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Masters Training cancelled 12/7 (and likely 12/9)

By on 6 December, 2021 in Masters Blog

Conditions at the Range have been described this morning (Monday) as a few hundred meters of icy snow to ski out-and-back on. Given the rain and warmth throughout the day, those conditions have only worsened. This doesn’t allow us the ability to host group training in a safe or functional manner, and so we will need to continue postponing our first official Masters training and skiing until either:

a) More natural snow or

b) More cold days/nights to continue snowmaking operations

While we wait for snow in one form or another, you can check out a few updates on ski-related content and engagement on this blog post below.

Masters: Snowless Content

A few other reminders about Masters programming:

  • You can find the Masters Training Doc at this link. This is the hub for technique and session details.
  • You can find the Range Snow Report on Twitter here, or on the upper right of the MNC homepage
  • Registering for MNC programs can be done at this link.

Storm Tracker Blog: What's the best weather for melting snow? | Grand Forks Herald

Masters: Snowless Content

By on 6 December, 2021 in Masters Blog

While the snow may be lacking and our programs are off to a slow start due to the weather, it doesn’t mean we can’t still focus on skiing! In this post, I’ll share some recent content, links, and thoughts that can keep the stoke alive for our sport. It is a well-known concept that the more you think about skiing, watch skiing, and read about skiing, the more snow will fall when the storms eventually happen.

Watching the World Cup

It has been a great star to the World Cup season, especially if you’re a fan of American skiers. We are now two weekends in, with a three-race series in Ruka, Finland followed by a recent three-race series in Lillehammer, Norway.

You can watch the races live and after-the-fact with a subscription to Peacock streaming, but another great resource is the Youtube Channel SKIDLANDSLAGET. Races are often posted here shortly after conclusion, with Scandinavian commentary.

Nordic Ski Podcasts

Like most sports nowadays, skiing has a few podcasts to keep the conversation going! Whether you’re at work or driving in your car, you can follow-along with some interesting commentary, analysis, and even insightful ski reflections.

Check out the Fasterskier series of podcast feeds here, and note that these podcasts are all available on Spotify as well.

https://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2019/12/FS-podcast-DEVON_KERSHAW-dd-3kx3k-e1575252302366.jpeg

Workouts without snow

When the trails are icy, the weather is rainy, and the skiing just can’t happen, there doesn’t have to be a pause in training. During the deep quarantine period of COVID, we put together several workout videos for use right in the living room or basement. These don’t have to just be for quarantine! You can check out a video library of useful links below:

 

BKL Practice Week of 12/06/21

By on 6 December, 2021 in BKL Training Schedule

With Monday’s rain, we have lost most of our snow. The Range is busy making snow but we are unsure if they have enough for us to ski on yet, and there is not much snow in the forecast this week. So, I planned dryland practices for this week. BE SURE YOU CHECK BACK TUESDAY & THURSDAY MORNINGS TO BE SURE PLANS HAVE NOT CHANGED!  This time of year is a bit touch and go!

If you don’t know your child’s subgroup, find it HERE.

Tuesday, 12/07, All BKL, Dryland, Mill River Park, Rte. 15, Jericho- 3:45- 4:45 pm

We will meet the kids, play some name games, work on building our teams and play some soccer and other dryland activities.

Everyone should bring a headlamp and wear anything you have that is glow in the dark. We will be finishing in the dark, there are no lights in the park! Pick-up is earlier because of the dark.

Kids should wear sneakers they can run in. Kids should wear a parka over their “training clothes” because after some fun name games and ice breakers, we’ll be running around and we’ll really warm up.

Thursday, 12/09- Jack Rabbits, Arctic Foxes, Racers, Mill River Park, Jericho, 3:45-4:45

UPDATED 12/08

CLASSIC! No-wax rock skis if you have them. 

Bring headlamps and throw your sneakers in the car, just in case.

