FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

A collection of live feeds from cross-country ski blogs around the web.

  • Ski to Sea fun

    Ski to Sea is a favorite race.  It was great to have some of the wedding party close by in the top ten! results

    My team, Barron Heating, went on to win the entire race!

  • Ski to Sea fun

    Ski to Sea is a favorite race.  It was great to have some of the wedding party close by in the top ten! results

    My team, Barron Heating, went on to win the entire race!

  • Ski to Sea fun

    Ski to Sea is a favorite race.  It was great to have some of the wedding party close by in the top ten! results

    My team, Barron Heating, went on to win the entire race!

  • Sometimes taking a step forward means taking a step back

    My new-found athletic career started off as being a coach for Alaska Pacific University’s Nordic Ski Center.  I was offered the job after a successful interaction working with Erik Flora (now Program Director) at Junior Olympics in Houghton, Michigan.  At the time I was working as a part time coach for an Anchorage High School program and part time at an Environmental Consulting Agency in downtown Anchorage. When I was offered the job to be a full time ski coach I jumped at the opportunity.  Although it had it’s inherent risks (would I like it? Did I want to take a pay cut?) I left the company I worked for on good terms and was assured that if my life on skis didn’t work out I would be welcomed back to the office anytime. Five years later here I am still at APU. However, my capacity has changed.  As I’ve explained it before I went from a full time coach to a full time coach, part time athlete, to a full time athlete, part time coach to where I am today… A full time athlete and a part, part, part time coach.  
    The year that I made the Olympics (2009-2010 season) I didn’t even have a full training log to show. Last year was my first full year chasing the ski dream and I was able to improve upon my International results from the Olympics at World Championships in Oslo.  
    I plan to begin racing the 2011-2012 season in Europe rather than West Yellowstone taking advantage of my Period 1 World Cup start rights earned from last season’s overall Super Tour win.  My travels will start off in Beitestolen, Norway and continue onto racing weekends in Kuusamo Finland, Dusseldorf Germany, Davos Switzerland, and Rogla Slovenia.  My goal, naturally, is to improve upon my International results thus far; in order to do so, I’ve taken a look at my training and had made some personal evaluations as to what I can do better – what I can do more of, how I can improve and consequently, accomplish my goals. Last year I attended two glacier camps, this year, the plan is to attend four.  The obvious goal is more time on snow but the supplemental goal is to improve my efficiency in soft and tricky snow conditions. 
    In addition to ski racing goals, I have slowly and quietly been chasing another goal – that is, a master’s degree.  Yes, even ski racers need outside stimulus 🙂  I, for one, have never been someone who has too much of a narrow focus.  If anything I am the opposite – I like to do too many things.  I am an expert multi-tasker.  That said, I realize this and have fully come to terms with the fact that it could take me 6 years to get a 1.75 year degree. Right now I am in the beginning of an accelerated summer semester where I am taking two courses. The classes end July 11th but that is not without attending two weeks of online class from Eagle Glacier! I may need to hide out in the waxing connex to get some piece and quiet but I will make it happen!  Needless to say, my goals for the next six weeks are training and school.  I don’t expect to have much time for anything else. 
    You may ask, “What gives?”  I am not a dumb person. I know that I can’t do it all. While I am taking a step forward in my ski training and in my education, I must take a step back in some other aspects of life.  For the time being, I have decided that the cut has to come in the form of coaching.  It’s painful to say and even more painful to do but I know that I can’t do it all, even if I’d like to believe that I can. In some ways, I often wonder if coaching is my calling beyond that of being a professional ski racer.  I love interacting with kids and adults on a daily basis, teaching something I am passionate about. In Fast and Female terms we would call this, “Spreading the Love!”  My coaching style has always been to lead by example and I’ve had a great time leading the charge up the sand dunes at Kincaid, teaching someone how to V2 and having it “click” for them, and most of all, getting to know people athletically but also emotionally.  I can attest to the fact that coaching is a labor of love and it takes a lot of energy. I can also vouch for the fact that the energy I expended was returned to me – coaching invigorates me.  When I wasn’t having a good day I would lead a session and go home in a better mood than what I started with. 
    So how did I make my decision? I love ski racing too.  As I’ve said before, my job’s my passion and my passion is my job. If there is one thing that my parents have taught me, it’s that; to pursue your passions. Many (wiser) people have told me and I believe them – the opportunity to pursue World Cup ski racing and another Olympic cycle is now. I will not get a second chance.  Despite what some people would like to believe, I will not have a second chance when I’m fifty 🙂  Will I be able to coach when I’m fifty? Heck yes!  As much as it pains me to not physically be there for the kids now I know that my heart will always be in it and that I will return to coaching sooner rather than later.  In some form or another, I expect to be coaching, or teaching, for the rest of my life. Thus, my roles at APU have changed from that as “Holly the head Junior coach and Noon Masters coach” to “Holly the ski racer who helps out with APU events drops in on APU groups for surprise visits when she can.”  
    I know I’ve been long winded with this description of my new role…. what does this really mean?  In order to take steps forward in my ski performance and in personal development, ie my education, I must take a step back with my coaching responsibilities at APU.  No, I will not be at practice everyday, or even every week. I will drop by to say hello when I can and encourage from afar. I already miss coaching and those that I’ve worked with dearly but life is full of adventures and for now, they are calling me. 

