QHS Skate Relays!

We will be hosting our relay at Johnsburg Central School in North Creek.  Even though we had a few solid days of practicing on snow at Queensbury, there is not quite enough of the white stuff to withstand a couple hundred racers.  However, the snow and race course up north is should be prime.  Here is race day information...

Bus leaves QHS at 7:45 am -
If you have skis stored in the school, please arrive a bit early to give yourself time.  The bus should arrive at Johnsburg a bit before 9:00.  The course is a 1K loop (mostly flat, with a couple short hills) that each skier will do 3 times before tagging off (3K).  This means each team of 3 racers will ski 9K total.   

Schedule of Races -
- 10:00 - All high school girl teams
- 10:50 (ish) - All high school boy teams
- Modified boys and girls race (combined) to follow high school girls.

Wear your team warm up jacket if you have one because they look awesome!  Also, the same for those crazy Queensbury Spandex suits!  Avoid bulky loose clothing for racing as it makes you slower.

Volunteers -
- Please arrive by 9:30.  I would like to touch base quickly to make sure we have the following covered... timers (5-6 people), bib collectors (1), floaters (2-3).

 

The course is set at JCS! I Know it's not Queensbury, but it is my Alma Mater... Remember, JCS is in North Creek.

Another view of the course from the upper field at JCS. 

See you Saturday and get excited!



 

  

Week 7

I have updated the plan for the week (see below).  Look this over carefully and hope for snow tonight!

Skiers - for Saturday's relay we will have teams of three.  As done in the past, you can decide your teams and the order you would like to go in.  Sign up using the Google Sheet below (under Saturday).

Parents - For anyone who can help out at our relay event Saturday, please let me know! I'll post more specifics about this later in the week.

Craftsbury VT Snow report
Rikert VT

No snow at the moment, but we will be ready - Before Christmas waxing in the dungeon!

Snow!! The short lived white stuff of Bakers Mills last weekend.

Sunday, December 27th: On your own
- Rollerki / run / bound. Mid-distance.  On your own or group up!
- 4-5X 2 min. pick ups (fast!) in your activity. Active recovery in between pick-ups.
- Core 

Monday, December 28th:
 - Rollerski field day at QHS vs. Johnsburg. Bring a helmet and any rollerski equipment you have.  This will entail a short informal relay race with other stations for work on agility, strength, games, etc...
- Meet at 10:00 in the parking lot behind the elementary school with rollerski gear!

Tuesday, December 29th:
- Due to varying road conditions we will not have a formal practice today. This means that you are not required to be there. However, Coach Frielinghaus will be at school at 2:00 for anyone who would like to get out on the field for a classic ski! Plan to borrow a pair of the school's waxless skis from down in the dungeon. 
- Coach has rolled out a track on the field, but it would be impossible to skate ski on, as it has not set up and is a very sugar like.

Wednesday, December 30th:
- Practice on snow at Lake Placid!  Bus leaves QHS at 8:00 am and will return around 3:30/4:00 pm.  Bring all skate and classic equipment along with food and liquid for lunch.  If you are a pass holder, bring it. If not, have a bit of cash to cover ticket price (ticket price is $10.00).
- We will arrive in LP a bit before 10:00.  The plan is to skate ski most of the time in the am, and if conditions permit, to get on classic skis after lunch.

Thursday, December 31st: 
- Optional Practice: More details to come about location.  Time will depend on location but I hope to have it in the a.m.

Friday, January 1st:
Happy New Year!!

Saturday, January 2nd:
- QHS hosts skate relays! The location will be at QHS (if snow).  Start time is 10:00.  Our back up plan is to host on the athletic field at Johnsburg Central School.  They sometimes have a bit more snow up north.  I will know mid-week.
Here is the team sign-up sheet for racers - Relays 

Sunday, January 3rd:
- Distance, on your own or with a group. Level 1 (easy continuous ski) 90-120 minutes.  If you can get to snow, great, if not a run/rollerski can be substituted. 

Week 6

Snow Reports!

Even though there is little snow in the Queensbury area, reports of snow are coming in.  Osceola Nordic Center near Syracuse has received 2.5 feet of snow and it is still coming down!  Word has it they have rolled the trails and are offering a $5.00 student pass rate.  It is a bit of a travel, but might be worth the drive on any upcoming non-school day within the next 4 or 5 days. 

