Run, Longest

The Sweet Wars

2009-04-27T11:58:00.005-05:00

It's amazing how much science and marketing energy goes into creating a substance that tastes like sugar with no calories. The Showdown at the Coffee Shop is now a Sergio Leone-quality stare down.

Stevia has long been popular as a sweetener in Japan and other countries, but for years the United States Food and Drug Administration has blocked it. In 1995, after pressure from the American Herbal Products Association, a trade group, the government allowed its sale as a dietary supplement, not something that could be used as an ingredient in food. But some large food and drink manufacturers, sensing an eager audience for a sugar substitute perceived as healthier than the rest, began investing in research and lobbying the government.

Never forget what is driving the American food industry. It's not health and it's not safety. They have little interest in long-term studies of how something like Splenda or stevia might impact health over the course of many years. No, it's more about customer loyalty to pink, blue, yellow, or now green packets (brilliant!) of formulated pseudo-sugar.

Because, really, simply eating less sugar is apparently not an option! When has the food industry or government encouraged you to eat LESS of anything? That's a preposterous notion! No, eat MORE fiber. MORE fruits and vegetables. Even "eat less red meat" gets translated into "choose meats low in saturated fats." Never will the industry or government suggest that we eat LESS. Again, because HEALTH is not the driver of these decisions...the bottom line is. Eating less would hurt the bottom line even if it might help our collective waistlines.

How Much Would Legalizing Pot Help Economy?

2009-04-21T10:43:00.004-05:00

Not much. So says Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron in this NPR article.

Jeffrey Miron, a Harvard economist who has modeled and written on the economics of the marijuana market, figures state and federal taxes on cannabis sales add up to $6.7 billion annually.

And he calculates the savings from not having to enforce state and federal marijuana laws — in arrests, prosecution and incarceration — at $12.9 billion a year. Excluding additional expenses, such as the public health cost of marijuana, or the cost of administering the new law, Miron figures that legal pot creates almost a $20 billion bonus. Miron adds, however, that the people who thought the taxation of marijuana would create a windfall for government coffers will be disappointed.

"Compared to the size of most federal government agencies, compared to the tax revenue from things like alcohol and tobacco, and certainly compared to the size of deficits that we have, this is just not a major issue, it is not a panacea, it is not curing any of our significant ills," he says. "There may be good reasons to do it, but the budgetary part is not a crucial reason to do it."

NPR has been all over the marijuana question lately with commentators of all stripes as the "legalize it" crowd has gotten louder during the economic downturn. But, the argument for MJ as an economic panacea is not convincing.

A Bessie By Any Other Name

2009-02-03T12:24:00.002-06:00

The BBC reports that dairy cows with names produce more milk than unnamed cows. They also have less cortisol (a stress hormone) in their system.

BBC Video Story (<2 min long)

Is it the act of naming the cows, or is the name an indicator of farmers who care about their animals and treat them better than mass dairy farms? My Freakonomic sensors say it's the latter.

Blog Resurrection and Fries

2009-01-27T14:07:00.003-06:00

OK, I've taken long hiatuses (hiati?) before and came back. It's been awhile. I will try to be more frequent here during the semester.

I shared this video with my students on the first day of class today. It was a jaw-dropper. Most of them were stunned. I realize that this may not be an experiment conducted in a lab with perfect controls, but I think the general purpose is served.

Food breaks down by natural processes. Outside the body, it molds and decomposes over time. Well, most food does. This 5-minute video pretty much explains why I don't eat at McDonald's.

McDonald's Fries Defy Nature

Sure, our stomachs have strong acids that can break down most anything. That's not the point. The point is: why don't these fries decompose on their own by natural processes outside the body?

Don't mess with nature and creation. It usually has dire consequences.

Memphis Marathon: Sub-3:00 Achieved

2008-12-07T06:14:00.002-06:00

It happened: 2:58.49 (or within a second or two of that). Most all of the tumblers aligned for me to have a good race.

1. Trained well.
2. Avoided injury/illness.
3. Relatively flat course.
4. Decent weather (a little cool, a little breezy, but OK).
5. Run a smart race.

I went out a little fast (~6.40 pace) in the first few miles, and had to pull back a bit in Miles 7-9 (6.55 pace), but got into the groove I needed from Mile 9 through Mile 23 (6.45 pace). This allowed me to build a cushion for those last few miles. And, I did slow down a bit the last three miles (closer to 7 min pace), but to feel that good so late in the race was a new experience. There was fatigue and some pain, but I actually enjoyed this race from start to finish. By the time I started feeling rough, I knew I was going to break 3.00.

I am quite sore today, but no damage done. And, my switch to Adidas prevented the dreaded and ghastly black toenails I normally get from racing 26.2. They are not discolored at all or even sore.

Thank you for your support and prayers!

Memphis Marathon: T-Minus 2 Days

2008-12-04T13:27:00.003-06:00

Alas, no online tracking for the Memphis race. Bummer. But, I will do a write-up after it's over.

Please say a prayer for safety, swiftness, and endurance, and that God would teach me about my limits and His Creation through this race.

Feeling good. Feeling strong. Weather will be chilly (30s), but that is not bad for racing as long as the winds stay down.

Please comment if you know of any "must" restaurants in Memphis.

Memphis Marathon: T-Minus 5 Days

2008-12-01T15:54:00.006-06:00

The St. Jude Marathon in Memphis, TN, is five days away and this will be my first realistic shot at breaking 3 hours. I think it will be extremely close, as my training and recent shorter distance race times project me right at 3:00 to 3:02. It is a fairly flat course, the weather looks great, and I am in the best shape I've ever been for a marathon. If I avoid illness, I'll have a legit shot.

That said, it is unwise to underestimate or disrespect the distance that 26.2 miles commands. The teeth of this course comes in miles 15-19 during a slow ascent, but it's nothing drastic--it's more the timing. I'll be tired by that point and keeping pace will be tough. But, from 19 until the end, it's a slow descent, so that will be a nice mental boost if I can run at pace through mile 19.

If this race provides online tracking, I will post a link later this week.

Brown Skies, Smiling At Me

2008-11-13T12:25:00.002-06:00

Check out these satellite pics from China. Also, read the NY Times story on the causes of these brown clouds.

World Record Marathon

2008-09-30T14:08:00.004-05:00

Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) broke his own world record by 27 seconds and became the first human ever to run under 2 hr 4 min for a marathon. He did it in 2.03.59. Yep, one second.

I thought this might be a good time for a lesson in the speed of world class marathoners. Geb ran 4.43 per mile pace for 26.2 miles. I don't know if you know how fast you can run ONE mile. I am pretty fast by recreational runner standards (I can probably run 5.15 for a mile), but I certainly can't run this fast for ONE mile.

This little experiment will give you some idea. Go to a local track. SPRINT for 200 meters (just half a lap on the track). If you can't do it in 35.3 seconds (and most people can't!), then you know what pace Geb ran...FOR 26.2 MILES!

Amazing.

The Next Christendom 1

2008-09-23T13:08:00.002-05:00

I am reading Philip Jenkins' The Next Christendom, so I expect to share some of it on this blog from time to time. Jenkin's basic thesis is that "Christianity was as authentically African or Asian as European" and that "far from being an export of the capitalist West, a vestige of European-American imperialism, Christianity is now rooted in the Third World, and the religion's future lies in the global South."(1)

He offers a couple of interesting tidbits in support of his thesis early in the book.

Of the five ancient patriarchates of the chruch, only one, Rome, clearly stood in the West. The others were at Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria--three on the Asian continent, one in Africa. If we can imagine a Christian center of gravity by 500, we should stil be thinking of Syria rather than Italy...(2)

When we refer to Christianity forming a relation with the secular state, Western historians think first of Constantine, who granted toleration within the Roman Empire in 313. Far less celebrated are the other early states that established Christianity as their own official religion in the fourth century, namely Ethiopia and Armenia. Almost certainly, Armenia was the first state anywhere to establish Christianity as an official faith, which it did around the year 300. (3) [bold mine]

For good measure, Jenkins plainly states that "monasticism is an Egyptian invention." I expect to gain a more balanced view of the history and direction of Christianity through Jenkins' work and I will try to pass along any jawdroppers that I encounter. I am about 50 pages deep, and I can already highly recommend this book.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Jenkins, xi.
2. Ibid, 21.
3. Ibid, 22-3.

The Prune Effect

2008-09-22T12:47:00.005-05:00

Today, I had a piece published in Rise Over Run, WKU's student-run online magazine. It is mainly a defense of the type of course that I teach called "University Experience and the Prune Effect."

Kentucky Hated Abraham Lincoln

2008-09-17T13:37:00.005-05:00

The Kentucky Museum on the campus of WKU is currently building a permanent Civil War exhibit called "A Star in Each Flag: Conflict in Kentucky." The exhibit opens in mid-October 2008, and it promises to be a good one. Mark your calendars. Further, the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth (in KY) is fast approaching (1809-2009) and there will undoubtedly be much programming at the KY Building celebrating this event.

That said, as I was in the KY Building with my classes this week, I picked up a copy of Lowell Harrison's The Civil War in Kentucky (Lexington, KY: The University of Kentucky Press, 1975) to skim over between classes. In the opening pages, I learned something quite interesting about Lincoln and Kentucky: he got trounced in his bid for the presidency in his home state. You can't swing a dead cat in this state without hitting a poster for an event connecting Abe to the land and place of his birth (near Hodgenville, KY, just an hour or so up I-65 from Bowling Green). Kentuckians love to lay claim to Lincoln.

But, the 1860 election is a real thorn in the Kentucky/Lincoln love fest. Harrison notes, "when the Democratic party split along sectional lines, one of the last political bonds holding the nation together disappeared." The Southern Dem's went with John C. Breckinridge (the US Vice President under James Buchanan) as their candidate, while Northern Dem's backed Stephen A. Douglas. Harrison then lays out the good stuff:

Kentuckians found little solace in the nomination of Lincoln by the Republicans. He was a native of Kentucky, but his "house divided" speech had alarmed many slaveholders who would not accept the curtailment of slavery expansion that he and his party demanded. As the campaign progressed, many Kentuckians turned toward John Bell, the Constitutional Union candidate from neighboring Tennessee, who simple platform was the preservation of the Union.

Bell captured a majority in 35 of Kentucky's 110 counties in 1860 and won a plurality in 25 more...Breckinridge had a majority in 36 counties but pluralities in only 7...Douglas had a majority in only 7 counties, and Lincoln did not carry a single one. The popular vote was 66,501 for Bell, 53,143 for Breckinridge, 25,638 for Douglas, and 1,364 for Lincoln. Although Fayette County contained a number of Lincoln's in-laws, he received just five votes there.(1) [bold mine]

Of course, Lincoln won the election powered by his sweep of most of the northern states. But, make no mistake, the native Kentuckian was not only stomped in his state of birth, but came in a distant fourth, garnering less than 1% of the vote! Lincoln was viewed as the anti-slavery candidate and that just did not play in a state looking to preserve the Union. Keep this in mind as we celebrate Lincoln over the coming year. This is just another interesting tidbit in Kentucky's rich and bizarre history.

Read more about the 1860 Election here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Harrison, 4-5.

Pay, Mama, Dada, Pay

2008-09-11T15:19:00.003-05:00

I hate it when people let blogs lay silent for weeks. And, I'm guilty as charged. Long vacation, attending/presenting at a conference, first weeks of school, planning an event for 2100 college freshmen, blah, blah, blah. It's been a busy month or so.

That said, I return with what I think is a cute, fun, heart-warming, and encouraging story about my son.

Simon is talking more and more these days, even stringing three or four words together at times. Lately, when we sit down to dinner, he almost always stretches out his hands and reaches for Laurie on his left and me on his right and says, "Pay, mama, dada, pay." Which, of course, means "pray." We usually have to do this 2-3 times during the course of the meal. So, we say the Lord's prayer, a prayer for friends and family, and a prayer of thankfulness. Even at such a young age, it's clear that something special, desirable, and good comes through in taking the time to "do prayer." And, it's striking that what he picks up on is the ACT of prayer: the hands, the quiet, the stillness, the "Amen" at the end (which he emphatically shouts as "ah-MEEEN!).

In many aspects of life, the process or the act of doing is often as powerful as the language.

Saint Batman?

2008-07-31T14:36:00.003-05:00

An interesting read for those who have seen the new Batman movie from Father Raymond J. de Souza, a Roman Catholic priest at Queen's University in Australia. Many of my friends came to mind as I read this one.

"Gotham needs a hero with a face," we are told. Yes, the world needs a witness to the truth, the goodness and the beauty of reality; a witness to the order of creation; a witness to the enduring reason through which all things were made; a witness with a human face.
We don't call those people superheroes. We call them saints.

Codex Sinaiticus

2008-07-25T10:12:00.003-05:00

The oldest complete manuscript of the New Testament is now available online (news story here). The Codex Sinaiticus was written in the mid-300's AD and includes other ancient writings outside of the NT including the Shepherd of Hermas (on which I wrote a graduate paper and I highly recommend, especially if you like Revelation), Epistle of Barnabas, 1 & 2 Clement, and the Didache.

Enjoy!

Wendell Berry On Sex

2008-07-17T11:33:00.003-05:00

Not entirely unrelated to Tuesday's post on abortion, I love what eminent Kentucky writer Wendell Berry has to say about sex in America.

The "conservatives" more or less attack homosexuality, abortion, and pornography, and the "liberals" more or less defend them. Neither party will oppose sexual promiscuity. The "liberals" will not oppose promiscuity because they do not wish to appear intolerant of "individual liberty." The "conservatives" will not oppose promiscuity because sexual discipline would reduce the profits of corporations, which in their advertisements and entertainments encourage self-indulgence as a way of selling merchandise.

From Wendell Berry, Sex, Economy, Freedom & Community, (New York: Pantheon, 1993): 123.

While Berry may be generalizing a bit here, I think his point is a sharp one. And, to Tuesday's post on China's sex-selective abotions, abortion (and unwanted pregnancy) is a result--not a cause. Perhaps a focused conversation about sex can elicit better thinking about some of the issues Berry points out. Of course, that's the issue. The "two sides" would rather make it about political jostling than addressing the root of the problem. As Berry says, there's a lot to lose by doing that. A close examination of our views of sex, its use as a marketing tool, and sexuality's role in Creation (big C, not just procreation) might help give us fresh perspective on sex in America. But, that takes some transparency, courage, and a willingness to (2008 Buzzword Warning) change.

Too Many Boys in China?

2008-07-15T11:02:00.009-05:00

Freakonomics famously connects the passing of Roe v Wade (1973) with the mid-1990s drop in U.S. crime. Their argument (short version) is that many women opting for abortion are single, poor, and do not want a child. Children born unwanted to single, poor mothers are much more likely to become criminals. Levitt and Dubner, the authors of Freakonomics, contend that a large percentage of the precipitous drop in crime in the 1990s can be be attributed to a chunk of the (would-be) population that was never born into these less than desirable environments. I should add that the authors merely conclude that there is a connection--not that abortion is "worth it" or that abortion should be legal. They simply make a positive analysis (a connection between abortion and the crime drop), not a normative one (that abortion is "right" or "wrong" or should/should not be legal). That's a different kind of question.

That said, here is an interesting take on sex-selective abortion and crime: surplus males and the skyrocketing crime rate in China.

A snippet from Mara Hvistendahl's The New Republic Piece that the Freakonomics blog references:

The macho violence spurting forth through outlets like war games is a growing trend in Chinese society--and China's one-child policy, in effect since 1979, is partly responsible. The country's three decades of iron-fisted population planning coincided with a binge in sex-selective abortions (Chinese traditionally favor sons, who carry on the family line) and a rise, even as the country developed, in female infant mortality. After almost 30 years of the policy, China now has the largest gender imbalance in the world, with 37 million more men than women and almost 20 percent more newborn boys than girls nationwide.

This could be a painful lesson in unintended consequences for China.

Dialect and Dollars

2008-07-07T14:02:00.007-05:00

I've blogged before about regional dialects. Over at the Freakonomics blog, Steven Levitt summarizes some University of Chicago research on how speech patterns affect salary. Research by his colleague Jeff Grogger has found that "sounding black" costs you about 10% in salary per year. So does "sounding southern." Not sure how the researchers defined their terms, though...

Anyway, Levitt summarizes:

His main finding: blacks who “sound black” earn salaries that are 10
percent lower than blacks who do not “sound black,” even after controlling for
measures of intelligence, experience in the work force, and other factors that
influence how much people earn. (For what it is worth, whites who “sound black”
earn 6 percent lower than other whites.)...It turns out you don’t want to sound
southern, either. Although pretty imprecisely estimated, it is almost as bad for
your wages to sound southern as it is to sound black, even controlling for
whether you live in the south.

Humans. Strange creatures. This is why I find economics interesting. Of course, regression analysis has its problems proving causation, but there are a lot of arrows pointing in the same direction in this research.

After being in academia for 14 years counting my time as a student, I have learned to dial back my rural Kentucky accent at least to a "mild" level if I feel the need. But, honestly, I kind of like "leaving it on" sometimes. And, I have to say in defense of accents, one of my most brilliant history professors had a heavy, gravelly, Mississippi drawl and another great prof had a classic Southern accent.

And, of course, there is a difference between speaking English well with an accent and speaking English poorly with an accent.

Adventures in Automated Software

2008-07-03T08:25:00.002-05:00

When is "Gay" not "homosexual?"

Only your computer knows for certain.

11 Best Foods You Are Not Eating

2008-07-02T11:57:00.003-05:00

And, in some cases, they are relatively inexpensive foods, too. From the NY Times wellness section:

Eat These Eleven

To be honest, I don't eat beets. But, I'm willing to shred them and try them as a salad base. I'll let you know how that goes.

New U.S. Religion Data

2008-06-27T12:28:00.004-05:00

I love maps. My office walls are covered in them. And, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has a whole mess o' new maps, charts, and graphs related to American religion. For a quick taste, here is a portrait of American Evangelical churches.

There is more here that you probably ever wanted to know about religious demographics in America. You can sort by tradition, gender, income, race, region, and on and on starting on the main page.

My early favorite for weirdest question in the survey: "How often do you receive a definite answer to a specific prayer request -- would you say at least once a week, once or twice a month, several times a year, seldom, or never?"

