Last night I got my first National Championship since 2006! I knew when I won my last one that any win could be your last so to get back on top after a rough couple years feels super good.
I was the 4th starter in the "A" seed so I knew that there were a lot of fast guys behind me so there wouldn't be much information to get from the time checks out there. I just had to ski as fast as possible and hope my time would hold up. After I finished I heard how many guys were not far back after the halfway and I started to get real nervous, even a little queasy. Finally I heard the announcement that I was the National Champ and it was all smiles!
This past week I have been really nervous about this first race because my body has felt awful. Just sluggish and tired since last Sunday... Finally after a few days up here with some tune up workouts and some solid couch time my body finally started to come around the morning of the race. Still I had no idea if I would be able to ski fast or not. Out on the course I had no clue what I had, I was just going as fast as I could with what my body could do. Fortunately it was enough.
Yesterday was a sweet day for APU with 3 on the National Championship podium. Becca Rorbaugh, 2nd US and Brent Knight, 3rd US. First time on the podium for both of them.
Now it's a couple days recovery and get ready for Friday nights pursuit.
2 comments:
Hey James!!
First, congratulations on a super season !! Capping it off with the nationals win was outstanding and following up with the 50k victory over Babikov et al had to really be sweet. XC Skier had a great write-up.
I probably said this last year, but
I think you're ready to conquer the Iditerod (:)).
Keep it up!!
Stan & margaret Wegner
Hey James!!
First, congratulations on a super season !! Capping it off with the nationals win was outstanding and following up with the 50k victory over Babikov et al had to really be sweet. XC Skier had a great write-up.
I probably said this last year, but
I think you're ready to conquer the Iditerod (:)).
Keep it up!!
Stan & margaret Wegner
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