International Racing (In My Back Yard)

Despite never leaving the town of Canmore, this past week was my first time competing with Team Canada in an international field on the IBU Cup circuit. It is always fun competing in Europe, but it was convenient to sleep in my own bed, make my own food and drive my own car to the race site every morning! I also knew every inch of the biathlon trails and what to expect out on course.

I had a solid set of trials races the previous weekend so I started the weekend maybe a little too eager to have the best race of my life in my first IBU Cup. I had my fastest skiing on the first race day (10km sprint) but finished in 31st due to some "anxious" shooting. The second day was the same race and I finished in 32nd.

We had a two day break before the 20km Individual and another 10km Sprint and I used it to get back into my normal rhythm. My best races usually come together when there's a combination of high pressure, high motivation, and the ability to shut out everything but moving forward as fast as I can. The Wednesday Individual came out as a sort-of-a-variation of that. I had decent shooting (17/20) and was made top 16 by a few seconds. I wound up top Canadian that day too which was neat. I finished on Thursday with a 29th place in the final 10km Sprint. I laid down everything on the last lap but felt the past few weeks catching up and just didn't have the legs to make another top 16. ( Unfortunately for my pride and momentum I also managed to slip out on the only icy patch on course-image below)

(TURN DOWN volume before watching!)

Nationals in Valcartier Quebec are coming up in mid-March and that is what my next few weeks will be focused on preparing for! Cheers and as always, thanks for the support:)

IBU Cup 6/7 Come to Canmore!

It has been a slow start with some uncertainty and self doubt but this past weekend I put that aside and did what I love and train for! I had one of the better races of my life on Saturday in the Sprint (hitting 9/10 and skiing close to my best) and topped it off with a solid mass start on Sunday. I put a significant amount of work and prep into these trials races and it was rewarding to earn a spot representing Canada on home soil at IBU Cups 6 and 7. I am obviously very thankful for everything God gave me to work with and the opportunity to race in Canada colors again! The first of four races is this Saturday.

Always good to be back at the WOP

Finally! Something encouraging this year! For those who don’t know, I had a really slow start this season with some health issues taking over the majority of my focus and energy. This past weekend I had my first GOOD race this year in the 30km pursuit (15km classic/15km skate). I actually had a bad start and lost 4:47 to the top open men in the opening classic leg but the final 15km were the best of the year. I got in the moment and really pushed my comfort levels to move up 8 positions and wind up with the second fastest U23 skate time. I only ended up 17^th overall (8^th in U23) but it’s the feeling I’ve been looking for all year. I’m so thankful for a little bit of motivation and being able to give a full effort! Next race is this Sunday (Canadian Westerns-15km skate mass start) followed by the next IBU Cup Tour Trials on February 4^th-5^th!


Great pics by Jesse Winter at: http://www.jessewinterphotography.com/Sports/Callaghan-Valley-NorAm-and/21007420_cTvXbc#!i=1669815026&k=2brpBnn

I apologize for my procrastination in keeping you up to date. My attention and time have being completely centered around the start of the season, getting into race shape, daily training, daily diet, and contemplating issues like, "what can I possibly do to ski faster and shoot straighter?" Despite my stubborn effort to ignore how I can afford all this, reality still seems to pop up on occasion and remind me that traveling the country and  skiing for a job is expensive! (So that's my excuse for the postponed blog update.)

I started the season with the most important race of the year; IBU Cup trials in Canmore, AB. Despite my sincere efforts to be ready for this race, there are factors in Biathlon that are hard to control. I gave my strongest effort but fell well below my goal. Not a good start. I felt I had a great summer and had skied as hard as I could. I have never in my life went all out and skied so slow. My blood tests that week had some answers. I had shockingly low ferritin (indicating low iron stores) and my testosterone levels were 1/3 of their normal. It took me a few weeks to accept to myself what had happened with the trials results but I made it my first priority to get my health back. 

I'm at home in Prince George for Christmas and spending some time on my home trails at Otway Nordic Ski Centre. My focus right now is on diet, recovery, and health as I prepare for my next races U23 Cross Country World Champs Trials in Whistler BC (January 12-15th). 

Merry Christmas!

(photo by Sylvain Beaudry)

A little bitta snow on the mountains!

Days like these, I am really thankful for the opportunity I have to train full time. I'm healthy, I had a great fall-day training session and I'm feeling the excitement of winter/skiing/racing just around the corner. I had a sweet day today skiing just under 3 hours finishing with Moraine Lake road (which was a first for me). I've had a great fall in general with some really good training opportunities and cooperating weather. This time of year goes by quickly for me and it's easy to get caught up in what I want to accomplish this winter. I've tried to switch focus from what I want to happen this winter to what I need to focus on now to get there! The first race of the season is November 14 in Canmore (first IBU Cup Tour Trials with the Canadian Team).

Thanks Rudy Project for the new fluorescent sterling helmet and glasses to keep me visible on the road!

