First things first- Ducks are kind of cool... Evidence- http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/duck_gets_piece_of_bread_dances_with_glee
Before I dip into the post, I will post training and "EVERYTHING" in my next post. Which will be within the next week.
This will be the 3rd edition of, "Everybody has a Story", to view the first two click just below. As this will be the third edition of, "Everybody has a Story". Which the first edition of this story can be found here: www.miletomile.blogspot.com/2010/07/everyone-has-story.html and the 2nd edition/story of Schwabby can be found here- http://miletomile.blogspot.com/2010/08/watch-it-purple_15.html .
As my first story dealt with a guy who has LITERALLY saved his own life, and the following story deals with a local blue collar runner, now collegiate All-American, this current story deals with a fellow by the name, "Richard."
Referred to in many 'friendly' names, the reason being, Richard is bit thicker than the typical runner. Is he fat? "No". If he fat to a runnner's eyes, our eyes? "NO. DOUBT." Name's one might call Richard at any given moment, "Tubby/tubs, Lard/Lardo, Fatty/Fatso, Bitch Tits (My favorite... in case you were wondering), and an all to popular phrase used, "Hey Richard did you run today?" And before he is allowed to respond, "Oh, ya, you definitely have! To the fridge and back! ... a few times!" Unphased as always, Richard is clearly used to this banter from everyone, including me, in a moppy-like voice, "Clay, you would get along with my dad, he makes fun of me too."
^ Upon reading that last bit, did you just say, "AWWW" outloud? I bet you did.''
Richard is a relatively smart kid. As he is majoring in engineering... And contiuously on top of his studies, becoming a club member at OU's library, referred lovingly as, "Sweetheart", by the 75 year old librarian who runs the place, known as, "Miss Georgina". To Richard, "Miss Georgousina"... I don't know about you, but I can't even pronounce that. I think it's a play on words, or "something". Up on his studies, yet, witty to insults, Richard is different from the norm. As this interview is taking place, I can't help but ask the standard questons, "So, Richard, what's interesting about you?" He takes a moment, looks around. A peanut jar lays on the ground (opened), clothes scattered, food wrapers left and right, the carpet has not been vacuumed and by the looks of it, never has been, but what appears to be important, the TV on top of the desk, controller in hand, the game known as, "COD" on... Richard non-chalantly looks over and responds, "I like to live in a clutter."
If you're a gaming nerd, and were wondering, Richard is about as good as this guy- http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/i_suck_at_modern_warfare_2__a_modern_warfare_2_fail_montage
To clarify, Richard has BY NO MEANS saved his life (HELL, he could barely fight his way out of a wet paper bag), is NO collegiate All-American (he is just a freshman, one day), but personally, is just an off-beat kid if one were to take the time to get to know him. As you read this, you may begin to wonder if I 'hate' this kid, as I borderline tear him apart, or I'm going somewhere with this post. I assure you, it's the latter of the two... Well, 'Probably'.
In case you're still left wondering, ay interest for writing this piece on Richard lies within two different aspects... One being, 'The Mile.'
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THE MILE
On a saturday afternoon, like any other, today Richard was running a mile for 'kicks' in the recreational indoor track, located in the "Huff". Lightly warming up, sporting an U.S.A. jersey (Ironic seeing how he's fluent in Spanish), he lined up. The Huff track is NOT fast by any means. 6 laps to a mile, sure one could say it was oversized, but it surely was not shaped like an ordinary track. as there are 3 soft 90 degree turns, and the 4 turn, being, to what I think 120 degees, and the only turn not energy consuming to go around... This was the track today. It is, what it is.
Stats: Richard's current Mile PR: 4.09. To which, is perhaps on the fastest track in the nation up at Washington.Keep in mind, 40 seconds flat for each lap is 4.00 mile pace on this 6 lap track.
As I held the timer, "On your mark... Set... GO!" Out relatively quick, a smooth stride as he darted past the first turn, going around, to what I call, "Amatuers"... He was 'moving'. At ease, and effortlessly looking, I simply thought, "Well, damn."
