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Happy Valentines Day!

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
Staying warm in the winter chill

It’s February 14th! Happy Valentines Day! Arctic temperatures have blanketed the Alps these last 2 weeks, some mornings with the thermometer reading -19 C (-2 F)!  Growing up in Vermont and Maine  these frosty temps are quite common in January. Back then I grew tired of freezing my tail off at the top of a GS course. Not only did I soon switch over to a more aerobic sport , cross country skiing, to keep my engine warm  but also moved to a sunnier state, Colorado. Now I have switched over to another sport, ski mountaineering which keeps my heart and mind equally warm.

Sunshine warms the heart

I have had a little break in the World Cup calendar. Despite the Siberian temps, I have bundled up just like we did when we were kids,and headed for the mountains on my own, with friends and with my family, all heartwarming and important moments to stay balanced.

Enjoying warm winter moments as a Family

Perhaps it’s only in ski towns in France that when teachers strike and there is no school, kids go skiing! These two weeks I took advantage of having some more time to pump up the volume in my training but also get out find some new terrain that I had not skied before. I headed out with a friend Max one day  up the Col de la Floria, a good climb from the valley floor to the top (1440+meters) There was a nice long boot pack at the top and a great steep ski coming down. Another time I explored the, Aiguille de la Gliere Nord, once again a great varied climb, boot pack, with an impressive view to the other side. It is these kind of days in the mountains that bring me warmth and a smile.

Heading to the Hills

I managed to get in some good races as well in these 2 weeks. I squeezed in 2 Mountain Ski tour uphill victories ( Flaine and Les Contamines) Both excellent for my own uphill climbing but also really fun ambiance.  I did not have these on my calender but decided to go as there were not only good training opportunities but also a great chance to see another part of the Alps and go with other from my local Chamonix Ski Mountaineering club. The Tour de Grand Veymont in the Vercours region of France was also the CAF (Club Alpine Francais) national championships. This time artic temps prevailed. Mittens and hand warmers were the ticket. It was a gorgeous course, a great sunday out as a club and I came home with the win for the women and the CAF national champion title.

Tour de Grand Veymont & Trophee de Gastlosen

 The Trophee de Gastlosen is the 2nd largest race in Switzerland next to the famous Patrouille des Glaciers, with over 1200 participants. Two years ago this race was a world cup and I raced with my USA teammate and pal lyndsay. It was the first team race of the year for me and I raced in Chamonix Club mixed team with Yann, our coach from our club and an experienced skimo racer. We placed 23rd overall with a time of 2h53 reaching our goal of being the first mix team and also breaking three hours. It was probably the coldest temps I have ever raced in with the thermometer around -21 at the start but the great backdrop of the Gastlosen mountains and the technical climbs and descents kept me moving and made for an excellent day.

 

Warm moments together

Now it’s tapering time for the next world cup which will be held on the active volcano of Mt. Etna in Sicily, Italy. on February 24 and 25th. For our family, a great time to spend with the boys who are on vacation from their busy days at school. It is a time for everyone to slow down, breathe, and rejuvenate together.

Staying warm

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”—

Anne Bradstreet

 

 

 

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1st Ski Mountaineering World Cup of the 2012 Season in Andorra

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Heading for the finish in the vertical race ski mo world cup

 

As I leave sunny Andorra and head for snowy Chamonix I look around at this beautiful countryside here which I am so fortunate to have had a chance to explore. What I love most about racing in other countries is it gives me a real chance to experience a country more than in the eyes of a tourist.

A map of Andorra to give you a sense of where in the world this little country is

This goes back to some of my earlier jobs in life which allowed me to work abroad, teaching English in China, working in Africa as an outdoor educator and even mountaineering in South America. I feel very fortunate to have had these experiences as a young professional. Surely they have enriched who I am today and given me a global perspective.

The start of the womens vertical race: I always start a little too fast!

Racing in another country allows one to  not only take in the land while racing but also meet the people locally with first hand flavor.

