Betsy Mawdsley: Getting Started

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Getting Started

Much overdue post but after missing half the semester of school I was basically locked into my books when I wasn’t racing.

Last season was a season of firsts. My first international tour, first North American cup win, first cross country ski nationals, first western's podium and first time I was able to start and finish every race. I feel like I raised the bar this year and set new personal bests and standards for myself to match this coming season. Turkey was amazing and the international experience has made me hungry for more tours in the future.

Despite being an amazing season it was a long year that saw more than 32 races and 50 weeks of training on top of a full time course load. By March I was mentally and physically ready for a break. Alberta saw a record snow year and we returned home from nationals to lots of skiable snow. I however, was having none of it and opted for some much needed rest and homework time.April was as busy as the race season, finishing up school and presentations, moving out of "the biathlon house" to Calgary and being a superstar in finals. April also held our annual athletic awards at Augustana. My partner in crime Kathryn Stone cleaned up as Athlete of the year, award of merit and honored as a biathlete, cross country skier and cross country runner.

As April turned to May it was time to get training again.

I wanted to start the training year out slow, and what better way to do it then to head back to the Northwest Territories for the first week of May. I love Fort Smith in the spring and with some Mom's home cooking and brand new paved roads for rollerskiing it was a great start to the year.

After some quality time at home it was back to Calgary to set up shop for the summer. I'm back working with my foothills crew and along with my returning crew have an amazing new group of kids that I'm excited to work with.

Summer training has started out strong, living with a triathlete who is a great runner has been a definite plus and with the usual loss of all my team mates for the summer he and our puppy have been great motivators. I am finishing up my first block and am excited for period 2 which usually holds some long runs/rides and skis. As well, a new rifle stock is in the process of being made.
I owe a massive summary from the season, since pictures are worth a thousand words here are a few!

Time to get rollerskiing again

Me and Kat Stone styling our training bibs in Turkey

Opening Ceremonies

Rocking some prone during the Sprint in Turkey

Starting the sprint at World University Games

Wooooo Turkey

Cross Country Ski Nationals Team Sprint, getting tagged by the amazing Kalli Green. Congrats to Kat Stone and Lauren Brookes who took 2nd!

Making friends in Turkey

Now that things are back in season, stay tuned for weekly updates!

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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.