In total, 7 of us from the August push camp were invited back. We were joined by another 5 or 6 athletes for the Skeleton Driving School – a week long camp to learn more about the sport, the sled and how to get down the track.
The first couple days we spent building up to start one...remember, out of 12, only 2 of us had been down the ice track before. Then, because of the weather, we spent more time at the push track and in the gym...again, more evaluation for the coaches. It ended up being a strange week because of our friend “El Nino.” It was mid November in Lake Placid and we were unable to slide for 2 of the days because the track was too warm....even with a refrigeration system.
After the weather hiatus, we got back on the ice. But unfortunately, we couldn’t put our push practice...into practice, because none of us had brush spikes (like track spikes but over 200 very small spikes to grip the ice for the sprint at the top). This was a new rule that the track organization put into effect 3 weeks earlier. This rule meant we could only be pushed by our coaches from the top.
Regardless, we got a few “runs” from the top and started to get used to the track. All in all it was a strange week because of the weather and the uncertainty of how we were being evaluated.
The week ended with another conversation, but this was a little less formal. I was in the start house waiting to get my last run in...
Steve: Are you coming back in January?
Todd: (with surprise and not really understanding what he was asking) You tell me?
Steve: (also with surprise at my reaction) Uh...yeah...we want you to come back?
Todd: (still puzzled) for the U.S. Skeleton Development Team?
Steve: (puzzled by my reaction)Yes.
Todd: (With my first thought going to work) Uh...I don’t know. I have no idea how this would work with my job.
Steve: OK, well let’s talk later.
Todd: Ok.
Todd to internal Todd: What the hell just happened? I think I was asked to be on the Olympic Skeleton Development Team and I showed no excitement whatsoever. What’s wrong with me?
After the awkwardness of the exchange, I went out to the track to take another run. It was this minute down the track going 60+ MPH that the excitement really sunk in. Yes, I was indeed being asked to be on the Development Team...and all I could do was smile all the way down the run...even when I was slamming into the side of the track. It took some time to comprehend that I...this older, larger, non-athlete...was being asked to train on an Olympic development team. Even as I write this, it's hard to imagine.
I felt it was necessary to pull Steve aside and tell him how excited I truly was, but that I just need to figure it out with work. He completely understood and offered to help me out in any way he could.
The first couple days we spent building up to start one...remember, out of 12, only 2 of us had been down the ice track before. Then, because of the weather, we spent more time at the push track and in the gym...again, more evaluation for the coaches. It ended up being a strange week because of our friend “El Nino.” It was mid November in Lake Placid and we were unable to slide for 2 of the days because the track was too warm....even with a refrigeration system.
After the weather hiatus, we got back on the ice. But unfortunately, we couldn’t put our push practice...into practice, because none of us had brush spikes (like track spikes but over 200 very small spikes to grip the ice for the sprint at the top). This was a new rule that the track organization put into effect 3 weeks earlier. This rule meant we could only be pushed by our coaches from the top.
Regardless, we got a few “runs” from the top and started to get used to the track. All in all it was a strange week because of the weather and the uncertainty of how we were being evaluated.
The week ended with another conversation, but this was a little less formal. I was in the start house waiting to get my last run in...
Steve: Are you coming back in January?
Todd: (with surprise and not really understanding what he was asking) You tell me?
Steve: (also with surprise at my reaction) Uh...yeah...we want you to come back?
Todd: (still puzzled) for the U.S. Skeleton Development Team?
Steve: (puzzled by my reaction)Yes.
Todd: (With my first thought going to work) Uh...I don’t know. I have no idea how this would work with my job.
Steve: OK, well let’s talk later.
Todd: Ok.
Todd to internal Todd: What the hell just happened? I think I was asked to be on the Olympic Skeleton Development Team and I showed no excitement whatsoever. What’s wrong with me?
After the awkwardness of the exchange, I went out to the track to take another run. It was this minute down the track going 60+ MPH that the excitement really sunk in. Yes, I was indeed being asked to be on the Development Team...and all I could do was smile all the way down the run...even when I was slamming into the side of the track. It took some time to comprehend that I...this older, larger, non-athlete...was being asked to train on an Olympic development team. Even as I write this, it's hard to imagine.
I felt it was necessary to pull Steve aside and tell him how excited I truly was, but that I just need to figure it out with work. He completely understood and offered to help me out in any way he could.
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