Ballyhoo!

A mantra. That's what I need.

All the running and working out for years, and I've never really had a mantra.

Everyman's triathlete, Roman Mica, says I need a mantra. Now Kara Goucher in the new Runner's World Mag says I need a mantra.

I was having a real hard time with the mantra thing. I wanted something that helped me through the tough runs and workouts, but something that was distinctly me.

Deborah and I were watching Good Will Hunting recently, and we always laugh at the scene where the first psychologist played by George Plimpton says, "...No more tom foolery. No more ballyhoo." For days after the movie we teased each other about "No more ballyhoo" until it took on a sexual connotation. "Mmmmm, feel like some ballyhoo?"

Now that the kids are getting older and understanding more, a good "new" word, or use of a word, like ballyhoo, can leave them in the dark for awhile longer, which is always good.

So, after much thought, my mantra has become, "Butt. Gut. Ballyhoo!" Butt means all the working out keeps my butt tight. Gut means all the working out keeps my gut minimized. And, Ballyhoo means that if I keep a firm butt and modest gut, Deborah and I get to ballyhoo. A lot.

"Butt. Gut. Ballyhoo!" (When you say it, the "hoo" has to be emphasized, like "Butt. Gut. Bally Whoooooooooooooooo!")

So, if you're in Estes Park on June 12 and running the Estes Park half marathon, and if you're running past a big guy chanting, "Butt. Gut. Ballyhooooooo," chances are it's me, DrBubba.

Racing for ballyhoo with Deborah! A lot!