Training Log Archive: ernst

Rangeley Loppet. Start postponed to 10:30 for weather reasons. It did warm up somewhat thanks to brilliant sunshine, but the wind continued intermittently. After yesterday's clothing testing, I was perfectly dressed for the 6 - 15 F range. I did use hand and foot warmers which worked fine. And I was not overdressed like some others..
Course was nicely groomed, much improved since yesterday. Nevertheless some icy spots on the downhills that had been expertly scraped by the skiers in front. I wiped out on the first of the two dangerous looking rt hand turns on the first loop with lots of people around me. No major collision though. A few minutes later, same situation, but I drifted far to the left with no control, but avoided another fall. The rest was fine. The cold snow in the shade made for slow glide, so had to work extra hard to keep a rhythm going, to try keep up with Jud, and 3 young ladies who skied together. The long uphills to the 2nd waterstop did me in - my core muscles were screaming, but there is always the quick recovery on the downhills.
After the first half, I could not keep up with Jud and the ladies, so started to drift back. Once they were out of sight, and nobody in sight behind, me, my motivation dropped. The glide did improve as it warmed, but major weakness took hold on the uphills, and I was reduced to a touring pace. In the end, I did have some energy left on the Geneva loop and did not feel entirely spent.
All in all, not too bad; I lost 4 minutes to Jud, Michael came in 4 minutes behind me; a couple racers between us.
As every year, the best soups ever afterwards (donated/prepared by the local restaurants - I had 4 cups of different soups, then to the legendary sausages, and finally an assortment of cookies.
Rangeley is still my favorite marathon!

C • Favorite marathon 1

Cold-weather "warm-up" for the loppet which was postponed to Sunday due to temperature and wind conditions. It is likely going to be the same at the start (0 F, 20 mile wind) but warmer at the finish. It does not really change the waxing strategy (Start Green for me). Today was 2 - 8 F with on and off brisk wind. Good opportunity to test for optimal clothing for tomorrow. I wore face mask and multiple layers. Glasses froze quickly, and fingers got cold, so returned to yurt after 35 minutes for a warm up and chat with the Melinikov's, then out again for another 25 minutes. Meanwhile Ken had arrived and we connected. Nice dinner at the forks.

Tried one more time skating. A rather long walk to the beginning due to no snow on the S facing slope- nada. Two days of spring-like temps just about killed it for me. Old ice from December is showing again, lots of vegetation out. The only snow worth mentioning is the 700m long access road which is well drained and sun protected. Waving goodbye to winter...

On Clyde's trails for monthly check delivery. ~ 44 F but a well consolidated pack where there was snow left, which was almost all trails except a 200 m strip over the causeway which had melted. Excellent conditions. Basically just skied on untouched snow.

Then I had to go for skate over at Spruce Hole. Nice conditions, a bit on the soft side, which is good for a power workout. Did about 60/40 V1/V2. Some curving around the vegetation which started to show its face again. Still up to 7 inches of snow in protected areas, none on S facing hills and bumps. Dressed down to one T shirt - balmy! An energizing mid-morning jaunt!