Hello from Beautiful British Columbia!  I am currently at a National Team Training Camp in Richmond BC the home of the new oval for the 2010 Olympics.  We are very priveledged to try out the oval prior to it opening to the public.  The oval is looking amazing!  Outside it has a roof that looks like sails and bright blue accents.  The inside has a view to the mountains out of floor-to-ceiling windows.  The ceiling is the best part by far.  It is made of reclaimed wood from the pine beetle devastation.   The pine beatle kills the tree by starving it, but actually leaves the wood untouched.  It was a brilliant move to use it in this way and it really makes a statement. 

Here at the camp, we dove right into our regular training.  It has been going well and I am tired just like I should be!  I did my first practice races on Saturday.  It was good to get those first ones out of the way.  I can now focus on moving forward instead of worrying how races were going to shape up for the season. 

The city of Richmond it quite nice.  We have already taken over the gyms in town and are in the process of becoming regulars at the Blendz Coffee a couple blocks from our hotel.  The weather has been sunny, but of course we experienced some rain, albeit warm, a couple day in a row.  It is weird to think of this place as a new third home (first and second are Melville and Calgary!) for the next 16 months.  It is a new adventure to embark on…