Archive | Masters Blog

Looking for strength-training inspiration to see you through until we’re back on snow?  Then join ski coach Carly Wynn of Carly Outside (The Box) for a four-week session of online strength training on Monday nights, 6 to 7pm.  This offering has been designed specifically for and is limited to Mansfield masters so you’ll have a chance to catch up with teammates while Carly whips us into shape for ski season.  $50 for (4) one-hour sessions, suitable for all levels (exercises can be modified as needed).  Class size is limited to about eight; if there is sufficient interest a second class could be added on a weekend or earlier in the day on a weekday. 

From Carly:

As ski season approaches, join us for weekly Zoom strength sessions. We will be working hard in a social atmosphere, and tying our exercises back to skiing. Please wear sneakers and have available any home gym equipment you may have, including but not limited to: a yoga mat, two small weights (3-5 lbs), exercises bands, balance devices, and other resistance equipment. Sessions will open and close with a brief warm up and cool down, but if you have time before and after the session please feel free to add your own warm up & cool down.

MONDAY NIGHT CLASS:  Classes begin tonight (12/7…the first class can be sent to you if you miss it!) so register and pay here ASAP (submit your contact info, then pay at the very bottom of the page).

SECOND CLASS:  If the Monday night class fills or you’d prefer an alternate time, email Katie Hill at khill@gmavt.net with your preference (weekend, weekday morning, or weekday mid-day) and she will coordinate scheduling with Carly.

Introducing Training Pods

Looking toward the start of the season (December 1st), it is in the club’s interest to have a safe, fun, and fast season! To accomplish these goals, the Masters program will adopt a new “Training Pod” coaching structure.

Training Pods will consist of groups of skiers with similar training goals. If you are a returning skier and know skiers you would like to train with, please reach out to fellow skiers to start forming a pod.

What happens if I am a new skier or don’t know who I would like to train with?

Do not worry! Just show up on December 1st, and our coaches will begin to assess and help direct you to a training pod that is in line with your training goals.

As we approach the start of the season, we will ask each Training Pod to designate a Pod Leader. The coaches will publish a training plan each week that will be available on the MNC website. Coaches will be available for questions and support. Early in the season, we anticipate our coaching resources will be most directed to assist those newer and the less experienced Pods.

The Pod Leader’s responsibility is to gather your pod, execute the training plan, and be an ambassador for those new to MNC and/or the sport of Nordic skiing. We expect skiers to arrive by 4PM/6PM for a warm-up and then find their Pod members to begin the days training by 4:15PM/6:15PM.

We hope the new Training Pod structure will minimize interaction yet still provide an opportunity to train, socialize, and have fun this season!

Registration

Registration is open! Click the link below to sign-up.

Register Here (opens 11/1)

Bolton Pass Update

For the Early Session option,  MNC will be collecting Bolton Valley pass fees as parts of our registration process. Recognizing that MNC has been central to enabling early season skiing and lighted trails,  Bolton Valley has agreed to provide discounted season pass rates for our members.

•     Weekday Only    $85 + taxes & fees
•      Full Week          $149 + taxes & fees

The Masters showed up in force for the 2020 Southridge rollerski timetrial. With a calm wind and a frosty morning that warmed up to t-shirt temps by race time, it was exciting to get a “race” in. The event was changed to an individual start and there was less casual mingling than usual for a Masters gathering, but the competition was as fierce as ever.

Racers spread themselves out and prepare to start one-at-a-time

The course is 3 successively-shorter laps. Each lap features a slightly different climb to the high point, followed by a long descent and flat cruiser section. On skis, the long flat section would be a lot of V2 work (especially in slow snow) but as each lap went by and I analyzed how my speed was carried in relation to other skiers, I spent more and more of that section tuck-skating…by the last lap, I don’t think I used my poles for a solid minute or so: the combination of being low and aerodynamic in a skate tuck, along with aggressive pushes like a speedskater (my glutes have never hurt so bad from a ski race!) was the way to go.

As luck would have it, we have a video clip of US Biathlete Sean Doherty doing some skate tuck on rollerskis. This is from a training camp in 2016 when I noticed how powerful and smooth Sean’s skate tuck was, so I asked him to do a pass for the camera.

We ski in Southridge a lot, Masters, Juniors, and BKL alike. While we often go down that hill and ski along that flat section, we’re rarely doing it very hard or while carrying speed. So it just goes to show how some of the benefits of a timetrial aren’t just racing and competition: you can really learn a lot about how to ski faster in certain situations, and apply them to your efforts in the winter!

You can check out the historical Southridge TT record below:

We didn’t get many photos from the event, but you can find our Masters fall album linked below. As any photos come to us from the timetrial we will upload them there!