I Hate To Admit It But I’m BORED! I Need Another Huge Challenge!
August 27, 2011
Yes, I’ve had a great summer with soccer and teakwon-do and spending time with friends but I need more. At first I thought I was missing out on so much when I was constantly training and being focused for the World Championships but now that that is over I need to find something else just as big to replace it. I’ve learned I have the personality that needs the rush from a HUGE challenge. Some people think of it as ‘stress’ but I think of it as ‘LIVING’. It’s also hard to find people that REALLY understand or can relate to it. I’m also getting the age that athletes either stop their sports for work, school and friends or they make a bigger commitment to their sport.
I’ve been taking a Reach Ahead summer course for’ Civics and Careers’ so I have more free time during the school year. The course has made me do a lot of thinking about which career I want to work towards. I know sports will somehow have to be involved and that is also why choosing my next big goal is so important to me.
Yes, I have lots of short term goals with soccer but then what? I’m used having long term goals. I need to feel like all my little goals are working towards a larger goal. I find myself in a frustrated funk. Depending on what happens at the end of our soccer season, I will have to make some decisions about which sport I want to really focus on. I still keep thinking about track and field as well. I love the challenge of PB’s (Personal Bests).
I’m so proud and envious of my friend and training partner Stephanie Boivin. Her new challenge is competing in duathlons. She just came in first at Nationals!!!! She is hoping to represent Canada at the World Championships in France next year. If she does, she will have represented Canada for two different sports within 2 years! That is so incredible 
I love getting her daily updates about how her training is going and hearing how excited she is.
Stephanie Boivin
Winning at Nationals
Now, its time for me to find my next big challenge. I love putting the work in. Getting the desired results is the best feeling in the world… I’m missing the same feeling I had earlier this year. I’ve been looking at pictures and videos everyday and I love how I feel when I look at them. I want to try new things and see where they take me. I can’t wait to see what will happen and what my next big goal will be.
Team Sparring Canada vs. New Zealand Video!!!!
August 27, 2011
This is a video of my team sparring match against New Zealand at the World Championships. I had the most fun in this match because of all the excitement and cheering of the croud and because I was no longer fighting only for me, but for my team and country. As I look back at this video, it brings back some of my favorite memories. I will never forget the things my team mates and coaches said to me before I stepped in the ring.
Download YouTube Video | Convert to MP3
I hope you enjoy it! I will be posting many more amazing memories of my incredible journey and experiences.
This Week was all About the Soccer
August 26, 2011
We went on the team bus to Pickering on Saturday for a game against the team that we tied last week. Unfortunately it wasn’t in the cards for us that day. We had a terrible first half! I’m not really sure what happened to us. I think the other team was so determined to win after last week and they came out stronger. It’s true when they say ‘you have to want it more’.
Coach Kwame had a really good half time talk and lit the fire under us. We came back in the second half the team that I know we can be. If we only had 10 more minutes The game ended in a 2-1 loss. So close but so far.
good air!
The game was really rough. One girl on the other team went off in an ambulance and there were a couple yellow cards given out. Cards are risky this late in the season since we need all our palyers of the last few games so we don’t want anyone to get a suspension.
Travelling on the bus is always a good time. It was a 5 hour drive each way so it was a long day.
Sunday 2 other girls and I were called up by the older team to play for them in Oshawa so the next morning we drove to Belleville with the other team.
We ended up driving 20 hours in two days for 2 games!!! I had my rolling pin in my bag to keep rubbing out the leg cramps. I absolutely loved palying with the older team. It’s a different kind of pressure. You don’t really know each other that well and don’t know how each other plays and you don’t want to let them down either. It was a really important game for them so I was happy that they asked me to go with them. It was especially fun since I got to play with two of my team mates as well. The day was very sucessful and we came home with a 5-2 win.
Our team has been practicing as much as we can. Our regualr practices went really well and I also got together with some team mates and other guys that love soccer as much as I do just for more time with the ball. Kwame is trying to get extra exhibition games for more practice to get ready for the last three games. It’s all up to us now. We win together and we lose together!
My soccer schedule really didn’t work with my TKD schedule so I ended up training at a Trigger’s TKD since it’s around the corner. I love soccer but I can’t go too long without TKD or I get a little crazy. I have a kicking shield so I can practice some kicks on my own as well. I don’t think you will ever take TKD out of my system. I’m just so glad it’s something that I can do the rest of my life at any level or intensity that I want.
12 Years Ago TODAY I Took My First Taekwon-Do Class with Master Kou.
August 21, 2011
It’s so hard to believe that 12 years ago today I was only 3 1/2 years old and I took my first taekwon-do class with Master Kou. My brother Greg was already a yellow belt and so was my dad. I had been watching them for months every day and I couldn’t wait to try it myself. I felt so ‘grown up and special’ as soon as I put on the crisp white uniform. I wanted so badly to be like my big brother.
The rest is history. I never imagined how much TKD would change my life forever! The date August 21, 1999 is even on my old pictures
I was so excited to get to my first TKD class with Greg!
The kicking shield looked HUGE! I was glad that my dad was there to help me
I was so little but full of curiosity to try everything
Even my Grandma was there to join in the fun of my first class
Master Kou was my instructor for almost 10 years
It was perfect that Greg was able to celebrate with me at Worlds in New Zealand
Now I love to help and show the next generation of young kids the benefits of TKD
TKD Grounds Me and Always Makes Me Feel Good
August 15, 2011
I haven’t had as much time to train as much as I would like to with all the soccer and working with my mom this summer but whenever I do train it just feels so right. I can’t explain it but to me TKD is my ‘feel good’ medicine. When I do patterns I always feel so free and just escape my everyday thoughts. Energy just runs through my entire body. Even when I’m focusing on different sports, I still go back to TKD for a great workout and just to put a smile on my face. I’m pleased with the fact that even though I haven’t been training as much, the soccer is keeping me in shape, and there is no doubt that TKD helps my soccer.
