Starting on Wed June 15th and continuing through this coming weekend, MNBiathlon is holding its annual Shooting Camp centered at Mt Itasca in Coleraine, MN. Athletes range from 12 to 22, with most in their later teens. The youngest athletes participate just the first week and in some of the easier sessions the second week. Most are from MN, however two competitors, one from Wyoming and one from the Tahoe area of California joined us this year.

With a wide variety of training including strength, aerobic activities, anaerobic activities and a lot of shooting practice, drills and tests, the camp is quite intensive and focused on the skills needed to become a better skier, a better shooter, and a better athlete overall. Facilities are minimal with tents or the wax building for sleeping, and the chalet for meals and showers. Dinners have been provided by the families of the local Grand Rapids athletes either at the venue or at their homes. The athletes/coaches prepare their breakfasts and lunches with food provided by the organizers.

Approximately 1000 rounds of ammo will be expended in practices ranging from slow fire one shot drills to full out racing. Emphasis is on accuracy, then range procedure speed, then shooting with a heartrate, high lactates and fatigue, and finally full out racing.

Aerobic activities include combo training with shooting, bike rides, long roller skis, ski technique sessions, runs, and hill bounding on the Mt Itasca trails. Anaerobic activities include roller ski time trials, bike time trials, and the upper part of hill bounding, not to mention the annual hill climb test—3 or 4 times running up Mt Itasca at 10 min intervals, and a competitive running biathlon race.

Coming up in the morning on Saturday will be a 100 mile bike ride for the older athletes and on Sunday several biathlon race/time trials to finish the camp.

Enjoy,

Bill Meyer, Coach