March, 2011

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The Yin/Yang Couloir

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Nina toping out on the Y couloir- Aiguille d'Argentire

When you look at the Y Couloir on the Aiguille d’Argentiere it really does look like the letter Y.

The Route Aiguille d'Argentiere- Y Couloir/ Glacier Milieu

The Y couloir

The letter Y is like a tree with its roots firm in the ground and its branches reaching high.

The Tree of Life

It is a balanced symbol, a little analogy for keeping balance in life.

Yin/ Yang

Yin and Yang- One needs the other to be balanced.

All of us have things that keep us in balance. Take a moment and think about what balances you. For me, doing a route in the mountains like this is just one of the things that keeps me balanced and reminds me what I love about being out there, pushing myself to new limits and challenges.

Looking around at the inspirational surroundings

I know I need the balance of the mountains, and sport to be strong and balanced as a woman, mother, partner and friend; equally important I need the family, friends and community to be strong in the mountains, in life and sport.

Sometimes it's not always clear which path to take- looking down Y couloir

Summit Aiguille d'Argentiere

Just the other day I was telling a story to my children about Native Americans and their beliefs in the four elements that keep life in balance: Fire, Air, Earth and Water

4 Elements: Fire, Water, Air, Earth

And talking with them about the things that they love to do, biking at the BMX park or playing soccer, hockey, skiing or doing art.

A finding his balance

They are already discovering the many things that keep them balanced in life.

Route Report: Y Couloir-Aiguille d’Argentier, March 26th, 2011. The couloir itself was in good condition for going up, but not great snow for skiing down. Equally, the snow down the Milieu glacier was frozen crud. We had very low visibility at times. Here you had to be well balanced on your skis. In fact we did the first part on foot. Lower down, we made some nice turns in spring snow! Another great day in the mountains, and fun for me to do some more technical climbing. We did the route in 4h:30 from the top of the Grand Montets cable car back to the car park.

Here are more photos from the climb:

Posted in chamonix, chamonix ski tours, family, ninasilitch, Uncategorized | No Responses »
Tags: balance, chamonix ski mountaineerin, chamonix ski tours, ninasilitch, Y couloir aiguille d'argentiere

Pierra Menta 2011

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Veronika & Nina on the portage

The Pierra Menta is often called the Tour de France of Ski Mountaineering racing. It is a stage race of 4 days long, each day involving long stages sometimes up to 5 hrs long.

I can’t quite believe that this was the 4th time I have done the Pierra Menta and completed it too, as that is a feat in itself. The first 3 time were with my great pal and partner Lyndsay Meyer of Brava Bella. We will race the Trofeo Mezzalama this year in a Chamonix Team. This year I raced with Veronika Swidrak of the Austrian National Team.

Veronika & Nina all at the Finish Stage 4- Pierra Menta

The Pierra Menta- could also be called the Pierra Mental….It is not over until your team crosses the finish line on day 4. So many things can happen over the 4 days- illness, broken boot or ski! Just to finish in one piece is a success!

Portage on a ridge

It is especially important to work well with your team mate. Not knowing Veronika very well before the race, and never having raced together we soon were fast friends and worked well together on and off the course.

Nina and Veronika working together as a team

Nina & Veronika working together as a team

Every day you finish a stage, you have immediately get yourself ready for the next day. The first thing you think about is recovering from the day. Right away we tried to have a recovery drink with in 15 minutes of crossing the finish line. I really like Hammer Nutrition Recoverite.

Perservering through bad weather

Then it was time to change to dry clothes and eat some more. It was not often you felt like eating but it was so important to refuel your body! Sometimes stages were over 4 hours and we burned so many calories that needed replacing. Who ever thought eating would be hard work!

In the afternoon, it was time to recover the legs! Lots of stretching and yoga poses for the quads, calves and hips.

Inspired by the crowds!

Thanks to my yogini friend Tite of yogarunners, she helped remind me of good leg flushing poses like Sirsasana against the wall, Sarvangasana on chair and Savasana legs on chair. You can find all these restorative poses and much more at the Yoga Joural website.

As usual, the Pierra Menta is fueled by passion from many volunteers. They put on a great race despite the snow and weather conditions. 2 out of 4 days were bad weather: day 1 and 3.

Seriously we have to race in this???

The worst moment! Stage 3 arrete

Then we were blessed with sun on day 2 and day 4!

