The first pith of nationals... as the Count chimes in on the greatest show on earth,
I'm missin' the show, now 2 missed in a row... taking me back to the dark ages (97-2000), but at least I got in 2 worlds in there... i'm thinking of another jordanesque unretirement... albeit w/out the athleticism, and this time, probably a LOT more akin to Jordan's last one... kind of more like a sean kemp unretirement...
Anyway, seriously miss Ultimate right now. Played pickup last night, and it was sort of snowing. But actually tried to run hard, and play some D, between throwing it as far as I could... Watched Above and Beyond 99 and 2000 with commentary on today after school, and now i'm procrastinating.
Notes on Above and Beyond...
I'm going to get Stacked (03) next week, and I'll do a comparison... but some thoughts on the Commentary.
But a comparison of the 2000 v. 1999 games...
Commentary
99 Features Steve Mooney, Billy Rodriguez, and Jim Parinella. Good commentary, Dr. R and Jim have some good insights, but it seems the elder statesman really keeps the flow going. Corey Sanford and JD Lobue of Condors get a point for one of the funnier lines (Corey, regarding Sockeye, "I hate these guys. Absolutely hate these guys. I hope they never win a championship. Well I hope they can edit that out." (Sockeye, by the time it was taped, I THINK had won, so it's both intentionally, and unintentionally funny)), but DoG takes the overall trophy for solid, consistent booth work. Having 3 guys also probably helped prevent dead air...
Who I'm rooting for...
Well, it's kind of a 'who am I rooting against less.' But with good friends John Kid Hammond, and Rob 'L-Train' Barrett playing for Winning teams in each video, I'm going to call it a Draw.
Best game...
To follow after I watch the entire 2000 game...
Got to plan for tommorrow's HS Frisbee meeting, start planning my ski workouts (looks like there are a few inches up at the mt... w/ more on the way. Also thinking about Tempe. Any insight into the new fields? As hard as the Old ones?
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
festivus.
well, i received both my copy of U T & T, (utah technical and taxedermic?), and AAB:TDVD. (Above and beyond the DVD).
Next on the list, Stacked... which i haven't seen but I was there, so hopefully i at least make a cameo...
I'll be using the highlights of the DVD to show to the school (on the video announcements), and showing some dvideo to the kids who eat lunch in my room...
And yes, I'll certainly reference Jim's book.
Today: The Cover. Chase looks like he is having a valsalva maneuver... but it's a pretty sweet picture. Seth looks like he's, well about to not get the disc. But I could be wrong. What happened?
Chapter 1. There's something about focus, but I decided it would be more fun to look at the pictures, and see if there was anything about the 'arch' endzone 'o.' Whew. I'm beat. That's enough for today!!!
Seriously, got to grade papers... looking fwd to the opportunities for reflection that will help w/ teaching frisbee...
Today, 1 mile warm - up, 10 minutes of whistle runs (1 = slightly faster than jog, 2 = 5 k pace, 3 = sprint...) then 5 minute jog, then 10 more minutes of it, then a 5 minute cool down... I don't know what the ratios were... It's taper week, w/ districts saturday, this was probably the hardest work the kids do this week. Let's check the calendar... ah yes, some really easy short runs, and Track, 1 x 600, 2 x 400, 2 x 300, 2 x 200 on wednesday...
Good luck at nationals.
Next on the list, Stacked... which i haven't seen but I was there, so hopefully i at least make a cameo...
I'll be using the highlights of the DVD to show to the school (on the video announcements), and showing some dvideo to the kids who eat lunch in my room...
And yes, I'll certainly reference Jim's book.
Today: The Cover. Chase looks like he is having a valsalva maneuver... but it's a pretty sweet picture. Seth looks like he's, well about to not get the disc. But I could be wrong. What happened?
Chapter 1. There's something about focus, but I decided it would be more fun to look at the pictures, and see if there was anything about the 'arch' endzone 'o.' Whew. I'm beat. That's enough for today!!!
Seriously, got to grade papers... looking fwd to the opportunities for reflection that will help w/ teaching frisbee...
Today, 1 mile warm - up, 10 minutes of whistle runs (1 = slightly faster than jog, 2 = 5 k pace, 3 = sprint...) then 5 minute jog, then 10 more minutes of it, then a 5 minute cool down... I don't know what the ratios were... It's taper week, w/ districts saturday, this was probably the hardest work the kids do this week. Let's check the calendar... ah yes, some really easy short runs, and Track, 1 x 600, 2 x 400, 2 x 300, 2 x 200 on wednesday...
Good luck at nationals.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
'sup
effin' jim. his name recognition is an insult. alex just toadies along as a teacup member... but i mean, where's barney barnicle...
that effin' tea party...
kiddin, i keed...
jim has turned the blogosphere into what rsd should be. i wish it were tree branched( like rsd) for i don't disagree w/ most points (however, jim, announce a stand on wind = 'o' or 'd'. just say, i don't know, moons always made those decisions for me).
ok, i'm jealous. i need to see if the hit counts have improved, or just participation. i am actually waiting on my own copy of jim's book. i read it this weekend (an aside. call me ee cummings, i'm just not concerned enough to care about syntax as much as jim: if I publish these blogs, in any form, i'll edit for pronunciation and capitalization)... anyway jim's book.
good, (oh, wait, jim and ZAZ's book. after all, zaz is the one who thanked ring for giving him a toast. even if it was lowly canadian team too bad, w/ self proclaimed decent player luke smith). anyway go zaz.
uh, back to the book. good organization. thoughtful explanations. i will, when i enter the season, use it as a primer for teaching my kids. i will also offer my opinions (position, for instance: jim shows all defenders 'all up ons' where i think if you have help from other positions, you can play off the man, to make the thrower hold on for longer in the count)...
good depth. this is a very good book for new to medium players. also, good for GOOD players to use as a framework to assess their own views of the game. that is, on some point, i may feel jim and zaz offer a good point, but i may disagree FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS (where the reasons are x and y)... therefore you think about your own game, and self reflection is the key to improvement...
wow. ultimate corner first. who'd of thunk.
now here is the week in review.
Saturday, I got fields for 'ror$hack' (formally whor$shack) a nw coed team. they let me scrimmage with them. the fields (at summit) are flat, and fast, and firm. rain the previous night had softened them, so they were only a notch below the nationals fields. i ran drills, and played a few points in the first scrimmage (10:30-1:30)... then played almost every point of the afternoon scrimmage...
thoughts... 2 a days, especially in co-ed (slightly longer points) w/ 16 players (started w/ more)... are brutal. i was drained, w/ some sore muscles...
I took sunday and monday off (not feeling my oats) and today (tuesday), we ran 3x400, 3x300, and 3x200...
it was a 'feel good workout.' for the varsity, it was easy. for the lesser players, harder.
after a 2 mile warmup, and drills (high knees, butt kicks, side to side and karaoke, w/ 6 50 yd sprints (not timed, but brisk)) i went, 77,75,74,53,52,51,31... and then the wheels fell off. sore calf, lack of interest (i mean, i ran a fastish 200), a kid got hurt so say 36, and then i quit the last one to stretch a cramping kid... so, not bad... ended w/ a 1 mile cool down. so a total of a 4.5 mile workout.
tommorrow, bend play under the lights...
goals for tommorrow night(such as they are).
defense. (ambitious, given my age, and predeliction for 'o' play) cover my guy for at least 3 turnovers...
offense... instead of throwing goals, use my current 'decent' level of conditioning to be a receiver... there are plenty of players willing to chuck some swill up to me...
plus, it'll be kind of cold, which KILLS my game... so, why focus on learning to throw in cold weather (since i'd prefer never to play 'for real' in cold weather)...
next up... we're now into the part of the year where we peak the kids for districts and states... obviously, this doesn't help me (why is this auto linking to some ebay site?).. so, i'm going to back off the speed, and move into longer distance and weights for 3 weeks... then xc season starts, and i'll focus on intervals and plyos...
see you in tempe. maybe hawaii. nice to be drawing a check for the first time in 3 years.
that effin' tea party...
kiddin, i keed...
jim has turned the blogosphere into what rsd should be. i wish it were tree branched( like rsd) for i don't disagree w/ most points (however, jim, announce a stand on wind = 'o' or 'd'. just say, i don't know, moons always made those decisions for me).
ok, i'm jealous. i need to see if the hit counts have improved, or just participation. i am actually waiting on my own copy of jim's book. i read it this weekend (an aside. call me ee cummings, i'm just not concerned enough to care about syntax as much as jim: if I publish these blogs, in any form, i'll edit for pronunciation and capitalization)... anyway jim's book.
good, (oh, wait, jim and ZAZ's book. after all, zaz is the one who thanked ring for giving him a toast. even if it was lowly canadian team too bad, w/ self proclaimed decent player luke smith). anyway go zaz.
uh, back to the book. good organization. thoughtful explanations. i will, when i enter the season, use it as a primer for teaching my kids. i will also offer my opinions (position, for instance: jim shows all defenders 'all up ons' where i think if you have help from other positions, you can play off the man, to make the thrower hold on for longer in the count)...
good depth. this is a very good book for new to medium players. also, good for GOOD players to use as a framework to assess their own views of the game. that is, on some point, i may feel jim and zaz offer a good point, but i may disagree FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS (where the reasons are x and y)... therefore you think about your own game, and self reflection is the key to improvement...
wow. ultimate corner first. who'd of thunk.
now here is the week in review.
