The Daytona Blues

Central Florida is fickle this time of year. We spent the entire week sunning and enjoying low to mid 80's, including a beautiful day with Shamu at Seaworld; before race day saw a literal cumulus cloud descend to sea level onto the famous oval and spit coldly at us all day. Still the race went on, without interruption, and it was a good one. Our man, Jr had a good day finishing 8th and leading the most laps. For complete story www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com . While the despised jj won; it did come with a lot of controversy and that made for a nice day. I hope each of you are running well, and enjoying great health, as we enter the spring racing season. Happy days, john.

The Barkley Full?

What a wonderful winter season we've had on the East Coast. Mild and dry, and perfect for running. Is winter over this year? Don't think so; and coastal Delaware is forecast to receive it's first substantial snowfall of the season this weekend. There's also lots going on in the world of endurance running. If you get a chance check out the March issue of Runner's World at www.runnersworld.com for an enlightening look at depression. A very courageous human being, and great ultrarunner, Lisa Smith-Batchen shares her story beginning on page 68. Also, lots of talk on the ultra-list about Barkley, the world-famous 100-mile race in the hills of East Tennessee. From Matt Mahoney in Florida, " Here is what I know about the Barkley. It was announced yesterday that permission was obtained to hold the race. Some sections had to be given up, so it is a new course. I do not know what the course will be. It will be kept secret until we arrive at Frozen Head. What I do know is there is a new climb of 1840 ft. in 0.97 mile, that each of the five 20-mile loops will have 11,040 ft. of climb (up from 10,000), and we will get our feet wet. The race is already full and there is a long waiting list. For those who don't know about the Barkley. The entry procedure is not published anywhere. The race director goes by a pseudonym. The starting date is furnished with your acceptance. The starting time is announced by conch shell one hour before the start." Many of you are aware of my personal Barkley experience in 1995. I was not only highly un-successful, but was basically squished like a bug. And, as much as i admire Mr. Cantrell, and am fascinated by the idea of crawling through Frozen Head; I just can't bring myself to ever go "out there" again. If you want information on the Barkley, please, please do not contact me. After 11 years it still hurts to think about it :) happy days, john

A Great Day to be Alive!

January 2006 nears the end. What a terrific running month it's been; starting with Fattest Butt on New Year's Day, and the past couple of weekends at Killens with our newest Slug-recruit. The weather has certainly cooperated here in the mid-Atlantic, but it seems there's more to it than that. Suddenly life seems a bit more fresh, and more folks are closer to the old Slug ideal than ever before. It's all about friendship, and sharing your life, being kind, and discovering who you are; accepting it, and being as happy as you can. I have the good fortune to hear from my old & honorary California Slug-bud, Ms. Catra regularly. Today, i want to share an excerpt from her most recent letter/adventure....... Catra says, " I spent a couple of days alone training on Mt. Diablo in the (San Francisco) Bay Area. I got a good 15 mile training run in on Friday....it was super cold Friday night so I decided not to set up the tent; rather I slept in the warm van. It was super foggy and drizzly on Saturday. I ran a good 28 miles. I felt so alone and saw only three other people all day. It was wet, cold, and windy. I couldn't complain. I could only be happy that I was alive and healthy. I forget sometimes how special I am. I can run and travel and do everything I love to do. I see the beauty of the wilderness and explore the trails with my body and mind. We should all stop and think for a moment just how special and lucky we are. We are alive. Be thankful :)" Catra always makes me think, and keeps me grounded in my life. We should all stop for a moment, and remember just how lucky we are. Yes, this is going to be a good year----one day & one moment at a time. happy days, john.

Sixty degrees in January (in Delaware)?