  • Sometimes taking a step forward means taking a step back

    My new-found athletic career started off as being a coach for Alaska Pacific University’s Nordic Ski Center.  I was offered the job after a successful interaction working with Erik Flora (now Program Director) at Junior Olympics in Houghton, Michigan.  At the time I was working as a part time coach for an Anchorage High School program and part time at an Environmental Consulting Agency in downtown Anchorage. When I was offered the job to be a full time ski coach I jumped at the opportunity.  Although it had it’s inherent risks (would I like it? Did I want to take a pay cut?) I left the company I worked for on good terms and was assured that if my life on skis didn’t work out I would be welcomed back to the office anytime. Five years later here I am still at APU. However, my capacity has changed.  As I’ve explained it before I went from a full time coach to a full time coach, part time athlete, to a full time athlete, part time coach to where I am today… A full time athlete and a part, part, part time coach.  
    The year that I made the Olympics (2009-2010 season) I didn’t even have a full training log to show. Last year was my first full year chasing the ski dream and I was able to improve upon my International results from the Olympics at World Championships in Oslo.  
    I plan to begin racing the 2011-2012 season in Europe rather than West Yellowstone taking advantage of my Period 1 World Cup start rights earned from last season’s overall Super Tour win.  My travels will start off in Beitestolen, Norway and continue onto racing weekends in Kuusamo Finland, Dusseldorf Germany, Davos Switzerland, and Rogla Slovenia.  My goal, naturally, is to improve upon my International results thus far; in order to do so, I’ve taken a look at my training and had made some personal evaluations as to what I can do better – what I can do more of, how I can improve and consequently, accomplish my goals. Last year I attended two glacier camps, this year, the plan is to attend four.  The obvious goal is more time on snow but the supplemental goal is to improve my efficiency in soft and tricky snow conditions. 
    In addition to ski racing goals, I have slowly and quietly been chasing another goal – that is, a master’s degree.  Yes, even ski racers need outside stimulus 🙂  I, for one, have never been someone who has too much of a narrow focus.  If anything I am the opposite – I like to do too many things.  I am an expert multi-tasker.  That said, I realize this and have fully come to terms with the fact that it could take me 6 years to get a 1.75 year degree. Right now I am in the beginning of an accelerated summer semester where I am taking two courses. The classes end July 11th but that is not without attending two weeks of online class from Eagle Glacier! I may need to hide out in the waxing connex to get some piece and quiet but I will make it happen!  Needless to say, my goals for the next six weeks are training and school.  I don’t expect to have much time for anything else. 
    You may ask, “What gives?”  I am not a dumb person. I know that I can’t do it all. While I am taking a step forward in my ski training and in my education, I must take a step back in some other aspects of life.  For the time being, I have decided that the cut has to come in the form of coaching.  It’s painful to say and even more painful to do but I know that I can’t do it all, even if I’d like to believe that I can. In some ways, I often wonder if coaching is my calling beyond that of being a professional ski racer.  I love interacting with kids and adults on a daily basis, teaching something I am passionate about. In Fast and Female terms we would call this, “Spreading the Love!”  My coaching style has always been to lead by example and I’ve had a great time leading the charge up the sand dunes at Kincaid, teaching someone how to V2 and having it “click” for them, and most of all, getting to know people athletically but also emotionally.  I can attest to the fact that coaching is a labor of love and it takes a lot of energy. I can also vouch for the fact that the energy I expended was returned to me – coaching invigorates me.  When I wasn’t having a good day I would lead a session and go home in a better mood than what I started with. 
    So how did I make my decision? I love ski racing too.  As I’ve said before, my job’s my passion and my passion is my job. If there is one thing that my parents have taught me, it’s that; to pursue your passions. Many (wiser) people have told me and I believe them – the opportunity to pursue World Cup ski racing and another Olympic cycle is now. I will not get a second chance.  Despite what some people would like to believe, I will not have a second chance when I’m fifty 🙂  Will I be able to coach when I’m fifty? Heck yes!  As much as it pains me to not physically be there for the kids now I know that my heart will always be in it and that I will return to coaching sooner rather than later.  In some form or another, I expect to be coaching, or teaching, for the rest of my life. Thus, my roles at APU have changed from that as “Holly the head Junior coach and Noon Masters coach” to “Holly the ski racer who helps out with APU events drops in on APU groups for surprise visits when she can.”  
    I know I’ve been long winded with this description of my new role…. what does this really mean?  In order to take steps forward in my ski performance and in personal development, ie my education, I must take a step back with my coaching responsibilities at APU.  No, I will not be at practice everyday, or even every week. I will drop by to say hello when I can and encourage from afar. I already miss coaching and those that I’ve worked with dearly but life is full of adventures and for now, they are calling me. 

