Tuesday, June 14, 2011

USACK Slalom Director Named

Congratulations to Richard Perlmutter! 
Mr. Perlmutter was recently named the new Slalom Director for USA Canoe/Kayak.  He will be a guiding light for the slalom community through his focused efforts on regional clubs, development programs, and focused fundraising.  Having been involved in slalom for over a decade, with experience in every role within the organization, Mr. Perlmutter is a qualified representative of the sport.
Congratulations again Mr. Perlmutter!  We look forward to four years of growth and excellence through sport!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Happy

Today I was happy.  Now, I am normally a very happy person.  Don't get me wrong.  But I woke up this morning with a long list of things to do and just smiled.  I was happy and life was light and airy.  Now that is not to say that everything was in order and life made sense...it was just a good day.  I started my day right away and then got in my car to run errands all the while singing to myself and smiling.  I paddled...not necessarily like a rock star.  In fact I struggled.  And I had the same internal struggle about my life in flux that I have been having for a bit while pushing to get to the next step.
But for a moment I was content to roll the windows down, crank up the music, sing at the top of my lungs, and smile behind my sunglasses.
Days like this are amazing and rare.  You should always share them.

Monday, April 4, 2011

It's A Beautiful Morning

It is sunny, breezy, and 85 degrees here in Charlotte, NC.  I can't say that I could ask for more of a perfect day to paddle, except that it is my day off and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Once again, I have been remiss in keeping up with everything that has been going on.  I came back to the east coast mid-February just in time for the NOC Glacier Breaker, the US spring season opener.  Since then has been a blur of training and racing.  So far this spring I have raced at the NOC Glacier Breaker, Charlotte Spring Opener, and US Open.  I will go so far as to say that I raced each day.  I am not overly pleased with my lack of performance, but it is a process that I am learning to embrace, although I am constantly chomping at the bit to jump ahead of myself and be faster (who could ever imagine a competitive athlete wanting that?).

Most recently I hurt my left shoulder.  I'm not sure how.  I raced last weekend at the US Open, came home and woke up on Monday (my day off) with a very sore shoulder.  I let it rest the entire week, which translated to a very high strung, antsy athlete that was sick of the treadmill.  Saturday and Sunday were my first days back on the water.  It felt great.  I could not stop smiling or demanding perfection of myself, per usual.

The US National Team Selection Race is quickly approaching (a week and a half away).  It is interesting mentally to start to realize that the day that you have trained for all spring is actually here.  For me it started when the other girls began to appear on the water a little earlier this spring.  Now it is that they are here to stay until everything is decided.  I cannot say I am not nervous.  In fact I am petrified.  I am so much better in my kayak this year.  Although I have backed off on the speed, I have been much better at executing.  The canoe, however, is a totally different animal.  I am still exploring the course and my own limits.  Being so new to a canoe (as in a few months new!) I am also still learning different pieces of different skills.  The doubt in my mind is whether or not I can put it all together when it counts.  Here's to a hail mary and a great big smile!
These Smiles will do! Buddy, Littlest Lucy, and Me - 2011 US Open

Monday, January 3, 2011

Happy...

New Year and Merry Christmas!
I am well aware that I am late on all of my holiday wishes for everyone, but I have just been having too much fun.  Very Seriously!
I spent a fabulous Christmas with my family and my mother's family in southern New Mexico where it was constantly in the 50s.
Now that I have once again returned to Colorado to take advantage of the water, I have been snowed in for the first time in several years by feet of snow in a single night, joined heckling efforts with Coach Cathy Hearn, wiped out spread eagle style twice in the middle of the street while trying to get to the river for a practice in said snow storm, been honked at for driving slowly on ice covered roads merely because the license plate on my Dad's car is from Texas, set a new low temperature training record of -4F (a workout which all the boys conveniently decided not to attend), met some pretty awesome people - mostly the infamous little brother Billy Hearn (warning to all: we have discussed pranks and I am trying to convince him to test out several), and tried some new recipes that may have killed a few people along the way.  In summary, the training of a lifetime!

Girls Only Workout Smelter, Durango, Co: -4F
Marci Cary, Catie Vuksich (Me), Cathy Hearn, Mini Hearn

The boats got so covered with ice that after 31 short courses we had to call it quits.
Cathy Hearn, Mini Hearn, Catie Vuksich (Me), Marci Cary

Who knew it would be better to paddle bare-handed in this weather.

All photo credits to Billy Hearn, self entitled Peanut Gallery and Cold Weather Heckling Support Team