Well, I have returned to blogging...I am going to officially state that I am the worlds worst blogger. Not proud of that, but I am going to try and change that. The thing that sucks about not keeping up with your blogs is that there are a lot of things to talk about that pass, and it's difficult to go back and talk about it because it may be irrelevant...but, I'm going to do that anyways. I have a lot of things to talk about. So, I'm going to start with this one right here....
This was a great weekend for Minnesota football. I am lucky enough to be in Minnesota right now too to enjoy the football excitement. The weekend started off yesterday when my alma mater, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, had it's first game in the brand new TCF Bank Stadium. It is going to be difficult for me to describe my feelings surrounding this game because there were a lot of emotions...all positive of course! It was hard to believe that the Golden Gophers actually had their own on campus stadium to play in after a 30 year absence of on campus games. Every home game was played in the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. But, this weekend was the start of something new! From now on the Gopher football team will be playing before their fans on their own turf...literally! It is an overwhelmingly exciting feeling, and I know I share this overabundant joy with all Gopher fans.
Too break in the new 300 million dollar stadium with the biggest locker room in the country both pro and college, third largest high definition big screen in the country of all the colleges and a capacity to hold 50,000 screaming maroon and gold fans, the Gophers started a long tradition with a win over Air Force. Winning their first home game in the the brand new stadium was as sweet as it gets. Sadly, I was not able to get a ticket to the game because they were all sold out which hasn't happened too often in the past at the metrodome. I was able to watch the game with my dad and sister on a small t.v. but I didn't know the difference. I honestly felt the energy from the stadium come through that little television screen into the living room. It was the most fun I have ever had watching a football game on t.v!
Today, on NFL Sunday, I got to watch the Vikings take out the Cleveland Browns. I drove down to watch the game with my brother and his room mates down at Winona State on their 60" screen. This game was exciting to watch as well. In case you haven't heard, which I highly doubt is possible, Brett Favre is the new quarterback for the Vikings! Yeah, it's pretty sweet to say that. I can't remember the last time I was so amped up to watch the Purple People Eaters play football. There has definitely been a huge shift in attitude towards our football team here in Minnesota. Great things are expected this year, but most importantly it is fun to watch the Vikes play again! Today, was a good start to the season with a win over the Browns, which was a little shaky in the beginning, but proved to be the explosive and dynamic team everyone around these parts has been expecting...man, I can't wait for next weekend already, I've never felt this way before.
To share some of my excitement here is a link of the play of the game, and I can guarantee it is going to be in the top 10 plays of the week on ESPN if not the number one spot! It is a video of the number one running back in the NFL Adrian Peterson make a spectacular touchdown run. http://ballhype.com/video/adrian-peterson-touchdown-run-v-cleveland-browns/
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
This past weekend was quite the experience for me. I traveled to Tucson, AZ to compete in the Tucson Elite meet. This meet was a strictly throwers meet for men and women. Discus, shot put, javelin and hammer were all held at the meet. It was a great event and was held in the evening to avoid the heat of the day. Personally I did alright at the meet. I took 3rd in the meet with a throw of 59.71m. Not my best throw ever but good for the conditions of the meet. 1st through 3rd were separated by 30 cm. It was fun though throwing in the meet, music was played to help add to the atmosphere; we don't usually get to have good music at our meets.
After the meet I got a late night dinner at In n Out, which I normally love, but probably not so much after this weekend. Around 1:30 in the morning I came down with a nasty case of food poisoning. It was my first time experiencing any sickness of that kind, it was brutal. I was awake the entire night, and caught a few hours of on again off again sleep around 8 in the morning before getting ready to fly back to San Diego. That was a miserable feeling and experience. I am still recovering today from the sickness. Not fun...
Hopefully I make a full recovery quickly and don't lose too much weight and get back into training full swing. I'm about 4 weeks out from US Nationals at the end of June. I still have a lot to work on in that time.
After the meet I got a late night dinner at In n Out, which I normally love, but probably not so much after this weekend. Around 1:30 in the morning I came down with a nasty case of food poisoning. It was my first time experiencing any sickness of that kind, it was brutal. I was awake the entire night, and caught a few hours of on again off again sleep around 8 in the morning before getting ready to fly back to San Diego. That was a miserable feeling and experience. I am still recovering today from the sickness. Not fun...
