So I took part in an auction this week. It was my first. I was there to help get people to bid on things.
I was put at a bipolar table of female beauty products and sports memorabilia.
Bidder "Can you tell me about this necklace?"
Me "It's nice" I panic and look at the tag "Made of silver and it's got gold and it's just really nice."
I was supposed to use the; "Did you forget to get something for your wife for Valentines Day?" "Do you want to show your special someone how special they are by bidding on this beautiful necklace?" "This would look great on your mistress!" lines on the men too.
Then I quickly move over to my comfort zone.
"Over here we have a wonderful collection of NASCAR memorabilia. We have this Dale Earnhardt Jr. Autographed Sheet Metal with a certificate of authenticity that was used in 2012. It also comes with former champion Bobby Labonte's autograph and some Dale Earnhardt Jr. merchandise. One heck of a package right here. You can't get this for what it retails for."
My NASCAR pitch was really good, but wasn't quite working with the wine and cheese crowd. I got a whole lot of "Oh gee, well we really aren't NASCAR fans."
I finally got comfortable selling the socks. I could handle that better than the necklace and handmade hat and scarf.
"Look at these thirteen pairs of socks. It's so practical. You always need socks. They are made out of wool so you won't get blisters. It even comes with two gift cards for a total of $200 worth of additional socks."
The sock pitch worked and got a lot of bids.
My NASCAR pitch was really good, but as I said I couldn't find anyone who would be interested. I had hope. I spotted a white guy who was balding and had a mustache. He was a perfect target. I thought for sure he would bid.
Not interested.
I was getting frustrated. I knew I could bid on the item. I knew I would love to have it for the minimum bid price. More importantly I'd hope to get the ball rolling on other bidders jumping in.
I went and got my bidder number. I placed an opening bid on my item that I couldn't get anyone to bite on. As much as I wanted the stuff I also knew I couldn't really afford to win it. I tried extra hard to get someone else to outbid me.
Thankfully someone did. One person out-bid me. My bid got the ball rolling.
As the night went on I also had the microphone shoved into my face by the auctioneer. He was basically this really positive guy who did whatever he could to get people to come and bid. He was like the MC. He had to tell jokes, lighten the mood and make people want to bid. He for some reason wanted to know who I was and what I did.
I became the Cross Country Academic Guy. All of a sudden he said that I was the smart guy at the table. "Everyone interested in some wonderful things for the ladies and some sports memorabilia come and see the smart academic guy down here by the stage."
Maybe he didn't say that exactly, but it was similar to that.
The auction I took part in was successful. I thankfully didn't win anything and I learned about how to put on an auction and got to be a part of it. It ended up raising over $150,000. Not bad!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
I Love NASCAR
I Love NASCAR.
It's the sport that I will do whatever I can not to miss on television.
You heard me right. NASCAR is the one sporting event during the week that I try to plan around.
For awhile I have been hiding that. Living in North Carolina makes it easier not too, since it is the state sport.
NASCAR is just awesome. I have to go to a race because I honestly LOVE listening to the cars zoom past me, and even an engine flying into the stands wouldn't keep me from standing close to the fence to hear the deafening sound of the cars zooming by. You can hear the cars for a week after the event they are so loud.
It's one reason I love it. The sound of the engines are peaceful yet manly. Nothing gets the testosterone flowing quite like a NASCAR engine at full throttle.
I've actually got some sounds of cars on my Ipod that I have used before while exercising. It really get's me going, especially when I am biking inside at the gym.
Daytona is a special event. I've been looking forward to the 500 for a long time now. It's dramatic with all of the drafting and inevitable multi-car wrecks. I don't usually root for wrecks, but sometimes a caution plays to my favorite drivers advantage.
Danica Patrick earned a lot of respect today. She drove an awesome race and was a top driver. NASCAR has provided female sports for something relatively unique. A level playing field for women to directly compete against a man.
You can't have women and men compete against each other in football, basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, golf etc. Those sports require so much strength. Strength and athleticism that is far above the physical differences of elite males and females. You can't have the best male basketball players and best female players go against each other in 5 v 5. You maybe could have them compete in drills for accuracy or consistency, but not strength or pure athletic ability. In NASCAR you can have the best men and women compete. NASCAR is a sport. It requires you to be fit enough to have your heart race. It requires amazing reflexes and concentration. The same concentration if not even more then golf. It requires strength to hold the wheel tight for five hours and to be able to absorb the G-Forces. You have to be strong enough not to wilt physically after hours in the car. You can't let a soreness effect your decision while racing.
