The Terrible 52's

Actually, perhaps that title is a bit misleading. As a driver I'm so excited to see us consistantly throwing down 52 second down times on the track. Matt and I have been getting faster and faster in our pushes and we've watched this whole season as our times have been getting lower and lower.

I think sometimes in life, especially as athletes, we find ourselves focusing on where we are in contrast to where we want to be. Whether it be in a sport, at work, financially, physically, or socially, we all have 'somewhere' that we want to be. Some goal that we want to achieve that we feel will help us be happier. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm one of the biggest proponents of goals there is! But I think one important thing to keep in mind is that a goal should push us forward while helping us to find happiness with where we are at in life.

This past week we had one day where we posted times of 52.36 and 52.12. And all of us on the team want to reach the 51's so badly that we kind of looked at these low 52's with a groan and then a laugh. THAT close!

But you know what? It is just pushing us to work harder and it is definitely feeding our hunger to improve and do better. I feel that my teammates have helped me as a driver to do SO much better and we are all pushing each other to get stronger and faster physically. It really is a great season this year! One of my best I'd have to say.

So if you find yourself thinking "If only I had this" or "If only I was that" please take a lesson from a few humble bobsledders: learn to be happy where you are and you'll find it easier to reach your goal with a heart full of joy.

Men versus Steel

Ah, it was that time of the season again! The time when we as a team get together for some serious bonding time. Yes, it was time for the wonderful bobsled tradition of runner sanding.

Trust us, it isn't that wonderful! But it isn't so bad, either to be quite honest.

A lot of people ask us why we sand the runners, or blades, that sit on the bottom of the bobsled. Well, the surfaces of the runners are the only part of the sled that has contact with the ice. Now, you might have to dig deep to remember your days in physics class in high school. No, I'm not talking about the girl you had a crush on in the class. Think about friction.

Since the runners are in contact with the ice, the smoother we can make the surface, the less friction there will be. Translation: faster. So, as athletes we try to sand out all the nicks, cuts, scraps, and rust marks from the surface of our runners. Basically, they are done when you can see your face on the steel like a mirror.

Needless to say, we had a good time (after eating a ton of pizza of course) and the runners look great. We're hoping to drop a few tenths of a second off of our time!

Stupid Paperwork

So, we all hate most paperwork. Reports, presentations, contracts, bills, and so forth. Who wants to be sitting in an office all day to face a stack of never ending papers?

Definitely not me! But last night, well, I had a Homer Simpson "D'oh!" moment that kept us from slidding.

You see, bobsledding does indeed have its risks of physical injury (or death as the legal documents point out). So, in order to slide each athlete has to have a couple of things:

1. Valid Health Insurance
2. A physical that states they are able to slide
3. A completed packet of information sent to our national governing body, the USBSF
4. A signed waiver releasing the bobsled track from any liability should we get hurt (or die)

I've got 3 out of the 4. When I went to sign my track waiver the person who was supposed to log me into the system was out on the track (unfortunately she got seriously injured that night). So, I just stuck the paperwork into my car and it got lost somewhere over the holidays.

Well, last night when we were up ready to slide one of the directors came up and asked about said paperwork. I didn't want to lie, so I told him I didn't have it with me. Problem? Big time. And the person who could enter it into the system had gone home for the day. So, we had to pack it up and just head to Main Street Park City for dinner. Although it wasn't a bad way to end the night eating at the Main Street Pizza and Noodle, we were still kind of bummed about the whole affair. So I apologize to all my friends who came up to watch us train last night! Don't worry though, I'm taking care of the paperwork today!

The point of the matter? As much as we all dislike paperwork, sometimes you just have to get it done!!!

Follow up on goals

As was mentioned by Team Captain, Jeremy, goals are important. And now with the beginning of 2008, what better way to visualize a goal than with a picture.

I was in Vancouver B.C. this last week. While I was there, I snapped this quick picture of the Olympic countdown. Let me tell you… I got stoked!

This picture was taken on Jan 2, 2008.

Let the games begin! Go team USA!

-Don (aka "Blackout")

New Years Resolution

Well, its that time of the year again. Time for gyms to face a rush of new customers, health food stores an influx of "healthy eaters" and Krispy Cremes to drop in sales...until February.

Yes, its time for our annual New Year's Resolutions! What did you choose to change this year? Or what dream did you finally decide that you were going to accomplish? I know I was mocking a bit in the first paragraph, but the truth is that New Year's Resolutions can help us to be happier and healthier people! We can finally kick the habit that has been holding us back or take that trip to France that we've always talked about. Whatever you've decided is on your list of resolutions, fight for it! Too often we as human beings start out with great intentions, and then we start to lose steam and eventually we just give up on our goals and throw them in the garbage.

What a waste! As athlets we can attest that goals are what make our world go round! Without goals, we can't progress or grow in this life! We need them to help better ourselves and improve our standard of living.

So, we've decided to come up with three, just three, pieces of advice to help you keep your 2007-2008 New Years Resolutions:

1. Write it down: if you don't, you might forget it. Writing it down is an action step, a physical demonstration of your commitment to your goal. Also, by seeing it posted somewhere in your room or car or office you can take time to focus on your goal and re-energize yourself towards achieving it.

2. Don't get lazy: for many, New Year's Resolutions don't last beyond January. Why? We lose sight of what we want, or we get tired of the effort. We get lazy. We become complacent in our lives and decide 'Eh, I don't need to change after all.' Have you ever thought this way? It all begins the first time you tell yourself you don't have time to go to the gym or the energy to work on your book you're writing. From the moment you write your resolution down, stick to it. Look at it everyday and remind yourself why you want to achieve it. Do what you have to towards its accomplishment, even if you 'don't feel like it.' You might not feel like it today, but if you do it anyway, you'll sure feel better tomorrow about it!

3. Be happy: if you mess up or skip a day, its not the end of the world. Start again the next day! Have fun with your goals! That's the first thing, set a goal you actually want to achieve for yourself. Sorry ladies, but saying "I want to change my husband this year" isn't a goal. A true goal cannot be based on someone else's ability to think for themselves. It's all about you! So choose goals that will make you happy and then go out there and have fun! Enjoy the gym or eating healthier or writing your book or whatever it is you are doing! Reward yourself for accomplishments! Goals are supposed to be hard, but make you happy!

May this New Year be full of peace, joy, and good living for all of you! Best wishes!

Team Holm Bobsled