Whoops! (Skeleton Trials 2010 - Race 1)

After 6 days of sliding, variable weather ranging from warm to cold, ice ranging from soft to hard and slow to fast, and track mechanical issues causing a one-day postponement, race day finally arrived.

Friday, 10/22/2010 dawned cold with a dusting of snow, and then on the drive to the track, the snow began dumping down. Brad and I both sat in silence during the drive, praying to make it in our rental (of all things, a Dodge Charger with slick tires).

But unlike the first day of sliding when we didn't make it to the track due to intense snow that closed the road from the training center to the track, we finally arrived at the top of the track.

And sat inside at first to stay out of the rainy snow.


We all mentally prepared in our own way. I made sure to be wearing the right socks, in honor of our dog, Jean Luc, the Giant Schnauzer / Standard Poodle mix you all know and love!


And fully hydrate - there's black tea in case I need a bit of caffeine, powerade, and plain water.


This had the added benefit of distracting me from stress by making me go to the ladies room a half dozen times before the race!

As for Brad, to distract himself from the nerves and stress, he played a game on his phone.


Look at that concentration.


But then, he beat the game. Now what?


Thankfully, it was about time to warm up, and then go watch the forerunners (sleds that go down before the racers to test the track equipment). Everyone came out.


We all lined up in anticipation. We were watching the forerunner's sled in the grooves, which are cut into the first bit of the track and end before the first curve to help up push straight and make it into the first curve ok.


The day before, about 80% of us had "popped the groove" and skidded into the first curve due to how shallow the ice was, and how melted out the groove. These grooves look pretty sweet.


Finally, it was time for the race. I don't have a lot of pictures since we were busy!!!

Without going into a lot of detail, Brad had his best Lake Placid finish ever (7th), and also had two PR pushes (5.20 and then 5.19 seconds). Awesome, and I am super proud!

Now the whoops - for me, I also had my best Lake Placid finish in terms of numbers (4th), but when accounting for the 2 women that retired and also how I was doing in training (1st-3rd), I was hoping for better. Sigh.

The silver lining of the day was my push - I finally beat my PR of 5.64, actually smashed it by quite a bit in push terms:


Yes, I was very happy. Very! Thanks coach (Tim O'Mara / ATP Fitness) for the fantastic training this summer and the past 3 years! Couldn't have done it without you.

The other silver lining: there are 3 more races, and two of them are on our home track of Park City! And both Brad and I are having a lot of fun sliding, after a long rough season last year.

Wish us luck!