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The other aspect, to why I wrote this piece on Richard is simple. We have coinciding ideals and philosophies in terms of running, A LOT alike. As he understands my logic, "Anyone can be a good runner, anyone can be a great runner. I mean, if you got the balls." As he mentioned in my interview with him (And women, in case you're left wondering, it's all about 'tenacity' for you).
Personally, he does the EXACT same thing I do in training. I do not mean the exact same miles, I do not mean drink as much chocolate milk as I do (not possible, btw). I do, however, mean he FULLY believes in what he does, and will proceed to do whatever to get to the next level in his running career. He will take no short cuts. For me, I've went on my crazy spurts, more so for experimentation, of 160 miles per week to test my limits, to which, find what my body best responds to. As I believe to know myself better than anyone else, I know what it takes to get to the next level (check other blog posts to get a more in-depth view).
Well, Richard is the same way, as he may get critiques from a guy here and there, sometimes a bit too often. The kid will continue to stand firm and do what he believes will help him. Perhaps, it's an extra set of abs, perhaps it's light lifting, perhaps is some GNC powder that will 'supposedly' lean his realtively soft runner psyquie up... I fail to notice a difference, Richard... *shifty eyes*.
Perhaps by fate, as this young 8th grader would have it, he encountered an small illness. As he missed a couple football practices, because of this, and the failure of the desk clerk to forward the messages to the football coaches... "Little Chunkster", A.K.A., Ricardo would be benched. As a game passed, and another, and the failure of his hard work to earn his spot back, he quit. No easy task, as his dad, like any other Texan, proceeded to disown Richard for being fat.... Oh... I mean... "For quitting football", ya.. that.
Determined to succeed, Richard ran. Routinely heading out the door, turning up his ipod, and running to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBjEcAPybsE&feature=related and with the sincere thoughts of viewing running now as, "This just may be my thing", running day after day, week after week, losing a pound here, losing a pound there, mile after mile, he ran.
One year later, and to everyone's surprise, "Richard, did you have gastric bi-pass surgery?"--- "Oh... you did not... And you say I'm a jackass for saying that..."
"And now you want my chocolate bar..."
"I don't even have chocolate, Richard!"
" 'Find some', you say..."
"The fat kid inside of you wants chocolate?... Okay, that was weird, but whatever..."
Competing on the next level, especially at this level, is no easy task. The same intensity, day after day, mile after a mile, can wear on a guy. Yet, this kid will stay up on all the little things he believes in, a remedy or two that I will question, yet, think... "Not a bad idea... NOT A BAD IDEA AT ALL!" To give due credit, the kid has exceeded expectations, yet feels he's on a curve. Always trying to make up a gap, and catch the next person ahead of him, I can not help but blurt out when he told me this, "MEEE TOOOO!!!!!!"
Growing up, a relatively chunky 8th grader, who weighed the same as he does now... Did I tell you he was a foot shorter than he is now? Well, that was Richard as an 8th grader. My first thoughts to seeing an 8th grade picture of him, "WHO IS THAT KID, AND WHY DID HE EAT YOU?!"
Richard, as a means to get in shape for football, participated in cross country in 8th grade and proceeded to use the training involved as condtioning for football. Although, an unheard of thing for football players, this kid did what he believed would help him advance as a football player. As his mindset continues to hold true to this very day.
In case you've seen this video, and contrary to popular belief, this is NOT Richard- (only first 30 seconds need to viewed to get the 'point'.)
http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/you_do_not_get_between_this_man_and_his_cheeseburger
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As 1/3 of the lap, is unseen being blocked by rather large wall, I stayed glued to my watch awaiting from him to dart around the turn... 30... 31... 32... 33... 34... and there was Richard... 38... 39... 40... "You're 39 high for that lap!"
So much for running a 4.20 paced mile, as was the original plan.
I began to speculate, "How long will this last?" This track blows, let's be honest. And by no means, am I a pessimist. As he continue to glide forth, crew cut, black spandex and all, 76...77... 78... 79... 80... "You're 80 flat at two laps!.... 4.00 mile pace!"
My thoughts, "He's going for it now... HELL... who wouldn't?!"
