Posterity

Posterity is a funny word if you look at it too long. It's also pretty funny if you say it real fast, three times...(comes out sounding something like "pass-dirty.") and even funnier if you say it with your 'Wargo' voice.

C'mon...you know you have one.

Everybody does.

But the reason that I bring up posterity today is that I am trying to make sure that we don't lose track of all those great photos & videos that we took at the 2008 DRD. (or 'DRP' or whatever, Brian...geez!)

I was kinda' hoping that the DRD 2008 Blog would become the online repository for those files. After December 31 of this year I will close off the DRD 2008.blogspot.com's public access & send out private invitations (to the interested parties). That way we can always refer back to those images & video's & all those blog posts & then later on down the line we'll have something of an invaluable nature to hand down to our children (and their children's children, etc, etc, etc...and so on and so forth)

I can accept the files via my gmail account - jadicarlo@gmail.com or...

if they are too large to send via e-mail...

you can zip them up & upload them to me via FTP at www.dicarlo1.com/upload.htm

The Taste of Victory

Never has Victory tasted so sweet!

BREAKING NEWS

IT'S ALL OVER FOLKS!

JOSH ZEALAND WINS THE 2008 DISTANCE RUNNER'S DECATHLON THE NEXT 5 EVENTS ARE SKIPPED AND THE COMPETITORS HEAD TO OLIVE GARDEN FOR THE 11TH EVENT - BREADSTICK COMPETITION

In an unprecedented move the DRD Planning Commission & the event officials convened a meeting to discuss potential options for coping with the inclement weather. It was initially suggested that the final 5 events be moved indoor to the Tolsma Indoor Track & Field Facility at Campus North or delayed until the rains held up.

Both of these options were weighed and eventually ruled out due to "certain reasons" that they are not sharing with the press at this time.

After a short consultation with the legal department & the remaining athletes it was decided that the event should be done after the 5th event and be renamed the:

Distance Runner's Pentathlon

By virtue of the fact that he led in the overall standings following the 5th event.

Joshua Zealand walked off the track a world champion tonight.
More to come...

BREAKING NEWS

400 meter run leaves little doubt that Zealand is a contender for the "Cup"

As the rain and winds pick-up the Commission and Event Officials convene to determine if the DRD should go on. Drenched athletes and media take cover in nearby buildings...

The Commission's decision will be posted as soon as it is available.

BREAKING NEWS

THREE FLYING "J's" DUKE IT OUT IN THE HIGH-JUMP
Khan and Mini Zealand pull DiCarlo back down to Earth

As the rains grow heavier & the wind picks up here at the Matthes Hopkins Track, it is becoming more & more obvious that Joey DiCarlo (ITA), the current DRD high-jump record holder's form may not be up to Chalice standards this year. The odds on favourite in the high-jump, the man they call "Juggernaut" has just left the door wide open with a mediocre 5 ft. 2 inch jump - a full 5 inches lower than his PR.

On the flip side of this coin, Josh Zealand (CAN) & John Khan (MOR) (PAK) were able to match DiCarlo jump for jump & both came out of the High Jump pit smelling like roses. The younger Zealand now has the momentum in his favor. A good 400 for the diminutive Canadian could make him the clear leader.

Josh Zealand (above) clears his own height at the 2008 DRD "bar exam"

It was rumored that DiCarlo ( pictured above), a native Italian speaker, misread the 4th event on the event list to be the "high water" instead of the "high jump."
Apparently this is a common Italian-English mistranslation.

John Khan (pictured above) clears the high-jump bar while calling out the Carolina Panthers for a face mask penalty and bringing them back 15 yards.

BREAKING NEWS

JOHN KAHN...I mean KHAN GIVES MASTERCLASS IN SHOTPUTTING
DICARLO LEADS AFTER 3rd EVENT

Lynchburg, VA - With a decisive win in shot-put, 1999 Chalice Winner John Khan (MOR) (PAK) showed that he's still a force to be reckoned with. His impressive performances in the long jump & a field best 36 foot, 4 inch shotput throw Khan in the thick of a contentious fight for first place at this year's Distance Runner's Decathlon. The athletes are now preparing for the high-jump. We will post the lastest results as they become available...

BREAKING NEWS

Frosh Zealand Wins the 100 meter run in photo-finish


Lynchburg, VA - Matthew "Frosh" Zealand (CAN) won the opening event - 100 meter run on a soaked track at the 2008 Distance Runner's Decathlon. Zealand's time of 14.72 seconds was just good enough to best Italy's Guiseppe DiCarlo & his fellow countryman Joshua Zealand. The athletes are now preparing for the long jump. More news to come as it becomes available...

