No I'm not sponsored by Adidas, but this video is quality.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Haywood Nationals '08
Last week was Haywood Canadian Nationals in the Callaghan Valley in British Columbia, the site of the 2010 Olympics for cross country. It was amazing to ski on the Olympic trails. The courses were very challenging, with big climbs and technical downhills. The weather on the ther hand was less than breath taking. The temperatures consistently fluctuated around the freexing mark, which made for classic waxing very difficult.
I was very pleased with my classic team sprint with Mon Nordic teammate Jeff Ellis, placing 6th out of 35 teams. It set up the week nicely, knowing that I was feeling good and skiing well. The 10k classic race was a focus for me, so I was ready to go feeling good, and a dismal 41st place took a hard hit on the confidence. It started snowing fat heavy wet flakes 20m minutes before the start, our klister was icing bad so our coach and tech decided to race on ‘harries’ (just roughing up the kick pocket with sand paper) others used the same idea on chemical based skis. The chemical based skis seemed to hold onto the grip a little better, as our home made one made it through only the first lap of 3.3k. It was too bad, as the only skis I had at the site were klister skis, and my soft pair that could have worked better in harry conditions were left at the cabin. But it was interesting the top male skied on harries, and the second placed skied on a klister hard wax combo. So it was hit and miss, some had good skis, some not so much.
The skate race, I had little to no energy, warming up, I was worried as I felt like cement had filled my viens and arteries, and this has happened in other skate races too, I try to dig deeper and ski faster, knowing that I can but when called upon my legs just don’t have the juice. The track was really greasy with fresh wet compacted snow, so it made balance a major issue and the small shin muscles burn and seize.
The sprints were on par with my sprinting ability this year, slow.
And the final day, 50k classic. Again classic I prefer, so I was excited. Waxing again was a nightmare for our techs, with snow on and off, and warming temperature. The first two laps I had great skis, griping well, and fast on the downhills. I was sitting right were I wanted to be, relaxed, comfortable. Then the third lap with the warming conditions my skis started icing on the big climbs, I was running on stilts at the top, pulling off to the side to scrap off the snow and ice, before decending. After a lap of run, scrap, run, scrap, it warmed up enough that it wasn’t icing anymore, great…which meant now, no grip. I finished the race, I know it doesn’t seem like an accomplishment, but I was pleased that I fought through the decision point to quit, others dropped out, and maybe for ego and confidence, that might have been the better choice, but I feel commitment goes a long way in this game. The people who are successful in skiing got there in may different ways but the one trait they all share is that they are still skiing, still finishing the good and the bad races, still committed.
I’ve got some pretty major decisions to make with skiing, training, racing and work, but I’ve decided to commit, no one said this was going to be easy, and what fun would it be if it was, so I’ve got to take a look at what went well this year and what didn’t and try to pin point why, and then make some plans for the following year.
This week, the bunch of us have stuck around in Whistler to do some downhill skiing and snowboarding. So lets hope for some fresh powder and come clear days.
Thanks for everyone’s support this year, I really appreciate it.
I was very pleased with my classic team sprint with Mon Nordic teammate Jeff Ellis, placing 6th out of 35 teams. It set up the week nicely, knowing that I was feeling good and skiing well. The 10k classic race was a focus for me, so I was ready to go feeling good, and a dismal 41st place took a hard hit on the confidence. It started snowing fat heavy wet flakes 20m minutes before the start, our klister was icing bad so our coach and tech decided to race on ‘harries’ (just roughing up the kick pocket with sand paper) others used the same idea on chemical based skis. The chemical based skis seemed to hold onto the grip a little better, as our home made one made it through only the first lap of 3.3k. It was too bad, as the only skis I had at the site were klister skis, and my soft pair that could have worked better in harry conditions were left at the cabin. But it was interesting the top male skied on harries, and the second placed skied on a klister hard wax combo. So it was hit and miss, some had good skis, some not so much.
The skate race, I had little to no energy, warming up, I was worried as I felt like cement had filled my viens and arteries, and this has happened in other skate races too, I try to dig deeper and ski faster, knowing that I can but when called upon my legs just don’t have the juice. The track was really greasy with fresh wet compacted snow, so it made balance a major issue and the small shin muscles burn and seize.
The sprints were on par with my sprinting ability this year, slow.
And the final day, 50k classic. Again classic I prefer, so I was excited. Waxing again was a nightmare for our techs, with snow on and off, and warming temperature. The first two laps I had great skis, griping well, and fast on the downhills. I was sitting right were I wanted to be, relaxed, comfortable. Then the third lap with the warming conditions my skis started icing on the big climbs, I was running on stilts at the top, pulling off to the side to scrap off the snow and ice, before decending. After a lap of run, scrap, run, scrap, it warmed up enough that it wasn’t icing anymore, great…which meant now, no grip. I finished the race, I know it doesn’t seem like an accomplishment, but I was pleased that I fought through the decision point to quit, others dropped out, and maybe for ego and confidence, that might have been the better choice, but I feel commitment goes a long way in this game. The people who are successful in skiing got there in may different ways but the one trait they all share is that they are still skiing, still finishing the good and the bad races, still committed.
I’ve got some pretty major decisions to make with skiing, training, racing and work, but I’ve decided to commit, no one said this was going to be easy, and what fun would it be if it was, so I’ve got to take a look at what went well this year and what didn’t and try to pin point why, and then make some plans for the following year.
This week, the bunch of us have stuck around in Whistler to do some downhill skiing and snowboarding. So lets hope for some fresh powder and come clear days.
