XMAS POWDER

Brian and I met with Monarch Mountain a few weeks ago. Brian is going to put on a Randonee ski clinic prior to the Feb 21st event at Monarch and in return thay graciously supplied us with Season Passes.
I am not a skier, in fact I've attempted to ski 3 x in my life up untill now, the last was in 1999 where I basically did my damnedest to not go down the hill at all.. and that was the beginner slope! Not exactly the point.. eh!

Well that's all changed, we went up to Monarch to pick up our passes yesterday and ski in the POWDER! It was awesome. I loved it.. I didn't get off the kids lift ( according to Brian.. I was like kids? the kids are up the top of the mtn....) yet, but I did make it down a blue slope and I am hooked.

So excited. We used Brians rando equipment, and his new GOODE ski's ( so I'm learning on $2000 carbon ski's and bindings.. the lightest on the market.. Thanks Dave GOODE ...being Brian's wife has benefits sometimes!).

cheers
Jen

Brandyn's cat and pickle drink

Someone gave us this at the pool the other day.

Yes it tastes disgusting.

Crazy Snow

Its positively dumping, while its been snowing just about every day since last Tuesday the intensity upped and today it has been absolutely pouring out of the ski/ sky.

So I donned the Yak Trax and ski goggles and headed out for a tour da neighbourhood. I play outside is always so much better than the torture machines at the gym.

cheers

Jen

Home made goodness

A client Michelle gave us the most amazing chocolate chip cookies today. Yum! One turned into 3 as I got ready to ride the rollers.. wonder if my ride used them up??

I've been right into making things at home lately. In part, its a response to food prices being so expensive. Its also to stay healthy. Largely too .. its just better.

I'm sprouting mung beans and they are delicious. Eating them in pumpkin soup. The soup is last nights soup improved. Roast Pumpkin, onion and garlic with coconut milk, red curry, and coconut curry chicken stock. (My friend Laura suggested a little brown sugar and stock to bring out the flavor.. it has made a huge improvement). Tomorrow I am thinking the soy chorizo in the fridge would be good added too....

Soup in December is the best!

I've got Yoghurt making in the cooler overnight. Take some plain Yoghurt , about 1/5th of the container, and mix it in a Jar with organic milk heated to 115 degrees, Put in our small 'chilli bin' and add hot water... to cover the jar and incubate the 'yoghurt'. Its good and alot cheaper. I'd like to find some organic milk powder and then I could make thicker yummy Yoghurt. Not sure that Gunnison has that though. ( NZ is 15 years ahead of this game, my cooler is a homemade version of Eziyo!)

I'm also making Granola in the oven right now. Its so much more economical and nice to know whats in the cereal mix.

cheers
Jen

So whats new?

Sometimes we experience periods of change, and change can be really good. Its allowing me to be really stimulated and challenged.

My off season is in the past now, it was an off - season, my ear problems really affected me, but a visit to a specialist last week was encouraging, I'd had 2 things going on; an Eustachian tube problem and an initial ear canal infection, which in the end was dry and inflamed, mainly because it was too dried out from treatment. Its really settling now so I am much happier.

Its been interesting however and a learning curve. I've been learning about some Chinese medicine and the relationship between the water element, our kidney's,adrenal glands and ears. I relate to what I am learning and feel much of it is applicable to me. So in the long run I think the whole experience is a healthy one. My mantra for now is nourishment, and not just food, more in the form of some calming activities and balance to my go/go lifestyle.

I've changed coaches too, after 3 very successful years with Ann Trombley (www.trailmastercoaching.com) I approached Dara Marks Marino (http://www.dmmfastcoaching.com/) for coaching. Dara with her cycling and xterra experience is a really good choice for me to continue to develop as an xterra athlete. Its exciting and I am feeling really positive about the change.

I've also ( now I'm letting all my cats out of the bag, but whatever... its no secret that I am not a good swimmer... yet) begun working with Brandyn Roark Gray with Swimming.

She and Trever are olympic trial swimmers and coaches of the Four corners aquatic team... I'm hoping a little will rub off. She's a fantastic coach and again I am very excited to be working with someone who also competes in Xterra and triathlon.

2009 is very motivating to me.

Brian and I, along with Brandyn and Trever (Roark) Gray are teaming up to teach an Off road triathlon camp in Farmington, New Mexico Jan 22 - 25, 2009.
Brandyn and Trever will take the swim clinics. They'll video, assess your stroke, teach you drills to correct it, use tools for swimming, show how to integrate into a workout and how to progress your workouts into your season.

Brian and I will teach mountain bike and run clinics focusing on both technical and technique skills, race specific skills and workout planning and progression.

The weather will most likely be dry in Farmington and Aztec. I've just been down to swim and ride. We checked out the trails and they are super fun and appropriate.

The camp costs $295 which includes all clincs. Accomadation and food isn't included. Farmington has plenty of reasonably priced accom. We envisage eating out together Friday night, then on Saturday the ride clinic will be from the Gray's house and end with a pot luck BBQ.

Its an amazing opportunity for athletes of all abilities to start their year off well. Its going to be social, fun, motivating and extremely useful.

Space is limited so please contact me w/ any questions.

cheers

Jen