We play for those who can't

I should be working, but I really wanted to write this while it was fresh in my head.  This morning's ride was beyond beautiful.  The weather was perfect, no traffic, awesome music on the ipod,  gorgeous scenery,  it was all great.

This may sound funny, but on the bike, I find that it can really bring out the emotions.  On the climb today, my mind was going in a million different directions.  From problems my son is having on his little league team (my oldest son), to me coaching my little league team, things related to work, etc. but what really stuck out was a kid named Chans Cox and something he said.

Chans' dad is Jay Cox,  one of the best, most kind hearted guys I have ever met.   Jay works for us on weekends and it's rare that we get to spend much time together, but when we do, I treasure the conversation.  It always ends up being something meaningulAnyway, back to Chans.

Chans is a big, tall, good looking kid.  Like his dad, he's not only a great athlete, he's obviously got the same big heart.   If you have  a daughter, this is the kind of kid you hope she dates in high school.   He's talented both on and off the field and could be a pompous ass like many star athletes, but he takes the high road. 

I believe it was last year and I'm not sure of the entire story, but it went something like this.  After attending a football camp, Jay and Chans were on their way home and stopped at fast food place.  On the way in, Chans saw a kid in a wheel chair.  Not sure why he was in a chair, but I was guessing Cerebral Palsy or something of the sort.   Chans turned to his dad and said, "this is my new motto, I play for those who can't".    What a kid with his head on straight!!!  It about brought tears to my eyes when Jay told me. 

On my second run up the mountain today, legs on fire, and tired, I thought about what Chans said.  How many young disabled people would love to just be out here on a bike.  A part of me wanted to just load the bike in the truck and head back to work, but when I thought about "I play for those who can't", it gave me the motivation to just keep pedaling. 

Yesterday at little league practice we were working on infield plays.  Our biggest problem is that most of the kids are scared to death of grounders.  No matter how many times you preach the proper way to catch one, most of the boys give in to their fears and come up short when trying to make a catch on the ground.  Again, I think of what Chans said.  We play for those who can't.   Each child out on that field, has two legs, two arms, and as far as I know, each kid is healthy.    I realize it's hard to teach a 8-10 year old boy about other kids who don't have the same opportunities, but I think it's an important thing to  try and share.   How do you teach kids to put certain fears aside, in hopes that they see and feel the gratification that results?   I just wish each little kid had an angel on their shoulder while kneeling down to catch that grounder and whispering in their ear, "it's going to be ok". 

On sort of the same note, we have a game today.  A game that should be like no other.  I've been told by several parents though, that the coach of the other team has said that all he cares about this season is beating me.  Why?   I lose games every year and will lose some this year.   I don't see the pride in "beating me".    I guess it is what it is.   This has been the first season that at least so far, I have put every possible effort into teaching vs winning and I'm having a blast this year.    

I've learned so much over the years and one thing is for sure, sooner or later you will run into every kid you have ever coached.  Now, when that kid sees you, is he going to say "that coach taught me a lot" or is he going to say, "that coach was an ass, all he cared about was winning". 

I'm going to the game with one thing in mind..........we play for those who can't.   Our kids will do their best and if we come up short, so be it.     We have the opportunity to play and coach a game, that many kids only wish they can play.   Win or lose, each kid will go home healthy and will play again later in the week.  It's nothing more or less than that.    

Anyway, it's time to actually get to work.   Hope you all have a super day.   Remember when you don't feel like doing something, but know you need to, there are those out there that only wish they could.

46

46mph on the descent!!! Oh hell ya!!!!
Rusty-------Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Big Lake x2

2nd time to the top today. I'm pooped. My legs are shot. Definitely harder the 2nd time around. Just as beautiful of a ride the 2nd time though.

IMG-20120508-00122.jpg

Heading up Big Lake climb. I know I always say this, but dang it's gorgeous up here. Hoping to climb it twice today. Starting to get breezy so gotta get going. Later.

Now tell me there's not a heaven.

What a cool story!!!     Click here

Great Weekend.

