It’s time to think positive.
Driving home today, I thought of some moments in the past where everything grooved so nicely. Below are just some of the moments that popped into my head.
- Freestyle Wrestling Championships
When I was 18, I signed up for the Idaho State Freestyle Wrestling Championships. I was an OK high-school wrestler at best… and I’d never wrestled in a freestyle tournament. I won my first match. In my second match, I was paired against a wrestler from Pocatello High School. I’d wrestled him maybe three times in high school — and he beat me handily every time. A minute or so into the first round, he shot in on my legs, but I caught him in a cattle catcher and threw him. In freestyle, if you’re thrown and both shoulders hit the mat at the same time, it’s an immediate pin. Well, I pinned him. It was a beautiful moment. I had a bye into the final match where I was beaten on points. I still have the silver medal from that tournament.
- Swinging High Bar after Coaching
In college, I coached a local gymnastics team. After practice, I would stick around and play. I always struggled with high bar when I was competing. But now that I was just playing, I found that I was able to do with ease what I used to find difficult — I can’t explain the sensation. Those evenings, I just swung and it was just sweet.
- 10K Training for 2007 Champions Challenge
Speed skating is a mystery to me. I love trying to figure out how to do that sport. One training session sticks in my mind. I started “10K Fridays” where I would come to the ice and skate a couple of 25-lap sets in preparation for the 10K at the Champions Challenge. I wanted to break 15 minutes in the 10K. (I did end up racing a sub-15 minute 10K.) But more importantly, at one of those training sessions, everything came together in an incredible groove. I timed myself at 14:26 skating both inners and outers with no drafting. It was so smooth, the glide came so effortless. Don’t get me wrong — it hurt, but there was just something so relaxing about those 25 laps.
- 3K Speed Skating Time Trial
I didn’t even finish the best race of my life. It was a 3K speed skating time trial. I was paired with a Norwegian National Team member. I don’t even remember who. I just remember being close to him after the opening 200 meters. Then I proceeded to skate three relaxed 30-second laps. I don’t know how much longer I could have held it, but I know I wasn’t struggling, yet. Going into the fourth lap, the Norwegian came over the top – it was so cool to still be with him after 1,400 meters – but I didn’t notice he was there until it was almost too late. I had to change direction quickly not to take him out. In the process I fell and slid the entire backstretch. I laughed the entire slide. I didn’t care. For the first time in my life (and the last), I skated at a truly elite level both technically and physically. When I think back on speed skating, that is my best moment.
- 2002 Winter Park Hill Climb
I drove to Winter Park with my family for a Mountain Bike hill climb at the ski resort. I registered for the sport group. And instead of warming up, I played with my son Dane — I was having so much fun, I almost missed the start. Finally, I heard the call to the line and took my place at the back of the pack. The start was on a fire road so there was plenty of room to move up. So when the gun sounded, I sprinted to the front. And I just kept going. My wife told me she just shook her head when she saw me go. I remember how my legs felt so fresh and how quickly I found a rhythm. I finished 6th of 70. This was – without a doubt – the best I’ve ever climbed.
- 2004 Cherry Creek Time Trial
Cherry Creek is my favorite time trial. It’s 10.5 miles out-and-back on fairly flat roads. I’ve had a lot of success out there, but one evening I really popped off a good one. I had the second fastest time of the night… out of all 300+ racers. I finished in 22:16… only one pro finished ahead of me in 22:08. I’ll never forget when I caught the guy who started 2 minutes ahead of me. I saw him, caught him, passed him and raged to the line like mad. It gave me some serious confidence heading into the State TT, where I won my second championship.
May 6, 2008 at 6:14 am |
this is one of the happiest things I have ever seen you write…
Bob Roll once said that bike racers are 2% men, in that 98% of what we do is abject suffering, mysery, echeloning into the wind in Belgium on a spitting rain day with cowshit being sprayed into your mouth from the churning wheels in front of you.
but that other 2%, where you dance on the pedals, or as Lance Armstrong calls it-, a “no chain” day, there is nothing in the world like that 2%, making the other 98% worthwhile…
I love this record of your 2%
May 6, 2008 at 10:09 am |
Thanks! I had fun writing this down last night. I actually thought of another one while reading your response.
In college, coach had us compete in open events that weren’t our specialty. I entered the hammer throw (never done it before) and the shot put (I was good at the shot put in the decathalon, but the open is something different — BIG guys).
Anyway, I placed 4th in the shot put with a throw of just over 50′ (I beat some of those BIG guys). And I don’t remember where I placed in the hammer throw, but I remember coach saying I show throw hammer more often — it was a good throw and a great time!
2%, huh? I like it.