FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

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

  • Tour de France: Stage 9

    Another Tour update, conveniently coinciding with a rest day:

    Related posts:

    1. <Tour de France Bumps Chart: Stage 14
    2. <Tour de France Bump Chart: Stage 16
    3. <Tour de France Charts: Stage 17


  • **App Gap Challenge Results**

    APP GAP CHALLENGE – 7/3/12



    		Skate Classic Total
    1 Nate Latourette 18:46 15:43 34:29(2)
    2 Jacob Meyerson 01:18 17:38 42:56(11)
    3 Charlie Greenberg 21:37 16:05 37:42(8)
    4 Bill Harmeyer 22:30 16:30 39:00(9)
    5 Sam Merrens 20:35 14:52 35:27(3)
    6 George Voigt 21:17 15:33 36:50(4)
    7 Forrest Hamilton 21:52 15:39 37:31(6)
    8 Ian Moore 21:20 15:36 36:56(5)
    9 Henry Harmeyer 19:38 14:24 34:02(1)
    10 Devlin Shea 21:46 18:14 40:00(10)
    11 Hans Halvorsen 22:21 15:28 37:39(7)
    12 Alexandra Schaffner 19:09 02:31 45:40(10)
    13 Tatum Braun 19:40 02:30 46:10(11)
    14 Madi Schriefer 18:00 01:28 43:28(8)
    15 Cally Braun 15:23 19:07 34:30(4)
    16 Lauren Gillott 15:20 21:17 36:37(7)
    17 Julia Snyder 19:07 01:34 44:41(9)
    18 Charlotte Gross 14:11 20:00 34:11(3)
    19 Maddy Pfeifer 14:31 17:04 31:35(2)
    20 Elise Hardy 14:59 20:23 35:22(5)
    21 Rebecca Smith 15:21 20:04 35:25(6)
    22 Corrine Malcolm 11:13 15:24 26:37(1)

  • Ski Walking Intervals

    This morning we headed up the mountain for some L3 ski  walking intervals.
    The work road has a good grade and is long enough for everyone to get 5-7x 6 minute intervals.
    Thanks to Lilly for hiking the mtn early and then meeting us on her way down to take pictures.
    Alex and Pippin.
    After each 6 minute interval we had a 3 minute recovery.
    The goal was for the faster ski walkers to jog down below the slower ones and then pass through on each interval. It worked perfectly and everyone got good exposure to the top dogs.
    Recovery period.
    Some of our J2 girls head out on their 5th interval.
    Good solid group training.
    Koby started just a bit above the older boys.
    Tyler, Austin and Gino.
    Paddy and Skyler.
    Mollie and Anya catch a ride with Erika.
    Andy was flying and was rewarded with the “most passes” award.

    The twins are all smiles after the workout. This is one of our favorite workouts because it is easy to maintain a solid L3. Everyone is working hard, but is controlled. It is a great way to help build a solid aerobic base.

  • Manchester OD

     This morning we had 2-3 hour double pole workout down in Manchester, VT.  We used one of our favorite loops from earlier this fall that goes from the Manchester post office down through Arlington & back.  The younger girls got 2 solid hours of double poling, the elite team did 3+ hours, and everyone else was somewhere in the middle.  Beautiful day for training! 
     Andy leads the guys out of Manchester. 
     Pat O’Brien & Dylan McGuffin from the Craftsbury GRP joined us today.
     Tyler is smiling because he (and Mac & Corky) just released their full-length movie, Fact or Fiction.
     Koby hops in with the guys and cruises along.
     Sophie, Erika, Megan, and Keely. 
     Silly Pip! 🙂 
     Sverre gives some advice to Hallie & Mollie. 
     Liz, Anya, Keely, and Cam. 
    Mackenzie, Pip, and Alex in the last few K of their ski. 

  • Training July 9 – July 15; skiers at local running races

    Scanning results from local running races yesterday, I see that the South Burlington boys were out in full-force at the Clarence DeMar 5km in Grand Isle (organized in part by former SLU Skier Liz Hollenbach and current EABC Coach Eric Tremble). Congrats to Patrick Hickey and Taylor Spillane for representing as nordis! I’d be willing to bet that the overall winner, Stephen Donahue (16:23), is the same Stephen Donahue that used to be a top collegiate skier at Dartmouth in the late-90’s.

    Also representing MNC were a few athletes and coaches at the Colchester Fun Run – organized by the Mallorys. Ethan Thibault and Nigel Sarrazin (both Colchester HS/MNC) ran around 18:20 for the 3 mile race on a hilly course. Coach Erin Mallory ran with her fiance, and I jumped in with some friends and managed to win in 17:24. Second overall went to former Colchester HS coach (and former Middlebury ski teamer) Kyle Dezotell.

