Freshmen vs. Chapin 2008

www.flickr.com Coach Solis' vs Chapin 2008 photoset

Softball and Running don't mix

Had two softball games last night and my knee is killing me this morning. I should have learned my lesson a few weeks ago when my knees took a beating as I ran the bases thinking I was an older version of A-Rod in game 7 of the World Series. I plan on running the John May 4 mile run tommorow morning but don't know if I should just take it easy and rest. My team is called the underdawgs and believe me we play like ones. We got beat pretty food the first game and then had a little better outing the second game but still came up short. I went something like 2 for 4 but didn't have a solid outing. Sort of like the El Paso Diablos who got spanked for 21 runs or something by Shreveport last night. My son's baseball team got beat for the third time by the Red Sox in the Frank Manning little league. I'm really happy with the league and the kids on his team. They have won 12 games and lost four. El paso has great sports programs for kids (much better than the leagues in Corpus Christi, my former hometown). The Riverside baseball team is playing in the 4A area playoffs against Canyon randall. Will be keeping an eye on them through Saturday. Had a great interview earlier this week with jan Wolfe of El Paso magazine about our theatre program at Riverside. Pretty busy and hectic week but can't complain. Still breathing and chugging along. Will start to incorporate more track (speed) workouts in my training. Think I will run the New Mexico State 5k run on the 18th and then finish up the month with the Families in Crisis 5k on the 31st. Life is good. Remember that.

Braden Aboud 5k

Ran the Braden Aboud 5k this past weekend and ran a terrible 30:02. Race was a flat course and seemed to be pretty quick but just didn't have anything in the tank at the end. I am having trouble staying motivated with my training routine. The school year is about to come to a close and I guess teacher-itis is setting in. The race was pretty packed and well organized. T-shirts were white white with a pink logo but I wore it out of respect for the teenager who the race is named after. The young man died a few years ago in a skiing accident. I have a 4 mile race coming up this Saturday called May the Music Live On in honor of a former teacher, musician, and runner. Think I'm going to change up my training routine a little and do more speed work on the track. Was dissapointed at the Spurs and their pitiful performance last night against the Hornets. Chris Paul makes Tony Parker look like he's playing in quicksand. Hope the Spurs have waht it takes to win out starting on Thursday.

That's what I get for not training.

Ran my first 8k this past Saturday and really thought I was going to die about halfway through it. I wasn't dying from the course but rather from the embarrassment of being beaten by a 70 year old woman named Phyliss. I recently joined a softball team and hurt myself running the bases on Thursday night thus leading to my miserable performance on Saturday. With teaching and coaching responsibilities, not to mention my duties as a father and husband, really cut into my training. The fact that I have been lazy doesn't really help either. Have a 5k race this Saturday and another on Sunday. Think I'll take it easy on the bases this week. Rehearsals for Grease are going pretty good right now. The kids are excited about puting the show on at the end of May. Life is good here in the sun city.

El Paso Parks

One of the great things I love about living in El paso is their parks. Corpus Christi has nothing on this place. Just read an article in the Corpus paper where their premiere park was shut down for a few days because it was being overrun by rats. We have plenty of nice parks here that are clean and safe. Playground equipment is top notch and grafitti is almost non-existent. People have negative sterotypes about El Paso but the quality of life is actually very good. This is a great place to raise kids. Sports programs, cultural events. festivals, etc. are abundant. There is always something to do. Kids are having a blast. Think we made a good choice in moving here. I do miss my family and only wish they were here to experience what I get to see everyday.

Little League Opening Day

Stevo and his team had their opening day ceremonies this past Saturday. His team is pretty talented and they should do well this season. His basketball team also won this past weekend. They remain udefeated with only three games left to go. Love being a father.

Conquered the Mountain!!!

This morning I ran the Transmountain 20k and survived! Feel great about battling the mountain and coming out on top. This was one of the hardest things I hae ever had to do in my life. The elevation and the incline was tough to dael with. Finished the reace at 2:18. Really felt strong about an hour into the race. Will take a week off then will push for a personal PR in the Sembra Salud 5k at Ascarate Park. Addicted to running. Great way to get my mind off things that are stressful.

Stevo's Baseball Team

Stevo started his baseball season yesterday with a big win. He batted three times and scored one run. Plays for the Rangers in the Frank Manning Little League.

Stevo's Basketball Team Undefeated

Stevo's team is currently undefeated after 7 games into the season. He only has a few basketball games left and will start to focus on baseball in the next couple of weeks. His baseball team starts their season this Thursday. Proud of him.

