Flip or Fly

It has been decided that I have a love hate relationship with the track in Konigssee. After a week of training it was a little rough going into the race, but what can you do. Over the week I finished about five out of nine runs on my butt. I am being literal here -not facetious at all. I flipped off of the last curve before the timing eye five out of nine runs. When I did have a clean run and finished on my steels instead of my butt I had some decent times. Therefore I decided that Konigssee is a flip or fly kind of track.

So come race day I did both. I flipped (every run) and I flew (by my self standards). I raced team competition which is when each country takes one junior girl, guy, and doubles team and combines all three times. Each person takes only one run. On that one run I flew! My trouble spot was out of the last curve before the timing eye (there are two more curves used for bobsled and breaking). I made it through and was so excited that I completely forgot to drive the last two curves. I barely made it through the first one then as I came out I absent-mindedly sat up to break. I quickly found out that this was not a good idea. I went from the top of the curve to the side of my body very fast. But at that moment it didn't even matter. I had flown where it counted and flipped where it didn't. The junior women singles race went a little differently. Lets just say that I crossed the finish line both runs on my butt. No flying was done in that race.

Tomorrow the junior and youth boys have their race. Then we will drive to Munich for the night then to Oberhof. We are planning on getting to Oberhof in time to see some of the senior race. I personally can't wait to be united as Dos Sweenos again!

European Flair

So these past two weeks have flown by and we only have 3 more left in Europe for the entire season! It's sooo crazy! I'm not complaining by any means, I love Europe, but more than Europe I LOVE America. So I've decided to list the things about Europe (which I've noticed these past two weeks especially!) that make it so unique. Here goes:

1. We arrive at 7:30 a.m. into Munich airport and they've already got the fresh bread, cheese, and MEAT upon MEAT upon MEAT ready to be served...

2. NO ONE takes American Express

3. I've slept two hours over the course of 24 and after one sip of coffee I'm ready to take on the entire day! Until two hours later when I literally fall asleep standing...

4. Fireworks are legal in Germany for three days and THREE days only... imagine a child having the freedom to buy and set off their OWN fireworks (and legit ones! not just these puny little sparklers) in the middle of town with no consequences. Now! Imagine that child 20 years down the road, drunk, and celebrating the year 2010 along with thousands of their closest friends who also have a "Free Fireworks!" pass... it was war.

5. Rules? What rules? Do what you want, but know that whatever you do is your own fault. There's no suing in Europe.

6. ALL WATER IS CONTAMINATED. Not really, but they like to tell you that and proceed to charge you for a bottle of water... Order one Liter of water it is 7 Euros. Order one Liter of wine its 12 Euros. Order an entire "Normal" (which means it's about the size of a Medium delivered pizza in the US) and it's 6 Euros... so eat, drink, and be Merry! Just forget the water....

7. Sidewalks don't mean anything. They are just an elevated part of the road. Which means you walk wherever you want, whenever you want. You're the pedestrian! You've got the right-of-way.

8. If there's an excuse not to work, it's taken. I was severely misguided in thinking that Americans were the first to jump on the bandwagon when it came to giving National Holidays or lunch breaks or paid vacations, but these guys know how to live! And it's not just individuals; everyone and I mean EVERYONE capitalizes on time off.

9. Vegetables? Was ist das schiez?

10. My favorite! Bathrooms... first off you pay. Whenever you stop at a gas station or a restaurant you pay 50-euro cents to use the restroom. When you're at a hotel (like where I am now) your toilet, sink, and shower are enclosed in ONE room. No shower curtain, no recessed drain, just a showerhead stuck on the wall. That is if you actually HAVE a shower and not just a tub with a shower hose attached...

I'm sure that when the Europeans come to America they notice special quirks of ours... but these are just mildly amusing to me lately and that is what makes Europe so intriguing time and time again....

