The SMS training group finished the first half of their summer training with a great weekend of training. The group is progressing nicely and building an excellent endurance base that will help them be successful in the years to come.
The group of 18 regulars plus 8-10 who come for special workouts and the bi-weekly mini camps has been focusing on aerobic fitness and specific strength. The big hours don’t always lead to short term success, but they have proven invaluable for long-term success ( just ask the 13 SMS Nordic Olympians). Everyone is doing a great job of “putting money in the bank”. Last week we had five days with at least 3 hrs of training. The week started with a time trail up Moosilauke at our annual White Mtns camp and was topped off with a running race.
Each week we have 3 group workouts. Every other week we also have a weekend mini camp so people who live farther away can stay in touch.
It has been great to have Andy Newell plus NCAA all-Americans Patrick O’Brien, Rosie Brennan and Sophie Caldwell training with us. Next weekend we expect skiers from Dartmouth, Middlebury, UNH and UVM to join us for ski bounding, skating and a 60 km classic ski.
The summer will finish with the SMS training camps for BKL and Junior skiers. We have 80 skiers signed up and they should have fun chasing Andy Newell in skate pick-ups and Justin Freeman up the mountain.
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![Patrick O'Brien, Rosie Brennan and the gang doing jumps](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/08/100_3078.jpg" "Patrick O'Brien, Rosie Brennan and the gang doing jumps")
![Andy Newell leading ski walking interval](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/08/100_2763.jpg" "Andy Newell leading ski walking interval")
![The group doing specific strength (single poling) up Terrible Mtn.](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/08/100_3208.jpg" "The group doing specific strength (single poling) up Terrible Mtn.")
