All for a T-Shirt
Dawn in Salt Lake
Lunchtime in Minneapolis
Afternoon in Milwaukee, praying my skates will arrive undamaged at the baggage claim.
(they did, every time I travel with them I fear the worst)
For the 4th time, I am on my way to competing at US National Long Track Championships. I am in the best shape of my life, and have prepared to the limit of my physical and mental ability.
But really, in some odd part of my soul, all I am racing for is a T-shirt that I bought three years ago, and never have worn. Yes, that sounds strange, let me explain.
It’s been a goal of mine for the past 5 years to earn “Category I” status. This is a national team/development team designation. To earn “Cat 1” you need to do 2 things.
1. Place top 10 at US nationals, in the 500m, that’s a top 10 with your two race times combined.
2. Skate a qualifying time that varies according to the distance. In the 500m, it’s 37.75 (I’ve been regularly faster than this time for 3 years now).
When you earn category I status, US speedskating gives you a skinsuit with the USA on it, and other things, like paying for ice time & coaching.
Earning the right to wear the “USA” is an honor. Many National team guys & Olympians told me how they felt the first time someone handed them their “USA” gear.
So what does this have to do with a T-Shirt?
Before the 2004-2005 National Championships, I bought a shirt that says “USA” and told myself I would not put it on unless I earned it. I thought that was my year to crack top 10 in the US.
In 2004-05, I ended up 12th overall in the 500m.
Last year, I poured my soul into the fires, had an off day at Olympic trials, and was 11th.
The T-Shirt has hung in my closet now for 3 years, tags still on it. Never worn, as I was packing before my flight, I put it in my bag.
To me, it’s not really a simple T-Shirt anymore, it’s some strange totem symbolizing me vs myself. It’s a symbol of perseverance, persistence, execution under pressure, and illogical-insane-irrational dedication to this sport.
It’s just a T-Shirt with three letters on it, but it’s become much more.
Every single skater in the field is talented, dedicated, intense, and full time; each has their own story, desires, intensity.
It’s going to be a very interesting week, nationals always is. I have a feeling it’s my last time competing here.
Filed under: on the road
Good luck, Andrew! I think the shirt will look great on you going home!
Go Andrew! You’ll do it this time!
Good luck Andrew. You deserve it. We will think good thoughts for you.
Andrew-have fun, relax, do your best and I hope to see a pic of you in your shirt on the way home. I’m wishing you much speed!
This time, I have a feeling you may be doing some traveling. Best of luck showing off your talent!!!!
The hard part is over. You’ve done the work. Now it’s time for your mind, your focus, how relaxed you are to take over.
Like Kelly P. said, you best put that picture of you wearing the shirt up on your blog. I beleive in you, I always have.
Good luck this weekend!
My niece is an avid bowler and she has the same feeling about the “USA” in her sport as you do in yours. Last year, she won $3500 in college scholarships at the Pepsi National Championships, but she doesn’t dwell on that. She dwells on the one thing she didn’t win: a spot on the Jr. Olympic team and a chance to wear the “USA” uniform.
Give’em hell out there Andrew. You’ve been busting your butt at practice and we both know that you can crack the top 10 easily. Just stay focused and relaxed and you’ll be there. GOOD LUCK.
Relax, you will do it. Focus, you are there crossing the line well placed in the top ten. Look at the board ANDREW LOVE 37.655. There your are on the plane arriving in Salt Lake wearing the shirt I can see it!
Face forward, put your mind on where you want to go and blast off!
We know you can do it, you have done the work to prepare, now let it happen!
The hard parts over now Andrew. Rip it up!
This is the fun part, going as fast as you can!
JD
Enjoy the weekend and go fast! Hoping to see pics of you in your USA shirt!
Tear it up Andrew, TEAR IT UP.
Andrew, go check out your quotes page and read the latest one you have posted there by Bonnie. Then execute like you have been trained to, and the shirt and Cat 1 status will be yours. Good Luck, I’ll be watching from the stands.
Good luck to you, Andrew. You have spent so much of your time wisely in many ways. May time pay you back with just a tiny bit of its bounty….say 35-36 seconds or so.
If I see you at the oval, I’ll lend you my good luck charm. Its a doozy.
[…] iveness, and the role that ritual & totemics play for athletes. I do understand this, as all I wanted from nationals last year was a T-Shirt. Glancing through photos of the racing (kindly posted […]
Lesson 1; never check your skates (boots) in at the airport. Always take the blades off (check them in) and then carry the boots on the plane with you.