ATTENTION - NEW BLOG SITE:

Hey guys! I moved my blog. Check it out at http://bobsledbritt.wordpress.com 

The answer to your question...

I happen to participate in an Olympic or nothing sport. Meaning that you hear about  bobsledding once every 4 years when the Olympic Games roll around and then nothing for 4 more years. Most people seem to think that the athletes just magically appear at that time and that the Olympic Games are the home of the one and only bobsled race of the year - and in a way, for the chosen few who make it, that's true. 

It’s now 2014. The long anticipated fourth year. Which means you have probably started to see commercials on TV, or advertisements on Coke cans, or at least heard about the Sochi Winter Olympic Games that are now just days away. This leaves everyone asking, “Will we be seeing you on our TV?!”

So to answer your question, No..... not directly, not yet anyways, not this February. 

Lets rewind back to the beginning of this season. It kicked off back in October with U.S. Bobsled Team trials. The races weren’t aired on prime-time television and we didn’t have thousands of fans cheering us on. We were simply ecstatic to have family, friends, and a handful of fans tuning in to watch a hazy live feed on the Team USA website. It may have seemed like one of those non-Olympic nothing moments to the rest of the world’s population, but to those of us living in that moment it seemed like everything. 

This year was my first Team Trails as a pilot and I was honored to compete! Being the newest driver on the team I went into the season ranked USA-9. You would think that being ranked top 10 in the nation is a good thing, but the truth is that it isn’t exactly an ideal position to be in - in fact it’s not even good enough to get a race spot on our international development race tour. Forget the Olympics, I just wanted to race with a USA speed-suit on this year. So I knew God had to show up and show out. 

He did.

Our first race was in Lake Placid, NY where I raced with Cherelle Garrett. Then I hopped in a car with teammates, Maureen Ajoku and Valerie Smith, and drove 39 straight hours to race number two in Park City, UT (where I raced with Maureen). At the conclusion of Team Trials the top 3 sleds were named to the National Team (which will more than likely go on to be the 2014 Olympic Team). I was named to USA-5. I got a race spot! Hallelujah! It’s not the 2014 Olympic Team but its definitely a step in the right direction for the future. Plus, finishing right behind 4 Olympians is pretty cool :) 

From there it was off to Calgary, Canada to start the North American Cup tour. The tour may appear like one of those nothing moments, after all it’s not the Olympics, but I can guarantee you one thing in life - you will never get your big something (whatever it is) if you don’t treat all the little nothings as if they are the big something. 

Anyways, the tour will finish off next weekend in Lake Placid, NY (after 3 tracks, 2 countries, and over 7,000 miles on the road). Then this February, I will watch. I will watch my training partners, teammates, and some of my dear friends compete for gold. I will watch the people I have shared blood, sweat, and tears with continue to lay everything they have on the line. I will cherish the memories of the little things I have done to help them get there and the big role they have played in my life. 

As for my future in this sport, God willing, the bobsled journey is far from over. God willing, the dream is still alive. I’m still trekking along the long road to South Korea in 2018.  It hasn’t always been glamorous, but its been very worth it so far. Funny thing is, Jesus preaches the same concept about life in general. Make whatever you do worth it.    

So if you are reading this, thank you! Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey and cheered me on along the way. I can’t promise you that you will ever see me bobsledding on your T.V., I can’t promise you that I will wave the American flag in the Opening Ceremony... but I can promise you that I will continue to work harder and harder and harder every single day in an attempt to make this 2018 dream a reality not only for me but also for you!  

Leaving a Legacy...

Allow me to introduce you to my friend, Faith. 

I first met Faith a few years ago when my sister, Bethany (then a student at Eternity Bible College in California) lived in the spare room of Faith's families home. Bethany basically became a member of their family. Since then, I have even made a few trips out to sunny Southern California and Faith's family has always kindly opened their doors to me (or even opened up a tent in the backyard so that Faith, my sister, and I could camp out). 

