All Downhill From Here

Last month my teenage son’s indoor soccer team started off their season with an 8 to 1 loss, yet he did not come home discouraged. I was impressed with his good attitude about his hard effort, and even more impressed with his coach’s e-mail to the team later that weekend. Here is an exerpt (with permission, names changed to protect minors):

“Today, we had an exciting day. First the 2 minute pre-game practice in the morning, then the game & finally the evening practice. For a number of players this was their introduction to indoor soccer. The game was an 8:1 loss (for us).

Given our preparation the number of errors was expected – all the forwards against the same boards, the defence chasing the (other team) towards our goal, missed passes. Parts were painful to watch and painful to play.

The good side is as important – the team visibly improved shift-over-shift. Every 15 minutes the (other team) were facing a new, faster, better team. Their scoring opportunities started to dry-up and we started to get opportunities.

We improved because we have talent and heart. The talent came through as we knocked the rust off. The heart was demonstrated on the field and on the bench. On the field we never stopped trying, even at the dark moments when it was 7:0. On the bench the commentary wasn’t about ‘other’s mistakes’

Our turning point was Neil’s place kick, we nearly scored. Right after another place kick that was close. Then, it was like the forwards suddenly knew it was possible. Then Brian scored. Then we kept trying.

Things we’ll work on:

• Forwards bunching up
• Defence working as a unit
• First-to-the ball in the mid-field
• Crisper shifting. We need to build a rhythm so we take advantage of our team size to stay very fresh, without spending too much time shifting

Things we did well

• Keeping the ball in play We did not give up many free kicks
• Free kicks
• Staying in the game

It was an easy game to get discouraged or to ‘try too hard’.”

There’s a lot of soccer-eze in there, but here’s what I gleaned from their experience:

• Identify your challenges and adapt quickly
• Find the positives, remember that “it is possible”
• Stay in the game

Today I’m facing a couple of 8 to 1 challenges. I have 8 cross country races left in the Grand Prix, each 8 km long with a 4k option. 8 races, 8 kms vs. one me and a clicky knee.

I don’t know if I’ll do all 8k today at the Edworthy race – the monster hill on which we do the entire race is very steep, and ice and fresh snow are going to make it treacherous. It IS possible… 🙂

Oh, in my IMF excitement I forgot to tell you I ran in the snow last week. Last Thursday night I finally got out for my first real winter run of the season.  It took me a little longer to get ready, as I located my mitts and earmuffs.

I went out for about 20 minutes after dinner and had to head back home. I wasn’t too cold – it was just too slippery. I was tensing up over the ice and not relaxing my stride enough. Did I give up? No, I opened up my latest pair of Yaktrax (my third pair in 4 years), stuck ’em on my shoes and went out for 20 more minutes.

By the end of that my recovering right knee cap was doing its disconcerting clicking thing, and I decided 40 minutes was enough.

This Tuesday we were in the midst of a glorious chinook, and the running paths and streets around Gord’s Store were dry again. Heck, it was so nice out (7C/45F) that I left my jacket at the store and just ran in leggings and two shirts. No mitts necessary.

Krista was back with the Tuesday night group after a few months off of running. She will be walking from the store as a Walker on Tuesday nights, so if a) you’re in Calgary, b) you’ve been thinking you’d rather walk than run, and c) want some company, maybe you should come out on Tuesday nights too.

Tim and I ran to the Zoo and back, with Duke and Kellie not far behind us. Duke was celebrating having run his first 10k race by running in new shoes, and Kellie just ran the Chicago marathon a couple of weeks ago.

We won’t be doing that route again this winter. The darkness of the zoo park, combined with the folks from the homeless center hanging around in it made both Tim and I uneasy. Mind you, the presence of numerous, possibly untrustworthy strangers really helped me to keep up the pace. And heck, my knee didn’t click once.

By the time we got to the hill of the Center St. Bridge, the force of gravity seemed a little stronger than usual, but I did manage to run up a fair bit of it. Duke and Kellie came up right behind us with big smiles on their faces, and we all finished together.

I should have been running again tonight, but somehow Thursdays have become a big homework-helping night around here, and I couldn’t get away. Plus, I’m glad I didn’t miss Survivor tonight- what a great episode! Now this game is interesting.

I might run tomorrow, but if I do it will have to be short and easy. The 3rd XC race in the Grand Prix is on Saturday – Edworthy – and I’ll need to be fresh to manage those steep slippery slopes in yes, more snow.

In racer’s terms, DNF means “Do/Did Not Finish”. In Penguin terms, we translate that to “Do/Did Nothing Foolish”. Nancy made a very tough decision last night not to finish the Ironman Florida course.

I often find it tough enough to get my priorities straight when I’m NOT on a race course, after hours and hours of exertion. Sounds like she got them straight last night, though. Go over and give her a high-five, eh?

Shortly after Nancy crossed the half-marathon chip mat Dawn e-mailed me with this upsetting news:

“not sure details but nancy is dnf”
(dnf = do not finish)

No! It’s not true!

I haven’t wanted to believe it, and Dawn hasn’t been able to get me any further info. I’ve been hoping it really wasn’t true, but there isn’t much time left before the finish line closes.

I did see Ellie cross the finish line – well worth staying glued to the screen for that. Ellie was smiling, looking strong and happy. Woohoo Ellie!

Nancy, I hope you’re all right.

Ellie finished her bike in 7:06:44, with a transition of 8:05. Nancy’s not far behind her (about 35 minutes), having finished her bike leg in 7:29, with an 8 minute transition.

