The luge season has officially come to a close!
by Erin Hamlin / March 17, 2009
March 14, 2009
OK, not completely. We still have the opportunity to slide until the end of April, but with all of our competitions over, it feels like we are done.
After two weeks of early, cold mornings, it was a wonderful feeling not setting the alarm last night. Racing ended yesterday afternoon, and it was a successful two days.
The first seeding race was held on Friday. Bright and early at 8 a.m. and with two consistent runs, I finished first. It was good getting that first race of the weekend out of the way. I did feel a little extra pressure since I won here a few weeks ago…in a much bigger race. It definitely didn’t mean I could easily win. Our women’s team is very strong right now, so I definitely had to work for it. Saturday morning provided perfect conditions for racing: clear and cold. No wind. The track has been in better shape than it was, but it still offered some fast times. My first run was a little under two-tenths of a second from the track record I set in Worlds.
Another two solid runs later, and I claimed the National Championship crown. The close racing and fast times that ran pretty deep in the field are a very good sign for the future of the women’s team, which is exciting.
Along with our National races, we did some physical testing at the beginning of the week. It is always tough this time of year because a luge season takes such a toll on the body. New components are being added this year, and it was interesting to test them out. Mostly being more sports specific, hopefully they help us work toward making more improvements throughout the summer.
I managed to get a little skiing in while my family was up here for the race, which was a good break from the luge schedule. New to the sport of Telemark skiing, I quickly realized why my dad had complained of having sore legs for so long while he was learning. It is a serious workout! Even after spending the majority of my time on the bunny hill.
From here, I will probably take a few days off from sliding to recoup. Spending my time doing homework and spring cleaning (my room looks like a minor natural disaster has hit it), and getting some good workouts in.
Although it does feel sort of nice, it is very hard to believe the racing season is over already, and spring officially starts in a week. Every year seems to go by faster and faster. Another summer of prepping for an Olympic season, and it really feels like Torino was a year ago. How time flies…
OK, not completely. We still have the opportunity to slide until the end of April, but with all of our competitions over, it feels like we are done.
After two weeks of early, cold mornings, it was a wonderful feeling not setting the alarm last night. Racing ended yesterday afternoon, and it was a successful two days.
The first seeding race was held on Friday. Bright and early at 8 a.m. and with two consistent runs, I finished first. It was good getting that first race of the weekend out of the way. I did feel a little extra pressure since I won here a few weeks ago…in a much bigger race. It definitely didn’t mean I could easily win. Our women’s team is very strong right now, so I definitely had to work for it. Saturday morning provided perfect conditions for racing: clear and cold. No wind. The track has been in better shape than it was, but it still offered some fast times. My first run was a little under two-tenths of a second from the track record I set in Worlds.
Another two solid runs later, and I claimed the National Championship crown. The close racing and fast times that ran pretty deep in the field are a very good sign for the future of the women’s team, which is exciting.
Along with our National races, we did some physical testing at the beginning of the week. It is always tough this time of year because a luge season takes such a toll on the body. New components are being added this year, and it was interesting to test them out. Mostly being more sports specific, hopefully they help us work toward making more improvements throughout the summer.
I managed to get a little skiing in while my family was up here for the race, which was a good break from the luge schedule. New to the sport of Telemark skiing, I quickly realized why my dad had complained of having sore legs for so long while he was learning. It is a serious workout! Even after spending the majority of my time on the bunny hill.
From here, I will probably take a few days off from sliding to recoup. Spending my time doing homework and spring cleaning (my room looks like a minor natural disaster has hit it), and getting some good workouts in.
Although it does feel sort of nice, it is very hard to believe the racing season is over already, and spring officially starts in a week. Every year seems to go by faster and faster. Another summer of prepping for an Olympic season, and it really feels like Torino was a year ago. How time flies…
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Blog Description
For the next four weeks, Erin Hamlin will be keeping us updated on her latest happenings as she makes her way to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
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