Fast Running Blog

Fast Running Blog in partnership with the St. George Running Center is proud to announce the creation of the Fast Running Blog Racing Team. We are currently in the process of printing the shirts and hope to have them ready by Thanksgiving. The racing team uniform is provided free of charge to the racing team members, but will also be available for sale at St. George Running Center (1091 N. Bluff St. #1503 St. George Utah), can be ordered by phone (435-628-7766), or by contacting Steve Hooper via Private Message on his blog (http://steve.fastrunningblog.com/). Other running merchandise can be ordered the same way as well.

We do not have a picture of the uniform yet, but the design is essentially what we had on the Fast Running Blog shirts that Chad and Paul prepared earlier, with one important difference. The women's shirts say "Don't Get Chicked!" on the back instead of "Run. Blog. Improve. Repeat."

St. George Running Center has provided a very generous sponsorship plan which allowed us to build a very strong team. We currently have the following members:

Men 

Paul Petersen
Logan Fielding
Sasha Pachev (me)
Steve Ashbaker
Clyde Behunin
Dave Holt
Jeff Shadley
Ted Leblow
Chad Derum
James Barnes
Jon Allen
Adam Wende
Cody Draper
Kory Wheatley
Steve Olsen
Dustin Ence
Dan Schultz
Andy Browning

Women:

Michelle Lowry
Marcie Jacobsen
Josse Tobiasson

To summarize - the team includes 2 OT qualifiers, and 7 sub-2:30 marathoners. Not bad for a local deal mostly funded by a small running store in St. George.

We are looking forward to seeing the success of the team. We hope to be able to expand the size of the team and the level of sponsorship as both Fast Running Blog and St. Running Center continue to grow.

Would Steve be the appropriate contact for a thank you letter?  I am so touched and grateful to have this opportunity!

Yes, if you feel inclined, go to his blog and send him a private message.

After having just been in Raleigh for Thanksgiving and talking with a couple of the high-placing runners in the turkey trot there, to find out that there are tons of running clubs in Raleigh that provide this exact sort of opportunity, I think this is a wonderful idea.  Although I don't live in Utah, and my times wouldn't warrant a sponsorship like this, it is something I am striving for and provides motivation for me to continue to work harder.  Congrats to everyone who will be a part of the FRB racing team.

I would love to be part of the women's racing team.  But not sure if I'm fast enough to qualify... What are the qualifications?

Maybe I can just buy a shirt from Steve? Just wondering how it works...

Christi, As I understand it anyone that is on the FRB can be part of the team and is encouraged to be on the team. The only difference is that some members (those that Sasha determines meet certain running performances) recieve some additional benefits. I think everyone is welcomed and encouraged to buy a racing singlet, shirt and or jacket from Steve through the St. George Running Center. If you live in the St. George area you can probably buy one from him at the store. Otherwise I think if you email Steve with your request/order I think he will be able to accomadate this way as well. I guess what Sasha needs to do is post some pictures of what is available for order and the associated prices and order instructions. I will talk to him about doing this soon.

Yes, Christi - anybody is welcome to buy and  wear the racing team uniform. Those are going to be available at the St. George Running Center. I checked with Steve just now - the print shop has the men's ready, the women's should be ready tomorrow.

The difference between an official racing team member and a regular supporter is not in the uniform, but in the compensation package. When we have a spot on the team and see that a certain runner is meeting the team requirements, we invite him/her personally to join. We were fortunate to sponsor runners in some degree this year so far starting from 2:53 marathon for men, and 3:11 marathon for women. This was a lot more than I expected the first year thanks to Steve stepping forward.

Yes!  That would be awesome!  Even if I don't get additional benefits, I would love to wear a FRB uniform to promote the FRB out here in Arizona.  The only disadvantage is that I can't try it on . . . I will be anxiously awaiting pictures and prices.

We will in the near future have a nice page with all the Racing Team Members similar to what the Hanson project has. As a general direction, I want to see Fast Running Blog  surpass the Hanson-Brooks project in every respect. I want to do my part in creating an environment where competitive distance running gets the respect it deserves, where we consider this a legitimate pursuit rather than a just college past-time or something to do for fun an before or after your "real" job. I think our country would be so much better off if we had one full-time professional runner for every full-time professional football player. This would require a completely different mindset in the culture, and different in a good way. The one that very deep down at the core values hard work, discipline, faith, patience, and persistence on the spiritual side, and  fitness and healthy lifestyle on the physical side. Changing that mindset is an uphill battle, but if everybody does his share, it will work. We will start small, and then one step at a time we will see a gradual change.

