Skeleton’s the bomb. No, it’s actually the bomb-diggity. It’s awesome. CrAZy. Surreal.
So have been my experiences in both bobsled and skeleton. Never in a million years would I have thought, just 2 years ago, that I would someday train alongside The Greats in the sport -let alone, to discover that they’re also some of the most amazing, fun, dedicated, and adventurous people I will ever meet.
I truly ‘fell into’ the sport. A telephone call from one of my best AmeriCorps friends lead me to meeting & teaming up with Jazmine Fenlator, a rookie bobsled driver at the time, but now a 2014 Olympic Hopeful. Jaz was in a tight spot, and I am always willing to do anything out-of-the-ordinary. Bobsledding? Why not? That single phone call lead me into 10 weeks of bobsled and skeleton training in the 2009-2010 season. In love with the sport and my curiosity peaked, I made the decision to dedicate the following winter to training on the U.S. Elite Development team in the sport of Skeleton for the 2010-2011 season.
Sliding skeleton has been an experience of a lifetime. Forerunning the world cup, Kuk Sool Won, ungodly bruises, Wise Guys, and the awesome adrenaline rush of the sport… Nobody can take these experiences away from me- and so I will continue to tote those memories with me.
That being said, I do feel ‘called’ to make a change. A year of traveling with AmeriCorps, the Susan Komen 3-Day, and a cross-country cycling trip to raise over $180,000 for Affordable Housing non-profits… those experiences are tugging at my heart strings and pulling me back into the non-profit/volunteer world. This is where my heart truly lies.
I will be taking a 2nd interview this week with a non-profit based out of New Orleans, called the “St. Bernard Project.” They have dedicated the last 6 years to building and renovating homes for people who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. I have lived in New Orleans & Baton Rouge in the past, and am longing to get back down there to help finish the job. If this opportunity doesn’t work out, I will continue to seek for AmeriCorps positions.
This is possibly one of, (if not THE), most difficult changes I’ve ever made. I will miss my Devo friends so much. We’ve been through a lot together-emotionally and physically, and I hope to continue our friendships. To all Team USA Bobsled & Skeleton athletes-thanks for your advice, and contagious enthusiasm for the sport. I want to attend the Olympics and cheer for you all, cowbell in hand ☺
Thanks to Coach Don for all his encouragement, sport expertise, and sense of humor; and to Becca, for her words of wisdom, on and off the ice. To Kyle and Brad, for going above & beyond to teach me the ins-and-outs of Olympic lifting and training. To Leah and Chip, for everything from tea parties to a listening ear. Thanks to Matt Bailey, Amy Will, Sam, Lucy, Pastor Derek, and all the OTC staff, USBSF staff, and the Track Workers. You guys really put in a ton of work & a lot of heart into what you do. It does not go unnoticed, though I don’t think I ever thanked you as much as you deserved.
And lastly, to my sponsors: R.A.W-Training for their motivation & athletic expertise to help me reach my goals; to Naturally Soergel’s for their love & enthusiasm; and to my family, especially Grandma Soergel, Kaki & Ray, Deonna, and above all, to my Mom & Dad- for supporting me on every step, of every journey that I embark on.
With many thanks,
Leisl Soergel
"Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights." ~Pauline R. Kezer
Monday, June 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Training in PA
I'm now into my 5th week of structured training.
I'm so blessed to have access to TWO great training facility's while living here in Wexford, PA. First, the Soergel Ranch is a great place for days when I don't need to be throwing around weights... I LOVE being outside & running in the fields! When I need indoor facilities or weights, hurdles, sleds, etc I go to R.A.W-training, a gym located at the WildWood Highlands' old flea market, which provides a wide range of equipment, turf fields, and instruction - and a ton of motivation along with it. Sometimes I hear from Amy, Molly, or Jerame (owners) some helpful critiques or a " WAY to GO Leisl!" ... and sometimes just watching the other clients (all ages, abilities, etc) work their BUTTS off, is complete motivation in itself. I'm grateful to have that!
So, yep, 5 weeks of training in. I'm spending approximately 8-10 hrs working out every week. My training plan is coming from the Head of the Olympic Training Center weight room facility, Brad. He's a brilliant guy, and so I'm sticking to everything that he recommends. He says jump - I say how high.
He can help me strengthen my core and back to avoid my nagging injuries i've dealt with the past year, and he can recommend the best way to get into my top condition...
... but sometimes, he just can't save me from myself.
Bloody shins is like just another day on the job. I've probably used 5-6 bandaids from RAW over the course of my training there. Guess I owe them a box, huh? I've quit noticing the scrapes.
Then about 2 weeks ago, I was pulling a weight off the rack while preparing for back squats, and decided to punch myself in the face with the weight. Blood immediately trickled out of my lips, and I had hit my tooth hard enough that I thought I might have chipped it... Luckily no chip, but I did acquire a funky looking lip for a few days!
