I was away at Lake George for a quick weekend getaway with the family -- a last hurrah of summer, you could say -- on Saturday and Sunday.
On Sunday, while at the Great Escape Six Flags park, I spent much of the time guarding bags and backpacks while the rest of my family and friends went and had fun on crazy rides, games, food, etc. ... of which I had no interest. During that time, I was texting with Marist alums Mike Melfi and David Raucci about the Chris Thater 5K, a highly competitive road race in Binghamton, that was held on Sunday.
How competitive is it? The winning time was 13:52. Pretty hot for a road race in these parts.
Anyway, it was kind of cool that a relatively "older" alum in Melfi (class of 99) got to hook up and race with "newer" alums David (class of 2010, he did it!) and Girma Segni (class of 2009 AND 2010).
Girm ran well, placing 12th overall in the competitive race, in 14:59. I have not spoken with Girm in a few weeks -- we have been playing phone tag, and he does not text yet -- but I am pretty sure he is planning on running a marathon in Baltimore later this fall.
David and Melfi finished together in 15:48 and 15:49. Ever the gentleman, David gave Mike the right-of-way at the finish line and they were 27th and 28th, respectively. Mike reported that David and Girma were wearing their Marist alumni gear -- good for them!
After 5 years with us, it's going to be odd not having those guys on the team, but I know they will continue to represent us well as Marist running alums.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Cross country schedule, 2010
This post is mostly for alumni and friends of the program, since the current team members pretty much know our schedule at this point.
Saturday, September 4: Marist Invitational, Bowdoin Park
Women's race 9 a.m.; men's race 9:45 a.m. Race distance 5km for men and women
Teams in attendance: Marist, Fairfield, Siena, St. Peter's
Who will run: Everyone who is healthy and eligible will compete
Saturday, September 18: Iona Meet of Champions, Van Cortlandt Park
Women's race 9:30 a.m.; men's race 10:15 a.m.
Who will run: The meet entry limit is currently 14 per gender, but that might be expanded slightly. We will run the maximum number of entries allowable.
Saturday, September 25: Fairfield University Invitational
Women's race 11 a.m.; men's race 11:45 a.m.
Who will run: All those who do not run at Iona MOC will run at this meet
Friday, October 1: Paul Short Run, Lehigh
Combined open race 10 a.m.; men's varsity race, 11 a.m.; women's varsity race, 11:45 a.m.
Who will run: The majority of the team (but not all) will run here, probably around 25-27 per gender
Friday, October 8: Metropolitan Championships, Van Cortlandt Park
women's race, 2 p.m.; men's race, 2:45 p.m.
Who will run: Those that did not run at Paul Short will race here. It will be a small, partial squad
Saturday, October 16: Penn State National Meet, State College, PA
men's race, 10 a.m.
Who will run: Men's varsity runners (top 7 or 8)
Saturday, October 16: UAlbany Invitational
Race times TBA
Who will run: Remainder of men's team, entire women's team
Friday, October 29: MAAC Championships, Hammonassett State Park, Madison, CT
Tentative race times: women, 11 a.m.; men, noon
Who will run: All that are healthy and eligible will race at this meet
Saturday, November 13: NCAA Northeast Regional, Hammonassett State Park, Madison, CT
11 a.m. women; 11:45 a.m. men
Who will run: Varsity (top 7) men and women; we will bring an alternate with each team. There is no JV race with this championship
Saturday, November 20: IC4A/ECAC Championships, Van Cortlandt Park
Race times TBA
Who will run: Top 12 men and women in varsity race; all others that are healthy and eligible will run in the JV race
Hope to see plenty of family, friends and alumni support at the meets, as we have always had in the past.
Saturday, September 4: Marist Invitational, Bowdoin Park
Women's race 9 a.m.; men's race 9:45 a.m. Race distance 5km for men and women
Teams in attendance: Marist, Fairfield, Siena, St. Peter's
Who will run: Everyone who is healthy and eligible will compete
Saturday, September 18: Iona Meet of Champions, Van Cortlandt Park
Women's race 9:30 a.m.; men's race 10:15 a.m.
Who will run: The meet entry limit is currently 14 per gender, but that might be expanded slightly. We will run the maximum number of entries allowable.
Saturday, September 25: Fairfield University Invitational
Women's race 11 a.m.; men's race 11:45 a.m.
Who will run: All those who do not run at Iona MOC will run at this meet
Friday, October 1: Paul Short Run, Lehigh
Combined open race 10 a.m.; men's varsity race, 11 a.m.; women's varsity race, 11:45 a.m.
Who will run: The majority of the team (but not all) will run here, probably around 25-27 per gender
Friday, October 8: Metropolitan Championships, Van Cortlandt Park
women's race, 2 p.m.; men's race, 2:45 p.m.
Who will run: Those that did not run at Paul Short will race here. It will be a small, partial squad
Saturday, October 16: Penn State National Meet, State College, PA
men's race, 10 a.m.
Who will run: Men's varsity runners (top 7 or 8)
Saturday, October 16: UAlbany Invitational
Race times TBA
Who will run: Remainder of men's team, entire women's team
Friday, October 29: MAAC Championships, Hammonassett State Park, Madison, CT
Tentative race times: women, 11 a.m.; men, noon
Who will run: All that are healthy and eligible will race at this meet
Saturday, November 13: NCAA Northeast Regional, Hammonassett State Park, Madison, CT
11 a.m. women; 11:45 a.m. men
Who will run: Varsity (top 7) men and women; we will bring an alternate with each team. There is no JV race with this championship
Saturday, November 20: IC4A/ECAC Championships, Van Cortlandt Park
Race times TBA
Who will run: Top 12 men and women in varsity race; all others that are healthy and eligible will run in the JV race
Hope to see plenty of family, friends and alumni support at the meets, as we have always had in the past.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Friday of preseason
Let's go back in time, to preseason in 1999.
