What the... ?!?!

So a guy leaves town for a few days and all hell breaks loose in the Philly sports’ scene? Unfathomable craziness is unleashed like a plague of locusts ready to keep the citizens up all night with their constant chirping and desecration to the foliage.

Actually, TV types described it as a “black cloud” hanging over the city. I wouldn’t go that far, but what can you do with a group of people so weighed down in cliché? After all, these people believe the world revolves around sports. Actually, in a lot of cities – including most portions of Philadelphia – it does not. Intellectual discourse occurs, deals are brokered, people live lives, sing songs, raise children and dance jigs.

Overpaid men running around in tight fitting clothing never enters the consciousness.

Oh, but boy oh boy does it ever in these parts. Frankly, as I spent a Sunday afternoon soaking in a jacquzzi in attempt to loosen a balky hip flexor spent as one of those men running around in tight clothes while watching the second half of the Eagles football game and reading Richard Ford’s latest page turner, I noticed a few things that made me smile. Oh no, it wasn’t a smile of joy or the proverbial bleep-eating grin, but an ironic smile of seeing. Seeing and believeing.

Here’s what I saw:

TV shots showing Jeff Fisher, the coach of the Tennessee Titans, calmly strolling the sidelines at Philadelphia’s corporately named football stadia with a breezy demeanor and a cup of coffee in his right hand. Frankly, with the coffee in hand, Fisher looked as if he had the happy distance of a suburban parent at a 5-year-old’s soccer game. In fact, I was waiting for another one of the parents to meander over to Fisher and ask him, “how ya hittin’ ‘em,” or how much he paid to fill up the Audi this week.

Watching Fisher made me realize a few things. Firstly, watching football in a Jacuzzi with a good book and the sound down is fun. Secondly, it’s just a matter of time until Fisher or any number of other professional sports coaches gets a sponsorship from Starbucks or Folgers or any of the other hot beverage companies. However, I doubt Jeff Fisher would need to use one of those cup sleeves around his coffee to keep him from burning his hands.

I need one, though, because I’ve spent the past 35 years avoiding all manual labor. Regardless, all that time spent in warm, bubbling water has dried out my unblemished digits.

Thirdly, that Jeff Fisher seems like a good coach. It’s hard to decipher that simply from watching a guy drink coffee on the sideline of a football game, but Fisher seemed much more involved and enthusiastic about the proceedings than Philadelphia’s coach. With his tempered and unobnoxious fist pumps and slaps on the back for his players, Fisher looked as if he was genuinely enjoying his job.

Across the way, the Philadelphia guys were shown shuffling nervously from foot to foot and speaking with laminated charts and folders covering their mouths as if under surveillance. Why bother with all of that? Based on how the game went it was clear that the Philadelphia coaches’ headsets were tapped.

Fourthly, I thought that the Fisher dude would look pretty good on the home team sidelines. Then I remembered that he was here and gone over a decade ago. Perhaps they can get him back because it seems as if he figured out how to mix in those tricky hand-off plays into the offensive arsenal. Then again I can’t be so sure about his prowess since I had the sound down.

Anyone who didn’t think Donovan McNabb was finished for the season the second he went down on that fateful second-quarter play should have their sports-watching rights revoked. Those people are just far too optimistic for the bloody, treacherous and objectionable world of sports viewership. In sports, bad things happen all the time… it’s like a sport within a sport. If a big, seemingly invincible football player like Donovan McNabb falls down and does not get up after a rather innocuous play, count on him rolling off the field in an electric-powered cart and then heading uptown for an MRI before boarding a plane for Alabama to have his torn anterior cruciate ligament and damaged meniscus repaired.

Meanwhile, in light of McNabb’s situation in which he faces nearly a full calendar year before he can take a live snap in a regular-season NFL game, I haven’t heard anyone talk about the real realities of the situation.

Perhaps the very idea of those realities hurts more than a torn cruciate ligament?

What are those notions? Well, how do we phrase this… I suppose there is no delicate way to do it, so let’s come out with it… is it over for the Eagles? By over, I mean is it time to give up the idea in which the football masterminds forget adding a piece here or there to patchwork the roster and get the team a playoff berth?

Is it time (Gasp!) to rebuild?

If it is time to (Gasp!) rebuild, does that mean A.J. Feeley is the quarterback for the rest of the way?

We all know that the window of opportunity for championships, glory and Chunky Soup commercials opens ever so slightly for a very fleeting moment in time. When that window closes, it’s better and cleaner to simply get back to work in order to make it open up again rather than attempting to break through when everyone knows it’s been bolted.

Again, I had the sound down, but it seems as if the Eagles really like to utilize the forward pass play a lot. And by a lot I mean more than 50 times a game from time to time. Since that’s appears to be the case, shouldn’t they get some wide receivers that can catch the ball?

Speaking of catching the ball, whatever happened to that Greg Lewis fellow? Or that first-round draft pick dude who liked to talk too much? Are they still around? You know the Eagles picked that loquacious fellow before Chad Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Steve Smith and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Man, would a first-round draftee look good catching passes right about now…

According to an acquaintance who is a scout for an NFL team and could be an assistant GM before the decade is out, Andy Reid has a reputation for being very organized and on top of things.

I have nothing else to add there… just tossing it out there for everyone.

Best bets

Last week: 0-4
Year-to-date: 12-12-1

Let’s put the political hack spin on last week’s Best Bets… it is harder to go 0-4 than 4-0 or even 1-3. Anyone can pick a winner. That’s easy. After all, one consciously examines the ledger and picks the specific game that appeals to them. Obviously, based on that, it can’t be too difficult to pick one winner.

Now going 0-4 when trying to pick all winners – that takes talent. Does anyone think the professional handicappers ever go 0-4?

Me either.

Anyway, take this week’s picks to the bank. They’re all going to be winners.

Ready?

Ohio State plus 7 over Michigan
Let’s start by saying that Michigan is going to win the game. The reason I think Michigan is going to win the game is that everyone I know who went to Michigan is a really good guy. Martin Frank from the Wilmington News Journal? There is a class act. Andy Cross from over on River Dr.? One of the all-time greats. Andy’s brother Gordie? He’s going to Secretary of Defense some day.

Chris Webber? Well, I don’t know him personally and he once plead guilty for perjury, but the other guys I listed more than make up for that indiscretion.

However, the Buckeyes will cover.

Notre Dame minus 32 over Army
So does Notre Dame have the Merchant Marine Academy on the schedule, too. Way to extend yourselves, guys… Fightin’ Irish my ass.

If Army wins this one outright I’ll go down to the recruiting office and enlist.

(crossing fingers)

Navy minus 32½ over Temple
Why can’t the Owls schedule the Merchant Marine Academy?

Indianapolis minus 1½ over Dallas
I have a feeling this one could be a bloodbath in favor of the Colts. I’m not basing this on any football knowledge or anything, but I’m expecting a reptilian effort from Terrell Owens. By reptilian I mean alligator arms followed by crocodile tears.

New England minus 6 over Green Bay
Nothing to add here.

Seattle minus 3 over San Francisco
Hence the term “Best Bet.”

New York Giants plus 4 over Jacksonville
Call this one a hunch. Besides, I need a big game from Tiki Barber in order to stay in the playoff race in the Phillies Scribes Fantasy Football League (PSFL).

Wes Helms press conference offered without commentary

AMARO JR.
We pursued Wes for quite some time, it actually began last year. We’re pleased to have signed him to a 2-year deal with a club option.
We’re pleased to bring Wes here to Philadelphia. We think he’s the kind of guy, with the makeup and personality that we want. He had a tremendous year last year with Florida and we’re glad he’s with us now.

