finding peace up on Wolf Rock....

yesterday morning i climbed up onto Wolf Rock. and, i got to thinking about old friends, and how people come and go in our lives. most of the ones that are the deepest, that teach us the most, and that last the longest are those that usually come unexpectedly. friendship, it seems, is like love. you can't go out and find it. but, when you most need it, if you're really lucky, it finds you. and thats where i'm at in my life; looking back; recalling those special folks who came and went. some for weeks, some months, some years, and some continue to this day. and each one provided some blessing in my life. all taught me something, sometimes against my will; but in recollection as time goes by, it's easy to realize why they appeared when they did. so far in my life i've learned many important lessons, but none more important than this; if you can live gently in peace, live in love - loving and letting others love you, then, things always seem to work out. sometimes just not in the time frame that we desire. i've said it before on this blog, and i'll say it again. i don't believe anyone is reading this by accident. i don't believe in coincidence. you are here to receive a loving message, and if it's meant to be, then you will give in return. either way is ok. things are happening exactly as they are supposed to. so tonight my friends, go in peace and go in love.

TSI Congrats to all 10-day Runners...

New York Self-Transcendence 10 Day (12th annual) Race
at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY
April 25 to May 5, 2007

1.02 mi, loop, 99% paved bike path
Weather: 40F to 78F, some monster rain storms with serious flooding of paths
--------------------

1. Petr Spacil, 29, Zlin, CZR 670
2. Glen Turner, 47, Louisville, CO USA 654
3. Pavel Seraz, 31, Komjatice, SLK 636
4. Trishul Cherns, 50, Middle Village, NY/ CAN 625
5. Bob Oberkehr, 52, Northvale, NJ USA 624
6. (1W) Surasa Mairer, 48, Salzburg, AUT 595
7. Vladimir Baltalsky, 35, Graz, AUT/ Ukr 566
8. Manfred Edinger, 45, Vienna, AUT 542
9. Igor Mudrik, 33, Vinnitsa, UKR 533
10. Garry Wise, 60, Yuendumu, NT, AUS 531

11. Sergey Sydenko, 34, Donetsk, UKR 531
12. Luis Rios, 59, Brooklyn, NY USA 525
13. (2W) Tatyana Jauk, 36, Graz, AUT 523
14. Christopher Muellauer, 34, Zurich, SUI 518
15. David Luljak, 51, Baltimore, MD, USA 517
16. (3W) Pratis. Khisamoutdinova, 63, RUS 507
17. (4W) Ingrid Kirschner, 41, Munich, GER 503
18. Frederick Davis III, 59, Bedford, OH USA 500
19. Zoran Marinkovic, 43, Leskovac, Serbia 493
20. (5W) Svitlana Samarina, 32, Kiev, UKR 486

21. Rastislav Ulicny, 26, Presov, SLK 481
22. (6W) Dorothea Vogeli, 43, Ettingen, SUI 478
23. Valentyn Ionov, 36, Kiev, UKR 472
24. Uwe Postler, 43, Innsbruck, AUT 472
25. (7W) Karina Ward, 31, Canberra, AUS 454

Mighty Frederick Marathon Team...ROCKS!

Congrats to Ms.Melanie Key and her "big" sister with a sweet 5:51:25;
and daddy Larry in 4:14:12; at the Frederick Marathon this past Sunday.
We are proud to consider them all "Slugs" of the highest caliber...
wishin' y'all well from Key West. Flatfoot Freddie

Slug News from Key West....

...hope all Spring-training and runs are going good for da' slugs...if ya saw message on front page, tis true; da' hitman is again di-verted. who knows when/where he'll show. in the mean-time all with TSI goes on. Rob Powell continues to send sweet messages of hope, as he preps for the RBC in Sept. joining him in that event will be Pokey Slug, Tony Creszendo, William from VA, Frank Schuetz, Gregory Calloway, Larry Macon, and Rick Beyer....so far. remember friends, we've got to cap it at 17; so if y'er interested in gettin' that black slug shirt; please get the apps in...from the far south, keyest westest; flattest foot freddie...

