The plane touched down this afternoon and surprisingly, it turned out, all of our luggage was on board as well!! What a great way to start a World Championship event...all of the lifters and their luggage right where they were supposed to be.
We went through the typical currency exchange with very minimal disruption and everyone made it through the customs check with absolutely no issues. This trip so far has been beyond expectation...anytime you try to herd 21 teenagers through a new environment where no one understands the language or the signage, you always expect some hiccups. Today there were none. Very surprising when you consider only 3 of the young lifters have experience going through this process.
Caught our bus and had a very nice 50 minute drive to our hotel in Pilsen which surprisingly look very similar to the website photos we have been reviewing for the past couple of months. The hotels never actually end up being what is posted online, they always have a few things that are just a little, well let's just say not as they appear or are described. Not this year! Very nice accomodations and the restaurant food is excellent.
The 70 kilometer drive reminded me very much of my drive this year from Madison, WI to the Wisconsin Dells for High School Nationals. A lot of rolling pine filled hills bordered by hay fields scattered with rolled bales of hay. Every so often a small valley half filled with a small but what seems to be a thriving little community.
A lot of road construction in the town of Pilsen which might create a little challenge when we try to venture out later in the week and of course the route the driver took seemed to meander around the town like a lazy small river through the flat land. Hopefully the kids will be able to experience the city during the week and we have tried to arrange for a trip back into Prague for an afternoon just to let the kids get a site seeing tour of the city. A tremendous amount of history here!
Day one in the books...the coaches are dragging a little and the lifters are all still pretty wired about being somewhere other than home. Quote of the day, "I can't believe we are already really here."
Tomorrow we will get a liitle more acclimated to the area and try to get some nice pics of the area outside of the motel...
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
BSU Powerlifting Club Reunion
Last night I attended the reunion of the original BSU Powerlifting Club. Of course the reunion was actually of the original group of powerlifters in Southwest Idaho that basically got the sport started back in the 1978 time frame, but is started with the BSU team.
I was introduced to the group in about 1981 and worked out with them down at the YMCA in Boise and under the BSU stadium every once in awhile. Great times...Great stories...Great memories.
What was so interesting last night as I scanned the room at the aged faces was the love of the sport that originally got us all together was still so evident. Even though most haven't competed in years or even decades, each person in the room was eager to share their powerlifting experiences and stories from the past. Everyone was very excited to visit and take pictures and of course share a moment or two that they remembered from those days with the iron.
A few are still lifting regularly and a couple are either still competing or getting ready for a competition, including Jerry Englebert, a 74 year old, who figured he still had at least one more good competition in him and after not being in the weightroom for a number of years, went in for his first deadlift routine and pulled 400lbs...at 74!!! What a great gentleman and competitor. I am hoping he will attend our Idaho State Open this December and wow everyone with his skill in this sport.
I myself used the opportunity to spread the word of our current young lifters and let everyone know that powerlifting was still alive and doing quite well in Idaho. I even gave an update on the two young teenage lifters that will be representing Team USA at the Sub-Junior/Junior World Championships.
Everyone was quite pleased that what we had started so long ago was still being preserved through the lifting of so many young lifters here in Idaho.
Of course the evening was not without the sad news of fellow Idaho lifters who we have lost. We shared stories of them and remembered them as the great friends and lifters who played such a major part in the original development of this sport we call "powerlifting" in Idaho.
I certainly hope the young lifters I deal with on a weekly basis will cherish these quickly passing years of lifting and will keep their experiences close to them as they too age. The years spent competing in this sport are far too short lived and become memories far too quickly. But they are memories to be shared and enjoyed as we shared last evening...Thank each and every person that attended our little event. It was so wonderful to visit and rekindle the relationships that had dimmed over the years. May we be able to do it again and again...
I was introduced to the group in about 1981 and worked out with them down at the YMCA in Boise and under the BSU stadium every once in awhile. Great times...Great stories...Great memories.
What was so interesting last night as I scanned the room at the aged faces was the love of the sport that originally got us all together was still so evident. Even though most haven't competed in years or even decades, each person in the room was eager to share their powerlifting experiences and stories from the past. Everyone was very excited to visit and take pictures and of course share a moment or two that they remembered from those days with the iron.
A few are still lifting regularly and a couple are either still competing or getting ready for a competition, including Jerry Englebert, a 74 year old, who figured he still had at least one more good competition in him and after not being in the weightroom for a number of years, went in for his first deadlift routine and pulled 400lbs...at 74!!! What a great gentleman and competitor. I am hoping he will attend our Idaho State Open this December and wow everyone with his skill in this sport.
