And on the night after Christmas …
Uh. Nah. I’m not gonna try something creative like that.
However, I will tell you about a grudge match race at the Armory … on the night after Christmas.
On Monday night, the Armory Youth, Open and Masters Classic featured a race between an old coach and his former athlete: Mr. Bucket (some know him as “David Swift”) and Mr. Fresh (some know him as “Billy Hild”). As many of you know, Bucket coached Fresh at nearby Spackenkill High School; Bucket ran at Marist on my first teams back in the early 1990s; Fresh is a current sophomore on our team.
This battle for mile supremacy (1,500 meters, actually, but who’s counting?) was months in the works. Mr. B is becoming a masters competitor in April (holy smokes! One of my former runners turns 40? I’VE BEEN COACHING A LONG TIME!) and he wants to rekindle the old track flame burning inside of him. He admittedly started from scratch a few months ago.
Fresh? He just wants to show Bucket that he’s got more wheels than his old coach.
And that’s exactly what he did on this night. The young legs prevailed. The results will show that Billy Hild (unattached) placed 33rd in 4:26:32, while Jerome Bucket (Marist TC) was 36th in 4:31.08.
From this old coach’s perspective, it shows two things: 1. Fresh has a nice, fancy mile PR to brag about; 2. Bucket has a long way to go, but it’s a good start nonetheless after a long hiatus from true track racing.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
My Christmas story
You never know when life will turn on a dime. One second everything’s normal; the next, there is upheaval.
On the Wednesday before Christmas, I was enjoying being a “classroom dad” in my son James’ kindergarten class for their holiday party. I was helping a bunch of very sugared-up and Christmas-excited kids with some arts and crafts when the cell phone buzzed in the pocket of my jeans.
A quick glance at the missed calls and texts finally revealed a family crisis brewing down in New Jersey. My elderly mother suffered a fall, which turned out to be a compound fracture in her femur (the largest bone in our body).
My mom is 79; my dad is 83. God bless them, but they are OLD. And as many middle-aged folks like me know, part of the deal at this stage of our lives becomes raising your own family while at the same time caring for elderly parents. In no way would I ever complain or whine about this; in fact, it is a blessing to have parents live such long lives.
But jarring news like this is tough at any time, much less the holidays.
Fortunately, my mom was healthy enough to withstand 3.5 hours of surgery on her wayward leg. She (and all of us, as a family) has a long road ahead as she relearns how to walk and to cope with the unrelenting march of aging.
We celebrated the holidays together earlier this week in New Jersey, but it was bittersweet with mom in the hospital. She’ll be there awhile, and as a result, I will most likely be driving a groove into the Thruway and I-287 over the coming months and years, helping my parents in their old age.
The rest of our holiday season at home has been wonderful. The kids are at that magical age for Christmas. And Santa brought my wife the iPad that she wanted. As a friend of mine said, “when Mama’s happy, the whole house is happy.” Indeed.
Me? I’m easy to shop for, because I generally want and/or need nothing. A new book, some free coffee vouchers at Stewart’s and a new umbrella for me to destroy at a windy practice day or lose at some faraway meet, and I’m a happy man.
So that’s my Christmas story for 2011. It gives you some idea as to the lack of posts during the past two weeks. This is usually a lean time of year for posts anyway. I will try to get back in the swing of things after the New Year.
On the Wednesday before Christmas, I was enjoying being a “classroom dad” in my son James’ kindergarten class for their holiday party. I was helping a bunch of very sugared-up and Christmas-excited kids with some arts and crafts when the cell phone buzzed in the pocket of my jeans.
A quick glance at the missed calls and texts finally revealed a family crisis brewing down in New Jersey. My elderly mother suffered a fall, which turned out to be a compound fracture in her femur (the largest bone in our body).
My mom is 79; my dad is 83. God bless them, but they are OLD. And as many middle-aged folks like me know, part of the deal at this stage of our lives becomes raising your own family while at the same time caring for elderly parents. In no way would I ever complain or whine about this; in fact, it is a blessing to have parents live such long lives.
But jarring news like this is tough at any time, much less the holidays.
Fortunately, my mom was healthy enough to withstand 3.5 hours of surgery on her wayward leg. She (and all of us, as a family) has a long road ahead as she relearns how to walk and to cope with the unrelenting march of aging.
We celebrated the holidays together earlier this week in New Jersey, but it was bittersweet with mom in the hospital. She’ll be there awhile, and as a result, I will most likely be driving a groove into the Thruway and I-287 over the coming months and years, helping my parents in their old age.
The rest of our holiday season at home has been wonderful. The kids are at that magical age for Christmas. And Santa brought my wife the iPad that she wanted. As a friend of mine said, “when Mama’s happy, the whole house is happy.” Indeed.
Me? I’m easy to shop for, because I generally want and/or need nothing. A new book, some free coffee vouchers at Stewart’s and a new umbrella for me to destroy at a windy practice day or lose at some faraway meet, and I’m a happy man.
So that’s my Christmas story for 2011. It gives you some idea as to the lack of posts during the past two weeks. This is usually a lean time of year for posts anyway. I will try to get back in the swing of things after the New Year.
Made it through December
The texts and emails and calls are pointing to some really good quality training back home, thanks in large part to this uneventful early winter weather. No snow yet! Let’s keep it that way.
We have made it through December without any real winter moments. This is a good thing, indeed! Hopefully, we can breeze through January and February similarly unscathed. I’m not counting on it, but it would be nice.
We have made it through December without any real winter moments. This is a good thing, indeed! Hopefully, we can breeze through January and February similarly unscathed. I’m not counting on it, but it would be nice.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Fitness
It has been a busy few days, with the holidays and other things going on, so sorry for the lack of posts. Posts may be scarce for the next few days/week.
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Or, as my old college coach used to say back in the day, MERRY FITNESS.
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Or, as my old college coach used to say back in the day, MERRY FITNESS.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Track philosophy in the morning paper
While munching on a bagel, sipping my coffee and reading the morning newspaper (yes, I actually still read a printed newspaper at times, in this case Dutchess County’s Finest Daily Newspaper), I happened upon this excellent interview/article with a local track coach, Jim Henry of Beacon High School, published in today's Poughkeepsie Journal.
I’ve only met Jim briefly a few times, and I know him more as “the guy that DJ Paulson coaches with at Beacon” – DJ being a Marist Running alum and one of the first “alums” of my “Track and Field Coaching” class. Anyway, this interview was really well done and had a lot of cool insights, as you will see.
For those of you too lazy to click the link, here is the last question and answer from the interview. I love the question, but I really really love the answer. A true keeper. I share it with you here.
What do you hope the athletes you coach get out of being a part of Beacon track?
Speaking philosophically, there seems to be an attitude running rampant among many students (and a lot of adults if we are honest about it) that can best be summarized by, “What is the least I can do and get away with it?” In the sport of track and field, the answer is, “not much.” If you work hard, you will improve — and I want that message and attitude carried over into the classroom today and life tomorrow.
I’ve only met Jim briefly a few times, and I know him more as “the guy that DJ Paulson coaches with at Beacon” – DJ being a Marist Running alum and one of the first “alums” of my “Track and Field Coaching” class. Anyway, this interview was really well done and had a lot of cool insights, as you will see.
For those of you too lazy to click the link, here is the last question and answer from the interview. I love the question, but I really really love the answer. A true keeper. I share it with you here.
What do you hope the athletes you coach get out of being a part of Beacon track?
Speaking philosophically, there seems to be an attitude running rampant among many students (and a lot of adults if we are honest about it) that can best be summarized by, “What is the least I can do and get away with it?” In the sport of track and field, the answer is, “not much.” If you work hard, you will improve — and I want that message and attitude carried over into the classroom today and life tomorrow.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Conor at Seattle … and back home
This is a little late, but last week (Dec. 10, to be exact), our very own Conor Shelley competed – and competed well! – at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships, held at Jefferson Park Golf Course in Seattle.
