Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Keeping it Fresh in the Fall

The snow has fallen and its getting chilly out. It's that time of year when there is not enough snow to ski but we're close enough to winter that you are giving your roller skis dirty looks. Despite the snow, I am still rollerskiing constantly. My knees finally started arguing over all the running so until the snow comes I am doing the ice dance on my two wheels.

October is a very restless time of year. September is marked by trials and the start of school, November is marked by snow camp and winter and entering into race season. October is that awkward middle that makes training feel like a scene out of the movie Groundhog Day.

Being restless in my training enemy. When I am restless I find it hard to get things done in school, my shooting is less quality and I'm not always making the gains I want. Normally to kick this I do ACAC running races but since my knees are benching me from running, no dice.

My keep it fresh solution is cyclocross, which is quickly becoming the highlight of my fall. I have always been a huge fan of cycling but cross, which is a fall sport, has never seemed logical to add into my plan. I did a race last month, just to get some race experience when I couldn't run and I was instantly addicted.




Heading into "the agitator" at provincials


Don't know what cyclocross is? Check this out http://slonie.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/cx-comic/. In Europe this sport is huge, they shut down entire towns for big races and fans come from everywhere to watch. A friend of mine went to the World Championships a couple years ago, and from her explanation, it's basically like the super bowl, inclusive with the drunken fans. Despite the seriousness of the sport I have a funny feeling it started as a competition between two really bored cyclists in the off season who decided to go mountain biking with their road bike.


Rocking out the sandpit!



I'm planning to hit one more this weekend before their season wraps up. I am getting my butt kicked for sure, but thats kind of part of the fun!

Happy Halloween!
Betsy












Wednesday, October 13, 2010

World University Games!

Hello all my wonderful supporters!

Two years ago I tried out for World University Games in Harbin, China. Three of my team mates made it, I didn't. After missing out I promised myself I wouldn't miss out two years down the road. After tonnes of hard work, and a speedy North American Champs victory, I have been preselected to compete for Team Canada at World University Games in Turkey this January!!


I couldn't be more excited to rep the red and white on the big scene. However, the big leagues come at an entirely self funded price, ouch! Despite my mad skills at coaching, great university GPA and some amazing support from my family, school and territory the $4200 tour fee is show stopping. Needless to say, I need to some help to keep training and racing.




(Photo Credit Amarat Sandhu, Me rocking out North American Championships)



Want to help me get to Turkey and keep rocking out on my skis?

It's easy. Just click on the Donation button on the top right side of my blogsite. If you don't already have a free paypal account, its super easy to sign up. You should have one anyway to buy sweet Betsy stuff on ebay, when I make it big. Any support is greatly appreciated. You can look forward to blog updates (I promise), and photos all along the way. I have set the goal to break the top half, which to my knowledge has not been down by a Canadian woman. If you can't donate, then be my cheering squad! Training is tough and messages of support along the way does a lot to make the process easier. Contact me anytime at betsy_mawdsley@hotmail.com


(Photo Credit Mike Neary, Having some Fun on the Haig Glacier)

Thank you so much for all the support , keep on rocking!

Betsy