Ran two miles and went to the gym again today. Did tri's, back, a little abs, and leg machines, just to get back into shape so I can do squats this summer. I've eaten sooo much protein today. And I'm about to pound a shake. Settin' the pace.
Saw Sam at the gym. He does a lot of yoga, and thinks it'd be really good for our team. I completely agree. I'll start doing yoga with him next year to get flexible and loose, and maybe make the team do some.
Day two: check.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
End of Season - Start of Summer
We got 8th at Sectionals, after losing to Oxy on Saturday (8-11) and coming back and smashing them on Sunday (11-0, 15-3). At Regionals we went up on Santa Barbara in the first game 11-8, and then proceeded to get scored on 0-5 for the loss. We pretty much crumpled after that.
We weren't in good enough shape, weren't disciplined enough, and hadn't put in enough work. That was evident. Arizona, who did everything right, didn't make nationals. That's saying something, and setting quite a standard.
Tommy, Reed, and I are the captains for next year. I'm overjoyed to finally have some captain support. We had a team meeting today to talk about next year and this summer. We basically just said next year is our shot at nationals, but we have to work like crazy. We're going to all do CATZ all of next year, in addition to other workouts and practices, but this summer is critical. The captains are going to send out weekly emails with the workouts for the week. We want everyone to be lifting, primarily, and doing some fast-twitch muscle workouts too.
Personally, I need to gain weight like a motherfucker this summer. I didn't get that internship I wanted, so I'll have more time to devote to ultimate. I think I'll spend a lot of time lifting, hopefully a lot of time throwing, and a decent amount of time running. Fortunately, Sam is now a captain at Oberlin, so we'll get to talk strategy all the time, and we can train together. Potlatch is going to be sick.
That's the update, hopefully I keep this bugger more updated this summer.
Yours,
Riles
We weren't in good enough shape, weren't disciplined enough, and hadn't put in enough work. That was evident. Arizona, who did everything right, didn't make nationals. That's saying something, and setting quite a standard.
Tommy, Reed, and I are the captains for next year. I'm overjoyed to finally have some captain support. We had a team meeting today to talk about next year and this summer. We basically just said next year is our shot at nationals, but we have to work like crazy. We're going to all do CATZ all of next year, in addition to other workouts and practices, but this summer is critical. The captains are going to send out weekly emails with the workouts for the week. We want everyone to be lifting, primarily, and doing some fast-twitch muscle workouts too.
Personally, I need to gain weight like a motherfucker this summer. I didn't get that internship I wanted, so I'll have more time to devote to ultimate. I think I'll spend a lot of time lifting, hopefully a lot of time throwing, and a decent amount of time running. Fortunately, Sam is now a captain at Oberlin, so we'll get to talk strategy all the time, and we can train together. Potlatch is going to be sick.
That's the update, hopefully I keep this bugger more updated this summer.
Yours,
Riles
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Sectionals
Is this weekend. Our Section has 11 bids, so unless we lose to HUGE noobs, we'll be making Regionals. I can't see that not happening.
But we aren't anywhere near where I wanted to be at this point in time. I was talking to Sam about this yesterday. The team isn't as motivated, dedicated, or disciplined as we were at NWS. Part of that is having a coach, I'm sure, but it largely was just how badly we wanted it, and how much we loved playing. Everyone always ran the sprints, and to this day we have a tradition of pushing each other and competing to be the best we can. We don't have that at Claremont. Everyone plays for fun, and doesn't like doing things that aren't fun. I guess that's the difference. In Seattle, we play(ed) for fun, but also because it's just what we do. We get better, work hard, and train hard.
What I've realized is that while I think I would be an excellent captain under those circumstances, I have to do things differently next year. Namely, I need to be able to lead by example more. This team isn't focused enough to be too mental, but I think they'd respond to example and competition. I need to be better than everyone to lead them effectively. Clearly that's a bit unrealistic, but I think I can make huge gains this summer if I really grind it out.
We'll see.
But we aren't anywhere near where I wanted to be at this point in time. I was talking to Sam about this yesterday. The team isn't as motivated, dedicated, or disciplined as we were at NWS. Part of that is having a coach, I'm sure, but it largely was just how badly we wanted it, and how much we loved playing. Everyone always ran the sprints, and to this day we have a tradition of pushing each other and competing to be the best we can. We don't have that at Claremont. Everyone plays for fun, and doesn't like doing things that aren't fun. I guess that's the difference. In Seattle, we play(ed) for fun, but also because it's just what we do. We get better, work hard, and train hard.