Running for New York AC, Conor was NYAC’s sixth man and placed 78th overall in 31:37 for the 10km XC course. That’s an average of 5:06 per mile. Conor was not too happy with the effort, but it caps a pretty solid first half-year of post-collegiate running. Here is a link to the championship results.
We are glad that Conor latched on with NYAC and we look forward to posting more positive results from him in 2012 and beyond.
Oh! This just in … Conor won the Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5K in Bethpage on Sunday, running 15:42 and placing first out of 1,236 finishers. Here is a link to the results from today.
Running for New York AC, Conor was NYAC’s sixth man and placed 78th overall in 31:37 for the 10km XC course. That’s an average of 5:06 per mile. Conor was not too happy with the effort, but it caps a pretty solid first half-year of post-collegiate running. Here is a link to the championship results.
We are glad that Conor latched on with NYAC and we look forward to posting more positive results from him in 2012 and beyond.
Oh! This just in … Conor won the Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5K in Bethpage on Sunday, running 15:42 and placing first out of 1,236 finishers. Here is a link to the results from today.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Hicks blog: Episode #9
Check out Steve Hicks’ excellent video blog chronicling his quest for a sub-15:00 5k. I know, I know: I have been pumping up this blog a lot – and with good reason! It is very well done.
Episode #9 features a workout we gave to Steve. It includes a video streamed from my office, courtesy of sophomore Billy Hild. Steve and Sam are very clever with their editing. Steve pieced together some excellent, vintage photos of me through the years – including a few hideous mullet shots. Nice touch by Steve in picking an Allman Brothers Band song for the background music.
As Steve and Sam plunge headfirst into the Central New York winter, the training (and thus, their Web-isodes) could become a bit more challenging. But I am sure they are up for the challenge.
Check it out. Good stuff. As always.
Episode #9 features a workout we gave to Steve. It includes a video streamed from my office, courtesy of sophomore Billy Hild. Steve and Sam are very clever with their editing. Steve pieced together some excellent, vintage photos of me through the years – including a few hideous mullet shots. Nice touch by Steve in picking an Allman Brothers Band song for the background music.
As Steve and Sam plunge headfirst into the Central New York winter, the training (and thus, their Web-isodes) could become a bit more challenging. But I am sure they are up for the challenge.
Check it out. Good stuff. As always.
Trial and error
As we continue to explore neighborhood loops for quality training days, in our never-ending quest to succeed in the post-McCann Track era, there will be several trial-and-error moments.
On Wednesday morning, the emphasis was on “error.”
I discovered an excellent (or so I thought) neighborhood loop in the south Hyde Park area in which we could do some hard 400-meter repeats with some hills interspersed. The 400-meter part I got down pat; I even wheeled it for accuracy.
The problem: The ups and downs contained a few dramatic “downs” that increased the pounding on our athletes’ legs. Most runners are not inclined to complain about downhill terrain, but this downhill terrain combined with the fast pace made for very unpleasant jarring.
So, we did what we always do: We changed on the fly. Adapt and conform. A quick recalibrating of the wheel, starting at the lowest point of the loop, and the 400-meter rolling workout turned into a 400-meter hill-repeat workout. All uphill. Very difficult, but very doable with more benefit and less downside to it.
Thanks for the few athletes that were there on Wednesday (remember, Finals Week means practice is optional), and thanks for their patience as they acted as de facto guinea pigs on the new neighborhood loop. As we continue in this New World, there will be more trial, and hopefully not as much error.
On Wednesday morning, the emphasis was on “error.”
I discovered an excellent (or so I thought) neighborhood loop in the south Hyde Park area in which we could do some hard 400-meter repeats with some hills interspersed. The 400-meter part I got down pat; I even wheeled it for accuracy.
The problem: The ups and downs contained a few dramatic “downs” that increased the pounding on our athletes’ legs. Most runners are not inclined to complain about downhill terrain, but this downhill terrain combined with the fast pace made for very unpleasant jarring.
So, we did what we always do: We changed on the fly. Adapt and conform. A quick recalibrating of the wheel, starting at the lowest point of the loop, and the 400-meter rolling workout turned into a 400-meter hill-repeat workout. All uphill. Very difficult, but very doable with more benefit and less downside to it.
Thanks for the few athletes that were there on Wednesday (remember, Finals Week means practice is optional), and thanks for their patience as they acted as de facto guinea pigs on the new neighborhood loop. As we continue in this New World, there will be more trial, and hopefully not as much error.
Farewell to Schanz
Things will be getting a bit quieter around practice in the coming months. Oh sure, it’s quiet now because the semester has ended and everyone is on their way home. But come January, when the men’s distance team reconvenes, we will be without one of our most loyal (if not vocal) team members in Will Schanz.
In a kind of Shaker Switcheroo, Schanz is going to be studying abroad in Barcelona; meanwhile, his old Shaker teammate and Marist long sprinter Chris Vanzetta will be returning from his study abroad exile in Russia. While we will gladly welcome back Vanzetta, Schanz’s absence will leave a void in the program.
Schanz provides a constant monologue for the team. He may be the only runner I’ve ever coached who literally never shuts up. He talks and he talks and he talks. He talks during workouts. He talks during races. Watching Schanz run a 10km on the track is like a miniseries – wild mood swings and scenes all unfolding over the 30-plus minutes and 25 laps.
I’ll admit that Schanz can get under our collective skin. He can be unnerving to debate; he always has an opinion. When I do not agree with him, he is relentless in his counter-arguments. What’s frustrating is that the dude is almost often correct! This makes it even more frustrating.
But now, Schanz is hopping over that big pond and looking to expand his horizons. We wish him well. But we also know that, these days, the world has shrunk. With Facebook (not me!), email, blogs and of course Skype, Schanz may be a continent away, but he’ll always be with us.
Jason Grady, coach of the year
We were very proud to pick up Sunday’s Poughkeepsie Journal and see that Marist Running alum Jason Grady was named the newspaper’s Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year. Since Jason has taken over at his high school alma mater of Rhinebeck, he has restored the program to the success it achieved when he was a championship-caliber runner for them more than a decade ago.
Here is some information that was printed on Jason, courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Journal:
Vital stats: Grady coached the boys and girls teams to unbeaten dual-meet records during the regular season. The girls won the Mid-Hudson Athletic League title and finished fourth at the state meet.
Quotable: “For the girls, I was obviously very happy with the 12-0 record and winning the MHAL meet with one of our best meets,” Grady said. “As for the boys, they had a very good year. They’re a highly dedicated team. I will miss the seniors on the team.”
Good stuff, Coach. Keep up the great work!
Here is some information that was printed on Jason, courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Journal:
Vital stats: Grady coached the boys and girls teams to unbeaten dual-meet records during the regular season. The girls won the Mid-Hudson Athletic League title and finished fourth at the state meet.
Quotable: “For the girls, I was obviously very happy with the 12-0 record and winning the MHAL meet with one of our best meets,” Grady said. “As for the boys, they had a very good year. They’re a highly dedicated team. I will miss the seniors on the team.”
Good stuff, Coach. Keep up the great work!
Weather or not
The first semester of outdoor training is officially over. We have gotten through the past several weeks relatively unscathed from the wrath of winter: No snow, no ice, no extreme cold. It’s a good thing!
As we continue to plunder through our first indoor track season without an indoor track facility to call home, weather will be a key obsession for us. Being a certified weather geek, this is not a problem. I am constantly analyzing weather Web sites, radars and long-range forecasts.
