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.

POSTING

I figured out how to delete all of the advertisements and financial opportunities that have been spammed onto my comments - You would think that they would realize US cross-country skiers are actually NOT interested in gainful employment, since we are XC skiers! Silly-heads. I will try to stay on top of deleting them as they are posted. How irritating.

The trails were great yesterday at Kincaid. Groomed and tracked with courses marked. Maps can be found on the event website, as well as other race information. When I know who is doing the actual timing, I will post a link to their sight too, as it will be updated before the event site is.

Moose count: 1

Dead plant count after 30 days on the road: Zero (believe it or not, that plant above is not dead, just mostly-dead). "There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive."

In an attempt to gain some real comments - a prize to the first person who can name who said the quote above and the movie (GREAT movie!)

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

The song is by Europe, the location of THIS final countdown (National Championships: the final Olympic qualifier) is Anchorage, AK.

Last year it was cold. When I say cold, I must stress that last year's conditions redefined the word. It was so miserable that I have heard people (when talking about current circuit conditions) ask "is it Alaska cold, or just cold?"

Yeah, it was bad. Like can't breathe, most of the races were canceled, bad.

This year it is downright balmy. 18 degrees on my run yesterday (12 noon) and I am heading out to the venue to ski this morning - course conditions to come.

With almost 300 athletes already registered, it is going to be a good time. Sun Valley ODT is staying in a B&B with a dog named Cuddles who has massive dingle-berries. I can't imagine he gets many cuddles but I will let you know.

The week's schedule.

CA to USA

Somewhere in the US - we just crossed the border. Yay, on our way home! Comfort Inn with Mikey and Reid, Trav and Rick in the room next door.

Better day today, I skied into it. Qualified 18th and ended up 9th. Not good points, not a great day but better. As long as I am winning by Nationals, things will go as I know they can. I need some low points - seriously low.

For now, I will sleep, rest and be ready to let the dog run come January! Night all, Kate

DAY 1 - CLASSIC SPRINT

UPDATED: 6:30am - Morning run. It is WARM out there!
7:29am - Call from the coaches saying it is SO warm, we might need klister skis! 1:45 of ski testing yesterday, waxing and race preparation out the window. And so it goes. I love klister and I hope it goes there. If not today, most likely it will tomorrow.

We have heard forecasts from the teens to the forties so anything goes, here in Canmore, Alberta. Game continued...

11:11am - I start in the back, with the juniors because I don't have any points from last year. I started 4th from last today and passed 2 girls before I even got out of the stadium. To start with - that equals not fast. Another thing that equals not fast is when you are the only one herring boning up all of the hills. I was into it but things just didn't line up for me today.

The good news is that tomorrow we have the exact same race on the same course with the same technique. Believe me, my skis will be kicking up those hills tomorrow.

Most of the team plans to sit out the heats today since US qualification goes off of the prelim. We will all be ready for tomorrow.

Results will be HERE when they come up. I didn't stick around to see how I or anyone on the team placed. If I know before Zone4 posts, I will do another update.

A disappointing day for me but it is done. Fuel for the fire. `kate