NYC

I spent the past weekend in the Big Apple. I really have never lived in a big city so everything was pretty new to me. Experiencing such a different lifestyle was fun and a great way to mentally recover and relax after the race season.

Enjoying some $1.99 pineapple on the 8hr train ride

The train was a great way to arrive into the city. The final part of the journey is underground and it was really quite the entrance to finally pop above ground at see daylight at Penn Station.

Time Square (for Chad)

Running around Central Park

An 843 acre park in the middle of such a metropolis is really quite incredible. There were thousands of people out enjoying the park. It is my understanding the the park is entirely landscaped including the rocks, streams and lakes. Read more at http://www.centralpark.com/pages/history.html

Fantastic Fruit, the best deal we found were strawberries for $1

I think I may have been the only one in the City wearing a Toko drink belt, or fanny pack.

I have always wanted to see a Broadway musical

Broadway shows are expensive, even at 40% off from the discount booth at Time Square. A tough decision for those living on a budge but an incredible experience to have at least once.

Didn't make it to the Empire State Building to see this guy swatting planes. Maybe next time...

New York is indeed the city that never sleeps. The trip was great mental recovery but it feels good to be back in Hayward, get plenty of sleep, and eat oatmeal. Visiting the big city was fun but it is good to be home.[caption id="attachment_167" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Running around Central Park"][/caption]

An 843 acre park in the middle of such a metropolis is really quite incredible. There were thousands of people out enjoying the park. It is my understanding the the park is entirely landscaped including the rocks, streams and lakes. Read more at http://www.centralpark.com/pages/history.html

[caption id="attachment_168" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Fantastic Fruit, the best deal we found were strawberries for $1"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_166" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="I think I may have been the only one in the City wearing a Toko drink belt, or fanny pack."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_170" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="I have always wanted to see a Broadway musical"][/caption]

Broadway shows are expensive, even at 40% off from the discount booth at Time Square. A tough decision for those living on a budge but an incredible experience to have at least once.

[caption id="attachment_171" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Didn't make it to the Empire State Building to see this guy swatting planes. Maybe next time..."][/caption]

New York is indeed the city that never sleeps. The trip was great mental recovery but it feels good to be back in Hayward, get plenty of sleep, and eat oatmeal. Visiting the big city was fun but it is good to be home.

10 Races in 18 Days

It has been a busy March. 10 races in 18 day including 2 50km and a trans-atlantic flight. I am thankful that I was able to stay relatively healthy and felt good through all the races.

One of the reasons I race all the races at Super Tour finals was to defend my Super Tour Distance Lead. The title includes a cash prize which translates to a new car for me.

Thanks Coach Fish for a great season... my best ever... so far

Understandably, fatigue is starting to set in. I am looking forward to a little 'vacation' and change of pace in Vermont and New York City.

xcSkiLife.com is Back

I have integrated my two websites http://in-the-arena-brian.blogspot.com/ and xcSkiLife.com so that they are easier to update and so that they can 'talk' to eachother. I am in Oslo, Norway preparing for Saturdays 50km Hollmenkollen World Cup. Check back daily for updates.

Holmenkollen Arena

Another beautiful day here at Hollmenkollen arena.  I skied in the afternoon to get my body used  to going at 2pm (qualifying time for Drammen sprints).  Hardwax barely worked and I could have skied in my t-shirt.

The new jump and stadium

Happy to have this opportunity

Chris, this picture is for you

The ski world is small.  I ran in to Anders Folleras (former UVM and MSU skier) on the trails today and we did some speed together.  I enjoyed dinner with my good friend Kjetil Dammen and his parents.  It was fun to recall our years at UAA together and to catch up on our recent adventures.

We catch the transport bus to Drammen in 20 minutes.  I am excited for my first Euro World Cup.  Classic City Sprint.  5 racers  (Newell, Hamilton, Hinckley, Me, and Kikkan)

Info at: http://www.worldcupdrammen.no/engelsk

Live Results at: http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?cal_suchsector=CC&event_id=27069

First Time to Norway

Norwegians are very proud.  For years I have been told how great the bread is in Norway.  My friend and college roommate Kjetil would try hundreds of loaves of bread but never found any to his satisfaction.  This morning I understood why, the bread here is awesome.  Kuzzy and I have made some pretty awesome loaves at home in Wisconsin, but the bread here is unreal.

