Training Log Archive: SarahD

Heard the pistie machine go past the hut at 5:45am - good news for the day's ski conditions. Headed north towards Oppkuven, climbing steadily for the first hour on good tracks. Lovely section from here, undulating and gently descending until we reached Heggelivann. 1km of icy track on the lake then took us to the hut which was open for drinks etc. Back from there it was a long but easy run with the vast majority downhill on nice wide tracks and I managed to ski relaxed the whole way. Did lots of double poling and felt like I was getting some more efficient technique at times. Got pretty busy towards the back end - definitely worth getting out early in areas like this. As expected the last km was again pretty icy and crappy, but just about ok going downhill.
Great w/e weather-wise and E going steady all day today, making for en meget god 25km tur. Knee still fine with the skiing.

Plan was to spend the night in at Smedmyrkoia hytta, 5km in from Sorkesdalen above Oslo, but there were various unknowns... Snow reports from the pister were quite pessimistic about conditions, and I really wasn't sure what my knee would think about skiing. Arrived to a cram packed icy car park at lunchtime full of skiiers, and after walking the first 100m got onto our skis on some pretty crappy icy snow. Thankfully within 0.5k or so the conditions were much improved, but E had already decided he wasn't going to enjoy it and so went on a serious go slow. I had decided by now that my knee was going to be ok, so I didn't really care.
Eventually got to the hut where we dumped E and kit, then I carried on with J for a couple of km further. This turned out to be continuously uphill, with quite a lot of slightly freaked looking skiers passing us at high speed in the opposite direction, and I started getting a bit worried about what my knee might think of the descent. Luckily it was ok, but the descent was pretty unpleasant, especially near the bottom of a long section where it got steep and icy. Enough for today, but pleased that I can ski without any pain.

Feeling a bit happier today. Inflammation seems more localised and walking around ok on flat uniform ground. Will try some light exercise over the w/e.

Didn't sleep well - not because of particular pain from knee, just over-hyped from whole experience. Knee is quite swollen, but flexing ok for normal walk/ run movement. Suspect I have some ligament damage but still hopeful that things will settle with a few days of R+R. Too many plans for the next 6 weeks to be knackered now.

Not gaining much confidence in my technique from this terrain at the mo. It's all so brutal underfoot that I'm finding myself being distracted from the navigation too often, then ending up doing stupid things, like last night parallel to no 1. The map detail is so hard to read at night too. Think I might try running with just 1 contact lens, which would be better for the map-reading, as long as I can still see where I'm going.

Not sure I'm safe to let loose at night again for a bit anyhow.

C • Sorry to hear that your bir... 3

Decided to have a go at Onsdagsnatt as my b'day treat for myself. Rain set in just before we got going but 2km jog in to the start was a good w-u. Deliberately headed a bit south on the first part of the first leg, but had planned to hit the north of the second green block. Surprised to hit the ride at the far side and realised I was well S of intended line. Eventually found a line up the end of the big crag (only slightly iffy) but once out on top, somehow jumped my map reading as if I was back on the straight line for no 1. Not surprisingly never found the control and eventually continued on to 2 to relocate on the track. Came out further S than planned and started to contour round bottom of big crag, but then got my leg caught in a hole. As I pulled it out it got further stuck and ended up graunching my shin and twisting my knee. Excrutiating! Realised I would have to hobble home, but wasn't sure initially I would be capable of it. Luckily only ~50m from a big forest track that would lead me out, and after hobbling for a while with a stick, adrenaline kicked in and I was able to jog back.
Not sure what the damage is yet. Lots of bruising and swelling, but I am hoping it is mostly superficial. Tomorrow will tell I guess. Red painkiller is doing its stuff at the moment.

Hanging tapes with J for TTT at Berg.
Lots of faffing.

Realised while jogging up to Venaas that I was feeling fresh for the first time in ages, so did some intervals round the trim lysloype. 4 x laps +, each ~4:20 restarting off 6'. A few cm of wet snow, but good grip in O shoes.
Chuffed with that for a Monday morning.

To Venaas and back. Everything wet and slushy, but not icy in the forest at least. Wet socks would have been smart.

Jog down to Strupe to S+C and shuffle back, taking care on the ice.

Didn't seem too bad tonight once I got warmed up.