The second week of the CXC Marquette training camp was significantly scaled down from the first. Monday was a rest day (as usual). Then, we started things off on Tuesday with some 30 second sprint intervals on the hills in my neighborhood. Wednesday the team went for a beautiful run along Lake Superior and to the “Top of the World.” Thursday we got to do some harder skate intervals in the morning and specific strength in the afternoon. Friday was an easy distance classic roller ski. Saturday consisted of a running and bounding workout through some pretty treacherous long grass (so I hear) out at the Al Qual ski trails. Then, on Sunday, we ended the training camp with an over-distance skate around the big mine in Palmer.
The sun was shining all week and the temperatures remained comfortable in the mid 70’s. The only place unbearably hot was the weight room, which could have been due to the humidity, or the new strength program that the CXC girls have been working on. The lake has finally warmed up to perfect “after-training” swim temperatures and most of us took advantage of that.
It was very inspiring to have the Olympics on TV all week. We got to see some very inspiring performances including Jamaica’s Usain Bolt easily breaking the 100m World Record and bringing home the first gold medal in that event for his country and Michael Phelps collecting eight golds and becoming the most decorated swimmer of all time.
The NMU alumni on the team (Myself, Bryan Cook, Gus Kaeding and Caitlin Compton) had a great time showing CXC their favorite places to train, and we also had some fast-looking NMU skiers join us for a couple of workouts. It was wonderful to have Kristina Owen back from Norway; however, we had to say good bye to our team physiologist as she heads to Bozeman to continue her education. Good Luck Sarah and thank you for all that you have done for us this summer! You will be missed.
