Back In Action!!!

As some people know, I’ve had a bit of a rough summer. At times I felt like I was trying to conquer mountains that seemed insurmountable and completely unforgiving. I can’t say how much I’ve learned from my struggles and firmly believe that what won’t kill you will make you stronger.

I think I timed everything pretty well though because now the storm is over and comparatively, the coming race season seems like a holiday. I am now comfortably moved into my new home- located just up the street form where I used to live. The family is wonderful in every way. I feel like I fit right in and Canmore finally feels like home! I found some horses to ride at the local riding club. The riding is different from what I’m used to and I’m really beginning to love it. Coming from a strict english background, this kind of riding is totally the opposite- throw away the fence, the strappy english outfits, the expensive leather boots, and the coach- grab a pair of old jeans, an old saddle, a friend and hit the trail! I’m always in awe about the whole experience every time I go on a horse. It’s complete freedom. You’re surrounded by mountains and endless trails and wildlife. I feel like a cowgirl! I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have horses for a change of scenery. I didn’t ride for a year while my leg was broken and it made it hard because I was completely consumed with skiing (even though I wasn’t even skiing). I’d forgotten how to live, but I think I’ve rediscovered that now.

A day in the Mountains

As far as training goes I feel surprising strong right now. I’m confident with what I’m doing and am loving every minute of it. A few days ago I got reintroduced to the word “hurt”. And man did it feel good! (but I’m really glad it’s over too). My workout was 4 times a 2.5 km loop on skate rollerskis, hard. I think I have a bit of a different interpretation of hard than many people do. When I’m told hard, I’m thinking feel like you’ll die hard and never give up until you’ve crossed the line. That’s what happened, only I blew up before my workout was done. I got to my third interval and by the time I was finished I fell on the ground in exhaustion. My coach told me to do the next one in zone 3- which is much more relaxed, about anaerobic threshold pace- and focus strictly on technique. That interval felt much much better. I was relaxed, focused, and more efficient but the funniest part about the whole thing was I skied more or less the same time as I was doing my zone 4 intervals. It certainly told me something about what I need to focus on: forget worrying about fitness and put my focus towards getting my flailing arms and legs to ski in a forward direction!