Thursday, January 21, 2010
Loyalty? You want loyalty?
You can’t handle loyalty!
How can we expect pro athletes, or even college athletes, to be loyal, to play their whole career for one team, to give back to the community which has supported them so loyally?
How can we when the lessons they are learning - from their coaches, their parents, their friends - about loyalty and community and team pride are “get it while the gettin’s good” or “the grass is always greener on the other side”?
Yes, the lesson we are teaching most of our sons and daughters who are competing in any type of organized sports, from little league to scholastic sports, to college to the pros is
“Take the money and run!” Or at least, take the glory and run. In some cases, there isn’t even any glory.
Ask the Tennessee Volunteer football team about loyalty. Ask USC’s football players. Ask, and this is a toughie, because I am a Kentucky fan, the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team. Ask Cincinnati’s football team. Ask…you get the point.
Now, ask John Wooden. Ask Adolph Rupp. Ask Joe Paterno or Bobby Bowden. Ask those coaches who went to a program, built it, and stayed with it. They didn’t leave to go to a bigger school or a better program or a higher salary. They stayed, through the good and the bad. They showed their athletes that being a part of something for the long haul was important, that loyalty means something.
Loyalty makes those around you feel important, makes those who believe in you confident and hopeful. And it makes you better too. Everyone wins, because being dependable, and having someone you can depend on, are what life is really all about.
Find something you love and stick with it. Don’t give up when the going gets tough or the reward seems bigger at the next stop. Show those around you that loyalty does matter, that being dependable is worth being.
Someone has to start being an example…why not you?
Monday, January 4, 2010
Its A Football Game For Cryin' Out Loud!
Or is it?
10/31/2009
We're all normal people.
We all have lives...mostly good lives...probably better than most.
How can the outcome of ONE football game, played by a bunch of kids - late teens to early 20's - affect so many different adults, like someone has died?
At work, we call it "the day after a Hokie Football loss hangover."
No one is in a good mood. No one feels like doing anything. Most drag around. Some complain to each other. Some don't want to talk about it.
Its not like we have children of our own out there...we don't.
So what is it that causes so many people to put so much of their heart and soul into a game, a team, a University?
We know. Of course we know. But we still do it...
So play the sad songs. Wallow in self-pity. Embrace the sorrow.
The Hokies lost last night.
The Hokie Nation mourns.
10/31/2009
We're all normal people.
We all have lives...mostly good lives...probably better than most.
How can the outcome of ONE football game, played by a bunch of kids - late teens to early 20's - affect so many different adults, like someone has died?
At work, we call it "the day after a Hokie Football loss hangover."
No one is in a good mood. No one feels like doing anything. Most drag around. Some complain to each other. Some don't want to talk about it.
Its not like we have children of our own out there...we don't.
So what is it that causes so many people to put so much of their heart and soul into a game, a team, a University?
We know. Of course we know. But we still do it...
So play the sad songs. Wallow in self-pity. Embrace the sorrow.
The Hokies lost last night.
The Hokie Nation mourns.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Feeling Like A Runner
10/08/2009
In the past year, I've run more than I ran the previous three years combined. Really.
I was biking, and biking a lot. Mountains to conquer.
Time spent running not only took time away from biking, it hurt my body more. Chronic injuries, aches, and pains from running 10 marathons, many half-marathons, an Ironman triathlon, two ultra-marathons and numerous adventure races took their toll. Biking kept me pretty much pain free.
But once a runner, always a runner, and about this time last year, I decided one of my goals for 2009 was to run a half-marathon in under 2:00. Not fast for a lot of people, but I hadn't run in about three years. I just wanted to be semi-fast.
I trained pretty well and smart, but remember, it had been a long time since I had seriously run. And I missed a couple of long runs. Still, I felt pretty good about where I was...until the race. It was hard! I finished in 2:06.
I was bummed about my time, but happy to be running again.
As fate would have it however, I wouldn't get to continue running. I went into semi-retirement again. I ran with the dogs, with the tri kids, and biked a lot as there were long rides to do and challenge centuries coming up.
Finally, the rides over for the year, I started to think about that half-marathon goal...< 2:00 by the end of the year...
So, I'm running again...training for Charlotte in December...
After a week and a half of "hard" running, my body hurts in places, but the "rhythm" is coming back. More than when training for the last race.
I felt my form this morning. Just for a little bit, it was EASY to run. I felt like a runner. It was an old, but good, feeling. And only a true runner knows what that means.
In the past year, I've run more than I ran the previous three years combined. Really.