Racing isn't marathon running but it requires all of the essentials that all other sports have. NASCAR gives Danica and women and even playing field to go up against men.
Now I don't root for Danica Patrick because she is a women. I root for her as an underdog. I root for her because she drives a Chevy and is associated with my favorite team.
Danica has a chance to be a special driver for NASCAR and it's popularity if she continues to succeed. Hopefully women will take notice of her and pay more attention to the sport. Too often women don't do a good job supporting female athletes when they succeed.
It's the sport that I will do whatever I can not to miss on television.
You heard me right. NASCAR is the one sporting event during the week that I try to plan around.
For awhile I have been hiding that. Living in North Carolina makes it easier not too, since it is the state sport.
NASCAR is just awesome. I have to go to a race because I honestly LOVE listening to the cars zoom past me, and even an engine flying into the stands wouldn't keep me from standing close to the fence to hear the deafening sound of the cars zooming by. You can hear the cars for a week after the event they are so loud.
It's one reason I love it. The sound of the engines are peaceful yet manly. Nothing gets the testosterone flowing quite like a NASCAR engine at full throttle.
I've actually got some sounds of cars on my Ipod that I have used before while exercising. It really get's me going, especially when I am biking inside at the gym.
Daytona is a special event. I've been looking forward to the 500 for a long time now. It's dramatic with all of the drafting and inevitable multi-car wrecks. I don't usually root for wrecks, but sometimes a caution plays to my favorite drivers advantage.
Danica Patrick earned a lot of respect today. She drove an awesome race and was a top driver. NASCAR has provided female sports for something relatively unique. A level playing field for women to directly compete against a man.
You can't have women and men compete against each other in football, basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, golf etc. Those sports require so much strength. Strength and athleticism that is far above the physical differences of elite males and females. You can't have the best male basketball players and best female players go against each other in 5 v 5. You maybe could have them compete in drills for accuracy or consistency, but not strength or pure athletic ability. In NASCAR you can have the best men and women compete. NASCAR is a sport. It requires you to be fit enough to have your heart race. It requires amazing reflexes and concentration. The same concentration if not even more then golf. It requires strength to hold the wheel tight for five hours and to be able to absorb the G-Forces. You have to be strong enough not to wilt physically after hours in the car. You can't let a soreness effect your decision while racing.
Racing isn't marathon running but it requires all of the essentials that all other sports have. NASCAR gives Danica and women and even playing field to go up against men.
Now I don't root for Danica Patrick because she is a women. I root for her as an underdog. I root for her because she drives a Chevy and is associated with my favorite team.
Danica has a chance to be a special driver for NASCAR and it's popularity if she continues to succeed. Hopefully women will take notice of her and pay more attention to the sport. Too often women don't do a good job supporting female athletes when they succeed.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Monotone
Want to hear someone say something in the same tone?
http://www.whec.com/sports/stories/S2932375.shtml?cat=571http://www.whec.com/sports/stories/S2932375.shtml?cat=571
Actually I didn't notice Shoey being monotone at all. She sounded really good. It's from NBC and it talks to Shoey about being drafted.
http://www.whec.com/sports/stories/S2932375.shtml?cat=571http://www.whec.com/sports/stories/S2932375.shtml?cat=571
Actually I didn't notice Shoey being monotone at all. She sounded really good. It's from NBC and it talks to Shoey about being drafted.
College Athletes Who Can't Let Go
I keep seeing and hearing of stories of college athletes who can't let go.
The moment your senior season is done, your college career is over.
You are always part of the team in the sense that your teammates still and will always care about you.
However, you really aren't a part of the TEAM anymore. You don't belong in the lockerroom. You don't belong on the field and at practice. You don't belong at pre-game meals. You don't go on the travel list.
You're done. Your usefulness to the team is over when your career is over. This is life. Things are not permanent.
A team is supposed to accomplish something. When your eligibility is up you are of no use to the team. You can't play anymore so you can't help on the field. Unless you are there for a specific purpose, like coaching, administrative work, or athletic training, you can't help the team at all.
It's sad how often athletes can't get over this. They hold on to the notion that they are still college athletes or an athlete when they are not. They hang around after games. ALL the games.
They show up to practice several times a week.
They only hang out with old teammates, or only go out with teammates and people on the team.
