INLINE MARCH MADNESS INVIT'L & MARATHON

Keeping the information flowing is sometimes not an easy thing. Not that we don't want to share what we are up to, but there are times we are waiting on the "other person" to get back to us before we can contact "some other guy" to get his approval and then that allows us to call "the girl" over at that other place who will help us ultimately decide "our schedule". Dose this sound confusing??? Well it is for us too!! That's why you might see a few days go by and there is no new information posted. We aren't sleeping or doing laundry....... We are up early, working at sending emails out, or phone calls soliciting sponsors, or trying to find the best t-shirts with the best artwork.

Another one of our groups is working with the Department of Transportation, making sure the roads are safe and that we have the walkie-talkies that are needed for communication as well as water stations, and medical attendants, and my big deal.... having enough PORTA POTTIES! :) Oh and we just HAVE to have spectacular "goodie-bags" for the outdoor race! So much stuff it will be like a kid out on Halloween night with no curfew!!!

Oh and don't forget the awards. We must go out and get bids. That's right. We want the best awards that we can find, done in a professional manner including top notch work and done on time! We wanted a different type of award for indoor division races, another kind for indoor relays and of course something special for the Tiny Tot Opens (oh wait till ya see these babies... not the kids, the awards! We already KNOW the kids are cute!!) And we can't forget the special awards for the Last Person Out.

You know it doesn't stop there?! The racing isn't over until we have our First Annual March Madness Marathon the next morning. Of course the Pro's would like money and that takes sponsors, although if the truth be told between you and me, their thrill is really after the race, when they are standing at the TOP of that podium. I know... I know .... everyone can use the money.... but to those skaters it's really the satisfaction of winning the best or fastest or largest marathon (which we hope to become all 3 of those some day) on that particular day. Having the media, besides someone like me, asking you why you do what you do and then caring enough to put you on the front page of the sports section. That's what winning marathon's is about for those guys. And then taking that money they won and having a great time that night with all of their friends.

So you see... that's what we have been doing. Raffle stuff, sponsor stuff, award stuff, logo stuff, host hotel things, website things, blog stuff, articles, pictures, meetings, videos, commercials, decisions, decisions, decisions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep those questions coming so that I can keep the answers coming.

Some of the important Deadlines:

Indoor Entry - Will be announced no later than December 15th with entry forms
Outdoor Entry - Divisions and awards will be announced same time that entry forms are
available - No Later than December 15th (provided the City of Rancho Cordova
provides us with the necessary information needed).
Host Hotel: To receive the special hotel rate for 1-4 persons, 2 queen beds, for only
$98.00 per night. This same hotel room is currently listed on EXPEDIA.com
for $199 a night... Yikes... grab it now before FEBRUARY 14, 2008!!! Only so
many rooms have been put aside for this event.

Two places you can go to continue to find the most current updates:

1. Our blog: www.inlinemarchmadness.blogspot.com
2. Our website: www.inlinemarchmadness.com

Thanks for checking in..... we look forward to seeing you soon. Linda

NEW INFORMATION COMING SOON!!

Finally we have the answer on a road course!! It appears to be official - - -we will be having a full-marathon (26.2 miles or 42K) connected to our 3 day Indoor Invitational Speed Meet. The course is currently a 6 1/2 mile loop that each competitor will follow 4 times through.

Let me tell you, this is not just any course!! The word "challenge" will definitely find a place next to the words Inline March Marathon!!

Better start practicing your right hand turns and maybe a few intervals (for all the slowing down and speed up that can happen on this course) and that's if you skate by yourself!

We expect to have more details and information on the Outdoor site as well as the Indoor tentative schedule posted by December 15th. This information will be posted on our IMMI website as well as here and a NEW blog that will be dedicated to only information about the 2008 Inline March Madness Invitational and Outdoor Marathon Race. Stay connected... sign yourself up to receive instant updates to your home email address every time we add something new to this blog!!! And of course if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me at:

woodsk8@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you soon........ Linda :)

LAST DAY AT THE OVAL....

Yes..... sadly enough for me, today was the last time I will be in the oval on this trip. I will also be leaving the beautiful mountains, as seen from the 3rd floor condo of one of the US skaters.

I leave tomorrow for the "real world" - Sacramento, California. (If you are wondering if we were close to the California fires, no we were not. We are located in Northern California and the horrendous fires were in Southern California.)

The Dutch were one of the first on the ice today, but the Italians quickly followed as did the Japanese. I was told that the ice today was incredibly fast. Faster than it has been in the recent past. The Olympic Oval has completely shut down all public access (this includes the 440-meter running track, the inside "turf" field and the short track and public skating) except to the long track skaters, for the last 12 days.


