Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Mora Race, Jan. 5th

Date: January 5, 2015
Location: Vasaloppet Nordic Center
400 N 9th St, Mora, MN 55051
Race Schedule: ALL RACES FREESTYLE
4:00 Fast Tracker (younger than 7th grade) Race (~1k)
4:15 JH Boys with JH girls starting 5 minutes after (2.5k)
4:45 JV Boys Mass Start Skate (5k)
5:30 JV Girls- Mass Start Skate (5k)
6:15pm - Citizen race- Mass Start Skate (5k)
6:45pm Varsity Boys Wave start Skate (5k)
7:15 Varsity Girls- wave start Skate (5k)

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Go get some!

If you haven't been out in the fresh snow, go get some!
The trails at Riverside are solid. Just a few thin sections; the little climb along the wall has some rocks showing through. Take your time and pick a good line and you shouldn't damage your skis.
The flats through the oak trees are excellent. Solid edging allows for great control and technique work. Don't be afraid of doing some no poling. I've heard a few too many comments about sore arms, which means you're forgetting to use those big leg muscles!

The North Loop is pretty rough, if you have Team skis I'd prefer if you stayed off it. The risk of damaging the skis are pretty high.

More snow in the forecast for Monday evening into Tuesday. Grooming should take place Tuesday evening so skiing Wednesday should be primo at most trail networks.

This is what we've been waiting for! Enjoy the Holiday Gift from Ma Nature:)

Reminder: Please check e-mail and respond to trip message.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Break

Please check back occasionally for updates.

The ski trip is the Friday we return to school, January 8! I will send out an e-mail soon with fees and time lines.
Don't be afraid to go and find snow to ski on over break;) If you're in the metro, Elm Creek and Hyland are great options. Push-ups, dips and core work are your friends and a run never hurts in place of skiing.

Enjoy the break, and check back for some skiing opportunities that may come available next week for us.



Sunday, December 20, 2015

Monday

MONDAY:
Waxing and Holiday party. I think that explains it all;)
Please check your e-mails and bring an item of choice.

Tuesday we will head to Powder Ridge for a mock race, technique and skills day.
Plan on skiing, skiing and more skiing. Pack a lunch, snacks and water.

Please check with teachers and try to take tests early Tuesday before school if possible!

Dismissed from class 11:30 depart 11:45. South dismissed 11:40, 11:50 pick up.
We will finish up 2:45 and make it back for busing, or parent pick-up at 3:30.


Thursday, December 17, 2015

Friday

I need to commend everyone who had the gumption to get out early and charge that icy luge track and bounce up after some hard slams!The Nordic Life can be rough, especially low snow years! Those starter conditions were tough, no, terrible! With the groomer out the transformation was in progress throughout practice. The icy abyss transformed into an almost malleable ski trail. I think I complained more then anyone. Thanks again for making the most of the day!

Hit the repeat button.

See everyone tomorrow.


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Thursday

We will keep fighting the good fight! Riverside bumper skiing round 2 tomorrow.
Sorry to all those who were delayed again by another late bus.

Brainerd's Race Monday the 21st has been cancelled.
All hope for Tuesday isn't lost yet.

Reminder: Dine to Donate December 17th and 22nd at Granite City Food & Brew. Mention to your friends and family. If they mention Tech Nordic or Cross Country we get 10% of the tab.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Wednesday

Bring those skis! I'm banking on snow tonight so we'll be back at Riverside!

Great races all around. The massive amount of climbing in such a short circuit pushed everyone to their limits. It appeared with race brain in full effect many subtle techniques we worked on went out the window. The plus is that most of you seemed conscious of this, we need to change these habits. I think everyone has an idea what their weaknesses are, but number one for me is cardio. We need to keep moving on the L shaped track at Riverside. We just can't stop and talk, keep skiing, it's in your hands. Talk while you ski.

Special props to Beka, Alexis, Shane, Carter and Ulises for going from rookie race to the Monster JV course today. You survived and are better for it, I think;)

Bus leaving from Tech as always tomorrow for Riverside. See you all there.

Reminder: Dine to Donate December 17th and 22nd at Granite City Food & Brew. Mention to your friends and family. If they mention Tech Nordic or Cross Country we get 10% of the tab.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Powder Ridge #2

Sorry for the delay just making sure everything was still a go!

