Hi from the Olympic Trials Everbody! About an hour before my race. This is it!

Olympic Trials Update: Day off before our last races tomorrow

Hey everybody! Once again, thanks so much for following our shot at the Olympics. We've tried to give everyone a glimpse into the lives of a brother/sister/mom team of speedskaters for the last year and a half and it's been quite the journey and challenge. I also believe we have realized the necessity for Christ and the Holy Spirit in our lives as we have submitted ourselves time and time again to exhausting physical and mental training. And if we hadn't submitted to this type of discipline and trusted in God's faithfulness we would not have the opportunity to succeed or fail.

So far, Nancy has raced a 3000 and 1000 meters and I have raced a 500 and 1000 meters. Nancy had a shot to make Team USA in the 3000 but missed it. Then, her next race and my first two races have been a preparation for a chance for both of us to make it in the 1500 meters tomorrow. Let's get'em tomorrow!

You can watch NBCSports on TV or at this link (http://stream.nbcsports.com/liveextra/) to see the 1500's tomorrow. I, Jeffrey, will be 12th pair starting around 5pm MST. Nancy will be 8th pair, starting around 3:35pm MST.

To see live results if you can't watch, head to Speedskatingresults.com

P.S. we are never sure exactly what they'll cover on NBC so sometimes they cut off some of the coverage on NBC's main network and show full coverage on NBCSports or the livestream online, so sorry if you missed it :(

Jeffrey's Results so far:
500m: 22nd
1000m: 14th

Nancy's results so far:
3000m: 9th
1000m: 15th

Day 3 (1000 meters) of the US Olympic Trials

The feeling of making the Olympic Team for the first time is BEAUTIFUL, MAGICAL...so huge congratulations to those who've made their first Olympic Team thus far: Emery Lehman, Anna Ringsred, Sugar Todd, Brittany Bowe, Jonathan Garcia, Kelly Gunther, Joey & Pat...welcome to the prestigious family of Olympians! Proud of you...you'll be going on to represent Team USA well.

But for some, the Olympic Trials is heartbreaking. My heart goes out to you all who've missed the Team by a hair, or the timing for your perfect race just wasn't there...I know this feeling, I hurt with you.

Back to successes, our teammate Brian Hansen has officially made his second Olympic Team in the 500 and 1000m so far...with a great possibility of the 1500m as well!

As for me and Jeffrey, we both raced the 1000 meters today to get ready (like a practice race) for a shot at the 1500 meters. My 1000m wasn't near my potential but Jeffrey did pretty well (he finished 14th) though he's not too happy with his cause he knows he can do so much better. Looking forward to the 1500.

Also, TOMORROW is off from racing for all speedskaters...but watch Tuesday when we and Brian will be doing the 1500 meters.

And once again, trying to express our thankfulness for all the support #TeamSwiderPeltz throughout these last 4 years and at this Olympic Trials has been hard to put into words. You are all the best...here is a little glimpse (sorry if I missed you, I couldn't find your picture or I didn't get one sent, but you are known) in pictures of some of the amazing support we've gotten (THANK YOU! and if you still want a TSP T-shirt yourselves, go to: http://tspstuff.spreadshirt.com):

the Fulton Family...their support has always meant the world! 

Hahaha, love this Sam pic...best TSP fan ever :)

Dave Wager, he's is JUST the BEST :)

TSP T-Shirt AND cake...Renée is the best friend ever :)

Renée and her mom giving us support from home! 

Johnny & Britta wearing their homemade T-Shirts!

Sarah Levon sporting her TSP shirt! 

Krista Wager sending us her love!

Lance with his TSP T-Shirt!

And Kate, someone who we don't even know supporting us & a huge Winter Olympic fan! LOVE!

NightlyNews with Lester Holt -video link

If you didn't catch it last night on NightlyNews or this morning on the Today show, here is the NBC segment with Lester Holt on our family...enjoy! To God be the Glory... #TeamSwiderPeltz :)

NightlyNews Segment shown Tonight!

Another exciting update...Jeffrey, my mom and I have a NightlyNews segment with Lester Holt on NBC airing TONIGHT!