One last look at the Oval and the athletes who use this facility.


I am looking forward to writing about inline speed skating once again. Thanks for those who stopped by and to those who continue to check daily. With the holidays approaching, my stories will slow down a bit, but all you need to do is sign-up to receive a notice when a new article is added.

WORLD CUP COMPETITION JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Preparations continue at the Olympic Oval for the upcoming World Cup competition, which is scheduled for the weekend of November 9Th through the 11Th. They have taken down all of the obstacles in the center of the oval (I call them obstacles only because I am unable to video through them, but they are items necessary for the other sports that are held here). The plexi-glass and nets for the indoor soccer/lacrosse field and the same for the short track/hockey ice. The staff has set up bleachers almost all the way around and it appears that they are still doing so as of today. I have observed them scrubbing all of the cement floors and any other surface that is not attached to the ice. Additional snack bar seating and tables are ready to go for the large crowds expected.

Teams have been arriving over the last 7 to 10 days with the majority of teams expected to finally arrive early this next week. It has given me an opportunity to observe their warm-up regimen, stretching and training techniques. I couldn't begin to tell you if what these athletes from other countries do are the same or different from what skaters in the USA typically do. There is so much going on in so many different places that I seem to be having a hard time taking it all in.

Sven Kramer, the World Record holder in the 5000-meter and the 10,000-meter, appears to be relaxed and enjoying his warm-up prior to skating on the ice. Kramer, from the Netherlands, set his 10K record just this past February here in Salt Lake City during the 2007 World Championships. His time was a 12:51.61. Can he skate a personal best to surpass that time? You will need to be here next weekend to find out!


I understand that several of the skaters that work for Home Depot will be holding an autograph signing at one of the main stores in town today. Along with the autographs they will be promoting this weekends World Cup competition and handing out complimentary admission tickets for at least one of the competition sessions.

I have been here almost two weeks and wish I could have extended it just one more week. With all of the planning that has gone into this event I can only imagine how exciting the World Cup itself will be!! I would like to wish all of the skaters the best of luck and hope the ice is record-setting fast! Go Team USA....



Here on the left side is a young lady working on her core
strength training. To the right skaters are working with turn cables
and below two coaches are contemplating their next move. So many things are going on at one time that it is hard to keep track of what is up next. For me, it has been very exciting... and cold!

USA back on the ICE today..

Above it's all about boots and blades...

Today it was back to practice as usual for the skaters that live in Utah. Short track practice was held from 7:00am-9:00am. Remember that skaters here arrive at least 45 minutes ahead of a scheduled practice so that they can warm-up and be ready to step out onto the ice when practice starts. Erin DiJulio leads Amber and Heather down the straight.











Long Track practice for some of the groups were scheduled for 9:00am-10:00am and for others they were there 9:00am-11:00am.

Then a couple of the World Cup teams started practicing after the Zamboni did it's thing some time after 11:00am. I'm wondering if Russia just shows up earlier for WC's (the World Cup is 2 weeks away) or if teams have scheduled practice times like we do at World's.

The Coach from RUSSIA takes a moment with his
skaters during practice. More photos from today, here.

Look for video of some of our skaters coming this week. Linda

WAITING FOR SNOW - HA!

Chris Creveling and Sebastian Cano were sprinting in warm-up. Today most of the skaters had the day off and I understand that Monday's are used for ice maintenance.

I will be "hanging" around Salt Lake for another 7 days, waiting for it to snow!! Actually it's been nice visiting with Josh and getting to know some of his new friends and seeing all of the skaters that raced this past weekend that I have not seen in awhile. All of the skaters looked great. Not just skating, but they have matured and filled-out in a positive way.

And the neat thing is that almost every skater here is truly dedicated to whatever their goals are giving 100%. I will continue writing throughout the week about the skaters here and what practice is like.

BUT I will also be updating you on our "INLINE MARCH MADNESS" Invitational coming this March 2008 to Sunrise Rollerland in Citrus Heights, CA, which is located in the Sacramento area. We do have a website that is in the early stages but still has a ton of information on airports and dates. Our outdoor site is ALMOST 95% secured so it looks like it will be a go with a marathon! There are a few pictures of the outside of the rink and the floor taken over a year ago. Stop by and check it out at:

www.inlinemarchmadness.com

Linda

GREAT SPEED SKATING & RESULTS

Derek Parra gives last minute instructions to Josh Wood, Alex Mark, Terence Allmond (in orange) and Jessica Smith, before the 1000-meter races.

