Hello from Finn again!
The BSF Pro team has hit the road again for the first time in two months. This time the destination is Park City, Utah. Unlike the training camp in Coeur d’Alene, ID, where the goal was high intensity at low elevation, the main objective of this camp was undistracted, solid training. The totals hours are nothing crazy high, and the intensity sessions, nothing different than in Bozeman. However, bringing the team to a new place, allows for us athletes to have a break from our jobs, and form a consistent schedule of eat, train, sleep, repeat. It is especially nice for me as I normally work until 11pm at night. So being able to be in bed early and be rested for every workout, helps me optimize each training session.
As I said before, the training at this camp is no different from the training in Bozeman. But we have done a few workouts this week that were the focus, aside from mini basketball competitions in the basement. The three intensity sessions this week were both focused on L3. The first being 4x12 minutes running, the second 6x8minutes skating with the last 15 seconds fast, and the third was 4x5 kilometers classic.
For the skate intensity, we were lucky to join the University of Utah Utes, for the intervals. It’s always nice to link up with different athletes, especially the Utes, as they are a fast group of men and women. The “course” was rolling terrain with both steep and gradual hills, as well as fast descents. The last 15 seconds was a flat speed, to really work on strong finishes, without elevating the heart rate so much that is changes the workout. After a big meal, and a much needed nap, the team was off to the gym to start a new phase of strength, and my favorite, MAX Strength. As the season approaches, we are in one last phase of making the muscle we built this summer, stronger.
For the second intensity session of this week, we did a new US Ski Team Project, the 5K pace project. We modified the workout a bit, to be L3, and classic technique. Again we were fortunate to join the Utes, as well as the Sun Valley Gold Team.This workout I found myself really focusing on my striding technique. The roller ski track in Soldier Hollow offers long hills at a perfect grade for solid striding. While I was tempted to join the Utes, and the some US Ski Team Juniors, I wanted to focus on the main objective of the workout, keeping the heart rate in L3. After cooling down with some old teammates of UVM, and friends from Utah, it was time for a big meal, and of course a nap. Then back to the gym for MAX Strength.
The camp has been going well, and the excitement is growing fast for the upcoming season. The fitness feelings are getting better with each intensity workout and the technique is coming along nicely. Stay tuned for part 2 of the camp, where the team puts the bibs on for a classic sprint simulation and a skate distance time trial.
-Finn
