The CXC/ Birkie Summer Camp was well staffed for the group of open camp participants. The coaching staff included recent Olympian, Abby Larson, former Olympian and Russian National Coach, Igor Badamshin, U23 World Championship team member and CXC team member Brian Gregg, CXC CEO Yuriy Gusev, CXC COO Scott Wilson, and CXC Team Coach, Bryan Fish. Telemark Resort is a great Cross Country Ski facility, summer and winter.
The intense four day camp focused on assessing general fitness, ski specific fitness and technique. There were two evening discussions that focused on training and lifestyle decisions necessary for improving ski performance. Brian Gregg led a discussion on his training from a junior level to present day. Brian emphasized the fact that although he was not a top caliber junior level skier, he has continued to train hard, plan diligently and keep skiing fun. He feels his persistence, patience and hard work has been responsible for the progress he has made in the sport of skiing. Abby Larson led a discussion on nutrition and its vital importance to a competitive skier. Abby stressed the fact that a well balanced diet containing complex carbohydrates, protein and fats is necessary for a healthy lifestyle and even more crucial for fueling the endurance athlete. Abby stated that foods that are not processed are often the most nutritious. Whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables as well as fresh meat, eggs and fish are more nutritious than canned and other forms of processed foods.
Each morning started with a light jog and stretch before breakfast. Abby Larson led the athletes through a yoga session for stretching, which combined stretching with balance and light body resistance strength.
Monday dawned balmy and humid. The temperature struck the low 90’s with a humidity
that rivaled the temperature. A 3,000 meter running time trial on the track was the first scheduled activity. It was decided to move the track time trial to Tuesday morning and replace it with the general strength assessment. Neither the camp participants nor any coach disputed this decision. The goal of the strength and running assessment is to provide the camp participants an overall evaluation on their general fitness. General fitness tests do not directly correlate to performance on skis, but they do demonstrate areas of overall strength and weakness in an individual. Monday concluded with a short skate rollerski technique session. Most of the session was done without poles to focus on balance and weight transfer.
