"A fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?" - J.B. Priestly
A magical Valentine’s weekend. Snow and sweet drenched. Trailwalker training in our very own way.
Half the Soundtracks consuming copious amounts of chokky (carb-loading is a totally valid form of training…) The half other skiing away - carving up the slopes. Maybe not so much magic “snow” for the teams out on the TW course trying to train. Check the TW snow warnings here.
Erin and Em went north to Nagano for a spot of skiing. We went south for some drive-by photo fun, urging Em via the iPhone not to jump out of helicopters to snowboard down mountains. We need a support team with no broken bones. (But if you do - Trace will be there to jump with you in a nanosecond...)
We also cautioned Erin, in light of commemorating the opening of the Winter Games, not to snowboard through the old Olympic rings Hakuba way. Although that would certainly be some photo op.
Embracing the Olympic spirit, we reflect on the make-up of the Soundtracks. 1/4 Canadian, the rest Australian, with a myriad of nations supporting us from the raucous sidelines, the trail and in Savvy. While the Aussies are in the majority I think we can all agree for our TW turnout that we will not be wearing anything like the America's Cup inspired look the Australian contingent tried to make work. Canada, you were way cooler. We acquiesce.
Brings back memories of 1998 when The Soundtracks and relatives of The Soundtracks tore up Nagano with our own Olympic fever… ice hockey tix, love hotels, scalpers, bobsledding, temple faux pas and more memories than you can possibly fit into 12 hours - just on 12 short years ago. The atmosphere was electric if not completely beyond freezing, which somehow led to Dee getting terribly ill and at least 6 of us ending up in the Jungle Room of a love hotel in the Nagano backstreets. Don’t even ask. But it was brilliant. And the stories have since taken on a life of their own. And the photos taken will never, ever, ever see the light of day on this blog or any other. We have always wondered if a secret camera was hidden in all those vines. On further reflection, if there had been, it would probably have been the most hilarious porno ever…Ahh natsukashi.
Back to the present and following our (Dee & Tee’s) little romp in the snow, in true marathon training/trailwalker training form… we hit the liquid calories and headed to Gordon Ramsey's for free-flowing champagne brunch on Sunday. *Giggle. Giggle.*
In Natty news she’s got her new shoes and tearing up the streets in Brissy. We can’t wait for you to get here. (Don't let a little lightening and flooding stop you Natster. Show your dedication please...) But you are so here in spirit as are all the wonderful, supportive, often comical notes, sage wisdom and advice we’re getting on a daily basis. All our Soundtrack fans – Thank you truly.
Special thanks to Kai and Clare – our favorite 6 year olds and their Dee and Trace inspired creations. Beautiful pictures. Yes, we think you're awesome too. We certainly love being drawn so expertly to scale. Rocking, hot bods. As skinny and glamorous as all that. You have made us happy beyond belief. Love your work.
Kai's masterpiece...
And Clare's work of art.
We're feeling the love.
And MASSIVE hugs and ENORMOUS love and thanks to all those who have so kindly donated us through Just Giving. Thank you so much for your unexpected and oh, so generous support. Linda, Nienke, Kate & Joe, Maxie, Chrissi and Cis - you are beyond FABULOUS!!!
Please don't forget to spread the word about donating to the Soundtracks cause. Helping out in some of the poorest countries in the world - Cambodia, Philippines, Sudan, Laos, India, South Africa. Having traveled to most of these countries and seen the poverty and devastation firsthand, we are so happy to be able to be contributing in a very small way.
More training coming our way. If we can ever get out of the futons. Brrrrr. 12 days to the MARATHON. 66 days to TRAILWALKER.
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