02/17/2026
This is not your typical race report.
It’s not about splits or podiums.
It’s about every midlife woman who feels like she lost herself in work, parenting, caregiving — and quietly stepped away from sport.
I used to tell myself I didn’t need competition. That life already felt like enough pressure.
The truth? It was fear.
I grew up believing you narrow your focus and excel in one lane. When that lane shifted (career → motherhood), I felt unmoored. I had no parallel identity. No outlet.
I started skate skiing at 40. I was terrible. It was humbling. I kept going.
This weekend I lined up beside FIS athletes, varsity athletes, elites — and the imposter voice was loud.
"You don’t belong here."
But I stayed.
I raced hard.
And I was reminded of something I now believe deeply:
Sport is not for kids.
It’s for life.
When adults stop moving, we model that adulthood means self-erasure.
When we keep training, competing, showing up — we model resilience, balance, and capacity.
You don’t need to become an athlete.
But you do need something that is yours.
Reinvention is possible at any age.
Keep going.
I want to finish with a special thank you to the person who shaped me as an athlete long before this weekend.
When I doubted myself, he never did.
He has always seen strength in me — and he makes sure I see it too. This weekend he quite literally dragged me around that course, shouting at me to push because he knew I could.
Thank you to my number one coach and the love of my life
