Week 9

Wednesday, January 18th
- Bus to North Creek Ski Bowl
- Bus leaves QHS at 2:30 pm
- Workout
- Skate Technique

Thursday, January 19th
- Pre-race practice at 3:00 pm
- Meet at 3:00 in cafeteria
- Wax Classic skis for Friday

Friday, January 20th
- Classic Race at Lapland Lake Nordic Center
- Bus leaves QHS at 12:45 pm
- Excused from classes at 12:20 pm
Race Schedule
    High School Beginner Race: 3:00 pm
    Varsity and JV Races: 3:30 pm 

Saturday and Sunday the 21st and 22nd
- There will be no organized practice over the weekend.  However, all skiers are encouraged to get out and ski ski ski!!!  Weekends are a great opportunity for doing long distance ski sessions.   

Week 8: Post QBY Invite Week

Monday, January 9th:
- Skate Ski at QHS
- Meet at 3:00 in field out by bus garage
- Technique

Tuesday, January 10th:
- Skate and classic Ski at QHS (Bring both pairs!)
- Meet at 3:00 in the QHS cafeteria
- Announcments, etc…
- Pursuit Work 

- Weight Room
Wednesday, January 11th:
- Skate ski at North Creek Ski Bowl
- Bus leaves QHS at 2:30 pm

Thursday, January 12th:
- Ski at QHS
- Technique TBD

Friday, January 13th:
- Bus to ski?
- More details to come

Week 8: The Queensbury - Gore Moutain Invitational

Skiers - Great work yesterday! It was nice to see so many solid performances! Thank you parents who helped make it such a smooth, well-run event on our home turf! To me, this really shows the pride we have in our program.

Results have been posted under the ‘Race Information’ tab of our Nordic blog.  They are also posted on our Team Facebook Page

Below is the current plan for the week. Depending on weather/snow conditions this could change, so stay tuned. Note: Saturday is The Queensbury/Gore Mountain Invitational. This is a huge race, and even bigger than past years. Again, we will need some workers to help with timing. This will be the last time I have to ask this season!

Monday, January 2nd
- Skate Practice at Crandall Park
- Meet in parking lot behind Inside Edge at 9:00am

Tuesday, January 3rd
- Pre-race practice
- Meet in cafeteria at 3:00pm
- Wax skate skis for Wednesday!

Wednesday, January 4th: SHEN/Saratoga Invy Cancelled
- Bus to practice at the North Creek Ski Bowl
- Bus leaves QHS at 2:45pm
- Bus will return around 6:15pm

Thursday, January 5th
- Practice at QHS
- Meet in cafeteria at 3:00pm
- Skate ski on trails/field

Friday, January 6th:
- Pre-race for Queensbury/Gore Mt. Invy
- Meet in cafeteria at 3:00pm
- Race Information
- Wax Classic Skis for Saturday!

Saturday, January 7th:
- Queensbury/Gore Mountain Invitational at the North Creek Ski Bowl (Classic).  More details on this event to come soon! We will need helpers...
- Bus leaves QHS at 7:30 am
- Racer Schedule 
    9:45 a.m. - Modified (7th and 8th grade) and High School Beginner Race
    10:30 a.m. sharp – *JNQ/NYSSRA Girls, followed by HS Varsity Girls, followed by HS JV Girls       

   11:45 a.m. sharp – *JNQ/NYSSRA Boys, followed by HS Varsity Boys, followed by HS JV Boys

Week 7: Vacation Week!

Skiers,

I hope your vacation is going well!  Get ready for what should be an exciting week of skiing in the world of Spartan Nordic.  We will be having practices at a few different locations throughout the week (details below).  To cap off the week we will be hosting the Queensbury Relays on our home turf.  After consulting with Coach Underwood today, we are fairly confident that we will be able to pull off the race.  There might be some on course shoveling efforts throughout the week, but we're going to go for it!! 

Enjoy your Christmas!