And, Jehovah's Witness members took home the Golden Clasped Hands Award for praying the most. A whopping 89% said that they "pray daily." Mormons and historically black churches took silver and bronze. Evangelicals finished a disappointing fourth.

Seriously, this is really interesting data full of thought-provoking pieces, cultural insight, and humor. Give it a look.

Sued in the Spirit

2008-06-19T10:56:00.005-05:00

The next time you plan to have the Holy Spirit knock you down, make sure you have a couple of big, strong, burly "catchers" nearby lest you crack your head on the floor. Otherwise, a mess of stitches, head trauma, and litigation, may occur.

From the plaintiffs complaint:

Mr. Lincoln received the spirit and fell backwards striking the carpet-covered cement floor with the back of his head and back, causing him to sustain severe and permanent injuries ...
[Mr. Lincoln accuses the church of being] negligent in not supervising the catchers to be sure that they stood behind the person being prayed for and in front of the visiting minister to assure that they could catch someone should they have a dizzying, fainting or falling in the spirit as had occurred on many occasions before.

Be careful out there, people.

How to Ruin A Marathon

2008-06-18T14:06:00.001-05:00

From The Onion: How to Ruin A Marathon

Teaser:

"After you've been ruining a marathon for a couple hours, your body will
just take over and you won't even realize that you're spoiling the day for
everyone. I call that getting in the "ruiner's zone." It's like my arms and legs
could just keep dumping buckets of cooking oil off a highway overpass forever."

Fuel for the Gas Fire

2008-06-12T14:28:00.003-05:00

What has driven oil prices through the roof? Well, lately, the sexy explanation has been "speculators."

BP chief executive Tony Hayward says that that theory is "a myth." He chalks it up to good ol' supply/demand economics.

Remember the mid-1990s?

The rise in oil prices has been remarkable. In 1997 the average price of a
barrel of Brent crude was $12.72. In 2007 it was $72.39. And earlier this month
it touched $137.

Can supply/demand really explain this price explosion? The story linked above says so.

The tight balance between supply and demand creates an environment in which even
minor news stories about disruption to oil fields can cause sudden leaps in
market prices.

More and more people in China and India are consuming oil like Americans have for a long time. LOTS and LOTS of folks live in those countries. Hence, it creates huge demand and it appears the supply/demand gap is very narrow right now.

So, oil up your bicycle chain...but, even that costs more than it used to.

From Stockholm, Sweden, to Brownsville, KY

2008-06-06T15:49:00.003-05:00

When two of your favorite things overlap, you must sit up and take notice. That happened today when Justin Wolfers wrote about his Stockholm Marathon experience on the Freakonomics blog. It's hot dogs and beer at the finish at Stockholm!

And, also in the running vein, tomorrow is my first 5k of the year. In fact, due to injury last fall and marathon training all winter, I have not raced a 5k since last September on Labor Day. So, I do not have a good idea of how fast I will run. I know it's going to be HOT, so it will be a tough go.

Tomorrow's race is a fundraiser 5k for the Edmonson County High School cross country team in Brownsville, KY. I set a 5k personal record (PR) on this course last year (17.45). It's not flat, but there is more downhill than uphill. With the forecasted heat and wind, getting under that time could be difficult, but I think I'm in pretty good shape.

Genetic Limits of Obesity

2008-06-05T09:29:00.002-05:00

The latest reports suggest that childhood obesity is leveling off. Whatever the reason, that's good news. Hopefully, it will start to decline.

But, some experts suggest that we've merely saturated the field of those predisposed to become obese at a young age. Here is a snippet, but you can read the whole piece here.

If, at 17 percent, we've hit the "saturation" point for child obesity, we're extremely lucky. There's no historical basis for knowing where the saturation point is, since our species has never before lived in an environment so full of ease and abundance. The far more dangerous possibility is that the saturation point is higher. In fact, given that we evolved in conditions of scarcity, it's logical to suspect that the tendency to seek and store fat is nearly universal. As the Los Angeles Times observes, "the idea that childhood weights have simply topped out doesn't quite square ... [One expert] said the fact that 60% of U.S. adults were either overweight or obese suggested that children had plenty of room to grow."

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2008-06-03T08:29:00.005-05:00

My brother-in-law gave me a book for my birthday last Monday (thanks, Jason!). A punishing, desolate, soul-crushing novel, The Road helped me further realize the beauty of life and the earth by reading about how it would be if it were all turned to gray.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world of gray skies and gray ash and gray water, this book could be veiwed as a real downer (and that would be correct in many ways). McCarthy shows us a world that has been utterly obliterated at the material level. Wildlife has been erased. Trees are but black, crispy ex-trees. There are no names of people or places anywhere in the entire book. But, the story is really about the love of a father and son, and their will to survive in a world without color, food, trees, skies, or life as we currently know it. What remains are the father, the son, a shopping cart, and an undending search for clean water, food, shelter, and safety. It is a penetrating look into what life might be like if we were reduced to living to fulfill our basic needs (the lowest level of Maslow's hierarchy). And, ultimately, this is a book about faith.

That's all I'm going to say about what happens, as I am not one to give away plot details, but I had to post something about this book and urge you to read it.

McCarthy has written ten books, including All the Pretty Horses and No Country for Old Men, with the latter being put made into a tremendous film that became last year's Oscar darling (Best Picture). And, if the Coen brothers and/or No Country are not your style, even Oprah liked The Road. If Oprah liked it AND I still read it and liked it--well, it must be good.

32

2008-05-27T13:11:00.002-05:00

I turned 32 years old yesterday. Overall, it seems like a fairly nondescript birthday. Who really goes all out for their 32nd birthday?

But, I did find myself philosophizing about aging and time more this year than normal. I am someone's dad now. I now have been driving longer than I had to wait to drive. I can distinctly remember when my parents were my age. I am getting older.

I recently read or heard (but I don't remember when or where) that the reason time "goes by faster" as we age is that each minute, day, year, decade, is a smaller percentage of our "time lived" as we get older. For example, when one is nine years old, and is waiting to be ten, that year is waiting for one tenth of your life to pass before you turn ten. But, this year, only 1/32nd of my "lived life" passed. For someone turning 80, it's 1/80th. Time does not speed up so much as that each increment is a smaller part of our total life experience.

The challenge is the same: appreciate the past and carry it with us, have eternal hope in the future, but live in the now and experience the moment, the life stage, the season, etc.

And, by the way, I had a great birthday.

Arithmecrats 4

2008-05-14T07:00:00.006-05:00

Last night, Hillary Clinton won West Virginia by a huge margin, but it did not really make much of a difference in the math. Clinton will likely gain about 10 more pledged delegates in West Virginia than will Obama. For some perspective, Obama has picked up 27 Superdelegates in the last week. Clinton won a landslide margin, but there is not an avalanche of delegates in West Virginia.

So, she won big, but this is not a big win, mathematically speaking. She may be able to make some political hay out of this wide margin, but she is under growing pressure from the party to scale back the negative ads and not damage Obama further as he looks to be the nominee. Obama is already acting like the winner, being very gracious to her in his defeat, scooting off to Michigan and Florida to generate general election support, and talking about debates with John McCain.

The next potential milestone is next Tuesday when Obama could conceivably secure a majority of pledged delegates with a solid win in Oregon (Obama leads by 14 points in current polls) and a decent showing in Kentucky (Clinton leads and is expected to win handily, currently up 28 points).

Arithmecrats 3

2008-05-12T12:58:00.006-05:00

I'm sure you know the old cliche about statistics, and I'm sure you know people who (or maybe YOU) have unfairly twisted statistics to support a point or bolster an argument. But, the numbers, as well as the "feel," of Democratic presidential nomination race has been pretty one-sided for quite awhile. And, we hit another milestone over the weekend.

In January, Clinton led Obama by 100+ Superdelegates. Exactly one month ago, Obama had whittled that lead to 25. According to the Associated Press, Obama passed Clinton over the weekend and now leads 277-271 in Superdelegates. Obama has secured 21 Supers to Clinton's 2 since last Tuesday's NC and IN primaries.

Obama now leads in pledged delegates, Superdelegates, primaries/caucuses won, and the Superdel support is swelling from a trickle to a small stream. Some of those are even defectors from Clinton's camp. She will win big in West Virginia and slightly less big in Kentucky (most likely), but Obama will have more total delegates when this is done. And, if the Superdelegates want to end this, he may even secure enough to claim the nomination outright.

How close is he? Well, he needs 2,025 total delegates to win the nomination. He currently sits at 1,867 (Clinton: 1,697)--that means he needs 158 more. Here is what remains.

West Virginia: 28 pledged delegates
Kentucky: 51
Oregon: 52
Montana: 16
South Dakota: 15
Puerto Rico: 55

That's 217 pledged delegates and, as of today, there are about 250 (+/-) uncommitted Superdelegates. So, here is the simple math.

Obama needs 158 of those those 467 total delegates (33%).
Clinton needs 328 of that same group (70%).

In the last month, the math has gone from "tough" to "this one stumped Matt Damon's character in Good Will Hunting." Clinton needs 1) a miracle, 2) an Obama gaffe of historic proportions, 3) to cheat, or 4) a good exit strategy.

Wrath of God

2008-05-05T11:39:00.006-05:00

Peter Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, "biblical"?
Ray Stantz: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath of God type stuff.
Peter Venkman: Exactly.
Ray Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling!
Egon Spengler: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes...
Winston Zeddemore: The dead rising from the grave!
Peter Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

People often think of "the wrath of God" in this Ghostbuster-ish way. Our church is currently working through Romans on Wednesday night, and I talked about Romans 1.18-32 gives us a slightly different perspective on God's wrath last Wednesday night.

Saint Paul tells us that the "wrath of God" is the other edge of God's two-edged sword: Righteousness and Wrath. So, in a sense, it is merely another way of "putting the world to rights," as N.T. Wright would put it. Saint Paul was writing primarily against idolatry in this section. People were fashioning gods from clay, wood, or metal and worshiping them. Absurd! Not only did they make the mistake of not worshiping God the Creator, but they even one-upped the common pantheistic mistake of worshiping His creation. They took that falsehood a step further by worshiping their OWN creations (images of humans, animals, birds, reptiles) that mimicked the Creation of God. This is TWO (three?) steps removed from the only source worthy of worship.

Romans 1 reminds us to acknowledge God in all things. "The righteous will live by faith." Those who abandon this are given over to their desires to be "free" of God or to be God (not that they will actually BE free or BE God, mind you). This results not in an elevation of their own status, but a degradation of their lives. Instead of pursuing the immortal God, they tout their own ways, human ways, of thinking. This leads to a false sense of intelligence and knowledge which leads away from God even as they believe that they are being enlightened.

Thus, the wrath of God is the other edge of that sword of righteousness. Both edges ensure that we understand who is the Creator and ruler of all. Wrath can be viewed as punishment, but it seems to be more of a way of setting things right.

Redfoot/Cool Hand Luke Show on Friday

2008-04-30T08:18:00.005-05:00

Please make your way to Westminster Bible Church (824 Lehman Ave) for our next show this Friday, May 2. Cool Hand Luke, an excellent band from Nashville, is headlining this gig. Singer/songwriters Jon Russellburg and Aaron Roche will also play solo sets.

You can get tix from the church website for $5 or pony up $7 at the door. Doors open at 7 pm and music begins at 7.30 pm.

Boston Marathon 3 (Reflection/Recovery)

2008-04-28T10:59:00.003-05:00

The soreness is gone. I have been consuming lots of peanut butter, avocados, and milk to aid in my muscle recovery. I am jittery with anticipation to run today and I'm meeting my running group in just a few minutes. And, for the first time in my running life, I have that feeling of, "Now what?"

In the short term, what is next is a summer of shorter distance races that shift my focus from long distance training to increasing my speed workouts. However, I still want to maintain my huge base of miles. I think of myself more as a marathoner than a 5k or 10k racer these days, so I will probably do less intense track workouts (none?) and more longer runs. I think my running identity lies more with the marathon, and frankly, I think I'm a more competitive racer at the longer distances. My body lends itself more to distance running, too. Might as well use this coat hanger build to my advantage. I'm not designed to play football or explode with top-end speed in shorter races. So, I will go with what God gave me: namely, a body that can run lots of miles with minimal impact due to a small build.

In the long term, this recovery cycle will allow me to think about what marathon I might want to run in the fall and next spring. Right now, I'm thinking Memphis in December, but I'm completely open next Spring. There are lots of interesting races to be run.

I have spent the last week basking in the Boston afterglow, but it is time to turn my thoughts toward goals for the Summer and Fall.

1. Run a sub-17.30 5k by September
2. Set a 10k PR in October (currently 37.57)

I hope to do this while still keeping up my long-distance training so that I will be peaked for Memphis next fall.

Most of my entries are not quite this self-focused, but I wanted to get some goals down in writing for all to see and to help motivate me as I work through this Boston hangover.

Boston Marathon 2 (Marathon::Life)

2008-04-25T13:23:00.005-05:00

As I've said before on this blog, I champion running as my preferred form of exercise mainly because our bodies are designed to do it. It requires no apparatus of any kind. No special court/field/pitch/stadium/pool/etc. No balls, bats, racquets, flags, discs, poles, hoops, gloves, weights, or any other objects are needed. If we did not become so dependent on shoes so early in life, we would not even need those. In fact, for most of human existence, we didn't. Running simply requires speeding up the normal motion of walking until you become airborne. Then, you are running.

Beyond that, running a marathon is a test of Will vs Physiology. The motion of running is normal. Running 26.2 miles as fast as possible is NOT normal. Weird things happen to your body when you run this far especially when trying to cover that distance in as little time as possible. Any fast runner can line up and blast out a fast 100 meters. But, even the fastest runners would not be able to run 26.2 miles without some endurance training. And, this is where marathoning and life intersect.

Success in life and marathoning comes with learning how to handle adversity and change. Marathon training will bring pain, injury,and loneliness along with joy, comfort, and a sense of accomplishment. This life offers much the same. Becoming a better runner, much like the Christian life, hinges on this: consistency over time. There will be periods of great health and poor health, personal records and disappointments, sunny weather and brutal climates. But, as James 1:2-3 tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." We can do this because God is constant and unchanging (consistency over time). We attempt to mimic that constancy by taking heart in who God is, what Christ has done, and what he is doing/will do. Our individual acts and flaws will cause us to stray and doubt at times, but with each setback or shortfall, the race continues and we keeping running even when it would seem easier or feel better to stop. But, we do not stop because that would keep us from the ultimate goal.

Marathoning, like the Christian life, is mostly about learning how to deal with good and bad--that is, how to deal with life. Marathoning makes us acutely aware of the joy and pain of this life. One takes on the long months of training knowing that there will be an investment of time and pain. One toes the Boston Marathon race starting line accepting the reality that to reach the ultimate goal, whether it be winning the race (Robert Cheruyiot, Kenya, 2.07.46) setting a personal best (me, 3.06.04), or simply finishing the race, there must be a fierce trial with pain in order to achieve the prize. Reaching the ultimate goal has little to do with machismo or toughness and a lot more to do with acceptance of reality and a willingness to participate in that reality.

This is not to say that everyone should run marathons, of course, but that if you are going to run 26.2, there are some very real requirements and sacrifices: time, comfort, sweat, pain. This is true for most things in life, marathoning just happens to be the one that has been teaching me of late. But, these things not only bring joy, but teach us to realize the joy not only in what is gained from these sacrifices, but in the sacrifices themselves. To be sure, the joy of short-term accomplishments like finishing a marathon (or whatever your particular goal might be) is wonderful, and I am relishing it. But, the pain, the shortfalls, the letdowns--these are great teachers and motivators to continue to press onward and finish the race.

Boston Marathon 1 (Top Ten)

2008-04-23T11:29:00.009-05:00

I think I'll break up my Boston trip into a short series. Today, let's talk about the race. Also, you can see pics of me in the race by searching here. Choose "Boston Marathon 2008" from the race selections, then put in my last name (Basham) and my bib number (4006).

But, first, I have to thank my friend Ceci for making the trip practically stress-free in regards to obtaining a place to stay, food, transportation, etc. All of the external things that can create added stress to an event like this were handled for me by a good friend who knows the city, the marathon, and how to drive in Boston. She set me up at a friend's house who has hosted many athletes before. It was GREAT to have a real, home base in Boston instead of a hotel. Thanks, Ceci and Sue!

OK, I think today I'll go with the Top Ten Things You See While Running the Boston Marathon.

10. BLUE. The Hynes Convention Center in Boston was bedecked in blue trimmed with yellow for the runner's expo and race packet pickup. And, the pickup (indeed, the entire event) was a model of organization and efficiency. There were literally thousands of runners there when I picked up my number, race bag, and race shirt, and I was in and out of there in just a few minutes. Incredible.

9. During a 1.5-hour start-and-stop bus ride to the starting line in Hopkinton, you see people jumping off the bus and sprinting to the woods to relieve themselves (#1 and #2). Or sometimes, NOT sprinting to the woods and just going right next to the highway. Think about it: you have 25,000 people on buses who have been eating and hydrating to run 26.2 miles for days. In light of this information, it's not surprising that many could not wait to get to the port-a-potties after being forced to sit for 1.5 hours on a cramped bus. Still, kinda weird. But, everyone was in the same position, so it simply seemed like part of the process. Everyone laughed it off.

8. A man dressed as Minnie Mouse. Not a spectator: a RUNNER. 26.2 miles in big mouse ears, white gloves, and a red polka-dot skirt? To each his own, I guess. For what it's worth, I passed "Minnie" about Mile 22 even though s/he started ahead of me. However, an Eagle scout (in full khaki unform) blew past me at about Mile 24. There were all kinds of interesting outfits.

7. Team Hoyt. Dick Hoyt, who pushes his son Rick (who has cerebral palsy), through triathlons and marathons including 25+ Boston's. If this is news to you, I implore you to watch this video. If this does not inspire you or move you, I fear that you are beyond hope.

6. The start line. 25,000 people waiting to embark on a 26.2-mile journey to the most famous marathon finish in the world.

5. The Women of Wellesley College. Wellesley is at about Mile 12 in the race, and the women treat the runners like rock stars. The shrill screams of 2,300 college women is enough to perforate eardrums. For at least two minutes, I know what Elvis must have felt like every day of his life. Several had signs that said, "Stop running and kiss me!" I politely declined, opting for the safer occasional high-five. Several other runners around me took them up on their kiss offers, though.

