What’s Quan?
Don’t know. I’ve spent the last 30 minutes looking and all I’ve found are a reference to a rare Chinese family name and at the end of several Tai Chi and Kung Fu definitions. With no clear english definition, it means it’s open to interpretation. According to Rod Tidwell (a.k.a. Cuba Gooding Jr.), it means “love, respect, community and the dollars too.” To me, it means something totally different.

Quan is what we as runner’s do naturally – as natural as breeding offspring and reproducing for the survival of our species. The definition of “Quan” is spreading our love for running – inspiring others to share in our need to pound the pavement and paths. If we don’t, our species will die (I doubt it but I’m on a soapbox). Part of being a runner is to be an Ambassador of Quan. Getting an ex-jock back in the game or inspiring a couch potato to jog around the block, that’s our calling…that’s our “Quan”.

So Who’re It’s Ambassadors?
A one-legged brother? Roy Firestone? A militant TP? Troy Aikman or Tom Cruise? Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. “Quan” has no barriers, no rules of possession or discrimination. It’s there for every runner/jogger/walker to spread like the wind to the masses. All you have to do is share a story, drag somebody out the door or ask somebody to join you.

Who’s Your Ambassador(s)?
As much as I’d love to say it was my dad, I truthfully cannot. He’s been a great inspiration for me since I started running but he wasn’t my “Ambassador”. In fact, I don’t even know my “Ambassador’s” name!!! All I remember is an image from a early December morning television broadcast of the Las Vegas Marathon in 2005. As I lay in my warm cozy bed next to my sleeping wife, I saw him. Not an image of grace and beauty or speed and athleticism. No, the man I saw trod across my television screen could have been my twin. A tall, overweight guy running the marathon. Although I will never know his name, he forever will be my Ambassador of Quan. At that moment, I told myself if that guy can do, then so can I.

Who were/are your Ambassadors of Quan?

re•count•er [ri'kountǝr]

noun
Meeting a fellow Urban Warrior on a long run and then seeing that same individual at another point on your route signifying that they are on a long run too.

This has to be one of my favorite things to happen when I’m running. I’ve now grown accustomed to flashing the “Runner’s Gang Sign” to every runner I meet – even if it means running backward to catch their attention. It’s a movement people!!! “Just Do It!”

As I was saying…I’m trying to be more social when running. We’re a community and we need to stick together. What makes this a special moment is when you get to see that same runner again. They remember you. Whether it’s because of the “Runner’s Gang Sign” or my Lasse Viren appearance (no, I’m not going to post a photo of me), they remember you.

They are not just another once a week runner, they’re on a long scheduled run like you. The fact you met them at mile two and again at eight puts it all into perspective. There’s a camaraderie there as if to say “RMFR you’re doing great!!!” It’s this kind of unexpected support that makes us runners. We understand each others dedication and psychotic AM runs. We know how it feels like pushing up 25% grades and screaming down the same decline. So next time your pounding the pavement or trails, hail your kinsmen because you never know when you’ll meet them next.

There’s no denying it – we’re in the “social media” age. From Facebook to Twitter and a million blogs in between (present company included), there are more outlets to information than ever before. My advice to you…grab on and hold on tight.

To be honest, it’s just too much. How much information can one runner’s brain actually handle? I don’t want to find out. From now on, I’m going to treat social media as I do talking to my wife – selective listening (just a joke honey – SERIOUSLY – I’m just joking…honey?).

When I first signed up on Twitter, I followed everybody and their mother…yes I did actually follow somebody’s mother. I finally reached my breaking point after reading several posts by Lance Armstrong feeding his kids various types of sandwiches several days in a row. Could the signs have been any clearer?

My Twitter page now reads like a “who’s who” in the running world. That’s what I really want to know about. I DO care what Ryan Hall eats before his 15K training run. I DO want to know that Dean Karnazes ran the LA Marathon and kept running south thru California until he ran the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon (which is later next year and may be on my schedule next year) the following week. You can’t get that anywhere else and you have to admit, it’s good stuff! And the best part is, they’re runners and don’t have the time to post every hour on the hour.

With a little discipline and a reckless abandon to hit the “Don’t Follow” button, you too can lead a sane and informational Twitter life.

Scanning the financial headlines this morning, one sort of leap off the page. “Hot in Recession: Chocolate, running shoes, Spam” is the name of the AP article and to me it came as no surprise. He’s an excerpt from the article that talked about “us”:

Those on the go are not shying away from footing the bill for sturdy running shoes. Sales increased 2 percent in 2008, said Tom Doyle at the National Sporting Goods Association in Mount Prospect, Ill.

“Runners aren’t going to hurt themselves to save a few bucks,” he said.

How true is this? Are you going to go with a pair of those cross-trainers for $39 or invest in your running health? Personally, I’d rather sacrifice the chocolate and Spam (not that it resides on our family’s shopping list) before my shoes.

I’m no Jim Cramer but as a runner, I’d be taking a look at those running stocks right about now.

…stupid, stupid, stupid.

As runner’s, our single most important asset is our feet. Thus, we need to take care of them and protect them at all costs. Pedicures…yes. Good shoes and socks…yes. Work barefoot in your garage with screws and nails…NO!!!

Nothing ruins your afternoon run plans worse than a stepping on a screw and nail SIMULTANEOUSLY. As I hobbled upstairs dripping blood every 5 feet I realized that my afternoon run would be postponed do to stupidity. Please learn from my STUPID mistake and protect those feet!!!