My third good running week of '06 is coming to an end. The weather has been eerily cooperating with the past two days at 60 degrees. Though this incredible warm spell will have to end....we're now only three weeks from TSI's Annual Daytona Spring Training; and greatly looking forward to the break. Today's run at Killen's I enjoyed the company of Ms. Mandy, a Dover native, who's preparing for her first ultramarathon this September at the Russell B. Cheney 50K. She's in the beginning stages of her training but is very physically and mentally strong, athletic, and capable of completing the fall ultra here in the First State and gaining Slug-status. Like all da' Slug's she is a very nice person, and fun to talk to and run with. In her short twenty-seven years she's gained a world of experience, and accomplishments. Thanks for coming out Ms. Mandy, and welcome to what will be a challenging, but rewarding year of training. I hope all friends are doing fantastic this month, and are getting ready for the Spring/Summer (ultra)marathon season. Happy Trails, John.

"The Animal" heading to the ROK!

I'm spending my final weekend with my slug-brother Justin "The Animal" Jones out on the treacherous trails of Central Delaware. The past two years chasing him on long runs have helped me stay focused and motivated to keep moving. We've had a lot of good times --- at Philly with the Swamp Rocket; and with the Trail Dawgs where Justin "earned" a river rock for slu-ogging with me for over 9 (nine) hours. We shared the Honorary Crazy Horse Award that day. Running and Life, don't get no ---pardon the WV, in honor of Justin, English--- better than that. This morning at the top-secret Main Slug Compound & Training Grounds the Dover Post came out to interview us for a story appearing in the local paper about TSI. I'll provide a link on site when available. Justin reports to Kunsan Air Base in the Republic of (South) Korea on 10 Feb. Coincidentally, and i enjoyed chiding him about it this morning, that is the same date on which I report to Daytona Beach for Spring Training. See, getting older does have its benefits. Happy Trails Slugs.

'06 Off to a Great Start!

The year is off to a great start with the Fattest Butt, see report on site, and Daytona Spring Ultra-training just over a month away. Many thanks over the past several months to all my Slugg-budds and other friends for the kind e-mails and phone calls. Many of you are aware of my serious health issues late last summer and into the fall. The physical struggle changed my life, and completely blew my JFK plans off course. But every day i feel just a bit better; and I fully intend to make a complete recovery. Many personal changes are brewing as i prepare to retire from the military after 21 years. I am ready. Running goals this year are The Big Butt (RFH 50K in SC in July), and then JFK in November as I chase my fifth finish. I will mix in some marathons in the meantime, and maybe a 50K or two. Also, Team Slug continues to enjoy success. The site finished '05 with 22,600 hits. Thanks for all the support. While it's true that TSI is not your typical running club (not an actual organized group); it continues to serve it's purpose of spreading kindness, friendship, and running accomplishments; and further providing a forum & opportunity for those interested in joining our community of long-distance affecionados. I wish each of you health and prosperity in the coming year and always. happy days, john.

Fattest Butt Won by Bursler, Koch, and Callahan

Happy New Year's to all the Slugs, and all our friends. The 16th Annual TSI Fattest Butt was held this morning on some of Central Delaware's finest trails. The weather was gorgeous with temps rising to 46 degrees, and a beautiful party cloudy & mostly sunny day. The event was absolutely successful with 11 starters and 11 finishers. Ms. Gloria Callahan repeated and kept the women's title in 7:15, while Dave Bursler and Rainer Koch paced the men with a solid 4:48. The Crazy Horse Award was won by Douglas Bartocci in 8:13. A full report will be posted on www.teamslug.com within the next 2 days.

Good News Travels Fast.....

Slugs...awesome news...it's raining in Delaware; and kind of hard. That means the trail may be getting a "bit" messy; and TSI's long tradition of Slowww 50k's will continue. We have had the Pennsylvania contingent drop---they came to their "senses" and are steering clear of da Slugs. But, we still have 10 due into central DE on Sunday morning the First day of the New Year. Current entrants are: justin jones (west"by,God"va), mark vukovich (va beach), mark crisman (md), gloria & kevin callahan (va), wide-bottom bill schwartz(ct), da' mudd-stomper(ny), phillip hesser(md), dave b(de), and mr.Koch (germany). happy days, john.

Fattest Butt in Six Days!

