Quickie Social Commentary: T. Money

It is so out of control and I'm still not sure I believe it. A billionaire super star that also gets around.

GAASP!.

Why is he so special anyways, this has turned into the second coming of Kobe or Bill. Get over it world: perhaps he is not a Tiger but a "Cheetah", (as my mom first said). So what he isn't what we thought he is... will we let him off the hook?. (you got me, yes I just wanted to attach that link...lol..never gets old).

By no means is this funny, it is very serious. but I admit I find myself laughing hysterically at these text messages. Even calling the BF who is minding his own business at work to mockingly enact a choice line or two (BTW buddy does a killer "I'm Bone Thugs and Harmon"). I have no idea what is going on, but all I got to say is T-money has got to up his T9 Mack skills.

Check pic below to see that this hoopla even crosses socioeconomic borders...SMH.

Hotmess

I got to spike up today and I could hardly contain myself at the track because of it. Only a true track nerd would get my delight. It's a hallmark; a pivot of sorts in the dawning of any season to be. This transition of speed: from October "fast...ish" to December "Move-Beech-get-out-my-way".

Pegs Take A Bow
For 6. 5 weeks I walked along in my trusty yet not as speed inclined Pegasus. I will not lie, we did climb mountains together (some call them hills), leap across sandy shores (some call them multi jumps in the sand), and we even conquered the parallel Squat at 90% max. Boo-yah! Impeccable feats. And for this I am always grateful.

But there is something so incomparable and delicious about lacing up a pair of G5s for the first time. Picking your mark, dipping your backside low, falling forward to a rolling start and letting your arms and legs unleash themselves. The feel of cool displaced air whooshing past as you listen hungrily for a familiar sound...there it is, the sweet rhythm of ceramic teeth gripping into Mondo.

Ahhh, nothing like the first time...if only since September.

The last time: Kawasaki, Japan September 23

P

Too Cute

Perdita Reads!

If you know anything about me you know I am a lover of books. A major treat when I was younger was when my dad and I would go to the Oshawa Centre and we'd stop at Coles The Book People. I would always end up on the floor reading everything and anything, while other patrons gingerly stepped over and around me. I always got to pick one book to take home, but that was never enough.

I do have the same voracious appetite for literature, however because of my job and other obligations I don't seem to have the time to satisfy it (boo). So imagine the huge grin on my face and absolute delight when I was approached to be a panelist for CANADA READS 2010.

"What's that?" you say, find out here!

Now that you're in the know, let me tell you that I love my pick. I read it this summer as I was preparing for the World Championships in Berlin and what a wondrous and welcome escape from my every day grind!

The ninth edition of Canada Reads was launched last week in downtown Toronto, it was a long day of press and promotion. I got to meet my Author for the first time and not only is she brilliant, but wonderful to be around!

The five books for this year are killer, so if you love a good read CR 2010 won't disappoint. So pick up the set for yourself or someone else and start reading.

Personally, I am so excited to be a part of something so impactful and that is outside the realm of sport. Though I do plan to bring my competitive edge and desire to win to this totally different competition.

Peep the video below to discover the faces and names of Canada Reads 2010!

Canada Reads debates will air March 8 - 12 on CBC Radio One & their digital TV channel Bold. Visit www.cbc.ca/canadareads for all things Canada Reads 2010. The site is updated daily with new features and specials. I'll also update you from my vantage point as well.* And since I am assuming you already read the post, I'll let you know I am currently working on "Good to a Fault" by Marina Endicott.

Happy Reading,

P

Pretty sure we're dating...

I know right? Seems like every few months we do the dance. I go MIA, (doing Pope knows what), you move on with your cyber life (most likely upgrading to a bigger sport stars ordinary business). Only to have me show up out the blue proclaiming: "Honey, I'm back".

Selfish?

Indeed. But you take me back...right?!. Because it is me and definitely NOT you. But let's keep it real, there are no guarantees in nub and we both know you could be solo again by Chinese New Year.

