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February 2008
Some fun south of the border
Despite (or perhaps because of) its dearth of professional sports teams, Austin has its fill of sports nuts. Luckily, the climate and environs are such that nearly any passion can be supported, from rock climbing to hang-gliding and everything in between, with plenty of temperate weather that’s perfect for running, hiking and biking year-round.
There’s just one problem: water. Austin is more or less landlocked, so for open-water sports aficionados, there’s not much to do but to get in a plane (or car, or train) and travel to the nearest surf.
Luckily, Austin’s neighbor to the south is a hotbed of action. I’m talking, of course, about Mexico. Last month, I traveled down to Mexico and Belize to take part in perhaps both the oldest and the newest “extreme” water sports to hit the world’s coasts — scuba diving and kiteboarding.
Scuba has been around since World War II, give or take, and it is based on technologies originally honed for military application. Kiteboarding, meanwhile, is a wholly new pastime with no clear practical application save having fun; in it, daredevils use large, parachute-shaped kites to catch air and propel themselves along the water while skimming atop the waves on a small fiberglass board.
Each sport requires expensive equipment and the training of a watchful master; either can be fatal if attempted by an unsupervised novice.
Though a bit off the beaten track, Tulum in southeastern Mexico offers wonderful diving and kiteboarding. While its big brothers Cancun and Cozumel draw most of the crowds, Tulum offers unbelievable diving in the crystal-clear waters of its caverns (called cenotes in the local parlance), and the sparsely populated beaches and waves of its coastal shores make for an ideal learning ground for the art of controlling the kite.
Belize, for its part, offers some truly world-class diving; the seaward alleys between the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are filled with sharks, rays and, at night, phosphorescent bioluminescent fauna (try saying that five times fast); the famous Blue Hole is also a not-to-be-missed natural phenomenon that affords some of the world’s most unforgettable scuba. Want to see a 400-foot sinkhole in the ocean? This is it. Plus, as residents of a native English-speaking country, the Belizean kiteboarding instructors are likely to keep you at ease when you’re just getting your feet wet.
Neither sport is cheap. Expect to pay on the order of $50 per dive, or per hour of kiteboarding lessons, in either locale. But rest assured, they’re worth it. Either sport will afford you a great sporting experience that you’re sure not to soon forget — and one that your buddies back in the Hill Country will be sure to envy for a long, long time.
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The Limestoner is calling
If you’re like some of us at Austin360.com, you’ve been spending a lot of time in front of the TV this off-season, engrossed by the exploits of the body-contorting supermen and women on shows like “Ninja Warrior,” who manage to navigate seemingly impassible aerial obstacles using nothing more than the strength, precision, and wits that their arms and legs can muster.
While we can all likely remember the amazement we felt watching a daring sibling or friend climb to the top of the neighborhood’s tallest tree, for most of us, it’s likely been quite a while since our last opportunity to watch athletes defy gravity hand-over-hand in person.
Luckily, outdoor enthusiasts here in Austin won’t have to wait much longer. This weekend, our region plays host to the Limestoner at nearby Reimers Ranch Park.
The Limestoner is a rock-climbing competition in which climbers of all skill levels congregate to show off their stuff. Whether focusing on the unroped bouldering routes or the roped ascent division, neophyte competitors and experts alike will take to the cliffs on Saturday to show off some of their best and toughest climbing, all in pursuit of top prizes from internationally known gear manufacturers.
“We’re expecting 50 to 60 competitors this year,” says Tommy Blackwell, one of the event coordinators. “But there’s plenty to do at Limestoner even for people who aren’t in the competition. There will be climbing slideshows, a silent auction, and a Saturday evening dinner. We’re even planning to hold bouldering clinics on Sunday, where nationally renowned climbers and local guide groups will be there to give tips.
“There’s even a separate speed-climbing event in the late afternoon,” Blackwell says. “One year, the winner completed the climb — a 40- to 50-foot climb — in just 12 seconds.” At Limestoner, there is always action to be found.
The costs of participating in the clinics is low, but climbers are expected to bring their own gear. Spectating is free, but all attendees will have to pay Travis County fees to enter. On-site camping for the event begins Friday, and carries on through Sunday. For the latecomers, registration is available at either of the Austin Rock Gym sites, www.ctmrocks.com, or on-site 7:30 to 9 a.m. the day of the event.
