Both Sweet Tee and Action were new meat today at the SNU Cross Country meet in Bethany, OK. They both ran the same course (4K) along with all high school boys from 2A, 3A and 4A schools.

This was Action’s first meet as a varsity runner for Crossings Christian School. He is the Team Captain too. He competed well for a freshman and shows a lot of potential, especially his ability to kick at the end of a hard race. He completely owned the guy in front of him in the finish line and passed him handily.

This was Sweet Tee’s first meet running as a Oklahoma Christian School Saint. Even under a new flag he acquitted himself like a man and finished second among his teammates and 18th overall.

Does fortune make us, or do we make our fortune? Piranas believe the later.

Ovid said, “Fortune and love favor the brave.” So often what we fear holds us back and keeps us from realizing our dreams and reaching our goals. Worse, we often fail to set goals that are lofty enough to cause us to stretch and reinvent ourselves.

Running is not in and of itself an exciting exercise. In fact, at times it is mundane and rote. However, when we push ourselves and extend ourselves and compete (or just finish) at longer and longer distances, we find the bravery inside each of us.

In times now long past men were tested physically by the necessities of life. Today we must find ways to push past our self-imposed limitations. Running gives us a framework to find the brave soul that is our true self.

Why do we care? Why do we push ourselves to exhaustion, risk injury, and endure this pain? Simple. We learn amazing things about ourselves on those long and lonely runs. We find that we are capable of willing ourselves past pain and exhaustion. We discover our heart and soul out on that road or trail. Our perspective changes and everything else in life seems a little clearer and a little easier.

So our challenge to you is this: be brave and gain the favor of fortune and love!

Sweet Tee turned Sweet 16 yesterday. In honor of his special day, Mav wrote this little poem for him:

Rebecca and Tom sure had it made,
Seven years of sweet marital bliss.
But this was all about to change;
And it started one fall night with a kiss.

The months moved on and Rebecca got round,
August 8, 1994 came along rather swift.
Before you knew it, they were not alone,
As they were delivered a strange little gift.

In honor of generations past,
And the men that came before,
They bequeathed this gift the name,
Of Thomas Austin Hill Number Four.

The years sped by fast and this young feller did grow.
Only he was rather pencil like.
But no matter how gawky and awkward,
He was, a cute little tyke.

But now he is 16 with puberty in full swing;
He thinks he’s a man of the world.
He really has no clue what is going on,
And he has never even kissed a real girl.

He is a smart enough fellow, just ask him,
Though his book learning and grades may not show it,
He’d still tell a surgeon just where to cut,
And a glassblower just how to blow it.

As he ventures out behind the wheel,
With ample confidence at his side,
Give him wide berth and plenty of space,
For his skills do not equal his pride.

If he ever happens to meet that girl,
And she says “Yes” to lunch and a show,
Austin you better remember,
Respect her and “No” means “NO”!

His folks did their best and raised him right.
Gave him lessons that will last all his life.
However, we can all be sure of one thing.
He’s not taking one of my daughters as a wife.

Now Sweet T wants to be a Pirana.
He thinks he’s all stud like and cool.
But he is still a little Momma’s boy.
Who often acts like a first class mule.

Austin as your Godfather, I must bestow,
Wisdom and honorable words that the truth cannot hide.
It’s simple; Experience is the best teacher,
And Love’s power cannot be denied.

In parting let me get sentimental,
As a young man I rank you #1.
I really enjoy being your friend,
And consider you my very own son.

HAPPY 16TH AUSTIN

Well, the Piraña’s have not died, they just got really busy and forgot to post stuff here…

While it is currently 2 Billion degrees, fall is just around the corner and there is a full calendar of training and racing up ahead.

September brings the Turkey & Taturs Trail Race in Tulsa, OK. This 50K run is hosted by friend of the Piraña’s, Brian Hoover, and is part of the great work that the Tulsa Area Trail and Ultra Runners do. TNT is rocky, rooty, steep and hot. FUN!

September also brings the Redman Triathlon back to beautiful Lake Hefner in OKC. Brother Big is the Race Director Extraordinaire and he has developed the Redman into a world class event.

October finds Mav and T3 headed to Montana for the Le Grizz 50 miler. This point-to-point course takes runners through rolling hill along the Hungry Horse Reservoir. The name is intentional as grizzly bear sightings are not uncommon.

November brings back the third and FINAL Mother Road 100. Previous runnings of the Mother Road took participants from Arcadia to Sapulpa (2006) and then from Elk City to Yukon (2008). This year runners will start in Baxter Springs, KS and run back to Catossa. There are special awards for all those who complete all three MR100’s.

Samsonite has walked across the stage and received his diploma….

Very nice brother Samsonite! All the Pirañas are very proud of you!

West Point that is!

Today, Brother Samsonite will graduate from West Point. The Corps takes to the Plain today at 10:30 a.m. (EDST) for the Class of 2010 Graduation Parade.

You can watch the ceremony live here:

Watch West Point Graduation LIVE

Brother Samsonite sent this pic at 5:30am as he was getting ready for the day:

The Pirañas are proud to have Samsonite as a brother and wish him all the best as he embarks on his career in the Army. Hooooah!

for the 10th running of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and the Pirañas were out in force. In fact, Samsonite was in from West Point to attend and run. He caught up with T3 at the expo:

Also at the expo were Goose and Mav helping runners get their packets and get registered. Goose is Registration Chairman of the Marathon and Mav is a race weekend expo volunteer.

