A scene of personal triumph, and basketball starts today!

We all get a sense of accomplishment when we finish something, right?

A significant project at work, some renovation around the house (except for those of us whose best home-improvement tool is the voice to ask Super Wife to call The Guy to fix The Thing) or something in our personal life that finally gets done.

Well, I have to tell you, watching those people – half-marathoners, marathoners, 5- or 10-guy recreational runners) come across the wind-swept finish line downtown on Sunday was something else.

It didn’t matter whether they ran in 40 minutes or two hours, whether they set personal best times or simply survived, when they finished, they felt proud.

And that’s really what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Pushing yourself to a limit, working hard to achieve a goal no matter how small or how big. When it’s done, when the job is complete, it’s cool.

I don’t know how many people I saw, all in the middle of the pack, joined by strangers with similar skills, cross the line and throw their arms in the air.

They hadn’t “won” anything of significance but that wasn’t at all what it was about. It was about doing something they loved, something that challenged them, something that gave them a measure of personal satisfaction that we cannot comprehend from afar.

It was cool.

Now, I’m not about to turn into some mushy dude who gets all teary-eyed at the thought of the triumph of the human spirit (what fun is there in that?) but for a couple of hours of one day, it was kind of neat. It was also the first marathon I’ve covered so there’s that. I do ‘em all the time if there was an obvious story line like the one that popped up on Sunday.

And it kind of reminded me that there are all kinds of levels of “sports” that keep thousands engaged and going. That’s not a bad thing, at all.

Now, where’s my snark?

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A glimpse into the mind of a grunt

Driving back from Niagara early Sunday to get to my marathon – oh, and thanks province for closing the QEW at Stoney Creek and making me circle Hamilton to get back – and American Woman comes on the radio.

Starts me thinking:

Burton Cummings can sing.

I like Running Back To Saskatoon, too.

Hmm, songs about cities?

What are the best?

Presto:

(In no particular order and I realize there a thousand others)

Running Back To Saskatoon

A fop to Canada? No, a good song.

New York, New York

Omnipresent? Maybe. But it’s still Francis Albert.

Katmandu

Bob Seger could belt ‘em out, no?

Dancing In The Street

Martha and the Vandellas, not technically about a “city” but it’s my gig here and I can set the parameters.

And this …

You knew Springsteen would here, right?

Great song, great city and the first one that popped to mind when the thought process was unfolding.

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Basketball?

There is some, actually.

The EuroLeague starts today with Zalgaris Kaunas (yes, and Old Friend Sonny Weems) against CSKA Moscow, where Andrei Kirilenko is hanging out during the lockout.

Not sure if we can see it here because the last time I tried to get into ESPN3 it was blocked out and a 7 a.m. Oct. 17 check of NBA TV Canada’s listing had shows for Oct. 9-17 (thanks, folks) but if you can find it, there are a couple of things to watch for.

Far more drive-and-kick action from the guards, enough moving screens that you think you’re looking at a Boston Celtics highlight video, and a whole lot of high-post action.

It’s certainly not the NBA because the depth of talent isn’t quite there but, as we’ve said all along, just because it’s different doesn’t mean its worse.

As a primer, here’s the league’s website preview box.

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Hey, you folks should come over to the Faceoff Facebook thingy.

Not sure how well it’s going but it seems to be fun and, frankly, the more likes the better.

We’re trying to figure out different things to do, a FAQ seems to be one of them, so any suggestions welcome.

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Best new-ish fad in all of pro sports?

Football players jumping in the stands after scoring a touchdown.

Not sure why, but it seems very cool to me and a lot of fun.

I know it was the Lambeau Leap to begin with but now that it seems to be spreading a bit, that’s even better.

Easily beats those goofy choreographed end zone celebrations that make the eyes glaze over, doesn’t it?

Watching guys dance or hug each other or put on some elaborate show (remember the dude who pretended there was a cellphone attached to the goal post?) was and is boring.

Seeing guys leap into the stands is not.

Now, I do know there was one touchdown celebration that really caught on.

You remember this? (Sorry it takes a minute or so to get to it)

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Basketball?

Sure, just as an update.

Don’t forget the American federal mediator starts chatting with David and Billy and The Boys today to try to break this logjam.

Be prepared for more endless updates that offer precious little for those wanting to know when games actually begin.

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Quick seamhead question:

That Marcum for Hobbs deal’s looking pretty good today, no?

I know, I know. No way the Brewers get to the post-season if it wasn’t for Marcum’s regular season efforts most likely and the TOD, despite Lawrie’s debut, are spending another fall watching games on TV.

Still …

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Comments

[TLI]

Bests:
"Dirty Water" The Standells (Boston)
"Oh Atlanta!" Little Feat (uh... Atlanta?)

[jimt]

This link might b just the ticket :) if you wanna watch some Sonny ball!
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/sport/basketball.html?game=basketball

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Marcum for Hobbs? Oh yeah, that's a pretty sweet deal. Have to feel for Marcum, though. Wonder if he's got some "dead arm" issues or something; he's a far better pitcher than he's shown these past few weeks. Anyone who wonders whether small-market teams have a snowball's chance – those Brewers are a pretty good disclaimer.
City songs? Well now, you've got "I left my heart in San Francisco, I left my spleen in New Orleans" and then there's "The Chattanooga Choo Choo" (which hasn't existed for decades now) but "The Last Train to Clarksville" lives on; and you've got your "Buffalo Gals" and your "Englishman in New York". But this might be my favourite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9mwELXPGbA
Cheers.