Saturday, I got fields for 'ror$hack' (formally whor$shack) a nw coed team. they let me scrimmage with them. the fields (at summit) are flat, and fast, and firm. rain the previous night had softened them, so they were only a notch below the nationals fields. i ran drills, and played a few points in the first scrimmage (10:30-1:30)... then played almost every point of the afternoon scrimmage...
thoughts... 2 a days, especially in co-ed (slightly longer points) w/ 16 players (started w/ more)... are brutal. i was drained, w/ some sore muscles...
I took sunday and monday off (not feeling my oats) and today (tuesday), we ran 3x400, 3x300, and 3x200...
it was a 'feel good workout.' for the varsity, it was easy. for the lesser players, harder.
after a 2 mile warmup, and drills (high knees, butt kicks, side to side and karaoke, w/ 6 50 yd sprints (not timed, but brisk)) i went, 77,75,74,53,52,51,31... and then the wheels fell off. sore calf, lack of interest (i mean, i ran a fastish 200), a kid got hurt so say 36, and then i quit the last one to stretch a cramping kid... so, not bad... ended w/ a 1 mile cool down. so a total of a 4.5 mile workout.
tommorrow, bend play under the lights...
goals for tommorrow night(such as they are).
defense. (ambitious, given my age, and predeliction for 'o' play) cover my guy for at least 3 turnovers...
offense... instead of throwing goals, use my current 'decent' level of conditioning to be a receiver... there are plenty of players willing to chuck some swill up to me...
plus, it'll be kind of cold, which KILLS my game... so, why focus on learning to throw in cold weather (since i'd prefer never to play 'for real' in cold weather)...
next up... we're now into the part of the year where we peak the kids for districts and states... obviously, this doesn't help me (why is this auto linking to some ebay site?).. so, i'm going to back off the speed, and move into longer distance and weights for 3 weeks... then xc season starts, and i'll focus on intervals and plyos...
see you in tempe. maybe hawaii. nice to be drawing a check for the first time in 3 years.
Friday, October 14, 2005
whew.
long week. when last we spoke, i'd run 400's... tuesday.
Wednesday, an 'urban adventure run'. Head coach clark set it up, I knocked it down.. First place, again. (as an aside, I also dominate vs. teen jeopardy candidates).
Thursday, 4, slow miles, then a 1:20 mtb ride... lot o' work this week...
Today, 800's.
i did 6, w/ 3:00 rest, at 3:00, 2:58, 2:58, 3:01 (not fair, b/c i literally sprinted from bathroom to start line), 2:58, 2:54. For your real athletes out there, the top guys ran them at like... oh, 2:45-2:20 w/ 5 sec. improvements for each one. Also, Varsity 1 ran 7.
The course was on grass, shaped like a shark fin, so it's pretty slow. I'd like another crack at the workout, as i was tired, and ill... but we'll see. Next week is ladders, as we approach districts, and hopefully states.
Then bike ride home, ate some leftovers, drinking the early arrival of Bend's own Deschutes Brewery holiday special Jubelale. Mmm good.
Tommorrow, i'm hoping to sleep late and go for a big (2 plus hour) ride... and maybe watch some football. First non race workout in a while...
Wednesday, an 'urban adventure run'. Head coach clark set it up, I knocked it down.. First place, again. (as an aside, I also dominate vs. teen jeopardy candidates).
Thursday, 4, slow miles, then a 1:20 mtb ride... lot o' work this week...
Today, 800's.
i did 6, w/ 3:00 rest, at 3:00, 2:58, 2:58, 3:01 (not fair, b/c i literally sprinted from bathroom to start line), 2:58, 2:54. For your real athletes out there, the top guys ran them at like... oh, 2:45-2:20 w/ 5 sec. improvements for each one. Also, Varsity 1 ran 7.
The course was on grass, shaped like a shark fin, so it's pretty slow. I'd like another crack at the workout, as i was tired, and ill... but we'll see. Next week is ladders, as we approach districts, and hopefully states.
Then bike ride home, ate some leftovers, drinking the early arrival of Bend's own Deschutes Brewery holiday special Jubelale. Mmm good.
Tommorrow, i'm hoping to sleep late and go for a big (2 plus hour) ride... and maybe watch some football. First non race workout in a while...
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
warm it up...
Where was i... moved this weekend, bought a new bike. A Fisher Cake 3 Deluxe. Suh-weet. New digs are now officially ON THE TRAIL, just as close to work, 4 miles closer to skiing...
So the weekend was a race (boys and girls now top 8 in state, with a bullet), a frisbee carwash, and moving.
Monday a slow (8 minute pace) 5 mile run, Tuesday, 8 x 400's at 82, 87, 84, 82, 80, 80, 79, 74. The slow ones were easy (ish), The last (fastest) hurt. The gap is because I ran the first w/ JV guys, then dropped back to pace the varsity girls. According to theory, I should be able to do them all somewhat faster next week. Funny, it's really, REALLY hard to turn it over right now... the low 80's felt fine, the 75 felt like I was going to die. All intervals even-2 seconds faster on the back 200 m. Re lack of speed, hold the jokes peanut gallery.
Then I biked home, changed bikes, and went for a 10 mile ride on the new bike... awesome.
Little heavier than my rigid bike, but it's so buttery smooth that I think that long rides will be more pleasant. 5" of travel front and back is plush.
Ultimate corner.
Recruiting. Get 2 really popular athletic kids to defect from their sport. Watch gravity work. 16 kids last sunday, 18 kids this sunday. Also, a new team at another school in town.
Good luck at nationals.
New roomate (homeowner) is a world cup snowboarder who does 2x day, hard workouts, eats every meal from a menu for caloric balance, 6 meals per day, etc.
Ultimate players have a long way to go...
So the weekend was a race (boys and girls now top 8 in state, with a bullet), a frisbee carwash, and moving.
Monday a slow (8 minute pace) 5 mile run, Tuesday, 8 x 400's at 82, 87, 84, 82, 80, 80, 79, 74. The slow ones were easy (ish), The last (fastest) hurt. The gap is because I ran the first w/ JV guys, then dropped back to pace the varsity girls. According to theory, I should be able to do them all somewhat faster next week. Funny, it's really, REALLY hard to turn it over right now... the low 80's felt fine, the 75 felt like I was going to die. All intervals even-2 seconds faster on the back 200 m. Re lack of speed, hold the jokes peanut gallery.
Then I biked home, changed bikes, and went for a 10 mile ride on the new bike... awesome.
Little heavier than my rigid bike, but it's so buttery smooth that I think that long rides will be more pleasant. 5" of travel front and back is plush.
Ultimate corner.
Recruiting. Get 2 really popular athletic kids to defect from their sport. Watch gravity work. 16 kids last sunday, 18 kids this sunday. Also, a new team at another school in town.
Good luck at nationals.
New roomate (homeowner) is a world cup snowboarder who does 2x day, hard workouts, eats every meal from a menu for caloric balance, 6 meals per day, etc.
Ultimate players have a long way to go...
Friday, October 07, 2005
drums in the deep...
AJ notes, all quiet in the blogosphere.
it's just like right when that sorry little hobbit drops the rock in the well... (cue balrog)...
AJ's got an innocuous piece saying how swell all the competition is down south, Jim's getting out the vote, ignoring some RSD spew claiming they are going to lose the season to goat. I mean, early in the season, Jim was clammoring for respect. Now, It's locker poster time. Belicheck central. I'm sure the DoG listserv is full of 'no one respects us' emails... but do not want to put up any possible locker fodder of their own. Alex has not posted in months (in cyber time). His hit counts must be dwindling to some morbid few who take grim pleasure in seeing what was once a truly inspired frisbee blog (just tell us about frisbee in the 80's again Al, no one will know). Idris basically bashes teams a little, but he's not playing.
Nationals is coming, and it's quiet. Too quiet.
Sigh. Sure, over on RSD, the Wilmington guys are threatening to beat up some guy, but they are all retired. And waiting to occupy their work day goading some dogooder who bites.
Funny Wilmington story. My first year w/ Sockeye (Not counting the one where they strung me out for 6.5 months before cutting me 3 days before chicago), I think it was the hurricane year... at least it lead to the reorientation of the fields for the next year to allow them to be cross to prevailing winds...