Today our guys and girls would have brought home some great medals .... had they awarded them. Yes, there were no awards for any of the individual races nor the over-all winners if there were any. Now this may be typical and no one complained, but I wonder what inline skaters (or some of the people who post regularly on the boards) would have said after paying an entry fee for an American Cup or World Cup Qualifier (these races were combined-it just depended on how you signed up) and then did not receive an award of some kind.


Jillianne Rookard looks great coming out of turn 2 during today's 5000-meter race where she finished 2nd.

I must admit that I missed seeing the award ceremonies, probably because I am just used to it. But the one thing that I am most sad about, was during the playing of the National Anthem each morning... not everyone stopped to listen, including those playing LaCrosse, Soccer and Hockey in the middle. Even Pascal Briand from FRANCE mentioned to one of our skaters that he couldn't believe that people were not paying attention to the playing of our National Anthem. At the end I know I clapped, but I don't remember hearing too many more than that. The reason I might not have heard others was because of the size of the Oval....

Some of the positive things that happened this weekend while we were at the races was that our announcer was professional sounding and must have known that I was clueless about what was going on. He explained every race and how 4 skaters could skate in one heat on the track at the same (that was confusing a first, but by the time they came to heat 2, it became clear what was happening). He gave everyone their accumulative times as well as that individual lap time. I am good with times, but he kept me hopping!! I love that they were on time, literally to the second. That is no exaggeration. There were things that put them behind, like falls and a re-skate or two, but then we got back on time and it was business as usual.

MENS 10,000-METER:


1st - Patrick MEEK 14:16.30
2nd - Josh WOOD 14:17.66
3rd - Paul DYRUD 14:22.50

4th - Liam ORTEGA 14:46.24
5th - Keith CARNEY 14:48.52
6th - Brian BOUDREAU 15:21.25
7th - Paul NAHRWOLD 15:35.48
8th - Brandon ANDREWS 15:54.82



MENS 1000-METER RESULTS

1st - Carpenter 109.57
2nd - Pearson 109.73
3rd - Bokko-NOR 109.92-PB (stands for personal best)

4th - Aussprung (Jr National Record) 110.11
5th - Fredricks 110.22
6th - Needham 110.23


Wood 114.53-PB
Creveling 114.35-PB
Cano 114.10-PB
Allmond 116.20-PB
Gorman 113.30-PB

WOMENS 5000-METER

1st - Catherine RANEY 7:15.17
2nd - Jillianne ROOKARD 7:31.48
3rd - Anna RINGSRED 7:35.94

4th - Erica LANSER 7:41.93

Erin DIJULIO's time was 7:55.96 but was disqualified for interference during one of the cross-overs.

5th - April MEDLEY 7:56.87
6th - Marian FURST 9:02.67


WOMENS 1000-METER RESULTS

1st - Elli OCHOWICZ 1:17.45
2nd - Claudia PECHSTEIN - GER 1:117.85
3rd - Mia MANGANELLO 1:18.80

Rookard 1:22.68 PB
Gunther 1:21.75 PB
Richardson 1:20.67 PB
Combs 1:28.83
Cholewinski 1:23.00 PB - Fell first time and hit tail-bone was awarded a re-skate

Most WhIP Skaters Complete First 5K

This morning we had to be in the Oval an hour earlier than yesterday. The competition starts precisely on the hour.

They started with the 500-meters today and finished with the 3000-meters for the girls and the 5000-meters for the guys. The skaters did a great job today with several surprises. Check out the day's results at US Speedskating. Also don't forget to check the few photos that I have taken here.

Josh Wood warms-up before his 1500-meter yesterday. Although Josh has warmed-up this way for years, It has been amazing to see inline skaters stretching and actually warming-up for at least an hour before they skate!! Take note skaters... this is the present and the future!
Linda

500-Meter TOP 3 and JESSICA SMITH

Since my article on Jessica Smith’s injury at the World Championships, many people have emailed me personally to see how Jess was doing. I tried to reach her but with her surgery, traveling and training she had been a little hard to find.

Well today I caught up with her and got to watch her skate her 500-meter and her 1500-meter. But the best part was having a quick moment to talk to her about her surgery.

Jessica had 7 pins and a “blue” plate put in her shoulder. She made sure that I knew that it was “blue” for the state of Michigan! Her scar appears to be about 6 inches long. And of course she allowed me to take a photo!! The other two photos are of Jess being her GOOFY self! She skated great today and the girls posted the following times:














500-Meter - WORLD RECORD - 37.04 - Jenny Wolf - GER

Today 17 women competed in 9 pairs





1st - Elli Ochowicz USA 38.94
2nd - Claudia Pechstein GER 40.05 (but does not count towards USA World Qualifier)
3rd TIE - Jessica Smith USA 40.39
3rd TIE - Lauren Cholewinski USA 40.39 (Still of Junior WC age)

500-Meter - WORLD RECORD - 34.25 - Kang-Seok Lee - ROK

Today 48 men competed in 25 pairs

1st - Tucker Fredricks - USA 35.31
2nd - Kip Carpenter - USA 35.47
3rd - Brent Aussprung USA 35.83

More information to follow..... Linda

SHARP AS A TACK..and I'm not talking about the guy at the drive-up window!

