Soccer Parents

Today I want to talk about Soccer parents or any sport parents. My son plays for a traveling team outside of our district. When we first came here, we wasn't too impressed with the quality of his district team. We meet some nice people who introduced us to the coach from another district. He was real nice and gave my son a try out. That was six years ago and he has been playing for them every since.

They were a very good team and won a lot more games then they lost. They even won the Edinboro Tournament twice out of the three times they went. At the end of the indoor season, they played a very awsome last game. We could not wait to start the Spring outdoor season. We were already talking about Edinboro. Little did we know that things would quickly fall apart.

It turns out that four of the parents were unhappy with our coach. They felt that their kids did not get enough playing time. They anti-coach faction ended up taking over the Soccer Assoc. We orignally started the season with two teams, however, the anti-coach team did not have enough players. So, what they did was to disband the pro-coach team and put the extra kids into the anti-coach team. Now our good coach has no team to coach. They told his assistant that if he "didn't like it, he could take his ball and go home." Needless to say, he went home.

Four of the best players on the team quite and ended up playing up an age group. That left us with a team that is challanged when it comes to winning. We haven't won a game since. Instead of a winning team, we now have a feel good team, where all the players are equal and feel good about themselves. Well, that really sucks. Life is not equal and when you get to be 14 years old, it is time you find that out. Everyone is good at something. You just have to find out what it is. The kids understand that there is a pecking order, the parents just can't accept it.

If you had all the kids on the field and threw them a ball, they would play and have a good time. Add into the dish, parents and you have a mess. So, that is what we now have. A great team desroyed by parents who can't accept that another kids might get just a little more playing time then theirs. I would rather be a back up player on the Boston Red Soxs when they won the series, then a starting player for the Pirates. Same with our soccer team. I'm sure that the kids now losing every game would rather play a little less and win a few more games.

Turkey Running

Today I went I was pretty excited. The weather was nice and my knee wasn't hurting. I couldn't wait to get up and go running at the Park. After I got everything together, I was on my way.

About half-way there the woman DJ on the radio said something like, "Good luck to all the turkey hunters out there." I thought, "Shit, I'm not ready to get shot." I had left my blaze orange vest at home. I took it out of my bag because deer season was over and I didn't think I needed it any longer. Well it was too late to turn back.

I was hoping maybe no one would be out there hunting. I knew I was sadly mistaken when I started seeing cars parked on the side of the road. I pulled into the parking lot at the trail head of Heritage trail. There was already two cars parked there. Luckly one of them had a fisherman in it. I can deal with fishermen.

I got out and begain running, well actually walking because there is a serious hill at the start of this trail. At the top of it I begain running. I had on black shorts and a black long sleeve shirt. I starting thinking that maybe one of the turky hunters out in the woods may think that I am a black bear and take a shot at me. I quickly took it off. I finished the rest of the run with a grey tank top.

I ran up the Heritage trail and right after I passed the cutoff to Camp trail I ran into my first turkey hunter. This guy was a real pro. He had two decoys out and was sitting in a blind. I pulled up but he motioned me on. He was right off the trail so I stopped to talk to him. I told him I hoped that I didn't scare anything away. He said "No, I've been trying to call one down from the ridge all morning but hid won't come down. " I wished him luck and continued on.

I ran up to Buckskin Trail and followed it to Niclous road where I caught the Forrest trail. I would end up following the Forrest trail to the end. I felt really good and had no problems with my knee. It's a strange thing but whenever I run on trials I have no problems with my knee. If I run on the road more then 12 miles, then my knee hurts. That's one reason I like trails so much.

Well I came out of the woods with no problem. I was a little wet because it rain a little at the end.

When I got home, I was looking forward to my son's in house soccer game. It was scheduled for 1130. It started raining and thundering a little. We thought that they would cancel it but they did not. It stopped raining and the sun came out. My son did not want to go. I got a little ill with him and gave him the line about commentment and the importance of helping with the team.

Afterwards, my wife spoke to me and reminded me that he plays soccer all the time and goes to every game. He deserves a break every now and then, besides it was just an in house game. She was right of course and I felt bad about it. I apologized to him and hope he wouldn't hold it against me. I'm sure he won't.

Fishing Day at RCSP

This morning I got up early and got ready to make a trip out to RCSP for a trail run. I got there about 0700 and there was a lot of traffic in the park. I found out that it was fishing day. It was crazy. There was cars everywhere and people all over the creeks and lake. I've never seen so many people out there at one time.

I parked at the Heritage Trailhead and ran up to the Camp Trail where I followed the road up to Sioux Camping area. I went up to Palomino trail and caught the Forest trail. Not far from there I saw a Red-Bellied Woodpecker. I then followed the Forest trail to the dam and back to my car. I estimate that it was approximately 12 miles and took 2:56.28.