I woke up this past Saturday with a very strange pain in my shoulder. I was to help with pony rides all day, but a sick stomach, accompanied with the nagging shoulder, kept me from hoisting children as high as my face. Sunday I turned down a chance to kayak, for fear that the pull on my shoulder that paddling and pulling the boat would cause would worsen my condition.
Monday I worked at the farm and tried to avoid using my right arm too much, and then had a chiropractor work on the shoulder for about an hour - so no training Saturday through Tuesday - but todayyyyyyy (wednesday) I feeel GREAT! Unfortunately, performing any upper body exercises involving weight over my head does still cause some shoulder pain, but I think I should be able to get it all figured out soon.
So when I'm not using RAW-training's turf fields or weight racks and equipment, I do my workouts (usually mid-section based) at our farm.
I'm so spoiled.
Early on a Thursday morning
So training, despite a few bumps, and a couple small set-backs, has been going really well. Time is really clicking along - because in 7 weeks I will be driving back up to Lake Placid to take my physical Combine test, which will determine whether or not I qualify for housing at the OTC again next season. So July 11-15 is the next big event coming up for me in my journey!
Feelin' good :)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Nine lives
I feel like a cat. 9 lives, and I'm currently living (or have lived) about 4 of them...it's kinda weird... I wonder what's in store for the next 5?
First, my life at the farm. I share everyday with my family, and get to spend lots of time doing the 'normal' 'home' things I love. I get to see a few of my high school friends from time-to-time... this, my childhood life, provides a lot of stability, support, and confidence. I love working outside, in the market, as an ag educator, as a 'gopher'.
Then, I live my skeleton life. I am a U.S. Elite Development Skeleton Athlete training as a US Olympic hopeful. I live and train with incredible athletes, and my training at the gym 5 days/week is geared towards this 'life'. But... it's pretty easy to 'forget' ... (does that make sense?)
My skeleton life (for the most part) doesn't crossover my childhood life. There is nothing (besides what I personally know, and do) that connects me to my skeleton life while I live on the farm. Nobody at the farm REALLy understands life in Lake Placid....and nobody in Lake Placid, REALLY understands the farm life. So... how to fully dedicate yourself to the skeleton life, when there's no one who understands? or who can really share that experience? ... I'll tell ya... it's tough. Tougher than I expected.
Then, I live my Bike & Build life. I get continual group-emails from former teammates. I dream about riding my bicycle through the countryside, and I have pictures, and jokes, and memories of an incredible summer of bicycling 4000 miles across the USA. But while I live in my (non-virtual) Farm-Life world, there is nothing but my own memories to keep me connected to that past summer. I know I was a Bike & Builder... but, when those friends aren't around in my present, physical life... the experience almost loses its validity.
Not to mention - the most incredible year of my life, AmeriCorps NCCC, seems only 'real' through the occassional facebook conversations and pictures posted through the years. AmeriCorps NCCC life seems that it has been left on the west coast, though my heart can't go a week without being reminded of the incredible experience & the amazing people I met through the program. But... it's so easily forgotten, when there's nobody here who has shared that experience with me.
So, I suppose this post is dedicated to the people who are a part of the 3 lives that somehow seem to float in the breeze, anymore. Someone could meet me at the farm...and never know about the 3 other lives I have lived... how can this be? I want them to know about you! I want them to see what an influence you have been to me! I wish they could look in my eyes and understand the appreciation I have.
AmeriCorps NCCC - BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE - *Katie, Kristen, Phoenix, Jamie, Ashley, Mandy, Shelly, Boe, Jacob, Elliott*
Bike & Build NUS '10 - Do tha' Northern, peeps! Been bonkin' the past 10 months without you...
SkeletOrrrrs - Counting down the days til A) July combine B) october team trials ... Can't WAIT too see you all again :)
I have so much to be thankful for.
First, my life at the farm. I share everyday with my family, and get to spend lots of time doing the 'normal' 'home' things I love. I get to see a few of my high school friends from time-to-time... this, my childhood life, provides a lot of stability, support, and confidence. I love working outside, in the market, as an ag educator, as a 'gopher'.
Then, I live my skeleton life. I am a U.S. Elite Development Skeleton Athlete training as a US Olympic hopeful. I live and train with incredible athletes, and my training at the gym 5 days/week is geared towards this 'life'. But... it's pretty easy to 'forget' ... (does that make sense?)
My skeleton life (for the most part) doesn't crossover my childhood life. There is nothing (besides what I personally know, and do) that connects me to my skeleton life while I live on the farm. Nobody at the farm REALLy understands life in Lake Placid....and nobody in Lake Placid, REALLY understands the farm life. So... how to fully dedicate yourself to the skeleton life, when there's no one who understands? or who can really share that experience? ... I'll tell ya... it's tough. Tougher than I expected.
Then, I live my Bike & Build life. I get continual group-emails from former teammates. I dream about riding my bicycle through the countryside, and I have pictures, and jokes, and memories of an incredible summer of bicycling 4000 miles across the USA. But while I live in my (non-virtual) Farm-Life world, there is nothing but my own memories to keep me connected to that past summer. I know I was a Bike & Builder... but, when those friends aren't around in my present, physical life... the experience almost loses its validity.
