November 15, 2004
Turkey Trot 2004
Ran in the 30th Longmont Turkey Trot on Saturday. I had missed the year before due to a knee injury, so was happy to make it back. Would have been happier with a time in the 48 minute range, but as usual I'm pretty happy with just finishing. I run this distance or a tad more fairly regularly, but there is something exhilirating about "race day" ambiance and atmosphere.
If you aren't a runner or any type, you should try it. Most local communities have many sponsored races and include 10k, 5k, distances and 2 Mile fun runs. I think AJ may want to do a fun run as he gets older - which would be cool to do a race together. This is the site I use, Active.com. The three best features:
- Outdoor event search by zip code
- Easy online registration for any listed event - I use the same form / interface each time, rather than deal w/ various forms - and a lot of my general information is saved and reuseable
- A weekly email newsletter personalized with upcoming events in my area for activity categories that I choose.
- Race results are made available to Active.com members very soon after the race. The local paper didn't even print full results the next day. I would have no idea yet as to my finish.
Anyway, there are always the free volunteer sports massages at the finish line if nothing else!
Here are my results. I cut out all the fast people in front of me. :)
10K Run Results by Place - Longmont, CO - 10K - 11/13/2004
Place Name Hometown Ag S In Sex Div In Div Time Pace
108. Tom Bartel Longmont, CO 33 M 86th M30-39 24th 49:39 8:00
Posted by gcrgcr at 8:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 14, 2004
Colorado State: Top 50 plays #1
I spent Saturday night watching my alum get plastered by the #1 team in the country - the USC Trojans. The final score: 49-0, or 0-49 depending on who you were rooting for.
My thoughts around the game I can summarize reasonably well. Colorado State looked like they belonged on the field. Neither the offensive or defensive lines looked like they gave too much to USC. Colorado State made most of the mistakes in the ball game. Seven turnover for starters, five of which USC scored on. No one here is delusional enough to think that without that CSU could have won - but it definitely could have been a better game. Despite two significant mistakes and turnovers, CSU should have atleast scored.
The post-game chatter over at RamNation had a lot of posts on what an embarrassment it was (it was in many ways) and how it was dumb to schedule the likes of USC, Colorado, Minnesota (up next for CSU) etc...
I disagree - I think it is important for Teams on any given year that are outside the Top 25 but within say the Top 50, to play teams better than they are. Back in high school, my Tennis coach used to say, "you can't get better unless you play someone better than you are" or something to that effect. I was a marginal player by the way, but I've found that the advice in general is sound. Schools with football (or any sport) programs that have had even a modicum of success, in order to get to the next level, should play those who are already AT the next level.
Those Rams learned a lot on that field. They lined up against a team that is much more athletic and skilled overall, position by position, mostly because California has a wealth of high school talent that lines up to play for the likes of USC, UCLA, etc...
This team is the defending national co-champion, with a good chance to repeat (this is not done often and not recently) and is coached by a smart and successful Coach from the NFL. Playing USC I think may be practically like playing an NFL team! For Colorado State, if they are smart, they will hal recount how Matt Leinert led his teeam with poise and intelligence. They'll recall how after establishing a 28-0 lead at half, USC came out at half time and, despite a few mental errors and breakdowns, never let up, adding another 21 points to the board - and not doing it just to rub it in. Displaying what a well coached, well executed team can and should do.
I applaud USC for their effort and give them good chances this season to compete for a chance to defend their title. I applaud CSU for scheduling and playing the Trojans. Onward and upward!
Posted by gcrgcr at 6:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
October 6, 2003
Bosox are In!
It's been
since 1999 since the Red Sox were in the playoffs. That year they also
came from 0-2 down to advance to the ALCS. Again, they meet the hated
Yankees - this is the year we take em. GO BOSOX!
Posted by gcrgcr at 9:35 PM | Comments (0)
September 2, 2002
RAMS WIN Well, I'll try
Well,
I'll try to keep it simple... CSU beat CU for the 3rd time in 4 years.
Nevermind that CU still owns the series 54-18-2 or some such thing...
most of those games happened before I was born! Be sure to check out
the Rocky Mountain News' Drew Litton - a great sports cartoonist - and his take the day after. Every year CSU wins, I get another classic for my refrigerator at home/cubicle at work! :)
Since I write RamSpam I'm going to limit my commentary here, but you can read my first edition from Friday before the game.
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Posted by gcrgcr at 9:07 AM | Comments (0)
June 21, 2002
World Cup - Germany 1,
World Cup - Germany 1, United States 0
We
were robbed! Should've had a penalty kick awarded... would have been a
decent chance to tie the game up. Still it was the best WC showing for
USA in 72 years and clearly we have the better fans... as seen in this
photo. :) Click for larger image.
