Saturday, April 30, 2011

Back from Montreal

First off, happy late easter everyone!

It was a fairly uneventful week in Montreal. We underwent a number of tests designed to analyze our current physical condition leading into the new season. I was poked, prodded, inoculated, questioned (Oh god, the questionaires...!), slave driven through physically exhausting and demanding experiments, thrown in test "pods" and even my blood harvested.

Results: Out Of Shape

Beyond what we've done on our own, our small Calgary group have done little so far for organized training. I took a number of trips out to the mountains where I either skied, boarded or hiked (where I rekindling my love for the slopes), but nothing to keep me in skating shape.

Start Monday though, we are on ice at Centennial and will continue skating there until the Oval opens back up at the beginning of August.

Last weekend, for the first time in years, I had an easter egg hunt. It was Michele's idea to see who was the better hunter or hider between the two of us. Turns out she's better than me at both... Sigh... I have no bragging rights. While placing the eggs for her, I came to the conclusion that I had purchased way to many easter treats for her consume alone. So I packed up the remainder and brought them with me to Montreal.

When we arrived Paul Hunter, our team physiotherapist, had to leave right away for a meeting with the Montreal support staff and Michael, Gabby and Jess wanted to go for a walk downtown. Perfect, I thought. Conveniently, I excused myself from the excursion as I needed to "study" leaving me alone to perform some mischief.

After a good ten minutes of pleading with the front desk I managed to convince them that I would be of no harm to my teammates rooms and they leant me the keys.

I caught up with Michael, Jess and Gabs afterwards and we found a place for supper down in China town. When we returned Michael walked straight to his computer and remained completely unaware of the hidden eggs surrounding him. I half expected him to do that when I placed them, so I made sure there were enough obvious ones around his computer area. No dice.

Fortunately, no more than five minutes had passed by before there was a knock at our door. I chuckled to myself, "that is so the girls..." I thought. Sure enough both Gabs and Jess barge in and frantically start looking around giggling to themselves and snatching up Michaels eggs... Michael, slightly shaken by their energy and enthusiasm finally clues in and starts hunting them himself, allowing me to relax on the bed, laughing and enjoying the chaos unfold.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

One Year

I am sorry... I had the full intention of continuing my blog as soon as I returned from South America last year, but looking back now, the last thing I wanted to do was write about skating.

So, SURPRISE!

To be perfectly honest, a year ago I didn't even want to think about skating. I had to finish my classes and the previous summer's disappointment was still very fresh in my mind.

I was glued to my TV in February 2010, where I experienced a tidal wave of emotions. It was two extremely eventful and inspirational weeks and Canada dominated! As a Nation we had not only won the Olympics (Yes, we did, I don't care count the golds), but it had turned out to be pretty awesome Olympic Winter Games too.

Though for me, with the closing of the games, I was left hurt and confused about how to approach the coming two months to the end of my season. Still bruised and broken from the summer I had to push through to the last trials.

So I needed time away from it all. I thought the trip to South America would help refresh myself and reignite my convictions in continuing on for another four more years. But alas, I still needed more time.

I pushed the problem down deep and finished my classes (straight A's thank you very much) and inevitably fell back into the routine of things (mainly summer training).

It turned out to be your typical every year short track season, a roller coaster ride to say the very least. I skated two World Cups in China, coming 4th, 7th and 9th in my 500 m distances as well as 15th in the 1500 m. Both World Cups I skated the relay where we got a Gold and Silver. Later on in the season, I participated in the University Games in Erzurum, Turkey. I was 5th in both my 1000 m and 1500 m distances and brought back two Silvers, one in the 500 m and the other in the 5000 m relay. I don't think I would ever go back to China for a vacation, but as for Turkey... I can't wait! I was only there for four and a half days (three of those competing), but it was enough to leave me wanting more. Next time though, I'm visiting during the summer... ha ha.

I'll leave you with that for now, hopefully I'll have more news in the coming few months. We are heading to Montreal next week for a preseason camp and then I believe to Font-Romeu, France for the month of June to train on ice at elevation.