Not to mention - the most incredible year of my life, AmeriCorps NCCC, seems only 'real' through the occassional facebook conversations and pictures posted through the years. AmeriCorps NCCC life seems that it has been left on the west coast, though my heart can't go a week without being reminded of the incredible experience & the amazing people I met through the program. But... it's so easily forgotten, when there's nobody here who has shared that experience with me.
So, I suppose this post is dedicated to the people who are a part of the 3 lives that somehow seem to float in the breeze, anymore. Someone could meet me at the farm...and never know about the 3 other lives I have lived... how can this be? I want them to know about you! I want them to see what an influence you have been to me! I wish they could look in my eyes and understand the appreciation I have.
AmeriCorps NCCC - BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE - *Katie, Kristen, Phoenix, Jamie, Ashley, Mandy, Shelly, Boe, Jacob, Elliott*
Bike & Build NUS '10 - Do tha' Northern, peeps! Been bonkin' the past 10 months without you...
SkeletOrrrrs - Counting down the days til A) July combine B) october team trials ... Can't WAIT too see you all again :)
I have so much to be thankful for.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Live YOUR life!
When I was 15, I would have imagined my life to go like this:
Graduate high school, get into college for teaching, find my future husband, get married, get a great teaching job, get a house, have kids by age 27-29.
My junior year of high school I was featured on our 'early show' at school, where the 'hostess' asked me what my life dream was... to which I replied "get married and have kids." There's NOTHING at all wrong with that. That's a great dream if it's what you really want...but it's not a great dream if it was just something 'easy' and 'seemed good.' Have you thought about your dreams? What are they? Do they follow the 'social norm'? If so, do you think you follow this goal because it's what YOU want? ... or is it what everyone else would want (and therefore, if they're happy, then you're satisfied?)
Don't be afraid to live in colors and zig zags and loop-dee-loops! Live life like a rollercoaster, take risks which will provide you with the highest highs and maybe the lowest lows... you'll learn a LOT about yourself... and at the end of the ride, don't you want to say, "Phew! What fun! What an adventure!"
taken from zazzle.com
Some people were truly made to become moms and dads. There are wonderful, motivated, goal-driven people out there who truly find their peace & happiness in following the 'norm' and getting a great job and having a family. And they're AWESOME at it! That's great! Keep it Up! But if this isn't you, then dare to go off the path to follow YOUR dreams! Face the questions- "When are you getting a good job? A family? Where are you headed? " ... I know, sometimes it hurts to get these questions, but just think - are you keeping your head above water? We 'abby-normals' may have to tread water, while the 'normal' peeps float ... but if the treading brings you happiness & a healthy mind and body- then it's worth it!
I suppose what fueled this post, was the fact that I just moved in with my Grandma on Sunday. I LOVE Grandma! She is super cool, and I'm very happy to be sharing time and space with her. But, 10 years ago, would I have imagined that i'd be living with her or my parents at the age of 25? Probably not. I also don't have a boyfriend, and my job is working on the family farm. No teaching, no husband, no kids, no 'own' place.
You make sacrifices to live out the life you love.
How did my (only) dream of getting married and having kids, change? I didn't dream that change. In the above paragraphs I ask, "What's your goals? your dreams?" ... But, sometimes I truly think these terms are silly. The "Dream" term seems so... I dunno... drifty? Weightless? I think recognizing opportunity is even more important.
Let's face it. I will never be an Olympic swimmer. Or a Playboy Bunny. Or a writer for Vogue. Yeah, I had dreams of making the Olympics in track back in high school... but, when It came down to it... I was going to REALLY have to put in major effort & get connected with some elite-caliber (and $$$) trainers to make that dream come true. I didn't have the $$$ and wasn't willing to sacrifice my 'free time' to make that goal.... not to mention I wasn't naturally gifted with an Olympic-Track-athlete-caliber bod.
I've done a number of things in the past 4 years. To say that I dreamed to live in Australia, to travel and serve the USA with AmeriCorps, to bicycle across the USA, or train with the U.S. Elite Development Skeleton team ... well, it would be a bit of a lie. I didn't really dream to do any of these things. They just 'happened.' But they didn't 'just happen' by twiddling my thumbs either, either. For instance:
* A good friend went to Australia. Well, Hmm! That sounds pretty cool, maybe i'll apply for that. Ta-Da! Aussie Bound.
* Sitting in my apartment in Australia, on the internet, I discovered AmeriCorps. Great way to put off the real-world (especially since I wasn't convinced that teaching is reallllly what I wanted)... and Ta-Da! I smiled through the phone on my interview, and happily accepted the position. It all happened in a couple months.
* While in AmeriCorps I met people bicycling across the USA while I was in Baton Rouge. They were having FUN! And doing good for the community. Hmm - raise $4,000? ok. i'll make it happen.