4. Newton Fire Station. When you make the hard right turn here, you know the teeth of the course is coming. It's a disheartening feeling to be getting tired at mile 16 and know that the hard stuff is yet to come.

3. Heartbreak Hill. Actually, it's the series of hills in the Newton area. Heartbreak is simply the longest hill and it's the final punch in that flurry of hills from Mile 16-Mile 21. But, it sure does break hearts. Lots of runners were stopping, walking, cramping, even sitting and lying flat. If Heartbreak were the ONLY hill, it would merely be "just a hill." But, the hill after Newton Fire Station tenderizes you a bit, then a series of smaller hills beats you up before Heartbreak's attempt at a knockout punch.

2. Boston College. When you hit Chestnut Hill, you know that the worst is over. It's 5 miles of downhill running at that point. The question is, how much do you have in the tank? In my case, not much. Enough to set a PR and finish well, but I was leaking oil.

1. Finish line. The home stretch was packed with spectators and the roars were amazing. As tired and exhausted as I was, the sound and energy of the crowd really helped push me home. It was quite a feeling finishing the race.

Boston Completed

2008-04-22T05:54:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update to let you know that I survived Boston in 3.06.04. This was a personal best at the marathon distance.

I will post a detailed story of my trip tomorrow, but for now:

1. My knee was never an issue. I think it healed up right on time. It simply was not a factor.
2. My sinus infection was nearly gone, but it was a small factor. Not bad, though.
3. I have some UGLY toenails. REALLY painful late in the race. Two of them are pitch black today and three others are purple. Probably gonna lose a couple. That's just part of the deal for me when I marathon.
4. But, I'll take my toenails and smile because otherwise I feel OK. I am extremely sore, of course, but there is no significant damage. Hips and feet and really stiff/sore, but that will fade in a few days.

Thanks to all for all of the support. More tomorrow.

Track Me In Boston

2008-04-19T22:09:00.002-05:00

Here is the link! I'm in Boston, and have my race number. Everything is set.

Follow me here (my bib #number is 4006):

http://www.baa.org/2008/cf/Public/EntryLists.cfm

One Week 'til Boston

2008-04-14T10:01:00.005-05:00

Just wanted to post a quick update on my Boston training.

1. My knee pain seems to be responding well to simply running on it. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but sometimes, the elevated heart rate creates sustained blood flow to minor dings and injuries that can actually help the healing process. Anyway, it seems to be getting better. I am planning about an hour of easy running later, so hopefully the pain level will be even lower than Saturday.

2. Simon and I have been sharing a nasty cold for the last few days. The good news is that my cold is in its "exiting" stage, so it should be gone by next Monday.

3. For the first time ever, you can watch the entire Boston Marathon online at WCSN.com. Coverage begins at 9.25 am ET (8.25 am CT) next Monday. The race starts at 10 am ET (9 am CT).

4. I will post the link for tracking my progress during the race on Thurs or Friday. The tracking page will eventually be here. Simply enter my bib number (#4006) and my name will come up.

5. Forecast for race day in Boston is currently 55 degrees and mostly sunny. PLEASE let that hold up! That would be a made-to-order temperature if the winds stay down.

Arithmecrats 2

2008-04-11T15:13:00.003-05:00

Christopher Beam from Slate.com tells us that the math for Hillary is even tougher than you might think.

Say Clinton wins all the remaining contests by a 10-point margin. (That's impossible, barring revelations that Obama does lines on the campaign bus, but bear with us.) Obama would still be ahead in pledged delegates, 1671 to 1563. Add on their current superdelegate tallies—226 for Obama and 251 for Clinton, according to Politico—and they’d be at 1897 and 1814, respectively. Even then, Clinton would need to win 211 of the still-uncommitted 300 delegates, or about 70 percent.
This is worth restating: Even if Hillary Clinton wins every single one of the remaining contests by 10 points, she still needs to win 70 percent of the remaining uncommitted superdelegates. Given that since Feb. 5, Obama has netted 69 superdelegates and Clinton has lost a net of five, it’s fair to say the pendulum is not swinging her way.

Oy. It's STILL eleven days until Pennsylvania. Clinton currently has a slight lead in the polls, and it's probably going to be a very tight race.

Simply Christian

2008-04-10T09:07:00.004-05:00

Last night, our church finished a study of N.T. Wright's Simply Christian. We took it chapter by chapter for 16 weeks and each chapter was led by one of our Session members. I am somewhat saddened that it is over because it was such a great study. However, this book is one that not only informed me, but changed the way I see everything, so it's not really "over" in that sense. I will try to be brief in my attempt to communicate Wright's fundamental message.

There are three basic ways that people seek God:

Option 1. God is everywhere and in everything including me, you, the trees, and your pet rabbit. This is the pantheistic view.

Option 2. God and His heaven exists in some faraway place unreachable by humans. This earth is vile and corrupt and will be destroyed and replaced at some point by this faraway God and His heaven. Thus, earthly things and physical things do not matter much in eternity. This is sort of a Deist view.

Option 3. Heaven and earth interlock and overlap. The Christian life is primarily focused on doing God's will in this world and bringing it closer to the ideal--the way God intended it to be. God is not a tree or a pet rabbit, but those are part of His creation. God is also close and visible at times in this present world, but his full renewal is not complete.

Wright goes with Option 3. My tradition growing up and most Christians that I know/knew lean more toward Option 2. Seeing the world as an "Option 3 person" changes everything. This view seems much more consistent with the story of the Bible (Israel being constantly renewed and called to reconciliation with God). The redemption of the world is not only future, but also past and present. As instruments in this world, we get to participate in its restoration now and in the future.

That's my feeble attempt at a short summary. I am really making an effort to value brevity in my speaking and writing these days. For more, please do read Simply Christian. I am confident that it will challenge you.

13 Days Until Boston

2008-04-08T15:45:00.005-05:00

Recently, I have hit some major Boston Marathon training milestones.

1. The hard training is complete. No more 20+ long runs for me. My training went very well, as I rarely had to miss a day for any reason. I cut a long run short last Sat due to some minor lower leg pain, but that was a "bonus" long run anyway. Nothing really lost by cutting that one short. Pray for the leg pain. I don't think it's serious, but I am taking a couple of days off to try to get back to 100%.

2. I received my Boston packet in the mail last week. It has my bib number (#4006) and all of the race info. I get to go off in the first wave of runners at 10 am on race day (Mon, April 21), so that is nice.

Pics of Boston documents below.

3. I have plans to visit the Old North Church while I'm in Boston, and I hope to get to Fenway Park, too.

More updates as warranted.

On Season II: Remembering Heston

2008-03-26T15:01:00.003-05:00

Basketball season closes the doors tonight with the championship game between Memphis and Kansas. I probably care less than you do, but if you have not been reading my hoops writing, just know that once the teams without all the money and conference advantages are out, I simply do not care who wins. I can still enjoy the high-level hoops, the Final Four, and the crowning of a champion, but I honestly do not care who wins.

Anyway, that means it is not the off-season for this blog, but the ON-season! And, I have to start this on-season with a tribute to Charlton Heston.

You may or may not know that my band, Redfoot, ends most every show with a song I wrote called, "For John Charles Carter" (Heston's given name). It is a tribute to Heston's movies. I wrote it three years ago after seeing a commercial for network television's annual showing of the Cecil B. Demille classic The Ten Commandments. Before the days of VCR's, my family always made time for two annual television events: The Wizard of Oz (usually in October) and The Ten Commandments (usually around Easter). Watching Ten brings back so many good memories of family and the spectacle of DeMille's films. Once my family bought a VCR in the mid-1980s, we taped Ten from television and my brother and I must have watched that film at least 30 times. We loved it and, in retrospect, I think it was because it made a very familiar Bible story very real to us visually.

In addition to Ten, Planet of the Apes is one of my favorite books (by Pierre Boulle--MUST READ!) and favorite movies. Heston's starring role in the 1968 film is part camp, part anti-hero, part social commentary, and I love it. One of the interesting components of Heston is that he somehow was viewed as a "great actor," but he often seemed so over-the-top with his acting that it was comical. Yet, he pulled it off in a strange way and this is nowhere more evident that in Planet of the Apes. Remember: "It's a madhouse! A MADHOUSE!" Good stuff.

The song I wrote references many of his films (Ten, Ben-Hur, Soylent Green, Planet of the Apes), and while the song might be taken as poking fun at Heston, I wrote it more with tribute in mind. There might be some sarcasm and subtle jabbing in there regarding his acting style and politics, but his work truly influenced me from my earliest days and I greatly appreciate his work in film.

WKU In Sweet 16

2008-03-24T15:06:00.003-05:00

I write about hoops for local CBS affiliate WNKY. If you like WKU, hoops, underdogs, or local success, you might enjoy blog entries.

WKU defeats Drake

Toppers in the Sweet 16!

Hillary's Conundrum

2008-02-20T08:59:00.003-06:00

She tried being (somewhat for her) nice to Obama leading up to Super Tuesday. It did not work. She fired her campaign manager and took the gloves off for the last few primaries, sharpening her attacks on Obama. She has gotten thoroughly thrashed since then (it's 10 in a row now). The conventional wisdom is that negative campaigning works. Well, it did not work in Wisconsin for Hillary, as Obama beat her by more than two touchdowns (58%-41%).

So, does she play nice and try to win by drawing contrasts with Obama, or does she turn her negativity amp up to 11 to try to squeeze out wins in Texas and Ohio on March 4? I think I know the answer to that query.

And, this brings me back to where I started in this election process. People do not like Hillary Clinton. They like the IDEA of Hillary Clinton.

Largest Beef Recall in U.S. History

2008-02-18T14:23:00.003-06:00

First, the good news: experts suggest that the chances of a major health crisis caused by this meat is "remote."

Now, the bad news:

The Humane Society of the United States showed videotapes on January 30 showing workers at the plant using several abusive techniques to make animals stand up and pass a pre-slaughter inspection. These included ramming cattle with forklift blades and using a hose to simulate the feeling of drowning.

These animals COULD NOT STAND on their own. It's illegal to slaughter an animal in this condition because IT IS SICK and should not be consumed. This was discovered because of some undercover video work at Westland and Hallmark Meat Co. How often is this happening when there are no cameras around?

This is the largest beef recall in U.S. history: 143 million pounds of it. And where do you think much of this meat was destined? Why, the Federal School Lunch Program and fast food chains, of course!!! In other words, kids--mostly.

I'm not a (mostly) vegetarian because of any moral issues with killing animals for food. I am a (mostly) vegetarian because of the meat industry. I am also not an evangelistic (mostly) vegetarian. But, if I don't catch it or kill it myself out of the wild, or if I cannot purchase free range or wild meats, I simply do not eat it if at all possible.

And, this situation is a big reason why.

Fattening of America

2008-02-12T09:23:00.002-06:00

The Freakonomics blog addresses an issue near and dear to me. I've been teaching this in my classes for years. I find some of the conclusions and rationale suspect, but here's an excerpt from an interesting interview with health economist Eric Finkelstein that talks about his (and co-author Laurie Zuckerman's) new book The Fattening of America :

In sharp contrast, children are unable to make rational choices, unlike Uncle Al. I think that the government (and parents) have a critical role to minimize the possibility of children growing up to regret the diet and exercise choices they may have made as uninformed youths. Most government interventions are focused on schools, which makes sense given that the food the lunch ladies serve up is too often not that different from the birthday fare my son receives at Chuck E. Cheese. And then, of course, there’s the school vending machines. In my book, we discuss what’s happening in America’s school cafeterias, gymnasiums, and classrooms, and what can be done to help tomorrow’s adults make informed diet and exercise choices.

If we TRULY want a healthier America, we might have to take our legislative medicine when it comes to protecting kids.

Go Arithmecrats!

2008-02-07T09:06:00.001-06:00

Your average Joe/Jane (or Republican who does not care about the Dem primary) might have glanced at Tuesday's results and said, "Well, Hillary is going to win again." After all, she took the big prizes in California and New York, and some papers even touted her "win." But, headlines and conventional wisdom do not nominate candidates. Delegates do. And, the Arithmecrats on Slate.com remind us of this fact. In that count, it was a dead heat, with both sides claiming a small win on Tuesday.

Add to that that Obama has closed a MASSIVE poll gap on Clinton in the last two months and won 13 states to Clinton's 8 on Tuesday, and it seems to me that Obama has both math and momentum on his side. The more people see Obama, the more support he garners. Further, the next several races favor Obama (Maine, Nebraska, Washington state, Louisiana, and the three Potomac races). If he wins all five, that is going to help with momentum in upcoming delegate-rich states like Texas and Ohio, where Clinton currently leads. Clinton has focused on the big prizes, which makes sense. However, Obama is cleaning up in smaller states and has drawn even in national polling numbers. If that trend continues and he pulls off a win in Texas or Ohio, it's trouble for Clinton.

Also, he hauled in $32 million in support in January while Hillary Clinton just wrote a $5 million personal check to her campaign.

Hmmm. I thought only Mitt Romney was doing that? EDIT: And Romney dropped out soon after I typed this.

Point of No Return

2008-01-24T14:27:00.000-06:00

I have paid my entry fee. I have ponied up the dough for the flight. I have secured a place to stay for free!). All that is left is 13 weeks of training.

The Boston Marathon is on the horizon. Please pray for health, safety, and good training. I had a frustrating fall filled with injuries and setbacks which caused me to bail on both the BG 10k and my fall marathon, but I am rounding back into shape.

More updates from training for Boston as warranted.

Why I Will Watch the NFL Playoffs

2007-12-10T13:55:00.001-06:00

I have spent some time pointing out the reasons that college hoops is the best spectator sport, but today I offer an olive branch to you NFL fans. I will watch the NFL playoffs this season with great interest...even though it will require me to watch an INSANE amount of commercials for Gillette and terrible beer. And, love them or hate them, it is because of the New England Patriots. The undefeated, 16-0 Patriots.

This does not happen in big-time sports very often. There are way too many (82 total...and 40 of them meaningless) NBA games for a team to go unblemished. Baseball? HA! 162 games. Hockey? They count ties in their point system for crying out loud, and again, too many games. The NFL? The 1985 Bears were close, but they lost one game to the Dolphins. It does happen relatively often in college football, but their championship system is a farce. I am talking about an undefeated season where the champion is decided on the field (not by a poll) in a winner-take-all tournament setting.

Only once in my lifetime have I had the opportunity to watch this play out. It was the 1991 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, led by their towel-chewing coach Jerry Tarkanian, rang up a 30-0 regular season record. Their ballyhooed "Amoeba" defense perplexed and dominated the opposition. Their roster was littered with future NBA players like Greg Anthony, Larry Johnson, and Stacy Augmon. They had won the NCAA Championship the year before. They were a juggernaut. A sure bet. Unstoppable.

They dispatched four teams fairly easily on their way to the Final Four where they met Duke. And, they lost by 2 in a shocker. They were a great team that lost, but it was a great story. If they had won, it still would have been a great story. Fans could not lose in this scenario (unless you were a UNLV fan, of course).

See, no matter what happens with New England, it will be high drama. It will be full-on, parade-inducing, confetti-flying, glory for the ages for the Pats, or it will be euphoric pandemonium for the team that upsets them.

I have no dog in this fight, so it will simply be good sport regardless of the outcome.

Hoops Season

2007-11-26T14:50:00.001-06:00

If you REALLY like college hoops, check out my Bracketboard blog. That's where I'll be doing a lot of writing during hoops season.

The Sports Prof shares my sentiment about the NBA hurting the game and focusing too much on "sizzle" and not enough "steak."

Life Without Football

2007-11-08T14:13:00.000-06:00

Wow, another good one from Kyle Whelliston on football and American culture.

Football is a game that has become 15 percent sport and 85 percent extraneous matter. The reports from training camp, the player profiles drawn in heroic bas-relief, the ex-players debating concepts like "knowing how to win." Indeed, the football broadcast in 2007 has become the final evolution of the spambox, padded with balding cures, penis pills, dangerous financial offers, and tits. And like spam, it's all very difficult to filter out.

If you do not like football, you will love this essay. If you like football, it will challenge you to ask yourself why. If you are apathetic about football, it will speak to larger cultural concerns.

Fun with Death

2007-11-07T14:02:00.001-06:00

Deceased rock star and catalyst for my rock-n-roll awakening Kurt Cobain is the subject of a new documentary. Friends Brandon, John, and I went to Nashville's Belcourt Theater to see About A Son last night. The film consists of video/images of Washington towns Aberdeen, Olympia, and Seattle, and audio from Cobain himself. Cobain's voiceover is taken from Michael Azerrad's interview tapes for his book Come As You Are. The film gives insight into the mind of Cobain and the childhood, physical ailments, contradictory personality, and general grouchiness that so heavily inspired his music.

There are no Nirvana songs. No live footage of the band. No entertaining of conspiracy theories about his death. No chest-beating about how they changed music. It is a very real portrait of Cobain and the towns, landscape and culture that molded him. Check it out if you can.

On a not-entirely-unrelated note, check out this highly entertaining and informative cartoon on the death industry and the impact of our decaying bodies on the earth. If Cobain made cartoons, they might have looked something like this. Fascinating stuff.

College Basketball Returns

2007-11-06T14:52:00.000-06:00

A wonderful essay from my friend, Kyle Whelliston of ESPN fame. Kyle once stayed at my house during a trip to cover the Hilltoppers. I've known him since his days as "that 100 games guy."

Anyway, this is a great essay, even if you do not like basketball--and I expect you might like college basketball a bit more if you read it.

Conferences in basketball make things special. They give teams from counties and regions home-and-home shots at each other each winter: Kent and Akron in the MAC, the Metro Atlantic's Manhattan-Iona and Canisius-Niagara pairings, Lafayette and Lehigh in the Patriot, the Big West's Irvine and Long Beach. There are state skirmishes too: Montana-Montana State in the Big Sky, Arkansas and Arkansas-Little Rock. Sometimes they clash over the rights to a name: Saint Francis must be somewhere up there, checking in twice a year to see which NEC team (PA or NY) is wearing his name more proudly.

