I have made it to Beijing. Over the last couple of days I have been inprocessing and traveling my way over here.
My fist stop was San Jose were I recieved some briefings and all my apparel. Ralph Lauren and Nike donated some really nice things. I got to see what the Olympic ring will look like. I am really excited for the leather Jacket Nike is offering. We stayed at San Jose State. I have been to San Jose a couple of times but this campus seemed really nice. Maybe I just welcomed my own room and very little noise.
The last couple of months have been crazy it was good to have a little down time. I flew over with some coaches and Womens Saber and Foil. Everyone seems really excited. I was lucky to be able to use one of my upgrades so I could fly business over. Business makes a 12 hour flight seem so much quicker. The one thing I found strange is that they served Korean beef on a flight to China.
I am in the village now. My room is amazing. There is really nice laminate flooring. The shower is the size of my bedroom at the Olympic training center. The beds have been made extra long for me so my feet dont hang over the edge. The whole village is very nice. The building are all interesting and modern. The food last night was tasty. I had some fish in curry and chicken fried with nuts. There is ice cream (A personal favorite of mine) and a very long an varried salad bar.
So far everything has gone really well. I am about to head out to our practice venue Beijing Normal University.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Getting Ready
Well the last two weeks have gone by really quickly. I have been prepping for Beijing. This part of the season always seems to fly by. Cody and I have been doing are new directed practices. Kelly Hurley has been training with us as well. While I have been training hard I have managed to have some fun.
Today after practice. I headed out with Paige and Cody to go for a hike in the mountains. Despite some lightning and some pretty consistent rain we scrambled to the top of an unnamed crag. The weather cleared for our summit. The view from the top was really incredible. The lighting and the lush forest contrasted with the tree line made for outstanding views. There is a Mennonite camp on the road we came up. I think they picked well.
Normally we would cook out but do to the rain we enjoyed a nice mexican meal instead. I will post some pictures after my internet is fixed. I leave for Beijing on Monday. I will try and update when I am in China.
Today after practice. I headed out with Paige and Cody to go for a hike in the mountains. Despite some lightning and some pretty consistent rain we scrambled to the top of an unnamed crag. The weather cleared for our summit. The view from the top was really incredible. The lighting and the lush forest contrasted with the tree line made for outstanding views. There is a Mennonite camp on the road we came up. I think they picked well.
Normally we would cook out but do to the rain we enjoyed a nice mexican meal instead. I will post some pictures after my internet is fixed. I leave for Beijing on Monday. I will try and update when I am in China.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Team Event at Zonals
I am back in the US Despite being extremely groggy earlier from my very early flight from Mexico. The team event went okay. We beat all the teams we were supposed to and lost to Canada. In the end we took home a bronze medal.
Team events are so different than individual events. It is impossible to tell whether a fencer will be good fencing team even knowing their individual skill. In addition it takes awhile for the team members and coach to get comfortable with each other to trust each other.
We were fortunate this time. Soren Thompson (2004 Olympian) and Benji Ungar (2007 World Team Member) couldnt make it so Eric Hansen came. Eric is an accomplished fencer who has now switched over to coaching more. We were excited to have him back on the team after a couple of years. We had all fenced with him on team before the 2004 games.
I think the 3 most important lessons from the team event are: learning to fence team takes time, often the less experienced fencer can give you the most trouble, and even if the odds are 90 percent in your favor you still lose one in ten.
In the final bout for bronze we let the top Junior Jonathan Yergler fence. He has done well domestically and is just starting his international career. Fencing Argentina he seemed to struggle. The first instinct is to pull him out. However the team agreed that it was better to let him work out the kinks. Cody and I were both cofident that we cold keep the match close enough that I would have ample room to win in the end. Yergler felt that he learned a number of things and was thankful that we left him in. I think with time he could be a very good fencer.
One of the things that fencing in the NCAA tournaments was that less experienced fencers dont react the way one should. This can really mess people up. I have been caught in it a number of times myself. Fencing the Domincan Republic I needed to exercise these lessons. The domincans are very physical but lack the international experience. If you dont pay attention you can quickly lose. I find that it is best to do simple strong actions to the body with less experienced fencers. If they change and simple doesnt work anymore then move on to something more complicated.
In our bout against Canada we fell behind early but slowly tied it towards the end. Being tied in the second to last bout I felt we identified a mismatch. Cody was fencing little Igor from Canada. I think 9 out of ten times Cody would have scored many single lights. However for some reason was a little off and fell behind. Eventually finding his groove he made some touches back but ran out of time. Being behind 3 touches I did my best but was unable to make up ground against Tigram. While I still believe this to be the right decision some people will always second guess. As Patton said "A good plan today, is better than a perfect plan tomorrow."