* I get a phone call from an AmeriCorps teammate - "Wanna bobsled with my high school friend? She's competing in 2 weeks in Utah and she'll pay your way" ... never. EVER. would I have imagined I would be bobsledding. Next thing I know, I ask to try skeleton, and now I'm well on my way to international competition.
Opportunity, OPPORTUNITY, O.P.P.O.R.T.U.N.I.T.Y!!! TAKE EVERRRRRY OPPORTUNITY! And I promise, when you bring a good attitude everywhere you go - the amount of opportunities that are presented to you will escalate to the stars! Let people see you shine! In the words of one of my favorite authors:
"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." ~Roald Dahl
Look Lovely! Be Lovely! Look for opportunities, and they will look for you! Unsure of the sacrifices involved? Well, apply anyway! You'll have time to really mull over the details if the time should come. Don't settle. Unhappy in your current job? What do you really want to do? Write a list: How to make 'What I Really Want,' to happen. Then do a pro's and con's list. And then look back to the reason why you even started this list. I'm not saying that if you're a mom of young kids and want to backpack Europe, that you should sacrifice time with your kids...(or literally sacrifice the kids)...heck no. But - plan for when they turn 18! Or how can you get a job opportunity, or maybe a missions trip, that has you in Europe for a week? There are ways to make things happen... creativity can be key.
HAhaha well... apparently i'm feeling all profound & stuff. I just get tired of people saying "Oh Leisl, I wish I could do that" ... and the thing is, about 70% of the people CAN! It's the sacrifice, and going against the parents, that always seems to stop them. I wish some of my friends would try some of the things i've experienced - I've been very blessed with great opportunities, beautiful people, and an A-D-D spirit. Oh the things they would see, and learn, and love!!!
Graduate high school, get into college for teaching, find my future husband, get married, get a great teaching job, get a house, have kids by age 27-29.
My junior year of high school I was featured on our 'early show' at school, where the 'hostess' asked me what my life dream was... to which I replied "get married and have kids." There's NOTHING at all wrong with that. That's a great dream if it's what you really want...but it's not a great dream if it was just something 'easy' and 'seemed good.' Have you thought about your dreams? What are they? Do they follow the 'social norm'? If so, do you think you follow this goal because it's what YOU want? ... or is it what everyone else would want (and therefore, if they're happy, then you're satisfied?)
Don't be afraid to live in colors and zig zags and loop-dee-loops! Live life like a rollercoaster, take risks which will provide you with the highest highs and maybe the lowest lows... you'll learn a LOT about yourself... and at the end of the ride, don't you want to say, "Phew! What fun! What an adventure!"
taken from zazzle.com
Some people were truly made to become moms and dads. There are wonderful, motivated, goal-driven people out there who truly find their peace & happiness in following the 'norm' and getting a great job and having a family. And they're AWESOME at it! That's great! Keep it Up! But if this isn't you, then dare to go off the path to follow YOUR dreams! Face the questions- "When are you getting a good job? A family? Where are you headed? " ... I know, sometimes it hurts to get these questions, but just think - are you keeping your head above water? We 'abby-normals' may have to tread water, while the 'normal' peeps float ... but if the treading brings you happiness & a healthy mind and body- then it's worth it!
I suppose what fueled this post, was the fact that I just moved in with my Grandma on Sunday. I LOVE Grandma! She is super cool, and I'm very happy to be sharing time and space with her. But, 10 years ago, would I have imagined that i'd be living with her or my parents at the age of 25? Probably not. I also don't have a boyfriend, and my job is working on the family farm. No teaching, no husband, no kids, no 'own' place.
You make sacrifices to live out the life you love.
How did my (only) dream of getting married and having kids, change? I didn't dream that change. In the above paragraphs I ask, "What's your goals? your dreams?" ... But, sometimes I truly think these terms are silly. The "Dream" term seems so... I dunno... drifty? Weightless? I think recognizing opportunity is even more important.
Let's face it. I will never be an Olympic swimmer. Or a Playboy Bunny. Or a writer for Vogue. Yeah, I had dreams of making the Olympics in track back in high school... but, when It came down to it... I was going to REALLY have to put in major effort & get connected with some elite-caliber (and $$$) trainers to make that dream come true. I didn't have the $$$ and wasn't willing to sacrifice my 'free time' to make that goal.... not to mention I wasn't naturally gifted with an Olympic-Track-athlete-caliber bod.
I've done a number of things in the past 4 years. To say that I dreamed to live in Australia, to travel and serve the USA with AmeriCorps, to bicycle across the USA, or train with the U.S. Elite Development Skeleton team ... well, it would be a bit of a lie. I didn't really dream to do any of these things. They just 'happened.' But they didn't 'just happen' by twiddling my thumbs either, either. For instance:
* A good friend went to Australia. Well, Hmm! That sounds pretty cool, maybe i'll apply for that. Ta-Da! Aussie Bound.
* Sitting in my apartment in Australia, on the internet, I discovered AmeriCorps. Great way to put off the real-world (especially since I wasn't convinced that teaching is reallllly what I wanted)... and Ta-Da! I smiled through the phone on my interview, and happily accepted the position. It all happened in a couple months.
