tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13599870595145210642024-03-13T07:20:48.435-04:00Sophie Caldwell SMS-T2/USSTSophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-22019564493585481212018-12-21T15:11:00.000-05:002018-12-21T15:11:49.761-05:00Highs and Lows of Period OnePeriod one of the World Cup has come to a close and I'm enjoying a little holiday break in Seefeld, Austria before the World Cup starts up again in a week. After a good fall spent mostly back in Vermont, I was excited to head over to Europe for the season when mid November rolled around. Our first stop in Europe the last couple years has been in Finland. We go to Rovaneimi, Finland for a short pre-season camp to adjust to the time zone, get used to snow again, and get our feet on the ground for ten days or so before the first World Cup. This year we were able to jump into some races while in Rovaneimi, which was a good way to wake up the system and go hard before the big races began. Unfortunately, snow conditions in Rovaneimi were hurting this year and while the organizers tried their best to salvage the track, we had to go to Kuusamo a little earlier where there still wasn't natural snow, but the World Cup courses had cleaner snow that we were able to get some good training in on.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly the rockiest rock skiing I've ever done</td></tr>
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Our first World Cup weekend is always in Kuusamo, Finland and this year was no different. The courses of Kuusamo are hilly and hard and the competition is tough. As a team, we tend to work into the season a little because we haven't been on snow for as long as many other teams and we have a big travel overseas, but that said, we've also had some great results in Kuusamo before. I was feeling really good heading into the weekend and had a solid classic sprint, finishing 16th. It was by no means an awesome race for me, but Kuusamo has always been a tough one for me, and I was happy to start the season feeling good and having a solid result. Sadie led our team through the weekend with two top tens in the classic sprint and classic 10km and the rest of our team had some solid results, but were left hungry for more!
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for the season to begin! (Jesse Vannenan photo)</td></tr>
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After Kuusamo, we had a long travel day to Lillehammer Norway for a mini tour weekend that consisted of a skate sprint, a skate individual start, and a classic pursuit start. Unfortunately, on the travel day I started to get a bit of a scratchy throat. After a big night of sleep I was feeling better the next day, but in hindsight probably overdid it a bit because by that night the scratchy throat was back and feeing like the beginning of a cold. I tried my best to rest it out and kick it before the races, but sometimes it's easy to forget that colds generally last about 7-10 days and I had about four days before the races, so the math wasn't working in my favor. I was bummed to miss what I think was my first sprint in a few years, but so it goes. Sometimes you get sick on the road and it's never fun to sit in a hotel room for a week and wish you were racing, but it happens to the best of us. I tried to keep myself busy by going for walks, listening to podcasts, drawing, writing, watching some TV, reading, and facetiming friends and family back home. That worked pretty well and over the weekend time flew by because I was able to watch the races on TV for most of the day, including the Bjornsen siblings coming away from the weekend with a pair of 3rds! By the time the weekend was coming to an end, I was beginning to feel a lot better.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown cheese curing colds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And lots of tea!</td></tr>
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After Lillehammer we drive to Beitostolen, Norway for a weekend with a distance skate race and a relay. I was feeling better and better and was psyched to go on some easy skis on the natural snow that Beito had just gotten. The World Cup race courses are brutally hard, so the opportunity to ski on tourist trails is always welcomed for easy mid-week training. After a couple days of what seemed like normal training, I was starting to feel pretty healthy again, but then a dry cough and fatigue began to set into my system. At first we thought it was just the tail end of the cold, but I was bummed because we had planned to start two relay teams, but we weren't able to to start our second team because I wasn't feeling healthy enough to race. I gave it a couple more days of hoping it was just the tail end of my cold, but the cough wasn't getting better, which made it hard to sleep, and by this point I had been sick for two weeks and was majorly bumming. This is the part of being a ski racer that really isn't glamorous. When you're sick on the road, the last place you want to be is in a dark hotel room and it makes you excited for the phase of life when a cold doesn't require you to be quarantined and you can go on with life as usual. There were several moments where I wondered why the heck I was still doing this and got upset at myself for being so bummed about something that in the grand scheme of things was so small, but there was a teammate for each one of those times to remind me exactly why I'm doing this. You're allowed to be bummed out, but things can turn around really quickly, and all the happy moments we have on the road allow us to so quickly forget the royally sucky ones. <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Period one U.S. women's team!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the tourist trails in Beito (Kelsey photo)</td></tr>
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And turn around quickly things did. After a few days in Davos, I was beginning to feel more like myself and my cough was settling down enough to get some good sleep. If I had one day of going hard in me, I wanted to save it for the race, so I just went for really easy skis until sprint day in Davos. We stay in the same hotel every year we're in Davos and it's the same hotel my Uncle Tim stayed in when he was on the U.S. Ski team, the Hotel Kulm. Everyone there is so kind and it feels like our home away from home. The sunshine also helps with health and spirits, so a combination of a lot of things was beginning to make me feel pretty happy again. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaking in the Davos vitamin D</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy skis with buddies (Sadie photo)</td></tr>
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Going into the sprint, I didn't want to set any expectations. I was really grateful to be feeling healthy again and excited to be able to race. I've had some solid results in Davos before. I think my first ever top 10 was in Davos and I've made the semi finals several times, but I was going to be happy to qualify last weekend. I was also really looking forward to doing my first World Cup skate race on my new Salomon skis since the only weekend I had raced was classic only in Kuusamo! I made sure I got a good warm up in since it had been awhile since I had last gone hard, I did a good ski test with my tech, Oleg and then tried to ski a smooth, fast, and well paced qualifier. I couldn't really believe it when I came across the line in 1st and then the results stayed that way and I had won the qualifier. The rest of the day was kind of a blur. I felt good, my skis felt great, and I tried to ski each heat as tactically sound as possible and before I knew it, I had made it to the final and finished 2nd in the sprint. It was truly a dream day and so much better than I could have imagined going into the day, but I think there are a couple important things I can take out of it. The first is that there is something to be said about being well rested, especially at altitude. But more importantly, as my teammates and sports psych and coaches reminded me, hard work doesn't just disappear in a week or two weeks or three weeks, and things can turn around really quickly. Often all it takes is one bad race, or a cold, or a fall to lose your confidence, but it's important to remember that conversely, all it takes is one good race, or one good feeling, or one good corner to gain your confidence back. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd place! First Davos podium, first podium of the season, first podium on Salomon skis! (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited to be sporting GTY Technology on my hat this year! (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davos skate sprint (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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We have one more week in Seefeld, which is one of my favorite places in the world. There isn't a ton of snow, but there is enough for some good skiing and previewing of the World Champs courses. We have a nice kitchen where we get to enjoy the one time all winter when we can cook our own meals, a mini Christmas tree to help with holiday spirit, and skiing that is basically out our door, so I'm looking forward to one more week of this before beginning the chaos of the Tour de Ski! My plan is to do the first three stages before returning to Seefeld for another little block of training before the sprint weekend in Dresden. Thanks for following and Happy Holidays!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life is good in Austria! (Kelsey photo)</td></tr>
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Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-58695013329468174552018-08-25T00:00:00.000-04:002018-08-25T00:00:03.393-04:00New Zealand Week 1It's Saturday afternoon in New Zealand which means it was a week ago that we were packing our bags to make the long journey across the world. If you calculate the time change and the fact that we lost a day while traveling, we haven't quite been here for a week yet, but time is still flying. I say it every year, but our camp in New Zealand is one of my all time favorites. We are training our butts off, but the living is easy, which is what allows us to put in some big hours! We stay up at the Snow Farm, which is the only cross country ski area in the country and is located between Queenstown and Wanaka. The skiing is amazing this year, and the view out our bedroom windows is of the endless kilometers of perfect skiing. The sleeping is great. Something about the jet lag when flying this far west makes us so confused that we pretty much sleep from 9-7 each night. Then on top of the amazing sleep and skiing there's some of the most delicious food we've ever tasted that is prepared for us three times a day. When most of your day is taken up by skiing, sleeping, and eating, training camp life is pretty good!
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Since arriving at the Snow Farm, we've mostly been doing easy distance training. Most of us haven't been on snow since May, so it's important to remember what skiing feels like and to retrain all those stabilizing muscles that don't need to work as hard on pavement as they do on snow. We took our first stab at intervals this morning and will continue to do a mix of easy training, speed, and some intensity over the next couple weeks. With the amazing snow pack, just about everything is groomed and we were able to ski one of my favorite trails in the world yesterday morning on a classic distance workout.
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xQ6C3VM-Bfc/W4DRas_L4QI/AAAAAAAAzmE/7NLNqJ5fkmoTyZk3zdpk-UDsEKhpElaQgCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_435f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xQ6C3VM-Bfc/W4DRas_L4QI/AAAAAAAAzmE/7NLNqJ5fkmoTyZk3zdpk-UDsEKhpElaQgCLcBGAs/s640/fullsizeoutput_435f.jpeg" width="640" height="480" data-original-width="1333" data-original-height="1000" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emM8AmBSqXg/W4DRZmQcSVI/AAAAAAAAzmA/Yf1jLsYQc74nRVntZFcu6YUxOBzzY0LzwCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_4355.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emM8AmBSqXg/W4DRZmQcSVI/AAAAAAAAzmA/Yf1jLsYQc74nRVntZFcu6YUxOBzzY0LzwCLcBGAs/s640/fullsizeoutput_4355.jpeg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIhBOwyUu1M/W4DRZw2xdII/AAAAAAAAzl8/sbUNZexgcgIS6yp3lSkWHtyFepY4xZCcwCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_4358.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIhBOwyUu1M/W4DRZw2xdII/AAAAAAAAzl8/sbUNZexgcgIS6yp3lSkWHtyFepY4xZCcwCLcBGAs/s640/fullsizeoutput_4358.jpeg" width="481" height="640" data-original-width="1203" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpF-fKfoAPw/W4DRZuEiZlI/AAAAAAAAzl4/29LtCVJSFaUEIA098CO1dGkfqyI52gD0ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7506.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpF-fKfoAPw/W4DRZuEiZlI/AAAAAAAAzl4/29LtCVJSFaUEIA098CO1dGkfqyI52gD0ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7506.JPG" width="640" height="480" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
One of my favorite parts about camp at the Snow Farm is watching the faces of people who have never been here before. We're all like little kids in a candy shop when we get our first clear day on snow up here, but people who have never been here before take it up a couple levels in the excitement category. A couple of my SMS T2 teammates, Alayna and Kyle, and our coach, Pat, are experiencing the Snow Farm for the first time and it's been a blast to watch them rip around the trails.
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-li3VdhToDqE/W4DSKFFmJKI/AAAAAAAAzmY/5XXKgr7Ptjc8QYNKZz3RaqYi-7fItFFMgCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_435c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-li3VdhToDqE/W4DSKFFmJKI/AAAAAAAAzmY/5XXKgr7Ptjc8QYNKZz3RaqYi-7fItFFMgCLcBGAs/s640/fullsizeoutput_435c.jpeg" width="640" height="480" data-original-width="1333" data-original-height="1000" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoNW73FP_oc/W4DSKU-3NkI/AAAAAAAAzmc/I2_c995AJ1QUslZsRcsNoiB4YhdfaJpOQCLcBGAs/s1600/oboi3MgXTxuszSydHT4pDQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoNW73FP_oc/W4DSKU-3NkI/AAAAAAAAzmc/I2_c995AJ1QUslZsRcsNoiB4YhdfaJpOQCLcBGAs/s640/oboi3MgXTxuszSydHT4pDQ.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>
In a few days we head down to the town of Wanaka for a mid camp break. We're at a little altitude up at the Snow Farm, so being in Wanaka gives us a few days to recover at sea level and go for some sweet runs. It's winter up here, but Wanaka has a much more spring like feel, so it's fun to pull out the shorts and running shoes and explore some different scenery. After the break in Wanaka, we will be back at the Snow Farm for almost two more weeks where we will continue to train and have the opportunity to jump in the Merino Muster and the NZ Winter Games. It's a fun atmosphere because we still have a couple months until the season, so these races are pretty low pressure, but give us the opportunity to find some areas to fine tune before the season starts. So with almost one week down and two more to go, everyone is doing well and we are feeling extremely lucky to be training in what has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Thanks for following!
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Eda1EsMfVY/W4DThGrHIbI/AAAAAAAAzmw/WuUqowyoEawO40D9f7Q0qHY0nKUn8ZdoACLcBGAs/s1600/DUYPEjg1QraESJvFhUTALg.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Eda1EsMfVY/W4DThGrHIbI/AAAAAAAAzmw/WuUqowyoEawO40D9f7Q0qHY0nKUn8ZdoACLcBGAs/s640/DUYPEjg1QraESJvFhUTALg.jpg" width="640" height="480" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5cjmEg2SHU/W4DTiDmuh0I/AAAAAAAAzm4/lJx-YPbz09EhffOoE-qEF4lbkS9LeaWwwCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_434e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5cjmEg2SHU/W4DTiDmuh0I/AAAAAAAAzm4/lJx-YPbz09EhffOoE-qEF4lbkS9LeaWwwCLcBGAs/s640/fullsizeoutput_434e.jpeg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vR-KAU-MwdI/W4DThMBBYLI/AAAAAAAAzm0/HS9Gxy61WgAEo4xqCKoTJZskXZTyrfGkgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7464.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vR-KAU-MwdI/W4DThMBBYLI/AAAAAAAAzm0/HS9Gxy61WgAEo4xqCKoTJZskXZTyrfGkgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7464.JPG" width="640" height="480" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-57lOmhCBBn8/W4DThKcjO8I/AAAAAAAAzms/B-fsycKg4QsjaabkF3GF3EWKAmlmFJTkgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7496.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-57lOmhCBBn8/W4DThKcjO8I/AAAAAAAAzms/B-fsycKg4QsjaabkF3GF3EWKAmlmFJTkgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7496.JPG" width="640" height="480" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-72118396345205734172018-04-26T16:36:00.000-04:002018-04-26T17:25:11.459-04:00What a Year!It's been awhile since my last post, but it was a long and exciting season with many highs, a few lows, and now a few weeks of "off time" to reflect on the past year, take a little mental and physical break from ski racing, and get excited for the next year. The end of the season was a whirlwind, but now that the Olympics are two months in the past, the rollercoaster of emotions and experiences are beginning to sink in. I can't put into words how grateful and happy I am that I was able to witness what will likely be the biggest moment in cross country skiing history when Jessie and Kikkan won the gold in the team sprint. It was the second medal ever won by a U.S. cross country skier, the first gold, and the first ever won by a woman. The tears of happiness and amazement that streamed down our faces during that event will be ones I remember fondly forever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going through Olympic processing with Liz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GOLDEN GIRLS (flyingpointroad photo)</td></tr>
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My races at the Olympics were a mixed bag of emotions. It's easy to dream big when you're on the big stage. Everyone is hoping to have the race of their lives when they're at the Olympics and even though it wasn't the race of my life, placing 8th in the classic sprint was a result I was proud of. I had the best season of my life this past year, but it was predominantly in skate sprinting and to be 8th in the world in a classic sprint was a really solid result for me. After the first few races, I was chosen to be the scramble leg for the 4x5km relay. I was ecstatic, nervous, and humbled to be on a team with Sadie, Kikkan, and Jessie and we started the morning of the relay off with a team jog that included a dance practice, lots of laughter, and a face paint application party. The pace of the relay started out faster than any race I've ever done, and I tried my best to hang on, but ended up exploding and tagging Sadie a ways back. I had dreamed of a medal for that team, whether I was on it or not, and to say I was heartbroken after my leg would be an understatement. My teammates skied their hearts out and we finished the day in 5th and met Jessie with a big hug in the finish area. I couldn't stop crying out of disappointment, but the girls were so quick to remind me that all anyone ever expects is that we race our hardest and that is exactly what we all did. I was lucky to have teammates, coaches, friends, family, and a boyfriend who reminded me over and over that not one of them was disappointed in me. It's still hard for me to think about that race, but it will always be an honor for me to have been named to that relay and my sad tears quickly turned to happy tears watching Jessie and Kikkan win the team sprint and watching all my teammates ski their hearts out at the games.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5_xIXWHedig/WuI0r5mRURI/AAAAAAAAv8w/TzJq2zTuIi0zZwt1k3k13m0ypZGfNovzQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5_xIXWHedig/WuI0r5mRURI/AAAAAAAAv8w/TzJq2zTuIi0zZwt1k3k13m0ypZGfNovzQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4683.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofing off on a ski with Noah. Noah has been my friend and teammate for a long time now. This was his last season as a ski racer and I'm sad to see him go, but excited to see what comes next for him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group hug after the 4x5k relay (flyingpoint photo)</td></tr>
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After the Olympics, it's sometimes difficult to motivate for another month on the World Cup, but I found myself looking forward to the familiar routine of World Cup life. I never quite felt like I was firing on all cylinders during the last World Cup period of the season, but I tried to approach each race with confidence and looked forward to every opportunity I had to race through the end of the season. I had some solid results, making the semi finals in Lahti and the finals in Falun and was psyched to be able to do some more distance racing as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzpsYVwSMbY/WuI1DrFo1nI/AAAAAAAAv88/hZV6yzgDEsgTTfj-ihaNlACwGScPeRvnwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="455" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzpsYVwSMbY/WuI1DrFo1nI/AAAAAAAAv88/hZV6yzgDEsgTTfj-ihaNlACwGScPeRvnwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4910.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing the classic 10k in Lahti (Toko US/Nordic Focus photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race prep with the girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing the 10km skate in Lahti with Kikkan, which was Kikkan and Liz's final World Cup race (Photo: eventbilder)</td></tr>
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When I sat down with my coach, Matt Whitcomb, two years ago to make some goals, he suggested I put being ranked top 3 in the sprint cup as a two year goal for myself. I was hesitant at first because it was a big reach and I also tend to shy away from making concrete results based goals, but what did I have to lose? This past season was the best season of my life and I had some standout results for myself with three individual WC podiums, a WC win, and a WC team sprint podium with Ida, but I think what I was most proud of was the consistency of my season. I placed in the top 10 in every sprint this season except for one and I was able to do that by learning to ski with the confidence that that was where I belonged. I knew my coach believed in me, my teammates believed in me, and I believed in myself and that confidence allowed me to have a dream season, finishing 3rd in the World Cup sprint rankings. When I look back at the training we did, it wasn't anything magical. It was my 5th season racing the full World Cup circuit, so we had a lot of information about what had worked for me in the past and what hadn't. I had process goals of getting strong, not getting too tired during the end of the training season, and jumping in some more distance races in order to increase my fitness and to do some more racing. I like to keep things simple and it's always rewarding when a good plan that makes sense ends up working!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with Liz and Matt after getting my sprint cup award</td></tr>