Coming Home

Left Camp Dawson at about 1030. I drove straight through to make it home in time for my son's soccer game. I had just enough time to get home and change before we had to leave. The game was a good one and they won 3-2. It was worth rushing home for.

Run with OCAR-RTD

Well today upon completing WTT, CPT G from OCAR-RTD wanted to go running. At 1530 I met him and MSG G and we went up a run to a place that turned out to be an ASP. We then we up to the top of the ridgeline and followed it around and down to the lake. CPT G got him a souvenir. It was a "Danger Impact Area Sign". It was a good run and I ended up running about 4 miles.

Camp Dawson

Well here we are in beautiful WV.  I've been here since yesterday.  We have another day and a half of training left.  Hopefully I'll be able to get out of here early on Sunday so that I can make my son's first outdoor soccer game of the year.  I'm still scheming.  We'll see if it'll work.  Today I gave the APFT to approximately 70 Soldiers.  Everyone did well and we only had six failures and two overweight.  There was some complaints that the course was too long.  The course was measured out by the COL and our OPS SGT.  They measured it twice with a wheel.  This morning after the test the SGM had me remeasure it.  It measured about a little long, but since the PT failures failed it by more then 2 or 4 minutes, it wouldn't have made a difference.  It would have created a serious Charlie Foxtrot if I had let it known that it was a little too long (43 feet).

 

I may have finally found someone to run the JFK 50 miler with me.  It's this SFC from VA Beach who a Filipino.  He a nice guy who got me an autograph photo of Rudy from Survivior fame.  It seems that they are neighbors.  He's also ordered me a Filipino wooden name plate.  I wanted one in Guam but didn't have time to find someone to get one for me.

White Bellied Nuthatch

This morning I got up early and went running on the trail. Because I planned on running 10 miles I had to get there before the sun came up. I stated at 0630 while it was still dark. The weather was very nice and warm at 61 degrees. I ran from mile 8-13 and back. I planned on this being my long run for the week, because this weekend I'll be out of town at Camp Dawson WV. I leave tomorrow and come back Sunday. I'm really not looking forward to going down there. I would like to run at RCSP this weekend and get in some trail time, but unless they cancel the training at the last minute, that's not going to happen.

Today, before I took my son to soccer practice I was sitting on the back sun deck. I was watching the birds feed at my feeder. There was the usually house finches and chickadees, when I saw one I've never saw before. It had a dark blue cape, white underneath, with blue wings. I looked it up and found out that it was a White Bellied Nuthatch. I had never heard or saw one before. I also finally saw a male American Goldfinch. I had seen two females before but not a male.

Inside Exercise

This morning I got up and went to spin class.  I waited until 0530 (when the class is supposed to start) and no one showed up.  I wanted to run outside, but with the clocks moved forward it doesn't get light until about 0630.  I ran on the treadmill at the gym.  I did 4 miles which was pretty dang dong boring.  I have to figure out someway of getting in a long run this week.  I didn't do one this past weekend and next weekend I'll be out of town.  I'm thinking that I'll do one on Wednesday.  It's supposed to be a pretty nice day and a high of 71.  The first 70 of the year.  I'll keep my fingers crossed on this one.

SNOW DAY

I woke up this morning at 0600 (after I turned the clock forward) and found out that it had snowed last night.  This weather really sucks.  We had some very nice days through the week and here comes the weekend and we get dumped on.  This week is supposed to be nice too.  It's just the weekend.  Next weekend I have to go TDY so that one is shot to shit to.

 

Anyway I got up and watched my bird feeder through the dinning room window.  I have a nice pair of House Finches which comes regularly.  Yesterday I caught a fox squirrel up there eating the seeds.  He was on the other side but I could see his tail.  I took my cat Gecko up there to scare him off.  I reached around and pulled on the squirrel's tail.  He jumped down and took off running.  By the time my cat saw him he was gone.  I put the cat down and returned back to the house.  Fifteen minuets later and the cat is still sitting in the same spot getting snowed on.  I called him from the front door and he came running in.  Sometimes I think he's retarded.

 

My son has a indoor soccer game scheduled for today.  It's always real fun watching him play.  That's my most favorable hobby.  We are waiting on my wife to get home from work so we can go.  He stayed at a friends house and we will have to take him his uniform and shin guards.  

 

My wife showed up and we, to include my daughter, went to my son's game at Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena.  He's on a very good team and they won their last indoor game 4 - 1.  They placed first for the season.  Now we have to start thinking about outdoor.  Hopefully the weather will corroborate this year.

Rainy Day

This morning I got up early, watch a little TV and went to the dinner in Oakdale to have a cup of coffee. They have the best coffee around and it also has a great atmosphere. I'd recommend it to anyone who visits the town of Oakdale.

