The END



naar vertaling / to Dutch translation

And there it is.... the end of a Paralympic journey.

This blog started in september 2011, realizing this would be a special year in which I knew Ronald could only reach his goal with an extra injection to motivate him even more. So we completed our journey with help from, former World Record holder, Ferenc Paragi and I quess you know where it ended. Bronze for Ronald Hertog at the Paralympics in London.  With Gold on our minds... It's just honest to say that it's somewhat disappointing.

I could write a book about a bizarre last year and even why gold was out of reach. I learned more than I anticipated (or wished for). But for me it´s already water under the bridge.
 

I  thought, for a long time, I qualified for London and that it would be a stopover for me. But since I didn't reach London, my journey and coaching career in athletics, ends here in Rotterdam.
I'm on to other journeys, and since it's better to be traveling than to arrive I'm excited.

Ronald and many others will undoubtedly start a new journey. Another 4 years. Destination Rio the Janeiro 2016. I wish all travellers with destination Rio a pleasant trip.

Since every situation and every emotion is caught in a song.... I never had so much songs in my head as I during this journey.

Songs like:  'Stand up' (Right said Fred), 'Angry at the World' (The Kyteman Orchestra), 'Misfits' (Curiosity killed the cat), 'People are strange' (The Doors) , 'Tubthumping' (Chumbawamba); and many more;
from 'Chrome' (Joe Jackson) to 'Gold' (Spandeau Ballet)..... and back for that matter.

I do hope, most off them will be linked, in my head, to new experiences.

Thanks for reading this blog.
I think even this blog will eventually serve a new purpose.

Today I think this song fits best...well it's been in my head quite some time now.

" Living on the light that once was given to us all.  As fragile as we are we’re still surviving in the cold. We’re trying to explain ourselves and justify our lives. Now there’s no more need to wonder why.
Oh what a beautiful day for us. This has been such a good place to us. Look at the trees as they wave at us, saying goodbye.

Soon, all of the things that I stand for will fall into the oblivion I have ignored. I know that my choices are losing the war. My future ain’t soothing anymore. Taking my time to find out what it has in store. The bomb will drop right on my porch. Don’t fear for what I know to be sure. I’ll be vaporized, no surprises anymore.

Oh what a beautiful day for us. We have been looking for ways to trust. Things will unravel the way they must. And when you see it it’s simply the greatest of things. You’ll be grateful the rest of your life.

Truth is shooting us all in the face. While we aim to define it we freeze in our frames. They say it won’t hurt us a bit so don’t panic when you start to bleed in its name. Cover your eyes, don’t look at the flash. Pray that there’s no such thing as hell when we pass. The morning light is leaking into the unknown. Absorbed by the infinite yawn. We’re home.

All in all, we are grateful for the grace bestowed upon us. Our sins eradicated. It’s the end that keeps us honest. Our next chapter begins regardless, be it void or promise. The sun sets on mankind. End of the line. This is our time.

Oh what a beautiful day for us.Smell the perfume of decay on us. Behold the light and embrace the rush. This is our time." 

(composed bij Colin Benders; Lyrics by Hein Bal and Kevin de Randamie)

and they're off...

No daily update this time. Ferenc is here to train Ronald and I'm working so.... good luck to them.
We started with a nice meal in Rotterdam, on the Euromast.
Very nice meal, nice company, nice view.


Ronald and Ferenc in Rotterdam



Two stops to go

Just eight weeks to go before the big day. The day we've been working for in the last six years. Today several federations  handed over their atletes to the National Olympic Commitee.  An exciting event, I gather. All dutch competitors of the Olympics and Paralympics in one room.... (you can imagine goosebumps allover)

That after an exciting week in which Ronald became European Champion....feeling fit.... strong.... en confident.

The start off the season was not as good as expected but I think we knew just in time how to reverse the trend. During the European championship he looked strong again and threw a seasons best .

In the following weeks it's a case of keeping strong and finetune the technique. I'm confident the magic threshold of 60 meters is within reach. His 'coach for one year', Ferenc Paragi, will join us for two weeks in Rotterdam. August 17th my journey ends. Ferenc and Ronald will join the Dutch team in their last preparations in Barcelona. From there they'll travel to the last stop in this trip: LONDON !!!

Summarized

Two weeks trainingcamp in Tata will come to an end this afternoon. On the page with ' training video '  you will find a compilation of the first week. Here you'll find the compilation of the second week,with more javelin, as promised.

The second week did not differ much in term of work to be done. We hoped for some more sun and thus better footage. We did get more sun. Enjoy!

@@@

This blog will continue on the next stop in our journey. Maybe during some competition in May or June but it could well be the next meeting with Ferenc.... probably somewhere in July.

