Sweat, Tears, Dreams and Support ... I have it all!

When I was 12 years old I was racing for a spot in our club K-4(four person kayak) that had a chance of winning a medal at the national championships. When all the seat races were done three of my best friends were going to be in the boat and I was not. I was elated for them, what an opportunity, but I was also devastated. After congratulating them I had to walk away. Tears were building in my eyes and just as I reached the corner of the change rooms the tears were streaming down my cheeks and the sobs were just moments away. But, I was not alone. My coach, Sarah, had followed me into the change room. She didn't give me the regular, everything will be alright, you are great speech, that we have all received at some point in our lives. Without hesitation she told me that this was not going to be the biggest thing in my life, that even within the sport of canoeing I would accomplish more. She then reminded me that I am a very loved and loving daughter, sister and friend and that those things were all very important too. They didn't seem important at the time but after my races at the World Championships this year they were once again in my ears...
I failed to make the A final, which meant that my goal was not being reached, and when the B final was done I was 18th overall. I was disappointed in myself. I felt like I had failed and once again I had tears streaming down my face. Without fail though my family, my friends and my teammates were there. They reminded me that success isn't always measured by a number or a placing. They pointed out that I have come a long way in 11 years. I was the girl who couldn't make the Wascana K-4 and as long as I keep looking forwards and learning from my past who knows what the future holds. 
It was my support system that reminded me of "polly positive" and it is my support system that has helped me rebound and look forward to the Pan American Games in Gaudalajara, Mexico. Although I did not accomplish my goal of qualifying Canada to race at the Olympics at the World Championships, I can still help Canada qualify in Mexico. So, this loved, daughter, sister and friend is back at it. I am at a training camp in Ottawa and my team mates and I are training hard. We are going to be prepared and in peak form when races start on October 26.
So, thank you to everyone who believes in someones dream, who supports someone when they stumble and to those that help keep dreams alive because without people like you, I would be lost :)

Lets Go Canada Lets Go!!

The 2011 World Championships have begun !!!! Today was the first day of races, the course was fast, the athletes were fast and we are looking forward to more of that in the coming days. 

There will be live feeds of the races on Eurosport as well we have heard a rumor that Sports Net may broadcast the event ... so keep your eyes peeled if you are in Canada ;)

Here is the link to check live results. We used it today while we were at the hotel; it was pretty much instantaneous, which is really nice.
The speed of this link is just one example of how awesome a regatta Szeged and the Hungarian Canoe Federation are putting on.
 http://szeged2011.com/live-results

Go CANADA Go :D

Dream Big !!!

We have arrived in Hungary and in just 3 days the World Championships will start. The city of Szeged is hot and although there are things to do I find myself staying close to the hotel not doing too much. Today I was passing time on the computer. I hit the usual; facebook, leaderpost.com and then I checked into the Cross Canada Canoe Odyssey groups website. Sounds kind of random if you don't know my friends but the CCCO gang is paddling across Canada in Clipper canoes. They began this long journey in April and are well on their way. They are currently paddling along Lake Superior.
They are following a path less traveled both literally and figuratively. I say literally because how many people go on a cross country road trip in a canoe and figuratively because they are living their dream, through the good, the bad and the rough waters.
I find them inspiring. Not only are they making history because when they finish (in the planned time) they will have crossed our beautiful country faster than any other group who has also attacked this amazing feat. As well the ladies in the Canoe Odyssey group will be the first ever to finish the journey in one season. But, that is not why they set out to navigate the countries waterways. This journey began so many years ago. Years before I knew any of the crew. This dream began on small lakes, with family and on canoe trips up north. It began with child like wonder and a desire to see what people around them were talking about. This dream started with naive notions but grew with each individual into a reality that could not be put off any longer. 
I feel very lucky and very honored to do what I do for a living. Something we do not see very often today is adults stepping out of the safety of everyday life and going after a childhood dream, a dream that gains no fame or fortune. My friends are on this adventure because of a love for paddling, a love for nature and a love for this bountiful country that allows them this type of opportunity.
My friends Stephanie and Whitney wrote a blog post, http://cancanoeodyssey.sportisite.com/news, and while I read it, it reminded me of why I love canoeing and kayaking so much. It reminded me of how awesome it is, how much history there is and how lucky I am to be able to kayak all over the world representing my country. Her blog, informative and innocent as it was, has gotten me really excited to start racing. So- here we go. Its the week I have been waiting and training for, for months. This is go time and there is no time like the present to step up and live your dreams, or so I have heard;)

As a side note: Something else I find really neat about following my friends journey is that they are using this trip to raise awareness for a truly great cause, The Nature Conservancy of Canadahttp://www.naturecanada.ca/advocate. /wildlife_conservancy.html?gclid=CJS3yruuz6oCFZIH3wod8HBezw
Check it out!!!

Fun in France!

