HI. MY NAME IS LAURENNE.
  • Home
    • Blog
    • Links / Sponsors
  • Bio
  • Yumminess
    • Videos
    • Photographs
    • Music
  • Approach Book
  • Donate
search

welcome to my blog

see below for words regarding my travel adventures, philosophical perplexities, and accompanying photographs

Sochi Olympics 2/13

2/13/2014

3 Comments

 
What a day I had yesterday!!! Racing in the Olympics has always been a dream of mine... Racing in the Olympic downhill always seemed like the most extreme, insane thing I could ever shoot for... And yesterday, I did just that. It was such a crazy, intense, magical atmosphere in the start gate--I couldn't decide whether to be jazzed or pee-my-pants-nervous. I think a combination of these emotions pushed me out of the gate and caught me charging down the course.
It was a tough day of racing. I knew I had a shot at a medal, and I think that knowledge in itself made me a little stiff. Needless to say, I was incredibly nervous. I was feeling good and fast on the top part of the course, but I came into the flat section a bit tentatively and didn't carry quite as much speed as I could have. I was a bit tense, getting tossed over a few rollers and not tucking quite as much as possible... but in the end, it turned out to be a really good run.
The best run of my season, in fact. I came down into 3rd position, behind two really talented, speedy girls, so I was happy (I ended up 11th overall!). Having my family in the finish was also such a warming feeling...knowing that there were people at the bottom to hug and love me, regardless of what place I came in to.
(plus, they had an awesome sign)
It was a relief to have made it down with both skis on, as I managed to lose one part way down the course two days before. Just crossing the finish line was such an incredible feeling, I knew it didn't matter who I beat, or what the outcome was. Just being here at the Olympics has been more than I could have ever asked for...
I had a function this morning with some USSA trustees, and while we (the alpine speed girls) were at the front of the room talking about our experiences, Stacey brought up a really neat point...
It's not all about winning medals. Although the medal count is pretty much all anyone talks about, the experience we're gaining just by being here is so significant, life-changing, and irreplaceable, it's hard to think that a medal could elevate it any more. I'm learning so much about myself, about traveling, about the world and about living that I would have otherwise completely missed out on. These lessons are extremely special in so many ways: I had to work my ass off to get here, so much luck has come my way during my journey, and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Like now... here I am, in Russia, riding a train up into the mountains, learning about the ways of the world, change, and all about myself. I'm growing tremendously with these experiences, suffering unbelievably, bouncing up and down, sometimes flying and sometimes drowning. And I wouldn't trade it for the world.
On a lighter note, after the downhill race yesterday I found out that I also get to race in the super-g!!! That race is on Saturday (Friday late night if you're reading this from Oregon), so I took a day off to rest and hang out with my family today.
While riding down on the train from the mountains I looked out my window to see sun-bathers on the beach. It's amazing how warm it is here right now, yet how great the conditions on the hill are. It's definitely getting warmer every day, and the snow softens up and gets bumpier with every sun rise and set, but the weather has been basically perfect since the day we arrived here in Sochi.
I met my family at their train stop, and we headed into Sochi (actual Sochi, the city) to check it out. We walked all over the city, exploring the arboretum and riding a crazy tram to the top of a hill that overlooked much of the city.
We walked some more, and then some more, and made it down to the boardwalk where all the cruise ships are docked. I actually heard that some of the athlete's parents are staying on these cruise ships, due to lack of space in (completed, occupancy-approved) hotels. It seems crazy to step off a cruise ship in the morning and be in the snowy mountains a few hours later... that's dedication! And a lot of walking, shuttles, train and gondola riding, etc.
But walking along the Black Sea was beautiful, and such a nice change from the insanity of the Olympics for a few hours.
Not only was it beautiful, it was WARM. As in, walk-around-in-a-tank-top warm. It felt lovely to soak up some sun on my pasty-white skin. We ate lunner (lunch-dinner?) at an amazing Georgian restaurant that my sister Allana was determined to dine at. It was quite the trek to get there, but we were all thankful after filling our bellies with scrumptious Georgian food (Allana visited Georgia last year, so ordered perfectly for the whole table...nom nom).
(above--view from the tram at the top of the city, and a self-proclaimed 'bench' in the park)
After gorging ourselves on too much food, we headed back to the train. My family disembarked at their stop, and I'm continuing up to Rosa Khutor, the Olympic mountain village. The sun is setting peacefully over the Black Sea, and I'm feeling fulfilled and rejuvenated after a day of adventuring.
Thus far my journey has been insane, busy, uplifting, stressful, and enchanting. I'm glad I have my family here to help me soak it up and keep me grounded, because there's a lot to take in. I'm so blessed to be here...it's all still a bit surreal. But I'm embracing it and enjoying seeing all of your support and kind words during this ride of my life. I've got a few days left, so I'm going to live it up and take advantage of every minute.
So with love, hope, and hugs, I'm signing out.
<3 <3 <3 Laurenne
Picture
3 Comments
Tabatha Charlton
2/13/2014 03:22:29 am

Laurenne! Wow! I am so happy for you and everything you have accomplished! You are and always have been a very beautiful, kind, wonderful and friendly person! You deserve every bit of this journey! Its been so fun reading and watching you experience your dream! :) Go Laurenne!!!!

Reply
Way to embrace the beauty life has presented you.
2/13/2014 12:06:00 pm

Reply
David Rosell link
2/13/2014 02:38:18 pm

Laurenne, We here in Oregon are so very happy and proud of you! It is a joy to watch my kids who attend the MBSEF race program here in Bend watch you on TV. They are so proud of you and you are a role model to them. They still have the shirts you signed for them during your visit to Mt Bachelor last Spring. Continue to soak it all up. Enjoy and kick ass in the Super G!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    my blog!

    adventures to and from, here and there, home and away, around the world--through my eyes, lens, and mind

    Archives

    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    May 2020
    October 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • Blog
    • Links / Sponsors
  • Bio
  • Yumminess
    • Videos
    • Photographs
    • Music
  • Approach Book
  • Donate