Hello Hello!
I just got back from an amazing two weeks of training in San Francisco. It was sooooooo windy there! We had an average of 18-25 knots everyday. We chose this location because Luther and I felt that it would be good training for the ISAF Worlds in Perth, Australia. I know the Worlds are a long way out, but this training gave us a good foundation on things I needed to work on and where I am with my fitness and weight.
The training camp consisted of Luther, myself, Tania (Mexico), and Isabella (Canada). We also had up and coming sailors Christine, Mitchell and Drake join us for a few days. We all have our own specialties so it made conditions ideal for us to learn off one another.
This training camp was extremely demanding physically and mentally. Sailing over a two week period in 18+ knots can become very draining. My goal for the camp was to push myself until the breaking point. I gave 100% everyday on the water. I knew that the harder I worked the better I would do in Perth.
I learned a lot at this camp, but most important I saw that all of the pain, work in the gym, protein shakes galore and food I ate to gain my weight has paid off. It has taken me over two years to gain 22 pounds and I am starting to see results. It all started with the windy day in England. I had some great results in the breeze and since then I have seen improvements. In San Fran, I felt stronger, more powerful and my endurance was better. I feel in complete control of the boat in hiking conditions. I don't struggle anymore when Luther tells me to add something new to my technique. When December comes I am going to be rock solid in my mind and body so I can bring my A game to the Worlds. Luther and I feel I am on the right track and in time I will be 100% ready.
I am currently back in Clearwater, Florida for a little bit of R&R. I am back to my weight/cardio training program, but I have added some fun activities to do rather then sailing. My brother and I went rock climbing on Sunday and will go back Friday night. I am also going to do lots of biking and get out on my windsurfer (if the wind is up). I believe it is important to do other sports besides sailing because it keeps me fresh and wanting to return back to my boat. It also doesn't hurt that you get a workout doing them too.
My life gets very busy next week. I am off to work with Sperry Topsiders and then head to Colorado Springs for a fitness camp with the US Sailing Team Alphagraphics. When I return home I will have one day until I leave for Mexico to compete in the Pan American Games. I will write later with the website and details. The Pan Am Games are every four years and the last time I competed in them was 2007. We were in Rio de Janeiro and I managed to claim the Gold medal. So, I'm going to Mexico to defend my title!
I will take photos of the US Olympic Training facility so you can see what it looks like!
To see photos from the training in San Fran please visit the link:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.210865642313416.56467.134272439972737&type=1
