That "Best Race of My Life" Feeling

Wow, where to start... Nationals was Amazing, The East is Crazy and Classic Skis really do Matter!!!

Here is a great site with results and a really cool slideshow of the relay. Check it out!

http://www.chisholmskiclub.org/uscsa_championships.html

This was my second Nationals experience (I went to Winter Park last year) and my first time East of the Mississippi. It was also my first time skiing at sea level. Maine is absolutely beautiful and there are tons of trees. There was much more snow than I was expecting. I had heard many horror stories of skiing on gravelly slush the last few days but there was no danger of that.

The racing was grueling but fun. Sea-level skiing really is a new experiece. You breath better (which is imporant) but you can still definitely feel the asthma kicking in. Also, as you climb hills you can actually feel the lactic acid building in your muscles. But, if you can bear it, it doesn't slow you down too much at first because you recover quickly. I was SO sore after the sprints and 15km classic. The snow is also different. I don't know how to describe it; it is just something you have to see for yourself.

I had one of the best races of my life in the 15km classic. It was one of those races that feels so amazing. You are just hitting it hard the whole time and you have a huge smile on your face. I got new classic skis about 3 weeks before Nationals and they make a HUGE difference. Before, I had skis that were too stiff so that I could not completely flex them, and therefore not get kick. Unfortunately, I found this out 7 years after I bought them. In the meantime, I did a lot of technique work thinking my technique was the problem. I think I can safely say that the skis were 98% of the problem. As I skied by coaches and Joe in the race I yelled out, "These skis are AMAZING!" I hope that everyone gets to feel that "best race of my life" feeling at least once. It is one you will never forget.

I had a great time with my teammates and coaches. I wish I could stay on the team forever but I think life is going to take me elsewhere. At least I don't have to quit skiing!!