Merry Christmas

Hi Guys,

I’m doing my usual and writing this on my way back to England after a week training/racing in Pitztal (Austria.) Since Landgraaf I have had a hectic two weeks at work. In the middle of all this chaos I found out some awesome information.

ParaSnowSportsGB (formerly the British Disabled Ski Team) have invited me to become a member of their development squad. This is a fantastic opportunity and it is a great honour. This means that I am now an official member of the team and is something I am proud of.  This has motivated me to keep on pushing forward.

On the 5^th of December I flew out to Pitztal Glacier in Austria for a week of training and to compete in two races, a Slalom and Giant Slalom. I had heard two things about Pitztal. One it can be very cold with temperatures going well below zero with strong winds. Two, it is home to a ridiculously long T Bar….something I do not enjoy  (For those of you that don’t know, a T Bar is a type of drag lift that pulls you to the top of the slope.) So I packed extra clothes and mentally prepared myself for the long slog up the T Bar.

 

Arriving on the 5^th, a group of us from the team got together to save some money and hired an apartment for the week.  This was a nice change and actually having to cook together brought a new element to the team and we bonded well.  We tried cooking nutritious meals to set us up for the day…..burning one or two pans in the process…whoops!!!

Training went well, Sunday was just a gentle free ski to get our ski legs back and to get used to the altitude. Pitztal is over 3000m so it took some time for the body to adapt. After two hours skiing, I was knackered.  I slept well Sunday evening.

Monday & Tuesday I was on the Giant Slalom skis. My main goal for the days was to create a better hip position to encourage more drive from the skis. On one side I am able to put my hip into a good position but struggle on the other. This is because of a weakness in my glutes and back. I am proactively trying to correct this off the slope. I was definitely ready for a rest day on Wednesday; this also gave me the opportunity to catch up on some work.

Thursday brought the more reactive slalom skis; we spent the day in gates. Euan (my coach) had set an interesting course with a camber on my weaker side. This meant I had to turn even earlier and react even quicker to stay on the line.  I was feeling more confident in the gates and was trying my best to take the gates to the chest and cut valuable distance off the racing line.

Friday was another rest day whilst the other team members were racing in the Super G event. Super G is a speed event….unfortunately I have not been let loose on a set of super G skis. I cannot wait to progress onto the faster skis in the future and the team did well.  During warm-up a friend of mine (that’s skis for the Dutch Team) Jeffrey Stuut, took too much speed going into a drop off and landed on the flat, breaking both his Tibia and Fibular in 3 places. Really sad news but wishing him a speedy recovery and can’t wait to see him back on the skis.

Saturday brought the Giant Slalom, it was blowing a gale and was cold. My goal for the day was to just let the skis run and enjoy it.  The inspection looked good and there was a couple of gates that need a mental note. Lining up in the start gate, I was freezing. I delayed removing all my layers down to the final moment, throwing them in a pile and dashing to the start ramp. I dropped in, the course had held together quite well and I tried my best to keep on the racing line. There was a flat bit in the middle, just before a slight drop off, I came into this turn and over rotated slightly, which killed all my speed. I quickly managed to get back on the line and make it down to the bottom.   I was happy with my result but I knew I could do better, catching up with Euan he said I wasn’t letting the skis run enough and I was losing speed because of it.

 

The second run came , eager to get a faster speed, I dropped in. Being more progressive with the skis they ran faster, the wind had blown all the snow off  on some bits and we were down to the thick blue glacier ice.  I hit the gate  I previously over rotated on just in the right  spot and made it round. Making my down to the bottom to finish my first Giant Slalom event. Needless to say I was happy. It wasn’t a faultless second run, 5 seconds faster than the first but I was happy. The added speed took me off the racing line but I was definitely being more progressive and traveling with much more speed.

