Photos from the first two days on ice last week

As of today I've been on the ice for a total of seven workouts over two weeks. Six on my own. The cool thing is that I've already skated some of my best practices ever, WOOHOO. Thanks to all of the inliners I've been skating with on Team Rainbo in Illinois! I also want to say thanks to Paul Golomski at the Pettit for rigging up a sweet timing system and monitor (second to last photo) for the skaters, it's been fun using it.

First Day Of Ice For Us All In Milwaukee Yesterday. Let's get it!

I'll be putting up some pics soon of the first few days on ice but before I can get back to my computer to do that, here's a couple examples of some skating exercises that's been part of my dryland workouts this summer.

Those exercises are just a small part of a workout that is a small part of my summer training that is just a small part of all the work I've put into speedskating. This summer I've had ample time to reflect on my future in speedskating and WHY I do it. What is the importance of training myself in such a self-centered regimen? Especially when you're never guaranteed results but only hope for them. From what in speedskating do I feel joy? (And it's not going fast because 35 mph on the ice seems slow after many years of doing it). Does God enjoy speedskating and watching speedskaters? How do spiritual matters and sport relate? These are some of the questions countless athletes are confronted with and I want to eventually post a response to them here.

Looking into the beginning of this season, I hope for two things; to be feel joy as I push myself hard on the ice over the next few months and that I can trust God to work everything for good, an abundant good–in winning and losing. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," (Eph. 3:20 NIV).

TSP Bandanas 2.0

So last year's bandanas looked like this. I just wanted to screen-print my own bandana that looked cooler than all those typical paisley ones, right?

I made about 40 in total but ran out with people asking me about more so I decided to try and create a different design and print a few more this summer. I wasn't sure where to start so I just went with some ideas and sketches I'd made throughout the year in order to be ready for a two week window I had to print them. I experimented with different colors and design combos to come up with a final design that could stand on it's own (like a poster) but also show creative shapes when folded up to wear. Basically I want to make the coolest bandanas out there (although I don't think I'm totally there yet). 

As you can see, the "ovalesque" design came from the original oval design (with little TSP logos making up the small pattern) and the thick, geometric lines spell out "USA."

SO HERE'S THE RESULT!

SOME EXAMPLES OF SHAPES CREATED WHEN FOLDED UP

AND SOME CLOSE UPS

SO HERE'S THE DEAL.

There are about 100 bandanas left and I'll be selling them for $15. I would really prefer that I see you in person to get one to you because it'll be difficult if I have to ship a bunch. So if you let me know which one you'd like, I can write a list and set the bandana aside until I see you next or I can ship it if it I'm not going to be seeing you in the near future. The designs to chose from are shown above and I have anywhere from 1 to 10 of each—but the cool designs are going fast so first come first serve!

EMAIL ME AT:       jpeltzspeedskater@gmail.com

EGYPT in just hours now!

The team: Jeremy, Wendy, me, Debbie, Tiffany, Claudia, Brian and Amber

We are in London {Heathrow} and waiting for our last leg flight to Cairo, Egypt...cannot update you quite yet on this summer's internship as it will take more than this short layover to truly give you an insight into the incredible summer I have had so far working out of North Coast Calvary Chapel. The people and connections I have experienced in the last months have blown my mind...as have others that have witnessed the connections I've made this summer, even if it was the sole purpose to make me feel less homesick and more at home.

But here is the short update on our team and where we are/what we are doing...

This trip: in London at the moment and heading to Cairo in an hour for 2 weeks. Going to Manhari, a village where the church family at North Coast Calvary Chapel sponsor kids and where the ministry Healing Grace focuses on helping turn around the cycle of poverty there. And then we will be coaching at a sports camp in Wadi the last week of our trip...and I will be coaching American football, haha. Still cannot believe I will be next to the pyramids in just over 5 hours, but I am so stoked to be once again being the hands and feet of God and serving alongside my Team members who are continually amazing me as I am slowly learning more and more about who they are and the journey God has taken them on in life. Love listening to people's perspective on life...

Ok, internet time is about to go out....bye for now. next time from Cairo.

God Bless,
Nancy Jr.

1 Corinthians 9:25

Summer training and other things

Heyy everybody. I know it's been a few months since we've gotten a post up (says every blogger always) but we haven't forgotten our little place here and as this next season approaches fast we'll keep you all in the loop.

SO WHAT'S GOING ON?

Nancy is still in the middle of her sports ministry internship in southern California and is very busy but loving every bit of it. No doubt she's got the energy to outlast those kids she's working with.

Also, as Nancy said in her previous post (from May), jumping back into a semester at Wheaton College was tough but important to keep training ourselves in other areas of life. We actually did take a class together called Christian Proclamation—basically a speech class–that had us giving talks in front of class trying not to laugh at each other. It was also sweet to have little bro Johnny (6 years younger than me) as a freshman baseball/football player at Wheaton too!

As for me, I've been training hard again since May with my favorite coach for the upcoming season. But the big difference for this year is that I'll be doing a lot of my training on my own since Nancy and Bri will be in college ... nooooo! (Brian at the University of Colorado Boulder). That means it's going to take extra motivation to, well, stay motivated. In May, I added inline speedskating as an integral training element to hopefully fill a gap in my endurance and strength on the ice. Big shout out to Illinois' Team Rainbo for some great training sessions already this summer! You guys are pushing me hard and I'm impressed with all your dedication.

Team Rainbo and me in the blue

Inlining last Saturday in Arkansas

ONE LAST THING.

Since the beginning, we as a team have been trying to change this sport for the better—advocating for the unrepresented athlete, helping younger athletes think big, standing up for what's right and condemning what's wrong, encouraging others and hopefully being seen as good examples to follow. Yet for years, USSpeedskating continues to take unfair actions directly against our coach and team as well as independent athletes across the country. USSpeedskating needs to realize that independent coaches and skaters—if dealt with fairly and respectfully—can only enhance their own image as an organization in the eyes of sponsors and the public.