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Our Big, Fat Greek Adventure

April 25th, 2016 by Kaitlyn Patterson

–By Kaitlyn Patterson, OAM NOW cyclist Last weekend, Alex Vanias and I took our OAM NOW kits across the Atlantic to compete in the Lamia Challenge UCI mountain bike stage race as part of our trip to Greece. Before we begin the epic tale, I shall first clear up a few points about how this whole thing came to be.

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece located in the northern part of the country. You can look across the bay of the Aegean Sea to see Mt. Olympus

Why Greece? Alex was actually born in Thessaloniki, Greece and lived there for most of the first 12 years of his life. He moved to the U.S. in junior high but still has family and friends there. A trip to Greece has been on the bucket list for quite a while since Alex hasn’t been back to visit in six years and I have never been there despite being his partner in crime for more than four years. One thing on Alex’s bucket list was racing his bike in the motherland, so the planning began. How did you choose the race? Race selection involved Alex poring over a list (pages long-who knew?!) of road and mountain races in Greece, and the Lamia UCI Challenge was chosen for the following reasons: 1.) We could hit three races in one weekend 2.) It was a UCI race with the potential for solid competition and UCI points and 3.) Alex’s plans never lack ambition. The early date limited our MTB specific prep though, especially since we had snow in Traverse City until the day we flew out and we made a quick transition from ski season to cycling. So with about six weeks of committed training on the bike including some trainer intervals, one gravel road race, a week in North Carolina, and a handful of March mountain bike rides, we were off to do our first UCI race. And even with as much research as we could do, we really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.

En route to climbing Mt. Chortiatis. Thessaloniki can be seen in the background.

In the days leading up to the race after arriving in Greece, we decided to sacrifice some freshness to spend some quality time on our mountain bikes and get acquainted with the rocks, mountains, and heat. My brain was overloaded with all the new stimuli that the first ride was a bit surreal but I did learn several things- 1.) My concept of climbing was redefined yet again. Who needs switchbacks when you can go straight up? 2.) The lines that look like roads on the map are literally and figuratively goat trails 3.) The goats will not move out of your way quickly 4.) I’ll take the goat trails over the terrifying drivers on the convoluted, narrow roads. 4=5.) Greece is beautiful but also a bit sad. You can look out from the mountain for views of the Aegean Sea and Mount Olympus but then you look around you and there are houses, buildings, animals and people in various stages of neglect.

The day before the race, we traveled the several hours southwest to the smaller town of Lamia, which based on everyone’s reaction, was a very odd place to hold a race. We wanted to pre-ride at least a portion of the 40km point to point race so we headed towards the race start about 23 km from Lamia after picking up our packets. Soon we were headed up endless switchbacks and Lamia faded below us in some truly amazing mountain scenery. However, the isolation and elevation were definitely making me wonder what I got myself into. Alex’s mom, Terri, was our race support for the weekend and handled the mountain roads in a manual van like a champ. She dropped us off at the start and somewhat reluctantly continued on to the village we hoped to end up. The portions of the course we rode confirmed our thoughts that we just might be in over our heads. The climbs were open, sustained and wonderful but the singletrack sections were like nothing we have in Michigan (understatement). Thankfully, the ratio of mountain roads to singletrack was manageable and it really was an awesome, real mountain bike course.

Just heading to a race start…

I felt like I went back in time 100 years going through these remote mountain villages

Day 1- 40k point to point

OAM NOW represent!

The next morning after a restless and anxious night, we headed up the mountain again, thankful we had scoped it out the day before. We joined a small contingent of Greek, Bosnian, German and Belgian riders at the modest start area. Although the race instructions were announced in careful English, Greek was the dominant language (including Terri and Alex), which contributed to the disorienting and surreal experience. Since it was a logistically difficult and new race, the start lists were very small with only four women and eight men lining up. Terri was armed with an official feed zone tag and quickly befriended the other coaches and support crews.