And although the team will be scattering hither and yon in the coming hours and days, that does not preclude me from taking a peek at the upcoming weather. Here’s the deal: Real winter weather still seems to be avoiding us. If you are a snow-sports enthusiast, this may disappoint.
For the rest of us, it is welcome news indeed. Winter can stay away this year, thank you very much.
As we continue to plunder through our first indoor track season without an indoor track facility to call home, weather will be a key obsession for us. Being a certified weather geek, this is not a problem. I am constantly analyzing weather Web sites, radars and long-range forecasts.
And although the team will be scattering hither and yon in the coming hours and days, that does not preclude me from taking a peek at the upcoming weather. Here’s the deal: Real winter weather still seems to be avoiding us. If you are a snow-sports enthusiast, this may disappoint.
For the rest of us, it is welcome news indeed. Winter can stay away this year, thank you very much.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Finals week
It’s Finals Week. During the fall semester, this end-of-semester time is busy and stressful, but not nearly as busy and stressful as in the spring semester, when we are actively trying to close out the outdoor track season.
Right now, for all of our athletes, training continues but the competitive racing season is either on hold (sprinters) or on extended break (mid and long distance runners).
Finals Week is a time to check up with everyone and make sure they are set with Winter Break training schedules. And since I teach two (2!) classes this semester, it also means collecting and grading final papers.
And then … poof! … we are done with another semester. The beat goes on.
Right now, for all of our athletes, training continues but the competitive racing season is either on hold (sprinters) or on extended break (mid and long distance runners).
Finals Week is a time to check up with everyone and make sure they are set with Winter Break training schedules. And since I teach two (2!) classes this semester, it also means collecting and grading final papers.
And then … poof! … we are done with another semester. The beat goes on.
Call me Steve
The other day, I went to a follow-up visit at a doctor’s office. I have gotten to know this doc and he is quite friendly.
I was wearing (surprise, surprise) a gray Marist Track and Field shirt (Nike drifit, I think). He made some comment about the fact that I am always wearing Marist Track and Field gear.
A few weeks ago, my 6-year-old son James made the same comment, calling it my “uniform” and wondering “why do you wear the same thing every day?” And then, he compared me to Steve from Blue’s Clues (pictured above in his THINKING CHAIR), the original adult character on that famous (in our house, at least) children’s show. Steve, you see, ALWAYS wears the same green-striped shirt and khaki pants. Always. In one episode, they show a picture of his closet, which is lined with the same shirts, pants and even green-striped pajamas.
So yeah. Call me Steve from Blue’s Clues. I’m the dude wearing the gray Marist Track and Field T-shirt and the khaki pants. Pretty much every day.
Hmmm. What should my next post be about? Let's see: Better pull out my handy-dandy notebook!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Brother Jasper: Day 2
A total of five (5) Marist track athletes competed Saturday at the Brother Jasper Invitational at Draddy Gymnasium, Manhattan College: Jumper/sprinter Jesse Aprile, and four distance runners in the 3,000-meter run.
Jesse had a busy day in his first meet of the season. He competed in the long jump, the 60-meter dash and the triple jump. Of the three events, the 60 dash went best for him. Jesse sprinted to a time of 7.27 seconds, a season-best for the Marist sprinters in the early season.
In the long jump, Jesse struggled a bit and had a series of 5.57 meters, 5.83 meters and a foul. His best jump (5.83 meters, 19 feet, 1.5 inches) was good for 10th place.
In the triple jump, Jesse made the finals and got six jumps. His progression: 10.92, 11.82, 11.95/11.89, 12.14, 11.98. His best jump on his penultimate leap of the day (12.14 meters, 39 feet, 10 inches) earned him a sixth-place finish. Not a bad start to the season for Jesse.
In the 3,000-meter run, Joel Moss was fourth, Isaiah Miller (sporting his patented last-lap kick) was seventh, Rob Gorski (in his first-ever indoor track race!) was ninth, and Kevin O’Sullivan (welcome back!) was 10th. Here are the lap-by-lap statistics on our 3km entrants:
3,000-meter run
4. Joel Moss, 9:03.15
35, 70 (35), 1:45 (35), 2:21 (36), 2:57 (36)
3:32 (35), 4:09 (37), 4:44 (37), 5:20 (36), 5:57 (37)
6:35 (38), 7:13 (38), 7:50 (37), 8:28 (38), 9:03.15 (35.15)
1km splits: 2:57, 3:00, 3:06.15
7. Isaiah Miller, 9:16.94
35, 71 (36), 1:47 (36), 2:24 (37), 3:00 (36)
3:37 (37), 4:14 (37), 4:52 (38), 5:30 (38), 6:10 (40)
6:49 (39), 7:27 (38), 8:08 (39), 8:45 (37), 9:16.94 (31.94)
1km splits: 3:00, 3:10, 3:16.94
9. Rob Gorski, 9:19.51
36, 72 (36), 1:48 (36), 2:24 (36), 3:00 (36)
3:37 (37), 4:14 (37), 4:52 (38), 5:30 (38), 6:08 (38)
6:47 (39), 7:25 (38), 8:04 (39), 8:42 (38), 9:19.51 (37.51)
1km splits: 3:00, 3:08, 3:11.51
10. Kevin O’Sullivan, 9:22.24
37, 72 (35), 1:49 (37), 2:24 (35), 3:00 (36)
3:37 (37), 4:13 (37), 4:50 (37), 5:27 (37), 6:05 (38)
6:44 (39), 7:23 (39), 8:03 (40), 8:42 (39), 9:22.24 (40.24)
1km splits: 3:00, 3:05, 3:17.24
One unusual aspect of coaching on the flat-track and obstructed-view Draddy Gymnasium: After seeing our boys go through the start/finish line and yelling out their splits … poof! They disappeared from site for a good 155 meters before reappearing on the finish straight.
Despite this, the general consensus among the men was that the Draddy Gym track was indeed a splendid one for an early-season, flat-track meet. And we all certainly would love to have such a nice facility at our disposal for practice. That’s for sure.
Jesse had a busy day in his first meet of the season. He competed in the long jump, the 60-meter dash and the triple jump. Of the three events, the 60 dash went best for him. Jesse sprinted to a time of 7.27 seconds, a season-best for the Marist sprinters in the early season.
In the long jump, Jesse struggled a bit and had a series of 5.57 meters, 5.83 meters and a foul. His best jump (5.83 meters, 19 feet, 1.5 inches) was good for 10th place.
In the triple jump, Jesse made the finals and got six jumps. His progression: 10.92, 11.82, 11.95/11.89, 12.14, 11.98. His best jump on his penultimate leap of the day (12.14 meters, 39 feet, 10 inches) earned him a sixth-place finish. Not a bad start to the season for Jesse.
