Rangeley Wrap

Sunrise in Rangeley

We got back from Rangeley yesterday, where we held our annual Fall Break camp. It was a great five days of training. We drove up last Tuesday night, after dinner on campus. A huge thanks to Connor and his family for letting the guys use their camp.
On Wednesday morning, we got things going with some lactate testing on the Saddleback access road. Everyone got some good info from the session, as well as a good rollerski in. In the afternoon, we ran the Uphill course, and then onto the trails for a bit.
Thursday had two tests on schedule. In the morning, we did the Uphill on Saddleback, and then in the afternoon, the double pole test. They were two great intensity sessions, and we followed up the double pole with some specific strength.
The 10 km classic rollerski time trial was on Friday morning. We took some video during it, and were able to do one-on-one video review with everyone before heading out for some classic technique work in the afternoon. Even after three intensity sessions in a row, everyone's energy remained high.

The Finish of the Classic time trial, snow on Saddleback in the background

Saturday morning, we headed over to Stratton, ME for a OD hike/run into the Bigelows. We had great weather, and we were rewarded with some spectacular views of the region.

Along the way

Summiting Cranberry Peak

The Crew on top of Cranberry

In the afternoon, the guys stacked a cord of wood, and then played a hotly contested Rangeley Bowl. Everyone got together for the Apple Pie making contest and some grilled chicken and burgers in the evening.

Rangeley Bowl action...

On Sunday, we capped of the training with a ski around the lake. It was another solid effort by everyone, and they were treated to a Sunday brunch cooked by Becky and Martin down at the Flynn camp.

Rangeley Camp

As we (Becky and Martin) sit here in the Rangeley Public Library, we realize what a great camp this has already been.
Yesterday saw great efforts in the Uphill run and Double-Pole test (800 meters). For the run, the podium for men was Sean, Jordan, and Captain Lucas. For women, it was Captains Nat and Megan, and then Beth. In the double pole, Jordan and Megan took top honors. Alex and Lucas rounded out for the men, and Beth and Nat for the women. After the test, everyone got some specific strength in on rollerskis. The highly valued sweatsuit awards were handed out after dinner last night to the male and female winners of both tests.
This morning, we saw the first snow flurries of the season as we headed up to the Saddleback access road for our 10 km classic rollerski time trial. Great efforts all around, especially as it was the third hard effort in as many workouts. Jordan and Megan once again posted the winning times. The trees on the mountain were dusted with a nice layer of the white stuff...
This afternoon, we'll head out to work on some technique stuff we saw in video from the time trial this morning. Should be another good session. Looking forward to a nice OD hike/run tomorrow. The Rangeley Bowl will be played tomorrow afternoon on The Field of Dreams.
As always, stay posted for more soon, and until then, check us out on Twitter @Bates_Nordic.

Fall Break is (Almost) Here

Its a busy couple of days here on the Bates campus, with midterm exams in full swing. The weekend was really productive. On Saturday, we drove out to do some threshold intervals in New Gloucester. Everyone got in the workout they needed, and then we headed back to campus for a weight room session. All around, a great morning.
On Sunday, we rolled out of the Alumni Gym parking lot just after 9 am, and skied all the way to the Fuller's house. A lunch of homemade lasagna and garlic bread was waiting for us there. After lunch we headed into Freeport for Trap Shooting at the LL Bean center. It was a long, but fun day of activity.
Check out some pictures (courtesy of Steve Fuller) from the day at: http://www.flyingpointroad.com/Photos/Skiing/Freeport-Rollerski-Trap-Shoot/
Now, we're looking ahead to putting in a great five days of training up in Rangeley. Its nice to have this Fall Break, and it will be a good opportunity for everyone to spend some quality time together. Looking forward to it, and we'll try and get some updates from up there.

Meet the Bobcats: Lucas Milliken

Next in the series, Lucas Milliken, our Sophomore men's captain...

Where are you from originally and where did you go to high school?
North Yarmouth, Maine my first two years of high school at Waynflete and my second two were at Burke Mountain Academy

What do you plan on majoring in?
Anthropology

What's the best thing about being a Bobcat?
Commons

What is the coolest place you've visited?
Home

Any predictions for the Rangeley Bowl?
Massive aggression, carnage, domination and bragging rights/glory

Classic or Skate?
20k skate

What did you do this past summer?
Lived at Pete Phillips' house, worked at the Mountaineer Garage Sale and trained with Dix and Champagne in Keene, NY

Favorite commons meal?
Toll House Pie

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Master chef cooking skills

When and where did you start skiing?
I started skiing with strap-on skis in my backyard at age two. Sam Tarling brought me to my first race in third grade. I got third... out of three behind Sam and Chase Marston. After the race I asked Chase if I could trade ribbons with him because red was my favorite color. He said No.

Hoofing It

We went over to Lost Valley for the first time this fall for some moosehoofing intervals. It was a great afternoon, and we got a really solid workout in. Nice to see everyone getting after it today.

Fall Colors at LV...

Nat leading the women...

Lucas and Sean leading the guys

First Days of Testing...

Over the last couple of days, and fitness tests, we've seen some exciting stuff. On Wednesday, we did the 3000 meter run in a solid downpour, with standing water on the track. Yesterday, we had people coming in through the day to do the 5 km (or 5000 m) SkiErg test. Everyone is well ahead of where they were last year. In addition, the folks who were abroad last fall, along with our first-years, have come in highly motivated. Its nice to get going with our official practices.
We've also done some technique work through our rollerskis this week. It has been an extremely productive first few days. We'll do our strength test tomorrow morning to finish up the baseline testing. Its also Parent/Families weekend here on campus, so we'll be having a little barbecue in the tailgate area during the Bates-Williams athletics contests.
Stay tuned, and follow us on the Twitter: Bates_Nordic.

And so it begins...

This coming week we are starting official practice. Thanks to our captains (Megan, Natalie, and Lucas), who have done a tremendous job overseeing daily practices to this point.
We are doing some of our traditional testing this week, starting with a 3000-meter run on Wednesday afternoon. We will follow that up on Thursday with our 5 km SkiErg test, and the strength test on Saturday morning. You can get updates through the week here on the blog, and even more frequent updates on our team by following @Bates_Nordic on Twitter (oh yeah).
Next weekend is also Parent/Family Weekend here on campus. We will be having a ski team (Alpine and Nordic) tailgate on Saturday for all the sporting events going on, as well as the opening of the newly renovated Garcelon Field. Just look for the Bates Skiing tent in the tailgate area. Also, parents and family members will be welcome at our Sunday OD at Pineland farms.