The tiny womens field takes off for a brutal 40k cross country race

Although the starting miles were open and downhill, the men gunned it from the line and I watched Alex disappear, hoping for the best. Two minutes later, my small women’s contingent headed off. Although I had been planning on starting conservatively on the downhill start to assess the other riders’ singletrack skills, the switch clicked in my brain that turns me into a different cyclist when I’m racing. The best Greek rider, Varvara Fasoi, attacked off the line and the other girls didn’t respond so I led the chase. I had a fleeting sense of optimism as I kept her in sight but just a couple curves up the road, I saw Alex fixing a flat. I considered that he needs to figure out how to make peace with the bike gods or Greek gods or whoever can help his terrible racing luck, but I tried to shake it off and hoped it was fixable so he could finish and have another chance to race. The first extended road climb further shattered the women’s field and I held second but had lost sight of Varvara on the singletrack. To my relief, Alex caught me at the top and disappeared into the mystery of the portion of the course we did not pre-ride.

Elevation profile of the first 20 miles

Although I usually wish for climbs, the backside of the course was undeniably more than I bargained for. The loose road climbs were relentless and steep enough that I ran out of gears and seriously contemplated getting off my bike and walking (and I thought I was a climber). And to make matters worse, I came upon Alex again waiting for me so he could use my tube and pump after another flat. (The Greek racers use tougher tires, the whole country is comprised of sharp rocks). Considering the circumstances, I still felt pretty good and was pleasantly surprised I was holding a reasonable gap to Varvara and had not been caught from behind over halfway through the race. However, I should have known that it couldn’t be that easy. With about four miles to go I also got a flat that wasn’t sealing. Without my own tube, I didn’t have many options since everyone else was racing 29ers. I knew I had to make it work to stay in the hunt and I resigned to hiking my bike the final four miles, conceding a lot of time and ultimately finishing last. Major bummer for both of us but I was pleased with how I was riding before disaster struck and we both lived to race another day.

It was a slight consolation that I was essentially hiking through an enchanted forest. It definitely could have been worse.

No, we did not have to cross that bridge although we did race across a couple just as questionable.

Even though it was only 25 miles, that race ripped me to shreds. Although I was previously a bit bummed that the individual time trial on the second day was only 4.55km, after the first race, I felt that would be about all I could manage. However, because it was a short TT, pre-riding the course would be very important. And since it was a UCI race, the course was only open to train on at certain times, which meant we had to summon the mental and physical energy after the race to fix our tires and check out our next challenge. I don’t think I’ve ever had so many moments in such a condensed time period that I didn’t think there was any way I could do something but then somehow managed to pull it off. Well, riding that course after the race was one of those times. Even though this race was held in a park in town, this did not save us from a punishing elevation profile with 750 feet of climbing per lap and quite a few technical features. When I hit a certain threshold of fatigue, my bravery level drops precipitously, which made for an interesting pre-ride on the rock gardens, drops, and bridges. However, I realized I simply did not have a choice besides getting off my bike at anything difficult when I am supposed to be in the “pro” mtb race with everyone watching. So we made it happen feature by feature and major kudos to coach Alex. Day 2- Individual TT The second race was held as part of a day of racing including citizen and junior classes. I was really impressed with the number of junior racers (especially girls!) and the technical trails they were riding. The UCI race was the last of the day (so it warmed up nicely to nearly 90 degrees) and we headed off in one minute intervals for one hot lap.

Alex and I seeking shade as we waited for our TT start time

Since the race format and course did not play to our strengths and with some definite fatigue and jetlag going on, neither of us had especially high expectations. It went about as smoothly as we could have hoped, considering the circumstances and the best part was it was less than 20 minutes of suffering and the day was done. When the results were posted later, to my surprise “the American girl” ended up second! I was pleased but knew I was benefiting from a relatively weak field and a scarcity of female cyclists around the world.

On the podium! Redemption from flatting the first day

The results from the men’s race were the first direct comparison for Alex since it was hard to extrapolate how his performance would have compared without the mechanicals the previous day. However, the TT confirmed that he really was racing Greek ninjas as they absolutely blazed the course. Although he was a bit incredulous with the reality check, it was soon turned into resolve for the mass start circuit race the last day.

Day 3- Short Track Circuit Race The circuit race was held on the same course as the TT- four laps for the women and five for the men. This was possibly the most mentally challenging race going in because of the fatigue level and the technical and physical demands of the course, this time repeated over and over. I felt pretty terrible the morning of the race and was off the back immediately on the downhill start. I managed to rally and catch two of my competitors but I couldn’t match Lejla (Bosnia) on the downhills and settled for third.

