Training Log Archive: Nev-Monster

First ski since last week because of being sick, or mostly trying not to become too sick. Felt okay, a little tired. First ski ever on the new Atomics, they worked great, except I only had time to put a single layer of glide on them, and it was alot colder than the Rode Purple I put on. Time to get in the basement and start waxing. But, it was nice to finally ski on a soft enough ski for me, this could really make me want to ski alot more classic.

Can't wait to buy new Salomon boots next year!

Long slow classic ski with Stefan Kuhn and Marcia Birgit who are in town between loppets. I had poor grip and glide, but the snow itself was really slow, hadn't really been groomed yet and I was working. So was Stef, except he's much better than me, so he was working less. Skied from P10 up Burma, Ridge almost to MacKinstry and back, was toast by the end.

Skating on the canal as a post-keski shaking out the legs sort of thing. Should have gone classic skiing instead, but am doing that tomorrow. I used the ice blades on my skate boots and they rock, so fast.

Today I was Sudden and skied the 29km Keski Skate race. Placed 6th in my cat, 30 overall, which I'm happy with starting from the C wave. Why Hans was placed in the D wave to start with, I have no idea. Next time he enters it, I'll tell him to put his parents Swedish address as they give Euros better seeding than guys from Hamilton.

See my note yesterday about my day of prep for this.

Temperature was about -17 but warming quickly and was pretty nice skiing, I went with my Zebra suit and 3 layers of clothing under it. I need a better race suit if I remain in Canada, although it might be good enough for Vancouver conditions.

I lead the C/D wave people for most of the start, 5 minutes back of the A/B start. Problems started exactly where I thought it would, on trail 15 where things turned into a big time conga line. It's one thing to pass a couple slow skaters, it's impossible to pass 10 at a time and it's too bad I got caught way back. After the end of 15 we were back on the parkways, past Pink and up to the trail 5 to MacKenzie King estate trail. In this section it was just 2 of us, only saw one other guy the entire trail. It was very very abrasive and tough. Probably my weakess section of the race as my quads started to cramp from too much offset on trail 15.
Back on the Parkway and headed for home. Last uphill on the parkway, past the field I always suffer, but at least this year, no Mont Bleu and Lampi to die infront of.

Placed 30 overall, might have medalled if not for the trains. My wax was totally gone by the end, I only had one layer of CH4, I needed 2-3, plus CH3 powder on top to toughen it up.

But, thanks to Hans for letting me race the Keski.

C • Good. I glad you did it. Why I... 2

Warming up before Keski, it was chilly and very very hard packed. Feel a bit over my head as it's my first race of the year. Only one layer of CH4 and it's mega abrasive out there. Decided to go with Ad-Rock's poles rather than my Swix's because of concerns over the strap.

Classic skiing with the slow no-wax Atomics. Someday I'll get around to glide waxing these some more. They need alot of work.

C • atomics 7

Hard run on snow/slush this morning. I'm serving drinks to the Conservative Government on Parliament Hill this afternoon so I'm missing out from skiing today. The new snow should be awesome for Keski this weekend.

But mostly the hard run was due to the HPP. Man, what an annoying year this has been.

C • drinks 13

Hard tempo ski from Freddy's place, mostly trail 15, tried to stay off the parkways. Really really fast still, but the softer stuff is pretty slow. No new snow for a long time, the Keski is going to be deadly fast.

Classic skiing with Ian Murray mostly around Trail 15. Deadly fast skiing, blue klister binder, but very abrasive snow, we had to re-wax. The Keski is going to be brutal along trail 15. I was on my Madshus which are still too stiff for me. Lovely day for a ski. Ian working with me on the Norwegian way of double poling.

Skate ski with Ian Murray and Dave MacMahon. It was rock hard fast on the parkways where we skied, which sucks of course. I borrowed Salomon Equipe 10s from Fresh Air and my god they were fast, just destroying the others on some downhills. I think I might have to get a pair next year, although, since Atomic bought Salomon, who knows who's going to be making their skiis for them.

Classic skiing on Ridge Road from P7 looking for Ian and John Rennie to no avail. Had poor grip, but I was on skiis too stiff, so there's not alot I could have done. I still need to get them tested to see if it's work keeping them for klister skiis or not.

C • retro 2

Skating around Nakkertok after the event at Easterns. Getting nasty and wet throughout the day.

Skated the Nakkertok Race course after setting up for Easterns that happen Sat/Sun. I really should be racing, everyone and their dog, except for many T-Bay guys, will be there. It was very very wet, my skiis were not waxed right, plus nothing was gliding on some of the stuff. Fresh Air sold out of Rosa today...

Warming up and cooling down at the SuperDome indoor track. So should not have had that pizza this afternoon....

Again, I think it was about 15 minutes of intervals, maybe a little less. Legs felt just awful, but I ran okay. Pretty solid on pace with Freddy. He looked mega smooth of course. I'm getting stronger over the longer distances, now we're getting serious, and I'm able to handle a 600m on the track interval.

Skiing today from Freddy's new place with Dougie. I would wager that the Gatineau Park was the nicest place in the world to ski today. Just perfect conditions, freshly groomed, fast snow, blue sky, sun. Just lovely.