April 30, 2013   – I haven’t had many years during my career that I finished the season when snow was still covering the ground and conditions for skiing were still very good. Actually when I think about it, I think this year is the first. Usually I chase after any available races after the World Cups are done, and try to make some money for our family vacation.

This year I just went straight to vacation mode, without even finishing the Canadian Nationals. I was exhausted mentally and physically, the tank was empty, no juice left – you can call it whatever you want, and you’ll be talking about me.

© courtesy of Ivan Babikov

Saying all that, I can’t complain about my season. It actually turned out the best ever, scoring points in pretty much every World Cup race before Christmas, an awesome result at Tour de Ski, and 4th place at the World Championship 15km skate race, which let me finish in top 20 in the World Cup Overall.

But then spring came….and most of the time after the World Champs in Val Di Fiemme I was struggling with my health. It seemed like I just didn’t have enough energy to fight that virus, and I was getting ill week after week. My morale was getting low, and I didn’t feel like skiing at all, instead I just needed to go back home and spend some time with my family because I hadn’t seen them for most of the winter. (Thankfully there is a Skype)

In the end, it was a fun winter. You know, it always fun when you’re getting a good results, and enjoying yourself. Talking about joy, after some time off and short but nice vacation, I feel like I’m myself again. I want to ski again, play soccer, and start training for the Olympic season. I feel very excited and it gives me shivers when I think about the Games next year…

For the first training camp of this summer, we’ll be returning to Bend, OR so stay tuned for more.

Thanks for reading

For more on Ivan Babikov check out his blog.