The future is bright

Finally a sunny day as we expected them all to be. The weather here isn't bad but it could be better. (OMG I'm japping about the weather....).

Morning training was good and we expected a lot from the afternoon. A long throwing-session. I think Ferenc had just about 80 remarks about Ronalds throwing. Comparisons with the throwing in Stellenbosch (last January) were made. Just enough for Ronald and me to sit all evening with two laptops, comparising throws. Good thing we tape nearly every throw.

We concluded that it does make a different if you throw in 35 degrees or 25 degrees Celcius.  It's been a good, long, intensive, instructive day. Two more throwingsessions to go here in Tata. I take it the weather in Holland will be sunny by then (....damn I japping again).

Good night!

Nearly there

... that is a title that doesn't fit. 'There' should be London. But what I meant was: nearly the end of two great weeks with Ferenc.  It's save to say these where crusial weeks in the journey to gold. Yes there was focus but more than ever we realise we have to keep up the focus. The Paralympics are in September. With the competition season starting the 5th of may, september seems close. Almost too close.

Just 133 days from now, and we will need everyone of those days.

Just 133 days of eating, sleeping, thinking and breathing JAVELIN-throwing.

Just 133 days of finding the rhythm off the runup in every stride and every step, every breath and every throw.

more than ever, before every decision Ronald will have to make, he should ask himself: Will it make me throw further on september 2th ?

I've said it before but I feel these two weeks it all sunk in.

A wake-up call... with 133 days to go.

Carpe diem

It really is unbelievable to see Ronald progress every day. But it's true. Training in Rotterdam and skyping with Ferenc was nice but, on the hindsight, difficult to get the details right. Since we're in Tata it's not even about the details. It's more about the details in the detail. I'm confident the weekly skype-session will be better after these two weeks of working together.

Ronald is throwing every day. Not much, but very focussed. Three more days to go from now and although I've tried to update this blog every day; I can't tell it all. Next to training there's missing his girlfriend, missing goofing around with teammates, dealing with colder weather then expected, dealing with moodswings from anyone of us.... and by now dealing with fatigue and smaller muscles who are unwilling to cooperate the full two weeks.



sunny skies, with a javelin insight; a sight for sore eyes


We started this journey because I felt a trainingcamp should bring more than just sun. And it brings more than we hoped for. A year coaching from Ferenc. This week we agreed he will also coach Ronald in the last stage to the Paralympics (from Barcelona to London). What more can we wish for ?
Well.... september is still far away. Let's live by the day... and be happy with three more sunny days.

Week 2, a fresh start

Fresh faces this morning from Ronald en Ferenc. I guess they both needed some rest. Monday started as last monday only now outdoor. Jumps and sprints. Coordination-runs looking good. If only we can see the same during the throwing session this afternoon....

For me last night was very short. Since internet is slow all week I couldn't upload the video's I wanted. But knowing we were probably the only ones, apart from a HUGE Turkish discusthrower, on the premises, maybe.... just maybe... I could upload a compilation of last week. 

The result is shown on an other page on this blog. I emailed it last night to the Dutch Federation-coach in Valencia, who's training with the rest of the Paralympicteam, and to Ronald ofcourse. Just six hours later the (hidden)link was tweeted and retweeted.... so much for hiddenvideo's  ;-)

I promiss there will be more javelin-throwing in part II.

Restday

Before leaving Rotterdam we had the idea to visit Budapest on a restday.... as if we didn't know better... a restday is best spend with some REST. So we had breakfast a bit later and started Geocaching in the neighborhood. New for me, but Ronald assured me it would lead us to beautiful places. And it did.



Fényes springs



weekend ! well deserved!

Saterday morning; all athletes gone home. The field was ours. A very good training with just the sound of some birds in the tree and Ferenc making comments on throws.

His comments echoed in the 'valley'.  It was quality time. Now after a good lunch, a well deserved REST.

Next training: monday morning 10:00. I leave you, for the weekend, with just a nice picture.

it's all about quality

Day 5 already. What can I say; the life of an athlete in training is all about

- training

- resting

- eating

- massage and sauna

Ferenc Paragi is the coach and I'm just watching (and learning). Sometimes forcing an answer from Ferenc, just to let Ronald hear it. Ferenc is the boss. He's in charge from september 2011 till september 2012. Major decisions and reassurances (when needed) should come from him.

For example:

Yesterday-morning Ronald spilled his thoughts on finding his training in Tata a bit easy. He just needed to hear from Ferenc it's all about quality now. Heavy work has been done.

The result of it shown by Ronald did raise Ferenc his eyebrows sometimes

(very funny!). Will the building hold if Ronald throws a 3 kilo- ball against it ? (....we both wondered yesterday morning).

In the afternoon javelin flew a respectable distance (every day a bit further), iron was pushed fairly easy afterwards....and his morning-thoughts vanished in thin air.

