I've been taking advantage of the feature allowing me to do my workout with "no music" and supplying my own playlist. Up until yesterday I had just used iHeart Radio and put it on a station titled "Caffeinated Country," but after putting my iTunes on shuffle the other day while working around the kitchen, I was reminded of how many upbeat Christian songs I have in my library that make me want to MOVE. I decided to put together a playlist "Christian Jams" to use during my workouts. Tested it out last night for my INSANITY: Max Recovery workout, and LOVED it! I feel like Christian music almost doubles as personal development for me, which I also happen to LOVE!
Here's a look at the playlist if you're interested in changing things up and finding a new groove for your workout time!
Beautiful Ending by BarlowGirl
Boomin' by TobyMac
Bring 'Em Out by Hawk Nelson
Catchafire (Whoopsi-Daisy) by TobyMac
Dear X (You Don't Own Me) by Disciple
Diverse City by TobyMac
Forgiven by Skillet
I Am Yours (feat. Ben Donnelly) by Brinson
I'm Not Alright by Sanctus Real
It's On by Superchick
Joyful Noise by Flame
Let Us Love by Need to Breathe
Live Life Loud by Hawk Nelson
Lose It All by Rush of Fools
Me Against The World by Superchick
NY2LA by Press Play
Second Chances by Stellar Kart
Something To Believe In by FM Static
Something To Say by Matthew West
Stronger by Mandisa
Temporary Fills by Mandisa
The Slam by TobyMac
Where I Belong by Building 429
Who I Am Hates Who I've Been by Relient K
Throw out some of your favorite workout tunes. All genres welcome!
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
A Champion Player
written by Kayla Larson
10-19-2003
Ever since I can remember, my grandpa has played horseshoe. He loved the sport so much that he put a court in his backyard so he could practice whenever he wanted. Then, as I got older, my dad eventually started throwing with him. My dad played as a boy, but took a break until just recently. I later found out that two of my uncles also played horseshoe in a league in Brooklyn Park. All of this exposure to horseshoe sparked my interest and got me to where I am today.
I was about 7 or 8 when I threw my first horseshoe. Juniors are supposed to throw from 30 feet, but my grandpa and dad let me stand about 20 feet away since I didn't quite have the strength to throw it 30 feet yet. I was so excited that I got to throw horseshoes just like my dad and grandpa. Just getting in the clay area was an accomplishment at that point. As I got older and stronger, I started moving back.
In 1998, I played in my first horseshoe tournament. The tournament was in Donnelly, MN. I played against my sister and two boys from Ortonville. I'm not sure what place I got, but I do know that I had a great time and beat my sister 37-6. The Donnelly Tournament was the only one I pitched in during 1998, but in 1999 I played in 8 tournaments including my first State Tournament. I entered the State Tournament in Junior Class D with a 12.15 ringer percent and finished in 3rd place. I also received the 1999 Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers' Association Rookie of the Year award at the Awards Banquet, which was held the same weekend.
In 2000, I added 10 more tournaments to my name. This was my first summer playing on a league. To make a long story short, the duo of my mom and I managed to come from the bottom and capture the Alexandria Horseshoe League Championship. This was a very big accomplishment in my book. At the time, it was probably the most momentous event of my life. Another first for this year was playing in the World Horseshoe Tournament in Bismarck, ND. I didn't play that well. I finished 11 of 16. It was a really great experience, nevertheless. I played in the State Tournament again this year, too. I managed to almost double my ringer percent over the year and entered the 2000 MN State Tournament in Junior Girls Class A with a 24.12 ringer percent and finished in 4th place with a 30.93 ringer percent.
