Updates from September, 2010 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • jcork 5:07 pm on September 30, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    Lake Placid, camp five 

    by Jason Cork

    In my last blog, I insinuated that I’d write up “Not Wants, But Needs: Home Edition.” Apologies if you’ve been holding your breath on that, but for a series of reasons, that’s not happening. Primarily, it’s been because I haven’t really been home that much the last month (camps and Super Fit sessions and going to Duluth for a chili fest), but most crucially, I didn’t take any pictures of stuff in my house and now I’m in Lake Placid, New York.

    This is the fifth camp I’ve been at this season (though the sixth for some people — I wasn’t hired when the Minocqua camp in May went down). So far, it’s going really well. Jared and all of the staff at the Olympic Training Center here have been helpful, and the ice bath/sauna/cafeteria/cable TV/inflatable-leg-smoosher-thing situations have made recovery between session really easy.

    Garrott, Brian, Karl, Santi and I made the drive over last Tuesday-Wednesday, hugely aided by an audio book. ["The Google Story." Apparently you can download these from your local library -- free travel tip!] I managed to take zero photos of relevance during this drive, nor in the ensuing seven days, meaning almost all of the pictures below were taken today.

    Photos allegedly add 10 pounds to their subjects.  They certainly subtract 4% in grade.

    Diggins, striding uphill at the rollerski loop by the jumps during a speed day. Gus, practicing his cinematography.

    For some reason, I bet there are awesome barbecues hosted here.

    I met an Olympic luger a couple of days ago, and he told me that the US is behind other countries on runner selection — i.e., they use different metal compositions for cold ice or melting ice or whatever. So if you’re a metallurgy/material science engineer and you’re looking for a cool research project/internship, you’re welcome.

    Some sort of stone. Slate? You tell me. Not pictured: Granite curbs.

    When I lived in Duluth, back around 2000, my friends Rich and Bruce were obsessed with “appropriating” sandstone blocks from demolition sites, and on many occasions Andy W. and I would be called upon to help lift 2′ X 4′ curbs into the back of Bruce’s truck. Anyway, whenever I see stone curbs, I’m reminded of those summers. More importantly, stone curbs indicate that a municipality is willing to invest in classy sidewalks.

    Lake Placid High School and the Olympic Oval

    It was hella rainy on my walk into town to buy postcards today (no training on the schedule), which made me wonder: “How do all of these people own umbrellas?” The other thing I wondered was, were classes suspended at LPHS during the 1980 Olympics? I have to think it would be really hard to concentrate on your Algebra II test when Eric Heiden and his 28″ quads were outside your window, en route to five gold medals.

    Picturesque.

    Finally, this is a really poor photo of some of the foliage going on in upstate New York. There are many “leaf peepers” around now, checking out the colors. Pro-tip: You can buy a postcard with a better photo than you can take yourself for about 40 cents.

     

    • Pat Gallagher 1:18 am on October 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      classes were cancelled. the building was used as the press center and was mentioned in Ripley’s Believe it or Not as the only school to have ever had a liquor license.

    • jcork 3:47 am on October 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      @Pat Gallagher: Thanks! and that is an awesome Ripley’s fact!

  • gkuzzy 5:15 pm on September 29, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    Impulse 

    Garrott Kuzzy

    Four years ago, speed sessions were for sprinters only.  Now, the whole CXC crew is doing a full speed session at least once per week: 6 starts, 6 transitions, and 6 over-speeds at about 15 seconds each with at least 2 minutes between speeds.  This is one of my favorite workouts of the week.  It’s a really productive time to work on technique and speed, without getting too much fatigue.  In general, I feel better after the workout than beforehand.  Sometimes we go head-to-head, while other times we work on our own technique individually.  (All photos by Gus Kaeding).

    Coach Cork calls starts and videos as skiers lay down the hammer

    This is our fifth year in Lake Placid for a fall training camp.  We stay at the Olympic Training Center where we basically eat, sleep, and train.  In only our first week in Placid, we’ve already trained over 27 hours, including 4 interval sessions and 3 strength sessions.

    Santi and Kuz head-to-head starts

    We drove the CXC van all the way from Hayward to Placid last week.  Two full days of driving, but the trip went surprisingly quick, thank’s to Cork behind the wheel and Gregg supplying the books on tape.

    Melissa Schwarz, new CXC team member, made the trip from California for camp

    Kuz and Eric, head-to-head, as Cork watches intently

    We couldn’t ask for better fall conditions.  A little rain, a little sun, a little wind, and some great roads to cruise with the backdrop of Adirondack foliage.

    Brian Gregg

    Gregg’s never been accused of having a lack of focus.

    Gregg getting up and forward

    Eric Wolcott

    Eric was a soccer player in college and teaches us a thing or two about going fast when we do these speed sessions.

    A week into Placid Camp, I’d say we’ve been as productive as ever.  This team is awesome and everyone brings something to the table.  I’m looking forward to some long trail runs in the mountains and bounding up Whiteface as we move into our second week of camp.