Rikert Ski Center in Ripton, VT is aiming to be open tomorrow (Sunday the 20th).  They will be making snow again tonight, and are hopeful to have their 1K loop up and running again.  This is a much shorter drive than Osceola, only about an hour and 20 minutes from Queensbury.  Stay tuned for any further information... The other Vermont option right now is Craftsbury Vermont.  They have a great 1K loop open and will be up and running all of next week.

Plan for the week

Monday, December 21st:
- Bowling at Lake George Lanes!  (dependent on availability of bus). Bus will leave at 2:55.  Cost per person is $7.50 for an hour and a half of bowling.  Anyone wishing to play laser tag in addition to bowling, the cost is $12.00.  Dress up in holiday fashion!!!  Bus will return a bit later (probably 5:00) so plan accordingly.

Tuesday, December 22nd:
- Announcements at 3:00
- Core / strength
- Run
- Waxing workshop in dungeon (can bring personal skis to wax after practice!)
- Ski distribution for those borrowing.

Wednesday, December 23rd:
- Find snow if you can!  I'll keep everyone updated about any possibilities throughout the region.  If not, dryland on your own, or with a group
    - 90 minute rollerski or 40 - 50 minute run with core

Thursday, December 24th:
- Christmas Eve.  On your own.

Friday, December 25th:
- Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, December26th:
- TBA. 

I will post practice plans for the following week very soon.  It will most likely be a Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday practice week depending on the weather.  I will announce plans Monday (21st) at practice.

Coach Allison

Week 5!!!!

Saturday's section 2 clinic at the ski jumps in Placid !!

A one kilometer strip of snow at Rikert VT today, but good enough for us!! (Brian, Nino, Anna and Daniel)

Monday, December 14th 
- Meet in cafeteria at 3:00.  Announcements.
- Agility warm up, on foot (everyone)
- Classic rollerski (varsity).  Bring in any personal classic r-ski equipment (helmets!) and have everything ready to go in the cafeteria at 3:00!
-  Pole run/bound (JV).  Have classic poles!
- Core/stretch (everyone) in cafe.

Tuesday, December 15th
- Rollerski at bike path
- Bus leaves at 2:45

Wednesday, December 16th
- Meet in cafeteria 
- Ski/technique videos
- Shorter pole run (have classic poles!)
- Relays
- Strength

Thursday, December 17th
- Rollerski at bike path
- Workout

Friday, December 18th -
- TBA

Saturday, December 19th (On your own)
- Distance rollerski/run/bound/ski.  Get together with somebody and do something!!!

Week 4 –

Announcements – 

Jacket Money
I will be ordering these this week! There are several who have signed up to purchase, but have not yet turned in payment. Get this to me by tomorrow.

Section 2 Skate Clinic December 12th 
As of now, this is still on! Word has it they have been making snow at the jumping complex in Lake Placid, which is where it will be held. For any skiers who wish to spend lots of time on snow, it is not too late to sign up! See previous post for the sign up link.

Saturday 
The first ever Section 2 roller ski race was a success! Great job racers! Thanks to all the parents who helped make this a smooth running event. I posted results under the ‘race information’ tab of this blog. They are also on our team Facebook page.  A few pics below...

Line em' up!

And they're off!

Sorry to say, but not Queensbury... A shot from Craftsbury Vermont today!  Although there is only a 1K loop open, the snow is pretty sweet! Worth the drive.

Week’s Schedule –

Monday, December 7th:
- Meet at 3:00
- Strength / Agility
- Run (Have classic poles)

Tuesday, December 8th:
- Rollerski at bike path. Bus leaves at 2:45. (Be sure you have your helmet!)

Wednesday, December, 9th:
- TBA @ School

Thursday, December 10th:
- Rollerski at bike path. Bus leaves at 2:45

Friday, December 11th:
- Meet at 3:00
- Fun Run / Games
- Weekend Information

Saturday, December 12th:
- Skating ski clinic at Ski jumps in Lake Placid (optional: see above for sign-up information).

