Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Alternate Chili Run Race Recap
Factor out kids, wife, family, and friends and there is nothing I enjoy more than running in the woods with my dog. Saturday morning at Wyandotte County Park in Kansas City, Kansas was nearly the perfect morning for me. All that was missing for me was the dog aspect of this equation but that is not because I lack for the dog. Charlotte is going to be a formidable trail companion but due to her age and occasional lack of well developed coordination I left her home this time.
The aptly named, "Alternate Chili Run" takes place once a year on the same day as the "Chili Run". MARA (Mid-America Running Association) is the organization that puts on the Chili Run to raise money, take running shoe donations, and further the growth of running and healthy lifestyles in the Midwest, a laudable goal to say the least. The Trail Nerds, a local group of avid trail runners and maintainers hosts a cornucopia of races each year. I try my hand at the 50K's with numerous DNF's from these as badges of honor. I have three DNF's in my racing career all at the hands of Bad Ben and his wicked trail runs. I love it. Here is a snipet from the website with FAQ's about this "run".
How much is the run?
$5, which the Trail Nerds will donate to ERTA, a trail-building organization.
Why aren't there bib numbers?
Because it's a fun run not a race.
Where does this start?In parking lot.
Is it timed?No
How will I know where I'm going?
You won't so you better follow someone who does.
The last line is the best but so true. Finally, the last words of wisdom Bad Ben hands out before the run starts deals with pacing. He asks how many people haven't ran out here before. Numerous hands go up. He then proceeds to tell them that if they run a seven minute mile for a half marathon be prepared to run a nine minute mile and if they can pull that off, that's really good. You can hear the trail virgins exchanging remarks like this.
"Nine minute mile is good? No way man I can smoke that."
"Add two minutes to my pace and that is good, man we will be going slow."
Oh wait and see, just wait and see.
As we all started out on a picturesque morning, twenty degrees, clear blue sky, slight breeze, perfect running weather two gentlemen were out in front of me. I was amazed that I was so close to the front. While this is just a "run" it is hard for anyone to not "race" just a little. After about two minutes one guy had already fallen back so it was just one in front. One minute later after rounding a sharp downhill turn he asked me if I have ran out here before. This is like my home when it comes to running so I said yep and he asked me to lead. Three minutes in and I'm out in front. This is a mixed blessing, my intention was to run hard but not all out. Now I found myself pacing a newcomer to this trail and didn't want to let him down. We screamed around that ten mile loop. I blasted down the hills and tried to use that momentum to get up the other side. This is partially impossible due to the aggressive nature of the downhill and the wicked slope of the uphill.
The most enjoyable part of the whole run was the fact that if this guy would have been by himself he would have been lost. It's nice to be counted on and this trail and it's light marking make it nearly unfollowable if it's your first time. There is one section called Fester's Wanderer (it was created by a dog, I'm serious) that you can literally get lost ten yards in; it's fantastic. We whipped around that section and managed to come out blazing. At last we made it to the final three hill section that just flat out kicks your ass and I had to walk about 20 yards at the top, the guy behind me says to me, "thank God this is killing me."
The whole time I was afraid I would let him down by not going fast enough and he was secretly wishing I would slow up. Sometimes a simple, "how are you feeling" would do wonders. As we rounded the top of the final hill you could see the rows of cars parked at our start shelter.
"That's a welcome sight," says the young man behind me.
"Indeed."
I managed a 1:28:01 for a ten mile loop which is my fastest loop ever. I hopped in my car, rode home, and had a fantastic rest of my day. The rewards of hard work for me are as simple as sitting on my couch and playing with the kids. Relaxing feels so much better after a hard race, excuse me, hard run.
The aptly named, "Alternate Chili Run" takes place once a year on the same day as the "Chili Run". MARA (Mid-America Running Association) is the organization that puts on the Chili Run to raise money, take running shoe donations, and further the growth of running and healthy lifestyles in the Midwest, a laudable goal to say the least. The Trail Nerds, a local group of avid trail runners and maintainers hosts a cornucopia of races each year. I try my hand at the 50K's with numerous DNF's from these as badges of honor. I have three DNF's in my racing career all at the hands of Bad Ben and his wicked trail runs. I love it. Here is a snipet from the website with FAQ's about this "run".
How much is the run?
$5, which the Trail Nerds will donate to ERTA, a trail-building organization.
Why aren't there bib numbers?
Because it's a fun run not a race.
Where does this start?In parking lot.
Is it timed?No
How will I know where I'm going?
You won't so you better follow someone who does.
The last line is the best but so true. Finally, the last words of wisdom Bad Ben hands out before the run starts deals with pacing. He asks how many people haven't ran out here before. Numerous hands go up. He then proceeds to tell them that if they run a seven minute mile for a half marathon be prepared to run a nine minute mile and if they can pull that off, that's really good. You can hear the trail virgins exchanging remarks like this.
"Nine minute mile is good? No way man I can smoke that."
"Add two minutes to my pace and that is good, man we will be going slow."
Oh wait and see, just wait and see.
As we all started out on a picturesque morning, twenty degrees, clear blue sky, slight breeze, perfect running weather two gentlemen were out in front of me. I was amazed that I was so close to the front. While this is just a "run" it is hard for anyone to not "race" just a little. After about two minutes one guy had already fallen back so it was just one in front. One minute later after rounding a sharp downhill turn he asked me if I have ran out here before. This is like my home when it comes to running so I said yep and he asked me to lead. Three minutes in and I'm out in front. This is a mixed blessing, my intention was to run hard but not all out. Now I found myself pacing a newcomer to this trail and didn't want to let him down. We screamed around that ten mile loop. I blasted down the hills and tried to use that momentum to get up the other side. This is partially impossible due to the aggressive nature of the downhill and the wicked slope of the uphill.
The whole time I was afraid I would let him down by not going fast enough and he was secretly wishing I would slow up. Sometimes a simple, "how are you feeling" would do wonders. As we rounded the top of the final hill you could see the rows of cars parked at our start shelter.
"That's a welcome sight," says the young man behind me.
"Indeed."
I managed a 1:28:01 for a ten mile loop which is my fastest loop ever. I hopped in my car, rode home, and had a fantastic rest of my day. The rewards of hard work for me are as simple as sitting on my couch and playing with the kids. Relaxing feels so much better after a hard race, excuse me, hard run.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Roller Skating: Feels Like 1986
Kansas City is like a giant amoeba spread out over a vast distance spilling it's shape in every direction. In those interesting shapes lay interesting cities. One of those cities has an amazing new slogan, "wake up on the right side...Riverside." When I first saw the billboard plastered in front of the Broadway Bridge headed to the Northland in Kansas City I laughed out loud.
You see Riverside as a bit of a reputation as a dichotomy in and of itself. You have a tremendous tax base consisting mainly of the Argosy Casino which allows for no property tax, fantastic public works, and a sliver of high income homes and businesses. On the other hand you have tremendous poverty, a higher crime rate than the surrounding area, the firework stand epicenter of Kansas City, and Red X. For more on the fireworks see my previous post Fireworks, Riverside, and Second Degree Burns
What Riverside also has is the River City Roll Skate Center a roller staking rink that is stuck in 1986 but making great memories in 2011. For the past four months my oldest daughter has been guilting me regularly to let you go the PTA skate party they host once a month. She has been unable to go because she has soccer practice on Wednesday nights and when you make a commitment you stick to it (thanks Pujols). Last night was the first time that she was able to go this year and we had a blast. Come to find out my youngest thinks skating is pretty badass too. She killed it in her Fisher Price skates and only came to say hello when she wanted something to drink. The fiercely independent nature of my kids always astounds me when they try something new and don't want any help.
From the carpet, to the arcade games, to the snack bar, skate rental, black lights, backward skate, limbo, dice game, and the dirty derby roller team smoking outside waiting for the kids to leave, it was like I was right back home. The only difference is the music which is pop hits from today. For nine bucks both girls were able to skate for two hours and get exhausted. I would certainly recommend the local rink for a good time.
You see Riverside as a bit of a reputation as a dichotomy in and of itself. You have a tremendous tax base consisting mainly of the Argosy Casino which allows for no property tax, fantastic public works, and a sliver of high income homes and businesses. On the other hand you have tremendous poverty, a higher crime rate than the surrounding area, the firework stand epicenter of Kansas City, and Red X. For more on the fireworks see my previous post Fireworks, Riverside, and Second Degree Burns
What Riverside also has is the River City Roll Skate Center a roller staking rink that is stuck in 1986 but making great memories in 2011. For the past four months my oldest daughter has been guilting me regularly to let you go the PTA skate party they host once a month. She has been unable to go because she has soccer practice on Wednesday nights and when you make a commitment you stick to it (thanks Pujols). Last night was the first time that she was able to go this year and we had a blast. Come to find out my youngest thinks skating is pretty badass too. She killed it in her Fisher Price skates and only came to say hello when she wanted something to drink. The fiercely independent nature of my kids always astounds me when they try something new and don't want any help.
