Zen and the Art of Speedskating

Posted on 28 Feb 02:38 pm

more soon…

dear all–

sorry I have not written, I’ve found plenty of internet connections (I’m writing from a computer in a hotel lobby) But I am having a very hard time finding a wireless connection that “plays well” with my laptop… I’ve got 3 posts ready to go..

I need sleep… There are 5 americans here, we are feeling great, and really looking forward to the races that start tomorrow..

I will send this one small digital postcard here of the rink I am in, this is USA skater Marty Haire, in a very weird, one of a kind warmup skinsuit, doing some laps. This wild suit got lots of laughs from the other nations.

Marty is followed by swiss skater & good guy Markus Ulmer. Marty is skating really relaxed, and is skating a 34 second lap here.. that means he is holding a consistent 26mph… This is why this sport is so dang addicting.

This was one of the quieter training sessions. This afternoon there must have been over 200 masters skaters on the ice!!!

Filed under: on the road

6 Responses to “more soon…”

Amy, on February 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm Said:

The suit rocks, Marty and Andrew Hodor ( the suit’s owner) have the skating ability and the big personalities to carry it off. Andrew is recovering from a broken femur, so his suit is off racing fast in Germany! Isn’t that suit one of Eric Rosario’s designs? Small world, eh?
GO MARTY!!!!
GO ANDREW!!!
GO JIM!!!!
GO ERIC!!!!
GO USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Van, on February 28th, 2008 at 7:16 pm Said:

Thanks for the update, and best of luck you silly ‘Mericans- the ice looks great.

I don’t do video because, for me, it works like this:
1) keep up with fast guys
2) hold camera steady enough to see anything
3) survive
PICK TWO.
mom, on February 28th, 2008 at 8:48 pm Said:

Andrew on my computer right below the “pb and germany” post is the Mexico Jan 14 post. The only way to get to the beard poll is by clicking in the upper right on recent posts. Very strange. Haven’t seen this before.
It is -8 F. here in northern Vermont. BRRRR. Be glad that you are not skating in Placid which is probably even colder.
Andrew H., on February 29th, 2008 at 6:47 am Said:

Oh dear……at least Marty found a use for my suit, and yes, it is one of Eric’s designs. GOOD LUCK!!! and let it be known that the temperature, NOT the wind chill in Lake Placid this morning is -34F……good times haha
Sue, on February 29th, 2008 at 2:52 pm Said:

I know that suit and the owner. Good luck USA skaters and hope you are doing well Andrew Hodor.
Kelly P, on March 1st, 2008 at 7:23 am Said:

I thought that suit looked familiar!!
Andrew H.- glad to see your entry. Hope you are feeling a little bit better.

Marty- you are lookin’ smooth!! Skate hard and soak in every moment! Can’t wait to hear all about it!

Andrew- hope your 500 went well! Looking forward to seeing the results. And congrats on 3yrs for this site!! What an accomplishment! I know I check in almost daily and your site just gets better and better.
Thank you!!!!

Good luck to Jim and Eric too!!!

Any American women on German ice???