On the Move

In just under 2 weeks I will once again be moving. I have moved about 8 times in the past 4 years and I am hoping to stay put for a little longer this time. I am not moving very far from where I live now, only about two miles, but the area is quite a bit different.

I currently live in a part of Minneapolis known as Uptown. It is a vibrant area just southwest of Downtown that boasts tons of small shops, coffee houses, art galleries and restaurants. It is a fun place to live with so much going on all within walking distance. The only trouble with living in Uptown is the cost of living here. Ben and I don't get to experience Uptown the way others do because we are always on a budget but it's fun to be around it all.

Last year Ben and I were lucky to get our current apartment because they needed an on-site caretaker. We had a huge reduction in rent but the work was pretty hard and sometimes really gross. When we heard, after a year of living here, that they no-longer needed us to care-take we knew immediately that we couldn't afford to live here! So it was time to move elsewhere.

Our budget is pretty tight so we ended up searching through tons of apartments and most were too much for us. I finally found the perfect spot last week! We had a list of criteria that we were looking for but most important was the price.

It is an upper unit in a duplex located in the Harrison Neighborhood of Minneapolis. We now have a big backyard, a huge basement, free laundry and the ski trails are a block and a half from my door! We will care-take at our new apartment too so we will be saving some on rent but doing some extra work too.

With Theodore Wirth Park (the site of the 2011 XC Junior Olympics) outside my back door there are countless recreational activities available. I will be contacting the local high school called Harrison Academy and will begin working with their students this fall. I will update soon about what the plans are for the upcoming weeks.

I am also happy to report that my symptoms have subsided and I am back to feeling like myself. Training has been going well and my energy has been great!

MN State Fair

I have lived in Minnesota for almost 5 years now and except for the first year I have visited the fair every year.

My mother, who was also born in NYC and lived there most of her life, lives in MN now too and this was our first MN State Fair together! We laughed and joked about what was the most important part of the Fair if you are a true Minnesotan. We decided that just going was the most important part and now we had to schedule this in as a "must do" every year if we want to feel like true Minnesotans. We lived it up at the Fair and enjoyed good food, expos, games, and people from all over the state. My Mom and Me waiting for the Bus to the Fair Some nice looking Ears!

A Clean Tractor

It was awesome! We walked forever and saw almost everything the fair had to offer! The biggest disappointment of the Fair was that the Cow, Pig, and Chicken barns were not open by the time we stopped by. We remedied the need for livestock by visiting the baby barn and got our fill of newborns from the farm world! Everything from bunnies, piglets, new born calves and baby chicks. This was by far my mom's favorite part of the fair!

Pull up contest! My kind of Fair The Fair's BIGGEST PUMPKIN The Fair's Tiniest Peppers! These are so cute but HOT!!!

My mom was pretty exhausted by the time the evening was over and I was a little worried about her. When I called to check on how she was feeling the next day she said she was in the best mood she had been in for months! It's great that a simple Fair can bring so much happiness to so many people this time of year. Even Lahti was psyched to get his new chew toy octopus when we got home.

Lahti Vs. Stuffed Octopus

The Octopus was such a hit he only lasted about 5 minutes before the apartment was covered in stuffing and tentacles.

POTS

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome is what the Cardiologist told me I have.

I have been struggling with fatigue since the beginning of the summer. At first it was between my training sessions, then it was while I working with the kids, then it was on my off days and then it started to affect my training as well. I was so busy I figured that the fatigue would end when I had a little break between programs and a rest week of training. It didn't!



I couldn't figure out what was going on and, I was way too busy to see it coming, but once it did I knew I had to do something. After a few days off and a number of easy sessions I started to feel better and shrugged it off as just a period of too much going on in my life. I started the next week feeling alright but by the end I knew something was up. I entered a local 5k and was 1-1/2 minutes off my usual pace for this time of year! I immediately began to review and rethink what I had done leading up to these feelings.



I couldn't figure it out. Nothing was different from a typical summer of training for me. As I proceeded with a cautious attitude I focused on my training zones and other daily routines. I thought it was hydration so I started drinking more sports drink, I thought it was hunger so I started eating a bigger breakfast, and I stayed very low in my training zones at all times. Then one day out of the blue I was lifting at the gym and after a set of squats I felt the world begin to spin beneath me.



