I just got back from Whistler were I finished my season racing at Canadian Nationals.  I started off the week of races tired, due to a week of racing at Junior Nationals, the dance, and a long day of travel.  Hence my classic 5k did not go to well. By the next day I was starting to feel like myself and I was ready to just try my hardest for the skate race.  I paced myself well, and other than a hard fall that took my sunglasses, hat, and breath with it, I had a good race.  I entered the sprint race focused on not falling (since I had fallen in the past two races and there were some hard corners that could definitely take me out).  I had a good qualifier but got boxed out in my quarterfinal and didn’t advance. 

 

Next up was the last race of my season; the 30k classic.  I started the race relaxed, making sure to conserve my energy so I had enough to complete the hilly course.  As the race continued I just focused on skiing my own race and increasing the effort as I neared the finish.  I managed to pass quit a few girls and sneak in to the top ten, a result I didn’t even think was possible for me.  Though I was happy with my performance, I was also happy that I had raced on my zeros.  I had gotten my zeros two years ago, and though I had taken them everywhere with me I had never had a chance to ski on them for more than 10 minutes (these 10 minutes consisted of walking up hills, rubbing off snow high heels, and falling on the down hills).  Skiing 30k on them and having a good race was worth the trouble.  Canada turned out to be a great end to my season, and adding many more “first times” to my resume. 

 

I took this year off from school to focus on skiing, figure out were I wanted to go to college, and just have a break from school work.  Everything that I hopped would happen did.  I got to train and learn from some of the best girls in the country, I immensely improved my skate technique, and I had a great season.  I decided were I wanted to spend the next four years of my life; Middlebury College.  I will be attending there starting this fall.  With all the time this year doing nothing, and though taking naps regularly has been nice, I can’t wait to get back to studying, taking notes, and writing essays.  In addition to all this I met some really cool people and made good friends (who double as mentors).

 

My….

first time going for a 3 hour workout

first time training with girls that are 5+ years older than me

first time reading ONLY books of my choice

first time racing in a Super Tour

first time being over trained

first time racing in Canada

first time receiving a good present from my secret santa

first time qualifying for the sprints at Senior Nationals

first time making (sewing) a shirt

first skate marathon

first time playing halo all day

first time cooking fondue with friends

first time waking up at 6 am and going for a run

first 15k

first time racing at a college race

first time being a judge for an iron chief competition

first time not getting a bad cold all season

first time falling in a race

first time racing on zeros

first time wearing a ski visor

first classic marathon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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