Laughter is Good Medicine

Friday night was one of funniest and laughter-filled nights we've ever had at Mammoth. I haven't laughed that hard in, well, I don't know how long.

The last night of our Mammoth Camp is high on tradition. We celebrate the hard work and good times of the camp by staging a "condo desert contest" where each condo is charged with coming up with an original creation (nothing out of a box) to be judged by eminent taste-testers. There are no prizes given out except for pride, but by the way each condo goes about coming up with something spectacular (or, in the case of the guys' condos, just really good arguments for why their concoction should win), you'd think a golden statue was awaiting the victorious recipe.

I have to say that the girls' condos truly outdid themselves with two really impressive creations, one based on the camp theme, and the other a realistic looking oversized hamburger and fries, all made with delectable, sugary sweetnesses.




The boys, well, let's just say that's where a Night at the Improv broke out. Chris Miller's instructions to not touch one side of their cake "unless you like cajun chocolate" had everyone doubled over and Sean Lee's lawyerly "explanation" (read: "rationalization") of their mint cake made from well, butter, and more butter ... and even more butter, was equally hilarious. I about lost it when Coach Griesinger, the official judge, pointed to the third boys' creation and after a couple of pained bites, a swallow of water to get it down, deadpanned, "that's just horrible."




The Friday tradition continues with gift giving, encouragement to one another and our senior talks which were complete with heartfelt exhortations to the younger teammates and heart-tugging memories of good times and bad.

But the evening is capped off with the "Friday Follies" in which each condo presents some kind of skit or dance routine, usually in hillarious fashion. This year was no different, and when a group of girls decided to spoof Sean Lee's dance routines from each of the last three summers, it brought the house down. Sean claimed it was a "tribute" and he may be right. No one has busted a move like Sean in the last three years and the group of 7 girls got it exactly right.

They say laughter is good medicine, and after nearly peeing my pants Friday night in raucous laughter, I'm good to go!

What a great time it was!

Some Mammoth Images

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

For the first time in our 10 years of coming to Mammoth, we organized an official kickball game for afternoon entertainment. Complete with T-shirt uniform, umpires (Carrie at second base and CP at home), a score-keeper (Mackenzie) and the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch, the two teams (Channel 4 News Team vs. We're Better Than Your Team) put on a great show.

The game was actually quite exciting, with some questionable umpiring calls, a play at the plate, a double play, a number of errors, and several home runs (Jarod, Kelsi and Chris Miller) which moved the game to the bottom of the 9th, score tied at 6. With two out, up to the plate stepped freshman Brandon Berz who had flied out his previous two times up. Had we had a stadium, the crowd would have been on their feet. Sadly, the only two spectators mildly amused at our game stayed seated in the shade of a fir tree. Whatever.

The pitch from Derek Nelson bounced it's way to the plate and Berz's foot connected, driving it into deep right field. He circled the bases before the relay could get home and -- I'm not kidding here -- won the game with a walk-off home run. It would have made Andre Ethier of the Dodgers proud. The Channel Four News Team took home the win. We ate hot dogs to celebrate.

Here are a few pics from the game.


Danielle sports the look of one who's just flied out...

The official score card...

Team photo time


Our Chevrolet Player of the game with a walk off homer to win it in the bottom of the 9th, Brandon Berz.

A Visit with Ryan Hall

We had the great opportunity of hearing 2008 Olympian and American Record Holder in the half-marathon Ryan Hall. He's a local product out of Big Bear High, but calls Mammoth home now for his high-altitude training base.

After a "shot in the dark" email I made a week ago through his website to ask if he'd speak to our team, he said he was booked to speak to a group on Tuesday night and that we were welcome to join in!

We did! ...And it was awesome!

Ryan came across very grounded, down to earth, and willing to impart the lessons he has learned over the years to those willing to listen. He didn't brag, he just softly and at time humorously told stories of success and defeat, victories and failures, but mostly how he has grown and learned through his rise from wannabe basketball player in high school to America's best marathoner today. (He's competing in the the New York Marathon on November 1st).

There was so much to take from his talk, but the theme he tried to drive home was "to be confident in who you are and what you can do." He told the audience of high school and college runners that he was no more special than they were, and that in each and everyone of us is "the possiblity of greatness."

Of the many lessons he shared, the one that gripped me was connected to this last summer's Olympic Games in China. He was a medal-contender. He had placed high and ahead of many of the African greats in previous world-class marathons, and there was a lot of pre-Olympic hype over what Ryan "was" going to do on the final day of the Games. It wasn't to be. He finished 10th, well behind the leaders and was never in contention for a medal.