From the carpet, to the arcade games, to the snack bar, skate rental, black lights, backward skate, limbo, dice game, and the dirty derby roller team smoking outside waiting for the kids to leave, it was like I was right back home. The only difference is the music which is pop hits from today. For nine bucks both girls were able to skate for two hours and get exhausted. I would certainly recommend the local rink for a good time.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monkey Bars
Here is Alice's first attempt at the monkey bars all by herself. Not to shabby for a three year old.
Here is a great song by Jurassic 5 called Monkey Bars as well: http://www.last.fm/music/Jurassic+5/_/Monkey+Bars
Here is a great song by Jurassic 5 called Monkey Bars as well: http://www.last.fm/music/Jurassic+5/_/Monkey+Bars
Friday, November 18, 2011
WORKMOSPHERE
Perceptive Software has a tradition at Friday morning meetings to get some of the new hires up in front of 400-500 people and makes them answer questions and tell everyone a little bit about themselves. As palm sweating as this exercise can be it is a big part of creating our "workmosphere". What the hell are you talking about? Workmosphere? That's not a word. It will be.
We recently acquired a new company called Palace Athena out of the Netherlands and today a handful of their employees were made to get up in front and share. We have one question that is asked every time to every new employee and it is this, "if you could have any superpower, what would it be." One of our fine Dutch brethren shared this nugget.
"I have been in Shawnee for a few weeks, learning about the company, learning about your solutions, and if I could have any superpower it would be to take the 'workmosphere' from this place and take it back to the Netherlands."
Pretty powerful stuff. As the global economic uncertainty continues and as we continue to grow in 2012 it is reassuring to know that not only do I work in one of the best place in the United States, I work in one of the best places globally. One dash culture, one dash environment, one heaping spoonful of people, bake at 400 degrees, and out comes our worksmosphere.
We recently acquired a new company called Palace Athena out of the Netherlands and today a handful of their employees were made to get up in front and share. We have one question that is asked every time to every new employee and it is this, "if you could have any superpower, what would it be." One of our fine Dutch brethren shared this nugget.
"I have been in Shawnee for a few weeks, learning about the company, learning about your solutions, and if I could have any superpower it would be to take the 'workmosphere' from this place and take it back to the Netherlands."
Pretty powerful stuff. As the global economic uncertainty continues and as we continue to grow in 2012 it is reassuring to know that not only do I work in one of the best place in the United States, I work in one of the best places globally. One dash culture, one dash environment, one heaping spoonful of people, bake at 400 degrees, and out comes our worksmosphere.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ruckus Run Kansas City
I should have written this post about a week ago but life has a tendency to get in the way of writing. Not today. I competed in the 2011 Ruckus Run Kansas City on the 5th of November. It was held out at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Missouri. You can see the course for yourself here: http://www.runruckus.com/kc-course.html
For those of you pondering doing an obstacle style race, similar to Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder this is a good place to start. The race itself is four miles long with around twenty five obstacles. In this particular incantation, the course was flat but very muddy, so the speed during the times between the obstacles was tempered by the caked shoes and bleeding legs (more on that later). The race is also divided into waves, starting at 9:00am and going off every thirty minutes until 1:30pm. They scheduled a championship heat for 2:15pm. In order to qualify for the finals you had to finish in the top 10% of your division, not wave. My division was 0-44 men with the majority coming from the ranks of the 20-30 age bracket.
My race started at 10:30am and lucky for me because we got lost on the way there and missed the 10:00am wave that I hoped to run in. I wanted that one because my company, Perceptive Software, had organized a team of twenty people that were going to run together. I can tell you right now, my intention was to start with the team, but my goal was to beat all of their asses. As we lined up at the start the usual butterflies abounded in my belly as I jumped and shook the chill out of my legs. It was overcast, around forty five degrees, and had rained a few days before so I would say conditions were ideal. As I looked around it became rather apparent that I was grossly underdressed for this endeavor. All around me dudes had on gloves, high socks, trail running shoes, goggles, for a moment I had an oh crap moment but at that point what can you do. Also, in front of me were around ten guys, a few of them had various KCFD shirts on and looked rather serious. I was wearing my race running shorts, t-shirt, and mandatory headband. Not mandatory from the race officials, mandatory to my personal racing philosophy. As last minute instructions were blarred out from the starters megaphone, I could think only of how long it was going to take me to pass these fools.
BANG! Off we go! We started out with some baricades and then through a long straightaway calve deep mud, once we got through that we hit some walls and then up a steep slope with a rope. I had to have some help from the back on this one, as I chose the middle route (they were yelling at us not to take it) and some gent had to shove me hard on the backside so I could scamper up to the top. Once that debacle was behind me it was smooth sailing. After a variety of obstacles I was out in front and by myself after about a mile. The rest of the race alternated between completing an obstacle (walls, ropes, nets, mud, ramps) and running. I felt like I was carrying a good pace but I couldn't tell without mile markers and my watch was covered in mud it made me focus on how many foot strikes I was making per minute. While I do love math, it becomes difficult to do calculations when you are schimming along 15 foot high ranger bars.
Somewhere between mile two and three, I just started passing people from the previous heat. That must be discouraging. I am of the belief that you don't speak unless you are spoken to if you are passing someone. That is not to say you don't say, "excuse me" or "on your left" if you have to but telling someone, "good job" or "keep it up" when they are struggling or looking terrible is just pouring salt on your wound.
The finishing area on for this event was pretty cool. Both participants and spectators had to walk under one of the obstacles to get to the finishing area. My girls thought that was so cool. Watching grown people flounder around on netting while dripping mud was a sight to behold. Ruby kept remarking that mud was falling on her as she laughed and ran under the obstacle again. I saw my wife and kids when I entered that last area and they cheered me on. I flashed Emily the, I'm in first place sign, and she started pumping me up. I literally felt like I was dominating the obstacles, skipping ropes and just running up things. As I passed the final ropes and hit the finish line a rush of satisfaction hit me. I won my heat.
Regarding posting results, the Ruckus beats every other race I have ever ran. Literally five minutes after I finished they had updated and posted results. At that time I was fourth overall and second in my division. That meant I had qualified for the finals. I didn't run in them. Basically, I thought I had to work at the bar that night (ended up getting texted that I didn't need to come in) so I didn't think it made sense to make the family wait around for me to run just to race back home as soon as we were done. In hindsight, I should have done it. I think I would have gotten second place overall. I ended up 13th overall and 11th in my age group: http://racewire.com/ruckus_kansascity_results.php?firstname=&lastname=Keefe&town=&bibnumber=
The first place guy ran a 24:41 and I ran a 31:44. That dude was seriously hauling tail. You have to think it took at least four minutes to compete over twenty obstacles so that mean in actuality he wasn't running six minute miles but five minute miles. That ridiculous. The second place guy ran 28 minutes, I could have caught him if I was racing.
Finally, this race offered a couple of other things that were first times for us. Ruby got to run in the kids mini-ruckus. She tore it up but was disappointed because there were no mud pits. I was disappointed as well because there were no mud pits. Come on, these are kids they love mud. After hosing myself off and doing my best to get somewhat cleaned up I kept having this nagging feeling that the inside of my ankles were burning. Well this is what remains of a rope burn from ten days ago.
Sorry for the picture but words to not do it justice. I have this on both legs. One of the obstacles was a rope that you had to hook your legs around and pull with your arms to cross a span of about twenty feet. Who knew that rope burn was possible? I came to that realization when in the shower I thought someone had set fire to my ankles.
For those of you pondering doing an obstacle style race, similar to Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder this is a good place to start. The race itself is four miles long with around twenty five obstacles. In this particular incantation, the course was flat but very muddy, so the speed during the times between the obstacles was tempered by the caked shoes and bleeding legs (more on that later). The race is also divided into waves, starting at 9:00am and going off every thirty minutes until 1:30pm. They scheduled a championship heat for 2:15pm. In order to qualify for the finals you had to finish in the top 10% of your division, not wave. My division was 0-44 men with the majority coming from the ranks of the 20-30 age bracket.
