Things are wrapping up here in Colorado Springs for me. It has been a busy last week but a good time too.
Yesterday I spent most of my day in Denver at the Colorado State High School Track and Field meet. Two of the discus throwers I coached this year made it to state in the discus. As a first time coach I couldn't have asked for more. The two girls were both sophomores which is very exciting for them and their coach for the next few years. Anyways, both girls had the best meet of their sophomore year at the state meet. They both moved up from their seeded positions of 14th and 16th in the state to taking 10th and 8th place. Both of them set new personal best throws. One by 6 feet and the other girl by nearly 13 feet! Perfect place to have a new personal record. The 8th place girl even set a new school record for Mesa Ridge High School! It was an exciting moment when the mark was read off the tape. I knew the school record would be broken by one of these two girls, but I did not expect it to happen so soon. It was very serendipitous. I am happy I was able to help out the throwers this track season at Mesa Ridge. If it hadn't been for the school's throwing coach, Jon Call, I never would have had a chance to have the opportunity to get some coaching experience. I know Jon will continue to guide the throwers to success.
I also finished working as a bouncer at Jack Quinn's Irish Pub in downtown Colorado Springs. I only worked at the bar for a short two months but my co-workers took me in and treated me like I had been working there for years with them. What an awesome group of people to work with. I will definitely miss them.
Colorado Springs showed me some great hospitality while I was here. The people I met here and worked with and got to know in a short period of time were some of the best people you can find. Everyone made life a little easier here and enjoyable. I hope I get the chance to come back and visit in the future.
Here is the new Mesa Ridge High School Discus Record!!!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Adios
This week my brother and his girlfriend drove from Winona, MN a day after their graduation ceremonies at Winona State to come visit me in Colorado before I move again. That's right, I'm moving again for the second time in four months. This time I'll be going back to Minnesota for a few months, then moving to Columbia, MO, home of the Mizzou Tigers.
If you are a regular follower of my blog you might recall me talking about my girlfriend's interview at Mizzou for a GA position as a strength coach a few weeks ago. If you're fairly bright you probably already figured out she got the job! It is a very exciting opportunity for her, and according to her the strength department at Mizzou has it together. She was very impressed with everyone she met and the facilities and the way the strength coaches conduct themselves professionally and with the athletes. I didn't know Mizzou was that big time...I have never visited the school, but I have a new found respect for it.
Mia and I will be moving in less than two weeks from the spectacular scenery of Colorado Springs. It's a new adventure for both of us and presents some new challenges, but this is what we're all about. She will be going directly to Missouri, while I take a detour north to Minnesota to continue training for the USATF Championsips in Des Moines, IA which is going to be held June 23rd-27th. I don't have a training situation set up in Missouri yet, and not sure if I ever will, but hopefully the Mizzou Tigers will adopt a Golden Gopher.
So, in our last few weeks my bro and his girlfriend are visiting and keeping us busy. Yesterday was the longest day I have spent outside hiking around since my move to Colorado. My brother Sam is an aspiring photographer and going crazy taking pictures and wanting to hike around the foothills to the Rockies. I will definitely will miss looking at the mountains everyday.
If you are a regular follower of my blog you might recall me talking about my girlfriend's interview at Mizzou for a GA position as a strength coach a few weeks ago. If you're fairly bright you probably already figured out she got the job! It is a very exciting opportunity for her, and according to her the strength department at Mizzou has it together. She was very impressed with everyone she met and the facilities and the way the strength coaches conduct themselves professionally and with the athletes. I didn't know Mizzou was that big time...I have never visited the school, but I have a new found respect for it.
Mia and I will be moving in less than two weeks from the spectacular scenery of Colorado Springs. It's a new adventure for both of us and presents some new challenges, but this is what we're all about. She will be going directly to Missouri, while I take a detour north to Minnesota to continue training for the USATF Championsips in Des Moines, IA which is going to be held June 23rd-27th. I don't have a training situation set up in Missouri yet, and not sure if I ever will, but hopefully the Mizzou Tigers will adopt a Golden Gopher.
So, in our last few weeks my bro and his girlfriend are visiting and keeping us busy. Yesterday was the longest day I have spent outside hiking around since my move to Colorado. My brother Sam is an aspiring photographer and going crazy taking pictures and wanting to hike around the foothills to the Rockies. I will definitely will miss looking at the mountains everyday.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
What's up with Colorado weather?
