The Grind - JUN.27.08
Entry posted by Cory Schneider
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<table align="center" border="0" width="80%"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload//2008/06/cory_blog.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="1">Camp just flew by this week and I can't even believe it's the last day already. Everyday has just been packed with one thing after another and before I even had time to realize, we were up at Grouse Mountain and it's the last day.
At the beginning of the week, all I knew was that I was dreading climbing the mountain but it wasn't nearly as bad I remembered last year. This year, we were split up into teams so that we had stay together the whole way up and our time didn't end until the last person touched the Grind timer. We also had to carry a small Stanley Cup that we have to carry with us all the way up the mountain and we had to cross the finish line with the Cup in hand.
I think doing it in teams helped make the climb a little easier – or at least more enjoyable - you've got the other guys pushing you and you have to wait for everyone else too.
<a href="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2008/06/jun2708_cory01_b.jpg" target=_new><img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2008/06/jun2708_cory01_t.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="1"></a> It's a lot harder by yourself because you're just with your own thoughts while you're doing it and also I think I'm in better shape so that helps too.
I'm not entirely sure how the other teams went about it but our group had four guys so every quarter we switched it up and everyone would lead a quarter of the way up. We tried to set a good pace and to keep the group together. There was a little bit of struggle but we tried to wait for everyone because you're only as fast as your slowest guy. We had to go by that and got up as fast as we could.
I think I could possibly look forward to doing the Grind a little bit more next time. I felt much better this time and had a good pace going so hopefully the better shape I get in, the easier it'll be. I mean, I'm not sure if I can take on Rick Rypien's time but I know it's tangible.
We took a couple of off the beaten paths, with some of the guys cutting through trails and trying to climb up and around people who were in the way. We didn't encounter anything out of the ordinary or maybe we didn't notice because we were pretty focused on finishing. Some of the people were really moving up the mountain and passing us and we were in a group so we had to wait for each other. You don't like to get passed but sometimes they're just moving faster than you are and they're not traveling in a pack like we were.
<a href="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2008/06/27_group04_b.jpg" target=_new><img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2008/06/27_group04_t.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="1"></a>Best thing about the Grind is definitely the view from the top once you get up there. It's a great feeling that you finished it and accomplished it. You get to enjoy the view of the city and the ride down is pretty spectacular.
Mike Gillis came out and supported us at Grouse and at the end, he gave everyone a jersey that was personalized with out names on the back. Receiving the jersey was definitely a surprise and to have it personalized like that for everyone involved was incredible. I think for a lot of the guys who haven't been signed or are still in college it's pretty cool for them because they haven't really had the chance to wear this jersey before. I think for all of us it was great surprise and we really appreciated it. We had this great surprise and the view behind us – just a great way to end a really good week.
There's nothing like the Grind in Boston, it's not hilly enough. There are no mountains around there - I suppose I could swim in the ocean but it's pretty level there so you'd probably have to start searching up in New England or something like that. You'd have to go an hour or two outside the city because there's nothing like this around where I live.
<a href="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2008/06/jun2308_camp08_b.jpg" target=_new><img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2008/06/jun2308_camp08_t.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="1"></a> For the summer, I think I just need to improve where I am now, I've set a good base and I've been pretty happy with where I am. The last two months before camp starts, I want to be in peak condition. That's when you want to impress is in September not in June.
I'm just looking forward to spending time with family for the rest of summer and just getting geared up mentally and physically for the season. I'll maybe try to fit in a couple of golf outings or tournaments and maybe a couple of weekend trips here and there but not whole lot. It's between July and August where you've really got to get ready so it's hard to take a week off and go somewhere exotic.
I'm mostly going to stay at home and train for the season. Have a great summer everyone. I'll see you at training camp!</td></tr></tbody></table>
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