“It’s a great event,” says Blackwell. “We’ve got a great relationship with the park, and we’d like to keep doing this for years.”
So clear your calendars, local rock climbers: this weekend, the Limestoner is calling.
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Will she make it up? It’s up to you
Voting season is upon us and one of our very own needs your help.
Carrie Barrett is competing for a spot on the Team Evotri national triathlon team and has made it to the final round along with three other competitors. What Team Evotri does is shine a light on a select few non-professional athletes to give them the opportunity to train and compete — just like pros — with best-of-the-best resources and equipment. In turn, these members compete in events nationwide, and host camps, races and other training sessions in the name of Team Evotri.
Carrie seems a great candidate for this because she is no stranger to our active community, with numerous triathlons, marathons, and half-Ironmans under her belt. She’s also a member of Gilbert’s Gazelles, T3 Triathlon Team and the former race director of the Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot.
She’s currently training for the upcoming Arizona Ironman. One of Carrie’s reasons for wanting to become a member of Team Evotri is that she “definitely see(s) this as a way to continue to make Austin shine as one of the fittest and most active cities in the U.S.” But in order to get this far, Carrie has undergone quite the selection process and now needs your vote to cross the finish line.
From now until the stroke of midnight Friday, you can vote for Carrie by sending an email directly to vote@evotri.com. Simply put “CARRIE BARRETT-FINAL ROUND” in the subject line. To find out a little more about Carrie and her mission of becoming the next member of Team Evotri, go here to see her video or visit her very own Web site.
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Update: New Year, New You Challenge
The four participants in our New Year, New You Challenge are off and running.
Trainer Christina Muller offered this update on Stuart:
Stuart has lost 6.6 pounds! He was unable to start training until Jan. 8 due to illness, so he accomplished this in just three weeks. He’s on schedule because it’s recommended to only drop 2 pounds a week for health reasons. He has gotten a chef for dinners, we toured the grocery store to learn about label reading and healthy choices, and he and all the participants will be meeting with our nutritionist soon. This is quite an accomplishment, especially since Stuart really likes Mexican food.
We are still training four days a week, with no cancellations. He originally hired me so that it would get him to the gym and now he has asked to keep the workouts intense because he feels a significant difference and enjoys the sessions. Those words are music to my ears. Also his partner is now interested in hiring a trainer. Stuart is an influence just by making the commitment and sticking to it. Stay tuned …
Here’s trainer Kyle Golden’s update on Holly, Joy and Sandy:
All of my participants agreed to go to the Fitness Institute of Texas, part of UT’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, for body composition testing. FIT has a state-of-the-art body composition analysis called DEXA, which is currently the most reliable method for determining a person’s body mass, body fat and muscle mass. The DEXA procedure is an easy, six-minute scan that is similar to an X-ray. Joy and Holly have completely their scans; Sandy has hers scheduled. Results from the DEXA scan will be updated at the six-month point and at the end of the year to more scientifically measure the results from their efforts over this challenge. All of the challenge participants will be meeting with a nutritionist as a group very soon.
Joy has lost 3 pounds since the beginning of January. Unfortunately she had unexpected surgery in mid-January and was unable to workout for two weeks. Joy was back to cardio by month’s end and we will start adding light resistance in February. While her surgery set her back a little, she is very enthusiastic and ready to get back into the routine. She is keeping great logs of her food and has been very disciplined; however, we are working on tweaking her diet to limit the indulgences and include healthy choices. Joy will continue her sessions three times a week and get in 45 minutes of cardio about four days a week. Joy’s DEXA scan reported 47.8 percent body fat.
Holly has lost 5 pounds since the beginning of January. She has made significant changes to her diet and is keeping up well with her food journal. While Holly has made significant, positive changes in her diet, she still needs to work on sticking to healthy food choices. Holly has been to every scheduled session so far; she has perfect attendance! She has a great attitude and looks forward to each session. Having lost 5 pounds in the first month is great encouragement that she is on the right path. Holly and Sandy have moved from “break-in” circuit training to resistance training with brief cardio segments between resistance sets. Holly is getting in 45 minutes of cardio three to four times a week. Holly’s DEXA scan reported 47.1 percent body fat.
