Speaking of Magazines

Last week I sorted through the 100 or so back issues of my various magazines; Outside, Trail Runner, Runner's World, Bicycling, Mountain Bike, with a few issues of Men's Health and Backpacker thrown in. (Those are listed from most favorite to least.) Mostly, I just checked each magazine for articles I might want to save it for, like if there was an especially good core workout outlined or a plan for "your best" half marathon. I also tore out some ads that I thought would look good on the wall of my cube. (My personal favorite is a Yakima ad with a "coach" saying, "Too tired to ride? I've got something for you," and holding up a baby's pacifier.)

For starters, it's funny how hindsight is 20/20. I chuckled at the "Congratulations Floyd" ads from his 2006 Tour de France. I also noticed a lot of ads featuring Jan Ulrich, Alexandre Vinokourov and Ivan Basso.

I also enjoyed revisiting Dave Zabriskie's interview of Floyd Landis from a 2006 issue of Bicycling. It really looks like Bicycling and Outside seemed to think Landis would win that Tour de France (and he did - for a little while) during the months leading up, even though neither outlet would make that a firm prediction.

My favorite article is from the February 2007 issue of Runner's World. What's fortunate is that it turned out I had two copies of that issue - it must have been just as I began my subscription and I bought one newstand and got one in the mail.

It was a fairly short interview with ultra runner Tim Tweitmeyer. What's missing from the online version is one of the pictures - he allowed Runner's World to publish his 1996 Quick Diaries log. Basically it's a year-at-a-glance perspective of his 1996 training. It was interesting to learn how he peaked and which months he just used for "maintenance miles."

I'd post that up here, but A. I don't have permission, and B. the copy I cut out is pinned up on my cubicle wall.