The Road to...?

Wow, I havn't posted in here in ages! Its wild that since the last time I posted, my life has changed so much, I don't even know where to begin.

  I no longer train for Ssort Track, but hey, with a little name change, I think this blog will be a good exercise of recording thoughts. I often find myself with too many philosophical thoughts that are just not appropriate for normal conversations and will go into dust if I write them in a notebook, so maybe I will start putting them here. A journal of thoughts - new name?

  Don't have that much time now, but maybe it will actually help manage stress, like running still does, even after this almost full year away from training that has converted me into a sorry sack of lump.

Relay Team minus J.H.

Back in the ridge

Wow, what a trip. It didn't hit me how much I enjoyed myself until I was in the plane home. Soooo many amazing memories and new friends. I miss Melbourne so much. Here's a little album from the trip: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150703775662534.460716.590047533&type=1

   I guess i finished 16th overall. I finished 12th in the 1000m, after the fall. Unbelievable how many variables are prominent in the sport. the ice just simply broke out from under me. I really was in perfect position with 21/2 laps to go to move on to the semi-finals. Such a shame. Until I fell that was the sexiest thing I've done in my life. At the banquet, the whole U.S. team got a plump $1200 check to split four ways (not so plump anymore, I know). That ws sweet and unexpected. The Banquet ad the ensuing "after parties" were tons of fun. i traded for four different country's jackets! So now i have a Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Turkish jacket to go along with my U.S. clothes. Its been a crazy, emotional ride, these last bunch of weeks. Thank you all soooo much for ur continuous support!

Got ITTT!!!

We did it. We Got a medal for USA for the whole team. I can now show proof to my kids that I represented USA in Australia at the Junior World Championships! So excited. I can't believe I fell in the 1000m. i was literally in front and looking good with 21/2 to go in the quarterfinal and I guess my blade just broke out. Thats whats so infuriating about this sport. Soooo many little variables out of ur control. I still got 12th overall in the 1000m. But, Sooo happy to get bronze in the relay. What a great bunch of guys on the team. Its been awesome. Great experience, Big Jim, Adam, and J.H.

Lets Get this Hardware USA!

HEEEEERRREE we gooooooooo!!!! 1000 meters today, my best race, and then we have relay final with China, Korea and Hungary. i could get a medal in my first Junior Worlds!!!! So excited! We made it this far USA, lets keep it going.

  Then its banquet on the beach, party, and fly back to home sweet home! Only good from here.

Day One Complete!

It is so unfortunate that they didn't get the live stream going this year. I'm so sorry you couldn't watch! I had a feeling that they wouldn't have it, though everybody was telling me otherwise. There is someone doing video from the top of the stands that looks very good. He's putting it on a dvd and selling it. Its crazy expensive - $95 but I would buy it. I'm ranked 13th after today! Top 12 get cash prizes, so hopefully I can crack that by the end of the competition. I am real proud of how I raced. I did a lot better than I expected. Many of the seasoned skaters say this is the deepest field they've ever seen at Junior Worlds. We'll see if I can keep up in the 500ms tomorrow. Not a sprinter at all, but hey, its Short Track.
  My first heat, I didn't know any of the skaters except the dutch guy who used to be much better than me. The Kazakhstani and the Russian could have been good or bad, so I skated from the front, leading the last six laps, and it was surprisingly easy to pull away from the field, the Dutch guy finishing with me with one of the fastest times. As a result of my fast time, I think I got a really easy quarter-final, and skated great, winning that too, with an outside pass at the end. My semi-final was a lesson. I got schooled, outclassed, outraced by stronger skaters. No regrets. haha. Both my coaches said I skated a great race, it was just an extremely hard semi. I actually was at the front with around 5 to go, but I wasted a ton of energy trying to stay at the front early so I died and finished fifth. They were picking two. I really did skate well by my standards. Just outclassed. Most of the guys in my race are on the senior world cup circuit. It was fun! The relay heat, we were with Korea and Italy. Korea set a new world record by about 6 seconds, and we actually were around the old record as well. We qualified for the semi-finals and tomorrow we face Korea again (hopefully they'll chill now that they crushed the record), Germany, and I think Japan.
  Just got back from a BBQ in the park with all the skaters.
  Gotta get Sprinty tomorrow!
  Laters

let the racing begin

unforrtunately there's no live stream - il try to update as much as possible. first race at around 11.30.