I will be writing more on my hoops blog from now on. I'll link here whenever I write something that crosses hoops into this space. Of course, I'd argue that hoops ALWAYS does that...

Hey Kids: GO TO CHURCH

2007-10-23T15:43:00.001-05:00

Does going to church help offset being born into disadvantaged life circumstances?

Journalist Melissa Lafsky reports that the answer appears to be: YES.

Overall, we find strong evidence that youth with religiously active parents are less affected later in life by childhood disadvantage than youth whose parents did not frequently attend religious services.

About A Son

2007-10-16T16:28:00.001-05:00

Did the band Nirvana serve as an efficient conduit for your teenage angst? Did you enjoy watching hair metal die a not-so-slow, excruciating death? Did you buy a $150 Lotus guitar, a stomp box, a beat-up crap amp and start plowing through songs from the "Nevermind" album, willingly shredding your vocals chords on a daily basis?

YOU DID?!?!? Well, then you might need to see Kurt Cobain About A Son. It's a new documentary about Cobain and it seems that all of the dialog in the film is his own voice. It's lifted from clips of interviews and recordings largely unheard to this point.

I think I want some water to put out the blow torch of my excitement.

Poopeating Grin

2007-10-10T13:41:00.000-05:00

A call to ingest more fecal matter from Slate.com.

Our food is hosed and boiled and rinsed and detoxified and frozen and salted and preserved. Recently, we have begun to irradiate it, too—just in case. As a result, when our bodies encounter the occasional inevitable bug, they're unhappy. Our centuries-long program of winnowing out all the muck has turned us into sissies and withered the substantial part of the immune system mediated by our intestinal tract.

This is why I do not feel so badly about letting my nine-month-old lick floors and chew on our 100-year-old traveling wardrobe which serves as our coffee table.

I think I'll ask for a side of axle grease and a splash of poo with my oatmeal at Teresa's on Friday.

Woman Sues Apple Over $200 Price Cut

2007-10-03T08:16:00.000-05:00

You knew it was a matter of time. EDIT: Link has been corrected.

According to Li's lawsuit, filed on Sept. 24 in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, the price reduction injured early purchasers like herself because they cannot resell the product for the same profit as those who bought the cell phone following the price cut.

Li purchased a 4GB iPhone for $499 and alleged that owners of the 4GB model were given less favorable terms than those who bought the 8GB model at the premium price, according to the lawsuit.

I hate shady business dealings. I hate stupid litigation even more.

Radiohead for the Cost of Plain Ol' Radio

2007-10-02T10:48:00.000-05:00

Radiohead is releasing a new album. And, folks may download it for whatever they wish to pay. The band is letting consumers set their own price.

This sort of idea is right up Freakonomics author Steven Levitt's alley. He blogged about it today.

What does this mean for music? If one of the biggest bands in the world is giving away their music (or, more accurately, just setting out the e-tip jar), what does that mean for record companies, iTunes, etc.? If people can get Radiohead for free or for their own price, will this be an even greater incentive to not pay for "lesser" music?

Riveting stuff. Brandon/Justin/Derek(s), I expect you will have excellent insight/thoughts here. No pressure.

Understanding Creation Through Frankenstein

2007-09-19T13:08:00.000-05:00

Popular culture has turned the Monster in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein into a lumbering oaf devoid of intelligent thought. In Boris Karloff's film interpretation, we see a Monster that merely roams around zombified with his green arms extended, appendages stiff and rigid, while issuing unintelligible grunts and moans. Actually, in Shelley's terrific novel, the Monster is quite the student, learning language and reading many books and classic works that inform him on humanity, human behavior, and on his unique position in the world. The Monster states:

Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with, and acquire knowledge from, beings of a superior nature: but I was wretched, helpless, and alone. Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.(1)

As the Monster comes to understand his terrible plight as a secondary creation of man and not of God, he breaks open:

"Hateful day when I received life!" I exclaimed in agony. "Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire him; but I am solitary and abhorred..."

No Eve soothed my sorrows, nor shared my thoughts; I was alone. I remembered Adam's supplication to his Creator. But where was mine? He had abandoned me, in the bitterness of my heart, I cursed him.(2)

The loneliness of the Monster leans on the reader throughout the book. Some of his lamentations read like Psalms of David crying out to God for mercy and for answers. The horror of the novel is not so much in the physical hideousness of the Monster (although his countenance does cause other characters to recoil), but the crushing loneliness of this abandoned creation.

Left to a lesser God, such would be our lot. A lesser God might look upon our "filthy type" and dismantle us much like the Monster's would be bride is dismantled by Dr. Victor Frankenstein. But, through His mercy, we are monsters restored. What might have been horrific and terrible to look upon is made beautiful by Him. For example, a horrendous crucifixion and death births a glorious resurrection. Further, we have not been left to toil in loneliness. We have been provided with human communities, relationships, marriages, parents, and children. We have not been abandoned. We have the spark of our Creator and may even glimpse Him in His created beings in our best moments.

The Monster's rejection so stained him that he killed Victor's wife on their wedding night, and this after he had killed Victor's closest friends. This led to a pursuit of the creature on the northern seas to the icy reaches of the earth. Finally, the Monster was being pursued by his creator. Although Victor sought to destroy the Monster and undo his unholy creature for good, the Monster took twisted delight in the fact that his creator pursued him at all--even if it meant his death at the hands of his creator. In fact, that likely would have been comforting for the Monster.

The Monster serves as a sort of anti-Adam. Instead of pursuing us to destroy us, God pursues us for life. Instead of trying to end our life, he desires for us life to the full. Instead of recoiling at our ugliness, he makes it beautiful. Instead of our Creator dying as we float away on a chunk of ice in a distance ocean, we are pulled toward Him even as we struggle to escape.

________________________________

(1) Mary Shelley, Frankenstein: or the Modern Prometheus, (Hertfordshire, England: Wordsworth Editions Limited, 1999), 100.
(2) Ibid, 101.

iPhone-y

2007-09-13T08:02:00.000-05:00

Obviously, I am not anti-technology. I am typing this post on a computer on an internet blog. But, we sometimes fail to ask whether new technology is good or necessary, and to evaluate its impact on our communities and relationships.

I tend to view most technological advancement much like I do cars. How efficient is this thing? How long before it becomes obsolete? How much energy will it use? How will this impact the environment? How much does it cost? Does it replace vital human interaction or impact communities in a negative way? How much time will this thing save/cost?

Which brings us to the iPhone. I do not have one and likely will not until there is some other gadget which is way more advanced that makes the iPhone an "old model" in three or four years (months?). As serious as I am about running, I almost always buy "last year's model" runing shoes for 25% less than the new model. Why? Because year to year, the changes are mostly cosmetic. Maybe when the iPhone uses up its "Geek Cred" (I totally stole that from another blogger), I'll have one in five years. Maybe not. Therefore, I will not pretend that I know a lot about the iPhone or why it is the greatest item ever fashioned.

That said, it seems to me that Apple pulled one over on their fanboys and fangirls with this $200 price cut.

Steven Levitt, University of Chicago economist and author of Freakonomics (a must read if you have not already read it), had this to say earlier in the week:

If you ask an economist how to price a new product that is just being introduced, the response you will get is that you should charge a very high price at first and then steadily reduce that price over time.

There are two reasons for doing this. First, it generally gets cheaper to produce things over time, so it makes sense to lower prices in response. Second, people vary widely in their willingness to pay for a new gadget. By starting high, you get as much money as you can from those who really want the product, then expand the market at the lower price point.

Hmm … that sounds exactly like what Apple just did with the iPhone. They brought it out at $599, sold one million iPhones, and then dropped the price to $399 after two months, in the hopes of selling nine million more this year...
What economists (and Apple too, I guess) ignore is that consumers hate it when companies follow practices that look like they are designed to maximize profits. You won’t find it in economic models, but consumers care about the reason a firm chooses the price it chooses...
Apple’s price cut looks like one driven purely by a desire to maximize profit, which is why everyone is so mad.

Of course, there is an economic argument that Apple made a good financial decision for their company...in the short run. But part of Apple's gig is that people believe they are getting a better, more innovative product from Apple than they get from other companies. Cutting the price of the greatest invention since the wheel by 33% after two months on the market severely undermines that credibility. It could potentially hurt the Apple mystique for future purchases.

Wendell Berry, Kentucky farmer and writer, set forth this rubric for evaluating technology in his essay "Why I Am Not Going to Buy a Computer":

1. The new tool should be cheaper than the one it replaces.
2. It should be at least as small in scale as the one it replaces.
3. It should do work that is clearly and demonstrably better than the one it replaces.
4. It should use less energy than the one it replaces.
5. If possible, it should use some form of solar energy, such as that of the body.
6. It should be repairable by a person of ordinary intelligence, provided that he or she has the necessary tools.
7. It should be purchasable and repairable as near to home as possible.
8. It should come from a small, privately owned shop or store that will take it back for maintenance and repair.
9. It should not replace or disrupt anything good that already exists, and this includes family and community relationships.

Again, someone who knows a lot more about the iPhone than I do will have to perform this evaluation. And, while I will likely never live an agrarian life quite like Mr. Berry, he does raise some important points that might help us resist the urge to fall into the iHerd of iPeople buying iGadgets for the sake of I.

Kids and High Blood Pressure

2007-09-11T12:46:00.000-05:00

Expect more and more news like this if we do not turn around the obesity trend in our nation's children.

The prevalence of HBP (High Blood Pressure) and pre-HBP in children and adolescents showed a downward trend between 1963 and the 1988-1994 survey. But the trend began to reverse through 2002. For example, the prevalence of high blood pressure in all children and adolescents decreased from 11.1 percent in the 1976-1980 (Black and white) and 4.7 percent in 1982-1984 survey (first national survey for Mexican-American youth) to 2.7 percent in the 1988-1994 survey (all children), but rose to 3.7 percent in the 1999-2002 survey (all children).

Pre-HBP is a reliable predictor of early organ damage, thickening of the heart walls, and lesions in the aorta.

Just another reminder than the health care solution is in our pantries, cafeterias, and lunch boxes, not in political solutions to treat a nation that lives a lifestyle prone to sickness. We cannot simply treat the symptoms; we must treat the illnesses of apathy and convenience on the front end. Namely, how we eat, sleep, and exercise.

Going Local: Football

2007-09-07T15:59:00.000-05:00

As we head toward fall, I plan on posting a piece on "going local" from time to time. This week, let's start with something downright American: sports. In fact, in a strange way, rooting for our local university's basketball team is what originally pushed me to go to farmer's markets, explore my city, appreciate the climate, etc. That initial love of something local, peripheral as basketball may be, pushed me to seek new ways to support local people, businesses, and athletics.

I have blogged before about how television undercuts all that's good about athletics. To paraphrase something I said a couple of year's ago on my hoops blog:

Fans cannot tailgate with college buddies through television. There is no virtual or Hi-Def replacement for the smell of popcorn wafting into my section at Diddle Arena. In basketball, a last second shot to win the game registers as a measly two points in a computer-generated fantasy league, but in reality it wields the terrible power to spark jubilation or strike crushing despair into thousands of hearts the moment it hits the bottom of the net. It can suck the air out of an arena, or send it into total pandemonium. There is no plasma screen that can replicate nippy winter walks to a college stadium with wives, children, and family, nor the rush of warm air that hits your face as you click through the turnstile. Instead of encountering the power of a fight song or alma mater ringing in your ears, you get muted crowd noise with a "Brought to you by...State Farm Insurance" promo. Instead of engaging in halftime conversation with the elderly, living encyclopedia sitting next to you who has had season tickets for thirty-five years, you get an army of talking heads in suits and cakey make-up yammering at one another, all wrapped in more rapid-fire rounds of commercials.

We have a local university (WKU) that sells season football tickets for $25. That's for the ENTIRE season. To be clear: that's five college football games for $25. I once paid $125 for ONE game at Ohio State. Twenty-five bucks gives you access to five weekends to pack up the grill and head to campus with friends and family to tailgate, barbecue, throw around the pigskin, and interact with others from your community. Five weekends to meet someone new on the South Lawn. Five weekends to cheer in unison with thousands of others for a local team.

If the response to this is, "Yeah, but WKU is not playing anyone worth watching," then please go ahead and click on the TV and begin the game watching. Many fall prey to ESPN's ploys which cultivate the idea that the only important football is played by a handful of schools that play on TV every week. ESPN is a TV network! Of course, they would LOVE to foster this idea!

No, this is a chance to enjoy high level, local sports for a minimal financial investment. When a family of four can invest $100, and spend five Saturdays eating together, cheering together, connecting to something local together, it is at least worth thinking about.

Maybe football is not your bag, and that is perfectly fine. The message here is that this is just one of many ways to connect locally.

Do you want perfect picture resolution? Go see the game IN THE STADIUM. Do you want perfect color and amazing clarity? Try the view from Section HH. Do you want to go beyond Hi-Def? Try the real thing.

It not only works for football; it works for most areas of life.

Running Lesson #12,459: Limits

2007-09-03T14:33:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, our will plays no part in going faster, doing better, or trying harder.

I was hoping to set a PR in a 5k (3.1 miles) race this morning. I went out from the starting line at a blistering pace (too fast, really) in an attempt to test my limits and try to run under 17.45, which would require a 5.38-per-mile pace.

I hit Mile 1 in 5.31. This was my fastest race mile ever, but I could feel a hint of lactic acid building in my legs. I was in the lead pack running about 7th place, although I knew some of the greyhounds in front of me would drop the hammer at some point. These were racers that I know well, but have never had the pleasure of seeing up close during a race, so that was a nice experience.

As we hit a slight downhill in Mile 2, they began to separate from me a bit. It soon became clear that I was not going to stay with this front group. I hit mile two at 11.24 (5.53 for Mile 2--too slow for my PR goal). In an effort to go out hard and test my limits, I had pretty much cooked my legs--so, there would be no strong finishing kick to bail me out. It was going to be a grind in Mile 3.

Mile 3 includes the only real hill on the course, and it brought burning waves into my legs. A PR was out of the question, but I knew I would be very close to 18 mins, so I summoned everything I had to pour on the coal and keep my time under 18:00. I hit Mile 3 at 17.27, with the finish line in sight just 0.1 miles away--and 33 seconds to get there.

I churned toward the line with ferocity, arms flailing, lungs full of razors, quadriceps and hamstrings teeming with acid, face contorted in severe pain and grim determination.

And I hit the line in 18.01.

The sweet relief of the finish was somewhat embittered by one second--or the amount of time it takes to stand from a chair or lift a spoonful of cereal. Eighteen minutes of strategy and pain was spoiled by a solo tick-tock of the clock. Or, so it would seem.

But, there is a life lesson here. My WILL to keep it under 18 minutes played no role in the reality of actually DOING it in that final furious blitz to the finish line. Maybe that second could have been made up somewhere else on the course--a faster downhill stretch, a harder push up that hill...or maybe harder training two weeks ago, easier training two weeks ago, more sleep, less sleep, the "What-if" list goes on forever. We all play this game with our circumstances in life that fail to meet our expectations. Find fault, assess blame, rationalize. Later, rinse, repeat.

The hard reality is that in the moment of truth, my physical best today was not enough to reach my goal. It seems that is often the case in life. Racing simply puts that truth right in our face, lungs, and legs for all to see and for us to feel on a physical and emotional level. There is no rationalizing the stopwatch or the clock. It's truth can be glorious or cruel and that line is drawn with the smallest of pens. It is a line that is one second wide.

Thank God for limits and the reminder that finding our limits, physical or otherwise, is often where we most clearly see Christ. Thank God for grace, especially in those times when my best is short of the goal. Thank God for the privilege of racing and the hope of running the race and keeping the faith even when we fall short.

Understanding Creation Through Tortillas

2007-08-29T13:32:00.000-05:00

I recently tried to make a batch of homemade tortillas for our Mexican dishes. It took awhile. I was slow and clumsy. I made a total mess in the kitchen. I overcooked a few of them and those poor wretches were akin to a crunchy, leathery sow's ear. Others were like ultra-thin crackers that broke into tiny flour-shards--little wheat-y razors.

But a few were REAL beauties. The kind of whole grain flour taste that one cannot find in an air-tight sealed bag of Old El Paso brand or Kroger brand tortillas that have endured an interstate journey. Each hand-rolled tortilla had a shape all its own. Some were oblong. Some evolved with an unfortunate protrusion or deformity. Some thickened a bit too much. Some rolled out wide and paper thin, while others resisted and kept shrinking back no matter how vigorously I pressed and rolled them. These stiff-necked tortillas resisted the poking and prodding of their (sometimes) benevolent creator. While all of them had little golden-brown spots after they exited the griddle, no two patterns or colors were exactly alike.

What they all had in common was that they were fashioned by the same creator with loving care and a heart bursting with hope. A creator with a taste for the real thing--not just enjoying "adequate" tortillas of conformity rolled off a machine with perfect ratios of flour and water (and partially hydrogenated oils for longer shelf life) and uniform 10" size. A motivated creator willing to invest an hour in fashioning his own bread instead of purchasing the mass-produced bread largely created by a machine.

Some were broken. Some went bad before being used. Some were consumed in pure delight as they were wrapped around hearty black beans or maybe some peanut butter and a banana.

There are literally millions of better tortilla-makers on this celestial ball, but there is something to be said for taking a role in creating one of the food staples that sustains one's life.

Please read this post from the Ochlophobist. Here's a teaser.

One can teach one's daughter to bake bread in the worst of Bauhaus sky rise apartments. One can hand one's Bud drinking neighbor a bottle of homebrew. One can, as the Honduran family down the street from me did, grow a vegetable garden in one's front yard. One can stay put whenever possible. One can do everything in one's power to keep and help the little and aged. One can make use of used things and fix what is broken. One can take the walk a bit more slowly. One can move one's thumb over wool. One can stand in the corner of the most humble home, before flame and window, and re-member on earth what is remembered in heaven.

Thanks to Kevin for pointing me to the Ochlophobist. His/her blog convicts me.

And it inspires me to create things: silence, songs, conversations, and tortillas.

Muslims and Evangelical Christians

2007-08-10T11:07:00.000-05:00

I have been teaching a summer class that ended today! I hope to resume regular posting next week after one more round of intense grading this weekend.

In the meantime, here is a fairly interesting piece on how Muslims and Evanglicals are similar.