I'm in Leo Hall. Why preseason teams were being housed in Leo Hall is beyond me. It was Wednesday. Move-out day. Same as this past Wednesday in Champagnat, also move-out day. Same exact date too!
I'm helping Brian Perrella, wiseguy sophomore from Xavier in Connecticut, move out of his room. I'm lugging a big stereo speaker. Current team members reading this are probably laughing, or are confused, or both. In the days before iTunes, iPods and all your music on your laptop, college students like Perrella had huge stereo systems to listen to their music, which was on bulky, not-so-compact, compact discs.
So anyway, I'm helping him out ... and the beeper in my pocket goes off. A beeper! Other than doctors and drug dealers, who these days uses beepers, right? Again, this is the Dark Ages before cell phones. I knew immediately why my beeper was going off. My wife was instructed to beep me in case there was any "activity" going on in her belly, where our first child was waiting to come out and gasp its first breath of air.
I practically dropped the big speaker on my big toe as I sprinted to the pay phone (PAY PHONE!) to call home. Heidi (my wife) excitedly and nervously had told me her "water broke."
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? The kid wasn't due for another 3 weeks! What the ----. I dashed home as quickly as possible. A call to the doctor's office and they calmed us down. Nothing was happening. Yet. Might be a few hours. A few days. What did we know? This was our first time in the baby business. But still ... the baby wasn't due till mid-September!
The next day and a half was nerve-wracking as nothing really happened. Then, on Friday morning, things started happening. Quickly.
After a short labor, at 12:16 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 1999, our first child was born at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck. Outside our hospital room window, we could smell the sweet odor of fried dough and hear the sweet sounds of carnival rides. The fair! It was fair week! Right across the street from the hospital, at the fairgrounds. Could you imagine if our mad dash to the hospital had been later in the day instead of at 6:30 a.m.? Imagine, getting stuck in Dutchess County Fair traffic on the way to the hospital with a baby on the way. We lucked out.
So here we are. Friday of preseason, 2010. That bundle of joy now knows how to operate and produce PowerPoint and Publisher documents. His old man and his beautiful mom have no clue how to do this. HE taught US how to program and operate our iPods. He has run 5Ks (wonder where he gets THAT from?), he plays baseball, he knows what the WHIP statistic in baseball means (God bless him!), he's a huge Yankees fan and he listens to Metallica (how did THAT happen?).
Joey turns 11 today. Next week, he goes to middle school. Friday of preseason then. Friday of preseason now. As coaches, we mark our time with such things. Phil's first grandchild was born while we were on the way home from MAACs outdoors in 1998. Joey was born on the Friday of preseason. Some things stay the same. Some things change. The cycle of coaching was what it was, is what it is.
Preseasons go by really fast. Kids grow up really fast.
Friday of preseason then. Friday of preseason now.
I'm in Leo Hall. Why preseason teams were being housed in Leo Hall is beyond me. It was Wednesday. Move-out day. Same as this past Wednesday in Champagnat, also move-out day. Same exact date too!
I'm helping Brian Perrella, wiseguy sophomore from Xavier in Connecticut, move out of his room. I'm lugging a big stereo speaker. Current team members reading this are probably laughing, or are confused, or both. In the days before iTunes, iPods and all your music on your laptop, college students like Perrella had huge stereo systems to listen to their music, which was on bulky, not-so-compact, compact discs.
So anyway, I'm helping him out ... and the beeper in my pocket goes off. A beeper! Other than doctors and drug dealers, who these days uses beepers, right? Again, this is the Dark Ages before cell phones. I knew immediately why my beeper was going off. My wife was instructed to beep me in case there was any "activity" going on in her belly, where our first child was waiting to come out and gasp its first breath of air.
I practically dropped the big speaker on my big toe as I sprinted to the pay phone (PAY PHONE!) to call home. Heidi (my wife) excitedly and nervously had told me her "water broke."
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? The kid wasn't due for another 3 weeks! What the ----. I dashed home as quickly as possible. A call to the doctor's office and they calmed us down. Nothing was happening. Yet. Might be a few hours. A few days. What did we know? This was our first time in the baby business. But still ... the baby wasn't due till mid-September!
The next day and a half was nerve-wracking as nothing really happened. Then, on Friday morning, things started happening. Quickly.
After a short labor, at 12:16 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 1999, our first child was born at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck. Outside our hospital room window, we could smell the sweet odor of fried dough and hear the sweet sounds of carnival rides. The fair! It was fair week! Right across the street from the hospital, at the fairgrounds. Could you imagine if our mad dash to the hospital had been later in the day instead of at 6:30 a.m.? Imagine, getting stuck in Dutchess County Fair traffic on the way to the hospital with a baby on the way. We lucked out.
So here we are. Friday of preseason, 2010. That bundle of joy now knows how to operate and produce PowerPoint and Publisher documents. His old man and his beautiful mom have no clue how to do this. HE taught US how to program and operate our iPods. He has run 5Ks (wonder where he gets THAT from?), he plays baseball, he knows what the WHIP statistic in baseball means (God bless him!), he's a huge Yankees fan and he listens to Metallica (how did THAT happen?).
Joey turns 11 today. Next week, he goes to middle school. Friday of preseason then. Friday of preseason now. As coaches, we mark our time with such things. Phil's first grandchild was born while we were on the way home from MAACs outdoors in 1998. Joey was born on the Friday of preseason. Some things stay the same. Some things change. The cycle of coaching was what it was, is what it is.
Preseasons go by really fast. Kids grow up really fast.
Friday of preseason then. Friday of preseason now.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Snail mail
Thanks again to the alumni donations, which continue to come in on a regular basis since my mailing of a few weeks ago. I am humbled by everyone's generosity.
More than the donations, which we will put to good use (THAT'S A GUARANTEE!), what warms my heart are the very nice and thoughtful letters I have received from alumni -- especially the men who graduated in the late 1990s. They are far enough removed from the program to certainly not know any current team members. But their college careers are not so far in the rearview mirror. As a result, they have recalled "some of the best years of their lives," as many have written.
