Unable to convince any friends that this was a good idea, I was left to make the 5 hour drive (4 1/2 if I’m driving) to Lake Placid so that I could hurl myself down an ice chute at speeds of 70-75 miles an hour...which is only fitting since 73 MPH was the speed I was going when I got a speeding ticket on the way up.
After 4+ hours and just outside of Lake Placid, my ipod shuffled me the gift of John William’s “The Olympic Spirit.” It was an amazing experience to drive into the Olympic Training Center with the snow coming down and this song playing. It’s an unexpected ritual that I continue every time I go up to Lake Placid.
I checked in and began meeting my fellow campers. My first assumption (that I might be the oldest one there) was entirely wrong, as I was joined by adventure seekers from ages 34 to 52. It was an obscure, but fun group....some with whom I still keep in touch. (see picture 1 above)
The camp was led by Steve Peters, and coached by Orvie Garrett, the current Olympic Coach. We were also joined by national team athletes Courtney, Keslie and Marci. Being coached by, and learning from, this group of people was the best part of the camp. Their willingness to share their sport with our motley crew was an amazing experience and so much appreciated.
So, here we are...Thursday...the first day of camp, on our way to the track for our first slide. Armed with about 9 minutes of instruction, we sprint and jump on the sled flying perilously down the track. (Read: we lay down on the sled, Steve slooooooowly pushes us to get us moving and we cruise down the track from Start 5, the last 20% of the track).
The weekend progresses and we learn more about the sport, practice indoors (picture 2 above) on a piece of wood with rollerblade wheels, an eventually move our way up the track to Start 4, then 3.
On Saturday night, our last night of sliding, we are told that “we’re ready” to tackle Start 1...the top of the track. Again with the snow coming down, each of us take off like lightning from the starting block. The only problem is that, with one exception, none of us have track spikes. So, as much as we wanted to take off like lightning, we looked more like grandpa.
Even still, I remember that first run as being one of the most thrilling minutes of my life. (pictures 3, 4)
At one point in the weekend, I talked with Steve about future possibilities of continuing in the sport. The challenges that I faced were my age (29) and size (6’4”, 215 lbs.). He did mention that the gold and silver medalist from Torino were my size and in their late 30s, so it wasn’t impossible. He told me to keep in touch and if there was room at a Skeleton Push Camp he’d let me know. I’m not sure if he meant it or not, but I was I was sure to take him up on his offer.
After 4+ hours and just outside of Lake Placid, my ipod shuffled me the gift of John William’s “The Olympic Spirit.” It was an amazing experience to drive into the Olympic Training Center with the snow coming down and this song playing. It’s an unexpected ritual that I continue every time I go up to Lake Placid.
I checked in and began meeting my fellow campers. My first assumption (that I might be the oldest one there) was entirely wrong, as I was joined by adventure seekers from ages 34 to 52. It was an obscure, but fun group....some with whom I still keep in touch. (see picture 1 above)
The camp was led by Steve Peters, and coached by Orvie Garrett, the current Olympic Coach. We were also joined by national team athletes Courtney, Keslie and Marci. Being coached by, and learning from, this group of people was the best part of the camp. Their willingness to share their sport with our motley crew was an amazing experience and so much appreciated.
So, here we are...Thursday...the first day of camp, on our way to the track for our first slide. Armed with about 9 minutes of instruction, we sprint and jump on the sled flying perilously down the track. (Read: we lay down on the sled, Steve slooooooowly pushes us to get us moving and we cruise down the track from Start 5, the last 20% of the track).
The weekend progresses and we learn more about the sport, practice indoors (picture 2 above) on a piece of wood with rollerblade wheels, an eventually move our way up the track to Start 4, then 3.
On Saturday night, our last night of sliding, we are told that “we’re ready” to tackle Start 1...the top of the track. Again with the snow coming down, each of us take off like lightning from the starting block. The only problem is that, with one exception, none of us have track spikes. So, as much as we wanted to take off like lightning, we looked more like grandpa.
Even still, I remember that first run as being one of the most thrilling minutes of my life. (pictures 3, 4)
At one point in the weekend, I talked with Steve about future possibilities of continuing in the sport. The challenges that I faced were my age (29) and size (6’4”, 215 lbs.). He did mention that the gold and silver medalist from Torino were my size and in their late 30s, so it wasn’t impossible. He told me to keep in touch and if there was room at a Skeleton Push Camp he’d let me know. I’m not sure if he meant it or not, but I was I was sure to take him up on his offer.
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