As many of you know, I was glued to the television watching the best of the best compete on the world stage in the Olympic Games. But as all good things, they have come to an end and I must get back to my normal routine. It does seem completely foreign to watch TV again and not be screaming at the top of my lungs "YES!" or "GO GO GO GO!", although I'm sure my family is happy to get their hearing back.
So many moments are saved in the memory bank...and there are many images that I will remember...the empty luge sled on the track, Sven Kramer jumping a cone to disqualification, the bumping and pushing and crazy calls in short track and the crazy, crazy overtime hockey game played just before closing ceremonies. There are much, much more, but here are just a few that will help me remember Vancouver as one of the best games I've seen in a long, long time.
Can you see Jimmy Jang in his cool specs?
Thanks for the wild ride. Can't wait for Sochi 2014!
Images from Getty Images, Reuters, Canadian Press and Pettit National Ice Center
I have a new name to replace Mommy. For the next 11 days, please refer to me as "Zommy". That would be Zombie and Mommy combined to form what I have become while watching the Vancouver Olympic Games.
This is Olympic snowboarder Ben Kilner of Great Britain. If a picture could capture how exhausted I feel by the end of the day I think this would be it. I have no idea if he is exhausted, but it looks like it!
I am tired for many reasons...mainly because the coverage of my said passion (speedskating) has been moved from primetime coverage to wee-hours of the morning coverage. I have many issues when it comes to the coverage of these games by NBC, but I will save that soap box moment for when I can put my thoughts down in a coherent sentence or two. Just know this viewing fans...you are not alone in your frustration.
So a quick recap of what I could see through a few blinks last night:
Men's Long Track 1000m Speedskating:
Give the USA men some props! All 4 skaters finished in the top 10! What a great night on what has been slow "worker" ice at the Richmond Oval. 10th went to my friend Trevor Marsicano, who looked great last night! I watched the replay again this morning because I missed seeing most of his race as my eyes were darting from TV screen to my laptop as I watched his splits. It did not prevent me of course from screaming and clapping my encouragement of "Come on Trevor! Go Go Go!" Very, very proud of him! 7th went to Nick Pearson who also skated an amazing race, one that he should be very proud of! 3rd went to Chad Hedrick who gritted through the 2-lap race with quite the fight. 1st went to Shani Davis for the first ever back to back gold in the 1000m! Shani knew what he needed to do and he went out there and did it. Congratulations!
Short Track Men's 1000m & Relay Semis:
Both Apolo Ohno and JR Celski moved through to the 1/4 Finals. Apolo looked very fluid and easily qualified. JR had a little more work cut out for him. After sitting in the back of the pack he made his move to the front and stopped in third. With two laps to go, JR tried to move into second, but NO! The door got closed on his opportunity. So what did JR do? He went on the outside for a brilliant pass and made it across the line to join Apolo for his place on the line for the chance to make it to 1000m Finals.
The relay lived up to utter chaos for teams to place in the Finals. Simon Cho, Travis Jayner, Apolo Ohno and JR Celski made up the USA team. After Team Italy took out Team France, Team USA and Team Korea only needed to stay upright to secure their place in the Finals. Italy ended up with a DQ (Disqualification) and France was advanced for the Finals which will be skated against USA, Korea, China and Canada.
Women's Short Track 500m
Ok..this will be a soapbox topic. NBC, why are you not sharing the love for our USA Women Short track and long track skaters?? We want to see them too!
I watched the 500 heats on the computer this morning and watched Katherine Ruetter skate wire to wire in her race skating a 43.834, which gave her an Olympic Record to savor- for a little while at least! The USA did not make it through to the A-Finals, but skated very well!
Katherine's OR was later broken in the very next heat by Meng Wang of China (43.284).
I briefly woke to watch the Final race in the Ladies 500m and could not believe the lead that Meng Wang had over the field. She is like the Women's version of Apolo Ohno. She is fast and furious! I thought I may have been dreaming that race, so I once again viewed it on replay. I was not in dream land- Meng really did have that big of a lead on the field.
The race ended with Meng Wang (CHN)-Gold, Marianne St. Gelais (CAN)- Silver and Arianna Fontana (ITA)- Bronze.
If NBC listens to the masses, then I will be as happy as St. Gelais (below) when I can stop holding my eyelids open with toothpicks to watch some exciting racing!
For now, "Zommy" is going to take a nap and get some much needed zzzzz's.
I have been glued to my television for the past 3 days hoping to soak in as many Olympic moments as possible and have been treated to many incredible stories, especially those that have happened for the first time.
Here are some of the Highlighted "Firsts" that I have found to show the true spirit of the Games and the incredible athletes that are living the dream:
Nordic Combined: Not sure what this sport is? I wasn't quite sure either until I watched it for the first time yesterday. I was in the middle of watching online stats on the Womens 3k speedskating event (more on that later) and TV coverage of this event at the same time. I found I was cheering simutaneously for two completely different sports at almost a rabid pitch! I did a little homework this morning and found that this event is ski jumping and cross country racing combined in the same day. The athlete soars from the ski jump and earns points for style and length of jump. The total points earned will dictate the starting position in the 10k cross country ski course, which loops through a stadium and up steep hills through the woods and back to the stadium. I did not know the names of the athletes that were pushing their bodies to the VO2 max with each loop, but their struggle to climb those hills and position themselves just right for the finish line sprint completely drew me in. I was screaming at my television screen "GO GO GO GO GO GO!" The outcome? After being passed at the last moment on the finish line, Johnny Spillane (USA) earned a Silver medal, a first in Olympic history for the USA in this discipline. Truly amazing!