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After over four months on the road, I was able to enjoy a few days at home in southern Vermont before heading up to Craftsbury for SuperTour Finals/Spring Series. Craftsbury did an amazing job of running the best Spring Series I have ever been to. The beautiful weather and great snow conditions didn't hurt, and the races went off seamlessly. I was pleasantly surprised to discover I still had some energy left and was able to put together four good races with the highlight being our SMS T2 team taking the club relay win for the second year in a row!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going for a ski at Wild Wings, my hometown nordic center in Peru, VT</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supertour finals sprint podium (John Lazenby photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G_kPIHMKiHo/WuI10773T0I/AAAAAAAAv9k/7ZdsDMplBEU8HvpyAVskurn1JksG25EBgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G_kPIHMKiHo/WuI10773T0I/AAAAAAAAv9k/7ZdsDMplBEU8HvpyAVskurn1JksG25EBgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5133.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping for joy after the 10km skate with the girls of SMS T2 (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v5tnXcuEXHk/WuI11KLVd4I/AAAAAAAAv9o/MA1DSyOSnRE95tmYFS-_323cXjumDXxuQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1600" height="532" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v5tnXcuEXHk/WuI11KLVd4I/AAAAAAAAv9o/MA1DSyOSnRE95tmYFS-_323cXjumDXxuQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5175.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SMS T2 posing with Jessie's gold medal after our club relay win! (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last race of the season - 30km classic! Happy to be done with a great season, but sad to see a couple of these girls retiring (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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After Spring Series, I spent a few days with some of my girlfriends in northern VT, took a trip to Portugal and played tourist with my parents for a week, and have been enjoying some backcountry skiing and desert time in the west with Simi and his family for the rest of the month. I'm looking forward to kicking things into gear in another week or two and heading to our first camp of the season in Bend, Oregon during the last ten days of May.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and I facing our fears with the help of our trusty guide, Simi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls weekend in Vt!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking through the desert</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family time in Portugal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touring with Al and Sim in Colorado</td></tr>
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Thanks for following my journey and happy spring!!Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-55617726106756749752018-01-29T15:19:00.000-05:002018-01-29T15:38:41.624-05:00Olympic Lead Up!It's been awhile and a lot has happened since my last post! After a lovely Christmas break in Seefeld, Austria, we packed up our bags and headed to the circus of the Tour de Ski. The Tour de Ski consists of seven different races in three different counties over nine days. The first stop of the Tour this year took place in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Not only is Lenzerheide a beautiful area, but I also really love the courses there. They have a nice mix of hills and flow and I was looking forward to doing a skate sprint and getting in a couple distance racing opportunities. Our team had a strong day of qualifying in the sprint and I was feeling good and determined to make the final. I was thrilled to finish the day in second, my first podium of the year and to see Jessie place 5th, despite breaking two poles throughout the day. The next day was a 10km classic race and I woke up feeling tired, but I was happy to find some good racing feelings and have my best distance race ever placing 21st, made even better by having Sadie on the podium in 3rd! The next day was a 10km pursuit skate start race and even though I've struggled with skate distance skiing in the past, I tried to forget about that and hang on for dear life. It was a really fun race for me and Jessie finished the day in 3rd. Three podiums in three days for our team wasn't too shabby!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing out Seefeld Christmas camp in style with Jessie and Liz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour de Ski opening ceremonies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd place in the Lenzerheide skate sprint! (Getty Images)</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, I came down with a cold the morning of the classic sprint in Oberstdorf, so my Tour ended after the races in Lenzerheide. Oberstdorf happened to be getting some of the worst weather we had ever seen on the day of the sprint, so the race ended up being cancelled due to dangerous conditions. I was happy I wasn't missing a sprint, but it was a bummer that one race of the Tour de Ski had to be cancelled. I love the race course in Oberstdorf, so I'm hoping I get a chance to return next year! From Oberstdorf, the more sprint oriented crew who withdrew from the Tour headed to Ramsau, Austria for a week of recovery and training before the sprint weekend in Dresden, Germany. It was winter wonderland in Ramsau and I was able to go for some beautiful easy walks on skis while I was recovering from my cold.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from my bedroom window in Ramsau</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above the clouds!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road to recovery</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The not so glamorous side of it all :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to health!</td></tr>
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After our week in Ramsau, we made the long trek up to Dresden, Germany for a weekend of city sprinting. Dresden was a new venue on the calendar and we were excited to see what it involved. It was a beautiful, old city and the track was set up in a park that overlooked the river and some pretty incredible buildings. This was the shortest and flattest sprint I have ever done, but that added to the excitement of sprint racing! Most sprints are around three minutes and this one was closer to two. Sometimes you get long hilly courses and sometimes they're pancake flat, but a race is a race and you do your best at any given course and venue. I was psyched to be on the podium again, placing third in the individual sprint, and then got to team up with Ida and get another third in the team sprint! I was really proud with how we both skied and Ida raced a killer last lap and tagged off to me in podium contention, so crossing the line in 3rd and having her waiting with a big hug was icing on the cake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dresden individual sprint podium (Getty Images)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque race course (Getty Images)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team sprint 3rd with Ides! (Marcel Hilger photo)</td></tr>
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After the team sprint in Dresden, we drove back to Ramsau for a few days of training before heading to Planica, Slovenia for a classic sprint and classic 10km. Planica is a beautiful venue set in the Julien Alps. I had only been there on bad snow years, so it was amazing to see it covered in snow with tons of easy tourist trails to ski on. The classic sprint day was really hard. I was happy to make the semis and place 9th on the day, but I was exhausted by the end. It was a really long gradual course and I finished the day with some new things to work on. A lot of our classic courses have really steep hills where you have to shuffle up them or sometimes run/bound or herringbone. The course in Planica was very long and gradual and I definitely have some work to do on my power striding. I haven't been that sore from a race or workout in a long time! The second day was a 10k classic and my body was tired, but I tried to pace the race well and was able to finish with decent energy. I was 31st and it was a bittersweet result because I was two seconds from the top 30 and hadn't felt great, but being 31st would have been a great distance race for me in the past, so while I wasn't thrilled with how I felt, I also wasn't disappointed in the result.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planica classic sprint day (photo: Toko/Nordic Focus)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy skate ski with Jess</td></tr>
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And that brings us back to Seefeld, where we're currently having our pre-olympic camp. I've spent the last two Christmases in Seefeld and I love it here, so I was happy to return. We are staying in some really comfortable apartments and it's nice to have a bit of a homier feel for a couple weeks before the Olympics. Seefeld is having a huge snow winter. I'm sure I experienced a couple big winters like this when I was younger, but I haven't seen snow like this in at least ten years. I thought they had good snow over Christmas and then they got two more meters of snow right before we showed up. We timed it nicely because it's been warm and sunny since we arrived. We just finished our final World Cup weekend before the Olympics and our team is feeling good. World Championships is in Seefeld next year, so in addition to getting in some racing before the games, we've been able to preview the courses for the big event next year!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out that snow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening ski with Liz and Matt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2lM1Osv9YA/Wm94M4r49jI/AAAAAAAAth4/JPN4AvN_3QMIFMq7U1phu0h_camgfArJgCLcBGAs/s1600/UjsMtmn6TMW81pU3ZK2J1w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2lM1Osv9YA/Wm94M4r49jI/AAAAAAAAth4/JPN4AvN_3QMIFMq7U1phu0h_camgfArJgCLcBGAs/s640/UjsMtmn6TMW81pU3ZK2J1w.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday to Ides!</td></tr>
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<br />
Saturday we had a skate sprint and the women's course was back to a pretty short and relatively flat course. I love skate sprinting on fast courses because it's high speed, exciting, and tactical. Our team had a strong qualifier with Sadie, Kikkan, Simi, and I qualifying in 5th, 18th, 5th, and 4th. I was in a quarter final with Maiken Casperson Falla who is one of the strongest sprinters in the world, so I knew if I could stick with her, I would have a good chance of moving through the heats with some fast times. After a bit of a bobbly start to my quarter, I was able to move myself into second by the finish and move onto the semis. I prioritized having a better start in my semi and it actually felt a lot better than my quarter final and we had another fast heat and I was into the final. Sadie also moved on in her quarter and semi and toed the line next to me in her first ever skate sprint final! In the final, I tried to have the same strategy as my other heats and hopped in behind Maiken and stuck to her like glue. There was a big downhill corned into the finish and we had an exciting three way sprint to the finish. I was sure I had crossed the line in 2nd, but about twenty minutes later I found out I had tied for 1st!! It was the most pleasant surprise and ended up being a dream day. I honestly didn't even remember lunging, but I'm sure glad I did. The next day Jessie won the 10km skate, Sadie had another top 10, and Erik and Simi raced to their best distance finishes ever placing 9th and 12th in the 15km skate. This team is on fire!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-77UfzYm6rF4/Wm97sRU9mqI/AAAAAAAAtiU/Nga6JtKGgNY67dVEFKCn2D6R0eBBQqqxACLcBGAs/s1600/CaldwellSeefeldPodium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-77UfzYm6rF4/Wm97sRU9mqI/AAAAAAAAtiU/Nga6JtKGgNY67dVEFKCn2D6R0eBBQqqxACLcBGAs/s640/CaldwellSeefeldPodium.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tie for 1st! (Getty Images)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mRdeX-dml2E/Wm97rn6YYYI/AAAAAAAAtiM/XIkg-XIJSkAcX_AKaejo-ldsjBiy51RgQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="960" height="350" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mRdeX-dml2E/Wm97rn6YYYI/AAAAAAAAtiM/XIkg-XIJSkAcX_AKaejo-ldsjBiy51RgQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4523.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo finish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGsm_jatRHE/Wm97sXl1vwI/AAAAAAAAtiQ/VeqddXZ5NaMg4bk6GFMlQrGcCbpwqMkgQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGsm_jatRHE/Wm97sXl1vwI/AAAAAAAAtiQ/VeqddXZ5NaMg4bk6GFMlQrGcCbpwqMkgQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4525.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing Maiken around the course (Jens Korner photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GyYoq66zA_c/Wm97tUP-jBI/AAAAAAAAtig/4V8cDFxvPGw8hZtOY6XOqQlpXIAQnD2GwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GyYoq66zA_c/Wm97tUP-jBI/AAAAAAAAtig/4V8cDFxvPGw8hZtOY6XOqQlpXIAQnD2GwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4526.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Podium shot (Jens Korner photo)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPvudAHbGoo/Wm97tTFrv8I/AAAAAAAAtic/ZIO3UlFOmI0Np54MQa7sidG4vqB9VfX7ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1334" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPvudAHbGoo/Wm97tTFrv8I/AAAAAAAAtic/ZIO3UlFOmI0Np54MQa7sidG4vqB9VfX7ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles with my coach, Matt (Lumi Experiences photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdqNZUhu098/Wm97tcBhOwI/AAAAAAAAtiY/VxZiJQusvRwPwgwxZdE8OOmsoNZ7qpyPwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1025" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdqNZUhu098/Wm97tcBhOwI/AAAAAAAAtiY/VxZiJQusvRwPwgwxZdE8OOmsoNZ7qpyPwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4549.JPG" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud of this guy (Lumi Experiences photo)</td></tr>
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We have another week in Seefeld before we head to PyeongChang for the Olympics. I cannot wait to attend my second Olympics and to see what this team can do. I've had a dream season so far and regardless of what happens at the Olympics, I know I couldn't be happier or more proud to be part of such an amazing team. I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has supported and believed in me, the U.S. Ski Team, and our SMS T2 team. Our success is so much bigger than ourselves and we wouldn't be here without you, so THANK YOU x a million.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PzeJs5vCxjg/Wm990Hv8PMI/AAAAAAAAti0/PqxTRB8GYYEBarI4-uKO9fKsYJB0tSyMACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PzeJs5vCxjg/Wm990Hv8PMI/AAAAAAAAti0/PqxTRB8GYYEBarI4-uKO9fKsYJB0tSyMACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2230.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream big</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrF61jnAK48/Wm-Bl8aXLwI/AAAAAAAAtjA/IHpai_16z3Yu71ssytfeUyDsecIFqe3XgCLcBGAs/s1600/17021593_1577273622300500_2522123913243711564_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrF61jnAK48/Wm-Bl8aXLwI/AAAAAAAAtjA/IHpai_16z3Yu71ssytfeUyDsecIFqe3XgCLcBGAs/s640/17021593_1577273622300500_2522123913243711564_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And send it! :)</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-53971352699886358722017-12-22T05:54:00.002-05:002017-12-22T06:11:44.054-05:00Period One<b>First stop Finland!</b><br />
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On November 15th our bags were packed and we were ready to make the trek over to Europe. Leaving home always comes with a mix of the excitement of the approaching season and the anxiety of knowing we will be away from the U.S. for the next four months. It was a little easier this year because I was able to spend a lot of time at home this fall, but it's still hard saying bye to so many familiar things I love. Our first stop was in Rovanemi, Finland. Rovanemi is six kilometers from the arctic and in mid November, there tends to be very little sunlight, but with the cold temperatures and lack of sunshine, there is usually more snow than most other places in the world. We were able to adjust to the time difference, get used to skiing on snow again, and prepare ourselves for the opening World Cups in Kuusamo, Finland.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5NfxW0kKIaE/WjzcDN3ggJI/AAAAAAAAr0k/iCNVcL4lS1AUbHh2yzpefnkyQ5ZQqRoowCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="547" height="622" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5NfxW0kKIaE/WjzcDN3ggJI/AAAAAAAAr0k/iCNVcL4lS1AUbHh2yzpefnkyQ5ZQqRoowCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3745.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice to be reunited with my teammates, many who I hadn't seen since June!</td></tr>
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After our camp in Rovanemi, we drove a few hours to Kuusamo for the first World Cups of the season. Kuusamo is a place I've struggled with in the past. The courses are extremely hard, the competition is stacked, and sometimes it's hard to find your happy place when you haven't seen the sun in a couple weeks! It was different this year and I ended up having the best races I've had in Kuusamo with a 3rd place in the sprint qualifier and a 8th place on the day, a solid classic distance race, and a skate distance race where I was hanging on for dear life, but maybe hanging on a little better than I have in prior years. The highlight was getting to watch my friend and teammate, Sadie, climb to 2nd place in the sprint for her first sprint podium!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-27m5Ik3jjMg/WjzdG1r3k7I/AAAAAAAAr0w/gjLFnsQqn8IOZCP4MeWU-9AJ75OGrGIqQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="426" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-27m5Ik3jjMg/WjzdG1r3k7I/AAAAAAAAr0w/gjLFnsQqn8IOZCP4MeWU-9AJ75OGrGIqQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3781.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty awesome to have this little buddy, Julia, on the road with me this fall! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCAUneAN_Qo/WjzdG-7u9BI/AAAAAAAAr00/Qe26eeSE8YARC-BJGBz74mKo2UzZwPX2QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCAUneAN_Qo/WjzdG-7u9BI/AAAAAAAAr00/Qe26eeSE8YARC-BJGBz74mKo2UzZwPX2QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3784.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Birthdays in style on the road</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u55hjRT_xck/WjzdG8dDpYI/AAAAAAAAr04/8zwz5mq4L-QaAOaeeRIJa7QytFEAM6D0wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="505" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u55hjRT_xck/WjzdG8dDpYI/AAAAAAAAr04/8zwz5mq4L-QaAOaeeRIJa7QytFEAM6D0wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3795.jpg" width="606" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing in my quarter final in the Kuusamo sprint (Toko US/Nordic Focus photo)</td></tr>
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<div>
<b>Lighting it up in Lillehammer</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Lighting it up in Lillehammer was both literal and figurative because we traveled south and got to see a bit more sunshine and our team also had another really strong weekend. I was only racing once this weekend, so I was able to go for some longer skis on the tourist tracks and even got to ski up to Sjusjoen on my last day with Julia, Sim, and some Canadian friends. Sadie won the sprint qualifer and Jessie and I were close behind in 7th and 9th and the day got even better when we all made it through to the semis. In a close semi final, I just missed out on making the finals and ended the day in 9th, but got to watch Sadie and Jessie ski to 2nd and 5th in the final, making it another great day for the team! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBf0Esp2Yl0/WjzeeE9MjrI/AAAAAAAAr1E/XFn8m5xvjGM0MNFOWKNNBOgV7onpHXt3ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="426" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBf0Esp2Yl0/WjzeeE9MjrI/AAAAAAAAr1E/XFn8m5xvjGM0MNFOWKNNBOgV7onpHXt3ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3843.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happily cruising the tourist trails in Lillehammer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBq1Tipq_Ac/WjzeeNnkdoI/AAAAAAAAr1M/d7jGCmUEsQQNBssIWVoA9cfYZUMyZr4HgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="799" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBq1Tipq_Ac/WjzeeNnkdoI/AAAAAAAAr1M/d7jGCmUEsQQNBssIWVoA9cfYZUMyZr4HgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3851.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammering out the semi final with Jess (Julia Kern photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gfkrOkoaG_c/WjzeeEZKWqI/AAAAAAAAr1I/6ZMqoQa_7YAinVVkbL6DdejYbXTNr-d6ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="711" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gfkrOkoaG_c/WjzeeEZKWqI/AAAAAAAAr1I/6ZMqoQa_7YAinVVkbL6DdejYbXTNr-d6ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3856.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lillehammer sprint qualifier (Zach Caldwell photo)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zax0JsZ_VXs/WjzeeuFEp0I/AAAAAAAAr1Q/lbzGW2W0hvMX5MdAhUnny80PBQ479aTKwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="711" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zax0JsZ_VXs/WjzeeuFEp0I/AAAAAAAAr1Q/lbzGW2W0hvMX5MdAhUnny80PBQ479aTKwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3869.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ski to Sjusjoen!</td></tr>
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<div>
D(ahhhh)vos</div>
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<div>
Davos, Switzerland was the next stop on the circuit and it always comes with some refreshing feelings. Not only is Davos our home away from home on the World Cup circuit, but it tends to be sunny and this year it was also snowy, which makes it pretty hard to beat! We also had some of our biggest supporters and cheerleaders on the road with us for the weekend including Tiger and Kristen Shaw, Liz Arky, Bill Green, and Reese Brown. We unveiled our new wax truck and knew we had to put on a show, and that we did! We had five girls qualify in the top 13 in the sprint and two boys in the top 12. Kikkan was back on the podium, Jessie and Ida joined her in the final, and Sim and I were both in the top ten. The U.S. women were the strongest team that day, proving that we're a force to be reckoned with!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3aaOzS9knxU/Wjzf-Fn00UI/AAAAAAAAr1k/b6EtUZl612YGJSGzxEgSJNGyLBOODe0cgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_5614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3aaOzS9knxU/Wjzf-Fn00UI/AAAAAAAAr1k/b6EtUZl612YGJSGzxEgSJNGyLBOODe0cgCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_5614.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real winter! (Julia Kern photo)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7TsCx2UZYU/Wjzf9wHaePI/AAAAAAAAr1g/m7DzpwZj648ia7KZZE2nhMInw9LalffzACLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7TsCx2UZYU/Wjzf9wHaePI/AAAAAAAAr1g/m7DzpwZj648ia7KZZE2nhMInw9LalffzACLcBGAs/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recognize anyone on that wax truck??</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQERZ0-5kS4/Wjzf94l9BfI/AAAAAAAAr1c/vKWsW-3IuvAc5yWLnUPh_N9fz8tV62awgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQERZ0-5kS4/Wjzf94l9BfI/AAAAAAAAr1c/vKWsW-3IuvAc5yWLnUPh_N9fz8tV62awgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0094.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited with our dear friend, Anouk, and her baby Even :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1gv1CIN92I/Wjzf-3e_-TI/AAAAAAAAr1s/7qDpJU8ua3EpfHuksieR7-knLvBwAvbegCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1gv1CIN92I/Wjzf-3e_-TI/AAAAAAAAr1s/7qDpJU8ua3EpfHuksieR7-knLvBwAvbegCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3897.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post card view from our deck at the Hotel Kulm</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPehAXBM03U/Wjzf-gMGUBI/AAAAAAAAr1o/ZvEyrfVzDNgEWWuCpuGnPjzJyps6uDzfgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1279" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPehAXBM03U/Wjzf-gMGUBI/AAAAAAAAr1o/ZvEyrfVzDNgEWWuCpuGnPjzJyps6uDzfgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3903.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with Oleg (my wax tech) and Peter, our former head wax tech who joined us for a couple weeks this fall (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OsY6zUnfLdQ/Wjzf-8C2PWI/AAAAAAAAr1w/_xBuALtogMISpVAwCnLw3cmHztxObYMgQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="1279" height="248" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OsY6zUnfLdQ/Wjzf-8C2PWI/AAAAAAAAr1w/_xBuALtogMISpVAwCnLw3cmHztxObYMgQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's team and staff ready to rumble (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRvpFZhtpO0/Wjzf_H3HQLI/AAAAAAAAr10/DDus9RV9Fw8k9SRr56VUF7R8IHE8D64uwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRvpFZhtpO0/Wjzf_H3HQLI/AAAAAAAAr10/DDus9RV9Fw8k9SRr56VUF7R8IHE8D64uwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3951.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprint qualifier (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKn3CLckLP8/Wjzf_bJVwBI/AAAAAAAAr14/9YV3uLnfjhIg2MwusKe7QYQgDaADrMoCACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKn3CLckLP8/Wjzf_bJVwBI/AAAAAAAAr14/9YV3uLnfjhIg2MwusKe7QYQgDaADrMoCACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3958.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training day in Davos (Simi photo)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXUK3GM0Cok/Wjzf_1_V69I/AAAAAAAAr18/DIMZnevw9ksdAbG_l8RSZUwzEyfNfCLAQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXUK3GM0Cok/Wjzf_1_V69I/AAAAAAAAr18/DIMZnevw9ksdAbG_l8RSZUwzEyfNfCLAQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with Jessie, Julia, and Kristen Shaw (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgcyjxoopfw/WjzgA7DaM7I/AAAAAAAAr2A/CXOyQpmT01E6P25gJTPZgx2dzwe2xGHWwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgcyjxoopfw/WjzgA7DaM7I/AAAAAAAAr2A/CXOyQpmT01E6P25gJTPZgx2dzwe2xGHWwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7647.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raising our guppie up!</td></tr>