I quickly removed myself from the gym and put my feet above my head. I managed to avoid passing out and got a ride from my boyfriend to the ER. After a lot of tests I was sent to see a cardiologist. What! How could there be something going on with my heart?



The Cardiologist preformed a number of tests as well and determined that my heart was showing signs of Orthostatic Intolerance, which means that when I stand up my pulse jumps over 30 beats but my blood pressure also drops significantly! It is this drop in blood pressure that causes me to feel light headed and pass out!



I told him it was probably just over-training! Unfortunately he shook his head and told me it wasn't. He said no one knows for sure what POTS is from but it wasn't from training. I have few more tests this week, one is on a tilt table where they will try to make me pass out (or come close anyway) and a few other tests to rule out anything else more serious.



So for now I have the all clear to train as usual and just ignore my heart rate. I have taken a number of days off now and I am feeling really fresh. I went for a fun urban rollerski with Jojo Winters and Brian Gregg today and although the pace was very easy my heart rate was easily 150+. I have to learn to train by feel and leave the monitor at home for a while. I did some lactate testing with a coach and sure enough I am in the right zones just not the right heart rates. This is so strange and after years of hearing about the importance of heart rates for training it will take some time to get used to.



From what I have been told POTS often develops after an illness or trauma and will progress for months getting worse and worse before it suddenly begins to subside. The last time I was really sick was at US Nationals and if I have been through the fainting period and other symptoms I should be in the clear! Right? I am keeping my fingers crossed and spirit high. I have to admit that this would be a lot harder if I didn't have other team members and ITA members who have faced adversity and set backs and climbed right back up to keep me inspired and optomistic! So I guess now it is my turn to just stay positive and focus on the process.

The Dog Days of Summer Training

This week I have decided to talk a little bit about my dog Lahti again. Ben and I rescued him from the Animal Humane Society about 3 and a half months ago. He was scared, scarred, and very skinny.

I am happy to report that Lahti is doing Great! He has turned into an awesome dog and great addition to our apartment life. It's hard to believe that we have a Husky living in our small apartment but we make sure he gets plenty of exercise. The goal is to get his fitness high enough by this winter for him to compete in a few Skijoring races with Ben. So looks like I am not the only athlete in training at our place.

We have been working on his long slow distance, his sprints and even a few plyo's! It's awesome to see how excited he gets now when he realizes we are going out for a workout. He has been running, Rollerskiing, Skateboarding, and biking with us. I think we hit top speed last week when I brought him biking on the greenway. We usually head away from home nice and easy for a warm up and when we hit the open straightaway of the bike path he gets to go all out. The return trip is a nice and easy trot home after a a long water and sniffing break.

The weather has been much cooler than usual here in Minneapolis so he has had a lot more opportunity to join us. When the temps are more then high 70's he usually has to stay inside by the AC and keep his runs short. I know I get hot and I don't have a fur coat on! It was only in the 60's yesterday so we brought him out to Afton Park for a nice OD. Lahti is getting better and better at running off leash and during the early hours of the AM when we were running there wasn't a lot of people out yet so he had a very full morning. As Ben and I follow the trail Lahti usually heads as far down the path as he can see before he comes barrelling back to find us. Based on the number of times he did this I would say he probably doubled our mileage for the run!

One Week Left!

Only one week until the City of Lakes Tri-Loppet event (and urban off-road triathlon) and everyone is gearing up for a great event. Over the past two and a half months 30 kids from the Anwatin and Anderson middle schools have been meeting three days a week to train for the race.




The entire program was free for the kids and a number of local businesses and organizations donated time, products, and educational info about staying active and healthy throughout life. Many thanks to all who helped!




So after many days of running, orienteering, obstacle courses, canoing, biking (and mountain biking), swimming, soccer, and ultimate Frisbee and rollerskiing we are ready for the race.