Anyway, we lose a heartbreaker to PDX (lost the flip, no upwinders scored), but faced them again in the all important 9-10 game. Fresh off a goodnights rest, and the ice bath, etc., we arrived at the field for some righteous consolation (what is the html tag for sarcasm).
After avoiding kid hammonds attempt to settle the flip by having me wrestle linkfield, we play portland...
But before the game can begin... PDX cheers...
Hee hee hee haw haw haw
we met your ma and we played pa...
We replied...
na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na
you stupid #^()!&@ (^&+*
segued into...
We hate hate hate your guts guts guts
so just #^() off.
They crumbled. We had learned those from CVH, they were either windy or nyny cheers...
PDX crumbled...
But Wilmington, warming up on the adjacent field, watched in rapt silence, they let out large cheering and applause when we finished...
(Speaking of retreads, that's that's right about when I lost my wallet...)
it's just like right when that sorry little hobbit drops the rock in the well... (cue balrog)...
AJ's got an innocuous piece saying how swell all the competition is down south, Jim's getting out the vote, ignoring some RSD spew claiming they are going to lose the season to goat. I mean, early in the season, Jim was clammoring for respect. Now, It's locker poster time. Belicheck central. I'm sure the DoG listserv is full of 'no one respects us' emails... but do not want to put up any possible locker fodder of their own. Alex has not posted in months (in cyber time). His hit counts must be dwindling to some morbid few who take grim pleasure in seeing what was once a truly inspired frisbee blog (just tell us about frisbee in the 80's again Al, no one will know). Idris basically bashes teams a little, but he's not playing.
Nationals is coming, and it's quiet. Too quiet.
Sigh. Sure, over on RSD, the Wilmington guys are threatening to beat up some guy, but they are all retired. And waiting to occupy their work day goading some dogooder who bites.
Funny Wilmington story. My first year w/ Sockeye (Not counting the one where they strung me out for 6.5 months before cutting me 3 days before chicago), I think it was the hurricane year... at least it lead to the reorientation of the fields for the next year to allow them to be cross to prevailing winds...
Anyway, we lose a heartbreaker to PDX (lost the flip, no upwinders scored), but faced them again in the all important 9-10 game. Fresh off a goodnights rest, and the ice bath, etc., we arrived at the field for some righteous consolation (what is the html tag for sarcasm).
After avoiding kid hammonds attempt to settle the flip by having me wrestle linkfield, we play portland...
But before the game can begin... PDX cheers...
Hee hee hee haw haw haw
we met your ma and we played pa...
We replied...
na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na
you stupid #^()!&@ (^&+*
segued into...
We hate hate hate your guts guts guts
so just #^() off.
They crumbled. We had learned those from CVH, they were either windy or nyny cheers...
PDX crumbled...
But Wilmington, warming up on the adjacent field, watched in rapt silence, they let out large cheering and applause when we finished...
(Speaking of retreads, that's that's right about when I lost my wallet...)
Monday, October 03, 2005
week that was...
Wednesday, a nuthin' day... workout wise. Helped out at a local youth run... like from 8th down to 1st and 2nd grade...
Thursday... 1000's. Great googly moogly. 3:42, 3:49, 3:49, 3:49, 3:34. 2, 2:15 recovery. NOT feeling my oats. The course was a chip trail, meanders a little up and down, w/ a few s-turns. Length... head coach thinks it's 1000, I think it's a little long, by like 50 or 100m.
Friday, easy 4.3 mile run at 8:00 pace... 3 x high knees / butt kicks, and 4 x 60 striders...
Sat, found a new place to live, little closer to skiing, mt. biking (literally ON a trail), same distance from school, a tad farther to groceries, and a lot farther from downtown (4 miles, as opposed to in town)... Also spent some time trying to find out what was what w/ Regionals action...
Sunday, worked a little, moved 75% of my stuff (3 truckloads), and played ultimate. 16 kids showed up, as did Aaron Talbot. I don't think most totally new players get their first ultimate experience like these kids did. (poaching, hucking, etc.). They seemed to have fun... Rainy and cool, a real treat for here...
Today, 1000's part deux. 2 K warmup, then drills and strides...
Better, 3:41, 3:38, 3:38, 3:40, 3:30. At the very least, I need to knock #3 down to 3:35, and 4 down to 3:33. It's mainly mental. They just, well, suck. The 3:30 is either an 84 sec 400 pace or a 5:28 mile. I read you add 4 seconds per 400 meters of distance... which would make it a 74 sec 400 or a 5:34 mile, or just 18: high. Probably can't hit any... But I'll get my chance... I'd like to be running faster, but with only a couple weeks left in the season (well, not MY season), It is what it is... Unfortunately, we ran them on a different course last year, so I have no reference... i.e., I can't remember my times...
A coaching moment: Richard the Slovak exchange student had been running around 4:00, told him to gas it out of the corners, stop looking at his watch, and dig deep, knocked 30 seconds from interval 4 to 5. Little grommet passed me at the kick... I hedged him off the trail a little at the next to last turn... but he stayed with me, and when he passed me, well, I didn't have the heart to run him into the tree.
I'm practically a saint.
Thursday... 1000's. Great googly moogly. 3:42, 3:49, 3:49, 3:49, 3:34. 2, 2:15 recovery. NOT feeling my oats. The course was a chip trail, meanders a little up and down, w/ a few s-turns. Length... head coach thinks it's 1000, I think it's a little long, by like 50 or 100m.
Friday, easy 4.3 mile run at 8:00 pace... 3 x high knees / butt kicks, and 4 x 60 striders...
Sat, found a new place to live, little closer to skiing, mt. biking (literally ON a trail), same distance from school, a tad farther to groceries, and a lot farther from downtown (4 miles, as opposed to in town)... Also spent some time trying to find out what was what w/ Regionals action...
Sunday, worked a little, moved 75% of my stuff (3 truckloads), and played ultimate. 16 kids showed up, as did Aaron Talbot. I don't think most totally new players get their first ultimate experience like these kids did. (poaching, hucking, etc.). They seemed to have fun... Rainy and cool, a real treat for here...
Today, 1000's part deux. 2 K warmup, then drills and strides...
Better, 3:41, 3:38, 3:38, 3:40, 3:30. At the very least, I need to knock #3 down to 3:35, and 4 down to 3:33. It's mainly mental. They just, well, suck. The 3:30 is either an 84 sec 400 pace or a 5:28 mile. I read you add 4 seconds per 400 meters of distance... which would make it a 74 sec 400 or a 5:34 mile, or just 18: high. Probably can't hit any... But I'll get my chance... I'd like to be running faster, but with only a couple weeks left in the season (well, not MY season), It is what it is... Unfortunately, we ran them on a different course last year, so I have no reference... i.e., I can't remember my times...
A coaching moment: Richard the Slovak exchange student had been running around 4:00, told him to gas it out of the corners, stop looking at his watch, and dig deep, knocked 30 seconds from interval 4 to 5. Little grommet passed me at the kick... I hedged him off the trail a little at the next to last turn... but he stayed with me, and when he passed me, well, I didn't have the heart to run him into the tree.
I'm practically a saint.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
further adventures of the albino rhino...
today, hill repeats. I only did 3 (4:00, 3:45, 3:35 w/ about 3/4 mile run there and back. Nice short workout. I was a little tired from yesterday, and sunday, and saturday, and friday... but tommorrow is seriously easy, then the 1000m repeats. For anyone out there monitoring life in the nerdery, heartrate (calculated from 10 second count, I left the strap at home) was 156, 162, 168. I should go to the trouble to figure out what 10 second counts, 6 second counts etc. 'really' mean using the monitor... 2 minutes recovery between each one (there is a nice short steep trail connecting this long winding hill), usually down around 100 then... Like 60 now... I should have done 4, but i was tired.
ulticorner.
The common thread among ALL good ultimate players is that when they first learned to play, they were totally content w/ a limited role, often defense and goal scoring, because winning is no vice.
In contrast BAD ultimate players are fixated on learning, and teaching, this phony, let everyone touch it, get a hack, etc.
discuss.
No Alex, this is not an attempt to call you a co-ed player.
ulticorner.
The common thread among ALL good ultimate players is that when they first learned to play, they were totally content w/ a limited role, often defense and goal scoring, because winning is no vice.
In contrast BAD ultimate players are fixated on learning, and teaching, this phony, let everyone touch it, get a hack, etc.
discuss.
No Alex, this is not an attempt to call you a co-ed player.
Monday, September 26, 2005
aaaaaarrrrrrrrtggggggghhhh!!!
WOW. I just woke up from this terrible dream. Billy Berrou was posting over at Jim's place, repeatedly. And Alex (actually, in a comment somewhere) was saying that he wasn't into hucking anymore. And Idris, Idris was playing co-ed.