HELMS
It’S an honor to get to have a chance to play for a winning team again. That was my ultimate goal coming into this off season was to be a part of great organization and a winning team. I just knew by playing against this team last year in the division what they can do. Especially with the young guys getting another year under their belt.

I’m going to be a good fit here because of - like Ruben said - my personality. I’ll get along with all the players. I do what is asked of me to do.

YOUR ROLE?
Charlie just said to me you are going to play a lot. He said you’ll fit in the lineup well and you’ll play a lot and you’ll play third base. Maybe in an American league game I’ll be the first baseman and Howard will DH and give him a rest from the field.
No terms were discussed about playing time. He basically said you’ll play a lot and you’ll be a big part of the team.

LIMITED FIRST BASE LAST TWO YEARS?
I do know that I will play more third base. I don’t think it will be an adjustment because I came up as a third baseman and I played third base primarily my whole career with the exception of the last two seasons.

I know what to do. I know the maneuvers. I worked hard in batting practice on ground balls to stay sharp. It’s a corner infield position - first or third - and you see the ball of the bat the same way.

MORE FIT?
Yeah, I got myself a personnel trainer the past two years (Lee Gravlee). I’ve always worked hard I just never knew what to do. I did the typical things to build strength. But I got a guy who taught me how to eat and train for baseball. It totally changed my career. Down to making me more agile in the field, to my bat speed, everything just got better. I owe the world to him for that.

LAST YEAR SHORTER QUICKER SWING?
I’ve always been a guy that expected too much from myself so I tried to do too much. I think I got smarter as my career went on and now understand sometimes less is better.

The last two seasons I let the ball get deeper. I concentrate on hitting the ball to second and to right center and even if I’m early, it’s still a fair ball.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST THINK PHILLY?
I was coming here last year. Just to put it out there the big reason I signed with Florida had nothing to do with the Phillies, it was they had a young team and I had a feeling I’d get to play a lot more down there. A goal of mine was to get myself back to someone giving me an opportunity to get back to those 400-plus at bats.

I can sit back and say I made the right decision but now it’s time to go out and do what I had to do. I told my wife that David Bell is not back in Philly and I really do believe that Philadelphia will be a spot I’d love to go to.

THE DECISION?
It came down between the Phillies and Yankees. I definitely from the beginning wanted to stay in the National League. I know all the pitchers, all the hitters and how to play them from the field. Everyone I ever played with said it’s an adjustment and it’s a more comfortable for me to come to.

Riding a high horse

Typically, I am never one to begrudge anyone their money/salary/bonuses, etc. This is even true of professional athletes and corporate CEOs, all of who seem to be rewarded monetarily at a rate that doesn’t jibe with experience, education and impact on society.

Besides, if all one wants to do is make money it really isn’t too difficult, interesting or legacy building. Frankly, it’s more impressive that a person leaves something than take, take, take. I’m more interested in people who create something or have an art rather than those who drive a fancy car or live in a big house.

You can’t take it with you, folks, so it’s better to give people something to enjoy.

Touchy-feely sentiment aside, it actually makes me pause for a minute when I read the salaries and deals supposedly being offered to the current crop of baseball free agents. I don’t know if disgusting is the correct word, but it certainly seems as if a bunch of baseball players are going to be compensated even more out-of-line than ever before.

I’m not the only one who thinks this way, either. According to reports from the general manager meetings in Florida, the guys offering the deals are a little turned off as well. Of course there is a way to remedy their situation, but it seems as if that horse is already out of the barn. Plus, back in 1987 it didn’t seem as if collusion amongst the teams in regard to curbing salaries was too difficult to prove.

Who in their right mind would pay $51 million simply for the right to negotiate with an unknown player from an inferior league? Is Alfonso Soriano really worth a nine-digit dollar deal? If so, will the regular baseball fan with kids, car payments and a mortgage be able to afford to go to a game without cashing in the 401K? After all, the Phillies already raised ticket prices for 2007 based on their resounding 85-victory season in 2006.

OK, let’s not get too deep into standing up for the regular fan right now because there isn’t enough space on the World Wide Web to address all of the variables and arguments. Besides, there is no way to convince me that regular folks are not getting shafted for doing nothing other than being a loyal fan.

They are getting shafted, but that’s nothing new.

Let’s just stick with the righteous indignation over the fact that out-of-shape and potentially washed-up Frank Thomas just signed a two-year, $18 million deal with the Blue Jays. Or that Wes Helms, a player who was available to any team in the league for slightly more than the minimum salary as little as a few months ago, will get close to the GNP of a third-world country to be a part-time third baseman for the Phillies.

What was most surprising to me was the report that the Diamondbacks were prepared to give Randy Wolf $21 million for three seasons.

That’s $21 million for a 69-60 lefty… I say run to the desert, Randy, and never look back.

Let me preface that by saying Randy Wolf is on my short list for favorite professional athletes of all time. There really isn’t anything bad I can write or say about that guy even if I tried. But $21 million…

God bless him.

Yet again, therein lies the problem. Certainly Randy Wolf is smart enough not to let any of the money, superficialities or other fleeting fame change anything about him, but just because someone has the right perspective is no reason for admiration. That’s basic.

But that’s the real issue, isn’t it? I honestly believe that a lot of people have lost the true sense of what athletics really is. Often we don’t appreciate the “art” anymore because we’re paying too close attention to the bottom line. That isn’t just in sports, either. Do people go to school to learn and be exposed to new ideas, experiences and concepts or simply to get through so they can get a certain job?

If so, that’s sad, and it reminds me of a conversation I had with someone in my profession not too long ago. It seems this other person and I were disparaging a certain other person’s body of work (I admit it… I can be shallow, too) when it was said, “Yeah, he might not be too good at what he does but he’s making $XXX,XXX.”

I paused for a half a beat before saying, “Yeah, that might be true, but he’s still a bleeping hack.”

Then again, I suppose that’s better than being a poorly paid hack…

Right?

Whining about the wind

It’s been difficult coming to terms with the result of Sunday’s race. Yes, I understand that running is a sport where there are many elements and variables that are out of the athlete’s control. And yes, I understand that sometimes it really doesn’t matter how hard a runner has trained or how fit they are.

Sometimes stuff just happens. It rains or gets too hot. The wind blows. What can you do?

That’s the smart rationalization, of course. But as I warmed up to run in yet another rainy, humid and windy day here in Central Pennsylvania I wondered why I felt the need to explain my race to everyone who asked about it instead of simply accepting the austerity of the outcome.

Why can’t there be an asterisk next to my 2:54:21 indicating that it was a wind disabled performance? They do that for wind-aided performances, right? Can’t it be a two-way street?

Along those lines I felt the need to look up the evidence from Dr. Jack Daniels that states running into a 15-m.p.h. headwind at 6:00 per mile takes the same amount of energy as running a five-minute mile. So if I ran into winds heavier than that with 32-m.p.h. gusts, how much time did I lose? Ten minutes? More? Less?

“You really haven’t had very good luck with the weather this year,” a friend pointed out, noting that I wilted in the heat during the Vermont City Marathon last May.

True enough. It was hot in Vermont that last Sunday in May. But I’d also wasn’t in great shape, either, having only come out of retirement eight weeks before the race. I needed perfect weather that day to run to the highest level of my potential. That wasn’t the case this time around. I was fit and trained despite noting that I was “a year away” from a good marathon. Rain or heat was not going to limit me this time.

Wind is a different story.

Nevertheless, before the whining and continued explaining gets too thick, I toughed out 10 miles in 1:11:49 despite driving, flooding rain and steady – yet tempered – winds. My recovery is going well, but I still have to relax a bit and heal. I actually entertained the idea of staying indoors and skipping the run because my right hip and hamstring are still a bit sore and my lower back is a bit tight, also, but then thought better of it.

