Thoughts on 2009 North American Birkebeiner

First of all an awesome event. At the Birke one can catch up with many old ski friends. It is an amazing atmosphere with all types and kinds of skiers well represented. The most rewarding parts last year were of course catching up with old friends enjoying the hospitality of my hosts the Bauer's. John also makes it a near impossibility to win the 40-45 age group. Actually cannot wait until he is again out of my age group.

This past year I was able t get there a couple of days in advance and help out with a National Guard Booth where we had an information on the Biathlon Program at the National Guard and help out at the TOKO tech team by answering questions about wax and waxing to many appreciative people.

Why am I going on about the Birke now anyway??

Well I watched under the power lines in the media player at Fasterskier.

Earlier this year some people had inquired as to what the heck I was thinking during that time?

It is very simple we are all addicted to Dopamine. Leading a race gives me a Dopamine high.

Not to mention that I buy lottery tickets occasionally and always think that I am going to win.

Also in the beginning of the Birke there were so many people, it was a pain to ski in the pack. In a pack that big it is easy to get caught up with some people and fall, break a pole, etc. I just wanted to thin it out a little.

Hope to be in the same position next year.

Quote Of the Week: ff

Will Mountain Biking Biathlon Training at Van Ho

Labor Day 2009

"It's not about the training it's about the Racing"

Most of us tend to focus on the training and for whatever the reason of the day is tend to under perform, not meet expectations come race day.

Unfortunately it is not about the training. It is about the results. At least for me this year. next year I can again start doing impossible workouts day after day. It is fun to go out and do hellatious rollerski, bike, running workouts. It is an awesome feeling to just be wasted from exhaustion. The daily hazing and abuse that I have endured for what seems like an eternity ( and am addicted to)would bring upon me being banned from coaching for life if the full truth was ever known. Even last year I can identify a couple of workouts that were just too much. The poor results that followed in retrospect were an almost certainty.

SkateMill Biathlon

These are video excerpts from this morning's Biathlon workout. It was 8 intervals followed with shooting for time and accuracy. It is quite amazing the lengths one old man will go to. To be competitive in the sport of Biathlon.

Labor Day Weekend

The weather was incredible in Lake Placid this weekend. Sunny not to warm. Being up there with near perfect conditions really makes me question why I am not there all the time.
Although I did not feel up to par all weekend I had some good training never the less. Saturday a time trial on my test course. After fixing my rollerski binding flex plate. Time was slower than I expected but felt a little under the weather. Sunday did easy running and shooting at Van Ho Biathlon Range I hired freelance Coaches Ripster and Will to help set up time and distract me.
Monday's training salvaged the weekend. I was able to utilize the complete loop at the new biathlon range in Lake Placid. My Daughter was the coach of the day.
It is interesting to compare skiing hard on the treadmill to rollerskiing in vivo. Onthe treadmill the speed is set and you have to maintain that speed never miss a stride or pole plant if you do not recover from the misshap you will fly off the back there is no forgiveness. On the treadmill you cannot slow down you have to adapt to the pace.
On the road you set the pace if you are skiing alone if you do no t pole hard then you go slow. YOu have to set your pace.. will fininsh later .....have to go to a court room for jury duty

State of the Nation

As the Ski season comes closer the focus of training must become more specific. Unlike most aspiring most athletes aspiring to make the Bus to the 2010 Olympics my training venues are limited by geography and time. Being a man I have adapted my environment to meet my needs. No glacier or summer skiing. Currently have my Children and Wife are digging a ski tunnel. Tim and Lowell will not come to my house after there last experience digging a tunnel under Area 132 in Lake Placid in their formative years. Not only are they World Class Biathletes but they can are also world class excavators. They can dig especially when augmented with a six pack of Coca-Cola.
Also we scrapped the Rollerski Biathlon loop we were scheduled to build this summer.

This is because the Punisher (Skatemill) Is all that I need.

One Man, One Mission, One Area, One Punisher, One Target, One Goal, One Result.

RIght now the focus and purpose is improving ski fitness and technique combined with adapting to shooting fast and furious.
Fortunately I can be shooting in about 20 seconds from dismounting from the Punisher.

The video above is from a short interval where I was post call( status post limited sleep due to working) after each interval I shot a biathlon stage. I only did twelve that morning.

The previous day it was 8 times 8 minutes at threshold combined with shooting. That is: Jumping off the Punisher sprinting 50 ft grab rifle put on back fire five shots sprint back to the Punisher and rock and roll. Every once in a while take a Lactate sample and adjust speed of the Punisher.

My life is getting very simple. Work, Date with the Punisher, ski Specific strength, repeat, Bike about once a week.

No glaciers no, ski tunnels etc. Boring and I Love it!!