Back to the Mountains of Colorado

I had a great time out in Lake Placid at the US Ski Team intensity camp. When I left off I was just into the first week of training and the rest of the second week proved to be just as good as the first. We had some good time trails and some good group workouts.

One of the big workouts of the week was the Climb to the Castle. This race is one that I have done 3 years now and it climbs 2,000 vertical feet in 5 miles. It, traditionally, is a skate rollerski race but because of a foot issue I am having (specifically posterior tibial tendonitis) I had to classic the race. Going into the race I am not sure what I was expecting for a result. I knew it was going to be a completely different kind of race. As the race started I found myself at the back of the pack, fearing that if I started on the front line I would either be passed or start out too hard. I found myself in the middle of the pack about 300m up the hill and then began to pass some people. I was keeping pace with the front pack, but they were still about 100 feet ahead.

I ended up finishing 5th overall, skaters and classic skiers.

I caught a hard time at the end of the race. I knew I would. No one wants to be passed by someone with another technique, in this case, classic skiing. I know I wouldn't. But regardless, its not going to keep me from trying my absolute hardest. I averaged about a 185bpm heart rate and maxed out at 189 with a low heart rate of 180. I strode the whole way, naturally causing a sore back, and was able to kick double-pole two short, flatter sections. A good effort for me.

We ended the camp with an OD classic ski and some more speeds for Green Racing Project racer, Tim Reynolds, myself and teammate, Mike Vigers.

I love being back in the east after missing it for a couple months at a time. We had an amazing family, The McClellands house us for a second year in a row. We ate well, slept in comfy beds, took outdoor showers, went cliff jumping, rested, and had a great time. I look forward to this camp every year and will continue to do so.

Some articles on the camp if you are interested:

Placid Sprint Race
http://fasterskier.com/2011/09/small-group-drives-usst-camp/

Climb to the Castle Report
http://fasterskier.com/2011/09/freeman-continues-reign-as-king-of-the-castle-edges-burke/

Pictures from Climb to the Castle
http://fasterskier.com/2011/09/climb-to-the-castle-photo-gallery/

Video from Climb to the Castle
http://fasterskier.com/2011/09/climb-to-the-castle-race-video/

I am attaching another article written about the decline of financial assistance in the US
http://fasterskier.com/2011/08/budget-cuts-and-european-focus-drive-elimination-of-supertour-prize-money/

"As an example, Vordenberg pointed to the recent addition of B-team athletes Noah Hoffman and Tad Elliott to the Team Homegrown squad, where they will receive financial support from the Ski and Snowboard Club of Vail" - Fasterskier


A good article and points out why outside assistance is in much need right now. I feel lucky and honored to be apart of a program like In-The-Arena (ITA) for this reason. ITA will be the reason that I will be able to compete where and when I need to. Thanks a million Amory and ITA!


Below are some pictures of the week in Placid. I'll be putting up a video sometime in the next month. Off to Park City for another camp here on October 10th. 

Men's leaders on the Climb (Bib 67 is my teammate Tad Elliott)

Sylvan heading around the second to last switchback on the Climb to the Castle

View from the top of the Climb to the Castle

Sylvan leading the first sprint quarterfinal

Shaping up in Placid

We have been in Lake Placid now for a week and have had a great amount of intensity workouts and volume. It is great to be back here because I lived here for a summer between my Junior and Senior year in college. I had a great time here and it always brings me back when I come stay. Staying in the Adirondacks is always comfortable, cozy, and fun. We have another week left here but am excited for the rest of our week. We have been training with the US Ski Team here and it has been great to mix it up with the guys here and the other teams in attendance.

Here is a shot of Kris Freeman (USST), Noah Hoffman (USST/Team HomeGrown, myself (in the white) and Tad Elliott (USST/Team HomeGrown).

As for my placement in the community, I am in the process of looking for the perfect placement for the school year. I am looking to work in an multilingual elementary school in Edwards, CO. Good stuff coming up.

More updates to come from the camp!

Skol,
Sylvan

Enjoying the Last Days of Summer

It has been quite the summer loaded with volunteering, work, playing, and training. An amazing summer at that. During the past couple of weeks I have put in some good training hours and some good, important resting hours.

I recently returned from one of my best friend's cabins in Ontario, Canada. A very unique place, where the only access is by boat and there is no electricity. I have been going up there since I was a freshman in high school and have never had as much fun in my life as when I am up there. 5am fishing trips to catch nothing but lily pads, wake boarding, wake surfing, water skiing, porch-sittin', book-readin', laughing 'till our cheeks are sore, and running are all apart of the Lake Wah Wash Kesh experience.

Before we took off to Canada we had a day in Washington D.C. to explore.

Sarah and I in front of the White House. If you look close you can see President Obama waving a sign that says, "Welcome Sylvan and Sarah to my giant white house and my giant white lawn!"

After visiting Canada, we arrived back in Vail in the midst of the US Pro Cycling Challenge. This race was an awesome experience because the valley or the state hasn't seen this caliber of racing since the Coors Classic in the 80's and 90's. The Challenge just so happened to have the Top-3 finishers from the Tour de France, along with a strong contingency of other riders. The crowds were unbelievable. Most of the pictures that you see below had to be taken a couple rows back or up high to even try and get a shot of the rider coming by.

Our beautiful Colorado flag 50m from the finish of the Vail Uphill TT

Christian Vande Velde

Levi Leipheimer on his way to winning and taking the Overall

We arrived that morning at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail knowing that we were going to run to the TT, but didn't know how. We ended up running 4.5 hours up and over the top of Vail and into a gully that brought us out to the end of the TT. A great time followed by a great time.

Heading up to the top of Benchmark

Top of Benchmark overlooking the road the TT'ers went up

Currently I am still looking for my next volunteer opportunity in the valley. Right now it looks as if I will be working at Edwards Elementary in a unique environment where English is spoken on one day and then Spanish the next. Still in the process of cementing my time there.

Yes'm...

Sylvan