Thanks for everyone’s support this year, I really appreciate it.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Reipas Sports Complex, with a hint of Norway
-5C, cold, old snow, perfect day for a double pole HAMMER FEST. Today was a 7k classic race at the Tapiola Reipas Sports Complex, here in Thunder Bay. It was well attended, with the usuals: Steevfe Hart, Chris Butler, Timo Purias, Mike Somppi, Werner Schwar, and myself. As a must at the Reipas Club, you have to have the Finnish Weiners, I couldn’t wait until after the race, it’s tradition.
It was a mostly flat loop of 3.5k with a few gradual uphills, and downhills and one steep harring-bone hill. Butler (a.k.a Boerre Naess) and I ( a.k.a Tor Arne Hetland) decided we would test our double pole strength by doing the 7k on skate skis with skate poles. Steevfe gave in to peer pressure and skied on skate skis aswell, but opting for the shorter classic poles. Somppi held fast sticking to his classic Hibbies…Only time will tell.
17 minutes or so later, after completely hammering, the standings were as follows:
1st- Steevfe
2nd- Somppi
3rd- Hetland
4th- Naess
5th- Timo
So although Somppi got us marginally I felt very pleased to have put an awesome ski in hammering the double pole. Next time I feel that choosing the shorter classic poles may be been a wiser decision, and with doing no double poling with skate poles, I’ve found an interesting set of rhomboid muscles between my shoulder blades that have been torn to shreds, I think Naess’ lats took the brunt of his skate double poling.
Next week, some solid resting with sprints, and off to Callaghan Valley Thursday.
Some short videos by an enthusiastic Pate Neumann of Hetland, and Naess harring-bone up a short steep climb.
It was a mostly flat loop of 3.5k with a few gradual uphills, and downhills and one steep harring-bone hill. Butler (a.k.a Boerre Naess) and I ( a.k.a Tor Arne Hetland) decided we would test our double pole strength by doing the 7k on skate skis with skate poles. Steevfe gave in to peer pressure and skied on skate skis aswell, but opting for the shorter classic poles. Somppi held fast sticking to his classic Hibbies…Only time will tell.
17 minutes or so later, after completely hammering, the standings were as follows:
1st- Steevfe
2nd- Somppi
3rd- Hetland
4th- Naess
5th- Timo
So although Somppi got us marginally I felt very pleased to have put an awesome ski in hammering the double pole. Next time I feel that choosing the shorter classic poles may be been a wiser decision, and with doing no double poling with skate poles, I’ve found an interesting set of rhomboid muscles between my shoulder blades that have been torn to shreds, I think Naess’ lats took the brunt of his skate double poling.
Next week, some solid resting with sprints, and off to Callaghan Valley Thursday.
Some short videos by an enthusiastic Pate Neumann of Hetland, and Naess harring-bone up a short steep climb.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Rollin' with Heat
Hopped into the van this morning headed to Kamview for the 10k continuous pursuit at Kamview Nordic Ski Centre, and what was the first song pumping through the speakers, my fav "Rollin with Heat" by The Roots- featuring Talib Kweli. I knew the day had started in a good direction. Everyone had planned to race, except Jesse who is on the edge of something so with only a week before nationals it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Chris, Pate, Thomsen, Mike, and I along with the Thunder Bay boys of Steevfe Hart, Luke V., and Chris Ham to name a few, headed out on our first leg of 5k classic. Chris hammered the first leg, Steefe sitting comfortably in his draft, and the rest of us holding on, hoping not to blow up. My skis were fast opting for less grip as it was a fairly flat course, there were rumours that some people were going to attempt to do the classic portion on skate skis, none followed through.
Timo, annililated a crossing chipmunk, poory little feller, scooted just past me, but took the brunt of the Fins weight behind me. Timo took the glory of having the fastest classic time putting on a solid push coming into the stadium and transition area. Butler and I out of the front group were out of the transition first putting a little gap on the field, I let him know by chirpping, but Butler opted to settle into a solid groove before hitting the Upper Cut, a solid climb at Kamview. The lead group was now Chris, myself, Steevfe, and Somppi, with Timo and Pate in the chase group.
Chris pushed the tempo up a smaller hill, dropping the failing Somppi, to our frustration, he immeidately caught back up on the pursuiing donwhill, again the the so called 'hibbies'- Peltonens were running well. The final downhill lead me slowly past Chris with Sompii and his 'hibbies' on my heels, I pushed hard into the finishing stretch not really know how I was going to outlast them in a sprint. Rounded the final corner, and opened the throttle up. Edging out Somppi in a long legged lunge, with Steevfe a boot length behind, and Chris crossing right after. I won!
5th was Timo, 6th Pate, 7th Luke, 8th Thomsen. Awesome fun, again Peter Crooks at Kamview had the course immaculate, and Bert V and the volunteers put together a solid race.
Special thanks to Chris Butler for putting down a punishing pace and leading for the majority of the race. Somppi and I were pleased, as this is a good sign going into nationals next week.
Thanks again, hope you enjoyed the race.
Phil
also had an interview with the local t.v station, I don't recommend tuning in, flushed and out of breath I didn't have much to say.
Chris, Pate, Thomsen, Mike, and I along with the Thunder Bay boys of Steevfe Hart, Luke V., and Chris Ham to name a few, headed out on our first leg of 5k classic. Chris hammered the first leg, Steefe sitting comfortably in his draft, and the rest of us holding on, hoping not to blow up. My skis were fast opting for less grip as it was a fairly flat course, there were rumours that some people were going to attempt to do the classic portion on skate skis, none followed through.