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Posted by gcrgcr at 7:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 31, 2002
ESPN.com - NHL Playoffs 2002
ESPN.com - NHL Playoffs 2002 - Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings
Simply put... GAME ON. Go Avs!
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Posted by gcrgcr at 8:09 AM | Comments (0)
May 28, 2002
Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx Sports
Sports Illustrated itself takes a look into the spooky cover shot jinx
that has plagued numerous teams and athletes through decades. In a
nutshell, many athletes and teams have floundered and failed miserabley
after appearing on the cover of SI. Typically appearing on the cover is
reflective of stellar performances up to that point, so the jinx seems
to take those who are flying high and instantly ground them.
SI's Alexander Wolff wrote this weeks cover story looking into the
jinx. Seems their research has found 913 "jinxes" in all 2,456 covers.
Wow.
Maybe they take requests? I'd like to see the Detriot Red Wings and the
New Jersey Nets on the next cover please? Thanks!
Speaking of which, the Av's
take a huge OT win from Detriot yesterday to go up 3-2 in the series.
And the Celtics lose at home to the newly hated New Jersey Nets 92-90. 
Oh, and for humour today, check out this Conan O'Brien feature on the "diehard fans" who camp out for Star Wars movie openings...
This is a crack up.
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Posted by gcrgcr at 9:42 AM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2002
Avs Win! Series tied 1-1!
Even though
this was just Game 2, it really was do or die for the Avs. Coming back
to Colorado down 0-2 against the Detroit 2002 Hall of Fame Tour would
have likely meant this one was over.
Despite two serious Patrick Roy miscues, the Avs hung tough and earned
an overtime victory 4-3 in Detroit.
You can read about it yourself
- the full recap that is, but Roy has made a habit of wandering out of
net during the past few playoffs. He tends to get burned more than he
makes a play. Oh well - 4 cups and a lock Hall of Famer - maybe the
greatest goalie ever, and a laundry list of records and accomplishments
-- I suppose you can do whatever you want... up till your team take
issue with it and it truly affects the team.
Last night was close to that, and Roy was definitely bailed out by
Chris Drury, who knocked in the 6th playoff goal vs. Detroit of his
career - 4 of them now game winners!
Huge win - great game. See you in Denver Wings!
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Posted by gcrgcr at 9:52 AM | Comments (0)
February 27, 2002
Canadian Holy Ground... Yes, it
Canadian Holy Ground...
Yes, it is in fact, the Official Hockey Hall of Fame. And, as a matter
of fact, I was there. I have photos. It was closed. Still, the fact
remains... I laid eyes on official HHOF merchandise (poorly lit through
glass windows) and external signage. Josh and Stacey will have to grant
me just a teense more respect I think... maybe.
Here is a virtual 3d Stanley Cup.
Seems some Canadians like this "Tim Horton's"
place... sort of a Canadian "Starbucks" I suppose... It was pretty
good, but I guess I'm not really a coffee or donut expert so... can't
really gush about it. Maybe I'll try it again tomorrow...
Don't take this the wrong way, but ladies out here are big. Or bigger.
Okay, taller. Is that better? Seriously... I'm like five nine, five ten
in shoes maybe, but most women I've met or seen around here are at
least my height. Just a weird observation.
Went to the BCE Centre which is where the HHOF is... ate at a
restaurant called Marchante that is pretty cool concept... it's like a
Marketplace... after you gain admittance, you are issued a ticket that
you carry around to different stations where different foods are being
prepared. There a sushi station expertly preparing sushi... antipasti
with fresh made pasta, made right on the spot! Steaks, roasted
chickens, quail, etc... plenty of seafood, breads, and deserts (oh, and
in the Canadian tradition, many beers at the popular beer station). You
simply get whatever you want at the various stations and they stamp
your ticket relative to what you received.
Unfortunately at the end the stamps are added up and you pay for it
all, but it was very very good. Good job Canada!
That's it for now... -- Tom
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Posted by gcrgcr at 7:06 PM | Comments (0)
September 5, 2001
Mile High Field at Invesco
Mile High Field at Invesco Stadium Mile High, whatever...
Well, September 1st was the big game... the CSU/CU intrastate rivalry game.
Well, CU sort of refuses to admit it's a rivalry... mostly because the
all-time record is way in their favor (53-17-2) and CSU's only won 3
times since 1986 (there was a small gap in the rivalry which resumed in the late 90's). It's a rivalry because it's over a century old, it
(now) happens annually, and neither team can stand losing to the other.
Bottom line is -- state bragging rights are on the line. So,
unfortunately for the Rammies, College Football is very cyclical. We
graduated a very successful senior QB and start fresh with two
inexperienced sophomores. Well, you can read the lead story at RamNation.com
if you want the recap.