That was some dream, aunty-em...
Most importantly, I think I just won the '5 dollar ace pot' as the first blogonaut to get an R.S.D. plug. I'm suprised that dartmouth guy (of whom, from the underwhelming linkage he's getting from the tea party, i can only assume should be called he-who-shall-not-be-named) did not think of it first... today, for probably the first time, my hits appear to have surpassed Jim's.
A small victory, but living here in the hinterlands, I'll take it.
I'm a big fan of Idris' new metablog, but it seems pretty clear that there will be a bit of a rush to top post for a while...
In the meantime, I'll stick to our usual format, a brief description of the minutiae that makes up my life, followed by an ultimate topic (brief) for those purists out there...
Thursday (9/22) a 4.3 mile run, 7:20 pace, then home.
Friday, a long bus ride to the coast, 3 mile run on the beach, some pick-ups, then 1 hour of soft sand ultimate. Saturday a huge race, results over at the school's home page (summitxc.com), girls won their division, boys came in 3rd. But more of a fun event (or else we wouldn't have played beach ultimate for an hour).
Saturday, I snuck in a 7 mile run, timing it to just come over and high-5 the kids at the start line... then a massive bus ride home. Ate a footlong quizno's and a pint of ice cream (haagen das) and played some travel scrabble and a card game called Fluxx.
Sunday, up at 7, and helped marshal a race (team fundraiser), then ended up playing low key ultimate for 3 hours. (got HARD for 40 minutes of mini)...
Today, walked to work, steady day at work, then 6 miles at 7:50 pace. Tommorrow, hills.
now, gather round. It's time for ultimate corner. Today in ultimate corner, some proposition bets for nationals.
even money.
1) Chain will not have how ever many 11teen dunking players that kid has promised, despite being a top contender in BDA's. See AJ's blog for details.
2) Boston will beat some big play team handily, Alex will become mildly inebriated.
3) West 1,2, and 3 will all be in the semis, unless they knock each other off.
4) Next year, west 4 will again drop the ball.
5) That's enuff ulticorner. Got to split.
That was some dream, aunty-em...
Most importantly, I think I just won the '5 dollar ace pot' as the first blogonaut to get an R.S.D. plug. I'm suprised that dartmouth guy (of whom, from the underwhelming linkage he's getting from the tea party, i can only assume should be called he-who-shall-not-be-named) did not think of it first... today, for probably the first time, my hits appear to have surpassed Jim's.
A small victory, but living here in the hinterlands, I'll take it.
I'm a big fan of Idris' new metablog, but it seems pretty clear that there will be a bit of a rush to top post for a while...
In the meantime, I'll stick to our usual format, a brief description of the minutiae that makes up my life, followed by an ultimate topic (brief) for those purists out there...
Thursday (9/22) a 4.3 mile run, 7:20 pace, then home.
Friday, a long bus ride to the coast, 3 mile run on the beach, some pick-ups, then 1 hour of soft sand ultimate. Saturday a huge race, results over at the school's home page (summitxc.com), girls won their division, boys came in 3rd. But more of a fun event (or else we wouldn't have played beach ultimate for an hour).
Saturday, I snuck in a 7 mile run, timing it to just come over and high-5 the kids at the start line... then a massive bus ride home. Ate a footlong quizno's and a pint of ice cream (haagen das) and played some travel scrabble and a card game called Fluxx.
Sunday, up at 7, and helped marshal a race (team fundraiser), then ended up playing low key ultimate for 3 hours. (got HARD for 40 minutes of mini)...
Today, walked to work, steady day at work, then 6 miles at 7:50 pace. Tommorrow, hills.
now, gather round. It's time for ultimate corner. Today in ultimate corner, some proposition bets for nationals.
even money.
1) Chain will not have how ever many 11teen dunking players that kid has promised, despite being a top contender in BDA's. See AJ's blog for details.
2) Boston will beat some big play team handily, Alex will become mildly inebriated.
3) West 1,2, and 3 will all be in the semis, unless they knock each other off.
4) Next year, west 4 will again drop the ball.
5) That's enuff ulticorner. Got to split.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
doh!
well, this relates to frisbee very obliquely. In response to one of Jim's posts about track (he had felt lsess than sparky), I trotted out response 1a for any kid complaining of aches and pains.
Get new shoes.
Well, yesterday p.m., suprisingly sore, and also this a.m. I arrived at school and realized that I'd worn the wrong pair of Adidas Supernovas. That explains the foot pain, etc. It also explains my times. I'm confident I'd have run 20-30 seconds faster per mile.
At least.
Ahem.
Next week, 1000's, and i'll throw in some heart rate numbers so you can laugh at my weakness.
I assume High, and modest recovery.
We had 2 minutes recovery for the miles, I don't know what the 1000 recovery time will be.
Last night went home early. Shopped for bikes, I'm thinking I'll score a deal when the demos go on sale, got home at 8:00 p.m....
Nice walk to work (3 miles) took 1 (lg) cup o' coffee, and got in some quality thinking.
Get new shoes.
Well, yesterday p.m., suprisingly sore, and also this a.m. I arrived at school and realized that I'd worn the wrong pair of Adidas Supernovas. That explains the foot pain, etc. It also explains my times. I'm confident I'd have run 20-30 seconds faster per mile.
At least.
Ahem.
Next week, 1000's, and i'll throw in some heart rate numbers so you can laugh at my weakness.
I assume High, and modest recovery.
We had 2 minutes recovery for the miles, I don't know what the 1000 recovery time will be.
Last night went home early. Shopped for bikes, I'm thinking I'll score a deal when the demos go on sale, got home at 8:00 p.m....
Nice walk to work (3 miles) took 1 (lg) cup o' coffee, and got in some quality thinking.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
just pooped.
I'll follow up the discussion of my past few days with an obligatory 'frisbee' post for those of you keeping score over at Idris' new http://www.ultimatetalk.com, the latest greatest in frisbee. It's like a metablog. Jesus, I'm a nerd, and all my friends are nerds.
don't deny it. (save yourself the 'what friends post'.)
Anyway, lite week... (i'm going with a 7 day week, since i've been off the air waves). Last thursday at a school sponsored raise money for the hurricane (32K) i did 6 x 7:20. Friday, was just a 6 x 8 minute miles. Saturday and Sunday were race, and sleep. (and at the races, I coach/ play inane walky talky pranks on the other coaches). So rest days. Monday, 6.5 x 8, then tuesday 6 x 8 min (yes repetetive, but I've not had time to leave campus for the longer runs up in the mountains... more to follow), then today, mile repeats, (warmup, then 3 at 6:15, :18, :05). Not so hot, but ya know...
The team: Boys currently #10 in state (polls), girls #7. The guys will move up. The girls might. Our #1 guy ran 5 intervals today, the last were 4:48 and 4:42, I think. Top freshman, 2nd race, 16:40. So, we'll see.
The week: Hellish. 6am-9pm, last night, then 2 hours work at home. Tues, til 9. Monday, til 9. Sunday no work. Saturday, 12 plus hours for a bus ride. And got back to find my bike stolen. To be fair, I thought my ipod was stolen, and then found it in a shoe 3 months later. So although I've told the cops, I'll keep my eyes open, check shoes, etc. Brand new pedals, too.
Anyway, long hours, tons of work, no time to eat... i'm bushed.
I'm going to skate out, and just let the chips fall where they may tommorrow (i mean, i got some stuff to do, just not the brilliant lesson plan i really like to bring to the table). That is, it's a potluck, and I'm going KFC. It's safe, it's not like i'm coming empty handed, but It's not like i brought the beer.
Although I guess that's a bad analogy for a high school teacher talking about lesson plans.
OK, FRISBEE CORNER.
Longevity, Training, Winning. Wow. This deserves a lot of time. But I think.
1) Old people quit because
a) They don't have the energy. They don't have time or whatever to train. I think Doo helped keep some of the boston guys going. He also helped me get Dylan back after a cheap shot. Classy.
b) They don't like young guys game style. The last thing an old guy wants is to play 'the big open high turnover game.' Yes, chicks dig the long ball. Go have fun at potlatch. My point? As each old guy is replaced by a younger guy, a team's game becomes more and more wide open, more turnover prone... etc.
it's like Elway reportedly said (see ESPN Page 2 for more), for old quarterbacks, by the time the game is starting to slow down for them because of head, the body is letting them down...
The next question is... what is old. The answer is, I'm not sure, but I know it's older than me. By a lot.
Tommorrow, easy 4-6 mile run and weights (me, i'm starting to train for skiing now), and friday depart for a 'fun' race (no, i don't run it, it's still a HS race).
