Series of unfortunate events~ Part 1
We departed the beautiful Sun Valley with enthusiasm of the adventures we had ahead. As we said good bye to Sun Valley neither of us thought of saying our farewells to the sunshine… First up, a bus to Boise (4 hours). Easy. Went shopping, and stayed the night at a SV Juniors Grandma’s house.
Early the next morning with left Idaho and travelled to home of rapper Kanye West (The Hood) In Chicago, via Portland. At this stage it’s all going well… But the unfortunate events are just about to begin.
New years eve, 6pm~ Chicago Airport: Our final connection to Houghton was cancelled due to crazy Mid West weather. Great.
New years eve, 9pm~ Chicago downtown: Dinner at Subway, followed by cookie ice cream sandwich. Pro: Spending the night in Chicago on New Years. Con: Being sick, and going to bed at 9:30pm.
All flights to Houghton were cancelled for 3 days, so instead bright and early on the 1st day of 2015 we caught a flight to Green Bay (Home of the Packers and cheese). Green Bay is 4 hours from where we were staying in Houghton.
Huge shout out to the Godfather himself, Rick Kapala, for picking Casey and myself up at 8pm and driving us back.
Houghton, 2am (Time zone change)~After 3 days of travel, we finally made it to the hotel. Yes.
Early the next morning with left Idaho and travelled to home of rapper Kanye West (The Hood) In Chicago, via Portland. At this stage it’s all going well… But the unfortunate events are just about to begin.
New years eve, 6pm~ Chicago Airport: Our final connection to Houghton was cancelled due to crazy Mid West weather. Great.
New years eve, 9pm~ Chicago downtown: Dinner at Subway, followed by cookie ice cream sandwich. Pro: Spending the night in Chicago on New Years. Con: Being sick, and going to bed at 9:30pm.
All flights to Houghton were cancelled for 3 days, so instead bright and early on the 1st day of 2015 we caught a flight to Green Bay (Home of the Packers and cheese). Green Bay is 4 hours from where we were staying in Houghton.
Huge shout out to the Godfather himself, Rick Kapala, for picking Casey and myself up at 8pm and driving us back.
Houghton, 2am (Time zone change)~After 3 days of travel, we finally made it to the hotel. Yes.
Due to the travel ect. I fell ill with a cold, along with Casey. Forcing us into the good old isolation treatment. Not to help with our moods the weather was terrible, always windy, and snowing. Now I know most of Europe would love some snowfall, but as the saying goes you CAN have too much of a good thing.
Another great thing about the mid west is the chilly temperatures.. On average throughout the week we had -16C!
Another great thing about the mid west is the chilly temperatures.. On average throughout the week we had -16C!
The first race I skipped out on due to illness, which was a very good decision, as the weather was not appealing (Surprise). The second race was the classic sprint, originally meant to be on Monday, but due to extreme cold and wind chill (-30c) it was postponed to Tuesday. I thought my body was ready for this race, but sadly it wasn’t. I had an extremely slow race, almost doing a 5km pace, defiantly not my normal self!
On Thursday the seniors males and females had 30km & 20km classic mass start. Junior girls on the other hand had a 5km classic mass start! As expected, it was pretty hectic… Girls dropping like flies and typical snowplowing in places where it wasn’t needed… I was feeling a little stressed about my form, due to the previous race. I tried to just focus on my classic technique and moving up through the field. I started at the back due to not having any USSA points, which was a little unlucky. I ended up 45th, and feeling more optimistic for the skate sprint. On the last day I had the skate sprint, on the same course as the classic sprint. The weather was a little more forgiving, but it was still -13C. Chilly! I qualified for the junior rounds and finished in 2nd in the quarter finals, and 5th in the Semi finals! My legs were cooked, and credit to those girls who can sprint on a hard course (1.5km) over and over. Not quite my style.
On Thursday the seniors males and females had 30km & 20km classic mass start. Junior girls on the other hand had a 5km classic mass start! As expected, it was pretty hectic… Girls dropping like flies and typical snowplowing in places where it wasn’t needed… I was feeling a little stressed about my form, due to the previous race. I tried to just focus on my classic technique and moving up through the field. I started at the back due to not having any USSA points, which was a little unlucky. I ended up 45th, and feeling more optimistic for the skate sprint. On the last day I had the skate sprint, on the same course as the classic sprint. The weather was a little more forgiving, but it was still -13C. Chilly! I qualified for the junior rounds and finished in 2nd in the quarter finals, and 5th in the Semi finals! My legs were cooked, and credit to those girls who can sprint on a hard course (1.5km) over and over. Not quite my style.
Looking back on this week I discovered many things~
1. Tape on my face is my new best friend for mid west weather
2. Do not fly into Houghton Airport unless it is summer, or not snowing.
3. Where as much as you can around you ears so you don’t end up with ears double the size due to frost bite.
4. Also the ski trails are AMAZING in Houghton! I loved them, despite the weather!
Currently I am in Europe after jumping on a plane the very next day, Jessica Yeaton and myself are meeting up with the other Australians for a training camp in Ramsau, Austria! Stay classy.
1. Tape on my face is my new best friend for mid west weather
2. Do not fly into Houghton Airport unless it is summer, or not snowing.
3. Where as much as you can around you ears so you don’t end up with ears double the size due to frost bite.
4. Also the ski trails are AMAZING in Houghton! I loved them, despite the weather!
Currently I am in Europe after jumping on a plane the very next day, Jessica Yeaton and myself are meeting up with the other Australians for a training camp in Ramsau, Austria! Stay classy.