I’m doing this before I die.

Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, half a million inspiring participants, and more than $2 million dollars raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.

Details: ToughMudder.com

Guys doing backflips on pogo sticks. I’ve officially seen everything.

Another favorite ad from Nike. The fist pump to the kids with cancer gets me every time.

VIKINGS STADIUM
Let owners build their own stadium

The state government shut down for a bit last summer over budget issues. Part of the deal to reopen government was to delay payments to schools for a year. This put schools in the position of having to finance the state government.

Now we hear about the millions of dollars needed to build a new Vikings stadium. We can’t raise money to provide vital government services, yet we’re expected to subsidize billionaire sports owners?

We need to get our priorities straight. If the Vikings want to build a stadium, let them pay for it. The taxpayers should be providing vital services, such as education, and not welfare for the wealthy.

DEAN MCGREW, BLAINE

Source

The “Minnesota Vikings” are contributing $425 million towards a new stadium. That’s the third largest amount given by a team in the history of the NFL. And given the Vikings are a small market team, that amount sounds like a lot.

First, it’s not ONLY the Vikings… The owner may only contribute $225 million. Second, $150 million could come from a low interest NFL loan – that the Vikings don’t have to pay back because it’s paid by visiting NFL teams. Last, There could also be $75 million from the sale of personal seat licenses – that’s NFL speak for Minnesotans.

Worse, this self described small market team is asking for a record setting amount to be paid by Minnesotans, $650 million.

Oh, but building a new stadium will create jobs!

Damien Walters is a mind-blowing gymnast / stuntman. He does lots of work on trampolines, but the more exciting stunts are performed outdoors – jumping in and out of moving cars, across buildings, etc.

There’s a new sport called freeride… I think. Apparently, you use the landscape – along with some major, major modifications – to create jumps for tricks, downhill race tracks and pretty much anything you can imagine. That description doesn’t even come close. Just watch the video. More info at PinkBike.com.

First snow at Lake Harriet. Cold run today.

I know about the Madden Curse, but this is the first time I heard of the Doug Flutie Curse… This curse puts the hex on any quarterback and team who’s coached by Wade Phillips. Apparently, the curse started when Phillips benched Flutie in ’99. Since then, every team Phillips coached, has failed miserably.

Danny Macaskill is an insanely talented “street trials pro rider.” Translation: he does amazing stunts on a bike. Not just amazing, they’re jaw-dropping-unbelievable stunts. Sure, lots of bikers & skaters film themselves doing tricks. Well, this “Industrial Revolutions” video above is unique because of the way it’s shot – and the quality. Great lighting, interesting angles, obviously high-end video equipment, etc. Incredible.