This all sound so exciting!  I looked at the Honson-Brooks website and think this is just what we need in this valley.  I have allways wanted to be a part of something like this.  Thanks and I would love to contribute my experterise (Injury massage, deep tissue, myofacial release, and scrapping) when it is needed and when I can, just let me know how I can help.

Ah ha! I think we just found our "Clint Verran"!

I would love to partake of Josse's experterise, anytime!

I like this discussion and the vision for the team.  We already have many talented and hard-working runners on the blog and I believe we have many more that have not even come close to reaching their full potential yet.  I look forward to wearing the gear and helping fellow bloggers and teammates continue to improve.

Hey Guys- I'm always a little slow to check this discussion forum when I check the blog- so sorry for the delayed response.  I too am anxiously awaiting photos of the shirts so I can run to St. George Running Center and buy one! Thanks for the info.  I know that just wearing one will put a spring in my step and make me run faster!

I don't know, Sasha, are you sure about anybody wearing the singlet?  I'm pretty sure the Fast Running Blog might get a bad name if, say, Stacy wore a singlet.  I do plan to be passing at least the walkers at most races, though, so I would still love to wear the "you got chicked" shirt.

We should give a "you got chicked" shirt to all the women who finish in front of Cody.

So when should we expect to see pictures?  Any info about the brand of the singlet?  Are there shorts for sale as well, or just singlets?  I suppose I could just email Steve . . .

Hey!  Maybe there wont be any this next year!

This coming from a guy who has Homer Simpson as his avatar... :)

I have the pictures I can give Sasha and then we can get the prices from Steve and Sasha will post. Should have that up this week. I am not sure how many Steve will have for sale right away but we will find out. The brand is Asics and the colors are blue and white. The singlet looks really good.

You keep running 3 miles a day and I'll do my best to win the first shirt :)

Yeah!  A challenger!  Hear that Cody?  You are getting called out.

Of course, I only ran 3 miles on Saturday, so I better watch out, too.

Yikes!  Michelle is an animal.  Luckily I still have a month before 2008 technically.  I should warn her though that I ran 4 miles today.  Watch out!

Stacy:

I want as many people as possible wearing team uniform. There is a general approach to running reason, as well as a marketing reason. I do not believe in casts, even though we may race at different levels, we strive for the same goals in essence - to do our very best. While at this point we have to limit the number of people who can get the uniform for free, I am very happy to see slower runners wearing the uniform. Also, for marketing reasons, the top runners are seen by the running mass at the start and at the finish. The slower runners are seen throughout the whole race. Runners with different speeds address different types of audience, so when slower runners are wearing the uniform, this allows us to penetrate new market segments.

Here's a picture of the singlet in action.  Sasha - I hope that it is alright that I post this.

(http://208.177.25.70/206/19934/445/19934-445-012f.jpg)

That is a good picture to put on Sasha's blog, new singlet and all.

The picture looks good.  I was wondering where you got the shorts Sasha and if they are Asics?  Do they match the jersey pretty good?  When we were wearing the similar singlet with the St. George Running Center, most of us had black shorts, just wondering if there was anything decided on what the race shorts would look like, or if that was left more up to the individual.

I think the shorts are being left up to the individual but the ones Sasha's wearing do look like a good match. I will talk to him about the shorts as well as try and find out if matching shorts can be bought from Steve. I know Sasha is very busy and keeping up with the FRB can be tough so I am trying to help as much as I can on the side as well.

geez, you're quads look even bigger in the light...

I agree matching shorts for the team would be good. Thanks for looking into this Ted.

How about green shorts?

Do you have a supplier??

Steve and I bought some black Asics shorts that he was going to recommend to the other runners on the team. Basically all black.

All black sounds boring.  I was thinking more like hot pink!

[nothing needs to be said]

James simple is the new cool.

Running Shorts 2.0

Here is a picture I got from Mike. He added some promotional text to it:
(http://fastrunningblog.com/FRB_Promo.jpg)

I like hot pink, in fact  I think I have some.

Sasha your quads look massive. You need to lay off the squats in the weight room.