A view of the course track for the individual

On the world cup ski mountaineering circuit it is a fairly small group of athletes( 40 men and 20 women) from a variety of countries – mostly alpine nations. It is nice to say hello again and meet new people to expand horizons even further. The locals in Andorra were welcoming, enthusiastic and put on a great weekend of racing.  It amazes me how this sport grows and grows each year worldwide. With that the levels get higher and higher each year.

I think I am happy to be done with the vertical!

The World Championships were held in Andorra two years ago and I was lucky enough to go. This weekend, the Font Blanca, was the kick off weekend of the ski mountaineering world cup with a vertical race on saturday and the individual race on sunday. The vertical, not my favorite event but a good training for me, and I managed to hold my own finishing 12th overall behind some real climbing specialists, and in the 80th percentile behind the winner. I had no idea I had placed 2nd in my new age category!

Map of last 2 climbs

The individual race was really what I was looking forward to. It was a technical course on profile with 1380 meters of ascent, 4 climbs , with 2 boot crampon sections and some fun couloirs to descend.

Climbing to a personal best in the Ind. Race

Sr. Men on the crampon section

For me, all of my favorite things in ski mountaineering. I was pleased with how I felt, each climb a little stronger, trying to stay consistent and focussed throughout the course. Hammer Nutrition Heed provided me with consistent energy throughout, a perfect energy for a race just under 2 hours.

Descending, what I love most on the individual course

I ended up with a personal best for me with a time in the 80th percentile of the winner and an overall 9th place out of a very strong field of women. Results can be found here.

View of technical section of course

Staying consistent and focussed outside of the race is equally, it not more important. All parents know that this applies to raising children but also to oneself in following a path or a dream.

Having fun with the boys who remind me each day I must be consistent.

So,now it’s back home to my boys who keep me motivated on and off the race course, keep me focused on being the best mom I can be, keep me consistent with what is important and keep my dreams alive!

A huge thanks to Michael, who helps me keep my ducks in a row and reminds me to be consistent.

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Another 2nd for Nina in French National Championships in Sprint!

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Nina- 1st place sprint in age category, 2nd place overall womens final

Just three years ago I helped found the section ski-alpinsime club with the Chamonix club des sports. This year we have reached the 60 member mark in our club. This is not only a result of the passion behind this sport but also the fact that the sport of ski mountaineering is growing exponentially worldwide, especially here in Chamonix, the heart of the Alps. The international ISMF is working hard with others to see that this sport will one day be in the Olympic Games.

Top 3 Women at the finish of the French national Sprints: Laetitia Roux 1, Nina 2, Emile Favre 3

Sunday evening, under the lights of the Les Planards ski area, volunteers from my ski alpinisme club joined forces with the Chamonix Sports Club and the FFME (French Federation Montagne Escalade- the governing body for ski-alpinsime) to host the 1st ever national championships in sprint.

The sprint race is a fairly new format that encompasses many variables of ski mountaineering. This format includes: skinning, to kick-turns-to a boot pack- more skiing, a descent with giant slalom gates and a finish in skating, all of this in an area of around 80m of elevation gain and under at time of 3.5-4.5 minutes.

The sprint event has already taken place in ski mountaineering world cup and in the World Championship in the past 2 years. This is an event that I personally really love and also have had good results with a 5thplace last year in Gavarnie World Cup. This was the first time the sprint has been part of the French national championship series. The cool thing about the sprint event is that it is very exciting to watch from a spectator standpoint. It is similar to the Cross Country Sprint where there is a qualification round, followed by ¼ finals, ½ finals and then finals.

The start line for the womens finals. I had first choice my lane with fastest qualifying time

The race was my second big objective of this season. I am really happy about how I felt in the qualifications and in the final. I had the fastest qualification time, trying not to go out too fast.  In the final I had the lead above Laetitia Roux, the current world champion in this discipline, until the kick turns and then she gained on me in the boot pack.

Warming up before the finals!- It was a cold night! I had Michael and Birken in the pit crew! Thanks!

