NYC Marathon '09

I am not a runner.

I have never pretended to be a runner. In fact, runners annoy me as much as outspoken wine aficionados (if we want your opinions, we'll ask).

Yet, foolishly, I decided to try to run the NYC Marathon.

My thinking was:
1- it would make for a great story.
2- I have no idea how long I will live in NYC.
3- I am not getting any younger.

So, I applied to the lottery . . . and got rejected on March 31st of this year. A few months later, a friend's (loyal reader RMac) girlfriend notified me that there was an opening in the race that she could claim for me. I agreed.


On July 8th, my spot was sealed.

That gave me 115 days to prepare for the 26.2-mile jaunt. Now, mind you, I had never run more than three miles at once in my life. Ever.

My goal (successful completion) was not anything in the realm of "heroic," but it would be a challenge.

My training regiment consisted of three 5-7 mile runs during the week and a longer run each Saturday followed by rec league football games on Sundays. (Personally, I think the football was a huge help as it satisfied my sprint workout requirements.) I had great training partners (loyal readers CGleas, Bitman, and my fiancee) making the runs a bit less boring. Running around a track is brutal, but running around the greatest city in the world, even if it happens at the asscrack of dawn or before, can be relaxing, even therapeutic.

My longest pre-race run came on October 17th when I went for 19 miles. Once I knew I could handle that distance, I hoped adrenaline and the crowd would carry me the rest of the way.

Fast forward to November 1st, race morning. I'm sitting on Staten Island waiting anxiously for the race to begin. At 9:14, the gun to start the women's race sound, 45 minutes before I'm released. Time passes quickly, and I'm off.

The excitement and energy were palpable.

As we ran, the congregations of at least three predominantly African American churches burst into song and dance which was awesome. Seeing 50 people clapping and belting out song inspires you greatly. It may not sound like much, but just trust me.

My parents met me three times along the course, my fiancee twice. Again, this was hugely important as running for four plus hours is draining mentally as much as it is physically.

The weather was ideal - mid-50s - for November and the crowd was abuzz for all 4 hours and 24 minutes of my run.

People have asked me two questions: "what was the best part" and "will you do it again." To answer the first, I say the last half-mile where the crowd stood about seven-deep as we approached the finish.

Overall, the experience can best be described as the most fun I never wish to have again (that answers the second).

It's been five weeks, my IT bands still haven't recovered. If you don't know what those are (and I did not), go ask a runner.

Live Thoughts During Bama / Florida IV

*Game, set, match. Thanks for playing, Florida, and for all the great memories, Tebow.

*Bama, we'll see you in the BCS Title game 22 weeks from now. Your opponent, I hope it's TCU. For that to happen, we'll have to root for the Huskers.

*How can anyone still be opposed to a playoff? The Banter has your solution right here.

Live Thoughts During Bama / Florida III

*I just read Urban Meyer's lips. He just asked one of his assistants if "the Notre Dame job was still available." (Bama leads 32-12)

*Enough with these reviews already.

*Makes no sense to go for two after this score. Sure enough, Bama missed.

*For my money, Mark Ingram takes the lead in the Heisman race. Colt McCoy can answer tonight.

Live Thoughts During Bama / Florida II

*Florida needs a turnover now or this game is done. (Bama leads 26-13)

*For those wondering, John 16:33 reads, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Ok, then.

*At least it's better than Pitt QB Bill Stull's eyeblack today which read "Mom" under one eye and "Dad" under the other. I love my parents too, but come on.

*Game MVP thus far: Carlos Dunlap.

Live Thoughts During Bama / Florida

*I'm fairly certain Verne Lunquist is drunk. Either that, or he's watching another game.

*Was that Emmitt Smith giving advice to Tim Tebow? That would drive me crazy if I were Urban Meyer.

*Is the Smith-Tebow contact any different than the Deion Sanders - Dez Bryant contact?

*Both teams hit HARD.

NFL Picks: Week 13

The Picks

Falcons +5.5
Titans +7
Jaguars -1
Redskins +10
Cardinals +5

*****************
Season Record: 33-31

College Football Picks: Week 14

The Picks

Oregon State +10.5
Rutgers -1
USC -7
New Mexico State +48.5
New Mexico State / Boise State Over 58

PoW: Alabama +5.5
*******************
Season Record: 54-34-2; PoW: 7-5-1

A Few Thoughts and Links

*We have a new frontrunner for Dumbest Move of the Year.

*Florida DE Carlos Dunlap, village idiot. Five days before the biggest game of the year, this potential Top-5 pick not only decides to get drunk but then he decides to drive? Florida and (pushover) head coach Urban Meyer wisely suspended him from the Alabama game for being an idiot.

*Ken Davidoff echoes my sentiments on the Billy Wagner fiasco and Begie Molina idea.

*You are better than this, Tiger.

Arbitration Offer Predictions

Tom Dierkes of MLBTR.com predicts whether or not the 70 eligible players will be offered arbitration by their current teams. Here are his picks (along with my disagreements).

