Season Recap 2025-26
This season was quite the experience. I had a lot of fun, deepened my knowledge of biathlon, and checked off some major career milestones. It was a long journey though...
Thanks for It All!
At the end of March, I wrapped up my time ski racing professionally in a full-circle moment, racing US spring nationals in Craftsbury, VT, where I’ve spent the past six years training and racing with the Craftsbury Green Racing Project.
While retiring from racing full-time is bittersweet, I came away from that weekend with overwhelming gratitude for the communities that have shaped me as I dedicated myself to shaving seconds off on the ski trails. From walking around on skis with MYSL to spending hours every summer morning on roller skis, I’ve been so lucky to learn and grow with the best teammates and coaches around. I could say a lot, but I’ll do my best to boil it down into what stood out, what I learned, and what I’m bringing forward.
Stand-Out Discoveries
Life really does go on! This winter didn’t go according to my grand plans, and I didn’t check off a single one of my big results goals or qualify for any international racing. However, I did check off my goal of enjoying the races where I did participate. And I felt so supported by the people in my corner throughout it all!
Loving the process is what kept me in the sport. Of course, goals of racing fast in the winter kept me motivated, but nailing an interval set or running for hours around the dirt roads of Craftsbury with friends is what was the most rewarding and what I’ll remember. Seeing hard work and years of training translate into technical gains and improved fitness is gratifying. I think it’s a common feeling for racing to never be quite where we want it, but if we can have fun working hard with friends in the meantime, it feels worthwhile.
Summer intervals up Jay Peak.
Strengths can change. If you would’ve told my high school or college self that I’d learn how to sprint, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. It turns out that training to get stronger and more powerful makes you stronger and more powerful!
While I’m proud of races that warranted external validation, I’m prouder of how I navigated challenging periods. After a physically and mentally tough 2024-25 winter of racing, I doubled down on biathlon. I was still new to the sport, and I funneled all my energy into getting better despite it oftentimes feeling like an uphill battle. I dryfired more, slow-fired more, and combo-ed more. I visualized, started seeing a sport psychologist, and instilled confidence in myself. And I did get so much better! I got faster and more accurate at shooting and I was probably at my fittest ever heading into the race season. Despite all this, I blew December US biathlon trials, ending my biathlon racing for the season. It was hard to swallow, but I knew I had done everything in my power to control the outcome up until that point. It sucked, but a bad week of racing doesn’t take away from the skills and mental strength that I gained from pouring everything into a goal. I came out the other side and got to enjoy other experiences after putting down the rifle and getting back to my skiing-only roots.
Getting creative with dryfire practice on the road.
Lessons Learned
You learn a lot by just trying. Trial and error is a method for a reason. Learning what doesn’t work helps you find out what does work. Plus, a little character-building struggle usually leads to growth.
Not everything works out perfectly, and honestly, would that really be as satisfying if it did? Plan Bs and Cs usually have a silver lining anyway. Since I ended up with a gap in my race schedule this winter, I was able to travel purely for fun and race the Engadin Ski Marathon in Switzerland. The race was chaotic and the course was stunningly beautiful, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to do something different. On another vein, I’ve historically had a bit of a brutal time at spring nationals’ ski marathons. I’ve crashed multiple times and broken a ski, been so tired from the season that just finishing was a win, and dropped out (1 of 2 ever, and one of the rare times where a DNF felt like the right call). So, when I felt good during this year’s spring national’s marathon, it was 100x more satisfying. I avoided a bonk, was carried by all the cheers from the Craftsbury Outdoor Center community, and I felt like I was just out for another long training ski on some of my favorite trails. And that’s what it’s all about!
Soaking up the sun after the Engadin.
Craftsbury Green Racing Project club relay podium at spring nationals! Photo credit: Phil Belena.
Racing at spring nationals this year. Photo credit: Phil Belena
I will never have it all figured out. I’ve mentioned this before, but cross country skiing (and especially biathlon) have endless components. Mastering them all is impossible, but trying to anyway is half the fun.
Everything I know about biathlon. What do you mean a “sprint” is 7.5km? People can shoot a clean standing stage in 15 seconds? I’m supposed to ignore the fact that I’m skiing with a 7-pound rifle on my back? Biathlon is such a crazy sport, but also so cool and I’m grateful I had the chance to give it a go! Everyone should be watching biathlon!
Values to Carry Onward
I get to carry forward so much training knowledge and many lessons learned. Channeling all my energy into skiing was certainly formative and I’m stronger for it. Plus, I finally learned when to rest and when to push.
Joy for the sport! I feel so fortunate to have skiing in my life. To be able to get out and ski is such a fun way to get outside, see new places, and catch up with friends. It’s a good thing it’s also good for me.
The best community. I’ve been able to see people from every stage of my ski career this winter and I love that these communities will still be there as I move onto other pursuits. Everyone I grew up skiing with is still involved in some way, whether they’re racing professionally, coaching and passing along their knowledge, or weekend warrior-ing and showing up strong for local skiing. I’m lucky to be surrounded by such cool and kind people.
Such a strong feeling of support and gratitude for those who have gotten me to where I am. There are so many people to thank for making these past six years possible, but here are a few:
Craftsbury Outdoor Center and Concept2, thanks for creating a home for so many of us to train and grow as people and athletes! What a special community and place.
Green Racing Project coaches and teammates, I felt so supported and motivated by this team. Thanks to Pepa, Raleigh, Nick, and Megan for forming such an all-star crew!
Craftsbury Green Racing Project teams over the years
Finn Sisu, Endlessly encouraging and supportive, Finn Sisu is a team I’ve been so happy to have in my corner. They have such a vast array of expertise and the Midwest is lucky to have them.
Salomon, These guys have supported me my whole ski career, and they’ve been reliably fast!
Lost Nation R&D, They’re full of biathlon knowledge and I’m grateful they gave me the tools to delve into biathlon.
University of Alaska Anchorage, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to go to college and improve as a skier. We had such a fun and hardworking team environment that left me motivated to continue racing after college. The biggest thanks go to my college coaches (Andrew, Marine, Adam, Sara, Trond) for always believing in me and encouraging me.
Go Seawolves!
So many coaches from the early stages, I’ve been lucky to learn so much from so many wonderful people. Thanks to my high school coaches at Wayzata High School (Larry, Brad, Megan, Jim) for making skiing fun, SISU/Kevin Brochman for teaching me to roller ski, and my LNR club coaches (Piotr, Harvey, Caitlin) for opening my eyes to what’s possible. I know this isn’t everyone, but I really am grateful for all the tidbits, big and small, that I’ve picked up from everyone I’ve crossed paths with over the years.
Trojan for Life!
My family, No one hypes me up more than them, and for that, I’m thankful.
This next year will look a lot different for me, but I’m really looking forward to carrying forward everything I’ve learned and staying involved with the ski community in different ways. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to ski race during this phase of my life. And in 50 years, I’m grateful I’ll still have skiing and the people I’ve met along the way.
See you on the trails,
Michaela Keller-Miller