Afterwards I went to the Panhandle Trail and parked between mile 2.5 and 2. It was raining a little, but I had my Australian bush hat which is waterproof. I also had my gore-tex jacket which kept me dry. I really enjoyed walking down that trail. I saw a lot of birds and a few that I could not identify (even though I had my bird ID book in the car and look them up afterwards). As I was walking I was passed by a company of Soldiers from the 78th running PT. They were soaking wet. I looked for CPT M who is from the same company but didn't see him. I found out later that he had run on Thursday. It was a nice walk.

I got back home about 1000 and found out that my son's soccer games (he had two scheduled) had been cancelled. In the evening my wife had to work. Me and my daughter went to visit her and when we came out of the store it was snowing a little. This weather really sucks. Where's Spring.

Shadow Day

Today was a very special day for me. Today my daughter followed me to work as part of a school project. We started the day with my Army PT Test (APFT). We took it on the Montour trail. I was worried about my push-ups and sit-ups, because lately I've been concentrating on my running. I stil managed to do 74 push-ups in two min, 77 sit-ups in two min, and run my 2 miles in 13:44. Surely not the greatest, but still not bad for a 38 year old. I'm just glad that I don't have to take another one for another six months.

After the test we went to the office where I was weighed in. You have to meet a certain weight based upon your height, gender and age. If you exceed then you must get taped where they calculate your body fat. Fortunatly I have to gain another 20 pounds to be taped. I'm 69" and can weigh up to 186. I now weigh 164.

After the weigh in we we upstairs to work. I think it was quite boring for her even though she got to watch MTV on the TV that we have in the office. Usually it stays on Fox News. I'm sure it was the first time that it was turned to MTV. I took her to lunch which was a change for me. Usually I stay at my desk and eat. We went to Pizza Hut. We then returned to the office where we managed to leave early at 1500. I had a wonderful time spending a day with her at work (even though she slept some).

LTC's Last Day

Skipped the spin class because I wasn't for sure the instructor would
show up. She's a teacher and today the school was out as part of
spring break. Instead I went down to the trail to run. It was
raining and cool. It took me awhile to get out of the car and get
started. Once I started it felt pretty good. I only ran three miles
even though I had planned to run six. I have that PT test Friday so
went kind of easy to day. Went to the gym afterwards and worked out
with Jimbo.

I have a doctor's appointment today. Hopefully today the doctor will
tell me the results of my thyroid byopise.

Today is the LTC's last day at work. He's a great guy. Hate to see
him go. We really needed someone like him after LTC Dingleberry left.
What a tool he was.

Bird Feeder and Carburated Pipe

This morning me and my Dad go up early. He usually gets up earlier then I do and I get up around 0530. This morning we went to the Oakdale diner and had eggs, biscuts and lot's of coffee. We then went walking on the trail at Oakdale. It was kinda chilly.

We then went home and hung the bird feeder that he brought. I put it up in the back yard. I don't know what the homeowners assocation will say, but I want to see some birds this Spring and Summer. Now I just have to keep Geecko away from them. Gecko is my grey tabbey that we adobted and brought back from Guam. He's a little crazy. He spends most of his time outside killing small animals. He just comes in to eat and sleep. He sleeps on his back with his legs spread open and his privates airing for all the world to see.

We then went to Home Depot and bought a spade and twenty feet of carburated pipe. It seems that I have a low area behind my back deck that collects puddles of water and turns it into a swamp. I put up with it last year but I am not willing to do it this year. We dug a a trench from the metal drain the the yard up my little swamp. It was a very muddy and messy job but we finally got it buried. Hope it works. Dad says it will. Sure hope so.

Mom and Dad's visit and Kids

I went to spin class to day. MB was the intstructor. She's tough. This was the second time I had her as an instructor. She's tough, so you get a good work out with her. Lisa is nice, but not as hard.

Mom and Dad came up today. They will be staying until Sunday. I really enjoy when they come up. Dad brought his homemade pickled eggs and a Deer hindquarter for jerky. I cut it up. You can get quite a lot of meat off of it. I still think it's not worth the trouble though to hunt deer. It far easier just to buy beef. I'm not against hunting and I love the outdoors, it's just that it more trouble then its worth to scout an area, hunt, drag and cut up a deer.

My daughter has been doing really well in school this year. This is different then what has been the norm for the last few years. I'm really proud of her. She's worked hard this year. She's wanting to get her ears pierced in the little inside lobe. Strange place if you ask me, but she really wants it. I'm working on my wife to get it for her.

My son came home recently and said he signed up for Marine Jr ROTC at school. He starts HS next year. I never knew that he was intersted in the military at all. I never influence him one way or another. I'm really proud of him though. I think it was be the greatest thing if I could visit him some day as he graduated from one of the service's boot camp. Doesn't matter which and I'll try not to influence him one way or another. If he does join up, he'll be graduating about the sametime I'll be retiring. I'll have twenty years in the Army come 2008.

