Well as I sit down to write this update I look out my window to not see snow but rain. Moving to Squamish this year I expected to see a little more than my share of rain...that I can say I have seen! As we ascended up the valley towards the Callaghan I was expecting to hit snow about 10 minutes out, as usual. But not this time. Usually when you don't see snow around that point you look forward to a ski in the rain, which was the case today. It was not as bad as it sounds, it was more of a mist. Until you actually ski at the Callaghan you really can't appreciate the micro climate that it has. Judging by the weather on the drive you start to think "Oh my, this is going to be a long day". I really must say that if I truly didn't love to ski I would have a tough time getting out there.
As most of you know the waxing at O degrees can be almost imposible!!! that is the only thing that weighs on my mind on the drive up on a classic ski day! Today was one of those days. We waxed up with a thin layer of Rossa klister, I thought it was ok so I skied on it deciding not to try my newly made "hairys"(sp?). Man was I kicking myself after Zach asked me to try them on my way to the car...They were unbelievable...effortless...fast. Ah well lesson learned always try your options at the Callaghan. Still a great ski though!
anyway this article is really not going anywhere so I will end this here and update ya soon!
C
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Westerns day 2
It was a hard decision to make but I opted out of the skate race today, as I mentioned in my previous post I was not exactly what you could call "healthy" for the sprint race. I am sure that my competitors were a little grossed out with some of the wads I would spit up throughout the day...Sorry guys and gals!. I really wanted to race this skate race today it was my second priority for this race series, Consulting with Amy twice this morning made the decision pretty clear. Deep down I knew that racing today was not a good idea but still was looking for a reason to suit up. I must admit I am quite taken back that I feel better than yesterday...an unusual feeling for the day after racing sick. So I will take today to rest, ski short tomorrow and then make the call on sunday's classic race. It is always tough as an athlete to make decisions while your sick. Should I race? Shouldn't I? you really need to think about a few things if put in this position as I did.
1. What was my primary goal for the rest of the season?.....Nationals
2. Is this race worth it? trials? ...No this race was a low competition level race, yes there was money on the line but Amy reminded me that she has not seen someone sub %100 "race well".
3. Could I further damage my body?...Potentially yes with the colder weather here.
I am not a magic 8 ball but just typing that I really don't know why I put up such a big fight! Wait...yes I do! I Love racing!! I live to race!! but if I really want to shine at nationals I need to swallow that and deal....ok Done!
well I am off to drink endless amounts of green tea!
Cheers!
C.
1. What was my primary goal for the rest of the season?.....Nationals
2. Is this race worth it? trials? ...No this race was a low competition level race, yes there was money on the line but Amy reminded me that she has not seen someone sub %100 "race well".
3. Could I further damage my body?...Potentially yes with the colder weather here.
I am not a magic 8 ball but just typing that I really don't know why I put up such a big fight! Wait...yes I do! I Love racing!! I live to race!! but if I really want to shine at nationals I need to swallow that and deal....ok Done!
well I am off to drink endless amounts of green tea!
Cheers!
C.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Westerns...and a previous...
Ok I really need to keep on top of this whole keeping this blog up to date!
So I was recently up at the BC Championships with my home town team, the Omineca Ski Club. What a blast! It really means alot to me when I can spend time and attend the odd race as part of my team. I was 3rd in the Classic 10 km which was on ok race for me but in hindsite I should have probably stuck with my instinct and stayed home in Squamish to get my feet back under me. On the Positive note our relay team dominated! David Palmer and Fionn Carroll skied their hearts out! I have not seen either of those boys ski like that ever! made my job a little bit harder, I had to ski my Ass! off to get us in 1st, amazing job to those guys!!!
Westerns so far....I woke up sick the morning we left...great start, just raced the sprint... qualified well over 3 seconds ahead of the next guy... dominated the A-final and crashed on the hairpin, where in the previous heat 3 guys had crashed and left the worlds biggest ruts! I think I counted and also Luke (another racer in the heat) my butt bouncing twice. So I managed to get back onto my feet in third, worked hard to get back up there and was spent. ouch, got out sprinted for 3rd, I was so mad I handed in the bib and in the words of Amy's son Gunnar, "acted like a baby" I don't mind getting beat to the line but when I goof up I really take it hard on myself, as i type this I need to remind myself to relax and not crush my keys. appologies were in order to Coach Caldwell for my unsportsmanlike behaviour, which wasnt horrible but I have been know to act better. anyway I still walked away with $175. but could have been $350 but hey thats racing!!!
until next time....
keep on your feet! Don't use me as an example! and make sure you don't "act like a baby"
C
So I was recently up at the BC Championships with my home town team, the Omineca Ski Club. What a blast! It really means alot to me when I can spend time and attend the odd race as part of my team. I was 3rd in the Classic 10 km which was on ok race for me but in hindsite I should have probably stuck with my instinct and stayed home in Squamish to get my feet back under me. On the Positive note our relay team dominated! David Palmer and Fionn Carroll skied their hearts out! I have not seen either of those boys ski like that ever! made my job a little bit harder, I had to ski my Ass! off to get us in 1st, amazing job to those guys!!!