Sandy has lost 1 pound since the beginning of January. She has been absent from our scheduled sessions quite often due to illness and work-related travel. Admittedly, Sandy was not disciplined with her diet for most of January, but she has started to make healthier choices and is recommitting herself to the challenge. Sandy is ready to see changes in herself for good! Along with Holly, Sandy has moved from “break-in” circuit training to resistance training with brief cardio segments between resistance sets. She is getting in 45 minutes of cardio three to four times a week. Sandy has scheduled her DEXA scan for this month.
Up next: Look for another update in early March.
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Running a risk
For some of us, running is life. For some, such as the Kenyan team in this year’s AT&T Austin Marathon, that means risking it.
Team member Joseph Mutinda began running in 1998. In Kenya, he said, when you see a successful runner, “you say, ‘oh, I want to be like that guy’.”
It can be a dangerous road to take.
“You normally run with fear,” Mutinda said. “When you are training something might happen.”
Something did happen to Kenyan runner and second place finisher in last year’s marathon, Wesley Ngetich. Ngetich was shot and killed by a poison arrow during fighting in his hometown of Trans Mara, according to an Austin Marathon press release.
Violence erupted in Kenya late last December when president Mwai Kibaki was re-elected despite massive evidence of vote rigging. Ethnic tensions helped fan the violence, and in an AP report from this Monday, U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes said as many as 600,000 people have been displaced due to the conflict.
Team manager and president of the AmeriKenyan Running Club Scott Robinson said the recent violence in Kenya has affected marathon preparations for the three runners of the four-person team living there.
“They haven’t been able to do their long-distance training runs because they can’t run far from their homes,” Robinson said.
Still, he maintained an optimistic outlook in spite of these difficulties, enthusiastically noting that the race would be female runner Margaret Chirchir’s first marathon.
British runner Brad Poor organized an effort to show solidarity amongst the international competitors by getting Kenyan flag stickers to put on their racing bibs.
“I probably have more friends in Kenya than in the UK and US put together,” he said. “When the fighting broke out it hit close to home.”
Poore was quick to downplay his efforts, but said he hoped the flags would get people talking about the situation.
“It’s not something that’s going to bring world peace,” Poore said. “It’s just something to get the message out.”
For the time being, Joseph Mutinda was just happy to be in Austin.
“The people here, they are running people,” Mutinda said with a smile.
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Meet a first-time marathoner
With the AT&T Austin Marathon coming up this weekend, I went out and interviewed a first-time runner to hear his thoughts on the race.
Jeff Hahn is part of the team at TateAustinHahn, a local public relations firm that has, for the past few years, promoted the marathon. This year, Jeff is taking himself to the other side of the tape and is actually planning to participate. As a first-timer, he had a lot to say about training, what it’s like to be completing his first long race, and the transition from running the event to running in it.
Get Out!: This is your first marathon. What was your inspiration for actually running in the race this year?
Jeff Hahn: This past August we lost one of our long-time friends and a founder of the Austin marathon, David Doolittle, to cancer. I worked with David on the organizing committee of the race for many years, and even though I had talked about running in past races, David always told me that he needed me to work the race, then he’d go off and run it! So this year, since he can’t be here, I’ll be running with his number and getting him across the finish line one more time.
What was your training schedule like?
I started Sept. 1 with the Rogue Training group. Joining the Rogue program was a good decision because there are just so many things you don’t know about the marathon, from “How much should I drink during the race” to “What’s wrong with my knee?” Saturday long runs were combined with workouts every Tuesday morning at 5:30. It was tough, but my Rogue coach, Scott Carden, and my wife Laurie, who has done a dozen marathons and four IronMans, were invaluable along the way. Turns out that even though it looks like an individual sport, it takes a whole team of people to support you through a successful training program.
Have you done any shorter warm-up events?
Well, this year I’ve done most of the Austin Distance Challenge, including the Marathon Relay, the Uptown Classic, the brutal Decker run, and the 3M Half-Marathon. But prior to this year, my most recent runs of any distance were more than 20 years ago when I was in the military. I was really starting from scratch.
The good news for me is that for the past 14 years, I’ve worked both the start and finish lines of the race, and I’ve seen firsthand that people you would never suspect could finish a marathon, do just that. So I’ve kept those pictures in my head across all the races leading up to the AT&T Austin Marathon.
How does it feel knowing that this is an event which you usually plan? Will completing it have special meaning for you since you’re so close to the event itself?
