Tim Farr | my sports thoughts

TIM FARR: RACES AND THE NEW YEAR

Posted on January 14th, 2012 by mysportsthoughts

Happy New Year everyone. I finished 2011 off with the first Europa Cup races of the season, in Pitztal and Kuhtai, and my first real races since coming back from injury. Training had been going great with perfect conditions and no fresh snow for some eight weeks. Typically the day before the races started the weather changed dramatically with a few feet of powder falling and high winds poor visibility which made the conditions on race day a real challenge.

Having been out for so long my point had dropped which meant that I was starting last person or almost last almost every one which in the soft conditions meant for a bumpy ride. It was frustrating not being able to ski like I had been in training but in those conditions it was all about survival rather than racing!

At the time I was a little disappointed with my results and was a little further off the lead than I had hoped I would be. In Pitztal I ended up just outside the top 10 for most events with an 11th and 12th in the GS’s 14th in Slalom and 15th and 11th in the super G events. Although I may have been off where I wanted to be.

In hindsight it is probably a good reflection of where I am now and how much more work I have to do to equipment and my own skiing. The conditions then got even worse in Kutai and after two very tough days of Slalom crashing on the first day among about 80% of the male sits and finishing 7th the 2nd we decided to pull again with most team from the GS as the weather and pitch were not good.

The most important thing from the races was that I secured my Europa Cup qualification for all my events and now sit just off World Cup qualification which is the next goal. So there were lots of positives to take out of some tough races.

2012 has kicked off to some amazing snow. Europe having only a few weeks ago been in crises with not enough snow it hasn’t really stopped snowing since our races and there is now almost too much in some resorts. This has meant our training has been out of place but we now move from our base in Serre Chevalier to Sestriere for more races before moving up to Abtenau. They should be very competitive races but if I ski like I know I can and have been and the conditions are favourable I should qualify for the World Cups.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter.. @timfarrski

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TIM FARR: START OF SEASON 2012

Posted on November 4th, 2011 by mysportsthoughts

Well it is official the start of the season has kicked off. After waiting so long to get back in to the good old Austrian Alps and ski with the team. The time has finally arrived. Our official team camp starts this weekend out in Austria but I couldn’t wait any longer and have been out doing drills and ironing equipment issues out for the last couple of weeks with the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team.

I am really excited about the season now and although I know I have a lot of work to do to get back to where I was, I just can’t wait to get in to gates and see where exactly I am and what I can do. There are also still a lot of things I want to do to sort out equipment but some of it is going to have to wait a little longer and I’m itching to get things going and upping the training with the new coaches of the British Team.

The whole of the last month has been pretty full on as I came out to Austria to get a week’s skiing in again with the CSDST just doing drill and getting back on snow. It was then back home for just a week to attend the ski show. It is always a great place to make an appearance and say hello to the ski world. I have made some great connections over the past couple of years attending and it’s good to catch up with them all and to make a few more that who knows what support may come from them. It is just good to get a chance to be seen and promote myself and the team.

Then it was straight back out to Austria. We have had a couple of days over in Hintertux training with the youth team and the development squad. Although I have been out for a while already now -it doesn’t really feel like I have done that much skiing yet. There has still been lots of training in the gym/barn, teching skis drilling holes and moulding seats as well as changing my car tyres and as always a lot of admin. But once that is all done and dusted I can concentrate on the skiing.

I have a feeling it’s going to be an exciting season with lots of changes to the team so make sure you come back to see how I am doing in races and training.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter.. @timfarrski

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TIM FARR: BACK IN THE RACE START

Posted on September 1st, 2011 by mysportsthoughts

Your heart pounding in your chest, butterflies going crazy in your stomach, mouth drying up, your arms feel light, take a deep breath closing your eyes and you visualise the fast Super G course in front of you one last time. The number of gates, the changes of rhythm then terrain, the hard pack icy snow conditions, keep moving to keep your muscles warm and ready, stretch out your neck, back and arms, Your number is called, a touch of snow on the neck to waken your senses as you move in to the start gate. Another deep breath relax and focus, 10 second beeps on the clock, 5,4,3,2, go.