Airing in just minutes on NBC Nightly News Weekend edition tonight at 6:30-7pm ET, but if you miss it, you'll be able to watch it online here: www.nbcnightlynews.com

Post 3k Olympic Trials Reflecting...

My awesome supporters: Britta Erickson & brother Johnny

Tough and frustrating 3000m race last night...not the outcome I had hoped, but I went out and gave the race my all. As my uncle Mike (coach Swider for some of you) wrote to me before my race: "when it is all over, you will have either died charging or you will have made the Team. However, if you do die, there is no shame if you die hard." Well, know that I died in that race...trying :) Probably started out a little too fast for the ice conditions and my ability, resulting in my legs hitting a wall part-way through making finishing utterly painful. Like I have said to some already, there are still more races left and I have not given up my will to fight/succeed with the talent the Lord has given me. The 1000m is tomorrow (Sunday) and the 1500m is on Tuesday.

The 1000m will be shown live tomorrow (see schedule below), but I will most likely not be shown at all because they only show the last couple pairs of skaters. I've not trained for the 1000m, but racing it for speed work in preparation for the 1500m. :)

As for Jeffrey, he raced one 500m today to practice speed work for his 1500m on Tuesday, and will be also racing the 1000m tomorrow. So keep on the lookout for the live results here: speedskatingresults.com or if they show us on TV, on NBC! Jeffrey's 500m today was just a tenth off his personal best with a couple slips within the race, so it was a decent race and good prep.

Major congrats to those who have made the Olympic Team so far...Jill, Anna, Heather, Lauren, Sugar, Brittany, Mitch, Brian, Tucker, Shani, Emery, Jonathan, and Pat! It's one thrill of an accomplishment.

But the best part of yesterday was the support team I have had throughout these last 4 years...just amazing and I can only praise the Lord. The texts, Facebook messages, voicemails, calls, pictures, screams...they all just blew me away. And still are. You hear it often, how much an athlete relies on their family, coach(es), friends, sponsors, giving them so much credit for getting them to their goals, to the Olympics. It is true. YOU are the reasons we press on, push forward and fight. And I have so much to thank you all for for getting this far in my speedskating career...I just wish (and still hope) that I could be able to thank you all with a 2014 Olympic berth. We have yet to see...

God bless,

Nancy Jr.

1 Corinthians 9:25

BROADCAST SCHEDULE:

Date	Coverage	Network	Time (ET)
Sun., December 29	Men’s & Women’s 1000m	NBC	3 p.m.
Tue., December 31	Men’s & Women’s 1500m	NBCSN	6 p.m.
Wed., January 1	Men’s 10,000m & Women’s 5000m	NBCSN	5 p.m.

Nancy's 3000 meters tonight!

Hopefully the schedule above explains everything. Rumor has it though that NBCSports isn't showing the women's 3000 meter races tonight but just their medal ceremony. So we'll have to wait and see. If you don't get NBCSports on TV you can watch racing at the link below...

http://stream.nbcsports.com/liveextra/

Trials Tomorrow!!! Details in the post below the pictures...

US Olympic Trials 3/5k details...

Here are the details for tomorrow's (Nancy's) 3k...

The first pair starts at 4:47pm (mountian time). Nancy is the 9th pair against Anna Ringsred, estimated start time of 5:35pm. Sadly the women's 3k is not televised live, it's taped but the medal ceremony will be shown live starting at 6pm (MST). Don't know when or where you can watch the taped 3k's, but to see the live results, check out Speedskatingresults.com (there should be a live link to the side). 

Check out the pictures below for the overall details!

And again, here is the overall NBC broadcasting schedule for the Olympic Trials...

BROADCAST SCHEDULE:

Date	Coverage	Network	Time (ET)
Fri., December 27	Men’s 5000m and Women’s 3000m	NBCSN	8 p.m.
Sat., December 28	Men’s & Women’s 500m	NBC	3 p.m.
Sun., December 29	Men’s & Women’s 1000m	NBC	3 p.m.
Tue., December 31	Men’s & Women’s 1500m	NBCSN	6 p.m.
Wed., January 1	Men’s 10,000m & Women’s 5000m	NBCSN	5 p.m.

