Category Archives: Sports
Recap of the W&OD 5K
This afternoon, I ran the W&OD 5K, as part of my half marathon training (still deciding which one will be my first half: Frederick or Cleveland). Upon arriving, I waited in the American Legion parking lot with my boyfriend until the start of the race.
My initial thought of this race was that it was going to be relatively fast and would allow me to shatter my previous 5K record from last June.
Once the race begun, I realized that it was going to be a little challenging, as it was a little crowded with other runners on the trail. After we crossed the bridge over Route 7, the pace picked up as we approached the first mile marker. The first mile I averaged around an 8:45 pace, but things started changing after crossing the bridge once more heading towards the second turnaround at Little Falls Street.
My legs felt refreshed, but I hit a wall of sorts around the second mile marker. I felt a little fatigued, which is odd considering I’m generally full of energy during a short race. I came into the second mile at 18:32 (breaking at a 9:15 pace).
After a walk break around the Great Falls Street intersection, I took whatever energy that remained and hauled ass to the finish line. As I crossed the line, I noticed my time was 30:45 (9:45/mile pace).
I broke my 5K record, and I was met by my boyfriend, who bought me an iced chai and a hug.
Overall, I would recommend this race to my fellow runners, and a special thank you to the race organizers and sponsors for everything.
My trusty Asics 2170s and my hot pink CEP compression socks helped save the day
Peyton Hillis Supports Ron Paul
Granted, I am a Steelers fan, but I really like Peyton Hillis. Hillis has not been having a really great season for the Cleveland Browns (he did last season…and even made it on the cover of Madden 2012), but I like his politics, as he supports Ron Paul. Just listen to the clip below.
Ron Paul 2012. We need a President, who will stand on principle and one who will get us out of the economic mess we are in.
Race Training Does a Number on You…
You may have noticed I have been fairly silent over the course of 2011. I must confess that it has been somewhat intentional. While work has been busy, I have been preparing for something else that involves pain and endomorphins.
This year, it was my goal to run a half-marathon. However, a knee injury in the spring sidelined me from my goal, so I have been running shorter distances to help prepare me for the challenges of a half-marathon in 2012 (and to scratch something off my 30 List). I ran a 5K race with a PR, 10K race and a 10 miler (not on the same day) for the first time. I will be capping off my last race for 2011, another 5K, where I hope to shatter my PR from earlier this year.
With the half-marathon in March, I will no doubt be training throughout the winter. However, my goal is to blog more than what I accomplished in 2011. Needless to say, I will also run through three more pairs of running shoes in the process too.
Gov. McDonnell introduces Holiday Hoops Classic
College basketball season is right around the corner, and Virginia’s universities have yielded amazing talent on the courts throughout the years. Governor Bob McDonnell and representatives from eight Virginia universities introduced the “Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic,” a basketball doubleheader that will benefit food banks across the Commonwealth. “The Classic” will take place in the Richmond Coliseum in December 2012 and 2013. This will feature teams from across the Commonwealth representing the MEAC, CAA, ACC, and Atlantic 10. The idea for “The Classic” came from an appearance that McDonnell made on “Sports Phone with Big Al” on ESPN 950 AM in Richmond in December 2009, when host Al Coleman mentioned a similar tournament took place from 1976-1991 in Richmond.
The first hoops classic in December 2012 will feature the following matchups: George Mason University vs. University of Richmond and University of Virginia vs. Old Dominion University. The 2013 matchups will feature: Hampton University vs. James Madison University and Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Commonwealth University.
McDonnell said:
“Virginia has long been home to some of the nation’s premier collegiate basketball programs. Virginia teams have appeared in Final Fours, won conference championships and are regularly ranked in national Top 25 polls. Unfortunately, given scheduling constraints and conference affiliations, we too rarely get to witness our in-state teams competing against each other. The “Classic” will change that. In December 2012 and 2013 the Richmond Coliseum will be the site of what are certain to be exciting games which will allow Virginians to celebrate our great colleges and universities while supporting a great cause, the Commonwealth’s Food Banks. I hope the Classic will become a long-lasting Virginia athletic tradition. And, as a father who has had children attend UVa, Virginia Tech, ODU, JMU and VCU, I’m definitely staying neutral in this one!”
For more information about the “Classic,” click here.
Cross posted at Bearing Drift
Mr. 3000: Derek Jeter
For most who read my blog and for those who know me, I am a die-hard New York Yankees fan. So, I am excited that Derek Jeter homered on his 3,000th hit. This marks a special day for those who have followed Jeter’s career over time.
Jeter is a world-class athlete, and he has a fan following that is large. Why, you may ask? Well, Jeter is not like many baseball players, who have fallen prey to steroid scandals. Jeter plays for the love of the game, and this would explain the following.
3,000 hits is no small feat, and Jeter shows class through his appearance at the press conference after the game (Source: CBS Sports). It’s a great day to be a Yankees fan.
File this under stupid…
Ordinarily, I would not report on stupidity, but this deserves mention. Baltimore Ravens linebacker, Ray Lewis, said crime will increase if the NFL has no season due to a lockout. Note the crime increase part. It’s ironic that Lewis would mention crime increases, considering that he was indicted for murder back in 2000 (charges were dropped and he took a misdemeanor charge).
The comment was stupid. Yes, there will be disappointed fans if the NFL season does not proceed, but this does not necessarily point to a crime increase.
The Boys are back in town…
Remember the Thin Lizzy song, “The boys are back in town.” The Boys of Summer are back, as the 2011 MLB season started off. This afternoon, the New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers, 6-3. Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals did not have such good luck in their opener losing to the Atlanta Braves, 2-0.
Springtime might mean the season of renewal, but there is no doubt that America’s great pasttime, baseball, is the welcome game. Go Yankees!
Super Bowl 45: Way to Let Football Fans Down
This has got to be one of the worst Super Bowls in football history. Not because my team lost, but because of the amateur hour known as halftime. It began with a messed up version of our national anthem, thanks to Christina Aguilera botching the lyrics. Aguilera, who was mimicking Cyndi Lauper of 80s fame, sounded off many times throughout her performance.
The real disappointment came with the Halftime show. First, the sound system in the stadium failed. The NFL, not only messed up on the seating, but they royally screwed up with the sound and act. The Black-Eyed Peas sucked. From the Tron remake disaster, the best part of the show came from Twitter with responses like this:
God – never in my life have I wanted @kanyewest to interrupt a performance more. #superbowl #blackeyedpeas
Other than the disastrous entertainment, many fans were also disappointed when the tickets they purchased for the game were denied by NFL officials after a section of seats were not ready by Super Bowl Sunday. 15,000 people were assigned to watch the game from an outside area. What a treat that must have been? Watching the Super Bowl outside the stadium, you would have been better off watching the game at home.
Last, but not least, the commercials were somewhat bland. GM (Government Motors) was trying to revive itself by airing countless commercials with Eminem. $3 million per 30 second slot…so the long two-minute commercial about Detroit was $12 million. Way to waste the bailout money by trying to salvage your image, GM! The Doritos commercials were also pushing the envelope, especially with the guy who licked the chip seasoning off another guy.
Here’s my favorite commercial of the Super Bowl:
Otherwise, this Super Bowl was a fine example of commercialism and horrible entertainment. Hopefully, 2012 will be better.
Congratulations Texas!
As much as I hate writing such a post, I do this to celebrate for a team that has never been into the World Series. While I am a die-hard Yankees fan, I have to admit that it’s pretty cool to see the Texas Rangers have a chance of becoming World Series champions.
God Bless Texas! Go Rangers…make Nolan proud!
