Thoughts on Period 1 of world cup

Many thoughts

The Ruka "snow-globe" haze

3:51 pm in Ruka

Watching Jessie win a World Cup :)

Some dissappointing feelings!

Racing in Lillehammer, Norway actually felt like racing!

Grateful to have my family watch!

Period 1 encompassed everything. It was amazing, challenging, but most importantly, it was a massive opportunity for growth. Before I delve into Period 1, I should clarify some ski racing vernacular. What is Period 1, you may ask? The cross-country World Cup is broken up into five periods. Each period has a set of races - as little as four and up to eleven. The period represents a set of races over a certain amount of time; so, Period 1 spanned from November 25th to December 18th and eleven races. 

A brief synopsis of Period 1:

Period 1 kicks off in Ruka, Finland, every year (at least the last many years; please don’t quote me, though). Ruka is quite far North, it is located due south of the Arctic Circle. In mid to late November, it’s dark, and snow is constantly floating in the air like a snow globe. The days after arriving in Ruka are sleepy and move slowly. Our deep slumbers break by the sound and smell of freshly ground coffee (Julia brings her own grinder and roasted beans that she roasts herself). There is no rush to get out the door - sleep and recovery are paramount after international travel and as we gear up for the racing season. After a leisurely morning, we walked from our trailside apartment to Yolanda, the wax truck. For me, a rookie to World Cup skiing, there is a novice excitement in my step; my nerves and excitement float through the air similar to the snow-globe-like snow from the snow guns.

Even though Ruka feels like a snow globe, there was very little natural snow. The week started with a 1km strip of dirty snow. The loop grew daily, eventually becoming a 5km distance loop and a sprint course. I’ve always heard rumblings about the Ruka courses. The rumblings are true. The hills are massive (TV doesn’t do them justice), and the steep grades can be tricky to ski well. I struggled more than I ever had with a course. This, for me, was an interesting experience because I’ve always heard of people being scared of courses or hills. I’ve never felt those sentiments about a hill or a course. I’ve always thrived on hard courses - which I think is due to growing up in Colorado with challenging terrain. I’ve struggled the most on flat courses historically. That changed in Ruka, though. I skied the final climb many times, and it never felt right.
I never felt like I could ski it well, and that lack of confidence greatly impacted my racing. Thankfully, my roommates, Jessie and Julia, shared similar sentiments with Ruka, and the course challenges have taken time and experience to ski . In the moment, the racing was quite disappointing. However, it’s hard to have your first race of the season - and your second-ever World Cup start, on the Ruka courses. For that, I focused on being kind to myself and using it as motivation to improve. I allowed myself to feel a bit of frustration, sadness, and embarrassment. I put on a face mask and listened to Lana Del Rey. A little self-care goes a long way.

Rather than bore you with day-to-day synapses of the rest of Period 1, here are my golden nuggets and major takeaways :) 

Golden nuggets:
Results don’t dictate who you are or how you are to be around. You don’t need to force toxic positivity amongst the world - take your time to process how you need to - but racing how you would like shouldn’t dictate how you are to be around. 

Everyone is fighting battles - whether you know of them or not.

Growth can be readjusting plans, goals, and expectations to fit your situation.

Surround yourself with those whose energy brings you up!

Trust the process!

There will be incredibly disappointing days, weeks, and maybe even periods but with that is truly an incredible amount of growth. However, it is easier to see and believe after the fact.

Major takeaways from Period 1

• I perfected the chocolate chip cookie - with gluten; Jessie taught me some game-changing baking tips that went a long way. My biggest tip is refrigerating the dough or putting it outside in Ruka for an hour or so.
• Life moves quickly, especially when moving to a new place every week. Stop to look up at the trees often.
• Pack less stuff 
• Routines are everything in constant change. Skin, hair, PT/body 
• Find your controllables (ties in with routine)
• Get out of your comfort zone!
• Distance racing! Do it when you have the opportunity.
• Learn some more languages; duo lingo is decent.
• Make some foreign friends!
• Watch more World Cup and technique footage.
• Don’t try to do it all.
• Mental health is number one.
• It’s okay if it’s a bit overwhelming. 
• Ask for help.
• It’s okay to fail.

Race day hair by Jessie :) <3