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div style=”text-align: left;”It’s July already. And not only is it July, it’s the END of July. I can hardly believe how fast this summer is going by, and how much I’ve already fit in. June was a whirlwind of National Team camp and a trip to Alaska (it’s SO light there in the summer!). Now July has almost past between a shooting camp, a family reunion, a friend’s wedding and a trip home that’s now half over. I’m heading back to the east (Jericho, Vermont more specifically) on Wednesday for our last camp of the summer. It will include the US National Rollerski Biathlon Championships, so that should be a fun way to test out where we all are right now in our training. We’ve had a bit of a different philosophy this year, waiting to do much intensity until fairly recently. The coaches decided that was a good plan of action so as not to burn us out too early, especially with World Championships being so late this year./divp class=”MsoNormal”July has also brought some changes to US Biathlon. A new head women’s coach was hired, and we’re all looking forward to start working with Jonne Kähkönen, former Finnish National Team Head coach. We know he will be an excellent addition to our staff, and I am really looking forward to having him and his family in Lake Placid.span style=”font-family:Georgia;”br /br //spanTypically, I don’t have any pictures to put up right now-Zach is the master picture taker, and he (along with his camera and pictures) is currently in Italy at a training camp with the men’s team. But I promise to post some soon (MUCH sooner than the interval between this and my last post…sorry about that). For now, I’m off to brave another workout in the heat of Boise (with a high near 100 F it’s looking like a good afternoon for the gym and strength inside!). Stay cool, wherever you are.o:p/o:p/p !–EndFragment–div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5588342252406387658-6269432606671968491?l=sarastudebaker.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

I’ve been using a new product to help quantify my recovery. RestWise is a completely revolutionary idea and incredibly useful for athletes. Check out a recent interview I did with them on their blog:divbr /div

Spring is the rest/vacation/down time for an athlete, and within reason, coaches usually suggest you don’t start training until you really feel you want to again. That means lots of fun “workouts” and general stay-in-shape activities for a few weeks before the real training starts. So I’ve taken that approach with my blog and not written anything until I was inspired. Hope you won’t mind a quick pictorial look at some of my spring activities.br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXir6pEwI/AAAAAAAAApg/6BM7fUeT4lA/s1600/IMGP3114.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXir6pEwI/AAAAAAAAApg/6BM7fUeT4lA/s320/IMGP3114.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643812949758722″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Relaxing on our porch in Mexico. A warm climate, a good book, and a great view = the perfect post-season vacation./spanbr /br //divdiv style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXi24I7bI/AAAAAAAAApo/3NVmcvJi0Q4/s1600/IMGP3115.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXi24I7bI/AAAAAAAAApo/3NVmcvJi0Q4/s320/IMGP3115.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643815892053426″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Dinner with Zach’s brother, Christopher, in Mexico. Incidentally, Christopher is a GREAT cook./spanbr /br //divdiv style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj9e1m2pI/AAAAAAAAAqA/vmOlttPRGv4/s1600/P1000459.JPG”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj9e1m2pI/AAAAAAAAAqA/vmOlttPRGv4/s320/P1000459.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474657467434982034″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Pozole-our last meal in Mexico!/spanbr /br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj-EylVEI/AAAAAAAAAqI/42K7j0sasQc/s1600/P1000582.JPG”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj-EylVEI/AAAAAAAAAqI/42K7j0sasQc/s320/P1000582.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474657477622846530″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Speaking to students at Boise High School-my alma mater./spanbr /br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXjAc5YII/AAAAAAAAApw/IDXNUIzrmIo/s1600/IMGP3119.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXjAc5YII/AAAAAAAAApw/IDXNUIzrmIo/s320/IMGP3119.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643818462142594″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”View of the Washington Monument, just before going in to the White House to meet the President./spanbr /br //divdiv style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXjRHTKcI/AAAAAAAAAp4/WLu08RPCIRA/s1600/IMGP3126.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nXjRHTKcI/AAAAAAAAAp4/WLu08RPCIRA/s320/IMGP3126.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474643822934960578″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”In the blue room at the White House!br /br //spana onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj-eAHJxI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/1M1iiRFD2No/s1600/P1000593.JPG”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S_nj-eAHJxI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/1M1iiRFD2No/s320/P1000593.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474657484390475538″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”May in Lake Placid…luckily it’s gotten more spring-like since then.br /br //span/divNow I’m back in Lake Placid and already back in full training mode again. Our first National Team camp started this past week, and though the re-organization of US Biathlon means a bit smaller training group, it’s a good group and I’m looking forward to the season ahead. I made some big jumps in results last year and was named to the National A Team, so will compete in the December World Cups along with one other woman who will be named after trials in November. Right now the focus remains on the basics and volume to re-set us all for the new season ahead. With World Championships in March this year, it will be a long season. Starting a little later this year has helped everyone recover a bit from a stressful Olympic season and really be ready for what’s to come. Ready…begin.div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5588342252406387658-2535349765602097923?l=sarastudebaker.