The training camp over the past week in Sjusjøen really could not have gone any better! I’m totally happy and satisfied with the training load that I got to do and it felt like a great balance between the long, fun get-lost-in-the-woods type of adventures that I wanted and the amount of rest my body needed to keep things rolling in the middle of the season. Of course, there were intervals, technique sessions and speed-oriented sessions throw in there too. The goal of the week was to keep my fitness while making sure I was recovering and working on the specific things I know I need to focus on to perform in the upcoming 4 classic races.
One of the awesome sunsets by our cabin.
Perfect tracks!
The skiing here made me happy from the inside out, probably because it’s the kind of skiing I grew up doing. You click into your bindings, consult a trail map, inevitably say “screw it” and just head off in whatever direction looks fun, ski until you’re tired and meander back for a hot chocolate and a hot shower. I just love that. Ski weeks like this are how I know I’ll be doing this sport my whole life, because I don’t always need to be racing to enjoy cruising around on the trails.
Emily on our sunset adventure
Me, being a goofball
View from the top!
Long, long sunset ski shadows.
The cabin living here has been wonderful. If you know me, you are probably familiar with my love of cooking for myself whenever I can during the winter, so I really took advantage of the kitchens in our cabins and did some fun baking. Scott was kind enough to turn a year older during the week so constructing a raspberry chocolate tart for him was a great afternoon for me! And, yeah, banana bread. Baked (and consumed by the team) very early into the week.
Scott and his birthday tart. (Reese in the background)
We also got to test out a new gym. Strength training on the road ranges from some mildly hilarious and somewhat inventive gym setups to some amazing gym facilities. We tried out a new gym and loved it, and the only crazy setup was part of our core routine. Nobody got hurt, everyone thought it was funny, so it was a good day!
Reese stabilizing the interesting contraption we rigged up while Andy does core with the bungees.
Emily striding it out.
Today we’re headed to Oslo for the next set of World Cup races – a classic city sprint through the streets of Drammen on Wednesday, and a 50km/30km classic on the weekend at the famous Holmenkollen venue in Oslo. The fans are always awesome and it’s an exciting place to be racing, so I’m pretty excited!
