One of my favorite parlor games is trying to guess who's going to win sundry "Person of the Year" awards. Earlier today, Drew Brees of the Saint's was chosen as the 2010 Sportsman of the Year. He was among my top three guesses, along with Coach K and LeBron James (for mostly the wrong reasons). I think Coach K should have gotten it but Brees is a good and fair choice.
So, on to the next - Times Magazine's Person of the Year. My guess is either Mark Zuckerberg, Julian Assange of Wikileaks or dare I say - Sarah Palin. I'm giving the nod to Zuckerberg.
Let's hear what you all have to say -- anyone else in the mix that I might be forgetting?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Quad Dipsea
So, the 2010 Quad Dipsea is in the books. And for the first time in a while, I'm pretty stoked with my race result. Finished in 6:14; a 34 minute improvement versus last year (editor's note: I had no business being out there last year - I was completely undertrained).
This year, my strategy was to have a good solid race while leaving something in the tank for the North Face 50 next week. I think I accomplished my mission, through my legs are pretty thrashed.
My strategy was to power the uphills (and with 9200 feet of climbing over 29 miles, there are a lot of uphills) and run the downhills hard. My first two legs went fair - had some congestion in my chest that I was dealing with - but my third went great. And the fourth, as always, was a grind. I debated going for sub six similar to my boy Payro (who had an AWESOME race, going 5:53) but in the end (middle, actually) decided to take my foot off the throttle and aim for sub 6:20 instead.
So, I'm stoked, especially considering how incredibly tough this course is. It is literally one gigantic, endless climb and descent (there are no flat sections).
Anyway, one down, one to go.
This year, my strategy was to have a good solid race while leaving something in the tank for the North Face 50 next week. I think I accomplished my mission, through my legs are pretty thrashed.
My strategy was to power the uphills (and with 9200 feet of climbing over 29 miles, there are a lot of uphills) and run the downhills hard. My first two legs went fair - had some congestion in my chest that I was dealing with - but my third went great. And the fourth, as always, was a grind. I debated going for sub six similar to my boy Payro (who had an AWESOME race, going 5:53) but in the end (middle, actually) decided to take my foot off the throttle and aim for sub 6:20 instead.
So, I'm stoked, especially considering how incredibly tough this course is. It is literally one gigantic, endless climb and descent (there are no flat sections).
Anyway, one down, one to go.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Long Time No Post
Just realized it has been a while since my last post; things have been pretty hectic building up to Thanksgiving. We had a real nice day yesterday; a Turkey Trot run in the morning (10k for me; mile for The Girl, 1 mile and 5k for the Boy and 5k for the Wife). It was a final tune up for tomorrow's Quad Dipsea and I only hope that tomorrow goes a bit better. My chest was congested and I felt like crap. I also messed the poorly-marked course up and ended up falling a little shy of 10k. Anyway, tomorrow is the biggie. WIll send a report post-race.
In the meantime, hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. I am thankful for many things in life, including each and every one of you.
In the meantime, hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. I am thankful for many things in life, including each and every one of you.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Swim Meet Weekend
We spent a good majority of the weekend - Saturday and Sunday - at an at times wet and cold swim meet in Oakland. Didn't matter much to the Little Girl though; not much gets between that girl and the water. Boy does she like to swim. And she's getting pretty darn good too. She swam eight races and probably would have done more if she was allowed. Im learning that it Ian easy being a swim parent but the reward - watching your kid do something they love, and seeing it build their self confidence in the process - is well worth the time investment. Anyway, here she is swimming 50 free. Go Little Girl, Go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtjyWyXB7tc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Bar Mitzvah
Well, I don't care what anyone says. Damn kid will always be my little boy. But pretty soon I'll be his old - really old - man.
Regardless, I'm really looking forward to November 17, 2012.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Goatee
Without further ado, here's what mine looks like 15 days into it. It's a big, fuzzy, itchy mess.
December 1 cannot come soon enough.
Friday, November 12, 2010
So Long, Marty
SPOILER ALERT. IF YOU HAVEN'T YET WATCHED SURVIVOR, STOP HERE.
So, my man Marty has been voted off the Island. What a bummer, most especially for my kids (our daughters are best friends). Our friendship aside, I thought Marty was the most interesting character this season and by far the smartest. I think what got him in the end is he played the game a bit too aggressively and was at times a bit unyielding in his position(s). Oh well, though, that's how the Survivor cookie crumbles. I would not be surprised if we see him back in another season.
The one thing that really galled me though were Jane's words at the end. She crossed a big line by bringing his family into it. Regardless of what anyone might feel about Marty, I can tell you this based on fact: he is an amazing dad - honestly, one of the best I know - and his three children (and his Wife for that matter) are awesome. I hope I do half as good a job as Marty at raising my own kids.
Jane is a raving idiot - truly - who has no understanding that it would be a privilege for her to be invited to the Piambo household.
So, my man Marty has been voted off the Island. What a bummer, most especially for my kids (our daughters are best friends). Our friendship aside, I thought Marty was the most interesting character this season and by far the smartest. I think what got him in the end is he played the game a bit too aggressively and was at times a bit unyielding in his position(s). Oh well, though, that's how the Survivor cookie crumbles. I would not be surprised if we see him back in another season.
