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.