     

  • jessdiggs 7:41 pm on September 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    Moving in to Lake Placid 

    By: Jessie Diggins

    So…in the space of four days, I left camp in Sun Valley, flew home to good ‘ol Minnesota, spent two and a half days with my family and then left for the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. And it was super good to be home, even if it was only for a short time. I missed my family!

    I’m going to be here in Placid for about a month – first with the CXC crew, then with the NEG. Good thing the center is so nice! I really like the recovery center and the ability to take an ice bath after a workout. But let’s not confuse “ice bath” with “nice bath”. I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of cold water, although it helps me recover so it’s worth it!

    However, I’m sad to say that I’m starting to see a gruesome trend…this is the second camp in a row in which I’ve hit the deck the first day. Dang.

    (picture by Gus Kaeding)

    Hopefully I’ll have more pictures later on (and ones without blood in them)!

     

  • tadelliott 3:27 am on September 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    Blue Collar Training 

    By TAD ELLIOTT
    Last season I was called “Blue Collar” and that statement could not be…..more true. I fit the generalization of that mold pretty darn close. I am a proud owner of a farmer’s tan from spending countless hours in a different kind of saddle. My most loyal training partner, who is set to jet whenever I am, is my boarder collie Gus. The wake up alarm I have is not my fancy watch, instead it’s an orange devil cat that goes to town on my big toe when it is time to go out and explore the day. The only time I get told to speed up is going to the trail when Gus wants to get there sooner, and told to go slower is coming home when Gus drags his paws, not wanting the adventures to end. My blood does gets drawn every once and awhile, but only when I hit the deck. Sundays are always a big roller ski, and only one, so I can go home and watch the Denver Broncos. My favorite meal is my mom’s, and ONLY my mom’s, meat loaf, homemade bread, mashed potatoes, and a salad from the garden. My sense of style comes from “Hogans” a downtown shop in Durango where I buy all of my Wrangler and Carhart apparel. The store has been open since anyone can remember. I played on their coal delivery chute with my brother, Evan, when we were four years old. When I go in there to shop they still remember Evan and I as those same rambunctious four year olds. Growing up the attitude was “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” I appreciate that saying. My sponsors keep me looking way more fresh than that these days. The five year old when Santa comes, still comes out when swanky gear shows up on my doorstep. I know how lucky I am to have my sponsors and such great people in my corner. My family has provided me everything and I think it’s rad to have that crazy good support from my family, and in my house pets are family too.

    My two main training grounds are an old highway, and an oil frontage road with a gravel pit. Oil rough neck workers and ranch hands drive by me all day. I see my dream truck pass me at least five times a roller ski. With semis, duallys, big trucks, and SUVs roaring by me all day you think I would be nervous or scared training out there. That is not the case. I have never heard a four letter word, been buzzed, angrily honked at, or given a one finger wave. Instead I hear five letter words of howdy, and hello. I always have been passed safely. I wave at these guys and they tip their hats even when we pass in opposite directions. I have been offered Gatorade, water, and when one catches me at the end of a ski, a Coors Light. All served cold, out of a cooler, and yes from the back of their truck. So if you hear a loud exhaust, country music, and see a boarder collie hanging out the window, don’t get nervous or scared, instead wave, and I will tip my Colorado Rockies hat to a good job, and see you again soon.

     

    • Gary Ruggera 9:32 pm on September 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Tad Elliott is outstanding in a demanding arena of competitions. A blue collar in this country has always stood for work; his continuing hard work and refreshing attitude will continue to bring outstanding success. What the sports are all about…….

  • nygrenk 3:14 am on September 12, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    Head-to-Head Sprint Work 

    Karl Nygren

    From the beautiful north woods lakeshore setting of Cresthill Resort to parking lots and suburb roads of Minneapolis training rolls on.  After a great camp up in Hayward the past week and a half a couple of us got together today for a really high quality sprint workout.  With fall weather in the air training is becoming more race specific.  We have been incorporating many short sprints into workouts and some sprint specific workouts to develop some speed.

    We have been mixing it up quite a bit to take advantage of all scenarios we might find ourselves in during races.  We practiced some starts head-to-head in a large vacant parking lot and then V1 up a nice kicker.

    I find it really helpful to always have a technique focus every time I get out and ski.  Lately, I have been really trying to get  my hips tucked up and forward while skate.  I have always known they should be forward so my weight is not back but lately I have been trying to get them even further forward so I maintain a better body position.  Technique improvement are always endless so before heading out training decide what nuance of technique you are going to improve.

     

  • gkuzzy 3:49 pm on September 10, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    Clean and Fit in Minocqua 

    Garrott Kuzzy

    On Wednesday, the CXC Elite squad made our annual pilgrimage to Kozeluh Family Dentistry in Minocqua.  As athletes on a budget with minimal health insurance, Dr Dave Kozeluh’s sponsorship of the CXC Team is perhaps the best sponsor we’ve got.  He cleans our teeth and keeps our smiles bright for when we stand on top of the podium.  If you live near Minocqua and are looking for a great dentist that supports skiing, be sure to give Dr Koz a call.

