The Sun may rise in the east, but sets strongly in the west. Traveling along on this Nike road trip, cruising down my driveway which many of you may know as I-5, I see glimpses of cross country dashed along the roadside.  Crushed gravel roads lead me to wonder what Harriers have glided down those unknown paths.

As I begin to reach the 10,000 mile mark on my journey, I share the feelings with many of you runners out there. I’m tired, albeit it is only one driving ankle, but stay with me here.  Now, is when one asks “Is the Juice worth the squeeze?”  Just picture your goal race, the great feeling of running hard and reaching that finish line with the satisfaction of obtaining that difficult goal.

Keep up all the hard work, and I will keep an active eye on the horizon in search of your footprints.  Remember, if you want this truck to visit your school shoot a line my way, nikewestxctour@gmail.com

Hello Internet,

We are locked into this XC season already, and things are about to get a little out of control. Heading from Washington down to North California. Looking forward to seeing you all running fast.

Attention: Don't forget to register for NXN Regional Meets. Wouldn't want to be sitting at home  watching re-runs of Family Matters (alone). Join the fun and sign up today at www.nikecrossnationals.com

Hello World Wide Web,

We are waist deep into the xc season, and it is going great. This weekend was the Nike Pre-Nationals race held at the Portland Meadows. The event was awesome, and got everyone hyped for the upcoming Nike cross nationals. Enjoy the pics and the highlight video.

Juice

Run Fast Juice

Hello Internet,

Hope everything is going well in your proverbial neck of the woods. This weekend I am at the Bob Firman Invitational in Boise Idaho! Look for some great pictures, and videos to come.

The above picture is the winners at this year's Santa Rosa Poker Run. They each received a Oregon XC Poster autographed by many Oregon athletes. Special thanks goes out to Pat Werhane, University of Oregon, for making this happen.

Run Fast

- Juice

Hello Internet,

This week has been exciting thus far. Highlights have been visits with the #1 ranked North Central Boy’s team and traditional powerhouse Mead High School.  Two destroyed piñatas, one broken gas pipe, a flat tire, and some great memories have been the story thus far.  This weekend I am heading to the Tahoma XC Relay where I will get to see some quality XC. 

I want to see some great shots and videos from your XC races this weekend. Log on and post them to the west coast site.

RUN FAST

Juice

Hello Internet!

Have you been working out? Of course you have, we are only weeks away from the start of XC season. How have I been doing you ask? Amazing. Thanks for asking.

To fill you in on some updates, the runnerspace crew has added my calender to the site. Feel free to send me a line if you want the XC truck to visit your school. The more runners from your team that become fan's of my page, well the higher the chance that the cool Nike XC truck makes a visit. My next two weeks have me in Washington and Oregon. Speak up Harriers and let me know where to Go!

Over and Out - Juice

Hello world wide web!

Don't let the summer heat get to you, soon enough my friends cross country season is going to be rolling into a town near you.  My travels lately have taken me to Steens Mountain Running Camp, Eugene to say hello to the RunnerSpace Crew, and even made a quick visit to Aloha high School.

Keep up the training and I forward to seeing ya'll out on the course.

Hello Internet!

If I may say, you are looking good. I departed Boulder thursday, and am en route to Steen's Mountain Running Camp. I am excited for the Steen's Experience. I will be able to do updates next Sunday. Everyone Keep up the good work and I look forward to updating the site next week.  Hang loose everyone and enjoy the miles.

Brian

Hello from Boulder Colorado!

Tonight the Nike Crew, Patrick, Brett, and myself escaped Pearl Street narrowly with our lives. As we enjoyed a street performance our fate was changed. Obviously because of our dashing looks we were chosen as 3 out of 4 people in the crowd to participate. Not knowing what we were selected for, our host the dreaded Latin American juggling comedian, handed each of us an instrument.

After a crowd pleasing performance, our host sat each of us onto a crate. With some not so spectacular slight of hand he removed the crates and pushed each of us backwards. The fourth member of the "band" was a middle aged man named Mike. Mike smelled like cheese and cigarettes. Mike was our weak length, as the four of us squatted, interwoven together like a level of jenga, it dawned on the Nike crew that Mike has not been working on his core. After several minutes of supporting Mike's smelly frame we collapsed onto the bricks of pearl street.

If only Mike had been a high school runner at Coach Jay Johnson's Boulder Distance Camp, I would have been spared the embarrassment of landing on my rump. Every camper received a medicine ball and an instructional DVD. This corresponds with Coach Jay's emphasis on education at this camp.

As the runners from the first session departed today, it was clear that they not only left with great stories but inspired for the upcoming fall season.

Lastly, I would like to thank Oscar Ponce's group for letting me run with them today on the famous Magnolia Road. The entire group had a contagious positive attitude and it was clear that these gentlemen will be ready to roll come fall.

Special thanks goes to Jay and the staff for being so welcoming this week. I look forward to having more stories to tell soon.

Have a good run,

Brian Deal

ps: check out the photos from today here