Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Keep Calm and Skate On


Well, it was a whirlwind trip to Lincoln, NE and back left on Wed, the kids practiced on the floor on Thurs, (Carb’d up all day Thurs) then they raced on Friday and we returned on Saturday.  

Now on to the agony of defeat!  It is so disheartening to watch your child fall (figuratively and literally) during a race.  It takes everything in me to not go down and tear into someone.  Then there is the competition anxiety that just eats all of their energy.  That is what my son has, though he does not want to admit it.  I think he feels it is a sign of weakness, but, in no way is it.  He just needs to find what works for him to calm himself down and not burn out quick.  Okay, so here is how the races went, I will start with my oldest first. 

He unfortunately did not make it out of two of his three heats.  The heat he made it out of is his 500 m, but, I knew he would, why you ask?  That is the only race he has been talking positively about for the last few weeks.  So, he was already defeated in the other two races before he stepped on the floor.  I am not sure how to help him cope with the anxiety; he is just going to have to keep trying different relaxation methods to find which one works for him.  So he made it to his 500 m semi, but, unfortunately this year that was all the farther he made it.  Though, he did get farther than last year AND he did not fall!  So I am very proud of what he has accomplished.  Just being in the top four of his region and being able to compete on a national level says something in itself.  And that is one thing that I have to remind myself and my husband.  

For my daughter, she made it out of all three of her heats; it is the semi-finals that we had problems with.  The first race was her 500 m and she was knocked down, and with only five laps she was not able to move up into qualifying position.  The next semi-final was her 300 m, on this the girl that was directly in front of her did a left kick just as she was coming out of the turn and my daughter was in the process of passing.  Needless to say my daughter went down, slid on her rear end.  She got up quick to finish her laps, but again she was not able to get up into qualifying position to move on.  Even though the skater that tripped her was DQ’d that still does not help her making it to her finals. Now, what I did not realize is that when she fell she tore a huge hole in her suit just below her rear-end.  So after that race we had to scramble to figure out what to do.  Luckily on of the other teammates came to the rescue and was able to score a complimentary pair of bike shorts from Pinnacle Racing!  AWESOME!  I owe them both!  So, she was able to race the third race (without showing her all).  But, I could tell by that time with two falls behind her she had, had it.  Even if she did make it to her final she would not have enough points to podium.  When I went down to meet her after the third race her head was down and she was crying.  It just tugs are your heart to see your children go through so much training and determination to get to this point just to have someone trip her.  But, I will have to give her this much, she told me on the way home that she only wants two weeks off and is ready to get back to training!  She has made it farther this year too, than last and I am also very proud of her accomplishments. 

So, in one week we begin training again, and yes, I will be part of this one.  I plan on skating this season and possibly competing this season (don’t tell my Mom she will have a fit).  One last thing I have started creating skate jewelry, because I have not been able to find anything specific to skating for the kids and I have enjoyed making them so much that I decided to sell them.  Please go to this link if you would like to see what I have been up to http://www.etsy.com/shop/RollWithItJewelry?ref=seller_info
 
Also a tip from Nicole Begg on warm-ups and cool-downs http://www.inlineplanet.com/2007-12/warmup.html

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

And So the Trip Begins


Well, the event that we have been waiting so long for is now upon us.  NATIONALS! I am so pumped for my kids.  Their hard work, dedication, lack of a social life and painful floor burns will all be over with (for a few weeks that is).  The hardest thing is the kids skate all day, from 6 am to 10:30 pm.  They are skating up to possibly 9 races each.  Devin will skate 3 – 5 laps, 15 laps and 30 laps, each at a 100 meters.  Mikayla will skate 3 – 3 laps, 5 laps and 10 laps also 100 meters. As I have been watching the live feed this week at www.skatersplace.com I have been getting more and more nervous and excited.  Packing is done.  Healthy snacks are bought.  In fact, this is what I have for my kids while traveling and competing.  

1.       Water or Gatorade (Devin likes Gatorade/
2.       Sunflower Seeds
3.       Fruit Snacks 100% juice
4.       Apple slices w/Carmel dip
5.       Carrots w/Hummus dip
6.       Sun Chips
7.       Cheerios
8.       Veggie Chips

For Race Day

1.       Beef Jerky
2.       Protein Bars
3.       Water
4.       Gatorade
5.       Fresh Fruits

Do any of you have ideas for healthy snacks you take on the road with you or during a competition for you or your kids.  Any ideas would be welcomed!  ‘Cause let me tell you I am definitely running out of ideas.  I have found a few neat websites to use, and I use Pinterest religiously you can find me at http://pinterest.com/chelshawver/
 
The websites I have used are:

http://monthlymealplanner.com/about.php - also use this site for meal planning 

 
So my next blog will be about fundraising.  I have committed myself to help the team raise enough money this year to help everyone get to nationals in Albuquerque, NM next year. So, if any one has any ideas start writing them down, ‘cause I am gonna need them.  I also want to gain more support and recognition for the team and the hard work that they do.  That is why I have started this blog.  Thank you all for reading, and I welcome any comments.