Olympic Memories

As with most big events in life, the London 2012 Olympics came and went like a flash. For Suzanne, she trained and sacrifed for years leading up to the games. And now we're all home and will cherish all the Olympic Memories for a lifetime. As much as we're full speed ahead to "what's next" I always like to pause and reflect on a powerful experience to really soak it in.
While I was there, taking it all in, it was hard to make the time to blog much. But now that I'm home, I do have my top 13 favorite Olympic memories to share (yes I tried for 10 but just couldn't do it).

13) Freaking out (like a teenager watching American Idol) while watching Suzanne on TV represent Team USA at The Capitol Fourth on TV with Apollo Ohno, knowing this was just the beginning of the excitement to come...

12) Before heading out of town, getting all weepy and emotional, seeing signs all over Parkton wishing Suzanne good luck. And my husband telling me I can't cry at the Olympics. HA!!! Yeah Right. It was so exciting and emotional, I think even he cried!

11) Checking into our hotel, which just happens to also be a pub. How convenient! Except when waking up Sunday at 5am London time to hop on the tube by 6am to the first event (Fencing) after being awake all night hearing laughter and fights (our room was directly over a pub and with no AC and wide open windows, it was like we were in the pub). Funny now. Not so funny then.

In my head, I was like "suck it up" (a Suzanne phrase), knowing as tired as I was, Suzanne had 10 hours of competition ahead of her!!!



10) Getting the VIP treatment at the Proctor and Gamble Olympic Family house. Getting my hair and make up done there was as close to feeling like a movie star as I'll probably ever get. Thanks Suzanne and P&G (fabulous goodie bag to boot although had to leave half of it in London).

9) Seeing the Tower Bridge with the Olympic Logo in person. Breath-taking!!! I still can't believe I got the chance to go to the Olympics in London, but even more unbelievable was watching a friend and client compete!



8) Trying to keep up with Olympian parents the morning of THE BIG DAY could be in Olympic sport! Full speed ahead! If I was feeling anxious and excited, imagine how they were feeling!

7) If ever I needed to apply my yoga relaxation techniques "off the mat" it was while watching Suzanne fence at the Olympics. BREATHE.




6) The Olympic Aquatic Facility with Olympian Mom decked out in Team USA gear?! Need I say more?!

5) I love horses. And I know riding is one of Suzanne's greatest strengths. So I THOUGHT the Show Jumping event would be sort of, maybe, relaxing to watch? HA! Guess again. This was BY FAR the most intense sporting event I have ever seen... And I have seen some stuff. There is something about the silence of the crowd (like golfing tournement quiet, where you can hear every trott and breath of the horse) combined with the unpredictable behavior of the horses (that the riders just met 20 minutes earlier) and well, the fact that some girls literally got thrown off their horses and were chasing them through the arena to finish their series within the 75 seconds allotted. I literally didn't breath. And if I hadn't just had a patriotic gel manicure, I would have bitten off all my nails. But, when Suzanne entered the arena... she looked so beautiful, graceful and in control of her horse. It was a moment in time I will never forget.

4) Getting a wave from Suzanne during run-shoot warm ups made me so happy!

Then, once the competiton started, I got so dizzy and hoarse from screaming and cheering for Suzanne. The only way I know how to explain the excitement I felt is to compare it to a Raven's playoff game... then multiply it by 10.

Cheering for Suzanne there, surrounded by thousands of fans from all over the world in the beautiful scenery of London. WOW. WOW. WOW.

3) After moving out of Olympic Village, Suzanne moved into our hotel. Visiting her room post games to see the pile of fabulous Olympic Nike apparel and goodies she got (well earned) and wondering how the heck we were going to get this all in 4 bags! (BTW, this picture does not do it justice whatsoever). The scattered mess of clothes was a sight to see. The maids took one look and turned right around.
She had to come to my room to get mashed because there was literally no room in hers - Her floor was covered in gear for five sports, plus clothes from being away for over a month!

2) Heading out for an Olympic Pub Crawl on our last day in London, which ironically, like her competition day, also turned out to be a 10 hour event. Toasting Suzanne all decked out in her Nike Olympic gear - It was a day to remember!

1) And for my fav FAV Olympic Memory. After 10 hours of competeing on little to no sleep, rest or food, Suzanne decided to come up into the stands to see her family and coaches. We all were so excited and emotional to hug and congratulate her.

When an Olympic athlete enters the stadium, all eyes are on her, and she is soon surrounded by fans from all over the world asking for pictures and autographs. And even though she is exhausted and needed to shower up and get to closing ceremonies in an hour, she graciously smiles and signs as many as possible. Yep, that's our girl!

I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Suzanne again. Feeling the Olympic Spirit in London is a memory I will never forget. I've only had the opportunity to know Suzanne for a little over a year, but it was such an unbelievable honor and priveledge to support her through this journey to the Olympics and I hope that we will be friends for a lifetime.

The thing about Olympic athletes is that through their sacrifice, discipline and hard work, they inspire everyone else around them. In their presense, we are all inspired to rise up. An Olympian's energy, fearlessness and willingness to push the edge is contagious. My life definitely became more exciting and full the day I met Suzanne and I know that whatever she does going forward, she will always be an Olympian and put her whole heart and soul into everything she does...

And so this ends my "Olympic Blog" but I will continue to post about athletes who are "stretching their potential" with Ki-Hara Resistance Stretching and Yoga for Sports Conditioning. Who knows, we may have another Olympic blog for the summer 2016 games in Rio! 

