BORN TO RUN

Born to run, a claim that I would not make about myself (although I do enjoy it). I have always thought of myself as a Big Dog (a don't jump out of the truck, take it easy on the pavement sort of deal). Over the years, my ipod, new shoes and good friends have helped with motivation on long runs until now...

After reading Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run, I don’t know that I need them anymore. My last run was solo, without music, sans shoes and effortless. The shoeless part was only 10 minutes out of 90 but regardless; I have a new take on putting one foot in front of the other.

I usually prefer to relax with historical novels or straight up fantasy; leaving the training, nutrition and competition topics to real life. That said, this book covers all of the topics that I usually shy from AND, I loved it, recommend it and am writing about it. Translation: read it.

Christopher McDougall, a middle-aged guy trying to lose a few pounds by running a few miles each day, wondered why he kept getting injured. He went past drug cartel, into the canyons of Mexico in search of the secrets of the Raramuri tribe to find out.

Even if you are not a runner, this book speaks about the passion of doing something you love - about finding balance and having conviction. In fewer than 300 pages, this book had me (a self-motivated, lover of running and health conscious athlete) rethinking my nutrition, athletic equipment and gave me a mental overhaul. If nothing else, it is nice to hear another side of a much-discussed topic – running injuries.

As an aside I would like to note that Born to Run is my 7^th book completed since summer. It puts me exactly 6 books ahead of Simi, my roommate and competition in our reading club (and by club, I mean race). More to come on THAT in the future, I am sure.

WHISTLER CAMP

WHISTLER - The Sun Valley Olympic Development Team (ODT) has made it to Whistler, BC, Canada. You can follow our tweets on Twitter, if you are ever in need of short one-liners about where the ODT is and what we have been up to. You can also check it here - see sidebar to the right, which now contains the direct feed.

After a long drive to Seattle, we picked up a ridiculously nice Explorer van from T-dub, one of the most generous dudes that I have the pleasure of knowing. Thank you Tony! From there to here, the drive was significantly nicer (a 30" flat-screen sometimes has that effect on a drive).

Today brought L3/4 classic intervals with it. We joined the USST and some inspiring juniors on the Olympic sprint course. My back feels strong and I was light and snappy today - a good session for sure. Stronger and closer, it is all I can ask.


5x6min later, Nicole, Colin and I sped up leg recovery for 12 minutes in the river. This afternoon brings a distance run (1.5 hours) and again, we will be ready! Each day, each workout, we must be stronger, more recovered, faster, quicker... closer to our goals. Every workout. Everyday.

Naptime.

SUMMER'S END

KETCHUM - This summer started out with some bloody-hard training, literally! My 5th graders are on summer break, so I have not had the chance to visit regularly with them. I have seen them around town, however, and we have shared stories and scars of our adventures.

A German Shepard bit me in the face while on a run one night. The following day, I cheered one of my 5th graders on in a skateboard competition. He fell while attempting a new trick and we jumped into the river after to sooth our wounds and laugh the pain away.

I watched an uphill time trial that some of my ITA kids participated in. One boy was pretty upset with his final result so I went on a cool-down jog with him post finish. We talked about goals and how the most meaningful ones are not always so easily reached. I told him about a rock climb that I tried over a dozen times before making even the first move. In the end we both decided to keep at our goals, regardless of how many times we have to try.

Although I have not had a scheduled ITA community-project summer, I had some great opportunities to interact with my past and current ITA kiddos. Being an athlete isn’t 9-5 and good role models can’t punch out for the weekend. I trained hard to get closer to my goals this summer and tried to make sure that those around me made it through their own blood, sweat and fears to stay on track towards theirs. Ski racing might be an individual sport, but it takes a great community too. Thanks to all who have given me support through my first 3 years of living in the Wood River Valley!

Fall is here, by my calendar, and I start the drive towards to the 2010 Olympic venue tonight (literally). We are going there for a training camp. Figuratively, I started the drive towards Vancouver long ago. More from across the border...

DUFFEL USA

KETCHUM - It is week 18 of 52, according to the average skier’s calendar (May 1st being the start of the new training year). Week 18 does not seem that far along but in reality, it is almost fall. Snow is around the corner!

I took it easy this past week after a 2-week volume block. My family was in town for the lull before the travel storm. Matt, my brother, and I joke about where we are from - Duffel bag, USA for me during the ski season and Duffel International for him.

Matt, Dad, me, Jake & Mom

Ski season means time spent on the road, living out of a Duffel bag. You pack for a race and wear the same things day after day for two weeks. You come home, empty the duffel into the laundry machine, take it out of the dryer and put it directly back in for another two-week racing adventure.

This year, I am REALLY excited to have a new house (aka, a new duffel bag). It is the Patagonia Stormfront 100, which is waterproof up to 6 feet! Why, you might ask, would a skier want a waterproof bag? Well, I will tell you, that we travel in a van with our skis and bags on top, open to the elements. I am hoping that the Stormfront 100 will not only be waterproof up to 6-feet, but also up to 90mph! Stay tuned for results and thank you George and Patagonia for the bag - It will be glorious to have dry clothing without having to worry about the tarp flying off the van roof… again.

Tomorrow I pack for the first chapter of this year’s Adventures in Duffel, USA. The Sun Valley ODT leaves for a Whistler training camp (Aug 26) - then home to Idaho for a bit before heading off to sea level camp at the OTC in Lake Placid (Sept 26). After the New York chapter, it is just a turn of the page before the first race in West Yellowstone (Nov. 25).

It is every day’s mission to better prepare me for the next. This is week 18. It is 14 weeks from West, 6 months from Vancouver… Today, I made myself stronger for tomorrow and tomorrow I will do the same.

Living the dream and giving my all, Kate

YOU ARE INVITED

Come join Sun Valley's own 2010 Olympic hopefuls for a night of music, food and inspiration. Bryon Friedman, a former pro alpine racer, will be providing the majority of the auditory ambiance.

Bryon skied on the US Ski Team before a premature retirement due to a leg injury in 2005. As a National Champion and top 10 World Cup skier, we are lucky to have Bryon supporting our current dreamers and do-ers.

An acoustic/folk rock rhythm, his music can be listened to HERE. One of my favorite songs is Couple of Friends.

Ruben Macaya, SVSEF alpine director and former US Olympic team coach, will provide an Argentinean lamb dish.

August 16th, 5-9pm
Forest Service Park, Ketchum
Adults $25, Children (6-17) $15, Kids under 5 free
email karoline@svsef.org for purchasing information

Click on the image to see it full size (and be able to read it)

I hope to see you there!