by Rachel Coleman, Featured Athlete
Once Upon a Time… Someone sent me a link to a video about Team Hoyt. This was a long, long time ago. As I watched this father push his son, I was floored. I was inspired. It gave new meaning to “strong enough.” At the time I didn’t think that it had much to do with me, even though I have a daughter in a wheelchair, but I never forgot those images. I never forgot the love…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach
My days usually go something like this: Wake up, feed the cat, hug my husband and drink LOTS of coffee before packing and repacking for the day ahead of me. I usually train (myself) in the mornings, then change out of my sweaty sporty bra in a parking lot (when I hope no one is looking), race to my office for office work, then coach adult athletes at noon, change out of another sweaty sports bra at a red light…

by Jennifer Yanazzo, Mountain Bike Racer
My best friend RJ was at my house recently when she calmly and casually handed me a piece of paper with pink marker on it. “Check this out,” she said. I proceeded to read it. It was a list of every blood-related member of her family that is battling, has battled, or has succumbed to cancer. I was well aware of her family history. Because of my own battle with breast cancer, it was a common topic of conversation between us…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach & Competitor
There, I said it. I’ve been avoiding the “O” word for such a long time. It’s taken me months to come out and say it but there it is, plain, clear, and simple for all the Internet universe to see. As a professional full-time coach for a private program, my personal racing has always taken a backseat to my job. This year, as I prepare to make the 2010 Winter Olympic Cross Country Ski team…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach & Mountain Runner
To celebrate the 4th of July holiday, I competed in the 82nd running of the Mount Marathon, the most coveted of Alaska’s mountain running races. Temperatures hit a muggy 85 degrees in the trees and I remember standing on the start line with a wicked dry mouth. After the start gun went off, I went from a strong second place to leading the race to a struggle to keep my legs underneath me in a battle for the last podium position, then directly to the emergency room…