The morning dawned and the boys met at the starting line. Samsonite grab a quick pic of himself and T3:

Not pictured but there never-the-less were Weeble (plus friend Jim), Mav (and Mrs. Mav), Goose (along with sons Stephen and Caleb running the half) and Sweet Tee (also running the half). Also present were Big and McLuvin, but they were among the volunteers at the start and finish.

Once the race got going the boys settled into the run, only to be passed by Samsonite’s mommy between mile 4 and 5.

That is Carol Swanson in the pink, T3 in piraña orange in front, Jim in green behind him, and Weeble bringing up the rear (let’s just call this trio the Three Blind Mice). Mav and Mrs. Mav are farther back at this point.

The TBM made their way through Edgemere (T3 ran into a park and slid down a slide) and through the park on 35th to Wilshire where the fun really began.

First at the corner of 38th at the turn into Crown Heights, T3 found a yard party and was offered a pull off a bottle of Jim Beam. He accepted. The crowd cheered. Next came the little girls handing out bacon. Again, T3 accepted. On Shartel there was another yard party and the offer of a Mimosa. You already know. Then the traditional beer and doughnut at 7-11 on Western where T3 finally got a stranger to go into 7-11 with him to buy a beer.

By mile 9 the TBM were still holding a good pace and having fun.

Then it was into Nichols Hills where at some point the TBM were caught or met by Samsonite and his friend who had obviously run with, then past Mav and Mrs. Mav…

as they passed mile 9 and the second relay exchange. No one is sure what they were doing between mile 5 and mile 9.

Also in Nichols Hills is where the boys met Mr. Sunshine.

It was also at this point that t3 was heard to say, “I think I hit that bottle of Jim Beam too hard.” After Nichols Hills the TBM never saw Samsonite again. In fact, when T3 finished Samsonite was already on the way to the airport!

Then it was Britton Road and the lake as the TBM neared Weeble’s sticking point. Get me over the bridge at 17 was his mantra, so over the bridge they went and he was sure to finish after that.

Back in Nichols Hills on the return route T3 found more yard parties to crash, and at least one chance to rock the mic.

Weeble came up with a great line that was used too many times to count. As the TBM approach spectators who were quite Weeble would yell, “You can cheer for us while you wait on your friends!” T3 also started collecting kisses from the women in the crowd by telling them it was good luck to kiss a marathoner (last count was around 60).

The new running store in the Classen Curve, The Red Coyote, was serving beer, so of course T3 stopped there.

One more stop on Classen for another beer and doughnut and kisses from the belly dancers and then into Mesta Park (and a yard party Mimosa) brought the finish line nearer and nearer. Making the turn onto 19th T3 was surprised to find Sweet Tee walking toward him. after finishing the half he had come back out onto the course to find dad so they could run in together. The last mile went quickly and the finish line was grasped once again.

It was a great day!

Sweet Tee finished the half in 1:48:26 (a mere 40 minutes behind the winner!)

Goose and sons finished the half in 2:54:38…

Samsonite won the Piraña marathon in 3:25:51.

T3 finished in 4:11:21.

Weeble came in in 4:28:57.

With Mav at 4:40:02 along with Mrs. Mav (and he did pushups at the end!)

Who is imposing your limits? Running is mostly about managing the physical by being tough mentally. Your legs must be strong, but your head must be stronger.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

This morning at 5:00am BFG started running at the starting line of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. It was 51° and raining gently. With him were T3 and Sweet Tee. Close by at all times was BFG’s wife. Following the course, the Pirañas made their way through the empty and dark streets of Oklahoma City, with Mrs. BFG meeting them every two miles. The brothers maintained an even pace and were right on schedule as they ran north up Western Ave.

At mile 8, T3 and Sweet Tee handed BFG off to Mav. And on they went. The duo ran through the Chesapeake campus and then into Nichols Hills. By the half way point on Britton Rd they were still on a good pace adn moving well. But things don’t always go as planned and BFG’s legs started feeling heavy and he struggled to stay on pace. They continued along the lake and BFG continued to struggle. Pace slowing, his mind started thinking he might not be able to finish. But Pirañas don’t quit and Mav kept him moving.

At mile 18 they picked up Weeble and at mile 20 they dropped off Mav and still they pressed forward. At 9:56 BFG crossed the finish line. Shortly after finishing BFG sent this text out to the Brothers…

Guys, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to finish when I was at the lake. No way I could have done this without you guys. Thank you.

A cord of three strands is not easy to break. Mental toughness mixed with support from friends will overcome physical adversity every time. Support can be a significant factor in success, but someone else cannot run a step for you. You have to run each step yourself. BFG sent one other text message:

I was trying to figure out how to DNF as I was running. I finished before I figured it out.

The Pirañas ran with the OKC Landrunner’s Marathon Training group this morning. about 450 people showed up before light at the Oklahoma City National Memorial to run 20 miles on the Memorial Marathon route. The Landrunners organize the training runs (Bill Snipes is the lead on that, THANKS Bill!) and get various groups to sponsor the run by supporting the water stops.

The weather was perfect. The run was fantastic. All the brothers (and one sister!) did the miles with style and they all finished within minutes of each other.

left to right: BFG, T3, Weeble, Mav and that’s Mrs. Mav in front.

The boys have bee a little remiss in posting. Sorry about that.

There has been a Piraña sighting recently though…

Here we see Samsonite posing in front of his treasure find on Isle Roatan:

Samsonite finally found a bigger fish..

Looks like the brotherhood will be complete again at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.

Stay tuned…