Training Log Archive: Swampfox

Though snow coverage on the Happy Jack trails was again outstanding, it was nothing compared to the massive amounts of snow that were deployed into the parking lot overnight. There was probably more snow in the parking lot than the Olympic organizers have stockpiled in the enormous emergency heaps around Sochi. The parking was almost like one of those Oldtime fishing traps, where the fish can swim in but can't swim back out. Most people would blame the wind, but I feel you can not entirely discount clever design by snowsnake engineers.

Advantaged winds availed themselves of the chance to toss around the recently arrived snows of the last week more or less everywhere, but especially upon the vital roads and Happy Jack parking lot. Much road iciness and driver excitement! There was more snow on top of the snow on the already snow clad XC trails. Winter is really bent on showing how it should be properly done.

I have taken a solemn vow not to watch any figure skating or related activities during the Olympic, and so far my vow exists intact. Even though the televised broadcast is very sneaky, and keeps trying to insert figure skating activity amongst various of the actual sports. You have to be alert with the channel clicker ready at all times!

Temps warmed up into the "skiable with some glide" range by late in the afternoon, so by late in the afternoon I headed out with skis in hand, figuring in the worst case I could ditch the skis and go running if the snow was still too cold. But it wasn't. Funny to think that 1F is starting to feel so mild! If somehow I were to go straight from this to, say, I don't know, maybe West Texas, I would probably incinerate in a matter of seconds.

There were several other semi-human looking figures shrouded in the ice fogs, and some things that looked as if they might have been dogs or some other 4 legged creature.

Snow was everywhere. If the snow conditions are already dimed out and it gets even better, then how do you describe that? We have more snow than sushi. We have more snow than Sochi, too, I will guess.

The weatherman just said is was 18F in Laramie (at about 10 pm) and -15F in Greeley. Greeley is 33 degrees colder than Laramie and it's so low it's practically down in the Flatlands???? Chillin'!

C • Colder 4

Quite cold today, don't know if it got higher than -6F in town or not. When it's that cold, the skis have to stay home and I go running. Running wasn't bad as the air was nearly completely calm, and I had enough on to stay comfortable. I crossed the ski trails in several places, and saw that they were beautifully groomed and also--not surprisingly--practically untouched except for the occasional moose tracks.

Looked south from one vantage point to see how Colorado was faring, but it was hard to make out anything south of the border due to thick layers of ice fogs.

It's nice to have an occasional day like this for the variation, but I wouldn't want it this cold all the time!

C • Running 7

Skiing today could be described briefly: much snow, very cold. After doing one loop, I took a look at the parking lot: not even 5 o-clock, and only 3 cars. When conditions are bitter cold, it's easier--and safer--to stay out when other folks are around. So I cashed in my chips and headed home.

Probably going to be too cold tomorrow to even think about skiing. Brrr!

C • Fat Bike Best Practices... 3

Impeccable ski day. Temps in the mid-teens, some sun with new powder drifting out of the blue sky, everything groomed to perfection, and a second day with no wind. If only you could bottle such days...