One of the things Phil and I were always proud of -- perhaps more so than the actual trophies and school records -- were the close-knit bonds that team members had and continue to maintain through the years. We travel and practice together on an almost daily basis for the better part of nine months. It's an added bonus when you love each other's company. Chuck and I strive to continue the warm atmosphere, all the while trying to field faster and faster teams. A delicate balance.
Anyway: In this age of email, texts, Twitter and Facebook, how nice it is to receive short, handwritten notes from long-ago friends. Please keep them coming. I'm saving them all.
More than the donations, which we will put to good use (THAT'S A GUARANTEE!), what warms my heart are the very nice and thoughtful letters I have received from alumni -- especially the men who graduated in the late 1990s. They are far enough removed from the program to certainly not know any current team members. But their college careers are not so far in the rearview mirror. As a result, they have recalled "some of the best years of their lives," as many have written.
One of the things Phil and I were always proud of -- perhaps more so than the actual trophies and school records -- were the close-knit bonds that team members had and continue to maintain through the years. We travel and practice together on an almost daily basis for the better part of nine months. It's an added bonus when you love each other's company. Chuck and I strive to continue the warm atmosphere, all the while trying to field faster and faster teams. A delicate balance.
Anyway: In this age of email, texts, Twitter and Facebook, how nice it is to receive short, handwritten notes from long-ago friends. Please keep them coming. I'm saving them all.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Stylin' with Q
I was sort of aware, during the last school year, that Quimes DelaCruz was the team's unofficial barber/hair stylist. Whenever I would get my hair buzzed by my barber Sal, several team members would wonder if Q did the job.
Well, Q has been busy this preseason week -- running a lot, and stylin' up folks' hair. His masterpiece work was on Posch, who apparently has been remolded into a studly basketball player-lookin' dude -- replete with chin-strap beard (yuk) and gelled-up faux-hawk.
Conor also has a tamer mohawk look now, a much-overdue cut for our favorite fifth-year Kellenberg guy.
So anyway, it appears Q is our go-to guy both on the course and with the clippers.
Well, Q has been busy this preseason week -- running a lot, and stylin' up folks' hair. His masterpiece work was on Posch, who apparently has been remolded into a studly basketball player-lookin' dude -- replete with chin-strap beard (yuk) and gelled-up faux-hawk.
Conor also has a tamer mohawk look now, a much-overdue cut for our favorite fifth-year Kellenberg guy.
So anyway, it appears Q is our go-to guy both on the course and with the clippers.
Team time trial today
Because of move-out day, the Team Time Trial at Vassar was early. We met at McCann at the ungodly hour of 6:15 a.m. Because of the unwieldy nature of this team, I decided to break the group into two time trials: Freshmen/sophomores and juniors/seniors.
My “eye test” indicated that, at that early hour, guys looked very fast going around the track while not going very fast (as you’ll see). Interestingly, though, after the Time Trial, I had the guys jog across the street to Vassar Farm and do a 4-kilometer tempo run. Most men drilled that, running fast and looking very strong in the process.
I guess, at this point, looking good in a 4km tempo run is more positive than looking bad in a 3,200-meter time trial is negative. If that makes any sense. So anyway, for those keeping score at home, here are the “results” of the 8-lap time trial at Vassar.
Group 1 (freshmen/sophomores): I have noted the freshmen (fr)
Quimes DelaCruz 9:50
Billy Posch 9:50
Sam McMullen 9:51
Kevin O’Sullivan (fr) 9:51
Ken Walshak (fr) 9:53
Matt Panebianco 9:56
Ben Windisch (fr) 9:58
Ryan Scrudato (fr) 9:58
Joel Moss 9:58
Chris Reynolds (fr) 10:05
Mike Nicoletti 10:06
Nick Hughes (fr) 10:13
Mike Clausen (fr) 10:26
Pat Deedy (fr) 10:27
Doug Ainscow (fr) 10:31
Billy Hild (fr) 10:32
Isaiah Miller (fr) 10:35
Mike Keegan 10:36
Brendan Green 10:43
Luke Shane 10:56
Danny Mendoza (fr) 10:57
Group 2 (juniors and seniors)
Adam Vess 9:45
Matt Flint 9:45
Nick Webster 9:50
Tom Lipari 9:53
Tim Keegan 9:54
Pat Duggan 9:57
Zak Smetana 9:57
Ryan Brown 9:59
Kyle Havard 10:05
Ryan Fitzsimons 10:16
Brian Townsend 10:26
Thanks to Will Griffin, who is rapidly on the mend from his summer injury, for helping with the timing and recording.
Thanks to Vassar Coach James McCowan for allowing us access to the track.
Several inquiring minds have asked if the Team Time Trial will become a regular part of preseason. The short answer is Yes. But we may tweak it in the future.
The women’s team did 1,000-meter threshold intervals on the Cator Loop at FDR. Coach Chuck reported that they went very well.
Back to Minnewaska on Thursday.
My “eye test” indicated that, at that early hour, guys looked very fast going around the track while not going very fast (as you’ll see). Interestingly, though, after the Time Trial, I had the guys jog across the street to Vassar Farm and do a 4-kilometer tempo run. Most men drilled that, running fast and looking very strong in the process.
I guess, at this point, looking good in a 4km tempo run is more positive than looking bad in a 3,200-meter time trial is negative. If that makes any sense. So anyway, for those keeping score at home, here are the “results” of the 8-lap time trial at Vassar.
