Happy New Year! It is really true, the older you get the faster time flies. Just seems like yesterday it was one of those years gone by, fill in any year ya like. Yet, here we are, in 2014. So I figured I should post at least once this year lol.
Let me start by acknowledging the great points of this season. Ryan Wilson is the US champ, and world silver medallist. As of this week it is official, he is also the number 2 ranked hurdler in the world. Props to D.O. on his world title and his number one ranking. He earned it. And in true competition, we are coming for both next year, 2015.
Needless to say, I am over the moon about Ryan's year. He has been with me for ten years, without fail and I with him. This season was a fun ride, one of those years you wait to have with your athlete. And one I will cherish. I have been blessed to have a few athletes succeed under me that is personal, not just professional. It is my style, my preference, and when success is achieved extra gratifying. Medals are precious, rare, and the symbol of a lot of hard work, determination and luck.
That being said, it is time track and field had a World Championship every year. For decades detractors of this idea have cried that it is too hard. Well that is the same thing WE all said when they changed them to every two years. Having coached a few commonwealth and European athletes, this is true, yet inconsequential. It makes no sense that 90% of the world have some form of championship this summer, but the sport as a whole feels the need to take a year off.
The financial impact is dire for the athletes and in some respects for us coaches too. Races become rare, and the opportunity for progress is placed on hold or stunted all together. Having a down year in the Western hemisphere is marketing purgatory. How to you sell your medallist this year? What? They have a chance at the Diamond League title? I do not think so. You cannot guarantee anyone's participation in a given meet, so that does not work. Having a global championship does not guarantee participation, but it gives the athletes and the public a focal point. It provides the networks with a clean storyline. They will not need a segment devoted to the explanation of a league that only counts certain events week to week, but may have the non scoring events in their meets for entertainment purposes. Fans like a simple storyline to follow, protagonist and antagonist they can love and hate. Here we are removing ourselves from the conversation, voluntarily.
We must stay in the public eye if we wish to "return" to a profile position on the sporting landscape. Hell, I cannot keep up with how many X Games there are a year anymore. Happy New year everybody. I plan to continue to have fun at this thing. See you all out there. D
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Monday, July 1, 2013
"...Ten years of hard work is starting to pay off!"
Never let them know what you are thinking! That is one of the classic Godfather lines, many like to quote. Welp, I am about to tell you exactly what I think. One week ago, after ten long, hard years of consistency Ryan finally made the US team! Not only did he make the team, he won the damn race! Ryan Wilson is the 2013 USA champion in the 110HH.
It is an understatement to say he won the hardest race, on the world's greatest team. Yearly, the highs are the deepest event in the US. In 2012, Ryan ran 13.26 to take 7th at the Olympic trials! 7th!!! In 99% of the world that is a national record. So the absolute joy, I felt when he crossed the line I hope was understandable to those who witnessed my exuberance. Yup, I yelled, and ran around like a fool, and I did not care. I shed a tear too. I admit it. Everyone that knows me, knew exactly how much that meant to me.
What I did not expect was how many people outside of my circle knew.
Ryan is well liked on the circuit, and after he won that race I got to see how much people liked him. There was genuine happiness from all corners as we walked off the track. Not that I expected any hate, I was just pleasantly surprised at how many knew his story. HIS story, his ten year climb.
Ten years. In that time, we have remained a fixture on the US scene. Always faltering in championship years. Ryan was my first recruit. He called me from the track when he won NCAAs in 03. I was shocked. I was pleased. I had to act like I wasn't smiling ear to ear. 2 days later he would commit to what is now a ten year journey. Here is a brief outline of our adventures trying to make the USA team: 2003 - strains groin in the first round. 2004 - He spent that entire season finishing school, went to trials half prepared but a USC graduate. Which was our goal that season. 2005 - hamstring strain that just would not go away. 2006 - No team, runs 13.22 to finish 3rd at nationals. Oh man were we ready for the show! 2007 - "Sweats off!" Both groins cramp! He bails at hurdle 2. He ran 13.02 in NY that year. Had a good summer, finished the season ranked in the top 10 in the world, and no team. 2008 - Injury. What would turn out to be a sports hernia. 2009 - David Payne jumps, Ryan gets blamed, runs under protest, so we can file a protest. We won the protest but because he ran, his result had to be taken into consideration which means he was better off not running. Another team goes by. 2010 - great year! Finished 4th in the world. Took second at nationals. Only problem, no team to make. but again, we are ready for 2011! 2011 - comes and everything is pear shaped. All. Year. Long! Following a disastrous nationals we made the switch to seven steps. Took him one whole set, on the road to switch. But it gave us a chance to work on it under fire with no pressure. 2012 - the Olympics. We are seven stepping easily, and ready to make the team. At hurdle 5 he is in 2nd, clip 6, smash 7, stumble, cuss across the finish line and in the end, get ranked 8th in the world, with no team again! 2013 - Deal done. Win it, leave no doubt. Finally make a team, on to Moscow.
Now of course I skipped a million tales, but you get the point. We had a point to prove. Losing to hurdlers he had beaten, watching races he could win. Wondering what in the hell was I screwing up? Brought me to the exhibition in the stands :) I celebrated for 3 days, internally. Now it is time to get ready for Moscow. The hard part was making the team, now it is time for the fun part, getting on that podium. See you guys in Moscow!!!
It is an understatement to say he won the hardest race, on the world's greatest team. Yearly, the highs are the deepest event in the US. In 2012, Ryan ran 13.26 to take 7th at the Olympic trials! 7th!!! In 99% of the world that is a national record. So the absolute joy, I felt when he crossed the line I hope was understandable to those who witnessed my exuberance. Yup, I yelled, and ran around like a fool, and I did not care. I shed a tear too. I admit it. Everyone that knows me, knew exactly how much that meant to me.
What I did not expect was how many people outside of my circle knew.
Ryan is well liked on the circuit, and after he won that race I got to see how much people liked him. There was genuine happiness from all corners as we walked off the track. Not that I expected any hate, I was just pleasantly surprised at how many knew his story. HIS story, his ten year climb.