My race started at 10:30am and lucky for me because we got lost on the way there and missed the 10:00am wave that I hoped to run in. I wanted that one because my company, Perceptive Software, had organized a team of twenty people that were going to run together. I can tell you right now, my intention was to start with the team, but my goal was to beat all of their asses. As we lined up at the start the usual butterflies abounded in my belly as I jumped and shook the chill out of my legs. It was overcast, around forty five degrees, and had rained a few days before so I would say conditions were ideal. As I looked around it became rather apparent that I was grossly underdressed for this endeavor. All around me dudes had on gloves, high socks, trail running shoes, goggles, for a moment I had an oh crap moment but at that point what can you do. Also, in front of me were around ten guys, a few of them had various KCFD shirts on and looked rather serious. I was wearing my race running shorts, t-shirt, and mandatory headband. Not mandatory from the race officials, mandatory to my personal racing philosophy. As last minute instructions were blarred out from the starters megaphone, I could think only of how long it was going to take me to pass these fools.
BANG! Off we go! We started out with some baricades and then through a long straightaway calve deep mud, once we got through that we hit some walls and then up a steep slope with a rope. I had to have some help from the back on this one, as I chose the middle route (they were yelling at us not to take it) and some gent had to shove me hard on the backside so I could scamper up to the top. Once that debacle was behind me it was smooth sailing. After a variety of obstacles I was out in front and by myself after about a mile. The rest of the race alternated between completing an obstacle (walls, ropes, nets, mud, ramps) and running. I felt like I was carrying a good pace but I couldn't tell without mile markers and my watch was covered in mud it made me focus on how many foot strikes I was making per minute. While I do love math, it becomes difficult to do calculations when you are schimming along 15 foot high ranger bars.
Somewhere between mile two and three, I just started passing people from the previous heat. That must be discouraging. I am of the belief that you don't speak unless you are spoken to if you are passing someone. That is not to say you don't say, "excuse me" or "on your left" if you have to but telling someone, "good job" or "keep it up" when they are struggling or looking terrible is just pouring salt on your wound.
The finishing area on for this event was pretty cool. Both participants and spectators had to walk under one of the obstacles to get to the finishing area. My girls thought that was so cool. Watching grown people flounder around on netting while dripping mud was a sight to behold. Ruby kept remarking that mud was falling on her as she laughed and ran under the obstacle again. I saw my wife and kids when I entered that last area and they cheered me on. I flashed Emily the, I'm in first place sign, and she started pumping me up. I literally felt like I was dominating the obstacles, skipping ropes and just running up things. As I passed the final ropes and hit the finish line a rush of satisfaction hit me. I won my heat.
Regarding posting results, the Ruckus beats every other race I have ever ran. Literally five minutes after I finished they had updated and posted results. At that time I was fourth overall and second in my division. That meant I had qualified for the finals. I didn't run in them. Basically, I thought I had to work at the bar that night (ended up getting texted that I didn't need to come in) so I didn't think it made sense to make the family wait around for me to run just to race back home as soon as we were done. In hindsight, I should have done it. I think I would have gotten second place overall. I ended up 13th overall and 11th in my age group: http://racewire.com/ruckus_kansascity_results.php?firstname=&lastname=Keefe&town=&bibnumber=
The first place guy ran a 24:41 and I ran a 31:44. That dude was seriously hauling tail. You have to think it took at least four minutes to compete over twenty obstacles so that mean in actuality he wasn't running six minute miles but five minute miles. That ridiculous. The second place guy ran 28 minutes, I could have caught him if I was racing.
Finally, this race offered a couple of other things that were first times for us. Ruby got to run in the kids mini-ruckus. She tore it up but was disappointed because there were no mud pits. I was disappointed as well because there were no mud pits. Come on, these are kids they love mud. After hosing myself off and doing my best to get somewhat cleaned up I kept having this nagging feeling that the inside of my ankles were burning. Well this is what remains of a rope burn from ten days ago.
\Sorry for the picture but words to not do it justice. I have this on both legs. One of the obstacles was a rope that you had to hook your legs around and pull with your arms to cross a span of about twenty feet. Who knew that rope burn was possible? I came to that realization when in the shower I thought someone had set fire to my ankles.
I look forward to running this again and I already signed up for my next adventure, the Tough Mudder Missouri. You can get shocked by 10,000 volts in one of their obstacles. Sounds fun!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Thank You Sporting Kansas City
It hasn't been twenty four hours since we lost the Eastern Conference Championship in our gem LiveStrong Sporting Park. Yes, I am that fan. I say we, our, us, etc., Some might say success has already came to Sporting when fans start to use those words and take ownership of the team. A vested interest has taken hold among casual fans and diehards alike where the wins and losses are felt deep down and take a few days to move past. This loss amazingly has taken me less than twenty four hours to get over and you know why, because Sporting gave me way more than I put in and for that I am grateful.
It started years ago, when I moved to Kansas City. At that time the Wizards played at Arrowhead and were basically viewed as a niche player in the sports and entertainment landscape. I played soccer for a long time and it is my favorite sport and it has long been my dream to have world class soccer in the town I live. We have that now. I watched games at Arrowhead, Community America Ballpark, and now LiveStrong Park and I have never in my life been in an sports environment like what I sat in last night. It was special and I will never forget the hours I spent singing, cheering, cursing, and praying for the boys on the field to get it done. Alas, it was not meant to be but this is a new day for soccer in Kansas City and as a resident of the metro, I would like to say thank you for a ton of things.
Thanks for not giving up on Kansas City as a soccer town. We love soccer here we just needed a home.
Thanks for the new home. I could belabor the point but it's not necessary. Take one step into LiveStrong Park or hell just look at it from outside and you can easily see that this is a cathedral to soccer. My daughter and I call it the house that Robb built but sometimes we say God.
Thanks for the new name. We love the Wiz and our chants prove it but it was almost like the re-branding was like a new birth. I know it is new, glitzy, and hot right now and that's good. It's better than starting slow but it seems extremely well thought out, professional, and classy. Stay classy.
Thanks to the account executives, marketing talent, sales staff, ticket takers, parking attendants, guitar pick girls, merchandise sellers, concessionaires, cooks, and janitors. These people and those behind the scenes make the experience at LiveStrong Park second to none. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave you are taken care of and you can feel it.
Thanks to security both uniformed, plain clothed, and private. I sit in the Cauldron and you allow us to police ourselves. I never once felt unsafe, worried, or uncomfortable, even when the refs were blowing it and I thought we would strangle them.
Thanks to the owners, Neal, Cliff, Greg, Pat, and Robb. I mean no disrespect by not using your last name but it's actually a honor. We feel like you are part of us. You are fans, you live here, you come to the games, you spent a load of money to get to this point and deserve to reap the benefits of all your hard work.
Thanks to Robb. As you walk by the Cauldron before the game, with beer in hand, beard on face, and are yelling at us to get pumped that is amazing. You should hear what we say about you. "Here goes a real owner or hey here's Robb, and talk about a guy who wants to win. This guy gets it."
Thanks to the players. Jimmy, Michael, Korede, Matt, Omar, Teal, Julio, Aurelien, Daneil, Birahim, Kevin, Roger, Jeferson, Peterson, Kei, Jon, Eric, Scott, Chance, Lawrence, Craig, Soony, C.J., Luke, Seth, Milos, Shavar, Konrad, and Graham. You fellas are why we almost made it to the top of the mountain and you are the reason we will get there next year.
Thanks to the fans. I spend my games in the Member's Stand and certainly feel a part of something bigger than myself when I am there. As we sing and dance, hug and cry, the agony of the loss and the joy of the wins are so much better when you have friends to share it with.
This was the most enjoyable summer and fall I have had in years and Sporting Kansas City was the reason why. I can't wait for next season.
Thank God for Sporting Kansas City.
It started years ago, when I moved to Kansas City. At that time the Wizards played at Arrowhead and were basically viewed as a niche player in the sports and entertainment landscape. I played soccer for a long time and it is my favorite sport and it has long been my dream to have world class soccer in the town I live. We have that now. I watched games at Arrowhead, Community America Ballpark, and now LiveStrong Park and I have never in my life been in an sports environment like what I sat in last night. It was special and I will never forget the hours I spent singing, cheering, cursing, and praying for the boys on the field to get it done. Alas, it was not meant to be but this is a new day for soccer in Kansas City and as a resident of the metro, I would like to say thank you for a ton of things.
Thanks for not giving up on Kansas City as a soccer town. We love soccer here we just needed a home.
Thanks for the new home. I could belabor the point but it's not necessary. Take one step into LiveStrong Park or hell just look at it from outside and you can easily see that this is a cathedral to soccer. My daughter and I call it the house that Robb built but sometimes we say God.
Thanks for the new name. We love the Wiz and our chants prove it but it was almost like the re-branding was like a new birth. I know it is new, glitzy, and hot right now and that's good. It's better than starting slow but it seems extremely well thought out, professional, and classy. Stay classy.
Thanks to the account executives, marketing talent, sales staff, ticket takers, parking attendants, guitar pick girls, merchandise sellers, concessionaires, cooks, and janitors. These people and those behind the scenes make the experience at LiveStrong Park second to none. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave you are taken care of and you can feel it.