Seriously, what am I going to do – not run? Because it was raining?

Ha!

Tomorrow’s forecast is much improved than today’s rain and flash-flood warnings. We’re supposed to have partly cloudy skies with 54-degree temps. I guess I’ll go out and run.

Running nugget
Here’s a story about Bill Rodgers, a guy who never complained about a day spent running, as remembered by former rival Art Hall.

Bouncing back

From what I have learned, there is a USATF rule that outlaws pacing or “aiding” another runner by unofficial runners…

I’m not saying anything – just throwing it out there.

Here’s something else I’m throwing out there:

Two weekends ago I raced in a 5k where I finished in sixth place overall and first in my age group. My prize for the performance in the 5k was two free pizzas and $50 gift card from a local sporting goods store. The pizzas were from a chain and the $50 was from a store that I don’t patronize for a bunch of reasons, but that’s not really the point.

Conversely, this past weekend I raced in a marathon against 20-to-30 m.p.h. headwinds where I “technically” finished in sixth place and second in my age group. My prize? A plaque.

I’m not downplaying the plaque – it’s very nice and like coming home from a race with some type of trophy or award even though I stash them in an old shoe box in my garage. Plus, we had friends and family over after the race and my wife proudly displayed the plaque while we ate the free pizzas from the crappy chain.

I guess the point is that I ought to race in more 5ks that pay off with pizzas and gift cards.

For the record, only three of my athletic and professional awards have escaped the shoebox in the garage. Those awards are:

Third Place trophy from the 1979 Punt, Pass & Kick competition when we lived in Washington, D.C.

Trophy for winning foul-shooting competition at Elizabethtown College Basketball Camp in 1984.

Championship trophy for winning the 1984-85 Lancaster CYO title game. I buried a 16-footer from the right elbow with three seconds left in the game to give Sacred Heart its first CYO championship.

To this day it is the pinnacle of my athletic career.

That aside, my recovery from Sunday’s run is going very well. Actually, this post-marathon recovery is right up there with some of my more comfortable recovery weeks. The Delaware and George Washington Marathon races don’t count since those races were nothing more than long runs in the middle of my build-up for the 1998 Boston Marathon, and the 1998 Marine Corps doesn’t count since that was the beginning of the end.

With those caveats noted, I’m feeling as good as I have after any race.

How good? I ran 7-plus on Monday and Tuesday in 55:08 and 53:59. Then on Tuesday night I did an slow five with long-time friend, advisor and attorney John H. May Esq. that was nothing more than a nice, brisk jog.

Excluding that jog, the 7-milers were the garden-variety, stiff-legged, post-marathon effort used for nothing more than workout.

This afternoon I ran 10 miles in 69:41 with 5-mile splits of 35:01 and 34:40 at Baker Field. My final loop was in 6:30 pace and it really didn’t take much effort at all despite the fact that I am still a little jelly-legged.

Nevertheless, I’d still like to run in the Northern Central Trail Marathon on Nov. 25, but a few things have to go right for me. Firstly, I have to feel 100 percent and that takes into consideration my legs, mind, weight, etc. I’m old and not willing to risk an injury when I’m still months away from a breakthrough.

Secondly, I have to be able to run 15 miles at a comfortable, 6-minute to 6:15 pace no later than next Monday and run a 5k or 8k time trial in 16:40 or 27:30 by Thanksgiving.

Otherwise, it’s time to put this horse in the barn until it’s time for the next build-up.

Running nugget
Not exactly a running story, but it is one that should hold some interest to those in the endurance sports world. Anyway, the Floyd Landis case took an interesting plot twist this week when it was revealed that the French lab that conducted the cyclist’s failed drug test had its computers hacked.

Here’s the Lancaster Newspapers’ collection of Landis stories.

Photos
Also, here's a few pictures of yours truly running in the wind and rain last Sunday.

Somewhere around mile 6

Another one from around mile 6

At the finish... I believe I mouthed an expletive.

Hot stove warming up

Note: This post was written before reports indicated that the Phillies signed Wes Helms to a two-year deal.

First off, I took a few days off to run another marathon, rest and eat some food that normal people like – pizza and ice cream instead of tofu, salmon and rice – and now I’m more worn out than I was before.

Cie la vie.

Anyway, all of the running, racing and training information and musings is on the other slightly neglected site.

So as the Phillies and general manager Pat Gillick were sending out offers to the dozens of free agents while trying to pick up the dreaded 7-10 split at the General Manager Meetings in Florida, I was probably wondering why I couldn’t feel my calves. I may have been ignoring a football game on TV while getting a two-beer buzz and wondering if it would take more effort to carve my golf handicap down to 15 or run another 2:30 marathon.

Clearly a 2:30 is more reasonable.

Nonetheless, my goal remains to squeeze through that ever-tightening window to run a respectable marathon just as the Phillies hope to make the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. In that regard, I’ll go out on a limb here and say the Phillies will play baseball in October of 2007.

Wait… shouldn’t we wait for all of the hot-stove stuff to heat up? Don’t the Phillies have a few holes they need to fill?

No and yes.

I’ll explain why I believe the Phillies will make the playoffs in detail between now and next October – kind of like a serialization – so just keep checking back and delving through these ramblings. As for the needy stuff, let’s rate them in order of necessity:

Bolster bullpen

Get another starter (or two)

Address Pat Burrell situation

third base

catcher

Alfonso Soriano

Soriano, of course, is the biggest name on the market so it’s only natural that most of the media attention is focused on him. Yet whether or not the Phillies get Soriano won’t make or break the off-season. Why? Well, for starters the Phillies already score more runs than any other team. What, is it that important that the Phils really, really out-score every other team?

Secondly, Soriano’s so-called task would be to “protect” Ryan Howard. As I’ve written here so many times in the past, Howard hit 58 home runs and struck out 181 times – it sounds like he’s doing a pretty good job protecting himself.

Perhaps if he just struck out 150 times instead of 181, maybe he would have hit a few more homers and raised his average a few points. Would that have made a difference in the end? Who knows… there are too many other variables that transcend mere statistics.

This ain’t Strat-O-Matic, folks. Besides, I was always an APBA guy.

Besides, the Phillies traded away Bobby Abreu apparently in order to create some financial flexibility, yet they are willing to give more money and years to Soriano? Why does that make sense?

Well, Soriano is right-handed, hits for more power and hasn’t raised the hackles of certain segments of the fandom because they haven’t ever seen him play and only know him as a 40-40 guy who just so happens to be the biggest name on the market.

What better reason is there to sign a guy than that?

Plus, if the Phillies are unable to sign Soriano they still have Pat Burrell. Yes, Burrell has fallen out of favor in Philadelphia and had a disappointing season despite some statistics that don’t look all that bad. Like Howard and all of those strikeouts, just think if Burrell can hit .225 with runners in scoring position and two outs instead of .167.

Miscellany

Randy Wolf’s agent Arn Tellem said he wants to have his client signed before the winter meetings begin in Orlando on Dec. 4. According to published reports, the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays – as well as the Phillies – are interested in Wolf.

According to The Inquirer, Scott Graham likely will not return to the Phillies’ broadcast booth in 2007. During the baseball season I don’t get the chance to hear the home team’s announcers that much so I’m not much of an expert on their work. Nonetheless, if Graham does not get a new contract it’s a bit of a surprise.

I was always under the impression that baseball broadcasting jobs were like Supreme Court appointments… apparently not.

Again, I’m no expert and don’t have any insider information that I’m willing to share, but I don’t think Graham will be on the sidelines in 2007.