Ten years. In that time, we have remained a fixture on the US scene. Always faltering in championship years. Ryan was my first recruit. He called me from the track when he won NCAAs in 03. I was shocked. I was pleased. I had to act like I wasn't smiling ear to ear. 2 days later he would commit to what is now a ten year journey. Here is a brief outline of our adventures trying to make the USA team: 2003 - strains groin in the first round. 2004 - He spent that entire season finishing school, went to trials half prepared but a USC graduate. Which was our goal that season. 2005 - hamstring strain that just would not go away. 2006 - No team, runs 13.22 to finish 3rd at nationals. Oh man were we ready for the show! 2007 - "Sweats off!" Both groins cramp! He bails at hurdle 2. He ran 13.02 in NY that year. Had a good summer, finished the season ranked in the top 10 in the world, and no team. 2008 - Injury. What would turn out to be a sports hernia. 2009 - David Payne jumps, Ryan gets blamed, runs under protest, so we can file a protest. We won the protest but because he ran, his result had to be taken into consideration which means he was better off not running. Another team goes by. 2010 - great year! Finished 4th in the world. Took second at nationals. Only problem, no team to make. but again, we are ready for 2011! 2011 - comes and everything is pear shaped. All. Year. Long! Following a disastrous nationals we made the switch to seven steps. Took him one whole set, on the road to switch. But it gave us a chance to work on it under fire with no pressure. 2012 - the Olympics. We are seven stepping easily, and ready to make the team. At hurdle 5 he is in 2nd, clip 6, smash 7, stumble, cuss across the finish line and in the end, get ranked 8th in the world, with no team again! 2013 - Deal done. Win it, leave no doubt. Finally make a team, on to Moscow.
Now of course I skipped a million tales, but you get the point. We had a point to prove. Losing to hurdlers he had beaten, watching races he could win. Wondering what in the hell was I screwing up? Brought me to the exhibition in the stands :) I celebrated for 3 days, internally. Now it is time to get ready for Moscow. The hard part was making the team, now it is time for the fun part, getting on that podium. See you guys in Moscow!!!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
How I came to this Threshold
The world is full of misinformation and wonderful lies. I will write this in part PC prose and straight talk. If you are a child there may be cussin' in the next few paragraphs, you have been warned.
The reasons for me writing this particular blog are varied and span many years, so this blog shall cover many years. I will enjoy reliving some of this, as i excise some demons and tell the wonderful tale of how i came to be a coach in this hellish realm of track and field...
in short, I was born a coach of track. well i was born in to the sport, that is for sure. I have known about track for as long as I can remember. All over my parents house and my grandparents house were pictures and trophies of my uncle and his success as an athlete. I remember loving the clipping from JET magazine. My uncle was in JET! lol I loved the trophies, they were amazing, i particularly loved the huge marble stones that sat in front of the fireplace. Those damn things were heavy! Then there was the laminated picture of him setting the wr in the 440 yd dash. Not to mention the clay statue in the garage that now sits in a museum somewhere. Yup, track is in my blood.
The funny thing is I was more taken by the UCLA on his chest than the sport itself. The sport came along later. I am anti baseball so after a year of tee ball, and having been struck out on a called strike that the umpire never saw, I told my parents I wanted to try track. I was 6. My original trophy is still around here somewhere. The beauty of this decision was my natural speed. I was the fastest boy in my neighborhood. Notice I said boy, there was this one girl everyone avoided racing. Including me. lol I raced this other kid early on, he was tall and lanky, and fast. His name was Steve Lewis.
by age ten I was a long jumper. Sprinting passed me by after the first round of puberty. All my friends that i used to destroy mysteriously got faster, all at once, and BAM the long jump took prime position in my personal hierarchy. Oh I was good at it. This was the point Coach Harris started telling us about hurdles. Fantastic! Now, in my early years of hurdling I raced this other tall kid, he was muscular and looked grown. We wanted to see his birth certificate because there was no way he was my age. his name was Quincy Watts.
Going into high school I had made the decision to hurdle. I won the "C" level City championship in the 300IH. Oh boy I was well on my way to being the man to break Edwin Moses win streak! Until my junior year, then senior year disappointments and I was well on my way to walking on at UCLA. To be coached by none other than my uncle. Heaven!
Life dominated track and by 1991 I had run my last race. Now this is where I start my journey. Christmas 1991 my uncle asked me to come back out to the track as a manager and his assistant to his soon to be pro team. Well, hell yes! Off we went. The dream was sold, we would take over the world, and as success came to the group our collective fortunes would rise, collectively. The group was Kevin Young, a young Quincy Watts (still at USC), and Andre Cason. Many of my teammates dreamed of matriculating to the pro group after their senior years. After the 92 season Nike LA welcomed its first official member, Jon Drummond and Jason Rouser. My boys. I spent more time with these 2 scoundrels than my family. JD would make the world team in 1993 as the lead off of the 4x1 that tied the wr, the still standing AR (37.40). Fantastic. We are on our way.
By this time I have been to conference champs and NCAA champs. The future was bright. I was having a ball. Life was hard but that was ok, I was in love, track had me.
1994 saw Dennis come to the group and become the number one sprinter in the world. He dipped under 10 six times that season, a record at the time. JD dipped four times, the second most in a season. On the UCLA front Ato was busy committing. In 1995 he won the 200 after jumping out of the 100. In 1996, Ato set the UCLA record in the 100 and 200, JD made the Olympic team, Marie Perec had come to town and would be the second woman to win the 200/400 double. Oops I have to go back.
Following 1992 circumstances dictated that John seek representation, and thus the ground work for HSI was laid. John meet Emanuel.
Ok, so as I was saying, in 1996 HSI was dominating the scene, and would officially announce our presence with the signing of Ato. Hello world, the dream is alive and real. JD, Ato, Marie Perec and Antwon Maybank all headed to Atlanta, HSI! The takeover had begun. I watched on TV as the troops performed with Ato winning 2 medals and looking like the next great thing. Marie shocked herself and pulled off the 200 gold. Lovely woman but the faces she made to win that 200 gold were downright scary lol.
That fall saw the arrival of Mo, the next great thing. Now it did not start that way, he was struggling with all things LA; the training, the living, the INCOME, but he was listening. He was always confident. Quincy had returned to the fold and he and Mo were fast friends. I recall the moment Mo acknowledged he had it figured out. Most people think it was when he won nationals that year but it was before that in a race no one except us paid attention to. It was Prefontaine, and Mo was in Lane 8 of the 200! I believe he ran the 100 and got his hat handed to him. As he tells the story he was filling out job applications by this point in the season. Anyway, in this 200 he was torched by Allen Johnson on the bend and a couple of other sprinters on his inside. Coming down the home stretch he ran back by Allen and finished 4th. I think he ran 20.42 or something like that. He came to the back and proclaimed "I got it!" Half way down that straight away, the movement clicked for him. He felt it. The next time he would see a track would be at US Nationals.
This was his second proclamation of discovery lol. He ran 9.96 in the 1st round and John and I looked at each other and shrugged. Rookie went out too hard, we will see what he has for the other rounds. When we got to him in the cool down, John asked him how he felt, and he replied, "I can do that whenever I want to. Sub 10 is easy" Oh boy, what a rookie. Well the rest is history. He was right. LOL
By 2000, Ato, Mo and JD were the triplets. Dominating the sprint scene on all fronts, JD was the personality, Mo the confidence, and Ato the workman. The dream was in full bloom and HSI was on top of the world, literally. We flew flags at circuit meets, folks didn't like that, the IAAF passed rules to prevent it. True story. In 1999, I had the task of coaching the crew through the single greatest day in HSI history. Athens Greece was the place, and we showed out. Mo set the wr that day, 9.79. Ato took second in 9.86, his third such clocking (he would post a fourth such clocking in the next meet in Lausanne). Jeff Hartwig won the PV, I believe he went over 6m that day. Inger had joined the crew, the queen doubled that day, taking 2nd in the 100 (11.04) and winning the 200 in a then pr (22.10). Mo and Ato would follow up her double with their own double, Ato dropping 19.88 to win and Mo running a gutsy 20.02 to back up his emotionally draining wr. In between all of that Larry won the 110s in 13.12 in a photo finish. All victories were meet records at the time. We called John to tell him the good news, he was coaching UCLA at a home meet that day, June 16th, 1999. Yup I remember the day.