The Athletes

LIVE: From Lynchburg

Day 2: Game Day AM

After attending campus Convocation this morning, some of the athletes were spotted at the local burrito joint Moe's having lunch. It was reported that DiCarlo had the 'Art Vandelay' burrito (vegetarian & loaded with beans) so the other athletes have been warned to not ride the elevator at the Wingate with him until at least 9 pm this evening.

The event will kick off at 4 pm sharp with the 100 meters being the first competitive event.

LIVE: From Lynchburg

DAY 1:

The 2008 DRD athletes have almost all arrived.

Currently registered are:

-Joshua Zealand

-Matthew Zealand

-Bruce Kite

-John Khan

-Brent Neiter

- Joey DiCarlo

The event official, Brian Ballard arrived in town this afternoon and is preparing the ground rules of the competition. Some measures were discussed at an informal meeting that would do away with times, heights, distances etc. & instead base the competition on a points system that is determined by placement in each event. (ie the lowest score wins)

It is rumored that many of the competitors carbo-loaded this evening at the local Cracker Barrell & after some hot-tubbing they finished the job with some 1/4 pints of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough Ice Cream.

Tomorrows agenda is fairly open, but it has already been determined that the event will kick off with the 100 meter run at 4 pm sharp (following the singing of the US & Canadian national anthems)

Stay tuned for more details & photographs as they become available.

Weather Update

Lynchburg weather forecast for Friday, 17 October

BREAKING NEWS

I received this message via text last night:

Rumor has it that i may be willing to make the 550 mile trek to the burg.
I've been thinking about it all day long, and will see ya'll down there.

8:49 PM Tue, 14 Oct
From: John Khan


Reply:

'atta boy...can't wait to see ya!

9:26 PM Tue, 14 Oct
From: Joey DiCarlo
CC: Ballard, Kite, Nieter, Zealand

to go or not to go...

Gentlemen,

There are rumors bouncing about the internets & via text messages that "certain" very important individuals may or may NOT be participating in this year's festivities. If you know of such a person who is sitting on the fence, (and I'm not naming any names here - because I want to respect that or those person(s) decisions, and not make light of what could potentially be a life altering decision (bad decision if you ask me) Anyway, if you know of such a person then I ask that you use every ounce of persuasion & all the conniving that you can muster to persuade said individual(s) to attend the bash.

Sincerely,

The Commish

The Final Countdown

The Shot-Put by Sven Goran Dikarlosson

An unfiltered cigarette is an instrumental garnish when practicing the shot-put.

The bar exam...

Men of Destiny

With
courage,

fortitude,
endurance,
physical & mental strength,
faith,
love
knowledge,
and...

a grill?


These were truly 'Men of Destiny.'

The 100 Meter Run by John Khan

100 Meters:
The Definition of an Athlete
by 1999 Chalice of Victory Winner - John Khan

This year the majority of the world was gathered to either watch the activities in Beijing or actually visiting a stones throw away from Pyanghopa. Just months ago the world witnessed a man doggie paddle himself to 8 gold medals. On the hardwood they watched countless alley-oops get thrown down. They witnessed 4 bikini clad women on the sand digging, diving, bumping, and spiking…yet we all kept wondering, - what is the tape on her shoulder? And none can forget the great form and synchronicity of the men's 10m synchronized platform dive, and those showers they take when they come out of the pool. We've seen electricity strike on the track surface, resulting in a world record.

Some would read the headline of this article and ask if there are two zeros and a comma missing.

"The definition of a man is 100m, what about the other 9900m?"

Don't get me wrong, I say 'some' would read this and come to this conclusion. The DRD athlete, whom stands apart from the rest of the world, realizes that to be a true athlete you must be versatile. There are moments of greatness that are displayed at various distances in the DRD athletes lifetime. In order to successfully excel at the rigorous demands of all ten events, you must excel at the first.

100m down the track with your fellow competitors. Some men feel that wearing speed suits will help them succeed. Other men feel that wearing necklaces will guarantee a sub 15s time. And there are some men that wear shoes three sizes too small so they can really stay up on their toes.

100m might seem like a drop in the bucket to a DRD competitor, but with the whole world watching such a prestigious event...this event will set the tone for future athletes and years and years of DRD's to come.

Training is required, with various shoes, various wild animals, and various hot girls with big buff boyfriends. You see, these are the ways that a DRD athlete must train…survival of the fittest.

1) Strength shoes might look funny when you stop in to McDonald's for a Big Mac extra value meal, but you are a DRD athlete…so much of the world could never understand your training regimen.

2) Other athletes rely solely on heading into the woods and stirring up a bee's nest, or taunting a bear cub while the mother is nearby. This my friend, is how true adrenaline is generated in the body of a DRD athlete.

