Well the season is Over.

The racing season drew to an end, prematurely this year, after the last day of racing (Mt. Shark) was canceled due to snow conditions. Normally when i say this i mean there isn't enough snow, not the case here. The roads had to much snow making the dirt road into shark, impassible. Soon after we heard news of the race being canceled, many of us skiers headed out for some downhill skiing, to take advantage of the new fallen powder.

Since the race season was done about 10 days earlier this year than the past few years, I continued to train somewhat until the end of march. This involved easy skis 4-5 times per week. Now that April has come around I will be primarily resting. In past years I have often skipped this rest month to some degree. However as I spent the majority of the past race season with a feeling of fatigue, I have decided that taking at least the month of april off ski training and postponing specific ski training and intensity (ie. rollerskiing / skiing / skiwalking) another, while after that.

This past season ahs been a huge learning experience for me. The main thing i learned is hard training is very very important, but smart training is key to success. It is important to be able to learn about your own body, and realize when things are going well and when things are not. Otherwise its easy to end up, overdoing it and ending up fatigued.

Perfect blue skies at Mt. Shark day one

With that said there were some great moments during the season (unfortunetly the best of those came in a fall Time Trial). The 20km skate in Vernon BC was an important race for me. This was during the peak of my fatigue. I had bairly trained for two weeks leading into it as i couldnt finish a full ski and had done no intensity.
he result of this race was not very good, but it was the first time in my life I have really pushed my body to its limit.
20km pursuit (World Junior Trials) This race ws the first race of the season where i was able to hold on to a good pace for the entire race. It felt really nice not to have my muscles cramp up early in the race. I finished a happy 6th place.
15km classic in Rossland. This was probly my strongest distance race of the year. I felt strong and held even lap times until near the end.
15km classic at Nationals. Some good luck and a strong race. The first time i took part in awards at nationals. 5th
Springt at nationals. My best qualifier finishing 22 open men (4th Junior) ever. Heats I was very strong, but had some bad luck with a fall in my semi. Won the B final however and was happy with the day. 7th

Now I will rest, spend time with the family and do soem of the fun things that i tend to skip during the race season. I just got back from Kicking horse, where me and my borther spent two days. I now have a new favorite Downhill ski resort. Steepest hills ive ever skied, and a great backcountry feel.Somethign to work on next year. Less wobbly knees

Also for everyone whos up for somethign new. some friends and I have realized Gt'ing down downhill singletrack bike trails at night is top notch. scary but fun.


Gerard