It's Not So Chilly.

"I think my shooting coach has that same hat, but I think he said he got it in Peru." I thought as I skied up behind a man skiing down the trail ahead of me. It was a humid 10°F, and my thighs and caboose were feeling rather chilly at this point. "I think I'll ask this man where he got his hat."

"Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you where you got your hat?"

"Oh! Well, I think my brother got me this hat while he was in Peru."

This is fantastic. What are the chances of that? We then went on to have a 5 minute conversation about Alberta, the trail system in Canmore, the trail system in Anchorage, biathlon, and how tough sports are. He was a genuinely nice man. As he stayed straight on the trail and I turned right, I yelled after him, "Have a wonderful ski." He replied, "You too, have a good ski."

As I continued skiing, I was thinking about how, even if it is just for a second, a complete stranger can still manage to put a smile on your face.

And suddenly, I wasn't quite as chilly as I had been before.

...

Also, I saw a man mountain biking while I was skiing.

Bring it ON

It’s incredible. It’s that time of year again for the time trials out here at Soldier Hollow. After these time trials, the racing season is only a little over a month away. CRAZY! EXCITING! (maybe a little intimidating??)

Of the 4 years that I have come to this camp, I have never felt as good as I do this time around. In previous years, I am usually tired, drained from the heavy training, breathless from the altitude by this time. But, not right now. I’ve had some really solid interval sessions, and although the shooting may be a little inconsistent, I am confident that I will be able to pull it together to create some good performances. I’ve never felt so confident going into these races, and I must say, it’s a nice change! I am fit, I am strong, and I am ready to prove to myself that I can ski fast.

Backpacking

This past week was vacation week for the Biathlon Alberta Training Center. So, what better way to spend the week off than backpacking in beautiful British Columbia?? Boys, that one would be tough to beat. Gorgeous views, spectacular weather, wonderful company...it just doesnt get any better than this.

its not so bad.

Things that made my day:

It was sunny and warm outside…in a word, GORGEOUS!

My car will be fixed tomorrow! Woot!

I saw a rowing team drive by on the highway. (not sure why i am so excited about that?)

Had a solid lactate** for the uphill double pole time trial.

Had a wonderful ski home from said double pole time trial.

My iPod battery warned me that it only had 20% battery left at the beginning of my ski.

2 hours later, it was still pumping out good tunes.

The best one: After finishing the time trial, Olympic Gold Medalist Anna Carin Olofsson came and patted me on the back, and said “Way to fight.”

its not so bad.

**Lactate is what your body builds up when you are pushing your body hard, essentially. That's the stuff that makes your legs feel like jell-o.

3 days in Invermere, BC.

Here’s a quick video of my team’s latest training camp in Invermere, British Columbia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL2M_dRs_Gw&feature=youtu.be

I have come to the conclusion that BC is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! Simply magnificent.

Fields.

Look at that field of snow. Completely untouched. Sun shining on it as if there was a hallelujah chorus hiding behind the bushes, waiting to jump out and hit that famous note at any minute. It’s just screaming to me “Please! Come jump and run and play!” But, alas, I skied on by. I didn’t know how far away the lodge was, and I didn’t want to risk getting chilled. You see, we were classic skiing up in Craftsbury for the day. It was beautiful. The air was warm, the sun was out, the snow was perfect, and the scenery was magnificent. You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to be outside. Even though the day had started out rough, the sunshine just melted all the troubles away.

“If I come along another field as good as that one,” I thought to myself, “I will not pass it up again. I’ll leave it at that.” No longer than 5 minutes later, a smaller, but equally perfect field emerged from around a corner. “Well, its fate!” I say to myself. I shuffled over to the side of the trail, took off my skis, and giggled. I walked to the side of the untouched, smooth, shiny blanket of snow. And, without wasting another minute, did a front flip through the air, landing on my back in a completely perfect cushion of powder. I was laughing. Hard. I stood up, and, flung myself through the air again. “Boy, anyone watching me right now must think I am a nut.” I thought. “But, I really don’t care!” For a good five minutes or so, I frolicked through this field, jumping, falling, flipping, laughing. This is what living is all about. Moments like this.