Trials and Tribulations

Trials and Tribulations (plural only) unpleasant experiences that put one's endurance and strength to the test.

And it was just that.

record scratch

I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s talk about two weeks ago, first.

Vermont has a bad reputation for not having snow in November and, rarely, enough in December. Ski areas rely heavily on snow making. US Biathlon International Biathlon Union Cup (USBA IBU) team trials were set for December 17th-20th in Craftsbury, Vermont so, to guarantee on-snow prep and a race opportunity before the main trials, I had the opportunity to spend two weeks training in Canmore, Canada.

It was super cold the first week, but we got lucky with it warming up a little for the races. The first race was a 4 stage race and 5 laps for a total of 20 shots taken and 12.5km skied. I hit all of my standing targets so that was encouraging! 

The second day was a sprint which is 2 stages and 3 laps for a total of 10 shots taken and 7.5km skied. This was my better of the two races, as I only missed 1 target and was just off the podium in 4th place. 

I’m not coming home empty handed, though, I won gummy bears for cleaning several of my shooting stages over the weekend!

It was a pleasure to wear the Stars and Stripes, especially when representing in Canada. Being in the military and doing biathlon is a unique experience, and is also one shared by many other countries and their respective militaries. At a coffee shop on our rest day, I had very interesting conversation with a former Canadian military biathlete. 

Their program was cut several years ago which, I suspect, has resulted in a sharp decrease in biathletes that compete for Canada due to the high costs involved like travel, hotels, food, fees, gear, etc. In the US, our military biathlon program currently makes up more than half of the representing athletes, which really shines a light on how much our program brings to the table. This was a good reminder to be grateful for the opportunity I have!

During camp, a highlight was getting to see my friend, Aubrey, who is a 5-star coach for the Bridger Ski Foundation in Bozeman, Montana. She was leading her club while they trained in Canmore too. I have not seen her since we both moved out of Alaska (temporarily.) It absolutely filled my bucket to jump into conversation like no time had passed at all! And her recommendation to ski to Lake Morain and Lake Louise was well received, it was BEAUTIFUL and amazing classic skiing.

Picture break.

So, back to what I was saying earlier.

Trials and Tribulations (plural only) unpleasant experiences that put one's endurance and strength to the test.

As so sadly predicted, we returned from Canmore to rain and no skiable snow in our nook of Vermont. For the week leading into trials, we were on the rollerski treadmill 3 times! I should NOT be on rollerskis December 13th. Not ideal, but we roll with the punches, and she was not done punching.

Sunday night, I am SICK. I tried so hard to convince myself this was allergies, like maybe it’s dust mites, right? My throat was so dry and I had a stuffed nose that quickly progressed into a migraine, body shakes, phlegm, tears. The schedule says we are going to Craftsbury for USBA IBU Cup team trials on Monday, racing Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and getting sick the night before was absolutely not on the schedule.

So I did what any sensible person would do and I took lethal amounts of vitamin C, drank an entire bottle of Kefir yogurt (because probiotics, right?), popped Tylenol to turn the migraine off, and slept for about 16 hours.

And it almost worked.

I raced the sprint races on Tuesday and Wednesday and was extraordinarily miserable. If this was not trials, I would not have raced. Yet, I had to try my heart’s absolute hardest because I want to race for US Biathlon so bad. This is what I joined the military for, this is what I moved across the country for, this is what I sweat for, cry for, bleed for. I HAD to race.

Here I am at team USA trials, faced with tribulations, and my endurance and strength was put to the test.

When I couldn’t breathe because my nose is full of gunk and my lungs are on fire, I controlled what I could i.e. my shooting. I am happy that I cleaned my prone in Tuesday’s sprint race and my standing in Wednesday’s sprint race. Thursday was our training day (no race) and I think a miracle began to happen, I started feeling better. Friday morning, the final race morning, I could breathe through both nostrils. My lungs still fought for air as I wheezed my way around the course. I forced through it, I want this so bad. In the mass start, I cleaned the first 3 stages and for a brief moment, I was even winning the race. I totally goofed by missing 2 targets in my last stage and I crossed the finish line in 3rd place.

I felt elated and sad at the same time, because 1 good race does not make up for the 2 bad races I had earlier in the week. Biathlon is such a hard sport because a good race, objectively, still might not be a good race on the overall ranking list. BUT it was enough to sneak me in ;)

I am so excited to be pulled up to the IBU Cup happening in Arber, Germany in early January! I am going to fight like hell to stay healthy, race fast, and shoot clean.

Every single one us has faced tribulations. We know how hard it is to stay motivated, to suffer, to believe in ourselves. I want to thank my teammate, Deedra, for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in me. She listened to me complain and feel sorry for myself and now she gets to take credit for knocking sense into me and not counting myself out until the last race. And a huge thanks has to be extended to my coach and friends who cheered for me like their lives depended on it.

Lastly, I want to thank Learn Grant Writing. My team was so supportive and understanding of me taking time off to compete in these races. I am proud to wear their name and logo on my headband during said races! Sauce Active, based out of Bozeman, Montana, made our custom unicorn headbands and it is the greatest piece of clothing I own (not being dramatic.) They have more headbands, hats, and neckies, like the ones I am wearing in the Canada photos earlier^^, for sale. If you use code ZOE you get a 10% discount and I get portion of sales which goes directly to supporting my biathlon career. Win-Win!

I am now on a plane to Alaska where I will enjoy the holiday break and a quick training block on snow (sorry Vermont) to fire up the engine before flying to Germany.

With that, I leave you with these words; happy holidays and you, too, have the strength to face your trials and tribulations.