The most challenging obstacle for the Tri-Loppet group is that it was an after school program at Anderson and Anwatin Schools which means that when school is over the buses are too! This means that two weeks ago was the last day of school and after school activities but not the Tri-Loppet group. So the goal was to try and get as many kids to continue meeting at the training times and locations as possible. The turnout has been great and the volunteer drivers have been very appreciated.The next goal is to get as many kids early on Saturday morning to and from the event with smiling faces and a sense of accomplishment. Margaret (my CSD) and I have been orchestrating an incredible schedule that will pickup all the kids who are registered, pick up all bibs and race info, assign and fit them to a bike, and bring them to the start where a canoe and paddle will be waiting. Again there has been a huge number of volunteers who have offered to paddle, bike and run with a kid to help them along!

Mini Triathlon in Minneapolis

Last Week was one of the busiest of the spring/summer for the Tri-Loppet Group. We had a bit of a mini-triathlon within our daily activity. This wasn't intentional but rather a necessity due to a lack of bus transportation. So we used our resources wisely and had a great time! The biggest accomplishment was getting everyone really tired but happy when the day was done.

Thanks to the great location of Anderson Elementary School and is close proximity to the Mid-Town Greenway we could walk there in less then ten minutes. The Mid-Town Greenway Coalition once again leant us bikes to use. We took the bikes West on the Greenway to Lake Calhoun where we used canoes provided by Wheel Fun Rentals. We had a number of volunteers who came out to help for the afternoon. With two kids, and one adult per canoe we headed out to Lake of the Isles. We made a loop around the perimiter of the lake, and headed back to get on our bikes. The weather was perfect and the wind calm, the highlight for me was making it off the lake without getting soaked with water. Two years ago, I ended up swimming to shore because of a tipped over canoe. We biked back to the bike rental in time for everyone to catch thier rides home.

Snow and Rattlesnakes

My training camp in Bend was very successful. The US Ski Team was great with helping me find a place to stay and offering training opportunities while I was here.

After 7 beautiful and 1 cloudy/snowy days of skiing I couldn't be happier with the progress I have made and the new focus of my training for the next year. The skiing was almost perfect (especially if you like klister!) and the trails were filled with skiers from all over the country so the company was great too. The focus of the camp for me was on testing skis and getting in some early season volume. I was able to participate in a few interval and testing sessions with the Methow Valley Olympic Development Group and the US Ski Team which was great! It is always great to hear feedback from a different perspective from time to time.

Towards the end of the week an old NMU teammate, Melissa (Orem) Shwartz came to visit with her growing family. It was great to catch up with her and laugh about the "good old days." I hope to see her again this year and especially come race season!

Yesterday I took a hiatus from Mt. Bachelor and traveled north to Smith Rocks. This is a beautiful State Park that is a rock climbers paradise! I brought along some bounding poles and found the nice paths perfect for some bounding work!

I quickly realize how much of a city slicker I really am! Cruising around the city alone at night... not a problem! Running alone with Cougar and rattlesnake signs...Big Problem!

I asked a few people if there were really rattlesnakes and cougars in the park and everyone seemed to think the signs were not necessary, but as I ran along the path I couldn't help but think how perfect the dry dessert landscape would be for a backdrop to a snake!

I followed the path (headphones off! so I could hear if something was nearby) and made my way up and over the ridge! I met some great folks and saw some amazing scenery! The skiing was probably great again but I had the best time cruising through the volcanic cliffs and river valley.

Just when I was happily cruising along the trail near the river, a man ahead held his hand up to stop me. "Rattler he said!" Of course as frightened as I was to encounter one unexpectedly this was a great opportunity to see one up close. So I carefully walked over and stood next to him as we watched the beautiful snake slither away. It was AWESOME. I tried to snap a few photos but they do not capture how cool the snake was. The man told me it was coiled on the side of the trail just moments before.

So now I am leaving Bend, which has become my new favorite training place, for the concrete jungle of Minneapolis!

Hitting the Road Again!

After a few weeks of training it's time to start hitting the road.

I had some of my first Rollerskiing intervals this week along with a VO2 Max test and strength test. Training is back in full swing again. The weather has been great here in Minnesota. Lots of sunshine and around 60 degrees. I will admit I am jealous of the many skiers who got to take a little spring break either in the mountains or at the beach!

I took the opportunity this spring to catch up with a lot of CXC and personal sponsor obligations. I felt like I had a fulltime job, as most days I couldn't even get out to do other activities! I also caretake at my apartment building, which helps reduce the the rent, so my spring was filled with a lot of post winter raking and cleanup around the grounds. Not the most glamorous spring but it's what I have to do to afford to race all winter.

