The Official Web Site of JR Celski - Team USA's Speedskater
J.R. Celski's Journal
Welcome to the site!!
October 18th, 2009First of all, welcome to my website. Big thank you to my man Dru Kelly for making the website exactly how my family and I wanted it to be. You’re the man! I’ve been in Colorado Springs at the U.S. Olympic Training Center for a little over two weeks now. When I came in two weeks ago, I was still shocked at what happened before I went into that surgery room, and received 60 stitches to repair my lacerated quad muscle. I was still unsure if I would have enough time before the Olympics to get back into shape, and complete my journey. Now it’s a different story.
After working with Dr. Heiden, Dr. Moreau, Chris, Jenna, Kerry, and Joe (the ATC’s on site) I have a whole different outlook on my injury. They have been so helpful, and so comforting to my situation. I have basically lived in that training room since I’ve been here. I’ve made huge leaps and progressed to a somewhat comforting stage in my recovery process. I am now very confident that I will make it back just as strong, if not stronger than I was before I sustained my injury. I have been told numerous times that injuries are a much more substantial mental process than they are physical.
I know this sounds crazy, but I am thankful that this happened to me. I am in a big test right now against myself. Much larger than any test I’ve been put through in my entire life before. I have been put in a situation where the odds are all stacked against me, and am I going to just give up and quit now? They say you’re not a true athlete if you haven’t gone through struggle and hard times. I’ve had my share, just like most athletes, but this will prove to either make me or break me. It will show my true dedication to my sport, and take me through much larger scales of emotions than I was expecting to feel at this moment in time. I was expecting to go into the Olympics this year as one of the best. I haven’t skated in over a month which is the longest I haven’t skated since I quit skating back in 2006.
I don’t know how I will feel when I get back on the ice. Will it be much harder for me than it was before? Probably. Will I have the desire to complete my journey? I ask myself these questions every day. I have never had an injury as large as this one before. I’m not sure what to expect when I do step back on that ice, but you can bet that I’m more hungry now than I’ve ever been in my life. I’m not sure if I’ll be physically limited. I probably will be, but I will not give up what I have been working for my whole entire life just because of a small setback, and what some call a “flesh wound” =] .
To be honest, I’ve never kept a journal before. If you’re reading this right now, I hope you can relate to what I posted today, and what I will post as I chart my progress in the future.
I have been spending a lot of time lately with my brother David and his wife “ateh” Brit. He is stationed at Fort Carson, an army base in Colorado Springs. He is now a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and will soon be promoted to Captain. Since he got back from Iraq in February, he has gotten married to a beautiful woman, bought a house (which is beautiful also), and has a dog named Leroy which is the same breed as my dog back home Cali. I swear Leroy could be Cali’s son. He’s a feisty little guy! This morning I woke up to his tale wagging and his tongue sticking half way out of his mouth. He came up to give me a hug and at the same time released some fluid onto my bare foot. It’s been great getting to spend time with family. Especially family I haven’t spent much time with in the past few years. David was gone at college as I went through high school, and was in Iraq From June 2008 to February 2009. He is still the same ol’ David I knew when I was a little kid. He leaves for Iraq again in March or April of next year, so I am spending as much time with them as I can before I go back to Salt Lake City. Last night we went to a Filipino party, and I ate more food than I had in the past two weeks! Delicious sinigang, pork menudo, chicken adobo, and pancit. Makes me miss my mom’s cooking.
Last weekend almost the whole National team drove out to see me (jimmy drove)! They showed up at my brother’s house out of nowhere. Piling in at once, I saw Jordan, Jeff, Jess, Berlys, Bellos, Simon, Aly, Baver and Jaynes (travis)! I was so excited to see them all! Makes me very happy to have teammates that care about each other, and show support for one another no matter what the situation is. We went up to Denver with another skating buddy everyone knows as “Strauss”, and Joey Mantia to a place called the Sushi Den, and ate some bomb Sushi!
I know this journal entry is very long, but a lot has happened in the past few weeks and I wanted to let everyone know that I am still in good spirits, and am still smiling.
