Back to It

My spring break is over, and I'm back in Lake Placid after a relaxing month at home and on vacation around the west and in Mexico. It was really nice to be away from the OTC for a while and see my family, but it's also nice to be back in the rhythm of training. A new season has started, and with it have come some surprises.

Getting glittered up at a Fast and Female event in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Getting in some shooting training at a fair in Mexico.

The coming months and season will be a different one for me as my boyfriend, companion and training partner Zach Hall has decided to retire from biathlon. He's excited about the chance to do something different, but it will mean some adjustments for me. Perhaps I'll be doing more training in Alaska...

Zach and me in Mexico.

Another change in the team is the retirement of Haley Johnson. She will be missed next year, but as all athletes know, sometimes it's just time for a change. We all wish her the best.

Perhaps the biggest difference this year is harder to see from the outside. The women's team underwent several big changes last year: mid-summer we got a new coach, we had three women qualify for mass start races throughout the year (among other stellar team results), and we gained one more World Cup start spot. This year, we are beginning things with new confidence, and a sturdy coaching staff that will allow us to begin quality and consistent work right away. It's a very exciting time for the USBA women, and I'm looking forward to beginning this new season on the right foot.

Already back to dry-fire...

So far, it's been a very rainy spring in Lake Placid. Hopefully sun will return to the north country soon, but in the meantime, we'll be training full-time and trying not to float away!