Over the next 4 years HSI would see more success, Olympic and world titles, more medals, and the inevitable growth and maturing of the athletes. The ebb and flow of life was treacherous at times, as is the case with any family and its moving parts. Some of us grew a part, but we are all enjoying success in various corners of track. Ato is a respected TV analyst, was a senator in his homeland of Trinidad. He has developed into the public guru for track fans world wide, doing all broadcast in the US and now venturing into web casting. Mo is still the personality. His charisma, and on track accomplishments keep him busy travelling, speaking and doing clinics. He has tried his hand at coaching also, leading a local high school here in the LA area and also coaching Miki Barber onto the 2011 World Team. JD is a trainer and coach in Texas, placing many kids into top high schools and college programs, while consulting (his word lol) a few world class level sprinters, AND COACHING Marshevet Myers. Larry Wade is the HC at Pasadena City College, Kaaron was the sprint coach for the Korean national team and is now John's right hand man, Antwon Maybank is in the midwest coaching, Jason Rouser is in Florida coaching and doing personal training. Gentry Bradley is now the sprint coach for the Saudi Arabian National team. and then there is me!
Hi folks. I have seen the earth traveling with my boys and my uncle over the years. I have touched every continent except for the artic regions. For a number of years I had the privilege of coaching the Saudi Arabian sprinters and hurdlers. In 2000 I made my first Olympic trip, guiding Hadi Somayli and Hamdan al Bishi to Sydney. Hadi would win Saudi's first ever Olympic medal, taking silver in the 400H, in a heart breaking finish. Still hurts to relive it, smh. Hamdan would pr at the Games but would enjoy his glory a month later at the World Juniors where he set the still standing meet record (44.66). Over the next 4 years I would guide my boys to numerous regional championships and records and awards. In 2003 I started my own group, DSports, this venture culminated in the bronze medal in 2008. Tasha would rise from the ashes to win bronze in Beijing, I the single proudest achievement of my career to date. DSports is now Threshold Athletics Group TAG for short. The many years of experience with my uncle have groomed me well for this next adventure. It was a thrill and far more fun and involved than many realize. I am forever grateful to my uncle for allowing me to grow under him and trusting me enough to guide the group when he was unable to be there. Can you imagine having the hopes and dreams of your friends in your care? That was me. At the ripe old age of 28. Now I am 40, a ton of lessons learned. not all rosy, but lessons just the same. The HSI days are long past, but the impact and influence remain. Those times, adventures, trials, tests, and successes helped shape me. I was born a coach, I will die a coach, but I do miss the friendships of yesterday.
I will say to all my guys, no matter where we stand today, I am proud of you all. Success breeds success, and we were damn good then and we are all damn good now. Keep striving to be the best, I damn sure will. See you all on the track.
Oh, I skipped over years and more than a few stories, this damn entry was long enough. LOL
OH, OH, yeah the voice of this blog changed because like I said I enjoyed reliving it, so some of the demons were excised, and the energy changed. I will leave you all with this, Exodus 14:14
The reasons for me writing this particular blog are varied and span many years, so this blog shall cover many years. I will enjoy reliving some of this, as i excise some demons and tell the wonderful tale of how i came to be a coach in this hellish realm of track and field...
in short, I was born a coach of track. well i was born in to the sport, that is for sure. I have known about track for as long as I can remember. All over my parents house and my grandparents house were pictures and trophies of my uncle and his success as an athlete. I remember loving the clipping from JET magazine. My uncle was in JET! lol I loved the trophies, they were amazing, i particularly loved the huge marble stones that sat in front of the fireplace. Those damn things were heavy! Then there was the laminated picture of him setting the wr in the 440 yd dash. Not to mention the clay statue in the garage that now sits in a museum somewhere. Yup, track is in my blood.
The funny thing is I was more taken by the UCLA on his chest than the sport itself. The sport came along later. I am anti baseball so after a year of tee ball, and having been struck out on a called strike that the umpire never saw, I told my parents I wanted to try track. I was 6. My original trophy is still around here somewhere. The beauty of this decision was my natural speed. I was the fastest boy in my neighborhood. Notice I said boy, there was this one girl everyone avoided racing. Including me. lol I raced this other kid early on, he was tall and lanky, and fast. His name was Steve Lewis.
by age ten I was a long jumper. Sprinting passed me by after the first round of puberty. All my friends that i used to destroy mysteriously got faster, all at once, and BAM the long jump took prime position in my personal hierarchy. Oh I was good at it. This was the point Coach Harris started telling us about hurdles. Fantastic! Now, in my early years of hurdling I raced this other tall kid, he was muscular and looked grown. We wanted to see his birth certificate because there was no way he was my age. his name was Quincy Watts.
Going into high school I had made the decision to hurdle. I won the "C" level City championship in the 300IH. Oh boy I was well on my way to being the man to break Edwin Moses win streak! Until my junior year, then senior year disappointments and I was well on my way to walking on at UCLA. To be coached by none other than my uncle. Heaven!
Life dominated track and by 1991 I had run my last race. Now this is where I start my journey. Christmas 1991 my uncle asked me to come back out to the track as a manager and his assistant to his soon to be pro team. Well, hell yes! Off we went. The dream was sold, we would take over the world, and as success came to the group our collective fortunes would rise, collectively. The group was Kevin Young, a young Quincy Watts (still at USC), and Andre Cason. Many of my teammates dreamed of matriculating to the pro group after their senior years. After the 92 season Nike LA welcomed its first official member, Jon Drummond and Jason Rouser. My boys. I spent more time with these 2 scoundrels than my family. JD would make the world team in 1993 as the lead off of the 4x1 that tied the wr, the still standing AR (37.40). Fantastic. We are on our way.
By this time I have been to conference champs and NCAA champs. The future was bright. I was having a ball. Life was hard but that was ok, I was in love, track had me.
1994 saw Dennis come to the group and become the number one sprinter in the world. He dipped under 10 six times that season, a record at the time. JD dipped four times, the second most in a season. On the UCLA front Ato was busy committing. In 1995 he won the 200 after jumping out of the 100. In 1996, Ato set the UCLA record in the 100 and 200, JD made the Olympic team, Marie Perec had come to town and would be the second woman to win the 200/400 double. Oops I have to go back.
