Tuesday, June 30, 2009

More Hayward images



The sign to the famous track Mecca, and sunset at Hayward ...

Pre's Rock


Before we left Eugene, we ventured a few minutes to the east of Hayward Field to see a small, makeshift shrine to Steve Prefontaine. "Pre's Rock" is located at the site of his fatal car crash on May 30, 1975.

A lot of visitors leave mementos, notes or other track items at the Rock. Coach Chuck left a Marist Track T-shirt at the Rock. Being the idiot that I am, I did not get a picture of that. Oh well.

Walking into Hayward


Here is a picture of Coach Chuck, Kathryn Sheehan and Matt Flint walking into Hayward Field along Agate Street. (Pronounced AAH-git).

In the newspaper world, agate is the tiny type that boxscores and other statistics are in. I thought it was funny that this famous stadium in on a street with that name.

Hammered in Eugene



Quit snickering and laughing ... it's not what you think.

This post and these photos are for my Poughkeepsie Journal colleague and fellow track fanatic Peter Van Aken. Peter, these are photos of the hammer throw area, which is just south of the track area at Hayward Field.

For those that are interested, Manhattan College graduate Thomas "Jake" Freeman was second in the nation in the hammer throw.

In addition: Peter graduated from Marist more than 30 years ago and still holds the hammer school record.

While I'm away ...

As I noted in the previous post, I will be up at Lake George on vacation. I probably will not have Internet access, and my cell service will be limited. However ...

1. Please continue to send training updates via email
2. Do not hesitate to call or text on any matters. I will get back to you as soon as I can, but there may be a little gap in my response.

Also: Regarding the team barbecue, because of family things that day, we'll make it a later start (around 5 p.m.) at the house. Please organize who will bring what. I will provide the grilling meats -- hot dogs, hamburgers, kielbasa, chicken, etc. You will provide everything else.

Captains, etc., please organize this effort. Back at you soon ...

Back from Track Town USA

The trip to Eugene was fantastic. The Running Red Fox results were a bit less than fantastic, but that it not what we will remember from the trip. It was an honor to be able to make it to Track Town USA, and I hope to make a return trip in the future.

I have some lousy pictures taken from a disposable camera. I will try to load them up and post them before I leave.

I will be going away to Lake George for family vacation from Thursday, July 2, through Saturday, July 11. Please continue to email your training logs.

As of now, I have received training logs from everyone on the team except Curtis Jensen, who continues to promise to send training logs but has not.

As of July 1, you will be required to send training logs at least twice a month. I would prefer weekly, as many of you do. But the minimum is twice a month, by July 15 and July 31.

THOSE THAT DO NOT ADHERE TO THIS POLICY WILL BE RENDERED INELIGIBLE FOR PRACTICE AND COMPETITION. I'm sticking to my guns on this one, fellas. It's a pretty simple request.

As of right now, Curtis is ineligible for practice and competition. But I am sure he will send his logs to me, as I know he is training very well.

I'll try to get the pix from Oregon posted soon.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Heading to Oregon

Hello all,

We are heading to Eugene for the USATF Jr Nationals. Matthew Flint is running the 10,000 and Kathryn Sheehan is running the 5,000. Addie DiFrancesco was scheduled to run, but cannot due to health and running issues. We will miss Addie on this trip, but we felt it was more important to get her corrected for the upcoming xc season.

If I have Internet access in Oregon, I will post splits. I do not have a laptop and we are staying at a Motel 6 on the edge of town. So don't expect much.

Check the USATF Web site for results and updates on how the Running Red Foxes do.

I'll post splits early next week if I cannot do it remotely.

Coach Pete

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Important information regarding physicals

THIS NOTE WAS SENT TO YOU ALL VIA EMAIL.

Guys:

Very important information regarding physicals ...

1. Incoming freshmen: Please click on the link below and download forms for "Freshman, Transfer and New Athlete Forms." Bring these forms to your doctor when you get your physical. Have the forms filled out by your doctor. Complete all the forms and mail them back to me at the address below. Please do this no later than August 1. Note that this is SEPARATE and DIFFERENT from the physical forms that Marist Health Services needs. VERY IMPORTANT: You need to provide all insurance information, and include a copy FRONT AND BACK of your insurance card.
2. Returning athletes: Download your forms and fill out everything you can before returning for preseason. You will get your physicals on the first day of preseason.

Any questions, let me know ...

http://goredfoxes.cstv.com/ot/mari-ath-training.html

Monday, June 22, 2009

Team barbecue date set: July 18

OK, OK ... not a lot of posts, I know. It's THAT time of year. When I don't post much.

For those keeping score at home, in June 2008 I posted twice. In July 2008 I posted exactly 0 times. Low motivational time of year for me in this blogging department. I'm human.

Anyway: Colin Johnson, who is interning here at Dutchess County's Finest Daily Newspaper, gently reminded me (actually, he verbally bludgeoned and browbeat me) that I have not posted in a while.

So Colin: This one's for you.

Actually, it's for the whole team.

Hear ye, hear ye ... the Summer Team Barbecue, requested by one and all, will be held on Saturday, July 18 at Casa Colaizzo in historic Hyde Park. A few notes on this barbecue:

1. Alumni and friends are welcome to attend if they would like, but they must notify me via email or text of their attendance.
2. No alcohol will be allowed or present at this barbecue (this is obvious, but may well eliminate the need or desire for/from #1...)
3. We will provide much of the barbecue foods (burgers, hot dogs, kielbasa, chicken). Which leads to the very important ...
4. YOU ALL (as in ORGANIZE AND FIGURE IT OUT!) will provide drinks (water, Gatorade, soda, etc) and snacks and anything else you want to consume (except alcohol, of course).
5. If you require overnight lodging, I recommend Sunset. This is a not-so-subtle hint that no overnight guests will be lodged at Casa Colaizzo. Along with being a probable violation, it will not go over well at home (plus, you may get hit by flying objects from James, my youngest and very wild son)
6. It is a requirement that everyone has FUN.
7. Oh wait. FUN does NOT include our basketball hoop at the end of the road. Don't even get me started ...

Check your email in the coming days/weeks for further details and updates on this fantastic event. I hope to see you all there.

As for future posts ... keep bugging me and I'll get around to it.

Friday, June 5, 2009

A pair of state qualifiers

Quick recruit/incoming freshmen update ...

-- Quimes DelaCruz of Wantagh HS (NY) qualified for the State Meet with a steeplechase time of 9:35.15, two days after running 9:35.57 at 3,200 meters and placing second in the event. Nice job, Quimes!

-- Sean Nestor of Hand HS (CT) qualified for the CT State Open with a 9:36.80 in the 3,200 at the Class L meet.

I will do a more comprehensive post on incoming freshmen and their spring track seasons (Matt Panebianco of Tappan Zee, NY, coached by Marist Alum Pat Driscoll, is having a great spring as well!).

Run. Rehydrate. Run some more.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Happy June!

Hello to team members:

I sent out a team-wide email, requesting your spring semester grades and a training update. Thanks to those who have replied. More than half the team has not replied. Please reply ASAP.

As discussed in the end-of-season meeting, I will be requiring weekly training updates via email. Please remember to send them in. If you don't, there will be consequences regarding your participation (or lack) in preseason activities.

Note: I will follow through on this, this year.

So. Send in your training logs and other requested information, in a timely manner.

Hope you are enjoying the nice weather and running well.

Call or email with questions!