That's all from Frisbee corner... I might edit it and see the refresh capabillities. Now that the blogosphere has a 'top posting' aspect. I wonder... How long until Idris has to moderate? Is there a 'b-blogosphere' around that we don't know about? Where did my bike go?
ps.
2) There is no 2.
don't deny it. (save yourself the 'what friends post'.)
Anyway, lite week... (i'm going with a 7 day week, since i've been off the air waves). Last thursday at a school sponsored raise money for the hurricane (32K) i did 6 x 7:20. Friday, was just a 6 x 8 minute miles. Saturday and Sunday were race, and sleep. (and at the races, I coach/ play inane walky talky pranks on the other coaches). So rest days. Monday, 6.5 x 8, then tuesday 6 x 8 min (yes repetetive, but I've not had time to leave campus for the longer runs up in the mountains... more to follow), then today, mile repeats, (warmup, then 3 at 6:15, :18, :05). Not so hot, but ya know...
The team: Boys currently #10 in state (polls), girls #7. The guys will move up. The girls might. Our #1 guy ran 5 intervals today, the last were 4:48 and 4:42, I think. Top freshman, 2nd race, 16:40. So, we'll see.
The week: Hellish. 6am-9pm, last night, then 2 hours work at home. Tues, til 9. Monday, til 9. Sunday no work. Saturday, 12 plus hours for a bus ride. And got back to find my bike stolen. To be fair, I thought my ipod was stolen, and then found it in a shoe 3 months later. So although I've told the cops, I'll keep my eyes open, check shoes, etc. Brand new pedals, too.
Anyway, long hours, tons of work, no time to eat... i'm bushed.
I'm going to skate out, and just let the chips fall where they may tommorrow (i mean, i got some stuff to do, just not the brilliant lesson plan i really like to bring to the table). That is, it's a potluck, and I'm going KFC. It's safe, it's not like i'm coming empty handed, but It's not like i brought the beer.
Although I guess that's a bad analogy for a high school teacher talking about lesson plans.
OK, FRISBEE CORNER.
Longevity, Training, Winning. Wow. This deserves a lot of time. But I think.
1) Old people quit because
a) They don't have the energy. They don't have time or whatever to train. I think Doo helped keep some of the boston guys going. He also helped me get Dylan back after a cheap shot. Classy.
b) They don't like young guys game style. The last thing an old guy wants is to play 'the big open high turnover game.' Yes, chicks dig the long ball. Go have fun at potlatch. My point? As each old guy is replaced by a younger guy, a team's game becomes more and more wide open, more turnover prone... etc.
it's like Elway reportedly said (see ESPN Page 2 for more), for old quarterbacks, by the time the game is starting to slow down for them because of head, the body is letting them down...
The next question is... what is old. The answer is, I'm not sure, but I know it's older than me. By a lot.
Tommorrow, easy 4-6 mile run and weights (me, i'm starting to train for skiing now), and friday depart for a 'fun' race (no, i don't run it, it's still a HS race).
That's all from Frisbee corner... I might edit it and see the refresh capabillities. Now that the blogosphere has a 'top posting' aspect. I wonder... How long until Idris has to moderate? Is there a 'b-blogosphere' around that we don't know about? Where did my bike go?
ps.
2) There is no 2.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
whupped...
i'm just plain tuckered out. Sectionals was not so bad, except for playing 70 - 80 points of ultimate in a day. Probably should have rested up or gone reaaaaallllllly easy for a few days, but didn't so ended up wrenching my left hammy a little (just hurts, doesn't seem to slow me down from doing the kind of running i'll be doing for a while)...
School is 'full on.' It's at least a couple hours of extra work a day, plus coaching, plus, as is the case yesterday, 7 hours on the bus to take the JV2 runners over to Hood River for a race. The Highlight for me, the 2 mile round trip run into town when we stopped for food so that i could eat 'Taco Del Mar' instead of mcFood... Although I do like a little McBreakfast now and again.
I digress. As usual. Some highlights of the week. Tuesday night, I was here late preparing for wednesday's absence. Biking home around 9:00, I saw a sweet shooting star directly above/in front of me... really spectacular, bright long trail, dramatic... and then i hit this ditch filled with gravel... i did not eat it, because i was not turning, but it struck me as a cosmic three stooges moment... diversion, and the trap...
Wednesday a student reported seeing coyotes (6) on the bus ride near school... i do know the said student boards the bus near my address, so he would have seen these animals within a couple miles of school...
Now, in response to Jim's comment that my blog is purely personal, I present ultimate corner. Deep in the cozy book and paper strewn world that is lukes brain, over in the corner, under those old bills i need to look over, (no the other pile), there, there is ultimate corner.
Revisiting flipping.
First half breaks are more valuable. Assuming a mirrored half, If you receive to start the game (team A), and swap goals you win 15-14. We all know that. But if 'team B' breaks in the 1st half, and A DOESN'T GET IT BACK IN THE FIRST HALF, Team B takes the first half 8-7. In the 2nd half, A needs 2 breaks to win. So a 1st half break is more valuable. Jim, Alex, quantify.
What's the point? I guess you should really decide if your 'o' guys are slow starters. And maybe you should inform your team of the value of a fast start.
There.
Frisbee talk.
School is 'full on.' It's at least a couple hours of extra work a day, plus coaching, plus, as is the case yesterday, 7 hours on the bus to take the JV2 runners over to Hood River for a race. The Highlight for me, the 2 mile round trip run into town when we stopped for food so that i could eat 'Taco Del Mar' instead of mcFood... Although I do like a little McBreakfast now and again.
I digress. As usual. Some highlights of the week. Tuesday night, I was here late preparing for wednesday's absence. Biking home around 9:00, I saw a sweet shooting star directly above/in front of me... really spectacular, bright long trail, dramatic... and then i hit this ditch filled with gravel... i did not eat it, because i was not turning, but it struck me as a cosmic three stooges moment... diversion, and the trap...
Wednesday a student reported seeing coyotes (6) on the bus ride near school... i do know the said student boards the bus near my address, so he would have seen these animals within a couple miles of school...
Now, in response to Jim's comment that my blog is purely personal, I present ultimate corner. Deep in the cozy book and paper strewn world that is lukes brain, over in the corner, under those old bills i need to look over, (no the other pile), there, there is ultimate corner.
Revisiting flipping.
First half breaks are more valuable. Assuming a mirrored half, If you receive to start the game (team A), and swap goals you win 15-14. We all know that. But if 'team B' breaks in the 1st half, and A DOESN'T GET IT BACK IN THE FIRST HALF, Team B takes the first half 8-7. In the 2nd half, A needs 2 breaks to win. So a 1st half break is more valuable. Jim, Alex, quantify.
What's the point? I guess you should really decide if your 'o' guys are slow starters. And maybe you should inform your team of the value of a fast start.
There.
Frisbee talk.
Monday, September 12, 2005
nothin' shaking.
gettin' my hill run on...
now, why they didn't have cameras at sectionals is beyond me...
more to follow. need to go read some exciting stuff about the framing of the constitution...
went with a skeleton crew, ran out of gas after about 30 points. Then played about 40 something more. I should have
a) tapered
b) gotten more players
c) uh... stayed home?
Next year i'm rounding up some more ringers.
now, why they didn't have cameras at sectionals is beyond me...
more to follow. need to go read some exciting stuff about the framing of the constitution...
went with a skeleton crew, ran out of gas after about 30 points. Then played about 40 something more. I should have
a) tapered
b) gotten more players
c) uh... stayed home?
Next year i'm rounding up some more ringers.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Prognostication.
Preseason Write Up
Luke Smith.
Well, technically it’s not the preseason. Sectionals tournaments start immediately, rosters are set, and everyone is asking, who can knock off the Fish. I’ve been asked to put my extensive knowledge of various teams to work… to prognosticate, elaborate, educate, elucidate, annotate, illustrate, just whatever – ate the crap out of this thing.
So I’ve been working diligently looking at rosters, perusing rec.sport.disc, talking on the phone, looking at websites, and demonstrating the great research skills that have made me the master of job shirking.
I’ve realized a few things.
1) I don’t have any idea about what’s going on in ultimate these days, unless I read it on Jim Parinella or Alex DeFrondeville’s blog.
2) I didn’t realize that I was getting old until I started noticing the Ages of Frisbee players. If you were 35, you’d be an old man in this game. So, in 8 years, by that logic, I’ll be an old man in this game.
So, as a result, what follows will entail more fabricating, prevaricating, exaggerating, and generally just lying.
With no further ado, by region…
NorthEast.
