Without any specific training for marathon distance racing or biathlon marksmanship in quite some time, I somehow managed, somewhat unintelligently, to fit both types of events into a single week. It started with Team Domination at the Bretton Woods Marathon in New Hampshire (see previous post) and finished with a series of three races at US Biathlon Nationals at home in Minnesota. With no expectations I charged into the week and ended placing 2nd in three of the four races: the Bretton Woods classic marathon, the 12.5km biathlon pursuit, and the 15km biathlon mass start.
My shooting was the key to achieving good results at the US Biathlon Nationals given how exhausted I was by the end of the week. With only picking up my rifle four days within the past year I managed to improve from hitting 50% (bad) in the 10km sprint, to 75% (mediocre) in the 12.5km pursuit, and then to 90% (superb) in the 15km mass start. The cherry on top was finishing in front of all three athletes who have qualified for the World Cup. Booya!
Racing in Altenberg, Germany (2009)
Sweet races, Mark!!! Congrats!
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