Sunday, December 25th:
- Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 26th:
- On your own. Technique of choice. Mid-Distance ski. We will have the school groomed out. Also, the North Creek Ski Bowl has been pretty sweet of late. Get out and ski!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, December 27th:
- Team practice at the North Creek Ski Bowl
- Bus leaves QHS at 8:30 am and will return early afternoon.
- Be prepared to do both classic and skate. Bring food and drinks!

Wednesday, December 28:
- Team practice at QHS or Crandall Park (dependent on snow conditions). Meet at 8:30 am. I will let everyone know as this date approaches and we have a better idea of snow conditions.
- Skate technique

Thursday, December 29th:
- Team practice at TBA. More information to come.

Friday, December 30th:
- Team practice at QHS at 8:30 am
- Skate ski
- Wax skate skis for the Queensbury Relays!

Saturday, December 31st:
- Queensbury Relays at Queensbury School!! We will need a few parent volunteers to help out with timing for this event!
- Racer Schedule
    - All High School Girls: 10:00 am
    - All High School Boys: 10:50 ‘ish’
    - Modified Race to follow after completion of High School Boys

Week 6: Pre-Christmas Week

Skiers (IMPORTANT),

Tomorrow (Monday) we will begin practice at 2:30.  Meet in the cafeteria.  In addition to skate skiing at the school we will be rewaxing for Tuesday's race.  I want to get a head start on practice to ensure that we have enough time for both.  Have your skate skis for practice, and your race classic skis to wax at the end of practice.

Here is the full plan for the week.  BE ON TIME!!!!!!!!!

Monday, December 19th
- Skate Ski at School
- Meet in the cafeteria at 2:30 pm 
- Wax classic skis for Tuesday’s race

Tuesday, December 20th
- Rescheduled Johnsburg/Lake Gerorge Invy (Classic Race)
- Bus leaves QHS at 2:30 pm
- Racer Schedule
    4:00 – Modified Race
    5:00 – Varsity Boys, then Varsity Girls
    5:30 ish – JV Boys, then JV Girls
- Approximate Bus Return: 7:00pm

Wednesday, December 21st
- Skate ski at school
- Meet in the cafeteria at 3:00 pm

Thursday, December 22nd
- Bus to Gore Nordic Center

- Bus leaves QHS at 2:30 pm
- Classic ski is the plan. Might change depending on weather

Friday, December 23rd
- TBA

Saturday, December 24th
- Christmas Eve. On your own. Get out and ski!!
- I will have the practice plan for vacation posted very soon.

Week 5: The First Invitational!

Monday, December 12th
- Ski on QHS fields.
- Meet on the ‘grassy noel’ by the White House at 3:00.
- Have both classic and skate equipment. If there is enough snow to pack down in the fields, we will be skating. If we get only a small amount of the white stuff tonight, we will classic (bring own waxable classic skis)

Tuesday, December 13th
- Bus to practice. Bus will leave QHS at 2:45. 

- Classic technique

Wednesday, December 14th
- Ski at QHS.
- Technique will depend on snow conditions

Thursday, December 15
- Classic ski at QHS.
- Meet on the ‘grassy noel’ by the White House at 3:00

Friday, December 16th
- Pre race practice
- Meet at 3:00 in QHS cafeteria
- Information for Saturday’s Race
- Wax Groups and wax classic skis
- Have running gear

Saturday, December 17th
- Lake George/Johnsburg Invitational at the North Creek Ski Bowl
- Bus leaves QHS at 8:30 am
- Race Schedule
    - 10:30: modified and beginners
    - 11:00: Varsity Boys, Varsity girls to follow
    - 11:50 'ish' JV Boys, JV girls to follow

Week 4

Queensbury Nordic Ski Community,

The plan for the week is below.  Know it and be ready!  Since some people were asking, here is an electronic copy of the Season pass application for the Gore Mt. Nordic Center.  Just fill it out and bring it to the Nordic Center the next time you go.  They can issue passes right there.  Again, this is really an incredible deal for a place that will always have snow and night skiing, and will be open seven days a week.  The more time you can spend on snow outside of practices, the better off you'll be.