1) Boston. On the blogs, at least, they still maintain a lock on e-frisbee. Their website sucks, in the sense that it’s like 4 years old. I guess it’s sort of a requirement that you stop updating it after you stop winning. I mean, If I were DoG, I’d sortof rather not dwell on the series of quarterfinals since the late 90’s…
2) Twisted Metal. Dying to dwell on a series of quarterfinal appearances. The up and comers. I don’t really know much about them, because I haven’t found their website... Ahh there it is… I assume they are made up of a bunch of young dudes who are frustrated because they don’t get to even try out for DoG’s offense, because those guys only show up in August. And then they don’t SHOW UP until October. Twisted Metal Team members are probably playing an average of 14 tournaments a year, and dominating Boston Corporate. Website is decent, and they have a few players that I know. Probably the future of Boston Ultimate… Like Snapple, but with a better logo.
3) Goat. I thought Goat was going to tear a new one in Northeast Ultimate. Sigh. Seems like the whole ‘we got a bunch of cheaters trying to play college ultimate’ thing sort of let the steam out of them. Seriously, a solid website, and they did knock off Metal at Easterns. I’m sure that if they win they will be classy about it, but some jackass on R.S.D. will go right back to the ‘tear a new one in US Ultimate’ well. Along with a ‘give us back our national sports franchises, eh?’
Mid-Atlantic.
1) Ring. They are simply the longest running solid program out east after dog. And Solid requires quarter/semi/final appearances. They’ve dallied with it for the past 10 years or so, and have been generally good longer than that. Their web presence is minimal. This seems to be a common thread of southern Teams. No geek presence. I can only assume (from years of research) that it is do to pig picking, or beer drinking, or both. Also, I think Ring keeps a pretty good job keeping the Dukies out. Therefore, no webery.
2) Pike. No Brainer. They can’t beat Ring (thus far) but they had a break out year at nationals, and have been solid thus far. Seem to have the pig’s number. Or Chesapeake. Or anodyne. What the heck do those guys call themselves now? Anyway, Seem like they have a good shot at making the show.
3) Chesapeake. Anodyne. The Pig. Potomac. Spell it anyway you want, it’s probably the worm. Google shows nothing on the web. And I don’t go to tournaments much now. So hell if I know. Seems that Pike has swiped a couple players… so… third.
The South
1) Chain Lightning. Seems like their year. They apparently have 9 guys that can dunk. I say, bring a portable goal to nationals, and make them put their money on the table. Their web presence is a joke. Although AJ has a blog. They can’t get over the Ring thing… but they always lose by one. I guess that’s better than the alternative. I guess. My #2 sentimental favorite. By sentimental, I mean I have a decent collection of old chain jerseys. Although one year they were accidentally Chain LIGHTING. And another year, we got these kick ass soccer jerseys. And got nothing printed on them. Ahh, the good old days.
2) Doublewide. Always athletic, but I just don’t see them getting past chain. Nice upset over DoG (according to UPA site) but taken out to woodshed by Bravo at the same tournament… So, talented enough to pull an upset, but not consistent enough to run the table. Again, that Southern inability to post a website. Got to hurt them in the rankings.
3) Tampa Bulge. Jimmy Price has at least got them playing ball. I don’t know if they’ve co-opted the Miami and Gainesville players under 40 something. They won’t get out of the region, but at least they haven’t all gone to play co-ed.
4) Pfft. Effin’ co-ed.
Mid-West.
1) Uh, subzero? I think they are like Carleton. But with some former Madison guys. They are always pretty good. But, uh, you know, I just don’t… have… any… idea.
2) Big Asstruck? Uh, Help me out people. Ann Arbor, right? Big school, college town, lots of Frisbee…
3) Machine. I think Eric Zaslow is still playing. I played against a machine – ish team at Solstice. I don’t think that they were the whole deal…
Midwest. I mean, come on guys, you got to go along to get along. Or something. I mean, just a LITTLE web presence. I’ll work with you. Really.
Southwest
1) Condors. Johnny Bravo. Condors. Johnny Bravo. Condors. I’m going Condors. I THINK Bravo was missing worlds munchin extraordinaire will ‘wolf boy’ deaver and beau kittridge at Labor day. And they’ve been on a run the past few years. But, I mean, even though the Condors are young, and Adam Glimme apparently did some kind of ‘chicken dance’ after scoring a goal.. My vote comes down to the all important world wide web. Condors, new look website…. And JB…
2) Johnny Bravo. See above.
3) Uhh, are there 3 teams in the southwest? Just kidding.
No, I mean, for real?
The Northwest. Cue the darthvader music.
1) Sockeye. Ok, they lost a game at Labor Day. And, part of their team (the tall-er-est part) is all tuckered out from the worlds games. And yes, they are full of Carleton players, and Carleton Sucks. Although one of the kids I coached is going to Carleton, so I kind of have to rethink that. But it’s hard. It’s like if General Motors came out with a totally kick ass car, that got 65 miles to the gallon, drove like a cross between a Porsche and a SUV, and didn’t suck in the 100 other ways that a GM car can suck, I’d still be, like, man, GM cars suck. Anyway, sockeye, talent as always, and now experience. And, a personal favorite, since I still have some really really smelly jerseys kicking around (boy, when polypro dies…at least most of my old jerseys were cotton. They just rot). Man, what was I thinking, I mean, I gave up practices w/ younger fasterer betterer players, for 6 months a year, to ski 80 days a year? Would I have traded it for a shot at the title? Ah, who am I kidding. I’d have been off the team faster than you can say ‘Survivor: Elliot Bay.’ And I don’t think I ever made a spring practice. The website rocks.
2) Jam. They’ve struggled to find their identity this year. I imagine the early season practices involved a lot of confusion without Idris and Damien pushing everyone out of the way for the dump cut. Used to have a good web-site, albeit, kind of strange in an Idris-ish manner. Now, not so good. Beat Sockeye in Semis at Labor day, PROBABLY won’t do it later.
3) Furious. The monkey seems relaxed this year. And by relaxed I mean cheech and chong relaxed. Not that the actual players seem Cheech and Chong relaxed, but, well, you know what I mean. Oh, you don’t? well try some of this… Seriously though these guys always seem to gear up late in the year, and on Sundays. So, all is not lost.
4) And 5) and Whatever. Portland, Kaos, maybe even MF United (Came in 5th last year). I only mention it, because these teams are always good enough to get a win. Probably not good enough to take the 3rd seed, but good enough to make it interesting…
So what does this leave us with.
Sockeye to win it.
Quarterfinalist Teams.
All three NW teams
Both SW Teams
Chain
Boston
Ring
Teams to watch, who are most likely to put their final placing in my face.
Pike
Twisted
Doublewide.
Sorry Midwest. Nothing personal. I’m easily impressed by video and the internet.
Luke Smith.
Well, technically it’s not the preseason. Sectionals tournaments start immediately, rosters are set, and everyone is asking, who can knock off the Fish. I’ve been asked to put my extensive knowledge of various teams to work… to prognosticate, elaborate, educate, elucidate, annotate, illustrate, just whatever – ate the crap out of this thing.
So I’ve been working diligently looking at rosters, perusing rec.sport.disc, talking on the phone, looking at websites, and demonstrating the great research skills that have made me the master of job shirking.
I’ve realized a few things.
1) I don’t have any idea about what’s going on in ultimate these days, unless I read it on Jim Parinella or Alex DeFrondeville’s blog.
2) I didn’t realize that I was getting old until I started noticing the Ages of Frisbee players. If you were 35, you’d be an old man in this game. So, in 8 years, by that logic, I’ll be an old man in this game.
So, as a result, what follows will entail more fabricating, prevaricating, exaggerating, and generally just lying.
With no further ado, by region…
NorthEast.
1) Boston. On the blogs, at least, they still maintain a lock on e-frisbee. Their website sucks, in the sense that it’s like 4 years old. I guess it’s sort of a requirement that you stop updating it after you stop winning. I mean, If I were DoG, I’d sortof rather not dwell on the series of quarterfinals since the late 90’s…
2) Twisted Metal. Dying to dwell on a series of quarterfinal appearances. The up and comers. I don’t really know much about them, because I haven’t found their website... Ahh there it is… I assume they are made up of a bunch of young dudes who are frustrated because they don’t get to even try out for DoG’s offense, because those guys only show up in August. And then they don’t SHOW UP until October. Twisted Metal Team members are probably playing an average of 14 tournaments a year, and dominating Boston Corporate. Website is decent, and they have a few players that I know. Probably the future of Boston Ultimate… Like Snapple, but with a better logo.
3) Goat. I thought Goat was going to tear a new one in Northeast Ultimate. Sigh. Seems like the whole ‘we got a bunch of cheaters trying to play college ultimate’ thing sort of let the steam out of them. Seriously, a solid website, and they did knock off Metal at Easterns. I’m sure that if they win they will be classy about it, but some jackass on R.S.D. will go right back to the ‘tear a new one in US Ultimate’ well. Along with a ‘give us back our national sports franchises, eh?’
Mid-Atlantic.
