Achieving Excellence

The other day I got out of bed, looked out the window, and saw huge snowflakes falling to the ground. My initial reaction was excitement, but I was a bit disappointed because it was going to make the intervals I planned for the day that much harder.

I met my coach at the ski hut ready to go at 9:30am. The snow wasn't letting up and the wind wasn't either. I strapped my skis on and began my warm up, plowing through 5 inches of fresh fallen snow. I was the only lone soul out on the trails. It was hard to get psyched for this workout when I could hardly see where I was going! After making a few loops, I put my head down and went for it. "It's conditions like this that make you tough. You never know when you'll have to race in dumping snow." These were all thoughts that ran through my head and were latter reiterated by my coach. "That's right," I thought. "This is only going to make me tougher." With that thought in my head, I began my first interval. Three minutes into the interval I had to take my glasses off, they were fogging up and they were covered with snow! The wind was blowing and snow was covering my face...I couldn't see a thing! As I skied along, I ran off the trail a few times, getting way off track. I squinted my eyes and even shut them on the downhills...that's when I caught a tip in the snow and did a nice face plant. Aaawww! After the fall, I was getting more and more frustrated. I was trying to go fast but I couldn't see a thing! I finished my interval and stopped to get a lactate reading from my coach. This would be the moment of truth, did I go hard enough? Sure enough, my lactate was within the correct range!

Despite plowing through 5 inches of snow, skiing down the hills blind, and falling on my face, I was able to execute the intervals as planned. I was relieved to be done with the workout! I kept my mind in the game and completed it just as well as I would have if it was solid tracks. Sometimes achieving excellence isn't just about performing well at races and getting good results, but it is also about making several small achievements along the way. I could have easily waited until the next day to do the intervals when it was clear and sunny, but I put my mind to the test. Ultimately, I felt like I achieved excellence and benefited greatly from such a tough and brutal workout.

And of course as I finished my cool down, the sun began to peek through the clouds.

A Special Time in Sun Valley

This past week I had the pleasure to be a part of the Special Olympics! The Nordic and Downhill events were held in Sun Valley, while the other events were held in Boise, Idaho.

A view of the awards podium with Baldy in the background.

A couple weeks ago, I helped with a nordic ski lesson. I enjoyed skiing with several of the Special Olympic athletes from Sun Valley.

My friends Abraham, Denny, and Grant!

We are all smiles after an afternoon of skiing.

As a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, Micheal Franti put on a concert in Sun Valley! We had a great time and even got a picture with him!

Micheal Franti onstage.

My sister Kristy, my friend Noi, and I posing for a picture with Micheal Franti

It was very fun having the Special Olympics in town and participating in the events. Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers for putting on such a great event!

A Week In Telemark

Last week the Super Tour made its rounds to Telemark, Wisconsin. With temperatures as low as -15, it managed to warm up to zero degrees to kick off the skate sprint on Wednesday . The course wasn’t any ordinary sprint course. To put it plainly, it mainly consisted of two up-hills…one big hill and one really big hill. I skied to a solid second place in the qualifying round and ended up forth overall in the A-final. Colin Rodgers skied strong all day, qualifying in second place and holding his second place finish in the A-finals.

We had two days off before we found ourselves back on the trails racing. Saturday was a 5/10k classic on a very challenging course. My energy felt good and I knew I had to go out there and hammer every bit of the course. Despite a tumble on a down hill, I managed to get 5th place, 10 seconds out of a podium finish. Dave Chamberlain proved his dominance in classic skiing, finishing

Sunday was a 10/15k skate mass-start. After watching the men’s race at 9:30am, I learned that the course and its lack of hilly terrain was probably going to make for a tight finish in the woman’s race just as it had for the men’s race. A pack of 20 men came into the finishing stretch within a matter of about 10 seconds. Colin Rodgers finished 8th and Dave Chamberlain finished 12th. The top women stuck together in a tight pack until the last two kilometers. I decided to put the hammer down and begin my charge to the finish. Kristina Stranberg followed close behind and it came down to a sprint in the final 50 meters to the finish. Unfortunately, I did not have quite enough in the tank to maintain first place…she out-edged me by 1 second!

