Three more weeks have flown by, which means I’m officially closer to heading back to Alaska than I am to the day I arrived here. Time is moving fast, but every day has felt full and worth it.

While my German language skills are still very basic, one thing that’s surprising me is how much I can understand during shooting practice. It’s an exciting feeling for someone who grew up wishing they spoke another language. I’m looking forward to continuing my German lessons even after I return home. It has become a little personal goal outside of skiing and shooting!

For now, I’m soaking up every single moment here. Some of my favorite highlights these past few weeks include hiking to the tops of local peaks like Rothorn and Piz Danis, taking myself on a four-hour solo ride up Albula Pass, jumping into a mountain lake, and joining another biathlon camp. Almost every weekend, I’ve been able to pick my own adventure, and those solo days have become my special treat to myself.

Lenzerheide is famous for its world-class mountain biking, and I even got to watch a race on my way up Rothorn last week. The trails here wind through green slopes full of cows, one of my favorite parts! They’re always curious to see who’s passing by, whether I’m hiking, biking, or on skis.

Another little thing I’ve fallen in love with is all the taps and wells scattered along the trails and in the villages. Mid-training water breaks have become some of my favorite moments, especially in the summer heat that I’m definitely not used to!

Training-wise, each session has been its own rollercoaster. As it should be. Looking back at where I was when I arrived, my shooting percentages have improved a lot and I’m feeling really strong on skis as the training really kicks into full swing. Joining the biathlon camps here has made a big difference. It’s motivating to train alongside athletes who share the same goals and mindset. The best part is how much fun we still manage to have. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, but this experience has reminded me that enjoying the sport is just as important as the training itself.

Sometimes it’s the little things like a drinking from a mountain tap, meeting a cow on the trail, or a solo ride that turns into a memory I’ll keep forever. These remind me just how lucky I am to be here. But behind every little moment is a big reason I get to do this: the people and partners who stand behind me.

To my sponsors and everyone who has supported me from near or far, thank you for giving me the chance to train in a place like this, to chase big goals on snow and pavement, and to keep learning every single day. Your support doesn’t just show up on race day. It is in every mile, every target, every new word of German I pick up, and every bit of growth I carry back with me.

I’m so grateful to be here, learning and growing in a place I used to only dream about. I can’t wait to bring all of this progress, and these little lessons, home back with me.