Team events are so different than individual events. It is impossible to tell whether a fencer will be good fencing team even knowing their individual skill. In addition it takes awhile for the team members and coach to get comfortable with each other to trust each other.
We were fortunate this time. Soren Thompson (2004 Olympian) and Benji Ungar (2007 World Team Member) couldnt make it so Eric Hansen came. Eric is an accomplished fencer who has now switched over to coaching more. We were excited to have him back on the team after a couple of years. We had all fenced with him on team before the 2004 games.
I think the 3 most important lessons from the team event are: learning to fence team takes time, often the less experienced fencer can give you the most trouble, and even if the odds are 90 percent in your favor you still lose one in ten.
In the final bout for bronze we let the top Junior Jonathan Yergler fence. He has done well domestically and is just starting his international career. Fencing Argentina he seemed to struggle. The first instinct is to pull him out. However the team agreed that it was better to let him work out the kinks. Cody and I were both cofident that we cold keep the match close enough that I would have ample room to win in the end. Yergler felt that he learned a number of things and was thankful that we left him in. I think with time he could be a very good fencer.
One of the things that fencing in the NCAA tournaments was that less experienced fencers dont react the way one should. This can really mess people up. I have been caught in it a number of times myself. Fencing the Domincan Republic I needed to exercise these lessons. The domincans are very physical but lack the international experience. If you dont pay attention you can quickly lose. I find that it is best to do simple strong actions to the body with less experienced fencers. If they change and simple doesnt work anymore then move on to something more complicated.
In our bout against Canada we fell behind early but slowly tied it towards the end. Being tied in the second to last bout I felt we identified a mismatch. Cody was fencing little Igor from Canada. I think 9 out of ten times Cody would have scored many single lights. However for some reason was a little off and fell behind. Eventually finding his groove he made some touches back but ran out of time. Being behind 3 touches I did my best but was unable to make up ground against Tigram. While I still believe this to be the right decision some people will always second guess. As Patton said "A good plan today, is better than a perfect plan tomorrow."
Bend, Wedding, 4th of July, Nike+, Beacon Rock
Nike + Band
Central Oregon near Bend. Not very picturesque though
Paige and Me looking our best at the Wedding
Rockets are the best on the 4th.
Beacon Rock from the base.
Mt Hood
Friday, July 11, 2008
Ruins of Mexico and Chips and Salsa
On our day off the epee team decided to go for a little tour. Starting out going to town Cody and I made the spur of the moment decision to go to some close ruins. It all started out so well. The drive was nice. We got to see the countryside with all of its half built houses and plethora of animals. Mexico's countryside is very beautiful. Sweeping valleys and verdant green. The road is dotted with agave and almost every space crowed with maiz. The only thing breaking up the landscape was the cinder block houses, rising mountains, and pexmex petrol stations.
After our 4 hour two lane road adventure we arrived at the great ruin(no small feet considering the way is not really marked at all). Much to our surprise the great ruin of tlaxiclocua(sp?) near toluca is merely a small stone structure. Like a really big closet for the Aztec king. We would have toured the site but the gaurd insisted that it was after five and that he couldnt let us in because it would be a bad example for the locals.
Dissapointed and dejected we head home with me at the wheel instead. Despite a little rain and a overturned semi (so many trucks on this super small road) we made it back in 3 hours. Thirty and read for dinner we headed to the trusty porton reastaurant. They serve mexican food in a family atmosphere. Weary from the road we order beers. Since I speak spanish I order for us. After ordering the beer I thought she asked me if I wanted lime, salt, and chips. I said sure chips and salsa would be great. When the beer came I knew I had made a grave mistake. What we got was essentially a bloody mary mix minus the tomato juice with a salted rim mixed with our beer. It was horrible. So bad in fact that powering through it as quick as possible was the only way to get it down. I did feel very full afterwards though. The rest of the meal was good and we all headed to bed.
The day while dissapointing in many ways did offer some good points. Lunch at the hotel was great. The epee team got to bond a little. I know feel that I have seen the real countryside of mexico.
After our 4 hour two lane road adventure we arrived at the great ruin(no small feet considering the way is not really marked at all). Much to our surprise the great ruin of tlaxiclocua(sp?) near toluca is merely a small stone structure. Like a really big closet for the Aztec king. We would have toured the site but the gaurd insisted that it was after five and that he couldnt let us in because it would be a bad example for the locals.
