RMN Aspen Camp 2011 – Post #2

October 11, 2011 Leave a Comment

The RMN Aspen Camp came to an end today on a high note. The athletes (and a couple of coaches) raced in a skate roller-ski time trial. The coolest thing about this time trial is the format: 2 x’s the same course with about 10 minutes rest in between. The main goal is to see who can negative split their efforts. This is a 2.2km/2.6km (girls/guys) uphill skate on the Maroon Creek Road near Aspen. It is absolutely beautiful, and today’s weather was perfect. The road is relatively smooth and the incline is just enough to make it hard, but mellow enough to still ‘glide’ (roll) nicely with each V2 pole plant and leg push. Perfect. Many fine efforts out there today, with many kids negative splitting or stomping out fairly even splits. Nice work all. Forrest had a great day and performed solidly despite taking a good fall prior to the time trial! Pavement never feels good, but he brushed it off and hammered out the time trial. Forrest actually had the biggest negative split on the day by shaving 17 seconds from his first effort to his second. Nice work man. Also, the cold morning air temp made for that awesome ‘lung burn’ feeling. We all cannot wait until West Yellowstone! Stoked. Time to get after it even more!

The RMN athletes getting ready to head out on an awesome 2 hour run. Beautiful single-track outing.

There was a fair amount of snow up high during the run. Beautiful and peaceful.

Single-track always provides motivation. We had a great run on mixed terrain.

One of the awesome views down toward Aspen. The snow level is creeping down. Skiing is here.

Forrest after the long run. Feeling good! Forrest is one fit dude. Nice camp man.

Aspen has a fleet of Dodge Sprinters. Nice ride indeed. I’d race our 15 passenger against it any day though!

Blood. In order to succeed, you gotta be willing to bleed. Good ‘road-rash’ equals high achievement!

Forrest is all grins as the camp wrapped up. He just stomped out a solid negative split in the TT.

The Maroon Bells provided an awesome backdrop for the roller-ski TT on Monday. Amazing. Awe-inspiring.

Josh Smullin once again demonstrating fine double-pole technique. Excellent.

The RMN athletes after the uphill skate roller-ski time trial. Awesome day. Great efforts.

The CBNT had only Forrest attend this camp. Other CBNT athletes had conflicts with their fall sports or with college visits. Ian Boucher was a smidgen sick and could not attend. We greatly missed ‘E-Dawg.’ Forrest proved he is ready to have a good rest of fall and start to the winter as he is way ahead of where he was at this time last year. Super impressive. As always, the Aspen training camp/RMN coach’s meeting is a highlight of my autumn. There is a great synergy amongst the RMN coaches and I am looking forward to carrying that energy and momentum into the winter and the impending race season. Only 40 days until West Yellowstone! Words cannot convey my excitement. Here’s to a speedy 5 weeks. Stoked for skiing. Fired up for winter. DC.