This morning was the kick-off event for the Fast Forward Sports/Team Denver Marathon training season. Typically the kick-off event for a new season is a simple, meet the coaches, get your t-shirt, a few administrative issues are discussed and we finish up with a short, easy run and some stretching. This morning though, we were in for a huge treat: Olympic coach Bobby McGee facilitated a running clinic.
Within a forty-five minute session he covered the importance of good form, the biomechanics of running, stride and cadence, and flexibility and strength. Then he took us outside to practice the key points. By the end I could already feel improvement in my speed and the efficiency of my stride. Just a few tweaks to my form made a huge difference.
I had become familiar with Bobby McGee's training program and running theories through Fast Forward in the last few training seasons. We do his dynamic warm-up program and our coaches have talked at length about the form techniques he advocates. It was a totally new experience though hearing all these things straight from the horse's mouth. Suddenly all the drills we had been doing over the last year made perfect sense. I don't fault my coaches for neglecting this information, I'm one of those people who always wants to know "why" I'm doing something a certain way. I might believe that doing forward arm swings as part of my running warm up will help prevent injury and improve my form, but I need to know why it helps and how it interacts with the rest of my body. It all came together for me this morning.
I'm looking forward to a great training season and implementing some of these new techniques to run my fastest marathon yet. I'm running to Borders today to pick up Bobby McGee's workout book!
http://www.bobbymcgee.com
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Westword Music Showcase 2009
The Westword Music Showcase is an annual platform for local Denver bands. I have to say that I was blown away by the talent and level of musicality taking root here. Over 90 bands performed, one every hour from noon until 6pm, at 6 or 7 different venues within the same 3 block radius. Then Meese and Built to Spill capped off the evening at the main outdoor stage.
Of all the fantastic music I heard on Saturday, I was most impressed with the single song I heard from Hello Kavita - a cover of Paul Simon's "You Can Call me Al." I scurried into Curious Theatre at the very end of their show to catch an earful. First of all, I love Paul Simon. I think there are few better song writers. "You Can Call me Al," is one of my favorite songs. Hello Kavita's rendition was brilliant. It was absolutely what a cover should be - their own. I get so tired of hearing "cover" songs performed in their original arrangement; it might as well be karaoke. When I hear a new version of an old favorite and it's fresh and interesting, I get really excited. I wish I could find a recording of the performance to post here. If you know of one, please let me know - I would love a copy. Be on the look out for Hello Kavita to take flight in the near future. These guys have got "it."
Other favorites of the day: The Swayback (who just signed with Capital Records); Bella Karoli; Everything Absent or Distorted; and Meese (who sound an awful lot like The Fray, but BETTER and more edgy). Built to Spill's performance was, of course, fantastic.
Music lovers keep an eye on Denver. There's some great talent on the ups.
Of all the fantastic music I heard on Saturday, I was most impressed with the single song I heard from Hello Kavita - a cover of Paul Simon's "You Can Call me Al." I scurried into Curious Theatre at the very end of their show to catch an earful. First of all, I love Paul Simon. I think there are few better song writers. "You Can Call me Al," is one of my favorite songs. Hello Kavita's rendition was brilliant. It was absolutely what a cover should be - their own. I get so tired of hearing "cover" songs performed in their original arrangement; it might as well be karaoke. When I hear a new version of an old favorite and it's fresh and interesting, I get really excited. I wish I could find a recording of the performance to post here. If you know of one, please let me know - I would love a copy. Be on the look out for Hello Kavita to take flight in the near future. These guys have got "it."
Other favorites of the day: The Swayback (who just signed with Capital Records); Bella Karoli; Everything Absent or Distorted; and Meese (who sound an awful lot like The Fray, but BETTER and more edgy). Built to Spill's performance was, of course, fantastic.
Music lovers keep an eye on Denver. There's some great talent on the ups.
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Good Life
There are shimmering moments in life when everything seems absolutely perfect and right with the world. I woke this morning to one of those moments. The whole day hasn't been perfect, but it started off on the right foot.
The most discouraging times of my life are when I feel trapped, stuck, and like nothing is going to change or get better. I've learned over the last couple years that when I begin to sink into hopelessness, I have to make goals for myself and create a strategy for achieving them. And they have to big goals, challenges. I relish overcoming some obstacle. That always jolts me back into self-efficacy and injects a sense of adventure into the mundane daily grind.
It's not unusual then that I'm always happiest when I have a lot on my plate; goals set, adventures idealized, fun weekend activities on the calendar. Right now a world of possibilities stretches out before me. I'm working on completing my OCS packet (a project I've had underway for over a year, without progress); I have a race this weekend; a summer of great marathon training with F4 and AIR; two killer races calendared for the fall; a fun weekend in the mountains with my favorite people in a couple weeks; the Westword Music Showcase all day tomorrow featuring 90 local bands; Death Cab for Cutie with Andrew Bird at Red Rocks in July; Wilco and Okkervil River also at Red Rocks in July; countless poker tournaments to win; fourteeners to climb; camping trips to make; spontaneous road trips to take; and the possiblities go on and on.
Also, I feel like the work I'm doing has taken on some significance. As my responsibilities grow and change, I can sink my teeth into some projects and hurry through the silly, mundane work.
I still feel stuck sometimes; and I hate that I'm not in a position where I'm really using my skills or learning new ones. But there is likelihood for change.
