Five Years...Ten Posts: Part 2

As we count down the days to The Two R's Fifth Anniversary, we continue to look back at some of my favorite posts.

Today, at number nine, we're not looking back at my favorite post...we're looking at yours. And frankly, it's not even close.

I've written about Jenn Shelton only a handful of times in the past five years, but those are some of the most popular posts ever. And the post below truly has no equal. A usual post at the R's attracts maybe 20-50 hits. A good post between 50-100. Anything over 100, I consider solid. As an example, my recent review of the Nike Pegasus 29 is rolling quickly toward 200 hits. That's a good post.

The Jenn Shelton Goes for the Title post, from June 1, 2010...has over 18,000 hits! Yes, 18,000.

Why? Well, the obvious reason is that swimsuit. There are a lot of guys out there on the interwebs, my friends...and they all enjoy a good swimsuit.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Jenn Shelton is the sweetheart of Born to Run, speaks her mind ever so clearly on her Twitter feed, and is a hell of a runner.

But yeah, it's the swimsuit.

JENN SHELTON GOES FOR THE TITLE!

Yeah, that would be the title of Oregon's Hottest Runner! Well, she won the Pear Blossom Ten Miler too, but c'mon, let's focus here!

I realize that Kara Goucher is at a bit of a disadvantage here, being pregnant and whatnot, but hey, I've got nothing against pregnant women - it's just hard when you're trying to battle against Shelton's swimsuit!

That thing has got to be homemade right? I mean...it's got pears on it! That swimsuit does bring back some bad memories of Borat, but Shelton somehow makes it work.

Bonus points for the look on the guy's face that's running beside her. I'm guessing lots of guys would have been running with her...if they could have kept up.

Go Jenn!


Thanks to RaceCenter for the photo. Which reminds me...I was supposed to talk about my new article for RaceCenter, but I got distracted. Tomorrow.

2012 Olympics - A Look Back at Track and Triathlon

Lots of amazing races and competition at the just-completed London Olympics. Let's take a quick look back:

Photo gallery of the Olympic Women's Marathon - sort of cool to see Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan lead the pack for so long

The Brownlee's roll in the Men's Olympic Triathlon - the medal winners were exactly who you expected; no upsets here

Recap of the Men's Olympic 800 - this one was fast; Solomon and Symmonds ran well, but didn't medal

Olympic Men's Marathon produces a surprise winner - Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich crashes the Kenyan party

Photo finish in the Olympic Women's Triathlon - this one was a little more open than the men's race

Photo gallery of day six at the track at the Olympics - lots of photos of Allyson Felix winning gold

Photo gallery of the Olympic Men's 1500 - Leo Manzano grabs a surprise silver with an amazing finish

Mo Farah doubles in the 5000 and 10000 - and he made it look pretty easy against strong competition

Photo gallery of Olympic Women's Triathlon - Sweden appealed for a gold tie on the photo finish, but was denied

Ashton Eaton rolls to a gold in the decathlon - Hardee takes silver for US to go 1-2

Kara Goucher in London - Running and Triathlon Links Monday!

As always, lots of news out there in the running and tri world. Read, learn, race - let's go.

Interview with Kara Goucher - the Oregon marathon superstar gets ready for London

Lake Placid Ironman results and recap - Andy Potts rolls yet again

Olympics Viewer's Guide - check out running previews from former Olympians

Photo Gallery from the last Tour de France TT - yep, bike porn...if you're into that kind of thing

Will the Olympic Marathon be hot? - history, and the crazy start time, say "yes"

A very interesting chat with four-time Olympian Hunter Kemper - he's as fast as ever...maybe this is the year for a medal

Rock n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon recap and results - two Olympian marathoners, the non-U.S. variety, take the wins

How to keep your speed while training for a marathon - I need to read this one closely

How much should you drink during your next run - it matters less than you might think

School boards banning Five Fingers shoes? - sure, why not?

Should you run at 180 steps per minute? - once again, it's probably not as important as people make it out to be

Interview with Chris Lieto - it's a little dated, but still a good read

Bradley Wiggins wins 2012 Tour de France - pretty damn easily, I might add

Ironman Hawaii pro starting spots to be handed out in a week - and here are the current standings!

Kara Goucher Running Rock 'n' Roll Portland

Hey, if you're running the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon this weekend, be on the lookout for the R's favorite Oregon runner, Kara Goucher. Goucher is using the Half as a little training run as she preps for the London Olympic marathon, so probably a 1:08 or 1:09.

On the boys' side, Oregon speedsters Ryan Bak and Sean Canaday will toe the line. Should be a good race between those two.

If you're not already in...sorry, it's sold out. But hey, head down and cheer on Oregon's fastest anyway.

Fantastic Kara photo by Dylan Coulter. Head over to his website and check out amazing shots of runners and other athletes.

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Kara Goucher Sticks With Oregon

Yay!

Oregon's sweetheart, Kara Goucher, has indeed switched coaches, but will remain in Oregon, according to her latest blog post.