Lots of things have developed these past few weeks for possible changes on the horizon again. My girlfriend Mia is going to the University of Missouri this week to have an interview for a graduate assistant position within the strength and conditioning department. She is one of two top applicants out of 200 applicants for the position, so things are pretty exciting for her. I couldn't be happier for her, this is a major step in the right direction for her to pursue her career goals as a strength and conditioning coach. Plus she will be getting her graduate degree in whichever field she pursues. I don't want to jinx anything by talking about it before it happens, but I am optimistic about this possible opportunity. Hopefully she will know more by this Friday. The anticipation is just like that experienced before a birthday or Christmas, the news can't get here quick enough!
Aside from all of that, the weather in Colorado Springs continues to bewilder me. Being a Minnesotan I have experienced all kinds of weird weather at strange times of the year. But, here you never know what you're going to get. The mountains have total control over the weather and I don't think any Doppler radar or weatherman knows what's going to happen. This past week was full of gusty wind and rain/thunderstorms. It was sleeting the other night I got home from work, not acceptable for almost May weather. I am missing that good old Cali sunshine right about now. It was nice to be able to throw outside everyday...this weather is just ridiculous. I guess it's what I asked for though. So, no complaints here, just reminiscing for a second!
My high schoolers continue to have success. Everyone has had a personal best this year which is pretty exciting. I'm not just talking little PB's, I'm talking big jumps in feet, and major improvements from the first day I saw all of them throw. I am fortunate they are all hard workers and coachable athletes. They had a meet canceled yesterday because of bad weather. If the meet had been held in downtown Colorado Springs it would have been a perfect day for a meet, but just outside of the city limits you could see a huge bank of clouds, and under those clouds a snow storm was going on. So bad in fact that it closed the interstate down just north of the city. This is the kind of crazy weather I was talking about!
Aside from all of that, the weather in Colorado Springs continues to bewilder me. Being a Minnesotan I have experienced all kinds of weird weather at strange times of the year. But, here you never know what you're going to get. The mountains have total control over the weather and I don't think any Doppler radar or weatherman knows what's going to happen. This past week was full of gusty wind and rain/thunderstorms. It was sleeting the other night I got home from work, not acceptable for almost May weather. I am missing that good old Cali sunshine right about now. It was nice to be able to throw outside everyday...this weather is just ridiculous. I guess it's what I asked for though. So, no complaints here, just reminiscing for a second!
My high schoolers continue to have success. Everyone has had a personal best this year which is pretty exciting. I'm not just talking little PB's, I'm talking big jumps in feet, and major improvements from the first day I saw all of them throw. I am fortunate they are all hard workers and coachable athletes. They had a meet canceled yesterday because of bad weather. If the meet had been held in downtown Colorado Springs it would have been a perfect day for a meet, but just outside of the city limits you could see a huge bank of clouds, and under those clouds a snow storm was going on. So bad in fact that it closed the interstate down just north of the city. This is the kind of crazy weather I was talking about!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Big Throws
I have been working with the Mesa Ridge High School track and field team for three weeks now, and they have been getting personal bests in recent meets. Yesterday two of the girls, who are both sophomores took 3rd and 2nd in the discus at their meet. I'm pretty excited about this. I'm not going to take the credit for their success though, they are both excellent athletes and have a natural knack for the event, but it is still cool to be associated with their personal improvements. A good athlete can make a coach look good!
The throws squad as a whole is making improvements everyday which is pretty awesome to watch. They are growing as throwers and starting to learn about the events they compete in. It's a great learning experience for me in terms of coaching. As an athlete I know what works for me and what doesn't when working with coaches, so this is a chance for me to test my theories of coaching and see how they work with other, younger athletes. So far, so good! The team will have another meet at the end of the week, so we'll see if they can continue to improve on new marks they have set for themselves.
As far as my training is going, I am nearing competition dates. I am still a little hesitant to enter into a meet, mostly because I'm nervous and have been working on new techniques myself with my coach. The weather has been less than optimal here in Colorado Springs, so I am unable to judge how well I will compete or how far I will throw. There are so many more variables with the weather here to deal with than back in San Diego. I think that will help me become a better thrower in the long run, but it is hard to get used to. Bottom line though, it is time to gear up for competitions!