Overall, it was a successful week in Telemark. Many thanks to Dennis Kruse for housing several of the athletes this past week! We appreciate your hospitality!

I am back in Sun Valley, getting ready for the Boulder Mountain Tour this weekend! I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

My Ski History

Similar to several other skiers I know, I grew up skiing at a very young age. I started in my dads backpack and by the time I was three I had my own skis strapped to my feet. My family and I went on day-long trips to Hatcher Pass and skied for hours, or maybe what seemed like hours to me at the time. By the time I was six, I was old enough to join the local Junior Ski Program known as the Jr. Nordic League. After a few practices I was hooked…so hooked I convinced my sisters to join me!

My family and I posing for a Christmas Ski picture in 1989

My enthusiasm for skiing did not carry me all the way through elementary school. I was more intrigued with playing soccer than skiing. By the time I was in my “cool” junior high years, I decided that I really did not like skiing and after doing my first ski race I was sure that I would never race again! While my parents did not force me to keep skiing, they encouraged me to stick with it.

My sister and I decked out in our "cool" spandex

By the time I got to high school I joined the cross-country running team and right after joined the cross-country ski team. At this point, I enjoyed these sports from more of a social aspect. The more I skied and raced, the more I learned to enjoy it. As I got better and better, I produced improving results, which fired my desire to keep skiing. My parents and coaches were very instrumental in supporting and encouraging me and they continue to do so to this day!

Racing for East High School my freshman year

After completing four years of racing on one of the best high school ski teams in the state, I decided to continue my ski ambitions as I pursued college. After skiing one year for Alaska Pacific University, I transferred to the University of Alaska Anchorage and skied for four successful years. Each year I produced improving results. As a result of my performances, I was asked to join an elite Olympic Development Team in Sun Valley, Idaho when I completed school.

That is where I am today! I currently live and train in Sun Valley and I am a member of the Sun Valley Olympic Development Team. I can honestly tell you that I am very passionate about skiing and I am so thankful my parents introduced me to the sport and encouraged me to stick with it!

My First World Cup!

This past weekend I raced in my first World Cup in Whistler B.C.! Despite a smaller than usual field of racers, the competition was strong and fierce! I raced in the classic sprint on Friday with hopes of qualifying for the rounds with a top-30. Unfortunately, I did not ski anywhere fast enough and saw my name at the bottom of the prelim results.

Start of classic sprint quarterfinals.

In my mind, I used the classic sprint as a warm-up for the 15k duathlon race on Saturday. A duathlon race is where you ski the first half of the race with classic gear and then you switch to skate gear for the last half of the race. The night before the race I talked to my coach about the duathlon race and he simply told me to ski my own race. He told me not to let my adrenaline push me for the first couple kilometers of the race, but to ski where I felt comfortable. I have to admit I had a lot of adrenaline pumping when I was at the starting line and had to force myself to hold back! I went out with the pack and stuck with the top American skiers throughout the classic portion of the race. At the exchange zone I was the 2nd American, 3 seconds out! I went into the skate leg still feeling pretty good but realizing that I was only half way through the race. The course was lined with spectators and the cheering was loud! It was exciting to hear people cheer my name all over the course. Someone informed me that I was in 30th place...the last place to score world cup points! I knew I had to finish strong in order to hold my position. With less than one kilometer to go, I powered as hard as I could to the finish…just 2 seconds ahead of 31sts! Yay, I scored my first world cup points! I was happy with my result.

View of men's sprint relay through the stadium.

With the sun blazing and temperatures in the 40's, I watched the sprint relay on Sunday. The women's final was very exciting. Sprint partners Kikkan Randall and Liz Stephens, skied to an amazing 4th place finish! The best sprint relay finish by American women! It was very fun to watch!

Crystal clear veiw of Black Tusk.

I am back in Sun Valley for a few days before heading to the Midwest for a few SuperTour races next week. In the meantime, I will get in some good training in the sun!

All for now!