Sunday brought the Slalom event, we were back on the more reactive shorter skis. The sun was out and the weather felt good.  The course looked good and I felt good. I was keen to improve on my time from landgraaf.  I dropped into the course, conquering my Achilles heel, ‘the Start Ramp’. I was starting to the let skis run. The course had cut up a lot from inspection and I was being thrown onto the tails of the skis, losing my balance on a bump I quickly went to recover but was thrown off on another bump and ended up on my back.   Frustrated, I was pulled up by a race marshall and exited stage right. Taking my frustration out on the skis, I descended (very quickly) back down to the restaurant, to catch up with the rest of the team to find out how they had done.  My frustrations soon left as I realised I wasn’t the only one to have gone out on that gate. I reflected on how far I had come in the last month and how much further I need to go. I quickly came back down to the earth.

The team overall won 3 Gold 2 Silver and 1 Bronze in the IPCAS races and 1 Gold 1 Bronze in the Europa Cup races, a fantastic achievement.

I thoroughly enjoyed my week in Pitztal and was gutted to leave. A few of the guys carried on to Kuhtai to race in the Europa Cup for which they all did very well. The female visually impaired athletes (Millie, Menna, Kelly and their guides Brad, Jen and Claire) podiuming near enough every race, a great achievement for GB.

So what’s next? On Boxing Day I am heading out to Zell am See for a weeks training and then heading over to Rinn for two slalom events.  If I do not speak to you before that.

Happy Christmas and New Year :)

Thanks again for all the support,

Alex

x

If anyone would like to sponsor my cause please click here

Or email me on alexclarke1992@outlook.com 

Big Achievements and Personal Bests at Landgraaf

Right well…where to start ?

I am currently sat waiting for the ferry back to Hull after an awesome few days in Landgraaf for the start of the ski season.  My legs hurt and I am tired but I can’t stop smiling.

This week was the opening of the 15/16 season with two indoor slalom races over two days. We arrived at Snowworld on Sunday.  I was eager to get out on the snow and get some practice in the gates and more importantly on my achilles heel….the start ramp.

We started training on Monday, much to my dismay the start ramp was roped off and we were unable to train on it. The days training was frustrating due to poor snow conditions. The snow was sugary, which to the non-skier meant that it was hard work to get the skis to work efficiently and it was difficult to actually turn. After a few crashes and moving the course to firmer ground, I regained some confidence but was still nervous about the race approaching….. It was a long night.

On the day of the first race we awoke to the delights of a 6 am morning activation session. I felt knackered and my body didn’t seem to be moving. I tried to alleviate this by stretching and working on jumping/movement patterns to get my body reacting quicker. In Landgraaf due to the size of the venue you have to complete three runs of two courses, unlike the usual two runs of two courses. During inspection I took the opportunity to try the start ramp to plan an approach, being too tentative I overshot it and crashed. This didn’t help my confidence. The course itself looked good and it wasn’t unlike many of the courses I have skied in training.

The race started, I felt sick, I had MANY a nervous wee (not easy in ski gear). I finally lined up in the start gate, my number about to be called. I was doing everything I could to relax.  John Clark (coach) gave me some advice for the start gate to give me direction for the first turn. I dropped my riggers into ski mode, the time wand was moved over and it was my time to drop in.  I dropped in, eyes fixated on the first turn, driving my outside rigger through the turn I made it round!!!  Huge sigh of relief, my attention immediately fixated on the next turn and the next. I was taking it steady but I just wanted to finish.  It wasn’t the best I have skied but I made it down, the crowd was cheering me on and I felt a huge weight lift of my shoulders. 

The next run, I built on my confidence, letting the skis run, I could feel my confidence coming. The start gate was no longer an issue and I could focus on the course. I got down much quicker. 

The final run. This would determine If I finished the race or not. I felt nervous but I knew I could ski the course.  Aiming for a finish rather than a time meant I was starting at the back of the pack, so the course was quite cut up and icy in places. I dropped in, heart racing, taking it steady I made my down the course, trying my best to stay in control. I neared the bottom, next to last gate my leg went into spasm and I slid, missing the gate. Cussing profusely to myself, I flicked my riggers into crutch mode and started the long push.  My fellow team mates were screaming at me to push from the bottom.  I made it back up to the gate and dropped back onto the course, making it round the last gate. I pointed my skis for the finish and crossed the line. I was hit with a huge sense of elation, relief and sense of achievement. My teammates and parents all joined me for a hug…It felt awesome. It wasn’t the best I could ski but my goal was to finish and I had achieved that :)

The second race came round, enthused with a new sense of confidence, I felt much more comfortable taking a faster line. My goal for this day was to get under one minute per run. I dropped in taking a much straighter line and letting the skis run. I finished my first run, finishing at 53 seconds (way under my one minute target, I was happy.) My next two runs were around a similar time and I was over the moon. Overall, I was around 50 seconds faster on the second day compared to the first day. I was a lot happier with this time but stillroom for improvement.

