Photo courtesy of Shannon Bahrke

• The odds an adult who eats breakfast usually eats fruit are 1 in 25

Days like today are when I feel so lucky to be an athlete. Most people have to get up, go to work, and do the daily grind. But not me—today is my day off. It is the middle of our “official” Olympic camp and since we only ski two or three days in a row, today was the day we took off. So I got up at 8:30, had a little breakfast, and watched a little of the Today Show. They are so excited about the Olympics and it’s always fun to see what they are going to show in their “Countdown to Vancouver.” This morning they had an inspirational piece about Emily Cook, one of my U.S. Ski Team teammates and it was very cool! It makes it really fun when you know all of the people they are doing stories about!!

So after my morning breakfast I went to the gym and did an A1 (low aerobic heart rate of 158 beats per minute) walk for 45 minutes on the treadmill. It was nice to get up and get the muscles moving. Then our whole team went to the local elementary school and spoke to some 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. They were so cute, and I had such a good time. I think I signed 15 little foreheads with a purple sharpie! I know we are going to get some calls from some angry parents soon!!

Right when I got home I had a little bite of lunch and headed over to our coaches’ room. We analyzed my video from the day before and talked about a game plan for moving forward—what I need to work on for our last two days of training here. I need to work on being faster into the top jump and going a little bigger on my heli. I’m skiing really well but I need to make sure I can do that on the big day!! So basically, we are just fine tuning everything I have worked on this year and making sure it is as good as I can make it.

After video I did an hour of yoga in my room to the DVD, “In Pursuit of Happy Hips.” It’s a great way to stretch and unwind on the day off.

We then made a special trip to some outdoor hot springs in the mountains of Steamboat. It was so beautiful up there and it was nice to get into some hot pools and then jump into the freezing river. I went up to my neck in the river, brrrr!

Finally I had some time to sit down at my computer, watch some trashy TV, and return emails. I’ve got a ton of emails to respond to, and I just don’t have enough time in the day so I try to prioritize. They are all important and I wish I could type faster!

I was starving by the time dinner came around!! Our team doctor and his wife were nice enough to have us over for an amazing dinner. I ate so much and then they brought out a tray of the best brownies I’ve ever tried. So I ate two and now I feel sick!!

Now it’s on to business. I have to sit at my computer for a few more hours and work on my coffee co. (www.silverbeancoffee.com). I have to balance the books, send out invoices, and try to get all our inventory accounted for. Fun, fun!!

And then it’s off to bed for a little reading on my Kindle and then lights out!! So see, a day off in the life of a mogul athlete is just awesome! I feel so lucky to live the life I do, and am thankful for this journey every day. So I say to you goodnight and I hope you have sweet dreams!

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