Running Transmountain 20k this Sunday

Had a longer time recovering from the el paso half-marathon than I thought. Knees took a pounding and I'm still not sure I'm back to 100%. Inspired by my sister to complete this next race. My baby sister is in a terible situation and will be in that situation for a very long time. Feel guilty because I am not there for her or m family but getting back to Corpus is just something I am unable to do right now. When I get tired on the course I think of Val and and the pain seems to go way. Helps me to get angry at the situation. The course is up transmountain and will be the biggest challenge for me yet. Ran 5 miles today and felt ok but not completely at full strength. Glad I have found running to relieve my stress. Sometimes think it is pointless because I never get anywhere but it does help me spiritually and mentally. Talked to the speech coach Eastwood this past weekend and look forward to working with him and other actors in the area on creating a new theatre company that will highlight Chicano and Ethnic theatre here in El Paso. There really is no opportunity to get on stage so we figured we would create our own opportunities. The first project we are looking at producing in Roosters by Milcha Scott-Sanchez. Really have a good feeling about the project. One-Act play competition is on Monday and the kids seem ready. Don;t know waht to expect this year. Think we have the show to go far but never can tell how it will turn out. Overall, life is life. It don't matter how many times you get knocked down by a right uppercut, the only thing that matters is if you keep answering the bell.

El Paso Marathon

Ran the El Paso half marathon this past Sunday and actually survived to write about it. Felt really good throughout the race. Discoverd these great energy packets that I drank during the race that really helped me battle through the course. Jess got me an ipod that made the time go by pretty quick during the race. Finished the course in 2:25. I know this isn't a record breaking time but it was a personal best. My legs felt crippled and old a few hours after I had finished. Couldn't even make it up the stairs at the house. Feel 100% beter today. Think I will take a break and not run an 8k this weekend. Next big challenge will the be the El Paso Transmountain 20 k on March 16. The race will be at a higher elevation with a steep incline throughout the course. Don't think I'm quite ready for a marathon but look forward to being ready to run the San Antonio marathon later on this year.

West Oso Girls Lose to Kennedale!!!

Great job lady bears for taking Kennedale down to the wire before losing 60-59. Wish I could have been there in person but was able to follow the game on caller.com. Girls lost a heart-breaker but did the community proud in fighting to the end. Coach Williams is by far one of the best coaches in Texas. Know he has a good group of girls coming up in a couple of years. Hope he can find someone to fill the shoes of Thomas and Guy next year. Boys have a great chance of making it to state by winning tonight against a team from San Antonio.

JAZZ AND STEVO AT THE LAKE

Jess and I took Stevo and Jazz to a lake here in El Paso to try and catch some fish. This is one of the first times we ever tried to catch fish in fresh water. Bought real worms and catfish bait but nothing was biting. Kids got a kick out of playing with the worms. Prefer salt water fishing but had a good time anyway.

El Paso Half Marathon

Running in the El paso half marathon this weekend. Have been sick all week and haven't been able to train as much as I would have liked but think I'll be okay. This will be the first time I have attempted 13 miles. Goal is to finish at about 2:15. Have a full race schedule this month. Running a 10 k and the transmountain 20 k later this month. Hoping to work my way up to a marathon in the next few months.

West Oso Girls make it to State!

Glad to see the West Oso girls earning that trip to State that they deserve. 2 wins away from a State Championship. coach williams is one of the best coaches around. Glad I had the opportunity to learn from him last year. Good luck to Coach Simmons and the rest of the staff.

Great Weekend

Stevo played his second basketball game for his new team this weekend. Plays for the Spurs at the Galatzan recreation center. His team won 40-10. His team is made up of 6, 7, and 8 year old kids. Find out this week what team he will be drafted to for Frank Manning Little league baseball. Jazxz will probably start playing soccer next month at the Y. Ran the Race for the cure this Sunday. Improved on my time (ran 29:40). Still slower than Jason Kidd getting traded to the Mavericks but it's geting better. Geting ready to train for the El paso half-marathon on March 2nd. First time I will attempt to run 13 miles. Jess walked the 5k after my race. Thousands of people. Race was well organized but some people complained about not being able to get on the base in time to run.

2007 Ranger Football

Photobucket Album

Riverside Ranger Football Team

I directed the play Dark of the Moon this year for our fall show. Mr. Bonner did a great job with the set and the play was a huge success. We had over 25 kids onstage and things worked out pretty well. We are rebuilding this year and have alot of new faces in the program. Our UIL one-act play show will be Bury the Dead by Irwin Shaw. We are currently in rehearsals and will open the show in March.

This is Coach Simmons and a picture of the girls we coached at Corpus Christi West Oso last year. The varsity is undefeated this year and I look forward to taking a trip to Austin to see them play for a State Championship.