Friday, July 25, 2008

My Practice Run...

I was boarding a plane on monday from Toronto to Vienna and  realized that the next time I would be taking off I would be heading to China. This week was my last competition before the Olympics and as I sat on that eight hour flight over to Europe I couldn't get that out of my head. Since my injury in April I have been out of the competitive scene until now and knew how important this competition would be for me. It wasn't just another chance for me to be out on that carpet, but a chance to get my confidence up. It was my Olympic practice run. I have been working so hard these past couple of months to be ready for the Games and unfortunately with my ankle I couldn't be competing all this time for practice. So when I arrived here in Varna, Bulgaria I was anxious to get out there in front of the crowd. We did run into a few surprises once we were here though. We ended up making it to the hotel Tuesday night after a very long day and a half of traveling. I flew over with my coach, Mimi, and my teammate, Demi, and we were all exhausted and just wanted to sleep. My coach received the competition schedule right when we walked in and thought there was some sort of mistake. Apparently, the schedule had been changed and instead of competing friday and saturday we would be starting on thursday! We had to train the next day only once coming off 30 hours of traveling and a very jet lagged sleep before we competed. This was definitely not the best news to get the second we got here. Honestly, when things like that happen you just have to roll with it. There was obviously nothing we could do and no sense getting upset about it. Well, I can say that now, but at the time I was pretty upset. I wanted a better preparation than that. The day after any long flights are usually a write off. Your head is not all there, your legs are tired and don't even get me started on jumping. I basically feel like I can't get two feet off the ground, BUT I have to say that when you put something in your head you can do anything. After I was initially a little disappointed about the whole situation I knew I had to have a good practice on wednesday to feel ready to go on thursday. So I really focused all my energy on training well. I'm not going to say it was easy because it wasn't. I didn't feel that great, but I pulled it together and even though we were up at 6:30am running on only a few hours of sleep it went better than expected. My energy was there, which was a nice surprise. I guess my two training camps in Spain and Toronto have really helped get me into shape. The biggest challenge of the day was not falling asleep in the afternoon so I could get a full eight hours at night before the competition. That was the hardest part of the trip. I don't know how we did it, but I think it was all that european coffee in the morning because we managed to make it through the day without fading.  So it's the day of my first real competition since April and I am excited and nervous. Wish me luck, I'll let you know how it goes!

12 comments:

RK n RB n said...

hi alex! it's aunt robbie. i an following you all the way to beijing and so are ALL my friends. can't wait to se you. baci e abbracc. xxooi

jailynn said...

alex,
i hope you find time to have fun on your new adventure. remember you are only as good as you let yourself be. good luck.
J

darknxs said...

couldn't have some one better representing Canada in China! show em what we're made of :)

Malhas BĂșlgaras said...

Hi Alex! You have a really nice blog, very intersting to ready!
So, I'm from Brazil and I admire a lot your work.I just can't wait for see your routines in Beijing! Hope you had done well in this competition and in all your OG's preparation... I'm waiting for see all you shine and presence next mouth - as you always do!
many kisses Alex! Wish you all the best!
Ana.

Jhavali said...

Hi Alex,
I am from India, I like your blogs and your B'ful face... Please keep writing about all your experience and wish you All the Best for the Competition..
Bye..

With Luv'
Vicky Jha

Unknown said...

Hello Alex! I think this post complements the "pampered athlete" post on your blog at cbc.ca

I guess you are the other hot Italian making waves outside your native country! (we have Sonia Maino now Sonia Gandhi leading the political formation in India). I do wish that you get to sleep on your flight to Beijing and go slow on your favourite cuppa coffee. [You should taste the famous South Indian filter (with milk added) coffee!] ;)

Anonymous said...

good luck.

AJ said...

Wow! I can't believe 15 years have gone by since we arm wrestled and played Hide and Seek at your Dads' office. You were a feisty young kid back then and have kept that attitide while growing into the beautiful, professional, young lady you have become.
Have a fabulous time on the Olympic floor performing. Do your best.... but most of all HAVE FUN. (make sure you flash us that cheeky little smile you have every now and then)
I'll be glued to the TV with my Starbucks "Grande, Mild with caramel syrup"
It's quite a surreal feeling living out a dream isn't it?

\a.j.

Faustino said...
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Faustino said...
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Unknown said...

i am a braziliam!!!!!!
ola nao falo sua lingua mas vou postar aqui assim mesmo sou um grande adimirador seu e de seu trabalho, nao ,nao pratico ginastica sou leigo nesse assunto mas vi voce no panamericano do brazil e fiquei encantado com voce e seu estilo unico ,sem contar a sua beleza que me hipnotizou mil beijos pra voce e estarei sempre torcendo por ti gostaria de deixar meu msn is rock_evc@hotmail.com

Roger Wheatley said...

Is this the real Alexandra?