NSCF-FXC Racing: Week in Photos

Some issues with photo storage put the kibosh on posting updates this week, but that doesn't mean we've been sitting around taking a break. Chris has been in Palmer for the Alaska Regional Elite Group Camp with Vanya, Hannah, Stefan and Kyle, while I've been keeping things rolling here in Fairbanks. On Monday we all make our way to Girdwood for our 5th annual Comp Team dryland training camp in that nice little town about an hour south of Anchorage. It should be good, and we'll be sure to post plenty of updates (well, we'll try at least...)

In the meantime, here are some pics to summarize what's been going on up north (at home) this week.

Always looking for the edge, Lizer and Skeeto experiment with new warm-up techniques prior to our Time Trial up the Old Nenana Hwy Tuesday

By 2.5 km, they were in lockstep.

A Time Trial is really just practice racing. Helen said she never felt like she got going - not to worry, there's still plenty of time before racing season.

Ian was on fire - here catching up to Lex.

Jordan started strong and faded a bit, but held it together impressively considering the aggressive start.

Megan busted a tip with a few hundred meters left, but charged to the line nonetheless

I really liked that everyone was skiing well at the top and some people seemed to be skiing even better as they reached the finish. Here's Kevin.

Eliza made up a 4-second deficit to Megan on the top part of the course and finished with the best time for the Ladies.

Tuesday PM Prep/Devo. We did a variety of strength exercises, including toe-to-toe squats, which everyone seemed to have some fun with.

After the group strength session we headed to the woods around Tower Loop for some all-terrain Capture the Flag. It was pretty fun with a big group.

I just love seeing kids dashing through the woods. Training at this level is sometimes putting together the best parts of gym class I remember from growing up and then adding a new twist.

Great skate session out at Cripple Creek on Wednesday morning. A small group made for lots of 1-on-1 time and we were able to capitalize on some of the things we've identified in training and video review.

Spenst with the Prep/Devo crowd on Thrusday.

Comp Thursday: working on upper body specific strength. Lots of uphill double pole and single sticking.

It rained pretty hard, but that just seemed to fire up the group. We had a great session in spite of the rain.

Kevin took a dive in some dirt that had washed into the road. In lieu of any blood, he 'won' practice with the most dirt. No risk, no reward.

Spenst with the Comp athletes on Friday morning.

The elasticity is coming...

(As a bonus, it makes for great photos and is easy to capture)

After the spenst we did some bounding intervals on the sprint course.

Athletes used the course they would in competition.

The big boys used the 'World Cup' course which had a BIG climb in the middle.

Then we broke out the med balls for some strength. Someone's looking buff...

To finish it all off, the Comp Team went for an OD hike and run at Wickersham Dome.

This is how the girls display their excitement for all being in college. Not sure what these movements are, but they look like some awkward dance moves to me!