Put the camp in training camp
Our collegiate training group (MNC University, as it has become known) had a great training camp in Lake Placid last weekend. It was pretty cool to experience our first training camp in about a year. We travelled across the lake to put in some serious efforts and hours in the Adirondack mountains, including a rollerski timetrial up Franklin Falls road, a ski on the brand new rollerski track at Mt Van Hoevenberg, and a long 14 mile trail run/hike checking off three “46’ers”.
We set up camp at Wilmington Notch State Park, right at the base of Whiteface Mountain. Much like the traditional North Conway location of Mountain Camp, this area is close enough to feel like a short drive, but totally different in terms of surroundings and vibe: it really feels great and helps the focus to be in a more unique location than our usual roads and trails.
After a trail run on Friday afternoon and a night of rainfall, we experienced perfect weather on Saturday and Sunday. We got right down to business with a rollerski timetrial up the notorious Franklin Falls road, the route used by the US Ski Team for big tests before the Climb to the Castle route got formalized. GMVS drove over to join us in this competition, and with a brutal net-uphill 10km course under a hot sun, it was definitely one to remember. You can check out some video footage below!
After a nice long cooldown on a much flatter road, it was off to the swimming hole for cliff jumping and rinsing off. Once Perry pointed it out, I could not get over just how BAD everyone’s sweaty pole straps smelled. So, a cleanse in some river water was definitely key.
Some serious “west” vibes on this track right now, at least until the grass grows in
That afternoon, we got to check out the brand new rollerski loop at MVH. As someone who spent time at SLU as an athlete and coach from 2008 to 2015, I spent a lot of time in Lake Placid. I got to see and experience the re-working of the famous Ladie’s 5km loop, as well as the construction of the rollerski loop at the jumping complex. But these new updates totally change the game…the rollerski loop is only 1.8km right now, but you can clearly see the room for intended expansion. And the new lodge and trail updates are truly insane. Justin Beckwith calls it “Soldier Hollow East” and he is not wrong.
We were warned again and again by organizers and locals that the loop is “really scary” and I brought the first aid kit right to the side of the trail…however, I think everyone underestimated the kind of skiers this group was made up of. Everyone rolled right around with no problem. There’s definitely some high speed sections, but nothing we couldn’t handle. My only complaint? They ripped out all the trees to make this place, even trees in between some of the trails. Obviously this was for construction and/or TV “spectator/camera” purposes…but the lack of grass and open terrain (especially on a hot sunny day) reminded me a little too much of Soldier Hollow…if you know me, you know the East Coast pride runs deep…we like our green and our trees! I have to say though, having a rollerski loop you can just go up to and ski on felt very European. Would you look at that? We didn’t have to submit reams of forms, papers, lease agreements, and US Government nonsense along with an arbitrary payment structure just to ski on a rollerski loop! Thanks Lake Placid!
We packed up camp that night in preparation for a 5:30am wakeup and a trip into Keene to complete a big Adirondack loop. Starting at the Garden trailhead, we ran 3 miles in to Johns Brook Lodge. From there it was up Gothics, my favorite high peak (complete with metal cables bolted into the highest, steepest rock portions for climbing) and across to Armstrong and Upper Wolfjaw. All three peaks at “46ers” meaning they are among the 46 peaks over 4,000′ high in the park.
Looped back to the lodge and ran the 3 miles back to the van for a total of 14 miles and just under 4 hours of training time. Woohoo! Trips to New York are of course never complete until you stop at Stewarts on the way home, where we loaded up on milkshakes, burgers, soda, and all of that delicious post-hike food. It was an awesome camp, and such a good feeling to be working hard together, travelling together, and being in a true camp environment after a long 20/21 season. MNC University is killin’ it!
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