it sounded just like the start of the newark gimpy leg three-and-five-eighths quarter marathon , but we knew it wasnt that , wrong time of the year , wrong city , and marathoners -- even the ones who trip over their own lame feet and land face first in the gutter -- dont groan , not that loud and at that pitch , a pitch that reminded me of a slowed down , loudly played , badly warped vinyl tom waits album .