FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

A collection of live feeds from cross-country ski blogs around the web.

  • Summer Session 2 Begins

    Yesterday we had a great day of training with over four hours of skiing.  The morning session was a pace workout on the Warren/Lincoln Gap 5km course.  We timed the first effort with a goal of threshold effort and nice, open motions — then we had a twenty minute break and they raced to the top in reverse pursuit order.  We had some fans in Warren as we raced around downtown and the new pavement on Lincoln was smooth as can be!  Great effort by all.  Times below:
                 Threshold:        Race:
    Hans     18:52                had to leave
    George 18:40                17:33
    Ian        18:31                17:24
    Heidi    20:16                20:28
    Maddy 19:35                18:42
    In the afternoon we skied south on one hundred where the kids were able to average about 6 minute miles for the first 5 miles.  We then turned west on 125, climbing up the Irene damaged/repaired Middlebury Gap.  We had a cool detour up and down the Texas Falls trail and checked out the cool gorge in there.  The skiers then continued up the gap, skating and concentrating on using muscles and not lungs to get them up the hill.  
    For a cool down we shuttled partway down the gap and let ’em run on some super sweet pavement — right through the Breadloaf fields and all the way to Ripton — again they were averaging really fast pace, probably close to 5 minute miles!
    Today we are doing a continuous effort at Trapps, running the race trails on foot and lightly bounding the uphills — come join the fun!

  • 2012 Prouty Pedalers

    Here are some pics of current SMS’ers who participated in the 2012 Prouty Ride – a fundraiser for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, NH:

    Brooke & Pip, post 50 miles.
    Molly post 200 miles (100 Friday, 100 Saturday). Wow!
    Scott, 100 miles.  Was that your first century Scott?  Nice job!

    

    Russell, post 100 miles.  Obviously Russell’s first century…. 🙂

    

    Koby – 100 miler.  No problems here, still smiling…..

    

    Caught in the act, but still smiling….. Obviously well hydrated – it was hot!

    We saw lots of ski friends and SMS alums riding too!

    

  • Invite Session #2

    Starts today!

    I’m sorry for some email glitches this week — hoping to be back on line this morning (since Tuesday).

    Second session schedule:
    Monday – 9am Depart for Lincoln Gap TT — 5km x 2 — classic
    2pm Depart for skate ski w/ specific strength

    Tuesday –
    8am – Run tbd (likely trapps)
    PM – Strength

    Wednesday – 9am Depart for Sprint Simulation — 1km x 4 (reverse seed starts)

  • LCO Club Reunion

    With the CXC Team training camps based out of Telemark Lodge in northern Wisconsin it makes it pretty convenient to catch up with my Hayward family and friends while in town.  Hayward was home for a good six years and although I live in Minneapolis it still feels like I am home.  In many ways things are the same, but the most fun change to see is with the kids.  The last time I saw the LCO Boys and Girls Crew was February for the Birkie.

    Snack time at The Club, Enjoying milk, apples and PBnJ in the shade.

     I had a very proud moment when I drove up to the Club and climbed out of the car.  A young boy wearing a Boys and Girls Club t-shirt sat at the picnic tables watching me.  As I approached he yelled out ‘Hey Brian, How’s it going?’  He then came up to me and shook my hand.  ‘I have a summer job now, I work at The Club’.  TJ told me about how he know works with the younger kids at the Club.  I met TJ my first day at the Club when he was a wild little 10 year old. It is really great to see him grow up and mature and be a responsible teen.  His ride pulled up and he said goodbye.

    I came in to the Club and to my surprise found all of the kids watching one of two movies.  In all my time at the Club I had never seen the kids not moving around, but with no A/C and warm weather on a Friday I could understand.

    I sort of snuck in to the dark teen center and it didn’t take long for the kids to start whispering and word to spread that ‘Brian is here.’  Some of the kids I did not recognize but over half of them I knew well.

    Who want’s to go to the Park?
    Lava Tag, our favorite game.

    Climbing and Team Work to get to the top. Jasper, Savannah, Aaron, Kiara, and Indanis.

    One of my favorite activities growing up was climbing and I encourage the kids to climb as well. There is always a risk of falling and getting hurt, but I think it is important for the kids to learn to climb and fall when they are young so that they are able to do so safely when they are older.  The group loves the Giant Spinning Tree that the park added two years ago.  My only rule is that if you want to ride on top you have to be able to climb up there on your own or with the assistance of a friend.  Not only does this save me from the constant task of lifting up kids, it is great to watch them learn to work together to accomplish a common goal.  The best life lessons can come through the simplest of tasks.