I myself used the opportunity to spread the word of our current young lifters and let everyone know that powerlifting was still alive and doing quite well in Idaho. I even gave an update on the two young teenage lifters that will be representing Team USA at the Sub-Junior/Junior World Championships.
Everyone was quite pleased that what we had started so long ago was still being preserved through the lifting of so many young lifters here in Idaho.
Of course the evening was not without the sad news of fellow Idaho lifters who we have lost. We shared stories of them and remembered them as the great friends and lifters who played such a major part in the original development of this sport we call "powerlifting" in Idaho.
I certainly hope the young lifters I deal with on a weekly basis will cherish these quickly passing years of lifting and will keep their experiences close to them as they too age. The years spent competing in this sport are far too short lived and become memories far too quickly. But they are memories to be shared and enjoyed as we shared last evening...Thank each and every person that attended our little event. It was so wonderful to visit and rekindle the relationships that had dimmed over the years. May we be able to do it again and again...
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Close of Another Year
Just a few random thoughts to close another year:
Will we ever be honest with ourselves as a nation, and really call a spade a spade? Political correctness has gotten ridiculous!!
Will the democrats and republicans actually learn to play well with each other? We the people are really getting tired of your arguing and accomplishing nothing!
Will the economy get turned around? I hear all of the military branches are hiring!!
Will their ever be restrictions added to receiving welfare? If you can afford cigarettes and liquor you don't need welfare!! Plus I hear all of the military branches are hiring!!
Will we see the military draft come back? PLEASE!!!!!
Not so funny to see Mr. Obama speak of the same communications failures in our security systems that were supposed to be fixed after 911. That was over 8 years ago. If they can't work together, FIRE them!! Sounds like a good idea for congress as well!!
Americans have great power, we just have a tendency to follow and listen to the latest rhetoric instead of doing our own research and making a decision for ourselves. It's easier to listen and join the bandwagon. Don't take sides because of your political color, make a decision because it's good for our country. Take the health care bill for example; all of the republicans voted against it, democrats for it, none of them read it because it's over 2000 pages long. We freed our country with a single page document containing 1337 words, not pages!! Our politicians today need to actually get involved with the bills they are voting on.
Have a Great New Year, and get involved!!
Will we ever be honest with ourselves as a nation, and really call a spade a spade? Political correctness has gotten ridiculous!!
Will the democrats and republicans actually learn to play well with each other? We the people are really getting tired of your arguing and accomplishing nothing!
Will the economy get turned around? I hear all of the military branches are hiring!!
Will their ever be restrictions added to receiving welfare? If you can afford cigarettes and liquor you don't need welfare!! Plus I hear all of the military branches are hiring!!
Will we see the military draft come back? PLEASE!!!!!
Not so funny to see Mr. Obama speak of the same communications failures in our security systems that were supposed to be fixed after 911. That was over 8 years ago. If they can't work together, FIRE them!! Sounds like a good idea for congress as well!!
Americans have great power, we just have a tendency to follow and listen to the latest rhetoric instead of doing our own research and making a decision for ourselves. It's easier to listen and join the bandwagon. Don't take sides because of your political color, make a decision because it's good for our country. Take the health care bill for example; all of the republicans voted against it, democrats for it, none of them read it because it's over 2000 pages long. We freed our country with a single page document containing 1337 words, not pages!! Our politicians today need to actually get involved with the bills they are voting on.
Have a Great New Year, and get involved!!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
BRAZIL - In Country
Our plane touched down in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil at 2:40pm local time. A very beautiful city from the air with green planted fields almost touching the concrete of the city streets. As the plane taxied to the terminal it was clear to see some of the poorness surrounding the high rise apartments of downtown. All of the houses around the airport reflected severe poverty with tin roofs and in the cases where there was a covering over the main doorway, usually resembled a worn quilt or blanket of some kind.
The red dirt was evident everywhere from the runway to the car and bicycle tires and shoes on the resident airport workers feet. Stepping off of the plane, I thought I had landed in a community of 2 or 3 thousand people not 700,000!! There was only one gate and the luggage was delivered by a tractor with a flatbed trailor behind it. It would have been easier to take the luggage from the trailer than the 20 feet of moving belt that was the luggage carrousel.
The hotel has been excellent and is one of the best facilities I have been in during the World Championships. The rooms are quite large and beds very comfortable. The air conditioning keeps the room at a very nice 18 degrees centigrade, perfect for a good sleep.
