Last Saturday, March 6, I competed in the 25-kilometer skate ski Rendezvous Race in West Yellowstone, Montana. It was great fun!

We headed out in a blizzard.

Some of you have followed my fitness blogging. The race was a goal and event I had planned in early winter so as to keep me training at a high level and motivated through the winter months.

Winter in my hometown of Lander, WY, has been a generous one so I got lots of skiing in. I am not a super experienced skate skier, and this was my first time to race. It was a fantastic experience! I covered the distance in 1:37 and even placed third in my age group. Trail conditions were pretty soft and not ideal, but no matter –- the scenery and course more than made up for it!

650 skiers turned out for the 31-year-old Rendezvous Race. There were kids, teenagers, young adults, baby boomers and older people who participated in the event. Skiers chose between distances of 2k, 10k, 25k or 50k.

Me, having a good time during the race. (MontanaStars.com photo)

My good friend, Kathy Browning, joined me for the adventure. She just bought skate skis six weeks ago and had signed up for the 10-k. But during our trip to West Yellowstone, she decided to change to the 25-k, which she finished with no problem and even had some energy leftover!

To get there, we traveled through some stunning country, including Togwotee Pass, along the Continental Divide, Jackson Hole, Teton Pass, a beautiful roller-coaster farm country-with-the-Tetons-for-a-backdrop highway, and Targhee Pass before arriving to West Yellowstone, the West Entrance to Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, and my favorite place in the world.

The 25-kilometer race followed most of the Rendezvous trails. What a world-class trail system! Beautiful scenery, thick forests, mountain views and rolling terrain. It was 30 degrees and mostly sunny so conditions were soft.

My training, including the foundation work, metabolic training, high intensity intervals, all the time I spent on ski trails (including many sessions on less-than-stellar conditions and in blizzards), the foods I chose that fueled me and help me get leaner and meaner, my commitment, and the guidance from coach Steve Bechtel/Elemental Training served me well in my first ski race.

It was a fantastic first ski race experience for me. I will definitely return next year, possibly for the 50-k.

Following the race, we enjoyed the pool, hot tubs and water slide at the Days Inn, took a snort of Patron Silver, which was gifted to us from some friends for purposes of celebrating, and then enjoyed too many delightfully delicious desserts at the Rendezvous Race awards ceremony.

Here are some photos and videos captured during the adventure — some serious, but mostly fun. (As you can probably tell, what this was was a great road trip adventure with a friend. The ski race was at times secondary.) Enjoy!

Stopping in Dubois, WY, to ride the infamous Jackalope.

The trip was not only about the ski race. We stopped at the famous Cowboy Bar, in Jackson, WY, for a quick game of pool. Kathy chalks up here.

Rendezvous Race provided an extensive, delicious dessert bar for participants at the awards ceremony. We definitely indulged!

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, Sophie Mosemann and Lee Brown.

Getting ready for my first run at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort last Friday.

I just returned from a day on the slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, in Jackson Hole, WY.

I’m lucky because this world-class resort is in my backyard, just a 3-hour drive from my hometown of Lander, WY. I grew up skiing its slopes.

On Thursday I left Lander in a blizzard. More than 10 inches of white stuff had already fallen on Lander. I could only hope that it was doing the same in Jackson.

It wasn’t. But that’s okay because it meant that once I was over Togwotee Pass I had more suitable road conditions. And, although there was no fresh pow to enjoy on the slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Friday, we had a stellar, almost-entirely bluebird day. Plus, this would mark my first, and probably only, day to be on the snowboard this winter. Beggars can’t be choosers.

Beautiful scenery on Togwotee Pass, along the Continental Divide, on my way to Jackson Hole.

Well, fortunately, there’s nothing left to want for once at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The place can be described in just one word: Legendary.

If you don’t believe me, consider these facts: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) boasts the greatest continuous inbound vertical rise for ski areas in the U.S. –– 4,139′ to be exact. To access this in a single legendary run, ride the Aerial Tram, otherwise known fondly as “The Big Red.” In 9 minutes you’re delivered 4,139′ of vertical. When it comes to skiing or snowboarding, this is about as close as you can get to instant gratification.

My friend, Joel Krieger from Atlanta, GA, and I posing next to trail map sign at top of Bridger Gondola.

