Monday mornin’ motivator

You know what, I will just start writing because there is no word invented to greet the world in the great mood I am in. Hello won’t do it justice.

I have not written since I have returned from Europe, because I was waiting for some time to pass by so I can inform you of all that has been going on and that will be going on. Interesting how I went from updating my blog every day, to updating it once a week and now to once a month. A friend of mine commented on my maturity and said that this is a sign of maturing but I don’t know if I have to agree. I do feel more calm and more laid back than I was in the last year. I find that I do things differently and I approach things in a different more effective way and so I do think a lot has changed.

Where do I start? I’ll be covering the following subjects in today’s blog update:

• training since I got back
• fundraisers I’ve had
• new and potential sponsors
• upcoming agenda

I feel very privileged to be training here at the Olympic Oval in Calgary. I am thankful for having the ability to skate and to have people that support me. I have 2 incredible best friends who are always there for me, and I have the greatest group of people I surround myself with that make everything so wonderful. I do not know what I would do without them. This year I am very happy to say that we have a very strong team of Junior skaters and a very cool coach in my opinion. I feel strong every day on the ice, no matter what goes on off ice. I am very satisfied with my skating so far in the season; I’ve been working on some technical things and attempting to apply them on the ice and I can say that today I finally felt like I made that successful application.

I’ve been back in Calgary since mid August and started officially training. We have been doing a lot of technical work and haven’t started racing yet. Out first race of the season is on Saturday October 2nd, which is this week. We are starting off with the long distance- the 3000m. I am excited not to race my favourite distance just yet. I want to work a bit more on my corners and pushes before I transfer it all onto the race ice. If you want to come watch races, they will most likely start at 10am, on Saturday and there is no fee for coming! I think it’s a good family activity!

Upcoming events for myself include the Mayor’s Breakfast next Thursday morning at the Telus Convention centre, and our first official big race of the season which will be at the end of October. I am also turning 19 years old on the 21st of October, so I am excited to see some people  that night, that I have not seen in a while. That’s what happens in skating; some people retire and move back home, wherever home may be- and then they never come back to the Oval.

This year has been very special because a few amazing things have happened to me that I am so thankful for. I had to suddenly leave the place I was renting because my landlords were not respecting the rental agreement we made. So I moved and applied for a new job; and got it! I made some awesome friends that later introduced me to one special lady that, together with one of the guys from work, totally helped me set up an awesome fundraiser and raise an incredible amount of cash for my Oval fees. I am now just 700 dollars short of my oval fees and am happy that I got so much raised so far. I will be giving a one hour skate lesson to all sponsors and people who have helped support me this year, followed by a tour of the Oval, and hot chocolate and cookies. They are all reading this blog now….so just to let you know, you will receive an email soon about deets! 

I am so excited!!

This season is just the beginning of this 4 year cycle, and everyday feels better and better. (I mean, ok, there are days when I am hurting, but it’s all part of that plan/journey)

So whatever you’re doing in life, remember, there are always hard days that you gotta’ pull through because the end is one sweet emotion. Before I log off, I will leave you with a few pointers that have changed my lifestyle completely in the past 6 months. It’s not too late to change your lifestyle towards a healthy one too!!

• eat greens (salads, artichokes, kiwi, and spinach!(or others))
• replace sweets and candy with fruit, like strawberries and peaches (they are very juicy and give off natural sweets)
• drink lots of water, or tea. Milk doesn’t count!
• When drinking milk, you deserve drinking 3.25% because you need the fat. It’s also the only thing I’ve been drinking for as long as I remember
• Try eating like 13 times a day. No I am kidding. But eating only 3 religious meals a day is actually bad for you. I snack the whole day, and probably do eat 10-11 times a day. Caution: Do not eat if you’re bored
• Almonds and other raw nuts. Very good for you but make sure that they are raw, and not roasted or salted. Trail mixes are also fat inducing but you’re probably a chocolate addict and just HAVE to add chocolate covered nuts to your trail mix. That’s ok, I do too 

Take care,

and check back because I will post again on Saturday.

Alex.