Lane 8 & The Stanley Cup Finals?

What do Lane 8 and the Stanley Cup Finals have in common?

I never thought about it until I woke up this morning.

I’m in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Hall.

You know of my goal to be a world-class Master’s Track athlete at 400 meters, in the 50-54 age group, right?

So I wonder if the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings think like I do?  Or I like them?

I bet we do.

Remember yesterday’s video post?  The theme?  “Out work ’em”!

Putting in the extra effort, in a comprehensive manner, is what elevates one’s performance.  Whether it’s running, hockey, or public speaking.

Carpe diem, jeff noel, aka jungle jeff 🙂

Today’s Rating at Lane 8?

Today’s rating is in the 90’s.  It’s been a while since I used a percentile rating. 

Remember?  I was getting tired of the pain. 

The pain seems like it’s subsiding.

The new running orthotics, celebrex and Voltaren gel seem to be allowing we to step up the intensity ever so gently, while not stepping up the pain.

The strength and core workouts at Gold’s Gym Orlando are paying off too.

I was there two days ago.  Check out these You Tube Videos:

 

 

Tiger Woods’ advice isn’t rocket science, is it?  It’s profoundly simple and simply profound.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Hurricane season and Lane 8

Lane 8 and hurricane season have a common thread.  A David versus Goliath type of thread.

A big, formidable foe, and a lowly and weak opponent.

Humans versus a category four hurricane.  Who loses?  Humans.

David versus Goliath.  Looking at the two, most would bet on the giant – the obvious, overwhelmingly physically superior human.

Ya still with me?

With proper preparation, a foe’s strengths can be mitigated.

We can’t stop hurricanes, but we can wisely prepare for them.

We also can’t stop the aging process, but with dedicated and consistent focus, we can age wisely.  Certainly, at the very least, we can make it better than if we do nothing.

We also might surprise ourselves at the house we can build, if we plan ahead, and work hard.

That’s why I think going to Finland in August is such a David versus Goliath feat.

Win or lose, I’ll leave nothing on the track.

Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

PS.  If you do happen to click on the Finland in August link, scroll to the 400 meters.  There I am, next to last.

World’s Fastest Human?

Anyone catch the Visa Championship Series – Reebok Grand Prix Track Meet yesterday on NBC?

Tyson Gay demolished the 200 meter field that included Wallace Spearman and Jeremy Wariner.

I mean, he totally destroyed the field.

In doing so, he clocked a PR 19.58, becoming the third fastest man to run 200 meters, behind only the 200 former world record holder Michael Johnson, and the 100 & 200 current world record holder Usain Bolt.

Can’t wait to see the 2009 Track & Field season heat up.

I also can’t wait to go for an easy 5-miler this morning, so I better get going.  Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

In Memory of Pre

Steve Prefontaine

Everyone who knew of him called him, Pre.

Jan. 25, 1951 – May 30, 1974

If there ever was an American runner who had courage, guts and vision, Steve Prefontaine would have to be at the top of the list.

Click here – Pre You Tube videos – and take your pick.

One of my all-time favorite movies, in any genre, is Without Limits– the Steve Prefontaine story.

He was a front-runner.  meaning, he went out front, grabbed the lead and held onto it until the finish line.

His coach, Bill Bowerman, at the University of Oregon, tried to get him to hold back and draft off other runners.  Hold back so he could run his last mile faster than his first mile – and probably his overall time would be faster.

Pre, basically, would have none of it.

(Click here – Pre’s attitude – to play the movie trailer)

The only way he knew how to run was flat out, all the way.

Even if he lost, he would always know that he left nothing on the track.

His greatest race was the 5,000 at the 1972 Munich Olympics.  He finished fourth.

But it was still his greatest race.

If I have to explain it to you, then you probably won’t understand.  But that’s OK.  There’s a ton I still don’t understand.

I do understand one thing though, if your goals aren’t impossible, you’re not reaching high enough.  You can quote me on that one. 

Carpe diem and leave nothing on the trackjeff noel  🙂