tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24068566496439103502024-02-19T14:40:38.045+01:00The Silitch Family- Adventures in the Alps and BeyondThe Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-28035906850321705832010-09-28T22:59:00.002+00:002010-09-28T23:01:57.469+00:00New Blog Site: www.ninasilitch.comI am transitioning to a new site. You can click on the link <a href="http://ninasilitch.com">www.ninasilitch.com </a><div>and find all the recent news and posts there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading and have a great day!! </div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-36033486506149716022010-08-24T21:25:00.002+00:002010-08-25T18:43:47.432+00:00Sierre Zinal 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdgmuapfFcSQwN1gS1SudNGPpY8oI-0IGYoNvdGmMslGmq7jvtTOrSdXyojp1-08xBBfIvuAN2G5JS1wAXdEQbH5wsgpkIySA7vSv3iKEs11toT9iUabM6KjhqCI9wEKR2dgBcjsSvIU/s1600/raw-SZBL2812.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdgmuapfFcSQwN1gS1SudNGPpY8oI-0IGYoNvdGmMslGmq7jvtTOrSdXyojp1-08xBBfIvuAN2G5JS1wAXdEQbH5wsgpkIySA7vSv3iKEs11toT9iUabM6KjhqCI9wEKR2dgBcjsSvIU/s400/raw-SZBL2812.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509095533603686546" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.sierre-zinal.com/">Sierre-Zinal</a>, also called The Race of the Five 4000 m Peaks, might be called by some, one of the finest mountain races in the world. "It was once written that it is to mountain races what the New York Marathon is to marathons. It is the oldest mountain race in its category in Europe." With that said, I am a little bias, as I think the race in my own back yard is one of the most beautiful trail races, the <a href="http://www.montblancmarathon.net/">Marathon or Cross du Mont Blanc</a>. The Sierre Zinal could be compared to the NYC marathon, though I have never run it, as there are sure a lot of runners on the trail. The most challenging part for me on the course was trying to pass people on the technical narrow trail, and not being agro enough-yelling, pass or course or what ever you can say to get the guy to move over! Next time!<div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9tLJ8llnp3g7T0mX99MiYqQsyaK03JUY1utVtAWAgIWVTbfErt6HSszwcZr8ule2r06mjXHBRTPZuyKVTn_aLJBcdKqAPEQL6UxDIgESRxt_4pZmmTWs2EiypLMJrXSu_8dD64gT72I/s1600/raw-SZBF0164.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9tLJ8llnp3g7T0mX99MiYqQsyaK03JUY1utVtAWAgIWVTbfErt6HSszwcZr8ule2r06mjXHBRTPZuyKVTn_aLJBcdKqAPEQL6UxDIgESRxt_4pZmmTWs2EiypLMJrXSu_8dD64gT72I/s400/raw-SZBF0164.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509096972510610114" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(86, 86, 86); font-family:Verdena, Arial, 'MS Sans Serif';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This course takes place in the heart of the Valais Alps of Switzerland, not too far from my home in Chamonix. This year, held on August 8th. It is 31km w/ 2200 meters of ascent and 800 m of descent. This year it was fun to see a bunch of ski mountaineering folks racing, and a change to see them out of their lycra full piece race suits in summer! Kilian Jornet, won the race for the 2nd year in a row despite getting a bad bee sting the day prior. It was fun to have my pal Lyndsay on course too cheering from her bike!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(86, 86, 86); font-family:Verdena, Arial, 'MS Sans Serif';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(86, 86, 86); font-family:Verdena, Arial, 'MS Sans Serif';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This was the 2nd time I did Sierre Zinal, the first being 2 years ago. I think after the first time I vowed never to do it again, but somehow forgot the pain and there I was running again this year, up that steep first hill with a crowd of people. As <i>007</i> says, <i>Never say Never Again.</i> This year I managed to shave off 30 minutes from my time 2 years ago, finishing under my goal of 4 hours in 3:50, despite the severe calf cramp that arrived with 1 km to go to the finish. I Finished overall men and women 224th out of 989 finishers and 18th overall out of 224 for women .</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(86, 86, 86); font-family:Verdena, Arial, 'MS Sans Serif';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxf_D32lLPtmHC13rj_1XcarVQmKV0wM3EgP6pU14JkEFxNxYwJbSJNZgEubjVUqNcG92OhyxWzAtyPhyULwWm717tcM1_i239u69LhA5R5O5HNz0L7ghd9XJZWr87AlNdPETRcxLmQ8k/s1600/rt20x30-SZBC1351.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxf_D32lLPtmHC13rj_1XcarVQmKV0wM3EgP6pU14JkEFxNxYwJbSJNZgEubjVUqNcG92OhyxWzAtyPhyULwWm717tcM1_i239u69LhA5R5O5HNz0L7ghd9XJZWr87AlNdPETRcxLmQ8k/s400/rt20x30-SZBC1351.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509095568268321666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-14678626798357083972010-08-23T22:26:00.003+00:002010-08-25T07:29:46.071+00:00Blueberry Picking with the Boys<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtSxt-arnZOTSE7PfnSjEXQ_FdvKo3jqIp2L3CX8ulMQo_29FduD2JQB3xNsUrNNGIKVVqUX9dPszKvtGSkywOs_arinGiRqVRZx3tlBJSOoiwXI5B6irV84MLSyckLBVGHbO38lvAnk/s1600/Recently+Updated3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtSxt-arnZOTSE7PfnSjEXQ_FdvKo3jqIp2L3CX8ulMQo_29FduD2JQB3xNsUrNNGIKVVqUX9dPszKvtGSkywOs_arinGiRqVRZx3tlBJSOoiwXI5B6irV84MLSyckLBVGHbO38lvAnk/s400/Recently+Updated3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a> We did not make it to Maine this summer to taste real Maine blueberries, but still managed to pick some wild blueberries at Col des Possettes in Le Tour. The boys came home with enough for blueberry muffins and some left over for cereal in the morning! The picking is not over yet! </div><div><br /></div>Here is a slide show<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5509241727848125425%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-70263782918819078702010-08-05T22:49:00.001+01:002010-08-25T07:27:46.880+00:00USA Trip- Summer 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64TgFRs5cr4yS6jojKnB1GPq2g0MlMN7qfICOCu8Op0qYyCvmTVv2xT1tu9Tu3Kj2u-9fbJjdycWs7nQj_w9q8cPwNmmTKQNqyIubPRZkb8EN6P65kM8JklAeJwMxHrog9xa8z5a5qgg/s1600/Best+of+Annapolis+Summer+2010.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64TgFRs5cr4yS6jojKnB1GPq2g0MlMN7qfICOCu8Op0qYyCvmTVv2xT1tu9Tu3Kj2u-9fbJjdycWs7nQj_w9q8cPwNmmTKQNqyIubPRZkb8EN6P65kM8JklAeJwMxHrog9xa8z5a5qgg/s400/Best+of+Annapolis+Summer+2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div>Summer Memories from the boys' great trip to visit Grandma in Annapolis. Clearly from the photos, they stayed active! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few photos from the adventure!</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5509216715564421441%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-633016665088218502010-08-02T13:07:00.000+01:002010-08-24T22:51:35.552+00:00On the Run around Mt Blanc<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgg9ggQMpivu54SyJ_fXp4p7sskVX4mpuvZvwNoLPJROiRjR6TZWDdUHVhSHYftwuedHVENKGIdn9qKAILlfEeo_X4SnjFX57N62a_NAFnALfIoxFKrivCHIvMsHF0m7xxf0NfaB_qGg/s1600/IMG_1389.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgg9ggQMpivu54SyJ_fXp4p7sskVX4mpuvZvwNoLPJROiRjR6TZWDdUHVhSHYftwuedHVENKGIdn9qKAILlfEeo_X4SnjFX57N62a_NAFnALfIoxFKrivCHIvMsHF0m7xxf0NfaB_qGg/s400/IMG_1389.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505999274674161026" /></a><br /><b>Bonjour, Ciao, Salut.</b>..are just some of the greetings you will hear on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Rather than completing it in the typical 10-12 day fashion, our recent Running Tour du Mt Blanc was 6 days. What a great way to travel through through 3 countries, France, Italy and Switzerland, trace the route of the famous Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc and work on some endurance trail running at the same time! Surely tasting good food and drink came with the territory too!. More tales from these trails coming soon!<div><br /></div><div>Here are some photos from our adventure around Mt Blanc.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5503752723613123761%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-22039262484130809572010-07-27T06:53:00.004+01:002010-08-16T13:26:59.711+00:00Tour of the Berner Oberland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygr1XCqqbkKpuuqL3MqvGL-ghTw_YeclyqpO-W4aGC3D2d_pxVGMJhJ3oKfuMESSbakPc4yWt6GhrCaAhdmSzJRT3-x7L-U16jwPY1WP7b08C1XVOQVlwOL-moqs90kOmgYu21enspR4/s1600/2010-07-15+at+07-50-10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygr1XCqqbkKpuuqL3MqvGL-ghTw_YeclyqpO-W4aGC3D2d_pxVGMJhJ3oKfuMESSbakPc4yWt6GhrCaAhdmSzJRT3-x7L-U16jwPY1WP7b08C1XVOQVlwOL-moqs90kOmgYu21enspR4/s400/2010-07-15+at+07-50-10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505998270964012754" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 128, 0); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family:Times;font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Grüezi!</span> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family:Times;font-size:large;"><b>T</b></span><b>ales from the trails</b> of the Bernese Oberland coming soon! In the meantime, here are a couple photo albums to give just a taste of the amazing journey from Lauenen to Wengen.<br /><br /><div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5498445748287574065%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you are crazy about flowers like me, you will enjoy this album. I am still working on identifying the common English names, as well as the latin, and French. The German will have to wait.</div><div><br /></div><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5498450883268563681%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-7399827835655108112010-07-11T23:00:00.013+01:002010-08-10T12:58:58.687+00:00Nina-2nd Place: Gran Trail Valdigne<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5AAd4F7RKgqnnAmNtGs7otQUvkNLGtuXkN9tbXEWu4HwfI7xvWDJtl_iQ1PvD5ytJ6OLkeYp8Gme_6NSM_yKj8L5pIR0skanLNwiWThVjZYV4afekR2x_p8b5eYVaPUQL9rS-Y99K0U/s1600/G102129.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5AAd4F7RKgqnnAmNtGs7otQUvkNLGtuXkN9tbXEWu4HwfI7xvWDJtl_iQ1PvD5ytJ6OLkeYp8Gme_6NSM_yKj8L5pIR0skanLNwiWThVjZYV4afekR2x_p8b5eYVaPUQL9rS-Y99K0U/s400/G102129.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503762191281291490" /></a>A few photos from the: <a href="http://www.grantrailvaldigne.it/sito/">Grand Trail </a><a href="http://www.grantrailvaldigne.it/sito/">Valdigne</a> in Aosta valley on Saturday July 10th, not too far from my home in Chamonix. I have always wanted to do this race, but normally am not around in July. It is always fun to race in Italy. You are assured a great cappuccino- great pasta and of course limoncello. This was about one of the most memorable trail races I have done and by far my best result yet. The total distance was 41km and 3100 m of climbing (elevation gain). It was super technical, and varied terrain, all of which I love. Needless to say I expected to be out there for around 7 hrs and rolled in about 7:15 placing 2nd overall for the women and 14th overall for men and women with the men's finishing time just an hour before.<div><div><br /></div><div>The race started at 10am, not sure why so late, maybe the Italians like to have their late espresso. It was hot already, pushing 85 degrees (25c) and climbing. Humid too.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gcf3BzB6x2Vmi58fiEVYb98hH5_m4rR8ZMdJo-5DLKleQ3gVOLQbdmFv7RFdhU3xsdySmoN6FVIOyiLlVcDWXgHhgrUcNjGv42LfwgBzQ3ZxfHtbDZJmL2weObNW_KVctvTbGi4D0yM/s1600/DSC05921.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gcf3BzB6x2Vmi58fiEVYb98hH5_m4rR8ZMdJo-5DLKleQ3gVOLQbdmFv7RFdhU3xsdySmoN6FVIOyiLlVcDWXgHhgrUcNjGv42LfwgBzQ3ZxfHtbDZJmL2weObNW_KVctvTbGi4D0yM/s400/DSC05921.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493473240471329922" /></a>We started in the village of Morgex with the runners for the big race (87km). The first climb was a monster. 2000 meters and climbed up to snow!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb4sLB73te-qe2Wmr3-ccvyxmfNqyMNWoUYv9yKKRCbdya19tVbYde_0awwPGOGg8X-ucq8tyvonS70DVDrwW-MJFVTfmlpm31zQw4kfeKlM_YgtxVWDii6-NfLcSdDWVMRnOIZxEu0w/s1600/DSC05919.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb4sLB73te-qe2Wmr3-ccvyxmfNqyMNWoUYv9yKKRCbdya19tVbYde_0awwPGOGg8X-ucq8tyvonS70DVDrwW-MJFVTfmlpm31zQw4kfeKlM_YgtxVWDii6-NfLcSdDWVMRnOIZxEu0w/s400/DSC05919.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493474183656920418" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeNyBfkUcByJ2HDGA1d0f9WoToarMrbI5pyJAMfNNrLzx39hlQL1ZUi6_00SASfDVFahyphenhyphenEGQHb_qnDCycmr4T69qVn80G5XlqNZ-Eh-LA-YO48IEtPrsuLj0ieW9O4bTd2HtwjP3Zkzs/s1600/G100198.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeNyBfkUcByJ2HDGA1d0f9WoToarMrbI5pyJAMfNNrLzx39hlQL1ZUi6_00SASfDVFahyphenhyphenEGQHb_qnDCycmr4T69qVn80G5XlqNZ-Eh-LA-YO48IEtPrsuLj0ieW9O4bTd2HtwjP3Zkzs/s400/G100198.