Now Where Were We?

Yes off season. Turns out that has long since ended. Anyhoo I am now training in Atlanta. I know, no more ChamBana! Gary has retired, next month would have been 10 years together...bonkers I know. All good times and I wish him well, that's my G. (see I even remembered how much you appreciate a well placed pun).

I'm All For Non-Violence--However....

If I ever see another under his supreme tutelage anywhere prior to London 2012 or Moscow 2013...or just for statute of limitation sake lets throw in Toronto 2015 (just saying). I will go straight Pimbo Slice, or Glen Close bunny stew on any lil protege. And yes I have told Gdub as much, though he didn't seem to believe me.

But I believe me.

"Grits n' ___(anything here)___"

30+ days deep and ATL is great, the people are very friendly. I was told some nonsense about boiled peanuts being "sooo goood". Riiight. And I notice (many) Georgians will eat grits with any meal when possible. Grits n' Shrimp, Grits N' Steak, Grits n' tree bark. No really.

*****

Many more observations but we have atleast a whole nother few months in this courtship. So let's take our time. For now just know your girl is back, doing fab and totally missed you!

Be back later,

P-definite lover of the grit

Mom's Wedding

It has been a pretty eventful off season--not the way I like it, honestly. This week I did the unthinkable, not sure what got into me...I can't even type it since it is a memory I am trying to suppress. But here it goes: I ran a 3K.

Crickets.

I know. I made an appearance at the Nike Runner's lounge, and it was a good turn out. I have gone there many times before but this was my first time racing the loop in downtown Toronto.

And three days later why does everything still hurt so bad? And is there anything else to think about besides "Can we stop!". I have even contemplated eating epsom salt w/ crushed ice, since soaking in both has not dulled the pain. Help me.

Admittedly I wasn't going Tirunesh Dibaba or Meseret Defar pace, more like Oprah's Marathon pace. Yes I know....but it still hurt. Many predicated a time of 15 minutes, "at most 20" for myself. Thanks people, because I crawled home in a record setting (not the celebrated kind) of "27:something" minutes".

Yawn.

In related news I'll be at the Human Race on October 24, but based on my newly set 3k Personal Best, I'll leave the 10k to the rest of the world.

It's a great event with a lot of energy around it and is an opprtunity to race yourself and race the world.

Click here for all the info. As well as here and don't forget to register for your city, Let's go T.O and hope to see you there!

P

And the winner is...

Unfortunately not my choice city Tokyo, which had me disappointed and writhing on my couch as I watched CNN. "You're a LIAR Tony Harris--A LIAR!!". As the BF looked on, no doubt wondering how he hooked up with an enigma. Sigh, Tony was indeed truth telling.

I was surprised to see Chicago out early, and I felt bad for some of my friends who purposefully did not sell their homes expecting Chicago might win and their property values may go up.

When it came down to Madrid and Rio I was convinced that Rio was not supposed to win.

1. Because Madrid lost the 2012 bid to London and how dare the IOC have them shortlisted only to deny them again. It's like playing a cruel game with an ex lover who you know still loves you, but you don't love them back...blah blah blah.

You know you've done it.

2. Because my experience at the 2007 Pan Am games was an okay one, but I was appalled at the way the Brazilian spectators conducted themselves during competition. My observations were spectators that were rude to their guests by heckling and booing. They held no regard or awareness of when to be silent and respectful as events would begin or athletes announced.

3. The officials for Athletics seemed very inexperienced, shooting the gun when not all athletes were settled. Not asking the somewhat obnoxious crowd to be quiet where appropriate. I was given an unnecessary false start, when the set commands were way too long. Before "set" there was a loud clanking sound from the stands that mimicked the gun. Again fans were extremely loud and I raised my hands in my blocks to get the starter's attention. My fingers could no longer support my body's weight in the set position and I had to protest the obvious: "Hello?! these are not the ideal starting conditions of a world class event. Reset please". Instead the retort was a man in my face with a yellow card, the sign that the field was charged the penalty.

