Spinning Through the Alps

A significant portion of our training camp in Switzerland was done on the bike with multiple climbing opportunities and mountain pass loops. Jasper and I brought a camera up Goschenen on a 4 hour ride which basically captured the essence of euro-riding (especially in the mountains). 

Tight, windy roads...

Small traditional Euro towns every few km...

Perfect pavement...

Roads built into the side of mountains...

Traditional cobble stone portions....

Another typical portion cut straight into the side of the mountain...

And of course phenomenal destinations!

Every trip to Switzerland reminds me why I love riding so much. So many climbs that recreate what I watch on TV in the Tour de France every year and fast 80-90km/h decents to keep you on your toes. Very fortunate to have this opportunity!

Alps Altitutude Opportunity

At the beginning of the year I decided to spend August in Europe preparing for an Olympic season. I planned with team mate Jasper Mackenzie (and old coach iLmar Heinicke) to spend three weeks in Switzerland at high altitude with an additional 4 weeks in Altenberg, Germany. I just rounded the 11 day mid point to the altitude camp and everything is running smooth and looking positive. 

Easy running/hike up at Furka Pass, Switzerland to +2500m

The goals in the first week of altitude training is to adapt to the altitude while monitoring recovery. This means paying close attention to resting heart rate, eating and sleeping well, and insuring training does not exceed more than 70% of maximum capacity. The next few weeks will include increased intensity and really taking advantage of the altitude benefits.

Altitude training, in theory, allows an athlete to push their boundaries which would normally not be possible at sea level. An athlete can push their body to 100% with reduced oxygen quicker and test the limits to which their body can go. For this reason, I did not hesitate to take advantage of this altitude opportunity when it arose. I invested in this relatively expensive endeavour in anticipation to be in top form come Olympic trials at the end of December. Time will tell if it pays off towards my goals this season, but at the moment all I can do is take control of every little detail to be best prepared for one of the biggest seasons of my career! All this said, it is most definetely my dream to compete in Sochi 2014.

I hope to keep my family, friends, and supporters up to date over the next few weeks as I build a base for the winter and experience new scenery and push my physical limits! I am very appreciative of my sponsors to make training at this level possible and send a big thank you! Cheers and stay posted!

...And off to Europe

At the end of the month (a few days) I'll be heading off to Andermatt Switzerland and Altenberg Germany for a 6 week training camp! I'll be traveling with Canadian team mate Jasper Mackenzie. The Andermatt, Switzerland camp will be a high altitude camp sleeping at 2427m. According to wikipedia Furka pass (where the hotel is located) is the 20th highest paved road in Europe!

(Furka Pass)

(Furka Pass)

We are continuing from the Swiss alps to Altenberg, Germany where we will continue our training. The camp ends with German National Biathlon Champs in Ruhpolding! Stay posted...

Rundle Mountain Stage Race pics

Canmore Declares State of Emergency During Flooding

Despite an obstacle filled start to an Olympic season I’m feeling surprisingly optimistic and encouraged leading into the summer training. I have definitely had some momentum killing incidents that shifted my focus from my typical spring training. I encountered my second ski related surgery in the past 3 years as well as coped with massive flooding which actually left me homeless. So aside from focusing on training I had to coordinate my schedule with recovery, work, training, finding a new home, moving out of my flooded place and preparing for a 6 week camp in Europe starting August 1st all while keeping my goals in mind!

Fortunately I didn’t lose much in the flooding considering the devastation that hit Canmore but it certainly threw a wrench in my routine. There were approximately 100 000 people homeless in Calgary and close to 50 homes lost in Canmore during the Southern Alberta flooding. The place I was staying in Canmore had a few inches of water in the basement, just enough to cause a hassle and some water damage. The flooding also limited training opportunities in town with many of the roads closed or destroyed. I found a place to stay until I leave for Europe July 31st and I have a new place arranged when I return in September!

Here are some local pictures from flooding this past week. Thoughts and prayers with the families affected.

Banff Bike Fest

I had a humbling experience this past weekend racing in the 2013 Banff Bike Fest stage race. After only a few hundred kilometers on my bike and recovering from a cold, the intense prologue certainly came as a shock to my lungs. Five races in four days also proved to be demanding as I recovered my health and found my cycling legs. Regardless I had alot of fun (especially the final stage: Tunnel Mountain Road Race) and Im always excited for some friendly competition!

1.5km  Hill Climb Prologue

21km Minniwanke TT

78Km Tunnel Mountain Road Race

I didn't achieve the results I wanted by any means but here is the General Classifications for the weekend (I finished 16th overall in Cat 3)

http://zone4.ca/results.asp?id=5868&cmd=viewcat&catid=3

White snow to white sand!

Typically underestimated, recovery is equal if not more important than the training itself...right? The body continually impresses me with its capabilities, but one thing is for sure: without rest on a daily, weekly and annual basis a high performance athlete will burn out. April is the skier’s annual rest period to fully recover and prepare for another 11 months of focused training. Each athlete has individual hobby’s, jobs, and vacations they fill there “down time” with and I was fortunate enough this year to spend mine in true vacation style. I spent a week in the Caribbean (for the first time!) soaking the sun and clearing my mind of anything that might hold me back heading into full commitment in May. I also used this time to revisit my races and training from the past year and consider what I can learn from the past experiences. So here is how I spent my relaxing time...

Private Holland America Island in Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Typical tourist in San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Myself and the gorgeous Cindy Clark~ formal night selfy

The year was certainly packed with travel. racing, training and most importantly enjoying the experiences and having fun. I realize with each year that one of the simplest yet important factors to performing at your best is enjoying it all (aka having FUN) It sometimes gets lost in the High performance world of results, training hours, and shooting percentages but I truly believe it is a fundamental component to success. With Olympics coming soon, My goal this year is to simplify my thoughts and basically relax! It sounds silly I know, but I have trained for 14 years and I know that the skiing speed and the shooting will follow if I’m in the right frame of mind! 

Team BC in Whistler- National Champs

phot: Alex Dumond

photo: Matt Vrielink

photo: Matt Vrielink

One step at a time!

Just four weeks ago I was at home in Canmore doing my day to day training passively preparing for another season of racing.  I spent some time considering all the steps I had made over the last 13 years in Biathlon and all the opportunities and circumstances that had put me in my present state. I considered the National Championships, World Junior Championships and IBU Cups that had allowed me to travel and live such a unique lifestyle. I also considered the Olympic Champions and world class athletes my age that were performing on the world cup and I had an ache of self doubt. I've never been one to let that get to me and I am certainly well practised at turning doubt into motivation. I made it clear that I have two progressive steps to take that have been nagging at me for the last two years: to break the top ten in the IBU Cup and have a 100% race which I can say was near perfect.

I think this past-analysis is relevant because I am once again given an opportunity to take advantage of. I am in Europe for the next 6 weeks racing at German National Championships and IBU Cups #3, #4, and #5. I arrived last week with the Canadian Team and started the tour off with an Alpen Cup in Obertilliach, Austria.  The two first races clarified my motivation for being here and were a perfect "kick in the butt" to get the tour started. The results were mediocre with a 34th and 27th finish, but they refreshed my goals leading into this weekend and the weeks after Christmas. I definitely have the skills to put together a top 10 result and my goal is simply to put together a 100% effort IBU race with solid 80% or better shooting percentage. This for me is the next step.

I am currently in Ridnaun, Italy preparing for IBU Cup #3 on Saturday. I have included a few pictures from Obertilliach, Austria and as well as some from team mate Vincent Blais. Thank you for your support and I look forward to keeping you updated!