Amazing Race – Men’s 800m Final

I typically like longer races like the 1500m and the 5000m, but the Men’s 800m Final was one of the best races I have ever watched. The moved Nick Symmonds made was phenomenal, and to see Andrew Wheating kick down the stretch for second was great. That’s not to mention Christian Smith’s full out dive at the finish line for 3rd. If you haven’t watched the race yet do yourself a favor and do so -right- now: Men’s 800m Final – Olympic Trials

The race literally gave me chills, and not just because I appreciate running, the heart required, and the instincts and intelligence required to run the longer distances, but because I’m a Prefontaine fan. Eugene is the Track Town USA. The fans know track, they understand it (most people don’t – not in the same way). Like me, they realized what they were witness. You can’t tell from the first video, but that track was as loud as it was during the Days of “Pre.”

More links:

This is -crappy- video quality, but will give you a great indication of just how loud the crowd was –> Check out How Loud the Crowd Is in Eugene

Here’s another good article: Weating Sparks Memories of Pre

Best Motivational Sports Quotes?

What gets you supercharged before a big game?

There are some guys that cut clippings from newspapers that feature smacktalk from opponents. There are other guys that listen to their favorite jams. Here are a few of my favorites. Some clowns bang their heads against their locker. Other athletes take naps, read, etc. One of the most prominent ways to get pumped before a big game is to read some of your favorite motivational sports quotes.

For a solid collection, and one of the best inspirational speeches in a movie check out This Squidoo Lens .

The lens features some great quotes by some of the most quotable sports personalities ever, including Steve Prefontaine, Vnce Lombardi, Yogi Berra, and many others.

So, what’s your favorite sports quote? Who do you think is the most quotable sports personality ever?

Hot Sports Debates?

Aside from politics, and religion, sports seems to be one of the most heavily debated topics, but unlike the other two, it usually a lot of fun and doesn’t get near as ugly. You don’t have to look much further than Fannation’s Throwdowns to know that people love debating virtually -anything- with respect to sports.

So what are some of the most popular recent sports debates?

The Best Running Back Not Named Jim Brown ?

The BCS Debate

Should Female Athletes Pose Nude? — Thanks Ashley Harkleroad

Cardio or Interval Training?

What are some others you would add? SEC vs. Big 12 in college football? Boston or New York? Kobe or MJ? Include current, interesting debates in the comments section…

Passionate or Just Weird? KG’s Post Game Interview

Just a quick update today. I am really psyched that Kevin Garnett finally got a much deserved championship, but this post-game interview, although passionate as hell, was just a little weird/awkward for me. Take a peak at Ben Casnocha’s post, watch the embedded clip, and decide for yourself.

Passion in Action: Kevin Garnett’s Post Game Interview

Weigh in. Share your thoughts in the comments section!

Tiger, and Why I Watch Sports

People always ask me who my favorite players are in sports. And I have a few, Tiger Woods is one of them. His performance today, injured knee and all, solidified that in my mind. But the thing is, I really don’t have that many favorite players (aside from guys I played baseball with or against at one point) or teams.

I watch sports because I want to see people defy the logical, I want to see them reach deep down and find something within themselves; I want them to will themselves to accomplish feats and do things they are not supposed to be capable of doing. Tiger did that this weekend. Steve Prefontaine did that alot. Team USA’s 1980 Hockey team did it. Oh, and for the record Rocco Mediate deserves -huge- props for his performance as well.

As a tribute to Tiger’s US Open victory, and athletes who’ve accomplished the impossible, how about a few videos? We’ll start with Tiger!

How often do you see Tiger Woods show this much emotion?

Those of you that don’t understand running, won’t understand why one of the most celebrated races of all time was a 4th place finish by the American, but that 21-year old kid showed the world just how big his heart was.

Here’s one more, and maybe one you wouldn’t expect from me:

My ALL TIME FAVORITE, aside from Prefontaine’s 1972 Munich Olympics, has to be Kirk Gibson’s home run again the A’s in the World Series. Share your favorite sports moments that defy logic, that display courage, heart, and determination.
 

What Constitutes a Sport?

One of the things that The Chin Music prides itself on is finding unique approaches to covering sports. In addition, we like highlighting unique sports (or things that could possibly be considered sports). This does not include softball, which is not a sport. No, I couldn’t hit Jenny Finch if I had to, but any game where you can be a ‘slapper’ or a ‘dragger’ and just run at the ball, Ichiro style, chop it to the mound and beat it out is NOT a sport.

Our post about ultimate frisbee ruffled a few feathers when we suggested that the only people that typically play are nerds on college campuses. Thanks to Luke Hancock for his guest post clarifying some things with respect to ultimate frisbee.

All of this brings me to the question of what constitutes a sport? Is weight-lifting a sport? What about pitching horseshoes? What about the most absurd “sport” ever… chess boxing ?