  • OD Trail Run

    We finished a busy week with a 2-3 hour trail run this morning. It was hazy, hot and humid, but a good time was had by all. The older group did the Griffith Lake, Peru Peak, Styles Peak loop (with some going out to Baker Peak too). The Devo group and 5 parents hiked up Bromley, took the alpine slide down, then hiked back up Bromley and back!

    Some of our SMST2 team members have personal blogs and they will soon have their own web page. Follow their blogs by checking out our link section that is up above on the tool bar :).

  • Rollerski Clinic at Hapgood Pond

    This afternoon we hosted a rollerski clinic at Hapgood Pond.  Our SMST2 athletes each took a group of 5-6 younger skiers and hosted a technique station.  Eric (above) helps a group master V1, Erika worked on V2, and Jessie gave pointers for V2 alternate.  Sophie took a group of the youngest skiers and taught them how to rollerski for the very first time!  Afterwards everyone jumped in Hapgood Pond for a swim and then we had a potluck cookout with all the athletes.  A pretty nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon!        
     Tess works on V1.
     Sophie working on the basics with her group.
     Jessie explains a drill to her group.
    Gus helps out one of the little guys.  
     Birthday girl Mehana!
     Sophie shows her group how to find good body position and balance.  
     Eric demonstrating V1 with his group.
     Ana cruising by Hapgood Pond.
     Kate.
     Working on V2 drills with Erika.
     Erika checks in with Grace Braddish.
     V2 alternate with Jessie.
     Mae and Hamish.
     Asa. 
     Will.
     Figuring out equipment! 
    Rollerski buddies. : ) 

  • Dialing In Level 3

     We’ve got a busy weekend ahead!  This morning our whole team – SMST2 and our summer training group – headed over to the town of Stratton for a L3 time trial.  The course we used climbs steadily up through Stratton and up towards Grout Pond, levels at the top and heads downhill for 2k.  The skiers spin at Grout Pond and returns back to the top of the hill.  The J2s did a slightly shorter course, but still had plenty of climbing.   Neal and Adam (above) were the first skiers on course!  
    This afternoon, our team is hosting an Intro to Rollerski clinic at Hapgood Pond at 4pm.  More info is available on the NENSA website.  If you’re in the area and want to come get some technique help and run through some drills with our SMST2 athletes, SMS athletes, & coaches, come on over!  Cookout to follow afterwards – bring something to grill and snack on.  Clinic is free!  Parking at Hapgood is $5/car.  
    If you missed it below, check out the news about the T2 Foundation, our new title sponsor for our elite team!  Check out their website and Facebook page for more information.
     Ana crests the hill heading into Stratton. 
     Tess V1ing up a steeper climb.
     Tegan letting it flow up at the top.
     Eric – focused. 
     Skyler knows where the camera is. : ) 
     Our three senior boys: Gino… 
    …Tyler… 
     …and Hamish. 
    Calvin – future SLU freshman!
     SMST2 team ladies – Jessie…
     …Sophie…
    …and Erika.
     Issy bringing it home. 
     Kate came down from Hanover to join us today! 
    Jessie, Eric, and Andy (hiding Sophie & Erika) cool down together after the workout.  

  • A GMVS Retrospective: Summer Camp 2 Day 1

    It’s time to look back at some photos and thoughts from our second GMVS Summer camp, which was a ton of fun from the very beginning. The whole camp was held under sunny summer skies, with roller skiing, running, hiking, and more… and of course plenty of trips to the Valley’s various swimming holes! Day 1 was a long hike starting in Huntington.

    We climbed to the top of Camels Hump–no small feat in itself–then traversed some eight miles across the spine of the Green Mountains before descending off of Burnt Rock to Fayston. A pretty remarkable jaunt for sure! Most of the boys and some of the girls were determined to put the hammer down from the beginning, so I only have photos of them from the beginning of the hike and on the summit, but we had a fantastic day the whole way through.

    Our friend Jacob Myerson from CSU at the tip-top.

    Hans just summited Kilimanjaro but he came up Camels Hump anyway, helping to guide the top group with our camp stalwart Dylan Grald. Here Hans stands at the summit with some strong Ford Sayre boys, George Voigt and Sam Merrens.

    The whole gang at the top: skiers from Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and of course Vermont.

    We are lucky to have such an amazing hike right in our backyard, with views to the Champlain Valley and Lake Champlain, to the White Mountains, and to our own Mad River Valley just below.