I placed 2nd overall behind Laetitia Roux, who holds the World Champion title in the Sprint, and I placed 1st in my new age category, with elite athlete Corrine Favre in 2nd.

For me I really love the sprint race because it encompasses so many variables in such a short time. It requires clarity and grace both equally  important in our daily lives. For me, it is easy to get caught up in all of the million things I feel like I need to do at home, with my children, and family. There is a lot going on in our household with lots of transitions, and it often feels like a sprint race: school, ski-club, hockey practice, meal time, bedtime, piano practice and more. It is important for me to be graceful, compassionate and swift in day to day transitions, and at the same time keep a clear vision of what is important.

Some things that really help me stay focused are yoga,  meditation, getting plenty of sleep. I like aromatherapy too. Thanks to my friend Valerie of Ciel et Terre in Chamonix I have discovered Altearah’s wonderful scented oils that work hand in hand with the senses and the mind. Indigo is a favorite of mine.

Purple cornflower a.k.a Bachelor's Button- Color- Indigo -symbolizing Clarity

 

My next big objective, 1st world cup in Andorra this coming weekend. Thursday I will hop on a plane and head to the Pyrenees.

 May all your daily transitions be graceful and swift.

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Summer Footprints

Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

 

Podium Combloranne 18km trail (nina 2nd)

Summer kicked off with the Combloranne 18km trail race. Early one sunday morning, with fresh snow in the hills, the boys and I piled in the car and headed to village of Combloux, a.k.a, the pearl of Mont Blanc.

Summer Snow in the Hills

Anders capturing his mom's heart with a photo of a wild rose

My shoes post race

 

 

 

On route home, Anders said to his older brother,  ”you are making paw prints on the back of the seat.”

Making Paw Prints

I smiled silently as I thought of my five year old calling footprints, paw prints. It is the simple things like this we remember.

 

 

 

Summer Footprints…..

The snowy winter boots have been put away only after the last snow on June 19th.  Our entry way welcomes you with muddy footprints, a spattering of sports shoes, sandals, sneakers, random slippers amongst some grass clippings and the smell of recently mowed lawn.

When I worked as an instructor for National Outdoor Leadership School, we tried to teach to our students to leave only footprints when we travelled in the wilderness. I, too, try and teach this message  to my two boys ages 5 and 7.  Funny, they have not quite grasped the message as there is a continual trail of Lego’s,  Hama beads and socks throughout the house. The Leave No Trace philosophy is not easy to embrace in our household but we are working on the “Get it out, put it away” principal.

Summer fills us with longer days and lingering alpenglow evenings.

Evening Alpenglow

The birds rise early with their songs, and then sing small intermittent tunes throughout the day. Most Moms yearn for these endless summer days, banking on the fact that  they can check off more from their to-do list,  but in fact it is a mere ruse. At least my own children boycott the early bedtime …”mommy it is not dark out yet for sleeping“.

Backyard summer evening fun with friends

Many moms attempt to squeeze in just a few more hours into the day to work, workout, have fun with the kids, plan a meal, shop for groceries,  clean the house, finish laundry, finish the  to-do list, have a glass of wine with a friend, carpool the kids, and what am I forgetting? Oh yes of course, Sleep!

Making bubbles

 

 

 

Sad, but true, these few extra hours are simply squeezed out like a lemon in a glass of  summer lemonade or burst like a bubble. Whatever would we do if we lived in Alaska? I, then recall the answer from  a friend who does live in Alaska and she said, sleep less, do more and get black out shades.

Perrine & I trying to squeeze in an extra hour on the bike together

Despite all moms’ great attempt to squeeze more hours in the day, summer is a wonderful time to slow the pace down and take advantage of all the juice and pulp in that lemon, to enjoy the bittersweet taste of lemonade and to sip it slowly ’til every last drop. My mom makes the best lemonade and I am still attempting to get the recipe just right.

Summer Smiles

A pre-breakfast run up to Chalet La Floria

A favorite spot

with Sari Anderson and Lyndsay Meyer . Home in time for breakfast with the boys.

