OMG guys!!!
When I tell you I was shocked to hear that I was actually nominated for the WJCs. So insane!!! It was totally unexpected as I had not met the predetermined selection criteria, but based on my performance in the last couple of races before nominations were due, I became a contender. I'm super grateful that I got through on coaches discretion.
It was all definitely a whirlwind adventure as I was notified Tuesday that I was to leave Friday. So only a little time to plan and pack or even fully comprehend what was happening. The atmosphere going into it was super hype, but when we reached Planica everything sort of calmed down. Thankfully it didn't feel like there was that much pressure on us. I really enjoyed skiing around just casually for the first couple of days as my first race was on Wednesday of the next week.
I was nominated for the 20k skate mass start as well as the 10k classic individual. It was a bit sad watching everyone do the sprints because I felt like I was missing out, but it was a great opportunity to cheer everyone on. The Czech team was overall very successful in the sprints and it was great to be a part of it all. Going into the 20k I was very nervous and scared (2nd 20k in my life). I was honestly expecting a lot worse, but I got myself into a good position off the start and maintained my pace throughout. There was a bit of a battle with my shins hurting and then some stomach problems due to not being used to feeding so much during a race, but I think I overcame those challenges pretty well and finished with a respectable 34th place finish. The 20k was probably the most mentally challenging race of the week, it was also run in very soft and technical conditions ending with a lot of DNFs from other athletes. In the end, I'm super satisfied with my result, all things considered.
The 10k classic was a completely different race - in terms of conditions, weather and overall attitude. It was pouring rain, the tracks were super icy and well...I was still super nervous to start. The service team was super helpful with testing out skis as I was trying out new skis for the very first time. I was the last of the Czechs to start which was a bit comforting as I wasn't super terrified that one of my teammates was going to pass me (just someone else lol). I started out super fast, which really scared me because I thought I overshot it. I tried to tell myself to calm down a bit and maybe ease up on the pace as I still had 3 laps to go, but I ended up trying to maintain that speed for the majority of the race. It definitely felt like I was racing on the edge of absolutely dying the entire time, but my grip was great and so was my glide and I was having the time of my life. The cheering of my teammates, coaches and servicemen got me through the tough parts 100%. In the end I was 22nd which I am so happy with. Truly an experience, one that I was so proud to share with the team. It was also thanks to this performance that I was nominated to do the classic leg in our team relay on Sunday. It was still pouring and the conditions were even icier, but we and our sparkles prevailed on the 5k course. For me, I think this was the hardest race as I felt like I had the most to lose (the team and everything yk). Plus compared to the other distances this was basically a sprint, and it was treated as such, meaning everyone basically went sprint pace the entire 5k or died at some point. I died at some point, but managed to pass off in 8th place. Which is how we ended up finishing.
Overall I'm just so overjoyed in regards to this whole week. It's definitely an experience I won't forget and I hope that I can do it all again next year!!! I'm so so thankful for all the wonderful support that I received this week. Be that from my parents, friends, fellow athletes, coaches, teammates and servicemen. I cannot thank you all enough, you're all wonderful!
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