Don’t forget about our Masters training options as we head into the fall months!
The newest weekly training session is the 127 Bikepath Roll on Wednesday evenings. Beginning at 5:15-5:30, this low-key weekly option meets at the first parking lot on the right off Ethan Allen Homestead Road.
All levels are welcome, and this path provides generally flat terrain with some gently slopes. Your choice of technique!
Steve Crafts gives his take on the awesome Climb to the Castle race!
MASTERS BATTLE THE EYE OF SAURON!
There’s a joke among Masters that all through the Summer the “Eye of Sauron” (aka Whiteface Mountain) keeps a watchful eye on our progress.
The one and only Whiteface Toll Rd
The peak juts out from the Adirondack mountain range, peers across Lake Champlain and wrathfully observes our training. Even on the loveliest of summer days seeing the diamond peak can elicit a palpable sense of dread. I know I’ve seen it’s formidable form and thought to myself “we’re actually going to ski up that?” But like brave Hobbits that’s just what our Masters did this past weekend.
Each one of us dug deep and conquered our fears knowing that we’d prepared.
All Summer a dedicated crew has been putting in the training and it showed. Multiple treks up Bolton, hill workouts, long distance skis and even “better than nothing” days where we managed to scrap together a little time paid off. There were tons of PR’s, impressive times and moments of pure grit.
On the Women’s side Rosemary showed the mountain who was boss. No small feat in pain management. I remember her getting to the top of Bolton once and exclaiming that the climb was harder than child birth. I wouldn’t know, but luckily she must have “hill climb amnesia” because she’s no stranger to elevation gain and on Sunday she cranked up Whiteface in about one hour. Fast!
On the Mens side 4 of the top 10 Masters were Mansfield with 3 in the top 5! This made me wish there was team scoring!
“Rookie” Master Adam Terko lead the way nabbing a 2nd place Masters podium. I believe this was Adam’s first podium and race as a Master. Welcome to the club Adam! A complimentary tube of Bio-Freeze and a foam roller await you!
Not all that far behind were Michael Gaughan and Mike Millar. Like many of our Masters these guys are inspirational examples of new comers who’ve grown tremendously while having fun.
Last year was their first C2C and together we spent a lot of time training and thinking about the race.
Like anyone tackling this for the first time fear of the unknown was a factor. The idea of skiing up that big seemed impossible but with each hour of skiing that passed their skill and ability grew. This year they powered up Whiteface and demolished their previous times by minutes. They even V2ed long expanses–a concept that seems impossible to my V1 loving brain! Seeing them power into the finish was pretty amazing. They looked like college kids (and even managed to beat some).
The mountain climbers Mike and Michael!
On the seasoned racer side Rick Constanza also had a great day. Rick is one of my personal ski heroes and whenever he blows past me in a race I think to myself “well he’s just had more years to practice” and I feel better about myself.
After almost two decades on the same pair of ancient Marwes, Rick finally broke down and bought a “gently used” pair of roller skis with substantially less miles. 57 minutes was all it took for him to slay the mountain.
And slaying the mountain and our fears is just what we did.
For me this race was a turning stone. Going in I was lacking confidence despite putting in the prep time. When I finished I realized I was actually prepared and ready. Go figure. It reminded me that sometimes the hardest part about a big challenge is believing in yourself and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Driving to the race we were talking about strategy and Michael Gaughan said something that struck me…”The race will find you”.
When it comes to racing that’s so true. It’s a personal journey and struggle but if you put in the time and effort and just make it to the start the race sort itself out.
The Eye of Sauron certainly found us this weekend and it wasn’t as scary as we thought.
The Climb to the Castle is right around the corner, and the fall of hard training is upon us. The Masters squad made a return-trip to Road 101, our uphill training proving ground, to test their hard work on Sunday! With a cloudy and ominous sky, chilly temps and a brisk wind, it certainly felt like one of the first true “fall” workouts of the year. Up at the higher elevations in Smuggler’s Notch the leaves were even beginning to change their color.
Let the warmup begin! Scenic farms and mountain views abound
The MNC van was put into service, both as a transport vehicle from the Park and Ride in Richmond and as a shuttle vehicle for trips back down the hill…this is a steep climb that you do not want to ski down! Everyone got in 3 trips up the hill, with each interval measured out to about 2.3 miles of climbing. Amid that climbing was a mid of flatter and gradual terrain, followed by two steep switchbacks at the very end. Perfect for getting in a mix of different techniques. We of course brought along the camera to capture some video!
There is also a collection of photos to be found under our Flickr page within the MNC Masters Summer album!
Evidently Coach Liam has trained his Masters well. Even after his departure the Masters have kept the momentum going by getting together for both formal and infromal sessions. With numerous meet ups during the week, the weekend capped off with a Bolton access rode roller ski climb and hike. A large group of MNC and NWVT athletes joined together for what is now becoming a regular training event.
The Bolton Assault Crew
Not sure what the shark tooth is about, but sure Tristen earned it.
On Sunday another group of Masters headed to Georgia for a dual event. A morning skate roll of the favorite Georgia Shore loop followed by a gravel ride cool down. Mike Drop started early with a massive roll, but hopped in on the ride portion to round out his day.
Part 1 Georgia Roll Crew. Nice to see Leigh out there!
Part 2 Gravel Roll. Mike Drop sub’in in for Leigh.
In many seasons of Masters I can definitely say this is the biggest head start on the season yet by this crew. But don’t hesitate to drop. Sign up to in follow us on Slack now at #rollerski_training or #mnc_women_on_the_move to join in on the next great adventure.
Name the location or activity and MNC masters were out in force this past week. With Thursday roller ski sessions in Williston and Richmond our athletes have been getting great video technique and training in advance of the coming season.
While climbing mountains by foot might be the original way to do it, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways. There happens to be some beautiful pavement on Wes White hill just outside of Richmond…of course that means you need to rollerski up it! Here is a photo and some cool bike-side footage captured by Liam.
Now that looks like some freshly-groomed pavement right there!
Over the weekend, many of our Masters formed their own groups for a variety of fun and challenging activities.
The self guided and motivated Women on Wheels (#wow) took to the roads in North Ferrisburgh for a sweet roll. Even with a misplaced poll plant and some reported road rash, these ladies were undeterred. I am sure Coach Andy is quite proud of how this group has progressed.
Renate, Katie & Carloyn (akla WoW)
Also, on Saturday a small but intrepid crew took to the Hills again engaging in what Coach Liam likes to call Type 2 fun (aka #onyx workouts). Starting early, the group departed from the Round Church from Richmond for a ride to the Monroe Trail head. After a quick gear change, the group then hiked up to the top of Camel’s Hump for a snack and a well deserved down hill hike and bike back to the Richmond. The group was rewarded with a stop at Stone Corral afterwards.
Not to be out done, another MNC crew assaulted the Bolton access road in the heat of the day. With new pavement on the road and an iron will, Steve and Mike G. triumphantly skate rolled the 4 mile climb as they prep themselves for the Climb to the Castle.
With still plenty of weekend left, the Sunday Cycling Group (#sunday-cycling) had a wonderful gravel ride tour of Shelburne / Charlotte (route courtesy of Chris Trapini). From mountain to lake views and connector trail that goes through a tunnel under Rt. 7, this route was a definite crowd pleaser.
If any of this looks like fun, fell free jump in by watching our training doc or signing-up for the new Mansfield Nordic Slack app to find out what is going on this week.
