Eugene, March 9, 2008
Some people run for the money [me].
Some run for the glory [me].
Power [me]?
Others run for companionship.
Still others run for fun.
To stay in shape.
For fashion [Nora?].
After watching the South Axemen compete in the Purple and White intra-squad meeting I realized that I have been running for the wrong reasons. As I reflect on my life I realize that money, glory and power have brought me little ultimate satisfaction in life and a lot of tears; mostly, because I have failed to gain material wealth, glory or power; or at least to any sustaining degree. Yet, I fear that even when I do gain these material rewards, part of me will remain unfulfilled. Yet, I remain fixated on this whole reputation thing: above all else I desire honor. Yet honor is so fickle, earthly fame seems to disappear almost as quickly as it is won. So I guess maybe I am after some more lasting satisfaction. Any ideas?
After Coach Hess helped team Purple take second in the 4 X 4, he gleefully took a victory lap with the whole Axemen team: Purple, White, winner, loser, competitor, injured reserve, and team volunteer. Coach Hess handed off to anchorman, Carlos, with a 20 meter lead; only to watch Casey make up the deficit in the backstretch and utterly destroy Purple in the homestretch, garnering victory for White. But Coach Hess was not pissed off; he did not reproach Carlos for losing the race, succumbing to lactate head, his terrible form. No! He congratulated Carlos on a courageous effort, and congratulated the enemy team [white]. I was really taken in by this chivalry, and gentlemanly sportsmanship; his ability to subdue his pride and honor the champions as well as the defeated. After watching Coach Hess play the valiant knight, I am glad that I chickened out of the 4 X 4, because I am afraid that if Carlos has lost a race I had worked hard to win; he'd be running 5 mile Lydiards with the distance runners for the rest of the spring until he shaped up or dropped out.
Yesterday, thanks to coach Tyson, our Axemen brilliantly exhibited a brilliant spirit of unification at our Purlple and White meeting. And it is these young athletes who will remain my inspiration and models for the future!
Sunshine and God Bless!
Gabe
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Shame
Oregon City, February 26, 2008
I apologize to my family, friends, and fans. I represented Saucony dishonorably this Sunday at the USATF Indoor 1500m Championships. I succumbed to fear and exhibited cowardice and impotence in my race. In the Army such behavior would be met with Court Marshall, and possibly dishonorable discharge for abandoning the front line. I am fortunate for my life that Sport is a somewhat forgivable game, unlike her sister War, who kills and takes prisoner. Unfortunately, for the honor of my family I can not even find the courage to make seppuku. To hell with honor and reputation! It is my own anguish I wish to be rid of. My only redemption lies on the track. I would vow revenge on my enemies, but I have vowed before and made a fool out of myself. Empty promises are laughable. Our only salvation lies in action and virtue.
Gabe
I apologize to my family, friends, and fans. I represented Saucony dishonorably this Sunday at the USATF Indoor 1500m Championships. I succumbed to fear and exhibited cowardice and impotence in my race. In the Army such behavior would be met with Court Marshall, and possibly dishonorable discharge for abandoning the front line. I am fortunate for my life that Sport is a somewhat forgivable game, unlike her sister War, who kills and takes prisoner. Unfortunately, for the honor of my family I can not even find the courage to make seppuku. To hell with honor and reputation! It is my own anguish I wish to be rid of. My only redemption lies on the track. I would vow revenge on my enemies, but I have vowed before and made a fool out of myself. Empty promises are laughable. Our only salvation lies in action and virtue.
Gabe
Monday, February 18, 2008
Dempsey Track
Eugene, February 18, 2008
Well, I got the opener out of the way: 3:58.8 for third behind Stanford's Heath and Brown. Thanks to all the fans that came out to support! Though you made me nervous as hell, as intended, right? The pressure really helped, sorry I didn't make a more impressive performance.
The Axemen performed well on Sunday in the Mile: Walker 4:31; Casey 4:41; Ryan 4:43; and Robert 5:05. All of them ran solid, a ver promising opener!
God Bless and Kick Ass!