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<b>OPAs in Austria</b></div>
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The final World Cup weekend of Period one was in Toblach, Italy and consisted of two distance races, so some of the sprinters decided to head to the Europa Cups in St. Ulrich Austria where they were holding a skate sprint, classic 5k, and skate 10k. Our crew consisted of Julia, Ida, Simi, Andy and me. The OPA is a lower level than the World Cup, but there were still quite a few big names there and it was nice to have a slightly lower key weekend and get in a bunch of races. I was psyched to take the win on a fast and furious skate sprint course and have Ida standing next to me in 3rd! The boys battled it out to the line and Simi and Andy took 1st and 2nd. The 5k classic day was right around freezing with intermittent snow squalls and our techs worked their butts off and sent us out on some great zeroes skis. I woke up feeling tired, but was happy to find some good race feelings and ski to 5th with Ida on the podium again in 3rd! The 10km skate race was a really fun race. Ida, Julia and I were all able to do some pack skiing and raced to three top tens with Simi putting down a really impressive 15km skate race. After three races in a row, we were all ready for a little Christmas break!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sOqAKXEFAHA/Wjzib82tvEI/AAAAAAAAr2U/eb5oKlZwfYIloLgbfaCygWB1YXLILr4yQCLcBGAs/s1600/GPTempDownload%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sOqAKXEFAHA/Wjzib82tvEI/AAAAAAAAr2U/eb5oKlZwfYIloLgbfaCygWB1YXLILr4yQCLcBGAs/s640/GPTempDownload%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing home from the race courses in St. Ulrich (Simi photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1PveOFS4XM/WjzibV_LvQI/AAAAAAAAr2M/NyGN80qXmcYqoc9CUAkvaiVygX3P_gNfACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1PveOFS4XM/WjzibV_LvQI/AAAAAAAAr2M/NyGN80qXmcYqoc9CUAkvaiVygX3P_gNfACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1440.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely day for a long easy ski</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JkQFVnURhc/WjzibqHunFI/AAAAAAAAr2Q/vgGofrK4LnUvCjTUfp9xtpY-ihnQpqWAACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JkQFVnURhc/WjzibqHunFI/AAAAAAAAr2Q/vgGofrK4LnUvCjTUfp9xtpY-ihnQpqWAACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3961.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julia is a star making master and walked us through making our own Christmas stars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGB5mL4G4SA/Wjzibw_90uI/AAAAAAAAr2Y/oa9nEU9ZUesqD4Ep-O9uvjd4cGZUnRuKgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="806" height="534" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGB5mL4G4SA/Wjzibw_90uI/AAAAAAAAr2Y/oa9nEU9ZUesqD4Ep-O9uvjd4cGZUnRuKgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OPA skate sprint podium!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x21CQB-JMkY/WjzicrGeewI/AAAAAAAAr2c/tfaAla3_f8YL3G85UTZlHu7L_1QzARrEQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x21CQB-JMkY/WjzicrGeewI/AAAAAAAAr2c/tfaAla3_f8YL3G85UTZlHu7L_1QzARrEQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4039.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sim striding it out between snow squalls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyVXLFip1kE/WjzidGFTtlI/AAAAAAAAr2g/dogHjuQwwz4df0E0uJYoxQRY2vpP-VI3wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyVXLFip1kE/WjzidGFTtlI/AAAAAAAAr2g/dogHjuQwwz4df0E0uJYoxQRY2vpP-VI3wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4047.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post race ski home</td></tr>
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<b>Heaven on Earth in Seefeld</b></div>
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So that brings us to Seefeld, Austria, where most of the team is based for our holiday break. I was here during Christmas last year with my family, but there wasn't any snow and I had a nasty cold, so I wasn't doing a ton of skiing. I'm missing my family this year, but have my family of teammates and copious amounts of snow. I need to pinch myself every day because it's hard to believe places this beautiful actually exist. All of the trails are open and I wish I had two weeks here to ski as much as I wanted every day, because that would be the only way possible to explore all the trails. The town is bustling with Christmas spirit, we have a lovely little apartment, and life is good. We have six more days here before heading back to Switzerland to begin the Tour de Ski. I've had a strong start to the season with more consistently good results than I've ever had in the past and I'm looking forward to period two on the World Cup. Thanks for following and happy holidays to everyone! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JVemgMOYygA/Wjzj_vice1I/AAAAAAAAr2w/kOaXlBNpwjgtkJ_JeqBZxN-vc2rasANagCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JVemgMOYygA/Wjzj_vice1I/AAAAAAAAr2w/kOaXlBNpwjgtkJ_JeqBZxN-vc2rasANagCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4061.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My very own Christmas star soaking up the Seefeld sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiRPmqEM3X8/Wjzj_jXb2VI/AAAAAAAAr20/usnVnjvAe7glGwVpXAXnmRzswS2sfrfCgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiRPmqEM3X8/Wjzj_jXb2VI/AAAAAAAAr20/usnVnjvAe7glGwVpXAXnmRzswS2sfrfCgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4068.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening views</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_t_-pma9N0/WjzkANg2llI/AAAAAAAAr24/-8dt97Q6SWk9RgE9npJ2Q2QoidaGXKBAgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_t_-pma9N0/WjzkANg2llI/AAAAAAAAr24/-8dt97Q6SWk9RgE9npJ2Q2QoidaGXKBAgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4072.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing from town to town with Jessie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4f8Ar-j7iI/WjzkAfhHVeI/AAAAAAAAr28/gP_47UU-o9wGChNUHNxDiszNFR3AU6ckgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4f8Ar-j7iI/WjzkAfhHVeI/AAAAAAAAr28/gP_47UU-o9wGChNUHNxDiszNFR3AU6ckgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4094.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teammates</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7rkXi2cTPE/WjzkAqLWcaI/AAAAAAAAr3A/drZ7K0pWip0XfyBOavJrAST9K9dsNS0iwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7rkXi2cTPE/WjzkAqLWcaI/AAAAAAAAr3A/drZ7K0pWip0XfyBOavJrAST9K9dsNS0iwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4095.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where should we go today??</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POCpV9vlDjg/WjzkBO6mxaI/AAAAAAAAr3E/3MSnqAT96lEriTHmvKYrqhgOHQZdlawkgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1381" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POCpV9vlDjg/WjzkBO6mxaI/AAAAAAAAr3E/3MSnqAT96lEriTHmvKYrqhgOHQZdlawkgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4103.jpg" width="552" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter wonderland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i473MH2A_t0/WjzkBRVXbHI/AAAAAAAAr3I/-qeXUoD-UQocqv9b3HOIBpZtkSUvdck3QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i473MH2A_t0/WjzkBRVXbHI/AAAAAAAAr3I/-qeXUoD-UQocqv9b3HOIBpZtkSUvdck3QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4107.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles on a ski with Anne and my cousin Heidi</td></tr>
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Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-35461529501844812372017-10-19T13:02:00.000-04:002017-10-19T13:02:02.510-04:00A Different Kind of FallHello from Vermont! Most of the SMS T2 team is in the process of returning to Vermont after Park City camp, but I've pretty much been here since New Zealand. Skipping Park City camp was a hard decision to make, but after a quick turn around between New Zealand and PC camp, getting very tired at altitude last fall, and doing some tests this spring that confirmed training at high altitudes can make it very hard for me to recover, I decided to stay in Vermont this fall and try to put myself in a place where I feel well rested and confident going into the season rather than risk digging myself into a hole of tireds. I love Park City camp, seeing my U.S. Ski Team teammates, and taking an annual mini trip to the desert each fall, but this year is an important one, and I figure if there is one year to be smart about it, this is probably it. And honestly, it's been really nice! It actually only ended up being about two weeks of training without teammates, and I wouldn't want to do anymore than that, but training on my own schedule, at my own pace, with my own thoughts was pretty darn nice for a couple weeks. It didn't hurt that the weather has been pretty perfect back east and with the exception of a couple rainy days, I've still been enjoying t-shirts and sunshine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uCOPebWRmuU/WejX7qgjKTI/AAAAAAAAoqI/pRSpGtQs4nI-3fmhK_aDCdMFl4h5ghvSACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uCOPebWRmuU/WejX7qgjKTI/AAAAAAAAoqI/pRSpGtQs4nI-3fmhK_aDCdMFl4h5ghvSACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3158.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running on the AT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SgdhoE39Dso/WejX8UOzUTI/AAAAAAAAoqQ/DGX1c4VGDOoukmzv1MV3aXNA1RcaYDuKwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SgdhoE39Dso/WejX8UOzUTI/AAAAAAAAoqQ/DGX1c4VGDOoukmzv1MV3aXNA1RcaYDuKwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3200.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in Stowe with Mae</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple picking</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkeWydWVnFQ/WejX-Gm-FRI/AAAAAAAAoqg/zkDwN5C5z58bV5UzsvD-Tw2eEENm3SbNwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkeWydWVnFQ/WejX-Gm-FRI/AAAAAAAAoqg/zkDwN5C5z58bV5UzsvD-Tw2eEENm3SbNwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3341.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running through the leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VW10dSllxvg/WejX-jjfkrI/AAAAAAAAoqk/h4MUq7mA1qIpXNCu5X23PXTiFauuypyBwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3357.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="315" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VW10dSllxvg/WejX-jjfkrI/AAAAAAAAoqk/h4MUq7mA1qIpXNCu5X23PXTiFauuypyBwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3357.png" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston Ski Ball with Ida and some young fans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2YedY6lYYI/WejX-5scJ5I/AAAAAAAAoqo/57YBCwpEs1s3YYJCdU0fgmQKZ-Hla37_ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="421" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2YedY6lYYI/WejX-5scJ5I/AAAAAAAAoqo/57YBCwpEs1s3YYJCdU0fgmQKZ-Hla37_ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3367.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit selfie on Monadnock on the way home from Boston</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bI8zzGb0cm4/WejX90KLxgI/AAAAAAAAoqc/Zl8cd2rBrx865Ny6clPryfKy9hDdE9wxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bI8zzGb0cm4/WejX90KLxgI/AAAAAAAAoqc/Zl8cd2rBrx865Ny6clPryfKy9hDdE9wxgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3277.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foliage left and right</td></tr>
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I did sneak in a quick trip out to Colorado to visit Simi and his family and go to one of our friend's weddings. It was the perfect fix of mountain adventuring and spending time with CO friends to last me until spring. Paddy and his girlfriend Anne came and visited for a day and we hiked Paddy's first 14er (my second) and got to romp around in some early season snow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTbkOze65yA/WejX6TD96aI/AAAAAAAAop4/Tp5e_7cNPxYA836lxRLUS44CzeLhFwF5ACEwYBhgL/s1600/9829FD54-8F98-45FB-8637-CFDFBC867909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="747" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTbkOze65yA/WejX6TD96aI/AAAAAAAAop4/Tp5e_7cNPxYA836lxRLUS44CzeLhFwF5ACEwYBhgL/s640/9829FD54-8F98-45FB-8637-CFDFBC867909.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost Man Loop with Sim</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jhnuzfn6Lc/WejX6tFTNnI/AAAAAAAAoqA/IK0-BjDN_X8cOjGrVMambQSqhzTs9shvwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="747" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jhnuzfn6Lc/WejX6tFTNnI/AAAAAAAAoqA/IK0-BjDN_X8cOjGrVMambQSqhzTs9shvwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3110.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up Castle with Paddy, Anne, Linden, and Sim</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KoufvZJ5yyQ/WejX6-1woiI/AAAAAAAAop8/jtgc4DkMu0MQTLkiFhMomBsSpyhOI1gLACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="747" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KoufvZJ5yyQ/WejX6-1woiI/AAAAAAAAop8/jtgc4DkMu0MQTLkiFhMomBsSpyhOI1gLACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3112.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Aspens covered in snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPOjkzvUtrs/WejX7Z443aI/AAAAAAAAoqE/JrKMjAn3ikUVilZlqdNLRnT3DdXSwmOdgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="747" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPOjkzvUtrs/WejX7Z443aI/AAAAAAAAoqE/JrKMjAn3ikUVilZlqdNLRnT3DdXSwmOdgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3116.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up!</td></tr>
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We leave for Europe in just under a month and I'm looking forward to having most of my teammates back in Stratton. We have a couple more weeks of solid training in Vermont and then we are going to head up to Quebec to get on snow for a few days in the beginning of November. After that, we have ten days to prepare for another winter in Europe and before we know it, we'll be racing!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VdNiUhGWd0/WejX9CM1-sI/AAAAAAAAoqY/i0cj-CTsiTwh9CYo-TNVeHUWHSV1Qw5lACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="747" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VdNiUhGWd0/WejX9CM1-sI/AAAAAAAAoqY/i0cj-CTsiTwh9CYo-TNVeHUWHSV1Qw5lACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3253.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite season in Vermont</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbPjyY3jloY/WejX_D2xDKI/AAAAAAAAoqs/Fb_N5yzmoNcaL5IM8E9Qgkn2pgPdzhF7gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5159.HEIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbPjyY3jloY/WejX_D2xDKI/AAAAAAAAoqs/Fb_N5yzmoNcaL5IM8E9Qgkn2pgPdzhF7gCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5159.HEIC.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in downtown Peru with Mae</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-14185646419927840812017-09-04T19:50:00.000-04:002017-09-04T19:50:11.590-04:00Life Down UnderWe've been in New Zealand for two weeks now and I'm currently enjoying our final day off before putting in one more solid week of training. As the hours add up, each day our eyes get a little glassier, legs a little heavier, and it becomes a little harder to get out of bed in the morning. Eh, I take that back. It's not very hard to get out of bed in the morning when you're waking up to this.<br />
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It's weird knowing that summer is pretty much over. It sounds like temperatures are dropping back home and when I get back to Vermont, it will hopefully be my favorite season - the transition from summer to fall! I was able to celebrate the end of summer in style at my cousin Lucy's wedding before flying down under. It was the first time all the Caldwell cousins had been together in years, and we had a great time tearing up the dance floor and went our separate ways with happy hearts after a weekend full of hiking, swimming, and family celebrations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IuDIGc_GpO4/Wa3eEX_tmQI/AAAAAAAAjWU/4cr4X6TAKyo3ohBmjCUnOjxVLezJpUqhwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="843" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IuDIGc_GpO4/Wa3eEX_tmQI/AAAAAAAAjWU/4cr4X6TAKyo3ohBmjCUnOjxVLezJpUqhwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2609.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All ten Caldwell cousins!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ariij-BE24k/Wa3eEU3RZFI/AAAAAAAAjWQ/r7yN5C1PxfcyUE31yBHmG9qyLB6l653eACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ariij-BE24k/Wa3eEU3RZFI/AAAAAAAAjWQ/r7yN5C1PxfcyUE31yBHmG9qyLB6l653eACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2572.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFv15ZR2GfY/Wa3eEFUJ_bI/AAAAAAAAjWM/sQ6hX3UjLlQ9Aj7EtYCq5IjBF_SzbgOPACLcBGAs/s1600/7A7F0490-B5DB-421A-B34D-D52C21CBBDB1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="843" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFv15ZR2GfY/Wa3eEFUJ_bI/AAAAAAAAjWM/sQ6hX3UjLlQ9Aj7EtYCq5IjBF_SzbgOPACLcBGAs/s640/7A7F0490-B5DB-421A-B34D-D52C21CBBDB1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite wedding date</td></tr>
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When we arrived in New Zealand, we were greeted with mid-winter conditions. After a few days of colder snow, we had our fair share of warm, slow snow, and we're currently settled somewhere in between the two where it's warm enough to wear spandex, and cold enough for the snow to stay fast. Pretty perfect if you ask me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDGgV08n7Qs/Wa3iYMtE0jI/AAAAAAAAjfs/EHxMOuPqC3sS3LeEuTFDix63oeNIwOa_wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="747" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDGgV08n7Qs/Wa3iYMtE0jI/AAAAAAAAjfs/EHxMOuPqC3sS3LeEuTFDix63oeNIwOa_wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2668.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy classic ski with a mix of sun and clouds (Jessie photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJa3p6kw1YA/Wa3iYLGPqYI/AAAAAAAAjfo/ihdMm573iUw8aX_CuNFX5aL_ozV-tG_FgCLcBGAs/s1600/nz%2B2017-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="689" height="520" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJa3p6kw1YA/Wa3iYLGPqYI/AAAAAAAAjfo/ihdMm573iUw8aX_CuNFX5aL_ozV-tG_FgCLcBGAs/s640/nz%2B2017-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skate speeds (Matt Whitcomb photo)</td></tr>
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After a week or so up at the Snow Farm, we went down to the town of Wanaka for a few days to do some running, live in a house, and recover at sea level. I love life up at the Snow Farm, but it was nice to live in town for a couple days and switch up the routine. We went on two beautiful runs while we were down below. The first run was along the edge of Lake Wanaka and the second followed the Matukituki river up through the different New Zealand landscapes of mountains, fields, and forests.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81G1hC5Ookg/Wa3ixL5SWSI/AAAAAAAAjgI/D4Amd95VUagR9M0Mh7vc-Pb3V-2gYAXaACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81G1hC5Ookg/Wa3ixL5SWSI/AAAAAAAAjgI/D4Amd95VUagR9M0Mh7vc-Pb3V-2gYAXaACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0598.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running the Matukituki</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day off in Wanaka</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUiBar_Edbw/Wa3ix_hBlqI/AAAAAAAAjgM/dOvBpXxc7qsJ5IBzNRTrPFyTdiwDoHaGgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUiBar_Edbw/Wa3ix_hBlqI/AAAAAAAAjgM/dOvBpXxc7qsJ5IBzNRTrPFyTdiwDoHaGgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2717.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running along Lake Wanaka (Jess photo)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0uo3aWlYti4/Wa3izboeQgI/AAAAAAAAjgY/C2Uehq2ocDUnP1r7kl-Xfdj2tacAIf2LwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0uo3aWlYti4/Wa3izboeQgI/AAAAAAAAjgY/C2Uehq2ocDUnP1r7kl-Xfdj2tacAIf2LwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2719.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie at the beginning of our Matukituki run</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt trying out a moss wig</td></tr>
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After our stint in town, we returned to the Snow Farm for another week and a half of skiing. We are mostly focusing on logging some volume on snow, but we've done a few interval sessions, speed workouts, and several of us jumped in various versions of the Merino Muster race over the weekend. The Merino Muster offers a 42km skate marathon, a 21km skate race, and a 7km skate. Jessie and Simi took the wins in the 42km races, and I was happy to cross the line in first in the 21km race. I got to ski the whole race with Caitlin Gregg (mostly following her) and had some of the most fun I've ever had in a long skate race!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiCZIgz0hmY/Wa3jT-udO0I/AAAAAAAAjiM/_PNcSqRxcHoqjlT9BOtHTOKyp2hbnDjYgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiCZIgz0hmY/Wa3jT-udO0I/AAAAAAAAjiM/_PNcSqRxcHoqjlT9BOtHTOKyp2hbnDjYgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2714.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic speeds with Brian Gregg (Matt photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merino Muster 21k podium! (Julia photo)</td></tr>