Pairs Figure Skating: I enjoy seeing the fluid motions and grace of figure skating. I found myself drawn in to yet more athlete's stories last night as I watched the short program of Pairs Figure Skating. The first couple on the ice was Shen Xue & Zhao Hongbo (CHN) who set the bar so high for those that followed. With the highest score ever given in the short program of 76.66 no one came close to their near perfect performance. When you see something magical, you know it, even if you don't follow the sport on a regular basis. This will most likely be the couple's (in real life too) last Olympic Games and hopefully the first time they will acheive Gold, a color that has elluded them for 18 years.
Most of you who read this blog know that I kind of like speedskating. (Haha) There were quite a few firsts happening here in both the Men's & Women's races. What I realized for the first time: I have a love/hate relationship with NBC and the coverage of this sport. Hate:They claim to offer coverage of speedskating and when tuned in for 5 hours, not one bit of coverage until primetime rolled around and even then it was of 1 race pair! (Hint NBC: in the women's 3k, the three American skaters were back to back of one another. You could have at least shown that much.) Love: They are offering replays of the races online, some in their entirety. Click Here to see video.
Men's Speedskating: In the Men's 5k race there were a few firsts. My friend Trevor Marsicano skated his first Olympic race. We were screaming at the TV "GO TREVOR!" and jumping up and down. My son dryly said to me afterward "Mom, he can't hear you." My reply was "Yes he can!" A very proud moment indeed.
But I must say, hats off to Sven Kramer (NED), for skating a gutsy and fantastic race to his first Gold medal. Sven threw it down and skated a 6:14.60, a new 5k Olympic Record! To see him clear the barriers and leap into the sea of orange-clad Dutch fans and embrace his family was amazing. However, once again, NBC and their reporter missed the mark by showing their lack of speedskating knowledge by asking Sven this question after returning from his family: "Can you tell us who you are and what you just won?" Truly a first.
Women's Speedskating: In the Women's 3k, Jilleanne Rookard took to the ice in her very first Olympics. I could only watch the online splits (as indicated above) as Jill skated a great race. What I didn't realize, until seeing the replay of her race was that she slipped in her final lap and somehow saved herself from crashing, finishing 12th overall! Amazing!
However, the 3k Gold medal went to Martina Sablikova (CZE) in an outstanding time of 4:02.53. Her technique sent her to the record books by awarding her country the first medal ever in the sport of speedskating. Her joy was so overwhelming that the fans in the Richmond Oval joined in her celebration cheering her on as she skipped with her country flag draped on her shoulders.
Men's Short Track Speedskating: Apolo Anton Ohno (USA) secured silver in the 1500m final after two Korean teammates took eachother out in the last corner before the finish. The Bronze went to J.R. Celeski(USA) who competed in his first major competiton since sustaining a severe injury to his leg in September. What a way to begin your first Olympic Games!
Men's Freestyle Moguls: This post could not go without this acknowledgement. Canada has made no bones about stating that they want to "Own the Podium" at these Winter Games. Canada has hosted the Summer Olympics in Montreal, and Winter Olympics in Calgary and has not won a single gold medal on home turf. Last night, Alexandre Bilodeau (CAN), ended that 34 year old quest for home soil gold in 23.17 seconds. The only word I could say was "WOW!" I am not a skier, but I could even tell that this guy was smoking down the mountain as he pounded his knees into each mogul and soared through the air with flips and turns.
If these first few days are any indication of what is to come, I will be a hoarse, happy, heaping mess by closing ceremonies.
The Olympic Games embody emotions that all humans share. Feelings are the thread that weaves the world together for a short two week period and allows the average person to share the elation or sadness that is witnessed in something so pure-the game of sport.
Photo: Gulfnews.com
I watched the Opening Ceremomies and cried tears of complete pride, joy and sadness. To see friends among the parade of athletes, their faces showing true joy made my nose sting and my eyes well with tears of pride. To feel complete amazement with the boy flying over wheat fields, orcas swimming through the floor of the arena and hearing K.D. Lang sing "Hallelujah" in her hauntingly beautiful voice surrounded in twinkling star-like lights brought tears of awe. To watch the lighting of the the Olympic Cauldron evoked the feelings of both happiness and sadness and tears ran freely.
I felt happiness to have the games officially opened and looked forward to watching the world come together to play in the sports they love, we love for that matter.
I felt sadness for the Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, who only hours earlier, lost his life to the sport he loved.
The Olympic Games creates this unique place in all of us that lets us dream. Dream of possibilities. John Furlong, Chief Event Organizer addressed the athletes regarding the 21 year old luger and asked them “May you carry his Olympic dream on your shoulders and compete with his spirit in your hearts.”
Hero is a term that carries a lot of weight. The first time that I said this to Trevor was during a meet in Rochester, NY after doing something for me that was so heroic, I found "thank you" could not quite capture how grateful I felt, so "Trevor, you are my hero!" came out.
What was this deed of great proportion? He cracked my back.
After years of bike riding (being hunched over) and speedskating (being hunched over) and long car rides to meets or vacation spots (semi-hunched over) my husband and I have suffered through back issues and have mastered crackin' to a science. It looks like we are about to give eachother a big hug only our arms are to the side as if someone said "stick 'em up". A nice squeeze and we can sound like a zipper! When my back is in such a knot, it makes my whole shoulder/neck area tighten up so bad that I am in pain. To have this "hug" does not hurt (although it may sound like it does), but brings instant relief with an "ahhhhhhhhh" and a smile.
