K back in January. However, it seems now our family will be busy with some MORE important stuff that same weekend. So, I guess there is a reason why I needed to miss this one this year.

However, I do have San Diego Rock and Roll in June. Seattle RR end of the same month. I am doubting now whether I can do either June race though. Nothing for July as of yet. August, a few maybes? Sept. nada. Oct. STG and Long Beach.

November? Here is the interesting one. A REALLY BIG FREE MARATHON and HALF. Yes, that is right - FREE. It is literally right in my own backyard here in this speck of Mohave Desert. You initially pay 50.00 to register, however, once your timing chipped foot touches the starting pad - it is FREE! You get your 50 back. Interesting concept. The RD's are using all the companies that try to huck (or is it hock ;) )their products at the race expos - to actually PAY for your registration fees. Or, at least the cost of doing the race. Will see? I am only doing the HM. I am sensing this could be a water/aid station, organization nightmare. Yet, it is only a few miles from my house. So, if anything bad happens - the ice bath, and other post race pickups are all too familiar.

Seattle Marathon and all the potentially nightmarish weather of Seattle near Thanksgiving are high on my list for November as well.

December - Las Vegas RR is now at night. Okay that sounds cool at first - Running the Strip at night. However, most out of towners don't realize that Las Vegas first of December can be cold and really WINDY. Not sure I want to do that at night? Plus, as I have learned over the last few years - December needs to be running holiday month.

I have to say I am little burned out on making drives and long trips for races these days. I am trying to keep it local more. Local meaning 2-3 hour drive tops. We need to have more "real" family vacations than Daddy running ones.

Balance!

Have a great day!

Cheers!