Dissapointed and dejected we head home with me at the wheel instead. Despite a little rain and a overturned semi (so many trucks on this super small road) we made it back in 3 hours. Thirty and read for dinner we headed to the trusty porton reastaurant. They serve mexican food in a family atmosphere. Weary from the road we order beers. Since I speak spanish I order for us. After ordering the beer I thought she asked me if I wanted lime, salt, and chips. I said sure chips and salsa would be great. When the beer came I knew I had made a grave mistake. What we got was essentially a bloody mary mix minus the tomato juice with a salted rim mixed with our beer. It was horrible. So bad in fact that powering through it as quick as possible was the only way to get it down. I did feel very full afterwards though. The rest of the meal was good and we all headed to bed.
The day while dissapointing in many ways did offer some good points. Lunch at the hotel was great. The epee team got to bond a little. I know feel that I have seen the real countryside of mexico.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Zonal Championships Queretaro Mexico and Wedding
Sunday before I left for Mexico Paige and I went to a gorgeous wedding down in Sunriver OR. The ceremony was outside underneath a small arbor made by the brides brother from branches. The weather was perfectly warm and we enjoyed a perfect view of the cascade range. The reception in the Great Hall was fantastic.
The Great Hall is log built and just beautiful. Adorned with white christmas tree lights and the tables set I knew thing were going to be good. After open bar we were served a blueberry and green salad. I got a pork chop that had been cooked to perfection. Perfectly tender and lightly glazed with a raisan or apricot glaze. I was really fantastic. The bride looked as happy as could be.
The band was good playing a lot of old school stuff. The highlight though is watching an older lady break it down to SuperFreak while the lead singer doned dreads to make it all work.
After a long drive back and a couple hours of sleep I headed out to Mexico. Despite my bag not arriving the flight was fine. I did get my bags though a hour before I went to bed two nights ago.
The competition venue is very nice at the technical university here in Queretaro. A very modern gym with great bathrooms that include toilet seats and toilet paper (i have been many places and toilet seats and paper are real luxuries, just try Qatar were all you get is a toilet and a hose, i mean really what am I supposed to do with a hose).
There are 4 strips and then a finals podium. I went 5-1 losing only to Fransisco Limardo by one touch. In the DE's Cody and I had a bye to 16. Eric Hansen and John Yergler had to fence each other to make the 8. Cody beat Tigram (who he had lost to 5-0 in the pool) to make the 8 by one touch. I beat Saurez from Colombia. It was a close bout in begining and then Gago pointed out that Saurez couldnt defend my advance lunge.
To make the 4 Cody beat one of the Argentinians. I had to beat Meijas from Venezuela. I fenced a low scoring bout with Meijias. In the final period tied at 6 we both wanted to fence one touch. Passivity was called and we got to fence for one minute who ever led (or meijas won the flip so if the score was tied he won) won. Meijas got the first one. Busting out the drill that Cody and I have been practicing I got to quick touches off short to the hand and then exploding to the arm and body. Meijas came after my but I was able to pull distance and hit him. Meijas ran again and we came together. At this point there was only one second left and I knew i had won.
Eric lost to Tikhomirov in the 8. After being close in the beggining Eric wasnt able to change as Tikhomirov did. I fenced Cody in the four and won.
For the final I had to fence Rueben Limardo. I have never beaten him but today I wanted it badly. Both of us know each other well and the score stayed low. He lead then I lead and then it was tied. Cody coached me in each period always the same plan. Get in his face and force him to do something. So in overtime thats what I did. I didnt have priority so I got in his face with tons of preperation intending to see how crazy his parries would get. While I knew that I had to attack I was ready for somethiing else. With 28 seconds left Limardo cracked and fleched. I was ready for disengage counter attach. I couldnt have worked any better. Winning Zonals I have now earned more fie points in a single competition then any other americna epee fencing in history.
The team event will be this saturday.
The Great Hall is log built and just beautiful. Adorned with white christmas tree lights and the tables set I knew thing were going to be good. After open bar we were served a blueberry and green salad. I got a pork chop that had been cooked to perfection. Perfectly tender and lightly glazed with a raisan or apricot glaze. I was really fantastic. The bride looked as happy as could be.
The band was good playing a lot of old school stuff. The highlight though is watching an older lady break it down to SuperFreak while the lead singer doned dreads to make it all work.
After a long drive back and a couple hours of sleep I headed out to Mexico. Despite my bag not arriving the flight was fine. I did get my bags though a hour before I went to bed two nights ago.