Thanks to security both uniformed, plain clothed, and private. I sit in the Cauldron and you allow us to police ourselves. I never once felt unsafe, worried, or uncomfortable, even when the refs were blowing it and I thought we would strangle them.
Thanks to the owners, Neal, Cliff, Greg, Pat, and Robb. I mean no disrespect by not using your last name but it's actually a honor. We feel like you are part of us. You are fans, you live here, you come to the games, you spent a load of money to get to this point and deserve to reap the benefits of all your hard work.
Thanks to Robb. As you walk by the Cauldron before the game, with beer in hand, beard on face, and are yelling at us to get pumped that is amazing. You should hear what we say about you. "Here goes a real owner or hey here's Robb, and talk about a guy who wants to win. This guy gets it."
Thanks to the players. Jimmy, Michael, Korede, Matt, Omar, Teal, Julio, Aurelien, Daneil, Birahim, Kevin, Roger, Jeferson, Peterson, Kei, Jon, Eric, Scott, Chance, Lawrence, Craig, Soony, C.J., Luke, Seth, Milos, Shavar, Konrad, and Graham. You fellas are why we almost made it to the top of the mountain and you are the reason we will get there next year.
Thanks to the fans. I spend my games in the Member's Stand and certainly feel a part of something bigger than myself when I am there. As we sing and dance, hug and cry, the agony of the loss and the joy of the wins are so much better when you have friends to share it with.
This was the most enjoyable summer and fall I have had in years and Sporting Kansas City was the reason why. I can't wait for next season.
Thank God for Sporting Kansas City.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
MOVEMBER - My quest for a mustache
Hello Amazing People,
I am growing a mustache and it needs help. More specifically, my mustache needs your support. My face, focused directly on my upper lip, is on a quest to raise money for cancer research. You may be asking yourself, "Ben, while I know the will of your face is tremendous how will this help cancer research?" Great question.
The more money you donate to my mustache the more research, administration, overhead, development can go into finding new treatments, drugs, services, or programs to help fight cancers that effect men. Great answer.
You can learn more by visiting here: http://mobro.co/beingbenkeefe
It boils down to this, I need, "Mo money, mo money, mo money." This is not a reference to 'In Living Color' which is returning for two more shows. FINALLY http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/In-Living-Color-returns-to-FOX--produced-by-Keenan-Ivory-Wayans/8413199
So help me out, donate five bucks, and get updates on the status of my mustache. If nothing else my family Thanksgiving photos are going to be tremendous this year. Possibly just a sweet head-shot of me is going to be our Christmas card. Maybe I can superimpose a picture of the kids somewhere in it.
This video pretty much sums it up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTuKOgHI7GA
Please send this to your friends.
You can follow my adventure on twitter @beingbenkeefe
Peace,
Ben
I am growing a mustache and it needs help. More specifically, my mustache needs your support. My face, focused directly on my upper lip, is on a quest to raise money for cancer research. You may be asking yourself, "Ben, while I know the will of your face is tremendous how will this help cancer research?" Great question.
The more money you donate to my mustache the more research, administration, overhead, development can go into finding new treatments, drugs, services, or programs to help fight cancers that effect men. Great answer.
You can learn more by visiting here: http://mobro.co/beingbenkeefe
It boils down to this, I need, "Mo money, mo money, mo money." This is not a reference to 'In Living Color' which is returning for two more shows. FINALLY http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/In-Living-Color-returns-to-FOX--produced-by-Keenan-Ivory-Wayans/8413199
So help me out, donate five bucks, and get updates on the status of my mustache. If nothing else my family Thanksgiving photos are going to be tremendous this year. Possibly just a sweet head-shot of me is going to be our Christmas card. Maybe I can superimpose a picture of the kids somewhere in it.
This video pretty much sums it up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTuKOgHI7GA
Please send this to your friends.
You can follow my adventure on twitter @beingbenkeefe
Peace,
Ben
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Why You Trippin'
Here is a highlight from Ruby's world premier performance of the Halloween Misfits. She is the light blue ghost.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Break Up White Lightning!
What a difference a week makes. From worst to first. Well, not quite but we did put the hurt on the first place team in our league and that always feels good. If you remember last week (which I'm sure the three of you do) I lamented on the inability of my U6 Team to win a game and the complete loss of form by my dominating U3 Team. *side note: the terms dominating U3 Team shows the exact level of focus I demand from small children.
Oh how my faith in humanity has been reborn! First up was Alice and the mighty Orange Alligators. I have three goal scoring machines on my team and they were all ready to go. One lingering question from last week was answered by the Grandmother of one boy. This kid is going to be a stud. He knows how to dribble, shoot, pass, and even has one move (step-over) but last week looked actually lost on the field. At one point I thought he might cry and that is not his M.O. at all. His Grandmother, coincidentally named Alice, said that he didn't want to play the pink team anymore and when she asked him why he said because they are girls. A little boy who doesn't want to play with girls and is already developing a complex and coping issues. Sounds like the story of my life. Lucky for us this team was in gray uniforms and was mostly boys. We seriously may have scored 15 goals.
Ruby played a game on Saturday and Sunday. For the previous five games, I asked if everyone wanted to have fun, encourage them to play hard, and tried to get them excited to play. This time I decided to use a motivational tactic that was developed by the Mayans, brought up north by the Spanish and perfected by me. I asked them if they wanted to win.
"Do you really want to win this game?" I asked the team.
"YESSSSSSSSSSSS," they screamed at me.
"Well then you have to play hard the whole time and score more goals then them," I said. "Can you do that?"
"YESSSSSSSSSSS," they scream again.
My message boiled down to this. Run after every ball, kick the ball in their goal more than they kick it in ours, and we will win. This simple message resulted in a 7-6 win on Saturday and a 4-3 comeback win on Sunday. Their faces absolutely lit up when, after each game, they asked me if they won and I said yes.
I do find some hilarity in the fact that they act like they really want to win but keeping score requires too much concentration. I felt a slight twinge of sadness though in what it took to win. As much as I don't think it's all that important for them to win at this age, the only way to get them motivated to play hard the whole time was to stoke their competitive juices. I'm not naive, I understand that winning and competition are part of who we are as people and everyone, everyone likes to win it also provides the opportunity to make them deal with losing. The lessons learned from losing are even more powerful than what we learn from winning but like I always told my coaches when they told me that.
"You ask them what losing taught them and I will just stick to beating them."
Oh how my faith in humanity has been reborn! First up was Alice and the mighty Orange Alligators. I have three goal scoring machines on my team and they were all ready to go. One lingering question from last week was answered by the Grandmother of one boy. This kid is going to be a stud. He knows how to dribble, shoot, pass, and even has one move (step-over) but last week looked actually lost on the field. At one point I thought he might cry and that is not his M.O. at all. His Grandmother, coincidentally named Alice, said that he didn't want to play the pink team anymore and when she asked him why he said because they are girls. A little boy who doesn't want to play with girls and is already developing a complex and coping issues. Sounds like the story of my life. Lucky for us this team was in gray uniforms and was mostly boys. We seriously may have scored 15 goals.
Ruby played a game on Saturday and Sunday. For the previous five games, I asked if everyone wanted to have fun, encourage them to play hard, and tried to get them excited to play. This time I decided to use a motivational tactic that was developed by the Mayans, brought up north by the Spanish and perfected by me. I asked them if they wanted to win.
"Do you really want to win this game?" I asked the team.
"YESSSSSSSSSSSS," they screamed at me.
"Well then you have to play hard the whole time and score more goals then them," I said. "Can you do that?"
"YESSSSSSSSSSS," they scream again.
My message boiled down to this. Run after every ball, kick the ball in their goal more than they kick it in ours, and we will win. This simple message resulted in a 7-6 win on Saturday and a 4-3 comeback win on Sunday. Their faces absolutely lit up when, after each game, they asked me if they won and I said yes.
I do find some hilarity in the fact that they act like they really want to win but keeping score requires too much concentration. I felt a slight twinge of sadness though in what it took to win. As much as I don't think it's all that important for them to win at this age, the only way to get them motivated to play hard the whole time was to stoke their competitive juices. I'm not naive, I understand that winning and competition are part of who we are as people and everyone, everyone likes to win it also provides the opportunity to make them deal with losing. The lessons learned from losing are even more powerful than what we learn from winning but like I always told my coaches when they told me that.
"You ask them what losing taught them and I will just stick to beating them."
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Just Can't Win
For the life of me I can't figure out why my girls team can't put a full game together. Is it the fact they are five and six years old? Probably. Is that a good excuse for losing four straight games? It is according to my wife.