Timo, annililated a crossing chipmunk, poory little feller, scooted just past me, but took the brunt of the Fins weight behind me. Timo took the glory of having the fastest classic time putting on a solid push coming into the stadium and transition area. Butler and I out of the front group were out of the transition first putting a little gap on the field, I let him know by chirpping, but Butler opted to settle into a solid groove before hitting the Upper Cut, a solid climb at Kamview. The lead group was now Chris, myself, Steevfe, and Somppi, with Timo and Pate in the chase group.
Chris pushed the tempo up a smaller hill, dropping the failing Somppi, to our frustration, he immeidately caught back up on the pursuiing donwhill, again the the so called 'hibbies'- Peltonens were running well. The final downhill lead me slowly past Chris with Sompii and his 'hibbies' on my heels, I pushed hard into the finishing stretch not really know how I was going to outlast them in a sprint. Rounded the final corner, and opened the throttle up. Edging out Somppi in a long legged lunge, with Steevfe a boot length behind, and Chris crossing right after. I won!
5th was Timo, 6th Pate, 7th Luke, 8th Thomsen. Awesome fun, again Peter Crooks at Kamview had the course immaculate, and Bert V and the volunteers put together a solid race.
Special thanks to Chris Butler for putting down a punishing pace and leading for the majority of the race. Somppi and I were pleased, as this is a good sign going into nationals next week.
Thanks again, hope you enjoyed the race.
Phil
also had an interview with the local t.v station, I don't recommend tuning in, flushed and out of breath I didn't have much to say.
Sibley
Results from last weekends Sibley 20k and 50k Skate races.
Men's 20k:
FINAL Place FINAL BIB
PLACE Division Div TIME PACE NO. NAME
1 1/15 16-19 53:42.85 2:42 666 Luke Viljakainen
2 2/15 16-19 53:43.65 2:42 550 Michael Sumppi
3 1/17 20-29 53:45.35 2:42 549 Phil Wood
4 3/15 16-19 53:47.20 2:42 548 Thomsen D'Hont
5 4/15 16-19 55:38.00 2:47 321 Christopher Hamilton
Men's 50k:
FINAL Place FINAL BIB
PLACE Division Div TIME PACE NO. NAME
1 1/18 20-29 2:19:03.40 2:47 231 Stephen Hart
2 2/18 20-29 2:19:49.45 2:48 143 Murray Carter
3 3/18 20-29 2:24:29.55 2:54 134 Nikolai Anikin
4 1/37 40-49 2:24:37.70 2:54 190 Bernie Lacourciere
5 2/37 40-49 2:27:08.30 2:57 96 Werner Schwar
Women's 50k:
FINAL Place FINAL BIB
PLACE Division Div TIME PACE NO. NAME
1 1/11 30-39 2:43:18.05 3:16 209 Brook Latimer
2 1/13 20-29 2:48:01.75 3:22 47 Kerrie Fabius
3 2/13 20-29 2:52:12.60 3:27 144 Erin Carter
4 1/18 40-49 2:54:34.30 3:30 150 Janet Findlay
5 2/18 40-49 2:55:25.10 3:31 125 Deborah Sussex
It was a perfect day, hard track temperatures around -5C. The pace was pretty comfortable for the first 10k with the group working together. Then after the 20k’ers turned off the fun began. Chris Hamilton pulled the grouped a little then stood up waiting a break. I hadn’t led up till that point, so it was my turn. We passed the 14k mark, 6 to go. I didn’t want it to come down to a sprint finish so I’d thought I’d try to push the pace a little and see if I could break away to avoid being outsprinted. The course coming into the final few kilometers are rolling with no climbs, so more or less flat. We had a punishing one-skate going and I thought I was dropping them, after the 18k marker I turned around hoping to only see Sompii, who I could hear. Unfortunately the group of Luke, Thomsen, and Somppi were all still in toe. I thought I can’t hold this pace till the end and still have a sprint, so I let up, and tried to draft to keep some energy till the finish. With a few hundred meters to go, everyone skiing on a hair trigger, wondering when the attack would happen, Luke pulled up beside me, Somppi leading around a slower skier doing the 10k race. Somppi goes right, Luke gets an edge on me left, and that relegated me to third, coming into the final stretch. My sprint finish held off Thomsen, but couldn’t gain anytime on Luke or Somppi.
It was a fun race, and it was good pushing the pace and seeing how my body handled skiing out front and the tactics involved. I’ve learned that to break away on a group on a flat course, you have to hammer, and hammer hard, and long to really break it up. A little more undulation in the course may have created what I needed to break off the front. Good experience. Good times, Good race.
Special thanks to Peter Crooks grooming into the wee hours of the night to make Sibley’s grooming absolutely perfect. Well done to the organizing staff, with nearly 1000 participants.
