January 16, 2013 – Babikov – Is he doing it again? He went back to Canada (like last year), but he might have a big enough break this time, as he won’t come back until La Clusaz (Jan. 19-20). He’s having the best start of his career and now he takes a chance by going home, hope he can dodge the flu as his immune system has to be down after the effort he put forth during the first period. Also, the flu here in NA is everywhere. As, I’ve said earlier Ivan is a huge part of Canada’s relay and La Clusaz is hosting one this weekend.

The Flu – for all you racer -types from juniors to seniors, if you by-passed your flu shot this fall – NA is at epidemic levels right now in 48 states. Do not hesitate – head for the nearest pharmacy here in the states and to your doctor in Canada.
This is a must do! I’m shocked at the number of people I talk to that didn’t get the shot. A friend doctor checked in with me just the other day and low and behold he was laid up with the flu. He was so bad, I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk to him on the phone.

Liberec – Not a very big crowds either day. Some of the sites are sketchy when it comes to crowds and FIS needs to rethink the TdS sites at the end of the season..

RHR – Resting Heart Rates, and from what I have gathered, not a required part of either NA Team’s program. These are professional athletes, coaches and programs and I think it should be an essential part of every athlete’s program and a required function every day. More athletes will under-recover before they will over-train and to make that everyday decision as to what your training load should be; the physiological response of the heart is way more accurate and responsive to what is the state of the body than the brain ever will be. There were a lot of unnecessary train wrecks at the end of the TdS this past weekend and this may help you justify making this a vital part of your program going forward—-not backward:

– Overtraining and Heart Rate

– Is Heart Rate Acceleration a Sign of Overtraining?

This is an every day necessity – make it information you record in your training log and talk to your coach about him helping you with this process, so he’ll get to know you better.

Sprinters – If you didn’t qualify in Liberec in the sprint or the team sprint now is the time to find that 6th gear as the next sprints you are in on the WC circuit are going to be a whole lot tougher – the Norskis, Swedes, Russians and the Finns will ALL be there.

Talk to you soon!