Sugarcoating It

2007-07-24T09:58:00.000-05:00

Joel Stein of the LA Times has written a wonderfully funny piece on kiddie cereals.

"While I appreciated the honesty of Sugar Pops (bran, wheat, rice, corn -- who cares? It's got sugar in the name!), it seemed too desperate and bland. The Froot Loops mascot baffles me to this day. It seems like an ad campaign created by a wine snob: '"You see, guys, this toucan with an enormous nose, kind of a supertaster bird, is going to fly around pointing out notes of strawberry, lemon and dark cherries in the cereal. Kids will love it!"'

"Seeing Past the Sugarcoating"

Obesity: A Visual

2007-07-19T13:23:00.000-05:00

Check out the growth of obesity epidemic in visual format. It's a map of the U.S. and a year-by-year update starting in 1985. It is pretty startling. It was not that long ago that no state had an obesity rate higher than 14% (1985). Now, practically every state is at 20% or higher and a full third of states are 25% or more. Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia are over 30%!

Fast food and snack food companies say that people have to take "personal responsibility" for their choices. That may be true, but this kind of shift does not occur without some SERIOUS help from marketing and a titanic shift in cultural values and behavior.

Notice that Kentucky and several other southern states are always among the most obese states.

TURN THE TIDE. Personal choice, legislation, whatever...I do not care. Just do your best to find an effective way to change this. It is hurting our bodies, our minds, our lifespan, and our quality of life. We do not have to be ultra-thin, world-class athletes, beautiful, or have ripped abs. We can be a lot fitter and allow our bodies an easier way do their job by streamlining a bit.

Busy Week

2007-07-17T13:46:00.000-05:00

The blog may be slow this week. In addition to teaching a summer class, we are having bible school at church this week. Laurie and I are teaching the 2nd-4th grade kids. So, needless to say, time is short.

Quick 5k update: I did not run as fast as I did in my previous 5k. I had hoped to run under 18 mins, but finished in 18.26. It was warm, and it was a fairly tough course, but I went out a little slower than I should have. But, you can't PR every time out. My wife competed in her first post-baby race and reached her goal of finishing in under 30 mins (29.23).

More later this week as time allows.

Rough River 5k

2007-07-13T12:34:00.000-05:00

Although Rough River State Park is probably best known for playing host to the Kentucky State Old Time Fiddler's Contest (it happens next weekend), it will be hosting it's third annual 5k race tomorrow. This is the closest race to my parents' house. I grew up just 15 minutes away from the park, and I have fished Rough's waters all my life. There is ALWAYS healing and good feelings attached to that place.

I ran the inaugural race in 2005 and competed last year as well...both in oppressive heat. Race time was 9:00 am in those races, and the temperature has crept into the mid-80s by post time each of the past two years. Mercifully, they have moved the start time back to 8:00 am tomorrow. Plus, it is supposed to dip to 60 degrees tonight. If the wind is calm, tomorrow has the makings for a fantastic race.

After that, it's a trip to my family's farm in Breckinridge County for our annual July shindig. You know the type: massive potluck, horseshoes, showing off 6-month-old son, and playing music together all afternoon. It's the good stuff of life. Like Rough River, that farm holds many, many great childhood memories and I love going back there.

Post-race post to come on Monday, along with a breakdown of fat. It gets a bad rap, but it's a necessary part of our diet. Eating the right kinds of fat is the trick, of course.

So, get out and talk a walk/run/bike ride early tomorrow if you can. We do not see many 60-degree overnight lows in mid-July.

Four More Years?

2007-07-09T15:10:00.000-05:00

Whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, or other, this latest survey from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life illustrates the voting power of religious Republicans (RR's). Among registered voters who self-identified as Republican or "leans Republican" and attended worship services at least once per week, 71% still approve of the job President Bush is doing. Nationally, the number is 29%. A startling 80% of RR's believe that using force in Iraq was the right decision. Nationally, it's 40%.

The results of the Pew Center's survey raised my eyebrows. Although President Bush's approval rating has plummeted, he has maintained healthy support among religious Rep's. This is not terribly surprising, I guess, but the strength of the support is eye-popping when compared to the national numbers. I wonder what the numbers look like if the RR's are pulled from those statistics. The gap is likely even greater.

The real message here is what RR's are saying to their '08 candidates...and it's not "don't be like Bush." In fact, the message may be "four more years," at least in policy matters.

So, which is more important for Republican presidential hopefuls? To be like Bush, or to NOT be like Bush? Within their party, it may be the former if they want to win the nomination. Nationally, it may be the latter if they want to be President. At the very least, trying to be both should prove to be entertaining.

Apathetic About Independence

2007-07-05T09:47:00.000-05:00

My family was traveling from dawn 'til way-past-dusk last night, so my Independence Day post is a day late.

Two quotes to spur us to activity:

"The trouble is that we have taken our democracy for granted; we have thought
and acted as if our forefathers had founded it once and for all. We have
forgotten that is has to be enacted anew in every generation." ~John Dewey

For all the ills in our government, political parties, society, and oval office, this is my country. The system may need fixing, but it is the system (or some semblence of it) that has been in place for 220+ years now.

The forefathers were not deistic beings who wound the watch of America and set it in perfect motion for all eternity. The ideas that they set forth must be re-enacted by us and by those who follow us. The system may be corrupt or even broken, but we must be the ones to make it work or do repair. The government of this country is not a product to be sold to us by Democrats or Republicans, presidents or governors--which is what it seems to have turned into sometimes. It is, "We, the people."

"The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush.
It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment."
~Robert M. Hutchens

The less we care, the less we vote. The less we vote, the less we control direction. The less we control direction, the more those with power and money control us.

The biggest threat to America is not terrorism (sorry, Rudy, I know you are banking on that one). It's us. It's our apathy about our role in the decision-making process. It's our willingness to vote for American Idol, but not our representatives or our even our president.

I'm far from a political pundit, but ANY entity composed of members who do not care about it is bound to erode and eventually die.

Do you know who your representatives are? Your senators? Find out. Participate. Create change.

Indulge

2007-07-03T15:53:00.000-05:00

I feel like I've been something of a huge killjoy regarding food on here lately, so here's some tasty news.

1. Dark chocolate is good for you in small amounts. It not only has high antioxidant levels, but it now has a clinical study that shows it reduces blood pressure. Granted, the allowance is small, but a little chunk of dark chocolate goes a long way.

Try this. Cook up a cup of plain, whole oats (not pre-sweetened, packaged outs). Toss in 1 tbsp of peanut butter and one tbsp (NOT heaping) of chocolate chips. Add just a little brown sugar. Stir it up, and enjoy a breakfast that tastes like an oatmeal cookie. It's best with a tall glass of cold milk, of course.

2. You don't have to go all-organic. It's simply not worth it in some cases. One reason organic fruits and veggies are so expensive is that they are shipped from across the globe. By the time it gets to rural Kentucky, it's old and has lost a lot of nutrients. Buy from your local farmer's market. The nutrients and money saved likely outweighs the pesticide levels that we worry about.

Besides, many thick-skinned fruits and vegetables absorb very little pesticide (bananas, for example). More porous foods like strawberries or thin-skinned foods like grapes may be worth their organic price, but local and non-organic food is often more nutritious than store-bought organic.

For pregnant women and small children, low pesticide levels are important, simply because the body weight of a fetus or an small child is proportionally much lower than adults. Therefore, ingesting pesticides has a greater impact. Therefore, with small kids and expectant moms, organic is probably best if you can swing it.

I am a big organic food supporter, but having an "organic" sticker does not automatically make it a better choice every time for everyone.

3. Almonds lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Buy some raw almonds and place them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, and toast the nuts for 6-7 mins. Take them out and let them cool. They will be super-crunchy and flavorful. Replace a couple hundred calories of your daily intake with a good handful of almonds (about 16 individual nuts), and enjoy the taste and the health benefits.

4. Use spicy food to reduce inflammation. If you suffer from sore muscles, tendons, or arthritis, partake of some hot salsa or other food of your choice. Cayenne, chili peppers, or crushed red pepper are commonly used in many Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.

There are lots of others I can put on here. But, I mainly wanted to say that eating well does not mean that we have to eat blandly or have our food become boring.

Enjoy the holiday tomorrow.

The Fast Supper

2007-06-28T11:06:00.001-05:00

Da Vinci's The Last Supper

And, the Fast Supper

I love how they put the feminine character to the right of "The King" creating Dan Brown's "chalice" image from The Da Vinci Code. Clever.

They make T-shirts, if anyone has an itch to buy me something.

Shaq Attack on Fat

2007-06-26T10:34:00.001-05:00

Behold! An NBA superstar does something to be admired: he is attempting to change the lives of several kids who have been diagnosed as "morbidly obese" and at severe risk for health problems. In the previews for Shaq's Big Challenge on ABC's Good Morning America today, it appears that much of the problem lies with parents who are unable to say "no" to their kids requests for food.

Shaq is doing his part to turn around some disturbing trends in American health.

1. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, American children born in 2007 may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. This is attributed mainly to lack of exercise, poor dietary habits, and subsequent complications from this lifestyle including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and many other other ailments.

2. Americans are shorter in stature than their their European counterparts. This was not always the case. Economist Paul Krugman writes,

There is normally a strong association between per capita income and ...
average height. By that standard, Americans should be taller than Europeans:...
But ... something has caused Americans to grow richer without growing
significantly taller.

Why is this so? The changing ethnic mix you say? Nope, says Krugman.

It’s not the population’s changing ethnic mix...: the stagnation ... is clear even ...[for] native-born whites.

Americans are a wealthy lot compared to just about any country, but many other countries are growing taller than we are.

3. The U.S., with our immense wealth, top-notch medical facilities, access to education, and being the world's superpower, should have the highest life expectancy of any country, right? Well, that's asking a lot. But, top 10 for sure...right? No. Top 20? Top 30? Top 40? No, no, and no. We checked in at #45 according to the 2007 World Fact Book, behind nearly every country that most folks consider "highly developed." Japan, Switzerland, Australia, France, Iceland, Canada, Italy, Spain, Norway, Israel, Greece, Austria, Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Jordan, Puerto Rico, and Bosnia and Herzegovenia all rank ahead of the U.S. among many other smaller countries. Why?

As an aside, most of these countries have a lower infant mortality rate, too. Again, I ask, why?

Do these countries have better health care? Better access to it? Better genetics? I doubt that any of those are true. I would hypothesize that they have healthier lifestyles. When visiting Spain a couple of years ago, an older Spanish lady told me that the secrets to their long lives and healthy bodies were "olive oil and lots of walking."

So, I will tune in at 8 pm central to see Shaq's "tough love" approach with these kids. I generally hate reality TV and since Lost is in reruns, there is not a single TV show that I watch on a weekly basis. I will watch tonight mostly out of sheer curiosity.

It is significant that a person weighing 335 pounds is doing this. He has just 14% body fat, which is in the low-normal range for a man. It would not be nearly as effective if some 150-lb fitness trainer was doing this show. Shaq is literally and figuratively larger than life for these kids. For all of my blogging against our weight trends in the U.S., a healthy body has little to do with how thin a person appears. There are plenty of healthy people who are viewed as "bigger" or "heavy."

God gave us all a body. Some of us are better designed for marathoning. Others are better suited for basketball. Still others have the build for swimming, power-lifting, football, or some other activity. An individual's ideal body is not found on the Gap Iconostasis, or on the pages of fashion magazines. Shaq's ideal body weight is 335, give or take. Serena Williams will never be small, but she is quite fit and an amazing athlete. Charles Barkley, while a bit pudgy these days, was known as the "Round Mound of Rebound" in his playing days, but he was a brick house. He was just wide. The U.S. Women's soccer team has done wonders for projecting an image of healthy bodies over just thin ones. (A longer "body image" post will have to wait until another day.)

We all will not and should not look the same, but we can all strive for health whether our ideal weight is 120, 150, 200, or 335. Hopefully, Shaq can help turn the tide for kids in this country.
He has been a collegiate All-American, an MVP, an NBA Finals Champ, a clothing/shoe mogul, a rapper, and an actor. This health thing should be a piece of cake...rice cake, that is.

Dream Away

2007-06-21T09:38:00.000-05:00

As Americans battle their bulging waistlines with pills, Ab Lounges, crash diets, hours in the gym, Joggin' in a Jug, or some other program or drug (or even surgery), they may be ignoring a simple but effective ally in maintaining their health: sleep. Research on how sleep affects weight and general health is still in its infancy, but there are already important academic studies that link sleep to obesity and decreased life expectancy among many other health problems (increased stress, digestive disorders, high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke/heart attack, it's a long list).

How much sleep is enough? Well, everyone is different, but it seems the greatest health risks occur primarily among those who sleep less than seven hours per night, those who have frequently interrupted sleep, and those with sleep disorders. Most people have an "ideal" sleep time of 7-9 hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep.

Many Americans seem to take pride in "getting by" on less sleep, linking their lack of rest with good work ethic and a willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. That simply feeds the "faster" culture that has been discussed here before. Like poor dietary habits, the cumulative effects will not be felt for years or maybe decades, so the current consequences of just "feeling bad" or tired are tolerated. Sleep is sometimes viewed as "wasted" time, and people even go as far as to avoid it or fight it off by staying up too late, then relying on caffeine to jump start them in the morning and keep them awake in the afternoons and evenings. We have more important things to do than, say, give our body its biologically required time to rest, heal, and keep us healthy.

Our body regulates certain bodily functions while we sleep. In regards to weight control, two very important hormones are regulated primarily during sleep. Leptin and ghrelin may sound like Tolkien characters, but in actuality they are hormones that regulate our appetite and our "full" mechanism.

One hormone, ghrelin, which triggers appetite in humans, was found at higher
levels in people who regularly underslept. Another hormone, leptin, which lets
the body know when it is full and should stop eating, was found at much lower
levels in people who did not get enough sleep.(1)

Depriving our bodies of sleep disrupts our ability to identify real hunger or when we feel full. Obviously, this contributes to overreating and late-night snacking which leads to excess caloric intake.

Apart from weight gain, our bodies do important repair work while we rest. When engaging in physical training, increased strength, endurance, and speed all come from a simple formula: stress+recovery. Too many rely on a stress+stress pattern. When a goal is achieved, they immediately push to the next goal. In my training, I do no more than 3-4 "hard" runs per week. The other days are strictly easy, pleasurable runs or off days. Doing 6-7 hard workouts per week does not make me faster (trust me, I've tried this). It wears me down and sets me up for injury and burnout. I think the formula for daily life is similar: work hard, play hard, rest hard...well, that does not quite work, but you get the idea.

If you are a Navy Seal, maybe you have to condition yourself to survive on four hours of sleep per week during Hell Week (first week of training). But, for those of us living our daily lives without the immediate threat of extreme sleep deprivation or "sleep torture," we should make sure that we are getting adequate shut-eye. It helps us recover, repair tissue, "reset" our brains, control our appetites and hunger mechanisms, maintain a healthy body weight, and lowers our risk for myriad health problems.

There is an old saying that the sleep-deprived often trumpet in their defense: "I'll sleep when I'm dead." C'est vrai, but perhaps we can prolong the coming of the Big Sleep by taking getting (roughly) eight hours nightly in the present time. Adequate sleep can improve one's quality of life simply by giving a biological need it's proper place in our list of priorities.

CEREAL UPDATE
I knew that there had to be a reason I had missed out on the Kroger 100% Natural love fest. When I picked up a box in the store this week, I remembered why: 2 g of Trans Fat per serving. I calmly put it back on the shelf. This "100% Natural" is a farce.

"Kroger, the nation's biggest food retailer after Wal-Mart, sells a store-brand
granola, '100% Natural Cereal,' that contains partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oil. But none of its natural-category products include high-fructose corn syrup, Kroger spokesman Gary Huddleston says."(2)

Shame on you, Kroger. The "100% Natural" title is incredibly misleading. It's like "All Natural" 7UP. It still has high fructose corn syrup. I'll stick with Kashi.

(1) http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/02/0224_050224_sleep_2.html
(2) http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_1039.cfm

Tony the Tiger Slims Down

2007-06-14T08:43:00.000-05:00

On the heels of yesterday's post, Kellogg's announced today that they are setting a new standard of responsibility in my beloved cereal aisle. The commitment is two-pronged: 1) more careful in the way that they market to children, and 2) front-of-the-box nutritional information.

Never underestimate the power of litigation. Some will argue that parents' suing McDonald's or Kellogg's for a child's obesity is ridiculous. Maybe. But, a little fear of the law and some good muckraking journalism can go a long way. Look at the changes McDonald's and Wendy's have made since the book Fast Food Nation (2002) and the documentary Supersize Me (2004) hit the scene. Those events coupled with a few attempts to sue McDonald's for contributing to obesity and subsequent health problems have created at least a gentle wind of change (cue The Scorpions).

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act in 2004 (also known as the "Cheeseburger Bill"), but it did not receive a Senate vote. Most of these lawsuits against McDonald's and other fast food corporations have been turned down by the courts. But, the bad press and attention have shed light on a lot of the evils and poor nutrition of fast food, and that has prompted at least a minor shift in marketing and food options.

Breakfast Cereal Killer

2007-06-12T14:31:00.000-05:00

On family trips to the grocery store, my wife has been know to drop me off in the cereal aisle and pick me up after she has worked her way over half of the store. The cereal aisle is the number one reason that I do most of the grocery shopping. I will drive a normal human crazy with frustration as I while away the time in front of 80 feet of boxes.

So, here lies the cereal-eating habits of a man who requires a vast amount of quality carbs due to marathon training. Cereal is low in fat, high in quality carbs (if the right cereal is chosen), and can be consumed with milk, which provides quick, quality protein. It is the perfect snack for those who require a lot of calories or it can be "part of this complete breakfast." Or lunch. Or dinner.

Grab a spoon and enjoy.

HEAVY ROTATION

Kashi Go Lean Crunch. Sorta like harder, crunchier, heartier Super Golden Crisp. This mix of seven whole grains offers serious resistance. If you love to eat healthy whole grains, and you enjoy having the roof of your mouth shredded by hundreds of little oat-razors, this mix is for you. Mystery fact: where else can you get 9 g protein in one serving without ingesting an animal product?

