I am always talking about how sweet the mountains are here compared to the East and the athletes are always telling me to get over it but I think everyone could agree that the mountains were great for training in over the last week.

Between ski walking intervals on the slopes of Alyeska

Roller skiing on the Girdwood bike path

The view of Denali from the back of the carivan- no smoke and no clouds!

I realize that the schedule was rather vague for Sunday’s OD classic ski, so here is the plan:

Those looking for 3 hours of easy skiing (generally speaking, J1 and older skiers) should show up at 2:30 to wax and ski.  Those looking for 2 hours (generally speaking, J2s) should come at 3:30.  If you aren’t sure which group you fall into, ask.  Assuming everyone waxes relatively quickly, we should be done shortly after 5:30.  The building closes at 6:00, so that will allow those who want to leave their skis in the cages a chance to do so.  Hopefully the early start times will also allow us to spend some time off the lighted loops at Birch, since I’m sure we’ll all see plenty of those over the course of the winter!  It is quite early in the season, so we are simply aiming to put in some easy aerobic hours to support our training and racing later in the season.  Coaches will be circulating during the ski to help with technique, etc.

I know some of you coach Jr. Nordics, so you won’t be able to start skiing until after that - if you are going to finish after 6, then you should be prepared to move your stuff to the old warming hut.  Everyone should be aware that it is pretty crazy and busy at Birch between 2 and 3 with Jr. Nordics on Sundays, so be prepared to park in the lower lot, and for hoards of skiers young and old in and around the stadium area.

Finally, bring your water belt and some food for right after and maybe a little something for during your ski.  This should always be a habit, but it is especially important for long days. Your body will thank you when it recovers more quickly and gets more out of the training!

It's already been over a month since our first OD on snow!

We’re looking forward to some great tours with the Devo program this year, hopefully a bunch more trips and treks than we managed to do last year.  Here are some shots from our first one around White Bear at Birch Hill - not the most exotic locale, but a good way to start preparing for some longer skis in more exciting places.  Still tough to beat a nice long tour on good snow, with warm temps and lots of sunshine!

From tonight’s email because I’m lazy:

A couple of quick announcements this evening regarding the next few days.  Due to the overwhelming desire within the group to run the 3000m test on Friday, we will take the following action:

1. For those that can make it, we will shovel the West Valley track at 3 PM tomorrow.  It probably won’t take the two hours that a practice will, but I’m not sure how long it will take (depends on the number of people and shovels, so bring lots of both!).

2. Friday, because it is an early out from school, we will run the 3k test a bit early.  Practice will begin at 1:30 PM, and we will begin the 3000m around 2:15.  Practice should be done about 3 PM then.  That should give you guys plenty of time to rest up for the strength test on Saturday!

OH YEAAAHHH!

(just for Pat)