New Year's Baptism

Ham finished the jog the fastest while running the furthest.

January 1, 2013

It took a lot longer than usual to write this entry.  It's gone through several drafts and, in an attempt to paint a picture that our first practice of 2013 was rosy, I found myself having to dig very deep to find the positives.  Rather than harp on the negative, here is a recap of the purpose, the practice and the positives from our shore swim. 

January 1, 2013, 7:35AM, Ft. Myers Beach, FL

During the first day of the new year, we find ourselves on the Gulf Coast, watching the sun rise in the hopes that the new year will bring new fortunes.  Seems cheesy enough, right?

After a 10-minute stretch, we jog as a team for about 1.25 miles on the coastline before turning around and returning to our bags.  Once congregated, we grab our goggles and head for the water.  Another simple concept at work: if we can swim in the Gulf of Mexico on January 1, we can do anything.  Not only anything, but anything that others wouldn't dream of doing.

I invite you to read last year's entry about our Gulf Swim.  It's helps me to walk down memory lane to reignite those first days of the new year when we could tell stories of when we felt we could do anything.  Last year's entry also provides links for the 2010 and 2011 Gulf Swim, which were, literally, life-changing events for those involved.

Miriam was kind enough to take a video of part of the swim.  You can draw your own conclusions from what you see and hear. 

Credit is due to Mohamed Bouzaghrane.  He was first in the water and swam ahead of his teammates.  He would have kept swimming to Naples if asked.

Credit is due to E'lan Brewer, Janai Ederaine and Keely Monge.  The three women were the next group out to sea and swam like they knew what they were doing.

Credit is due to Trent Popovich, Ben Skelding, Emeka Brooks and Benta Horton-Gee.  They, too, stuck together and, even though it took them a little longer to get motivated, they swam as far as their teammates leading the charge. 

The afternoon was a treat for many reasons:
1) It was beautiful outside ... upper 70s and sunny.
2) Instead of returning to FGCU at 2PM, we returned at 4PM.
3) Practice was more of an advanced warm-up than a practice (3600 meters total.)
4) We had the opportunity to swim with and against North Dakota.

Our "neighbors" from North Dakota have provided a competition for us each of the last three trips to Ft. Myers.  They are a gracious and friendly group of 42 and were willing to practice with us. 

A beautiful day to make a friend...

The practice last for about 80 minutes before we split into our respective teams and formed relays that would compete against one another.  The first relay, the women's 200 meter medley, was our most impressive showing as a group.  Benta, Briana Dillon, Janai and E'lan took first place in a time of 2:21.59. 


Janai listens attentively while Benta refuses to smile.

Miles and Trent continue to show-off their social skills.

If you are wondering who that person is in the middle of the photo, that is North Dakota junior Camille Merwin.  Janai and E'lan swam with Camille and made it a point to snap this photo at the conclusion of our time with UND.  It was a very impressive gesture from the Lady Bison.

Practice wasn't over for the team.  Upon leaving the facility, we did four rounds of pull-ups, crunches and dips underneath the moonlit sky.  This was a great effort by the team as the encouragement was at a high level and the performances was equally intense.

Certainly a lot of activity for the first day of the new year.  Tomorrow we begin our quest to relocate to Washington, DC.  We hope you have a terrific beginning to your new year.

2012's Finale - Part II

By the time 2PM EST on December 31 rolled around, the Bison swimmers pictured above had been through 8 water practices and 4 dryland routines in roughly 96 hours.  Miriam was kind enough to interview one of our senior leaders just before practice in the pool had begun.  Apparently:
a) we've infused a lot of enthusiasm for these workouts.
b) we haven't been working Darell hard enough,
b2) so he has to continue his training by walking briskly to the mark in the cement before finding the camera.
c) most of us will have no problem with our 2013 resolutions.
d) Darien knows a mustache when he sees one.

There were a lot of things working in the favor of the Bison on New Year's Eve for their afternoon workout.  It was sunny.  They had 2 traditional workouts planned.  And it wasn't cloudy.

This video goes through what is called a Snake and a Jog.  (We welcome anyone that would like to give this routine a particular name, like "The Submissions" or "The Lemming Set" or "Extreme Lifeguarding Set.")  I really enjoy seeing which members of the team give the best effort on this particular set.  A couple clarifications from the narration on the video:
1) We've done some form of this set during all four Florida trip, but each of them has been unique. 
2) After careful reflection, we've established 5 traditions in Florida (2 involve a body of water, 2 involve dryland, and 1 involves eating.)
3) You can modify the instructions for the swim however you'd like.

When this set had concluded, roughly 45% of the practice in the pool had been finished.  The remaining practice featured Day III of CCSA objectives that included training for the 1650 freestyle, the 100 freestyle and the 200s of stroke.  We were very proud of the efforts the team put forth and, just as they did on December 30, the momentum they continued to create from previous practices carried into this workout.

One of the other aforementioned traditions that took place after their workout in the pool finished was our game of Capture the Flag.  Unlike previous years, this year we played on the hotel grounds, which was this barren pit on sand and straw that you can probably make into two or three pitches.  No one was able to get any photos or video of the game, and it's probably just as well.  This game was, by far, the most action-packed and well-strategized contest we've had. 