My husband was not at this particular short track meet and I was in so much pain from a long car ride that I could not relax before my first race. I could feel the tightness taking hold. Trevor and his dad were walking out of the rink area as I was walking in. I stopped him and asked "Can you please do me a huge favor?" He replied "Sure!" I explained "This will look like a hug, but can you help me crack my back?!" Both Trevor and his father raised their eyebrows, but after sharing the process with him, Trevor grabbed his hand around my back, squeezed between the shoulder blades and "Poppopopopoppop" went my spine. Ahhhhhh. Smile. My hero.
Trevor and I both found the sport of speedskating around the same time, yet skated for different clubs. We would not meet until my 2nd season, when my coach Paul Marchese suggested I start skating & training with the Saratoga Winter Club. Here, I got to know this shy kid who would smile and laugh at jokes on the ice, but you could tell he was still finding his way and how he would fit into this group of skaters. He did not have to search for long. The most amazing qualities of speedskaters are acceptance and camaraderie shared with one another and Trevor was quickly embraced by this supportive group.
What became very apparent to us floating around the middle of the ice between sets is that we were witnessing the growth of an Olympian. Trevor had the drive and focus to keep getting better. At our club, we have different level groups that will go out on the track in sets based on time. The main group is the "blue" group and depending on how many skaters are at practice can be sub-divided into A, B or C or 1, 2 or 3- A being the fastest group, B the next fastest and so on. In a short amount of time, Trevor was starting to break free of the 'A' group and created the 'Trevor' group.
Then the skater nightmare happened. Trevor had a horrible crash at a Jr. National Short Track meet in Michigan which left a wound from another's blade so deep into his right thigh that he could see his femur and caused him to lose half the blood in his body. He spent the holidays in a hospital. A few weeks into January, Trevor made his way on crutches into the rink and stood in the coaches' box to watch his team practice. I remember asking his sister Sam, who was skating with us at the time, if being here bothered him. Her reply surprised me a little, but also showed me his determination. "Nope. He couldn't wait to get here!"
His recovery was a long one, but Trevor once more proved his mettle as he continued on the road to big things. Summer training (called dryland) was brutal; conditioning and heat wise. That was also the summer that Trevor started using a weight vest for some of the exercises. I can remember being in so much pain during a set that I would want to stop. Then I would look over at Trevor still working hard -with weight on his back- and I would think to myself: If he can do it, you can do it. Quit whining and finish this set. Even during these training sessions, he was setting himself apart from the rest of the group. Paul would always save the "dessert" for us...a long low walk would be served up after a two hour practice. Put yourself in a squat position. Good. Now, get lower. Start walking in this balled up position (if done correctly, your knees should scrape the ground with each step) for one minute. Not as easy as it sounds. By the end of summer we worked our way up to a 15 minute low walk. Trevor had more. He would have one or two others that would be able to hang with him, but the rest of us would finish our set and cheer him on to the finish.
Shortly after this, Trevor went to the 2006 US Short Track Olympic Trials. It was so exciting for us to watch him on Live Feed as he toed the line with Apolo Ohno, Shani Davis and many others. He did not make the team that year, but he did start a buzz.
(L-R) Trevor Marsicano, Misi Toth, Ryan Bedford, Shani Davis
Photo by: Jerry Search- 2006 US Short Track Olympic Trials
Then the most exciting short track race I have ever seen, took place in our very own home rink. Saratoga was hosting the American Cup Series and Trevor was back in great form. I had skated the Eastern States Championship being held in conjunction with the AmCup. My family was there to watch and cheer me on. I finished my day and had time to watch the rest of the day's racing. Trevor's sister Sam was also our babysitter for a couple of summers and my kids were anxious to go see her and visit a little bit in the stands, so we made our way over to where Sam and the rest of the Marsicano's were sitting. We were chatting away and realized that Trevor's 3000m race was coming up. The 3000m is 27 laps. It takes a while to get through the distance and is usually a yawner until about 7-5 laps to go. Not this time. After the start, you could see Trevor building (going faster) and we were saying to ourselves, 'What is he doing?', 'It's too fast'. He knew exactly what he was doing. He pulled a "flyer". He broke out and lapped the field by the third go around. That threw the crowd into a roar. What happened next threw us into a complete frenzy: he did it again! It was so loud in the rink, you couldn't hear yourself think! We were screaming so much that I lost my voice and I think everyone else did too. When Trevor crossed the finish line the place was cheering like I have never heard before or since. Amazing! People started saying "Who is this kid?" You see, we knew he was under most of the radar and that great things were coming, the rest of the world just needed to catch up.
Trevor began the switch to long track and eventually he settled in Milwaukee to train. We all knew this progression would happen and were so happy when last year, Trevor was the first person to beat the 1:07 World Record in the 1000m distance. The other amazing feat? Trevor returned from the World Single Distance Championships as the first American skater with four medals; Gold-1000m, Silver-1500m, Bronze-5000m, Bronze- Team Pursuit!
Video of Trevor breaking the World Record!
We trained together for a few short months this past summer as he prepared to make his Olympic dream a reality. It was fun having him back in the group again, still laughing and cracking jokes, only now, not so shy.
