It’s been a long, long time since I’ve slept in the same house for longer than 2.5 weeks! This feel so weird to me. But it’s also incredibly nice to get settled in to the house so generously loaned out to us SMS team athletes for the summer. I actually fully unpacked my suitcase, hung clothes in the closet (gasp!) and put my own quilt on the bed. I had a realization last year when I was talking with a teammate about moving houses that besides my ski equipment and training clothes, I don’t own any “house stuff” other than my coffee press and a coffee mug shaped like a wide-eyed owl…and now, my own set of sheets/quilt. That’s it, you guys. I’m officially a ski bum for life! And LOVING IT.

I like to call this "owl and oats". It's my morning wake up call.

I like to call this “owl and oats”. It’s my morning wake up call.

To make it feel even more like home, I bought a bunch of adorable little tomato and basil plants that are now potted in various containers all over the deck. And while you can call me crazy for giving them a “growing pep talk” every morning, and doing my yoga with them, Andy took the guitar and sang them a song, so there you have it. More love going to these tomato plants than any other part of the house!

Andy singing my plants to life. Thanks buddy!

Andy singing my plants to life. Thanks buddy!

Rest-day yoga time!

Rest-day yoga time!

Training here in Stratton is really pretty dialed in. Our team structure is less camp-based and more every day based. We usually train together for the more important sessions – intervals, strength, speeds and long distance skis. Some of the cross training or shorter sessions we might split up and do our own thing, and of course none of us have identical training plans so there’s always an element of flexibility to the schedule! But our SMS coach Pat O’Brien does an amazing job of balancing all our training ideas and creating group workouts that get everyone what they need. And this summer, our USST coach (and my training plan writer and personal coach) Jason Cork is living here in Stratton! So I’m happy to have access to awesome technique advice and training help from these guys all summer long.

Erika working on her squats in the gym.

Erika working on her squats in the gym.

One of my favorite roads to ski on - Winhall Hollow!

One of my favorite roads to ski on – Winhall Hollow!

Erika and I enjoying some Nuun popsicles on a hot day.

Erika and I enjoying some Nuun popsicles on a hot day.

Taking a dive into the foam pit after balance training on the trampolines at the SMS air awareness center. (photo from Cork)

Taking a dive into the foam pit after balance training on the trampolines at the SMS air awareness center. (photo from Cork)

Getting up to speed on a long downhill with Erika!

Getting up to speed on a long downhill with Erika!

Now that everyone is back in town and rested after a big Bend camp, we’re ready for a bigger training week coming up. The days are going to be a highlight reel of train, eat, sleep, repeat. And I’m psyched for it!

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