I think I’ll feel relieved, mostly. To some extent, I’ve always felt indebted to all the runners who put everything they’ve got into our race every year. I’ve been lucky to be able to listen to their stories and then see them stream through the finish line. And I’ve always wanted to be able to join them on their side. It’ll feel, I think, like I’m paying them all back just a little bit for the years they’ve come to our race and used it as their own moment in time to do something remarkable.
What advice do you have for other first-time marathoners out there, and for people just thinking about entering their first races?
I guess I think everyone has a story … I think that’s important for a first-timer. Find a story to build your running on. Write some new chapters as you’re running through hard, cold, wet, uphill training runs. Maybe think about how your legs are really pounding on a keyboard with every step, helping create the next sentences. Then think about how the marathon is going to be a defining moment in your book. Above all else, if you’ve got a story, don’t let it escape you. Put it into motion and do take the first step.
Best of luck to Jeff and all the other runners this weekend!
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26 miles of fun
A short time ago, I wrote about the upcoming AT&T Austin Marathon.
Well, time has slipped by, and the race is fast approaching. In fact, it’s taking place this weekend, with the starter’s gun scheduled to go off at 7 a.m. Sunday. If you’d wanted to run, I hope you’re registered. I spoke with race director John Conley, and he let me know that both the full marathon and half marathon events are booked solid, with more than 13,000 paid registrations to date. That means that if you just realized you want to participate, it will have to be as a spectator. But don’t fret - this race promises plenty for runners and non-runners alike, and Sunday’s event promises to offer enough to keep even the most frenetic of fans engaged and satisfied.
Here’s a list of great things to do on race weekend if you’re not planning on running:
Saddle up at a comfy spot and watch the runners go by. Race organizers have set aside a number of primo spots all over town for spectators and amateur photographers, including the intersections of Barton Springs Road and Congress Avenue, Lavaca and Second streets, 15th and San Antonio streets, and the UT intramural fields at 51st and Guadalupe streets. Who knows - you might even snap yourself a shot of Gov. Rick Perry racing by!
Rock out to one of the 42 live bands playing along the route. There’s plenty out there for every taste, from rock to ska to DJs to high school bands, and one-time Austin tastemakers Fastball (remember that radio hit “The Way”?) will be rocking out at the finish line just as the weekend warriors start rolling in. The race Web site, www.attaustinmarathon.com, has all the info you need to get your jam on.
Cheer on your favorite team. This year’s event sports an innovative team system - rather than award all the prize money to the top individual finishers, the race organizers have decided to establish an Olympic-style international team purse. Runners from five nations - the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and the African nations of Kenya and Malawi - will be squaring off to race for the crown, as well as the $15,000 cash prize earmarked for the winners. Who’s your top pick? Be vocal!
Volunteer! Dozens of local nonprofits are running themed booths and water stations through the marathon’s “26 Miles for 26 Charities” route. The race organizers are hoping to enlist the help of up to 1,200 generous locals to help the event go off without a hitch, and you can sign up to work at any time from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., doing everything from set-up to tear-down. Again, check the Web site.
That’s it, race fans! Get ready for another great edition of the Austin marathon.
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It’s always time for ultimate frisbee
Here you are, sports fans. Super Bowl Sunday has come and gone, creating a vacuum in the spectator sports world.
Well, almost. Last weekend, Austin’s ultimate frisbee league — and yes, there is a league, operating even in the dark depths of winter — hosted its season-ending tournament of champions.
Quick primer for the uninitiated: Ultimate, unlike the more staid disc golf, is a fast-paced team sport that combines the aerial attacks of football with the ball movement and speed of basketball or rugby. Squads of seven face off on a field roughly the size of a football field and complete passes to each other while avoiding interceptions. As with rugby, everyone is a potential thrower or receiver; the main differences are a.) no running with the disc, which, as in basketball, is a “travel”, and b.) no tackling.
The Austin league is quite strong, with nearly 200 players participating in a months-long contest to crown the best of the best.
“We have a saying about winter league — no whiners, no crybabies, no prima donnas,” says Gary Breaux, league commissioner. “We actually run three frisbee leagues year-round. There’s the spring league, which is geared toward newcomers and people just getting interested in the sport. Then there’s the summer league, which includes everyone from beginners to elite players and is the largest. But winter league is the most extreme.”