3) And which one of us DRD competitors hasn't been caught on a trip down to Florida State University over spring break? Head out to Panama Beach over the break, slide on your fastest / lightest racing flats, and offer to put some suntan lotion on those feminanas sitting on the beach (with musclehead boyfriends nearby playing Frisbee or doing push ups).

Training for this one event, the infamous 100m, requires a lot of courage and suntan lotion.This one event and training techniques may not apply to the other 9 events, so please be careful in your preparations. Good luck to everyone in their training, as you're more than welcome to utilize these tips. I may just take myself up on that offer as a couple of (eh-oh) feminanas are setting their towels down, but you really ought to see the triceps on their boyfriends.

Let's grab that spf-30 and let's keep training.

Final Notice

If you plan on staying in one of the three rooms that I have reserved at the Wingate Inn & your name does not start with the letters "B.r.", you have just over 24 hours to let me know.

I can be reached at jadicarlo@gmail.com or via mobile (443) 366.2916.

If I do not hear from you before the stroke of midnight on October 1, I will release the room or rooms that I currently hold and you will be left to your own devices.

Also on October 1st - Stay tuned for the third installment of our guest blog feature series "Training Tips."

100 meters by John Khan coming soon!

Event Information

Gentlemen, DRD enthusiasts, & sports media,

Time is flying & today, the 17th of September is exactly 30 days away from the opening ceremonies of the:

2008
Distance Runner's Decathlon Extravaganza
& Arts & Crafts Bazaar

The next 4 weeks will be gone before we know it & it will be time for each of us to put our money where our smack-talking mouths (or smack-typing fingers) are. So without further ado,

here's what you need to know (for now):

• Check-in & registration for the event will be at 4 pm on Thursday the 16th of October at in the lobby of the Wingate Inn, Lynchburg, VA.

• There are 3 rooms reserved at the Wingate for the nights of the 16th, 17th & 18th. The cost per room for all 3 nights will be $332 + tax. If you want one of these rooms you need to let me know before October 1 at which point we will switch the reservation over into your name.
  

• Following check-in and virgin cocktails the evening will include a protein loading dinner at a restaurant or cafeteria TBA.

• The actual Decathlon will begin at a time TBA on the afternoon of Friday the 17th of October shortly followed by the 11th event breadstick event at Olive Garden, Lynchburg, VA. This year's breadstick event has a sponsor and from this point forward will be called the:

'Barack Obama for President

2008 DRD 11th Event Breadstick Competition'

That's the scoop for now. Contact me at 443-366-2916 or jadicarlo@gmail.com with any questions or comments

John Khan's Legs: A Profile in Courage

Unlike recent years, the late 1970's was a time of tumult across the greater middle east & south central Asia. Religious wars, famine, oil rationing, pestilence, & unending cricket matches left much of what we refer to today as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in dire straits. Being born into such chaos may have seemed punishment enough for any innocent newborn but to then be born with a rare and debilitating deformity: it just may have been the ultimate insult. Unbeknownst to many DRD athletes and fans, it was just this predicament into which 1999 Chalice winner John Khan arrived in this World.

Now a full fledged, flag-waiving U.S.-American, John was born in Lahore, Pakistan in early September of 1978 (although due to poor record keeping the actual date is not available. So it is perfectly acceptable to wish him "Happy Birthday" anytime between the 1st and 15th of that month - like I do). The doctors at Lahore General Hospital & his parents were unaware at the time , but several weeks after giving birth, his mother received official birth record documentation from the Moroccan government claiming that, even though his parents had never lived in or even been to the country, John's legs were in fact citizens of the Kingdom of Morocco.

John Khan (right) celebrates his 37th birthday this week

Naturally the doctors were perplexed by this rare deformity, now known as "Moroccan Legs" but upon further investigation it was discovered that there have been two other documented cases of dual citizen appendages:

1. Swedish soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimović's nose claims full rights as an Israeli citizen.
2. Benito Mussolini's cousin Franco Bellini's first wife Sophia was said to have had Irish eyes.
* Also note: in the animal kingdom this rare English swan's Bjork is Icelandic

Despite the poor fortune of his youth, after immigrating to the United States John Khan & his Moroccan legs would later make a big splash on the Upstate New York high-school distance running scene, and later would make an equally huge impact on Liberty University's "turn of the century" distance running squad. But for the better part of his life John was very guarded about his leg's immigration status & nationality. In 1997 that all changed. For reasons that are still to this day unclear, John's legs were "outted" by a former Dallas Cowboy during a routine dorm viewing of Saturday Night Live...