Sunday, December 13th:
- TBA

Section 2 Rollerski Race

Schedule for Saturday's Rollerski Race –
9:00 - Arrive at school. Please park in the QHS parking lot (racers and spectators) and either walk / rollerski back to the rear parking lot of the elementary school. This will be the race start/finish area and the bib pick-up spot. Also, if you are borrowing rollerskis and poles from the school, they will be here in this area (look for the red Toyota pickup).
9:30 - Course preview and warm up for all skiers.
10:00 - ‘advanced’ boys and girls race (mass start)
10:45 ish - ‘beginner’ boys and girls race (mass start)

Skiers:
I will talk more about this at practice tomorrow, but if you are using school issued skis or poles for the race, we will need them for someone else to use in the other race. So, if you are doing the ‘advanced’ race, we will be collecting them as soon as you finish the race in order to be sure that beginners have enough skis to use.

Parents:
If any parent is interested in volunteering to help out, please let me know! We can meet before the first race to discuss specifics, but the main jobs will be having enough people to work the start/finish area (i.e. – watch holders, time recorders, spotters, bib collectors, bib hand out, etc…

Thanks! The weather is looking great for rollerskiing Saturday.

Coach Allison

Skiers,

I have been made aware that the Booster Club, rather than the school, will be accepting the money and paying for the warm up jackets. However, they do not want to process individual checks. The recommended procedure is that I (as your coach) will collect the checks and then make out one personal check to the Booster Club, covering the total amount for the jackets. Then they will send in one check to the jacket company (Don’t ask me why…). This means that your checks should be made out to me, Paul Allison, and I will keep careful records of who has paid. 

So, if you have already made out a check to Queensbury Schools, I will return it to you and ask that you make a new one out to me personally. Apologies for any inconvenience. Do your best to get these into me by the end of the week!
 
Coach

Week 3

Announcements –

Jacket Orders – 
If you signed up to purchase a team warm up jacket, the cost is $62.00. Please do your best to turn in the money by mid - next week to either myself or coach Frielinghaus. Once we have everyone’s payment the school will send in one check to get the order rolling. If you are paying by check, make them out to ‘Queensbury Schools’.

Wednesday, Goals Day - 
Wednesday will be our team / individual goals day. On Monday I will go over this in more depth and can give you some examples. For returning skiers, it should be easier for you to form specific goals since all of you have a baseline from last season. Put thought into this! We will be revisiting these throughout the course of the season. New skiers: I know you might feel a bit in the dark on this as there is a lot about the sport that is still unknown, but it’s still good to learn the process.

Section 2 Skate Clinic at Mount Van Hoevenberg -
Saturday, December 12th ORDA/Section 2 will be hosting a skate technique Nordic clinic at Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. Details are here. Note that the cost for this includes a FREE season pass to Mount Van Hoevenberg! Register in advance at http://www.hurtnordicskiing.com/events.html. Makes checks payable to Hudson United Racing Team

Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Vermont has snow!  
Check out what is the only place in the Northesast (that I know of) that has snow!  Weekend trip? http://www.craftsbury.com/skiing/nordic-center/snow-report

Week's Plan  

Monday, November 30th
- Strength/Agility
- Pole Run/Run (have classic poles)
- Core
- Announcements

Tuesday, December 1st
- Rollerski at Bikepath
- Bus leaves at 2:45

Wednesday, December 2nd
- Bound (have classic poles)
- Core/ Strength
- Goal Meetings
- Turn in jacket money if you have not done so!!

Thursday, December 3rd
- Rollerski at Bikepath
- Bus leaves at 2:45

Friday, December 4th
- Dumb Run or Rollerski
- Games
- Stretch
- Announcements

Saturday, December 5th
- Rollerski Race, weather permitting

Week 2 - Thanksgiving Week

 Sunday, November 22nd
- Kingston Rollerski Race
- Details below under last post

Monday, November 23rd
- Meet at 3:00  
- Run with poles / bounding  
- Strength
- Announcements, Captains
  
Tuesday, November 24th @ Bikepath
- Bus leaves at 2:45
- Rollerski at bike path (skate)
- Have poles and boots. Also bring personal rollerskis or any rollerskis borrowed from school.

