Training Log Archive: ernst

Warming up with Jud. The wind was fierce in the stadium, so we stayed in the woods and skied a little faster to really warm up. Temps around 15.

Lake Placid Loppet. They had received 2.5 feet of snow over the last two weeks. Most of it still fresh powder. A very hilly course, with steep ups and steep downs. The 1980's Olympic men's course - designed before homologation guidelines. The very steep ups were pretty well chewed up by the second loop, and the glide was poor due to cold temperatures. (had waxed LF 6). I jo-jo'd back and forth with a couple of guys - they left me in the dust on the downhills, I passed them on the uphills. They were heavier and possibly had some magic HF powders. Second loop was tough, quads/thigh area was near cramping, but I ingested a powergel and each feed stop (every 5 k) on the second loop, and worked diligently on relaxing my legs.

Got third in the 60-69 each class, (another medal!). Larry Costantino, the ski orienteer, got second with a large margin to me. He was close to the mystery winner from Jackson Hole, WY. Haven't talked with Larry for a while, so we had a short but sweet conversation walking away from the podium. Following me was a group of 3 60-69'ers within the next 4 minutes. Lucky me!

Note: This was 1 minute faster than the Rumford Marathon, same distance same climb, but Rumford was hardpacked with much mellower and smaller hills. I am pleased with today's time, given the soft conditions.
Definitely more wiped out though. This is a very tough race.

C • Loppett 4