After a two week break and some great skiing at home (despite some low snowfall), the MOD Squad has arrived fit and healthy in Anchorage, Alaska for the 2010 US National Championships and World Junior/U23/Canmore World Cup/Olympic Trials. Lots going on. We're feeling super; this is a huge change from last year especially for Erik and I, as we arrived in Alaska a year ago with colds. Now we're feeling super strong and snappy, ready to attack Saturday's skate sprint, the first of the series.
I've decided (with persuasion from our hardy readers) to be a bit more diligent on the blogging front, to expand the content to include tidbits of our lifestyle (which at times can be boring, then exciting, and everything in between), complete with pictures. Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera cord up here this week but we should have a card reader by tomorrow and I'll start uploading pictures. They are, after all, worth 1000 words. But for now I must ask you to be satisfied with mere words.
Our flight up from Seattle was uneventful; after an easy drive from the Methow complete with a stop in Cashmere for our requisite Rusty burgers (some of the best drive-thru fare you could ever have; stop the next time you're in town!), we got to the airport and connived the baggage check lady to take our very-slightly overweight items. Sadie, however, insisted on carrying on her huge foam roller and we were busy thinking of excuses for her insistence should she be questioned. But no problems there; I imagine the flight attendants thought it was a comfort object, something akin to a teddy bear for athletes.
The flight itself was, as I say, uneventful. Scott and I sat together in an all-too-crowded row and quite near some mystery person who had clearly been getting plenty of starch in their diet, because the stank was overpowering. Breathing through my mouth for the majority of the trip I thought of clean sheets and fresh air and tried to survive.
Anchorage isn't too cold this year and there's ample snow. We've had two days on course so far and things are looking great. I got my broken skate pole promptly replaced by Hallsey (Fischer racing director) and all is well. Scott has been out testing skis all morning so we'll have some beta to go on for tomorrow's pre-race ski picking. Tune in for more later, plus pictures!
Follow the MOD Squad
In an attempt to make it easier for our supporters, sponsors, friends and family to follow our race results and travels, we've updated our MOD website's calendar. Now you can go to: http://methowolympicdevelopment.com/calendar and not only see where or when we're racing, but also find results. Just click on the given day's event and copy the link in the pop-up to find the results page.
Thanks for support the MOD Squad!
Thanks for support the MOD Squad!
Uncover the Speed
This past weekend was another tough one for the MOD Squad. We took part in two NorAm Cup races in Silver Star, B.C. where the competition rivals that of a National Championships. For the Canadians it determined Olympic team alternates, for the Americans it was another chance to earn those crucial points which would help pick our own 2010 Team. Sadie, Erik and I all went in hoping that we could turn around the pattern of disappointing races (with the notable exception of Sadie's sprint result in Bozeman) and post a result to hang our hats on. For Saturday's 15K skate race it was not to be; the continued fatigue resulting from our bout of overtraining earlier this fall prevented strong performances from any of us. Sadie posted a 22nd place finish and Erik and I were 64th and 59th, respectively.
After Saturday's race I clenched my jaw and looked towards Sunday. A skate sprint, it was my best event. Despite the fatigue, despite the poor performances that were already stacking up in the season, I was steadfast in my belief that I can throw down some speed. We had excellent speed and intensity training this year, and are confident that those abilities have remained intact. However, knowing that I probably didn't have the stamina to be strong through all the heats, I set my sights on posting the strongest performance I could in the qualifying time trial. I started strong and tried to save my turbo for the final straightaway in the stadium. Despite this strategy, I certainly didn't have "snap" across that finishing stretch; rather, I flung myself across the line in a somewhat haphazard frenzy. But soon after I finished I was told by several coaches and spectators that my time was well in range of the top guys. When the results list came out, I was 8th overall, 5th American. In a similar fashion, Sadie drove herself to a solid 16th and Erik was 32nd overall and 1st junior.
My quarterfinal was more indicative of my current state. I again approached it with the damn-the-torpedoes mentality that if I had only one ounce of strength left, I was gonna leave it all on the trail. But 200m into the race I got tangled with two other skiers and went down, watching the five others ski away. There was no way I could regain the pack and hope to move on; they had put probably 10-15sec on me at that point. I jumped up and focused on a strategy of fighting my way back to at least finish in close proximity. I gained back maybe 8-10sec of what I lost in the fall by the finish, and was completely spent.
These early season races have taught us a hard lesson which we have all taken to heart, but from my perspective it's been essential experience for us all. Aside from discovering where we need to show prudence in our training, these races have shown our strengths. Fighting through fatigue and flatness we have all posted significant results in the sprints, displaying our innate speed and power which needs only to be fostered with more rest to show its true potential. I'm confident we'll be ready for Nationals in two weeks and will earn redemption for these early struggles. The fight continues.
