BAKER TO VEGAS 2009

By Mike Haggerty

First of all I would like to congratulate each of you for making a very fast and competitive team.  You simply can’t make our team without an honest and disciplined training effort.  There is a reason that we have done so well in B2V over the past 25 years.  We have commitment, desire, and the will to put it all on the line once a year against much bigger agencies. 

We can thank the Anaheim teams in the late 80’s and early 90’s that put us on the map.  They were a special group of “20” that had speed, courage, athletic ability, and most of all GUTS!!  They competed against the likes of LASD, LAPD, CHP etc… and always stood their own.  Hence, our running reputation in the Law Enforcement community.

Recently, we have been challenged by our neighbors just south of us (Santa Ana PD).  Over the past five years they have been putting together a very respectable running team and I give them credit where credit is due.  However, enough is enough and we need to send them packing like we did the Orange County Sheriff several years back, when they thought they were the “Big Dog” in the county.  We have the talent and training this year to do just that.  Are will willing?  I can’t answer that gentlemen, only you can.  I can answer that. I believe we have the better team and more heart.  That combination makes a winner every time!

I have noticed that we are slowly, but surely coming together as a team.  I believe youth is the adhesive and we have plenty of young talent.  Are they willing to put it on the line this weekend?  I truly believe so.  Do they understand the importance of this race?  I think they are getting it.  There are so many unknowns in this race it will make your head spin.  But here are a few of the knowns: 

Leg 1:  Haggs will make sure “Rudy” has a lead into leg 2

Leg 2:  Rudy “ CORNER STONE” (Do I need to say more!!)

Leg 3: Blackburn:  Best athlete out here and just starting to shine.  Big Run this weekend”  need ya KID!!

Leg 4:  Azze is in his best shape in years.  He wanted a spot and did what it takes to get it done.  I expect a big run.

Leg 5:  Lee is a “Coach Coons” favorite and will never stop pouring it on

Leg 6: Staymates has not realized how fast he really is…Go For It Kid. You’re the Real Deal!!!

Leg 7: Raymond:  AKA “PreFontaine” “no skool like the ole skool”  Guy runs at Max heart rate  24/7…Need ya Eric

Leg 8: Harvey:  Moved ya to the beginning of the race cuz ya gotzs talent kid and we need early motivation. Take it to them early 90’s style

Leg 9 : Pardo:  This stage of the game is crucial.  You are here because stepping up is your M.O.

Leg 10: Petropolous:  Hands down the best running form of the team.  You can fly and we need ya here.

Leg 11: Seymour:  Blood and Guts got ya here….I look forward to the same on the course.  Gotta love beating the youngsters out of a spot…Heart kid Heart!!

Leg 12: Dodd:  Gotta love Dodd,  proven GAMER that lives for this stuff.  Give me your best kid!!

Leg 13: Cross:  Lost ya for a year but your back.  Just in time to grab a hill.  I put ya there cuz your just crazy enough to start taking our team home to victory.

Leg 14: Ellis:  You are the humble unknown.  Looks like a runner? Acts like a runner? I gotta feeling there is more in the tank son…need it this weekend.  I know ya can do it!!!

Leg 15: Poffenberger:  Every once in a while you gottta go back to your roots and do a gut check.  You have conquered this hill in the past and I have no doubt you can do it again.  Go for it Kyle!

Leg 16: P Diddy:  “That’s how I roll” 5:57’s”  Need ya Paulie, “Gamer Deluxe”

Leg 17: Cantu:  I heard this guy runs “RUDY” into the ground.  Can’t wait to see if the hype is real this weekend.  You could possibly be the biggest surprise of the race.  We will see Son!

Leg 18: Ciscel:  Absolutely blew this leg out last year!!!  Comes in this year even faster on his qualifier…Once again one of Coach Coons favorites cuz he “redlines” from start to finish.

Leg 19: Kridle:  Proven stud reels them in.  We thought about you starting the race however, can’t replace that kick of yours.   Have fun closing with a crew of “GAMERS.”

Leg 20:  Phillips:  Gotta guy here that will absolutely die trying.  That’s what leg 20 is all about.  Allan Roman pulled if off in 2007.  You are the pick for 2009.  Go for it and I will see ya at a half mile out!!!

I leave you with a few of my favorite quotes:

“The long run puts the tiger in the cat.”

“Relish the bad training runs. Without them it’s difficult to recognize, much less appreciate, the good ones.”

“I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the third part with your heart.”

“A Champion is made when no one is looking.”  THIS is my favorite quote because of all of the Speed work / Hill repeats/ Long Runs etc… that we have all put in this season.  A lot of it has been done on our own and for one reason….to make this team # 1.  

Lets go for it gentlemen...leave it on the course.

See ya at the Awards Banquet.   Haggs