Race Prep Day! #OlympicTrials

Enjoy a video I had posted to Instagram earlier after our race prep at the Utah Olympic Oval...captioned: "1 day til the #OlympicTrials! #RoadtoSochi #teamswiderpeltz #speedskating"

Check back here later (on our blog) later tonight for pairings/official start time for tomorrow's 3/5k races! And for Jeffrey's and my other races, keep checking back daily!

p.s. my mom was cut off at the end, but she was saying "this is sudden death and you better be ready" haha

God Bless, Nancy Jr.

1 Corinthians 9:25

6 Days before the 2014 Long Track Speedskating Olympic Trials

TeamSwiderPeltz video blog update, watch and get pumped! 6 days...




Special thanks to Waldorf Astoria who gifted us with a 2-night stay in Park City when we drove up there to begin altitude acclimation. Such a treat. And as always, thank you to our sponsors and supporters, we have made it this far because of YOU. Pumped to be able to bring you excitement as you can watch us racing live on NBC beginning next Friday, the 27th of December. More details will come...

God Bless,
Nancy Jr.


1 Corinthians 9:25

9 Days to the Olympic Trials/50 Days to Sochi 2014

Time just flies...which all the more emphasises the quote "live like its the last day of your life." But as humans, we forget; we don't always see the urgency of making every moment count and loving those around us. I wish I could say I have lived each day to the fullest, loving on others, and investing fully in relationships that matter, but I haven't. I think it's nearly impossible to daily live like this, but that doesn't mean you don't try daily to make each day a day to remember. I have made many mistakes throughout my years and my journey has been far from easy, battling injury after injury, but looking back, I don't regret the road I've taken to get here because of the lessons that have influenced and shaped me into the person I am today. My mistakes have given me the opportunities to be able to better relate to others and share my experiences, which ultimately can shape someone else's life for the better. It is amazing how God uses your moments of weaknesses to strengthen and then influence those around you.

As the Olympic Trials draw near (9 days and counting til the first day of racing) with the hard training done and final preparations being set, I find myself using this time relaxing with reflection...but reflection on the positive. One way I do this is by writing a numbered list of the trials that I have gone through ('negative sheet') and then on another sheet ('positive sheet'), matching up all those trials with the lessons I learned from them and/or how God has given me the power to overcome those times of frustration. And as I write those lists, I find the things I write on the positive list overflow with more than just one outcome, but a repercussion of successes that have resulted from the hardships. I encourage you to do the same...

On a less mental-provoking subject, both Jeffrey and I are pumped to be finally here in Salt Lake City (even though we'd have preferred to be in Milwaukee, at the Pettit, for the Olympic Trials, where it should have been) and putting in the final preparations for the Olympic Trials that will begin next Friday, the 27th of December. Resting is key while being here, but we will also be using this time to familiarise ourselves with the faster ice of the Salt Lake City oval and perfect our skating one last time. Again, I cannot believe the time is here again for the Olympic Trials, but I am stoked, and I know Jeffrey is too, to be able to give you (who have supported us so much in these last 4 years) excitement and a reason to watch the Olympic Trials along with the fact that it will be just awesome! And it is televised live, so all you should be planning your days around the NBC schedule which is below: 

BROADCAST SCHEDULE:

Date	Coverage	Network	Time (ET)
Fri., December 27	Men’s 5000m and Women’s 3000m	NBCSN	8 p.m.
Sat., December 28	Men’s & Women’s 500m	NBC	3 p.m.
Sun., December 29	Men’s & Women’s 1000m	NBC	3 p.m.
Tue., December 31	Men’s & Women’s 1500m	NBCSN	6 p.m.
Wed., January 1	Men’s 10,000m & Women’s 5000m	NBCSN	5 p.m.

All other info on the Olympic Trials can be found at this link:

http://www.usspeedskating.org/event/2014-us-olympic-long-track-trials

As the countdown draws near, we will keep you updated and maybe do a video blog soon to give you a feel of what we are doing in the last days...so stay tuned and follow us! And not just here, but also on our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook! 

Nancy Jr:

Follow on Twitter: @NSwiderPeltzJr or
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSwiderPeltzJr

Jeffrey Jr: Follow @JSwiderPeltzJr

Merry Christmas and God bless from Salt Lake City,

Nancy Jr.

1 Corinthians 9:25