10.12.10

Stress Relief Tips For Exam Week

As our first semester at University comes to an end, we're hitting the books hard and spending most of our time in the library trying to cram before the big finals. As we all know, you can't go more than about half an hour straight of studying and breaks are key to a good study session. We here at Running Down A Dream have been experimenting with a variety of different stress relief tactics to help us relax and focus on our studies.
For all our readers in high school, university, working, or in prison, who need a little relaxer to help them get by, here are a few techniques we use. Hope they help.

QWOP
http://foddy.net/Athletics.html
This game may help you relax or, like golf, might just make you more frusterated. It combines hand-eye coordination, patience and a whole lot of cheating to succeed, but it's a blast, and it's about under funded running, so perfect for Canadian athletes. Try to beat the Admin's PB's.
Connor: 20.6
Ross: 29.9
Chris: 27.0



Snake on Facebook
http://apps.facebook.com/mj-snake/
I'm sure most of you have played a game or two of snake before, probably when you were young'uns, but this new and improved, HD, 3D Snake game on facebook is sure to give you some joy! Just be careful you don't eat out the walls, or yourself!
I don't know if anyone has noticed, but Paul Janikowski of Windsor just got 980 in this game which is pretty unreal. Try to be that!


Family Feud on Facebook
http://apps.facebook.com/thefeud/
This is a classic TV show where multicultural families battle one another in a test of wits and quick hands. I've recently become addicted to the Facebook version, and so should you! It's a great way to pass the time and will definitely help you academically, as all the questions apply to many aspects of life and make you think fast on the spot. Try substituting studying with a few rounds of Family Feud and see how your marks go up...I sure hope mine do!


Try these great games and watch your stress levels decrease dramatically, and your marks....probably do the same. Good luck on exams!

-Connor & Ross

4.12.10

Barber's Tip of the Week - 1

With exam season coming fast, the boys at Running Down a Dream are quickly beginning to realize that class may have been a good idea after all. With little time left to cram an entire semester's worth of material... procrastination is inevitable. Expect a lot of blogging over the next two weeks!

Today we would like to introduce you to a man you may have thought you knew really well;
Ross Proudfoot, CIS Rookie of the Year, XC National Champ. As the ladies know, he is a man of many traits, but one specific ability of his has not yet become widely known. Many people may not be aware that the real secret to Ross' stellar season was a little hobby that he picked up on after completing an online course during the summer. The art of Barbering caught his eye, and he hasn't looked back since.

Hand-eye co-ordination, precision and determination are all skills that the Barber has taken from his craft and has used to dominate this Cross Country season, so we here at Running Down a Dream would like to provide our readers with some tips to master hair cutting, in the hopes that this will bring them the W with their clients and on the track.

We would like to introduce the first video in an ongoing series, Barber's Tip of the Week!



- Chris

1.12.10

Weapons of Mass Destruction 2011

The first sign of track season appeared when New Balance's 2011 line of spikes arrived at the University of Guelph this week. The early Christmas gift from Father New Balance brought tears of joy to Chris Dulhanty's eyes as the memories of running around in circles was brought back into the forefront of his mind. This arrival of spikes along with this weekend's Western Open have brought spirits back up here at Running Down A Dream after the 3 day depression caused by the end of Cross Country season.

We would like to introduce you to the Guelph Gryphons Weapons of Mass Destruction for the 2011 season.

Please welcome: New Balance MR1000SW Size 8 1/2

With its aerodynamic structure, slick white mesh and highlighter yellow accents, this badboy is sure to leave competitors in the dust over 3000m/5000m.


Please welcome: New Balance MR800SB Size 8 1/2

This somewhat Guelph-coloured spike has the weight of a Chinese gymnast (yes, under 4.9 ounces), yet the aggressiveness of a Chinese dictator. It will be sure to tear up the track in 600m/800m/1000m/1500m distances and leave competitors still in their blocks.

Keep your eyes peeled for these badboys standing on the podium at CIS. Although the United Nations prohibits the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the Guelph Gryphons have been granted an exception.

-Chris & Connor

30.11.10

Chris Moulton Post-Championships/Stash Interview

The boys at Running Down a Dream sat down with Guelph assistant coach Chris Moulton this afternoon to discuss this past weekend's National Championships and the excessive growth of the hair on his upper lip.

Captain Kyle Gets Modeling Deal

Guelph captain Kyle Boorsma loses much respect as word of his new modeling career surfaces. Kyle seen here apparently thinks he's cool and hip as he holds out a guelph athletics hat (by the way please purchase the hat, all proceeds go to the athletic department). Stick to running softy.

- Ross


29.11.10

Credit to the Couch

I'd just like to give a shout out to the guys for letting me crash on the famous magic couch located on 5 mutual st. Once again it granted me a gorgeous slumber as well another fantastic race, rounding it's stats at 2 for 3. Whenever asked the secret to my seasons successes I rarely mention the wonders of the couch, so after stealing credit for the entire season I feel it's time to give this beauty the deserved recognition.