Kellogg's Raisin Bran. No other raisin bran knockoff holds up. I eat loads of generic cereal, but Kellogg's has the best stuff going in the bran/raisin department. The stuff has loads of fiber and the ingredient list is short, which is almost always a good thing.

Frosted Mini-Wheats. Any brand, make, or model will do. These miniature snow-on-hay-bales soak up milk like tiny little sponges, and they pack loads of whole grain. But, they have visible sweetener on them, so it's almost like cheating.

LIGHT ROTATION

Multigrain Cheerios. It's like a daily multivitamin in delicious, toasted, lightly sweetened form. And, like a One-A-Day, it will turn your urine neon green-yellow. Seriously. Try it. It looks like Chernobyl runoff.

SmartStart. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, these flakes hold their crunch so well, that I can only assume that Clark W. Griswold's non-permeable, semi-osmotic cereal varnish is at work here.

Kroger Muesli. Cue up some John Denver, put on some jeans and a flannel shirt, sit on your back porch at sunrise, and chow down on this whole oat, raisin, barley, bran concoction. It is a body-connected-to-the-earth experience that is difficult to match.

OPEN BOX AT OWN RISK

Fruity Pebbles. One 15 oz. box = One Serving. Really, it's flavored puffed rice. There is no stopping point with these little guys. You tell yourself you can stop, but it's like watching a VH1 Behind the Music. You WILL finish it. Your will to stop or turn away plays no part in this.

Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs. I only eat these on special occasions when I am alone. It's kind of embarrassing to howl at the moon over a bowl (OK, seven bowls) of a kiddie cereal. I'm like a crazed night wolf as soon as I get a whiff of these critters.

Lucky Charms. If you have a lot of chores to do, fuel up on a couple of bowls of sugar-coated, refined carbs with a generous smattering of pure, refined sugar marshmallows. They're magically insulin-spiking.

Golden Grahams. Some college rock band-types fall into habits like smoking pot, alcoholism, or heroin. I binged on Golden Grahams. I know that they are scrum-diddly-umptious, but I consumed enough of them in college to fill the Astrodome--so I'm probably done with them for the next 50 years or so.

Froot Loops, Trix, Apple Jacks, etc. Pure, straight trash carbs coated in sugar. It's all about the marketing. It's like a happy meal for breakfast...without the saturated fat, or that pesky risk of E Coli. And, you can almost hear your pancreas cursing at you from the depths of your innards.

BONUS QUESTION
Honeycomb. Have you tried these lately? Something has happened to them recently...and it's NOT good. Maybe bits of endangered Arctic Snow Owls gave them their original delectable texture and flavor. If so, it was still worth it. Now, they are like the old Honey Round rip-offs, but in the REAL Honeycomb box and at the brand name price. Can anyone explain this?

Feel free to share your favorites and make suggestions to this verified cereal addict.

Brownsville 5k Experience

2007-06-11T07:32:00.000-05:00

It was good to race a 5k again. As I wrote last week, I was not sure how the months of long runs, big mileage, and limited speedwork required by my marathong training would affect my 5k times. The question was answered positively. My last 5k on Labor Day 2006 yielded a time of 18.20 (a personal best at that time), but I got around the course in Brownsville in 17.45. Not only did a shatter my previous best, but I ran a good race. Many times, runners go out too fast or too slow, but I think I ran about as well as I could run on Saturday.

I think I run best if I can maintain even mile splits. I slowed down a bit each mile (5.37, 5.44. 5.48), but my perceived effort was fairly even. Plus, I was able to push a little but at the end of the race in the last tenth of a mile. Also, the temperature was in the low 70s and it was cloudy, which is great for a race in June. All in all, I was pleased. This gives me a goal of breaking 17.30 by Labor Day. I will have other 5k races before then, but those are mostly at historically slower courses during the peak of summer temperatures. Shaving off 15 seconds at one of those races is unlikely, but I have not done a lot of speedwork yet. I am very encouraged by this result.

Another great aspect of the Brownsville trip had nothing to do with the race at all. The Edmonson County High School property borders on Mammoth Cave National Park. So, the "cool down" run after the race included a run over a steep ridge to Houchins Ferry. This was not much of a cool down at all, since it required running straight up a ridge, then straight down to the river, and then running back over the hill and down again. Still, the scenery, shade, and smells made it worthwhile, especially after a race well-run.

Look at this map of Mammoth Cave National Park. Scroll down to the last map (the BIG one) and find Brownsville on the left side. It shows how close Brownsville is to the park. For a great summer day trip, pack a picnic lunch and take a drive to Brownsville. Turn right at the ECHS sign. Follow the road up a steep hill and then over the ridge. This leads to the Green River and Houchins Ferry. Take the ferry over and enjoy a picnic. Drive around the park, but find your way back to Brownsville and hit Bertie's Ice Cream before heading home. Good fun.

It was a good trip and a great race. Thanks for your prayers as I do not have any injuries to report--just some lingering soreness. I think my next race will be the 2k on June 23 (next 5k is probably July 14) . This race is FREE and it is the public opening of the new greenway near Weldon Peete Park on Old Lousville Road here in Bowling Green. There is over a mile of paved walking/biking trail on the flatland near the Barren River on the north end of town. Come on out and enjoy the day.

First 5k Race of the Season

2007-06-07T13:45:00.000-05:00

I am racing my first 5k (3.1 miles) of the season on Saturday in Brownsville, KY. Many would look at the distance and conclude that a 3.1 mile race should be "easy" for a marathoner (26.2 miles). Hardly. In fact, in some ways, it is harder.

A marathon is siege; a long, epic struggle of Will vs. Physiology. Months of training, strategic diet, mental preparation, and travel planning go into it. Once the race begins, adjustments can be made for weather, course difficulty, or falling off pace. This is not so for a 5k. A 5k requires one to push to the edge of comfortability from the opening gun. It is a three-mile race on the razor's edge of oxygen deficit and lactic-acid overload. Fall off the edge, and a runner's optimal time is toast. The same is true if a runner does not push hard enough. No racer wants to finish feeling as if they had too much left in the tank.

In a marathon, the first 10 miles or so are spent conserving and holding back to ensure that there is enough in the tank to finish well. Many times, a 5k involves running past the red line too soon and languishing home with lungs ablaze and legs of lead.

Saturday, I will attempt to find that uncomfortable, yet sustainable, pace early and save enough to thunder home in record time. My previous best at this distance is 18 mins 20 secs. Last year on this course, I ran 18.24. As I wrote a couple of weeks back, this marathon training may have helped or hurt my 5k times. I feel that I am faster right now than I was last year at this time, but I will not truly know until Saturday.

The quest for a sub-18 min 5k begins. I will have 4 or 5 chances to do it this summer and this is the first. Please pray for safety and a good trip around the course.

Why I Hate the NBA

2007-06-04T15:20:00.000-05:00

I love college basketball. In the winter, I blog about college hoops and the NCAA selection criteria. I especially love the NCAA Tournament selection process and have been called something of an expert (obsessed, crazed maniac?) on the subject by Kyle Whelliston (of ESPN) amongst others. I even went on Louisville's ESPN Radio twice last year to yak about which teams were going to get into the tourney or be left at home.

A spirited discussion with my brother-in-law this past weekend forced me to think about why I do not watch professional basketball, or the league known as "The Association." That's the NBA for us un-hip, stodgy basketball purists. The prompt for this discussion came from a book(1) that I received for my birthday. The first chapter deals with communitarian philosophy and small-town high school basketball, and I find much common ground in Stephen Webb's opening essay entitled, "Building Communities One Gym At A Time: Communitarianism and the Decline of Small-Town Basketball."

Webb states that communitarians believe "that the needs of the community outweigh the individual" and that "communities determine meaning, not individuals." Communitarians also believe that individualism is too shaky a foundation for a solid community. Further, "communities are more than a collection of individual persons, just as a basketball team is more than the sum of its parts." And here lies the problem(s) with the NBA.

1. Individuals are marketed over teams. The NBA does not market teams. It markets players. People watch the NBA because the are "the best players in the world." Maybe. But they are not the best teams. In world events like the Olympics and the World Basketball Championships, these great individuals are getting their butts handed to them regularly by teams from other countries without ANY or very few "great" players. Why? Because Argentina has a great TEAM. Argentina and Puerto Rico are far more than the sum of their parts. The USA usually consists of a collection of great players, but they are far from a team. It is a collection of All-Stars comprised of world class athletes with suspect shooters, mediocre defense, and an collective inability to submit to a team concept. Argentina is forged metal. The US is a bundle of rods loosely bound and easily scattered.

That said, it is perfectly fine if a fan wants to watch great individual players--in fact, I enjoy that, too. However, that is simply good entertainment and not good basketball. The talent of any one player is secondary to the team concept in my basketball values, and in the NBA it is all about LeBron, Kobe, T-Mac, Shaq, D-Wade, etc. The star player is valued and marketed over the team for which he plays. This undermines the team concept and promotes individualism in our culture and in our kids watching basketball. I simply do not like it.

It happens with college hoops, too, but it is pretty rare once we get past Ohio State, North Carolina, Duke and the rest of ESPN's favorites. Quick! Name the best player from George Mason's Final Four team in 2006! Could you name any player? It's hard to do because that was a team and not a marketed product centered on a star player. When they made their run, they were referred to as "George Mason"--a team, and not "Greg Oden and the Ohio State Buckeyes" or "Joakim Noah and the Florida Gators" or "Tyler Hansbrough and the North Carolina Tar Heels." In fact 95% of college basketball are teams. It's the ESPN and media hype machines that turn college stars into one-man shows. In the NBA, it is all about the top players.

2. Ugly basketball. Admittedly, the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks play wonderful basketball. These teams do adhere more to a team concept, but even at that Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki are marketed over the larger team by the league. With a team like Cleveland, it's all LeBron all the time. Lakers? It's Kobe and four other guys. The offense usually works like this:

--Give the ball to Kobe high on the wing
--Set pick for Kobe
--Kobe drives. If the defense stays home, Kobe shoots. If it collapses, Kobe still shoots, or MAYBE he'll kick it to a teammate.

Where are the offensive sets? Where is the pick-and-roll? Where is the artistry? It gets lost in the 6-step Electric Slide that Kobe gets away with without dribbling on his way to the hoop. There are WWE-sanctioned wrestling matches taking place under the hoop. It is ugly basketball.

Watch a collegiate game involving Air Force or Georgetown on offense. It is precision passing and cutting. Watch a collegiate game with Southern Illinois playing picture-perfect, textbook, half-court, in-your-shorts, man-to-man defense. Heck, watch VMI create mass chaos in a turnover-filled free-for-all. These are all done with a team philosophy with all players submitting to a system to achieve a goal. Not so in the NBA for most teams. Kobe IS the system.

3. Overpaid Prima Donnas. I'm sorry. I find it hard to watch guys making millions play a game at half-speed. Guys who gain 30 pounds in the offseasons. Guys with a $7 million per year contract who hold out for a to get $7.8 million. Guys who coast all season and then try to turn it on in the eternally-long playoffs. I can encounter greed anywhere. I do not need to watch it soil a beautiful game. Are college players any better? In a word: YES. But, we must look past the television darlings.

One can point to the elite levels of college basketball and see the same kind of NBAttitude by big-time stars currently playing on college teams. But, again, the basketball played by the top 20 teams on TV every night only represents about 6% of Division I college basketball. Did you know that there are 336 Division I college hoops teams? The overwhelming majority of college ball is played by kids who KNOW that they are not going to the NBA. They are there to get a step ahead in life, to get an education, or at the very least, to play a game they love.

Get past the television and go watch a game at Western Kentucky, Murray State, Tennessee Tech, or Montana State. Nearly every player on the court (save a gem here or there) is playing college ball and it is their last stop. There are no millions waiting for them.

So, connecting this with my fast food post, get out and support the local teams. Is college hoops not your style? Kentucky is a great place for high school hoops, too. Webb states, "Small towns used to be the source of many of America's cultural values and social standards. Residents of small towns did not feel like they were being left behind by the glamour of big cities." So many small towns in Kentucky announce Wal-Mart's coming as it if acknowledges their importance in the world. In fact, what already exists at their local diners, barber shops, churches, and gyms is what defines their character. Wal-Mart only allows them to be like everybody else. Healthy individuality is fostered by strong community.

I know that my WKU Hilltoppers will likely never win an NCAA Championship in hoops. I know that my church will likely never be huge. I know my personal boycott of McDonald's or Wal-Mart will not make a dent. But folks in those communities at WKU, at my church, and at my local places of business might appreciate it.

Our communities are more than the sum of their parts. And that is why I hate the NBA.

1. See especially Stephen H. Webb, "Building Communities One Gym At A Time: Communitarianism and the Decline of Small-Town Basketball" in Jerry L. Walls and Gregory Bassham, Basketball and Philosophy: Thinking Outside the Paint, (Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 2007), 7-18.

Not Lovin' It

2007-05-29T15:03:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me well has to be utterly shocked that I have waited this long to post about fast food. With the other blogs that I read are currently filled with heavy (and quality) discussions on church and faith, I figure it might be a good time for me to indulge in one of my far-too-frequent tirades against those who would control our taste buds, wallets, wastelines, and children if at all possible.

What triggered this was an event in my office yesterday. I dropped by to do a little work with my 5-month-old son in tow. I happened to mention that we were going to a birthday party tonight for a little friend who is turning one year old. The first question from our departmental office associate: "Are you going to McDonald's?" This is not solely about how bad the food is for us. It touches many parts of our lives and serves as an indicator of larger cultural trends.

The long arm of fast food extends FAR past the drive-thru window. Unlike other aspects of popular culture like music, fashion, film, or sports, food culture becomes a part of us physically. We ingest it and it goes into our bloodstream and organs. Listening to Flock of Seagulls in the 1980s may have prompted you to get a weird hair cut and now serve as the butt of jokes at current family reunions or when old pictures are reviewed, but it did not affect your cholesterol, clog your arteries, or make you obese. Overindulgence in fast food culture may have done (and may do) just that.

So, here are some reasons to limit your trips to the drive-thru.

1. It's bad for you. Have you ever cooked a hamburger at home on a grill? Does it look, taste, or feel like a McDonald's hamburger? How does Mickey D's get their burgers to taste the same in Miami, Florida, as in Seattle, Washington? How come they do not shrink when cooked? It is mainly because what you are tasting is not a hamburger at all. What you are tasting are chemicals. Leftover meatish parts from hundreds of slaughtered cattle thrown into a hopper, ground up, and fashioned into a uniform, bun-sized patty. The flavor largely comes from IFF (International Flavors and Fragrances). Eric Schlosser has this to say in his 2002 book Fast Food Nation:

In addition to being the world's largest flavor company, IFF manufactures
the smells of six of the ten best-selling fine perfumes in the United States,
including Estée Lauder's Beautiful, Clinique's Happy, Lancôme's Trésor, and
Calvin Klein's Eternity. It also makes the smells of household products such as
deodorant, dishwashing detergent, bath soap, shampoo, furniture polish, and
floor wax. All these aromas are made through essentially the same process: the
manipulation of volatile chemicals. The basic science behind the scent of your shaving cream is the same as that governing the flavor of your TV dinner.

The taste does not come from just the food. So, not only is it high in calories, fat, trans fat (in some cases), salt, and mostly devoid of nutrition, but the taste comes from the same folks who give Pert Plus it's smell.

2. It hurts local businesses. It's tough enough for small sandwich and coffee shop owners to make it. It's nigh impossible when a fast food restaurant sets up shop across the street or next door. Is Subway cheaper than Bread and Bagels (a local sandwich shop in Bowling Green, KY)? Yes, it is. Which one has higher quality food with better ingredients, an infinitely better atmosphere, works with local farmers, and has a vested interest in Bowling Green? B&B. All that for a dollar more at lunch time! What a bargain!

Do you enjoy drinking coffee and seeing bands at Spencer's? Do you like the excellent sandwiches at B&B? Support them.

Some argue that dollar menus appeal to those with little money. I would argue that they should not be eating at a restaurant at all, and even if they do...

3. It is expensive. One of the greatest tricks of the fast food industry is proclaiming it's economic value, especially through "value menus" or "dollar menus." A sandwich, fries and a drink from the dollar menu will still cost you $3.15 in Kentucky. That works out to a cost of $9.45 per day or roughly $70 per week. I can buy high-quality, organic food for two people with $70 per week. Further, a pound of turkey ($5), 1/2 pound of cheese ($2.50), a loaf of bread ($2), six or seven bananas ($2) and drinking water costs about $11.50--and I'm talking about the good stuff here. One could make at least six meals from these groceries. That's less than $2 per meal.

Fast food is not cheap. I understand that some folks in dire financial straits without a stove at home can enjoy a hot meal at a fast food restaurant for $3-4, and that is understandable. But, if you are reading this blog, this probably does not apply to you.

4. It is not faster. Time yourself. Make a sandwich at home and eat it. Then, one day, drive to a fast food restaurant at lunch time, order, get the food, and eat it. I'll go 10-1 that the homemade lunch is faster. If you have leftovers from dinner the night before, that's even better!
5. It is aimed at kids. "Brand imprinting for later actuation in life." That is what McDonald's brass calls it according to Morgan Spurlock's documentary, Supersize Me. In other words, a seven-year-old has more lifelong buying power than a 70-year-old. So, it's clowns, playgrounds, birthday parties, coloring and legos. It's happy meals gift-wrapped in colorful boxes and pseudo-hamburgers wrapped in fun paper, and it all comes with the latest California Raisin figurine (1980s), beanie baby (1990s), Incredibles (2000s), or (insert new Disney movie here) toy. The nation decried Joe Camel and had him axed, yet Ronald McDonald is something of a hero and more first-graders can correctly identify Ronald than they can common portrayals of Jesus in a picture lineup. To me, Joe Camel and Ronald are two sides of the same coin; they get the hooks of addiction in into kids at an early age. That may sound strong, but no six-year-old brain is a match for the salty, cheesy, sugary, caffeine-laced concoction of the standard McDonald's meal. Heck, it hooks adults fairly easily. Couple that with the toys, parties, playgrounds, and general good-feelings, and the psychological impact is massive.

