The second of FasterSkier’s annual three-camp series, designed to aid skiers at any level, was held September 11-14 in Park City, Utah. Snowy mountain-peaks made a great backdrop, and cool, sunny mornings and warm 75F afternoons made it an ideal fall-training environment.
The Athletes
Participation was up from the June camp and the “campers” included athletes from the middle of the pack age group skiers, women in the top 15 overall in last years Birkie, a Category 1 bike racer and top age group skier, a former National Team member rower and a Master National Cross-Country Champion.
Quality Training and Lactate Testing
The main focus at this fairly intensive fall camp is to improve the participants’ understanding of good versus bad (or close to worthless) quality training (we define quality training as interval sessions, pace and time-trials). We discuss, lecture and explain the reasons behind correct intensity, duration and choice of terrain for the quality sessions, as well as in the sessions leading up to them.
Following the lectures we practice these sessions on rollerskis and foot where the focus is proper heart rates and intensity zones – we want “our” skiers to start easy and then increase the effort. We measure and look for decreasing times, and increasing heart rates and blood lactate levels through the duration of the session.
 know how I look on rollerskis, and I now better understand what I need to improve after watching myself, the coaches and World Championship videos”.<br />
“It really helped to watch Coach John Aalberg on video and then to see us in the same hill or flat section immediately following him”.<br />
“Video was very helpful – I’m going home knowing exactly what I need to work on! I’ll be back for the December Camp”</p>
<p><B>Core and Max Strength</B><br />
One of the afternoon sessions included a “no-bull” core and max strength session at a local training studio. We promised the “real thing” – and that’s what we did. Fifteen minutes of continues stomach and back exercises, speed strength-sets followed by several max strength exercises for upper-body, arms and legs. Avoiding getting injured, finding the right speed and proper loads were stressed. We look forward to see this group's abdominal “six-packs”, increased speed and explosiveness this winter! </p>
<p><B>The December On-Snow Camp – Sign up now!</B><br />
The FasterSkier On-Snow camp will be held December 4 –7, 2003 in Park City and at Soldier Hollow.<br />
Four or three day options are available. Last year’s On-Snow camp was well attended. Half of the spots for this year’s camp are already spoken for and we have roughly 10 available spots left. The price is $440 ($465 after November 15th) for the 4-day option and $330 ($350 after November 15th) for the 3-day option.<br />
The camp fee includes coaching, lactate-profile, trail fees, one training pass to the gym and a camp dinner. The local Utah Cross-Country season opener at Soldier Hollow is also taking place during the camp, and we plan to include race preparation within the agenda.</p>
<p><B>Personal Coaching – Get in shape and race faster this season</B><br />
If you are spending time and effort training and skiing without seeing the results you wish, check out John and Torbjorn’s Personal Coaching Service, information and options on this Website or on www.torbjornsport.com (click on the Personal Coaching banners). </p>
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