racingmeridian.com

The last moments of marathon swimmer Diana Nyad’s attempt to traverse the 103 mile distance between Cuba and Key West were heartbreaking. This is clearly a woman possessed of immense determination and fortitude, and her heart was set on completing the epic journey. As her right shoulder gave out, as her asthma assaulted her breathing, as the waves began to swell, Nyad was reduced to 40 strokes at a time before resting on her back. She couldn’t bear to quit. With her doctor in the water, she queried, do I have to swim all night, then all day, then all night again? Yes was the reply. It sometimes takes courage to do the right thing, and Nyad, pulling her exhausted and battered form out of the water, clearly made the correct choice…Nyad, at 61, covered 50 miles in 29 hours…still a bloody hero to me…

GRID IRON…the Baltimore Ravens backfield, now consisting of Ray Rice and recently signed Ricky Williams, has been given the brilliant nickname, “Speed and Weed”…the Detroit Lions were also in pursuit of one-time Toronto Argonaut Williams. Ricky apparently decided on Baltimore after watching random episodes of The Wire and concluding Baltimore offered him the best opportunity to score…

…the Indianapolis Colts are being secretive concerning the post-surgery condition of Peyton Manning. There might be reason for concern based on, firstly, Manning’s very fragile looking appearance and, secondly, on the plan to start a rookie at left tackle. The aging Colts are playing a dangerous game with a once in a lifetime quarterback…

…Albert Haynesworth has missed the last four New England practices. From the Pats, of course, no reasons for the absence will be forthcoming…

…the Minnesota Vikings are glossing over the very significant issues that emerged last year concerning Donovan McNabb’s work ethic. The older QB apparently refuses to practice at full speed and carries an enormous sense of entitlement. This signing has a big time possibility of backfiring…

PONIES…the 2011 Canadian Triple Crown was one for the ages. All three races, The Queen’s Plate, The Prince of Wales and The Breeders, were spectacular, with one jockey, Luis Contreras, and two horses, Inglorious and Pender Harbour, accounting for the top prizes…

PUG LIFE…how low can Kelly Pavlik go? After pulling out of a fight in Ohio last weekend the former star pugilist gave rambling statements where he referred to himself as a superstar and the man who brought the money to the table. Huh? Pavlik, twice a guest of Betty Ford’s, is becoming the classic drunk bore, a decrepit mess focused on the glory years of the past. Pavlik was due 50k Saturday night and he should have fought and earned that purse…