1+2+9+8+8+2=30

Bradley+Flight+O'Hare+Flight#2+Munich+Drive= Finally in Igls!! This was perhaps the longest traveling experience I have had, but we finally made it. I'm now with the junior team and we have a training week in Igls, Austria. Junior World Championships is here at the end of January so they have a week of just training for the big race. Yesterday we slid for the first time and that was the first time it actually hit me that Megan and I were not traveling together anymore. I was getting ready and it came to the point for someone to zip my suit and Megan wasn't there. She always zips me! It was a sad realization. But I one of my fellow juniors stepped up and got the job done. It has also been weird going from the Senior team to the Junior team. There is a complete different vibe. The seniors have a lot more freedom in the schedule, but they also know exactly what they need to do to train and race. The juniors have a structured schedule and are still figuring out their routines.

The Pinnacle

After these past 10 days (yeah, it's only been 10! NYC seems like last month!) I'm ready to head back into the bubble. The little Luge bubble that puts me out of touch with reality for a while and lets me focus on sliding and competing and training. It's selfish but the reality of my life right now is I still have four more World Cups. I still have two weeks of training and then beyond the opening ceremonies I've still got to complete four race runs down the Whistler track.

It's hard to believe that I've been working for so long to make "THE OLYMPICS!" that it doesn't seem real yet. When you fill out a goal sheet or you're asked in an interview "What's your ultimate goal?" you always answer with "To hopefully make the Olympics." Well, now what do I say? What's the next question? Where's my next step? What's my next goal? I don't need to answer all these questions right now, but it's what I've been thinking of while being at home.

The reality of the Games is that it is the Olympics. It's a BIG deal, anything can truly happen. But when you're asked 'So you gonna win gold?' You sound like a pessimist when you scoff at the suggestion. The truth is I don't see myself as Gold medal material. My sliding hasn't yet attained the level of professionalism that I see in other sliders. I'm not being negative but rather just honest. Because on the flip side of that, I also didn't REALLY see myself as being an Olympian (I still laugh at the title! I can't actually use it to describe myself in conversation yet, WAY too wierd) especially after last year and not racing ONE single World Cup.

So I'm going to put my thoughts away and focus on next weekend's world cup in Konigssee, Germany. That is my first goal. I'm going to take these next 47 days one at a time, race by race, run by run and know that I've earned my spot on the US Olympic Luge team with just that mentality. I'm going to enjoy the opening ceremonies and focus on putting down four clean runs at the Games. Then I'm going to celebrate my 23rd birthday with all my family and friends in Whistler. Then I'm going to cheer on the rest of my teammates representing the USA in their respective sports. The rest of my life I can figure out afterwards...

Hectic Happy Holidays!

It's been a while since the last post and more than ever has happened. I'm sure all of you have heard that Megan has made the 2010 Olympic Team! This has sent our lives into a whirlwind. After flying back from Oslo to New York City we stayed overnight in the city because the Olympic team including Megan were on the Today Show. It was an exciting time for all of us. My parents and I watched from the COLD outside and Megan had her Today Show debut. We FINALLY got home last Friday. We were ready for a relaxing stay at home, but I guess when you have an Olympian in the family that is not in the plans. We had an open house on Monday and the support was overwhelming. It was great to see everyone and catch up. We also went to Maine to see our O'Donal side of the family. It was a quick trip, but we always enjoy them! We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Follow Me to Vancouver

“Track is Clear for Megan Sweeney.” The clock dings. “Here we go Megan.” Looking down the tunnel of a track that lies ahead. I know what I have to do. “Clear your head Megan, “Take a breath, take it deep. Calm yourself. He says to me,”’ Rhianna runs through my mind. Big breathe, let it out. Pull down the face shield in one swift movement and listen for the click. Two taps of my spikes on the ice and I pull up on my runners to make sure I have flexibility in my sled.

