Training Log Archive: FoxShadow

6 mile run with Eric before work.

One on one off intervals X 10. Max effort.

Around 5 warm up and cool down on either side.

Spin Class. Highest wattage average to date: 314w.

Getting ready for the Fat Tire Birkie (national champ Fat Bike race)

Ran on tread to warm up for lifting, but felt good and kept going for a 5k.

A spin at the gym to warm up. Decent effort.

Lifted lower body.

Ride on the Fattie around the neighborhood after finding out that the snow on the riverbottoms was too deep.

Event: American Birkebeiner
 

The Birkie!

An eventful year as the days prior included a huge snow storm as well as frozen pipes at my parents' cabin that necessitated a lot of shoveling, phone calls, etc. added to the usual pre-race waxing business.

But it's always a magical time of year, and I think everyone was able to enjoy the rituals of visiting Hayward for bib pickup, getting the race recommendations, etc.

I was told that generally, someone with the residual frostbite injury that I have should not be skiing. Especially in these temps. But with chemical heat packs in my boots and some modifications to my boots to help them fit, I felt confident that I could at least start the race without putting the new skin on my toes at risk. It's the Birkie, you gotta at least make an effort.

So I left the start line under sunny skies, and make my way through the pillows of snow perched on the gorgeous Chequamegon forest trees.

I felt ok, not good or bad. My skis felt fast, but not super fast. My body felt ok, but not particularly strong. I did not expect to feel really fast, of course, as I had not skied much due to the frost bite.

After about an hour my toes started to get a bit cold. It happened around the same time that the trail started to open up a bit in terms of congestion. The first hour was sooo crowded that it was not really any fun.

Around 18k my toes started to really feel cold, the chemical packs not able to keep up with the low temps creeping into my boots. My legs started to feel tired as well.

The more I thought about my confidence in my toes, the more I felt like I would have to pull the plug at 00 to know confidently that I would not suffer additional frostbite damage. So, that's what I did.

I pulled my boots off at the 00 warming hut, and although my 4 small toes were not very cold, my big toe was quite cold, nothing close to feezing again I don't think, but I think I made the right call -- I just could not know for sure that I would not find myself in trouble.

No regrets really, I got in a great ski, and had a blast. Perhaps should have switched to the Korte in hindsight, but it was great to ski the first half of the Birkie with everyone. I am really looking forward already to next year.

Long live the Birkie!

C • good call...just not worth ... 5

Spin class. Went hard for the first twenty minutes, then started to take it easy as I'm still feeling things out for a potential Birkie effort.

A jog for a mile to warm up, then some straightforward big muscle group stuff.

Nice easy jog with Jenn and Wentzel, before some board games.

We won 18-0 tonight. That is a rare thing in curling. we're now 10-3.

C • Commentary 1

Event: MNOC Nerstrand Woods State Park
 

Did the Score-O until my toes got cold. Felt good. Great day at Nerstrand. Nice set by Phil and Dave.

Got 15 controls in 60 minutes. I'm not going to say I would have easily murdered everyone on the course, especially Andrei, and everyone else too, by far.-- but it's been talked about, apparently. It's just speculation at this point.

A 45 minute ski. Didn't go very well.

Spin class. Average 253 W. Felt pretty good, toes did not bother me very much. Lots of dead skin, but healthy new stuff is waiting behind it, as soon as I either cut the old stuff off, or let it slough off. Perhaps I will try skiing soon.

Upper and lower body lifting, with a mile jog on the toes to warm up. Not too bad. Not too good. Birkie is starting to seem like one of those things that would be a dicey idea, but one I'd perhaps do anyway. May need to get a medical opinion on it. I would at least have a full week to train.

Slow ride around the riverbottoms with Scott, just to get out of the house. Have been feeling very cooped up, but my toes are still bad, and changing everyday, so today I used huge boots with electric heaters and chem packs to make sure I did not get them cold. Still may not be super smart, but need to start moving again.

C • Recovery 1

Some core and upper body, in an intense youtube video, a quick way to get a workout in. Felt good. Looking forward to getting back on board with training.

Down 5 in the 5th, we came back for the W. One for the ages. Awesome game

Event: City of Lakes Loppet--Freestyle
 

171.6

10 minutes on the bike, but my left knee and toes did not like it.

then an upper body workout, light, but less light than on Friday night. I hope to get back on my feet in two weeks, toes are feeling better each day, but still have a long ways to go.

It was a bummer to miss the Loppet today. But it did sound like a tough, cold, slow day.

C • Not as tough ... 3