In spite of the heat, we found a stretch of shade along the fence line and had a fun game of soccer followed by a round of touch football.  We also welcomed Loppet summer interns, John and Oumar, who will be helping off and on with the group.

Tri-Loppet information was handed out as well as a schedule for the remaining weeks.  We hope to continue meeting with the kids on the same day and time right up to the Tri-Loppet.  Please let us know if the Wednesday schedule does not work for you since we hope to accommodate as  many of the kids as possible.

Upcoming special activity dates are:

• June 3: paddling on Wirth Lake with Hoigaards, 4:00 – 6:00

• June 11: Mountain Biking from Wirth Beach, 2:00 – 4:00

• *note: different week day (Thursday) and alternate time for biking

• June 17: paddling on Wirth Lake with Hoigaards, 4:00 – 6:00

Anwatin Tri-Teams getting ready for an adventure race

Today we tried a new form of adventure racing with the TRi-Team crew.  The trails behind the school were mapped with about a dozen pick-up or drop zones for tasks they had to complete in pairs.  The trick was that teams didn’t know which location corresponded to a given task until they ran the course.  Just some of the things they needed to accomplish:

• inflate a balloon and tie it with a ribbon (from two separate locations)
• empty a water bottle and refill with blue water + yellow water to return a green bottle
• complete a math problem and return with it
• empty a tube of rice and fill it with bird seed
• find a bib and medal and wear them to the finish

It was fun to see how long it took each team and how they worked together to get all of the tasks done.  Here are the unofficial results:

• Chancy and Ryan “The Best Team” 30:11
• Damion and Brad “Cookies& Cream” 34:35
• Kieran and Parrish “The Stars” 39:03
• Matt and Levi “M&L” 41:00 **

**a couple of the drop/pickup zones mysteriously were hidden or disappeared before this team could find them.  A young hiker may be enjoying the bucket of rubber balls right about now…

Tri-Loppet brochures were handed out today.  We’d love to have everyone sign up for this fun event on June 27th.  Kids can do one leg of the race or all three, and there is no charge.  We’ll have boats and mountain bikes available for them. It would be great to have a couple of teams from Anwatin!  You can check out further details on the Tri-Loppet at: www.Tri-Loppet.com

The kids went for a trail run with Caitlin down to the beach today.  The water was a little chilly for wading, so they checked out the playground equipment and then headed back to school for some obstacle course challenges.

Today we were led by local orienteering expert, Jerritt Johnston from True North Adventures.  We started with some games and then moved into the basics of using a compass to find our way around the woods.  Finally, students split up into teams of 2 to race around one of two challenge courses, trying to beat the clock (and each other) to finding the marked locations in the correct order.  All of the teams did a great job, and no one complained about the light rain.

We’ll meet up again next Wednesday for some running and games, so bring your running shoes.  Some of the kids have asked about adding a second workout day, so we may consider offering that over the next few weeks if schedules allow.  Today’s group seemed to favor Friday after school, and we’ll see if that may work for most of you.

My compliments for being a really respectful audience for Jerritt!

–Margaret

We had a great time today trying out the rollerskis for the first time.  Coach Caitlin put together some practice drills along the road behind the school and even a relay race or two.  We also practiced cornering and general balance skills on skis.

After a bite of fresh fruit, TRI Team kids were challenged to a mini trail run on a loop in the woods.  They all did a great job, with some even running the loop in socks only!  Reminder for next week: gym/jogging shoes will be a real plus!

Times for today were:

• Ryan M.     2:28     second run: 2:45
• Kieran S.    2:46
• Brad P.     2:49     second run: 2:50
• Matt V.    2:55     second run: 3:00
• Parrish S.     3:32
• Damion B.    3:41
• Brandon S.    3:45
• Sylvanus A.    4:00
• Chuncy V.   4:20
• Levi S.   5:25

We had some interesting running techniques, including a ball-bouncing style (you know who you are), and it will be fun to see how those times improve over the coming weeks.

Check the waiver section for any needed forms and/or complete the ones in the packets sent home today.  We will need signed waivers to work with the folks such as Trips for Kids and True North Adventures.  Next week: adventure racing with True North Adventures!

–Margaret

Ultimate Frisbee snack break

Coach Caitlin and assistant Margaret met with a great group of Anwatin students for our first TRI Team session.  We meet Wednesdays after school until 6:00 pm and will do all kinds of outdoor activities leading up to the (optional) Tri-Loppet race in late June.

Today we started out with a trail hike, visiting the Eloise Butler Gardens and checking out the noisy spring peepers.  We also had a great game of ultimate frisbee, yellow bibs against white.  The yellow bibs claim to have won by a goal or two.

Next week we’ll be rollerskiing and doing some other games.  Check the weather and dress to be outside after school.  Throw in an extra pair of shorts or warmup pants before you leave for school that day.  Plan to meet the group on the south side of the school by the athletic field.  Please bring signed waivers or pick up any needed copies on Wednesday. See you there!

–Margaret

2009 Anwatin TRI Team

Sponsored by:
The City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation

in collaboration with:

Minneapolis Public Schools/Community Education

Anwatin TRIs is a free co-ed program that builds on the Anwatin Ski Team. Kids enjoy outdoor activities while preparing to race in the City of Lakes Tri-Loppet.

Coached by local elite athlete and Olympic hopeful, Caitlin Compton.

• Boating
• Mountain Biking
• Adventure Racing
• Rollerskiing
• Do the Tri-Loppet (a paddle-run-mountain bike triathlon)

(Visit our website for further information: http://www.tri-loppet.com/)

Wednesday sessions, April 15th, 2009 through June 24th, 2009
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Limited to 20 students. Register soon! No previous experience necessary.
Boats, bikes, rollerskis and running shoes provided.

Questions: call 612-715-1479 or 612-604-5330 or e-mail: margaret@cityoflakesloppet.com

Please note: Activity buses will NOT be available. Students will be responsible for transportation home. Carpooling and alternate transportation is encouraged. But do not let transportation be a deterrent. The Foundation will work together with the students and parents to make transportation work.

Great Job today! I hope everyone had a good time shooting and skiing. As I mentioned, today was the final official team meeting for the season. If you have any more chances to get out skiing, please take advantage, we might even get some new snow this week. 

030809 Biathlon Results

Photos from Betsy Nelson

Hello everyone, with the recent crazy weather, training has been day-to-day, hopefully there will continue to be good trails near school, grooming will be iffy. The Bus Schedule has not been consistent lately, so be sure to make arrangements for rides if you will be needing one after practice. We will be having an on-snow Biathlon event this coming Sunday in Elk River. I hope everyone can make it. There is no cost for team members to take part.

This event is open to the public, and we hope to have a good number of people take part. Right now we are planning two distances, depending on the age of the athlete. We’ll make final decisions day of as to total distance, which may change due to snow conditions.

Here’s the info:

Woodland Trails / Elk River Biathlon Race
Hosted by Twin Cities Biathlon
Sunday, March 8, 2009

 Elk River Biathlon Range
Directions - http://www.minnesotabiathlon.com/mnbdirections.html
Notice: The Novice event takes place before the Experienced race.

•  Novice Registration – 8:00 AM
• Novice Clinic – 8:30 AM
  Instruction, Rifles, and Ammo included
• Novice Race Start – 9:00 AM
  6.6K for 15 and over (3 x 2.2K easier course)
  2.5K for 14 and under (3 x 0.8K easier course)