Remember the end of September when I waxed on and on about Ken Mandel’s “performance” in the President’s Race between innings at RFK? No? Here’s a reminder…

Anyway, Ken’s dash down the first-base side of the field was nominated for “The Blooper of the Year” on MLB.com. In fact, if Ken wins the online balloting, the Nationals want to have the Phillies.com reporter back to accept an award on the field dressed as Thomas Jefferson.

No word if the Oriole Bird will be on hand, too.

We will keep everyone up to date on all developments of this story.

Looking for some fun?

If anything, I like to be prepared. Better yet, "anal" would be a more apt description. Nevertheless, I devised my full schedule for 2007 racing. Of course vacations, work and other family outings will alter things a bit, but in the meantime here's a look at the PR chase for 2007.

A few caveats - races highlighted in yellow indicate a target race.
All dates and races are tentative with those marked tentative being extra tentative.

2006 Race schedule
Nov. 25 – Northern Central Trail @ 9:30 a.m. (tentative)
Dec. 10 – Arthritis Jingle Bell 5k @ 1:30 p.m. (tentative)
Dec. 31 – Wilmington Race Against Time 5k @ 12:00 p.m. (tentative)

2007 Race schedule
Jan. 14? – Frozen Foot 5k @ 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 18? – Frozen Foot 5k @ 1:30 p.m.

Mar. 11 – Caesar Rodney Half Marathon @ 9 a.m.

Mar. 17 – Run for Luck 4 miler @ 9:30 a.m. (it's in my backyard!)

Mar. 18? – Frozen Foot 5k @ 1:30 p.m.

Apr. 28 – Race Against Racism 5k @ 9 a.m.

May 6 – Broad Street Run 10 miler @ 8:30 a.m. (tentative)

May 6 – Pocono Mountain Marathon @ 8 a.m. (tentative)

May 20 – Delaware Marathon (tentative)

June 2 – Red Rose Run 5 miler @ 8:30 a.m. (tentative)

July 4 – Ephrata Firecracker 5 miler @ 8:30 a.m.

July 14 – Freshburst 5 miler @ 8:15 a.m.

Sep. 16 – Philadelphia Distance Run Half Marathon @ 7:45 a.m.

Nov. 11 – Harrisburg Marathon
or
Nov. 18 – Philadelphia Marathon

2008 Race schedule
Apr. 21 – Boston Marathon

Where was the Wicked Witch?

Stats:
2:54:21
7th place – 2nd in age

Breakdown
The weather was horrible -- a steady rain pelted us all day, while a 20-m.p.h. headwind (gusts up to 32 m.p.h. according to the local news) beat the dogbleep out of us. A kind estimate is that at least 15 miles of the race were run into that steady, driving wind. During the first half of the race the wind just beat me up and there were instances where gusts blew me backwards. Once, I took two steps backward while trying to run forward. Meanwhile, I had to dodge puddles for much of the race lest my feet get more soaked than they were and make it even more uncomfortable.

Wind, more than anything, is the runner's enemy. I'm sure that it affected everyone's performance.

I ran the first 5 miles in 31 minutes, which was off my 29-minute goal; 10 miles in 64 instead of 59; and halfway in 1:25 instead of 1:17. Needless to say I felt like quitting for much of the first half because I was so discouraged by the headwind. I actually pulled back a few times during the first half hoping that I could save some energy for the back half.

It seemed to have worked.

Despite it being the hilliest and most difficult part of the course, I ran OK from miles 15 to 20, holding my place even though I hit 20 in a really slow 2:12 (my goal was 1:56 to 1:59). Somehow, though, I decided to get tough over the final 10k, remembering from my old days that I used to tell myself that I could "run the last 10k of a marathon in 40 minutes in my sleep."

Well, I was close.

I hit 21 in 2:19:49 after stopping to drink my Gatorade and Red Bull mix and followed that with 6:37, 6:35, 6:43, 6:34, to 8:00 for the last 1.2 miles. At 21 I told my wife -- who with her dad gallantly met me at miles 7, 14, and 21 with my drinks and encouragement (they were amazing... truly and honestly) -- that I was "going to try to run the last 5 in 33."

Instead, I ran the last 5.2 in 34:29.

I was close.

Nevertheless, from the 21st mile to the finish I jumped from 11th place to 7th and needed about another 100 yards to take over 6th place. I'm sure I would have done it, too, because the 6th-place finisher had three guys pacing him on foot and two others on a bike, who repeatedly checked my progress to inform him where I was. He had a support staff like Lance Armstrong last weekend in NYC last.

Minus the TV cameras, of course.

With less than 2 miles to go, it appeared as if one of the bike pacers doubled back to check on my progress before reporting back. I suppose they told him to hurry up because I was closing fast.

I doubt they told him that I ran 19 of the 26.2 miles by myself and ran tougher than he did.

Anyway, I'm disappointed with my time -- 2:54:21. Based on my workouts and the charts measuring my times and VO2, I definitely feel that I was in shape to run between 2:36 and 2:40. Had the conditions been better today I'm certain that I could have gone sub-2:45.

What can you do? The time sucks, but I was tough and I didn't quit. I'm not discouraged. In fact, if I continue training the way I did since taking my first step in March, I'll get there. Perhaps the ship has sailed on 2:22 -- I'm too old. However, 2:30 is reasonable and I'm pleased to report that I'm back.

And I'm not going anywhere.

One tactical error
Chuck Engle, yes the Chuck Engle, ran the race and finished 3rd in sub-2:48. Had I seen him at the start or during the cluster of the first few miles, I would have glued myself to him and worked with him for the duration.

Afterwards I had the pleasure of chatting with the great Mr. Engle – truly a badass and a true gentleman – and now I’m even a bigger fan than I was before.

For my money, Chuck Engle is much, much more impressive than that Dean dude. If only the mainstream media (wait… isn’t that me?) were aware of how much more difficult his feats are that the other guy. Running is easy and anyone can do it. Running fast and consistently is an achievement.

Rant complete.

What's next?
Down the road, I don't know. I'll have to sit down with my wife and map it out. I'll definitely train to race in some of the better-known local races and try to get some PRs and be competitive.

Another marathon? Maybe in the spring and definitely one for the Fall. I'm too old to focus on two hard efforts a year, but I really love training hard.

Short term I'm contemplating jumping in the Northern Central Trail Marathon on Nov. 25 if the weather is nice and other variables are conducive.

We'll see...

It's time

I got up this morning after being awoken by a singing and smiling 2-year-old boy, then took off for 4.5 miles in 29:02. I ran easy and relaxed though my right hamstring was a little achy, but it was OK when it was loosened up. My breathing was fine though I got the slightest of side stitches... nothing worrisome, but I'll have to watch it.

Just to be safe, I took a Sudafed when I finished the run to get rid of the congestion. Tomorrow morning I'll take Ibuprofen for my hamstring.

Otherwise, I ate pancakes and potatoes with my Gatorade and Red Bull mixture and will be heading to Harrisburg soon to pick up my race info.

After that, it's bedtime for me. I have to get up early and go to work.

Counting down

All that’s left now are the rituals or superstitions. Well, that plus sleep and lots of drinking. Typically, I try to avoid superstitions because they are bad luck, and I usually drink about a gallon of water a day. Between now and Sunday morning I may increase that to a gallon-and-a-half.

Tonight’s plan is to have dinner at a Japanese restaurant we like to go to at least three times a month, followed by a movie and then bed. My wife wants to see Borat and although the Americans-are-dumb-and-not-too-informed-nor-understand-the-concept-of-irony theme seems a bit trite, it looks kind of funny. Plus, it involves sitting around and not taxing my legs, so I’m for it.

