The Journal entry covers the whole story, but at the end of the weekend, I was 20th in the Classic Race and 4th (2nd American) in the Skate Race. We’re off to Silver Star for some substituted races since Bozeman and Soldier Hollow have been cancelled.

Dec. 2
Bozeman, MT
SuperTour Sprint F

Dec. 6, 7
Soldier Hollow, UT
SuperTour Sprint C,  10/15km F

Canceled due to no snow. Races scheduled for Soveriegn Lakes, Silver Star.

Due to extreme cold temps, record breaking, in Anchorage, the only races held were a 5km Skate and the Classic Sprint. It was a bit stressful waiting for the word on whether the races would actually happen or not each day, and then staying warm and focused as the delays added up.

The snow was pretty slow, and the racing was not easy, but I drew a good start number behind Liz Stephan in the 5km Skate, and with 15 second intervals was able to gauge how the race was going. I was getting good splits throughout the race, and won the race by 3 seconds over Kikkan Randle. It was pretty exciting.

The classic sprint did not go so well, I decided I could double pole the entire course as it was fairly flat. I guess the snow was too slow, and maybe it was not the best decision. I ended up 33rd in the midst of the CXC Women, Maria, Johanna, myself and Kristina.

Fortunately, my results this season helped me make the Vancouver World Cup races coming up this weekend. I’m definitely in the Skiathlon race on Saturday, and hopefully the Skate Team Sprints on Sunday.

Thanks for all the emails and words of support, they help me ski a lot faster!!!

I am back and it is officially the new year!!!

Last year brought lots of adventures and travels and the Olympics! I am so thankful for everyone support and encouragement over the years. I could have never made it without all of you!

I am psyched to be back in Minneapolis and in my sweet apartment by Theo Wirth park. Lahti and I have been hitting up the awesome trails in the park and I got out for my first rollerski in the neighborhood last night.

My spring has been busy and of course I feel like I am totally out of shape from the break in training but I have learned that this break makes me even more excited to start training and my body very grateful for the rest! So if you see me out training please do not make fun of my slow pace, I need to start somewhere, I still have a number of months until the first races and I will speed up again

I am enjoying supporting other people in their pursuits this spring…my friends and their kids do so many amazing things. I am so impressed and excited to now cheer them on too.

More to come soon.

Ben had himself competed for many years with aspirations of qualifying for the Olympic Games. His sport was Biathlon and he also trained out of the Twin Cities and Elk River. He was close but had to retire due to the economic demands of his sport and the lack of funding and prize money. He had to retire and get a “real full-time job”. He knew the struggles of an athlete trying to achieve their best and could relate to what I was going through for the past 4 years. It was a huge help to have his uncompromising support week in and week out. He often drove not only me, but tons of other skiers in the area down the hills that were too steep, videoing hours of me skiing, and running with me on the same boring route when the weather was terrible and he really didn’t want to go.

It was awesome to have his support for my “Olympic Journey” and I know I could not have made it without him.  He has put a lot of his life on hold for me and he is now ready to dive into tackling his next dream. He helped me with all of my marketing/sponsorship/ and website design. He is incredibly talented and a very versitle Graphic Designer. You should check out his website at www.kremerdesign.com and view some of the other work he has done over the years ( between giving me splits at Nationals!!!).

Thanks again Ben for Everything you have done

http://f-go.smugmug.com/Sports/Nordic-Skiing/2010-lympics-XC-Ski-Relays/

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