1) Ring. They are simply the longest running solid program out east after dog. And Solid requires quarter/semi/final appearances. They’ve dallied with it for the past 10 years or so, and have been generally good longer than that. Their web presence is minimal. This seems to be a common thread of southern Teams. No geek presence. I can only assume (from years of research) that it is do to pig picking, or beer drinking, or both. Also, I think Ring keeps a pretty good job keeping the Dukies out. Therefore, no webery.
2) Pike. No Brainer. They can’t beat Ring (thus far) but they had a break out year at nationals, and have been solid thus far. Seem to have the pig’s number. Or Chesapeake. Or anodyne. What the heck do those guys call themselves now? Anyway, Seem like they have a good shot at making the show.
3) Chesapeake. Anodyne. The Pig. Potomac. Spell it anyway you want, it’s probably the worm. Google shows nothing on the web. And I don’t go to tournaments much now. So hell if I know. Seems that Pike has swiped a couple players… so… third.
The South
1) Chain Lightning. Seems like their year. They apparently have 9 guys that can dunk. I say, bring a portable goal to nationals, and make them put their money on the table. Their web presence is a joke. Although AJ has a blog. They can’t get over the Ring thing… but they always lose by one. I guess that’s better than the alternative. I guess. My #2 sentimental favorite. By sentimental, I mean I have a decent collection of old chain jerseys. Although one year they were accidentally Chain LIGHTING. And another year, we got these kick ass soccer jerseys. And got nothing printed on them. Ahh, the good old days.
2) Doublewide. Always athletic, but I just don’t see them getting past chain. Nice upset over DoG (according to UPA site) but taken out to woodshed by Bravo at the same tournament… So, talented enough to pull an upset, but not consistent enough to run the table. Again, that Southern inability to post a website. Got to hurt them in the rankings.
3) Tampa Bulge. Jimmy Price has at least got them playing ball. I don’t know if they’ve co-opted the Miami and Gainesville players under 40 something. They won’t get out of the region, but at least they haven’t all gone to play co-ed.
4) Pfft. Effin’ co-ed.
Mid-West.
1) Uh, subzero? I think they are like Carleton. But with some former Madison guys. They are always pretty good. But, uh, you know, I just don’t… have… any… idea.
2) Big Asstruck? Uh, Help me out people. Ann Arbor, right? Big school, college town, lots of Frisbee…
3) Machine. I think Eric Zaslow is still playing. I played against a machine – ish team at Solstice. I don’t think that they were the whole deal…
Midwest. I mean, come on guys, you got to go along to get along. Or something. I mean, just a LITTLE web presence. I’ll work with you. Really.
Southwest
1) Condors. Johnny Bravo. Condors. Johnny Bravo. Condors. I’m going Condors. I THINK Bravo was missing worlds munchin extraordinaire will ‘wolf boy’ deaver and beau kittridge at Labor day. And they’ve been on a run the past few years. But, I mean, even though the Condors are young, and Adam Glimme apparently did some kind of ‘chicken dance’ after scoring a goal.. My vote comes down to the all important world wide web. Condors, new look website…. And JB…
2) Johnny Bravo. See above.
3) Uhh, are there 3 teams in the southwest? Just kidding.
No, I mean, for real?
The Northwest. Cue the darthvader music.
1) Sockeye. Ok, they lost a game at Labor Day. And, part of their team (the tall-er-est part) is all tuckered out from the worlds games. And yes, they are full of Carleton players, and Carleton Sucks. Although one of the kids I coached is going to Carleton, so I kind of have to rethink that. But it’s hard. It’s like if General Motors came out with a totally kick ass car, that got 65 miles to the gallon, drove like a cross between a Porsche and a SUV, and didn’t suck in the 100 other ways that a GM car can suck, I’d still be, like, man, GM cars suck. Anyway, sockeye, talent as always, and now experience. And, a personal favorite, since I still have some really really smelly jerseys kicking around (boy, when polypro dies…at least most of my old jerseys were cotton. They just rot). Man, what was I thinking, I mean, I gave up practices w/ younger fasterer betterer players, for 6 months a year, to ski 80 days a year? Would I have traded it for a shot at the title? Ah, who am I kidding. I’d have been off the team faster than you can say ‘Survivor: Elliot Bay.’ And I don’t think I ever made a spring practice. The website rocks.
2) Jam. They’ve struggled to find their identity this year. I imagine the early season practices involved a lot of confusion without Idris and Damien pushing everyone out of the way for the dump cut. Used to have a good web-site, albeit, kind of strange in an Idris-ish manner. Now, not so good. Beat Sockeye in Semis at Labor day, PROBABLY won’t do it later.
3) Furious. The monkey seems relaxed this year. And by relaxed I mean cheech and chong relaxed. Not that the actual players seem Cheech and Chong relaxed, but, well, you know what I mean. Oh, you don’t? well try some of this… Seriously though these guys always seem to gear up late in the year, and on Sundays. So, all is not lost.
4) And 5) and Whatever. Portland, Kaos, maybe even MF United (Came in 5th last year). I only mention it, because these teams are always good enough to get a win. Probably not good enough to take the 3rd seed, but good enough to make it interesting…
So what does this leave us with.
Sockeye to win it.
Quarterfinalist Teams.
All three NW teams
Both SW Teams
Chain
Boston
Ring
Teams to watch, who are most likely to put their final placing in my face.
Pike
Twisted
Doublewide.
Sorry Midwest. Nothing personal. I’m easily impressed by video and the internet.
Monday, September 05, 2005
just a day.
labor day just finished up. no good write ups. so I made up my own. it will be in the next UPA newsletter. I might put my own, linked version here in a couple days.
just found out I have 49 kids in my US History Class. That's a lot. Sigh.
I'm ALMOST basically ready to go for Wednesday. Tommorrow is kind of a nothing day, just a few minutes in class w/ the freshmen, who are on orientation.
7.5 miles this morning, 54 minutes, then wrote some lecture notes, typed up some projects, surfed.
just found out I have 49 kids in my US History Class. That's a lot. Sigh.
I'm ALMOST basically ready to go for Wednesday. Tommorrow is kind of a nothing day, just a few minutes in class w/ the freshmen, who are on orientation.
7.5 miles this morning, 54 minutes, then wrote some lecture notes, typed up some projects, surfed.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
killin time
Listening to the Black Eyed Peas, and killing time before the Teacher's meeting. 4 hours that could better be spent lesson planning. Oh well. A reality of any job with a boss is management meetings.
Goals for the day:
Finish off my US History Curriculum (for next few weeks, at least)
Start Religions of World Curriculum (see above)
Kick High School Butt in mini.
While yelling ridiculous things like "THIS IS MY LABOR DAY THIS IS MY LABOR DAY"
'Relevant Reading' to finish this Weekend
Nothing Like it in the World, Ambrose. Dealing w/ TransContinental RR.
Goals for the day:
Finish off my US History Curriculum (for next few weeks, at least)
Start Religions of World Curriculum (see above)
Kick High School Butt in mini.
While yelling ridiculous things like "THIS IS MY LABOR DAY THIS IS MY LABOR DAY"
'Relevant Reading' to finish this Weekend
Nothing Like it in the World, Ambrose. Dealing w/ TransContinental RR.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
summit
Team Time Trial today. I had to work, so I didn't get to see it, but the results are impressive. This years girls, led by some really talented frosh (the number 1 runner) equaled last years Oregon Bronze medalists (Summit), and our boys team this year is unreal. We should get at least 5 runners below 17, which makes it reasonable to talk about notable performances at states. Of course, this was just 3 kilometers, and states is a ways off...
Speaking of work, I'm cranking. With 3 more work days before the kids arrive (I guess I'm allowed to work on the labor day weekend, but...) I'm getting there. I'm several weeks ahead in World History. Tommorrow, I'll work up my rough syllabus revision for U.S.
Interestingly, we've got some new web features, so I'll be able to post syllabus, lecture notes, readings in .pdf, etc. for kids who get sick, etc. I've not received my user i.d. and such, but it is apparently, kind of blog like.
My goal this year is to increase the amount of primary source reading (for example, Bismarck's explantion of why France must be crushed) AND develop some relevant games and sims. Honestly, the games will have an entertainment component as well, but 30 minutes out of 540 each week doing education 'lite' will probably just help keep things moving. Besides, I'm kind of 'anti-movie' so this is the carrot to the stick of higher expectations for reading and writing.
In other news, seriously, did you know new orleans is below sea level? I think i'd have left.
On the excercise front, Sunday, 18 mile road ride, frisbee in evening, monday, 5 mile run, evening frisbee. Today, relative rest. I've got some kindof knee-itis from 3 weeks of doubles... but I'm hopeful that as school starts and i only can work out w/ the team, the 'relative' rest will fix me up. I'm also doing all sorts of core strengthening, and icing and stretching, and trying to eat well.