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We had a long ski on our schedule Sunday morning and we woke up to perfect crust conditions and couldn't help but send it into the mountains. With the help of our local guide, Nils Koons, we had a very memorable crust cruise and ventured further than I've ever gone off the trails here. After today's rest day, we have a few more easy skis and a few races before heading back home. It's been an incredible trip and I can't believe how quickly it's flown by. Thanks for following!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8pL1lXMvZM/Wa3lDwLyYZI/AAAAAAAAjjM/n2ZOxY4BfXAqUVpv6yFKn1qyWK_WLgiNQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8pL1lXMvZM/Wa3lDwLyYZI/AAAAAAAAjjM/n2ZOxY4BfXAqUVpv6yFKn1qyWK_WLgiNQCLcBGAs/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Mallory on our crust cruise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dawQnypM4jQ/Wa3lDAJC7cI/AAAAAAAAjjI/mC5emrW21qUGbpEFijtGF5gRMIjEXzqMACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dawQnypM4jQ/Wa3lDAJC7cI/AAAAAAAAjjI/mC5emrW21qUGbpEFijtGF5gRMIjEXzqMACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2816.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There they go! (Matt Whitcomb photo)</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-6698399375521314342017-08-16T11:36:00.000-04:002017-08-16T21:31:11.211-04:00Summer FavoritesAs our final week of summer comes to an end, here's a quick look back on some summer favorites:<br />
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<b>N</b>ew bests - As we get older and do the same time trials and tests year after year, our times tend to improve, but it gets harder and harder to set personal bests as our times get faster. Our team has some people who are double poling machines, others who can crush the uphill run test, and some who can cruise to new records in a 10k skate time trial. It's healthy to get competitive sometimes, but we've found a good way to celebrate individual victories, whether we were the fastest time of the day or not, it's always worth celebrating a new personal best.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready (and serious) for the two mile uphill run test with Annie</td></tr>
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<b>E</b>ating from the garden. One of my favorite parts about summer is planting myself (no pun intended) in my parents' garden for an afternoon snack or an hour of harvesting berries and fresh vegetables. Farmer's markets are overflowing with produce and it's a nice time of year to be able to cook our own meals.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer colors</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberries from my parents' garden</td></tr>
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<b>W</b>ater. Honestly, I don't really like water. Well, I don't really like cold water, BUT when it's a triple H Vermont summer (hot, hazy, and humid), jumping in a swimming hole after training is hard to beat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_U9NvEnEpE/WZRiEXgDqCI/AAAAAAAAgfM/1HWf1vBMz7M1uAX5G-rTIhn2lkwyKwnywCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_U9NvEnEpE/WZRiEXgDqCI/AAAAAAAAgfM/1HWf1vBMz7M1uAX5G-rTIhn2lkwyKwnywCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_2436.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid workout plunge at Little Rocky Pond</td></tr>
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<b>Z</b>zzzzs. Big training hours lead to big sleeping hours and nothing feels better than a good night of sleep after a hard day of training.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleep when you can..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...where you can</td></tr>
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<b>E</b>levation. My favorite workouts in the summer are long runs in the mountains. Whether I'm in the green mountains, white mountains, or rocky mountains, I love our running adventures that leave us feeling like we accomplished something #baggingpeaks<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIMFTzzSYV8/WZRh_3KW57I/AAAAAAAAgfs/cBENw8LJLxU2D8hkCvvFzAhs0AQSxURXACEwYBhgL/s1600/19399854_1424465614305431_2509125677825493116_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="434" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIMFTzzSYV8/WZRh_3KW57I/AAAAAAAAgfs/cBENw8LJLxU2D8hkCvvFzAhs0AQSxURXACEwYBhgL/s640/19399854_1424465614305431_2509125677825493116_n.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing mountains in Montana with Jessie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in VT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3spjLhb-tw/WZRjcW8paMI/AAAAAAAAgf4/IXVj2Jj4CAoN_Yneh4IIW7a9giz8tLLqQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="772" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3spjLhb-tw/WZRjcW8paMI/AAAAAAAAgf4/IXVj2Jj4CAoN_Yneh4IIW7a9giz8tLLqQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2293.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the White in NH!</td></tr>
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<b>A</b>chy muscles. The actual pain of being sore isn't that pleasant, but knowing that you're getting stronger is a good feeling. Whether it's a new strength plan that makes it hard to lift my arms, sore quads and calves from running up and down Franconia Ridge, or a tired core from double pole intervals, it all means we're getting stronger at something and getting stronger is always good.<br />
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<b>L</b>azy days. I love training hard and I also love lazy days. That's probably because they each make you appreciate the other even more. We generally take one day a week off and then one week every month is a recovery week where the training load is reduced dramatically. I couldn't even tell you what I do during a lazy day, but I guess that's the magic of it...it doesn't matter! My lazy days aren't usually very structured and it's nice to take a day that doesn't revolve around training, but just revolves around what you feel like doing each hour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two breakfasts at once? Sure!</td></tr>
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<b>A</b>hah feelings. This year is a big year with the olympics coming up and everyone wants to perform well. When I sat down with my coaches at the beginning of the summer, we decided that we weren't going to try to reinvent the wheel, we were going to do what we know works and focus on feeling good. I was going to drop my hours a little, rest if I was tired, and not push it if I was feeling good. It doesn't seem like rocket science because it's not, but that plan has left me feeling pretty good this summer! I don't feel like I'm overreaching and I've experienced a fair amount of that, "Ahah" feeling where you remember what it feels like to feel good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running the Jim Bridger run in Bozeman</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic ski with Erika</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When sister time counts as training time, life is good.</td></tr>
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<b>N</b>ew experiences. As much as I love summer and getting into a routine, I also recognize the importance of new experiences. Whether it's climbing the highest mountain in Vermont for the first time with a couple of my best friends from childhood, rock climbing in Oregon for Sim's birthday, or discovering a new place to mountain bike with KO, these are all things that make me really happy and as simple as they are, they're new and different, and keep me feeling happy and balanced.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo0x4bhYFxk/WZRiGUtl6pI/AAAAAAAAgfs/yQ77pMk9MGcr8Ii2MC8maI605x4oEN75QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo0x4bhYFxk/WZRiGUtl6pI/AAAAAAAAgfs/yQ77pMk9MGcr8Ii2MC8maI605x4oEN75QCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_2511.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing Mansfield with Mae and Maddie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls' camp in Washington</td></tr>
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<b>D</b>eveloping together. You've heard it before, but we wouldn't be at the level we're at without our support system. Getting up to train every day is easy when I know my SMS teammates will be there with me, running workouts with the junior and devo kids puts smiles on our faces when we see them eager to learn and make progress, and watching each other get faster and grow as people is a pretty neat part of this job.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pwq5tP524A/WZRiAZmArNI/AAAAAAAAgfs/IfzQ_l0KTQE6G1KVUeFoJfXIPAoMUy8hgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="868" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pwq5tP524A/WZRiAZmArNI/AAAAAAAAgfs/IfzQ_l0KTQE6G1KVUeFoJfXIPAoMUy8hgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_1820.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#bettertogether</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUiBZs2_J_M/WZRiBDlAY9I/AAAAAAAAgfs/9jtuW9gy6DIzdwpZG4sprOp9fzGQTwTugCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="773" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUiBZs2_J_M/WZRiBDlAY9I/AAAAAAAAgfs/9jtuW9gy6DIzdwpZG4sprOp9fzGQTwTugCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_1887.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happier together</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future generation</td></tr>
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So there you have it! Those are a few of my favorite things about summer, and if you put them all together, they spell...NEW ZEALAND. On Sunday we'll be heading down under for three weeks of on snow training in one of my favorite places in the world. Thanks for following!Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-47363228881763927622017-07-10T13:25:00.000-04:002017-07-10T13:53:52.493-04:00Summer Training<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
May and June were fun packed and busy months for me. We were doing a lot of hopping back and forth between the east and west for camps and weddings, but now I'm back in Vermont for the next six weeks! After Bend camp, I was back in Stratton for a few weeks. It was nice to move into our condo for the summer and get in some solid training at home. My sister was back for the month of June, so I had a personal training buddy to keep me company!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Iz!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quality time with Bernie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragging Parker out on a run on our old stomping grounds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family time (Gretchen Powers photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 year college reunion!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic speeds with the girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ssUW87v_EMs/WWOvEjmVBEI/AAAAAAAAeQk/kS8Db26yc_4I61iGWYz7xt7ncWbb8DnOACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ssUW87v_EMs/WWOvEjmVBEI/AAAAAAAAeQk/kS8Db26yc_4I61iGWYz7xt7ncWbb8DnOACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_1860.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running up in Lincoln, VT on a foggy day with Sim</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIbK-zy86xI/WWOs-I76-rI/AAAAAAAAeFQ/eO6YSSjPMg4l4Cl4xloo1WmnZ3-QEPF-wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIbK-zy86xI/WWOs-I76-rI/AAAAAAAAeFQ/eO6YSSjPMg4l4Cl4xloo1WmnZ3-QEPF-wCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_1830.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Megan and Dylan with some best friends (Gretchen Powers photo)</td></tr>
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After a few weeks in Vermont, I flew west for Andy and Erika's Montana wedding and the U.S. Ski Team women's camp in Washington that followed. It was a beautiful wedding and a lot of fun to celebrate with so many friends and family. I love spending time in Bozeman because it's pretty much a playground of new mountains to climb. Between wedding activities and adventuring, the week flew by and before I knew it I was headed to the Methow Valley for the next U.S. Ski Team camp.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S4Q9lcj7t6k/WWOv0DUJThI/AAAAAAAAeTs/tmD9tPvBE4o-bGuF8iE4bT6FG596EnwDgCKgBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S4Q9lcj7t6k/WWOv0DUJThI/AAAAAAAAeTs/tmD9tPvBE4o-bGuF8iE4bT6FG596EnwDgCKgBGAs/s640/FullSizeRender%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking out to Emerald Lake in Bozeman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbVlu2zQfLU/WWOv0HNQVwI/AAAAAAAAeTs/tWr_wv-0uFI0Dw9Hy-oWlkC_xNGiQTaFwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbVlu2zQfLU/WWOv0HNQVwI/AAAAAAAAeTs/tWr_wv-0uFI0Dw9Hy-oWlkC_xNGiQTaFwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_2021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dartmouth Ski Team buddies at the wedding!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uENJ5iA4IpM/WWOv0JBnesI/AAAAAAAAeTs/bYUe-CpobighAaKblhdGAnMEG4KwkEaCQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uENJ5iA4IpM/WWOv0JBnesI/AAAAAAAAeTs/bYUe-CpobighAaKblhdGAnMEG4KwkEaCQCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_2008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabel, Mae, Austin, and me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUhcAs74CEQ/WWOv0D4EzsI/AAAAAAAAeTs/ojoZf6Dd7-IOc6rACFuLIcemH0N6SlQMgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1145" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUhcAs74CEQ/WWOv0D4EzsI/AAAAAAAAeTs/ojoZf6Dd7-IOc6rACFuLIcemH0N6SlQMgCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_2116.JPG" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful bride :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6t8_SbfyjE4/WWOv0CUta-I/AAAAAAAAeTs/etHIaz_2bxIDxrvh-RTW44RkEeqKK_VdQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6t8_SbfyjE4/WWOv0CUta-I/AAAAAAAAeTs/etHIaz_2bxIDxrvh-RTW44RkEeqKK_VdQCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_1930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in the Jim Bridger trail run. Not too long after this I took a big tumble, maybe due to that untied shoelace!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkyhsETZns4/WWOv0NmXNEI/AAAAAAAAeTs/F-rY9Cq71TYYyLJH2kYLDavoiA7DW9ZBACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkyhsETZns4/WWOv0NmXNEI/AAAAAAAAeTs/F-rY9Cq71TYYyLJH2kYLDavoiA7DW9ZBACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_1925.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking Sacajawea with Mae and Anya</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsJh0DrG_vI/WWOv0LtWUGI/AAAAAAAAeTs/sG4fX3988Ns2U1HmvgR0y74NKNMnQ6SXwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsJh0DrG_vI/WWOv0LtWUGI/AAAAAAAAeTs/sG4fX3988Ns2U1HmvgR0y74NKNMnQ6SXwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_1887.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rollerski up Hyalite with the SMS girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aP7KcLXMhq0/WWOv0L0ezEI/AAAAAAAAeTs/1sGW48xG6HokA8xqcAh7q6By_1qiroHaACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aP7KcLXMhq0/WWOv0L0ezEI/AAAAAAAAeTs/1sGW48xG6HokA8xqcAh7q6By_1qiroHaACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_1888.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SMS gals at Erika's bridal shower</td></tr>
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The Monday after the wedding I flew to Seattle for our next camp. We drove a few hours to the Methow Valley and settled into our rustic cabins for the week. We were staying in the middle of the wilderness in a couple of beautiful cabins that were given to us for the camp. We had no internet or cell phone service, and it was really nice to be disconnected for awhile! The Methow Valley is a beautiful area, but it's hard to get to. That's probably one of the reasons it has remained so untouched and lovely! We had a hard camp schedule with intervals almost every other day and easy distance runs and skis in between. I felt great for the beginning of camp, but unfortunately came down with a cold about half way through and had to come home a couple days early. I was bummed not to be able to finish up the camp with my team, but I was happy to get in a few days of good training and be able to explore a new area of the country I had never been to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcpKLUyFw4Y/WWOxqG5GZOI/AAAAAAAAebA/_EdRzq1bU28FNn3YXK2XM4V-U_cyjyc7gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1600" height="574" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcpKLUyFw4Y/WWOxqG5GZOI/AAAAAAAAebA/_EdRzq1bU28FNn3YXK2XM4V-U_cyjyc7gCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_2135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Baucom (wax tech, friend, and assistant coach for the week) manning the feed station on a long ski up Washington Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asjOTPEV-8Q/WWOxqPX0ixI/AAAAAAAAebA/Dv3OQoe1u00_HrQYG0jxd5QTQKK7RmGIwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asjOTPEV-8Q/WWOxqPX0ixI/AAAAAAAAebA/Dv3OQoe1u00_HrQYG0jxd5QTQKK7RmGIwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_2134.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group with some Methow juniors</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NqQVW_L0fM4/WWOxqKimkQI/AAAAAAAAebA/W9dRWp3UENMT1yX8pihzS1cegy3IjTlPQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NqQVW_L0fM4/WWOxqKimkQI/AAAAAAAAebA/W9dRWp3UENMT1yX8pihzS1cegy3IjTlPQCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_2107.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team behind the team. Thanks to everyone who helped make this camp possible!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNbX4hGcdFk/WWOxqAikbRI/AAAAAAAAebA/kLOBKPN0lek-BDkizB__-nDTuCCOdr-7wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNbX4hGcdFk/WWOxqAikbRI/AAAAAAAAebA/kLOBKPN0lek-BDkizB__-nDTuCCOdr-7wCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_2130.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Winthrop PT and Pete!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabin life (Matt Whitcomb photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skate team sprint intervals</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Sprint workout (Matt Whitcomb photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long ski to the top of Washington Pass</td></tr>
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Once I got home, I took a few days off to kick my cold and started to feel like myself again. Everyone on the SMS Elite Team is back in Stratton and we're looking forward to putting in a solid six weeks of training before heading to New Zealand for our next USST camp at the end of August!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fingers crossed for more VT days like this!</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-67665684421512994352017-05-21T19:19:00.000-04:002017-05-21T19:19:43.145-04:00Back to it in Bend!Spring always flies by. At the end of the winter, I run through all the different things I want to do in April and then try to fit them into a one month calendar. By the time April comes around, it's nearly as busy as the winter, but it's a lot less focused. It's a time to be active, but not following a training schedule and it's a time to visit family, friends, and places that I might not usually get to see. This year my April began in Fairbanks, Alaska at Spring Series. We had our final races of the season up in Fairbanks and they put on a great event. The highlight of Spring Series for me was taking the win in the club relay! Our team is always battling it out with APU and this year we snuck away with the big W. After Fairbanks, I flew down to Colorado Spring to do some altitude testing at the Olympic Training Center. I thought it was a very informative and helpful trip and owe a huge thank you to Susie Parker Simmons and Randy Wilber for taking the time to work with me. From Colorado Springs, I flew to Bozeman, Montana to visit my brother, cousin, and other friends for the week. We got in some back country adventures, a mountain bike, and some time to relax and catch up. After Bozeman, I was in Aspen for awhile visiting Sim and his family. I love my Colorado April time, so I was grateful to be able to spend some more time there this spring. At this point we were ready to trade the skis and snow for the desert and beach. We went on a road trip out to California and stopped in Fruita and Moab on the way to do some biking. We spent a few lovely days with Sim's aunt and uncle in Santa Barbara before I flew a little up the coast for Erika's bachelorette party in Santa Cruz. It was a busy spring, but it was the perfect mental and physical break and by the time I got back home to Vermont in early May, I was excited to start thinking about training again and really happy to be home in my own bed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing in Bozeman</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise run with Linden and Sim in Santa Barbara</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert time with Izzy and Molly</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine tasting with the bride-to-be!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club relay champs! Lace Parrish photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Liz's belated 30th in Fairbanks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking with Susie in Colorado Springs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crust skiing with Sim and Pip</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister time in the desert</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original SMS Elite team crew reunited at the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset silhouettes </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin cruise</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb, Anya, and me at Bridger</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking with Jenny and Sim in Carbondale</td></tr>
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I had about eight days at home before heading out to Oregon for a L.L. Bean photo shoot and our annual Bend camp. The weather while I was home was pretty rainy, but I hadn't seen the rain in a month and I hadn't seen my parents or been home for over a month, so I was pretty content. I started to work back into training to make sure I wasn't too sore when we ramped things up in Bend. I unpacked my bags from a month of traveling and then repacked them for Bend Camp. Before camp started, Andy, Simi, Annie, and I did a photo shoot with L.L. Bean for a few days in Hood River. I had never been to Hood River before and it was a pretty neat little town! Hopefully we "got the shot" and we had a blast working with the L.L. Bean crew. After the shoot, Sim and I spent a couple days climbing at Smith Rock before heading to Bend camp. We are just over halfway through camp and we have been very lucky with the weather this year. There has been no lack of sun shine and there is still plenty of snow from the big winter they had. There is more skiing here than there has been any other year I've been in Bend. We supplement the morning skis with afternoon strength sessions, runs, and mountain bikes. It's been great to be back with my teammates and I'm looking forward to our last few days on snow before heading back home for a nice long stretch!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smith Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crust cruising with Erika in Bend</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matching the boys for a run out at Smith</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with Annie for the L.L. Bean shoot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hood River</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Ides crust cruising</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working our way up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break in Bend</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fake camping with Annie in Hood River</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing with Sim at Smith </td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-8314825846823556412017-03-25T16:32:00.000-04:002017-03-25T16:42:01.357-04:00End in SightI'm currently sitting in the Chicago Airport on my way to Spring Series in Fairbanks, Alaska. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel and racing and I'm excited to be finishing up the season with my SMS Elite teammates in Alaska. Now back to the last few weeks...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drammen Sprint qualifier (photo: Toko US/Nordic Focus)</td></tr>