Beautiful sunshine on the Beaufort landscape

Images from the Beaufort countryside

Each day is all about endurance. You are out there between 3h and even up to 5 hours sometimes. It was important to be fueled well during these long races. In my water bladder, I would put 1- 2 Nuun tablets. It adds a nice subtle flavor and also keep the electrolytes balanced to prevent cramping. My favorite flavors are orange-ginger and wild berry! It really is about keeping your legs fresh for the ascents and descents too which can be just as challenging in off piste conditions. Sport Legs too are great for keeping the cramps at bay. Sometimes the stages feel never-ending and going on forever- Hence Hammer Nutrition Perpetuum is a great fuel for any endurance efforts over two hours. The flavor Cafe Latte is a great way to start the morning! This year we got a head start on the trail running season too!

It's never over til it's over! Running to finish on last day!

Our goals were to finish the race in one piece, get stronger each day (1st 2 days in 7th place and last 2 days in 6th place) and to have fun! We achieved all these goals!

All Smiles at Finish!

Pierra Menta 2011- 7th Place Overall

P…..Perserverance

I………..Intensity

E………Endurance

R…………….Race

R…………Recover

A……….Amazing

M……………Mental

E………………….Eat

N………………..Nap

T………………Team

A…………..Again??

Posted in ninasilitch, races, Ski Mountaineering Racing, Wild Roses | 2 Responses »
Tags: chamonix ski mountaineerin, hammer nutrition, nuun, Pierra Menta, rando racing, ski alpinisme, sport legs

A Rainbow of Recovery

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

A Rainbow over Les Drus

Rainbows:

I think just about every little girl loves rainbows, who doesn’t? And seeing one is even better. Have you ever found the pot of gold at the end? I am still searching, but it sure is a fun journey trying to find it, the journey being the best part. As an artist, an interesting color palatte goes hand in hand with the mood, just as in chromotherapy.

The Color Wheel of the Mind

Dr Suess, who I can proudly say went to my alma matter, Dartmouth College, has a great children’s book called, My Many Colored Days

My Many Colored Days- By Dr Seuss

which I often read to my own children and we talk about having blue days, pink days and green days and even gray days. My favorite days are PINK!

Returning to rainbows, and every girls dream…and arcing a little from the post….now- a -days kids are collecting Bakugan and Silly Bands.In fact Anders in nuts about any little collection in a special box, whether it is rocks or beads or just little things. Back in the 80′s, when I was a little girl, we collected Friendship Pins and Stickers. A blast to the past….Lisa Frank stickers. I still have most of my sticker collection to this day.

Epitome of a Classic Lisa Frank unicorn sticker

Return: It is never easy to juggle working, and looking after the boys.

They are working on their "Range-ing" Skills

A huge thanks to Michael who did a great job of caring for the boys while out straight working while I was away. I got home late friday night from Italy, left my mountain of gear in the entry way and enjoyed a welcome home from my boys.

Welcome home!

Then we did some serious “range-ing” in french to arrange. Or, as we sing in the clean up song…”Put it away, put it away, put it away now! ” I really don’t think there will ever be a time any time soon where I won’t be at odds with putting things away, whether it is dishes, legos, laundry, gear and now the new favorite…tiny plastic pearls.

Yes! These are very tiny and all over! But very fun!

Really the list is endless…so I have decided to embrace all aspects of tidying. I may not have the tidiest house in the neighborhood. BUT, it is a house full of life, energy, and movement. What more can I say. I have been known to call on the Secours from time to time. But for now, range-ing is my friend.

We also did some celebrating for A's 5th Birthday!

What else did we do on Return? Had a Birthday Party! Sang Happy Birthday in French and English! Ate birthday cake! Hunted for treasures! Danced to disco music with a pack of lil 4 and 5 year olds.

Race: What? Really? Another race after a week of racing??? You’ve got to be kidding?

Start of Run in Run and Skate

Saturday morning on a whim…“Do you want to be a mixed team for the Run and Skate?”, I asked Damien Voulliamoz a young talented athlete from Chamonix who keeps saying he will soon try skimo racing .”Why not,” he said. ” I am not in great shape, but I will do it for fun.” Fun was for sure the objective. It was in my own backyard, with friends around. I had done this race t a couple years ago and won the womens catagory with a friend from CMBM running club . So, I signed us up. Sunday morning we did not have to go far to the start! The last races I drove 7 hours to get to and this was less than 7 minutes! Perfect! The runners set off and less than an hour later Damien finished the 12km winter trail run in first! Luckily I was well warmed up when he tagged me for the relay, and I set off on my 2 x 9km loops remembering how to glide on my skate skis. I love skate skiing and try to go out a handful of times in the winter for recovery workouts. Believe me, this was no recovery workout! I enjoyed being in the lead for awhile until a few men started to pass me when I got to the Desert blanche. I managed to hold onto the mix team lead and even better we came 2nd in the overall team catagory out of 52 teams with some tough competition in the top 20.

