Fund training and help the environment

My good friend and team mate for so many years, Mat Stachura has just returned from Tree Planting his seasonal job which is his financial backing when it comes to funding his Biathlon Career. He decides not to lean on his family and friends like so many amateur athletes do just to survive season to season. I recently sat down to have a chat about what its like being a tree planting Biathlete. This is his story.

How long have you been in Biathlon?

I first started racing when I was 12 and training when I was 15 so I guess this could be my 11th or 8th year.

How did you get started?

I started with the cadet program in Regina Saskatchewan.

How old were you when you first moved to Canmore?

I was 20

What are your hobbies and interests?

I like playing guitar, long boarding, and occasionally shooting clean.

How did you get the idea to try tree planting as a job?

Another, older saskatchewan athlete told me about it and the time line lined up well with the training and racing season.

And how long have you been tree planting?

This past year was my third.

When does your tree planting season start and end?

I start as soon as the last race is over, this year it was on April 1st and I go till late June, again this year that was June 25th.

How many days to you work a week and how long is the typical day?

I work a four and one schedule, meaning we have four days of work and then a day off. A typical day is in the truck at 7:00 am leaving to the block and back in to come home at 5:00

If tried to convert your earnings in to a hourly wage how much would you earn hourly?

It all depends on the planter, anyone, and I mean anyone can earn about $15/hour but the more experience and the faster the planter the more money. The very fast planters (highballers) can make upwards of $40-$50/hour.

Do you enjoy tree planting? If so what about it?

There are parts I like and parts I dislike. I enjoy the camp atmosphere and meeting people who are so different from the athletic community.

What's hardest part of tree planting?

Everything you can't really control. The rain/snow/wind/bugs and everything in between.

Has tree planting changed the way you view the environment? If so how?

It has definitely taught me a lot about the forest and deferent ecosystems that survive there but don't kid yourself we plant trees to be cut again to make profit.

Describe the perfect day of tree planting?

Showing up to the block at 20 C. with no wind or bugs, light trees with small plugs and a day on your own creamy piece.

You always rave about the food while tree planting is that why you are fat?

Hahahaha, i'm not fat, dude, I weigh less then you do, next question.

Is tree planting the best way you have found so far to support yourself? What other jobs have you tried?

I tired working at a hotel in Canmore while training and that didn't work because the days were just too long and it made me very tired and unable to focus. With planting I can dedicate myself to making money and then to racing.

If you qualified for carding do you think you would quit tree planting?

I don't think so. Even at the maximum $1500 amount, I don't feel this covers the cost of living in Canmore and training full time.

Do you think that tree planting has a negative affect on your Biathlon Performance in the winter? If so why?

I think it has a negative affect on my biathlon performance in the summer because I come back a little tired and with some bumps and bruises but buy winter time those have gone away and the benefits of not working all summer and fall have kicked in.

What is your dream job you hope to obtain someday outside of Biathlon?

CEO of some major company making the big bucks.

Well there you have it folks the diaries of a tree planter, might be something for you to consider if you are need of some money and want to see some different ground.

For some great info and more video's concerning Tree Planting visit www.tree-planter.com

Volume Volume Volume

This week my training was totally dedicated to volume. For those of you not familiar with training terms and methods it means I spent just over 26 hours this week training in my lower heart rate zones (z1-z2) and focusing on building a foundation on which I will later lay down the more intense training zones (z3-z5). Because of the hard work I have been able to put in this spring I should be better able to handle more intensity and hard work while still being able to recover and stay injury free throughout the summer and fall months.

Fortunately I was able to do most of my training with different training partners from day to day, keeping all of us refreshed and focused.

I started my training week with a Run/Hike which more then once I ended up waist deep in snow. And I ended my week with a 170km of cycling where my cycling partner Dave Johns and I were able to see at least 5 bears from distances of 100 meters to as close as 15 meters.

So I encourage all readers, non athletes and athletes a like. Next time you feel up for an adventure get off the beaten path and experience something new.

Ciao

Footstock 2008

As some of you may know Jodi Etcheverry has retired from Biathlon but still enjoys a good physical challenge from time to time. And the Footstock provided Jodi with her first challenge since Canadian Championships where she won a Bronze in the 15 km .

Jodi doesn't really know which is tougher a biathlon race or a half marathon. Immediately following the race Jodi commented " I will never do that again" only to decide 15 minutes later that she had a good time and would like to try another half marathon maybe even this summer.

Although Jodi didn't know what to expect in terms time she ended up with a very respectable 1:43 despite a lack of training due to her new full time job with the town of Canmore. If you would like to view the results for yourself see link Results

Rollerskiing vs Skiing

Despite the terrible weather in Canmore this weekend I was able to take advantage of a training opportunity that might not have been available had the weather in Canmore been warmer this spring.

On June 7 & 9th I was able to ski on a 5km loop up at Sunshine Ski resort thanks to the time and effort put in by John Jaques a local xc and biathlon coach from Canmore.

Because there is no snow in Canmore I was able to ski in the morning at Sunshine and Rollerski in the afternoon in Canmore which is something I have wanted to try for a long time. And is usually only possible with the use of a glacier camp which can usually be costly.

So off I went that afternoon to compare the technique I used on snow in the morning to the what I would now be using on rollerskis to see where I could feel differences.

To me they seem similar to me however I found there is a greater need for balance when skiing on snow.

Too close for comfort.

Just yesterday while enjoying a rollerski with Biathlonschool.com team mate Joel Pacas we were reminded that we do indeed share our Nordic Center with the surrounding wildlife. Even though we were on a paved path it does not mean we are safe and sound. At the end of the 4km loop just as we pointed out skis downhill another athlete yells out loud "Theres a bear down there" well with our skis already pointed downhill we were kind of helpless and were soon getting closer and closer the black bear and its two cute cubs. Getting as close as 20 meters. So just a small reminder to everyone they are out there so make sure you are prepared. For info on what to do when encountering a bear visit http://www.mountainnature.com/Wildlife/Bears/BearEncounters.htm

Scott

New Blog

Hello,

This will hopefully be my new blog if I can coordinate everything with my web site.