Now in less then a week my training camp season will start as well in Bend, OR. I have never been to Bend before so I am excited to see and ski somewhere new! My coach will not be there, so I will be training with the Methow Valley Ski Team and Scott Johnston thanks to the help of fellow ITA athlete Brian Gregg.

I hope to post some videos from the workout this weeked when I get my camera working again.

Biking and Rollerskiing

The City of Lakes Tri-Loppet is only two months away and there is a lot of training to get in before then. During the past two weeks the kids at Anderson and Anwatin Middle school have been working very hard.

On Monday the Anderson group which is almost 20 strong ventured on foot to the nearby Midtown Greenway Coalition (MGC). The Midtown Greenway is a great asset here in South Minneapolis because it bisects the Grand Rounds route, which circumnavigates Minneapolis, in half allowing for quicker commuting across town.

The Coalition Vision:
We envision a green urban pathway that provides the anchor for a regional, sustainable transportation network; and encourages healthy diverse communities to prosper, participate, and connect to the region.

The path is built along the old railroad grade and thus is recessed below street level with many unique bridges along the straight path.

The group was given bicycles and helmets to use for the afternoon from the MGC. They also provided a guide who lead us in safety and etiquette along the trail. We biked to Lake Calhoun and back and despite the rainy weather had a great experience.


On Wednesday the Anderson Elementary kids had the opportunity to Rollerski. This was awesome! The Rollerskis are a part of the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation and are used for kids groups in the community.

We had just enough boots and skis for all 10 kids to participate at once. For most of the kids this was their first time on Rollerskis and they were incredible! We focused on balance, turning and accelerations in our relay races.

After the Rollerskiing we progressed to the woods where we held a mini time trial to get baseline times for everyone. Everyone left at 15 second intervals and their times will serve as a benchmark as we continue training through the summer!

Kid's Tri-Loppet Training Group

Tomorrow is the first day of my new program for the summer with In-The-Arena and the City Of Lakes Loppet Nordic Ski Foundation. The Tri-Loppet is an off-road urban triathlon here in Minneapolis consisting of canoeing Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake and Brownie Lake, running the hilly trails at Theodore Wirth Park and then Navigating the single track Mountian Bike trails at Theodore Wirth Park.

My first day begins with Anderson Middle School in South Minneapolis. We will be working towards the goal of completing the triathlon at the end of June. Last year I coached a similar program, but this year there will be a higher focus of getting all of the kids to participate in the triathlon either as a team or solo. The program will also incorporate nutrition and other healthy lifestyle advice. Wednesday will be the first day of the program at Anwatin Middle School which is adjacent to Theodore Wirth Park and allows us to train on the race trails when we meet. The kids at Anwatin are really lucky to be so close to such a great park!

During the two and a half months of the program I will be working with both Anderson and Antwatin schools on a weekly basis, rotating between Canoeing, biking, and running! We will be supported by many local Minneapolis companies who will be providing the canoes, bikes and even donating running shoes.

I am so excited to finally get this program started and to meet the kids (hopefully a few returning faces from last year).

President’s Fitness Awards presentation at Bryn Mawr Elementary School.

On Sunday after almost 70K of racing in one week for the woman and over 100K for the men at the Birch Hill Cross Country Ski Trails in Fairbanks, AK the 2008/2009 competitive ski season came to an end. A lull in Mt. Redoubt’s volcanic activity on Monday gave my flight from Anchorage the opportunity to take off, just before the volcano spurted another ash cloud. This was the first flight to Minneapolis since the volcano began erupting a week earlier. I was so relieved when we finally got off the runway.

On Wednesday morning I joined the second through fifth graders at the Bryn Mawr Elementary School to hand out medals and certificates to every kid who completed The President’s Fitness Challenge. Each student was required to partake in healthy activities and eating habits while keeping track of their choices for the previous 6 weeks.

The best part about Anita Chavez’s P.E. class is that she has almost all of them XC skiing during the winter! The Theodore Wirth and City of Lakes Loppet Trails run right through the school playground and the trails behind the school are where I train the most when I am home during the spring, summer, fall and winter. Almost 80% of the 180 kids in the assembly had skied in the City of Lakes Mini-Loppet. AWESOME!!!