Monday once again. I could really use one more day to recover from the weekend.  I'm not complaining at all, but could use a good, do nothing relaxing day.  I had a very productive weekend (at least by my standards).    Saturday started out with a bunch of yard work.  We had to have the boys at their various events by 10am, so there wasn't much time to get things done.  Most of the morning was spent mowing.   Until this year, we've always had to use a push mower to mow our acre of grass/weeds.  This past winter though I finally took the plunge and bought a riding mower.  What a huge time saver.  We still mow the front yard with the push mower, but the rest of the place is done sittin on my butt. 

Coby had BMX at 10 and Ryan had baseball practice in Pinetop at 10.  I opted to take Ryan to his practice then me and Keevan went down to the little league field to watch a minor game.  A pretty boring game, but it was a relaxing morning (minus having to keep Keevan busy the entire game).  Christy called me and said Coby was battling it out for 1st place then over the last little jump, went over his handlebars.  He still hung on to 2nd place and was very proud of his trophy. 

Once getting home, my only goal for the day was to start putting in the anchors for our batting cage.  I ordered this thing almost 2 months ago, so if my kids are ever going to get to use it, I need to get it set up.   This thing is a lot bigger than what I was expecting.  I bought the larger net in hopes of my kids using it up through high school.  It's 14 feet wide by 70 feet long.  It's held up by 10 poles each with an anchor for each, concreted into the ground.  On Saturday I was able to get 5 of them in the ground before the sun went down.   Saturday evening was spend cooking hotdogs over fire in the back yard.  A good way to end the day.

Sunday, good ol relaxing Sunday.  Gotta love these spring winds.  My goal for the morning was to get in a 3 hour ride.  Since starting therapy on my back, I've never been able to ride for 3 hours as my back just doesn't allow it.  I wanted to ride up to Hondah, climb the Whiteriver Hill twice, then head back home.  Even better though, I talked Ryan (my 13yo) into going with me.  We rode up to Hondah (with a lovely headwind) then proceded down the Whiteriver hill.  The plan was to call Christy from Hondah before heading down, then she would meet us at Hondah in an hour to pick up Ryan.  I then would ride back down, turn around at the bottom then ride back up then home. 

Ryan is no fan of going down hill fast.  It's a total mental thing with him.  He can sprint at 20mph around our house, but for him to go over 20mph down hill is out of he question.  A decent that usually takes about 15 minutes, took us about 25.  This sure didn't leave much time to get back up the hill before Christy was supposed to meet us. 

We finally made it to the bottom and headed back up.  Ryan who is normally a very good climber was going brutally slow.  I didn't say anything, but just rode slowly behind him.  I knew he wasn't pushing it very hard, so once we had a good shoulder to ride on, I told him that I was going to go back to the bottom then turn back and try to catch him.  He asked me if I thought I would catch him, I told him, "absolutely".   I rode back down about 2.5 miles then started back.  My heart rate was averaging about 161 and my legs were on fire.  I made it to the fish hatchery turn off (which is where we originally parted ways) and saw no bikes in front of me.  In hopes that Ryan was just up around the corner, I hammered it for the next mile, still nothing.   This kid must have been doggin' it earlier because now he was flying.   With about a mile left to the top, these 3 punk kids come flying by me in a truck, two of them leaning out the truck to try and touch me.  They missed, but now the only thing on my mind was Ryan.  If they did the same to him, they ran the risk of either knocking him down, or even worse hitting him.   My heart rate flew to 171, I put it in the hardest gear I could push, and just went as hard as I could in hopes of seeing Ryan before the top of the climb.  Nothing!!!  At the top of the climb it's about a mile of flat road back to Hondah.   Even on the flat, I didn't see Ry.  Then of course you start thinking the worse.  Did they pick him up?  Did they hit him?  Ughhhh I hate those thoughts. 

I finally get to the first Hondah turn off and I don't see Ryan anywhere.  I was so sure that I would catch him that I didn't even tell him where to meet me.  Fortunately as I rode a little further, I saw him waiting in the parking lot.  The little sand bagger said he'd been there for about 5 minutes.  I knew he had it in him to ride faster.  Next time, I'll just give him a head start and chase a little harder.

After, Christy picked up Ry, I headed back down the hill.  The wind was blowing hard on the way down which is a pain, but it sure makes it nice for the climb back up.  I was feeling surprisingly good even after 33 miles, so I decided to see how fast I could get back up to the top.  My best time up this climb is 23:36.  It's a major mental game climbing this thing.  You know its going to be painful and even after all that pain, you have no idea if you're even going to beat your old time. 