They become "managers" or other loosely related terms like "student-assistant" when they can no longer play. This way they still get the gear and get to be part of the team. Except in rare instances former college athletes aren't useful to teams as managers or coaches.
For many college athletes their entire social circle is comprised of athletes and teammates. It's a little daunting when that circle is gone. They do whatever they can to stay in that circle. Often times that means being a manager. Which often means to them that they get to go to practice and hang out with the team. Maybe they will pump up a ball or take a stat or two twice a week.
It's great to have alumni involved, but their should be a clear distinction between being on the team and being an alumni. Practice once or twice a month is a lot different than twice a week.
So much of an athlete is also what they are physically capable of doing. Let's be honest here. Athletes get a lot of self confidence out of their appearance and abilities. I think the thought of losing those things is hard on an athlete. They have to realize that in order to move up and move on in life, that they have to sacrifice some of the time they spent training on other things. They should still work out and be healthy, but unless they are paid to be a professional they can't just expect to be able to have their lives revolve around the field and gym.
The best banquet speech in the three years I heard them at UCWS was given by Dulski because I think she touched on soccer being a chapter. I'm sure she hates that she doesn't play anymore, but atleast she could acknowledge that she has put a part of her life behind her.
Some athletes have ended the athlete chapter of their lives, but continue to write long run-on sentences that ruin good pieces of work and prevent the next chapters from being any good.
The moment your senior season is done, your college career is over.
You are always part of the team in the sense that your teammates still and will always care about you.
However, you really aren't a part of the TEAM anymore. You don't belong in the lockerroom. You don't belong on the field and at practice. You don't belong at pre-game meals. You don't go on the travel list.
You're done. Your usefulness to the team is over when your career is over. This is life. Things are not permanent.
A team is supposed to accomplish something. When your eligibility is up you are of no use to the team. You can't play anymore so you can't help on the field. Unless you are there for a specific purpose, like coaching, administrative work, or athletic training, you can't help the team at all.
It's sad how often athletes can't get over this. They hold on to the notion that they are still college athletes or an athlete when they are not. They hang around after games. ALL the games.
They show up to practice several times a week.
They only hang out with old teammates, or only go out with teammates and people on the team.
They become "managers" or other loosely related terms like "student-assistant" when they can no longer play. This way they still get the gear and get to be part of the team. Except in rare instances former college athletes aren't useful to teams as managers or coaches.
For many college athletes their entire social circle is comprised of athletes and teammates. It's a little daunting when that circle is gone. They do whatever they can to stay in that circle. Often times that means being a manager. Which often means to them that they get to go to practice and hang out with the team. Maybe they will pump up a ball or take a stat or two twice a week.
It's great to have alumni involved, but their should be a clear distinction between being on the team and being an alumni. Practice once or twice a month is a lot different than twice a week.
So much of an athlete is also what they are physically capable of doing. Let's be honest here. Athletes get a lot of self confidence out of their appearance and abilities. I think the thought of losing those things is hard on an athlete. They have to realize that in order to move up and move on in life, that they have to sacrifice some of the time they spent training on other things. They should still work out and be healthy, but unless they are paid to be a professional they can't just expect to be able to have their lives revolve around the field and gym.
The best banquet speech in the three years I heard them at UCWS was given by Dulski because I think she touched on soccer being a chapter. I'm sure she hates that she doesn't play anymore, but atleast she could acknowledge that she has put a part of her life behind her.
Some athletes have ended the athlete chapter of their lives, but continue to write long run-on sentences that ruin good pieces of work and prevent the next chapters from being any good.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Coaching Track doesn't seem bad...
It must be really nice to be a track and field coach because you don't really have to run a fitness test. I think the whole sport is a fitness test.
Either you did your workouts and you want to win and be a part of the team or you didn't. It's cut and dry. Either you are getting better and continuing to get better or you are not.
It must be frustrating to be a coach of a team that has to do fitness tests as well as play a game. You need to be fit and good at a game as well in order to be successful. In order to be great you have to be excellent at both playing and fitness. Great example are the UConn Women's Basketball players. They not only are very talented and great at the game of basketball, but if you just watch them play and see how cut their arms are, you know just how fit they are. Many teams try to play like them, but few look like they have prepared fitness wise like them.
You can't win championships if you aren't fit at the college level.
I'd quit if I had to put up with a team that couldn't be prepared for fitness. I'd be too embarrassed to coach them and would label them as a bunch of people content with losing and being mediocre. I'd be unable to put in the commitment to coach if I knew that the players put in so little commitment to their fitness.
