After much anticipation, the first day of ELITEAM 2014 finally arrived! There was eager energy in the air as the campers arrived at registration wondering what lay ahead. First on the list was completing 25 of the 750 pushups they will be cranking out this week!
With a few pushups out of the way, we started the morning with some orientation games. Campers broke the ice with Doug’s name game, Megan’s number game, and some blindfolded basketball.
After orientation it was time to sweat. We rocked the quickfeet slalom building the intensity with each run. Many experimented with different techniques, and all eventually found the rhythm of the course. We jumped our legs off on the Berg Und Thal. Looking ahead is key on that one. We also slowed it down a bit with some “band” work. Although it was a slow workout, it was definitely not pain-free. Finally it was time to literally “dig deep”. The crew moved 3 yards of dirt back and forth four times utilizing shovels, buckets and teamwork. It seemed we lived a day in just three hours!
After lunch we biked down to the Center Of Excellence where we learned about sport physiology and the importance of hydration from US Ski Team Performance Director and Sport Scientist Troy Flanagan. We learned that the night before a competition, athletes should sip 16 oz of water between 5 and 6 pm, and 16 oz of water again between 6 and 7 pm. That is what Mancuso, Ligety and Miller do, and it seems to work for them!
Next we headed downstairs to the COE gymnasium for a US ski team inspired obstacle course that consisted of tumbling, hurdles, rings, cones, Tarzan swings, and racing through the COE skate park. Times ran about 1:30 so it was a burner! We then took a quick break to play some dodge ball and practice the ELITEAM dance before Olympian Fuzz Feddersen and USST Alum JJ Boyczuk taught the campers how to maintain body awareness at all times on the COE trampolines.
Right before dinner, we made an exception to the “no electronics rule” to watch the US v. Portugal game. After the US scored (to significant and rowdy cheering), going up 2-1 with only 15 minutes left to play, we felt confident enough to leave the game and head to dinner. Mistake! We later learned the US gave up that lead with only 30 seconds to go. The excellent dinner of chicken parmesan, spaghetti, salad and fresh fruit eased the pain.
After dinner we rode back down to the fields to do a bamboo pole agility workout and some high-knee-butt-kicks during Andrew’s Agility Relays… not to be confused with Andrew’s Crazy Relays. Those happen later in the week.
Everyone pushed their limits today, feeling the Dig Deep theme come alive! After a Notebook meeting and Journal session, the campers were exhausted and ready for a long night of sleep and recovery.
Today’s photos have been posted. Take a peek in the photo gallery to see all the action!
