The big climb here in Falun is called the Mordarbacken. Todays race went up it 1.5 times. We will race up the hill in the next two races also. I look forward to hills. Eespecially long steep ones like this.
I felt good today. The coaches and techs did a great job helping me test skis and I went on a new pair of Salomons I had never skied on. They were really good. I had awesome skis, especially glide. To my surprise, at 2.3km my 30-second man tracked me. I moved over and prepared to stick on him and work like hell to beat him to the finish and regain the time I had already lost. My skis were certainly faster. We had a good battle to the finish. I pulled away on the double pole but he came back in the final striding. In the end I beat him to the line.
A small victory considering he had put nearly 30 seconds on me. I try to evaluate each race before I see results. It is frustrating to be caught in such a short race (3.3km) but overall I felt good. I had good skis and I paced the race well. I finished last. I hate that. I don’t know what to say or think about my race.
My focus now is on the future races. Tomorrow is a mass start 20km duathalon, a strong distance and format for me. Right now I am stretching, rolling, relaxing and recovering to charge tomorrow. New day. New Race.
Newell
