Day 3 in Nakiska!

Today we trained a double session at Nakiska which means we woke up at 6 am to arrive at the hill. We first trained slalom from 8 until 10 and then took a 20 minute break. After a snack in the lodge we then trained super g for the first time this season! Luckily it was only -9 today (but somehow Katie managed to get really bad frostbite). I felt like I skied awesome in the slalom and even though I was a bit nervous for the super g managed to ski really well! My skiis are really fast and I felt like I never stopped skiing speed! I have missed speed so much over my recovery with my knee and I am soo pumped to get back onto the long boards again tomorrow! We have the later session booked for super g tomorrow and the weather looks awesome for some fast skiing! Hopefully the sun will be out again. Here's some pictures from today...

 Katie Farrow warming up before our first super g run of the day

 Me not realizing that the tape that I put on my face to keep it from freezing was falling off!

 Nakiska!

 Silly face:)

 View from the top of the super g

Katie Farrow's horrible frostbite!! Hope it gets better soon...

Day 2 in Nakiska

As usual, today we woke up not knowing if the temperatures outside would be too cold to ski but fortunately the sun was shining and the temperature did warm up for us! We skied a 45 gate slalom and did some timing. Overall I felt like I improved a lot today! Right now I am really focusing on getting on the right line for slalom and running a more direct line to the gate. Today I feel like I really started to make a step forward in finding the fastest line possible. On my last run of the day I lost my right ski and hit my quad on the bottom of a gate! OUCHHH. Got a pretty bad charliehorse but with ice and stretching I should be fine! Should have a pretty awesome bruise! Every time I fall I immediately think about my knee  but with every fall I also become more confident in my knee. I'm reminded that my acl should now be stronger than ever! Anyways, today was a little chilly but the snow was perfect to train some good quality slalom. Tomorrow we train slalom in the morning and super g in the afternoon and I'm really excited to finally get going fast again!!

Here's a picture I took form my phone of the sun shining on the mountains! GORGEOUS!

Day off already?!

                                                  It looks nice out from inside....

                                              Run to the van before you freeze!!!

                                  Katie Farrow stylinn a nicee Canada goose jacket

            Katie and Nat happy we are only outside for a minute instead of the whole day skiing.

                                                                  And again....

                          Devon Clarke doing something weird... not sure what that is hahaa

                                                Jeff yelling at us for something...

                                    OHHMMMMGEE ITS COLDD OUT!!!!     -Katie Farrow

                                                            Frozen Banana anyone?

                                                          
                                                  How could it look so nice out but be soooo cold

                                                 Jeff was soo happy to hear our new cd

                                              fbooking.. what we do best on our days off

-28! pfffft thats nothinnnnn

Just when I thought it couldn't get any colder today was a record breaking temperature in Alberta. With -43 degree weather Nakiska actually closed the lifts and did not run for the day because of the rediculous temperatures. Unlucky for us we already had to take today off. It's been a pretty lazy day and took a trip into canmore to get some hot chocolate to warm up.

First Day At Nakiska

                           We are welcomed by -32 degree weather as we drive closer to Nakiska.

                                                      Can't believe is winter already!

                                 Nat enthused and excited to get out into the freezing cold weather.
Today was our first day skiing at Nakiska and it was said to be the coldest day yet on the hill. It was -28 and I definitley didn't wear the right face protection. I already have red frost bite marks to prove it! Dispite the cold weather we trained slalom and the snow was hard but very grippy. I got a solid 5 runs in the course before our lane time was over which was pretty good considering the temperature. My knee didn't bother me much today and I am excited to train slalom tomorrow as well. Hopefully it isn't as cold!
Julia

Alberta Bound

                Today was an early morning! Just when I was getting used to the school schedule for the short two weeks we have been home from Austria I had to wake up and leave my house at 4am to catch a flight to Calgary at 7am. Even though I have only been home for a short period of time, I feel like I have made a ton of gains in the gym and feel more confident than ever with my knee. With  the race season quickly approaching I feel like I’m ready to start raising the intensity level in my training. Even though I feel like I haven’t had much time in gates this year, I am mentally prepared to start into racing again. Surprisingly, I am doing a lot better than I thought I would emotionally. Looking back to this time of year last season, I wouldn’t have ever imaged the experiences and disappointments that were ahead of me. The thought of getting injured never crossed my mind and for some reason I still can’t believe it really happened to me. Even though for the past 8 months my ski racing careers has been put on hold I have truly learned a lot about myself and the incredible sport of ski racing. I learned what it feels like to be on the top, and what it feels like to be watching on the side lines. In a sense, I got a taste of everything this year; facing disappointment of injury being the biggest, and dealing with the emotional set back of it all. I feel my experiences with injury this year have made me realize how important everyday on snow really is. It reminded me of how much I love this sport and how everyday on snow can’t be taken for granted; especially the days with bad snow conditions or even the days I am not skiing my best. Since my injury, I have had to have a positive attitude and continually focus on what I can do rather what I can’t and what is out of my control. Focusing purely on my goals and my technique are the only things that will help me to reach my goals. With the results I had in Alberta at this time last year I feel confident that I will have success again. I’m finally making a comeback and I can’t wait to show off my new attitude. Since last year I have made a lot of new friends with ski racers from all around Canada and I can’t wait to train alongside my competition. I live and breathe the competitive atmosphere ski racing brings and I can’t wait to go head to head with the best athletes in North America! WISH ME LUCK!!

Julia