1st place Mix team- Run and Skate- 2nd Team overall

It was super fun, a pleasure to race with Damien, future recruit for Chamonix Ski Alpinisme and great to have local friends around to enjoy the event! You can find the full results on the Chamonix Club des Sports site.

Run and Skate Article in Dauphine

Link to article on Run and Skate: in Endurance-Mag.com

Recovery: What are the best ways to recover from a hard week of racing? Rest, Ice Baths, Massage, yoga, Stretching and sleep.

Rainbow of Recovery

For me also, spending time with my boys who are on vacation.

Ski Day

Ski Day!

Well, that is not exactly recovery, but active recovery which is very important too! They never slow down. We hit the ski slopes in the sunshine and also hit the thermal baths in Switzerland and our favorite place, the UCI cycling center for some BMX riding.

The lil BMX'er

French National Team Member Catching Some Air!

Recharge: Recharging the batteries for the next races…as the season is just getting underway. Even though its March, there is a solid 2 months of racing left. The next World Cup race, The Marmotta Trophy, is just around the corner on March 6th in Italy.

Course Profile Marmotta World Cup

And then the Pierra Menta….not too far off.

So the journey to find the end of the rainbow continues….

Keep Chasing Rainbows

Posted in family, ninasilitch, races, Ski Mountaineering World Cup, Uncategorized, Wild Roses | 5 Responses »
Tags: fas, lisa frank, ninasilitch, rainbows, recovery, run and skate 2011, ski mo, unicorns

Wrap up of World Championships

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Nina in the Teams Relay

Team USA

The Ski Mountaineering World Championships were in Claut, Italy last week Fe bruary 18-25. It was a full on varied week of racing. The Sprint was postponed until Wednesday so our first race was the Teams race on Saturday.

Go Girls

Teams: Sunday- 2400 meters and 30 km long! (3:30 racing) The organizers did what they could with the weather and created a long, gnarly course in full Claut style- total time over 3 hours. Humps and bumps to make the skinning extra challenging and to make sure you have good skins. Mud, moss and dirt too. I raced with Janelle Smiley, a strong athlete from Colorado.

Start of Teams

She had her first taste of racing in the Alps and did a great job! We both were feeling the heavy snow on the descents. It is not often that you race with someone you don’t know, but we did our best and worked well together helping each other out when and where we could. My skis were lightning fast for the last descent of 1380 meters! We finished 8th overall, a great team result.

North American Gals

Vertical: I sat out on this race, as I wanted to save some juice for the remainder races. And cheered from the sidelines. The US crew did a great effort here on this race, Janelle placing in the top 10. I was working on RECOVERY! Got the Sport Legs and the Nuuns, and the Recoverite!

Nina out front

Sprints: Wednesday- The Sprint was a great day! A great Ambience! Sunshine and cheering! I love this event. I qualified with the 8th fastest time. In the semi’s I messed up a transition with skis on and lost time, causing me not to make the finals. I still did 3 rounds of hard sprinting, 3-4 minutes. I had a few minutes of glory being in front of the best at the start. A lot happens in those few minutes. You have to be on your game and not let up. Here is a cool video with the sprints.

The Sprints

Nina in the gates -

The Individual Race: Thursday- 1200 meters. Great day! Sunshine, a few fun technical spots but not as technical as I love. Lots of flats on tracks so not so interesting I had a good race and gained stamina on each hill, trying hard not to start too fast. I did not feel like I was quite at my peak so hopefully will come. I passed a handful of girls on the last 1380 meters of downhill!

Final Boot Pack Individual

The Team Relays: Friday-Another super fun day! Exciting Teams relays. I started first for out team and had a good start, ahead of the best, but could not hold on. Jari and Janelle did a great job in there rounds too! We finished in good standing.

The Start- Relays

Nina in Relay

Homeward Bound: On the 7-hour drive returning home, I reflected on the week, a week of hard racing at a very high level of competition. I finished 15th overall. For me, as my husband says, it is all about putting the puzzle together. There are so many pieces that help this puzzle go together: family, friends, support network, training, racing, sponsors, stumbling blocks, sickness, working, care of gear, health and state of mind. I would like to say a huge thanks to all of you who helped make this week happen. For me it is about the process of figuring out how these pieces mesh together.

I returned home with a smile, knowing I had given it my all with a happy heart. Soon I was home to celebrate Anders 5th birthday, and to keep striving to balance it all with GRACE.

The Birthday Boy!

A cool video by Team Portugal-Nuno on the Sprints:

Ski Mountaineering World Championships Photos – Claut 2011 from cxnxcxnx on Vimeo.