MIAMI, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Speed skaters mostly frolic on frozen floors, but when they aren't slicing ice during the Winter Olympics, they can be found biking hundreds of miles, using power unmatched by some professional cyclists.
And that regimen is key to building a base and sculpting gold medal contenders, Team USA's Jordan Stolz and Erin Jackson told UPI.
They swaps boots and blades for road bikes for what they deem "intense" summer training. Stolz's training menu sometimes features weekly totals of more than 425 miles, with 5-hour rides that cover 85 miles.
"What makes it worse is you are tired from doing a lot in the weight room," Stolz said. "There are a lot of squats and stuff. Your legs are already dead and you've got to hit a 5-hour ride. It's not that enjoyable."
Stolz, 21, is to compete in the 500-, 1,000- and 1,500-meter sprints, as well as the mass start at the Winter Games. The Kewaskum, Wis. native, who grew up idolizing six-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno, is aiming to make his own mark -- as the favorite in all four events -- next month at Milan Cortina 2026.
