As this past weekend of push
testing and functional movement assessment has come to a close and the 2011/12 season
draws ever near – I find myself waist deep in thought.
For ages, I have been striving for athletic excellence – and
some days it’s daunting to acknowledge how many years it has actually been.
There are times I feel like I’ve placed the weight of the world on my
shoulders. I wonder how I can possibly make a name for myself in a sport that
reminds me just how little I actually know, every step of the way. Then, I take a deep breath, and through
reflection, belief and maybe even a few tears – I reconnect with reality.
some days it’s daunting to acknowledge how many years it has actually been.
There are times I feel like I’ve placed the weight of the world on my
shoulders. I wonder how I can possibly make a name for myself in a sport that
reminds me just how little I actually know, every step of the way. Then, I take a deep breath, and through
reflection, belief and maybe even a few tears – I reconnect with reality.
This battle to be the best is a big part of life for every
elite athlete. I will attest, from my experiences as both a member of a team and
on my own, the fight can indeed be amplified for those of us in individual sports. But
the truth is, it’s merely stronger for those of us who possess ‘it’.
elite athlete. I will attest, from my experiences as both a member of a team and
on my own, the fight can indeed be amplified for those of us in individual sports. But
the truth is, it’s merely stronger for those of us who possess ‘it’.
‘It’ is that feeling that resides deep inside your gut. It pulls and pokes; it taunts and
teases. It reminds you of all the good and every millisecond of the bad. It has
the ability to evoke the most powerful emotional responses without a hint of
reason. It’s in your blood, your sweat, and every tear. It’s what gets you out
of bed every morning; it’s what pushes you through that one more set or holds
you back from trying. It’s what breaks you down. It’s what builds you up. It is
both the killer instinct and the fear. Every day, it lies waiting for it’s next
chance to be un-caged. ‘It’ is what you have, when you feel like you have everything
or absolutely nothing left.
teases. It reminds you of all the good and every millisecond of the bad. It has
the ability to evoke the most powerful emotional responses without a hint of
reason. It’s in your blood, your sweat, and every tear. It’s what gets you out
of bed every morning; it’s what pushes you through that one more set or holds
you back from trying. It’s what breaks you down. It’s what builds you up. It is
both the killer instinct and the fear. Every day, it lies waiting for it’s next
chance to be un-caged. ‘It’ is what you have, when you feel like you have everything
or absolutely nothing left.
The conscious and subconscious connections to the choices and
challenges we face have the potential to change everything. So
whether I choose to let ‘it’ push me over the edge or bring me back in – the
outcome is always monumental.
challenges we face have the potential to change everything. So
whether I choose to let ‘it’ push me over the edge or bring me back in – the
outcome is always monumental.
16 days until I’m back on the ice.
32 days until I challenge for my spot on the Canadian
National Team
National Team
Your focus and determination are two of the most amazing parts of who you are CH. You will prevail I have no doubt. You always do your best and that's all that counts in life.