Even tough we live thousands of miles apart, rarely see each other, and are over 20 years apart in age - Faith is an encouragement to me. I like to live vicariously through the little Southern California surfer girl and her brother (I really wish I was a legit surfer like Faith and wish that I had the natural athletic ability of, Christian, her brother). I am most encouraged by the fact that Faith and Christian are living proof that Godly kids still exist in this world. The background picture on my cell phone is even a note written by Faith that says, "Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified. Do not loose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you where ever you go." I read that note on a daily basis especially before every trip down a bobsled track! 

Faith recently decided (all on her own) to put H52J II (for High Five to Jesus, the second) on the back of her soccer jersey in place of her name. For those of you who don't know, H52J is one of my favorite phrases and is even the website address for this blog. I was speechless. Not only is Faith an encouragement to me, but I am also an encouragement to her. Now when people ask what the name on her jersey means she has an opportunity to share the love of Christ with them! 

God calls us to leave a legacy with others. Not a legacy of ourselves, but the legacy of Jesus. I think my friendship with Faith is an example of that. I am not saying that I am in any way responsible for Faith's faith. She is being raised in a strong Christian home and her parents are doing an outstanding job of teaching her the truth. I am saying that Faith and I have a unique iron sharpens iron relationship (Proverbs 27:17).  

You see, we are called to encourage the younger generations to carry out the legacy of the message of Christ and by doing that we will be blessed with encouragement as well. The coolest part of this story is that it's not about me and it's not about Faith (despite the fact that we are both awesome). The point of this story is that every time Faith and I encourage each other, it points straight to Jesus.

Visiting the Bower Family a couple of weeks ago at Cornerstone Church!
(And holding up a picture of Bethany) 

John 14:8...

First of all, my picture has no business being on the same webpage as several NFL studs and the band Third Day - but by the grace of God, it is. Why? All to support orphans in Haiti. If you are a fantasy football player check out this site so that your fantasy football world can turn into a reality of benefits for orphaned children in Haiti.

Click here to go to the Sudden Change Challenge 

Click here to see the supporters page

How to Start a Movement...

"The best way to start a movement, if you really care, is to courageously follow and show others how to follow." 

Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19) 

Moral of the story =

Start a movement by courageously following Jesus! 

Push Champ Pics...

and so it begins...

Physics proves that the faster a bobsled is at the start of a race, the faster it will be at the end of a race. The most important variable in determining a bobsled’s start speed is the pure horse power found in an athletes speed and strength. Therefore every year the U.S. Bobsled team holds Push Championships to determine exactly which individual athletes can accelerate a bobsled off the start block the fastest. This years U.S. Push Championships were held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada during the first week of August. 

The only Ice House in the world! 

I have now participated in three Push Championships, but this year was different. The 2013 Push Championships marked the beginning of an Olympic year. 

I remember sitting in our first team meeting up in Calgary. There were 22 exceptional athletes and 22 big dreams. I looked around and thought, “the next U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team will come out of this room”. I am so humbled and blessed to consider all of those women teammates and many of them good friends. 

Every year, we also have a combine testing event a few days prior to Push Championships. We test a few short sprints, broad jump, shot toss, power clean, and back squat. An athlete needs to obtain a pre-determined passing score to qualify for housing at the Olympic Training Centers and to be eligible to compete on the U.S. Team. It also serves as a good judge of an athletes current physical condition and shows if they have physically improved over the past year.  My combine went well. I surpassed my goal score and, by the grace of God, I ran way faster than I have ever ran before. 

It was then time to focus on Push Championships. Push Championships are not the end all be all, but they can make or break you. This one race gives the coaches a pretty good idea of who they want as brakemen on the National Team. I am technically a driver now, but I do not have the driving experience needed to compete on the World Cup stage (yet!!!). My best shot at the 2014 Olympics is in the back of a bobsled, so I just had to enter the  brakeman competition. I knew that if I did not, I would spend the rest of my life wondering, what if? 