He admitted that as he entered the tunnel of the stadium, preparing to run the final 500 meters of the race on the track, he felt bitter. His lifetime goal had fallen short -- way short in his mind. Yet, something happened in the tunnel that he said not only changed the way he ran that last quarter mile, but solidified a lesson he had been working through. It was there that he realized that winning was what he wanted, but not necessarily what he needed. He discovered that perhaps 10th place in the Olympic Games was EXACTLY the golden moment he needed right then for his career and for his life. So, he said, "I entered the stadium and thoroughly enjoyed the moment I was in."

For a 24 year old to possess that kind of wisdom is truly remarkable. And so it was a great night, listening to one of Southern California's own, a young man determined to use the platform his fame has given him to give back to the next generation. He used it well.

Deadman Running

We ran the infamous Deadman's Pass run this morning. We haven't run it in a couple of years -- the first because a distant forest fire covered Mammoth in smoke and last year because, well, I didn't want to do it.

It's hard. (Some of the kids claim "it's not that bad." Fine. Try it at 180 pounds with 43 year old legs. Then we'll talk).

It starts at 9,100 feet of elevation and ends 2.5 miles later at 10,200+. Your lungs cry for mercy, your legs are begging for forgiveness. They figure they must have done something really bad to deserve the punishment they are going through.

But on both go, carrying the rest of the body up the hill, perhaps pulled by the sense of accomplishment and the spectacular view at the top. We look across a small valley to the Mammoth Mountain. To the west, across a large valley lie the Minarets, a saw-toothed range of granite, still pocked with snow despite the month of the year. To the east, across the caldera, lie the White Mountains.

The athletes rejoice at the top, perhaps because they know the pain is over, perhaps because they see, and know: I did it.

In the years we've run it of course, we take the obligatory -- even mandatory -- team photo at the top. Where the run up is hard, the smiles at up there are easy.

Back in 2006 we had three freshmen in Mammoth, three rooks just getting their start, and maybe wondering what they had gotten into with such an effort. I snapped a picture of them there that day, and thanks to Sean Lee's almost daily insistance this week that we must "adhere to tradition", he reminded me of that photo and demanded another. I was happy to oblige.

Here is Kelsi Tippets, Sean Lee and Danielle Fillmore; all three have made the Mammoth camp each of their four years in high school. They've grown -- the picture shows that -- and we've enjoyed their tremendous contributions to the excellence of our program over these last years.



Here we all are, rejoicing on the summit...


We take it easy on the way back down, giving some the chance to enjoy the beauty of the Sierras

An Opportunity of Beautiful

Today we enjoyed the annual treat of Mammoth ... our traditional run into Reds Meadow, followed by a breakfast buffet and time at the spectacular Rainbow Falls.

The weather this morning was wonderful, a bit cold but refreshing. The 7 miler is mostly downhill through the woods with incredible views along the way of the Minarets and the valley in which Reds Meadow lies. The path is soft and easy, embracing the footfalls in a cushion of dirt. A natural spring near the end bubbles from the earth, begging the passerby to pause, look and listen to the gurgle of a newborn stream.

Awaiting us at the Reds Meadow Cafe is a scrumptious feast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, potatoes, OJ, coffee and fruit. We can eat to our fill. Nestled in the towering pines and firs, the cafe is a bit of a way station for backpackers and rustic campers. The giddy teenage noise awakens the early hour.

Rainbow Falls is one of the landmarks of Mammoth's backyard where the very brave take a cold bath, while the aging coach watches from afar with camera in hand. Old Man Griesinger is upstream fishing (he caught two "the size of Coach Peirce!") but he threw them back so we have no validation on this fish(y) story.

On the rocks next to the falls our troops of good-hearted parents snap pictures and soak it in. Their kids are having fun. Laughter bounces off the cliff walls, competing with the crashing water. Screams burst forth from the sting of frozen appendages and rise above the din. The photo is taken. Another Rainbow Moment is in the books.

A bit weary, we hike back to the cars for the long drive back home around the mountain. One thinks on this morning of the treasure we hold in our bodies, the gift of health and strength, of youth and laughter, of mountains, trees and water.

One drives away grateful. Grateful for opportunities of beautiful.

OMG

"Old Man Griesinger". Beloved coach. Cool dude. Good looking man.

Convict Lake, The View

Reeds and Sun

From near the trail today around Convict Lake.

Freshmen Apples

One of the traditions we have here in Mammoth is to award our 9th graders on the trip with a carmel covered apple from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Not sure why or when it started, but the Factory is one of the treat shops in town, and I confess a personal attraction to their Cookies and Creme covered apples. That's for another blog post though.

Back to the freshmen. Given that most of the upperclassmen are thinking, planning and training for Mammoth since the middle of the track season, we don't hold the 9th graders who are new to our program to the same standard. We get all of about 10 days to get a sense of whether or not they could handle the rigors of the week here in the altitude of the Sierra's. So to be invited as a 9th grader is something of an honor. We can't take all of the new kids, so the top few who stand out and stand out early are given the nod.