Hopefully I make a full recovery quickly and don't lose too much weight and get back into training full swing. I'm about 4 weeks out from US Nationals at the end of June. I still have a lot to work on in that time.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
FRUSTRATED
Tonight I am blogging late with good reason. I just flew into San Jose, CA and drove to Salinas, CA which is about an hour away from San Jose. There is a meet here in Salinas on Tuesday. This weekend and past week have been jam packed with meets. My training partner Adam Kuehl and myself just competed in Eugene, OR last night at the Eugene Twilight meet. We used it as a warm up meet for the US Championships which are going to be held in Eugene at the end of June. It was an alright meet for myself. I have been a little disappointed lately with my performances in my meets. I have expected a lot out of myself since my season opener where I opened up with an all time personal best throw. So far I haven't come very close to that mark. It is frustrating for me, and I am trying to figure out what my deal is! I have been having some "technical difficulties" with my technique. Ever since my season opener I feel I have been trying too hard to throw far instead of letting things just happen. I am hoping that I figure out my issues soon with the Championships right around the corner. Tuesday is another day and opportunity for me. Maybe I just need to blog more regularly to throw farther?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
A New PR
This past weekend I changed my plans of opening up my season at the Mt. Sac Relays and decided to take a drive to Mesa, AZ and compete. It was a last minute decision, and I am thankful to the throws coach at Mesa Community College, Colin Post, for allowing my late entry in the meet. I decided Thursday morning that I was going to drive 6 hours to Mesa, AZ after talking to my room mate and training partner Adam Kuehl. Adam went home for Easter weekend and decided that he would compete at the meet as well. He informed me that the weather was going to be prime for a discus meet, so naturally I could not resist the temptation of competing with good conditions. My girlfriend Mia and I drove out late Thursday, actually she drove the whole way, but we got into Mesa around midnight.
The next day I was very anxious to compete. I have been training for nearly 6 months straight, but have not had any competitions. It felt good to get those pre competition jitters back. Once I got to the track and felt at ease and ready to compete. The winds were blowing strong as a headwind which can be good but not optimal such as a right cross wind blowing across the discus sector.
The competition started and I was the last thrower in the flight. I got in the ring and wound up and went to throw, but I tried to hard and top the discus causing it to fall far short of where I wanted it to fly. My second throw was better around 59.30m which would have been my best season opening throw ever. I then got in for my 3rd throw and connected with it and sent it flying 62.77m which is a new personal best for me. The meter distance converts to 205' 11 1/2". This is also the Olympic B standard which I need to attain 4 more times during the season to ensure my place here at the Olympic Training Center.
It was a very exciting weekend for me and well worth the trip to AZ. I also got the chance to see some of my old team mates from the University of Minnesota. I definitely made me miss home.
The next day I was very anxious to compete. I have been training for nearly 6 months straight, but have not had any competitions. It felt good to get those pre competition jitters back. Once I got to the track and felt at ease and ready to compete. The winds were blowing strong as a headwind which can be good but not optimal such as a right cross wind blowing across the discus sector.
The competition started and I was the last thrower in the flight. I got in the ring and wound up and went to throw, but I tried to hard and top the discus causing it to fall far short of where I wanted it to fly. My second throw was better around 59.30m which would have been my best season opening throw ever. I then got in for my 3rd throw and connected with it and sent it flying 62.77m which is a new personal best for me. The meter distance converts to 205' 11 1/2". This is also the Olympic B standard which I need to attain 4 more times during the season to ensure my place here at the Olympic Training Center.
It was a very exciting weekend for me and well worth the trip to AZ. I also got the chance to see some of my old team mates from the University of Minnesota. I definitely made me miss home.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Just Another Day
I don't have much exciting to write about in my blog this week. But, that is not to say I'm not excited about things. Training has going going very well these past few weeks. I feel I'm starting to make progress towards throwing farther in the discus. I hate to talk about doing well though because I guess I'm a little superstitious about jinxing myself when I talk about myself. So, I'll keep the self talk to a minimum. Throwing the discus has been going particularly well lately. I'm very excited for the season to start up soon and put myself to the test. I'm hoping all the hours and sweat will pay off this year. My first meet will be at the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, CA. I have never thrown there, but I've been hearing mixed reviews from people who have competed there. Apparently the discus ring is three feet below the surface of the surrounding grass. Many people will avoid throwing there at all costs. It sounds like it is more of a mental annoyance than anything. I'll find out on April 18th though, and so will you!
This past weekend a majority of the athletes at the training center gathered for a BBQ at Mission Beach in San Diego. There was a small group of foreign athletes who are training here as well that joined us. I can only count on one hand how many times I've been to the beach since I moved out here back in October. I guess I've just been too busy or too tired to go and play at the beach. So, it was a real treat to be able to go this weekend and grill some hot links and chicken on the grill! It may be one of the few times I get to go again for awhile.
This past weekend a majority of the athletes at the training center gathered for a BBQ at Mission Beach in San Diego. There was a small group of foreign athletes who are training here as well that joined us. I can only count on one hand how many times I've been to the beach since I moved out here back in October. I guess I've just been too busy or too tired to go and play at the beach. So, it was a real treat to be able to go this weekend and grill some hot links and chicken on the grill! It may be one of the few times I get to go again for awhile.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Busy
I have been getting lazy with posting blogs recently, a problem that will no longer be an issue from this post on. I shouldn't say lazy, just doing a poor job of managing my time...too much to do here in California! Anyways, a lot has been going on in my little world. A few weeks back I drove up to Newport Beach, CA with my room mate and training partner Adam Kuehl to work at a throwing clinic put on by Tony Ciarelli. What an amazing guy this man is. He has been putting on the camp since 1991. This was my second year helping out at the camp and let me tell you it is a joy to be at. Tony has the ability to gather many of the top throwers in the country from now and the past, and get them to come help out with the camp and get together afterwards and socialize. It is an amazing experience for me as a relatively young thrower to hang out and talk with some of my idols in the throwing world.
