And then it hit me like a rock. There was no denying it, at least not in my mind. Champions are born. You cannot grow a champion, you cannot make a champion, and you can not breed a champion, and you cannot teach champion. It is crystal clear.
You can however, do all of the above for a winner. But what a winner is not is a champion. Anyone can win something but that does not make them a champion. A champion finds a way to win all of the time, and when they do not win you still recognize them as a champion because that's how they carry themselves. When it gets close to crunch time, when everything matters twice as much a champion goes to work. A winner may be great for 95% of a season but the problem would occur in that final 5%. A champion never fails in the final 5%. If a champion fails 95% of the time, the 5% that they succeed are the championships, the ones that count.
You cannot make a champion because they lack undescribable characteristics. A champion does not understand certain things. A champion does not understand pressure because they do not feel it. The only person that has a reason to feel pressure is the champion because if you are not the champion, then no one expects you to win. So for everyone else how can they fold under pressure that does not exist? How can they make themselves apply enough pressure to themselves that they can fold?
A champion does not notice pain, not until it is over. When they hurt they get through it, they find a way because that is the bottom line. There is no other option stopping will not satisfy the growing hunger, performing at a sub par level will most certainly never satisfy the hunger.
Most of all a champion cannot be made because you can't teach people to believe. They either have it or they don't. A champion sets goals, and knows that they will achieve them. There is never a doubt in their mind that they cannot achieve a goal. They understand that the task at hand is a hard one. They realize that work, time, sweat, blood, pain, and anger must accompany their goals but in the end they know it will happen. The problem with a simple winner, or another person is that they don't have that belief. They are the first one's to make goals, the first one's to share them. But in the end they second guess themselves to the point where self-consciously they could not achieve their goal even if they were the most prepared, best trained, and best pure athlete.
Some may call it choking, something that a champion cannot fathom, it is not possible for them. But in my mind, it's a lack of belief. A champion who believes will never fail, it is simple they can be an inferior talent but in the end just believing they will achieve success will allow them.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Meet Review: Tampa Classic
Indoor:
-Overall pretty good. The floor I thought was ehhh. Overall it was good but the first turn seemed to be a little slippery, at least compared to the rest of the floor. It was the first meet I had to put on oranges (atoms) and there was a fair amount of mixing of softer wheels for a lot of skaters. Still good skating.
-I didn't think the meet was quite as big as it has been in the past, but that being said I don't think it necessarily was lacking talent either.
-The officiating was what it was. Not bad, but definitely room for improvement. I felt honestly, that to combat the criticism in recent years that the officials didn't wear skates they put the officials on skates.. But that didn't automatically make them roll every race or perform any better then they could have on foot. It did however, allow them to at least attempt to make calls during a race. I felt like a few times there were calls that were made that should not have been. Like when a skater puts on a little show to try and gain the officials attention and then they made the call. But there were also times that calls could have been made that weren't. That will always be the case, sometimes more or less severe but everywhere you go you will never manage to combat that problem.
-I feel like it is one of the premier events to skate World Class at but some of the other divisions could be a little deeper. But you can't exactly expect much more when there are two other US Easter meets and an international competition at the same time as well.
Outdoor:
-Same place so the track was about the same as it usually is. The skies were clear so when it got closer to mid-day and the sun had just been beating on the track the turns got really slick, at least for the world class skaters.
-Definitely good competition. Has had deeper fields in the past but for this year, it was good so there isn't much to say about that.
-World class was once again a pretty big event. It's unfortunate that more senior ladies (outdoor) were not present (besides those who moved up this year from junior) but hey, when you work that's what happens. Senior men is hard to say much about. There were a good deal of Juniors that skated world class but the rest of them skated Jr. World Class which in the end does them no good. They all need to race each other to really judge your competition. Other then that I think Senior Men was really strong.
All in all it was a great meet. It always fields a strong World Class group of skaters and has the outdoor portion. This year especially the outdoor portion should be taken seriously, but not as an indicator on how you will do at Outdoor Nationals because it is 11 weeks before Outdoor Nationals!! So judge where you are at but realize that you still have to train hard if you want to be successful.
-Overall pretty good. The floor I thought was ehhh. Overall it was good but the first turn seemed to be a little slippery, at least compared to the rest of the floor. It was the first meet I had to put on oranges (atoms) and there was a fair amount of mixing of softer wheels for a lot of skaters. Still good skating.
-I didn't think the meet was quite as big as it has been in the past, but that being said I don't think it necessarily was lacking talent either.
