Update: video of our camp in lake placid!
With summer slowly fading into the background, XC Ottawa set out on our annual Lake Placid training camp to take advantage of the warm weather and beautiful mountains in the Adirondacks. On Friday evening, the team arrived at the U.S Olympic Training Centre, raring to go for what was to be a tough long weekend of training.
Things started out on Saturday with the team Loosener and then rapidly progressed to some 4min zone 4 intervals up an incredibly long and steep road outside of Keene, NY. Despite the pouring rain and an inconveniently located large crack running through the middle of the lane, team spirits were high as we battled our way up the hill... until the lactates started accumulating! After a long cooldown, we took full advantage of the cafeteria to prepare ourselves for the afternoon.
Being in Lake Placid, we couldn't miss out on the great hiking in the Adirondack mountains. Saturday afternoon we hiked up Cascades mountain, while Sunday morning was devoted to summiting Big Slide and The Brothers. Fortunately the rain held off for the most part of both hikes, leaving us just muddy, instead of both wet and muddy. Perhaps the highlight of the hikes was taking advantage of a natural waterslide along a creek following the trail (video to come).
The team hiking up Cascade Mountain.
The team at the top of Big brother.
Mark posing at the top.
Katie and Holly in their natural environment.
Heading out for some technique and drills on Sunday afternoon.
Monday morning lead us to a long skate rollerski around a loop in Wilmington, with some sprints thrown in for fun. An epic crash soon after the start lead to a the first casualty of a broken pole. Props go to Steffan for skiing most of the three hours with only one pole! Not to be outdone, Ingrid, Liza, and Kyla unintentionally took a rather long, but sceanic detour, which involved a lost pole tip and a near crash. Unfortunately, we may have slightly worried the team when we were nowhere to be found at the end of the 3 hours (thanks to Megan for rescuing us!). We finished off the camp with a quick dip in a nearby stream, an epic lunch at the cafeteria, and headed back to Ottawa, ready for fall training!
Karl explaining the loop to the team.
Liza rollerskiing beside a creek.
Kyla and Liza enjoying the water
Another successful training camp in the bag!
"Vauhti Waxes. . . the conditions are always right!"