U.S. Nationals Recap

Quite a bit has happened since my last blog! To catch you up to date, I will continue where I left off…

Monday, January 5- Temperatures warmed up to -3 F and we were able to race the 5k skate. With built up excitement and energy from the previous two days of not racing, I bolted out that start gate. A 5k race is short and I pushed every part of the course. I ended up in 12^th place, just 4 seconds from 10^th!

Tuesday, January 6- Woke up to another day of subzero weather! The race got delayed two times. I began my warm-up and soon found out that they canceled the race. Another day gone! Due to the cold weather, I chose to run indoors on the treadmill. It was a good little L3 workout and it felt good to run.

Kate Arduer and Laura Valaas waiting to hear if the race is on.

Wednesday, January 7- Even colder today…-18 F at my house this morning! Races were canceled and this time I didn’t even have to go out to the race venue. I ran on an indoor track at the “Dome.” My workout included a 1x5min L3 with 6x15 sec speeds. Feeling ready to go!

The dome has 4 soccer fields and has the largest indoor track in North America.

Thursday, January 8- Woke up to a -12 F…knew there was a possibility of racing! Went out to Kincaid at 12:30pm and heard the word that the race was on! I immediately was in race mode and began my warm-up. Along with a temperature of -3 today, there was a wind chill which created a temperature of -25 F!!! Brrr, it was cold! I completed the qualifying found feeling like I had gone slow. Without knowing where I ended up, I began my cool-down. When I returned to the stadium, my name was posted in 7^th! I was very pleased and figured that if I felt slow and got 7^th, then I could got fast in the rounds. I ended up 9^th overall. I was pleased with my result…I wasn’t expecting that in a classic sprint of all races!

That evening the pre-olympic world cup team was announced. I was not sure if I made it, but was excited to hear my name announced!

Friday, January 9- Woke up and didn’t have to mentally and physically prepare of a race! I enjoyed an easy distance ski on some of my favorite trails at Kincaid. Friday evening I helped out with an event called Fast and Female. This event was for 9-19 year old girls and it included a ski session from elite female skiers, snacks, inspirational speeches, videos and autograph signing. It was a huge success! There were over 160 girl participants.

All 160 Fast and Female participants and the 25 elite female skiers who volunteered.

Posing for a picture with Jamie and Annie.

Saturday, January 10- I raced in the 10k classic UAA invitational at Kincaid. I felt pretty sore and tired going into the race but thought I might be able to ski it off…that did not happen. I finished 10^th despite feeling flat and tired.

Sunday, January 11- Took today pretty easy. I still felt a little tired and sore from the races. Resting up for next week!

Monday, January 12- It finally warmed up to above zero! It’s 13 F today! I went for an easy distance ski.

Tuesday, January 13- Left Anchorage and flew to Whistler.

Wednesday, January 14- I was informed that I get to race the pursuit race as well as the classic sprint this weekend at the World Cups in Whistler. Yay! I skied the pursuit course and included some speeds. I am feeling good and I’m very excited to be here! It is sunny and 32 degrees!

Thursday, January 15- Tested skis at the venue…it is full on klister conditions. Getting ready to race tomorrow!

Tomorrow I race in the classic sprint race. I am very excited to race in my first world cup and I am aiming for a top-30 tomorrow!

No Go!

It’s another subzero day in Anchorage! After yesterday’s race being canceled due to cold weather, we are giving it another try today. It is currently -13 degrees at Kincaid and the 11:30 am start scheduled for today has been delayed to 1:30 pm this afternoon. We will see if it warms up 9 degrees!
Despite the frigid temperatures, it has been beautiful up here! I guess thats easy to say that when you are from Alaska. This past week has brought a brutal week of subzero temperatures, well below the average temperature for this time of year. I’m not sure why Anchorage seems to be cursed every time we have a big ski event up here…either there is not enough snow and it rains or it is really cold. If I had to pick between the two, I would definitely prefer the cold weather over the warm, rainy weather. Think of it this way, it makes for easy waxing.

Hopefully temperatures will warm up as the week goes on. I will keep you posted on how things unfold.