Put it this way, it wasn't pretty. Any hoo... last year we won with similar issues on CU's side contributing.
I am a CU fan. CSU fan first, they are my alum. CU fan after that...
but some CU fans are single minded. They want to brush of CSU as a
rival, but claim they are a rival to Nebraska. CU has beaten Nebraska
twice (1989-90) and tied (1991) and that's it -- since 1967!!! They
want to dismiss CSU by virtue of record, but claim Nebraska on that
merit?! Pshaw! See what I mean?
Mile High is a very cool stadium. I have many more pics and will post a gallery in Bartelevision soon.
Posted by gcrgcr at 12:03 AM | Comments (0)
Mile High Field at Invesco
Mile High Field at Invesco Stadium Mile High, whatever...
Well, September 1st was the big game... the CSU/CU intrastate rivalry game.
Well, CU sort of refuses to admit it's a rivalry... mostly because the
all-time record is way in their favor (53-17-2) and CSU's only won 3
times since 1986 (there was a small gap in the rivalry which resumed in the late 90's). It's a rivalry because it's over a century old, it
(now) happens annually, and neither team can stand losing to the other.
Bottom line is -- state bragging rights are on the line. So,
unfortunately for the Rammies, College Football is very cyclical. We
graduated a very successful senior QB and start fresh with two
inexperienced sophomores. Well, you can read the lead story at RamNation.com
if you want the recap.
Put it this way, it wasn't pretty. Any hoo... last year we won with similar issues on CU's side contributing.
I am a CU fan. CSU fan first, they are my alum. CU fan after that...
but some CU fans are single minded. They want to brush of CSU as a
rival, but claim they are a rival to Nebraska. CU has beaten Nebraska
twice (1989-90) and tied (1991) and that's it -- since 1967!!! They
want to dismiss CSU by virtue of record, but claim Nebraska on that
merit?! Pshaw! See what I mean?
Mile High is a very cool stadium. I have many more pics and will post a gallery in Bartelevision soon.
Posted by gcrgcr at 12:03 AM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2001
CU loses to Fresno
Thanks to Darren, I got to attend the game. Only downer was the Buffs
lost. As a die-hard, green and gold bleedin' CSU graduate, I want to
stomp the Buffs anytime we play 'em... but, having lived in Colorado
for over 21 years and growing up outside of Boulder, I want the Buffs
to win.
Perfect scenario would've been Fresno playing well (which they
did) and showing us all CU's weaknesses (which they did) and then CU
coming back and winning at the end (which they didn't). Still, it was
good to get the College Football season underway.
Saturday, AJ went horseback riding with Grandma and Grandpa... *all by
himself* (we're not over-protective are we?) ;) Seriously, he was so
excited... he got his red and black cowboy boots on, jeans, t-shirt,
black cowboy hat (sounds good so far eh?) and Blues Clues
sunglasses...
Also, he informed Joie that he needed his pocket knife, which in his case is from his Playdoh set and is about the size of a large cellular phone. Once that was clipped on his belt, he was ready to roll.
Joie, Max and I went to church and then out to breakfast. The
spooky part of things for me, was that when we set down to eat at BC's
cafe, and it was just the three of us (even driving around) it was
really lonely without AJ -- I haven't realized how much of a complete
family we've become, the four of us, until Saturday.
Poor Max was just lost... "AJ, AJ" he would excitedly speak every so often, as if he'd just materialize there with us. Of course once we got AJ back he told us all about everything - probably didn't stop his motor mouth the whole time he was there.
They checked fence and cattle on Ken's property and jumped over some ditches (maybe 2 foot across, 1 foot deep) -- went through some creeks (1 foot deep).
Posted by gcrgcr at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2001
RamSpam - Volume 2, Issue 5
Well, it's been a busy week or so... I *finally* got another RamSpam
out of my system... the last issue was early May, so it was long
overdue...
Took the boys to the county fair again, last Thursday, with Joie and
the inlaws... AJ let me take him on the "roller coaster"... it's for
kids... it's a real coaster, but it's pretty small... he loved it... I
figured Max would be the adrenaline junkie of the two, but I've got a
feeling we'll have two of them on our hands...
Ran 4+ miles on Saturday, about 40 minutes round trip... running
outside really stresses my muscles and joints alot more than the
treadmill, but it sure is more interesting, and despite not having a
"computer" it is more motivating relative to "making progress" and
"getting somewhere"... although as far as you run... you have to run
that far back as soon as you turn! :)
The whole WGD gang at work had today off, but it ended up being no
biggie... did a basic HTML typesetting job for Countrywide and Josh
wrote the American Red Cross thing for me (thanks man!)...
Oh well, I'm out -- later, Tom
Posted by gcrgcr at 10:02 PM | Comments (0)