Almost perfect timing! The men and women raced together and I crossed Alexs path, 5ft below!

Almost perfect timing- the men and women raced together and Alex crossed my path 7ft above!

The final showdown- men’s race lining up

With the mission of holding on to the field as long as possible, Alex battled Theodoros Petridis, the whole race, only dropping back after an endo from a rear brake issue (only flesh wound souvenirs).

Added bonus. Prize Euros!

Making friends with the Greek National coaches

Overall it was the coolest, most epic experience ever. Although the results might show the Americans tailing at the bottom of the G.C. results, there is something to be said about jumping into a deep pool without a life vest and making it work. Our perspective of what is difficult has been shifted which can be applied to racing this season and beyond. And if nothing else, U.S. mountain bike racing here we come! The post Our Big, Fat Greek Adventure appeared first on Team Athletic Mentors.

April 24th, 2016 by Katie Whidden USAT certified coach

It’s that time of the year when most athletes will sit down to write goals for the next year. The first step in the process should be to take a look back at the season that just ended and analyze what worked and what didn’t work. You should have a good idea of what your strengths and weaknesses were. Most athletes mistakenly think that improving their biking ability, even if that is their strength, is the easiest way for them to improve their overall time. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case. Of course coaching can help prevent this situation because they will ensure you work to improve your weakest of the disciplines.

Goals should be process focused and not outcome focused. A good goal should not be impacted by external factors. No one has control over a goal that can be determined by weather or who is competing in the race. An example of a good race goal is patience. This could mean that you will focus on appropriately pacing yourself during the first half of an ironman bike, even when all your competitors are flying by.

After you create a list of possible races and have thought about some realistic but challenging goals then you can start putting together the specific steps you will take to achieve this. If your overall goal is to improve your half iron time by 15 minutes then you need to determine what you need to work on in the off season to accomplish this. This might mean early morning strength sessions, increasing your swim frequency in December and January, or training with a power meter to better realize gains on the bike.

Most importantly write the goals down! Writing goals down forces you to clearly define and clarify them. According to Dave Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech, 80% of Americans don’t have goals, 16% do have goals, but don’t write them down and less than 1% actually review them on an ongoing basis. Actually putting the goals onto paper and reviewing them at least quarterly will help you accomplish new levels of success in the upcoming season.

OAM NOW Masters Squad Rocks Spring Gravel Classics

April 23rd, 2016 by Kaitlyn Patterson

–By Richard Landgraff, OAM NOW Masters cyclist

Although they might not get the same glory as the first riders across the line, masters racers often make up a huge portion of the overall field making for a consistently competitive battle for the podium.

The Team OAM NOW Masters squad has posted some impressive results already this season at two gravel road races with weather at opposite ends of the spectrum- a frigid, windy and wet Lowell 50 and a warm, dry and dusty Barry Roubaix. OAM NOW cyclist Richard Landgraff recaps the masters team performances in both races.

Lowell 50

Richard Landgraff and Chris Abston after surviving a wet, frigid Lowell 50

The weather forecast did not look promising in the week leading up to the spring edition of the Lowell 50. With temperatures in the low 30′s, winds gusting to 40 mph and the potential for snow, there were many riders (including myself) who were not looking forward to racing in such brutal conditions. But we are bike racers, and on the Saturday morning before the Tour of Flanders the very next day, the weather was actually not too bad or so we thought. With about 60 riders in the main field for the 57 mile event, the pack rolled out for the approximate 2 km neutral start to the covered bridge. As racing began in earnest, it was quickly apparent that the strong winds were going to play a hand in the outcome of the race. Also, the overnight rains had left many sections of road soft and the potholes filled with water. The first real test of the race comes at about the 5 km mark with a climb that’s named “Rude Awakening” as a Strava segment. The name was indeed appropriate as there were many riders who lost contact with the main group on that first climb. The paced settled in a bit after the climb and I looked around to see that all of the main favorites were still in the field as well as most of my OAM NOW teammates.

