This season has felt pretty long for me, mainly due to the huge break between races over the summer- when GB athletes were away racing in Europe, and at the World Championships in Deep Creek, USA. There has also been a feeling of separation, because of certain conflicts between organisations within Scottish Slalom. The disappointing thing for me, has been the loss of teammates. You do develop a relationship with people you train with, despite differences, because of the passion you share for the sport. However in this discipline, and in everything, we have to make decisions for ourselves. Making a life changing commitment to either side of a disagreement requires a cold analysis of every point, of the positives and the negatives. Of course, every single individual will have a different viewpoint, and different dilemmas and conflicts. I have no doubt whatsoever that in the pursuit of success, I have more to learn than I can possibly imagine. But as an athlete, and a human being, who respects other human beings and their individual opinions, I expect to be dealt the same courtesy. Nobody is ever less, for the decisions they have to make in their life, for their own interests. I race for my passion, and for nothing else; and I guarantee that at the top end of our sport, a lot of athletes would agree with me. Sport is about competition, and racing, and ultimately winning. I can't say I have ever approached a race with any intent other than to love it; but at the same time, I always, ALWAYS want to win it. What has been inspiring over the last few months, is athletes taking their training into their own hands. People building their own plans, mapping out their own systems to achieve what they want. It does go to show that Scotland has the most passionate athletes. We train in some of the most testing conditions in the UK, and endure unbelievable sessions, because we love it. Anyone asking athletes to make a decision based on anything other than their own love, and their own situation, is asking too much.
Love to Train, Love to Race.
I have come out of this season feeling strong, and in control of my future. I know where I want to be in the next year, and I understand what I will have to go through to achieve it. I came out of the British Open mildly disappointed with my poor final run (a huge paddle back on an otherwise good run), but elated, because I feel like I finally understand how to race on London. It sounds really cheesy and cliched, but I had such a good time on all my runs, and over the weekend in general. Learning this attitude can be surprisingly challenging - who doesn't go into any competitive sport wanting to be the best? For me its about learning to put the vision of outcome away, and focus instead on the processes that I train with every day, and can focus on easily.
Now I have a week of recovery (and finding somewhere new to live at university) to prepare myself for winter training. I'm pretty excited, because I know both my discipline and strength are going to be tested and improved. But I also know I am going into this winter confident that I am going to love every single session, and make it work. I'm already excited for next season, but for now the focus is preparation.
Now I have a week of recovery (and finding somewhere new to live at university) to prepare myself for winter training. I'm pretty excited, because I know both my discipline and strength are going to be tested and improved. But I also know I am going into this winter confident that I am going to love every single session, and make it work. I'm already excited for next season, but for now the focus is preparation.
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