Lauren Cholewinski prepares to sharpen her blades as Brandon Andrews "kicks back" after a killer dinner by Josh Wood.


Last night would be "deja vu" for me as a parent. I had been in my "designated room" at Josh's (he has a 3-bedroom condo and has one roommate so I got the other room) trying to put clothes away and get ready for the next day, when I walked out and was talking to Lauren and Brandon. The next thing I know Josh told me "Mom, if your not in your room you need to turn the lights off!"

I couldn't believe it.... after all of these years Josh was telling ME to turn the lights off! I felt like I had won... I had won the electricity battle!! YES... I walked back to my room with a huge smile and proudly turned the lights off. (Parents... keep harping on your kids..... it will pay off... 25 years from now!!!!) :)

That night Josh cooked a great meal of salmon, pasta and asparagus for Lauren Cholewinski, Brandon Andrews and myself. As Josh and I picked up the dishes and cleaned the table off, I looked over and saw Lauren on the floor with her skates in an apparatus that appeared like it belonged in a Frankenstein movie attached to Frankenstein's head. I quickly learned that it was called a "jig" and was made to hold the skates in it, upside down so that she could sharpen the blades. Lauren told me that she usually sharpens her blades once a week and that it typically takes about a half-hour. Remember I told you that I know NOTHING when it comes to ice. So pardon me if I sound condescending, I do not mean to, I really am completely brand new to all of this.

An hour later Lauren was frustrated and still working on her blades. She had a burr that she could not get out. Watching her and thinking of the maintenance that is necessary to keep their skates in top condition on top of the intense training, made me tired just watching her. It was fascinating watching her gently gliding a "diamond sharpening tool" across her blades with such precision. Back and forth. I wondered how she could have a burr when she concentrated on every move that she made. She probably wondered the same thing, but now was not the time to ask one of those dumb questions of mine. Lauren did allow me to take a quick video as well as some pictures while she continued sharpening her blades. Lauren tried to explain to me the degree's, the bend and why and how you do things, but it just wasn't computing.

Today we went to the Oval for one last practice before the World Cup trials (I think that is what this event is called ...I still do not know what is going on... I have a million questions, but I honestly think that most of the skaters just skate and do not have the answers). I hope to have more answers tomorrow.

I saw many inline skaters and former inline skaters here to try out. Some of those that are here are: Erin DiJulio, Heather Richardson, Kelly Gunther, Jillianne Rookard, Maurice Hall, Terence Allmond, Jonathan Garcia, Jono Gorman, Amber Yarborough, Clay Cholewinski, Lauren Cholewinski, Chad Hedrick, Josh Wood, Stephanie Combs, Chris Creveling, Alex Mark, Robert Lawrence, Jessica Smith, Jordan Malone and Pascal Briand from France as well as others. Not all of the skaters that I have named are skating this weekend but are here in town or are on the program.

I will have more information and know more about what is going on tomorrow evening when I sit down to write.

There is no possible way that I can know any less than I know right now ....... is there?? LOL

Linda

Car Rental is HEAVY Challenge

Today was all about flying and picking up my luggage that is ALWAYS over weight! This time it was only one bag that was over so I tipped the Sky Cap $20.00 to take the 60 pound bag and the 49.5 pound bag. Then it was onto the car rental. This rental would prove a little more challenging than others. When I arrived the guy behind the counter changed his “attitude” when he realized that my car was pre-paid through PRICELINE.COM. For those of you not familiar with this service, you can go on their website and “name your price” that you are willing to pay. If there are any car rental agencies willing to accept your offer then you have a deal and your credit card is charged immediately. You cannot back out.

This time my offer was accepted by AVIS for $13.00 a day for the Economy size. Usually they try to make their money back by “up-selling” you to a larger vehicle for only $5.00 a day or “Do you want a GPS system?” and finally the one I like, the big one, “Do you want to add a billion dollar insurance policy to that?” As always I’m on a budget and thanks but no thanks!

