This fall I had the perfect opportunity to mix up my typical routine. I did some altitude training with the US and Canadian National ski team members, spent some much anticipated time with my bf, and explored some extraordinary places. This training camp and change in scenery was perfect in every way and is exactly what I needed to feel prepared, motivated, and excited to start the new ski racing season.
Coach Louis (CAN), myself, Daria Gaiazova (CAN), Kikkan Randall (USA), Sarah Daich (CAN), Chandra Crawford (CAN), Liz Stephens (USA).
I was with some mighty fine company here as a number of these women have already gone down in history. Chandra is an Olympic Gold Medalist and founder of "Fast and Female", and Kikkan was the first American woman to win a World Cup to name a few! But they are also some of the most unpretentious, welcoming, and friendly women around.
Myself, Dasha, Kikkan, Chandra, Perianne Jones, Sarah: JUMPING for our dreams with smiles on our faces. Like any pursuit, there are periods of hard-work and focus in addition to the high moments.
Katie Ronsse (L) and Dasha Gaiazova (R) in a bounding interval workout of 5x6' L4, 4' easy (Pete Vordenberg photo). We built into the interval sessions and made each interval faster than the previous one. A huge thanks to Justin Wadsworth and the rest of the Canadian National Team staff for including me in the camp workouts!!
My impression from the Canadians National Team members as a whole, was they are very professional in the way they manage and monitor their recovery. They do a great job at keeping training consistent and being proactive when dealing with injuries or challenges. Most of all, I was impressed by their attitude. An attitude that is open, encouraging, and supportive....
This same attitude is something Kikkan (above) brings to our team in Alaska. My interpretation of her attitude is, "I want you to be better, because I know it will push me to be better too. So, lets work together. If nothing else, it will be more fun."
Here's another Pete Vordenberg photo from our mock sprint time trial. Pete and Matt Whitcomb (US Ski team coaches) came to several of the interval workouts to take video, lactates, and offer encouragement. It was awesome to have that support. Many of the videos are posted on the USSA's link on dartfish.
I went to Ogden, UT to cheer on Emma Gerrard in the XTERRA US National Championships and visit Rick Halling at the Atomic USA headquarters. Rick gave me a tour and made sure I am set with the best skis, boots, and bindings on the market.
And then there was this goober I found on a Rocky Mountin High Wheel in the streets of L.A. ... Oh wait, that's Jus! Behind Jus you can see Gary, a mt. bike racing extraordinaire and toy designer who is bubbling with creativity and good energy. You can also see Gary's own toy-- his refurbished ambulance that takes him to compete with the best in bike races around the west.
Jus and I drove from California to get to Utah. Along the way we got in some incredible riding, hiking, and running. Here's Jus making some fallen trees his natural playground along Tahoe's epic "Hole in the Ground" trail.
I thought the 17.5 miles of single track riding was challenging enough, but Jus always teaches me to think outside the box and realize what else is possible.
A huge thanks to Mark, August, Kara of Truckee, and Gus and Elias of UNR ski team, for taking the time to share your incredible back yard with us and help us get the most out of our time there. We loved it!
El Capitan (Jus photo). The scenery in Yosemite was magnificent. I can see why masses of tourists are drawn to this paradise. Jus and I were too accustomed to a pitch-a-tent-anywhere-anytime attitude after growing up in Alaska. We underestimated the traffic that would be going through Yosemite mid-week on the off-season and couldn't get a camp site for our night before our planned ascent of Half Dome. Justin suggested we begin hiking in the evening and pitch the tent at 12:01am, and then we would still abide by all the rules. Then we could reach the summit at sunrise and beat the crowds to the top. Brilliant!
Happy campers on the summit at sunrise!
The "diving board" part of the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite (Justin Libby photo). I was honing in my "Barbara School of Dance" moves I learned in my 3rd grade acrobatics class.
I'm feeling very greatful to everyone who has helped me have the experiences mentioned in this blog post. In particular, thanks to Deb Lovci for opening up home and her generous hospitality, which made training in Park City financially possible. Also, I should give a shout out to Jus for driving me half way across the country, stopping along the way for me to train, and making the trip so memorable.
Im back in Alaska now and I'm loving being home and making the final season preparations with my APU teammates. Everyone is looking fit and we are excited to get back on snow again. My camera was submerged in two inches of syrup when my Hammer Gel flask exploded in my Swix belt during my first long run at Utah's altitude.... but it is in the process of getting fixed, so I hope to continue to be able to post pictures again soon.
Thanks for reading and for your support!
Katie
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