Happy Thanksgiving!!

The team has been on snow for two days now, and the adjustment period to real skiing has gone extremely well. We have had great weather both days (after driving through a downpour the whole way up from VT) and we have already done some specific strength work, lots of technique work, and some video! The group is a little tired (in a good way) after today's doublepole workout so we are going to have a somewhat lighter day tomorrow in preparation for the weekend of races. They just laid some track outside my window, so it looks like everything should go as planned. Hopefully everyone had a satisfying feast tonight.. we did NOT. The food here leaves much to be desired, but not driving to and from Stoneham every day, showers right after workouts, and beds in between workouts has definitely made it more than worth it.

Another Beautiful Day In Sun Valley

The kids all survived the intensity block we did over the past week. It was not easy. Lots of L3 and L4 intervals in a short 5 day timespan. Everyone seemed to actually enjoy the work though, especially Jane, who liked telling me how much fun she was having as I was panting on the ground after another 10 minute lap of natural intervals.
The weather has progressively cooled through the weeks we have been here, but we have still at least seen some sunlight every day, and we have only actually been rained on during a workout once. Saturday most of the kids took the SATs, which was an interval workout in and of itself. In the afternoon we did a pace run on the trails up beyond the Sun Valley ski center, and yesterday was completely off. For the next few days we are doing some hiking, biking, and other fun things to finish off the camp. Keeping active but nothing too strenuous.

Sun Valley- the First Blog

While we have been planning on updating this blog for the past week and a half straight, it is really difficult to draw the motivation, nay, Courage- to sit inside when it is 75 degrees and sunny every day. But here we are, ready to blog as the kids are outside driving golf balls from our back yard (don't worry, its safe.)
Everyone is pretty much fully adjusted to the altitude by this point. Since we have been here we haven't had a full day off, tomorrow is off, and the day after that starts our intensity block. People are looking really good, keeping their heart rates low, and seem excited to get working before every workout. A few days ago we ran around Redfish Lake about an hour north of here, which was as beautiful as anything we've seen, and today we hiked to Pioneer Cabin and looked out at some 12,000 foot mountains up close. Very cool.
It's time to head out to hit some balls. Check back in, we will keep you up to date better in the future!

Day 2 on Snow: Still Skiing!

The title of this blog, still skiing, may seem obvious, we are in fact, still skiing.....BUT this is skiing at its finest. Each morning we swing open the curtains holding our breath hoping to be greeted by sunshine. So far, so good. This morning up on snow was cloudless, the boys spent their time constructively, working on weight transfer, correct poling and perfect eye-to-norwegian girl-in front of you- technique.

Needless to say this place is full of very "fit" people. This place has it all, beautiful mountains, incredible skiers, skiing in the sun and homemade bread among many things. The crew of "americanos," as they have been affectionatly dubbed by the Norwegians have disocvered the secret afternoon hangout on the roof. The warm metal surface in direct mountain sun provides a perfect playground for some serious sun bathing and mingling. Norwegians must love the sun because day after day the overall skin tone in the dining room becomes a deeper shade of red. (I guess it is their national color) Both groups skied a solid amount today as we endeavour to fill our week with hours on snow. The older group logged an impressive 5 hours training today, so perhaps the halls will be a bit more peaceful tonight, save the ever constant practice of the "twerk" dance. You best ask later on that one, it is truly a long, strange story.

We are looking forward to a few more sunny days in the forcast as we burrow into our bags for our higher SPF options. Looks good as of now!

-Lucy (guest writer)

Sognefjell Norway: Home of the Norwegians

It is pretty late so ill just put up a picture or two for now with some more in depth coverage tomorrow. Everything is going well in Norway!