Group 1 (freshmen/sophomores): I have noted the freshmen (fr)
Quimes DelaCruz 9:50
Billy Posch 9:50
Sam McMullen 9:51
Kevin O’Sullivan (fr) 9:51
Ken Walshak (fr) 9:53
Matt Panebianco 9:56
Ben Windisch (fr) 9:58
Ryan Scrudato (fr) 9:58
Joel Moss 9:58
Chris Reynolds (fr) 10:05
Mike Nicoletti 10:06
Nick Hughes (fr) 10:13
Mike Clausen (fr) 10:26
Pat Deedy (fr) 10:27
Doug Ainscow (fr) 10:31
Billy Hild (fr) 10:32
Isaiah Miller (fr) 10:35
Mike Keegan 10:36
Brendan Green 10:43
Luke Shane 10:56
Danny Mendoza (fr) 10:57
Group 2 (juniors and seniors)
Adam Vess 9:45
Matt Flint 9:45
Nick Webster 9:50
Tom Lipari 9:53
Tim Keegan 9:54
Pat Duggan 9:57
Zak Smetana 9:57
Ryan Brown 9:59
Kyle Havard 10:05
Ryan Fitzsimons 10:16
Brian Townsend 10:26
Thanks to Will Griffin, who is rapidly on the mend from his summer injury, for helping with the timing and recording.
Thanks to Vassar Coach James McCowan for allowing us access to the track.
Several inquiring minds have asked if the Team Time Trial will become a regular part of preseason. The short answer is Yes. But we may tweak it in the future.
The women’s team did 1,000-meter threshold intervals on the Cator Loop at FDR. Coach Chuck reported that they went very well.
Back to Minnewaska on Thursday.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Go red fox
I was really doubting myself.
As I stared at my clock-radio in the dark, it said 5:24 a.m. The urge to roll back over and resume sleeping was strong. Very strong.
Most mornings, I overcome that urge because I have a date with my jogging partners. Whether it's fast Tony, fast Jason, getting faster JV or about-my-speed Eric, I often have guys to meet on weekday mornings.
This morning, being a Tuesday, was a JV and Eric day -- one of my favorites. It's also a Team Minnewaska Day, a day I normally run on the beautiful trails up in the Gunks. So, I could have easily slept in and awakened NOW in preparation for the Minnewaska trip.
Instead, I got up at normal time, drove in the dark to Eric's house, where we did our usual, 55-minute loop through town and Vanderbilt. I'm glad I did.
As we were jogging through the Hudson Drive neighborhood, we saw what initially looked like a cat. It was not. It was a coy and sly red fox -- a beautiful creature with a long tail. We have often encountered red foxes in Vanderbilt, where they must have a den or something.
This was the first time we saw a fox in a residential area. The red fox looked at us for a moment, realized we were slower and not nearly as smart, and dashed into the woods.
So Minnewaska is beautiful, among the best places to run anywhere. We'll be on our way there soon enough. This morning, a slow jog with some friends and a chance encounter with a red fox was good enough for me.
As I stared at my clock-radio in the dark, it said 5:24 a.m. The urge to roll back over and resume sleeping was strong. Very strong.
Most mornings, I overcome that urge because I have a date with my jogging partners. Whether it's fast Tony, fast Jason, getting faster JV or about-my-speed Eric, I often have guys to meet on weekday mornings.
This morning, being a Tuesday, was a JV and Eric day -- one of my favorites. It's also a Team Minnewaska Day, a day I normally run on the beautiful trails up in the Gunks. So, I could have easily slept in and awakened NOW in preparation for the Minnewaska trip.
Instead, I got up at normal time, drove in the dark to Eric's house, where we did our usual, 55-minute loop through town and Vanderbilt. I'm glad I did.
As we were jogging through the Hudson Drive neighborhood, we saw what initially looked like a cat. It was not. It was a coy and sly red fox -- a beautiful creature with a long tail. We have often encountered red foxes in Vanderbilt, where they must have a den or something.
This was the first time we saw a fox in a residential area. The red fox looked at us for a moment, realized we were slower and not nearly as smart, and dashed into the woods.
So Minnewaska is beautiful, among the best places to run anywhere. We'll be on our way there soon enough. This morning, a slow jog with some friends and a chance encounter with a red fox was good enough for me.
Monday, August 23, 2010
First practice
It was drizzly, rainy, humid but cool -- in other words, near-perfect running weather -- for the first Ogden Mills Hills workout.
The men's and women's teams looked and ran very strong on the hills. Nice to see!
We had a special guest at practice, as Strength and Conditioning Coach Jon Clancy came to check out the proceedings. At our NCAA Meeting this morning, Coach Clancy made a spirited pitch to get our distance men and women into the weight room on a more consistent basis. He's got great energy and his motivation and enthusiasm are appreciated.
If you want a good laugh, check out the video of some old coach at this link.
Off to Minnewaska on Tuesday for another cool and damp day.
Nice that summer was turned off just in time for preseason. No complaints!
The men's and women's teams looked and ran very strong on the hills. Nice to see!
We had a special guest at practice, as Strength and Conditioning Coach Jon Clancy came to check out the proceedings. At our NCAA Meeting this morning, Coach Clancy made a spirited pitch to get our distance men and women into the weight room on a more consistent basis. He's got great energy and his motivation and enthusiasm are appreciated.
If you want a good laugh, check out the video of some old coach at this link.
Off to Minnewaska on Tuesday for another cool and damp day.
Nice that summer was turned off just in time for preseason. No complaints!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Upon us all a little rain must fall
And so it begins again.
Preseason arrival was today. In what has been a dry and very hot summer, apparently God decided to dump a season's worth of rain upon us in one day. Or two, as Monday appears to be just as soggy.
The crazy weather wreaked havoc on travel for many team members -- especially those traveling from the north. Hours were spent in traffic on the Thruway and other 'ways.
In any event, everyone that is supposed to be here, is here. And that is a good thing.
Busy day ahead of us on Monday, with physicals, gear handout, team meetings, and then eventually Ogden Mills Hills practice.
Until then ... time to get some dry clothes on, for a few minutes anyway.
