July 6th, 2010

Ahh yes, the annual Regional Elite Group Camp.  The first two days of this camp can be brutal, kicking things off with a 3000m running time-trial on the track, followed early the next morning by strength testing.  A new component was added to this year’s tests: the ski erg.

I’m pretty sure my sister Martha spends more time on an Erg in one day than I have in my life, but still, this ski erg is brutal.  It’s just like a rowing erg, except vertical and you’ve got to double-pole as fast as possible, without the satisfaction of actually going anywhere.  Ouch.

Santi and Eric go head-to-head on the ski erg

Other components of the CXC Strength Testing protocol are pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, dips, and box jumps.  Check out CXC Skiing on Facebook to see some of the top CXC strength testing results.  While you’re at it, become friends with CXC Skiing to get regular updates on the latest team news.

Karl Nygren, light on his feet, busting out over 90 box jumps in 90 seconds.

Here’s the full 2010 Men’s CXC Summer Training Team: Gregg, Eric, Santi, Karl, Dougie D, and Kuz.

Ski racing might be fine and dandy in the winter, but when there’s no snow to be found on this hemisphere, it can only mean that bike season is upon us.  The Tour de France started last weekend, along with the Tour of Austria, as the King himself reminds us.  Here in Wisconsin, it was the Subaru Cup–the first National Series mountain bike race to hit the Midwest in over 10 years.

National Series races mean there will be a Cross Country and Short Track, and Short Track means that I will be doing my best to get out and race.  For this edition, of course, all the top Pros from around the country show up.  It was cool to catch up with some friends on the Pro tour that I haven’t seen in a while.

After fellow Middlebury rider Spencer Paxson made the trip to cheer on Simi & me in Vancouver, I got to return the favor and cheer on Spence at the Subaru Cup.  He works 60 hour weeks at a desk job in Seattle and still manages to pull off top results at Pro mountain bike races.  Nice work!

Jack Hinkens is a recent Hopkins High School grad and Pro mountain biker.  Jack finished 20th in both the Cross Country and Short Track at the Subaru Cup as a first year U23 rider.  Jack’s so fast he was just invited to race a couple of Mountain Bike World Cup’s later this summer with the big dogs in Europe.

Of course, I forgot to put the memory card in my camera (rookie mistake, I know) before the weekend.  The action shots are courtesy of Paul Belknap.

Tad Elliott is on the CXC Team and throws down on dirt and snow.  Tad is legit and awesome to have around to hang out with training and at races.

I even got to get out and do some racing, albeit in the Expert Category (not Pro, like the really fast dudes above).  I picked up one of the new CXC Team Vertical Limit cycling jerseys to rock this weekend.  You too can dress like the pros – check out the CXC Store for some cool swag.

Maplelag‘s Lars Ellefson and Jake Richards were hammering all weekend and getting ready for National Championships in a couple weeks.  A big thanks to Jay Richards for providing race support and getting me some cold bottle hand-ups to stay hydrated on a hot weekend.  Carla Hinkens, Jack’s mom, is awesome.  Thanks for the lodging and being team photographer for the weekend!

Nothing like standing atop the Podium after a successful weekend of racing.  Man, I love this sport!

Last Friday, in conjunction with International Olympic Day, Premier Physical and CXC Skiing, held Olympic Day in Minocqua, Wisconsin.  The event was held for kids of all ages to get together and get exposure to a wide variety of sports and activities.  There were over 100 kids from Northwestern Wisconsin who came out to join in the fun.

Steve Merlin, strength consultant to the CXC Team, taught the kids barefoot running drills to help teach them to run more efficiently.

One of the highlights for the kids were Merlin’s “Critter Crawls.”  I’m not exactly sure which critter they’re demonstrating here, but I’m pretty sure it’s some sort of crab walk.

Local news crews were even on hand to document the day.  Here, Jim Mullen shows off his new World Class training facility at Premier Physical.

Of course, what would Olympic Day be without real Olympians?  Igor Badamshin (’94) goes old school, Russian Style, on Caitlin Compton (’10) representing the home team – US of A.

Yes, this is a really old update, but my new buddies, Pat & Ted Baer, from Pennsylvania just sent some photos from my spring break in New Orleans.

Pat and Ted Baer on their annual service trip to New Orleans

Dan Skold has been living and working in New Orleans for the past 3 years, helping to rebuild New Orleans as a super intendant with Habitat for Humanity.  At any given moment, Dan is responsible for 8 to 10 new builds.  I got down to New Orleans earlier this spring to visit Dan and do a little new home construction on the side.

Ted and Skoldy take a break from pounding nails long enough for a photo

Dan was crippled this spring with a torn ACL playing soccer, but has since recovered enough to ride his bike across France for a little “pre-Tour” Tour.  I’m fairly certain he just faked his injury to get a few extra days off of work.

See, he doesn’t even need those crutches.  My two new favorite football teams after my trip to New Orleans?  The Packers & the Saints.  Who dat?!