When I signed in to my account today there was a nice little blurb letting me know that it has been over a month since I last posted anything. It has been a pretty busy month full of training and travel. I was able to enjoy 2 weeks at home with my family and friends, not consecutively but 2 whole weeks :D
We are now in France at our final preparation camp for the World Championships. This is my first time in France and it is everything everyone said it would be, absolutely beautiful. I love it. The country side is filled with rolling green hills, sunflower fields and white cows. What more could a prairie girl ask for ;) 

 

Yesterday we drove to a town called Panne D'agenais. It has been voted one of the most beautiful in France. It is very old, quaint and peaceful. We enjoyed the sights, did a little bit of shopping and finished our trip with some delicious ice cream. 

 

Travel is never very far away ... Saturday we are off to Szeged for the World Championships. I am excited to race . The World Championships just the words alone can bring a flood of emotion and excitement but Szeged is where I had my first major competition wearing a Canadian jersey and racing for my country. In 2005 the Junior World Championships were held there. I can still remember the butterflies and the adrenaline flapping and pumping through me. This year I expect a few less butterflies or at least better managed ones. I also expect an amazing crowd. I have never seen people who love this sport as much as the Hungarian people. They are inspiring! I am posting a link to a video they have put out, it gives me goose bumps ...  I hope you enjoy.

 

Later this week I will post the links to the website for results. As well I believe there will be a link to a website where you will be able to watch the events live ( if you are awake). 

Weekend of Racing coming up !!

I thought I would try something a little different with this blog. I wrote a "Kia version" tongue twister, Good or bad I have chosen the letter C. Bare with me I have not written a poem in years ...

Come see Canoe/Kayak Canadians channeling calm, cool and collected characteristics while competing at the caliber of Champions for their chance to race at the World Championships!!

National Team Trials are going on this weekend in Montreal. Results can be found at www.canoekayak.ca. 

If you are in the area and are looking for something to do this is going to be a sweet regatta to see. This is the final event for athletes to qualify for the 2011 World Championships team. 

Races are being held Saturday and Sunday at the Olympic Basin in Parc Jean Drapeau.

 

"Excellence: The ripple effect"

I have decided to post this everywhere I send out information. So, if you get to see this double, or triple, I apologize.  

 

This is something I have gotten involved in and I think it is pretty neat and I wanted to share it with as many people as I can. Below is a description of the idea, the reality and what, if you want to, you can do to become more involved with helping high performance athletes across the country.  

 

In celebration of Canada Day, CAN(Canadian Athletes Now) Fund is launching their first athlete e-Book called "Excellence: The Ripple Effect". 

 

36 stories of Courage, Believing In Yourself, Success From Failure, Excellence and Representing Canada written by Canadian athletes including myself!

 

Other athletes featured in the eBook include:

-Forward by Silken Laumann, Rowing, 3 time Olympic Medalist

-"Dear Dream" by Carla MacLeod, Hockey, 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist

-"Clive" by Christine Sinclair, Soccer, 2008 Olympian

-"Maple Leaf" by Ben Rutledge, Rowing, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist

 

All of us have experienced moments in our lives or have met people that have profoundly impacted us.  The story that I wrote " Through waters to friendship" shares a moment from early on in my paddling journey. It was an influential moment in my life and upon reflection, as I have gotten older, it has become more and more significant. This story shares a very valuable lesson I learnt early on in my journey to representing Canada at the 2012 Olympics.  

I contributed a story for the eBook because I wanted to encourage and connect with Canadians while at the same time raise awareness and funding for my fellow athletes through CAN Fund.

 

CAN Fund (Canadian Athletes Now Fund) is a not for profit that raises direct financial support for athletes across Canada.  CAN Fund has raised over $13 million to date and was proud to support 80% of the athletes who represented Canada in Vancouver.   Twice a year athletes from coast to coast apply to CAN Fund. As such they are eligible to receive $12,000 annually.  The majority of athletes in Canada rely on CAN Fund so they can afford equipment, coaching, travel expenses and proper nutrition.  I have been a recipient of CAN Fund and it was a huge help. It took away the stress of not having enough money, for awhile. It allowed my whole focus to be on training rather than wasting valuable energy worrying. 

The sale of every "EXCELLENCE: The Ripple Effect" is donated to CAN Fund to support Canadian athletes who are competing to qualify for the Games in London and beyond!

You can purchase "EXCELLENCE: The Ripple Effect" for $25. This is an ebook and can be purchased by following the link posted below.

Website:  www.MYCANFund.com  

Link: http://www.canadianathletesnow.ca/boutique/can-fund-athlete-ebook.html

 

Thanks so much for even considering it and helping me along my journey to the 2012 Olympics.

Feathers

Today was an awesome day. We had the afternoon off from training, I ate a delicious almond croissant at Olive and Gourmando, in the Old Port, had breakfast for supper, and right in the middle of all that KC and I went and got feather extensions in our hair.
I opted for the neutrals, which have a mix of feathers including some red which I think is pretty cool. I have attached a picture that I just took ... so be kind ;)
Also the links to the fine feather extensions website is here as well as the link to the page for Sonya, the lady, who put ours in here in Montreal.

www.finefeatherheads.com

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=inbox#!/FeatherHairExtensions