Training Log Archive: Big Jon

With EC & KC, Scotly. Decent run to foot of steep hill, then walk up through snow, comedy on top - wind, icy track or else crusty deep snow with resultant hamburgered shins. Track back from col was lovely. Lots of downhill skiers out.
Rain stayed off though :-)

Another lap of Dess Woods and again drifted in - quite impressively in places with 2 foot deep tractor ruts smoothed out!
Great snow still.

ScotJOS session with ZH leading. Some good options... gonna ache tomorrow.

Got dropped at forest road near Crossroads, along to Craiglich, down to west and around south track then cut though felled area and fort to quarry pond (CP83) - no chance of a dip... not without dynamite to break the ice :-)
Plodded up Mortlich, struggling with crusty deep snow in places. Skiied a little bit off the top but walked most - probably quicker. Then a long grind back home from bottom of steep hill, Boddomend and Deeside Way and home.
Had about 30 mins of gliding, rest was snow bashing, so slow and tiring. Views were fantastic from Craiglich and the snow sculptures on hte trees were amazing.
Glad to have done it, but won't be back in a hurry :-) ... unless maybe with a group to share the workload.

Loop of Potties loype with RC. Lovely snow, beautiful woodland and gentle tracks, what not to love :-)
A bit chilly at start (-11) but soon warmed up and never felt cold.

Fast dusk lap of the Dess Wood trail - there had been someone walking in parts but not much damage. Definitely getting smoother and I'm getting happier on the skis.
Considered a second lap but decided enough for the day.

Lap of same route - again having to redo tracks, some snow but also a 4WD has trashed a section in upper fields. Planned 2 laps in order to get advantage of new tracks but feeling weary - arms and torso tired from too much snow shovelling over past couple of days (to be able to get car out for essential trips).

Lap with RC at 4pm - wonderful evening light with low sun on snow and red pine bark. Felt like Norway :-)
Snow much better after recut this morning, but a walker on most of the route so still not perfect...

Lunchtime lap, fresh snow overnight so cutting new ta ks- disappeared in some places, plus the sheep, deer and a horse! had used them in places... they obviously don't understand ski trail etiquette :-)

Another lap of the Woods and fields - and again having to recut tracks after the afternoon snow dump. Must be getting milder, had bad icing problems - but getting quick at removing skis, scraping and replacing :-)
Still snowing so probably have to redo the tracks again tomorrow...

Lap of Dess Woods and fields at top. Lovely snow but heavy going with depth and making tracks for 90% of it :-)

Second lap with S about 4 hours later - tracks largely obliterated by drifting snow in many places, so had to cut them again :-( Still, faster and smoother than earlier session - give it enough time and we'll get a real race track :-)

Fairly steady session, but a fair bit of glue work, plus split squats :-(