The competition venue is very nice at the technical university here in Queretaro. A very modern gym with great bathrooms that include toilet seats and toilet paper (i have been many places and toilet seats and paper are real luxuries, just try Qatar were all you get is a toilet and a hose, i mean really what am I supposed to do with a hose).
There are 4 strips and then a finals podium. I went 5-1 losing only to Fransisco Limardo by one touch. In the DE's Cody and I had a bye to 16. Eric Hansen and John Yergler had to fence each other to make the 8. Cody beat Tigram (who he had lost to 5-0 in the pool) to make the 8 by one touch. I beat Saurez from Colombia. It was a close bout in begining and then Gago pointed out that Saurez couldnt defend my advance lunge.
To make the 4 Cody beat one of the Argentinians. I had to beat Meijas from Venezuela. I fenced a low scoring bout with Meijias. In the final period tied at 6 we both wanted to fence one touch. Passivity was called and we got to fence for one minute who ever led (or meijas won the flip so if the score was tied he won) won. Meijas got the first one. Busting out the drill that Cody and I have been practicing I got to quick touches off short to the hand and then exploding to the arm and body. Meijas came after my but I was able to pull distance and hit him. Meijas ran again and we came together. At this point there was only one second left and I knew i had won.
Eric lost to Tikhomirov in the 8. After being close in the beggining Eric wasnt able to change as Tikhomirov did. I fenced Cody in the four and won.
For the final I had to fence Rueben Limardo. I have never beaten him but today I wanted it badly. Both of us know each other well and the score stayed low. He lead then I lead and then it was tied. Cody coached me in each period always the same plan. Get in his face and force him to do something. So in overtime thats what I did. I didnt have priority so I got in his face with tons of preperation intending to see how crazy his parries would get. While I knew that I had to attack I was ready for somethiing else. With 28 seconds left Limardo cracked and fleched. I was ready for disengage counter attach. I couldnt have worked any better. Winning Zonals I have now earned more fie points in a single competition then any other americna epee fencing in history.
The team event will be this saturday.
Nike+ band and Beacon Rock
While in Portland Paige helped me run. While running is not my favorite thing to do I do think it helps tremendously. With the day winding down Paige and I decided to go for a little work out. So we headed out to beacon rock.
Beacon Rock is a volcano core on the edge of the Columbia river. The hike is short but provides awesome views of the Columbia river gorge. While I wasnt able to run up the pinnacle we did make it up and down in 25 minutes according to my new nike band. The view was awesome and the weather couldnt have been better.
At the top we saw a open field/island that looked like it would be great for running. When we got to the bottom we went in search of this field. Turns out there is a town called South Bonneville and it has a disc golf course (i play a little) and a great park called Strawberry Island. Paige hates running hills (for the record I dont really like them either). For the last couple of runs that is all we have done and strawberry island was no different. One big long hill to cross the Island and then a nice flat path back. The island sits right below bonnevile dam and has a great view up and down the river.
I have now used the nike plus band for a couple of runs and I think it is great. I cant even feel the sensor in my shoe. The arm band itself is super light. The best part though is that when you are all done you just plug the band into your computer and login to nike plus and you can see your distance and pace. If you want you can setup goals and see what other people are running. Overall a really great product.
Beacon Rock is a volcano core on the edge of the Columbia river. The hike is short but provides awesome views of the Columbia river gorge. While I wasnt able to run up the pinnacle we did make it up and down in 25 minutes according to my new nike band. The view was awesome and the weather couldnt have been better.
At the top we saw a open field/island that looked like it would be great for running. When we got to the bottom we went in search of this field. Turns out there is a town called South Bonneville and it has a disc golf course (i play a little) and a great park called Strawberry Island. Paige hates running hills (for the record I dont really like them either). For the last couple of runs that is all we have done and strawberry island was no different. One big long hill to cross the Island and then a nice flat path back. The island sits right below bonnevile dam and has a great view up and down the river.
I have now used the nike plus band for a couple of runs and I think it is great. I cant even feel the sensor in my shoe. The arm band itself is super light. The best part though is that when you are all done you just plug the band into your computer and login to nike plus and you can see your distance and pace. If you want you can setup goals and see what other people are running. Overall a really great product.
4th of July
I havent been home for the fourth of July in a very long time. I missed my family, friends and girlfriend. So this fourth we did things right. First a block party in my Dads neighborhood with 35 lbs of carne Sadat and then fireworks. Lots of fireworks. We all got together at my Moms house to light the fireworks and had a great time. 3 hours of fireworks. Everybody lighting off tons of stuff. Overall it was a great day. Just hanging out with friends and family.
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