THIS morning Ronald did some runs with the javelin.... Did I mention we are looking forward to a good throwingsession this afternoon?

Making history or being history

If you are wondering what we are doing here.... Here's what it's all about. That one moment september 2th 2012 !

Whether or not you win this thing, you've got to decide how you gonna walk out of here when it's all set and done cause THE GAME is going to go on. And there's only one rule you're going to need to know about; There're no second chances. There's only this moment and the next moment. Everyone of those moments is a test that you got to take one time and only one time. So if you see an opening tear into it. If you got a shot at victory make damn sure you take it. Seize that moment. That moment is a crossroad where everything will collide with everything standing in your way. You got momentum at your back fear and doubt thundering like a freighttrain straight at you. And all you got, the only difference between making history and being history is yourself. The only thing, the only thing you can count on in any given moment is you!.

Its you vs them. You vs no. You vs can't. You vs next year, last year, statistics, excuses. You vs history. You vs the odds. It's you vs second place. Clock is ticking  let's see what you got.

source: Youtube upload from Cyrus Hostetler

A problem solved overnight

As to be expected, we needed some time to adjust. I told you about the first two days. Yesterdays throwingsession was not good. And although we kept telling eachother there was no big problem.... I guess we all felt disappointed. No sense in telling eachother that, is there?

This morning Ferenc planned some medicinball-throwing and sprints. But it seemed he didn't sleep very well after yesterdays session. So he told Ronald we start today with some easy javelin-throwing, "Maybe just 15 throws, not far, but all technique" .. to tackle yesterday's problem. MUSIC TO OUR EARS.
With the sun and some wind, it all felt a lot better than yesterday. Ronald could smile again and looked ready to lift some weights..... I put down for him   :-)

No training this afternoon. Just some sleep, sauna and a stroll into Tata.

Again we can't wait for the next throwing session tomorrow.

First throwing session

Yesterday, finally the first throwing session in Tata was  a fact. It showed we have a lot to do. I think Ferenc was as anxious as Ronald. He didn't let Ronald throw much, but the amount of comments on his technique were numerous. No worries though. This is a period where every detail counts,  so... BRING IT ON!
Just need to find the right dosage to process it all.

Forteen more days and nine throwingsessions to go.

no it's not the jive or chachacha

Every throw with a maximum focus and concentration from Ronald, to get the most out of these two weeks.

I'm confident it will work out great.

This morning Ronald threw some weights around, did some sprints and hurdle-jumps. All nice and well... I'm just looking forward to the next throwing session this afternoon.

I struck water!

Second Easter day. As in many more country's : a holidaydaydayday day. So the Olympic center is open with a minimum of people working. There's someone at the reception (holding all keys) and staff in the kitchen (preparing food for the die-hard athletes). What more do we need ? There are not to many athletes yet. We noticed some neck-with-eyes... so it's safe to say people are wrestling here. German, Spanish and Hungarian.

Yesterday the lady at the reception told us the bar wasn't open so no chance of a good cup of coffee. After diner we went to our rooms for an early night. Television isn't  working so it could well be that I'll get rested in two weeks. That would be a nice experience.

This morning Ronald trained indoor. It is still a bit chilly so if we don't have to train outdoor we don't. After a good, healthy lunch Ronald went for his rest and I went for a quest for water. Shops are closed but I guessed the gas-station would sell some. I'm here to support Ronald. Looking uncertain knowing my sence of directions is a disaster...wouldn't help. So off I went with a good chance of getting lost in a small town with no-one around. I had three hours...enough time to wander off, physically and mentaly.

To cut a long story short: No problems ! Just right after passing the track were Ferenc threw his World-record. Left if you see the lake and offcourse following the sign that says it all.

On the premises it is a question of reading the map.

First throwing session today at 16:00hr ! can't wait.

Arrival in Tata

A very smooth flight today. Thanks to the extra luggage (a bunch of javelins) the checkin went faster than expected. We were lucky to sit in the back of a boeiing 737...next to the lavatory.

And with approximately forty Texan elderly on board I just felt sorry for the (at peak time) ten  in the waiting row. Purser Theo treated us with chocolate Easter eggs and mentioned to the dutch..."FRANS BAUER is on board". Typical when on a flight to Hungary. Even Frans wants to visit family I guess.

In Budapest Ferenc was already waiting for us. Just minutes in the car the two men were already talking about training. Driving through the beautiful hills of Tatabanya we arrived at the Olympic training center.

A bit chilly but very hospitable.

Tommorrow we start training.

time for some shapeshifting

On our way to Tata!  Two weeks full-focus London.

April; a month inwhich many athletes seek sun and focus. Just before the start of the season. Since this is an Olympic year I promised Ronald we would follow the route that will lead to gold.