Besides, I ran early this morning putting in 4-plus miles in 25:35. All I have to do is rest and do some stretching.

Saturday’s plan is to run 5k or four miles as early in the morning as possible, followed by a big breakfast and then a trip to Harrisburg to get my race packet, number and all of that other stuff. Probably around 4 or 5 p.m., I’ll have rice with either tofu or salmon for dinner and then go to bed. I might not sleep right away, but as long as I’m horizontal I’ll be OK.

These plans aren’t something I just slapped together this weekend. Oh no. These are time-honed practices with lots of trial and error. I’m not much of a breakfast eater, but pancakes and potatoes always seemed to serve me well before a few Boston Marathons so it became part of the drill.

The same goes for a trip to the movies, which would be replaced with a Red Sox game at Fenway if we were going to Boston. However, that’s one ritual that might be retired if I go back to Boston. After six years of writing about Major League Baseball, I’ve seen enough games and have certainly been to Fenway more than my fair share of times. Going to the ballpark when I don’t have to just doesn’t sound appealing any more.

There are race-day rituals, too, which consist of coffee, two Clif Bars, more drinks and a long, long shower. I remember sitting in the shower in some hotel in Northern Virginia before my first marathon thinking, “What the hell have I gotten myself into…” as the hot water loosened my calves and hamstrings. Since then the pre-race shower is equal parts mediation and muscle warm up.

This year I am contemplating whether or not I should take Sudafed or a decongestant before the race. Hockey players are notorious Sudafed users, claiming it gives them a boost and clears the breathing passages, but I haven’t used it in training. Perhaps I’ll take one before Saturday morning’s run to see if it can clear my sinuses and throat, which aren’t in bad shape but aren’t 100 percent either.

However, Sudafed and the pseudoephedrine ingredient might not be a smart cocktail with caffeine. Plus, if everything goes according to plan, I hope to be drinking a few beers on Sunday night.

Mmmmmm, beer – the cause of and the answer to most of life’s problems.

Running nugget
The Olympic Marathon Trials are set for Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 at 7:35 a.m. in New York City. That’s the day before the regular New York City Marathon, which should have a thin American field. The trials course is not the normal five-borough run, though. Instead, it starts at Rockefeller Center, heads up Sixth Avenue and into the park for four five-mile loops.

The marathon trials is always a really interesting race and holding it in New York – in Manhattan – is a master stroke. The course is lame, but whatever. It should make for some decent times in what will likely be a tactical race.

With a year to change my mind, I’m going with Khalid Khannouchi, Abdi Abdirahman and Brian Sell to make the Olympic team. This is subject to change at least a dozen times between now and Nov. 3.

Interestingly, the 2007 Chicago Marathon has been bumped up to Oct. 7, which just so happens to be the deadline to qualify for the Marathon Trials.

Get those 2:22’s and get to NYC, folks.

Best bets

Last week: 3-1
Year-to-date: 12-8-1

Typically I spend my mornings in front of my laptop with CNN droning on in the background. That’s mostly because the morning fare on television is beyond bad and I like to pretend like I’m informed. CNN seems to be the most objective of all of the news networks and it’s easy to turn off the sound and turn on music or a podcast without losing contact with what’s going on in the world.

But this morning I felt a little bored with CNN so I decided to get a little crazy with my viewing… yeah that’s right, I flipped on the BBC.

The allure here is that the BBC – channel 114 on your Comcast dial – doesn’t have to worry about upsetting the special interests in the United States and can present the news earnestly. They also keep the sensationalism to a minimum, which means viewers get significant news segments on what’s happening in Asia instead of the Spears-Federline break up.

Nevertheless, this morning the BBC did a story about the big comeback for Kylie Minogue, who is recovering from breast cancer and is giving a concert in Sydney soon -- the BBC says the concert will be one of the biggest ever in Australia.

But that’s about as sensational or as deep as the entertainment news gets for the BBC. Besides, the story was enhanced by a mid-30s hipster reporter in a black suit and white shirt opened at the collar.

Apparently that look will never go out of style.

Speaking of style, are you like me? Do you like baseball statistics? Yeah? Well try this out – according to Peter Gammons, who read Bill James’ latest post-season stat geek yearbook, Ryan Howard is projected to out-homer Jim Thome during his career. Here it is:

Projected career homers: Bonds 884, Adam Dunn 618, Ryan Howard 711, Vladimir Guerrero 633, Troy Glaus 539, A. Jones 677, Pujols 867, A. Rodriguez 772, Jim Thome 619, Jason Tyner 0.

My guess is if Howard has 711 homers at the end of his career he’ll hang around to get 715.

Also on the BBC they talked about football, but the players didn’t have last names, like Ronaldo or Beckham. The highlights made the “football” game look really exciting, but they can’t fool me. I’ve seen that brand of football played and the prospect of watching baseball or paint dry is much more appealing.

As an aside, there are many things we Americans get wrong, but we are definitely right about soccer.

So you want to know what’s going to happen in the real football games this weekend? Slow down, I’ll tell you…

Seattle minus 3½ over St. Louis
The Seahawks looked darned good in the shutout victory over the Raiders last week. Actually, the quarterback sackers looked good and the rest of the team seemed to do just enough to get by. Watching on Monday night made me think of that scene in Stripes when Sgt. Hulka asked John Winger (played by Bill Murray, who now that I think about just might be one of my heroes) why he was last during the morning running drills.

“I’m pacing myself, sir,” Winger deadpanned.

I’m going to assume that the Seahawks are pacing themselves until Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselback return from their injuries. In the meantime the Seahawks will improve to 6-3.

Six-and-three.

Can anyone else believe that Stripes came out in 1981? That’s 25 years ago… when did I get old?

Temple plus 36 over Penn State
Penn State, of course, will not have Joe Paterno pacing up and down the sideline this weekend after he broke his leg in a freak accident last Saturday in Wisconsin. At least they say it was an accident, but something seems fishy. Perhaps those wily folks up on North Broad thought their only chance to surprise the Nittany Lions this Saturday in the erector set model called Beaver Stadium was to take away the brains of the operation. Perhaps Paterno was "taken out."

Why not? Remember Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly?

Aside from the linebacker (I can’t spell his last name correctly without looking it up and I don’t feel like looking it up right now) who could win the Butkus Award, the Lions have some problems in the talented players category. Oh, they aren’t bad, they’re just a slightly above average team that will struggle to beat Temple by 36 points.

Thirty points is a different story, but 36 are a little too much.

Next season Penn State comes to Philadelphia to play Temple – that’s a long drive for the Lions just to have a home game.

New Orleans plus 4½ over Pittsburgh
Is this line a misprint? Yeah, the Steelers are playing at home, but come on. Not only are the Saints 6-2 against the spread this season, but also they are 8-0 against the spread in their last eight games in Week 10.

Washington plus 7 over Philadelphia
Take the Eagles to win but Redskins to cover. Plus, the Eagles are 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games against NFC East teams.

Do those stats and trends really mean anything? How about this one: the Eagles really, really have to win this Sunday.

Ramblings, musings or rants... take your pick

I don’t really have anything too insightful today, so I’ll just riff on a few things that caught my eye in my daily spins around the World Wide Web. Sadly, most of my reading is relegated to a bunch of newspapers and research on things like Samuel Beckett’s short stories and why I’m not smart enough to read Ulysses… you know important things.

Anyway, here we go:

* Admittedly, I’m not a fan of Salon.com “sports” columnist King Kaufman. It’s nothing personal and sometimes I believe he has decent insight, but because he doesn’t go in the clubhouse or locker room and never has to face the subjects he writes about, well, what’s the point?

