view from our rear patio
No hoops today.Another 8 - 12 inches is predicted before the storm moves out.
I better start shoveling . . .
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Is it too Early to start Whining?
We are in the midst of our first big snowstorm of the season. It may be a REALLY long winter . . .
view from our rear patio
No hoops today.
Another 8 - 12 inches is predicted before the storm moves out.
view from our rear patio No hoops today.Another 8 - 12 inches is predicted before the storm moves out.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Go Fast or Go Home?
Recently the New York Times ran an article that really pissed me off.
It wasn’t about healthcare legislation, the recession or the Yankees.
It was about me.
Well, not exactly, but close enough that it got my attention and my ire.
Reasonable people might disagree, but to me the gist of the article was: if you aren’t an elite athlete, don’t even try to run a marathon [and as a natural extension of this elitist bullshit attitude, don’t even think about competing in a triathlon or endurance cycling event . . .].
“Tens of thousands of runners are training for marathons this time of year. . . Purists believe that running a marathon should be just that — running the entire course at a relatively fast clip. They point out that a six-hour marathoner is simply participating in the event, not racing in it. Slow runners have disrespected the distance, they say, and have ruined the marathon’s mystique.”
Really? Are you kidding me? Just because I’ll never – let me repeat – NEVER – win a bike race, I disrespect the event by entering it? Who gets to define “racing” versus “participating” and what makes one more intrinsically respectful than the other?
I train. I push myself to my limit. Just because I didn’t win the genetic lottery and am not “athletically gifted” I should not participate?
Based on the fact that there are now 400 comments to the article, it hit a nerve with many people.
What do you think? If you can’t win, should you stay home? Is it inappropriate to have the goal of simply finishing – whatever the event may be?
It wasn’t about healthcare legislation, the recession or the Yankees.
It was about me.
Well, not exactly, but close enough that it got my attention and my ire.
Reasonable people might disagree, but to me the gist of the article was: if you aren’t an elite athlete, don’t even try to run a marathon [and as a natural extension of this elitist bullshit attitude, don’t even think about competing in a triathlon or endurance cycling event . . .].
“Tens of thousands of runners are training for marathons this time of year. . . Purists believe that running a marathon should be just that — running the entire course at a relatively fast clip. They point out that a six-hour marathoner is simply participating in the event, not racing in it. Slow runners have disrespected the distance, they say, and have ruined the marathon’s mystique.”
Really? Are you kidding me? Just because I’ll never – let me repeat – NEVER – win a bike race, I disrespect the event by entering it? Who gets to define “racing” versus “participating” and what makes one more intrinsically respectful than the other?
I train. I push myself to my limit. Just because I didn’t win the genetic lottery and am not “athletically gifted” I should not participate?
Based on the fact that there are now 400 comments to the article, it hit a nerve with many people.
What do you think? If you can’t win, should you stay home? Is it inappropriate to have the goal of simply finishing – whatever the event may be?
Friday, October 23, 2009
Movie Review - Race Across the Sky
After weeks of anticipation we saw Race Across the Sky - The Leadville Trail 100 2009 mountain bike race movie last night.
The photography was great, and the graphics showing the course were really well done. I think it helped our friends who haven't seen certain sections of the course visualize what we have described.
My only disappointment is that the movie's focus was too narrow. The Lance vs. Dave story is really only one of hundreds of compelling stories that could be told. Nearly every competitor has a story worth telling - their motivation, the hardships they have overcome, physical challenges, etc. A couple of those human interest angles were explored, but only superficially.
I think I've mentioned 24 Solo and Off Road to Athens in prior posts. Those movies take the time to develop the human interest angles, and I think they tell a more compelling story than Race Across the Sky does.
All that aside - I loved the film. It was exciting to watch it and relive the day.
I have to give it 4.5 stars - BECAUSE I'M IN IT!!
As the credits roll, in a don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it moment, there is a close-up shot of me! I was so surprised I blurted out "that's ME", amusing everyone in several seats near us. Now I just have to wait for the DVD release so I can watch that nano-second in super slo-mo . . . over & over again!
The photography was great, and the graphics showing the course were really well done. I think it helped our friends who haven't seen certain sections of the course visualize what we have described.
My only disappointment is that the movie's focus was too narrow. The Lance vs. Dave story is really only one of hundreds of compelling stories that could be told. Nearly every competitor has a story worth telling - their motivation, the hardships they have overcome, physical challenges, etc. A couple of those human interest angles were explored, but only superficially.
I think I've mentioned 24 Solo and Off Road to Athens in prior posts. Those movies take the time to develop the human interest angles, and I think they tell a more compelling story than Race Across the Sky does.
All that aside - I loved the film. It was exciting to watch it and relive the day.
I have to give it 4.5 stars - BECAUSE I'M IN IT!!
As the credits roll, in a don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it moment, there is a close-up shot of me! I was so surprised I blurted out "that's ME", amusing everyone in several seats near us. Now I just have to wait for the DVD release so I can watch that nano-second in super slo-mo . . . over & over again!
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