Alberto Contador, Tour De France Winner, Tested Positive for Banned Steroids...

...I knew it, I never liked this guy. His arrogance and boisterous attitude would always lead to his eventual demise. He has lashed out against former teammate Lance Armstrong, even when they were on the same team. His actions on Team Astana in 2009 were selfish and irresponsible. He finally got his dues.

The article including all evidence to his accusations can be found here.

Romano Martegani's Retired

Romano Martegani is a representation of the epitome of luxury. Although not displayed here in these shoes, the history and quality of this 1891 Italian shoe company is second to none. I own 4 pair of these amazing shoes, each more beautiful than the next. However, these particular shoes have seen a good bit of the world. From American to China, China to Russia, Russia to Tibet and then to Vietnam and Thailand - in that order. The acquisition of a pair of shoes by Mr. Martegani is no more effortless than seeing Frank Camalo at F. Camalo's in the oil center.

Be that as it may, these shoes have seen there last. I will be posting what they are being replaced by soon. An exquisite combo of both black and brown Marting Dingman loafers. Another note worthy fabricant de chaussures of our era.

Takashi Watanabe is at it Again...

I've been a fan of Takashi Watanabe's music for sometime. He has been the mastermind behind most of the Japanime cartoons around the world. His attention to detail and creativity is second to none. This is a brilliant video.

Premature Celebrate Goal Keeper At It Again....

Apparently Khalid Askri is getting great play from the mainstream media. Here he is again, well, being himself I suppose. Not a good season for him thus far. My U-17 squad had a similar showing this past weekend in New Orleans.

Music by Dub FX

I found this song on Fark.com, a clever website introduced to me by Pele1410. I love music and love originality. I have always enjoyed the musical postings of wilablog on bladesofblue.blogspot.com, so I thought it would be cool to do one as well. Hope you guys enjoy this street scene.

Weekend Run

I am training for the 1/2 Marathon in San Antonio in November. I am bib #577 for the race and have been a very strict run regime to accomplish a sub 2 hr half. This past sunday I ran 9.2 miles ( I was only scheduled to run 8 but my GPS was a little confused by my route I guess) and my times were as follows:

Mile 1 - 8:52
Mile 2 - 8:45
Mile 3 - 10:17 (hills)
Mile 4 - 11:38 (more hills)
Mile 5 - 10:09 (exiting hills)
Mile 6 - 11:26
Mile 7 - 10:24 (back in the hills)
Mile 8 - 7:59
Mile 9 - 8:15

I was pretty impressed with the times I posted. The unfortunate reality to this is I was in excruciating pain when I was done. Monday was a rest day and when I went out for a 5 mile run today for lunch, I made it .5 miles away and had to call someone to come get me. I my calves are so inflamed right now that it hurts to stand. I will take a couple days off and back to the grind this weekend. I will keep the run times posted as I accomplish them.

Schedule for this week is:
Monday: Rest/XT
Tuesday: 5 miles/10:30 split
Wednesday: 4 miles with 2 miles at HMP (half marathon pace) 9:09
Thursday: Rest/xt
Friday: 5 Miles/10:30
Saturday: Rest/XT
Sunday: 9 Miles 10:24 split

See you on the run.

My National D License

It's finally here. After two painfully hot and exhausting weekends under the rule of Colin Gilmartin from LSA, I have attained what I set out to achieve. I was fairly confident in my passing of this class in the beginning, but after a phone call I received from a fellow classmate whom I was confident was getting his told me he failed the National D and only received his State D, I was well concerned. Upon arrival home I opened the mail box with caution (as though an irate raccoon would jump out at me had I not). I saw the large manila envelope and thought, "well, they wouldn't put a rejection letter in an envelope that big" but my fears refused to subside. Well, it turned out ok in the end. I am an officially certified National D License Coach. I don't really know what that translates to but I can get my National C now and really improve my resume.

Guess What Happens Next?

So this guy is going to ollie his skateboard up the side of the curb, can you guess what happens next? If you guessed a moonwalking man being pushed by a truck you're doing better than me.

Teko Socks, The New Running Sock of Tomorrow...Today

About 2 months ago I purchased a pair of Teko socks as per the advice of Runner's World Magazine's best running sock of 2010. I was instantly in love. Organic, chlorine-free tekoMERINO™ wool wicks moisture. Seamless toes, arch brace, articulated Y-heel. Strike-zone cushioning in foot bed. Comfort-stretch zones. tekoMERINO™ Wool: From Argentine farms that have been practicing environmentally-sound techniques for hundreds of years. The wool is shrink resistant and dyed with non-toxic dyes. tekoPOLY™ Recycled Polyester reinforced heel and toe for durability. Content: 55% tekoMERINO Organic Wool, 28% Nylon, 16% tekoPOLY recycled polyester, 1% Lycra spandex. Anti-welt double cuff for comfort and fit, Pull tab to prevent slippage, Lycra holding rib for superior comfort and support, Reinforced toe and Y-heel for durability, Air vents for breath ability, Lycra holding rib for superior comfort and support, Light terry cushion from heel to toe.

I run an average of 4-6 miles per run in these socks and they are never sweaty or smelly. By far the best pair of socks I have ever owned, and if you think a pair of socks can't change the dynamics of a run, try these on for size and then tell me that again. But bring atleast $20 for a pair bc they are very proud of these organic habiliments.

Spider Bites & How Much They Suck

Friday night I went outside for a routine trash disposal and returned to the kitchen with a severe itch on my right foot, specifically, the second toe. I scratched for a couple of minutes before I suspected something was afoot (no pun intended). I removed my sock to find my skin leaking a clear fluid from a small red dot. I washed it with Hydrogen Peroxide and went about my evening only hours later to see my skin somewhat melting away, then eventually blistering. I went back outside to see what possibly could have caused such an outbreak. I found a web of 2 Violin Spiders, better known as Brown Recluse's. I venture I was bit by the baby spider as my bite is not indicative of a full grown Brown Recluse in which I was not hospitalized although I did see a doctor. The above photo of my toe was taken 2 hours after the bite. It's gotten worse, then better since then.

Dilbert 9/2/10

I have been a Dilbert fan and reader for many years now and there have been some hilariously funny strips, but for some reason this one tickled me the most.