  • Sometimes taking a step forward means taking a step back

    My new-found athletic career started off as being a coach for Alaska Pacific University’s Nordic Ski Center.  I was offered the job after a successful interaction working with Erik Flora (now Program Director) at Junior Olympics in Houghton, Michigan.  At the time I was working as a part time coach for an Anchorage High School program and part time at an Environmental Consulting Agency in downtown Anchorage. When I was offered the job to be a full time ski coach I jumped at the opportunity.  Although it had it’s inherent risks (would I like it? Did I want to take a pay cut?) I left the company I worked for on good terms and was assured that if my life on skis didn’t work out I would be welcomed back to the office anytime. Five years later here I am still at APU. However, my capacity has changed.  As I’ve explained it before I went from a full time coach to a full time coach, part time athlete, to a full time athlete, part time coach to where I am today… A full time athlete and a part, part, part time coach.  
    The year that I made the Olympics (2009-2010 season) I didn’t even have a full training log to show. Last year was my first full year chasing the ski dream and I was able to improve upon my International results from the Olympics at World Championships in Oslo.  
    I plan to begin racing the 2011-2012 season in Europe rather than West Yellowstone taking advantage of my Period 1 World Cup start rights earned from last season’s overall Super Tour win.  My travels will start off in Beitestolen, Norway and continue onto racing weekends in Kuusamo Finland, Dusseldorf Germany, Davos Switzerland, and Rogla Slovenia.  My goal, naturally, is to improve upon my International results thus far; in order to do so, I’ve taken a look at my training and had made some personal evaluations as to what I can do better – what I can do more of, how I can improve and consequently, accomplish my goals. Last year I attended two glacier camps, this year, the plan is to attend four.  The obvious goal is more time on snow but the supplemental goal is to improve my efficiency in soft and tricky snow conditions. 
    In addition to ski racing goals, I have slowly and quietly been chasing another goal – that is, a master’s degree.  Yes, even ski racers need outside stimulus 🙂  I, for one, have never been someone who has too much of a narrow focus.  If anything I am the opposite – I like to do too many things.  I am an expert multi-tasker.  That said, I realize this and have fully come to terms with the fact that it could take me 6 years to get a 1.75 year degree. Right now I am in the beginning of an accelerated summer semester where I am taking two courses. The classes end July 11th but that is not without attending two weeks of online class from Eagle Glacier! I may need to hide out in the waxing connex to get some piece and quiet but I will make it happen!  Needless to say, my goals for the next six weeks are training and school.  I don’t expect to have much time for anything else. 
    You may ask, “What gives?”  I am not a dumb person. I know that I can’t do it all. While I am taking a step forward in my ski training and in my education, I must take a step back in some other aspects of life.  For the time being, I have decided that the cut has to come in the form of coaching.  It’s painful to say and even more painful to do but I know that I can’t do it all, even if I’d like to believe that I can. In some ways, I often wonder if coaching is my calling beyond that of being a professional ski racer.  I love interacting with kids and adults on a daily basis, teaching something I am passionate about. In Fast and Female terms we would call this, “Spreading the Love!”  