Feb. 25, 2021 – The Seder-Skier Podcast –
I have always dreamed of being an Olympic athlete. Primary motivations have ranged from hoping that a place on the national basketball team (free throw specialist?) would allow me the chance to chat with Shawn Johnson in 2012 to the more idealistic goal of ensuring a satisfactory closing chapter of approval to my running career if I made it in, say, the marathon. Deep in the recesses of my heart, this goal remains, pushing me out the door on frigid days to ski when I have no business doing so. However, it has been reframed to a certain degree, as well. I’d be happy being a part of the Olympics in a different capacity (coach or journalist – “The Seder-Skier Podcast is coming to you live from Lillehammer! We’ll be speaking to 44 year old Gus Schumacher, who is trying to win his 3rd straight 15k at an Olympics, but first a word from our sponsors – cue Malt-o-Meal commercial), and simply represent the USA at some international competition (Age 70-74 Division Master’s World XC Champs 2060 here we come!).
So, every time an Olympics or World Championships comes around, of any sport, a little piece of me gets jealous of the athletes, the coaches, the trainers, the reporters, the announcers, and everyone else who gets to take part.
I wish I was there.
My reasons are perhaps more standard – wide-eyed and bushy tailed, dreamy, lofty, stupid ….whatever words you want to use. What if, however, you were in a position where there was an ulterior motive to making your nation’s team? It was not to wear a jersey with pride and represent a country whose ideals deserve honor, but rather to use it as a disguise. What if the goal of making the trip to an international competition was to make it the last trip from your home country. Ever.
I’d never even thought of that. Until a little browsing of the results from today’s sprint competition led me on an internet rabbit trail towards learning about the cross country ski teams of some of the nations we don’t typically associate with the sport. Iran for example.
Here is the article that inspired this post. You should read it. If you can’t, here is the sparknotes version. Iran has had a problem with national team members seeking asylum in the countries hosting international competition. In order to attempt to put a stop to that, National team athletes from Iran have been forced to guarantee a 2.5 billion toman ($104,000) bail to ensure they will not attempt to flee Iran while competing in Germany. The article states, “Their reasons for doing so were myriad, but most revolved around either mandatory hijab or their having been prevented by the Iranian authorities from competing against Israelis abroad.”
Digest the story.
Contemplate the narratives you’ve heard the last 14 months about about how “awful” the United States is.
Remember the incredible freedoms we have.
Give thanks.
And athletes – the select few who DO get to wear the red, white, and blue in competition and not JUST dream about – revel in the fact that part of your internal motivation to be the best you can be on race day is because you are supported by people back home. A home you are grateful you get to look forward to returning to.
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Published by rsederquist
My name is Ryan Sederquist. I am a man of many passions and dreams, and this website is the outlet for many of them. I am currently teaching 5th grade remotely in the Adams12 school district in Colorado. I have been an elementary music teacher in Alamosa, Colorado, as well as a 7-12 band director at Lake County High School in Leadville, Colorado. I am also in the final, final stages of acquiring my M.S. in Exercise Science from Adams State University.
In 2018-2019, we spent a year in Presque Isle, Maine as I coached the UMPI Nordic ski team.
I currently live in Leadville, Colorado with my wife Christie, a special education teacher, and our border collie-German shepherd mix, Ajee.
Even though it is not my full-time job, ever since I was a child, I had the desire to do one of three things professionally - pro sports, writing about pro sports, or being a radio talk show host. This website is where I pretend to do the latter two, and when I'm out pretending to do the former, I listen to podcasts, think about topics, and pursue my wild dream of someday, at some event, in either running, biking, or skiing, wearing a team USA uniform.
This website contains articles, podcasts, pictures, and journal entries that have to do with my passion and involvement in endurance sports. Our flagship project is the Seder Skier Podcast, which talks mostly about nordic skiing and attempts to interview influential individuals in the ski world. I also rant about the Big 4 sports, with a lean towards Minnesota teams (Vikings, Twins, Twolves, and MN Distance Running).
I sometimes try to write Sports Illustrated like 'feature' articles about athletes as well.
In addition to a focus on sports, you will find the occasional article or show that discusses the intersection of theology and society ...which is ...obviously everywhere. We place these in our Skieologians podcast.
The heading at the top of my homepage reads, "Search for Truth. Play with purpose. Strive for success." It is the underlying theme for my coaching philosophy, which can be downloaded from this site. Basically, I'm always looking to search for the truth in my pursuit of knowledge, whether that is knowledge regarding the best methods for waxing skis, training a quarter miler, or defending my Christian apologetic. Searching implies a dedicated pursuit for knowledge, and that is what I'm about and what this site is about, even if it is simply for providing viewers with an accurate description of a product. Play with purpose has to do with living out our passions because they are fun. I ski because its fun. I play music and teach young kids because there is joy in it. This blog is about celebrating the joy and fun that inherently exists in the pursuit of excellence and in the activities themselves. Finally, strive for success is built on the principle that true success is the realization that we gave 100% effort to become the best that we could possible be. It requires 100% in preparation, competition, reflection, mental effort, etc. If something is worth doing, I believe it is worth doing with that level of effort.
Someday, I hope to race the Visma Classics - the entire season, wear a Team USA singlet, and have a job that involves writing or talking about sports or theology all day. If you know of any body I can reach out to to help me accomplish these goals, please email me at sederquistrd@grizzlies.adams.edu
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