In 2001, my mom and I once again paired up as a team in the Alexandria Horseshoe League and once again captured the Alexandria Horseshoe League Championship. I pitched in 10 more tournaments throughout the state in 2001, too. I had 2 highlights in 2001. I got the opportunity to experience another World Horseshoe Tournament. This year, the tournament was held in Hibbing, MN. I wasn't able to pull of any magic on the court once again this year, finishing 11 of 16. However, I did meet my boyfriend of 2 years now at this tournament. You never know what prize you might get at a horseshoe tournament! The State Horseshoe Tournament is the site of my favorite highlight though. I managed to stay in Junior Girls Class A entering with a 28.88 ringer percent. I went 5-0 to be crowned the 2001 MN Junior Girls State Champion. When I was 7 or 8 in the backyard, I never would've dreamt of such a prestigious title.
The last two years, 2002 and 2003, have been pretty quiet with the exception of a couple of things. Once I got my license and started working, it's been harder to find time for horseshoe tournaments on the weekends. Both years I continued to play on the Alexandria Horseshoe League, but was teamed up with my boyfriend due to Grandpa's stroke, leaving my dad without a partner. My mom decided to team up with my dad. My boyfriend and I finished very near the bottom both years, but enjoyed the socializing every Wednesday night. In 2002, I only made it to 5 different tournaments. Of course, I had to go to the State Tournament to try to defend my title. I managed to go 6-1 finishing with a 49.66 ringer percent to repeat as the Junior Girls State Champion. I even managed to 3-peat in 2003 at the State Tournament finishing with a 49.64 ringer percent. Unfortunately, there will not be a 4-peat because this was my last year as a junior and will now have to move up to the Women's Division. At the 2003 Awards Banquet, I was inducted into the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers Association Junior Honor Roll Hall of Fame, to out with a bang.
I am looking forward to many more accomplishments and awards in the Women's Division. After such a successful junior career, it will be hard to match my previous accomplishments, but I'm up for the challenge! Who knew that a backyard game could be so fun, yet competitive?
10-19-2003
Ever since I can remember, my grandpa has played horseshoe. He loved the sport so much that he put a court in his backyard so he could practice whenever he wanted. Then, as I got older, my dad eventually started throwing with him. My dad played as a boy, but took a break until just recently. I later found out that two of my uncles also played horseshoe in a league in Brooklyn Park. All of this exposure to horseshoe sparked my interest and got me to where I am today.
I was about 7 or 8 when I threw my first horseshoe. Juniors are supposed to throw from 30 feet, but my grandpa and dad let me stand about 20 feet away since I didn't quite have the strength to throw it 30 feet yet. I was so excited that I got to throw horseshoes just like my dad and grandpa. Just getting in the clay area was an accomplishment at that point. As I got older and stronger, I started moving back.
In 1998, I played in my first horseshoe tournament. The tournament was in Donnelly, MN. I played against my sister and two boys from Ortonville. I'm not sure what place I got, but I do know that I had a great time and beat my sister 37-6. The Donnelly Tournament was the only one I pitched in during 1998, but in 1999 I played in 8 tournaments including my first State Tournament. I entered the State Tournament in Junior Class D with a 12.15 ringer percent and finished in 3rd place. I also received the 1999 Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers' Association Rookie of the Year award at the Awards Banquet, which was held the same weekend.
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| This is one of my all-time favorite pictures! (L-R) My dad, Al Larson, my sister, Kelsey, me, and my grandpa, Don Larson It was taken after my sister and I pitched in our first tournament at the Donnelly Threshing Bee. |
In 2001, my mom and I once again paired up as a team in the Alexandria Horseshoe League and once again captured the Alexandria Horseshoe League Championship. I pitched in 10 more tournaments throughout the state in 2001, too. I had 2 highlights in 2001. I got the opportunity to experience another World Horseshoe Tournament. This year, the tournament was held in Hibbing, MN. I wasn't able to pull of any magic on the court once again this year, finishing 11 of 16. However, I did meet my boyfriend of 2 years now at this tournament. You never know what prize you might get at a horseshoe tournament! The State Horseshoe Tournament is the site of my favorite highlight though. I managed to stay in Junior Girls Class A entering with a 28.88 ringer percent. I went 5-0 to be crowned the 2001 MN Junior Girls State Champion. When I was 7 or 8 in the backyard, I never would've dreamt of such a prestigious title.
