Kimberly - Sweating it Out on Skis

Intro

I have been away from training camps and the team atmosphere for so long, but this past week I am excited to say that  I got to attend my first team training camp in 15 months. With the Alberta World Cup Academy team, I traveled to Kimberly, BC to throw down for a quick 5-day training camp. The camp consisted of 3 interval sessions, 2 speed sessions, and a few volume sessions. Got to top off the week with a little boy's fishing trip in Fernie BC on our way home with Max Hollmann and Derek Deuling.

What it's like, the first camp back

Coming back to the Alberta World Cup Academy for my first training camp after my injury was both exciting and nerve-wracking. A lot has changed since I last attended a camp. Since I've been gone we have had an increase in boys on the team as well as an overall increase in team size. I also had to navigate what it felt like to be one of the older members of the team. But one thing remained the same - there was a strong team atmosphere that was supportive and fun.

I wasn't sure how my body would react after not being in a training camp for so long. But within a few sessions, I was already back to normal and just stoked to be back training with my team.

Post Workout in what felt like 400 degrees

A refreshed perspective

Getting a break from training camps has given me a refreshed perspective. It has allowed me to take a step back and realize that little things like an interval session going poorly are not as significant as I once thought. 

Chris Jeffries (Nordiq Canada's High-Performance Director and one of my first coaches) always talks about perspective and I always make fun of him for it or brush it off. But now through my injury recovery, I have gained a bit of perspective. I understand a bit of what he is trying to say. Before the injury, I often put so much pressure on myself to perform well that I forgot to enjoy the process of training and the simple act of skiing. Coming back to this training camp reminded me to enjoy the sport and just appreciate the time I get to do it. I slowed my training camp experience down and let myself enjoy the time with my teammates and appreciate what my body is now able to do again.

How the training went

Overall, I was stoked with how the training went. We got into three solid intensities in the five days we were there. The first two intensities went particularly well, keeping up with Max Hollmann and Xav McKeever for them. 

Unfortunately during the last intensity, the sprint sim I had to cut my day short. My hip was starting to cause some problems so I had to make the choice best for me and call the session. This was a tough call and one that all injured or recovering athletes struggle with making. At the end of the day, I am just learning to listen to my body and make the best choices for me and my recovery. I was still excited to be around the team and was at the start and finish to watch what everyone else was putting down! After the camp, I'm feeling optimistic about my summer training. I'm excited to keep pushing myself and see how far I can go this season.

Intensity with Max Hollmann and Derek Deuling

Post-camp Fernie fishing trip

After the camp, I was in need of a mental recharge. My favorite fishing town was only an hour detour on our way home so me, Max Hollamnn, and Derek Deuling planned a fishing trip on our way home. As Tormod would say, “Training is for the neck down, Fernie is for the neck up.”

After the last intense session, we all packed up the house and then drove to Fernie where we set up a 3 man tent for the night. We went out for some dinner and took a look downtown then headed to the campsite.

We started the day with some Fernie famous Big-Bang Bagels and hit the river. We packed all of our rain gear thinking it was going to rain but we definitely did not need it. We were treated to a 30-degree day, not a single cloud in the sky! We were reapplying sunscreen every chance we got but no matter how much sunscreen Max put on he still burnt the back of his neck to a complete crisp.

This type of thing is why It’s important for me to take breaks and recharge mentally. After these kinds of breaks  I always feel recharged and motivated to continue the training grind! I am a very strong believer in train hard, rest hard!

Thanks for keeping up with me and what I'm up to! Chat soon! 

• Tommer.