  • Training July 16 – 22 + Pictures [updated]

    [Pictures below!]

    This coming week (July 16 – 22) will include some higher intensity workouts. Also note that we will meet at Burlington High School for training on Wednesday. We will explore the trails in the North End of Burlington. Saturday location is still TBD, but the workout will include some high intensity – probably running and maybe some SkiErg.

    Monday: 8:30 – 10:30 at The Range. Classic roll with specific strength and moderate intensity.
    Wednesday: 8:30 – 10:30 at BHS! Running, bounding, plyos. Bring swim trunks!
    Thursday: 4:30 – 6:30 at Charlotte Beach. Skate roll.
    Saturday: 9:00 – 11:00 at Bear Trap Road, MILTON Vermont. High intensity classic rollerski. Directions: From Route 89 North, take exit 17 and continue on Route 2 West (as if going to South Hero). Approximately 2.5 miles after exiting the highway, Bear Trap Road is on your right. Drive 1.0 mile up Bear Trap Road and there is a parking lot on the left (after the road flattens out).

    • Parents: on Saturday 7/21, let’s try to coordinate a road bike ride. While the athletes are rollerskiing, parents can use the time to explore some scenic rolling terrain in the Milton / Georgia-area. The cycling is beautiful up there. There aren’t too many roads, but a good out-and-back is Bear Trap-Sanderson-Lake Road. 
    Beautiful descent down Honey Hollow Rd, looking towards Mansfield. 7/14

    Bill Harmeyer tastes good to the black flies! 7/14

    Ethan John, Ben Longenbach and Bill still smiling near the end of the workout

    From an evening rollerski last week – 7/5

    Callie Braun working the V2 – 7/5

    Beautiful evening for a ski in Shelburne, VT! 7/5

    Amy, Leslie and Molly “creeking” 7/14

    Callie, Sienna and Autumn on a beautiful stretch of road, 7/14

    Friends from St A’s, MMU and CVU!
    One of the hottest days of the year, 7/14

    Paul Smith with a group working on L3 ski walking and bounding. 7/14

    “Chucking the deuces up” I think that means giving peace signs! 7/14

    L to R: Coach Paul Smith, Coach Paul Allison, Louis St-Pierre, Thomas Clayton and Liam John. 7/14

    L3 ski walking and bounding @ Honey Hollow Rd, Bolton. 7/14

    Lukas Adamowicz, Ethan Thibault and Nigel Sarrazin descend! Those are some great Scrabble names! 7/14

    Coach/Athlete Murray Banks is still keeping up with athletes ~1/4 his age! 7/14

    Rollerskiing. Top Secret Venue #4. (aka, I’m not sure where this was taken)

  • T2 Foundation To Sponsor Stratton Team

    We are very happy to announce our new title sponsor, the T2 Foundation. Our Elite team will now be called the Stratton Mountain School T2 team (SMST2 for short). Pictured above ( l to r) are Sverre Caldwell (program director), Skyler Davis, Jessie Diggins, Eric Packer, Sophie Caldwell, Andy Newell, Erika Flowers and SMST2 coach Gus Kaeding.

    The T2 Foundation has the same goals that we do so the partnership makes great sense. We both support top level US skiers AND grassroots programs.

    Our team is training very well and having fun reaching out to the community to promote our sport. Andy and Erika gave a clinic last weekend to the Berkshire Nordic Ski Club and the whole group will be helping at a Learn to Roller Ski clinic tomorrow. Next week Andy and Jessie are off to NYC to help spread the word and we will be helping the local community by working on mountain bike trails next weekend. The team also trains with our summer training group 3-4 times a week. This allows our younger skiers to follow along and learn how to go faster.

    For more information on the T2 Foundation and the great things they are doing, click here.

  • Central REG 5km Running Race

    By Brian Gregg

    Last Saturday morning we ran the Namekogan Art Fest 5km.  The race uses the Seeley Hills trails and includes about as much climbing as you can get in the Midwest.  The course is actually a bit short of 5km after one section didn’t get mowed.  I have a few benchmarks on this course and after changing up my training I have been curious to see where I stacked up.  I ran 16:23 which is a bit slower than last July 16:15 and my PR of 16:01.  Still I am quite pleased with the race, especially after having very little intensity work this spring.

