This past week, I've had a number of first-time experiences:
1) First nephew: I was in Gainesville earlier this week for the birth of Lauren's, my big sister, and Clay's first child (also the first grandchild on both sides). Beckett is absolutely beautiful and, like his auntie, has big hands and feet. With tall parents, however, he will probably grow into his paws better than I did!
2) First trip to Chicago: I went to Chicago for the first time for the Chicago Triathlon last weekend and was impressed by how clean, modern and vibrant of a city it is. With great shopping, dining and cultural offerings, as well as really nice people, I look forward to going back. I also owe my dad a Cubs game! While I was a bit skeptical of the city's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games, I now can envision a Chicago Games and would certainly be keen to represent the US there.
3) First race of 8,700 people: I've never been to a race as large as the Chicago triathlon. I can't even imagine the amount of organization required in order to hold a race of that size. As a competitor, there is such an incredible energy to participating with thousands of other athletes. Having to run around the age group competitors was an unexpected challenge, however. What a difference with closed-course World Cups with no more than 80 women on the course at any given time!
4) First race on a TT bike: Until a few weeks ago, I'd never used a Time Trial frame. Blue gave me a fantastic frame that I built up with borrowed parts and rode this past weekend in Chicago. While I lost quite a bit of time on the second lap of the bike to Becky Lavelle, the winner of the race(non-drafting racing requires so much focus- more than I'm used to!), I had a strong bike leg and a solid swim and bike. When I crossed the line in second place, I was overjoyed and definitely look forward to improving as a non-drafting athlete!
Thanks for reminders from my readers to update my blog!
Sorry for the delay :-)
All the best,
Sarah
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Olympics
A few days ago (on the 8th of August to be exact), I was extremely cranky. The Opening Ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics were here and I was in Colorado Springs and not in Beijing. Luckily for the people around me, I've gotten over the initial bitterness/ sadness and have instead embraced the Games wholeheartedly.
Living at the Olympic Training Center, it is impossible to avoid the Olypics, as you are constantly bombarded by images of the Games. From the Olympic rings on most of the doors to the tvs endlessly showing NBC to the photos of past Olympians in the hallways, you are ceaselessly reminded of the importance of the Games. If I were still in Boulder sans television and Olympic propaganda, it would be easy to avoid such reminders and to continue along my happy way. By being faced with my disappointment so directly, however, I've been forced to examine how I feel about not making the team.
The more that I watch the Olympics, the more I am aware of the fact that I simply wasn't ready to make the team. While I may have been physically capable of making the team, there was a certain motivational element missing from the process. Olympians make it a dream to represent the US, using their desire to fuel them for years leading up to the Games. A year ago, I simply wanted to make Olympic Trials. A few months ago, I found myself in the position of being on the cusp of making the team. At that point, however, it was too late for me to gain the experience and confidence necessary to become an Olympian. Now that I watch the Games take place, however, I realize that I have four years to both earn a spot on the team and to develop myself into a medal contender.
While I admit that I will watch the triathlon event with a bit of a heavy heart, I am convinced that we have the best team possible representing the US in Beijing (that's not to say that I wouldn't have loved to go!) and look forward to watching our athletes race. Laura Bennett, Sarah Haskins and Julie Ertel are highly accomplished women who will certainly do our country proud. I am also really excited to watch the men (Matt Reed, Hunter Kemper and Jarrod Shoemaker) mix things up. All of these athletes are people I admire as both athletes and people and I count them among my friends. To see them succeed at the Olympics would be almost as good as being there myself! In the meantime, back to training hard and looking forward to 2012!
Living at the Olympic Training Center, it is impossible to avoid the Olypics, as you are constantly bombarded by images of the Games. From the Olympic rings on most of the doors to the tvs endlessly showing NBC to the photos of past Olympians in the hallways, you are ceaselessly reminded of the importance of the Games. If I were still in Boulder sans television and Olympic propaganda, it would be easy to avoid such reminders and to continue along my happy way. By being faced with my disappointment so directly, however, I've been forced to examine how I feel about not making the team.
The more that I watch the Olympics, the more I am aware of the fact that I simply wasn't ready to make the team. While I may have been physically capable of making the team, there was a certain motivational element missing from the process. Olympians make it a dream to represent the US, using their desire to fuel them for years leading up to the Games. A year ago, I simply wanted to make Olympic Trials. A few months ago, I found myself in the position of being on the cusp of making the team. At that point, however, it was too late for me to gain the experience and confidence necessary to become an Olympian. Now that I watch the Games take place, however, I realize that I have four years to both earn a spot on the team and to develop myself into a medal contender.
While I admit that I will watch the triathlon event with a bit of a heavy heart, I am convinced that we have the best team possible representing the US in Beijing (that's not to say that I wouldn't have loved to go!) and look forward to watching our athletes race. Laura Bennett, Sarah Haskins and Julie Ertel are highly accomplished women who will certainly do our country proud. I am also really excited to watch the men (Matt Reed, Hunter Kemper and Jarrod Shoemaker) mix things up. All of these athletes are people I admire as both athletes and people and I count them among my friends. To see them succeed at the Olympics would be almost as good as being there myself! In the meantime, back to training hard and looking forward to 2012!
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