CC takes on HC.
This summer was a summer of travel. I spent two weeks up North, two out West, and two out East, leaving two at home for some time training with my team (and some special guests) and some family time.
I kicked off the summer with a 2 and a half week camp with LNR for the first few days, then driving over to Mount Itasca for a biathlon camp, and throwing in an ACT test in the middle, in Duluth.
I did a lot of driving those weeks, but luckily I had my sister's car whose great gas mileage made up for a lack of trunk space!
In July I headed out to Colorado for another biathlon camp, this time at altitude. The focus was ski training, with a little shooting. The biggest workout was the bike ride up Mt. Evans, the highest paved road in North America. We also did another ride through Estes Park, and climbed Gray's and Torrey's, and Devil's Thumb, all 14,000+ feet.
Siena and I at the top of Devil's Thumb, with snow in July!
Photo: Jakob Ellingson
At the Top of Gray's Peak.
Photo: Jakob Elligson
In August I flew out to Boston to tour some colleges. We started at Harvard, drove through UNH and Dartmouth, and finished the week at UVM. My dad came with, so before he flew home we climbed Camel's Hump in Vermont.
Mi Padre
I stayed in Jericho for a week for a training camp, followed by two races. I won the sprint, and got second in the pursuit, taking home the famous Vermont Maple Syrup, which is the characteristic prize in Jericho. After we spent a week at the Lake Placid OTC for more training before coming back home.
The Minnesota girls plus 2 National Team Biathletes.
Photo: Hanne Guthrie
Coming in for prone.
Photo: Jakob Ellingson
Another highlight of the summer was skiing with Kikkan Randall. She came to LNR practice one day and I got the opportunity to do a sprint workout with (behind) her.
In addition to school, there are some things I associate with fall. First, Cross Country running. My coach lets me cross train, so I primarily ski and run in the races. Minnesota switched from 4Ks to 5Ks this year, so it's been a season full of PR races as I figure out that extra 1000 meters at the end.
Me and my favorite running buddy, Tracy, racing in the Griak.
Photo: Tracey Nevells
Another thing that means fall to me is football. Most people in my family are diehard Packer fans, and we try to watch every Packer game we can.
My sister, Clay Matthews, and I.
Photo: Brad Kautzer
We also had an MEA camp in Grand Rapids/Mt. Itasca this fall. It was an intensity camp. I was having some pretty serious issues breathing when I trained above threshold. On the Monday before camp I went to a vocal cord dysfunction specialist, and got some breathing exercises to try, and they helped immensely, making my intensity camp much more successful.
Fall is gorgeous in Northern Minnesota!
So far senior year has been a blast! I am one essay short of finishing my college applications, and have already been accepted to Montana State University and Michigan Tech, and am waiting for my decisions from a few more. I'll have some tough decisions in the next few months, but nonetheless I'm excited for what the next few years holds, wherever I go to school.