Cheers
Men's 20k:
FINAL Place FINAL BIB
PLACE Division Div TIME PACE NO. NAME
1 1/15 16-19 53:42.85 2:42 666 Luke Viljakainen
2 2/15 16-19 53:43.65 2:42 550 Michael Sumppi
3 1/17 20-29 53:45.35 2:42 549 Phil Wood
4 3/15 16-19 53:47.20 2:42 548 Thomsen D'Hont
5 4/15 16-19 55:38.00 2:47 321 Christopher Hamilton
Men's 50k:
FINAL Place FINAL BIB
PLACE Division Div TIME PACE NO. NAME
1 1/18 20-29 2:19:03.40 2:47 231 Stephen Hart
2 2/18 20-29 2:19:49.45 2:48 143 Murray Carter
3 3/18 20-29 2:24:29.55 2:54 134 Nikolai Anikin
4 1/37 40-49 2:24:37.70 2:54 190 Bernie Lacourciere
5 2/37 40-49 2:27:08.30 2:57 96 Werner Schwar
Women's 50k:
FINAL Place FINAL BIB
PLACE Division Div TIME PACE NO. NAME
1 1/11 30-39 2:43:18.05 3:16 209 Brook Latimer
2 1/13 20-29 2:48:01.75 3:22 47 Kerrie Fabius
3 2/13 20-29 2:52:12.60 3:27 144 Erin Carter
4 1/18 40-49 2:54:34.30 3:30 150 Janet Findlay
5 2/18 40-49 2:55:25.10 3:31 125 Deborah Sussex
It was a perfect day, hard track temperatures around -5C. The pace was pretty comfortable for the first 10k with the group working together. Then after the 20k’ers turned off the fun began. Chris Hamilton pulled the grouped a little then stood up waiting a break. I hadn’t led up till that point, so it was my turn. We passed the 14k mark, 6 to go. I didn’t want it to come down to a sprint finish so I’d thought I’d try to push the pace a little and see if I could break away to avoid being outsprinted. The course coming into the final few kilometers are rolling with no climbs, so more or less flat. We had a punishing one-skate going and I thought I was dropping them, after the 18k marker I turned around hoping to only see Sompii, who I could hear. Unfortunately the group of Luke, Thomsen, and Somppi were all still in toe. I thought I can’t hold this pace till the end and still have a sprint, so I let up, and tried to draft to keep some energy till the finish. With a few hundred meters to go, everyone skiing on a hair trigger, wondering when the attack would happen, Luke pulled up beside me, Somppi leading around a slower skier doing the 10k race. Somppi goes right, Luke gets an edge on me left, and that relegated me to third, coming into the final stretch. My sprint finish held off Thomsen, but couldn’t gain anytime on Luke or Somppi.
It was a fun race, and it was good pushing the pace and seeing how my body handled skiing out front and the tactics involved. I’ve learned that to break away on a group on a flat course, you have to hammer, and hammer hard, and long to really break it up. A little more undulation in the course may have created what I needed to break off the front. Good experience. Good times, Good race.
Special thanks to Peter Crooks grooming into the wee hours of the night to make Sibley’s grooming absolutely perfect. Well done to the organizing staff, with nearly 1000 participants.
Cheers
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sibley...AWESOME
Some more pictures. Don't tell my Mom I was dangling my legs over 100m lookout. She thought I was squimish about heights...ha.
Phil, Timo, and Mike at the Lookout
What a ski! Sibley has yet to let me down. Thomsen, Mike, Timo and I got out to the park ready for a great ski. But it turned out to be incredible, we skied 4.5 hours on amazing trails, sun blazing warming from -5 to just above 0. I skied on a new pair of skis I have been working in. They have a fairly aggressive wet grind in the base, so I was hoping it was going to warm up to really try them out. They were rocket fast, they were skiing well in the morning when it was colder, but really pulled away from the other guys when it started warming.
Great ski boys, great ski.
The Sibley ski tour is next weekend, the boys and I will probably do the 20k skate, and the men will pound out the 50k skate. It would be an awesome race, but for us it's too close to nationals to try to get in adequate recovery, while still getting in a good two weeks of training. But I'm really looking forward to next weekend at Sibley.
Phil, Timo, and Mike at the LookoutWhat a ski! Sibley has yet to let me down. Thomsen, Mike, Timo and I got out to the park ready for a great ski. But it turned out to be incredible, we skied 4.5 hours on amazing trails, sun blazing warming from -5 to just above 0. I skied on a new pair of skis I have been working in. They have a fairly aggressive wet grind in the base, so I was hoping it was going to warm up to really try them out. They were rocket fast, they were skiing well in the morning when it was colder, but really pulled away from the other guys when it started warming.
Great ski boys, great ski.
The Sibley ski tour is next weekend, the boys and I will probably do the 20k skate, and the men will pound out the 50k skate. It would be an awesome race, but for us it's too close to nationals to try to get in adequate recovery, while still getting in a good two weeks of training. But I'm really looking forward to next weekend at Sibley.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Lappe Part 2, and Biathlon
Day two of the Lappe Invitational was a skate about 12k, pursuit start. I started 25 seconds or so ahead of Jeremy Hecker and Timo. My game plan was to go out conservative and then finish strong. I knew they would catch me, it was just a matter of time. They caught me going down into the swamp. Jeremy and his hibby's were rockets, standing up behind me in my draft trying not to run me over. Timo put a push on up Massaro's trying to drop the young grasshopper, Hecker, I suppose. He caught up easily on the downhill. Timo's energy reserves were dwindling, Hecker and I carried on, I let him lead at his pace for the time leading up to Klukie Line. In the warmup I had skied Klukies well and felt I would make my move on it. I pulled up beside Jeremy, and said "you ready?" He said, "yup" and we took off. It was fun, I wasn't going to sprint by him and have him feel caught off gaurd. I was wanting to finish strong and catch back up the time I had lost to them in the beginning. I finished strong but not strong enough, only gaining back maybe 15seconds of the time lost. Jeremy skied a great race and I had a lot of fun playing around with tactics and energy levels.
Again thank you to the Lappe staff for putting on a great race. I received a Lappe t-shirt as a prize. I feel part of the gang now.
Monday I was invited to Biathlon practice with Becky Purias. They set me up with a 22 and showed me the basic of shooting. First time shooting a gun so I wasn't expecting much accuracy. We set up prone (lying down) it's easier, a lot less movment and pracitce dry firing along with hitting some paper targets. I got to keep my target and was told I had some nice "groupings" by Thomsen, the wiley Biathlon vet. Standing was a lot more difficult, a lot more movement. Then we were set up infront of the targets, that was the best part, seeing the black circle turn white when you actually hit the target. To say modestly, "I'm an ACE shot" I destroyed Timo's shot.