    In return for the clean teeth, the CXC Team athletes hosted a roller ski clinic at Premier Physical Wellness in Minocqua for local skiers of all abilities.  Dr Jim Mullen always helps us draw a big crowd.  Coach Gus Keading set up a challenging obstacle course, similar to the ones that we practice on regularly.

    Wayne Fish, father of legend Bryan Fish, tests out his balance and his new hip skiing backwards through the obstacle course

    Will has fun showing off his skills through the course

    Resistance Training

    Gus set up three stations to work on various aspects of skiing: Gregg led the plyometric station, teaching the basics of the “V2 Hop Skate.”  Karl led the power station, working on resistance training.  Jenny helped work on balance, having contests to see how far skiers could balance on one ski.

    Jenny Bender helps Tim prepare for the Birkie

    The highlight of the clinic was Pam Schoville’s Apple Bars and Rice Krispie Treats.  She wanted to make sure that Dr Koz stayed in business, so she brought some extra sugary snacks to share with the group.  What a treat!

     

  • jessdiggs 8:56 pm on September 9, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    The Clumsy Award…and cool pictures from Durango 

    By: Jessie Diggins

    So…I fall a lot. I fall often, and at inconvenient times. Like the first day of the USST camp in Sun Valley. On the warm up before a speed workout. When I hit the gravel, all thoughts of trying to make a good impression went straight out the window. On the other hand, it made me fearless. When your leg already looks like a pizza, you don’t really worry about falling anymore!

    Travis said I won the “toughness award”, but in reality it’s more like the “girl falls down, gets all bloody and is too embarrassed to complain award”. Oh well – can’t win ‘em all. The camp’s been great anyways – lots of super nice athletes from all over to train with!

    Here’s some sweet pictures from the last few days of my stay in Durango – this is Baker’s Bridge, a great place to jump from.

    Tad and I did a lot of interval workouts up Shalona. It is a super sweet hill – nice and long without much traffic!

    Tad cranking out some intervals

    We hiked up Hogsback, which overlooks the town the Fort Lewis, the college on the plateau.

    It was such a fun visit and I was sad to leave Durango. Now I’m in Sun Valley until the 19th and having a blast training!

     

  • Jennie Bender 2:37 am on September 8, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    Fudge puppies and Fried pickles 

    By Jennie Bender

    Australian battered potatoes, pig ear french fries, scotch eggs and meatballs, and batterfried cheese curds. My ski career would be a short one if I could tell you what all those tasted like, much less consisted of. But alas, since I moved to Minneapolis, I have heard continuous stories about the State fair and its glory.  Apparently close to one million people attended the previous year, and they have “everything possible to eat on a stick”. Growing up as a loyal Champlain Valley Fair go-er in good ol’ VT, this I had to check out. Endurance athletes have to have a fairly strict view of what we should and shouldn’t put in our bodies, so I relish in the once a year cultural experience of plunging head first into the valley of lard. Speaking of the devil, you could actually win your face carved into a 90 lb hunk of butter. Great party center piece, but what you do with it after, I’m not sure… 

     After parking far away and taking a bus to the entrance, I soon realized this would be a go with the flow afternoon, literally. You knew when you weren’t going with the flow. 

    I washed my hands….alot

     

     

     

    I decided I was going to have more of a smell don’t taste approach, yet after analyzing the options, decided I had to have at least one item on a stick. The giant pickled looked pretty nasty, right along with the double fist sized hunk a pork in a cone. Therefore I experienced  the “Fudge Puppy”, which is a Belgian waffle on a stick  covered in chocolate and whipped cream. Mmmm 

     

    Looking back, the Bucket of Cookies would have been pretty sweet. Thats right, an overflowing  bucket of cookies for six bucks. That along with the one dollar milk with free refills, who could go wrong?! 

    No wonder  Americans have food proportion issues. Trips like these remind me of yet another reason for why I live the athletic lifestyle that I do, although a little bit of good old fair food once a year never hurt anyone.

     

  • ericwolcott 6:30 pm on September 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    Hayward Camp 

    By: Eric Wolcott

    Currently the CXC elite crew is holding camp at Crest Hill Resort in Hayward, Wi. For most members of the team this morning’s three and a half hour over distance skate ski was the icing on the cake for one of the hardest intensity and highest volume training weeks of the summer. Along with the skate OD, the camp has been highlighted by a few tough interval sessions

    Thursday morning the team headed to Telemark Resort in Cable, Wi. for some threshold ski walking intervals and shorter, harder bounding intervals. After a summers worth of threshold intervals, it is always sweet to fire up the engines on high intensity bounding repeats. All of the crew meant business during the session and by the end of the workout everyone was feeling good about their efforts.

    The boys doing work

    After a specific strength session and recovery ski the team cranked up the intensity again on Saturday morning and held a mock classic sprint. The workout consisted of four rounds taking place on a rolling 1.2 km course. Although there was no elimination involved the workout was an excellent way to simulate a real sprint event and compare individual times.

     

  • ericwolcott 5:20 pm on September 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Hayward Camp   

     

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