The Difference a Year Makes..

Almost exactly a year ago I was called into an room in Igls, Austria and told by the selection committee that I would not be representing our country in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.  As disappointed as I was with the selection and the process I knew that I wanted to continue with sports in some capacity.  I wanted to have control over how and when my athletic career ended.  At the time I knew that I would not continue to bobsled, but that I still had the desire to compete a little longer.  I didn’t know what that meant or in what way I wanted to compete, but I knew that I had worked very hard to build up my body and I thought I could still athletically contribute to some sport.

A few weeks after the Olympic Team was selected I stumbled upon the sport of rugby in while visiting friends in Budapest, Hungary.  I was blown away by the kindness of the women I met and practiced with in Budapest and knew that where ever I landed I wanted to surround myself with people like them.  I moved to the bay area in the spring of 2014 and immediately found a team in Berkeley to play with.  It has been incredibly humbling and at times very frustrating to learn a new sport, but my teammates have been patient and understanding every step of the way.  Rugby is a complex sport that takes years to understand and master.  The women in the sport are some of the most fit athletes I have ever seen.  It is a sport that has many working parts requiring speed, strength, fitness, and most importantly brains. 

My goal in rugby has always been to meet new people and have fun!  I emotionally struggled through the last couple years of bobsled and ultimately the fun was sucked out of the sport for me.  Rugby has been refreshing and has given me new perspective in my life.  My mindset has shifted and instead of putting extreme pressure on myself I have limited my expectations and am enjoying the experience. 

Ironically a year after the 2014 Olympic Bobsled was selected I found myself back at the Olympic Training Center, but this time for rugby.   The last time I was at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista was in 2010, a few weeks before departing for the Olympic Games in Vancouver.  I also trained in Chula Vista after my first bobsled season in 2007.  It is a place that holds some really great memories for me and I enjoyed reliving those experiences and walking down memory lane this past week.  Although I do not know what the future holds for me in any capacity I am finally starting to understand that the journey is truly the most important part of every experience.  I feel that rugby has given me a second chance to enjoy athletics again and has given me an opportunity to create my own ending. 

And the Season Begins

 

The Lady Cavaliers started off the season with a victory!  It was great to see the girls in action and incredible to see the Cavaliers have enough players now to field two teams.  Great job Ladies!

 

 

Onwards to 2015

I started off the year 2014 in Europe preparing for the second half of the bobsled World Cup season with the hopes of earning a spot on my second Olympic team.   Although I was disappointed not being selected for the team, I am looking forward to starting off 2015 with a new perspective on what is important in my life.  This year has been about as crazy as the Whistler bobsled track and has flown by just as fast.  I have gone through an enormous amount of change this year and I am thankful to be back in California close to my family.  I have enjoyed immersing myself into new experiences and taking on new challenges.   It has taken me some time to adapt to my post bobsled life and I am looking forward to the new adventures that 2015 will bring.

Thanksgiving

Throughout my eight years of bobsled I was only able to spend Thanksgiving with my family once, so this year it felt like a rare treat to experience the family time that I previously sacrificed.  I appreciate more than ever the family members and friends who have supported my athletic career as well as coming to my aid throughout this transition to a new phase in my life.  In the past it has been difficult to miss out on family events and as my priorities shift, so has the importance of attending. 

 
Sitting around the television with my family watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade this year reminded me of the many times we had done that when we were kids.  When I was a little girl I use to get up early each Thanksgiving morning, so that I could watch the parade and help my dad stuff and sew up the turkey.  I loved being his assistant and following his meticulous surgical stitches as we tightly sewed the turkey closed.  I could never quite figure out how people who didn’t have a surgeon in the family could adequately keep the stuffing in the turkey cavity. 

Each Thanksgiving my dad and I were in charge of cooking the turkey, a job we both took very seriously.   I would patiently wait for our turkey to be cooked, so I could be first to try our golden brown work of art.  On a daily basis my dad has limited cooking expertise, but during Thanksgiving the turkey was always his domain.  I could see him beam as we pulled the turkey out and began to carve off each succulent piece.  Although our turkey responsibilities have changed over the year we are now able to create new memories with our growing family.

A Rugby Weekend

This past weekend I was able to experience rugby in many different lights.   First, I attended a rugby gala which celebrated 75 years of rugby in the bay area.  I was able to hear about the numerous clubs rooted in the bay area along with learning about the history and growth of rugby throughout the United States.  The room was filled with many retired male athletes, but it was also nice to see women’s clubs represented and experience the expansion of rugby.  Rugby is like no sport I have ever been a part of.  Even if athletes are foes on the field there is a common understanding and a level of respect for the game between players.

 Next, I traveled a college rugby sevens tournament to cheer on many of the graduated high school lady Cavaliers who are now playing on college teams.  Many of these girls expressed concerns last spring about transitioning to college, so it was fun to see them settling right in and earning starting roles on their respective teams.   Additionally, I have been playing a small coaching role with the Cal’s rugby team and was able to see the hard work the ladies put in each and every week pay off with the tournament victory. 

Lastly, the Lady Cavaliers High School Rugby Club had their first official practice today!  It was exciting to see many new faces interested in learning and competing in rugby.  I am always super impressed with how accepting and positive the team is when it comes to making new players feel comfortable.  I for one can attest to the fact that trying a new sport at any age takes courage, so I was proud of each young lady who put the effort in today to try something new. 

Lady Cavs Rummage Sale!

My Sister The Super Hero!

My sister Amber has always been my hero, but it was not until lately that I learned she is also a super hero!  Amber is an AP Calculus teacher at Amador High in Pleasanton, California and in addition to molding young mathematical minds she runs the leadership program at the high school.  She oversees students who are responsible for literally ever activity that runs at the school which includes homecoming, prom, rallies, and every aspect involved in planning these events.  When I was in high school I always knew that my teachers were important, but it wasn’t until now that I realized that a teacher’s job does not stop when the bell rings.

 I am amazed by the commitment my sister has for her job and students.   She is determined to not only teach children math, but strives to have them understand the information.  She continually holds extra class hours so that her students fully understand the lessons and tutors students after school.  In addition to all of her math commitments she spends countless extra hours making sure ever school event runs without a hitch.  I do not know how she is able to do it all with so much ease and grace.  After watching the amount she does for her students I can guarantee she is not only my hero, but is the hero of hundreds of others.

 

Check out the Lip Dub, Amber and her students created which includes EVERYONE in the student body!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtcCHXylcmo