Saturday, August 13, 2011

Conclusion Pre-Olympics

Bronze it is!!!!!!!!!!!

I, along with my coach, family and team are soooooo excited about getting a bronze at this event. It's not just the medal that means a lot, it's the fact that I finally had my breakthrough in Weymouth. I have had many mental challenges with this sailing area. I was facing many set backs and constantly fighting the feeling of being disheartened. I felt like I would make progress in one area then find out I was weak in another. It seemed that it was just one thing after another. I kept telling myself to keep strong because I was so close to crossing the line from unlucky to knowing/understanding how to sail here. This is one area where my coach Luther has made a huge impact on me. When he noticed I was feeling a little down he would keep encouraging me, put me back to work, do the task again until I understood, or state the positive out of the situation. This has definitely been a team success because I couldn't of done it without him.

I started the week off just okay. I had many opportunities to have good results, but I would make a tactical error. The tactics are completely different compared to North America. I have had to make some major adjustments with the way I see things and how I would react to them. These type of conditions have always been a weak area of my sailing, so I am really happy to see I am finally conquering them. I believe this Olympics is a huge test for me. It is pushing me both physically and mentally, so if I were to win a Gold next year then it would mean so much more.

Anyways, I did a lot of analyzing of the area, races, my decisions and forced myself to admit and face my mistakes. If I want to learn then I can't run or make excuses for myself. Towards the end of the week I started to feel more and more confident on how to get upwind and in the last few races we saw a major improvement in my tactics.

Going into the last two races I had a 1-4 point lead on the three boats behind me. The forecast was calling for big breeze (18-25) which had me really strung out. Krystal (Aus), Annalise (Ire), and Sari (Fin) all are very impressive in the breeze. Besides Marit (Ned) and Evi (Bel) these three girls are some of my biggest competitors in the wind. The night before I was internally upset that it would be so windy. About 25% of me was wondering how I was going to beat them. After I talked to a friend from home and my brother Zachary, I told myself it was time to stop wondering/doubting and just get to it. I accepted the feelings and let myself realize that this was how I felt...I wasn't going to box it up or push it down (that usually spells disaster).

I believe the crucial part is how you act after the realization of your emotions/thinking. What am I going to do about it? Let them consume me or will I change the way I think and re-act? I believe strongly that we create our own suffering within our minds. So I said, "Paige this is enough," I can't control how others sail/act, but I can control Paige. I went out sailing the next day confident in what I had learned, my fitness, my own sailing abilities and I gave everything I had. I didn't doubt my decisions or how I was hiking upwind. I finished the day with a 1, 1 and had a 30 sec and 1 minute lead in the two races.  Those results guaranteed me a bronze and a chance at the silver!

The medal race was so fun! Evi (Bel) and I started out match racing. A foul was called and I managed to position her on the line where I wanted her to start. Evi is a fast sailor and managed to come back which took away my opportunity at a silver. O well! There are more events!

I go home on Monday and I can't wait! I get ten days off where I don't have to sail, train in the gym or be diligent with my eating..........it only took 8 months for me to finally get away from any training. haha. I am taking complete advantage of this opportunity! What should I do??? Lay on the beach one day? Fish with Zach the other?  = )

PS Check out my facebook Paige Railey 2012 to see photos from the event.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.187163551350292.50770.134272439972737

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Portland International Regatta (Pre-Olympics)

Tomorrow is the first day of racing at the Pre-Olympics. I'm pretty excited to be competing, but a little nervous about the big breeze that we are suppose to be experiencing. It has been a long time since all of us have raced in wind, so hopefully I have done the correct physical training to have me prepared. Luther has full confidence in my physical shape. He's one of my biggest critics, so if he is pumped about my shape then it encourages me to go out and their and give it my all.

I'm going to treat this event just like all the others. One race at a time, focus on the here and now and not worry about the end result. Of course the goal is to walk away winning, but for now my focus is on the present moment. I'm really excited and I can't wait to show the sailing community a part of what I am going to present at the Games.

Our first race is at 12:00 pm. You can follow live tracking, results, tweets etc on these sites.

http://olympics.ussailing.org/
http://www.sailing.org/london2012/2011-test-event.php  (this will have the live racing)

I have to go because my physio wants me to take an ice bath....NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!