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503764000023498738" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb4sLB73te-qe2Wmr3-ccvyxmfNqyMNWoUYv9yKKRCbdya19tVbYde_0awwPGOGg8X-ucq8tyvonS70DVDrwW-MJFVTfmlpm31zQw4kfeKlM_YgtxVWDii6-NfLcSdDWVMRnOIZxEu0w/s1600/DSC05919.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "> </span></span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb4sLB73te-qe2Wmr3-ccvyxmfNqyMNWoUYv9yKKRCbdya19tVbYde_0awwPGOGg8X-ucq8tyvonS70DVDrwW-MJFVTfmlpm31zQw4kfeKlM_YgtxVWDii6-NfLcSdDWVMRnOIZxEu0w/s1600/DSC05919.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb4sLB73te-qe2Wmr3-ccvyxmfNqyMNWoUYv9yKKRCbdya19tVbYde_0awwPGOGg8X-ucq8tyvonS70DVDrwW-MJFVTfmlpm31zQw4kfeKlM_YgtxVWDii6-NfLcSdDWVMRnOIZxEu0w/s1600/DSC05919.JPG">It was great along the way at one aid station they had set up a portable shower to cool off. This entire climb took me about 2:18 min till the top! Whew...and then a fun </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb4sLB73te-qe2Wmr3-ccvyxmfNqyMNWoUYv9yKKRCbdya19tVbYde_0awwPGOGg8X-ucq8tyvonS70DVDrwW-MJFVTfmlpm31zQw4kfeKlM_YgtxVWDii6-NfLcSdDWVMRnOIZxEu0w/s1600/DSC05919.JPG">glissade</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb4sLB73te-qe2Wmr3-ccvyxmfNqyMNWoUYv9yKKRCbdya19tVbYde_0awwPGOGg8X-ucq8tyvonS70DVDrwW-MJFVTfmlpm31zQw4kfeKlM_YgtxVWDii6-NfLcSdDWVMRnOIZxEu0w/s1600/DSC05919.JPG"> through the snow fields.</a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftAaNF7Nrbt6zV7AkPq31_kVbD5f_GphcTg_3BvLl7Lf6lIFAmlkeG3-u7G3qPAd6jcukcNSz8a1atFMwq-OjWxAxLC20FkM-RnAawUQQ4IoUXn1o0pXM1i2i6CZoNZ8fDsBTnekPs44/s1600/G100199.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftAaNF7Nrbt6zV7AkPq31_kVbD5f_GphcTg_3BvLl7Lf6lIFAmlkeG3-u7G3qPAd6jcukcNSz8a1atFMwq-OjWxAxLC20FkM-RnAawUQQ4IoUXn1o0pXM1i2i6CZoNZ8fDsBTnekPs44/s400/G100199.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503763992325737714" /></a><br /></div><div>The course then rolled a bit and then climbed up another technical steep couloir- quite impressive and reminded me of boot packs in ski mountaineering. I thought we were done climbing but my altimeter said, no- there's more and there sure was, some more rolling up and down, followed by another big one that followed a beautiful high crest, again very similar to some of the technical ridges in ski alpinisme. Super fun to scramble over rocks on the arrete looking down to the valley below. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUooKOIccgMt9Er5IWkcaf3Gpovm5pGzcHXUe-w_UZIsxiStPjDAuyH3SWF5PID1UhxbX7ry5jvvwMBwCP2tacbATcAvwJY3qiDm5enjjZtaRUVkHPGjnZXVHo_MRSfh6Niw9nOyyemxg/s1600/G100200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUooKOIccgMt9Er5IWkcaf3Gpovm5pGzcHXUe-w_UZIsxiStPjDAuyH3SWF5PID1UhxbX7ry5jvvwMBwCP2tacbATcAvwJY3qiDm5enjjZtaRUVkHPGjnZXVHo_MRSfh6Niw9nOyyemxg/s400/G100200.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503763984736438098" /></a><br /></div><div>After that, it was a good 10km of downhill and this is where the fun began. I was testing a pair of <a href="http://www.hokaoneone.com/fr/d/mafate-edition-limitee_43.html#">Hoka Mafate's</a> and really flew.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZqnxZT-1JQQSDtaVLJesAUMtPQ18bB9hIJARVh9DP1xONDtii5AjCW1VXZmKR7FCYhc8dg2ot-DZ5XToUPOs02BIY7MLpC5o4flj1wnDKold14XQIto0Js-teaj-DZI_3XjuPoGe7qo/s1600/G100201.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZqnxZT-1JQQSDtaVLJesAUMtPQ18bB9hIJARVh9DP1xONDtii5AjCW1VXZmKR7FCYhc8dg2ot-DZ5XToUPOs02BIY7MLpC5o4flj1wnDKold14XQIto0Js-teaj-DZI_3XjuPoGe7qo/s400/G100201.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503763972549389986" /></a> I managed to pass the women in I could see the dark thundercloud approaching and it did not hit til I was down in the forests of the larch trees. The terrain on the Italian side of Mt Blanc is much drier, with beautiful pine and larch forests. </div><div>The rain hit hard and it was refreshing in the 90 degree heat. Rain, thunder, lightening and even hail stones! There were times when I was running through ankle and calf deep rushing rivers. It was not until the rain started that my fucsia pink mini shuffle died. Sigh... I had about 1 hr left of running, but Lady Gaga and a few others did a great job of keeping me going for the 6 hours prior! Grazie for the tunes! Love to run with them. And Bravo to my friends of the CMBM club who did a great race, both the small and big.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqmkE7RZFdi4pfsft4yjht_zirUkwN4dj5VZeq-wsJdjV-cnzJ_AwmmKKhGYNGZx0nEWSHALEV8KSODO_yrQ0RfN_zUgmLOtxYnWa9GFK0NssCwNvi7UkuMYVc_Z5hcwCD206hJFTC_s/s1600/IMG_1075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqmkE7RZFdi4pfsft4yjht_zirUkwN4dj5VZeq-wsJdjV-cnzJ_AwmmKKhGYNGZx0nEWSHALEV8KSODO_yrQ0RfN_zUgmLOtxYnWa9GFK0NssCwNvi7UkuMYVc_Z5hcwCD206hJFTC_s/s400/IMG_1075.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493474689474949586" /></a>If you are thinking of racing in Italy, don't hesitate! You will love it!<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Below a slide show from the race:</i></span><br /></b><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5492631468346676929%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">More tales from the trails to coming soon! Next stop Hiking in the Berner Oberland!</span></div></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-49363478362539416162010-07-05T20:05:00.007+01:002010-07-06T09:18:44.084+01:00Cross and Marathon du Mt Blanc<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8t4CkZBBxi8NG5rGr_FfcLZylTnb2ZFrlJlZJK5XHNSd34EyrEtoxp7TlzGeAe31QfOnYgzxmk7ScXBdqKJhic2prrKVjSoT_5OadkzZP-TFbAUYflg-4kb9snxN_VIByreHQ2TcFJ14/s1600/9083235.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8t4CkZBBxi8NG5rGr_FfcLZylTnb2ZFrlJlZJK5XHNSd34EyrEtoxp7TlzGeAe31QfOnYgzxmk7ScXBdqKJhic2prrKVjSoT_5OadkzZP-TFbAUYflg-4kb9snxN_VIByreHQ2TcFJ14/s400/9083235.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490505872261548738" /></a>The Cross and Marathon du Mont Blanc weekend, is always a big one in Chamonix. This year, the weekend of June 26/27th, the Cross brought over 1300 runners and the marathon over 2300 runners! The weekend was superbly organized by the <a href="http://www.chamonixsport.com/">Chamonix Club des Sports</a> and all their volunteers including my local running club <a href="http://www.aiguillesrouges.fr/accueil.php">CMBM</a>. Hard to believe that so many folks want to put themselves through such a challenge! Having said that, I signed up for the challenge of Cross this year, the shorter of the 2 races with 23km and 1454 meters of elevation gain.<div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ4URpx-0Dk4-fjJXp8rZTGac70R0fghPXo1F3GEP0Bbl_VLCWmz5wnJ1bAmAToqWpj5Z9M4k7XJXK6e44sIKIDV_s4MDKT5KDnedLyfdUxLbsRgUz627Lf1fkqF_wZ-WLy662eksos8/s1600/photo_generale_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ4URpx-0Dk4-fjJXp8rZTGac70R0fghPXo1F3GEP0Bbl_VLCWmz5wnJ1bAmAToqWpj5Z9M4k7XJXK6e44sIKIDV_s4MDKT5KDnedLyfdUxLbsRgUz627Lf1fkqF_wZ-WLy662eksos8/s400/photo_generale_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490505864889672498" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></b></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The start of the Cross</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div>While running, I took a moment to look around, which I don't always do while racing, and hands down, it has to be one of the most beautiful running courses out there with the back drop of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Aiguilles. Stunningly beautiful really!</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZOmr11VGRY296WhtlAiEcwp_rU2meon6QWeKIN3VCl1Av4tOgqAAUEcyVZCX92T3-xBTqDUaev6X8S4LU5km20MkXig7vNL108pBcVbWKJ9sdL-kppIRZMNlamQl5vPJiKl4I7P6ltY/s1600/9082599.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZOmr11VGRY296WhtlAiEcwp_rU2meon6QWeKIN3VCl1Av4tOgqAAUEcyVZCX92T3-xBTqDUaev6X8S4LU5km20MkXig7vNL108pBcVbWKJ9sdL-kppIRZMNlamQl5vPJiKl4I7P6ltY/s1600/9082599.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZOmr11VGRY296WhtlAiEcwp_rU2meon6QWeKIN3VCl1Av4tOgqAAUEcyVZCX92T3-xBTqDUaev6X8S4LU5km20MkXig7vNL108pBcVbWKJ9sdL-kppIRZMNlamQl5vPJiKl4I7P6ltY/s400/9082599.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490505857410777298" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Taking a minute to look around</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div>It was great to see my CMBM friends at the Flegere aid station. I grabbed a coke and headed onto Brevent with a little left in my legs to the finish. With not too many expectations, other than a goal to finish under 3 hrs, I managed to come in at 2:45 which put me in 11th overall for the women out of 379 women total.</div><div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNBK_YrkR8i0V0ajGRGdJ64aPcvn3g8Rr5Pw0h05N0BUX6cugNcdNmHqck-GQ7dW5PR4o567IK-cKfUSb9ruk5aSpqOjde9CmcuLKtWt0gEgumhlJdK4yIBt4gPZVu2PZZ7eRXBrkgsE/s1600/DSC02896.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNBK_YrkR8i0V0ajGRGdJ64aPcvn3g8Rr5Pw0h05N0BUX6cugNcdNmHqck-GQ7dW5PR4o567IK-cKfUSb9ruk5aSpqOjde9CmcuLKtWt0gEgumhlJdK4yIBt4gPZVu2PZZ7eRXBrkgsE/s400/DSC02896.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490505883938816162" /></a><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The finish of the Cross and Marathon at Planpraz</span></b></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I was not the only one in the family racing. While my start gun went off at 8:30 am, my two boys were getting ready for their race- The Mini Cross which went off at 10:30. Anders was keen to run as his pal Ethan. And Birken had some pals from school running as well. They did great, finishing their 800 meters around the parapente field and into the woods and proudly wore their finishing metals.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5Xbj9CJsBKGJpY8LZPlNZOThD2EPpVOjAFU-qaClYw2ikgIppfPBWdMZRRDzfuo4Mt4lgzqtP4zQizIhaGucz7hM1R7cbm_yMwAOSwYlI5GECHSG_MM4a26Z09v2hyphenhyphen1jqqxe5dqoue4/s1600/Anders.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5Xbj9CJsBKGJpY8LZPlNZOThD2EPpVOjAFU-qaClYw2ikgIppfPBWdMZRRDzfuo4Mt4lgzqtP4zQizIhaGucz7hM1R7cbm_yMwAOSwYlI5GECHSG_MM4a26Z09v2hyphenhyphen1jqqxe5dqoue4/s400/Anders.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490507422127874642" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anders and Ethan at the Finish</span></b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>It was hot, real hot and it only got hotter the next day for the marathon runners. I was a volunteer at the Vallorcine aid station. It was great to be on the other side, seeing how much really does go into an aid station: We were there hours early cutting up fruit, salami, granola bars and lugging water and coke bottles. It is quite a rush when the runners come through and impressive to see all the types, young and old, tall and short passing through at all times. </div><div>The timing was done by <a href="http://mbm.livetrail.net/">Live Trail</a> which also does the timing for the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc races, Trail Verbier-St Bernard and also Trail des Aiguilles Rouges. It is an impressive service as you can follow any runner on the web and see where they are and what check point they have gone through. </div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHrJ-F-S3ItC-ytDQAQkpBq8fNanslG5Uf4G53cPCH6V9CtKOgV0Y3FnR0ijGKEQl5GZBN642sN5TtXoADJ6Toe-LKDOViPkwlL5hOXaA0HyaVMCeBSy50QEFmYlaDDHM4O62Cd20GJY/s1600/IMG_0932.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHrJ-F-S3ItC-ytDQAQkpBq8fNanslG5Uf4G53cPCH6V9CtKOgV0Y3FnR0ijGKEQl5GZBN642sN5TtXoADJ6Toe-LKDOViPkwlL5hOXaA0HyaVMCeBSy50QEFmYlaDDHM4O62Cd20GJY/s400/IMG_0932.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490505892375857762" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Preparing the aid station -Vallorcine</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div>So if you are looking for a trail race to do think about the<a href="http://www.montblancmarathon.net/index.php?rub=62"> Cross or Marathon du Mont Blanc</a> next year, but sign up early as the entries fill up fast.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW6BYvxfEmQuC6LLlk_DgMB_eb9MOcdJbIkUhy1dvRmvVJEX-ufOBtoDENlD53WJdLbJsWSB7e-rkVj7xwlOSwhgVA2soP8CXFsJD6W-qE_pTcLysG7WLQ9LHoUTocVHhzFVpnM6S3iM/s1600/IMG_0924.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Don't Forget your </span></i></b><a href="http://www.sportlegs.com/about/welcome.asp"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">SportLegs</span></i></b></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW6BYvxfEmQuC6LLlk_DgMB_eb9MOcdJbIkUhy1dvRmvVJEX-ufOBtoDENlD53WJdLbJsWSB7e-rkVj7xwlOSwhgVA2soP8CXFsJD6W-qE_pTcLysG7WLQ9LHoUTocVHhzFVpnM6S3iM/s1600/IMG_0924.