Touring...

just hopped on the free tram and talked to people on it, going in some general direction, I promise.I 'm heading towards Federation Square where everything happens apparently. I got distracted by this library however - its got a front lawn soaked in sun, with all these young people sun - bathing, so I thought it was the University. I thought this also because it is such an extravagant building. Its huge - looks like a cathedral in Paris. It has a room full of computers with free internet, 15 minutes at a time. I think this library is a center piece of Melbourne - something the founders wanted to to have be a prominent part of the city. It is. On with the touring! Later.

I noticed that...

While Out and about just now in Mmmmmmelbourne, getting lunch with the team, I noticed a couple of the subtle things that I like about the city. The colorful, electric trams (is that redundant?),whenever they stop or start sound a single deep and musical bell that makes for an upbeat and happy background ambiance to the already perky city. I really like the style. Maybe I never opened my eyes to notice different styles before. I believe I have though. The garments are all so flowing, silky, and tropical looking - real laid back and elegant. Again, I know summer styles must be looser and lighter in general everywhere, but this just struck me. I'm 90% sure it's a "foreign" style. Anyway, it really looks good and adds to the eye-pleasing feature of the city. There are lots of Peugeot automobiles everywhere. I saw the sweetest black one yesterday that was close to the raciness of a Spyder. I know my father is partial to Peugeot and my childhood on the road was in our good old Peugeot before they stopped selling them in the States. To go along with the car notes, the bus that picks us up at he hotel entrance and takes us the rink - a long bus, almost like a greyhound or something is a Mercedes! I wish I could quickly upload some pictures to show the free City Circle tram. It's extremely antique looking and sounding, with gold writing artfully painted on the deep, brown, ancient-treasure-chest-brown and old styled windows. When I get home, I'll upload all the photos. I think I will go back out into this Capitol of sun and explore further. Until later.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - oh, wait...

It's full-on summer and I'm preparing for a short track speedskating competition. Surreal, man. I went with Jim and Adam to the beach yesterday - St Kilda Beach, by the 96 tram. Its about 3k from the hotel - 8-10 stops on the tram, which is real handy, efficient, but oh so expensive, like the rest of Melbourne. A small Gatorade costs 4.50. An espresso shot, Jim found out costs the same. Its the nicest city I've personally seen,  natural scenery-wise, but its hard to enjoy it when its so expensive, you can taste the change in the food as it goes down.
  The ice is actually quite good! Pleasant surprise. It is fast, grippy, and holds together well. this morning we practiced with the Italian Team - so I saw Tomasso who I trained with in Cali - and we did a relay with them which was awesome. We skated well. Its amazing how as soon as there's another team to compete with, our legs don't feel the fatigue whatsoever, whereas alone, it feels like a crazy hard workout. The relay is so much fun. I myself felt pretty good on the ice. Tomorrow we skate with the Japanese team, so that should be very interesting.
  I love the public transportation here - once I've paid for it - and the people are friendly. The combination of a very urban, fancy, colorful city with lots of big buildings and busy streets together with the palm trees and huge heavy wilting green trees everywhere is so unique. Lunch now - Usspeedskating pays for most everything of course. A chicken burger is 18 bucks! Hopefully we can make it to the pier again today - or the zoo. I got to see me a Kangaroo before I leave Australia.  I think I'm fully adjusted to the time here. It doesn't really get dark until 10pm. I don't want to go back to early march...

In Australia!

Hard to believe just how far from home we are. Its not yet sunk in that I'm in Australia. Australia. That's where I am... The sun is very bright. The scenery and city is enchanting. I love it. I love Melbourne. We took the tram to the beach today and had lunch, then hung out, went for a jog, had dinner, all bleary-eyed with fatigue. Now I finally get to go to bed. Wow, I have absolutely no grasp of the time difference situation. Its so very confusing, my deary me! Skating tomorrow at One. Should be interesting... Flight was crazy long. San fran. was amaaaazing> i really like it. Pardon the hurried typing - no free wi-fi - =problematic. Bye

Friday February 17th, 2012

Its the 17th! Now that its here, I can hardly believe it. By the time I arrive at the hotel in Melbourne, I will have been traveling exactly 48 hours! I have all sorts of preparations, plans, strategies, and determination not to make it completely miserable. First thing: In San Francisco, we have a seven hour layover during which time we'll go out of the airport and see whats good in San Fran.
  I'll keep updating as this adventure continues over there in AUUUuUUSSTRAAAAALIA! Whoooooo! Seeya.

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Twooooooo Days! Realized I have two days until I travel for about 30 hours straight. SHould I be excited? I mean, I am, but I think I should contract some sleeping pills or something for the plane rides.