Gore Mt. Nordic Ski Pass Application

  

First, a few pictures and such from the past week.  

Check our new waxing facility... Pretty sweet set up, don't cha think?!?

A view from our new wax room!  It is the beginning of a new era of waxing at Queensbury.  As much as all of us will miss the 'Dungeon' we are now in a prime spot with all the goods.

A quick action clip of the wild and crazy 'Advanced' mass start race yesterday.  Who was that in the HURT outfit spinning around and going down about 10 seconds in????? Bryce, was that you?!?

Monday, December 5th
- Meet in the cafeteria at 3:00pm
- Strength
- Bound (Bring the classic poles!!!!!!)
- Weight Room

Tuesday, December 6th
- Bus to rollerski at bike path. Have all gear.
- Bus leaves at 2:45pm

Wednesday, December 7th
- Meet in the cafeteria at 3:00pm
- Technique
- Strength
- Weight Room

Thursday, December 8th
- Bus to rollerski at bike path. Have all gear.
- Bus leaves at 2:45pm

Friday, December 9th
- On your own.  Get out on your own or in groups to do something active!  The Gore Mt. Nordic Center will be open for some good skiing in North Creek if you can make the trek up!

Saturday, December 10th
- Afternoon ski at the Gore Mt. Nordic Center
- Bus leaves QHS at 12:00pm and will return around 5:00pm.  Bring food and drinks!!!!
- Have all ski gear (classic and skate)
- For any first time skiers who need to borrow classic skis, please arrive at 11:30am in the track house at QHS so we can fit you up with the necessary classic gear!

Week 3: Getting On Snow!

QHS Skiers,

I hope your Thanksgiving was a great one!

In preparation for the week ahead, carefully look over the plan posted below the pictures.  Note the location and activities for each day in order to be prepared.  

Tomorrow (Sunday), the North Creek Ski Bowl will be open again all day for skiing! Here are some pictures from the last couple days.  Great to see many QHS skiers at the HURT camp!!!

Monday, November 28th
- Announcements
- Core/Agility
- Goals Introduction
- Pole Run/Run (have classic poles!!!)
- Weight Room

Tuesday, November 29th
- Rollerski at Bikepath (Varsity Classic!)
- Bus leaves at 2:55
- Bring in any school issued rollerskis

Wednesday, November 30th
- Core/ Strength
- Goal Meetings
- Bound (have classic poles)
- Wax room relocation and set up.
- Weight Room

Thursday, December 1st
- Rollerski at Bikepath
- Bus leaves at 2:55

Friday, December 2nd
- Saturday Information
- Wax Clinic
- Final Equiment Prep: those who need to sign out equipment from the school- Wax Skate skis / prep for Saturday

Saturday, December 3rd
- Team ski at North Creek Ski Bowl.  We will be skate skiing!!
- Bus leaves at 12:15 pm
- Schedule of Events
    - Arrive around 1:10 pm ish
    - Ski practice ~ 1hr. 15 min.
    - Informal Races (skate)
        - 2:45 - 'Advanced' race
        - 3:30 - 'Beginner' race 

Week 2 - Thanksgiving Week

Skiers!

The Thanksgiving Week Nordic Plan is below,

But first, a picture of the fresh flying snow out there...

Second, congrats to some solid rollerski performances by those at the HURT rollerski race yesterday!  

And third, details for the week...

We will only be together as a team this Monday and Tuesday, but there are a lot of training opportunities to be had for the later part of the week, running all throughout Thanksgiving weekend. Take advantage of as much as you can! So…. get together with a teammate, or several teammates, (as many as you can) and make something happen!

Notice:
The Gore Mountain Ski Bowl WILL BE open throughout Thanksgiving weekend, starting this Friday at 8:30am!!! Get your passes and come up for a ski!! Pass Application is here.This is an incredible early season opportunity so close to home. The HURT Thanksgiving camp will also be going on throughout the weekend at the Ski Bowl…

Also, for any of you purchasing a pass at the Gore Mountain Nordic Center, I would be happy to collect your application and payment and submit it to Gore Mt (I am there every day). However, I will need to have these items collected no later than this Tuesday (the 22nd) at practice.

