I survived the San Diego Mud Run

Last Sunday I ran the 5k San Diego Mud Run. Since I got back into shape I thought it would be something cool to try. Looking at all the past photos everyone looked like they were having a blast getting all muddy and such. So after some pressure from my mom - who was also participating in the mud run - I signed up. Besides how hard could running 3.1 miles though the mud be?... I'll tell you, that run was one of the most challenging experiences that I have ever had to face.

The course was a 5k adventure through mud, over walls, and over a large hill. Half way though as I looked up at the huge incline that I still had to tackle, I thought to myself "Gary, what did you get yourself into?!?" But I kept pressing though, and did rather well. My goal was to finish the course in 40 minutes, and I ended up finishing in 34:30. I ranked 33 in my age class, and 180 overall. Not too bad for my first mud run.

I worked so hard over the last year to loose weight and get back into shape; So to be able to run a 5k event through the mud is big deal for me. If this was a year prior I think I would have killed myself trying. Come to think of it I don't think I would have given it any thought.

I do have to give a big thanks to my iPod. Since I didn't run with a team my iPod was there to keep me motivated. I don't know about you, but running is BORING, and I needed something to keep my mind off of the heat, and my pounding heart. Everyone said I would be sorry for bringing it along, but my little armband did it's job and kept the iPod dry. I had songs like Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" that helped me keep a good pace. I also had the motivational songs like "My Hero" from the Foo Fighters that helped me over the hill.

If you are considering doing an event like the mud run, I say go for it. The feeling you get when you cross the finish line is a feeling like no other. If you were at the mud run, or did something similar I would love to share experiences.

Here are some photos of the event

I'm Almost there!


My niece wanted to join the fun


My mom, my niece, and myself

The American Gangster is the Ideal Marketer

So this post goes out to my buddy Steve. He kept pushing me to watch The American Gangster. He wanted me to watch it not just because it was a good gangster movie, but because it was all about marketing. He knew I would like it so much that he bought it for me for my birthday. So I finally got around to watching it, and I have to say he was right I LOVED it. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe did an awesome job. This movie is up there with Blow, and Scarface.

My friend Steve was right about the marketing as well. Unless you are a marketing geek like myself you might have got lost in the gangster theme and not had paid any attention to the marketing undertone. Denzel's character was the ultimate marketer. He wasn't like the typical gangster/drug dealer. Brand awareness, and customer loyalty was everything. He did the opposite of all his competitors; he made sure that they had the highest quality product at the fraction of the price. He made sure his brand "Blue Magic" stood for high quality. At one point in the movie he found out that someone was impersonating his brand with a lower quality product. He put a stop to that, because it was bringing down the brand.

We should all strive to be like Frank Lucas...
Let me rephrase that; we should all model our business practices after Frank Lucas. He said to run a TRUE business it takes honesty, integrity, hard work, and dedication.