Preseason arrival was today. In what has been a dry and very hot summer, apparently God decided to dump a season's worth of rain upon us in one day. Or two, as Monday appears to be just as soggy.
The crazy weather wreaked havoc on travel for many team members -- especially those traveling from the north. Hours were spent in traffic on the Thruway and other 'ways.
In any event, everyone that is supposed to be here, is here. And that is a good thing.
Busy day ahead of us on Monday, with physicals, gear handout, team meetings, and then eventually Ogden Mills Hills practice.
Until then ... time to get some dry clothes on, for a few minutes anyway.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Colin in China
What's this? A competing blog? Bring it on, BRO!
Actually, there is no competition in the blogosphere. We are all friends, right?
Anyway, recent alum Colin Johnson is spending a year or so in China starting very soon (now?) and he notified me via e-mail that he will be blogging while over there.
Here is the link.
His blog will be a bit more fancy than mine, which is mostly just words. Or, as he put it to me in the email:
I plan on posting videos, pictures, etc. on it. Its more of a BRO-log then a traditional blog!
Have fun over there, BRO, and make sure to race in the Marist Alumni Racing Team singlet!
Actually, there is no competition in the blogosphere. We are all friends, right?
Anyway, recent alum Colin Johnson is spending a year or so in China starting very soon (now?) and he notified me via e-mail that he will be blogging while over there.
Here is the link.
His blog will be a bit more fancy than mine, which is mostly just words. Or, as he put it to me in the email:
I plan on posting videos, pictures, etc. on it. Its more of a BRO-log then a traditional blog!
Have fun over there, BRO, and make sure to race in the Marist Alumni Racing Team singlet!
Preseason update
Current team members should have received a very lengthy email from me regarding the Preseason Plan. For alumni and others interested in what we are doing, here's a brief day-to-day breakdown of our preseason practice schedule.
Monday: Upperclassmen physicals and NCAA meeting for the entire team in the morning.
First practice, Monday: Afternoon first practice will be at Ogden Mills, the traditional first practice of the season. As I enter my 20th year as coach, I honestly cannot remember if we have done the Ogden Mills Hills every year. If we missed a year or two, that would be it. Some current men's team members are mildly annoyed at this workout, claiming it is "too easy." Tough. It's tradition, and we're doing it. Plus, I get to yell out annoying "vocabulary words" while everyone is sprinting up the hill. Some things never change ...
Tuesday: Minnewaska. Nuff said.
Wednesday: A Marist Preseason First! A track time trial at Vassar College. Note to team: IT WILL BE EARLY! We need to be off the Vassar track by 8:15 a.m., due to their preseason practice schedule. Coach James at Vassar was kind enough to squeeze us in there. No complaints. The time trial will consist of a 3,200-meter run. Given the size of the team, we will probably break it into two sections. More details later in the week.
Thursday: Minnewaska. Again. Why? Because we can.
Friday: 12-hour relay from Gartland, an excuse for the team's fundraising efforts for their fancy new Nike jackets.
Saturday/Sunday: Move-in weekend. Craziness. We will do one long run from campus (probably on Saturday) and a shorter easy run on Sunday.
Monday: Classes begin! Normal practice time.
Tuesday: Classes continue. Coach Pete gets a year older. Vess likes to call me "bitter old man." The bitter part, I dispute. Turning 46 on this date, the "old man" label is up for grabs.
Monday: Upperclassmen physicals and NCAA meeting for the entire team in the morning.
First practice, Monday: Afternoon first practice will be at Ogden Mills, the traditional first practice of the season. As I enter my 20th year as coach, I honestly cannot remember if we have done the Ogden Mills Hills every year. If we missed a year or two, that would be it. Some current men's team members are mildly annoyed at this workout, claiming it is "too easy." Tough. It's tradition, and we're doing it. Plus, I get to yell out annoying "vocabulary words" while everyone is sprinting up the hill. Some things never change ...
Tuesday: Minnewaska. Nuff said.
Wednesday: A Marist Preseason First! A track time trial at Vassar College. Note to team: IT WILL BE EARLY! We need to be off the Vassar track by 8:15 a.m., due to their preseason practice schedule. Coach James at Vassar was kind enough to squeeze us in there. No complaints. The time trial will consist of a 3,200-meter run. Given the size of the team, we will probably break it into two sections. More details later in the week.
Thursday: Minnewaska. Again. Why? Because we can.
Friday: 12-hour relay from Gartland, an excuse for the team's fundraising efforts for their fancy new Nike jackets.
Saturday/Sunday: Move-in weekend. Craziness. We will do one long run from campus (probably on Saturday) and a shorter easy run on Sunday.
Monday: Classes begin! Normal practice time.
Tuesday: Classes continue. Coach Pete gets a year older. Vess likes to call me "bitter old man." The bitter part, I dispute. Turning 46 on this date, the "old man" label is up for grabs.
Fox Trot update
Along with the fundraising letter, in some of them I have included a Red Fox Trot 5K application, with an incentive of a reduced entry fee for being a Marist Running Alum.
Some well-planning alums have already registered! Sorry, fellas, I cannot get you a retroactive reduced fee. The ones that I have noticed so far are Schab and Cocca.
Schabby? No surprise there. He loves racing, and he remains close to the current team, despite the fact that he has been outta here for 5 years. Will be good to see the Schabster in a few weeks.
Cocca! That's right, Mike Cocca, Class of 2009. Why is that so noteworthy? Michael was (and is) a SPRINTER! What's a sprinter doing running a 5K? I guess we'll find out soon. I am sure Mike will do GREAT. He was the rare sprinter who actually did some distance/base training.
Will be great to see him coming down the hill, with the band playing loudly, as he outkicks ... anyone around him. Hey. He's a sprinter. He better have a great kick, right?
Some well-planning alums have already registered! Sorry, fellas, I cannot get you a retroactive reduced fee. The ones that I have noticed so far are Schab and Cocca.
