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August 29, 2007
News from Beth
Hi all this is O again. To start off, some news you actually care about--an email from Beth to me:
i was going to type up one of my own entries but decided that you would probably do a better job of it so maybe i'll just let you do it! plus these keyboards are really crazy and i keep typing the wrong things. worst of all is that the z is usually where the y is!!
anyway today we picked up my packet and my mystery prize (from being one of the 10 ITU My Story finalists) - a really nice orca duffle bag!! we took several taxi rides which are fun and adventurous but very $$$. we haven't figured out the subway system yet. we checked out the race site (water is very COLD!) and have been meeting and talking with several other team USA people. it's very cool here - as in jeans and a sweatshirt and i was still cold walking around! and i've never seen so many VW, BMWs or Saabs!!! in fact that is the only cars we've seen!
Sounds like Beth's having a great time so far. I talked with her on the phone today, too. She said that her bike survived the trip, it's back together with the USA mechanic's stamp of approval, and she's going to ride it tomorrow. She said she's also looking forward to the Parade of Nations and Team Photo tomorrow. That's pretty awesome. One funny thing she said is that many of the USA athletes (and mechanics) forgot their tire pumps. So, Beth is a pretty popular figure in the hotel since she has hers.
Another item she mentioned on the phone was that she travelled over on the same flight with two big time triathletes. One was Emma Snowsill and I forget the other. Beth said that they were in first class.....remember they're big time.
As far as my exciting week flying solo, I haven't started the laundry or done the grocery shopping yet tonight. The pooch and I are just hanging out so far. I'm a little pooped because of XC practice today. Read further to find out why.....how's that for a hook to the reader!!)
It sure it hot out there. Our XC boys had a 4 x 1600 workout (with full recovery rest) on the track today. The top two groups ran 5:20 - 5:16 - 5:12 - 5:08. And, one of the guys busted out a 4:58 on the last one. Yikes! I can't believe how hot it was. I wasn't as successful. My first one was with group 3 that also did 5:20 (okay 5:26) for the first 1600. I kept telling myself to pace the 100's (20sec-40-60-80) for 4 laps. It was tough. I was toast after that since it was 84 degrees and sunny and humid today. I jumped into one of the JV groups for the 2nd mile and ran 6:02. I was spent.
So, the nice thing about being an assistant coach and not an athlete is I shifted from a runner to a coach for the last two 1600's. I felt like a sellout since I didn't finish the workout with the varsity guys on a hot day, but I tried to encourage them as much as I could while they were going. The head coach sent out all of the JV guys out on the roads after the first two 1600's, so I didn't feel as bad.
Our guys are going to hopefully have a decent season on the state level. On PennTrackXC.com, they posted a supposed ranking of the top 10 teams in PA where they allegedly surveyed a bunch of coaches. I'm a little skeptical of the scientific nature of the poll (being a math teacher), but was pleased to see that we were regarded pretty high. We were ranked #5 in the poll for the state and the comment beside our ranking said, "Strong returning group with six of PIAA #9." PIAA is our state high school athletic ruling body in case you're not from around these parts.
Well, that's about it for now. I'll be sure to give more updates from Beth tomorrow. Take care!
O
Posted by beth at August 29, 2007 6:50 PM
Comments
I have to say...I really like reading my own blog! You are hired O!
The other pro on our plane was Laura Bennett. Awesome!
Anyway...how about that workout O! 5:26?!?! Awesome!
Posted by: Beth at August 30, 2007 3:23 AM