Just before my relocation to the Olympic Training Center, I joined Chris Conrey and David Cooke at Gangplank in Phoenix, Arizona for their Sales and Leadership based podcast “Don’t Sell Me Bro.” We talk goal setting, business metrics, sport and chocolate cake. Something for everyone! I even got credit for coining the term business disuse atrophy. Chris writes about it in his blog, check it out! Hear the full interview HERE and be sure to read about Dave’s inspirational movement 100 Pedals!
12.22.11 Olympic Training Center | Lake Placid Sliding Complex
Tebow-ing
Random musings, Part II.
I thank the core –AD, VDay, E, Too Cold, Ida Bomb, Crumpton– for this content. Life at the OTC is business. Most times we work, but sometimes we play. Thank you for making me laugh y’all!
And they said:
I nap in plank, please.
You look like a gazelle when you run free. But then, with the sled, maybe more like a giraffe.
Do you think we have enough for detergent?
Do these shorts make my butt look big? They do? Excellent.
Let's hop in the back of that Uhaul and see where it takes us.
I think that they're trying to encourage a movement! Go USA!
I've always dreamed of being a meat head.
Biathlon? What's that? I thought he was training to be VO2Max champion
Wait, I don't understand.
Yes, I know it's my 3rd bowl but I'm on that Olympic Weight Gain meal plan
Hey there, it looks like your pants split. I hear that's going around these days, like a sickness.
And sometimes we get down, just because. Get it girl.
12.19.11 Olympic Training Center | Lake Placid Sliding Complex
One thing is clear to me. Athletes at the U.S. Olympic Training Centers can back it up. And push it forward. And lift it high. And drop it low.
Why all the fuss? Speed. Power. Driving Force.
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All photos –and behinds– are property of their respective owners. High, low and in between. Are you inspired? I knew you’d be.
You too can make your butt talk. Here’s how:
For those of you who may not know, I pose Daily Challenges via my fitness company ADUB365 FIT. Mind, Body and Spirit! You can follow real time updates on Twitter and Facebook. Today’s challenge: High Tail It!
You get it, right? I knew you would. Pop, Lock and Drop It. Hey, hey now! Watch yourself. That’s Olympic weightlifting terminology, buddy.
Yes, I know that Tampa Bay played last night but I wanted to give my cousin a special shout out today! Please take a moment to lend your fan Pro Bowl vote.
VOTE: Offense —> Tight Ends —> Tampa Bay Bucs —> Kellen Winslow Jr.
And while you’re at it, check out a recent article about another Kellen!
12.15.11 Olympic Training Center | Lake Placid Sliding Complex
We must protect this mouth!
(UA chant voice here; replace house with mouth of course)
This is mine:
Straight bright whites, I know. As do my parents. They paid a lot of money to straighten and beautify this mouth of mine. That is why I dedicate this blog post to the wonderful and knowledgeable team at AgilityGuard. Thank you Doc Joe and Kris for your support! Controlled environment or not, racing headfirst down an ice track at 80 mph is still racing headfirst down an ice track at 80 mph. Agreed?
Now, this is not simply about blunt force trauma and concussion protection. What makes AgilityGuard custom mouth guard technology –upper and lower– so unique is that the guards protect teeth while simultaneously enhancing performance, neurologically. Translation: Speed, Balance, Agility, Power. How is that possible? I’ll let the experts explain:
I’m in Lake Placid now under snow cover and have used my upper custom guard on the ice and lower custom in the weight room and indoor track. On Holiday in Florida and Arizona, I’ll be playing golf with my lower guard in place. You might know this guy who does the same:
I should mention that before using AgilityGuard, I did use another mouth guard. There were a few problems. Even with the self-boil fit system, it did not fit. I felt as though I was going to choke, I couldn’t breathe, it was ugly, and upon removal I got slobber on any and everyone within five feet. Fast forward with my new and sleek looking guards.
I’ve already noticed that I’m much more forceful and quick when Olympic Lifting and all the more flexible. Flexibility is a major concern for me as I’m undergoing an extreme body composition transformation. I’ve already put on 10lbs but I’m glad to report that I’m still as -if not more- flexible with my lower guard secured.
Wait, one more thing. I must give a shout out to my fabulous New York City Dentist. I love seeing talented, intelligent and professional women in charge. So here’s to Dr. Jill DeBiasi and her entire DT Smile Design practice for making my fitting possible. Visit her on the web and when you make an appointment, tell her that I sent you!
12.10.11 Olympic Training Center | Lake Placid Sliding Complex
Amazing Awaits
After a Holiday respite in New York City, my first week back in Lake Placid has been productive on several fronts. To begin, I’ve finally become comfortable with the idea of living in a perpetual Winter scape. Now, you may be wondering why this is an important hurdle –one big enough that I should spend a moment discussing– but I must remind you that I’ve lived in both the Arizona desert and Florida swamp over the past seven years. The one exception was time spent living in Central Pennsylvania. After a Winter of shoveling snow drifts and de-icing roadways, I swore that “never, never, ever, [would] I ever live in a cold climate again!” Well, here I am. It is currently 16 degrees.
The first month living at the Olympic Training Center [OTC] was an interesting one to say the least. As a new developmental athlete in Driving School, I was learning constantly, sure of nothing –unsure of everything. I am happy to say that I’ve graduated and have now found my place here amongst the other athletes, coaches, trainers and foreign federations. The most important thing that I’ve perceived is that one must find external creative or intellectual outlets. It is quite possible, in my opinion, to become all-consumed with sport and socially stagnant. With the help of my friend Tanya Cohn, I am currently learning Russian. спасибо. Spasibo, Thank You.
I neglected to post video of my first run (jog) from Start 1 or, the top of the track. During Driving School we steadily made our way “up the hill” from start 4 and upwards. We first learned how to navigate the track by being pushed down it. At the Start, we sprint about 30 meters and then jump on the sled at speed –this is called the Push. This video is from November 7th and, as you can see, I was a little tentative, choosing to jog instead of run all out. The helmet cam is an amazing way for you all to share in my daily vantage. Enjoy!
We have begun to race with other and veteran athletes every Friday to help temper our competitive muscle. Skeleton is so intricate. There are so many working parts to manage in under one minute. Curves, straightaways, pressure points, speed lines, grooves, body positions, steering. It all comes so fast and I’ve struggled. I am now working to mentally perceive time differently. Drive slow homie. Inhale, exhale. Eye flutter. Slow. Steady. Chopped and Screwed, shout out to my Texas friends! I have yet to run all out on my Push and my start times don’t reflect my natural speed. But it’s coming and I look forward to the day when my athleticism and intuition override my technical and controlling brain.
Random musings:
There’s an Ice Box where my heart used to be. Thanks for title inspiration Omarion. Skeleton Ice Box is prep space used to cool sled runners before racing.
I wore a speed suit for the first time. It looked good, you’ll see.
The NCAA Regional Mens Hockey Championships are being contested here this weekend. I saw a Drake look-a-like in the cafeteria.
Rhythmic Gymnastics athletes may have the most amazing sport bodies that I’ve ever seen. Simultaneously incredible and grotesque. You’d have to see them moving in person.
Tiger Woods won a golf tournament.
I had a morning boardroom meeting with a major magazine in NYC. It was fresh.
Oh, and I must tell you: I experienced my first crash on the track. My sled finished the race before and without me –that’s an 81 and we’re not talking NFL Tight Ends. More later.
iWasNeverInTheBox 