Michael Irving Beckner (pictured above) outted John's legs in 1997

Initially stunned & unsure of public reaction to, what in the late 1990's amounted to a potentially career ending disclosure (you have to remember - this was before Monica Lewinsky), John & his legs decided that all they could do was take things in stride and have a firm stance (both puns that were most certainly intended) And that's what they did...

Instead of hiding John & his 'Moroccan legs' held a series of evangelistic-style meetings throughout the Southeast portion of the USA to raise awareness of & help fight 'Dual Citizen Appendage syndrome'.

Following that tour, John & legs returned to Liberty University where they studied Corporate Finance, Accounting, & French, graduated Cum Laud & as if that weren't enough, as their crowning achievement, together, in 1999 (with the help of some funny math) they were able to earn one of the most sought after & cherished prizes in all of distance runner decathlondom - a DRD Chalice of Victory.

John Khan's legs: a true profile in courage!

The Javelin by Bruce Kite

Event: Javelin Throw

World Record: 98.48 m. (set in 1996 by J. Zelezny - Czech Republic )

DRD Record (for shortest distance): 23.92m. (set in 2000 by B. Kite - Amish Land)

“When you responsibly procure your family’s dinner by hand, each meal becomes a sacred rite, and the reality of life and death is undeniable.” – Ted Nugent

The device that helped fill the stomachs of our beloved ancestors is the mighty javelin . The javelin allowed our hungry forefathers to “strike from a distance” and avoid the somewhat bloody and slightly more risky “hand-to-hand combat” option.

In modern times, the javelin has amounted to a sort of festivus event for the DRD (seeing that it is an “aluminum pole” requiring a “feat of strength” to hurl it). Now as the DRD athlete most likely to “procure his next meal by hand”, I have been asked to offer some insight into the sacred practice of hunting, I mean, throwing the javelin...

1. Focus: This is what separates the men from the boys, the hungry from the famished and him who holds the sacred chalice of victory from the others who don’t. I usually like to envision each throw from start to finish. A friend of mine, Big B. Ballard found that focusing on fluffy, soft bunnies helped him concentrate. Either way, maintaining your focus is a key to success in Mario Kart er, I mean the javelin.

2. Diet: An oft-overlooked key to every highly conditioned athlete is strict adherence to a high-performance diet. Lets start with the food groups that can help you out the most.

- Energy. Nothing, and I mean nothing can provide as much energy as a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Now don’t let the label fool you, one pint is a serving size. A typical pint contains enough calories to feed a third-world nation. Just imagine if you had the strength of an entire under-privileged nation within you…eat a pint and you will.

- Protein. Your muscles need protein to rebuild themselves after a hard workout. In a highly scientific study conducted by one Dr. Z.J. Khan, Pepsi was found to be the best source of protein for a DRD athlete. It also keeps the joints properly lubricated. So drink up boys, your muscles will thank you.

- KFC. “You need chicken!” Enough said. I.S.K.?

3. Training. There are a few great ways to train for the javelin. One of my personal favorites is “Pumpkin’ Chunking.” To do this, you’ll need a third story window and a few pumpkins. Practice throwing the pumpkins on the sidewalk below repeatedly. This builds up arm strength and works your back and shoulders. I also like “Candy Throwing”. For this, you’ll need a college sports team lined up watching a parade. Simply stand on one of the floats and go for headshots.

4. The Yell*. Every great thrower has a good guttural scream that helps focus all of his efforts into the throw. A good yell can be worth a slew of style points.

The javelin has transitioned from an implement essential for human survival to an implement essential for winning the DRD. So train hard, eat hard and focus. The DRD is just around the corner.

*Studies have shown that a good yell and javelin throw can increase one’s success at the eleventh event.

The High Jump by Joey DiCarlo

Event: High Jump
World Record: 2.54 m. (set in 1993 by J. Sotomayor - Cuba)
DRD Record: 1.67 m. (set in 2000 by J. DiCarlo - Finland)For several years after I set the DRD high-jump record, adoring fans would come up and ask me what the secret to my success was? Although I admit that I had given the question a great deal of thought & I desperately wanted to bestow some great nugget of high-jumping wisdom upon them: quite frankly - I couldn't answer them.

Was it the adrenaline from the so-called 'heat of competition'? Was it my rigorous training regimen? Was it the three bowls of Lucky Charms I had for lunch that day? Maybe it was the fact that I am freakishly tall (well...Isaac put that one to rest), or maybe it was just simply the natural inclination of persons with a first initial "J" to set high jump records?

I honestly did not know.

But that was then and this is now. I have had nearly 8 years to reflect on my success and that is why I was thrilled when the 2008 DRD Planning Commission asked me to share these three simple high-jump training tips with you.

