This past week featured a few test events, which we use periodically throughout the year to check on how our training is going.
From the 3000m run (done earlier this year) to the double pole test and the uphill run test, there is a lot of variety. As skiers, we’re put in positions where different formats and techniques and courses can necessitate a very diverse skillset! We can (and have) race long hilly courses in soft snow, and flat short courses on icy snow, all within the same weekend or series.
I think this is great because it means everyone is likely to have something to work on, and it does not pigeonhole skiers into needing one type of body or fitness profile to achieve the success they are striving for.
Testing can bring forth a lot of stress, but it doesn’t have to. I’ve realized over the years what kind of influence I can have as a coach, either positively or negatively, on testing. If I put a lot of stress on the “course record” or the big archive of all the times over the years, it really adds to a feeling of urgency to achieve something meaningful on paper. So while we used to offer a pint of ice cream to anyone that broke the course record on a test, and lay out the “time to beat” beforehand during the warmup, I’ve tried to move away from that.
MNC U and MNC Juniors together for Bolton!
Instead, I’ve focused on the fact that lots of our testing events have multiple benefits. For our uphill run test, we have an overall list of times. But you can also click tabs to view athletes with their specific times listed out race-by-race. This means you can see how your times have changed, without having the times of everyone else that finished near, behind, or ahead of you.
Our archive on the double pole test has tabs for each individual event. On those events is also a link to the video from that day, and it’s fun to look back in time and see how the technique of various skiers has improved over time. I’ve even gone back and made video edits showing the progression of a few skiers through the years.
Isaiah and Mia showing some good form in the morning DP test!
Taylor and Pat doing a little easy classic at the Range before biathlon, which has started back up in the evenings
This week, we had pretty great weather and good vibes for all of the tests. With school getting out and various skiers finishing up their years at different times, we’ve been having both AM and PM options. Funny how the morning sessions differ in focus and energy from the afternoon ones…for the double pole test, both groups totally crushed the test with energy and aggressiveness. But then we did a few repeats at a lower intensity afterward, and the differences between the groups was stark. The morning group was dialed-in, picking up some new technique gains and hungry for more challenge. The afternoon group were zombies, gently swaying in the breeze as their rollerskis shuffled back and forth…I’d say it is time for summer vacation!
MNC University didn’t do the DP test, but they did hammer out some DP intervals in Shelburne. Here is Coach Brandon laying out the plans.
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