P.I.T. Sweet Tee turned 14 today. After getting in a 21 miler, Mav and T3 took the youngster out for lunch at a local B-B-Q joint where he ordered the large rib dinner plate. If he had eaten it all Mav would have bought him a T-shirt that said “I pigged out at Earl’s for my birthday!” but alas, he was unable to consume the pile of ribs and double order of curly fries. In celebration of his birthday we thought it might be good to remember his humble beginnings:

Just say no to crack!

Happy Birthday Sweet Tee from the Brothers.

Some people say that running too much makes you crazy. Some people say you have to be crazy to run so much. But it is obvious that something is wrong with this picture:

Mav claims he broke a lace and had to grab another shoe at the last moment. WE think he likes looking this way.

The Pirañas are in week 5 of a 20 week ramp up to the Mother Road 100.

Week 5: Jul 27 to Aug 3
52 miles total

Monday – 8 miles on road
Tuesday – 6 miles on road
Wednesday – 8 miles on trails
Thursday – rest day
Friday – 18 miles on trails
Saturday – 15 miles road
Sunday – rest day

We all need encouragement from time to time. As the Pirañas ramp up the training on the way to several long races this fall, the heat and increased load are taking some getting used to. This morning was just an “easy” recovery run of 6 at the lake. We rarely have non-Piraña company at our pre-dawn runs (no one wants to get up that early to be abused!), but this morning we were joined by Mark Bravo, local running legend, television personality, personal trainer and athlete extraordinaire. (Bravo is the one showing off his chiseled abs)

Bravo might just be the most encouraging person we have ever met. He greets everyone with “hello athlete!” and finds some aspect of your current condition and pursuit to praise you for. After a hip replacement in May of 2007, Mark has returned to running and had no trouble pushing the pace with the Pirañas. 6 easy miles turned into 7 pretty fast miles (ok, we always say it will be an easy day, and we always push the pace and run too far. there, we admit it), but we all had a great time.

Thanks for coming out athlete!

Chisholm Dupree is not a Piraña. But maybe he should be. Monday morning at 6:00 AM local time, 8:00 our time, Chisholm started the Badwater 135. This 135 mile foot race across desert terrain, in temps as hot as 130 °F, is well known as one of the toughest races on earth. Chisholm beat the cut-off time of 48 hours, finishing in 43 hours and 21 minutes at 2:33 AM this morning. Chisholm is one of only three Oklahomans to successfully complete Badwater.

Here is the 6:00 AM starting group.
Chisholm is nearest to the camera on the right.

Here is part of Chisholm’s crew.
We recognize Nancy Shidler in the front:

The 6:00 AM starting group is off and running:

Chisholm on the road in the desert:

Again, the Pirañas salute Chisholm Dupree for his great accomplishment. Mav will want to talk to him when he gets back (Mav is thinking about Badwater himself…)

They opened the Hefner Dam Road (part of the Lake Hefner Trails) today. We are glad. We don’t really like running up there, but it is nice to have the option again. The Pirañas were in attendance at the ribbon cutting ceremony along with a large group of Landrunners, Tri-OKC athletes, and several bike groups. The Hefner Dam Road is part of the Oklahoma City Trails system, and Hal McKnight (of Wheeler Dealer fame) gave us some good news about funding for upcoming new sections of trail as well as a bridge over the NW Expressway on the Hefner to Overholser Trail.

Here is Mav before they cut the ribbon:

And Mav again (T3 is taking the pictures and Goose is somewhere in the crowd) helping to cut the ribbon:

and the three Piraña Caballeros (from left: Mav, Goose and T3):

After taking this picture, Mav and T3 ran around the lake (about 10 miles) in the mid morning heat and humidity. While they were glad to have run the road on the opening day, and glad for the workout in the heat, they did not enjoy the run much due to the heat and their lack of sleep and preparation.

Some of the brothers are considering getting some Piraña ink. No firm commitments have been made yet, but there is a lot of talk going around. For those not willing to make the leap of faith (or stupidity) and get something permanently etched into their epidermis we have decided to get some temporary tattoos:

Look for the Pirañas sporting their new tats at a race near you soon. (some of them might be real…)

This is a cool site. Simple idea; a six week training plan that gets you in shape to do one hundred consecutive pushups.

Check it out. Some of the Pirañas are going to take the challenge, so we will keep you posted on our progress.