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Apparently skaters like the term "Personal Best" (PB) while runners tend to favor "Personal Record (PR) for their best time in an event. Call it what you will, I set one in the 1500 meters yesterday at the long track speed skating time trials at the Pettit. My best 500 was at the very end of last season, and I was 0.07 seconds slower this time, at 48.81. My only other 1500 was also at the very end of last season, and I beat that by 1.9 seconds, with a 2:44.72.
There were a lot of skaters this weekend, which makes things go slower, but that's not necessarily bad. This is, after all, also something of a social gathering of like-minded crazy people. I had a chance to have some nice chats in between events with some people who I've known to varying degrees for a while but don't necessarily have much time to talk to. We see each other and wave and say hi, but generally people are busy working on whatever they are working on, or else are talking to their coach to find out what to do next.
You can't spend any time speed skating in Milwaukee without meeting coach Bob "Yelling Bob" Fenn, or at any rate, I guarantee you'll become familiar with the sound of his voice. He's a friendly guy and we chat now and then, and he can't resist giving out some advice from time to time. He asked me on Friday if I was racing, and he gave a few pointers and something of a pre-race pep-talk, which, since he is after all a professional at that, was nice. At the finish of the 1500 our announcer Jeff noted over the PA system that that was a PB for me, and as I glided from the finish around the turn to the back straight where Bob was sitting he called out "See! I told you you could do it!"
Also, I'd like to note that the very young man who was paired with me in the 1500 took a moment to introduce himself and shake my hand before the race, and congratulated me afterward. Also, he was faster than me. His parents and coaches should be proud.
( random photo )
There were a lot of skaters this weekend, which makes things go slower, but that's not necessarily bad. This is, after all, also something of a social gathering of like-minded crazy people. I had a chance to have some nice chats in between events with some people who I've known to varying degrees for a while but don't necessarily have much time to talk to. We see each other and wave and say hi, but generally people are busy working on whatever they are working on, or else are talking to their coach to find out what to do next.
You can't spend any time speed skating in Milwaukee without meeting coach Bob "Yelling Bob" Fenn, or at any rate, I guarantee you'll become familiar with the sound of his voice. He's a friendly guy and we chat now and then, and he can't resist giving out some advice from time to time. He asked me on Friday if I was racing, and he gave a few pointers and something of a pre-race pep-talk, which, since he is after all a professional at that, was nice. At the finish of the 1500 our announcer Jeff noted over the PA system that that was a PB for me, and as I glided from the finish around the turn to the back straight where Bob was sitting he called out "See! I told you you could do it!"
Also, I'd like to note that the very young man who was paired with me in the 1500 took a moment to introduce himself and shake my hand before the race, and congratulated me afterward. Also, he was faster than me. His parents and coaches should be proud.
( random photo )
