Hi there!
Graham here checking in from Torsby, Sweden, at the halfway point of our sea-level training camp. So far the camp has been a mix of bad travel days and great training, where getting to Sweden was a little more challenging than initially anticipated, but since we’ve been here, it has been smooth sailing. So why did we fly halfway around the world for a training camp, when we could have just flown to the East Coast and gotten the same benefits of sea level? In short, they have a ski tunnel here - one of the few places in the world where you can get consistent snow training when the weather outside is 75 degrees.
While others on our team have been to Torsby and Sweden before, this is my first time coming to both and I have to say it’s quite enjoyable. The weather has been nothing short of amazing, with every day being a sunny day and the temps being perfect! My main focus with coming here is to get some good solid technique work done in the tunnel and also get in some good L4 intensity training as well, which will come at the end of the camp when we do the Allainsloppet roller ski race in Trollhättan, Sweden, at the end of this week!
For those unfamiliar with a ski tunnel, allow me to offer some clarity. The ski tunnel here is a 1.5km long concrete building that is semi-submerged in the ground where no matter what time of the year, there is snow for skiers to use. They are great for getting on snow training where you can work on technique in a controlled environment, as there is a good mixture of hills, flats, and gradual terrain. This past week we did everything from intervals to easy skiing. The other great aspect of using the ski tunnel here is that is a part of a larger training facility that includes a roller ski track, running trails, and both indoor and outdoor gym facilities and all are within walking distance of where we are staying. It’s like being at summer camp, but for professional Nordic skiers. Because it’s a training camp, it means that we will be doing two workouts every day for the time that we are here and as such there is a lot of napping involved most afternoons after lunch. Overall, the training camp has been a great success and I can’t wait for what this next week has in store!
Over and out!
Graham
