today

I am no longer alone. . .

Long Time, No See!

Hello and I'm back!

Sorry for the prolonged absence! I have some important news, however, I HAVE A WEBSITE!!!

From now on, you'll be able to read my blogs and follow my progress on:

www.sparrow-tech.net/olympics

I've moved all my old blog posts there and have pictures, info, etc on it - so go check it out!!!

Thanks,

Caitlin

Buenos Aires, Here I Come!!

Hey y'all!

In early December, I will be attending the Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This was slightly unexpected, so while I thought I had a long winter to focus on conditioning, I'm having to shift gears and get ready to compete in less than 3 weeks. I thought it might interest you so know what goes into preparing for a major competition.

Firstly, while I am always expected to eat healthy, I must now follow a very strict diet. It's amazing to see the physical effects of what one eats, and putting quality foods into the body really does have a tremendous impact on performance. I incorporate a lot of fresh, whole foods and lean meats. I try to avoid foods high in unhealthy fats and foods that are highly processed. My calorie intake may be high, but the goal is still to eat a healthy and balanced diet to optimize performance.

My training routine has also changed. Going into the "off-season," the focus has been on conditioning and injury prevention. Lots of my swimming and track workouts incorporated longer, easier sets, with aerobic threshold goals as opposed to speed and race-pace targets. My swimming workouts are now much shorter, but with much more emphasis on speed and racing strategy. Likewise, in running, I now focus on simulated racing intervals and do a lot of shorter, speed sets. My running and swimming workouts remain key for my overall conditioning performance.

In fencing, we're now focusing on bouting strategy and lots of quick-paced actions, instead of drills and technique exercises. Shooting, too, is now about rapid loading and shooting while out of breath.

As we get closer, we will begin to "taper" out workouts so as to achieve optimum rest before the competition itself. The goal with any workout program is to "peak" at the right time, so with the combined effort of eating healthy, completing workouts geared towards the demands of competition, and plenty of quality rest, I should be at my peak come December.

This will be my first major international competition, so it will be interesting to see how I stack up to the higher-caliber athletes. I'll keep you posted as I get closer, but for now, pray that I train well and don't get injured anytime soon!

Caitlin Flathers, signing off.

Here, There, and Everywhere

At long last, hello!

The past few weeks have all been spent abroad and my access to the internet was limited, so I apologize for not writing more frequently. I spent most of the month of October in Virginia, Ireland, and England visiting family and taking a mini training break (although I still worked out.)

First, I visited my old stomping ground, Lynchburg College, for homecoming weekend. It was great to see some of my friends and teammates. While there, I also got to visit the barn where I used to work and get in some quality saddle time. I haven't really ridden since the summer, so it felt great to get back in the tack. I ran some of my old trails and even swam in the Y pool where I first started to swim (Pricilla, this is your shout-out!).

My mom, dad, little brother Patrick, and I then flew to Ireland to visit my sister, Erin, who is currently studying in County Wicklow. We met up with other families whose children were also in the study abroad program and got to tour the country, visit with the students, and generally get to experience the best that Ireland has to offer.

After a week in Ireland, my mother, brother, and I took a ferry from Dublin to Liverpool where we then took a train to Sheffield to visit my older brother, Will. While in England, we visited Manchester (home of the world's most supported soccer team, Manchester United), Bakewell (famous for the Bakewell Tart), and London (famous for lots of things, including but not limited to the 2012 Olympic Games). The weather was absolutely fantastic the whole time and it was great to catch up with Erin and Will.

Upon returning to Denver, I was met with the realization that even though it is October, winter has arrived. In fact, as I write this, there's over 18 inches of snow outside and I'm completely stranded in my house. I'm curious to see how I'll fit my training around the weather conditions and what crazy things my coaches will make me do. Perhaps push-ups in snow drifts or something awful like that??

Thanks for checking in on me!

Denver and Some Other Stuff

Hi,

I thought I'd fill you in about what my life is like in Denver and how I'm adjusting to being a Midwestern girl. In general, the people here are very nice. Even during morning traffic, the people just seem relaxed and easy-going. Everyone here is also very active and appreciative of the great outdoors. Even in downtown Denver there's a giant REI store and people will raft down the river that cuts through town.

