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Olympic Cross Country Skier

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Cause Baby, you’re a firework!

July 2, 2021

Hey friends!

With the 4th of July coming up and the new month getting underway, I wanted to reach out again — to talk about what Independence Day means to me, the upcoming Olympics, and how we can use both events to bring some extra joy and inspiration to July 🙂

To start, the history: I grew up celebrating July 4th in the most Alaskan, outdoorsy way possible — a grueling 5k up and down a mountain’s steep, rocky slope. Named Mount Marathon for the peak, locals of Seward, AK grant this event the same energy and passion that they might the Olympics or World Championships. Covered in dust and mud, there is nothing like running down to hundreds of cheering supports lining Main Street. It’s also a longstanding family tradition; my Mom and Aunt Betsy are former champions.


En route to the cheering Main Street crowds

Independence Day, therefore, was marked not by the fireworks and cookouts (though I had my fair share) but by the feeling of my burning legs, racing heart (and perhaps too many scrapes and near-crashes). The last fourth — which I spent with Breck making backyard burgers decked in Team USA garb — and this upcoming one won’t be the same.


In Canada, but still showing team spirit!

Sunday, instead of lacing up my sneakers to scale a slope, I’m running twice the distance for a virtual 10k with L.L. Bean. Yes, another virtual race, but even just pulling on a “virtual” bib somehow formalizes my commitment, getting me to go harder and faster. I’ll be the first to admit that whatever 6.2 miles I choose to run, they’re unlikely to match the raw excitement of running Mount Marathon. And yet, no matter which hills I run, each Independence Day has been united by flying legs and adrenaline, reminding me of how lucky I am to be able to get out and push myself!

No longer is the thrill of the event and everyday grind of sweat and smiles my profession — but it’s still what makes me feel whole. It’s hard to believe this summer is the first time in five Winter Olympic cycles that I’m not in the final months of preparation for the Games (which feels bittersweet). Yet my Athlete Mentality has never left.

In a way, these virtual races­­ — purposefully subjecting myself to physical agony just for the heck of it — are good metaphors for life. I like to joke that life is like a cross-country race: one-third up, one-third flat, and one-third down. Simple. But powerful because “climbing the big hill” and pushing through the discomfort means that at some point, you get to the top. The reward is a beautiful view and the exhilaration down the other side, and it’s always worth the work.


And don’t forget, you can enjoy the way up too…

All of us, even Olympic champions, have our mountains to climb. The fight against breast cancer was the biggest one I’ve ever faced, and it was tough! I believe we all possess that gritty part of ourselves that says, “it’s going to be ok” when we’ve just turned the corner, and the hill keeps going when we wonder if we will ever reach the top.

As the Tokyo Olympics draw near, like many of you, I can’t wait to watch and cheer the best of the best in nearly forty sports from over 206 countries compete for their own Olympic and Paralympic glory (especially Track and Field!). The stories of many of these Olympic champions — who trained through adversity, overcame the frustration of the pandemic and the year-long delay, and now strive to support their nation at the highest level — are truly incredible. Like Japanese swimmer Ikee Rikado who, two years after being diagnosed with leukemia and only seven months after returning to competition, qualified to race in the Olympic Games in her hometown.

Therefore, as we head off into the holiday weekend, I hope you will join me in making this month one to invite in a challenge. Guided by the gritty game face of our heroic athletes, empowered by their steady stride and triumph, let’s set an intention to tackle that far-fetched goal or to finish off the overwhelming task you’ve pushed off for years. We can use those 4th of July fireworks to spark a zip in our step and get energized by our heroic athletes this month!

I would love if you shared your stories of what moved you this month, whether it’s a Games moment or just something you come across in your day. On that note, thanks a bunch to everyone who wrote after the first release, it’s so great to hear from my community again. I hope to make this newsletter a regular check-in, so I would welcome ideas on what you would like to learn or topics I should discuss.

