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Sizzling Summer Update!
Sizzling Summer Update!
\r\n
\r\nBy Rebecca Dussault
\r\n
\r\n
\r\nSummer is underway here in Gunnison with temperatures in the low 80’s
\r\nnearly everyday. We have not slowed our pace too much from the winter
\r\nrush to stagnate at home. Nearly every weekend of the summer is stacked
\r\nwith some race or social event. We have to cram a lot of fun and
\r\nexcitement in before we leave for another good chunk of time.
\r\n
\r\nSo far, since the ski season has ended, I have taken about two weeks
\r\nOff in April and then resumed training for the upcoming season. The
\r\ncouple of weeks of down time should have been relaxing, however I think
\r\nI was most stressed out then because of all the dealings with sponsors,
\r\ncontracts, life changing decisions and the like. Sharbel of course was
\r\nan incredible support during all of this and we truly believe that we
\r\nmade all of the right decisions.
\r\n
\r\nBeing named to the U.S. Ski Team has been a great blessing to us and
\r\nshould add a couple of the missing elements to my training and racing
\r\nas I gear up for the Olympics in 2006. This also has helped to reshape
\r\nour summer plans. We will be training in Park City, Utah for two weeks
\r\nprior to heading for the South Island of New Zealand for a month long
\r\nski camp on snow in August. Tabor and Sharbel are of course are very
\r\nexcited to be a part of all of the action.
\r\n
\r\nThe spring got me quickly in great shape because I decided that I would
\r\nbecome a pro mountain biker overnight. Okay, actually, it was not
\r\novernight, but it felt like it since I had only done three other bike
\r\nraces prior to this season. Knowing that I was capable of racing at
\r\nthat level was extremely thrilling. I wouldn’t want to do anything half
\r\nway or a couple rungs down from the top, so I jumped right in. I have
\r\nto date, completed 4 races in which I placed 6th, 3rd, 2nd, and 6th
\r\nrespectively. Most importantly, I want all of you to know how awesome
\r\nmy mother is because she is the only woman who was able to beat me when
\r\nI placed 2nd! At 42, she almost cannot be stopped, but I will let the
\r\ntruth squeak out that I did have two (not 1 but 2!) rear flat tires in
\r\nthe 23 mile race!
\r\n
\r\nIt is fun to be a mountain biker from Gunnison Valley because in one
\r\nrace alone there were 6 pro women from my town. I consistently have
\r\ngreat training partners and competitors. I am racing for Giant Bicycles
\r\nwho so generously sponsored me with a sweet new bike ( NRS Full
\r\nSuspension, Full Carbon), and for my faithful sponsors Athlete Octane,
\r\nHoney Stinger, Ibex Outdoor Wear, Russi/Sherpani Mountain Works and
\r\nRock N Roll Sports.
\r\n
\r\nSki training is another subject all its own. I am having so much fun
\r\nWith it. Currently, a training week typically looks something like this
\r\nfor me.
\r\n
\r\n3 Core/Max strength sessions, 1-2 rollerskis, 1-2 bike rides and 1 run
\r\nor ski walking/bounding session. Within these sessions, I incorporate
\r\n1-2 interval sets or a race. I find this moderately easy to accomplish
\r\nand I have struck a real balance between training and my other
\r\nresponsibilities in life.
\r\n
\r\nTabor is getting bigger all the time and talking as if he will not have
\r\na voice tomorrow. He loves to have the upper hand and is very active.
\r\nHe recently learned how to pedal his mountain bike with training
\r\nwheels. It is fun to watch him spin around the block with his little
\r\nhelmet.
\r\n
\r\nSharbel is certainly busy with work. He just returned home from a brief
\r\ntrip to Southern Chile to set up a few WeartherPorts for a budding ski
\r\narea called Corralco. We are excited to return there and do a little
\r\nskiing of our own in the distant future.
\r\n
\r\nWell, as I mentioned stagnating, I am beginning to feel it set in so I
\r\nthink I will end this update here. Thanks for tuning in and continuing
\r\nyour support for us.
\r\n
\r\n
 \n
If young Tabor Dussault can keep his training under control this summer, he should be a heavy favorite for this winter's J9 Nationals.
Written By: RDussaultDate Posted: 6/22/2004Number of Views: 335
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