My coaching style has always been to lead by example and I’ve had a great time leading the charge up the sand dunes at Kincaid, teaching someone how to V2 and having it “click” for them, and most of all, getting to know people athletically but also emotionally.  I can attest to the fact that coaching is a labor of love and it takes a lot of energy. I can also vouch for the fact that the energy I expended was returned to me – coaching invigorates me.  When I wasn’t having a good day I would lead a session and go home in a better mood than what I started with. 
    So how did I make my decision? I love ski racing too.  As I’ve said before, my job’s my passion and my passion is my job. If there is one thing that my parents have taught me, it’s that; to pursue your passions. Many (wiser) people have told me and I believe them – the opportunity to pursue World Cup ski racing and another Olympic cycle is now. I will not get a second chance.  Despite what some people would like to believe, I will not have a second chance when I’m fifty 🙂  Will I be able to coach when I’m fifty? Heck yes!  As much as it pains me to not physically be there for the kids now I know that my heart will always be in it and that I will return to coaching sooner rather than later.  In some form or another, I expect to be coaching, or teaching, for the rest of my life. Thus, my roles at APU have changed from that as “Holly the head Junior coach and Noon Masters coach” to “Holly the ski racer who helps out with APU events drops in on APU groups for surprise visits when she can.”  
    I know I’ve been long winded with this description of my new role…. what does this really mean?  In order to take steps forward in my ski performance and in personal development, ie my education, I must take a step back with my coaching responsibilities at APU.  No, I will not be at practice everyday, or even every week. I will drop by to say hello when I can and encourage from afar. I already miss coaching and those that I’ve worked with dearly but life is full of adventures and for now, they are calling me. 

  • Adventure Apps

    On Sunday I needed to be in Girdwood for dinner, but I had just enough time for a short hike on the way there. I decided to go up Rainbow, which is one of my favorites along Turnagain Arm.

    The hike was great, with oodles of unexpected sunshine. I didn’t bring a camera, but when I got to the top, I whipped out my phone and took this picture (click and drag the picture to spin 360 degrees):

    Click here for a full screen version.

    It took me a long time to succumb to getting a smartphone, but I really enjoy how easy it makes documenting my trips. No longer do I need a camera, cell phone and GPS in my pack (though I still carry a better camera on occasion). It took me about 30 seconds to snap this picture, and it uploaded to the web as I began my decent. The quality is not a good as some of the panoramas I’ve stitched together in Photoshop, but for quick little trips like this it works great.

    While we’re on the subject, I’ll share my absolute favorite smartphone app: Endomondo.

    This embedded map of my Rainbow hike is very cramped, click here for a full screen version.

    Maybe its a hold-over from my years of keeping a training log, or maybe its my fascination with maps, but I love to document my routes. Endomondo makes it easy to map your routes and see all the vital statitics of your workout. It’s as easy as using a stopwatch. There are many, many apps that do this, but Endomondo is my favorite. (In truth, they won me over when I saw that they had both “Roller skiing” and “Orienteering” as workout types.) So now I can keep a record of all my workouts with minimal effort.

