You've seen the movie "Field of Dreams?" Set to the backdrop of baseball, a number of men are given a chance to live out something they've only dreamed of in the past. For one reason or another wishes are granted. Yeah, a little corny for sure, but nevertheless an American classic.
An interesting twist is that the wishes aren't always granted exactly as they've been dreamed. Take Moonlight Graham for instance - A beloved small town doctor that's brought back from the dead and granted his wish to get an official "at bat" in the majors. His exact dream? To stretch a gap shot double into a triple. In "reality" he produces a sacrifice fly before he's sucked from the field to save the life of the main character's daughter. Not very deep, eh?
I had a wish granted last evening - one that I suspected would never be fulfilled. My exact dream? To coach both of my sons in key positions on the same baseball team. I used to have this vision of paying a mound visit to Colin as Kyle, his battery mate, comes out to share in our game changing strategy.
It really played out like this. Kyle fell at a hiking camp and headed for the doctor's office late in the afternoon. As he was getting six stitches to repair his shin, Colin and I drove to Columbia for the final game of his season. As 6:00 approached, it became clear that we were only going to have eight players - a forfeit. I called Lori and asked her to put a uniform on Kyle if he was up for playing. Our opponent graciously allowed us to start the game with 8 players as Kyle and Lori hopped in the Batmobile for Columbia.
One inning later Kyle and his freshly stitched leg arrived and took left field. Colin was on the mound. Kyle was inserted into the #9 hole and led off the top of the third inning. On deck? Our lead-off hitter - Colin. The Kerr boys hitting back-to-back. Pretty cool. I really enjoyed myself. They looked awfully good out there!
Remarkably, I was granted this wish in what will likely be the final game of Colin's baseball "career." Though a good and highly motivated athlete, he doesn't share my passion for baseball. Those boys have no idea how much fun I had last night. By the way, we got our butts kicked.
Life is good.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's Day Gift
I received the best Father’s Day gift late Saturday morning. Kyle was scheduled to head for a friend’s cabin in the woods that would have him returning home late Sunday afternoon. We were chatting as he played video games. Kyle’s huge on creature comforts, so it has always surprised me that he enjoys heading to a rustic cabin in the woods. I questioned him on the pending trip and he said, “I’m not going.” I responded, “Why not?” Answer, “Because I want to be home for Father’s Day.” It truly made my weekend.
Today we heard the words of the Apostle Paul,
“…but we also boast in our sufferings
Knowing that suffering produces endurance
And endurance produces character
And character produces hope
And hope does not disappoint us.”
(To the devout Christians checking in, please forgive my omission of the all important “because” that follows.)
13 years ago this summer I selected that passage and then read it at my brother’s funeral mass. The words were so appropriate, as I watched Dennis suffer and physically deteriorate through years of terminal illness. Through that suffering he most definitely gained endurance, character and, yes, hope. The passage is so true and so perfectly representative of the persuasiveness of Paul’s frequent logical progressions.
On a somewhat different plane, this passage goes a long way in explaining my attraction to the Ironman challenge – a challenge that I’ve decided to chase again this year (hello “Chesapeakeman” on September 27). My mind has gone a complete 360 degrees during this roller coaster ride of a year. My body is cooperating right now, and I just wasn’t happy setting my sights at less than the ultimate goal.
There is beauty in extreme endurance sports. Not so much in the races themselves, but in the journey to get there. I’m going to ante up again. I’ll seek perfection and surely fall short. But there’s more to be gained from quest than there is to be lost by failure. For me, a form of redemptive suffering that will ultimately produce hope. The battle is not to make it to the finish, but to the starting line.
Peace.
Today we heard the words of the Apostle Paul,
“…but we also boast in our sufferings
Knowing that suffering produces endurance
And endurance produces character
And character produces hope
And hope does not disappoint us.”
(To the devout Christians checking in, please forgive my omission of the all important “because” that follows.)
13 years ago this summer I selected that passage and then read it at my brother’s funeral mass. The words were so appropriate, as I watched Dennis suffer and physically deteriorate through years of terminal illness. Through that suffering he most definitely gained endurance, character and, yes, hope. The passage is so true and so perfectly representative of the persuasiveness of Paul’s frequent logical progressions.
On a somewhat different plane, this passage goes a long way in explaining my attraction to the Ironman challenge – a challenge that I’ve decided to chase again this year (hello “Chesapeakeman” on September 27). My mind has gone a complete 360 degrees during this roller coaster ride of a year. My body is cooperating right now, and I just wasn’t happy setting my sights at less than the ultimate goal.
There is beauty in extreme endurance sports. Not so much in the races themselves, but in the journey to get there. I’m going to ante up again. I’ll seek perfection and surely fall short. But there’s more to be gained from quest than there is to be lost by failure. For me, a form of redemptive suffering that will ultimately produce hope. The battle is not to make it to the finish, but to the starting line.
Peace.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Camp wrap-up
Friday was race simulation day. I rode a loop of the course as 90-minutes steady, and then a 90-minute build to the finish. It was a tough ride as the heat arrived with winds whipping the second half of the loop. I hopped off the bike and ran a steady 5 miles before shutting it down. After a good lunch and some R&R, I walked to Mirror Lake and got in an easy recovery swim.
The Ironman athletes felt more pressure to ride long. Most of them, if not too shelled from earlier rides, worked in another 112-mile ride and a short run.
This morning I woke up, threw on the running shoes, and trotted an easy seven miles. We grabbed a quick breakfast, packed the car, and hit the road. We were in Lancaster by 4 pm.