6. It reduces small-town character. Most people probably care less about this than I do, but it pains me to drive through the South and see that the interstate exits at all of the small towns look the same: Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Subway. Lather, rinse, repeat. I enjoy an occasional blueberry pancake overload at Cracker Barrel as much as the next guy, but basically what CB has done is taken the idea of the hometown country store/restaurant and replicated it on a massive scale. The irony would be funny if not so sad. It is an imitation of the real thing (like say, Teresa's or Judy's Castle or Murray's...).

And that is ultimately the crux of the matter. The continuing explosion of fast food serves as an indicator of a larger trend. It's megachurch for our diets. It's Duke and North Carolina on ESPN, replacing attendance at a local, real, live college basketball game with a slick, marketed product of hype. It's Wal-Mart for our restaurants, enormous and replicating at an alarming rate...actually McDonald's IS inside many Wal-Marts. It's "convenient" and "time-saving" so that we can get on to more important things like hurrying home to watch hours of television so that they can market more fast food to us during the commercial breaks. Eating meals is what sustains our physical body. I think that is pretty important stuff.

The worst of it is that we say that we value education in this country, but the food that is available in schools is some of the worst out there. We spend resources on education and preach the value of it to kids while sending them to a lunchroom filled with low-grade food. Many college campuses' food courts are dominated by fast-food chains. Why are we not educating students on the value of taking care of their bodies? Our intellectual capacity and knowledge suffer if the body that houses them is compromised.

We often cannot see the cumulative effects of what we do to our bodies during our youth until a little later in life. Before we get older or get sick, our time, convenience, and tastes drive our actions. Eventually, when we get sick or break down, THEN we make changes to control our cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, weight, etc. How about a little preventative maintenance? Do we want to reform health care in this country? Start at the front end and taking care of ourselves by eating well and exercising. Of course, all of us are going to break down and need medicine at some point and some of us are predisposed to certain ailments, but Americans as a whole can certainly do more on the front end.

We marvel at the soul and human mind that God created in His image. What about the human body that is also made in his image? Why do our bodies look the way that they do? We hear lots about being good stewards with what we are given. Does this not apply to our physical body as well? Or maybe it's more what kinds of abuses we will tolerate. For many Christians, drinking alcohol, even an amount that might be physically beneficial, is frowned upon, but gorging on fried foods, ice cream, or pies on a regular basis is perfectly acceptable. Why?

I am not advocating a workout regimen in order to be a "better Christian." But, maybe we should examine the motivations and reasons for the status of our health both individually and collectively in this country.

I am also not trying to suck the fun out of eating. But, do we think of food as fuel or as fun? Hopefully, it can be a bit of both, but when food becomes a hobby it also becomes a danger.

Rapture Ready

2007-05-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

My primary job this summer is to bond with and take care of my 5-month-old son. As I rocked him to sleep yesterday afternoon, I turned on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) to see what the face of Christianity looks like to the millions at home watching TV and happening upon this giant Christian network.

What I got was "Rapture ready." This is the calling card of TV preacher Rod Parsley on his program, Breakthrough. In the future, maybe a long post on the idea of the Rapture can happen, but for today let's simply think about where this puts the focus of our faith: the end of time. It seems to me that a lot of TV preachers have two foci: earthly material wealth and "being saved" from hell. Where do these ideas put the focus of our faith? MY material wealth in this life and MY personal salvation are right up front. Of course, most preachers also focus on converting others so that they can have wealth and be saved, but the engine that drives all of this is self-aggrandizement and self-preservation.

I am not degrading the value of a good life or eternal life, but were these the greatest concerns of Jesus? Of Paul? I would argue that they were not. In fact, the focus of Christ seemed to be giving up material wealth. Certainly, personal salvation was extremely important, but personal salvation in the context of how that transforms our lives and our priorities, not simply how it saves us from hell.

Are we saved? If so, praise be to God for eternal life. But, does that not have a massive impact on how we live NOW?

I believe it does, and it has little to do with accumulating cars, houses, or blessing me with $35,000 if I pray for 10 people. There is a good deal of patient endurance in Christ, of struggling with brothers and sisters in Christ, of showing Christ to others in word and deed, and of constantly challenging ourselves and others to conform more to His likeness.

More on the (lack of a) Rapture (a word that does not appear in the Bible, and a word that is rooted in Latin, not Hebrew or Greek) another day.

Oh, and today, make sure you are Rapture ready.

Springtime Joy and Hydration

2007-05-15T08:16:00.000-05:00

Out of the cold depths of winter comes days like Sunday and Monday. Beautiful, cloudless, glorious spring days illuminated with the orange-warm rays of that giant mass of incandescent gas (apologies to They Might Be Giants) above. The thought of hats, gloves, and scarves seem far away. The first hints of the coming brutal heat are felt when the sun peaks in the afternoon, but quickly fades away into cooler evenings. This is a good time of year.

Keeping with the theme of my previous "Speed Kills" post, please take the time to enjoy May. It's Derby, flowers, soft winds, and warm weather. Notice how the sky lightens a bit earlier and darkens a bit later. Notice how the shadows of the buildings are getting shorter when you arrive at work or go to lunch. Notice how the trees plump their leaves to provide maximum shade for us in preparation for the coming heat of June, July, and August.

As a runner, I must remind everyone to stay hydrated. I'm no dehydration alarmist, but we do require more H2O as temperatures climb, especially those of us who exercise outside. The "8-8" rule (drink eight glasses of 8 oz) is a bit of a myth. Not everyone requires the same amount. We get a considerable amount of water from our food (up to 32 oz depending on what one eats). If you feel thirsty, drink. If you feel bad or hungry during the day, try water first. Beyond that, the best indicator of your hydration level is the color of your urine. If it's darker than a pale, yellow straw color, you probably need more water.

As readers already may have gathered from previous posts, I believe our bodies can tell us a lot about our general health if we listen to it. Hydration level is a perfect example of this. We have a thirst mechanism and what we expel from our bladder is like our fluid guage. Simply listen and observe.

Are You Ready for the Country?

2007-05-08T13:50:00.000-05:00

One of my creative outlets is a post-country/folk band called Redfoot. You can hear rough cuts of two songs from our upcoming album here if you are interested.

Lately, I have been combing my memory (and the internet) for old songs that impacted me or songs that my parents/grandparents held dear. This process has yielded some old gems that you might hear occasionally, but really should be songs that are part of your library if you currently do not have access to them. Most of these are from a land far, far away from Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood.

Here are a dozen classic country tunes that hold a soft spot in my heart (in no particular order):

"Cool Water." Sons of the Pioneers (1947). The Pioneers possess watertight harmonies and a sound that is truly from another era. This is one of their best selections.

"He Stopped Loving Her Today." George Jones (1980). Simply the saddest song ever written delivered by a singer who can crank up the emotion to an incredible level. Also, it's one of the top country songs of all time according to just about anyone's list.

"Devil Went Down to Georgia." Charlie Daniels Band (1979). Horrendous theology; mighty fine fiddlin'. And, one of great choruses of all time.

Fire on the mountain! Run, boys, run!
Devil's in the house of the risin' sun.
Chicken in the bread pan pickin' out dough
Granny does your dog bite? No, child, no!

What does this mean? I have no idea. But, it sure does work.

"El Paso." Marty Robbins (1959). Robbins' soaring vocals only add to a great story. My pick for the top cowboy song ever. That wicked Feleena...

"Lucille." Kenny Rogers (1979). I am not a huge fan of The Roaster, but he did have a great run in the early 80's. This is a great tune about heartbreak.

"Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?" Waylon Jennings (1973). Few left a mark on music like Waylon: played with Buddy Holly, negotiated a "rock 'n roll" contract with much artistic freedom in a Nashville-dominated country world in the early 1970s, and kicked off the Outlaw Country movement. Currently, this is my favorite of his tunes.

"Flowers on the Wall." Statler Brothers (1966). It was a big hit four decades ago, and then was revived by Pulp Fiction in 1994. Sadly, it is known more for the Bruce Wills/Ving Rhames scene in Quentin Tarantino's movie than for what it truly is: a darkly comedic song about a man in total isolation (institutionalized?) after a rough break up.

"Coat of Many Colors." Dolly Parton (1971). I cannot take too much Dolly in one listening session, but she is fine sprinkled in here and there. This song is one of her best.

"Boy Named Sue." Johnny Cash (1969). This Shel Silverstein poem is brilliantly retold by Cash on the San Quentin album.

"Coal Miner's Daughter." Loretta Lynn (1969). Straight from the poor, hillbilly gut and proud of it. Loretta's voice and delivery are so genuine, and this song is basically her three minute biography.

"Your Cheatin' Heart." Hank Williams (1952). It's Hank Williams.

"Sixteen Tons." Tennessee Ernie Ford (1955). "Muscle and blood, skin and bones, a mind that's weak and a back that's strong." There are lots of songs that capture the hopelessness of coal mines, but owing your soul to the company store takes the cake. Johnny Cash's rendition of Merle Travis' "Dark as the Dungeon" is a dandy, too.

These are just a dozen songs I've been thinking about and listening to lately. I just noticed that they were all released in 1980 or earlier. Hmmm...maybe a post-1980 list can happen in the future.

Marathon Recovery and Twitchy Fibers

2007-05-04T10:57:00.000-05:00

MILEAGE LOG:
Monday: Off
Tuesday: 3 miles
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: 5 miles
Friday: Off
Saturday: 8 miles (projected)
Sunday: Off

Marathon recovery is a bit like a big dessert. Months of sweat, miles, and considerable pain culminate into one race. Hopefully, that race produces a desired result. If so, the recovery can be an enjoyable time of easy miles and loads of food. That is precisely what I have been up to this week in regards to training: resting sore muscles and weakened tendons along with consuming ridiculous amounts of high-carb, high-protein recovery foods.

The next race goal will likely be the Memorial Day 3k, which is three weeks from Monday. That will give me another 1-2 weeks of recovery, then 1-2 weeks to sharpen up with a few speed sessions and see how much my marathon training impacted my speed in shorter races. Certainly, all that running would make a runner faster at any distance, right? Well, that's not quite the case, biologically speaking.

A person has two general types of muscle fibers: "fast-twitch" (better for sprinting and shorter races) and "slow-twitch" (conducive to distance running). For most, the ratio is about 50/50, but elite sprinters could have as high as an 80/20 fast/slow twitch ratio. Conversely, some elite marathoners have 80/20 slow/fast twitch ratio. This seems to be determined genetically.

Research has shown that by marathon training, some fast-twitch muscles fibers can be trained to take on the characteristics of slow-twitch fibers. They only way to know an individual runner's ratio is to have a cross-section of their muscled taken for research. Even at that, there is not much that a person can do about it.

All this to say that training for the marathon could conceivable make a runner slower in shorter distances. I will find out if I have been made fast or slower within the next month in the upcoming 3k and the Summer Classic 5k in Brownsville (Edmonson County) in June.

Speed Kills

2007-05-02T10:16:00.000-05:00

My freshman classes gave their final presentations this week. One question served as the linchpin of our course this semester: "What does 'getting an education' mean?" Their assignment was to take a long view of the semester and think about how these last 15 weeks have helped (or not helped) to answer that question. Most came up with similar ideas, citing a better understanding of American culture, the world in which we live, how to ask good questions, and how to value and evaluate differing and opposing viewpoints. This is basically what I expected, and was pleased that these themes were identifiable.

But, I was surprised at how many specifically mentioned our conversation of "Time" as an important part of the course. We did this way back in early February, yet a number of students tagged those classes as the pivotal week of the course. Students were divided into groups of three of four and given a short chapter from Alan Lightman's wonderful little book, Einstein's Dreams. It is a fictional foray into Einstein's thoughts on alternative views of time (time flowing in reverse, eternal life, time as cyclical instead of linear, etc). What many students realized was that "Time" is merely a measurement of "Life." Time consists of human-made increments of life: seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, decades, centuries.

The question then becomes, "What is important in life?" If we live from point to point, checking off the list as we go, we eventually (and quickly) come to an ending point. This speeds up our lives. We are born, we grow into adults, we graduate high school and head to college, we find a partner, we get married, we establish a career, we have kids, we raise kids, we retire, and then we die. This pattern is not inherently bad, but it if we live each stage with blinders on, constantly looking to the next point, we fail to recognize what is happening to the left of us. We ignore the beauty to right of us. We might even forget what has happened behind us and got us to any particular "point." Our obsession with "the next level" speeds us up and hastens the completion of our "Time." Eventually, there are no more points to connect, and no more steps to climb. We spend our lives racing to the next point and forget to live while we are doing it.

In his book Faster, James Gleick notes how we maniacally hammer the "door close" button in elevators. Once we press it and it lights up, the doors are in the process of closing. Whether we press the button no more times or jackhammer it with 37 mini-punches with our index finger, the door close time will be the same. What's the rush? We feel that we are "wasting time," but where will this "saved" time go? For most, it will probably be frittered away flipping through one of their 500 television channels later in the evening.

For students, this time in college is not a four-year waiting room before they start their "real life." As John Cougar/Cougar Mellencamp/Mellencamp once sang, "Your life is now." Certainly, we should focus on studies, cultivate our marriages, raise our children, and look to the future. But, we must take off the blinders while we do these things. We must see the others to the left and right of us who are celebrating, hurting, striving, falling, living and dying. We must view our current "level" as where we are and not be solely focused on "what's next." We should slow down and savor the daily wonders that we enjoy. Savor the coffee. Stand in the burning sun and feel the brutal humidity if just for a moment. Allow the bitter cold to sting our skin before opening the door into a heated building. Pause and thank God for the work that we have to do today. Take the stairs instead of pounding the worn-out elevator button. Take a stroll (or run, of course) and leave our watches on the counter. This is not "wasted" time. This is life.

The supreme irony that a marathon runner, who has been so focused on a Boston Qualifying TIME of late, is writing about slowing down is not lost on me. But, what do I experience when I run? Is it a means to an end? No. My pursuit of "faster" will hopefully allow me to experience more "life" in a trip to Boston.

Savor your moments today and every day, and look behind, to the right, and to the left of you as you do so.

*Check out these two books...if you have "time," of course:
Alan Lightman, Einstein's Dreams, (New York: Warner Books, 1993).
James Gleick, Faster, (New York: Vintage, 1999).

Derby Marathon Race Summary

2007-04-30T11:05:00.000-05:00

When I started this blog, I addressed the question, "Why Run?" There are lots of reasonable answers to that query. Answering the question, "Why race 26.2 miles?", proves a bit more challenging. Honestly, for me, it is simply about finding my physical limits. Call me a glutton for punishment, deranged, or just plain stupid, but I find it fascinating and challenging to train my body for a test of endurance.

I was able to finish the Derby Festival Marathon in 3hrs 6 mins 42 seconds, which was good for 38th of about 1,100 marathoners. This was safely under my needed time to qualify for Boston '08 (<3.11.00). The primary goal was achieved. Furthermore, it appears that I avoided any serious damage. I am still pretty sore today, especially my shins, calves, hips, and hamstrings, but it is a "good sore." My armpits were simply raw on Saturday night and Sunday, but the fire is dying down today. All of these issues will fade in a couple more days. A couple of easy weeks of running should have me ready to tackle the shorter 5k and 10k races this summer.

My race strategy was to run a pace that 1) ensured a Boston QT and 2) gave me a chance at breaking 3 hrs if I felt good late in the race. As stated above, number one was accomplished. Number two? Not so much. From the opening mile until Mile 18, my average pace was 6.52. That is exactly on 3-hr pace. But, miles 14 (7.01), 15 (7.12), 16 (7.02), and 17 (6.58) in the Cherokee Park area took a lot out of me. I had built a small cushion in the first half of the race that would allow me to run the second half a little slower, but those four hilly miles used up my time cushion and most of my energy reserves. From that point on, maintaining 6.52 pace was out of the question. My legs got tighter and tighter with each mile. It became a test of simply running each step to ensure my Boston time.

Thankfully, my wife, son, and parents were there at the end to help get me to the car drive me around for the first couple of hours. I could not have done this alone due to cramps every time I tried to squat or stretch. But, by the time I finished my grilled fish, veggies, and cornbread at lunch in Elizabethtown (the cultural vortex of America), I was feeling much better.

Louisville did a great job hosting the event. Especially nice touches were the "Call to Post" by the Churchill Downs bugler, who will also do the call to post this Saturday at the Kentucky Derby, and the 9th mile inside Churchill itself. As we ran, a PA system was playing old calls of past Derbies. When I ran my mile inside the Downs, the call was Affirmed's win over Alydar in the 1978 Kentucky Derby. Affirmed was the last horse to win the Triple Crown. Pretty cool.

Thanks be to God for safe travels, a safe run, and a fun time. Thanks again to all who called, emailed, prayed for, and thought about me on Saturday.

No more marathons until late next fall (probably December). Now, it is time to rest for a few days, then focus on getting faster for the summer's shorter distances (5k, 10k).

Boston Qualifier: Accomplished!

2007-04-29T08:19:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to say that I now have Boston 2008 as a training goal! I needed a time under 3.11.00, and I got to the finish line in 3.06.50 (or something close to that).

No details today. I'll have a long post tomorrow chronicling the race. Thanks to all of you who called, emailed, commented, and tracked me. It certainly was a great motivator knowing that I had so many thinking about me and praying for me.

Track Me at the Derby Marathon!

2007-04-26T10:51:00.000-05:00

My training is complete, and the all the hay is in the barn. My bags are packed, and I'm heading to a friend's house in Louisville today. All that is left in my marathon preparation is mass consumption of carbo-licious foods and a 2 mile jog today just to stay loose and remind my body to store some water. Tonight, I will attend the race expo and get some sleep.

My wife, son, and my parents will be in Louisville to welcome (help?) me at the finish line of the Derby Marathon on Saturday. But, by the wonders of this newfangled Internet and "chip timing," you can track me from your home computer! The Derby Marathon site will let you see my split times at various points of the race. Simply search for "Cort Basham" and you should be able to track me or any other participants that you know.

I feel good and the weather forecast looks great (~50 degrees at start). Please pray for safe travel for all and a safe run. I'll post on Monday with more details than you will probably want to know about my marathon experience.

"Pop" Culture

2007-04-25T08:42:00.000-05:00

Where is "the South" in America? If we all drew a border about what is meant by "the South," there would likely be some considerable variation as to what states, cities, and counties were included. But, somehow, nearly everyone knows that when "the South" is referenced, it includes Birmingham but not Phoenix. Somehow, we know that Nashville is in it, but Miami is not. How?

