I've added some pictures from the 2006 Basketball World Championships. I guess I should mention that I was selected to the Canadian basketball team in April. The tryouts didn't go as planned - I injured my wrist on the third day of the selection camp, but somehow they still named me to the twelve player roster and I've been playing with the national team since May. The spring was busy with training camps and tournaments, all with the goal of winning gold at the World Championships. We did just that in July, bringing home the gold medal from Amsterdam and earning the title of World Champions. I also managed to finish my Mechanical Engineering Degree in the spring. Since returning from Amsterdam I have been working at a consulting office in Saskatoon. Life is Peachy!
UPDATED FEBRUARY 28, 2006
Well, life certainly hasn't slowed down! I'm still in Saskatoon, finishing my last semester of Engineering. I have been on the road a lot playing basketball. Yes, it's true, I have decided to take some time off from track, and I am training with the National Wheelchair Basketball team as an Espoir A player. I am in Vancouver a lot, and am playing with the Los Angeles Sparks, as well as our Saskatchewan team and the Edmonton Inferno. It has been a blast, and well worth the hectic lifestyle.
Another major thing happening is the SaskTel commercial. It has seen a lot of air time and is getting a great response. What a neat experience it has been!
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 6, 2005
Finally...a moment to update the website! Life has been a bit crazy...school & training eat up all my time. The year has been pretty incredible, highlights include having lunch with the Queen (YES - THE QUEEN!), attending the tryouts for the Canadian Basketball team, and getting sick at the 2005 European Championships in FInland. Right now I am back in Saskatoon completing my final (phew, finally) year of Engineering. I will write more when something exciting happens...but considering I never leave the gym and the university don't hold your breathe ;)
UPDATED FEBRUARY 4, 2005
Happy belated new year. It has been a while since my last update, as you can imagine things have been pretty hectic since Athens. After the Games I returned home for a few days and then took off for a month to Korea and Japan for some marathons. The Soeul Marathon was ok, not my best time, but it was a very challenging course. After that race, we headed to Oita, Japan for a few weeks of training before the big marathon. The entire stay was incredible and by far the best experience in another country. I was really looking forward to the marathon (it's a fast course), but on the day of the race it was pouring buckets and buckets of rain. The race actually felt great until about 18km's left, then the fatigue from pushing in the rain set in. The last 10 km's were horrible...my blood sugar dropped and the powerbars I carry with me had melted away because of the rain. I almost blacked out at one point. I have never been so happy to see the finish line. As soon as I finished, I got some food into me & a warm, dry blanket, and I was as good as new.
Despite the rainy conditions I had a blast in Japan and I can't wait to get back. I met so many incredible people!
I am currently back to my studies in Saskatoon. I am also very busy with speaking engagements and basketball. Competition is on hold for now since it's difficult to travel while attending school, but I've got a few meets to look forward to in the spring.
That's all for now - keep fit and have fun.
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 26, 2004
I'm not sure what happened in the 200m, it was an odd race. Here's my play-by-play of the race:
I was finishing my warm-up and wanted to do one last start before heading to the call room...I lined up and coach Peter Erickson called out the commands. The initial push was decent but as I got up to speed I felt the pain in my shoulder. For the past two months I have been fighting a nagging shoulder injury, and it picked the most inopportune time to flare up again. As I pulled off to the side of the track our team physio started working on the shoulder, but with just one minute before my final call time there was not much he could do.
I headed to the call room (where they check our chairs for illegal dimensions, etc) and I was so worried. For the first time since competition started I was not 100% relaxed and confident. When we got down to the final call room pit under the stands, I frantically raced up and down the hall trying to get my shoulder some relief. It seemed to work and I began to relax again.
We wheeled out to the stadium and faced the biggest crowd athletics has seen here, I heard over 70,000 people. The place was nearly full! I spotted my parents and friend Andrea waving the Saskatchewan and Canadian flags - what a sight.
The starter's call was horrible. We have a team joke about the calls - "on your mark" in Greek sounds like "love me to pieces" and "set" sounds like "eat me". There didn't seem to be any delay between the two commands and I barely had my hand on the pushrim when the gun went off. I managed to recover ok, and I was out in lane 6 so I could only see two people to the right of me. As I came out of the corner I hit my compensator to go straight. I was cruising and had a hard time focusing my eyes to stay in my lane. With about 80 meters left I felt the pain in my shoulder...I panicked a little but in the back of my head I could hear Peter Erickson in his Austrian accent "Vemember not to lean to zee right ven your shoulder is hurting."
I checked - I was leaning to the right :) After a quick correction I managed to focus on looking at the front fork of my chair to stop leaning. It worked and my speed increased by 1km/hr. I came across the line and had no clue where I had placed. I glanced at the clock and was slightly disappointed to see my time was 36.72 - nine one hundreths slower than the world record I had set the night before. The wind reading was -0.2 compared to +0.4 the night before, so all things considered it was a great time. Then I looked around to see my placing - but I had to look BACKWARDS to see the second place finisher as she crossed the line four seconds after me.