I was polite as always but I could tell this guy was going to make me pay one way or another!! He handed me my keys and told me row G-41. Funny thing is after about G-39, the company name changed to National Car Rental. I walked and walked through the car rental place looking for Avis
G-41 while dragging the 60 pound piece of luggage, the 49 pound of luggage, the 40 pound backpack and the 25 pound carry-on bag, along with the keys and the rental agreement. Now I want to go back in and tell that guy, “Ok, ok… you win, add on what ever you need and let me just get out of here”. But then all of a sudden I see a guy who works for Avis and he tells me, “Lady… G-41 is after G-40”. No duh, really?!

He finally told me it was across the parking lot. Go figure. I finally get there, drop all of my luggage to the ground and realize, Yes I can put the luggage in the car, but I can’t get in. That’s right, my car is parked too close to the 15-passenger van next to it. Actually the van was parked on the line. I swear this guy knew it.

Once I was in the car it was on to the Oval to see Josh. After arriving it was calming to walk into the Oval and watch the skaters glide from one edge to the other. You could hear the blade carving the ice as each skater went by. Sometimes the sound lasting longer as several skaters formed a pack. I started looking for Josh. I did not see a familiar uniform, helmet or skates. For just a moment I forgot that I was not at an inline practice.

It took many minutes for me to find him, but once I did it was such an incredible feeling when he came over and gave me a huge hug. A few of the inline/ice skaters that I knew stopped on the wall to say hi. It was great seeing Jillianne Rookard, Jonathan Garcia, Lauren Cholewinsky and others.

Come back tomorrow and see what skaters do at night besides eat and watch tv!!

New Trip - New Sport

This view is from Josh's 3rd story balcony. I was hoping to see the same thing. Snow, snow, snow. Unfortunately for me it will in the 70's the whole week I am here in Salt Lake City, UT.


I am sitting in the airport (which I seem to do often, but no complaints here), and in just about one hour I will be leaving Sacramento and flying into Salt Lake City, Utah. I had hoped there would be tons of snow, (I have no desire to ski or snow board, but love the view-from the INSIDE looking out!) unfortunately it will be 70 degrees for the next three to five days. Of course my stay is 6 short days.

I am going to SLC to see my son. He is one of the fortunate inline speed skaters that is participating in the WHiP program and when he was first asked and accepted he decided to purchase a Condo (with a little convincing from his parents!) in the area. There is somewhat of a “frantic” story that goes with that and hopefully I will have time during my visit with him to tell you how I helped Josh purchase a Condo by phone, by fax and through the internet almost sight unseen!!

Anyway, this weekend there is a race and all that I truly know about the race is that it is at the Oval in Utah and it has the words "World and Cup" attached to it. Now I figure skated at the age of 10 and was told then that I needed to make a decision between “roller skating and ice skating”, it’s obvious which sport I chose and I do not regret it. The only thing that I know about ice speed skating is that it is fast and cold! I hope that I can educate myself and those of us who do not live on the East Coast and who do not do ice once or twice a week!! For most of us on the West Coast.... there is not a lot available in that discipline, at least in Northern California.


I hope that you will come back and watch for MY trial and tribulations at learning a new sport that I do not participate in, coach or understand except as a parent!! And of course there will be pictures.

I probably know just enough about ice speed skating to get myself in trouble (sorry Josh if I embarrass you)!! This really should be interesting or even amusing if nothing else. Linda :)

Over The Top

We have all heard about "Kodak Moments", and every once in awhile I get lucky and pull one off. This one happens to be a quick video from my 35mm digital camera. It involves one of the Springer twins. I can NEVER tell these two apart. I know that one of them has a small mole just under his left eye (I think)..... this time one Springer goes over the other Springer!!

You might ask why the Springer going over the top, stops... did you really think I would tell you?? LOL PS If you play this a second time, immediately following the first time, it will show the whole video. I don't know why that it cuts off the first part your first time around..but it does. ENJOY


I think these boys had way too much fun at clinic. Linda

Day 3 & 4 Whiz by....

I try to take a moment each evening to write something about that days events. But yesterday, (well really last night...) would prove to be a little busier than normal for me.

Most of the skaters do not realize what coaches do during their dinner break or after we get back to the rooms. Typically we allow time for a "coaches meeting" to go over the days events. We discuss what worked and what did not work. You might think that since USARS has been holding these types of clinics for years that they should have this down to a science. And just when we think that we do... technology changes, technique changes or we find a better way of doing things .... or... we just want to add something beneficial to the clinic. This clinic would be no different. Or would it???

For me, the dynamics of the clinic would change due to the amount of skaters and their ages. Before the clinic starts, each of the lead coaches receive information about the skaters including their name, division and how old they are. This allows us to gear our program to fit the level, age and need of each skater to ensure that they qualify. That is a difficult thing to do when we have never seen these skaters before and we do not now their capability of speed skating.