Raelyn Werly has been impressive here, just as she has been down south. She took a tumble on the second run, skinning up both knees and by the time she reached the end of the run everything below her knees looked like red polka-dots from the blood "splashing" (she calmly noted.)

Brandon Berz just arrived today, as he was in Colorado over the weekend running in a 12 person, 200 mile non-stop relay. He ran three legs (each about 6 miles), the first he said with a smile was out of Fort Collins in 102 degree temps, the second was up 2000 feet of elevation gain -- at 2:00 am -- and the last leg was at 4:00 am. Uhh, yea, he can handle Mammoth.

Nathan Torres is a truly gifted runner, he seems to just float across the ground. He's shown a tenacity on our harder runs and workouts that we like. The kid has a BRIGHT future in this sport!

Lauren Soholt perhaps thought she had made the invite because of her sister, but not so! She's emerging on her own, separate from her sister's shadow. She's a tough cookie.

Emma Jaramillo is a go-girl! Wow, talk about a super spirit -- competitive and gracious at the same time! She's as ferocious as a tiger but as sweet as the caramel on her apple.

We're excited and proud to have these youngin's on our team, they herald a new birth for our team and for the future! Here on Monday of Mammoth week, they are doing well.

We've had a great first 24 hours! 7 miles on the first afternoon, and a combined 12 today has made us sore, tired ... but in remarkably good spirits. Maybe it's Coach Peirce's great cooking -- we're not going hungry. Maybe it's the ideal weather. Maybe it's just Mammoth. All is good!

The Eagle Has Landed

The tenth Mammoth Camp has officially begun. Fresh from our traditional "Mammoth Rock Trail" run, we've enjoyed the views, the thin air and the familiar confines of this little town.

We were quick to note that the Starbucks closest to our condominium complex has been shuttered. Dang recession! Not sure what I'm going to do...

But all is good after a safe, rather boring drive up the 395! More to come tomorrow!

Just Another Blog Post

I was watching a movie the other day ... not an especially good one, but it had a good line. The theme of the film was about living a "magical" life, going after your dreams. Living big.

In a conversation one of the characters was having with the protagonist, she recognized him for what he was and said, "So, you're a 'just' person. You can do just so much with your life. This is just toy store. This is just another day." You get the idea. She was critical of his self-imposed limitations.

I think I know now why my last girlfriend reacted the way she did when I said I just wanted to be friends. Ouch.

But that line has stuck with me these past few days. I've asked myself if that word just describes my outlook in life.

Will my marraige be just another marriage?
Will I be just another dad?
Will this be just another season?
Will my profession become just a job?
Will my days be just another clump of hours?

These are convicting questions, for I have to answer truthfully that sometimes that's how I feel. I just want some peace and quite. Just a little taste of mediocrity. Just a day ... or two ... to slack. Just give me a break.

Just a minute. Is this any way to live? I know it's normal, I know that's how most people live. But I don't want that.

Specifically,

I don't want King Cross Country to be just another team...
I don't want our runners to be just another runner...
I don't want this season to be just another ... I think you get the idea.

One of the most blessed moments of our last ten seasons came last summer when Jason Schupp talked to his fellow athletes and confessed that at first he was a bit intimidated or scared of me and the other coaches. But soon he realized he had no reason to fear because he came to realize that the coaches just want us to be our best. I smiled.

Now that's a "just" I can live with. Make that your only use of "just" this season and you'll be well on your way toward a season that just might be something magical.

Happy Birthday To Us!

Pictured is the team on King's first day ever! Can you spot Steve Griesinger (now a coach)? Sean Lee's older brother is in there too.


10 years ago today, August 3, 1999 - King Cross Country began. And what a beginning it was! We met at Earhart Junior High since the King campus was still a bit under construction. 34 kids showed up, only 6 girls. All were freshmen except for a handful of sophomores.

We ran about a mile that day. Well, at least the workout called for a mile that day. Most of them walked most of it.

I remember thinking, "we've got a lot of work to do."

And here we are a decade later. What a decade it's been.

Though we would be quick to taste success -- the boys team in '99 would actually win the league championship (a small-school league known as the Arrowhead League) there would be yearly challenges of moving up in competitive levels as the school grew. The girls couldn't fill a full team that first season, but have since gone on to win 7 straight league championships across three different leagues and run in CIF Finals 6 times in a row, something no other sport at King can claim.

We've seen it all in ten years! We've had our share of hooligans and looky-lews, but overall we've been blessed with great kids who increasingly are seeing that hard work won't kill you and the fruit of labor is sweet reward. We've had our fair share of talented kids, and many who have discovered their talent along the way.

So what will our 11th season hold for us? No one knows, but our money is on the idea that this could be our best season yet!