Sunday, October 25, 2009

Training for Sufferfest

Today's ski up Prospect mountain was a tough test, felt a little like this.

Stage 6 of last year's Tour de Ski...

Tour de Ski Video

Sufferin' across the state

Tough choices for Team Director A.Huneck....Initially his plan was to send his squad here....

Training Idea



But after weighing his options he made some wiser choices....

Seeing this weekend as a big opportunity to test the fitness and mental focus of his athletes, race director Aaron Huneck sent everyone into action in events across the region (well...almost everyone). Sensing some building momentum with his running studs from the Syracuse area he sent them into action early on Saturday in races in around Tug Hill.

Really though, he saw a great opportunity to score maximum points in an obscure event. So off went his Syracuse charges north into the heart of the Tug Hill snow belt for the Sandy Creek X-C Invitational. Master strategist Aaron knew the Lubans would know the venue well-- it was Sandy Creek HS, the epicenter of activity for every Tug Hill Tourathon in recent years. Both Lubans showed that Aaron's confidence in them was well-deserved. Adam finished 11th in the varsity boys' race, helping Nottingham to a 2nd place team finish and earning another t-shirt for the H.U.R.T. Hall of Fame. Two hours later, Ed finished 2nd in the open race, proving once again it's not how fast you are but how obscure the race is. While the course was surprisingly devoid of snow, Aaron noted that the extensive mud, puddles, wind, and driving rain would serve the boyz well in preparing for the evil the Peruvians will try to throw at them in the upcoming ski season.

In an interesting strategic move, Aaron sent T. Huneck, Chris Yarsevich, Dave Kvam, Martin Donnelly-Heg, Justin Tetlow, Doug Diehl, Dave Burt and Andy Farry all into action against each other and against a mixed group of tough skiers from Peru and Saratoga Biathlon Club. Whether he was hoping to intimidate the opposition with massive numbers, pit his boys against each other to push the pace, or simply got lazy searching for other events it is unknown. What is known, is that some of his guys came to RACE! Doug Diehl came away with a sizable victory. T.Huneck and Andy Farry threw down massive times taking advantage of good fitness and fast razor scooter wheels. MDH, Yarsevich, Tetlow put down strong efforts and worked hard the whole day. The big disappointment was Kvam who worked hard but did not live up to expectations. Despite his pleasure with the overall team result, he made Kvam jog down the mountain and has forced the Senior skier to ski up again next week. Most of the other guys earned the right to save their second attempt for SUFFERFEST.

Kvam said after the race "I think I had my skis in the hot-box a little to long and maybe a little to hot. I think it was a big factor. I'm not worried though, I won't disappoint Aaron again."

Results for the event:

Doug Diehl 36:37
Chris Rose 37:24
Jim Kobak 39:45
Andy Farry 40:01
Tim Huneck 42:00
Bob Maswick 43:42
MDH 45:10
Chris Yarsevich 45:15
Dave Kvam 46:21
Tom Moffet 46:52
Justin Tetlow 57:03
Renee Harde 58:55
Dave Burt 59:03

The leader going into event two of "THREE SUFFERIN' SUNDAYS" is DOUG DIEHL

Enjoy HURT television


better quality video found at http://www.hurtnordic.netne.net/pictures.html

Thursday, October 22, 2009

HURT Suits Are On Order!

It's offical! The HURT racing suits are on order. I can feel us getting faster!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

A Message from HURT Team Director (Aaron)

Photobucket

It's Wednesday night and you know what that means. I expect my team to do some solid intensity work tonight. With the Festival of Pain and Sufferfest right around the corner, they can't be out there lolli-gagging it around the park.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Power and Influence

Roger Goodell, George Steinbrenner, Maria Sharapova and Aaron Huneck top the list!


Greg Gumbel, noted reporter and sports historian, has recently named the most influential people in all of sports, as judged by their ability to manipulate masses of people, get results and have power over people over an extended geographic region. Whether it be through wielding power in the richest league in sports (Goodell), Spending billions on buying an all-star team and angering the world outside of downstate NY (G.S.), wielding sexual prowess and causing women everywhere to glare at the husbands (Sharapova) they all pale to Aaron Huneck's ability to cause many grown men, from far and wide, to willingly suffer in the name of HURT skiing. Take a look at the proof:



Friday: Huneck bolsters roster

Aaron Huneck recruits and signs Pennsylvania skier Jim South from the recently defunked Team NJS...While Jim admittedly is working to regain form of old after a few tough years, he promises to contend in Western NY NYSSRA races and earn points that would otherwise go to Rochester and Buffalo based teams. He carefully explained to Huneck
"I know I am far from the Hudson River, but considering I own several of my own planes which travel fast, and a postcard of the Hudson River, and I was there once as a child, I think I really belong on this squad, besides I like the suit."