I spoke to the kids about my XC skiing training regime leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics and how much I love training in the Minneapolis parks all year. We talked about many of the different parks in the area and all of the different types of activities we can do in the parks and on the bike paths, like running, biking, rollerblading, soccer, baseball and tag. The kids had lots of questions about Skiing, Alaska, Big Mountains and my new training partner Lahti the Husky!

General Mills was also an integral part of the presentation offering prizes and info about good healthy food choices. The kids did a great job answering the trivia questions about the food groups and serving sizes!

I look forward to working more with Anita Chavez and the kids at Bryn Mawr this summer during their summer school programs and with the support of General Mills for the Tri-Loppet program that is being offered to the Anwatin and Anderson Elementary Schools.

New Addition to the Family!

We have a new member of the household here in Minneapolis. His name is...well he doesn't have an official name yet! We have been calling him anything from "dog" to "sable" to "Kate Moss."

He is a 3 year old Alaskan Husky that Ben, my boyfriend, and I rescued from the Minneapolis Animal Humane Society. He was a transfer from another agency and arrived with a few other Huskies that were all rescued together. He is going to make a great running and skiing companion someday. Right now though he is very skinny and extremely shy. The goal will be to start him with a few walks a day and gradually increase to short runs once he starts to gain weight and get adjusted to being on a leash. Hopefully we can get him out in the woods, although still on a leash, by early summer!

We are excited to give him a second chance and hope he enjoys living with us.

When does Exercise become Training?

My friend and teammate Jojo Winters and I were driving to the YWCA to teach a Nordic Walking Clinic earlier today, and we were discussing ways to get the group excited about getting out and doing Nordic Walking within a continuous exercise plan. As we were talking to the group I accidentally slipped the word “training” into the conversation, and realized that not everyone who exercises is necessarily “training” for something. Or are they?

When does “Exercise” become “Training”?

Whenever I go out for a ski, run, or to the gym I call it training, regardless of duration or intensity, it’s all training. I call it training because I have a goal in mind, and every session gets me closer to that goal. Jojo and I came to the realization that many people go for skis and runs, and to the gym with a much different goal. They simply want to live healthier lives, and enjoy their daily workouts, or escape from the stresses of life. Would you call that training, or simply exercising? Do more people say, “I’m heading out for exercise.”, or “I’m heading out to train.” Exercise and training are not really any different. They are different in scope of what they might hope to accomplish, heading to the Olympics, or completing a 5km run/walk, or simply losing a few pounds of weight.

When we were speaking to the group, we thought that using the word training might be somewhat intimidating to the group, but as we walked around the indoor track with the group, I realized that although this isn’t a part of training specifically for anything, this is still exercising, and everyone at the clinic who was talking part, was exercising, and just as focused and determined as I am training.

I also realized how much fun I was having, and although I would not log this time specifically in my training log, I hope to bring the “fun” into my other tough workouts I might have, and remember that it is all exercise.

Rollerskiing

Despite the warm weather and rain last week that melted all of the natural snow here in Minneapolis, I was extremely excited to Rollerski! Rollerskiing is the form of training that most Nordic Skiers use during the months when there isn't any snow to ski on (usually spring, summer and early fall, but sometimes February as well!). Rollerskis are made of a wooden or metal shaft and two polyurethane wheels. They are designed to be used on paved roads and paths but I have had to use them on some hard packed dirt roads in Vermont.

So when all of the lakes melted and the trails near my house began to resemble the lakes, I had to migrate Northwest to Elm Creek Park Reserve for some loops on their man made loop. The skiing at Elm Creek is incredible. The man made loop is almost 5 feet deep and the trail is 2.5K of varying terrain.

I sometimes enjoy skiing through the woods or across the lakes and not seeing anyone else but I also love gathering at Elm Creek with all of the other Twin Cities' skiers who are preparing in the final days before the American Birkebeiner!!! Elm Creek provides the opportunity to catch up with over 20 people in one 2 hour workout and get the opportunity to ski with each of them!

After many loops, boredom began to sink in and more importantly my schedule began to fill. I could no longer drive the 30 min each way to ski and I had to make some decisions about what to do for my specific training two weeks from the World Championships. I realized that Minneapolis has one of the largest bike commuting population in the country and this is incredible considering the weather we can have. I checked out the bike paths and sure enough they had all been plowed and were mostly free of ice.

