Masters Nordic Racing and Training in the Methow Valley

Last updated 10/25/2009.

Introduction
The Methow Valley is a paradise for adult outdoor athletes. There is a strong contingent of Masters who train year round for cross country skiing and biathlon. If you're interested in improving your skills, fitness, or want to race, please join the Methow Valley Nordic Club (MVNC) and take part in its events and training sessions. The MVN Club is oriented to adults and the MVN Team is for the juniors, but the two groups are gradually becoming closer and doing more things together, such as training races. Masters activities are self-supporting and net profit is used to support scholarships in the the Junior Program. A list of the skill development and training opportunities in groups is given below. For a list of local and regional races and other annual events of interest to Masters, please see the Methow Masters Nordic Schedule.

If you are planning to attend an out-of-area race this year, please let Masters Coordinator Scott Waichler know about it. Every year a small contingent goes to the American Birkebeiner, and other races attended by Methow folks include the West Yellowstone Rendezvous, the Boulder Mountain Tour, as well as the races held elsewhere in Washington state by our sister ski clubs. Next year, a large contingent is expected to go to the 2011 Master World Cup in Silver Star/Sovereign Lake, BC.

For more information about the masters scene, feel free to contact masters@mvnordic.com. Happy skiing!

What is a Master?
It simply means an adult who has a full life and doesn't train and race full-time. Technically, it means someone 25 or older in the context of the US National Masters Championships, or someone 30 or older at the Masters World Cup. Local and regional ski races generally have 10-year age groupings for adults: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, etc. Five-year age groupings are used at National Masters and World Masters Championships. FYI, Junior racing categories go up to age 18, and "Senior" usually refers to athletes aged 19 to 29 (or older in the context of elite events). American Cross Country Skiers is the U.S. cross country ski national membership association for adult citizen racers. Join them, help our sport, and get great benefits. AXCS operates a great website, xcskiworld.com. Another good website is fasterskier.com.

Ski Races and Tours
Here is an all-inclusive calendar specifically for Methow Valley Masters: Methow Masters Nordic Schedule.

There is a season-long competition for seniors and masters, organized by Pacific Northwest Ski Association (PNSA) and sponsored by Winthrop Mountain Sports.

Weekend Technique Camps and Clinics
These camps and clinics are primarily aimed at developing technique, but of course you also get a good workout along with improving your skills!

• 15th Annual Methow Valley Cross Country Ski Camp at Sun Mountain Lodge is a fantastic 3-day camp for masters of all levels. You are on snow morning and afternoon, with great lunches and video analysis included. December 17-20, 2009. $360. MVNC.
• Methow Valley Nordic Members Ski Clinic is run at Mazama for two days, with classic on one day and skating on the other day. Lunches included. January 9-10, 2010. MVNC.
• Women's Ski and Yoga Clinic at Sun Mountain Lodge is a 3-day clinic by and for women. February 26-28, 2010. Winthrop Fitness.
• Biathlon Rifle Safety and Marksmanship Clinic at Mazama is a half-day clinic teaching safety and shooting skills. Date and details TBA.

Multi-week Training and Technique Groups
For more information on classes offered by Methow Valley Nordic Club, please contact Scott Waichler, 996-8260, unless otherwise noted below. For more information on classes offered by Winthrop Fitness, please contact Janice Dickinson, 996-8234.

Fall Strength Training Sessions. Plyometrics, weight training, and core work. Monday mornings, two different sessions, 8:30-10am or 10:15-11:45am, 9 weeks. Mid-September to Mid-November. Coached by Laura McCabe and Jim Ericson. Winthrop Fitness.

Fall Dryland Sessions. Interval training with ski walking on uphill gravel roads. Intermediate to Advanced at 4 pm Wednesday afternoons; Beginners Thursday mornings, 1-1/2 hours, 9 weeks, Mid-September to Mid-November. Coached by Laura McCabe and Midge Cross. $95. Winthrop Fitness.

Early Winter Strength Training Sessions. Same format as Fall sessions. Plyometrics, weight training, and core work. 5 weeks. Mid-November to Mid-December. Winthrop Fitness.

Masters Skiing Conditioning Sessions. Primarily interval training with some technique coaching. For strong intermediate to advanced skiers, alternating skating and classic technique. Coached by Laura McCabe. Details TBA. MVNC.

Intermediate to Advanced Level Skiing Technique Class. Methow Valley Nordic Club is offering up to 5 different 10-week classes in skate and classic technique for intermediate to advanced level skiers. Details TBA. $

Schedule and cost TBA.

We will have a variety of expert, fun coaches. Remember: the better your technique, the more you'll enjoy skiing! Intermediate level means: In skating, able to locomote using V1, V2 and V2 alternate techniques. In classic, able to stride, double pole and kick double pole. We don't expect proficiency in these techniques, but this is not a class for beginners. Coached by various local experts.

Winter Strength Training Sessions. ~9 weeks. Same format as Fall sessions. Plyometrics, weight training, and core work with balls and straps. Details TBA. Coached by Laura McCabe and Jim Ericson. Winthrop Fitness

Spring Interval and Strength Training Sessions. Running session with some intervals followed by strength training outdoors or in the gym. 1-1/2 hours. 9 weeks. Mid-April to mid-June. Coached by Laura McCabe and Jim Ericson. Winthrop Fitness.

Fall Rollerskiing on Hwy. 20. Informal get-togethers on Saturday mornings to roller ski from Early Winters up to Lone Fir, Cutthroat, or beyond. Carpool for shuttle back down. Info: Scott Waichler, 996-8260.

Indoor Training and Fitness Testing
Winthrop Fitness and Winthrop Physical Therapy offer a full range of strength training facilities (and aerobic, if you must do so indoors!), yoga and pilates classes, physical therapy services, and physiology testing.

Offseason Races and Events

Dryland sports including cycling, running, roller skiing, and climbing beckon when the snow melts.

• Trail Run Series is a series of five running races from April to August. Experience the wilds and toughen those legs up. MVSTA.
• Wednesday Night World Championships is our weekly mountain bike training race series. Run on many of the same hilly trails used for skiing and consisting of multiple laps, these races offer fantastic power and interval training for skiers. Chickadee Trailhead. Methow Cycle and Sport.
• Monday Road Time Trial Series. 10-mile road cycling time trials on about 10 Monday evenings at several locations during the summer and fall. Put your head down and grind out an excellent 25-30 minute anaerobic threshold workout. Dave Acheson, Methow Valley Cycling Club.
• Fall Bike Festival offers fun road and mountain rides on Saturday, and cross-country mountain bike races on Sunday. Events for kids on both days. First weekend in October. MVSTA.
• Tour of the Methow Stage Race. A 2-day road cycling omnium with time trial in Mazama, criterium in Twisp, and road race in the Chewuch Valley. Middle weekend of June. MVSTA.

Methow Valley Sports Clothing
Complete Announcement coming soon!

Methow Valley Nordic Club Library
A lending library of cross country skiing books, DVDs, CDs, and videos is now available for your reading and viewing pleasure: MVNC Library Catalog. Please browse the catalog and try out our offerings. If you are interested in donating materials or would like to suggest an acquisition, please contact masters@mvnordic.com

MVNC members, MVNT kids, and their parents and coaches may borrow materials. We hope this is an easy way for skiers of all ages to access good information and images of our sport. Nordic Ultratune is generously housing the collection for us at their convenient downtown Winthrop location. Nordic Ultratune's winter hours are as follows: Open 11a-5p Thursday thru Monday; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.