According to my math, this gives Ellie about 7h50m to finish the marathon before tonight’s cut-off and Nancy has about 7h15 to complete hers in order to obtain official finisher status.

Nancy’s bike time isn’t quite “happy” according to Nancy’s predictions post, but it’s early in the “okay” range. I’m betting the winds out there today made for quite a challenge.

Nancy did her Goofy marathon in 6:37 – a sub 7hour marathon is not unthinkable. I think our buddies are right on track to complete this thing.

Go GRRRRLS GO!

8:16 Calgary time

We’ve been celebrating Ellie’s and Nancy’s crossing of the half-marathon chip mats. Ellie crossed at 2:49:59 and Nancy made it across the chip mats at 3:13:10.

I’ve got my computer speakers hooked up and the live video feed rolling. Very cool seeing all these Ironmen crossing the finish line!

Ironman Florida 2006 might be over for the Jan Raphael, but our buddies are still out on that course.

While we go about our Saturdays and check in on the race day live webcast (I actually saw Jan finish in real time – cool!), Dawn sent this missive from Panama City a little while ago:
Sunny hot luv it
They looked good after swim
Top guys out on run course
Got nice butt shots
Girls say hi
We’re in the tiki bar

8:42 a.m. Calgary time
Right now I’m watching cyclists pouring out of the bike start at Ironman Florida in Panama City. I’m set up to track my two favourite buddies Ellie and Nancy, and hopefully Dawn will be e-mailing in a report or two as well from a fan’s perspective.

I’m all excited about the video coverage, but have to get a boy to soccer practice. Hopefully I’ll have something to report when I get back.

9:34 a.m. Calgary time
A fellow Canadian friend, Marie Claude reported “Nancy & Ellie are out of the water. 1:57 for Nancy. Ellie’s swim was 1:43.” They’re well ahead of the 2:20 swim cut-off.

Dawn e-mailed me this quick report, from the beach. “It’s awesome. Got great photos out of water. Both happy.”

10:41 a.m. Calgary time

Ellie’s T1: 12:15 
That might be a little long for Ellie. Last year at Chesapeakeman Ironman, Ellie’s T1 was 11:09 and this year at Chesapeakeman Aquavelo she only took 8:33.

Nancy’s T1: a smokin’ 10:13 !
According to her predictions, this is a “happy” transition time.

The website says it’s windy out there on the bike. I’m wishing the athletes only tailwinds and a flat-free ride.

Go Grrrrrls Go!

I did manage to take a few more photos at the CRR banquet the other night, but I wanted to save them for a special encouragement post for Ellie and Nancy.

That thing we’re all doing with our hands is secret sign language. Yes, we’re wearing kitty-cat ears. It’s an inside joke 😉 

Oh, and here’s one more song for Ellie and Nancy to lock into their brains for Saturday’s finish under a full-moon: 

Moon river, wider than a mile,
I’m crossing you in style, some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
Wherever you’re goin’, I’m goin’ your way.
Two drifters, off to see the world,
There’s such a lot of world to see.
We’re after the same rainbow’s end,
Waitin’ ’round the bend,
My huckleberry friend,
Moon river, and me!

Last night Dawn and I picked up our new friend Giovanna and headed over to the Bow Waters Canoe Club for the Calgary Roadrunners Annual General Meeting.

We ate a tasty roast beef dinner, visited with those we knew, made a few new acquaintances, and in general had some nice social time. All three of us from my car won door prizes; Giovanna and I won some New Balance socks, Dawn won a Tech Shop t-shirt. I brought my camera, but you know me; I got so busy visiting that I didn’t find time to take many pictures.

As usual, the business part was kept short, sweet, and easy-to-understand. Earlier this year I had contemplated letting my name stand for nomination to the board, but I chickened out last night. I’m busy enough as it is. If I come up with an irresistible idea or two, I think I can attend a board meeting or two without official status – they are still open to members.

The club also celebrated it’s 30th Birthday last night, and we got to listen to some history and reminiscing from some of the long-standing members. We enjoyed a neat display of photos and previous samples of club clothing. There was also chocolate cake 🙂

The club had invited ultra-runner and Ironman Neil Runions to inspire us by telling us about his experience of completing Kiehl’s Badwater Ultramarathon earlier this year. Neil not only completed the race, he Buckled. In his presentation he used words like Funeral Mountains, Death Valley, Devil’s Cornfield, Stovepipe Wells, dust storm, flash flood and “13,000 feet of cumulative vertical ascent”.

Oi.

This race is not just an individual effort. The conditions on the course are so extreme that each racer must have 4 crew members in two support vehicles. If even one crew member becomes dehydrated to the point of needing i.v. fluids, the racer can be disqualified. 

We learned about some of his strategies in training for and completion of this rigourous event. For example:

• Sauna-training, to increase his body’s ability to process fluids faster (4 liters/hour).
• Training on Moose Mountain.
• Running on the white line. The pavement gets hot enough to melt shoe rubber there.
• Cooling techniques like ice in his hat and bandana and wearing sun gear.
• Sleeping only 15 minutes at a time.
• Keeping a good sense of humour with his 4 person crew.

It was quite mind-boggling to hear how Neil and his crew handled the event so well. Mind you, I don’t think I’ll be considering anything beyond 26.2 any time soon.

A couple of my favourite Penguins are running in the Marine Corps Marathon tomorrow. Have a GREAT RACE, Barbara and *jeanne*!

Think of me as you beat the bridge, and make sure you take your time at the water stops 😉