It's Time.......

Well folks, I am making it official.......there will be no attempt for the 2010 Olympics.......my journey comes to an end......even though I have the backing from Greece, I don't believe the next 5 months would be a realistic and authentic attempt to make it for various reasons......thus, I announce my retirement not only from long track speed skating but the whole Olympic dream and am even giving up hockey and beach volleyball too for many reasons.

Once the qualifying times came out, they were at a point where I felt I may have a chance but I had to take a lot of things into consideration.

My body is just not as self recovering and repairable as it once was and after both shoulders and both knees being surgically repaired in 2007 and 2008 and on-going back spasms, my body is talking to me............begging me........to take it easy.

Before this speedskating journey started, I told my wife that this would be short term........2 years max for the whole thing and then I can relax my body but maybe I was one year short. I have been tough on my body over the years.........its time to return the favour and thank my body for all its output.

Also, after all the sacrifices my wife and daughter have made, to let me pursue this dream of honouring my parents, first with skeleton and then speed skating, I could not ask anymore of them nor put them through this again without being absolutely sure in my abilities. I am truly indebted to them.

At work, my supervisors and colleagues have been extremely supportive over the years, and I could not subject them either to my being absent again for months without being absolutely certain that I could do them, and the whole RCMP, proud.

And finally, my parents, my motivation for these past 5 years, who totally understood what I was trying to accomplish but are now relieved that I can relax and be with my family.......they understand and appreciate my efforts.

This decision comes after just recently spending a week in Calgary, skating, feeling out the energy mentally and physically, listening to the ice and the atmosphere, the electric buzz surrounding the Oval, and then I knew........I knew it was time.

I have no regrets.......the whole experience has been positive and I have met many good people from all four corners of the earth, all with their own stories to tell but when I look back, I just wish I had started this journey with speed skating........I would now have 5 years of experience and I can honestly, truly, and sincerely state that my dream would be coming true by now!!

Alas, life is full of choices and decisions and if we could live in "hindsight", well then life would just be boring and predictable.

The irony of it all is that if I was a Greek girl, even with the times I have now, I would have qualified already in three distances for the 2010 Games and would try to attempt a fourth distance in the next five months...........funny, maybe I should be out shopping for a wig.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped me and supported me financially or by words of encouragement, phone calls, emails..........it meant so much to me to have all of you in my corner.

Also, I would like to thank the Greek Federation for supporting me over the years......thank you Christos and Vassilis.

Finally, I thank God for giving me the courage and strength throughout this Olympic journey and more importantly, for His guidance in helping me make this final decision.

Now, I can focus on finally growing my beer belly, something I have been looking forward to for a long time.

To read about my whole journey, visit my blog, which will now be put to rest, at greecelightning06.blogspot.com.

Remember to always be real to yourself and live your dreams without regret. Keep an open mind and an open heart........

Peace.

Third session....

Okay, third skate this week, Wednesday the 19th and I can say that I'm a hurting unit and although todays' program went as planned, I felt quite a bit sloppy and I am sure that is due to my positioning and weight transfer........lack of both that is.

I have some serious thinking to do this weekend and its not like I haven't been thinking on these lines all summer.......it has been an emotional roller coaster since I have been back from Calgary so I needed the physical to confirm the mental and now the soul searching begins......

This whole week I saw a lot of people like Danielle Goyette who I coached with and some players too that were helping out with some camps.......like one of my key defensemen, Melissa in the pic.

Well stay tuned as I am sure I will come down with a decision very shortly and as you can tell in the pic, I was already thinking about it after my skate........

Peace

Second session....

Well, I have been suffering from some severe back spasms ove the last month and let me tell you, even the extra strength Advils aren't quite doing their thing anymore. It is really the second day after skating where it sets in good.

I had my second ice time on Monday the 17th and once again, it felt good to be back on the ice. The CDN long distance skaters were there also which added a motivating flavour to the skate.

Right now, I am not trying to accomplish anything major with these sessions but moreso, simply trying to feel what the ice is telling me and how my body is reacting.

I will get another skate in before the week is up and I may just self time myself just to see where I am.......maybe a 1,000m sprint. I know with my back, the start won't be that dynamic but it will give me an idea nonetheless.

I missed my daughter though this time around......no one was making my coffee for me as she loves to do, nor did I have her beside me on the stationary bike warming up before the skate.

In the pic, the always smiling Alex, a fantastic full of life future Olympian with Meli and I.

Can't wait 'till the next session........let's see what happens.....until then......

Peace.

First session.....

Well, I had my first skate of the season on Saturday the 15th and I brought my training partner with me to Calgary....my daughter......she loves the hotel scene.

I have to admit, I was nervous......not quite sure what to expect......kinda like I thought I was gonna forget how to skate. I guess most of it had to do with knowing how well I did last season and thinking if I was still at that level.

Well, my first two warmup laps at a good clip eased that tension as I felt like I never left Calgary, although within 15mins, my legs were blown up from the renewed lactic pressure.......must be the beginning of the season....heh heh.

I continued with some moderate tempo laps and some easy long laps......it felt good. It was also nice to see everyone back at the Oval......all the athletes that have something to prove this season, all with one goal in mind.......the 2010 Olympics.

My daughter was a champ, stretching with me and warming up with me on the bikes and taking pictures. After the skate, I brought her to the Centre Street Church where she experienced a different side to a service since there is always live music performed by a band before the sermon and she got a kick out of that.

Then of course, back to the pool and whirlpool before we called it a night but not before indulging in the chocolate covered strawberries and a variety of cheese and crackers that were compliments of my friends at the Marriott hotel.......they are just amazing there and have treated me like gold over the years......a home away from home......thanks Ilona.

Needless to say, my first skate, highlighted with my daughter's company, was a positive experience. I will be back to skate some more before I decide what my future holds........until then,

Peace.