OK. I’ve never been more irritated with a video game in my life. My mother graciously got my family (mostly for my boyz but I’m always up for a challenge) a Wii Fit last week. I hooked it up – with little people buzzing around me - and created profiles (or Mii’s for us video professionals) each member of the family.

My boyz did the initial body test and everything was fine and dandy. And then…it was my turn.

I know how much I weigh. I know I’m big. But that freakin’ machine pissed me off. It took my hansom looking, well fit, well groomed Mii character and made it HUGE!!! Right in front of my eyes it just blew the little guy up and made me look like a freakin’ Weeble Wobble!!!

HA HA HA freakin’ machine. I’m thinking they do that on purpose to piss you off so you’ll workout more…stupid game!!!

Needless to say, I’m not going to let this collection of plastic, paste and programming get the best of me. I declare now in front of world wide web that I will defeat this evil among us. I am waging war and be warned…IT’S NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY!!! (Monni, stop laughing)

RMFR

Yes, I’ve renamed them!!! I know I have no legitimate right to do so and I doubt anybody in their right mind really cares. I never experienced a wart of any kind until I started running – now I get plantar warts frequently. Here’s the kicker…I NEVER get them where they are most common. In fact…I get them on the same foot…same toe….same spot. Right foot – on of the tip of my fourth toe.

TMI? I figured but I’ve got nothing to hide (about running). I’m taking this wart to the U.S. Copyright Office or maybe the AMA. The plantar wart gets it’s name from the medical anatomy term for the bottom of your foot. That’s way too easy and lacks all imagination. Since my wart is unique and only occurs in a specific place, I’m renaming it.

From here on out, any wart that appears on the end of your fourth toe on your right foot shall now be known as a “Runner’s Wart”. Thank you and goodnight – don’t forget to tip your podiatrist!!!

RMFR

I just received my Running Times magazine today. Not having time to read it cover to cover yet I just skimmed thru the pages. Being a runner and working in advertising, one page just jumped out of the magazine. It just so happens to be an ad for my new Pearl Izumi SyncroFloatIII (no this is not another shameless plug) and the subject of the ad? URINE. To non-runners the pure mention of urine is probably vial and has no place being in an ad. For a runner on the other hand urine has a lot of meaning. It’s our hydration guide and this ad is has a lot of meaning for runners.

Just thought it was funny when I showed it to my wife and she rolled her eyes. Absolutely something I had to share in a running blog.

RMFR

Now if you’re under 4′ tall and still believe in Santa Claus, this is a no brainer. But as I get ready for the Red Rock Marathon and 1/2 Marathon tomorrow morning – this one is a toss up. Let’s make our list and check it twice shall we?

CE: There are months of preparation - buying presents, making travel arrangements, planning menus, etc.

RE: There are months of preparation - logging miles, eating right, cross-training, etc.

CE: Christmas eve day is all about getting ready for Christmas day. After the kids go to sleep, you lay out presents, pack the stockings with trinkets and try to get to sleep early knowing you’ll be woken at the crack of dawn hoping you don’t forget anything.

RE: Race day eve you pick up your bid and timing chip and getting your last nutrients in your body. You spend the rest of the night laying out your clothes, attaching your bid and chip and hoping you don’t forget anything.

CE: You lay in bed visualizing what your kids are going to do after opening up the latest high priced gadget or your spouse unwrapping that “special something”.

RE: You lay in bed visualizing your race. Are you heading out strong or holding back? When are you tearing open your first gel and do you drink at the first water station or wait until the second?

CE: You wake up early and hope to get enough energy to make it thru the next half hour of flying paper, hugs and smiles.

RE: You wake up early and hope you’ll have enough time to digest your breakfast. The next half hour is full of stretching, smiles and anticipation.

HERE’S WHERE THE SIMILARITIES END!!!

CE: After cleaning up and eating breakfast, you lay on your ass – exhausted.

RE: After toeing the line, you run your ass off until crossing the finish line - exhilarated.

Now this is a running blog and my head says that Race Eve takes this by at least 13.1 miles. My heart on the other hand cherishes my family and nothing can replace a hug or a smile. To be fair, let’s call this one a wash!!!

RMFR

I get crap for having a Facebook account. My wife and I constantly discuss how much it drives us nuts getting tons of emails and knowing what are daughter is up to in college. Even though there are negatives, I’ve found it very cool to connect with others. Old high school buddies, college friends and most of all…other fellow runners.

I found a really cool group on Facebook – Marathon Runners – We do 26.2 and have found some really great topics. One of the best discussions in this group is a play on David Letterman’s Top Ten List. As of 03/03/09, that list is at 373 and counting. For those of you who aren’t on Facebook or don’t want to join the group, I wanted to share some of these thoughts from fellow runners. If you’re into running, these will hit close to home.

You know you’re a Marathoner when:

- You really don’t “mind” the smell of icy hot.

- You don’t think twice about a beer at 10:00 am because you just finished a marathon.

- You have more running shoes than most women have dress shoes.

- You’re tired of explaining to people that yes the marathon YOU ran was 26.2 miles, that in fact they all are that far.

- 25 songs on your ipod probably won’t be enough for your normal runs.

- You drop off water bottles on your coarse before a run.

- You take vacations based on where you want to run next.

- It’s not shocking to you to see a good number of people peeing just about anywhere during a race.

- You think it’s perfectly normal to discuss the color of your urine with people that are not doctors nor members of your family.

- You’ve ran more of your local roads than you’ve driven in your car.

- Bloody Nipples are something you earn, not a punk band.

- When you shower after a long run you brace for the water hitting all the chafed areas.

- You know the exact mileage to different places around your neighborhood cause you pass them on your run.

RMFR