Bob

Bob

A Wonderful 'Magical' Animal

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Chilly Half Marathon

I targeted this race a while back as an incentive to run regularly. I figured that if I paid the registration fee and put the race on my calendar, then I'd need to get in shape. It didn't really matter which race I chose. There are a whole bunch of great half marathons in New England in the fall. I picked this one because it was scheduled the latest of them all and I needed that extra time to get in shape. I liked that it benefits a good cause. Plus it's close to home. Also I like chili.    

Sunday, November 10, 2013. 7:30 AM, Newton, MA
 
 
 
It wasn't until later that I found out it's called 'Chilly' for the weather not 'Chili' for the delicious food. Hah. I've also learned that the course is described as 'challenging' .. that's code for hilly.  Yikes. Oh well. For me the race has already served it's purpose. I'm not concerned with my time or my pace. The main thing is that I'm running again. And enjoying it.

 

Race Report.  Well organized race. 1200 runners. Started and ended at Newton South HS. 40 and drizzling at start.  Cleared and warmed after. Run through suburban streets. Lots of turns, small hills and street crossings (police blocked traffic). Little level ground. Killer uphills at miles 6 and 7. Long downhill around 9. This was a difficult run for me. Overweight and not properly trained. I worked hard to finish with a poor time. Ran the first 5 in 45. Endured the hills. Ran hard down Heartbreak (fun to run DOWN Heartbreak Hill for a change!). Lost my legs around 10. Staggered home. Happy to have completed my fifth half marathon. 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Youth Basketball in Framingham


There are 4 Winter Basketball Leagues in Framingham.  Combined they serve over 1,000 players.  All 4 leagues are private, non-denominational and receive no funding through the town.  Each depends on volunteer coaches, organizers and sponsors.   

Temple Beth Am (TBA) and YMCA are recreational leagues.  Between the two, they offer organized basketball for boys from kindergarten to grade 12, and for girls from kindergarten to grade 8.  Over 800 kids play in the 2 rec leagues.
CYO programs from Marian/St Stephens and St Tarcisius offer semi-competitive basketball in the Wellesley-Framingham CYO league for boys and girls grades 4-9.  Metrowest Travel offers competitive basketball for boys and girls grades 4-8.  Over 200 Framingham kids play in these leagues.  There are also AAU teams in the area and there are boys & girls middle school travel teams. 
Framingham Basketball attempts to serve as an umbrella for the various leagues in town.  Thus far it helps announce league registrations, tryout dates, area clinics and events.  As yet there is no coordination of the various leagues.  


1. TBA – Recreational, Non-denominational, No Travel, 5 Divisions, Boys Grades 4-12, Girls Grades 4-8    
  • Boys Division C Grades 4-5
  • Boys Division B Grades 6-8
  • Boys Division A Grades 9-12
  • Girls Division C Grades 4-5
  • Girls Division B Grades 6-8
  • Grades 4-8 - One Tuesday practice + One Sunday game per week
  • Grades 9-12 One Sunday game per week, no practice.
  • 1st Child $170, Each Additional Child $140, Late Fee $15
  • Registration Deadline Nov 4
  • Player Evaluations Dec 8, Player Draft Dec 15
  • Season runs late December through early March
  • Championship and Banquet Mar 9
  • Facilities used include Fay School in Southboro, Keefe Tech, Framingham State University
  • 475 players total, majority from Framingham
  • TBA Basketball Directors: Rich Steckloff and Len Brenner 
2. YMCA – Recreational, Non-denominational, No Travel, 6 Divisions, Boys & Girls, Grades K-8
  • Boys & Girls Rookies Division Grades K-
  • Boys Small Shots Division Grades 2-3
  • Boys Big Shots Division Grades 4-5
  • Boys Hot Shots Division Grades 6-8
  • Girls Small Shots Division Grades 2-3
  • Girls Big Shots Division Grades 4-5
  • Girls Hot Shots Division Grades 6-8
  • Grades K-3 - One Saturday game per week ($99 members / $139 non-members
  • Grades 4-8 - One weeknight practice + One Saturday game per week ($102 members / $149 non-members)
  • Registration Deadline Oct 31
  • Season runs from December through early March
  • Championship & Banquet early March
  • Facilities used include Framingham Schools, Metrowest YMCA
  • Around 400 players total, majority from Framingham
  • YMCA Basketball Director: Brian Kowalski

3. CYO (Marian & St Tarcisius) – Semi-Competitive, Non-denominational, Limited Travel, 6 Divisions, Boys & Girls, Grades 4-9
  • Boys Juniors Division Grades 4-5
  • Boys Bantams Division Grades 6-7
  • Boys Cadets Division Grades 8-9
  • Girls Juniors Division Grades 4-5
  • Girls Bantams Division Grades 6-7
  • Girls Cadets Division Grades 8-9
  • One weeknight practice per week + One  game per week on Saturday
  • Early Nov Player Evaluations, Teams Formed
  • Season runs late November through early March
  • Playoff and Championship early March
  • Around 800 players in Wellesley-Framingham league, Around 140 players from Framingham
       Marian
  • 1st Child $110, 2nd Child $85, Each Additional Child $60
  • Oct 11 Registration Deadline
  • Facilities used include Marian High School, St Stephen’s
  • Marian Basketball Director: Kellianne Erath 
       St Tarcisius
  • $150 per child
  • Facilities used include St Tarcisius
  • St Tarcisius Basketball Director: Ken Seitz 

4. Metrowest Travel – Most-Competitive, Non-denominational, Travel, 1 Division per Grade/Gender, Boys & Girls, Grades 4-8, when numbers permit
  • Boys Division Grade 5
  • Boys Division Grade 6
  • Boys Division Grade 7
  • Boys Division Grade 8
  • Girls Division Grade 7
  • Girls Division Grade 8
  • Two weeknight practices per week + One  game per week on Sunday
  • Registration ($180 YMCA members / $225 YMCA non-members, Uniforms extra)
  • Tryouts October 5, 6, 19, 20
  • Facilities used include Metrowest YMCA
  • Unknown number of players in Metrowest Travel league, Around 100 players from Framingham
  • Metrowest Travel Basketball Director: Raul Matos
For AAU information contact Raul Matos


Middle School Travel There is one 8th grade middle school travel team for boys and another for girls.  Players are selected after tryouts and minumum grades need to be maintained.  The teams practice after school with shuttles between the schools and buses to games provided.  The teams practice three times a week and play games twice a week.  Participation is free. 
Contacts: Boys Varsity Coach Adam Cluff
                  Girls Varsity Coach Dee King

All information collected 2013

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

2nd Annual Barbieri 5K & Fun Run

2nd Annual Barbieri 5K & Fun Run

October 6, 2013

  
Join us for a fun-filled, family-fitness morning! Proceeds will support educational programs for the children at Barbieri.
 
 
            

 
Francicso 24:39 (7:57/Mile Pace) 1st Place Middle School Boys
Big Papi 25:11 (8:07/Mile Pace) 3rd Place Old Fat Guys
Mariana 30:10 (9:44/Mile Pace) 1st Place Elementary School Girls

Over 200 participants in both the 5K and Fun Run
Raised close to $1,500! Well done!!!

Barbieri Elementary
100 Dudley Road
Framingham, MA 01702
http://www.blogpingsite.com