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S6NYBPGow0I/AAAAAAAAAn4/eL1f_DZUp6U/s1600-h/IMGP3086.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S6NYBPGow0I/AAAAAAAAAn4/eL1f_DZUp6U/s320/IMGP3086.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450296752305914690″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”The Holmenkollen Ski jump from the biathlon stadium.br //span/divbr /I have been terribly delinquent in updating my blog the past weeks, but in my defense, things have been a bit crazy.br /br /Right after the Olympics I traveled home to Boise for one day (yes, I know it sounds crazy, but even being home for just one day was so refreshing). I then returned to the OTC in Lake Placid for 5 days of training (which were rudely interrupted by sickness) before flying off to Europe for the last couple World Cup Races. I left Lake Placid last Monday morning and arrived in Kontiolahti, Finland Tuesday late afternoon. We trained Wednesday and Thursday and then raced Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday we traveled to Oslo, where I currently am, and raced yesterday and will race again (for the last time this year) tomorrow. Whew, makes me tired just thinking about all the travel I’ve done lately!br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S6NX-bscrSI/AAAAAAAAAno/RYfhOYqjuK8/s1600-h/IMGP3063.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S6NX-bscrSI/AAAAAAAAAno/RYfhOYqjuK8/s320/IMGP3063.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450296704146124066″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Skinny tires on snow? No problem in Finland.br //span/divbr /However much travel it’s been, though, it’s been more than worth it. While sickness and jetlag made optimal performance tough in Finland, I was still able to gain some valuable experience. We had a mixed relay which gave me another opportunity to mass start against some of the best, and I made the pursuit which gave me another start there to add to my experience level. Yesterday’s sprint here in Oslo/Holmenkollen went a bit better. I felt much better skiing, and finished 46th-qualifying me for the pursuit and putting me only 10 seconds from top 40 (World Cup points). The pursuit race on Saturday will be exciting, and hopefully I’ll be able to finish the season on a high note!br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S6NYBj3YuwI/AAAAAAAAAoA/J_emqe8dzFA/s1600-h/IMGP3085.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S6NYBj3YuwI/AAAAAAAAAoA/J_emqe8dzFA/s320/IMGP3085.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450296757879094018″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Oslo biathlon range, with a view of the controversial behind-the-range finish loop.br //span/divbr /Whatever the outcome tomorrow, this has been an amazing season for me. Between making the Olympic Team, having some great results, and learning so much just being on the World Cup circuit, I know I have progressed a ton in these past few months. And while I’m looking forward to some rest and time away from biathlon after these races are done, I’m also really looking forward to next season and improving from this start point.br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S6NX-9zus2I/AAAAAAAAAnw/En9PNbs_tyQ/s1600-h/IMGP3078.jpg”img style=”display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S6NX-9zus2I/AAAAAAAAAnw/En9PNbs_tyQ/s320/IMGP3078.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450296713303470946″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”View of Oslo from our hotel window (it’s currently too foggy to even see the trees, but when it’s clear, the view’s amazing!)/spanbr //divdiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5588342252406387658-1323246433920348085?l=sarastudebaker.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bRdq4JZgI/AAAAAAAAAng/4GgajGIzQv4/s1600-h/IMGP2931.jpg”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bRdq4JZgI/AAAAAAAAAng/4GgajGIzQv4/s320/IMGP2931.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442267507380020738″ border=”0″ //abr /What a whirlwind! It’s really hard to be believe that my Olympics are essentially over! All my racing is done, now all that’s left is for me to enjoy the last few days of being here and take in some of the things I haven’t had time for before now. Let me do a quick re-cap of the last two races.br /br /The Individual race was a bit crazy. I felt really confident going in since my shooting had been so good in previous races. In an Individual format race, you have to have good shooting or you won’t have a solid result. It’s tough for even the best skiers to ski off a minute penalty. I had the slight advantage, and slightly nerve-wracking privilege of having bib #1 that day. It was a bit of an advantage because the day was very warm and so the snow stayed cold and hard for most of my race, which was lucky. But, being #1 was still a bit scary-no one out in front to get things going, only me! It was neat to have so many people cheering for me as I got the race started. I also had the chance to ski for a short bit with eventual race winner and bib #2 Tora Berger from Norway. She has an amazing engine, and it was great to be able to see where I need to go from here, and what speed will win medals. I had only 1 penalty in my third (prone) stage, and was able to hold on to 34th place when all was said and done. I was extremely happy with my performance, and though I felt I could do better skiing, I cannot complain about a top 35 result at my first Olympics. Making the day even better, my teammate and roommate Lanny Barnes had a great race, shooting clean and ending up 23rd! It was a solid day for the American women.br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bQ6Ugw4RI/AAAAAAAAAnI/hiucbcPC4G8/s1600-h/LukeFlag2.jpg”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bQ6Ugw4RI/AAAAAAAAAnI/hiucbcPC4G8/s320/LukeFlag2.