Few things get me more down than a bad training session. And I'm actually pretty fair about it. I won't chastise myself for not achieving some arbitrary, daily training goal. Bad days happen - that's to be expected. I understand I can't crank out personal bests every day. What really sends me over the edge is knowing I sacrificed good form in an attempt at inane success. Take for instance yesterday: I kicked around like a damn monkey on the campus board, flailing at the night's objective. Not only did I not get 1-2-6 or 1-4-7 on my left, but I spent what little training capacity I had on horrible technique. So, I don't get to be content knowing I stimulated a modicum of growth despite a near miss at an interim goal. In the marathon that is this season's training schedule, I just sprinted for 40 yards between miles 12 and 13. And my 40 time really wasn't that good. A day wasted - now I have to heal the damage from a training session spent engraining poor form; the kind of form that left unchecked will eliminate the potential for future performance gains. How ever many times it takes, I guess, is how many times it takes for me to learn there is no shortcut. Just wanting strength is not enough. A person has to train smarter than I did last night to realize impressive power. And that's the thought I get to keep in my head while I wait the self-imposed, mandatory one week between sessions on the campus board. As much as I would like to get in to the Shed for a shot at redemption before the weekend, I know that is too much campusing for a person who would like not to injury himself.
Another thing that sucks: The Banff Mountain Film Festival. And I'm sorry to criticize a person's work like this. It's just, no one should get to produce something this sucky and not be called out for it.
Film #1: I walked in a few minutes late to the screening of this short film about a pseudo-tribal family (Andes, maybe) dealing with a sick father. The Dad wants the daughter to go get musicians to play this song while he dies... It was totally stupid. Anyone on the edge of their seat for this thing would friggin' explode in front of The National Geographic Channel.
Film #2: Committed 2: Grit Kids - Somehow, the creators of this film have devised a method for producing a documentary about a sport I love, featuring athletes I admire, and make it suck. I kid you not, I would rather watch three hours of YouTube. Obviously, it would receive the Alpine Club of Canada Award for Best Film on Climbing. Next year they should choose someone not in a coma to award a winner or at least hire ferrets to pick the one with best smell.
Film #3: Journey to the Center - It's about base jumping.
Film #4: Papiroflexia - This cartoon guy makes origami planes out of planes and stuff... Needless to say, it blew my mind.
Film #5: Seasons - I was surprised to see this film featured at the Banff Festival because it didn't suck. The sound, cinematography, athletes, etc. - all rad. Unfortunately, it's about mountain biking.
Film #6: Under the Influence - Growing up, I skied a bunch, so I appreciate the athletes who push this sport. This film was put together super well and it was entertaining.
And what kills me is they introduce the films like, "Next, we have a short film from the esteemed director of... winner of 2006's... ", like it's going to blow your mind. And you think something's wrong with you because you don't understand who wouldn't gouge their eyes out to make it stop. I want my $12 and three hours of life back.
3 comments:
Nice review. We were meaning to go last night but forgot...luckily.
'Seasons' is fricking rad. The best bike video I've seen in a long time. Luckily I didn't have to sit through all the other shite that you did because I own a copy.
Yeah, Seasons kinda blew my mind. When they announced it I was like, "sweet, it's about stupid mountain biking", but then it was way entertaining and everything was put together super well. But dude, you would have taken hostages after the first film. Holy shit - I can see you there just going ballistic. You should have gone.
Rad. Banff has somehow managed to still suck even though there are now hundreds of great docs made each year. It was utterly painful back in the 16mm days but, now, anyone with a camcorder can make a good film, and there are people doing amazing things all the time. So how does Banff do it every friggin' year? Astonishing.
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