In addition to getting acclimated to a new training environment in the COVID-19 world, we also had to acclimate to some serious heat this week. With temps in the mid-90s, and not a cloud in sight, it was time to bust out the sunscreen as well as the hand sanitizer. When it comes to ski racing though, we are pretty used to extremes. We didn’t have any truly brutal cold race days this past season, but we know they will happen! Likewise, we’ve got to be ready to handle some heat now and then so long as we stay hydrated and prepared.
Some 30/30 speeds on Thursday, in our favorite Southridge neighborhood. While some of the roads here are getting old in terms of skiing them again and again, the location is great because we can have 2 separate arrival/parking areas (U16 at Allen Brook, U18+ at WCS) to not have too much congregating, and easy access to both hillier and flat routes.
After getting some skiing under our belts in the past couple weeks it was time to speed it up for some work where we could challenge balance and timing. Cool to see how far many of us have come, and identify new goals for the summer technique work.
Water break sponsored by TOKO
U16 squad in Jericho
So far, we’ve done a good job of adhering to a spring/summer goal of incorporating some more dirt road running to build up running economy as well as bring in consistent aerobic work that you can get on dirt roads but not always on steep, grind-heavy trails. On this day (Saturday) we divided up and I led the U16s on a 7-mile run on Old Pump Road while Perry led the older group on the 9-mile Cilley Hill loop. Both classic Jericho roads that many might be familiar with!
With a split between morning and afternoon groups, we had a crew of one (Silas) and the two of us had a nice sunny run followed-up with some creemee takeout at Palmers. Remember to support those local businesses!
Broken-down ski fence in Jericho…maybe you will spot this on a run of your own sometime!
Going into next week and the month of June, with regards to COVID-19
We have done an ok job maintaining good practices, but there is more we can do. A few reminders going forward:
- A big “congregation” point is the beginning and end of practice. The start of practice, as skiers arrive, is harder to maintain. Please try to be on time for practice, dressed in training clothes before arrival, and minimize gathering.
- Last week it was pretty tough to wear a buff (even around the neck) in the hot and humid temps. But this is something a lot of us (including me) can make a better effort at. Being a little uncomfortably hot is just going to be the norm for the time being. We will continue to have individual ziplocked bags of washed buffs for distribution at practice for those who don’t have them on-hand on a given day.
Comments are closed.