-The officiating was what it was. Not bad, but definitely room for improvement. I felt honestly, that to combat the criticism in recent years that the officials didn't wear skates they put the officials on skates.. But that didn't automatically make them roll every race or perform any better then they could have on foot. It did however, allow them to at least attempt to make calls during a race. I felt like a few times there were calls that were made that should not have been. Like when a skater puts on a little show to try and gain the officials attention and then they made the call. But there were also times that calls could have been made that weren't. That will always be the case, sometimes more or less severe but everywhere you go you will never manage to combat that problem.
-I feel like it is one of the premier events to skate World Class at but some of the other divisions could be a little deeper. But you can't exactly expect much more when there are two other US Easter meets and an international competition at the same time as well.
Outdoor:
-Same place so the track was about the same as it usually is. The skies were clear so when it got closer to mid-day and the sun had just been beating on the track the turns got really slick, at least for the world class skaters.
-Definitely good competition. Has had deeper fields in the past but for this year, it was good so there isn't much to say about that.
-World class was once again a pretty big event. It's unfortunate that more senior ladies (outdoor) were not present (besides those who moved up this year from junior) but hey, when you work that's what happens. Senior men is hard to say much about. There were a good deal of Juniors that skated world class but the rest of them skated Jr. World Class which in the end does them no good. They all need to race each other to really judge your competition. Other then that I think Senior Men was really strong.
All in all it was a great meet. It always fields a strong World Class group of skaters and has the outdoor portion. This year especially the outdoor portion should be taken seriously, but not as an indicator on how you will do at Outdoor Nationals because it is 11 weeks before Outdoor Nationals!! So judge where you are at but realize that you still have to train hard if you want to be successful.
Monday, April 6, 2009
First Interview - Kimani Griffin
Kimani Griffin grew up in North Carolina apart of the High Point Speed Team. Over the years he has won numerous national medals and broken a large number of national records. His resume includes two Junior World Team appearances in 2006 and 2007. He also is the back-to-back Junior Men's Indoor National Champion. In Lincoln, Nebraska for the 2008 Indoor National Championships Kimani broke four records and won four gold medals, only failing to win a race he fell in. He was arguably the most winningest athlete at those championships and indisputably the fastest non Pro Elite skater there.
After dominating the National Indoor scene in 2008 Kimani took to another passion: his guitar. He is currently attending Columbus State University in Georgia for his Freshman year. Although his love for speed in undeniable his passion for music has forced him to but his skating on hold, at least temporarily.
-KC-Alright let's get right to the chase, are you enjoying your freshman year of college?
-KG-Most definitely I had to make a choice between guitar and skating, and I feel like I made the right decision. The work is constant and never ending but the female to guy ratio and the parties make it ok from time to time.
-KC-Is it everything you thought it would be?
-KG-Pretty much. I didn't think the work would be so time consuming, but its ok I suppose.
-KC-How has the music been treating you?
-KG-Great. I feel like I've definitely matured as a musician and I am putting together a concert repertoire for June. I have a concert scheduled for Italy so I'm physched about that as well.
-KC-Has it been difficult being so far away from home?
-KG-Not at all. It's just one more step to becoming adult.
-KC-When is your school year over?
-KG-Exam week is May 11-15th so somewhere in there.
-KC-Afterwards you will be back NC correct?
-KG-Yea I'll go back home try and get back in shape for regionals and nationals.
-KC-How long have you been skating? How long have you been on the guitar?
-KG-Pretty much about the same time. I started both when I was around 6 almost 7. So roughly 12 years.
-KC-Last year, and years past, how often were you practicing (skating)?
-KG-Last year and the year before had a little different schedules. Switching from High Point to Peidmont was different the sense of amount of training. In 2007 I was doing alot of indoor and outdoor about 6 times a week indoor and about 5 times a week outdoor give or take. Last year all I did was indoor about 5 times a week not too much outdoor at all really. I rode the bike for about the last 3 months of the season both years mainly focusing on interval sprints...So nothing too drastic.
-KC-How often are you practicing now in Georgia?
-KG-Not at all....Music takes up so much my time. College in general is a full time job and on top of working on 15 pieces of music at a time, between solo music, guitar duos, quartets, noctets (9 guitarist), weddings, flute and guitar, voice and guitar music it just never ends really. At the moment skating is on hold and I'm practicing guitar around 5-6 hrs a day.
-KC-Last year you were arguably the best/winningest athlete at Indoor Nationals then you went off to college. Is it frustrating at times that you cannot skate as much as you've grown accustomed to through the years?