    TRAINING NEXT WEEK:

    Monday 7/9: 8:30 – 10:30 @ The Range. Classic ski + specific strength.
    Wednesday 7/11: 8:30 – 10:30 @ Sleepy Hollow. Running, bounding and games.
    Thursday 7/12: 4:30 – 6:30 @ The Range. Skate rollerski + speed.
    Saturday 7/14: 9:00 – 11:00ish @ Honey Hollow Road (Bolton). Running/hiking and bounding.

    Other upcoming events:

    Camel’s Hump Hike (mark your calendars!):

    • Bring the whole family, bring a friend, bring a friend-of-a-friend
    • Tentatively scheduled for Sunday August 5th
    • Let’s see how many people we can get on the summit for a photo!!

    Learn to Rollerski Day:

    • Saturday 7/21
    • 1-3pm
    • at CVU high school in Hinesburg
    • Bring a helmet and ski boots; we provide the rollerskis!

  • Summer in LP!

    I know it’s been way too long since my last update!  Everything is going well here in Lake Placid.  I have settled into my normal summer training routine and am enjoying every minute of being home for the summer.  Don’t … Continue reading →

  • NENSA R.E.G and J2 Camp

    We just returned home from Craftsbury VT where the NENSA USSA R.E.G and J2 Camp were taking place. This was the third year in a row that NENSA has allowed Mid-A to select athletes to attend the camp in addition to the NENSA athletes who qualified. This is also the third year in a row that I have been able to attend as a coach. 
    ( We just arrived but it was time to get to work ! Riley was all smiles after learning that she would not have cell service and that the Lululemon store was yet to be built in Craftsbury !!)
    This year we were represented at the R.E.G camp by Adam, and Alyssa. Attending the J2 camp were Riley, Peter, and Tommy. To have 5 of the 7 Mid-A athletes represented speaks volumes about the ability of athletes we have training with us this year. The goal of the camp is to bring together the best athletes in NE to train together and raise the bar that is also the goal with R.N.R within Mid-A. So to have our athletes attending this camp is a huge advantage. 
    (Tommy during the DP intervals)
    They are able to train along side some of the best juniors in the country as well as many of the best skiers as the Craftsbury Green Team and Stratton Mnt Elite Team also participated in some of the workouts. In addition to training along side these athletes they were also exposed to some of the best coaches in the county. Needless to say the learning possibilities were endless !!  

    ( Alyssa rolling with the big guns ! A picture is worth a 1000 words ) 
    Here are a bunch of pictures from the week at camp ! Thanks to Liz Kantack for some of these pictures. Liz coaches at Stratton Mnt and together we headed up the J2 Camp with help from Janice, Amy, and the rest of the coaches. It was an awesome experience to work along side Liz for the week as she is always one step ahead of the game and made everything flow for the J2 crew ! 
    ( Riley working on her DP during the interval session)
    (Alyssa and Maile leading the way)
     Maile and Nina (J2) were also representing Mid-A and NYSEF at camp 
    (Adam working on his DP Technique on an OD Ski with the Vermont country side in the background, life could get worse 🙂
    (Just leaving the transition on the last day of camp. We rolled for 1.5 and then ran back to Craftsbury to finish the week off, I’m pretty sure we are laughing at my sweet bike tan our lack of either way it was all smiles)
    Each year the quality of the camp has improved and this year was no different. The athletic ability and level of fitness that the athletes bring continues to improve and to be a part of that is something special. To work with such a talented group of athletes is very motivating as a coach but the ability to learn from the other coaches involved with the camp is truly priceless.  It is a win/win situation for our athletes and myself as a coach and my biggest thanks goes out to NENSA and USSA Nordic for letting us take part ! Thanks !!
    For even more pictures and video visit the Nation Nordic Foundation Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NationalNordicFoundation
    The NNF is a leading contributor to US Nordic Skiing so even if you don’t want to see anymore pictures be sure to “Like” the page and do your part to support US Nordic Skiing ! 
    Also for more pictures from Liz check out the Stratton Blog at http://smsxc.blogspot.com/
    One last thing from our week at camp.
    Sam Evans-Brown who is an reporter came over to do a piece from NPR. It came out really well, check it out!!

  • Day 2: Drills and Thrills at Sugarbush

    On day 2 of camp we cruised up to the Sugarbush South parking lot, a favorite spot to do agility work and drills on roller skis. 
    We always have a lot of fun up at Sugarbush, where the open spaces and zero traffic allow us to move freely on the perfect surface. 

    We did classic technique work, played a tag game with fuzzy green tails, and did some cornering agility while carrying tennis balls in frisbees. Pretty fun all around! A whole mess of photos is below. 