I started working as a bouncer last week also. It is not the best time to start a new job, nor is it the best job to be doing, but I need to do it. I'm not working everyday, only three nights spread out through the week, so it's not that bad...but definitely not a career job. And no, I don't have any exciting stories to tell yet, which I am thankful for!
The throws squad as a whole is making improvements everyday which is pretty awesome to watch. They are growing as throwers and starting to learn about the events they compete in. It's a great learning experience for me in terms of coaching. As an athlete I know what works for me and what doesn't when working with coaches, so this is a chance for me to test my theories of coaching and see how they work with other, younger athletes. So far, so good! The team will have another meet at the end of the week, so we'll see if they can continue to improve on new marks they have set for themselves.
As far as my training is going, I am nearing competition dates. I am still a little hesitant to enter into a meet, mostly because I'm nervous and have been working on new techniques myself with my coach. The weather has been less than optimal here in Colorado Springs, so I am unable to judge how well I will compete or how far I will throw. There are so many more variables with the weather here to deal with than back in San Diego. I think that will help me become a better thrower in the long run, but it is hard to get used to. Bottom line though, it is time to gear up for competitions!
I started working as a bouncer last week also. It is not the best time to start a new job, nor is it the best job to be doing, but I need to do it. I'm not working everyday, only three nights spread out through the week, so it's not that bad...but definitely not a career job. And no, I don't have any exciting stories to tell yet, which I am thankful for!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Anyone There?
Every time I write my bi-monthly blog I wonder if anyone is really reading it. I know a few people check it out from time to time, but is anyone really interested in what I have to say?
There has to be a way to sensationalize my regular activities which are pretty average and normal to me. Some people have that innate ability to turn a low key, even boring event into something exciting, overly dramatic and life changing. Yeah, I'm exaggerating a little, but the point is I need to bring a little more razzle dazzle to my blogs. So, if you are reading this blog or future ones, just leave a little comment about something you like or dislike. You can even post subjects that you would like to create a debate about or even a little controversy. It is hard for me to come up with creative subject material on my own. Like I said earlier, what I do everyday is pretty average from my perspective. Basically I'm trying to add a little spark to my blog.
Now, on to what's happening in my world...
Today, my parents will be arriving in Colorado Springs to stay for the week. They are driving from Minnesota to enjoy a Colorado spring break. My mom is an elementary school teacher and she is on spring break right now, so she decided it would be an adventure to get away from the Minnesota grind. I'm excited to have them come visit me, they never had the chance to visit me when I was living at the training center in Chula Vista, CA because it was too far and too expensive. Now, I only live 14 hours on the dot from my folk's place back home. I'm hoping the weather is nice for them while they're here, because Colorado spring weather is crazier than it is back in the land of 10,000 lakes. Just last night Colorado Springs had a winter weather advisory. Right now, as I'm typing this and looking out my window up into the mountains I can see the mountain tops getting a nice dumping of snow. I now my parents are not going to be all that excited about seeing more snow, especially after the winter of record snowfalls they just had.
Also, I started volunteering with the Mesa Ridge Grizzlies high school track and field team. They were on spring break this past week but they still had practices and a good amount of kids showed up to train and prepare themselves for their track season. It is a different experience working with high school level throwers. I have not had much coaching experience, but I'm getting it now! It is pretty difficult to coach, so I have a lot of respect for the good coaching I have had in my time. I have found that I really need to prepare myself and what I want to coach the kids ahead of time. It's like a teacher creating lesson plans, I'm just creating coaching plans. Piece of cake once those are made...sorta.
There has to be a way to sensationalize my regular activities which are pretty average and normal to me. Some people have that innate ability to turn a low key, even boring event into something exciting, overly dramatic and life changing. Yeah, I'm exaggerating a little, but the point is I need to bring a little more razzle dazzle to my blogs. So, if you are reading this blog or future ones, just leave a little comment about something you like or dislike. You can even post subjects that you would like to create a debate about or even a little controversy. It is hard for me to come up with creative subject material on my own. Like I said earlier, what I do everyday is pretty average from my perspective. Basically I'm trying to add a little spark to my blog.
Now, on to what's happening in my world...
