Push Championships

I competed in my first push championships yesterday! It definitely wasn't a serious competition... we primarily used it to get an accurate assessment of where we are with our push skills. There is only a month left of summer training so it's time to focus on fine-tuning our technique. We each had three shots at pushing our fastest time. The best two times were combined and that's how the placing was determined. To make a long story short, I finished 4th out of 7 girls. It may not seem like a big accomplishment but I was SO EXCITED about the results. It wasn't about the place, it was that I pushed over a tenth faster than I've ever pushed before. The even better news was that I was consistently that much faster which tells me I must be doing something right! To improve a tenth at the start is huge in the sport of skeleton. I can't wait to start sliding and put my new skills to the test down the track.

Here are a few pics from the trip....

KIM just happened to be in Calgary for work!!! It was so great to see her... perfect timing!!
Athletes are a bit strange and we often like to sit in an ice bath after a hard workout. It reduces the inflammation in your muscles so they aren't as sore the next day. Usually we do this in a sports medicine facility but sometimes we improvise :) This river is probably around 55 degrees (which is a little warmer than we prefer but it worked just fine)
I guess this tractor keeps the ice nice and smooth in the ice house...however, it makes a great seat for lunch too!! haha Front row to watch the boys push.
Nothing like celebrating our first annual push championships with a friendly game of putt-putt!!! haha Stokes and I tied for 1st!!!! Woohoo! It was a great week of training... now it's back to Lake Placid!!