Peace and preparation....

Rainy River......we go once a year and I can honestly say that this is the place where my mind and soul can release themselves from the day to day garbage......I am so at peace here, my mind thinks of absolutely nothing. It was a good place to be before I begin my speed skating adventure........the next few months will pass very quickly and the next thing I know, I will be in Calgary......I am looking forward to my first skate!!

None the less, training must go on and I found that the dock provided an excellent workout area......as solid as it was, there was still movement which made my stride exercises all the more challenging as I had to use all my twitch muscles. My daughter and her cousin Maggie also help me out by calling out the start commands just like in a race, as I practiced my starts......I appreciated their help but they got more of a kick by hosing me down after the workout.

As the time approaches closer, even though I am still quite nervous about it all, I am extremely confident that things will go well, thanks to my off ice training. Going from hockey to speed skating, the most challenging change is staying low, and perfecting the stride......all summer I have concentrated on these two aspects and I know that if I can apply these properly, it would mean the difference in seconds.

In the pics, my daughter sporting the Greek colours, dock training, and even though there is nothing to do in Rainy River....the girls after a day of self enjoyment.

Peace.