Also, my girlfriend moved out here within the past two weeks to Chula Vista to train during her bobsled off season. It has been wonderful having her here to hang out with. It has recharged me to be able to see her daily instead of talking on the phone everyday. I feel it has brought a little more balance to my life as well. We both are definitely trying to be resourceful in finding fun and cheap things to do here in spendy California.
I also got the chance to meet Sarah Groff, a fellow ITA teammate. It is nice to be able to put a face and personality with a name. She is one of the few ITA members that I could say I know...I wish I had the chance to meet everyone. I first met her in the training room here at the OTC and I was caught a little off guard since I had not been expecting the encounter, but she is a very positive and outgoing person. She was eager to take a look at the Boys and Girls Club here in Chula Vista. Luis Canett, the director of the B&G club was excited to meet her and to have the help of more volunteers at his club since there has been an influx of a number of new kids joining recently.
Also, my girlfriend moved out here within the past two weeks to Chula Vista to train during her bobsled off season. It has been wonderful having her here to hang out with. It has recharged me to be able to see her daily instead of talking on the phone everyday. I feel it has brought a little more balance to my life as well. We both are definitely trying to be resourceful in finding fun and cheap things to do here in spendy California.
I also got the chance to meet Sarah Groff, a fellow ITA teammate. It is nice to be able to put a face and personality with a name. She is one of the few ITA members that I could say I know...I wish I had the chance to meet everyone. I first met her in the training room here at the OTC and I was caught a little off guard since I had not been expecting the encounter, but she is a very positive and outgoing person. She was eager to take a look at the Boys and Girls Club here in Chula Vista. Luis Canett, the director of the B&G club was excited to meet her and to have the help of more volunteers at his club since there has been an influx of a number of new kids joining recently.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
the day after
I hope everyone had an excellent Valentines Day/Singles Awareness Day yesterday. I was unable to spend the day with my girlfriend because she is back in Lake Placid, NY preparing for the FIBT Bobsled and Skeleton World Championships. She will not actually be competing this year due to an injury she suffered back in December, but she will be doing what she can to help represent the U.S as the Lake Placid Olympic training center plays host for the championships. She will be a forerunner during the championships to help make sure timing devices are working properly and precisely.
I was lucky enough to spend the past two weeks with her when she got the opportunity to come to San Diego and train at the Olympic training center here with me! She and another fellow bobsledder spent two weeks of "dry land" training here in California. It was a nice chance for them to get away from the cold and snow back in Lake Placid. It was nice for us to reconnect after being apart for a few months as well. I was excited for her to see some of the training I have been doing since I moved out to California to train. It was great to see her but unfortunately she had to leave two days before Valentines Day...so I was left dateless...I guess she was too! She'll be back in a few weeks though, and this time for a longer stay...so don't feel too bad for me.
My discus training has continued to progress well. I'm still learning and figuring out new things about my technique. It can be very frustrating at times to work on something new, which is what I'm currently trying to do, but it usually pays off in the end...or so I tell myself! My knees have been giving me a bit of trouble lately though. More specifically the tendons around the knee area have been bothersome to the point that they are affecting my training. So, I am in the process of figuring out the problem and finding a way to alleviate the pain and resume my normal training protocol. It is a frustrating and difficult problem that I would like to resolve quickly. I am open to any advice someone may have reading this, and would greatly appreciate it!
I was lucky enough to spend the past two weeks with her when she got the opportunity to come to San Diego and train at the Olympic training center here with me! She and another fellow bobsledder spent two weeks of "dry land" training here in California. It was a nice chance for them to get away from the cold and snow back in Lake Placid. It was nice for us to reconnect after being apart for a few months as well. I was excited for her to see some of the training I have been doing since I moved out to California to train. It was great to see her but unfortunately she had to leave two days before Valentines Day...so I was left dateless...I guess she was too! She'll be back in a few weeks though, and this time for a longer stay...so don't feel too bad for me.
My discus training has continued to progress well. I'm still learning and figuring out new things about my technique. It can be very frustrating at times to work on something new, which is what I'm currently trying to do, but it usually pays off in the end...or so I tell myself! My knees have been giving me a bit of trouble lately though. More specifically the tendons around the knee area have been bothersome to the point that they are affecting my training. So, I am in the process of figuring out the problem and finding a way to alleviate the pain and resume my normal training protocol. It is a frustrating and difficult problem that I would like to resolve quickly. I am open to any advice someone may have reading this, and would greatly appreciate it!
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