Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Connections
When you are building towards a dream a lot of time is spent in the "now". It interesting in the aftermath of the Olympic Trials to take a step back and look at all the really amazing things that have come as a result.
1. Kid connections - some of my favourite messages have been from friends with kids and how they have reacted to Riley and his Olympic Dream. My friend Susan's son would only let her clap when Riley dove because that is who they were there to cheer on; Doug's daughter Katie Ann sat with her mom (Dad in the stands with me) and asked her magic paper puzzle (remember those ones you folded up and wrote messages on and then asked questions and picked numbers) if Riley would win and it said "undoubtedly so"; Ruth's son Sam cheering at the computer especially at his favourite "twisty" dive which got 5 perfect marks; Shelly's daughter Katie still talking about Riley at the breakfast table the next morning and Chase and Aidan, young divers and the next generation of Boardworks possible Olympians inspired by their friend a mentor - when it seemed like only yesterday it was Riley standing small beside his idols. The imprint Riley is making on their small minds is one of the best things about being an Olympian.
2. People connections - I doubt Riley understands the impact he has had on so many people. We all love the Olympics and travel is known to reduce during the 3 weeks every four years as people stay home glued to their TV's. Friends, family and colleagues will have a special connection to the Olympics this summer and will enjoy the experience even more as it becomes personal
3. Celebrity connections- half off the bill at Cactus Club for Riley and his team mates on celebration night. And Riley was the celeb, not Alex - too funny
1. Kid connections - some of my favourite messages have been from friends with kids and how they have reacted to Riley and his Olympic Dream. My friend Susan's son would only let her clap when Riley dove because that is who they were there to cheer on; Doug's daughter Katie Ann sat with her mom (Dad in the stands with me) and asked her magic paper puzzle (remember those ones you folded up and wrote messages on and then asked questions and picked numbers) if Riley would win and it said "undoubtedly so"; Ruth's son Sam cheering at the computer especially at his favourite "twisty" dive which got 5 perfect marks; Shelly's daughter Katie still talking about Riley at the breakfast table the next morning and Chase and Aidan, young divers and the next generation of Boardworks possible Olympians inspired by their friend a mentor - when it seemed like only yesterday it was Riley standing small beside his idols. The imprint Riley is making on their small minds is one of the best things about being an Olympian.
2. People connections - I doubt Riley understands the impact he has had on so many people. We all love the Olympics and travel is known to reduce during the 3 weeks every four years as people stay home glued to their TV's. Friends, family and colleagues will have a special connection to the Olympics this summer and will enjoy the experience even more as it becomes personal
3. Celebrity connections- half off the bill at Cactus Club for Riley and his team mates on celebration night. And Riley was the celeb, not Alex - too funny
Monday, June 23, 2008
A dream come true ...
Riley's Facebook message says ... "a dream come true- thank you everyone for your support". To me, its the most telling indicator of what has transpired this past weekend and over the past ten years and of interest is what it means to Riley. A childhood dream to become an Olympian has been realized and its both the dream and the recognition of thanks in one sentence that makes a mother very proud.
I've taken a day to collect my thoughts before posting. Its been a whirlwind of congratulatory emails, hugs and handshakes and I've been trying to process it all. I am the mother of an Olympian. How cool is that??? I am hugely proud of what Riley has accomplished.
I find myself thinking back to all the hard work, missed play dates and birthday parties when he had to practise, friends calling and saying before he could finish the sentence "I know, you can't come, you have to go to the pool". I think of the scared voice on the end of the phone calling from Vancouver International Airport saying he couldn't find his flight to Australia and what gate should he go to? I'm thinking of the bitter disappointment and hurt in his voice when he lost his first national championship on the 1 metre (he to this day hates the 1 metre!) in London Ontario at 13 - "mom why did the crowd cheer so loud when I lost?" not yet understanding the role of the underdog in human nature. Ironically 4 years earlier he was the darling of the crowd in that very same pool, a cute 9 year old at his first Canada Games.