While this might sound trite, I worry that the other parents are getting frustrated that we keep losing? I feel like I am being a good coach, trying to make it fun, and helping them enjoy sports and being on a team. Why then do I feel like such a failure this year to these girls? I know part of the answer. I hate losing. My wife and I try all we can to teach the kids it's NOT okay to hate but no matter what I do in my own life, the depression and obsession that come with losing is hard for me to shake.
You might be thinking? "Ben this is under six girls soccer we are talking about here." You are right and when I take a second to look back and really analyze it I know I am being rediculous but it's a bitter pill to swallow. Second, we had never lost until this year and now all of a sudden we aren't any good? That seems crazy to me. The girls practiced through the summer on their own with me and we kept showing improvement, but when the game starts the girls brains go into outer space.
I take some solace in the fact that the girls keep coming back, they all love playing with each other and no parents have yelled at me yet. Those are my sophisticated metrics for personal coaching success.
1. Do the kids you coach come back?
2. Do the kids like each other and do things together away from soccer?
3. Have any parents yelled at me?
I can answer all those positively. I guess I am fishing for a pick me up here.
While this might sound trite, I worry that the other parents are getting frustrated that we keep losing? I feel like I am being a good coach, trying to make it fun, and helping them enjoy sports and being on a team. Why then do I feel like such a failure this year to these girls? I know part of the answer. I hate losing. My wife and I try all we can to teach the kids it's NOT okay to hate but no matter what I do in my own life, the depression and obsession that come with losing is hard for me to shake.
You might be thinking? "Ben this is under six girls soccer we are talking about here." You are right and when I take a second to look back and really analyze it I know I am being rediculous but it's a bitter pill to swallow. Second, we had never lost until this year and now all of a sudden we aren't any good? That seems crazy to me. The girls practiced through the summer on their own with me and we kept showing improvement, but when the game starts the girls brains go into outer space.
I take some solace in the fact that the girls keep coming back, they all love playing with each other and no parents have yelled at me yet. Those are my sophisticated metrics for personal coaching success.
1. Do the kids you coach come back?
2. Do the kids like each other and do things together away from soccer?
3. Have any parents yelled at me?
I can answer all those positively. I guess I am fishing for a pick me up here.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Si Habla Espanol?
Flabbergasted is the best way to describe my reaction.
Emily was at the gym, the girls were sitting at the table mowing down some ravioli, mandarin oranges, and potatoes with green beans and I was creating a chili masterpiece when Ruby blew my mind.
Alice asked me for a napkin due to the fact that I think she must hit her face with her ravioli at least three times before she gets it in her mouth. I mean it looks like someone was just throwing tomato sauce at her face. Anyway, after she tells me where mom keeps them, I grab a stack and start to hand them out. I put one next to Ruby and she says, "blanco".
"What did you say?" I inquire.
"That's white in Spanish Dad."
"Wow, what's blue?"
"Azul." Ruby says matter of factly.
We go through all the colors of the spectrum, ROYGBIV for those of you out there needing some help, and she pretty much nails them all.
My first reaction is to take credit and think about how working on this as a toddler is what set the foundation for her learning this now. Maybe, but probably not. What is working is that fact she takes Spanish in Kindergarten and is learning.
I ask her everyday, "what did you do at school today?"
The typical response is already, "nothing." I know that is not true.
My fears of her watching the clock and being disinterested are falling away and the realization on me is this. I need to find ways to tap the excitement for learning at school into a wicked half volley from the top of the box. I can dream.
Emily was at the gym, the girls were sitting at the table mowing down some ravioli, mandarin oranges, and potatoes with green beans and I was creating a chili masterpiece when Ruby blew my mind.
Alice asked me for a napkin due to the fact that I think she must hit her face with her ravioli at least three times before she gets it in her mouth. I mean it looks like someone was just throwing tomato sauce at her face. Anyway, after she tells me where mom keeps them, I grab a stack and start to hand them out. I put one next to Ruby and she says, "blanco".
"What did you say?" I inquire.
"That's white in Spanish Dad."
"Wow, what's blue?"
"Azul." Ruby says matter of factly.
We go through all the colors of the spectrum, ROYGBIV for those of you out there needing some help, and she pretty much nails them all.
My first reaction is to take credit and think about how working on this as a toddler is what set the foundation for her learning this now. Maybe, but probably not. What is working is that fact she takes Spanish in Kindergarten and is learning.
I ask her everyday, "what did you do at school today?"
The typical response is already, "nothing." I know that is not true.
My fears of her watching the clock and being disinterested are falling away and the realization on me is this. I need to find ways to tap the excitement for learning at school into a wicked half volley from the top of the box. I can dream.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Two Stories in Youth Soccer Practice
I haven't been doing a very good job at keeping up on giving soccer match or practice reports but that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about them. To recap: Ruby is in the Under 6 Youth Development League, and Alice is in the 3 and Under Pre-Fun Soccer. Two entirely different beasts, and I mean beasts, to deal with but the threads from each woven together does create and interesting tapestry in the colors of soccer, coaching, friendship, and youth development.
White Lightning:
Overall: This team has been a real head scratcher this year. We lost our most highly skilled player but gained the ability to have more girls touch the ball and participate. In turn we lost our chief goal scorer but now other girls are scoring and gaining confidence.
Skills: We can pass, dribble, defend our goal, shoot the ball in the air, do the occational pull back or step-over which also leads to the inevitable ball surf: sliding over the ball and falling on your butt.
Games: We have seen a gradual progression from game one to now game three. We have lost all three which is killing me inside but I have to let that go. I have made each girl a sheet after the game that I email to their parents before our next practice with: 1. Things I did great 2. Things I need to work on 3. Homework for next week. The parents seem to like it and I hope the kids do as well.
Practices: They have been doing a great job in practice. Everyone has been coming consistently, the kids generally get along but things have been getting testier. Now that everyone understands and grasps winning and losing, scoring and being scored on, they want to win and some, like Ruby, want to win at everything.
Dangers: The kids are getting the ball in the air and kicking harder at every practice. I had my first kid get nailed in the check with an absolute bomb. Both girls were in tears. I felt bad but they are realizing that this happens. The elbows, shirt pulls, and running into each other is happening with more regularity and I need to work hard to correct this but I like aggression teetering on the edge of violence. Even for six year olds!
Orange Alligators:
Overall: This has been a learning experience for me. The main experience being I'm glad I have girls of my own and not boys. Damn they don't listen like the all girl team. They are running around, kicking the ball, scoring goals, generally being unpredictable and wild. The two girls on the team are certainly on the defensive and Alice is learning that no one will just give her the ball because it's her turn. Understanding that when the game is played for real you don't get a turn, you make your turn.
Skills: Understand that you have to score goals and not let goals go in our goal. Dribbling is coming along, kicking is getting better, passing is non-existent.
Games: We have won them all (we don't keep score...sure we don't). Only two kids really want to be out there the whole time and one of them is not Alice. That is a challenge. Getting them to come on the field and play. I have never had the problem with my all girl team.
Practices: Come on they are 3 we don't have practices. Alice kicks the ball with Ruby almost daily.
Dangers: Falling down, not getting a snack, getting stuck in the net.
I could go on but I want to leave you with a video of Ruby scoring a goal. I like to brag.
White Lightning:
Overall: This team has been a real head scratcher this year. We lost our most highly skilled player but gained the ability to have more girls touch the ball and participate. In turn we lost our chief goal scorer but now other girls are scoring and gaining confidence.
Skills: We can pass, dribble, defend our goal, shoot the ball in the air, do the occational pull back or step-over which also leads to the inevitable ball surf: sliding over the ball and falling on your butt.
Games: We have seen a gradual progression from game one to now game three. We have lost all three which is killing me inside but I have to let that go. I have made each girl a sheet after the game that I email to their parents before our next practice with: 1. Things I did great 2. Things I need to work on 3. Homework for next week. The parents seem to like it and I hope the kids do as well.
Practices: They have been doing a great job in practice. Everyone has been coming consistently, the kids generally get along but things have been getting testier. Now that everyone understands and grasps winning and losing, scoring and being scored on, they want to win and some, like Ruby, want to win at everything.
Dangers: The kids are getting the ball in the air and kicking harder at every practice. I had my first kid get nailed in the check with an absolute bomb. Both girls were in tears. I felt bad but they are realizing that this happens. The elbows, shirt pulls, and running into each other is happening with more regularity and I need to work hard to correct this but I like aggression teetering on the edge of violence. Even for six year olds!
Orange Alligators:
Overall: This has been a learning experience for me. The main experience being I'm glad I have girls of my own and not boys. Damn they don't listen like the all girl team. They are running around, kicking the ball, scoring goals, generally being unpredictable and wild. The two girls on the team are certainly on the defensive and Alice is learning that no one will just give her the ball because it's her turn. Understanding that when the game is played for real you don't get a turn, you make your turn.