Saturday: Huneck sends the Luban duo to dominate Central NY

Finishing in a near mirror image of their results from last week's Applefest, Adam and Ed Luban put the HURT on a tough Weedsport x-c course that included a beast of a climb and a long, steep, off camber, slippery downhill. Remembering Team Director Aaron Huneck's directive to always think about earning maximum points for the team, Ed figured that it would be better to enter an unadvertised race first thing in the morning in the middle of nowhere than worry about where to find some competition. That selfless choice proved a sage one, as Ed took the lead at the bottom of the hill, looked back only to see when it was OK to slow down (thankfully it was), and won the race in dominating fashion. His winning (trophy) t-shirt will soon be on display in the H.U.R.T. Hall of Fame.

When Adam arrived and learned about the t-shirt, he knew Aaron would expect him to equal Ed's performance and earn another shirt for the team. He proved to be up to the task, finishing 10th and leading Nottingham to a 3rd place finish in the Varsity II race. Wee freshman Adam showed his mettle as he bided his time, then put the HURT on his rivals on both the uphill and the downhill. Coming off the hill he was in 12th place, which would have been a fine result and still first on his team. But he knew t-shirts only went 10 deep, so he pushed pain aside and surged past the two runners he needed to pass to fulfill what he knew would have been Aaron's instructions.

Ed was excused from the afternoon roller ski workout as a reward for his victory. He was concerned Aaron might not be pleased that he used the time to load up on grease at Stella's, home of Syracuse's best home fries. But Aaron, being a student of all aspects of training, pointed out that it's always important to replenish right after a hard race.

Sunday: Huneck sends Dad and Kvam to dominate Saratoga County

Despite, his fathers pleas to skip an event that he does not train for, Aaron sent his father into action in the Clifton Park/Halfmoon Duathlon. Through the tears, pain and overall suffering Huneck turned out a strong finsih of 5th overall and 2nd in the 50+ age group. His time was somewhere around 1:20. He finished the first run 9th, moved up to fourth after the bike, and got passed by one guy in the second run. Aaron continued to berate his father for fading a bit on the second run but defended his harsh words by saying "I know this man, I can push him harder than all the rest. Besides, I know that once its all over, we can go have a grill cheese together and everything will be ok."

Kvam on the other hand, skipped the dual and jumped in the Saratoga National 5K race up at SPAC. Kvam knew Mike Wynn would be in action and wanted to tangle with his friend, rival and training partner. Huneck wanted to see how his running stud matched up with the dominate Wynn. Kvam paced Wynn to 5K PR and went stride for stride with the Queensbury runner and stepped across the line in 16:56....1 second infront of Wynn. Kvam said after the race...."Wynn and I are great pair in a race together, he pushes me, I push him and we are like dead even. I knew I couldn't bare to loose that last step to him, because if I did I would just get another 11 year old yelling at me....I can't take that happening again...that's why I left my old job...believe me...it isn't fun. I am just fortunate Wynn didn't have on faster wax today."

Bottom line....A.Huneck knows how to get the best out of his squad...just imagine if he had the billions Steinbrenner has

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Wednesday Night Training 10/14/09

It was a small showing last night, but Chris and Dave did some solid double pole intervals (5 x 4 minutes). The weather was cold and windy, it sure feels like snow is in the air.

Some teaser shots...




CJY

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Time to Order HURT Racing Suits

I just sent out an email about ordering racing suits. If I missed you, post a comment here including your email. The suits are 150 dollars including shipping. We plan to order next week, so we are collecting money now.

We settled on the Mt Borah Standard Suit. Here it is...



CJY

CBRC is top Iron Cross team

The Capital Bicycle Racing Club won the team competition at the Iron Cross in Pennsylvania last Sunday. CBRC fielded a composite team with members on loan from various teams, including HURT NORDIC. In this photo, members of the CBRC team surround the podium with cyclists from the second and third placed teams.