A big shout out goes out to all my buddies in Long Beach and Federal Way! I got a chance to see my boys Jon, Raymond, Von, Chris, Zach, Faron (zach’s girl), and Tim (zach’s bro) when I was in Santa Monica a few weeks ago, along with my agent Brandon and my girl kim! Also had a chance to meet Gretchen Bleiler who was on the 24 hour fitness shoot with me. The day after when I went to the Mariners game at Safeco for the whole Comcast launch. I got to see a lot of my buddies from the F Dub! Vinny, Joe, Kelly, Alexa, Jenny, Rochelle, and Audrey! The whole De Castro/Versosa families came up to! Thank you Megan, Mandy, Michi, Nichole, Craig, and Anthony for coming. What seems like my whole family came out to see me throw the first pitch as well! My Mom, Dad, and bro Chris (we sat in a suite along with my agent Brandon!) came out, along with Grandma Sabado and Grandma Lewis, Auntie Brenda, Judy, Mary, Virginia, Jann, Judy, Miriam, Uncle Jerry, Bruce, Diamond, Joe and a bunch of my cousins (Michaela, Desiree, Olivia, Gerson, Jesse), and my first coach Mike Pattison and his wife Kay! Also got a chance to see David’s best man Aaron and Balcho. They all had me sign my cards and shirts for them, and I told them all I don’t sign anything for family! We share blood, not ink =] I have the greatest family and friends ever. You guys are what get me through everyday and I love you all so much.
I’ll try to keep this thing updated every Sunday.
Until next time!
JR
35 Responses to “Welcome to the site!!”
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J.R. Celski Sponsors
Media Gallery
See video of J.R. growing up on skates and more recent media coverage
hey was takin a break from hw and saw the link…best of luck bud
Awesome website! Best of spirits! Keep up the great work!
We are so proud of your accomplishments. God bless you throughout your amazing journey. Watch out world – JR’s coming!
just checking in to show my support!! the website is very cool!
Hey J.R.!!! Great to see your website (finally!). You’ve been blessed with this talent and all you’ve been through …. keep the faith, and He will take care of you! With our love, prayers and best wishes!
Wow! This is exciting J.R. You’re in our thoughts and prayers! We love you!
J.R.,
I and my parents are customers of your Mom’s at the Safeway store in
Federal Way. Your Mom keeps us updated on your every move and always
has a photo album (or two) at the ready to show everyone the latest Pics.
I think that she’s your greatest local booster!
Anyway, we’re all so proud of your accomplishments and the fact that we
have a “local” representing the U.S. and the local community in the upcoming
Olympics. Hang tough with the recovery; we’re ALL routing for you!
Respectfully,
R.D., Don and Gerry Guthrie
Federal Way
J.R. I thoroughly enjoyed your website! Read and looked at everything about you. Your story is one for the movies, and I’m not only proud of you but am in awe of your entire family for their total support of all you need and do! Praise God! Take good care of yourself and put Federal Way on the front page again….I’m cheering for you!!!
Love.
Grandma Leonor.
Wow quite the website buddy. All of us guys are in your corner. See you in Vancouver, take it to em.
Joe
Hey JR – I saw your dad this morning and he updated me a bit but your website is great. My family and I have of course been very concerned about you and we are glad to hear that you are working hard to recover and are in good hands.
woooohooo got a shout out! haha and i’m so jealous (and hungry) after reading about the delicious filipino food you ate.
i like the journal! keeps me updated. glad physical therapy/training? is going well. i miss youuu!!! look forward to your next entry
jr u are AMAZING!!! i wasnt there the day you hurt yourself (and im kind of glad i wasnt), but watching u skate is so thrilling! you are very talented and very inspirational. Good luck to you in the future and in the Olympics. I hope that you make it back to marquette – injury-free – and excite us all!
Good luck and I will be watching you in Vancouver and beyond!!!
love from,
your biggest fan
J.R i just wanted to let you know that your an inspiration to me! You are such a great person. And so amazing to have over come so many things.Im so excited to watch you in the olympics this year. I hope you come home with a gold. but hey if you don’t you wont let me down. I Love You!