I had the opportunity to attend a Broncos game the other night and I got to see a whole new side of the city. The Broncos were playing the Bears and as you might recall, the Broncos' QB Cutler recently played traitor and joined forces with the Bears. The Bears QB (one not known for a great arm) ended up being picked up by the Broncos. Full-fledged family feuding commenced. The people dressed up as babies (complete with bonnet, pacifier, and diapers - symbolizing Cutler's immature move) were particularly amusing. It was a very confusing game, however, because the crowd booed everything the new QB did right and cheered everything he did wrong. They just booed everything the Bears did in general - really a negative atmosphere if you ask me. I'm sure glad the Olympics doesn't trade players. I much prefer that we all just cheer on Team USA without the backstabbing and low blows.

The other morning I went to my car to head off for a track workout. To my surprise, the car, and everything else, was covered in a fine ash. Dazed and slightly confused, I looked around to see if there was anyone else equally perplexed by the summer snow. It was 6:00 in the morning, so needless to say, no one else was up. It wasn't until that afternoon when the radio mentioned the overcast skies as a result of California's forest fires. I never thought that something so far away could still reach and impact a totally removed environment. It looks like the big, open skies of Colorado might be a little too big and all-inclusive. We don't want California's pollution, thank you very much.

I have to go for a run, so tune in next time for an exciting update in the enthralling life of Caitlin, the Olympic hopeful!

1 Year Anniversary

!Hola!

It's been a year since my tragic case of "I want to go to the Olympics-itis" first set in. I'd like to take a moment to look at the changes and progress I've made.

First off, to all of you who were the "first responders" to my condition - do you believe me now? I'm actually in COLORADO, training with some of the top olympic coaches, working out every day, and have successfully competed on the national level! I remember telling my fellow RAs that I was going to train for the Olympics and they all laughed at me. Not anymore! In fact, Lindsey and Jessica were the only people I initially talked to who didn't think I was joking.

But "told you so's" aside, I've made some big improvements.

This time last year I could barely swim 10 laps (1000 meters) and now I swim 5000m every day.

This time last year I could also barely run a mile - maybe not even that, and now I can run 7-8 miles in an hour - at high altitude.

Last year I had never even touched an epee, let alone knew what fencing really involved. Now I've had the privilege of bouting with Olympic fencers!

Last year I also never shot an air pistol - now I practice shooting for at least an hour every day.

With that said, I still have a ways to go in achieving my Olympic dreams, but I'm on the right track. It's been challenging, but I've come further than I ever though possible and I've met some really amazing people along the way. All I've got to do now is just keep on keeping on!

Current 200m swim time: 2:40

Current mile run time: 6:30

Current aches and pains: shoulders

Caitlin Gets A Job

Hello,

I feel like my life should be made into a children's book series and this one is titled: "Caitlin Gets a Job," (just like "Spot Goes to the Farm.") Anyway, since my training is so time consuming, I have not been able to hold a regular job. It seems not many are interested in "I can't come to work but I'd still like a paycheck" department. Luckily, however, I was able to secure a job waitressing at a local Mediterranean restaurant/cafe with an understanding and flexible owner. I only work a few hours a week, but it helps to alleviate some of the burden off my parents.

I have never waited before and there's something you should understand about me - I don't really like "people" and I don't really like needy "people." This is not to say that I'm anti-social, but being gracious has never really been my thing. Ever. So naturally, a job in the service industry is right at home for me...

So far, I've only had to deal with a few onery customers, but here are some characteristics I've picked up on:

1. All men tip well - regardless, no matter what.

2. All women tip poorly - regardless, no matter what.

3. The more normal people seem, the more mean they are.

4. The weirder people seem, (pink hair, tattoos, studded chokers...) the nicer and more sincere they are.

5. People with small children that like to throw rice never tip enough.

Another interesting part of my job is handling the full-scale bar. On my first day a customer ordered a martini. I wrote down the order and went into the back to see who the bar-tender is. When I asked, the cooks politely informed me that "you are." I grew up in a fairly "dry" family and my experiences with drinks have been limited - and I certainly never mixed anything! I mixed some things together and then gave the woman her drink. I was so scared that she wouldn't like it and would be mad that I messed her drink up, so I gave the table to another waiter and tried not to go over to that side of the restaurant for the rest of the night.

Anyway, next time you eat out, remember how hard waiting really is and don't skimp on the tip!

Current swim time: 2:40

Current run time: 6:30

Current aches and pains: Nothing!