Hey Everybody, hopefully gonna get an update on the US World Cup Qualifiers tonight :)

UPDATE: Ahh, sorry guys, I've been really busy today but I'll try to do a better
recap tomorrow. Until then, here's the results from today's 1500 meter qualifier, there were 5 spots so I made the team! (I took second, although two of the skaters disqualified had better times than me. But I still would have qualified anyways)

First Time Trials of the year last Friday (Oct. 10)

Already raced a 500 meters and 3k at last week's "time trials" after just about four weeks of training on the ice. And coming from some great off-ice training this summer, I was already able to see some big improvements in these races–which included crushing a personal best time in the 3k. So cool!

Olu Sijuwade also recorded all of the time trial races in a 15 minute video I put up below. My 500 meters begins at minute 4:12, and my 3,000 meters at minute 14:14 (navy skinsuit, white boots). Thanks Olu!

500m (Milwaukee PB from 2/28/14)                               37.05

500m (Oct. 10th time trials)                                        37.29 (2nd best 500m in Milwaukee)

3,000m (Previous Milwaukee PB from 9/28/13)               3:57.63

3,000m (Oct. 10th time trials)                                     3:53.08 (new PB)

I know these times may be confusing to some of you but if you do understand then you'll know why I'd be happy starting off a season like this–as racing in the beginning of the season often starts off slow.

Milwaukee Long Track Masters Camp (Sept. 25–28)

Coach and I, along with Matt Hickson and Bruce Connor, had the privilage to coach a clinic for masters skaters last weekend. Still not sure how many of you all came, 30–35? It was so fun to be around a bunch of older kids that love skating and worked with such concentration to improve their technique–you guys are what skating is all about (Trish, I still say you gotta chill out cause you were so focused that your face always looked angry haha). Also, I wasn't sure how coaching on my legs all day and continuing to train would work but I was still able to pull off some great workouts! And of course, thanks Glenn Corsoe for setting up the who shebang.

Thanks Peter Haeussler for the photos!

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).