Bend Field Trips

We're currently in Bend, Oregon for our startup camp with the US Ski Team. We had a rainy day or two at home before leaving, so that made it easy to look forward to the blue skies and sunshine that Bend has had almost every day. Before leaving home, Andy, Simi, Erika, and I got some good training in with Pat and Gus and we were able to do some drills with the SMS kids which is always great because they keep us on our toes!

Andy and some SMS kiddos

Speed day with SMS

Andy, Erika, and I also stopped by the Flood Brook Union School to help them build their new playground. It was an awesome event with tons of volunteers who showed up and I think we're all looking forward to playing on the playground this summer.

Andy sporting the volunteer shirt and the site before the playground went up

I'm not proud to say that Erika and I spent over an hour putting this together, but we finally did it!

The Saturday before I left, I woke up to a beautiful sunny day and drove down to Brattleboro where one of the VT Girls on the Run 5ks was taking place. The girls I work with from Flood Brook are doing their run in Rutland on the 31st, but I'll still be out west and was asked to be a speaker before the run in Brattleboro. There was a huge turnout of about 750 girls who completed the 5k! It was a truly inspiring experience and I'm so happy to have been able to be a part of Girls on the Run the past two years.

Lilly  handing out water feeds

After some frantic last minute packing, we flew across the country on Monday to Bend, Oregon. There is more snow here than there was last year and the weather has been beautiful. It's so much fun to be reunited with the team after a month or two of doing our own thing for the spring. Skiing was feeling really good, but unfortunately I toppled over on my mtn bike the other afternoon and fractured my elbow and sprained some ligaments. I really wish it was a cooler story, but I wasn't doing anything impressive, I just didn't unclip in time and toppled over onto a straight arm. I'm hoping to see an elbow specialist in the next couple days to find out exactly what I can and can't do, but in the meantime I've been taking it easy and going for some nice walks. The hardest part right now is that it's my right arm, so everyday things such as getting dressed, eating, and typing take about three times as long as they should. As frustrating as it is to not be able to ski, I'm lucky to be in a beautiful place with my supportive teammates who make everything better. 

Bend snow and sunshine

Sadzarue

Getting ready for some biking

Sun, snow, and friends

Deschutes River

Erik is also suffering from an injury, so yesterday Matt took the injured kids on a field trip to Tumalo Falls. It was good to get outside and walk around and the falls were beautiful! We climbed down behind the waterfall and got drenched in the freezing water. Here are some photos from our adventure.

Tumalo Falls

Matt and Erik contemplating life

Me and Erik

Erik and Matt behind the falls

Using Matt's shirt to keep my brace dry

Brrrrr

Did it!

Cold, wet, and happy!

I'm not sure what my plans will look like, but I'm hoping to be able to start doing some skiing without poles this week and as of right now, I plan on staying in Bend and going to Park City for a week after this camp. I think it will probably be about a month before I can start to use my elbow again, but I'll be working on some strong legs!