    Results

  • Erika’s Report From Berkshire Clinic

    On Sunday, Andy and I woke up early to drive down to Williamstown, MA to run a clinic for the Berkshire Nordic Ski Club summer training camp. A large group of junior athletes, ranging in age from early high school to college greeted us in sweet neon yellow and hot pink shirts ready for an over-distance ski to the top of Mount Graylock. 
    We split into groups based on speed and abilities. Andy led the charge for the older guys while I skied with a smaller group of guys and girls, some of whom only started skiing a few years ago but could already hold their own on the steep uphills to the Greylock summit. The ski ranged from 2 to 3 hours, depending on the group, and included both skating and classic skiing. We worked on technique throughout the ski, taking turns leading and trying to imitate the person leading and stopped part way up to do a few drills that worked on weight shift and body position.
     The athletes in my group had plenty of good questions about skiing and college racing as well as some good stories to share about creepy motorcycle gangs. After the ski and a tasty and well-deserved lunch at the top of the mountain we returned to the camp for a short presentation and some question and answer with the group.
     Some of the juniors hope to compete at next year’s high school championships while others want to race for a collegiate team. Despite the variation in goals and the various motivations for skiing, Andy gave a great presentation on goal setting and how setting intermediate process goals can help you meet your outcome goals. We also answered questions on everything from nutrition, sponsors, and our favorite places to ski to bouncing back from a bad race or an unmet goal. 
    We then headed out for a second workout, which included some easy running and agility drills. A few rakes and a pile of stumps provided great tools for building hurdles and I got to race some of the boys in the jumping and backward sprint race. 
    After two solid sessions, Andy and I had to head back to Stratton but we had an awesome day skiing and chatting with all the juniors and coaches at the BNSC camp and I was especially psyched to score one of the sweet hot pink training shirts from the camp directors. Thanks for a fun day and we will hopefully be down there again soon to enjoy the new terrain, nice pavement, and awesome training group. Thanks BNSC! 

  • L3 DP Intervals at BMD

    This morning we had a big group out at Ball Mountain Dam for practice – L3 double pole intervals.  The interval “course” went from the bottom of the hill by the dam, out to the gate, and then back to the top of the hill.  Everyone started in different places on the way up the first hill so that the older skiers skied through the younger skiers and everyone got a chance to hop in and ski with someone a little speedier.   Above, the boys warm up for their intervals.  
     The SMS T2 Team women & several of the collegiate skiers warm up together.  Welcome to Jessie (in red shorts) who arrived in Vermont yesterday afternoon!  
     Boys roll through on their first interval.  Gino, Koby, and Calvin started part way up the hill and are able to hop in with Skyler and Eric at the top of the hill.
     Issy skiiing ahead of the older girls.  
     Calvin, Gino, & Koby.
    The ladies at the end of one of their intervals.
    Rochester girls Ana & Tegan with Russell.
     The J2s started at the top of the hill and waited for the older girls to roll through…
     …and then jumped in right behind them!
     Go, go, go! 
     Adam Witkowski gets some advice from Poppet.
     Boys rolling up in a pack. 
     Austin, Calvin, Koby, & Magnus.
     Gino.
     Tyler, Eric, and Skyler.
     Megan, Jessie, and Sophie.
     Erika, Liz, and Cam.
     Anya’s birthday was yesterday!
     Mollie & Mackenzie. 
     Mae hops in with the fast girls!
     She’s psyched. : ) 
     The J3 boys hop in with Skyler and Eric.
     Skyler checks out his competition. : ) 
     Skyler, Eric, & Austin.
     Pippin – all smiles! 
     Gus checks in with the SMS T2 Team ladies at the end of the workout. 

  • Tour de France: Stage 10

    It’s Thursday, so that means this graph is broken down by team, just for the 2012 Tour:

    Related posts:

    1. <Tour de France Bumps Chart: Stage 14
    2. <Tour de France Charts: Stage 17
    3. <Tour de France – Stage 2


  • So many wonderful things!