I achieved some key objectives this week. I got in a VERY solid training block without having any heart arrhythmia. While my volume numbers weren't quite as impressive as my Ironman lead-up last year, the intensity of my training was far higher. In all I trained just under 20 hours, with 280 miles of hilly riding, around 20-miles of running, and some light swimming. I was smart in not digging myself into a hole. My body was ready for the training dose that it received, but not much more. Now I need to have a few easy days as my body "absorbs" its new fitness.
I checked out Patrick's blog on EN... His photos are way better than mine. Check them out under my links in the righthand margin.
I think tomorrow's actually Monday? That means back to the routine...
The Ironman athletes felt more pressure to ride long. Most of them, if not too shelled from earlier rides, worked in another 112-mile ride and a short run.
This morning I woke up, threw on the running shoes, and trotted an easy seven miles. We grabbed a quick breakfast, packed the car, and hit the road. We were in Lancaster by 4 pm.
I achieved some key objectives this week. I got in a VERY solid training block without having any heart arrhythmia. While my volume numbers weren't quite as impressive as my Ironman lead-up last year, the intensity of my training was far higher. In all I trained just under 20 hours, with 280 miles of hilly riding, around 20-miles of running, and some light swimming. I was smart in not digging myself into a hole. My body was ready for the training dose that it received, but not much more. Now I need to have a few easy days as my body "absorbs" its new fitness.
I checked out Patrick's blog on EN... His photos are way better than mine. Check them out under my links in the righthand margin.
I think tomorrow's actually Monday? That means back to the routine...
Friday, June 6, 2008
Day 4 Curveball
We headed out for a "friendly 106 mile ride today." Words that just shouldn't be used in the same sentence! "Friendly" because we were supposed to work as a group, allowing for some long hours of spinning while folks took turns working the front.
About 1,000 meters into our epic ride, the clouds let loose a solid downpour that soaked us all through. We split apart, but tried to keep together in small groups. Not an easy feat for a bunch of individually-minded triathletes!
The roads had a lot of debris washed out from the hard rain. Around mile 46 I ran over a rusty nail that punctured my tire, tube, and aluminum rim. I was done for the day, but not injured. Incredibly, Patrick was driving sag just about a mile away when this happened, so I was happily within the confines of an automobile within 5 minutes of the mishap.
Tomorrow's supposed to be another 100+ miler. I'm glad that I brought a second bike. Otherwise I'd be dealing with repair shops instead of riding.
I'll eventually post some pictures. You can get official updates from camp central here: http://www.endurancenation.us/blog/
About 1,000 meters into our epic ride, the clouds let loose a solid downpour that soaked us all through. We split apart, but tried to keep together in small groups. Not an easy feat for a bunch of individually-minded triathletes!
The roads had a lot of debris washed out from the hard rain. Around mile 46 I ran over a rusty nail that punctured my tire, tube, and aluminum rim. I was done for the day, but not injured. Incredibly, Patrick was driving sag just about a mile away when this happened, so I was happily within the confines of an automobile within 5 minutes of the mishap.
Tomorrow's supposed to be another 100+ miler. I'm glad that I brought a second bike. Otherwise I'd be dealing with repair shops instead of riding.
I'll eventually post some pictures. You can get official updates from camp central here: http://www.endurancenation.us/blog/
Some Numbers
The numbers are indicating stronger cycling performance in '08 on less training volume. Some numbers from lap number two of the 112 mile loop as compared to '07:
2007: Time = 3:24, Normalized power = 169 watts.
2008: Time = 3:08, Normalized power = 188 watts.
I think two factors are at play. #1 - I'm stronger and #2 - I have more confidence in my ability to survive!
2007: Time = 3:24, Normalized power = 169 watts.
2008: Time = 3:08, Normalized power = 188 watts.
I think two factors are at play. #1 - I'm stronger and #2 - I have more confidence in my ability to survive!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Day 3 Thursday
101 miles for me. That's 36 longer than my previous long ride this season. Coach P threw in a 13-mile time trial at mile 75... OUCH! I was just happy not to finish last.
Another long one on tap for tomorrow. I'm really tired, but the group dynamic pushes us all harder than we would push ourselves.
Just had some Ben & Jerry's. I earned it! That's all I have the energy to write this evening...
Another long one on tap for tomorrow. I'm really tired, but the group dynamic pushes us all harder than we would push ourselves.
Just had some Ben & Jerry's. I earned it! That's all I have the energy to write this evening...
Wednesday - Day 2
56 miles of intervals followed by a 30-minute run. I'll be interested to see how long riding feels after two hard riding days. I'm definitely stronger than last year, riding primarily the big chain ring up Whiteface. Now it's time to further develop the endurance engine.
A great group of athletes this year. Everyone gets along. We're up to 16 including coaches.
Photos and more thoughts later.
A great group of athletes this year. Everyone gets along. We're up to 16 including coaches.
Photos and more thoughts later.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Lake Placid Camp - Day 1
Tuesday: After a tough 5:30 am 18.5-mile hill ride, Mike and I hit the road. We made good time and arrived around 4:30 pm. In the evening we got aquainted with the other campers and reviewed a basic agenda for the week. A nice group of 12 campers this year with widely ranging abilities. It was good to see a couple of the guys from last year's camp.
84 miles on tap for me on Wednesday, with maybe a swim in the morning. The camp rumor is that the water is 47 degrees. I will most definitely NOT be swimming if that's the case! With no Ironman race hanging over my head, I feel free to do whatever I want.
84 miles on tap for me on Wednesday, with maybe a swim in the morning. The camp rumor is that the water is 47 degrees. I will most definitely NOT be swimming if that's the case! With no Ironman race hanging over my head, I feel free to do whatever I want.
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