Training Log Archive: cbruski

With the Tourer Challenge completed, it’s now time to wean off skiing and ease back into running, with three caveats in mind: avoid conc-head, knee issues, and the recurrence of PF. Since the number three has come up (and coach HITS suggests) I will run 3km sessions, the goal being to run my current age (in km) before my next birthday. So... 20x3km will do it, interspersing the runs with other ongoing activities and avoiding the Three Caveats. We begin today with RunYourAge (RYA) #1.

Solo ski to complete the 10th and final 15km section of this year’s vCSM Tourer Challenge. Opted for OWWT, as that’s where I started the Tour and also it was close to home. Started at Rifle Road and did the usual trek. Cold (-7C with -18C w/c) strong wind, which was pushing back at me especially on the last 2.5 km (and who needs that, when you can smell the barn?).
Startled two wild turkeys near the beaver crossing sight, and they flew over my head and into the bush. Evidently wild turkeys CAN fly!! :) Best km: 5:59
Glad to finish my CSM goal (4x15km =60km for 60 years!) and beyond, by completing the entire 10. Thanks to Francis for joining me on almost every one! It was fun:)

Intrepid Adventure Day to cap off Francis’ 10th Tourer section (woot-woot!) and complete my 9th. Checked out P19 but then decided to park at P20 to explore some of the western trails of the Lac Phil sector of the Gats. Conditions were crusty and there was quite a bit of debris on the trails. Even though the groomer ski-doo went by just before we set out, we still felt that we were compacting the surface a bit.
Andrew headed out along #50, while Francis and I opted for #55, then #56 (coincidently the age of our skiing Capricorn ... photo op!). It was beautiful around Lac Taylor, so we decided to check out the LT yurt, which we discovered was occupied as we skied by. Despite the inconsistently ‘clear’ track, we decided to go for it and ski to the end of the blue #56 trail. The steady climb brought us to the Mud Lookout, where we took a wee break and considered how to tackle the narrow, crusty downhills on the return trip. It turned out to be an excellent opportunity to practice controlled snowplowing on a crusty, often-rutted, debris-strewn trail. What fun! Caution won over bravado as we safely made it back to Taylor Lake for a brief photo op. When we reached the 55/50 junction, we opted to toodle down 50 for a km or so to make up some distance, then headed back. The track was definitely getting icier as the temp dropped.
Our caution on 56 was validated as we encountered a snowshoeing/skiing trio, one of whom had fallen and either broken or dislocated an arm! Poor woman! We had seen her around Taylor Lake prior to that. After confirming that her companions had called the emerg number (613-239-5353) the parking attendant had been giving out, we let them know we would alert the parking lot attendant so he could direct the ambulance when it came. Yikes.
The air temp was -2C (felt like -4C) when we started, and after a few flurries the skies cleared, the sun came out, and despite its warmth we could feel the temp steadily dropping - no doubt heading for the -18C with -28C w/c we’re supposed to get tonight/tomorrow.
All in all a good adventure, with a scarcely populated outing, some interesting conditions to challenge our skills and strength, and some beautiful hilly woods that reminded us of Barry’s Bay and Algonquin Park. Nice idea to have a new parking lot (P20) provided for this special year.
CONGRATULATIONS mon mari on finishing your 2021 VCSM Tourer Challenge :)
Fastest km: 5:46 under these difficult conditions