Are you at all wondering what is next?!
After a couple long years, definitely a solid 6 months of training, and a World Cup, what happens after!?
Let me tell you what happened during that time.
The past 6 months has been occupied with the process. Something we take very seriously and like to think we live by. It is what we used working up until the Russia World Cup.
I think it was quite successful. It gave us something to focus on. If you found yourself stepping off the path or taking a different route, it got you back onto the track that we as a whole were working towards. It gave us consistency, and a sense of connected. Sticking to the process is what we were going to use to win the World Cup. Win it we didn't, but coming second to a very talented and skilled NZ side is something we are very proud of, and a moment in time that we will never forget. We made history that day, and I can honestly say that feeling is like nothing else you've experienced.
(harmless game of up down look)
No we don't accept losing, and we are not settling for second because it is something historical we as a team have achieved. Yes we are proud, so extremely proud! Beyond words even. But now moving forward, we have 3 years to start where we finished, and build on that process we so strongly believe in. Because I believe we can win. I know that as a team, as a program we have more. So much more.
We have a team motto, it is Team first. We also like to consider our group as #Connected, and we all have #Onegoal. As a team this brings us together. They are just words, but to us they are very powerful words.
After such a long 6 months and a World Cup to top it off, what next you ask!?
We had two weeks off...
Two weeks! I can not remember the last time we have had two weeks off! Try telling an athlete to take time off! So I mean active rest, lets be honest, but it has been fantastic!
A lot of the girls have went home to spend the summer with their families and loved ones before we reunite in September. But there are still some of us here in Vic who have been taking advantage, living it up, taking in the scenes, enjoying the beautiful summer!
The first week included some bike rides, afternoon patios with friends for food and drinks, some beach time, and getting errands done. I did a lot of driving around and getting lost, which can be really fun because you discover some really amazing and beautiful things on the Island that you wouldn't normally get the chance to see. Getting lost is not actually all that bad!
We then got presented with opportunities like going to Langara Island to the Fishing lodge in the Queen Charlottes for 4 days is a once in a life time unique experience that Ghislaine and I decided to take advantage of! We learned how to bait in 5 minutes, got our gear and out on the water as soon as we could. Just as quick as we were out there we were both getting sick over the side of the boat and curled up hoping for a miracle to make such a terrible feeling go away! Lets just say the next day we didn't forget to take Gravol for the motion sickness. In the end we had a great time, and came back with a couple boxes of fish that will happily feed us for a while! This experience would not have happened for us if it wasn't for Rick Bourne, so thank you, a hundred times thank you! You have an amazing place that you wanted to share with us. It is filled with amazing people that you must be so proud of. We truly appreciate it!
(that was just day 1)
Brittany Waters and I attended the Players Championship Golf Tournament here in Victoria last week and got to meet and spend time with a lot of people who really care about our program and want to help support us. It was a very humbling and honoring experience to receive a standing ovation for our result in the Moscow World Cup the week earlier. It just felt really amazing to see the proud on all the supporters faces as they applaud our efforts. We were coupled with Mike Chu and Bob...the Bob who never did show up! But we couldn't have done as well (term used loosely) as we did with out a Bob. Bob was the term we used when one of us couldn't get a shot to save our lives. Which proved to be more often then not, so thanks Bob!
The next day I was off to Vancouver to spend some time with the amazing friends I have and never get to see! We went on a couple hikes, which are can be quite difficult being such a different training system than I am use to, as well as kayaking. Both took a lot out of me! I loved it, I love the challenge. Sometimes I tell myself after that I wont put myself through that feeling again. I then find myself, not long after, making plans to do it all over again! It is a vicious cycle, but one that I love to hate.
It's not all fun and games, you see, we will resume regular training this coming week. Love the break, but I really have the urge to get back to the daily grind. We have work to do and when you want something you need to go out and get it. It wont come to you!
Actually funny story, well a short one anyways, but got an email from our coach saying touch is being held at this place this time, vacation is over! Love those messages, really shoots you back into reality, quick!
Side note:
After an intense training period, building up to a big event, you can almost count on the post tour blues. After the 2009 Dubai World Cup I found myself not wanting to leave the house for almost 2 weeks. I felt really low and sort of depressed. We are told those feelings are completely normal! You go from 100% all the time to nothing. It is a little confusing for the body. I have found keeping myself busy and enjoying the people around me very helpful during this time, as I knew what to expect after the 2009 experience.
It's not all about us:
Also during this time our U20 Women's team in competing in England at their Nations Cup and are doing things that our women's team has only ever done once before. They won their first game against the USA and have beat England. Beating England is something that only one other U20 team has done, and not even our senior side has ever done. We are all so very proud of them and are wishing them the best in their last game against South Africa, that when they win, they will have won the whole tournament! There is a stunning group of young women coming up through the system that I am very excited to see them carry this program in the future. At U20 they are exciting, give them a few years, I cant wait! Well done ladies, you should be so proud. (the future)
To finish this off I want to tell my parents I love them! They came out to Russia to support us, and had a great time travelling around and being apart of the scene. I cant thank them enough for everything they do. I love you guys! (love these guys, my two most fave people in the world)
After a couple long years, definitely a solid 6 months of training, and a World Cup, what happens after!?