I really can't believe as to how quick my kids have grown. Sometimes I wish I could just shrink them down when they was 2 or 4. Sometimes when I look at the old photos I almost cry.

Geocaching with Atlanta Friend

Today I ran two miles of hill repeats on the treadmill at the AFB. I felt really good although I had a slight pain under my left knee cap. It went away after about 5 min. Hope it's not anything major. I'm going to lay off for a little while. My Mom and Dad are coming up tomorrow so this will give me an excuse not to run until they go home on Sunday.

Also, our QC at Atlants SFC Mac came up for a visit. I picked him up at the airport and dropped him off at Embassy Suites. I told him that I would be back to pick him up at 1500 to go hiking at RCSP. I left work at 1400 went home, changed, and picked him up. We parked at the trail head of Forrest trail at the north end of the dam. I had only been on that trail once and that was when I ran the loop a year ago. I forgot how nice of a trail that part is. I indtroduced him to Geocaching. The weather was rainy and cool. Very nice hiking weather. We picked up the first part of the multicache called "The elves tree a racoon". I had found it before but did not follow up on the last part. This time we found it. It was down a road that cut the trail and up a little hollow. The interesting thing about this one was that it was suspended from a tree. It was really cool. I saw it and we managed to get one photo of us in the fading light. MAC had a great time as did I.

Spinning with Mary Beth

This morning I had a great workout. I went to spin class at the gym and afterwards I ran two miles on the treadmill at a pretty good rate. I then worked on my pushups. I have an Army Physical Fitness Test scheduled next week. It is easy to pass. For a 38 year old male, you have to do 34 push-ups in two minutes and 38 sit-ups in two minutes. You have to do the two mile run in 18:18. However, just doing the minimum has never been part of my plan. I always go for the max which is 73 push-ups, 76 sit-ups and run in 13:35. Last time I scored a 298 out of a possible 300. I'm not sure about it this time though. I've been slacking on my push-ups. We'll see.

I'm still really excited about the Trail Run in June and the 50 miler in November. I have to sit down and figure out a workout schedule. I want to start training for the 50 miler, but I know it is way too soon. I'll wait until I come back from my trip to Alaska in June. That should give me enough time. In the meantime, I'll just concentrate on the trail run. I'd like to do it and the bike race following the run, but I've got to get my bike fixed.

Doing Nothing

Well, I did not run or hike today. Even though it is warm outside it
is a rainy dreay day. I think I'll spend this morning on the
computer. Later on we are going to paint my daughter's room. I don't
like the color (a sea color blue), but I'm not in charge. We'll see
how it turns out. My wife is usually right in these matters so it
will probably turn out good.

Where's George?

Well I went running today. I like to get up early in the morning when everone is still asleep and go out. Today I went up to the park and ran the Lake - Forest Trail loop in a counter clockwise direction and then reversed and ran the loop clockwise. Total mileage was almost 8 miles. It took me 1:42. I took my time and enjoyed the almost Spring weather. Very nice out today.

I felt really good and I'm pretty confident that I'll do OK in a 14 mile Trail Race which is scheduled in June in Sarver PA. It is put on by American Adventure Sports and is a great race. I did it last year. It is called the Buffalo Stampede.

I made time to stop by a Geocache right off Forest Trail. I took a "Where's George" $1 bill which had a request to go westward. I have a special trip planed in June and it is going with me. I replaced it with something special to me. I won't say what it is, but it is on the right shoulder of every Soldier in BDU uniform. The cache is part one of a two part cache. I didn't have time to locate the second part but I will for sure go back.

Something New

Well this is a new thing I'm trying. Not really sure how it will turn out. I mainly just want something to record my running and hiking. I'm planning on running a 50 miler in November and need someway to record my running. I also do a lot of hiking and want to record where I go and what I see. I figure this will be a good way to do it.

A little bit about myself:

I'm 38 and presently live in Pittsburgh PA. I'm married a wonderful Turkish woman and have two children who are 14 and 16 and are the best kids anyone could wish for. I joined the Army in 1984 and have been stationed overseas four times. I was in Cakmakli Turkey, Camp Darby Italy, Heidelburg GE, and Guam. I really love to travel and I plan on driving to Alaska this summer with my father and son.

I enjoy running and hiking. I usually go to Racoon Creek State Park on weekends. It's a very nice place to go and I look forward to it every weekend. Tomorrow I'm going to run on the trails there. I plan on running the Lake Trail and loop around the Forrest Trail and probably backtrack back to the start. It'll be about 8 miles. I'll let you know tomorrow how it turns out.