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After World Champs we flew to Oslo for the Drammen city sprint. The Drammen sprint is one I've really struggled with in the past. It's a very gradual classic sprint course that favors power skiers and my first few years racing it, I wasn't even close to qualifying. Last year was my first year qualifying and this year I was psyched to qualify again and make it through to the semis, ending up 9th on the day. It ended up being one of my better sprints of the year, but I know there is still some work to be done on my power striding. It's an amazing atmosphere in Drammen and I'm happy to feel like I've begun to figure this course out!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day, another plane</td></tr>
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The day after Drammen, a big group of us flew back to the U.S. in order to have a few days at home before World Cup Finals in Quebec City. This is the second year in a row that we've ended the season in Quebec City and being able to spend some time at home beforehand is one of the many reasons that makes races in Quebec awesome. There wasn't a ton of snow at home, but we got a few inches and some cold weather, which left us with just enough snow to do some fun tours around home. I was mostly resting and recovering from racing and jet lag, but it was nice to get out on some of the trails I grew up skiing on. Wild Wings is the nordic center right next to my house and one of my favorite places to ski in the world, so I can always find my happy place on those trails.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernie doing some indoor sunbathing when it was freezing outside</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing at Wild Wings!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back with the kitties! This is Leroy, the king. </td></tr>
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On Tuesday we drove up to Quebec City. It happened to be the day of the huge snow storm, so we got an early start in an attempt to race the storm. The first few hours of driving were a little sketchy, but by the time we got to Canada, it was clear sailing. We woke up to winter the next day in Quebec City and began to prepare for the last weekend of World Cup racing. The race schedule for the weekend was a skate sprint on Friday, classic 10km mass start on Saturday, and a skate 10k pursuit start on Sunday. I was looking forward to all of the races because I haven't done much distance racing this year, and it was a great opportunity to hop in a couple of them. During my sprint quarterfinal, I was taken out on the final corner by a racer who moved in over my skis. It was a bummer because I felt like I was in a good position to move onto the semis. I've had a lot of falls this year and I'm not really sure why, but I'm ready to stay on my feet in sprints next year! It was really cool to see my teammate, Julia, qualify for the heats in her first ever World Cup and have Rosie qualify for her first World Cup sprint heats. Simi had an awesome day and just narrowly missed the podium, finishing 4th for the day. The following two days I felt good for the distance races and had a blast skiing with some teammates and racers from other nations. It was a really fun way to end the season. We had so many U.S. fans come up to cheer us on and make us feel like superstars as they screamed our names all around the course. Quebec City was where I raced my first World Cups back in the fall of 2012, so it's always going to be a special place for me to race. The venue is amazing and I hope we go back soon!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty special to have two of my grandparents, Grandpa and Twinkle, at the races in Quebec!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World cup season out! (Gretchen Powers photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing in the skate pursuit (Skinny Skis photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teammate hugs with Erika. Psyched for this girl racing her first World Cups! (photo: Dustin Satloff)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing skis with Matt (photo: Reese Brown)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sodie special! These little girls, Sophie and Sadie, are some of our biggest fans and we hope they can be the future Sodie duo (photo: Gretchen Powers)</td></tr>
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So the World Cup season has ended, and we have four more races this coming week. The schedule is a skiathlon on Monday, skate sprint on Wednesday, club relay on Friday, and 30 skate on Sunday. That's a lot of racing, but the end is in sight and I'm looking forward to hammering this week and then enjoying some April adventures. Thanks for following!<br />
<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-75846160221315189072017-03-07T08:34:00.001-05:002017-03-07T08:34:30.506-05:00Last Block in EuropeFebruary flew by and here I am, in Norway, getting ready for my final Word Cup race in Europe, the city sprint in Drammen tomorrow. On Thursday I'll be boarding a plane and heading HOME! This year, heading home doesn't mean the season is over. World Cup finals have been moved to Quebec City, so we will be racing our final three World Cup races in front of the home crowd in North America. It should be an exciting next two weeks. But first, the last month or so.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team USA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ida, me, Kiks, and Liz sporting our Fast and Female buffs</td></tr>
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After our two weekends of racing in Sweden, some of us flew to South Korea for the Olympic test event. Not many racers went to South Korea because of the travel and the timing, but those of us who went found it very valuable to check out the Olympic race courses and put in some hard efforts. It was for sure a weaker field, but it was still a World Cup and the U.S. Team took advantage of the opportunity and came away with some really strong results. I won my first ever qualifier, but was bummed to get knocked out in the semi finals of the sprint. Ida had an awesome day and got her first World Cup podium in 3rd! The next day Liz skied a strong race and was 2nd in the skiathlon and the final day Ida and I teamed up to take 3rd in the team sprint. After a long travel back to central Europe, I was looking forward to a weekend away from the World Cup and was able to spend some time in Valadalen, Sweden with some of my teammates and my parents. It was the perfect setting for a little pre World Champs training camp. The sleeping was comfortable, the skiing was the best we've had all year, and the food was delicious. It was easy to find our happy place and unwind a little before ramping back up for the last stretch of World Cups and World Champs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pyeongchang girls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing in Valadalen with my dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And momma!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffles everyday in Sweden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Valadalen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging with Breck and Kiks</td></tr>
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After Valadalen, we went to Estonia for the final World Cup weekend before World Champs. Our team had a great day in the skate sprint, qualifying five women and two men and having four of us make the semis. I was happy with my race feelings and qualified in 4th and ended the day in 10th. After the races we took a quick flight to Finland to prepare for World Champs. It was a quick turnaround because the skate sprint was the first race of World Champs and it was on Thursday. The sprint day at World Champs was arguably the best day of racing our women's team has ever had. We had all of our women qualify for the heats along with Simi and Andy for men. The day continued to go well when three of us advanced to the semis and before we knew it, Jessie, Kikkan, and I were standing on the start line for the A final at World Champs. It was a pretty incredible feeling to put our hands in with Matt and Grover and do a little "USA" cheer before heading to the line. To make it even better, Jessie and Kikkan reached the podium in 2nd and 3rd, and I finished the day in 6th. That's right, two US women on the podium, and three in the A final. We were the strongest team in the world that day and it's something I will always be proud of. Our championship continued to be the strongest one we've ever had with Sadie and Jessie teaming up for 3rd in the team sprint, Erika and Simi placing 5th in the team sprint, the women's relay team placing 4th, and Jessie getting 5th in the 30k skate. I only raced the sprint at World Champs, but I enjoyed watching my teammates crush it in the rest of the races and was able to get in some good training and spectating the last couple weeks. We have the city sprint in Drammen tomorrow and some of us will head home Thursday, while the rest of the team will stay for the long distance races over the weekend. We're looking forward to finishing the season on a high note and carrying our success at World Champs through the next couple weeks. Thanks for following and we hope to see you in Canada!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailside cheering with my parents</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugs from mom after the sprint (Liz Arky photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to cheer Sim on in the team sprint (Liz Arky photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Podium girls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah!! (John Lazenby photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My good friend from high school, Helen, came to watch the races in Estonia!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jess and me sporting our gifts Erika sent from home :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre race in Lahti (Matt Whitcomb photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprint quali in Lahti (Getty Images)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sue and Howie Wemyss came to watch in Lahti!</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-63466012941640376322017-01-26T05:22:00.001-05:002017-01-26T07:02:22.186-05:00JanuaryIt appears another month has gone by where I've forgotten to blog, so I'll try to catch you up on January with a few words and a lot of pictures! I recovered from my Christmas cold just in time to start the Tour de Ski. I did the skate sprint and the classic 5k and they were both solid races. I had a great qualifier where I qualified in 5th, but just missed making it into the semis! The next day was a fun 5k classic mass start. I don't think I've done a 5k mass start since I was a junior, so it was a little hectic, but pretty fun. After Val Mustair, the sprinters packed up and headed to Toblach, where we would spend the majority of the next two weeks before the sprint World Cup weekend. We took three days the following weekend to head to Planica, Slovenia for an OPA Cup sprint and distance race. I really love that area in Slovenia. It is in the Triglav National Park, set at the base of the Julien Alps. I was psyched to take the win in the skate sprint and think I had some extra motivation that day from watching my teammates, Jessie and Sadie, get 1st and 3rd in the Tour de Ski 5k skate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mBBMyQoAyY/WInHAguHSSI/AAAAAAAAcJM/sfHXAkdW6voxN9uPTr9Se3A7rL2WF8cwQCLcB/s1600/fullsizeoutput_25d2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mBBMyQoAyY/WInHAguHSSI/AAAAAAAAcJM/sfHXAkdW6voxN9uPTr9Se3A7rL2WF8cwQCLcB/s640/fullsizeoutput_25d2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hanging with Ides between heats at the OPA Cup</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Skate sprint in Val Mustair (Nordic Focus/Toko US photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cooling down with Breck in Val Mustair</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Sim and I both took the wins in Planica and here we are with our head coach, Chris Grover, at the awards ceremony</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Slovenia was a little chilly, so Ides and I embraced comfort over fashion in an attempt to keep ourselves warm</td></tr>
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There wasn't much natural snow in Toblach, but the area did an incredible job of laying out man made ribbons of snow throughout all the valleys. There were probably 30kms of trails when we arrived and about 60kms of trails when we left. Unfortunately, two days after we got back from Slovenia I came down with a pretty nasty stomach bug. I'm really scared of throwing up and haven't thrown up from a stomach bug since middle school, so it caught me a little off guard and came on fast, but one hospital trip and a couple days of rest later, I was feeling okay. It took a little while to get my appetite fully back, but by the weekend I was feeling healthy enough to race. I was pleasantly surprised to have a decent qualifier in the sprint and then felt better in my quarter final and moved onto the semis. In my semi final, Kikkan rode up a little hot behind me on the first down hill and ended up tangling in my skis and we both fell. Luckily I only broke a ski and neither of us were injured. I was pretty bummed because both sprints that I've made it into the semi finals this year, I've ended up on the ground and missed a chance to move onto the finals. Every once in awhile, falling is part of ski racing, but I'm thinking I'm ready to be finished with falls for the year. Anyway, the real highlight of the day was watching Sim ski a brilliant race and get 2nd in the Toblach sprint for the second year in a row! The next day was a team sprint, where I didn't have a lot left in me, but the team sprint is always a fun event to participate in and I'm looking forward to doing another one in Korea next week.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Recovering from the flu on a field trip with my parents ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Skiing around TOblach with one of our techs and my friend, Andrew Morehouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">All smiles after Sim's 2nd place!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Sprint heat in Toblach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Sprint qualifier (Marcel Hilger photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Team sprint (Marcel Hilger photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hot air balloons everywhere!</td></tr>
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After Toblach, we traveled to Ulricehamn, Sweden. This was a new venue for the World Cup and it did not disappoint! Ulricehamn is a town of 8,000 people and they sold 50,000 tickets for the weekend of racing. The volunteers could not have been friendlier, the tracks were great, and the fans were psyched. There wasn't a sprint last weekend, so I was mostly training in Ulricehamn, but we had eight healthy girls, so we were able to start two relay teams on Sunday and I skied a skate leg on our second team. This was only the second time ever we've had enough girls to start two teams and it was made extra special because it was our supertour leader, Liz Guiney's, first weekend of World Cups! On Monday morning, we loaded a bus and drove to Falun, Sweden. This weekend I will do the skate sprint in Falun. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Training in Ulricehamn (Simi photo)</td></tr>
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We're over halfway through the season and the second half tends to fly by. We have a lot to look forward to in the next month and a half. After the races this weekend, a small group of us will fly to South Korea for the Olympic test event. It will be a quick trip, but I've never been to Asia before and think it will be quite the experience! After that, we head to Valadalen, Sweden for a little training camp before the World Cup in Oteppa, Estonia and World Champs in Lahti, Finland. After World Champs, I will do one more sprint in Drammen, Norway before heading back home because World Cup Finals have been moved to Quebec City!! We will be in Quebec City racing from March 17th-19th, so if you had fun cheering at the Ski Tour Canada last year, come do it again in March. Thanks for following!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ready for the races! (Photo: Fischer/Nordic Focus)</td></tr>
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Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-54323498429212894782016-12-23T15:08:00.003-05:002016-12-23T15:15:10.209-05:00Happy Holidays!Happy Holidays from Austria! Period one of the world cup has come to a close, and I'm enjoying a little break from racing near Seefeld, Austria with my family over Christmas. During period one, we made our way from northern Finland down to Lillehammer, Norway, then to central Europe for the last two weekends of World Cup racing in Davos, Switzerland and La Clusaz, France. In Lillehammer we had a mini tour that began with a classic sprint. As a women's team, we had a really strong qualifier with four women making the rounds, three women qualifying in the top ten, and Sadie WINNING the qualifier. I was happy to feel good and qualify in 10th, and although none of us had the quarter finals we wanted to have, it was a good step in the right direction to lay down some fast qualifiers. The highlight of the weekend came the next day when Jessie won the 5k skate. She has now won the last two 5k skates on the World Cup circuit and proven that she can compete with the best in just about every technique and discipline. It's inspirational to see.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big screen at the start of my quarter final (Bryan Fish photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bjornsen bookends! Great day for these siblings with Sadie's winning qualifier and Erik making it into the heats. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post race with Dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5k skate in Lillehammer (Toko US/Nordic Focus photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheerleading with Kiks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Jess all smiles after Jessie's win and Liz's first race of the season!</td></tr>
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After the mini tour in Lillehammer, we flew down to Davos, our home away from home in the winter. Aside from the manmade race loop in Davos, there wasn't any snow, but as always, there was plenty of sunshine that we were eager to soak up after a few weeks in the land of darkness. I raced the skate sprint in Davos and it was the highlight of my period one. Four women and Sim qualified for the heats on sprint day and Jess and I both moved onto the semis. In my semi, I unfortunately took myself out coming into the last corner before the finish, missing my chance to move on to the finals. It's always a bummer to fall, especially when you're feeling good, but that's part of ski racing. I was happy to be feeling fast and strong and maybe it could have been a great day, but making it into the semis is always a good day! Jess had another strong performance, advancing to the A final and finishing 5th.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaking up some sun on a recovery day run with Sim</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing on the race course with the Davos mountains in the backdrop (Eric Packer photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning jaunt (Sim photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofing off with Jess between rounds (Noah photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOH! (Toko US/Nordic Focus photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davos qualifier (Toko US/Nordic Focus photo)</td></tr>
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After a few days of recovery in Davos, we hit the road for the last stop of period one in La Clusaz, France. This was my first time racing a World Cup in France and again, there wasn't any snow, but boy is it a beautiful country. On one of my recovery days I played tourist with my parents and walked around the city of Annecy. Unfortunately, pretty much our entire team and staff was hit with some nasty colds in the last week of racing. I was fortunate enough to be one of three or four people who dodged the cold and was able to race the relay in France. It wasn't my best race, in fact, it may have been my worst race, because about half way into my leg I had a massive explosion. I wasn't even sure I was going to make it up the last couple hills. It was not a good feeling to blow up that hard. I had one of the worst headaches I've ever had, but it was an even worse feeling to have it happen in a team event. My teammates skied strong races and made up a lot of time for our team. It was a learning experience that I wish had gone differently, but sometimes you have to push your limits to know where they really are and I sure found mine!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streets of Annecy with Dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or company!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Oleg, and Liz. Oleg is our head wax tech and the personal tech for Liz and me. He's our smiley bear and recipe to fast skis!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TaYFZctguaY/WF01zjkazrI/AAAAAAAAb-Q/4fkCaal9CRUxttZ7ea03lU1NQ3bTsOxwACLcB/s1600/15622037_10211618504643347_3245149802421412471_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TaYFZctguaY/WF01zjkazrI/AAAAAAAAb-Q/4fkCaal9CRUxttZ7ea03lU1NQ3bTsOxwACLcB/s640/15622037_10211618504643347_3245149802421412471_n.jpg" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic leg of the 5k relay (Marcel Hilger photo)</td></tr>
