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Facing a Ghost of Himself, Roddick Proves the Victor

active_tennis — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:40:23 GMT

Andy Roddick and Ernest Golbis have a lot in common.

They share the same birthday, Aug. 30, they both have a big serve and a big forehand. They both wanted to win their second round match at the U.S. Open on Friday night.

The difference being Roddick turned 26 on Saturday, Golbis 20.

After losing the first set, 6-3, in under 30 minutes, and slamming his racket into the ground half way through the second, it appeared Roddick was well on his way to ceding his crown to the next generation of big-serve tennis.

Or maybe the release of aggression was just what he needed to wake him up to the calling. Holding off Golbis' charge toward a two-set lead, Roddick reversed his fortunes in the second half of the set, breaking Golbis' serve twice to take the set and level the playing field.

It's a classic reversal of fortune that is characteristic of champions: coming back when a set down to summon the mental fortitude to overcome.

After failing to convert on two opportunities, Roddick found himself in the fourth set receiving serve for the match. In a climatic finish with Golbis putting a forehand into the net, Roddick clinched a hard-fought win, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 7-5.

At 1:34 a.m. New York time, Andy Roddick proved to the world, and probably himself, that this old pro was not ready for retirement.

(Photo: AP/Elise Amendola)

gorillas in the mist

Goonz — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:40:36 GMT

I know I was supposed to look for a new loop. I didn't. But as a lame-@ss attempt to do so, I ran my current 5+ miler in the other direction. Do I get any points for that? Probably not. I'm always afraid to do this because you inevitably learn how hard or easy the original way was in comparison. When I worked in Finney Town, for example, I did one of my runs backward and it killed me. It was sooo hard. So I felt like today's run was an adventure even though the route was, for all intensive purposes, the same.

Turns out that the way I usually run it is harder. Has to be.

In reverse, the whole first half of the run is downhill. Wow. Lots of downhill -- just keep on keeping on downhill. The uphill doesn't kick in until Marburg-ish, so I was ready for it, since that's probalby at least half way into the run.

But the most surprising thing about the run was how unbelievably muggy it was! I felt like Sigourney Weaver in gorillas in the mist: the humidity was palpable. My tank top was soaked by half way through and my skin poured sweat. My legs themselves didn't feel too heavy, just the air and my sweatiness. Yuck.

Anyway, I'm falling asleep and need to rise early to work. ...

Who would have thought

NancyFrie — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:13:42 GMT

For as long as I can remember I have hated to run. However about 6 months ago I was asked if I was pregnant again. I was horrified. I have 2 beautiful daughters but at the time my youngest was 16 months old. I realized that I had to do something. I joined weight watchers a month or so after that and began to run on the treadmill. It was a slow process and a love but mostly hate relationship. I hated every second I was running but felt fantastic when I was done. So I stuck with it and low and behold a couple weeks ago I ran a 5k. My time was 30:07 but I finished and I was happy with the time. Now I have the fever. Now I love to run. Now I am in it for the long run. I don't ever expect to set records or be the best. I just want to feel good about myself. I want my children to see me being healthy and active so they will follow my lead.

I am already signed up for another race in September. I have a month to get into a little bit better shape so I can try and beat my time. If you'd like to donate to my fundraising efforts please follow my link

http://www.active.com/donate/3rdAnnualSacoBayPT5K/NFrie

The beginning!

frogqueene — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:20:05 GMT

I'm trying to become the runner I once was. When I used to run out the door and not look back. Back when I was in my prime. A youngster, 16, 17, and 18 years old. When I had no worries and no responsibilities and was never TIRED. I want that part of my life back when I ran against wind. When I thought I was sad, happy, or my life (teen) life was coming to an end, and running healed all. Now, here at 30 something, things are certainly different. Too many things to do, too little time to run. But, at heart and in my mind I am still that runner, still that person that wanted to be healthy and care about myself. Still fit. But outside. Nothing. No energy, TIRED all the time, too, busy, too many responsibilities. I'll get it back. It reigns deep within me, and burns my soul everyday. I'll return.... I have too. For my daughter's sake.

Gang, I must be drag'n

bmonk25 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:19:11 GMT

I guess it is appropriate to be drag'n a bit this week. It is the US Nationals out at O'Reilly Raceway Park (formerly IRP). A quick shout out to Wes; the main marketing/promotional man out there.

