The Ball is Rolling

Classic 10k race in Rossland, BC - Courtesy of Shelley Peachell Photography

Racing season is well underway and it’s been a decent start! Not gonna lie, writing a blog update after you’ve missed a couple weekends of recap is a little daunting and I’m lacking the creative writing skills at the moment. Then I thought, we live in such a fast paced and ‘quick glace’ cyber world, why not cater to that? So, I apologize to my mom who is the creative writing extraordinaire – but this update comes in the form of hashtags. After all, I feel like I’m thinking more in short choppy sentences than full paragraphs these days anyways. 

#seasonopenener #ABcup #SkateSprint #fastcourse #Bronze #decentstart #10kClassic #ouchie #drivetoSilverStar #socold #butbeautiful #Christmastown #10kSkate #effingcold #NorAmGold #howdidIdothat? #I’lltakeit #nextdaySprintday #stillwickedcold #somanyBuffs #somanylayers #maybeifIsprintfastIwillwarmup #Qualywin #4thinfinal #needfininshingtouch #needhotchocolate #warmedbrowniewilldo #waxon #drivetoRossland #waxoff #testskis #fromwintertospring #NorAmLeader #SkateSprint #myfav #softconditions #flow #efficient #burninglungs #FastQualy #wow@oliviabouffardnesbitt #ontotheheats #squeakintofinal #Silver #longday #deepsleep #10kClassic #toughcourseraceswell #mindgames #digdeep #zerodegrees #worktheskis #9th #4thCanadian #1stU23 #qualifyforU23championships #SalomonNordic #AlbertaWorldCupAcademy #waxon #packbags #drivehome #long #long #longday #coma #greatstart #smallbreak  #Christmas #is #coming!

Note: I won't be offended if you didn't make it through all that. Brent only made it through because I was watching. 
First races of the season in Canmore, AB were the Alberta Cup Skate Sprint and 10km Classic. These races are a great opportunity to remember how to put the racing bib on and get back into the groove. I finished with a bronze in the sprint and 6th in the 10km Cred: Angus Cockney

Next stop was Silver Star, BC racing at the Sovereing Lakes venue. It was chilly and hilly but I managed a win in the 10km Skate and 4th in the sprint. It was all made possible with the help of many cold layers of wax, volunteer support, fast Salomon boards, multiple Buffs and beautiful blue skies.

This is me pretending to be part Ninja in my Semi Final heat. I won the sprint qualifier today but ended the day in 4th position. I wanted the win so will have to work on fine tuning my finishing kick to get there! Another cold day but the pink face tape really saved my life. Thanks ETribe!


EmNish and I in the Semi Final. We were both a little shocked to make it into the final as this heat proved to be a lot tighter in the finishing stretch than I had planned. Makes for some exciting sprint racing! Credit: peter Collins

When in doubt, lunge it out. This is the difference between Gold, Silver and Bronze. Emily Nishikawa, myself and Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt Credit: peter Collins

A little tuckered. Credit: peter Collins

EmNish and I Credit: peter Collins
I am happy with the start to my season, but it is just that - a start! I have a bit of a break from racing over the holidays to get some Christmas baking in and family time. When I return to racing in the New Year, there are many opportunities ahead. Olympic qualification races will be in Canmore January 8-12 and then I leave for Under 23 Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy on January 16. Until then, I will continue to enjoy the process and opportunities I have and see where this journey takes me! Wishing you and your family all the best over the holidays and here's to what lies ahead in 2014!
My Christmas baking party has begun!
Ginger bread men and date-pecan chocolate turtles