I’m here for you. Stay strong, stay tuned, and let’s get after it 🙂

All the best,

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Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day! So ma Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day!  So many of my favorite memories from sport have come from the women I’ve learned from, the teammates that have made the days so memorable and  from all the things we were able to accomplish TOGETHER. Today we celebrate the victories, the near misses, and the moments of courage just to get out there. ⁣
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#gogirls ⁣
#girlsinsport⁣
#womensupportingwomen
Fantastic weekend sharing ski tips and stories wit Fantastic weekend sharing ski tips and stories with at the inaugural Ski de She weekend!! A big thanks to @fischernordic for bringing me in and to the @americanbirkebeiner team for putting on a great event!! #livetoski #birkie #skideshe #womenwhoski
Puffed up and ready for a chilly day out at the @a Puffed up and ready for a chilly day out at the @americanbirkebeiner Ski de She!  It’s race day! ⁣
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#llbeanambassador ⁣
#beanoutsider ⁣
#skideshe
Breck’s first XC ski race! It’s been super fu Breck’s first XC ski race!  It’s been super fun to share something that’s been such a big part of my life and see his enthusiasm growing.  The ice cream treat capped a great day😜! ⁣
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A big thanks to our amazing community, @anchoragenordicski and the Sons of Norway, and all the volunteers, for making it a fun day! ⁣
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#skifamily ⁣
#breckreation ⁣
#livetoski ⁣
#beanoutsider ⁣
#anchorage⁣
Doubles biathlon…new sport? ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #momspor Doubles biathlon…new sport? ⁣
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#momsport
Let gravity do the work for a change. Great views Let gravity do the work for a change.  Great views and nice conditions for a family ski at @resortalyeska !! #skialaska #livetoski
Ski marathons are a new challenge for me and somet Ski marathons are a new challenge for me and something I’ve had to learn a lot about.  So I’m sharing some of my tips and tricks on @untappedmaple blog.  See the link in my profile.
Made it 40km for 40 today with a 30km skate race a Made it 40km for 40 today with a 30km skate race and an extended cool down.  Hurt so good and made the pizza after taste even better.  Thanks to teammate @hollybrooksllc for convincing me to start off the new year with a bang! ⁣
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#40for40 #icicledouble #thatwashard #livetoski
Had amazing help celebrating my 40th birthday with Had amazing help celebrating my 40th birthday with family and friends!  Feels pretty special to have completed my 4th decade with so many great memories along the way.  Can’t wait to see what the next 40 bring! #thisis40 #40andfab #cheerstothenext40
Sledding 🛷and sunshine ☀️ makes the season Sledding 🛷and sunshine ☀️ makes the season bright! ⁣
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#llbeanambassador #beanoutsider #winterfamily
Merry Christmas from the ski trails! Nothing beat Merry Christmas from the ski trails!  Nothing beats gliding through the snow on a two horse pair of Fischer Speedmax.  Extra fun with friends!⁣
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#merrychristmas #livetoski #beanoutsider
Fun couple of days coaching in the Okanagan. Cold Fun couple of days coaching in the Okanagan.  Cold must have followed me down from Alaska though, it was chilly 🥶! We were pretty bundled up but it was great to be able to share some tips, tricks and stories from my World Cup days.  Lots of enthusiasm and love for XC skiing! ⁣
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Thanks @glennbondevents for setting up these camps! ⁣
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#livetoski #coachkikkan #sharethelove
Records are made to be broken! Congrats to my tea Records are made to be broken!  Congrats to my teammate @jessiediggins for becoming the winningest U.S. Cross Country skier of all time!  Taking home the cheese (and the sled) in Davos for lucky #14!  So proud of this sparkle chipmunk and the champion she has become!  #usskiteam #smilesformiles
Another snow day!! ❄️❄️ 18 inches fell ove Another snow day!! ❄️❄️ 18 inches fell overnight adding to the 24 inches we got last week.  4th day of school cancelled so working from home today.  Had to take a “snow break”! ⁣
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#llbeanambassador ⁣
#snowday ⁣
#snowbreak
The Moms raced, the kids cheered (and sledded) wit The Moms raced, the kids cheered (and sledded) with Grand Dude.  Oh boy, I forgot how much racing hurts 😛. But also how good it feels afterwards 🥳 !!⁣
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Fun racing the local AMH Anchorage Cup series after watching all the great World Cup action all weekend.  Got inspired by the US team to pull out the relay socks 🇺🇸 🧦!!⁣
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#livetoski #skiracing #hurtssogood #anchoragenordicski #amhcup
Snow day fun continued into the night with a light Snow day fun continued into the night with a light tour to the sledding hill.  I feel like a kid on Christmas with all this snow.  It’s been especially fun to share the snow adventures with Breck! ⁣
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#llbeanambassador #snowday #nightski #beanoutsider #livetoski
Turkey trot to start the day 🏃🏼‍♀️🦃 Turkey trot to start the day 🏃🏼‍♀️🦃! So fun to be out with the masses shaking out the legs and getting the furnace running hot for the big dinner.  Made it a full family affair! ⁣
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Thanks @skinnyravensports for a great event. ⁣
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#turkeytrot ⁣
#gobblegobble ⁣
#familyfun ⁣
#funrun
Saddle up, it’s time to JOIN the @gonnf Drive fo Saddle up, it’s time to JOIN the @gonnf Drive for 25 Core Challenge!  Only happening this week to support the future of U.S. Cross Country! ⁣
1. Donate $25 this week (link in bio) ⁣
2. Try this core challenge ⁣
3.  Challenge your friends to join the challenge ⁣
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NNF supports developing Nordic athletes from across the 🇺🇸 ranging from financial support for training camps all the way to World Cup races!! ⁣
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So many crucial experiences along my 20yr Olympic career were made possible from the support from NNF and today’s and tomorrow’s skiers need our support more than ever!! I hope you’ll join us in this challenge to spark some energy in your day and help support this important cause!! ⁣
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I challenge @hollybrooksllc @idasargent and @laura.mccabe.129 !! ⁣
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#gonnf #drivefor25 #nationalnordicfoundation #crosscountryskiing #americanskiing #strongertogether
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