1. Diet - Before each workout and / or competition I recommend a performance enhancing beverage known as 'Fizzy Lifting Drink'. If there was one thing that I have come away with from all the time I spent in Germany with Charlie & Grandpa Joe, it is that this stuff works wonders for your "ups". (Just watch out for the industrial ventilator fans above & don't sign any legal documents without reading them first)

2. Video Tape - Sure we all know what the great Football coaches are doing on Sunday or Monday night, but what are they doing on Tuesday afternoon? Answer: Video Tape. Yes, well as long as they don't have to be bailing their sons out of jail (i.e Andy Reid) anyway... they try to find some time to review footage of future opponents and then, by identifying patterns, they tailor their play book to best counter the other team's strategy. Now the same can be done while training for the DRD high-jump. Want to improve that lift off? Trying to get more flip out of that 'Fosbury Flop'*?

Well, then I recommend:
1. watching U2's 'Elevation' music video - it's very inspiring!!!
2. a screening of the Disney classic 'Son of Flubber', and of course...
3. the movie that has practically become synonyms with the high-jump event: 'Les Cousins Dangereux.' It's a little slow at first and the dialogue is sometimes hard to follow but this is a French masterpiece. (I love the way they think)

3. Jumping High - one of my favorite track coaches once said "if you want to run fast, you have to... run fast." (wait, wait, wait just a sec...now that I think about it, this is the same coach who once entertained the idea of having me stand very close to his office window with the hopes that said window might close in a guillotine-like manner and I would then be transformed into his team's best female distance runner...okay you know what, on second thought... you know what - let's scratch the "favorite coach" part) but all that aside - what I think he meant was, 'don't just train for distance races with 6 days of LSD and a couple of 200 m repeats on Thursday before dinner'. 'Train fast, run hard & teach your muscles what it feels like to run fast'. When race day comes, you will, guaranteed, run fast(er).
Wise words indeed, and I have been able to apply that principle to my high-jump training as well.
I still hit the bunk bed pretty hard every now and then but now that I am married that is usually reserved for nights when me and the Mrs. are on the outs. Now-a-days I make my way out to the local "hood" for some old fashion high-jumping; colloquially known as bass-et-ball or "ball'n" in that particular part of the city. (see picture below). There is really nothing like crunk'n, dunk'n and hittn' nutt'n but net...

I highly recommend it for the Distance Runners Decathlete approaching 30 years of age.

* the 'Fosbury Flop' is closely related to the 'Rockefeller Skank' and in Sub-Saharan Africa the terms are used interchangeably

Training Tips

So it's nearly the end of summer. Cooler weather, colorful leaves, & yes - the DRD are all just right around the corner. I know, I know, you've been promising yourself since early April that you were gonna get out there and start training. Running, jumping rope, lifting the occasional dumbell... Sure, that was back around Easter but since then Premiership soccer, the Euro's, the beach, the Phillies & now Olympic beach volleyball have all conspired to keep you comfortably ensconsed in that leather and aptly named Lazy-Boy chair in your living room. And yeah...the fact that you don't have a few hurdles, a discus, & a woman's shotput laying around the house hasn't helped matters any.

So those April aspirations have not really materialized into anything more concrete than the occasional 20 minute fun-run 'round the neighborhood & a wiffle ball game with your little cousins. Sound familiar?

Well, if there is a ring of truth to the above scenario than this next series of blog posts is for you.

The DRD Planning Commission in conjunction with the DRD Coaches Association International present

Training Tips

for the

Distance Runners Decathlete

approaching

30

years

of

age.

Tune in on Thursday for Training Tips Part 1 - 'The High Jump'

Newer Zealand

The 'DRD Planning Commission' & the newly formed 'DRD Baby Welcoming Committee' would like to congratulate Decathlon legend Matt "Frosh" Zealand & his family on the birth of their son -

Wyatt Matthew Zealand

5 August 2008

Also in baby making/having news:
Y2K DRD Official Umpire Josh Jones & his wife Cheryl are expecting a little one sometime early this autumn.

New Zealand

The DRD Planning Commission are pleased to congratulate Joshua & Heather Zealand on the arrival of their son William Clark Zealand (pictured below).

This now brings the list of potential DRD 2028 participants to 9 with 1 in the oven.
This is the breakdown:

• Frosh Zealand - 3 with 1 on the way
  
• Mini-Zealand - 2
• Juggernaut DiCarlo - 1 & trying desperately to play catch-up
• Brentimus Nieter - 1
  
• Michael Arnulf - 1
• Austrian Steve - 1
• Amos Kite - nil
• Khan-Man - nada [which is still very surprising considering all his wives & concubines]
• B. Ball-ard - nope

new.drd2008.blogspot.com

In the spirit of the great American tradition known as "keeping up with the Jones'," The Official Forum of the 2008 Distance Runner's Decathlon has changed it's look.

