Archive for October, 2008
Marquette Living.
October 27th, 2008. Published under Bryan Cook. No Comments.
Well, we have been back in Marquette for quite awhile, but I cannot say that the time has gone really well for me. Since returning from Placid I have been fighting yet another sinus infection. It seems that whenever I get sick these days it always turns into a sinus infection. There is good news though. I am just about over my sickness and was able to train with the NMU crew this past Sunday. The highlight of the OD was definitely afterward when Marquette resident, and NMU freshman, Tommy McFadden invited the team, and obviously alumni, to a great breakfast at his parent’s house. The food was amazing thanks to his mother, and Tommy enjoyed his first cup of coffee ever, thanks to a little bit of encouragement by myself. I think he enjoyed himself as well.
More good news would have to be the fact that Gus is back in town and swimming like a champion. The surgery went really well for him and he has been hitting the pool and gym just about every day. I do not think he will take up swimming professionally, but from what I hear he has been swimming really fast with almost perfect technique. I also think his swimming was good therapy for him after the Red Sox let him down this year. I felt the same about the Brewers losing, but I am more used to it than him.
Lastly, snow has finally dropped here in Marquette and tomorrow might be the first ski of the year for us. You will have to check back and see how it went, or if it went.
The new coffee drinker Tommy McFadden.
NMU vs. MTU Roller Derby
October 22nd, 2008. Published under Maria Stuber. No Comments.
Last Saturday, October 18th, Michigan Tech brought their squad down to Marquette for a couple of roller ski races. There was a Classic Time Trial in the morning (20K for men and 15K for ladies) and some sprint relays in the afternoon. The sprint relays were held at the Thunder Valley Race car track which is located back in the woods behind the Blueberry Ridge Ski Trails, and not too many people know about it. Although it looks abandoned I hear they have some gnarly races there in the summer. I was a spectator all day but I really wish I would have jumped in on the action. It looked like fun.
Phil Violet and Tim Cook from NMU in all Black
Morgan Smyth Leads the Ladies A Final
Christina Gillis leads Randi Vermelid, both from NMU
Marquette Boys watching the ladies race
Whiteface Climb to the Castle 2008
October 21st, 2008. Published under Clinics. No Comments.
This is a video of the Whiteface Time Trial courtesy of NYSEF. It was WAY harder than it looks here.
Back in Marquette
October 16th, 2008. Published under Maria Stuber. No Comments.
We are back in Marquette now and it looks like we will not have to pack up again for about a month. Bryan has been working a bunch of hours at Farmer Q’s Market and fighting off a cold. I have been studying like crazy for a 17 chapter midterm scheduled for Monday, and I’m also doing some work with AdvantEdge Training in Marquette making a program for local athletes from the Superiorland Ski Club. It is great to finally spend some time at home. The colors in Marquette are beautiful, my garden is booming, and the temperatures have been perfect for training.
Ski and Tea Women’s Specific Clinic #1 was a Huge Success!
October 12th, 2008. Published under Clinics. No Comments.
October 11th was the first of five women’s specific ski clinics hosted by Ski and Tea to benefit the CXC Elite Women’s Team. The clinic was held at the Birkie Trailhead on 00 Road in Seely, WI. The weather was perfectly sunny and the fall colors were at their best. An impressive 25 participants showed up, foreshadowing huge potential for the remaining clinics.
The topic of the clinic was, “Fundamental Movements of Cross-Country Skiing,” presented by Maria Stuber, CXC Elite and XC Ski Alliance team member. Participants gathered in the warm up building at 8 AM for refreshments and introductions. The first portion of the clinic focused on a classic skiing dry-land technique progression involving double polling, kick double poling, and striding. Next, the group moved to a similar progression for skate skiing technique. Some of the veteran skiers fine-tuned their skate technique, while others worked on the timing of open-field, V1, and V2. Finally, the group strapped on their ski boots and roller skis and hit the pavement. About half of the clinic participants tried roller skiing for the first time and no one left disappointed! Beginners spent time working on glide and weight transfer, while the experienced roller skiers did some drills to develop their V2 technique. The Hayward High School Ski Team graciously loaned out their set of roller skis for clinic participants to use.
The CXC Women’s Team is ecstatic to be a part of this women’s specific skiing project. What the Ski and Tea group has created is MUCH more than a series of clinics. Mutually beneficial relationships between community-based groups and elite athletics can have a huge impact on the development of cross-country skiing in the USA. To progress as a nation, it is important to develop strong cross-country ski communities and to bridge the “interest gap” between recreational skiing and top level racing. The partnership between Ski and Tea and the CXC Women’s team is an innovative and powerful way to accomplish this.
In addition, Ski and Tea is creating new training opportunities for women, introducing active women to the sport of cross-country skiing, and inspiring women to push themselves and try new things. Hats off to Ski and Tea for everything they are doing to make a difference in the cross-country skiing community!
