Lincoln 2010 - Update 4

Next weekend I am going to the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. John and Alex are coming too!

It is supposed to be an unbelievable place, with state of the art athletic facilities. It can house up to 557 coaches and athletes at the same time within two residence halls. Our 28 special athletes and 7 or so coaches should be just fine.

I am so excited about this huge honor; one might think I have suddenly taken over the body of a 16 year old Special Olympian with down syndrome. Try as hard as I might, this has not happened. I do need to remind myself that it is my daughter who has this incredible opportunity. She is even more excited than me.

I know Alex is thrilled because she has already begun to pack. She has made her lists, and informed me regularly of what she is missing. Alex informed her teachers and coaches she will miss school next Friday. I think a two week notice may be excessive, but I am sure she will remind them again. Alex does not like to miss school or soccer. This is a big deal to her.

We got the following schedule by e-mail recently.

Team Colorado Training Camp

Olympic Training Center

1 Olympic Plaza

Colorado Springs, CO

Tentative Schedule

Friday, April 16, 2010 – Sunday, April 18, 2010

April 16

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Arrival & Registration
7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. - Dinner
8:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Team Meetings

April 17

7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. – Practice
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. – Practice
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. – Dinner
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. – Uniform Fittings

April 18

7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Practice
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Team Meeting and Next Steps
2:00 p.m. - Departure

Athletics – Offsite – The Grace Center
Tennis – Offsite – The Flying Horse Club
Bowling – Offsite – Harmony Bowl

*Please note this is a mandatory training camp. Failure to show may result in dismissal from the team. Transportation to and from the training camp is your responsibility and will not be provided by SOCO.*

We have been told, or warned in my case, we will not be able to see our kids all weekend. We will drop Alex off on Friday evening and pick her up Sunday afternoon. This is fine with me, it will help Alex bond with her team and focus on training. She will have her cell phone, so I am sure she will call me a few, or many, times a day.

Colorado Springs is about four hours from our house. This means John and I will spend the weekend there and explore. I love going to new places; adventures help me get though the winter.

Last night we had six more inches of snow, and in April this is not a good thing. Skiing is almost over, so we locals are left with snow and slush, as we await spring. Time to escape!

Yes, I am almost as excited Alex. My enthusiams is a bit more selfish, I get to get away for a few days with my husband and Alex the adventure girl. This can only be fun.