So it is fitting that I should be thinking about speed this week. I have picked up the pace a bit. Which I feel good about. I am not Jon Sammons (6:45's), though (side-note) I will take him in any sports with a round ball (notice I left out the pigskin) and that includes a ping pong ball.

I have not hit the wall yet (this mythical thing all you runners out there keep telling me about)

but I have started to notice the legs feeling a little dead. Any thoughts on reviving them. I was thinking a little rest, more sleep, lots of water (remember the Glenn Close analogy from a few weeks ago), and more protein. Maybe a massage would be good also. Wow...did I just say that. I think I have only had one massage in my entire life....and I felt pretty uncomfortable...if I recall. I better go check my temperature.

Well it is a short run for me this weekend (13 miles) and I plan on running them alone. I will give the team (all those who have come out and ran with me on those long weekend runs) a break for a weekend. So, it will be a short run, many rounds of golf, and hopefully a few Grill-Out sessions with the crew.
Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.
B

Olympics, Kelowna and IMC

carolynhubbard — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:10:16 GMT

Hey Duncan and Scott thanks for the recent posts..... Great to see Duncan in Kelowna. It was a good day.

Congratulations SCott on IMC! .....I didn't see you out there .......maybe I was too focused or bothered!

The Olympics ...were awesome to watch....I watched more this yr than in previous....b/c it was usually on when my kids were alsleep and I should have been! Simon is a stud......to come back 8yrs later and win a silver medal (after his gold) He's definetly a great race horse. The commentator was Barrie Shepley....SImon's first Coach ....prior to Joel and Lance (who he won Gold with in Sydney) .He probably felt the need to say something coach like....I just tuned him out and watched the racing......thinking 'it's just Barrie".

IMC ....it was a gret day in Penticton with the volunteers and the crowds....it never cease's to amaze me how that town come's together. I get inspired by the stories and the last finishers......this yr for me it was ....the Heart transplant guy from Alberta and Sister Madonna Buder...that women! 78yrs old.....I can't complain of my aches and pains! ...and finshing with my eldest daughter Analiese (5yrs old).

IMC for me was an interesting experience....a swim/ and run that I would hope not to repeat! Bike and finish yes! This year I have been marred with achilles isssues preventing me from doing the run training I would normally do for any of the races I have done. ( heck I come from a running background!) ,so, the run for me was a painful experience....but I had my heart set on doing this race again this yr.

The swim was rough this yr (last yr I found clear water from the 1st bouy, and I started in the same spot) ....so, No Scott ! I got dunked and smacked around right until the turnaroud at the boat .....when I finally got some clear water and I kept thinking.....why? Your're out here all day guys! What's the point of this? ....anyway, it certainly woke me up!

I arrived in transtion about 1min slower than last yr which fueled my fire for the bike.........I had a great ride .....IMC's ride is one of most spectacular rides in all the Ironmans around the world.......it's great scenery and this yr's bonus was having Steve King on Richter. I used Kevin Cutjars advice on how to break down IMC's bike ....use heading out to Osooyos as the "warm up" (60k)Then, the "ride" (90k)starts in Osooyoos and focus on getting over Yellow MTn strong., then the last part is downhill , so focus on your legs for the run ....it worked ....i got off the bike and felt good.

The ladies in the change tent asked me "do you want your singlet and shorts? " ( I always put that stuff in just in case and never use it!) It for some reason sounded like a good idea....I thought at the time....so I quickly changed into running shorts ,not knowing I dropped my blister stuff on the way out of transition . So, I commenced the run knowing full well my achilles would give me grief almost a mental pain barrier that I had to crack to get through the race.....then the advil kicked in , except I kept having to adjust my shorts because of chafing........then around mile 8 someone ran by me and said ....." you know you're bleeding?" I said "oh"...."thanks"......looked down and saw blood streaming down both legs and shoes the colour of blood. Well that was the cracker for me....it was almost like I had prepared mentallyfor my achilles but not torn up legs! so, I spent the better part of the run going through aid stations washing my legs and getting vaseline...the chafing was getting unbearable then thank GOD it started to sprinkle , but, the damage was already done....my rt leg was raw meat......one women ran by and said"ph I got mine today too....don't worry it's not a beauty contest" ........I responded...."I wish that was the problem!". It made me laugh.......funny how you can laugh in pain....then I saw some juggler/joggler dude and laughed more....maybe I was getting a little punch drunk.....but it is interesting how the universe works. So, heading back into town,I continued with my ritual of getting to an aid station sponges! wash legs .....vaseline! I had aid station people running after me " you know you're bleeding?.....do you need anything? " They were awesome. Then finally when the pain just got so unbearable I saw my family and I was overcome with emotion........( Andreas said I couldn't finish with all 4 kids b/c somebody had just dropped a kid at the finish line , that was a goal of mine b/c last yr I finished with Matias & Analiese , not the younger set of twins)