I was shooting without skiing 2k at an all out effort, my chest wasn't heaving, and my arms weren't tired from the skiing, so it wasn't a fair estimate of my biathlon abilities but it was a lot of fun. Thanks a lot Becky for bringing me out and letting me try shooting.
For all those cross country skiers out there that trash talk Biathlon, "Try it before you fry it"
Timo...missing haha
Cheers
Again thank you to the Lappe staff for putting on a great race. I received a Lappe t-shirt as a prize. I feel part of the gang now.
Monday I was invited to Biathlon practice with Becky Purias. They set me up with a 22 and showed me the basic of shooting. First time shooting a gun so I wasn't expecting much accuracy. We set up prone (lying down) it's easier, a lot less movment and pracitce dry firing along with hitting some paper targets. I got to keep my target and was told I had some nice "groupings" by Thomsen, the wiley Biathlon vet. Standing was a lot more difficult, a lot more movement. Then we were set up infront of the targets, that was the best part, seeing the black circle turn white when you actually hit the target. To say modestly, "I'm an ACE shot" I destroyed Timo's shot.
I was shooting without skiing 2k at an all out effort, my chest wasn't heaving, and my arms weren't tired from the skiing, so it wasn't a fair estimate of my biathlon abilities but it was a lot of fun. Thanks a lot Becky for bringing me out and letting me try shooting.
For all those cross country skiers out there that trash talk Biathlon, "Try it before you fry it"
Timo...missing haha
Cheers
Saturday, February 16, 2008
External Motivation
Lappe Invitational…I was invited.
10k classic interval start. Packed field of 4 open men. The remaining NTDC crowd, Timo Purias, Thomsen D’Hont, Phi,Wood and the local Werner Schwar were out to battle for domination. The home course advantagers Purias and Schwar were in their element both having good starts and edging the field to a marginal gap. Splits were taken at 800m intervals by Pauli, Rejio, and Somppi (I don’t know how). Wood reeled in Purias who started 30 seconds in front. Wood was experimenting with a source of external motivation with donning D’Hont headphones and Wood’s infamous ‘pump up’ playlist. An aggressive pass after Leena’s Leap with a slight surge gapped the fading Fin. An edgy battle between NWT’er and Thunder Bay’s staple, Schwar, were shaping up. D’Hont starting a meger 30 seconds back. Caught Schwar and used his momentum to catch a draft. The tag team were starting to put time into race leader Wood. Klukie Line, a mere 2k from the finish, proved to me a struggling battle for Wood as Purias caught back up and comfortably sat in Wood’s heels going into Maarita’s loop. The failing Wood, obliged Purias to pass, quickly attaching to his heels. D’Hont and the battle continued into the stadium before heading out onto the pond loop. This is where an epic move of speed and tactics put D’Hont in the lead and out of reach of a slowing Schwar. D’Hont quickly raced to gain the lost time he was down of Wood and Purias. Purias put a valiant finishing burst on, gaining valuable time against follower Wood and chaser D’Hont, finishing with a 7 second gap into Wood, being relinquished to 2nd place. D’Hont battled solo, for the finishing hill, called the Grunt, duly noted. The finishing stretch was not long enough for D’Hont to gain the time he needed to outpace Wood’s time. He edged out the Fin by 6 secs, and finishing 17 seconds behind Wood and 35 seconds better than Schwar.
A hardy round of handshakes were had while enjoying some Lappe pancakes afterwards.
Thanks for a great race boys, and well done to the race organizers.
An honourable mention goes to the Winner of the Open Women race Karla Mika, edging out Thunder Bay local Kelly Henry. (she also stole my cork…Karla, not Kelly)
Here's my playlist. I tried to set up an imix list, so that you could actually listen to them, but only 2/12 songs would play, being from itunes. Sorry. Check out Rollin with Heat- by The Roots. Good Tune, Nice one Kate
Eye Of The Tiger- Survivor
We Believe- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rolling With Heat- The Roots ft. Talib Kweli
New Noise- Refused
Guerrila Radio- Rage Against The Machine
Until the Day I Die- Story of the Year
Paper Airplanes (Makeshift Wings)- AFI
Timberwolves At New Jersey- Taking Back Sunday
Girl's Not Grey -AFI
cute without the e- taking back sunday
See Right Through Me- Mobile
Money City Maniacs- Sloan
Monday, February 11, 2008
Solid Workout
Hey, It was pretty cold here in Thunder Bay Sunday. I had a legs only workout on the schedual, I decided to do it in the comforts of the indoors. To my roommates hasseling, I still had a solid workout. I put on my favorite pump up play list, blasted the tunes and had a awesome self driven workout. I've included a short video highlighting the workout.
I thought it was funny videoing my workout, but when putting the video together I learned just as much from it doing strength as you would doing technique in skiing. I felt as though I was really pushing the max, getting as low and deep as I could go, but clearly I can still get more out of my legs. This is the aim, so gaining from this is the process.
Hope you get a laugh out of this, I know my teammates will be jabbing at me..."who's the poser doing workouts in his living room...too cold"
Solid Workout
I thought it was funny videoing my workout, but when putting the video together I learned just as much from it doing strength as you would doing technique in skiing. I felt as though I was really pushing the max, getting as low and deep as I could go, but clearly I can still get more out of my legs. This is the aim, so gaining from this is the process.
