I used to say that I played the best sports in high school. I stopped competing after I graduated and did no sort of racing in college (a slight regret of mine but m’eh)
I ran track and field in the spring, ran indoor track one year, did nordic skiing in the winter another, and ran cross country senior year (i wish i had started earlier).
Now, i have to be honest, before I get to the point of all this. Even though I started Track and Field in 8th grade, I have D – my high school “sweetheart” to thank for my love-hate relationship of running. Before him, it was pure hate. He added in a love of racing. He was more competitive than I and encouraged me after he went to college to take up Cross Country. So I did. And though my relationship with running competes with my sedentary tendencies, I like to think I still have some sort of passion for it. I just don’t act on it as often as I should. Which is why I’ve started running marathons. It gives me a goal. I can’t run for the sake of running but if I’m running for a goal – in this case marathon training – I can do it. And as I discovered last night, it makes me feel incredible after.
I digress though, so when I was younger, I joked that I ran the best sports mostly because we had the boys with the short shorts (cross country), the boys in spandex (nordic skiing anyone?) and the boys training with their shirts off in the spring (track and field).
Ashley’s post over at Not the Life I Ordered! where she shamelessly showed off the mens olympic swimming relay team reminded me of this. It made me smile so, check out her post for boys with shirts off and check out below…for more boys with shirts off (mostly runner boys). (And be sure to watch the men’s track and field events starting Saturday night and the men’s marathon a week from now.) I picked the runner dudes (and a few swimmers, divers and gymnasts because why not??) mostly because 1. I’m trying not to hijack her (though she was my inspiration so i give credit where credit is due) 2. i like runners better than swimmers. Though the swimmers are good lookin’ – (I think Phelps is kind of a paperbagger though. Give me his body any day but I’ll do without the face) in my experience runners are just…better (and likely, less crazy).
So without further ado, I present…my favorite boys of the Olympics.
From here Gotta love the track and field athletes <3 Mmm arms.
I had to throw in one of the gymnasts…they can replace my nordic skiiers…*drool*
*more drooling* those divers…were awesome.
*swoon* look at those ABS!!!! Nevermind the busted face (i personally think Ryan Lochte is much cuter than Phelps) but the ABS!!!
Finally…
Ryan Hall – only 25 but the Second fastest American Marathoner EVER. Holy crap. I think i just peed a little. He ran the London marathon in 2:06:00 or something redonkulous like that. Five minute split times? I’m lucky if i get 5 minutes on my half mile!
I went for my second run of the week last night and tried to pace myself with some of the runners I came across, I always try to lengthen my stride so as not to seem as slow as I actually am. I know I’m a slowpoke but I try not to be. I think it was 3 miles in about 35 minutes which is about 11:30 miles which is pretty much what I’m shoot for in Hartford so as to finish around 5:30:00. Thankfully I’ve been pretty good with my training thus far despite the late start.
Also of note, I already have plans for Marathon number 3 next May (as of like five minutes ago)! Perhaps someday I’ll qualify for Boston…perhaps. I’m getting excited because next year? I’M RUNNING BURLINGTON!!!!!!!!!! 
(that’s significant because 1. it’s hometown pride 2. my brother and i tried to start a relay team but unfortunately didn’t get a lottery number 3. i can totally run the entire thing. Why not right?? 4. In high school my track and field team used to volunteer at a water stop – i hope those gals are back next year! That’ll be even more awesome! It’ll be interesting training in the winter but oh boy! Registration is a couple weeks after Hartford, I’ll cross train most of november and december to stay in shape but let my knees have a lil rest and then pick up running in january or february or so. Woo! Stayin’ in shape for the gown!! 
