Off-Season Check-In from Ben Ogden

Hey all, Ben Ogden checking in after finishing up a big mid-summer training block here in Vermont. Cross country skiers like myself have the challenge of being unable to do our sport for the vast majority of the off-season. That’s why summer becomes a time for variety and versatility in training.

For me, this means a very diverse menu of training modes—plenty of rollerskiing, yes—but also running, mountain biking, gravel biking, and strength work. This variety helps the weeks and months fly by while keeping my body and mind fresh, avoiding burnout from overdoing any one discipline.

Training with Purpose

As I look ahead to the 2026 Olympics, one of my biggest goals this summer has been to use this diversity in training—along with smart fueling and recovery—to keep the quality of my key sessions as high as possible.

In endurance sports, there are literally thousands of hours spent chasing progress. It’s unrealistic to expect perfection in every session. There will be days where I forget a water bottle, lose focus, or go longer than planned. I’ve learned to accept that not every session needs to be flawless. Instead, I identify the key workouts and bring maximum focus and intensity to those, while allowing the rest to support the bigger picture without unnecessary pressure.

Targeting Weaknesses with High-Quality Sessions

The past few seasons have taught me where I need to improve, especially when it comes to higher-speed skiing. By using specific interval sessions to consciously work on these weak points, I can make real progress before the race season begins.

Leading into these target sessions, I try to change up my training slightly. For instance, if I have skate rollerski intervals scheduled for Tuesday, I’ll run, bike, or do classic skiing on Monday. This gives the smaller, skate-specific muscles a break and helps me come into the session physically and mentally sharper.

Fuel Early, Fuel Often

Fueling plays a huge role in how well these target sessions go. I never skip a pre-workout breakfast and always prioritize refueling afterward. For breakfast, I lean into high-carb, moderate-protein meals—my go-to is a soft-boiled egg, some salami, and a few slices of toast (one topped with the egg, the others with jam or honey).

For the session itself, I pack a few UnTapped products: a Maple UnTapped before starting intervals, a Salted Citrus UnTapped gel halfway through, and a waffle during cooldown. On hot days, the difference in performance and recovery when I fuel early and often is honestly astounding. After training, I make sure to get in a solid lunch quickly—usually pasta or a couple of sandwiches loaded with carbs.

Progress Over Perfection

It’s nearly impossible to be 100% dialed for every single session—especially when training twice a day, every day, all summer. But by focusing on making a few workouts each week truly count, and slowly leveling up everything else around them, I’m seeing real gains.

Happy summer everyone, and thanks for reading!