Half way up, I felt like I was on track to at least come close to beating my old time.  My legs were on fire and my HR was staying around 161.  Then your mind starts playing games. "I'm not going to make it, so I may as well just take it easy. "   Then you tell yourself,  "C'mon, push it and see".   There's a short flat section right before the final 1/2 mile climb.  It's here that everything seems endless.  It was here that I was about 20 minutes into the ride.  Could I really make it to the top in less than 3.5 minutes.   I started spinning faster and faster, my heart rate was at 171.  I haven't seen these high heart rates in years.  Was all this effort even going to be worth it?  I wouldn't even know officially until I got home and downloaded the information from my Garmin.  I had started the stopwatch on my watch at the bottom, but I had issues getting it started, so the time it was showing was no where near accurate.  Nearing the very top, I was close.  My watch said 2:45 and counting.  The finish was right up around the corner.  I stood up and went as hard as I could.  Feeling like I was going to puke, my heart rate hit 183 as I crossed the line.   My goal now, was not to throw up.   All I focused on now was taking long deep breaths, while hoping not to pass out.  Now I had to ride 13 miles home before I would even know if I beat my time or not. 

After about 3.5 hours in the saddle and 48 miles later, I finally made it home.  I put my head under the water faucet outside and just sat there as the freezing cold water cooled me off.  It was time to find out.  It was either going to make my day or ruin it.  A part of me didn't think I was going to beat it, but there's always that little bit of hope. 

23:19!!!!  My fastest time ever up the Whiteriver Climb.  It definitely set the tone for the rest of the day.  Ryan and I went to starbuck as I had promised him some Cookie Frappacino if he would ride with me.  Once getting home, I finished digging the holes and putting in the final anchors for the batting cage.  Should be up and running by next weekend.  I sure hope so.

It was a great weekend.  With the exception of the Kentucky Derby, I don't think any of us sat down and watched TV the entire time.  Sure glad Spring is here.  Today we have baseball practice and game tomorrow.  Hoping for a good productive week. 

Kids and Dads

Well we finished our first week of games last night.  In typical Ranger fashion, we had to come from behind to win.  After the 2nd inning we were down 3-0.  My usual starting pitcher has been having some major issues with "pushing" the ball rather than throwing it.  I squeezed him in for 2 innings then decided to put my 9yo Coby in.   I've always told Coby to stay humble no matter how good he does on the field, mind you he doesn't always take my advice.  Well, for a dad, I have to say I'm super proud of him.  He threw for 3 innings and stayed under 30 pitches and in two games so far is batting a 1000.    Now, I realize he will have some less than perfect games, even some bad ones I'm sure, but for now, I've been very impressed.  He works hard and seems to enjoy it.  We got mom upset with us the other night for watching batting videos instead of doing homework, but as a dad, being able to share that desire and interest with your son is a great feeling. 

I'm having a great time with my team this year.  I sent my assistant coach the write up of Kristin Armstrong and told him I really wanted to focus on "why" we are out there this year.   Jason is great coach and great friend, all the way back from the high school days.  It's good having a coach out there that really does focus on teaching and I know his heart is with the kids.  It makes life and practice so much more enjoyable when both coaches are on the same page.

I am by far no expert on kids, but dads............spend time with your kids.  Not just once or twice, but make it a priority!   They grow up so fast.  A good example in my life has been Mike Schimmel.  Not only has he been a great friend, but the relationship he has with his boys is something I hope to maintain with mine.  One thing I've always noticed, even with two of his boys in college, every phone call ends with "I love you".   His boys, both military boys, have never been too proud to tell their dad I love you in public.   In my opinion, this is how it should be.   Dad's have to play a big role in the life of their kids.  Dad's can't be "too manly" to offer a hug or an ear.    A teenage son isn't going to come out and say, "dad I need to talk".   A dad needs to pay attention to what's going on.  Like I said, I'm far from being a perfect dad and try to learn from those great dad's around me.  Pride cannot get in the way of being there for your kid.  Listen Listen Listen.  That's what they want the most.  Someone to listen without judging.   We've all been a teenager at some point and most of us can relate a little to what kids go through.  Remember those times of feeling like there was nobody to talk to?    Why should we think our kids are any different?   Be there for them!  Again, listen without judgement.  That's all they want.