    One additional cool feature is Live Tracking via the web when you are within cell phone range. So if I get “lost” and my 45 minute run somehow turns into 2 hours (when I am supposed to be watching the kids and cooking dinner), my wife can see exactly where I am (and thus be mad instead of worried). Well, sometimes its a cool feature. Of course, there are privacy settings so you can control who sees your maps.

    Oh, and if you try Endomondo, make sure you add me as a “friend.” It is surprisingly motivating to see other peoples workouts. I added this Rainbow hike as a public route, which means you can try to beat my time and become Route Champion! Wahoo!

  • Adventure Apps

    On Sunday I needed to be in Girdwood for dinner, but I had just enough time for a short hike on the way there. I decided to go up Rainbow, which is one of my favorites along Turnagain Arm.

    The hike was great, with oodles of unexpected sunshine. I didn’t bring a camera, but when I got to the top, I whipped out my phone and took this picture (click and drag the picture to spin 360 degrees):

    Click here for a full screen version.

    It took me a long time to succumb to getting a smartphone, but I really enjoy how easy it makes documenting my trips. No longer do I need a camera, cell phone and GPS in my pack (though I still carry a better camera on occasion). It took me about 30 seconds to snap this picture, and it uploaded to the web as I began my decent. The quality is not a good as some of the panoramas I’ve stitched together in Photoshop, but for quick little trips like this it works great.

    While we’re on the subject, I’ll share my absolute favorite smartphone app: Endomondo.

    This embedded map of my Rainbow hike is very cramped, click here for a full screen version.

    Maybe its a hold-over from my years of keeping a training log, or maybe its my fascination with maps, but I love to document my routes. Endomondo makes it easy to map your routes and see all the vital statitics of your workout. It’s as easy as using a stopwatch. There are many, many apps that do this, but Endomondo is my favorite. (In truth, they won me over when I saw that they had both “Roller skiing” and “Orienteering” as workout types.) So now I can keep a record of all my workouts with minimal effort.

    One additional cool feature is Live Tracking via the web when you are within cell phone range. So if I get “lost” and my 45 minute run somehow turns into 2 hours (when I am supposed to be watching the kids and cooking dinner), my wife can see exactly where I am (and thus be mad instead of worried). Well, sometimes its a cool feature. Of course, there are privacy settings so you can control who sees your maps.

    Oh, and if you try Endomondo, make sure you add me as a “friend.” It is surprisingly motivating to see other peoples workouts. I added this Rainbow hike as a public route, which means you can try to beat my time and become Route Champion! Wahoo!

  • Adventure Apps

    On Sunday I needed to be in Girdwood for dinner, but I had just enough time for a short hike on the way there. I decided to go up Rainbow, which is one of my favorites along Turnagain Arm.

    The hike was great, with oodles of unexpected sunshine. I didn’t bring a camera, but when I got to the top, I whipped out my phone and took this picture (click and drag the picture to spin 360 degrees):

    Click here for a full screen version.

    It took me a long time to succumb to getting a smartphone, but I really enjoy how easy it makes documenting my trips. No longer do I need a camera, cell phone and GPS in my pack (though I still carry a better camera on occasion). It took me about 30 seconds to snap this picture, and it uploaded to the web as I began my decent. The quality is not a good as some of the panoramas I’ve stitched together in Photoshop, but for quick little trips like this it works great.

    While we’re on the subject, I’ll share my absolute favorite smartphone app: Endomondo.

    This embedded map of my Rainbow hike is very cramped, click here for a full screen version.

    Maybe its a hold-over from my years of keeping a training log, or maybe its my fascination with maps, but I love to document my routes. Endomondo makes it easy to map your routes and see all the vital statitics of your workout. It’s as easy as using a stopwatch. There are many, many apps that do this, but Endomondo is my favorite. (In truth, they won me over when I saw that they had both “Roller skiing” and “Orienteering” as workout types.) So now I can keep a record of all my workouts with minimal effort.

