Thanks to all team members for hustling today and getting to and from Bowdoin Park for the workout quickly, as your coach was running late after a very long staff meeting. The workout went well for all that were there. Looks like a good week of weather as well.
Glad you guys enjoyed the birthday cake, courtesy of athletic director Tim Murray.
Rest of the week:
Tuesday: Easy distance, we will go off campus for those that want to go. Bring cars.
Wednesday: Vassar Farms tempo/thresh. If it is hot, we will go to shaded Hyde Park trails.
Thursday: Bowdoin Park distance. More time on the course.
Friday: Pre-meet day. From campus. I will probably be down at Bowdoin with Terry Horton marking the course and prepping for the meet.
Saturday: Home meet at Bowdoin Park.
Have an excellent evening, everyone.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Home meet at Bowdoin Park
For those alumni, friends and blog followers out there ... we host our one and only home meet on Saturday, September 5, at Bowdoin Park. Women race at 10:30 a.m.; men to follow at 11:15 a.m.
Hope you can make it.
Teams in attendance will be: Marist, Rider, St. Peter's.
Take care and hope to see you there ...
Hope you can make it.
Teams in attendance will be: Marist, Rider, St. Peter's.
Take care and hope to see you there ...
Friday, August 28, 2009
Bad week for Wills
The first week of practices are complete. By and large, it was a good week. If your first name was not Will.
Will Griffin showed up on Wednesday morning after a family holiday in Ireland, only to report he's got a slight Achilles issue. He is hammering away in the pool and hopefully this will only be a minor setback. He did a killer pool workout today and was really moving in there. Great to see. Hope to get him back on the roads soon.
Will Schanz, a freshman from Web's old school (Shaker), has a slightly more serious issue. After an awesome Minnewaska run this morning -- misty rain, temps in the low 60s ... perfect marathon weather! -- Will went for a dip in the lake. He then put on his flip-flops and inadvertently kicked a big boulder. After a trip to Emergency One in Hyde Park, he was diagnosed with a chip fracture. He will see the ortho guy next week for further evaluation, but he is destined for the pool himself for a few weeks anyway.
Long run from W1 on Saturday morning, 9 a.m.
Note to team: This is the first weekend of the school year, which generally means a lot of "social activity" on campus and off-campus. Remember our focus as a program. If you forget, I will be happy to remind you at 6 a.m. each morning for a few weeks. Is that a threat or a promise? BOTH. Don't test the waters.
Have an excellent evening and see you all bright and early.
Will Griffin showed up on Wednesday morning after a family holiday in Ireland, only to report he's got a slight Achilles issue. He is hammering away in the pool and hopefully this will only be a minor setback. He did a killer pool workout today and was really moving in there. Great to see. Hope to get him back on the roads soon.
Will Schanz, a freshman from Web's old school (Shaker), has a slightly more serious issue. After an awesome Minnewaska run this morning -- misty rain, temps in the low 60s ... perfect marathon weather! -- Will went for a dip in the lake. He then put on his flip-flops and inadvertently kicked a big boulder. After a trip to Emergency One in Hyde Park, he was diagnosed with a chip fracture. He will see the ortho guy next week for further evaluation, but he is destined for the pool himself for a few weeks anyway.
Long run from W1 on Saturday morning, 9 a.m.
Note to team: This is the first weekend of the school year, which generally means a lot of "social activity" on campus and off-campus. Remember our focus as a program. If you forget, I will be happy to remind you at 6 a.m. each morning for a few weeks. Is that a threat or a promise? BOTH. Don't test the waters.
Have an excellent evening and see you all bright and early.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Future Running Red Fox?
Recent Marist Running alum Kerri Mannino emailed to say she is a big fan of both of my blogs, which I appreciate and think is great. She also emailed me a copy of her birth announcement -- congrats!
No truth to the silly rumor that she named the Bundle of Joy after Bryan Quinn.
In search of Dr Pepper
Most readers of this blog might be aware that current team member Tim Keegan, a junior, does not have the healthiest of diets. I'm being nice. His diet is pretty bad.
He loves junk food. He loves fast food. He loves soft drinks.
The poor guy. He's certainly not loving preseason meals in the cafeteria. Because the preseason meals are geared toward Athletes In Training, the training table consists of healthy stuff. Grilled chicken every day. Salads. Vegetables.
Here's the kicker: The soda machines are turned off. That's right. No Dr Pepper, Pepsi, Sierra Mist. Poor kid.
But hey, all was not lost. A few nights ago he texted me to tell me that somehow the Mountain Dew was still on. So Keegs is happy.
