Lake Placid...Day 1

It's like spring time here in Lake Placid....it was beautiful today....I wish we could slide in this type of weather all the time instead of freezing our cahonees off.
But, the trade off means slower ice, and for the first day, that's not a bad thing....you realy get to feel the track and all. Only 24 men today, and only 19 women....hope more coming in the next 2 days.
I slid twice today and hope to slide 2 more times tomorrrow and another 2 more times the day after....then I race on Thursday and Friday. You only need 3 official training runs to actually race but hey, if the sliding time is available then let's get better.
The track was slower than I remember in January that I was anticipating the turns and they just weren't coming as fast. I had good runs but you can't really compare yourself to others when it is just practice. I saw everything on the track and only bumped in a few places but nothing major......I am starting to have fun now. I just gotta blast off more at the start and that would make the difference.
Tomorrow another day.....off to work out now.

Batman and the Bi...uh...Witch....

Well, I finally got some serious use out of my speedsuit by dressing up as a nerdy batman at my buddy Dave's annual Halloween party....it was a blast, so many costumes, so many good ideas....that's my wife...the witch he he.
The speedsuit will now get some true usage next week....that's right, competition finally starts. First race, America's Cup in Lake Placid. This is more or less a practice race for me since I raced this track last season and doesn't count as a qualifier for me although I do have some certain goals to achieve.
First goal is a little tough to gauge becaue I want to better my time from last season but it was also -35, January, and the ice was extremely fast. This year, we're in November and I don't think the ice will be the same so times are hard to use as a measuring tool of performance.
The second goal though, whether fast or slow, is to get a second run in the races. Each race consists of two heats but to race the second heat, you have to finish in the top 25......that's one of my goals for all upcoming races....we'll see, we'll know soon enough.
I wonder if I slide down the track with my cape, will it make me go faster......?

Calgary pic....

Pics...Calgary...

Greece Lightning gets baptized.....

Well, I was in Calgary this weekend, just to slide the track cause I haven't done that one yet and also, to baptize my new sled.
The whole trip was just a trial run....literally in all the senses. I wanted to see how the transport of my sled would go via cargo, I wanted to slide the Calgary track since I haven't done it before, and finally, I wanted to do it with my own sled.
So I sent my sled out a day earlier as suggested, via Air Canada cargo, and, well, it got there a day later than expected so for the first night, I slid on a 'borrowed' sled.
The ice was extremely slow, maybe 90 kms all the way, so it was like a tourist run....better for me cause I am nursing a slight muscle pull, from over training....you'd think I'd know better. Anyways, I was able to see everything, keep my head up through turns, etc..Mind you, we are sliding at night, which I think sucks, cause you don't have the same landmarks as during the daytime and to top it off, it was so warm in Calgary (that's why the ice was slow), that they draw the shades down on all the track to keep the ice from melting so you only see shadows. Nonetheless, the objective was to feel the track and that was a perfect night to do that.
The next day, which was even warmer, I got my sled. Everyone said that by nightfall, the track will be even slower....especially since the US team trials were going on the same day (same as yesterday...which was impressive to watch). So, off we go.......we were fooled....they spritzed the ice before hand and oohlala, we were flying. Here's when I realized that this track may be smooth flowing but holy smack batman, there are some heavy G's going on here. It was very difficult to see in the turns and I can feel the ache in my neck from trying to fight nature's forces. And the strangest thing was, after the night before, I quietly asked myself hypothetically, what it would feel like to go 10 seconds faster since it was so slow........I didn't think I would get my answer the next night!!
Anyways, my Baby feels real good but I was on practice runners....can't wait to see what it will do on race runners. And the best part, no bruises...a little tender, but no major pain....the most pain I felt was getting a splinter, the size of my nail, right underneath my nail....I still feel it!! Sheesh.....
Here's a highlight for you, Jim Shea, USA Olympic Gold Medalist in skeleton, was at the US team trials and on his last run, he announced that he was retiring and that this would be his last run...well, I was at the finish dock when he came down, and, I don't know him, although we both raced in Placid last January, but I walked up to him, introduced myself, and congratulated him on a great career....he was very receptive and gave me a few tips.
In the pics.....who says Turks and Greeks don't get along, that's my friend Demet who represents Turkey and is coached by her husband Jean...after meeting her last season, she has really improved and is sliding really well...she is living the same dream as I....go for it!! Then, that's me at the start...yippeekiyay!!

