VERTICAL

My computer hard drive broke and I lost everything. Ever picture since moving to Idaho, every video, all of my music. I will chalk it up to an involuntary and early, yet probably necessary spring cleaning. It is what it is, so I won't dwell.

I did find two images from Fast and Female on my camera, so I guess I can't say that I don't have ANY images left.

Kikkan (shown below with the mic and pink head-band) put together a great day of skiing for over 300 Alaskan girls! I was lucky enough to be asked to help coach for the day and played tunnel tag for 2 hours, as the Fast and Female groups rotated through my station.

Kikkan, leading a post-ski Q&A

This is what PART of the gang looked like!

My season goals have changed. I did not make the Olympics or the Canadian world cups. With my best Super Tour finish being a 5th and National finish a 7th, it seems I did not have enough time after injury to recover fitness to the level necessary to attain my original goals. All is not lost, however. I have a full marathon season ahead, a local Nordic Festival in Ketchum and the chance to get up on the alpine hill a few days in the sun.

Still one of the luckiest kids in the world,
`Kate

The final day.

Hey all, my computer is broken so this is the final update from the road (thanks for the use of your MacBook, Sim). I need to re-boot, says the World Wide Web, with one of the discs that I have at home. I am crossing my fingers that the blinking file folder with the question mark inside, that never goes away, will go away and return all of my files to where I left them...

In other news, it is warm in Alaska. We had lots of new snow during the mass start classic races, which made for some difficult waxing.

I usually force a positive update when I am feeling less than positive but I am over it. I have had a terrible season, a pathetic Nationals and I am going home salty - that is the truth. The broken computer just tops it.

Tomorrow is a new day however, another race and I will be charging. Fast and Female on Saturday will be SUPER fun too. Night.

NATIONAL CHAMPION!

...at least my roommate is!

Simi, in the red and white suit, lead almost the entire race - from qualifier through the heats. Just in time for rent too!

Not a bad crowd for a XC race. Way to go AK!

Into the finish... WAY into it!

Here is a cool link to the weather at the race venue. 10/15k skate tomorrow. Weather could be vastly different from today so I won't waste my time testing skis. An easy classic around the course to recover and prepare is on my docket today. Until tomorrow, `kate

FROSTY

We woke to some crazy hoar frost this morning. The temperatures continue to drop but have stayed well within the legal limit (picture below, I believe shows 6 F).

I made a clutch purchase this afternoon - toe warmers. AMH, the local ski store was closed but I found a 6-pack at REI for the bargain price of $8.99. My feet have taken a beating these last... oh, 20 years. Lets just say they chill easily.

Live results from Summit Timing can be found HERE, which is cool. Women start at 10am, heats at 1pm.

Athletes skiing into stadium. Board says 10:53 and yes, that is the sun rising.