I had beers with some of the local Brazilian lifters last night. Amazing that even below the equator all lifters can laugh at the same jokes, even through an interpreter, and throw the same insults at each other for fun. Got reaquainted with friends and lifters from championships past and enjoyed catching up with them. It was an excellent first day and evening.
The red dirt was evident everywhere from the runway to the car and bicycle tires and shoes on the resident airport workers feet. Stepping off of the plane, I thought I had landed in a community of 2 or 3 thousand people not 700,000!! There was only one gate and the luggage was delivered by a tractor with a flatbed trailor behind it. It would have been easier to take the luggage from the trailer than the 20 feet of moving belt that was the luggage carrousel.
The hotel has been excellent and is one of the best facilities I have been in during the World Championships. The rooms are quite large and beds very comfortable. The air conditioning keeps the room at a very nice 18 degrees centigrade, perfect for a good sleep.
I had beers with some of the local Brazilian lifters last night. Amazing that even below the equator all lifters can laugh at the same jokes, even through an interpreter, and throw the same insults at each other for fun. Got reaquainted with friends and lifters from championships past and enjoyed catching up with them. It was an excellent first day and evening.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Homecoming
It's almost like a homecoming of sorts. Watching Team USA come together at the Houston airport is a lot of hugs and laughter and sitting cross legged on the floor, in the fixed string of airport chairs or wherever they can find a spot. Chatting, exchanging stories about their summer or home or lifting, whatever, it doesn't matter. It's like a family at Thanksgiving or Christmas. What's interesting is that some of these kids are really kind of meeting for the first time.
Each qualified for the team in their own way, either High School Nationals or Women's Nationals or Men's Nationals, now they are here a part of something for some of them that will bond them to this group forever. They will follow each other in some manner, especially with today's technology, for maybe a lifetime. They will share friendships and hardships with each other because of this trip. As a coach, this is what being a part of the USA World team is all about. The relationships I have managed to create with these young people is the reason for me being here. I am truly blessed to be a small piece of their transition into adulthood. Whether they finish next week as a World Champion, a World record holder, make it to the podium, just finish or bomb, they will grow physically and mentally and be better human beings because of this experience.
For some, it will be their only time at the World Championships, their only opportunity to represent their country in any manner. For others they have been here numerous times. Except for the ease of international travel, it's hard to tell one from the other. They blend into a blur of red, white and blue uniforms, smiles, chatter and laughter.
Each qualified for the team in their own way, either High School Nationals or Women's Nationals or Men's Nationals, now they are here a part of something for some of them that will bond them to this group forever. They will follow each other in some manner, especially with today's technology, for maybe a lifetime. They will share friendships and hardships with each other because of this trip. As a coach, this is what being a part of the USA World team is all about. The relationships I have managed to create with these young people is the reason for me being here. I am truly blessed to be a small piece of their transition into adulthood. Whether they finish next week as a World Champion, a World record holder, make it to the podium, just finish or bomb, they will grow physically and mentally and be better human beings because of this experience.
For some, it will be their only time at the World Championships, their only opportunity to represent their country in any manner. For others they have been here numerous times. Except for the ease of international travel, it's hard to tell one from the other. They blend into a blur of red, white and blue uniforms, smiles, chatter and laughter.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Lessons
It would be so much easier to just lead your kids through their life. You could ensure their decisions make good sense. (at least from your perspective!) You could use all of your life's knowledge to make their life so much easier than you had it. They wouldn't have to suffer all of the set backs and let downs you had to work through. They would only know the successes and highlights, never the hard times. When hard times did find their way into their lives you would have all of the answers ready to solve any problem.
That would be so much easier. On us anyway....
The real difficulty is having to watch them struggle with the little problems of life that seem so large to them. Knowing that they have to work through these issues so they are better prepared when the REAL problems confront them. And will they be any better prepared for the REAL problems? Only time will tell.
Struggling is okay.... you have to remind yourself that it is true. You can't protect them all of the time and issues that involve the heart are the worst. Definately not your territory and if you try you are reminded how far off base you really are. You really have no opinion on the matter. No matter your position, it's wrong!
They will ask. When they do, you have permission to listen and support, but not to have an opinion. An opinion will only complicate an already complicated situation. Be support...
I am trying.
That would be so much easier. On us anyway....
The real difficulty is having to watch them struggle with the little problems of life that seem so large to them. Knowing that they have to work through these issues so they are better prepared when the REAL problems confront them. And will they be any better prepared for the REAL problems? Only time will tell.
Struggling is okay.... you have to remind yourself that it is true. You can't protect them all of the time and issues that involve the heart are the worst. Definately not your territory and if you try you are reminded how far off base you really are. You really have no opinion on the matter. No matter your position, it's wrong!