Cathedral Sartell Race
12:30 GV 4 laps (wave start)
12:50 GJV 3 laps (wave start)
1:10 BV 4 laps (wave start)
1:30 BJV 3 laps (wave start)
2:00 Junior High Boys & 2:02 Girls
2:30 Rookie Race Boys & 2:31 Girls

Tech: 10:30 class dismissal, 10:45 bus departure. South: 10:45 dismissal, 11 departure. 



Sunday, December 13, 2015

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Wake Up Call

In-cred-i-ble!
adjective 1.impossible to believe.

What a morning session. I saw more gains in two hours then the previous two weeks. Everyone was open to critique and improving themselves as skiers. Many of the dryland puzzle pieces were fit into the active skate technique. Everything in the dryland world had a place and a reason built towards developing all around ski fitness and technique. The puzzle is coming together my friends. We shed our inhibitions and were open to crashing in the name of progress. Scary fun!

I hope everyone got down on the delectable egg bake action from Peggy. It had that Yooper pasty flare I crave . I also sampled an amazing banana muffin that melted in my mouth;-) Life Lesson: Just say yes when someone hands you a muffin.

Again, thanks to everyone who passed on the warmth of Tech Nordic Holiday cheer on our final day of Salvation Army bell ringing!

Will post Tuesday Race Schedule tomorrow night/Monday morning. Times will be similar just the order of races flipped a bit. GV, GJV, BV, BJV, JH, Rookie. Just waiting for confirmation.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

In Defense of Winter

Today I had been searching for inspiration to drive me and you forward during this eternal winter warm spell that is so deficient of snow. I glance out my rain streaked window at work, watching puddles form and see passing cars with windshield wipers waving goodbye to our snow. I know not everyone will hear my pleas or see my joy as encouragement to stick with skiing. I find pleasure in exercise, and rejuvenation in exercise that leads me to the outdoors, especially silent sports. I know not everyone does. You joined the ski team to ski, race and compete, but if you haven’t noticed already, this sport, this team, is about so much more. Yesterday there were so many smiles, laughs, grass tumbling wrecks and general havoc that I can’t help but appreciate your spirit. Seeing Muftah tip to the back of his skis streaking through the grass just missing trees was just too good! This lack of snow sucks, but you guys continue to astound me making the most of it.  While listening to a podcast today, my thoughts muddled, these serendipitous words lifted me up. So I thought I’d put these wonderful expressions out here for you to read. I hope they can maybe do the same for you in your own way.

Paraphrasing from my chicken scratch notes:

I never regret exercising, I always feel better, I always feel calmer when I do. Pay attention to the quiet things, because joy is often quiet. Inconsequential things have to make noise or we wouldn’t pay attention. Moving can turn down the volume. When you truly listen, the quiet things have the most to say.     -Fitz Cahall-

Even if we are not skiing but doing things revolving around the sport we can find those blissful moments. I hope we have a chance to find them on snow, gliding on skinny skis. Remember, even in the madness of racing there is quiet. Please remain open and stay encouraged. It is a tough lesson, but great skiing is never guaranteed and when we have that chance it always makes it special.


Thanks everyone, see you tomorrow.

Thursday Update:11am

Everyone will practice at Tech today! Meet outside the ski room.
Please pass the word along.
Thanks Much.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Thursday

Race Updates:
Next Thursdays race has been temporarily moved to Tuesday based on current snow conditions.
Pretty much the same schedule as this Tuesday. So let's make contact with our teachers ahead of time and square up assignments, notes and tests.

Reminder that the Brainerd race on the 21st is an all day affair. With the Holiday break starting Wednesday I'm sure there will be a few tests to take ahead of time, make arrangements.

Tomorrow we will be breaking down into two groups:
1. All JV, Varsity and JH racers meet at Tech for a run and weight session. The cardio needs just aren't being met on the Riverside slope.

2 All Rookie racers (including Karl) to Riverside Park to ski. The more time on skis the better. They groomed the trail as we left tonight so conditions should be better then today. Let's continue to refine all the technique work we did today and build confidence on our descending  skills.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing Saturday;11-1 Coborn's on Copper. Please sign up for a single hour or the entire time.
The community helped us through our fundraiser so let's return the favor to the greater St. Cloud Community and lend a hand with this volunteer opportunity!