What I've realized is that while I think I would be an excellent captain under those circumstances, I have to do things differently next year. Namely, I need to be able to lead by example more. This team isn't focused enough to be too mental, but I think they'd respond to example and competition. I need to be better than everyone to lead them effectively. Clearly that's a bit unrealistic, but I think I can make huge gains this summer if I really grind it out.
We'll see.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Thoughts on Some Weird Stuff
It doesn't get much more bizarre than this.
We finished 4th at the Stanford Invite. Not 4th in the bottom tier...4th. Overall. Above Wisconsin. And Oregon. And UW. We unintentionally exploited the largest bracketing flaw in college ultimate history. Because we were underseeded, and the two tier one teams that were supposed to beat us (Oregon State and Humboldt) were overseeded, we went 6-0 on the weekend, making us one of the only three undefeated teams. Because Cultimate decided, for some reason, not to distinguish between tier 1 and tier 2, that immediately put us in the 3/4 game against Stanford, where we choked and went down 15-8 despite some gutsy play. The 0-5 start didn't really help, but the 4 straight points after that did. So we finished 4th, despite not deserving it, although we quadrupled our wins for the season and demonstrated that we most definitely are not a tier 2 team. I think everyone knows that at least now.
It's a little tough for me to go to tournaments like that, though. Playing Stanford was awesome. It was like high school again. Late Sunday, playing for an audience right next to frisbee central, where the air is charged and you know every point matters...
I hate Stanford for having coaches, and a split B team that could still put up 5 or 6 points on us. They have a feeder program that will keep them strong for years and years. And they had a track workout this morning. Before breakfast. That's how much dedication they can demand from their players. We can't get a full squad out to Saturday afternoon workouts...
On one hand, it really makes me wish I'd gone to a school like that. I want a coach, and I want leadership, and more than anything I want to be around people obsessed with the game. Stanford has that, Carleton has that, even the UW has that. Maybe I should have gone to Carleton. But on the other hand, I have an opportunity to do something great with the Braineaters. We aren't a big school and we aren't CUT. If anything, we're like Northwest, albeit without the obsession. I'm just hoping that will come.
Attitude reflects leadership, and it's clear that we don't have much in the way of leadership this year. I need to seriously improve over the summer so that I can not just lead, but command next year. Not in the sense of wanting more power, either. I know what we need to do, but on a team where everyone isn't as committed as they could be, as I would like them to be, strength and capability count for more than they should. I can't allow our team's opportunity for greatness slip away because I wasn't willing to put in the effort to be an inspiring and motivating enough leader. Not to sound conceited, or like it's all dependent on me, because clearly it isn't. But I play a pivotal role on this team that isn't filled by anyone else, at least at this point. And while I think the same holds true for anyone, at least in specific regards, I think I that my decisions and actions over the course of the next two years (with decreasing benefit) will determine the trajectory of this team.
So while I don't have senior leadership, I don't have my high school friends and mentors, and I don't have a program, I have a team with raw talent and a tight-knit core of young players with the potential to reach the limits of college ultimate. And if that isn't motivation, I don't know what is.
We finished 4th at the Stanford Invite. Not 4th in the bottom tier...4th. Overall. Above Wisconsin. And Oregon. And UW. We unintentionally exploited the largest bracketing flaw in college ultimate history. Because we were underseeded, and the two tier one teams that were supposed to beat us (Oregon State and Humboldt) were overseeded, we went 6-0 on the weekend, making us one of the only three undefeated teams. Because Cultimate decided, for some reason, not to distinguish between tier 1 and tier 2, that immediately put us in the 3/4 game against Stanford, where we choked and went down 15-8 despite some gutsy play. The 0-5 start didn't really help, but the 4 straight points after that did. So we finished 4th, despite not deserving it, although we quadrupled our wins for the season and demonstrated that we most definitely are not a tier 2 team. I think everyone knows that at least now.