    One additional cool feature is Live Tracking via the web when you are within cell phone range. So if I get “lost” and my 45 minute run somehow turns into 2 hours (when I am supposed to be watching the kids and cooking dinner), my wife can see exactly where I am (and thus be mad instead of worried). Well, sometimes its a cool feature. Of course, there are privacy settings so you can control who sees your maps.

    Oh, and if you try Endomondo, make sure you add me as a “friend.” It is surprisingly motivating to see other peoples workouts. I added this Rainbow hike as a public route, which means you can try to beat my time and become Route Champion! Wahoo!

  • Adventure Apps

    On Sunday I needed to be in Girdwood for dinner, but I had just enough time for a short hike on the way there. I decided to go up Rainbow, which is one of my favorites along Turnagain Arm.

    The hike was great, with oodles of unexpected sunshine. I didn’t bring a camera, but when I got to the top, I whipped out my phone and took this picture (click and drag the picture to spin 360 degrees):

    Click here for a full screen version.

    It took me a long time to succumb to getting a smartphone, but I really enjoy how easy it makes documenting my trips. No longer do I need a camera, cell phone and GPS in my pack (though I still carry a better camera on occasion). It took me about 30 seconds to snap this picture, and it uploaded to the web as I began my decent. The quality is not a good as some of the panoramas I’ve stitched together in Photoshop, but for quick little trips like this it works great.

    While we’re on the subject, I’ll share my absolute favorite smartphone app: Endomondo.

    This embedded map of my Rainbow hike is very cramped, click here for a full screen version.

    Maybe its a hold-over from my years of keeping a training log, or maybe its my fascination with maps, but I love to document my routes. Endomondo makes it easy to map your routes and see all the vital statitics of your workout. It’s as easy as using a stopwatch. There are many, many apps that do this, but Endomondo is my favorite. (In truth, they won me over when I saw that they had both “Roller skiing” and “Orienteering” as workout types.) So now I can keep a record of all my workouts with minimal effort.

    One additional cool feature is Live Tracking via the web when you are within cell phone range. So if I get “lost” and my 45 minute run somehow turns into 2 hours (when I am supposed to be watching the kids and cooking dinner), my wife can see exactly where I am (and thus be mad instead of worried). Well, sometimes its a cool feature. Of course, there are privacy settings so you can control who sees your maps.

    Oh, and if you try Endomondo, make sure you add me as a “friend.” It is surprisingly motivating to see other peoples workouts. I added this Rainbow hike as a public route, which means you can try to beat my time and become Route Champion! Wahoo!

  • Brian and Caitlin Gregg Wedding Slideshow

    A perfect event thanks to the help of an entire community, friends and family.

    Party on the Mountain on PhotoPeach

  • Brian and Caitlin Gregg Wedding Slideshow

    A perfect event thanks to the help of an entire community, friends and family.

    Party on the Mountain on PhotoPeach

  • Brian and Caitlin Gregg Wedding Slideshow

    A perfect event thanks to the help of an entire community, friends and family.

    Party on the Mountain on PhotoPeach

  • SKI TRAIL PROFILE: Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, WI

    The “Point Trail” along the St. Croix River bottoms offers breathtaking scenery and flat terrain for an easy ski.

    Here in the Midwest, many of our state parks are truly hidden gems that most Nordic skiers aren’t aware of.  While many of our State Parks may not be glitzy destinations like some venues, many of them do offer grooming that rivals any trail with nearly 20k of classic ski trails. 

  • SKI TRAIL PROFILE: Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, WI

    The “Point Trail” along the St. Croix River bottoms offers breathtaking scenery and flat terrain for an easy ski.

    Here in the Midwest, many of our state parks are truly hidden gems that most Nordic skiers aren’t aware of.  While many of our State Parks may not be glitzy destinations like some venues, many of them do offer grooming that rivals any trail with nearly 20k of classic ski trails. 

  • SKI TRAIL PROFILE: Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, WI

    The “Point Trail” along the St. Croix River bottoms offers breathtaking scenery and flat terrain for an easy ski.