Yes, those are indeed cases of beer. Top prize was a case of Ommegang Rare Vos. CBRC team leader Le Q was elated with the victory. Q spent much effort and considerable negotiating skill assembling this team.

"There's nothing like winning Belgian beer from Cooperstown in the hills of Pennsylvania," said Q. "It will certainly make the six-hour ride home more festive."

The Iron Cross, billed as America's longest cyclo-cross race, takes place in and around the Michaux State Forest in south central Pennsylvania. More of an adventure race than cross race, the Iron Cross is 62 miles of dirt road, paved road, single track, and a couple hike-a-bike sections. Total elevation gain is more than 6,000 feet.

HURT team director Aaron Huneck was impressed with the result, which saw his father take top NYSSRA honors.

"This shows HURT members are willing to travel as far as necessary to score points," said Aaron. "I'm surprised how well my old man finished considering how little he rides his bike."

Still, Aaron had some concerns.

"Dad said he missed a turn and lost several minutes or he would have had an even better time," said Aaron. "He's done this race four times. How could he not know the course? Does he have Alzheimers or something?"

Aaron was also not impressed with the prize.

"The NYSSRA team points championship is the only prize I want," he said. However, he later admitted he might have had a different opinion if the top prize had been root beer.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

race results - Luban dominates applefest


Western members take advantage of early season races and post big results.

It was a successful week for the defenders of HURT's western flank. On Wednesday, Adam helped the Nottingham Bulldogs to a decisive x-c victory over Oswego. It was the first win for the Bulldogs in two years.

On Saturday Adam and Ed Luban went down to LaFayette for the Applefest races. Adam was doing the 5k and Ed, employing successful max point earning strategy, entered the 5k as well. After the race, Team director Aaron Huneck asked Luban if he chose to enter the shorter race because he was "scared-yeller-bellied-chicken-$#%T" but Luban carefully explained that he saw maximum point earning capabilities if he entered a race with competition he was sure to dominate. A.Huneck applauded Luban's tactical mind and selfless choice for the betterment of the team. It is that kind of act that will help HURT squeak out those extra points against Peru.
The race started with a half mile uphill. Adam found himself in the front with 5 LaFayette HS runners. He shed them one by one, then left the last one behind with a surge with half a mile to go, to win the race going away. Ed was a couple minutes behind, but passed two of the fading LaFayettes and finished 9th. Ed won his age group and beat all the 30's, 40's, and young 50's.

Aaron gave Adam the afternoon off as a reward for his win. But just to ensure Ed will be ready for any distance Arron made him go for an hour-long roller ski. I guess Top 10's are good but not good enough...


Adam receiving the oddest trophy ever seen

SNOW in Lake Placid

Monday, October 12, 2009

Upcoming Events

H.U.R.T team director Aaron Huneck asks.....how's your training been? feelin' fit? ARE YOU READY?

Frost (and even flakes) have been seen in some of the nordic haunts in upstate NY this past week and H.U.R.T team members are ready to find out how their early season fitness is stacking up. With cooler temps and winter weather on the way you may want to test your high end performance in the next couple weeks. Check out the following list of local race opportunities for running, biking and rollerskiing. More than likely, you will find some H.U.R.T members at each event. Hope to see you there!

time to hit it!...


Sunday, October 18, 2009
MOHAWK TOWPATH BYWAY - 6th Annual Duathlon - http://www.mohawktowpath.org/files/DuathlonEntry.pdf

Sunday, October 18, 2009
SARATOGA NATIONAL BANK CROSS COUNTRY CLASSIC - 5K xc running race - http://www.saratoganational.com/CCCLassic/sn-cclassic09.html

Sunday, October 25, 2009
SUFFERIN' SUNDAY #1 - Prospect Mtn Highway - 5 mile rollerski up the mountain -
http://www.hurtnordic.netne.net/teamschedule.html

Sunday, November 1, 2009
SUFFERIN' SUNDAY #2 - Prospect Mtn Highway - 5 mile rollerski up the mountain -
http://www.hurtnordic.netne.net/teamschedule.html

Friday, November 6, 2009
HURT FESTIVAL OF PAIN DAY #1 - "Run 'till it HURTS" - http://www.hurtnordic.netne.net/teamschedule.html

Saturday, November 7, 2009
HURT FESTIVAL OF PAIN DAY #2 - "HURT Loppet" - http://www.hurtnordic.netne.net/teamschedule.html

Sunday, November 8, 2009
SUFFERIN' SUNDAY #3....aka SUFFERFEST....aka HURT FESTIVAL OF PAIN DAY #3 - Prospect Mtn Highway - 5 mile rollerski up the mountain - http://www.hurtnordic.netne.net/teamschedule.html or www.perunordic.com

Lots of opportunity to get some great fall benchmarks on your fitness. The eyes of the world will be focused on Prospect Highway on Sunday the 8th for preseason winter rankings! BE READY!