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW6BYvxfEmQuC6LLlk_DgMB_eb9MOcdJbIkUhy1dvRmvVJEX-ufOBtoDENlD53WJdLbJsWSB7e-rkVj7xwlOSwhgVA2soP8CXFsJD6W-qE_pTcLysG7WLQ9LHoUTocVHhzFVpnM6S3iM/s400/IMG_0924.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490507428539012770" /></a></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-55330446496794947682010-06-28T21:00:00.005+01:002010-06-29T18:52:53.041+01:00Summer Skiing at Flegere<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhUlpXjbEIrQFavaFpeK44T-4uJID-YuTyhgVEdIvhbIHugqQjczQZlXLbHjvOCAgZ4duwAwqs7yD3RK7eMHn5M9vWl98RG875lP6lKDWHD87oiIL5T-Ni1LhLzOkiAZZX4pdIxRph5o/s1600/DSC05900.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhUlpXjbEIrQFavaFpeK44T-4uJID-YuTyhgVEdIvhbIHugqQjczQZlXLbHjvOCAgZ4duwAwqs7yD3RK7eMHn5M9vWl98RG875lP6lKDWHD87oiIL5T-Ni1LhLzOkiAZZX4pdIxRph5o/s400/DSC05900.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487918830525736322" /></a><br /><br />Nina taking advantage of the copious amounts of snow still at Flegere which is now open for the summer season!<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ByAA_13N9kk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ByAA_13N9kk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><div>Recovering with <a href="http://www.sportlegs.com/about/welcome.asp">SportLegs </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmO-6HO_H-RwNs9myDtj-zX0iSKchL3Ck4b7sSLGjGllgeqv6KR6nwz2KBkvC3SV3NlP79eVrGOrlZ_1WJffDNjlCCy7YR67Vqg6iq5sSrvyD9qNeHw_mjJjq4ThbcuAqydldPStnbJU/s1600/DSC05914.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmO-6HO_H-RwNs9myDtj-zX0iSKchL3Ck4b7sSLGjGllgeqv6KR6nwz2KBkvC3SV3NlP79eVrGOrlZ_1WJffDNjlCCy7YR67Vqg6iq5sSrvyD9qNeHw_mjJjq4ThbcuAqydldPStnbJU/s320/DSC05914.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487917814978652226" /></a>View of Les Drus<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vqtLEvYGTTt5JkkrYkoKEWGGR6AdpOLSCzYej0FL-_7VdW1ouXLrzwfJvmwsANpEO4n9KsqekR6yD86bK7hdE_6dvcF-FPOZuVDoNXe4H6IA9yjkv_HUShpvTlklc3iT7STaurPPZF8/s1600/DSC05901.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vqtLEvYGTTt5JkkrYkoKEWGGR6AdpOLSCzYej0FL-_7VdW1ouXLrzwfJvmwsANpEO4n9KsqekR6yD86bK7hdE_6dvcF-FPOZuVDoNXe4H6IA9yjkv_HUShpvTlklc3iT7STaurPPZF8/s320/DSC05901.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487917805805588978" /></a>The sheep love the snow too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRehssRRDtxXGvMJxvOtOSM7YvKoOsTHwMGj4sZUWBQZ6zxtA0qaaQPmr1vyimxTd9DFI7lMKXqUhyK_z5DFmma5zQiNcudazg9b4k1gj52bQKtG410rL46rnzXaCuVJ-6mOvrXmw97yE/s1600/DSC05915.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRehssRRDtxXGvMJxvOtOSM7YvKoOsTHwMGj4sZUWBQZ6zxtA0qaaQPmr1vyimxTd9DFI7lMKXqUhyK_z5DFmma5zQiNcudazg9b4k1gj52bQKtG410rL46rnzXaCuVJ-6mOvrXmw97yE/s320/DSC05915.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487917821764433858" /></a><br /></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-40585388515202883682010-06-15T20:46:00.005+01:002010-06-15T21:36:01.965+01:00Happy Land & Tour de Suisse- Stage 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-Ps5tc0Oar7DnseS1d7mnG5u7T_SdqHBp8T8JWuOE4rPQaIDsNypGgqm1fpGClXNv0GED7NciX30iPeRsTREkemzOL0CRC_zHGTNjTORJGcEdukOD_BX8ib-Cq-ewa3MzeKjIsWAME8/s1600/DSC05773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-Ps5tc0Oar7DnseS1d7mnG5u7T_SdqHBp8T8JWuOE4rPQaIDsNypGgqm1fpGClXNv0GED7NciX30iPeRsTREkemzOL0CRC_zHGTNjTORJGcEdukOD_BX8ib-Cq-ewa3MzeKjIsWAME8/s320/DSC05773.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483097927660770274" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sortie to <a href="http://www.happylandnew.ch/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Happyland</span></a><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chamonix</span></span> Judo club spent their end of year outing to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Happyland</span></span> in Switzerland, just past <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sion</span></span> in Switzerland tucked against the wine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">vineyards</span></span> in the heart of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Valais</span></span>. My youngest son, Anders said, "Mommy, is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Happyland</span></span> is a place where you get happy?" Surely it did make them happy! It was like pulling teeth getting both boys to leave. <div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW02ND0CUUbhOdNYbD0WGQ8uVlGckyj9cA1takLDlZEQ1GYss0M7oPYCGnAmiEuxxuKpBmhwMeantzrC0EB5-rj6GrVVfbpek1M1p9lrhtKKW1cF7B5czfm41YJDAPvDc37sr0hnwln7k/s1600/Sortie+Judo+Happyland.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW02ND0CUUbhOdNYbD0WGQ8uVlGckyj9cA1takLDlZEQ1GYss0M7oPYCGnAmiEuxxuKpBmhwMeantzrC0EB5-rj6GrVVfbpek1M1p9lrhtKKW1cF7B5czfm41YJDAPvDc37sr0hnwln7k/s320/Sortie+Judo+Happyland.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483098766535135202" /></a><br /></div><br />Upon return traffic was blocked by some police and we curiously pulled off the road to find it was stage 2 of the <a href="http://www.tds.ch/tourdesuisse/fr/">Tour </a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><a href="http://www.tds.ch/tourdesuisse/fr/">de</a></span></span><a href="http://www.tds.ch/tourdesuisse/fr/"> </a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><a href="http://www.tds.ch/tourdesuisse/fr/">Suisse</a></span></span><a href="http://www.tds.ch/tourdesuisse/fr/">.</a> Cool...we got to see the cyclists pass by 2x going up and down a hill. It was exciting, and even more exciting was that Lance Armstrong was riding among the group. Here are some photos from the race. </div><div><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5483085022550622289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Michael road all the way from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Chamonix</span></span> and to Saint Leonard- Granges - 84Km and was able to catch the riders coming through. Here he is about to sign on to Team Radio Shack. <div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDOTR9Bicpj2k3eHYrHB0AVsRBkjGvp2wfWO-Z3I6FdyCr7jgLtlMHk36cPYF8rhC217ijJWmjBDY3JI4pws749Yl9DYjaj56P7m256uKUinm7Eti1ROUjNCtNknOF-L7I3gj4G73XSo/s1600/IMG_0862.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDOTR9Bicpj2k3eHYrHB0AVsRBkjGvp2wfWO-Z3I6FdyCr7jgLtlMHk36cPYF8rhC217ijJWmjBDY3JI4pws749Yl9DYjaj56P7m256uKUinm7Eti1ROUjNCtNknOF-L7I3gj4G73XSo/s320/IMG_0862.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483100730765819794" /></a> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span>Bravo! </div><div><br /></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-72826882963037723542010-06-14T21:08:00.002+01:002010-06-29T19:30:37.411+01:00The IRON Terrific-June 12, 2010.... A race apart from any other race.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOvG3kvyUKh6IISOfgT1_nIQyVWPh1vpJildylK47K-KIMcLNoOeX9BnGq46fFan5M76Vlg3IoNwb1V_NsaBKQMfhaKIwWjBGLEczhJIVtu2eegxq0Tq16dr8TAUpS6XmDLpg6aDSy70/s1600/IMG_0866.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOvG3kvyUKh6IISOfgT1_nIQyVWPh1vpJildylK47K-KIMcLNoOeX9BnGq46fFan5M76Vlg3IoNwb1V_NsaBKQMfhaKIwWjBGLEczhJIVtu2eegxq0Tq16dr8TAUpS6XmDLpg6aDSy70/s400/IMG_0866.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487925833469045778" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">You have all heard of biathlons and triathlons, this was a septathlon: It consisted of a multitude of events. Normally this race, held at the famous Swiss Ski Resort, Crans Montana in the canton of Valais, is done as a team. 2010 was the first year the <a href="http://www.terrific.ch/">Terrific</a> had an IRON division. Somehow I decided to take on this challenge, along with 4 other women and 35 men. There were over 150 teams in the relay division.<div><br /></div><div>Here were the multitude of sports involved and the order for the IRON division:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. <b>Swimming</b>: 600 meters in a high alpine lake of 14-16 degrees (wetsuit required!) <i>Believe me, you want that baby and make it a full one! I am no expert swimmer, learned to dog paddle when I was younger and can make my way across a pool. My few sessions with theChamonix Adult Swim group have improved my stroke but I am no Dara Torres that is forsur</i>e. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>2. Mt Biking </b>#1: 7.5 km 750 m climbing on a 10% grade!-<i> Pretty new to this one....still have my Gary Fisher Paragon from 10 years ago- front suspension- but happy to go u</i>p!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. Trail Running</b> #1: 4.5km, -300 m descent and +240 climbing- <i>Love this but managed to get lost on this one and was wandering around for about what felt like 5min</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>4. Ski Mountaineering</b>: 4.5km, 650m climbing, -90 descent- <i>don't need to say any more here! Love this one!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>5. Cross Country Skiing</b> on Glacier at 2700m: 4.8km, -110, +50- <i>Love this!- super fun up high -interesting snow -can we say like mush....had to carry the skis the last little bit. My wax was super fast!! Thank you M! Double poled past many other racers!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>6. Ski Mountaineering</b>: Return +90, -650- <i>Don't need to say much here! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>7. Trail Running</b> #2, 2.2 km, +140, -127m- <i>Pretty technical rocky and scrambling-Fun</i>!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>8. Mt Bike</b> #2 (down) 5.2km, -710m <i>VERY TECHNICAL!- Was pretty much in tears on this...walked 1/2 way down. Did not crash! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>9. Road Bike:</b> 19.5km, +560 meters <i>Got on my road by 2 times this season and 1 the year before, again no expert here but I did not crash! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>10. Trail/Cross Country Run</b>: 7km +120/-120- <i>Fun run even though at the end, through woods and fields up and down </i></div></div></span></i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>A few tidbits from the terrific</i>....A gear intensive event! Had to make sure all your ducks were in a row for this one! And needed a trailer to get it all there! There was a lot of calculating on how many gels were needed throughout the race, and which sac to put them in!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHJBOJ6sdo43EKLvCsL0M2W3a2Ycf6WcrRF5vHlMrKr-xm3YDlwVGJ7MJMurfvz1myLJrFQDCE9-ubt0p2RQ5ciVsQvZ8PkIZS47z_xbIZp7ePR9_sMwHi2zEqvWM4tIEQCrM-N2SUAQ/s1600/IMG_0868.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHJBOJ6sdo43EKLvCsL0M2W3a2Ycf6WcrRF5vHlMrKr-xm3YDlwVGJ7MJMurfvz1myLJrFQDCE9-ubt0p2RQ5ciVsQvZ8PkIZS47z_xbIZp7ePR9_sMwHi2zEqvWM4tIEQCrM-N2SUAQ/s400/IMG_0868.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487925839685491650" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "> Terrific Athletes happy to be done! </span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghIyPBNYZ0e351bCChJAxhqQoW2mgzWjNWAspYuuyIAhxxLAoga1pbJpekcX94s7F3cTQb-oJ1VFyDaqfocVwiiWpOvZmpkV27rJ4U54h1KRs5pP4oFuLslDVRgLVIqGPsvkWIXHgim0/s1600/DSC05721.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghIyPBNYZ0e351bCChJAxhqQoW2mgzWjNWAspYuuyIAhxxLAoga1pbJpekcX94s7F3cTQb-oJ1VFyDaqfocVwiiWpOvZmpkV27rJ4U54h1KRs5pP4oFuLslDVRgLVIqGPsvkWIXHgim0/s400/DSC05721.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487925851090104658" /></a> </div>Severine and Nina on the Podium. The women's race was tied by the Morretti sisters, some very strong Swiss women in their late 40's (impressive), and then Severine Pont Combe 3rd- member of Swiss Ski Mountaineering Team, followed by Sabine Hammer a strong runner and ski mountaineer of Switzerland and then me! I was happy to finish, not sink in the swim or crash on my bike! Bravo to Yann, our ski mountaineering coach from Chamonix, who took 2nd for the men and to all the others who finished this crazy terrific endurance challenge! </div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxqrXJRaZe0zl8zAMe68_ts_Io0RzdtQwmEURtvyw9utze04Au6LKD9cDDonPBCy5v0vNBrv_gEWzYp4fPSWDZq3phnknPVCKjZ2gMcOM0hZuBfORr4mHKRDVEDNelKzxFLDPrJBxBn8/s1600/DSC05725.JPG"></a></div><div>A terrific event, well organized with a great ambiance! See you next year!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxqrXJRaZe0zl8zAMe68_ts_Io0RzdtQwmEURtvyw9utze04Au6LKD9cDDonPBCy5v0vNBrv_gEWzYp4fPSWDZq3phnknPVCKjZ2gMcOM0hZuBfORr4mHKRDVEDNelKzxFLDPrJBxBn8/s1600/DSC05725.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxqrXJRaZe0zl8zAMe68_ts_Io0RzdtQwmEURtvyw9utze04Au6LKD9cDDonPBCy5v0vNBrv_gEWzYp4fPSWDZq3phnknPVCKjZ2gMcOM0hZuBfORr4mHKRDVEDNelKzxFLDPrJBxBn8/s400/DSC05725.