As much or more, As good or better.....

Funny title to a blog post, I know. It's amazing what weird stuff enters your mind when you're skiing circles on a glacier in whiteout conditions.  But, the title is simple, and it refers to my job as a ski racer.  In a competitive sport where you're literally trying to beat the competition, you must be prepared to do so. If my competitors are training 1 hour per day (to make a simple example) and I train 30 minutes per day can I realistically expect to beat them? Probably not.  Of course winning isn't all about training volume.... there are so many factors. Upper body endurance, the capacity of your heart, the strength of your trunk.... your mental fortitude.... your ability to hold it together and excel in tough conditions.  There are many aspects and traits that must come together to make a World-class athlete.  

APU girls post interval session - training 3-5 hours per day on Eagle Glacier, June 2011

I have been thinking a lot about my ski racing goals for the next season and many of them involve beating a large chunk of the World Cup field.  My preliminary plans have me starting off the season with FIVE consecutive World Cup weekends and preparation for that is now, today, tomorrow, and the next.  In order to be competitive in the World Cup field - (and hopefully to beat many of them!) I NEED to work as hard or harder than they are. My training needs to be of similar quality or better yet, HIGHER quality than theirs.  Now, that's no easy feat!  Consider the fact that the World Cup is a special collection of athletes that all probably harbor the same goal. That is, to be the best. I guarantee that there isn't a single athlete out there that hasn't dreamed about standing on top of a World Cup, World Championship, or Olympic podium. That said, the WC is comprised of athletes doing anything and everything in their power to achieve those goals. Some of those things include spending half their "off-season" away from home in training camps, making social and monetary sacrifices in their lives, walking out the door to train when the weather is horrible, harboring injuries, aches, and pains that come with pushing your body to it's limits.  When you’re trying to be really, really good at something, often other things take a hit.

That said, it’s time to go out training again.  I’m trying to hit 4-5 hours per day of training on the glacier. Sounds like a lot, I know. But how will I know if I can do it or not if I don’t try?  Here are a few pictures from the week so far: 

Sadie fired up in the helicopter

View from the Helicopter, approaching the training facility

Alpine Air gets us here safely... 

Welcome to camp! Goodbye heli... 

The first session was sunny... 

Boys team leaning on their poles after a hard interval set in the clouds

Most of the pictures published are of the gorgeous days.... many days look exactly like this. Where is the track? Or if it's a downhill - "WHERE IS THE NEXT WAND!?"

Forty loafs of bread for carbo loading athletes! 

…. As much or more, as good or better! Think about it! 

Sometimes taking a step forward means taking a step back

My new-found athletic career started off as being a coach for Alaska Pacific University's Nordic Ski Center.  I was offered the job after a successful interaction working with Erik Flora (now Program Director) at Junior Olympics in Houghton, Michigan.  At the time I was working as a part time coach for an Anchorage High School program and part time at an Environmental Consulting Agency in downtown Anchorage. When I was offered the job to be a full time ski coach I jumped at the opportunity.  Although it had it's inherent risks (would I like it? Did I want to take a pay cut?) I left the company I worked for on good terms and was assured that if my life on skis didn't work out I would be welcomed back to the office anytime. Five years later here I am still at APU. However, my capacity has changed.  As I've explained it before I went from a full time coach to a full time coach, part time athlete, to a full time athlete, part time coach to where I am today... A full time athlete and a part, part, part time coach.  

The year that I made the Olympics (2009-2010 season) I didn't even have a full training log to show. Last year was my first full year chasing the ski dream and I was able to improve upon my International results from the Olympics at World Championships in Oslo.  

I plan to begin racing the 2011-2012 season in Europe rather than West Yellowstone taking advantage of my Period 1 World Cup start rights earned from last season's overall Super Tour win.  My travels will start off in Beitestolen, Norway and continue onto racing weekends in Kuusamo Finland, Dusseldorf Germany, Davos Switzerland, and Rogla Slovenia.  My goal, naturally, is to improve upon my International results thus far; in order to do so, I've taken a look at my training and had made some personal evaluations as to what I can do better - what I can do more of, how I can improve and consequently, accomplish my goals. Last year I attended two glacier camps, this year, the plan is to attend four.  The obvious goal is more time on snow but the supplemental goal is to improve my efficiency in soft and tricky snow conditions. 

In addition to ski racing goals, I have slowly and quietly been chasing another goal - that is, a master's degree.  Yes, even ski racers need outside stimulus :)  I, for one, have never been someone who has too much of a narrow focus.  If anything I am the opposite - I like to do too many things.  I am an expert multi-tasker.  That said, I realize this and have fully come to terms with the fact that it could take me 6 years to get a 1.75 year degree. Right now I am in the beginning of an accelerated summer semester where I am taking two courses. The classes end July 11th but that is not without attending two weeks of online class from Eagle Glacier! I may need to hide out in the waxing connex to get some piece and quiet but I will make it happen!  Needless to say, my goals for the next six weeks are training and school.  I don't expect to have much time for anything else. 

