Here in Donut Land, we reflect on the Top Twelve (not the Top Ten) memories from 2008.
1. My 2008 donut calendar: the first of every month was like Christmas Day
2. Bruins vs. Canadiens, Game Six: “This building is vibrating.” (Jack Edwards)
3. AMHL Tuesday: Dual Shutout
4. High Altitude Training in Jackson Hole, WY
5. AMHL Wednesday: Sharks vs. Canadiens
6. October in Ottawa
7. Reconnecting with the Rockies: Krazy George, Wilf Paiement, and Joe Fletcher
8. AMHL Thursday: Coaching the “Red Army” Team
9. Barry Manilow moment on the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show (NEHJRS)
10. Eric “Danke” Schoen: 1000 career points and an AMHL championship
11. The Bruins’ current 9-game winning streak: longest since 1982
12. My new bookshelf: filled with three dozen or so books about hockey (and donuts)
And a half-dozen of what and who to watch, wait, and hope for in 2009:
1. Blake Wheeler: The Calder Trophy candidate (leads all rookies in goals and plus/minus)
2. Mattias Borman: the Super Swede may lead the FCAHA in scoring
3. A special guest appearance on the NEHJRS by “Jimmy from Maynard”
4. An AMHL Glory update
5. A Stanley Cup in Boston
6. Miracles for *Mike Chase: Keep the faith, buddy.
*Please contact me if you'd like to make a donation
Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, June 08, 2008
AMHL Training, Part II: Back in the Saddle
Continued from Part I
Saturday, June 7
Back in my chestnut-colored chair at the computer desk, I’m listening to the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show. I missed the program last week because the AMHL Photographer and I were out west.
Besides visiting family in Fort Fun, CO (elevation 4,984 feet) the vacation afforded me an opportunity for high altitude training. Driving north from my hometown, the AMHL Photographer and I passed deer and antelope along Highway 287 en route to our safehouse in Jackson, WY (elevation 6,209 feet).
There in the Teton valley, in the see-your-breath cold air, I watched magpies fly and listened to ravens caw as I stepped up my training.
As Tuesday AMHLlers snacked on donuts after their game, I took hockey-like strides and breathed deep through my nose. I walked up Budge Street, a 12% grade along West Gros Ventre Butte.
On Wednesday morning, I ventured on another hour-long expedition: I hoofed it to the local rink— home of the Jackson Hole Moose Hockey Club—and ascended into the cemetery in the shadow of Snow King Mountain (elevation 8,003 feet). That afternoon, the AMHL Photographer and I hiked into Cascade Canyon, along snow-packed trails, from Lake Jenny to Hidden Falls.
On Thursday morning, we drove from the land of Harrison Ford to the land of John Denver. After another rigorous ride on the hotel’s stationary bike, it was time to take my training to new heights.
West of Fort Collins, beyond Horsetooth Reservoir is Lory State Park. Atop “Buddy,” my dad’s Spanish Barb, Mr. Hockey led my sister-in-law (riding Shawnee) and I (on the steady steed Cimarron) along the two-mile East Valley Trail.
Passing below Arthur’s Rock and riding—intermittent walking, trotting, and loping—toward the base of Horsetooth Mountain, I was beginning to feel the collective effects of altitude and lactic acid build-up in my legs.
You try squeezing your thighs against an equine’s barrel for almost forty-five minutes. And at more than a mile high.
“Keep your heels down,” my father reminded me for about the tenth time.
“I can’t hear you,” I said. “My thighs are screaming.”
In another hour or so, my ultimate hockey workout was complete.
The soreness subsided just in time for my hockey game on Thursday. And now that I’ve had my first donut in three weeks (happy belated National Donut Day, by the way), and have listened to my favorite hockey show, it’s time to mount the exercise bike. Giddyup!
Saturday, June 7
Back in my chestnut-colored chair at the computer desk, I’m listening to the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show. I missed the program last week because the AMHL Photographer and I were out west.
Besides visiting family in Fort Fun, CO (elevation 4,984 feet) the vacation afforded me an opportunity for high altitude training. Driving north from my hometown, the AMHL Photographer and I passed deer and antelope along Highway 287 en route to our safehouse in Jackson, WY (elevation 6,209 feet).
There in the Teton valley, in the see-your-breath cold air, I watched magpies fly and listened to ravens caw as I stepped up my training.
As Tuesday AMHLlers snacked on donuts after their game, I took hockey-like strides and breathed deep through my nose. I walked up Budge Street, a 12% grade along West Gros Ventre Butte.
On Wednesday morning, I ventured on another hour-long expedition: I hoofed it to the local rink— home of the Jackson Hole Moose Hockey Club—and ascended into the cemetery in the shadow of Snow King Mountain (elevation 8,003 feet). That afternoon, the AMHL Photographer and I hiked into Cascade Canyon, along snow-packed trails, from Lake Jenny to Hidden Falls.
On Thursday morning, we drove from the land of Harrison Ford to the land of John Denver. After another rigorous ride on the hotel’s stationary bike, it was time to take my training to new heights.
West of Fort Collins, beyond Horsetooth Reservoir is Lory State Park. Atop “Buddy,” my dad’s Spanish Barb, Mr. Hockey led my sister-in-law (riding Shawnee) and I (on the steady steed Cimarron) along the two-mile East Valley Trail.
Passing below Arthur’s Rock and riding—intermittent walking, trotting, and loping—toward the base of Horsetooth Mountain, I was beginning to feel the collective effects of altitude and lactic acid build-up in my legs.
You try squeezing your thighs against an equine’s barrel for almost forty-five minutes. And at more than a mile high.
“Keep your heels down,” my father reminded me for about the tenth time.
“I can’t hear you,” I said. “My thighs are screaming.”
In another hour or so, my ultimate hockey workout was complete.
The soreness subsided just in time for my hockey game on Thursday. And now that I’ve had my first donut in three weeks (happy belated National Donut Day, by the way), and have listened to my favorite hockey show, it’s time to mount the exercise bike. Giddyup!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Green and White
If you’ve read Part I of the AMHL Training piece and are waiting for the second installment, stay tuned.
Until then, enjoy the view…
Inhaling the clean, crisp, mountain air and admiring the reflection of the snow-capped Tetons on Lake Jenny, all was right with my world.
But then I enviously eyed a gentleman enjoying what appeared to be a plain donut. When his wife extracted a powdery white gem from a white paper bag, I turned a deeper shade of green.
Where did they get them, I wondered. But I let it go and returned my gaze toward the Tetons…
…until the AMHL showed me the picture of Chippy with his prize.
Moral of the story: Don’t feed the wildlife; It’s illegal. Instead, feed me (donuts).
Until then, enjoy the view…
Inhaling the clean, crisp, mountain air and admiring the reflection of the snow-capped Tetons on Lake Jenny, all was right with my world.
But then I enviously eyed a gentleman enjoying what appeared to be a plain donut. When his wife extracted a powdery white gem from a white paper bag, I turned a deeper shade of green.
Where did they get them, I wondered. But I let it go and returned my gaze toward the Tetons…
…until the AMHL showed me the picture of Chippy with his prize.
Moral of the story: Don’t feed the wildlife; It’s illegal. Instead, feed me (donuts).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