Westerns so far....I woke up sick the morning we left...great start, just raced the sprint... qualified well over 3 seconds ahead of the next guy... dominated the A-final and crashed on the hairpin, where in the previous heat 3 guys had crashed and left the worlds biggest ruts! I think I counted and also Luke (another racer in the heat) my butt bouncing twice. So I managed to get back onto my feet in third, worked hard to get back up there and was spent. ouch, got out sprinted for 3rd, I was so mad I handed in the bib and in the words of Amy's son Gunnar, "acted like a baby" I don't mind getting beat to the line but when I goof up I really take it hard on myself, as i type this I need to remind myself to relax and not crush my keys. appologies were in order to Coach Caldwell for my unsportsmanlike behaviour, which wasnt horrible but I have been know to act better. anyway I still walked away with $175. but could have been $350 but hey thats racing!!!
until next time....
keep on your feet! Don't use me as an example! and make sure you don't "act like a baby"
C
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Super tour and Back Home!
After a smooth, but long travel day (18 hours), from Madison, WI, to Squamish I am finally back home. Not only am I excited to sleep in my own bed, But I will spend the next 2 weeks putting in some solid training up at the 2010 Olympic venue. Time to log some home course advantage!
The final day of the Madison sprints ended positively, No I didn't take the win but I did end up 6th, not super but not horrible. The 1km course was quite flat with one long hill and a gradual climb to the finish made the course into a double pole course! This was the first time I had even entered a classic race on skate gear! As you can image I was very nervous, what if I ran out of steam on the climb? what if the other guys go on Classic equipment? all these plus more questions were going through my head. Thanks to Amy, she filled me full of confidence and I managed to qualify 6th and well, finish 6th. I was very excited and this brings a whole new world of confidence to me, I lost 5th place to a 2 time olympian, Lars Flora, so its not as though I powered out and lost to someone less legit. I was very excited with this new found strength in myself, I lead the whole last heat, which is also something I have never done!
So back to the next 2 weeks...It is time to relax today, and get all of my affairs in order, rest and think about the next 2 weeks. I have decided to take this coming weekend off of racing to put in a solid 2 weeks of training, with proper resting and less distractions!
I will try to snap some photos this week of the venue, it is unbelievable the amount of snow that falls up there! I really cannot describe it!
keep em pointed staight!
C
The final day of the Madison sprints ended positively, No I didn't take the win but I did end up 6th, not super but not horrible. The 1km course was quite flat with one long hill and a gradual climb to the finish made the course into a double pole course! This was the first time I had even entered a classic race on skate gear! As you can image I was very nervous, what if I ran out of steam on the climb? what if the other guys go on Classic equipment? all these plus more questions were going through my head. Thanks to Amy, she filled me full of confidence and I managed to qualify 6th and well, finish 6th. I was very excited and this brings a whole new world of confidence to me, I lost 5th place to a 2 time olympian, Lars Flora, so its not as though I powered out and lost to someone less legit. I was very excited with this new found strength in myself, I lead the whole last heat, which is also something I have never done!
So back to the next 2 weeks...It is time to relax today, and get all of my affairs in order, rest and think about the next 2 weeks. I have decided to take this coming weekend off of racing to put in a solid 2 weeks of training, with proper resting and less distractions!
I will try to snap some photos this week of the venue, it is unbelievable the amount of snow that falls up there! I really cannot describe it!
keep em pointed staight!
C
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Madison, WI
After a long but fairly smooth travel day I am here in the city of Madison. I raced the Team Sprint event with my teammate Jesse and we had a blast, it was TOUGH competition!!! I started us out in 3rd and we gradually lost positions and josled back to 4th and down to 7th and ended with Jesse losing a sprint to the finish, ending us in 7th. it was a great day and we had a lot of fun as a team. I also entered the 100 meter world record attempt and came up with the 2nd fastest time of the night but slightly off the world record, maybe next time. the individual classic sprint is tomorrow so I will have a complete update for yous then!
until tomorrow, wish me luck!
C
until tomorrow, wish me luck!
C
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)