    Here in the Midwest, many of our state parks are truly hidden gems that most Nordic skiers aren’t aware of.  While many of our State Parks may not be glitzy destinations like some venues, many of them do offer grooming that rivals any trail with nearly 20k of classic ski trails. 

  • Spring Time! – Picture Update!

    This is going to be one of those picture updates with a few words mixed in. Once again, I have left the blog go untouched for much too long! Now that we are back to regular training, hopefully I can get some pictures and words up here more often (that seems like a statement that reapears on this blog again and again!)
    So most of these pictures are from a spring trip Emma and I went on in April.  April is the month of rest most skiers look forward to; it is a time to relax, take skiing off the mind and do some of the things you don’t normally get to do during the regular training year.
    This year, my april included two weeks of full time work, and two weeks of full time play. Emma and I headed on a road trip west, to go find some snow to play in, and an ocean to paddle on!
    Our first stop was White Swan hot springs, just south of Invermere (about 2.5hrs from Canmore). They are natural hot springs, that have been build up to pool the water. The hot springs are right next to a glacier fed river, so it is a great spot for some natural hot cold hydrotherapy!
     
    The next stop was Rossland. Rossland is one of my favorite places to go and play. Even in mid April, cars are still buried in snow banks and the skiing is incredible.

     Driving up to the Nancy Greene Summit to snowshoe to Sun Spot Cabin for lunch.

     The start of the legendary 7 Summits trail is littered with cabins. You have to literally run right into them to find them as they are buried in meters of snow!

    Lunch with a warm fire to dry out your clothes is nice treat on a long workout!

    Coming back down to the car, still dumping snow! Visibility was pretty poor, so our attempt to get up on top of the ridge for a good view of the valley was pointless! 

    You can just make out the trail sign peaking out of the snow in the centre of the picture.
    Returning to Valley View cabin after any type of physical activity is a real treat. The place was built to cater to the Apres Ski lifestyle. 
     The day Emma and I decide to head out of town is crystal clear bluebird sky’s…
    We packed up in Rossland and drove to Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal just north of Vancouver to catch a ferry to Langdale. Our final destination was a house in Pender Harbour, halfway up the Sunshine Coast.
     
    Killing time in Vancouver before heading to the Ferry terminal. Ice cream on the beach makes the transition from winter to summer official. We did it in a day! 

    Arriving in Pender Harbour that evening. 

    The next few days were spend exploring the inlet and islands by kayak.

     We also did a few small hikes up Pender Hill and Mt. Gordon for some spectacular views on the harbour. 
    Unfortunately the clouds rolled in on Mt. Gordon, so you get a picture of us instead!

    After a very relaxing few days in Pender Harbour, we got back on the ferry and headed to Victoria to go and visit with Emma’s grandmother. It was awesome to spend some time in Victoria. We had perfect weather as well, so we spent quite a bit of time running on the beach, exploring the harbours and looking at massive yachts.

     
     Next is was off to Mt. Washington for the Snow to Surf relay race.
     
    Once again we went from sun to snow. These were the snow banks on the sides of the road at the top of the mountain. It was cray how much snow there was!

    One of the warming huts on the mountain.
    The base of the ski hill. Notice the size of the van compared to the snowbanks!

    Houses under construction that were destroyed by the snow.
    Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures from the race. But it was one of the coolest races I have done in a while. It is a relay race, with 9 people doing 8 legs. The race startes at the top of Mt. Washington and ends on the ocean in Comox Harbour. The first leg of the race is a downhill skier, who then tags off to a cross country skier (me), who then tags off to a runner, who tags off to another runner, who tags off to a mountain biker, then a kayaker, then a road biker and finally to a pair in a canoe who paddle to the finish line. 
    Our team ended up 2nd overall, less than a minute out. We had a solid race with no mechanical’s or delays so I think everyone was happy with the way things went.
    That marked the end of Emma’s and my vacation and we headed back to Canmore immediately after the race. Emma went in for shoulder surgery the next morning and has been in a sling (recovering well!) since. Our return also marked the start of the new training year. After a week in Canmore to get things sorted out, the AWCA headed to Silver Star for our first on snow camp of the year. We spent seven days in Silver Star skiing in the sunshine and running in the heat down in Vernon. It was a great way to kick off the training year and bring the new team together!
    We just finished up our baseline testing week in Canmore, measuring our current fitness levels carried over from last season and to set a standard for improvement over the course of the summer. I think everyone is happy with the early results. I know it has given me some good areas to focus on heading into the summer. 
    Our next training camp is in Kaslo, June 20-23. It will be a road bike oriented camp with one long 220km ride. We will be riding the “Silver Triangle” from Kaslo to New Denver, down to Nelson and back up to Kaslo. Last year I had just returned from planting before heading out on the camp. Lets just say trying to conquer 220km on your first ride of the season is not an easy feat. I am hoping that this goes a little smoother!
    Pate

