Ramping Up and Prep Time

We're into the "prep-phase" now, where we move into more intensity and training is all about quality. The last few weeks have been busy, and tomorrow the real craziness begins.

I've spent nearly two full months in Park City in a row. OK -- maybe that's not too extraordinary, but I'm definitely ready to get back on the road.  Tomorrow we leave for Lake Placid, NY, for US Nationals, and on Monday we'll fly over to Europe... with a huge crew! 

In addition to the team, we'll have 9 junior athletes making the trip with us from LP to Europe, where we'll compete in Swiss Nationals as well as train in Oberstdorf, Germany.  Stay tuned for an exciting trip, but for now, back to the last few weeks. 

Michael leading me and Bill during intervals in SoHo. Greg Poirier photo.

The biggest news for our team is that Bryan is now a married man! He sealed the deal with Nicole Thorsen  at a beautiful event up at the Canyons Resort just a week and a half ago.  Unfortunately, no time for a honeymoon for Bryan!

Fist pumping: the true sign of success. Taylor Fletcher photo.

Last weekend Madshus had a fun event at Whitepine Touring to demonstrate their new empower technology.  All their skis now have a RFID chip in them that tracks everything from production to the consumer.  It'll make the job of buying skis in stores a lot easier - and should really help out with waxing, especially for classic.  They even have an app to go with it.  So much technology these days!

Bryan demonstrating his knowledge and future as a salesman...?

From left, me, Bryan, Michael, Noah Hoffman and Miles Havlick - all Madshus athletes with a semi-permanent base in Park City. Madshus photo via instagram.

Sunday I helped Andy Newell and Simi Hamilton from the cross-country team lead Speed Camp.  I don't have the expertise (or the speed) of these guys, who both have World Cup podiums in sprint races, but it was fun to help out and learn from them. 

Speed Camp: Jason Cork photo.

If you don't have World Cup athletes to lead you, the takeaway from Speed Camp is that going fast is all about balance, agility and ski skills.  The younger athletes ran through fun drills and agility courses - on and off curbs, forwards and backwards, side to side.

Skate starts

180 skate starts.

T-shirt Q&A session. Jason Cork photo.

Practicing "skiing big." Jason Cork photo.

Despite a few rainy days, it's been a beautiful fall here.  The fall colors are pretty underrated here and this was the first September that I've been around to appreciate them.  Lake Placid's competition is called Flaming Leaves - so it should be pretty nice there as well!

Looking down towards Midway from Guardsman Pass.