I finished 10th (out of 15). More than likely that is not good enough for this years Olympic Team. Only 3 brakemen and 3 drivers will make the final team. (However, I serve a mighty big God. I finished 10th my first year and went on to compete on the World Cup team. You can read that blog by clicking here). Lets just see who beat me: 

2013 U.S. Women Brakemen Results

1. One of the top 2 brakemen in the WORLD.
2. One of the top 2 brakemen in the WORLD (2013 World Championship Silver Medal).  
3. Olympic Silver Medalist (Track & Field, 2004) in 100m Dash. 100m P.R.= 10.88. 
4. Olympic Brakeman (2010 - 5th place). 
5. World Indoor Champion (Track & Field) in 60m Hurdles and American Record Holder. 
6. 2013 World Cup Brakeman. (100m P.R. = 11.3). 
7. 2011 World Cup Brakeman. 
8. Track & Field Olympic Trials participant in triple jump. 
9. 2013 World Cup Brakeman. 
10. Yours truly, Brittany Reinbolt. 

Trying to put Olympic athletes out of a job is no easy business, people. At least my name is now on a very honorable list and I meet the requirements for the U.S. Team if anything crazy happens. 

The next day was the big show for me, the moment I spent all summer preparing for, the driver push competition. In order to survive much longer in this sport, I needed to prove that I can push with the best bobsled drivers in the world. I ended up finishing 4th (behind 3 of the worlds very best). I can’t say that my performance was incredibly amazing, but God is great and I feel that I can say - Mission Accomplished! The 2018 Olympic Dream is alive and well! 

On another note. It was so good to be re-united with my teammates while in Canada. You will be seeing some of these awesome people on your T.V. screen in just a few months! 

In front of the 1988 Winter Olympic Torch! 

Post combine car ride 

I had the privilege of competing against one of my
Track & Field heroes, Lauryn Williams! 

So whats next? We have two Team Trials races, down the bobsled tracks, during October in Lake Placid, NY and Park City, UT. At the conclusion of the final race the selection committee will meet and decide who will compete on the various teams. 

Be sure to check out Elana Meyers Push Championship blog post for espnW by clicking here! 

Summer Update...

I had the privilege of writing a blog post for the USA Bobsled & Skeleton website about my summer. Check it out by clicking on the link below: 

"Preparing for the Chariots of Fire, by Brittany Reinbolt" 

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Bobsled-Skeleton-Federation/Athletes/Athlete-Blogs/Brittany-Reinbolt

2012-13 Season Update...

If there is anyone out there who actually reads my blog posts, I apologize. It has been nearly ten months since my last real update. 

Val & I transported a bobsled between
Park City, UT and Calgary, Can.
We had several good/long road trips.

Around the time I left you hanging, I realized that a bobsled pilot on the North American Cup tour is far from being just an athlete. You are your own bus driver, sled transporter, logistical coordinator, coach, manager, agent, nutritionist, and the list goes on. Not only are you responsible for yourself, but also your crew. Thankfully I spent the season with Valerie Smith as my main crew member and she was a tremendous asset. There have also been so many others who have helped out along the way (too many people to list - and all of whom I am incredibly grateful for) so I am in no way saying that I survived last season by my own strength. I am just saying that blogging didn’t seem to fit in anywhere between bobsledding and grad school. Did I mention that I am in grad school? I’m so stoked to be pursuing a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from DeVry University (online) thanks to an athlete scholarship from the U.S. Olympic Committee. 

North American Cup in Calgary, Can.
First race as a driver (Micaela Damas on brakes).

To sum up last bobsled season - by the grace of God, I successfully learned how to navigate a sled down 3 different tracks in 2 different countries and had the privilege of representing America in 4 international races. To top it off, there was never a dull moment with teammates Val Smith and Kristi Koplin nearby. Overall I would label the 2012-13 season as a valuable learning year.

Val, Me, and Kristi instigating awesomeness at the Freestyle Ski World Cup in Lake Placid, NY. 

Here are a few videos we made while training in Park City, Utah: 

"Top Fun" 

"Pure Bobsled Awesomeness" 

She is Legend...

Last week my coach had to test out a new sled that she uses when she drives passenger rides. So, after training, we got to be her test dummies and decided to have a little fun. Check out the video below: 

Counting the Cost...

In my last post I announced that I decided to train to become a bobsled pilot and that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Well, I still don't... but God is awesome and things have actually been going pretty well out here in Park City,  Utah! To sum up the past month: 

I survived my first driving school and can now say that I am officially a bobsled pilot! Ate In-N-Out Burger. Sat on the floor at a Utah Jazz NBA game. Ate In-N-Out Burger again. Had 44 successful training runs. Saw real live mooses (anyone know the plural for moose?). Hung out with Mormons :) Snuck down a closed ski hill at night on an inner tube (yet another life goal accomplished). Fore-ran the World Cup Bobsled races in Park City. 