Hope you get a laugh out of this, I know my teammates will be jabbing at me..."who's the poser doing workouts in his living room...too cold"
Solid Workout
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
What to do...what to do
Traveled to the nation's capital this weekend for two races, a skate sprint and a classic 30k. I decided not to race the sprints. The classic race was on a balmy Sunday morning. The snow was warming fast which meant finding grip was a tough chore for our wax technicians. We started the race and I knew right away my triceps were in for a haul doing most of the work double polling.
I wanted to quit after the first lap of 7.5k and I convinced myself to at least make it through to the 15k mark and then you could drop out after that. I rolled around the 15k mark and struggled with the decision to quit or to keep going. It was an ongoing battle to quit from probably the 5k mark. I finished the race, in 23rd position, 11 minutes back of the leader. That's no way to ski a race, fighting with the decision to quit.
I was very pleased with myself that I didn't quit, and that I kept with it after I started it. It didn't make my results, or feelings of the race any easier to deal with.
I'm back up in Thunder Bay for a while, until Nationals near the end of March. I quess the next question is whether to stay low and get some rest, or to grab some quality training over the next couple weeks and try to get into some racing shape.
I wanted to quit after the first lap of 7.5k and I convinced myself to at least make it through to the 15k mark and then you could drop out after that. I rolled around the 15k mark and struggled with the decision to quit or to keep going. It was an ongoing battle to quit from probably the 5k mark. I finished the race, in 23rd position, 11 minutes back of the leader. That's no way to ski a race, fighting with the decision to quit.
I was very pleased with myself that I didn't quit, and that I kept with it after I started it. It didn't make my results, or feelings of the race any easier to deal with.
I'm back up in Thunder Bay for a while, until Nationals near the end of March. I quess the next question is whether to stay low and get some rest, or to grab some quality training over the next couple weeks and try to get into some racing shape.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
COLD
-45 this morning, means gym workout. Welcome to the 'Gun Shop', you wanna 'bi'-some, or 'tri' some
Sorry for not getting this up to date lately. I've been home for a bit to Toronto and Orangeville. Thanks to Blissco for adding some sponsors to my coat.
Back up to Thunder Bay last week for a bitter cold week, skiing mostly classic, just too slow for skate, no glide. Then I went down to Duluth Minnesota for a sprint race mid week, then carried on to Cable, Wisconsin for two distance races. Saturday's 10k skate went well for me. I placed 9th grabbing a bit of a cash bonus and seconds off of a bit bigger bonus for being top U23. Every second counts..that saying hit home this past week. Sunday's race was less than reputable. Testing skis in the morning, I was confident with my skis and our wax, apparently where we were testing was a bit different than 2-3k out on the course, unfortunately after starting with the lead group, I was quickly dropped with just not enough purchase out there on the snow for good climbing skis. I skied the most of the first lap of 7.5k double poling. Skis were running fast though :) Since there was no ski marking at the beginning of the race, I switched at the half way point for my warm-up skis, "these have to have better grip" I thought. Without a binder and warming up on them, they weren't much better. I learned that you can't switch skis, other than malfunction. I was disqualified from the race...opps. Not like I was winning, finishing a dismall 45th or something. But I had a lot of fun out there, kinda tough spending time and money to go have a casual race with my teammates, could have done that at home, but it was good experience, cripping at my teammates that glided past me, and skiing with Somppi, helped to pass the difficult, technical 15k. It helped me really understand my skis and the difference between great grip, usable grip, no grip, and skis that are too stiff. Everything is a learned experience, throw it on the pile, and move on.
This weekend we head to Ottawa for Eastern Championships, I've opted out of the sprint race, and focusing my attention on the 30k mass start classic. Hoepfully I can redeem myself.
Thanks for reading, take it easy, enjoy the ride.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Back to Thunder Bay and back on the road
It was nice to be home for a week after the heckit rush of Christmas, and the stress and disappoint of trials. I was able to get into see two specialist in Orangeville that one of my sponsors “Everybody SKIS” Gord Salt lined up for me. Dr. Mike Shuman, athletic therapist and Osteopath, he adusted me similar to a Chiropractor but with some different techniques. He also worked on the position of my kidneys and intestines with massage. It was a really neat experience, and with the knowledge that he has about the human body and physiology I was able to pick his brains about energy systems and performance. Thanks Mike for making the time to see me and giving me your advice.
The second was Dr. Wendy Davis at Hamony Health, a Naturopath. She had some interesting thoughts on my decreased performance and lagging energy levels. She talked about an adrenal fatigue (adrenal glands working overtime and become exhausted). Some tell tale signs are, low energy, spins or dizziness upon standing with relatively normal blood pressure at resting state, high acidity of pH, muscle tension, and trouble sleeping. I have been measuring my pH in the mornings and evenings to give her an idea of the acidity of my internal system and to see if that leads to any clues that can help her identify some specific areas in my nutrition that I can work on. Overall she had some really good ideas and I’m excited to see and feel some of the results from changing some pretty basic stuff in my every day to day things. Thanks Dr. Wendy for identifying some areas for me to improve on in my nutrition.
I highly suggest any of you athletes that are in the Southern Ontario region to line up an appointment to see these two specialists, they exceeded my expectations and really appreciated and understood the demands of an athlete along with trying to help improve overall health.
Thanks again Gord for lining these appointments up for me.
As for this week, we have traveled to Duluth, Minnesota to race on Wednesday in some sprints, then onto Telemark, Wisconsin for some distance races this weekend. I’ll try to get up some race results with some thoughts.
Also make sure to keep your eyes peeled this week as the World Cups are being held in Canmore, Tuesday (pursuit), Wed (classic sprints), Friday (distance skate), Sat. (skate sprints). Some of our teammates are racing in these races and we wish them all the best. Results will be posted on FIS-ski.com with coverage shown on eurosport.com (most likely, perhaps live, mtn time) or cbcsports.ca or cbccountrycanada.ca.