The best part of all of this is that I have someone along for the ride, no matter where it takes us, who supports me and wants to be part of the adventure. So if I get deployed in next year, he'll take a job overseas too. If I get sent to OCS for 8 months, he'll visit when he can. If I want to go back to school, he'll move with me where ever I get funding. And, when I beat him at something he doesn't get sulky and feel demasculated, he brags about me. Not to make him sound like a pansy without any goals of his own who let's his woman call all the shots. He's easy going and confident enough not to be intimidated by my high-hopes, and he's accomplished so much already that I think he's willing to let me pursue some of my own ambitions. No wonder I like this guy. :)
The most discouraging times of my life are when I feel trapped, stuck, and like nothing is going to change or get better. I've learned over the last couple years that when I begin to sink into hopelessness, I have to make goals for myself and create a strategy for achieving them. And they have to big goals, challenges. I relish overcoming some obstacle. That always jolts me back into self-efficacy and injects a sense of adventure into the mundane daily grind.
It's not unusual then that I'm always happiest when I have a lot on my plate; goals set, adventures idealized, fun weekend activities on the calendar. Right now a world of possibilities stretches out before me. I'm working on completing my OCS packet (a project I've had underway for over a year, without progress); I have a race this weekend; a summer of great marathon training with F4 and AIR; two killer races calendared for the fall; a fun weekend in the mountains with my favorite people in a couple weeks; the Westword Music Showcase all day tomorrow featuring 90 local bands; Death Cab for Cutie with Andrew Bird at Red Rocks in July; Wilco and Okkervil River also at Red Rocks in July; countless poker tournaments to win; fourteeners to climb; camping trips to make; spontaneous road trips to take; and the possiblities go on and on.
Also, I feel like the work I'm doing has taken on some significance. As my responsibilities grow and change, I can sink my teeth into some projects and hurry through the silly, mundane work.
I still feel stuck sometimes; and I hate that I'm not in a position where I'm really using my skills or learning new ones. But there is likelihood for change.
The best part of all of this is that I have someone along for the ride, no matter where it takes us, who supports me and wants to be part of the adventure. So if I get deployed in next year, he'll take a job overseas too. If I get sent to OCS for 8 months, he'll visit when he can. If I want to go back to school, he'll move with me where ever I get funding. And, when I beat him at something he doesn't get sulky and feel demasculated, he brags about me. Not to make him sound like a pansy without any goals of his own who let's his woman call all the shots. He's easy going and confident enough not to be intimidated by my high-hopes, and he's accomplished so much already that I think he's willing to let me pursue some of my own ambitions. No wonder I like this guy. :)
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Breathe In, Breathe Out
I recently began running with a group focused on training recovering addicts for endurance athletic events as part of the recovery process. Joined with the Denver Rescue Mission, the AIR Foundation trains these men for half-marathons, marathons, and 200+ mile relay races. It provides more than an athletic training program, giving them shoes, running apparel and a community of like-minded friends.
Last night I was running (or walking more-like) with one of the guys just talking about running and about life in general. He was a fascinating person, an artist specializing in glass art but working in oil painting and sketching as well. He had studied in the best schools and under the most renowned artists in his trade. At the height of his career he became so fed up with all the politics at the top that he left everything to spend 40 days fasting in the desert of Arizona. We talked a little about his experiences and the people he had met, but it all came back to grabbing hold of our opportunities and leading a life worth living. He's excited about the opportunity to train for and run a marathon; accomplishing an impressive goal and getting his life back on track.
For me running has occasionally been therapeutic, but mostly just for fun and a competitive outlet (so I don't do things like organize paper-clip tossing competitions or obstacle courses at work). In this setting though, I'm learning how having a goal, a training schedule and a support system can really help someone turn their life around and get back on their feet. It's a matter of doing something that you believe is important, and in many ways, something that society views as a great accomplishment. It's a way to feel valued and even respected.
Currently, we are training with several men to run the Denver Marathon in October. We're only three weeks into the program and I am really excited to see how we all progress and improve. I'm planning on training with F4 again this summer, but I'm also excited to have another opportunity to build relationships through running and work toward a common goal with a new set of athletes.
Last night I was running (or walking more-like) with one of the guys just talking about running and about life in general. He was a fascinating person, an artist specializing in glass art but working in oil painting and sketching as well. He had studied in the best schools and under the most renowned artists in his trade. At the height of his career he became so fed up with all the politics at the top that he left everything to spend 40 days fasting in the desert of Arizona. We talked a little about his experiences and the people he had met, but it all came back to grabbing hold of our opportunities and leading a life worth living. He's excited about the opportunity to train for and run a marathon; accomplishing an impressive goal and getting his life back on track.
For me running has occasionally been therapeutic, but mostly just for fun and a competitive outlet (so I don't do things like organize paper-clip tossing competitions or obstacle courses at work). In this setting though, I'm learning how having a goal, a training schedule and a support system can really help someone turn their life around and get back on their feet. It's a matter of doing something that you believe is important, and in many ways, something that society views as a great accomplishment. It's a way to feel valued and even respected.
Currently, we are training with several men to run the Denver Marathon in October. We're only three weeks into the program and I am really excited to see how we all progress and improve. I'm planning on training with F4 again this summer, but I'm also excited to have another opportunity to build relationships through running and work toward a common goal with a new set of athletes.
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