Close to the season.... traininggroups will grow rapidly. All winter I train three guys every wednesday, saterday and sunday, rain or shine. But in april some think I can work wonders. A common question:

"I have a competition in three week, can you teach me how to throw a javelin?".

And that's when I'm lucky!  Many don't even ask.. but sneaky join the group in warming-up hoping I understand their wishes.

Last wednesday.....ten guys joined our group. Young, old, small, big, with or without talent, coordination, muscles or artifical leg. Way too much for me. I don't think anyone of them learned something that evening, apart from the fact that some feeling for throwing is useful.

Luckely for Ronald his throws were filmed and send to Ferenc for his weekly comments. Six year ago I started with just one; Ronald Hertog. Six years of dedication from him, is the reason I accompany him in training two weeks in Tata (Hungary). Tomorrow we fly. An additional advantage, for me, is rest from a bunch of occasional throwers.

In Tata Ferenc Paragi will train Ronald. I'll shapeshift from coach to cameraman so we can daily review every training. Keep following this blog. Since I'm there with a camera in my hand,  nice footage will follow. 



The journey continues

In Africa (January 2012)  plans were made about continuing this journey. Ronald made big steps forward, technically, in Africa. And now we're busy trying to make the new insights and excersises his own. Weekly Ferenc and I discuss the films shot during Ronalds training.

As already twittered by me: It's sometimes SCARY to see how Ronald improved and so...how far his javelins fly. Good throwing sessions are still followed by bad. Not so suprisingly since Ronald wants more. He clearly needs several hundreds, maybe thousands of throws before they all fly as wanted. We've got enough to do. It's easy to predict that his first few competitions will be thrilling. But more important we want his last competition to be thrilling... the Paralympic Games.

The Dutch Paralympic Team will train in Valencia (spain) this april. We still think we need more than sun and groupfocus. It can't be a suprise that we will continue our journey with Ferenc. So Ferenc suggested two weeks of training in the Olympic trainingcenter in Tata (Hungaria). Perfect!

Tata a small village near Tatabanya.
Tatabanya.... that does ring a bell when born in Rotterdam. The birthplace of one of the famous strikers for Feyenoord (soccer) in the early nineties (Jozsef Kiprich). Better known as: The magician of Tatabanya, which sounds magical in dutch: de Tovenaar van Tatabanya.

It has something exotic, something special, something unattainable, something magical.We will see if Tata will be a magical place for us.
And although Ferenc claims not to be special.... we know better.

Once we're there you can expect a daily updated.

Ronald on the role

And Ronald is back from 3 weeks in Stellenbosch.
Offcourse I tried to keep up with whats was going on. On the other hand.... I knew he was in very good hands so for me it was a kind of a holiday from paralympic-issues.

Until..... Ferenc told me he was frustrated about Ronalds backache.
DAMN.... NOT AGAIN!
He's didn't had a backache since we train with Ferenc.
He trained hard on his new back-excercises and technique... SO... ????
Not that I could change anything about this but Africa felt further away then I hoped.

The day after this frustrating message Ronald let me know he didn't train because the training-building was closed on a sunday ....and his javelins were in the building.

DAMN..... What's happening ? where is the focus ??????

You don't want to know what I thought. I don't want to recap.

Than the next day. SUPRISE ME ! preferable with good news.
It was the day he threw full force but technically as focusses as possible.
59,20 !!!  in training.... in januari.....in an olympic year.

as I said: he was in very good hands!
I will hear about it next wednesday....can't wait


It all started in juli 2011, budapest. Here just 3 minutes before our first meeting with Ferenc Paragi.

Just some facts to put the above in perspective:
Ronalds personal best and European record: 56,76 mtr

A once in a lifetime experience

Oke, we've had New Year's Eve and so every top-athlete has twittered that 2012 started.  Surprise....
"The most important year of my life."   "The year dreams will come true" etc etc
Hashtags like: #focusLondon  #onto2012 #DPTontherole etc etc

And Ronald.... a master in excuses why he's unable to keep fans, familie and sponsors up-to-date. Busy busy busy.
Just hope he's busy going for gold. To all fans of him: I know he is.
Last january 10th he flew with the Dutch Paratletics Team to South Africa. No difference in time (no jetlag) and a lot of sun!

photographer: Teammate Stefan Rusch / januari 2012 Stellenbosch RSA

But...the perfect place to train should bring more than just a lot of sun.

As you know by now we search for the perfect coach to help him.

Our plan to take the perfect route to gold, by working with Ferenc Paragi, continues.

Ferenc is coaching him in the next 3 weeks. A once in a lifetime experience!!

it can't get any COOLER in the sun!

Good luck to them both! After what I've seen in the last 2 month in Rotterdam I expect it to be thrilling.