We will be checking pole adjustments.  PLEASE PUT YOUR CHILD”S NAME ON THEIR POLES. Duct tape, masking tape or painter’s tape work well. Lots of kids have the same kind of poles, so we really need poles labelled. Thanks!

Sunday, 12/12, Racers at Craftsbury, 1 PM, CLASSIC

We usually practice on Saturday mornings on weekends if there is not a race. However the weather for Saturday is an 80% chance of rain. The weather looks a lot better for Sunday, so we will plan to go on Sunday afternoon.  Everyone will need a pass and if you don’t have a Craftsbury membership, passes are only $5 for students and you can get them online HERE.

12/07- There should be great classic tracks as the race that morning is classic, so let’s take advantage of it. Meet me at the MNC wax trailer in the lower parking lot (between Cedar Lodge and the new lodging cabins).  We will wax skis there at 1 PM.

Juniors: what races Dec 11/12?

By on 5 December, 2021 in Junior Blog

There are some races coming up the weekend of December 11th/12th at Craftsbury. The season is really getting underway and there are now enough competitions on the high school/VPA schedule to necessitate a little planning on which races make sense to attend versus which are better sat out. Below I’ll try to provide my suggestions for different athletes based on their school race schedule, yearly goals, team flexibility, and ability level!

First off, you can find links to the Craftsbury races here:

Saturday December 11th: Rodrigues Sprints

Skate sprint race where EVERYONE makes heats. You will do the course 4 times: once solo for a qualifier, and then three more times head-to-head against others. This makes for a long and tiring day with lots of planning/extra clothing/snacks and meals necessary. 

Sunday December 12th: Kendall Classic

Classic mass start distance races. 5km for U16 and 10km for U18+. This is a very standard format and schedule, but with the added bonus that we did not get to do any mass start races last season! 

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If you are trying to pick which race(s) to attend, here are some of the key factors:

  • Are you racing midweek during this upcoming week, either a timetrial or true race?
  • Are you competing in the biathlon events at Craftsbury over this same weekend?
  • Do you have a race on Wednesday, December 15th?
  • Are you competing in Eastern Cup #1 in Maine the weekend of December 18/19?

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The ideal situation is for MNC racers to enter Eastern Cup #1 (Dec 18/19) having completed two races in the 10 days leading up to the Eastern Cup. Ideally, one classic and one freestyle race. 

We want to have races under our belts before the Eastern Cup, but it is also early in the season and we don’t want to put our bodies through a ton of hard races at the expense of general consistent skiing and fitness. Based on all those factors, here are Adam’s recommendations…

  • If you are racing a high school competition on Wednesday, December 8th and/0r Wednesday, December 15th, it is best to choose one weekend Craftsbury race. My suggestion would be the Kendall Classic, as for most it will be the first real classic race of the season. This also means Saturday can be a day for longer, continuous skiing (up to 90 min).
  • If you are competing in the biathlon race events at Craftsbury, and/or you are competing in high school competitions, the Kendall Classic is the best option (see above).
  • If you are NOT racing any high school events, my suggestion would be to do both the Rodrigues Sprints and the Kendall Classic, as this perfectly simulates the upcoming Eastern Cup weekend of skate sprint followed by classic distance. This is perfect preparation!

 

 

BKL Sub Groups & Start-Up

By on 5 December, 2021 in BKL Jackrabbits, BKL Training Schedule

Find your child’s Sub-group & coach info here:  MNC BKL Sub-Groups

Please make note of your child’s coach’s contact info. Let coaches know if your child will be absent, if it is last minute, please text Coach Rosemary (802-343-3347).

Practice Plans will be posted on Sunday nights or Monday mornings on this site (BKL Training Schedule).

If there is not enough snow to ski at the Range, we will most likely do a Dryland Session at Mills River Park on Rte. 15 in Jericho. Please check the website for any last minute changes, especially this time of year or if the weather looks bad. I will post a change by 2 pm the day of.

 

 

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