Fairbanks was over 20°F and sunny this morning. I was impressed. I even heard that the skiing was fabulous and getting faster. I, unfortunately, did not ski. I woke up in the night with the awful realization that I was sick. I woke up again in the morning to the smell of freshly baking cinnamon rolls, which was much more pleasant but didn't change the fact that I was veritably sick. Post team meeting out at Birch hill, & as my teammates went out to ski, I had a tête-à-tête with Erik and decided to go back to home in Anchorage. Within four hours of making this decision I was in a plane and had departed FAI. Within six hours I was back at home with a pot of homemade turkey soup (with curry & lemongrass, yum) and a car on loan (mine being in Fairbanks).

I was exceedingly glad to have such good friends around AND friends with great parents to take care of me. 'Duser called Era Aviation and booked me a seat & then I went back to her parents' and slept until it was time to go to the airport. Post nap I got to have some of her mom's cranberry relish which has been my favorite cranberry relish since Kate brought some to our West Yellowstone Thanksgiving two years ago. I was pretty psyched to get to have some of the original Pearson family relish. In Anchorage the Ronsse family took care of me, picking me up from the airport and bringing Katie's car for me (although I haven't had to go anywhere since Annie also made me soup) and, aside from a hot shower, I have been curled up napping or drinking tea ever since.

There's mixed emotions leaving a race venue. I don't know if I did the right thing. Do you stay and wait to get better? If I stayed would I race when I shouldn't? How sick would I have to be to watch my teammates leave for the race and stay behind and not have it eat at me? Is it giving up to leave? Is it inconsiderate to stay in a communal living situation with my teammates? Is it the time to 'suck it up, tough it out, & race' at this point in the season? Is health and recovery more important than race experience and results at this point in my career?

I don't know. But now I'm not going to worry about it... I'm going to bed and I'm not getting up again until being vertical sounds more appealing than being snuggled under my comforter. Sometimes we all need a little recharge.