It's not like me to miss the first five races of the season and many friends have been asking, "Where are you?"

I had to make some choices this while juggling work, family, training and racing: Family won out this year. My 85-year old mom stayed with us for 12 days over Christmas and New Year's and I made an conscious decision to put her first. That meant very little training and no long drive up to the Holiday Classic, the Nubs Nob Freestyle, or the Boyne Highlands Classic. Instead, it was off the the movie theater (both Mom and I love movies), daiquiris in front of the fireplace, shopping, and a couple nice dinners.

On New Years weekend, my brother and his family - including three young kids - added to the holiday cheer for a couple days. Lots of pizza and "Go Fish!"

I don't regret that decision at all, but I did envy everyone on the race course.

Mom left on the Monday after New Years. Jill and I collapsed. Worse, it appears the kids left us with a bug and we were both exhausted the rest of the week. I was in bed by 8 some nights. By race weekend, I still was not feeling 100% and thought better of trying to race without full recover. There went the Team Time Trial and Langlauf...

Training has taken a big hit, for the reasons above plus a huge number of hours preparing for the Frosty Freestyle. The folks are Huron Meadows Metropark and REI have been a dream to work with, and things have really fallen into place very nicely. But it still has meant going to bed really wired and not being able to sleep as my mind raced over all the details that needed attention: How am I ever going to get the t-shirt design done? Will any of the pint glasses get broken during shipping? I need to get a write up about REI. Oh no! The race numbers have the a non-sponsor listed on them; I'll have to buy new ones. Race insurance!

Not racing last weekend did give me time to get mch more work done on the Frosty, including going over the course in fine detail.  I want this race to be perfect! Well, as perfect as can be given the whims of Mother Nature...

Guess what? I'll not be racing the Frosty either! I'll be too busy making sure that race runs smoothly and everyone is having a great time. This is a huge opportunity to grow the racing community by introducing local skiers to the fun of racing, skiers who either don't want to drive north to races or who don't know about the Michigan Cup. And anything we can do to promote skiing is worth doing.

And I really want to support Adam Haberkorn at Huron Meadows, the Nordic Director, Chief of Course, Head Groomer and the person who realized that there is a market for quality ski trails in southeast Michigan! If it weren't for Adam, there would be no race down here.

So, first race of the seaons from me? Garland Weekend. You'll have to wait till then for me to beat you.