-KG-I feel like I went off to college making a statement last year and somewhat the year before. Defending my title in 08, and winning 4 golds and setting 4 new records was in my mind all I could have asked for, except for the Senior 2 Man. But someone else needed a gold for their collection. But it's not frustrating as much as it is a part of life ya know?
-KC-Are you ever disappointed when you go to a meet and know that you are not quite performing to your potential, or at least at the level you have over the last couple of years?
-KG-Oh no doubt. Losing for me is possibly one of the biggest drives for me in anything. Skating in particular I know how much work, effort and time I've put in the sport so its definitely frustrating and disappointing.
-KC-What will you be skating at Nationals, Senior Men or Pro Elite? What are your expectations?
-KG-Probably Pro Elite in the sense I've won junior twice and will be racing the same people in Senior I would have over the past two years. I'm expecting to skate up to my standards....possibly like I did in 08' but who knows?
-KC-Out of everything you've ever done in life, what is your greatest accomplishment?
-KG-World team both years considering that has always been a dream ever since I was 9. But definitely Indoor Nationals 07 and 08 in particular is probably the highlight of my career. Finally people looked at the underdog as the quoted "fastest athlete at the event," for me was a definite confident booster.
-KC-What is one of your most embarrassing stories?
-KG-I don't really have any. Not the embarrassed type but I would probably say my first nationals in 2000, I went out for J.O. Juvenile boys warm up and 75% of the auditorium was telling me it was for the juvenile boys not girls....Perfect way to start the meet.
-KC-Who has been influential in your success? Not just in skating, but in everything.
-KG-Johnny Paterson and Harry Vogel Jr. and Sr. Johnny was pretty much a brother to me and when he passed in 2002 it still to this day has just been a driving force that has kept me motivated. When I first started skating at High Point in 1999 I immediately looked up to Harry Jr. despite the cockiness back then perhaps he has reason to be. I just admired his talent and motivation. Harry Sr. used to push me more than anyone at the rink and to me is pretty much my second dad. My mom for sure. I don't give her near enough credit she deserves, but she has supported everything in life I have ever wanted to do. So those three are no doubt the biggest influential figures in my life.
-KC-You are 18. You've made the Jr World Team, you've won national medals, broken national records. But is there anything you wish you could have done by now in the sport?
-KG-I guess be a world champion. But you know Im not really complaining with what is on my resume at the moment.
-KC-You are also a short track (ice) speed skater: have you given that up? Or do you plan on getting back to it?
-KG-Right now...given up. I just have no time to practice, compete, or anything for that matter. I feel like when I come back skating inline I can get back into the swing of things. Ice is totally different in that regard. So skating in general is on hold. Plus after my undergrad I want to pursue my masters degree so who knows right now?
-KC-What do you say to a young skater when they ask you how you got so fast?
-KG-Dedication, drive, and being hungry. I never accept defeat in anything and if I do lose best believe I'm coming back for seconds. Ever since I was little I just always wanted to be the best even if it was in putt-putt or a lame game of dodgeball. If you put the work into it you will see results.
-KC-When someone says the name Kimani Griffin what do you want people to remember?
-KG-People to recognize my talent and the work I put in. My friendliness to people I didn't even know. How open I was to people's criticism whether I thought they were right or not.
-KC-Alright, thanks for the interview. Any last words?
-KG-Be humble. Let your talent do the talking. Don't use me as a perfect example of that. But I do try.
After dominating the National Indoor scene in 2008 Kimani took to another passion: his guitar. He is currently attending Columbus State University in Georgia for his Freshman year. Although his love for speed in undeniable his passion for music has forced him to but his skating on hold, at least temporarily.
-KC-Alright let's get right to the chase, are you enjoying your freshman year of college?
-KG-Most definitely I had to make a choice between guitar and skating, and I feel like I made the right decision. The work is constant and never ending but the female to guy ratio and the parties make it ok from time to time.
-KC-Is it everything you thought it would be?
-KG-Pretty much. I didn't think the work would be so time consuming, but its ok I suppose.
-KC-How has the music been treating you?
-KG-Great. I feel like I've definitely matured as a musician and I am putting together a concert repertoire for June. I have a concert scheduled for Italy so I'm physched about that as well.
-KC-Has it been difficult being so far away from home?
-KG-Not at all. It's just one more step to becoming adult.
-KC-When is your school year over?
-KG-Exam week is May 11-15th so somewhere in there.
