University... Arrrg... (a lil' bit of whining)

You know it's not that I don't like school... It's just that I don't enjoy doing school right now. I know some of my fellow team mates can relate to me on this.

My focus is completely and utterly resolved in other areas right now. One namely, and has been for the better part of the last 3 years, - Short Track. This leaves me with not a ton of room for me to excel in school. And when I don't get top grades, which I know I can achieve when I pour my heart into it, it's rather discouraging.

My feelings on this are renewed every year around this time, when I have to sit down and find classes to take. Either I can't get into them because they're already full, or I can't take them because it conflicts with my training times. And thus, leaving me with very few second pick options.

Don't get me wrong, there are those that can succeed in both simultaneously. Good for them! But you know what? I'm not one of them. I just don't like doing multiple things mediocre. I know my potential, and I'd prefer to do one thing exceptionally well. When it comes time for me to pull away from skating and finish off school I know I'll be way more enthusiastic about it.

I attribute (not all, but some of) my success and accomplishments in the past 3 years from the focus I drew upon that would have normally been spent on my University Studies. Everything else from either my very supportive family and good solid coaching, thanks Jon! Ha ha.

Highwood Pass 2009

Our newly formed ritual of going to Highwood Pass in Kananaskis Country was a success.  We've headed out there a few times now, 4 days last year (weather was god awful and miserable) and now for 7 amazing days this year.  Although, the first weekend we didn't have that great of luck on weather it still proved to be a fun few days.  As you can see above and below there was a lot snow and needless to say, it was a very cold couple of rides.  Both days I returned wet and cold with no feeling left in my feet or hands.  

Marie-Eve making it up the first time.

We also saw a variety of wildlife on that Sunday, including a...

Grizzly Bear!

Despite the gloomy forecast scheduled for this past weekend, we lucked out with amazing weather!  I think it only rained on me once, which was Thursday evening sitting around the fire pit.  Otherwise, it was semi clouded skies and warm weather throughout our training camp.

On our day "off" last Thursday a few of us indulged in yet another annual tradition - "river jumping".  Similar to last year, we noticed a few fish that had been swimming around in some of the deeper parts of the river.  Last year we tried to catch one of these fish... Unfortunately we were unsuccessful.  Of course, that didn't mean a few of us weren't going to take another crack at it.  After a few hours of sitting with the majority of the group playing some sort of Volleyball game, I heard some loud cheering coming from a concealed area of bushes.  A few moments later the 6 hunters (Top left to Bottom Right: Yasu, Dustin, Cory, Blake, Jon, Michael) emerged with a huge rainbow trout.  They cooked it up and greedily ate it that night!  Below is a picture of Reid making a huge leap across one of the rivers.  Believe it or not, HE DID MAKE IT!  It's well worth the bragging rights...

On the final day of riding, Gilday, Ty, Dustin and I took a gravel road that winded itself upward towards what was supposed to be a waterfall.  Unfortunately it did not lead us to said waterfall, but to a picnic area.  So we followed a separate blocked off trail even farther, until we came across the bridge we had seen each day from the road leading up to Highwood Pass.  Luckily though, hidden behind this bridge was a beautiful hiking trail that lead us to a waterfall.  Mission accomplished.

By the end of it all I was an extremely tired camper, living in a tight RV with 6 other athletes was very cramped and I didn't achieve a lot of sleep.  But I think the added elevation to our training will give us an upper hand come training in Vancouver, and ultimately this August at Olympic Trials.  I'm definitely looking forward to next years Highwood Pass trip!

Thank You Yvon

This past Friday I said “goodbye” to my long time and close friend Yvon De Blois.  It’s not like I’ll never see him again because he’s promised to keep in touch, and may even make it out for Olympic Trials[?]) but he’s been such a significant part of my skating career, so I’m going to miss him a great deal.  

He recently retired at the end of the season and as of Saturday he’s back home in Québec with his family.

A week ago, my Mom came through Calgary and she and I managed to get him out for a late lunch.  It was great to chat with him about all his experiences; he’s had a long career.  My Mom pointed out that he should write a book about all of it.  It would be a great read, no matter who you are.

We talked a bit about my development in those years.  Yvon’s played a big part in keeping me in Short Track.  When he saw me compete nearing the end of the 2001 season he approached my father and they talked about my coaching and training situation in Medicine Hat.  It wasn’t great to be honest. I didn’t have anyone my age or ability to train with and the coaching wasn’t suited for the level of athlete I was striving to become.  He saw something (my ambitions) in me and he started sending me programs.  

Every week.  

All year round. 

It was great. He even called every few weeks to make sure I was doing OK.  There's a particular day he called that sticks out in my mind.  He called on a Friday night or something and one of my friends answered the phone for me:

Jesse: “Hello?”

Yvon (thinking it was me and with a thick French accent): “And how is my little boy doing?” 

Jesse: (turns pale): “Ummm, WHAT... sorry... erm, Liam!?  Heh, I’m hoping it’s for you...  I think...”

I had a good laugh about that.  Just Yvon being good ol’ friendly Yvon!

The latest call from him was this past Friday, He needed help moving things into a cargo container that was heading out to Québec the following morning.  Some of it was heavy lifting so he needed a second pair of hands.  It was amazing; while moving I came across a number of boxes containing old credentials from World Cups and Olympics, awards, and pictures.  I was blown away by it - a poster of the 2002 Olympic Opening Ceremonies with all of Team Canada’s Athletes and Coaches signatures on it, Newspaper clippings of his coaching and my favourite, a black and white picture of a younger Yvon accepting the award for the best coach (out of all sports) in Québec.  When we were done, I choked back some tears and we said our goodbyes.  I was so happy that he called me to come and help him.

Thank You Yvon!