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.