It’s Fall, Y’all!
Hello Everyone!
The fall colors have come and gone and spooky season is slowly turning into snowy season...at least for some of us. Michigan got some great color this year, and we have already seen our first snow shower. But as I write this, it is 70 degrees and sunny. Sounds about right.
I am cruising through my last semester here at University of Michigan! Thanksgiving break is a week away, and I am beginning to count down the remaining assignments. I'm so close. I seem to have a strange form of senioritis in that I am more motivated to do my work because it means I am one step closer to being done. This probably just speaks more to who I am... Either way, I am looking forward to my graduation in December.
My October was very busy after a somewhat relaxing September. I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Seattle in the first part of October to speak at a swim clinic. CG Sports, the agency I work with, helped me secure this gig. The team that hosted me was WEST Coast Aquatic Club, and they were absolutely amazing. This was the first clinic I had ever done, although I had been to countless ones growing up. Now, it was my turn to be the speaker! Wow.
I did indeed feel a little nervous about being the main act, but my preparations for this clinic provided me some time to reflect on my swimming career in a way that I had not done yet. I was able to compile a cohesive timeline of my career and pick out moments where I discovered certain career-altering perspectives or attitudes. I chose memories that were fun and some that taught me hard lessons. But at the end of it all, I wanted the kids to hear that I was a human, just like them.
The speaking part was only half of the clinic! The rest of the time I would get the chance to work with the kids in the water on some technique. I chose to discuss underwaters and 'undulation.' Underwaters played a huge role in my success in races, so I wanted to bestow upon them some tips for faster underwaters!
The clinic was separated into 4 sessions over two days. Friday night I got to work with the 8 & unders and the 9-10s. Saturday morning was the 13 & ups and the 11-12s. Because of the age differences, I chose to slightly modify my stories a bit to be more age-relevant. The kids were an absolute blast to talk with and work with. I answered a lot of funny questions and some serious ones that I hope they will remember :)
My favorite part about the whole clinic was getting to work with them in the water. Everyone was so enthusiastic about learning new things (and new words like 'undulation') and wanted to race me. I indulged in a few little races and the kids had a blast. After it was all over, I couldn't wait to do another one.
Here are a few pictures from it all!
Once the clinic concluded, I had the rest of Saturday to explore Seattle. I had never been to this part of the country, and I was already mesmerized by the tall trees and the beautiful, green landscape. Of course, growing up in NC, trees and mountains were not new to me, but for some reason, the Pacific Northwest just did it differently. It was gorgeous. And sunny! I knew that Seattle could have unpredictable weather this time of year, but it sure cooperated for me. I drove my little Fiat convertible (shoutout Turo) to Mt. Rainier National Park where I saw river, mountain, and rainforest! But I had to stay in lower elevation areas because my Fiat was not ready for dirt roads. I'll have to hit more hiking trails next time I go in a car suitable for such conditions...
I have a few pictures that only begin to capture the beauty of Seattle - both urban and scenic!
Aviation Adventures:
Since I am focusing on finishing up school, I have not had the chance to do much flying. However, this has not stopped me from applying for various flight training scholarships in hopes that I can get a little money to help me through flight school.
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a person in the publications department at EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) who wanted to write a story about me! NO WAY. My jaw dropped. EAA is a huge organization in the aviation industry and hosts the world's largest general aviation gathering at the EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh every year (which I was able to attend for the first time this year). Apparently, somebody at EAA saw the article about my retirement from swimming and my intended pursuit of an aviation career. I excitedly agreed to be interviewed and have my words published in the online weekly newsletter than EAA sends. That piece is linked here. It is a wonderful article and worth the read :)
To add to this incredible opportunity, I was told a few days later that my article would be published in the hardcopy monthly magazine in November. I was gonna be in a magazine!! Even though I have done countless interviews which have circulated in the swimming world, this one felt even more important. The aviation world was now curious about me too!
Speedy Shenanigans:
I spent half of my October weekends at a racetrack. And I am far from upset about it. Michigan has been relatively good to us this fall and the temps have not gotten too low. A brisk morning is a great morning for racing!
My boyfriend and I, along with a crew of friends headed out to Gingerman Raceway (which is on the west side of the state) for some track action at the beginning of the month. It was just a one-day event, but it was an absolute blast. There is something about hanging out at a racetrack that I just love... You get used to the smell of toasty brakes and burnt rubber eventually!
I was looking to finish up my personal racing season with a third race in my WRX at the Subaru Speed Expo at Gingerman. This event was a week or so after the aforementioned track day. But I had to drop out due to my car not being in the proper shape for a more demanding track. Instead, I got to watch my boyfriend, who drove his Mazda RX-8 (not a Subaru! Booo...) and our friends rip around the track and have fun. I got to take rides in their cars which kept me entertained since I wasn't able to drive my own. The expo was a pretty large event that encouraged Subarus of all models (mostly WRX and BRZ, although one mom Forester decided to join in....) to rip around the track. It was pretty awesome to get to see the various WRXs in all forms of racecar: the fully gutted ones (hardcore racecar) to the daily drivers (lowkey racecar). I brought my orange WRX and got to meet and chat with many other Subaru owners. There was camping, beer-drinking and music. I love the racetrack!
Here are a few pictures from the Subie shindig, including one from the drive there and one where the RX-8 gets fixed (sorta):
Recipe Roulette:
I am not even going to pretend that I created this recipe! I often make these Superhero Muffins, so I figured I would share the recipe with y'all. The ingredients all come together very nicely in these little muffin guys. They are filling and a perfect mid-day snack! Here is the link to the original recipe.
Superhero Muffins
(Slightly Adapted from Run Fast. Eat Slow.)
3/4 cups coconut flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins, optional
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup grated zucchini (about 1 zucchini)
1 cup grated carrot (about 2 carrots)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 and prepare a muffin tin.
*TIP* Use a food processor to grate zucchini and carrots!
Combine wet ingredients (Eggs, zucchini, carrots, butter, maple syrup and vanilla).
Combine dry ingredients into a separate bowl (Coconut flour, oats, walnuts, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt).
Combine wet and dry until you have a thick consistency.
Place even amounts of batter into the muffin tin.
Cook for apx 25 min.
As always, thank you so much for reading and I will be writing again soon!
Cheers,
Olivia Carter