Skills: Understand that you have to score goals and not let goals go in our goal. Dribbling is coming along, kicking is getting better, passing is non-existent.
Games: We have won them all (we don't keep score...sure we don't). Only two kids really want to be out there the whole time and one of them is not Alice. That is a challenge. Getting them to come on the field and play. I have never had the problem with my all girl team.
Practices: Come on they are 3 we don't have practices. Alice kicks the ball with Ruby almost daily.
Dangers: Falling down, not getting a snack, getting stuck in the net.
I could go on but I want to leave you with a video of Ruby scoring a goal. I like to brag.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Mango Margaret Salsa 2006 - 2011
Damned if you do. Damned if you don't.
Today I little piece of my heart broke. A tiny verbal knife opened me up ever so slightly and removed a tiny part of me that I guess I don't need anymore. Maybe as we progress as parents and see our children do the right thing without being told, part of our job as a parent ends. Maybe, just maybe, as we continue to try to influence our children positively and they embrace the freedom to make mistakes and be independent we are supposed to have those moments when we know they are growing up.
For the past two weeks I have been anxiously waiting for Ruby's first all school mass at St. Therese. Now that she is in kindergarten, once a week the kids get to come over as a school and celebrate spirituality, kindness, compassion, caring for the poor, and especially saying prayers to God and saying thanks for all the blessing in our lives. My wife has asked me not to share too readily my personal relationship with God on this blog and I respect her want of privacy. I believe all you need to know is that I have a relationship with God and even God thinks I talk too much sometimes. Go figure.
Back to the subject, my expectations were that I would roll into mass, sneak into the pew next to her, she would high five me or something close to this guys reaction:
In reality I saw my daughter age right before my eyes. After the opening introduction and prayers we took our seats and I learned over and whispered, "Are you surprised and excited that I came to your first all school mass?"
"Actually Dad, I was hoping I would get to go to mass by myself for the first time ever," she flatly responds.
Man, when she hits you with those giant brown eyes and the disappointment is palpable just by the way she is standing there you feel a little bad. I deserved the comment and I should have done a better job of thinking about it from her perspective. I spend so much time worrying about how things will affect me or in this case, make me look good I entirely failed to recognize the significance of this for her. She has been going to church for a long time, she knows all the calisthenics associated with the Catholic mass. She loves being a leader and setting an example for the other kids in her class and this was going to be one of those times and I took that opportunity away.
It wasn't that I'm not cool or that she doesn't want to spend time with me because believe me I was on the pity pot first. What's up is that the things we have been doing, and her teachers have been doing, and her grandparents have been doing, and her coaches have been doing are working.
She is growing up and taking little pieces of my heart with her as she goes.
For the past two weeks I have been anxiously waiting for Ruby's first all school mass at St. Therese. Now that she is in kindergarten, once a week the kids get to come over as a school and celebrate spirituality, kindness, compassion, caring for the poor, and especially saying prayers to God and saying thanks for all the blessing in our lives. My wife has asked me not to share too readily my personal relationship with God on this blog and I respect her want of privacy. I believe all you need to know is that I have a relationship with God and even God thinks I talk too much sometimes. Go figure.
"Actually Dad, I was hoping I would get to go to mass by myself for the first time ever," she flatly responds.
Man, when she hits you with those giant brown eyes and the disappointment is palpable just by the way she is standing there you feel a little bad. I deserved the comment and I should have done a better job of thinking about it from her perspective. I spend so much time worrying about how things will affect me or in this case, make me look good I entirely failed to recognize the significance of this for her. She has been going to church for a long time, she knows all the calisthenics associated with the Catholic mass. She loves being a leader and setting an example for the other kids in her class and this was going to be one of those times and I took that opportunity away.
It wasn't that I'm not cool or that she doesn't want to spend time with me because believe me I was on the pity pot first. What's up is that the things we have been doing, and her teachers have been doing, and her grandparents have been doing, and her coaches have been doing are working.
She is growing up and taking little pieces of my heart with her as she goes.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Getting Your Butt Kicked
It took me nearly 48 hours to get over the first serious ass kicking that White Lightning has ever received. I honestly believe I was in shock. It was like the past two years of practice and games and practice and games just fell out of their heads. I was dumbfounded. Ruby didn't score a single goal, didn't hustle after the ball, and asked if she could hang out on the sidelines with her friends rather than play. Are you kidding me?
I have come to the conclusion that:
A. having games at 2pm is not good for a bunch of kids who in the past year stopped taking naps. They look slow, tired, and unfocused.
B. They are five and six years old and losing has yet to carry any real pain.
C. Getting over to the playground after the game seems way more important than playing the game.
After the match I spoke with Ruby and tried to gauge her mindset or lack thereof. She pretty much said she tried her hardest (I highly doubt it) and didn't know what happened. I asked her if she understood they lost bad and she said yes. I asked her if she was upset and she said no and looked at me like I was crazy.
I think we are going to have a "soccer 101" practice on Wednesday and try to reset this season. I need to do a much better job.
I love these kids so much.
I have come to the conclusion that:
A. having games at 2pm is not good for a bunch of kids who in the past year stopped taking naps. They look slow, tired, and unfocused.
B. They are five and six years old and losing has yet to carry any real pain.
C. Getting over to the playground after the game seems way more important than playing the game.
After the match I spoke with Ruby and tried to gauge her mindset or lack thereof. She pretty much said she tried her hardest (I highly doubt it) and didn't know what happened. I asked her if she understood they lost bad and she said yes. I asked her if she was upset and she said no and looked at me like I was crazy.
I think we are going to have a "soccer 101" practice on Wednesday and try to reset this season. I need to do a much better job.
I love these kids so much.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Looking Good is Half the Battle
Naming conventions. That is what I am working on at work. I have been tasked to manage a project that creates naming conventions for all new opportunities generated in salesforce.com. If it were as easy as naming one of my kids soccer teams I would be done already.
Last Saturday marked the first organized team sport that my little Alice has ever participated in. Oh she does gymnastics and just started dance but as far as being on a team, this is her first foray into this world. Being the second child she has had the pleasure or torture of coming to Ruby's games, practices, backyard drills, since she could remember. You can tell as well because she seemingly understands the gist of soccer before we even had a practice. That puts her about a whole year ahead of any teammates who are the first kid or the only kid. For the ORANGE CRUSH we have four kids with older siblings and you can tell that we are going to dominate.
Our first practice/game was rained out and unfortunately I missed the update on the rainout line so I went anyway. We had four of my team's kids and picked up one who was as the fields but didn't have a coach or team (they must have call the rainout line). It was an exciting session of dribbling, running, kicking, scoring, and just having fun. We reiterated our three rules.
1. No hands
2. No kicking with your toe
3. No crying
We managed the first and third but the second is always a challenge at first. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun until the rain came but I felt like we got a bonus practice. We get to make this one up later so one extra session will just add to our dominance. My wife says I'm full of myself, she's probably right.
Finally, I would be doing a disservice if I didn't show you what Alice was sporting to her first game. Like this blog is titled. Looking good is half the battle...
and it helps to always have Curious George at your side.
Last Saturday marked the first organized team sport that my little Alice has ever participated in. Oh she does gymnastics and just started dance but as far as being on a team, this is her first foray into this world. Being the second child she has had the pleasure or torture of coming to Ruby's games, practices, backyard drills, since she could remember. You can tell as well because she seemingly understands the gist of soccer before we even had a practice. That puts her about a whole year ahead of any teammates who are the first kid or the only kid. For the ORANGE CRUSH we have four kids with older siblings and you can tell that we are going to dominate.
Our first practice/game was rained out and unfortunately I missed the update on the rainout line so I went anyway. We had four of my team's kids and picked up one who was as the fields but didn't have a coach or team (they must have call the rainout line). It was an exciting session of dribbling, running, kicking, scoring, and just having fun. We reiterated our three rules.
1. No hands
2. No kicking with your toe
3. No crying
We managed the first and third but the second is always a challenge at first. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun until the rain came but I felt like we got a bonus practice. We get to make this one up later so one extra session will just add to our dominance. My wife says I'm full of myself, she's probably right.
Finally, I would be doing a disservice if I didn't show you what Alice was sporting to her first game. Like this blog is titled. Looking good is half the battle...
Monday, September 12, 2011
How About White Lightning?