Regardless, I am a semi-regular reader of his work, which means I must like something about it. Like this story where Kaufman applauds the voters of Seattle for not agreeing to corporate welfare – why should taxpayers foot the bill for stadiums and arenas they will likely be priced out of?

Certainly my point of view is trite, but no one has ever answered the question. Why do regular folks have to foot the bill for multi-millionaires just for the pleasure to watch a game or to line someone else's pockets?

Take, for instance, the situation in my hometown where a business group and some local government types want to build a convention center and hotel next the town square. Sure, they keep repeating about how it’s a guaranteed success and will re-shape the town, but for some reason they can’t do it without a handout from the taxpayers.

If it’s supposed to be such as success as they say it is, how come they can’t put out their own money for the project?

Again, it’s trite and basic, but how come no one will answer why they need my money?

* Rich Hofmann is the columnist with all of the answers… well, not really, but of everyone in the Philadelphia sports media, Rich is far and away the smartest guy out there (sorry, Marcus). I’m not sure if that’s a compliment for Rich or a knock on me for not getting out there and meeting more people, but it’s always a treat to read what kind of stuff ol’ Rich comes up with.

Anyway, in this one Rich writes that the Phillies might be better served getting someone to hold their late-inning leads rather than a hitter to help them score 10 runs when six will do.

The idea, of course, is “protection” for Ryan Howard in the middle of the lineup. But really, how much protection does Howard need? He hit 58 home runs with 149 RBIs – what difference would someone like Alfonso Soriano make?

How about this: Howard could strike out less than 181 times next season. If he does that he’ll be such a huge threat that the Phillies will have to get him some “protection” because no one will want to pitch to him.

* On another note, Howard was in Japan and ate some sushi with Chase Utley. He didn’t hold his nose and plop it in his mouth and chew with his eyes closed or anything.

He also hit a lot of home runs.

I imagine the sushi in Fukuoka is a lot different than the stuff we get at the Ginmiya House here in Lancaster.

* Slate, the online magazine, examines if U2 or REM were the top ‘80s band. Without even reading the story I’ll say it’s U2 and not because I think they are particularly good or Bono is the noble rocker or whatever. It’s because REM is awful.

REM’s awfulness didn’t used to be the case, of course. In fact, there were a handful of years at the end of the 1980s to the early ‘90s when they were as important as any band out there. They were almost to the same level as The Clash or The Ramones in terms of influence of other bands, but then it all went terribly wrong.

What happened? Well, for starters it seems as if they started believing their press clippings. Seriously, how huge are the egos in that band if they honestly believed they could replace their drummer with a machine? Were they kidding? Why didn’t they just do the honorable thing and break up?

The Beatles broke up and their music became more important. The same goes for The Clash and a few other lesser-known bands of that ilk. Yes, if REM was a self-respecting band aware of its legacy they would have broken up when they were still relevant. Instead, for the past decade they’ve been just another corporate rock band putting out records every other year because they have a contract and an incorporated structure.

In other words, REM is a corporation and there is nothing particularly inspiring or interesting about bands that become that hypocritical.

In other words, U2 wins by default despite the fact that they are actually viable even though they are nothing more than a greatest-hits group.

* Mike Radano hasn't updated his blog in quite a while. What gives?

* Finally, Philadelphian and “60 Minutes” correspondent Ed Bradley died of complications of leukemia today. I was never a regular viewer of “60 Minutes” though I really like the show, however, I always thought Ed Bradley was extremely cool.

Actually, Bradley was one of those famous people that if I ever got to chance to meet I had a question or topic of conversation at the ready – jazz and John Coltrane. As a DJ spinning records at WDAS back in the ‘60s, I’m sure Bradley would have been illuminating on the subject.

Unfortunately, the opportunity never happened.

Nevertheless, the beauty of this age of history is that Bradley’s legacy will always be available for us to watch. For that, we’re lucky.

That's much better

It’s amazing what 20 ounces of one beverage can do for a person. Almost from the first taste of the coffee supposedly shipped in to Lancaster, Pa. from Guatemala, all of the aches and pains in my head slipped into the ether. Sure, it could be psychosomatic, but the energized feeling – as well as the shaky hands – has to come from somewhere.

Obviously, it’s from my drug of choice.

That brings me to a quote I once read that was attributed to William Burroughs where he once told an audience that, “drugs are an inevitable part of life.”

I couldn’t agree more and I’ve debated with people what exactly Burroughs was talking about. Most seem to think that the beat bard was talking about narcotics and the illicit stuff that he waxed on about in his writing, speaking and in a role in the Gus Van Sandt film Drugstore Cowboy.

That’s obvious, but I also believe Burroughs was talking about everyday drugs, too, like caffeine, aspirin, television, money, and whatever else people need in order to make it through the day. In that regard perhaps Burroughs should have said, “Addictions are an inevitable part of life.”

But that would have been too easy.

I also believe that the human body does not want drugs and that Mother Nature, in her own little odd way, is perfect.

Pretty ambiguous, huh?

Nevertheless, the coffee helped my head and the other fluids – an antioxidant drink and gallons and gallons of water – are helping me stave off the cold that seems to be affecting people in these parts. I’m sure the weather isn’t helping much, either. All week it’s been rather seasonal for mid-November, but today it’s sunny with the temperature pushing toward 70 degrees. Typically in these situations, I like to stay consistent with my clothing choices during my workouts. That means a long-sleeved Nike compression shirt and a pair of Pearl Izumi running shorts for my easy five miler in 30:05.

During the run I felt pretty laid back despite the fact that I ran at 6-minute pace. It didn't seem hard, but wasn't super, super easy, either -- I had to think about running that pace. However, I guess it's my average, uptempo pace which I hope to do for 26.2 miles on Sunday. Actually, I'd like to go 6 minutes for the first 13 miles and 5:30 to 5:50 for the last 13.

That will do it.

On another note, it’s typical for runners to gain a pound or two during the taper period since they aren’t cranking out the miles. For some (like me) this is a cause for concern because weight has a tendency to slow people down, but fortunately, I feel as fit this week as I did last week. Whether or not I gained (or lost) any weight is unknown since I choose not to weigh myself. Instead I gauge my fitness and healthiness by how fast (or slow) I am.

That doesn’t mean I don’t watch my diet, especially this week. But man, there is just so much to think about with this running stuff.

Running nugget
According to some blogger in San Francisco, the running boom is alive and well and isn’t fueled by the fast folks. To this we say, “No s---.”

Speaking of the elites, the elite of the elite women, Joan Samuelson, wants to run a sub-2:50 marathon when she turns 50. That would get her in the Olympic Trials, which is extremely impressive.

Then again, Joan Samuelson is the greatest American woman runner ever. There is no debate.

Coffee! Now!

Come tomorrow morning I’m sure my head will be pounding. The pressure will be coming from inside my skull – between my eyes – and trying to bore a hole through my temples to create a vent and alleviate the pressure.

In the meantime, the pounding will feel like a jackhammer without the noise or road closures.

Yeah, you guessed it. Caffeine withdrawal.

In order to ensure that I get to bed before midnight and get proper sleep in order to be ready for Sunday’s race, I haven’t had any caffeine since Monday. Actually, I had two venti decaf coffees from Starbucks, which has some caffeine, but not enough to stop the headache.

So in attempt to get extra sleep I could be thwarting my plan by keeping myself awake with the pain in my head. Nonetheless, tomorrow will be a caffeinated morning. I’ll go to bed before midnight tonight, get up early, and drive as fast as I can to Starbucks for the regular cup of coffee. How can I get ready to race if I don’t feel like myself?

