Classic Time Trial

We had a classic time trial on Saturday. This went well although this was the coldest weather we have been in this year, probably around 8-10F by start, perhaps colder. There was no wind so it certainly could have been worse. This made for some great classic skiing and I think everyone put in a solid effort considering we are heading into exams and I am sure that most aren't getting enough sleep. Robin took the win in the women's 12K, looking about the best I have seen her in the 4 years she has been on the team. Steve won the men's 17K which is exciting to have a freshmen do. You can see the full results on the team information page, there is a link to the right.
Today it snowed about a foot with more on the way according the weather, this made for some rather tough skate skiing this morning but we won't complain about the snow.
Right now I am waiting to see results from the opening Eastern Cup races in Presque Isle, ME. Ben Knowles left Friday as he was already finished with classes and exams for the semester.

Mass Start practice

We worked on classic mass start within an interval set today. To do this master groomer Bob Washo set up the lanes on the beach parking lot at Higley, setting up a lane funnel of 5 to 3 to 1 in an effort to mimic a real start area. It actually came out pretty good. The weather wasn't great for classic skiing 32/33F and snowing a little bit so everyone either had to little or to much kick. Even so they all put forth a solid effort and it ended up being a really fun workout, something we will definitely do again. If I remember I will try putting up some of the video clips from the starts tomorrow morning. It seems to take an exceptionally long time to upload them, maybe better in the morning.

Some photos from yesterday's race

Is Hunter just going really fast or is it just Johannah's superb picture-taking ability...

Yesterday was a fun first race day, and the team looks really great! I think we can finally begin our countdown to the carnival season...

NYSEF opener

We just got back from the NYSEF opener in Lake Placid today. It was a 10K freestyle for everyone. Conditions were quite soft but still great for this time of year.
The big story on the day was Ben Knowles kicking it into high gear with about 2K left and winning the race. This is quite exciting for a guy who has been sidelined the past two years between back injury and mono. I havn't seen results yet but they should be posted on nysef.org by this evening perhaps sooner. Kalie was first for the team on the womens side, close behind 3 or 4 of the Middlebury girls. For our first race this season I am really please with how everyone performed. Sure there were some that weren't really happy with their race but it sounds like these were not fitness related issues so I am not to worried, we can't have our best day everyday and there is plenty of racing still to come.
I hope those reading, the team included can forgive me for not including something about everyone.
As for my race, I think it was reasonable considering my training.

Higley and lots of snow

Some pictures from intervals at Higley yesterday. It is getting really good there now with a solid classic track. Its great to have such good conditions this early on and the forecast also looks favorable over the next couple weeks. Everyone is getting really excited for the opening race in Lake Placid on Saturday. I guess we will see how ready we are. They are even grooming the golf course on campus now which is great for those that have late classes.

Gatineu was sweet

Near mid winter conditions on about 3-5inches of hard packed snow at Gatineu in Ottawa/Hull today. The trails were in fantastic shape with a quality double track set which along with single digit temps made for some great classic skiing. After about 2.5 hours with some no pole skiing about halfway through we hit the Tim Hortons and headed home. Tomorrow we are skiing at Higley our home training site, not enough to set track yet but the report is that we have decent coverage on the main trails so after a good night freeze up should be fine for skate skiing. Hoping that the Sunday night storm is a good one, trying not to get my hopes up, just glad we have some skiing nearby.