The next 20 km of the race is fairly hilly and the pack generally stayed together with a few attacks and some solo breakaway attempts from other riders and teams, none of which stuck. The decisive part of the race comes at about the 25 km mark for a number of reasons, the biggest today of which was the brutal crosswind that put most of the riders in the gutter as the pack made a left hand turn northward on a stretch that would last about 4 km. As gaps started to open everywhere, I gave it my all a few times to stay in contact with the main field. As we turned back east out of the cross wind, I had survived and readied myself for the next turn north which would blow the race wide open. With only about 25 riders left in the main field, the pace eased up slightly as the field wound it’s way to the southeastern most part of the course and as we made the turn back north onto Barker Road, the attacks came fast and furious. My goal was to follow wheels as best I could and when I saw my teammate Chris Abston follow an attack, I knew that I would be in a good position not to have to work to bring anything back. I glanced up the road and it was carnage- a couple small groups of 2-3 riders and it was the same behind. Over the next couple of kilometers, the groups consolidated with eight riders up the road and then a chase group of nine, including Chris and I.

A snowy downtown Lowell awaited the hearty riders

As we raced back toward Lowell mainly into a head and cross wind, the storm that had been forecast began to come down in full force. It began to snow, flurries at first and then a steady snow as one rider got away solo and the rest of the group of stayed together notwithstanding numerous attacks including one from me on a climb about 12 km from the finish. We did lose a couple of more on the finishing hills back toward Fallasburg Park and soon we were turning back onto the paved stretch of finishing road. The sprint began about 250 meters from the finish and in the end, Chris placed 13th overall (3rd in the 40-49 category) and I was right behind him in 14th place (1st in the 50+ category). All in all a great day and finish for Team OAM NOW in the Lowell 50 (57 mile) spring edition.

Full results can be found here.

Barry Roubaix

Course conditions and tire/bike selections were the talk amongst the team in the week leading up to Barry Roubaix 2016. With forecast temperatures in the mid 70′s, the pre-race course reconnaissance indicated that the gravel roads would be loose, soft and dusty- and were they ever. The wave 2 field for the 62 mile race included nearly 400 riders with Richard Landgraff, Chris Abston and Terry Ritter riding for TEAM OAM NOW. All of us decided to ride cross bikes with a mix of file tread and road tires.

A good start position and being able to be at or near the front when the race hits the gravel roads were going to be the keys to the day. After the first 10 km and the “Three Sisters” climbs, the field was reduced to about 50. As the race progressed back onto the pavement and began the Gunn Lake Road climb all of the riders were thinking of their position going into the Sager Road two track, which was coming in the next 10 km. The race pretty much blew apart on the sandy two-track of Sager. Chris and I managed to make it through unscathed as there were numerous crashes and riders having to dismount and run through the deep sand. We turned out of Sager and hammered up the next few hills to catch back onto the small group of leaders which eventually grew to a group of about 30. At this time, we were unaware that a group of about eight riders were ahead of the main field, a fact which we realized several kilometers later as a couple of the main favorites were no longer in the main group.

The race continued along the dusty roads and as the pack hit the main climbs including The Wall and Cloverdale Hills, riders continued to lose contact with the group. At this point in the race with less than 40 km to go, the goal was to conserve energy for the last few climbs toward the end of the race. The main pack was down to about 20 or so riders as the field came onto the finishing 5 km of pavement. I attacked on the last climb and managed to hold off all but three of the chasers to finish 2nd in the Masters 51+ category and 40th overall. Chris Abston and Terry Ritter finished a strong 16th in the Masters 40-50 and 62 overall, and 44th in the Masters 40-50 and 127th overall, respectively.

Richard Landgraff takes second in the masters category

Richard Landgraff takes second in the highly competitive masters 51+ category at Barry Roubaix

Full results can be found here.

The post OAM NOW Masters Squad Rocks Spring Gravel Classics appeared first on Team Athletic Mentors.

