INDOOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (IDN)

I had hoped to start getting you all pumped up this past week, but as some of you know, I have been sick off and on (mostly on) since Outdoor Nationals. I am not sure how much information that I will be able to transcribe it each day..... but if I see it and it's exciting.... you are going to hear about it!!!!

I love watching speed skating, and if at all possible, I love writing about it so that YOU feel as if you are right here in the seat next to me. Imagine it as we elbow each other when a skater throws a bomb pass and we can't believe the ref didn't see it!! What was he looking at??? How could he miss it???? And before we know it the next race is up... they are off the line... did you see the skater on the wall jump? That's right... good thing they brought them back to the line. Skaters are in the "set position" and the whole auditorium is quite.... the gun goes off and the skater in lane 3 pushes hard with the right foot as the skater in lane 4 digs down into the floor with their left foot. Both skaters pushing against each other go no where... except down.

These are the stories and the excitement I want to bring to you. And if I'm lucky, a good picture or two. So I hope that you will join me starting tomorrow as I once again become.... the SPEED SKATING SPECTATOR! Linda Wood :)
p.s some of our team members show off our new uniform.... it was the only indoor photo that I had available!!! ;)

UP NEXT ..... INDOOR NATIONALS

We have been home for a few days now from Outdoor Nationals. I'm still not unpacked nor have I received the two large boxes of stuff that I am having shipped home. They were things that we needed like a blender, supplements, sweatshirts (LOL-you know Colorado weather, anything is possible!), the batteries to the video camera (they weight so much and you only get one bag now...) can opener, paper plates, containers and anything else you can think of to survive for 12 days. Most people do not stay at the places with a kitchen etc., but I always try to if we are there for more than 3 or 4 days. It allows you to have things in your room like cream for your coffee (what every athlete needs!) snack stuff or even things to make sandwiches and additional lunch items, in case you can't leave the track or road course to get something to eat. It works out fantastic until I have to unpack it all!!! It usually takes me 2-3 WEEKS to get everything put away and even then I have stuff floating around for awhile longer.

Speaking of two-three weeks. That's when we have to leave for Indoor Nationals!!! So when those boxes arrive home I will refill things like the coffee container, paper towels, new video tapes and all the stuff we will need for indoor. I can't believe that IDN is in less than 3 weeks. It seems like just Friday I returned home from Nationals.... oh wait..... I did, it was just Outdoor Nationals! By the way, ODN was wonderful. All of the new people that I met. Skaters that I interviewed for upcoming magazines (by the way the articles are done... and on their way to Jessica!)

I won't get near as many photos from IDN as I do from ODN because my camera and I don't get along indoors!! Actually I just can't seem to get it to work indoors. It could be the camera but I have a feeling it is more "operator error" and I'm not embarrassed to say it either!

Come back by over the next 2-3 weeks as we prepare for IDN. I will let you in on what we are doing and how our practices are going. Oh... and in the midst of all of this we have a FIREWORKS fund-raiser for our team. We will be working 12-14 hours a day for 7 days straight. It will be interesting to see if I survive this and how much money we actually make. That starts this coming Friday/Saturday. Should be REALLY interesting!! Money brings the best out in people!! Stay tuned for this one! LOL Linda

ONE IMPORTANT FACT...

I wonder how many of you thought that this "important fact" might be gossip or information???!! LOL

Naaawwww.... just thought you'd be interested (maybe, maybe not) that I took over 4000 photos in 6 days at Outdoor Nationals and I video tapped, although I only kept and posted 3,218 photos. If nothing else... it was important to me!! :) Linda

MEDIA CATCHES FALL

THE GAZETTE, the local paper in Colorado Springs, spent a few days at the track picking up different stories each day. The first day they did a story on hometown boy Norman Kirby. Josh and I were fortunate enough to be asked some questions about Norm. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that it would have led to Josh's picture being the lead picture on Norm's story until I saw the article posted in the Cafeteria area of the OTC!!

You can click on the photo itself to enlarge it. It is incredible that Josh did not go down... he did run into plexiglass. His left leg/foot is caught underneath Sebastian Cano's right leg. Sebastian hasn't quite hit the ground yet.... but trust me, he does! Although the caption underneath the picture reads that this was in the 15K elimination race, it was actually in the 500m Consolation Race.

Today was the last day of Outdoor Nationals 2008. Team USA and the Alternates have been chosen. I was not feeling well today and did not go out to the road course, so I have no new photos. But I did get yesterday's photos loaded onto to my FLICKR site. You can go here to see the 800+ photos from yesterday.

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58909696@N00/sets/

And I have a 3-minute clip of the Senior World Class Men's 20K Elimination race from the Road Course. Check that out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezXnrPGtmkw

I hope you've enjoyed the week as much as I have. Indoor Nationals is in less than 4 weeks. I wonder what stories that will bring??? Bookmark this page if you haven't already and keep checking back. Linda

THINGS TO DO.....

Hello all. First of all I would like to thank each of you for stopping by and reading my blog. My stories are usually about all of the "fluff" or "interesting facts" in skating and I enjoy writing about what is going on. Every once in awhile..... I add a story that I am very passionate about. Today some things happened during the competition that upset me. If you know me personally, whether you like me or not... you know I am very passionate about the sport of inline speed skating and about the skaters. I have gone to bat several times for skaters that are not even my own, because it was the right thing to do.

A situation happened in a race that I feel was unfair to the skaters that competed. Tonight I need to take the time to research my options as a coach for those skaters. That means that I won't have the time necessary to write the stories that I had planned. I also took over 1000 photos today that I would like to "download and then upload".

These photos that you see here (on top - Richard Hawkins, Executive Director of USA Roller Sports and Josh Wood) the photo on the left (Nicole Lloyd with her black eye! Click on the middle of the photo to enlarge) and the photo on the right (Colin Thomas sporting a couple of bandages and Harry Vogel with a sling) are only a taste of what I took today.

Due to my commitment of fairness for the skaters (always remember this is MY opinion only), I am going to pass on writing a story tonight to take care of business. I will try and at least post the pictures. I hope you enjoy them and I appreciate your understanding. Linda Wood

SEND THE BEST - BBQ

Send The Best hosted a BBQ to raise money for the Jr World Team according to Ross Creveling. Ross came up with the idea last year and along with the help of Karen Shields and Mr. Carroll (Keith Carroll's father) and a few other people that were behind the scenes, they pulled off a great BBQ. At just $5.00 a plate that included a bottle of water, baked beans, chips, and your choice of brisket, hamburgers, hot dogs or bratwurst, it was well worth it for a great meal and to help the Junior World Team. They made approximately $700.00. Thanks to all who supported STB!!!

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!! GUESS WHO ?????

Guess who's coming to dinner???? O.k. it's not dinner, but to the line? You are probably wondering if the heat finally got to me! It did, but that's not what I'm talking about.... I'm talking about my favorite basketball player ...... and she will be on the line first thing tomorrow morning!!!

That's right, BRITTANY BOWE was at practice tonight and she looks great!!! Yes she plans on skating the road competition. Originally she had prior school commitments that would keep her from attending Residency and World's, so she had to back out of Outdoor Nationals. Finally the school (basketball coach/team) agreed to let her participate a few weeks ago from what I understand, and the rest is history. She looks happy and healthy. She skated over to Renee' Hildebrand and myself and gave us both a big hug. I look forward to watching her compete!