C&C on the Move

This past weekend my +1 and I left the Mini Fashionista at home and headed to Colorado. Our agenda: 1) Client meetings (for my +1), 2) Visit with college friends (for me) and 3) The Snow Mountain Stampede XC ski race. 

We spent Thursday night and Friday morning in Denver, and then headed into the mountains to stay just outside of Winter Park at Devil's Thumb Ranch. Two years ago we had lunch at the ranch after my husband competed in the Snow Mountain Stampede. After that short visit, we knew that we had to come back and stay for more than a few hours. It is a winter paradise.  

The main lodge was modeled after Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood with a hexaganol center room. The grounds of the property are breathtaking. There isn't a bad view to be found. The accomodations include lodge rooms and cabins. 

Fortunately for us, all the lodge rooms were booked, so we were "forced" to stay in the newly built High Lonesome Lodge in one of the 1000 sqft guest suites. It was pretty fantastic! 

On Saturday we competed in the Snow Mountain Stampede. The race conditions were not ideal, with snow and wind gusts over 25 mph. While my +1 raced 42K, I decided that I would stick to the 21K race. Going to an altitude of nearly 9,000 feet from sea level is not an easy physiological feat (It takes 1-2 weeks for your body to acclimate), so I decided to play it safe.

Well, it paid off! I ended up placing 2nd overall and 1st in my age category.

Then it was back to the ranch for some R&R. We spent the remainder of our visit, Saturday, Sunday and Monday relaxing, skiing, eating and savoring some adult alone time. I even got to enjoy an 80 minute massage at their spa. HEAVENLY! 

It was hard to do too much sitting around because the trails at Devil's Thumb are so spectacular. 

We did manage to balance our outdoor activites with some indoor activites: reading, checkers and the aforementioned eating and drinking. The Lodge has two restaurants and a coffee shop all with great menus. We did not go hungry! 

Not only is Devil's Thumb Ranch a great place for some adult R&R, but it's also extremely family friendly.  With a pool, theater room, ice rink, sleigh rides and countless other activities (any interest in laser biathalon?), the Ranch offers something for everyone. I have no doubt that we will be back here again very, very soon. 

After weekends like this I feel so fortunate. I feel lucky to have in-laws to watch the Mini Fashionista. I feel lucky to have the means to travel and exerpience such incredible places, and most of all I feel lucky to have an incredible +1 to do it with. Life is good. 

Producs We Love

As you probably read, last week I participated in a 34K XC ski race (post here). Since November, I have been using a Garmin Forerunner 210 watch to track my training (heart rate, distance, speed, calories, etc.) It has been a great tool to not only track my training but also motivate me to ski faster and work harder.

Unfortunately, the watch had some problems consistently sinking with my computer, so earlier this week I returned it to REI and upgraded to Garmin's new watch, the Forerunner 220! Of course I got the purple and white one! Fashion and function all in one!

This watch is definitely an upgrade with a high resolution color display (you can even choose your color scheme) and wireless bluetooth upload to your smartphone. If you are a runner, hiker, XC skier, etc, I highly recommend this watch. 

Check out this great product video that was filmed in Bend, OR. 

Happy Trails!

Keeping it Real

On Saturday I accomplished a goal that I set out to achieve one year ago, and I feel proud, really proud!

Let me start at the beginning. 

About 5 years ago I started XC skiing, just for fun. I was a recreational skier. At the same time my +1 became addicted to the sport and started racing. You may remember that last year we traveled to Italy for him to compete (post here). 

Last year, after watching him compete for the 4th time in the Boulder Mountain Tour, a 32K XC skate race in Sun Valley, Idaho, I decided maybe I should give it a try. So, I made a Facebook declaration...and once it's on Facebook, there's no going back. 

My training began at Thanksgiving in Bend, OR, and it continued on snow in Sun Valley at Christmas. When not on snow I've tried to roller ski regularly (the dryland form of XC skiing), but it's not the same as skiing on snow. In case you are wondering what roller skiing looks like, here it is...skinny "skis", no breaks and unforgiving pavement. I much prefer the snow, and so do my knees and elbows (a few weeks ago I had a nasty crash).

Just over a week ago, I competed in my first ever race, a 5K race at Mt. Bachelor. I was able to "test" my fitness and see what it was like to ski with a group of women. It was a short race but great preparation for my big race, the Boulder Mountain Tour. 

Saturday was the big day. The Boulder is a huge event, over 600 skiers participated this year, including some of the top skiers in the country. I somehow was able to "beg" my way into the Women's Elite Wave, which placed me amongst the top 40+ women in the race. Talk about pressure. I was nervous about my placement, but optimistic I could deliver! This is what the start of the race looks like. It is called a "mass start."

I woke up on Saturday feeling tired, sore and sluggish...not what any athlete hopes to feel like on race day, but I knew I would have to power through. Due to lack of snow, the race course was altered slightly making it not just a 32K race but a 34K race. What's 2 more kilometers?

Despite a slow start, I skied strong.

I skied into the race and found my groove. I skied within myself and my abilities and finished with every ounce of effort I had left in me after 34K....okay maybe I had a little left, but not much! I skied the 34.16K in 1:41:16.

And the prize waiting for me at the finish was priceless, the Mini Fashionista. Nothing is greater than hearing my favorite little voice say "go mommy, go!" 

The icing on the cake, I got 3rd place in my age category. I finished 30th out of 236 women and 142nd out of 620 total skiers.

My results far exceeded my expectations. As I said, I am feeling proud, really proud. This may come as a surprise, but despite being a competitive ski racer in high school and college, I have NEVER been on a podium, NEVER! This was my first medal, EVER!

I spent my time as a competitive ski racer working my butt off to be what was considered a "good skier." Despite an incredible level of commitment and initiative, I was never at the top. I grew up among some of the most skilled athletes in the country, and it was easy to feel like I lacked athletic ability.

Now in my 30's I realize that I do have what it takes to be competitive. Maybe I was just in the wrong sport. What I have learned is that it's never too late to try something new, to commit yourself and to succeed.

Whatever your goal might be, I say "go for it!" If I can do it, so can you. Whatever your goal is...be it losing weight, running a 5K, climbing Mt. Hood or getting yourself to the gym 5 days a week.

Set a goal. Commit. Be proud, really proud!