On another note, I haven’t taken any Ibuprofen in two days, either. Not that I’m a pill popper or anything, but good ol’ vitamin I has aided my recovery during the long training process. I’m not sure if it works or not, but I’ve recovered from run to run better this time around than ever before. That could come from an improved diet and not as much wear and tear on my body, too. However, I plan on popping four Ibuprofens on Sunday morning when I have my breakfast coffee and Clif Bar before the race.

As far as other health issues go, I noticed that I didn’t spit or blow too many snot rockets during an easy 10k in 41:59 even though my throat doesn’t feel too good and my hamstring and hip were tight after my ART appointment.

Hopefully tomorrow morning’s cup of coffee makes everything all better.

Running nugget
Bill Rodgers chatted with The New York Times and says he still loves to run. That's pretty evident for anyone has a conversation with the great marathoner -- no one needs the Times for that.

Trading Burrell is linchpin to big winter

Pat Gillick and the Phillies are like an airplane loaded with passengers but still sitting at the gate. Everything has been checked and double-checked, everyone’s seatbelt is fastened and luggage is safely stowed in the overhead compartment.

All Gillick needs to is the OK from the control tower and he’s set for take off.

Kind of.

When the free-agency period begins on Nov. 12, Gillick and the Phillies are expected to woo Washington Nationals’ left fielder Alfonso Soriano, likely the biggest name on the winter market. On the strength of his 40-40 season in 2006 (46 homers and 41 stolen bases), the Phillies are said to be prepared to offer Soriano $80 million over five seasons, and then plunk him down in the middle of the batting order between lefties Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. The thought is that Soriano can both provide protection for the sluggers as well as fortify a lineup that has scored more runs than any National League team over the past two seasons.

“We could use some depth in the middle of the order,” Gillick said.

Even without Soriano the Phillies are formidable offensively. Howard, one of the top two MVP candidates on the strength of his 58-homer season in 2006, is the anchor of the murderer’s row that featured four players that swatted at least 25 homers and drove in 83 runs. Besides that, Gillick and manager Charlie Manuel are both very high on Shane Victorino, a young outfielder who appeared in 153 games in many roles last season.

Offense? Yeah, the Phillies have that.

So why do they feel the need to make it better with Soriano instead of pursuing a starter to fill out the rotation or a set-up man for closer Tom Gordon? After all, Manuel told said that he would prefer to have a backend reliever who has experience as a closer to fill out the bullpen. That’s where free agents Joe Borowski and David Weathers enter the picture. According to published reports and sources, the Phillies have eyed the relievers as possible set-up men for 2007.

On top of that, Gillick said that he wants to re-sign free agent starter Randy Wolf to round out the rotation that features lefties Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer, as well as Jon Lieber and Brett Myers. Gillick says he’s hopeful that the Phillies can work out a deal with Wolf.

“Hopeful, but not optimistic,” the GM said.

“This is the first opportunity he’s ever had for free agency so I think he wants to kick the tires and see if the grass is greener.”

The grass may be greener, but for how long? The mood around the media luncheon in Citizen Bank Park’s Hall of Fame Club overlooking the pastoral and eerily quiet ball diamond was that the Phillies weren’t simply going to make bids for players, cross their fingers and hope they get their man. Nope, Gillick and the gang emitted an aura that they were in control of the situation and were confident that they will add the bat into the middle of the lineup, get that fifth starter, and find a suitable set-up man or two to anchor the bullpen.

Really? The Phillies? Didn’t they once describe themselves as a small-market team not so long ago?

“I think our ownership and CEO are pretty practical. Anything we bring to them that makes sense, not only for the short term, but the long term, I don't think they'll be reluctant to make the move,” Gillick said. “But it has to make sense. If you have to make a commitment you have to figure that player is going to figure for you for whatever time you're obligated. If you have to give somebody four years and you only get three years, that's one thing. But if you give somebody four years and you only get one, that's a different story.”

So the hot-stove is heating up for the Phillies. Signing Soriano should be a piece of cake, right? Five years without a no-trade clause should do it?

“You can't ever be sure,” Gillick said. “But when you make these decisions, are you going to be in love with this guy a year from now as much as you're in love with him right now? That's a decision you're going to have to make. I don't know a lot of people that I want to be in love with for five years.”

Like Pat Burrell for instance. Gillick didn’t come right out and say that he was trying to find a suitable deal for the maligned left fielder and the Phillies this winter, but he didn’t deny it either. The same goes for Manuel who when asked about Burrell had a resigned tenor of someone who knew something was coming, but didn’t want to come right out and say it.

“What hurt Pat the most was that when we got to the seventh or eighth inning we had to get him out of the game,” Manuel said without the best poker face. “If he didn’t have the foot issues he might have had a season like he did two years ago.

“I haven't ruled out the fact that he's still on our club. I've always stood with Pat. He lost some at-bats [because of his foot].”

But Burrell holds all of the cards – at least all of the good ones. He also might hold the Phillies winter progress – or lack therof – in his hands. Sure, the Phillies seem to forging ahead as if they can sign all of the players they want and keep Burrell if he doesn’t agree to be moved, but the reality is the left fielder needs to go if the team is going to fulfill their off-season objectives.

Where or when that occurs is anyone’s guess.

More pitching
If the Phillies are not able to re-sign Wolf, Gillick says the fifth starter will likely come from outside the organization.

“We've got to get another starter, and I don't see that starter coming out of our organization. It'll have to come from outside,” Gillick said. “We've got some things to attend to from the starting standpoint and from the bullpen standpoint.”

Nonetheless, Gillick says he is much happier with the state of the rotation now than he was last year.

“This year we’ll open with Hamels and Moyer instead of (Gavin) Floyd and (Ryan Madson),” he said.

Manuel agrees with the GM noting that the rotation at the end of the season was the “best we’ve had in two years.”

Other luncheon notes
If the season were to end today, Ken Mandel's fantasy football team would be in the playoffs. This is despite the fact that Phillies.com writer's club has the least amount of points in the scribes football league.

On the outside and looking in is yours truly, who is running away with the points title but is just 4-4-1.

"We have to do better and I'll take full responsibility," I said in a release issued by the team.

A few writers were steamed that the availability with Charlie Manuel was held up by a TV reporter who wanted to talk to the manager about professional wrestling. Never mind the fact that the channel usually devotes a little less than 180 seconds to sports coverage every night.

Or that no one watches that channel.

Nevertheless, I'd like to know the skipper's thoughts on the Junkyard Dog or Jimmy "Super Fly" Snuka. If the segment gets on YouTube, please send me the link.

A monkey wrench

With a wife who is a teacher and a 2½-year-old son who spends his mornings in day care, I’m surrounded by people who spend their days in frappes of germs and other teeny-tiny microbe nastiness. As a result, I get colds from time to time though for the most part they are manageable.

But a little cold a few days before a marathon that I have trained months for isn’t ideal. Actually, it’s worrisome and adds more stress to an already stressful time.

Do I check into a hotel? Sleep at my mom’s house? Drink more than I already am? Orange juice?

What?

I hate sounding selfish, but I have worked pretty hard since the beginning of June to prepare for the run on Sunday. I changed my diet and habits and sacrificed things I would have enjoyed participating in. To blow the whole thing because my head and throat feels congested, well… sucks.

The plan is to keep running as I have planned, but to get even more sleep than planned. A nap to too along with extra fluids and vitamins might be in order too.

Nonetheless, I did today’s 5-mile tempo run in 27:41 though I felt as if I could have run faster. The workout wasn't hard, but it wasn't easy either. I definitely wanted to run around 27:15, but I held myself back during the middle miles.

Hopefully, this is just a passing thing.

I think I should get something to drink and wash my hands now.

Running nugget
Just who is this Marilson Gomes dos Santos character? Well, it seems as if he's a marathon runner who can command six-figure appearance fees starting now.