Then came a few media interviews and the medal ceremony. I was so glad that Pia Schmid won the silver medal - she has been around for as long as I can remember and totally deserves the recognition.
There is some disappointment with these Games. Our program went from 5 events in Sydney to 2 events here. I feel so strong this year I think I could have swept all 5 events if they had offered them on the program. I would have loved to bring Canada home some more medals, but with two world records and two gold medals I have to be proud. A year ago I had a personal best of 41.08 in the 200m. I once thought it was impossible to go under 40 seconds, but I have surpassed all my expectations. This season has been unforgettable and I wouldn't change a thing. But now I can't wait to get home...see you Saskies in a few.
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 25, 2004
Wow! Less than three hours ago I competed in the 400m final. One minute, nine point five two seconds later - I defended my Paralympic Championship and broke the world record. Before the race my coach Clayton Gerein challenged me to go under 1:10. I was certainly up for the challenge, but the weather conditions weren't perfect. As I wheeled into the stadium I heard O Canada playing for Chantal Petitclerc's 1500m win. I was inspired. Time to focus. Time to visualize. Time to race.
The race was flawless; I got off to a quick start and made up the stagger by the middle of the first straight stretch. From then on it was entirely my race...all I could hear was the whir of the wheels and the thumping of my hands on the pushrim as I put all the power I could into every stroke. I came across the line and glanced at the clock and was overjoyed to see my time was 1:09.52; a new world record and personal best.
After the race i was greeted by familiar faces: my parents, Senator Joyce Fairburn, Wayne Hellquist, and our awesome coaching staff. Then I was taken to the medal ceremony and I was given the gold medal. The anthem began to play. At that moment all the early morning workouts away on the road and the sore joints and the homesickness were distant memories.
Thanks for all the encouragement from back home. I enjoy every single e-mail and can't wait to get home. But first the 200m. Time now to focus. Stay tuned.
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 24, 2004
I won my heat in the 400m semi-final last night. I love racing in this stadium and the track is very fast. Sweeeet. I have the fastest time heading into the 400m final tonight, I am feeling confident and looking to go under 1:10 if the conditions are right. I will keep you posted.
I have also posted some pictures from the training camp in Italy and the Opening Ceremonies. They can be found here. LET'S GO CANADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 13, 2004
Greetings from Greece! The athletics team arrived in the village late last night after spending a week in Italy for a training camp. Italy was awesome and good preparation for the upcoming Paralympics. Today I am just getting settled into the village and then tomorrow I hit the track again. M?y first semi-final is on September 23rd...stay tuned for frequent updates on my training, etc..
UPDATED AUGUST 29, 2004
This will likely be my last update before I leave for Italy...then Athens. ROAD TO GOLD was a great success!! I think everyone had a great time and a HUGE thank you to all the sponsors and people that donated gifts for the silent auction.
I leave for Italy in 4 days...getting excited. I will try to keep this updated from Athens. Much love everyone!
UPDATED AUGUST 16, 2004
Well, our Canadian Championships went VERY well: I came home with 5 gold and 2 new world records in the 400 and 800. I'm back training at Candle Lake for now.
ROAD TO GOLD, my fundraiser banquet, will be held August 25th...info can be found here
Check out my commercial that is airing here.
One month until the openning ceremonies...is anyone else excited?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UPDATED JULY 17, 2004
VERY EXCITING NEWS! We will be having a fundraiser banquet entitled "Road to Gold" on August 25th at the Sheraton in Saskatoon. Dinner, some entertainement and a silent auction are being planned right now! Tickets are $45 and will be able to be purchased at Backside Boardshop sometime soon. Or call Tara at 306.665.1877. Hope to see a lot of people out for the evening.
UPDATED JULY 12, 2004
I was in Saskatoon this weekend waterskiing and racing in the Saskatoon River Run. The 20km race was 'ok'. It's a tough course and the weather wasn't ideal, but I managed to win the race with a time of 1:07, and was also the first woman across the finish line. Back up at Candle Lake until August when we head to Edmonton for Nationals.
UPDATED JUNE 21, 2004
I am flying to Calgary this week to shoot a commercial for the CPC and Athens 2004. Super exciting! Besides that, training has been going great up at Candle Lake. Anyone know when summer is going to begin? Jeepers!
I'm in the midst of a big campaign to find some sponsors. Anyone who would like to take a look at my sponsorship package can send me an e-mail.
UPDATED JUNE 12, 2004
I just found out that I was awarded the SaskSport Saskatchewan Athlete for the month of May. Big thanks to Andrea at SWSA for the nomination!
