CAN-AM #1

Calgary, Canada

Hi!

Today was the last day for me in the Can-Ams. I raced 5 races overall in this competition.

Thursday November 20th I had a 500m where I skated quite slow. Finished with the slowest time this season, of 42.75. Later on that day I PB'd in the 1000m, with a new time of 1:24,91.

The next day, Friday November 21st, I raced another 500m and I FINALLY got under 42 seconds. I finished with a time of 41.69! I am so happy.

Then later on that day I had a 1500 where I also PB'd, and had a new time of 2:12,10. I cut off 6 seconds and I'm pretty happy but not too happy about it.

Today, Saturday November 22nd, I raced a 3000m against Megan Foss of the USA. Start was fast, and the 1st lap was a second faster than what I was aiming for. The final time: 4:36,15. Shaved off 4 seconds from the old PB.

Overall it went amazing, it was tiring and the hard work payed off.

Now we are starting our sprint part of the season where we are working on sprints, so I am VERY excited for that, because I am a sprinter.

I will keep you all posted. Will post new pictures as soon as I get them from the photographers.

Alexandra Ianculescu.

Friday, October 24th, 2008
Three 500s have gone by.

Hi,

Training is going great! We had our recovery week this week and now it's coming to an end. Tomorrow I am racing for the 4th time this season. I am doing a 500m.

Last Saturday I got another PB in the 500m and the 3k. I had a start of 11.44 and a lap time of 30.8 seconds. The lap time was the same and I am kind of angry about that because when we do tempos in practise, I usually do a 30.1. I know I can do better because now I know what I am doing wrong so tomorrow morning my new PB of 42.24 will go lower :).

In the 3000m, I cut off 10 seconds off my PB but I am no happy with that time. I could have cut off 15 more seconds but I wansn't focused. When I am racing at the Oval Invitational on the 31-2nd, I will be in the zone, and the ice will also be faster.. PBs galore. I can't wait.

I will keep you posted.

Check out www.speedskatingresults.com for results!

New vids on youtube!

.Alex Ianculescu.

Saturday, October 4th, 2008
1st Race of the Season day

Hi all!

Today I raced for the first time this season. We have Saturday morning time trials every Saturday here at the Olympic Oval in Calgary. I signed up for one 500m race.

Guess what? Personal Best! I cut off 1.24 seconds off my old personal best from last season. I am really happy and my coach is too, because it is only the 1st race and there are so many to come, and it's great that I got such a good time. I caught a cold a few days ago and I wish I had more energy. I wasn't feeling 100% healthy, but I focused and achieved the time I had in mind, which is anything that has a 42 in front.

Now all that remains is hard training and actually working on my starts and every part of my skating so I can improve myself and beat my time next time around.

I now have the times to go into the Oval Program which is a group above the one i am in, but I have decided to stay in the Link Program. I won't be moving. My coach, Abby Ennis is one of the most amazing people/mentors/coaches I have ever had and I get along great with her and I won't be leaving this group and one of the reasons is because she is my coach.

I am looking forward to great outcomes this season and I am looking forward to working along with my fellow team-mates to improve our times and succeed together.

Good job everyone today! Better days to come!

-Alex

PS- Video of my 500m is on youtube at http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=iO0Ns-raehE