Comments for Scott Perras http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras Just another FasterSkier.com Blogs weblog Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:23:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Home Bound by Gil Etcheverry http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2010/01/16/home-bound-3/comment-page-1/#comment-277 Gil Etcheverry Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:23:06 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2010/01/16/home-bound-3/#comment-277 Awesome race Guy's Safe travels home. God Speed! You've made Saskatchewan proud once again. Gil Awesome race Guy’s

Safe travels home. God Speed!

You’ve made Saskatchewan proud once again.

Gil

]]> Comment on 15th by Gil Etcheverry http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2010/01/15/15th/comment-page-1/#comment-273 Gil Etcheverry Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:18:43 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/?p=272#comment-273 Yo Scott Awesome race. What really surprises me the most, is your having some great races without any coaches. I look forward to seeing another great race in the sprint. One more thing, awesome job with your Blogs, you are one talented individual. You make all of Saskatchewan proud. Gil Yo Scott

Awesome race. What really surprises me the most, is your having some great races without any coaches.

I look forward to seeing another great race in the sprint.

One more thing, awesome job with your Blogs, you are one talented individual. You make all of Saskatchewan proud.
Gil

]]> Comment on Obertilliach is the place to be for training, by Delaine Acuff http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2009/12/05/obertilliach-is-the-place-to-be-for-training/comment-page-1/#comment-259 Delaine Acuff Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:18:09 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/?p=223#comment-259 Outstanding site, I truly discovered it to be great. I'm looking forward to coming back again to view what's current. Outstanding site, I truly discovered it to be great. I’m looking forward to coming back again to view what’s current.

]]> Comment on No Olympics for me:( by Karen & Neil Fahlman http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2009/12/23/no-olympics-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-248 Karen & Neil Fahlman Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:38:50 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/?p=241#comment-248 Hey Scott, We are proud of you and your dedication to training and competing. You have accomplished so much as an athlete and as a person. You are well respected as an athlete and are the benchmark of dedication to this sport. We are proud to have given you your start in Biathlon in Regina. Hey Scott,
We are proud of you and your dedication to training and competing. You have accomplished so much as an athlete and as a person. You are well respected as an athlete and are the benchmark of dedication to this sport. We are proud to have given you your start in Biathlon in Regina.

]]> Comment on No Olympics for me:( by Michelle Kapell http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2009/12/23/no-olympics-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-246 Michelle Kapell Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:21:10 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/?p=241#comment-246 Scott, It was a great pleasure knowing you as you were growing up and a great pleasure following your progress and all your successes. Your journey hasn't ended, only changed. You have amazed me with your goals, your hard work, your sacrafices and your accomplishments. Whenever I read about you I am always smiling as I picture the very fine young boy you were many years ago and the great man you have become. Good luck. Scott,
It was a great pleasure knowing you as you were growing up and a great pleasure following your progress and all your successes. Your journey hasn’t ended, only changed. You have amazed me with your goals, your hard work, your sacrafices and your accomplishments. Whenever I read about you I am always smiling as I picture the very fine young boy you were many years ago and the great man you have become. Good luck.