7-6 Ladybugs beat White Lightning
I have to be upfront. If you would have told me that my U-6 soccer team was going to allow five goals in the first two quarters, look like they had never seen a soccer ball before, and would forget which side our goal was on, I'd a told you, go jump in a lake. Although that my friends, is exactly what happened in the first half of game one of the new Fall season. To be completely clear, we actually scored two of their goals on ourselves or the notorious, "own goal". In Columbia you can be assassinated for this: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Andr%C3%A9s_Escobar
I did not want to assassinate any six and under girls but I certainly wanted to yell. Amazingly, patience and encouragement seemed to win the day over. We are pretty good. Anyone who has read some of my previous writings on coaching Ruby's soccer team will know that we are pretty talented. I have amazing parental involvement and support. The girls all seem to like each other and don't mind being there (well most of the time). We came out the first half and just looked like we weren't ready for anything. It was a bit hot outside, the middle of the afternoon sun, first game of the year, and you could see the lack of focus on the field. Ruby managed to hustle pretty well admittedly and scored two goals to keep it reasonable. We limped into halftime down 2-5.
I got out my trusty whiteboard and tried to diagram the field and the way we were going. I used something like this:
I have to be upfront. If you would have told me that my U-6 soccer team was going to allow five goals in the first two quarters, look like they had never seen a soccer ball before, and would forget which side our goal was on, I'd a told you, go jump in a lake. Although that my friends, is exactly what happened in the first half of game one of the new Fall season. To be completely clear, we actually scored two of their goals on ourselves or the notorious, "own goal". In Columbia you can be assassinated for this: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Andr%C3%A9s_Escobar
I did not want to assassinate any six and under girls but I certainly wanted to yell. Amazingly, patience and encouragement seemed to win the day over. We are pretty good. Anyone who has read some of my previous writings on coaching Ruby's soccer team will know that we are pretty talented. I have amazing parental involvement and support. The girls all seem to like each other and don't mind being there (well most of the time). We came out the first half and just looked like we weren't ready for anything. It was a bit hot outside, the middle of the afternoon sun, first game of the year, and you could see the lack of focus on the field. Ruby managed to hustle pretty well admittedly and scored two goals to keep it reasonable. We limped into halftime down 2-5.
I got out my trusty whiteboard and tried to diagram the field and the way we were going. I used something like this:
Whiteboarding and water seemed to do something. I also did my best to encourage and cheer even when I felt like yelling. I have to repeat, it's for fun, it's for fun.
In the second half I changed it up. I put Taylor, one of my new players to one of the striker positions and moved Ruby to the other rotation. We play three girls and then sub three girls and repeat four times with a total of 7 girls on the team. For my math sake we only had six girls show out of seven. For twenty minutes it was like soccer players crept into my teams bodies and they started to play wonderfully. Actual passing, goal saving hustle and defense, balanced scoring, and lots and lots of cheering. Ruby netter two more goals and our first timer ever playing a soccer game, Taylor deposited two goals in the back of the net. Two more rather weak goals were leaked in by our defense but take away our own goals and we have them. Thankfully, we play two more times this season so revenge will be ours.
My competitiveness runs a bit high at times but I have done better at channeling wanting to win, to wanting to have fun. As long as they keep coming back I we will have more second halves than first.
Oh yeah and our uniforms are white so I was thinking of our name being "White Lightning", your thoughts...
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Coach of the Year 2011
Sitting on the Board of Commissioners for the Southern Platte County Athletic Association AKA the Northland Sports Alliance I have the chance to meet so many great families, kids, and coaches. This time of year I also have the privilege of reviewing submissions for our annual Coach of the Year. I thought I would share the introduction and speech I wrote when we present him the award at our annual meeting. Please read below:
Often in coaching it is the things that the coach does off
the field that make the biggest differences on it. This year the Northland
Sports Alliance was again awash with nominations for coach of the year. This is
never an easy decision and it’s a nice problem to have. Lucky for us, good
coaches have good support from parents and this particular winner was showered
in praise by his team’s parents.
This is from Melissa Hagg, “I think that Bill Meiners
deserves coach of the year for several reasons. The first reason is the amount
of time that he dedicated to his volunteer coach position. Our son,
Bradly has played for the SPCAA for five years, and this is by far the best he
has ever played. The Bill took the time to learn about each boys and their
strengths and weaknesses, and helped to develop better skills at the same time
as building them up with kind words.
“The second reason he should be coach of the year is the
time he spent off the field to help these boys bond as a team. From T-Bones
games, to pool and pizza parties, he encouraged the boys to become better
friends and then better teammates. He even went so far as to employ strange
motivation tricks like wearing pink clothes and a pink cowboy hat just to help
motivate and encourage the boys. Well it worked we started hitting and so did
the kids who hadn’t been hitting.”
This is from Joe Hagg. “Our coach makes baseball fun for the
kids. He is a great guy and we plan on playing on his team next year. Put in
100 votes.” (Actually 2 both parents sent separate emails!)
Finally from Steve Barron, “I would like to nominate Bill
Meiners for this as he is the most upbeat, positive coach my son has ever had.
At the beginning of the year my son didn’t want to play baseball but to due
Bill’s positive reinforcement, focus on fun, and team building attitude he love
it. Not only was there a positive attitude throughout the team, there was
marked improvement from each boy on all skills, fielding, hitting, throwing,
running, etc. My son now has 3-4 new friends and can’t wait to get back on the
field.
Sometimes in sports the competitive nature of the games just
comes out and people can lose sight of what sports are really supposed to do
for our kids. Help them grow up well rounded, healthy, with a positive
attitude, and some friends along the way. Bill Meiners not only coaches the
skills on the field but he coaches the life lessons and values that sports provide.
On behalf of the Northland Sports Alliance I would like to congratulate our
2011 NSA Coach of the Year, Bill Meiners.
I am proud to be part of this organization.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
The Bugs Are Back!
Dribbling and kicking, scoring and laughing.
Hugging and loving, cheering and shouting.
The Bugs are back and they got some game.
Remembering things instead of having to retrain.
Keep your head up and pass to your team.
No toe, no hands, keep the ball on the seams.
100 degrees and the girls all want water.
Practice, pay attention, and you get what you want sooner than later.
One new kid who comes to us fresh.
Unspoiled by learning how to kick from her friends.
Spacings in important don't stand so close to eachother.
Pay attention to me and stop looking at your mother.
We lost one girl from the team this year.
She is playing club ball not so smart my young dear.
There is plenty of time to focus and specialize.
Why not have fun, play, laugh, joke and just socialize.
It's only a game and we will try hard to win.
Life isn't over if we let some goals in.
I'm pumped that the Bugs are officially back.
Fall NSA Soccer and we're ahead of the pack.
To all my kids listen up and you'll see.
Play hard, have fun, and here is to victory!
Hugging and loving, cheering and shouting.
The Bugs are back and they got some game.
Remembering things instead of having to retrain.
Keep your head up and pass to your team.
No toe, no hands, keep the ball on the seams.
100 degrees and the girls all want water.
Practice, pay attention, and you get what you want sooner than later.
One new kid who comes to us fresh.
Unspoiled by learning how to kick from her friends.
Spacings in important don't stand so close to eachother.
Pay attention to me and stop looking at your mother.
We lost one girl from the team this year.
She is playing club ball not so smart my young dear.
There is plenty of time to focus and specialize.
Why not have fun, play, laugh, joke and just socialize.
It's only a game and we will try hard to win.
Life isn't over if we let some goals in.
I'm pumped that the Bugs are officially back.
Fall NSA Soccer and we're ahead of the pack.
To all my kids listen up and you'll see.
Play hard, have fun, and here is to victory!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Northface Endurance Challenge Kansas City Race Report
Have you ever had straight pins pushed into your legs all over at the same time. Not to mention, that while they are pushing the pins in they are pouring rubbing alcohol and salt on them. This is what my legs feel like 48 hours after completing the Northface Endurance Challenge 50K in Kansas City.
This was my first road 50K and actually the first 50K of any kind that I have actually completed. I have signed up for the Psycho Wyco 50K http://www.psychowyco.com/ and ran in the race three times and each time I have pulled out at 20 miles. I thought with this particular race, being that it's in my old hood and running on roads that I intimately familiar with, this would be fitting for me. The lead up to the race wasn't ideal by any means this time. I hadn't done any distance longer than 12 miles for about two months prior to this race and wasn't getting the amount of rest I normally get. Here is the background on my lack of rest.
I work two jobs, my full-time gig with Perceptive Software and I moonlight as a bartender at the Power & Light District in Kansas City. I am more of a substitute bartender but I have been working for them for around four years and they work with my schedule and keep me on the calendar, so I do my best to make myself available to them as needed. It's a very symbiotic relationship and I am gracious to have the opportunity to make some extra cash; it comes in very handy. As we approach Labor Day and the end of the busy season outside (I work outside in the middle of the Live Block at a bar called the Living Room) we are down to two full-time bartenders and myself. Well, this past week we had Hot County Nights on Thursday and they needed me. I woke up at 6:00am took Alice to school, went to Perceptive, ran five miles at lunch, worked until five, drove to the Power & Light, worked until 2:00am, came home, made a entire box of pasta, drank a half gallon of water, and went to bed by 2:45am.
