Category: XCFeeds

bWhen: October 30th, Saturday/bbr /b10am till 1pm/bbr /bWhere: St. Agnes School, Lake Placid/bbr /bbr //bbr /bSign up for – After school ski program at Whiteface, NYSEF nordic, alpine, snowboarding, alpine, jumping and biathlon programs, and the Bill Koch nordic ski program/bbr /bMeet – local Olympians Pete Frenette, ski jumping, and my self/bbr /bBuy and sell – used ski equipment/bbr /bbr //bbr /bFor further information and details:/bbr /

This fall I had the perfect opportunity to mix up my typical routine. I did some altitude training with the US and Canadian National ski team members, spent some much anticipated time with my bf, and explored some extraordinary places. This training camp and change in scenery was perfect in every way and is exactly what I needed to feel prepared, motivated, and excited to start the new ski racing

This fall I had the perfect opportunity to mix up my typical routine. I did some altitude training with the US and Canadian National ski team members, spent some much anticipated time with my bf, and explored some extraordinary places. This training camp and change in scenery was perfect in every way and is exactly what I needed to feel prepared, motivated, and excited to start the new ski racing

This fall I had the perfect opportunity to mix up my typical routine. I did some altitude training with the US and Canadian National ski team members, spent some much anticipated time with my bf, and explored some extraordinary places. This training camp and change in scenery was perfect in every way and is exactly what I needed to feel prepared, motivated, and excited to start the new ski racing

This fall I had the perfect opportunity to mix up my typical routine. I did some altitude training with the US and Canadian National ski team members, spent some much anticipated time with my bf, and explored some extraordinary places. This training camp and change in scenery was perfect in every way and is exactly what I needed to feel prepared, motivated, and excited to start the new ski racing

This post is from last Friday when we had our most challenging weather yet. Raining hard and temps in the 30’s. We had skate intervals scheduled and we wanted to stick with the plan. We also wanted them to be psyched for the workout despite the conditions so (based on the forecast) we talked about it for the few days leading up. span class=”blsp-spelling-error” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_0″SMS/span senior Cam span class=”blsp-spelling-error” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_1″McDermott/span had the idea of doing a straight time block instead of taking recovery periods and getting really cold. We thought that was an awesome idea and loved to a see senior that has come through the program think, “how can I maximize the workout?”. We had J3’s-span class=”blsp-spelling-error” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_2″OJ’s/span out there doing anywhere from 15-40 minutes of steady state level 3. I was driving around picking people up, about 5 minutes after they finished their blocks. Then it was straight back to span class=”blsp-spelling-error” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_3″SMS/span and a soak in the hot tub. divbr //divdivSure we had some skiers under dressed, freezing their extremities a little, but that experience will be committed to memory. In the future I’ll bet they will show up with more gear! We also had a couple span class=”blsp-spelling-error” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_4″SMS/span skiers and alums over at the span class=”blsp-spelling-error” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_5″USST/span camp in Lake Placid doing a complete sprint practice in the cold cold rain. USST Coach Pete span class=”blsp-spelling-error” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_6″Vodenberg/span was quoted “It could be pouring like this in Oslo, for sure.”, span class=”blsp-spelling-corrected” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_7″referring/span the the 2011 World span class=”blsp-spelling-corrected” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_8″Championship/span site. As all of us New span class=”blsp-spelling-error” id=”SPELLING_ERROR_9″Englanders/span know, ski racing in the rain is always a possibility. So why not take advantage of an opportunity.divbr //divdivI put a nice rock love ballad on the video, a little slow maybe, but you gotta love being an athlete and love ski racing to not think twice about training last Friday!/div/divdivbr //divdivbr //divobject width=”320″ height=”266″ class=”BLOG_video_class” id=”BLOG_video-431f7b5893c09858″ classid=”clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000″ codebase=”http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0″param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/get_player”param name=”bgcolor” value=”#FFFFFF”param name=”allowfullscreen” value=”true”param name=”flashvars” value=”flvurl=http%3A%2F%2Fv11.nonxt4.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D431f7b5893c09858%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1292355419%26sparams%3Did%252Citag%252Cip%252Cipbits%252Cexpire%26signature%3D72B54B18DBC0C557C6D0722A32FA15CD565CEFF9.F88327A0A2E7F6326268165F5B36EDB77995E12%26key%3Dck1amp;iurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2FThumbnailServer2%3Fapp%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D431f7b5893c09858%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DefgmVq7dslXq3j4pOEzS409GmwAamp;autoplay=0amp;ps=blogger”embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/get_player” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash”width=”320″ height=”266″ bgcolor=”#FFFFFF”flashvars=”flvurl=http%3A%2F%2Fv11.nonxt4.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D431f7b5893c09858%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1292355419%26sparams%3Did%252Citag%252Cip%252Cipbits%252Cexpire%26signature%3D72B54B18DBC0C557C6D0722A32FA15CD565CEFF9.F88327A0A2E7F6326268165F5B36EDB77995E12%26key%3Dck1iurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2FThumbnailServer2%3Fapp%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D431f7b5893c09858%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DefgmVq7dslXq3j4pOEzS409GmwAautoplay=0ps=blogger”allowFullScreen=”true” //objectdiv class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-4416288566057966321?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

With winter approaching, I thought it might not hurt to convince the junior high cross runners to help stack a cord of wood. I tried telling them this made for a great core strength. I think they were a bit more motivated by the ice cream that awaited after.

The last two weekends I’ve also pinned on the racing number, for a very low-key farmer’s market 5 km in the heart of the Okanogan Valle, and this four mile hill climb last Sunday, on the eastern edge of the North Cascades National Park.