so, Analiese said" Mummy I said I was going to finish with you!" as she ran beside me...."I looked at her and said "OK Bugsy ....lets do this" So, she ran the last kilometre with me...(.I was so proud of her) ...there was a loud roar from crowd and we crossed the line together.

I'm left with a raw/road rash leg that has kept me up 5 nts , but, I'm also left with a memory of finishing with Analiese and the look of joy on her face.......that makes it all worth it Isn't that what Iroman is about? The stories..........there are many.

I still have the desire to finish a Iroman with all 4 kids , so flame continues to burn inside.

August 29

bvcc — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:53:47 GMT

Distance: 6.4 miles
Time: 1:08:14

Pace: 10:39 per mile
Stretch: Yes

Weekly mileage: 19.2 miles
Cumulative mileage: 423.9 miles

Tomorrow: ?

Comments: Not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow. The schedule says 6 miles easy. But a friend and I have been talking about going for a long bike ride, depending on what his family decides to do for the long weekend. Check in tomorrow to see. (The suspense is killing me!)

Random ramblings

duncanwood — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:49:07 GMT

Is a race number just a race number?

How many of you have reached into your race kit to see what your number is? Do you take comfort in a number that looks fast (i.e. #1) or do you feel better about your race if you have a lucky number in it? Now I 'm sure we would all agree that the actual number really doesn't mean anything - but lets not forget, athletes are creatures of habit - if the number 8 was in a previous race number, and that race was a good one, we often feel good about an upcoming race if that race number has an 8 in it also. Nothing wrong with that I say - if it helps you relax and focus then it's a good thing. Some numbers just seem better than others ....... Why is that?

So, having said that how would you feel about having 911 as your number? Certainly for me, it conjuerd up all kinds of images, most of them not positive. Since I am a little on the superstitious side it took me a while to get my head around the fact that it was just a number. Don't get me wrong, I certainly didn't lose any sleep over it, as I say it just got me thinking of the wrong kind of thoughts. 911 means help, right! It is also an infamous date in the US.

During my race, I heard more than one person get a chuckle out of my race number, and to be honest with you, once the gun went off, I didn't care what my number was - I had a great race. So really a number is just a number ......... however, it can also be something we seek comfort in, or for some of us, bring up the wrong images at at time when we need to be very focused.

Duncan

My plan is to have no plan.

L1ttl3M1ssK — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:42:54 GMT

Thats what I said at first. I said: "I'll just put on my running shoes and hit the road". But it was never that way, and I´ve come to believe it was never intended to be that way.

Maybe it´s becasue I´m such a geek and "my running shoes" to me are really "my Nike Cross Trainers", and I have the tendency to obssess over the most nimble of things. Maybe it´s becasue I really like it. It´s hard to tell. The truth is instead of the no-plan plan I stumbled into Active.com, and Runner´s world.com and HRMs and Running Trackers and Running Shoes reviews and the C25k training plan and my local runnning stores and the next thing I know I´m running with my IPOD playing "Running Intervals", a GPS, and an HRM. Logging every single thing I do and avidly reading the Forums and online magazines all running-related.

And now I´m starting this blog.

All because I want to loose 30lbs.

I can see it now... it´s gonna be quite a ride.

Breaking the 20-mile wall

Steve Carton — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:04:38 GMT

Not fast and not pretty, but my RB and I managed our first 20 miler in our quest for Batlimore marathon glory. Yesterday evening was an an okay running evening in DC - around 70 degrees and very humid, but for August in DC? A welcome respite from the oppressive heat.

So we decided to extend our planned 18 mile LDT run and see how we felt doing 20. And it was just great. I could easily have gone more. What a big psychological boost as we head into the last weeks of training for Baltimore.