Slug News

From Pokey Slug
Hope all is well with you. Just wanted to drop you a few lines and update you on me and some other slug news. I ran the MtPenn Mudfest in Reading April 6th and had a complete blast. It was cold and there were some serious water crossings, but a race I will do again. Down and Durty Slug Derrick Hills finished Bull Run over the weekend with a time of 11:30ish. He ran with James Moore for a bit and also with John Straub.
In Other News
The RBC 50K is well on track. Plans are being made, the governor has been notified, and of course John Clark will not show up.
Hope you all are enjoying your spring racing seasons.
Hope to hear from ya soon.
John.

Team Slug Tribute to USAF SMSgt (Ret) Steve "The Real Steve" Boudreaux

lotsa slug fat-butts (courtesy of u.r.magazine).......

the new ultrarunning magazine arrived in the mail this weekend. i enjoy it every month, but i always particularly look forward to the march edition. it has the national fat ass results, including our own fattest butt edition. but more than that i enjoy looking through other results to try to find wayward slugs, and i am seldom disappointed. first off, our heartiest congrats to da' muddstomper hisself, mr douglass bartocci; who finished the mid-hudson fat ass in staatsburg, new york on january 7th in a fine 7:03. that's sweet. and also to the slug king; rob powell who won the cleveland fat ass 50k in 5 hours flat. in the same event mr. don baun took second in 5:30. not to be outdone ms angela ivory finished two (i hope i'm not missing any); on dec 30th in huntsville in 8:09, and one week later in atlanta in 7:17. no doubt there were many other slug fat-ass finishers this yr, and no doubt i'll hear about it :) and, that's the way it should be; still friends after all these years. special thanks to ur magazine (don allison) for posting full results and nice article on da' slugs.

Peyton Manning has NOTHING on Ms. Angela!

i watched the super bowl like another estimated 89.99 million world citizens. and, while some people say they read playboy for the articles (not me!), i really do watch the super bowl for the commercials. nothing against the athletes, no doubt, they work very hard to achieve that level of success. however, not even peyton himself could have worked any harder than my fellow slug, dear friend, and one of my personal heroes, miss angela ivory of nashville, tennessee. i had the good fortune to meet her back in october at the rbc50k here in the first state. she toed the line with da' slugs, and proved highly slugworthy, and a genuinely kind and humble human being. a month later the december 2006 running journal (www.running.net) arrived in my mailbox; and who to my wondering eyes should appear (on the cover) than one of our newest sluggos. yes, ms angela herself appeared in full stride. and, on page 12 the magazine profiles her wonderfully. it seems ms angela (Vanderbilt '90) is quite the accomplished endurance athlete. in fact, on january 8th, 2006, on her birthday in newport beach, california; she completed her goal of finishing a marathon in each of the 50 states and d.c. most folks would consider that accomplishment enough. but not ms. angela. rather she decided to pursue an ultramarathon in each of the states. she is a tough human being. oh, i forgot to mention; ms. angela also had to fight her way through chemotherapy, after diagnoses of the big C, and removal of 22 lymph nodes. the author of the article dallas smith says, "Chemo is tough, right? Tougher than the Tour de France, Lance said." so my friend, ms angela runs on. a true life hero. all this week, and for months to come, people all over the world will be admiring peyton and the colts. not me, i choose angela. she is an inspiration; and i am thankful to consider her a fellow slug and friend. happy days, da' hitman

Slugs in the news...

congrats to U.S. Navy pilot, Lt. Commander Rick Ryan, for accomplishing his one-year goal of raising over $35,000 for the families of those military members wounded and killed in the middle east. Rick did this by completing 30 marathon/ultra events in 2006. tsi was blessed to have him here for his twenty-sixth event at the russell b. cheney 50k in the fall. at the Slug event Rick ran in memory of LCPL Cory Palmer, LCPL Richard Chad Clifton, and LCPL Richard Z. James, three of the seven Delaware Marines who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rick is still accepting donations for service members at marathonsforhope.org. Rick was also profiled on page 22 of the March 2007 Runner's World.

One Mister Phillip Hester.....