Gabe
Well, I got the opener out of the way: 3:58.8 for third behind Stanford's Heath and Brown. Thanks to all the fans that came out to support! Though you made me nervous as hell, as intended, right? The pressure really helped, sorry I didn't make a more impressive performance.
The Axemen performed well on Sunday in the Mile: Walker 4:31; Casey 4:41; Ryan 4:43; and Robert 5:05. All of them ran solid, a ver promising opener!
God Bless and Kick Ass!
Gabe
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Lawrence Hill
Eugene, February 6, 2008
Yesterday, the winter distance crew at south headed to Lawrence hill to do some hill repeats. The session was illuminating in a few regards: firstly, hills can tend to equalize levels of ability and fitness; secondly, the true character of each particular warrior is especially exaggerated through the motion of the hill. On the first point, I was rudely awakened to the fact that despite what I believe to be my Olympic caliber training, acumen, etc.; our first group of ten Axemen, were able to hang with me on this hill, and apparently, only a little less stressed then myself. I am really quite proud of these young warriors, and it is more as a scientist that I notice this interesting data, then as a competitor or an antagonist to these young apprentices who are under my tutelage. Yet, there is no denying that in the heat of a difficult workout one is apt to compare his perceived pulse, oxygen out-take, flushed face, etc., against his fellows. On the second point, it is really the sociologist in me rather than track trainer that likes to mentally record the apparent virtues and character that these young apprentices possess. For instance, I make a note if one of the kids goes out like balls the first interval, then drops out half-way in unexpected fatigue; or on the contrary, begins conservatively, and finishes in an untested blaze of speed for the final interval. I make these mental calculations more as a game to gague the potential vocations these warriors might carry forth in order to make a livelihood in our society, then as an indicator of who is going to be varsity, or anchor the mile relay.
Tomorrow, we head to Amazon trail to undertake a rigorous circuit of trail threshold running, coupled with track speed. This workout is a sort of inverted Michigan if you are familiar with modern collegiate workout lingo; and it is a bruiser. We will be calling it “The Hess” in the future, after the head distance coach at South, Jeff Hess, who is the workout’s inventor. We’ll see how my Olympic caliber training and experience holds up against these youngsters tomorrow. Hopefully, a few of them will surpass me someday, is that not the goal of every coach? With that selfish-altruism in mind, I hope to hold them off tomorrow and show them whose boss.
Train to race. Race to win. Feel it. Want it. Know it.
Gabe
Yesterday, the winter distance crew at south headed to Lawrence hill to do some hill repeats. The session was illuminating in a few regards: firstly, hills can tend to equalize levels of ability and fitness; secondly, the true character of each particular warrior is especially exaggerated through the motion of the hill. On the first point, I was rudely awakened to the fact that despite what I believe to be my Olympic caliber training, acumen, etc.; our first group of ten Axemen, were able to hang with me on this hill, and apparently, only a little less stressed then myself. I am really quite proud of these young warriors, and it is more as a scientist that I notice this interesting data, then as a competitor or an antagonist to these young apprentices who are under my tutelage. Yet, there is no denying that in the heat of a difficult workout one is apt to compare his perceived pulse, oxygen out-take, flushed face, etc., against his fellows. On the second point, it is really the sociologist in me rather than track trainer that likes to mentally record the apparent virtues and character that these young apprentices possess. For instance, I make a note if one of the kids goes out like balls the first interval, then drops out half-way in unexpected fatigue; or on the contrary, begins conservatively, and finishes in an untested blaze of speed for the final interval. I make these mental calculations more as a game to gague the potential vocations these warriors might carry forth in order to make a livelihood in our society, then as an indicator of who is going to be varsity, or anchor the mile relay.
Tomorrow, we head to Amazon trail to undertake a rigorous circuit of trail threshold running, coupled with track speed. This workout is a sort of inverted Michigan if you are familiar with modern collegiate workout lingo; and it is a bruiser. We will be calling it “The Hess” in the future, after the head distance coach at South, Jeff Hess, who is the workout’s inventor. We’ll see how my Olympic caliber training and experience holds up against these youngsters tomorrow. Hopefully, a few of them will surpass me someday, is that not the goal of every coach? With that selfish-altruism in mind, I hope to hold them off tomorrow and show them whose boss.