Before you know it, you’re at the bottom, your body full of adrenalin – this is what I have been missing over the last year. Not just the enjoyment of training and improving but the excitement, exhilaration and adrenalin and nerves (of wanting to do well) of racing. After some mixed training out in Cardrona it was time to head to Queenstown and Corenet Peak for the New Zealand Winter Games.

I think it would be fair to say that despite being out in NZ for almost two months I have never gone into races as under prepared. I had spent the first month getting used to being back on snow and new equipment. The training we then had when the others got out was mixed only getting a few days of actual gates training in. One day back in slalom gates and not even getting a chance to train any speed. However, the races were not my reason for being out there and it was just time on snow and a good way to ease myself back in to it.

My first race in over a year didn’t get off to the best start. The course and conditions were perfect. I was skiing well and was carrying good speed but when I hit a roller I got unexpected air and missed the next blind gate. I was furious but I had been skiing well and Heath, one of the top Americans went and did the exact same as I did (which did make me feel better!)

Slalom was next. With not having much/any slalom training and not having my front leg cover I’m used to I wasn’t expecting much. I slipped in both runs but managed to finish, coming 4th. My second run was better but another mistake cost me getting on the podium. It was then up to Mount Hutt where we had trained back in 2009. We got up a day early so that we could get some runs on the Super G skis. Again, I had not got not training in since my last Super G race in January 2010.

Free skiing had gone well and fast but in the race I let my head effect me too much and didn’t let the ski run the split times show I had a much better bottom section but a little too late to make a difference again finishing 4th.

All in all though, I was happy to be back in the races. I wasn’t expecting much from them but was using them to see where I was at. I know I have a lot to work on with my skiing and still getting my equipment right, but feel that I can make some quick gains to get me back where I want to be. I am now really looking forward to starting next season and training with the team full time again.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter.. @timfarrski

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TIM FARR: NEW ZEALAND FLIGHT

Posted on July 4th, 2011 by mysportsthoughts

As I may have mentioned once or twice n my past few blogs, this year has been tough for me. Complications with injury put me out for a lot longer than it should have and it has been a long process of rehab and operations, as well as mentally, knowing my competition was getting the time on snow, training and getting race experience putting in good results at events like the world Champs and just the fact that I wasn’t skiing.

I also want to take this time to thank my sponsors who have stuck with me over the past year. Training is expensive (even when not on snow) and if I want to stay at the top I have to do anything I can to ensure I have done the best to be on the podium. It’s with the help of my sponsors that give me that chance. I know that with government funding cuts the next couple of years are going to be even tougher. Having the continuous support from my sponsors really does keep the dream alive.

Thank you Mars Drinks, TASS, Frederick’s Foundation, Lions Rampant and Get Kids Going.

All that time rehabbing and training in the gym has all been leading to this point – getting back on snow. Having had time off I have been able to concentrate on my fitness and feel in great shape the bone is all healed although not in perfect position but it’s as good as it’s going to get! And most importantly I am well rested and hungry for it. I left London on Thursday and after a couple of days stay in Hong Kong with some friends have made it to New Zealand. It’s time to put everything to good use and make my sponsors proud.

Landing in NZ today there doesn’t appear to be much snow at the moment which is a slight concern as I have just travelled around the world but apparently the snow storm is coming and as I’m out here for two months I have a bit of time to wait. I have had a year off I’m sure I can try and wait a little longer.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter.. @timfarrski

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TIM FARR: I’M BACK

Posted on May 5th, 2011 by mysportsthoughts

I hope everybody has been enjoying the sun and had a good Easter/Royal wedding period. I have been out making the most of the weather. As usual, I seem to have a million things going on. This last week has been a lot of fun and very exciting. But I don’t think I can tell you about it quite yet so you will just have to wait to find out more.