Me? I'd prefer the Dr Pepper to be hooked up, certainly. But I'm enjoying the free meals -- especially the fish fillets and Tater Tots.
And oh yeah: The guys and ladies are training hard and looking fit and ready to go. This cooler weather is certainly helping.
Our second Minnewaska trip is planned on Friday.
He loves junk food. He loves fast food. He loves soft drinks.
The poor guy. He's certainly not loving preseason meals in the cafeteria. Because the preseason meals are geared toward Athletes In Training, the training table consists of healthy stuff. Grilled chicken every day. Salads. Vegetables.
Here's the kicker: The soda machines are turned off. That's right. No Dr Pepper, Pepsi, Sierra Mist. Poor kid.
But hey, all was not lost. A few nights ago he texted me to tell me that somehow the Mountain Dew was still on. So Keegs is happy.
Me? I'd prefer the Dr Pepper to be hooked up, certainly. But I'm enjoying the free meals -- especially the fish fillets and Tater Tots.
And oh yeah: The guys and ladies are training hard and looking fit and ready to go. This cooler weather is certainly helping.
Our second Minnewaska trip is planned on Friday.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
First day of practice
It was a warm but bearable day at Ogden Mills for the opening hills practice. It was also quite crowded as both teams boast huge squads. This is great to see, of course, but it makes travel to off-campus sites a logistical challenge. We'll figure it out each day.
Both teams looked good and got through it fine, another solid start to a season.
It dawned on me during the warmup that I've been doing this for a long time. Vess likes to call me "Old Man" and when you think of this, the resident wiseass might be on to something:
Most of this year's freshmen were born in 1991. The year I started coaching. In fact, a few of them were born in late August of 1991, and it's entirely possible that their birth day (the actual day they were born) I was up at Ogden Mills, coaching the Marist cross country team that they are now a part of, through the exact same workout that they just completed. I'm not sure what that means, but it sure makes me stop and think as I start my 19th year with the program.
Off to Minnewaska this morning for the first of two forays to one of the world's best running venues.
Both teams looked good and got through it fine, another solid start to a season.
It dawned on me during the warmup that I've been doing this for a long time. Vess likes to call me "Old Man" and when you think of this, the resident wiseass might be on to something:
Most of this year's freshmen were born in 1991. The year I started coaching. In fact, a few of them were born in late August of 1991, and it's entirely possible that their birth day (the actual day they were born) I was up at Ogden Mills, coaching the Marist cross country team that they are now a part of, through the exact same workout that they just completed. I'm not sure what that means, but it sure makes me stop and think as I start my 19th year with the program.
Off to Minnewaska this morning for the first of two forays to one of the world's best running venues.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Preseason begins
Welcome aboard, men's and women's teams.
As promised in our team meetings tonight, I will try to include more women's team information on the blog this year. Definitely results and splits as the seasons get going.
For now, a shout-out to Coach Chuck for assembling some a huge women's team. Wow! If you look at the roster, there are 4 seniors, 4 juniors ... and then ... yikes! 10 sophomores and (look out) 13 freshmen! At this rate, the team will just get bigger and bigger and bigger.
Welcome to all new team members, women and men. It should be a fun ride. It all starts Monday at the traditional Ogden Mills hill workout. Hopefully, the heat will break a little for that.
As promised in our team meetings tonight, I will try to include more women's team information on the blog this year. Definitely results and splits as the seasons get going.
For now, a shout-out to Coach Chuck for assembling some a huge women's team. Wow! If you look at the roster, there are 4 seniors, 4 juniors ... and then ... yikes! 10 sophomores and (look out) 13 freshmen! At this rate, the team will just get bigger and bigger and bigger.
Welcome to all new team members, women and men. It should be a fun ride. It all starts Monday at the traditional Ogden Mills hill workout. Hopefully, the heat will break a little for that.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Alumni racing news
Here are a few pictures from the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where a group of recent Marist alums gathered for a week of sun, fun and running. Several alums ran a beach 5k down there and did quite well, sweeping most of the top race spots.
Nicely done, team!
Here is a link to the race results ...
FYI, to Marist Alumni Racing Team members interested in new singlets and gear. I will have a posting about that here shortly, but in the meantime, if you have any requests for singlets and sizes, please email me at runhed246@hotmail.com so I can start working on an order. We will be doing things a little differently this year, so I will need an EXACT number and EXACT sizes to make it work.
In addition, I would appreciate it if alums can network via Facebook and other means to get word out about this, and maybe let them know about the blog, as I will be updating it much more frequently now that the season is imminent.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Rules of the road
As another xc season dawns, this means the routine of off-campus practices begins in earnest next week. As you know, I like to take you guys/ladies off campus as much as possible to train on soft surfaces. This means most days between the end of August to the middle of November.
