Questions for Henry Rollins

Why did you choose weight-lifting over running?
Running is such a better way to leave all those awful feelings of low self-worth behind. Lifting weights just packs on the bulk, bulk borne of hate and rage, that you then have to carry around with you all the time. Talk about baggage. Sounds heavy.

Will you ever own up to being a total jock?
Everybody knows you've made some kickass music over the years, and nobody is doubting your status as one of punk rock's monster action-hero gods.
But c'mon, all that angry weight-lifting can only be the result of having your ass kicked by jocks so many times that you seek revenge by transforming yourself into a bigger, meaner jock so you can out-jock the jocks who made you feel so small. And there's nothing wrong with that. We're just saying that in this day and age, and on this blog, it's perfectly OKAY to be both punk, and a jock.

Where can I get some of those sweet Dolphin running shorts?
Did you and Richard Simmons team up and go on a Dolphin running shorts buying spree in the 80's? Because I can't find them anywhere.

Fred Lebow

Forget about all the doctors, lawyers, professional overachievers and millions of marketing dollars that make it easy to think that running isn't punk. There was a time when the only people who hit the pavement for exercise were boxers, who called it "roadwork." Beyond that, there were little pockets of nutjobs here and there who knew they were on to something good.

One such pocket was a small group who ran in NYC in the late 60's.
If the Sex Pistols' legendary first show in Manchester can be pinpointed as the cradle of punk rock music, this crew of weirdos can be credited for birthing the punk rock running scene.

Of these, there was one dude named Fred Lebow. A Transylvanian Jewish immigrant born Fischel Lebowitz, Fred wanted to get the word out, and turn people on to running. So he fought long and hard, battling city officials at every level until finally he got this little project called The New York City Marathon off the ground. Oh, and in the process, he helped launch a worldwide movement that to this day attracts doctors, lawyers, professional overachievers and millions of marketing dollars.
If that's not punk, I don't know what is.

NYC Hardcore

Yesterday's NYC Marathon was beautiful.
Unfortunately Supervictory's travel budget didn't allow for on-the-scene coverage, but hopefully we'll be there next year.

Sweaty mesh hats off to British badass Paula Radcliffe for going out strong and dominating the race the whole way through for her 3rd NYC victory.

And can I get a "hell yeah" for Brazilian Marilson Gomes dos Santos for running a smart strategic race and going in for the kill in the final mile.

And lastly, much respect to every last runner and wheelchair competitor who filled out the roughly 39,000 strong crowd.
Each and every one of you rocks.

Drinking and Running

Summer is officially over.
Those last, lingering warm days are gone.
And so we bid farewell to our favorite cold post-run refresher, while saying "buenos dias amigo" to a hot pre-run energizer.

Goodbye Amstel Light in can.
Whoever invented Amstel Light in a can was not only a genius, but also most definitely
a runner. Oh my god. After a hot summer run, this beer tastes so good I could cry.
And it comes in a fridge-pak!
Seriously, next to sundresses, this is the best part of summer.
Goodbye you Dutch vixen you.





And hello Cafe Bustelo in a can!
Ole!
As hard as it is to leave a warm bed and head out on a cold morning, this guy makes it a little more do-able. Cafe Bustelo is made with the low-grade Robusta bean, flavorfully inferior to its high-falutin' cousin the Arabica bean, but containing much more caffeine. And meth. I swear to god, this stuff is like a hot cup of rocket fuel.
Just make sure you let it do its thing before you find yourself a couple miles away from your own can.
Ole!

Mailbag

Jeremy from NYC writes:

Dear Supervictory,
I'm Goth, but I run too.
Should I go start my own blog for Goth runners?
Or can I hang out here?
Thanks,
Jeremy


Dear Jeremy,
We don't care if you're Goth, Death Metal or into Hello Kitty shit.
If you run, you're punk.
Hang out dude.
Just try not to be all gloomy all the time.
Positive attitude counts for a lot around here.
Chipping in for beer helps too.
Cheers.
-Supervictory

Punk Rock Playlist!

Generally speaking, Supervictory editorial staff tends to run without music.
Even when Steve Jobs unveils the application that remotely beams our favorite songs (or his!) directly into our skulls, we'll probably opt out.
There's just something raw and stripped down about running with nothing but our own dark psyches to stare into that keeps us coming back for more.

However, many of you in the punk rock running community find that a little 4 on the floor helps you go all aggro on the asphalt.
This playlist is for you.

Germs "Manimal"
Black Flag "Rise Above"
Iggy & The Stooges "Search And Destroy"
Misfits "Where Eagles Dare"
JFA "We Know You Suck"
Slickee Boys "Here to Stay"
Minor Threat "Out of Step (With the World)"
Mummies "Stronger Than Dirt"
Government Issue "These Boots are Made For Walkin'"
Bad Brains "Sailin' On"
7Seconds "I Hate Sports"
Agent Orange "Tearing Me Apart"
Slayer "Piece by Piece"
Dead Kennedys "California Uber Alles"
Scream "Came Without Warning"
Public Enemy "Power To The People"
The Ramones "Commando"
Rites of Spring "Persistent Vision"
Dag Nasty "Exercise"
Buzzcocks "Oh Shit!"
X "Nausea"
Marginal Man "Emotional Scars"
Suicidal Tendencies "I Want More"
Metallica "Jump In The Fire"
Dinosaur Jr "Feel The Pain"
The Clash "Guns of Brixton"
Nomeansno "Victory"

Runs of Brixton

Full Disclosure: This blog was inspired in part by Joe Strummer having run the London Marathon in 1981 and 1983, and The Paris Marathon in 1982. Now, while his finishing times appear in some cases suspect (3:20 in Paris for a guy who partied heavy and trained zilch?) and in other cases lost to history, they are irrelevant. What matters is that this pillar of punk wasn't afraid to get out there and put himself to the test. As if he wasn't already one of the coolest guys ever.
A big supervictory salute to you Joe.