The short countdown is on. Team Slug's 16th Fattest Butt will be held in just less than one week. The weather in the mid-Atlantic has been unseasonable mild, and the ridiculously easy course is only getting better ---as the ice and snow melts completely off. Mudd will be minimal. Highs should be in the mid to upper-40's with chance of rain near 50%. The extended local forecast link is posted right on the TSI homepage. We are right at the 15 runner limit of confirmed entrants. I will be sending out the final e-mail instruction to all confirmed by this Wednesday. I hope each of you had a terrific Christmas. Happy Days, john.

Merry Christmas to the Slugs & All Friends

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you all. We've been blessed to share another year of friendship, and running. Whether tonight you're reading this from Japan, Spain, California, or anywhere in between, I pray that you are warm, safe, and enjoying health while sharing this season with your family and friends. My family and I are here at home for the holidays in the Western Hills of Maryland, USA, and while we have plenty of snow on the ground, the temps have been mild for a couple of days and we've enjoyed bright sunshine. Please know that I appreciate every single friend, every single day. Today and always; remember, as R.Bach so wisely said, "Meeting again after moments, or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends." God bless you---and see ya soon! John.

Europe sending potential Slug?

While TSI has lotsa Asian Slugs ; we in the Slug-World are blessed to have our first German Entrant. Mr. Rainer Koch, of Dettelbach, Germany will make a guest appearance at the Fattest Butt Run on NYD. While he may be FAST....he will be up against 2 (two) major problems. First, Da' Hitman does not allow folks to run under 4 (four) hours for 50k...and second the FIRST STATE's Premiere Ultra-Runner will be here to Win! Yes, he will face Mr. Bursler, recent winner of the First State's first-ever 100-mile run (see story on race report's page). "Life is good...but getting better." ---borrowed from akabill in hawaii. happy days, john.

First Official Entrant --- RBC 50K on Sept 30, 2006

Mark this date!!!...Edward Carlson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; today becomes the first official entrant in the Russell B. Cheney 50K & Birthday Celebration to be held on Sept 30, 2006 here in the First State. Sir Edward is indeed the defending champion of Fall Slug event, and no doubt, will be anxious to retain that title. Now, just 12 days from Fattest Butt; and I am very excited about this race. We have a good field coming into Central Delaware, and weather is projected to be mild 10-12 days out. We also have potentially the largest starting Slug Fatt Butt in history with 14 runners registered. In 1993, we registered 14 also, but an aid station volunteer---Fabulous Flyin' Phil---jumped into the race, and finished just ahead of the 0-dark thirty cutoff....for a total of 15 finishers. OK all you Slugs.....Keep your fingers/toes crossed. happy days, john.

The Delaware 100-Mile Run

I'm just back from the First-Ever in the First-State; 100-Mile Run! What a cold and exciting evening. A beautiful, full and orange moon filled a clear 26 degree night in Newark. Seven starters braved the event; toeing the line; finisher's times/miles are not available yet. The event was won by Dave Bursler and the race-directed by Carl Camp. A full story will appear at www.teamslug.com within a few days. Initial thoughts are---thanks to the rd, runners, and volunteers---and, wow; i'm ready to run! Happy days, John

Welcome to the Team Slug blog.

The team continues to enjoy relative success in our sport. And by success, I mean we are still here. Continuously fielding events since 1990. We have sponsored events in Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Korea, and Delaware with hundreds of total finishers. The one commonality is that each "Official Slug Finisher" becomes a Slug for lifetime, and, if they are "honorable" they receive an Official Team Slug T-Shirt. Our most recent event, The John Clark 50K in October 2005, saw 10 (ten) finishers. That is a moderate field for a Slug event, and throughout the years the numbers have been as small as 4; or as large as 15. We cap the events at 15 entrants, but will be making an exception for next fall's, Russell B. Cheney 50K. We're combining it with his birthday, and yes rbc will be here; with a few friends from California. I'll try to keep this blog current; and look forward to sharing a trail with each of you very soon. Happy Days, John.