Racing For a Cure

Last year each person on our team was asked if we had cause or charity that was special to us. I immediately responded and expressed that breast cancer awareness and fighting for a cure for breast cancer is something close to my heart. My mother is a 25 year breast cancer survivor and was given a 50-50 chance to survive another 5 years after her diagnosis. Luckily, thanks to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments she has not had a reoccurrence and has been an amazing mother to my three sisters and I. After expressing my mothers involvement with breast cancer awareness in our community the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation connected with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and we had the honor of racing the entire season with their logo on our sled.

Now we take it up a notch. This week our sled was wrapped to be the “Susan G. Komen” bobsled, or as we like to call it- our ‘boobsled.’ Sporting the bright pink ribbon on it’s sides, and shadows or ribbons throughout, the last two world cup races before Christmas took on a greater purpose. Olympic sports are prized throughout the world for athlete’s endless dedication to their dreams. But that’s just one individual’s dream. We are admired for our tenacity, but the reality is Olympic athletes have made it to that level by being experts at catering to their own needs. This week was a different story however, as I had the opportunity to not only represent my country on a world platform, but also bring attention to a cause that is greater than me, greater than bobsled, and so close to my heart.

Though the usual race nerves were there, there was also a certain amount of comfort as I warmed up for these races knowing that I was in a sense, “racing for the cure.” My mother came out on the positive side of her 50-50 chances, and this was a celebration of her determination that she passed down to me. Our hope is throughout the season we can raise awareness for breast cancer research and support the Susan G Komen foundation in their quest to find a cure.

I have been all over the world, but nothing can ever compare to being home for Thanksgiving with my family. Each year I have a hard time being away during the Thanksgiving holiday and I never really knew why. I shared how difficult Thanksgiving can be for me with Bree and she helped me realize that I miss it so much because I have many fond childhood memories connected to the holiday. I remember waking up every Thanksgiving being so excited and proud to help my fathers ‘surgical nurse’ and help him stuff and stitch up the turkey just like he does daily as a surgeon. After turkey surgery was done we would watch the Macys day parade and lounge most the day until it was time to bake our usual meal including, whipped potatoes, green bean casserole, and sweet potatoes.  I love food and nothing compares to my mom's home cooked meals, especially on Thanksgiving.  This year I was not sure if I would get a meal that was at all similar to a typical Thanksgiving dinner, but last minute we were able to whip together a meal as close to Thanksgiving as we could in less than an hour. It was nice to be with my bobsled family and be thankful of what each of us has been able to accomplish in the last year.


Thanksgiving has come and gone and so have the first two World Cups, where Bree and I finished 6th. I am happy with our results and of course that I am healthy enough to race, but as every athlete knows it is hard to be satisfied with anything but being the best. Seeing all the women on the podium in front of us only pushes us more and more each week to get our first top three results. We are now in Park City, Utah gearing up for our third World Cup race. I love racing in Park City and I can not wait to see what we can do this upcoming week.

Check out http://bobsled.teamusa.org/ for upcoming results

Rest is for the weak?

Sometimes the greatest personality downfalls are also some of the greatest attributes. I for one am probably one of the most stubborn people that you will meet. I rarely ever admit to this fault, but I can’t seem to escape this reality. My zodiac sign is Taurus, with the symbol being bull horns. I have never been a believer in astrological signs, but I seem to fit the mold by being steadfast, determined and bull headed. I get this trait from my father, who is probably the only one capable of going head to head in a competition of stubbornness with me. My father broke his leg, falling off a ladder a few years ago, which resulted in eleven surgeries and a near amputation. One would think that after eleven surgeries he would be very careful in all aspects of life and especially climbing up and down ladders. I have learned through my father that sometimes stubbornness can verge on stupidity. I respect the fact that he is determined to do what he was able to do before his injury, but in most situations it can be more beneficially to swallow some pride and ask for help or step down when it is needed.


This is something I can say I will do, but in reality most times it does not happen. I believe that being stubborn is something that has allowed me to be successful in sports. I have been told many times that I will not be able to do the things I hope to accomplish. Instead of backing down my stubborn instincts kick into gear and I want nothing more than to prove my doubters wrong. Unfortunately, that combined with my impatient nature can lead to disaster. I have a hard time listening to my body when it is telling me that I can not do something because just like my doubters I want to prove it wrong as well. I have tried to channel my Coach D when I train or when I am injured and remember her telling me that we are not looking at the race here and now, but the one that matters at the end. I have had to attempt to be patient this week and listen to my body, instead of ‘working through the pain.’ It is very hard as an athlete to not be active or doing your sport, but my hope is that with this rest my hamstring and my body can be 100% for race day Thanksgiving Day. I know on that night I will be thankful to be racing down the Whistler track once again, remembering the amazing time I had here last February.