  I led my fastest ever lap time this morning. Feeling a bit better after a physical low over the last couple days. I'm feeling awfully swaged out in all this new Under Armour apparel we got for the competition. Everything's looking good! Practice this afternoon at two. Seeya later, my friends.

Monday February 13th, 2012

Back from practice. It was a rough one. Good workout. This week can't go fast enough! I love Barnes and Noble! I feel so smart going in there. heheh. Soooo much intelligence, so many brilliant works.
  I am really not looking forward to sitting coach from San Francisco to Sidney. Is it worth it to pay for Businesss? thoughts?

  We have practice Friday morning at seven and then I will go back to the house and pack up everything. Leave from Salt Lake at 2pm!!! woohooo.

Saturday, February 11th, 2012

Thank You Cole for letting me use your computer. This morning was some very productive relay practice with the team. We are really getting better with the exchanges, and I understand a lot more of just how much time can be lost or gained in a clean and efficient push (that is how the exchange is made in short track - with a push). Big Jim continues to praise my push. I think I understand pretty fully how to push from the core instead of just the arms, which most of us T-rex speed skaters don't have much of. I am resting like a pro now. Sleeping, reading, getting some sun, and talking with my babe. That girl Tui is the coolest girl!

  Less than a week until we leave for San Francisco! I received the World Team skin suit this morning which is real exciting. I actually ended up with the Olympic version - the same one that was worn in Vancouver, because they were out of the normal ones. The difference is very minimal, but its still pretty cool.

Friday February 10th, 2012

Hey all, today's practice was a good hard workout as usual. Not much to report. I took a walk to Barnes and Noble and stocked up on some reading material for the trip to Australia...Australia!!!!!! The other side of the planet! So crazy. So lucky! So excited. I got the biography of Frederick Douglass, written by he himself. For some reason, I still remember his story striking me in seventh grade as incredibly intriguing. I started reading it and it is. Last day of the training week tomorrow! Some nice easy relay practice. Only one week until we leave!!!

Wednesday February 8th, 2012

Everybody is exhausted. hah! Its great. We did a lot of passing drills this morning. It was great to have Jonathan Garcia skating with us who is normally on the National Team, but since the World Team is gone, he and a couple others who didn't make the team are training with us. He pulled some very interesting moves and it was great to learn from him.
  This afternoon we have sprint relay practice which will be fun. The three of us Juniors will be practicing exactly what we will do at Worlds, minus J.H. and plus a lot of pre game soreness. hehe.

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

The time is creaking by agonizingly until Junior Worlds. Training has been and is going to be extremely hard for the three Juniors this week (including myself of course). Then next week we'll start to taper for the big thing. But right now I'm extremely tired and sore... as it should be. Im skating well; Anthony, the coach here, improved my blades, and I'm psyched to get as fast as possible in the next couple weeks.

Saturday February 4th, 2012

Hey all, I got onto another computer (Thank you Katy R). The TSA broke mine. Only the Keyboard though. So frustrating. Anyway, life is still good, even without my internet voice. I am really enjoying skating, though the altitude is high as always. Can't wait to be adjusted. The three of us on the Junior Team are practicing very hard together every day, while our star fourth member,  John-Henry is away winning silver medals at Senior World Cups!!! Hope he's not too tired by the time Junior Worlds comes around.
  The Phoenix airport smelled like gunpowder. I don't know why. It was sixty-five degrees out there and they were complaining about it being a cold day!
  WHen I woke up friday morning, it took me literally half an hour to remember exactly where I was, why I was here, and who was my new coach. Coach K was let go of by the Pittsburgh club for reasons that we should talk about in person.  So here I am in Salt Lake. It is probably good anyway as the Junior Team is going to get a lot of reeeeally good practice together for the relay. The relay will probably be my best shot at a medal in Melbourne.
  I'm going up to Park City with Katy now. Laters.

friday february 3 2012

i am feelin great. happy, excited, inspired. i do miss my dreamy girlfriend lots of course. thats life. the phoenix airport smelled like gunsmoke. il write more tom. my keyboards broken. goodnight. keep working hard. its worth it.

