Best Written Book of All Time?

With Nanowrimo right around the corner, I've been thinking about well-written books. What it takes to plan one, what it takes to research one, and of course, what it takes to write one.

And tonight, after reading The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, I think that particular children's book may be the finest example of writing of all time.

No. I'm not kidding.

Yes. I'm completely serious.

If you don't own a copy (and shame on you!) then go ahead and check it out from the library. Bring it home. And read it.

But don't just read it; read it out loud. Read it out loud like I did when I read it for the 101st time, to my daughter, tonight. Read it out loud and feel the flow, feel the rhythm, feel the energy and the heart that's poured into it.

Then think about how you could do something just as wonderful and powerful and fantastic yourself starting on November 1st.

Imagine the lives you could touch with your writing...

"Have no fear, little fish."


Some fun facts about "The Cat in the Hat", and the word cloud, come from best-children's-books.com. Thanks!

Autumn? Really?

Man, where did the summer go? Here we are, looking at the first week of Fall races. Talk about depressing...

But there are still a few triathlons out there...don't despair! In fact, this has got to be one of the busiest weekends of the year. Don't these people know we're back in school? Look at all these races!

Let's race!

RACES FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 7th TO SEPTEMBER 12th

September 11th / Aluminum Man Olympic and Sprint Triathlon / The Dalles, OR

September 11th / Seek Justice Challenge 10k and 5k / Sammamish, WA

September 11th / Glendive Badlander 10k and 5k / Glendive, MT

September 11th / Dayton Fiesta 10k and 5k / Dayton, OR

September 11th / MAC Dash Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon / Madras, OR

September 11th / Walk, Roll 'n' Run 8k / Portland, OR

September 11th / Fairhaven Runners Waterfront 15k / Bellingham, WA

September 11th / Lake Stevens Olympic and Sprint Triathlon / Lake Stevens, WA

September 11th / Columbia Crossing 1.5 Mile Swim / Pasco, WA

September 11th / Seattle Swim Across America 2 mile and 1/2 mile swims / Seattle, WA

September 11th / Xtra Mile 11k / Vancouver, WA

September 11th / Cottage Lake Tri and Tri Again Sprint Triathlon / Woodinville, WA

September 12th / Aflac Iron Girl 10k and 5k / Seattle, WA

September 12th / Pints to Pasta 10k / Portland, OR

September 12th / Seattle Escape from the Rock Sprint Triathlon / Mercer Island, WA

September 12th / Bank to Bay 10k and 5k / Tacoma, WA

September 12th / Rotary's Max Tri to End Polio Olympic and Sprint Triathlon / Vancouver, WA

September 12th / Skagit Flats Marathon and Half-Marathon / Burlington, WA

September 12th / Tri Turtle Tri Sprint Triathlon / Seabeck, WA

September 12th / Lincoln City Sprint Triathlon / Lincoln City, OR

September 12th / Spokane Olympic Triathlon / Spokane, WA

Watch Out! Nanowrimo Is Coming!

I know, it's hard to believe, but Nanowrimo isn't very far away. And take it from me, a three-time loser, it's never too early to start preparing for Nanowrimo! You can't be trying to think of a plot on November 1st....that just doesn't cut it.

So what's new this year? I'll tell you what - the wife of the R's, um, Mrs. R, is going to try Nanowrimo this year as well. Yikes! And she's challenging me - first one to 50,000 words! Double Yikes! And she says she has a plot! Yes! A Plot! Triple Yikes!

Hmmmmm, but what are the stakes of this little challenge...

To be continued...

Well, at least I'm fast at one thing...

Fast to get out of shape, that's what.

Six weeks off to rest the quad and I feel like I've never run before in my life. My stride is off, my legs feel wacky, and I'm not quite sure what to do with my arms.

Six weeks off, twelve weeks to get back? Does that sound about right?

Yikes...that is a long way out.


Yeah, that's the first Google image under "sigh." Of course, Charles Schulz and Chuck would know how I feel.

Let's Tri It Up!

Wow, Labor Day...

Maybe the only weekend of the year that has more triathlons than straight running races...

Get your tri fix on now, 'cause it's back to school after this weekend!

Let's race!