Overall, a lot of bobsledding mixed with a little fun. God willing, next week my faithful brakeman, Valerie Smith, and I will road trip up to Calgary, Canada for our first official international bobsled races!  

Despite the fact that I appear to be living the dream; there's one thing I've been learning lately - to count the cost. Every single day I am realizing, more and more, exactly how hard it is to make the US Olympic Team. To be honest, it's virtually impossible. I find myself wondering, is this all worth it? 

Then I remind myself. Nothing is impossible for my God and even if I never make it to the Olympic Games all the physical, mental, and financial costs are worth it. Who cares if training is hard? If I have to deal with ridiculous politics? If I literally live out of a suitcase? If my body is bruised and scared? If it's incredibly expensive? I'm on the United States Bobsled Team, I've made some incredible friends, and had some amazing adventures. It's definitely all worth it!!! 

I'll never forget when I was first contemplating quitting my career and packing my bags for the grueling sport of bobsled. It was a tough decision and Elana Meyers shared her story with me. She said bobsledding hadn't been easy but when she walked into the opening ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver it was all worth it. 

I say all this to ask a much bigger question: Are we counting the costs of following Jesus in our lives? I know that everyone makes sacrifices, just like I'm sacrificing a lot for my bobsled dreams. But that's not what I am talking about. The question is - are you willing to sacrifice everything to follow after Jesus? 

Just like I'm realizing how hard it is to make the Olympic Team; I'm realizing how hard it is to make God's team (Matt 7:13-14, 19:24). Sometimes watered down American Christianity forgets to point out that Jesus actually said things like, 

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."   Luke 14:26-27

Following after Jesus isn't going to be easy. If anyone tells you that, they are lying. But Jesus does promise one thing, HE is worth it! I can't wait until the day I walk into eternity with Jesus and am able to say, it was all worth it! 

Take 10 minutes to watch the video above. You won't regret it :) 

In the news...

Saying that my brakeman is a big Tigers fan is an understatement. But her Tiger passion led to a conversation with a Detroit couple who happened to be touring the bobsled track, which led to this article. Click the link below and enjoy!

A Big Tigers Fan With Olympic Dreams...

Good times...

The next step...

I've left so many of you in suspense with my recent Facebook status:

"When I look back on every accomplishment God has blessed me with in my life I realize that they all began with one thing - a risky leap of faith. So here we go again..."

All of you know, if I post something like that, there is probably a wild and crazy adventure planned for the near future. Then I added some more suspense when I randomly showed up in Arkansas (when I was supposed to be bobsledding in New York).  So here is my attempt to try and explain the current journey God is leading me on.

I spent the entire summer at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center working hard to get stronger and faster, and I did. In early October we had our team combine testing and National Push Championships and I put up some really good numbers. But there was one problem, so did everyone else.

2012 National Push Championships

I really believe that if I continue down the path of being a bobsled brakeman, that God would put me back on the US National Team this season and allow me to travel around the world bobsledding with my best friends and telling people about Jesus - talk about living the dream! However, its getting harder and harder to make the Olympic Team and I really believe God wants to use me in a new capacity this season that will actually extend my bobsled career.

I'm going to attempt to become a pilot! I've had a desire to become a bobsled pilot since I was in high school and to make a long story short - if I am going to become a pilot - now is the prime time!

So what's the plan? I am currently at my parents house in Arkansas getting some much needed mental recovery. In a couple of days I will head out to Park City, Utah for the winter to learn everything I possibly can about driving. God willing, I will even race as a driver on the Americas Cup tour this season!

So whats so risky about that? First of all, it was very hard to intentionally stop trying to pursue a spot on the National Team for this season. It was hard knowing that I will not be spending the season with my all of my teammates especially Katie Eberling, Elana Meyers, and Megan Hill (who have become so much more than just teammates to me).  Second of all, it's very possible that my attempt to drive could end up disastrous. I am sacrificing something I am decent at (pushing) for the unknown (driving). But that's the beauty of faith:

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." -Hebrews 11:1 

But my faith is not in my unknown ability to drive a bobsled. My faith is not in my athletic abilities. My faith is in Christ.  If I never get to the Olympics, if  my bobsled career ends in a few weeks, one thing is for sure: God has a plan for my life and its bigger than bobsled and it will bring His name glory.

