Earlier this season I made the decision with my coaches to focus on domestic racing and the Marathon circuit. It seemed like a good idea for many reasons. I would be able to take a step back from monthly training camps, I would be able to race closer home, and I would get the opportunity to be a part of the 2011 Junior Olympic Volunteer crew in Minneapolis, MN.
A goal of mine for many years has been to race and race for the Win at the American Birkebeiner. My CXC coaches felt this was a good plan and we designed my training and travel accordingly. As the season began my results were not as strong as previous years but I knew I would be focusing on the last week of February to have my “peak”. Racing at the Super Tours, Nor Ams and US Nationals this year was just as fun as previous years and it was great to see so many friends that I hadn’t seen since Spring Nationals.
When Nationals was over I was informed that my points were still low enough on the points list for me to qualify for a position on the World Championship Team in Oslo, Norway. I knew and the Team Selection group knew that I was still holding points that were from my pervious season. I felt strongly that as an athlete I knew whether or not I deserved to represent the US at Worlds. I spent many hours considering my training from the summer and fall, reviewing my races and performances from the season thus far and also looking at the girls who were just below me on the points list but were racing incredibly.
Sometimes points can be a good indicator of potential or success but sometimes they are not as accurate. As much as I know racing at the World Champs in Norway would be a once in a lifetime experience, deep down I knew that these Championships were not where I supposed to be.
I let the Team Selection group know my feelings and told them I understood the “points” challenge. I told them not to take me and to instead allow the girls who were behind me on the list but beating me in the races go. I wished the girls good luck at the World Championships and continued focusing on the Birkie.
I have had an absolute BLAST this season racing the domestic circuit. The Super Tour schedule is fun and brings you to some awesome places. I enjoyed racing in Minneapolis on the trails behind my house in front of a hometown crowd, I got to visit Aspen, CO a place I will certainly be returning to and most importantly I had the opportunity to compete in the 50K American Birkibeiner in Hayward, WI.
My training and racing went great and I found myself in top form on the morning of the Birkie. The deep freeze couldn’t even hold me back. I went on to win the race in record setting time in front of hundreds of friends and lots of family. It was an incredible event and meant so much to me. I will never forget how much fun it was and how great the feeling was coming down Main Street in first place to the roaring crowd. It was a perfect day and a perfect race!
As I was preparing for the Birkie and after it was over I spent many hours watching and cheering for the American girls (and the Canadians) over in Oslo. I have to say that as much fun as it was to feel like a rock star here at the domestic races, those girls are becoming rock stars in front of the World! With each race came amazing results from our women. They were nailing it!!! Having six out of seven of the girls on the team score World Cup points by being in the top 30 is absolutely incredible!!! (Ida I know you will be back to the top soon!) J I have never been so proud to be a part of American women’s Cross Country Skiing. Their results are the outcome of hard work, dedication and a fantastic group of youth and veterans chasing down new heights for all of us in the sport.
Diggins posting the seventh fastest time (and she is just a Junior) and anchoring the US Women to a decade best 9th place in the 4*5km World Championships Relay.
I am on cloud nine right now in awe of what they have accomplished. As much as I would have loved to been in Oslo I know that I made the right decision and I am now inspired beyond belief. I cannot wait to see the girls when they get back and congratulate all of them on their performances. More importantly I cannot wait to tell the story about what they accomplished to the up and coming women at the Junior Olympics next week!
Great Job Ladies!!! You are on track to something great in Sochi!!!