It would be like trying to help the student in the classroom who doesn't pick up their books or show up to class. Why bother teaching these people? It's just wasting your time and effort.
They don't want your help because they don't want to be any good.
If I had to coach a sport in college I think I'd want it to be track and field. Don't have to worry too much about fitness as it's clearly a big part of the normal preparation for the sport.
Either you did your workouts and you want to win and be a part of the team or you didn't. It's cut and dry. Either you are getting better and continuing to get better or you are not.
It must be frustrating to be a coach of a team that has to do fitness tests as well as play a game. You need to be fit and good at a game as well in order to be successful. In order to be great you have to be excellent at both playing and fitness. Great example are the UConn Women's Basketball players. They not only are very talented and great at the game of basketball, but if you just watch them play and see how cut their arms are, you know just how fit they are. Many teams try to play like them, but few look like they have prepared fitness wise like them.
You can't win championships if you aren't fit at the college level.
I'd quit if I had to put up with a team that couldn't be prepared for fitness. I'd be too embarrassed to coach them and would label them as a bunch of people content with losing and being mediocre. I'd be unable to put in the commitment to coach if I knew that the players put in so little commitment to their fitness.
It would be like trying to help the student in the classroom who doesn't pick up their books or show up to class. Why bother teaching these people? It's just wasting your time and effort.
They don't want your help because they don't want to be any good.
If I had to coach a sport in college I think I'd want it to be track and field. Don't have to worry too much about fitness as it's clearly a big part of the normal preparation for the sport.
Shoey
I am sure this isn't news to anyone, but Shoey was drafted in the Supplemental Draft by the Professional Soccer team in Portland.
I am so happy for Shoey and for her great opportunity.
I actually watched the 2010 Penn State game in April and I really focused on what Shoey did. Shoey was absolutely amazing. She was all over the field and created so many opportunities. Early on in that game she had a great chance that was saved with a great play by the goalkeeper if my memory serves me correct. (So did Annie. Annie was a great save and a crossbar away from scoring a goal and I wish she did so badly. Annie was a great player who everyone wishes would have been able to show off a full and healthy senior year)
Shoey's goal against Siena, which is a game that is for so many reasons very forgettable, was just amazing. We needed a goal so badly and Shoey took an amazing shot from outside the box which curled in.
Shoey also had some great plays that people forget about. Her hustle to get the ball against Colgate set up Hillary's goal and her effort against Wake lead to Danielle's goal.
I am happy for Shoey and I hope to see her play one day. I have to admit that I wasn't really planning on trying to see a professional soccer game soon, but if Shoey is playing I will make every effort to be there and watch her.
I am so happy for Shoey and for her great opportunity.
I actually watched the 2010 Penn State game in April and I really focused on what Shoey did. Shoey was absolutely amazing. She was all over the field and created so many opportunities. Early on in that game she had a great chance that was saved with a great play by the goalkeeper if my memory serves me correct. (So did Annie. Annie was a great save and a crossbar away from scoring a goal and I wish she did so badly. Annie was a great player who everyone wishes would have been able to show off a full and healthy senior year)
Shoey's goal against Siena, which is a game that is for so many reasons very forgettable, was just amazing. We needed a goal so badly and Shoey took an amazing shot from outside the box which curled in.
Shoey also had some great plays that people forget about. Her hustle to get the ball against Colgate set up Hillary's goal and her effort against Wake lead to Danielle's goal.
I am happy for Shoey and I hope to see her play one day. I have to admit that I wasn't really planning on trying to see a professional soccer game soon, but if Shoey is playing I will make every effort to be there and watch her.
Love my Huskies but...
I love the University of Connecticut. I miss the University of Connecticut.
It has made me who I am so far.
I have taken a lot away from the people I have gotten to know and met there.
There are so many people that I met that have influenced who I am today. I can't list all of them. They include so many people I met in athletics and my various associations with it, including Coach Auriemma and the Women's Basketball program. Through reporting on them and watching their practices they taught me the intensity needed to succeed. They taught me how to pursue perfection everyday.
These people effect who I am and have made me a better person. I want to be around them and people like them again. I really miss UConn and all of the great people who made me better.
My goal for a long time has been to work there. To work my way up and be there forever.
And thankfully, I have freed myself from that goal. I still have it, but it's no longer a main focus. I'm not desperate, nor seeking to come back. I hope to, but I don't need to.
