Well as many of you have sent me messages I wanted to take a minute to tell you yes that I am doing well after our recent storm.  Although the water damage was a wonderfull 11 ft in my house it gave me the much needed oppurtunity to get rid of much of the junk that I have collected over the years.  Although this season may be put on hold for a a moment longer than expected I do expect to return back to teh track as soon as feasibly possible.

For the few who know I am a paramedic down here in Galveston yes it is a total mad house but the community in a whole is recovering rapidly for the time being.   Although I am moving into the second week without power, water or gas I hope to have atleast one of those esablished back by tommorow.  However, if I not I am sure generator power is in the near future.

Thank you all for your comments and I appologize for the delay in reponse.

Thanks
Brad

catching up!

Since returning back to Texas for summer training, things have been busy to say the least. After dropping my computer and now having it fixed I am able to get back online and give an update.



First I would like to say thank you to everyone who has given their support and to those who have donated since my last update. Rebecca and Jake for my much needed tools and to my anonymous donor for financial support. Secondly my mother for building my great website www.starktheshark.com. With out all of your help, contributions and support I wouldn’t be writing this.



Second I would like to give an update about traveling to New York. Unfortunately I was unable to get shoes in time to compete in Lake Placid this month. My teammates who help try to find a loner pair I GREATLY appreciate it. It is nice to be around other athletes that try to help so much.



As f late I have returned to work on the ambulance and have recently started working at the hospital hear in Galveston (UTMB). In the mix of juggling work and working out on my own I have been trying to find a trainer with some in the works. Summer push start schools are just around the corner as well as getting back to school to hopefully finish my degree by the fall.



Sounds like a lot but I am juggling it very well thus far and look forward to the hard but fun weeks that lay ahead,



Until next time….

Sorry I haven't updated recently I have been training hard and getting used to the colder conditions rather than that of the great gulf coast weather.  Since arriving I have been going through a lot of changes both personally and schedule wise.  Since arriving I was able to compete in the Utah winter games and the Pioneer cup.  Both of which were great.

Utah winter games was excellent!  It was a good learning tool and it was a good race.  I had only been able to get 3 days in before the race so I was a little rusty (not that I was pro before I left by any means.).  The following week I eventually was able to move off of the training sled for the pioneer cup.  I am not too sure if that was a wise decision.  The great thing was that I had a different sled, the bad thing it was not race ready.  Another learning curve.  A teammate and myself worked on a one handed push at nights in a parking lot (as you can see on my You tube videos) prior to the one you actually see on ice.  I know it looks easy but it can get a little complicated.  Usually we go through a push school in the summer for these types of starts.  During the pioneer cup I had a near crash that took my knee by storm and slowed me down too much to really do that well in the race.  During the race my coach was able to identify the problem and to help rectify it.  The next day 6 hours of sanding out the runners from the previous user and everything has been going great.  I finally was able to put some wight plates in and I am eager to try them out, maybe be a little more competitive. Track is closed currently because it is unsafe due to too much snow!  So we have to wait until the day before the race again.

This process has made me really want my own sled  soon the fundraising will begin. 

I want to thank everyone for their help and time since I have been here and look forward to the next 2 races.



Good luck to everyone!

Well the new helmet is in from the Czech republic (thank you),  About to head out for the next 3 months to go practice and to hopefully take a few competitions under my belt.  I am still on the search for another helmet that can be used during practice and national races.  The helmet that came in is one of two brands that can be used in international competitions so still looking for the input. 

Since the last blog I have built my street sled to get those crucial loads.   So far so good, I have some nice bruises to prove the new loading process.  Been working out pretty hard and sometimes forget that it is so hot here to drink more water.  The 6 hours a day should be paying off this season and next season too.  Look forward to getting back to the track.  Hopefully next year I will ave my own place to stay and a better job that would make the season more comfortable.

Thank you for the support  I am glad to see so many of use on here doing some great things this year!



"skin to the wind"



Brad

After Returning back to Texas from skeleton school this month.  I have come to the realization that this is the dream I am going to chase.  I find my self thinking about turns and corners at every opportunity and have the itch to return to Utah to get back on the track.

School was great!  Met some great people and had the opportunity to slide on some of the fastest ice in the world.  The world cup was the week afterward so the track crew were working their butts off getting it ready.  (thanks guys you rock).

I have a helmet on order, thanks to my family who saw the look on my face when I got back.  They all say it was obvious I will be returning. Logistical works in play to move there for the season.

Ground training is going great I had to step it up a little after coming back so I am feeling the burn.



More to come...



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