.....is the proud owner of a brand-new Slug name; conferred by "Pokey-Slug" herself...and she writes, " As the RD for the Fattest Butt and self-proclaimed most wonderful Slug namer in da' history of Slugdom, I, with the blessings of all slugs NEW and OLD, hereby declare you "Sir Sweet Cheeks." Use your name wisely....any un-sweetcheek behavior could result in immediate revocation of said name, and you will be unceremoniously rendered, 'Sir DooDoo Shoe'. " So heartiest of Congrats; brother phil; it is an honor to share da' trails with ya.... happiest of da' days forever, flattest foot freddie, suckin' SUN AND SUDS in key west.....

Congrats Dirt Diva on HURT 100K Finish!!!

TSI sends heartiest congrats to Catra, and all finisher's at the HURT 100 this weekend in Hawaii. The Dirt Diva continues to motivate and inspire all da' slugs. No doubt, she'll soon post a report on her blog (link on Slug homesite); which will be full of wonder and delight; and, will make me personally want to go outside and run. Thanks Catra!!! Also today; Brother Claude, TSI Hall of Fame 1993, posted the race application for the 2007 Crowder's Mountain Run in Gastonia, North Carolina. Please read the disclaimer carefully; "RFH/Team Slug reserves the right to refuse anyone who they don't like from running in this race. You know who you are. If you are offended by this application then you are too sensitive to run this course. It will probably be cold, raining, snowing, or something and you will probably fall. People fall and are killed yearly at Crowders. Usually it is a drunk trying to fly like Superman off one of the cliffs. I release all of those involved in the race from liability. I have been informed not to complain about the hills." Sluggos be careful, ultra-super-secret-society THE Slugs From Hell lose a couple of members a year down there. If this madness continues, who'll still be alive to buy da' beer. any-who; happiest of days, mr.clean.

Please send ALL POSITIVE VIBES Far West....

....as Catra and friends challenge H.U.R.T. (See link on TSI front page.) Here in the East planning has already begun for the 2007 RBC50K; now just 258 days away! The trail is currently under construction, and while the sleek, wooden handrails have failed to materialize; flattest foot freddie was down at da' guvner's house yesterday for a hoedown (beer and wings). Seems the guv agreed to allow TSI to erect a large butter carving of old john clark hisself out at the trailhead. So we're bringing in world-renowned dairy creamer Nikolov Aemilius, of Sofia, Bulgaria to begin the job. Chief Slug has agreed to trade two cases of Pete's Wicked Ale, and a half-dozen t-shirts for the butter. Which is all fine and dandy, 'cept this year da' hitmans chili will have to go. Rather we're bringing in about 15,000 ears of corn. That should satisfy demand. Of course all rules are subject to change! Hope all da' slugs, and all friends, all over the world are enjoying this beautiful saturday morning. happiest of days, mister clean.

Congrats to TSI's 2007 Fattest Butt Finishers!

Another Fat Butt in da' books old friends. Congrats to all who toed the line this morning in the Central Flats of Delaware. An unseasonably warm 73 degrees challenged the runners, and all responded with incredible efforts. A.J. Johnson of NJ, Jason Cooper of TN, and Ryan Carter of DC shared the win in 4:42:05. Top female in her ultra-debut was Katie Ka of PA. Crazy Horse went to Jason Mattis of PA in 7:11:46. A full report will be posted to www.teamslug.com in the next two days. happy trails, flatfoot freddie.

fattest butt eve...my favorite night of the year :)

from our fearless race director, the most-pokey slug, "hey, the guidedogs are ready and the blind squirrels are on their worst behavior, ready for tomorrow; see all in the a.m." and from the national weather service (and, i'm not making this up), "highs in the lower 70's." bring da' sunscreen, it's gonna get hott. finally, good news from ms katy and hubby. day do expect to be's here. happy days, flattest foot freddie.

I know it's 268 days away; but.....

...da' King Slug has been named FIRST OFFICIAL ENTRANT into the 2007 Russell B. Cheney 50K non-event here in the Central Plains of Delaware. Dat's right...one mister rob powell has chosen to preside over the Great State of Ohio, and all its Slugs. Congrats, bro. The Final Countdown is on for 2007 Fattest Butt....everyone take a deep breath :) happy days, da' hitman.