This weekend the crowd was with him and it felt incredible. Sitting in the stands surrounded by friends and family with many more glued to the Internet and cheering from their special place was "like a village" of support. There are so many people that have been a part of this journey and I know that Riley understands the importance of each and everyone. Being an elite athlete requires a certain degree of selfishness to ensure peak performance. Sometimes as a mother its difficult to accept behaviour that is self directed so when I see the recognition and a simple thank you only hours after the biggest day of his life, I feel great as a mother, not just the mother of an Olympian.
Thanks to all of you for your support and kind words.
I've taken a day to collect my thoughts before posting. Its been a whirlwind of congratulatory emails, hugs and handshakes and I've been trying to process it all. I am the mother of an Olympian. How cool is that??? I am hugely proud of what Riley has accomplished.
I find myself thinking back to all the hard work, missed play dates and birthday parties when he had to practise, friends calling and saying before he could finish the sentence "I know, you can't come, you have to go to the pool". I think of the scared voice on the end of the phone calling from Vancouver International Airport saying he couldn't find his flight to Australia and what gate should he go to? I'm thinking of the bitter disappointment and hurt in his voice when he lost his first national championship on the 1 metre (he to this day hates the 1 metre!) in London Ontario at 13 - "mom why did the crowd cheer so loud when I lost?" not yet understanding the role of the underdog in human nature. Ironically 4 years earlier he was the darling of the crowd in that very same pool, a cute 9 year old at his first Canada Games.
This weekend the crowd was with him and it felt incredible. Sitting in the stands surrounded by friends and family with many more glued to the Internet and cheering from their special place was "like a village" of support. There are so many people that have been a part of this journey and I know that Riley understands the importance of each and everyone. Being an elite athlete requires a certain degree of selfishness to ensure peak performance. Sometimes as a mother its difficult to accept behaviour that is self directed so when I see the recognition and a simple thank you only hours after the biggest day of his life, I feel great as a mother, not just the mother of an Olympian.
Thanks to all of you for your support and kind words.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Trials Time!
Today was the first day of Olympic Trials. The men competed on the 3 metre and the women on the tower. It was such an exciting day full of great diving. Both events were won on the last dive and I'm so pleased that Riley's synchro partner Reuben won the 3 metre and a ticket to Beijing.
While I know Riley is well prepared and feeling good, I can't help but be nervous about Sunday. An Olympic berth is a huge incentive and there is a ton of pressure. I know everyone will dive well and just hope Riley will dive to his potential. I think he will! Here is a link to a story written in the local paper today. http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/sports/story.html?id=23a7dfd0-1544-4b81-b96b-d2107c0ad63f. Wish us luck!
While I know Riley is well prepared and feeling good, I can't help but be nervous about Sunday. An Olympic berth is a huge incentive and there is a ton of pressure. I know everyone will dive well and just hope Riley will dive to his potential. I think he will! Here is a link to a story written in the local paper today. http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/sports/story.html?id=23a7dfd0-1544-4b81-b96b-d2107c0ad63f. Wish us luck!
Monday, June 09, 2008
Final Training
While there are actually 2 weeks left until Riley competes on the June 22nd to capture a spot on Canada's Olympic team, reality is this week is his final opportunity to fine tune and prepare. Starting Sunday, athletes will arrive for training and the schedules and routines will change. The atmosphere will become strained and tense as the biggest prize is finally on the line.
I've been impressed with Riley's focus this week. His training is going well and he's following a good rest plan. He is also spending lots of time trying to not think about diving and his golf game is improving dramatically as a result. He's even booked himself in a golf tournament this Saturday!
I've been impressed with Riley's focus this week. His training is going well and he's following a good rest plan. He is also spending lots of time trying to not think about diving and his golf game is improving dramatically as a result. He's even booked himself in a golf tournament this Saturday!
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