WAMXC are like minded Women And Men who Cross Country ski and drink coffee.
WAMXC was conceived in March of 2000 following a season of premature snow disappearance. Recognition of the importance of Long Slow Distance summer training as preparation for cross country skiing stimulated the development of WAMXC. While, the group is not associated with a formal training group, many have been associated with the Sisu Skier training program. We consider WAMXC an adjunct to formal coaching and firmly believe cross-country skiers are made in the summer!
We use Yahoo group Email and a Google Calendar. We encourage use of email to suggest impromptu workouts, share road construction news, change scheduled workouts, spin personal stories, wax truths about waxing, and share other mutual interests. We don't get much traffic. Subscribe to email. To unsubscribe email: WAMXC-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com using the email address you wish to unsubscribe. Car pooling to workouts is encouraged, however, for security purposes, we make such arrangements via off-list email.
During the summer we primarily pole hike, but include a few bike rides. Hikes begin as easy urban social walks then add ski poles to exercise arms and upper body as well as get a better workout. We imitate classic ski technique with poles. WAMXC work to accommodate a variety of fitness levels wo participants need not keep up with those in the lead. We expect individuals to get the workout they need. On Long Slow distance days and on the way to/from interval workouts, "Group compaction" ensures those who lag not miss turns. This way, those in front keep moving and remain active as those who first reach intersections reverse course until those at the end have been encountered, thereby collapsing the group. On interval days we hike to the venue, synchronize watches, agree when to rendezvous and then each does their own workout. At the appointed time we reconnect and hike back. Participants who wish not to do intervals are invited to continue long slow distance then reconnect with the group.
We choose relatively easy venues in the spring and move to locations with hills during mid-summer and fall, generally on the East side of the Twin Cities. Terrain and proximity are critical as is availability of good speciality coffees with food. We avoid large chains with inadequate coffee, bakery or deli. Our choice of independents is driven in part by our wish to patronize community members, but also by the warm reception we receive. For some workout locations, we forewarn proprietors so they may be prepared to receive starving WAMXCers.
Workout guidelines are listed the first day of each month. Each workout will have specific notes with the plan although we are flexible to accommodate injury, fatigue, procrastination or written excuses. We accomodate inclement weather and schedule conflicts but not tardiness. We schedule hikes late into the season in case we have warm weather and artificial snow is unavailable. If the weather is wet and cold, we will not bike. If there is lightning, we will neither hike nor bike. If there is snow, we ski. Sign up for WAMXC email to stay in touch.
We start in April with casual, very social, easy hikes, increase duration during the summer and add intensity through intervals towards fall. Start times get progressively earlier as the hikes get longer and the sun rises earlier. Start times are later as we approach fall and winter. Please arrive at the workouts before the posted time as we start promptly.
WAR or Wednesday Afternoon Roll begins in the summer. Once we have a reasonable base established, we need to stretch our legs a bit and take advantage of some warm sultry afternoons. We'll start with biking and shift to roller skiing towards the fall. These sessions are designed to allow working women and men to put in a morning, break for lunch and grab an afternoon roll. For the retirees, please accept our apologies for getting a late workout start. We have met in downtown Afton, Lamar Park and other spots to get out of the metropolitan area and enjoy quiet country roads. Stay tuned to the email channel and check the website for updates.