Thursday, January 04, 2007

Running, Over-Hydration, Billy Goats, and NFL Playoffs

Happy New Year! The Bowl Games are almost done, three more left. I really wish I could have stayed up to watch the end of the Fiesta Bowl, i.e. the Boise State arrival game, but I could not. I'm up to a lot in 2007, not only a new job but I am continuing with a running group that I started with in December. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, fun runs leave from Pacers running store in Old Town Alexandria. On any of three courses, these runs are 5-6 miles, with many different paces from people training for long distance races to slow schmoes like me who just want to get in better shape. It's come on all and run, which is great for me. Having never been on a steady running program before, I find it much easier to get motivated to come out for runs when groups of people are also running. If I can keep up there are people to talk to. If I can't, it's motivation to keep running (and eating better) so I will be able to soon.

I've been to 5 runs now, and while I'm getting used to running 5 plus miles, I cut the run tonight by about a mile, taking a shortcut on Madison Street. To make a long story short, I needed to make a facility break at a Safeway. I over-hydrated all day long, no TMI or further description. Those things happen, live and learn, but it did force me to cut the run short so I could catch up with others. I did not want people to be waiting around for me for minutes upon minutes. I learn something new everytime I run. Maybe I'll learn something when I run on my own Saturday.

If I don't go hike the Billy Goat Trail instead. I can make the hike longer than four miles if I get up early enough, seeing as I have to be on the REI Sales Floor at 3 pm. The hike is about a 40 minute drive from me, and includes a short strech of scramling up some steep rocks. I obviously take the path that takes me up those rocks instead of down the rocks. Me no like climbing down steep, rocky things unless they are covered with snow and me have skis. It will be in the 60s on Saturday, no snow.

NFL Playoff Preview:

I like the Chargers to beat the Saints for the Super Bowl on February 4. But I'll make my picks round by round. Home teams are in capital letters.

NFC:

Dallas 27, SEATTLE 23: I don't have a feel for either one of these teams. Quite frankly, neither are very good. The Cowboys have forgotten how to play defense and lost to the freaking Lions for Jim Rome's sake. But Seattle has been about as consistent as the weather on Mount Washington (New Hampshire). I guess the terell owens tenure in Dallas lasts another week.

PHILADELPHIA 34, NY Giants 17: The Giants really, really, suck. They are the worst playoff team in NFL history. I, like ten million other NFL fans, was dead wrong when I thought they were headed for 6-10 after Donovan McNabb was lost for the season to injury. They've perservered, rediscovered their defense, and will win this game with ease.

AFC:

INDIANAPOLIS 37, Kansas City 31: I could see the Chiefs winning this, with a 220 yard rushing effort by Larry Johnson leading the way. Indy can't stop the run to save their lives, but it won't bite them in the ass this week at home. Next week, different story. I do see them scoring enough to overcome their defense in this one.

NEW ENGLAND 20, NY Jets 13: Belichick gets the better of his former pupil Mangini. I am quite concerned about this game with Rodney Harrison being out. I don't think Chad Pennington and his receivers will be able to take full advantage of his abscence. James Sanders will step it up, and a total team defensive effort will lead the way to victory. I see an unspectacular but solid, never really in serious doubt, victory.

4 comments:

Bill-DC said...

The loss of Harrison could hurt the Pats in the long run but I think they will get past the Jets.

Seattle puts out Romo and the Cowboys and I seriously think Parcells walks away after this loss.

Eagles will stomp and the Chiefs will pull the upset over the Colts.

Remember, this is from a guy who got every single baseball playoff match up WRONG this past Fall. I'm still shaking my head at that.

maryjanejeff said...

My gut feeling is Parcells has had enough of the Cowboys, so he'll leave Dallas. But I doubt he wants to leave coaching with this game and its ending, so my educated guess is he sits out the last year of his contract, Jerry Jones holds out for too many draft picks so he doesn't let him leave in a deal, and he resurfaces in 2008. Speaking of 08, my feeling on Bill Cowher is he does not come back and coach anywhere.

Bill-DC said...

AFC:

I pick the Pats over the Chargers despite the 'Bolts having the home field. Why? Two words: Marty Schottenheimer. He's 5-12 in the playoffs all time. Never, never bet against Tom Brady and his 12-1 post season record.

I like the Colts to beat the Ravens in the Mayflower Bowl. So I'm going with the roadies this weekend.

The Colts will play the Pats in the Adam Viniteri Bowl next weekend.

In the NFC, it's the Saints year and I like them over the Eagles. In the other game, I'm really not sold on the Bears but they did something right to gain the home field. Not sure what the temp will be but I'll pick da Bears here over Seattle.

Saints vs Bears in the Ditka Bowl as Iron Mike coached both squads during his career.

Bill-DC said...

Weekend One: 3-1
Weekend Two: 4-0

Pats over the Colts and the Saints over the Bears. Going with the roadies here!