I don’t think enough people acknowledge chess boxing for it to be considered a sport, but certainly it’s more challenging than softball, right? Just the other day a young lady introduced me to another obscure ‘sport.’ Now I do not think she’d presume to call it a sport, but it can help photographers get legs like tennis players (or so she claims), and I’m definitely not opposed to that.

 So? What’s the ‘sport’ in question? Walkography! Now, I don’t think there are very many people that are going to be accused of calling it a sport, but it’s certainly something new and interesting. Also, I would definitely recommend it over getting fat and out of shape.

Hopefully, the author of the lens will contribute a post early next week explaining/clarifying some things about walkography. In the meantime, voice your opinion, what constitutes a sport in your opinion? Should the ‘sports’ mentioned in this post be considered sports?

Ultimate Frisbee is a REAL Sport

The following post is a contribution from a guest blogger in an attempt to shed some light and refute someof the common misconceptions surrounding ultimate frisbee. His opinions and ideas do not necessarily reflect those of The Chin Music Staff. Luke Hancock is a 34-year-old ultimate frisbee veteran.He is currently participates in a league in Greensboro, NC and plays every sunday and Tuesday.

 

 

What is ultimate frisbee? Is it a simple game of catch with any frisbee?

NO. This is the common misconseption of the average American in regards to Ultimate Frisbee. Everyday I hear “Ultimate frisbee isn’t a sport.” I think that their ignorance is funny.

Check out the History of Ultimate Frisbee 

Do you have to be athletic to play Ultimate frisbee?
Ultimate frisbee is a game of constant sprints and diving catches. Trust me, you have to be fit to play Ultimate. If you can’t run, you can’t play ultimate. It goes like this; when you are on offense, you are constantly sprinting to get open, and when you are on defense you are constantly sprinting to catch up with the guy running away from you.

Are their even strategies in Ultimate Frisbee?
Along with every other major sport, their are strategies in Ultimate Frisbee, including zone offense, zone defense, horizontal offense, and stack offense (vert).

Check out some explanation of Ultimate strategies & terminlogy.

How hard could it be to throw a frisbee?
Well the basic throw (backhand) is fairly simple, but their are A LOT more throws than that. To really compete, you will need to know how to throw a flick, backhand, hammer, scoober, thummer, full-field huck, and push pass.

How is ultimate frisbee a sport, are their even real games?
Of course their are real games. I played on my High school ultimate team for four years, and I am currently in a league in Greensboro NC. Also, their are national championships each year as well as college championships.

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Note from the Admin:
In case you missed it in the previous post, the one Luke is responding to, check out his Squidoo Lens on Ultimate Frisbee; it’s one of the most comprehensive and thorough lenses I have seen with respect to -any- sport.

Squidoo Gives Sports Enthusiasts a Voice

The Chin Music is a sports blog dedicated to facilitating discussion about sports. The blog aims to target sports enthusiasts who want their voices heard.

 Squidoo is a great platform for flaunting your expertise, and it’s one that more and more passionate sports fans are using to showcase their interests. Not every blog has the staff to be as thorough, as say Deadspin [sucks Leitch is leaving], but hopefully the Chin Music will pull together resources that will provide fans with consistently interesting content.

Squidoo Lenses will be one of the resources we rely on because we don’t like the sound of our voice, we want to hear yours, and Squidoo Lensmasters aren’t scared to share. In fact, do you want to write a blog post for this blog? We’d be happy to let you have free reign provided the intention is to spark discussion related to unique sports-related content.

Maybe you’re square in the middle of Fantasy Baseball and you have a lame team name, and you’re looking for an upgrade. If your team name is Matt’s Mashers or Bill’s Baseball Squad then please check out this lens, Ideas for a Good Fantasy Sports Team Name, and see if you can’t come up with something significantly better.

If you just got a new haircut and you’re looking to score some ladies at the gym then maybe you should check out 10 Steps to Skyrocket Your Testosterone.

Oh, you’re tired of sports where you need to be bulky and jacked? Well I don’t know if you want to consider it a sport, but here’s everything you will ever need to know about Ultimate Frisbee. I won’t lie, the few times I have played I have enjoyed it (though not near as much as traditional sports); however, 9 times out of 10 the people I see playing it are dorks on the library lawn of their college campus. I can’t associate with those guys, I just a got a new f’n haircut.

Want to be heard? Have something interesting to contribute? Want to guest blog? Have a Squidoo lens or other link you’d like featured? Leave a comment and we’ll work something out. Or maybe you’re just bitter because you don’t stick a needle in your ass or grunt in the gym. It’s even possible that you have a legitimate case why ultimate frisbee is a real sport. If that’s the case, again, please leave a comment. We’re new, we need feedback to stroke our ego.