It's nice having that feeling. It's nice to know I can live without it even though when I live it will always be a part of me.
I may be at a different school now, but I am always a Husky. I still get chills when I watch videos like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fnnEHF8Hjk
I watch that video to pump me up and motivate me. It captures my attention and gets me going. It gives me confidence. It reminds me to never settle because I am a UConn Husky.
Right now I can't picture myself ever working there. That's ok with me. I'll keep working and maybe one day their need can be filled by my skills.
It has made me who I am so far.
I have taken a lot away from the people I have gotten to know and met there.
There are so many people that I met that have influenced who I am today. I can't list all of them. They include so many people I met in athletics and my various associations with it, including Coach Auriemma and the Women's Basketball program. Through reporting on them and watching their practices they taught me the intensity needed to succeed. They taught me how to pursue perfection everyday.
These people effect who I am and have made me a better person. I want to be around them and people like them again. I really miss UConn and all of the great people who made me better.
My goal for a long time has been to work there. To work my way up and be there forever.
And thankfully, I have freed myself from that goal. I still have it, but it's no longer a main focus. I'm not desperate, nor seeking to come back. I hope to, but I don't need to.
It's nice having that feeling. It's nice to know I can live without it even though when I live it will always be a part of me.
I may be at a different school now, but I am always a Husky. I still get chills when I watch videos like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fnnEHF8Hjk
I watch that video to pump me up and motivate me. It captures my attention and gets me going. It gives me confidence. It reminds me to never settle because I am a UConn Husky.
Right now I can't picture myself ever working there. That's ok with me. I'll keep working and maybe one day their need can be filled by my skills.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Going to a Track Meet.
When people go to the University of North Carolina in February on a Saturday it's usually to go and watch basketball.
I am definitely not most people.
I was fascinated by the facility and lack of a real entrance. Loved the projector and projection screen that showed statistics for the UNC athletes. (All track facilities need this. It's important for spectators to know what someone's personal best is and what the records are) I also liked the speakers set up inside. They were hung from the rafters. The Tar Heel Indoor track, Eddie Smith Field House, has three levels. The upper two levels are just balcony's and track offices. The lower level has the track. Overall the facility felt a little dated, but UNC did what they had to do to make it adequate. It is nicer than UConn's in my opinion.
One reason that I enjoyed track and field is because there were some characters I saw, and I am not just talking about Jackie Madden.
I don't like to make fun of people. I don't want this to be taken the wrong way at all. But there was a weight thrower that really needs some cardio. The lime green shirt with the gut hanging way out was quite a sight and is not healthy and probably counter productive to his sport. I'm sure he is a nice person, but he's got to get healthier. I feel bad for him. He has to stick out at a track event like a lime green Volkswagen Beetle at a Ferrari dealership. He has to feel bad. Even for weight throwers this was a little much.
Then we get to the male track runner with the extremely high ego. So high even he knows it. The sunglasses worn inside look tells us that he deserves to be ridiculed if he doesn't win.
You also have the high maintenance runners. The ones who are spraying god knows what on themselves. Covering their legs in some sort of cream. They then go through tons and tons of stretching and warm ups. They get the rollers that they put on their legs. They swing their legs back and forth. They do all sorts of stretches. There is so much stretching going on. It's a stretch fest. I should ask track kids about stretching.
Speaking of warm ups, I feel like these track runners do more of a work out when they warm up then most average Americans.
When the runners are warmed up and ready to go, they go. I love the perfection in the running and motion in elite sprinters. It looks effortless because there is no wasted effort. The legs work like pistons in a car engine. One goes up and one goes down in perfect harmony. Watch sprinters legs and lower body. It's amazing. It's truly amazing. The other thing I notice is how much range of motion the runners have. It's not like they are barely picking up their legs when they run. It's much closer to them kicking themselves in the ass.
Track and field is so action packed. You not only have runners on the track, but also runners warming up for the next event running on the edges of the track. You have field events going on at once. It's the perfect sport for those with ADD. The worst sport to work for those who want things to go exactly to plan.
The final take away from watching track and field events is how boring to watch the 3,000 meter run is. Even when you have a rooting interest. And the second heat of the 3,000 meter run when you are in a hurry to see the next event is just awful. It's a wonder that the starter doesn't shoot himself to begin the event.
But actually the person I knew best was in the 3,000 meter run. So because they are awesome it won't be my final take away.
