There was an article up on John Bauer today...I had to laugh at the closing quote "“Skiing is a little bit addicting.”
there is not one skiier out there that doesn't know this to be true! and to be honest its a pretty great addiction if you ask me!
have a great day,
Brooke
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Today
Today was a good day!
I FINALLY won my first 10km skate individual start race!
...this year was VERY tough, and although it came a bit late, the result is still sweet (although a bit bitter!)
I went for it from the start and I wanted to stomp it big time...for me...because I knew I could!
My only regret is not skiing the downhills better!
Thanks to everyone for their congrats and also for the kind words and support over the last few months- if I could give you a gold medal for the "best friend, greatest mom and dad, amazing grandparents, amazing coaches and the world's greatest teammates and to the sponsors to who helped me inch closer to my dream..." I would...I definetly would!
today was a good day!
Brooke
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tweet Headwear...Update
I am always amazed at how sometimes things just work out.
Tweet has slowly been taking off around the Bow Valley- We are even selling our hats, headbands and hairbands at WANT down town and furthermore, our website sales have been consistently getting better. To top that off, we have had a ton of sales from out East! Very cool...Tweet is going National!! hahaha.
Here are some photos of our most recent "photo shoot". Siri and I like showing off our hats, and with my new found love for the site Picnik its been a blast!
Please stop by want or stop by our site: www.tweetheadwear.weebly.com
Brooke
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The American Birkie
If you ever get a chance, head out to Telemark/Hayward to race the American Birkie.
This is perhaps one of the best weekends I've had in my life! And being a ski racer and doing what I love, that happens a lot! But this weekend will be one of the best for a while. The reason I say this is because for the last 3 months racing hasn't been very fun, in a lot of ways I felt like I was trying so hard to "pick myself up and dust myself off and get back out there" that I just got exhausted and really stopped loving skiing. Little did I know that a 52km race in Wisconsin and just over 2 hours I would find that energy and love of racing back.
I love to smile and laugh and my cheeks are still sore from the four days of epic racing and a little bit of celebration!
The Birkie starts at the Telemark Lodge in an open field and then makes a quick turn to some steep hills followed by super fun rolling terrain- I was in love! I had no idea what to expect so I just skiied and eventually we had whittled the pack down to four girls. We all worked well together, but at the same time I couldn't shake the feeling that one of the girls would make a move and with about 5km to go Rebecca went for it. I tried desperatley to cover her, but just ran out of steam and then skiied 3m behind Taz across the lake because the wind was so strong and I couldn't close the gap. As you approach Hayward you can see the water tower, but don't be fooled- it is a LONG way away. Then as you enter the down town the streets are lined with cheering people and I think I had to remind myself to finish the race and then enjoy the atmosphere! I am having a hard time putting into words why this race is so important to me- but all I can think of is that is was the first time since last spring that I had fun racing! The results come when there is balance and I think I found that in Wisconsin this weekend! Who would have thought?
I travelled with Lifesport from Calgary and they provided wax support and accomodation. My skiis were rockets! Ian and Bruce did an incredible job and I was so relieved on the first downhill that I had comparable skis to the top women. I also got to hang out with some incredible people who love to race and train and relish the trips they do get to take like this away from their busy lives.
Throughout the course there are a lot of "theatrics". Such as the drummers up the first hill, then of course 'Bitch Hill". The feed stations are also quite entertaining, you definetly had to keep your elbows up and stay alert because there were a lot of quick decisions by other skiiers to move across the trail.
I have done a lot of loppets over the years, and the one part I had always found tough was managing the master men, most of them don't really move if you are travelling faster, but at the birkie, they definetly moved and all together! It made the race a lot more seamless for the elite women for sure, as I don't think I've ever done a loppet and not been a little intimidated by the men.
I also have to mention that the support from the race organizers was incredible! I met the most generous people at this race and you can definetly feel that they just love the Birkie and Cross Country Skiing.
Now on to the skiing- The trails were amazing. I had no idea that there were training opportunities in that area like the Birkie trails. The trails are super wide with a ton of terrain!
It was a great weekend and I would definetly urge you to consider this race next winter!
I will try to post photos when they become available!
Ciao,
Brooke
This is perhaps one of the best weekends I've had in my life! And being a ski racer and doing what I love, that happens a lot! But this weekend will be one of the best for a while. The reason I say this is because for the last 3 months racing hasn't been very fun, in a lot of ways I felt like I was trying so hard to "pick myself up and dust myself off and get back out there" that I just got exhausted and really stopped loving skiing. Little did I know that a 52km race in Wisconsin and just over 2 hours I would find that energy and love of racing back.
I love to smile and laugh and my cheeks are still sore from the four days of epic racing and a little bit of celebration!
The Birkie starts at the Telemark Lodge in an open field and then makes a quick turn to some steep hills followed by super fun rolling terrain- I was in love! I had no idea what to expect so I just skiied and eventually we had whittled the pack down to four girls. We all worked well together, but at the same time I couldn't shake the feeling that one of the girls would make a move and with about 5km to go Rebecca went for it. I tried desperatley to cover her, but just ran out of steam and then skiied 3m behind Taz across the lake because the wind was so strong and I couldn't close the gap. As you approach Hayward you can see the water tower, but don't be fooled- it is a LONG way away. Then as you enter the down town the streets are lined with cheering people and I think I had to remind myself to finish the race and then enjoy the atmosphere! I am having a hard time putting into words why this race is so important to me- but all I can think of is that is was the first time since last spring that I had fun racing! The results come when there is balance and I think I found that in Wisconsin this weekend! Who would have thought?
I travelled with Lifesport from Calgary and they provided wax support and accomodation. My skiis were rockets! Ian and Bruce did an incredible job and I was so relieved on the first downhill that I had comparable skis to the top women. I also got to hang out with some incredible people who love to race and train and relish the trips they do get to take like this away from their busy lives.
Throughout the course there are a lot of "theatrics". Such as the drummers up the first hill, then of course 'Bitch Hill". The feed stations are also quite entertaining, you definetly had to keep your elbows up and stay alert because there were a lot of quick decisions by other skiiers to move across the trail.
I have done a lot of loppets over the years, and the one part I had always found tough was managing the master men, most of them don't really move if you are travelling faster, but at the birkie, they definetly moved and all together! It made the race a lot more seamless for the elite women for sure, as I don't think I've ever done a loppet and not been a little intimidated by the men.
I also have to mention that the support from the race organizers was incredible! I met the most generous people at this race and you can definetly feel that they just love the Birkie and Cross Country Skiing.
Now on to the skiing- The trails were amazing. I had no idea that there were training opportunities in that area like the Birkie trails. The trails are super wide with a ton of terrain!
It was a great weekend and I would definetly urge you to consider this race next winter!
I will try to post photos when they become available!
Ciao,
Brooke
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Short and Sweet
Yes, very frustrating that Canada did not start more women in the skate race, but I have a feeling that this will not be the first race. I don't think thats a good sign for development of female nordic skiiers in Canada...atleast that is the message that I thought they were sending.
Marty Hall wrote a great article on Ski trax. http://skitrax.com/7640?c
On a lighter note, the women are going to do amazing today! I wish I was there to cheer them on- it looks like a blast in Whistler right now!
take care,
Brooke
Marty Hall wrote a great article on Ski trax. http://skitrax.com/7640?c
On a lighter note, the women are going to do amazing today! I wish I was there to cheer them on- it looks like a blast in Whistler right now!
take care,
Brooke
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