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442266900080943378″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”My brother, aka best cheering section ever, showing his pride. br //span/divbr /Then it was just the relay left. I was slated to lead off in the “scramble” position, which I was pertty excited about. I like the excitment of the first leg and feel that I deal well with some of the crazy things that happen in the first lap of a mass start race. This race was no different-right away there was a scramble for position as those with faster skis (myself included) got a bit stuck in behind some of the slower skiers on the first little downhill. Then, on the big uphill about 0.5km in, a girl fell right in front of me and I had to quickly shift and double pole on one leg around her to avoid getting caught in the crash. I came in with the pack of women and used only one extra round to clean my prone. I left the range with a group and was able to stick with them into the second shooting. I cleaned standing without any extra rounds, and took off from the range, leaving several teams behind still shooting. I had a great last loop, catching a couple more girls, and coming in just behind the first chase group and only 30 seconds out of the lead in 11th place. I was very happy with my race, and my coaches were also pleased with how well I had done. Unfortunately, we were unable to hold our strong start and finished 17th, but it was a fun day for everyone anyway, and a great note for me to end on.br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bQ6mca56I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/r597F9qRrWQ/s1600-h/Group200210cm055.jpg”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bQ6mca56I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/r597F9qRrWQ/s320/Group200210cm055.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442266904894564258″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Women’s Team having some fun in the sun the day before the relay.br /br //span/divNow I’ve been enjoying walking around Whistler, sleeping in a bit and hanging out with my family and friends who were here to see me race. It’s nice to have a few days here before we head out. I really feel like I can take everything in now and really enjoy the Olympic fever. After closing ceremonies, I will head back to Lake Placid for a few days and then back to Europe for the last couple World Cup races. We’ll be off to Kontiolahti, Finland and Oslo-Holmenkollen, Norway and I’m really looking forward to racing there. I feel I’ve had great results here in Vancouver and am only improving, so hopefully I can have a strong end of the season. Although in some senses it feels like the season should end with the Olympics, I’m still feeling ready to go, and am glad we get a couple more chances to race!br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bQ5rmgQbI/AAAAAAAAAm4/kSpUQ39PccA/s1600-h/IMGP2885.jpg”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bQ5rmgQbI/AAAAAAAAAm4/kSpUQ39PccA/s320/IMGP2885.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442266889099166130″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Getting ready for the press conference in the “green room.” Very big time, right?br /br //span/divdiv style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bQ7JLRcII/AAAAAAAAAnY/ykvh-_NoAaI/s1600-h/IMGP2912.jpg”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S4bQ7JLRcII/AAAAAAAAAnY/ykvh-_NoAaI/s320/IMGP2912.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442266914217881730″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”A view from the top of the Whistler Olympic Village. When it’s not raining, it’s beautiful here!/spanbr //divdiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5588342252406387658-9179396817011401489?l=sarastudebaker.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S3zQiysBplI/AAAAAAAAAmw/pWlKiQb47WM/s1600-h/IMGP2881.jpg”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S3zQiysBplI/AAAAAAAAAmw/pWlKiQb47WM/s320/IMGP2881.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439451746097276498″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”br //span/divCompleting the pursuit race yesterday brought me halfway through my racing at the 2010 Olympic Games. It’s hard to believe that there are only two races left for me here in Vancouver, but I am very pleased with my results so far. Leaving no regrets behind is sometimes a very big challenge in big races like this, and so far I feel I am doing a good job.br /br /Not only was Tuesday’s pursuit my first Olympic pursuit race, but it was also my first ever international pursuit. I had fantastic shooting with only 2 penalties, and though I was hoping to have a better result, it was a great experience for me. With such good shooting in the last couple races, I am really looking forward to the Individual race tomorrow. The sunshine today and promises of more to come certainly aren’t hurting my outlook either!br /br /div style=”text-align: center;”a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S3zQYqU7EmI/AAAAAAAAAmo/5oTRdtS1eW0/s1600-h/IMGP2899.jpg”img style=”margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9xNJ4bEswds/S3zQYqU7EmI/AAAAAAAAAmo/5oTRdtS1eW0/s320/IMGP2899.jpg” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439451572054200930″ border=”0″ //aspan style=”font-size:85%;”Inspirational Rocks are tucked away all around the village, it’s fun (and inspiring) to try and find all of them!br //span/divdiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5588342252406387658-7248792379150423898?l=sarastudebaker.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

One race down, and I couldn’t have asked for a much better start. One penalty, 45th place, qualified for the pursuit and top American! I’d say that’s a pretty successful way to start off the Olympics. While I feel there are things I could improve in the race, I am happy with the outcome, and excited to race the pursuit on Tuesday. I haven’t done a pursuit at this level before, so it should be an interesting and fun experience.br /br /The highlight of yesterday’s race has to be the crowd. When I started, there was an uproar of cheering from the crowd. My first thought was, “Did some German just shoot clean or something?” but then I realized, no, the cheering was for ME! Being used to pretending other people’s cheers are actually for you (a necessary tool when cheering in Europe happens mostly for Europeans), it was amazing to have all the cheers really be for me. I almost smiled, and had to re-focus myself back into race mode as I left the stadium. It was an amazing experience, one I will never forget. I think it’s finally hit me…I am at the Olympics!!!div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5588342252406387658-712995837222763018?l=sarastudebaker.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div