TOUR OF CO

Ketchum, ID (for a moment) - I had a ticket for the Owl Creek Chase two weeks ago (Aspen). I went in for a check-up to get cleared to race just before getting on the plane with a no-go as the verdict. Being that I have family (basically) in Colorado, I decided to make the trip regardless.

I coached, cheered and supported at xc and alpine events alike for the past two weeks with little improvement to the rumbling in my chest. I thought I was crawling out of the hole for the past few days - until this morning. Coming back to Ketchum, I have been notified of a virus that a large portion of the local population is housing. I talked to 4-weekers, 7, like myself and even heard wind of a 2-month tour of this thing. So I have something to look forward to, which is nice.

Crested Butte - Prader Cup athletes sporting new lids!

I am trying to take this downtime, not only as my body frantically waving the white flag for me to give it a break, but to find my next path. I am unsure if graduate school, work or a combo is in my future. One thing I am certain of is the need for a new location.

I heart Ketchum. I mean L-O-V-E it, for real. For the last 3 years, however I have been either sick or injured. I am taking it at face value that possibly the altitude is one too many stressors for my body to deal with. I am in search of lower ground.

Keeping warm and waiting for awards

Last week I scoped out Colorado. I was in Aspen, Carbondale, Crested Butte and Vail (all of which don't cure the altitude issue) as well as Boulder, which is currently front-running on movable places. Today I head to Montana.

Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are eastern states that I am considering. I flirted with Oregon for a moment but was hard pressed to find adequate schooling in acceptable proximity to snow, as I want to continue to train but take a break from chasing the circuit for a few years.

Feeling mildly lost, but excited about the possibilities, I will throw it out to you guys - Any ideas?

WATCHING THE OWL

Aspen, CO - Although teammates and friends were out there chasing... today I was a spectator of the Owl Creek Chase marathon. The face of a happy skier, Christi Small of Carbondale, CO (left). Below, Teammates Nicole De Yong and Mikey Sinnott celebrate Nicole's victory!


Congratulations to the US Nordic Combiners today in BC as well as to Canada for their first GOLD!

A good looking men's podium this Saint Valentine's day

I am still down with my 2010 virus, btw. Tired, underweight and coughing, I am ready to admit that my season is officially over. So it goes, so it goes.

To all those racing in tomorrow's 10/15k skate in Whistler - get some! To my roommate on his first Olympic start (with many to come) do your bib proud!

XOXO kate

HORIZONTAL

Ketchum, my own bed, Idaho - I got sick a while back (right after AK) and it hung on for a while. I would feel better and ski, get sick again and rest, repeat.

As the Boulder Mountain Tour gets closer, my hometown marathon here in Ketchum, I decided to go back to the doctor one last time to get a clean bill of health and the go-ahead to race.

15 minutes, 3 prescriptions and 4 rented movies later, I am back to being horizontal. The diagnosis is not good. If you can name it, I probably have it. My doctor stopped at bronchitis, walking pneumonia and a sinus infection. No wonder I have had to drag myself out of bed after sleeping 12+ hour each night. My body has officially thrown in the towel.

The crazy part is that besides ears that hurt and sleeping a lot, I don't feel that terrible. I am hoping to be back on my feet after all of these drugs kick into gear!

I took a horse-drawn sleigh ride to dinner last night with my Fischer rep, Brian. We almost ran over Marit Bjorgen with the horses (don't worry, we missed her). I guess the Norwegian team is skipping the World Cups, staying put and training for Vancouver. Good luck to the gang up in Canmore!

Until I have something more positive to report, be well!
`kate