They will ask. When they do, you have permission to listen and support, but not to have an opinion. An opinion will only complicate an already complicated situation. Be support...
I am trying.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Team Idaho Sponsors
I will say more about our sponsors after we return from Brazil, but I want all of our sponsors here in Idaho to know how much your support means to each of these lifters and to me their coach. Without your continued support both monetarily and spiritually we could not make this journey.
I promise each of you that these lifters are working their hearts out to do the best they can. Each week they improve over their last cycle and continue to surprise me with their accomplishments. Amanda, Jesse and Kenzie each want to do Idaho and the USA proud and do their part for Team USA to leave Brazil as World Champions. As a member of the coaching staff , we will do our best to ensure each of our USA lifters have the opportunity to hit the best meet they can and if possible, stand on the podium at the end of the day.
I love this opportunity of representing the USA and work with these great kids from all across our country. I am very proud of our team every time we compete on someone else's soil.
Thank you Idaho sponsors for helping this dream come true for these kids. They will realize how important an opportunity this is each in their own time, and they will return the favor to another. That's what it's all about.
I promise each of you that these lifters are working their hearts out to do the best they can. Each week they improve over their last cycle and continue to surprise me with their accomplishments. Amanda, Jesse and Kenzie each want to do Idaho and the USA proud and do their part for Team USA to leave Brazil as World Champions. As a member of the coaching staff , we will do our best to ensure each of our USA lifters have the opportunity to hit the best meet they can and if possible, stand on the podium at the end of the day.
I love this opportunity of representing the USA and work with these great kids from all across our country. I am very proud of our team every time we compete on someone else's soil.
Thank you Idaho sponsors for helping this dream come true for these kids. They will realize how important an opportunity this is each in their own time, and they will return the favor to another. That's what it's all about.
Heavy Triples Tomorrow
Tomorrow we will be hitting what we would be expecting to be our openers at the World Championships. Each of the kids will be doing 2 sets 3 reps and if things go well this should end up being their opening attempts. Kenzie should be squatting 470 for triples and Jesse should be squatting 625 for triples. If they hit these it will definately prepare us for big numbers in Brazil. Kenzie has already tripled 195 in the bench in her new Inzer RageX shirt and tomorrow we will try her new Titan Katana, see if it fits and if it will make a difference. Her new squat suit came in as well so we will hit her triples in that. I don't know yet if Jesse's Titan gear has come in, but if not he is very comfortable in his Inzer suit and he will try his new Inzer RageX shirt tomorrow as well.
Lots of chalk dust and loud tunes for some big numbers. I hope everyone on the USA team is having the lifting cycle we are. Things are looking very good at this point!!
Amanda, have a great lifting session this weekend and try to stay focused. Lots of changes going on in your life right now, stay the course for a few more weeks and we will see you in South America!!
Lots of chalk dust and loud tunes for some big numbers. I hope everyone on the USA team is having the lifting cycle we are. Things are looking very good at this point!!
Amanda, have a great lifting session this weekend and try to stay focused. Lots of changes going on in your life right now, stay the course for a few more weeks and we will see you in South America!!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
14 Days Out
It's amazing how much time you spend as a coach going over the nominations and shuffling placings between lifters to try and calculate where and who needs to place in the top 2 or 3 compared to the Russian team or the Ukraine team and which team can sneak in to take a spot either in our favor or against us.
I know it all comes down to how we lift on our day, but running numbers prior to the championships can drive a coach crazy!! The USA team is so close in team points to the Russian team in both boys and girls categories, if either team doesn't quite come in according to the nominations list or happens to win a weight class not expected to, then the Team Gold is up in the air. Then of course you have to watch out for the other countries that can sneak up on you or move from one weight class to another in order to gain a spot on the podium. This is what makes this a fun coaches sport.
And while we coaches are going through all of the possibilities, our lifters just need to hit the numbers they have been training for. As a coach, you hope the numbers they are hitting in the gym are quality reps and leave room for no doubt as to depth or pause. We can't be there to watch each lifter. We must depend on their training partners to push them and ensure their lifts are good international quality lifts.
My Idaho lifters have 3 more heavy lifts before we leave on the 4th and this Saturday will be the Saturday that will really determine where they are able to open their attempts which will pre-determine somewhat where they will finish if they go 3 for 3 in a particular lift. I just hope they get all of their gear to work in for the next 3 weeks, I know we are still waiting for Jesse's, although he is very confident in his current gear.