Following 1992 circumstances dictated that John seek representation, and thus the ground work for HSI was laid. John meet Emanuel.
Ok, so as I was saying, in 1996 HSI was dominating the scene, and would officially announce our presence with the signing of Ato. Hello world, the dream is alive and real. JD, Ato, Marie Perec and Antwon Maybank all headed to Atlanta, HSI! The takeover had begun. I watched on TV as the troops performed with Ato winning 2 medals and looking like the next great thing. Marie shocked herself and pulled off the 200 gold. Lovely woman but the faces she made to win that 200 gold were downright scary lol.
That fall saw the arrival of Mo, the next great thing. Now it did not start that way, he was struggling with all things LA; the training, the living, the INCOME, but he was listening. He was always confident. Quincy had returned to the fold and he and Mo were fast friends. I recall the moment Mo acknowledged he had it figured out. Most people think it was when he won nationals that year but it was before that in a race no one except us paid attention to. It was Prefontaine, and Mo was in Lane 8 of the 200! I believe he ran the 100 and got his hat handed to him. As he tells the story he was filling out job applications by this point in the season. Anyway, in this 200 he was torched by Allen Johnson on the bend and a couple of other sprinters on his inside. Coming down the home stretch he ran back by Allen and finished 4th. I think he ran 20.42 or something like that. He came to the back and proclaimed "I got it!" Half way down that straight away, the movement clicked for him. He felt it. The next time he would see a track would be at US Nationals.
This was his second proclamation of discovery lol. He ran 9.96 in the 1st round and John and I looked at each other and shrugged. Rookie went out too hard, we will see what he has for the other rounds. When we got to him in the cool down, John asked him how he felt, and he replied, "I can do that whenever I want to. Sub 10 is easy" Oh boy, what a rookie. Well the rest is history. He was right. LOL
By 2000, Ato, Mo and JD were the triplets. Dominating the sprint scene on all fronts, JD was the personality, Mo the confidence, and Ato the workman. The dream was in full bloom and HSI was on top of the world, literally. We flew flags at circuit meets, folks didn't like that, the IAAF passed rules to prevent it. True story. In 1999, I had the task of coaching the crew through the single greatest day in HSI history. Athens Greece was the place, and we showed out. Mo set the wr that day, 9.79. Ato took second in 9.86, his third such clocking (he would post a fourth such clocking in the next meet in Lausanne). Jeff Hartwig won the PV, I believe he went over 6m that day. Inger had joined the crew, the queen doubled that day, taking 2nd in the 100 (11.04) and winning the 200 in a then pr (22.10). Mo and Ato would follow up her double with their own double, Ato dropping 19.88 to win and Mo running a gutsy 20.02 to back up his emotionally draining wr. In between all of that Larry won the 110s in 13.12 in a photo finish. All victories were meet records at the time. We called John to tell him the good news, he was coaching UCLA at a home meet that day, June 16th, 1999. Yup I remember the day.
Over the next 4 years HSI would see more success, Olympic and world titles, more medals, and the inevitable growth and maturing of the athletes. The ebb and flow of life was treacherous at times, as is the case with any family and its moving parts. Some of us grew a part, but we are all enjoying success in various corners of track. Ato is a respected TV analyst, was a senator in his homeland of Trinidad. He has developed into the public guru for track fans world wide, doing all broadcast in the US and now venturing into web casting. Mo is still the personality. His charisma, and on track accomplishments keep him busy travelling, speaking and doing clinics. He has tried his hand at coaching also, leading a local high school here in the LA area and also coaching Miki Barber onto the 2011 World Team. JD is a trainer and coach in Texas, placing many kids into top high schools and college programs, while consulting (his word lol) a few world class level sprinters, AND COACHING Marshevet Myers. Larry Wade is the HC at Pasadena City College, Kaaron was the sprint coach for the Korean national team and is now John's right hand man, Antwon Maybank is in the midwest coaching, Jason Rouser is in Florida coaching and doing personal training. Gentry Bradley is now the sprint coach for the Saudi Arabian National team. and then there is me!
Hi folks. I have seen the earth traveling with my boys and my uncle over the years. I have touched every continent except for the artic regions. For a number of years I had the privilege of coaching the Saudi Arabian sprinters and hurdlers. In 2000 I made my first Olympic trip, guiding Hadi Somayli and Hamdan al Bishi to Sydney. Hadi would win Saudi's first ever Olympic medal, taking silver in the 400H, in a heart breaking finish. Still hurts to relive it, smh. Hamdan would pr at the Games but would enjoy his glory a month later at the World Juniors where he set the still standing meet record (44.66). Over the next 4 years I would guide my boys to numerous regional championships and records and awards. In 2003 I started my own group, DSports, this venture culminated in the bronze medal in 2008. Tasha would rise from the ashes to win bronze in Beijing, I the single proudest achievement of my career to date. DSports is now Threshold Athletics Group TAG for short. The many years of experience with my uncle have groomed me well for this next adventure. It was a thrill and far more fun and involved than many realize. I am forever grateful to my uncle for allowing me to grow under him and trusting me enough to guide the group when he was unable to be there. Can you imagine having the hopes and dreams of your friends in your care? That was me. At the ripe old age of 28. Now I am 40, a ton of lessons learned. not all rosy, but lessons just the same. The HSI days are long past, but the impact and influence remain. Those times, adventures, trials, tests, and successes helped shape me. I was born a coach, I will die a coach, but I do miss the friendships of yesterday.
I will say to all my guys, no matter where we stand today, I am proud of you all. Success breeds success, and we were damn good then and we are all damn good now. Keep striving to be the best, I damn sure will. See you all on the track.
Oh, I skipped over years and more than a few stories, this damn entry was long enough. LOL
OH, OH, yeah the voice of this blog changed because like I said I enjoyed reliving it, so some of the demons were excised, and the energy changed. I will leave you all with this, Exodus 14:14
Friday, July 3, 2009
Lion Chaser
As I sit here watching Beowulf, I decided to take five minutes to write. Let's see if it has any fluid direction whatsoever. The truth is most of my blogs do not flow because I am constantly mentally editing what I write. I have gone so far as to write entire blogs and erase them. LOL Yup a few times. One must guard their thoughts when speaking and writing them down. This is the one reason I chuckle when I am accused of spilling my guts or telling secrets. Ok I do not actually chuckle, I get pissed.
So, Eugene was not so kind to me and my charges this year. On we move to the summer circuit. Ryan started his campaign in Oslo and Kai gets baptized in Madrid. For those of you out there, welcome him to the road, he is a virgin, with a clean passport LOL. Watch out for my man, I do not want him wandering around Europe waiting for a pick up. We all know the stories.
Congrats to D Payne (you owe the track gods lol) T Trammell(again!), and Aries (about time), go get em fellas in Berlin. D.O. get better and see you out there in London.
