The final stretch.....

The big red paper clip.....at least that's what people call it......it is actually called the "Spire" and I walk underneath it every morning as it is at the entrance of the Oval. In front of it is where the Olympic flame stayed lit....

It is exactly 19.88m high which symbolizes the 1988 Olympic Games. Each of the the 4pair of 'legs' which extend from the ground symbolize crawl, walk, run, jump, and the final 5th pair, which doesn't touch the ground, symbolizes...fly. It demonstrates the path of an athlete....

At the other entrance, a picture of a speed skater also in red metal.......you know you are at the Oval!!

Well, March 1st today......2 weeks of hard training coming and then the 3rd week will be race week.......I am really pumped!! I am actually very excited to skate these next 2 weeks.......although I still have my back spasms, I am feeling very strong and am looking forward to working hard.

I cannot believe I only have 3 weeks left here.......I think I may go into some kind of withdrawl or adjustment period when I get home.......don't know if it will be a good thing or a hard thing yet......

The Dinos got through their semi final round this weekend winning 2 straight of a 2 out of 3 series against an Edmonton team........thank God no more road trips.....I haven't ridden the bus since my Junior hockey days......I now remember how much 'un-fun' they were and still are.......nevertheless, we are in the finals starting next weekend.

This series will be 3 out of 5 so maybe it will go over 2 weekends.......finishing exactly at the same time as my last 2 training weeks.

So........I have had some great success with my skating this season and also great success with the Dinos hockey team this season.......with both coming to an end at the same time.......the climax is just killing me.......it's like reading a thrilling book that just grasps you and you keep wondering what will happen next and how it will all end??!!.........you don't wanna put it down and you don't wanna it to end........but like everything.......an outcome for both will soon become a reality.....stay tuned.

Peace.