Big Week!

So, I think it's finally hit me. People have been asking all week if I'm excited about my trip, to which I always respond, "Yes! I'm so excited!" But truth be told, it hadn't really sunk in. I bought the plane ticket, got the confirmation emails for the bus ride, actually started thinking about packing more than an hour before the plane leaves, but it really hadn't hit me till just now. Here I was wondering if I needed to pack my own towel or get some laundry detergent when I started to freak out (in a good way, of course). I've been invited to stay in an Olympic Training Facility with other people training for other Team USA sports. WHAT?!?!?! Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?! This is crazy!!!! I'm so excited!!!!! (That is now a completely truthful answer.)

Wow, I'm kind of overwhelmed, to be honest. This is an amazing opportunity, and I'm so thankful for all of it. No matter the outcome, I know this adventure has been worth every second of the time and energy I've invested. God has definitely opened doors to get me this far, and I'm not afraid to jump through.

I want to send a big shout out to my Neufeld family! I couldn't ask for a better family, and I love you all so much! Thank you all for your prayers and support! I loved spending time with you all at the reunion. Thank you to the Byron Neufeld family for the viewing of Cool Runnings. Watching the movie with everyone was quite a treat. At least everyone knows what a bobsled is now. I also want to thank my bible study girls and preschool volunteers at church. It's great to be around people who will rally behind your dream and believe that all things are possible.

Funny sidenote: One women came in during the middle of one of my conversations today at church. She heard me talking about my training and the upcoming trip. She listened for awhile and piped up with this comment: "So, what is this you're training for? American Gladiator?" Bwhahahahaha!!!! I couldn't help but laugh at that one. I loved that show growing up, and I couldn't help but think of those terrible spandex outfits and names they took from porn stars. Would I be Ice or Siren or Jade? Actually, I think there was a women named Dallas on the show, so I guess that would fit better. Significantly less porn starish. I'll take it!

Moving on, I've been doing some research on the Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Lake Placid. The U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. opened in November of 1982, the present facility opened in 1989. The purpose of the training center is to assist athletes in a variety of Olympic sports. The center also provides assistance to a number of affiliated sports organizations and disabled sports organizations. 

Sports most frequently training in Lake Placid include biathlon, bobsled (that's me!), figure skating, ice hockey, luge, skiing and speed skating. In addition, boxing, canoe and kayak, judo, rowing (thank goodness that's not me!), synchronized swimming, taekwondo, team handball, water polo and wrestling also train at the site.

The housing facility contains 96 spacious rooms, which contain a private bath and television. The facility has 11 multi-purpose rooms. The complex, houses two laundry rooms, which athletes can use free of charge and a number of equipment storage rooms.

The athlete center, adjoining the housing complex, contains a 20,000 square foot gymnasium with the capability to hold three events at the same time. The kitchen and dining facilities are located in the center and offer athletes a wide variety of nutritious foods and snacks. (You know I read up on that right away.) Also housed in this area are the administrative offices, sports medicine, weight room with a certified weight trainer and a sports science-testing lab. The lobby area contains a reception area, two large meeting rooms and an official USOC Spirit Store. The U.S. Olympic Spirit Store, located in the lobby of the U.S. Olympic Training Center, features a large selection of official U.S. Olympic sportswear and memorabilia. The Spirit Store is the only store in Lake Placid where every purchase made directly supports the U.S. Olympic movement and its athletes. You can bet I'll be hitting that up while I'm there! Here's a little video from the website. Check out my digs for the next few days. You can read more on the Team USA website.



I've also been looking at the weather forecast for this week. Upper 60's to Mid 70's are the forecasted highs, with the evenings getting down to the 40's some nights. It hasn't gotten below 80 degrees in at least two months here. It's been disgustingly hot, and we're about to break the record for the most days in a year over 100 degrees. I don't even know what to pack because I can't remember working out in such cool weather. Guess I'll have to bust out some long sleeves and maybe even a fleece. Just writing the word fleece made me start to sweat. I'm definitely looking forward to cool weather!

So, that's what I know.
I am excited.
I am going to an Olympic training venue.
I am ready.
An amazing athlete once told me that you have to make the decision that "the winner" is inside of you. A person with less talent, but more heart will win every time. They want it more, and they're convinced. Well, consider me in the convinced category. I want this. Even if it doesn't happen this trip, I'm not giving up on this dream. Thank you to everyone for your encouraging comments and prayers. I really appreciate it all! I'll keep you all in the loop on this trip, so check back later in the week for an update.