Inspiring Book

A lot of my free time over the last month has been devoted to reading. There are a couple books that stick out in particular, but Skiing Zen by Rick Phipps pulls in at #1.

Leading up to May my library strongly consisted of science fiction novels. They're a nice escape from reality, but I felt the need try something new. So I started reading Biographies! Throughout that stint I got a hold of Michael J. Fox' books: Lucky Man and Always Looking Up. They were both great reads, having finished them both within a 6 day period even! It's not like I could closely relate to how his life has turned out, but it was more how he wrote that pulled me in. I noticed how I felt after reading his books... I honestly felt better about things, I was happier! The optimism jumped straight off the page and into my mind.

I noticed how it had affected me, so I started looking for other books that held a similar hold on me. Unfortunately, I haven't had too much luck, but it did open doors to a number of interesting books that I took neat ideas and concepts from. I tried to manipulate those thoughts and tested them out in training. Some worked, some didn't.

Before my meeting with my Sport Psych, Danelle Kabush, last Friday I asked her if she had any ideas for books. She had a couple suggestions, some I had read, but one in particular that I hadn't: Skiing Zen. I pointed out that I wasn't a big skier but she suggested that I borrow it anyways. It was amazing. It wasn't a particular optimistic book, but it was extremely inspiring and motivational. The first half is a little slow (interesting nonetheless), but middle of the way through, BAM! I was reading it at one point before going to bed, and all of a sudden I noticed my hands were sweating and my heart was trying to beat its way out of my chest. That night I read another two hours, despite being initially tired. I'm not going to go into the story at all here, but it's about attaining spirituality through sport, and at the same time it contrasts Eastern and Western thought patterns.

Another funny note, mid way through the book, Dr. Randy Gregg, Jessica Gregg's (another teammate of mine) father shows up and there is a whole chapter with him and Rick discussing Japanese culture. Anyways, I really enjoyed it and just wanted to let people know!

Thank you Danelle for introducing it to me!

Some Photos

Alex Fishi is a Short Tracker from Israel, he's been training with the OVAL program for the summer. Turns out he's a great photographer! Here are some of the pictures Alex' snapped since we've been on ice at the Olympic OVAL.

Warm up on our first day back on OVAL ice. "It's good to be back..."

Some relaxing relays, Reid Van Drecht is on my outside there about to exchange with Rob Watson. I think this was also the first day I was on raised cups. I stand a little taller now, haha, 4 mm actually. So for all the ladies that think I'm vertically challenged... I'm not anymore (at least on ice)!

Some "Harnessed Racing", it's a little slower paced because we're supposed to work on track pattern and passing strategies. But lets face it, they always end up turning into an all out race! Tyler Derraugh is directly behind me and Junpei Yoshizawa of Japan is closing a gap at the back.

Update!

Sorry it's been a while since I've blogged, it's been an extremely eventful and positive month since I last posted. Training is going notably well, all the right pieces are falling into place. Things are becoming more and more natural and refined.

The Vancouver camp went extremely well, we had a couple amazing talks done by Rick Hansen and Frank Dick. Both very inspirational people.

The ice actually felt really good, I couldn't wipe the smirk off my face on the first day we stepped onto it. After training months at Centennial in South Calgary I imagine anything would feel better than that ice, but it was a welcomed relief to be back on good ice.

Olympic Trials are nearing, we leave a week today to Vancouver and our first day of competition is August 9th. I will try and keep things more update now.

Training at the Calgary Olympic Oval has been energizing as well. Refining technique and having fun have been a big part of my lead up to these coming trials. I think they've been paying off. I believe our last "hard" practice day is today. It's going to burn something fierce! I'm still a little tired from last weeks training. But we taper after this, meaning lots of recovery!

As for outcome, I hope things go in my favour, but good or bad... I'm exceptionally pleased with everything leading up to now.

Here is a link to todays Online Calgary Herald:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Short+track+speedskaters+track+2010/1838398/story.html

Oh and that photo up top was taken by a Herald Journalist at our practice yesterday. We we're doing some electronic timing of starts. That's Tyler on my inside.