Every 4 years, I get extremely excited. It usually starts around May or June. Why so excited? For the Summer Olympics! I love them!
I used to be OBSESSED with gymnastics and even got a serious gash up my leg in 3rd grade when I was pretending the railing on my deck was a balance beam (I fell off onto a tree trunk and that was the end of “playing gymnastics” at my house) and I’ve always liked swimming (I have a slight obsession with Michael Phelps that happened to increase exponentially when I saw him EVERYDAY while I was at the Olympic Training Center).
But this time around it’s different. I’m watching this round with a different perspective on competitive athletes. I haven’t made nearly the sacrifices they have but I think I understand it a bit more.
When I watch the swimmers, I have a whole new level of respect for them. I’m no world class swimmer or athlete but when I see them swim 100m in the time it takes me to swim a 50, I’m in awe. Like I can’t get over it. Every night I say the same thing, “WHOA. It would take me that amount of time to swim half of that distance!”
Well I’m kind of lying, usually I know the results- GRRR NBC and all other media outlets. But I just deal and pretend I don’t know! I basically record every thing I miss while I’m at work and then sit and watch it ALLLLL night after I work out. For this reason, I am lacking the sleep department. I just can’t turn it off! When you find yourself watching fencing, you know you’ve got a problem.
I know that reports say that after the Summer Olympics, there is an influx of new swimmers and runners and whatever sport you’ve chosen to become obsessed over and yes, some don’t like that but I am all for it. Even though my pool was PACKED last night, it is exciting to see people excited about sports. Plus it motivates me too!
And what is most exciting to me is that this time around I’m aware of the Paralympics and I CANNOT wait to follow them closely! (Please try to check out these amazing competitors here!)
Even more exciting is to think about how many of my peers are training right now with one thought in mind- THE 2016 PARALYMPICS. Because that is when paratriathlon will make its debut!
Recently USA Triathlon wrote a fantastic article about some of our preparation during the High Performance Camp with the ultimate goal being 2016. AND THERE’S A VIDEO. Silly. Absolutely enjoyed every second of that camp with the athletes and coaches! I hope you read/watch and enjoy learning more about our sport.
What I’ve been up to: Oh you know just training away over here. I haven’t been documenting it nearly as well as I used to but I swear I’m doing it! I’m still participating in the Friday morning swims and even upgraded to a faster lane last week (YESSSSSSS! Love seeing that progress!) Anyway, more about me another day!
Oh, also superrrrr cool but Fit Fab Fun wrote up a great piece about CAF and the charity ride with Cycle House LA! Check it out! (Thanks to my cousin, Shannon, for finding that!)
