The December Recap:
The purpose of my December training was to get refreshed for full time training. When you train full time in any sport, it is important to incorporate periodization to keep things fresh and also give your body a chance to rest. Although September is the ideal month to take time off in archery, December worked well for me as it was the one year anniversary since I started. Also, the National Outdoor Championships are over and the National Indoor Championships are still 3 months away.
December Percentage Breakdown:
Knowing that I was going into full time training in January and wanting to be ready for it, my main focus in the month of December was on archery (77%). I had a pretty good month as far as arrow volume, the additional 1800 arrows I shot allowed me to cap the year off with 26,000 arrows. Despite the relatively low cardio activity (only 5% of my training – off time comprised roughly 18% including holidays), I managed to shoot a personal best indoor score of 284 out of 300 twice. For perspective, last year a 284 average over 4 games won the indoor nationals. However, I suspect that since this year is an Olympic year, the scores will probably be higher.
Other happenings in December:
On December 30th, I had to say good-bye to the team that I have been coaching/mentoring for the past year at ArcheryUSA in Dedham, MA (www.archeryusateamelite.com). They are a really great group of kids… and behind them are exceptional parents. Working with the kids and their families is the thing that I loved the most and will miss the most about Boston. Every team night for the last three weeks, it was one surprise after another: first, they made me a cake that they all signed and managed to sneak past me, then they put together a going away basket complete with a Fitness Magazine, sunblock, snacks for the road, books, and a custom cd with songs hand-picked by the team members. They also put together a quilt that had patches that each one of them designed (see picture). Needless to say I was spoiled with love! Anthony my coach also sent me off with a beautiful Greek shooting statue and a leather-bound gold leaf journal to keep all my thoughts in as I embark on this journey.
The Move:
My job ended the afternoon of December 31st and I was on the road the morning of January 1st. Fortunately for me, my best friend from high school, Jared Craft came to the rescue again. If you don’t know about Jared, the best way for me to describe him is superman; he hears your cry for help and just shows up. So, he showed up with sleeves rolled and some new year’s cheer - before long we had most of my room emptied out and packed away.
My other saving grace was Emma Gillespie (and her parents for having faith in me that I would get her to Florida and back safely). At 9am, I picked Emma up at one of the rest stops off of the Mass Pike. With the words “Olympics or Bust” etched into the dirt on my back window and a car full of healthy snacks from Emma’s parents and unhealthy snacks from Woody Paige (one of my sponsors and a columnist featured on ESPN’s Around the Horn) – we were off.
We were making great time until about 6pm when my right tire blew up. No joke, there we were, two young girls on the side of a Virginia highway with a blown up tire. Emma, having just finished her driving school had enough sense to get us out of the car. We then sat behind it just in case an oncoming car didn’t see it – 20 minutes later thanks to the Gillespie family, AAA showed up, changed the tire and within an hour we were off again.
By mid-day January 2nd we were in Georgia, meeting up with Vic, the thermometer in my car had steadily crept up from 44 degrees in Boston to 68 degrees in Georgia. Likewise, our sweatshirts and jeans had switched to t-shirts and capri’s. About 7pm we rolled into Lighthouse Point, FL elated that we had made it and that the temperature had continued to make steady progress reading a warm 82 degrees – reports from home indicated that Boston was about 70 degrees less fortunate. Sadly for Emma, she had to go back to school on January 6th, so on the 5th I drove her to the airport and sent her safely home. I realized as I dropped her off and drove back to our host’s house that I was truly starting on a new phase in my life, she was the last tie to Boston that I had and now she was flying away. On the ride home, I played the Olympic theme song and made a commitment to myself to work harder than I had ever worked before.
The recap:
First, before I give the recap of the past two weeks, let me give thanks to Doc Brandfass for offering to house Vic and I for the next few months, as well as the Ft. Lauderdale Archery Club for arranging for us to shoot at their club (www.fortlauderdalearchers.com). These two new sponsors have really helped us out in more ways than one!
Now to the recap – remember how I said that in the month of December, I totaled 1800 arrows? Well, I kicked off the first week of training in Florida with two shooting sessions a day and a run every morning. Even I was surprised to see the total arrow amount at the end of the first week was 1200. It defiantly helps to train full time! Thank you all soooo much. Because I have raised almost $10,000, I am able to train all day long. As a result, I have already picked up about 6 points on my average and I am getting closer and closer to the scores that could put me on the Olympic team everyday.
Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter:
Results from the Florida State Indoors, count down to indoor nationals… introduction to Stinky the Hog… more adventures from arrowland… and of course the weather report (I wouldn’t want to deprive you).
Thanks again to all of you who have made this possible, in the last two weeks, five more families have sponsored me for a total of $780. I will be using that amount to purchase new X-10 arrows ($300/dozen) and a new riser (can be as high as $500) so that I have an indoor bow and an outdoor bow instead of having to re-tune my bow every time I switch from indoors to outdoors. I feel very blessed!
Go for the Gold,
Joy
Mark 10:27
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