In October, I traveled to Milwaukee to help support Trevor and other skaters that were beginning their journey to Vancouver. This meet was the World Cup Team qualifier (and the first of two Olympic Trials). It was the first time I had seen him since the summer. It was also the first time I have ever gone to watch a long track event. I've skated in them, but I have never sat in the "fan" seat. I was keeping stats and a close watch to the inner and outer clock (which gives the time splits for the pair skating) to see how things would unfold and who would fill the open spots.
Over those three days I rode that emotional roller coaster ride that seems to go with speedskating. Trevor was struggling. When leaving the rink the night before the rest day, I watched Trevor sitting on the bench after his race concluded. It was not what he was expecting. You could see it in his face and also in his body language. As a skater, I knew exactly what he was feeling and I also knew there were no words that you could say to make it better. The best I could do was to send him a text that said "you are still my hero!"
Sometimes a Rest Day Equals a Good Day and gets you back on track. Trevor came back and skated a gutsy race that secured his spot on the World Cup team. He said "It wasn't pretty, but it worked!"
I find myself sometimes sitting in the audience of parents and friends who have gathered to watch a school band concert or sporting event trying to hold back tears. When I see my children doing what they love to do I feel a sense of pride so intense that I can become pretty emotional. When in Milwaukee, I felt that same sense of pride for my friend Trevor as he made the World Cup team and then again when I heard the offical announcement he made the US Olympic Team.
The Richmond Oval
Photo Courtesy of Ryan Shimabukuro
Through all these years, I have watched the growth of an amazing athlete both inside and out. Through all the challenges he has faced, he has made his dream a reality. My son often says "It is so cool that I know an Olympian!" When Trevor steps to the line on Saturday for his first race, I know it will be a moment of pure happiness and pride for me as well as his family and friends who have all supported his journey.
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
Get ready for some fast skating this weekend on both the Short Track and Long Track ice!
Short Track:
If folks can make their way through the winter snow storm happening in Dale City, VA, they will be treated to the American Cup III racing series! Most of the competitors arrived yesterday, some just making the last flights in before mother nature blanketed the area in wintery white. Practice ice was held last night and skaters will be sharp and ready to begin their racing card today and tomorrow. A "good luck" goes out to all the skaters, especially to those from my club: Katy Ralston and Josh Cummings. I will keep an eye on results and post when available.
***Update as of 2:30pm EST*** American Cup III has been officially canceled. After warm-ups were completed this morning, skaters were getting ready to begin races and starters were taking their places. At this time a loud "Bang" could be heard from above and when eyes looked over-head, it was noticed that one of the support beams holding the rink's roof had bent and collapsed. The rink's occupants were safely evacuated. Upon inspection, it was found that the heavy, wet snow that has crippled the area had now claimed the integrity of the roof. For the safety of all involved, officials have closed the rink. Never a dull moment in Short Track!!
Safe travels to all!!
Long Track:
The 2nd Masters Sprint Games are being held in Milwaukee, WI at the Pettit National Ice Arena. Organizer Andrew Love has put together another top notch event that has attracted the fastest Masters Long Track skaters from around the world. The USA team is choc-full of talented skaters and will show that you can still skate fast, no matter what age you are. Good luck to Martin Haire and Masahiko Yanigahara.
Vancouver News:
Team USA Short Track and Long Track skaters have arrived in Vancouver! The Long Track Team has been practicing at the Richmond Oval and have stated that the ice is F-A-S-T and they look forward to racing! The Short Track team arrived yesterday and will have practice this morning. Both teams have been getting settled in their new "home away from home" and are very impressed with accomodations. Each team has gone through the "outfitting" of apparel that will be worn for opening, medal and closing ceremonies. The clothes have been provided by Ralph Lauren and Nike and these threads are sweet! The excitement is exuding from both first time and returning Olympians as they share these special moments. All are looking forward to meeting fellow athletes from around the world as they begin to arrive.
The world awaits to witness Vancouver's magic as Opening Ceremonies are only 6 days away!
I received an email yesterday from US Speedskating's social media rep. She shared the news that Mom Got Blog was added to the "Featured Blogger's" tab on their Facebook page! Many thanks go out for this recognition!
Looking at the list of other bloggers, I am honored to be in such great & talented company. Here is the current list of the featured Blog Roll:
This Might Hurt Our Reputation: Lisa, Camille & Dorothy share a wonderfully written blog that takes you on the journey of three friends that share a passion for fun and skating. They have a way of pulling you into their world with stories and photos that makes you want to come back for more. A really great blog.
Ice & Times of Short Track Speedskating: Michelle has brought together all the latest news on Short Track Speedskating and shares on her blog. Expect to see great photos, videos and interviews with current and up and coming talent on the ice. Blog is an extension of The Rocker Fund, a grass-roots fan site focused on obtaining funding for US Olympic hopefuls. I am so glad to have found this site and you will be just as thrilled! Be sure to check it out.
Zen and the Art of Speedskating: If you are a speedskater, then you have already been reading this for years. If you haven't, well you should. Competitive speedskater, husband, father and all-round nice guy, Andrew Love has created the ultimate go-to site for speedskating. He shares his journey on training, competing and balancing family and work life with his passion. Andrew brings you along for the ride (literally) with his videos, shares his talents with photography and brilliant writing, making you feel like you yourself are training with those on and off the ice.
Lake Placid Skater: Christie has ceated a blog on figure skating and speedskating showcasing her talent not only as a competitive athlete, but also a writer! She covers a lot of happenings in Lake Placid, NY writing for a number of websites and blogs.
