January 7, 2006

Hello everyone! And Happy Holidays.

I know a lot of fans follow me through my web site and I'm sorry it's been so long since I wrote my last journal entry. There has been a lot going on over in the world of Nick. I just wanted to give a quick update going into the U.S. Championships and I will definitely fill everybody in a little bit more when I return.

This season has been quite a struggle for me. I didn't skate for about three months in the spring due to major equipment problems and then had to play catch up through out the whole summer.

I had planned to start the competition season in August, and the cards just didn't fall that way. I arrived at my first event and my blade snapped which forced me to withdraw.

As soon as I got home I was notified that I would have 3 remaining weeks before we were sent off to Bratislava, Slovakia. I did my best in my time frame and actually was quite happy with my results in Slovakia. I ended up 4th out of 20 something men.

After Slovakia we focused on Sectionals. I pushed through the event and ended in 2nd. There were a lot of good things to come out of that competition but in my heart I just didn't feel that was my moment. I have been having a very serious medical condition this year, and have really been set back with my training time.

My team and I have had to do a lot of serious thinking and planning to make Nationals be my absolute best it can be, and to have the best possible training time I could leading up to then major event. I will talk more about the medical stuff after Nationals, and I'm sure if I finish in top 6 spots after the short you will hear all about it!

For Nationals this year, I am just trying to better myself. I was 8th last year and I have made so many changes over the course of this past season to get my component score to be higher. Everyone knows I am able to jump, I proved that last year but this season I hope everyone notices something that they have never seen from me...... the full package!

My goal is to go skate enjoy the week and see where my path leads me. Whether I end up at the Olympics, Worlds, or 4 Continents we don't quite know, but all I can do is skate my heart out, and keep beating myself. As everyone know in athletics you can't count anyone out! :)

I hope you all enjoy watching the Championships and thanks again for all the support!
St. Louis is going to be my break through.





Sincerely,

Nick