Apparently, others agree. Between the potential for unsettling weather, the multiple rounds of weekly competition, and the perks — free food and beverages are provided to players and spectators at every event — everyone from players to local business owners has been getting in on the act. RunTex, the running shoe and apparel outfitter, and EZ’s, the restaurant revered by burger buffs, have signed on as primary sponsors for the league.
“If you want challenge, if you want adversity — come out to winter league,” Breaux says.
There’s plenty here for the casual spectator, and for those wanting to get in on the act themselves, sign-ups for spring league are just around the corner. More information about the final tournament times and location - as well as future games - can be found at austinwinterleague.com and austinultimate.org.
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Oh, yes, it’s Ladies’ Night
Ladies’ Night no longer means half-price drinks while getting pedis and manis at your favorite restaurant or bar.
Austin Rock Gym hosts Ladies’ Night rock-climbing clinics every Monday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. — and I am hooked! It’s open to all women and it’s cheap! Admission is free with the purchase of a day pass, or if you’re a current ARG member, and half-price for first timers. I went to the south location for the first time this past Monday with no rock-climbing experience whatsoever and had a blast.
I showed up a few minutes early because first-timers have to take a safety course, which basically shows you the ropes of rock climbing … literally! After I passed with flying colors, I was free to roam the gym or even climb if I chose to do so. I decided to lay low and watch others fearlessly go at it.
I’ll admit it was quite intimidating at first, but the feeling quickly passed when our instructor Jenn showed up. We all gathered to introduce ourselves and went straight to the wall. I’m not going to pretend that I’m an expert after one class, but before I go on I need to explain to the newbies the difference between rock climbing with a harness and bouldering.
Rock climbing with a harness, or “sport climbing,” is exactly what you think it is — one person climbs up the wall while another is anchored at the bottom with adjoining ropes.
Bouldering is rock climbing without a harness on a wall about half as high while having a large mat underneath for safety.
There was one other girl who was also a beginner, so we received special attention. We did both bouldering and climbing, and I think I did really well for my first time. It was an awesome workout, a great experience, the instructor and all the other employees were so helpful and knowledgeable, and I can’t wait to go back next week. My sister even showed up for a few minutes for moral support and liked what she saw so much that now we’re thinking about making Mondays our Ladies’ Night.
Before I go, I’d like to make a few recommendations:
Go with a buddy. It’s always good to have someone there you know.
Cut your nails. You’re going to be digging and grabbing into the wall and the last thing you want to worry about it breaking a nail. Seriously.
Eat a good meal before you come because it really is an intense workout.
Stretch. I can barely write today because my arms and hands are so sore … and that’s WITH stretching.
Socks? I seemed to be the only dorky one wearing socks, but I wasn’t about to go barefoot in rented shoes. You might not mind, but I do!
Leave your personal belongings in the car or at home. The only things you really need are yourself and a bottle of water. There’s no official place to put personal belonging so you don’t want things of too much value out in the open.
Get there early. First-timers need to get there early to get the safety course out of the way. Others, you can climb and do your own thing before class and it’s a good chance to get warmed up.
Have an open mind. No one is going to judge you. You’re just there to have a good time and learn something new.
FYI: The gym is not restricted to females only, but everyone is pretty consumed with what they’re doing, so it’s not a big deal.
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Big crowd turns out for ‘Gladiators’
“American Gladiators” held auditions Saturday at the Tech Ridge Gold’s Gym in North Austin.
I had free reign of the whole gym (with the exception of taking pictures inside the facility … NBC policy) and had a blast seeing what went into casting the show. My friend Angela and I arrived around 9:15 a.m. and were surprised to see the line already wrapped around the entire building. We decided to check out the competition before heading inside and were not disappointed in least. The camera crew for NBC was outside at the same time as us getting some B-roll and the crowd really got into it.
Inside the gym, the tryouts were pretty intense. They consisted of 30 seconds of military pull-ups, 30 seconds of up-downs (where you go down into the push-up position and back up into the standing position as quickly as possible), more agility drills, timed sprinting, and then straight to the casting agents where you had to sell yourself to get to the next round.
One of the best stories we came across was Allie, who showed up in her wedding veil and was jumping around everywhere. We thought she was just doing it for attention, but it turns out she was getting married in about four hours and had a hair appointment in one hour. Her friends and brother dragged her to the tryouts — without her fiance or her parents knowing. The casting people got word and swept her through as quickly as possible. Her personality alone was enough to get the scouts’ attention, but her surprising athletic ability was amazing. She made it to the next round and is my pick to make it on the show.
