Say goodbye to the Green Machine:

And say hello to the Yet-Unnamed Green Machine Replacement...

So, in terms of skeleton, I have taken THE LEAP: I have bought my own sled. And not any sled: It's a Davenport!

Wait, let me put this in terms that might elicit a similar reaction from the non-skeletal: "I have bought my own car. And not any car: It's a Lamborghini!"

The sled I have been using this year, aka The Green Machine, good-looking as it is, has a few flaws, including a bent frame and an ill-fitting saddle. So when the opportunity presented itself to become one of the select few who own a Davenport, I jumped at the chance like a college student given the opportunity to trade in their aquamarine frost 1997 Ford Escort Wagon LX and buy a Lamborghini: I looked up from my bowl of Top Ramen noodles and rolled my eyes.

Let's just say that my new sled costs TWICE AS MUCH AS MY CAR. So I might as well have been thinking about buying a Lamborghini.

This is where my conviction that no athlete can go it alone is bolstered ... I couldn't do any of what I am doing without a lot of help from a lot of people: First and foremost, my husband who pays my rent and feeds me, and who lets me leave him home alone for weeks at a time; the rest of my family, extended family, friends and extended family friends, who always check in to see how it's going and encourage me (including my dad, who can't help but call me weekly to ask me where the other two percent went); my old college buddy Tiff and her hubby, who graciously let me live in their basement when I am in Calgary for training; Pacific Sport which has helped me with travel grants, restaurant discounts and gym memberships among other things.

But most of all, I really couldn't do it with companies and individuals who are willing to support me and my crazy dreams with loonies and toonies. The Benefits Company stepped up to the plate and offered enough for me to put down my bowl of Top Ramen and seriously consider the possibility of this new sled. Now The Squamish Chief and The Whistler Question have come on board to help with the rest of the sled costs.

And really, all I can say is thank you, to everyone.

Well, I guess I could also just shut up, put on my spandex and go faster.

Full speed ahead!