Training Log Archive: X8A7

Took out the green machines with the Vladimir Smirnov boots to see if the poles worked well with skating. It was fairly fun, the poling slipped of course. Slippage seemed worse than with classic, but I think this is because of two reasons. First, with the higher speeds of skating, traction decreases, I noticed this with classic. Second, I think my poling technique in skate is slightly less conducive to getting good pole purchase. Towards the end of the ski I was planting the pole with my hands by my ears and using a short push. This technique in fact seems to be close to what WC skiers use now (i.e. Therese Johaug). In other news, I've thought about the pole slip problem. It occurs in the later stages of poling because the normal force between the pole and the ground decreases due to the angle of the pole. I've thought about attaching a second rubber trekking pole tip in front of the first that would be in contact with the ground at those angles. More surface area in contact would mean more grip. Engineering such a thing remains an issue. Then I remember the Exel X-Curve poles. These poles angle the pole tip forward compare to the grip. This could keep the normal stress higher later in the poling and therefore reduce slip. I've sent out emails, they are tough poles to find for sale. One response already stating that they have a bunch they would love to unload. We'll see...

At the PLC. I think warming up the knee with other sports before running is good for it. If no problem after 15 min run, then maybe I'll lengthen to half hour with a pre-run bike ride. So far so good.

The tendonitis in my left knee did not go away during ski season despite not running. This has been a real deterrent to training and somewhat depressing. As weather has not been great for biking, running has been the only good option for training, but even a half hour run results in pain. Even hiking irritates the knee. I hope I can run just one day a week at running club, even if just easy. When at REI two weeks ago I pick up some Leki Gummipuffer rubber nordic walking pole tips. I taped them on the roller ski poles and gave them a try today. They aren't perfect, but they work reasonably well, certainly much better than the rubber cane tips I tried last time. Well enough that I looked forward to finishing an hour ski headed west on the Poudre trail from the PLC. I believe it is possible to construct something that provides near perfect pole traction on concrete. I'm thinking up some ideas, none will be light and may require welding aluminum... At any rate, my fitness sucks right now, the roller ski underscored that.

Fieldwork.

Manhattan, KS