Awesome Beard Sighting

I got a call this morning from my friend Brooke who takes the train to work in Boston.  We were discussing meeting up for lunch this weekend.  Then she revealed the true reason for her early morning call.  She asked if I knew who Bill Rodgers was.  I said I did.  Then she said he was at the train station and he had an awesome beard.  It sounded epic as she described two long braided sections coming out of it.  After I hung up I immediately hit google images to find a picture.  Most of the images showed a skinny clean shaven guy.  But then I came across a photo from the Bill Rodgers Running Center website showing a man of that exact description.  It turns out it's Bill Rodgers' brother Charlie who has the beard, but that does not hinder the magnificence of this thing.


Left to Right: Charlie & Bill



I mean, this guy committed.  Nothing here is accidental; there is no doubt he is into growing his beard.  Looking at the picture I estimated the length of the beard at about 18 inches.  Knowing that beards grow at a rate of about 5 to 6 inches a year, that is at least three years of growth.  Please note that this estimate is conservative and the hair is probably at least a few inches longer unbraided.  I am clean shaven compared to this guy. 

Anyway, thank you Brooke for contributing with this tremendous beard sighting.  Not only was it a great beard but it is running related too.  Bill Rodger's brothers run his store, "The Bill Rodgers Running Center."  Coincidentally, the team is going to have a clinic there next Thursday night run by Bill himself.  With a little luck I'll get to see his brothers beard first hand.

I'm Still Beard

I started watching "I'm Still Here" the other day.  It's a mockumentary about the year Joaquin Phoenix pretended to quit acting and become a rapper.  It was in the comedy section on Netflix instant movies.  I'm not sure if it's a comedy or not, but I was still inspired by Joaquin's awesome beard.

Kate took the picture of me after a crazy night of watching crappy movies on Netflix.  Shirt, tie, jacket and sunglasses - that's how I dress at home when I'm relaxing. 

Tip of the Day:  Skip drinks with friends or co-warkers one night, donate half the money you would have spent and keep the rest.  It will probably be at least $10.  You'll save some money and feel great about helping to find a cure.

Fundraising Progress

Progress has been made but your help is still needed.  If you have not donated please do what you can.  Don't be afraid to give $1, $5 or $10.  Everything helps.  If you have already donated please pass the word along to your friends, family and co-workers.  Thank you.

Last Week

I joined Team In Training because I love doing endurance races and I beleive the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a very important cause.  It became a personal mission to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society the last few years as my sister Beth battled leukemia.  She passed away on September 24, 2010.   Though she is not with us today, Beth's bravery and comforting personality is still a constant source of inspiration and motivation in everything that I do.  I will never forget the fight she put up during the last year of her life.  Giving up was never an option and neither was a pain free day.

So, during my training last week, when things were not going so well and I wanted to stop running because I was feeling tired or sore, I thought of Beth and I did not stop.  These are the moments that remind me of what I am doing and why I am doing it. 

I am proud to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to ensure essential research and patient services continue until a cure is discovered. 

I would like to thank my friends, family and strangers who have shown their support for this cause.  Every donation I see come through, makes my day. 

Please pass the word on and help the team reach its goal of raising $1 Million.



Beth Ann Rebello
January 21, 1969 - September 24, 2010



Banksy vs. Beardsy

Satirical street art master Banksy versus deferential incompetent blogger Beardsy:

Banksy is making a profound statement about war and violence.  Beardsy's version is far less meaninful and subversive but it is a simple life lesson: "If you want to grow a beard, throw out your shaving cream."  Done.

The Team!

Here is a picture of the 2011 Team In Training Boston Marathon Team from a recent practice in Wellesley.  These are the people who are going to raise over $1 Million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with your support.  Thank you.  Go Team!

How to...

I never really thought about how I would go about growing a beard.  Hair just grew out of my face and I decided to neglect that fact. Boom! Beard.  But in some serious beard circles (yes, there are such circles), and even in my personal beard journey, you learn there is much more to managing this crude nest of course bristle that seems to continuously seize prime real estate on your face. 

There are issues like:
1. Choosing a bearded role model to
serve as inspiration for growing your own beard.
2. Picking a beard style.
3. Itch relief.
4. Grooming.



Issues 1, 2 and 3 never really crossed my mind but number 4 is definitely going to be important as the length increases on my beard.  According to my research beard hairs grow approximately 6 inches per year.  So I will be looking at the possibility of 30 thousand (avg) 3 inch hairs growing out of my face.  At that length and volume, disregarding the need for grooming could be dangerous.  I do not want to end up like this guy:

Further reading for those starting out:

-How to...

-Beard grooming

Whiskers

One is me, the other is my cat.  It's almost impossible to tell the difference at this point.

Breaking News

Big news from the Baltic Times: Lithuanian beard breaks world record. 

Fundraising Update

Thank you to all who have donated but we are still far from our goal.  Please forward the link your friends and family.  There are only 3 days left to make a generous tax deductable donation for 2010. Go Team!