Summer Update…
Hello friends!
Summer is almost over and I am finding myself wishing that it wasn't. School starts next week, which normally would be a cause for dismay, but this upcoming semester marks my last one. EVER. It has been a very long 4 1/2 years in college, and I could not be more ready to be done. After a transfer, a worldwide pandemic, a coaching change and a lot of patience, I can finally say I am almost done with college. It feels great.
Normally, during the first few weeks before the semester begins, I am hard at work in the pool getting back into shape. Not this year. Recently, I made the challenging decision to retire from competitive swimming. To put it simply, I felt as though I wasn't in a great place to continue my training and I didn't want to move again after I graduated, in order to train with a different group. Some of you may be able to relate to the perils and struggles of moving as a young adult, especially after feeling like you have made some real friends in your current location. I felt this way and after the summer I had without swimming, I knew that maybe it was time to say goodbye.
Obviously, this had to be one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made in my entire life. However, as many of you know, my career aspirations as a pilot have been waiting for the time I retire from swimming. Now is the perfect opportunity to lay aside one dream and pick up the other. The worldwide pilot shortage is causing a major hiring spree by big companies which means my future job outlook is very bright. With this in mind, I plan to begin flight school here in Michigan come February/March 2023.
I have been adjusting to the 'retired' life well, and have already found a gym where I can lift and be competitive! In a weird way, I am looking forward to school starting so that I can see what it's like to just be a student. I have also found myself in a coaching job for a local high school! Although the first few days were odd (being on the other side of the deck), I have really enjoyed my time so far and the opportunity to help other swimmers reach their potential.
Speedy Shenanigans:
I went racing. By myself. In my car. And it was the most awesome, blood-pumping, adrenaline-filled experience ever. There is a road course track (not a NASCAR oval) in Waterford Hills, MI, which is only about an hour away from me. They were hosting an open track day last week and so I signed up. The week prior, I prepped the car by getting new rotors, new brake pads, changing out oil, and transmission fluid, and installing an oil temperature gauge in the cockpit (does that still count if it's a car we're talking about?). With the car primed, or as good as it was going to get, I headed out to Waterford.
The weather was perfect on the day of the race; overcast and fairly cool. Even though I was not going to be going very fast, or breaking any track records, it was nice to have good track weather. Because this was my first track day event, I was placed in the novice group. No shame here, I'm just learning. I had been around the track before back in May, though. This helped me establish a relatively good idea of the 'racing line' (the fastest way around the track) but to actually find it myself while I was on track was something different.
I had four 20 min runs for the day, and the first one was as expected. Slow. But it was thrilling. I was able to get a feel for my car, its handling and its braking capacity. It sprinkled a little bit before my second session so I approached my next run with a little caution: I wasn't sure if the track would be wet or not. When I got out there, I realized it was fine, but got stuck behind a person who knew less about what they were doing than I, so that ruined a few laps for me. Oh well- it was a good learning experience in how to deal with traffic on track. The third and fourth runs were the best. By the time the fourth one was almost over, I had really gotten a handle on my car and was putting down less slow times than before. In total, I dropped over 10 seconds from my first run, which is unheard of if you are already an experienced driver, but for me, it was awesome. I left the track knowing that I would be back for more soon. Preferably in a car that wasn't also my daily driver!
Here are a few pictures from the track day. (Photos are not my own)
Recipe Roulette:
With some more time on my hands now, I have been doing some cooking! It is also cherry season here in Michigan, so the only appropriate recipe would be something with cherries in it! Here is an easy, baked oatmeal recipe that goes great by itself, or even in a bowl of milk, like cereal. The original recipe can be found here: https://www.littlebroken.com/baked-oatmeal-with-cherries/
Enjoy!
Baked Cherry Oats
3 cups old fashioned oats
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce (or regular applesauce with 1 tsp of cinnamon)
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
2 tbs melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup pitted cherries*
(*LIFE HACK for pitting cherries= This fancy little pitting device is incredible for this and makes no mess!)
Preheat the oven to 400F.
Mix wet ingredients separately from dry ingredients.
Spray non-stick spray into a large casserole dish (of sorts).
Pour mixed ingredients into the dish and fold in the cherries.
Bake for apx 25 minutes, until the center is set and the edges are golden brown.
Thank y'all for reading once again! Even though I am no longer swimming, I will still keep the blog updated with my other activities.
Cheers!
Olivia Carter