The 3,000 meter run also taught me a lot about track and field, and what a winner is. A coach or parent was happy with a runner who finished second to last. I think the kid was from a Division III school. I have a feeling that regardless of how his competitors did, he did the best he ever has in his life. I also saw a runner from Wingate just get to the ground at the end of his race. Completely exhausted. Completely spent. Sweat dripping from his body and praying for some air. I have no idea where this runner finished. I don't think he had the fastest time, but he is definitely a winner. If you train as hard as you possibly can and on the day of the competition you give the effort he did, it doesn't matter how the competition did because you really did win. (Of course if he went drinking the night before and gave it his all, but didn't have is normal abilities it's a completely different story.)
I love track and field because it requires people to have the self discipline to constantly push themselves to get better. If you win a race, but don't break your own personal record then you weren't perfect and aren't completely satisfied.
My final take away are just how perfect mid distance runners and sprinters bodies are. I did notice that. They have the bodies that most people really do want. There is not any fat on these people. No matter how bad you do at the track, I have to imagine that they feel a little better when they look in the mirror. Track runners are some of the most elite and fit human beings in the world.
I am definitely not most people.
I was fascinated by the facility and lack of a real entrance. Loved the projector and projection screen that showed statistics for the UNC athletes. (All track facilities need this. It's important for spectators to know what someone's personal best is and what the records are) I also liked the speakers set up inside. They were hung from the rafters. The Tar Heel Indoor track, Eddie Smith Field House, has three levels. The upper two levels are just balcony's and track offices. The lower level has the track. Overall the facility felt a little dated, but UNC did what they had to do to make it adequate. It is nicer than UConn's in my opinion.
One reason that I enjoyed track and field is because there were some characters I saw, and I am not just talking about Jackie Madden.
I don't like to make fun of people. I don't want this to be taken the wrong way at all. But there was a weight thrower that really needs some cardio. The lime green shirt with the gut hanging way out was quite a sight and is not healthy and probably counter productive to his sport. I'm sure he is a nice person, but he's got to get healthier. I feel bad for him. He has to stick out at a track event like a lime green Volkswagen Beetle at a Ferrari dealership. He has to feel bad. Even for weight throwers this was a little much.
Then we get to the male track runner with the extremely high ego. So high even he knows it. The sunglasses worn inside look tells us that he deserves to be ridiculed if he doesn't win.
You also have the high maintenance runners. The ones who are spraying god knows what on themselves. Covering their legs in some sort of cream. They then go through tons and tons of stretching and warm ups. They get the rollers that they put on their legs. They swing their legs back and forth. They do all sorts of stretches. There is so much stretching going on. It's a stretch fest. I should ask track kids about stretching.
Speaking of warm ups, I feel like these track runners do more of a work out when they warm up then most average Americans.
When the runners are warmed up and ready to go, they go. I love the perfection in the running and motion in elite sprinters. It looks effortless because there is no wasted effort. The legs work like pistons in a car engine. One goes up and one goes down in perfect harmony. Watch sprinters legs and lower body. It's amazing. It's truly amazing. The other thing I notice is how much range of motion the runners have. It's not like they are barely picking up their legs when they run. It's much closer to them kicking themselves in the ass.
Track and field is so action packed. You not only have runners on the track, but also runners warming up for the next event running on the edges of the track. You have field events going on at once. It's the perfect sport for those with ADD. The worst sport to work for those who want things to go exactly to plan.
The final take away from watching track and field events is how boring to watch the 3,000 meter run is. Even when you have a rooting interest. And the second heat of the 3,000 meter run when you are in a hurry to see the next event is just awful. It's a wonder that the starter doesn't shoot himself to begin the event.
But actually the person I knew best was in the 3,000 meter run. So because they are awesome it won't be my final take away.
The 3,000 meter run also taught me a lot about track and field, and what a winner is. A coach or parent was happy with a runner who finished second to last. I think the kid was from a Division III school. I have a feeling that regardless of how his competitors did, he did the best he ever has in his life. I also saw a runner from Wingate just get to the ground at the end of his race. Completely exhausted. Completely spent. Sweat dripping from his body and praying for some air. I have no idea where this runner finished. I don't think he had the fastest time, but he is definitely a winner. If you train as hard as you possibly can and on the day of the competition you give the effort he did, it doesn't matter how the competition did because you really did win. (Of course if he went drinking the night before and gave it his all, but didn't have is normal abilities it's a completely different story.)