Tonight I had so much fun training with Brigitte Jobin. Brigitte is like my older sister. It’s great to be able to train with the same people year after year. We always encourage each other and since we know each other so well we know what each others limits are so it’s always productive.
There is always room to perfect stances and movements
Brigitte is known for her amazing side kicks
I love synchronizing our movements
Ya, great work-out!
My mom and I are helping Brigitte decorate her own new apartment. That is just what TKD friends do for each other. It’s like an extended family. I’m so happy for you Brigitte!
T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More)
August 13, 2011
We had a substitute coach today at our soccer game and his motto was TEAM and I thought it was a great phrase! It stands for Together, Everyone, Achieves, More. As we are ending the summer season this TEAM motto was very appropriate. Thanks Widgen!
Team Pep Talk
In our team huddle we discussed how it was up to all of us to pull together to win today to keep our OYSL standing. We talked about what Kwame would want us to do. We were all excited and ready for the game and knew we had to leave it all on the field.
Once again it was brutally hot but at least we didn’t get the expected thunder showers. I was having a lot of trouble with my breathing in the first half until I was able to take my puffer again at half time.
There was a lot of exciting action in both ends and there was no time to let our guard down. Katie (our keeper) had a superb game and saved so many potential goals.
Near the end of the first half they scored on us. We had to shake it off and keep the momentum going. I was so happy that we didn’t get discouraged especially since we knew how important the game was.
We got stronger in the second half and we were so excited when Vanessa scored a goal for us. Katherine had a beautiful Free kick and then Vanessa was there for the rebound. We ended the game in a tie (1-1).
We were all so excited
In the back of my head I kept thinking of some great words of wisdom from my mentor, Grand Master Lan when he told me “Kayla, never underestimate your opponent” and “it’s not over until the ref says it is”. Although this advice was for Taekwon-Do but it applies to all sports.
We play the same team again next Saturday so I’m sure it’s going to be another great battle. Thanks Miro for coming to watch today!
Awesome Soccer Game – OSU vs Ajax
August 7, 2011
I was so impressed with how our team played today. We were able to stay focused for the full 90 minutes and our second half was actually stronger than our first half. It was really important that we won our game today (2-0) since the end of the season is coming fast and we need to keep winning now to keep our OYSL standing. We only have 4 games left and we have our work cut out for ourselves. Losing today would have really affected our standings, so we were extremely determined!
All we have to do is stay focused and determined I know we can stay in the OYSL. We have the talent – we just need to take advantage of every second in the games and leave everything on the field.
The weather was extremely hot and I had to take my puffer since I found it so hard to breath and I was thankful for the two water breaks. Everyone’s faces were getting redder and redder as the game went on.
Darby had such a sweet goal on a break away
The first goad really boosted our confidence!
Thanks Katie for all the great saves today
Cassie got the second goal with a perfect Penalty shot
Cassie is always consistent with her penalty shots!
I was so glad that my Grandpa was there to watch but I know it was hot for him too
Sweet Victory
Canadian Youth Track and Field Championships
August 5, 2011
I went to support a few of my track friends who competed at the Canadian Youth Track and Field Championships today.
Terry Fox Athletic Facility at Mooney's Bay
my friend Jasmine Viau
great job Jas!
my friend Shelani Fernando in the Ottawa Lions Club shirt
awesome race!
I have to admit ever since I competed at OFSAA back in June I have never given up on the idea of competing in the throwing events (especially the Javelin). When I looked at the Shot Put distances that were thrown today at the National level I realized that I could have qualified for this event. Being the competitive person that I am, I wonder how good I could get with coaching and more practice. I loved the atmosphere at the track. I was shocked to recognize so many people that I competed with at OFSAA and even more surprised when a few people asked me when I was competing I’ve never done track other than school track. I really wanted to see the Javelin and Discus throwing as well but they are scheduled for tomorrow and I have a soccer game at the same time.
the winner from BC had great technique with lots of explosion
the guys made the discus look like a Frisbee
hurdles are insane
It was fun to be there as a spectator at a sporting event for a change. I couldn’t help but watch the athletes do their warm up and how they get themselves mentally prepared. It doesn’t seem to matter what the sport, there are always people who you can see that visibly psych themselves out and people who you could tell that they were going to win before they even start. You could see some athletes get mad at themselves if they didn’t like their throws, jumps or times. You could also see the athletes that were able to stay focused, they did their own little rituals and routines, you could see them visualize. They were mentally prepared and were there to do their job. You could also see the competitors that were coached well. It really made a huge difference.
I had a few conversations with different coaches and they were telling me how nervous some of the competitors were since they weren’t used to a crowd. It made me realize how lucky I am that I don’t get nervous since I’ve been competing in front of huge crowds all my life. I actually love that part! The higher the level of competition the more important it is for the mental preparation.
The thing that intrigues me about the track and field events is the fact that people really focus on their ‘Personal Best’. I need to always feel like I’m improving so when there is a sport that the results are measurable you get that satisfaction.
It was a great day. Congratulations to my friends that did so well
