Great photos of days 1 and 2:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61045911@N08/sets/72157626217167605/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61045911@N08/sets/72157626218892679/

Thanks to Jeb Stewart of Endurofit.

Day 2!  We lucked out with the weather on Sprint Day and actually got some nice work done in the Marin Headlands before heading around Paradise Loop for some bonus mileage. 

Here are some photos from the day:

Sprints!

Cooling down between sprints

Custom bike with demo wheels from Easton

Golden Gate bridge

It snuck up on me, but Marin Camp started with the biggest group ever!  After breakfast, we distributed some goodies from Camp supporters before Jeb gave a fantastic presentation on mental skills training and goal setting.

A total of 16 riders left to ride today, including two coaches, two representatives from Strava and one nice fellow from Quarq Technology who will spend the week riding with us.  We had a nice spin out Panoramic where we did 5 minute power tests.  Afterwards, we climbed up to Rock Spring before descending Ridgecrest down the spine of Mt. Tamalpais to Fairfax-Bolinas Rd.  The latter was covered with debris and rock slides from the area's recent storms and we found the gate at the bottom had been closed.  Stephan had to drive the van all the way back around to Stinson Beach while we all hopped the barrier and continued.  We did our 1-minute power tests on the flat leading to town then kept a nice tempo all the way back to the Retreat. 

Once we were home we were treated to a fantastic lunch before massages and a yoga class.

Here are some photos:

I've spent the last five days in Colorado Springs at the US Olympic Training Center.  I come here every few years to the bi-annual USAC Coaching Summit, but this time the mission was different.  I'm eligible to take my exam for Level 1 Certification, which requires specific coursework - the very coursework offered this week.  So, soon I will take my exam and, hopefully, move up to the top level of coaching certification in the US.

Perhaps more interestingly, AES athlete Chris Peariso and his wife have been spending a little time on one of my favorite little islands: Guam.  They were lucky enough to race the annual Tour de Guahan yesterday and both finished on the podium.  Read all about it right here:

http://team-adventure212.blogspot.com/2011/02/tour-de-guahan.html

Today BBBS of Guam was presented with a check reflecting the excellent fundraising Joseph accomplished on his LittleBigRide last month.   The local paper covered it right here:

http://www.guampdn.com/article/20101114/NEWS01/11140308

And I even got a mention, along the lines of my upcoming trip to HOM.

This year has been a long road back for AES Triathlete Margaret Bishop.  Having begun the year in recovery from knee surgery, Margret had no idea how her knee would react to training.  With a measured, precise, year-long plan, she was able to not only finish her ultimate goal, the Everest Challenge in Bishop, CA, but to finish in the top 5 of her class!  This is no ordinary event, as it features nearly 30,000 feet (8,800m) of climbing in only two days.  There are certainly few better tests for recovered knees!  Now, Margaret is getting some well-deserved rest before beginning her preparation for next year's triathlon season.

This month, AES athlete Joseph Husslein is riding his bike across the country.  Joseph wanted this ride to be more meaningful than simply fulfilling his long-held dream to ride cross-country, so he created the LittleBigRide.  Thus, his ride will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, of whose program he himself is an alumnus.  Read more about the LittleBigRide here:

http://www.littlebigride.org/

Read his daily blog here:

http://www.littlebigride.org/blog/

and, follow Joseph via Twitter:

http://twitter.com/husslein

Last week in Los Angeles, AES athlete Jennifer Reither scored an excellent 5th place in the Madison with her partner Kate Wilson, despite a serious crash that still has her off the bike.  You can read more about the event here.

Chris Peariso continued his excellent build towards Chequamegon with a decisive win this weekend at the Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival.  His wife Michelle took the Women's race as well, making it a great weekend for them.  Read more about it in the local paper right here.

The last few weeks have been great ones for Aeolus Endurance Sport athletes.  The results have been coming in fast in a variety of events and disciplines.  Here is the latest:

At the OBRA Criterium Championships, Flo Liebowitz rode to a solid win in the Women's 50+ category, accomplishing her main season goal.  Congratulations, champ!

Shawn Tevendale also hit his "A" race right on the head with a win in the Pro Solo class at the 18 Hours-Scout's Honor endurance MTB race in Virginia.

Jenn Reither's fast legs are coming back around just in time for the Gateway Cup with a solid 5th at the San Clemente Criterium.

Starla Teddergreen, visiting Portland from San Francisco, tried her hand at PIR on Monday night and came back with a win, as well as the cover photo at Oregon Cycling Action.

Cyclocross season is right around the corner, so stay tuned for more great results!

Steven Hunter and Susan Peithman each had great days at last Saturday's OBRA Road Race, held, somewhat ironically, in Trout Lake, Washington.  Susan followed the race plan precisely, but wasn't able, despite making it into the winning break and launching multiple attacks, to get the distance she needed to stay away.  In the end, she led her teammate out to a fourth-place finish, while netting a solid 10th for herself.  Well done!

Steven made the decisive break in the Cat 3 race and sprinted to a fine 3rd place.  This earned him a bronze medal as well as an upgrade to Cat 2 - one of his objectives for this year!