"And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance"
Dan Fogelberg
I have really only known three good things to come out of Champaign, Illinois, which as far as college towns go may be the most ugly crappy excuse for a college town as has ever existed. Those three things are REO Speedwagon, uber-thoroughbred vet Scot Waterman, and of course singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg who sadly passed away this past year. You probably know Dan for his sappy radio played love songs but this guy turned out one of the greatest double albums ever recorded called The Innocent Age. I can not recommend this cd enough and one of the tunes off that cd was the Kentucky Derby ode run for the roses. Now I was going to wax poetic about the greatest horse to ever look through a bridle, the immortal Secretariat. But instead I'll just ask you how many speed records that existed 40 years ago do you know that still exist. Well big red has two of all sports greatest speed records the fastest Kentucky Derby of all time and the fastest Belmont Stakes of all time and no one is getting close still.
Day 19 at Fitness Ridge began as pretty much every day before it 35 sore, tired people sitting around a breakfast table. Today's breakfast was either oatmeal or tile grout I'm not sure. I opted for the toast which came with something that looked like peanut butter but which our good friends at JIF would point out contained no peanuts.
There is a certain amount of joy that settles in when you climb into the van after completing the morning hike. You know you just burned a ton of calories, you know you just did something you couldn't do two weeks ago, you know it's over for today. Well all those feelings can disappear when as you head up the mountain to pick up some more hikers you see the lovely owners of fitness ridge and their strollers blocking the road. Like a man who just left a five hour happy hour approaching a dui checkpoint you pretty much accept your fate, that you are screwed. "out of the van" and lets do a little more hill, cause climbing this hill is fun. It's 2008 there really should be personal jet packs for this kinda thing.
Thursday afternoon is treading class and treading class beats me up and makes me sweat like nothing else. Like I said before it is interval sprint training. Some people(me) do the treadmill others recumbent bikes or elliptical machines. Now I don't like to say bad things about my fellow campers, but the people on the bikes when they finish look like they just rode around the block and the people on the treadmills look like someone took them out back and sprayed them with a hose. The sweat pools at my feet and sprays off me like a squirt gun, and all I can think is those people on the bikes are laughing at me.
I hope everyone has a fun weekend, don't forget to turn those clocks ahead, spring is just around the corner although that corner may just be a few miles down the road. peace, Jim
6 comments:
...Secretariat is blazing along! The first three-quarters of a mile in 1:09 and four fifths. Secretariat is widening now! He is moving like a TREMENDOUS machine! Secretariat by 12, Secretariat by 14 lengths on the turn! Sham is dropping back. It looks like they'll catch him today, as My Gallant and Twice a Prince are both coming up to him now. But Secretariat is all alone! He's out there almost a 16th of a mile away from the rest of the horses! Secretariat is in a position that seems impossible to catch. He's into the stretch. Secretariat leads this field by 18 lengths, and now Twice a Prince has taken second and My Gallant has moved back to third. They're in the stretch. Secretariat has opened a 22-length lead! He is going to be the Triple Crown winner! Here comes Secretariat to the wire. An unbelievable, an amazing performance! He hits the finish 25 lengths in front!"
good job Bobby! That'll make Jim happy. Love you Jim, Wifey.
Did you forget about Champaign native Dick Paul, your old college roomie?
Thanks Bobby the call by Chick Anderson shall live forever as well, that did make me happy. My gosh I did forget about my old roomie Dick Paul who would certainly rank above REO on that list and also Jack Trudeau the quarterback, not my dad, who also rose to fame in Champaign.
This is Mr. Shea, your high school gym teacher. Don't forget to set your clock forward tonight. Speak to you soon.
classic!!! Mr Shea king of the time change for almost 3 decades
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