High School Athlete Of The Week With Carolyn Waldo
September 30, 2010
I was more nervous watching my interview on TV than I am when I compete. If you want to see it you can click on this link and you will see all the ‘High School Athlete of the Week’ posted.
Training,Training and More Training
September 26, 2010
School work is starting to get heavier and I had a few tests but so far so good!
I went to winter soccer tryouts twice last week. It’s at the OYSL level and they are going well. It’s good to see old friends and team mates. Fortunately there is a bit of break for soccer now so I can really focus on TKD.
I trained every day even after soccer and then I trained for 4 hours today. It was special Competition Training which I love since I can really fine tune my patterns. I love having the dojang with fewer people so I can move around easier. I love TKD since there is always something to improve on. I never get bored of it.
I’m really enjoying all of the training but for the first time I’m really getting sore. I’m taking tomorrow night off. Since my training is more intense I also have to rest more to prevent injury from over use. Your muscles get so tired when you repeat the same movements over and over. You need to let your muscles rebuild themselves.
I’m getting so excited about Nationals. I don’t get nervous, but I do excited and want to be prepared. We bought our plane tickets so it definitely feels more real. As the day comes closer, I want to train harder and be better. It’s kinda cool that in one year I’ve traveled from P.E.I. all the way across Canada to British Columbia to compete in either TKD or soccer. Not too shabby 
Starting this week I will be taking the city bus everyday to Orleans right after school so I can train by myself before the regular classes start. Then my parents will pick up after 10:00 p.m. It’s hard for them to keep working if they are always driving me to train all across town. I can also do my homework on the bus since it’s an hour and a half ride. I actually enjoy the ‘down time’ on the bus.
I’ve also been working on my diet too. I’m eating better, and I feel healthier and more energetic. I have to admit I HATE vegetables but I’m really trying to get them down. As a family we are trying different recipes to hide them We have been taking turns with the cooking and making a game out of it. I’m also drinking Visalus Shakes that are packed with nutrition from vegetables, protein and fruit. I like to have one in the morning before school since it’s quick and easy. I never feel like eating first thing so this a good way to get some nutrition in me early in the day. I always seem to be hungry so I have to eat lots of little meals throughout the day. My friends tease me at school since my lunches are so healthy, but I know it’s what my body needs. I also need to drink more water all day too so I don’t get dehydrated.
Off to bed. Good night. zzzzzzzzzzz
ERSL East Region Cup 2010 Champions
September 19, 2010
Today was the East Regional Cup. I was super excited for the game because it was against our rivals Kanata. It has been a battle against them all summer for the top position. It was also the last game of the season and possibly the last time we all play together as a team. It was bitter/sweet.
The game ended in a tie 2-2 but since it was the finals we went into a penalty shoot out. I love shoot outs since it gets so intense and stressful. Our team did a really good job and we ended up winning the Cup. We were so happy to end the season on a good note. To celebrate the whole team and parents went out to Kelsey’s Restaurant for dinner. It was a good chance for the whole team to just hang out and talk.
Tryouts for the OYSL team start Tuesday so it will be interesting who is going to be playing together for the next year.
My coach was so nice to even give my Grandpa a medal for being our team’s #1 fan!
Thanks Grandpa, we all love you
Blackburn TKD 9th Anniversary Open House
September 19, 2010
Training went really well this week and then on Saturday I spent 10 hours at the dojang. It was the school’s 9th anniversary so there were classes running all day. The purpose was to get the community involved and to try some classes to increase enrollment. Not only did I do my own training in the morning but I helped instruct in the open house classes which was fun. We just covered the basic kicks and punches to show people what TKD was like. In the evening there was lots of food and a slide show presentation of all the people from the last 9 years so there were a lot of laughs. I feel so comfortable at the dojang since it’s like a second home to me.
My First CTV TV Interview
September 19, 2010
Last Monday night Carolyn Waldo from CTV came to the dojang to interview me for ‘High School Athlete of the Week’. It was the coolest thing ever. I was nervous since I had no idea what she was going to ask but she was super nice and instantly made me feel comfortable. It was cool talking to an Olympian. I have so much respect for her since she’s gone through all the hard work herself and really understands. I have always wanted to be a sports psychologist but after the interview it made think how interesting it would be to go into sports journalism Who knows, at least I don’t have to think about that for a few years.
Then on Wednesday a CTV camerman came to the soccer field where I was practicing with the team since we also talked about soccer in the interview. My teammates have been so supportive which keeps things fun.
After getting some publicity it really hits me about going to Worlds. It just motivates me and makes me want to train more.
The interview will be aired in a few weeks. I’ll post it on my blog when I get a copy.
Thank You Neighbours
September 12, 2010
I would like to thank all my neighbours who gave donations to me this weekend at our huge street garage sale. It was a really fun day and it was nice to meet some of you for the first time. I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I was knowing that you’re all behind me. You were all so generous. It’s a long and expensive way to New Zealand so every dollar helps. Thanks again and again!!!!
My First Week at John McCrae Highschool
September 11, 2010
It was my first week at high school and I already absolutely love it! I really enjoy the whole atmosphere. I only have one disappointment. Last year at middle school, I was able to play on every single school sport’s team and was involved in all the activities, but this year I need to stay focused on my training until after the World Championships in March.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my training and I’m extremely excited and proud to be on the National Team. I’m just having some trouble getting used to the idea that I won’t be involved with everything. I feel bad when teachers and coaches who I’ve only known for a few days ask me to try out for their teams and I had to say “no”. I feel like I’m letting them down and I would love to try every sport. I think I have an addiction . I want to be involved and try new things but for right now I really want to devote almost all my time to training. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s only my first year of there and I will have lots of time later.
I have this one little window of opportunity, to do what I’ve been wanting to do all my life and I want to go the Worlds with NO REGRETS. I want to know that I’ve done all the training both physically and mentally that I can possibly do between now and then. That way, when I’m standing on the podium in New Zealand, the victory will be that much sweeter and if I’m not, at least I will know that I did my absolute best without second guessing myself.
I also have the responsibility to the other girls for the “Team Sparring” event to do everything I can to make sure we do well as a team. It’s no longer just about competing for myself or by myself. We all need to know that we are committed to doing our best for each other.
I’ll be able to continue with some winter club soccer so I don’t lose my touch to the ball and I’ll be ready for the Spring/Summer season in April. I will practice Taekwon-Do for the rest of my life since to me it’s not a sport. It’s my life. I can’t imagine not doing it. I get grumpy and restless when I haven’t trained in a couple days. Soccer is something fairly new to me but it’s a sport that I also want to do for the long haul. I love the strategy in both sports. In some ways sparring and soccer are very similar. It’s like a big chess game where you have to see and understand the whole field/ring, anticipate your opponents and have a quick reaction and strategy.
My training went really well this week and I was able to do a bit of kick boxing as well. My legs were starting to feel really heavy and my arms felt so exhausted. It’s good conditioning and a good work out. It really is a complete body work out since you use every single muscle. The next eight weeks of training are going to be a lot more intense leading up to Nationals so I peak at the right time. It’s going to be a hard next month or two, but I’m really excited.
There is definitely more homework in high school so I’ve already been doing homework in the car back and forth to training since it’s a 70km drive. I had really great teachers last year so I even used some of their math websites for review. It’s so cool how there are good on-line tutorials to help out. I know I’ll miss a lot of class time this year so it’s important for me to stay on top of things.
180 Degree Reverse Hooking Kick
September 3, 2010