-KC-Afterwards you will be back NC correct?
-KG-Yea I'll go back home try and get back in shape for regionals and nationals.
-KC-How long have you been skating? How long have you been on the guitar?
-KG-Pretty much about the same time. I started both when I was around 6 almost 7. So roughly 12 years.
-KC-Last year, and years past, how often were you practicing (skating)?
-KG-Last year and the year before had a little different schedules. Switching from High Point to Peidmont was different the sense of amount of training. In 2007 I was doing alot of indoor and outdoor about 6 times a week indoor and about 5 times a week outdoor give or take. Last year all I did was indoor about 5 times a week not too much outdoor at all really. I rode the bike for about the last 3 months of the season both years mainly focusing on interval sprints...So nothing too drastic.
-KC-How often are you practicing now in Georgia?
-KG-Not at all....Music takes up so much my time. College in general is a full time job and on top of working on 15 pieces of music at a time, between solo music, guitar duos, quartets, noctets (9 guitarist), weddings, flute and guitar, voice and guitar music it just never ends really. At the moment skating is on hold and I'm practicing guitar around 5-6 hrs a day.
-KC-Last year you were arguably the best/winningest athlete at Indoor Nationals then you went off to college. Is it frustrating at times that you cannot skate as much as you've grown accustomed to through the years?
-KG-I feel like I went off to college making a statement last year and somewhat the year before. Defending my title in 08, and winning 4 golds and setting 4 new records was in my mind all I could have asked for, except for the Senior 2 Man. But someone else needed a gold for their collection. But it's not frustrating as much as it is a part of life ya know?
-KC-Are you ever disappointed when you go to a meet and know that you are not quite performing to your potential, or at least at the level you have over the last couple of years?
-KG-Oh no doubt. Losing for me is possibly one of the biggest drives for me in anything. Skating in particular I know how much work, effort and time I've put in the sport so its definitely frustrating and disappointing.
-KC-What will you be skating at Nationals, Senior Men or Pro Elite? What are your expectations?
-KG-Probably Pro Elite in the sense I've won junior twice and will be racing the same people in Senior I would have over the past two years. I'm expecting to skate up to my standards....possibly like I did in 08' but who knows?
-KC-Out of everything you've ever done in life, what is your greatest accomplishment?
-KG-World team both years considering that has always been a dream ever since I was 9. But definitely Indoor Nationals 07 and 08 in particular is probably the highlight of my career. Finally people looked at the underdog as the quoted "fastest athlete at the event," for me was a definite confident booster.
-KC-What is one of your most embarrassing stories?
-KG-I don't really have any. Not the embarrassed type but I would probably say my first nationals in 2000, I went out for J.O. Juvenile boys warm up and 75% of the auditorium was telling me it was for the juvenile boys not girls....Perfect way to start the meet.
-KC-Who has been influential in your success? Not just in skating, but in everything.
-KG-Johnny Paterson and Harry Vogel Jr. and Sr. Johnny was pretty much a brother to me and when he passed in 2002 it still to this day has just been a driving force that has kept me motivated. When I first started skating at High Point in 1999 I immediately looked up to Harry Jr. despite the cockiness back then perhaps he has reason to be. I just admired his talent and motivation. Harry Sr. used to push me more than anyone at the rink and to me is pretty much my second dad. My mom for sure. I don't give her near enough credit she deserves, but she has supported everything in life I have ever wanted to do. So those three are no doubt the biggest influential figures in my life.
-KC-You are 18. You've made the Jr World Team, you've won national medals, broken national records. But is there anything you wish you could have done by now in the sport?
-KG-I guess be a world champion. But you know Im not really complaining with what is on my resume at the moment.
-KC-You are also a short track (ice) speed skater: have you given that up? Or do you plan on getting back to it?
-KG-Right now...given up. I just have no time to practice, compete, or anything for that matter. I feel like when I come back skating inline I can get back into the swing of things. Ice is totally different in that regard. So skating in general is on hold. Plus after my undergrad I want to pursue my masters degree so who knows right now?
-KC-What do you say to a young skater when they ask you how you got so fast?
-KG-Dedication, drive, and being hungry. I never accept defeat in anything and if I do lose best believe I'm coming back for seconds. Ever since I was little I just always wanted to be the best even if it was in putt-putt or a lame game of dodgeball. If you put the work into it you will see results.
-KC-When someone says the name Kimani Griffin what do you want people to remember?