Monday, November 21st
- Meet at 3:00 in cafe
- Announcements, details, week in brief…
- Strength
- Run with poles/bounding workout (have classic poles)

Tuesday, November 22nd @ Bikepath
- Bus leaves at 2:55
- Rollerski at bike path.
- Have poles and boots. Varsity have classic poles and skis. Also, bring personal rollerskis or any rollerskis borrowed from school.

Wednesday, November 23rd - On your own.
- Run: 40 – 50 minutes
or…
- Rollerski: 60 – 70 minutes
- Core (core guide sheets available on blog under ‘training’ page)

Thursday, November 24th – Happy Thanksgiving!
Run on Turkey Day!
James P. Hinchliffe 5K details here 

Friday, November 25th. - On your own.
- The Gore Mountain Ski Bowl in North Creek will be open at 8:30am.
For those not on snow…
- Run/bound: 40 – 50 minutes
or…
- Rollerski: 60 – 80 minutes
- Core

Saturday, November 26th - On your own. Distance.
- Ski!!!
For those not on snow…
- 50 – 60 minute run
or...
- 90 – 120 minute rollerski (any technique)

Week 1

The plan for the week!  Look this over carefully to make sure that you have what you need for each practice. Note: pick up your Blue Cards tomorrow (Monday) and have them along with your signed Code of Conduct forms.  We will collect these at the beginning of practice.

Monday, November 14th
- Meet in cafeteria at 3:00
- Announcements, attendance, etc...

- Blue Cards and Code of Conduct

- Core work
- Run (w/poles - if you have them, bring em’)!
- Stretch and equipment maintenance for Tuesday's rollerski.
 

Tuesday, November 15th 

- Bus to bike path for rollerski.  Have all rollerski gear. Will return around 5:00.

Wednesday, November 16th 
- Meet in cafe at 3:00
- Goals Introduction
- Strengthy strength
- Pole run / bound (Have classic poles).
- Stretch

- Weight Room

Thursday, November 17th 
- Bus to bikepath for rollerski. Have gear.
 

Friday, November 18th 
- Meet in cafeteria at 3:00
- Pole run/bound (Have classic poles)
- Soccer vs. Alpine

Saturday, November 19th (Optional)

HURT Rollerski Race at Saratoga State Park.  Looking for a chance to get in a fast pace Rollerski workout? This is it!

Information and Registration here!

Getting Started!!!

As we enter the last weekend before Nordic begins on Monday, a few things to consider...

1 -  This Sunday (November 13th), Garnet Hill Lodge in North River is offering an opportunity for Section 2 skiers and coaches to get a free season's pass - A trail work day.  I believe lunch is offered at this event... Sign up through the link below.  More details for the event are given...

Garnet Hill Trail Work Day

2-  Just so everyone is clear about next Tuesday when we travel to the bike path, please look this over carefully.  This is what you will need…

- Helmet!

- Ski Boots (NNN): If you are a new skier, now is the time to purchase boots!  Get boots that will fit NNN bindings as this is what fits the school rollerskis.  Again, combi boots (good for both classic and skate) are a good choice for beginner skiers.  If it is impossible for any of you to get boots by Tuesday, see one of your coaches at Monday’s practice and we will let you borrow a pair from the school.  For any skier who has separate skate and classic boots, bring skate. 

- Poles: Bring both sets of poles if you plan to use your own.  If you have road tips available and can change them, now is the time.  For new skiers who do not have poles yet, the school does have a stock of rollerski poles available.  We will take care of distributing school issued poles on Monday.         

- Rollerskis: The school will provide these.  If you have your own, bring them (skate).

Also, for those of you who have school issued rollerskis and poles, bring these in either Monday or Tuesday to ensure that everyone will have skis and poles for Tuesday.

