Having just returned from a three-week altitude camp (and a one-week rest period at home!), we’re putting to use that increased oxygen-carrying capacity by doing a whole lot of intensity this week.  This way, our bodies gain fitness by our ability to train harder than normal, thanks to the extra red blood cells formed while at altitude.  This week, though, has been a little different than the traditional intensity week.  We’ve done several “over-speed” workouts to help us become comfortable at a higher tempo and/or pace, making “normal” race pace feel just a little bit more relaxed.  Since we’ve got a mix of sprinters and long-distance skiers on the team, doing these workouts as a group has benefited all of us, because those of us (including me) who aren’t the best sprinters are learning to improve on weaknesses.  And while biathlon races are never shorter than six kilometers, a good sprint to the finish can certainly save a few seconds.

Posted in General | No Comments »