The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 14 No. 12 - January 15, 2014

sports

Bills battle back

The Sun Sports game of the week was a back and forth thriller between the Island Gourmet Bills and the Island Real Estate Raiders.

The tone of this shootout was set early. On the very first play, Island Real Estate Raiders quarterback Chris Gillum threw a 45-yard TD pass to Jason Vancleve. The two point conversion was good, 8-0.

The Island Gourmet Bills quarterback, Charles Buky, answered right away and threw a 45-yard TD pass to Jim Ptak. The extra point failed, and the Bills trailed 8 to 6.

The quarterback battle was on, and it was playing out to be one of those games where whichever team has the ball last would probably win.

Raiders quarterback Chris Gillum threw two more first half touchdowns, one of them to Mike Gillum and the other to Vancleve. Bills quarterback Charles Buky also threw two more first half touchdowns, one of those was to A.J Brown and the other to Ptak. These made the score 20 to 19 and the Raiders in the lead at halftime.

The back and forth lead changes continued into the second half. With less than a minute left in the game, the Bills had the ball and found themselves down 36 to 32. They needed one last possession to score and retake the lead. The Bills marched down the field and with second and goal from the 15-yard line, Buky found Ptak in the end-zone for the score. With only 13 seconds left in the game, the Bills took the lead 39 to 36 with the extra point.

The Raiders still had 13 ticks though and one time out. Two quick pass plays got the Raiders close to mid-field. On the last play of the game, Chris Gillum threw a post pattern pass to his brother, Mike Gillum. The open receiver, Mike Gillum, looked like he was going to make the game winning catch, but at the last second free safety A.J. Brown closed the gap and dove to knock the ball away. The Bills battled until the last play and won 39 to 36.

For the Bills, Charles Buky threw for 310 yards, six touchdowns and three extra-points. Jim Ptak had 155 yards receiving, three TDs and one extra-point. A.J. Brown had 70 yards receiving and two TDs. Katie Berzowski had 45 yards receiving, one TD and one extra-point.

For the Raiders, Chris Gillum threw for 172 yards, five TDs and two extra points. Jason Vancleve finished with 102 yards receiving and three TDs. Mike Gillum had 42 yards receiving and one TD. Brianna Shaughnessy had 15 yards receiving, one TD and one sack for a safety.

Youth 5-7-Year-Old Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 17, Friday, 6 p.m. – Miller Electric Broncos vs. Air & Energy Bucs
Jan. 20, Monday, 6 p.m. – Beaches Real Estate Packers vs. Miller Electric Broncos

Youth 8-10-Year-Old Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 15, Wednesday, 6 p.m. – Miller Electric Cowboys vs. West Coast Air & Heating Dolphins
Jan. 17, Friday, 6 p.m. – Beach Bums Patriots vs. Manatee Diagnostic Ravens
Jan. 17, Friday, 7 p.m. – Miller Electric Cowboys vs. Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings
Jan. 20, Monday, 6 p.m. – LPAC Cardinals vs. Beach Bums Patriots

Youth 11-13-Year-Old Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 17, Friday, 8 p.m. – Beach to Bay Bucs vs. Will C. Photos Falcons
Jan. 20, Monday, 7 p.m. – Will C. Photos Falcons vs. LPAC Cardinals
Jan. 20, Monday, 8 p.m. – Sandbar Colts vs. Bark & Company Realty Ravens

Youth 14-17-Year-Old Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 16, Thursday, 6 p.m. – The Island Sun Bears vs. Waterfront restaurant Cowboys
Jan. 21, Tuesday, 6 p.m. – Swordfish Grill Browns vs. The Island Sun Bears
Jan. 21, Tuesday, 7 p.m. – The Feast Broncos vs. West Coast Surf Shop Jaguars
Jan. 21, Tuesday, 8 p.m. – Waterfront restaurant Cowboys vs. Mr. Bones Bengals

Adult co-ed 18 & Over Flag Football Results

Slim’s Place Bears – 37, Beach Bistro Raiders – 14
Agnelli Pool & Spas Giants – 32, Duffy’s Tavern Seahawks – 25
Beach to Bay Dolphins – 55, Waterfront restaurant Panthers – 6

Adult co-ed 18 & Over Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 15, Wednesday, 7 p.m. – Slim’s Place Bears vs. Waterfront restaurant Panthers
Jan. 15, Wednesday, 8 p.m. – Beach to Bay Dolphins vs. Agnelli Pool & Spas Giants
Jan. 15, Wednesday, 9 p.m. – Duffy’s Tavern Seahawks vs. Beach Bistro Raiders

Adult co-ed 30 & Over Flag Football Results

Ross Built Panthers – 18, Jessie’s Island Store Bucs – 0
Agnelli Pool & Spas Giants – 20, Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings – 14
Island Gourmet Bills – 39, Island Real Estate Raiders – 36

