in Kaskaskia College Cross Country &meets by coach mike on 29 Sep 2011
There are now 3 men and 3 women races. We are in the number 3 races. The men race at noon and the women at 12:30. This is called the silver race. There are 44 boxes listed and 42 or 43 different schools. Remember the start times are eastern times, one hour ahead of our times. The races are held at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville.
in Kaskaskia College Cross Country &Practice by coach mike on 26 Sep 2011
I like to see the competition against each other like we saw today in practice. This is only going to make us better. Set the bar high!
in Kaskaskia College Cross Country &Uncategorized by coach mike on 25 Sep 2011
Finally a meet in the rain or at least racing after a good rain. The coarse was wet, water standing in certain areas. The rolling hills were muddy. Made this coarse a little tougher. How did we do? We survived, I would say there was a good effort. We just need to remember (I just need to) each race is just a step toward being our best at the end of the season. Some teams are ready for the end and some teams ARE READY FOR THE END. WE WANT TO BE READY! Good solid race, only thing not pleased with was the “cool down” believe it or not, at this part of the season that “cool down” or as the Legend likes to call it “warm down” is part of the workout that is preparing us for the end of the season. That two to three extra miles is part of keeping your mileage up. One other note and this was brought to my attention (actually it had been bugging me for a while) by the SIU-C head coach. He wondering why some of us were still dressing like we were in high school? Wearing high school gear, thought maybe we didn’t have college gear to wear. This is a very good point, we are a team, we are a team from Kaskaskia College. We are the Blue Devils and Blue Angels. We need to look the part of a team, this has bugged me (don’t anybody take this personally, I should of mentioned this earlier just seem to be a more of you this past meet) even with my high school teams, had cases where guys would get on the bus in jeans and cowboy boots. When we get off that bus to compete, we need to look the part of an athlete, we need to look like we mean business. We need to look the part. Thinking and looking like an athlete puts you in the correct frame of mind. So do me a favor, look the part.
in Kaskaskia College Cross Country &Personal by coach mike on 22 Sep 2011
Not me but sort sort of…………….because all my family is in one place. We got my daughter and grand daughter home today (their home). Let me tell you a little story. After over 20 hours of labor the doctors finally deciding that she was not going to be able deliver naturally. So had to move to plan B, which is a c section. So this kept her in the hospital for a few extra days, since this is major surgery. So today she came home, to her apartment in Hoboken, NJ. The apartment is on the fourth floor, there are 3 flights and a total of 50 steps. Also in Hoboken there no such thing as good parking, some days it could take 30 plus minutes to find a place. So while Ryan and Vicky are unloading the car and getting Eliza ready to head up to her new home, I got to help Audrey up all those steps. Let me tell you I’m winded by the time I get up to the top. So I’m helping her and we are talking about getting up all those steps. She is positive about all of it. She says “Dad it can’t be any tougher than that 9th mile repeat we use to do in cross country for Coach Phillips!” By the time we get to the top I’m exhaust and she could of did a couple more flights! She is tough and has always been tough and a lot of that comes from her running days. She was not the best by any means, but she always worked hard! And sometimes just the confidence that running that 9th or 5th or what ever you did gives you the feeling that you can conquer anything. And that my runners is what this is really all about, pushing yourself to do your very best, having some fun and along the way beating some people or just beating that ticking clock! See you all soon.
Coach
in Kaskaskia College Cross Country by coach mike on 21 Sep 2011
After our race at ISU the Region 24 meet has taken on some new meaning. The Blue Angels could be right in the mix of the whole thing. After only our third season, WE COULD make an impact at the meet. That is a long way off and a lot of things can happen in that period of time, but with lots of hard work, some luck by staying healthy, WE COULD BE IN THE MIX. As coaches and as athletes that is what you work for, a chance, a chance to be in the running for a championship. I hesitate to bring this point up, because as I mentioned its a long way off, but if you have something to work toward or goal of some type, whether its personal or team then it is easier to commit to hard work it takes to reach the goal. In my experience the team goal for most athletes can give you the most satisfaction, when you work as a group to achieve those goals. Lets continue to work hard and follow the journey to see where it leads.
in Uncategorized by coach mike on 20 Sep 2011
I was taking a little walk near the water front in Hoboken, NJ today. Just had to get out of the apartment. I was staying away from the hospital for a while. Trying to give my daughter a chance to get some rest. Anyway as I was walking I was watching people and just wondering who they were and what were their story. Everybody has stories. I notice this one young lady in peculiar, she was walking her dog. Look like some type of bull dog, a small bull dog. The dog was just walking away on the pavement, not paying much attention to anything. The dog stopped to pee, he just seem to be in his own little dog world. The pair made a turn and were now on a thick grassy area, well the bull dog went crazy. Running in circles, jumping up and down. You could almost see a big bull dog grin on his face. All of this because of the feel of grass on his paws. You could see the joy in the face of the owner as well, she was almost laughing as her dog went crazy. Made me think for a second maybe we need to be more like that bull dog. We walk that same paved walkway all our lives, heads down, moving from one place to another, never looking up. Maybe we need to take our shoes off once in a while and jump on that fresh green grass and find some real enjoyment. Have a great day.