It's a little tough for me to go to tournaments like that, though. Playing Stanford was awesome. It was like high school again. Late Sunday, playing for an audience right next to frisbee central, where the air is charged and you know every point matters...
I hate Stanford for having coaches, and a split B team that could still put up 5 or 6 points on us. They have a feeder program that will keep them strong for years and years. And they had a track workout this morning. Before breakfast. That's how much dedication they can demand from their players. We can't get a full squad out to Saturday afternoon workouts...
On one hand, it really makes me wish I'd gone to a school like that. I want a coach, and I want leadership, and more than anything I want to be around people obsessed with the game. Stanford has that, Carleton has that, even the UW has that. Maybe I should have gone to Carleton. But on the other hand, I have an opportunity to do something great with the Braineaters. We aren't a big school and we aren't CUT. If anything, we're like Northwest, albeit without the obsession. I'm just hoping that will come.
Attitude reflects leadership, and it's clear that we don't have much in the way of leadership this year. I need to seriously improve over the summer so that I can not just lead, but command next year. Not in the sense of wanting more power, either. I know what we need to do, but on a team where everyone isn't as committed as they could be, as I would like them to be, strength and capability count for more than they should. I can't allow our team's opportunity for greatness slip away because I wasn't willing to put in the effort to be an inspiring and motivating enough leader. Not to sound conceited, or like it's all dependent on me, because clearly it isn't. But I play a pivotal role on this team that isn't filled by anyone else, at least at this point. And while I think the same holds true for anyone, at least in specific regards, I think I that my decisions and actions over the course of the next two years (with decreasing benefit) will determine the trajectory of this team.
So while I don't have senior leadership, I don't have my high school friends and mentors, and I don't have a program, I have a team with raw talent and a tight-knit core of young players with the potential to reach the limits of college ultimate. And if that isn't motivation, I don't know what is.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Vegas and More
Vegas was not a good tournament. It was the worst weather I've ever played in. Friday - heavy wind. Saturday - driving rain, wind, inches of mud and standing water, occasionally sleet. Sunday, heavy wind. We went 1-6. We're 2-15 on the season.
On the plus side though, Drew was arrested at the party. That's huge points in the ultimate world, and talking to the Dirt guys, I think the consensus was that we won the party. w00t!
But we're coming together actually. Practices are looking better, the team is looking better. We've got more energy, a little more discipline, and a lot more drive. Given another month or two, we could still be quite good.
We've got the reworked Stanford Invite this weekend. It's fifty or so teams, but we're (deservedly) in the bottom pool (of two), so we aren't playing the good teams. We're mostly playing chump teams. Stanford Bx < Other teams < Humboldt.
A shot at some wins, if not redemption.
On the plus side though, Drew was arrested at the party. That's huge points in the ultimate world, and talking to the Dirt guys, I think the consensus was that we won the party. w00t!But we're coming together actually. Practices are looking better, the team is looking better. We've got more energy, a little more discipline, and a lot more drive. Given another month or two, we could still be quite good.
We've got the reworked Stanford Invite this weekend. It's fifty or so teams, but we're (deservedly) in the bottom pool (of two), so we aren't playing the good teams. We're mostly playing chump teams. Stanford Bx < Other teams < Humboldt.
A shot at some wins, if not redemption.
Friday, January 30, 2009
So Much for Fairy Tales...
We bombed the Santa Barbara Invite. 1-6 with losses to UCSD (badly...), Cal State Long Beach, and San Diego State. It sucked.
But we're back to practicing, and we'll see how Vegas goes.
I hate injuries and weaknesses. I couldn't play in the scrimmage against Williams last night because my right quad is strained from overuse. Fuck. That.
But we're back to practicing, and we'll see how Vegas goes.
I hate injuries and weaknesses. I couldn't play in the scrimmage against Williams last night because my right quad is strained from overuse. Fuck. That.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Taking Over
You-know-who has decided he will probably do you-know-what. I sent the cheque for the Santa Barbara Invite, and called Cultimate about getting us into Trouble in Vegas, which should work out. I'm still hittin the gym and running stairs with Sam. We're in for a rough season. We have a lot of injuries, and nebulous leadership.
I told Sam I thought we had a 90% chance of having a building season, and a 10% chance of it being epic.
I told Sam I thought we had a 90% chance of having a building season, and a 10% chance of it being epic.
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