So.. the best thing to do is let them loose out on the track for a general warm-up by themselves. During this mass warm-up we observed the 65+ skaters and knew that we would need to start by putting them into age groups. With this done it became much easier to assess the skater and decide where they would go for the first day. We explained that these groups may be temporary and that more changes could happen again. And once again they did. Eventually the skaters and the coaches felt comfortable with each group. We ended up with 6 groups over-all and we usually had 2 groups out on the track at one time. Every once in a while it would be three groups so that the skaters could skate as much as possible. We made sure for day one and two that the skaters had little down time so that we could fill their minds and bodies with nothing but skating!!!

However on the third night it became evident to the skaters, parents and coaches that rest would be more important and safer if we skipped the third session and let the skaters go back to their hotel and just "chill". As a coaching staff we felt that if WE were tired, the skaters REALLY must be tired!

Even though they came back to a blizzard... (ok, ok... so I exaggerate just a little! It was 31 degrees outside including wind chill factor). The skaters appeared to be rested and skated much better. The OTC usually requires that we not skate when it gets that cold due to possible injuries, like pulling muscles from not being warmed-up (which is hard to do when it is that cold), or fingers and toes falling off. LOL ;)

As you see above... two moms (I think they are mom's-they are so covered up it's hard to tell!) are really bundled up. The wind came in at 15-20mph (it felt like a 100 mph-I know..another exaggeration), and the skaters would complain a little but continued to work hard. I found teams of two skaters facing each other and practicing their "rocking back and forth with arm swing and keeping their shoulders parallel. Over-all the staff felt it was a very successful clinic.

Thank you to all of the parents who sent your children while you stayed home and worked. Thank you to the parents who brought someone else's child and thank you to the coaches who guided your skaters our way, even if you were not able to make it yourself. Finally I would like to thank all of the coaches that flew or drove out at their own expense. Each of you were instrumental in making this clinic happen!

And last but not least, of course I cannot forget our demonstrators and our helpers. You guys were the icing AND the cherry on the cake! Great job to all of you. If you have any questions and would like to contact me, you may do so by sending me an email at : woodsk8@hotmail.com

Take care and check out the new photos. Linda
p.s. click on the "SPRINGER & SPRINGER SHOW" below, and after you have watched it the first time, come back and watch the first part again where THE CHAMP is in the background getting his "2.5-seconds of fame" LOL Linda

Skaters Practice 8 Hours on Day 2

Day two would prove a new challenge for most of the 65 skaters. We would have three sessions on track and no gym time due to Olympic sports using the gymnasiums. With 3 hours of skating in the morning, 3 hours in the afternoon and 2 hours in the evening for a total of 8 hours on the track. Some of the new skaters remarked that they usually only practice twice week an hour at each practice, for a total of 8 hours a month!
So it was a unique day.

While Kelly Springer was working with two groups out on the track, Buggy Allmond had two groups doing "off-skates" with their skates on in the middle while Linda Wood had another 2 groups over in another area doing other drills. When it was time to switch, skaters had a few moments for a drink and then they were on to the next coach. This continued through the morning session.

When we returned for the afternoon session it was time to open it up a bit for the skaters. Most were antsy to get "busy" out on the track. Each group of skaters did 3-1's. For those of you who are normally spectators, this drill consists of 3 pace laps and one sprint lap. The skaters then regroup to go again with 3 laps pace and 1 lap sprint. Each group had to do this 5 times before the next group would skate. In the meantime it was duck walks, stretching and drinking fluids as today many skaters and parents got a fair amount of sun!

Just a few more pictures were added today... please visit HERE

67 Skaters Participate In Developmental Clinic

Today was "opening day" for the USA Roller Sports Developmental Clinic. We are never sure exactly who will be attending. Of course we have their names, but unless you know where the athletes are from, we might not know the level of skater that we can expect.

You know you are going to have a good clinic when 30+ skaters are waiting for the Pan Am Meeting Room to be opened at 8am and it was only 7:35am. The coaches had an opportunity the night before to set up the majority of paperwork and it was on the tables and ready to hand out. But you still need just a few minutes to warm-up the projector, pull the pens out and make sure everyone has a job and every job has a "someone" to handle it! At 7:30am there are only a few coaches awake... and I am not one of them!

Before I knew it, it was a couple of minutes before 8:00am so we opened the doors and immediately got to work. Checking paperwork, amateur cards, handing out meal tickets, two different booklets and evaluation sheets, it didn't stop for a solid hour plus. We spent time looking for our instructional "Introduction to the OTC" DVD, we were not successful in finding it. I guess someone had enjoyed it so much, they "borrowed" it.

