Fall Equinox

The last day of summer:

The first day of fall:

Thanks Rudy Project!!!

Gym Class

Its been awhile since I've been to Gym Class, and this year, Monday's visit to Mr. Young's class at the LP Elementary School will be the first of quite a few. In the past I visited kids in their classrooms. However, this year I wanted to take a different approach. Being active with kids and working along side those who are already promoting activity and healthy choices, seemed to be a more effective way, naturally. On Monday I visited 4th and 5th grade gym classes.

This project is a bit free form, but the intention will always be clear: I think role models are really important figures in our lives. In the environment of gym class and school, an athlete can be a meaningful, local and real life example to learn from. I know this reads a bit like NPR's "This I believe," but I am excited for what another year holds.

The theme for Monday's class was cooperation and teamwork, hence the ball between our heads while doing a push-up. Not easy - give it a try.

The next visit is slated for the end of October once I am back home from a National Team Training Camp in Utah.

a successful trail run on a beautiful fall day

Participants of the Jackrabbit Trail run started in the cool fog Saturday morning, passing along the beaded Kenyan gecko from runner to runner from Paul Smiths to Lake Clear to Saranac Lake to Lake Placid and ended at Keene's Rock and River Inn and guiding service.

While on the trail just past the beaver dam:

I had some special company at the end of my run in addition to the ladies above. Jenna, a student and Bill Koch skier, whom I met at the Lake Placid Elementary school last year, joined me for the last mile or so. Getting to go for a run and chat was great fun. I hope we get to do it again some time!

The joint effort made us both a bit "taller" and stronger that day:

Here's the crew that finished out the last leg of the run from Mountain Rd. on Rt. 86 to Rock and River. Well, actually I was the only one to join in for the last leg. The others were having such a great time that they continued on leg after leg of the journey to make it to the end.

Thanks for hosting such a fun event Keela! Glad it has been so successful for Reason 2 Smile!

If you think you can do a thing or you think you can't do a thing, you are right.

-Henry Ford

I listened to a St. Lawrence University Sports Psychologist Professor speak today about Motivation. A lot of what she had to say I had heard many times before, but it never hurts to revisit the things that drive you forward.

Sept. 18th Jackrabbit Trail Reason 2 Smile Fundraising Run

A fundraising trail run will round out this week of training. Myself, along with a couple dozen or so other local folks, are running on the historical Jackrabbit trail to help raise funds for Reason 2 Smile. [See earlier post.] This small, but growing organization is raising funds to help financially support orphaned and impoverished children in developing countries. Currently, Reason 2 Smile is contributing to the Jambo Jipya School in Kenya.

For more information about Reason 2 Smile check out:

www.reason2smile.org and on Facebook:

Sept. 17th Sports Psychologist to speak at National Sports Academy

In NSA's efforts to understand the process of reaching Peak Performance they've gathered area resources, among them local professionals, alumni and Olympic athletes, to help inform their community about a variety of elements that go in to reaching such an optimal state as students, as athletes, as human beings.

On NSA's website: Understanding the Process of Achieving Peak Performance: theme for the 2010-2011 school year

This Friday a Professor of Psychology from St. Lawrence University, Cherly Stuntz, will speak about motivation.

Lake Placid Iron Kids @ John Brown Farm

Local kids cross-country running program starts up next Wednesday the 8th.

Location: John Brown Farm, Lake Placid

Days/Times: M-W-F 3:45-4:45

Contact: Rick Costanza rtcostanza@gmail.com

Here's what Rick has to say:

Hi Everyone,

The Lake Placid Iron Kids running program will begin for the fall season on Wednesday, September 8th at John Brown Farm. We will meet M-W-F from 3:45 to 4:45. We are pleased to offer kids the opportunity to run, play and have fun. This is the tenth year of the program offering kids ages 8 and up a chance to run with local coaches and have the option to compete in a few races.

There is no fee to join the program but all participants wishing to compete in the USA Track and Field qualifiers will be required to join USATF. The Lake Placid Iron Kids is a registered club with the Adirondack Association of USA Track and Field. Coaching is provided by club coaches Rick Costanza and Paul Woodruff. Others may be added and new assistant coaches are always welcome.

Sign up for the program will be at the first practice.

For repeat Iron Kids families: The program is essentially unchanged from previous years with the new twist. We no longer have funding from Iron Man so we will not be able to pick up the cost of entry fees or T-shirts. We are planning to add in a few paintball biathlon days at Mt. Van Hoevenberg and perhaps a trial run at the Paul Smiths VIC.

I look forward to another season with all of you.

Rick