Beginning to show 'some' signs, He cruised by the 3rd lap, in which, posting a 2.03 (1/2 mile marker). My thoughts, "That son of a bit... 'gun' is still hanging on!"
My thoughts, "GO FOR THE HUFF INDOOR TRACK RECORD!!!" To tell you the truth, I highly doubt anyone's ran 4.30 on it, nor tried to even with the capability to do so.
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As the new and improved Richard entering 9th grade, and now placing top 3 in most of the freshman races he entered, as Texas is notoriously competitive in just about everything. One could certainly say, "Not bad... Not half bad at all for a year of training!"
As the stage had been set, Richard set out year after year of his high school career to become, "A runner." And it doesn't take a very knowledgeable person that knows Richard, to know, if he's going to do something, "Damn, he's going to do it right!" By senior year, and an all-around recruitable athlete, having grades, a studly 4.12 mile to his name, and some other b.s. that includes those pricks of the high school, A.K.A. student council... I mean... The students who help serve our high school...
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As people were walking, and trotting along on the track, others gathering along the railing that withheld the track... people were gaining notice. As the basketball courts located down below, and it's inhabitants, known as baller's, stopped their pick-up games, and looked upward, onto the indoor track. As this kid was balls to the wall, and well, 'GOING FOR IT!" I figured it was only a matter of time before people started chanting his name. To my surprise, I was the only one.
As he swung by the 4 lap, and STILL maintaining pace, this was a moment. As we all like watching the feel good movies, when the dork get's the girl, when the sucky team finds a way to win against the best team in the league, when the evil axis of power is taken down by an unlikely foe... We all KNOW. We know that the dork, although good intention as he is NEVER gets the girl (Seriously, do you think this guy got his girl back? http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/if_she_doesnt_take_him_back_after_this ... EXACTLY) . And we know, once a sucky team, always a sucky team, evil axis... smeathil axis, it better be a damn good super hero or it ain't going to happen.... BUT for this instance in time, this was one of the 'moments' that defied the norm, as the kid from Texas was on a quest....
5 laps- And STILL on good pace, "RUN RUN RUN!!!"
Now becoming bit lactic, tying up, as Richard pushed forward. Not faultering in the quest at at hand, Richard would not be denied at a chance at GLORY.
Swing down the back stretch, I watched him disappear behind the wall... waiting... and waiting for him to appear for the final 50 meters where I could see him.... 4.00... 4.01... 4.02... 4.03... And like that, swinging around the turn... stride by stride.. he was closing... 4.08... 4.09... 4.10... 4.11... 4.12... YOU RAN 4.12!!! As I screamed HUFF MILE RECORD! People were not only celebrating around me, people were popping champagne! Crowd erupting, it was unreal.
OKAY... Okay, it didn't go quite like that. I was yelling like an idiot though!... And Ricardo did run 4.12 on a very mediocre track... alone. Legitimately, "Impressive" to say the least.
Afterwards, and Richard proclaiming, "I will never do that again, for 'obvious' reasons."
And so have it... a new Mile record at the Huff.
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Odd as you may think, I know what you're thinking, Richard does have a dog... thing's just like him about food... - http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/dog_does_crazy_food_dance
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As the interview is coming to a close, I proceed to ask Richard my last question, being primarily an important one, "Richard, what's your stance on...." Interrupted by Richard, with him raising his voice....
"Oh, what is my position on the role of government in supporting innovation in the field of biotechnology you ask?"
I begin to mutter out, "Well, actually..." Interrupted again.... by none other than Richard...
Without hesitation Richard spouts, "Recent research has shown that empirical evidence for globalization of corporate innovation is very limited and as a corollary the market for technologies is shrinking. As a world leader, it's important for America to provide systematic research grants for our scientists. I believe strongly there will always be a need for us to have a well articulated innovation policy with emphasis on human resource development. BOOM and Thank you!"
As he sit there, non-chalantly smiling back, with a perceived confident demeanor...
My left eyebrow raised, straight lipped, look of bafflement... as a long pause of seconds, turns into a few minutes of erie quiteness... Alls I can say is, "Well, actually Richard... NEVERMIND... I think that pretty much wraps up my interview... I have enough.
-clay j. mayes 3rd