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487925862295693762" /></a></div></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-50807061678837354352010-06-07T21:36:00.002+01:002010-06-07T21:58:16.616+01:00Training for the Terrific<div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGzAaes6teWvezBPNABaHii4yrdnTn9K9xerXUJgLgiGOM98OFdJV5pgYSZ0p-OpF6C7xL0VOscCAqx_2yoDUwGtSxbecHbOWMfkWgkXvo3gXh0ftQrglqyQKEQKZlYfU98B3MJPxwSw/s1600/DSC05639.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGzAaes6teWvezBPNABaHii4yrdnTn9K9xerXUJgLgiGOM98OFdJV5pgYSZ0p-OpF6C7xL0VOscCAqx_2yoDUwGtSxbecHbOWMfkWgkXvo3gXh0ftQrglqyQKEQKZlYfU98B3MJPxwSw/s320/DSC05639.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">Ok, I know how to swim, did a few swim lessons when I was younger, I even did a few triathlons back in the day in college. I think one of them was even .75 miles long. I can't quite believe how I survived that one, but I did. Somehow I convinced myself to sign up for this event in Switzerland called the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.terrific.ch">IronTerrifi</a>c next weekend. This race starts with a 600 m swim in a high alpine lake with water temps of 14-16 degrees Celsius (58-60 f) . I had to do the conversion too! Yes, just the thought of that part would scare most people away! It sure scares me!</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">I managed to borrow a full body wet suit, and spent a day at the lake and got some tips from Lynds who is a real pro at swimming. My goal is to just finish that leg and not sink!! And have the energy for the next 6 legs which compose of:</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><b>Mt Biking, Mountain running, ski mountaineering, cross country skiing and back down the mt in the way you got up to your road bike and then finishing with a road run.<br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv71QMvZGPB-W3Xmsfsyln2pLXDkWdG1Wmfs2S964Ow0kDjQ7hyZsOyk7zLf92Y2oarSsTIKC1myLiDaxCfcxk7JzTj0uOuiazvDoy1XPDFwHFj_KzQyaxTc6-v4fSE64yEEUOhoz3NB8/s1600/DSC05636.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv71QMvZGPB-W3Xmsfsyln2pLXDkWdG1Wmfs2S964Ow0kDjQ7hyZsOyk7zLf92Y2oarSsTIKC1myLiDaxCfcxk7JzTj0uOuiazvDoy1XPDFwHFj_KzQyaxTc6-v4fSE64yEEUOhoz3NB8/s320/DSC05636.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv71QMvZGPB-W3Xmsfsyln2pLXDkWdG1Wmfs2S964Ow0kDjQ7hyZsOyk7zLf92Y2oarSsTIKC1myLiDaxCfcxk7JzTj0uOuiazvDoy1XPDFwHFj_KzQyaxTc6-v4fSE64yEEUOhoz3NB8/s1600/DSC05636.JPG"></a>Lac Passy... A great place to spend a sunny Sunday in the Alps!</div></b></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER">-</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">Monday, I decided I should probably get on my road bike even if it is just 20km that we will be biking in the race and it has been about a year it has been sitting on the wind trainer at home so...allez off we went on a</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><i>Girls ride</i>!</span></div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vbF2tsrc54XXmWBaj6EbqtTIsQZqp9-y9hV8vKjOSC_Vd1hdRbesPW0NH_KXaXP8rPg_wwlT-Ag8UAjrBNguix4zSxW-BPNt-NofO9qnfkp54wgfv89xt4JTGWfFeDBs7hUqChyxiWU/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vbF2tsrc54XXmWBaj6EbqtTIsQZqp9-y9hV8vKjOSC_Vd1hdRbesPW0NH_KXaXP8rPg_wwlT-Ag8UAjrBNguix4zSxW-BPNt-NofO9qnfkp54wgfv89xt4JTGWfFeDBs7hUqChyxiWU/s320/IMG_0835.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Lynds, Nina and Colleen and top of Col des Montets</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vbF2tsrc54XXmWBaj6EbqtTIsQZqp9-y9hV8vKjOSC_Vd1hdRbesPW0NH_KXaXP8rPg_wwlT-Ag8UAjrBNguix4zSxW-BPNt-NofO9qnfkp54wgfv89xt4JTGWfFeDBs7hUqChyxiWU/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG"></a>Lynds (definitely a rider/ triathlete with tons of ex and already has about 1000km under her belt I think! And Colleen- ex pro team rider and me...I think I have about 15 road rides in me in my life. We set out and had a ball. Road a couple cols over to Switzerland and back. Fortunately the flats were on the way back and yes the girls did a great job changing the flat. I just took notes!</div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-25590530361447370022010-05-27T14:06:00.003+01:002010-05-27T16:39:32.103+01:00Ascent of Mt Blanc on skis in a Day<div>Monday morning at 2am we gathered at the parking of the tunnel du mt blanc for an Ascent of Mt Blanc in a day. Here is a little video of what it was like- a beautiful day! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5v3_XFR1DYs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5v3_XFR1DYs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><div><b>VIDEOS:</b> Here are a few videos that I took while climbing Mt Blanc where you can get a sense of the beautiful day we had and what the route was like. You can click on the Picassa Photo link below to take you to them. (pardon mon francais!) </div><div><br /></div><table style="width:194px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ninasilitch/VideosAscentMtBlanc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_KBBzN_TXHG0/S_6OAVpLyUE/AAAAAAAAT94/XTZiQvjtW7o/s160-c/VideosAscentMtBlanc.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ninasilitch/VideosAscentMtBlanc?feat=embedwebsite" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Videos Ascent Mt Blanc</a></td></tr></tbody></table>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-48295915757536937172010-05-18T12:57:00.006+01:002010-05-27T17:16:43.745+01:00Mt Biking Intro<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMl3YA8oex0lm09LKIqqd8Wn43864cE_0YtpjhybzxVaqKJ4CnkeLuDaBxkZvksW0keGY_TJbhp0PDg5n5KcmXl-GzHQE1tSq4ZQZq1kgy1G0M3vs72FUlNlzVnbUmBBRU6vbgOv4zmQ/s1600/DSC05401.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMl3YA8oex0lm09LKIqqd8Wn43864cE_0YtpjhybzxVaqKJ4CnkeLuDaBxkZvksW0keGY_TJbhp0PDg5n5KcmXl-GzHQE1tSq4ZQZq1kgy1G0M3vs72FUlNlzVnbUmBBRU6vbgOv4zmQ/s320/DSC05401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475983676776041042" /></a><br />We managed to escape the rain in Chamonix and head over to Valais, Switzerland for the boys and my first mt bike race in the vinyards of Saillon. Here is a little video about the adventure- subtitled- <i>Learning to Fall</i>- as I took at good fall on the last corner of the course- very flat, not technical at all- Michael said, just don't fall, but I did. Funnily enough I ended up in the ER in Martigny later that evening with 3 stitches in my calf. (I had it on YouTube but they pulled it for the music) <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdnXhvUeox_UPhq9DVzp7hMivSHjOxz5jtAYTwtoY04j_BLvwEjuykDNP4dYi4GIDa8xUg6JKfI9G1rVL4iPCRTg6RqRMJa1suUS_pk5SktDGvDPj9hyphenhyphenqrBOM8AY_wcdG1Lnx9HkxrtQ/s1600/IMG_0729.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdnXhvUeox_UPhq9DVzp7hMivSHjOxz5jtAYTwtoY04j_BLvwEjuykDNP4dYi4GIDa8xUg6JKfI9G1rVL4iPCRTg6RqRMJa1suUS_pk5SktDGvDPj9hyphenhyphenqrBOM8AY_wcdG1Lnx9HkxrtQ/s320/IMG_0729.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475983683614683826" /></a><br />Click on the picassa photo below to see the video with music.<br /><br /></div><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OrL7Nu9MW8NfXY1E3eBQBg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_KBBzN_TXHG0/S_5XRzjRv-I/AAAAAAAAT3s/Pj7JmszSOFE/s400/Mt%20Biking%20in%20Switzerland.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ninasilitch/MtBikingLearningToFall?feat=embedwebsite">Mt Biking-Learning to Fall</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Michael and Birki riding up to Emosson<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZuYka1F1S5PQbsIKhOQmPb_rWTdOMuWA4tmnRi9o1l8sGtvVRfyaVrqovVwn13g6z9w3LlBeOu-O9HKZ_SCRdhK-FLOyQ12P0VaUEfT8ZW7V3LlwFbn7o3EtOFPl3YZgMBY4vByeSdQ/s1600/DSC05451.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZuYka1F1S5PQbsIKhOQmPb_rWTdOMuWA4tmnRi9o1l8sGtvVRfyaVrqovVwn13g6z9w3LlBeOu-O9HKZ_SCRdhK-FLOyQ12P0VaUEfT8ZW7V3LlwFbn7o3EtOFPl3YZgMBY4vByeSdQ/s320/DSC05451.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475983689884403762" /></a></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-76482035497746235282010-05-18T12:34:00.002+01:002010-05-18T12:42:53.494+01:00A Huge Thanks to my Team<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC_3879.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-443" title="DSC_3879" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC_3879-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><br /><br />How do you measure success? It is a question we all ask ourselves at the end of something we have worked long and hard on. One year ago if you asked me if I was going to race at the World Cup level this year I would have probably said no. But somewhere inside of me I found the motivation and desire to reach for the stars this season and I did.<br /><br />What I mean by going for it, is to take my ski mountaineering to a new level. To take my training more seriously and my goals for the season. I had two main goals: to compete in the World Cup circuit in Europe- to do almost if not all the races in the series and to also compete in the World Championships in Andorra. I realized both of these goals. I finished 7th overall in the women's world cup category, 5 individual and 2 team races. I completed in 22 races total.<br /><br />"]<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC_3880-date.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-444" title="DSC_3880 date" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC_3880-date-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a><br /><br />That is probably more than I have ever done in my life. You may be thinking, wow that is a lot, crazy! It is a lot. How did she manage to do that and have a family and train etc?<br /><br />I am an artist at heart....<br /><br />For me it is not the final result that is the most important but the process in getting there. In a nutshell, that is how I approach my ski mountaineering racing. Sure, to get good results in nice, and to create a beautiful piece of art is satisfying, but to me it about the process.<br /><br />]<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cham-range-antique.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-438" title="cham range antique" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cham-range-antique-300x138.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="138" /></a><i>pen and ink-by Nina</i><br /><br />How do you get there? How do you balance everything in your life? Training, racing? Family? Staying on track, calm and disciplined. Lots of yoga..<br /><a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC04392.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-447 " title="DSC04392" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC04392-228x300.jpg" alt="" width="205" height="270" /></a><i>a little Yoga for balance</i><br /><br />There are days that are easier than others that is for sure. Some days you don't want to get up early and take the kids to school or go out and train in a blizzard, or cook dinner for that matter. Stay positive and upbeat even in tough moments. All these emotions can arise. I can relate this to our recent PDG team race.<br />]<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1129829_p.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-387" title="1129829_p" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1129829_p-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><i> Lynds, Nina and Mona- finishing the PDG</i><br /><br />We were a team, working together. Everyone had moments when they felt at their worst and they felt their best. As a team, we got to the finish, but again it was about the process of getting their together and remembering the power of the mind. Mental toughness....<br /><br /><i>Working together as a team</i> <a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/jr-school-peace-project-014.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-440" title="jr school peace project 014" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/jr-school-peace-project-014-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><br /><br />For me, I could not have had such a successful season without my "<em>team</em>" surrounding me: my loved ones, my family, my friends, my sponsors and other supporters that have really enabled me to make this dream possible. I am sending a huge "<strong>thank you</strong>" to all of <strong>you </strong>out there who have been part of my team! Thank you for helping me reach for the stars!<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Grazie! Merci! Thank You! </em></p><br /><br /><br /><i>Thank you! From the artist at heart!</i> <a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05241.