Some people say they wait until June to start rollerskiing but I have to admit that I really like rollerskiing. With so many bike paths and fun neighborhoods to explore I could ski a different route everyday for weeks! I love exploring different areas of the city and I love that I can live two blocks from downtown and rollerski from my door!

The rollerskiing was pretty good a few days ago but I realized that there is still not quite enough daylight, especially when there is still a few slick spots on the trail. I did have the chance to enjoy some of the most beautiful views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline. I'll be heading out to the Czech Republic Monday for World Championships, but I won't be bringing my rollerskis with me. I hope you have enough snow where you are or where you are going to keep the ski season going!

A few Questions from Matt Chisam

1. What is the athletic background of your parents and family?
My parents and family were very athletic and active when I was young. My parents met at a bike/ski shop in Manhattan and ran the shop’s weekend ski trips to Vermont together. I grew up downhill skiing in the winter and windsurfing and hiking in the Green Mountains in the summer.

2. When did you begin participating in your sport? I began participating in my sport in High School. I was 16 years old when I started cross country skiing.

3. What was your early experiences with sport like? My early experience with sports was very positive. I can remember looking forward to recess and PE everyday!

4. How instrumental were parents and coaches in the early part of your development as an athlete? My parents were very instrumental in the early part of my development as an athlete. I learned how to ice skate, swim, and I did gymnastics early on in the city and was skiing from age two up in Vermont. As I grew older my coaches became amazing role models who definitely encouraged and inspired me to pursue an athletic path.

5. How were you introduced to your sport and how many other sports did you seriously participate in? During high school friends were a very important role in sports and fortunately some of my closest friends were as active as I was. My best friend, who I met alpine skiing in 5th grade switched to Nordic and she had so much fun she encouraged me to try it.

6. Is your success a product of nature or nurture? I think my success is a combination of both. I am the only sibling in my family who has pursued sports throughout school. I know that my little brothers and sister in California will never be cross country skiers because they simply don’t have access to snow. When I was born my parents were younger and were active themselves which was very influential for me. My parents no longer have the staminia to do the type of activities they used to and so my younger siblings are being raised much differently. I will say that I was extremely impressed when my little sister ran a 5k running race with me though.

7. Are you an expert in your field? (by your own definition)NO. I think that is what intrigues me so much about pursuing a sport. There are so many components to “master” and there will always be new and unexpected obstacles to overcome. I hope to gain enough knowledge and experience in the sport of cross country so that I could one day pass on what I have learned.

First World Cup

Whistler Pre-Olympic World Cup

Yesterday was my first Cross Country World Cup! The race was a 15K Pursuit at the Whistler Olympic Park where next years 2010 Winter Olympics will be held. Suprisingly very few countries were present to race at the Olympic Venue. With the conclusion of the Tour de Ski, an event modeled after cycling tours like the Tour de France, many athletes were not up to the grueling travel required to compete in the three races here in Canada. Today I raced in the Team Sprint with a former NMU skier Morgan Smyth. Morgan skied great in both of her competitions this week and I had an awesome time skiing with her.

The races were also exciting to watch! There were a few extremely successful finishes by the large North American contingent competing. The highlight of my week was watching and cheering for Kikkan Randall and Liz Stephens who finished 4th in the Team Sprint this morning! A truly inspiring race to watch. There were a lot of other notable finishes from athletes from Sun Valley, APU, and the US Ski Team. I was really excited for fellow ITA member Nicole De Yong who scored her first World Cup points!!!

My races did not go as well as I had hoped. I finished 32 in the 15K and 16th in the Team Sprint. I am feeling a bit drained after many days of travel and a very unpredictable US Nationals in Anchorage, AK. My races were not bad, I was just a little "off" from my usual self, and nowhere is that more obvious then at a World Cup.

I am looking forward to getting back to Minneapolis and catching up with the Youthline Kids. My next adventure is coming up in a few weeks when I head to Liberec, Czech Republic for the 2009 World Championships! I am really excited about qualifying and I am looking forward to another opportunity to test my skills with the best Nordic Skiers in the World.