Finishing up at REG

We’re wrapping things up here in Park City. Today was the last day of official training for the REG and as far as things go, it was pretty epic. Today’s workout started out with a classic roller ski up Emigration Canyon, about five miles of climbing to the summit. At the top everyone changed into running shoes for a 2hr high ridge run down to Parleys Summit. I think the kids managed to find every bit of mud along the way!

Leading up to this morning Over Distance workout, we took yesterday pretty easy, starting off with an explosive bounding workout. The REG kids were joined by some USST members. Check out the pictures of Noah, Rogan, and Alicia killing it below.

Thursday was cool, with some early morning skate roller skiing back at SoHo for a distance workout and some video and technique sessions.

BUT, I think Wednesday was the most fun. Hands down. That morning was Agony TT, which is a hill climb just outside of SLC. The trail climbs 1327ft over 1.08 miles (credit GPS watch). Anyway you look at it, the climb was a leg burner! After Agony, all the fun begun. We bussed it down to Raging Waters Water Park for some fun in the sun. The highlight was ‘King on the Tube’, where if you didn’t nearly drown or get kicked in the face, you weren’t trying hard enough. Three days later and I’m still sore…

Update from REG

REG is off to a great start here in Park City. REG is a weeklong training camp for elite junior skiers from the western region. After a recovery run and team meeting on Sunday afternoon/evening, the training really got underway yesterday morning with level three skate roller ski intervals at Soldier Hollow. As always, the main focus is on body position: mainly achieving the correct hip position and proper ankle flex. Doing level three intervals gives everyone a chance to focus on their race technique in addition to getting in a great aerobic workout. After completing the intervals on the access road to the ski center, we headed out to the trails for our cool down. Wow is it great to have paved (and swept) ski trails at our disposal.The workout was a huge success and we coaches even got a chance to grab some video footage to review later this week. Day one was finished off with an easy recovery trail run along some rolling trails with views of the Olympic Jumps and Bobsled track.

Today was day two and we again woke up to blue bird skies and headed out for a classic roller ski on the Mirror Lake Highway. My van was rocking out to Queen and Rod Stewart on the drive out to the start of the ski. Today’s focus was on double poling, as the road was mostly flat or gradual uphill. USST coach Pat Casey came by last night to show some video and demonstrate exactly what we were to focus on during today’s ski. The answer: body position. We were to focus on bringing the hips and hands forward together, getting the hands up high in front of our face, then exploding down with a hard crunch (punishing the pavement)! The ski session ended at the base of a waterfall, but no kayakers today. This afternoon we are heading down to do strength at USSA’s Center of Excellence.

The big excitement is about tomorrow. Early in the morning is Agony Hill Climb, followed immediately by a trip to a water park. Look for some more updates to come!