It is a good thing that I am racing a 50km this weekend.  The bread/crackers and Gjetost (Norwegian Brown Cheese) is really good.

We are staying in a very nice hotel.  I am trying not to think about how expensive it is ($220/night?).   As the leader of the SuperTour on (Feb 1) much of my expenses are covered by FIS although there are a days that I am responsible for.  This high expense lifestyle is not a norm for me but I am trying to just enjoy it and focus on what I need to do to race fast.

The hotel is called the Soria Moria and is really cool.  We are just above the Hollmenkollen Ski Jump and race trails.  The weather has been beautiful and I can view the entire city from my bedroom window.

Soria Moria Hotel with Hollmenkollen Jump

The Hollmenkollen ski jump and trails have been redone and are brand new.  They actually just opened about a week ago.  I have heard that the project cost over $300 Million.  Pretty amazing investment in ski trails.  World Championships here in 2011 will be amazing.

These guys were walking around the course raking rocks out of the trail.  Committed volunteers?  (The snow was natural and clean to start with)

I spent the morning getting this blog up and rolling.  Updates are easy and I will take my camera skiing with me this afternoon.

Over 1,000 Kids Ski Barnebirkie

Over 1,000 young skiers slid to the line on thursday for the Barnebirkie. Pretty impressive considering the town of Hayward has a population of about 2,500. We had a good group from the Boys and Girls Club. Beautiful weather, good snow, cookies and hot chocolate...pretty hard to beat.

Shana and Raleighna await the starting gun

Shaylena

LCO Boys and Girls Club Barne Skiers

Enjoying the obstacle course as part of the games and celebration at the finish line on main street.

The Wall of Fire

Check out this video of the Barnebirkie. Can you find anyone you know?

Good Luck Kuz

For the past four years I have had the privilege of living and training with an Olympian. That Olympian will start his first Olympic race tomorrow in the 15km Freestyle. Garrott has many talents and is a well balance skier, performing well in every event: skate, classic, distance or sprint, however, the 15k is arguably his strongest event.

Although I am sad to not be toeing the line tomorrow, I am very happy. It has been a great season for me and there are many exciting opportunities still coming my way. I have improved greatly these past few years and I have many people to thank for that. My main training partner and friend Garrott has perhaps taught me the most.

I first met Garrott in June 2006 in Cable, Wisconsin. We were both 'freshman' on the new CXC Elite Team and were ready to become professional skiers. We have had a lot of fun and shared in many unique experiences over the years, but some things have always remained the same. Every morning, the bread machine beeps and it is time to wake up and train. I get out of bed knowing that Garrott is probably already getting ready to work to get faster. We don't necessarily talk about it, but the Goal... the Olympics... The 15k is certainly on the mind.

I am very competitive and so is Garrott, and that is a good thing. Everyday I try to beat Garrott, sometimes I do, most days I do not. He more or less does the same thing. I believe it has made us both faster. We are smart about it and make sure that our competition matches the goal of our workout. We used to do specific strength sessions and race each other but we quickly determined that we couldn't race each other without completely exhausting ourselves and taking away from other workouts. Actually, Garrott is smarter about it and over the years I have learned from him about staying focused on the long term goal.

Me and Garrott at our first World Cup in Canmore, AB in 2008

One of my more memorable experiences as a ski racer is watching Garrott in our first week of World Cup Competition in 2008. Garrott's first race was the 30km Duathalon. It was a tough race for him and he fought hard the whole way. He actually threw up when he crossed the finish line, It wasn't pretty. It was a mass start race and Garrott passed several skiers but they all dropped out and he ended up dead last. Three days later Garrott had a World Cup top 10 in the Freestyle Sprint. It was awesome. Those experiences are a testament of Garrott's character and I will always remember both those races.

Me, Garrott, and Coach Fish at the Canmore World Cup last week

Good luck to all the Americans tomorrow, but everyone should watch out for Bib 59.