Richard Huff's Seattle Social Blog

Homecoming Week at the University of Washington is kicked-off with the Dawg Dash 5K and 10K races. This marked the 21st year of the Dawg Dash, and the third or forth time that I've run the race. It's difficult to recall how many times for certain since another race I run (Nordstrom's Beat the Bridge 8K) starts from the same location at Husky Stadium. Unlike Nordstrom's Beat the Bridge, the Dawg Dash 10K zigzags through the University's campus in a manner reminiscent of a Freshman's first day of classes, when they have no idea how to get from their English 101 to Stats 111 in the 10 minutes allotted by their class schedule. We ran through the Quad, around the Business School, behind Denny Hall, and next to Drumheller Fountain (twice). I could almost swear that the same route was required in one of my class schedules.

There were 1,200 runners in this year's 10K race, a number they announced just before the start. Blue skies and a temperature in the mid-50s greeted us. If it weren't for my lousy performance at this year's race, I'd say things were perfect. My legs were exceptionally heavy, and I finished at miserable 1:00:07. Let's hope that my ChuckIt training regimen gets me ready for the Seattle Half Marathon (November 26th).

What do you get when seven friends sit around a living room in downtown Seattle and drink copious amounts of microbrewed beer? Not what you'd imagine. Evidently, you get about an hours' worth of serious conversation on financial planning, economics and social theory. Maybe being ranked by the US Census as the most educated city does taint our little podcast. Whatever.

John Costello and I visited Bottleworks on Seattle's 45th Street to stock up before the show. We delivered to our co-confabbers a wide selection of unique beers for the evening's festivities. Note to self: just because you have a chihuahua doesn't mean that a beer called "Hot Chihuahua" (by the Sandpoint, ID brewery, Laughing Dog) will taste good. Special recognition is due John for his expertise in arranging, serving and explaining the differences between the brews.

Listen to Andy Boyer, Rachele Cawaring, John Costello, Gavin Shearer, Jeff Smith, Keith Vaitkus and me at: http://www.confabshow.com.

In the beginning of October for the past four years, I've hopped on the Victoria Clipper at the Seattle waterfront, and headed to the island capital of British Columbia. For the past four years, I've lined up in the early morning of that October weekend with several thousand other runners to enjoy 13.1 miles of a thoroughly pleasant half marathon. The weekend has become a very special ritual, which includes a stay at the funky Ocean Island Hostel, a visit to The Wine Barrel for my annual stock of the extremely rare Ice Merlot, and melancholy memories of the good times running the race with my ex-girlfriend (before she was my ex). Unlike previous years, I wear this year's race shirt and bib as a badge of shame, because I am a fair-weather runner. Although Saturday was a beautiful Autumn day, perfect for running, Sunday was cold, rainy and miserable. As much as I really, really wanted to add that metal to my collection, I couldn't get motivated to do the race in the rain. Having run a full marathon in a torrential downpour, I can do without another experience involving bloody socks and chafing. I can respect the people that run races in the rain, but I don't envy them.

I'll return for next year's race with my fingers crossed in hopes of good weather.

Gavin was away in Germany (Oktoberfest!), leaving me to produce the show in a format (Confab 2.0) that I'd never even experienced (having missed the last show). It's becoming more and more difficult to actually catch both Gavin and me in the City at the same time. I was in California for the September 7th show -- Gavin was in Germany for the September 22nd show. The October 5th show should have both of us together, again. But now I've made it sound like Gavin and me are the show when, in fact, Rachele Cawaring, Brian Gaither, Will Kelley-Kamp, Jeff Smith and Keith Vaitkus are the reason you all keep listening. Admit it!

This week's show was what I'd like to call, "Two serious topics and one not." The best quote of the evening goes to Jeff Smith, when he says, "What we need is a good controversy. Say something else inflammatory."

Take a listen and let us know what you think: http://www.confabshow.com.