The resort partially covers two mountains — Rendezvous and Apres Vous — and provides access to some of the most challenging terrain in all of North America. Perhaps, then, it’s no big wonder that JHMR attracts many of the world’s best free skiers.

Within JHMR alone, skiers and snowboarders enjoy about 2,500 acres of inbound terrain. And while that’s a heck of lot of terrain (plenty for most people), there is an even larger area to be explored off-piste (out of bounds).

Skiers Bill Lewkowitz and Lisa Walker enjoy a run. That's the Tram in the background. (Tristan Greszko/JHMR photo)

To whet your appetite, check out the Trail Map. Breakdown of terrain is roughly 50% expert, 40% intermediate, and 10% beginner.

This would normally be my husband, Jerry, getting big air at JHMR's terrain park. But in this case, it is not, as he is recovering from a spine fusion. (Tristan Greszko photo/JHMR)

I consider myself an intermediate snowboarder who, given great conditions, pursues expert runs. The Hobacks are my favorite. They are black diamond runs and represent backcountry conditions but with the advantage of being delivered direct access to them via lifts.

Laramie Bowl is fantastic. One of my favorite extended runs is the Gros Ventre, accessed by the awesome Bridger Gondola. Get out of the elements and ride the Gondola for only 7 minutes. Your reward: A mile and a half of descent! Unbeatable, in my opinion.

Another favorite of mine is to ride the Thunder Quad Chair and take the black diamond Paintbrush to Amphitheatre. Dogface and Bird in the Hand off Sublette Quad Chair are also favorites.

Exceptional, easy-to-access intermediate (blue) runs can also be enjoyed off the Apres Vous and Casper Quad Chairs.

Beginner terrain is plentiful off the Teewinot and Eagle’s Rest lifts. There is a phenomenal terrain park and halfpipe as well.

During my recent day at JHMR, I snowboarded about 23 miles worth of runs covering about 50,000 feet of vertical. Not too shabby at all!

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has something for everyone. (Photo by Ken Redding)

My snowboarding partner for the day and I enjoyed a fantastic lunch at The Couloir Restaurant, which is perfectly located at 9,095′ elevation at the top of the Bridger Gondola.

Joel had a burger and fries that looked downright delicious and I enjoyed a tasty and fulfilling serving of buffalo chili, all while watching paragliders take off from the slope out our window. The Couloir has been written up in Food & Wine, as well as Conde Naste’s Hot Tables List. The chef is top shelf, and all ingredients are native to the region.

Snow is plentiful, too. The resort receives about 460″ of white stuff every year.

When you ask someone who’s skied or snowboarded at JHMR, who has also skied other major resorts in the Western U. S., about their JHMR experience, often the response is the same. That JHMR is a combination of all the things skiers and snowboarders seek, wrapped into one. The best — most extensive, varied and challenging — terrain, stunning scenery, people who are friendlier than those found anywhere else, and a mountain experience that is 100% authentic.

Like I said, this place is legendary.

Me, frolicking at Beaver Creek Nordic Area, on South Pass, in the southern Wind River Range, above Lander, WY.

Once again I realized how lucky I am to call the southern Wind River Range of Wyoming home. And how lucky I am to have such good, hardy girlfriends who are willing to go on any adventure with me.

I’m currently training for a 25-kilometer Rendezvous Ski Race in West Yellowstone, MT. The event is coming up in less than two weeks, on March 6.

Road closed? Really? Glad there was a sign...

So, as part of my preparation for the event, and under coaching from my personal trainer, Steve Bechtel, I was to get a 25-k training skate ski run in “at race pace” this past Sunday. My good friends, Kathy Browning, who is also doing a race in West Yellowstone, and Holly Copeland, were along for the adventure.

Due to weather and conditions, we did not cover the distance, but I’m quite certain I more than covered the effort that will be required in the race. I sure hope so. Because our adventure Sunday was no cake walk.

My good friends, Holly Copeland and Kathy Browning, ski along the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail. (It wasn't easy.)

The wintry, vast landscape on the Loop Road, on Wyoming's South Pass, along the Continental Divide, was a great back drop for our outing.

Our original goal was Louis Lake, about 10 miles in from Highway 28 by way of the Loop Road and Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail.

After about an hour of “trying” to skate ski on what was an un-groomed, drifted and snowy path on the Loop Road, we opted to go to a Plan B.

