Olympic Biathlete Tim Burke marked the first two weeks of the 2006-07 Biathlon World Cup season with thrilling performances and outstanding results. The Paul Smiths, New York native had a 10th place finish in the Sprint Format and a strong relay performance that tagged the US Biathlon Team off in fifth position, just 21.7 seconds off the lead. I caught up with Tim in Fort Kent, Maine after he returned to the US and was training at the the 10th Mountain Lodge.
World Cup Biathlon action can be watched live on the internet! Check out www.usbiathlon.com
Our team atmosphere has been very professional and upbeat this year. From the top of our organization to the bottom, everyone has done a great job, which has allowed the athletes to focus 100% on racing. I never have to worry about how my skis are going to be on race day or travel logistics and this has really helped me focus all of my energy on getting the best results possible.
What has changed in your training/preparation since the Olympics? Is there anything in your training that has always been consistent?
This year Per and Mikael definitely challenged me more than I have ever been challenged before in training. I increased my overall hours, increased the percentage of my intensity work and added a new strength program. Although I made some significant changes, the work that I completed in years past is what prepared me for this program; I never would have survived my new program without many solid years of training.
Although my training plan varies from year to year there are a few main principles that have remained constant. One aspect that I have always focused on is being as ski specific as possible in training. I want to be a fast skater so it only makes sense that the majority of my hours should come from skate skiing or skate roller skiing. Nearly all of my intensity sessions are also done skating. Another principle that I believe very strongly in is year-round intensity. The types of intensity workouts I do throughout the year vary but some type of intensity is always present whether it is May or December. Technique is another point that I always emphasize in my training. I feel good technique is like free speed and I am really surprised at how little others work on this.
What did the biggest week and month of training look like in the last year?
My training is divided into four-week blocks where the first three weeks are very challenging and are followed by a recovery week. My biggest week was 25 hours and biggest four-week block was 80 hours (72 hours in the first three weeks). During this time I also maintained 15% of my hours as intensity.
I feel like too many skiers get caught up with training as many hours as possible while forgetting about quality. Anyone can train 20 hour weeks but there is a big difference in a 20 hour week completed with three intensity workouts and 15 hours of skiing as compared to a 20-hour week done hiking in level one. The focus needs to be on quality and as ski specific as possible.
When you go on the road is there anything you must bring?
Hot sauce! I actually forgot my collection of hot sauce during our last trip to Europe and I paid dearly for my mistake. I was forced to endure a whole month of boiled potatoes and fish in Sweden with no spice. Never again will I make that mistake.
What was your development as a junior skier/biathlete like growing up in Northern New York? What coaches or organizations have you worked with as a young senior?
I was really fortunate to grow up in an area with a great junior ski program. I was involved with NYSEF Nordic from a young age and the coaches there did an incredible job at developing juniors. At NYSEF I learned what it was like to train hard all while having a great time.
As a young senior I worked with James Upham at the Maine Winter Sports Center. The MWSC was a great place for me as a young senior. They provided a world-class venue, a supportive community and a team atmosphere that was unavailable anywhere else. James was also very influential in taking my training from a junior level to that of what you need to be competitive at the senior level.
What keeps you motivated?
I love to compete and I truly enjoy all of the training throughout the year. My job is to be outside skiing, biking and running everyday. In my mind, it doesn’t get any better than that.
You’ve seen plenty of coaching, training and been to most corners of the skiing world. What advice would you give to US Juniors, their coaches and perhaps parents?
Have fun. It takes so many years of hard training to be competitive at the international level in any Nordic discipline. To make it through so much training, you have to enjoy the work. With that said, have fun but don’t be afraid to hop on the pain train!
Kris Cheney Seymour is the Head Ski Coach at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Visit: www.presqueisleskiing.wordpress.com