Today, my parents will be arriving in Colorado Springs to stay for the week. They are driving from Minnesota to enjoy a Colorado spring break. My mom is an elementary school teacher and she is on spring break right now, so she decided it would be an adventure to get away from the Minnesota grind. I'm excited to have them come visit me, they never had the chance to visit me when I was living at the training center in Chula Vista, CA because it was too far and too expensive. Now, I only live 14 hours on the dot from my folk's place back home. I'm hoping the weather is nice for them while they're here, because Colorado spring weather is crazier than it is back in the land of 10,000 lakes. Just last night Colorado Springs had a winter weather advisory. Right now, as I'm typing this and looking out my window up into the mountains I can see the mountain tops getting a nice dumping of snow. I now my parents are not going to be all that excited about seeing more snow, especially after the winter of record snowfalls they just had.
Also, I started volunteering with the Mesa Ridge Grizzlies high school track and field team. They were on spring break this past week but they still had practices and a good amount of kids showed up to train and prepare themselves for their track season. It is a different experience working with high school level throwers. I have not had much coaching experience, but I'm getting it now! It is pretty difficult to coach, so I have a lot of respect for the good coaching I have had in my time. I have found that I really need to prepare myself and what I want to coach the kids ahead of time. It's like a teacher creating lesson plans, I'm just creating coaching plans. Piece of cake once those are made...sorta.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Professional Job Hunter
I have officially become a professional job hunter...for myself. The past few weeks I have been feverishly searching for a job that would allow me to train to the full extent that I need to, but at the same time making a steady income along with some much needed benefits. This is a difficult task for aspiring elite athletes like myself. I know I am not alone in this search for a decent paying job and balancing a full training schedule. Many of my fellow throwing friends are in similar situations. But, if throwing the discus paid well like many of the big time sports do, I would not be in this situation.
I am so grateful for what In the Arena has allowed me to do the past few years, but I am coming to a point in my life where I need to work a full time job. It is a stark reality and hard to accept, but without a full time job with benefits I will have a difficult time not living in a fort somewhere in the mountains. ITA has kept me afloat while I was training at the Olympic Training Center, but now that I have a monthly rent payment to make along with large amounts of food I consume I need to bring a little more cheese in. I'm not trying to write a "feel sorry for me post" just writing about what I am experiencing as a struggling athlete about to enter into the work force...somewhere.
I'm not totally in despair, actually not in despair at all. I am welcoming a new challenge in my life. It may not be optimal in terms of training, but what is optimal for training? I believe it will help me a great deal to have extra responsibility. My brother Sam laid it flat out to me that I have had it pretty easy. He's right. Living at the training center was an awesome experience, but I didn't have any responsibility to make me work hard for what I was doing. Not to say I wasn't training my butt off there, because I was...I'm trying to say I wasn't hungry enough. I had everything I needed without having to work for it, and now I do.
I've filled out numerous applications, had a couple interviews that I am still awaiting answers on, so all I can really do is wait for an opportunity to open up while I continue to pursue other potential opportunities. It's not like jobs a readily available. I am finding out quickly that you have to be very proactive and patient while hunting for jobs.
Speaking of being patient, I am still waiting to start my ITA service at the local YMCA. I have been in contact with the Volunteer coordinator and she informed me that they are still waiting on my fingerprint and background check to come back. I think it is strange that it is taking so long for my background check to come back, but I was told it can take up to three weeks. So, I sit and wait. On a side note about the YMCA, the volunteer coordinator who I have been talking with told me her position has been cut and she will no longer be working at the YMCA at the end of the month. This is incredibly sad to me, especially after visiting the YMCA. I thought they had quite the operation going that seemed to be benefiting a lot of kids. I don't think it will effect me too bad in terms of my ITA project plan but I can't be too sure. So, again I wait to hear back from them before I go forward with new plans.
Aside from all the real world drama, my discus training is coming along very well. I have acclimated to the altitude and I am starting to get my strength back. I have been throwing as much as possible when the weather is good. Today I was supposed to throw but was unable to because of a sleet/snow storm all day. It was too warm for there too be much accumulation, but too cold and wet to try and throw a discus. The good thing about Colorado Springs snow is that it doesn't stick around for long. This week there are three days forecasted to be sunny and in the 60's! Pretty excited about that. Spring is almost here, at least back in Minnesota it has arrived, well, today it did. My folks called to brag that the temperature was 64 degrees, sunny and that all the snow had melted in the yard and grass was proudly showing.
