FasterSkier

I'm the last American athlete in the Whistler Olympic Village. It's a little hard to believe that what in all likelihood are my last Olympics are done. Any athlete spend so much time, energy, sweat, and money to get to the Olympics and now that is over it is a little surreal. Fortunately I don't have much time to dwell on it. Racing continues in a big way with World Cups the next two weeks. Next Saturday a 30k pursuit and the following weekend a 50k skate in Oslo, site of the 2011 World Championships. 

So yesterdays 50k was by far my best race of the Games. I settled in early and didn't try to force my way up, instead picked up places where it was easy too. Taking the inside track on long sweeping corners and working the tops of hills and fast lines to avoid bottlenecks on downhills. Before long I was right up front cycling forward and back in the pack as will happen in mass starts. 20k in, I made my first ski change with about 15 others and by the top of the second climb we had caught the pack again and was back near the front without too much effort by 27k. My second pair wasn't quite as good as my first and I really wanted to get back on the first pair that was kicking easier and were a little faster so I made a switch at 30k with a handful of others. That was where I lost the pack. Of the people who switched when I did only one made it back to the group. I was so close to getting back up to them, only 4 or 5 seconds by the top of the course before we descended and hit a long gradual section and they were gone... I have to say I'm a little annoyed with myself for the decision to change when I did... A Czech skier and I battle the rest of the way until 2k to go when I made a little surge on a climb and dropped him and I came across the line in 28th. My best international result of my career. I left the race happy that I was able to do that but wondering "what if"... Unlike most years I get two more great chances to race these guys. Can't wait! 

Thank you to everyone who has helped me out over the years and all those who have been cheering me on the last few weeks. So many people have played a roll in getting me to this point and I so grateful to each of you. It has been an awesome experience!  

The Whistler Olympic Village is starting to wind down. People are packing bags and some are already on their way home. Volunteers and security are asking more and more frequently for pins missing from their collection. The dining hall is noticeably more empty. There are a few of us who still have some racing to do. There is definitely some beauty to having the 50k on the last day but at the same time it keeps us from really getting an opportunity to get out too much and enjoy the celebration. Last night I just couldn't help myself.

It was all pretty mellow by almost any standard but after the Combined boys went 1-2 yesterday to top off an already amazing Games for them I had to check out the celebration. I had dinner with Annie, Hazel, cousing Karen and my parents before Annie and I went down to the medals plaza to see the boys get their hardware. Unfortunately we missed their medal presentation but caught the Alpine and Bobsled medals followed by Jimmy Fallon and The Roots! Awesome! One of my favorites and to see them live and the Olympics was sweet. Then we made our way to the US Ski Team House and the celebrations there. I skipped out early, I've still got the 50k coming, before Billy Demong topped off what has to be one of the best days had by anyone ever. Win a gold medal, propose successfully to his girlfriend, and then find out that you are flag bearer for Closing Ceremonies. So, so cool! 

It was such a great mental break to get out for a little bit and see how amazing the Olympics can be. In addition to getting ready for the 50k I also have been getting ready for a surprise trip to Lahti, Finland and Oslo, Norway for World Cups the two weekends after the Olympics. Outside of North America I have only done two World Cups in Davos, Switzerland so I am pretty excited to get to race up there. Travel arrangements are starting to come together and a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has helped make that possible!

Tomorrow is pre-race day again. It feels like a long, long time since I raced last even though it was only a week ago and I am very excited to get what is most likely my last Olympic race underway. A little odd to think of it like that...

It's pretty messy out right now and it should be like that through the weekend. Just what I have been hoping for! 

Annie, myself and the Man of the Day

The Roots getting set