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Now we have a nice 12 day break until the Tour de Ski begins. The team cold hit me pretty hard as soon as I got to Austria, so I've been doing a lot of walking and sitting in the sun. I'm hoping to feel better soon, so I can take advantage of the perfect manmade loop out our door and maybe throw in a mountain trail running adventure. Being sick stinks, but I'm in a beautiful place with the people I love, so I really don't have too much to complain about. My next races will be the first two races of the Tour de Ski in Val Mustair, Switzerland. The first race is a skate sprint and the second is a classic 5k. Be sure to follow the Tour de Ski for one of the most exciting events in skiing and in the meantime, Merry Christmas!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbqINMQnJQw/WF2EBZ-AViI/AAAAAAAAb_E/vQ4HDGzksswq0-Adr6y9X3tTsJPckvYGgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbqINMQnJQw/WF2EBZ-AViI/AAAAAAAAb_E/vQ4HDGzksswq0-Adr6y9X3tTsJPckvYGgCLcB/s640/IMG_0268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leutasch, Austria</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Innsbruck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas tree!</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-37050870569686752142016-12-01T10:43:00.000-05:002016-12-01T10:55:39.792-05:00Back At It!We're back in Europe (our home away from home) and the World Cup tour has begun! This year we decided to fly over to Europe right before the first races instead of coming early. Our time on the road is long and this was an attempt to shorten the season, even if it was only by a week. I personally was a fan of this decision because it gave me one more week at home to prepare for a season across the ocean. We arrived in Kuusamo, Finland last Sunday and had the week to get situated, adjust to the time change, and remember what it felt like to ski on snow. I had been fighting a mild cold the week before heading over, but I was happy to feel healthy again and wake up to winter once we arrived in Finland.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited with the team in the airport on travel day and Tim and I had unplanned matching outfits!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpdcvNFyI0o/WEA_WQUJUOI/AAAAAAAAbj0/4O7pY-45O-A2iSYXwjrfrCQmkNhNYPYlgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpdcvNFyI0o/WEA_WQUJUOI/AAAAAAAAbj0/4O7pY-45O-A2iSYXwjrfrCQmkNhNYPYlgCLcB/s640/IMG_0232.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on snow, back in Kuusamo, and back with Kiks! (Noah photo)</td></tr>
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The first races of the season are always a little nerve racking. I think confidence is one of the most important keys to success in racing and I definitely had some confidence finding to do last week. After getting a little tired at our altitude camp in October and then battling a cold before coming over, my confidence had spent some time sitting on the back burner. Life would be pretty easy if everything went perfectly, but that's rarely how life unfolds, and even though I hadn't had the perfect month leading up to the season, there were a lot of positives I could focus on. I had the best summer of training I have ever had, I was feeling good again, and hard work and good training don't just disappear with a little rest. So in order to calm my nerves, I focused on the positives. My sprint qualifier didn't feel good, but I snuck into the rounds (really snuck in, in 30th place) and reset for the heats. I was in a tough heat, but I felt a lot better than I had in the morning and was happy with how I skied. I placed 4th in my heat and finished 20th on the day. Even though this isn't one of the best results I've ever had, it happened to be the best result I've ever had in Kuusamo and that was a step in the right direction. In the distance race I never really felt like I could get going, but it was good to get in a race effort and do my first distance race since New Zealand. There were some cobwebs to be cleaned out, and the cleaning process has officially begun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic 10k in Kussamo (Simi photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packer starting the classic 15k as bib #1</td></tr>
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After the weekend of racing in Kuusamo, we flew to Lillehammer, Norway for the mini tour that starts tomorrow. I've been enjoying the endless amount of skiing Lillehammer has to offer and have been taking advantage of some easier terrain on the tourist trails. The most exciting part of my week so far has been seeing my parents. My dad is taking a sabbatical this winter and my parents will be in Europe for the next few months following the World Cup and also breaking off to do some traveling of their own. It's going to make being away from home a heck of a lot easier knowing they are over here with me and I'm so happy they get to embark on their winter of adventures. The team is looking great and we're ready for the next three days of racing in the mini tour. The tour kicks of tomorrow with a classic sprint and will be followed by a skate 5k and classic 10k the next two days!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breck in his Thanksgiving outfit! If you're ever feeling down on the road, 10 seconds with this little dude will put a smile on your face pretty quickly. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing the tourist trails with Ides in Lillehammer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kUux09FjzhI/WEBDRZRNXEI/AAAAAAAAbkM/Fv1dZJ_QyDMKEP3-XSg233dxDcl3eM66wCLcB/s1600/IMG_5296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kUux09FjzhI/WEBDRZRNXEI/AAAAAAAAbkM/Fv1dZJ_QyDMKEP3-XSg233dxDcl3eM66wCLcB/s640/IMG_5296.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising around the stadium in Lillehammer with Ida and Tim (matt photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad on travel day (photo courtesy of my mom). He's a good sleeper!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wax tech, Oleg, put a new label on my rock skis. It's go time!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for following!</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-2799013027284779782016-11-13T21:15:00.000-05:002016-11-14T11:05:27.647-05:00The Final CountdownIt's finally (almost) here! The World Cup kicks off in 13 days and I'm excited to get back on snow and head to Europe for a winter of racing. In the meantime, I've been enjoying some much needed home time before heading overseas for the long haul. I had a busy month out west and by the end of October, I was ready to head back to Vermont and breathe some thicker air. Park City camp was the first time our entire women's team was together this year. Having the crew in one place was a good reminder of what a special thing we have going on. We want to be the fastest in the world, but being the best team in the world is so much bigger than good results, and being the best team in the world is exactly what we want to do. It's been so much fun having "the guppies", also known as the D teamers, also known as KO, Julia, and Hannah on our team. They bring a lot of young new energy to our team and we can't wait to follow them this winter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with Tiger Shaw and family in Park City!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast and Female Park City (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LDwZQdjy6fM/WCkZ8-jlqnI/AAAAAAAAbfk/R3ZNmo2A0hIjZMSN7lf8bEc0Xo4P1yuEwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LDwZQdjy6fM/WCkZ8-jlqnI/AAAAAAAAbfk/R3ZNmo2A0hIjZMSN7lf8bEc0Xo4P1yuEwCLcB/s640/IMG_5043.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast and Female (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OD run with Liz and Jess</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gangs all here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling up East Canyon with the crew (Liz Arky photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KFE5zDfkgI/WCkaQKO50WI/AAAAAAAAbf8/To6idcfLZCkD931qt1eH2hufL9uE0xoBQCLcB/s1600/BG5B0926-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KFE5zDfkgI/WCkaQKO50WI/AAAAAAAAbf8/To6idcfLZCkD931qt1eH2hufL9uE0xoBQCLcB/s640/BG5B0926-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEAM! (U.S. Ski Team photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GBBTbLswLM/WCkbIS5kZaI/AAAAAAAAbgI/d3R7aV6IIh0gOX7-RLaCsb_0sCrFLk1-wCLcB/s1600/i-qCdbXkN-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GBBTbLswLM/WCkbIS5kZaI/AAAAAAAAbgI/d3R7aV6IIh0gOX7-RLaCsb_0sCrFLk1-wCLcB/s640/i-qCdbXkN-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizard! (Liz Arky photo)</td></tr>
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<br />
The morning after I flew back from Utah, I was greeted to Vermont with 6 inches of fresh snow! It has since melted, but it's stayed nice and cold, reminding me that winter is just around the corner. I secretly love this time of year (as long as it's not raining). I can wear long sleeves training, sit by the fire in the evening, and the cold nights are perfect for sleeping. The pavement is slow, which can make rollerskiing frustrating, but at least it makes it so the downhills aren't scary. I completely missed peak foliage in Vermont this year and apparently it was the best one in 20 years, but there was still a little color on the trees when I flew home. Now the trees are bare and the trails are covered in leaves, which can be a little treacherous, but long runs have been doubling as agility workouts!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gb6O3E-4V6o/WCkcsRDNNrI/AAAAAAAAbgg/AtSNuwHUIxsCyR8Mm8xqjWISMSqeszTsACLcB/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2366.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gb6O3E-4V6o/WCkcsRDNNrI/AAAAAAAAbgg/AtSNuwHUIxsCyR8Mm8xqjWISMSqeszTsACLcB/s640/fullsizeoutput_2366.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rollerskiing at BMD with KO and Annie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMm3jK4vXCY/WCkco9J3rlI/AAAAAAAAbgc/1676xp0w7bE7Om1dyTGwDwbXnqpc0NziQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMm3jK4vXCY/WCkco9J3rlI/AAAAAAAAbgc/1676xp0w7bE7Om1dyTGwDwbXnqpc0NziQCLcB/s640/IMG_0052.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the Catamount Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glHNU9JLOxE/WCkcHznTolI/AAAAAAAAbgQ/2f4ea_cUFpYqTKyHV8TY2bc0GaLZVFhRACLcB/s1600/IMG_5135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glHNU9JLOxE/WCkcHznTolI/AAAAAAAAbgQ/2f4ea_cUFpYqTKyHV8TY2bc0GaLZVFhRACLcB/s640/IMG_5135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlctjlfcgPA/WCkbyPd-XqI/AAAAAAAAbgM/UF6Cnzx2Uo486yFHuHV1L7mRL0W4GurMgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlctjlfcgPA/WCkbyPd-XqI/AAAAAAAAbgM/UF6Cnzx2Uo486yFHuHV1L7mRL0W4GurMgCLcB/s640/IMG_5245.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running out to Baker Peak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcfWibySZx0/WCkcQUUVIYI/AAAAAAAAbgU/JG-yfvtOc7c0E4zJJIisK8EYlSGpMcUxQCLcB/s1600/BG5B0504-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcfWibySZx0/WCkcQUUVIYI/AAAAAAAAbgU/JG-yfvtOc7c0E4zJJIisK8EYlSGpMcUxQCLcB/s640/BG5B0504-L.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New warmups! (Sarah Brunson photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zcINnW3fX54/WCkcY3o5nwI/AAAAAAAAbgY/fxLpvYUnKwgE1vDZe77Sf2C5rxtaaVmqwCLcB/s1600/BG5B0544-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zcINnW3fX54/WCkcY3o5nwI/AAAAAAAAbgY/fxLpvYUnKwgE1vDZe77Sf2C5rxtaaVmqwCLcB/s640/BG5B0544-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suits! (Sarah Brunson photo)</td></tr>
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We also had our annual send off dinner for our SMS Elite team up at SMS the other night. This is always my favorite way to head off to Europe. It reminds me of how lucky we are to be in such a supportive community. Thank you to everyone who came to the dinner and an extra thank you to the BKL kids who gave us a send off gift of their very own athlete cards. I will for sure be bringing those with me to hang on the walls of my hotel rooms!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMo6MYJJtHU/WCngESiozAI/AAAAAAAAbhE/1YFGlqUDU38TphvZgSROhphyqFRo81oywCLcB/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMo6MYJJtHU/WCngESiozAI/AAAAAAAAbhE/1YFGlqUDU38TphvZgSROhphyqFRo81oywCLcB/s640/IMG_0179.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sim and I went to one of the West River BKL practices for some running and games. Those kids must sleep well after practice!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQnZiiX_69Q/WCngZn8NOxI/AAAAAAAAbhI/8bBGXaeJGqUj8SkqCMCotSz0b_pFC6BwQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQnZiiX_69Q/WCngZn8NOxI/AAAAAAAAbhI/8bBGXaeJGqUj8SkqCMCotSz0b_pFC6BwQCLcB/s640/IMG_0173.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Athlete cards from the BKL kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JL2P9B7Aiv4/WCngbli-AoI/AAAAAAAAbhM/_AP6aJNH8cg4KCrtmL_o7tmJFvXK5UrjgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JL2P9B7Aiv4/WCngbli-AoI/AAAAAAAAbhM/_AP6aJNH8cg4KCrtmL_o7tmJFvXK5UrjgCLcB/s640/IMG_0172.JPG.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:)</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
So with less than a week until we head over to Europe, I've finally finished unpacking from the fall just in time to repack for the winter. We received our awesome new uniforms from L.L. Bean and Craft while we were in Park City, so be on the lookout for some flashy new blue U.S.A. suits and warmups. Having three weeks at home was exactly what I needed to relax and recharge before a long winter and I can't wait to be reunited with the team on the World Cup. Now it's time to soak up a little more sunshine before heading to northern Finland, the land of darkness!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X--iFDjQczM/WCkdk6bg5XI/AAAAAAAAbgs/9zPtm2mf7OM79Ms7jVrh8dPEe9RsvXqTwCPcB/s1600/IMG_5063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X--iFDjQczM/WCkdk6bg5XI/AAAAAAAAbgs/9zPtm2mf7OM79Ms7jVrh8dPEe9RsvXqTwCPcB/s640/IMG_5063.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-60070051935933796572016-10-12T14:35:00.000-04:002016-10-12T15:02:02.429-04:00The Wild WestI apologize for my lack of blogging in the last month. I will be better about it starting NOW! Last time I blogged, we were halfway through our camp in New Zealand and the second half of camp was just as good as the first. I really love it down there and can't wait to return next summer. It's also on my list of places to explore when I've retired from skiing. After camp ended, I flew back to Colorado for Simi's sister's beautiful wedding in southern Colorado. It was a fun week of recovering, spending time with friends and family, celebrating, and going on some mountain adventures. We hit Colorado at peak foliage and the scenery was hard to beat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqgJEVjgt_s/V_5mKOiUpjI/AAAAAAAAa6Y/-JxQ1yHt4JExzprcNoSV3IpBRJii6rpGwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqgJEVjgt_s/V_5mKOiUpjI/AAAAAAAAa6Y/-JxQ1yHt4JExzprcNoSV3IpBRJii6rpGwCLcB/s640/IMG_4687.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2A0a_A9qhks/V_5mKUCAdPI/AAAAAAAAa6c/eCLe6fVUEVMDB1_xWvcZezfXZt0v7rJfQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2A0a_A9qhks/V_5mKUCAdPI/AAAAAAAAa6c/eCLe6fVUEVMDB1_xWvcZezfXZt0v7rJfQCLcB/s640/IMG_4707.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly overlooking the golden CO foliage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ouWFcjqjWyc/V_5mJGi_zhI/AAAAAAAAa6U/T7C08uioWN0TqGPLVbYg61uExPevd-nzACLcB/s1600/IMG_4713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ouWFcjqjWyc/V_5mJGi_zhI/AAAAAAAAa6U/T7C08uioWN0TqGPLVbYg61uExPevd-nzACLcB/s640/IMG_4713.JPG" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Jenny and James with Kelsey and Sim</td></tr>
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After a week in Colorado, I headed back to Vermont for nine days. It was a quick trip home, but it was just what I needed to fully recover from our big camp in New Zealand, get in an intensity week with my SMS Elite teammates, and unpack from one trip and pack up for the next one. There is nothing like my own bed and some home-cooked meals with my parents to help me reset for the next month of camps and adventures. While I was home, our SMS Elite Team also put on a clinic in Hanover, NH and we had a great turnout. I don't know if I've ever seen such a group of motivated kids who are just as excited to hill bound as they are to do an obstacle course.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aq3mi0YCmnA/V_5naW7o8UI/AAAAAAAAa6o/n05bPWCDaLUGYwUclqR08PGPaQgH4ocNQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aq3mi0YCmnA/V_5naW7o8UI/AAAAAAAAa6o/n05bPWCDaLUGYwUclqR08PGPaQgH4ocNQCLcB/s640/IMG_4740.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing by the fire with Leroy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S5usMA9ZrV8/V_5naIXfeRI/AAAAAAAAa6k/GjpWQLysFwcENDEEoNV5WOOsLevJ6uAfwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S5usMA9ZrV8/V_5naIXfeRI/AAAAAAAAa6k/GjpWQLysFwcENDEEoNV5WOOsLevJ6uAfwCLcB/s640/IMG_4745.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post ski walking intervals up Stratton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50i6DWk8ZFQ/V_5nheyOMsI/AAAAAAAAa68/cAL7QHcgOxgI171axjkpI2nAZYQhkPh1ACLcB/s1600/IMG_4747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50i6DWk8ZFQ/V_5nheyOMsI/AAAAAAAAa68/cAL7QHcgOxgI171axjkpI2nAZYQhkPh1ACLcB/s640/IMG_4747.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peru Fair with my Grandma, Twinkle!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lM3vA4wMqCw/V_5nbh2KNfI/AAAAAAAAa6w/ND-61UndLRwBcn9_K5DoOARmLB6BHzBeACLcB/s1600/IMG_4748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lM3vA4wMqCw/V_5nbh2KNfI/AAAAAAAAa6w/ND-61UndLRwBcn9_K5DoOARmLB6BHzBeACLcB/s640/IMG_4748.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long run on the AT with my cousins Alexa and Paddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jebp5zf_pI0/V_5nbbY10ZI/AAAAAAAAa6s/UnhEB8tx1AE1ZonIbT1SGKiPT4wRVJ4mgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jebp5zf_pI0/V_5nbbY10ZI/AAAAAAAAa6s/UnhEB8tx1AE1ZonIbT1SGKiPT4wRVJ4mgCLcB/s640/IMG_4751.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting one of my best friends, Mae, in her new home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPyNe_LI3oU/V_5nftJ-sNI/AAAAAAAAa64/up3bXmr90mAjGD00-RWqm11aGcFR-9IYwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPyNe_LI3oU/V_5nftJ-sNI/AAAAAAAAa64/up3bXmr90mAjGD00-RWqm11aGcFR-9IYwCLcB/s640/IMG_4752.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clinic in Hanover</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m137UnwC5G4/V_5neG5LvKI/AAAAAAAAa60/Rs4vAu-erdkIen1R8N6BiXOxlIg497jWACLcB/s1600/IMG_4768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m137UnwC5G4/V_5neG5LvKI/AAAAAAAAa60/Rs4vAu-erdkIen1R8N6BiXOxlIg497jWACLcB/s640/IMG_4768.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall in Vermont</td></tr>
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After my quick trip home, I repacked my bags for a month in the West. The first event on my schedule was the wedding of my best friend from high school, Parker, and her beautiful bride, Hannah, in Park City. I was looking forward to this wedding for many reasons, but one of them was because my whole family was going to be reunited for the first time since spring! My sister and brother live in Flagstaff and Bozeman now, so it's rare that the five of us get to be in the same place at the same time anymore. The wedding was perfect and I was so happy to spend the weekend with my family and some of my best friends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vAft5ISZ2k/V_5pUTWPhnI/AAAAAAAAa7I/jLwaeGLYSiANL0072Rkoz9S4_etYUv21ACLcB/s1600/IMG_4780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vAft5ISZ2k/V_5pUTWPhnI/AAAAAAAAa7I/jLwaeGLYSiANL0072Rkoz9S4_etYUv21ACLcB/s640/IMG_4780.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family run in Park City</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G7KtXXQEhbI/V_5pUTV-ndI/AAAAAAAAa7M/AxUDPgpQLZkTX5-LfKdnytZfnYGD0jUBACLcB/s1600/IMG_4828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G7KtXXQEhbI/V_5pUTV-ndI/AAAAAAAAa7M/AxUDPgpQLZkTX5-LfKdnytZfnYGD0jUBACLcB/s640/IMG_4828.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parker practicing her vows the morning of the wedding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBhHCB2rUIs/V_5pUZajsMI/AAAAAAAAa7E/hGMTw9i31LI2Fnzf56vh6ScCXRXAKTibgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBhHCB2rUIs/V_5pUZajsMI/AAAAAAAAa7E/hGMTw9i31LI2Fnzf56vh6ScCXRXAKTibgCLcB/s640/IMG_4840.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridesmaids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding morning bike ride to sweat out the nerves</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in Park City</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful brides</td></tr>
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After wedding number two, we drove to Aspen to spend a few days with Simi's family and then went to Fruita and Moab to do some mountain biking before coming back to Park City for our final USST camp before the season begins. We've been taking a short trip to the desert for the last few falls and it is one of my favorite places in the world. Growing up in the East, I had never seen anything like the desert before and even though I've been several times now, I'm still in shock every time I go back. It's always a nice little break from roller skiing, and a good chance to reset before the final push of the training season.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rollerskiing in Aspen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert campsite</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mtn Biking in Fruita with Sim</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow in Aspen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud freckles</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking under the golden Aspens</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survived wedding season!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slick Rock lunch break with our friends Megan and Dylan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our campsite</td></tr>
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Now I'm back in Park City and our camp kicks off on Monday. I'm ready to be reunited with everyone on our team and to put in a couple solid weeks of training to gear up for the season. Thanks for following!Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-44700307196667489912016-09-07T18:29:00.000-04:002016-09-07T18:29:05.566-04:00Winter in New ZealandLast summer was my first time to New Zealand and it quickly became one of my favorite places in the world. I was excited to find out that NZ camp was on the schedule again this year and the Snow Farm has lived up to expectations in every way! It's a long trip to travel over here. The time change is 16 hours ahead of the east coast, or 8 hours behind tomorrow, if that makes sense. So right now it's Thursday morning here and Wednesday evening in Vermont. Even though it takes a long time to get here, adjusting to the time change is relatively easy. I get tired early at night and wake up ready to go in the morning. The sleeping accommodations are dark, cool, and cozy, and I'm always shocked by how easily we adapt to life down under. In addition to the good sleeping, New Zealand has a ton of other things going for it. There is natural beauty everywhere and with only 4.5 million people in the entire country, it never seems over populated or crowded, especially where we are...sitting on top of a mountain above 15kms of switchbacking dirt road to get here. The food is also delicious. It's kind of a mix of asian fusion, lamb, and the occasional American or Mexican meal. What else is good about this place? The skiing! We're here a month and a half later than we were last year, so we're experiencing more early March conditions, but it's still not full blown spring skiing. We actually got a pretty big snow storm over the last couple days and are planning on doing some hard wax skiing this afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on snow with Matt and Liz our first afternoon in New Zealand</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning view on our walk to breakfast...not bad!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz taking in the view on a drink break</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simi, Liz, and me at Bob Lee Hut</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing Liz down "The Loop"</td></tr>
