Zen and the Art of Speedskating

There are many names it can be called, a community, a family, I like calling it the skate tribe. But the unique people who throw their lives into skating are always fascinating.

I had not seen Netanya Mintz for quite some time, & I had heard through mutual friends she had retired.

But there she was, on the ice today, and sporting a new sponsor (and her employer as well).

I asked Tani why she is coming back, and heard an answer worth retelling here-

Getting involved in the Human Race really fired me up to compete again. (click on the Chicago area of the map here) I always missed the discipline and thought I could just channel my competitiveness elsewhere, like law school.. I applied, got into a few schools, but turned them down..

When I started running and training again for a purpose, I realized I’m not yet ready to be behind the scenes (I wanted to be a sports attorney), I still want to be the athlete.

Taking the time off that I did, 18 months, gave me some perspective on the sport, both racing and training.

I called Starbucks right when I made the decision to come back, and asked if they’d sponsor me again and they said absolutely, and were more than supportive of my decision. It was very uplifting and motivating.

A few weeks later I moved out here, and so here I am… and I am SO happy. I am also now deeply involved with Starbucks’s “Thrive” program, A wellness program for employees.

Here is a picture of Tani I took at an America’s cup several years ago, but never published.

Racing is not just about winning & reaching your goals, sometimes you learn more about yourself when you fail. Tani was not happy on this day; she had really wanted to make the World University Games team, had skated the best 1000m she could, but it was not fast enough.

She is looking at the scoreboard, & watching her place in the standings get bumped down, pair by pair, & not feeling so great.

I didn’t publish this then, but I will now, along with this Neil Young lyric I think of every now & then when I have a rough race;

I’ve been first and last
Look at how the time goes past.
But I’m all alone at last.
Rolling home to you.

However, the next day, Tani went out & skated a fantastic 1500m, and did make the World University team!

Skating gives and skating takes away, and that is why we do it.

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