NEW YORK -- Can serenity come from suffering?For that matter, can serenity be found in New York City, specifically, in this case, the Bronx?Those are the questions I pondered as I ran the back hills of Van Cortlandt Parks famed cross-country trails. I was in the middle of a race put on by the Van Cortlandt Park Track Club, a 5K run that began with a sprint across the flats and a dash into the hills of New York Citys third-largest park, which sprawls for more than 1,000 acres across the northeast corner of the Bronx.Looking out to the edge of the park from some spots, you can see tall apartment buildings. But in other places, youre running on trails that seem so green and wild, lined with so many trees, that you might as well be in the woods.The park has been a mecca for cross-country runners for over 100 years. Its courses opened in 1913. Famed athletes whove competed here include Alberto Salazar, Alan Webb, Edward Cheserek, Marty Liquori, Shalane Flanagan and Matt Centrowitz, who won the gold at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the 1,500-meter race.I first raced here in high school, a skinny lad unaware of the suffering and false rabbit tactics of rival teams. I soon learned to embrace the suck -- just deal with it! -- and with time I also learned to fly. Theres a trick to cross-country, you see. Of course you have to have the strength to power up and defeat your opponent on the ascent, but the race can be won on the downhill. If you can give in to gravity, to almost fall, youll fly down. With arms out for balance, you can speed away from even your toughest opponent.The courses are the same as in my heyday, with flats, a cowpath, a bridge and back hill loop, as well as Cemetery Hill (also known as Vault Hill), which is part of a route used for college races. Race distances are 5K, 8K or 10K. For hill training, Van Cortlandt is a must. For runners and racers, it should be on your bucket list.But take your cue from metal signs along the courses depicting the turtle and the hare. While I like to try to race fast here (and re-live my youth), I suppose the hare suggests that you can also take it easy. You can run or jog, but you can also stroll or just meander through a park that is one of New York Citys emerald treasures.The Van Cortlandt Park Track Club sometimes gives winners carrot cake muffins from Lloyds Carrot Cake shop (6087 Broadway in the Bronx), across from the start/finish line. Whatever your pace, you can seek your rewards there as well. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Jack-Ham-Jersey/ . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/ .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Joe-Gilliam-Jersey/ . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Marcus-Gilbert-Jersey/ . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Customized/ . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama coach Nick Saban couldnt find much fault in the Crimson Tides physical effort, heart and fight.The missed blocks, costly busted coverage and onside kick allowed are entirely different matters. The top-ranked Tide survived those miscues and a scoop-and-score fumble in a come-from-way-behind 48-43 victory Saturday over No. 23 Mississippi.It wasnt always pretty.You dont ever want to beat yourself and when you do things like that, you give yourself an opportunity to beat yourself, Saban said on Monday. Its one thing to get beat physically. Cant cover them. Cant block them up front. Thats different, and that may happen someday. But all this other stuff, you beat yourself. Thats what weve got to get fixed.The Tide has gone 365 days -- as of Monday -- since losing to an opponent. And even that required five `Bama turnovers last season against the Rebels.The silver lining to the Ole Miss win is that Alabama found a way to battle back from a 24-3 first-half deficit. The downside for Saban is the Tide was down that far in the first place and then allowed two touchdowns in the final 2:59 after getting ahead by 18 points in the fourth quarter.That included an onside kick when the Tide missed a block and Calvin Ridley misjudged the ball, which went over his head. Sabans praise of the performance has to include buts.But when you look at things, the devil is kind of in the details, Saban said. We could have really lost the game based on mental mistakes, mental errors, lack of execution at times that led to really bad plays for our team. Our focus needs to be on getting these things corrected but having the ability to focus on sort of each and every play.The early deficit came after quarterback Jalen Hurts fumbled on a big hit that Saban blamed on a botched execution on an offensive line call.dddddddddddd. A coverage bust had earlier left star Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram wide open for a 63-yard touchdown catch.Those plays led to the kind of test Alabama had not faced in the first two games, which both ended with lopsided wins after slow starts.The Tide seems unlikely to face a similar challenge in the next two weeks from Sabans alma mater, Kent State, and Kentucky.Now, the question is if overcoming such adversity will lead to a growth spurt for Alabama and the freshman Hurts. The Tide won out into the playoffs after the Ole Miss losses the past two seasons.I mean, I think if you can be happy about the way you competed in the game and that you won, but also be disappointed enough in the way you play as if you lost, then youll learn something, Saban said. I dont know if you can do that or not. Its not really human nature to do that. But if we can do that, well accomplish something.Hurts poise in bouncing back during his first college game at an opponents stadium was a good sign for Alabamas ambitions of a repeat national title. Center Bradley Bozeman said Hurts told his blockers on the sideline not to sweat the hit he took to cause the fumble.He was just like, `I still got yalls back. Yall got mine. Lets keep rolling, Bozeman said. He didnt let it affect him at all. He got back in the game and kept playing.So did Alabama.NOTE: Wide receiver ArDarius Stewarts status is uncertain with a sprained left knee sustained against Ole Miss. 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