The first USSMA ski race is this Saturday at Grand Targhee resort. In the past, this has been a team event, but because it is a qualifying race this year, it is an individual event. One of my goals/hopes is to qualify for the US Team and to that end, I started a training progam for that purpose in October. I am generally satisfied with the way things have gone training-wise. I wasn't able to precisely follow it, but more or less got it done. The major deviation was the failure to complete a high intensity block last week, which was to come on the heels of a high volume week. I couldn't do it because I was walking a fine line of being overtrained and sick. Right now, I'm trying to rest and recover in time for Saturday. Hopefully, Saturday's race won't come as too big of a shock to the system . . . yeah right, who am I kidding.
It's been a challenge preparing for an "A" race without having any sort of training races as precursors. But we'll all be in the same boat since this is the first skimo race in the US this season. I guess I'll just have to rely on my intervals and gut it out. And take solace in the fact that I'm going into this race with a lot of ski hours compared to years past. And remember that this is a really cool sport! (See video below from last year's Pierra Menta.)
10 comments:
Your claim that descending on that lightweight gear is at all tenable for non-racers just lost all credibility. Every descent shown in that video looked like Bill Johnson's DH run in the 84 olympics where everyone was certain he was going to crash on every corner yet he somehow didn't. The difference is that the rando racers are going half as fast and still look out of control.
Good luck!!
So where do you have to finish to qualify?
Good luck! It would be very cool to have a local guy on the US team. How did you get that many training days in this early in the year with the season we have had?
Good luck man, you sound way more prepared than any one else that I have talked to. Wish I could be there to gut it out with you but a stubborn case of achilles tendonitis has keep me from training much at all. Good luck making the team!
I've been thinking of this race (Heavy metal version) for quite a while and just yesterday I was sure that I wasn't going to do it. Now I'm kind of psyched to do it again. My car pool & friends have backed out though. Any chance you've got an extra seat? Email me at laynecaldwell at gmail dot com if you do--
Good luck and hope you make it!!
Layne
SBJ: it's an acquired taste.
Joel: I have to finish in the top 3 at either Targhee or Sunlight (next week).
JJ: Lots of runs up and down Alta before it opened, then at other resorts. A number of dirt/snow tours too.
Good Luck. Put the hurt on the field.
Jared, I think if I tried to acquire the taste, I'd become far more acquainted with trees, cliffs, and other potentially lethal hazards than I care to be. I need all the help I can get.
Tear it up this weekend. Top three is yours. Eye of the Tiger baby.
Nice work, Jared. I know you will blog from your point of view near the front and I will do the same from mine in the middle of the pack. Truth is, I don't think you need to be in the top three to "qualify" to spend your own money to go to Worlds. There will probably be those who qualify but can't afford the ticket. That will move others up. Patience, young Jedi.
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