  • In Motion

    After an extended tour of duty at the ITA’s western-most outpost, it was time to hit the open roads for Park City, Utah and a summer stint of grad school at Westminster College.

    Before leaving the Evergreen State behind, though, I had an appointment with the surgeon. Apparently, I’d been skiing the last part of the season with a shoulder in serious need of repair. Dr. Rossi ably sewed back up my shoulder. If my shoulder was a timepiece, it would have been sewn up from the 11 O’Clock to 7 O’Clock position. Now, I get to wear this instant conversation starter 24hours a day for six more weeks. At least Stein Erikson doesn’t seem to mind. Being in Park City works great for this, as I can hike up the still snowy mountains, then download on the lifts back to where I began. Probably only endurance-minded athletes would be stoked to ride chairlifts down the mountain.

    Clarence Clearwater may have never seen the good side of a city until he saw it from a riverboat. I think the same can be said for the view of the city from a mountain top. The air is cleaner, the blues are bluer, and the sound of silence is startling.

    The leaves, they are a changing. Stay tuned for more updates through the summer months.

  • In Motion

    After an extended tour of duty at the ITA’s western-most outpost, it was time to hit the open roads for Park City, Utah and a summer stint of grad school at Westminster College.

    Before leaving the Evergreen State behind, though, I had an appointment with the surgeon. Apparently, I’d been skiing the last part of the season with a shoulder in serious need of repair. Dr. Rossi ably sewed back up my shoulder. If my shoulder was a timepiece, it would have been sewn up from the 11 O’Clock to 7 O’Clock position. Now, I get to wear this instant conversation starter 24hours a day for six more weeks. At least Stein Erikson doesn’t seem to mind. Being in Park City works great for this, as I can hike up the still snowy mountains, then download on the lifts back to where I began. Probably only endurance-minded athletes would be stoked to ride chairlifts down the mountain.

    Clarence Clearwater may have never seen the good side of a city until he saw it from a riverboat. I think the same can be said for the view of the city from a mountain top. The air is cleaner, the blues are bluer, and the sound of silence is startling.

    The leaves, they are a changing. Stay tuned for more updates through the summer months.

  • In Motion

    After an extended tour of duty at the ITA’s western-most outpost, it was time to hit the open roads for Park City, Utah and a summer stint of grad school at Westminster College.

    Before leaving the Evergreen State behind, though, I had an appointment with the surgeon. Apparently, I’d been skiing the last part of the season with a shoulder in serious need of repair. Dr. Rossi ably sewed back up my shoulder. If my shoulder was a timepiece, it would have been sewn up from the 11 O’Clock to 7 O’Clock position. Now, I get to wear this instant conversation starter 24hours a day for six more weeks. At least Stein Erikson doesn’t seem to mind. Being in Park City works great for this, as I can hike up the still snowy mountains, then download on the lifts back to where I began. Probably only endurance-minded athletes would be stoked to ride chairlifts down the mountain.

    Clarence Clearwater may have never seen the good side of a city until he saw it from a riverboat. I think the same can be said for the view of the city from a mountain top. The air is cleaner, the blues are bluer, and the sound of silence is startling.

    The leaves, they are a changing. Stay tuned for more updates through the summer months.