Blog

2 days ago4 min read

Meet Mr. Reasonably-Nice Guy (2025 Running Goals)

Believe it or not, Krusteaz is a PNW company that makes pancake mix. Meet Mr. Reasonably-Nice Guy. That’s me. Or so I’m hoping. ...

Nov 22, 20243 min read

Why I Hate & Love 5K's

"I truly hate racing in 5k’s." That's exactly what I would have said prior to July 13 of this year. Of course, hate is probably too...

Aug 30, 20244 min read

The 3 R's (Rick's Rules for Runners)

School is back in session. Let's take our seats. Today's lesson focuses on etiquette for runners. You can call them "The 3 R's." Or if...

Aug 2, 20245 min read

Pissed Off & Racing

I cannot recall the last time I felt as angry as I did at the start of the 50th Anniversary of the Bix 7 on July 27. What happened? It's...

Jul 5, 20243 min read

Are You A Runner?

We interrupt this blog for a Pop Quiz. It consists of 15 questions carefully developed during my recent Boston vacation (while savoring...

Feb 16, 20245 min read

Top 5 Worst Weather Races

Stunning blue skies greeted me the morning of October 8, 2017 when I returned to competitive racing. Indeed, the weather could not have...

Dec 22, 20234 min read

Me 'n My Lat! (A Review of Running in '23)

Two things stood out most prominently about my running in 2023. The first being that I missed two races due to perhaps the silliest...

Dec 8, 20234 min read

Surviving Sycamore (And Trail Runs!)

I don’t like trail runs and they don't like me. Reason I say that is because they tend to favor runners with more nimble strides who can...

Sep 29, 20234 min read

Capital Pursuit: Facing the Inevitable?

Am I starting to slow down? That was the predominant question in my mind going into last Sunday’s Capital Pursuit 10-mile race. Let me...

Sep 1, 20234 min read

Why I Have a Running Coach (And Maybe You Should Too)

Not too long ago, someone asked me why I have a running coach, wondering if shaving a few seconds off a race time is actually worth it. ...

May 26, 20234 min read

Life in the Pain Cave

Sometimes, running sucks. This picture to the left was taken during the final stretch of the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon in 2019. ...