Before you know it we will be counting hours instead of days. I love this time of year!! :)
I know it all comes down to how we lift on our day, but running numbers prior to the championships can drive a coach crazy!! The USA team is so close in team points to the Russian team in both boys and girls categories, if either team doesn't quite come in according to the nominations list or happens to win a weight class not expected to, then the Team Gold is up in the air. Then of course you have to watch out for the other countries that can sneak up on you or move from one weight class to another in order to gain a spot on the podium. This is what makes this a fun coaches sport.
And while we coaches are going through all of the possibilities, our lifters just need to hit the numbers they have been training for. As a coach, you hope the numbers they are hitting in the gym are quality reps and leave room for no doubt as to depth or pause. We can't be there to watch each lifter. We must depend on their training partners to push them and ensure their lifts are good international quality lifts.
My Idaho lifters have 3 more heavy lifts before we leave on the 4th and this Saturday will be the Saturday that will really determine where they are able to open their attempts which will pre-determine somewhat where they will finish if they go 3 for 3 in a particular lift. I just hope they get all of their gear to work in for the next 3 weeks, I know we are still waiting for Jesse's, although he is very confident in his current gear.
Before you know it we will be counting hours instead of days. I love this time of year!! :)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Won't do that again!!
Have you ever heard about someone accidently injurying themselves and you think to yourself, "What a moron!" "How could they have done that?" I always did that when I heard about someone getting hurt using a table saw. I never could figure out how in the hell they could cut themselves using a table saw. It just didn't make any sense to me. I mean this is a very high speed piece of equipment, you have to be careful when you use it.
Well, it makes sense now!! I get it or should I say I got it?! Now I realize just how fast that blade turns and I am just a little slower to react than the saw. I know what you are saying. "What a moron!" But I have to tell you until the moment it happened I would have said the same thing. I just had to make this specific angle cut on a 3 foot long pice of hardwood. Of course the cut had to be length wise and of course it had to be on edge, so as I am pulling the board through the saw and pushing it with my other hand, I am watching very carefully. I realize it is not the best of conditions, and a table saw is probably not the best piece of equipment for this cut, but the table saw was out and I wanted to get the job done and I knew I could make it work. Well as I am pulling and pushing I looked from my pushing hand to my pulling had only for a moment to make sure the board was riding correctly and of course the board fell into the slot for the blade and since my thumb was what was applying the pressure on the board, it followed. Before I could glance back to see what had happened the board splintered in the blade and I got a nice thumbnail manicure. Needless to say it trimmed a little more than the nail and to top it off one of those lovely hardwood splinters ended up in my index finger. My response at this exact moment. "What a Moron!"
I inspected everything and figured out I was going to be fine, just feeling a little stupid (and lucky) and once I got the bleeding stopped realized the work I had done on the piece of wood was for not. I would have to start over again.
Now this proves that I am definately male and human. I started over again with another piece of wood and wouldn't you know it, I went through the same motions and made the same cuts using the same equipment. Now that's either persistance or stupidity!! I tend to lean towards persistance, after all I can't let an inanimate object like a table saw kick my ass. Can I?
Well, it makes sense now!! I get it or should I say I got it?! Now I realize just how fast that blade turns and I am just a little slower to react than the saw. I know what you are saying. "What a moron!" But I have to tell you until the moment it happened I would have said the same thing. I just had to make this specific angle cut on a 3 foot long pice of hardwood. Of course the cut had to be length wise and of course it had to be on edge, so as I am pulling the board through the saw and pushing it with my other hand, I am watching very carefully. I realize it is not the best of conditions, and a table saw is probably not the best piece of equipment for this cut, but the table saw was out and I wanted to get the job done and I knew I could make it work. Well as I am pulling and pushing I looked from my pushing hand to my pulling had only for a moment to make sure the board was riding correctly and of course the board fell into the slot for the blade and since my thumb was what was applying the pressure on the board, it followed. Before I could glance back to see what had happened the board splintered in the blade and I got a nice thumbnail manicure. Needless to say it trimmed a little more than the nail and to top it off one of those lovely hardwood splinters ended up in my index finger. My response at this exact moment. "What a Moron!"
I inspected everything and figured out I was going to be fine, just feeling a little stupid (and lucky) and once I got the bleeding stopped realized the work I had done on the piece of wood was for not. I would have to start over again.
Now this proves that I am definately male and human. I started over again with another piece of wood and wouldn't you know it, I went through the same motions and made the same cuts using the same equipment. Now that's either persistance or stupidity!! I tend to lean towards persistance, after all I can't let an inanimate object like a table saw kick my ass. Can I?
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