Hey friends and fans! I've been trying to find time to post, but wow, things are moving so fast and it's just been awesome since the relay winning bronze. Lots of thinking happens after an event like the Olympics.

Wow! What a great feeling to have all my friends, family and sponsors there to watch the Olympics. It was awesome. The memory of me getting off the ice after winning bronze and seeing their expression was the best of all. It made me cry immediately.

The race was a fast one, world record. And for the ladies relay team we made some changes immediately before and did not have a great start position.

It's tough being in the back in a relay because the girls in front of you try and mess you up on the exchange, and you have to be careful of your partner pushing you into the person in front of you and losing your speed, which actually happened a few times! Crazy race!

We all trained for the relay so hard and skated our best! And all the hard work paid off.

Doing the victory lap, and being on the podium -- it made many things came to mind and emotionally, it’s a crazy time. Everything you've ever done to get there, you remember. All the pain and sweat and tears.

All the people that helped and believed in you. All the sacrifices to reach that dream of being on the podium at the Olympics. It's the happiest feeling ever!

Thank you everyone. Now on to Bulgaria to finish the season and to go back to where I broke my leg one year ago.

World Championships Sophia!

In the meantime, I am planning for another four years. One super crazy strong effort and a solid four years this time. I have some unfinished business to take care of before I retire!

U.S. short track speedskater Allison Baver won her first-ever Olympic medal last night, as the U.S. Ladies 3000-meter relay team captured a bronze medal at the Vancouver Winter Games.

Baver, a native of suburban Reading, Pa., skated as a member of a relay team that included Katherine Reutter, Alyson Dudek, Kimberly Derrick and Lana Gehring.

Team USA originally placed fourth in a time of 4:14:081, but gained a spot on the podium after Korea was disqualified for impeding a Chinese team that set a new world record (4:06.610) with their gold medal showing.

Baver told the Reading (Pa.) Eagle from the Pacific Coliseum: “To me, this is like a dream. I was able to do it. To be at the Olympics is one thing, and to come out with a medal, not that many people have the opportunity to do that. So I’m very proud.”

Baver excitedly posted on her Facebook page within hours of winning: “I’m bringing home the bronze! Thank you team, staff, family, sponsors, friends and fans! We couldn’t have done it without you!”

This is the first Olympic medal for the American Ladies short-track speedskating team since 1994. Baver has competed in two previous Olympics.

I need your help, to ensure that my coach Shawn wins the O.C. Tanner Inspiration Award!

Let me tell you a little about Shawn -- he is my life-long coach and a dear family friend. Without Shawn's mentorship, teaching, sacrifice, support and friendship, I know undoubtedly I would not be here at the Vancouver Olympic Games!

To vote for Shawn, please follow these simple instructions:

• Click on this link
• Look for my name and picture to read more about Shawn
• Click on the vote button, and share!

Thanks so much for supporting my dream of winning my first Olympic medal, and for recognizing Shawn.

Allison