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
Current faves in the Songs About Canadian Places (the Canadian Cities playlist is pretty sparse, sadly) Genre:
Joel Plaskett:
http://youtu.be/XtU2RtaXjLw
and Great Big Sea, of course - hope you've all had the chance to see these guys live!
http://youtu.be/7XzSeu3Eso4
and Stan Rogers (and this is the song one should finish their run with: just so damned inspiring!)
http://youtu.be/YuKuUbCNk1A
And I like what you wrote about running. I've participated in a bunch of charity runs over the years - and while a mere 10k's my personal best distance - the feeling of comraderie with the other runners during the race and the joy and relief when you complete it, well it may not be Olympian stuff, but you don't ever forget that feeling. Cheers!

[Steph]

Very nice acknowledgement of runner’s personal efforts and goals. As a newer runner, 2 years now and at 50+ with a goal of running 800 k this year you're absolutely right about feeling good about achieving such a goal. This morning’s short run, 4k because I have a basketball game tonight is as much an accomplishment as when I complete a long run, for me 15k. The best feeling is the basketball game, or the tennis game, or baseball game where I’m able to perform better because of the effort from getting in better shape. By the way I’m @ 692 k so far this year.
..
I would like to meet up with Jack Armstrong and have a run with him, preferably the day of a game and enjoy a few beverages after the game.
..
Is this facebook thing a temporary thing until the league starts up? I hope so.

[Mike D.]

Best Lambeau Leap ever was still on a commercial (I think it was for Campbell's Soup), and had the Packers' 300-pound offensive guard Aaron Taylor "doing" the leap....all you got to see was this huge shadow looming across a bunch of frightened-looking "Lambeau fans". Hysterical.

[bob]

Doug:

Your alltime favourite chubby ball players. Go.

Blogger's note: Gimme a day or two

[Mike kovacs]

The Weakerthans and 'I Hate Winnipeg" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq_s_q0u2DA

[john]

Bobcaygeon

[Nick M]

I've never been to 'Paradise City' or no where it is...
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But it sure sounds like a great place!

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Somebody beat me to "I Hate Winnipeg," so I'll add New York City by The Demics and Los Angeles by Frank Black. And an old favourite, Wichita Line Man by Glen Campbell (way better than Galveston).

Any idea why Bob Seager spelled Kathmandu wrong?

A/

[Mike kovacs]

@andrew - I should have remembered about The Demics since they are one of London's finest!

[m]

Ever got to Texas? they write tunes about all their towns, Dallas, Houston, Galveston, (Is Anyone Goin' to) San Antone, El Paso, Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross your Mind?, La Grange et al.

[GM]

How about some west coast representation! Hot Hot Heat's YVR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjgifTxX3oo

And Victoria, BC, is referenced in the Kinks' Victoria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VzsQoR806c&feature=related

And for fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTGPbFMSCrE

[Mike kovacs]

If we are including airports then, of course, Rush and 'YYZ'

[doug]

funny you mention about American Woman today...as I was reading a article about Lenny Kravitz this morning (I also like his version) and I never knew this....his mother in real life, played Helen Willis on the Jefferson's...now that's interesting trivia...and when I was watching that marathon yesterday i decided I am going to start training , put it on my bucket list and then scratch it off, I agree with you, watching those runners yesterday was touching in a way it has inspired me, sure the elite runners are a marvel but watching I could see those first-timers and what a accomplishment....you should see how many you can get to make it a goal....ok cheers,

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
That's it then: An Irregular Running Group. Brilliant! Look what you've started. Let's all train for a few months in our own towns and cities, and then, on the weekend of Doug's BirthWeek (cause it's good weather by then, right?) we meet somewhere centrally located (Casa Doug???) do a 10-km run (not too long, nor embarrasingly short - plus I know I can finish that distance!), and then afterwards Doug will host us all for a fine meal of bbq ribs and beer and birthday cake? We can even choose a charity to support (and not The Grizzled Grunt Benevolent Fund!) and we'll promise to leave within 48 hours of completion of the run. Whaddya think???

Blogger's note: I think the idea has some merit, and months and months to put together

[doug]

@ Lori I think it's a brilliant idea, we can donate it all to the Terry Fox Run, whether people run,walk, ride a bike whatever,,,it's all participaction...I am determined to do this as others on here should...i remember last year or maybe earlier this year (who knows my mind can't remember what I did last week), that Peter King of S.I. fame trained and ran a marathon he said it was the most invigorating thing he did...and I concur.after watching yesterday..we should call it the Doug Smith's Irregular charity run, in the foot steps of the late Jim Proudfoot ....and a great line from Seinfeld I am just watching is Kramer's..."your as good looking as all of them you just need a nose job"...classic, brutal honesty...

[Richard Y]

I have never run nor been so inclined, but if the DSICR (Doug Smith's Irregular Charity Run) is really going to happen, I would consider it.

As far as songs with place names, hard to beat Stompin Tom Connors for number of places mentioned in one song.

[doug]

I just went over your noon hour football blog...and you guys missed the boat with Romo and Dallas yesterday...it wasn't on him at all...Dallas had the ball with about 2:30 left, they ran 2 running plays, and then a offside call left them with a 3rd and 15 or so....far to conservative play calling by Jason Garrett he has flown under the radar..he calls the plays, everyone and his mother knew you couldn't give the ball back to Brady then...Dallas needed to go for a first down....Romo is the easy target Jason Garrett never coached to win ....with Witten and those receivers you have to be aggressive, and who is this Filson dude he knows squat about football...

[Eric-in-NS]

Will you include virtual runners?

[Steph]

Lorie as always, your brilliant. A charity run for what ever organization in the name of our favorite grunt is something that I would participate in. Doug, choose an organization and a date and I will be there. It's a long time coming, meeting fellow irregulars, this might just be the incentive for one and all to come together for a worthy cause.