Plan B was Beaver Creek, a phenomenal Nordic trail system operated by the Lander Nordic Ski Association and located just five miles back down the road toward Lander.

Holly, skating up a hill on one of the trail loops at Beaver Creek.

Thankfully, Beaver Creek contains a huge variety of terrain, beautiful scenery and several kilometers of trails. And, once we arrived, it seemed immediately evident that our luck was changing for the better. At the start of the trail, we discovered it was freshly groomed corduroy. We would have first tracks.

Sure, the trails were soft, which meant we sunk a lot and our effort was high compared to our distance. But no matter, we had bluebird sky, spectacular scenery, great company, and definitely, for 100 percent certain, a good effort.

Here’s a short video clip I captured at the end of our two-hour Beaver Creek ski:

If you’ve been following my fitness blogging, you’ll recall one of my goals is to be able to do 20 pull-ups.

Me, trying to muster enough gumption to do one more pull up. (MeiRatz.com photo)

I tested this morning at Elemental Gym, and did 19. I’m excited. To be honest, I’m ecstatic! However, what this means, and I’m sure my coach/trainer, Steve Bechtel, will agree, is that I’ve got more work to do. Not quite there yet.

I’m also preparing for a 25k skate ski race in West Yellowstone coming up on March 6, and am registered for the Tahoe 50k Trail Run in July, so I have plenty of reasons to keep up the fitness, in addition to getting that 20th pull-up!

The photo with this post was taken by Mei Ratz, of Lander, during one of my recent training sessions. Mei is a phenomenal photographer and I encourage you to check out her site!

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, Sophie Mosemann and Lee Brown.

Those of you who have been following my fitness blogging are aware that I’ve been working hard and have lost 26 pounds and a bunch of body fat during the last 10 months. I have been on this journey for several reasons, but mostly so I could have more energy to keep up with our three young sons and the demands of our adventurous lifestyle, and to be healthier and therefore, happier.

But I’ve discovered another benefit of my weight loss. Jeans. As in, now I can comfortably wear them. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but there are some really hip jeans out these days. I didn’t used to get excited about jeans. Well, recently, a colleague and friend of mine, Bill Garrels, group publisher of American Cowboy and National Parks Interactive, hooked me up with some Cowgirl Tuff Jeans.

This is not my butt, unfortunately. But these are pretty neato Tuff Girl jeans, no?

Parasailing 1,200 feet over the ocean near Big Island, Hawaii. Flickr photo by rjones0856.

Hence my dilemma. But I’m not complaining. I never thought I’d not be heavy enough for something, or that I’d consider wearing designer jeans. Thankfully, my very smart coach and trainer, Steve Bechtel, at Elemental Gym says no problem. Just schedule the parasail at the end of the (leisure) vacation. Smart coach, that guy is.

Obviously, though, the best yet would be for our 7-year-old and 9-year-old to go with me as a triple tandemand for me to be able to wear my Tuff Girl jeans. (No, not during the parasail, silly.) Wish me luck on making this happen. : >

(I should state that my husband, Jerry, would normally be on the parasail adventure, but given his spine operation rehab, he’ll be building sandcastles with our 2-year-old while me, and hopefully our two older sons, will be 1,200 feet above them.)

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, Sophie Mosemann and Lee Brown.

For more than three years, I decided — every single night — that the next day I was going to get out of the rut I was in and start exercising regularly and eating and living a much healthier life. But I never kept it up. It never lasted.

Here is a video blog where I discuss what I think finally made me keep it up.

Thanks to my family, friends and trainer for all of the wonderful support, love and guidance. It would be a lot more difficult to remain committed without all of you.

Thanks, also, to friend and fellow Elemental Gym athlete, Sharon Terhune, for conducting this interview. : >

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, Sophie Mosemann and Lee Brown.

The boys and I taking a cocoa break while sledding.

Like how to look at something we take for granted and see its wonder. (A rock found by the trail on a hike, the way a leaf hangs from a tree, and so on)

But there are other things that my kids do that make me marvel.

The other morning I was making cold lunches for school for our 7-year-old and 9-year-old sons. While they were eating breakfast, Wolf, our 9-year-old, informed me that he always checks the bottom of the yogurt seal to see if he won the $1 million prize. He said, “So far, I haven’t won, but if I do, that’s where I’ll put the seal. So please check it before you clean out my lunchbox at night.”