Wednesday, November 25th - On your own.
- Run: 40 – 50 minutes 
or…
- Rollerski: 60 – 70 minutes
- Core (core guide sheets available on blog under ‘training’ page) 

Thursday, November 26th – Happy Thanksgiving!
Run on Turkey Day!
James P. Hinchliffe 5K 
 
Friday, November 27th. - On your own.
- Run/bound: 40 – 50 minutes
or…
- Rollerski: 60 – 80 minutes
- Core

Saturday, November 28th - On your own. Distance.
- 50 – 60 minute run
or...
- 90 – 120 minute rollerski (any technique)

Week 1

Monday, November 16th
- Meet in cafeteria at 3:00
- Announcements, etc...
- Blue Cards
- Core
- Run
- Stretch and Equipment Maintenance
 
7:00pm. - Code of conduct meeting for parents and athletes. This will begin at 7:00 in the auditorium then will break apart by teams. Nordic will meet in the cafeteria.
 
Tuesday, November 17th 
- Bus to bike path for rollerski.  Have all rollerski gear. Will return around 5:00/5:30.

Wednesday, November 18th
- Meet in cafe at 3:00
- Goals Introduction
- Strength Surprise
- Pole run / bound (Have classic poles).
- Stretch

Thursday, November 19th
- Bus to bikepath for rollerski. Have gear.
 
Friday, November 20th
- Meet in cafeteria at 3:00
- Team Meetings - Goals work
- Pole run/bound (Have classic poles)
- Soccer / Games

Sunday, November 22nd (Optional)
Kingston Rollerski Race 
Race Application
Race Details

Week of November 9th

Tuesday, November 10th - Optional weight room/strength.  Meet at 3:00 in blue lobby by athletic office.

Thursday, November 12th - Optional skate rollerski.  Meet at 3:00 in blue lobby.  

Other Announcements -

Monday, November 16th -
- Nordic Begins! Be sure to bring your blue card on the first day.  Also, now is the time to be assembling any rollerski gear you might have - boots and helmets. If you have used your own poles in the past for rollerskiing and have the capability of putting on road tips, do this very soon.  We will be busing to the bike path Tuesday, the 17th to ski.  If you can't put the road tips on, please bring poles (and tips if you have them) to Monday's practice and I will do my best to have them ready the next day.  Also, for new skiers, the school has some poles with road tips which you can use.    We will take care of this the first day of practice.
- 7:00p.m.  Mandatory code of conduct meeting for both athletes and parents!  This will begin in the auditorium and then break out into individual teams.  Nordic will meet in the cafeteria.  We will be going over lots of important information about the season!

Sunday, November 22nd - 
Kingston Rollerski Race - Any skier looking to take part in an early season rollerski race, here is your chance! Even though I have never raced this, from what I hear it is a pretty sweet race! Details here - Kingston Rollerski Race.  Also, if six or more racers from the school compete, each racer will receive a five dollar 'team' discount (must register at same time).  I will post a sign up sheet very soon so we know how many can go, then I will register everyone at the same time.   

 

Your rock star trail crew celebrating the end of work at Garnet Hill on Saturday

    

Nordic Happenings October 27th - Nov. 9th

Notice - Code of Conduct Meeting postponed to Monday, November 16th at 7:00p.m. in the auditorium.

Saturday, November 7th and Sunday Nov. 8th - Trail work days at Garnet Hill Lodge, North River:  9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.  Any section two skier who works one full day (Sat. or Sun.) will earn a FREE season pass. Take advantage of this!  Lunch is provided - More details here.  If you are available to work either Saturday or Sunday, please sign up on this Google docs sheet so Garnet Hill knows how many will be attending from each school - Garnet Hill Trail Work Days 
  
Week of November 9th - Optional weight room and rollerski session - will post dates and times very soon.

Monday, November 16th - Nordic begins!
Mandatory code of conduct meeting for parents and athletes.  Begins at 7:00p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Other -
Van Hoevenberg Pass Option
Skiers who want to spend lots of time training on snow have the option of purchasing a season pass at a reduced price. Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid is offering student athlete passes at a rate of $50.00. This is a very good price for a venue that usually has lots of snow, great trails, and great grooming. Van Hoevenberg passes will also be good for Nordic skiing at the jumping complex a few miles up the road from Van Hoevenberg. The jumping complex is usually a good early season destination to ski as they make snow there, so if there is no snow anywhere else, it is the place to be! Application is below -
Mt. VanHo Pass Application

Lapland Lake Pass Option
Another $50.00 pass option for high school skiers.  If interested, form is attached here - Lapland Lake Pass Application