In just over a week, though comes the time to say goodbye to the Evergreen State. It’s winter and skiing – and ski racing – that I’m after. The stoke is high. The form feels solid. I have a ticket saying I’m headed to Oslo next Saturday, and a cabin in the woods of Sjusjoen, Norway that awaits. The adventure continues…

…next time, from one North Country to Another. This time the Norwegian Ski Scene – and the days of midnight darkness await. And I can hardly wait.

a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL91r5WJ5kI/AAAAAAAAE3o/tUG8xbvvZB8/s1600/IMG_8959.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL91r5WJ5kI/AAAAAAAAE3o/tUG8xbvvZB8/s400/IMG_8959.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530268264422827586″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9y0BcAqRI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/RlEz8C2fej4/s1600/IMG_8961.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9y0BcAqRI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/RlEz8C2fej4/s400/IMG_8961.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530265105498941714″ //aAfter a tough day yesterday, today was a perfect day for a distance skate ski. We had 2 simple goals for the workout; get in a steady 1.5-2 endurance workout and work on technique for the entire time.br /Here are some pictures. As always, you can click on any picture to enlarge it.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9yW5iwpHI/AAAAAAAAE3I/NoTNGgC1O-4/s1600/IMG_8962.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9yW5iwpHI/AAAAAAAAE3I/NoTNGgC1O-4/s400/IMG_8962.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530264605163562098″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9xzzbA9iI/AAAAAAAAE3A/CbNF7MQhvdc/s1600/IMG_8963.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9xzzbA9iI/AAAAAAAAE3A/CbNF7MQhvdc/s400/IMG_8963.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530264002225042978″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9xaRdfYRI/AAAAAAAAE24/5ohS02B6Ky0/s1600/IMG_8964.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9xaRdfYRI/AAAAAAAAE24/5ohS02B6Ky0/s400/IMG_8964.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530263563611889938″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9xGZz8NRI/AAAAAAAAE2w/7fDIEGyY2Zw/s1600/IMG_8971.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TL9xGZz8NRI/AAAAAAAAE2w/7fDIEGyY2Zw/s400/IMG_8971.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530263222256153874″ //aCharlie said that his shins were fine (he is battling compartment syndrome) and Nick has bounced back from his sickness so we had good news on both accounts.div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-3493579658123870016?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

Results of this year’s time trial up the Driveway Butte trail can be downloaded at http://www.mvnordic.com/DrivewayButteHillclimb.pdf. The race was held on 10/17/10.

Results of this year’s time trial up the Driveway Butte trail can be downloaded at http://www.mvnordic.com/DrivewayButteHillclimb.pdf. The race was held on 10/17/10.

Results of this year’s time trial up the Driveway Butte trail can be downloaded at http://www.mvnordic.com/DrivewayButteHillclimb.pdf. The race was held on 10/17/10.

Results of this year’s time trial up the Driveway Butte trail can be downloaded at http://www.mvnordic.com/DrivewayButteHillclimb.pdf. The race was held on 10/17/10.

It’s nearing the end of October, which means that if you are a skier hailing from the esteemed institution that I do, that means its time for the Moosilauke time trial.  It’s an uphill running time trial beginning at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge up the Gorge Brook Trail, ending around 3.6 miles later on the summit of Mt. Moosilauke.

Conveniently for me, Ruff Patterson, the men’s nordic coach, has kept copious records, so we have some fun data to look at!

The race is usually run once at the end of the summer term (August) and once near the end of the fall term (usually the last weekend in October or so).  Lots of people participate beyond the men’s and women’s nordic teams.  Both alpine teams do it, and there are often a bunch of  ”Guests”: alumni, visiting college or high school teams, and occasionally the really fast parents of current nordic team members.

The runners are classified as:

• XM/XM: Cross country men/women
• AM/AW: Alpine men/women
• GstM/GstW: Guest men/women

I cleaned up this data slightly.  Specifically, I fixed some athlete name misspellings and reclassified some alumni from XM/XW to GstM/GstW, so that the XM/XW category reflects only current nordic team members.

Here’s a look at all the times by category:

The recent dip in the average time for the GstM category probably reflects other college teams (UVM, Middlebury, etc.) showing up to do the time trial in recent years.

What I’d expect here is that the trends for XM/XW/AM/AW would be basically flat.  The reason is simply athlete turnover.  Every year you lose the seniors and get a new group of freshmen, and there’s no real reason to expect that the average speed of the incoming freshmen is going to change radically over time (except perhaps for massive changes in athlete recruitment which isn’t much of an issue at an Ivy).

The cross-country women meet my expectations pretty well, looking pretty stable at around 55 minutes.  The cross-country men appear to have gotten very slightly slower over time.  I’d argue that this is not a “real” effect, but just a reflection of the fact that the first year or two in the time series had an unusually large number of fast, sub-40 minute times, and these data are at the far end of the time series, giving them a lot of leverage.

As for the alpine men and women, I’m not sure what’s going on.  The trends here seem larger and less dependent on a bunch of fast times early in the time series.

Instead of focusing on just the average time, we can look at the trends for specific quantiles:

In each panel the three lines represent the bottom 10% (top line) the median (middle line) and the top 10% (bottom line).  All I’ll observe here is that it looks like the slight decline in times for the cross-country men is mostly confined to the middle, rather than the extremes.

One silly question we can ask is whether people tend to run Moosilauke faster in the summer or fall:

Not surprisingly, the answer is no, there’s not much difference.  Except maybe for the alpine women, who seem to have gone faster in the summer.

For those of you actually participating, I’ve broken down the historical times into quantiles, so you can see what sort of time you need to be in the top X% all time (or at least since 1989).

Moosilauke Time Trial Overall Quantiles

Moosilauke Time Trial Quantiles By Category

Related posts:

1. <Welcome!
2. <A Look At Skier Speeds
3. <Week In Review: Friday Sep 3rd