Training Log Archive: cfosp1

Event: American Birkebeiner
 

Really lucky with the weather, mild temps sandwiched between days of severe cold. Another hard Birkie, courtesy of soft snow. Glad I was prepared, wax-job worked well and persisted. No problems on the two tricky downhills, but climbs were a chore, already churned up by Elite and Wave 1 skiers. Felt bad for later waves. After Cty OO, conditions became markedly better, with much firmer surface. Felt some cramp symptoms in my thighs around Bitch Hill but nothing came of it. They subsided by the time I reached the lake. The worst moment was crossing Hwy 77. The snow at the crossing was quite dirty and it took about 1 km before the skis had decent glide again. The snow immediately after crossing seemed clean and fine, I assume that the grit in the snow must have done something to the wax. All other skiers I asked about this had the same experience. I really let loose crossing the lake, passing many skiers. The International did not prove to be an obstacle, thanks to good snow and grooming. It was actually fun to see the Finish in the distance and then whooshing down the steep downslope towards the last 400 m. Very happy! More to come.

C • Great Job 4

Quick, easy shakeout ski before race day. Nicely groomed for no skiers. There were only three other skiers there along with me and three does, trampling the classic track.

Little hike with the pooches, who were wild and happy and made me smile.

Not much competition this morning, I was the third car in the parking lot and by the time I left, there were another three or four. Must be because everyone is tapering for the Birkie, or could it be the temps? Left thumb had some trouble warming up. Not too impressed with the Craft Ventair X Wind lobster mitts. The combo of my Toko windstopper gloves and Shell mitt works much better, without as much bulk. Two full laps were all I needed and did. One more outing Friday morning and then it's Birkie time!

Quick walk with the pooches, they had a lot of fun. Roux's paw is healed, no more bloody paw prints.

Met Tom and Dayton for Birkie waxing session:

2 x Rex LF Black
1 x Rex RCF Black
(done at home)

1 x Rex HF 31
2 x Start Green HF80
1 x Rex TK72
(at Tom's)

Much more fun doing this in a group situation.

Forgot the watch at home, no biggie. Wanted to do aneasy ski, recovering form yesterday and starting my pre-Birkie taper. But skiing was hard. The fresh corduroy, unskied as of yet, had a dusting of abrasive snow and the upper portions of the long climb was quite soft. A slog, but hey, that's training effect.