Train to race. Race to win. Feel it. Want it. Know it.
Gabe
Friday, January 18, 2008
Winter Campaign
Eugene, January, 18, 2008
I plan on a short Winter Indoor Track Campaign this season. First off I will be competing in a Mile at the Husky Invitational, held at Dempsey Track, UW, Seattle, on February 16, followed by a Mile at USATF Indoor Nationals in Boston, held at Reggie Lewis Stadium, on February 24, concluded with a Mile at the IAAF Indoor World Championships held in Valencia Spain, on March 7 -9.
The training is progressing rapidly. Yesterday, I ran a quick 50 minute out and back, averaging under 5 minute miles, finishing at sub 4 pace; then, 8 minutes rest and a quick quarter in 53 seconds at Hayward field with trainers. Tomorrow, I have a Practice Race session at Hayward Field, followed by a Time Trial two days later; I will be lobbying for a 1200m as Time Trial: sub 3:00?!
I am anxious to race. My opponents appear very formidable in light of this most auspicious year, and thus I am concentrating my preparations to defeat them with especially terrible vigor.
The newest component of my training has become my almost daily aqua jogging, as a substitute for secondary runs. Coach Dick Brown has made me a convert of the benefits of water running for many reasons: less impact, resistance on both aspects of the running stroke (arms and legs), and slow motion meditation and drilling of form. However, possibly the most telling aspect in my own celebration of aqua jogging is evident in the prologue and epilogue to my pool workouts: I most diligently warm up with a sauna and hot tub before I enter the pool; and I follow each workout with a diligent cool down of hot tub and sauna. Let me again stress the importance of the hot tub and sauna as a boon to my aqua jogging! I don't have an physiological evidence in my support, only the experience of a hopeless sensualist. But in this most terrible winter am I not justified?!
"Now is the Winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun of York. All the clouds that lowered upon our house in the deep bosom of the ocean, buried." --Shakespeare (Tell me from what play, and you will win a prize)
Gabriel
I plan on a short Winter Indoor Track Campaign this season. First off I will be competing in a Mile at the Husky Invitational, held at Dempsey Track, UW, Seattle, on February 16, followed by a Mile at USATF Indoor Nationals in Boston, held at Reggie Lewis Stadium, on February 24, concluded with a Mile at the IAAF Indoor World Championships held in Valencia Spain, on March 7 -9.
The training is progressing rapidly. Yesterday, I ran a quick 50 minute out and back, averaging under 5 minute miles, finishing at sub 4 pace; then, 8 minutes rest and a quick quarter in 53 seconds at Hayward field with trainers. Tomorrow, I have a Practice Race session at Hayward Field, followed by a Time Trial two days later; I will be lobbying for a 1200m as Time Trial: sub 3:00?!
I am anxious to race. My opponents appear very formidable in light of this most auspicious year, and thus I am concentrating my preparations to defeat them with especially terrible vigor.
The newest component of my training has become my almost daily aqua jogging, as a substitute for secondary runs. Coach Dick Brown has made me a convert of the benefits of water running for many reasons: less impact, resistance on both aspects of the running stroke (arms and legs), and slow motion meditation and drilling of form. However, possibly the most telling aspect in my own celebration of aqua jogging is evident in the prologue and epilogue to my pool workouts: I most diligently warm up with a sauna and hot tub before I enter the pool; and I follow each workout with a diligent cool down of hot tub and sauna. Let me again stress the importance of the hot tub and sauna as a boon to my aqua jogging! I don't have an physiological evidence in my support, only the experience of a hopeless sensualist. But in this most terrible winter am I not justified?!
