So here we are…back in testing mode – the “lab rat mentality”. I seriously feel a lot like a hamster spinning on a wheel when I’m roller skiing on a treadmill. The sensation of working so hard and going NOWHERE is really hard for me to get my head around! But luckily for me, we only do these tests twice a year, so I can’t complain too much.
Treadmill rolling (photo from Simi)
The classic max test went well (I think…I never really look at the data, but it felt pretty good). Basically, I went till I couldn’t hold on any longer and swung from the back of the treadmill. I have this weird quirk where I can’t stand to have things touching my neck when I’m training hard, so every time I fall from the treadmill and the harness catches me, I have a mini panic attack, thinking the rope is choking me. It’s not. But that aside, all went well.
Classic Max testing (photo from Simi)
Some don’t like spending the whole day at the COE, and while it can get a little boring when the place is empty, it’s been pretty fun lately. There’s tons of Alpine, Snowboard, Freestyle, and Snowboard cross athletes all over the gym, lifting like mad and playing guitar hero. They’re actually playing right now and they aren’t half bad!
The stretching/core/mobility area
This afternoon we’ve got strength testing, hemoglobin mass testing, and tomorrow morning we’ll do a double pole max test. Then we’re back to the usual schedule! I’m living up at Empire Pass, in a condo with Sophie, Simi, Andy and Erik, and the other girls are in a condo across the lift. It’s fairly high altitude up there, over 8,000 ft, so sleeping up there gives us a chance to maximize our altitude training block and hopefully our bodies will produce more red blood cells to cope with the atmosphere change.
Matt the COE chef preparing some delicious lunch
I also feel pretty spoiled at the COE with all these motivated and talented athletes from all different sports wandering around, with good coaches ready to help and a kitchen with healthy food for afterwards. It’s a great place to be!
Sadie’s new haircut!
And in between workouts we’ve been soaking up the Park City atmosphere and doing some shopping, hair cutting, hanging out round a fire, team dinners, and we’ll probably get to a baseball game soon. I’m excited for a couple weeks here!
Holly trying on some cute dresses
Kikk, me and Soph hanging out in town
