Where did the time go??

2 very tired, very happy and sunkissed dragons (pic by R)

The rest of camp whizzed by in a total blur. It was an amazing experience - one in which  we learned a lot about paddling, our teammates and ourselves. We paddled, were videotaped and photographed, evaluated, critiqued, revved up, pushed to max and congratulated on our accomplishments. We started out less than perfect (coach, bless him, pulls no punches) and finished stronger than I think any one of us dared hope. Several hot-tub sessions and healing ocean swims later it was time to bid goodbye to the sunny south and head back home. And endure a nail-biting week or so of waiting for the final roster to come out. Would we make it? Would we survive the final round of cuts? What if we didn't? The thought of the dream ending right here was awful. Our stomachs developed knots as big as basketballs and nausea came in waves. (Or was that just the after-effects of being on a boat all week?)

We texted each other incessantly. Did you get anything yet? No, you? No. Is the list out? No, just the week 29 training plan. Balls. WTF, where is it? Bah, I feel sick.

So,what did we have to do with ourselves but wait and continue with the program until we heard? I opened it up to see what it looked like and about fainted when I saw the first line: "If you are receiving this program that means you are officially on the senior women’s roster for the 2011 racing season."

HOLY FREAKING SHIT. I reread it three times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating and then dialed G's number.

"Dude, did you get the week 29 program?" I screeched.
"Yeah, but I haven't looked at it yet."
"You're an idiot. We both are.." and I read her that first line.
Silence. And then she started weeping.
"Oh my god, I need to sit down," and the tears began to mix with laughter.

When she was calm enough to listen again I read her the next line: "We are not easing into our outdoor season. We are jumping in head first. Our season is short and nationals are nine weeks from now."

just look at this fine fine crew! whoop whoop! (pic by R)

Wow. 9 weeks to nationals. Well, 8 now. 1 week to another, 2-day, training camp in Canada's chilly waters. 3 weeks to our first competition. 5 weeks to our second. And then nationals. Time to hit the gym hard, run fast and long, and paddle with extreme purpose. If this boat wants to get to Hong Kong, these next few weeks are going to be critical. And we're going to get ourselves into the best possible shape to help make this boat leaner, faster and stronger. BRING IT ON.