To The Beach!

8 hours after beginning my travels this morning to Park City, Utah and I am still where I started, in the Albany airport.  But there is one catch…… I am 800 dollars (well, United dollars) richer!  I am not sure if the lady at the United counter has ever seen anyone as excited as I was to give up a plane seat.  Not only did I give my seat up once, but also a second time!  I was all but begging her to take my seat away from me and now I feel like I have won the plane voucher jackpot! I am not going to go as far as to say that I enjoy what the Albany airport has to offer; although it is very hard to pick which healthy option, McDonalds or Pizza, I will choose for lunch.  I chose pizza.  I do, however, appreciate sitting here and thinking of all the warms places I can fly with these vouchers.  I can never understand why everyone is not as anxious as I am to exchange a plane seat and a little time for a vacation flight.  As I look around I realize that it spending a couple extra hours in airport so that many of the passengers could get home to their children and families.  Often I am reminded of some of the things I give up for this lifestyle, but also the freedoms that it allows me to have.  I will have plenty of time for family and children, but for now I am going to sit here basking in my glory thinking of the tan I will get in the spring.  

Bobsled Time!

I am currently in Lake Placid, New York for the start of bobsled season. We have been here for almost two weeks, preparing for our World Cup team selection races this coming week. There are a lot of new faces in the bobsled world and also a few returning teammates. It is always fun to see the reaction of the rookies after they take their first bobsled runs. It is hard to explain what it feels like, but I can guarantee it is unlike anything you have every experienced. So far I think we have only had one person go home after experiencing the trips, so in my book that is a small victory!


On the women’s side of things we have three former push athletes trying their hand in the front of the sled and six rookie brakeman with some serious potential. It is really great for our program to have successful push athletes turn to drivers as we know they will have a great push as they progress in their driving skills. It is also good for us to have this many rookie athletes coming from successful college athletic careers having interest in our sport. I remember back four years ago when I first started sliding and I was one of two rookie brakeman, so it is great to see that interest in growing as we move toward 2014.

My very first bobsled race in 2006

2007 World Championships with Erin Pac

Moving forward

The last few months at the Boys and Girls Club have been incredible, but now it is time to move forward towards my upcoming season.  I really enjoy my sport and have amazing opportunities because it, but it always feel as if I am leaving.  Over the past three years I have spent longest amount of time in one place in Colorado Springs, but when the 6 months come to end I am more than ready to begin sliding.  I am almost not even sure if I know how to be in one place for any longer than that!  I was very sad to leave the Boys and Girls club and all the friends I have made there, but I recieved a nice card and huge hug from the kids as I left.  I will miss them very much, but I hope we can keep in contact throughout the upcoming months. Thank you for welcoming me into the Tutt Boys and Girls Club family!

Good bye and Good luck!

Friday was a sad day at the Boys and Girls Club. It was the last day of Ms. Marie, a longtime employee of the club. I don’t know if I really realized until this day how much of an impact we can actually have on the kids. Ms. Marie is one of the most kind, nurturing, loving people I have met and truly has motivated me to form a more personal connection with the kids at the club. Many of the kids come from very difficult family lives and come to the club to get relief from these situations for a few hours. It allows them to be kids, something they may not have the ability to be at home. I have heard many of the kids talk about how they have a parent in jail or a mother who is never home because she has to always work to take care of the family. Some of these kids raise themselves and their siblings. Ms. Marie has been a stable parent figure to many of these kids and has been a kind heart to help heal some of their pain. A majority of the kids were in tears as Ms. Marie said her final good byes. I saw many boys who are taught to act tough and are constantly getting in trouble sob and talk about how Ms. Marie has encouraged and impacted them during her last four years at the club. I am constantly told by people in my community that I have inspired them by chasing my dreams, but people like Ms. Marie are the true inspirations. I can only hope that I am having half the influence Ms. Marie has made at the Boys and Girls Club. We will miss you Ms. Marie.