]]> Comment on Accountability by ML http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2009/12/28/accountability/comment-page-1/#comment-242 ML Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:49:38 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/?p=255#comment-242 Wow! Very provocative and very insightful. Many coaches are in the sport because they were never able to reach their highest levels. Any skier (runner, biker) must have a support system as it is too hard to "do it all" and repair the equipment, make the travel plans, and find the funds while doing the training. Usually, the "coach" is also gifted in creating a desire for his/her athletes to be at an event among the race sponsors.. “Charismatic” and “Dogmatic” are the two most common profiles. The athlete is focused on the "work" while the coach is focused upon a reflection of the glory of the athlete’s work. The biggest reason that the "team" is emphasized is that the coach wins as long as one of his athletes does well in any given season. The more athletes a coach has, the more likely one will survive/thrive on his “program.” The coach is ALWAYS older, more experienced and aware of aspects of funding, support, sponsorship and opportunity than the younger dedicated athlete. Some have great work ethic and morals. Others just pimp that year’s best performing work horses for their own funding, travel and personal stable of “others” results. Ask the athletes who have been on the scene for a while. They, like this author, can see how "it" works. They also can tell the young and gifted athletes who the really great coaches really are; who really cares about the athletes; and who is not in it for their own publicity, travel to elite events and “published” success. The parents of college age skiers can get sucked into the "results" of certain coaches who are well represented, however, they never realize that if a coach can "pick" those with the most resources to compete, he/she can get the best exposure and thus world wide results. Division I scholarships come to mind! When I earned my MS in exercise physiology in 1981 and proceeded to win some major marathons it did hurt my confidence that the newspapers and TV interviews featured my then husband who stated such things as " If she would only train harder and (do what I think she should do) she would run much faster. I still hold some of those records 30 + years later, but his one time, flash in the pan, unbelievable genetic endowment gave him one 2:16 marathon so he was the expert. No other athlete I have ever known was as consistently injured due to hubris and lack of self discipline. I coached the kids teams to USATF XC National Championships and the state sent him to the USATF Conferences and thought he walked on water. Coaches often marry their financial "support" and gain their credentials upon the work of self motivated athletes too young to see that they are the "ticket" for the wannabe athlete without the discipline (or, in some case talent) to do what the athlete would do on their own through raw desire and ability. Please, pick the coaches who have been on the Podium at a high level multiple times, or whom have coached the kids teams to success. Otherwise, the exceptional athlete must remain vigilant for the coaches "use" of the athletes ability to maintain the "coaches" or National Associations access and funding for the access to the "Podium Experience" and the Podium Lifestyle. The best “users” end up on the National Olympic Committees of most countries unless they shamelessly buy their appointments. Sport is wonderful and I would never regret the joys of my training and competition, however, I certainly was used for the attention of others and only as I gained more experience was I able to make certain that the “exchange” was mutually beneficial. At that point, I switched to recreational and not competitive enjoyment of my various talents and abilities. No one knows when I run for eight hours alone in the mountains and the enjoyment is just as great as standing upon the Podium at 5 major USA marathons while they promoted the “coach,” or the “Team.” Wow! Very provocative and very insightful. Many coaches are in the sport because they
were never able to reach their highest levels. Any skier (runner, biker) must have a support
system as it is too hard to “do it all” and repair the equipment, make the travel plans,
and find the funds while doing the training. Usually, the “coach” is also gifted in creating a desire for his/her athletes to be at an event among the race sponsors.. “Charismatic” and “Dogmatic” are the two most common profiles.
The athlete is focused on the “work” while the coach is focused upon a reflection of the glory of the athlete’s work. The biggest reason that the “team” is emphasized is that the coach wins as long as one of his athletes does well in any given season. The more athletes a coach has, the more likely one will survive/thrive on his “program.” The coach is ALWAYS older, more experienced and aware of aspects of funding, support, sponsorship and opportunity than the younger dedicated athlete. Some have great work ethic and morals. Others just pimp that year’s best performing work horses for their own funding, travel and personal stable of “others” results. Ask the athletes who have been on the scene for a while. They, like this author, can see how “it” works. They also can tell the young and gifted athletes who the really great coaches really are; who really cares about the athletes; and who is not in it for their own publicity, travel to elite events and “published” success. The parents of college age skiers can get sucked into the “results” of certain coaches who are well represented, however, they never realize that if a coach can “pick” those with the most resources to compete, he/she can get the best exposure and thus world wide results. Division I scholarships come to mind! When I earned my MS in exercise physiology in 1981 and proceeded to win some major marathons it did hurt my confidence that the newspapers and TV interviews featured my then husband who stated such things as ” If she would only train harder and (do what I think she should do) she would run much faster. I still hold some of those records 30 + years later, but his one time, flash in the pan, unbelievable genetic endowment gave him one 2:16 marathon so he was the expert. No other athlete I have ever known was as consistently injured due to hubris and lack of self discipline. I coached the kids teams to USATF XC National Championships and the state sent him to the USATF Conferences and thought he walked on water. Coaches often marry their financial “support” and gain their credentials upon the work of self motivated athletes too young to see that they are the “ticket” for the wannabe athlete without the discipline (or, in some case talent) to do what the athlete would do on their own through raw desire and ability.
Please, pick the coaches who have been on the Podium at a high level multiple times, or whom have coached the kids teams to success. Otherwise, the exceptional athlete must remain vigilant for the coaches “use” of the athletes ability to maintain the “coaches” or National Associations access and funding for the access to the “Podium Experience” and the Podium Lifestyle. The best “users” end up on the National Olympic Committees of most countries unless they shamelessly buy their appointments. Sport is wonderful and I would never regret the joys of my training and competition, however, I certainly was used for the attention of others and only as I gained more experience was I able to make certain that the “exchange” was mutually beneficial. At that point, I switched to recreational and not competitive enjoyment of my various talents and abilities. No one knows when I run for eight hours alone in the mountains and the enjoyment is just as great as standing upon the Podium at 5 major USA marathons while they promoted the “coach,” or the “Team.”