No Fact Zone: A fan blog that covers everything Stephen Colbert. "The Nation" stepped up to help sponsor the US Speedskating team, so to stop by and read the latest is a way to say Thank you!
Sara's Countdown to Vancouver: Sara takes each day and shares Olympic news. I can't wait to see what she covers for Opening Ceremonies!
This is the current list of the talent pool! Like I said, I am in great company and again I thank US Speedskating for including Mom Got Blog!
Looking for the latest updates, stories or results? If so, be sure to become a fan of US Speedskating on Facebook. You can also follow on Twitter @usspeedskating.
I was grabbing a t-shirt out of my drawer to go run. When I realized which one I was ready to place on my back, I decided to snap a picture and share.
If you click on the photo, you will get the whole picture.
This is a shirt that I bought while I was in Milwaukee competing in the Short Track National Championship in 2005. I always try to buy something from a meet so I can support the club that is hosting and it is usually a t-shirt. It was my second Nationals competition and my first time at the Pettit National Ice Center. I never really paid much attention to the list of names. Whenever I wear this to practice, I tend to find skaters following me around. I get that feeling, like someone is looking over your shoulder and when I turn around I hear " Oh, sorry...just reading your shirt!" I've always said to myself I should check it out, but I forget and it gets shoved in the bag after practice, goes through the laundry and back in the drawer until next time.
The year before, in Cleveland, I was a nervous wreck. It was my very first National competition and I had never skated a 3000m, that is 27 grueling laps. I had butterflies for days leading up to it and thought I was going to get sick while sitting in the heatbox. I lined up at the start and off I went. I remember skating cat and mouse with another skater; I'd pass her and she would pass me, I would pass her and so on. Our skinsuits looked similar and our helmet numbers were very close. We were lapped a few times by three other skaters, so as a lap counter, it was probably hard to keep track of who was who and how we would finish. As a skater, there comes a point in this race that you stop counting the laps because you are focused on just get me to the finish. When you are in the "pain cave" (a term very aptly coined by Andrew Love) you focus on who is going to end your suffering; you find your counter, search for the outstretched hand showing how many laps of pain you have left and make eye contact to make sure they are talking to you.
The lap counter was calling out our helmet numbers...you have 3 laps to go.....helmet number....you have 3 laps to go.....could I be ahead??? When I came to the last lap, the bell rang as I passed. Then it rang again behind me. We finished and I was immediately given a hug from my teammate (winner of this race) and fellow competitor who was waiting in the center of the ice. I remember her whispering in my ear-"I am so proud of you! You did it! You rock!"
I eagerly awaited the results and when they were posted, I stood there in complete shock. Next to my name was a big DNF (Did Not Finish). My teammate told me to go to our coach and tell him to protest. When the heat card was presented, there were a lot of erased pencil marks...you could tell that the counters were confused. You could literally SEE it. Shoulders were shrugged and that was that. I was devastated. My competitor was gloating on her 4th place medal. I learned something about myself that day-missing out on a medal was not what bothered me. Having a DNF next to my name, knowing full well that I suffered through that race and DID FINISH bothered me much more. My coach and friends tried to make me feel better by telling me their stories of losing overall National Championships on calls just like this. It was just part of the game.
When it came time for Nationals in Milwaukee, I was focused. I was focused on one race and one race alone. I had trained all year for this 3k. There was going to be no doubt what-so-ever that I crossed that finish line. In a recent Olympic commercial spot, Apolo Anton Ohno speaks of a perfect race. He describes being so focused that time seems to slow down. This was my perfect race. I could hear nothing but my coach as I came into the turn telling me either go "deeper" into the turn or "good". I could hear breathing behind me. I lead my competitor for 25 laps. With two to go, my coach kept saying "pick it up- now, now!" With one lap to go, she passed me and I could not answer it. My legs were wood. I could barely walk off the ice to sit on the bench. She came up to me, still breathing hard and said "Wow! You trained hard this year-that pace was fast- I did all I could do to hold on!" I did not win that race, but I consider that one of my perfect races. I improved my time from the previous year by almost 2 minutes and there could be no denying that I finished. I committed to skating a better race than the year before and I accomplished that. The slight nod and raised, impressed eyebrow from my coach, spoke volumes and that is when I felt as if I did win.
So, what does this have to do with my t-shirt? Well, I finally looked at all the skaters. If you look close at those listed, you will see many names that are competing in Vancouver, including Apolo who is only 15 competitor's away from mine. Some have remained in Short Track and some have moved on to Long Track. They have made an Olympic team! After years of hard work and many, many competitons, I hope that their journey this February will allow them (medal or not) to experience their own "perfect race".
“Being an underdog by one point or 50, it doesn't matter. I'm glad we are an underdog. Underdogs have more that they can achieve. They have more enjoyment if they're able to climb to the mountain top.”- Jerry Glanville
I have had a blog post written for well over a month now to share with you the outcome of the Microsoft Office Winter Games Contest. I (along with the other contestants) was asked to keep mum about the results until the winner could be announced publicly and that request has been respected. But let me tell you, it has been very frustrating on my end. I found out the results Christmas Eve and each announcement date has been moved back "until next week", this week being no exception! Yesterday I received an email giving us the go ahead to share with our friends, family and supporters the news. I decided to scrap my old post and start all over again. So, here it is:
I did not win.
I know. I felt the same way.