Here's a little history for you, Johnnie Dutch ran 48.18 to make the team at age 20. Danny Harris in 1984 ran a similar time to win an Olympic medal at age 20. Man where can I get some of that gene pool??? We have Dutch and Anderson coming up through the ranks and young kid Wyatt just getting in the game. The long hurdles are looking for a return to their glory years where you ran 47 to medal or stayed home.
Tomorrow is Madrid, come on Kai let's get it.
So, Eugene was not so kind to me and my charges this year. On we move to the summer circuit. Ryan started his campaign in Oslo and Kai gets baptized in Madrid. For those of you out there, welcome him to the road, he is a virgin, with a clean passport LOL. Watch out for my man, I do not want him wandering around Europe waiting for a pick up. We all know the stories.
Congrats to D Payne (you owe the track gods lol) T Trammell(again!), and Aries (about time), go get em fellas in Berlin. D.O. get better and see you out there in London.
Here's a little history for you, Johnnie Dutch ran 48.18 to make the team at age 20. Danny Harris in 1984 ran a similar time to win an Olympic medal at age 20. Man where can I get some of that gene pool??? We have Dutch and Anderson coming up through the ranks and young kid Wyatt just getting in the game. The long hurdles are looking for a return to their glory years where you ran 47 to medal or stayed home.
Tomorrow is Madrid, come on Kai let's get it.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Refs!!!
Charles Barkley said it right, the refs are struggling. People like to pigeonhole me on this topic as if I am a blind Lakers supporter or Kobe backer. I am clearly a Lakers fan and a Kobe fan. However, when I say the refs suck I am talking both conferences and all throughout the playoffs. George Karl said it best, there is a lack of consistency.
Example, Denver beats on the Lakers for three quarters, at least on Kobe, then all of a sudden it is the fourth quarter and they start blowing the whistle left and right. This type of inconsistency is happening throughout the playoffs. It throws the rhythm of the game off and keeps the players guessing at what is going on.
As a Lakers fan I am too well versed on the non calls, such as the hip push, which seems to have become an acceptable defensive move but was an instant call in the Jordan days. If you think Kobe shoots a lot of free throws now just think if they called the hip push.
HOWEVER, I am enjoying the competitiveness of the playoffs. There are good games and high drama. Teams are battling to the wire and not giving up. This is what conference finals should look like.
At this time I would like to give a shout out to my man Robby Hughes, the die hard Lakers fan living out there amongst the enemy. I know you are keeping them honest Robbie. And to my favorite Nuggets fan out there in Florida, sorry we have to do it to you. LOL
Example, Denver beats on the Lakers for three quarters, at least on Kobe, then all of a sudden it is the fourth quarter and they start blowing the whistle left and right. This type of inconsistency is happening throughout the playoffs. It throws the rhythm of the game off and keeps the players guessing at what is going on.
As a Lakers fan I am too well versed on the non calls, such as the hip push, which seems to have become an acceptable defensive move but was an instant call in the Jordan days. If you think Kobe shoots a lot of free throws now just think if they called the hip push.
HOWEVER, I am enjoying the competitiveness of the playoffs. There are good games and high drama. Teams are battling to the wire and not giving up. This is what conference finals should look like.
At this time I would like to give a shout out to my man Robby Hughes, the die hard Lakers fan living out there amongst the enemy. I know you are keeping them honest Robbie. And to my favorite Nuggets fan out there in Florida, sorry we have to do it to you. LOL
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Not very random this one
Penn Relays - over hyped by the network and too much talk about redemption. You cannot redeem something that is over. You cannot redeem something specific with something random. It was fun to watch the competition and see a little energy out there, but all the talk about Beijing was just stupid. Beijing is over and cannot be reclaimed. The sprint crown has to be reclaimed at worlds AND at the next Olympics in 2012. Until then, there is no redemption.
That being said, Dix was impressive. Carmelita continued her early season emergence. Jamaica's DMR was impressive. Nice to see Kenia back on form.
Drake relays - on Friday it was in the mid 80s. On Saturday it was cold, wet, windy and raining. Ryan dropped 13.21 from lane 8. Candice opened her campaign with a 12.96. Considering where she came from and is currently going I am pleased with that performance. Jeremy ran an easy 45.01. Lolo gambled with her hamstring and loss. Reports are she will be back by June.
Tomorrow is Guadeloupe, I am normally there enjoying the Caribbean weather and rain. But this year I am home. So Ryan is on self preservation mode, which should result in a good run since he spends most of his summer career on his own. The true meaning of vet. Saturday is Jamaica, Tasha finally gets to run a meet on the island. I thought Melaine was running but she is running the flat 400, however the field is decent and will provide a good early season push for her. Candice is locking and loading for her second race of the year as we continue to work towards Eugene.
Irvine, CA. Steve Scott Invite - this should serve as Kai's coming out party. He dropped a good 13.68 at Mt SAC, got some big boy experience on a trip to Penn relays, and now it is time to drop a real time.
USC and UCLA have the annual dual meet this year on Saturday. I love it!!!!!
That being said, Dix was impressive. Carmelita continued her early season emergence. Jamaica's DMR was impressive. Nice to see Kenia back on form.
Drake relays - on Friday it was in the mid 80s. On Saturday it was cold, wet, windy and raining. Ryan dropped 13.21 from lane 8. Candice opened her campaign with a 12.96. Considering where she came from and is currently going I am pleased with that performance. Jeremy ran an easy 45.01. Lolo gambled with her hamstring and loss. Reports are she will be back by June.
Tomorrow is Guadeloupe, I am normally there enjoying the Caribbean weather and rain. But this year I am home. So Ryan is on self preservation mode, which should result in a good run since he spends most of his summer career on his own. The true meaning of vet. Saturday is Jamaica, Tasha finally gets to run a meet on the island. I thought Melaine was running but she is running the flat 400, however the field is decent and will provide a good early season push for her. Candice is locking and loading for her second race of the year as we continue to work towards Eugene.
Irvine, CA. Steve Scott Invite - this should serve as Kai's coming out party. He dropped a good 13.68 at Mt SAC, got some big boy experience on a trip to Penn relays, and now it is time to drop a real time.
USC and UCLA have the annual dual meet this year on Saturday. I love it!!!!!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Balance
I have spent the last few months bashing the living daylights out of everything Doug Logan has done. It is only right I give him credit where it is due. I like his conclusions from the P30 report. They were logical, and sensible. I am still wondering where the money from the relay project is going and how he plans to handle the relay meets, but overall I think his recommendations were fair and promising.
We do need change and it will not be easy, I just want to ensure it is not changes based on someone's agenda, and what is best for USATF and track and field.
Athletes, get a union quick.
Kobe mania has struck! You either love him or hate him. Both sides are maniacal LOL I love him and think he is the best ever. Folks try to argue but it just is. I wish the Jordan rules were still in effect, Kobe would shoot 20 freethrows a game. LOL
Training is going well. I am pleased with everyone's progress and levels. We have a good feeling over here. Last time I felt this way I came home with a bronze medal, a medal no one expected. As my man Heavy D sang, "It's that time again!"