Sectionals in a couple weeks, with the return of a couple noted players from the past. Guess their names and receive a prize. Not really doing anything in particular to train up for it (as in speed work, etc.) but I'm staying more or less on top of throwing... it finally seems to be getting back to pre - fracture form.
That's all.
Speaking of work, I'm cranking. With 3 more work days before the kids arrive (I guess I'm allowed to work on the labor day weekend, but...) I'm getting there. I'm several weeks ahead in World History. Tommorrow, I'll work up my rough syllabus revision for U.S.
Interestingly, we've got some new web features, so I'll be able to post syllabus, lecture notes, readings in .pdf, etc. for kids who get sick, etc. I've not received my user i.d. and such, but it is apparently, kind of blog like.
My goal this year is to increase the amount of primary source reading (for example, Bismarck's explantion of why France must be crushed) AND develop some relevant games and sims. Honestly, the games will have an entertainment component as well, but 30 minutes out of 540 each week doing education 'lite' will probably just help keep things moving. Besides, I'm kind of 'anti-movie' so this is the carrot to the stick of higher expectations for reading and writing.
In other news, seriously, did you know new orleans is below sea level? I think i'd have left.
On the excercise front, Sunday, 18 mile road ride, frisbee in evening, monday, 5 mile run, evening frisbee. Today, relative rest. I've got some kindof knee-itis from 3 weeks of doubles... but I'm hopeful that as school starts and i only can work out w/ the team, the 'relative' rest will fix me up. I'm also doing all sorts of core strengthening, and icing and stretching, and trying to eat well.
Sectionals in a couple weeks, with the return of a couple noted players from the past. Guess their names and receive a prize. Not really doing anything in particular to train up for it (as in speed work, etc.) but I'm staying more or less on top of throwing... it finally seems to be getting back to pre - fracture form.
That's all.
Friday, August 26, 2005
bloggin the glory.
Alex has taken the low road to comment glory. Asking fribee players to talk about injuries is like asking a... nerd to talk about linux? a skier to talk about gear? a redneck to talk about nascar? you get the idea.
Me, I have no pith today. I'm kind of tuckered out. Wednesday night I played disc with the kids, then thursday morning ran, then played 'men's team practice' last night, then, a short adventure run (probably 1.75 hours of running around in the woods trying to decipher a VERY bad map) then playing some ultimate this evening.
I'm reading Nothing Like it in the World by noted plagiarist Stephen Ambrose in anticipation of starting US history with a discussion of the transformation of the American west (HS US starts after War of Northern Aggression and Reconstruction). I think modern world history starts with French Revolution and Napoleon, then continues w/ a long and uninterrupted series of other wars. I'm also teaching AP US govt, and Religions of the World. The AP class is going to be a bear, at least as far as grading goes...
I think I've read like 40 plus books this summer, and watched a like (maybe more) number of movies... Now the fun is drawing to a close. I suspect that my days will go like this...
up at 6:00, breakfast, coffee, bike to school
7:15-8:00 office time, coffee, make copies.
8-8:25 prep, coffee, lesson planning, read paper, grade papers.
8:30 - 2:45 teach
3-5 XC practice (then ski practice in november, then frisbee practice in february)
5- 10 grade... read, eat...
And once every 30 days anxiously await the ginormous sums of cash that make it all worth while..
I'm on my way (sort of) to pick up some new pedals for my road bike... I'd rather spend the money than switch pedals back and forth... Fall is coming. Last night it went down to 27 somewhere out in eastern oregon. It's been low 40's maybe even high thirties here at night. It's awesome. Cold enough that I can finally get some decent sleep at night. My goal is to have my 'bestest' ski season ever this year. That means, in addition to the base conditioning that running and frisbee offer, weights, and balance work (yoga, maybe some roller skiing for nordic specific -- although honestly those roller skis seem like a fast path to a cast). I also want to do more back country touring. I have more friends now who have sleds (snowmobiles), which are really useful for getting to the base of backcountry areas... the goals are miles on skis, and lots o' powder skiing... never too early to think of skiing...
I'm working on my preview of the UPA season. I'm not sure why Huckleberry Hinterland is writing it, but I promise it will be full of subtle self aggrandizing prose.
Me, I have no pith today. I'm kind of tuckered out. Wednesday night I played disc with the kids, then thursday morning ran, then played 'men's team practice' last night, then, a short adventure run (probably 1.75 hours of running around in the woods trying to decipher a VERY bad map) then playing some ultimate this evening.
I'm reading Nothing Like it in the World by noted plagiarist Stephen Ambrose in anticipation of starting US history with a discussion of the transformation of the American west (HS US starts after War of Northern Aggression and Reconstruction). I think modern world history starts with French Revolution and Napoleon, then continues w/ a long and uninterrupted series of other wars. I'm also teaching AP US govt, and Religions of the World. The AP class is going to be a bear, at least as far as grading goes...
I think I've read like 40 plus books this summer, and watched a like (maybe more) number of movies... Now the fun is drawing to a close. I suspect that my days will go like this...
up at 6:00, breakfast, coffee, bike to school
7:15-8:00 office time, coffee, make copies.
8-8:25 prep, coffee, lesson planning, read paper, grade papers.
8:30 - 2:45 teach
3-5 XC practice (then ski practice in november, then frisbee practice in february)
5- 10 grade... read, eat...
And once every 30 days anxiously await the ginormous sums of cash that make it all worth while..
I'm on my way (sort of) to pick up some new pedals for my road bike... I'd rather spend the money than switch pedals back and forth... Fall is coming. Last night it went down to 27 somewhere out in eastern oregon. It's been low 40's maybe even high thirties here at night. It's awesome. Cold enough that I can finally get some decent sleep at night. My goal is to have my 'bestest' ski season ever this year. That means, in addition to the base conditioning that running and frisbee offer, weights, and balance work (yoga, maybe some roller skiing for nordic specific -- although honestly those roller skis seem like a fast path to a cast). I also want to do more back country touring. I have more friends now who have sleds (snowmobiles), which are really useful for getting to the base of backcountry areas... the goals are miles on skis, and lots o' powder skiing... never too early to think of skiing...
I'm working on my preview of the UPA season. I'm not sure why Huckleberry Hinterland is writing it, but I promise it will be full of subtle self aggrandizing prose.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
wednesday
last night played some co-ed ultimate... somehow i've developed a rep for being lazy. i prefer to think of myself as being smart. why should i motor around aimlessly in some 6 turnover point, only to be cut off if i make any in cut over 30 yards... 'men's play' on thursday, and theirs a couple old rhino guys out there, so it's good fun.
this a.m., the 3 mile tempo run, 20:40, felt pretty good, but i'm looking forward to the intervals (decreasing from mile repeats to 800's to shorter faster more frisbee like stuff by mid october.).
At that point, i'll publish my times, and if i'm not running faster than Alex, well, I'll lie.
Mountain bike ride this afternoon, then playing disc w/ some of the highschool kids.
I think I'm going to read, eat a little in interim. Might watch Bourne Supremacy...
Man I'm hungry.
this a.m., the 3 mile tempo run, 20:40, felt pretty good, but i'm looking forward to the intervals (decreasing from mile repeats to 800's to shorter faster more frisbee like stuff by mid october.).
At that point, i'll publish my times, and if i'm not running faster than Alex, well, I'll lie.
Mountain bike ride this afternoon, then playing disc w/ some of the highschool kids.
I think I'm going to read, eat a little in interim. Might watch Bourne Supremacy...
Man I'm hungry.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
grip and rip.
short 4 mile run today... foot a little sore... frisbee tonight. Nice ride in the afternoon, but I dallied during the nap phase, so it was after 5 by the time I got back to the congested area. So I got stuck in the crowds. 6 people. Left a bitter taste in my mouth for the whole sport.
Today, I'm playing w/ the local co-ed group... I should probably go to the track, but frankly, I'm a little 'solo - runner - training - ed - out'.
Starting to cool here... they say we may have first snow this weekend (but up around 10,000 feet... I'd be suprised if I"m skiing before thanksgiving... ALTHOUGH I did ski in October last year... or the year before, can't remember... that was an anomaly... apparently used to be more common)...
Enough...
Tommorrow the 5k tempo run, and bike. I think sectionals is coming up... I'm going home to take a nap.
Today, I'm playing w/ the local co-ed group... I should probably go to the track, but frankly, I'm a little 'solo - runner - training - ed - out'.
Starting to cool here... they say we may have first snow this weekend (but up around 10,000 feet... I'd be suprised if I"m skiing before thanksgiving... ALTHOUGH I did ski in October last year... or the year before, can't remember... that was an anomaly... apparently used to be more common)...
Enough...
Tommorrow the 5k tempo run, and bike. I think sectionals is coming up... I'm going home to take a nap.
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