You are your best teacher

On July 27th the 1-year countdown to the London Olympics began. If you’ve never been to an Olympics before, you may think that July 27, 2012 seems very far away, but veterans know that time is going to start feeling like it’s passing by faster and faster.

In the next year there is still a lot to learn and do. Along with all the training, some of you have the Pan Am Games in your sights, whereas others still have World Championships. Qualifying for the Olympics will be a major focus for almost everyone.  There is much to learn from your coaches, and trainers. You will also learn from your teammates and your opposition.  But never forget that the person you can potentially learn from the most is yourself.

A “stone age” ago, photo albums and journals were actual books; created with pen and paper.  If you were curious, or simply bored or tired you could just flip through the pages and reminisce. I remember pulling out my 1991/92 journals and as I prepared for the 1996 Olympics I was surprised and comforted by my own words written four years earlier. Continue reading