* While in AmeriCorps I met people bicycling across the USA while I was in Baton Rouge. They were having FUN! And doing good for the community. Hmm - raise $4,000? ok. i'll make it happen.
* I get a phone call from an AmeriCorps teammate - "Wanna bobsled with my high school friend? She's competing in 2 weeks in Utah and she'll pay your way" ... never. EVER. would I have imagined I would be bobsledding. Next thing I know, I ask to try skeleton, and now I'm well on my way to international competition.
Opportunity, OPPORTUNITY, O.P.P.O.R.T.U.N.I.T.Y!!! TAKE EVERRRRRY OPPORTUNITY! And I promise, when you bring a good attitude everywhere you go - the amount of opportunities that are presented to you will escalate to the stars! Let people see you shine! In the words of one of my favorite authors:
"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." ~Roald Dahl
Look Lovely! Be Lovely! Look for opportunities, and they will look for you! Unsure of the sacrifices involved? Well, apply anyway! You'll have time to really mull over the details if the time should come. Don't settle. Unhappy in your current job? What do you really want to do? Write a list: How to make 'What I Really Want,' to happen. Then do a pro's and con's list. And then look back to the reason why you even started this list. I'm not saying that if you're a mom of young kids and want to backpack Europe, that you should sacrifice time with your kids...(or literally sacrifice the kids)...heck no. But - plan for when they turn 18! Or how can you get a job opportunity, or maybe a missions trip, that has you in Europe for a week? There are ways to make things happen... creativity can be key.
HAhaha well... apparently i'm feeling all profound & stuff. I just get tired of people saying "Oh Leisl, I wish I could do that" ... and the thing is, about 70% of the people CAN! It's the sacrifice, and going against the parents, that always seems to stop them. I wish some of my friends would try some of the things i've experienced - I've been very blessed with great opportunities, beautiful people, and an A-D-D spirit. Oh the things they would see, and learn, and love!!!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Here we go!
Tomorrow I get back into the lifting/working out swing! I'm excited to get back into a workout routine, as I've been out of one for approximately 2-3 weeks!
I'll be training again with R.A.W. (Realize the Athlete Within) in Wildwood Highlands (near Pittsburgh!) I'm jumping into training a few days sooner than i'd planned because ..well, long story short - my gym is trying to qualify for a big competition and the more people they have compete (regardless how I do), the better chance they have of traveling. So, 6am - me and my cousin Amy (thank goodness she'll be there too!) - here we go!
I also wanted to blog quickly to thank my Aunt Kaki & Uncle Ray for all the support they've given me these past ...well, 25 years. They have big, giving, loving hearts and I didn't mean to leave them out on my 'Thank You's' of my last post! They've helped me in many ways, and they'd do anything for me. (even though I think Aunt Kaki would rather I not be flinging myself down a hill...)
And thanks to all my friends, family, & adoptee-family of Soergel Orchards for reading my posts, and continuing your support - through the ups and the downs!
Love you all
Leisl
I'll be training again with R.A.W. (Realize the Athlete Within) in Wildwood Highlands (near Pittsburgh!) I'm jumping into training a few days sooner than i'd planned because ..well, long story short - my gym is trying to qualify for a big competition and the more people they have compete (regardless how I do), the better chance they have of traveling. So, 6am - me and my cousin Amy (thank goodness she'll be there too!) - here we go!
I also wanted to blog quickly to thank my Aunt Kaki & Uncle Ray for all the support they've given me these past ...well, 25 years. They have big, giving, loving hearts and I didn't mean to leave them out on my 'Thank You's' of my last post! They've helped me in many ways, and they'd do anything for me. (even though I think Aunt Kaki would rather I not be flinging myself down a hill...)
And thanks to all my friends, family, & adoptee-family of Soergel Orchards for reading my posts, and continuing your support - through the ups and the downs!
Love you all
Leisl
Monday, March 21, 2011
A Bittersweet Finish
One of my early training runs from November 2010
I'm back on the farm in Butler, Pennsylvania now. On March 8th I was informed that my season would be ending on the 18th of the month. The coaches had picked 4 women and 4 men to represent the USA in the America's Cup Races for the beginning of April, and I was not one of them. I wasn't mad, but more upset with my performance at the end of the season, and spent the majority of that Tuesday away from the Olympic Training Center, off spending time alone.
Lessons in humility can be some of the most rewarding & challenging, and I took a lot of solace in having just spent the previous day at a Bible study, discussing the challenges facing both praise and humility. I want to thank Pastor Derek and the Lake Placid Baptist Church community for having been such a blessing to me over the past 5 months. If anyone who reads this makes it to Lake Placid, Christian or not, should certainly visit the church and discover everything that I've appreciated over this past winter.
So, upon the news, I began a thorough inspection of my past 5 months in the sport. What could I have done better? In hindsight, did I take advantage of every opportunity that was presented me while here? What are my strengths, and how will I use them to my advantage in the future? There were a lot of things I unraveled about myself and my season. Both good, and bad!