I love track and field because it requires people to have the self discipline to constantly push themselves to get better. If you win a race, but don't break your own personal record then you weren't perfect and aren't completely satisfied.
My final take away are just how perfect mid distance runners and sprinters bodies are. I did notice that. They have the bodies that most people really do want. There is not any fat on these people. No matter how bad you do at the track, I have to imagine that they feel a little better when they look in the mirror. Track runners are some of the most elite and fit human beings in the world.
In Competition Interaction..
I never quite know how to act around teams and athletes during the time of a competition and right before it. I believe in just being a spectator and just leaving them alone.
I want to let them focus. There is no useful information that I can give them. Maybe seeing some support would make them do better. Not sure, but it might. Supposedly people are supposed to improve when they know they are being watched.
I don't want to over analyze the situation but I just don't know whats right.
Certain sports are different and have more interaction. Track and Field is one of the harder sports for me to know what to do. I was at UNC Chapel Hill for a Track meet today and saw some athletes I know. I didn't really say anything to them though. I didn't seek them out. I almost blocked them out. I felt like if they wanted to come up to me, they could. I didn't want to go up to them though. Hopefully they don't confuse my lack of interaction as being anti-social, it's more of making sure that I am not a distraction.
Do I say hello or do I not say hello? It's quite awkward sometimes.
I want to let them focus. There is no useful information that I can give them. Maybe seeing some support would make them do better. Not sure, but it might. Supposedly people are supposed to improve when they know they are being watched.
I don't want to over analyze the situation but I just don't know whats right.
Certain sports are different and have more interaction. Track and Field is one of the harder sports for me to know what to do. I was at UNC Chapel Hill for a Track meet today and saw some athletes I know. I didn't really say anything to them though. I didn't seek them out. I almost blocked them out. I felt like if they wanted to come up to me, they could. I didn't want to go up to them though. Hopefully they don't confuse my lack of interaction as being anti-social, it's more of making sure that I am not a distraction.
Do I say hello or do I not say hello? It's quite awkward sometimes.
Reality Check
I had to pay for gas today which got me thinking about how much money I have made gaining all of these experiences in athletics.
I have made fucking nothing. I am using the F-Word on purpose because it's the only appropriate one.
I have only made money at one place, which is my current place...and I only make money because I have a family member to live with...otherwise I'd be losing money. I have loved what I have done, but financially if it wasn't for a lot of support and taking advantage of my time in college I would have lost tons of money trying to break in to the sport industry.
Just tonight I drove 45 minutes to volunteer to gain experience for my resume.
I'm still doing that. I'm still not getting paid.
It's not going to get much better in pay when I get a full time position either. I know someone who works full time and is just out of college and makes $30,000 for his job plus teaching a class. I know someone who was in sales who made a wonderful $31,000. Based on the hours people work they may make $12-17 an hour I would guess. I made $15 an hour as a junior in college at a summer job. I had no degree and made about the same amount of money. Of course the job wasn't as fun as the one I have now but still. The hours can be unreal in athletics. The pay is very real because it sometimes seems non-existent.
How the fuck can I ever have a family and afford to raise children (or see them) when I work in athletics? Again, I use the F-Word because it's the only appropriate one. How can I afford my bills and put money aside for future needs? How can I make enough to purchase a house?
Do I think people in athletics should be paid more? Absolutely. Who doesn't think they should be paid more?
Do I think it will happen? No and I understand why. We don't need sports more than we need teachers, firefighters, police, cyber security, military, doctors, lawyers, engineers, salesman etc.
Where am I going with this?
Two things. I really need to reach for greatness in order to make a decent living in sports. I believe I can do that, but I am also tired of having to worry about whether or not I will make money, or feel secure enough to not obsess over a purchase.
The next is the whole pay the college athletes argument.
If you want to pay the college athletes, which personally I do and don't (They shouldn't get paid to play, but should maybe be able to make money off of jersey sales, video game sales, advertising etc.) then you should argue for higher pay for those that make the games happen. There are so many people behind the scenes working so hard for so long to make games happen. Where exactly is the movement to raise the salaries for those that work in athletics. I get that lots of people want to volunteer and help to get experience. You don't have to pay them or pay them much. But full-time staff. They need all the help they can get having a work life balance.
The pay is depressing sometimes. I just have to work hard and see where it leads me. I just hope working in sports doesn't become financially impossible when compared to my life goals and needs.
I have made fucking nothing. I am using the F-Word on purpose because it's the only appropriate one.
