A BRIEF REPORT ON THE CENTRAL CROSS COUNTRY SKIING REGIONAL ELITE CAMP
AT CRESTHILL RESORT, HAYWARD, WI
JULY 3-10, 2004
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FIRSTÂ TWO DAYS
July 5- FROM THE COACHES:Central Cross Country Skiing is hosting the Regional Elite Group training camp for the top junior and senior athletes in the Central Region (athletes from MN, WI, MI). This is a very unique opportunity for athletes to train together for the whole week without any costs to the athletes or coaches. Financial support for the camp is provided by CXC Skiing, with a generous donation by Cresthill Resort in Hayward, WI. The main focus of the camp is to provide a full training environment for the athletes, an opportunity to train together as an organized group, and to communicate with other and with top level regional coaches. This camp gives the athletes daily personal coaching, great motivation and sport specific educational support. The REG Camp is the concept of the USST Nordic. It is an excellent opportunity for coaches around the region to exchange their present ideas on training philosophy.  All participants understand and agree that this camp is crucial in the development of athletes and coaches striving for regional, national, and international excellence in cross-country ski racing.    Â
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FROM THE SOME OF THE FEMALE ATHLETES: Despite seeing our breath in the morning, smelling burnt grilled cheeses (thanks to the girl's cooking), and not exactly knowing each other we have become incredibly close. Whether it be sporting classy foam toppers to keep the deer flies off our heads, bathing in the lake (by choice), picking bugs–mainly ticks–off each other like monkeys, eating Flavor O's (generic Oreo's) like they're going out of style, or just relaxing in between workouts we have been having a great time. The workouts are taxing and because of the small group size and excellent compatibility, we are able to get a lot of quality one on one time with the coaches. Well, we're off for a kayak now…hopefully this time Ben won't flip the kayak 3 times just trying to get into the boat!Â
~ from the lady campers (Rosy, Cassidy, Julia, and Jenny)
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FROM SOME OF THE MALE ATHLETES: Here at the REG camp we have had some great opportunities to train hard and interact with awesome coaches. Things started off with a 3km running time trial on Saturday, which was a bit of a challenge due to the Birkie trail's signature terrain. On Sunday, we did about 4 hours of solid rollerskiing with technique. Afterwards, we ate ravenously at Coop's, and I easily devoured my entire pizza. Tim and Ben, my roommates, were not to be outdone and also ate their whole pizzas. We came back to Cresthill stuffed beyond belief and then did some technique analysis with life sized images projected on a large screen. Today we are doing spenst in the morning and then some general strength in the afternoon. The a game of soccer. Now its time to go kayaking, another sweet bonus of holding this camp on a beautiful Northern Wisconsin Lake. We're all looking forward to the rest of the week!
-Bill
