Canada Cup #1......DONE!!

Well folks, the first big race of this year came and went this past weekend and with it came new highs.....out of 5 races, I PBd 4 and equalled one.....I am really happy!!

The Canada Cup features 2 x 500m and 2 x 1,000m, and 1 x 1,500m for the sprint portion and that's what I did since my focus is on the 1,000m and 1,500m.

On Friday, I raced the 500m and PBd that and then the 1,000m and equalled my last PB and that was a bit disappointing as I wanted to crush that time.

On Saturday, I raced the 1,500m and totally expected to knock off 2 or 3 seconds but I only PBd by 3/10nths and that crushed ME but in all honesty, I must tell you that my back spasms are in full blown mode and I had stretched/sore hip flexors on both sides and by lap 2 (out of 4), I had blown up and was just happy to actually finish the race.....I totally seized up. Looking at my split times......I know I could have easily knocked off 2 or 3 secs off if I was in full health.

On Sunday was the 2nd 500m and 1,000m....well I PBd the 500m again which is really a bonus for me as I am not focused on that race but it is fun and fast....and then came the 1,000m and I just put my head down, bit my lip, and dropped the hammer and PBd that by a full second....was I happy you ask???......I can only imagine what coulda been but I will definately take that!!

One thing I haven't told you yet is that my new boots have become my old boots as they totally destroyed my feet, so I raced on my old my old boots with some modifications......I took the tongue from my new old boots and velcroed it on the tongue of my old new boots, just to create a more filling and tightness feeling around my foot and it seems to be working out......I call it double tonguing and although it sounds sexy, it looks very unconventional, as it is, and I am getting double takes but whatever.......the job has to get done!!

My next race will be in the new Richmond Oval at the end of the month for Canada Cup #2.....I can't believe I will race in the new 2010 Olympic Oval. The times will definately be slower as we will be at sea level but the whole experience is what I am after......just to capture the vibe, the spirit, and the emotion.....and see if I am welcomed there......

I am now on a 3 day recovery back home to see the family and to take care of a few work related issues....a welcomed break to relax and heal up.

In the pic is where the whole dream started (click on it to make it bigger).....skeleton school in Park City Utah.....the person in the pic is my friend Tim, who I didn't know yet, the little speck on the road near the bottom left is me walking up the hill.....well Tim eventually drove by me and offered me a lift to the top as he was going to skeleton schoool also......we ended up being sled partners throughout the 4-5 days there and friends for life....this is where it all started. Tim came across the pic after all was said and done, before we even knew each other......the writing was on the wall......

Peace