Being sent home March 18th, rather than April 3rd, really has NO bearing whatsoever on how I will perform next October at the National Team Trials. I had 3 beautiful runs, and 1 crappy run at Nationals this spring, and therefore did not place well enough to be chosen for AC. No big deal! So now, I've got to prepare myself for next fall, to be at the best I can be.
But, how to become 'my best' when I'm living so far away from Lake Placid? Well, in the off-season, there are ZERO tracks in the world that are open. Therefore, my competition both domestic and international, can not get a step-up on me by my not being near a track. I think there are 4 main things I will accomplish this summer to help make me successful next year A) Olympic/Strength Lifting & sprints B) Visualizations C) Sport-specific Drills (aka I have a skateboard w/ handle to push now) and D) seeking out sponsorships.
The last point, sponsorships, will not necessarily make me 'faster' or 'better' but it will provide me the opportunity to travel. I will be funding myself this next season (as all us DEVO kids will be) , and I already know I'll be traveling to Park City, UT in October, and have a very good chance of competing in Calgary, Canada as well (which is where 'Cool Runnings' competed!). If I were to place in the top 10, I could go to Europe for the season, which would cost approximately $1000/week for 10 weeks. Selfishly, If my teammates place in the top 10 to go to Europe, and don't have the funding to go, then the spot will be opened up to people who are ranked lower, and so I want to be 'ready' regardless of the circumstances. It's sad that USA Bobsled & Skeleton can only fund top 3-6 athletes, and has to resort to development athletes who can fund themselves. It just means I have to work hard, and play it smart, to compete.
Which is why I really want to thank my Grandma, owner of Soergel Orchards, for her support both monetarily and in hesitant excitement - I think it takes a lot to support your granddaughter to fling herself down an ice-chute at 75mph...
I also want to thank Sue, Ricky & Katie, and Uncle Earl & Aunt Doris for their monetary help and enthusiasm and support for this journey that I'm now taking. Together we were able to buy my spikes, and a set of new runners :)
And lastly, to my Mom, Dad, and S(n)ister!!! You've helped me out in every way possible, and I would have never made it this far, (well duh), had you not been around to encourage me and to help me stay afloat in a world where money makes it go 'round. Thank you, and Love you!!!
If anyone else is interested (or knows someone/company who might be able to help) in potential sponsorship of my 2011-2012 Skeleton Season, please let me know. Either you can hit the 'donate' button in the upper right hand corner of this blog, or if you send me a note (Leislsoergel@gmail.com) I can give instructions on how to make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation to my upcoming season.
After a much-needed mental & physical break, I begin physical training again next week!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
National Championships
It's here already?? err... wait... it's passed already???
This season has really flown by. What an incredible journey it's been... with lots of ups, downs, bruises & smiles...
This past Friday and Saturday were the U.S. Skeleton National Championships. All the athletes who have been representing the U.S. (from Olympians to Development athletes) nestled back into Lake Placid about a week ago, in order to conclude the competitive season with this last race.
National Championship Athletes
This was the most important race of my season, and I was more than enthusiastic to be competing against some of the best sliders in the country including Katie Uhlaender-2010 Olympian, Annie o'Shea, and Kimber Gabryzak, all part of the World Cup team. There were 3 women who were unable to attend the championship, so our field was 15 sleds deep.
On Friday, my mom and sister drove in from Butler to watch & ring their cowbells. It was nice to have familiar faces cheering for me from the sideline. The weather was a bit warmer than it had been, but the ice was still hard and verrrryyyyy fast... like TRACK-RECORD-BREAKING-FAST!!! John Daly, Matt Antoine, and Annie O'Shea all came away with track records, an incredible feat when you imagine that this particular track has been around for approximately 10 years.
I've never raced in front of so many competitors, as well as so many spectators (at least here in Placid). Knowing that the World Cup coach was paying very close attention to us development athletes, as well as knowing that my chances of competing at the end of the month were on the line, I prepared myself well and came to the race ready and rip-roaring to go.
The announcer will often bellow over the announcements the order that the athletes are to slide off from the top. Day #1 (Friday) I was to start Run#1 in the 11th spot. As I watched the competitor in slot 10 take off from the top, I could feel my heart throbbing, and my adrenaline rushing through my veins. I hadn't felt so pumped to be in-the-moment since my very first run down the track this season. I was able to reach into the depths of my 'purpose' and pull out the excitement & energy & love that I have for the sport. I blasted off the block to a .10 personal best improvement on my start. One tenth doesn't sound like much...but in a sport that is measured to hundredths, it's pretty significant - and I really surprised myself.
I could feel the speed under my chin whiz by, and by the exit of the first curve, knew that this run could potentially chalk-up to be my quickest of the season.
And that, it was. A relatively 'clean' run (aka not much wall-hitting), and I descended the 1455m track in 57.86 seconds - a personal best downtime. The majority of my teammates also came away with great times, and we all ascended back up the mountain for 2nd runs with smiles on our faces... I was sitting in 11th place.
