Yes, it’s that time: the 2014 Winter Olympic Games are upon us. I know many athletes, myself included, love the Olympics and try to soak it all in while it lasts. Many of us grow up watching the Olympics and dream of someday being on the big stage. Although we eventually realize this dream is unattainable for most of us, we can still be inspired by the Olympic athletes. Track athletes especially can relate to the hours of commitment and determination, or the very act of pushing the human body to its limits because that’s what track is all about.
Even though Olympians are on such a high stage of competition, we can still learn from their successes and failures and apply them to our endeavors. A couple years ago a few of my teammates and I were incredibly privileged to meet marathon Olympic medalist Frank Shorter (Gold 1972, Silver 1976) while we were on a training trip to Colorado. He welcomed us into his home and spoke to us for an hour on some of the lessons he has learned in his many years of competition. He even let us see and hold his Olympic medals!!
My favorite thing he shared with us was the best way to get really good at anything is to just do the fundamentals the right way. There are no magic fixes or shortcuts, but if you focus on doing your best in your workouts, listening to your coaches, eating well, getting enough sleep, and taking care of your body you will maximize your potential. This has always been a philosophy of ours at Palatine and I love being an athlete who carries on this legacy.
As I watch the Olympics I can appreciate the commitment to fundamentals these athletes must have. I am especially excited to see some of the athletes who come from Illinois. These include Aja Evans in bobsled, Ann Swisshelm in curling, figure skaters Jason Brown and Gracie Gold, Megan Bozek and Kendall Coyne in hockey, and Shani Davis, Brian Hansen, Jonathan Kuck, Emery Lehman, and Patrick Meek all in speed skating, as well as all of our Chicago Blackhawks who will be playing for their Olympic teams.
It will be especially exciting to watch Aja Evans, and also Lolo Jones and Lauryn Williams, because they are track athletes. In high school Aja Evans actually placed 4th in the 100 meter dash, and 8th in the shotput in the 2005 Illinois State meet. She then went on to be a standout track & field athlete at University of Illinois. She has now converted to bobsledding and has a real shot at a medal in this Olympic Games.
I want to send a shout-out this week to anyone who is still feeling sore after their first track meet this season. I know I am. The Olympics are going, track meets have started, so let the games begin.