But we need to get there. This means vans and cars. This summer, I have been thinking more and more about safety in auto travel. It's something we often take for granted in life. Something I often have taken for granted through the years as a coach. No more. Time to get strict.
So, from now on, here are the rules of the road:
1. Van travel. We will not overly cram more runners into the vans than is safe. In addition, all passengers will use their seatbelts. Not just the front seat. We have been lax about that. Again, not anymore. Also, our leased vans this year have much smaller trunks. The days of athletes hunching in the trunk, sitting on the water coolers, is over. "Van talk" can certainly continue, but it will be a safer environment now.
2. Athlete/drivers. We appreciate you using your vehicles to transport yourself and team members. Same rules apply. Everyone wears seatbelts. Also: No TEXTING while driving. Ever. But especially during practice transport. It is against the law in Dutchess County (I think, or it was supposed to be?). It's extremely dangerous, far more hazardous than talking on the phone while driving or listening to a Mets game while driving. Just don't do the texting thing!
3. No speeding or crazy driving. That goes for me, in the van, and you, in your car. There is no need to race to see who gets to Bowdoin Park the fastest, and who can weave in and out of Route 9 traffic and get all the green lights. Drive like an old man. Drive like me.
Again, these policies are long overdue, but they certainly make sense. You'll get used to them quickly.
Any questions regarding preseason, call, text or email me any time. Otherwise, we'll see you in a few days.
Run. Rehydrate. Run Some More.
But we need to get there. This means vans and cars. This summer, I have been thinking more and more about safety in auto travel. It's something we often take for granted in life. Something I often have taken for granted through the years as a coach. No more. Time to get strict.
So, from now on, here are the rules of the road:
1. Van travel. We will not overly cram more runners into the vans than is safe. In addition, all passengers will use their seatbelts. Not just the front seat. We have been lax about that. Again, not anymore. Also, our leased vans this year have much smaller trunks. The days of athletes hunching in the trunk, sitting on the water coolers, is over. "Van talk" can certainly continue, but it will be a safer environment now.
2. Athlete/drivers. We appreciate you using your vehicles to transport yourself and team members. Same rules apply. Everyone wears seatbelts. Also: No TEXTING while driving. Ever. But especially during practice transport. It is against the law in Dutchess County (I think, or it was supposed to be?). It's extremely dangerous, far more hazardous than talking on the phone while driving or listening to a Mets game while driving. Just don't do the texting thing!
3. No speeding or crazy driving. That goes for me, in the van, and you, in your car. There is no need to race to see who gets to Bowdoin Park the fastest, and who can weave in and out of Route 9 traffic and get all the green lights. Drive like an old man. Drive like me.
Again, these policies are long overdue, but they certainly make sense. You'll get used to them quickly.
Any questions regarding preseason, call, text or email me any time. Otherwise, we'll see you in a few days.
Run. Rehydrate. Run Some More.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Nicely done, Keegs!
Thanks to Tim Keegan for his excellent quote suggestions. Perhaps we can start a collection of favorite quotes. There are books out there with such things. I still like the Juma Ikangaa quote the best so far, but I continue to be open to suggestions.
Thanks also to Colin Johnson for working on player bios for our Web site. One of my goals this year is to make sure the content on goredfoxes.com is excellent as far as our team goes. The more material we provide, the better it will be. The sports info guys are great and they are willing to work with us to make it the best it can be.
By the way: I'm posting here from my wife's laptop at home in bed. In the dark. I'm not a big laptop guy, but this is very convenient, especially since the bedroom is the only room in our house with AC. And it has been pretty darned hot the past few days, huh?
On that note: Make sure you guys are hydrating well, and not just with water. You need sports drinks and plenty of fresh fruit, to recoup what you lose. Don't skimp on that. Of course, water is important too (that means YOU, Lipari, the man who does not like water!)
Speaking of AC: How's the weather down in Tallahassee, Keenan? Hope all is well, BRO.
Thanks also to Colin Johnson for working on player bios for our Web site. One of my goals this year is to make sure the content on goredfoxes.com is excellent as far as our team goes. The more material we provide, the better it will be. The sports info guys are great and they are willing to work with us to make it the best it can be.
By the way: I'm posting here from my wife's laptop at home in bed. In the dark. I'm not a big laptop guy, but this is very convenient, especially since the bedroom is the only room in our house with AC. And it has been pretty darned hot the past few days, huh?
On that note: Make sure you guys are hydrating well, and not just with water. You need sports drinks and plenty of fresh fruit, to recoup what you lose. Don't skimp on that. Of course, water is important too (that means YOU, Lipari, the man who does not like water!)