Killer, Thriller, Chiller… Barry-Roubaix at it’s finest

April 18th, 2016 by Marie Dershem

Early on a beautiful Saturday morning, April 16, 2016, cars and bikes started rolling into the small but incredibly welcoming town of Hasting, Michigan. Before long, the streets were packed with bike-rack filled cars and cyclists riding around the town. It was race day… the now infamous Barry-Roubaix was about to start. At last year’s race, people were huddled together trying to keep warm in sub-freezing temps. This year, it was short sleeves, big smiles and bright blue skies that opened up to the beautiful gravel roads in what was, for many, the first race of the season. With three distances to choose from, Barry-Roubaix has something for everyone. While riders basked in the warmth and sunshine, the roads had also been basking in the sun, leaving them incredibly rocky and dusty for this year’s Barry-Roubaix. With over 3000 riders on the roads, the clouds of dust, areas of deep dirt and sand, and huge potholes made this always challenging race even more challenging than many expected. Team OAM NOW/Athletic mentors had a great showing with team members scattered among the many categories of riders. Here is a quick peak into the races of TEAM OAM NOW/Athletic Mentor’s top finishers. The first race to roll out of town was the “Killer” 62 mile race. Men’s Elite team captain, Daniel Yankus, reported, “Gravel road races take a great deal of focus as drifting back or following the wrong wheel can make or break the day. In the first couple of miles, there were shoulders and tires rubbing more than usual.” Up until Sager road, the lead group, with both Daniel and Cory, stayed together with a few attacks here and there to see if the group would lose some focus. About 18 miles in, with Sager road in sight, the field sprinted for the left hand corner. On Sager road, as always, bike handling skills and positioning weeded out the Dan podium

lead group and Daniel Yankus found himself in a small group of leaders. But, with so far to the finish, the group wasn’t able to unite in purpose, allowing the group swell once again to more than 20.When the course headed south for the final time, the attacks came quickly, and Daniel engaged a counter attack, putting himself into a small lead group. This lead group of about 12 rolled into town. But, Dan, with tired and cramping legs, found the chaotic scramble through the 22 miles finishers too much to mount a sprint for victory. Even without a sprint, though, Daniel earned a podium 7th with Cory narrowly missing top 20, rolling in 21st. The Men’s “Thriller” 36 mile race is divided into many age categories due to the incredible number of riders. Rich L BR

This race is the second to go off with the younger men rolling out first and each age group rolling out in 2 minute increments until the last group of men, the oldest riders, and the fat bike division start their race. We had several Team OAM NOW/Athletic Mentors Masters Men racing the 36 mile race. One team member landed on the podium, taking his place among the fastest Masters men of the day. Rich Landgraff placed 2nd in his age group, earning a coveted podium spot. The Women’s “Thriller” 36 mile race started after all of the men, which created quite a different race for the fastest of the women. The entire race was spent using bike handling skills to weave through thousands of men, while also managing the dirt, gravel, sand, mud, and potholes. The women started fast and kept on the gas from the start to the end. By 10 miles in, the lead group of women was down to about five riders. After navigating Sager road, there were three.

Team OAM NOW/Athletic Mentors, Marie Dershem, was one of the three. To maintain the lead, these three women worked incredibly well together, continuing to build their lead and securing the top three spots on the podium. However, once they turned toward town, cooperation quickly came to an end and they became competitors once again. Pushing toward town, Marie heard echoes of advice given by well-seasoned and highly successful teammate, Amy Kimber. “Act. Don’t react.”

With this mantra running through her head, Marie found her opening as she rounded the second to last corner and made her move. She created a gap, hammered the sprint, and won the women’s 36 mile race. With many other fine finishes among TEAM OAM/Athletic Mentors, it was a fantastic day with great representation in this epic race. To view more pictures, please visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TeamOAMNOW/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel The post Killer, Thriller, Chiller… Barry-Roubaix at it’s finest appeared first on Team Athletic Mentors.

Now Offering VO2 and Metabolic Testing!

April 16th, 2016 by Athletic Mentors

Athletic Mentors offers VO2 and Metabolic testing for athletes looking to step up their game, or those looking for an extra edge in their weight loss program. We have specialized equipment on-site that will give you a detailed and personalized profile on your metabolic rate and maximum oxygen usage is. Athletes use the test results to avoid crashes, prevent injury, and to maximize the benefits of their training sessions.

Your metabolism is a series of chemical processes within your body that keeps your cells fueled with nutrients. Since no two metabolisms are exactly the same, understanding the rate at which your body converts and uses energy can be paramount in getting the best results from your workout. Understanding how your metabolism works and reacts to exercise can be instrumental in getting the most out of your fitness plan.

