Nationals Wrap Up

It has been just over a week since the final 50km race at Nationals in Canmore. It has given me lots of time to digest things, and make decisions regarding the rest of the season. In short, just over half the Academy athletes woke up this morning at the crack of dawn and headed south to Sun Valley for the USSA Spring Series races. I decided to stay in Canmore and start my spring R&R a week early. Before getting into the details of that though, lets back up a week or two and discuss Nationals!

10km SKATE – 9th

I had high hopes for this race. It was my first race of Nationals as I decided to sit out the team sprint to be better rested. Gorgeous day, tough course, tough result. Legs didn’t feel fresh, and I knew from the top of the first hill it was going to be a fight to stay in the top ten. I ended up ninth after leaving everything out on the course. I can easily say that was the hardest race I have ever done.

Nothing exciting happened from km 0 to km 45. The pace stayed very consistent with people shifting in and out of the lead doing their fair share of the donkey work. There were no breakaways or surges, those that couldn’t handle the pace simply fell off the back. At 45km George picked up the pace and Brent and Kev hung on. Glenn Randal was next in line, then Somppi and me strung out behind him. During the last few km I pulled up my knickers and tried to close the gap back down to the leaders. Somppi held on and we passed Glenn but weren’t closing any ground on George. It came down to a sprint finish between Somppi and I and he took it. I was spent after the last big push, but was very satisfied with 5th!

The 50km was definitely the highlight of Nationals for me. I got my top 5 and was fairly close to the podium (26 seconds off Kev… over 50km) The cheering and support during the race was incredible. Thanks to all those that came out and cheered!! My mom and brother came out for the 50km, and hearing those familiar voices over and over again throughout the race definitely gave me some more drive. 

So Spring Series??

NOPE! I am in Canmore as I write this, with my feet up and thoughts of going out for some downhill turns in the sunshine this afternoon. After much thought I decided it wasn’t worth it to go down and bury myself in another 4 races. Sure, it would be good for development, but I have struggled to find energy over the last three weeks and the thought of expending what little I had left over another week wasn’t to appealing. To stay in Canmore, rest, enjoy the mountains of snow and make sure I am rarin’ to go come May 1st seems to be more along the lines of what I need.

Stay tuned for pictures of upcoming Canmore adventures! There will be lots, and hopefully I get a chance to put the camera to use.

Emma gets home from biathlon Nationals tomorrow! She has had a very strong Nationals with a 3rd in the individual, a 3rd in the sprint, a 2nd in the pursuit and a 1st in the team relay today!