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We've done a couple intensity sessions, a couple speed sessions, and mostly easy distance training since being here. This weekend we are hopping in some FIS races that are being held at the Snow Farm, so that will be a good way to end the camp with a little intensity. The Snow Farm has basically everything we need up here. We can ski from the door, eat in the same building, and there's even a little gym we can use. Every once in awhile it's nice to drive off the mountain and go to the town of Wanaka, which is about 45 minutes away. Sometimes we go to a bigger gym in town to do strength and we will also go down and walk around town if we have an off day or afternoon. It's a beautiful little town sitting right on Lake Wanaka with a bunch of shops and good places to eat. There are also a ton of good running and mountain biking trails around town that I hope I can come back and explore one summer!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interval day on a ribbon of snow (Matt Whitcomb photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon ski with Liz </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloody hand after getting my lactate taken on interval day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Jessie racing the Merino Muster</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sim and Hoff showing off their medals</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset cruise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrATlXhhSXQ/V9CRFnV27ZI/AAAAAAAAaH4/fVgY4q8TwDE3jAiUB7jE0oi_EVJsBGIVgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrATlXhhSXQ/V9CRFnV27ZI/AAAAAAAAaH4/fVgY4q8TwDE3jAiUB7jE0oi_EVJsBGIVgCLcB/s640/IMG_8140.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Give an american a day off in town and...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQvF-CK9Btc/V9CRGZkv_1I/AAAAAAAAaIA/uVVOh1VUlFk5xuVY8daQx4yKpfvWv0aeQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQvF-CK9Btc/V9CRGZkv_1I/AAAAAAAAaIA/uVVOh1VUlFk5xuVY8daQx4yKpfvWv0aeQCLcB/s640/IMG_8144.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea pot sweater!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPGx_BSPvmA/V9CRGcaixBI/AAAAAAAAaH8/H8k2XD40T088mzU9I2sTS-Sfsf2em5vKgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPGx_BSPvmA/V9CRGcaixBI/AAAAAAAAaH8/H8k2XD40T088mzU9I2sTS-Sfsf2em5vKgCLcB/s640/IMG_8153.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach time in Wanaka</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3p7UmIV7rA/V9CRGvrcfNI/AAAAAAAAaIE/RnlHhWqkP-Mg_Qzgw6QGc--6czCgoRUEgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3p7UmIV7rA/V9CRGvrcfNI/AAAAAAAAaIE/RnlHhWqkP-Mg_Qzgw6QGc--6czCgoRUEgCLcB/s640/IMG_8159.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intervals with the girls (Matt Whitcomb photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qEWMDhnFKU/V9CRHCVCuxI/AAAAAAAAaII/KDjVXC6I8WsaXSxTzW_nRRHwWwMhQzSlgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qEWMDhnFKU/V9CRHCVCuxI/AAAAAAAAaII/KDjVXC6I8WsaXSxTzW_nRRHwWwMhQzSlgCLcB/s640/IMG_8197.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jess and me at Bob Lee Hut (erika photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-os1rIhkPD2Q/V9CRHbeQTAI/AAAAAAAAaIM/P15WfMrvp9AnVpM3Ll-wr4NpS7Hfz1EGwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-os1rIhkPD2Q/V9CRHbeQTAI/AAAAAAAAaIM/P15WfMrvp9AnVpM3Ll-wr4NpS7Hfz1EGwCLcB/s640/IMG_8199.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crust cruising! (Erika photo)</td></tr>
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For the most part, we've had incredible skiing since we've been here. We've had the occasional day of wind, rain, or snow, but we have had a lot of sunny days. My favorite ski of the camp so far had to be yesterday morning. A big snow storm was predicted for the entire day, but just as we were getting ready to ski, the clouds parted and we had full blown sunshine and no wind. Plenty of snow had dumped the night before and everything was covered in powder. It had been a few hours since the groomer had been through, so we were making our own tracks for the morning. We explored a trail I had never been on before and had an awesome morning of waddling through the backcountry and making some powder turns. The snow was beginning to get a little thin here, so the storm was just what we needed and it looks like we got even more snow last night!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XoXf-KhaLKY/V9CSu72bt7I/AAAAAAAAaKI/kbkjLcEtttYjQG1H2uA-i-au7b8tFsGDgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XoXf-KhaLKY/V9CSu72bt7I/AAAAAAAAaKI/kbkjLcEtttYjQG1H2uA-i-au7b8tFsGDgCLcB/s640/IMG_8175.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KO and Grove climbing up the hillside</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok1tzbjmveE/V9CSvDJMYiI/AAAAAAAAaKM/5ZwfsFqBMJ0ilPqTC60-g8RZ5aqMIR8nQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok1tzbjmveE/V9CSvDJMYiI/AAAAAAAAaKM/5ZwfsFqBMJ0ilPqTC60-g8RZ5aqMIR8nQCLcB/s640/IMG_8177.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erika shredding the downs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6NcI2eOpra4/V9CSvKBamrI/AAAAAAAAaKQ/NmyJqP4EItEQrfVdbtAOmoZ3jeDDAvRJgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6NcI2eOpra4/V9CSvKBamrI/AAAAAAAAaKQ/NmyJqP4EItEQrfVdbtAOmoZ3jeDDAvRJgCLcB/s640/IMG_8188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the Kirtle Burn Hut!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hI9Vf_DKAWw/V9CSvxFN24I/AAAAAAAAaKY/-aevLvKcPR8-Tzm2nW5efrVkSeS1TfcOQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hI9Vf_DKAWw/V9CSvxFN24I/AAAAAAAAaKY/-aevLvKcPR8-Tzm2nW5efrVkSeS1TfcOQCLcB/s640/IMG_8202.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing out of the fog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ycfdvW5EkzU/V9CSvnSMXwI/AAAAAAAAaKU/fwQEPgG_Bn8miOZ0IV2G2s8hDrEHmYlkgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ycfdvW5EkzU/V9CSvnSMXwI/AAAAAAAAaKU/fwQEPgG_Bn8miOZ0IV2G2s8hDrEHmYlkgCLcB/s640/IMG_8206.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfection!</td></tr>
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We have five more days at the Snow Farm and I'm sure they will fly by. It has been an awesome camp and I'm hoping we will be able to return again next summer. Huge thanks to everyone at the Snow Farm who helps make this happen!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FkCYUwzcD8/V9CTYoZ8BgI/AAAAAAAAaK8/mkJz4txIoooX47zCofcPQqop-_XXxgskgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FkCYUwzcD8/V9CTYoZ8BgI/AAAAAAAAaK8/mkJz4txIoooX47zCofcPQqop-_XXxgskgCLcB/s640/DSC_0370.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy girls post intervals (Matt Whitcomb photo)</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-20581844003224652372016-08-16T12:40:00.000-04:002016-08-16T14:40:42.694-04:00Go With the Flow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If June in Vermont was beautiful and July in Alaska was sunny, August in Vermont has been sweaty. I had almost convinced myself that the sunny, dry weather was just going to follow me around the world this summer, but no, no, no. Regardless of whether it's been sunny, cloudy, or rainy, it has been HUMID in Vermont. But really what better way to feel like you're working hard than sweating out two gallons every morning? Sweating aside, it's been great to be back in Vermont with my SMS teammates and I'm looking forward to a couple more weeks here before heading to New Zealand for the first two weeks of September.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had the Swedish club team that Kevin Cutts coaches join us for ten days. It was fun to have some international flavor at the workouts! Here I am with the Swedish girls after hammering out some double pole intervals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dIMdkJB-DHI/V7I_-mou6HI/AAAAAAAAXlc/8T7c0cXcakATrfBygpvCf-u2z3SItWaGgCLcB/s1600/85934ED4-B730-40B3-855B-AEBD3A872F43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dIMdkJB-DHI/V7I_-mou6HI/AAAAAAAAXlc/8T7c0cXcakATrfBygpvCf-u2z3SItWaGgCLcB/s640/85934ED4-B730-40B3-855B-AEBD3A872F43.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off the new SMS Elite Team podium wear shorts with Erika</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q775TJbL_O8/V7I_91CUToI/AAAAAAAAXlo/jSX67Cv-DC4YWL0NJKdPa7NZQ8939GS6wCLcB/s1600/DSC_8230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q775TJbL_O8/V7I_91CUToI/AAAAAAAAXlo/jSX67Cv-DC4YWL0NJKdPa7NZQ8939GS6wCLcB/s640/DSC_8230.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching some air during strength (Julia Kern photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1BW12F-4X4/V7I_-zdcDqI/AAAAAAAAXlg/S4zSJrqfkJY0MMb9JHthf3yOgMJDcK0wACLcB/s1600/IMG_4431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1BW12F-4X4/V7I_-zdcDqI/AAAAAAAAXlg/S4zSJrqfkJY0MMb9JHthf3yOgMJDcK0wACLcB/s640/IMG_4431.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping out at the annual SMS camps</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbQ5sUFzz3M/V7I_-zvH3kI/AAAAAAAAXlk/muQb8437WjMODK7XADTuYfRcnH1r4nZTgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbQ5sUFzz3M/V7I_-zvH3kI/AAAAAAAAXlk/muQb8437WjMODK7XADTuYfRcnH1r4nZTgCLcB/s640/IMG_4488.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downhills are FUN!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHYYDxr_9Sc/V7NA6Cs5SDI/AAAAAAAAXoU/hAoe1TJigcsf58yK_bKh7wT-6a04eM9SACLcB/s1600/IMG_4473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHYYDxr_9Sc/V7NA6Cs5SDI/AAAAAAAAXoU/hAoe1TJigcsf58yK_bKh7wT-6a04eM9SACLcB/s640/IMG_4473.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Running with my cousins Alexa and Anya</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1ATDBKQDlA/V7I__5JRExI/AAAAAAAAXls/Y7cP99TeHtQ3WRjIQ9osanMZSDhtpLCWACLcB/s1600/IMG_4501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1ATDBKQDlA/V7I__5JRExI/AAAAAAAAXls/Y7cP99TeHtQ3WRjIQ9osanMZSDhtpLCWACLcB/s640/IMG_4501.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following Jessie during threshold skate intervals (Julia Kern photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQx8LsGN3SA/V7JASES6-4I/AAAAAAAAXlw/mZy6DD4pMV0IVRXEyFSoaJJsto_eX2CugCLcB/s1600/IMG_4502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQx8LsGN3SA/V7JASES6-4I/AAAAAAAAXlw/mZy6DD4pMV0IVRXEyFSoaJJsto_eX2CugCLcB/s640/IMG_4502.jpg" width="592" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a turn pulling during skate intervals (Lillyphoto)</td></tr>
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There are two feelings I love during the training season. One feeling is getting into a routine back with my club team in Stratton and the other is going with the flow and taking advantage of the opportunity for some adventures. These adventures are often in the form of climbing mountains and they might not always be the perfect training on paper, but I think the mental benefits that I get from them are what make them worth it. Over the weekend, we were supposed to do a running time trial on Thursday and then we were going to head to the White Mountains for a long run the day before my friend, Steph Crocker, was getting married at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. After taking a peek at the weather and seeing that the day we were planning on doing the running time trial was supposed to be the only nice day of the weekend, we called up coach Matt and proposed the idea of putting off the running time trial to do the Presidential Traverse that day. Two miles of running uphill hard and 24 miles of running in the mountains easy are pretty much the same thing, right? I'm lucky to have a coach who believes in opportunities for adventure, a boyfriend who is addicted to opportunities for adventure, and a cousin who is one tough cookie, so it was settled. After a 3:30 am wake up, Simi, my cousin Alexa, and I drove up to the Whites for a 7 am start time on the Presidential Traverse. It was a hot and sticky day down low, so it turned out to be the perfect day to be running across ridges up high. Eight hours, 24 miles, a lot of PB&Js, and three pairs of tired legs later, we had completed the traverse and were still smiling!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-v9MTcZ6kw/V7JD1EMJiEI/AAAAAAAAXmA/EybvkfcMdy4WPYsjDMoqRM64HZ1tjAZTgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-v9MTcZ6kw/V7JD1EMJiEI/AAAAAAAAXmA/EybvkfcMdy4WPYsjDMoqRM64HZ1tjAZTgCLcB/s640/IMG_3851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experiencing a range of emotions across the traverse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaFrxkiHjRY/V7JD1jO9n6I/AAAAAAAAXmI/t_K0IIUMvcIpz2-04rZznnwsHTvdwV76QCLcB/s1600/IMG_3857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaFrxkiHjRY/V7JD1jO9n6I/AAAAAAAAXmI/t_K0IIUMvcIpz2-04rZznnwsHTvdwV76QCLcB/s640/IMG_3857.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Washington. Psyched!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3qB8JYLWyQ/V7JD6S_IBXI/AAAAAAAAXmQ/XGi1sQGc0uYkCGaf0RTVhHDz2NWf1XX0wCLcB/s1600/IMG_3868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3qB8JYLWyQ/V7JD6S_IBXI/AAAAAAAAXmQ/XGi1sQGc0uYkCGaf0RTVhHDz2NWf1XX0wCLcB/s640/IMG_3868.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drink break</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lunch Break eating up some VT Peanut Butter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool features on the AT</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">According to my Polar watch, I went a little above and beyond my recommended daily activity</td></tr>
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After the traverse, we spent a couple relaxing days at Simi's aunt and uncle's home on Silver Lake in NH. It was the perfect way to recover and they have some pretty sweet mountain bike trails and water sports we were able to indulge in. Thanks Tots and Lol! By the time the wedding came on Saturday, we weren't walking around like we were 90 years old anymore and were ready for some dancing! The following morning, Andy, Erika, Simi, and I decided to go for a run just north of Hanover on our way back down south. Erika and I had done this run a handful of times while skiing for Dartmouth, but we somehow still managed to get lost and the run ended with a hitch hike back to the trucks. Luckily, we were all in good spirits about it. Like I said before...sometimes you have to go with the flow!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the wrong turn, on top of Mt. Cube with Erika</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dartmouth '12 Ski Team girls with the beautiful bride, Steph!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like a little dancing to help flush the legs out (Gretchen Powers photo)</td></tr>
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I have a medium block of training coming up and then an easy week before heading to New Zealand. I've been checking the New Zealand webcam daily and cannot wait to get back on snow, but first, it's time to do some more sweating. Thanks for following!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warming up for specific strength at BMD this morning (SMS Nordic photo)</td></tr>
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Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-38904846023642614352016-07-28T15:13:00.000-04:002016-07-28T21:39:08.955-04:00Glacier Camp and Recovery Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a big week of dry land training in Anchorage, we loaded up the helicopters and flew up to Eagle Glacier for a week of training on snow. This was the third time I've been to a training camp on Eagle Glacier and it was by far the best camp I've had up there. In the past, I've gotten overly excited about being on snow and have tried to ski as much as possible from the start, leaving myself so tired I can barely get out the door to ski by the end of the camp. This year I tried to pace myself a little more, and when I felt myself getting tired mid week, I took an afternoon off from skiing to bounce back. I left the camp feeling tired, but not buried in a hole, and I was able to ski more than I ever have before!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLwTT6vZtmo/V5pOllEr7tI/AAAAAAAAWYg/3r3HeQHrPOQUq_Z39na5Kd8u3q0w-kFFQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLwTT6vZtmo/V5pOllEr7tI/AAAAAAAAWYg/3r3HeQHrPOQUq_Z39na5Kd8u3q0w-kFFQCLcB/s640/IMG_4211.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The excitement of riding in a helicopter will never get old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge thanks to Alpine Air for transporting us to and from Eagle Glacier safe and sound!</td></tr>
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One of the reasons this camp was the best one yet was because of the weather we had on the glacier. Similar to our week in town, we didn't have a single day of rain and saw the sun every day. This made for some slow and slushy skiing, but it was good practice for some of the toughest conditions we see on the World Cup. Our main focus of the camp was to put in a lot of volume and take a step back from intensity. In order to put in a lot of hours, my pace had to be slow, but we had a beautifully groomed 7k loop and plenty of teammates to help make the hours pass quickly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping for joy </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Speed day (Andre Horton photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sim skiing out of the fog early in the morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above the clouds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFfyzshTw5I/V5pQemOMPYI/AAAAAAAAWY8/wRC-H5y0TrkMR9wVzJkzLpS3tluZc667ACLcB/s1600/IMG_4262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFfyzshTw5I/V5pQemOMPYI/AAAAAAAAWY8/wRC-H5y0TrkMR9wVzJkzLpS3tluZc667ACLcB/s640/IMG_4262.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiks is BACK!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmPA39wGdgE/V5pSETuXskI/AAAAAAAAWZQ/puvlpouVAE8NPmHJTieYvBcI5sR7o4iugCLcB/s1600/IMG_4309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmPA39wGdgE/V5pSETuXskI/AAAAAAAAWZQ/puvlpouVAE8NPmHJTieYvBcI5sR7o4iugCLcB/s640/IMG_4309.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final ski of the camp made possible (and enjoyable) by my teammate Ida :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A week on a glacier can do crazy things...</td></tr>
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Another one of my favorite parts of our Alaska camp was having our guest skier Virgina from Italy join us. She always showed up with a smile and is one of the most kind and positive people I've met. It was a pleasure having her at our camp and I hope she will join us again sometime. She even cooked us gnocchi one night, which is not an easy task when you're cooking for 20 hungry athletes. Putting in a lot of hours on snow also means putting in a lot of hours of sleeping and a lot of hours at the dining room table. The amount of food that is stored and eaten up on the glacier is hard to fathom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTIr1fxFxUU/V5pS2XFyesI/AAAAAAAAWZU/R2V3-PJlTNQ_DrinSd97hJP1LfdD5t42ACLcB/s1600/IMG_4241%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTIr1fxFxUU/V5pS2XFyesI/AAAAAAAAWZU/R2V3-PJlTNQ_DrinSd97hJP1LfdD5t42ACLcB/s640/IMG_4241%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention we ate a lot?? Huge thanks to our bakers Jessie and the Patterson siblings!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bmq39eKfnUU/V5pS4Wh9zjI/AAAAAAAAWZY/RVgCeU5SjKo0zrGmb2_U_WSGgZD7JFMLgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bmq39eKfnUU/V5pS4Wh9zjI/AAAAAAAAWZY/RVgCeU5SjKo0zrGmb2_U_WSGgZD7JFMLgCLcB/s640/IMG_4280.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia laboring over her Gnocchi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6a3haMpOQ6c/V5pS5VObmoI/AAAAAAAAWZc/8n5UyZeKNSoQ2ahKv6fO2XJKMh7R69a5gCLcB/s1600/IMG_4283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6a3haMpOQ6c/V5pS5VObmoI/AAAAAAAAWZc/8n5UyZeKNSoQ2ahKv6fO2XJKMh7R69a5gCLcB/s640/IMG_4283.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA436Hn3EtU/V5pS8vTs3rI/AAAAAAAAWZk/sV2thxIZ6AMkrDumsGEnWnfBg7WUOf2tgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA436Hn3EtU/V5pS8vTs3rI/AAAAAAAAWZk/sV2thxIZ6AMkrDumsGEnWnfBg7WUOf2tgCLcB/s640/IMG_4306.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finished camp, so let's strike a pose. (Matt photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNqg7BMjKKo/V5pS88iS_7I/AAAAAAAAWZo/6z0BRBCEkpUZvwALN5Bg7nhTNndTSHT8wCLcB/s1600/IMG_4308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNqg7BMjKKo/V5pS88iS_7I/AAAAAAAAWZo/6z0BRBCEkpUZvwALN5Bg7nhTNndTSHT8wCLcB/s640/IMG_4308.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling with Liz and Virginia after our final ski. Thankful to have these two at camp. (Matt photo)</td></tr>
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We put in a lot of hard work as athletes, but the coaches and glacier staff work just as hard, if not harder, to make the camp run smoothly. We owe a huge thanks to Zuzana Rogers, who joined us as a PT for the camp, keeping us all healthy and injury free. U.S. Ski Team coaches, Matt, Chris, and Jason, APU coach Erik, and glacier worker Dylan worked their butts off to make this camp successful and we are incredibly grateful for their efforts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oU8SMZLAKz8/V5pZoMc0eEI/AAAAAAAAWbE/dVN6YcVqAacYPwAergmO5OEXulRio5jnQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oU8SMZLAKz8/V5pZoMc0eEI/AAAAAAAAWbE/dVN6YcVqAacYPwAergmO5OEXulRio5jnQCLcB/s640/IMG_4237.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacier time with Zuz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt doing some recovering of his own</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trails this perfect take a lot of grooming and planning</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our home for the week (Andre Horton photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zuzana and Matt helping support our speed session (Andre Horton photo)</td></tr>
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After two big weeks in Alaska, I was ready for some recovery time. My sister, Isabel, just moved to Flagstaff, Arizona for her new middle school science teaching job, so I took the opportunity to visit her and help move her in on my way back from Alaska. On my recover weeks, I enjoy not following a strict training plan, getting a lot of recovery, but also doing a lot of hiking adventures that get me to some beautiful places at a slow pace. Northern Arizona turned out to be the perfect place to do this with the best company I could ask for!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found her!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She got her name on the door! So proud of this girl.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking down into the Grand Canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset hike in Sedona our last night. One of the most beautiful hikes I've ever been on minus the rattlesnake and tarantula we saw. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iz climbing up Bear Mtn with Sedona in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time to the Grand Canyon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister, sister</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since Izzy is a rock nerd, she talked me through all there is to know about rocks. Check out that geologic contact!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highest peak in Arizona with our Vermont buddy Nora</td></tr>
