Yesterday we sent out the hotel information so the team could have a look at where we’re staying.  Had a chat with Mac last night to help clear up some questions.  Today we finished getting everyone’s flight information and I e-mailed the entries to the team, parents and coaches.  Several parents had questions about entries and I responded to them by e-mail. 

We're getting ready for Olympic Hopes Regatta (OHR) in Szeged, Hungary.  The guys who were in the selection process at US National Championships did a mini taper for that race and are finishing up their second week of a 3 week anaerobic cycle.  We'll do our major taper for OHR starting on Thursday of this week.  Today is a recovery day after a hard anaerobic day yesterday.  Two water workouts and one weight workout are on the schedule.

As US Team Leader, I'm involved in the planning and execution of the US effort.  Mac Hickox, USA Canoe/Kayak National Development Director, has made most of the plans and Kristi Guay, Team Manager has been a great help in sorting through details.

I've had nice discussions with a couple of parents of team members and appreciate their input and support.

There is a possible travel glitch in that Lufthansa workers are staging disruptive strikes.  We are looking at alternatives once we get to Frankfurt - train and bus.

I continue to look forward to a great trip!

US Team Trials in OKC

In Oklahoma City for US Team Trials - a combination of U23 (under 23 years old and Olympic Trials). Here with Wil Lam who is trying for the U23 team. Pictured here is yesterdays practice in the new start gate system. It's really nice, but in a head wind you really have to hold yourself in the gate.

Masters Camp

the Cascade Kayak Masters Camp is next month. Info can be found at http://www.canoe-kayak.com/downloads/2012-masters-camp.pdf

Drove up to Index to see the Outdoor Adventures facility. They are doing great work. Beautiful country and just an hour from Seattle. There's a really good site for a beginner-level slalom course.

Great Day!

After training this morning - Steve, Eric and Eugene on Lake Washington with the Olympic Mountains in the background.

Glorious February

Typical of February, the skies here in Renton have parted and the sun is shining brightly. February is consistently one of the best months to train on Lake Washington – a fair amount of sun, less rain, modest winds and very little motorboat traffic. This week the lake has been like glass on most mornings. Yesterday we held three workouts, one for the entire Cascade Team, one for the Cascade advanced group and one for Seattle University. I feel like we have built a strong foundation and are poised to really grow these programs. The SU workout was focused on developing stability and moving from TK-1s to Orions. Stephanie was the star of the day as, after falling in at the dock she hopped back into the kayak after a little more practice, was able to do a very long circle without falling in. Credit the brave team members with toughing it out learning stability in the cold 45 degree water of Lake Washington. The Cascade workouts were all aerobic endurance and we talked a fair amount about driving the boat forward harder and more aggressively to build endurance around racing at a higher level. The athletes found this extremely fatiguing (as they should), but also saw the potential increase in development rate with training at that level. Fun stuff!