xcSkiLife.com

September Camp: Fall is here at 33 degrees

Brian — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:42:24 +0000

Eric, Karl, Santi. 4*3minutes sprint simulation. Plus 4*400 to work on finishing speed

Aga (Masters Team) and Jenny: Thanks Aga for joining us for a few days of camp

Cool temperatures have arrived in the Northwoods. I love this time of year, sunny and crisp. We are getting ready for winter.

Classic Sprint Simulation (training skis):

Qualifying: Eric (3:02), Karl (3:12), Gregg (3:19), Santi (3:22)

Quarter 1: Eric (3:04), Karl (3:07), Gregg (3:08), Santi (3:xx)

Semi: Eric (3:02), Karl (3:03), Gregg (3:03.5), Santi (3:0x?)

Final: Eric (3:06), Karl (3:07) Gregg (3:07.5), Santi (3:08)

Video from the sprint is on Facebook: CXC Skiing

We have a great group of guys pushing each other to be better. Kuz got back Sunday night from skiing down under. This morning’s intervals 2*25, L3 had a nice smooth train.

Sleeping with the enemy

Brian — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:21:19 +0000

APU invited me to their summer home, the Thomas Training Center on the Eagle Glacier. The training center alone is a remarkable facility nestled on the ridge 5,500 feet above Girdwood, Ak about 40 minutes south of Anchorage. The real gem however, is the 7.5km loop of skiing meters outside the door.

Mikey and I super excited for our first helicopter ride.

Day 1: Awesome

Several Sun Valley skier: Mike Sinnot, Colin Rogers, and Nicole Deyong and I joined up with the APU team. It was really fun to catch up on everyones summer training and endeavors. Through years of training and racing together we are all good friends. I think I spent a bit too much time reading the trashy Cosmos laying around the Thomas Training Center (yes 30 minutes is too much time). In addition to staying in tough with the feeling of snow one of my main motivations for this camp was to train with the many strong athletes who make up the APU and SVSEF elite teams.

Most mornings I drank my tea outside and enjoy being surrounded by mountains

The beautiful days are burned into my memory, but 75% of the time the weather was more akin to this. We might not have had good weather, but we had great skiing ever day.

The drying room, important to staying comfortable and staying healthy. Most of the time the APU skiers were smiling, I am not sure what Becca is doing

We had beautiful days for our first and last skis of camp

Is that a Thule rack?

Last season I felt I made a big jump in my ski racing. There were a number of factors contributing to that but I felt getting on snow in the summertime was huge for me. Last year Matt and I went to the Haig glacier. Classic striding has been a focus of mine and skiing on snow in the middle of the dry land season has helped me make some major efficiency improvements.

It was a challenging decision for me to miss the first 10 days of the CXC Team Vertical Limit camp in Ironwood, MI. Especially when the glacier camp cost about $1,000. It is an investment in my ski racing which I hope to regain this season. I did make it back for a few days of August camp. There is a V1 roller ski climb in Ironwood which is worth flying in from Alaska for. This climb was

Go Training! Classic Intervals in Afton before heading up to Ironwood. We don't have a lot of big climbs in the Midwest be we have some and they are good.

Waxing Each Month of the Year

Brian — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:21:33 +0000

I skied every month of the year last year, this year I have waxed each month. I haven’t skied in July or June, but today is August 1 and and I am going skiing tomorrow!

Grinding everything this spring at Nordic Ultratune

I have always had a good ski quiver, but this year a goal of mine is to have a really good quiver. I worked with Mark and Nordic Ultratune to touch-up all of my skis with fresh grinds for the 2010-2011 ski season. I have a big ski bag this year but feel good about everything that is it. I am really looking forward to trying the new pair of zero skis Salomon sent earlier this week. they are a bit shorter (201cm) and softer that what I have used in the past.

Yesterday on the Eagle Glacier

I flew up to Anchorage, AK yesterday thanks to my United Airlines credit card miles and $10. My good friend and college roommate Paul picked me up from airport. Paul is the man. He picked me up right on time and brought me back to his place for some left over steak and potatoes. Something about flying and airport food is that pretty much the first thing I want to do after flying is go get some regular food. After a quick lunch we wasted no time and headed out for a run/hike up O’Malley. I love being back in the mountains.

We are going to try and fly in to the glacier this evening and get settled before getting after 7 days of solid training. Casey and Erik are up on the Eagle getting everything ready. It is overcast and drizzling in town here, but Casey sent me these photos from his iPhone from last night.

Thomas Training Center, ready for skiers!

Wausau Junior Camp: Storm Strength

Brian — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:09:30 +0000

After last week’s speed block I am ready for a few recovery days and am taking a few days to work with my Adopt-an-Athlete community in Wausau, WI. It is fun for me to take a break from focusing on my own training and coach the next generation of athletes.

A little rain only makes ski practice more fun

Gotta love dead-end roads with no houses

Tracy Gorzek does an excellent job working with the Wausau juniors year round. Igor has been spending 1-week/month in Wausau this summer too and you can tell that everyone is getting good.

Ashley, Emily, Anna, Paige, Tracy, Anna, Erin, and Megan not afraid to work on full weight transfer even if it means a few scrapes and bruises

Ashley getting forward and more comfortable

Teammates and competition help make you stronger

Training needs to be fun

... and creative (Russian Balance Wrestling)

Who wants to train tomorrow?

Canoeing to Disney World

Brian — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:20:15 +0000

Mondays and Wednesday afternoons are special days at ‘The Club,’ we get to go canoeing on the Namekogon River. Many of the kids have experienced canoeing in the fall on the lakes surrounding the club, but that doesn’t even compare to the experience of canoing down a river which eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico. We have been going for the 3-4 hour afternoon float but I am already looking forward to the first kid who follows their dream of canoeing to Disney World.