George Macdonald looking delicious on the couch.

Also props to Ian Donald, for his scientific endeavours attempting to pin point the source of the magic as well as the couch's original discovery in September. 

- Ross

Cross Country Nats Weekend Recap

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, another Cross Country season has come and gone. It’s finished on a high note for some (Ross Proudfoot) and a low note for others (insert name here). But the most important part of the entire season is that Speed River beat Mississauga Track Club, Track North and Le Cours de Boirs, and thus, I have won the bet. The results from the poll will be posted later this evening.
Our plan at Running Down A Dream was to bring our camera to the after party at Brass Taps and get some exclusive interviews with some of the competitors at their finest moment! But, we didn’t think it would be a good idea to bring our new camera to a bar having just played 5 rounds of Gatorade Pong...our electrolytes were raging!
So, instead, I’ve decided to do a brief weekend recap. First off, congratulations to everyone who ran this weekend, whether it was racing in the arboretum, going for a jog along the river, or running from the cops, ya’ll did great! An extra congratulations to everyone who qualified for Team Canada! I’m sure it’s an honour and you’ll represent our country well at NACAC’s and World’s! Just watch out for Team Quebec, they’ve got a strong contingent this year!
Here are a few photos of the Running Down A Dream Admin racing and a few of our Guelph minions.
Ross “The Barber” Proudfoot showing finesse form as he extends his CIS Rookie of the Year quadriceps femoris muscles through the snow on his way to a shiny gold medal and more screaming girls than Justin Bieber (and the girls screaming for Ross were all over 12 years old).

Connor Clerke (that’s me!) leading a large pack, although I’m sure there’s an even bigger pack in front of me, rocking that beautiful Speed River singlet and a sweaty New Balance headband that ended up in Melissa “Crutchenson” Jones’ face at about 7km!

Chris Dulhanty, probably screaming, “Ima give you da guns!” seen here rolling like a champ past several adoring fans. This dude ran like a boss, having been in chiropractor, massage, surgery, acupuncture, IMS and a number of other treatment facilities the last few weeks trying to get his back fixed. Way to be Cowboy!

Rob “The Destroyer” Watson seen here crossing the finish line in fine style. I stole this picture off his blog, definitely check it out, http://leblogdurob.blogspot.com/ and the following caption, “apparently I got really drunk  between 8km and the finish.” He came second behind Cam Levins of Southern Utah University in a time of 29:49, Levins (29:25).
ps. Cam Levins...also from fuck nowhere, BC!
Speaking of BC, shout out to a couple of my BC boys, Luc Bruchet (2nd) and Justin Kent (27th) who rocked the Guelph course and coming from BC, they obviously rocked the after party as well, although not quite as good as last year!
All in all, a great weekend here in Guelph, the final year for the Cross Country Championships, they’re heading back to Vancouver, BC next year! Huge thanks to Chris “Movember” Moulton for running the show again and to DST for being a champ!
Keep following along, we’ll have more updates coming very, very soon!
-Connor

27.11.10

Steve Holmes Winter Cross 5k Champ

Sporting the U.S.S.R. jersey, the one and only Steve Holmes of Port Hope, Ontario ran away from the competition to take the title in the Winter Cross 5k this morning in Guelph, Ontario.

Running Down a Dream got the exclusive coverage and interview with the champ.

Music by The Streets of Doberg, aka the champ himself.

Ross Proudfoot Post-Race Interview

Running Down a Dream Admin Ross Proudfoot of Track North took the 2010 Canadian Cross Country Junior Title this afternoon at the Guelph Arboretum in a decisive victory.

The CIS Rookie of the Year ran a smart race and we were lucky to get an exclusive interview with him in Connor's bedroom.

25.11.10

Cross Country Nats Preview

Running Down a Dream hit the Best Western Hotel this evening for some interviews with some of the top competitors preparing for Nationals.

We would like to thank runnerspace.com for organizing the event that we snuck in the back door of to grab some unexclusive interviews... as well as some Chewy Dip bars, Rice Krispie Squares, Nature Valley bars and Nestle water bottles.

Equipped with our newly acquired Cannon Vixia HFR10 HD Camcorder we were able to get some fantastic footage.

Hope you enjoy it... more to come!



Play in HD for the full experience!