The case is closed.....

My friend Ted, from AMCAN Technologies Inc, came through with the case for my skeleton. I picked half of it up yesterday and the other half today.....that's how HUGE it is. The length and width are cool but the depth is as long as the width and that may cause me a problem......if I couldn't fit it in my car now, what makes me think I could fit it in the Ford Focus I'm gonna rent when I travel.....gotta think quick!!
My buddy Marc, yes, the welder, may be able to build me something real quick, at least for my trip to Calgary....just easier to carry and easier to put in a car.
We'll see......

There's lots more.....

More....

More......

And more....

More...

More....

more....

My workouts.......show-off......

Finally, some skin on this blog he he. Now that the season is about to start, I have no problem showing people what I have been doing for power training. The only real problem I have is when I had to ask one of my colleagues to take pictures of me while working out....it was like a Seinfeld episode when Kramer kisses Jerry (talking about not being afraid to show emotions) and George walks in on them.....well that happened and now my photographer doesn't want to be named nor does the guy who walked in the gym want to know what the heck was happening.....I'll never hear the end of this one........but thanks Louis, and sorry that you had to see that Luc he he......do you really think I am gonna show mercy when I know what to expect tomorrow.....never!!
Anyways, exercises on hand are the basic ones I have been doing, although now at easier levels due to the season starting soon, are bench press, single leg extensions, hamstrings, single leg press, single leg squats (this ones for you Dave), core exercises, and of course, the famous neck lifts.
- Bench press, done with 205lbs, slowly down with explosive thrust up.
- Single leg press, done with 450lbs, as close to 90 degree angle as possible with quick thrust up, this is for the take-off on the starting block.
- Single leg extensions, done with 120lbs, hard kick-outs with opposite shoulder thrust forward simulating sled driving.
- Hamstrings, done with 75lbs, to complete overall leg workout but being a 'fragile' muscle, never too heavy here.
- Single leg squats, now done with body weight of 180lbs, down with explosive thrust upwards simulating blast-off the block.
- Neck lifts, with 20 lbs, I simulate every course I am going to race on which all last about a minute, up, down, left, right.....hannibal the cannibal!!
- Core exercises with medicine ball (or weights), this gives me the power to bend the sled to drive....left knee-right shoulder, right knee-left shoulder...power coming from the core of the body.....including the upside down ABS.
There you have it.....7 solid months of this, not to mention ice time, hill running, sprint running, and some plyos. I think I'm ready........

Don't always believe what you're told......

Well, Hollywood came a callin' again, but now, after being a 'sure' thing, I did not make the cut.....that is why I live by "I'll believe it when I see it" but no big deal, after all, I have to keep my focus. Actually, the lady, Jo, was pretty nice...and pretty too, so maybe we'll do business another time, another film, who knows?!
I am still waiting for my case for the sled and after speaking with Ted today, it seems that it is actually coming up from Toronto today so hopefully tomorrow or Thursday its here. That would be a huge relief for me.
Training is still going well...good and consistent.....don't want to make any wrong moves now cause I will be competing in 2 weeks from now. First race, Lake Placid. I will try to get to Calgary from now till then as a trial run for sliding, since I haven't slid that course yet and will be racing on it in November too, and to see how the transportation of equipment goes....yes, I will slide on my own sled...can't wait.
The sled and I are starting to feel as one....I wish I had more time with it while in its 'perfect' stage...where it is now. The saddle is padded up just right and it feels snug and comfortable. I took off the extra bumpers we added cause it just didn't look or feel right....thanks to Marc again, my welding friend and neighbour. And, I added some sponsorship stickers to the sled so it now has some life to it, with the Greek flag right under my chest, close to my heart.
Actually, even closer to my heart, is my daughter Melia....you see, before I fully taped the chest area, on the foam I wrote my daughter's name, so she could be close to me at all times, and so she could enjoy the rides with me. So, as she would say....'faster Daddy faster'.......
Tomorrow, I will take you on a short trip through one of my workouts....

