Whew, what a Summer and Fall!
The weather finally turned nice mid-July and we enjoyed a solid month and a half of very nice temperatures. My garden never did recover, but I did get a good crop of potatoes and onions.
My summer training was all in all very good with many new sport specific exercises as the main focus. Of course there was the pre-requisite weight room lifting and running track sprints, but it was the new movement patterning which kept my mind and body engaged. Although I must admit that when September rolled around I was sick and tired of the tedium and sameness of it all. Every week the same thing. Over and over and over. Lyndon Rush and I were commiserating a bit in Whistler and he echoed my thoughts of “I think if I touch another weight I’m gonna puke”. Of course it all is necessary and I will do what it takes, but after 5 -6 months of the routine it got a little old. All things considered I have made some huge steps with my push and although it is not translating to consistently faster push times yet, I feel better and look better pushing than ever before. As I warm up for my runs I am noticing a big difference in how my body moves in a much more sport specific way. I know it will translate to the ice soon – I just need to keep working hard and be patient.
Whistler training was very successful and from day one it felt as if I had not gotten off my sled. I had some very specific goals in mind regarding my understanding of the track and some of the corners and I would say I found answers to all but one corner. That will have to wait until January now, but after 2 solid runs, one great run, and one awful run I ended the team selection race in first. This race in Whistler counted for 50% of our team selection process so by finishing first I had put myself in a fantastic position to make the World Cup Team.
The second phase of our team selections has just concluded in Calgary where we had 2 separate races Saturday and Sunday where I finished 4th and 2nd respectively. My push deserted me this weekend, but I now have the sore throat to answer the ‘why?’ of that problem. So, phase 1 of three is now complete: I have made the World Cup Team. Phase 2 is qualifying and being selected to the Olympic team and then phase 3 is Olympic Gold!
This week is a rest week and it is sorely needed. The time in Whistler combined with the stress of the team selections has taken a toll on my energy. I am well aware of what I need to do this week to be ready to fire on all cylinders come the first world cup of the season – just 2 ½ weeks from now! Life moves fast and hopefully my sled and I will move even faster!