I’ve been looking forward to Lake Placid women’s camp since I first heard about it this March. With some big names retiring at the close of the Olympic year, there was a general understanding that things would feel different. This camp was designed to bring some of the best US women from a wide range of ages together to train, get to know each other, and develop a vision of where we want this team to go.
When I say “this team,” I mean U.S. women’s skiing. We had 15 women attend camp, ranging in age from 17 to 29. This collective represents so many different club teams, college teams, high school teams, World Cup teams, Junior World/U23 teams; the list goes on. I’d like to think that when we spend time talking about team values and goals at camp, those ideas and beliefs spread to the teams that these athletes are and will be a part of.
I strongly believe you need to be together, in person, to build a strong team culture. In a sport where we can train on our own, or with teammates at home, there are always going to be incentives to stay where we are and not disrupt our routine, for fear of getting sick or overdoing it. We often hear the mantra of “better together,” and while I subscribe to this adage, I rarely examine what exactly I gain from training with others.
With my first BSF blog post on the horizon, I began to reflect on moments at camp when the power of the group felt especially strong:
1. 5x3 min L4 double-pole intervals
This was our first interval set as a group. We skied straight out the door from the Olympic Training Center to the slightly uphill terrain of Bear Cub Lane. Given the age range of the group, I think we all expected the pack to spread out a bit. But interval after interval, the squad stayed together. I haven’t done much double-pole intensity this year, and by following behind people I was able to ski much faster than I would have on my own.
2. Many nights of Dutch Blitz
I first learned how to play Dutch Blitz at the Haig Glacier a few weeks ago and quickly became addicted. Emma brought her Dutch Blitz cards to Lake Placid and more people learned how to play. As the crowd grew, we scrounged up other decks of cards and played in pairs so more people could participate. Emma and Julia are our current Dutch Blitz wizards, so I’m gonna get my own deck to practice before next camp and take them down.
3. Long run
On Sunday we set foot in the Adirondacks for a four-and-a-half-hour run/hike adventure up Mt. Algonquin, the second-highest mountain in New York. Though the day was foggy, the trail was busy, and it felt pretty cool to cruise up the mountain with a fast group of women. At the four-hour mark, Haley remarked that it felt like we hadn’t been out there for long at all, and the rest of the crew agreed.
We ended camp on a high note, with a strong consensus that we need to have this camp next year. In a few weeks, much of the crew will head to Park City for a fall camp of training, racing, and, of course, more card games.
-Ava
