That’s right. After a three week vacation that took me on a tour of places most cross country skiers don’t get to check out during the race season, including Washington DC, Charlottesville, Virginia, and New Orleans, Louisiana, (which I will write more about later), it was time to start training again. This time we were off to Minocqua, Wisconsin.
The camp included VOmax testing at Jim Mullen’s Premier Physical Medicine, a mountain bike race on Wayne Fish’s famous Camp Tesomas trails, some rollerskiing, running, and great accommodations at the Hugus’ cabin. The highlight for me was the RASTA Rally mountain bike race, a fundraiser for the Rhinelander Area Ski Trail Association. Gus took photos, while the rest of the team raced.
battle of the brothers: chris leads bryan cook, but bryan takes it in the end
chasing
I sold my mountain bike a couple of weeks ago, only to find out that the new bike I want to get is on back order until June. Thanks to my favorite shop, New Moon Bike and Ski, for sponsoring me this weekend and letting me ride one of their rental bikes in the race. They’ve got a great selection of sweet new 29″ bikes for sale, as well as a full rental fleet. If you want to get out for a spin on a new bike, stop by New Moon in Hayward and they’ll help you find the perfect bike.
bryan gregg - "i swear i only had to walk my bike when people were watching!"
Of course, Coach Fish made us get out for some roller skiing as well.
Karl and Gus relax after the the first roller ski of the season
It’s always nice to know we’re not the only ones on the road working out.
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Last Wednesday, the 2010 U.S. Winter Olympic team had the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama at the White House. Although the trip was short and sweet, it was the one of the highlights of my Olympic experience.
All 250+ Winter Olympians and Paralympians were invited to the visit which has been a tradition for decades. For my roommate on the trip, bobsled coach Brian Shimmer, President Obama was the 5th President he’s gotten to meet as an athlete and a coach (starting with Regan in 1984). Not wanting to make him feel old, I pointed out that I was only two when he met his first president! Needless to say, there were a variety of expectations from everyone in the group.
Simi Hamilton makes it past security
Unfortunately, we awoke to rain the morning of our visit. Bummer. The initial plan for a big team photo with the President and kids from the community was not going to happen. Not knowing what to expect, we were bused like cattle to the White House and only had to show our ID about 6 times. We arrived to an afternoon reception in the White House foyer with drinks and snacks. As “Guests of the President” we were given access to much of the White House usually off limits to tourists. The line was drawn, however, when I tried to get to the White House bowling alley way down in the third basement.
White House Bowling Alley
In the end, because the front lawn of the White House was wet and rainy, it was decided that each sport would get to meet the President individually. Like the President, athletes were briefed on procedure. Our group, the Olympic and Paralympic cross country team, was lined up on the stairs in the main foyer where we waited for the President to make his way to all the teams.
Briefing the athletes
Finally, we got the word: “Positions eveyone, he’s coming!” The excitement was palpable when suddenly Vice President Joe Biden entered the room. It was like seeing one of Santa’s elves when you’re expecting to see Santa. Biden’s quick wit immediately made everyone laugh, saying if he’d been blessed with hair like Torin Koos’, he might actually have been elected President.
Koos showing off his hair "fit for a President"
Vice President & "Second Lady" - Joe & Jill Biden make the rounds with the Paralympic Sledge Hockey Gold Medalists
We were still laughing at Biden’s humor when the President and First Lady entered the room. In person, Obama looked identical to the way he does on TV. He gave our small group a brief speech about representing our country. I was especially impressed when he thanked the women on our team for being such strong role models for his two daughters and women across the country. Pretty cool. Michelle also talked briefly about her Let’s Move campaign. Of course, there were handshakes and hugs with the President and First Lady all the way around.
The day ended with a reception at the Supreme Court, complete with Senators, Congressmen, and athletes. As Vermont congressman Peter Welch’s right-hand-man, my former Middlebury teammate Andrew Savage was on hand as well.
"The Night Train" Steve Holcomb and Savage
Midd Men: Congressman Savage, Kuzzy, Simi, and coach Matt Whitcomb
Checking out the Supreme Court
US Olympic Women: Compton, Kikkan, & Brooks
Needless to say, the 2010 White House visit was a monumental experience. Will Obama be the first of five Presidents I meet? Only time will tell!
Whether good or bad, habits can be easy to pick up (usually the bad ones) and easy to drop (usually the good ones). I’ve definitely gotten out of the habit of regular website updates. Instead, I’ve been taking advantage of everything spring has to offer up here in Hayward, reviewing seasons past, and preparing for the upcoming spring and season. Nothing too exciting, simply laying the foundation for what lies ahead.
Updates will likely be more rare in the coming weeks, but don’t worry, as the motivation returns to update the site or as stories come along, I’ll share them. For now, it’s time to get outside and enjoy spring!
I haven’t had enough of the ski season yet. Haven’t been able to get any posts up for the past couple days, ’cause I’ve been on the road. . .to Australia. The ski season starts here soon and I want to be sure to get first tracks!
Today was day one of the SuperTour Finals in northern Aroostook County, Maine. The race was held in the Town of Matawaska, more affectionately known as Madagascar, for it’s similar name and remote distance from anywhere. Today’s 10km classic was the first of three consecutive days of racing. This post will be brief as I’ve got to get ready for tomorrow’s classic sprint and Sunday’s 10km uphill skate race.
The SuperTour Finals are being run with a Tour de France style format where time bonuses, points, and cash are awarded intermittently during the various stages. It’s an exciting way to mix up the usual race format. The highlight of the afternoon for me was taking the 1km Sprint Bonus of 15 seconds and $250–not a bad wage for less than 3 minutes of work. Like the real Tour de France, there were a few good pile-ups on the descents, as you can imagine, with a field of over 100 skiers competing in a mass start 10km. I wasn’t able to hold on as well as I’d hoped after that and I’m sitting a ways out of the lead.
Newell, Flora, Koos: 1,2,3 on the day
Newell, Kuzzy, Babikov, Scott Patterson
The women’s race was just as exciting as the men’s. Here, Holly Brooks just out-lunges CXC’s Rebecca Dussault for one of the time bonuses. These two have a history of close finishes, going back to the 2009 Birkebeiner when Dussault took the win with a similar lunge.
It’s been a long day. In the process of refueling and getting ready for tomorrow’s Classic Sprint. . .
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No worm digging? That’s like telling a fish they can’t swim or a bird they can’t fly. Digging, that’s just what worms do. I didn’t know they could read either, but they must be pretty bright worms as they know both English and French.
Whew. Wrapped up the 50km US Championship in Fort Kent, Maine yesterday. Despite the 10″ of new snowfall we received the day before the race, the trail set up well for firm, fast conditions. I had a solid 35km in me and cruised with the lead pack for the majority of the race. CXC rookie, Tad Elliot, cruised to the front of the pack and put a serious hurt on the group and I was shelled off the back. The CXC crew of Tad, Bryan Cook, Brian Gregg, and Kuz had a solid day as by far the best team on the course. Once again, Fish had solid skis for us and the guys not racing helped by giving feeds–something especially important in a 50km. Ivan Babikov, from Canada, took the race win and Tad claimed his first National Title.
Flora, Babikov, Elliot
US National Podium: Cook and Flora hoist a thrilled Tad Elliot
How does a National Champion replenish his sodium after 50km of skiing?
With a big plate of poutine, the local specialty. . .
Mmmm. . .Al’s Diner in Fort Kent was a great source for refueling after the race. Coach Fish’s orders!
