March 13, 2011 (Canmore, AB) – Perhaps Charles Dickens said it best – It was the best of times, It was the worst of times. Despite skiing better than I have in a number of years, my season hasn’t exactly been going according to plan. I missed qualifying for the World Championships at the NorAm sprint in Rossland by mere inches and again missed a chance (though a long shot for me) in the 30km NorAm in Thunder Bay by just three seconds.

I’m not sure how to feel about the last few months of racing. My distance skiing is at an all time best and my sprinting has been much more consistent than last season, yet I missed out on my main focus for the season – the World Championships Sprint.

I suppose the tight competition for the World Championships Team is a real testament to the strength of the Canadian Men’s Team right now but it’s tough to be watching the World Championships from home in Canmore, AB rather than track side with the rest of my teammates.

For me, sickness has been the main theme of the last few months. A terribly timed cold meant that I was only healthy enough to get through the 30km in Thunder Bay and that race would ultimately be the nail in my coffin as I would have to sit out the final two races with a cold.

Fast forward a month and I was only marginally better, I managed to put together a good weekend of racing at the Western Canadian Championships in Kelowna, BC, winning the sprint and the overall Mini-Tour. The Telemark Ski Club put on a great event for the Western Canadian Champs and I hope that the NorAm tour will be back there again next year!

From Kelowna, it was time to take my 5th flight across the country in as many weeks for the Eastern Canadian Champs in Ottawa. All seemed good with my health and following a few great days of training in the Gatineau Park I was feeling like my shape was finally coming around. Unfortunately this was short-lived and with the first race I could tell that again something was not right.

Feeling shaky, dizzy and weak, I suffered through two days of racing trying to compete with Graham Nishikawa for the coveted NorAm World Cup spot. The final day would be a total disaster, ironically another 30km would be the straw that broke my back. Feeling generally ok when not skiing or racing, I was hopeful that I could grind out one final race but after just 15k I knew I was in trouble, I was again feeling dizzy, having problems with cramping and starting to feel nauseous, I was dropped from the chase group that had formed and shortly thereafter dropped out of the race…my first DNF since 2005.

I promptly barfed my guts out behind a banner in the stadium, put my warm-ups on and went home. Not the way I had pictured things happening. Graham ran away with the race, throwing down a very impressive performance and claiming the spring World Cup spot.

After a 6th flight across the country and some much needed rest at home in Canmore, I am finally starting to feel like my health is back to normal. I have an exciting week of racing ahead with the National Championships here at home in Canmore and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to find the same form that I started the season with.

It should be a great week of racing here in Canmore, I’ll try to post some short race updates through the week so check back soon! This blog and many more can also be found at http://drewgoldsack.ca/

Finally, I’ll leave you with this video. The reality of sport is that most likely you’ll lose far more times than you’ll ever win. To all you young racers out there, if you understand and appreciate this video, you’re well on your way to many more victories…

 

In the Tape Deck:
Artist: Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup, Track: We No Speak Americano (Original Mix)
Artist: The White Panda, Track: Stereo Hands
Artist: Danny Michel, Track: If God’s On Your Side

Overheard:
“I am so much smarter than I was in grade 12.” -Jess Cockney