Butterflies

It's day 4 but today was day 1 in terms actual sliding. Which meant this morning the nerves came. Although this is my third sliding camp the nerves prior to your first slide on a new track don't get much better (well not for me anyway).

So this morning... 

Breakfast at 8am, then some time before leaving at 9:30am for the track. This is when the butterflies really hit!! 45 min with not a huge amount to do. I was packed, had made my plan, visualised my plan, eaten etc just a waiting game now.

To be honest the first 3 days were a waiting game. True to an earlier blog Winterberg has fulfilled the 'subject to change' tag skeleton has earned so far. We had no hotel first night so arranged a last minute one just outside of Winterberg. Then at our proper hotel we had no space to work on our sleds so couldn't unpack. So off to the track we went to get an idea of the geography, ice, corners etc. We got a decent track walk in only to find we'd been locked in!! So all our luggage and sleds were stuck at the track when we needed them in the hotel to put together and prep for our sliding session next day. 

So we did the logical thing. We got our cases out (30kg luggage) and walked the 2 or so miles to the hotel - up an icy hill I might add. Anyway 25 minutes later Maddy and I are in our room dying of heat, sweating as we've got tons of thermal layers on. But we're home. However still sled-less. So our first session is in jeopardy. 

Anyway we got the vehicles the next morning and got straight into sled work. Servicing each sled, putting the saddle back on in place, greasing and polishing runners etc. however our session did get pulled in the end as we were just too rushed and it was one thing after another. Not the sort of circumstances you want to attempt a new track in. 

I was reasonably relieved and only slightly disappointed with this news to be honest. I wasn't keen on sliding not 100% prepared or rushed. Still a little deterred by my performance in Igls I was happy to spend some more time learning the track and steers as one of my goals was to be better prepared for the track. Have the ability to anticipate the feeling and steers required using knowledge from past tracks.

ANYWAY! Fast forward to this morning ..

Much better prepared compared to the previous evening. But still not at all confident and basically dreading the first one. How can I explain this? I'm not mental, I don't hate my sport but still do it. It's just scary as hell not really knowing how the first one is going to go. Our coaches had briefed us on where we were likely to crash (!!!) and of course that's where they were positioned hoping to get some decent crash footage! Coupled with some self doubt from the last camp, how I struggled to begin with and this camp has similar characteristics. Hopefully this explains some of my apprehension. 

Once at the track a long warm up helped calm the nerves then one by one we were off. Responsible enough to be at the top by ourselves now we had one another for support. Tim went first, his run looked lovely on the camera. The nerves eased slightly. Once Brogan leaves the changing area I'm next. Hello nerves again. 

I leave the changing room, Marcus has just gone and Brogan is getting ready. Time for me to do the same - take my helmet and sled to the start block. Once Brogan goes it's just me. Off come the over shoes and I check for ice in my spikes. You can't set up your start position until you get the all clear so I wait, watching the clock which is timing Brogan's run and going through my plan in my head. Helmet on, coat off then 'next up, Kim Murray. Track is clear'. And the green light. 

That's it then. No turning back. Set the sled up - we are pushing on the left spur which is my less preferred side. Another thing to unnerve me - no one wants to pop the spur first run. But I think about my start coaching points from Konigssee and reassure myself it'll be fine. 12 steps and on. The spur pulls left so straight away I'm being challenged, having to deviate from my plan. But this is good for me as I need to learn how to get back on line. Funnily enough by now the nerves are gone and replaced by a determination and concentration to get down well. 

I stay on in 9 (as did everyone much to our coaches disappointment) and don't flip at the finish so I'm pretty happy. Then I fly up the outrun and can't get out. Hahaha! I call for help and Tim comes and lifts my sled whilst I clamber over. All very dignified :) then I have some time to recall the run before coach feedback. Overall I am pleased with my run. The key corners (7-8-9) went well and I also had a good top of the track, working to stay straight on the straightaways (not as easy as it sounds). Awareness in the higher pressure corners needs some work but that'll come. I also need to relax in the labyrinth. 

Repeat x2 and that's a training session!! 90 mins of 'training' for 3 minute or so slides. But boy is it draining physically and mentally. Lunch, gym and video and we are done for the day. 

Tomorrow we have the same again.