Dwain Chambers. Need I say more? Hahahaha. He has exposed the IAAF for who they are and they are after him with everything they have. No meets and now they are trying to ban him for what his book says. Oh but wait, Berlin has invited him to the meet. Uh oh! A chink in the armor. Only person I can remember serving a 2 year ban for 6 years while competing. LOL The European indoor champ has one meet in Europe, and may not be allowed to run at Worlds.
Here in the States we are facing a budget crisis. In Cali they are threatening to fire 9000 education employees, including 5500 teachers. Amazing.
American Idol is boring! but I like the new format with the one judges save. No more Jennifer Hudson fiascos.
ANTM needs to dump Tiffany. She runs her mouth too much and is weak and whack.
I Love Money 2 is the best reality show out. The alliance competition is dramatic and entertaining. I think it hilarious the main alliance is pissed because the others formed their own alliance and dumped one of them. Classic.
Bad Girls Club. Now the fact that this show has no other purpose than to cause drama and show that drama is enough to irritate you. But when five of the girls jumped one girl and then spent a whole night gloating about it, that was top notch reality TV. The saving grace was they sent 2 of the girls home. Sadly I must admit it felt good to watch them leave. LOL Boston was just full of it and Ailea needs to be admitted to an insane asylum.
24 is still the best. It is Jack time!
Heroes is dragging it out and killing me. I am trying to keep up but they are testing me. Never seen a show waste an hour like Heroes can.
Is there anyone as cool as Horatio on CSI Miami!
On a side note: are there any Americans at the USOC training center in Chula Vista LMAO
We do need change and it will not be easy, I just want to ensure it is not changes based on someone's agenda, and what is best for USATF and track and field.
Athletes, get a union quick.
Kobe mania has struck! You either love him or hate him. Both sides are maniacal LOL I love him and think he is the best ever. Folks try to argue but it just is. I wish the Jordan rules were still in effect, Kobe would shoot 20 freethrows a game. LOL
Training is going well. I am pleased with everyone's progress and levels. We have a good feeling over here. Last time I felt this way I came home with a bronze medal, a medal no one expected. As my man Heavy D sang, "It's that time again!"
Dwain Chambers. Need I say more? Hahahaha. He has exposed the IAAF for who they are and they are after him with everything they have. No meets and now they are trying to ban him for what his book says. Oh but wait, Berlin has invited him to the meet. Uh oh! A chink in the armor. Only person I can remember serving a 2 year ban for 6 years while competing. LOL The European indoor champ has one meet in Europe, and may not be allowed to run at Worlds.
Here in the States we are facing a budget crisis. In Cali they are threatening to fire 9000 education employees, including 5500 teachers. Amazing.
American Idol is boring! but I like the new format with the one judges save. No more Jennifer Hudson fiascos.
ANTM needs to dump Tiffany. She runs her mouth too much and is weak and whack.
I Love Money 2 is the best reality show out. The alliance competition is dramatic and entertaining. I think it hilarious the main alliance is pissed because the others formed their own alliance and dumped one of them. Classic.
Bad Girls Club. Now the fact that this show has no other purpose than to cause drama and show that drama is enough to irritate you. But when five of the girls jumped one girl and then spent a whole night gloating about it, that was top notch reality TV. The saving grace was they sent 2 of the girls home. Sadly I must admit it felt good to watch them leave. LOL Boston was just full of it and Ailea needs to be admitted to an insane asylum.
24 is still the best. It is Jack time!
Heroes is dragging it out and killing me. I am trying to keep up but they are testing me. Never seen a show waste an hour like Heroes can.
Is there anyone as cool as Horatio on CSI Miami!
On a side note: are there any Americans at the USOC training center in Chula Vista LMAO
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
A few points on my mind...
Athletes pay your coaches. These men and women spend everyday with you, rain or shine, helping you reach your potential and achieve your dreams. Pay them. I say this as much as a coach as I am a person that wants to push us into the realm of professionalism. I am tired of hearing the horror stories from fellow coaches. And I am not talking about one year coaches or neo coaches, this tale goes all the way to the best coaches on earth.
Does it makes sense to pay your coach 1% of your earnings? Or less than that? Most of you think it is criminal for a coach to even venture the thought of getting paid off your hard work. Some times you have to sit back and look at the big picture. See, when you are paying out lump sums it is overwhelming. Any time you have to pay anyone $10,000 in a lump sum it hurts. You do not want to do it. I wouldn't. But you have to step back and analyze. You made $200,000 in the year and you have paid your agent $30,000 - $40,000. Your coach has asked you for something, per your verbal agreement (most of us coaches are still working on the honor system), you come up with $5,000. That's a big check, right? You damn right it is a big check. Problem is you haven't paid your coach a dime all year and now you are offering him/her pennies on the hour. Pay your coach.
We love you more than you love yourself most days. We spend countless moments working through the plan so when you step out there to compete you are at your best. I will suggest to all of you, work out a monthly plan and put it in writing, it is professional, it keeps business off the track, and your coach will appreciate the gesture. We are track junkies. There is no denying that we love the sport, but we have to make a living.
For the record, I am not writing this out of anger or any personal situation I am going through. I actually have a contract and removed everything I listed above from the track (mostly LOL). I am writing this because you are a professional athlete, in a professional sport. It is time we all started acting like it, from top to bottom.
Coaches get a contract and help the athletes out. All of the above is not their fault. We have tried to conduct our business on a handshake and trust. It is a recipe for disaster. It does not make you money hungry to establish a professional, business relationship in conjunction with our personal coaching relationship.
Sit down and figure out what you want, put it in writing, and get to negotiating with your athletes. I have done it. It took me a lot of trial and error but I worked it out. Now all I have to do is coach. Ideally, I would like to have an agent, but one step at a time.
Do not sit there thinking when they make it they will take care of you. They are human. They have their own world to manage. And your idea of "take care" is not always the same as their idea of "take care of". So put it in writing.
Don't be an asshole about it either. But handle business as business. This thing we do is too personal to treat it like we are 24 Hour Fitness or something. Just keep the business separate for yourself.
I have more points but it is time for practice.
Athletes pay your coaches. These men and women spend everyday with you, rain or shine, helping you reach your potential and achieve your dreams. Pay them. I say this as much as a coach as I am a person that wants to push us into the realm of professionalism. I am tired of hearing the horror stories from fellow coaches. And I am not talking about one year coaches or neo coaches, this tale goes all the way to the best coaches on earth.
