Kyle Bratrud: Pre-US National's Training

US Senior Nationals is fast approaching and I am feeling awesome! As I wrote in my last post, I am out in Wyoming acclimating. With a week down, my energy is high and my body feels rather normal training wise. The first week consisted of some easy jogs followed by some longer, slow distance. Following today's off day, I will kick off the week with some intervals to keep my body primed and ready for racing.

It has been really relaxing out here and I am so thankful I have this opportunity to be here preparing for Nats. My teammates and I have kept ourselves busy with some rather entertaining games of Mexican train dominoes and ping pong. I'm not sure what got into me as I have not played ping pong in quite some time, but I am currently unbeaten and appear to be some sort of ping pong master. These games and the time I am spending with my teammates is a nice break from the daily grind of school and training and I will be very sad when it comes to an end.

As for nationals, we will head back to Park City on Saturday (28th) to meet the team. Park City may be one of my favorite places in the world and although I am loving it here, I cannot wait to get back! Once there, we will test skis, do some priming intervals, and most importantly rest as we await the start of the races.

As I feel my racing has gone well up to this point, I am rather optimistic and excited to test myself against the Nation's best and race my first 30k ever. The races also mimic the NCAA program (individual start classic and mass start skate) that will take place at Soldier Hollow in March, so it will be a great opportunity to learn a bit more about the courses.

Beyond the racing, Nationals is one of my favorite times because I get to see everyone I know. The combination of the Nordic Skiing community being relatively small and my getting older, I feel each year I come to Nationals, I know more and more people and its sweet! I love catching up with friends no matter what the occasion and what better occasion then the US National Championships!

Here is the acclimating crew I am out here with, from left to right, Krystof Kopal, George Cartwright (we are staying at his house), myself, and Adam Martin.

Next time I write we will be within a week of the first race! Thank you so much for reading and supporting me Midwest! Hope to see as many of you as possible out at Nationals! Merry Christmas!

About the author... NCAA All American Kyle Bratrud is entering his third season as an NMU Wildcat under Sten Fjeldheim. Spurred on by his World Junior participation last season, he is pursuing his dreams of making it on to the US Ski Team with everything he’s got. As a college athlete, Kyle will be sharing his thoughts, training, and racing experiences as he travels and competes around the college circuit and hopefully beyond.