Take that Facebook!

Historic Documents - Part III

Although they often got it slightly wrong, The Liberty Champion, Volume 17, No 3, dated 14 September 1999 had it ohhh so right...

Historic Documents - Part II

This isn't the only meathead who can write a manifesto...

Gentlemen, I present unto you for your reading pleasure:
The unabridged John Khan Y2K DRD Manifesto
(in PDF Format...naturally)

Historic Documents

The Magna Carta...
The Declaration of Independence...
The 'Speelunking JoJo' chat-log.


Few documents have changed civilization so drastically.
Few documents have steered & directed the events of mankind.
And fewer still have led a revolution.

With only 93 days to go until the 2008 DRD, the DRD Planning Commission in conjunction with Brent Nieter's Pack-Rat Inc. are pleased to release, for popular consumption, documents so vital... so crucial to the very existence of our event that it literally beggars belief.

Gentlemen I release unto you:

the final results of our Y2K event
(in PDF format.)

also, coming soon in the 'Historic Documents' series:
John Khan's 2000 Manifesto
Michael Lunde's Sorgasboard Faux Pas
and many more...

The Missing Link

I ran across an article this weekend in our local paper by as scientist who claims that he has seen evidence of the missing link between the distance runner and the distance runner decathlete.

The following is a rendering of this so-called "missing link"

Men of Faith

A DRD Athlete knows that he is not alone and that this waking life is but a layover on an eternal journey. It should come as no surprise then that at times these fine athletes are given to wish the wish they ought not, to dream the impossible dream, & to trust (no matter how unfounded that trust may be) in the unseen. DRD athletes are:

Men of Faith

It has been said that "the proof of the pudding is in the tasting."
Well, then taste this:

When a DRD man was invited to join his teammate on a weekend Appalachian Mountain camping adventure and was stood up it was his faith in the goodness of man that led him to put that humiliating experience behind him. When he was stood up the following Friday in an uncannily similar scenario that faith was still not shaken...

A DRD man would juggle bowling pins with wreckless abandon over top of his roommate's $900 PC tower and it was his faith in his roommate's personal restraint that made him believe that that roommate would not beat him senseless when an errantly tossed bowling pin smashed into the aforementioned PC tower...

It was faith (and perhaps poor lighting) that led two DRD men to believe that they saw a "penguin" and a "Navajo-Indian" in the rear-view mirror...

It was faith in the laxity of R.A.'s and the coolness of Joe Starchia that led DRD athletes to skip Thursday night hall meeting with impunity...

It was faith in the charity of man that led a DRD athlete to call Jeff at 3945 for a "free TV"...

...and It was faith in his own good looks & charm that led a DRD athlete to ask a Vonderhaven to "The Manor" for Super Conference in front of his mates and her crew. Although things did not work out in the end, his faith has made him impervious to the enduring nature of this tale of humiliation...

The stories could go on (and psst...if you have any tales of faith that you'd like to share with the rest of us, please feel free to use the unrestricted commenting feature on this blog to do so).

Distance Runner Decathletes are a different breed.

They are men of faith!

Men of Science

Maybe it was a deep thirst for knowledge, or it might have been our burning desire to improve our individual performances in events foreign to us; events like the discus, the high-jump, and the shot-put. Or it could have been all the free time that we had our freshman year...

The debate rages on as to "why", but one thing is for sure - we were undoubtedly:

"Men of Science."

When a formula was needed to determine the future "cankleage" of a potential mate - it was a DRD athlete who devised the "axiom of transitive female maternity"

When it was asked of him to sacrifice his roommate's hard-earned pumpkin to confirm the law of gravity - it was a DRD athlete who sacrificed.

and then when it was demanded of him to confirm that law again (this time with an emaciated pine tree & a stolen disco-ball) a DRD athlete answered the call...

When the world asked "what might become of a cherry tomato, traveling at 53 mph in a crowded cafeteria when impacting the head of girl from a distance of 70 feet?" - a DRD athlete, with the help of a psychotic pretty-boy made it happen...

and when it was suggested that the 'speed of sound' was nothing when juxtaposed with the speed of a Pakistani being chased by a Great Dane through the forests of south central Virginia - it was no less than 4 DRD athletes who heard the boom!


Without a doubt these were men of science...

Rumor has it...

Rumor has it that this garishly dressed gentleman may be competing in the 2008 DRD...
I'll keep you posted.

We Remember

Although he never did officially sanction (or probably even know about) our great event; more than any other person we owe the late Dr. Falwell a sincere debt of gratitude. If you could think of the DRD, not in terms of a great athletic event only but as a fraternity forged by our experiences at Liberty mountain, then you understand that Dr. Falwell deserves our thanks.