Another important piece of the puzzle is finding out how much oxygen you’re using. Your VO2 maximum is the measurement of how much oxygen you can use during exercise, expressed in a liters-per-minute rate based on your body weight. The test consists of running on a treadmill or on an exercise bike at incrementally increasing speeds and intensity. The machine measures your heart rate through a cuff, and a mask measures the amount of oxygen you intake and calculates a rate.

A VO2 maximum test is widely considered to be the most accurate way to measure an athlete’s aerobic and cardiovascular fitness, and can help trainers dial in their workouts for increased results and track their progress. This test also measures how many calories are burned at different intensities of activity, giving insight to athletes about adjusting their diets for optimal gains and increased endurance in the field.

It’s Always Sunny in Watopia- How Zwift Saved Indoor Training

April 8th, 2016 by Kaitlyn Patterson

–By Aric Dershem, Team OAM NOW cyclist

Let’s get this out of the way, I am a fair weather cyclist. I know that the heartiest cyclists love to suffer on their fat bikes in the cold or grind across muddy gravel roads when the thermometer hasn’t yet reached 40-degrees. Even though our Michigan winter wasn’t as cold or snowy as it has been in past years, more often than not, I just could not convince myself to bundle up and head outside to ride. In past years, the alternative was equally uninspiring – enduring mind numbing hours of sweaty boredom spinning away on a stationary trainer. But this year instead of logging on hours and hours of Netflix viewing to keep me sane on the trainer, I found myself actually looking forward to 5 a.m. trainer rides – even during a snow storm. What was different this year? One word, Zwift.

For those of us without fat bikes or the desire to ride in the snow, the proliferation of “smart trainers” and virtual cycling apps has transformed winter training. For me the combination of a Wahoo Kickr (a smart trainer) and the Zwift app made my indoor training not only tolerable, but something to look forward to.

Aric’s Zwift command center

Zwift is a program the runs on my computer and communicates with my trainer through a wireless Bluetooth connection. The Zwift program provides a virtual environment (the island of “Watopia”) with varied terrain for riding. As the terrain changes, the resistance on my trainer changes automatically. When I have to climb a hill on Zwift, the resistance on my trainer increases to simulate the effort. As I ride, my trainer and the app work together to track my cycling vital statistics (heart rate, watts of power, cadence, speed, etc.) and display them on the screen as I watch a virtual version of myself riding on the island. While this certainly makes the trainer rides more realistic and enjoyable, the experience is enhanced by the fact that when I ride on Zwift, I’m riding with (or against) everyone else in the world who is also riding on Zwift. The application not only displays my statistics, but also tells me how my ride stacks up against my fellow riders. With KOMs (King of the Mountain) and sprints at stake, I find myself motivated to push just the little bit harder than I normally would in an effort to climb up the live rankings. Essentially, Zwift has been able to turn the drudgery of my trainer ride into a video game powered by my legs and lungs.

The Zwift experience became so realistic that Netflix was no longer necessary to occupy my mind while spinning for hours in my basement. Instead, I would find myself logging my winter miles by “Zwifting” and using the companion app on my iPhone to wave at other virtual riders, flick my elbow when it was time for someone else to take a pull, and even message with other riders.

"Zwifting" in a group with others from around the world

“Zwifting” in a group with other cyclists from around the world

The popularity of these virtual worlds inspires the creators to continue expanding the terrain. This summer, Zwift introduced a virtual version of the Richmond, Virginia UCI World Championship course and they recently opened up a new mountain to climb on Watopia with some 13% grade sections (see video link below). Expansions like these will definitely keep people like me coming back for more.

Link to a video of the new Zwift mountain section

Check out a video trailer of the new Zwift mountain section

While cycling provides us with the opportunity to be outdoors, experience fresh air and propel ourselves for miles under our own power, Zwift has become a favorite training tool for me to prepare for the spring and make the hours of winter training many times more enjoyable. There is one potential downside to Zwift. With so much data and so many riders, riding on Zwift can be so motivating that every once in a while I push just a little harder than my training plan tells me to. I guess it could be worse (like riding outside in the freezing cold).

The post It’s Always Sunny in Watopia- How Zwift Saved Indoor Training appeared first on Team Athletic Mentors.