I was biking, and biking a lot. Mountains to conquer.
Time spent running not only took time away from biking, it hurt my body more. Chronic injuries, aches, and pains from running 10 marathons, many half-marathons, an Ironman triathlon, two ultra-marathons and numerous adventure races took their toll. Biking kept me pretty much pain free.
But once a runner, always a runner, and about this time last year, I decided one of my goals for 2009 was to run a half-marathon in under 2:00. Not fast for a lot of people, but I hadn't run in about three years. I just wanted to be semi-fast.
I trained pretty well and smart, but remember, it had been a long time since I had seriously run. And I missed a couple of long runs. Still, I felt pretty good about where I was...until the race. It was hard! I finished in 2:06.
I was bummed about my time, but happy to be running again.
As fate would have it however, I wouldn't get to continue running. I went into semi-retirement again. I ran with the dogs, with the tri kids, and biked a lot as there were long rides to do and challenge centuries coming up.
Finally, the rides over for the year, I started to think about that half-marathon goal...< 2:00 by the end of the year...
So, I'm running again...training for Charlotte in December...
After a week and a half of "hard" running, my body hurts in places, but the "rhythm" is coming back. More than when training for the last race.
I felt my form this morning. Just for a little bit, it was EASY to run. I felt like a runner. It was an old, but good, feeling. And only a true runner knows what that means.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Everything Is Better On The Bike
I doubt this is the last time I will use that title...
A good friend told me that a few weeks ago when I was having a few "struggles," and it is so true!
This past Saturday morning, a guy I sort of know (not well, but he's a cool guy, and I've followed his career)lost his 17 and 12 year old sons in an auto accident. The older boy was driving and the two were going to grab some breakfast before starting the day. They went to pass a car on a small country road, and ran head on into a Hummer. They both died instantly.
So sad, and so hard to comprehend. I can't imagine. And I can't imagine what the parents must be going through.
I thought about this news a lot over the weekend and through the week, and last night, when I got home from working with the triathletes at the pool, I sat at the computer and read updates on the tragedy. I just couldn't stop reading. And the more I read, the sadder I got.
I went to bed sad and in a bad mood, trying to think of something that would shake me out of it and put me in an excited mood.
I got a few emails from some friends, and that made me laugh, and helped. And we planned a ride for early this morning...
So, as I went to sleep, I'm thinking, "no matter how I feel tonite, it will all be good tomorrow, because Everything Is Better On The Bike."
And it was.
A good friend told me that a few weeks ago when I was having a few "struggles," and it is so true!
This past Saturday morning, a guy I sort of know (not well, but he's a cool guy, and I've followed his career)lost his 17 and 12 year old sons in an auto accident. The older boy was driving and the two were going to grab some breakfast before starting the day. They went to pass a car on a small country road, and ran head on into a Hummer. They both died instantly.
So sad, and so hard to comprehend. I can't imagine. And I can't imagine what the parents must be going through.
I thought about this news a lot over the weekend and through the week, and last night, when I got home from working with the triathletes at the pool, I sat at the computer and read updates on the tragedy. I just couldn't stop reading. And the more I read, the sadder I got.
I went to bed sad and in a bad mood, trying to think of something that would shake me out of it and put me in an excited mood.
I got a few emails from some friends, and that made me laugh, and helped. And we planned a ride for early this morning...
So, as I went to sleep, I'm thinking, "no matter how I feel tonite, it will all be good tomorrow, because Everything Is Better On The Bike."
And it was.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
The Vigil
The Chase is on. The Vigil continues. Any night now (late at night!), Barry Bonds is going to knock one out of the park and be tied with Hammerin' Hank Aaron for the All-Time Home Run Record. And soon after that (we hope), Barry will hit another one out, and he'll be the All-Time Home Run Leader all by himself. Ahead of Willie (and Willie has always been my favorite, and is one reason I am a Giants, and Mets, fan), The Babe and Hank, and all the rest.
And I'm going to be watching. And I'll stand and cheer. Sports history will be made. It will be exciting.
Like him or not. Think he takes steroids or not. You can't deny Barry Bonds has had a LONG and Illustrious career. 7 MVP Awards. Numerous Golden Gloves. And LOTS of balls hit out of the park...the most exciting play in baseball!
So, I stay up much too late, night after night, as the Giants play on the West Coast, and Barry gets walked, grounds out, pops up, strikes out, flies out, even gets a few hits, but still no homers. And I'm tired. I get up early, and West Coast games are late for me.
