US National team sprint member Torin Koos came through and scored World Cup points at the end of last season. Fasterskier.com got a chance to ask him some questions about last season, his sprint mind-set, where and how he finds motivation, training and goals.
Torin, what were your best races last year?
– Last year I was most satisfied with the bookends of my World Cup tour, for their own reasons. Coming into the Royal Palace Sprint in Stockholm (SWE) I had been sick and battling achilles tendonitis. I didn’t know what to expect – it was my first World Cup start since 2001 – but I killed it. Absolutely killed it, except for this tricky 180 degree icy corner. Two-tenths separated ten places. I was twenty-first but more importantly I knew again I could go with the big boys.
– Frustrated doesn’t even describe where I was heading into the World Cup Finals (ITALY). After Stockholm three mediocre races followed. Having to do something is a difficult place to put yourself in, but I just HAD to have a positive end to the season for myself. I don’t know how else to explain it. I was tired of Europe, disappointed and had one last real chance in 2003/2004 and made the most out of it. I finished 18th, 2 ½ seconds from winning the prologue.
What's your PR in track running events?
400M 50.27 (high school)
800M 1:51.6
1500M 3:48.68
3000M 8:31
Fasterskier.com is posting comments, goals and thought from top skiers from many nations. Do you find this inspirational, distracting or motivating?
– I like it. I find it kind of humorous because everyone wants the same things – to be World Champion, Olympic gold, World Cup overall. It’s like being ten again, heading to the local burger shop and ordering up big – “I’d like a triple patty cheeseburger, large coke, onion rings and a banana split, ” then digging into your pockets with apprehension, hoping to find the money to cover the bill. Some skiers will find it but most will not. Personally all I can do is keep on earning pennies and plan on having enough for the World Cup, at the World Champs, the Olympics.
Can you describe what goes through your mind in a sprint race? Is it different than in a traditional race?
– A good sprint race begins with a good, hard warm up. I’ve never had a good sprint race on the heels of a poor, uninspired warm up. Something in that hour or two before a start – call it getting the eye of the tiger, being in the zone, whatever directly affects if I can put it together for a solid sprint race. In traditional races you can ski yourself into a great race. With sprint qualifying I cannot.
What was the most important event or moment for you last season and will this help you this year?
– Boiling a whole season down to a moment here…Tough stuff. I remember being in fifth grade, Mr. Peck's class. He had this poster of Bruce Jenner above his desk. Below it read Sports do not build character. They reveal it. I was able to get over being mad and frustrated and disappointed with the season and chosen profession at the WC finals by going for a long walk. I thought about a lot of stuff, but I specifically remember that poster, about what it meant. Then it came to me; that the resources of our character allow us to meet our destiny.
What does a typical training week look like for you in the summer and fall?
– Ten to twenty-two hour weeks. Strength two to three times, intervals twice a week. Eight to thirteen workout sessions in a week. The occasional race. Afternoon naps. Biking, running, bounding, rollerskiing, kayaking, soccer and pickle ball.
What's your goal for the upcoming season?
– Have a big smile on my face at the World Champs.