-KG-People to recognize my talent and the work I put in. My friendliness to people I didn't even know. How open I was to people's criticism whether I thought they were right or not.
-KC-Alright, thanks for the interview. Any last words?
-KG-Be humble. Let your talent do the talking. Don't use me as a perfect example of that. But I do try.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Jay Cutler
This is totally my opinion and everything I say is my opinion.
Ok, Jay Cutler was mentioned in a trade that did not happen and he stressed his desire to be traded after that point. His new head coach had a meeting with him and after the meeting Culter's agent publicly said that the meeting went over poorly and that Cutler wanted a trade. After a few weeks of the coach, owner, and others trying to contact Cutler without response (according to ESPN) the team (Denver Broncos) have decided that they WILL trade Cutler.
The trade in question was for Matt Cassel. The same Matt Cassel that the NEW HEAD COACH developed in New England and coached. It's not like he was almost traded for nothing, Josh McDaniels is more familiar with Cassel then he is with Cutler which warrants a look at the trade.
That is the basic view but now I have the opinionated part... Jay Culter put up great numbers last year 4526 passing yards, 25 passing TD's, and 18 Interceptions. Off of those numbers you would be like wow, why would Denver ever want to trade a QB that puts up those numbers. Well, I didn't mention he is 17-20 as a starter. 17-20!!! Not even .500. His best season is .500! Not that he has a poor supporting cast but his best season is 8-8 which was last season. He put up 4526 with basically two 1000+ yard receivers. Brandon Marshall had 1265 receiving yards in 15 games and Eddie Royal (most receiving yards for a rookie) had 980 in 15 games. Now factor in the fact that Denver had NO running game last season because they had something like 7 running backs on the Injured Reserve list is ridiculous. And he did throw 18 Interceptions which isn't very good either.
So he is upset, but he has nothing but one good season. He cries and won't return phone calls when he gets upset and he still hasn't managed to get his team to the playoffs let alone win a playoff game. I think he needs to suck it up, return a phone call, and realize that they had a right to LOOK at a trade and they didn't even make a trade. He would get a better receiving core anywhere else and Denver just made so many moves in the offseason to get a better team around Cutler. Take you millions of dollars and suck it up, you led your team to something like a 1-3 record down the stretch, that doesn't warrant a superstar.
Ok, Jay Cutler was mentioned in a trade that did not happen and he stressed his desire to be traded after that point. His new head coach had a meeting with him and after the meeting Culter's agent publicly said that the meeting went over poorly and that Cutler wanted a trade. After a few weeks of the coach, owner, and others trying to contact Cutler without response (according to ESPN) the team (Denver Broncos) have decided that they WILL trade Cutler.
The trade in question was for Matt Cassel. The same Matt Cassel that the NEW HEAD COACH developed in New England and coached. It's not like he was almost traded for nothing, Josh McDaniels is more familiar with Cassel then he is with Cutler which warrants a look at the trade.
That is the basic view but now I have the opinionated part... Jay Culter put up great numbers last year 4526 passing yards, 25 passing TD's, and 18 Interceptions. Off of those numbers you would be like wow, why would Denver ever want to trade a QB that puts up those numbers. Well, I didn't mention he is 17-20 as a starter. 17-20!!! Not even .500. His best season is .500! Not that he has a poor supporting cast but his best season is 8-8 which was last season. He put up 4526 with basically two 1000+ yard receivers. Brandon Marshall had 1265 receiving yards in 15 games and Eddie Royal (most receiving yards for a rookie) had 980 in 15 games. Now factor in the fact that Denver had NO running game last season because they had something like 7 running backs on the Injured Reserve list is ridiculous. And he did throw 18 Interceptions which isn't very good either.
So he is upset, but he has nothing but one good season. He cries and won't return phone calls when he gets upset and he still hasn't managed to get his team to the playoffs let alone win a playoff game. I think he needs to suck it up, return a phone call, and realize that they had a right to LOOK at a trade and they didn't even make a trade. He would get a better receiving core anywhere else and Denver just made so many moves in the offseason to get a better team around Cutler. Take you millions of dollars and suck it up, you led your team to something like a 1-3 record down the stretch, that doesn't warrant a superstar.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Another ODN Post
Ok, the dates have been released: June 26th- July 5th (Including rain dates and practice days). Now for the good stuff, my take:
Initial Reaction
Well, first reaction is good. I like it. Not for this particular year because it is such short notice but if it was like this every year then I would enjoy it. I enjoy it because it gives me that much more exceptional training days. For the first time I will be out of school by the time ODN is held. In the summer I normally skate outdoors twice a day, so having three weeks of that before ODN will get me that much closer to the shape I usually am at residency (in simple terms, the past two years my residency 300m has been 0.3 seconds faster then ODN). Being in better shape means better results for me!