On my 2nd run I surprised myself with a 5.60 start - a Personal Record now by .17! The run itself was a bit sloppier than my first, yet I still came away with my 2nd best downtime EVER! The high's of this sport can be SOOO great, but often they can be accompanied with quick jabs of low moments... which came when I found out that I had fallen to 13th place by the end of my 2nd run.
My 5.60 start (in slo-mo), taken from our video-review session - with Coach Becca giving advice on how to improve my start
Most skeleton races are two heats long, with the exception of Nationals and World Championships, which are four. Friday was our first two heats, and we would combine those times with our two heats taken on Saturday to give our final placing. So, even after 2 heats, I knew that I still had a chance to climb the ranks, especially since I was only a few tenths of a second off a few competitors ahead of me.
Saturday was much warmer than Friday, and we were (for the first time) battling raindrops rather than snow. The yucky weather not only softened the ice, but also made for wet equipment, and wet clothing. I came to the starting line with anything but dampened spirits though, enjoying every second of the competitive atmosphere that I've been lacking since my days in college track.
I clocked off a start of 5.64, a now, somewhat-consistent start time over the past 3 runs. Everything that could go right, did. I knew that I was having a great run as I zipped through the Chicane (the straight portion of the track), only slightly grazing the right and left walls. Though my time was slower than it had been due to slow ice, I was lucky enough to climb back into 11th place.
One Run left to go.
I was beginning to tire by my final run. After pushing 3 of my fastest start times, and incorporating solid warm-up routines between each, I knew that I needed to take a slightly different approach to keep myself pumped at the start line in order to rack up another quick start. I psyched myself up. Huffing, puffing, and focusing completely on blasting off the start. BE powerful. BE explosive. QUICK. c'mon, Leisl, let's DO IT!
Mistake.
Or...partial mistake. But a lesson taken.
I had incorporated so much focus into really blasting off the start block, that I had lost a lot of focus on what is the MOST important - driving the track!
How to be 'fast' on the track cannot be explained in words. You have to 'feel' the track, you have to stay relaxed and 'melt' into the sled, and then be confident in the steers that you make. I had myself so pumped up, that I never really relaxed, and descended the track still with muscles tensed.
I came off curve 3, much too stiff, and created a ping-pong'ing effect until curve 4, where I swoooooped up and knocked down late into the next curve.. a 'snowball' reaction occurred. Though I knew I had made a critical mistake, I knew that I still was in contention for holding my 11th place spot... I just needed to hold it together.
a n d it A L L L L f e l l ap a r t
I came out of curve 14 and skid sideways on my runners... as you can imagine, just as in a car, going sideways is INCREDIBLY slower than going forward... c'MON!... turn, turn, twist back into position... Ahhhhhh!
All was lost. The last few curves on the track seemed so sluggish, that I immediately knew I had dropped back in rank. When I crossed the finish line, I saw my time flash up on the clock.... *1:00.99 seconds*.... I had single-handedly put down the slowest run of the ENTIRE race.. yippee.
Welllllp. Ya can't win 'em all, right? I ended up placing 14th of the 15 sleds. I was a little upset, and disappointed in myself, and may have had to bite my tongue a little to fight back some tears... but ... heck, I'm fairly (90%) certain that coach will be inviting me back for Fall 2011. I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to compete in Nationals, and am excited to improve my speed over the summer and continue the sport for at least another season. My 'race' to the top doesn't really end until 2018 Olympics. So what if I didn't do so hot in the 2011 National Championships? just peas n' carrots.
As of tonight, I still don't know whether or not I'll be competing in the International America's Cup races here in Lake Placid that are scheduled for the beginning of April. I know 4 or 5 other great women skeleton athletes who placed above me this weekend that deserve the spots. Probably a few more days and the waiting will end!
This season has really flown by. What an incredible journey it's been... with lots of ups, downs, bruises & smiles...
This past Friday and Saturday were the U.S. Skeleton National Championships. All the athletes who have been representing the U.S. (from Olympians to Development athletes) nestled back into Lake Placid about a week ago, in order to conclude the competitive season with this last race.
National Championship Athletes
This was the most important race of my season, and I was more than enthusiastic to be competing against some of the best sliders in the country including Katie Uhlaender-2010 Olympian, Annie o'Shea, and Kimber Gabryzak, all part of the World Cup team. There were 3 women who were unable to attend the championship, so our field was 15 sleds deep.
On Friday, my mom and sister drove in from Butler to watch & ring their cowbells. It was nice to have familiar faces cheering for me from the sideline. The weather was a bit warmer than it had been, but the ice was still hard and verrrryyyyy fast... like TRACK-RECORD-BREAKING-FAST!!! John Daly, Matt Antoine, and Annie O'Shea all came away with track records, an incredible feat when you imagine that this particular track has been around for approximately 10 years.