In the 3,000-meter run, Joel Moss was fourth, Isaiah Miller (sporting his patented last-lap kick) was seventh, Rob Gorski (in his first-ever indoor track race!) was ninth, and Kevin O’Sullivan (welcome back!) was 10th. Here are the lap-by-lap statistics on our 3km entrants:
3,000-meter run
4. Joel Moss, 9:03.15
35, 70 (35), 1:45 (35), 2:21 (36), 2:57 (36)
3:32 (35), 4:09 (37), 4:44 (37), 5:20 (36), 5:57 (37)
6:35 (38), 7:13 (38), 7:50 (37), 8:28 (38), 9:03.15 (35.15)
1km splits: 2:57, 3:00, 3:06.15
7. Isaiah Miller, 9:16.94
35, 71 (36), 1:47 (36), 2:24 (37), 3:00 (36)
3:37 (37), 4:14 (37), 4:52 (38), 5:30 (38), 6:10 (40)
6:49 (39), 7:27 (38), 8:08 (39), 8:45 (37), 9:16.94 (31.94)
1km splits: 3:00, 3:10, 3:16.94
9. Rob Gorski, 9:19.51
36, 72 (36), 1:48 (36), 2:24 (36), 3:00 (36)
3:37 (37), 4:14 (37), 4:52 (38), 5:30 (38), 6:08 (38)
6:47 (39), 7:25 (38), 8:04 (39), 8:42 (38), 9:19.51 (37.51)
1km splits: 3:00, 3:08, 3:11.51
10. Kevin O’Sullivan, 9:22.24
37, 72 (35), 1:49 (37), 2:24 (35), 3:00 (36)
3:37 (37), 4:13 (37), 4:50 (37), 5:27 (37), 6:05 (38)
6:44 (39), 7:23 (39), 8:03 (40), 8:42 (39), 9:22.24 (40.24)
1km splits: 3:00, 3:05, 3:17.24
One unusual aspect of coaching on the flat-track and obstructed-view Draddy Gymnasium: After seeing our boys go through the start/finish line and yelling out their splits … poof! They disappeared from site for a good 155 meters before reappearing on the finish straight.
Despite this, the general consensus among the men was that the Draddy Gym track was indeed a splendid one for an early-season, flat-track meet. And we all certainly would love to have such a nice facility at our disposal for practice. That’s for sure.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Brother Jasper: Day 1
Sophomore Sean Ellman competed in the 35-pound weight throw on Friday afternoon at Draddy Gymnasium in Day 1 of the Brother Jasper Invitational at Manhattan College.
Sean had a strong day!
After a rough start last week at Yale -- he participated in the meet despite any event-specific practice -- Sean bounced back with a solid day today at Manhattan.
His throw progression today went like this: 9.71 meters, 9.33 meters, 10.21 meters.
Except for his second throw, where his footwork got a little tangled, it was a good work day for Sean.
He only practiced once this week, in the racquetball court in the back end of the McCann Center, but that practice led to a good improvement from last week. Good to see!
Check back later in the weekend for Day 2 results from Draddy. Don't expect much, literally. With final exams looming, we only have a few athletes going.
Sean had a strong day!
After a rough start last week at Yale -- he participated in the meet despite any event-specific practice -- Sean bounced back with a solid day today at Manhattan.
His throw progression today went like this: 9.71 meters, 9.33 meters, 10.21 meters.
Except for his second throw, where his footwork got a little tangled, it was a good work day for Sean.
He only practiced once this week, in the racquetball court in the back end of the McCann Center, but that practice led to a good improvement from last week. Good to see!
Check back later in the weekend for Day 2 results from Draddy. Don't expect much, literally. With final exams looming, we only have a few athletes going.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Take me out to the ... track meet?
The next two days, a small contingent -- very small, actually -- will be traveling down to Manhattan College's Draddy Gymnasium for the Brother Jasper Invitational.
Before The Armory was The Armory of modern times, our program scheduled meets at Draddy with alarming frequency. In fact, the MAAC Indoor Championships were held there for many, many years.
Once The Armory became reinvigorated more than a decade ago, we stopped going to meets at the then rather drabby Draddy Gymnasium. However, our good pal down at Manhattan, long-time head coach Dan Mecca, was raving about their new track at Draddy. He invited us to take part in their meets. We caught a glimpse of it at the end of XC season (the MAAC XC banquet was held at Manhattan). It looks very nice!
Anyway, we wondered why the meet was named after Brother Jasper, which led us to the discovery of the Manhattan athletic program's unique nickname (the Jaspers), which led us to this link ... which led us to the amazing discovery that Brother Jasper invented the seventh inning stretch in baseball!
Being a purveyor of useless baseball knowledge, I find it amazing that in my 47 years I never knew this story. Click on the link to see how Brother Jasper invented the seventh inning stretch.
And click back here later in the weekend to see the smattering of Marist Track results from the Brother Jasper Invitational at Draddy Gymnasium.
Before The Armory was The Armory of modern times, our program scheduled meets at Draddy with alarming frequency. In fact, the MAAC Indoor Championships were held there for many, many years.
Once The Armory became reinvigorated more than a decade ago, we stopped going to meets at the then rather drabby Draddy Gymnasium. However, our good pal down at Manhattan, long-time head coach Dan Mecca, was raving about their new track at Draddy. He invited us to take part in their meets. We caught a glimpse of it at the end of XC season (the MAAC XC banquet was held at Manhattan). It looks very nice!
Anyway, we wondered why the meet was named after Brother Jasper, which led us to the discovery of the Manhattan athletic program's unique nickname (the Jaspers), which led us to this link ... which led us to the amazing discovery that Brother Jasper invented the seventh inning stretch in baseball!
Being a purveyor of useless baseball knowledge, I find it amazing that in my 47 years I never knew this story. Click on the link to see how Brother Jasper invented the seventh inning stretch.
And click back here later in the weekend to see the smattering of Marist Track results from the Brother Jasper Invitational at Draddy Gymnasium.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
My soaking wet boys of winter
Up late grading papers tonight, my cell phone buzzes with a three-part series of texts. Must be Schanz, I thought – he of book-length texts.
But alas, it was our old pal Walsh, who was doing a workout with our old pal Conor Shelley, who will be representing NYAC at Club Nationals this weekend.
Here’s what Walsh had to say.
Me to Conor tonight: “How cool do you think Pete would think this is, two of his guys, different generations, running fartlek at 4:30 pace in the December rain after each having worked 8 hours today?
Conor to me (Walsh): Awesome. Man. Wait. You know, I think this is the first workout you and I have ever done together! High five!
Nicely done.
But alas, it was our old pal Walsh, who was doing a workout with our old pal Conor Shelley, who will be representing NYAC at Club Nationals this weekend.
Here’s what Walsh had to say.
Me to Conor tonight: “How cool do you think Pete would think this is, two of his guys, different generations, running fartlek at 4:30 pace in the December rain after each having worked 8 hours today?
Conor to me (Walsh): Awesome. Man. Wait. You know, I think this is the first workout you and I have ever done together! High five!
Nicely done.
Dream job … for a few minutes
Many times a year – especially on a spitting cold rain day like today – I walk past the pool deck, point down and say something to the effect of: “In my next life, I will be a swim coach. Preferably at a school with a pool. Like Marist.”
Think about it, from my perspective. Swim coach. Yeah. This is GOOD. For starters, it’s INSIDE. Warm. No spitting cold rain. Secondly, it’s always toasty warm on that pool deck. Third point: Forget about this hard-easy stuff of coaching runners. In the pool, it’s hard-hard-hard! Recovery is for wimps in the pool. No pounding, no problem! Intervals every day! Fourth: Did I mention it’s really warm and humid on that pool deck? Oh yeah, I did.
Well, this afternoon, for a few minutes anyway, I got my wish. I was a swim coach. Posch was lifeguarding and he witnessed this surreal few minutes of Swim Coach Pete.
I have known Director of Swimming Larry VanWagner for as long as I have been in Poughkeepsie. We have an excellent relationship. I respect the heck out of him, and the Aquatic Empire he has truly built at Marist. Plus, he lets me aqua-jog in the deep end during his team’s practices, when the pool is otherwise closed. Sometimes, he’ll even put on classic rock while I am aqua-jogging.
Anyway, today I was walking by the pool deck, and he excitedly waved me down. He was flyin’ solo on the deck. No help. He thrust a soaked kickboard with a wet workout sheet plastered to it, explained the dizzying myriad of numbers, and told me to “coach lane 6.” I had no idea what I was doing, but I got the hang of it quickly. Lanes. Times. Intervals. I’m a track coach. I can figure this stuff out.