See everyone tomorrow.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

In The Books

Race 1 is in the books.
Let's capture this racing excitement and let it drive us through this eternal snow drought!!
I hope everyone was as proud of their races today as Peggy and I were of you. So many smiles, soooo many great crash stories. Sorry about the tight race quarters, little snow equals little race track. I think it was still a positive race experience. Think about your weaknesses and let's make them a strength; did somebody say, cough, cough umm, humm, downhill tuck and step turns. Maybe bring a helmet tomorrow because we're going downhill;-)

Tomorrow we'll be back at Riverside trying to tap into any snowy remnants that remain.

You guys rock! See you tomorrow.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Race #1

Minor Departure time change. Dismissed from class 10:50. Bus leaves at 11. South pick up 11:10. South student please dress prior to getting on bus. The bus will be making a return trip to Tech after the race.
For race times view earlier e-mail.

Race Day Prep and Checklist:
1. Skis, Boots, Poles.
2. Uniform, base layers, hat, gloves, etc...
3. Food for before and after race. Snack and lunch.
4. Try to eat a large breakfast and just a light lunch. We really don't want to consume much food in the 3hrs leading up to the race.
5. Fluids: keep hydrated throughout the day and up to the race.
6. Dry clothes for before and after your race. Winter jacket.
7. If your parents are picking you up I need to see them prior to you leaving.

Remember this is non-typical race format. A great way to start the season in a relaxed racing manor.
Let's have fun, race fast and cheer each other on to a successful first race.

Don't forget we are student athletes. With this we choose to take on a larger responsibility in our school. This includes time, class and homework management. Sometimes we need to make arrangements in our regular schedule to meet all of these demands. Let's be proactive and meet all the demands of a student athlete.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Monday

Wax day. Bring your running shoes as well. I'd like everyone to get a short run in. We'll break into two groups and make a switch. Ease congestion in the wax room and get our body and mind ready for our first race of the year.

Race schedule and departure times on previous post.

Reminder:
Talk with Teachers tomorrow!!

Bell ringing again next Saturday. Corborn's on Cooper 11-1. You can sign up for just an hour shift.

Shout out to all the ladies from this Saturday's ringing session. All expectations were shattered with the array of Holiday cheer that was bestowed upon all Coborn's shoppers from the Tech Nordic choral session. I think I underwhelmed with my inadequate repertoire of Holiday songs; we all have room to grow;-) Thanks Again everyone!

See you tomorrow.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Race Tuesday December 8th

Confirmation that next Thursday's race has been moved to Tuesday at Powder Ridge.

With this change all events are moved earlier into the day. The owner needs us off the hill by 3pm. To accommodate the races have to start early.

This is pretty much a practice race. The format is non-typical, the organizer is just trying to give us an opportunity to race.
With the additional time away from school everyone needs to make sure to let their teachers know you will not be in class Tuesday. If you have concerns with missing class please talk with me Monday.
Please check back Sunday night for Monday practice details and location.

You will be dismissed from class 11am.
Depart Tech 11:15.
South Pick-up 11:20. (Dress prior to leaving)

Powder Ridge Race Tuesday Dec. 8th
12:30 JH Boys Skate, Mass Start (1.5k)
12:35 JH Girls Skate, Mass Start (1.5)
1:00 Girls Varsity/JV skate (1 minute waves) 3 laps, 4.5k
2:10 Boys Varsity/JV skate (1minuteswaves) 3 laps, 4.5k
2:40 Boys Rookie Race
2:41 Girls Rookie Race
3:30 Awards

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Friday

So many smiles today! Way to make the most of shredded ice conditions. Once we found that sugar cord everyone seemed to find their inner skier. What an unexpected day of gains. You guys rock. Let's see if we can sneak out another great day on the skinny's tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Race Cancelled

Due to the warm temps and thinning snow the race has been cancelled for tomorrow.
We will have regular practice instead.
The conditions won't allow for a race but we should still be able to squeeze out another day on the skis! Pick ups at Riverside.

See everyone tomorrow.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Wednesday

In the words of my world traveling comrade Cjell "the stoke is high my friends." I hope everyone had an amazing first day on snow. I can't wait to get back at it tomorrow. Please feel free to extend your time at practice tomorrow. We may only have a day or two left on snow for a bit so let's maximize it. Just remember, it does get easier! You will be surprised how much more comfortable you will be even tomorrow. Try to embrace your dryland skill set and find those balance points. If you weren't falling you can push yourself a little more;-)

See everyone tomorrow.