: The Boats more than ready to go. Thanks Mario for catching the escapee.

: The girls were in a canoe for the first time ever and although they flipped several times they wore some big smiles by the end of the day.

: At the halfway point we take a little snack and swim break.

: Shaylena, Cheyenne, and Me full speed ahead

: Kiera and Shana enjoying summertime

A canoe trip down river requires many more logistical challenges than lake canoeing. Thankfully we have had the additional support of community volunteers and our summer teen staff to make

it happen. Thanks especially to my sister Tara, who was in town visiting and joined us for the day. Kiera and Shana had a great time sharing a boat with you sis. I have witnessed the kids talking about a lot of big ideas and dreams while we are out on the river and it makes me smile. The Namekogan flows into the Saint Croix River which makes its way to the Mississippi river, there is a lot of river to explore and adventures to be had.

Valley Fair

Brian — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:24:37 +0000

‘We are going to Valley Fair!’ The kids have been talking about it since April. The weather was beautiful and everyone was up early for the big ‘Club Trip of the Month.’ Over 40 kids packed into the school bus at 6:45am for the drive to Minnesota’s best amusement park Valley Fair.

Shana, Michela, Paige, Soriah, Kiera, and Brandon up early and exited for the trip. It is a long 4 hours on the bus to Valley Fair when you have so much energy. Thankfully my brother Chad helped provide me with plenty of riddles and car games to keep everyone thinking throughout the trip.

Cheyenne, Shaylena and Aaron ready to get wet on the log ride

My group The Blue Eagles spent most of our time on the water rides and in the water park. My clothes were soaked after the first ride and pretty much stayed that way until we loaded back on the bus.

Valley Fair is Fun, but now I am tired. The entire bus pretty much took a quick nap before it was time to stop at McDonalds for dinner and a game of tag.

Olympic Day Fun at LCO Boys and Girls Club

Brian — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:06:19 +0000

: 2010 Olympian Garrott Kuzzy starting the relay

June 23rd is Olympic Day in celebration of the birth of the modern Olympics. The LCO Boys and Girls Club celebrated the day with 2010 Olympian Garrott Kuzzy and several members of CXC Team Vertical Limit.

Getting Fired up watching highlights from the 2010 Games

Santi cheering Delilah on in the Pineapple Slalom

Ardepol Puppin.

One of the most challenging legs of the relay was Ardepol Puppin. I am nearly positive I am spelling it wrong, but one of the funniest and most challenging games was Ardepol Pupping. Everyone had to set a potato on a chair, sit down and pick it up, waddle over and drop it in a bowl. This was a fun one to watch.

Running the Jump Rope Gauntlet

Potatoes make you strong

Refueling our hardwork with fresh Pineapple. 90% of the kids were enjoying fresh pineapple for the first time

The Best Dog in the World

Brian — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:17:46 +0000

Tilly Gregg

When I was in 4th grade I remember coming home from soccer practice and Mom and Dad told the three of us kids there was a big surprise waiting for us in the garage. We opened the door and the cutest dog ever ran out into the yard.

We named her Tilly after the pacific northwest Tillicum Tribe. She gets reminded off her namesake when we call her.

The Gregg's at Glacier Peak: Jim, Chad, Brian, Tilly, Tara, Jan

After nearly 16 years of fun and adventures Tilly took her final nap the other day. It is sad to lose such a good and faithful friend. Still, I can’t help but smile as I flip through pictures and recall the many good memories we have made together. We have always done things as a family and Tilly is part of the family. Living in Baja, Mexico for a month while she was a puppy, flying on the airplane as an avalanche ‘service’ dog, spring crust skis, camping, back country tours, runs/hikes in the mountains and even a bit of rock climbing.

Farm Dog:

She always entertained us and we would try to do the same. One year we got some runner ducks (think Aflak commercial) to herd, that didn’t work as well as the sheep. She enjoyed working in the yard and hanging out under the grease drip of ‘Old White’

Where are my skis?

CXC Team joins Minnesota Youth Ski League Practice

Brian — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:27:37 +0000

CXC Team Vertical Limit had a great training camp in Marine on St. Croix, MN. The old mill town was quiet and peaceful allowing us to get our work done. Roller skiing, running, biking and weight lifting were the names of the games.

2011 CXC Team Vertical Limit

One of the highlights of the week for me was joining the Minnesota Youth Ski League Practice. We brought our agility and coordination strength equipment and with a little imagination has some great ski specific games, relays, and activities. 30 of us enjoyed a beautiful afternoon.

Diggins and the girls warming up

Air Time

I will be brining the hurdles and ladders to the Boys and Girls Club this Wednesday, June 23 for ‘Olympic Day’. Who is ready to show they have the ups?I will be brining the hurdles and ladders to the Boys and Girls Club this Wednesday, June 23 for ‘Olympic Day’. Who is ready to show they have the ups?

Marine on St. Croix, MN Training Camp

Chad.Gregg — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:13:23 +0000

School is out for summer and the entire 2010/11 CXC Team is together for the first time. We have a big crew this year with 18 athletes on the roster. Unfortunatly the marathon team athletes are not at training camp a solid group of 10 athletes and 3 coaches have been pushing each other and having fun this week.

Morning Exercises

Everything is very green here in Marine on St. Croix, MN. We have had a bit of rain everyday. Some might complain about this, but it is just fine with me because it keeps the temperatures mild.

lots of kilometers this week

Volume has been a big theme for me this year. I am keeping many things similar to last year, but increasing the volume when I am fresh and feeling good. There are plenty of nice roads and variety around town to keep me entertained.

St. Croix Falls OD 3.75hr