The Bad
Hate to seem like a downer but I'm afraid this section might be the largest. To start the bad off, it is only a two week break between outdoor and indoor nationals. The problem is for the money payers, that's a lot of money in a little bit of time but more importantly managing to take time off for ODN, and then having money to go to IDN (if you can even get off) is a hard task to pull off! On a skater level, we will spend two weeks solely on 200m+ size tracks that you get used to with the big turns. Then to realize you have two weeks to prepare yourself for the 84ft (I think 84 for the traveling floor) 100m track with tight turns might at a degree of difficulty to everything.
Yet another problem.. At ODN you need to be in tip-top shape in order to perform your best and try and make the world team. Normally, we call that a peak. You train real, real hard and then a week before trials you calm down the skating and you 'plateau' or 'peak' allowing you to skate at your best. Normally after that you come off of a peak, but with IDN so close you have to peak for ODN, and try to maintain the peak for IDN. This could propose a few problems. If you can't do it you may crash halfway through IDN and your legs will feel completely shot.
But they are not the only problems.. For those that go to ODN and DO make the world team they have the most problem. You of course want to skate good at IDN but most years there is only about a week (if that) between IDN and residency. So if you peak at ODN, maintain it through IDN you have to realize something: you cannot maintain a peak from June 28 (ODN) through September (26, the end of worlds) You will fail miserably if you try that. They either have to sacrifice IDN, which no one is going to do so things become more complicated. After IDN, you have to come off your peak no matter what. You have to if you want to succeed. If you try and maintain that peak then at the beginning of residency you will be flying and skating awesome, but halfway through and towards the end you will be burnt-out. You wont have anything left in the tank and you will not be able to peak again for Worlds.
Another negative is that numbers may be done because of the new dates this year. I do not believe that QUALITY will be low but numbers probably will. You will still have a number of great contenders but overall you won't see the same numbers we are accustomed to (which are bad to begin with). With trails in the summer you might get a few lazy skaters, which means that they didn't stick to skating as much in the summer and turn out to not be as good as ODN and potentially not make the team which may not be such a bad thing because...
The Good
Onto the good! .... The good thing about have ODN in the summer is you get rid of the lazy skaters!!!!!! Think about it, you can't make the team and decide to stop training because you have IDN and then only a week before residency so you know that you are getting the best athletes for residency and worlds because they are the ones that trained hard throughout the summer! We all know the story where skater A skates great at ODN and makes the team but at residency and worlds skater A looks bad, really bad like after ODN they crawled in a hole or something.
On a personal level, it is very good because I realize that I need to skate PB (personal best) in every race in order to make the SR team. And I've got a good feeling that it just became that more likely for me to skate PB every race, especially the 300m. I will not tell anyone what time I am aiming for in the 300, because no one will believe it until they see it.
Well train hard skaters, make team but remember making the team is not the ultimate goal!
P.S. I am thinking about doing a few Q&A's with some skaters. If anyone has a particular skater they would like me to Q&A then let me know otherwise I'll just be picking people of my choice.
Initial Reaction
Well, first reaction is good. I like it. Not for this particular year because it is such short notice but if it was like this every year then I would enjoy it. I enjoy it because it gives me that much more exceptional training days. For the first time I will be out of school by the time ODN is held. In the summer I normally skate outdoors twice a day, so having three weeks of that before ODN will get me that much closer to the shape I usually am at residency (in simple terms, the past two years my residency 300m has been 0.3 seconds faster then ODN). Being in better shape means better results for me!
The Bad
Hate to seem like a downer but I'm afraid this section might be the largest. To start the bad off, it is only a two week break between outdoor and indoor nationals. The problem is for the money payers, that's a lot of money in a little bit of time but more importantly managing to take time off for ODN, and then having money to go to IDN (if you can even get off) is a hard task to pull off! On a skater level, we will spend two weeks solely on 200m+ size tracks that you get used to with the big turns. Then to realize you have two weeks to prepare yourself for the 84ft (I think 84 for the traveling floor) 100m track with tight turns might at a degree of difficulty to everything.
