Turkey, Turkey, Turkey

A lot of turkey and some great down time has now led to getting back down to business with just one week remaining before U23 and World Cup Trials in Duntroon. The last set of races went well in Quebec. A 20k pursuit finishing 12th, and a 10k classic also finishing 12th. The temperatures were cold making a good gliding ski very important. My skis were gliding well both days which was a nice change from the week’s previous races in Canmore, where it felt as though my skis had concrete on the bottom of them.

Just before leaving Quebec my new skis for the 2007/ 2008 season arrived. I will prep them with lots of wax before testing them to find out what type of conditions they will ski the best in. Then hopefully at Trials I will have a good selection to be skiing on the best skis.

Over the Christmas break I was able to get out to the Nakkertok Boxing Day Burnoff. It was a team sprint with laps of 1.2k and each team member doing 3 laps. Kate was my teammate and we put in a solid effort but weren’t in the running for top spots, spinting and Phil go together as well as holiday cheer and the grinch, so you can imagine the outcome. But Nakkertok put on a great event and everyone had a good time, for me it was knocking the rust off after a very sedentary week of visiting and eating turkey.

The rest was well needed and it was great to see my family and enjoy in some Christmas celebrations. Now it is back down to southern Ontario after a great week near Ottawa, so ramp up for Trials in Duntroon.

I hope that if anyone is looking for something to do over New Years you are personsonally invited to come out to Duntroon to watch the races being held January 3rd (20k pursuit), 5th (skate sprints), and 6th (15k classic). I love to see everyone and to have your support.

Sprint Domination

I QUALIFIED!!!!

Sprinting is not my strong point and making it past the top 30 into the heats was a job well done. It lifted my spirits a bit from a dismal showing yesterday. Since qualifing last in the 30th position, it meant I was up against 5 others guys faster than myself along with the top qualifier.

It was a fun race, happens so fast you forget instantly how bad it hurt the previous 3 minutes. I had a poor start position and wasn't able to make much out of it, getting out of the first corner last. But I was pleased, making it into the qualifier was a good race for me.

We had a strong showing from our team with Kate qualifying 8th and finishing the day in 12th position, Chris posting a 23rd qualifying time and finishing a few spots better, Thomsen coming in at 27th position, Mike placing 7th in the jr men field, and Lenny being edged out for second place in the jr men field.

Tomorrow we head to Canmore to continue racing with a pursuit on Thursday, and races on Sat. and Sunday.

Phil

New Poles

My new poles arrived today, I have got them cut and ready to go for tomorrow. I have left my classic poles a little longer than usual for pure sprint domination.

Ouch...

..first race down. That's at least one positive out of the race. Today was cold, -11c, s the snow was slow with a challenging course made for a long painful 15k. I was pleased with my pacing and my race but after seeing the results, I need to re-evaluate what a good race feels like. I was around 4 minutes off the leader and barely in the top 30. Not quite were I wanted to be after today, but I need to remind myself that it was the first race and that I don't need to be fast now, I need to be fast later, and that gives me more races to bring up my speed and fix all the little things that got sloppy in today's race. A big challenge will be not letting this poor result influence my out look on my past training this summer and fall and have doubt about my upcoming races.

Tomorrow we have the first set of Teckcominco sprints. Sprinting hasn't been my strong point, but I'm excited tomorrow to get past the qualifier and mix it up a bit in the heats. With practices I have been a little too edgy off the mark and routinely false start, so that will be a challenge if I make it through.

Some other notable results, teammate Chris Butler placed 3rd this morning with a great skate race, everyone was extremely excited for him and proud of his accomplishment.

See you tomorrow

Tomorrow Race Day

Saturday December 1st, 15km Skate race individual start.

Let's get all those butterflies flying in formation. The season is finally about to begin, I can't wait. I have a good start position tomorrow, mixed in with some faster guys, that will push me to hang on for a ride as long as I can if they catch me. Should be exciting. I'll try to get results up with a race review tomorrow afternoon.

Rest day in Vernon

Today is a rest day and we've decided to come down into Vernon, and we are staying with Pat and Karen McKee, who have graceously opened thier home for us to rest and relax, to take advantage of the lower altitude.

I have tried doing some slideshows, they are regretfully busy, and wouldn't open as one, so I apologize for the seizure inducing pages. But hopefully you get the idea of how beautiful it is here and awesome it is to be skiing this year in the season.

Silver Star Slideshow Part 2

or you can try this link for full pictures and longer exposure times

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee92/flip56flip/Silver%20Star/?action=view&current=d5cff1ea.pbw

Silver Star Slideshow part 1

Link for full photos and longer exposure times

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee92/flip56flip/Silver%20Star/?action=view&current=d4d1987c.pbw

Christmas came early

My NEW Alpina boots. Yippee!!!

It's all in the RED boot.

Sunrise out our front door - Thunder Bay

Two Weeks Ago - Nov. 1

Silver Star B.C

Hi, I'm in Silver Star B.C, just outside of Vernon, and it's snowing. The snow has been sparse but it is starting to fall down now. We have a time trial tomorrow, hopefully we see how the travel and acclimatization has weathered our bodies. I have tried included some pictures from training in Thunder Bay a week ago, and some from recently here in Silver Star, but my computer savy skills are less than acceptable and it won't display the pictures. I will try again soon.

Triathlon Finish

What a great finish, talk about grit and never giving up. Solid Race boys.