BUSHRUNNERS
Quality running and outrageous humor since 1988		Left, the gang at Grandma's Marathon 1991. Click on photo for details.

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AWFULLY OLD NEWS  

Rich's 4/25/00 Triangle newsletter

Joe Schletty's complete history of long distance racing
Know anyone else who's run 117 marathons? Wow! Click here.

About the Bushrunners Running Club

Our running club has its roots in Saint Paul's West Side, but several members have moved away from that nucleus and now have fine homes in prestigious suburbs of the the Twin Cities. Running club members are related by blood, marriage and/or proximity of dwellings. We are fond of our fans and will accept without hesitation gratuities and prime time media coverage. Thank you.

Our humble organization was formerly known as the Triangle Running Club (TRC). It was so named because the founding members lived in three adjacent homes that formed a triangle if you were to look down from a point about 1000 feet overhead. Recently, we felt the need to change our club's name because the geometrical shape formed by all current members' homes no longer resembles a triangle but instead resembles a highly irregular polygon. The Highly Irregular Polygons would not have been so keen a name, so we decided to name ourselves after the bush at Cherokee Park (at the corner of Chippewa and Page, on St. Paul's West Side) from which many of our training runs have originated over the years.

President Rich receives club name vote from Larry
With a postal note received by President Rich on 6/26/00, Larry casts his ballot for the new running club name. Apparently, he does not like Bushrunners. He likes "You Boys" (spoken with a Johnny Mike accent). We will have to call a special session to hash this out. Perhaps we ought to revisit all the names offered on the ballot form. Click here to review name change ballot. Please contact Rich for a suggested time that we all can meet to discuss this most vital issue that may be ripping our club apart at the seams.

It must be noted at this time that Larry Mike has a foot problem which is preventing him from running. There have been clicking, whirring and grinding noises coming from the top of his left arch. We wish Larry a speedy recovery. He has been provided a copy of the following meditational chant to assist in his recovery: throatsingers.wav. He has an appointment in November with world-famous chiropodist Archibald Wingtippins.

Spirited Running
Click on link below to hear what Joe Schletty has to say about the importance of reflecting on more than the physical side of running. Our web site will soon add content that reflects his ideas! Thanks, brother, for your fine insight.
spiritrunning.wav  (336K sound file)    

Here's a soothing chant that purges lactic acic: nolacticchant.wav  (128K sound file)

Joe Schletty left a beautiful message on Rich's answering machine. Listen to it by clicking on one of the links below. His commentary proves at least one thing: running helps one to see beauty in all creation, even beauty in the lowliest of nature's creations—the worm.

“The Savior of Worms” (320K RIFF WAV sound file, 7.4 kHz sampling rate, no compression)
“The Savior of Worms” (77K MOV sound file, 8 kHz sampling rate, Qualcomm PureVoice 9:1 compression)

Here is a little clip from Rich's new album called Straightline Wind. He was inspired to write this song while breezing along Dodd Road, between Highway 110 and Mendota Heights Road, a steady wind lifting and guiding his haunches along the left dirt shoulder. He felt the presence of his departed dad in the licks of wind that day, a whispering voice telling him to keep on the straight and narrow. Such is the power of running. Listen now, my friends:

“Straightline Wind (uncompressed)” (883 K MOV sound file, sample rate 22.05 kHz, 16 bit, no compression)
“Straightline Wind (compressed)” (68 K MOV, sample rate 22.05 kHz, 16 bit, QDesign Music 2 compression)

 

Highlights from Grandma's Marathon, Duluth, MN, June 17, 2000

By club president, Rich Schletty

Could anyone have imagined a more beautiful day for an outing along a 26.2 mile stretch of Lake Superior's beautiful north shore? Some of our club members once again tested muscle and bone against the long, unforgiving ribbon of asphalt. Our primary objective was to finish, get a T-shirt, and consume beer...and that we did. We were all happier than a pair of snow monkeys picking nits off each other.

John Wenker was in top form (as always), posting a 3:26. Way to go, Johnny!

Ben Mike threatened to quit running and quit the club after finishing in 4:17. He ended up with a bum knee, despite 2 strategically placed knee braces. Let's all give him words of encouragement.

Joe Schletty, the monster distance machine, ran a respectable 4:18. He and Ben ran astride for 24 miles, then Joe told Ben he could do what he needed to do, which he did, surging ahead slightly to nip Joe by a minute. Then Joe chewed out Ben for running ahead. Reminds me of the time I left Larry in my wake at 16 miles at TCM back in about 1988. Larry never forgave me for that. But what could I do? My legs were dancing and I had to make my move, finishing in 3:50 (my PR) – not bad for a base of 3 miles a week!

Joe Mike ran Grandma's in 5:15 (he did not train much). He will regroup and figure out a way to recapture the glory of his past performances which have ranged from 3:03 to 4:30. We have the utmost confidence that Joe Mike will perform well again.

I, Rich Schletty, the current running club president (and a damn fine one) am slowly climbing out of a mudhole of languor and torpor. Having not run for more than 2 years and having accumulated much body fat, I decided to hit the asphalt again. Grandma's Marathon on 6/17/00 represented my reentry into the regimen of running. Never mind that I posted a 6:25:00 performance. I am hoping to run a 4:00:00 at Twin Cities Marathon this October.

Bernie Mike filmed club runners at this year's Grandma's Marathon. He was not up to the task of running this year, but will be back on the road soon or my name is not Mr. President.

Sharon (not an official club member) finished her half marathon in a fine time. I forgot what that was. Joey, please call me.

Sharon's Jeff and Ben's Julie also helped film and consume refreshments. Peg Mike provided valuable counsel to club members, especially Rich, who was quite disoriented after his long day in the sun. Peg and Rich were finally able to work through many of the problems of parochial education on the beautiful, serene front portico of the Earthwood Inn in Two Harbors.

Rumor has it that Karl Stadstad (who runs just about every day) and Larry Mike (who does intensive mental imaging just about every day) will be returning to the race circuit soon for cameo performances. By the way, has anyone seen Larry Mike lately? He was nearly missed at Grandma's this year.