Training Log Archive: igoup

Eldora Nordic
* Starting temp 6F. High of 20. 18 when I finished.
* Usual dry cold snow. About 2-4 inches from last night on top of the old groomed snow.
* Altitude at the base = 9200'

Got there early and had a hot chocolate at the downhill lodge. Once they open at 9 I got my trail pass and waxed my Cold skis with Holmenkol blue that I picked up at BNS. They had a crap iron and I was nervous about burning my bases so I don't know If I ultimately did any good. Got skiing around 10.

I knew I wouldn't get in 50k at altitude but my ego was certainly hoping that I'd be flying around the trails. There was no flying. The snow wasn't very fast and it was mostly either up or down. The downs go by way too fast so I spent a lot of time on the ups, including taking breaks to catch my breath. I didn't ever really get a chance to cruise.

I had to keep telling my ego to buzz off, enjoy the fact that I was skiing, and enjoy the pretty trails. They were really quite nice. I passed people now and then but, for the most part, it was just me skiing around the woods.

I had to take one break after 45 min to warm up the toes on my left foot. They got cold when I was waxing and wouldn't warm up. They got painful to the point that I figured that if I wanted to be out for the day I better address the problem. I took a 15 min break in the Nordic center, took my boot off, warmed my toes, and they were fine the rest of the day.

Also took one 15 min break to eat a banana, a bar, and change bottles. Ate 3 Gus out on the trail.

Had some really fun and fast downhills stretches. Other than running out of air, I think I was climbing decently enough. However, due to all the climbing, the inside of my right knee got quite aggravated; enough so that I think I will have to modify tomorrow's plans. We'll see.

Afterward, I had a pizza, beer and cook in Nederland. I felt out of place not having a big beard.

Snowing in Boulder -- should get around 3-5". It's still in the high 20s and the snow is wet. However, it's supposed to go down to 5 tonight up at Eldora. I'll be interested to see what the snow turns into by the morning.

Found my way to Boulder Nordic Sport! Oh, boy, I really could have had fun with my credit card in there! Boots and poles and skis and brushes and rollerskis and waxes and boy oh boy!

Bad Birkie weather depression. I thought about just going for a row but figured I needed some closure on the ski season, even if it was going to be on wheels. I did a lot of work and am much stronger and technically better -- it's a shame I won't get to show it at the race.

However, I got more and more annoyed and came up with a plan. Given that the Birkie weather didn't improve on Wed morning, I implemented the plan. The plan was to change all my reservations to Colorado. So, Thu morning I fly do Denver. All the hotels in the Frisco/Breck and Winter Park areas are booked. Thus, I'm staying in Boulder and will check out Eldora. Due to the altitude, I don't know if I will get a 50km ski in, but I'm going to get my last bit of snow, damn it!

1 x 5k
3 Fisher Rd Hill sprints

rep) pace, HR_ave
1) 3:16, 158

Large deviation on the pace due to a tailwind going out and head coming back. The goal was to keep my HR under 155 but I couldn't manage it - I kept going too fast. Good workout regardless.

Apparently I've hit the mileage limit on the Aero's tubes because I had another flat this morning. Luckily, I was still near the car. Otherwise, an uneventful loop + lots of detours around the lake on the hard wheels.