  • Tour de France – Stage 4

    This time we’ll look at the Tour results so far by team (click for larger version):

    Related posts:

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


  • 5.31.12 – Adventures off the Water

    On our active rest day this past Sunday, Lisa “The General” Schlenker took us on a nice 2 hour bike ride on the trails surrounding Craftsbury, with a few pit stops along the way.
    Our first stop was Hosmer Point, the kids’ camp down the road from the center.  Jon Hammond, the camp director, introduced us […]

  • And so it Begins…

    First, I’d like to announce a new addition to the Green Racing Project: Rowing! This blog will document the the exciting lives of the all new GRP Rowers both on and off the water, and will hopefully provide some insight as to what it is like to be living and training at the Craftsbury Outdoor […]

  • APP GAP CHALLENGE

  • BMD Skate

    This morning we gathered for some L3 skating at Ball Mtn Dam. Bluebird skies and 65 degrees, what a day!
    We almost always start with some technique drills for the beginning of our warm up.
    Eli tries to hold off Andy.

     Hot feet.

    After our drills, the Devo kids played some keep away while the older skiers finished their warm up.
    Our Elite Team boys head up the hill on their first interval.
    Erika, Sophie and Megan.
    …again…
    Liz and Keely.
    Interval #2. Each interval is 4 km long. The J2’s did 2 or 3, older skiers 3-5.
    Sophie.
    Koby.
    Some of the college girls.
    What’s so funny Pip?
    We will do this workout 2-3 times this summer so we record their times and heart rates. Goal is simple…improve!
    Cambria and Hallie.
    Devo group with coach Boobar.
    Charlotte shows off her “tough gal” knees.

    Todays J2 group, Pip, Tess, Mackenzie, Koby and Alex.

  • GMVS Junior Summer Camp 1: Long Trail Hike

    It’s a GMVS Summer Camp tradition to start off the week with a long hike, and the weather was perfect for this jaunt along the Long Trail. Starting from the parking lot at Sugarbush South, we hiked up the steep ski slopes to the top of Castle Rock, then traversed North.

    The first of three summits was the hardest to obtain: Castle Rock is a tough hike (even though our local skiers Noah and Eliot claimed that the ski down is “boring”) and it took us a good hour and a lot of the water supply we carried to get up there.

    Once we made it to the top of the ridge, the views were incredible for the duration of the hike, with just enough clouds to make the sky interesting while keeping us in the sun the whole day.

    Smiles all around!

    The second summit was Sugarbush North, where we struggled to find the entrance to the Long Trail. Fortunately our guides Noah and Eliot were once again able to steer us in the right direction, and we bushwhacked twenty meters through the woods to get back on track. First, an amazing lookout from the top of North.

    Heading down the trail with the Champlain Valley and Lake Champlain in the background.

    We made it all the way over to the top of Mad River Glen, then crossed down under the lifts and met up with Justin and Rafter on the RAT trail to finish the day. A terrific start to camp with high spirits and enthusiasm for the outdoors the whole day: even on a 4-hour hike!

  • Tour de France – Stage 2

    Another bout of cycling fandom will keep us busy for a bit this July. Obviously, as of last night we’ve only had a handful of stages, but unlike with the Giro I have a bit more historical data to compare it do. I’m only going to do a handful of types of graphs for the Tour, but update them regularly. So we’ll start things off with a simple bumps chart that compares this year’s Tour to the last several years:

    (Click for a larger version.)

    Related posts:

    1. <Tour de France Bumps Chart: Stage 14
    2. <Tour de France Bump Chart: Stage 16
    3. <Tour de France Charts: Stage 17


  • Canyon Country, Utah

    With the weekend came my chance of escape. If not from the summer’s triple-digit heat, from the city, from the daily routine, for the rock and sand and serpentine labyrinth of Utah’s canyon country.

    My two compatriots for the trip were Tony & Louie Ronzoni. Here we trade in stories as we make our way down, down, down, the White Canyon in Utah’s Emery County.

    At the depths of the White Canyon, the walls reach ever-higher as the slot canyon walls narrow to little more than my body’s width. Wind rushes through. Pools of water eleven feet deep stand from another day’s flash flood. It’s a mandatory splash and swim endeavor through sections like these.

    After two nights, two days, and three canyons it’s time to head back up north. We wind our way up through Highway 6, by the watermelon farms of Green River, beside the train tracks of Helper, Utah (named for the extra locomotive engines needed to lead the freight headed up Price Canyon to the peak at Soldier Summit). Here, the sky turned dark, mean, and red. It was the kind of sky where you could stare straight into the sun. We drove down the old-main drag of Helper. It’s a mostly forgotten place, though with much of the charm left in tact. Filling up with gas across from the boarded up Piggly Wiggly and liqour store I catch the conversation of two Carbon County locals.

       “Wonder when dis forest fire’s gonna clean up?”

       “Sheet, maybe it’ll burn it all down and den it’ll all be built up better den before.”

        Half a minute passes. The second one continues, after pulling a fresh pack of Marlboros from a   carton, and lighting up.

