This post is STILL 'pre-first-laser purchase', however I was thinking about this the other night....(seriously, this IS a ramble--but any thoughts would be entertaining)
I'm in South Florida, and can pretty much sail all year round.
If I practice and get some help/tips and, like I have, studied a few DVD'S and read a couple of racing books devoted to the Laser..how would I be able to compete, realistically, at a national or even 'Olympic' level"?
I am getting into Laser racing for the fun, competition, and comraderie that comes with doing something you love...but I would LOVE to get to a high level....
However.....
I was reading, the other day, about some guy way up in the rankings and he was briefly touching on his schedule...I paraphrase....."Well", he said.." I make sure I eat 4 or 5 small meals a day..lots of carbs with some protien..... I go out on the water for 3 hours a day, 5 days each week...after each water session I take a break, then a 2 hour workout at the gym"...
HOLY COW!!!!! I have to do THAT (and more) to beat this guy??? Kudos to the folks that win the nationals and the Olympics...I suppose if a company were to pay me $50,000 a year just for me to make an Olympic 'cut', I would take it...but really..how can we all get there without a humoungous sacrifice!!
It's almost like it is not a contest to see who is the best Laser racer, but a contest between the few who get sponsorships to be ABLE to devote all their time to achieving this goal.
I'm stating the obvious, of course. There are not too many athletes who just walk off the farm with an amazing amount of talent and win championships....and if they DID, they probably had parents that made them do whatever it is they do many hours each day...
I AM rambling..I WILL try to practice and sail as much as possible (twice a week??) I WILL try to eat lean cuts of chicken and refrain from drinking too much beer (sob!)...and I promise to try to do more than 20 crunches at a time...
Meanwhile, any companies interested in sponsoring me for my campaign for the London 2012 Olympics, I can be reached at................
I'm in South Florida, and can pretty much sail all year round.
If I practice and get some help/tips and, like I have, studied a few DVD'S and read a couple of racing books devoted to the Laser..how would I be able to compete, realistically, at a national or even 'Olympic' level"?
I am getting into Laser racing for the fun, competition, and comraderie that comes with doing something you love...but I would LOVE to get to a high level....
However.....
I was reading, the other day, about some guy way up in the rankings and he was briefly touching on his schedule...I paraphrase....."Well", he said.." I make sure I eat 4 or 5 small meals a day..lots of carbs with some protien..... I go out on the water for 3 hours a day, 5 days each week...after each water session I take a break, then a 2 hour workout at the gym"...
HOLY COW!!!!! I have to do THAT (and more) to beat this guy??? Kudos to the folks that win the nationals and the Olympics...I suppose if a company were to pay me $50,000 a year just for me to make an Olympic 'cut', I would take it...but really..how can we all get there without a humoungous sacrifice!!
It's almost like it is not a contest to see who is the best Laser racer, but a contest between the few who get sponsorships to be ABLE to devote all their time to achieving this goal.
I'm stating the obvious, of course. There are not too many athletes who just walk off the farm with an amazing amount of talent and win championships....and if they DID, they probably had parents that made them do whatever it is they do many hours each day...
I AM rambling..I WILL try to practice and sail as much as possible (twice a week??) I WILL try to eat lean cuts of chicken and refrain from drinking too much beer (sob!)...and I promise to try to do more than 20 crunches at a time...
Meanwhile, any companies interested in sponsoring me for my campaign for the London 2012 Olympics, I can be reached at................