Does it makes sense to pay your coach 1% of your earnings? Or less than that? Most of you think it is criminal for a coach to even venture the thought of getting paid off your hard work. Some times you have to sit back and look at the big picture. See, when you are paying out lump sums it is overwhelming. Any time you have to pay anyone $10,000 in a lump sum it hurts. You do not want to do it. I wouldn't. But you have to step back and analyze. You made $200,000 in the year and you have paid your agent $30,000 - $40,000. Your coach has asked you for something, per your verbal agreement (most of us coaches are still working on the honor system), you come up with $5,000. That's a big check, right? You damn right it is a big check. Problem is you haven't paid your coach a dime all year and now you are offering him/her pennies on the hour. Pay your coach.
We love you more than you love yourself most days. We spend countless moments working through the plan so when you step out there to compete you are at your best. I will suggest to all of you, work out a monthly plan and put it in writing, it is professional, it keeps business off the track, and your coach will appreciate the gesture. We are track junkies. There is no denying that we love the sport, but we have to make a living.
For the record, I am not writing this out of anger or any personal situation I am going through. I actually have a contract and removed everything I listed above from the track (mostly LOL). I am writing this because you are a professional athlete, in a professional sport. It is time we all started acting like it, from top to bottom.
Coaches get a contract and help the athletes out. All of the above is not their fault. We have tried to conduct our business on a handshake and trust. It is a recipe for disaster. It does not make you money hungry to establish a professional, business relationship in conjunction with our personal coaching relationship.
Sit down and figure out what you want, put it in writing, and get to negotiating with your athletes. I have done it. It took me a lot of trial and error but I worked it out. Now all I have to do is coach. Ideally, I would like to have an agent, but one step at a time.
Do not sit there thinking when they make it they will take care of you. They are human. They have their own world to manage. And your idea of "take care" is not always the same as their idea of "take care of". So put it in writing.
Don't be an asshole about it either. But handle business as business. This thing we do is too personal to treat it like we are 24 Hour Fitness or something. Just keep the business separate for yourself.
I have more points but it is time for practice.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
DJ Thinks
Some thoughts about recent events off the top of my head.
USATF has a power struggle. It is multi leveled, the USOC wants to dismantle USATF and take it over. LDR wants more power and feels slighted by the sprints who dominate the landscape.
The Presidency is up for grabs this year, I am telling all of you out there to get to Reno and vote! Do not whine about the sport if you are not doing a damn thing to be involved.
USATF has to restructure, the board IS going from 19 to 9 and 4 of those spots will be non track spots. This is a good thing.
Youth track people, you have enough power and numbers to not need to be apart of the board decisions.
Masters you are loved for your passion but you are not mainstream or bringing anything to the table. Love you guys, I thought I would be a masters runner, and I always knew it would be for my enjoyment. Same for you.
USATF should be about the business of promoting the brand name, which means elite level participation.
This year and next year are very important years in the evolution.
Stephanie has taken serious personal attacks during this run for the top spot. It is ridiculous folks, I am not opining, I am telling you. This is for the USATF top spot not the POTUS, and some of you have gone after Steph as if her appointment will end your life. Get over yourselves.
Bob Bowman walks in the door with tremendous experience and insight. He is tough to ignore.
Dee I am not clear about so I will not pass an opinion to be fair.
Rest in Peace Louise Tricard. If you do not know who this lady is please google her. I met her on this thing we call the internet. I had no idea who she was when she started posting with us on the Spdkls board some ten years ago.
Barack is killing McCain. Wait, the truth is McCain is killing himself. Obama is such a sophomore this is a no brainer. When looked at seriously Obama is woefully inexperienced, yet he can talk, he brings a freshness to the politics, and McCain is weak personality wise. And the Palin move was stupid, period.
Time to get back on the grind.
College football is headed towards another mess. USC loses, Texas beats Oklahoma, the SEC is falling apart. The MW may be the strongest conference in the land but has no chance of getting that respect. DO not be surprised if we see another 2 loss SEC team vying for the title. Pathetic.
Bynum and Gasol are my front court. LOL We are coming to a town near you and we will be the show. Last year was a fluke.Once again the West is the strongest conference in the world.
I wanna work for Diddy. hahahahahahaha
get on facebook and find the wife, she has a new creative endeavor going this fall. Last year it was painting, this year it is well go check it out on facebook and on youtube.
USATF has a power struggle. It is multi leveled, the USOC wants to dismantle USATF and take it over. LDR wants more power and feels slighted by the sprints who dominate the landscape.
The Presidency is up for grabs this year, I am telling all of you out there to get to Reno and vote! Do not whine about the sport if you are not doing a damn thing to be involved.
USATF has to restructure, the board IS going from 19 to 9 and 4 of those spots will be non track spots. This is a good thing.
Youth track people, you have enough power and numbers to not need to be apart of the board decisions.
Masters you are loved for your passion but you are not mainstream or bringing anything to the table. Love you guys, I thought I would be a masters runner, and I always knew it would be for my enjoyment. Same for you.
USATF should be about the business of promoting the brand name, which means elite level participation.
This year and next year are very important years in the evolution.
Stephanie has taken serious personal attacks during this run for the top spot. It is ridiculous folks, I am not opining, I am telling you. This is for the USATF top spot not the POTUS, and some of you have gone after Steph as if her appointment will end your life. Get over yourselves.
Bob Bowman walks in the door with tremendous experience and insight. He is tough to ignore.
Dee I am not clear about so I will not pass an opinion to be fair.
Rest in Peace Louise Tricard. If you do not know who this lady is please google her. I met her on this thing we call the internet. I had no idea who she was when she started posting with us on the Spdkls board some ten years ago.
Barack is killing McCain. Wait, the truth is McCain is killing himself. Obama is such a sophomore this is a no brainer. When looked at seriously Obama is woefully inexperienced, yet he can talk, he brings a freshness to the politics, and McCain is weak personality wise. And the Palin move was stupid, period.
Time to get back on the grind.
College football is headed towards another mess. USC loses, Texas beats Oklahoma, the SEC is falling apart. The MW may be the strongest conference in the land but has no chance of getting that respect. DO not be surprised if we see another 2 loss SEC team vying for the title. Pathetic.
Bynum and Gasol are my front court. LOL We are coming to a town near you and we will be the show. Last year was a fluke.Once again the West is the strongest conference in the world.
I wanna work for Diddy. hahahahahahaha
get on facebook and find the wife, she has a new creative endeavor going this fall. Last year it was painting, this year it is well go check it out on facebook and on youtube.
Monday, October 6, 2008
DJ is off
The off season is a weird time for me. I want to sit and enjoy what happened, but my attention immediately shifts to what is coming. The preseason has started for me already. Writing workouts, and getting the rookies and not ready for prime players started. The cool part is I do not have to be so serious. Miss a day, postpone a session, no problem.
Now that is me. Behind the greatness of DJ is the little engine that could and she is always on in some form. I've done well in getting her to calm down for once. Check out the attached clip to see what goes down in the off season. A little insight into the lives of some of your favorite athletes when they are not running. Enjoy...
For more find her on facebook...