"Now is the Winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun of York. All the clouds that lowered upon our house in the deep bosom of the ocean, buried." --Shakespeare (Tell me from what play, and you will win a prize)
Gabriel
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Unexpected Meeting
Arcata, California, December 26, 2007
Amory asked the Arena Warriors to reflect on an anecdote from our recent volunteer efforts. Here is my response:
Last week I accidentally fell upon my South team on an evening run along the Willamette river. Being just before Christmas break for the Eugene South cross-country teams, the kids have had an unstructured training regime. So, it was unexpectedly that I came across a handful of my athletes crossing the Knickerbocker bridge from the north as I was passing from the south. Going out on a leisurely recovery run myself, I was listening to sacred Cuban music on my ipod looking forward a gentle pace so that I might better take in the scenery due the closure of this calm, gentle and rarely dry winter afternoon. Yet, when I perceived Walker, our team leader, leading a hearty squadron of our varsity boys across the still wet bridge, the tenor of my run quickly changed as I made a sharp U-turn, so that I might take my natural place as the leader of this brave company. I hailed each boy as a comrade, and made an easy stride next to Walker. We quickly overtook the train tracks and made our way up the slight hill to the intersection of Franklin Blvd., the city's main artery, and the bike trail that leads directly to my house on E. 15th avenue. As the shadows grew long, and our pace quickened, I felt proud to have so quickly assumed the leadership of such a promising pack of young warriors. As the 4th place team in the State, by 3 points to third, and a recent 8th place at Nike Team Nationals, our team had already proven itself a contender for any title in the west. But more than athletic prowess, I admired the scholastic aptitude, intellectual prowess, eloquent manners, and general camaraderie of the boys. They are, indeed, a well rounded talented, ambitious group, of which running makes for only a portion of their character. As we passed my house and made for Haward Field five blocks away, the senior leaders, Ryan and Walker took charge: Ryan led the left flank with firm purpose, while Walker in the vanguard by 5 meters swept the right flank to the sidewalk, and I led the center birth. With a sharp quickening of pace upon reaching the threshold of the University, the William Knight Law school, the gates of Hayward, and MacArthur Court looming in the distance, we assumed a rank of couplets led by Walker and myself, perfectly matching stride in symmetrical rhythm. After another surge, the famous graveyard was upon us, where Oregon's first settlers are buried, 1834, and allies to the Union cause, 1860's; this graveyard, where legend has it, Pre himself made both many a solitary run, and a heated competitive fartlek all the same; for most of us, whether from Eugene or abroad, the graveyard remains the sole warm-up grounds for the many Track competitions hosted at Hayward Field each spring and summer. So not surprisingly, it was in the graveyard that our group started surging with fantastic energy. There is something within the dark gloominess of the place that strikes the spirit with fear and reverence. I set upon Walker, Ryan upon me, and Casey, Zach, Bryan and Simon keeping strongly in order to our rear; our breaths were now heaving in the mist. Finally, at the western end of the graveyard, where the school of Music takes its place, a saxophone or french horn can often be heard over the tombstones, raising the spirits to further heights, as the path suddenly becomes a stage, and the alleys thy orchestra. Even this evening without any musician present as the shadows grew large upon us, the distant cacophony could be heard from the practice rooms below, as we rounded the bend out of the trees, now on 18th avenue, only two blocks from South High School on 19th and Hilyard--the final sprint had begun--but, I would not remain, as I doubled back through the graveyard. I would let the kiddies fight this one out for themselves. I wished them a happy Solstice, merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We will see where I find them on my return. We will see who has been disciplined over the break and who has succumbed to sloth, who will be a casualty to injury, illness or neglect; while others will have drilled constantly, rested plentifully and gained the favor of the gods through their holiday celebrations and ceremony. Upon return, I will examine, assess, and direct the South harriers to my highest ability.