Let it Snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coach Allison

Meet the Coaches and Code of Conduct Meeting

Skiers and Parents! 

A couple of important announcements -

This Monday (November 7^th) is the Mandatory Code of Conduct / Meet the Coaches Night for all winter sports teams at QHS.  At 7:00 PM all student athletes and parents will meet in Auditorium for an overview meeting with the Athletic Director, Rich Keys.  Around 7:20PM we will break into smaller groups (by team) for the ‘Meet the Coaches’ portion and to sign and return the Code of Conduct.  Also, during this time coaches will be covering specifics regarding the season ahead.  The Nordic team will stay in the Auditorium for this. Spread the word!

Second -

Our Nordic start date is Monday, November 14^th at 3:00 PM. Meet in the High School cafeteria!  Take the time now to prepare because it is going to come fast!

Coach Allison 

Nordic Ski Sign-Up and Informational Meeting!

Attention Nordic Skiers and Future Nordic Skiers!

This Thursday (November 3rd) we will be having our Nordic sign-up and informational meeting at 2:15 pm in the QHS cafeteria.  Please attend this brief meeting for a handout packet containing important information about the upcoming season.  Spread the news, get excited, and we'll see you Thursday!

Sign-Up Flyer

Night ski in October!

Kinda looks like mid-winter skiing!?! The early season craving set in this week thanks to some recently fallen white stuff...

Rescheduled Banquet and More

All,

A reminder that our rescheduled banquet is set for this Wednesday at 6:00pm in the cafeteria.  If you are planning to bring food, please respond to Mrs. Blood's Facebook post or email to ensure that we have enough.
See you there.

Spring training option - For those not doing a spring 'endurance' sport, or for those not doing a sport at all, this is especially for you.  Even if you are a track runner, it would be beneficial to look at this for ideas... say you are bored on a Sunday and are looking for an alternate endurance activity or something... I'm posting the plan HERE!!!!!

Lastly, I will be in touch later this spring about a day to meet for those interested in borrowing rollerski equipment for the summer.  I realize that several already have borrowed, and that is great!  Just keep close tabs on the stuff.  Also, this would be a great time to go over possible summer training options and opportunities!!!  

Banquet, Ski Clean Up, Spring Announcemets...

Hello!!!

I hope everyone's early spring is moving nicely. A few things... Our banquet date has been set for Thursday, March 31st at 6:00pm in the QHS cafeteria.  Be there or be square!  If skiers and families could bring light foods that would be great. 

For anyone who still needs to return school skis, clean classic skis, apply summer wax to personal skis, etc... the dungeon will be open next Wednesday at 4:30 (the 23rd). There are several of you who still have school issued skis/poles that need to be returned! Make this happen.

Best of luck to everyone doing a spring sport. As everyone is going different directions for springtime activities, it is never too early to be planning ahead for the next season. Yes, even though next season is over nine months away, that leaves nine months to take advantage of off season training opportunities (especially the summer) to become a stronger racer. I'm hoping this season in some way left a desire to take action to become a better skier.  The off season is when major strides can be made. I will be in touch with both summer training plans/opportunities as well as spring training plans for those not doing a spring sport.

JN's in Cable Wisconsin.

Some pictures from the Junior Nationals Nordic competition last week. The theme of the week was the high temperatures and big bright sunshine. This quickly deteriorating snow conditions left race organizers and volunteers in a scramble to shovel lots of snow onto the thin covered course. Despite race delays, reformats, and lots of running water, they pulled it off.  It was a great experience for our five racers (Eliza, Maggie, Daniel, Nino, and Brian) and myself as a first time coach.   

Unlike many of the other JN venues from year to year, Cable was by far the most remote one I have ever seen.  Not much to see but woods, more woods, and some wildlife. Somehow I didn't feel far from home.

1st training day - lower stadium area

Day 2 - here comes the warm weather

The QHS gang at the opening ceremonies

Sprint heat finals

Local wildlife of the Northwood Lodge