I am so disappointed not to be heading to Vancouver in a couple of weeks. Experiencing the Olympic Games has been a secret dream that I have kept inside for as long as I can remember. Only through this contest did I share that dream with everyone else. I do believe that I would have been able to share a unique voice (being an athlete myself) and behind the scene story that would appeal not only to athletes and fans, but would have drawn in those that are "fans in the wings".
Of course I am biased when it comes to my blog and its content, but your emails and comments of support have helped me feel that way.
One of the criteria for entering this contest was to have written a blog for at least 3 months. Well, after finger counting the months on my hand, I realized that I barely squeaked by on that ruling only having started my blog this past June! I really had no intention of ever getting a call, because frankly, I have no idea who actually reads this thing other than friends and family!
When I got the news that I was one of the five semi-finalists in this nationwide contest, I kept my cool. I didn't want to sound too giddy. I calmly took the information from the voice on the phone and asked "Did you get a lot of entries?" The answer was "Yes, actually, we did get a lot. Especially toward the end." After hanging up, something just came over me. I was 8 years old again and I started screaming and jumping up and down. My coach would have been so proud to see my jumping skills that day, because let me tell you, this girl can't jump and to see me try (plyometrics) during practice provides more than enough comic relief.
When the voting site was up and running and I saw my name and blog listed among the others, it was a "pinch me" moment. Then I started reading the other blogs and I thought, wow. My little old blog is mixing with the big dogs- which have been around for years. Not months. Years. They were all social-site savvy. Me? I was (am!) learning as I go and I had to learn real quick to keep up. I did the best that I could.
On this particular day, it just wasn't good enough.
Thank you to those that wrote to me with encouraging "keep writing", "keep posting", "keep blogging!" "you tell a story and wrap it all up in a way that makes it enjoyable to read." I can't tell you how much it meant to receive your kind words!
And to those out there reading this little blog, thank you. Thank you for reading, thank you for voting in this contest and thank you for spreading the word to get votes!
I have felt like quite the underdog in this whole process. This whole month I questioned my writing and if this is something I should keep doing. Your support has helped me realize that I am 1 in 5 semi-finalists from a nationwide contest. That means I must be doing something right, right?
Where one door closes, another is waiting to be opened.
An opportunity is out there, just waiting for me. I just have a little more mountain climbing to do.
We are less than a month away from the 2010 Olympic Games! Before we know it, the world will be experiencing the opening ceremonies and we will prepare to witness true greatness unfold before our eyes, whether that be on the ice, slopes or in the snow.
As an athlete, I find that I play hard, do my very best in competition and wait for results to be posted to see how I did. With almost any competition I have ever competed in, results are posted either immediately or at the very least the next day in the newspaper (or online). Waiting longer than that, well, would be torture.
Well, the last few weeks I have been struggling. Struggling with how to get results to you, my friends, family (and supporters that I have not met) that voted for me in the Microsoft Office Winter Contest. The announcement of who will be blogging from Vancouver has been postponed, again, until next week. I wish I could tell you why, but unfortunately, I do not even understand the logic behind it. I have had the song "I'm Tired" from the movie "Blazing Saddles" sung by Madeline Kahn looping in my head this past week, especially this part:
"I'm tired.
Tired of playing the game.
Ain't it a crying shame.
I'm so tired."
I wish I could award all of you a gold medal for patience!
I went through YouTube and found something that will tickle the heartstrings of any sports fan. This is how most of us growing up in the late 60's and through the 80's experienced sports. It caught one's attention and held it for the length of the program. This classic opening started my love affair with sports.
I have experienced the very tag line which made this clip famous.
Victory or Defeat, I will pick myself up, dust myself off and return to the start line. That's what every true athlete does, right?
Thought H1N1 was long gone? Not yet...at least that is what the WHO (World Health Organization) is afraid of and is taking precautionary measures before athletes, coaches, staff and spectators decend upon Vancouver for the Winter Olympic Games in a little over a month.
An article sent out today on the Universal Sports website (via AP) shares the proactive stance that the U.S. Olympic Team doctors are taking in making sure vaccinations are received.
There is nothing worse than competing while ill. As an athlete, one is extremely limited as to what relief you can give your body, which, let me tell you is not much according to the USADA list of banned substances. The list of items is enough to make anyone's head spin, flu or no flu. If your favorite athlete does come down with something, there is a good chance that they will show up to their event with a half-hearted smile and after sucking it up and doing the best that they possibly can under the circumstances, will have a puke bucket readily handy for when the event is complete. Better yet, I bet the USADA rep will be standing right there with clipboard and bag, ready to escort them to the testing area just to make sure that only the thing in their body is the flu virus.
If you are traveling to the Olympic Games this year, be sure to pack your hand sanitizer and don't be surprised if you see fist bumps as the new handshake amongst athletes.
Can you believe that the Winter Olympic Games are only 43 days away?! I am so excited to see the games this year as I have a vested interest! I have friends that have literally gone through blood, sweat and tears to make this dream a reality and experiencing the Olympics this February will have special meaning.
As I mentioned a couple days ago, the second half of Olympic Trials were taking place in Salt Lake City, UT. The final team spots were fought for with great fervor. All the years of training and sacrifice came down to a single moment in time of make or break and skaters left it all out there.