We kept the same teams for Capture the Flag as Hoover Ball and, this time, Team Ripped (Kelvin, Darell, Ben, Emeka, Mohamed, Janai, Ashley, Keely, Benta and Miriam) were victorious by the score of 5-4.

There you have it .. 2012 is in the books and it's on to 2013.  There will not be a longer stretch of difficult training for the Bison in such a compacted amount of time.  We still have 36 hours remaining in the Ft. Myers Experience and we'll check back in with more raw footage and commentary.  Until then, enjoy your new year.

2012's Finale - Part I

December 31, 2012

When you fully immerse yourself in the training trip experience, sometimes it's difficult to put into words just how unique the lineup of routines and challenges is.  The reflection and reaction need to be staples of the trip.  Without sincere reflection of the work you are putting in, the good habits become much more fleeting than they do solidified.

The final long course practice of 2012 was meant to be a grueling routine of fin work incorporating orange and blue levels of power.  We broke into two groups:
Ice Kingdom: E'lan, Bri, Janai, Keely, Darien, Ben, Miles, Ham, Emeka
Bone Chillers: Ashley, Shaianne, Benta, Kelvin, Darell, Trent, Matt, Cam

Each group executed 2100 meters of fin work with two different objectives; Bone Chillers were more sprint-based with the Ice Kingdom mixing long-distance IM with base-free work.  Even though two unnamed Bison could not finish the workout, those that stayed did a nice job pushing each other through the timed set. (6x50s in Pink + either 4x200s in Orange or 6x100s in Blue/Orange.)

Here are two quick looks from the morning:

Despite the 6:22AM EST chill, we prepare for the 2100 meters of fin action.

Bri and Janai exit the pool after a job well done.

The thing I like about this two photos is the massive difference in sunlight.  The math will tell us that only 1 hour and 35 minutes have passed, but it looks like two completely different scenes.  For all of you out there that have never experienced swimming outside, it can seem like an excruciatingly long time during a practice that has such stark backdrop contrasts.  The effort was there this morning.

The master plan was to show some reactionary videos about the practice the team just endured.  Unfortunately, the content was immersed in rated-R language and could not be shown with some type of waiver.  Even after a second and third take, it was better to allow the team some time to gather themselves before asking some questions.  The good news is we did manage to make a super video (click to the left) giving you a small glimpse at our living arrangements as well as the breakfast routines that some of the Bison chose to partake in. 

Some interesting notes from this video:
* Notice how Ben doesn't want to hear Trent sing anymore, so he begins to narrate.
* The team is all situated on the first floor of the Homewood Suites.
* Mohamed took that plate from the three people chasing him.  That's why he was walking so fast.
* None of the strangers in the video volunteered to be in the video.
* Ashley continues to star in all of the videos. 
* Yes, Darell talks like that all of the time.
* If you want to learn like Emeka learns, click here.
* Look how Trent goes to chop the eggs with the spoon and chops nothing.

Enjoy.  We'll check-in later.

The Chills and Thrills

Wind, Steam, Sunrise, Action ... It must be Florida

(In the course of reading some of our blog entries and watching some of the videos, it's important to clarify what day and practice we have just completed.  So, please know, today was the fourth day we've been in Ft. Myers; we've completed four afternoon practices and three morning practices.)

The full moon greeted us this morning on a clear, windy and chilly day throughout western Florida.  Our morning practice was designed to forge our men's team and women's team.  We positioned all of the women in lane 8 and ran through a gauntlet of distance sets that featured each of them sacrificing themselves into the brisk wind.  Their final 50 had to be done on the block.  It was reported that all of the women (Bri, Jan, Ash, Brew, BHG, Killa and Shy) gave a supreme effort ... well done ladies.

The men basically swam as fast as they could for an 800, a 400 IM, and 5x100s.  Some of them say it was hard.  Others asked for more.  It's hard to argue their fight; the set asked them to swim as fast as they could for as long as they could.  The unforgiving air didn't do anyone any favors.

Our video journalism skills continue to exceed expectations.  I could spend an hour writing about the nuances of each of the Bison, but why not let this historic clip sum it up.  (Please be sure to watch it at least three times to appreciate it more and more.)

The afternoon session went very well as we continued to build from one good practice to the next.  We tried to write a workout that might inspire some of our DC natives that might have a little more on their minds.  Here you'll find sophomore Shaianne Johnson, freshman Cameron Gray and another person modeling the practice. 

Do you think Benta knows she's in the picture?

We spent the first six practice breaking into different groups.  This afternoon, we switched it up a bit and had the entire team tackle the same obstacles.  Afternoon routines have been designed around the conference championship events.  The second day of conferences is a pivotal day for everyone on Howard.  Whether they will tackle the 400 IM, the 200 free or the 100s of stroke, something could be gained from each set.  Here, now, is a quick video journal of the practice:

Stretching ...

followed by ...

protesting ...

punctuated by...


ignoring coaching instruction.

