G'Day Mate,
This blog update finds me in the midst of booking flights to Australia for a short 4 meet series in February and early March. I just got confirmation this weekend and will be headed down under from the 4th of February to the 2nd of March. This trip comes as I'm finishing a power conversion phase in my training so I am anticipating some big throws.
In other news, I have been fortunate enough to be invited back to watch the "break out" session of hell week for the new class of navy Seals. This special night will take place Sunday, February 27. I will be able to meet and socialize with some of the military's highest ranking officers as well as several members of congress and a few Senators. I haven't been told who due to security restrictions, but it has the makings of a amazing night. This class of Seal's have been training for several weeks and will now begin the dreaded "hell week breakout". Basically, the seals will begin a weeks worth of pain and anguish while operating on a total of 4 hours of sleep for 1 week straight. The Seal instructors anticipate the class going from a total of over 250 recruits to 40 during this week. I will not be participating, however will be able to re-live one of the most awesome experiences of my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67L35y77cWQ&feature=related
In community activity news, classes at the local Elementary and High Schools are back in and my classes that meet at the training center have also resumed. I have had a string on awesome 2nd graders come through who seem to be genuinely inspired and amazed by what they see here. It is truly a treat for me to read some of the thank you letters that trickle through after their visits. It reminds me that no matter how "routine" it becomes for me, it really is something special to many kids. I am trying to make an effort everyday to put forth as much energy and emotion as the kids show when the first arrive on site. As I prepare to leave for Australia, I will continue to strive to show our youth the real ideals of the Olympic Movement in its most untainted and untarnished form, I only hope to not let them down! Talk to you soon,
Mike++
Who me?
- Mike Hazle
- I'm Mike, an athlete on the Roster of In the Arena, a nonprofit organization that anchors the highest-caliber role models in underserved communities with the aim of effecting positive and lasting change in today's youth. You can view my profile on ITA's site by clicking here, or you can email me by clicking here .