the human race

Ok, here's how it's going to work:

On August 31st, Nike is holding the first global 10 kilometer race in 25 major cities around the world (Paris, Rome, Sao Paulo, Singapore, New York, Vancouver, etc.), to benefit the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the UN Refugee Agency, and Livestrong, with the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Their goal? Raise awareness, pimp their Nike+ system, and kick off a killer annual event. One million runners for 6.2 miles, on one day. Obviously since 40,000 participants per city is an impossibility (even the New York City Marathon cuts off at 37,000), runners not near an official city can still simultaneously participate wherever they are by running through their Nike+ system, and uploading their run by the end of the day.

All runners--those participating in an official race city, and those running on their own, still follow the same registration process (race city participants pay to register, but receive a race day packet):

Select your charity and your location...

...put together your race profile, and pledge a donation if you so choose...

...and start training, if you haven't already. The race site offers a plethora of options--compete against friends, in a pool against other countries (US vs. China), see who's fastest with which genre of music (rap vs. pop), or just use the site as a personal trainer as the race date grows closer and closer. You can even score the official race day gear that runners from race cities will be receiving in their packets.

The last step is to set up your own route. My Human Race will start along the Asahi River, cut through downtown Okayama City, swing around Momotaro Stadium, blow past the University of Okayama, then finish with a sprint up Handa Mountain--effectively combining all my regular short routes from the past year and a half, in one 40 minute fell swoop.

I'm running in Japan, for the United States (against China), and I've got friends and challengers in Brazil, and France, and I don't intend to lose.
Where are you running on the 31st?

Still on the run

Since a particularly exhausting bout with growing pains in my college freshman year, I've been running to stave off stress, and stay in shape. Far slower than someone who does it as means to bring home the reduced-fat bacon, but leagues faster than the average fitness aficionado or weekend warrior, it's become one of those hobbies that often manifests itself as more than just a hobby.
In the past, I've posted a few useless strategies I regularly employ to get into consistent exercise patterns (along with my love for getting high on endorphines). But I couldn't ever step out the door without first being properly equipped, so this time, I'd like to show you how I gear up. Seeing as I already have an entire closet full of wicking shirts, compression tights, and windbreakers for every temperature, let's assume we're all running in regular gym shorts and a tee shirt, and just focus on the gear that enhances the simple act of feet in perfect rhythm, striking pavement.

1. Shoes. The condition of your feet will ultimately determine how often you go out, or stay in, so I can't stress enough how important it is to not go running in your mother's old basketball shoes.
I recently cashed in 500 miles on a pair of Nike+ equipped Shox, then started running on a pair of Nike Air Zoom Katanas. As close to wearing wings as I've ever been, it's critical for me to find shoes that don't impede my stride, stress my lower back, or give me blisters.
I barely know they're there.

2. Second generation iPod Nano. My perfect running partner; portable, light, versatile, moisture resistant, and always just a little bit faster than me. Apple has other crappy iterations of the Nano, but for running, the second-gen is ideal. Rather than list the million reasons why I'll never replace it, you'll just have to take me on my word--that this is the last mp3 player you'll ever need for exercise.

3. If you've spent more than nine dollars on exercise headphones, you're a moron. They should be simple; clean and clear, sweat resistant, and conveniently hook on your t-shirt when not in use. I've been using this same model without fail for something like six years. 'Simple,' simply does what it's supposed to do without screwing you over. Simple is best, people.

4. Twice a week, small running weights like these are great when you want your cardio run to wipe the pavement with your dragging ass. No need to overdo on size--I prefer a higher exertion combined with a lighter load (two 3 pounders), rather than running soft on too much weight. Bigger yield on overall performance in the end. The proper outcome burns more calories and helps tighten your arms and upper body. 6 extra pounds may not seem like much on paper, but try holding pace over a mile with them. Then we'll talk.

5. Two words: power song.
The Nike+ system completely changed the way I run. Part running partner, part training coach, and part motivational influence, it's become as integral to each run as my shoes themselves. When used in conjunction with the Nike+ website, you can compete in worldwide events, map out routes, and set goals. But if that's too much, you can just use it as a stopwatch/pedometer that plays Journey. Or Fall Out Boy. Most importantly though, it just forced me outside on days I didn't want to go, and made the days I did go out a hell of a lot more enjoyable. An added bonus, the internal female voice that tracks my progress and reports my times is downright sexy.

However, if you're balking at committing to a new pair of special shoes just to fit the sport kit transmitter, but you already have a Nano, then spring for a Lacelid instead--the $5 solution that will work just as flawlessly on a pair of Asics, as it will on your mother's old basketball shoes.

6. Released back in November, is the last piece of function to my system. Admittedly, while the Nike Amp+ remote was most valuable during last winter's cold weather when my iPod stayed tucked beneath multiple layers, it still provides quick, no-look access to pace times, volume, and song selection without having to fumble through a sweaty pocket mid-stride. Plus, it looks pretty sweet as a standalone timepiece.

All in all though, just as you have to figure out your body and find your own pace and rhythm, gathering gear that works best for you, and fine-tuning your own personal system (be it a playlist, a stretching routine, a certain running route, etc) is what helps make running so rewarding, and ultimately, worth doing.

"I will run the streets and hostile lands
I will touch the rain with all I have
I will breathe the air, just scream it loud
My feet will never touch the ground..."

Fated to pretend

If you happen to have iTunes, check out the free single of the week from MGMT. Now, I typically have an extremely low tolerance for electronica--a genre that manages to be even less appetizing than a beehive in your soup de jour. Especially during this miraculous crappy week, during which I've had an extremely low tolerance for pretty much everything that walks, talks, or just sits there and stares.

Pertaining to the lyrics between soft electronic pop sensibilities of the single, I'd just like to say that while I don't advocate flying to Paris to shoot heroin, it might be worth going to Paris to watch people shoot heroin. You know, just for teh lulz. And the baguettes.

Get it while it's hot.

The DI's Ten Rules to Keeping With Your Goals

Read my other top ten if you just started running. If you're already in the trenches though, use the following to keep your fanny from going soft:

10. Thou shalt remember that the first three workouts are fun. The next three are hell, and from then on, it will be an "invigorating drag."

9. Thou shalt exercise no fewer than three times per week. Any less, and you are a failure.

8. Thou shalt run where people can see you. For 30 minutes, 5 times a week, you're high on endorphines and they're not. Lazy assholes.

7. Thou shalt embrace your iPod as a close friend, and training partner. It may make you look like a douchebag in the grocery store, but it will save your life in the final 400 meters.

6. Thou shalt make a plan. Whether it's to run 5 miles without stopping, or to just get out five times a week, you have to give yourself something to work toward. Let me repeat myself. Thou shalt make a plan. I cannot stress enough, how important this is.

5. Thou shalt never assume that running two days in a row makes you exempt for three.
Stop being such an underachieving twat.

4. Thou shalt alter your routine. You cannot expect to continue developing results by spending three weeks on the same route, going the same distance, and performing the same reps. Your body will quickly adapt to the predictability, and find ways to cut corners.

3. Thou shalt lie to your body. Plan to run 2 miles, get dressed, stretch, and run three. If your brain expects the "next power line" to be the finish, run five more.

2. Thou shalt not use analogies referring to or containing the seizing of "the day", "bulls" and/or "horns" in vain. These are serious expressions, and not to be carelessly exploited for your pitiful and temporary motivation.

1. Thou shalt overcome temptation. The single hardest part of any workout is lacing up your shoes. Double those knots, and get your lazy arse out the front door.