RACES FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 30th TO SEPTEMBER 6th

September 4th / Scoggins Valley Olympic and Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon / Forest Grove, OR

September 4th / PCT Bunker to Bonneville 50k / Carson, WA

September 4th / Aaron Rogers Invitational 5k / Hillsboro. OR

September 4th / Lake Padden 10.35 Mile run / Bellingham, WA

September 4th / Umpqua Ultimate Olympic and Sprint Triathlon, Olympic Duathlon, 10k and 5k / Sutherlin, OR

September 4th / Bonney Lake Labor of Love Olympic and Sprint Triathlon / Bonney Lake, WA

September 4th / Over the Narrows 10 mile run / Gig Harbor, WA

September 4th / Titanium Man Olympic Triathlon / Richland, WA

September 5th / Eugene Women's Half-Marathon / Eugene, OR

September 5th / Steve Braun Memorial Sprint Triathlon / Orcas Island, WA

September 5th / Oregon Wine Country Half-Marthon / Carlton, OR

September 6th / Wildwood Trail Trial 10k / Portland, OR

September 6th / Super Jock 'n Jill Half Marathon / Woodinville, WA

Where's Waldo 100k Coming Up!

Yeppers, the Where's Waldo 100k is this weekend at Willamette Pass.

Unfortunately, the race is sold out. So if you're not in yet, you're not in. And 100k races aren't exactly made for spectators, but it's just so gorgeous up at the Pass...take a little trip over there, cheer on a couple runners, enjoy the sights and what should be beautiful weather...

And find another race next week.

Hood to Coast Relay Bingo!

I know, I know, I don't usually talk much about the various relay races in the NW. But it's not because I don't like them - I think they're amazingly fun. If you want to make a few new friends, ride around with five other sweaty people in a van for 24 hours straight. Trust me, you'll be friends by the end.

Anyhoo, the reason I don't talk about relays much is because relays are events that take long, careful planning. They take organization and leadership. They take teamwork and foresight.

And let's face it - that just ain't what the R's is all about.

But if you're doing Hood to Coast later this month, try out this very sweet Hood to Coast Van Bingo game from Widmer Brothers! That's good, clean fun.

Have fun out there, HTC'ers!

What do we do with Lance?

Yes, I'm a Lance Armstong supporter. Even though I'm not nearly positive that I believe everything he says about his past. But that's just it - for me anyway, it really is the past. Why he's being investigated by the US Government is beyond me. What a waste of resources. I'm not sure what wrong they're trying to correct by going after him. Do we really need to bring down a hero to millions of cancer survivors and athletes?

I realize no one is above the law, but to me, this whole chase after Armstong is ridiculous. Leave the policing to the sport's governing bodies.

What do you think?

Let's race!

RACES FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 23rd TO AUGUST 29th

August 28th / Priest Lake Sprint Triathlon and Mountain Bike Sprint Tri / Priest Lake, ID

August 28th / Hells Gate Sprint Duathlon / Lewiston, ID

August 28th / Enumclaw Poker Run / Enumclaw, WA

August 28th / Lake Sammamish Sprint Triathlon / Issaquah, WA

August 28th / Cutthroat Classic 11.1 mile run / Winthrop, WA

August 28th / Run-a-Muk 10k and 5k / Mukilteo, WA

August 28th / Run Like a Dog 5k / Olympia, WA

August 28th / Aumsville Corn Festival 5k Fun Run / Aumsville, OR

August 28th / Newcastle 5k / Newcastle, WA

August 29th / Dog Days of Summer 5k / Bellingham, WA

August 29th / Alki Beach 5k / Seattle, WA

August 29th / Lake Escape 10k and 5k / Veneta, OR

Nobody Slacks Like The R's!

I know, I know, it's been days and days since my last post. I'm not meeting your needs.

But like all slackers, I have a good excuse!

See, I've had the proverbial nose to the proverbial grindstone, knocking out a new article for RaceCenter magazine. And what would this masterpiece be about? Cyclocross, baby!

Never fear though, I wrapped up the article today, so I'll be back in the blogging saddle tomorrow.

And thank you for your patience.

Jenn Shelton, Jenn Shelton, umm, Jenn Shelton

The R's has been getting a lot of hits lately...a lot of hits.

Where are all these hits coming from, you might ask? Actually, you don't even need to; I'm asking for you!

I'll tell ya where they're coming from: Jenn Shelton, that's who!

Well, not actually from her, but you know what I mean...

See, I did a little post after Jenn Shelton won the Pear Blossom a few months back...while decked out in a resplendent swimsuit-thing.

Now, I'd like to think you're coming here for the great running, writing and tri insights. But I'm not stupid.

I'd also like to think you're coming here for updated info on the latest superstar runners of the NW. Again, not that dumb.

I'd like to believe you're not coming to the R's to check out fully-toned women in inappropriate running gear that could run you up one side of the street and down the other.

But I know you are.


Hey, thanks to Scott Winterton of the Deseret News for the photo.