My dad already edited and posted all the videos he took from this crazy weekend: 2012 Juniors

Summary of the most successful competition of my life

Well, its over, and I could hardly be more proud of myself if I won every race. I battled out there, while keeping my cool. This is something of a novelty (hah) as I've been pretty inconsistent this year. Because I've had such lows recently, I was ready to deal with and quickly overcome that silly fall in the first final when I was sitting in perfect position; that bit of bad luck in the 9lap Time trial, running into the back of my pair, something that should never happen; and then be able to embrace the pressure on the third day of having to skate the best of my life when it counted the most. That strategy in the last 1500m superfinal was one of the bravest decisions Ive made.I Did ITT!!! Whooooooo. The thing is, if I had gotten fourth overall, it would have been great, but I would have been the alternate spot who only skates the relay in Australia. Now I will compete against the rest of the world in every distance plus the relay! That should be really fun. The relay team should be pretty strong, with our leader J.H., who is so strong he actually was finishing relays at the Senior level on the U.S. team this year!
  I really cant be thankful enough to all my coaches over the years. To my parents, grandparents of course and also to all you friends/fans who were watching the live stream - that was sooooooo sweet.

Day Two - Junior Trials

There was good and bad today. I was in prime position in the 1500 final in second with 4/12 laps to go but fell. I managed to place third in the 500m however. Podium finish! wooooot! Feels real good. Sitting pretty in 4th overall after two days. Tomorrow is gonna be great! Getting tons of sleep now and then gonna show everyone what I can really do. Goodnight.

Day One Success!!!!

Day One of Junior Trials is over. I am tied for third overall. This is good. I couldn't ask for better. I skated my best and I'm proud. I was fourth fastest in the 9 lap time trial and then 3rd in the 4 lap. I got to go on the podium and receive an award which was sweet. Im pretty sure I got personal bests in both distances. Soooo psyched! Have to stay calm and focus on tomorrow now. 15oom and 500m...

All or Nothing

I am in Washington D.C. now for the Junior World Team Trials that start tomorrow. The top four overall finishers will go to represent the U.S. at the Junior World Championships in Melbourne Australia in later February. There are 45 guys! Should be good. The time trials are tomorrow - the same scenario as at Senior Trials - the top sixteen times out of the time trials will compete for the four team spots and the rest will compete in the B and, because of how many people there are, C groups. The event will be streaming live!!!!!!! check it out: Live Streaming of Junior Trials  The Time Trials should start at around 11am, and maybe after tonight's meeting I'll have an idea of what time mine will be at. If I do, I'll post it here. Saturday and Sunday the racing starts at 11am. This is the event that though it does not define who I AM, will make or break this season as a success for me. I want to be on that team so badly and its been what Ive been training for since last Junior Trials. I couldn't have asked for a better last session at practice Wednesday morning. I am confident, tautly excited and nervous and ready to go! Lets face it. Its the middle of the winter - its the summer in Australia - and I need a tan... so i have to make that team.  ;)

Friday January 6th - after Time trial

Hey my friends. Once again, I am faced with failure. I literally missed top sixteen by 34hundreths of a second. I was 17th in the 9 lap TT... Dealing with failure really makes one search for what is good in life. I am just happy to be where I am and that I still have Junior Trials to get ready for. This is nothing that a little good food can't fix.
  I hiked up the mountainous hill in my backyard today and spied on some deer below me once i go up there. It was nice. Was able to let things go a little bit. There's always tomorrow. I really wish I had better news...sorry. Junior Team still looks good.

On the Eve of US Champs 2012!

This is it! The second biggest competition of the year for me starts tomorrow. It will be live-streaming here!: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/USSTChamps2012
  Tomorrow is strictly Time Trials - two skaters at once starting on opposite sides of the track racing for purely fastest time. Only the top sixteen times will qualify for group 1 and my goal is really just to make top sixteen at this point. The field is very deep this year! Even if I dont make top sixteen it will be lots of great racing but it would be sweet to mix it up with the best in the country. I will skate the 9lap Time Trial tomorrow I'm guessing around 11am mtn time (two hours behind eastern).

  Wish me luckkK!!!

Tuesday, January 3rd 2012

Hello all, I am now in a house that is almost too nice for comfort. My dad and I are living alone in a two story HOUSE that normally is beaucoup expensive but because there's no snow on the mountains(!!!) is cheaper than a reasonable hotel. Pretty sweet. Training is fun here. There is at least 20 people on the ice every morning and usually closer to thirty and the group of people is real fun.
  My dad and i have been exploring the Utah nature scene and it really is spectacular. Here's a link to the album we have compiled thus far: https://picasaweb.google.com/fredgilb/SaltLakeCity#  I feel like a child again playing in the Wasatch Mountains - climbing round and just lookin at the different views. Its awesome.

  Last practice Time Trial tomorrow before the time trial Friday to see if I make top sixteen. Laters.