Corporate Challenge

I had the treat of competing on behalf of Regions Bank in the Corporate Challenge this weekend. It is a friendly competition among companies in the greater Indianapolis area that has a few different events for people of all skill levels and abilities. I, being a runner of sorts, took part in the 2 shortest running events available. They were the half mile and a sprint relay. I ran the 400 of the sprint relay, which was a treat as compared to the 1/2 mile. I think I was a little over anxious on the 1/2 because I kept running with the leaders for the first 200m. I knew I didn't want to and couldn't for an extended period, but the pressure of the pack just kept pushing me.

The 400 was much easier to contain my enthusiasm. I even let a girl run out in front of me for the first 200. Once I knew I could kick it home at about 250 I opened it up and ran around 1:10. Not good by any stretch of the imagination, but considering my training and effort I was pleased. I think I could have gone 1.00 flat if it would have been my first race, without too much problem.

I also competed in the bowling event the night before. It was a unique format where with 5 bowlers you each bowl 2 frames per game. Your team gets a score based on the total after 4 games. We came up with 611, which averages just over 152 per game. I guess I'll take it. We ended up 1st in our division for this event which was a pleasant surprise, since I thought we didn't do very well at the time.

Softball

I've been playing softball for about 8 years, and I've never been on a dominant team. What used to happen was I'd start off on a church team, and then as the season went along my team would get injured (because they are old) and I'd replace them with guys that were young and athletic. We'd be good, but just because we would run around like crazy. We had some good athletes, but most of them did not have baseball/softball as their primary sport. This was fun, but often frustrating when fly balls would be dropped into triples.

This year is different. We have multiple collegiate level baseball players as well as a bunch of good athletes. I played outfield in high school and I'm not one of the top 4 outfielders on our team. I have, however found my calling as a middle reliever for our stacked team.

Last night we were losing going into the 7th inning both games. We ended up scoring and winning both games. We didn't play our best, and didn't have some of our best players, but we still pulled it off. That brings our record to 7-1. Its a lot more fun being on the winning side of these games because I know the other side, from two years ago when the only time we didn't lose was when we forfeited.

NBA Playoffs

I've been one of the harshest critics of the NBA over the last 5 years, but what I've seen recently has me changing my tune. With the performances I've seen from Kobe, Lebron, Carmelo and Dwight Howard are making me think about following the game again. It will be difficult to sit through 82 games to get to the playoffs where sub .500 teams get in, and the playoffs take 2+ months to complete. If you didn't see the last 5 minutes of the Cleavland/Orlando games the last few nights, you missed out. Both games literally went down to the last shot, both taken by Cleavland. One went in, did not. Both were fantastic.

The Pacers have always been my team, and they have a long way to go, but in the mean time this tournament is appointment/must see TV.

Bowling Alley

I had my 3rd brush with stardom this weekend. I was at woodland bowl on 96th street meeting some friends from work for some fun at the alley after work. We were standing around talking, waiting for the others to arrive. The next thing I know, I see a well built black man carrying a bowling ball walking towards the door to leave the alley. It was Joseph Addai.
I recognized him immediately and waved. He saw I too was holding my own bowling ball, knew I was cool, and nodded his head back in recognition of my wave.

This will go down with the times I saw Peyton Manning at the airport, and Rick Smits, also at the airport.

BTW I threw a 206 in my third game.

Cal vs. Oregon

You may have heard about the recruiting debacle that took place in Northern Nevada less than a week ago. A Senior offensive lineman Kevin Hart wanted to play division I college football. Probably more than he wanted to play he wanted others to think he could play D-I. So, he held a press conference with his family, friends and the school band. He announced he would go to Cal, electing them over Oregon. His bubble burst when someone from those schools said, "who's Kevin Hart?" Neither school had heard of him. He fabricated the whole story. I can only imagine how it started, but I see how it ended. Also, what was he thinking every time he told this lie? How much turmoil was in the pit of his stomach every day.

I'm glad I have reasonable expectations set by myself and my family. I don't know where this idea came from, but I would be surprised if it was all his idea.

I pray that I never push a loved one or friend to a behavior such as this.

Mike Vick

I just was watching ESPN and saw Mike Vick's press conference where he said that through his dog fighting ordeal he found Jesus and had given his life to God. Interesting when people find Jesus...

ESPN Radio Moment of the Day

Colin Cowherd was reliving what took place in his hotel last night. He said the couple next door wouldn't knock it off and there was a band playing down the hall. He said, "I know there are a lot of good looking people in Los Angeles, and I know good looking people make out all the time, but can't their be a curfew on the sex?" He then went on to say, "Good looking people make out all the time in Los Angeles, I mean, I went to the grocery store and people were making out all over the place."

Unbelieveable.

Tom Brady part 2.

So, the news on ESPN today is that Tom Brady knocked up his ex. One caller called in and asked Colin Cowherd, "Isn't he dating like the hottest model in the world?" He said, "No, he's dating Janet Reno, and he just broke up with Margret Thatcher."

40 Yard Dash

Here is a link that you should look at. Many people ask me about 40 yard dashes. I love when some high school running back tells me he runs a 4.5, or when someone says so and so runs a 4.3. 40 Yard Dash.

Tom Brady