I have only made money at one place, which is my current place...and I only make money because I have a family member to live with...otherwise I'd be losing money. I have loved what I have done, but financially if it wasn't for a lot of support and taking advantage of my time in college I would have lost tons of money trying to break in to the sport industry.
Just tonight I drove 45 minutes to volunteer to gain experience for my resume.
I'm still doing that. I'm still not getting paid.
It's not going to get much better in pay when I get a full time position either. I know someone who works full time and is just out of college and makes $30,000 for his job plus teaching a class. I know someone who was in sales who made a wonderful $31,000. Based on the hours people work they may make $12-17 an hour I would guess. I made $15 an hour as a junior in college at a summer job. I had no degree and made about the same amount of money. Of course the job wasn't as fun as the one I have now but still. The hours can be unreal in athletics. The pay is very real because it sometimes seems non-existent.
How the fuck can I ever have a family and afford to raise children (or see them) when I work in athletics? Again, I use the F-Word because it's the only appropriate one. How can I afford my bills and put money aside for future needs? How can I make enough to purchase a house?
Do I think people in athletics should be paid more? Absolutely. Who doesn't think they should be paid more?
Do I think it will happen? No and I understand why. We don't need sports more than we need teachers, firefighters, police, cyber security, military, doctors, lawyers, engineers, salesman etc.
Where am I going with this?
Two things. I really need to reach for greatness in order to make a decent living in sports. I believe I can do that, but I am also tired of having to worry about whether or not I will make money, or feel secure enough to not obsess over a purchase.
The next is the whole pay the college athletes argument.
If you want to pay the college athletes, which personally I do and don't (They shouldn't get paid to play, but should maybe be able to make money off of jersey sales, video game sales, advertising etc.) then you should argue for higher pay for those that make the games happen. There are so many people behind the scenes working so hard for so long to make games happen. Where exactly is the movement to raise the salaries for those that work in athletics. I get that lots of people want to volunteer and help to get experience. You don't have to pay them or pay them much. But full-time staff. They need all the help they can get having a work life balance.
The pay is depressing sometimes. I just have to work hard and see where it leads me. I just hope working in sports doesn't become financially impossible when compared to my life goals and needs.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Flip a coin? Super Bowl thoughts
Uhh flip a coin? Two evenly matched teams? Not sure who to pick...
I'll go with the Ravens but I don't know why.
I'll take the under for the time to sing the National Anthem (2:15)
I don't think Alicia Keys will be booed or miss a word in the anthem.
I think Beyonce's top will be red at the start of the Super Bowl halftime show.
I will take the over on the amount of times that Jack Harbaugh will be shown on TV (1.5)
I will say that TV will show both brother coaches together on a split screen before one is singled out.
I will bet that no player will be arrested who is on the current roster before the Super Bowl.
I'll go with a yellow Gatorade bath for the winning coach.
I will take Dennis Pitta of Baltimore to score the first touchdown.
I will go with the over for the most amount of tweets per second at one time in the super bowl (15,000)
I say that the team that wins the coin toss will win the game (hope this doesn't contradict my main prediction)
I predict that second quarter will be the highest scoring quarter.
I will take more Peyton Siva assists vs Marquette than Michael Crabtree receptions.
For more bets, and there are lots more. Here you go. Just don't violate NCAA rules college athletes and staff members!
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/01/31/updated-super-bowl-prop-bets-and-odds/
I'll go with the Ravens but I don't know why.
I'll take the under for the time to sing the National Anthem (2:15)
I don't think Alicia Keys will be booed or miss a word in the anthem.
I think Beyonce's top will be red at the start of the Super Bowl halftime show.
I will take the over on the amount of times that Jack Harbaugh will be shown on TV (1.5)
I will say that TV will show both brother coaches together on a split screen before one is singled out.
I will bet that no player will be arrested who is on the current roster before the Super Bowl.
I'll go with a yellow Gatorade bath for the winning coach.
I will take Dennis Pitta of Baltimore to score the first touchdown.
I will go with the over for the most amount of tweets per second at one time in the super bowl (15,000)
I say that the team that wins the coin toss will win the game (hope this doesn't contradict my main prediction)
I predict that second quarter will be the highest scoring quarter.
I will take more Peyton Siva assists vs Marquette than Michael Crabtree receptions.
For more bets, and there are lots more. Here you go. Just don't violate NCAA rules college athletes and staff members!
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/01/31/updated-super-bowl-prop-bets-and-odds/
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