Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thank You!
First, I would like to begin by saying "thank you" to all of you that have supported and voted for me. I have never put myself into an election before...and boy, was it interesting. I believe the challenges we are faced with are very exciting and can actually be a lot of fun. As I stated from the start, the only reason I considered running for the position of president was that I looked at the existing board and the possible new board members and knew that I would be surrounded by some great people. Most importantly, CONGRATS! to all the new board members...I look forward to getting to know you and working together to make the organization the best it can be. For those of you who don't know the new members, you can be rest assured that they are energetic and have some great ideas to help synchro. Thank you to all of the outgoing board members for their tremendous gift of time, effort and energy that they have given to synchro. If you have any ideas please feel free to give suggestions.
Friday, August 29, 2008
August 29 Running for President
As many of you may know by now I was asked to run for President of USSS. At first I was shocked, and then honored to have been asked to lead the sport. After much thought and consideration I submitted my nomination. As the days and weeks have passed I have put a lot of thought into the position. A couple of questions come to mind, how does this affect my role with esynchro? Is there a conflict? What experience does he have with the board? From my standpoint there is no conflict because if there is an issue concerning esynchro and USSS I will remove myself from the subject. As far as the board is concerned I know I will be surrounded by many years of experience with the existing and incoming board members.
The exciting part is to utilize my years of experience in leadership and years of research and development in the sport of synchronized swimming to help the US regain its stand on the podium. I will have the opportunity to work with some of the most wonderful and brightest minds in the world as we work toward growing and leading the synchro world once again. Being able to work for and represent people who are very passionate about their sport is very exciting for me. The buzz is tremendous for change and I am honored and privileged to help in this process. If elected it will be of great importance for us as an organization to move forward quickly and very aggressively. I know that this can only happen if everyone is on board with the vision and there is tremendous trust amongst all of us.
I look forward to seeing all of you at convention and answering all of the questions you may have for me and plans for the future.
As many of you may know by now I was asked to run for President of USSS. At first I was shocked, and then honored to have been asked to lead the sport. After much thought and consideration I submitted my nomination. As the days and weeks have passed I have put a lot of thought into the position. A couple of questions come to mind, how does this affect my role with esynchro? Is there a conflict? What experience does he have with the board? From my standpoint there is no conflict because if there is an issue concerning esynchro and USSS I will remove myself from the subject. As far as the board is concerned I know I will be surrounded by many years of experience with the existing and incoming board members.
The exciting part is to utilize my years of experience in leadership and years of research and development in the sport of synchronized swimming to help the US regain its stand on the podium. I will have the opportunity to work with some of the most wonderful and brightest minds in the world as we work toward growing and leading the synchro world once again. Being able to work for and represent people who are very passionate about their sport is very exciting for me. The buzz is tremendous for change and I am honored and privileged to help in this process. If elected it will be of great importance for us as an organization to move forward quickly and very aggressively. I know that this can only happen if everyone is on board with the vision and there is tremendous trust amongst all of us.
I look forward to seeing all of you at convention and answering all of the questions you may have for me and plans for the future.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
August 28, 2008 We're Back
Things are "back" to normal. I received a phone call in the last hour asking about giving some tips on training and technique. The answer was "yes". To help me with more specific questions I would ask if anyone has questions to sign up on our social network and I can provide detailed answers and some graphics or pictures on training and techniques. Also, if any of you have local articles or photos or tv coverage please feel free to link up to our site...this goes for all of our friends from around the world. If it is in another language we will "find a way" to translate.
Another question I was asked was will you discuss some of the things you did with the team to prepare them. I was quoted very often in this last year saying, "we will need to turn the girls from rookies to veterans". Simply put, it was preparing them so they wouldn't be surprised by anything or anyone at the Games to throw off their focus. This not only goes for all the external influences, but the internal influences as well. We worked on thoughts, emotions, physiological changes, breathing and a cast of other influences. Please sign up on the social network and send us your questions on some of the specifics! Have a great day!
Things are "back" to normal. I received a phone call in the last hour asking about giving some tips on training and technique. The answer was "yes". To help me with more specific questions I would ask if anyone has questions to sign up on our social network and I can provide detailed answers and some graphics or pictures on training and techniques. Also, if any of you have local articles or photos or tv coverage please feel free to link up to our site...this goes for all of our friends from around the world. If it is in another language we will "find a way" to translate.
Another question I was asked was will you discuss some of the things you did with the team to prepare them. I was quoted very often in this last year saying, "we will need to turn the girls from rookies to veterans". Simply put, it was preparing them so they wouldn't be surprised by anything or anyone at the Games to throw off their focus. This not only goes for all the external influences, but the internal influences as well. We worked on thoughts, emotions, physiological changes, breathing and a cast of other influences. Please sign up on the social network and send us your questions on some of the specifics! Have a great day!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
August 27 Back Home
When were the Games? Being home for a couple of days, and recovering from the jet lag or not going to sleep the night before I left may contribute to my feelings that the Games were a long time ago. It seems like it was a dream… Yesterday I met with Brooke and Megan and they both felt the same way. The rest of the team is taking some time off and traveling throughout Asia.
Janet came home to get ready for her sister’s wedding…congrats to Jenny! Denise has a pretty busy week to with her daughter getting married this weekend….enjoy yourself Denise and congrats to your daughter and new son in law. This weekend is also the competition for our 13-15 team in Calgary, Canada…go team!
As far as our NT1, it is time to go back to the drawing board and plan for the next quad and what a quad it should be. A debriefing needs to take place and the three questions I ask all of my athletes need to be answered: 1) what went well? 2) what do we need to do differently? And 3) what do we want to make happen next time? I think there should be some great things that will come from this and many new areas to explore.