]]> Comment on Accountability by Lars http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2009/12/28/accountability/comment-page-1/#comment-228 Lars Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:35:00 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/?p=255#comment-228 I don`t know much about how funding works. But i totally agree that training needs to be tailored to the individual athlete. I don`t know much about how funding works. But i totally agree that training needs to be tailored to the individual athlete.

]]> Comment on Accountability by Erick Anderson http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2009/12/28/accountability/comment-page-1/#comment-227 Erick Anderson Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:19:10 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/?p=255#comment-227 hi scott, First off thanks for writing. I think this is an interesting subject, as it brings up many things that are intriguing. First of all, I agree that often team training is harder on some individuals than other and is a point that needs to be examined more and more at the level your at. Secondly its hard to explain how some people achieve there goals one year, and then work harder, stay more focused than ever and fall short a year later. Rather than accountablity the question of why comes to mind. As a current NCAA skier, and having time spent at the D-1 level in running, as well as cycling competitively I can tell you that nordic skiing is a whole different animal. Replicating performances in running and cycling even performance levels from year to year seems to come naturally, you do the workouts and you get faster. Skiing is unique, I feel at some point everyone that has skied competitively at a high level has wondered why they cannot repeat a certain level for a period of time. I know I have asked myself this question, as the summer and fall often indicate an impressive workload, with impressive intensity sessions, and proper rest. However, how many times have we seen a competitor dominate one season and not achieve the same level the next. I can think of my NCAA based examples here, but can also find them on the world cup. For instance lucas buaer, dominated for the most part the entire 2008-2009 season but has yet to find his way back to the top. Tobias Angerer dominated the 2006-2007 season winning multiple times and finding himself on the podium multiple others. While he has had flashes of brilliance since it has not been the same. These example are easy to see when following any circuit long enough and beg the question to why? At this level, little things start to matter, but why do the best cyclists (obvious examples come to mind, schleck(s), contador, armstrong) seem to be able to back it up whenever they want. Obviously people dont always place higher in races paticularly grand tours but the discrepancies never seem to be as great in running and cycling. Every skier has had that one race where everything went right, and we have all asked ourselves how we replicate that race, this can lead to changes in training plans, routines, ect but often the results never come to fruition. It just goes to show how fragile this sport is and how everything effects it all the way down to the physiological (hormonal/neurosecretions) of having a happy mental state. Everything has to click, and in my opinion the physical fitness can be the easiest to achieve. However, everything in life seems to have an effect on your goals, and everyone must find that optimal balance where things seem to line up the most. This is an individual answer that we all need to try to find when achieving results based off of fitness, workload, stress, recovery, and life/fun. Sometimes the more we focus, the more we stress about it, and the harder the results come. This sensitivity is one of the best and worse things about nordic skiing and biathlon, this sensitivity can be seen clearly through some of the worlds best athletes and the fragile routine that holds these results together is easily broken. Bottom line, enjoy the process, and savor the results when they come, because in this sport, because no level of commitment/focus guarentees these results will ever be back again. Thanks a lot scott I enjoy your blog and wish ya the best of luck, its obvious you love the sport Sincerely, Erick Anderson hi scott,
First off thanks for writing. I think this is an interesting subject, as it brings up many things that are intriguing. First of all, I agree that often team training is harder on some individuals than other and is a point that needs to be examined more and more at the level your at. Secondly its hard to explain how some people achieve there goals one year, and then work harder, stay more focused than ever and fall short a year later. Rather than accountablity the question of why comes to mind. As a current NCAA skier, and having time spent at the D-1 level in running, as well as cycling competitively I can tell you that nordic skiing is a whole different animal. Replicating performances in running and cycling even performance levels from year to year seems to come naturally, you do the workouts and you get faster. Skiing is unique, I feel at some point everyone that has skied competitively at a high level has wondered why they cannot repeat a certain level for a period of time. I know I have asked myself this question, as the summer and fall often indicate an impressive workload, with impressive intensity sessions, and proper rest. However, how many times have we seen a competitor dominate one season and not achieve the same level the next. I can think of my NCAA based examples here, but can also find them on the world cup. For instance lucas buaer, dominated for the most part the entire 2008-2009 season but has yet to find his way back to the top. Tobias Angerer dominated the 2006-2007 season winning multiple times and finding himself on the podium multiple others. While he has had flashes of brilliance since it has not been the same. These example are easy to see when following any circuit long enough and beg the question to why? At this level, little things start to matter, but why do the best cyclists (obvious examples come to mind, schleck(s), contador, armstrong) seem to be able to back it up whenever they want. Obviously people dont always place higher in races paticularly grand tours but the discrepancies never seem to be as great in running and cycling. Every skier has had that one race where everything went right, and we have all asked ourselves how we replicate that race, this can lead to changes in training plans, routines, ect but often the results never come to fruition. It just goes to show how fragile this sport is and how everything effects it all the way down to the physiological (hormonal/neurosecretions) of having a happy mental state. Everything has to click, and in my opinion the physical fitness can be the easiest to achieve. However, everything in life seems to have an effect on your goals, and everyone must find that optimal balance where things seem to line up the most. This is an individual answer that we all need to try to find when achieving results based off of fitness, workload, stress, recovery, and life/fun. Sometimes the more we focus, the more we stress about it, and the harder the results come. This sensitivity is one of the best and worse things about nordic skiing and biathlon, this sensitivity can be seen clearly through some of the worlds best athletes and the fragile routine that holds these results together is easily broken. Bottom line, enjoy the process, and savor the results when they come, because in this sport, because no level of commitment/focus guarentees these results will ever be back again.
Thanks a lot scott I enjoy your blog and wish ya the best of luck, its obvious you love the sport
Sincerely,
Erick Anderson