24.11.10

Track North Junior National Champion Team

The men of Sudbury have hit a minor speed bump in their quest for the gold, as Jeremy 'Assassin' Cooper recently came down with some sort of illness. Probably from all of the ladies he was wheelin' after his top ten finish at OFSAA and bronze performance at AO's. T-North was looking to send their second ever Junior Mens team to the event, as well as bring home the first national team title in club history. The team was to consist of Joe Burke, Jeremy Cooper, Sebastian Diebel, Micheal Niven and Ross Proudfoot, but with the highschool superstar stuck in bed for the weekend the team is definately going to take a minor hit. Rookie Track North  runner Micheal Niven will be stepping in to pick up the slack, but it might mean settling for the silver.
Left to Right
Micheal Niven, Jeremy Cooper (out), Sebatian Diebel, Brendan Belan (also out)

Drinks may be on me boys, Cheers!

-Ross

Mississauga Track Junior National Champion Team

So with Jr. Nats only three days away, the boys of Mississauga Track Club are gearing up for battle. This year has seen the boys go hard in races all across the country, as well as in some special international appearances. With experience running in American and Quebecois competitions, these studly boys are firing on all cylinders, ready to return to the Renaissance era of MTC running. In these last few hours before the gun goes off, the boys are in visualization mode, taking themselves back to their darkhorse Second place finish at 2009 XC AO's and their unforgettable W in the Youth Boys 4x800m at 2009 Track AO's.

Big things have been put on the line between the rookie boys for their performance this weekend. Connor thinks jumping on the bandwagon will lead him to the win. Ross thinks his boys' daily runs in the boonies have made them men. But MTC is where its at. If your doubting our potential to win this bet, take a look at this:
1 Mississauga TFC  'A'                         8:11.54      
     1) Drozdowsky, Daniel 92       2) Dulhanty, Christopher 92       
     3) Azocar, Kevin 92            4) Stone, Jeff 92                 
2 Track North AC  'A'                          8:12.07      
     1) Diebel, Sebastian 93        2) Cooper, Jeremy 93              
     3) Burke, Joseph 92            4) Proudfoot, Ross 92             
Thats right.

Our boys are ready to rock it.

Luca Geiser - This swaggeriffic Guelph Gryphon has been on downtime for at least a month by now; he's definitely the most rested athlete in the nation at this point.

Kevin Azocar - Under the guidance of new head coach Steve Boyd and Assistant Coach Rob Asselstine... seriously? ... this Queens' boy is ready to leave his mark on the course.

Chris Dulhanty - With an eventful first year in the 519 coming to a close, he's just hoping to collapse AFTER the finish line.

Rob McCann - After a stellar 12th pace finish at AO's two weeks ago, this up and coming high school kid is gonna rock.



- Chris

Speed River Junior National Champion Team

The rookie boys here at Guelph got a little cocky about our respective club teams going into Nationals this weekend and thought we should make a bet about who's gunna take the team title this year.

The bet, which has some disturbingly high stakes, consists of: Track North, Speed River and Mississauga Track. Being a new member of Speed River myself, I thought I'd give you all a little insight on five stellar runners from our incredibley deep team.

Ian Donald - He may be one of them triathletes, but he's rocking the Movember moustache and that means business, he's gunna be throwing down!

Connor Clerke - BC boy who's used to running across the Rocky Mountains with Grizzly Bears, this guy is ready to take on some Onterrible runners!

Drew Anderson - Studly high schooler who rocked it at AO's and knows the Nats course like the back of his hand.

Peter Quoasi - Don't know much about this guy, but he's been running the course everyday since he came out of the womb and with a name like Quoasi, he's bound to throw down.

Matt Bannon - Just found out this stud rolled into 11th place at OFSAA 3 weeks ago, stellar performance! He`ll be running like hell this weekend and playing a vital role in Speed River`s Gold Medal!

P.S. How can we not be rolling in gold at the finish line when we're following in the footsteps of CIS Champ Kyle Boorsma, Olympic Standard Marathoner Reid Coolsaet, Rob "The Destroyer" Watson, Beijing Olympian Taylor Milne and ex-Oregon Duck (also from fuck nowhere BC (Vancouver)), Chris Winter. All who rep the River!



- Connor

23.11.10

Merry Christmas from the Rookie Boys....Bitches!

The boys decided that it was time to go out to Canadian Tire and pick ourselves up a little Charlie Brown-style Christmas Tree for the upcoming season. After a very intricite selection period, where we discussed height, weight, width, bushiness, scent, colour, flavour and decoration capacity, we found the perfect little tree. We carried it halfway across Guelph back to 426 Mills and set the badboy up while rocking out to some Faith Hill Christmas songs and manhandling some balls...more like tieing string onto ball-shaped decorations, but I'm sure that's what you thought anyways.
Here's a photo of us with our little tree. Enjoy!



Welcome to Running Down A Dream with the Guelph Cross Country Team, CIS Champs!

Hello fans, great to see all your support early in our blogging career. We're just getting started but trust me, this blog is going international, yes, including Quebec, so welcome to R-U-N-N-I-N-G D-O-W-N A D-R-E-A-M....What does that dooooo????



2010 CIS Cross Country Champions, Men (5th straight) and Women (6th straight)!