I returned Tromso, Norway for the final ISMF ski mountaineering World Cup sprint with one objective in mind: to give it my best and feel good about my race.  I had some time before the race to enjoy the tranquility of Tromso, Norway, the 69th lattitude north, almost to the Arctic Circle.

See below a short little live video before the weekend of racing!

Giving your best does not guarantee a gold. In fact in my family we emphasize giving your best as working your hardest, and facing the challenges of day to day life with a smile, whether it might be spelling words, or training in the rain and wind.

 On Saturday in Tromso city center I felt like I was on home turf and the season came together for me. It is not every day that your legs feel good in a race. Thanks to those who helped me with my training this year and my own intuition, things felt like they came together.

People often talk  about being in the “zone” whether it is in their work, career, music or in sports where everything feels good and it comes naturally.

 On this Saturday, I really good feelings in all rounds,  not only my legs, but also even more importantly my heart. I simply had a happy race which is what my 7 yr old always reminds me to have.

Going home with a gold medal for a 2nd year in a row means a lot to me. I had a tremendous amount support from my family & friends. I could not have done it with out their encouragement ,

Particularly my husband who has believed in me from the beginning of this journey we have taken together in the pursuit of excellence.  For me it’s been the journey of getting here that really is the most meaningful and what counts, the sweat, & tears, dedication and now celebration. I  hope that we can inspire others to follow their own dreams.

The following video is a small celebration of a big dream.

If you had asked me 20 years ago what I would be doing at the age of 40, I certainly would have never imagined to have pursued excellence in the sport of ski mountaineering at the world cup level. Being committed to a high level of fitness involves flexibility, endurance and strength, just as in life.

 I could not have achieved this pursuit of excellence without being a mother. Both go hand in hand and have taught me grace, strength, endurance and flexibility. In the sprint, it is the transitions that count, and to breathe though the transitions makes all the difference, just as in life.

It is grace that I can take with me to other parts of my life. This culmination of joint efforts,  the love of sport, passion for the mountains and commitment to a dream has been a true high light for me and my family.  This win is a historical win medal for the United States, as it’s the 2nd gold  medal win in ski mountaineering history for the USA. [editor: Nina has won the only three medals ever won in the World Cup by an American: 2 World Cup golds, and 1 World Championships silver.]

                                   Thanks to so many who helped make this dream a reality.

   DREAM BIG

                &

  Live your life in grace

                   and

Breathe through the transitions! 

Thank you to my sponsors:

Ski Trab, Swix, Plum, Camelbak, Petzl, WCC, Hammer Nutrition, Pomoca, Texner, Wild Roses, Smartwool, Oakley, Rich

And a big thanks also who helped me with my training this year! Adam St. Pierre and Fabien Meyer!