Run up to La Floria w/ Sari and Lynds

A run up to Plan d'Aiguille- Another great refreshment spot

Riding with the B-man. He is hard to keep up with!

Birki on his bike

Top of the Source!

The boys took part in the Mini Cross du Mont Blanc, which was one of many races over the Mont Blanc marathon weekend.

All smiles

I volunteered for the 1st KM vertical of Chamonix. It was a huge success, head up by our coach from our Chamonix Ski Alpinisme Club

En route up the KM vertical Chamonix

As usual the ambiance that this weekend brings is spectacular. It is great to see so many  thousands of  people , young and old, passionate about the sport of trail running.

Mont Blanc Marathon Weekend Ambiance

On Sunday Birken and I cheered on the Marathon finishers

Team Support at the finish!

I took the start of  the Cross du Mont Blanc and did not feel quite right on course. It turns out I pulled a tendon in my hamstring so I am taking a break from running this week and enjoying some other summer moments, as well as tackling our biggest event on the calendar this summer, moving house.

Anders and Mommy Pre-Cross

It is easy to be discouraged by an injury or a setback. For me, this has allowed me to re-adjust my training and my summer stride.

Team Trail Swiss Training w/ Damien & Malika

I hope to discover some new races and leave new footprints in some new places.

Enjoying the Swiss bike paths

It has been a nice treat to vary the summer training with road and mountain biking, strength training, yoga, and of course swimming at a pool with one of the best views in the world.

Nina and Michael enjoying a ride at the World Cycling Center- Aigle, Switzerland

Changing the stride- making new footprints

So you know where you can find us these next few months, smiling in the moment, leaving muddy footprints and enjoying summer!


Summer Footprints

 

 

 

Here is a little summer mantra inspired by  Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh

Breathe in summer…enjoy

Breathe out summer, smile.

Enjoy your summer where-ever you may be

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Breathe & Believe

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Smile, breathe and go slowly (except when racing) ~Thich Nhat Hanh

There are many things that go into a season of racing. The ski mountaineering season is long, beginning in early december and ending in the 1st of May. There are moments in the season that are low points and high points, races to try to peak for and others to recover from. Juggling and balancing it all is never easy but for me two things help a lot:

Breathe and Believe

When one window closes another opens

 

 

 

 

 

Practicing yoga daily is not always possible but remembering to keep the breath  even both on and off the race course really helps, especially when the going gets tough.

As I reflect back on my 2010/2011 season I want to graciously thank all of my supporters and sponsors who have helped me believe in this dream. Above all I would like to thank my family; my husband  Michael of High-Alpine Mountain Guides who continues to  support  me to follow this dream and all that comes with it, and my two amazing boys who keep me smiling when the going gets tough. I just counted it up and I had 26 races this past season between Dec 5th and May 1st.

 

Training "En Famille"

 

It  is the journey that counts….


2010/2011 Season Stats:

9th overall in the World Cup with 5 individual World Cup starts in multiple countries- Italy, Poland, France,

Best world cup result: 5th Sprint World Cup Gavarnie

2011 World Championships- 8th place Team Race, 12th sprint, 17th individual

3rd French National Championships

3rd Overall French Ranking

2nd in the French Cup

6th Trofeo Mezzalama

7th Pierra Menta

8th Adamello Ski Raid

1st place Run/Skate mix

1st Transvanoise Mix Team

Other Podiums:

Mt Saxonnex- 2nd

Verte a L’envers- 2nd

Combloux-2nd

A big thanks goes out to Wild Roses for their support as I follow my own dream of racing on the World Cup Ski Mountaineering circuit. I am proud to be an ambassador for Wild Roses.  So much about Wild Roses as a company is encouraging woman to follow their dreams and believe in their dreams. I feel very lucky to be a part of such an amazing team of woman who are following their dreams.

I hope through my own dreams I can help empower others to follow their own and BELIEVE!

