Congratulations to our Association Champions, we'll try to get a
list out in the very near future.

We had a fantastic meet in Laurel this weekend, the competition was
very good, the skaters did great and it was fun for all. Many
thanks to all the association members who made all of our local
meets possible this year, without these local meets we would have to
travel great distances to gain the meet experience we need. Special
thanks also to the clubs who host these meets. Local volunteers
spend many hours preparing for these, thanks to all.

Olympics

Two years from today the 2006 Olympics will be over, that gives our
prospective olympians about 1 year to get ready. If you have olympic
aspirations, next year has to be your break out year. What do you
need to do next year?

You need to skate Americas Cup and other Senior meets, you need to
skate Senior Nationals and qualify in the top 16, you need to
participate in Camps, you need to be very busy with speedskating.
Planning now will allow you to optimize your efforts for the next
year, talk to your coach about what you need to do.

Training for Next Year

While most of these comments apply to skaters 13 years of age and
older, younger skaters need to apply similar principles.

Everyone needs to take some time off at the end of the season, this
is typically 4-6 weeks, this break needs to be Active recovery, not
couch potato recovery. Hike, swim, spend time with your family,
Bicycle, run, do core and general exercises, keep flexible and
stretched out. After your break you need to kick into general
conditioning, your coach can help you with a plan, but the basic
rule is to build from the bottom up, lay a firm aerobic base, then
work on your strength, finally work on your speed.

Congratulations on a great Season, Let's see if we can push our
Association to the next level in 2004-5.

Remember, if you are trying to do something, that means you are not
actually doing it, stop trying to do it and start doing it.

Dennis