Philly Marathon recap

So I finished the Philadelphia Marathon. My only real goal going into a race is to finish, but I secretly wanted to get under 4 hours. I had 4:25 I think in DC which was good, but I took that one real slow in the beginning because I wasn't sure what to expect. Having the experience of DC behind me, I figured I could run a little more normal during the beginning. I ran extra normal (whatever that means) for the first 15 miles and I was on pace to hit 4 hours and 2 minutes. I figured I could run faster for the last couple of miles to get just under four hours. Unfortunately my right leg stopped working at mile 18, so 4 hours was out the window. At mile 22 or 23 or so, the limp run I was doing for 4 or 5 miles started to have an effect on the rest of my muscles so I began to cramp. The last 3 miles were reduced to a jog/walk/limp death march that resulted in a 4:28 finish. 3 minutes slower than DC...not thrilled with the time, but at the end of the day I guess it doesn't matter. I could blame the fact that I didn't do many long runs in training for this marathon, the fact that I eat a ton of candy during a day in the cubicle, and I don't exercise outside of lunch hour runs. I decided I will do some yoga with Sarah for the Spring marathon (marathon to be determined next week).

I wasn't too excited to run in Philadelphia for whatever reason. I've lived here for six years now and I figured that the course would be boring because it's places I've already seen a bunch of times. Running up South street, by the zoo, and up Kelly drive didn't seem too exciting. I was wrong. The race was super fun. I planned for the start much better this time. Instead of showing up 2 hours early like I did in DC, I got to the Art Museum at 6:50 when the race started at 7. I didn't have to wait in any port-o-potty lines because I parked/used the bathroom at work (and Dunkin Donuts and home). Maybe it wasn't smart to park 2 miles away from the start, but it's good to know for next time...which will be never because the PA marathon is now crossed off the 50 States + 1 checklist.

The race started on time at 7 and even though I was in a corral near the back, I think I was started by 7:10 or 7:20. Nice work, Philly race people. The race was especially fun, because the people who came out to cheer were awesome. First names were printed on our race bibs, so people would shout out your name which was weird at first, but really cool near the end. It was extra cool to see Sarah and Maksim hanging out in Manayunk (mile 20 or 21). I stopped momentarily to tell Sarah about my injury and to tell Maksim that he makes a pretty good bear (as he was dressed in his bear costume). Rob, Robby, and my sister were also there and I wanted to stay and high-five everyone but Sarah told me that I shouldn't stop and told me to get moving. I limp ran away and headed back to the city for the thrilling finish.

Other notes from the Philly marathon:

A lot of people. Maybe I am misremembering, but it seemed like triple what the National Marathon in DC gets. Possibly because the National Marathon is relatively new and it doesn't count to a state for the 50 state club?

Crushed can of Four Loko on the course. Probably from a vagrant, but I'll pretend it was a runner's pick-me-up at mile 17.

Perfect weather. I have lucked out with weather for both marathons. I can't imagine running a marathon in rainy or obscenely hot weather. I'm a little nervous if I decide to run Delaware next (late May).

Columbus Blvd. served as a pretty good bathroom spot for a billion runners, male and female. Nasty

Ran without music. It was a lot easier than expected.

Having a baby is awesome. Here's Maksim eating his sock and my finisher's medal:




Thanks to everyone for cheering me on through emails and thanks to those who donated to my page.

Donate Now!!!!

Hello,

It turns out I did a pretty poor job annoying you all with donation requests for this marathon (which is Sunday). I'll make up for it with the next one in the Spring. Don't worry.

Anyway, it's not too late to donate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Give all your money (or $5) to the robots found within this link:

http://www.crowdrise.com/safetyroperuns

In case you're wondering "why should I donate?" to anything Todd does, I advise you to purchase Three Cups of Tea and read it cover to cover. In case you are wondering if there are any great throwback apocalyptic zombie shows on tv these days I recommend you watch The Walking Dead on AMC.

Thanks for all your support!
T. Mali

Oh p.s., I'm running in the Philadelphia Marathon this Sunday. Annoyingly I filled out my projected time honestly and as a result 9000 other marathoners are going to start before I do. I will keep track of how many I pass within an imaginary Excel Spreadsheet that I will be carrying during the run. The update will be provided in the next newsletter, which should drop sometime before whenever.

Week 11

Busier this week than last week. Don't have a ton of time, but football picks are important. Short week I think, so submit picks before Thursday PM.

Here are the standings:

Zila/Zanonymous: 4
T. Mali: 4
Justin: 1
Tebow: 1

T. Mali is on fire. Zanonymous is choking. Sad, but predictable.

Before submitting picks, I thought this Desean Jackson quote after destroying the Redskins was pretty solid and well-put.

It was a pretty busy weekend and I only watched a quarter of 3 games this weekend: Ravens-Falcons, Giants-Cowboys, Eagles-Redskins, and I listened to two quarters of Bills-Lions!

My picks (with some BS attached):


Bears over Dolphins. This is another one of those if-you-watch-Thursday-games-you'll-need-to-mute-your-television games. I'll probably watch The Walking Dead over and over again instead.

