Betsy Mawdsley: Keeping it Fresh in the Fall

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

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All About Me

I was born and raised in the small northern town of Fort Smith, NWT. With my two sisters and brother, being active and involved in sports was a regular part of our everyday life. My parents encouraged us into organized sports, including figure skating, track and field, soccer, volleyball, swimming and skiing. Having four kids in the house meant we were regularly kicked outside to play to keep from driving our parents nuts. All my childhood memories include playing baseball and soccer in the backyard as well as tones of early memories doing swim team and weekends playing at the lake. My family remains my greatest form of support as they support and encourage me through the many challenges of being an athlete.

My love for skiing started in the Jackrabbits program when I was seven years old. With my Dad I spent every Saturday learning the basics through fun and games. I started biathlon when I was thirteen under the watchful eye of Patti-kay Hamilton and Don True. Growing up in this program were some of my favorite years as I competed in the Alberta cup, Nationals and three Arctic Winter Games capturing two gold and a bronze Ulu. Through these training sessions, many of which were done by headlamp at very cold temperatures, I learned dedication and mental strength as well as a pride of my northern upbringing. PK and Don taught me to succeed you must work outside your comfort zone and at the same time find joy in every training session.

After graduating I spent a year training and racing for West Coast Nordics in North Vancouver. After competing at Canada Winter Games in 2007, I was given a scholarship to race for the Augustana Vikings Biathlon Team in Camrose, Alberta. While racing for them I have been completing my Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. Despite moving teams I still hold pride in being an NWT athlete and race under that title as often as possible.

I am also working to complete my coaching levels and while summer training, I have been working as the assistant coach with Foothills Nordic Biathlon. In the fall I will work in support of the Camrose Ski Club Biathlon program. While working with a very talented group of young athletes I am reminded everyday why I love my sport.

During my years with the Vikings I have had multiple top ten finishes at nationals and am currently ranked 11th nationally. I have also had multiple podium finishes on both the Alberta and North American cup races.

Currently I am training with hopes of making the IBU cup and World University Games. My long term focus is the 2014 Olympic Winter Games which will come after four more years of work and dedication.