As always....join HURT skiers for their weekly training session on rollerskis. This week....Clifton Commons in Clifton Park. See you at 5:45.

Friday, October 9, 2009

HURT Racing Suit Ordering

Team:

It's about time to order HURT Racing suits. We would like to place our order in about a week and half, on Monday October 19th.

The suits are from Mt Borah Custom
http://mtborahcustom.com

We need to order at least 6 suits, as that is the minimum order quantity. 6-12 suits are the same price per suit.

Pricing:
Standard Suits = $145
Standard Suit Lined = $160
Pro Suits = $180
Pro Suit Lined = Not Available
Tassel Hats = $32

So here are the requirements.

1) As a team we need to decide what type of suit we want (standard, pro, lined, etc)

2) Once decided, we need to collect money. You can write me a check for the suit price, plus $5 shipping. But first we need to settle on which suit. Once this is done I will send out my address so you can mail me a check.

3) I will then collect the money and order the suits.

So please chime in and state your type of suit preference now, before it’s too late.

Photobucket

Thanks

CJY

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Towpath Duathlon

Get ready for the Sufferin' Sundays and The Festival of Pain with the Mowhawk Towpath Duathlon on Sunday, Oct. 18. The event is a 2.2-mile run, 16-mile bike, and 2.2-mile run. The start, finish and transition is at Krause's Grove on the river about a mile and a half west of Rt. 9 in Halfmoon. Event begins at 9:00. You can get an entry form at mohawktowpath.org. NYSSRA members get a $5 discount. This is run by Eric Hamilton. It's a low-key, fun event and it's for a good cause.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

40K Rollerski Scouting Report

Today I went and scouted out the 40K Rollerski loop slated for Saturday November 7,2009.

The route is going to be tough! It took 1.5 hours on my road bike, so bet on at least 2.5 hours on roller skis. The first 13 miles are almost all up hill. I have ridden this loop many times, but today I tried to pay attention in regards to rollerskiing specific concerns.

For the most part the roads are good to very good condition. There are a few rough spots, but they are on flat or uphill sections. All the long downhills have plenty of run out to slow down. There are two short downhills with sharp turns at the bottom, they may need to be walked.

There is also a good refueling stop (small corner store) about 15 miles in. This route will definitely require some food and water.

I am really looking forward to it.

CJY

Monday, October 5, 2009

Technique training with CXC



HURT nordic had a strong turnout this Sunday in Lake Placid as skiers from around the country gathered in Lake Placid for a technique session with some of USA's finest skiers and coaches. Garrett Kuzzy, Matt Whitcomb, and Chris Grover led the mixed group of skiers through strength drills, agility progressions, and drills on rollerskis to improve double poling, V1 and V2 skating. Kvam and MDH were joined by Chris and Will Frielinghaus and a van full of young Queensbury skiers some of who may be hoping to one day ski for HURT.

Technique drills stressed compact double poling with emphasis on core impulse and skate technique with acute ankle flexion and perfect body position and stabilization.

Special Thanks to team CXC for taking the time to help all the skiers from NY, New England and the Midwest. It is true that Midwestern folk may be the nicest people you'll ever meet. Stay tuned for a special HURT video highlighting the events of the day and the many lessons learned.....coming soon

Some local skiers were conspicuously absent.... especially from a team that is based out of a nearby town that won't be named but ends in "eru"


Team Note: This Wednesday. HURT practice will be in Clifton Park. Meet at 5:45 near the corner of Moe and Rt. 146. See the team schedule for better directions at hurtnordic.netne.net

See you then

HURT Festival of Pain Takes Shape

Here are some preliminary routes for the HURT Festival of Pain:

Friday November 6, 2009
10 Mile Run
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3239795

Saturday November 7, 2009
40K Overdistance Roller Ski with some serious climbing, almost 2,000 ft of vertical.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3238880



CJY