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-445 " title="DSC05241" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05241-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="105" height="105" /></a>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-8686216504354501742010-04-30T12:43:00.001+00:002010-05-18T12:45:53.428+01:00Nina finished ranked 7th in Overall Ski Mountaineering World Cup"]<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/nina-ismf-2010-final.gif"><img class="size-medium wp-image-365" title="nina-ismf-2010-final" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/nina-ismf-2010-final-264x300.gif" alt="" width="264" height="300" /></a>[<br /><br />The 2010 ski mountaineering season has come to a close. It is the first time I have ever wanted to keep racing when such a long season was over. I started the season in mid December racing the first world cup in Italy and just finished the last one not long ago. I completed the entire world cup circuit, 5 individual races and 2 team races, finishing <strong>7th </strong>overall in the ski mountaineering world cup circuit. For me it is not the final ranking that is important but the entire experience I had getting there. I am an artist and in art it is not the final result that is the most important but the process in how you get there. So much of this has been a way of life, how to manage and balance it as a mother, a partner, woman and athlete; the experience of competing at this level has been travelling to other countries, getting to know other athletes and sharing and pursuing this dream together with those close to me.<br /><br />"Nina on the Valley Blanche for some end of season sunshine! "<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05402.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-410" title="DSC05402" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05402-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-90596885185307560522010-04-25T12:46:00.001+00:002010-05-18T12:54:39.966+01:00Patrouille des Glaciers- TEAM USA Women 4th World Cup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wu-KJwCmbnn4mvYeoWAi6dKg7SNdJ4QgSPwdYiKA5AoqUYWJ10duClv_Yo8Q9447TwcBQFVj2Ip9DxuMhhbZb7FDrBDsQBX0-K7JrNaqV78W1j80XHFvNlfasakoHrn45l2dFzjsyZM/s1600/DSC05245.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wu-KJwCmbnn4mvYeoWAi6dKg7SNdJ4QgSPwdYiKA5AoqUYWJ10duClv_Yo8Q9447TwcBQFVj2Ip9DxuMhhbZb7FDrBDsQBX0-K7JrNaqV78W1j80XHFvNlfasakoHrn45l2dFzjsyZM/s320/DSC05245.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472575713505876594" /></a><br /><a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/IMG_0697.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-375" title="IMG_0697" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/IMG_0697-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>The Patrouille des Glaciers was the last world cup ski mountaineering race of the 2010 season. This is a famous high altitude, long distance, race done in a team of 3. We were the first all American team, all women's team, non the less, to compete and complete this famous race. The is truly a mythical event that dates back in history to as early as 1943. For more information on the PDG history click follow this <a href="http://www.pdg.ch/fr/Le_mythe/Un_morceau_de_lhistoire_suisse/">link</a> (in french). My teammate Lyndsay and I arrived in Zermatt a couple days before where we planned to join up with our other teammate Mona Merrill who was flying over from the States.<br /><br /><br /><br />Due to the ash cloud situation, the air travel delayed her a bit, but she managed to arrive by Thursday morning with plenty of time to get settled, stretch her legs a bit and be good to go for our midnight start Friday evening.<br /><br />Friday we spent part of the morning getting our equipment checked by the army.<br /><br />Equipment check by Swiss Army- Everything had to be "tip-top"! <a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Controle_mat_7756.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-369" title="Controle_mat_7756" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Controle_mat_7756-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><div><br />Fortunately we were give the "A Okay" by the Army....and we returned by to our hotel with a few Swiss Army issued blocks of chocolate to keep us going.<br /><br />"Teams had to carry a 9m rope, ice axe, mobile phone (Swisscom) in addition to the normal safely equipment required by the ISMF<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Controle_mat_77311.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-371" title="Controle_mat_7731" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Controle_mat_77311-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><br /><br />With the entry athletes were given a hotel room at random; we were lucky to get the luck of the draw- 4 star Hotel Pollux. We spent the day getting gear sorted and resting as much as possible. In the evening we went to the briefing which is a magical experience, especially when we and our equipment and the surrounding countryside were blessed by not one but two priests- one from each end of the course -Zermatt and Verbier.<br /><br />"Briefing in the Church"]<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eglise_Zermatt_7838-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-377" title="eglise_Zermatt_7838-1" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eglise_Zermatt_7838-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><br /><br />To read the blessing of the race and equipment (in french) click <a href="http://www.pdg.ch/data/download/Objets/Id_280_Cantique%20PDG.pdf">here</a>. We took advantage of our first class balcony view to watch the evening unfold.<br /><br /><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ligne_depart_Zermatt_7976.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-380" title="ligne_depart_Zermatt_7976" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ligne_depart_Zermatt_7976-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><br />All set...ready to go!<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05245.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-399" title="DSC05245" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05245-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a><br /><br />So..I had a goal of completing this race under 10 hrs. Mona was the expert in ultra distances and when we set off...the first part on foot with skis/boots strapped to our backs, her words of wisdom were..."We want to finish this race stronger than we start." Reverse splits....Don't go out too hard. We had about 1hr of running ahead of us until we put the skis on and then about 2000 meters of climbing until our first downhill, part way up that we would rope up for the glacier travel part of the course. The total distance of the race was 53km with 3394 meters of climbing Zermatt to Verbier. For a full view of the course click <a href="http://share.ovi.com/media/pdg.ch.pdg2010/pdg.ch.10015">here: </a><br /><br />[caption id="attachment_379" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Matterhorn was truly magical on this evening with the almost full moon next to it. Sorry no photo of that! "]<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Cervin_7656.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-379" title="Cervin_7656" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Cervin_7656-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><br />Already roped up...Mona in front, then lynds then me. A beautiful evening!<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1139095_p.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-396" title="1139095_p" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1139095_p-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><br /><br />We arrived in Arolla- 1/2 way point in good time. We were supposed to meet Michael there. I was looking forward to getting a new pole as someone stepped on mine in the first 15 minutes so I had been doing the race with a pole 4 inches shorted than normal and no basket. Luckily the snow was firm and it was not a huge problem. No luck, we could not find michael amougst the huge crowd in Arolla. We made due. I filled the others camelbaks while we got a bit of food and then set off not magaging to ditch our heavy lights or take advantage of the resupply paks I made. Next time we will have a big USA flag to mark the spot.<br /><br />Heading up out of Arolla...4:40 am...is never easy...1/2 way through the course.. As Mona said earlier on in the race, we will all feel good and back at different times throughout the race. It was important to work together as a team and push through the tough spots. I was feeling strong still both mentally and physically despite our little setback in Arolla. The guardian angel that was mentioned in Zermatt was guiding our way.<br /><br /><a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1131814_p.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-391" title="1131814_p" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1131814_p-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a><br /><br />A little Swiss flavor on Rosablanche<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Rosablanche_8548.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-384" title="Rosablanche_8548" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Rosablanche_8548-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a><br /><br />Crowds of people cheering helps keep you going for last big climb-Rosablanche<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Rosablanche_8426.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-382" title="Rosablanche_8426" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Rosablanche_8426-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>Last big push....<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05279.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-385" title="DSC05279" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05279-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><br /><br />Gritting and bearing it here...<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1135169_p.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-394" title="1135169_p" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1135169_p-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a><br /><br />Final transition before a super-fun downhill on Verbier pistes!<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05281.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-386" title="DSC05281" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05281-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><br /><br />Started on foot and finish on foot- Last 1km run to finish in Verbier! <a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1131472_p.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-390" title="1131472_p" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1131472_p-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><br /><br />We were greeted by my family in Verbier, a nice site to see after 9 hrs 52 minutes. Thank you!!<br /><br />B with a huge smile- Great to see at the finish! <a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05298.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-404" title="DSC05298" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05298-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a><br /><br />We did it! We finished as a team....under 10hrs. 4th for the World Cup Women and 7th overall scratch women. Went through night and day, sweat and chills, all kinds of snow conditions, on foot and skis. It is amazing what you can demand of your body when you put your mind to it. Great job girls! Hope to do another one again soon!<br /><br />An impressive airshow by the Swiss Army to top the day off!<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/P1000424.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-383" title="P1000424" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/P1000424-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><br /><br />To read the commendants message to all participants: (in french)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"><tbody></tbody><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#C5CDD5"><img src="http://www.pdg.ch/Images/Vide.gif" alt="" height="10" /></td></tr><tr><td>LA PATROUILLE, NOTRE COMMUNE AVENTURE…</td></tr><tr><td><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody></tbody><tbody><tr><td height="1"><img src="http://www.pdg.ch/images/Vide.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%"><tbody></tbody><tbody><tr><td colspan="3">Vous qui prêterez attention à cette modeste publication, vous le ferez au-delà de la ligne d’arrivée de Verbier… Ce mot vous est donc avant tout dédié comme un hommage à votre endurance, à votre ténacité et à votre courage.