Yet another problem.. At ODN you need to be in tip-top shape in order to perform your best and try and make the world team. Normally, we call that a peak. You train real, real hard and then a week before trials you calm down the skating and you 'plateau' or 'peak' allowing you to skate at your best. Normally after that you come off of a peak, but with IDN so close you have to peak for ODN, and try to maintain the peak for IDN. This could propose a few problems. If you can't do it you may crash halfway through IDN and your legs will feel completely shot.
But they are not the only problems.. For those that go to ODN and DO make the world team they have the most problem. You of course want to skate good at IDN but most years there is only about a week (if that) between IDN and residency. So if you peak at ODN, maintain it through IDN you have to realize something: you cannot maintain a peak from June 28 (ODN) through September (26, the end of worlds) You will fail miserably if you try that. They either have to sacrifice IDN, which no one is going to do so things become more complicated. After IDN, you have to come off your peak no matter what. You have to if you want to succeed. If you try and maintain that peak then at the beginning of residency you will be flying and skating awesome, but halfway through and towards the end you will be burnt-out. You wont have anything left in the tank and you will not be able to peak again for Worlds.
Another negative is that numbers may be done because of the new dates this year. I do not believe that QUALITY will be low but numbers probably will. You will still have a number of great contenders but overall you won't see the same numbers we are accustomed to (which are bad to begin with). With trails in the summer you might get a few lazy skaters, which means that they didn't stick to skating as much in the summer and turn out to not be as good as ODN and potentially not make the team which may not be such a bad thing because...
The Good
Onto the good! .... The good thing about have ODN in the summer is you get rid of the lazy skaters!!!!!! Think about it, you can't make the team and decide to stop training because you have IDN and then only a week before residency so you know that you are getting the best athletes for residency and worlds because they are the ones that trained hard throughout the summer! We all know the story where skater A skates great at ODN and makes the team but at residency and worlds skater A looks bad, really bad like after ODN they crawled in a hole or something.
On a personal level, it is very good because I realize that I need to skate PB (personal best) in every race in order to make the SR team. And I've got a good feeling that it just became that more likely for me to skate PB every race, especially the 300m. I will not tell anyone what time I am aiming for in the 300, because no one will believe it until they see it.
Well train hard skaters, make team but remember making the team is not the ultimate goal!
P.S. I am thinking about doing a few Q&A's with some skaters. If anyone has a particular skater they would like me to Q&A then let me know otherwise I'll just be picking people of my choice.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Outdoor Nationals
Well if you haven't heard, Outdoor Nationals is in the limbo. The dates released months ago were tentative. And from word of mouth, one of the people in charge of such things at the OTC has resigned from his job and the dates for ODN have not been secured and no one is quite certain when they will be.
There is talk that ODN will be later then originally expected. I have heard, rumors that the dates could be as far as after indoor nationals. Yes, after indoor nationals.
In my honest opinion, it could be a huge problem and a great outcome. It could be a problem because you are giving people 0 time for planning, and that is a lot of money in a little bit of time for entry fees. But in terms of getting the best athletes you will succeed in my opinion. There has been this huge dilemma about Juniors who go to ODN make the team but are not in shape for residency and worlds. Well, normally Juniors are so worried about Indoor Nationals that if you have Outdoors shortly after that you are getting the best athletes at or close to their best. After outdoor nationals everyone goes home and then you could have residency start in a week or two giving the athletes no time to get out of shape. Think about it, in shape athletes for residency means stronger after residency (instead of getting in shape at residency) and better for worlds.
Personally, ignoring the fact that it would be inconvenient being on such sort notice I would like ODN shortly after indoors. I will have more time out of school to train like the seniors that don't go to school 9 hours a day. In the summer I have been training one practice at 8am, any normal indoor practice, and another outdoor practice at night so personally I will be in much better shape. Probably, in the shape I have entered residency the past two years which has always been better then what I was at ODN the same year.
There is talk that ODN will be later then originally expected. I have heard, rumors that the dates could be as far as after indoor nationals. Yes, after indoor nationals.
In my honest opinion, it could be a huge problem and a great outcome. It could be a problem because you are giving people 0 time for planning, and that is a lot of money in a little bit of time for entry fees. But in terms of getting the best athletes you will succeed in my opinion. There has been this huge dilemma about Juniors who go to ODN make the team but are not in shape for residency and worlds. Well, normally Juniors are so worried about Indoor Nationals that if you have Outdoors shortly after that you are getting the best athletes at or close to their best. After outdoor nationals everyone goes home and then you could have residency start in a week or two giving the athletes no time to get out of shape. Think about it, in shape athletes for residency means stronger after residency (instead of getting in shape at residency) and better for worlds.