Friday at 6:00am I woke up, took Alice to school, went to work, ate pasta all day, went to the Power & Light, worked the Survivor concert (that's right, the same Survivor that sings "Eye of the Tiger") left as soon as I could, got home by 11:00pm, laid out all my race stuff, hopped in bed by midnight.
Saturday (race day), woke up at 4:45am, got dressed, ate a banana, went to QuikTrip and got a Sugar-Free White RockStar Enegy Drink, ate a GU on the way to the race, parked and got to the staging area at 5:20am. All in all it was a whirlwind for the 72 hours before the race and certainly not the way I like to prep but I thought I could push through any problems during the race and my attitude is always one of, "hell I can sleep after the race!"
We hit the pavement at exactly 6:00am and were off. It was a bit strange when I realized I was starting off in the top five group. I don't consider myself too fast but it seems that as I branch out and run these longer distances, I am finding myself running more and more near the front. It feels pretty good but it's a new experience for me. I have my smart pace band on and am trying to ease out into the race using a warm up strategy. As normal, I go out a bit faster than I had anticipated and it will come back to bite me but I think my lack of training is what really bites me later.
It is pretty warm and thank heavens the race director made a point to mandate carrying sixteen ounces of fluid while on the course. I was going to run with a ten ounce bottle and I needed all sixteen at numerous points throughout the race. Around mile thirteen I had ran a 1:38 half and a bit under on my pace to run a sub four hour 50K. Here was my entire thought process around what I thought my time should be for this distance via my internal monologue.
"Ben, you have ran a 3:01 marathon, you can run five more miles in 59 minutes can't you?"
"Sure I can, I mean even if I run slower, I will still have plenty of time."
Perfectly logical in my mind, in hindsight, I am a dumbass. I had trained religiously when I PR'ed my marathon and wasn't in that shape but I felt I could do it. This was mapped out in my head all by myself, but a great woman once told me, "never go into a dark alley all by yourself and the same thing goes for your mind." Point taken.
To speed things up around mile twenty I get passed by Michael Wardian, a ultra running superstar and a very nice individual all the same. He started 30 minutes after the rest of us and will end up beating the rest of us by around an hour by averaging nearly sub six minute miles for the whole race. Insane. At mile twenty three I realize this is going to be a struggle. My legs hurt, I am hot, I'm tired, and I haven't even made the marathon yet. At mile 26 I come through at 3:16ish. That is a pretty respectable marathon time but that is the last respectable thing I will do during this race. It takes me one hour and two minutes to run the last five miles. I had been averaging 7:36 per minute for the first 26 miles and an astonishing 12:28 per minute for the last five miles. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Talk about bonking, hitting the wall, choking, whatever, I had wasted a perfectly good marathon by adding the extra five on the end. It's too bad I signed up for the extra five at the end.
Anyway, after I tripped the line at 4:18:35 seconds http://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.php?lang=eng&racecode=100791 I struggled over to the recovery tent and collapsed into a chair. Luckily my posse was there to support me, Alice, Ruby and Emily all ready to cheer me up and help me out. About fifteen minutes later we hobbled over to my car and I drove home. I tried to lay down but that didn't really help but I managed not to crap this time, that's a bonus. My wife has a Tens Unit from her car wreck that we thought might help me with the soreness. I have never used one or really new what they did. As she place the four electrode pads on my legs I should have known better. When she turned it up my legs went straight as boards my muscles went tight as bricks. It wasn't very helpful.
On Sunday, I took a walk with the kids and the dog and started to feel a bit better. If nothing else my confidence is back and I am looking for the next one to sign up for. Sucker.
This was my first road 50K and actually the first 50K of any kind that I have actually completed. I have signed up for the Psycho Wyco 50K http://www.psychowyco.com/ and ran in the race three times and each time I have pulled out at 20 miles. I thought with this particular race, being that it's in my old hood and running on roads that I intimately familiar with, this would be fitting for me. The lead up to the race wasn't ideal by any means this time. I hadn't done any distance longer than 12 miles for about two months prior to this race and wasn't getting the amount of rest I normally get. Here is the background on my lack of rest.
I work two jobs, my full-time gig with Perceptive Software and I moonlight as a bartender at the Power & Light District in Kansas City. I am more of a substitute bartender but I have been working for them for around four years and they work with my schedule and keep me on the calendar, so I do my best to make myself available to them as needed. It's a very symbiotic relationship and I am gracious to have the opportunity to make some extra cash; it comes in very handy. As we approach Labor Day and the end of the busy season outside (I work outside in the middle of the Live Block at a bar called the Living Room) we are down to two full-time bartenders and myself. Well, this past week we had Hot County Nights on Thursday and they needed me. I woke up at 6:00am took Alice to school, went to Perceptive, ran five miles at lunch, worked until five, drove to the Power & Light, worked until 2:00am, came home, made a entire box of pasta, drank a half gallon of water, and went to bed by 2:45am.
Friday at 6:00am I woke up, took Alice to school, went to work, ate pasta all day, went to the Power & Light, worked the Survivor concert (that's right, the same Survivor that sings "Eye of the Tiger") left as soon as I could, got home by 11:00pm, laid out all my race stuff, hopped in bed by midnight.
Saturday (race day), woke up at 4:45am, got dressed, ate a banana, went to QuikTrip and got a Sugar-Free White RockStar Enegy Drink, ate a GU on the way to the race, parked and got to the staging area at 5:20am. All in all it was a whirlwind for the 72 hours before the race and certainly not the way I like to prep but I thought I could push through any problems during the race and my attitude is always one of, "hell I can sleep after the race!"
We hit the pavement at exactly 6:00am and were off. It was a bit strange when I realized I was starting off in the top five group. I don't consider myself too fast but it seems that as I branch out and run these longer distances, I am finding myself running more and more near the front. It feels pretty good but it's a new experience for me. I have my smart pace band on and am trying to ease out into the race using a warm up strategy. As normal, I go out a bit faster than I had anticipated and it will come back to bite me but I think my lack of training is what really bites me later.
It is pretty warm and thank heavens the race director made a point to mandate carrying sixteen ounces of fluid while on the course. I was going to run with a ten ounce bottle and I needed all sixteen at numerous points throughout the race. Around mile thirteen I had ran a 1:38 half and a bit under on my pace to run a sub four hour 50K. Here was my entire thought process around what I thought my time should be for this distance via my internal monologue.
"Ben, you have ran a 3:01 marathon, you can run five more miles in 59 minutes can't you?"
"Sure I can, I mean even if I run slower, I will still have plenty of time."
Perfectly logical in my mind, in hindsight, I am a dumbass. I had trained religiously when I PR'ed my marathon and wasn't in that shape but I felt I could do it. This was mapped out in my head all by myself, but a great woman once told me, "never go into a dark alley all by yourself and the same thing goes for your mind." Point taken.
To speed things up around mile twenty I get passed by Michael Wardian, a ultra running superstar and a very nice individual all the same. He started 30 minutes after the rest of us and will end up beating the rest of us by around an hour by averaging nearly sub six minute miles for the whole race. Insane. At mile twenty three I realize this is going to be a struggle. My legs hurt, I am hot, I'm tired, and I haven't even made the marathon yet. At mile 26 I come through at 3:16ish. That is a pretty respectable marathon time but that is the last respectable thing I will do during this race. It takes me one hour and two minutes to run the last five miles. I had been averaging 7:36 per minute for the first 26 miles and an astonishing 12:28 per minute for the last five miles. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Talk about bonking, hitting the wall, choking, whatever, I had wasted a perfectly good marathon by adding the extra five on the end. It's too bad I signed up for the extra five at the end.
Anyway, after I tripped the line at 4:18:35 seconds http://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.php?lang=eng&racecode=100791 I struggled over to the recovery tent and collapsed into a chair. Luckily my posse was there to support me, Alice, Ruby and Emily all ready to cheer me up and help me out. About fifteen minutes later we hobbled over to my car and I drove home. I tried to lay down but that didn't really help but I managed not to crap this time, that's a bonus. My wife has a Tens Unit from her car wreck that we thought might help me with the soreness. I have never used one or really new what they did. As she place the four electrode pads on my legs I should have known better. When she turned it up my legs went straight as boards my muscles went tight as bricks. It wasn't very helpful.
On Sunday, I took a walk with the kids and the dog and started to feel a bit better. If nothing else my confidence is back and I am looking for the next one to sign up for. Sucker.
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