Yesterday was the Great Bear Chase in the town of Calumet (about 30 minutes from my house). It was an early morning with my Rocky Theme Song blaring at 7:00am. I had my traditional pre-race breakfast right away (a WW Sprouted Bagel with PB, Coconut Oil, Honey, and Raisins & a banana). See how it's smiling at me? :p
While eating my breakfast, I checked the Weather Channel, which said that it was 16 degrees with 5mph winds in Calumet... perfect racing weather! So, I put on my race stuff and headed to the race. However, the Weather Channel up here is TERRIBLY inaccurate at times. I was quite shocked when I stepped out my car and felt a very brisk wind. This was going to be an interesting race! I warmed up for ~45 minutes with some of my other team members before I started the 10K Freestyle Race.
Overall, the race went fabulously well! I got caught behind a slow skier at the start and was tripped at the top of the first hill, but I finished my first 5K in record time (during a 10K!!!) and felt AMAZING!!! I was passing people left and right the whole way. :) The last 3K was quite difficult for me, but I pushed through and finished with a time of 42:13, putting me in 8th place all around and 3rd in my age group! I still cannot believe that I got such a great time! Below is a picture of me at the finish line (pay no attention to my facial expression :p).
Overall, the race went fabulously well! I got caught behind a slow skier at the start and was tripped at the top of the first hill, but I finished my first 5K in record time (during a 10K!!!) and felt AMAZING!!! I was passing people left and right the whole way. :) The last 3K was quite difficult for me, but I pushed through and finished with a time of 42:13, putting me in 8th place all around and 3rd in my age group! I still cannot believe that I got such a great time! Below is a picture of me at the finish line (pay no attention to my facial expression :p).
After the race, my parents (who finally saw me ski a good race) and I went to a XC Ski Store in Calumet to purchase my own skate boots and poles (I've been using our team's boots and poles for the season). They are great and I look forward to using them! The rest of the day was spent watching movies, including Catching Fire and Rocky 2. :)