He was a great man who stood athwart political history, a religious visionary with a deep-seated & Biblically informed faith in God's will, & a believer that, given the proper nurturing: a generation of young people dedicated to Christ could change their world for the better.

It was this last belief that led him to found our University - the institution under which the DRD (in the fraternal sense) was formed & flourished. Were it not for Dr. Falwell there would not be a DRD in any sense of the word and these priceless & enduring friendships that we gained on that mountain in South Central Virginia would be naught.

Joey DiCarlo (Salisbury, Maryland)

I never have forgotten his saying that "If it's Christian it Should be better." I loved his passion to represent Christ as giving people power to live above and beyond what they could in their natural selves. And his great faith to see God do incredible things was inspiring.

Brian Ballard (Asheville, North Carolina)

I believe Jerry Falwell has given me great example of vision and a life dream. The verse comes to mind, "if God is with us, who is against us." Jerry used sports and academics to build a huge following of believers behind him. He is and was a great encouragement to living for Jesus in this world with any job.

Stephen Meier (Bunker Hill, West Virginia)

This was taken in the Fall of 2002. Kim and I were on our way to a play and Jerry stopped us and asked to get a picture with us. That pretty much sums up how I will always remember the big guy.

Brent Nieter (Chesapeake, Virginia)

The passing of Dr. Falwell forced me to take a look at the impact that this man made on my life. While I could count my direct interactions with him on one hand, the lessons he passed on were powerful. As people began to comment on his passing, I realized that this man accomplished more in his lifetime than most everyone I know combined. Here was a man who looked the impossible in the eye and took hold of it. He never quit and never gave in. His story of locking himself in a dorm room for hours everyday to force himself to learn to pray spoke to me about commitment, and how to chase after your dreams and goals. Dr. Jerry Falwell redefined what determination meant to me and his never-quit, but shoot for impossible mindset helped mold me into who I am today. And for that, I am ever grateful.

Bruce Kite (Allentown, Pennsylvania)


If you would like to contribute to this blog post - forward your thoughts, comments, & pictures to the editor at jadicarlo@gmail.com

submissions will be accepted until 3 pm EST on 15 May

Austrian Steve : The Interview

For the second installment in our interview series 'Legends of the DRD,' a one on one with 2 time competition winner & international superstar "Austrian" Stephen Meier. From M.K. (that's missionary kid for short) to missionary man, and all the stops in between. I spoke with Austrian last month at his home in Bunker Hill, West Virgina.

DRD: Good evening Steve - Thanks for taking the time to chat with me...

Austrian: Nice to chat with you...

18:51 DRD: Steve it's hardly news now that you are quite possibly the greatest DRD athlete of all times, and yet despite all that, you won't be competing this year.8:52

Are you just trying to let someone else win for a change or what?

18:54 Austrian: It's true, no one have ever outscored me ! John Khan is the only one that even came close - we tied at the '99 event. Timing for DRD 2008... simply didn't work out.

18:56 DRD: I have to tell you that many of the other competitors expressed disappointment when they found out that youwould not be at the 2008 event.

18:57 Between you and me I think that deep down they really wanted to hear another Austrian style rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner."

18:58 Austrian: Look, Robin was sick that day. So I sang it with a sheet of paper in my hand. I think I had like 10 minutes to warm-up...

19:01 DRD: All right, all right, seriously though...

19:02 It's been almost 8 years since you stood atop the red winner's chair at Fazoli's and received the Chalice of Victory...

I know this is a pretty open-ended question but: Austrian Steve, What have you been doing with yourself for the past 8 years?

19:05 Austrian: Right after I completed my first Master's degree God opened a door for me to serve by teaching English in South Korea. It was there that I met Cristina, my wife.
In 2004-2005 I become the Graduate Assistant Coach for Liberty University Track. In 2005 I finished up my second masters and for the last three years I have been the Upper School Principal at Shenandoah Valley Christian Academy in Winchester, Virginia.
The school has about 300 students K4- 12th grade.

Austrian: I'm currently finishing up my 3rd Master's degree ... Ohh yeah and on July 25th of last year (2007) our son, Jared Anthony Meier was born.
DRD: Now correct me if I'm wrong -you will be leaving your current position as a High School Principal as you have now signed on with Ecuadorian Football (Soccer) Club El Nacional as their back-up keeper...??

19:08 Austrian: Well, not exactly. This summer Cristina, Jared and I are going to Quito, Ecuador to serve the Lord. I will be the Secondary Principal at Alliance Academy International.

The school has about 420 students & serves missionary kids, embassy kids, business kids, and local Ecuadorians.

