After Steamboat, I returned back to Park City for the first intensity block of the year. Unfortunately, during the first interval session of the week, I crashed roller skiing and got banged up. I ended up cracking my helmet, tearing my clothes, getting some bad road rash, and bruising my shoulder. I was very lucky that I did not break any bones or have a concussion. After the mishap, I had physical therapy and did interval and steady states on a stationary bike and running since I could not use my left arm. I recovered quickly and finished the week with a roller ski time trial.
Early the next week I had my first jump session since Steamboat. It went surprisingly well since I hadn't jumped in almost two weeks. We then headed to Lake Placid, NY for U.S. Nordic Combined Nationals. Friday the team took training jumps in the afternoon and then went for a roller ski. The weather was perfect. Warm, sunny and the leaves were beautiful. Saturday was the first competition of the weekend. I struggled on the hill and did not get the results I was looking for. The following day was U.S. Nationals. I struggled once again on the hill and started the cross country race 2:32 back from the leader, Todd Lodwick. I had a much better result in the cross country race. I started in 17th and slowly picked skiers off. With half a lap left I passed 8th place. Unfortunately, he beat me in a sprint to the finish. I was happy with my cross country result but need to jump better if I want to be able to be a podium contender.
Monday morning, we drove to Albany, and flew to Europe for our last training camp. The team split up in Munich; the "A" team went to Ramsau, AUS to test equipment and the "B" team went to Planica, SLO with the National Training Group to train on the new ski jumps. I have been in Planica for two days and we have already had two jump sessions. We are here for a couple more days before heading to Oberstdorf, GER for the final 4 days.