So here we go! I have to give a special shout out to my bobsled bud, Val Smith, who is also taking a risky leap of faith by joining me on this journey as my brakeman!

P.S. - I've always wanted to move to Utah! I love Mormons!

Me and U.S. Track & Field Olympic greats: Tianna Madison, Lolo Jones, and
Hyleas Fountain: trying out for the U.S. Bobsled Team this season.

2011-12 Team Meyers!!
(After Elana and Katie won Bronze at World Championships)
Proud to be their alternate - humled to be their friends! 

OTC Sprite-Banana Challenge

la familia...

Family at Jones Beach, Long Island, NY

My family came to visit me in New York! It was awesome to show them how and where I have been training. And it was even awesomer to take a road trip to Long Island to see where my mom grew up! 

Me and my Nepali Sister

My parents checking out
a bobsled! 

Right after my fam's trip to NY, my sister moved to Nepal! She plans to come back to the states for a visit in 3 years! 


Click this link to check out her blog to follow her adventures: Two Candles One Light Blog

Iron Prayer...

The Iron Man triathlon is one of the most grueling athletic events on the planet.  It is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and then topped off with a full marathon run of 26.2 miles. Everyone who crosses the finish line before mid-night is crowned with the official title of "Ironman"! I had the opportunity to speak at the Iron Prayer the night before the big race in Lake Placid, NY earlier this summer. Check it out below!!!! 

Hanging out with some teammates and one of our strength
coachesat the IronMan finish line!!! 

Luger...

The US Luge Team had a fundraiser over the weekend that was a luge start competition for the general public. Since I'm not anything close to a luger I decided to take advantage of this opportunity and enter the race. I figured it would be fun to escape the summer heat and experience the luge start in their ice house. I ended up winning the women's division and posting the 3rd fastest time overall, which means I even beat one of my strength coaches :) Check the video out above!

The 45...

Last weekend I decided to take a break from my training life in Lake Placid and drive down to Pittsburgh for the WFA National Championship Game. I don't think I would have driven that far just to see the first ever Women's Tackle Football National Championship game in a NFL stadium. However, I didn't even have to think twice about driving that far to re-unite with my teammates from the 2010 Women's National Team. 

It was so good to see almost all of the original 45 ladies and coaches that I made history with 2 years ago at the inaugural Women's World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. 

Some of the team at Heinz field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

With Coach Mac (one of my all-time favorite coaches)

on the NFL grass! 

It has been awesome to see at how far women's football has come over the years and the impact that Team USA has had on women's sports. Despite the fact that women's football still has a long way to go, words cant describe how it feels to have been a pioneer in women's football. Coach Mac said that people always ask him about his ring, and being from Wisconsin, they ask if he won the Super Bowl with the Packers. I love his response, "No, it's much bigger than that." 

The national championship game, that we all used as an excuse to reunite, was a great showdown between Chicago and SanDiego. Several of my Team USA teammates and even the head coach of Team USA were all on the Chicago team. However, I couldn't help but to root for SanDiego. There was one member of SanDiego who was also a part of Team USA, but it was all my old teammates from the LosAngeles Amazons (who now play for SanDiego) that I found myself cheering for. So it was awesome to see SanDiego (my old Amazons) win a tight game and finally achieve their dream. 

Kiima and I flashing our bling :) 

Me and Pre :) 

I also haven't seen anyone from Winona State since I graduated in '07. So it was so good to see an old FCA'er and track teammate playing in the championship game for Chicago. It was even more special because I was a big inspiration for her to play football! 

Seconds of Fame...

I made another commercial! It is pretty sweet! Megan Hill, one of the bobsled drivers, is sponsored by McDavid. They used a video clip from the day I raced with her. Check it out:

And if you missed my Mt. Dew commercial from a few years ago, here is. Don't blink at the :08 second mark or you may miss me.