It’s been some rough sledding trying to get those final, crucial long runs in before the AT&T Austin Marathon. We’ve been subjected to all sorts of ice, brutally cold weather, torrential downpours and those yakking birds dropping out of the sky. Last Saturday, conditions were so bad it took one friend of mine two hours to thaw out in her Jacuzzi after her 22-miler. It’s been like this two weekends in a row which has put a damper on many long runs. The folks who ran Houston didn’t have it much better as it was warm and humid.

Crazy stuff. Not sure what that means for February 18th—marathon day—but here’s hoping after two consecutive rotten weather years for the marathon, we get a day such as we had in 2004: Clear, cool and calm.

1. Speaking of the AT&T Austin Marathon, registration is way up with less than a month to go. Already, more than 8000 have registered for either the half or full monty which represents, at this point, a 48 percent increase in the half and 12 percent in the marathon. Race director John Conley expects both races to sell out at 6000 runners each. On-line registration closes on February 8th, but there will be registration at the marathon expo.
2. Last year, two soldiers stationed in Central Texas ran the Austin Marathon, but have since been deployed to Iraq. Since they can’t run Austin this year, they decided to start their own marathon (and half) in Iraq in conjunction with the AT&T Austin Marathon the day of our marathon staged at a base outside Baghdad called Forward Operation Warhorse. There’s also going to be a 5-Miler on February 17th (also in conjunction with AT&T) in Baghdad called Baghdad Bombs & Bullets. Officials expect 160 soldiers to run. Let’s hope next year they can all run in Austin.
3. Last bit of marathon news, there will be bus tours of the AT&T Austin Marathon course next Sunday (February 4th). There will be one tour of the course starting at noon with race director John Conley and head Rogue Steve Sisson as the guides. The second tour begins at 2:30 with Rogue coaches Karen Smith and Phil Carmical providing their expertise. Both tours leave from the downtown RunTex location (422 W. Riverside) and costs $20, less if you belong to Rogue. To sign up, go to either Rogue, AT&T Austin Marathon or Austin Distance Challenge web sites.
4. New issue of Austin Runner has just come out and is in the mail. Katie Wright is on the cover. Inside, Joseph Kozusko tells Katie’s inspirational story. The bulk of the issue is chock full of helpful marathon info, including how to peak for the 26-miler by Greg McMillan. Also in the issue is the second annual Wish List: The best of Austin races and runners. Our choice for runners of the year? Carmen Troncoso and Lance Parker.
5. Gregg Evans, who has been one of the stalwarts in the running community for the better part of 20 years, has had a rough stretch. Last week, he had minor surgery to remove a growth from a sensitive body part and then three days later, he tripped over a bed post in the middle of the night and broke a rib. His doctor says no running at all for at least a month which to Evans means four days. Maybe. Evans, who is leading the 60-64 age group by a mile in the Austin Distance Challenge, isn’t ruling out running 3M on Sunday. If he does show up, his wife Cathy and doctor might have to get a restraining order to keep him from running.
6. By the way, scratch our favorite Burundians—Bernard Manirakiza and Gilbert Tuhabonye--from Sunday’s 3M. Gilbert’s pointing toward a spring marathon (possibly, AT&T) and Bernard’s still feeling the lingering effects of a sore right knee.
7. Trigeek short-course specialist Brandon Marsh is moving up in distance. Marsh, who has raced as a pro on the International Triathlon Federation circuit, is dipping his toes into a few long-course races this year. Marsh, who has been bothered by a calf problem, will start his season with the Ralph’s Half Ironman in Oceanside, California. 
8. Paul Terranova ran his first ultra a couple of weeks ago at the Bandera 50-K—and won it by more than 30 minutes (over John Palladino) in 4:11. Paul hopped in the car and hightailed to Houston where, the next day, he paced a group of Olympic Marathon Trials hopefuls. Despite Paul’s victory, there’s no truth to the ugly rumor that he’ll join his ultramarathoning wife Meredith on the starting line of the Western States 100 this year.

Have any juice news for me? (It doesn’t have to be entirely true.) If you have something of interest, email it to wish@runtex.com