But, since he got in position to tie, then break the record, I've seen every at bat. Sometimes I've been half asleep, even had one eye closed (how come the hated Dodgers intentionally walk Barry in the top of the 8th? Don't they know its 12:40 on the East Coast???). Still, I've seen them all. Sure, it can be frustrating. Sports is like that. But that's also why its so exciting when the good things happen.
So, savor the moment. Hear the birds wake on a summer morning. Watch the storm hit shore. Wait for the last pitch thrown in a no-hitter. See the movie premiere at midnight. Be there when Barry hits it out. Experience history.
And I'm going to be watching. And I'll stand and cheer. Sports history will be made. It will be exciting.
Like him or not. Think he takes steroids or not. You can't deny Barry Bonds has had a LONG and Illustrious career. 7 MVP Awards. Numerous Golden Gloves. And LOTS of balls hit out of the park...the most exciting play in baseball!
So, I stay up much too late, night after night, as the Giants play on the West Coast, and Barry gets walked, grounds out, pops up, strikes out, flies out, even gets a few hits, but still no homers. And I'm tired. I get up early, and West Coast games are late for me.
But, since he got in position to tie, then break the record, I've seen every at bat. Sometimes I've been half asleep, even had one eye closed (how come the hated Dodgers intentionally walk Barry in the top of the 8th? Don't they know its 12:40 on the East Coast???). Still, I've seen them all. Sure, it can be frustrating. Sports is like that. But that's also why its so exciting when the good things happen.
So, savor the moment. Hear the birds wake on a summer morning. Watch the storm hit shore. Wait for the last pitch thrown in a no-hitter. See the movie premiere at midnight. Be there when Barry hits it out. Experience history.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
I've Had My Moments...
...just in the past week:
Joanna climbed Harding yesterday for the first time...it made her whole day, and mine too. Brooke and Bridget did their first complete open water triathlon today, finished respectively, worked hard the whole time and took first and second in their age groups. Lynne did the tri and finished too...her first triathlon in 10 years! This past week we rode early three mornings...Beth rode all three...she is riding her new Madone any chance she gets, and we are all having so much fun on the roads. Kim ran intervals at the track for the first time...she finished 4 880's...it was great. Jason biked 30 miles, hard, on his new Madone. He's loving it too!
Moments. Days In The Sun. Second To None. When I Did What I Thought I Couldn't Do. Moments.
Being there when others have their moments, and maybe, in some small way, helping them achieve these moments, is why I do what I do. And then, I have lots of moments too. A lifetime of moments. Being a coach, is the greatest "job" in the world.
Joanna climbed Harding yesterday for the first time...it made her whole day, and mine too. Brooke and Bridget did their first complete open water triathlon today, finished respectively, worked hard the whole time and took first and second in their age groups. Lynne did the tri and finished too...her first triathlon in 10 years! This past week we rode early three mornings...Beth rode all three...she is riding her new Madone any chance she gets, and we are all having so much fun on the roads. Kim ran intervals at the track for the first time...she finished 4 880's...it was great. Jason biked 30 miles, hard, on his new Madone. He's loving it too!
Moments. Days In The Sun. Second To None. When I Did What I Thought I Couldn't Do. Moments.
Being there when others have their moments, and maybe, in some small way, helping them achieve these moments, is why I do what I do. And then, I have lots of moments too. A lifetime of moments. Being a coach, is the greatest "job" in the world.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The Most Awesome Day!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
I had the most awesome day today! Our TriAdventure Tri Kids team had their triathlon this morning, and 9 of them, 10-14 years old, raced in a sprint triathlon in Smithfield, Virginia.
This race, put on by Set-Up, Inc., was a regular sprint triathlon, not a kids triathlon. Over 200 individuals participated, including the TriAdventure kids.
The whole event was so much fun, and a huge success!
After signing in on Friday evening and a “team” dinner at this great Italian restaurant that had a room reserved just for us, Kelly and I and the parents (we have GREAT parents) had the “team” up early on Saturday and heading to the race site to be there when the transitions opened. We wanted the best spots!
Our “experienced” members, those who did our group in the summer/fall, and raced in October, were like old pros. They had their transitions set-up, got their chips and were body marked before we knew it. They helped the younger ones go through the process too. There is a lot to do on race morning, and I know its hard to get kids to focus sometimes, but give them some structure and a goal and they can be awesome!
After everyone was ready, we all sat down and “rested.” As much as 9 kids with a triathlon looming in a few hours can rest. They were prepared after the last race, and had games and books to hold their attention. We had a nice spot against a wall, the sun was keeping us warm, and the music from the race was blaring great songs. Life was good.
