A Successful Weekend
Bear Down Wildcats... after our talented basketball program continued its self destruction in the NCAA tournament, the men's and women's swim programs turned UofA frowns upside down, both capturing national titles (note that many UofA fans may not even be aware of this accomplishment - all the more reason to blog it up)... the first titles for either group and the first titles for acclaimed coach Frank Busch who had the foresight to kindly decline my offer to join the team in late 2000.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/321824.html
http://uanews.org/node/19051
I realize that swimming doesn't get much air time on ESPN or Fox Sports, but the onset of the Olympics in a few months will bring my favorite sport into the spotlight once again. Say what you might (Russ - think about Track before making any sly comments), but anyone whose been around a swim TEAM knows that while the majority of attention falls on the individual athletes (like golf or tennis), there is an underlying team mentality that shines through the relays and total team/country point battles... where a gutsy performance by a 3rd or 4th string Freestyler, even by a tenth of a second can separate gold from bronze.
In preparation for 'Swimming Appreciation' month (aka every fourth August), set your DVR to record some of the Olympics Team Trials where 4 years of hard work culminates in selecting the 3 fastest representatives for each event... June 29 - July 6 in Omaha, Nebraska (coolest thing to come out of Omaha since the Stanfields). For beginniners, try to catch the relays or shorter events which will be more frantic and exciting.
The Wildcats weren't the only team to celebrate success this past weekend, the Phillips finally crested the 18 mile mark on our morning runs, although after 3:15 it was nearly lunch by the time we finished! We will now taper in preparation for the marathon in two weeks - made easier by a vacation in the Maldives early next week. We're VERY anxious to get the marathon done and over, while taking a great opportunity to sightsee in the promised land (aka Jordan / Dead Sea). Note: we do not plan on running any more marathons (although we hear that's what everyone says before their first).
We had to run our 18 mile 'trainer a day later than expected (Saturday) because on Thursday night we were enjoying a nice evening with 300+ of my coworkers at our annual work formal, where after 3 or 4 names were drawn without their owner present (LOVE that rule), our Venture manager picked my name out of the hat to go home with the door prize, which at the Doha A&M Boot Scoot is actually a huge wooden door (Aggies?!), but at this event turned out to be a 52" Samsung LCD Flat Panel TV (1080p)... unbelievable, but true. Just need Qatar to get some HD cable service before the olympics!
3 comments:
wow 52" 1080p, nice. That would have been nice to hear in an email.
Other less known olympic sports, bmx racing(new this year). I don't think my best friend will make the team of 4, but his good friend(my friend too) lives in conroe and will probably win gold. Pretty cool to know a gold medal winner(though he hasn't won yet).
It's always nice to be the absolute best at something regardless of the popularity. congrats by association for your swimming title.
ok, so way to spark seeds of jealousy, phillips blogger! not only are you vacationing in the maldives, marathoning in the promised land (i could go without the marathon part), but you also won the best door prize ever??!! apparently life is just too good in doha...
congratulations & take lots of pictures after the marathon!
I love how you put the 1080p in just for clarification of the awesomeness factor. You'll be able to see yourself in full HD through my killcam. That is, if we ever get to play on-line...
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