Best of luck to everyone who tried out. You all did GREAT!
Click here to view photos from the tryouts.
Click here to view scenes from the show.
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Alix tries out for the Outlaws
Liz, Liz, Liz, Liz!
One of the other defensive backs was shouting that the receivers were stronger to the left, where I was covering as cornerback. Watching both my receiver and the quarterback’s movements, I waited for the snap. I saw the quarterback throw the pass as I was chasing my receiver down. She was going to catch it. I sped up, and for a moment it seemed the ball would bobble out of her hands, but she got a grip on it. I was right there and, instinctively tucking my head and shoulders down, I grabbed hold of her just as a member of the defensive line smashed through from the other side. Right into my head and face, knocking me sideways. Still feeling the vibration of the impact in my nose and jaw, I sprung up and jogged out of my half-fall. The play was over, and I was exhilarated.
It was just an ordinary football practice at Kealing Middle School. The day was sunny, warm but not too hot, and not so windy that anything but an occasional dust cloud swirled across the field. It was an ordinary winter day in Texas, arguably the most football-oriented state in the country, and the tryouts and practice looked just like any other. Coaches shouted encouragement and inspiration: “Everything you do in football matters!” “We would rather see you try to do what we tell you than do what you think we want!” Players slapped hands as they passed each other after a run.
All very ordinary, except for, perhaps, the pronouns used to describe the players. I was participating in the tryouts and first practice for the Austin Outlaws, a team belonging to the National Women’s Football Association. The NWFA is a full-contact American football league with NFL-style tryouts for more than 40 teams nationwide.
Go on! Go, go, go! Just let the girls fly! During a tryout drill, one of the rookies was, uh … bouncing uncomfortably, and she slowed her gait as she brought her arms to her chest. The cheering from the 15 women who had assembled for tryouts, 10 of whom were rookies like myself and five who played in previous seasons, inspired both laughter and rejuvenated effort. The atmosphere of camaraderie and support is overwhelming, starting from Lily Messina, general manager of the team, to every one of the players and coaches, to the handful of friends and family gathered to watch.
For the record, I don’t look like much, and with a couple of exceptions, team sports have not really been my thing. I played field hockey in high school (which I did not particularly enjoy, apart from the thwacking things — and people — with a stick) and a little rugby with friends when I lived in Tennessee some years ago. Probably the most fun I ever had while participating in a team sport was during grade school, when my best friend egged me into playing ice hockey with her. We were the first two girls to play ice hockey in our region and age group, and I stayed on the team long after my friend got tired of playing. More recently, I have generally enjoyed athletics that are geared to the individual: swimming. Trail running. Sitting in front of a computer thinking of pithy remarks to make about current events.
The defensive backs coach, Bobbie James, says, “You will be different at the end of the season. You will not be the same person you were when you started.” I’m hoping the new person I become is stronger, runs faster, and contributes a valuable effort to my team. For now, this old Alby is going to take some ibuprofen and a bath. If want to know more about what makes a women’s football player, you can check back with me throughout the season, which officially starts with a game against the Houston Cyclones on April 19.
And, for the record, Alix is proud to share a birthday with Tom Brady.
Click here to view photos of the Outlaws practicing.
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‘American Gladiators’ tryouts this weekend
Do the names Crush, Wolf, Helga or Toa ring a bell?
If you’ve been keeping up with the rebirth of NBC’s “American Gladiators” on Monday nights, you know what I’m talking about. If not, you’ve been missing out.
As of this Monday, the competitors have been demolished down to the top 8, which means that soon the season will come to an end. But have no fear — theme music playing in the background! — “American Gladiators” has been renewed for a second season, which means bigger and better things coming our way. The best news is that you can be a part of it.
“American Gladiators” is hosting open auditions for contenders and Gladiators right here in Austin this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gold’s Gym Tech Ridge. All you have to do is bring a non-returnable photo of yourself and a completed application. You may arrive no earlier than 8 a.m. and there’s no guarantee that everyone will be seen.
If you can’t make the open call, you may submit a five-minute videotape to: AmGlad Productions, “American Gladiators” casting, 10061 Riverside Drive, Box 749, Toluca Lake, CA 91602.
Go to the official NBC Web site for more details. And, of course, give me a shout out if you make it on the next season of “American Gladiators.” Tell ‘em Megan sent you.
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