Spring Criterium Training Series at Kent ISD

April 5th, 2016 by Kaitlyn Patterson

Although it might look more like December than April outside, road racing season is coming soon! Spring training races are a great way to boost fitness, skills, and confidence early in the season. Cyclists from Southeast Michigan have opportunities through Waterford Spring Training Series and Ann Arbor Spring Training Series but now there is an option for the West side of the state! Ignite your event is hosting a series of “Saturday Showdown” criterium training races held at Kent ISD Knapp Campus (take note- some races are on Sunday!) These races are not sanctioned by USA Cycling so there is no license required to race. There will be an A and B race every week. The B race will be 45 minutes in duration and begin at 12pm. The “A” race will be 60 minutes and begin at 1pm. There will be a race every weekend in April leading up to the Kent ISD Criterium on May 7 which is a USAC event. Race dates are: Sunday, April 10th Sunday, April 24th Saturday, April 30th Detailed race information can be found here http://www.igniteyourevent.com/saturday-showdown-kent-isd/ The address for Kent ISD is located at 2930 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 The post Spring Criterium Training Series at Kent ISD appeared first on Team Athletic Mentors.

Liv Mountain Bike Skills Clinic on May 2nd!

April 5th, 2016 by Kaitlyn Patterson

Need help conquering the learning curve of mountain biking? Want to improve your skills and confidence in a non-intimidating environment?

Take advantage of a cool opportunity through Liv Cycling coming to Southeast Michigan in May!

Giant is a leader in women’s cycling with Liv, their women’s specific product line. Liv is focused on helping make cycling accessible for women through both products and outreach efforts. Liv will be hosting a mountain bike skills clinic and demo at Highland Recreation Trail on Monday, May 2nd, 2016.

The clinic will consist of a skills clinic from 5:30 to 6:30 pm covering proper gearing, braking and body positioning to improve confidence and efficiency. The clinic will be followed by a no-drop ride from 6:30-7:30. All levels of riders are welcome to attend.

Liv mountain bikes will also be available to demo for the clinic. If you would like to demo a bike for the ride, please arrive early and bring a helmet, shoes and a credit card. Please contact Velocipede Peddler to reserve a bike in advance, 1353 E Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823, 517-351-7240.

More information about the clinic and bikes available to demo can be found on the Giant website.

Ride Life Ride Giant and Liv Demos will also be available at various sites in Michigan this spring.

Stoney Creek Metro Park- April 30
Burchfield Park (Lansing) – May 1
Midland City Forest Park- May 3
Boyne Mountain- May 5
Island Lake Recreation Area- May 7
Luton Park (Rockford)- May 8

The post Liv Mountain Bike Skills Clinic on May 2nd! appeared first on Team Athletic Mentors.

Anatomy of Success: Rising Hockey Star Alex Cannon

April 4th, 2016 by Athletic Mentors

IMG_7920-1 What does it take to elevate your game? Ask Alex Cannon, who has had a burning desire since age 8 to play on a Detroit team.

Today, it’s safe to say that the Captain of the Plymouth Compuware’s UA15 team who has recently been asked to commit to the elite Oakland Junior Grizzlies U16 AAA team has reached his goal in a big way. Getting there took inspiration, perspiration, and great year-round coaching.

“It doesn’t surprise me in the least that Al has been called up to the Oakland U16 AAA team,” said coach Mark Olson. “That kid has drive, perseverance, and talent to burn. But most importantly, he’s always ready to do the work.”

Cannon began training with Coach Olson in the Athletic Mentors hockey program in 2011 at age 11, where he began sports-specific, age-specific training. His family called summer hockey camp the first “turning point” in his development.

“Al began to learn and understand the importance of training and nutrition in order to get better at hockey and take it to the next level. Because he was and still is so focused and driven, he took all of this and began to apply it to his everyday life,” said Lu Cannon.

For Al, the next few summers at Athletic Mentors summer hockey school gave him an opportunity to work out, stick handle and be on the ice with older kids, junior players and some pros. This pushed him even more to adopt winning practices and rise to the level of advanced play.

One pivotal moment for Al came after an on-ice training session with Eddie Ward. Ward sat all of the kids down and in essence said, “You have to stand out. If your parents have to ask you to stick handle and train you might as well not try to play at a high level. You have to want it and be self-motivated. If you are in a group of kids, you better do something out there that makes you get noticed by the coaches. It’s important to continue to workout all year long and stick handle. This will set you apart from the rest.” Al took those words to heart.