    I can honestly say that the past few weeks have been some of the busier in my life…. but I am not complaining but I’ve been able to do some wonderful, amazing things with awesome people. Rather than do a full account of everything I’ve failed to post, here is the last month or so in pictures with some quick descriptions!  Enjoy and as always, thanks for reading! 
     Finnish Super Star Skier Aino Kaisa Saarinen came to ski on Eagle Glacier!  Who would have ever thought that would happen!? She liked it to! 
     I won a big race that I’ve been trying to win for five years; hence, I got sprayed with champagne at the finish! 
    Here I am coming across the finish line July 4th in downtown Seward.  If you care to read more about the race you can find the article here: 
    http://www.adn.com/2012/07/04/2531168/brooks-runs-down-elusive-title.html
     My friend Annie volunteered to be the team massage therapist for the week. She kept us moving, happy & healthy. Body care becomes a big issue when you’re training up to 30 hours per week. Here I am lucky enough to be receiving an outdoor massage on the deck at my own house!  Thank you SO MUCH ANNIE! 
     The Knapp family kindly had our whole group over for dinner! 
     Thanks Laura G for the pic! Half way up Mt. Marathon
     Thanks to the Schoen family for flying me to and from McCarthy to officiate the wedding of my dear friends, Chrissy & Ray. The wedding was during the camp so the flight made it possible to officiate the wedding while missing as little of camp as possible! 
     Sprint relay day! Complete with a visit from Kikkan’s husband, Jeff! 
     Rob and I just celebrated our third wedding anniversary! 7/11!!!
     We had more foggy days on the glacier than sunny days. Of course all the pictures get taken while it’s nice out but we certainly put our fair share of hard work during days that aren’t photogenic. We ski train rain, snow, sun, or fog. 
     This was that sunny, oh so great day! 
     Awesome roll sesh in Anchorage with the NAWTA group
     I played the bad guy in our skit/talent show – hence the knife! 
     End of an awesome roller ski at Glen Alps! 
     We celebrated summer solstice with Michael Franti and Spearhead! What a great concert!!!! Big smiles all around! 
     Like I said, we had all kinds of weather on Eagle! 
     The beauty of Eagle 
     One afternoon we joined the APU juniors for a distance run up Winter creek, lunch & had a panel discussion afterwards. We shared our experiences – both failures and successes. We had a blast and I think the juniors did too judging by their faces! (I suppose an Olympic Gold Medal helps too) 
     Merritt, one of my best friends from college came to visit with her husband Steve! 
     Hope Point, AK 
     We celebrated Merritt’s birthday in Hope! 
     Flying over Eagle Glacier on the way to Chrissy and Ray’s wedding! 
     With Emily Chenel/Lints who now lives in Homer, AK. The two of us were on the PNSA J2 relay team when we were 14 years old! So fun to connect with old friends! 
     Bridesmaid’s boots! 
     Yep, this bride has muscles! 
     The RAYMAY show
     Bridesmaids and glacial moraine
     Flying back to Anchorage…. “I’ve got to get up to the glacier for camp!!!!” 
    Officiating the wedding! 
    Me and Rob with the newest addition to our family, our niece Maria (6 months old!) 
    More to come sooner rather than later! Have a blast and be safe! 
    Cheers, 
    Holly 🙂 

  • 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

  • Corrine Goes to Race the Big Dogs

    When I signed up for the Loon Mountain Race earlier this summer I didn’t really know exactly what I was getting myself into.   I’ve always admired mountain runners.  Drooled over the possibility of some day racing the Leadville 100, the Bridger Ridge Run, the Gortex TransRockies… (yes I have an adventure bucket list)

    When I picked Loon I thought… “Oh neat and fun!”

    As we got closer to race day I knew the field would be deep and talented.  Turns out to be the deepest field ever for the US at Women’s Mountain Running Champs.

    There I was.  Suddenly  in the toughest field I have ever run with.  On the toughest course I’ve ever raced.

    These gals brought age, experience.  They have a credentials.  Running resumes.  Running what?  …Man was I in deep.

    One bio after another.   “Olympic Trials Marathon Racer”  ”National Champion”  ”NCAA Champion”  ”Reigning World Champion”  ”17 minute 5km PR”    

    The only thing running through my mind?  “OH MY WORD!”  followed closely by “What was I thinking!?”

    But I stepped on the line in my plain jane running shorts and my Jenkins Mtn Scramble t-shirt surrounded by what appeared to be 24 genetic freaks in race singlets with sponsors plastered across their chests.  Breathe Breathe Breathe.  Don’t freak out.  

    Then they said go.  and I went with them.  At least I tried to.  We came through the first mile in something like 6:40 going uphill.  As we hit the first down hill I dropped back.  It was clear my legs aren’t used to turning it over like this girls.

    I spent much of the race going back in fourth with Maria, the next youngest in the field at 24 and one of the few other girls not from the West.   We chatted a little bit at one point when we were breathing well enough that we were both coherent.  Cheered each other on.  Joked about  age.  Made comments like “This is the tough part right?”  and “Where are we?”   “Um going up!”   We found icecream to be a strong motivation as Maria yelled out, “Maria is getting icecream tonight!”