The most exciting thing though recently is that I’m back! I have now got back on the snow. Only up at Hemel Hempstead at the moment but the important thing is the hip is holding up ok and the new equipment is amazing, just wants to go fast. I have blown away all the cobwebs that have built up over the past year and now I’m really ready to get out to NZ and do what I’m supposed to be doing. Not sure I can wait that long, although I know it’s going to come quickly and I’ll be wishing for more time to sort out some final bits before I’m off at the end of June.

Finally I feel the injury is behind me and I am now ready to ski. The next step, getting back on snow, you would have thought should be the easy part but I think it’s going to be a mental battle. At least with the physical rehab I could really see improvement all the time strength, flexibility, xrays showed the bone had healed etc..

Getting back to technical skiing is going to be harder than I think starting back from where I left off after the paralympics. I have to go right back to basics even though I may want to rush on. Focus on myself and not on others. As I’ve mentioned before it was a hard time watching all the results and knowing everyone else was training and improving while I was on land. But this is an opportunity to start again and really stamp out the bad habits and technique. And I need to keep out those fears of injury that can finish off an athlete.

My first couple of trips to the Snowdome however have filled me with confidence as I had been worried that my hip would still restrict my skiing despite the operations. Within a couple of runs, I had, for the first time in a while forgotten about the past year and it was as I had never stopped skiing, I was where I belong. So far so good and I’m looking forward to getting back to training and on the race circuit.

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TIM FARR: ALL HEALED UP

Posted on April 5th, 2011 by mysportsthoughts

Well, as I may have mentioned in my last few blogs sitting on the sidelines and missing the season has been slightly frustrating. While it feels like the season went on forever, somehow the end of the season has already arrived. While I have been watching the team have had some great results this season. Winning more medals at nearly every race, including the team’s first World Championship medals. I can’t wait to join them all again.

I wasn’t expecting to be out for so long and have had to look inside myself to make the most of the time off and I hope that I have used it constructively, seeing the time off as an opportunity to work on the areas often taken for granted. Weirdly, although I can’t wait to get back on snow somehow I think that I’m still going to end up wanting more time to sort things out.

This week however I had some great news. I had my last meeting with my consultant. He is happy that the bone is all healed. You can hardly see where they re-broke my leg and he is confident that it is strong again (especially with all the metal work in me!) Although this doesn’t mean I am completely fixed, I still need to strengthen muscle and ligaments around the joint, but I can feel real improvement every week.

So now finally after what seems like forever I can get back on the snow and start working on technical stuff and try out new equipment. After rehabbing for so long I feel fitter, stronger and after time off I am rested and hungry for it. I can’t wait for New Zealand.

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TIM FARR: INJURY PART OF SPORT

Posted on February 28th, 2011 by mysportsthoughts

There is nothing more frustrating for an athlete than an injury, however they are part of sport and even the top athletes cannot escape them. The world of skiing in particular carries more risks than many sports and sees its fair share of injures. This season while I have been watching from the side lines I have witnessed many more people join me in rehab!

The process to get back to full health and then fitness can be a tough physical one. Yet there needs to be a balance. the mind set of an athlete can be that the more they do the quicker they will be back but it can almost be more important than ever in the training to rest, time is still the best healer.

Thankfully I feel that I have now ridden out the worst of my injury and rehab and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and can now really start training for something. After seeing the consultant I know that the bone is healing nicely but is still fragile which will take more time. But I am through the worst and sooner rather than later it will be time to get back on the snow, where my next battle to get back to where I want to be will begin.

In all honesty rehab is a mental battle as well. The fear of injury can get on your mind you know what is involved and how long it can take to get back to full health, there is also the possibility of a career ending injury. These are all possibilities but if you let them get in to your mind then there is no way you can perform to your best.