The second was Dr. Wendy Davis at Hamony Health, a Naturopath. She had some interesting thoughts on my decreased performance and lagging energy levels. She talked about an adrenal fatigue (adrenal glands working overtime and become exhausted). Some tell tale signs are, low energy, spins or dizziness upon standing with relatively normal blood pressure at resting state, high acidity of pH, muscle tension, and trouble sleeping. I have been measuring my pH in the mornings and evenings to give her an idea of the acidity of my internal system and to see if that leads to any clues that can help her identify some specific areas in my nutrition that I can work on. Overall she had some really good ideas and I’m excited to see and feel some of the results from changing some pretty basic stuff in my every day to day things. Thanks Dr. Wendy for identifying some areas for me to improve on in my nutrition.
I highly suggest any of you athletes that are in the Southern Ontario region to line up an appointment to see these two specialists, they exceeded my expectations and really appreciated and understood the demands of an athlete along with trying to help improve overall health.
Thanks again Gord for lining these appointments up for me.
As for this week, we have traveled to Duluth, Minnesota to race on Wednesday in some sprints, then onto Telemark, Wisconsin for some distance races this weekend. I’ll try to get up some race results with some thoughts.
Also make sure to keep your eyes peeled this week as the World Cups are being held in Canmore, Tuesday (pursuit), Wed (classic sprints), Friday (distance skate), Sat. (skate sprints). Some of our teammates are racing in these races and we wish them all the best. Results will be posted on FIS-ski.com with coverage shown on eurosport.com (most likely, perhaps live, mtn time) or cbcsports.ca or cbccountrycanada.ca.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Trials and Tribulations
Trials: Duntroon January 3rd, 5th, and 6th.
What a weekend! Besides racing unbearably slow, it was a nice change to the usual races. Duntroon is a course I would call home being from Orangeville, a 40 minute drive away, but the changes to the courses this year, I felt anything but at home. These courses were tough, steep climbs in the classic course, steeper climbs in the skate course, and a very technical sprint course.
I went into these races with high hopes that the rest and down time over Christmas would edge my body into respectable shape and have me racing at top speeds. Unfortunately it had an adverse effect. I raced as slow as molasses. I pride myself on working hard and putting set backs aside during races to finish to the best of my ability. Mindset is a huge game in skiing, you have to be mentally prepared for anything and have to be able to deal with things with lightening speed. I felt a little sluggish and tired going into the weekend but was hoping that with some good sleeps and staying right on site would be enough to bring my body up to speed.
But what happened during the first race, the 20k pursuit, my mental skills were not able to help me through it. I started the first 10k with a good pace and feeling physically pretty good, gliding well, skiing technically proficient, to ending the race in total disarray. I started the skate leg, and immediately fell off the pace of the skiers I was skiing with, I know that I am not as strong of a skate skier as a classic skier but I got dropped hard. When that happens you have to dig deep and find whatever you need to, to get back in the race. My mind was saying one thing, my body, a different. I wanted to go faster, I knew I could go faster, but my body just couldn’t find the energy to do the old, ‘left, right, left, right’
I decided to take the sprint day off to try to regain some energy for the following distance race of 15k classic on Sunday. I felt ready to go, but the same tune, no juice.
It’s a vicious cycle, you race poorly and that affects your confidence, your mindset, your outlook on the next race, so you do everything you can to make sure your head is in the right place for the next race, only to do poorly again. Then you think, “well maybe I’m skiing poorly because of my mindset,” and that only gets you down again. So I’ve decided the recipe to kick this cycle is to rest. That doesn’t mean couch potatoe for a week, but to realign my goals, strengths and weaknesses and find out what I can do to regain some focus. Other athletes have talked about this and making some time to do the things you enjoy doing, so this week, I’ll try to get up to Orangeville to ski with my old high school team or the jackrabbits at Mono Nordic, see some friends, do some reading, whatever it takes.
I wanted to thank everyone for coming up to watch me race this past weekend. My friends Luke, Patricia, Jack, Luke’s folks, Cindy and Jeff, my family, Mom and Dad, Christal, Thomas, Mary Ellen, Rob, my new niece Luisa, Barb, Rob, Liz and Laura, and my Orangeville fan favorite, Bob Winegar, and to everyone else that was cheering me on out there, I really appreciate it, and it means a lot to me to have everyone’s support.
I’m going to do some regrouping, and then figure out what is next on the list for this winter. There are races in and near Thunder Bay, as well as world cups in Canmore AB.
Needless to say I did not qualify for the World Cups or Under 23 World Championships, which had been my focus this year. Best of luck to the chosen athletes, who will be selected Tuesday, and Wednesday this week, January 8th , and 9th.
Thanks again
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Turkey, Turkey, Turkey
A lot of turkey and some great down time has now led to getting back down to business with just one week remaining before U23 and World Cup Trials in Duntroon. The last set of races went well in Quebec. A 20k pursuit finishing 12th, and a 10k classic also finishing 12th. The temperatures were cold making a good gliding ski very important. My skis were gliding well both days which was a nice change from the week’s previous races in Canmore, where it felt as though my skis had concrete on the bottom of them.
Just before leaving Quebec my new skis for the 2007/ 2008 season arrived. I will prep them with lots of wax before testing them to find out what type of conditions they will ski the best in. Then hopefully at Trials I will have a good selection to be skiing on the best skis.
