Raising Emily: Autumn

The care and training of a young gymnast

I wish I had started this blog a while back. At that time I had no clue my youngest daughter would have the drive to be a gymnast. I just knew I couldn't contain her energy and needed an outlet for it's release. Hopefully this blog will be helpful to others that have a kid interested in gymnastics.

As I am a single disabled parent, money's been tight and this sport is not cheap. The commitment of financial resources, time and energy for the parent can be as demanding as the physical demands placed on the athelete.

This blog is created for all the unsung heroes behind that future medalist, the parent.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Xtreme Aerials, three weeks before Level 5 State Championships

Tonight we attended the Xtreme Aerials Fall Classic in Lafayette. Emily placed 6th all-around in her division which did not please her. She wants all 9's for Level 5. I've been told by other moms that she's doing really well, but she's not happy. She wants to be the best, and is not happy with her record in this Level 5 season. I think she's done really well - she doesn't. I'll be reporting in during State.

So here's Emily's scores since the start of this season, there's only one more event - that's the State Championships on December 10th-11th. They are scheduling the girls in different flights based on their highest meet all around score. Emily's highest all-around score for this season is 36.1 at the TIGAR Cartwheel Carnival.

9-18-11 Aerials Fall Festival, Colorado Springs.
Vault 8.45 (6th), Bars 8.05 (5th), Beam 8.95(2nd), Floor 9.0 (2nd) All Around (3rd) 34.45

10-01-11 TIGAR Cartwheel Carnival, Wheat Ridge
Vault 8.75 (7th), Bars 8.6 (8th), Beam 9.4 (1st), Floor 9.35 (1st) All Around (2nd) 36.1

10-15-11 JUDGE'S CUP (This was disastrous - Emily was coming back from a wrist sprain and basically only conditioned up to this point)
Vault 7.75 43rd), Bars 8.4 (27th), Beam 6.7 (she fell three times) (66th), Floor 8.875 (22nd) All Around 31.725 (57th) This meet was a reality check for Emily. She now realizes that she can't take 10 days off resting an injury and then jump into a meet head first with virtually no practice.

11-12-11 MILE-HI Salute, TIGAR, Wheat Ridge (this was supposed to have been a Savage Meet)
Vault 8.5 (5th), Bars 7.95 (?), Beam 9.15 (1st), Floor 9.4 (1st), All Around (2nd Place) 35.0

11-20-11 XAG Fall Classic, Lafayette
Vault 8.65 (13th), Bars 8.4 (2nd), Beam 9.425 (2nd), Floor 9.475 (1st), All Around (6th Place) 35.95

Monday, October 24, 2011

Harvest Time!

It's October in Colorado and we're still seeing 80 degree days. Global warming at it's worst. Yesterday Emily and I went to the pumpkin patch north of Broomfield, CO. It was a fun time.

Emily picking pumpkins

When we were done with the pumpkin picking, just before you get ready to leave there, they have a petting zoo, face painting, and a hay bale maze. So of course, Emily just had to go there...

practicing her scale....

After being sick on Friday, she had too much time off from practice and just HAD to do a few gymnastics moves... I don't understand this need to perform but then again I just looked at Nastia Liukin's photos from England
http://www.visitbritain.com/en/US/Britain-Bound-Nastia-Liukin-Day-One.htm
and I got emotional which really surprised me... it was like watching Emily... they're all someone's little girl and the drive which all the really determined gymnasts seem to have is evident when they can't hold back and have to bust a move anywhere...!

...always a gymnast!