Training Log Archive: AliC

First time at Northfield Mtn, the closest nordi place to Amherst. Terrain is really great, real ups and downs and some flats and will be great to train at. A few bare spots, but not too bad. Just about 30 min flat from my house. I met Nat, the local highschool coach. Really nice guy and impressive that he just started a team last year! Also met Rob who sold me my season's pass and Dwight who might be the groomer? Unsure on that one....

A bit sore from yesterday, and tracks were a bit glazed and slippery, so just went out for a tiny bit of classic-ing.

And afterwards, a skate ski. Explored the different trails and squeezed in 4 x 3 min intervals. Skied with Nat for a bit in the middle, much harder to talk while skiing than while running!

4 x 3 min, mostly uphill. Felt ok, bit tired.

First real ski of the season! Woo! At Prospect.

Sooooo wonderful to ski! Felt so good. Snow cover was totally sufficient, just a few very avoidable rocks. Tried to keep myself from going too quick, today was about remembering how to ski, getting some distance in, waking up the ski muscles from a long summer-hibernation...

Tons of Mt. Anthony highschoolers out- this way that way and back again. Swarms of them! Which is awesome, even if it means getting out of the track frequently. I was amused when one of their coaches saw me coming down the tracks and told the kids to watch my technique- apparently still know how to do this! There was also a tyke about 2.5 out there on the trails- so cute!

After an hour, traded the classic skis for skating- didn't want to overdo it on the hip flexors, which always get so super-sore after first day of classic!

Skating was also awesome. Felt fast on the flat, not strong enough for the ups yet.

C • Sounds like you had a winte... 2

Snowy version of Puffers Pond. Slippy going up the hills. Was jealous of Paul's inov8's my road shoes had very little grip.

But, crunched the ankle once too, grrrr....

Mission: actually see someone about the ankle next week.

Ski into work! Woo!

Totally beat one car up Amity Hill, which was doing a lot of sliding backwards. Then went to the bank, and must have skied by the Post Office, which I was also intending to go to, but not sure where it is exactly... errands by ski!

Skied around little Triangle park a few times for fun, then came in. Wahoo! Hope the rain this afternoon isn't too bad...

C • Also a post office in North... 2

Lab -> post office -> home.

Bizarre- lightning and thunder while there's snow all around! Very strange. I had to abandon the skis at work, they were going to be awkward to run with... will bring in a ski bag tomorrow.

Amethyst Brook run, long version, with Sanjay, Paul and Todd. Hadn't met Todd before. He's another ultra-runner. Sped off the front a few times, obviously completely comfortable flying through the woods in the dark. Also like Paul, seems to want to try orienteering! Woo!

Run was good, started slow, ended up pretty darn quick. I crunched my ankle once, not cool!!!! I was even wearing my brace. Argh.

Facts on this injury:
1) Lots of pain upon forced hyperflexion of the ankle joint.
2) It *is* better than a year ago, the end of last summer at least. Then there was more pain and it was way more sensitive (pain set in at a lower degree of flex).
3) Taping doesn't prevent it. Brace doesn't prevent it.
4) Happens on average 1 hr^-1 while orienteering/night trail running.

Theories:
1) There is scar tissue stuck in the joint, forcing it with flexion creates lots of pressure in the joint and thus pain.
2) Scar tissue is gradually breaking down.

Questions:
1) Am I making it worse by repeatedly having these painful "crunches"?
2) Will massaging where the pain comes from help break down the scar tissue?
3) Will training my ankle to respond to hyperflexion earlier with a balance board help?
4) Is this something that will actually go away with time, or will I need surgery to clean out whatever is in the joint?

C • No you di'int... 16

C • Theories 2

Climbing with Christina.

New 5.7: flew up, nice and easy.
New 5.8: something about a Troll - by Alie - also sent!
New 5.9-: sent, first time trying it, psyched.
Blue 5.9 on the right side of the back wall- missed one move
Pink + brown 5.9 on far end wall- was pushing me the whole way up, failed on very last move, which took a few tries and also flexing my unhappy ankle a bit...

8 min abs, 1 min back, post-climbing.

The Puffers Pond loop with Sanjay and Paul, nice easy pace, aside from the one steep hill. Still coldish at around noontime- hope for snow later in the week?