I knew things might be tough with 67 skaters and only 12 were already qualified. That meant that 55 skaters had never been to the Olympic Training Center and they knew nothing about the cafeteria, walking on the grass, the No Smoking rule or even driving fast through the parking lot. I made the video and even I have a hard time remembering to cover everything in that DVD. So each of the 9 coaches took a turn giving the athletes the information they would need to participate at the OTC.

Our first practice session would take place in the gym immediately following orientation. Usually we get the skaters on the track, but today would be different. We would skate the afternoon and then come back for a 6-8pm skating session. As long as it is not 30 below zero (and it wasn't), it is wonderful for the skaters to skate at night. The track is at it's best at night.

The skaters did a great job today and we are looking forward to doing more tomorrow. In the meantime, take a look at today's pictures!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58909696@N00/sets/

Linda Wood

It's All About FUN......

I have sat down the last three nights wanting to tell all of you (the skaters that participated in the National and Elite clinic) what an incredible job you have done!!! But something or someone has needed me at that very moment and I have been pulled away from my computer until now. I still have hundreds of pictures that I want to share with you, so do not stop looking to see if I have updated the photos or the blog.


Check out the smiles on their faces!! 11-year old Paul Everett from Washington and 13-yr old Jacob Daniels from Arizona practice their "jabs" .

The last clinic that I was a part of was this same time last year. I absolutely LOVE being at the clinics and if I could, I would be at all of them working with all of the super people that are a part of In-line speed skating. To watch a young skater finally be able to get past the middle of the bank and actually skate "high" on the banked track and doing cross-overs from the moment they enter the corner until they shoot out and down the "hump", gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

Or the teenager who started skating "later in life" (LOL...) and while they love this sport, it is one of the most difficult things for a young teen who is maybe not the fastest or the most coordinated, to come out to a clinic and go from being a shy skater to a more out-going, young adult who has opened their mind and tried new things... and lived to tell about it!!

To finally the adult, who knows they are crazy for even thinking about putting a pair of "roller-blades" on and skating with all of these young bucks. Because they know that if they go down and break some thing or hurt something, it takes much longer to heal. And besides that... we have work, kids, spouses, houses and every thing else that an adult is responsible for and we cannot afford to do so with only one arm or one hand. But it is something special when that wind hits your face and your quads are burning and you are going faster and faster that brings you back to your childhood and makes you feel just like you did 30 years ago. You have a coach, speed skates and competition. What more could you ask for?????

The clinic has been over for more than 24 hours now and we are preparing for the next clinic. But there was something truly special about this clinic. I can't put my finger on it and maybe never will, but there was magic out on that track and I got to be a part of it. Thank you... to the parents who came.. thank you to the skaters who donated their time and were demonstrators/coaches and most of all... to the skaters who tried everything that we asked and gave 110% of yourself and left it all on the track! You are why I LOVE doing clinics!! See you next year. Linda Wood

Day 2 - More Technique & Interval Drills

We knew today would be cold, but we didn't expect the 34 degrees that met us at we arrived at the track.

Every skater who registers receives the same packet, which includes a paragraph on items to bring to clinic. Some of the items that are typically recommended were; chapstick, sweatshirts, t-shirts, uniforms, gloves, lycra/spandex for your legs, arm warmers, ear warmers, sunglasses and many other items. The weather in Colorado changes often .... all in the same day!

Yesterday most of us got sunburned and it was almost 80 degrees. Today the high was around 52 degrees. Most of the girls packed well. The guys were a different story! I can hear it now, "Mom I don't need that stuff. Just leave it here." Well they were the ones complaining about how cold it was!!! One of the World Class Men pulled a pair of gloves off of a coach... just in fun, but the coach let him keep them through the drill. Others were trying to wrap their sweatshirts around their legs. Guys, next time listen to your mom. LOL

Today's schedule consisted of intense, informative and an innovative information on how to do the "Double Push". This "new technique" was introduced by Joey Mantia and Michael Cheek. But giving credit where credit is due, I understand that the original information came from Eddie Matzger. Either way it was a success for the whole group. The skaters really got into it and didn't want to quit until they got it right.

Next on the itinerary were passing drills where the skater in front of the paceline would drop back into the middle of the pack at the exact same time the last skater in the same paceline would pass to the same spot in the middle of the pack.

