The Flying Monkey

I ran the The Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon in Tennessee last week as my eleventh marathon. After researching races near my friends home in Nashville, I learned about the Flying Monkey and was instantly drawn in by the race director's demented sense of humor. "Running is stupid." It's limited to 300 participants, and last year, I missed the cut off, so I volunteered at the race in 2013.

This year I made the weighted lottery and ran. It was warm for November (low 60s), but rainy and windy. However, the real pain came from the constant rolling hills. The sign at the top of the first big ascent read, "300ft climbed, 3,300 more to go." I took an enjoyable pace approach to this race. After crossing the finish line in 4:32, I had the following exchange with the race director.

ME: You were right. Running is stupid.

TRENT: Was there ever any doubt?

ME: No.

TRENT: Did you suffer out there?

ME: Yes, I did.

TRENT: Good.

Check out my run tracker to follow my progress on my 50 marathons in 50 states and the New Hampshire Compulsion.

Why Can't We?

"Our primary goal is to return them to their original base. The secondary goal is go get them out." The high school baseball team was practicing throwing runners out at the bases.

The coach simulated pitching the ball, then the catcher would react to various runners on base. On one play the catcher stood up and threw the ball to second, where the advancing runner was tagged out. It was a great play. The coach was thrilled, so thrilled he said, "Now, why can't we do that during the game?" at least three times.

I wasn't at the game when it didn't happen as planned, but I instantly pictured it going wrong. Those kids that were there saw it in vivid detail. Maybe he was using some high-level negative thinking coaching skill, but it felt more like he was just instantly reacting in the practice. Each time he repeated the phrase, I kept thinking, "Now, why can't he say that in an affirmative manner instead."

PHRASES HE COULD HAVE USED TO REINFORCE THE RIGHT BEHAVIOR:

• Now, that's how we do it.
• That's the way this team works.
• Let's do that again, so in our next game it's automatic.
• Now that you see how that works, I want you to replay this in you mind over and over again.
• Image what your folks (the fans) will think when they see that in our next game.
• PIays run with that precision create winning seasons.

How to Cook an Egg on a Stick

Twice a year my family goes camping with our homeschooling group. Prior to each of those campouts, my dad who is an avid Boy Scout leader asks if we're going to cook an egg on a stick. I usually ask why would you cook an egg on a stick when pans are available. He says the kids love it. So I finally broke down and tried cooking three eggs on a stick.