Pure Prairie Power

Hi Everyone,

My blogging has not been at its best lately and I must apologize. Over the past few weeks I have been very busy and focused on preparing for World Cup Selection Trials Sept 4-7.

The past few weeks have been very stressful and I have had all sorts of close calls. I had my first rollerski fall of the season and it was a dandy, I ran into a Black Bear the same day only 10 meters away as well I ran into a Grizzly Bear yesterday at only 5 meters. And these were only the stresses outside of competition.

Rollerski trials started off with a 20km Individual and it was a calm cool day, despite the great shooting conditions not many athletes were able to capitalize on it. Luckily for me I was able to shoot the average for the day and ski faster then the other competitors on the rollerski track. This would be the race that decided the WC spot.

After a short rest day of shooting and some combo training resulting in me shooting 20/20 in z3 intervals I was ready for the sprint.

However because of lack of experience from some race volunteers, I was told to adjust my trigger to a heavier trigger pull despite it actually being legal and perfect. I tried to put it to the back of my mind and was semi stressful in doing so. However I missed out on 10-15 minutes of warm-up which is very important when it was the higher intensity of the warm up I ended up missing. I ended up shooting 6/10 which is poor and below par for the day fortunately my ski form was once again in order and I placed 4th.

So even though the results were disappointing I knew I still needed a decent race, that evening I went to the shooting range to do everything I could to get used to the recently adjusted trigger. Leaving the range I was a little more confident but not the confidence I would normally have in a trigger I have been using all year.

Now to the pursuit. The most exciting race of the weekend. I really wish I could say I improved my shooting in this race and was able to put in a PB. Truth be told I shit the bed on the range and had to exhaust myself on the rollerski trying to make up for it. Passing three athletes on my first lap and many after that. When I look back at heart rate files on my computer I do not believe I skied too hard. I believe had some mental issues and struggled a bit with the new trigger.

However despite the 12 penalty loops in 2 days I was still able to achieve my goal of Making the World Cup Team however it was a lot closer than I am comfortable with. Hopefully this disappointment in the range will encourage me to soul search as to what I could have done better.

Throughout this weekend many people asked how I was able to ski so fast, and really there is no secret behind it. I had great equipment provided to me with Swix Poles and the New Alpina Elite Skate which is lighter and stiffer then any boot I have experienced. But more to come on the equipment next week.

Even with great equipment I needed to have more then just that, and that was my training. I started training early May with Biathlonschool.com under the supervision of Richard Bortua. Richard and I have had success before working together and I was confident that with my hard work and Richards Czechnology I would be able to get some great results.

I would also like to thank the staff at Wildflower Massage and Esthetics for getting my body ready to go starting Sept 4th and keeping it going throughout the weekend.

Enjoy the pics

Happy Trails,