Coaches Blog

Here are some of my thoughts before durring and after my races at Westchester OH, March 08.
Races:  Classic Ladies:  1500M, 500m, Senior 3 Lady, Classic 2 mix

• 1500m:  I was pretty nervous.  I had never skated against Angi Taylor before but I knew she was good, she won Classic Ladies in 2006.  I knew 3 of the other girls and was confident the pace would be comfortable.  I knew as long as I stayed in position, passed only when needed and did NOT lead that I had a chance to win it.  During the race the pace was pretty slow, I only made easy passes and stayed out of the lead.  I’ve never been in position like that as the race wound down and been confident I could win.  I was skating to win and wanted nothing less, so I sat until 2 laps to go and passed into the lead and hit it hard and won.

    500m:  I was very nervous!  I’ve always gotten passed with one or two to go and I didn’t know if I had 5 laps all out, in me!  I knew I had beaten them all in the 15 but I was still afraid.  I kept telling myself, “I’m equipped, I’m well able, I’m prepared!”  I know I have a great start but didn’t know if it was good enough.  I went hard from the gun but felt a little sluggish my first lap- I thought, “they’re all going by me right here..” but I just continued to wind it up and pull away.  I crossed the entire floor – which is something I’ve been working on but never do in my races.  I think I forget or feel like the straight away step is faster – so I knew I had to keep my feet crossing to carry my speed better.  I never looked back and each lap felt better and better.  My 5^th lap felt better than my first lap!  I had about pylons on 2^nd place when I crossed the finish line.

• Sr. 3 Lady – Skated with Angi Taylor and a freshmen girl from Fast Forward Racing.  I was less nervouse but knew it was for fun so that took some of the pressure off.  We lapped 3^rd place and almost lapped 2^nd place.  I felt good.

• Classic 2 mix:  I was extremely nervous!  I knew BJ hadn’t skated in a month and I knew he was nervous which made me even more nervous.  I didn’t know what he had in him and knew it was all up to me – GAME ON!  I knew I could sprint the entire thing, so that’s what I did.  I went hard from the gun and had pulled pylons on 2^nd by the time I pushed BJ.  I felt strong, confident and like “finally!!” – I have it.  I was  the key for the 1^st time with BJ and had the gas in my tank to do it.  I finally felt like I had accomplished something good.  I felt like I finally proved myself at a meet.  Like I’m not just a sprinter, I’m a good, strong, fast skater!  I felt like I had shown my skaters and parents that I can do what I can teach!