I recently returned home from training and competing at the Schutzenski races in Utah! Hundreds of nordic athletes from across the country travel to the annual Schutzenski Festival to take advantage of the elevation training, followed by the races that happen over the weekend. Both cross country skiers and biathletes from across the country convene at this Soldier Hollow venue for the week.

The Schutzenski races are the offcial Team USA Trials for biathlon. Aspiring athletes watched their idols race at the highest levels in the US and even the world last week. This was the first time that I’ve ever done an elite race, which meant that I got to compete with racers whose goals were to make the 23/24 National Team! This was an amazing and valuable experience. I love the fact that Schutzenski allows for the athletes at my younger level to race up with our idols.

I loved every single minute of the sunshine and beauty while staying in Park City! The fall colors of Utah were at their brightest and most vibrant while we were there! Running through the yellows and reds was a great change of pace as the season switched closer to winter at home! Everyone often sees this side of hard work that I put in to my physical training, but when I wasn’t training outside and in awe of the beauty, I spent around 40 hours studying and test taking. Maintaining my grades and study workload requires the same focus and commitment as endurance training. It is also just as important to me as training and traveling.

One of the highlights of my trip was spending a range training session with the US Biathlon National Team! I learned so much about my own technique and equipment with just a single practice. I appreciate that I am warmly welcomed in the biathlon community, and that I am supported wherever I go when I leave home.

We wanted to take advantage of the altitude while we were there, so what better way to do that than to ski up a mountain pass! I skied this hill the last time I was here two years ago and it was so much fun to come back and do it as a much improved skier!

Racing up in the elite category with some of the other girls in the youth division was a special experience for each of us. I am so glad to be surrounded by these girls who wanted to experience the joys of racing up with the very best! I am also grateful to all the athletes of all levels and experiences who cheered me on and supported me during my races!

This trip was about learning and growing, placements were the fun results of the hard work every single day. Initially, I was very nervous to be on a big roller ski course with the advanced skiers, but by the time I was finished with the last race, it was completely worth every extra moment of the pain that I experienced on those grueling hills!

I’m looking forward to applying all that I have learned into my training at home! The snow will be here any day and the long awaited winter race season is just around the corner!