After Saturday's race I clenched my jaw and looked towards Sunday. A skate sprint, it was my best event. Despite the fatigue, despite the poor performances that were already stacking up in the season, I was steadfast in my belief that I can throw down some speed. We had excellent speed and intensity training this year, and are confident that those abilities have remained intact. However, knowing that I probably didn't have the stamina to be strong through all the heats, I set my sights on posting the strongest performance I could in the qualifying time trial. I started strong and tried to save my turbo for the final straightaway in the stadium. Despite this strategy, I certainly didn't have "snap" across that finishing stretch; rather, I flung myself across the line in a somewhat haphazard frenzy. But soon after I finished I was told by several coaches and spectators that my time was well in range of the top guys. When the results list came out, I was 8th overall, 5th American. In a similar fashion, Sadie drove herself to a solid 16th and Erik was 32nd overall and 1st junior.
My quarterfinal was more indicative of my current state. I again approached it with the damn-the-torpedoes mentality that if I had only one ounce of strength left, I was gonna leave it all on the trail. But 200m into the race I got tangled with two other skiers and went down, watching the five others ski away. There was no way I could regain the pack and hope to move on; they had put probably 10-15sec on me at that point. I jumped up and focused on a strategy of fighting my way back to at least finish in close proximity. I gained back maybe 8-10sec of what I lost in the fall by the finish, and was completely spent.
These early season races have taught us a hard lesson which we have all taken to heart, but from my perspective it's been essential experience for us all. Aside from discovering where we need to show prudence in our training, these races have shown our strengths. Fighting through fatigue and flatness we have all posted significant results in the sprints, displaying our innate speed and power which needs only to be fostered with more rest to show its true potential. I'm confident we'll be ready for Nationals in two weeks and will earn redemption for these early struggles. The fight continues.
A Little Redemption
The Bozeman Super Tour Skate Sprint just finished up this afternoon. It was a windy and raw day at Lindley park right in downtown. But it was a heart warming sight to see Sadie coming back into form. Today I began to see the SUPER SADIE again.
It was clear to me while spending time talking and training with Sadie yesterday that she has her game on again and was ready to fight it out today.
The qualifying time trial was held at 9 with Sadie going out 11th. She looked very smooth and relaxed and ended up 8th fastest just under 4 seconds back of Caitlin Compton who lead by 1.5 seconds.
The heats got underway at noon with Sadie's quarter final running at 12:20. She had tough competition all the way through with Laura Valaas in each of her heats.
Sadie lead from the gun in each heat taking a commanding lead by the time she exited the stadium. She was able lead the entire quarter final only being challenged by Valaas on the last short steep hill into the stadium where Sadie's superior speed came into play.
In the semi final she once again took an early lead but three women slipped past her by the half way point. Once again, however, she out sprinted them in the last 200 meters. This included the eventual race winner Holly Brooks. So, this advanced her into the A final.
The final heat looked like it might be a replay as Sadie stormed out of the stadium in the lead. Holly made her move after about 400meters and Sadie could not respond. Skiing from the front in the other heats had cost her too much energy and she dropped to 6th place. All day long I had seen the fire that has made Sadie the champion that she is but this last heat is where I really saw the grit that shows what she is made of. On the last hill leading into the stadium she poured on that amazing sprint; jump skating past Valaas into 5th place.
While it is clear that Sadie is not fully back into form yet the change from last weekend is remarkable and this result is a validation of the benefits of our speed training all summer.
Twiddlin' My Thumbs
I'm five days into a mandatory rest period following our West Yellowstone debacle. The weather in Mazama has been cold and clear, with the only skiing being a very icy 4km out-and-back at Klipchuck campground. Still, it's better than rollerskiing; in fact, today was my first day back skiing. Yesterday I performed a brief, "testing the waters" strength workout with some C2 doublepoling and light weights, followed by a massage from Alison Hanks. I woke up this morning feeling pretty decent so took a chance on skis. I'm not dead yet, so things must be looking up.
With luck, by the end of this weekend I'll be confident with my full recovery. If that is the case, and if Erik is in the same boat, we'll head up to Silver Star early next week to get in a bit of speed training to revive ourselves before next weekend's races, and our return to the circuit. I'm also really hoping I'll have those few extra days at Silver Star so I can do some testing on the new classic boards which Rita at Winthrop Mountain Sports generously provided for me.
Scott and Sadie are in Bozeman, preparing for tomorrow's sprint race where Sadie will kick some serious booty to make up for Erik's and my absence. For us, it's still a waiting game. And like it's written on the Post-Its on my front door, my refrigerator, my toilet and next to my alarm clock: Patience.
With luck, by the end of this weekend I'll be confident with my full recovery. If that is the case, and if Erik is in the same boat, we'll head up to Silver Star early next week to get in a bit of speed training to revive ourselves before next weekend's races, and our return to the circuit. I'm also really hoping I'll have those few extra days at Silver Star so I can do some testing on the new classic boards which Rita at Winthrop Mountain Sports generously provided for me.
Scott and Sadie are in Bozeman, preparing for tomorrow's sprint race where Sadie will kick some serious booty to make up for Erik's and my absence. For us, it's still a waiting game. And like it's written on the Post-Its on my front door, my refrigerator, my toilet and next to my alarm clock: Patience.
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