Bengie Molina (A) - Yes
Billy Wagner (A) - Yes
Chone Figgins (A) - Yes
Darren Oliver (A) - Yes
Jason Bay (A) - Yes
Jermaine Dye (A) - No
John Lackey (A) - Yes
Johnny Damon (A) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes, the Yankees are already talking about offering a two-year deal. It makes much more sense to take it a year at a time with the Caveman to see if his skills diminish.)
Jose Valverde (A) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes.)
Kevin Gregg (A) - No
LaTroy Hawkins (A) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes.)
Marco Scutaro (A) - Yes
Matt Holliday (A) - Yes
Miguel Tejada (A) - No
Mike Gonzalez (A) - Yes
Octavio Dotel (A) - No
Orlando Cabrera (A) - No
Orlando Hudson (A) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes, despite winning another Gold Glove, Hudson was benched in favor of Ronnie Belliard down the stretch. However, that does not diminish the fact that he was a relative bargain last year.)
Placido Polanco (A) - No
Rafael Betancourt (A) - Yes
Rafael Soriano (A) - Yes
Randy Wolf (A) - Yes
Adam LaRoche (B) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes, LaRoche seems destined to head back to the A-T-L so why not get compensated if he changes his mind?)
Adrian Beltre (B) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes.)
Andy Pettitte (B) - No
Bob Howry (B) - No
Braden Looper (B) - No
Brandon Lyon (B) - Yes
Brian Giles (B) - No
Brian Shouse (B) - No
Carl Pavano (B) - Yes
Carlos Delgado (B) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes.)
Chan Ho Park (B) - Yes
David Weathers (B) - No
Doug Brocail (B) - No
Doug Davis (B) - No
Erik Bedard (B) - No
Felipe Lopez (B) - Yes
Fernando Rodney (B) - Yes
Fernando Tatis (B) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes.)
Garret Anderson (B) - No
Gregg Zaun (B) - No
Guillermo Mota (B) - No
Ivan Rodriguez (B) - No
Jason Kendall (B) - No
Jason Marquis (B) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes.)
Joe Beimel (B) - No
Joel Pineiro (B) - Yes
Jon Garland (B) - No
Justin Duchscherer (B) - No
Kiko Calero (B) - No
Mark DeRosa (B) - Yes
Marlon Byrd (B) - Yes
Melvin Mora (B) - No
Miguel Olivo (B) - No
Mike Cameron (B) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes.)
Nick Johnson (B) - No
Randy Johnson (B) - No
Randy Winn (B) - No
Rich Harden (B) - No (SportsBanter says: Yes.)
Rod Barajas (B) - Yes
Ronnie Belliard (B) - No
Russ Springer (B) - No
Scott Eyre (B) - No
Troy Glaus (B) - No
Vicente Padilla (B) - No
Vladimir Guerrero (B) - No
Will Ohman (B) - No
Xavier Nady (B) - No
Yorvit Torrealba (B) - No

Sabermetric Football?

Although I admit quantifying and grading football plays sabermetric-style is in its embryonic stages, the group at ProFootballFocus.com seems to have done a pretty good job.

For a few minutes, let's just assume that their numbers are in fact accurate.

Five things I noticed (offense only):

*Matt Forte is the worst running back in football.

*Of all safeties playing at least 60% of their team's snaps, the recently benched Kerry Rhodes (NYJ) has actually been the fifth best safety in the league. Perhaps, Rex Ryan's anger is misguided.

*Kevin Boss (NYG) is the best tight end in football by a wiiiide margin. In fact, he is almost 50% better than the next closest tight end. Shockey who?

*OT Nick Kaczur (NE) has played in 750 snaps without being called for a single penalty.

*Bears fans shouldn't blame all their team's struggles on Jay Cutler (and/or Matt Forte). Instead, they should look to their offensive tackles, Orlando Pace and Chris Williams, who rank as the league's two worst at the position.

I really can't get enough of this site. i don't think I can glean any sort of fantasy-related information, but I will continue to try.

College Football Picks: Week 13

Happy Thanksgiving to all and happy birthday to my sister.

The Picks

Texas A&M +22
UConn -14
UAB +3
Florida State +24
Tennessee -3
Kansas +3.5
Oklahoma State +10

PoW: Utah +7.5

*******************
Season Record: 49-31-2; PoW: 6-5-1

NFL Picks: Week 12

The Picks

Panthers +3
Redskins +10
Chargers -14
Jaguars +3
Bears +11
Ravens PK

*****************
Season Record: 30-28

Weekend Summary

Another huge weekend. I was actually riding an 11-gmae winning streak dating back to last week. That, of course, was ruined by the Bucs, proving once again why you should never bet against the Saints.

I also had an 8-team parlay over the weekend. Going into Sunday, I was 6-for-6. I had the Falcons +7 and the Titans +6 remaining. If both hit, I would win 2000 units. If one won and one lost (say that five times fast), I would win 100 units. If both lost, I would win nothing.

I wanted to lock in some winnings and not waste a great start so I decided to hedge. At this point, my EV was:

25% * 0 = 0
50% * 100 = 50
25% * 2000 = 500
total $550

If I put 475 on the Giants (Falcons' opponent) on Sunday, then my four outcomes were:

Giants-Titans: 475 + 100 = 575
Giants-Texans: 475 + 0 = 475
Falcons-Texans: -475 + 100 (with another chance to hedge) = -375
Falcons-Titans: -475 + 2000 = 1525

If the Giants lost, I would then hedge the Titans-Texans game. Only one problem... no one would take my Giants bet meaning I had to sweat this game out.

And sweat it out, I did.

The Falcons were down two touchdowns with less than 10 minutes to play. Miraculously, a Tony Gonzalez catch (and suing celebration that could be heard throughout Manhattan) sent the game into OT, guaranteeing the cover.

So, heading into last night's game, there were two outcomes:

Titans cover: +2000 units
Texans cover: +100 units

I'm a risk-taker by nature but not insane.

I put 880 units on the Texans (to win 800).

The Titans ended up winning outright so I hit 8-for-8 meaning the end result was a +1120 unit weekend.

Enough excitement to last a whole year... or at least until next weekend.


College Football: 6-0 (Season Record: 49-31-2; PoW: 6-5-1)

NFL: 4-2 (Season Record: 30-28)

Seperated at Birth

New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera and MLB free agent Pedro Feliz

NFL Picks: Week 11

The Picks

Colts -1
Vikikngs -11
Bucs +12
Falcons +7
Bears +3
Titans +5

***************************************
Season Record: 26-26