You may ask, "What gives?"  I am not a dumb person. I know that I can't do it all. While I am taking a step forward in my ski training and in my education, I must take a step back in some other aspects of life.  For the time being, I have decided that the cut has to come in the form of coaching.  It's painful to say and even more painful to do but I know that I can't do it all, even if I'd like to believe that I can. In some ways, I often wonder if coaching is my calling beyond that of being a professional ski racer.  I love interacting with kids and adults on a daily basis, teaching something I am passionate about. In Fast and Female terms we would call this, "Spreading the Love!"  My coaching style has always been to lead by example and I've had a great time leading the charge up the sand dunes at Kincaid, teaching someone how to V2 and having it "click" for them, and most of all, getting to know people athletically but also emotionally.  I can attest to the fact that coaching is a labor of love and it takes a lot of energy. I can also vouch for the fact that the energy I expended was returned to me - coaching invigorates me.  When I wasn't having a good day I would lead a session and go home in a better mood than what I started with. 

So how did I make my decision? I love ski racing too.  As I've said before, my job's my passion and my passion is my job. If there is one thing that my parents have taught me, it's that; to pursue your passions. Many (wiser) people have told me and I believe them - the opportunity to pursue World Cup ski racing and another Olympic cycle is now. I will not get a second chance.  Despite what some people would like to believe, I will not have a second chance when I'm fifty :)  Will I be able to coach when I'm fifty? Heck yes!  As much as it pains me to not physically be there for the kids now I know that my heart will always be in it and that I will return to coaching sooner rather than later.  In some form or another, I expect to be coaching, or teaching, for the rest of my life. Thus, my roles at APU have changed from that as "Holly the head Junior coach and Noon Masters coach" to "Holly the ski racer who helps out with APU events drops in on APU groups for surprise visits when she can."  

I know I've been long winded with this description of my new role.... what does this really mean?  In order to take steps forward in my ski performance and in personal development, ie my education, I must take a step back with my coaching responsibilities at APU.  No, I will not be at practice everyday, or even every week. I will drop by to say hello when I can and encourage from afar. I already miss coaching and those that I've worked with dearly but life is full of adventures and for now, they are calling me. 

My Hiatus (is over!)

Yes it is spring time and yes, I took a HUGE break from my blog - larger than ever before. I suppose that I needed a break from documenting my ski adventures.  In fact, I think that my great aunt called other members of my family to make sure I was still alive (she follows all of the family member's blogs religiously).

APU Girls team in Sun Valley... what else is there to say?

While I've been taking a break from my blog, I've only taken a little break from skiing & training.  Life has actually been busier than I ever thought possible since arriving home the second week of April.  Don't worry, I'm not complaining. I actually like having appointments, phones ringing & emails stacking up....   When you love what you do, it's easy to get up in the morning.

My time in Alaska has been split between work for APU, maintain some semblance of training, paperwork (taxes!) reuniting with friends that I haven't seen all winter, planning for the upcoming summer & season, housework..... the list goes on and on as I'm sure you can imagine.

Skiing with the APU devos and juniors is always a blast. Here I am with the girls! 

Perhaps the largest chunk of my time is going into organizing our second annual APU end of season celebration/fundraising auction on Tuesday May 10th.  All of the funds raised go directly towards offsetting training and travel expenses for the athletes. The event was a blast last year and super successful in helping to subsidize ever-climbing ski racing expenses. For example, this year it cost me $200 each way to fly my ski bags to Nationals in Rumford, Maine (yikes!)

There is no admission charge, we'll have free food and drinks and lots of AWESOME auction items.  Businesses in town have been WONDERFUL to us and their generosity is going to help keep us skiing and skiing fast.  The support of the community up here is just another reason why I love Alaska.  (I will post a list of auction items and donors shortly!)

But back to the actual skiing....

We had a beautiful stretch of weather mid-April and I did my best to take advantage of the high pressure system.  Alaska in the spring can be an AMAZING place and I have pictures to prove it:

Skiing Portage with Chrissy!

Chrissy May :) 

Looking at Portage Glacier and friends skiing in the distance

Looking over Passage Canal, Prince William Sound

Beautiful Alaskan Glacier Ice 

Me, Kikkan & Jeff + some Norwegian visitors

Lots of Alaskans were able to accomplish the "crust-corn" double this year.... crust ski in the morning and then corn ski in the afternoon either at Alyeska or BC. It's simply the best!

We also had some other adventures trying to ski Moose Pass to Whittier but the conditions shut us down. The low snow year didn't help... 

We did have one of the more gorgeous camp sites though!

Holly, Rob & Dylan 

Grant Lake in the background - a great place to ski if you've never done so

The end of the trip

Unstructured skiing has been a blast but here are a couple of key shots from the end of the races in Sun Valley.  Rick & the crew did an outstanding job of hosting Distance Nationals/Super Tour Finals this year - I know that everyone is hoping that they'll host again next year! 

The one and only Chandra "GaGa" Crawford!

My sister Robin was an awesome cheer leader - thanks Robs! 

