Training Log Archive: W

Went back out to SWC. More snow made for some really, really nice classic. Whipped out some Ex-Elit green, which always draws a crowd because no one has ever heard of it before. It worked quite well though. Still cold, until the sun came out. Also, this is approximately the 122 day where the conditions have been good enough to use my best skis. Another week, at least. And I had to go and spend a month of it on a tropical island. What was I thinking?

C • SWC 9

Its time for the classic spring race, Beat the Blues Boogie! Always nice to do, usually about +3, firm for the first little bit, then melty as the race goes on and a little slow by the end, but altogether a really nice day to be out.

WRONG.

20 cm of new snow in the last two days, -17 at the start, still snowing. So much for a spring day. Instead we were in for a lengthy 30k slog of soft snow and super slow conditions.

Actually, it wasn't so bad. There was a fairly solid base underneath. The worst laps were probably 2 and 3, as people had skied over it but not really packed it. It was particularly tough when we were skiing east into a headwind, but a traditionally difficult section was much, much easier with the wind.

As expected, it was Lucas and I for basically the entire race skiing together. Since I knew he could probably take me in a 15k race, I took over the lead on laps 2 & 3 and then 5 & 6 in an effort to make him less tempted to make the pass and go for it. I was able to keep control of the pace (which was generally pedestrian, but quite consistent), until the last hill with about 2k to go. He attempted to put down the hammer and put on a gap but I was miraculously able to hold on with a really big effort until he scaled it back and we were together again.

In retrospect, I should have maybe tried to go right then and there, but instead I decided to recover a little and wait for an opening. There wasn't one. I tried to pass once but he was all over that, which left it to a sprint at the line.

Ordinarily, that would be fine because I'm quite certain I could outsprint anyone there without any trouble. The problem is that the trail and finish lane is about wide enough for 1 and 1/4 skiers. So, although I was able to pull out from behind hm and move close to beside him, when we got to the world's narrowest/shortest finish lane (aka about 10 meters), there was really no way to skate past him and I certainly can't double pole past a guy who is skating. If I were clever I could have maybe tried to generate enough momentum from behind to shoot past him at the line, but I didn't really think of that. Doh.

Attacklogging has been very tiresome lately, because its mostly been miserable workouts. Boo-urns.

C • double-poling 7

Some skiing at Victoria before it got all cold.

Hopped on my trainer before playing soccer, which was a terrible idea.

Actually went for a run, not remarkably painful foot, but certainly not pleasant.