Personally, ignoring the fact that it would be inconvenient being on such sort notice I would like ODN shortly after indoors. I will have more time out of school to train like the seniors that don't go to school 9 hours a day. In the summer I have been training one practice at 8am, any normal indoor practice, and another outdoor practice at night so personally I will be in much better shape. Probably, in the shape I have entered residency the past two years which has always been better then what I was at ODN the same year.
Equipment Craze
For some reason, it seems to me that our sport is in a total equipment craze. Every where I turn it's what wheel is better what boot, what bearing, what spacer, what axle, frame, helmet, etc. Ridiculous. I'm not sure if the expression has gone out the window, but the equipment doesn't make the athlete. I've seen lighter spacers, like seriously spacers weigh like what 1 gram? Is a lighter one going to effect me?
The worse is the wheels, I understand that wheels are very important. But I see people flocking to wheels before they are even released to the public. Seriously, I understand brand loyalty, but when you buy wheels to get ahead in the world you think you would buy what performs. I do not understand, flock to a wheel, buy it before anyone wears it and have a first hand experience with failure. That's what I see. I don't understand people, when you have experienced, fast people on your team that have exposure to all types of equipment and knowledge, use them. Ask them, talk to them, find out what is best for them and ask them what will be best for you. Ask your coach, do something intelligent like save some money during a recession! I wear what works for me. I will try something new if it is exposed to me. If it's a used set so be it I wont be wasting my money then. It's a simple formula to me, I wear what has been working for me until someone lets me try something that is absolutely better or until that product no longer is working.
Another thing about the wheels, there is this huge craze about rebound. Rebound of a wheel. Personally, I don't care if the wheel bounces to the sun. If it rolls and holds then that is fine with me. Rebound is a term thrown around for marketing period. What wheel bounces higher, like a four year old with bouncy balls. If a hub is smaller, the wheel bounces higher, if the hub is solid the wheel bounces higher all of these things can be manipulated in order to make people think rebound is so important. Personally, when it comes to indoor let me enlighten anyway reading this: rebound is a joke. Buy a wheel with the best rebound and when it comes to nationals you will regret it. See, nationals is always performed on what is considered a floating floor. What that means is that the floor is not technically on the ground. (realize that there is always about a 2 inch step up from the check-in area to the floor) So if your wheel rolls the best because of rebound all year long, then you go to a floating floor and you will realize that your wheel feels SLOW. Bounce a wheel that normally has high rebound on a floating floor, it will not bounce nearly as high. Buy a wheel because it holds at great speed and rolls decently. Holding is the major concern, if every wheel holds for you then look at roll. Avoid the rebound.
The worse is the wheels, I understand that wheels are very important. But I see people flocking to wheels before they are even released to the public. Seriously, I understand brand loyalty, but when you buy wheels to get ahead in the world you think you would buy what performs. I do not understand, flock to a wheel, buy it before anyone wears it and have a first hand experience with failure. That's what I see. I don't understand people, when you have experienced, fast people on your team that have exposure to all types of equipment and knowledge, use them. Ask them, talk to them, find out what is best for them and ask them what will be best for you. Ask your coach, do something intelligent like save some money during a recession! I wear what works for me. I will try something new if it is exposed to me. If it's a used set so be it I wont be wasting my money then. It's a simple formula to me, I wear what has been working for me until someone lets me try something that is absolutely better or until that product no longer is working.
Another thing about the wheels, there is this huge craze about rebound. Rebound of a wheel. Personally, I don't care if the wheel bounces to the sun. If it rolls and holds then that is fine with me. Rebound is a term thrown around for marketing period. What wheel bounces higher, like a four year old with bouncy balls. If a hub is smaller, the wheel bounces higher, if the hub is solid the wheel bounces higher all of these things can be manipulated in order to make people think rebound is so important. Personally, when it comes to indoor let me enlighten anyway reading this: rebound is a joke. Buy a wheel with the best rebound and when it comes to nationals you will regret it. See, nationals is always performed on what is considered a floating floor. What that means is that the floor is not technically on the ground. (realize that there is always about a 2 inch step up from the check-in area to the floor) So if your wheel rolls the best because of rebound all year long, then you go to a floating floor and you will realize that your wheel feels SLOW. Bounce a wheel that normally has high rebound on a floating floor, it will not bounce nearly as high. Buy a wheel because it holds at great speed and rolls decently. Holding is the major concern, if every wheel holds for you then look at roll. Avoid the rebound.
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