Kind of eerie...it's a picture of Sasha wearing a singlet with a drawing of Sasha. It, like, blows my mind and stuff.

Seriously though, all of the gear looks really great. I'm proud to wear it.

I got my gear in the mail the other day and wore it to the the gym this morning as well.  Why didn't anyone ask me about it?  Need to go back some more and hype it up.  The gear looks great, thanks Steve and Sasha! 

We can leave the hot pink shorts for the women and give the honor of the green shorts to Jon.   Or maybe the we can establish a "green shorts" award for the fastest race, biggest PR, etc.

For those that did not notice the gear is now officially for sale. Steve has posted pictures and prices the link is on the FRB front page. Or just go here:

http://stgeorgerunningcenter.com/FRB/ (http://stgeorgerunningcenter.com/FRB/)

I'm lovin' it! (wait, that's from McDonald's)  Everything looks awesome.  Just need to see some shorts up there as well, and maybe some tights as well.  Asics R/D Split short would be the logical choice for the shorts.  I usually shop at roadrunnersports, since I am a VIP member, and they even had them in methyl (same color blue as the stripe in the uniform).  However, Steve's prices are rockin' for the FRB members.

The gear looks great!  I got mine today!  Thanks, FRB and STG.

By the way, I think the singlet will go nicely with my green shorts.  YES!

I may order the Men's ASICS R/D Race Short in Methyl/Phantom which is same color (methyl) as the top stripes. I will see if Steve can get these or not. For a picture look at http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/ASW1515/

Before we all start ordering our own stuff let's find something that everyone can get and that way we will all match.

Sounds like a good plan. I will wait to see waht Sasha and Steve want to do.

I talked to Steve H today, and he is highly recommending the black Asics shorts for the team. I think he said he'd put them on the website soon. I had him set aside a pair for me.

I have both a black pair and a blue pair of Asics shorts.  I bought the Methyl/Phantom color this summer thinking it would look good with the singlet, (same color singlet we have now) but it ended up being more of a turquoise color and we decided to go with the black shorts instead.  I don't really have a preference I just agree we should all match and look as professional as possible.  My blog has a picture of me with the top and the black shorts.

The black looks pretty good with the singlet.  Thanks for the insight, Dustin.  I wasn't sure what the shorts would look like, but if they are more of a turquise, then it sounds like black is the best color to use.

Well lets figure this thing out then, because I was just about to order Paul and myself some hot pink shorts for Christmas! 

After talking to Steve, I'm positive we are going with the black shorts. Let's just plan on it.

Maybe we can bust out pink shorts just for relays, or for big marathons. Kind of like how in college, North Central College would wear their 70's-era pinstripe uniforms only for nationals. They were gaudy, but cool, because they won just about every year. I think you can wear just about anything if you beat the tar out of people every race.

Paul, you are right.  I will save the hot pink for a special occasion.  Do these black shorts come in a little longer style than "shorty Jon style"?

You don't like showing off your pasty white legs?  Show em if you got em, I always said.  Plus, you want to minimize weight.

Minimize weight and wind drag that is... We should also get a team wax to maximize those pasty white legs!

Hey Adam, were runners not bikers...we run with hair on our legs! 

Oh, just remember that Jon is a throwback like John Stockton...pasty white guy in short shorts and look at where he ended up.  We can't all be like Jon.

But that shouldn't stop all from trying!

If you want to go pasty that is fine with me, but I will stick with my good tan and thick hair.  Just because Clyde shaves his legs, and he is like the 4th coolest guy I know, doesn't mean you should fall into that peer pressure.  Besides hair and tan look better with hot pink!

I have to post a smiley about the tan and hot pink  :). First, becuase it is funny and second because that gives me post 50!

 :-[ I just got compared to John Stockton! Wow, I am so touched that I can't even respond...

Course, it was a comparison of leg color and short length, not ability.

Well your name is Jon, even though you spell in the un-Bible way, and you are a tight wod.  Plus, you do have the shorty green shorts and white legs like Stock, although you are not near as buff.  Besides, by wearing those green shorts with pride, that makes you like the 9th coolest guy I know.

Dang, what crazy things do you have to do be to be on James' "cool guy" list?

I'm not sure but I want to know why I'm only 4th on the list of cool guys. I should be a sure 2nd behind Brad Pitt.