The last two years, 2002 and 2003, have been pretty quiet with the exception of a couple of things. Once I got my license and started working, it's been harder to find time for horseshoe tournaments on the weekends. Both years I continued to play on the Alexandria Horseshoe League, but was teamed up with my boyfriend due to Grandpa's stroke, leaving my dad without a partner. My mom decided to team up with my dad. My boyfriend and I finished very near the bottom both years, but enjoyed the socializing every Wednesday night. In 2002, I only made it to 5 different tournaments. Of course, I had to go to the State Tournament to try to defend my title. I managed to go 6-1 finishing with a 49.66 ringer percent to repeat as the Junior Girls State Champion. I even managed to 3-peat in 2003 at the State Tournament finishing with a 49.64 ringer percent. Unfortunately, there will not be a 4-peat because this was my last year as a junior and will now have to move up to the Women's Division. At the 2003 Awards Banquet, I was inducted into the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers Association Junior Honor Roll Hall of Fame, to out with a bang.
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| The MGSHPA had a fantastic Junior Director and got the information to my parents and I about a scholarship opportunity available to junior horseshoe pitchers who participate in a sanctioned league. It is on my bucket list to fill a position that will enable me to motivate and encourage youth to participate in the sport of horseshoes competitively on the national level. PHOTO CAPTION: Kayla Larson of Evansville recently was given an award from the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America. She was named a Sanctioned Club Scholar Pitcher for 1999-2000. The award reads: "Having shown proficiency in the sport of Horseshoe Pitching while still maintaining the highest standard of scholastic ability. This Award is Presented with Proud Recognition by the NHPA to this Junior Member for achievements in our sport and the classroom." |
I am looking forward to many more accomplishments and awards in the Women's Division. After such a successful junior career, it will be hard to match my previous accomplishments, but I'm up for the challenge! Who knew that a backyard game could be so fun, yet competitive?
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Horseshoes can bring families together
By Jerry LaBrosse
Published in the January-February 2002 edition of the MGSHPA Ringer Digest
As we start out the 2002 horseshoe season, we should reflect on the events of 2001. Life has changed in America, and people have been drawn closer together in many ways. Things that are important have come into focus, things like family and friends and people in need.
Your involvement in horseshoes can be a great way to build those things in your life. I look at families in our organization like the Larsons, Froehlichs, Sandquists, Meads, Albrechts and the list goes on.
These families enjoy horseshoe, traveling to tournaments together and supporting each other. Horseshoe is the glue that holds some of these families together, and it's really nice to see that. Ask yourself how many friends you have that came from the horseshoe world. I know I have many friends that I would have never met had it not been for the game.
Each year you see these friends and also make new ones, and that's what it's all about.
Published in the January-February 2002 edition of the MGSHPA Ringer Digest
As we start out the 2002 horseshoe season, we should reflect on the events of 2001. Life has changed in America, and people have been drawn closer together in many ways. Things that are important have come into focus, things like family and friends and people in need.
Your involvement in horseshoes can be a great way to build those things in your life. I look at families in our organization like the Larsons, Froehlichs, Sandquists, Meads, Albrechts and the list goes on.
These families enjoy horseshoe, traveling to tournaments together and supporting each other. Horseshoe is the glue that holds some of these families together, and it's really nice to see that. Ask yourself how many friends you have that came from the horseshoe world. I know I have many friends that I would have never met had it not been for the game.
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| Jerry LaBrosse and me in 2004 at my high school awards night. He was the MGSHPA President at the time. |
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| Jerry and me in 2016 at the State Horseshoe Banquet in Pierz, MN. Always fun to return home to all the familiar faces of my MN horseshoe family! |
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