Training Log Archive: ernst

Skiing Gunstock with Jim. Fabulous conditions at first, then a bit of a slow down as trails got softer while temps were climbing towards freezing. Felt great - quads seem to have gotten stronger since last week. So was able to hold long glides while putting all the effort into my shoulder and arms. One, loop (grand tour) w. Jim, then extra ups and downs for 20 min, then another loop with jim. Then a final loop including the high trails at Cobble and up the Maple and coming down on Birch. I tried to visit all trails.

Then an intended "warm down" on classic skis. Instead it became an even harder workout! It would have helped to add some wax du jour for warm temps onto my still remaining universal klister. I had poor kick on the hills. It was pleasant on the flats, though. Eventually, since my shoulders were burning on the hills, I cheated by resorted to uphill skating. Car to Cobble to S loop (forgot name) to Birch up to highpoint, then traced my way back to the car and called it a day. Nice to be out in a balmy 33F.

Ice scraping. Getting as much of the driveway ice layer cleaned off with the garden spade. It is a bit of a workout but not enjoyable, because it impacts lower back and my already burning right shoulder. Had to be done though. I keep my fingers crossed hoping this was the last episode for this season.

More of the same. Yesterday's tracks started to ice over a bit after a warm day and subsequent cooling off. So a good "touch up" was necessary. Tracks are still incredibly fast, just so that having heavy BC skis is just right for a mix of double polling, and kicking and gliding. Another fun outing.

Another "snow then overnight rain then rapid freeze" storm. That seems to be the rule this winter. About 4 inches - could have been 8 if all snow. Disappointed about the rain and the resulting ice crust, and mess everywhere. I was not sure whether I even wanted to try skiing and was unsure about which equipment to use. With about a 1/2 inch surface crust and cold temperatures (~ 25 F) I opted for klistering my tele skis and give it a try. Glad I did! It was easy tracking - crust was thin and forgiving - granular super-fast snow underneath. This ended up being an enjoyable hour, which included a fair bit of double poling, and hard kicking since the wax was wearing off a bit, which enhanced the speed. Quite a bit of low vegetation poking through as the snowpack is not deep, but it is very solid!

Then out again - solidifying the tracks from the morning, and making some new ones on the N far loop out to the field down and up the "water main road". Nobody has ventured out except one snowshoer who seemed to have purposefully avoided my ski tracks. Nice, buddy! Wax from the morning was not so good anymore for the climbs as temps went from 20 to 15. Gorgeous evening out! (no wind!!)

Run to work. Longer way around all on road. (I expected the shortcut by the dam to be dangerously iced over - judging from our driveway...)

Running home - same way as in. Running feels heavy, as I am not doing it frequently enough these days.

Hauling 8-10 inch diameter logs up from the 5-trunk rootstock logging patch to the wood shed. Used the now decrepit snow sled, 2 - 3 at a time. Heavy suckers!

Back in Jackson for an easy ski. 2 inches of powder were deposited over night and conditions were just fabulous. I rubbed some V4 over my universal klister from the Jackson 30k 2 weeks ago - that worked fine. I did the race course again: up the Yodel, then the John, Henri, but then all the way to Betty Whitney Inn (with nice view of Big White), and back via Allice's Alley, and the the race course again, and back to the village. It was getting warmer and bit slower, but I was still able to double pole all of the golf courses. Super day.

C • Excellent weekend! 2