So apparently many of the recent rumors about Kara's plans were just that, rumors. Kara will remain in Oregon to help keep the Northwest as the hottest hotspot for pro and amateur runners alike.

Go Kara! Go Oregon!

Kara and Meb to Pitch for Skechers Running Shoes?!?

That's the rumor anyway.

And the Skechers site for their new GOrun running shoes does indeed have a "testimonial" from Meb Keflezighi. But there's nothing on there about Kara. Yet.

It's possible, I guess, considering all the other news/rumors about Kara Goucher lately: leaving Nike, leaving Oregon, leaving Salazar.

The shoes themselves look like any other minimalist shoe that's come out in the last year. I'm sure they're fine, but I doubt they're revolutionary. Kara could still run faster than 99% of the population wearing the box the shoes came in, so it's not a huge deal either way.

Hey, Oregon still loves you Kara! Even in Skechers!

Woodstock on Wheels!

Yeah, I wish I had come up with that line, but no, it was a Hood to Coast Relay spokesperson, Jude Hubber. Which leads me to...

A new article is out! That's right - new ink, hot off the presses!

So the August/September issue of RaceCenter is now on the newsstands. Grab one before they're gone. As I've mentioned, I've got a little article in there about the Hood to Coast Relay: 30 years old this year! Wow. And I still have not done it. I need to get on that.

Check out the article in digital format here.

This is also the 2011 Women's Issue with all sorts of women-like stuff to read...and inspire...if you're a woman...I guess. What do I know? Just read it.

And it's got Kara on the cover, so that's all good.

Galen Rupp Takes the National Championship 10k!

And he does it while wearing a mask. Check out the article in the Oregonian here.

Yes, we get some serious grass pollen here in the Willamette Valley. Last weekend I did a 90 minute run on the trails in Corvallis and broke out in hives from the pollen after I got home. It can be nasty this time of year.

Anyhoo, along with Oregon Homeboy Rupp, we had Oregon Homegirls Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher go 1-2 in the Women's 10k.

Good night for Oregon no matter how you slice it.


Thanks to Thomas Boyd from the Oregonian for the great photo.

New RaceCenter Article Out!

I know, I know, the first "R" of this blog takes over for long periods of time, but the second "R" fights back every once in a while! So today, the Two R's announces the latest writerly masterpiece: No Better Time to Tri.

The new article focuses on, yes, triathlons. Mainly, beginners just getting into tris. What to work on, what to look out for, where to find help...that kind of thing. And of course, RaceCenter now comes in a very cool web version, so check it out immediately!

On the cover of the new issue is Christian Isakson of Portland, the crazy fellow who did five Ironman tris in five days in Hawaii. Yes, five Ironmans in five days.

There's also a good article on how Triathlons can literally save a life, as in the case of John Howe, who overcame drug addictions by focusing on tris, among other things.

If that doesn't do it for you, there's a trail shoe review.

Still not happy? Well, there's a big ol' photo of Kara Goucher, looking as fine as ever, just a few months after having her son. If that doesn't do it for you, then I got nothin'.

Kara Goucher is Back, Baby!

For any women out there wondering if having a baby means PR-death to your running times - nope, probably not. And we've got proof.

Oregon's own new mother, Kara Goucher, ran her first big race since she had her baby, and smoked the NYC Half Marathon course with a 1:09:03! Pow!

Nice article about her, and the other Oregon Project runners, right here.


Thanks to Photorun.net for the nice shot of Kara - who looks awesome, as usual.

I Demand Warm Weather!

Is there anything worse than living in a part of the world where all the runners are covered up in pants and jackets, not to mention hats, for most of the year?

BOOOO on clothing!

In celebration of winter, and the horrible lack of toned, runner skin that it brings, here are a few shots of Oregon's hottest runners!

You're welcome.

Jenn Shelton Goes for the Title!

Yeah, that would be the title of Oregon's Hottest Runner! Well, she won the Pear Blossom Ten Miler too, but c'mon, let's focus here!

I realize that Kara Goucher is at a bit of a disadvantage here, being pregnant and whatnot, but hey, I've got nothing against pregnant women - it's just hard when you're trying to battle against Shelton's swimsuit!

That thing has got to be homemade right? I mean...it's got pears on it! That swimsuit does bring back some bad memories of Borat, but Shelton somehow makes it work.

Bonus points for the look on the guy's face that's running beside her. I'm guessing lots of guys would have been running with her...if they could have kept up.

Go Jenn!


Thanks to RaceCenter for the photo. Which reminds me...I was supposed to talk about my new article for RaceCenter, but I got distracted. Tomorrow.

A New Contender?

Yes, there's a new contender for hottest runner...and once again, it's an Oregonian!

If you're not familiar, that's Jenn Shelton, from Ashland. She may not have the same speed as the R's other favorite Oregon runner, Kara Goucher, but the two don't often hit the same courses. Shelton is more comfortable running 50 and 100 mile ultras, although she has run marathons in the 2:50 range, so she's hardly slow at the shorter distances.