Bob & Family. If you can remember back to the mid-1980′s, I proudly worked for you as one of your U.S. Army Recruiters in the Seattle BN. I was getting ready for work this morning and noticed you on KING news! Wow! I’m so happy for you and your family. I really enjoyed working for you, and your wonderful personality always made me feel good. It’s no wonder you have such winners in your life. I live in University Place. Send me an email and maybe we can have a cup of coffee. I can’t believe it’s been 20+ years. YOU GO J.R.!!!!
Hey J.R, I just wanted to let you know that you are my inspiration. To go back and skate after your injury was amazing to me and I love watching you skate! I just want to thank you for being that inspiration for me, you have truly made me want to imporve my dance and track abilities. You have made me want to practice even harder if I do want to go to the Olympics for track. Again thank you!!!
Love,
Your Biggest Fan Hannah
J.R.,
I admire you so much! When I saw and heard of you, I was touched by what happened and what you did to overcome the obstacles. You held on when most people wouldn’t have had the potential to even do that. You’re seriously an inspiration for EVERYONE, especially me. As a teen too, I know how hard it is sometimes to go through bumps and troubles, but they make us stronger in the end. Know that we are all behind you 110%. I’ll be rooting for you! On top of all of this, you’re also smart, and TOO too cute!! It was motivational to watch your videos, interviews, and skating. Thank you for being such an inspiration!!!
You never know, maybe I’ll be able to meet you one day! That would be such a privilege. I am confident in you. Hope you get to read this/respond
Good luck & With lots of love,
Kerry
Smile on!
God has definitely rewarded you for all your hard work. You’ve inspired me to keep on living the way God wants me to and not to give up at my hard times. Thank you for not giving up.
-Hannah L.
not Hannah (Your Biggest Fan!)
kinda sux we have the same name cuz now it looks like one of us is stalking you (or majorly obsessed) ;P you have enough of those
Hi JR! congrats on the medal! i was rooting for you all the way
i hope we can see more of you in the future!
sending love from northern virginia~
My friend and I are really BIG fans of J.R. and to prove it we’ve even started our own site!!!
http://www.Celskisgirls.yolasite.com I hope that J.R. will see it cause we’re trying to make every person out there a fan!
we also have a twitter @celskisgirls
and some merchandise on the way. So pleaseeeeeeeee check it out!!!!
love you J.R.!!!
-lemy Gonzalez
your Washington buddy
Hi JR,
I think your words are always amazing. You speak so well to the camera when it’s on or off from the Olympic games. I am a big fan of your’s and I am 13 and loved to watch you on Short Track along with Apolo Ohno. You seemed so happy to win the gold in one of the events. I love your smile. I am from California and I have always wanted to meet you. It would be a totally exciting moment for me. What do you say? If you want…my email is jswolfluver13@gmail.com. Thanks so much, I would love to hear from you.
WE LOVE U YOUR SOOOOOOO HOTT =)
WE LUV YOU UR HOT
I meant fun to you?
I loved you first, you loved me with a passion. We will meet when the wind blows the rifht way! Someday it will. You are my leaf that blew up in the wind.
-A Poet to not be named
omg ur like super hot and can u liek email me well u probaly wont any keep on the hotnes byeeeeeeeeeeee by the way i wont stalk u like other pple….
I LOVE Jr
Jr is so inspiring i would die to meet him
Jr is so hot . i was so depressed when the olmypics were over . i can’t wait till 2014 LOL
i was beginning to imagine i may possibly be the sole guy which thought about this, at the very least at this point i understand im not loonie
i’ll make sure to look into a few several other posts immediately after i get my morning caffeine in me, it can be challanging to read without my coffee, I was unbelivably late last evening grinding zynga poker and after getting my fill with a few ales i finished up burning off all my facebook poker chips adios for now 
yo we r not weird lik other ppl, but u r da best athlete like EVER! U rok the world dude! We r not ur BIGGEST fans! but we r ur awesomest fans! U rok!! Answer us pleze! EMAIL US!!!!!!
WE ALSO THINK APOLO OHNO IS BEAST N COULD U TELL HIM THT 4 US????? thanx again!!!!
Thanks so much for the blog post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.