Schabby? No surprise there. He loves racing, and he remains close to the current team, despite the fact that he has been outta here for 5 years. Will be good to see the Schabster in a few weeks.
Cocca! That's right, Mike Cocca, Class of 2009. Why is that so noteworthy? Michael was (and is) a SPRINTER! What's a sprinter doing running a 5K? I guess we'll find out soon. I am sure Mike will do GREAT. He was the rare sprinter who actually did some distance/base training.
Will be great to see him coming down the hill, with the band playing loudly, as he outkicks ... anyone around him. Hey. He's a sprinter. He better have a great kick, right?
Fundraising update
For any alums that follow this blog: By now, you probably have received my fancy fundraising letter. If you have not and you want one of your own, please email me at runhed246@hotmail.com. I will get one out to you as soon as possible -- right now, I have run out of envelopes, but hope to get a new stash in a day or two.
I have been mailing the letters in waves. The first batch went out last Thursday. Already, I have received several generous donations. As I said in the letter, I am not "keeping score." Rest assured that I am humbled and honored and mostly THANKFUL for any amount, or even that you care to return and write a funny note along with your unusual but extremely generous donation (that would be REESE!).
Again, without getting into great detail, I will say this: The award for the first letter and donation received back to me at the McCann Center, goes to ... drumroll please ... I know the suspense is killing you ...
LOUIS CAPORALE JR., Class of 1998 (or was it '99?). I'm terrible with that, sorry. You win, Louis! It is fitting, as Lou has been a loyal and ardent alum of our program. There are many loyal and ardent alums of our program. Louis is at or near the top of the list.
I will probably repeat this a hundred times in current and future posts. To all who return the letters with donations: Thank you, thank you, thank you. It will all go to good use. Trust me on that.
I have been mailing the letters in waves. The first batch went out last Thursday. Already, I have received several generous donations. As I said in the letter, I am not "keeping score." Rest assured that I am humbled and honored and mostly THANKFUL for any amount, or even that you care to return and write a funny note along with your unusual but extremely generous donation (that would be REESE!).
Again, without getting into great detail, I will say this: The award for the first letter and donation received back to me at the McCann Center, goes to ... drumroll please ... I know the suspense is killing you ...
LOUIS CAPORALE JR., Class of 1998 (or was it '99?). I'm terrible with that, sorry. You win, Louis! It is fitting, as Lou has been a loyal and ardent alum of our program. There are many loyal and ardent alums of our program. Louis is at or near the top of the list.
I will probably repeat this a hundred times in current and future posts. To all who return the letters with donations: Thank you, thank you, thank you. It will all go to good use. Trust me on that.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Strike up the band
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Will try to get back into the swing of things this week.
We start with an update on the Red Fox Trot 5K road race, which as a reminder will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11. As part of my alumni mailing, many blog followers may have received or will be receiving a race application for this fine event.
There is one current men's distance team member, fifth-year senior Conor Shelley, who can actually race in this event as he only has track eligibility remaining and can run in outside competitions during the fall. And let me tell you something: Conor should be PUMPED up to run this race.
Here's why:
For many years, Conor has had this idea that we should have the fine Marist Band perform their upbeat and motivational brand of rah-rah music at one of our cross country meets. I know. It's a bit of an unorthodox idea. But, for those who know him, it is vintage Conor.
Well, guess what? Conor gets his wish! The Marist Band (which features sophomore Joel Moss on the tuba!) will be performing at the Red Fox Trot 5K. So Conor, there you go. You get the Marist Fight Song at the start and finish along the riverfront, to pump you up.
Get training, bro. You gotta look good in front of the band!
We start with an update on the Red Fox Trot 5K road race, which as a reminder will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11. As part of my alumni mailing, many blog followers may have received or will be receiving a race application for this fine event.
There is one current men's distance team member, fifth-year senior Conor Shelley, who can actually race in this event as he only has track eligibility remaining and can run in outside competitions during the fall. And let me tell you something: Conor should be PUMPED up to run this race.
Here's why:
For many years, Conor has had this idea that we should have the fine Marist Band perform their upbeat and motivational brand of rah-rah music at one of our cross country meets. I know. It's a bit of an unorthodox idea. But, for those who know him, it is vintage Conor.
Well, guess what? Conor gets his wish! The Marist Band (which features sophomore Joel Moss on the tuba!) will be performing at the Red Fox Trot 5K. So Conor, there you go. You get the Marist Fight Song at the start and finish along the riverfront, to pump you up.
Get training, bro. You gotta look good in front of the band!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
What's new?
Wow. Can't believe a week has gone by since my last flurry of posts. Sorry about that.
I've been busy working on the massive alumni fundraising mailing. I will most likely do it in waves. If you are flagged as an track or cross country alum, expect something in the mail soon.
Another thing keeping us busy here are preparations for the Red Fox Trot 5K, the first road race (to my knowledge) being held on campus. I'm slowly piecing together the course for it. Should be a good one, but challenging! The first half-mile is basically uphill. Just so you know.
Otherwise, gearing up for preseason, which begins a week from Sunday. Current team members (men and women) should have received a long and detailed email from me regarding preseason policies, etc.
I'm sure once preseason begins, the posts will be coming a bit more quickly. Until that time, back to stuffing envelopes and enjoying what's left of the summer.
I've been busy working on the massive alumni fundraising mailing. I will most likely do it in waves. If you are flagged as an track or cross country alum, expect something in the mail soon.
Another thing keeping us busy here are preparations for the Red Fox Trot 5K, the first road race (to my knowledge) being held on campus. I'm slowly piecing together the course for it. Should be a good one, but challenging! The first half-mile is basically uphill. Just so you know.
Otherwise, gearing up for preseason, which begins a week from Sunday. Current team members (men and women) should have received a long and detailed email from me regarding preseason policies, etc.
