Cue the Rocky music...

...da-DAA-dadada-dada-DAA-dadada ...

OK, who hasn't heard the music from the original Rocky as he amazingly transforms himself from an out-of-shape muscle man for loan sharks to a contender for the greatest title in sport? I have that music ("Gonna Fly Now" written by Bill Conti and later covered by Maynard Ferguson -- I love screamin' trumpets) on my shuffle.

Why do I have that music on my shuffle? Because I, Ranger D. Bear, am in training. What kind of training? Arrrrrrmy training, sir! (What movie is that from?) Why am I in training? Because on June  21, I'm going head to head (and we're talkin' big mascot heads) against the Apollo Creed of the UW System mascots in the Mascot Race of the 2008 Racine Lighthouse Run.

That's right, boys and girls, Saturday, June 21, the Master of Madison Mayhem -- Bucky Badger -- will be in town (at least he's supposed to show!!??) for the Lighthouse Run Mascot Race. Ol' BB may think he's got this one in the bag -- well, I say, let's lace up the big floppy running shoes and see what's what at the finish line.

Besides being trained by Mick (staying with the Rocky theme, here) DeWitt on our world renown Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course (makes Baskem Hill look like a speed bump), Ralph Tenuta is allowing me to punch 20 lb. blocks of Locatelli Pecorino romano cheese (imported from Italy, the motherland of Rocky Balboa) in one of the large walk-in coolers at Tenuta's Deli (just in case there's any drama between me and BB after the race).

Yo, Bucky! Bring it on.

RDB