Bengals over Bills. True Story: I listened to the Bills-Lions game on the radio last week. It was exciting. I think I need books on tape.

Cowboys over Lions. Cowboys finish season 7-9.

Titans over Redskins. I feel bad for Donovan McNabb. Eagles fans can hate on him all you want, but you have to remember that he was the scout that convinced the Eagles to bring Vick to Philly (True story).

Chiefs over Cardinals. Although the Chiefs should lose for handshake-snub karma.

Packers over Vikings. Not going to mention a certain quarterback anymore. Packers are the better team.

Texans over Jets.

Steelers over Raiders.

Ravens over Panthers.

Jaguars over Browns.

Rams over Falcons. Upset pick

Saints over Seahawks.

49ers over Buccaneers.

Patriots over Colts. Oh wow, Patriots and Colts isn't the MNF game. Maybe the NFL put the Broncos on MNF instead?!

Giants over Eagles. No way Giants win this game. They couldn't stop Kitna, so why should they stop Vick? Giants can't prevent big plays. Eagles are all about them. Still can't bet against the Giants though because I predict undefeated seasons every year.

Chargers over Broncos. They did pick the Broncos over Patriots-Colts. Well played, NFL! Monday night is free.

Week 10

Busy.

Won again. Zanonymous is in trouble.

Zila/Zanonymous: 4
T. Mali: 3
Justin: 1
Tebow: 1

For whatever reason, there's a Thursday night game. Not a fan of the Thursday night game. Submit picks early like Eli.

Falcons over Ravens.

Bills over Lions.

Vikings over Bears. Ugh.

Jets over Browns.

Colts over Bengals. Rough year for Cincy.

Dolphins over Titans.

Buccaneers over Carolina.

Texans over Jaguars.

Chiefs over Broncos.

Giants over Cowboys.

Seahawks over Cardinals.

Rams over 49ers.

Patriots over Steelers.

Redskins over Eagles.

Football picks Week 9

I won week 8. Had a pretty dominant week. It also helps that Tex only picked 11 out of 13 games. Zanonymous's lead has been cut in half. Here are the standings:

Zila/Zanonymous: 4
T. Mali: 2
Justin: 1
Tebow: 1


In my efforts to win the Donut Bowl, I encourage you all to not make any picks this week. Thanks.

Week 9 picks.

Atlanta over Tampa Bay

Bills over Bears

Patriots over Browns

Jets over Lions

Vikings over Cardinals

Saints over Panthers

Ravens over Dolphins. Dolphins are 4-0 on the road and 0-3 at home? This one's in Baltimore so I guess Dolphins will be 4-1 on the road, eh?

Chargers over Texans

Giants over Seahawks

Raiders over Chiefs

Eagles over Colts

Packers over Cowboys. Cowboys fall to 1-7

Steelers over Bengals

which witch wins

Torrential down pour
me a beer.

If any of the above is spelled incorrectly I apologeyes. The elephant has wandered into the lions' den. It is about that time. The lion sleeps while awake. The elephant comes in peace to talk about elections and other great irrelevants, irrelevance, rebel ants ramble on as the lion sleeps while awake. As the elephant leaves the lion awakens is awoken by the sound of an elephant leaving. Sad to see you leave a lion awoken thinks when he is awake while sleeping. But I love to watch you go or something along those lions sitting against the glass as the zoo-gazers gaze past at the lion-tamer who is preparing his whip. The lion-tamer whips his whip cracking it with a resounding crack crack crack each crack louder than the first with the exception of the last which is the same as the first since it goes on forever so much of the above said is incorrect. Incorrect or not the lion-tamer was now the center of attention. Lions surround him with little interest of participating but by now they know they won't get fed which means they'll have to eat something they aren't supposed to which results in iLashes flutter with the crack of each whip.

Vote for me the whip announces. The zoo-gazers look on bored. With each whip whap louder than the first whappin whip they have no choice but to do as it says. The zoo-gazers walk away from the glass ready to rock (and vote?).

Football picks week 8

The good news is I didn't win this week. This is good because the success would go straight to my head and I'd end up broke. Instead Zanonymous Zila won for the fourth time. He is on his way to Vegas for week 8. No one else played in Week 7. You all should be ashamed.

Standings

Zila/Zanonymous: 4
Justin: 1
Tebow: 1
T. Mali: 1


Week 8 picks (Giants are on a bye so there are no guarantees this week):

Bengals over Dolphins

Cowboys over Jaguars. Kitna can beat the Jags, right? Just wild cat to Dez every snap.

Lions over Redskins. Pretty predictable upset.

Chiefs over Bills.

Rams over Panthers.

Packers over Jets.

49ers over Broncos. The two greatest terrible coaches in the NFL go head-to-head. The good news? This game is in London. Well played NFL.

Titans over Chargers. Titans seem to be pretty good. Chargers LT curse continues.

Raiders over Seahawks.

Patriots over Vikings. Favre sits. People freak out.

Cardinals over Buccaneers. Do you know where my buccaneers are?

Saints over Steelers.

Texans over Colts.





Caption: NFL players react to new helmet-to-helmet rules.