This photo was taken by Jerry Search in which he called this "witnessing 110%"
Rebekah Bradford had one shot left to make her dream come true. During her 1000m race, she fell coming up to the finish line. One thing about this sport of speedskating, it can bring you down to the lowest of lows and then just as quickly to the highest of highs. The Low: you try to come to grips with "ok, this is it. My shot for this year is done." You cry for the loss of all the months of training and sacrifice and the pain you put your body through for just this moment. You cry because you feel like you let your family and friends down, which of course is not the case, but as an athlete you feel that way when you don't perform up to your own expectations. The High: you are extended a reskate. You try to come to grips with "ok, this is it. My last shot for this year." You wipe your tears and refocus with an intensity that you yourself didn't know you had. "Bekah" skated and earned her spot on the Olympic Team with a 1.16.36 (which is FAST), breaking her own personal record by .3 seconds. The opposite happened to Kelly Gunther, who skated a 1.17.12, which before Rebekah's reskate, had her as an Olympian. The High: I made the team! The Low: watching your spot pass you by for your teammate.
So many of these high's and low's took place at the oval that it gives everyone cause to deal with the conflicting feelings of elation and heartbreak.
Vancouver will welcome the following US Long Track Olympic Team members:
Shani Davis 500, 1000, 1500, 5000, 10,000
Chad Hedrick 1000, 1500, 5000, Team Pursuit Trevor Marsicano 1000, 1500, 5000, Team Pursuit
Nick Pearson 500, 1000
Brian Hansen 1500, Team Pursuit
Tucker Fredricks 500
Mitchell Whitmore 500
Ryan Bedford 10,000
Jonathan Kuck Team Pursuit
Jilleanne Rookard 1500, 3000, 5000, Team Pursuit
Jen Rodriguez 500, 1000, 1500, Team Pursuit
Heather Richardson 500, 1000, 1500
Elli Ochowicz 500, 1000
Catherine Raney Norman 3000, Team Pursuit
Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jr. 3000, Team Pursuit
Lauren Cholewinski 500
Rebekah Bradford 1000
Maria Lamb 5000
I have had the honor of meeting many of these skaters, some from short track meets a long time ago and some from the World Cup meet in October. The USA will be well represented in Vancouver, that's for sure!
I have been helping with a blog for my friend Trevor Marsicano. If you have a chance, check it out sometime to see what he is up to on his journey to the Olympic Games.
If you are on Facebook, then become a fan of US Speedskating to get the latest updates and stories of your USA athletes! US Speedskating is also on Twitter! Follow them @usspeedskating .
This weekend, speedskaters are pouring their hearts and souls into last ditch efforts to make the Olympic Team and to represent the USA in Vancouver come February.
I know I said I was taking a few days off from blogging, but I just got news via Twitter and phone call that my friend and fellow speedskater, Trevor Marsicano has just added another distance to his Olympic skating card! Just a few moments ago, he won his 5000m distance, earning him a spot on the team! I just had to share this great, great news! I am so proud of him.
I will be back in the next day or two and will be sure to let you know how Trevor and the rest of your USA team did this weekend in Salt Lake City!
Well, get ready! It is almost here! Only 51 days to go until athletes from around the world come together to compete in Vancouver at the Olympic Games.
After a grueling travel schedule for the World Cup circuit, US Long Track speedskaters are back in Salt Lake City, UT and will have one more shot at earning their place on the 2010 Olympic Team. Over 70 skaters will be competing for the final open spots. You can be sure that athletes will be focused and will provide all-out efforts in chasing their dream.
US Long Track National Championships are being held December 26-29 at the Utah Olympic Oval. Be sure to catch the latest updates on US Speedskating or follow on Twitter @usspeedskating. Another great site for results is http://www.speedskatingresults.com/ .
Skaters have started their trek to Utah and will be training through the Christmas holiday. I have a feeling that many of the athletes have the same Christmas wish this year: Let me be the fastest across the line.
Many of you have asked if I have heard anything from the Microsoft Office Blogging Contest. Not yet. We have all been patiently waiting and should find out within the next couple of days. However, the wait will still continue as the official announcement will be made January 7th at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. And you can bet that if I am lucky enough to make the cut, what happens in Vegas (on Jan. 7) will most definitely NOT stay in Vegas!
Thank you for all your support through this journey; It has meant so much. I am still extremely hopeful that I will be able to go to Vancouver and share the Olympic story with you!
**Update ** Winners will be announced to the public on January 14th. Wish me luck!
That's right folks. It has finally come. Today is the last day to cast your vote for me in the Microsoft Office Winter Games Blogging Contest!
I arrived home yesterday totally exhausted from what seemed to be an eternity- lasting road trip from Pittsburgh, PA. The actual driving wasn't bad; there was really no traffic, but the silence was making it seem longer than usual.
Gone are the days of passing the time playing "car games" with the kids; they are old enough now that those time-wasters have been replaced by the DVD player and i-pods with headphone wires snaking out of their ears. They come up for talk about every hour; sometimes it's "Can we stop soon?" or "How much longer?" (yes, this question is STILL asked!) and "Can you please change the radio station?" but most of the time it is talk of our visit and what was fun about it. This trip was different because we were all spent and they stayed "plugged-in". Both my husband and I were so tired that our brains could barely form complete sentences, so our answers to eachother were a lot of "mm-hmm's". I drove for about 4 hours before I asked for the switch and I was barely strapped into the passenger side seat before I was off to a crick-necked slumber. About an hour later, it was my husband's request for the car sleep-coma that put me back in the driver's seat. The last 3 hours weren't too bad after my nap, a cup of coffee and the radio.