Check out CBC tomorrow (Sunday June 13th) at 12pm because there will be a small segment featuring myself and my coach Clayton. The show is called 'Moving On'.
Last but not least...everyone come out to the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion fundraiser tomorrow at Griffiths Stadium. Registration is at 1pm.
UPDATED JUNE 7, 2004
I just returned from Sherbrooke where the 2004 Paralympic trials were. I placed first in all of my events and secured a spot on the team travelling to the Paralympics this summer. All the best to the entire team, let's make Canada proud!!! ATHENS HERE WE COME!!!
UPDATED MAY 24, 2004
Here are my results from German Nationals and the Swiss meet. In Germany I was very fast and managed to win all my events. Then we had a meet in Switzerland and I broke the elusive 100 m world record....a record I have been chasing for 7 years. The unthinkable has happened and I have become a sprinter! I also broke my own world record in the 400 m. It was a great meet and good preparation for the marathon two days later.
I completed my 1st marathon (phew!) in just under two hours ten minutes which demolished the previous world best by 20 minutes! I was pretty happy with my time and I learned a few things along the way (like not to aquaseal your water bottle the night before a race and that Red Bull is the greatest!). All things that will help me out in my next roadrace. I'm at home for a week or so then I head to Quebec for our Paralympic trials. I'll keep you posted on the results.
UPDATED APRIL 14, 2004
Well hello there! I'll be making a few changes to the website over the next few weeks so stay tuned! The training in Australia and Florida went exceptionally well and I am back in Saskatoon for a few weeks. Then I will be heading to Europe for some racing and even a Marathon :o It should be interesting. I've posted a few pictures from Australia in the Photo Gallery, check them out here. Peace out. Oh, I almost forgot - I went skydiving in Australia, the pics are posted!
UPDATED FEBRUARY 20, 2004
Hi guys! Great news, I set world records in the 200 and 800 meter races in Sydney. Needless to say I was pretty happy with the meet, and I even managed to win the Overall Track Series Prize. I am now in the Gold Coast training and then I head to Florida for the National Team Training Camp. Keep in touch.
UPDATED JANUARY 26, 2004
Hey kids. Well, I made it to Australia yesterday and I won the 10 km roadrace today. Not too shappy. I will keep you posted on the rest of my trip...TTYL
UPDATED DECEMBER 31, 2003
Happy almost New Year! T-mius 6 hours until midnight...hopefully 2004 will be spectacular and maybe will contain a little gold ;)
I had a great Christmas in Moose Jaw. It was pretty low key but nice for a change. I got a microwave and some dishes for my new house.....which is another big announcement. I bought a little bungalow in Saskatoon which is all rented out right now. It's pretty neat to think that I am a homeowner (actually the bank is lol), and I can't wait to renovate when I get back from Australia.
Speaking of Australia, I leave for Sydney in 3 weeks. I'll be competing at the Summer Down Under race in Sydney and then in February I head to the Gold Coast to train at this awesome training center. I'll be there for a few months and then I will be in Arizona for a training camp. It's going to be a busy summer by the looks of it!
I hope everyone is doing well...I'm going to miss everyone at school and we will have to get together before I leave. Adios.
UPDATED OCTOBER 27, 2003
I've got huge news!! I have decided to take a year off school to prepare for Athens 2004. So, in January I will be heading down to Australia for a competition and to train! I will be down there until spring and then I will return to Canada to finish preparations for Athens. This is a huge opportunity and I am sure the sacrifice will pay off. I'll keep everyone posted!
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003
Big news - I'm back in Saskatoon for the next 8 months! I'm excited for my fourth year of school, but a little sad to see the end of summer. Speaking of summer, it was pretty great! I was living at Candle Lake and working at Weyerhaeuser. I went to Metro in July and won all of my events. The next year will be extremely busy as I will be preparing for Athens and going to school. I'm quite busy but I hope to get some time to add some pictures from the summer so stay posted.
p.s. Team Inferno placed 2nd at Nationals
UPDATED MAY 11, 2003
I've added some pictures from rez and expanded the Photo Album from Christmas 2002. Check them out here.
UPDATED MAY 8, 2003
Happy belated new year everyone! Well, a fair bit has happened in the time since my last entry. I went to the Canada Games in February. Team Sask placed sixth in wheelchair basketball. We were a little disappointed but we played our hearts out and that's all we could ask for.
I finished exams at the end of April, and I will be starting work at Weyerhaeuser at the end of May. I will be living at Candle Lake again and driving the half hour to the pulp mill to work.
I am heading to Toronto next week for the women's wheelchair basketball nationals. I am playing with a team from Edmonton called the Inferno. I am very excited to play in such a competitive league. With any luck the Inferno will bring home a medal, and not SARS!
That's all for now kids. Stay tuned for some pictures from the last 4 months.
NEWS ARCHIVES 2001
MAIN PAGE