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NORM CRERAR
Contributing Editor for The Master Skier
Norm was the Canadian ski team coach and has been in the ski business industry for 40 years.
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Happy Campers at Silver Star Mountain Resort.
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From: Harvey Keck
Sent: Friday November 19, 2004 8:20 AM
To:
Subject: Camp!
Yo Bob,
Bad news: I am going to have to cancel the golf outing we planned. The really bad news: the “one who must be obeyed” informed me that we are going to a Cross-Country ski camp!
Seems I am behind on points at the moment so I didn’t have much to argue about. I was told to pack my gear and that we were heading for the airport and flying out tomorrow early.
Camp!! Holy crap Bob, I haven’t been to “camp” since we were in Boy Scouts. What did I do or not do to deserve this?
She says we are going to get into a healthier life style and are going to get back into XC skiing. Haven’t done that since I bought skis in the mid ‘70s and, after a couple of outings, stuck them in the back of the closet.
I will keep in touch if I survive.
Harv
From: Harvey Keck
Sent: Saturday November 20, 2004 10:05 PM
To:
Subject: Camp!
Hey Big Bob,
You won’t believe it but I am way up here in western Canada. Somehow we got all our clothes packed this AM but wifey made me leave my old, but still new, wooden skis behind.
Didn’t see the sense in that but she has been doing this XC stuff for a few years and has all the latest fancy stuff and knows everything about everything. I thought it best to keep up and shut up.
Anyhow got to the airports and up to Canada. Going through customs was easy as just about everyone on the plane was heading up to the same place. Don’t these people know about golf? I ask you!
The airport limo dropped us off right at the hotel door. Good thing as I could hear a beer calling my name and I let Sheila check us in while I checked out the lounge.
All for now. I have to hit the sack.
Harv
From: Harvey Keck
Sent: Sunday November 21, 2004 9:30 PM
To:
Subject: Camp!
Hey Bob,
Got through the day and am off to bed in a few minutes. I know, it is early but am I bagged. They need carts here like we use for golfing!
We didn’t officially check in to the camps until 4 PM so after breakfast, old Sheila took me down to the ski shop and got me outfitted with the latest skis, boots and poles. Just to make sure I fit in, I got the latest in new duds also.
Worse was to come as we had time so headed out to the training area. Good thing it was flat and had tons of tracks set into it. Got off to a shaky start but you know what, I wasn’t the only one. I had lots of company. Turns out many were doing the same thing I was.
Got to blow some dust out of the old body and get some new O2 into the lungs. Sheila suggested a tour around the easy trails.
The first part was OK as it was mostly downhill. I can sure do that. Must be the flywheel concept; get a big body in motion and it keeps on going.
Then we had to go back uphill. Not so easy. Got a bit out of breath and a mite sweaty. Somehow that doesn’t happen with golf.
I begged off in the PM and had a nap while good old Sheila went out with some ladies she met in the training area.
We checked in at 4 PM as directed, got all the info we needed and went to dinner. Holy Smokes, lots of food.
Then we met the instructors and coaches and learned about the new equipment and how to wax our skis. And here I thought my old waxless skis were the latest. Just goes to show.
All for now, I’m pooped.
Harv
From: Harvey Keck
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 9:40 PM
To:
Subject: Camp!
Hi Bob,
Just a short note tonight. I am absolutely bagged.
Met out in front of the hotel at 9 AM with the teaching staff. They are all so fit! They took us over to the training area and organized us into groups of five and six. Didn’t take them long either! Soon we were uping and downing the tracks.
Our instructor is Sandy and it seems she has been on her skis all her life. It didn’t take her long to get us underway and iron out a few kinks in the old technique.
Funny thing, she talks like our golf pro, “Stance and Balance, Stance and Balance”. Maybe this will help the old golf game!
Got to ski around the trail system before lunch and then went in for eats. There was a great pile of food. I was looking forward to a big hamburger but was directed to the pasta and salads. You know me, I figure those salads are the foods that real food eats.
Anyhow chowed down on pastas and breads and some great deserts.
Shouldn’t have done the deserts, I guess. It was a bit hard to get the motor started this afternoon.
Covered some more technical stuff and a whole bunch more of the trails. Man, things are hurting. Got back to the hotel and, no rest for the wicked, as we were marched into a room and given a stretch session.
The good news is there were big cookies and juices for a late afternoon snack. I wished that I had followed old Sheila to the gym!
Down and out for the count.
Harv
From: Harvey Keck
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 9:40 PM
To:
Subject: Camp!
Yo Boberoo,
Missed sending you a note yesterday. Too damn tired and too much going on. There is a presentation at lunch everyday, some on waxing, some on clothing and one today on orthotics.
The routine is about the same, up early, breakfast till I can’t eat anymore, out on the snow (and it is quite spectacular here. Clean, white, quiet, and ski out from the hotel and right back to the front steps. XC skiers going in all directions.
Hot tubs and massage (I had to have a massage. Felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Worked out some of the kinks).
My technique is even getting better. And did we have fun today. We took the lift up to the top of the mountain (this is a big alpine ski area but we are here before their season starts) and got to ski damn fast down a trail system that brought us right back to the village.
I think I am getting better. I am not the slowest in the group and even managed to keep up with Sandy! This could be fun if I was in better condition.
Soon,
Harvey
From: Harvey Keck
Sent: Friday, November 26, 2004 6:00 PM
To:
Subject: Camp!
Hey Bob,
Just a short note. My camp ends today. Didn’t get back to you yesterday as I was having too much fun.
I can’t believe it. The better I get at this, the better I like it. Skied a lot yesterday and today. Much easier and I am getting the hang of this waxing stuff.
Sheila is over in another “camp”, this one for mid-life racers. She is getting ready for a loppet back home in January.
You know, listening in on the presentations about nutrition, offseason training, lifestyles and hanging around these healthy people is making me feel good too. I may have to put off golf for a few months.
I think I will go in the recreation division of Sheila’s loppet, just to keep her company and make her feel good.
I may try the LSD (can you believe that name? Means Long, Slow Distance) camp next year and get myself back in shape. Lots of motivating people around this place. I think you should come out too. See you next week and I will tell you more about it.
Harvey, fitter and healthier.
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