    We kept pumping our arms.  We kept trying to move forward.  Up the hill.  One foot.  Two feet. I had goose bumps shortly after passing through mile number two. The final kilometer rocked us with it’s 40% grade (yep 700 whole feet of vertical).  I choked on a water feed.  Got my butt kicked by a woman twice my age.  Had to do everything in my power to not eat the incredible wild strawberries as I made my way slowly up Upper Walking Boss.  And finally, just as I promised myself, I got to the finish and sat down.

    As I sat there somehow managing to drink the water someone had handed to me (though I have no recolection of actually ever being handed the initial cup) Maria came over and gave me a high five, we had made it, “Twenty more years Corrine, twenty more!”

    These women are tough.  As for me?  I’m hooked.

    Pretty certain one of the next things I said was, “I want ice cream. And then I want to run it again.”

    Here’s a parting shot of the women’s podium (and World Championship Team) from Joe Viger with Mo rocking the top spot!

  • Skate Roll from East Dorset

     This morning we did a 2+ hour skate rollerski from East Dorset up Route 7.   The younger girls skied in a pack together up and back on 7, while the older group took did an extra out and back off of Rt. 7.  Beautiful morning of skiing with lots of technical improvements!  Check out FasterSkier today for a feature story & interview with Andy Newell as well as a preview of the Elite Team.  
     Sverre cruises with the college girls.  
     Rizio and Tegan working on their no pole skiing. 
     Hamish, Gino, Koby, & Austin.
     Scenic rollerskiing!
     Magnus joined us for today’s workout.
     J2 girls take a photo at the halfway point of their ski!  Pip, Ana, Tess, Tegan, & Mackenzie. 
     J2 girls head back and older boys head for the turn around. 
     Mollie & Issy.
     Anya & Cam.
     J2 crew. 
     Boys almost home.
    Tyler. 

  • Mud Pond Combo & Skate at La Range – Pictures

    This past Saturday we went out for a rollerski on the roads in Williston, followed by running at Mud Pond. It was a humid and buggy day! However the weather has been exquisite for the past few days – and we had lots of sun at the Range yesterday during our skate workout.

    Even though we have a lot of new-comers to rollerskiing, I can already see a lot of improvement this summer. For some, the goals include learning to snowplow, learning to navigate the downhills at the Range, and how to keep the rubber side down. Others are working on more advanced elements of technique. I’m constantly reminded of just how challenging a sport we are in… and even though rollerskiing is like 2nd nature for me (after 20+ years), it is actually insane!! Hmmmm, let’s put tiny wheels on a hunk of metal and bomb down hills without brakes – brilliant! Rollerskiing might as well be a different sport – it poses so many new challenges.

    Here are some photos from last Saturday and yesterday:

    Patrick, Henry, EthanT and Coach Enman working on the tight slalom

    Alice and Erin leading a group of girls through some dryland drills

    Jordan working on quick feet and agility… by skiing into the grass

    Leslie Roberts has come a long way already this summer. Look at that double-pole!!

    Lukas from BHS – well known for his jumping ability – working on strength and agility on skis

    Autumn and Amy are great training partners – even if they do attend different high schools

    Ethan followed by Callie (back from a tough GMVS camp!)

    Warming up in Williston.

    Liam, Patrick and Ethan representing Essex & SBHS

    Running @ Mud Pond with Nigel, Alyssa, Tatum, Claire (behind tree), Lucy and Ben

    The “Big Dudes” are too fast to be in focus

    Tatum practicing the downhills. She has come a long ways in just 1 month of rollerskiing!

  • Trail Work Report From Sophie

    It has officially been one month since graduation and everything is going smoothly for the new team! 
    We are living in some apartments at the base of the mountain that Stratton has generously allowed us to stay in for the summer and fall. In exchange, we are working on their Nordic trails at the Sunbowl.
    We are cutting and clearing any trees and branches that are leaning over the trails and hauling them off into the woods. This should allow for wider trails that are easier to groom and require less snow to be skiable. It’s a win – win situation for us because the work we’re doing now should benefit us during the season when we have awesome trails to ski on right outside of our doors. 
    Erika and I hauled most of the big trees off the trails while Eric, Skyler, and Andy picked up the little branches we left behind. It was a very efficient system and Erika and I are feeling like our hours in the gym are really paying off! Just kidding, we all worked hard and got a good portion of the trail totally cleared off so it should only need about 6 inches of snow to be decent skiing now. 
    Thanks to Sverre for being the chainsaw master and to Stratton for providing us with housing!