The sprinter's sprint for Atlanta begins
DeAnne Hemmens

March 16, 1996
Four months to the Olympic games. It seems so far away, but too close at the same time. Two days from now, the Olympic Training Squad team will be named and we can focus on the Hemispheric Olympic Qualifier in May.

I'm tired. The last two weeks of race-offs and team combinations are taking their toll. I miss my husband and my dogs. And the uncertainty of who will be in the K2 and K4 with me is making me nuts.

We have raced probably more than 40 times in the two weeks since our team trials with just a day or two of rest. Everyone has cuts and sores on their feet from the footstraps and on their backsides from the different seats in each kayak. Oh well, it's not a feminine or glamorous sport.

Sometimes I wonder why I put myself through it. Of course, the payoff is huge--to do well in the Olympics--but sometimes, especially with this much fatigue, it's easy to lose sight of the whole picture.

On the positive side of things, at least I am in the best shape of my life and participating in something I really love. Today is off and I got to go home (Costa Mesa, California) to take care of laundry, a haircut, a car lube, and most importantly, rest ... on the couch with my labs, Chaka and Duke. I'll be back to the training center in San Diego tomorrow for the final team boat races.

March 20
It's finally over! I will race the K2 (double kayak) with Lia Rousset and the K4 with Lia, Dru van Hengel, and Alexandra Harbold.

After the team was named, Lia and I had our final race, a challenge from Dru and Ali. We knew we were a lot faster, but with everything to lose--and for them everything to gain--we had to remain focused. As it turned out we won it easily and now we can finally relax a little, mentally, as we prepare for the Hemispheric Qualifier in Atlanta on May 4-5.

March 25
Back again to the ARCO Olympic Training Center after five days off. We are starting this training cycle with blood tests and evaluation of body composition and metabolics. I suppose this is to determine where we are and what the next few months of training should be.

Spring is in the air and I am eager to begin again. We have made our rooms here look a little like home, with pictures and plants. Seems trivial, but anything to be more comfortable. There is even time today for a movie.

March 28
Spent the week on the ergometer machines and slaving back on the water. My dog-sitters had to leave this weekend so I'm home to do some single paddling. My husband is still away in South Africa. He was invited to the South African Surf Lifesaving Championships so he's away competing until Sunday.

April 2
Today was a very difficult K2 session. We started off with a 5 X 300 meters alternating, first at about 85 percent of anaerobic threshold (AT) and then at full race speed. So every other run was a 100-percent effort. Then we finished with a 10 X 60 at 90-100 percent.

I always like to have a hard one at the beginning of the week. Makes you appreciate the easier ones later on.

The afternoon was one recovery, an easy run.

Tomorrow we have some rhythm pieces in the K4 and weight training. Finally back in the grove after all our trials.

April 3
Today was a struggle. Breaking barriers and exploring new activities. We had a 20-mile bike ride for cross-training. I don't have a decent bike, but it's not a race (yeah, sure). I don't bike ride. I like to run. The coach believes a bike ride is better for recovery. I disagree, especially if you never ride, but I must be part of the team. So I struggled on the ride and with my negative attitude I was cursed--my gears broke and I had to finish the ride on the very smallest gear, down hills. It took almost twice as long.

So much for cross-training. I'm going back to the track, back to what I believe will help me the most to be the best on the water. Perhaps it's better for the team if I don't carry my negative thoughts around. It's difficult being around everyone all the time. I miss my home. But it's the Olympics. Just thinking that makes me smile.

DeAnne Hemmens is keeping a periodic diary for Outside Online during her quest to become an Olympian.