"The South" is a cultural place not bound strictly by geography. Every semester, I have my students fill in a blank map of the Fifty States (sadly, I'd say maybe 5% of college freshmen can do this accurately), then draw a border around "the South." We then have a discussion about the edges of their borders. Some include Texas, some do not. West Virginia is often debated. At what point do you leave "the South" when traveling further south into Florida (let that sink in for minute)? Many students split Kentucky in half, as do I. The cultural South begins to fade out as one drives up I-65 through Elizabethtown, Fort Knox, Shepherdsville, and pushing toward Louisville. There are pockets here and there, but northern Hardin County certainly feels a lot different than Edmonson County.

There also exists a "Coke/Pop" line in this state. When generally referencing carbonated beverages, what is your term of choice? In western Kentucky, people generally say, "Coke." When I make a grocery list, I write "Cokes" on it. That means Dr. Pepper for me and Coca-Cola for my wife. Mountain Dew, Shasta, 7Up, Ski, Ale-8, Sprite--it does not matter. They are all "Cokes!" Now, somewhere just a few miles east of Elizabethtown (a strong "Coke" city), the general term is "Pop." The term "pop" starts to pop up (terrible pun absolutely intended) in Lincoln, Boyle, Mercer, and Washington Counties. While "Coke" is the term of choice in Lexington, one is steeped in "popness" when venturing into mountain counties like Menifee, Magoffin, and Rowan (pronounced "ROWN"). In Prestonsburg or Pikeville, "Coke" towns like Bowling Green or Glasgow seem a million miles away.

Add to that the convergence of dialects in the central Kentucky area, and what we have is a cultural hurricane with the eye somewhere near Elizabethtown.

So, Southerners, travelers, and students of cultural studies, where is the edge of "the South?" Can any good Southerner really say "pop?" If you did not click the in-text links above, please do visit PopvsSoda.com. It's as much fun as the sugary-sweet nectar that it researches. You can even participate in the Pop vs. Soda vs. Coke survey.

*For more, check out J.S. Reed's My Tears Spoiled My Aim. Reed has some GREAT stuff in there on how Americans define the South (the Sweet Tea Line, the "Hell, Yes!" Line, Kudzu, and more).

Creeds as Flags

2007-04-23T11:11:00.000-05:00

TODAY'S MILEAGE: 5 miles

Recently, a friend passed along a podcast of eminent historian Jaroslav Pelikan's 2003 interview with Krista Tippett on the radio program Speaking of Faith. Pelikan made lots of interesting insights into the importance of creeds in faith, but one statement has stuck with me for several days:

"Creeds act a bit like our flags. We look to them as representation of what we believe."

That quote may not be 100% precise, but that was the idea conveyed by Pelikan. Creeds may not capture or communicate all of the intricacies of our personal beliefs, but they do unify us to some degree. They are a bit of a rudder as we sail the seas of faith and life. They are a bit like flags. When Americans sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" or as hundreds of Mexican flags go up when Mexico scores a goal in the World Cup, the flag is a representation of history, present, and future. They represent where those countries have been in times of peace and war, joy and sorrow, unity and division. The creeds function in a similar way for Christians.

Unfamiliar with creeds? Two of the most recited creeds are the Nicene creed and the Apostle's creed. Millions of Christians around the globe affirm these creeds every day.

Get more podcasts from SpeakingofFaith.org. Read another Pelikan interview on Credo on Beliefnet.com.

Marathon Taper Update

2007-04-19T16:18:00.000-05:00

WEEKLY MILEAGE
Monday: 14
Tuesday: 3
Wednesday: 5
Thursday: off
Friday: 3
Saturday: 10
Sunday: off

I have had a cold, felt bloated and slow, and my confidence is flagging.

This means that my taper is going EXACTLY as it should. These feelings are typical for lots of marathoners in taper.

I did not run last Saturday or Sunday due to my sore throat and 40-degree temperatures coupled with lashing winds and torrential rains. So, I had to get a semi-long run in on Monday. I have an easy 10 miles planned this Saturday. After that, it will be a couple of easy 5-milers next week before race day on April 28. It is just 8 days and 10 hours until race time.

Gimme That Old-Time Religion(?)

2007-04-17T14:39:00.000-05:00

"Gimme that old time religion
Gimme that old time religion
Gimme that old time religion
It's good enough for me!"

The old spiritual conjures up images of rural churches in early 20th century America, and that is precisely the issue. The "old-time" religion and the ideas and images connected to it are not that old. Many Christians long for the "old-time religion" that goes all the way back--eons and light years--to the late 19th century. The hymn, "Give Me That Old-Time Religion" was adapted from an African-American spiritual in 1889 and published in 1891 by Charlie Tillman. The old time religion is not so aged. There were about 1900 years of Christianity before it.

Similarly, Christian fundamentalists are often viewed as defenders of traditional Christian values and "conservers" of old ways of faith. In many ways, they were (and are) precisely the opposite. In 1925, fundamentalists were dealt a significant blow at the Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, Tennessee. People felt that Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan's exchange put fundamentalist Christianity in a bad light. So, during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, the Fightin' Fundies went underground. They did not rely on old methods; they used new methods to build their base. They created summer camps, meetings, and conferences. They separated from secular society and created their own colleges and other schools. They used mass-produced pamphlets and papers to spread their ideas. They turned to the newfangled radio and made use of the new airwaves. Charles Fuller's Old Fashioned Revival Hour converted thousands to fundamentalist Christianity by appealing to listeners with intimacy, family, conservatism, and "old-time" comfort during the Depression and WWII (1). The use of new technology has remained at the forefront of fundamentalism through the mass production of written material, television, movies, and the internet.

Despite their call for old-time comfort, their theology had a "new" feel as well. Dispensational premillennialism ("Rapture Theology" or "Antichrist Theology") was not popularized until the mid-1800's. This fit their world view well, because they were separating from the Godless society that they saw around them. Dispensational Premillennialists saw the world in decline and themselves as a persecuted group. World War II seemed to bring some fulfillment of biblical prophecy about the Antichrist, rampant war, world conquest, and the like, but the Second Coming did not occur.

We must go back much farther than American fundamentalism to understand "old" Christianity. "Old-time religion" is only old in the way that Def Leppard is an "ancient band." One can use the term as a descriptor and people will know what is meant, but it certainly is not literally true. There are nearly 1900 years of Christianity before "old-time religion."

(1) Joel Carpenter, Revive Us Again: the Reawakening of American Fundamentalism, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997), 31-34, 138-140.

The Imprint of Education

2007-04-13T11:20:00.000-05:00

"Education is what is survives when what has been learned has been forgotten." ~B.F. Skinner

It seems that so many of my students view their education as a vehicle to a good job (read: money). There is nothing inherently wrong with pursuing financial stability, but there is something inherently wrong with viewing education as merely a means to this end. When learning how to think takes a back seat to the future diploma, the emphasis shifts from becoming a thinker, a discerner, and a seeker of truth, to functioning as a navigator of a system that seeks the easiest way to fulfill those pesky general education requirements and avoid "difficult" professors. What a way to waste late adolescence and early adulthood.

If an education is merely preparation for future work, then what is the purpose of going to a university? Or, for that matter, reading a book for pleasure? Those four or five or eight years of school could be better spent earning money and gaining work experience if education was simply about training. Training and education are two different things, although training can be important for a future career. But, becoming a lifelong learner or thinker is much more dependent on education, or, more precisely, learning how to think.

What so few of my students seem to realize is that by seeking to be a thinker, they are ensuring their future success. Regardless of skill, trade, or educational level, learning how to ask questions serves as a tremendous advantage in any field. The ability to generate questions while identifying biases, assumptions, and points of view allows for sharper insight into how we live, work, worship, and relate to others. That ability does not come from an accumulation of historical facts or mathematical formulas, and it does not come from being well-trained in plumbing or electrical work. It comes from asking questions--from thinking. Can one read a book, watch a movie, listen to a sermon, run a race, plant a garden, or use the internet without asking questions about it? If so, it may be time to ask a bigger question: why do these things?

I think Skinner has it right on this one. I certainly have forgotten the details of the Krebs Cycle, but what remains is the ability to think scientifically. I cannot recite all of the facts and dates from the scads of history classes that I took, but the process shaped me to think like an historian. I do not remember exactly how my dad taught me to use a bait-casting reel, but I know how to catch fish.

It is not so much what we know, but how we think that makes for interesting lives, and a diploma has little to say about how we think. It merely says that we had the opportunity to expose ourselves to a lot of wonderful ideas. Whether that occurred or not is another matter.

Running Update
Today's mileage: 4 miles (21 miles this week)

I am in my first week of taper for the Derby Marathon. The taper is just what is sounds like: a gradual lessening of mileage leading up to race day. The primary objective is to maintain maximum fitness while resting the body from the rigors of peak training time. I had five weeks over fifty miles and many other over forty miles over the winter. This week, I will log about 35 miles (14 on tap for tomorrow). Next week, that number will dip to ~25 miles. The week leading up to race day will be very light. Mentally and physically, I was in need of this taper, but I can already tell that running fewer miles will make me antsy. More on this as race day approaches.

Women, Chocolate, and Hamburger Helper

2007-04-10T08:46:00.000-05:00

Today's mileage: 5 miles

1. Good post and subsequent comments on Scot McKnight's blog regarding women in ministry, and more precisely, Galatians 3.28 (the "no Jew/Greek/slave/free/male/female" verse).

2. See pics of my folk/country/rock band, baby Simon, sleepy uncles, and Easter candy right here.

3. Are you from the South? Do you enjoy comedians capitalizing on Southern stereotypes? Do you like Hamburger Helper? Do you enjoy comedians capitalizing on Southern stereotypes while singing a song about Hamburger Helper?

If you answered "yes" or "no" to any of the above questions, watch this video.

Easter/The End of Peak Mileage

2007-04-09T11:26:00.000-05:00

LAST WEEK'S MILEAGE: 50 miles
Today's mileage: 7 miles

My family had a great Easter weekend. First, it is likely the most important holy day for Christians. My friend, Rachel, sent me this image (see left, "Christ's Descent into Hades"), and I have been thinking about it all week. I love the imagery of Jesus standing on the cross to elevate himself as he pulls Adam and Eve (and us) out of the grave. Christ is raised to power by the very instrument that put him to death. He conquers by sacrifice; he lives by dying. Our hope ultimately lies in the Resurrection. Christ is risen; he is risen, indeed.

Secondly, my peak training weeks for the marathon are behind me. This past Saturday was the last of my 20+ mile training runs for the Derby Marathon on April 28th. I am happy to report that I came through the peak training weeks relatively unscathed. I am feeling strong as I head into the taper. Barring a fluke injury or illness, I should be well-trained, rested, and healthy for April 28. It is 18 days and 12 hours until race time.

Now, in contemplating both Easter and running, it is fitting that my last and longest run (23 miles on Saturday) came on the last day of Lent. The long, arduous training runs are over, as is Lent. The preparation and suffering have come to an end, and the celebration has begun. It will be easier runs, warmer weather, and pasta dinners heading into race day. Such should be this life. No matter what setbacks, injuries, or challenges life may bring, the preparation and suffering are, at least in one sense, complete. Living that out in how we treat ourselves and others is the good stuff of life.

Christ is risen; he is risen, indeed.

Why Run? Part II

2007-04-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

"I always loved running ... It was always something you could do by yourself and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sites just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs!"
~Jesse Owens

Not only that, Jesse, but it is good for your lungs as well. Some poo-poo running as "hard on the knees" or "damaging to joints" and there is some truth to that over the long haul. But, we are all destined to deteriorate at some point. Joints, bones, arteries, organs, skin, hair--these things will let us down eventually. We are all human and will break down over time. Using computers strains our eyes, hands, wrists, and back. It happens. Smart running that includes moderation, stretching, and ample recovery, hydration, and rest will help reduce some of the risks and keep us physically active for a long while.

In general, running does more good than harm for most people.

--One burns about 100 calories per mile, regardless of how fast one runs. Heavier folks burn more than lighter folks, but most of us burn about 100 cals/mile. Therefore, it works as a great weight-control activity.
--We are not mechanical, we are biomechanical. So, unlike a piston or an axle in a car, repeated use does not automatically lead to excessive wear. Gradual training of the body makes it stronger, not weaker (in general). Lifting weights does tear down muscles--hence, the soreness. But when they heal, a person can lift even more than before. The same rule applies with running. Of course, anyone can overdo it, so runners should start small and build up.
--Running leads to an increase in the production of endorphins which are nature's little fatigue and depression fighters. These little critters are neurotransmitters with pain-relieving properties. They get credit for supplying that "runners high."
--Running is a weight-bearing activity which strengthens bones.
--Running has been shown to increase blood vessel elasticity, raise HDL ("good cholesterol"), lower blood pressure, and relieve stress among many other health benefits. In fact, the farther and more intense the running, the greater the increase in HDL levels.

Get the kiddos out running, too. For the first time in American history, they may have a shorter life expectancy than we do. That is largely due to lack of physical activity and poor dietary habits. If you have a Run for Good program in your town, take advantage of it.

*Information for this piece was taken from Vanderbilt University's Health Psychology home page. For more on how running impacts HDL levels, see Paul T. Williams, "High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other risk factors...", New England Journal of Medicine, 16 May 1996, Vol. 334 Issue 20, 1298-1303.

The Scandal of Shirtless Runners

2007-04-04T08:37:00.000-05:00

WEEKLY MILEAGE LOG:
Monday: 8 miles
Tuesday: 5
Wednesday: 7
Thursday: 5

You may see some runners going shirtless as the weather gets warmer. For some, this may be a time to show off their hard work over the winter. Undoubtedly, this will lead to accusations of showboating and pridefulness, sometimes deservedly. But, for those of us who run lots of miles, it is merely an opportunity to reduce our irritation levels.

When you run lots of miles (I've been over 50 miles for several weeks now), every part of you that can chafe, WILL chafe. Some parts must be kept covered up for legal and practical purposes, of course. I do not have the type of body that lends itself to pride (read: coat hanger or scarecrow), but peeling off my shirt makes my life better on several levels.

1. No flaming armpits. No matter how well-designed a shirt may be, when it gets soaked with sweat and salt, it makes for a low-grain sandpaper effect on the armpits. ANY seam rubbing on your skin for hours is going to cause issues. This leads to painful showers, and putting on deodorant becomes an exercise in avoidance. No one wants to be around a runner who avoids deodorant.

2. No bloody nipples. This is less of a factor on shorter runs, but on 15+ mile runs, it can get ugly and extremely painful. The options are 1) put band-aids on your nipples, 2) glob some vaseline on them, 3) bleed, hurt and bear it, or 4) go shirtless. I usually opt for #2 or #4.

3. It feels good. Some of us like the feeling of the sun, wind, and rain on our skin. Of course, I have to have sun block on hand at all times, but the weather feels good, especially after months of being covered and bundled up. If seeing shirtless dudes running around town bothers you, just pretend you are at the pool or the beach.

My running group consists of a teacher, a lawyer, a hydrologist, a counselor, and a turf manager. We meet at the park or downtown in suits, bow ties, polos, button-ups, dress shoes, slacks, jeans, work boots, and the like. But, for one hour a day, we escape from all of that. Instead of being in an office, we run in the elements. Instead of "dressing the part," we dress for comfort. Instead of sitting still, we go in motion. Instead of adjusting the temperature in our offices from 71 to 70 degrees, we take what Mother Nature gives us.

And sometimes, we do it without shirts.

Why Run? Part I

2007-03-26T13:29:00.000-05:00

Some people drive by and honk. They sometimes hoot. They sometimes whistle. They sometimes scream, "Get out of the &%$# road!" They sometimes jeer or make a rude comment. They sometimes smile. Unless they are runners themselves, they probably wonder why we risk life and limb on highways and subject ourselves to extreme heat, cold, dog bites, and the endless aches and pains that comes from running.

What possesses people to run? Scores of reasons exist ranging from weight loss to getting faster to just "looking good." My running life started because once I was married with a job, getting together 10 people to play basketball three or four times per week became nigh impossible. After four months of marriage and teaching, I realized during the Christmas break of 2001 that I was out of shape. Not overweight, just under-fit. So, I went to the local discount shoe store and bought a pair of running shoes. I have not really stopped since.

It was not always fun in the beginning. However, I rarely dread a run these days. Much like prayer or studying or martial arts, it is a discipline. And it is a beautiful discipline. Most humans do not need any sort of apparatus to run. In fact, we would not even need shoes if we did not become so reliant upon them at an early age. It is a natural motion unlike many other forms of exercise. There is no gym, pool, weights, bats, balls, gloves, pads, mats, clubs, field, court, pitch, nets, racquets, flags, or anything else required to do it.

It merely requires the will to be in motion. A motion faster than your every day santering. It may last one minute or one hour, but the more it happens, the easier it gets. The results are more fluid motion, better mechanics, faster pace. When one thinks of running in terms of efficiency and fluidity of motion, the terms "fast" and "slow" become a lot less important.

So, do not be "fast" or "slow." Just be in motion.

Off-season/On-season

2007-03-26T11:03:00.000-05:00

DAILY RUNNING MILEAGE: 8 miles

The college basketball offseason is rapidly approaching, and so is the 2006-07 version of The Bracket Board. I will be packing TBB away in mothballs for several months after the Final Four this weekend. It has been a great year, but by April, my brain has been battered with too many pace of play calcuations and too many hours poring over the RPI, conference standings, and efficiency statistics.

But, last off-season, I truly missed blogging. Therefore, I have created this blog as an outlet for other (and more important) topics. Life does not have "off-seasons," so I declare this April through October the "on-season."

A lot of what happens here will be running related, especially for the next few weeks. I have completed long runs of 20 miles or more for four consecutive Saturdays in preparation for the Derby Marathon (Louisville, KY) on April 28. This Saturday, I will be running a 1/2 marathon race (13.1 miles) in Bowling Green as a tune-up for the marathon (all marathons are 26.2 miles) next month. The ultimate goal is a Boston Marathon qualifying time at the race in Louisville.

That would set me up to run Boston in '08.

There will be lots more running talk later this week.