I will continue to blog and advise others to too! Please check out our esynchro social network and keep in contact with our worldwide family. I have been asked to update the new figures for Fina and I am looking forward to releasing them soon. And speaking of releasing, I will soon be releasing my Sportform system for synchro for all to use. It will include land training, water training, use of energy systems, the mental and emotional components that contribute to peak swims and much more. Again congrats to all who participated in this year’s Games you were all wonderful.
Duke
When were the Games? Being home for a couple of days, and recovering from the jet lag or not going to sleep the night before I left may contribute to my feelings that the Games were a long time ago. It seems like it was a dream… Yesterday I met with Brooke and Megan and they both felt the same way. The rest of the team is taking some time off and traveling throughout Asia.
Janet came home to get ready for her sister’s wedding…congrats to Jenny! Denise has a pretty busy week to with her daughter getting married this weekend….enjoy yourself Denise and congrats to your daughter and new son in law. This weekend is also the competition for our 13-15 team in Calgary, Canada…go team!
As far as our NT1, it is time to go back to the drawing board and plan for the next quad and what a quad it should be. A debriefing needs to take place and the three questions I ask all of my athletes need to be answered: 1) what went well? 2) what do we need to do differently? And 3) what do we want to make happen next time? I think there should be some great things that will come from this and many new areas to explore.
I will continue to blog and advise others to too! Please check out our esynchro social network and keep in contact with our worldwide family. I have been asked to update the new figures for Fina and I am looking forward to releasing them soon. And speaking of releasing, I will soon be releasing my Sportform system for synchro for all to use. It will include land training, water training, use of energy systems, the mental and emotional components that contribute to peak swims and much more. Again congrats to all who participated in this year’s Games you were all wonderful.
Duke
Monday, August 25, 2008
August 24 Duke Reflections
Tonight is closing ceremonies and I think we are all expecting another spectacular show. The time here in Beijing has been very memorable. The people, places, culture and city are more than anything I could have ever imagined. The Games were awesome. As someone said last night at the team party, I did get to many events, saw many sights and met many people. The most important though of all was to see the girls live their dream. They will forever be Olympians...I feel so fortunate to have been part of their dream. I would like to wish a big Congratulations to my friends from around the world. After the event I was able to congratulate the Russians, coach Anna from Spain and Diane from Canada. For those of you I did not have a chance to speak to...congrats to all of you on a job well done. I was also able to speak with the head coach from Japan. As always she was gracious and classy in light of the penalty her team received...we can all learn a lesson from how she handled herself after the incident. What was most impressive was how she handled herself with the press for about an hour long questioning session.
Again, congratulations to all of the competitors and their countries. To have been part of these games is a great honor. We will all go back home with memories of these games and hopes of returning in 4 years to compete again doing what we love to do in one of the best sports in the world. Thank you Beijing!
August 23 Janet Culp
Today was our last day of competition at the Olympics! We had such a wonderful swim today--I mean really incredible. It was everything I had hoped it would be: slow-motion, in the moment, hard enough to know I gave it my all but not so much that I worried if I would make it through, feeling the energy of the audience, and connected with my team-mates the whole time. If I picture my perfect swim, our swim today would be it!
I'm writing this after having just attended a dinner in my team's honor with my parents, husband, and sister, and having spent a little time out in the city of Beijing celebrating with my friends. I was wondering what this moment would feel like, the moment when I look back on today and on the Olympics as a whole. I wondered whether I would be happy, satisfied, and relieved or disappointed, sad, and upset. And the thing is, even though our place today was not what I had hoped it would be, I'm not feeling angry or disappointed. I am so proud of myself and my team, no matter the place we ended up. It sure would have been incredible to medal--I can't deny that. But at the same time, it was pretty incredible that we had our two best swims at the Olympics. And not only were they our best, but I think they were the best we could have done. I have no regrets about the competition. We worked hard every day and we really wanted it. Sometimes that's satisfying in itself, particularly when you're competing against the world's best!
So now all that's left is a little time in the village, closing ceremonies, and a little free time in Beijing with my family. This has been an incredible and indescribable experience...but it was everything I hoped it would be!
Janet
Today was our last day of competition at the Olympics! We had such a wonderful swim today--I mean really incredible. It was everything I had hoped it would be: slow-motion, in the moment, hard enough to know I gave it my all but not so much that I worried if I would make it through, feeling the energy of the audience, and connected with my team-mates the whole time. If I picture my perfect swim, our swim today would be it!
I'm writing this after having just attended a dinner in my team's honor with my parents, husband, and sister, and having spent a little time out in the city of Beijing celebrating with my friends. I was wondering what this moment would feel like, the moment when I look back on today and on the Olympics as a whole. I wondered whether I would be happy, satisfied, and relieved or disappointed, sad, and upset. And the thing is, even though our place today was not what I had hoped it would be, I'm not feeling angry or disappointed. I am so proud of myself and my team, no matter the place we ended up. It sure would have been incredible to medal--I can't deny that. But at the same time, it was pretty incredible that we had our two best swims at the Olympics. And not only were they our best, but I think they were the best we could have done. I have no regrets about the competition. We worked hard every day and we really wanted it. Sometimes that's satisfying in itself, particularly when you're competing against the world's best!
So now all that's left is a little time in the village, closing ceremonies, and a little free time in Beijing with my family. This has been an incredible and indescribable experience...but it was everything I hoped it would be!
Janet
Saturday, August 23, 2008
August 23 Team Free Routine - Duke
Great performances by all the teams! New, innovative choreography and some amazing lifts. The US didn't place as well as they had hoped, but they left a lasting impression. Congratulations to Russia who continues to set the standard of excellence and to Spain and China who won their first Olympic medals in synchro this year.
I'm on my way home but will add some final thoughts later.
Last time from Beijing,
Duke
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