]]> Comment on No Olympics for me:( by Yvonne & Dennis Oborowsky http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2009/12/23/no-olympics-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-225 Yvonne & Dennis Oborowsky Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:15:55 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/?p=241#comment-225 Scott- Congratulations on all of your work and effort trying out for the Olympics. I feel for you as I know you have given so much for that dream, remember keep working hard to strive the other dreams you have in your life. Life will be good to you, after all you are with the sweetest girl I know. I hope the two of you had a wonderful Christmas and keep enjoying the sport the two of you love so much. Theres more out there for you, you will find it and you will achieve it. Your blog speaks volumes of the kind of guy and sportsmen you are, we are very proud of you as you should be yourself. Happy New Year and all the best to you in 2010. Scott- Congratulations on all of your work and effort trying out for the Olympics. I feel for you as I know you have given so much for that dream, remember keep working hard to strive the other dreams you have in your life. Life will be good to you, after all you are with the sweetest girl I know. I hope the two of you had a wonderful Christmas and keep enjoying the sport the two of you love so much. Theres more out there for you, you will find it and you will achieve it. Your blog speaks volumes of the kind of guy and sportsmen you are, we are very proud of you as you should be yourself. Happy New Year and all the best to you in 2010.

]]> Comment on No Olympics for me:( by Barret http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/2009/12/23/no-olympics-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-219 Barret Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:14:13 +0000 http://blogs.fasterskier.com/scottperras/?p=241#comment-219 no selection process is ever perfect but it sucks when it ends up working against you. you can always pull a Northug and show the committee you have the ability to compete at the Olympic level! no selection process is ever perfect but it sucks when it ends up working against you.
you can always pull a Northug and show the committee you have the ability to compete at the Olympic level!

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