Words cannot describe how happy I am with this week and how much confidence this has given me in my own skiing ability. I achieved my goal and finished two races. My next goal is to finish again…but faster ;)

It has been a long time coming reaching this goal but the hard work has paid off and has motivated me to keep on working to achieve my goals. I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without the support of my family, friends, coaches and team mates. You have all been a great motivator and supporter in my journey so far and I hope you stand by me for many years to come,  Thanks again :)

My next race is mid December in Pitztal (Austria), no doubt I will update you again then :)

Thanks

Alex

x

Photos courtesy of Charlie Booker 

If anyone would like to sponsor my cause please click here

Or email me on alexclarke1992@outlook.com 

New House, New Job, Still Skiing

Hi ,

It has been a long time since my last blog but a lot has changed.

I found myself rushing here there and everywhere trying to juggle many commitments. On Sunday the 13^th September I came back from a week training in Wittenburg and moved into my new house, on the Monday I started my new job and the Friday I was flying up to Stirling for a weekend training camp provided by the Scottish Institute for Sport.

Wittenburg was a great experience; I found some amazing drills that really helped my body understand the position it needed to be in. I found myself feeling more and more comfortable on the bulletproof ice as the week went on.

Stirling dry land camp (an event organised by Scottish Institute for Sport) was a milestone for myself. We were given tests to judge our maximum heart rate and were assessed on our overall movement patterns. On a static bike we were set to a specific cadence and every minute we had to increase the resistance until we could go no further. I dropped out on the 18^th minute but felt positive, as I would have done a lot less a few months previous. This was also the first time I have been able to jump freely off the floor and land using only my legs, which was a big confidence booster (never to old to learn, its only taken 23 years to learn to jump.) See video here.

I have moved down to Basildon Essex and I am commuting into Central London every day for my Job at the Post Office. It was a hard change at first and is something I am still getting used to.  I found myself getting really run down and tired from the commute but after a few changes, such as getting taxis instead of being my usual stubborn self, I acclimatised.

The Job itself is great. I am on a graduate programme at Post Office Limited; the programme is a 24-month contract, working in different areas of the Business. I am really enjoying it and finding it a great challenge. There are 6 graduates in this cohort and we get on really well (pictured). We started with a month induction, which involved getting to know each other and gaining a better understanding of the business. At the moment I am working in Financial Services but around March time next year I will move into Commercial and then into Network 6 months later.

At the moment I am currently sat on a Ferry on my way to Landgraaf (Holland) for the first race of the season. Those of you that have been following my blog for a while now, will remember Landgraaf from last year. I am really excited to get back in the gates, it seems like an eternity since I was out in Wittenburg in September.

In the plethora of work I have still managed to keep skiing every week, sometimes driving back in the early hours of the morning to then get up at 6am for the following days work (whist isn’t always easy.)

In the gym I have been training hard, I have adopted the advice from the dry land training camps in Stirling and Bishom Abbey. I’ve tried to make them part of my daily routine. I have been focussing on more body weight type movements to get more activation from my muscles and to create a more efficient body position and walking gait.  I have noticed the benefits in my every day life and I am feeling more stable and like I have more control over my lower body (which is always a positive.)

The first race of the season is on the 17^th November. My goal for this race is to finish and get some points on the board. I am keen to get some practice in before my race and get the feel for the snow (ice). I have been rummaging through my old videos and decided to make a progress video from last year to this year. I was astonished by the difference and feel motivated to keep on pushing forward.  Click here if you would like to see that video.

So, I will leave it there for now, No doubt I will update you after my race. Keep your fingers crossed for me. 

