Spring forward

Time to reset the watch–and maybe even the calendar.  Somehow, we totally skipped spring and went from winter straight into summer today.  Yesterday I was skiing on the Birkie trail on icy, hard pack conditions and today I had my mountain bike out and was riding on the roads in shorts and jersey–and it was comfortable!  Amazing what a little sunshine can do.  However, I don’t think winter is quite over yet. . .

I’m continuing to train for the upcoming US 50km National Championship in Maine next week, trying to take advantage of the snow we’ve still got.  Put in a solid 3.5 hour distance ski with some of the local masters skiers yesterday morning.  Of course, it wouldn’t be a spring adventure ski without a little bushwhacking.  Here, everyone is regrouping after taking what turned out to be a “long” cut back to the same trail we started on.

Tom, John, and Jeff

Over the course of the morning, the crew kept getting smaller and smaller as work, family, and other obligations whittled down our group.  Needless to say, I was a bit toasted after skiing in the increasingly soft snow by the end of the morning.  Of course, it sure beats roller skiing (but that’s not hard!).

There was great turnout at the Ideal Market in Cable for my slideshow last night.  A big thanks to Mick & Beth for hosting the event and to everyone who could make it!  We definitely had a full house.

The slideshow was a great opportunity for me to share some of my photos and stories from life on the road and the Olympics with the community that’s been so supportive of me over the past four years.  It was cool to see such a diverse audience, from youth and high school skiers, to master skiers, and even people who don’t cross country ski.  Thanks to everyone last night, and over the past 3 weeks, who ordered a “Kuzzy” pizza.  Your orders raised $240 for my Olympic Fund, helping to pay for training and travel expenses, $1 at a time.  That’s a lot of pizza!