Tag: Flying Monkey Marathon

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Like "The Flying Monkey" Isn't Hard Enough

UPDATE:  All the “hundreds” of 2013 Flying Monkey Pics have been moved here:  Crushing Iron on Flickr

Tomorrow I will witness a legendary running race.   I will stand, shivering on the sidelines as a bunch of friends and other brave souls tackle one of the harder marathons in the business, the Flying Monkey.

It is a beautiful, yet brutal run that kicks off at 8 am with a starting temperature forecast of 25 degrees.  Making matters worse?  It’s not supposed to get above freezing.  I am totally jealous.

It’s easy to rock a race when conditions are perfect, but weather is the great equalizer.  Tomorrow, we’ll find out how tough everyone is and they will carry that badge forever.  It reminds me of the cold rainy day at my Rev3 race in this Spring in Knoxville, the blistering heat of Ironman Louisville this summer, and 30 degree air for the Ironman Lake Tahoe swim this Fall.  All three had very, very tough weather conditions, and tomorrow, Flying Monkey will join the club.IMG_4551

These are the races that create fraternity for the competitors.  Runners will forever be able to say “I ran the Monkey below freezing.”  Alumni will be able to spot each other simply by looking in their eyes.  A subtle confidence will emanate from their being.

“Hey, did you run the Monkey in 2013?”  “Why yes I did.”  “I knew it!”  High five.

So, if you’re running in the morning and are fortunate enough to read this post before the gun, consider yourself blessed.  Keep your form, don’t let snot freeze on your lip, and beat the shit out of this monkey.  It will suck for a while, but the legend of this race will live a long, long time.  That means years and years of conversation that will be much more enjoyable if you wipe the weather from your head, let go of the pain and leave it all on the course.

And if you want to feel sorry for someone, think of the unlucky spectators who are standing there shivering as you bathe in glorious sweat.  Or, even me, who will be crouched down with frozen fingers taking pictures of your happy faces.

Go get ’em you lucky bastards!
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2013 Flying Monkey Pics
2013 More Flying Monkey Pics
Even More Flying Monkey Pics

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Want a Tough Marathon?

Registration opened today for the Flying Monkey Marathon.  But simply registering doesn’t mean you will get to experience the pain.  Demand is high and they use a weighted lottery system.

I was out there last year and it is quite a sight watching hundreds of people stagger across the finish line.  I have thought about doing it this year after Ironman, but after witnessing the pain on a lot of these people’s faces, I’m still not sure.  But we have a week to decide.

Our own Racer K even slugged it out with the hills last year at “The Monkey.”
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This is how it works (taken from their website):

PAY ATTENTION: Registration for 2013 will involve a weighted lottery via the registration website, below. The registration website will be open for one week. That is, you will have one week to put your name in the hat. After this weeklong period closes, we will use a weighted lottery to select those who will have the misfortune of running the Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon this Fall. If selected to run your credit card will be charged $80, and we will notify you of your poor luck. If you are not selected to run, you can thank your lucky stars.

Approximately 300 runners will be selected to run the marathon through the weighted lottery.

Registration for the weighted lottery will begin on August 1, 2013 at 8AM Central Daylight Time. Registration for the lottery will close on August 8, 2013 at 8am. The lottery to be held a short time later.

Please note: there will also be an option to make donations to the Friends of Warner Parks, which will allow you to bypass the lottery and get right in. These options will be available on a first come, first served basis. Details are provided on the registration website, which will be linked below when registration opens.

When registration opens, you can Click Here to access online registration.

Oh, and all the usual stuff applies. That is, please bring an ID with you to packet pickup. It is reasonable to bring your confirmation email. We will not be offering refunds if you do not start, do not finish, do not have fun or do not PR. Or really for any other reason. You may not transfer your registration. To repeat, no refunds, no transfers. Since registration is capped, yours may keep out another runner. Therefore, we ask that you show up ready to run on race morning. If you cannot make it, please try again next year. Regardless, we will offer you a good run.

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Flying Monkey Marathon More Pictures

Here are some more pics from the Flying Monkey Marathon in Nashville.  My apologies for shooting the “slow clock” in some of these shots.  Feel free to follow my blog for more pictures and insight on the road to Ironman Wisconsin.

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Ironman Inspiration

Surround yourself with inspirational people.  Even the simplest thing can lift you to greater things.  For me it’s when someone unleashes a buried passion.

Daniel, gettin’ it done

On Wednesday, I ran with the East Nasties and the power of a group cannot be underestimated.  It’s amazing how a bunch of motivated people can take your mind off limitations.  I had been limping around thinking about my wanky knee for weeks, but the minute we took off, the energy of 250 people took me away.

I trudged along at a 9:30 pace, but just being out there again felt great and restored my faith.  We ran about four miles and by the end my knee was an afterthought.  I felt like I could knock out a half marathon, I went to 3 Crow Bar for some Guinness.  Sometimes, I think our higher powers forgive a couple post-run-beers.

My first conversation is usually with Jim.  He got me into this mess and now I poke and prod for stimulating insight at every turn.  His run was much faster and he rattled off a list of plans for his Saturday.  P90x in the morning, followed by a 9mile run, 8 o’clock bed time, then a 1:50 am 5K as an overnight Ragnar Relay simulation.  All of this, and his foot has been bugging him for weeks.  “Sometimes you gotta work through the pain.”

I hear that, buddy!

Then there’s Kevin.  I watched as he did Ironman Louisville this summer which ultimately sealed my decision to take on Wisconsin.  He routinely leads a pace group for East Nasty runs, is doing Ragnar, then following it up with the ball busting Flying Monkey marathon 7 days later.  Between all that, he parties like a rock star.

I’m listening, bro!

As I was walking out of 3 Crow, I ran into a couple women that started the Couch to 5K program with me back in January.  Both are running further than ever, and it’s likely that neither realizes their role in my success.  One caught me a little off guard when she said she’s been studying to be a yoga instructor, and it’s things like this that truly make me happy.

Ironman Wisconsin training teammate, Mark

I think it’s because I love when people people follow a passion.  I’ve spent a lifetime working on ways to improve my life, my habits, and my instincts.  When someone shares a story like this, it literally strengthens my bond with humanity.  Knowing we’re in this together is extremely comforting.

So, when I stop by Ugly Mugs every morning and see Andy and Matt working on their dream business before they go to a job, it jump starts my day.  When I see workout posts from fellow Ironman Wisconsin teammates, Mark and Daniel, I dig deeper.  And when I read inspirational posts of fellow bloggers it drives me to keep releasing my thoughts to the world.  The words, the actions, the people lift me higher and fill in the blanks to this mysterious quest for higher purpose.