What a great movie Smokey and the Bandit was.  I’m sure the Bandit (Burt Reynolds) nor Frog (Sally Fields) were not runners, although I could see Sally Fields running a marathon, Burt Reynolds not so much.

Who does not love a good old car chase movie, and that black and gold Trans Am.

But running Bandit, is not cool.

Notice anything funny here…both runners are wearing big smiles, enjoying the race and something else.

[Tweet “Running with Smokey and the Bandit and @cledawgs on running bandit”]

The great folks at Marathon Investigation found out just why this couple was all smiles at the Modesto Marathon, click here to find out all the details.

Ten Reasons Why Running Bandit is not cool…

10. You did not pay for your entry

9.  Course support (water, finishers swag etc.) is set up to handle X number of runners…the extra load of bandit runners is unpredictable and can take any from the paying customers.  And don’t take an extra medal either.

8.  If you can’t afford to run the race, simply run the miles alone.  It’s not life or death.

(Do you really want this guy tracking you do?)

7.  Same as stealing, you can and should be charged.

6.  What if you did BQ on a bandit entry and got caught….there goes your BQ.

5.  The Ban…if Boston is your goal race is it worth the risk?

4.  Someone knows and will rat you out if they get caught too.

3.  That awkward race photo of Sally Smith with her ultra-runner beard.

2.  Like Waldo that photo will haunt you forever.

and just like the remake.

1.  It’s wrong.

Have you witnessed anyone running bandit?  

Running, Training, and Racing how to avoid the summer slump.  6 months out of the year it is cold, gloomy and I long for summer.

July and August show up and I feel like the heat and humidity will suck the life out of me.

After an afternoon run where the giant ball of flames in the sky got the best of me I was feeling down and depressed about the state of affairs of my running.  So what better way to get some advice then to ask Facebook.  The answers were wide and varied, but I thought I would share a few.

[Tweet “@cledawgs (and his friends) have some advice on how to avoid the heat induced summer slump”]

Running in the morning, before the sun rises seemed to be a common theme.  Also running a bit slower to ease the stress on the body appeared as a good practice.

Running a bit slower helps and so does breaking your run into smaller segments.  Running more than once can help you get in the miles when you may feel better going to Dairy Queen.

Running earlier, slower, and breaking your runs into segments are all tactics to help you get thru the Dawg-days of summer, but they may not prepare you for the race that looms on your calendar.

Yet we have to realize avoiding the heat does not get us ready for a race that may fall on a hotter than normal day.  If we train hard and continue when it’s ugly outside…we will be better prepared to run and race in tough conditions.

Another post on Summer Running and how to Avoid the Heat.

Whatever method you choose to keep running when it’s hot outside, be safe, drink plenty of liquids, rest when you need too, keep cool and enjoy the adventure.

Not every run is perfect.  Some runs go as planned some go off the running rails as to say.  The 10 dumbest things I’ve done while running.

1.  I ran the wrong direction at the start of a 5k race.

2.  Wore a lined running suit…I got mega hot and very chaffed.

3.  Forgot to take off my reading glasses before running the Cleveland Marathon.

4.  Ignored natures call (#2) before a long run….ran 21 miles with the “clamp” on.

5.  During my 2nd run at the JFK 50 mile, I noticed a girl off the trail taking care of “business”  not sure why I did it but for some reason I said “Hi.”

[Tweet “@cledawgs lists the 10 dumbest things he has done while running. “]

6.  Went for a run after having spicy chicken wings for dinner….got it done but it hurt.

7.  Completely jumped out of my skin, a number of times, for a snake that turned out to be a stick.

8.  Hit the wrong button on my GPS watch then tried to pace off the bike MPH data.

9.  Failed at learning the skill of a successful a snot rocket….I gave up.

and

The totally dumbest thing I’ve done while running.  Waited until I was 30+ to get serious about running.  I got a late start but the time was right for me.

 (My Umstead 100 mile finisher buckle)

The best thing I ever done while running was get serious about my running.