Day 3 of training camp

On day 3, I felt like a truck had run me over.  I think exhaustion hit and my body had finally caught up to me.  It was Wednesday and I knew, I didn’t have to borrow anyone’s shorts today because today was the day my package would arrive.  I felt bad I had to borrow my teammates shorts, but you do what you have to do to make the US National team right?

The day started out with a nice healthy breakfast and my daily routine at the gym.  I continued to work very hard at all the different combine events such as the flying sprints, the shot toss and clean lifts.  I was making progress and noticed that the coaches were in the corner watching from a distance.  I tried not to be nervous, but you just can’t help feeling their eyes burning on your back as you start your routine.   Eventually they ventured over to me.  They hadn’t pulled me aside before, but I am assuming it’s because I had pants and now I was wearing the borrowed shorts and they saw the massive calves I had. 

The Coaches said I had a lot of potential for the skeleton and that I should start focusing on that because I did not have the height for the bobsled.  They said that I could continue with the bobsled routine however it would take me much longer to get to the point the other girls were at because they had 2-3 inches of muscle to push the 600 pound sled. 

Since I had done the skeleton and felt as if I was in control, I had to agree with them.  This was my way to get on the national team and do it all on my own.  At the back of my mind I still wanted to try the bobsled to see if perhaps it would inspire me to stay with the program

After Lunch I had some time to run by to see if my package had arrived.  I desperately needed my shorts because my testing was to begin tomorrow and I wanted to feel like a whole person again.  Sure enough there was my package from FED-EX waiting for me to open.  To my surprise a card fell out of the bag along with my shorts.  I anxiously peeled the card apart and there in the letter was a big picture of Michelle and Piper (my dog) with the lettering “Anja’s #1 Fan.”  That wasn’t the end of it…… As I open the card Tina Turner belted out “You are simply the best.”

 I turned several shades of red since I had no idea what was happening.  The group I was with could not contain themselves.  Michelle had done it again.  She always has a way to find the right way to calm me down in stressful situation and this one hit a straight to my heart.  With my new found motivation I changed and readied myself for the skeleton

Once we arrived at the track I was ready to slide.  I had finally memorized the track and felt much more comfortable then the two previous days.  They had also moved us back two more stops so I would be sliding for a much longer time period.  Since I was further back I had the need for speed and I sure did.  I was at a cursing speed of 60 miles an hour.  A couple of curves, I barely nudged the lip of the track and came out wearing some neat bruises but it show that I had a good time. 

Anja's need for Speed