Gabe
Amory asked the Arena Warriors to reflect on an anecdote from our recent volunteer efforts. Here is my response:
Last week I accidentally fell upon my South team on an evening run along the Willamette river. Being just before Christmas break for the Eugene South cross-country teams, the kids have had an unstructured training regime. So, it was unexpectedly that I came across a handful of my athletes crossing the Knickerbocker bridge from the north as I was passing from the south. Going out on a leisurely recovery run myself, I was listening to sacred Cuban music on my ipod looking forward a gentle pace so that I might better take in the scenery due the closure of this calm, gentle and rarely dry winter afternoon. Yet, when I perceived Walker, our team leader, leading a hearty squadron of our varsity boys across the still wet bridge, the tenor of my run quickly changed as I made a sharp U-turn, so that I might take my natural place as the leader of this brave company. I hailed each boy as a comrade, and made an easy stride next to Walker. We quickly overtook the train tracks and made our way up the slight hill to the intersection of Franklin Blvd., the city's main artery, and the bike trail that leads directly to my house on E. 15th avenue. As the shadows grew long, and our pace quickened, I felt proud to have so quickly assumed the leadership of such a promising pack of young warriors. As the 4th place team in the State, by 3 points to third, and a recent 8th place at Nike Team Nationals, our team had already proven itself a contender for any title in the west. But more than athletic prowess, I admired the scholastic aptitude, intellectual prowess, eloquent manners, and general camaraderie of the boys. They are, indeed, a well rounded talented, ambitious group, of which running makes for only a portion of their character. As we passed my house and made for Haward Field five blocks away, the senior leaders, Ryan and Walker took charge: Ryan led the left flank with firm purpose, while Walker in the vanguard by 5 meters swept the right flank to the sidewalk, and I led the center birth. With a sharp quickening of pace upon reaching the threshold of the University, the William Knight Law school, the gates of Hayward, and MacArthur Court looming in the distance, we assumed a rank of couplets led by Walker and myself, perfectly matching stride in symmetrical rhythm. After another surge, the famous graveyard was upon us, where Oregon's first settlers are buried, 1834, and allies to the Union cause, 1860's; this graveyard, where legend has it, Pre himself made both many a solitary run, and a heated competitive fartlek all the same; for most of us, whether from Eugene or abroad, the graveyard remains the sole warm-up grounds for the many Track competitions hosted at Hayward Field each spring and summer. So not surprisingly, it was in the graveyard that our group started surging with fantastic energy. There is something within the dark gloominess of the place that strikes the spirit with fear and reverence. I set upon Walker, Ryan upon me, and Casey, Zach, Bryan and Simon keeping strongly in order to our rear; our breaths were now heaving in the mist. Finally, at the western end of the graveyard, where the school of Music takes its place, a saxophone or french horn can often be heard over the tombstones, raising the spirits to further heights, as the path suddenly becomes a stage, and the alleys thy orchestra. Even this evening without any musician present as the shadows grew large upon us, the distant cacophony could be heard from the practice rooms below, as we rounded the bend out of the trees, now on 18th avenue, only two blocks from South High School on 19th and Hilyard--the final sprint had begun--but, I would not remain, as I doubled back through the graveyard. I would let the kiddies fight this one out for themselves. I wished them a happy Solstice, merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We will see where I find them on my return. We will see who has been disciplined over the break and who has succumbed to sloth, who will be a casualty to injury, illness or neglect; while others will have drilled constantly, rested plentifully and gained the favor of the gods through their holiday celebrations and ceremony. Upon return, I will examine, assess, and direct the South harriers to my highest ability.
Gabe
Friday, December 7, 2007
Portland Meadows
Eugene, Oregon, December 7, 2007
December 1 I took Eugene South HS up to Portland Meadows race track for the Nike Team Nationals. The boys and girls teams performed exceptionally well. The course was very muddy, and snow was falling, but the team fought against their foe courageously.
Now we are looking forward to 3 weeks of active rest away from the team setting before we take up a modest Indoor season after Christmas. Coach Pat Tyson will bill joining the squad as Head Track coach in January, so we are looking forward to his experience and leadership.
Monte El Caballo!
Gabriel
December 1 I took Eugene South HS up to Portland Meadows race track for the Nike Team Nationals. The boys and girls teams performed exceptionally well. The course was very muddy, and snow was falling, but the team fought against their foe courageously.
Now we are looking forward to 3 weeks of active rest away from the team setting before we take up a modest Indoor season after Christmas. Coach Pat Tyson will bill joining the squad as Head Track coach in January, so we are looking forward to his experience and leadership.
Monte El Caballo!
Gabriel
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