Here’s the interesting thing: In Larry’s workout, there really was not much recovery! These Lane 6 Swimmers were supposed to do a 200-yard interval (I think) every 2:35. The fastest guy finished the interval between 2:25 and 2:30. Yikes! That gave him all of a few seconds to “rest” before starting the next one. Several women in the lane were not so fortunate, and they just had to keep going and going. That’s not interval work. That’s torture. Maybe this is the swimmers’ version of a tempo run. Hey, what do I know? I’m not a swim coach.
After a few minutes of this, one of Larry’s part-time assistants strolled in and onto the pool deck. I was quickly relieved of my duties. Dream job over. Back to freezing outside for the next few months. It was fun while it lasted.
Think about it, from my perspective. Swim coach. Yeah. This is GOOD. For starters, it’s INSIDE. Warm. No spitting cold rain. Secondly, it’s always toasty warm on that pool deck. Third point: Forget about this hard-easy stuff of coaching runners. In the pool, it’s hard-hard-hard! Recovery is for wimps in the pool. No pounding, no problem! Intervals every day! Fourth: Did I mention it’s really warm and humid on that pool deck? Oh yeah, I did.
Well, this afternoon, for a few minutes anyway, I got my wish. I was a swim coach. Posch was lifeguarding and he witnessed this surreal few minutes of Swim Coach Pete.
I have known Director of Swimming Larry VanWagner for as long as I have been in Poughkeepsie. We have an excellent relationship. I respect the heck out of him, and the Aquatic Empire he has truly built at Marist. Plus, he lets me aqua-jog in the deep end during his team’s practices, when the pool is otherwise closed. Sometimes, he’ll even put on classic rock while I am aqua-jogging.
Anyway, today I was walking by the pool deck, and he excitedly waved me down. He was flyin’ solo on the deck. No help. He thrust a soaked kickboard with a wet workout sheet plastered to it, explained the dizzying myriad of numbers, and told me to “coach lane 6.” I had no idea what I was doing, but I got the hang of it quickly. Lanes. Times. Intervals. I’m a track coach. I can figure this stuff out.
Here’s the interesting thing: In Larry’s workout, there really was not much recovery! These Lane 6 Swimmers were supposed to do a 200-yard interval (I think) every 2:35. The fastest guy finished the interval between 2:25 and 2:30. Yikes! That gave him all of a few seconds to “rest” before starting the next one. Several women in the lane were not so fortunate, and they just had to keep going and going. That’s not interval work. That’s torture. Maybe this is the swimmers’ version of a tempo run. Hey, what do I know? I’m not a swim coach.
After a few minutes of this, one of Larry’s part-time assistants strolled in and onto the pool deck. I was quickly relieved of my duties. Dream job over. Back to freezing outside for the next few months. It was fun while it lasted.
Tracking the vote: Update
The numbers tell the story. No new track in our area. At least for now.
Proposition #3
Update Athletic Field/Track Facility & Gymnasium Bleachers
Yes: 1231
No: 1295
Proposition #3
Update Athletic Field/Track Facility & Gymnasium Bleachers
Yes: 1231
No: 1295
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Baila, mis hermanos
Wow. Let's see. I had about a hour and half before my final night class of the semester, in which I planned to grade papers for the Sports Reporting class. How did I make use of this possibly productive time?
Not by grading papers.
Instead, I was in the Goletti Theater to watch six esteemed members of our men's cross country team in their dance class. Yes. Dance class.
The fine fellows included: Walshak, Hughes, Scrudato, Brendan, Meegan and Quimes. What a combo.
We watched them nimbly and not-so-nimbly go through their paces up on stage. It was at times interesting, amazing and downright funny.
It helped that their dance teacher had them working and practicing to a soundtrack that only I could love: Mostly Santana, a little Allman Brothers, and Paul Simon. Lovely! Just lovely.
The verdict? All of our guys tried hard. They really did.
It pains me to report that the dudes with the best moves were Scrudato and Hughes, with Walshak following closely behind. Quimes may be the self-proclaimed GOAT on the running course, but he was lagging a bit behind on the dance floor. Not bad, but not up to the other guys' standards. Sorry, Q!
Brendan was solid ... and Meegan? Meegan did the very best he could out there. He really did.
It took guts for our guys to take the stage in front of their friends and coaches. I really should have been grading papers, but I'm glad I watched them dance.
In honor of their fine class performance, I offer you the following link to a great Santana song called "Dance Sister Dance."
Not by grading papers.
Instead, I was in the Goletti Theater to watch six esteemed members of our men's cross country team in their dance class. Yes. Dance class.
The fine fellows included: Walshak, Hughes, Scrudato, Brendan, Meegan and Quimes. What a combo.
We watched them nimbly and not-so-nimbly go through their paces up on stage. It was at times interesting, amazing and downright funny.
It helped that their dance teacher had them working and practicing to a soundtrack that only I could love: Mostly Santana, a little Allman Brothers, and Paul Simon. Lovely! Just lovely.
The verdict? All of our guys tried hard. They really did.
It pains me to report that the dudes with the best moves were Scrudato and Hughes, with Walshak following closely behind. Quimes may be the self-proclaimed GOAT on the running course, but he was lagging a bit behind on the dance floor. Not bad, but not up to the other guys' standards. Sorry, Q!
Brendan was solid ... and Meegan? Meegan did the very best he could out there. He really did.
It took guts for our guys to take the stage in front of their friends and coaches. I really should have been grading papers, but I'm glad I watched them dance.
In honor of their fine class performance, I offer you the following link to a great Santana song called "Dance Sister Dance."
Tracking the vote
"School budget vote" is a phrase that evokes many varying emotions. Most of them negative.
In our town, there was a budget proposal vote today. As usual, I got to the polls as soon as I could after my morning jog.
Normally, two subjects you do not discuss openly are politics and religion. But this vote wasn't really about politics for us. It was about common sense.
Duh!
One of the proposals on the table was for a new track and field complex (among other athletic improvements) at the high school that my kids most likely will eventually attend.
Geez. Let's see. My oldest son just completed his first year of modified cross country, so a track at his future high school is something he most likely would utilize -- and not just in gym class. My daughter is a cheerleader. Right now, she cheers in the fall on the old cinder track at the high school. And my youngest son James? He's still in kindergarten, but he asked me yesterday if he could run for me at Marist if he was on the team. So there could be some running in the future for him as well (although his current sport of choice is bowling; go figure).
Oh yeah. We are running a D1 program without an outdoor track facility. A brand-new, state-of-the-art track a few miles up the road? Check. I think I voted yes. Don't you?
Hopefully, much of the rest of my town was in agreement.
In our town, there was a budget proposal vote today. As usual, I got to the polls as soon as I could after my morning jog.
Normally, two subjects you do not discuss openly are politics and religion. But this vote wasn't really about politics for us. It was about common sense.
Duh!
One of the proposals on the table was for a new track and field complex (among other athletic improvements) at the high school that my kids most likely will eventually attend.
Geez. Let's see. My oldest son just completed his first year of modified cross country, so a track at his future high school is something he most likely would utilize -- and not just in gym class. My daughter is a cheerleader. Right now, she cheers in the fall on the old cinder track at the high school. And my youngest son James? He's still in kindergarten, but he asked me yesterday if he could run for me at Marist if he was on the team. So there could be some running in the future for him as well (although his current sport of choice is bowling; go figure).
Oh yeah. We are running a D1 program without an outdoor track facility. A brand-new, state-of-the-art track a few miles up the road? Check. I think I voted yes. Don't you?
Hopefully, much of the rest of my town was in agreement.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Boring basketball? We’ll take it
Our program is hosting a dozen recruits this Sunday to Monday. As we like to do on these recruiting weekends, our guests attended a home basketball game – today, it was the men against Rider University.