Speaking of AC: How's the weather down in Tallahassee, Keenan? Hope all is well, BRO.
The deal with our XC schedule
Again, I'm making up for lost time here, so bear with me. The cross country schedule is slightly different from when we last met as a team back in May. Not many changes. Here are the details ...
Saturday, September 5: Home meet at Bowdoin Park. The meet just got smaller. It will be Marist, Rider, St. Peter's. NYU and then Manhattanville both opted out during the summer. Rider is an excellent team (men and women) and this will be a good early test for us.
Sunday, September 20: BU-hosted meet at Franklin Park. Teams participating. BU, Brown, LaSalle, Northeastern, Marist. This subs out for Iona MOC. It gets us on the regional course. Travel will be SOMEWHAT LIMITED to this meet. More details during preseason.
Friday, October 2: Paul Short Run at Lehigh. Most if not all will travel, depending on cuts to this point.
Friday, October 16: Penn State National Meet. Tentative at this point. If we go, it will be varsity men.
What happened to PreNats? I'll explain during preseason. It has NOTHING to do with budgets/money. FYI.
Saturday, October 17: Albany Invitational. All still on the team will travel.
Friday, October 30: MAACs at VCP. All still on team travel.
Saturday, November 14: NCAA Regionals. Limited travel TBA.
Saturday, November 21: IC4A/ECAC. All still on team travel.
So you see, basically the same with a few tweaks. We will discuss travel limitations and cuts at length during preseason.
As always: Run. Rehydrate. Run Some More.
Saturday, September 5: Home meet at Bowdoin Park. The meet just got smaller. It will be Marist, Rider, St. Peter's. NYU and then Manhattanville both opted out during the summer. Rider is an excellent team (men and women) and this will be a good early test for us.
Sunday, September 20: BU-hosted meet at Franklin Park. Teams participating. BU, Brown, LaSalle, Northeastern, Marist. This subs out for Iona MOC. It gets us on the regional course. Travel will be SOMEWHAT LIMITED to this meet. More details during preseason.
Friday, October 2: Paul Short Run at Lehigh. Most if not all will travel, depending on cuts to this point.
Friday, October 16: Penn State National Meet. Tentative at this point. If we go, it will be varsity men.
What happened to PreNats? I'll explain during preseason. It has NOTHING to do with budgets/money. FYI.
Saturday, October 17: Albany Invitational. All still on the team will travel.
Friday, October 30: MAACs at VCP. All still on team travel.
Saturday, November 14: NCAA Regionals. Limited travel TBA.
Saturday, November 21: IC4A/ECAC. All still on team travel.
So you see, basically the same with a few tweaks. We will discuss travel limitations and cuts at length during preseason.
As always: Run. Rehydrate. Run Some More.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Pool club quote
Well, well. I guess summer's officially over around these parts.
Who stopped by the office today to announce that the Fall 2009 semester has officially begun? The ultimate BRO: Curtis Jensen. He's now a sophomore. But don't be fooled. He's still Curt.
He arrived in town yesterday to try to spruce up Sunset. Good luck with THAT, bro. Sounds like he painted his room some hideous shade of green. Should be interesting.
Anyway, it was great to see Curt, and it really does feel like summer is winding down as other Marist fall sports teams are here for preseason. We'll be back soon enough.
Earlier this summer, at the pool club that we bring the kids most days, I noticed the club's swim team was posting motivational quotes on the wall as they neared their big summer championship meet. Although my kids are not on the Stingrays team, I felt the need to contribute a quote to the wall.
"Run, Rehydrate, Run Some More" really doesn't get it done for a bunch of age-group swimmers.
But I did remember a really good quote from a marathoner that I really liked, respected and rooted for back in the day. Juma Ikangaa was a tiny marathoner from Tanzania, but boy was he tough as nails and consistent. Look him up, and you'll see what I mean. Anyway, he had a quote that epitomized his philosophy toward his sport. I love it, and I share it with you here.
"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare."
Fantastic, huh?
I'm thinking of posting this quote outside my office. What do you guys think?
OK. See you all in a few days.
Who stopped by the office today to announce that the Fall 2009 semester has officially begun? The ultimate BRO: Curtis Jensen. He's now a sophomore. But don't be fooled. He's still Curt.
He arrived in town yesterday to try to spruce up Sunset. Good luck with THAT, bro. Sounds like he painted his room some hideous shade of green. Should be interesting.
Anyway, it was great to see Curt, and it really does feel like summer is winding down as other Marist fall sports teams are here for preseason. We'll be back soon enough.