We pulled into the driveway and my eye quickly caught a glimpse of a package that was in the door. We all got excited wondering who it was for. I mean who doesn't get excited? These days, the joy of receiving a letter in the mail from a friend is lost on emails. Now UPS & FedEx have that honor. So, we get to the door and see that the package is for me. Woo-hoo!
I opened it quickly to find a letter (which I had already received by email, by the way) and a present! I love presents! It was a black T-shirt that read "Blogathlete" on the front and "Blogging from the Games for the Gold!!".
I am "blogging for the Gold!" Today is my last shot at making it to the finals and your votes are helping me reach my goal!
Even through tired eyes, I can see that Gold would look great on a black t-shirt, yes?
YES!
Thank you for your votes and fingers are now crossed!
I have been saying to myself "Please pinch me" for the past week.
I am still amazed that I have been chosen as one of five finalists in the Microsoft Office Blogging contest. What is even more amazing is the outpouring of support that I have received from family, friends and folks that I don't even know. I wish I could share the deep thanks and appreciation I feel for the encouragement you all have given me to continue my quest to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a part of the Olympic Games.
I enjoy both the Summer and Winter Olympics but seem drawn more toward the Winter Games. Maybe I'm partial to my Uncle Bill's stories of competing in the Bobsled or the fact that I compete in another winter sport of speedskating, but regardless of these, I get excited to see each and every sport that are the make up of the Winter Olympics. I keep thinking how incredibly cool it would be to be able to compare my experience with that of Uncle Bill's. Would the Games have the same feel? Would the athlete's anticipation and excitement be the same?
To have the opportunity to see the best of the best compete in their individual sport and the experience the Winter Olympic Games is a dream that my heart has wished upon since being a young girl. To be able to write about it and share with others that story is icing on the cake.
Please let me take this opportunity to say thank you for inspiring me to keep writing and to keep chasing after my dream.
A HUGE thank you to the Parent to Parent blog written by Jennifer Gish on the Times Union.com website for sharing my story about my bid for the Olympic Blogathlete Team through the Microsoft Office Blogging contest.
My husband and I went to run errands yesterday and decided to go to lunch at our local P.F. Changs. As we walked in the door we were greeted with a hello and behind the hostess was a tray full of desserts. Oh, my! The chocolate cake seemed to have 12 layers and my stomach growled.
We made our way through lettuce wraps (one of my favorite things on the menu), soup and lunch bowls. We were so full that cake was now (thankfully) not an option. Our waitress then brought to-go containers and two fortune cookies.
I've always been one to read the Horoscopes in the paper. I know that the daily predictions written are so vast that it could apply to anyone and anything, but did you ever read one that was spot on to your day? Like it was written just for you. I think the same thing of fortune cookie sayings.
My husband and I were discussing the blogging contest I entered last month through Microsoft Office and the US Olympic Committee and how excited we were for the possibility of my going to the Olympic Games in Vancouver and blogging about it! It seems so surreal that I am a semi-finalist!
As an athlete, I am used to visualizing the outcome of events. I visualize the track I will be skating on and the feeling of the ice. I try to visualize myself in the pack of skaters that will soon be jockeying for position. I look for the time in the race to make my pass and how my blade looks crossing the finish line. I have been trying to visualize what it will be like to board a plane near my home and how it will feel walking into the frenzied airport in Vancouver. I am so close to a lifelong Olympic dream, that I can almost taste it.
Yes, taste it. I asked my husband to turn the plate that held the cookies a few times while I closed my eyes. I wanted this to be a true test of fate. With eyes closed I reached down and felt the cellophane wrapped confection. I opened my eyes and quickly unwrapped the cookie. I broke the crisp shell in half and pulled out the narrow slip of paper which read "Nothing is impossible to a willing heart." Now, I had a 50/50 chance of getting this cookie. Who knows what the odds were as the waitress reached in to the 100's of cookies and grabbed this particular cookie that would end up in MY hand. My husband took his cookie and as he read "The love of your life will appear in front of you unexpectedly!" He jumped back, looked at me and said "Whoa! You just came out of nowhere!" (He is so amazing!).
What really freaked me out is I turned the fortune over and read the Chinese word of the day:
(e`r) (yu`e) which means: February.
So, does this help me visualize Vancouver in February? I'm going to take the approach of yes. I think this was written and meant just for me on this day, having a lovely lunch with my husband as we discussed this very topic.
You can help my dream come to fruition: Voting is still happening each day until 11/29/09. Log on to http://officewintergames.com/ and help me share the Olympic story with you!
In my post Influence, Olympic Style, I wrote about how I became interested in Speedskating. They say that some things in life come full circle. This amazing athlete inspired me to try this wonderful sport and now she is judging MY BLOG! How crazy is THAT?!
As many of you know, I posted in October that I was going to enter a blogging contest that would, if I was deemed the winner, enable me to go to the Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada and blog behind the scenes. I think at the time I said the only thing that could make it any sweeter would be chocolate and coffee.
Excuse me while I finish chewing my Hershey bar and wash it down with a sip of java!!! How sweet it is!!!
Mom Got Blog is 1 of 5 Semi-Finalist! Now it is time to vote. Voting is open until 11/29/09. You can vote every day, but only once per day. Bookmark this page and vote every day! https://www.officewintergames.com/vote.aspx
To say I am excited, well doesn't quite capture how jumping out of my skin I am! I would never in a million years imagine getting here.