Happy New Year Slugs!!!

sluggos and future sluggos! the year is off to a great start here in the first state. sixty-five degrees and pouring rain most of the day. received a note today from eugene bruckert of illinois. he is the 22nd, and probably final victim into the 2007 fat butt field. to get in now will require a personal note from big bertha, and as bad as she's missing john clark; it ain't likely she'll write you one. final preparations are nearing completion; official tsi slug-shirts are in for all first-time sluggos, and official 2007 finisher's awards for current slugs will be picked up by wednesday. the course is receiving it's final comb-down, with bright orange markers and glow lights planted approximately every twelve yards. handrails are expected to be installed by friday afternoon --- barring any foul weather. we've never lost anyone yet, but in 1996 wrongway charlie became disoriented and ran all the way back to the maryland line. not this year! this year we will have a perfect non-event. fresh pondwater is being boiled, and two week old bread is being bargained for down at the local food shelter. remember, ya go over seven hours; you receive EXTRA CREDIT. see ya on saturday!

Ho Ho Ho; Merry Christmas, One and All !!!

Now i realize that y'er Sluggo's and probably weren't too good this year; which means Santa may have left ya' coal, instead of a new pair of Brooks Beasts. Any-who relax, and repent; try harder in 2007. And, what better way to start than another Fat Butt. We currently have 21 confirmed entrants, but if ya just feelin' that ya need that black shirt, shoot us a request for entry; no doubt not all of the confirmed entrants will be sobered up by January 6th. In all sincerity; i have received confirmation that da'hitman hisself will be present for fattest butt. no word yet on john d. clark. keep yer fingers crossed. finally, for me-self, the tsi executive board, AND all sluggos everywhere; THANKS for the beautiful memories, and loving friendships. SLUGS ROCK! happy days, flatfoot freddie.

fattest butt gets plumper by da' week!

ok, dr. hitman turned up; seems he ordered one of d'ose on-line clergy certificates, and he's been down in tallahassee marryin' drunkard college students at $25 a pop to pay for seventy-five cases of new orleans' finest voodoo blackened lager. and, you can be sure he's up to no good with that much swamp juice. but, he did promise to be here in january; and, the tsi 2007 fattest butt registration continues with the next four official entrants confirmed; jason mattis, phillip hesser, rich kruse, and miguel gomez. welcome one and all. the field continues to shape up nicely, and slug trinkets have been "officially ordered." soon we will add more names to the lifetime slug list, and friends, if you are still running; you may continue to avoid the wrath of the the famous black slug-shirt; but, sooner or later, if ya don't quit; you'll be joining us in the slug kingdom. hey, it ain't so bad being slow! from the warm and sunny eastern seaboard, flattest foot freddie.

Smith/Laundry smoke da' SC Fat Ass!!!

Congrats to the latest two 2007 fattest butt entrants, and potential Lifetime Slugs; Chuck Donaway and Mark Kuo. Also, congrats to Brother Claude and the Runners From Hell for the highly successful SC Fat Ass 50K held this past Sunday in Lancaster, SC. Claude reports nine finishers with first male and female finishing in a dead heat. Stuart Smith and Susan Landry of Pennsylvania finished together in 4:33:35. What a great run, and no doubt a great time down south yesterday. Hope each of ya have your Christmas shopping done! Itsa comin'. The fattest butt is also creeping closer and closer, and surely; da hitman will be here. Race day mis-information will be posted the week between the holidays. happy days, flatfoot freddie.

freeze warning in florida tonight!

ok...that's not why i'm writing, but if you're anywhere from gainesville, north; ya better bring in the plants tonight. next three victims, errr, participants; for the 2007 team slug fattest butt 50k in january are; matthew hernberger, derek hills (returning for more funn), and ravi gooneratne. race director for this non-event will be amanda bundek. we're now just over a month out, and very excited about this run. new handrails are currently being installed, along with some heated astro-turf. remember, guide dogs are allowed at all slug events; and extra credit is provided for those who take longer than seven hours to finish. a couple of days after christmas i'll send out a detailed rules sheet. of course, it'll be mostly empty. for all you folks up north tonight; i wish you warm tidings of great joy. from keyest west, da' flattest foot freddie....