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><a onclick="MM_openBrWindow('../PopUpShowBigImage.cfm?ImageName=News_274_Pic Cdt Burgener.jpg&FromNews=1&Title=La%20Patrouille%2C%20notre%20commune%20aventure%85%20','','width=86,height=100')" href="javascript:;"><img src="http://www.pdg.ch/_cache/6fbb73bde0f29e6d53899f798e897e55.jpg" border="0" alt="" vspace="0" align="right" /></a>Il est aussi dédié à celles et ceux qui vous ont accompagné durant tous les multiples mois de votre entraînement et qui ont, à leur façon, - ne comptant ni les absences ni les sacrifices, tous deux nombreux, - participé à l’effort commun pour bénéficier de tous les atouts afin d’affronter la montagne et se mesurer à la Patrouille des Glaciers.<br /><br />Les qualificatifs me manquent pour la décrire, pour faire passer dans des phrases certes trop étriquées, les sensations, les douleurs et, tout au bout, la satisfaction d’avoir réussi à se vaincre soi-même, aidé par les deux compagnons de cordée et d’avoir été jusqu’à l’extrême de ses capacités.<br /><br />Comme vous, cette PDG, je l’ai faite : mes félicitations proviennent dès lors du tréfonds de moi-même et possèdent quelque chose de que nous avons physiquement et moralement en commun.<br /><br />Maintenant que j’ai passé de « l’autre côté du miroir », je me dois d’adresser mes remerciements à tous ceux qui se sont engagés pour que la Patrouille puisse avoir lieu et qu’elle soit cette incontournable fête du sport de nos Alpes. A l’Armée comme institution, tout d’abord, qui l’organise et met à disposition ses ressources et son savoir faire ; à tous celles et ceux qui, sous l’uniforme ou en civil, ont accepté de mettre leurs compétences, leur travail et leur coeur pour que toute la machinerie fonctionne. Sans tout cela, point de Patrouille des Glaciers.<br /><br />Chapeau bas, ensuite, à toutes les régions traversées, à leurs habitants et leurs autorités qui ne refusent vraiment rien pour que la course soit une réussite. Je n’oublie bien sûr pas les médias qui, chaque deux ans, ne manquent pas le rendez-vous et trouvent les nouveaux clichés et les nouveaux mots pour parler de la PDG.<br /><br />Alors, un mythe ? Vraiment ? Ou plutôt l’image de ce qu’on peut faire lorsque tous et chacun tirent « à la même corde ». Avec un tel état d’esprit, d’abnégation, d’enthousiasme, de sueur et de joie, le mythe est bien réalité : vous, nous, l’avons vécu.<br /><br />Alors une brassée de mercis qui vaut tous les records, et vive la Patrouille des Glaciers.<br /><br /><strong>Lt col EMG Ivo Burgener,<br /></strong>Commandant de la Patrouille des Glaciers.</td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table><br /></td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table><br /></td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"></p></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-60528027890747564072010-04-18T12:55:00.000+00:002010-05-18T12:57:51.288+01:00Altitude Training for the PDG<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05377.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-411" title="DSC05377" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05377-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>Nina heading out for some altitude training .<br /><br />The Patrouille des Glaciers is the last world cup race of the season. It is a high-altitude race, ultra distance, team race. It climbs to almost 3700 meters and it is important to be well acclimitized. Mona our teammate lives in Breckenridge,Colorado and is sleeping at 10,000 feet, and well aclimitized. Her problem is that she needs to train at a lower elevation. Lyndsay and I are lucky to live in Chamonix where we can go from the valley floor up to 12,000 feet in just a few minutes.<br /><br />"Nina and Lynds with Mt Blanc in background"]<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05383.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-413" title="DSC05383" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05383-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><br /><br />If you are not acclimatized for altitude you can feel miserable so we made our best effort doing everything from skiing up there, to eating lunch to even watching movies at the restaurant. Call us crazy, but it did work! We took advantage of this high-altitude backyard playground and did some training of our own. Here are some photos from our training.<br /><br />Heading out to the Arret through the tunnel"<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05373.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-412" title="DSC05373" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC05373-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a><br /><br />First morning light...."<a href="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/IMG_0687.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-415" title="IMG_0687" src="http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/IMG_0687-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-10590922400992529562010-04-10T13:10:00.009+00:002010-04-10T19:17:06.594+00:00Dolomiti di Brenta, Italy- Individual World Cup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIuzkBKrCwAN1IzOtpkMZ2614cACpe8WRg_RwvQsMdf5Cit0Fq5W_xmk8tlRubeVGj71rNAjhntOkbdzEfjv5zDhadnBlVIzErv3Q1NuH4MbvtTn45xVzc_Uvlo-dn5QV-v7BfMDvnxU/s1600/IMG_0640.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIuzkBKrCwAN1IzOtpkMZ2614cACpe8WRg_RwvQsMdf5Cit0Fq5W_xmk8tlRubeVGj71rNAjhntOkbdzEfjv5zDhadnBlVIzErv3Q1NuH4MbvtTn45xVzc_Uvlo-dn5QV-v7BfMDvnxU/s400/IMG_0640.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458496491814190738" /></a>I arrived here yesterday in the heart of the Dolomites for the last individual world cup. This place is quite far from Chamonix- the heart of Mont Blanc, but certainly beautiful! In fact I realized I travelled not far from here (<a href="http://www.daoneicemaster.it/lang/EN/homepage">Valle di Daone</a>)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span>in 2001 back in the day when I was following and competing in a few Ice Climbing World Cups.<div><br /><a href="http://www.campiglio.com/">Madonna di Campliglio</a> is a vast ski area- known as the pearl of the Brenta Dolomites and also one of the most famous ski resorts in the Alps.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Hl2J6h4RG4KGguCjL9P3Ycv1JHFxrgwAZOQJ-FO-FLkQbnhD2YrAVWxpTqRFF1V1-8iGeaWqMVGtUPgxKnvFbJ51wS0TLbnlb7T6XOZMD0rE-v207E7FgRmv-1zpbB64hSu4c3m8vkQ/s1600/Madonna-di-Campiglio_pistemap.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Hl2J6h4RG4KGguCjL9P3Ycv1JHFxrgwAZOQJ-FO-FLkQbnhD2YrAVWxpTqRFF1V1-8iGeaWqMVGtUPgxKnvFbJ51wS0TLbnlb7T6XOZMD0rE-v207E7FgRmv-1zpbB64hSu4c3m8vkQ/s400/Madonna-di-Campiglio_pistemap.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458505297570428194" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Their motto is "<i>Come ski in Heaven</i>!"</div><div><div><div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"></div><div></div><div><br /></div>The morning sun rays hit and I headed up the cable car to do a little reconnaissance of the course, move my legs a bit before tomorrow's big race and of course soak up some of the golden rays.<br /><br /></div> <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">top of first climb...</span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-BI02LHxpMIDZ8wnQTtMKnkuNl2_jKsgG36ueFweKUMHfc5gQArIjTNB0re_sDLtr4ie3naAwk6PRVjx08qpUg0q9FqJMlE0W1CYRvBfL40PLQmG0Oe3ka0gcRxYBOyFT5S0TrBzoXc/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-BI02LHxpMIDZ8wnQTtMKnkuNl2_jKsgG36ueFweKUMHfc5gQArIjTNB0re_sDLtr4ie3naAwk6PRVjx08qpUg0q9FqJMlE0W1CYRvBfL40PLQmG0Oe3ka0gcRxYBOyFT5S0TrBzoXc/s400/IMG_0646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458517443591610562" /></a><i><br /></i><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSlU1-DwnthETg45tE37RCnC4fAx4dQBu0NOPTmU295Inx7sgYgr5qrsnUGUc6qE6WdbW1DlpiZGnZqhX9uLezZdespQt7j6O8CjATd5DctgP4BegPPrk7cOZMufLC6pVjcuIxrqhflw/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSlU1-DwnthETg45tE37RCnC4fAx4dQBu0NOPTmU295Inx7sgYgr5qrsnUGUc6qE6WdbW1DlpiZGnZqhX9uLezZdespQt7j6O8CjATd5DctgP4BegPPrk7cOZMufLC6pVjcuIxrqhflw/s400/IMG_0647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458517455442668930" /></a><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVfSiqka73bOViydhyphenhyphenqTI1Kx-9UJORoyBlbpq18WIHEyrKzhVJywF939tWWsCrtHP3mPWivdOFeQPSODBlwssHQcuZFhHjGe5ptm0Sdk_TRIe38TnFhSkbwakUSBi5PvRX3xjKUUch7s/s1600/IMG_0649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVfSiqka73bOViydhyphenhyphenqTI1Kx-9UJORoyBlbpq18WIHEyrKzhVJywF939tWWsCrtHP3mPWivdOFeQPSODBlwssHQcuZFhHjGe5ptm0Sdk_TRIe38TnFhSkbwakUSBi5PvRX3xjKUUch7s/s400/IMG_0649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458517445741209650" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i> A little taste heaven here...</i><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4rvGZnQ9Npu8cKlkQ70ij-3ZKll2oGJXh0XAmDbVybdA9dFzeRPy3ypDo6aoWMmxEQudqno-rKk1t-rzV_o13jY1F9DiCfreLrCSklJz3GYQlcY2r4r32n4fy6-qOSYvvMXTjkox8GQ/s1600/IMG_0656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4rvGZnQ9Npu8cKlkQ70ij-3ZKll2oGJXh0XAmDbVybdA9dFzeRPy3ypDo6aoWMmxEQudqno-rKk1t-rzV_o13jY1F9DiCfreLrCSklJz3GYQlcY2r4r32n4fy6-qOSYvvMXTjkox8GQ/s400/IMG_0656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458517457766438386" /></a><br /></div> <div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">The course looks like a long, but great technical course with, steep couloirs up and down. Here is a <a href="http://www.sportcampiglio.com/ski-alp-race-dolomiti-di-brenta/percorso-race-track/">Link to Course Profile:</a> </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><b>Stay tuned for more to come</b>!</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"> The weather forecast is superb, opposed to last weekend's Grand Beal World Cup in Arvieux, France with 45 cm of fresh snow!</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGes6vcgx72gLnWmS-Vef5hqlbJWQf6njVq1Ru3Q12vCyT6Ile1lxBYHEnnL954xqLKtRCCmbCIVeSezocNexCuhnCRVHYcHUNxBwmjxJJLkRD5Ah9F21dDODpNJNF6kwxUQow88YjWY/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGes6vcgx72gLnWmS-Vef5hqlbJWQf6njVq1Ru3Q12vCyT6Ile1lxBYHEnnL954xqLKtRCCmbCIVeSezocNexCuhnCRVHYcHUNxBwmjxJJLkRD5Ah9F21dDODpNJNF6kwxUQow88YjWY/s320/IMG_0632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458519910159044594" /></a><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><i>images from <b>Grand Beal</b> World Cup</i></div></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5458518924460059953%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-86525326789359521452010-04-05T12:55:00.002+00:002010-04-10T19:13:30.239+00:00Easter Monday- Spring Sking with the boys!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCbxj_YxFjoA6uSZ9tdihz0ki6CZZ97OvyXCJOcG1uA4VIv1V6zLXgbsg4uWQ83W6ePFXi53NMVmaYj_mvy81242dhwLgQF9qlMkjH_-yjLDuLZV_rPdtA2nvMcMQ-0ZlHYt0uwL0b2A/s1600/DSC05304.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCbxj_YxFjoA6uSZ9tdihz0ki6CZZ97OvyXCJOcG1uA4VIv1V6zLXgbsg4uWQ83W6ePFXi53NMVmaYj_mvy81242dhwLgQF9qlMkjH_-yjLDuLZV_rPdtA2nvMcMQ-0ZlHYt0uwL0b2A/s400/DSC05304.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458493203953756098" /></a><br />No school on Easter Monday! How 'bout skiing! The boys an I took advantage of a bluebird day and headed to La Tour for a day of skiing. Had a great meal at the <i>Alpage de la Balme</i> (be sure to reserve your table!) We were home in time for 4 oclock <i>gouter</i> and then the boys were on their bikes. Not many places in the world where you can ski in the morning and be on the bikes in the afternoon! <div><br /></div><div>Click here to view the video: </div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5458556458614965057%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /><br />More photos of our fun day!<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5458488841632935089%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><div style="text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-78733688829912290922010-03-18T13:58:00.004+00:002010-04-01T13:02:47.063+00:00Pierra Menta 2010 Chamonix Ski Alpinisme Video<b>Pierra Menta 2010 Footage:</b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Credits go to Chamonix Ski Alpinisme coach Yann Gachet who managed to ski faster than us up and down with the video camera in hand and Nuno Caetano,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the one and only Portugese ski alpi</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">nisme racer, who compiled the video. This gives a taste of the Pierra and all it's glory!