I'm sure once preseason begins, the posts will be coming a bit more quickly. Until that time, back to stuffing envelopes and enjoying what's left of the summer.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Red Fox Trot reminder
Another reminder about the upcoming Red Fox Trot 5K, which is Saturday, Sept. 11, from the Marist Riverfront. The race is shaping up nicely and it should be a great crowd for a first-time race.
A few notes:
Current xc team members: You cannot participate it as per NCAA rules. We will all be working the race, cheering on spectators and providing traffic control. Should be a fun morning. Note to Vess: Dunkin Donuts is a sponsor. Yes, you will be able to clean up/take whatever leftover food and drink is not eaten.
Current track team members: I will check, but I believe you can enter and run the race. You must pay the entry fee, however. No freebies.
Alumni and friends: The $15 entry fee is a great value! You get 2 free tickets to a Marist men’s OR women’s basketball game, a long-sleeve T-shirt and a traffic-free course lined by the current team. Not too shabby. Register online at www.mhrrc.org or email me at runhed246@hotmail.com for a race application.
Hope to see you there!
A few notes:
Current xc team members: You cannot participate it as per NCAA rules. We will all be working the race, cheering on spectators and providing traffic control. Should be a fun morning. Note to Vess: Dunkin Donuts is a sponsor. Yes, you will be able to clean up/take whatever leftover food and drink is not eaten.
Current track team members: I will check, but I believe you can enter and run the race. You must pay the entry fee, however. No freebies.
Alumni and friends: The $15 entry fee is a great value! You get 2 free tickets to a Marist men’s OR women’s basketball game, a long-sleeve T-shirt and a traffic-free course lined by the current team. Not too shabby. Register online at www.mhrrc.org or email me at runhed246@hotmail.com for a race application.
Hope to see you there!
Fundraising reminder: Team
For those team members that do not check their email regularly: First of all, SHAME ON YOU! You should be checking it!
Anyway …
A reminder that every team member is expected to do their fair share of fundraising. Here is the breakdown:
Cross country team, preseason fundraising: As emailed, we are expecting every team member to raise at least $100 (more is better) to go toward the purchase of really excellent Nike warm-up jackets. The fundraising form was emailed to you. We will be reviving our 12-hour relay (non-competitive, just for fun!) on the Friday of preseason as a reason for you to ask for funds from family and friends.
Track team, preseason fundraising: Although you will not be participating in the 12-hour relay, you are all still expected to meet the $100 fundraising goal as well, to cover the costs of the jackets and other expenses.
Cross country and track team, regular season fundraising: As we have done in the past, once again we will be asking/expecting each of you to sell Super Bowl Raffle Tickets. This is a popular fundraiser and easy if you get on it early. The raffle tickets will be distributed to you early in the semester. Remember: If you lose the tickets, you bought them!
And please: Do not complain. Every athletic team at Marist fundraises to boost up their budgets. This is our most organized initiative, but it will literally pay dividends.
Anyway …
A reminder that every team member is expected to do their fair share of fundraising. Here is the breakdown:
Cross country team, preseason fundraising: As emailed, we are expecting every team member to raise at least $100 (more is better) to go toward the purchase of really excellent Nike warm-up jackets. The fundraising form was emailed to you. We will be reviving our 12-hour relay (non-competitive, just for fun!) on the Friday of preseason as a reason for you to ask for funds from family and friends.
Track team, preseason fundraising: Although you will not be participating in the 12-hour relay, you are all still expected to meet the $100 fundraising goal as well, to cover the costs of the jackets and other expenses.
Cross country and track team, regular season fundraising: As we have done in the past, once again we will be asking/expecting each of you to sell Super Bowl Raffle Tickets. This is a popular fundraiser and easy if you get on it early. The raffle tickets will be distributed to you early in the semester. Remember: If you lose the tickets, you bought them!
And please: Do not complain. Every athletic team at Marist fundraises to boost up their budgets. This is our most organized initiative, but it will literally pay dividends.
Fundraising reminder: Alumni
For those alumni who read this blog, please be forewarned that I will be mailing out a fundraising letter to you all in the next few weeks. It is the first time I am actively soliciting funds from our large and loyal alumni base.
Any donations you may choose to make will go directly toward our track and cross country budget. I thank you in advance for your consideration.
Any donations you may choose to make will go directly toward our track and cross country budget. I thank you in advance for your consideration.
Preseason plan: Stay tuned
To current team members:
I will post and/or email next week with a detailed preseason plan. We are having a preseason coaches’ meeting next Monday afternoon, at which time a lot of details about preseason will be hashed out internally within the athletic department. After that, I will be able to give you firm details about everything.
Until that time, please continue to email me training updates.
And of course: Run, Rehydrate, Run Some More.
I will post and/or email next week with a detailed preseason plan. We are having a preseason coaches’ meeting next Monday afternoon, at which time a lot of details about preseason will be hashed out internally within the athletic department. After that, I will be able to give you firm details about everything.
Until that time, please continue to email me training updates.
And of course: Run, Rehydrate, Run Some More.
Eating and sleeping
I just got done working with a few student-athletes in a summer academic program. It was a fun and rewarding experience. It also reminded me, in the middle of the summer, how much college-age student-athletes love to do two things: 1. Sleep. 2. Eat.
Wow! These facts are evident to me during the school year, when 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m. bus trips are the norm. What happens on these bus trips? A lot of sleeping and eating.
Such was the case with these summer student-athletes. They slept every chance they could -- including the short, 10-minute breaks afforded them in the middle of the class sessions. And today, on the last day of class, we celebrated what was a very productive 6-week session with some doughnuts and muffins. Devoured in a matter of minutes.
Afterwards, they departed for their rooms – no doubt to take a quick nap.
Wow! These facts are evident to me during the school year, when 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m. bus trips are the norm. What happens on these bus trips? A lot of sleeping and eating.