Over the Christmas break I was able to get out to the Nakkertok Boxing Day Burnoff. It was a team sprint with laps of 1.2k and each team member doing 3 laps. Kate was my teammate and we put in a solid effort but weren’t in the running for top spots, spinting and Phil go together as well as holiday cheer and the grinch, so you can imagine the outcome. But Nakkertok put on a great event and everyone had a good time, for me it was knocking the rust off after a very sedentary week of visiting and eating turkey.
The rest was well needed and it was great to see my family and enjoy in some Christmas celebrations. Now it is back down to southern Ontario after a great week near Ottawa, so ramp up for Trials in Duntroon.
I hope that if anyone is looking for something to do over New Years you are personsonally invited to come out to Duntroon to watch the races being held January 3rd (20k pursuit), 5th (skate sprints), and 6th (15k classic). I love to see everyone and to have your support.
Just before leaving Quebec my new skis for the 2007/ 2008 season arrived. I will prep them with lots of wax before testing them to find out what type of conditions they will ski the best in. Then hopefully at Trials I will have a good selection to be skiing on the best skis.
Over the Christmas break I was able to get out to the Nakkertok Boxing Day Burnoff. It was a team sprint with laps of 1.2k and each team member doing 3 laps. Kate was my teammate and we put in a solid effort but weren’t in the running for top spots, spinting and Phil go together as well as holiday cheer and the grinch, so you can imagine the outcome. But Nakkertok put on a great event and everyone had a good time, for me it was knocking the rust off after a very sedentary week of visiting and eating turkey.
The rest was well needed and it was great to see my family and enjoy in some Christmas celebrations. Now it is back down to southern Ontario after a great week near Ottawa, so ramp up for Trials in Duntroon.
I hope that if anyone is looking for something to do over New Years you are personsonally invited to come out to Duntroon to watch the races being held January 3rd (20k pursuit), 5th (skate sprints), and 6th (15k classic). I love to see everyone and to have your support.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sprint Domination
I QUALIFIED!!!!
Sprinting is not my strong point and making it past the top 30 into the heats was a job well done. It lifted my spirits a bit from a dismal showing yesterday. Since qualifing last in the 30th position, it meant I was up against 5 others guys faster than myself along with the top qualifier.
It was a fun race, happens so fast you forget instantly how bad it hurt the previous 3 minutes. I had a poor start position and wasn't able to make much out of it, getting out of the first corner last. But I was pleased, making it into the qualifier was a good race for me.
We had a strong showing from our team with Kate qualifying 8th and finishing the day in 12th position, Chris posting a 23rd qualifying time and finishing a few spots better, Thomsen coming in at 27th position, Mike placing 7th in the jr men field, and Lenny being edged out for second place in the jr men field.
Tomorrow we head to Canmore to continue racing with a pursuit on Thursday, and races on Sat. and Sunday.
Phil
Saturday, December 1, 2007
New Poles
My new poles arrived today, I have got them cut and ready to go for tomorrow. I have left my classic poles a little longer than usual for pure sprint domination.
Ouch...
..first race down. That's at least one positive out of the race. Today was cold, -11c, s the snow was slow with a challenging course made for a long painful 15k. I was pleased with my pacing and my race but after seeing the results, I need to re-evaluate what a good race feels like. I was around 4 minutes off the leader and barely in the top 30. Not quite were I wanted to be after today, but I need to remind myself that it was the first race and that I don't need to be fast now, I need to be fast later, and that gives me more races to bring up my speed and fix all the little things that got sloppy in today's race. A big challenge will be not letting this poor result influence my out look on my past training this summer and fall and have doubt about my upcoming races.
Tomorrow we have the first set of Teckcominco sprints. Sprinting hasn't been my strong point, but I'm excited tomorrow to get past the qualifier and mix it up a bit in the heats. With practices I have been a little too edgy off the mark and routinely false start, so that will be a challenge if I make it through.
Some other notable results, teammate Chris Butler placed 3rd this morning with a great skate race, everyone was extremely excited for him and proud of his accomplishment.
See you tomorrow
Tomorrow we have the first set of Teckcominco sprints. Sprinting hasn't been my strong point, but I'm excited tomorrow to get past the qualifier and mix it up a bit in the heats. With practices I have been a little too edgy off the mark and routinely false start, so that will be a challenge if I make it through.
Some other notable results, teammate Chris Butler placed 3rd this morning with a great skate race, everyone was extremely excited for him and proud of his accomplishment.
See you tomorrow
Friday, November 30, 2007
Tomorrow Race Day
Saturday December 1st, 15km Skate race individual start.
Let's get all those butterflies flying in formation. The season is finally about to begin, I can't wait. I have a good start position tomorrow, mixed in with some faster guys, that will push me to hang on for a ride as long as I can if they catch me. Should be exciting. I'll try to get results up with a race review tomorrow afternoon.
Let's get all those butterflies flying in formation. The season is finally about to begin, I can't wait. I have a good start position tomorrow, mixed in with some faster guys, that will push me to hang on for a ride as long as I can if they catch me. Should be exciting. I'll try to get results up with a race review tomorrow afternoon.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Rest day in Vernon
Today is a rest day and we've decided to come down into Vernon, and we are staying with Pat and Karen McKee, who have graceously opened thier home for us to rest and relax, to take advantage of the lower altitude.
I have tried doing some slideshows, they are regretfully busy, and wouldn't open as one, so I apologize for the seizure inducing pages. But hopefully you get the idea of how beautiful it is here and awesome it is to be skiing this year in the season.
I have tried doing some slideshows, they are regretfully busy, and wouldn't open as one, so I apologize for the seizure inducing pages. But hopefully you get the idea of how beautiful it is here and awesome it is to be skiing this year in the season.
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