Training Log Archive: W

Another light morning run in the even colder before getting slamed again at the shop. Its not exactly plunging, but it was about -14, and tomorrow I think -19? A bit of a windchill makes it feel a mite colder too. Still, a nice day because the sun was still shining, and I can also tell because people came out and shopped like there was no tomorrow, again. And one guy got grumpy when we told him we couldn't get his skis done until next Friday.

"That's the best you can do?"

"Well, we're closed Monday, and only half-hours on Wednesday, and then closed Thursday, so that's only one and a half working days, and we have lots of skis to do."

*frown* "So, that's really the best you can do?"

......that's about the time when you decide he's getting liquid glider.

A very slow recovery ski in the evening after staying late with customers who walked right past the sign that implied we closed in five minutes. Sometimes I wish I was more willing to just tell them to bugger off!

Ho hum.

The temperature is busy tanking, so we got up at the crack of 8:30 to squeeze in a run before a ludicrously busy day at the shop. Masses of people coming in to see if we had any boxing day sales (its the 27th, but still, no), and plenty of people just coming in to get a new set of skis. Honestly, two days after Christmas is not usually the time that I decide to take up a new activity. I suppose not all people feel that the 25th is a gift-giving day, so maybe they don't feel the after effects of the rampant consumerism, but even still, I would think "everyone else is going shopping this week, so maybe I'll go for a ski instead".

But... wait, they don't have skis....

IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW.

We got a little skiff of snow overnight, so conditions had improved slightly at SWC, and the weather was certainly nicer, but for some reason, the grooming was atrocious. It must have been a new guy or something, because there were three tracks, which was unusual, and the outside tracks would keep developing a third track, with one of the tracks just disappearing into the soft snow. This created a bit of problem because then I would ski directly into soft snow without realizing it. I didn't crash, but there was definitely some near misses when I wasn't paying attention. I don't think I should have to pay 100% attention while skiing in a track. That's why you have a track.

Also, my arms are tired.

Christmas day ski at SWC, we only got going about 2 hours slower than usual! It was a Christmas miracle! Conditions are still deteriorating, and it was quite rutted and firm today. Since I love to glide and one-skate, I found myself getting stuck in ruts and nearly tipping over (its a long way down). A bit of fresh snow this afternoon and them being open tomorrow will probably mean some grooming and delightful conditions again.

Fingers cross. Can't cross my toes because I'm wearing my toe spacers. Anything to cure my feet!

Well, this was one of my train-y-er Christmas Eves I've ever experienced. Very busy, too. Got up at the crack of 8:20 to go for a morning run. Lovely day out, feet slightly less lovely. I think my new Hokas - the least weird Hokas they make - might help a little. Uber cushy, surprisingly light weight. There's a certain crunchiness when I turn corners, so that's.... less good. But lots of ice and some massage seems to work pretty well. Soon presumably I'll start popping anti-inflammatories too!

Right after work (we were open 10-2), we drove out to SWC for a short ski before it got dark. I was way overdressed, but thankfully is was also WAY COLDER out there. Really quite chilly, in fact. The conditions are deteriorating quite quickly. Also, it was around the time when the moose start emerging from the woods, although this time we only saw three. One was about 5 meters from the trail, but it just sort of looked at us, shrugged (in the way that moose do) and then went right back to munching on that tree. I suspect they're pretty unconcerned with humans with sticks now.

Which is good, because I'd prefer it if they didn't run me down.

A fine, albeit slow classic ski out at Strathcona. The conditions are good not great, there was a small skiff of fresh snow, so our kick was good not great too. So, it was kind of a molasses ski. But, I did some double poling work and it was a nice day. So.... WHATEVER!

Light evening run in the dark with sore feet. Actually, more noticable were my kind of sore shins, presumably from the classic skiing this morning. I haven't had that since racing 55km in -23 with a 5.5kg pack. And this was a 90 minute easy classic ski in compression tights.

*sigh*, I'm old.