I realize that an increased level of dedication to a sport doesn't always correspond to getting better results. Results can oscillate, plateau, improve and even temporarily decline at times-- trust me, I know! It's most rewarding when results ascend after persistent hard work, which is something I truly appreciate after experiencing the contrary.
We have another "testing" week coming up where we will measure our fitness on several different types of courses and see how we are responding to training. I will get a chance to set new personal records this week but I will give you a few stats to share my progress so far.
Potter Rollerski Race
27:21 (Oct '07-- 10:20 in DP, 17:01 uphill)
25:21 (Aug '08-- 9:30 in DP, 15:51 uphill)*PR at the time
23:58 (Aug '09-- 9:28 in DP, 14:30 uphill)*new PR
Spencer Running/Bounding Intervals
5:04 (Jun '07)
4:55 (Jun '08)*PR at the time
4:45 (Jun '09)*PR at the time
4:36 (Aug '09)*new PR
I feel more ski-specifically fit and faster than ever before. I know that my competitors are also extra motivated this year as well however since it is an Olympic year. I can't control how fast others are going to race. All I can do is focus on what's in my control. And that means spending each day focused on a mission to better and enjoying this opportunity in the process!
Our opening races are less than 3 months away. I will be ready!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
For the Community
If you need an extra incentive to get active on your lunch break, come join me Wed, Aug 26th for a walk from The Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center at 12:15. We will walk a 1.5 mile loop from ANHC and I will be there to offer advice and support for anyone interested in getting started on a more rigorous exercise routine. Everyone is welcome to join us!
ANHC is a clinic that offers primary care services to the most critical needs among the medically under-served and uninsured in Anchorage. Below is more information on the "Walk to Seward for Fitness" event at ANHC.
In attempt to help motivate us all to maintain a healthy lifestyle, I am volunteering to organize a “Walk/Run/Bike to Seward for Fitness" event.
Participants can team up with a few of their co-workers, family members, and/or patients, and record the number of miles that they walk or run and see if their combination of miles mileage will bring them all the way to Seward.
I recommend that each team be comprised of 3 members, although teams can vary from 1-4 participants. A team captain will be responsible for submitting the total mileage for their team members each week.
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends a weekly minimum of 2hrs and 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise as well as 2 sessions of muscle strengthening activities. If each team member walks 30 minutes/day that will be approximately 1.5 miles/day, and 10.5 miles/week, and (10.5miles each) x (4 weeks) x (3 team members) = 126miles. The distance from Anchorage to Seward also happens to be 126 miles! I realize that each person's goals will vary, however if on average, each team member attains this standard, then a team of 3 will make it to Seward in 4 weeks.
Expect to see small prizes when you reach certain "check points" along the way!
This “challenge” will kick off on Wednesday, August 26th. I was thinking we could walk a 1.5 mile loop from the clinic during the lunch break. Meet at the front of the clinic at 12:15 if you are interested. Everyone is welcome! Each person on the team will support their teammates in reaching their weekly fitness goals, however I can come in to the clinic occasionally to lead a group walk or strength training session if there is an interest.
YOUR TASK FOR THIS WEEK:
-Form a team, pick a team captain, and come up with a team name.
-Have the team captain email me at katie_ronski(at)hotmail.com with this information. Also, if you have any questions or suggestions on how to make this challenge more fun, please let me know. I hope to hear from many of you soon and meet some of you on Wednesday!
ANHC is a clinic that offers primary care services to the most critical needs among the medically under-served and uninsured in Anchorage. Below is more information on the "Walk to Seward for Fitness" event at ANHC.
In attempt to help motivate us all to maintain a healthy lifestyle, I am volunteering to organize a “Walk/Run/Bike to Seward for Fitness" event.
Participants can team up with a few of their co-workers, family members, and/or patients, and record the number of miles that they walk or run and see if their combination of miles mileage will bring them all the way to Seward.
I recommend that each team be comprised of 3 members, although teams can vary from 1-4 participants. A team captain will be responsible for submitting the total mileage for their team members each week.
