Training Log Archive: Benham

40 min warm up - then 5x5 x4. Max efforts in the 5 mins, feeling really great skiing. Averaging 18kmph during the efforts and most of it was up a steady incline. Skiing back via the hundeløype to practice some ski-o technique before cruising back with Bjørnar.

(20 mins l5, rest of session between l's2-4)

Final session of week, have had an easy week, with the cold early on meaning I couldn't do what I planned, the week has ended pretty well. Looking forward to getting in some hard training over the coming weeks

Really enjoyable afternoon ski around Lushaugen. Kept an even pace without too many stops for drink. Sunny but snowing. Enjoyable combination.

Skating for 60 mins then some ski strength for 30 mins.

One of my faster ski sessions, for a very good reason. Stopped after a few mins to let the pisting machine pass (and so I could skate on the new track).

Since the age of 8/9 I have been terrified of piste machines/bulldozers/tractors following me (thanks to a very bad nightmare (twice)). After conversing in Norwegian, I understood he wanted me to go first so as not to destroy the new tracks ... great. For the next 10km, it was a sprint as I tried to lose the machine, but was faced with my worst nightmare every time I turned to check if I could see it. Every time he was less than 200m away.

The GPS HR graph is very telling - first half of training - intense skiing. Second half of training - much more relaxed and what a first ski session back after 6 days of cold should be like!

Max strength again.

Not really sick anymore. Cold seems to have completely vanished after mapping this afternoon.

Reverse ride of yesterday for first half, so up the steep hill at the start. Figure of 8 loop.

Nice day, fairly mild, snow melting a lot on roads from yesterday, so most completely clear.

Cold getting better, as body feeling normal again, but still suffering the effects of the cold.

HR initially high and reacting quickly to small climbs. After 10 mins it settled down and I felt much better with legs feeling good biking.

Loving the spiked tyres. The sun has been out here for the week and its been peaking at 8°C most days so the snow on the roads in melting fast. Plenty of ice still around especially on the shaded sides of the hills. Found some nice off-road sections where the snow had either melted or was ice, so had fun with the grass/ice combo!

Cold still invading my throat and nose, but I'm pleased that I feel much better after despite it being easy. Managed to keep HR low on the climb to Granavollen.

I have loved the last 4 months of skiing every day. I have arm muscles, stomach muscles and generally feel very fit and strong! But I cannot wait to get back MTBO'ing - sun, maps, bikes. I feel very refreshed mentally despite keeping on top of the nav by competing at Ski-O most weekends. Apart from my Jan trip to England - I haven't seen rain in 4 months either!!!
The only disadvantage to snow is that I can only make maps in the summer, whereas it would be much better to make them in winter, and be on one long summer training camp!

Have been ill with a cold (throat and cough) since Friday, so I've been on 'illness training' since then. A frustrating way to end a hard training week, but with this week already set aside for easy training due to map making it's a good time to get sick. My 'sick' training 'protocol' is a measly one hour per day of easy CV exercise or strength indoors. Fortunately this fits into an easy training week well, so only a couple of sessions lost.

Max Strength session today. It's clouded over outside and is a bit chillier. After suffering with lack of power and energy skiing yesterday, I stayed indoors (apart from mapping the local town) and did some strength instead.

Despite feeling grim and coughing all the time, my legs were surprisingly spritely (just have to go careful not to hit head on ceiling when doing jump related exercises!).