Wow, in just a few hours it will be 2014. How can that be? Where did the year go?! I must say, it’s been a pretty good year. Some ups and downs, both in skiing and in life, but for the most part I have had an amazing year. So I thought I would recap the year with some highlights and photos from each month. Happy New Year and cheers to a happy and healthy 2014!!!!!

January

The new year started off with US National in Soldier Hollow, UT. Pictured here in the skate sprint.

After Nationals I stabbed myself de-pitting an avocado and ended up with stitches in my hand for a few weeks.

But then I got some good no-pole sessions that got my legs nice and strong 🙂

I got my second SuperTour podium in the Tour de Twin Cities!

February

Winning the Boulder Mountain Tour in Sun Valley, ID by an inch.

Tagging off to Mark in the team sprint in Sun Valley for the win

I also raced in Aspen, CO and in the American Birkebeiner in Wisconsin, both of which I’m in no rush to race again. They were hard.

I finally got to visit my brother at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

March

Reese and I got to drop the puck at an Alaska Aces pro hockey game in Anchorage

I raced in Italy. Not a bad race backdrop! The US girls contingent post-race in Italy.

Flying back to the US my plane flew over Greenland, which was an incredible sight! The ice field went on forever.

I had a great time training in the sun in Truckee/Lake Tahoe, CA in late March gearing up for Spring Series.

April

I don’t usually delve into my personal life away from skiing too much, but in Truckee I met someone amazing who has made me so happy and changed the course of my year for much the better. Cheers PK, I love you. 🙂

Spring Series in Truckee was a warm slushy sufferfest, racing later into April than ever before, but I survived.

PK joined me for a week in Alaska where he saw his first moose!

I spent an incredible week in Selawik, Alaska, a Native village above the Arctic Circle with the NANANordic program bringing skiing to villages across the Arctic region.

Sunset in the Arctic, around 11:30pm

May

May brought CRUST SKIING galore!! pictured here at Hatcher Pass in late May.

It also brought another snowstorm, enough to ski up and down my road.

The snowstorm was followed THE NEXT DAY by the annual women’s triathlon, where I crushed the run split by 1:40 despite racing in sub-40F temps. It was quite miserable, I assure you.

June

Running season started up with the Alaska Run for WomenMy awesome coworkers, Emma, Reidun and winner Susan (L-R)

Ski training was back in full force, with some minor pitfalls, mainly a river overflowing our rollerski route causing some last-minute bailing…the less glamorous side of skiing…

June also brought a heat wave with several weeks of 80-degree temps that led to many a creek visit, even at 9pm!!

A solid week of Eagle Glacier training with splendid weather brought June to a nice close

July

4th on the 4th–coming off the mountain in Mt. Marathon Race in Seward. Love that race!

Salmon season!! Alaskan specialty

A quick kayak trip to Prince William Sound with my dad and brother was a nice break from training.

Then it was back to the glacier for another badass camp with the US Ski Team girls and Norwegian Astrid Jacobsen

August

One word: AUSTRALIA.

It was my turn to visit PK in Australia!!

Hanging with the local mob

Of course, I hit two birds with one stone and put in 3 weeks of on-snow WINTER training!

Skiing the Bogong High Plains

Racing my way to 2nd in the Kangaroo Hoppet, a 42km marathon race at the end of August.

Pretty amazing experience!

Making more friends.

And yes, I went surfing!

September

Back home for some good rollerskiing with the team.

And some good long run/hikes in the mountains before the snow comes

And of course, beautiful fall colors and sunsets. Not sure if the leaves reflect the orange of the sun or vice-versa…

I had to say goodbye to a beloved member of the family. Star may have been 13 years old, but she was always a puppy at heart. She was a true running partner until the end, pictured here in May on a hike. I’ll miss you pup.

October

Off for two weeks training hard in Park City, UT

Deer Valley after a light snow

Overlooking Park City on our last long run

Then back to Anchorage where we held a fun Fast and Female event and hundreds of girls turned out!

November

The beginning of winter brought PK back to Alaska for a few weeks before the season started

And more gorgeous sunsets.

Fantastic early-season skiing at Hatcher Pass with Rosie

Aussie boy’s first snow angel!

Winter also means COLD

Thanksgiving meant it was back on the road for racing in West Yellowstone, MT that left more to be desired.

Australian reunion in Bozeman, MT

College roommates reunited in West Yellowstone, MT

December

December took us to B.C. for more races. Becca and I were psyched about the cool trails.

Then it was home for Christmas and late-morning sunrises.

Was a beautiful white Merry Christmas!

Happy gathering of friends and making wishes!

And Christmas cookies with the little brother 🙂

I jumped in a snowy Besh Cup in Anchorage (Charlie Renfro photo)

New Year’s Eve 2014 brings me full circle back to Soldier Hollow, UT getting ready for Nationals and yet another beautiful sunset across the swan pond our rental house sits on with a full view of Mt. Timpanogos.

Jack and Pete take advantage of the offerings of our rental house, including the canoe to explore the pond.

Making snow at SOHO, stay tuned for more news 🙂

So here’s a virtual cheers to everyone! May 2014 bring you happiness, love and fun. Happy New Year!!!!!