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends a weekly minimum of 2hrs and 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise as well as 2 sessions of muscle strengthening activities. If each team member walks 30 minutes/day that will be approximately 1.5 miles/day, and 10.5 miles/week, and (10.5miles each) x (4 weeks) x (3 team members) = 126miles. The distance from Anchorage to Seward also happens to be 126 miles! I realize that each person's goals will vary, however if on average, each team member attains this standard, then a team of 3 will make it to Seward in 4 weeks.
Expect to see small prizes when you reach certain "check points" along the way!
This “challenge” will kick off on Wednesday, August 26th. I was thinking we could walk a 1.5 mile loop from the clinic during the lunch break. Meet at the front of the clinic at 12:15 if you are interested. Everyone is welcome! Each person on the team will support their teammates in reaching their weekly fitness goals, however I can come in to the clinic occasionally to lead a group walk or strength training session if there is an interest.
YOUR TASK FOR THIS WEEK:
-Form a team, pick a team captain, and come up with a team name.
-Have the team captain email me at katie_ronski(at)hotmail.com with this information. Also, if you have any questions or suggestions on how to make this challenge more fun, please let me know. I hope to hear from many of you soon and meet some of you on Wednesday!
Nerdy Nordic Bear Photo Shoot
I have accrued several photos in my Nordic bear t-shirt through the summer, so I thought I would share a few with you and concurrently show my appreciation for the Northern Fruit Co.'s support. 
Taking an apple break in between training sessions on Eagle glacier. Our groomed ski trails are in the background.
Learning to unicycle.
Gardening.
Our back yard black bear and me pretending to be arboreal.
Playing in the mountains.
Taking an apple break in between training sessions on Eagle glacier. Our groomed ski trails are in the background.
Learning to unicycle.
Gardening.
Our back yard black bear and me pretending to be arboreal. 
Playing in the mountains.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Ready for our Final Glacier Camp of the Summer
All the pre-glacier preparations have been made and we are looking forward to another week of on snow training on Eagle. The coaches do an immense amount of work on the machinery and facility, but each of us athletes also help out to make the camp a success. 
Prior to each camp we make a gigantic Costco run, pick up donated bread and bagels from Europa and AK Bagel Factory, box everything up, drive it all down to Girdwood, store it in the fridge and freezers at Alpine Air, and wait for a clear sunny day to have it flown up to camp. 
Then Alpine Air sling loads the luggage up to the glacier so we can consume massive quantities of food and fuel our passion for training hard.
I am looking forward to getting in as much skiing as I can handle and quality team bonding time in our home away from home! 
Prior to each camp we make a gigantic Costco run, pick up donated bread and bagels from Europa and AK Bagel Factory, box everything up, drive it all down to Girdwood, store it in the fridge and freezers at Alpine Air, and wait for a clear sunny day to have it flown up to camp. 
Then Alpine Air sling loads the luggage up to the glacier so we can consume massive quantities of food and fuel our passion for training hard.
I am looking forward to getting in as much skiing as I can handle and quality team bonding time in our home away from home! 
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Blueberry Saturday
Symphony Lakes valley-- a beautiful photo thanks to the artistic talent of my life-long buddy, Miss Anna Barnwell.
Jesse Carlstrom on his way toward the Flute Glacier. Jesse's is a great adventure buddy because he's up for glacier chasing-river crossing-talus scrambling running adventures, he brings chocolate, and rolls with the moto that "every good adventure involves bush whacking". 
Skier or figure skater? I vividly remember announcing to my parents for the first time that "I'm going to go to the Olympics". I was about 6 years old and was prancing around the living room after watching Michelle Kwan perform. It's pretty cool to still be able to chase my childhood dreams at age 23 and have a shot at turning those dreams into reality.
Mom berry picking in her Northern Fruit Company hat. I wouldn't be able to live as I do right now without the support of my family, friends, and a sponsor like Northern. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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