Good news still a comin'.....

Just when I thought my money raising and sponsorship drive was over, my friend Jim called me this past week and simply said, 'Hey Dee, my company TOFCON Construction wants to sponsor you, where do I send the cheque?'....of course I love surprises like this, each donation and sponsorship makes me more and more comfortable that money won't be an issue to get where I have to go.
Now sponsorship takes of many different roles......and all help. I went back to my old office to look for 'pelican' cases, which are hard plastic cases used for transporting 'things'. I need one for my sled when I travel so it doesn't get banged around but my measurements (for the sled that is) are a little odd so I couldn't get my hands one one that would do. But as fate would have it, I bump into my friend John, a bomb guy, and of course, he knows the guy that supplies them with these types of cases and says he'll make a call for me. Well, do I not get a call from this guy, Ted, saying they have a similar case sitting in Toronto and if they didn't need it for anything operational coming up, he will donate the case to me for my usage for the season....amazing, I will know hopefully by Wednesday since I have a trial run to Calgary coming up.
And finally, Hollywood came calling again this past week, and on Tuesday, we had a 30 man scrimmage at the Civic Centre to cut the roster down. It seems that I have made the cut but I'm one of those guys that 'believes it when I see it'....even though I've been told. We film this week on the 20th at the Corel Centre, Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, we have to make it look like we are the actual pros.....no problem, this is more my element. We are supposed to have one more practice this week for set plays and then we film.....we'll see.
That's my news for now....off to run the hills in this crappy rainy weather.....

My three sweet rides.....

Well, my wife has been after me for a while now saying that I don't post anything about her, and that I don't put her picture in here.....well....here you go honey!!
Now I know she has a good sense of humour, but I am posting this while she is away for a couple of days just in case she doesn't find it funny....the title that is......she'll have a couple of days to cool down. he he
My ride to the Olympics, new saddle, feels good, but still needs a bit of work.
My Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, also known as my Miztrezz.
And of course, the sweetest one of all, my wife....that's her on the left if you couldn't tell.
And that's her, in the middle with her two friends Tina, left, and Barbara, right, having a grand ole time while I'm away.
And that's her on the hammock, working hard as ever......while I'm away.
Well folks, those are my rides.....I may have to get on one and go far away for awhile.......or maybe just sleep on the sofa he he

Lots o' stuff.......

Friday was a pretty decent day I must say.....to cap off a busy and productive week from my trip to Europe.
Hollywood called back and asked me to attend another final ice session next week before the final casting.....we will play an exhibition game and they will pick their final 30 players for the movie Good Cop, Bad Cop.
Some business transactions materialized that will now enable me to have some purchasing power in real estate for a small business that I have started.
Matters of a 'mental state' were finally squared away.
I mean everything just fell into place, now I can pick up on my training to cap off this month.
I have a trip to Calgary near the end of the month so I could get 3 days of sliding in which would be good cause I haven't slid that track yet. It will also be a transport experience to see how I could bring my sled and runners over by plane.......hope they get there in one piece. Before I know it.....I will be competing in Lake Placid. Since there was a schedule change, after Lake Placid, it will now be Park City Utah, then Calgary, all in November. I am anxious and excited...to finally let the dream materialize.....
Happy Thanksgiving to all, and always be thankful......

Two questions.......

