Back!

Sorry, I know I promised I would update on Wednesday but I ended up getting in later than I expected from Medicine Hat.

Oh well, I'm back now. Officially! I guess, because "back" for me means back to skating. It was the first time in a week that I've done anything even remotely active... and it felt great... I've been holding back mainly to rest my ankle and also because of my mouth. I got an implant in and a bone graft done on last Thursday.

Both my mouth and ankle are doing a lot better though. I still feel some minor pressure points in my boot while I skate, but there is little to no pain! I even went out a did part of The Euro's lactic capacity program today (only one set but I hurt!). Don't ask, I more or less just do things based on feeling of the moment. And I don't regret it.

As for the vacation, it was great. Although, I don't think it made even a dent at those vacations I've missed out on. I didn't really get away from the thoughts surrounding trials. While in Medicine Hat I ended up doing a couple of interviews, even an in studio one with Chat TV yesterday. Doing them always brings up suppressed emotions.

I made it up to Edmonton for a few days to see my Baba and Gido (Grandma and Grandpa in Ukrainian) who always spoil me and give me tons and tons of homemade gingersnaps! As well as my sister Shalon. Who by the way is a complete and utter nerd... I mean that in a good way, she's super smart (much like my parents, damn her getting the useful genes), and even has some published physics papers with her name in them. She's not even done her undergrad! So with out a doubt, a nerd...

The funny part relating to all this, was some how I found myself stuck at one of her friends houses. Except, all the four of them talked about was work (nerd work), school (it's summer so... nerd) and scientific nerd shtuff they had heard or were in the process of reading up on... I think there was a moment of tension when someone brought up the finer points of string theory...

Cough, cough, yes exactly...

I was trying to be polite, but after about an hour and a half I couldn't take anymore... I started to drift off, I think at that point I turned around and attempted to pass out on the couch.

As for HOME, it was great! I didn't go outside of the house that often, other than to see my Grandma. Most or all of my friends from back home have either left or... Well I don't exactly know what happened to the other ones. That in itself may be the reason. But, mostly I stayed at the house, reading and relaxing as much as I could. Which was key. Being with my parents for more than a day was also important. They come through Calgary every so often, but it's never an extended visit. Which is what I really needed. My Mom even contracted me to bake a cheesecake for when my Uncle and Aunt came to visit! Of course I took all of the leftovers and am in fact consuming a very generous piece whilst I type. YUM!

Vacation

Vacation Time for me. I'll update come Wednesday I promise. For now, trying (emphasis on trying) to make it a vacation at least! If anything it's great to be hanging around the family again.

Until then, enjoy!

Goodbye Vancouver...

I hurt my ankle when I toppled past the line Monday, a minor bone contusion and a slight ligament sprain (as if, eh!?). It made it difficult to put my boot on during the 1500 m's afterwards but I pulled through with a win in the B final (7th).

Unfortunately, today during the 1000 m semis with an almost sure advancement to the A final, I tweaked my ankle in the last corner before the finish and went flying into the boards. At that point I was done... Not mentally, but physically. I wanted to get back out there, but both Jon and Paul (physio) recommended I back off and not skate the last race. They didn't want me running the risk of turning a minor injury into a severe one.

That's not the way I'd like to have finished my first Olympic Trials. But, to be honest I guess it went well, although I'll carry the pain of that 500 m DQ for the rest of my life. Sounds depressing, but it's part of sport.

Anyways, after racing today my teammates and I took a well deserved trip to the beach for a few hours or R and R. I've just returned from a party that Red Bull put on for us at their private lounge downtown but now looking forward to returning to Alberta and spending some quality time with my family! Try and make up for the last 3 years of missed vacations and holidays when I was out competing and/or training.

Oh and that picture above, I'm not angry, I'm actually really happy! Super tired and sore, but still happy! That's me after my semis where I advanced into the 500 m A final Monday. AND YES, I'm missing a bottom tooth if you haven't figure it out yet... It's getting fixed. *sigh*

Peace out Vancouver!

PS: Here are some articles.

Vancouver Sun:

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/Speed+skater+Jessica+Gregg+heading+Olympics+first+time/1902922/story.html

The Province:

http://www.canada.com/sports/Skater+near/1904516/story.html

and last but not least The Medicine Hat News:

http://www.medicinehatnews.com/content/view/127343/110/

Thanks Sean!

...........

It's Tuesday morning and we still have to race a set of 1000 m's.

Yesterday I went through one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through. The insanely calming high of making the Olympic Team, to the devastating train wreck of my 2010 Olympic dreams. Dreams that I held so close to my heart these last 3 years.

I know a lot of people didn't think I'd be a threat leading into the Olympic Selection, but for me I believed I would be. And well, I was. Claiming 5 A finals and "technically" 2 wins, there is no denying it.

Now on to the race that changed me:

Everything in the last 3 years flooded in my mind as I waited to step onto the ice for the 500 m A final yesterday. The success, the falls, the injuries and the triumphs! In a nutshell though, I was a wreck. No joke, Michael Gilday said afterwards that he wished he could have calmed me down. My heart was racing a million beats a minute, my breathing was heavy and hard, I guess I know how my Mom feels now when she watches me... Haha. But despite the nerves I managed to keep my smile and confidence.

After I had won the start from 3rd on the line, two laps in I was already lost in the moment, in my mind I had already won the race, I just needed to go through the motions of the last 2 laps, maintain my focus. When I crossed the line I lost control and fell. Excitement, fatigue... Relentlessly wanting to win it and declare my victory - I straight up fell.

It happens.

Unfortunately, it had to happen on the most important race of my life.

So I was disqualified.

I still am having trouble coming to terms with the whole situation. I am the fastest and most consistent 500 m sprinter out there right now, and I'm not on the 2010 team because I fell after the line. Even if I had come 2nd I would be going right now.

I'd like to thank everyone for their unwavering support over the last few months. Especially my coaches Jon Cavar and Al McIlveen, the support staff Paul Hunter and Danelle Kabush for being there for me when I most needed it, my whole family (Thanks Dad and Uncle Ken for being my biggest fans at the trials!) for all of there support, and of course those close friends (you know who you are!). Oh ya and also all yous Euros! Haha!

Anyways enjoy!