It’s May first, the “beginning” of the training year. There is no real end to the training year, however, since a group of motivated and fit athletes will always find joy in being outside and active. This year, the spring training group has shown up each day ready to commit to a focused and productive session…there is a new-found sense of maturity in this group, I feel, and seriousness of purpose.
Rolling on a familiar road in Richmond
We’ve started rollerskiing one day per week, with a focus on making technique gains when the sensations of the winter’s skiing are still fresh. The other day we did some low-intensity double pole intervals, and there was some great skiing happening. As he rolled right by me during filming I think I even shouted to Ben “that’s the best it’s ever looked!” which is a great spot to be in when it’s April. That is something I mentioned to the group…it feels like we are picking up where we left off at the end of the last dryland season; progress is continuing, and regression has been minimal. We’re starting from higher up on a curve that extends off the charts and into the unknown!
Video from rollerski intervals this past Tuesday
When it comes to new challenges and goals, we’ve set the bar high. Last year there would be a chorus of groans and complaints when we got halfway through a run. Yesterday, we ran for 2 straight hours on the amazing singletrack at Sleepy Hollow, and we chatted and embraced the spirit the whole time. No complaints, no whining. Even more impressive considering I instigated “Dartmouth Rules”, which meant no stopping at all: if you wanted a snack or a drink of water, you had to take your drink belt off and gulp/chew while you kept running. We stuck to the plan, hence why there are no photos from the session (because that would have involved me stopping, and even coach has to play be the rules). This was particularly tough when we got to a new section of trail that MNC athlete Charlie Maitland helped construct for his Grad Challenge last year. As this sign says, this new trail, called Darth Vader, is both “most difficult” and “most awesome”!
Darth Vader: most difficult and most awesome
At the end of the run, I did have Will and Tim set up a staged photo shoot so that we could at least capture one image of the fun trails and sunny weather. Pay no attention to the fact that Will has already changed into sandals…
Flying around the berms, and still waiting for the trees to get some green!
We’re picking up where we left off, and it feels good (and it feels fit, too). If you have been meaning to sign up for Spring Training, contact Coach Adam about how to get involved! Before we know it Summer Training will be here as well, so keep spreading the word about the best training group in the state!
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