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Now I am back in Vermont for the month of August before heading to New Zealand for our next USST camp the first two weeks of September. I'm looking forward to being in one place for a month and getting in some solid training at home. <a href="http://nordic.usskiteam.com/news/sophie-caldwell-what-makes-champ" target="_blank">HERE</a> is a link from the U.S. Ski Team about my story growing up skiing and my thoughts about what makes a champion. Thanks for following!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Andre Horton photo)</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-87938497485746131232016-07-12T21:35:00.000-04:002016-07-12T21:35:05.258-04:00Alaska Camp!We're halfway through our camp in Alaska and tomorrow we will be taking a helicopter up to Eagle Glacier for a week of snow skiing! After a few big weeks of training back in Vermont, I had an easy week before flying up to Alaska. I was able to enjoy some Vermont 4th of July activities and get a good dose of friends and family before heading west for a few weeks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SMS T2 team photo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ski walking intervals with Andy (Caldwell Sport photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run on the AT with Andy, Liz, Erika, and Annie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double pole train (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rollerskiing in the 4th of July Parade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th of July with cousin Alexa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rollerski agility (Reese Brown photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5th of July with cousin Lilly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found Megan and her mom on the AT! They've been hiking since March and it was so nice to finally see them and greet them at the VT border</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with our AT buddies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the Southern VT Art Center with Sim</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date at Hildene with Twink</td></tr>
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So back to Alaska! We've been extremely lucky with the weather since we arrived in Anchorage. As a result, I feel like we've chosen a mountain to run up almost every day. Maybe that's an exaggeration, but we've done a lot of running and hiking up high and we've seen some pretty incredible places. It's also been fun to rollerski some new routes whether it's intervals in and out of Kincaid Park or an easy afternoon double pole through the city neighborhoods. I've loved seeing my USST teammates who I usually go most of the summer without seeing. It's always refreshing to have some new faces and energy at training camps. It's also been really special to see Kikkan and her new baby, Breck! He has a lot of USST aunties who have been passing him around any chance we get. We put in a solid block of volume this week with a couple speed and intensity sessions on top of that. Next week we will hold back on the intensity and really focus on volume to take advantage of putting some hours in on snow. Our international guest of this camp is Virgina DeMartin of Italy and it's been awesome to have her join us here. Follow us on social media to see some (hopefully sunny) pictures from Eagle Glacier this week!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Wolverine Peak with the girls (Matt photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Lake (Grover photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sodie Special! Matching day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up Wolverine Peak (Jessie photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Breck with Auntie Sadie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing Sadie and Rose across the ridge today</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ida taking in the view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt and Ides above Symphony Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun with Sadie and Rosie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running back from Hidden Lake (sadie photo)<br />
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-69153171185919870272016-06-22T16:43:00.000-04:002016-06-22T16:58:56.729-04:00Summer TrainingHappy summer, solstice, and strawberry moon! Even though summer only officially began the other day, the last two weeks in Vermont have felt like the perfect summer weather. With the exception of a few bugs, it's been pretty close to perfect with warm (but not too hot) temperatures, low humidity, and plenty of sunshine. As a team, SMS has been able to take advantage of these ideal training conditions with a lot of volume training. We've trained on our usual rollerski and running loops around the Stratton area, but have also gotten out for some new routes on skis, feet, and bikes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our OD runs out to Stratton Pond (erika photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing some distance skating with Goob (Pat photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mtn biking on some new trails in Dorset with Izzy and Kate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing out to the town of Stratton with the girls and Cork on the bike (Pat photo)</td></tr>
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We're incredibly lucky to have such a strong training group with so much support in Stratton. Almost every day of the week we have at least one group workout that is supported by our coach Pat and U.S. Ski Team coach, Jason Cork. Matt and his girlfriend, Steffi, came to visit last weekend and we had Matt and Jason on the bikes supporting us and Pat driving the van and hiking up the mountain with extra water. To say we are well taken care of is an understatement. Not everyone's plan is exactly the same, so we still are able to get in some alone time training, which is also nice every once in awhile, but I find it much easier to motivate myself for training when I get to do it with a group of friends and teammates. It's nice to be part of this team that is so open and willing to help each other turn our weaknesses into strengths by learning from each other. I never hesitate to ask Annie for lifting technique or striding advice, to double pole behind Jessie as she breaks the headwind so we can keep up, or ask Erika to lead me in an uphill skate interval and I know they feel comfortable doing the same with me because that's how we're going to get better as a team.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirt road rollerskiing (pat photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing our OD on top of Stratton with KO (Pat photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tree fell to the ground ten meters in front of us when we were skiing one day. Had we been three seconds faster, we would have been a big SMS pancake breakfast! Instead, we decided to do some tree work and move it out of the road (Jason photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister and brother have both now officially made the move out west, but it was nice to have my sister home for a week before she headed out. Here we sport our matching t-shirts that were given to us separately in the same week!</td></tr>
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We have been doing quite a bit of training with the SMS high school and Devo crew as well. We lead agility sessions before strength 2-3 times a week and also get in an interval session or distance run with them when it fits and we're in a place safe enough for a large group. Several times a summer we hop in our 2 mile uphill run test and one mile uphill double pole test with the SMS kids to see how our strength and fitness are progressing. I've done two running races this summer and have been lucky enough to have a bunch of the SMS junior boys to try to hang on to until I blow up. I was psyched to set a PR in the uphill run test and I probably owe a lot of that to the junior boys I was chasing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie and I led some foot agility and showed the juniors some of the exercises we've learned with the U.S. team (Pat photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ol1fOZwcaB4/V2rzX55PHmI/AAAAAAAAVqg/6eJ_b8I4aW40f_YpBjMfEnm-y0LG4EymgCLcB/s1600/129EE35A-E1B9-4BD3-973F-CDADC366CC80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ol1fOZwcaB4/V2rzX55PHmI/AAAAAAAAVqg/6eJ_b8I4aW40f_YpBjMfEnm-y0LG4EymgCLcB/s640/129EE35A-E1B9-4BD3-973F-CDADC366CC80.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simi lining up with our Devo crew to do some hurdles (Pat photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fin practicing his slalom (Pat photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ2NqMIgiy4/V2rzaJh7DuI/AAAAAAAAVq0/idrLEC3pJ3QWzp5SJOw5qBvdMB6OCZaCgCLcB/s1600/F51BA95C-77DE-4BB3-A7F1-FD7DF89BC765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ2NqMIgiy4/V2rzaJh7DuI/AAAAAAAAVq0/idrLEC3pJ3QWzp5SJOw5qBvdMB6OCZaCgCLcB/s640/F51BA95C-77DE-4BB3-A7F1-FD7DF89BC765.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hurdles (Pat photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdVSqixgmv8/V2rzZGNYHQI/AAAAAAAAVqo/KsIsUdoZ2-IYKCq8fk9m9VzExFE46lZLQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FdVSqixgmv8/V2rzZGNYHQI/AAAAAAAAVqo/KsIsUdoZ2-IYKCq8fk9m9VzExFE46lZLQCLcB/s640/IMG_3876.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheering Jessie on as she does the uphill run test again (Sver photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the uphill run test (Sver photo)</td></tr>
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In addition to a lot of training, we've been able to do some fun non-training summer activities like summertime grilling, swimming, and venturing out of southern Vermont. We're only two weeks away from our camp in Alaska and my two weeks will be a mix of some more volume training and plenty of recovery before camp. I'm looking forward to being reunited with my U.S. Ski Team teammates in Alaska, but first I'm crossing my fingers for two more weeks of summer days like these in Vermont.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a sunny afternoon at my parents' house</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat making sure he gets enough protein</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNMyqmw9UWA/V2r3J36gE9I/AAAAAAAAVrg/4PUKOGiOTJATKvb8boB1wmIvllrBKcY1QCLcB/s1600/IMG_3956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNMyqmw9UWA/V2r3J36gE9I/AAAAAAAAVrg/4PUKOGiOTJATKvb8boB1wmIvllrBKcY1QCLcB/s640/IMG_3956.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adventure up to Burke to do some mountain biking and hang out with Matt, Steffi, and Sim at Matt's cabin </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gSuus5kJnU/V2rxuFQIw_I/AAAAAAAAVqU/PWeybRbhxXguLuVtW9GlmHzN9EKdCHBkACKgB/s1600/IMG_3885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gSuus5kJnU/V2rxuFQIw_I/AAAAAAAAVqU/PWeybRbhxXguLuVtW9GlmHzN9EKdCHBkACKgB/s640/IMG_3885.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie taking a dip in Hamilton Falls</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-40135733626285631542016-06-08T13:51:00.002-04:002016-06-08T15:32:26.347-04:00Back to VTThe final week of Bend camp flew by and now most of the SMS T2 crew is back in VT gearing up for a summer of solid training. Our last week in Bend consisted of a Fast and Female clinic, more hours on snow, and some fun afternoon dry land adventures including a trip out to Tumalo falls, which is one of my favorite places to visit in Bend!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tumalo Falls (Erika photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making our way under (Erika photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USST gals in our matching LL Bean gear</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic speeds (flying point road photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon by the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast and Female</td></tr>
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After two big weeks in Bend, I was looking forward to a recovery week back home in Vermont. The first few days in VT were HOT and HUMID, which was a bit of a shock to the system after being in cool, dry Bend, but I quickly got used to it. Sweating more just means you're working hard, right? The Saturday after I got home, I went to Rutland, VT to be the speaker for the Girls on the Run VT 5k event that was being held at the fairgrounds. I hopped in the 5k with the girls and had a blast getting to know some young Vermonters who love to run. I'm a huge fan of the Girls on the Run Program and have had the pleasure of being a coach for a couple years at the elementary school I attended.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading towards the finish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to start</td></tr>
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My recovery week also consisted of attending my friend Gordon's wedding, getting out for a couple mountain bikes, hopping in the West River Trail race, and unpacking from Bend and repacking to move into our condo up at Stratton. Now that everyone is back in town, we're ramping up the training and the group is looking good and motivated for the summer ahead of us. Thanks for following!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bquzeqWJLuM/V1hZSyOJIJI/AAAAAAAAVX4/L4v9TrniYP0GyuBiPuqMESQr7IJLHtpiwCLcB/s1600/61A70301-0208-4A9E-A583-986E714B1244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bquzeqWJLuM/V1hZSyOJIJI/AAAAAAAAVX4/L4v9TrniYP0GyuBiPuqMESQr7IJLHtpiwCLcB/s640/61A70301-0208-4A9E-A583-986E714B1244.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing with KO, Annie, and Erika (Pat photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing KO in some skate threshold intervals (Pat photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking with my sister in Rutland</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookie medal for the West River Trail run</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing Kam and Will through South Londonderry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre race with Isabel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun at Gordon's wedding with Erika, Sam, and Sam</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-61222380422046139542016-05-22T16:06:00.002-04:002016-05-22T16:06:54.279-04:00Bend CampWe're one week into our annual Bend spring camp and we've had some of the best skiing I've had in the three years I've been here. Our first day was a little wet, but for the most part we've had our fair share of sunny skies and spring skiing. Bend is one of my favorite camps of the year. It's the beginning of the training season and our main focus is logging a lot of easy volume. Each morning we usually ski for two or three hours and then in the afternoon we do some kind of dryland training. Bend is an activity paradise. You can ski (downhill or uphill), mountain bike, run, paddle, swim, climb, or really do any other kind of activity your heart desires. As much as I love skiing on snow, it's nice to break up our training with running, biking, or strength in the afternoons.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie, Ida, Erika, and me </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our newest rookies, Ian Torchia (Torch) posing with his new teammates</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ9fr3_KHOM/V0IJ6d6A78I/AAAAAAAAVNU/2yBZ09iXCwM5qJac0WEPeim85Anp9hMpgCLcB/s1600/13263910_10156889130850092_3338680933360147387_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ9fr3_KHOM/V0IJ6d6A78I/AAAAAAAAVNU/2yBZ09iXCwM5qJac0WEPeim85Anp9hMpgCLcB/s640/13263910_10156889130850092_3338680933360147387_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing some classic striding drills</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erika, Annie, and me with Mt. Bachelor in the background (Paddy photo)<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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If there's ever a day where it looks like it could be a good day for crust skiing up at the mountain, we throw in a pair of our rock skis just in case. The other day the boys headed out for an adventure while the girls did classic threshold intervals. When we got back home, they were all stoked about their ski and showing off all the pictures they took, so we made it our mission to go crust skiing the following day. We lucked out with the weather and had a beautiful sunny day to ski up into the Broken Top Bowl. I've been to Bend three times now, but this was the first time I ever did this ski and it did not disappoint. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Sadie, Jennie, and Ida heading down from the Bowl (Bryan Fish photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading towards Broken Top with Annie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack breaks with Sades on top! (Erika photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sodie is PSYCHED</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfection</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goobie enjoying her first ever ski off trails</td></tr>
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Yesterday afternoon we had a meeting with our U.S. Ski Team sponsors, Craft and L.L. Bean, where they unveiled our summer training uniforms. We are incredibly lucky to have such supportive companies providing us with training and competition gear and we're looking forward to sporting our new goods the rest of camp. We had a photo shoot with L.L. Bean on our ski this morning and we're about to head out for our Fast and Female event this afternoon. Thanks for following!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to winter this morning (flyingpointroad photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dynamic warm up with our strength coach, T! (flyingpointroad photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCLGg1hbfNA/V0IQShtUW2I/AAAAAAAAVOU/AfGlUWlRqqITO1i5BLlrKAV6a3HgX8NqQCLcB/s1600/13265925_10154228177471663_7464621717828893630_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gCLGg1hbfNA/V0IQShtUW2I/AAAAAAAAVOU/AfGlUWlRqqITO1i5BLlrKAV6a3HgX8NqQCLcB/s640/13265925_10154228177471663_7464621717828893630_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New L.L. Bean and Craft gear (flyingpointroad photo)</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1359987059514521064.post-37758820987724499552016-05-03T16:49:00.000-04:002016-05-03T16:49:00.791-04:00April ActivitiesDuring the month of April, my friend Liz Stephen calls herself, "Fun Liz". Not to say she and the rest of us aren't fun the remainder of the year, but during the month of April, we can experience a different kind of fun that doesn't involve worrying about the little everyday stresses of being a ski racer. Some April activities that fall into my fun category are: not roller skiing until May, back country skiing as much as possible, crust skiing ever once in awhile, going to the beach, spending time with friends and family, and generally focusing on mentally and physically recovering from a long season without worrying about training hours. After spending about a week at home after Spring Series, I headed out to Colorado to spend a few weeks with Simi and his family in Aspen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful (and bumpy) flight from Denver to Aspen</td></tr>
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Simi took it easy on me my first few days in Colorado and we did some shorter skis while I adjusted to altitude and keeping up with him. My first weekend out there, we had a bunch of friends come to Sim's cabin for the weekend. These were some of my favorite kinds of April days consisting of waking up, skiing all day, coming home and having a cold beer on the deck, making a big dinner, going to bed, and doing it all over again. It was a full cabin and we had some incredible skiing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkXh-iPQSCg/VyjoU2KS5uI/AAAAAAAAVC4/uaT1G3j7D7gb4jc5gDSrl5cIA52M_Fw-wCLcB/s1600/IMG_2967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkXh-iPQSCg/VyjoU2KS5uI/AAAAAAAAVC4/uaT1G3j7D7gb4jc5gDSrl5cIA52M_Fw-wCLcB/s640/IMG_2967.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of skiing in CO</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack break</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Al</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy happy happy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celine and Liz came to visit for the weekend!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gus flew out for his first back country experience and was a champ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sim checking Sylv's beacon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben, Hannah, and Liz scoping out a route for the day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of the world with Liz, Ben, Nils, and Hannah</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Liz, and Celine on top of Highlands Bowl</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and me skiing some pow pow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour guide Al and me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeeee</td></tr>
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After a few days of recovering from our big weekend at the cabin, my cousin Anya and our friend and wax tech Tim came to Aspen for a few days. We toured around Aspen for a day before heading back into the cabin for a couple more days of skiing. We timed this perfectly with a big snow storm and I got to ski the most powder I've ever skied in my life (which isn't saying much, but it was a lot!!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Howie in Aspen!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim and Anya</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anya and me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">XC ski out to Maroon Bells</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anya!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sim, Anya, me, and Tim</td></tr>
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After a ton of skiing in Colorado, we packed up for a photo shoot with L.L. Bean in Asheville, North Carolina. I had been to Asheville once before to visit my cousin Alexa who was living there and it's a really incredible place. It has a huge outdoor community, and a culture that is rich in art, music, good food, and good beer. It is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains and we got to do most of our shoot up in the mountains. Jessie, Simi, and I were the models for the shoot and we had a blast with the company. Look for some of the photos to appear this fall!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">behind the scenes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading to the waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise shots</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset shots</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue ridge mtns</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jess and Sim in downtown Asheville</td></tr>
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After our L.L. Bean shoot, Sim and I flew back to Colorado for a day before out final adventure of the month! For the last week of April, we went down to Sayulita, Mexico for a week of beach time. Our friend MJ met us down there and we had a lovely week of surfing, paddle boarding, mexican food, margaritas, and relaxing. It was the perfect week to finish off Fun April and now I'm excited to being the new training year! I'll be back in Vermont for the next two weeks before our start up camp in Bend Oregon the last two weeks of May. Thanks for following!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sayulita Sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MJ and Sim on the roof top deck overlooking town and the ocean</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch spot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-OuPO1TME0/Vyj7KQph-nI/AAAAAAAAVGk/Y_ZtVwi5nbYlM2PeAyvYadJFDXvncsJaQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-OuPO1TME0/Vyj7KQph-nI/AAAAAAAAVGk/Y_ZtVwi5nbYlM2PeAyvYadJFDXvncsJaQCLcB/s640/IMG_8050.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MJ sunset surfing</td></tr>
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Sophie Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15082111562172403912noreply@blogger.com1