People always ask me two questions about me doing skeleton...once they find out what it is.....do you have a death wish, are you crazy?? (well that's kinda like 2 questions in one) and aren't you scared??
Well, this has been quite the ride (literally) for me, emotionally and mentally. Physically, I have discovered more about myself and my motivation and drive.....speaking of drive...check out my Miztrezz, my Super Blackbird, which I actually use for training.........that's another story.
For the first question, although I think this is one crazy sport, I am so consumed by carrying out my goal, that I don't dwell on that so much. I just see it as being on a crazy carpet, going down on my belly head first but 10 times as fast....well okay, maybe a little crazy but in reality, we are all a bit crazy in life in our own way which makes us sane, and for the ones that aren't, is just simply that the craziness hasn't taken over them.......yet.
For the second question...scared...honestly, when I am on the course, I really don't have time to be scared cause I am thinking about the next curve, which way to steer, where am I gonna hit, telling myself to relax all the way down, and before I know it, I am on the outrun.
But let's open up for a sec....of course I'm scared...when I have the time to think about it, about all of it....about not making it, about letting people down, about letting myself down, about getting hurt, about not showing improvement, about failing, about what a scary sport this is, about pretty much everything....when I have time to think about it, and that has been since January. I have been carrying all these thoughts with me, and more, so I just want to get it on already.
I have always been tough on myself on attaining goals, but at the same token, I was always in some sort of control with my destiny....this time, the sport is so out of whack, and I am dependant on certain things, that I don't have so much control and that is a fear unto its own.
So, I don't have a death wish, I am a bit crazy, and I am scared...kinda, but hey, that's what makes you feel alive while living the dream!!

Well worth it......

Well, I'm back and I gotta say, the trip was well worth it.....well, let me rephrase that....seeing the tracks was well worth it.....the long days behind the wheel and fatigue I coulda done without, but hey, small price to pay to have an edge.
So, it was Munich to Konigssee to Salzburg Austria to Prague in the Czech Republic, back into to Germany in Altenberg then back in Munich to finish the trip. Didn't really get to sight-see but I'll be back there right? isn't that the goal?
Anyways, seeing the Konigssee track was really important to me since I will be racing there and the Olympic qualifier is there, the Challenge Cup. Now I have a perfect visual of the track and can prepare properly.
Check out the pics of the Konigssee track....one of the kreisel,which is like a 360 degree tight right turn, and one of the last left turns before the finish....imagine travelling at 120kms on your belly...you look up, and see this turn coming.....I know, I know, it feels like you're just gonna blast through the wall, but somehow, your guts just get glued to the wall and you make that turn.......

Bahn.......Autobahn, that is......

She was just beautiful......long, black, flowing hair, an amazing set of legs, and, oh yea, and the face, what a beautiful face, and the smile, she was smiling at me, and then she got closer, and closer, until she was so close that I thought she was gonna kiss me right on the..........tailpipe....yea, you gotta love the Germans and their autobahn....so I pull over as she passes me, while picking something out of her teeth, in her black Bimmer (hair), with the beautiful mags (legs), and the shiny grill (face and smile), and it's a station wagon to boot, but as she goes by.....I realize it's the M Power Bimmer.....wow...she was pretty too by the way. Now this iz normalen in Germany and I was moving pretty good too, actually, this was the highlight of my trip and was constantly wondering if I had to pay more to be on this ride....besides the $2 a litre petrol, but it was well worth it to test out the autobahn. Now of course, I can't tell you how fast I was going really, but you'll figure it out soon enough......
I am presently in Munich, coming home tomorrow. I did a 3 day tour to visit two tracks here that I will be racing on this season. I feel like I have been on the road for the same amount of time I have been here.....72 hours!! That's why, the final leg coming back to Munich on the Autobahn was a treat. The people here really respect the rules of the road, otherwise known as, etiquette. Porshces, Benzs, Bimmers, Volkswagons, all flying by me like I was seriously standing still, and most of them wagons believe it or not. I remember trying to pass this one car, I mean I was flooring it now, and when I finally did, I saw the old lady crocheing as she drove he he Really, no bird flipping here, someone comes up behind you, you move, and quickly, not tomorrow....I believe everyone should experience the autobahn just once in their driving life, I am sure it would make better drivers of all of us..... anyways, after many hours of driving, there was the sign "Muenchen 160kms"....good I thought, should be there within the hour......he he