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jnyIbPhMPCY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jnyIbPhMPCY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-32184975708331273002010-03-18T12:28:00.007+00:002010-04-10T12:54:55.704+00:00Pierra Menta 2010- Tour de France of Ski Mountaineering<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDudAMyR8Xp2I5h9tPjhkQJ2m9q8CW5KaENvjpyg4QaoXuI8cUPDFmWOLYyTYu31JE7ZXlwS0mcNARL1XF5mzDUNoZTWsgaDGur9Cn5_0V9uYy5uu9xlhVRwaNTLlCrdmqk6FtoxAAOA/s1600-h/DSC_3880+date.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDudAMyR8Xp2I5h9tPjhkQJ2m9q8CW5KaENvjpyg4QaoXuI8cUPDFmWOLYyTYu31JE7ZXlwS0mcNARL1XF5mzDUNoZTWsgaDGur9Cn5_0V9uYy5uu9xlhVRwaNTLlCrdmqk6FtoxAAOA/s400/DSC_3880+date.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449968468274398770" /></a>The Pierra Menta marked its 25th Anniversary this year. It is one of the oldest ski mountaineering events in history and by far the hardest thing I have endured apart from child labor.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" the="" pierra="" menta="" is="" known="" as="" tour="" de="" of="" ski="" it="" has="" to="" be="" one="" most="" grueling="" mountaineering="" events="" and="" for="" sure="" toughest="" thing="" i="" have="" ever="" done="" apart="" from="" child="" this="" year="" marked="" 25th="" race="" in="" all="" 25="" years="" there="" only="" been="" 5="" where="" whole="" course="" was="" that="" case="" enabled="" us="" travel="" which="" felt="" end="" world="" back="" climb="" foot="" day="" we="" travelled="" 37="" kilometers="" close="" 2910="" meters=""><div><br /></div><div>The race takes place in the heart of the ski alpinisme region of France- the Areches- Beaufort region, home of the famous Beaufort cheese. If you have never tried it, I have plenty as I won a huge chunk for our 9th place finish! It is good stuff and the cows are really beautiful! </div><div><br /></div></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" the="" pierra="" menta="" is="" known="" as="" tour="" de="" of="" ski="" it="" has="" to="" be="" one="" most="" grueling="" mountaineering="" events="" and="" for="" sure="" toughest="" thing="" i="" have="" ever="" done="" apart="" from="" child="" this="" year="" marked="" 25th="" race="" in="" all="" 25="" years="" there="" only="" been="" 5="" where="" whole="" course="" was="" that="" case="" enabled="" us="" travel="" which="" felt="" end="" world="" back="" climb="" foot="" day="" we="" travelled="" 37="" kilometers="" close="" 2910="" meters=""></a><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey0z04AZYxUEvB0t_JDC_6HYfFu9K5oiu44T1ZdSGenAo_KXv2jPhy6TPwATNbfZPYvdY8pFw3IO6qQxkGrFguwVwQSmGw9yJFDF4aeBGjtvx3SGDTX4nHtXr5DR4gDB7R7Ds3bDZ54c/s1600-h/DSC05215.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey0z04AZYxUEvB0t_JDC_6HYfFu9K5oiu44T1ZdSGenAo_KXv2jPhy6TPwATNbfZPYvdY8pFw3IO6qQxkGrFguwVwQSmGw9yJFDF4aeBGjtvx3SGDTX4nHtXr5DR4gDB7R7Ds3bDZ54c/s400/DSC05215.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" the="" pierra="" menta="" is="" known="" as="" tour="" de="" of="" ski="" it="" has="" to="" be="" one="" most="" grueling="" mountaineering="" events="" and="" for="" sure="" toughest="" thing="" i="" have="" ever="" done="" apart="" from="" child="" this="" year="" marked="" 25th="" race="" in="" all="" 25="" years="" there="" only="" been="" 5="" where="" whole="" course="" was="" that="" case="" enabled="" us="" travel="" which="" felt="" end="" world="" back="" climb="" foot="" day="" we="" travelled="" 37="" kilometers="" close="" 2910="" meters=""></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" the="" pierra="" menta="" is="" known="" as="" tour="" de="" of="" ski="" it="" has="" to="" be="" one="" most="" grueling="" mountaineering="" events="" and="" for="" sure="" toughest="" thing="" i="" have="" ever="" done="" apart="" from="" child="" this="" year="" marked="" 25th="" race="" in="" all="" 25="" years="" there="" only="" been="" 5="" where="" whole="" course="" was="" that="" case="" enabled="" us="" travel="" which="" felt="" end="" world="" back="" climb="" foot="" day="" we="" travelled="" 37="" kilometers="" close="" 2910="" meters=""><div style="display: inline !important; "><b>Here are the stats from 2010:</b></div></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Stage 1:</b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(54, 39, 32); line-height: 16px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 7am start . rise and shine early: 5:15am. 2847 meters climbing (they said only 2600!) 20 km, 7 climbs, 4 bootpacks, temp: -12...snow: boiler plate. I felt super strong on day 1, but Lynds did not. We all have good and bad days out there.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdqUiYdyrcBLvm_knCpqIWzol6VPFBoBn8HSxUjXkO_fIfhzNl5_BAvVFU9PpK1XRIbrv5di-PPa6NYnoTeZ4yiyYxaHhIHYLdu9900YvPIS-Yn8YWcdJoz9yLx27rH67-MjbSCSGotA/s1600-h/DSC_0239.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdqUiYdyrcBLvm_knCpqIWzol6VPFBoBn8HSxUjXkO_fIfhzNl5_BAvVFU9PpK1XRIbrv5di-PPa6NYnoTeZ4yiyYxaHhIHYLdu9900YvPIS-Yn8YWcdJoz9yLx27rH67-MjbSCSGotA/s400/DSC_0239.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449970711561558242" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Stage 2</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. 7:30 Start. This was a killer day. I felt lousy. Stomach bug or something. The altimeter topped out over 2910 and the GPS was 37km's (7 more than they said) Literally, this stage felt like we went to the end of the world and back! It was so long and very hard mentally. We hung in there though and finished. I seriously felt like I could sleep like a bear in hibernation for a year. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One cool thing about the PM is the camaraderie of athletes throughout the 4 days. Another cool thing is the massage therapists who volunteer their time in exchange for lodging and lift tickets. Each athlete receives a 30 min massage after each stage- and this really does help with the recovery. Recovery is so important. I try to have a recovery drink within the first 15minutes of finishing a stage and then it is an ice bath, shower, followed by a good lunch and good stretch/ yoga session. There are 3 posses which are great for the legs. Shoulder Stand or legs on the wall, kneeling and leaning back to stretch the quads and of course resting pose!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Stage 3</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">: This is the best day out there! No matter how tired you are from the day before your energy comes back because there are so many people out there cheering for you. Thousands of spectators wait in line to ride the lift at 5:30 am and then skin another couple hrs to the top of the Grand Mont. They bring pots of fondue and vin chaud, flags and harmonicas, cow bells and accordions. Let me tell you it is a site to see for sure. When we pass through the crowd of thousands of people cheering it is quite a feeling! This day's stats were: 3 pierra menta stats: 2762 meters climbing over 4 climbs, 4 boot packs(skis on sac) sun, wind, cold, Another long one...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdpqm8awXSz7qG0WrnOy_jErmoejv3lOtvEm5h_pMqaC3kXzaaBykwtqw23FW8GSqbj6jgy6Z0xVI89dhglQA4_jZ7Sd9HzBCyTubjEPrvhxks6Bc_KTqtf5Ynpfm3ygwwynwvkPlNls/s1600-h/003_0467.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdpqm8awXSz7qG0WrnOy_jErmoejv3lOtvEm5h_pMqaC3kXzaaBykwtqw23FW8GSqbj6jgy6Z0xVI89dhglQA4_jZ7Sd9HzBCyTubjEPrvhxks6Bc_KTqtf5Ynpfm3ygwwynwvkPlNls/s400/003_0467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449970699724541586" /></a><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Stage 4</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">: Last day and the shortest stage. Lynds and I started out easy with the first climb of over 1000 meters. Stats: 1740 meters, 14km. 3 climbs. This one we had fun on the descents and skied fast, doing what we do best and finished in good style with an overall place of 9th for women. We were thrilled to be done. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Total Stats: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 4 days of racing over 16 hrs, 10,359 meters climbing, + 95 kms. (33,987 feet!)</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The first year, we were thrilled to finish the event. We said once is enough but entered again last year because it was a world cup event. This year we entered again and are once again so glad to finish and even prouder to be in the top 10. A Swiss coach once said, "To merely finish the Pierra Menta is a feat, and to be a woman and finish the Pierra Menta is really something!" So, hats off to my partner Lynds for getting through it together! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;font-size:medium;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUW73IrkCMFCoTUpvX6X4YQ7mOYDgW5yLHGx7bjywZTnSpNV1vAzuXZH1IoyZIOtMmAgUtIxmEPfKSOgEoJ9BnKW386M8wNxBCLJAzCL7Mqn-0dws3jOcL1TItB6TtWcaPGnCpVozpq0/s1600-h/004_0146.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUW73IrkCMFCoTUpvX6X4YQ7mOYDgW5yLHGx7bjywZTnSpNV1vAzuXZH1IoyZIOtMmAgUtIxmEPfKSOgEoJ9BnKW386M8wNxBCLJAzCL7Mqn-0dws3jOcL1TItB6TtWcaPGnCpVozpq0/s400/004_0146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449972268408549330" /></a><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And thanks to all of you who were supporting us along the way! Thanks to all those who were there from our Chamonix Alpinisme Club, Julie, Daniel and especially our coach, Yann Gachet, cheering us on on day 1 and 2. It was great to have such a strong presence at the Pierra Menta with our young Chamonix Ski Alpinisme club with 3 teams this year! Next year, I just might be one of those spectators at the top of the Grand Mont cheering the rest on with a glass of vin chaud and a cow bell! Vive ski alpinisme! </span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRY7iXkQLBJwEeELUou5KNjwz0SsVQUyGM-94Z6nqpNUBCtiWOqCKeYIrdkiz-TQmCSsg02RFa1AX2LVuk7l6mPqSxw3oQ_l0ATBQfkD2F_jnLWj75rtbSpWvzGJPyZ1jKrG4KzbZ3P4/s1600-h/DSC05202.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRY7iXkQLBJwEeELUou5KNjwz0SsVQUyGM-94Z6nqpNUBCtiWOqCKeYIrdkiz-TQmCSsg02RFa1AX2LVuk7l6mPqSxw3oQ_l0ATBQfkD2F_jnLWj75rtbSpWvzGJPyZ1jKrG4KzbZ3P4/s400/DSC05202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449970689680379234" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" the="" pierra="" menta="" is="" known="" as="" tour="" de="" of="" ski="" it="" has="" to="" be="" one="" most="" grueling="" mountaineering="" events="" and="" for="" sure="" toughest="" thing="" i="" have="" ever="" done="" apart="" from="" child="" this="" year="" marked="" 25th="" race="" in="" all="" 25="" years="" there="" only="" been="" 5="" where="" whole="" course="" was="" that="" case="" enabled="" us="" travel="" which="" felt="" end="" world="" back="" climb="" foot="" day="" we="" travelled="" 37="" kilometers="" close="" 2910="" meters=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqYU9vp-Eigi2u98-CrWF5kXnIpX33LmpEu3Ft3wp5nKL77EEd98jgklLEIwnKfKWXOI77VQrPCMtFeDGlFDYICseun54JGxB5fOb4cSGX1SQyzVKO7DOaZfXepCfLJd3hQ_QcYfjExI/s400/DSC_3879.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449968459242327634" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><b> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Below is a small video of photos of the race:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><b><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iDaHsJGJf0QHXSAbiobsag?authkey=Gv1sRgCOX_wbqzyozD6gE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_KBBzN_TXHG0/S6Ivey-PlxI/AAAAAAAASRw/idnyfO6kWNs/s400/best%20of%20pierra%20menta%202010.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ninasilitch/Movies02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOX_wbqzyozD6gE&feat=embedwebsite">Movies</a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(54, 39, 32); font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">or for the direct link to the photo album click</span><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iDaHsJGJf0QHXSAbiobsag?authkey=Gv1sRgCOX_wbqzyozD6gE&feat=directlink"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> here </span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#362720;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><b>Coming up!</b> The season is not yet over! 3 World Cups still to come in April including the famous Patrouille des Glaciers. In the meantime a much needed rest at home with my family!