2009 Desert Classic in Salt Lake City, Pt. 2

Thanks to Teri Willingham for allowing use of the photo below, taken during the 1000 meter time trial in Salt Lake City on Aug. 22 where her 01:37.4 gave her the opportunity to go to the Olympic Time Trials. Teri took the two to the right the following day, showing Liz in a heat, and in her trademark lime green. While I am at it, I want to thank the coaches and members of the Rochester Speed Skating Team who have taught this sport to us both, and instilled in Liz a real passion for it, especially Marty Medina, Jim Cornell, Tim Doherty, and Karen Veronne, Gerry Savoie and Tom Rossborough; to Mike Kooreman and Derek Parra and most recently to Coach Jun-Hyung Yeo, whose passion is really remarkable, for bringing her so far in this past year. In the second day of the Desert Classic, Liz achieved a second PB for the meet, with an 00:47.8 in the 500 meter final. One has to wonder, however, if the speed of the weekend has any relationship to the Ramen eating contest of last Thursday? If so, I probably must thank Simon Cho for joining her in that little exercise in moderation! Finally, I would like to thank Andrew Love and Brian Boudreau for sending their first hand observations to me; and to Marty and everyone else who touched base by email, phone or Facebook to help share my excitement over Liz's meet...once again, I have seen the evidence of what a terrific group of people work in and around this sport. Now, the parents' moment savored, it's time to look ahead. I will end by quoting the note from our favorite starter, Jeff Golz, who conveyed congratulations with a simple "I guess we'll see you in Marquette!" I guess that's right!

The End of A Season

The cycle ends, the cycle begins.  New job, too much commuting, too little practice resulted for me in a season that was a lot of fun, but more of a plateau than an advance. For Liz, a completely different story: she came in to her own this season in Salt Lake, as a skater and as a young adult.  It was so much fun to serve as a timer in Midland MI at American Cup Finals and see her and her teammates, both from Salt Lake and Rochester skate so very well...both those who won, and those who those whose efforts deserved better outcomes (yes, Matt, I am thinking of that great display of aerobatics!!!  I have no idea how you stayed on your blades).

Midland also brought four days of what I love most about our sport...the company and friendship of really good people, parents, skaters, officials. It's a privilege to be part of a sport where so many of the people are open, supportive, genuinely friendly.

Now, a deep breath, a short pause and begin again.  Yesterday I brought my bike to the shop for a tune up.  Like the first robin, the tune-up is a sure sign of spring and, of course, of dry land practice!

The Second Season

It is dry land training time. Intense Tuesday workouts. Sore muscles two days later. But having had so much fun as a first year speed skater at 57, and had so much acceptance from others, on home ice but also in Pittsburgh and Cleveland and Syracuse and other venues, I am anxious to do it again, but better. We'll see . At a time trial near the end of last season, Mitch Connelly of Rochester Speed Skating teased that he was "only" twice as fast as me at 500m (but he was recovering from a tib/fib fracture and I had no such excuse other than being "slightly" older.). I learned that in speed skating, there is room for everyone. When on ice, its almost zen....the world narrows down to the contact of blade and ice, and to a spot on the ice about 15 feet ahead. But at practice, each muscle just yells "are you nuts?" And always the nagging question: why is it so much easier to do crossovers in figure skates than it is on short track blades?