Home games at the spiffy new McCann Arena are a pretty cool spectacle. For our family, today had an added incentive as our daughter Natalie participated in the Dance Team clinic and halftime presentation (thanks to our pal Sean T. McMann for supplying the halftime photo here!).
Anyway, today’s game was not that entertaining for our guests. Pretty boring, actually, as it was a 20-point blowout.
A-ha! But here’s the catch: This time, the home team won! That surely hasn’t been the case for the men the past few years, but alas this is a new year and a truly reinvigorated program that is fun to watch. Hopefully, our guests enjoyed the fun as well. We’ll take this kind of boring all year!
Cagy scoreboard
Venerable Coxe Cage at Yale University, where we had our lid-lifting meet on Saturday, is one of the coolest venues around.
Steeped in history and character, this building looks like a big, old greenhouse with its mostly glass-paneled roof and sides, to go along with the ancient brick structure. It was built in 1928 and has undergone many renovations (see complete history here), the most recent of which included the addition of the four-lane banked oval.
The renovation also included a new digital scoreboard. This scoreboard posted results, and also flashed witty aphorisms like this: Afraid of the hurdles? Get over it!
Nice.
Steeped in history and character, this building looks like a big, old greenhouse with its mostly glass-paneled roof and sides, to go along with the ancient brick structure. It was built in 1928 and has undergone many renovations (see complete history here), the most recent of which included the addition of the four-lane banked oval.
The renovation also included a new digital scoreboard. This scoreboard posted results, and also flashed witty aphorisms like this: Afraid of the hurdles? Get over it!
Nice.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Yale Season Opener today
Indoor track started today at Coxe Cage on the campus of Yale University.
Today’s highlights:
--Freshman sprinter Danielle Asaro made her presence immediately known by tying the 2004 school record in the 60-meter dash (Marissa Artiano) in the preliminary (8.27 seconds). In the final, she finished eighth in 8.28 seconds. Nicely done!
--Transfer Nicole Scicolone got third in the long jump in 5.28 meters (17 feet, 4 inches), a very good early-season jump, especially considering her lack of event-specific practice. Welcome aboard!
--For the men, our three 60 dashers (Mike McCloskey, Tyler Schwarz and Darren Bushey) all sprinted to personal-best marks. Welcome to freshman Tyler Schwarz!
--Special kudos to McCloskey and Bushey, who definitely earned their meal money today! They did their usual 60 dash and 200 dash double, but gamely added a 4x400 leg at the end of the day to allow our other 400 men some extra work. Thanks, guys!
--Senior captain Tommy Lipari had a strong early-season day with a 4:22 mile and a solid 2:01 anchor leg in the 4x800.
--Sophomore Arquimedes DelaCruz was the highest finisher on the day, second in the 5k in 15:07. Our boy Q needs some rest, after a long and successful XC season, a very excellent Turkey Trot last week and now this. An eventful and successful 2011 of running!
Here are the results and splits from today.
Yale Season Opener
Coxe Cage, New Haven, CT
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Women’s results
60-meter dash
8. Danielle Asaro 8.28 (8.27** in preliminary TIES SCHOOL RECORD in that event! Set by Marissa Artiano, 8.27, 2004)
12. Nicole Scicolone 8.43
13. Amanda Luccarelli 8.45
17. Alexandra McCahill 8.67
200-meter dash
22. Danielle Asaro 28.05
26. Amanda Luccarelli 28.38
30. Alexandra McCahill 28.52
31. Christina Turigiano 29.01
800-meter run
3. Christine Coughlin 2:26.58
34, 71 (37), 1:50 (39), 2:26.58 (36.58)
8. Rachael Peterson 2:34.48
35, 73 (38), 1:54 (41), 2:34.48 (40.48)
Long jump:
3. Nicole Scicolone 5.28 meters (17 feet, 4 inches)
Men’s results
60-meter dash
10. Mike McCloskey 7.31
11. Tyler Schwarz 7.33
13. Darren Bushey 7.37
200-meter dash
20. Mike McCloskey 23.83
21. Tyler Schwarz 24.08
23. Darren Bushey 24.15
24. Mike Clifford 24.27
400-meter dash
14. Connor Dodge 53.07
23. Mike Clifford 54.55
1,000-meter run
5. Bryan Buttigieg 2:44.46
31, 64 (33), 1:38 (34), 2:12 (34), 2:44.46 (32.46)
6. Adam Osowski 2:48.05
31, 64 (33), 1:40 (36), 2:14 (34), 2:48.05 (34.05
Mile run
4. Tom Lipari 4:22.18
32, 64 (32), 1:36 (32), 2:09 (33), 2:42 (33), 3:16 (34), 3:48 (32), 4:22.18 (34.18)
5. David Marthy 4:33.19
34, 66 (32), 1:37 (31), 2:11 (34), 2:45 (34), 3:20 (35), 3:58 (38), 4:33.19 (35.19)
8. Billy Posch 4:42.03
35, 67 (32), 1:41 (34), 2:16 (35), 2:52 (36), 3:30 (38), 4:06 (36), 4:42.03 (36.03)
9. Andrew James 4:42.31
32, 68 (36), 1:45 (37), 2:22 (37), 2:58 (36), 3:35 (37), 4:10 (35), 4:42.31 (32.31)
11. Brian Gordon 4:45.97
33, 69 (36), 1:45 (36), 2:22 (37), 2:59 (37), 3:36 (37), 4:12 (36), 4:45.97 (33.97)
12. Billy Hild 4:48.23
34, 69 (35), 1:46 (37), 2:24 (38), 3:01 (37), 3:37 (36), 4:13 (37), 4:48.23 (35.23)
5,000-meter run
2. Arquimedes DelaCruz 15:07.46
35, 71 (36), 1:46 (35), 2:21 (35), 2:57 (36)
3:32 (35), 4:08 (36), 4:43 (35), 5:20 (37), 5:56 (36)
6:33 (37), 7:09 (36), 7:46 (37), 8:23 (37), 8:59 (36)
9:36 (37), 10:13 (37), 10:51 (38), 11:27 (36), 12:03 (36)
12:39 (36), 13:16 (37), 13:53 (37), 14:32 (39), 15:07.46 (35.46)
1km splits: 2:57, 2:59, 3:03, 3:04, 3:04.46
4. Mohamed Eid 16:29.03
37, 74 (37), 1:53 (37), 2:32 (39), 3:10 (38)
3:48 (38), 4:26 (38), 5:03 (37), 5:42 (39), 6:21 (39)
7:01 (40), 7:40 (39), 8:19 (39), 8:59 (40), 9:39 (40)
10:20 (41), 11:00 (40), 11:41 (41), 12:22 (41), 13:03 (41)
13:44 (41), 14:28 (44), 15:10 (42), 15:50 (40), 16:29.03 (39.03)
1km splits: 3:10, 3:11, 3:18, 3:24, 3:26.03
3,200-meter relay
2. Marist 8:14.17
David Marthy 29, 59 (30), 1:31 (32), 2:00.83 (29.83)
Billy Posch 30, 61 (31), 1:34 (33), 2:07.74 (33.74)
Andrew James 29, 61 (32), 1:33 (32), 2:03.62 (30.62)
Tommy Lipari 28, 59 (31), 1:30 (31), 2:01.71 (31.71)
1,600-meter relay
6. Marist 3:36.85
Dan Conklin 52.60
Connor Dodge 53.13
Mike McCloskey 54.97
Darren Bushey 55.76
Weight throw:
11. Sean Ellman 8.54 meters (28 feet, 0.25 inches)
Today’s highlights:
--Freshman sprinter Danielle Asaro made her presence immediately known by tying the 2004 school record in the 60-meter dash (Marissa Artiano) in the preliminary (8.27 seconds). In the final, she finished eighth in 8.28 seconds. Nicely done!
