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.

Verified Magazine

Here is a recent article about me from Verified Magazine.  Enjoy!

http://verifiedmag.com/2010/02/28/bronze-isnt-good-enough/ 

Swagga

USOC intern Riley Steinmetz recently posted a blog entitled "An Olympic Attitude", which discussed the attitude it takes to achieve greatness, specifically the attitude it takes to become an Olympic athlete (http://www.teamusa.org/blogs/all-access/posts/2171-an-olympic-attitude).  For athletes, we know the necessity of thinking positive in all situations and how it affects everything from our game-day results to even our daily training.  Those of you who have been long-time fans may recall me tweeting or posting facebook messages about my swagga- and losing it and regaining it.  Well, my "swagga" is my Olympic attitude.  It is the attitude that tells me I can do anything I want to, that I can achieve anything and nothing is impossible with a little hard work and determination.  My confidence has faltered from time to time, especially during an Olympic year when people are out for blood and will be quick to tell you when they think you're not up to par in hopes that you'll fold under the pressure, and in this year- the toughest year athletically for me- I indeed lose my swagga at times.  It always is tough to regain a positive attitude when you're at your lowest of lows, but it's imperative that you find your "swagga" and pull yourself out of it- and that's exactly what I was able to do.  I found my "swagga" right before the Olympics in Park City, and I was determined to win an Olympic medal.  And even though the odds were against us, I had my "swagga" back and I knew anything was possible.  Once was lost, was newly found and I knew great things were going to happen.  So hold tight to your swagga, cause it makes all the difference in the world.