      “I don’t mind it none. The way we smoke and the way we’d a worked, dis don’t do nothing to me.” 

      “Yeah, I reckon yer right.”

       Coal miners, they are a hardy breed.

     ###

     Finally, I have to give my props to the ITA Athletes putting it all on the line for the opportunity to make it to London and represent themselves and the USA at the Olympics. Your stories and your grit are something to be much admired. Bonne Chapeau.

  • Rollerskiing and Shooting at the Range w/Algis

    Our athletes had the opportunity to get an introduction to biathlon this morning as a part of our training at the Range. In partnership with EABC, the National Guard, and USBA, we had Algis Shalna present to give a basic shooting clinic. It was another perfect day for training!

    From what I heard and saw, Amy Bruce was the best shooter — hitting 9/10 targets. Ethan Thibault was a close 2nd, hitting 8/10! According to Algis, the girls were better shooters than the boys!

    Former Olympian Algis Shalna showing how the scope should center on a target

    Alice with Leslie and Autumn following

    Ethan and Casey followed by Lukas and Thomas – relay races

    Sam, Patrick, Craig, Nathanael and Parker working on the core strength

    Charlie Maitland still smiling at the end of training

    Claire working on keeping the upper body quiet

    Erin leads a group of gals doing no-poles

    Ethan doing his best to carry a bowl full of water without sloshing it around

    Some of the gals shooting

    Paul Smith (L) has the J2 boys stretching!!

    Lukas and Casey skating

    Murray with Olivia and Martina (BKL’ers) working on balance

    Rick and Martina Costanza in the background as Olivia Cuneo shoots

  • Summertime

    I have had an extended Spring this year enjoying cool weather for my training camp out in Washington State.  The thermometer read 38F when I woke up to head to the airport, with 104F outside in Denver during my layover it became obvious that the heat of summer is now on.

    Enjoying a final run in the Mountains before coming home to Minnesota.

     Minneapolis welcomed me back with some wonderful 80F days.  After so many cool days I enjoyed the heat of the sun and we spent most of the day outside at the Boys and Girls Club.

    Staying cool in the Gym at the Boys and Girls Club.

     We had a great game of basketball at the Club this week.  With the warm temperatures we had an unusually small group.  We played 5 on 5 with ten year olds, tweens (11-12), and teens.  Often times it is hard for the younger players to get much ball time.  Xavier impressed us all by sinking all most ever three he shot.  Pretty cool for a kid who is less than four feet tall.

    Guest Coaching with the advanced crew of the City of Lakes Loppett Nordic Ski  Club.
    Muscular Endurance Intervals with 15lbs extra weight

  • Power and Speed

    Given the preponderance of base training I did last year, this season we’re stepping up the intensity a lot sooner and with more volume than ever before. Perhaps the three greatest focuses we have for this dryland season are: power, speed, and anaerobic capacity. While these three go somewhat hand-in-hand, the ways in which to train them vary greatly, and it’s most important to not overlap workouts so much that recovery becomes minimal.

    (the hill is steeper than it looks)

    One of the real key workouts we’ve struck upon is hill sprints. For several years now we’ve done these on foot: 8-10 x :10sec all-out sprints or bounds up a steep hill, sometimes with poles and sometimes without. But we’ve increasingly thought that introducing more specificity into the exercise can be nothing but a good thing. This spring Scott scouted a great, black-topped hill outside of Winthrop that is perfect for this workout. Even better, it’s relatively light on traffic so Brian and I were able to ski side by side in the sprints. One of us would classic and one would skate to allow for room. The benefit of this method is that the classic skier tends to get off the line faster and hold a bit of a lead, giving the skater someone to chase.

    We’re also back on the track three times per week, adding a lot of speed training into the mix. The goal is to not enter this season as I did last year, with great aerobic fitness but zero speed or power. Balance, baby!

  • Matrimony!

    Alison and I arrived to the reception on the rusty steed

    While training continues to pick up through the summer, I managed to take a few days and get myself hitched. Amidst rollicking thunder and intermittent showers last Saturday, Alison and I threw our lots together for the rest of time in the company of our friends and family. I must say, marriage feels great. Maybe it’s because Alison and I already know each other so well, and support each other completely, but to now be married feels like a very comfortable settling, in the best way possible.

    The wedding ended up being the most wonderful grassroots, community affair you could imagine. We organized all the food, decorations, and service ourselves so there were a lot of details to cover in the final weeks and days before the big event. However, in the same community vein, we had TREMENDOUS help. Locals pitched in and provided pies and hors d’ oeuvres; we had our close friends Leds and Rick manning the grills and producing some amazing steaks and grilled veggies, and the decorations were beautiful thanks to our parents and wedding party. All in all it was one-of-a-kind, the perfect beginning to my new life as a ball ‘n chain. For those of you not yet married, I highly recommend it – great fun.