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TIM FARR: HAPPY NEW YEAR

Posted on January 11th, 2011 by mysportsthoughts

So the Paralympic year of 2010 has been and gone. An amazing 12 months of spectacular highs qualifying for the Paralympics, participating and the overall experience. It was great just being part of it and having two top 20 finishes then dramatic lows been disqualified in the GS and of course finishing the year with serious injury! Thus I find myself not really going to miss 2010 and wishing in 2011 with new goals, high ambition and expectations for the new year.

I have started the year with an operation on my hip which means I’m starting the year at the bottom, allowing me to build myself up from the beginning to come back fitter stronger and more focused. The rehab is going to be a long process and I’m going to have a lot of work to do in 2011 to get myself back to the top level and then keep the momentum going to be on the podium at the top level. At the moment I feel things can only get better.

At this moment the British Team are preparing for the World Championships which start next week in Sestriere. I wish them all the best and know they will do well if they ski like they can, despite maybe not having the best preperation.

It has been very strange for me not see in the New Year in some snowy mountainous resort but I know I will be back soon enough. In a way having a break from what has been so intensive for the last couple of years has allowed my to step back and examine where I need to improve, how to do it and re-focus my energy in the right places.

Here is to 2011, I hope that is a wonderful year and holds great success and glory for you all.

Keep coming back to check for updates of where I am and how things are getting on (One of my New Year’s resolutions is to write more updates, so watch this space).

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TIM FARR: WORKING HARD TO GET FIT

Posted on December 9th, 2010 by mysportsthoughts

Well it’s December already. Normally this blog would be saying how good the snow is, how well training is going out in Austria and how I’m looking forward to my first race etc…

However due to injury I’m enjoying the snow in London instead! Sadly sitting in my sitski in my garden just isn’t the same and the snow is just making me miss my team mates out in Austria. I know training for them is going very well and want to wish them good luck for their races coming up.

I now have a date for my operation (5th Jan) and can now really focus my energy on rehabilitation so I can come back fitter, stronger and more focused than ever before.

I’ve not been getting idle in my time off and have been working hard at keeping the fitness up. I’ve also been working hard with a couple of seating companies to find the best seating solution so when I get back on snow all the other issues I have should be sorted and I will just need to worry about skiing and getting back to where I should be (At the top of the podium!)

I’ve also found a new little hobby to keep me busy along with Sean Rose and Ben Hopper from the team we’ve been learning to fly kites hopefully to enable us to start snow kiting and kite surfing in the near future. A possible kiting expedition could happen in the near future as long as I can get myself back in shape in time but I will let you know more in the future.

The other exciting news is my new sitski, Thanks Get Kids Going, has arrived obviously it’s going to have to wait a little while before we can go tearing up the mountains but it won’t be long and will hopefully see some real benefits when I return.

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TIM FARR: NO MAN’S LAND

Posted on November 15th, 2010 by mysportsthoughts

Well the snow is falling already in the Alps and the team is all packed off training. Sadly I am looking at having my first winter at home for about five years!!

Very strange but I am swaying more to the idea of having the operation to sort out my hip. It will be a big surgery and means I’ll have to focus hard on the rehab to get my strength back before I can get back on the snow hopefully end of season/summer season.

However, the plan is to come back more motivated and in better shape than ever.

Just because I’m unlikely to be on the snow competing this season doesn’t meant that I am going to be inactive as soon as the op has been done I will be hitting the S&C hard and there will be lots of other adventures over the next few months to keep me going and make sure that I don’t lose focus so make sure you check out the blog updates.

In the meantime I feel slightly in no man’s land as I’ve now had the pins out of my leg which has solved the irritation that I’ve had but now it’s a waiting game before I’ve the next op to sort out the other issues I’m having.

Then the rehab to get my leg back to where it should be! I’ve a lot of hard work in front of me and just want to get on with it now.

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