On the road again....

A quick update after our first full day of training in Quebec. The last two weeks have been amazingly busy so today's transition back to normal training (albeit on the road for camp here in Quebec) was a relief although I found my body a bit more tired than I'd hoped. 

The whole gang, dog included...

Two weeks ago we headed to Jericho, VT for a short pre-race and race trip, culminating with two trials races on the weekend. The week proved to be a classic Jericho experience with down-pouring rain, billions of annoying gnats, and bunking in the guard barracks. The food this year was a surprise though. Usually the catering for that camp is less-than-stellar but this year they turned it around and had us all psyched for meals. My races went both ways both days. Saturday I had a good result, finishing 6th overall (5th for US women) and 2nd among women qualifying for the Sweden pre-world Cup camp in November. I skied slower than I would have liked but went into a three-way tie with two others for best shooting on the day (1,0). Sunday I skied faster but lost it all in the range with a total of 7 penalties on the day, dropping me to 12th place in the (true) pursuit. 

 

Photos from the sprint race on Saturday...

After Jericho I headed home to NH for ten days that culminated in an awesome family reunion. It was probably the most complete gathering of my dad's family that we've had since I was about five years old. Lots of pictures below....

After a crazy weekend with my family I drove north (via Franconia Notch where I picked up Casey and Mikaela, who spent the "off" week hiking on the AT) to Quebec where we are now for a five day camp with our Canadian neighbors. 

Gunnar, all smiles because I promised to play Legos with him...

 

Hanging out on the back porch...

L: Alex and his girlfriend Emily R: Aunt Cindy, Adella and Gunnar deep in the Legos

Adella loves salsa...she doesn't really eat the chips. They're more just a mode of transport for getting the salsa (mostly) into her mouth. So cute!

Cousins Emily (L) and Caroline competing the sprint Timberman race on Saturday morning...

Enjoying the sun on our island....

Hanging on the dock and swimming...

We had a Farm to Table Dinner on Sunday evening...we had perfect weather, amazing company, and awesome food. 

Aunt Sarah and I catching the moments...

Older sibling cousins (minus Abi and Isaac) and younger sibling cousins...

Cousins, (minus Abi who had work Monday morning)...

The five Howe siblings...

Five siblings and their spouses and cousins Annie and John. 

My family!

He couldn't wait for everyone else to get their food...

Dinner!

After dinner we broke it down with a birthday party and some dancing in the barn...

After a hot and muggy day today a cold front it heading our way. I'm looking forward to fall and a little while at home in Fort Kent during the end of August and most of September. 

My Project for the Road: Skiers to Schools

Tuesday I leave The County (once you've lived here you realize there is only one "County"...thus we refer to Aroostook County affectionately as "The County") for three+ weeks on the road. First to Jericho VT for the US National Biathlon Roller Ski Championships, then home to central NH for a very special weekend with my WHOLE family, and finally to Quebec City for a training camp with our Canadian friends.

Training camps bring lots of down time for recovery but since I can't sleep for all of it I try to bring projects or "busy" activities. Sometimes in the form of knitting or books I want to read. This time my busy work will be creating a "Skiers to Schools" program based on what I've done in Madawaska, Fort Kent and Eagle Lake during the past two school years. These last two years it was just me "adopting" classes in the St. John Valley but with 17 elite athletes spread from Fort Kent down through Presque Isle I can include a lot more classes in the program now! I'm also hoping to get some energetic fans to this year's big biathlon event in The County: 2014 Biathlon Youth/Junior World Championships at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle.

While I absolutely LOVE competing as a biathlete, my love for the sport is only rivaled by the enjoyment I get out of sharing it with others. Last year I LOVED seeing the smiles on these kids faces as they learned about what I do, followed me from a distance while I traveled the world, and finally got to see it all "for real" right here in The County. And now I'm looking forward to letting my teammates share in that experience with me in the coming months...will your kids join us?

Our cheering section at US Nationals last March in Fort Kent: ALL local kids. 

Outside. Watching biathlon, understanding it, and having fun!

Talking targets and racing with some kiddos at Fort Kent Elementary...

Teaching the importance of teamwork, coordination, and FUN!

Skiing past the normally empty bleachers in Fort Kent that were filled with smiling, cheering faces. The sign (in the picture) hangs in my room reminding me how much fun it was to visit these kids and it's my physical reminder that I can't wait to get it going again this fall. 

 but this time around I can include 17 times more kids!