THIS is What’s Really Important

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This weekend was a tough one.  We’ve come through a health scare with my beloved father-in-law unscathed, although not entirely out of the woods, and it’s put life back into perspective.  Why does it take some bad to make you appreciate the good?  Why does the good get taken for granted?  And why did I need to be reminded of what’s really important?

This is what’s really important:

  • Smiles and laughter.
  • Sunrises and sunsets.
  • New experiences and familiar knowledge.
  • Learning and growing.
  • Travelling and wandering.
  • Feeling pride and believing in hope.
  • Exploring dreams and chasing goals.
  • Family.
  • Health.
  • Time.

I’d love to hear your ‘this’.

THIS is what's important.

THIS is what’s really important.

Friendship vs Competition: What’s the Priority?

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As I’ve said before, I have Olympic fever.  And my fever spiked this weekend during the Women’s 100m Hurdles final at the Canadian Olympic Trials in Calgary on Saturday.

For those who didn’t see the race, take a peek here– the drama and controversy that unfolded marked a pivotal moment in Canadian Athletics.  Six of the eight women racing had already made the Olympic ‘A’ standard, meaning the field was jam-packed with superstars- however, only the Top 3 finishers would earn a spot on the Olympic team.  In the end, media-favorite Perdita Felicien false-started (automatic disqualification) but raced under protest, while crowd-favorite Priscilla Lopes-Schliep tripped on a hurdle and finished 5th.  Jessica Zelinka had the race of her life and finished 1st in 12.68.  Here’s where it gets tricky.

Jessica Zelinka is a heptathlete.  She competed on Canada’s Olympic team in Beijing in 2008 and finished in an impressive 5th place.  While the 100m hurdles is one of the seven events in the Women’s Heptathlon, Jessica is not a 100m hurdles specialist (prior to this 12.68, her Personal Best was 12.76).  And yet only 48hrs after winning the Olympic Trials heptathlon and securing her position on Canada’s Olympic team, she won the 100m hurdles and earned her right to represent Canada in the 100m hurdles AND the heptathlon.  The controversy lies within the whispers that say Jessica should forfeit her 100m hurdles berth, allowing 4th-place finisher Angela Whyte (who is a 100m hurdles specialist and a two-time Olympian) to race in London instead.  The whispers say that Jessica should focus solely on the heptathlon.  The whispers say that Angela would have a better shot in London.  The whispers say that it should’ve been Perdita and Priscilla anyways.  I think the whispers are wrong.

At Olympic Trials, competition trumps friendship.  There, I said it.  Going into this race, all eight women were chasing the top three spots that would punch their tickets to London.  Angela wanted it.  Jessica wanted it.  And Jessica got it.  This was not a ‘training race’ for Jessica’s heptathlon career- rather, this was a race meant to give her a chance to compete as a hurdler AND a heptathlete in London.  She’s going to get that chance.

She has dedicated the last 4 years of her life, and many years before that, to the pursuit of her Olympic dreams.  In the sport of Track & Field, each individual must showcase their abilities; it is the fastest/strongest/fittest who wins.  It’s not a ‘pass-the-puck-for-the-betterment-of-the-team’ sport.  It’s a ‘be-the-best-YOU-can-be’ sport.  Be the fastest.  Be the strongest.  Be the fittest.  Be the best.  And Jessica proved that she is.

During her post-race interview (at 10:20 of this 13-min race video), you can see Jessica’s emotion at being in this position.  I think she made the right choice, and I will be cheering her on.

Jessica Zelinka and I are both University of Calgary Dino’s Track & Field alumni. Although admittedly, we’re slightly different calibre!

I’ve got Olympic Fever!

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I have officially caught Olympic fever.  The bug has invaded our house and will be here to stay until the Closing Ceremonies wrap up on August 12th when the torch is passed to Rio de Janeiro, as they gear up for 2016.  Olympic Trials are on TV, Olympic apparel is in stores, and my admiration for Canadian Olympians has begun yet again…

Here are the 10 moments I am most looking forward to:

10.  Kayaker Adam Van Koeverden.  How can you not love this guy?  He’s from Oakville, is a 3-time Olympic medallist already, and he’s friends with a friend of mine, so the one degree of separation is working for me.  Go Adam!

9.  Weighlifting.  My foray into the world of Crossfit a couple of years ago has opened my eyes to the world of Olympic lifting.  The technique, power, and skill involved with Olympic lifts is magnificent to watch.

8.  Seeing Simon Whitfield race in the Triathlon.  Does anything else need to be said?

7.  Dara Torres.  Although Dara Torres is still 6 days away from the US Olympic Trials 50m Freestyle Final, her story is remarkable.  She is now 45 years old, and made history 4 years ago in Beijing by becoming the oldest Games competitor….and here she is 4 years later, giving it another go.  I will definitely be tuned in on Monday night to see if her dream of a 6th Olympics comes true.

6.  The marathon!  Running is my passion and a big part of who I am, so I am captivated with Olympic marathoners.  The women’s race happens on August 5th and the men’s on the 12th.  If only the half-marathon was an Olympic sport…

5.  Perdita Felicien.  Like Dara Torres, Perdita has not yet solidified an Olympic berth.  Her 100m Hurdles Final happens in Calgary on June 30th.  But how can you not cheer for her after the heartbreak of seeing her fall in Athens and miss Beijing due to injury?  Her perseverance and determination are inspiring.

4.  CTV coverage of the Games.  Love, love, love Canadian content.  I think CTV does an especially great job of showcasing the personal stories behind our Olympians.  (although I’ll be watching the NBC coverage of Swimming- can’t miss Rowdy Gaines’ commentary!)

3.  Hearing about the behind-the-scenes experiences from medical staff.  As a chiropractor with a special interest in sports injuries, I’ve had many friends placed on Medical Teams at the Olympics.  This year, I am so proud of Dr. Jenn Turner, who is working with the Canadian Track Cycling team.

2.  Seeing who carries Canada’s flag at the Opening Ceremonies.  My money’s on Clara Hughes, who will be competing in her SIXTH Olympic Games (3 Summer, 3 Winter) at the age of 39.  CBC has set up a poll for Canada’s flagbearer; vote here!

1.  The thing I am most looking forward to is the national pride that overcomes our country during the Olympic Games.  TV’s tuned to Olympic coverage pop up everywhere, Canada flags adorn cars and t-shirts, and we band together as Canadians to support our athletes.  I can’t wait.  GO CANADA!