Erin Go Bragh

Wishing everyone a very Happy St. Patrick's Day today. I will be getting some Corned Beef and Cabbage for lunch today. I especially miss the days of working in NYC on days like today. It was always a great time heading up to the Parade and stopping at the Blarney Stone for lunch.

Picture borrowed from http://www.theonion.com/

The meaning of Erin Go Bragh

The Biggest Loser

When the show first aired back in 2004 I refused to watch it. I couldn't watch a show that was calling fat people losers. I guess I shouldn't have judged the book by the cover. Then when season 2 started in 2005 friends convinced me that I should check it out, that they think I might like it.

They were right I immediately fell in love with the show. I was at the time 330 pounds and the show brought me hope that I could get off the sofa, change my eating habits and really change my life. I've mentioned it before that it was specifically the episode that Pete Thomas was voted off that got me off the sofa. I credit that episode (and you Pete) with giving me the motivation to lose 113 pounds (I have put a few back on - but I am working on that).

But in all the seasons I have watched, and no I have not missed an episode since I started watching, tonight's episode was the best episode I think I have ever seen. Note, that I didn't say I agreed with everything on the show tonight. But as a whole I thought the show was great.

iPhone Apps for Runners

Consider this my one good deed for the day.

I received an email last night (early morning) that may apply to some of you.

We just posted an article, “50 Awesome iPhone Apps for Runners” (http://www.rncentral.com/nursing-library/careplans/50_iphone_apps_for_runners). I thought I'd bring it to your attention in case you think your readers would find it interesting.

So there you go, go get your apps. I do not own a iPhone, nor do I have any idea what an app is for an iPhone. But go take a look and I hope it helps you.

The Joys of Fatherhood

In another life many, many years ago I was a high school wrestler, all be it, not a very good one. I was on the team but was strictly there as a back-up, and to be a workout partner for my friend who was the starter. Although I was not very good, I did go on after high school to become a wrestling coach in my town. I was the co-head coach for the Old Bridge Mat Rats (this is where OBRATS came from). And if I do say so myself I was actually a pretty good coach, I guess it is true what they say - those who can't do teach (I am going to be in so much trouble for that line). After getting married and leaving Old Bridge I thought I would get into coaching some day down the line when my son (who wasn't born yet) got into wrestling.

To make a long story short, Liam was born and as he got old enough to wrestle I would ask Liam do you want to do wrestling this year? And every year was a NO! But I keep asking and hoping someday he may change his mind. Wrestling is very big in New Jersey and kids start at 4 years old around these parts. I was just at a tournament last weekend watching my 5 year old nephew and his 13 year old brother wrestle.

So you could imagine the joy on my face when I came home from work last night and saw this book last night waiting for me on the kitchen table. I go back to work one night a week and I get home when the kids are already in bed. And last night Kim had them at the Library while I was at work. I had a smile from ear to ear thinking Liam has finally come around. O.K. wrestling season is ending for this year but ok next year is good. I had a great night of sleep, had nice dreams of my son learning wrestling from his dad.

Then I woke up and as I was making breakfast for the kids (Liam still sleeping at this point) CAITLYN comes in and says to me "DAD DID YOU SEE THE BOOK I GOT FROM THE LIBRARY LAST NIGHT?" Yes Caitlyn is one of my 6 year old twin daughters. I am all for equal rights and all but I really hope she doesn't want to wrestle with the boys. Well come to think of it she might be tougher than Liam (I hope Liam never reads this).

Well on that note I wish all the New Jersey High School Kids that qualified for the New Jersey Wrestling Championships in Atlantic City this weekend the best of luck.

btw.... yes I staged the picture with the fruit so you think I am eating healthy.

Dane Patterson Marathoner Continued...

Last night when I should have been sleeping I threw up a post about Dane and his marathon. I hope to do a better post at this time.

To be honest Pat's does a really good job of covering the story. Or you could go to the link that I linked to last night and read the comment from Dane's wife. Melancholy Smile: WE DID IT! Also I think the race did the right thing in not listing Dane as a finisher of the race RACE RESULTS.

But let me just state this. Anyone that knows me knows that I love the Biggest Loser. I actually credit Pete Thomas (season 2 $100,000 winner) with inspiring me to get off the couch. I had to do the work, but not sure I would have if I didn't find inspiration from Pete.

I don't want anyone to take this post or last nights post as me coming down on Dane. That could not be further from the truth. I find Dane incredibly inspiring and I am sure he has inspired MANY people as Pete did. The guy lost 100 pounds in 8 weeks. Did you read that correctly? 100 POUNDS IN 8 WEEKS. That is just insane.

NBC on the other hand, and as Pat said, the Producers of the show I do have a problem with. You can't get on national TV and say this man just ran a sub 4 hour marathon. Do they realize the amount of training that it takes to run sub 4 hours? So when I saw that they said that, I as a runner/triathlete, immediately thought something did not sound right. Again no offense to Dane it just didn't add up at this point. I hope Dane does train and go out and run a sub 4 hour marathon, Lord knows I will never be able to run a sub 4 hour marathon.

So just want to make sure I cleared a few points up.

• I don't in anyway think that Dane is dis-honest, this is TV people doing what they do best.
• I think Dane is amazing. And more importantly I think he has inspired numerous amounts of people in his journey.
• NBC Producers should really think about what they are putting out for the general public. They did the same thing with Blaine's tape.
  

OK time to get off my soap box. OK it's not night but after I have my coffee and re-read this I may change if it is not clear to me.

"What have you done today to make you feel proud?"

Dane Patterson - Marathoner?

Well I was very happy to see that Dane from the Biggest Loser finished a marathon after getting voted out of the Biggest Loser house. So I did some searching on-line (boy I love the Internet). And it turns out I am not so sure he did finish a marathon. Not without the help of a CAR. In my searches I came across this blog, check out her last paragraph from her post. She did finish the marathon.

Why does NBC feel the need to lie to us?

2009 ING NYC Marathon

Guess what? ING NYC Marathon lottery entry is now open. So if you were waiting like I was to get into the lottery go throw your hat in the ring. HERE IS THE LINK.

This is my 3rd year in the lottery so if I don't get in this year I will automatically be accepted next year. The funny thing about this year is, if I get accepted I can't run. We booked a week cruise this year which leaves from Baltimore on November 1st, the same day as the marathon. But should I get in this year I am allowed to defer it one year. So looks like 2010 will be my first NYC Marathon. But to be eligible for the automatic entry you have to have applied and denied for 3 consecutive years. So I had no choice but to enter even though I couldn't run anyway.

Is it me or did they really jack up the price this year? I thought it was something like $100.00 the past two years and this year is $170.00. I am sure it will not deter too many from entering.

So if you are entering the lottery best of luck to you this year. But if not maybe we can run it together in 2010.