Peace Be The Journey

This is a public apology to everyone who reads this blog. I haven't written in three weeks, and I just left you all hanging about race day. Much has happened in just three short weeks. I am truly sorry I kept you in the dark. The internet went out at the OTC, so my only link to the blogoshpere (Not sure if that's a word, but it should be) was on my phone or at Starbucks downtown. These two options are not ideal for my marathon posts. Thus, I could not enlighten you all on my exciting life until now. I made it back home for the holidays, so I will have some time this weekend to write to my hearts content. You'll just have to wait until then to hear all about race day, more crashes, and driving school. I promise to have something up soon. Right now, I better get some shut eye. This working girl has to get up early and make some money during the break!

Maize bobsled tradition begins here I made the Wichita Eagle today. Bob Lutz, the local sports writer, wrote an article about me and my bobsledding adventures. I want to throw a huge shout out to Bob for writing the piece and everyone else who has had a part in getting me here. It's definitely a dream come true!

I know I don't normally post about other sports, but my Kansas State Wildcat volleyball girls just upset the No. 2 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers! The Wildcats beat Wichita State University in 3 games to win the opening round match-up. Tonight I watched them battle it out with one of the top ranked teams in the nation and win. So exciting! They head to Hawaii for the Sweet 16 and play on December 9th. GO CATS! I was watching the game live on the Nebraska athletics website. They were playing in Nebraska in front of a packed house. Nebraska had never trailed at home, let alone lost a match this year. The K-State head coach, Suzie Fritz, had never won a game in Lincoln. And my feisty little Wildcats went in and believed that they could come out victorious. I can't stop smiling! My friend Matt Senske was watching the game with me. He went to Nebraska, so there is a bit of rivalry there. It's tough since I grew up a HUGE Nebraska fan, but I had to cheer for my Wildcats tonight.

It's been an interesting week and half at the OTC. I think this was my first Thanksgiving away from family, made my first snowman in New York, the band got back together, and crash #4 is in the books. Things are always exciting around here. Tuesday was the first big snow of the season here in Lake Placid. I had great snowball fight with Mr. Greg West and built this little guy. I also made a few snow angels to complete the outing. Fun day. Wednesday I headed out to the track for a track walk with a bunch of skeleton athletes. It was my first full track walk in Lake Placid, and it was interesting to hear how the track varies for skeleton athletes. I definitely enjoyed watching Coach Greg do his thing. He was helping out some friends with lines, and he'd make a great skeleton coach someday. Thanksgiving was very different, but much the same. I still ate Turkey and pie, watched college football and enjoyed a lazy day. The difference was that I was with a new family t

I'm back in America! Canada was fun, but I'm glad to be back in the good, old U-S-of-A. If you haven't kept up with my Twitter or Facebook updates, this will be quite the read for you. Break out the coffee now, cause this is long one. If you need a nap half way through, I'll completely understand. I was busy in Calgary, to say the least. I forgot to mention last post the sled debacle at the Canadian/US border. The 2 & 4-man sleds for USA 3 & 4 were shipped on an FIBT (The Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing) truck along with sleds from Lichtenstein and Korea. All the shipped sleds on tour are trucked together to each location. Each sled is packed in a crate (aka a big, heavy wooden box) and must have a carne (Yes, it is pronounced like carne asada steak). A carne is essentially a passport for everything in the crate to make it across international borders. The cost to ship a sled on America's Cup tour is approximately $90

I made it across the border. Welcome to Calgary! Prepare yourself for lots of Cool Runnings references, since this is the home track of the movie. Sineaid, Megan, Katelyn and I headed to Canada on Saturday afternoon. But first things first. The 4-man races were held on Friday and Saturday. Sineaid and I were at the finish dock for both races. It was super intense, and this is just America's Cup. I can't imagine being at the finish line at the World Championships or the Olympics. Crazy! All you can do is listen to announcers and watch the clock tick by. We were excited to hold up number 1 for the American sleds as they went by. They come to a stop all cheering and thumping the sides of the sled. Then they all unfold themselves out sled like clowns in a mini car. They're all bleeding from spiking each other. It's just insanity! USA 3 on their way to a gold medal finish On Friday, USA 3 (Butner, Nix, Clark and Berkeley) ended up in first place over USA 4 (Cunnin

Wednesday was my first race day, and I was ready to push fast!  I feel the need, the need for speed! Katelyn and I were sled number 6 of 6 in the women's competition on Wednesday. We were last off for the first heat. The women's competition consisted of 3 Olympian/World Cup status sleds and 3 America's Cup status sleds. Aka, 3 experienced sleds way ahead of 3 rookie sleds. We ended up in last place after the first heat, so we were the first off for the second heat. The second heat is always in reverse order of the finishes from the first heat. So, we got back up to the top, flipped the sled, didn't even get to finish sanding the runners and then our sled was whisked away to the ice box. It all happened so fast, but we made it. We ended up in 6th place, which is still a podium finish! Can't believe I just finished racing for Team USA! Dream come true!!! I can't stop smiling!!! Day 2 was just as amazing. With one of the top sleds out for the second r