Just Believe

To check out the Wild Roses Dream Book click here

photo credits to Patitucci Photo and Brava Bella

 

 

 

 

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Teamwork

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

Teamwork! 6th place women's team

My 2011 ski mountaineering race season culminated with one of the biggest, longest and hardest races out there, the Trofeo Mezzalama.  This was the 3rd and final race in the Grande Course Series. Believe it or not, this was the 3rd time I had been at this start line and the 1st time I had finished so it was a memorable moment for me. Even better was knowing the my family (mom, dad, michael and the boys) and friends were there to welcome us at the finish as we ran in on foot!

part of the welcoming crew!

This race  was held on May 1st already delayed 1 day due to new snowfall. The majority of the race  is between 3600 meters and 4200 meters, with 3000 meters of climbing and 45km in length. What makes it equally amazing is that this race is done as a team. This year I shared this experience with two other amazing woman, also high level athletes and professionals, Lyndsay Meyer and Valentine Fabre,  both from my ski mountaineering club in Chamonix.

Being on a ski mountaineering team is like any team, a soccer team, football,or  an expedition team.  It takes preparation, especially to be aclimized at altitude.

Nina & Lynds training at altitude

As on any team, the key is working together and sharing the strengths and  helping out the weaknesses within the team. Here is a little photo essay of our Mezzalama 2011.

5:30 am Start

Col de Breithorn

It was very very cold at the Col. We tried our best to keep moving here to stay warm. Eating and drinking was difficult at this altitude of 3800 meters as the water bottles were frozen and the wind was quite strong. One also looses their appetite at such a high altitude.  I managed to get a Wild Berry Nuun going in one bottle and a multi-hour bottle of Hammer Nutrition Cafe Latte Perpetuum in my other. This as well as the hot tea at a few stops along the way managed to give me enough energy. Every 2 hours I tried to remember Sport Legs for avoid cramping.   Temperatures were well below zero degrees Celsius until the sun hit.

Castor

Finally kissed by the sunshine!

Castor Peak 4228 m

Col between Lyskamm and nose of Lyskamm

All smiles at the end!

We finished with a very respectable 6th place( out of 23 womans teams) with a time of 7h:30 m

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The Journey is What Counts

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

It’s good to have goals but the journey is what counts- Wild Roses

Looking ahead on the Journey

 

Here are a few shots from a team race I did- the Italian Adamello Ski Raid. This race is the 2nd in the Grand Course series including the Pierra Menta and the Mezzalama. Blandine and I placed 8th in this race. In a team race it is all about working together, sharing the passion of the mountains, and the challenge of the journey. We climbed 3400 meters, climbing up to 3500 meters in altitude, across glaciers and down narrow couloirs.

Looking to the Adamello Peak

Adamello Peak

Just Believe and you can make it

Sunrise

The Adamello Glacier

Nina and Blandine at the finish! 8th place overall

 


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Final World Cup in Zakopane, Poland

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

Final World Cup in Zakopane

Poster for Final World Cup

The last world cup of the season was in Zakopane, Poland home of the ski jumping world cup and gateway to the Tatra’s Mountains. Unfortunately due to the weather, we never really saw the mountains but they sure do look beautiful in the photos.

Tatra Mountain Panorama

Even though we could not due the planned course, the organizers did an exceptional job creating a descent course with the conditions we had.

Walking to the Start

A glimpse of the Tatras on race day

Pre-race moment studying the course

Happy to be finished!

It was one of the best organized races I have been to and the enthusiasm for ski mountaineering was also impressive.

Post Race Food- homemade healthy cookies! A nice change from the normal stuff!

Congrats to Michael for his Podium! 1st place Master Division

We also enjoyed seeing and experiencing the culture of Zakopane. In my mind, one of the best way to see another country is to go to a race and experience the culture through meeting the locals.

Pre race ski with Claudia of Zakopane

Traditional Transport

Traditional Tatra Mountain Home

Zakopane Hotel for the World Cup Athletes

 

 

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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??

 

 

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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

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

 

 

 

 

 

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