</div></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-15183791641064823862010-03-16T20:52:00.001+00:002010-04-10T12:54:13.194+00:00Images from the 25th Pierra Menta<div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzpmWYiUwZx1oVh6pNcyX0a0QBr636eMfQrKDxHN31IwdoH_cP5t15VtGebezRWPTyB1rbQuxazhkgDI6gyxtQQn-B49XB4iIqjYbWgJU9xzgD-qoMYZEGDuEXQKPx_3ESeFMFRoVCEU/s1600-h/Recently+Updated2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzpmWYiUwZx1oVh6pNcyX0a0QBr636eMfQrKDxHN31IwdoH_cP5t15VtGebezRWPTyB1rbQuxazhkgDI6gyxtQQn-B49XB4iIqjYbWgJU9xzgD-qoMYZEGDuEXQKPx_3ESeFMFRoVCEU/s400/Recently+Updated2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-22710863319006549442010-03-06T18:29:00.013+00:002010-03-09T14:10:11.160+00:00Nation's Relays and Closing of the Ski Mountaineering World Championships!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemjRzI-CVwl7FAIUe_Q-E4X34DT3PFVOg-o0dKqR0WpwFksFFp_IyCOtXAd-Rqg-C7idqmkBIzBNcf26Zdk0TgfcPPGctQ8ywyBCQ1d3LA3xZz-AHoowHg0PaDGkF3Ec3rTjs2LmjDC0/s1600-h/DSC05194.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemjRzI-CVwl7FAIUe_Q-E4X34DT3PFVOg-o0dKqR0WpwFksFFp_IyCOtXAd-Rqg-C7idqmkBIzBNcf26Zdk0TgfcPPGctQ8ywyBCQ1d3LA3xZz-AHoowHg0PaDGkF3Ec3rTjs2LmjDC0/s400/DSC05194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445832036614355890" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">USA World's 2010 Ski mountaineering Team:</span></i></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Pete Swensen, Brendan French, Cary Smith, Molly Zurn, Ben Parsons, Max Tamm, Amy Fulwyer, Jari Kirland, Travis Schefer, Bryan Wik, Jared Inouye, Mona Merrill, Nina Silitch (missing junior member-<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Matuesz Burgunde</span>r)</span></span></i></span><div><br /></div><div>The Ski Mountaineering World Championships is coming to a close. Today was the nations relay. I had a chance to sit this one out and be a spectator for once which was super fun, especially as it was a gorgeous day. The relay event has to be one of the most exciting and a sure crowd <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pleaser</span>. If we ever make it into the Olympics as an event, this will surely be a good ticket. The course was held at the top of a gondola, and was just 180 meters elevation gain over 2 climbs, one climb 120 meters and the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nd</span>, a short skin, followed by a boot pack and final skin. The course had 2 great descents as well. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT1KBfq1FiXKVal-wlLT2mOqBSLwHNIwQeUHP9c7c_iCXQfK8FhGweHkuKn0Cdd0uA7J_ojOlvG8JUe3Bj32uPpvnZ_3j_W_zKaB1Phj1gLDEBeccTX8xoc3qEKM4RRJrWVhj2BQn9Q8/s1600-h/DSC05182.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT1KBfq1FiXKVal-wlLT2mOqBSLwHNIwQeUHP9c7c_iCXQfK8FhGweHkuKn0Cdd0uA7J_ojOlvG8JUe3Bj32uPpvnZ_3j_W_zKaB1Phj1gLDEBeccTX8xoc3qEKM4RRJrWVhj2BQn9Q8/s320/DSC05182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445832974006733890" /></a>Killian Jornet crashed and still managed to come away with the 3rd fastest overall time. Impressive!<br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="http://localhost:56435/4dd45cc49fc133e5242008cb787615c6/image/7479c29c427cbdce.jpg"><img src="http://localhost:56435/4dd45cc49fc133e5242008cb787615c6/image/7479c29c427cbdce.jpg?size=320" border="0" alt="" style="clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;" /></a></div><div>What a site to see the top men and women. Cow bells were ringing, voices cheering in at least 7 languages ....."<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hup</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hup</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">allez</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">forze</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">venga</span>, go, go..." It was great to see almost all the nations participating and helping this sport make more of a presence in the world. I continue to be in awe of the depth of the sport in nations such as Italy and Switzerland. </div><div><br /></div><div>Roberta Pedrazini and Francesca Martinelli ( a mother of 2) of Italy, who have been doing this sport since they were teens and now are in their late 30's, are purely inspirational to me: they have the epitime of teamwork- syncranizing in stride together almost as if their skis are one.</div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmDuIHqkAx8Ok5iMNhyphenhypheno6N-XlJ6UptUuIz5hMav5NkKPO6j2bBdl4K-U6uTXbc00RBdO3YNeTKLuA9F5m37vmGATltYC4dQGyjI04lTjO0Ne_ZUMXkbHOQcemO2m1gSa6bAbroPyuk6E/s1600-h/DSC05174.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmDuIHqkAx8Ok5iMNhyphenhypheno6N-XlJ6UptUuIz5hMav5NkKPO6j2bBdl4K-U6uTXbc00RBdO3YNeTKLuA9F5m37vmGATltYC4dQGyjI04lTjO0Ne_ZUMXkbHOQcemO2m1gSa6bAbroPyuk6E/s320/DSC05174.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445836701788908098" /></a><br /></div><div>Today in the relays, the USA women and men put forth a great effort with the women finishing 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span> and the men 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span>. The competition was fierce and we were in there! Way to go USA! For the final nations ranking the USA placed 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span> out of 23 nations, a strong presence for sure.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxCb5epdD3IXcg9aFasNdCdd_3qo4h1kTVxyAZJacvF6k8u_bE-lD6CsLOKleSAQp98GhK7-ZQvEq1YOu1igio3rTW34Xc8u_NarjBECFK71vzazlh5QToEHzIwgQ-Cx0al-a1wzmgAA/s1600-h/DSC05191.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxCb5epdD3IXcg9aFasNdCdd_3qo4h1kTVxyAZJacvF6k8u_bE-lD6CsLOKleSAQp98GhK7-ZQvEq1YOu1igio3rTW34Xc8u_NarjBECFK71vzazlh5QToEHzIwgQ-Cx0al-a1wzmgAA/s400/DSC05191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445833852326280850" /></a>I can not speak for everyone on the team, but I can speak for myself: <b>Thank you</b> so much to all of you that made it possible for me to be here this week. It was an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">unforgettable</span> experience for me and an amazing</div><div> </div><div>opportunity to be joined by 23 other nations, see this sport at such a high level and see the athletic prowess that so many individual entail. Bravo to all who participated and thanks the my fellow USA teammates </div><div>for making it such a fun event together!</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Photo: Women's Team: Mona, Amy, Nina, Molly, J</i>ari</div><div>We are all a part of the growing movement of ski mountaineering in the USA and one day we will look back on this and say we were a part of that in the early days.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Photo Video Hightligh</b><b>ts</b>:</div><div>Here is a little video I have put together with highlights from the week! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fninasilitch%2Falbumid%2F5446128103257476833%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /></b></div><div>Or for the direct link to the <b>web album</b> click on the photo below.</div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><table style="width:194px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ninasilitch/WorldChamps?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_KBBzN_TXHG0/S40NSJM6zGE/AAAAAAAASBY/pdtd6hB--H0/s160-c/WorldChamps.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ninasilitch/WorldChamps?feat=embedwebsite" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">World Champs</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; ">If you missed the video footage of the individual race....here it is below to get as sense of what it is about.</span></span></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyb48u3L1D4RIPeoCNJEfWRuNkrKxjqHUjWnHLM1TuKil5t5iikg3tT5wTyPTB3ThC8OkMRfFSch_KH4XnJww' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><div><br /></div><div>If you are interested in viewing any of the official videos (they are great!) of the world championships <b><a href="www.engproduccions.com/canillo2010.html">click here:</a></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>And you can also find great info on <a href="http://www.skimountaineering.org/ismf-world-championships-2010-andorra-main-menu"><b>s</b></a><b><a href="http://www.skimountaineering.org/ismf-world-championships-2010-andorra-main-menu">kimo.org</a></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div>What is on the rader coming up? For me, home to my 3 boys and a quick turn-around to </div><div><br /></div><div>....<b>The Pierra Menta- </b><i>the most beautiful ski mountaineering race in the World- and the harderst- a 4 day stage race- also known as the Tour de France of ski mountaineering. </i>I will be doing this for the 3rd season<b> </b> with my great friend and USA teammate Lyndsay Meyer.</div></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2406856649643910350.post-47003331374559999762010-03-06T08:15:00.004+00:002010-03-07T10:51:29.434+00:00World Champs Update: Teams Race<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqek14kSDBfbqJfsZlUA-fStFhew6FN_R9G8jodCZTgqqozwnYW7IwJS1t9AZzexD0LAJBqkxRbTV0g7jmngtDcmOGYNO4XA7X1gc329VCzQR5tYa8-G6EQt3Ph3SMZQHEtREdwfnm6c/s1600-h/DSC05150.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqek14kSDBfbqJfsZlUA-fStFhew6FN_R9G8jodCZTgqqozwnYW7IwJS1t9AZzexD0LAJBqkxRbTV0g7jmngtDcmOGYNO4XA7X1gc329VCzQR5tYa8-G6EQt3Ph3SMZQHEtREdwfnm6c/s400/DSC05150.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jari</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Kirkland and Nina at the finish of the teams race. </span></i></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Almost 4 hrs of effort: 26 km over 2640 meters of climbing. 3 big climbs, the final one with a boot pack up and across a ridge. The weather was variable: at the start cold and windy but as the race went on there were moments of being super hot. The </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">visibility</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> was anywhere from flat light to clear. You never know what you will face in the mountains.</span></span></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D3soBm48WOlVz333LoWnLVhKEErUNMz0hPh5O-qwgz3-HGBY5nNsn171dYI3gds5uzs4AXmuNvzdi-XMii4kiOBTPhIU4ZdUruhTFFg13_EAjv_ogMhYcj19D8oI9C64fZQ-lD89yPQ/s1600-h/DSC_0274.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D3soBm48WOlVz333LoWnLVhKEErUNMz0hPh5O-qwgz3-HGBY5nNsn171dYI3gds5uzs4AXmuNvzdi-XMii4kiOBTPhIU4ZdUruhTFFg13_EAjv_ogMhYcj19D8oI9C64fZQ-lD89yPQ/s320/DSC_0274.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445840857074001426" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jari</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is a professional mountain bike and adventure racer based in Crested Butte, Colorado. It is not always that two people who have never met before can jump into a team race together in a pretty </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">grueling</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> circumstances. Fortunately we made a great team, staying positive, encouraging </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">each other</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and in the end having a really positive experience. This was both of our first ski mountaineering world championships.</span></span><br /></span><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6ECyhDW6h8mOj_FFsfWIQFQVwWFTtboz19-WM-SdJ9fmv7rvu_tAX5smya0p1jUMPq-CgRdT9TEfQ2EGucYz08Tr-L-fwiYZ5BnAhGBDjbJwNVGIJKb5MPQq1zyiVhdAgvLUzOjDN7E/s1600-h/DSC_0277.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6ECyhDW6h8mOj_FFsfWIQFQVwWFTtboz19-WM-SdJ9fmv7rvu_tAX5smya0p1jUMPq-CgRdT9TEfQ2EGucYz08Tr-L-fwiYZ5BnAhGBDjbJwNVGIJKb5MPQq1zyiVhdAgvLUzOjDN7E/s320/DSC_0277.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445840844285383314" /></a><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thanks </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jari</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and best of luck for the upcoming m bike season! She jumps onto her bike on </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Monday</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">!</span></span></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Team USA put in a great effort as well in the teams race and today the worlds comes to a close with the Team relays and the closing ceremony.</span></span></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIjRBSuRj-MhFhmVGRZGbiS6kg-9u8SSAEHsEZ575GNG6Nyt73ImC0ypN6FFZCZ0hdZPLxysJxwC-yHgpxxnJQlc1O9pO-oGvm7Rt5ODuyR1a2BjNELYCLEB7ftXqzD3yCpmUUCg-4tI/s1600-h/DSC_0796.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIjRBSuRj-MhFhmVGRZGbiS6kg-9u8SSAEHsEZ575GNG6Nyt73ImC0ypN6FFZCZ0hdZPLxysJxwC-yHgpxxnJQlc1O9pO-oGvm7Rt5ODuyR1a2BjNELYCLEB7ftXqzD3yCpmUUCg-4tI/s320/DSC_0796.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445840865464437106" /></a><br /></div></span></div>The Silitch Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12701544400454349473noreply@blogger.com