Okay, I said. But, I told him, if he should get a winner, he should notify the lunchroom supervisor, or instruct his teacher, or the principal, to call me.

“And heck, we may even go out for pizza to celebrate,” I said.

We also have a 2-year-old son. I love being a mom. The aforementioned moment is just one of the million reasons I do.

Matt Sissman shares his Leadville 100 Trail Run Experience from Shelli Johnson on Vimeo.

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, and Sophie Mosemann.

Sledding with our youngest son, 2-year-old Finis.

I’m an athlete-client of trainer Steve Bechtel, of Elemental Gym, in Lander, WY, and yesterday was my regular 6-week testing, which includes weigh-in, body fat testing and body composition measurements.

I’m always a little nervous on test day. I don’t want to have gained any weight, or fat. And yet, I’m at a point where I can’t expect – or aim – to lose much more weight or fat, given my frame and size, and the fact I don’t want to be skinny. As I’ve shared in these posts before, my biggest goal is to be in tip-top health for my family, to have increased energy, to feel better about myself, and to be able to consider any endurance-type adventures that interest me.

My latest results. All good news.

Elemental Gym is a great gym. Its slogan is “We get results.” About that, yes, I can say that is true. At least in my experience. Most of you who have been following my fitness journey know that the last 10 months have been very hard and have required that I make all sorts of life changes, but that during the same time I’ve lost 26 pounds and gotten a lot stronger.

So, back to Elemental Gym’s slogan. Let’s be clear about it. Elemental Gym doesn’t give its athletes results. The gym’s trainers, including owners Steve and Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid and Sophie Mosemann, make us earn them.

Doing some kettlebell swings during a strength/cardio work capacity session. It's not as fun as it looks. (Mei Ratz photo/MeiRatz.com).

For example, the other day, in a period of approximately 19 minutes, I lifted 7,500 pounds. It should be pointed out that this was not done by lifting 40 pounds many times over with tons of reps on various exercises. This was doing 105-pound front squats, then moving directly to “T push-ups,” where I had a 20-pound dumbbell in each hand against the ground and was in push-up position. I did a deep push-up, then lifted the dumbbell with right hand all the way up, continuing with it to straight arm toward the ceiling while rolling to my left side in a plank, then another deep push-up, then repeat with left arm/side. Next, move directly to 25-pound-plate Russian twists. I did all of these exercises in sequence with minimal, if any, rest in between, with this pattern and number of reps: 2-4-6-8-10-8-6-4-2 (50 reps total).

It’s hard to explain. You really had to be there. But let’s just say it was no party. My heart was pumping out of my chest and I was huffing and puffing, hard, and at one point thought I might even hurl (ie. lose my lunch).

When Steve crunched the numbers to illustrate the level of volume I lifted in 19 minutes, it came to 7,500 pounds. If you include my body weight, which would be fair to do since I’m also responsible for lifting part, if not most, of my body to perform the aforementioned exercises, the total comes to 11,250 pounds. Whew! And the number can get even more impressive if medium, or light weights, and a higher number of reps, are what my coach is serving for a workout. If you are lifting weights, you too can figure out the total volume of weight you’re lifting. It’s likely you’ll be impressed by the data!

Not all of my workouts are this monstrous. But often they are.

Currently I’m training for a 25k skate ski race in West Yellowstone on March 6, and for a handful of 26-mile day hikes I will enjoy this summer in our Wind River Range.

But I’m also pretty sure I could be a good help if someone needs to lift their car off of the ground or move it without going to the trouble of starting it up and driving it.

By the way, in the last video blog about my progress and goals for the new year, Steve indicated that he likes Home Depot’s slogan, “You Can Do It. We Can Help.” Steve says the philosophy at his gym is the same. And I couldn’t agree more. I have needed, and continue to need the guidance and support and expertise of my coach/personal trainer. My coach is a big help. But the hard work – it’s all mine. I have to do it.

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, and Sophie Mosemann.

Thanks to Mei Ratz for use of the kettlebell photo.

Here is a video of my conversation with personal trainer Steve Bechtel, of Elemental Gym, about my recent progress and my goals for 2010.

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, and Sophie Mosemann.