Well, it’s been just over a month since I last blogged… Too long, I know! But I think it’s because I was in a bit of a vacation mode for the past month. And yes, that means I haven’t done any physical activity or training in that time. But I’m definitely feeling it now. I need to start getting back into something, and I think I’m going to take up cycling – something completely new for me!
The past month has been pretty uneventful for me. I stayed for an extra week at the World Championships in Konigssee, Germany to watch the 4-man bobsleigh competition. We were actually surprised by some of our Canadian speed skaters who were there training for their World Champs which were to be a couple of weeks later. It was great to see familiar faces from home. Familiar faces and family faces. I was very fortunate to have my parents there for my competition. I knew ahead of time that they were going to be there, but the day before our race, my sister and my youngest nephew (almost 2 years old) showed up to surprise me! It was so great to have them all there!
Although I finally returned to Canadian soil almost a week ago, after World Championships I spent almost an additional 3 weeks in Germany. I didn’t travel around much because I was so tired from the season and wanted to relax. But I did see some pretty neat things while I was there: The Iron Cross”; The Kyffhauser Monument; some amazingly old buildings with the most exquisite architecture; etc. I also went to Erfurt for a day and met up with Kaillie (who was also traveling) and Anya Schneiderheinze (the pilot for the Germany 3 bobsleigh team). We went for brunch and then spent the afternoon watching a Carnival parade – the biggest for the area. You can definitely see some of the cultural differences between Europe and North America when you notice that the people in the parade are not only throwing candy out to the crowd, but also condoms! LOL
Sitting at the top of the Iron Cross; and a Testa-rossa (Red-head) standing in front of Barbarossa (Red-beard).
Although I had a really great time while I was over there, it was muted by the devastation in Japan. I am grateful for CNN – the only English channel on TV – keeping me informed about the earthquake and the tsunami. My heart continues to go out to people of Japan, and everyone who has been, and continues to be, affected by this unbelievable event.
And now what?! What am I planning for next year? For the next three years leading up to Sochi? For rugby? For bobsleigh? For occupational therapy? To be perfectly honest, I have no idea! Last year (2010) was extremely stressful, emotional, and draining. And then having to recover from another serious injury was extremely frustrating. I know that my start times with Kaillie were still the fastest in the World Cup Circuit, and we finished the season with a 3rd overall standing, and a 3rd place at World Championships (which is actually quite good on a German track and the year after winning a gold medal). It was so great to be back pushing Kaillie again. So, all I know is that, for this summer, I will not be playing rugby. I don’t think my ankle is at a point yet to do anything more than linear movements anyway. And so I am excited to add cycling to my training regime – a bit of a change and a bit of a challenge.
I wish you all the best for the summer. Whatever goals you have set for yourselves, be excited! Because this could potentially be the summer that you achieve them!
Smiles……