Interestingly, Runner's World web site was the only media in the U.S. (that I saw) that had any information on the Brazilian champion before his great run at the NYC Marathon. Needless to say, RW.com had something on dos Santos after the race, too.

Mmmmm... lunch

The local scribes and TV media have a luncheon with the Phillies’ new coaches, Charlie Manuel and Pat Gillick. Needless to say, events like this are the one time when media-types don’t show up for the free food.

Well, maybe they do…

Anyway, I’m sure the general manager will be a popular fellow this afternoon – much more popular than new coaches Jimy Williams, Art Howe and Davey Lopes. Then again, Mr. Howe’s stay with the Phillies could be very short. In fact, he won’t even be at the luncheon this afternoon.

Why? Well, Howe’s old pal and coach from his days as the manager of the Oakland A’s, Ron Washington, got the managerial job in Texas. As a result, Howe is off to interview for the bench coach gig on his friend’s staff.

Meanwhile, according to the adroit Todd Zolecki of the Inquirer, the Phillies decided not to make a bid for the negotiating rights for Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura. Instead, it appears as if the club will try to ink third basemen Mark DeRosa or Wes Helms to split time with Abraham Nunez.

The plan is to check in here with all of the tasty nuggets from the media luncheon. If someone spills mustard on their shirt or walks off with someone else’s computer bag , we’ll make sure to report it here.

Taper like the good Doctor

For as ambiguous as my training program seems, it does have it’s basics besides the consistent 100-mile weeks. For one thing, there is the Monday 20-plus miler. Then there is the mid-to-late week two-hour effort. And what about the regular hill work and fartlek?

After that, it’s whatever fits the mood.

Mixed amid this gumbo of inexplicableness is a rather ritualistic taper week. It’s ritualistic because I did it once and had success with it so I stuck with it. The day before the race I like to run 5k to 4 miles and then have a big breakfast/lunch. All of the other runs ranges from five to seven miles including the five-mile tempo run on the Tuesday before the race – Wednesday if I’m running in Boston – as well as a 10-miler on Monday.

I also try to get my race packet as soon as I can because I like to hole up in my house/hotel like Howard Hughes.

The plan always seemed to be rather haphazardly slapped together until I read the taper plan from Dr. Jack Daniels’ running formula. Even though I don’t like hard-and-fast rules, his taper week suggestions make so much sense that I’m going to follow his plan as closely as possible…

Except for that five-mile tempo run. I’m doing that on Tuesday.

Anyway, starting with Sunday’s 14-mile run I have been copying Daniels’ moves. Here’s his plan:

7 days to race: 90-minutes easy pace
6 days: 60-minutes easy pace, plus 4-6 strides
5 days: 2 miles easy pace, plus 4x1200 with 2-minutes easy, plus 2 miles easy
4 days: 30 to 50 minutes easy, plus 4-6 strides
3 days: 20 to 30 minutes easy, plus 4 strides
2 days: 0 to 20 minutes easy
1 day: 20 to 30 minutes easy

See, it looks like the stuff I had been doing all along. But since I dislike the track and intervals, I’m going to try to do 5 miles in 27 minutes instead. I’m also going to try to not get too far ahead of myself like I do in golf in the rare instance when I hit a nice, long drive down the center of the fairway. Inevitably I start thinking about my birdie putt instead of knocking my second shot onto the green and end up pulling my head and flubbing the approach.

In other words, stay focused and don’t count the chickens until they get their flu shots.

And, of course, that’s the hard part. The taper messes with my mind. It’s always so much easier to go out and run and train hard and build confidence than it is to cut back and retain that feeling of strength. Perhaps that is part of the allure of the marathon? It’s like chess, not checkers.

Anyway, today’s workout according to Dr. Daniels called for 60 minutes, so I ran 10 miles in 59:24. Add in the 79 seconds it took me to run from my house to F&M’s Baker Field and I got my hour.

Nevertheless, the 59:24 sounds pretty quick. In fact, it’s the fastest I have ever run over 10 miles on the Baker Field loop. But for some reason it felt incredibly easy – it was so easy that I tried to slow myself down after going through the first five miles in 29:16.

I’m starting to get the feeling that I’m in decent shape. Then again, running a good marathon takes a lot more than simply being in shape.

Running nugget
Here's a pretty good story about a couple of pacesetters (a.k.a. rabbits) in yesterday's New York City Marathon from Liz Robbins in The New York Times. Apparently the NYRRC is not going to hire pacesetters for the 2007 race... that's fine. The field won't be so deep in 2007 since the U.S. Olympic Trials will be held the day before the main marathon.

Foreign markets

One of my biggest criticisms of the Phillies over the years was (and is) the club’s reluctance to tap into the foreign-player talent pool. During the past decade it seemed as if the top Japanese and Latin Americans were completely ignored by the local team. When it came time to negotiate or put out overtures in attempt to sign one of the top foreign players, the Phillies were always out trying to convince players like J.D. Drew to sign with them.

Based on the Phillies abhorrent history in regards to integration and race issues during the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. As stated earlier in these pages, read Penn historian William C. Kashatus’ careful examination of these days in September Swoon: Richie Allen, the ’64 Phillies, and Racial Integration. If one is wondering why the Phillies have won just a lone World Series since 1883, this book might hold some of the answers.

Nevertheless, the Phillies did open a baseball academy in Venezuela recently but closed it a few years back because of the civil unrest during the 2002 coup d’etat. The team has also signed a few Dominican players, but no one as notable as Placido Polanco – who attended school in Miami – and Jose Mesa.

Last winter I suggested that the Phillies would be well served to sign Kenji Johjima, the 30-year-old Japanese catcher who played 144 games for the Mariners in 2006, slugging 18 homers with 79 RBIs and a .291 batting average (.783 OPS), but, well, you know…

During the past decade and a half, the Phillies have not had a single Japanese player on the roster and it seems as if the closest the team ever got to having a player from Japan on the payroll was when Scott Rolen threatened to kick the holy-you-know-what out of Hideo Nomo in a famous incident in the bowels of the Vet.

But according to recent reports the Phillies are interested in Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The 27-year old is a lefty hitter who batted .311 with 32 home runs, 77 RBI and a .389 OBP in 2006 for the Yakult Swallows, which doesn’t fit the Phillies’ expressed need for a right-handed bat to break up the batting order with lefties Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. However, Iwamura could fit in nicely with the Phillies. Manager Charlie Manuel was a popular player and star for the Swallows during the 1970s, and general manager Pat Gillick has had an eye for gleaning and signing top talent from the Far East.

After all, it was Gillick who brought Ichiro Suzuki to Seattle during his GM days there.

Still, signing Iwamura seems like a long shot. The Indians, Red Sox and Padres are also reportedly interested in the third baseman. In order to get negotiating rights with Iwamura, the Phillies have to out-bid other teams in a silent auction “posting” period. If they do that, the Phillies have just 30 days to negotiate and sign the player before the next team gets a crack at him.

Plan B is to sign Penn alum Mark DeRosa or veteran lumbering slugger Wes Helms to split time at third base with Abraham Nunez.

The Phillies’ other needs – catcher and the bullpen – aren’t being attacked with the same alacrity as dealing away Pat Burrell or making overtures to free-agent Alfonso Soriano. Nevertheless, it seems likely that the Phillies will go with Chris Coste and Carlos Ruiz behind the plate in 2007.

My suggestion? If the economics are right, Mike Piazza might be a decent option as a part-time catcher. The Padres didn’t pick-up the future Hall-of-Famer’s option so he should be out there.

If the price is right, why not?

The free-agent bidding period begins on Nov. 12.

Everyone ready?