“You can see my heart beating, you can see it through my chest. Take a breath; take it deep cause when we play. We play for keeps…” I glance at the ice, notice the purity, calm my breath and PULL. “AH!” One, Two, Three paddles. Quick settle, “CALM YOURSELF” make sure you’re on the right but not TOO close. Cut it left but not too much, let it up, BE SOFT, hold the sled straight, take it out on the straight away, that’s it. Nice and easy, put your shoulders back, RELAX. Head back, feet up. Nice and easy Megan hold your right handle, go middle into Curve 5, let it up, take it out, be soft. That’s it, guide it into 6- let it go, let it go, RELAX in the entrance, nice and soft. Let it run, let it run, let it run… this is the longest curve EVER, okay nice and easy, guide it out, all the way out, roll back…

Into 7 Megan, middle entrance let it up, from middle take it out, nice and easy all the way, DON’T let up. Middle into 8 no earlier! Let it climb in 8 over middle, let it fall and return back to neutral Megan NICE and EASY, BE SOFT. A little right handle, don’t let it drift away from the curve, don’t let it drift… let it up and ROLL OUT! Don’t get late into 10. Switch your weight down, quick steer! Let it loop, okay let it loop just a littttllleeee, tap and roll back! DON’T go late into 11! Let it up! Look for the exit! RELAX, RELAX trust yourself! Let it go, be ready for 12, CRAP! I’m too early, ABSORB the entrance, and keep your weight down! Quick steer! UNWEIGH- let the sled climb, trust yourself, trust yourself, tap it off the end! ROLL OUT! Curve 13! WEIGHT DOWN! HEAD BACK! SHOULDERS BACK! Quick entrance! QUICK pound of the right runner, HOLD UP!! Don’t let the sled fall; steer HARD, ALL THE WAY OUT MEGAN! FIGHT! Shoulders back! Pull hard on that right handle! DON’T HIT THE WALL!!!!!!!!! RELAX!!!!!!! Trust yourself….

Let the sled go, not too early into 14, not too early…. K, Let it up, don’t touch anything! Roll out and back, don’t get too early into 15, Roll down, steer quick, hold it up, keep yourself level, Take it off HARD, ROLL BACK! Stretch Megan, Stretch, head back and feet up. Run it, run it out, Stretch ALL THE WAY OUT! RRREEEEAAAACCCCCHHHHH where is it! Where’s the line, point your toes, DONE! Now where is it? Where’s my time, where is it!?!!!!!???!?!? You’ve done it, you’ve done it… Thank You God, Thank you. You’ve done it…. You’ve done it.

Rookey Experiences

Megan and I have had two races since the last posting. We raced in Nations Cup on Firday and in the fourth World Cup of the season yesterday. We raced in Lillehammer, Norway where the sun barely reaches the sky at this time of the year. Maybe that was a good thing though because Megan flew in Nations Cup and got 3rd! I also qualified for the World Cup with a 7th place finish.
Yesterday was the last World Cup before Christmas. Which sometimes makes it difficult for me to focus because all I can seem to think about lately is the food I'm going to eat when I get home. I have even made a list, how bad is that! The food in Europe can be really good sometimes, but it gets old quickly. Especially in Norway, I've had more boiled potatoes than I have in my whole life combined. By now all I want is a buffalo chicken salad. I know that it's only a week away and that is taunting me. But the food aside I pulled it together for the race. The highlight of the race for me was after my second run. I got off the ice pleased with my run and Marketa (our team manager) took my sled and told me to go to the leaders box. I was so surprised. I think I even let out a "REALLY?!?" Last race I came down in second place so I didn't get to stand in the leaders box so this was my first leaders box experience. Honestly it's a little akward. You just stand there watching the run of the person after you on the TV in front of you and while you're watching there's a camera about a foot away from you in your face. Then once they show you on the TV you realise how bad you actually look after a race, helmet hair and all. I now know not to take off my helmet while in the leaders box. I guess these are the types of things that you learn as a rookey. When all was said in done Megan finished 13th and I finished 16th. It ended a good day for the both of us!