(photo skills courtesy of Cynthia Clark)

Moraine Lake (Lake Louise) lunch break with snow on the mountains!

Switchin Gears

(Rocky Mountain Racers at Haig Glacier)

Despite the glorious weather lately in Canmore, summer training is coming to an end and the focus is narrowing for the ski season. I just finished a week training at the Haig glacier which was a blast and am heading up again next week (Sept 6th). I am feeling good about my summer and hopefully everything runs smooth through the fall. I have less than 10 weeks before my first race and I'm starting to feel the excitement of racing!

Feeling Hot

I am excited to say that summer has finally arrived in Canmore! I am also excited to say that the Tour de France is in full swing and providing some excellent daily inspiration heading to training! This past weekend I had a personal best time up Norquay (15:14) from the gate at the bottom to the Norquay sign at the top. It was a good indication my training is on the right track and that all my cycling in the spring went to good use. I had a large block of cycling hours in May (2500km) and I am getting more and more efficient on my bike. The summer is young and I am looking forward to see where my training can go from here!

Winter wishing!

When I consider that my job is currently skiing in the mountains in perfect snow conditions, I don't feel too bad. This past week (June 23rd-28th) our Rocky Mountain Racers team spent the mornings skiing at Sunshine Mt., Banff on a 4 km loop in more or less perfect conditions. It was sunny 5 out of the 6 days and only in the last two days did grooming become difficult with the trail starting to break down. It was very convenient to have summer skiing so close to home and it replaced what would have been an expensive trip to the glacier. I had a total of 18 hours of skiing which I will be thankful for in mid-November when racing gets under way! It wasn't all fun and games. With limited on-snow opportunities I ensured I was 100% focused on my ski technique, heart rates and proper recovery. Its equal parts hard work and fun for me when I consider the reward of improving and my goals this winter. I am thankful for all my sponsors and supporters (named on the right--->) who make it possible for me to train like this and allow me the opportunity to ski full time as a "job!" Thanks!

Hometown Hero

I was in Prince George this weekend to receive the Pacific Western Brewery's Hometown Hero Award. I was honored to be named PWB's hometown hero and am very thankful to Pacific Western Brewery. I encounter thousands of dollars a year in training and competition expenses so this support will go a long way in helping me reach my athletic goals. PWB is not only supporting an athlete but also health, our youth in sport, and creating positive role models in our community. Pacific western Brewery is a business role model in our city!

My training for the spring/summer will be based out of Canmore. I'll be training with the Rocky Mountain Racers but still representing my home club: Caledonia Nordic Ski Club. Sometimes you have to be flexible to get the best possible training, and right now the best training for me is in Canmore! I appreciate all the local support I have received and look forward to representing Prince George leading up to the 2015 Canada Winter Games. I think they will be huge for PG!

I would also like to thank Stride and Glide sport, The National Firearms Association and the Prince George Ramada Inn who are all supporting my training this year!

  

 

Check me out on Facebook!

Anyone on facebook? You can check out my athlete fan page at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matt-Neumann/45489539163 

Show your support and "like" me or leave a comment! Its another media outlet to keep supporters and sponsors updated in my life, my training, my racing, my goals, and my results. Happy blogging:)

Back on my bike!

One of the best attractions Squamish, BC has to offer: Corsa Cylces Friday night group ride! The rides started last Friday and tonight will be my first chance to join the boys for an evening of riding, hammering, sprinting and beer drinking! The rides have being a staple in my training over the last three years and I'm excited to get back on a road bike this spring. As always it will be good to catch up with the guys at the new Corsa bike shop which recently changed locations (170 1200 Hunter Pl.) and is looking spectacular! 

A week in Squamish!

Beau Thompson, Matt Neumann, and Aaron Neumann on the podium at North American Championships!

Beau leading the mass start during the second prone shooting!

After skiing on about 3 meters of snow at the Whistler Olympic Park, here I am running in an almost sunny Squamish!

Bro's before hoes.

Red Bull Nordix 2011 - Best Action

Check it out! Keep in mind this is on Cross Country skis with a Nordic bindings and a ski width of about 5cm (2 inches)!

National Champs Bring Highs and Lows

Its been a roller coaster right to the end! I had one of my best Biathlon races of the season at National Champs followed by one of my worst, Ive traveled across the entire country and back: twice this month, and finally the end is near! I recently finished competing at the North American Biathlon Championships where I won three medals and am six days away from the Whistler Olympic Park Loppet next Saturday! I had Canada Games, Cross Country Nationals, Biathlon Nationals, and North American Champs all back to back and the racing has had its toll on me.

Im looking forward to finishing the season with a bang here in Whistler and taking some much needed rest during April. My body is already excited for spring training but my mind needs a break (especially from shooting) and I need that to refuel my battery! I'm spending the rest of April in Prince George where I will be able to visit with my family, see old friends, and just relax!

Thank you to all my sponsors (on the right column) who made my season possible and I look forward to growing the list for 2011/2012!