Cheers

Alex

x

 If anyone would like to sponsor my cause please click here

Or email me on alexclarke1992@outlook.com 

Training and Exciting New Horizons

Hi Guys,

I thought I would give you a bit of an update on my recent escapades and my plans for September.  Firstly, I have managed to secure a house for my move to London and my new job. So in a few weeks I will be moving to Basildon (Essex) to start my job on the Post Office Graduate Scheme, working in central London.  I am very excited to start, this will involve a daily commute into London but living outside of London means I can keep my car and ski train as much as possible :)

Early In August I was lucky enough to be invited along to a dry land training camp at Bishom Abbey just outside of London. This was run by EIS (English Institute for Sport) we were supported by two great trainers Abi and Maria. The weekend involved strength and conditioning sessions and cardio workouts to put us through our paces, improve our knowledge of our body and improve our workouts at home. This was a great weekend and I learnt a lot, definitely feeling the effects.

Following on from this I have adopted a daily routine to work on the neurological side of Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy causes the message from my brain to my muscle to be disrupted and not always work as well as it should. So to improve this I have to improve my muscle memory and the neuro pathways that connect my muscles.  Maria and Abi recommended a daily routine of 5 exercises to get my body used to using certain muscles and to improve the connections to make them more easily accessible for me.  I have adopted this and this is now part of my daily routine.

 

I got back from Germany after one week training in Wittenburg’s Alpine Centre with the British Disabled Ski Team. For those of you that don’t know Wittenburg is home to an Indoor Ski Centre with independent race lanes to train on and even a chair lift.

There was many benefits from training on a temperate controlled slope compared to the mountains of Hintertux (although the view isn’t quite the same) these include having double sessions. Being able to train in the morning and in the afternoon means we can go out twice a day and we are not controlled by the heat of the day.  This increases our output and means these camps are a lot more full on.  Although this means that our recovery is vitally important, this was the most intense camp I have been on. The race lanes were a great learning curve for me, this is the first time I have been able to train on snow similar to the ice I experienced in Italy.

The race lanes in Wittenburg are groomed every week but after that, they are saturated with water for a few hours and then left to freeze to create the most bullet proof ice you have ever seen. The piste was like glass and in some places it was completely transparent, which was great development. This meant that I had to be early in the line and have a strong edge otherwise I would miss a gate or elbow drop the ice….which wouldn’t be/wasn’t enjoyable. As the week went on I found my body relaxing to the ice and not seeing it as so much of a big deal. I found I was standing taller and was able to influence the ski more, improving my consistency in the gates and my times consequently improved. To begin with I was sitting back onto the tails of my skis and was very static, this was because I did not feel comfortable standing on my edges on such compact ice.  My confidence grew over the week but so did my fatigue. I was exhausted by the end of the camp and I was falling asleep on the chairlift but I enjoyed every minute of it.  

Whilst we were out there I was lucky enough to be turning 23 on the scheduled rest day and was blessed with a great set of guys and girls that made it brilliant. We went go karting, which first of all was epic. Go karting can be competitive enough anyway but having a set of ski racers involved put the level of competitiveness to a new peak. The track was underneath the snow dome and consisted of hair pins, straights and chicanes, the track was even drenched in water at one bit. No one was taking any prisoners and there was enough some collisions…sorry Katie haha. Driving the car was the easiest bit, I struggled getting out of the thing, having to be man handled by 3 guys to get out of it after seizing up from 15 minutes of driving made for quite a sight. I believe the Award for most outstanding performance goes to Millie and Suzanne Knight though. For those of you don’t know, Millie is registered blind but was able to take part in go karting by following her mum and listening to her instructions.

So what’s next ?

Today I am travelling to Wittenburg to put myself through another intensive week of ski training and then coming back to start my new job in London. This brings on a new challenge in itself, which I am looking forward too. The weekend after I am up in Stirling, Scotland for another weekend of dry land training. Needless to say I am very busy but I am still trying to remain focussed and keep improving.

I will update you guys after I get back from Wittenburg, Stirling and when I am settled in my new job. My Next race is mid November and I am keen to hit my goal.

Speak to you soon

Alex

x

(Photos Courtesy of Suzanne Knight) 

 If anyone would like to sponsor my cause please click here

Or email me on alexclarke1992@outlook.com