Let me tell you what happened during that time.
The past 6 months has been occupied with the process. Something we take very seriously and like to think we live by. It is what we used working up until the Russia World Cup.
I think it was quite successful. It gave us something to focus on. If you found yourself stepping off the path or taking a different route, it got you back onto the track that we as a whole were working towards. It gave us consistency, and a sense of connected. Sticking to the process is what we were going to use to win the World Cup. Win it we didn't, but coming second to a very talented and skilled NZ side is something we are very proud of, and a moment in time that we will never forget. We made history that day, and I can honestly say that feeling is like nothing else you've experienced.
No we don't accept losing, and we are not settling for second because it is something historical we as a team have achieved. Yes we are proud, so extremely proud! Beyond words even. But now moving forward, we have 3 years to start where we finished, and build on that process we so strongly believe in. Because I believe we can win. I know that as a team, as a program we have more. So much more.
We have a team motto, it is Team first. We also like to consider our group as #Connected, and we all have #Onegoal. As a team this brings us together. They are just words, but to us they are very powerful words.
After such a long 6 months and a World Cup to top it off, what next you ask!?
We had two weeks off...
Two weeks! I can not remember the last time we have had two weeks off! Try telling an athlete to take time off! So I mean active rest, lets be honest, but it has been fantastic!
A lot of the girls have went home to spend the summer with their families and loved ones before we reunite in September. But there are still some of us here in Vic who have been taking advantage, living it up, taking in the scenes, enjoying the beautiful summer!
The first week included some bike rides, afternoon patios with friends for food and drinks, some beach time, and getting errands done. I did a lot of driving around and getting lost, which can be really fun because you discover some really amazing and beautiful things on the Island that you wouldn't normally get the chance to see. Getting lost is not actually all that bad!
We then got presented with opportunities like going to Langara Island to the Fishing lodge in the Queen Charlottes for 4 days is a once in a life time unique experience that Ghislaine and I decided to take advantage of! We learned how to bait in 5 minutes, got our gear and out on the water as soon as we could. Just as quick as we were out there we were both getting sick over the side of the boat and curled up hoping for a miracle to make such a terrible feeling go away! Lets just say the next day we didn't forget to take Gravol for the motion sickness. In the end we had a great time, and came back with a couple boxes of fish that will happily feed us for a while! This experience would not have happened for us if it wasn't for Rick Bourne, so thank you, a hundred times thank you! You have an amazing place that you wanted to share with us. It is filled with amazing people that you must be so proud of. We truly appreciate it!
Brittany Waters and I attended the Players Championship Golf Tournament here in Victoria last week and got to meet and spend time with a lot of people who really care about our program and want to help support us. It was a very humbling and honoring experience to receive a standing ovation for our result in the Moscow World Cup the week earlier. It just felt really amazing to see the proud on all the supporters faces as they applaud our efforts. We were coupled with Mike Chu and Bob...the Bob who never did show up! But we couldn't have done as well (term used loosely) as we did with out a Bob. Bob was the term we used when one of us couldn't get a shot to save our lives. Which proved to be more often then not, so thanks Bob!
The next day I was off to Vancouver to spend some time with the amazing friends I have and never get to see! We went on a couple hikes, which are can be quite difficult being such a different training system than I am use to, as well as kayaking. Both took a lot out of me! I loved it, I love the challenge. Sometimes I tell myself after that I wont put myself through that feeling again. I then find myself, not long after, making plans to do it all over again! It is a vicious cycle, but one that I love to hate.
It's not all fun and games, you see, we will resume regular training this coming week. Love the break, but I really have the urge to get back to the daily grind. We have work to do and when you want something you need to go out and get it. It wont come to you!
Actually funny story, well a short one anyways, but got an email from our coach saying touch is being held at this place this time, vacation is over! Love those messages, really shoots you back into reality, quick!
Side note:
After an intense training period, building up to a big event, you can almost count on the post tour blues. After the 2009 Dubai World Cup I found myself not wanting to leave the house for almost 2 weeks. I felt really low and sort of depressed. We are told those feelings are completely normal! You go from 100% all the time to nothing. It is a little confusing for the body. I have found keeping myself busy and enjoying the people around me very helpful during this time, as I knew what to expect after the 2009 experience.
It's not all about us:
Also during this time our U20 Women's team in competing in England at their Nations Cup and are doing things that our women's team has only ever done once before. They won their first game against the USA and have beat England. Beating England is something that only one other U20 team has done, and not even our senior side has ever done. We are all so very proud of them and are wishing them the best in their last game against South Africa, that when they win, they will have won the whole tournament! There is a stunning group of young women coming up through the system that I am very excited to see them carry this program in the future. At U20 they are exciting, give them a few years, I cant wait! Well done ladies, you should be so proud. (the future)