They finished with an interval drill that would show what each skater was truly made of. One lap on the banked track equals 200-meters. They had one lap to build-up. The next five laps were at a much faster pace with some of the times dropping down into the 17's for the World Class Men and into the 20 second lap times for our young Freshman and newer Junior World Class skaters. Once they finished their 1000-meters they would drop inside the red-line and had to remain together with their group as group 2 and then group 3 would go. Only one group was on the track at a time, allowing for more passing and racing that fit each of their groups level. Originally they were scheduled to do this 10 times through, which would equate to a 10K. The 2-3 minute rest between their 1000-meter race is just enough to simulate intervals at the beginning of the season. Although the drill called for 10 times through, weather would again dictate that only 8 sets would be completed. I think the skaters were EXTREMELY relieved that Mother Nature and time (we were at the end of our practice session anyway).

The skaters say they have really enjoyed the "different content" of this clinic. There are still 2 days left and the weather appears to be warming-up over the next two days. We are looking forward to 8-hours of training again tomorrow.

More pictures were added to the photo gallery today. Over 330 photos total in just 2 days of training. Check them out here; http://www.flickr.com/photos/58909696@N00/sets/
Linda

Day 1 - Back to the Basics

The skaters left today with a much better understanding for technique and the basics.

Head Coach, Buggy Allmond, along with the other coaches Kelly Springer, Jim Larson, Karen Shields, Ross Creveling, Ricky Brock, Cathy Morante and Lind Wood, decided it was time to "stop and smell the roses". With National Team skaters even showing some difficulty skating on one foot, for at least half of the straightaway during warm-ups, it was evident that bringing these skaters back to the basics would help both the National Team and the Elite clinic skaters have a better feel for the drills that would be skated over the next 4 days.

The first session usually designed to warm the skaters up and revisit such drills as first seam, second and third seam passes, were put on hold to work on "low and slow" and over-exaggerated deep edges. They also had an opportunity to work on "foot placement" during the recovery of the "freeleg". The skaters seemed to have a great time and showed remakable improvement, whether it was due to the excellent demonstrations by Joey Mantia and teammate Michael Cheek (both recent Gold Medalists at the 2007 World Championships in Colombia) or just having the open space and time to slow things down and work on individual movements. Yesterday finished up a success and more pictures were added to the site. Visit them here at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58909696@N00/sets/

Come back often to view new pictures added daily as these clinics (the Developmental clinic rolls into town on Wednesday) progress.

Enjoy, Linda Wood

NAITONAL & ELITE CLINIC ARRIVE

I am finally in my room and most of the athletes that are staying on campus for the Fall National/Elite Clinic have arrived.

Those skaters that qualified for the National Team at last season's 2007 Outdoor National Championships, were invited to attend this 5-day clinic. The only expense for each skater was their airline ticket to Colorado Springs, Colorado. All their transportation has been provided by the Olympic Training Center as well as a room and their food. All of the training has been provided by Certified USA Roller Sports Coaches.

With eight hours of skating taking place tomorrow in three different sessions, it should be interesting to see how many skaters are in still in shape or how many are using this as a jump start to their season!! Check out the photos here;
www.flickr.com/photos/woodsk8/sets/72157602279014238/

First Article on "SpeedSkatingSpectator"

The front view of SUNRISE ROLLERLAND home of the "2008 Inline March Madness" Invitational. Click here for more information that will be updated often.

I owe it all to Robert Burnson, creator, publisher, make-it-happen-now guy of INLINE PLANET.

Had we not collaborated on the 2007 World Championship blog (o.k. he held my hand every step of the way!), I would have never been to pull off what little that I did accomplish for pictures and news to the Inline Speed Skating World, that were recently held in Cali, Colombia. Thank you Robert!


So now it's a few weeks later and I am feeling little rested and decided to go "out on my own" and publish pictures and articles from a SPECTATORS point of view. There is no pressure being a spectator. Or at least I hope it's not! I figure it will be just like being a parent. You just have kids and they turn out great, right??!! LOL Alright, so this may take a little extra work!


I guess I will have to work a little harder on it than I originally planned! Our club is just getting back into the swing of things, we are putting on our first speed invitational (but certainly not my first invitational-just for speed) and we are changing a large majority of the way our club is run from a coaches point of view. So why not add a little spice to my schedule and add another small commitment??? I hope to cover my time in the rink, out of the rink, my trials and tribulations as a "newbie" parent on the competitive ice scene and anything else that comes along.


In the meantime, I would like to ask you all about your license plates. That's right, how dedicated are you as a skater or a parent of a skater? What does your license plate say???

If it is a personalized license plate (even if it doesn't have to do with skating, send it in). Each time I receive a new one, we will see who can figure it out first. I have added our first one. Just add your comments at the end of each article! This should be easy. Oh and tell me who you think owns this plate???? I hope you will join me along the way. Please be sure to feel free to leave comments. You can most certainly disagree with me, but PLEASE.... be polite, constructive and informative. I love to learn new things.

Linda L. Wood-USA