The one thing that really galled me though were Jane's words at the end. She crossed a big line by bringing his family into it. Regardless of what anyone might feel about Marty, I can tell you this based on fact: he is an amazing dad - honestly, one of the best I know - and his three children (and his Wife for that matter) are awesome. I hope I do half as good a job as Marty at raising my own kids.
Jane is a raving idiot - truly - who has no understanding that it would be a privilege for her to be invited to the Piambo household.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
My Man Harry
I was reminded by his partner David that today marks the 18th anniversary of the passing of my good friend Harry Brian Binder. Some of you might remember that I wrote about Brian two years ago; you can check it out here.
Eighteen years. Wow. I cannot wrap my head around that. It seems like yesterday that I was hanging out with him, David and Todd in New York. Such a great dude and I miss him a ton. I often wonder what he'd be like as an old man like me? Bald as a stone I bet; he was already on that path. He's probably so mad at me right now for saying that; sorry Harry.
One thing that would never change though, despite the passage of time: his radiant smile, goofy sense of humor and his one-of-a-kind personality. He was one amazing dude and he left this world far too early. And the world was a heck of a better place with him in it.
Hope you are looking down on us Harry. Because there's lot of folks that continue to look up to you.
You left an amazing legacy, amigo and you will always be missed.
Eighteen years. Wow. I cannot wrap my head around that. It seems like yesterday that I was hanging out with him, David and Todd in New York. Such a great dude and I miss him a ton. I often wonder what he'd be like as an old man like me? Bald as a stone I bet; he was already on that path. He's probably so mad at me right now for saying that; sorry Harry.
One thing that would never change though, despite the passage of time: his radiant smile, goofy sense of humor and his one-of-a-kind personality. He was one amazing dude and he left this world far too early. And the world was a heck of a better place with him in it.
Hope you are looking down on us Harry. Because there's lot of folks that continue to look up to you.
You left an amazing legacy, amigo and you will always be missed.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wet and Dirty at Muir Beach Trail Run
Yesterday was the Muir Beach 33k Trail Run. Might have been the most epic run I have ever done, due entirely to weather conditions.
While watching the news last night, I learned that it was the rainiest November 7th in area history. It was coming down absolutely sideways when I woke up, but after much contemplation, I went out to the race anyway. I figured that's what us runners do; we run, regardless of conditions. But man, was it brutal: torrential rain - I was soaked through on the first mile - gale force winds and ankle high mud. And that is on top of the hills; I think the course featured about 5,000 feet of climbing. The most treacherous part was the last two mile descent down into Muir Beach. Due to trail work, that area of the course literally slid out and it took all my concentration not to fall. I was successful, though others around me were far less so. Lucky no one was severely injured; it was that gnarly. I have never been so dirty in my life and have the pictures to prove it (will post some later).
Like all epic adventures though, in retrospect it was actually was a lot of fun and it was an experience I won't soon forget. I actually ran pretty well, too. I took it out very conservatively given the conditions and started at the back of the pack, but no one passed me all day. I picked it up during the middle miles and was happy about how my legs responded, especially considering that I am coming off a big block of training. I am definitely responding well to my training and look forward to seeing how my two big races go later this month. I have two hard ultras on back to back weekends. Should be interesting.
While watching the news last night, I learned that it was the rainiest November 7th in area history. It was coming down absolutely sideways when I woke up, but after much contemplation, I went out to the race anyway. I figured that's what us runners do; we run, regardless of conditions. But man, was it brutal: torrential rain - I was soaked through on the first mile - gale force winds and ankle high mud. And that is on top of the hills; I think the course featured about 5,000 feet of climbing. The most treacherous part was the last two mile descent down into Muir Beach. Due to trail work, that area of the course literally slid out and it took all my concentration not to fall. I was successful, though others around me were far less so. Lucky no one was severely injured; it was that gnarly. I have never been so dirty in my life and have the pictures to prove it (will post some later).
Like all epic adventures though, in retrospect it was actually was a lot of fun and it was an experience I won't soon forget. I actually ran pretty well, too. I took it out very conservatively given the conditions and started at the back of the pack, but no one passed me all day. I picked it up during the middle miles and was happy about how my legs responded, especially considering that I am coming off a big block of training. I am definitely responding well to my training and look forward to seeing how my two big races go later this month. I have two hard ultras on back to back weekends. Should be interesting.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Getting Smoked by the Little Boy
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Giants World Series Parade
Wow - the parade today was literally off the hook. After much consideration I let the kids miss school to be part of it; I think it's something they will remember for the rest of their lives. I will post more pictures later tonight, but in the interim attached is a video of the two heroes of the day: Tim Lincecum and series MVP Edgar Renteria.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tim Lincecum brings World Series championship to San Francisco - Joe Posnanski
This article says it all. Wow - what a run with this team and the author is correct; I've never seen an entire City get behind a team quite like this. And this is one of the more likeable teams of all-time. What a World Series. I'll go so far to say that in certain respects, it was even more enjoyable than if the Yankees won. Can't wait until the parade tomorrow. Now here is the million dollar question: do I let the kids miss school for the parade? Anyone out there have an opinion on this one?
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