APU casualities after the hill climb up Dollar Mountain! 

Here I am with flowers and pottery at the rainy awards ceremony!

Sun Valley also represented the end of the season and I skied to and held onto some decent awards, all of which were firsts for me! Those include Super Tour Overall Champion, Super Tour Distance/Sprint Champion & Grand National Champion (when all five US Championship races are combined) ... then I was able to secure second place in the overall mini-tour with a good hill climb on the last day.

..... that's it for now!  I'll be back to regular blogs, I promise!  Lots of fun exciting stuff coming up in the next couple of months!  As my friend Lori says, "Do what you love, love what you do!" 

~Holly :) 

Back to back mini-tours is a LOT of racing!

It's the eve of the "off day" in Sun Valley and I am half way through my second straight mini-tour.  What is a mini-tour? It's basically a series of races packed into a small amount of time.  The results from each day are cumulative and time bonuses are awarded for performances in different formats.  

A fun, fast girl's team in Sun Valley!

This is the end of my two-month stint away from home and at the end of this mini tour, I will be headed back to Alaska. My European tour ended with a mini-tour in Sweden which also doubled as World Cup Finals.  The Sweden Mini-Tour featured a classic sprint around the King's Palace in downtown Stockholm followed by three consecutive hard days of racing in a smaller town up North called Falun.  

With Thomas Wassberg, the official "groomer" for the city palace sprint.... Wassberg is also a multiple time Swedish Olympic and World Champion.  Nice to have someone that knows what's up setting the tracks!

Trucked in snow around the King's Palace

A special thanks to my Swedish cousin Lars Arvidsson and his company, VP Diagnose for being my European "headgear" during my five week racing stint in Scandinavia. 

I earned my right to race in Falun by being the "Continental Cup Leader" based on my early season Super Tour performance. I felt lucky to be there as many World Cup regulars ended their seasons with the Lahti (Finland) World Cups as they didn't qualify for Falun.  

Signature Lahti, Finland ski jumps.... funny fact - Rob raced in Lahti in 2001 for World Champs!

Basically, this meant that I had to race with the "elite of the elite."  While I wasn't ecstatic about my results, I had to remind myself that it was an accomplishment to beat ANYONE there, let alone have a good day.  

Men's race, Falun

Me and Kikkan at the finish line on the last day of the mini-tour

It was sweet to have APU wax tech, Casey Fagerquist join us for World Cup Finals!

World Cup Finals also features the end of the season awards, ie - overall World Cup, Distance World Cup, Sprint World Cup, etc.  It was sweet to see these huge crystal globes in person!

Congrats to Kikkan on her third place, podium finish in the overall World Cup sprint.  Crazy enough, the women in first and second are both retiring after this season so Kikkan is probabaly a favorite for the highest spot on the sprint podium next year!

After the last race the German women's team invited us to their wax trailer for brats - brought all the way from Germany!  (Swedish sausages apparently aren't acceptable!) 

At the end of the World Cup season there is always a really fun dance party.  Not only can these athletes ski fast but they can get down on the dance floor as well.  This photos is of Lars, myself and Lucas Bauer - Czech Olympic and World Champion

I plan to do a more inclusive recap of my European racing experience, World Champs included after I get home and allow some time for introspection...... in the meantime, It's amazing how tired racing can make you - even if it's just short races such as 2.8k prologues! 

Directly after the mini-tour in Falun I traveled two and a half days back to the US to meet my APU teammates in Sun Valley.  The first couple of days here were spent trying to track down my ski bag which was missing for five days.  This included 2-3 hours on the phone with United, getting different answers from everyone I spoke with.  Not having your skis for a ski race is like a race car driver without a steering wheel, a chef without a frying pan or Sue Sylvester, the Cheer leading coach from Glee without a track suit.  (Kikkan successfully got the whole women's team hooked on Glee!)  Needless to say, it was a super stressful experience and one that I didn't need considered how tired and jet-lagged I was from the high density racing and International travel. 

I LOVE my skis.... 

Alas, I got my skis and everything is good here in Sun Valley.  We're had three races including the National Championship 30k, a 2.8k skate prologue, and a 10k Classic Mass start race.  We have two races left including a classic sprint and an uphill race up the local downhill area, Dollar Mountain.  I'm looking forward to the last races and at the same time, looking forward to going home for some rest.  

My sister Robin is here to watch, ski & hang out!

At altitiude hydration is even more important.  Yesterday we had a sport's drink tasting which included a "NUUN" sampling.  If you haven't tried this stuff, it ROCKS. No sugar, electrolyte replacement, and it tastes GOOD. 

Lars Flora 

APU Girls team pyramid!

Podium girls and flower girls!

Dylan's Birthday!

Skate prologue podium

Me and Kikkan with Erik (our coach!)

One of the sacrifices skiers make is missing out on quality time with our families and friends.  Today is Rob's 32nd Birthday and the third or fourth year in a row where I haven't been able to spend it with him doing something fun.  Happy Birthday to Rob!!! 

More later/thanks for reading, 

Holly :)