In 2013, he began to workout with Coach Olson all year long. For the first year he was the only one his age working out several times a week after school. He continued to ask to play in Detroit. Coaches Olson, Ward and his parents told him to be patient.

When Al became a Bantam that was the year they were allowed to check. The first game of the season, Al came on the ice with confidence ready to go. His first check was on a player probably 30 pounds heavier. The guy was not expecting it from him and the players, crowd and coaches sat there stunned. From that point forward, that is how Al has played: with ice vision, speed, confidence, strength, leadership and a strong team presence.

“Timing and patience is everything. The support, guidance, and development that Mark Olson, Eddie Ward and Athletic Mentors along with Al’s determination and hard work have opened doors,” said Lu Cannon.

Athletic Mentor’s Hockey Division has now opened Registration for its popular summer dryland training, On-Ice skills and Power Skating programs. For details, visit our partners at AthleticMentorsHockey.com

Train Like a Pro with Trainers of Pros: Athletic Mentors Coaches K-Wings for Strength and Conditioning

March 17th, 2016 by Athletic Mentors

Coach Mark Olson working with the K-Wings pro hockey team during a pre-season testing session. Athletic Mentors is the team's strength and conditioning trainer.

Coach Mark Olson working with the K-Wings pro hockey team during a pre-season testing session. Athletic Mentors has been named the team’s professional strength and conditioning coaching staff.

Athletic Mentors’ slogan is Train Like a Pro. The slogan has taken on a new dimension for up and coming hockey players now that AM is the professional strength and conditioning coaching staff for the Kalamazoo K-Wings of the ECHL.

This summer, athletes in the popular Dryland and Ultimate Ice hockey camps at Athletic Mentors might also have a chance to train alongside some of those pros.

Named the K-Wings strength and conditioning coaching staff in the fall of 2015, Coach Mark Olson says the designation has helped strengthen the Athletic Mentors hockey program beyond its already robust, national reputation. This year, the Ultimate On-Ice Skills and Power Skating Package has expanded to offer a straight Power Skating option.

How K-Wings Training Helps Campers

“Working with the K-Wings is of tremendous benefit for our hockey kids in a couple of ways. First of all, coaching a greater number of high level, pro players in-season elevates the skill level of our own coaching team,” said Olson. “We love being part of the team and helping the coaching staff focus on running the team.”

“Secondly, it’s inspiring for younger, amateur players to train in the same place, with similar programs, as the pros.”

Olson expects some of the in-state K-Wings players will continue their strength and conditioning training throughout the summer. Others will return in-season, and some may even move up to the NHL.

Olson has his trainer’s eye on one passionate, driven player he expects has the work ethic to make it to the next level: Anton Cederholm, the Vancouver Canucks draft pick. He describes the Sweden native as one of the “more driven” players in terms of being consistent with his off-ice training.

While there are many similarities between the K-Wings training and the Dryland hockey summer camps, the pros net a higher training volume using more advanced techniques and higher overall intensity, Olson says.

“We’re dealing with very seasoned athletes on the K-Wings. We love working with them, and making a positive impact.”

Registration Open for Summer Hockey Dryland Training and Ultimate On-Ice and Power Skating Camps

Olson says he’s excited to open registration on this summer’s Hockey Camp and Ultimate On-Ice packages for Young Elite, Elite, and aspiring Pros.

“Our Ultimate Skills & Power Skating package was so popular last year, we’ve expanded the program to include stand-alone Power Skating packages for all age groups,” Olson said.

Since skating is the key to skill development, even the youngest players can benefit from working with Pro Power Skating coach Stacy Barber and Olson’s all-star coaching team. NHL agent and pro, Eddie Ward and first-round NHL draft pick and rising star, Stefan Noeson round out the team.
“The combination of our intense Dryland off-season camp with our Ultimate On-Ice skills and Power Skating package will enhance our athletes’ stride, strength and power for explosive stops and starts on ice,” said Olson. “Players will learn new skills that can only be taught by coaches that have played or are playing at the highest level.”
Also back this year is an attractive all-inclusive accommodation package for athletes who hail from afar or who just want the full camp experience. This year’s residence is a well-appointed Gull Lake home that will provide a resort-style experience.
Visit our Hockey Registration Center to learn more.