Death by Skating

So this past weekend was the Middlebury Carnival.

Reasons why this was the weekend of death:

1) I have always and forever had terrible races at Middlebury without fail
2) I kept that trend going
3) My skate technique is still on the fritz
4) Both races were skate races
5) I had two math exams on Friday. I missed them both.

This isn't to say that had completely written off the weekend. When I first heard about the lack of classic skiing we'd be doing I was anything but impressed, but figured I could pull myself together for the 10k on Friday.

False.

I had decided to ski the first 5k lap smooth and easy and for the first 4 or so k not only was I feeling good, but I was actually somewhat in the race. The second lap not so much. My legs just felt fried right from the get-go and heading up into the beginning of the loop for the second time they just didn't go. I felt like I was working really hard and not getting a lot out of my strides. So ended my hopes for a little bit of skating (middle of the pack) glory.

Finishing it up.

Bear in his 10k Friday

Friday was one of those mid-winter days where it was 50 degrees that gives non-Vermonters high hopes for the end of winter. If you are one of these people the past weekend should have proven that you shouldn't be fooled by VT's out of the ordinary days. Saturday was quite a different story. It was a good amount colder and the wind was out of control.

The format of Saturday was a three person relay. Each person would ski a 1k loop three times. I'm not a sprinter, but I always have fun with these races. While we were not exactly at the top of the podium I worked hard each lap and felt pretty good about them. I was incredibly disappointed to not see splits on the results.

Kat tags off to me. I may have tripped her a little.

Rizzle skis on a team with two Bowdoin girls

All in all Saturday was a fun day. Since Midd is only an hour (give a little) from SMC we had some friends come to watch, which I love.

Rizzle, Claire, Colin, Andrew, and Joshy

After the relays had ended we made our way over to where they were holding a sit-ski race. Since Colin has been broken all season (though he's a champ on his crutches) he hasn't been able to ski with us. He decided to give the sit-ski a try for only his second time and race. It's crazy how strong these people have to be. If I were down and out for a season I don't think you'd find me sit-skiing in my spare time.

A little windy.

Reasons why the weekend of death wasn't actually deathly:

1) My V1 was actually better (finally)

2) Lots of friends and people I love

3) SMC had Monday and Tuesday off for President's day. Wooo! No class!

4) The professors here are incredible and were very understanding about my exams. I made them up Thursday and last night.

5) We got to ski at Craftsbury yesterday, which is my favorite ski area.

6) We had pizza after Craftsbury and didn't have to pay for it. Mmmm. Thanks SMC!

So the weekend of death was not too bad overall. I'm glad to have it behind me. All we have left in the carnival season is the Bates Carnival consisting of a 5k skate and a 15k classic. I'm spending this week focused on the classic race and am hoping to have a good one on Sunday.

SMC crew:
Kat, Gab, Josh, JoeConn, me Rizzle, Claire
sit-skiers Colin and Professor Standen (Philosophy)