Now that is me. Behind the greatness of DJ is the little engine that could and she is always on in some form. I've done well in getting her to calm down for once. Check out the attached clip to see what goes down in the off season. A little insight into the lives of some of your favorite athletes when they are not running. Enjoy...
For more find her on facebook...
Saturday, February 2, 2008
In a hurry
All indoors has done is make me want to see the outdoor season get here sooner. I cannot wait for it. I see a bunch of folks that pique my interest as their performances relate or do not relate to outdoors.
I must start with the hottest man in track and field, Dayron Robles! I am beginning to think there is no limit to this man's talent. He ran 7.36 to tie Greg Foster at number 2 on the all time list. He is big, fast, quick and young. He is more talented than Liu. He is the man to knock off this year, along with all the rest, but I know King Kong when I see him. Robles brings it all to the table and he may give us the most prolific sub 13 season ever.
Then there is the second hottest person in track and field, 'Sanna' or Susanna Kallur! She is closer to the wr than Robles now. 7.72 puts her .03 off a record no one even thinks about. I am predicting she rules the short hurdles this year. She will run in the 12.3x range and I am not sure there is anyone that will be able to run with her. She will solve that bumping issue by being too far away to be hit, as it should be.
Craig Pickering. He said do nto call him the great white hope and he will give you the death stare if you try to joke with him about it. Kid has promise but his form is terrible and will remain the limiting factor in his development.
Antwon Hicks is finally coming around a fulfilling some of that promise he showed in college. I have watched this young man through the years and I have wondered what the issue was. He clearly has the tool set.
Leonard has come around and made a successful return from double knee surgery this fall. I had my reservations about him getting back out there and racing so soon. He said he was ready and I guess he knew best. He looked good getting down that track too, I am impressed.
Obama - Clinton is being called the dream ticket now. I think not. Obama yes Hillary no. Obama has shown himself to be savvy and I suspect if he were to win the nomination Hillary is not the entity he wants as his second. She comes with too much baggage, mainly Bill. Obama would be completely overshadowed. Now conversely, it would be great if he were to lose the nomination to be the VP. Unlike Gore he would be in the prime seat to run for the office next time.
The Lakers, MY LAKERS have restored my faith in the universe! Pau Gasol was on no one's wish list and now we are the favorites out of the West and for the title. And I love it. I wish we woul have traded Odom for him but the world cannot be perfect. So I have Kobe and Pau and add a healthy Bynum and that team is as formidible as any in the NBA. To my man Robbie Hughes you have your wish, no more Kwame! LOL
I watched the 400 from JAM where Bolt and Powell ran together, there was a Kim Collins sighting in that race also. Quick takes, Bolt looked good and comfortable. He is a natural quarter miler, but I fear folks will become overly enamored with the 100 and miss his true calling. Powell looked like himself out there. I am not sure what he was doing at the start and it looked as if he had instructions to only run so far, or maybe the looking at the shoes was a cover for butt lock. He was running in his new boots, so maybe he was checking them out after running 350m. Overall I was impressed with Bolt, his performance promises big things this summer.
Did you see Adam Nelson put on a shot putting clinic? I love it, the man is in grad school and has not missed a beat. Track is so multi faceted. No other sport can match our level of performance or the brain power we bring to the game. Keep pushing Adam, you are an excellent role model.
Today, actually this morning, 5 women lost thier lives in Lane Bryant in a Chicago mall. The killer is reportedly black, about 5'9" and weighs between 230-260 pounds. How senseless can it get? At 1045 AM the last thing any of us shoul dhave to fear is a random shooter coming into a store in broad daylight and killing us or those we love. I hope they catch him and string him up on the spot. That reporter on the Golf channel might not be able to say it but I will, lynch his ass! We have reached a sad day in our lives folks, be careful out there.
I must start with the hottest man in track and field, Dayron Robles! I am beginning to think there is no limit to this man's talent. He ran 7.36 to tie Greg Foster at number 2 on the all time list. He is big, fast, quick and young. He is more talented than Liu. He is the man to knock off this year, along with all the rest, but I know King Kong when I see him. Robles brings it all to the table and he may give us the most prolific sub 13 season ever.
Then there is the second hottest person in track and field, 'Sanna' or Susanna Kallur! She is closer to the wr than Robles now. 7.72 puts her .03 off a record no one even thinks about. I am predicting she rules the short hurdles this year. She will run in the 12.3x range and I am not sure there is anyone that will be able to run with her. She will solve that bumping issue by being too far away to be hit, as it should be.
Craig Pickering. He said do nto call him the great white hope and he will give you the death stare if you try to joke with him about it. Kid has promise but his form is terrible and will remain the limiting factor in his development.
Antwon Hicks is finally coming around a fulfilling some of that promise he showed in college. I have watched this young man through the years and I have wondered what the issue was. He clearly has the tool set.
Leonard has come around and made a successful return from double knee surgery this fall. I had my reservations about him getting back out there and racing so soon. He said he was ready and I guess he knew best. He looked good getting down that track too, I am impressed.
Obama - Clinton is being called the dream ticket now. I think not. Obama yes Hillary no. Obama has shown himself to be savvy and I suspect if he were to win the nomination Hillary is not the entity he wants as his second. She comes with too much baggage, mainly Bill. Obama would be completely overshadowed. Now conversely, it would be great if he were to lose the nomination to be the VP. Unlike Gore he would be in the prime seat to run for the office next time.
The Lakers, MY LAKERS have restored my faith in the universe! Pau Gasol was on no one's wish list and now we are the favorites out of the West and for the title. And I love it. I wish we woul have traded Odom for him but the world cannot be perfect. So I have Kobe and Pau and add a healthy Bynum and that team is as formidible as any in the NBA. To my man Robbie Hughes you have your wish, no more Kwame! LOL
I watched the 400 from JAM where Bolt and Powell ran together, there was a Kim Collins sighting in that race also. Quick takes, Bolt looked good and comfortable. He is a natural quarter miler, but I fear folks will become overly enamored with the 100 and miss his true calling. Powell looked like himself out there. I am not sure what he was doing at the start and it looked as if he had instructions to only run so far, or maybe the looking at the shoes was a cover for butt lock. He was running in his new boots, so maybe he was checking them out after running 350m. Overall I was impressed with Bolt, his performance promises big things this summer.
Did you see Adam Nelson put on a shot putting clinic? I love it, the man is in grad school and has not missed a beat. Track is so multi faceted. No other sport can match our level of performance or the brain power we bring to the game. Keep pushing Adam, you are an excellent role model.
Today, actually this morning, 5 women lost thier lives in Lane Bryant in a Chicago mall. The killer is reportedly black, about 5'9" and weighs between 230-260 pounds. How senseless can it get? At 1045 AM the last thing any of us shoul dhave to fear is a random shooter coming into a store in broad daylight and killing us or those we love. I hope they catch him and string him up on the spot. That reporter on the Golf channel might not be able to say it but I will, lynch his ass! We have reached a sad day in our lives folks, be careful out there.
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