The main language is English, but I will be learning Spanish soon.

19:10

DRD: Wow, three master's degrees, South Korea, Ecuador, marriage, a child, & another language...

19:13 What's that, 3 languages for you now?

Austrian: Yes! English, German, Spanish and some Korean...

19:14 DRD: Whoa...English too...?

I had no idea.
Very Impressive!

19:15 DRD: Now Steve I want to turn our attention to LU Track & eventually we'll get around to the greatest event of all times - the Distance Runner's Decathlon.

You mentioned that you were a track coach at our alma mater...

What was that all about?

19:17 Austrian: It was a opportunity to be back at LU after a VERY stressful time in Korea. It was a good year. I was working with some of the distance runners, but mostly with the sprinters, middle distance, and some with the decathletes...

Taking down times, watching video, writing out the results, and encouraging the athletes...

19:23 DRD: That sounds like a perfect job for you...

My first impression of you back when we met in 1997 was that you were very passionate about competitive running, and over the years I found you to be a great encouragement (to me personally) ...

It sounds like the G.A. coaching bit was right down your alley...

Do you miss it?

19:25 Austrian: Yeah but it didn't pay enough to raise a family. - only about $4000 a year...

19:26 DRD: Ahhh yes...money.

So now you've chosen the lucrative life of a Christian missionary in South America!

19:28

Austrian: Yes, in Ecuador I will get a small salary for being a Principalbut I will still need to raise support for living expenses.
DRD: What if one of the DRD competitors or a reader of this blog wants to help support you guys -- how would they go about doing that?
Austrian: The easiest way to learn about giving to our ministry is to visit Resourcing Christian Education International's donation page. Funds can be directed to the Meier family account by using the code #3930

19:31 DRD: Steve, I have to ask the question, and we'll get back to the DRD in a sec but: why not back to Europe, where you grew up & your parents live or why not back to Korea where you and Cristina met? Why did you feel the Lord was leading you to Ecuador?

Austrian: God opened a door for us to go to Ecuador, and we are blessed to go there. My wife's family were missionaries to Ecuador & she actually graduated from the same high-school where I will be Principal.

19:34

DRD: Phenomenal! Now I want to talk DRD...

As i mentioned before, you are the most decorated DRD competitor of all times and I wonder what it was that you attributed all that success too?

19:43 Austrian: Well I think I am an all-around good athlete. I had run the Vienna City Marathon back in 1996, 100m in HS in 11:73, a 200m at LU in 22.73 and a 400m at LU in 50.30.
As a freshmen at LU, you and I ran a 10,000 m in 35min+
DRD: Well, in full disclosure I really only ran 9,600 meters...
Austrian: Right... anyway... about my competitive spirit - I love to compete & I have a very hard head: just ask John Khan.

19:44 DRD: You are referring to the infamous Spring 1998 basketball cage match...right?

19:45 I will remind the readers that this was a pick-up basketball game between you, me, & Rob Bartels & John Khan on the last day of the Spring semester in 1998. It is best remembered for the punishment that you meted out to the little Pakistani when he had the audacity to attempt a text-book lay-up!

Austrian: Yep!!! John didn't talk to me for about two months - But I got his respect... and now we are BFF!

19:46

DRD: I'm sorry - what was that? BFF?

19:47 Austrian: Nevermind... all I can say is that I am a fearsome competitor - John & I are both competitors & the 1999 DRD [editor note: also known as the Austrian-Paki Debacle of 1999] was just competitive fun...

DRD: We'll after the 1999 event - you really put that draw well behind you and came out for blood in the Y2K event...

19:48

...the rest is History. Johnny Khan was left wheezing on the side of the track and you were sipping RC Cola from the Chalice of Victory....

19:49 19:50

DRD: Who do you think will still be in the shape to tackle this event and win it?

19:54 Austrian: This year, (without me) I predict that Matt Zealand could pull it off.

19:55 DRD: Matt Zealand ? - You think he has the stuff?

19:56 Austrian: He will struggle with the 1km steeple, but the sprints and the field events; He is the one I pick.

DRD: Well, we only have to wait until October 17th to know for sure!

19:57
If you could offer a slice of Austrian advice to the 2008 competitors what would it be?

19:58 Austrian: Right, I am excited to see who can make it out.

1st is to show up at the event

2nd is pace yourself

3rd is to finish without injury

19:59

4th is to have great time

DRD: Wise words from a great competitor!
Austrian, thanks for spending time with me this evening.

20:00 I feel free to speak on behalf of the other competitors and let you know that you will be missed this year and...

that our thoughts and prayers will be with you & Cristina & Jared as you serve the Lord in Ecuador.
Austrian: Thank you.