Tuesday, April 16, 2013

2012-2013 Season, What an Experience!


What a great year, it has been so fun! I'm already excited for the next one :).

After 5 months on the road, it feels extremely good to be home. I arrived back in Anchorage this last Friday and the last three days have passed by like a snap of the fingers. I'm back in snow country, the reason I live in Alaska!  My ski season ended last Thursday, so I have had a few days to think about what a great year I have had.   I have also tried to take a bit of time to unwind a little bit!  Being on the road for so long and always focused on the next race has a stress that I am need to become more familiar with.   As an elite athlete, one puts a lot of  pressure on themselves to perform. I set some high goals for myself this last year and I now feel more than in years past, how important it is.  I'm super excited and feel more energized than ever before, as I accomplished many of my goals. Some of the events I might have liked to have done better and some events were beyond my goals.  I feel very lucky and I know that all that I accomplished is nothing I can take for granted. I do feel like I worked hard for this success, but I also realize many of my friends and other elite athletes have also worked hard and have had the same goals as I do, so I must continue to give everything I can to accomplish what I am set out to do.  I'm am super proud to represent the US ski team as we are on a roll that every country is acknowledging!  It is super exciting.



Photo Credit: USST

One thing I have been reflecting on the last few days is how amazing people have been to support me this year. I raced more this year then I ever have, I traveled to more countries, stayed in more hotels, and traveled on more airplanes then I ever have in a ski season. None of this was cheap and none of it would have been possible without all the generous people who have helped me over the years.  A special thanks to NNF for their support to nordic skiers.  A big shout out to all of you that support them who support us!

Photo credit: USST

Last week I finished off the season in Truckee, California. The last race series was the Super Tour Finals/ Distance Nationals. I went into the ski races not knowing how I would perform and I had the feeling that the best of my season was over. After winning the first race by over 14 seconds I realized that I was feeling good and that the body was not done for the season. The second day I came in 2nd place and that is when I realized I might have a shot at coming out of the four day race series on the podium. Going into the last race I was sitting in first, but was being chased by Kris Freeman, a three time Olympian and one of my biggest idles. I didn't sleep much that night, thinking I had a chance to take the overall win. It was a great battle the last half of the race and I'm supper proud to say I was able to come out on top. I consider it to be my biggest athletic accomplish yet and it is so motivating to want to train even harder this summer going into the Olympic year.



Photo credit: fasterskier

Again, thanks to my coaches, the wax techs, my competitors and my friends and supporters for making this season one of the best.


Photo Credit: fasterskier