Zen and the Art of Speedskating

Posted on 21 Mar 07:50 am

Champions Challenge Day 1 notes

For the first time in 4 years, I am not racing the Champions Challenge. Other things are going on that are more important than racing.

But I did take a few hours to watch the first day of racing. Around 100 athletes are racing.

This is the busiest I have seen the oval for a USA-centric race since Olympic trials. Catching up with so many of the good folks of the Midwest & East coast skate tribe is just life affirming & the racing is very exciting.

Yes I miss the sport, but I miss the people just as much.

I do plan on doing a video, but something happened at the races Saturday that deserves mention (and I am walking out the door in 10 minutes to go watch today’s action).

Bruce Conner, at 53 years young, qualified for the 2009 Olympic trials in the 500m! Skating a huge PB & mid 38 second 500m.

His final 100m technique looks the same as his opening 100m.

(bruce is just breathing in hard during this split second, really he is a trim guy)

We talked after his races, that we do this sport because it is so hard, and the rewards are so few. 98% is just pure determination and effort.

But on those 2% days, like Bruce had today, Nothing is as rewarding!

What he is doing on skates is so astonishingly hard, for any age, Bruce, you are an inspiration to us all.

Filed under: RACE DAY

11 Responses to “Champions Challenge Day 1 notes”

Kaari, on March 21st, 2009 at 5:31 pm Said:

I saw Bruce at the Pettit last weekend and wished him luck…I’m glad to hear how well he did! He truly is inspiring!
Ryan Shimabukuro, on March 21st, 2009 at 6:18 pm Said:

I’ll second the congrats. Great job Bruce, awesome to see your dedication and love for the sport pay off!!
Sue and Tony, on March 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 am Said:

Congratulations Bruce. Great job.
Tim Demerjian, on March 22nd, 2009 at 6:29 pm Said:

38:47, now that’s awesome. It was quite a treat to witness both 500’s. I read about Bruce four years ago in the news and have waited to see the real thing.

Did it really happen, or was it my imagination. (jk)

Keep up the great effort, Bruce!
Bruce Conner, on March 23rd, 2009 at 6:51 am Said:

Thank you Andrew and all those who have commented. This year has been an amazing journey. I was able to accomplish all my goals for the year. I was also able to learn and grow and pass on my experience, strength and hope to all those I have come in contact with and that is rewarding everyday. I love my chosen skating family and what you all bring to me. I look forward to the challenges ahead and look to those around me that inspire me as well. I don’t do this because it is easy I do it because it is hard, and that continually feeds me. I let my age enhance my dreams rather than define them. Be well, see you on the ice soon
Ken, on March 24th, 2009 at 6:03 pm Said:

Great job Bruce (as always!). You ARE an inspiration, and a great skating friend.

Andrew, good to see you this past weekend! Keep me posted on the Masters developments (meet registrations and potential for U.S. Masters skins).
Lina, on March 24th, 2009 at 10:41 pm Said:

Hola!!!! los sigo siempre y queria saber si tienen alguna nota o noticia de los tiempos que hiecieron en calgary -Canada los argentinos y hermanos Federico Chaves y Gaston Chaves (pista corta) y si tiene fotos tambien !! saludos desde ushuaia Tierra del Fuego!!Rep Argentinaa, pronto tendremos nuestra 1 carreras en una laguna natural con tiempos oficiales de la I.S.U !! SALUDOSS!!
jessica, on March 25th, 2009 at 9:59 am Said:

Is that Phil Brokaja bending forward in the last picture? It deserves mention that he broke yet more British national records! Go Phil! And props to Carla for her PBs! Props to all skaters for their PBs.
Kim & Eric Kraan, on March 26th, 2009 at 3:11 pm Said:

Hola Lina!
Los resultados de Calgary estan en la siguiente pagina:
http://136.159.129.160/Competition/Results.aspx?event_id=229&comp_id=1446
Ahi puedes encontrar los resultados de los Hermanos Chaves.
No estoy seguro si el ISU toma encuenta los resultados en hielo natural, Se que no puedes tener una competencia como los mundiales/olympicadas etc, en pista sin refrigeracion artificial.
De cualquier manera, me da muchisimo gusto ver a los latinos entusiasmados por este deporte. Ahora, cuando habra algun chileno??? Que de seguro por ahi ha de aver alguno que puede patinar e imponer unas marcas!!
crash, on March 28th, 2009 at 5:49 pm Said:

that was a pretty spectacular drag race that bruce and I had in the final 100 meters of the second 500. He was beating me coming out of the final corner, and I wouldn’t have gotten a personal if I hadn’t chased him down. bruce tied his 38.47 in both 500m’s, so yay for consistency!
P.S. The Brit bent over in the last picture is actually Matt Lindsay who lives with Phil in Berlin. They both used to train with me here in Milwaukee but have moved on to bigger and better things. I did get to stay with them all weekend which was a treat seeing as how I haven’t seen both of them since this meet last year. Hopefully Phil will be able to skate for GB in the Olympics, and he and Matt are trying to get a pursuit team together. I wish them all the best luck!
-crash
LINA, on April 1st, 2009 at 2:50 pm Said:

HOLA ANDREW:
GRACIAS POR RESPONDER MI INQUIETUT Y TENIA ENTENDIDO QUE AL ESTAR UN REPRESENTANTE DE LA ISU Y OFICIALIZABA LOS TIEMPOS AL MENOS ES LO QUE NOS INFORMARON ACA.
IGUALMENTE ESPERAMOS PRONTO LA PARTICIPACION CHILENA , CON MUCHO ENTUCIASMO SALUDOS!!