Photos by Dave Kotinsky
The NFL has a new Run Series this season to encourage fans to exercise more (that way you can consume more chicken wings and beer on Football Sundays). At various stadiums around the country, runners (and some walkers) completed a 5K this Saturday. The route is around the mostly-empty stadium parking lot and surrounding roads -- not the most scenic jog. However, you end the race on the actual field to the cheers of ... a few moderately-interested onlookers, but it's still a cool experience.
I participated in the Jets-sponsored run at MetLife Stadium. Getting to walk out on the field early in the morning, with very few people around is kind of overwhelming. I can't imagine being out there when it's full off (oft-angry) shouting fans in green. However, Saturday morning, a large group of hopeful Jets fans showed up to get a jogger's high before their couch-potato Sunday, and you could feel the excitement ... and even hope for the new season, despite Mark Sanchez still being on the roster. And hey, Geno Smith might just keep the starting job now.
It was a very family friendly event. Even though there was a "tailgate party" promised to the runners, I saw no beer, no grilled meat and no Cornhole. Hell, I didn't even see a fat guy sitting on the tailgate of his truck. To me, without those items, you cannot call it a tailgate. Also, I expected the Flight Crew Cheerleaders to be at the finish line, cheering us on. I swear I saw a photo of that happening at another one of the NFL Runs, but I can't find it now. Maybe I dreamed it? Anyway, there were two Crew members on hand for photos.
Check their schedule and if the NFL Run Series is coming to your town, get your lazy ass down there and do something healthy.
Former Jets Defensive Lineman and member of the New York Sack Exchange, Marty Lyons is obviously a huge fans of Guy Code. Look at the excitement on his face.
I won! ... A participation medal. Everyone got one, even the people who crawled across the finish line. Still, it's a medal and I'm going to brag about it.
This part is really cool. The last 40 yards before the finish line, they time your 40-yard dash. I ran a 6.13. To put that in perspective, lineman Lane Johnson runs it in 4.75. Sure, I ran three miles first, but he also has over 125 pounds on me.
Happy it's over and I can just watch football.
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