FasterSkier

Author: Gus Kaeding

  • SMST2 Lake Placid Update

    Some of the SMSers made the journey Monday over to Lake Placid, NY to partake in a USST camp.  So far we’ve done an easy distance day and a L4 bounding session on Whiteface Mtn.  Below are some pictures:

    The men out on a distance double pole
    Paddy Caldwell shadowing Andy early in a hard bounding workout
    Andy looked strong all day
    Didn’t get any pictures of the women today, next time!

  • 100 km Ski-a-thon

    This weekend the SMST2 Team skied 100 km as a team fundraiser.  Donations were given to the athletes from generous individuals on a per kilomteter basis.  The athletes will use this money for training/racing expenses throughout the year.
    We began the day at 8am just over the New York border near Andy’s stomping grounds.

    The ski started with several wrong turns.  Here Andy and I demonstrate our exemplary directional skills.

    It was a fantastic day to be outside.

    If the men’s group got too far ahead, they’d simply turn around until they met back up with the women.

    The group started out classic skiing but, switched to skate skis at the 50 km mark.

    One fun twist to the workout was our summer version of the secret santa.  Here Annie Hart models her fine sweat bands from Andy Newell.  They came in handy by the end of the ski as it started to get pretty hot!

    The SMS PG’s joined us too.  Paddy Caldwell skied pretty much the enitre time glued to Andy.  Not a bad way to learn technique!

    The women finshed the 100 km in fine fashion.  This is a great group to work with!

    Eric Packer, always the overachiever logged an extra .94 km on the day.

    Obviously, we found a swimming hole after the ski.  The water could have been a little deeper but, tough to pass up a good rope swing.

    Skyler practicing good hygiene.
    It was a great day and several of the athletes were able to enough money to make a real difference this season.  Thanks to everyone who donated!!!!

  • SMST2/MWSC Maine Camp

    On Monday the SMST2 crew went up to Pineland Farms, Maine for a short 4 day training camp with the Maine Winter Sports Center.  The camp has an intensity/speed focus so the athletes have had plenty of opportunities to push themselves.  Below are several photos of a L3 skate workout and a skate speed session.  A big thanks to Will Sweetser and the MWSC crew for hosting us!

    Skyler putting down the L3 hammer!

    Jessie, Sophie, Annie, Erika and Hilary M.
    Annie Hart will be joining us this fall during her semester off from Dartmouth.  Here she enjoys a post workout snack compliments of Powerbar.

  • Skiing, both Roller and Water

    Last week the SMST2 team headed up to northern VT for a little change of scenery and to spend some time on Lake Champlain with the John Ogden, Barney Hodges and their respective families.

    The fellas paced the group via bike.

    Sophie, Jessie, Katherine Ogden, and Erika starting what turned out to be a VERY hot ski.

    Barney and John hanging right with the big boyz.  A big thanks to our guide Cam (front right)!
    Sophie Hodges, clearly winning the smile award on the day.
    Water break and laughs with John.
    The women working on mimicing each other.

    The route was beautiful and very lightly traveled.
    .
    Captain Ogden and greenhorns Eric and Andy.  For more waterskiing shots, check out Andy’s blog.
    Thanks again to the Ogden and Hodges families!  Great day!

  • Team SMST2 Dpole test #2

    This morning the team did our uphill double pole test.  The test starts on a fairly steep uphill then ends on a flatter section which is very important to laying down a fast time.  I didn’t have much time to take pictures and time the test so most of the pictures are from the specific strength workout which followed.

    Sophie primed to go

    Results
    Andy 3:25
    Skyler 3:28
    Eric 3:40 (on skate skis)
    Sophie 4:35
    Erika 4:43 (PR and on skate skis)
    Eric with a solid gameface.  Others needed some work…
    We did this test about a month ago and every single person set (or equalled) their previous time from this spring.  We have mostly been focusing on distance skiing and work in the gym so the team is not necessarily in great “race shape.”  The fact that they lowered their times without much race pace work tells me that they’re getting stronger.  Encouraging results.
    The women double poling up a hill with some serious vert
    After the test, no one had had enough so we did some specific strength.  Nothing fancy, just dpoling and single poling up two huge hills.
    Not much wasted motion here
    We’ve been working a lot on core stabilization in the gym and while skiing.  Here Sophie does a good job of using her core to make sure all her energy is distributed efficiently.
    Skyler and Eric mixing it up

  • SMS Elite OD in NY

    Here is my first attempt at the SMS blog.  I’ll just stick with a few photos this time of Andy, Eric, guest Mikey Sinnot, Erika, and Sophie on a long easy OD over the NY border.  Andy has said it over years and I’m inclined to agree, best rollerskiing on the planet.
    Start of the ski
    Fun roads with zero traffic

    We decided to hit the pool afterwards to enjoy the nice weather

    Erika and Sophie paced the workout very well today given the heat

    Enjoying the ski!