Adult co-ed 30 & Over Flag Football Schedule

Jan. 16, Thursday, 7 p.m. – Jessie’s Island Store Bucs vs. Island Gourmet Bills
Jan. 16, Thursday, 8 p.m. – Ross Built Panthers vs. Agnelli Pool & Spas Giants
Jan. 16, Thursday, 9 p.m. – Island Real Estate Raiders vs. Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings

Adult co-ed Volleyball Results

Duncan Real Estate - 25, Southern Greens – 13 (First game of best 2 out of 3)
Duncan Real Estate - 25, Southern Greens – 8 (Second game of best 2 out of 3)
Florida Discount Signs & Wraps – 25, Southern Greens – 16 (First game of best 2 out of 3)
Florida Discount Signs & Wraps – 25, Southern Greens – 13 (Second game of best 2 out of 3)
Duncan Real Estate - 25, Florida Discount Signs & Wraps – 21 (First game of best 2 out of 3)
Duncan Real Estate - 25 Vs. Florida Discount Signs & Wraps – 19 (Second game of best 2 out of 3)

Adult co-ed Volleyball Schedule

Jan. 21, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. – Duncan Real Estate vs. Southern Greens
Jan. 21, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. – Florida Discount Signs & Wraps vs. Southern Greens
Jan. 21, Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. – Florida Discount Signs & Wraps vs. Duncan Real Estate

The benefits of a personal trainer

A running coach and friend, asked, “Do you ever wonder what happens to clients who don’t come back? Do you call and ask if something was wrong, or let it go?”

Another friend, also a personal trainer, advertises that he is “a trainer to the stars.” He told me, “You know how fickle this business is. Especially with celebs – they are done with you after a few weeks.”

This happened to me for the first time. A raving fan disappeared after being with me for so long. She had offered lots of praise along the way. Even though we knew each other outside the gym, I was naive to think she’d leave there and follow me as I went out on my own, which was a much better deal for my clients and my shrinking time. Many personal trainers, if they have enough clients and guts, prefer leaving a gym where they have to give most of their income. It got me thinking about my experience using trainers.

As a gym rat from 18, I didn’t have disposable income to hire trainers. Watching my family get sick, once I could afford a trainer, I loved it. I only hired trainers to come to my home. I always ran or walked and cross-trained two days a week. As a busy TV reporter, I had a simple home gym. A trainer was cheaper than joining a gym, especially buying discounted packages.

I had used several trainers over the decades. I found one at a gym who eventually went out on her own. The other two were referrals. It wasn’t that I fired them. It was simply that my schedule didn’t allow the time or money. All the trainers were great. I probably didn’t let them know enough.

Ever since a New York Times reporter wrote two years ago about how I helped her improve her marathon time by an hour, I now train lots of clients in the New York area via Skype. It’s like I’m live in their living room.

Then there are clients like Rebecca. She had gone to local gyms because she enjoyed the equipment. But she didn’t feel connected. She required a little more time, and I was glad to help. At the end of our first year together, she knit me a scarf. She has brain cancer and couldn’t work out for a year. She moved, but invited me to train her in her home. As with my local clients, I loaded up my car with kettlebells, balls, weights and anything else fun and challenging I could think of.

Rebecca recently asked if I would do some sessions in a gym with equipment she liked. Up until recently, the gym allowed independent contractors to train there. The gym now only allows gym-employed trainers. I saw their personal training price list.

I was shocked to see that they charge more than double for a half hour than I charge for an hour. I’ve always tried to keep my rates affordable. A friend in Miami pays her trainer $90 an hour. I charge half that.

I will never be a 20-something buff super model. Just a 61 year-old, injury-free athlete who just got Miss December for BadAssVegan.com. The January edition of Vegan Health and Fitness Magazine feature me as an inspiring athlete of 2013. Great Vegan Athletes lists me as one of several female runners. Not all trainers continue to compete. This weekend I placed in my 62nd 5K or longer for my age group at the Dolphin Dash since 2006.

My former client had said, “I just want your personal training. Spare me the vegan lecture.”

I had stuck to that, as I always do. “Build, don’t break,” is my mantra for clients. Too many have told me, “I used to be a runner (or whatever). I want to be you at your age.”

In an e-mail, Rebecca said, “You know my issues. I feel safe with you. I’m blessed to have you as a trainer. I hope we can play forever.”

After a recent session, Rebecca said, “Do you like strawberries?” She gave me two pints. No finer better paycheck. Clones please.

You can follow Island resident Ellen Jaffe Jones on her Facebook page and keep up with her just released book:,"Eat Vegan on $4 a Day," or her website: www.vegcoach.com. She is also a nationally certified personal trainer and running coach. For training in a gym or private hire, contact Ellen at ejones@vegcoach.com or 941-704-1025.


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