Vancouver, Here I Come!

Photo by Kelly Pugliano. Pettit Ice Arena, Oly Trials 1, October 2009

I will be honest- the beginning of the season was a rough start for me. I have clawed my way through many obstacles since October at the Pettit and have worked extremely hard to put my best race on the ice. Some were not pretty (at all) but they got me where I needed to be to move forward. I carried your thoughts and prayers with me around the world and it helped more than you will ever know.

This past weekend in Salt Lake City, everything seemed to come together and the timing could not have been better.

The Hulk is back!

I earned the 2010 U.S. Men's Allround Championship and secured my spot on the Olympic Team!  I will be competing in the  1000, 1500, 5000 and Team Pursuit in Vancouver.

We had team photos last night and I am honored to be among the best of the best.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!! I am truly blessed!

Happy New Year!

Olympic Trials Part 2

I am skating today in Salt Lake City, trying to earn another spot on the Olympic Team.

I just won the 5000m distance!! I have made the team in the 1000m, 1500m and now the 5000m. I am so blessed!

More to come....follow quick updates on Twitter @usspeedskating !

Wow!

US LT National Championships, Salt Lake City

The final meet of 2009 is about to start in Salt Lake City! The US Speedskating Long Track National Championships (Dec. 26-29)  will also be the last opportunity to qualify for Olympic Team spots for Vancouver.

I have qualified for the 1000m and the 1500m, but I am going to try for more. Keep me in your prayers and wish me speed- and a little luck (: )

I just signed up for Twitter! You can follow me at http://twitter.com/tmarsicano.

My latest tweet asked this question:

You ever think of how you will be remembered, how many lives you have touched and inspired, and what kind of legacy you will leave behind?

Go for your dreams. Be kind to those that cross your path in life. Live every day to the fullest.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year!

Back in the USA!

I'm back on home turf and preparing for the final World Cup event this weekend in Salt Lake City, UT.

USA Today did a nice article on my bid for a spot on the Olympic Team- Click here to check it out.

On to more training!

Have a great day.

Calgary, World Cup 4

I made it to Calgary after a quick rest over the Thanksgiving holiday. It is now time to Rock and Roll.

I skated a 1500m yesterday and set a season best of 1.43.92 and has me placed 7th so far.  To track my results for the rest of the weekend you can click here.

To see schedule of events and to read articles plus some great photos, check out Universal Sports.

I will be headed to Salt Lake City after this and am looking forward to "home" ice!

Thank you for all your prayers; I take them with me each time I step onto the ice.

Hamar, Norway

World Cup 3 competiton has started and we have skated a 1500m so far. I set a season best today with a 1.46.79!

I am starting to feel much better and I thank you for all the healing prayers that were sent my way.

I am really happy with my results last weekend and not sure if you heard, but the Team Pursuit won a Gold medal! I skated the pursuit with Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick. It was a lot of fun; I always enjoy skating the pursuit with them. Here is video of our skate:



More from Hamar, Norway to come...I will try to get pictures up of the ice rink. It is huge and very cool! It is shaped like an upside down Viking ship. The only challenge for my pictures is to balance free time, racing time and daylight available. This time of year, it’s crazy because the sun goes down after 4pm!


Will keep you posted.

In the meantime, have a great day!

World Cup I Competition

Hello!

I've made it to Berlin, Germany!

I want to thank everyone for all your prayers and support though the past couple of weeks! They have definitely helped me through trials.

I arrived in Berlin, Germany on Saturday.  The first couple of days were sunny, but now the rain has set in making everything wet. Ugh.  That won't keep me from exploring downtown and taking in the sights, which I hope I can do soon.   If I can get some good pictures I'll make sure to post them.

Travel has been rough for this trip as I have been dealing with flu-like symptoms. On top of that, I have been struggling with a stomach bug making it hard to keep anything down.  I have been trying to keep my strength up and any prayers for health will be much appreciated!

I am hoping to get a YouTube site going to share video of me skating and other various things. I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, if you want to see races live, go to http://www.universalsports.com/. Click on the speedskating link and then click the video link. If you miss the live coverage you can always go back and watch after the race has been run. They also post some pretty good articles, so be sure to add to your "Favorites"!

Another great site for racing results is http://www.speedskatingresults.com/. Click on the name of the competition and results.

Thanks again for all your prayers and well wishes.

Have a positive day!

Colbert Nation Sponsorship

Thank you so much to Stephen Colbert and the Colbert Nation for stepping up and becoming a sponsor to the athletes of US Speedskating!

I actually made the TV show...even being in Berlin! If you look close at the skater when the sponsorship changes on the hood of the suit...that's me!

Check out the episode from last night....

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/254015/november-02-2009/sport-report---nyc-marathon---olympic-speedskating.

If you are able to make a donation:

https://webpoint.usspeedskating.org/wp15/transactions/order/donation.asp

Thanks!

World Cup/Olympic Trials

Last week had ups and downs during the World Cup Competition. As mentioned, my 500m race went better than expected and I was happy with it. That was Wednesday.

Thursday hit a minor glitch that I was not anticipating in my 1000m and 5000m. I had a bad day and did not want that to happen during a competition. Does anyone? Friends called me up and made sure I got out.  I need not dwell on what happened, but prepare and be ready for the next competiton day.

Friday was a rest day and I took this time to regroup and refocus on the next day.

Saturday held the 1500m races and I fought back. I was paired with Chad and we pushed eachother to grind out a good race. I finished third and secured a spot on the 1500m World Cup Team.







Sunday also secured me a spot on the 1000m World Cup Team with a third place finish. My 10000m left me with an 8th place finish, but I was happy to make the team in the other distances as well as a Team Pursuit spot.

It wasn't pretty, but it worked.

Thank you to my family and all the friends from back home that made the trip out to Milwaukee! It was so good to see everyone and your support meant so much!

I will be traveling to Berlin, Germany for the first World Cup event! I will keep you posted!


Warming up: Photo by Kelly Pugliano

Signing autographs after 1500m.

Photo by Kelly Pugliano

Me and coach Paul Marchese

Photo by Kelly Pugliano

Photo by Kelly Pugliano

Me and Grandpa after my 1500m.

Photo by Kelly Pugliano

Day One of Trials-500 Meters

Today had the 500m sprints.  My race went well; a couple minor stumbles, but really happy with my time. Legs feel fresh and I look forward to tomorrow!

More to come...

Here We Go!

World Cup/Olympic Trials are coming up next week in Milwaukee and it is time to put everything out there. All the hard work and training will be put to the test.

More to come soon!