And then it was time for our annual Hoover Ball game.  Every year we've chronicled the adventures of this great game.  If you are unfamiliar with the rules, here's how it works:
* Same as volleyball, except you catch and throw a medicine ball instead of a volleyball
* Be careful not to hurt your shoulders and face (but your knees and wrist should be OK, so that's a plus...)

This photo provides a lot of helpful information.  Notice how the medicine ball lands on the sand in bounds.  This means the team in the foreground earns a point.  Despite Matt Calhoun pointing at the medicine ball, his team does not receive a magic point for simply spotting the throwing utensil.

Check out these two videos that both highlight some of the in-game action and recap the winning team's humility.  The game was very well-played; the fastest moving contest that we've had at Howard.  There was strategy, sacrifice and the occasional rejection from the net (click the link to the left) or a drop through the fingertips.  When the sand settled and the comebacks were thwarted, Team Chiseled (E'lan, Bri, Shai, Darien, Miles, Matt, Trent and Cameron) emerged winning the contest against Team Ripped, 2-0 (15-13, 15-10.)

Here is the recap from one person's gracious point of view.

This Sunday, though, proved to be a magnificent day for the Bison.  To put a bow on the chilly day, we offer this recap from four Lady Bison.  Some items to note from the video:
1) Notice how much space the ladies have to film and they choose position themselves in the direct aim of the sunlight (which is opposite of yesterday's morning video that was filmed in the dark.)
2) Why do you think Ashley looks so angry in the first and final 30 seconds of the video?
3) Do you sense a theme that no one knows what day it is?
4) Check out Bri's glamour pose when E'lan requests the trio scoot in...
5) I would like to apologize for the below-average grammar throughout this particular clip.
6) At least we have each other to motivate each other.
7) What do you think Trent was doing in the dirty dishes section of the eating room?

There are probably 10+ more questions that you are asking yourself, too.  Feel free to post a comment or a question on any of these posts.  Tomorrow is the final day of 2012 and it promises to be extraordinary. 

You Can't Make This Up

I will try to be as brief as possible with this particular entry because of the fine work many of our Bison did today both in and out of the pool.

Today (and in many future entries,) we asked several members of the team to take charge of the camera and play the role of investigative reporter.  If today's raw footage is any indication of what is to come, you are in for quite a treat.

What I enjoy most about these videos is how each has a distinct approach to the assignment. 

Let's examine this first video:

You might be saying to yourself, "There's something wrong with my computer; I can't see anything."  The reason you can't see anything is because we couldn't see anything this morning, either.  We arrived at the pool around 5:45AM and the lights would not be turned on until around the top of the hour.  In this video, you'll hear sophomore Matt Calhoun ask a couple of questions to team members.  Usually the first rule of taking videos is to make sure you can see something, but I guess the audio will have to do.

 

Other interesting observations include how the Bison Matt is interviewing not only think they can be seen, but how they there isn't a solid train of thought from anyone.  It should be pointed out in the beginning of the video that Matt's first question is, "Is it dark outside, guys?"  Listen to the commentary and have a small amount of sympathy for anyone trying to talk in the dark before a workout.  We should, however, Herc Up, as is junior Darell Hungerford's advice.

 

This morning went really well from the groups.  We had four different workouts going, with solid performances from senior Darien Washington, sophomores Briana Dillon and Miles Hector.

 

Speaking of Miles...

 

This second video (click the link to the left)was reported by junior Janai Ederaine.  You should know that Janai put a lot of thought into creating this video, including making sure the audience could actually see something and using the Christmas tree has a backdrop to give the effect this training trip is one massive holiday gift.  Miles, along with sophomores Mohamed Bouzaghrane and Ben Skelding, endured the most meters in the long course morning practice and should be commended for it.  Miles does a nice job articulating his thoughts while Janai continues to ask questions with the help of the telepathic, voodoo Santa. 

 

The afternoon practice started sluggish, much like yesterday afternoon's workout.  The difference, however, came in the second half of the practice.  The 50 sprint group and 500 free group stepped-up nicely during the most anaerobic portions of the practice.  It was a nice rallying cry for the group as fatigue seemed to transform into motivation to give more effort.

 

The dryland portion of the afternoon followed the workout.  I could write a lot about the land activities, but why don't we let the video below, featuring sophomore Trent Popovich and freshman Cameron Gray, do the talking:

 

There are many points of note from this video (click the left link again:)

1) Notice how Cameron is allotted the :11 sec. mark to the :14 sec. mark to talk and Trent takes the :14 sec. mark to the 1:00 mark.

2) Did you hear how Trent told the world that he and Darell missed the bus for practice.  Can't say I told him to say that one ...

2a) Trent and Darell made it 2 miles in their jog to the pool before their coach politely requested that Anthony and Miriam pick them up in the bus.

3) Ben takes great pride in getting Trent and Cameron excited about Trent "dunking on" their coach, who just so happens to write the workouts for each practice.

 

Emeka will break you.

 All-in-all, it was a good day to be a member of the Bison.  We worked very hard, forced the wind and cloud cover to head north and away from our training schedule, and build team camaraderie at the expense of one of the greatest recreational, basketball activities known to mankind.  We continue to build muscle, build trust and build the foundation for what hopes to be a epic final eight weeks to the season.