Karen Dubs

www.flexiblewarrior.com

Inspire a Generation

It's my last day here in London. The crew has our last "Olympic event" planned... A pub crawl through Covent Gardens. Like all Olympic sports, doubtful I'll be able to keep up but it will be fun trying.

I finally got the opportunity to mash Suzanne's sore muscles, four days post pentathlon event. No pictures, as we were both still in our "tourist wear" after a long day of pubs, shopping and museums! Mashing, girl talk and chocolate in London turns out to be quite silly and fun. We should have made time for it days ago but we're on the go morning til night!

There are thousands of signs everywhere that say "inspire a generation" along with the Olympic symbol which symbolize the union of the continents and all the althletes that come together to compete in the games.

"The most important thing in the Olympic games us not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.". This quote is part of the Olympic creed and reinforces the important roll of Suzanne's participation here. She will forever be an Olympian and carry that Olympic spirit which inspires those around her.

Olympic motto "faster, higher, braver". Yep, that fits Suzanne as well. The persistence, discipline and sacrifice that comes with overcoming obstacles in pursuit of competing with the best athletes in the world is what "inspiring a generation" is about to me.

It has been an absolute privilege and honor to be here in London for the 2012 Olympic games. It's the best kind of summer vacation when I come home with an experience that had opened my eyes, broadened my perspective, stretched my knowledge and beliefs and allowed me to connect with other people in a different part of the world.

Again, thank you Suzanne for all your hard work and sacrifice and for inviting me along to share part of this journey and dream with you!

Olympic Spirit

Hi! I had all good intentions of keeping an Olympic blog but honestly I just don't feel like making the time to sit and write much. I am having the time of my life here!

Yesterday was unreal. Exciting and inexplicably intense. An experience I will never forget but that I'll never be able to describe in words. Thank you to my friend and client Suzanne Stettinius for all her sacrifice pursuing her dream and allowing me to fulfill a dream too. Being here in London for these games is beyond a "bucket lust" experience.

The day started with a 5am wake up call and didn't end until around midnight after watching the closing ceremonies in a pub with some super fun locals. I woke up at 10am the next morning, which is unheard of for me!

Here are some pics! I will try to write more later. Off to London bridge and Olympic village to see Suzanne! The Olympic spirit is alive and kicking in London! They have done a fantastic job making the world event outstanding on all levels. The connection I feel with every person I cross paths with is so inspiring!

Arriving in Olympic central

Driving out of Baltimore I see signs wishing Suzanne good luck and it just warms my heart and gets me so excited to know the thousands of fans behind her cheering her on.

I got my toes painted patriotic and packed as much red, white and blue as I could. After about a 10 hour travel day, we got to hook up and hang out with our girl Suzanne! She looks cute all decked out an her Team USA gear and super fit and ready to go on Sunday! It was fun to see her ruinite with her family and tell stories.

Tomorrow hope to meet up with Suzanne again at the Olympic village and the P&G house and for some hair and makeup to make me look alive again. But first a good night sleep, which might be challenging since our window is directly over a pub, there is no AC and it's Friday night. Earplugs and Ambien may help!

So happy I got to see Suzanne and meet her other coaches (including her fencing coach, Damien Lehfeldt pictured in the team USA fencing jacket) and all her fabulous family. It's such an honor to be here. But at This point I'mq so tired i cant see straight. Goodnight!

Unstoppable / Thanks Mom!

Hello Warriors!

On the heels of a challenging and adventurous week in Colorado at Knights of Heroes camp with some seriously courageous sons and daughters of our countries heroes, I'm home for three days to "catch my breath" (and we yogis all know how important breath is!) before I head across the pond to London to meet up with our girl Suzanne Stettinius (be sure to tune into to Modern Pentathlon even on Aug 12th). I CAN NOT WAIT to see her beautiful face and stretch her long limbs.

I'll admit I'm exhausted from hiking, biking, climbing, and lots of adventuring plus I've got un-packing, laundry and re-packing to do, so I'll keep this short on text today and share with three videos that stir my emotions a bit. I can't be the only one who cries when they hear an inspiring song or a Mom talking about their child's lifelong journey to the Olympics! Take a few moments to watch these videos and think about your own journey... where you came from, where you are and where you are going.

First, the song "Unstoppable" by Rascal Flatts... "Get on your knees and dig down deep. You can do what you think is impossible. You are unstoppable."

Next, you want to know a secret about Suzanne?! She's a GLEEK! Yep, she loves the show Glee. And a few months back when the Glee cast did this performance of "I Believe I can Fly" I personally think it was JUST FOR Suzanne...

And now, the best for last. If THIS doesn't choke you up, check your pulse. There is ALWAYS a Mom behind every Olympic athlete, who has sacrificed to help make their child's dream come true. I hope to next see a "Thank You Mom" P & G profile on Suzanne's amazing mom, Avis Stettinius...

And I'd like to take this opportunity to personally thank my mom, Pat Ebert, for always giving me freedom and allowing me to make mistakes, for driving me around to all my sports when I was in school, for giving me freedom to adventure and for trusting me to make my own choices and mistakes, for always being there to cheer me on, for teaching me to be independant and for not smothering me, for showing me how to be sensible with money, appreciate what I had, and to balance my checkbook and only buy what I could afford, for taking me to church and teaching me core values ... and mostly for showing me how to be grounded, confident and to have integrity.

Being a mentor at Knights of Heroes camp last week made me realize even more how grateful I am to have parents who instilled in me these qualities and core values that have made my life so full and fun. Thanks Mom!
OK my friends! I am off to London on Thursday! I will try to mobile blog from there. Thanks for all your well wishes.