We warmed up in the pool about 45 minutes before the race. Just enough to get them moving and loose, and used to what they would have to do. Next, we found a quiet corner near the pool and stretched.
The pre-race meeting was next, then it was time to line-up and start. All of the kids swam well, with some of our newer swimmers swimming PR’s, and surprising even the coaches! But, that is always a pleasant surprise, and I was very proud of the way all the kids swam.
Kelly and I watched as many transitions as we could…the girls were flawless, and a few of the boys did well, but some of the boys took a little longer than needed to dry their feet, put on shirts and socks, etc. C’mon guys, we can do better than that! Part of the problem was our team tri jerseys didn’t come in, so they couldn’t just swim in what they were going to bike in…I imagine the jerseys will show up this week…the week after the race!
Bike legs were good for all, and we had kids on all types of bikes. Still, they rode hard, and the 10 mile course was perfect for them.
Runs were also excellent, as all of our runners really went after it and ran hard.
In the end, all of the kids had fun and finished! Those were our two goals for the race. Anything else was icing on the cake. We had three girls who took 1, 2 and 3 in the 10-14 age-group. Our first girl was 27th overall! The boys had great times too, although they had much tougher competition than the girls. Still, the top ones finished 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the 10-14 age-group.
Kelly and I couldn’t be more proud. And we couldn’t have had a better day. To see all of those kids finish with big smiles on their faces, and to hear them talk about “next time” was very rewarding. There is nothing like helping someone achieve a goal, and to know how far they had to come to get to where they did is always inspiring, and very special…as are all of our kids!
I’ll take that kind of day any time! Awesome!
I had the most awesome day today! Our TriAdventure Tri Kids team had their triathlon this morning, and 9 of them, 10-14 years old, raced in a sprint triathlon in Smithfield, Virginia.
This race, put on by Set-Up, Inc., was a regular sprint triathlon, not a kids triathlon. Over 200 individuals participated, including the TriAdventure kids.
The whole event was so much fun, and a huge success!
After signing in on Friday evening and a “team” dinner at this great Italian restaurant that had a room reserved just for us, Kelly and I and the parents (we have GREAT parents) had the “team” up early on Saturday and heading to the race site to be there when the transitions opened. We wanted the best spots!
Our “experienced” members, those who did our group in the summer/fall, and raced in October, were like old pros. They had their transitions set-up, got their chips and were body marked before we knew it. They helped the younger ones go through the process too. There is a lot to do on race morning, and I know its hard to get kids to focus sometimes, but give them some structure and a goal and they can be awesome!
After everyone was ready, we all sat down and “rested.” As much as 9 kids with a triathlon looming in a few hours can rest. They were prepared after the last race, and had games and books to hold their attention. We had a nice spot against a wall, the sun was keeping us warm, and the music from the race was blaring great songs. Life was good.
We warmed up in the pool about 45 minutes before the race. Just enough to get them moving and loose, and used to what they would have to do. Next, we found a quiet corner near the pool and stretched.
The pre-race meeting was next, then it was time to line-up and start. All of the kids swam well, with some of our newer swimmers swimming PR’s, and surprising even the coaches! But, that is always a pleasant surprise, and I was very proud of the way all the kids swam.
Kelly and I watched as many transitions as we could…the girls were flawless, and a few of the boys did well, but some of the boys took a little longer than needed to dry their feet, put on shirts and socks, etc. C’mon guys, we can do better than that! Part of the problem was our team tri jerseys didn’t come in, so they couldn’t just swim in what they were going to bike in…I imagine the jerseys will show up this week…the week after the race!
Bike legs were good for all, and we had kids on all types of bikes. Still, they rode hard, and the 10 mile course was perfect for them.
Runs were also excellent, as all of our runners really went after it and ran hard.
In the end, all of the kids had fun and finished! Those were our two goals for the race. Anything else was icing on the cake. We had three girls who took 1, 2 and 3 in the 10-14 age-group. Our first girl was 27th overall! The boys had great times too, although they had much tougher competition than the girls. Still, the top ones finished 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the 10-14 age-group.
Kelly and I couldn’t be more proud. And we couldn’t have had a better day. To see all of those kids finish with big smiles on their faces, and to hear them talk about “next time” was very rewarding. There is nothing like helping someone achieve a goal, and to know how far they had to come to get to where they did is always inspiring, and very special…as are all of our kids!
I’ll take that kind of day any time! Awesome!
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