Such was the case with these summer student-athletes. They slept every chance they could -- including the short, 10-minute breaks afforded them in the middle of the class sessions. And today, on the last day of class, we celebrated what was a very productive 6-week session with some doughnuts and muffins. Devoured in a matter of minutes.
Afterwards, they departed for their rooms – no doubt to take a quick nap.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sunrise over horse country
I have this recruiting document entitled “Where We Train.” I created it a few years ago as a way to address the glaring fact that, here at beautiful Marist College, we do not have a track on our campus. But, as I have said time and time again, to current team members and prospective student-athletes:
“No Track. No Problem.”
We do just fine without one. Would I like for us to get one on our campus? Of course. But rather than dwell on what we do not have, I’d much rather be thankful for all that we do have. And so, I wrote “Where We Train.”
Admittedly, the recruiting piece is geared more toward distance runners. The mid-Hudson Valley is blessed with many phenomenal training venues close to campus. I discuss these in detail. It is a useful recruiting tool. But even for track, we have more than we think. The McCann Fieldhouse, while not ideal, does give us a place to train all winter.
And the addition of the new facility at Vassar has been a huge boon to our program. Vassar coach James Macowan has been a great friend and huge advocate of our program, and it is very much appreciated.
So yes. What we have far outweighs what we do not have. No doubt about it.
On Sunday morning, I was able to reaffirm why this is such a wonderful area to be a runner or endurance athlete when I participated in my buddy Krys Wasielewski’s Hilltopper Half Marathon out in eastern Dutchess County. Krys and his Junk Yard Dogs (Big Dog, TousDog, etc.) have mapped and marked out a hilly but incredibly scenic loop that starts and finishes at the tony Millbrook School out in the Horse Country of Dutchess County.
This is the third or fourth time I have done this run, and I’m always glad that I did it – afterwards. Yes, it is hilly. But it’s not a killer course. And you cannot beat the scenery.
This year, I balked at Krys’ constant overtures for me to come out and run his race.
I’m not in good shape, I whined. I’m fat, I intoned. I’m too slow, I’ll hold everybody up, I crooned.
But Krys was persistent. He offered me an early starting time, which I graciously accepted. He tried (successfully) to bribe me with post-run chocolate chip cookies baked by his wife Barbara. And what the heck: Krys is a constant, year-long supplier of midday coffee for me -- stopping by campus with a steaming cup and a big smile. The very least I could do was support the fine JYD event –- even if I was slower than the many cows I saw along the route.
So I drove out there on a cool Sunday morning, and something amazing happened. God turned summer off for a few hours! It was 54 degrees when I strapped on my fluid belt and headed out for a planned run/walk over hill and dale. After last week’s group long run in Hyde Park, which STARTED in 80-degree weather, this was a welcome respite.
With the early start, I had the course to myself. After a slow start, I got into a nice rhythm and felt great. The cool weather is like a natural dose of Red Bull to a summer-weary runner.
Other than the many disinterested horses and sleepy horse farms in the first half of the course, followed by equally disinterested (but a bit more smelly) cattle and Holstein farms along the second half of the course, I had the roads to myself for a little more than two hours.
And as the sun rose over God’s country, with little more than the sound of my plodding footfalls and my not-too-labored breathing, I had to admit that – once again – this sure is a great place to live and to run.
“No Track. No Problem.”
We do just fine without one. Would I like for us to get one on our campus? Of course. But rather than dwell on what we do not have, I’d much rather be thankful for all that we do have. And so, I wrote “Where We Train.”
Admittedly, the recruiting piece is geared more toward distance runners. The mid-Hudson Valley is blessed with many phenomenal training venues close to campus. I discuss these in detail. It is a useful recruiting tool. But even for track, we have more than we think. The McCann Fieldhouse, while not ideal, does give us a place to train all winter.
And the addition of the new facility at Vassar has been a huge boon to our program. Vassar coach James Macowan has been a great friend and huge advocate of our program, and it is very much appreciated.
So yes. What we have far outweighs what we do not have. No doubt about it.
On Sunday morning, I was able to reaffirm why this is such a wonderful area to be a runner or endurance athlete when I participated in my buddy Krys Wasielewski’s Hilltopper Half Marathon out in eastern Dutchess County. Krys and his Junk Yard Dogs (Big Dog, TousDog, etc.) have mapped and marked out a hilly but incredibly scenic loop that starts and finishes at the tony Millbrook School out in the Horse Country of Dutchess County.
This is the third or fourth time I have done this run, and I’m always glad that I did it – afterwards. Yes, it is hilly. But it’s not a killer course. And you cannot beat the scenery.
This year, I balked at Krys’ constant overtures for me to come out and run his race.
I’m not in good shape, I whined. I’m fat, I intoned. I’m too slow, I’ll hold everybody up, I crooned.
But Krys was persistent. He offered me an early starting time, which I graciously accepted. He tried (successfully) to bribe me with post-run chocolate chip cookies baked by his wife Barbara. And what the heck: Krys is a constant, year-long supplier of midday coffee for me -- stopping by campus with a steaming cup and a big smile. The very least I could do was support the fine JYD event –- even if I was slower than the many cows I saw along the route.
So I drove out there on a cool Sunday morning, and something amazing happened. God turned summer off for a few hours! It was 54 degrees when I strapped on my fluid belt and headed out for a planned run/walk over hill and dale. After last week’s group long run in Hyde Park, which STARTED in 80-degree weather, this was a welcome respite.
With the early start, I had the course to myself. After a slow start, I got into a nice rhythm and felt great. The cool weather is like a natural dose of Red Bull to a summer-weary runner.
Other than the many disinterested horses and sleepy horse farms in the first half of the course, followed by equally disinterested (but a bit more smelly) cattle and Holstein farms along the second half of the course, I had the roads to myself for a little more than two hours.
And as the sun rose over God’s country, with little more than the sound of my plodding footfalls and my not-too-labored breathing, I had to admit that – once again – this sure is a great place to live and to run.
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