--Transfer Nicole Scicolone got third in the long jump in 5.28 meters (17 feet, 4 inches), a very good early-season jump, especially considering her lack of event-specific practice. Welcome aboard!
--For the men, our three 60 dashers (Mike McCloskey, Tyler Schwarz and Darren Bushey) all sprinted to personal-best marks. Welcome to freshman Tyler Schwarz!
--Special kudos to McCloskey and Bushey, who definitely earned their meal money today! They did their usual 60 dash and 200 dash double, but gamely added a 4x400 leg at the end of the day to allow our other 400 men some extra work. Thanks, guys!
--Senior captain Tommy Lipari had a strong early-season day with a 4:22 mile and a solid 2:01 anchor leg in the 4x800.
--Sophomore Arquimedes DelaCruz was the highest finisher on the day, second in the 5k in 15:07. Our boy Q needs some rest, after a long and successful XC season, a very excellent Turkey Trot last week and now this. An eventful and successful 2011 of running!
Here are the results and splits from today.
Yale Season Opener
Coxe Cage, New Haven, CT
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Women’s results
60-meter dash
8. Danielle Asaro 8.28 (8.27** in preliminary TIES SCHOOL RECORD in that event! Set by Marissa Artiano, 8.27, 2004)
12. Nicole Scicolone 8.43
13. Amanda Luccarelli 8.45
17. Alexandra McCahill 8.67
200-meter dash
22. Danielle Asaro 28.05
26. Amanda Luccarelli 28.38
30. Alexandra McCahill 28.52
31. Christina Turigiano 29.01
800-meter run
3. Christine Coughlin 2:26.58
34, 71 (37), 1:50 (39), 2:26.58 (36.58)
8. Rachael Peterson 2:34.48
35, 73 (38), 1:54 (41), 2:34.48 (40.48)
Long jump:
3. Nicole Scicolone 5.28 meters (17 feet, 4 inches)
Men’s results
60-meter dash
10. Mike McCloskey 7.31
11. Tyler Schwarz 7.33
13. Darren Bushey 7.37
200-meter dash
20. Mike McCloskey 23.83
21. Tyler Schwarz 24.08
23. Darren Bushey 24.15
24. Mike Clifford 24.27
400-meter dash
14. Connor Dodge 53.07
23. Mike Clifford 54.55
1,000-meter run
5. Bryan Buttigieg 2:44.46
31, 64 (33), 1:38 (34), 2:12 (34), 2:44.46 (32.46)
6. Adam Osowski 2:48.05
31, 64 (33), 1:40 (36), 2:14 (34), 2:48.05 (34.05
Mile run
4. Tom Lipari 4:22.18
32, 64 (32), 1:36 (32), 2:09 (33), 2:42 (33), 3:16 (34), 3:48 (32), 4:22.18 (34.18)
5. David Marthy 4:33.19
34, 66 (32), 1:37 (31), 2:11 (34), 2:45 (34), 3:20 (35), 3:58 (38), 4:33.19 (35.19)
8. Billy Posch 4:42.03
35, 67 (32), 1:41 (34), 2:16 (35), 2:52 (36), 3:30 (38), 4:06 (36), 4:42.03 (36.03)
9. Andrew James 4:42.31
32, 68 (36), 1:45 (37), 2:22 (37), 2:58 (36), 3:35 (37), 4:10 (35), 4:42.31 (32.31)
11. Brian Gordon 4:45.97
33, 69 (36), 1:45 (36), 2:22 (37), 2:59 (37), 3:36 (37), 4:12 (36), 4:45.97 (33.97)
12. Billy Hild 4:48.23
34, 69 (35), 1:46 (37), 2:24 (38), 3:01 (37), 3:37 (36), 4:13 (37), 4:48.23 (35.23)
5,000-meter run
2. Arquimedes DelaCruz 15:07.46
35, 71 (36), 1:46 (35), 2:21 (35), 2:57 (36)
3:32 (35), 4:08 (36), 4:43 (35), 5:20 (37), 5:56 (36)
6:33 (37), 7:09 (36), 7:46 (37), 8:23 (37), 8:59 (36)
9:36 (37), 10:13 (37), 10:51 (38), 11:27 (36), 12:03 (36)
12:39 (36), 13:16 (37), 13:53 (37), 14:32 (39), 15:07.46 (35.46)
1km splits: 2:57, 2:59, 3:03, 3:04, 3:04.46
4. Mohamed Eid 16:29.03
37, 74 (37), 1:53 (37), 2:32 (39), 3:10 (38)
3:48 (38), 4:26 (38), 5:03 (37), 5:42 (39), 6:21 (39)
7:01 (40), 7:40 (39), 8:19 (39), 8:59 (40), 9:39 (40)
10:20 (41), 11:00 (40), 11:41 (41), 12:22 (41), 13:03 (41)
13:44 (41), 14:28 (44), 15:10 (42), 15:50 (40), 16:29.03 (39.03)
1km splits: 3:10, 3:11, 3:18, 3:24, 3:26.03
3,200-meter relay
2. Marist 8:14.17
David Marthy 29, 59 (30), 1:31 (32), 2:00.83 (29.83)
Billy Posch 30, 61 (31), 1:34 (33), 2:07.74 (33.74)
Andrew James 29, 61 (32), 1:33 (32), 2:03.62 (30.62)
Tommy Lipari 28, 59 (31), 1:30 (31), 2:01.71 (31.71)
1,600-meter relay
6. Marist 3:36.85
Dan Conklin 52.60
Connor Dodge 53.13
Mike McCloskey 54.97
Darren Bushey 55.76
Weight throw:
11. Sean Ellman 8.54 meters (28 feet, 0.25 inches)
Friday, December 2, 2011
Indoor track, here we come!
I always used to brag about how much the indoor season was my favorite. Back when we had a track in the former McCann Fieldhouse (now the spiffy McCann Arena!), practice most days was a snap: Log off my email account in the office, walk down the stairs and voila! … start practice.
Obviously, things are a little more complicated now.
But with the start of our indoor track season of competition tomorrow at Yale, I do have to say that I’m very much looking forward to coaching inside. The indoor season has a certain feel and an intensity to it, with spectators and coaches alike right on top of the action on the track; it is definitely a departure from cross country.
One major stressor that is eliminated: Weather conditions. Perhaps, more than anything else, this is what makes indoor track appealing to both athletes and coaches alike.
Check back later this weekend for details and results ...
Obviously, things are a little more complicated now.
But with the start of our indoor track season of competition tomorrow at Yale, I do have to say that I’m very much looking forward to coaching inside. The indoor season has a certain feel and an intensity to it, with spectators and coaches alike right on top of the action on the track; it is definitely a departure from cross country.
One major stressor that is eliminated: Weather conditions. Perhaps, more than anything else, this is what makes indoor track appealing to both athletes and coaches alike.
Check back later this weekend for details and results ...
Facilities update: Give us an inch …
It has the feel of a tunnel; it’s just a big hallway, really. But we’ll take whatever we can get.
In the new McCann Arena, there is an odd patch of unused space behind one section of the student bleachers on the north end of the building. It’s a little more than 8 feet wide – a nice big lane!
We put our heads together and determined that this just might be a good place for our sprinters to practice their block starts, and maybe an area for our horizontal jumpers to practice by jumping into their mats. We will roll out our bulky, black portable runway mat, spike up and have at it.
It’s enclosed; it’s tiny; but it should work! Give us an inch … and we’ll use it.
In the new McCann Arena, there is an odd patch of unused space behind one section of the student bleachers on the north end of the building. It’s a little more than 8 feet wide – a nice big lane!