I've never raced in front of so many competitors, as well as so many spectators (at least here in Placid). Knowing that the World Cup coach was paying very close attention to us development athletes, as well as knowing that my chances of competing at the end of the month were on the line, I prepared myself well and came to the race ready and rip-roaring to go.
The announcer will often bellow over the announcements the order that the athletes are to slide off from the top. Day #1 (Friday) I was to start Run#1 in the 11th spot. As I watched the competitor in slot 10 take off from the top, I could feel my heart throbbing, and my adrenaline rushing through my veins. I hadn't felt so pumped to be in-the-moment since my very first run down the track this season. I was able to reach into the depths of my 'purpose' and pull out the excitement & energy & love that I have for the sport. I blasted off the block to a .10 personal best improvement on my start. One tenth doesn't sound like much...but in a sport that is measured to hundredths, it's pretty significant - and I really surprised myself.
I could feel the speed under my chin whiz by, and by the exit of the first curve, knew that this run could potentially chalk-up to be my quickest of the season.
And that, it was. A relatively 'clean' run (aka not much wall-hitting), and I descended the 1455m track in 57.86 seconds - a personal best downtime. The majority of my teammates also came away with great times, and we all ascended back up the mountain for 2nd runs with smiles on our faces... I was sitting in 11th place.
On my 2nd run I surprised myself with a 5.60 start - a Personal Record now by .17! The run itself was a bit sloppier than my first, yet I still came away with my 2nd best downtime EVER! The high's of this sport can be SOOO great, but often they can be accompanied with quick jabs of low moments... which came when I found out that I had fallen to 13th place by the end of my 2nd run.
My 5.60 start (in slo-mo), taken from our video-review session - with Coach Becca giving advice on how to improve my start
Most skeleton races are two heats long, with the exception of Nationals and World Championships, which are four. Friday was our first two heats, and we would combine those times with our two heats taken on Saturday to give our final placing. So, even after 2 heats, I knew that I still had a chance to climb the ranks, especially since I was only a few tenths of a second off a few competitors ahead of me.
Saturday was much warmer than Friday, and we were (for the first time) battling raindrops rather than snow. The yucky weather not only softened the ice, but also made for wet equipment, and wet clothing. I came to the starting line with anything but dampened spirits though, enjoying every second of the competitive atmosphere that I've been lacking since my days in college track.
I clocked off a start of 5.64, a now, somewhat-consistent start time over the past 3 runs. Everything that could go right, did. I knew that I was having a great run as I zipped through the Chicane (the straight portion of the track), only slightly grazing the right and left walls. Though my time was slower than it had been due to slow ice, I was lucky enough to climb back into 11th place.
One Run left to go.
I was beginning to tire by my final run. After pushing 3 of my fastest start times, and incorporating solid warm-up routines between each, I knew that I needed to take a slightly different approach to keep myself pumped at the start line in order to rack up another quick start. I psyched myself up. Huffing, puffing, and focusing completely on blasting off the start. BE powerful. BE explosive. QUICK. c'mon, Leisl, let's DO IT!
Mistake.
Or...partial mistake. But a lesson taken.
I had incorporated so much focus into really blasting off the start block, that I had lost a lot of focus on what is the MOST important - driving the track!
How to be 'fast' on the track cannot be explained in words. You have to 'feel' the track, you have to stay relaxed and 'melt' into the sled, and then be confident in the steers that you make. I had myself so pumped up, that I never really relaxed, and descended the track still with muscles tensed.
I came off curve 3, much too stiff, and created a ping-pong'ing effect until curve 4, where I swoooooped up and knocked down late into the next curve.. a 'snowball' reaction occurred. Though I knew I had made a critical mistake, I knew that I still was in contention for holding my 11th place spot... I just needed to hold it together.
a n d it A L L L L f e l l ap a r t
I came out of curve 14 and skid sideways on my runners... as you can imagine, just as in a car, going sideways is INCREDIBLY slower than going forward... c'MON!... turn, turn, twist back into position... Ahhhhhh!
All was lost. The last few curves on the track seemed so sluggish, that I immediately knew I had dropped back in rank. When I crossed the finish line, I saw my time flash up on the clock.... *1:00.99 seconds*.... I had single-handedly put down the slowest run of the ENTIRE race.. yippee.
Welllllp. Ya can't win 'em all, right? I ended up placing 14th of the 15 sleds. I was a little upset, and disappointed in myself, and may have had to bite my tongue a little to fight back some tears... but ... heck, I'm fairly (90%) certain that coach will be inviting me back for Fall 2011. I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to compete in Nationals, and am excited to improve my speed over the summer and continue the sport for at least another season. My 'race' to the top doesn't really end until 2018 Olympics. So what if I didn't do so hot in the 2011 National Championships? just peas n' carrots.
As of tonight, I still don't know whether or not I'll be competing in the International America's Cup races here in Lake Placid that are scheduled for the beginning of April. I know 4 or 5 other great women skeleton athletes who placed above me this weekend that deserve the spots. Probably a few more days and the waiting will end!
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