"Hell if we care what you're used too, now get your tail in the blocks. This is how we do in Brazil, if you don't like it take it to Germany".

I gasped at the ineptitude and was furious, what a gong show. It even seemed like the crowd got even louder. "Argghh". But I'll tell ya what, I got the yellow memo and dipped my tail into them blocks....two time!.

Hopefully in 7 years Rio can teach its citizens how to respectfully host the world. It's a long way from now so plenty of time for them to learn. All that being said I am happy to see the Olympic games on the South American continent for the first time, Congratulations. I have no clue if I will be in Rio, I suspect I won't. But if I am I dare buddy my friend to flash a yellow card in my face...tree time!

Let Nothingness Reign

I have already jumped head first into off season, 4 weeks of reckless eating & carrying on is already 4 days deep. I wrote down all the things I had to be sure to eat when I was in Japan and things are being crossed off the list with the quickness...

My main goal however is to consume my 25 litre tub of Garrett popcorn, everyone knows its my favorite thing, as well as Oprah & Halle Berry's.

During my 2007 off season it took me 5 days to consume the entire tub. I am sure to set a record in 2009.

I know this because my fingertips are stained orange and my burps taste of cheese corn. TMI...I know. For a day now I have had it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, pre-dinner snack, dinner, dessert, & as a midnight snack.

*****

"Way!"

What are the chances that I'll be in Tokyo standing in a line and in front of me is a woman with a bag I am admiring. My exact thoughts were: "Cute bag, I'd rock it". Then I look closer and see what looks to be myself on it...

"No way?"

Way! She bought the bag in Japan a year ago, she told me through her niece who spoke English. They were pretty excited and asked to take my picture, I had my camera so I took these and have since emailed them to Kyoko and her aunt.


How totally random and equally cool, I wonder how many are out there? I guess this makes me a bag lady...hahaha....corny joke to go with you know what.

Off to eat lunch!

P

I didn't plan to be gone for so long, it just happened. I won't bore you with where I've been and what I've done in the last 22 or so days.

Actually I will. Let's see...

After my race in Gateshead on August 31 I flew to Illinois, packed my car up and drove the 10 hours to Toronto. Bat outta hell sorta like.

Thessaloniki, Shanghai, Kawasaki!

It was the hardest thing to train when I got home, but I got it in. I had to get back to renew my passport and get my Chinese visa. And most importantly gorge myself on glucose before I hit the road for another two weeks. All new cities and all new opportunites for retail exploration!

World Athletics Final Thessaloniki September 12

Close race and had me feeling glum as this would be the last time in 7 editions that the GP final would be contested. It's a selective series as only the best 8 hurdlers in the world qualify based on a point system earned at specific races during the season. Excuse my boastiness (is that a word?) but I just realized I have qualified for every GP final since my first season as a pro in 2004, except 2008 when I didn't compete all year. Umm...not too shabby a stat to have under ones name.

Fucci Done Got In The Way

Shanghai Golden Grandprix September 20

Ya...I don't wanna talk about it. But in the name of being consistent, suffice it to say that retail exploration and the acquisition of stuff, disallowed certain individual(s) to execute their purpose with fresh legs. All together now: "Frada is not your friend"!.

....Sounds like a good enough excuse a coach would buy? I think so too!

Chozen

That brings me to today where I am in wonderful Kawasaki, Japan, I race the super meet on Wednesday and can't wait. But for now there is nothing else to do but wait and watch videos of my new favorite on repeat: Click here to see. I discovered this phenomenon on Japanese TV in the wee hours of the morning as I came to the realization that the joyride of the 2009 season is one race from over. I do...but I don't.

Such is the life of a track bella, for another season to start one has to end.

P