Earlier this summer, at the pool club that we bring the kids most days, I noticed the club's swim team was posting motivational quotes on the wall as they neared their big summer championship meet. Although my kids are not on the Stingrays team, I felt the need to contribute a quote to the wall.
"Run, Rehydrate, Run Some More" really doesn't get it done for a bunch of age-group swimmers.
But I did remember a really good quote from a marathoner that I really liked, respected and rooted for back in the day. Juma Ikangaa was a tiny marathoner from Tanzania, but boy was he tough as nails and consistent. Look him up, and you'll see what I mean. Anyway, he had a quote that epitomized his philosophy toward his sport. I love it, and I share it with you here.
"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare."
Fantastic, huh?
I'm thinking of posting this quote outside my office. What do you guys think?
OK. See you all in a few days.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Preseason Information
Hello Men:
Preseason is a week away. I figured it was about time that maybe I gave you guys some information regarding the beginning of 2009-2010 ... Here goes ...
Arrival date/time: Sunday, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. McCann Center. At that time, you will pick up your TEMPORARY room keys. We are staying in Champagnat, 5th floor. It will be hot. Bring fans. Bring water. Bring Gatorade.
Meals: The cafeteria will not be open to us until LUNCH on Monday! As a result, we will be having a Team Pizza Dinner on Sunday night. Chuck and I will be asking each of you to chip in with a few bucks each to take care of this. We will provide breakfast foods on Monday.
Monday schedule: Physicals in the morning, 8 a.m. Make sure you have your insurance ID cards or a copy (front/back) of those cards. We will have our team NCAA meeting later that morning. Followed by lunch. Followed by our first practice, the traditional Ogden Mills Hills, later in the afternoon.
Tuesday: Minnewaska in the morning. Double in the afternoon.
Wednesday: Move out day. We will practice EARLY. Our move-out time is 10-11 a.m. Once your CH 5th floor room is clear and inspected by Chuck and me, you will be cleared to get your permanent room key.
A few other miscellaneous points for new team members:
-- It is up to you whether you bring all of your belongings on Sunday, or just some then and have the rest delivered on move-out day or later in the week. I do NOT recommend your parents/families coming back to Marist on the Opening Day (Aug. 29). Not a great idea at ALL.
-- Shirts must be worn at all times indoors (McCann Center and cafeteria, especially). This will be strictly enforced.
-- Again: It will be HOT in the dorms. Plan accordingly. There is no AC in the dorms.
That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure I will remember something and post later this week. Any problems or questions, call or email. See you Sunday afternoon.
Preseason is a week away. I figured it was about time that maybe I gave you guys some information regarding the beginning of 2009-2010 ... Here goes ...
Arrival date/time: Sunday, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. McCann Center. At that time, you will pick up your TEMPORARY room keys. We are staying in Champagnat, 5th floor. It will be hot. Bring fans. Bring water. Bring Gatorade.
Meals: The cafeteria will not be open to us until LUNCH on Monday! As a result, we will be having a Team Pizza Dinner on Sunday night. Chuck and I will be asking each of you to chip in with a few bucks each to take care of this. We will provide breakfast foods on Monday.
Monday schedule: Physicals in the morning, 8 a.m. Make sure you have your insurance ID cards or a copy (front/back) of those cards. We will have our team NCAA meeting later that morning. Followed by lunch. Followed by our first practice, the traditional Ogden Mills Hills, later in the afternoon.
Tuesday: Minnewaska in the morning. Double in the afternoon.
Wednesday: Move out day. We will practice EARLY. Our move-out time is 10-11 a.m. Once your CH 5th floor room is clear and inspected by Chuck and me, you will be cleared to get your permanent room key.
A few other miscellaneous points for new team members:
-- It is up to you whether you bring all of your belongings on Sunday, or just some then and have the rest delivered on move-out day or later in the week. I do NOT recommend your parents/families coming back to Marist on the Opening Day (Aug. 29). Not a great idea at ALL.
-- Shirts must be worn at all times indoors (McCann Center and cafeteria, especially). This will be strictly enforced.
-- Again: It will be HOT in the dorms. Plan accordingly. There is no AC in the dorms.
That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure I will remember something and post later this week. Any problems or questions, call or email. See you Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Hello again!
Team members and followers: It has been a while. I know. Happens every summer. Hang in there and the posts will start coming more frequently.
Team members returning for preseason: Please check your email and/or the blog for important information regarding preseason in the coming days.
RUN.
REHYDRATE.
RUN SOME MORE.
Team members returning for preseason: Please check your email and/or the blog for important information regarding preseason in the coming days.
RUN.
REHYDRATE.
RUN SOME MORE.