Emails from Tracy in Lake Placid, NY 7/29/08 and 7/30/08

 

Sorry it’s taken so long to get my update together.  It’s 10:30 PM here at the Olympic Training Center at Lake Placid and Day One is finally over! 

 

As some of you know, the itinerary I received prior to arrival stated that the athletes that did well during the first day of testing would be considered “US Funded Athletes” and would not have to pay for their stay at the OTC.  I was informed tonight that I do not have to pay! 

 

For me it wasn’t about the money, rather what that means related to my chances of advancing. 

 

I ended up ranking #2 overall out of the Non-Returning Athletes, under a women who pushed in 4 American Cup Races in 2008 but decided to go back to school for the end of last season but still had to come back to re-test (she’s also my roommate and HUGE….in a good way).  Contrary to what I had been told, not all the current Bobsled Pushers were here this week since they just had a camp in Park City, so we weren’t compared to them directly; however in most of the tests I ended up ranking in the 90th percentile - right up there with the big girls.  So that’s definitely something positive for the coaches and drivers to consider.

 

OK - so you’re asking - WHAT does all this mean?  It means the following:

 

1)  Tomorrow I HAVE to lift big.  It does count for points for the top two girls (which includes me) who qualified for selections today.

2)  I HAVE to push the sled FAST on the track tomorrow.  They are really going to pay attention to those athletes who can translate their speed and power to the push track.

3)  If I do well with the above items, I will be asked back in September for the Push Competition - this is where the Drivers recruit their Pushers for the upcoming season.  This push event is invite only…I still need to get the invite but I feel pretty good about it at this point.

4)  If I get selected to a “team” or “driver” I will come back AGAIN in October to Test a final time with the other selected Push Athletes.

 

So as you can see, the selection process has changed from the original plan - but that’s how it works in Bobsled Land.  Not much organization….and the rules can change at anytime so BE READY for ANYTHING!!! 

 

Thanks everyone for your support - I could feel it all day especially after my second attempt at the 60 which TOTALLY bombed!

 

7/30/08

Hi again -

 

Wednesday’s testing has come to an end - and today I dominated! 

 

I’m still ranked #2 overall even thought I out cleaned, out squatted and out jumped the #1 today.  We will be getting timed on the push tomorrow - today we just practiced. 

 

I feel really good - and am ready to kick some ass tomorrow. 

 

That’s all I know for now.  Hopefully tomorrow the coaches will extend me an offer to come back this summer to train and continue to compete and impress a driver. 

 

 

          tracy was invited back and is leaving September 7th to train and then Push the Sled two times. Yes, just two times that count. In Practice back in July during the other tests, Tracy out pushed the #1 girl. (which consisted of pushing a 600 lbs. bobsled 30 meters all by yourself.) She squated 268 for 3 reps. Power cleaned 165 one time and had a verticle of 23 inches.

Tracy has been doing everything right from the diet to resting her body between intense workouts. I fully expect her to make the team and continue to excell and exceed even her own expectations.