Here we go, folks! The camp is just under 2 weeks away, and I'm getting pretty fired up. Right now I'm getting things together for the trip, and trying to get in shape without tearing anything. So far, so good.
Right now it's all about training. I received my workout regimen in the mail and have been following it EXACTLY since it arrived.
We have very specific steps to getting ready for camp, including workouts for stamina, quickness and strength, along with tight nutritional guidelines. I've been waking up at 4am for daily runs, eating 6 raw eggs for breakfast Rocky Style, and pumping iron for an hour before work. I am huge and ripped and ready to destroy any and all comers. I have been running once or twice a week and drinking a good amount of beer, per usual, to get ready. Bring on all comers. If they smoke me, I'll buy them a beer. If I smoke them, they'll buy me a beer. Win-win, all around.
Already the Camp Crew has been exchanging some pretty significant trash talk via email. I had no idea that there was a tight group of regular veterans that attend the camp every year. This is serious Irish dedication, folks. Headlined by guys named "Mayhem" and "Country", the trash-talking is pretty fun to follow, and I look forward to meeting the crew in person. It seems like they have a group of really good guys that consider this an annual reunion of friends - it should be a good time getting to know them, and learning more about their traditions and passion for Irish Football.
I had to report in my stats for uniform fitting (just under 5'9", a solid 160), and my positions on offense and defense. On ST, I will clearly be a K. Should be able to knock the ball through the uprights pretty consistently, I think. My biggest concern there is leg strength and not ripping my quad from the bone. Kicking can be rough on the quads when in full-on kicking shape, so we'll see how it goes.
On Offense, I put myself down as a RB or Slot WR. I'm a pretty quick guy, and while I've never played organized foosball I figure I can fake it so long as I can get the basics down in terms of formation, responsibilities and the like. On Defense I'll probably play in the backfield as a Safety or CB. No idea what to expect there, so that's wide open. Since we play in full gear but with flags, the only real need for size/power is along the line. For me, it will be all about filling space and catching the dudes that slip by the first line of defense. I hope I can figure out how to implement what I've watched on TV for thousands of hours - I get the basic idea of scheme, but have never had to implement on the field of play. This should be interesting.
The itinerary looks pretty awesome - we spend a decent amount of time socializing (read: drinking), along with practices and 'get to know ND tours'. While I'm intimately familiar with the overall campus, I haven't spent much time in the Gug, so that should be very cool.
I also look forward to spending time with past greats like Joe Theismann, The Bus and Mr. Hornung, as well as the Staff and Coaches, and my new teammates. Should be a pretty unique experience, and I'm excited to bring Her Loyal Readers along with me. Let me know if there are any areas of campus/the program or any people about whom you're especially interested and I'll try to 'bring back' as much as possible for you guys. Fired up!
Thanks to all those that pitched in a few bucks, or many. It is much, much appreciated. And special thanks to BurbankSteve, a long-time part of the HLS community who was especially generous in his donation to helping me get there.
Let's get it on! GO IRISH!
By kyndfan May 19, 2011 - 12:58 pm
Sounds awesome. I’m jealous. Next year, I’m gonna try fundraising.
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By DeepTeaKup May 19, 2011 - 1:47 pm
Good luck Biscuit. Sounds like a blast.
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By OderName May 19, 2011 - 2:33 pm
5’9″ 160?? Shit. We should’ve been contributing to a medical fund, not the entry cost.
Just kidding Biscuit. Good luck, have a blast, and bring back frequent reports!
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By The Biscuit May 19, 2011 - 4:43 pm
Hey man, I rival some recruits….for high school programs
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By AKMatt May 20, 2011 - 2:54 pm
All I could think of was Rudy’s mom saying, “He’s so little!”
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By Irish007 May 19, 2011 - 6:17 pm
I really did want to contribute but with a new kid on the way, my wife put a kibosh on it. I guess we all have to thank BurbankSteve for his contribution. I look forward to the reports you give.
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By The Biscuit May 19, 2011 - 6:45 pm
No worries. You can contribute to DMQ’s fundraiser for when he goes to Top Tweeter Camp.
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By GB May 19, 2011 - 6:45 pm
Biscuit,
Sounds like a great time. Please come back in one piece. I think it would be enlightening to hear exactually what is the pre camp regimen. It would give us a better idea of what the team actually does.
Best wishes
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By GB May 22, 2011 - 11:49 pm
What is exactually? :O))
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By Erik '04 May 19, 2011 - 10:26 pm
I wish you all the best and look forward to the updates. If you get hurt, I hope your nurses are HOT.
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By Nate May 20, 2011 - 12:24 am
Awesome. I hope you get the chance to put one through the uprights in gametime conditions, since you got robbed of that chance by Davie and T-Willie.
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By E-Man May 20, 2011 - 8:21 am
Any way the contents of the conditioning manual can be shared online, or is it confidential?
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By The Biscuit May 20, 2011 - 3:52 pm
Let me check, E. I doubt they’d send us anything proprietary, but I’ll check just in case.
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By trey May 20, 2011 - 8:39 am
I’d like to hear about what the player’s meal experience is like, if you get to take part in that. What do they offer, what is the process, etc.
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By The Biscuit May 20, 2011 - 3:51 pm
I think we do a training table meal, will definitely cover it. Thx trey.
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By TXIrish2 May 20, 2011 - 12:24 pm
Hell yeah man, have a blast!
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By Rob May 21, 2011 - 2:07 pm
Be sure to throw in some inside access pics
Best of Luck man!
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