Long Overdue Update

The season is here and a lot has happened!  We had two team trials in Lake Placid, and I won the first one. The second race I crashed the first run, but according to criteria I was granted two more runs and at least was able to finish the race, but I still finished last unfortunately.  For a new driver, taking the run after a crash can be a little nerve-wracking, and as you can imagine- it was not the smoothest run, but I made it down and that's what matters.

We then traveled out to Park City to compete in two America's Cup races.  My brakeman for those races was Katelyn Kelly, and we had some trouble at the start.  Katelyn was named to the national team as a brakeman, and I was fortunate to have her on my team, however, my push bar kept falling while I was pushing which unfortunately resulted in slower push times.  Katelyn did awesome though, and we were able to pull out 4th place finishes both days, each behind 3 Olympic drivers so I'm happy with this result.

Then the crazy occurred...

As you saw from my earlier post, my Olympic driver Erin Pac retired.  Because of her retirement and my recent finishes in races, I have been named USA 3.  This normally would mean that I would get to race on World Cup, however, I am not currently qualified.  In order to qualify, I have to race two races in Winterberg, Germany now, and then will hopefully return and race the final World Cup on the first half in Lake Placid, NY.  As exciting as it is, I am very nervous about how I'm going to make all this happen.  My biggest hurdle right now is finding a sled to rent in Winterberg, a task that is proving to be difficult.  It would be a huge opportunity to race World Cup in my first year as a driver, and I would really like this opportunity- so I'm trying to do everything possible to make it happen- which mostly means a whole lot of prayer!

In my absence, Jamie Greubel will race in the World Cup in Calgary as the USA 3 driver, and Jazmine Fenlator will race in the Park City World Cup as a driver.  I wish them the best of luck, as they are also both new drivers.

But for now, I'm currently in Calgary, Alberta, Canada- and it's cold!  Tons of snow- and we get on the track for the first time tonight.  Although crazy has occurred, I'm excited to learn this new track and get back behind Optimus Prime!

This season is going to be fun...

Sad Day

I know I haven't updated in a while about how the season is progressing, and I will soon- I promise- but I wanted to at least post the link to this article.  Today, my Olympic teammate, Erin Pac, announced her retirement.  Although we always haven't seen eye to eye, I had so many great moments with her in the sport.  I raced my first world cup, my first world championships, and yes my first Olympics.  Not only has Erin greatly impacted my career as a bobsledder, but she has also greatly impacted me as a person.  I have learned so much about the sport and more importantly, about myself, through being her teammate the past 3 years.  Although life for me in bobsled will continue (I have a race in the morning), I can't help but remember the past on this day.  Thanks for everything Erin.

http://bobsled.teamusa.org/news/2010/11/11/olympic-medalist-erin-pac-retires/39467?ngb_id=23 

Back on the Ice!

We started back on the ice on Friday, October 15- and it dumped snow!!  It was kinda surreal to be sliding and not be the brakeman.  Although I have driven before, this is the first time I have driven at the beginning of the year and for team trials.  It may be weird- but I like it!  I love the feeling of being in the front seat- and the different challenges it brings- and let me tell you- it brings plenty of them!   Learning to drive a bobsled is one thing, learning to drive fast- is a whole different story!  Every day you walk the track trying to figure out the perfect line- and even though you think you can be perfect- you never will be!  It's one of the most frustrating and satisfying things I've ever done- and I can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds!

My teammates (Jazmine Fenlator and Jamie Greubel) and I started at a lower start, and today was my first day at the top- and I even pushed.  Above is video of me and one of our new rookie brakeman, Katie Stoever, pushing from the top.

So much more to come- the season has begun!

Video from Push Championships

Here is the video from push championships and testing.  The power cleans are a little sketch, I was attempting a PR at 100kg and wasn't able to finish.  Check out the rest to see how we train!

2010 Push Championships

     This past week we completed our pre-season combine testing (a series of tests to determine our current fitness) and our annual push championships.  Coming off an Olympic year, I really wasn't sure what to expect.  My training hasn't been at the same level of last season, as I have spent a majority of the summer trying to figure out ways to finance this upcoming season, as well as making appearances with my bronze medal.  My training hasn't been as consistent as I would have liked, so I was very nervous to find out how I would test and perform this week.  Although I didn't set personal records in anything, I am pleased to report that I finished first for the second season in a row in the combine testing.  I ran a 3.88 in our 30m testing, not bad but still over a tenth off my PR, but still the fastest in the field.
     Additionally, this pre-season I haven't been pushing much, as my body has needed time to recover from any lagging injuries and also I haven't been in Lake Placid consistently enough to put it regularly in the workouts.  Once again however, I am pleased to report that I won push championships for the 3rd consecutive year as a brakeman, and also won push championships for the first time competing as a pilot.  I still have much to learn pushing from the pilot's bar, but I feel that this was a great way to start the season.  I can still pick up much more time pushing as a driver, but a win's a win.  Here is the write up of the event:

http://bobsled.teamusa.org/news/2010/09/23/meyers-and-langton-dominate-national-bobsled-push-championships/38677?ngb_id=23

Now it's just more training til the ice opens on October 15!  Can't wait!

Address!

Finally!  I now have an address where you can all send donations and autograph requests!  For all autograph requests, please enclose something for me to sign as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope so that I can return them asap.  For donations, all checks can be made out to me, Elana Meyers.  Thank you for all your support and I look forward to hearing from you!

Elana Meyers

P.O. Box 6131

Douglasville, GA 30154-6131

My life (currently) summed up in a quote

"Deciding to train for an Olympic team, no matter the situation, requires tapping into your deepest reserves of dedication, courage and sacrifice.  Not only must you be willing to put your personal life on hold, you need to tolerate treading your body like a machine and also risk enormous disappointment...You have to say to yourself, and to the rest of the world, I have a dream: I want to make the Olympic team.  Then there's no guarantee you will.  Emotionally, you're so exposed." 

This quote from Dara Torres' book, Age is Just a Number, pretty much sums up what myself and all other Olympians and aspiring Olympians go through in order to reach their dream.  Well said.