We put our heads together and determined that this just might be a good place for our sprinters to practice their block starts, and maybe an area for our horizontal jumpers to practice by jumping into their mats. We will roll out our bulky, black portable runway mat, spike up and have at it.
It’s enclosed; it’s tiny; but it should work! Give us an inch … and we’ll use it.
Facilities update: A SUnNY disposition …
On Friday morning, Coach Horton and I traveled to SUNY New Paltz to check out the indoor track facility at Elting Gymnasium. We met our good friend and Marist Running Alum Justin Harris, now the assistant cross country coach for the Hawks.
The indoor track over there is very excellent! It is a raised, three-lane track, painted in SUNYNP blue. It is quite interesting, as the shape is best described as a circle. There are really no straightaways, but also really no sharp turns either. It’s a nice, gradual bend the whole way, and the inside lane is 9 laps to the mile. Lovely, just lovely! We are hoping to finalize a partnership with our Ulster County friends to make use of the indoor track at times during the winter months.
The accommodation of our needs by others in the regional community is something for which we are forever grateful. Our friends at the Land of Fresh (Spackenkill) have always been very welcoming to us through the years. We have truly blessed with the support of Vassar Track Coach James McCowan for the regular use of our higher education neighbor’s fine outdoor facility, and now we hope to forge a similar relationship across the river.
Maybe the long, cold winter will be a little less cold anyway …
The indoor track over there is very excellent! It is a raised, three-lane track, painted in SUNYNP blue. It is quite interesting, as the shape is best described as a circle. There are really no straightaways, but also really no sharp turns either. It’s a nice, gradual bend the whole way, and the inside lane is 9 laps to the mile. Lovely, just lovely! We are hoping to finalize a partnership with our Ulster County friends to make use of the indoor track at times during the winter months.
The accommodation of our needs by others in the regional community is something for which we are forever grateful. Our friends at the Land of Fresh (Spackenkill) have always been very welcoming to us through the years. We have truly blessed with the support of Vassar Track Coach James McCowan for the regular use of our higher education neighbor’s fine outdoor facility, and now we hope to forge a similar relationship across the river.
Maybe the long, cold winter will be a little less cold anyway …
Thursday, December 1, 2011
In between
This December time period is an unusual sort of middle ground for our program. We are in season; but not quite. We are training really hard; but not in the full, in-season mode. We have meets; but everyone is equally focused on capping papers, projects and finals.
As a distance-running coach, this time of year can be a bit odd. It’s time to renew and get back to hard work, but with the knowledge that last week (for most) was an off week. As a result, we cannot drill the high volume training just yet. But don’t worry. We will. And we will ramp up there -- very, very soon.
And so it was that we were at, of all places, the Vassar Track on Wednesday. Obviously, Coach Horton and the sprinters were there because, well, that’s what we do on Wednesdays, and there was no snow on the ground, and most of us from that group are racing Saturday at Yale. December is a mini coming out party for our sprint crew, which has been working extremely hard for several months with Coach Horton and also in the Fitness Center with Coach Clancy.
But the distance men? Many of whom were on only their third day back in training? Even Hughes, the dedicated foot soldier who never questions our training methods, was wondering what the heck was going on.
As he (and others) soon found out, most of the non-racing distance men were not really doing a “track workout” per se. As I said out there in the cold and wind, it was like we were “playing track.” There’s no snow on the ground yet (thank God for that); our ability to get on a track has an expiration date (the first major snowfall), so I figured why not?
It was chilly out there, but this we must get used to. As we enter our aforementioned “Brave New World” we will have to learn to adapt along the way.
As a distance-running coach, this time of year can be a bit odd. It’s time to renew and get back to hard work, but with the knowledge that last week (for most) was an off week. As a result, we cannot drill the high volume training just yet. But don’t worry. We will. And we will ramp up there -- very, very soon.
And so it was that we were at, of all places, the Vassar Track on Wednesday. Obviously, Coach Horton and the sprinters were there because, well, that’s what we do on Wednesdays, and there was no snow on the ground, and most of us from that group are racing Saturday at Yale. December is a mini coming out party for our sprint crew, which has been working extremely hard for several months with Coach Horton and also in the Fitness Center with Coach Clancy.
But the distance men? Many of whom were on only their third day back in training? Even Hughes, the dedicated foot soldier who never questions our training methods, was wondering what the heck was going on.
As he (and others) soon found out, most of the non-racing distance men were not really doing a “track workout” per se. As I said out there in the cold and wind, it was like we were “playing track.” There’s no snow on the ground yet (thank God for that); our ability to get on a track has an expiration date (the first major snowfall), so I figured why not?
It was chilly out there, but this we must get used to. As we enter our aforementioned “Brave New World” we will have to learn to adapt along the way.
‘Tis the season …
From what I have heard, a longstanding Marist men’s running tradition continued last night with the exchange of names for the xx-th (not sure how many years) annual Jerk Squad Secret Santa. I’m glad the “Jerk Squad” tradition – Wednesday evening food and fun at the Cabaret – has endured through several generations of Marist Running.
This Sunday/Monday, we will have a whole boatload of recruits coming up; hopefully, they will see the tight-knit (if not bizarre) unit we have here, and they will want to join in the fun on the run as members of the Running Red Foxes starting in the fall of 2012.
On a sort of unrelated note: My youngest son James (you know, the kid who wrote the Thanksgiving Letter posted here last week) is quite excited about the Holiday Season, but he shows it in an odd way. Our little guy is a big fan of SpongeBob SquarePants; he darts around the house, singing “Oh Krusty Krab, oh Krusty Krab, oh how I love you Krusty Krab” … to the tune of “Oh, Christmas Tree.” Also, he said that Patrick on the show reminds him of his old punching-bag buddy Conor Shelley. Interesting.
This Sunday/Monday, we will have a whole boatload of recruits coming up; hopefully, they will see the tight-knit (if not bizarre) unit we have here, and they will want to join in the fun on the run as members of the Running Red Foxes starting in the fall of 2012.
On a sort of unrelated note: My youngest son James (you know, the kid who wrote the Thanksgiving Letter posted here last week) is quite excited about the Holiday Season, but he shows it in an odd way. Our little guy is a big fan of SpongeBob SquarePants; he darts around the house, singing “Oh Krusty Krab, oh Krusty Krab, oh how I love you Krusty Krab” … to the tune of “Oh, Christmas Tree.” Also, he said that Patrick on the show reminds him of his old punching-bag buddy Conor Shelley. Interesting.
Sub-15:00 blog reminder
Here’s a friendly reminder to check back frequently to Steve Hicks’ excellent video blog, linked here. This week's episode has an excellent "Ode to Hopkins" theme to it. Some classic old photos in there!
Hicks, a proud Marist Running alum, and his Syracuse running buddies are chronicling weekly workouts in their attempt to break 15:00 for 5k as post-collegians.
I don’t want to jinx things, but I think that Hicks is well on his way to achieving this goal. He has established a nice base, and his first few workouts/races have gone pretty well – in the humble opinion of this old coach.
The videos are funny and entertaining, and promise to get more interesting as the long and dark winter establishes its inevitable foothold in Central New York.
Check it out, and keep coming back each week (don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll remind you …)
Hicks, a proud Marist Running alum, and his Syracuse running buddies are chronicling weekly workouts in their attempt to break 15:00 for 5k as post-collegians.
I don’t want to jinx things, but I think that Hicks is well on his way to achieving this goal. He has established a nice base, and his first few workouts/races have gone pretty well – in the humble opinion of this old coach.
The videos are funny and entertaining, and promise to get more interesting as the long and dark winter establishes its inevitable foothold in Central New York.
Check it out, and keep coming back each week (don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll remind you …)
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