And Shelton has the attitude to go with the looks: "I started running ultras to become a better person. I thought if you could run 100 miles you'd be in this Zen state. You'd be the Buddha, bringing peace and a smile to the world. It didn't work in my case. I'm the same old punk-ass as before, but there's always hope," she told Outside magazine.

As a reference to her speed, the bikini pic came from the finish area after she won the Frederick, Virginia Marathon with a 2:53. Why the bikini? Hot, I guess. Personally, I feel it's a fashion trend other female runners should get behind.

And if any guys out there are thinking of breaking out the Speedo suits for running, please just say no.

Go Jenn!

RACES FOR WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8th TO FEBRUARY 14th

February 13th / Rotary Run 2 miler / Portland, OR

February 13th / Love 'em or Leave 'em 5k / Seattle, WA

February 13th / Matchmaker 5k / Centralia, WA

February 13th / Cupid's Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10 miler, 10k, and 5k / Rochester, WA

February 13th / Two for the Road 5k / Bellingham, WA

February 13th / Erik Anderson Memorial 4k / Spokane Valley, WA

February 14th / Valentine Fanconi Anemia 8k and 5k / Portland, OR

February 14th / You Knock My Socks Off 4 miler / Gig Harbor, WA

February 14th / Worst Day of the Year Ride (bike) / Portland, OR

What Runners Are Searching For...

Pretty much the same as everyone else on the web...hot chicks!

OK, maybe that's just the male runners out there - but please note in this very interesting article on The Biz Runner that there are lots and lots of general, generic, running terms that people are Google-ing, and one and only one actual runner...yes, it's Kara.

Apparently, I'm not the only runner out there in cyberland with a little crush on our hottest runner in Oregon. Go Kara!

Let's run!

RACES FOR WEEK OF JANUARY 18th TO JANUARY 24th

January 23rd / Freeze Your Fanny 5k / Lewiston, ID

January 23rd / Winter Predictor 13k and 6k / Eugene, OR

January 23rd / Stride Toward Freedom 5k / Salem, OR

January 23rd / No Sun Fun Run 5k / Puyallup, WA

January 23rd / Five-K Frostbite 5k / Deer Park, WA

January 24th / Vancouver Lake Half-Marathon / Vancouver, WA

Kara Goucher...

Go Kara! Um, Go Oregon...Go Running! Whatever. Go Kara!

Where were we? That's right, running, training, racing...must concentrate.

Let's run!

RACES FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 10th TO AUGUST 16th

August 14th / CATnip 5k / Sherwood, OR (Friday night run!)

August 15th / Rush Sprint and Intermediate Triathlon / Rexburg, ID

August 15th / XTERRA Portland / Forest Grove, OR

August 15th / Covey Run 10k and 5k / Woodinville, WA

August 15th / Pace of Courage 10k and 5k / Portland, OR

August 15th / Race for Literacy 5k / Bremerton, WA

August 15th / RAT Race Redmond Area Sprint Triathlon / Redmond, OR

August 15th / Bonney Lake Days 5 mile run / Bonney Lake, WA

August 15th / Tillamook Bay 10 and 5 mile Trail Runs / Tillamook, OR

August 15th / Friday Harbor 8.8k Loop Run / Friday Harbor, WA

August 15th / Beaver Lake Sprint Triathlon / Sammamish, WA

August 15th / Bridging the Gap Fundrun 10 and 5k / Tigard, OR

August 15th / Mt Hood Jazz Run 5k / Gresham, OR

August 16th / HulaMan Half-Iron Triathlon and Half-Triathlon / Hillsboro, OR

August 16th / Lake Stevens 70.3 Ironman Triathlon / Lake Stevens, WA

August 16th / Olalla Lake Swim 1500m and 800m / Newport, OR

August 16th / Law Enforcement Fun Run 2.17 miles (!?!?) / Oregon City, OR

Thanks to Nick Laham for the photo.

New ink out on the streets...

Yes, the new issue of RaceCenter is out and a certain writer has a new article therein. The article is titled "Northwest Trails Great and Small"...catchy, right? And it's about, well, trail running in the NW - who would've guessed?! So grab a copy fast and check it out; there are some nice trails listed in there. Do it quick before our amazing summer weather goes away.

So what else is in the new issue? Let's see:
-"Boom Time, Women!" I'm guessing it's about the rise, care, and feeding of the women's running boom? Not sure. Haven't read it.
-"The Couples Who Play Together..." Probably about couples that both run. And other stuff. Don't know. Haven't read it.
-"Nike Lunar Glide+ from the Inside Out" Some new Nike running shoe. Supposed to be special. Looks normal to me. Don't know why it's so special - haven't read it.

OK, OK, I know I should be reading the mag a little more carefully there, but I've got a little problem. I'm having some trouble physically opening up the magazine. I'd really rather just stare at the cover...

Yes, I've got a little crush on Kara Goucher. I'm not afraid to admit it. Those legs, that tummy, those eyes...

Sorry about that, back on track now!

So go grab your issue of RaceCenter and I'll see you out on the trails.