Here is some video I shot earlier this past week after one of my throwing sessions. It's a little experimental so don't judge me too much.
I am so grateful for what In the Arena has allowed me to do the past few years, but I am coming to a point in my life where I need to work a full time job. It is a stark reality and hard to accept, but without a full time job with benefits I will have a difficult time not living in a fort somewhere in the mountains. ITA has kept me afloat while I was training at the Olympic Training Center, but now that I have a monthly rent payment to make along with large amounts of food I consume I need to bring a little more cheese in. I'm not trying to write a "feel sorry for me post" just writing about what I am experiencing as a struggling athlete about to enter into the work force...somewhere.
I'm not totally in despair, actually not in despair at all. I am welcoming a new challenge in my life. It may not be optimal in terms of training, but what is optimal for training? I believe it will help me a great deal to have extra responsibility. My brother Sam laid it flat out to me that I have had it pretty easy. He's right. Living at the training center was an awesome experience, but I didn't have any responsibility to make me work hard for what I was doing. Not to say I wasn't training my butt off there, because I was...I'm trying to say I wasn't hungry enough. I had everything I needed without having to work for it, and now I do.
I've filled out numerous applications, had a couple interviews that I am still awaiting answers on, so all I can really do is wait for an opportunity to open up while I continue to pursue other potential opportunities. It's not like jobs a readily available. I am finding out quickly that you have to be very proactive and patient while hunting for jobs.
Speaking of being patient, I am still waiting to start my ITA service at the local YMCA. I have been in contact with the Volunteer coordinator and she informed me that they are still waiting on my fingerprint and background check to come back. I think it is strange that it is taking so long for my background check to come back, but I was told it can take up to three weeks. So, I sit and wait. On a side note about the YMCA, the volunteer coordinator who I have been talking with told me her position has been cut and she will no longer be working at the YMCA at the end of the month. This is incredibly sad to me, especially after visiting the YMCA. I thought they had quite the operation going that seemed to be benefiting a lot of kids. I don't think it will effect me too bad in terms of my ITA project plan but I can't be too sure. So, again I wait to hear back from them before I go forward with new plans.
Aside from all the real world drama, my discus training is coming along very well. I have acclimated to the altitude and I am starting to get my strength back. I have been throwing as much as possible when the weather is good. Today I was supposed to throw but was unable to because of a sleet/snow storm all day. It was too warm for there too be much accumulation, but too cold and wet to try and throw a discus. The good thing about Colorado Springs snow is that it doesn't stick around for long. This week there are three days forecasted to be sunny and in the 60's! Pretty excited about that. Spring is almost here, at least back in Minnesota it has arrived, well, today it did. My folks called to brag that the temperature was 64 degrees, sunny and that all the snow had melted in the yard and grass was proudly showing.
Here is some video I shot earlier this past week after one of my throwing sessions. It's a little experimental so don't judge me too much.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Gold Medals
The 21st Winter Olympics are over after seventeen days, or something like that. It was pretty fun to watch, and there were a lot of new faces. For some reason I feel like faces were easier to recognize or I at least knew who the athletes were. Although now I can say I know a few of the Olympians on a personal level. It was definitely more exciting to watch someone I know compete and win medals for the USA.
Today I watched the gold medal hockey game. Wow, was that a close one! It was unbelievable how the US tied up the game in the final seconds of regular play, but crushing to lose in overtime to the Syrup Suckers. As usual there were some pretty amazing moments throughout the whole two and a half weeks of non stop Olympics.
This week I am hoping to start working at the YMCA. I got all my paper work and fingerprints done last week. It is quite the process applying to volunteer at the YMCA. Obviously that is a good thing.
Today I watched the gold medal hockey game. Wow, was that a close one! It was unbelievable how the US tied up the game in the final seconds of regular play, but crushing to lose in overtime to the Syrup Suckers. As usual there were some pretty amazing moments throughout the whole two and a half weeks of non stop Olympics.
This week I am hoping to start working at the YMCA. I got all my paper work and fingerprints done last week. It is quite the process applying to volunteer at the YMCA. Obviously that is a good thing.
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